The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin of Righteousness of Judgment, Sermon 4

The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin of Righteousness of Judgment · Sermon 4

p. 102SERMON IV.

Preach'd at the Old-South-Meeting-Houſe in BOSTON, Lord's-Day, April 26. 1741.

JOHN xvi. 8.

AND when He is come, he will reprove the world of Sin, and of Righteouſneſs, and of Judgment.

DOCTRINE I.

It is the Work of the Holy Spirit, to convince and reprove Men of Sin.

DOCTRINE II.

It is the Work of the Holy Spirit, to convince Men of Righteouſneſs.

I Have conſidered theſe two Doctrines, and ſhall now ſpeak briefly to the 3d and laſt.

p. 103DOCTRINE III.

IT is the Work of the Holy Spirit to convince Men of Judgment.

Under this Doctrine we may conſider,

1. What are we to underſtand by Judgment.

2. The Means which the Spirit uſeth to convince Men of this Judgment.

3. I ſhall give ſome brief Diſcription of this Work of the Spirit in convincing Men of Judgment.

I. What are we to underſtand by Judgment?

Anſ. 1. We may underſtand it of that unjuſt Judgment which Men paſs'd on Jeſus Chriſt, as if he ſuffer'd for his own Crimes, and his Diſciples ought to ſuffer for confeſſing his Name before Men.

We read of Jeſus, that in his Humiliation, his Judgment was taken away, Acts 8.33. Tho' Pilate declared, having examin'd him before his Accuſers, that he found no fault in him touching thoſe Things whereof they accuſed him; yet the Voices of the Multitude, and of the High Prieſts prevailed; ſo that Pilate gave Sentence it ſhould be as they requeſted, Luke 23.34. Many were ignorant of the Goſpel Revelation concerning p. 104Jeſus Chriſt. Which none of the Princes of this World knew: For had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory, 1 Cor. 2.8. And the chriſtian Religion is mention'd as a Sect or Hereſy every where ſpoken againſt, Acts 28.22. Thus was the holy Jeſus ſet for a Sign which ſhould be ſpoken againſt, Luke 2.34. But when the Spirit of God came to diſcharge his Office as an Advocate in behalf of our aſcended Saviour, he convinced many of the great Wrong they had done in this Matter, and rebuked them ſharply; ſo that they were brought to judge and condemn themſelves. Thus after our Lord had appeared to Saul, ſaying by a Voice from Heaven, I am Jeſus whom thou perſecuteſt, and the Spirit of God had wrought a thorough Change in him; he freely acknowledged that he had been a blaſphemer, and a perſecutor, and injurious, 1 Tim. 1.13.

2. By Judgment we may underſtand the Power given to our Lord Jeſus Chriſt to govern the World, and to execute Judgment upon Satan, that grand Uſurper, and all that adhere to him, in Oppoſition to the Kingdom of God. Agreeably it is ſaid, II ver. Of Judgment, becauſe the Prince of this World is judged. After our Lord's Reſurrection he ſaid to his Diſciples, All Power is given into me in Heaven and in Earth, Matth. 28.18. When he aſcended on High, he led Captivity Captive, p. 105and broke the Power of the Enemies of our Salvation; ſo that they ſhall not be able to deſtroy ſo much as one of thoſe little Ones who put their Truſt in him. Here then it may be proper to obſerve, that the apoſtate Spirits who left their firſt Habitation are repreſented in Scripture as united under one Head againſt Chriſt and his Kingdom. The Devil that old Serpent, beguiled Eve, and prevailed upon her to eat of the forbidden Fruit, and then by her enticed her Husband. We read, She took of the Fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave alſo unto her Husband, with her, and he did eat, Geneſis 3 6. And thus were our firſt Parents drawn into a Rebellion againſt the Lord their Maker and great Benefactor, which muſt have been deſtructive to them and their ſinful Progeny, had not God ſent his Son to deſtroy the Works of the Devil. The firſt Promiſe of this was given to Adam and Eve before they were caſt out of the earthly Paradice, And I will put Enmity between thee and the Woman, and between thy Seed and her Seed: it ſhall bruiſe thy Head, and thou ſhalt bruiſe his Heel, Gen. 3.15. Here's a Sentence of Condemnation denounc'd againſt the Devil, and in the ſame Words a precious Promiſe of Deliverance made to God's People. This Seed is the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the only begotten Son of God, who was to be born of a Woman being a Virgin, by the Operation of the p. 106Holy Ghoſt, to diſpoſſeſs the Devil, thro' the Merit of his Death, and the Power of his Spirit, of all his Force. ††Dutch Annotations.Accordingly, When the Falneſs of Time was come, God ſent forth his Son made of a Woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the Law, Gal. 4.4, 5. And as our Lord was ſent to ſave the loſt Sons and Daughters of Adam, ſo to confound the accurſed Plots and Devices of Satan, whereby he fought to enſnare and ruin them forever. For aſ much then as the Children are Partakers of Fleſh and Blood, be alſo himſelf likewiſe took part of the ſame: that thro' Death he might deſtroy him that had the Power of Death, that is, the Devil, Heb 2.14. Satan, by the divine Permiſſion, has the Power of Death as an Executioner. He is a Murderer, and a Deſtroyer. But now, the Son of God, having taken on him not the Nature of Angels, but the Seed of Abraham, he died on the Croſs that he might condemn Sin in the Fleſh, which is the Sting of Death, bear the Curſe of that Law which is the Strength of Sin; and ſo purchaſe Reconciliation with God for his People, and the Gift of the Holy Ghoſt, to turn Sinners from the Power of Satan unto God. And thus Satan's Kingdom, which is founded on Sin, falls to p. 107the Ground, and his deſtroying Power over Man, is taken away. And therefore when the Time of our Lord's Death drew nigh, he ſaid, Now is the Judgment of this World: Now ſhall the Prince of this Word he caſt out, John 12.31. That is, My Death will be the Devil's Overthrow; will bring down Sin, and deliver the World from the Tyranny and Dominion of Satan. **Mr. Burkitt.Our mighty Redeemer ſpoiled Principalities and Powers, and triumphed over them on the Croſs, Col. 2.15. He has purchaſed a glorious Victory over Satan, and all our ſpiritual Enemies, Sin, this preſent evil World as under the Power the Devil, and Death. Agreably, our Lord ſaid to his Diſciples, In the World ye ſhall have Tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the World, John 16.33. We read, I will ranſom them from the Power of the Grave: I will redeem them from Death: O Death, I will be thy Plagues; O Grave, I will be thy Deſtruction, Hoſ. 13.14. And then the Word of God declareth, That our Lord muſt reign 'till all Enemies are put under his Feet, Pſal. 110.1. The Lord ſaid unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right Hand, until I make thine Enemies thy Footſtool. And now the Father hath committed all Judgment to the Son. He p. 108is the Judge, Lawgiver, and King of his People; and as the Lord ſtrong and mighty will he go on conquering and to conquer his and his People's Enemies, 'till they ſhall be all put under him; and his People alſo ſhall have Dominion over them, in the great Day of Judgment.

