The Incomprehensibleness of God, Sermon 4
SERMON IV.
IN ſome little manner we have been contemplating the great GOD in his unſearchable Eſſence and Works: His glorious Works of Creation and Providence have been conſidered; and now I go on in the third and laſt Place, and ſo finiſh my ſhort Eſſay on this infinite and unſearchable Subject.
III. GOD is unſearchable and incomprehenſible in the glorious Work of our REDEMPTION by the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
THIS is by way of Eminence the Myſtery. It is ſo to Angels as well as Men. Myſterious Grace! which we could never have conceived of, and which it had been high Preſumption and Blaſphemy to have imagined, if it had not been revealed to us by GOD: And now it is revealed it is never to be comprehended, but to be ſtudied and look'd into for ever (in the Church here, as it is in Heaven by Saints and Angels there) with Admiration, Aſtoniſhment and Praiſes.
WE read, Eph. 3.8. Of the unſearchable Riches of Chriſt. Riches imply abundance, and an abundance of thoſe Things which are in themſelves of great intrinſic Worth, Price and Value. Theſe are immenſly to be found in Chriſt; the Treaſures of Wiſdom, and the Riches of Glory.
UNSEARCHABLE Riches! never to have been diſcovered by the Wit of Man, and incomprehenſible to us now after the Diſcovery of them. The Myſtery hid from Ages and Generations, but now made manifeſt to the Saints; (as the Apoſtle ſpeaks to the Coloſſians) to whom GOD would make known the Riches of the Glory of it; which is Chriſt in you the Hope of Glory, Col. 1.27.
IT is a wonderful Paſſage in Eph. 3.10. To the Intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in heavenly Places, might be known by the Church the manifold Wiſdom of GOD The Myſtery of our Redemption was a ſecret to the glorious Angels, who gradually have come into the Knowledge of it by Revelation, and that mediately by the Church on Earth, as GOD has occaſionally revealed it more and more to us. Hence the Apoſtle Peter tells us, that the Angels deſire to look into theſe Things, 1 Pet. 1.12. They are ever ſeeking and ever gaining a more perfect Inſight into this Myſtery; and as they gaze on this Light of GOD's Glory in the Face of Jeſus Chriſt, ſo grows their Admiration and Delight in their high State of Bleſſedneſs. Therefore were the Cherubims placed over the Mercy-Seat of old, Exod. 25.20. to fignify how Angels pry with Wonder and intent Admiration into the Myſteries of our Redemption. "Theſe ſublime and tranſcendent Manifeſtations of the Glory of GOD are raviſhing and tranſporting to adoring Angels. Their Eyes above are all turn'd toward, and fixt upon the Mercy-Seat: They worſhip the Redeemer's Perſon; the Manner and Method of our Redemption aſtoniſhes them; accurate and earneſt is their Inſpection, but their vaſt Capacities can never comprehend it.
INDEED the Apoſtle to the Epheſians ſpeaks of the Capacity of all Saints, GOD granting them according to the Riches of his Glory, to be ſtrengthned with Might by his Spirit in the inner Man, to comprehend what is the Breadth, and Length, and Depth, and Heighth, and to know the Love of Chriſt which paſſes Knowledge, being filled with all the Fulneſs of GOD. But theſe Words explain themſelves, for there can be no proper Comprehenſion of that which paſſeth Knowledge; wherefore the Apoſtle's meaning can be no more than this — Such a ſimple Apprehenſion and Belief of the myſterious Truths, ſuch a clear and diſtinct Underſtanding of them, as to affect our Souls with the unſearchable Wiſdom and Grace of GOD therein diſplay'd.
BUT to be particular.
1. Unſearchable is the Myſtery of the Redeemer's Perſon.
2. His Sufferings and Death.
3. His Benefits.
4. His Kingdom and Works of Grace here in this World.
5. The infinite divine Perfections ſhining forth in all.
I. UNSEARCHABLE is the Myſtery of our Redemption in the Perſon of the REDEEMER. And that whether we conſider Him in his eternal Generation, the only-begotten of the Father; or in his Incarnation, God-Man.
1. How unſearchable is the Doctrine of the Redeemer's eternal Generation and Sonſhip? His Divinity and God-head, the Sameneſs of Eſſence, and Equality in Glory with the Father, from Everlaſting. This ſuppoſes the Doctrine of the Trinity, and is built on that Foundation. This eternal Communication of Eſſence is a thing ineffable, yet firmly to be believ'd by us in adoring Humility: ſcil. That there is a glorious ſecond Perſon in the eternal GODHEAD, very GOD of very GOD, begotten not made. How unſearchable are all thoſe myſterious, and yet plain poſitive Texts, which teach us this Truth? John 1.1. In the Beginning was the WORD, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD. John 5.26. As the FATHER hath Life in Himſelf, ſo hath he given to the SON to have Life in Himſelf. John 16.15. All that the Father hath is mine. John 10.30. I and my Father are One.
HERE is the divine Nature totally communicated; and ſo the Begotten the ſame divine Being with him that begetteth; in the Form of GOD, and without robbery equal to GOD: the Brightneſs of the Father's Glory, and the expreſs Image of his Perſon, Phil. 2.6. Heb. 1.3.
HOW expreſsly are we told of our Saviour,— that the LORD poſſeſſed him in the Beginning, — that he was ſet up from Everlaſting: and how expreſly are we required to believe in the Name of the only-begotten Son of GOD? And how often is this Stile uſed to us—We beheld his Glory, the Glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father: — No Man hath ſeen GOD at any time, the Only-begotten which is in the Boſom of the Father, he hath declared him.
BUT who ſhall conceive of or declare his Generation? Wiſe Agur adores in the Meditation of this inconceivable Thing; and teaches us to do ſo too, and not break through unto the LORD to gaze: Prov. 30.2,—6. Surely I have not the Knowledge of the Holy! What is his Name, and what is his Son's Name, if thou canſt tell? Every Word of GOD is pure: add thou not unto his Words, leſt he reprove thee and thou be found a Liar.
CHRIST truly was, and did exiſt before all Worlds: Yea the Worlds were made by him; therefore is he the CREATOR himſelf, and ſo eſſentially Divine. Yet was the divine Nature poſſeſſed by him communicated from the FATHER, perfect and total, and ſo a proper Generation; incommunicable and utterly impoſſible to any Creature: for to which of the Angels ſaid he at any time, Thou art my Son, this Day have I begotten thee?—but to the Son he ſaith, Thy Throne O GOD is for ever and ever: and when he bringeth in the Firſt-Begotten into the World he ſaith, And let all the Angels of GOD worſhip him, Heb. 1.5, 6.
Now who can unfold and explain this ſublime Doctrine? This incomprehenſible Perſon; the Image of the inviſible GOD! Col. 1.15, 16. For by Him were all Things created, viſible or inviſible; whether they be Thrones, or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers! all Things were created by him and for him; and he is before all Things, and by him all Things conſiſt.
SEE then the Riches of the Glory of the GOD-HEAD in the Perſon of Chriſt: who it is that has given to Angels and Men all the Perfection of their Being, Life, Endowments, &c. Contemplate the Treaſures of creating Wiſdom, Power and Goodneſs in Him and flowing from Him! HE together with the FATHER, the One infinite and everlaſting over-flowing Fountain of all Being and Perfection in the Creatures! The Author, End and Upholder of them all! "All Things were created by him and for him; he is before all Things, and by him all Things conſiſt. Here is the Riches of the Deity, the Fulneſs of the GODHEAD in Chriſt, Heb. 1.2, 3. Col. 1.16.
2. How unſearchable is the Doctrine of the Incarnation of this divine Perſon? The perſonal Union of the divine and human Nature in him! "That he is GOD and Man in two diſtinct Natures, and one Perſon for ever. — Without Controverſy great is this Myſtery of Godlineſs; GOD manifeſted in the Fleſh, by a miraculous Conception of a Virgin! What new and ſingle Thing is this which GOD hath created for our Redemption! his only Son aſſuming our Nature! The immenſe Being compaſſed in a Womb, and tabernacling in a Houſe of Clay! A Virgin ſhall conceive and bear a Son, whoſe Name is Immanuel.
I will chuſe the Words of the excellent Biſhop Beveridge, wherein to lay this myſterious Doctrine before you A perſonal Union of two diſtinct Natures: Not as if the divine Nature took upon it a human Perſon, but a divine Perſon took upon him the human Nature: Not the divine Nature in general, without reſpect to the Perſons, but one of the Perſons in the divine Nature took upon him our Fleſh. Yet not the divine Perſon abſtracted or diſtinct from the divine Nature; but it was the divine Nature in that Perſon which thus took upon it the human. — Thus the Son of GOD, in the glorious Trinity, is become the Son of Man in a gracious Myſtery: — Not leaving his Godhead to take upon him the Manhood; but he took the Manhood to his Godhead. — The divine Perſon ſo aſſumed the human Nature as ſtill to remain a divine Perſon; and the human Nature was ſo aſſumed into a divine Perſon as ſtill to remain the human Nature. GOD therefore ſo became Man, as to be both perfectly GOD and perfectly Man, united together in one Perſon: — So that every Action which he did, and every Paſſion which he ſuffer'd, was done and ſuffer'd by him that was GOD as well as Man. And hence it is that CHRIST is ſo fit, yea only fit, to be our Redeemer, Mediator and Surety; becauſe he alone is both GOD and Man in one Perſon. If he was not Man he could not undertake that Office; if he was not GOD he could not perform it.—Man can ſuffer, but he cannot ſatisfy; GOD can ſatisfy but he cannot ſuffer: but CHRIST being both GOD and Man can both ſuffer and ſatisfy too; and ſo is perfectly fit both to ſuffer for Man, and to make Satisfaction unto GOD; to reconcile GOD to Man, and Man to GOD.
THUS unſearchable is the Incarnation of the Son of GOD, or his Aſſumption of our Nature. We muſt neither enquire from Doubting nor from Curioſity — How can theſe Things be? What is there too great or hard for the LORD? And who ſhall unfold his Work? We muſt ſit down content in the Angel's Words to the bleſſed Virgin; It is of the HOLY GHOST, and the Power of the Higheſt: which Power and its glorious Effects who can underſtand?
II. THE Humiliations, Sufferings and DEATH of the Son of GOD in our Nature, are an unſearchable Myſtery. If the Son of GOD were indeed to come in the Likeneſs of Fleſh, yet tho't the Jews not in any Likeneſs of that Sin and Miſery into which we are fallen. He cou'd not come (tho't they) in a low and humble Condition, in a poor, contemptible and afflicted State, to redeem us by Sufferings, and an accurſed Death: No, ſaid they, the Meſſiah will come as a triumphant King and Conqueror, in Power and Pomp, in worldly Grandeur and Splendor. Hence were they ſo offended, in ſpite of all their ancient Prophecies, at the mean Appearance of our Saviour. They could not take Him to be the Son of GOD, whom in the midſt of all his divine Words and Works, they beheld in outward Appearance to be but a mortified holy Prophet: Aſtoniſh'd indeed at his Doctrine and Miracles, but ſtumbled at his Poverty and Croſs: An enthron'd Meſſiah they look'd for, and behold a crucified One: This was ſuch a Stone of Stumbling, and Rock of Offence to them, that they fell on it and were broken to pieces. But bleſſed are they whoſoever are not offended at that, which they ought rather to admire with the moſt profound Veneration.
IT muſt needs be ſtupendous to us to meditate, the ſupream Lawgiver obeying and fulfilling the divine Law, to work out a Righteouſneſs for the Juſtification of Sinners; and then bearing the Curſe of the holy Law to expiate and atone for our Guilt in the Tranſgreſſion thereof. What an amazing Tho't is it for the Moſt High GOD to take the Form of a Servant; and the Poſſeſſor of Heaven and Earth to appear in a deſtitute Eſtate, that we thro' his Poverty might be enrich'd! For the moſt bleſſed Being to ſubject himſelf to Sorrows, and HE who alone hath Immortality to Die! For the moſt holy One to be made Sin for us, and the moſt juſt One a Sacrifice to divine Juſtice! What Paradoxes are theſe Things, which break our Tho'ts in the Meditation of them, even as Nature was convuls'd at the Time of the Crucifixion of our LORD? Now it beclouds our Minds with Darkneſs, and then dazzles them with Light, 1 Cor. 1. 23, 24. 2.6, —10.