Which leads me to ſay,

3. We may underſtand it of the laſt and general Judgment, when our Lord Jeſus Chriſt ſhall appear in the Glory of his Father, to judge the World in Righteouſneſs.

We read, He bath appointed a Day, in the which he will judge the World in Righteouſneſs, by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given Aſſurance unto all Men, in that he hath raiſed him from the Dead, Acts 17.31. While our Lord was upon Earth, he ſpake of this Judgment, When the Son of Man ſhall come in his Glory, and all the holy Angels with him, then ſhall be ſit upon the Throne of his Glory. And before him ſhall be gathered all Nations; — Mat. 25.31, 32. And now he is riſen and aſcended, the Heaven muſt contain him until the Time of Reſtitution of all Things, when there ſhall be an End put to the Diſorder and Confuſion bro't into the World by Sin, and all ſhall be obliged to ſay, Verily there is a Reward for the Righteous; Verily he is a God that judgeth in the Earth. And we have an Earneſt of this in our Lord's Power to caſt out Satan, and p. 109in the wonderful Reformation wrought, when after his Aſcenſion, He ſent the Rod of his Strength out of Zion, his Word accompanied with his Spirit, and ſo rul'd in the midſt of his Enemies See Pſal. 110. But we do not as yet ſee all Things put under him, as they ſhall be in the great Day. Satan is ſtill obeyed as the God of this World, and works in the Hearts of the Children of Diſobedience. Antichriſt's Reign has not a Period put unto it. And to this Day, the dark Places of the Earth, are full of the Habitations of cruelty. So that even in the laſt Days, there are Scoffers who ſay in Deriſion, Where is the Promiſe of his Coming? But God by his Word and Spirit ſays to us, Behold, the Lord cometh! Jude 14, 1 5. v. And Enoch alſo, the ſeventh from Adam, propheſied of theſe, ſaying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thouſands of his Saints, To execute Judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly Deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard Speeches, which ungodly Sinners have ſpoken againſt him. And in that great and terrible Day of the Lord, the Devil muſt be caſt into the Lake of Fire and Brimſtone, to be tormented forever and ever. This the Devils believe, and tremble. And then ſhall wicked Men have that dreadful Sentence pronounced and executed upon them, Depart from me, ye curſed, into everlaſting Fire, prepared for the Devil p. 110and his Angels, Matth. 25.41. Sinners have ſometimes ſuch a Conviction of this Judgment as makes them alſo tremble. As Paul reaſoned of Judgment to come, Felix trembled, Acts 24.25. And then ſhall the Saints have their Judgment brought forth as the Light, and their Righteouſneſs as the Noon-Day, when the King ſhall ſay unto them on his right Hand, Come ye bleſſed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World, Matth. 25.34. God's People ſhall have a compleat Victory over Satan, this preſent evil World, and the laſt Enemy Death. And all the Fruits of Sin and the Curſe reſpecting them, ſhall be fully taken away, when Chriſt ſhall appear a ſecond Time without Sin unto Salvation. And the Spirit of God now giveth them ſuch a Conviction of this Judgment, that they look for that bleſſed Hope, and the glorious Appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt.

II. I would conſider ſome of the Means which the Holy Spirit uſeth to convince Men of Judgment.

I. The Spirit of God convinceth Men of Judgment by the miraculous Power given to the Apoſtles to caſt out Devils in the Name of Jeſus.

While our Lord was on Earth, he exerciſed this Power. He went about doing good, and healing all that were oppreſſed of the Devil, p. 111Acts 10.38. He caſt down Satan, and healed many that were under a bodily Poſſeſſion. Thus our Lord caſt many Devils out of a miſerable Man in the Country of the Gaderenes, Luke 8.30. Jeſus asked him, ſaying, What is thy Name? And he ſaid Legion: becauſe many Devils were entred into him. But at Chriſt's Command they were diſpoſſeſſed, 33 v. Then went the Devils out of the Man. And when the Seventy returned, they ſaid, Lord even the Devils are ſubject to us thro' thy Name. Upon which our Lord ſays, I beheld Satan as Lightning fall from Heaven. Luke 10.18. And after our Saviour Chriſt was exalted, this Power was wonderfully manifeſted by the Hands of the Apoſtles in the Name of Jeſus. They bro't them which were vexed with unclean Spirits, and they were healed every one, Acts 5.16. Paul ſaid to the evil Spirit that had poſſeſſed a Perſon as a Spirit of Divination; I command thee in the Name of Jeſus to come out of her. And he came out the ſame Hour, Act. 16.18. Now the great Agent in this miraculous Work was the Spirit of God, Matth. 12.28. And by it he convinced Men of the Dominion of our Lord Jeſus over the Powers of Darkneſs.

2. The Spirit of God convinceth Men of Judgment by the Light of the glorious Goſpel, and the Works of Grace wrought by it.

p. 112The Evil Spirits are call'd the Rulers of the Darkneſs of this World, Eph, 6.12. Satan's Kingdom is founded on the Darkneſs of Sin, and ſupporred by Ignorance and Error. Accordingly, The Holy Spirit uſeth the Light of his Word to ſubdue him. Thus our Lord ſaid to Paul, I have appeared unto thee for this Purpoſe, to make thee a Miniſter and a Witneſs both of theſe Things which thou haſt ſeen, and of thoſe Things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the People, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I ſend thee, To open their Eyes, and to turn them from Darkneſs to Light, and from the Power of Satan unto God, Acts 26.16,—18. Now it is the Spirit of God who furniſheth and ſends forth theſe Miniſters of Chriſt to ſhew Men the miſerable Bondage they are under to Satan, and to invite them to come over to Chriſt, whom God hath ſet for an Enſign of the People, Iſa. 11.10. Our Lord while on Earth was anointed by the Spirit to preach Deliverance to the Captives. And after his Aſcenſion he ſent forth his Apoſtles, and others to publish the glad Tidings of the Goſpel. And by his Word accompanied with his Spirit, He broke in Pieces the Power of the Enemy. The Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal, but mighty thro' God to the pulling down of ſtrong Holds: Caſting down Imaginations, and every … Thing that exalteth p. 113it ſelf againſt the Knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every Thought to the obedience of Chriſt. The Inſtruments indeed were the weak Things of the World, that the Glory of the Victory might be given to Chriſt. We have this Treaſure in earthen Veſſels, that the Excellency of the Power may be of God, and not of us, 2 Cor. 4.7. Some ſuppoſe that here is an … to Gideon's little Army that marched againſt the mighty Hoſt of Midian, with Trumpets, Lamps and Pitchers: They blew the Trumpets, brake the Pitchera, and held up the Lamps, crying, The Sword of the Lord, & of Gideon. And the God of Armies routed their formidable Enemies, Judges 7. Thus Chriſt's Miniſters who are as their Brethren, form'd out of the Clay, hold up the Light of the Goſpel, and cry aloud as they are directed; and when the almighty Spirit is pleaſed to work with and by them, the Powers of Darkneſs flee before them, as the Shades of Night are chaſed away before the ſpringing Day, and riſing Sun. Thus was Satan caſt out of the Gentile World. His Oracles were ſtruck Dumb, his Temples and Altars were deſerted, and many turned to God from Idols, to ſerve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from Heaven. We read that many who uſed curious Arts, "the ſtudy of Magick and Divination", burned their Books, when the Word of God prevailed; tho' the p. 114Price of them was counted, and found to be 50,000 Pieces of Silver, Acts 19.19, 26. And by the way, when the Word of God prevaileth among you, the Spirit will convince you of the Evil of reading Romances, Plays and other lewd Books. To return. When Satan was caſt out of Rome-Pagan, he gave his Power to the Beaſt, to Antichriſt and ſo ſet himſelf again in Oppoſition to Chriſt, & his Kingdom. But our Lord has in a good meaſure conſumed him with the Spirit of his Mouth, the Sword of the Spirit going out of his Mouth, in his preached Goſpel. The Apoſtle John ſaw in Viſion an Angel fly in the midſt of Heaven, having the everlaſting Goſpel to preach unto them that dwell on the Earth, Rev. 14 6 By which we may underſtand "the faithful Witneſſes of Chriſt and Teachers of the Goſpel" who publiſh the pure Doctrines of God's Word in Opſition to the Errors and Hereſies of Rome. The Angels of the Churches, and Meſſengers of Chriſt. And after this, another Angel crieth, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, 8 v. Thus doth the Spirit of God by his Word plead the Cauſe of Chriſt againſt his Enemies, and convince the Obſtinate to their Confuſion, that our Lord is above them, even in thoſe Things wherein they deal moſt proudly: And thus doth He give his People an evident Demonſtration of the Authority of Chriſt to execute Judgment againſt the great Enemy of their p. 115Souls. Now it appears that Chriſt is ſtronger than the ſtrong One, while the Devil is thus caſt down from his uſurped Throne in the Hearts of Men. When a ſtrong Man armed keepeth his Palace, his Goods are in Peace. But when a ſtronger than he ſhall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his Armour wherein he truſted, and divideth his Spoils. Luke 11.21.22. The Words may be fitly applied to the Deſtruction of Satan's Power both reſpecting the Bodies and Souls of Men.