III. UNSEARCHABLE are the Benefits of Redemption. Who can comprehend, conceive of or utter what is the Price of GOD's pardoning Mercy, of ſanctifying Grace, or of eternal Salvation?
1. The Worth of pardoning Mercy: Adoption in Chriſt, Juſtification thro' him, and Reconciliation to God. That guilty, condemned, periſhing Sinners, the Heirs of Death and Hell, ſhould obtain the Remiſſion of their Sins, become Righteous in the Eyes of the holy GOD, his Children by Faith in Chriſt Jeſus, and his Soul have Pleaſure in them, even as tho' they had not been born nor liv'd in Sin! What manner of Love is this, which the Father hath beſtowed upon us, that we ſhould be called the Sons of God? Let a convinced Sinner, a wounded Spirit ſay, what the Worth of a Pardon is: or let him that thro' Grace has the comfortable Senſe of his ſealed Pardon declare if he can the ineſtimable Price of it! Let Saints in Glory look down & tell it us in their ſmiling Joys! Or let us look down into the Pit below, and read it in the Anguiſhes and Wailings of the Damned. Pſal. 32. 1, 2. Bleſſed is he whoſe Tranſgreſſion is forgiven, whoſe Sin is covered, &c.
HEAR the Triumphs of a juſtify'd State — I know in whom I have believed—Behold, now are we the Sons of God—and if Children then Heirs—Ye know that ye have eternal Life— Who is it that condemneth, it is Chriſt that died—What ſhall ſeparate us from the Love of GOD—Tho' now we ſee him not, yet believing we rejoice with Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory. O the unſearchable Riches of a Pardon!
2. So likewiſe of ſanctifying Grace. By Nature we are now ſhapen and born in Sin, in a miſerable Bondage to it, and Pollution from it. It is the myſterious Work of God to change and renew the Soul. It confounded the Maſter in Iſrael to hear of the Neceſſity of the New-Brith But unſearchable muſt the Price be of a renewed Heart and Mind: to have God's Image reſtored in us! To be made Partakers of his Holineſs! From Slaves to Satan to become the Servants of God! and his holy Temples who were the Habitations of every unclean Luſt! To have our blind Eyes opened! Our hard Hearts ſoftned! Our depraved Affections purified! Our deſiled Conſciences purged! The Law of Gof written in us, the Spirit of God dwelling in us! To have Chriſt formed in us, the Fleſh crucified, the Spirit of Life acting us, Grace Growing in us, the Life of Jeſus exhibited in this mortal Fleſh, which naturally is in vile Subjection to Sin. O what does the great GOD work in and for the Souls of his Choſen in Chriſt! A Work marvellous and glorious as Man's firſt Creation in the Image of God! For in this new Creation there alſo is commanded Light out of Darkneſs, Order and Beauty out of a Chaos of Confuſion and Emptineſs.
3. WHO can ſearch out Heaven, and the eternal Life by Jeſus Chriſt, Salvation with eternal Glory! This is the Promiſe which he has promiſed; the Purchaſe of his Death, and the Gift of God thro' him. He has begotten us unto this lively Hopen by his Reſurrection from the dead, and Aſcention to Heaven; and thither where he is will he gather his Redeemed, and they ſhall behold his Glory, and be glorify'd with him. But what this future and heavenly Glory is, is to us unſearchable. Now are we the Sons of GOD, if we believe in CHRIST the only-begotten Son, but it doth not appear what we ſhall be; only we know that we ſhall be like him, (inexpreſſibly Bleſſed in him) for we ſhall ſee him as he is.
READ over the Deſcriptions given us of the heavenly Felicity, and think what is the Hope of our Calling, and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints, Eph. 1.18. It is an Inheritance in Light: Incorruptible and Undefiled: A Crown of Glory that fadeth not away: A far exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory: A Fulneſs of Joy in the Preſence of God, and Pleaſures at his right Hand for evermore: Infinite and everlaſting Happineſs. We muſt comprehend GOD and Eternity, his Glory and Bliſs, before we can conceive of all the Benefits of Chriſt. Theſe Riches in Glory are paſt the Power of Numbers to caſt up; they are paſt all Account or Reckoning: When we have riſen to Millions of Millions, and Often multiplied them, there are the ſame Numbers yet behind. The Benefits of Redemption have no Compaſs ſhort of the infinite and eternal GOD. They are Immenſe like Him, wide as the Heavens, deep and long as Eternity! Things neither lawful nor poſſible to be ſpoken.
IV. UNSEARCHABLY great and glorious is the Adminiſtration of the Kingdom of Grace, and GOD's gracious Working on the Souls of Sinners by and with the Diſpenſation of his Word and ordinances. We ſce the glorious Effect wro't, we feel the enliv'ning refreſhing Gale blow: The Thing is ſenſible, the Manner incomprehenſible. John 3. 9. The Wind bloweth where it liſteth, and thou heareſt the Sound thereof, but canſt not tell whence it cometh, or whither it goeth: ſo is every one that is born of the Spirit. He works arbitrarily, powerfully, myſteriouſly. Unaccountable it is—where, in whom, when, and in what manner he pleaſes to work. The Breathings of the HOLY SPIRIT are like the Wind upon us, both in reſpect of the Freeneſs and Variableneſs of its Motion. GOD blows out of his Treaſuries upon us, from what Quarter, in what Meaſure,with what Continuance, with what Intermiſſions, with what Changes, more or leſs, as he pleaſes. It is very ſecret and exceeding various *Mr. Burkitt.. Various in the Method of working; ſome wro't upon by the Corroſives of the Law, others by the Lenitives of the Goſpel. Various in the Manner and Means; on ſome by a powerful Odinance, on others by an awakening Providence. Yet the Work is one in all, the Effect the ſame, ſcil. Conformity to GOD, his holy Nature, and revealed Will, in Heart and Life.
REGENERATION is the Riches of CHRIST. It is Chriſt formed in us: The Spirit of Chriſt given to us: The lmage of Chriſt reſtor'd in us. He has purchas'd this invaluable Gift for us: It is the Spirit of the Son ſent forth into our Hearts; the Comforter whom 1 will ſend—ſaid our aſcending Saviour; be ſhall receive of mine, and ſhall ſhew it unto you: the Graces, the Comforts, the Glory which I have purchaſed for you, he ſhall produce in you, and prepare you for.
BUT to be more particular:
1. UNSEARCHABLE is the Adminiſtration of the Kingdom of Grace, in God's ſending the Goſpel to ſome and not to others; to one Country and Nation and not to another. It was altogether ſovereign and unaccountable, that firſt Abraham ſhould be ſingled out from an idolatrous World, and the Church be ſhut up within the narrow Walls of his Houſe, which by a Covenant of Peculiarity and Circumciſion, as by a Wall of Partition, was ſeparated from the reſt of the World, for ſo many Ages and Generations. And now that the Gentiles are Fellow-Heirs and Partakers of the Promiſe in Chriſt by the Goſpel, it is the unſearchable Conduct of divine Grace to leave great Empires, and vaſt Territories of the Earth in the Darkneſs of Nature and without a Revelation: to uſe the Words of Scripture,—without GOD in the World, aliens to the Covenant of Promiſe, afar off and without Hope; while other Places and People are made nigh, bro't near, and exalted high in ſpiritual Privileges.
WHAT a dark and melancholly Myſtery is it, in Providence and in Grace, that ſo great a part of the known Earth is at this Day periſhing in Pagan Idolatries, ſerving dumb Idols even as they are blindly led by Satan? Again, that ſo great a part of it lies ſunk under the Mahometan Impoſture? and ſo great a part of Chriſtendom alſo in the Romiſh Superſtitions and Abominations? And why to us in theſe remote Regions ſhould the Truth and Worſhip of GOD be ſent, and preſerved pure? A Mercy deny'd to Millions better than we! Why theſe late barbarous and ſalvage Places of the Earth be illuminated, and honoured to become the viſible Kingdom of Chriſt, while the noble Empires of the Eaſt, China and others, are left in their deplorable Ignorance!
IT is not that we are greater or better than they, as was ſaid to Iſrael by Moſes when they were choſen, called and ſeparated from the World: but altogether of the ſovereign and unſearchable Will, Wiſdom and Grace of GOD. As of old it was with the Seed of Abraham; not all of them were alike adopted; but in Iſaac was his Seed called: And again, when Rebecca had conceived, the Children not being yet born; neither having done either Good or Evil, that the Purpoſe of GOD according to Election might ſtand, not of Works, but of him that calleth, it was ſaid unto her, the elder ſhall ſerve the younger; Jacob have I loved and Eſau have I hated, Rom. 9.10,—13. And what ſhall we ſay to this, ſave to adore the Sovereignty of the divine Will! As he ſaith to Moſes, I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have Compaſſion on whom I will have Compaſſion! To ſhow his Wrath and to make his Power known, he rejects Places as well as Perſons, fitted for Deſtruction, like the Cananites of old; and again to make known the Riches of his Mercy on thoſe whom he hath ordained unto Glory, even us whom he hath called of the Gentiles; as he ſaith in Oſee, I will call them my People which were not my People, and her beloved which was not beloved: And it is come to paſs that in the Place where it was ſaid unto them, Ye are not my People, there are they called the Children of the living GOD. In this Meditation it is, even of the Riches of the Gentile World, by the Fall and Diminiſhing of the Jews, that the Apoſtle crys out, Rom. 11.33. O the Depth of the Riches, both of the Wiſdom and Knowledge of GOD! how unſearchable are his Judgments, and his Ways paſt finding out! For who hath known the Mind of the LORD, or being his Counſellor hath taught him?
2. UNSEARCHABLE it is that the ſame Means enjoy'd by many, are ſo efficacious upon ſome and not on others. The divine Election and Purpoſe of Merey makes here the like wonderful Difference between Perſons, in reſpect of internal Efficocy, as the divine Providence does any where in reſpect of outward Call and Privilege. And the ſame Words us'd in that Caſe, are meant and applied in this too by the HOLY GHOST. It is not of him that wilieth, nor of him that runneth, but of GOD that ſheweth Mercy. There is the ſame corrupt Nature in one and all, the ſame natural Enmity and Oppoſition to the almighty Grace of GOD, the ſame Inability both to will and to do in one and another: there is the ſame Guiltineſs by Nature, and very often more increas'd by vicious Practice, where the divine Election is ſhown after all. We little know where GOD means to work; but it is often there where Man leaſt expects, and where our Deſires and Prayers have been leſs expreſs. Nor is it more admirable to any than to the happy Veſſels of Mercy themſelves, to find themſelves ſingled out when ſometimes they cou'd leaſt of all have look'd for it: As the Apoſtle Paul was full of Adorations that he ſhou'd be called to preach the unſearchable Riches of Chriſt, in the very Heat and Act of his fierce Oppoſition to, and Perſecution of the Name of JESUS.
IN ſhort:
THERE is an Excellency of Power and Sovereignty in theſe Things, that we may admire GOD in his free and effectual Calling whom he will, and working what, and how, and when, and where he will. He divideth to every Man ſeverally as he will, and hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy, and whom he will he hardneth. To ſome of the ſame Congregation it is given to know the Myſteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, to others it is not given. Jam. 1.18. Of his own Will begat be us by the Word of Truth. He cou'd of the ſame Maſs of Pollution, and from the ſame Quarry of Stones, have raiſed up other Children to Abraham; yet here and not there have the purifying and ſoftning Dews of the Word fell and abode, or the rending Flaſhes of it ſtruck, and not there. Eph. 2.1,—7. And you hath he quickned who were dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins: wherein in time paſt ye walked according to the Courſe of this World—: Among whom alſo we all had our Converſation in time paſt, in the Luſts of our Fleſh, fulfilling the Deſires of the Fleſh and Mind, and were by Nature the Children of Wrath even as others: But GOD who is rich in Mercy, for his great Love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in Sins, hath quickned us together with Chriſt, &c. — For by Grace ye are ſaved, thro' Faith, and that not of your ſelves, it is the Gift of GOD.
EVERY Saint may look in upon himſelf, if he perce ves a ſaving Change wro't in him, and ſay, LORD, why me? And every Miniſter or obſerving Chriſtian will find frequent Reaſon to admire with reſpect to others, and ſay (not from Complaint, but full of humble Adoration) Why here (bleſſed GOD) and not there! Why on this Soul, and not on that! Even ſo Father, becauſe it pleaſes thee! O that Iſhmael alſo might live in thy Sight.