3. The Spirit of God convinceth Men of this Judgment by judicial Diſpenſations of Providence.

God is known by the Judgments which he executeth. And it hath pleaſed the Father to commit this Judgment to the Son, the Power of puniſhing his and his People's implacable Enemies, and of correcting his Covenant-People. The Apoſtle Pauls ſays, reſpecting God's own People, When we are judged, we are chaſtened of the Lord, that we ſhould not be condemned with the World, 1 Cor. 11.32. Now by theſe providential Diſpenſations the Spirit of God pleads the Cauſe of Chriſt, as the Judge of the World, and as the Lord and Lawgiver of his Church; and convinceth Men of the Neceſſity of ſubmitting to his golden Scepter, left they be broken to Pieces with his iron Rod. When p. 116Judgment begins at the Houſe of God, There's a loud Call to the Wicked to conſider, What ſhall be the End of them that Obey not the Goſpel of God? Where ſhall the Ungodly and the Sinner appear? See 1 Pet. 4.17, 18. And thus are Sinners ſometimes brought to make Supplication to their Judge, ſenſible that it muſt be a fearful Thing to fall into his Hand as an Avenger of Sin. And when the Children of God behold how the Lord puts away the Wicked like Droſs, they cry out with the Pſalmiſt, My Fleſh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy Judgments. Now they are quickned to ſerve the Lord with Reverence, and concern'd to make it evident to themſelves that they are not of thoſe who muſt be led forth with the Workers of Iniquity in the great Day of Judgment.

III. I proceed in the laſt Place to give ſome brief Deſcription of this Work of the Spirit in convincing Men of Judgment.

The Holy Spirit the divine Author of this Work, is called the Spirit of Judgment, Iſa 4.4. And he may be ſo call'd in part as he convinceth of Judgment. And in this Work the holy Spirit brings home the Evidence of this Judgment of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt by an inward Application to the Heart and Conſcience, in legal or ſaving Conviction.

p. 117I. In this Work the Spirit of God ſheweth the Sinner that while he refuſeth to ſubmit to Chriſt as his Lord Redeemer, he is under the Power of Satan, who is leading him Captive to Hell.

The Devil is call'd the Prince of the Power of the Air, the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Diſobedience, Eph. 2.2. He is here deſcrib'd as one having others under him, the Prince of Devils, as having been we may ſuppoſe the Arch-Traitour and Leader of Rebellion to the Apoſtate Spiris. His Power is confin'd to this lower World, and is exercis'd over ſuch as continue in Diſobedience towards their rightful Lord. He may tempt God's Children; but he reigns only in the Hearts of rebellious Sinners: Theſe he leads Captive at his Will; but alas! They are very inſenſible of it. The moſt do not know, will not conſider, that this old Serpent ſeeks to beguile and cheat them of their precious Souls by his Temptations from the Pleaſures, Riches and Honours of this World; and that while he gratifieth the Luſt of the Fleſh, the Luſt of the Eye, and the Pride of Life, he holds them faſt by theſe vile Luſts, as in Chains of Darkneſs. But when the Holy Spirit cometh on Men to deliver them from the deſtroying Power of this unclean Spirit, he opens their Eyes, and ſheweth them this evil One in his own Colours. And now they are made p. 118ſenſible that as a roaring Lion, he ſeeks to devour them; and that none can deliver them but the Lord Jeſus, who is call'd the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Now they feel that this fiery Serpent hath injected his deadly Poyſon into their Souls, and that with the ſtung Iſraelites they muſt periſh, unleſs they look to the Son of God, who was lifted up on the Croſs.

Which leads me to ſay,

2. The Holy Spirit revealeth Jeſus Chriſt to Sinners as their only and Almighty Redeemer. The Spirit of God convinceth them of the Truth of that Word, For aſmuch then as the Children were Partakers of Fleſh & Blood, he alſo himſelf likewiſe took Part of the ſame: that thro' Death he might deſtroy him that had the Power of Death, that is, the Devil; And deliver them who thro' Fear of Death were all their Life-Time ſubject to Bondage, Heb. 2.14, 15. And that Chriſt is able to bring forth Judgment to Victory, by reſcuing miſerable Sinners, and ſo taking the Prey out of the Hand of the Mighty.

3. The Spirit of God enableth his People to ſubmit to Chriſt as their Prince and Saviour, renouncing the Devil and all his Works.

They can ſay, tho' this cruel Lord has had the Dominion over us, yet now will we make p. 119mention of the Name of Chriſt, as our only rightful Lord and Maſter. And they are willing that thoſe Luſts whereby Satan held them, ſhould all be ſlain before the Lord; becauſe theſe alſo are Enemies to Chriſt. Thus they go over to Chriſt, to liſt under his Banner, whom God hath given to be a Leader and Commander to the People, to bring many Sons to Glory, as the Captain of their Salvation. They are willing in the Day of God's Power, Pſal. 110.3. In this reſpect, they are not as preſs'd Men; but as Volunteers freely offer themſelves, and ſo come to the help of the Lord, againſt the Mighty. By the Evidence of the Spirit they diſcern clearly that the Service of Satan is vile Slavery, and the Wages Death; and accordingly they deſert him with an holy Indignation, and a a Deſire of taking an holy Revenge of him: They alſo ſee that the Service of Chriſt is glorious Liberty, and the gracious Reward, eternal Life; and accordingly they willingly ſubſcribe their Hand to the Lord, and enter into an Oath that they will be for him and for no other. And thus are they delivered from the Power of Darhneſs, and tranſlated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son, Col. 1.13. Satan is caſt down, and caſt out of their Hearts; ſo that tho' he may tempt, he ſhall never again uſurp Dominion over them. The Son of God in Oppoſition to this Uſurper, cometh into their Souls, and taketh Poſſeſſion of them p. 120as his own. And they are enabled to open the everlaſting Doors of their Hearts, that the King of Glory may come in. They ſay to the Son and Lord of David, ſomething as Amaſai to King David, when the Spirit came upon him; Thine are we David, and on thy ſide: Peace, Peace be unto thee, and Peace be to thine Helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Nor doth the Noiſe of War diſcourage them; for now the Spirit gives them a View of Chriſt as the Lord ſtrong and mighty, the Lord mighty in Battle. They realiſe it that there can be no true Safety, no Victory, no Triumph; but in abiding loyal to Chriſt, and ſtanding firm on his ſide.

4. The Spirit of God convinceth his People of this Judgment, by bruiſing Satan under their Feet more and more, and by giving them the lively Hope of a compleat Victory over him, and all their Enemies, at the Day of Judgment.

God's People under this Conviction of the Spirit, behold Satan as a conquered Enemy, and believe that God will fulfill his Word by bruiſing him under their Feet. And they happily find that he that has begun the good Work is carrying it on towards Perfection againſt all Oppoſition from their ſpiritual Enemies. The Spirit of God inſpireth them with Courage and Skill to reſiſt the Devil ſtedfaſtly. He teacheth them to Fight the p. 121Battles of the Lord, looking to Jeſus Chriſt that they may be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the Power of his Might. He enableth them to uſe their ſpiritual Weapons with Dexterity and Succeſs. He enableth them to put on the whole Armour of God, that they may be able to ſtand againſt the Wiles of the Devil. To take the Shield of Faith, wherewith they quench the fiery Darts of the Wicked; and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The Spirit of God alſo is in his People a Spirit of Supplication, helping their Infirmities, and exciting them to cry to the Lord for Grace and Strength to help them, while they are wreſtling againſt the Rulers of the Darkneſs of this World. And thus do they receive freſh Supplies and Succours from the Lord, in their times of Need. Agreeably, the Apoſtle Paul declareth, That God's People are more than Conquerors, thro' Him that loved them. For I am perſwaded, ſays he, that neither Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor Things preſent, nor Things to come, ſhall be able to ſeparate us from the Love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus our Lord. And the ſame Apoſtle gives Thanks to God, who always cauſed them to triumph in Chriſt, 2 Cor. 2.14. Our Jeſus, our Joſhua, even now cauſeth his People to put their Feet upon the Necks of their ſpiritual Enemies, and giveth them the Aſſurance of a compleat Victory and Triumph, p. 122when they ſhall ſit on Thrones, judging the World. 1 Cor. 6.2, 3. Do ye not know that the Saints ſhall judge the World? Know ye not that we ſhall judge Angels? "They may firſt be acquitted, ſays an Expoſitor on the Place, and then advanced to the Bench, to approve and applaud the righteous Judgment of Chriſt, both on Men and Angels."

APPLICATION.

USE 1. Doth the Spirit of God convince Men of their unjuſt Judgment concerning Chriſt? Let us then ask the Spirit to give us a right and ſound Judgment concerning our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, his Perſon, Offices and Works.