3. UNSEARCHABLE is the Diverſity of the Ways and Manner whereby it pleaſes GOD to work ſavingly on the Souls of Men. Theſe are many, and all myſterious, comparing the Means in themſelves unto the Glory and Greatneſs of the Effect. It is the Glory of GOD to uſe the ſmalleſt Means, to the moſt illuſtrious Effect; and ſometimes to bring about his own great Ends by ways ſeemingly croſs thereunto; that ſo his Hand may be the more ſignal, and the Event the more ſurprizing. As the Heavens are higher than the Earth, ſo are his Tho'ts above ours. The Variety here is pleaſant to contemplate, working with the moſt ſweet Harmony to one bleſſed End. The Heart of one is ſoftly opened, ſweetly dilated and quickned by the ſilent Breath of the Almighty: Another is prick'd to the Heart, has his Conſcience gaſh'd, and lies in Agonies of Spirit. Sometimes a Word does either of them; ſometimes a gracious Providence the one, and an awakening Affliction the other. He worketh ſeverally as he willeth. To name a few of his Ways,—And how little a Portion is heard of him!
1. IT is of the unſearchable Riches of Grace that the Fooliſhneſs of Preaching ſhould ſave any. This the Apoſtle amplifies on as a ſtrange but notorious thing; the Effect and the Means not at all proportionate, 1 Cor. 1. 18,—21. It is the Wonder of the World, that the Doctrine of a crucified Saviour, and of the Croſs to be taken up by his Diſciples, ſhould ever prevail over the Hearts of Men; their Hearts oppoſite to the Shames of the one, and to the Pains of the other! And that the naked Propoſal of this divine Doctrine by Men of no Learning or Influence ſhould ſo Triumph over the Prejudices, Superſtitions and Cuſtoms of People. Yea, the daily Efficacy of the preached Goſpel, is to our own Times a living laſting Wonder.
CAN we ſpeak to the Souls of Men, or can we reach their Hearts? And very often can the inferior Preacher? (whoſe Sermons and Compoſures are in the Wiſdom and Judgment of Man yet more Fooliſhneſs) who yet is uſed by God moſt of all to enter into the Souls of Sinners! 2 Cor. 4. 7. For we have this Treaſure in earthen Veſſels, that the Excellency of the Power may be of GOD, and not of us.
IT pleaſes GOD for his own Glory to put a precious Treaſure in his poor Miniſters, and to diſplay his own Power in their weak Adminiſtrations. There is an Excellency of Power diſplay'd in convincing and humbling the Souls of Sinners, in enlightning, purifying and ſanctifying them; in the Mortification of Sin and Luſt in them, and in the Dominion of Grace upon its Expulſion. There is an Excellency of Power in reaching the Hearts and Conſciencies of Men, and in a manifeſt Empire over the Thought and Will, Mind and Affections.
WHO is ſufficient for theſe Things? What Means or Inſtruments equal to them? Truly none: yet how eaſily is it all effected by the poor Labours of weak Men, ordained and bleſſed of GOD hereunto? The Effect equally wonderful if you thro'ly conſider it, as when the Waters divided againſt their Nature and Courſe at the Word of Eliſha! Or as when the Midian Army was routed before the blaſt of a Trumpet, and the Lamps in their earthen Pitchers. Or as when the great Syrian Leper was cleanſed by dipping in the Waters of Jordan.
AND ſince I have nam'd him, let it be the Inſtance for the illuſtrating this Head. A little Iſraelite Girl was the firſt Means toward the cleanſing this noble Syrian: but when he came to the Prophet, and was bid to go and waſh himſelf ſeven times in the River Jordan, how did he deſpiſe the thing? How did he pet and ſtorm at the Direction of Heaven? Were there not as good Rivers in Syria for him to have waſhed at? Had the Waters of Jordan any natural Virtue more than thoſe? No, no more than the Lips of Miniſters, or their Preaching has in it ſelf a Power to purify the Heart. Yet was it ſoon found that the ordained Waters, like thoſe of the Sanctuary, had the divine healing Power and Bleſſing with them: the Leper's Fleſh was reſtored like a new-born Child, or a ruddy Youth's for Purity and Beauty; he was a new Creature, as one form'd and born anew: He admir'd the wondrous Renovation, ador'd the Power and Mercy of GOD in the Change wro't, declar'd that there is no GOD beſide him in all the Earth, would needs have ſome of the conſecrated Earth of Iſrael to build an Altar in his own Country, and vow'd that he wou'd never worſhip or do ſacrifice to any dumb Idol of Syria any more. Truly the Ordinances of the Goſpel are as wonderful in their Effects upon the Soul, as the Waters of Iſrael were in their Effects upon the Body of Naaman. John 15.3. Now are ye clean thro' the Word that I have ſpoken to you. Heb. 4.12, 13. Pſal. 45.3, 5. 1 Cor. 1.21,—28.
2. THE Operations of the divine Grace on our Souls by particular Providences, both merciful and afflictive, are equally unſearchable. Theſe in themſelves are equally ineffectual, as thouſands do experience, as the Teachings out of GOD's Law. Both Mercies and Judgments are loſt on Multitudes. Yet when and where GOD pleaſes to work by either, they have (both one and other) an irreſiſtible Conſtraint; the one to allure and draw and bind the Soul by the Bands of Love, the other to compel and force and drive us to GOD, not againſt the Will, but by a potent Conqueſt & turning of it.
UNSEARCHABLE are the Purpoſes of Mercy, and the evident Proofs thereof in the End, in many terrible Diſpenſations of Providence to particular Perſons and Families. The greateſt outward Rebukes prove not ſeldom the greateſt ſpiritual Mercies, and ſureſt Conſolations of their Lives. However Nature may groan and cry out under the Operation, yet the Life and Health of the Soul is graciouſly conſulted, and marvellouſly compaſſed. We often ſee People take on grievouſly now, at thoſe things which they will rejoice in for ever, with Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory. All that ſeems ſadly againſt them, which is making marvellouſly for their everlaſting good.