Since the Fall, Men are alienated from the Life of God, thro' the Ignorance that is in them, becauſe of the Blindneſs of their Heart, Eph. 4.18. And in a particular manner, they are prone to entertain ſtrong Prejudices againſt Chriſt, and the Way of Salvation by him. And Satan, if God permit, will be active in tempting them to entertain falſe Opinions concerning the only Saviour, that if poſſible he may hinder them from believing in him to the Salvation of their Souls. In whom the God of this World hath blinded the Minds of them which believe not, leſt the Light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt, who is the Image of God, ſhould ſhine unto them, 2 Cor. 4.4. O p. 123let us then beſeech the Lord to grant us the Light and Influence of his good Spirit, that we may have right Apprehenſions of the Son of God, and not have our Minds corrupted with any falſe Doctrines relating to the Union of his divine and humane Nature in one Perſon, or the great End of his Death, or his Ability and Readineſs to ſave even the Chief of Sinners. Leſt that ſhould come upon us which is ſpoken of in the Prophets, and was fulfilled in many of God's ancient People, Behold, ye Deſpiſers, and wonder, and periſh: For I work a Work in your Days, a Work which you ſhall in no wiſe believe, tho' a Man declare it unto you.

USE 2. Let what hath been ſaid awaken ſecure Sinners, who are going on in Acts of Rebellion againſt the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

How great is your Sin and Danger, while you ſtand in Oppoſition to the Lord Jeſus, to whom the Father hath committed all Judgment! What is this, but to ſet Briars and Thorns againſt conſuming Fire? And who is it you are confederate with, in this accurſed Rebellion? With Satan, the ſworn Enemy of God and Man; who is alſo a conquer'd Enemy, reſerved in everlaſting Chains of Darkneſs, unto the Judgment of the great Day. O, awake then, and cry for Mercy! Agree with your Adverſary quickly, while you are in the Way with him, and before p. 124he ſhall enter into Judgment with you. He will overcome when he judgeth. There lieth no Appeal from his Sentence, nor can any deliver out of his Hand. Now then, while he is ſeated on a Throne of Grace, make Peace with him, and accept of Pardon upon Goſpel Terms; leſt you have Judgment without Mercy in the terrible Day of the Lord, and with Amazement ſay to the Mountains and Rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the Face of him that ſitteth on the Throne, and from the Wrath of the Lamb: For the great Day of his Wrath is come; and who ſhall he able to ſtand? Rev. 6.16, 17. Kiſs the Son leſt he be angry, and you periſh from the Way, when his Wrath is kindled but a little: Bleſſed are all they that put their Truſt in him.

USE 3. Learn that the faithful People of God have ſtrong Encouragement and Conſolation in Chriſt Jeſus, under all the Trials and Temptations of this Life.

You are engaged in a Warfare with powerful Enemies, Sin, Satan, and this preſent evil World; and if you look: no higher than your ſelves, you may be ready to ſay, I ſhall one Day fall by the Hands of theſe Enemies. But then, if you look to Jeſus the Captain of your Salvation, you may encourage your ſelves with thoſe Words, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than … he that be p. 125with them, 2 Kings 6.16. The Son of God in our Nature, hath encountred and overcome the Tempter; and it is declared of him, A bruiſed Reed ſhall be not break, and ſmoaking Flax ſhall be not quench, till he ſend forth Judgment unto Victory, Matth. 12.20. He himſelf hath ſuffered being tempted, and therefore is able to ſuccour you under your Temptations. O Child of God! Be not diſcouraged, either at the Number, or Power and Policy of your ſpiritual Enemies. Stronger is he that is in you, than he that is in the World. Be ſtrong in the Lord then, and in the Power of his Might. Go forth againſt theſe Enemies in the Name of the Lord; thro' Him ſhall you do valiantly, and tread them under that riſe up againſt you. Let this then animate you to fight the good Fight of Faith, and endure Hardneſs as good Soldiers of Jeſus Chriſt. His Arm, and the Light of his Countenance will give you the Victory. And let God's People under the preſent dark Aſpects of divine Providence, behold all Judgment committed to the Son, and realiſe it that He governs all Affairs even thoſe which appear moſt intricate and perplexed, with unerring Wiſdom, irreſiſtible Power, and with a tender Concern for the Salvation of his People; ſo that in the End, Zion ſhall ariſe and ſhine, with the Glory of the Lord riſen upon her; and her Enemies ſhall lick the Duſt. Truſt in the Lord p. 126therefore at all Times, ye People, pour out your Heart before him And hear that Word, Pſal. 27.14. Wait on the Lord: be of good Courage, and he ſhall ſtrengthen thine Heart: wait, I ſay, on the Lord.

USE 4. Let ſuch as are under a preparatory Work of Conviction, Look unto Jeſus to bruiſe Satan under their Feet.