IN what Anguiſh cry'd the poor Mother to the Prophet, O Man of GOD! art thou come to call my Sins to remembrance, and to ſtay my Son? Ah, bleſſed Mean of a more effectual Calling her Sins to Remembrance, and working her up unto a more full Repentance, and a future Life of more Faith in GOD, and Devotedneſs unto him. Heaven will unriddle many of the dark Works of GOD's Grace now.
3. UNSEARCHABLE is the Conduct of divine Grace in making the very Sins of Men, and their foul Falls into Sin, to be the Occaſion very often, and effectual Means of their Converſion and Salvation Happy the Sinner that is bro't to ſee the Sinfulneſs of Sin, and his own exceeding Vileneſs. But it is a melancholy Way to Conviction, by ſome Over-Wickedneſs to raiſe a hideous Guilt, to glare us in the Face, and fright us to our Knees. By one Sin breaking out GOD often diſcovers to a Perſon more Sin in himſelf; as if you ſtir a Pool of Water the Mud and Filth of the Bottom riſes and ſhews it ſelf. Conſcience is made tender by its Wound, and watchful by its Fall and Bruiſe. GOD ſometimes mercifully ſhames Souls into a ſaving Humiliation by a ſerious Reflection on their Scandals; they ſee their own Deformity in the Glaſs of GOD's Word, and are covered with Bluſhes and deep Confuſion before GOD and Man. They are frighted to ſee their own Faces, and aſham'd to be ſeen of others. From loathing a particular Fact they come to the loathing all Manner of Sin, as ſuch. I have ſinned, ſaid David, and into what a glorious Exerciſe of Repentance did it caſt him? Pſal. 51. Peter by his Fall learn'd Humility and Fear, and ſo gain'd a future Stability. Paul doubled his Induſtry and Adorations of GOD, when he remembred his old perſecuting the Saints. No Good can poſſibly be in Sin, and yet ſaving Good is bro't out of it. Many a Saint looking unto Means muſt be forc'd to ſay—I had periſh'd if I had never fell heinouſly. The Blow that might have ſtunn'd Perſons, or daſh'd 'em to Pieces, has ſometimes thro' Grace only awakened them out of their previous Stupor, and Security in Sin. O the Riches of Grace to ſuch a Soul! by plunging in the Ditch ſo that his own Cloaths have abhorr'd him, he came to ſee his Pollution and need of Cleanſing.
4. And laſtly, UNSEARCHABLE is the Method of Grace alſo in making the great Temptations, Aſſaults and Terrors of Satan, not ſeldom the Means of the Converſion and Salvation of them that ſuffer by 'em. The Purgatory (I may ſay) thro' which elect and choſen Veſſels are often made to paſs, and by which they are refined and prepared for Glory. It looks all to be of Wrath, and the Blackneſs or Flames of Hell about the Soul; but in the End it is found full of the Intention of Love and utmoſt Compaſſion. As were the kind and tender Tho'ts of Heaven to holy Job, while the Devil for his Trial and Increaſe of Grace had Permiſſion to fright and ſcare him.
HOW myſterious is it to ſee gracious Perſons annoy'd with impure, diabolical, curſed, blaſphemous Tho'ts, which they loath and deteſt, and fly from; but are haunted and purſued by, as by ſome hideous Spectre or unclean Spirit, which terrifies becauſe it ſeems to pollute them. It looks to them even as Satan's Poſſeſſion of them, when indeed it is the Means of his utter Ejection, and of the souls being cleans'd and ſwept from all Impurity and Defilement, and becoming a Temple and Manſion for the Holy Ghoſt.
THESE helliſh Aſſaults have often driven Souls to Chriſt, the impregnable Reck: theſe foul Suggeſtions have left no Ordure of Hell behind them; but bro't the poor Soul to ſee and loath its natural Pollution and Defilement, and haſtned its Flight to the open Fountain for Cleanſing in the Blood of Chriſt. Theſe curſed Blaſphemics, hated as they are to the ſuffering Heart, have only fix'd and raiſed it in the Reverence and Love of GOD, and in the Spirit of Devotion. Theſe Amazements and Diſquiets have only eſtabliſh'd the Soul in a ſober Fear, and a compoſed, humble, watchful, prayerful, ſteddy Courſe of Obedience & Truſt in GOD.
IT is in the Works of Grace as it is in thoſe of Providence: As Jacob's Sorrows and Joſeph's Sufferings were but the wiſe and happy Means of their future Honour, Safety and Comfort; ſo is the Malice and Envy, the Rage and Fury of Satan, and the inexpreſſible Sufferings of Souls therefrom, often the ſure Means of their eternal Salvation, Felicity and Glory. We may apply in this Caſe that Exhortation and Conſolation: Phil. 1. 28. And in nothing terrified by your Adverſaries, which is to them an evident Token of Perdition, but to you of Salvation, and that of GOD.
THUS GOD has many myſterious Ways whereby to work ſavingly on the Souls of Sinners. May we but Experience any, even the darkeſt, of theſe Ways of divine Mercy, that we know how to adore GOD therein and magnify his Work; and that the exceeding Riches of his Grace in his Kindneſs to us thro' JeſusChriſt may be exemplify'd and admir'd for ever in us.
I am now arriv'd unto the laſt Head propounded, which is,
V. UNSEARCHABLE are the divine Perſections ſhining forth in the Work of Redemption. The Harmony †See Dr. Bates, and Mr. Charnock on that Subject.of the divine Attributes in Man's Redemption is a ſweet, a copious and a celebrated Subject. Wiſdom, Power, Holineſs, Juſtice, Sovereignty, Goodneſs, Mercy and Grace do all meet and unite, and are all exalted and glorify'd together in this laſt and higheſt of GOD's Works.
1. UNSEARCHABLE is the WISDOM of GOD in the great Work of our Redemotion. The manifold Wiſdom of GOD made known in Chriſt. Treaſures of Wiſdom and Knowledge are hid in him, and in him bro't to Light. The Riches of Underſtanding is requiſite to the Acknowledgment of the Myſtery of the Father, and of Chriſt. How vaſt the Stores of the moſt precious and enriching Knowledge! ſalutary and ſaving Knowledge! of the laſt Neceſſity and Efficacy to make us happy.