Be not diſmayed if you ſhould find a violent Struggle, when our Lord is coming by his Spirit to deliver you from the deſtroying Power of Satan. But encourage your ſelves to ſeek the Lord more earneſtly that He would rebuke the Tempter, and not ſuffer you to be tempted above what you are able to bear. Do not liſten to the Suggeſtions of this evil One; but look to Jeſus to execute Judgment upon him. If he tempt you to hurt your Bodies, hearken to that Word, Do thy ſelf no Harm. Or if he ſhould tempt you to deſtroy your Souls by Preſumption or Deſpair, reject his evil Motions with Abhorrence, and labour to cheriſh the Motions of the good Spirit of God in Oppoſition to him. Be not afraid to Worſhip God in Secret, leſt he ſhould appear to you; but conſider, our Saviour holds him as in a Chain, and can controul him at his Pleaſure. Say to the Lord, Rule thou over us, and let this Uſurper be caſt out of our Hearts. And pray God to ſubdue every Luſt, that there may be none retain'd p. 127whereby the Devil ſhall keep Poſſeſſion of your Souls.

USE 5. Let us all be exhorted to ſubmit to Chriſt as our rightful Lord, and to ſtand on his ſide againſt the Devil and his Angels. There are two Kingdoms which divide the whole World, the Kingdom of God's dear Son, and the Kingdom of Darkneſs. And we muſt belong to the one, or the other. Here none may preſume that they can ſtand Neuter. If you refuſe to ſtand on Chriſt's Side, you muſt expect to be treated as Enemies to him. Here then, I ſet before you Life and Death, Bleſſing and Curſing. If you continue under the Power of Satan, you must finally periſh with him in Hell. But if you now ſubmit to Chriſt, you ſhall obtain the Bleſſings of the Kingdom of Grace, and in due Time be advanced to the Kingdom of Glory, where there is neither Adverſary, nor Evil occurrent. Be perſuaded then to ſtand on this Side, and you will have the beſt Cauſe, the beſt Leader, and certain victory in God's Time. The Reward of which is not a fading Laurel; but a Crown of Glory which fadeth not away.

And here give me leave to direct the Exhortation,

To Children. Submit to Chriſt, and liſt under his Banner. Dear Children, Your tender p. 128Years need not diſcourage you from engaging in this War; for our Lord ordains Strength out of the Mouth of Babes, that he may ſtill the Enemy, and the Avenger, The Power and Grace of our Saviour are magnified, while he perfecteth Praiſe out of your Mouths, and makes you victorious over the ſinful Follies and Vanities of Childhood.

To young Men. Do you alſo ſubmit to Chriſt, and liſt under his Banner. Obey that Word, Thou therefore, my Son, be ſtrong in the Grace that is in Chriſt Jeſus, 2 Tim. 2.1. Flee youthful Luſts which War againſt the Soul; and while you ſtrive for the Maſtery, be temperate in all Thing. When Satan tempts you to walk in the Ways of your Heart, and after the Sight of your Eyes, realiſe it that for theſe Things God will bring you into Judgment; and then ſay, How can I do this Wickedneſs, and Sin againſt God? How ſhall I be able to lift up my Head, when I muſt appear before the Judgment Seat of Chriſt? Thus reſiſt the Devil, and he ſhall flee from you. O how lovely a Sight is it, to behold our Youth denying the Sollicitations of Satan, when he urgeth them to gratify their carnal Appetites, in this Age of Pleaſure! I have written unto you, Fathers, becauſe ye have known him that is from the Beginning. I write unto you, young Men, becauſe ye are ſtrong, and the Word of God abideth p. 129in you, and ye have overcome the wicked One, 1 John 2.14.

Again, Let the weaker Sex willingly offer themſelves among the People, and engage in this holy War. Ariſe with Deborah, a Mother in Iſrael; go forth againſt the Enemy, and you ſhall have occaſion to ſing with her, O my Soul, thou haſt troden down Strength. You need not fear, having such a Leader to go before you. And for your further Encouragement, I may obſerve to you, That in the holy Army of Martyrs who overcame by the Blood of the Lamb, we have ſome heroic Examples of Courage and Firmneſs of Mind even among Women, and that when call'd to reſiſt unto Blood, ſtriving againſt Sin.

Let our Aged go forth againſt the Enemy, and fight the Lord's Battles. There's no Diſcharge in this War. No, you muſt be faithful to Death. And if any, we may well expect, that old Diſciples, who have for a long time followed Chriſt, ſhould reſiſt the Devil with holy Courage and Skill, as not being ignorant of his Devices. A few Conteſts more, and you ſhall be able to ſay with Paul the Aged, I have fought a good Fight, I have finiſhed my Courſe, I have kept the Faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteouſneſs, which the Lord the righteous Judge ſhall give me at that Day, 2 Tim. 4.7, 8.

p. 130Nor ſhall I forbear to exhort our Indians and Negroes to ſubmit to Chriſt, and ſtand on his Side. Your Names indeed are not reckoned in our Muſter-Rolls; but tho' our Lord needs none, he alone is able to ſubdue the Enemy, and whatever Inſtruments are uſed by him, his is the Power and the Victory; yet I ſay, He condeſcendeth to accept the Service of the meaneſt, who are willing heartily to eſpouſe his Cauſe. Now then, that God has bro't you out from the dark Places of the Earth, where Satan had his Seat, to a Land of Goſpel-Light, where it is declared that the Son of God was manifeſt in the Fleſh, and hath redeemed a People to God by his Blood, out of every Kindred, and Tongue, and People, and Nation; ſeeing this is the happy State of Things, deſpiſe the Slavery of the Devil, ſhake off the Chains of Darkneſs in which you have been bound, and cry to your Saviour, that you may be delivered from the Bondage of Corruption, into the glorious Liberty of the Children of God. Come over to Chriſt, and you ſhall alſo overcome, and ſit down with him on his Throne.

Let Parents and Maſters of Families, ſubmit to Chriſt, and train up their Children, and all under their Care for his Service.

And Let the Paſtors of the Churches be exhorted to lead forth their Flocks in Oppoſition to the Powers of Darkneſs; and do your utmoſt by Purity of Doctrine, by the Exerciſe of an p. 131holy Diſcipline, and by your good Converſation, that Satan's Kingdom may fall, and Chriſt's Kingdom may be more and more ſet up upon the Ruins of it.

In a Word and to conclude, In this remarkable Seaſon, let us be earneſt with God for the more plentiful Effuſions of his Spirit, that there may ſtand up an exceeding great Army to fight the Battles of the Lord, and take the Kingdom of Heaven with an holy Violence. Gird thy Sword upon thy Thigh, O moſt Mighty: with thy Glory and thy Majeſty. And in thy Majeſty ride proſperouſly, becauſe of Truth, Meekneſs and Righteouſneſs: And thy right Hand ſhall teach thee terrible Things. Let thine Arrows be ſharp in the Heart of the Kings Enemies, and the People fall under thee. Rule thou in the mids of thine Enemies, and make thy People willing in the Day of thy Power. And let us avoid every Thing that has a Tendency to quench the Spirit, and ſo to hinder the Succeſs of the Goſpel. Let us remember that true Godlineſs hath its Influence on the whole Converſation. And accordingly, let us ſeek firſt the Kingdom of God and his Righteouſneſs, and then look well to the Ways of our Houſholds, and take Care that we, our Children and Servants, be well employed in the particular Buſineſs to which God calls us. Let Children be well govern'd. Let them duly attend the School, and be in ſubjection p. 132to their Parents, and all over them in the Lord. Let every thing that is good in them be cheriſh'd and encouraged, and at the ſame Time prudent Methods be uſed that the Good be not evil ſpoken of, thro' their Weakneſs and Infirmity. And let us all watch and pray, leſt we enter into Temptation. Let us try the Spirits, and not give place to the Devil, tho' he ſhould be transformed into an Angel of Light. We may well expect that this malicious and ſubtil Adverſary will be buſy at ſuch a Time as this; and ſhould accordingly be upon our Guard, that we may not be caught in his Snare. Let none be lifted up with Pride, leſt they fall into the Condemnation of the Devil. Do not ſay in vain boaſting, Stand by thy ſelf, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou. Where God makes the Difference, give him the Glory; and behave with great Modeſty and Humility. Let not your Zeal be furious and diſorderly, cenſorious And uncharitable; but according to Knowledge, and a found Judgment. Be zealous therefore, and repent, remember the firſt Love, and do the firſt Works. Conſider, the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Long ſuffering, Gentleneſs, Goodneſs, Faith, And they that are Chriſt's, have crucified the Flesh, with the Affections and Luſts. Let the Children of God quicken their Pace in the Way towards Heaven, ſaying with the Apoſtle, I count not my ſelf p. 133to have apprehended: But this one thing I do, forgetting thoſe things which are behind, and reaching forth unto thoſe things which are before, I preſs toward the Mark, for the Prize of the high Calling of God in Chriſt Jeſus, Phil. 3.13, 14. And let ſuch as are under good Impreſſions from the Spirit, take heed to themſelves, and beware of Apoſtacy. O ponder thoſe awful Words! If any Man draw back, my Soul ſhall have no Pleaſure in him, Heb 10.38. But if there ſhould come a falling away reſpecting ſome that have promiſed fair, let us not be ſhaken in Mind as if the main Work was not of God; nor take up an evil Report againſt it. Scripture and Experience warn us to fear and prepare for ſuch a Trial. But O thou God of all Grace, keep us from falling! Let thy Work appear more and more to thy Servants, and thy Glory unto their Children: Confirm, increaſe and perfect it to the Praiſe of thy glorious Grace.

And may our Lord utterly deſtroy Antichriſt by the Brightness of his Coming! May He bind Satan, and caſt him into the bottomleſs Pit! And may that Voice be heard, ſaying, The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Chriſt, and he ſhall reign forever and ever. Amen, Even ſo, Come LORD JESUS.

FINIS.

ERRATA.

PAge 18. line 6. read, Acquaintance.

l. 7. r. impreſs'd.

P. 19. l. 30. r. Impreſſions.

P. 58. l. 5. dele is.

P. 104. l. 34 r. govern:

P. 113. l. 13. r. Pitchers.

End of the text · Joseph Sewall, The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin of Righteousness of Judgment (1741)