IN this Work of Redemption GOD is ſaid to have abounded to us in all Wiſdom and Prudence. In all his Works much of his Wiſdom appears, in this it abounds. That Juſtice and Mercy, Righteouſneſs and Peace, Truth and Grace ſhou'd be bro't to meet and unite in our Redemption! "The moſt different Intereſts be reconcil'd, the moſt diſtant Ends accompliſh'd; and in the untho't of, yet moſt perfect. Way that can be! How does it aſtoniſh and yet charm the Mind that attentively and graciouſly conſiders it!
HOW wonderful a REDEEMER has GOD provided for us? How ſuitable a Mediator between himſelf and us! for his own infinite Honour, and our ſure Salvation! That HE ſhould have wherewith to offer and wherewith to ſatisfy! be able to ſuffer and yet able too to ſave! able to ſtand between Sinners and the conſuming Fire of GOD's Wrath, in our weak Nature, and not be conſum'd, but bear and appeaſe that Wrath at once! Here is a more admirable Work of GOD in the Perſon of Chriſt, than in all Angels and all Men put together! A more aſtoniſhing Effect in one Life and Death, than in the laying the Foundations of the Earth, or than the ſpreading forth the Heavens over us. Such an High-Prieſt became us, who ſhould be ſo near to us, and yet as near to GOD; cloathed in our Infirmities, and yet array'd in the Glories of the GODHEAD.
"A Nature wherein to ſuffer, and a Nature whereby to ſanctify thoſe Sufferings, and give an infinite Worth and Merit to them. GOD in our Nature to conquer Sin and Satan for us! the Image of the inviſible GOD a viſible Pattern to us! the Law anſwer'd for us both in the Precept and Penalty! The Commandments of it perfectly obeyed, the Fighteoaſneſs of it fulfilled, and the Curſe of it punctually exceuted! What a Diſplay of divine Wiſdom is here?
2 UNSEARCHABLE is the POWER of GOD diſplay'd in the Work of our Redemption. CHRIST the Power of GOD, and the Wiſdom of GOD, 1 Cor. 1.24. The Mighty GOD and the Prince of Peace are One. Our Salvation was a mighty Work to undertake and perform: to bear the Wrath of the infinite GOD for us! to make Attonement for our Sins, and to bring in an everlaſting Righteouſneſs for us! to overturn the Kingdom and Power of Satan, to beſtow ſanctifying Grace and eternal Life! The whole Work of our Redemption from firſt to laſt, both in the Impetration and Application of it, is a Work of unſearchable Power. Eph. 1. 10. And what is the exceeding Greatneſs of his Power us-ward, who believe, according to the Working of his mighty Power, which he wro't in Chriſt, &c. What was ſo blaſphemouſly ſaid by the deluded People of Simon the Sorcerer, is religiouſly to be aſcrib'd to CHRIST, and to Him only, This Man is the great Power of GOD.
IN his ineffable Conception, that new and ſingular Creation of GOD, it was the Power of the Higheſt over-ſhadowing. The ſame Power was glorious in the mighty Works of his Life, in the Manner of his Death, in his Reſurrection and Aſcention. He endued his Apoſtles with like Power from on High, and they went forth in his Might and Spirit, and converted the World. And what Means did they uſe? Did they gather Armies? Form Leagues, inſpire Princes to arm for them? or People to Mutiny and Rebel? Did they preach up Force and Blood like Mahomet? or a holy War like Antichriſt? No, the Weapons of this Warfare were not carnal, but altogether ſpiritual, and mighty thro' GOD, to the pulling down the ſtrong Holds of Sin, caſting down Imaginations, and every high Thing that exalteth it ſelf againſt the Knowledge of GOD, and bringing into Captivity every Tho't to the Obedience of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 10.4. The naked Doctrines of the Croſs were preached, no inticing Words of Man's Wiſdom uſed, the Philoſophy of the Schools and the Idolatries of the Nations were decried, Mens Luſt ſorbidden and condemned, the Mortification of the Fleſh and Self-Denial were requir'd, and in ſpite of the Rage of the Jews, and Contempt of the Gentiles this holy Doctrine eſtabliſh'd it ſelf, in Demonſtration of the Spirit and of Power.
IN a Word: The ſame Power that commanded the Light to ſhine out of Darkneſs, ſhines into and illuminates the Sinner's Heart. The ſame Power that raiſeth the dead quickens them that are dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins. The ſame Power that ſmote and broke the Rock ſoftens the ſtony Hearts of Sinners. The Power that divided the Sea, turns the Sinner's Heart againſt the Violence of natural Inclination. The Power that gave Sampſon his wondrous Strength to drive the Armies of Philiſtines and ſlay Heaps upon Heaps; to ſnap aſunder the ſtrongeſt Cords, to pluck up and bear away the City Gates, and to bow together the mighty Pillars of a vaſt Fabrick; the ſame divine Power (and a greater) is it that arms a Soul againſt its own Luſts, and the Worlds Temptations and the Legions of Hell; that breaks the native Dominion and inveterate Habits of Sin, and pulls down its ſtrong Holds. Look not on Men in your Amazement at theſe Things, as the wondring People once did on the Apoſtles, as if by any Power or Virtue of theirs theſe Things are done; No, GOD has glorified his Son JESUS, and this is His Power whereby he ſubdues all Things to himſelf.
3. UNSEARCHABLE is the HOLINESS and JUSTICE of GOD in the Work of our Redemption. The infinite Sanctity of GOD has more ſhone forth in the Satisfaction for Sin in the Death of Chriſt, than even in the Severity of the Law condemning and threatning it. Herein eminently is the LORD of Heſts exalted in Judgment, and GOD that is Holy is ſanctified in Righteouſneſs. What Hatred of Sin, and Vengeance againſt it, appears in the Sacrifice of the Son of GOD, and his ſhedding his precious Blood? A Life worth more than the Blood of all Men, and the Life of Myriads of Angels added to them! Where does GOD appear ſo glorious in Holineſs, ſo irreconcileable to Sin, and ſo full of the Deteſtation of it, as in this Demand of his Juſtice, and Oblation to it. That Holineſs might not ſuffer, CHRIST did: rather than ſpare Sin GOD ſpared not his own Son, and was inexorable to the ſtrong Crying and Tears of his everlaſting Love.
THE Glory of Holineſs and Mercy together was the End of our Saviour's Death; the glorious Deſign & Fruit of Redemption. HE, the HOLY ONE of GOD, ſanctifies whom he ſaves. The Faith in Him that juſtifies us, purifies us alſo. The Elect are choſen in Him unto Sanctification, and called to be Saints.
WHAT will not GOD ſacrifice to the Honour of his Holineſs! What Myriads of apoſtate Angels! What Worlds of impenitent Sinners! What are theſe compared with the Offering of his own Son?
I need not add:
4. THAT the divine GRACE and MERCY are Unſearchable in the Work of Redemption. The Height and Depth of the Love of GOD herein expreſſed paſſeth Knowledge. It is his great Love wherewith he loved us: to the Praiſe of the Glory of his Grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the Beloved.
"GOODNESS was the Spring of our Redemption: the Motive to it was meer Love: the Benefits thereof are an infinite Variety of eternal Mercy. It was free Grace againſt Deſert: the Riches of Grace to ſupply our infinite Wants: Diſtinguiſhing Mercy that regarded us when it paſſed by Angels.
THIS is but a very tranſient and general View of the unſearchable Glories of the divine Perfections, ſhining forth in the Work of Redemption. Let us pauſe here and recollect, what unſpeakable Things GOD has done for it! What ineſtimable Treaſures he has expended on it! What unſearchable Things he has provided in CHRIST for poor Sinners! What has he not given for us, what has he not given to us! It ſurmounts all Tho't, ſurpaſſes all Conception and Admiration! We can never in any equal or fitting Manner adore, praiſe, extol the Mercies and Benignity of our gracious GOD toward us Cou'd we Think with all the Swiſtneſs and Intenſeneſs of Angels, and ſpeak with their Tongues, and ſhould we ſpend our whole Life here and Eternity hereafter, in looking into and magnifying the divine Wiſdom, Power, Holineſs and Mercy in our Redemption, yet at laſt it were ineffable.
LET us reflect on what hath been ſaid, & infer:
1. THE incomprehenſible Glory of our SAVIOUR. His Glory is great in our Salvation; Honour and Majeſty does it put upon him: it declares him moſt Bleſſed for ever: His Name ſhall continue as the Sun; and Men ſhall be bleſſed in him; all Nations ſhall call him Bleſſed. His Dignity and Excellency, Merits and Benefits fill the whole Earth with his Glory.
2. THE Reproach of the CROSS ceaſeth. A Glory dwells upon it: The King of Glory hung upon it. No more let it be called the curſed Tree, but the Tree of Life; like that in the midſt of the Paradice of GOD, yielding all manner of rich and precious Fruit. With what Garlands and Trophies is the triumphant Standard hung? Yea, with Crowns of Glory for them that are not aſhamed of his Reproach! Worthy to be eſteemed greater Riches than the Treaſures of the Indies!
BUT when I ſpeak of the CROSS you know how to take me right, of the meritorious Sacrifice offered thereon, by our Saviour, and the moſt bleſſed Effects of that Offering. Men may magnify the material Croſs to groſs Idolatry, and abuſe the Sign of it to Superſtition; but the Virtues of a crucified Saviour, the Merits and Power of his Death, can't be too much honoured by us.
3. FROM all the incomprehenſible Things already ſpoken of we may well infer, What is not an Intereſt in Chriſt worth? A Relation to him, a Fortion in him, a Name among his redeemed! O unſearchable Bleſſedneſs! O immenſe Felicity! How little do Men conſider what is offer'd to 'em daily in the Tenders of Salvation! How great are the Things which we hear ſo carelefly of, which we ſo eaſily neglect, and ſet ſo light by? O if thou kneweſt the Gift of GOD! GOD forgive us our Madneſs and Frenzy, for we know not what we do. That when the Offers of Salvation by CHRIST are daily made to us, and we are pray'd in his Name to accept of the great Redemption thro' him, yet we deſpiſe it as if it were the moſt minute, contemptible, deſpicable Thing! The meaneſt Traſh and Dung in our Way! Whereas all Things ſhould be ſo to us for the Excellency hereof!
4. SEE the Guilt and Sin of Unbelief and Impenitence under the Goſpel. What a high Indignity and Provocation is it to redeeming Mercy! A moſt aſtoniſhing Baſeneſs as well as Madneſs! That when the immenſe Grace of GOD is revealed to us, it ſhould be but as a Pearl caſt before Swine, who are ready to crucify afreſh, to turn again and rend the Son of GOD. Our Slight of a Saviour is (as Dr. Bates expreſſes it) a Sin of that tranſcendent Height, that all the Abominations of Sodom are not equal to it. It exaſperates Mercy it ſelf, that dear and tender Attribute, the only Advocate in GOD's Boſom for us. It is to ſtrike at the Heart, and kick at the Bowels of a Saviour.
5. LET what we have heard beget in us the higheſt Confidence and Truſt in Chriſt as an alſufficient Saviour. He is able to ſupply all our Needs, and to do for us beyond all that we can ask or think. Nothing is too great for him to do; nothing can be wanting in him. There are no Bounds to be ſet, how far he can pardon & ſave; He is able to ſave unto the uttermoſt all that come unto GOD by him.
6, And laſtly, LET us learn Humility and Modeſly in our Reſearches into the deep Things of GOD, and let us believe and adore where GOD has revealed thoſe Things which we cannot now comprehend. GOD is Unſearchable,—therefore we muſt ſubmit to the Revelation which he makes of Himſelf. Our Reaſon is by no Means the Meaſure of Truth. No Man hath ſeen GOD at any time; the Only-Begotten of the Father he hath revealed him. The Glory of GOD is now to be ſeen in the Face of Jeſus Chriſt. He that hath ſeen Him hath ſeen the Father. Our Faith muſt ſtand in the Wiſdom of GOD, and his plain Declarations concerning himſelf, who is Truth, and who is Incomprehenſible, by a Neceſſity of Nature.
Now to the only-wiſe GOD our SAVIOUR, be Glory, and Majeſty, Dominion and Power, both now and ever. Amen.
WORTHY is the LAMB that was ſlain to receive Power, and Riches, and Wiſdom, and Strength, and Honour, and Glory, and Bleſſing.
FINIS.
End of the text · Benjamin Colman, The Incomprehensibleness of God (1740)