The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin of Righteousness of Judgment, Sermon 1

The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin of Righteousness of Judgment · Sermon 1

THE Holy SPIRIT convinceth of Sin.

JOHN xvi. 8.

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

IN my laſt Turn at this Lecture, I conſider'd our Lord JESUS CHRIST as exalted to be a Prince, and a Saviour, to give Repentance to Iſrael and Forgiveneſs of Sins; from Acts 5.31. I now proceed to ſhew you the great and comprehenſive Gift which our p. 2Lord receiv'd of the Father, when he aſcended on high, the Gift of the HOLY SPIRIT, by whom He works Faith and Repentance in the Hearts of his People, and ſo prepareth them for all the Bleſſings of the Goſpel. And here our Lord aſſureth us that hiſ Diſciples, and ſo his Churches would be great Gainers by his withdraw from them on Earth, to his exalted State in Heaven; for then, and not till then, ſhould the Spirit be given in a more plentiful and extenſive manner, in virtue of CHRIST'S Interceſſion at the Father's Right Hand; and that to make Application of the Redemption purchas'd by Him, and to communicate all ſpiritual Bleſſings to his People, Ver. 7 Nevertheleſs, I tell you the Truth, It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will ſend him into you. Accordingly we alſo read, that the Holy Ghoſt was not yet given, becauſe that Jeſus was not, yet glorified. And we have the fulfilment of our Saviours Promiſe, Acts 2.4. v. They were all filled with the Holy Ghoſt, in miraculous Gifts, particularly the Gift of Tongues, whereby the Apoſtle, were qualified to preach the Goſpel to other Nations. And the Spirit of GOD was alſo pour'd out in an extraordinary manner as a Spirit of Grace and Conſolation, 41, 42, v. Then they that gladly p. 3received his Word were baptized: and the ſame Day there were added unto them about three thouſand Souls. And they continued ſtedfaſtly in the Apoſtles Doctrine and Fellowſhip, and in breaking of Bread and in Prayers. But I return to the Text, in which we have the Errand on which the Holy Ghoſt is ſent, and the Work he ſhould perform in virtue of his Miſſion, deſcribed. For tho' the Three Perſons in the adorable Trinity are One in the eſſential Perfections of the divine Nature, yet in the Covenant of Redemption, the Son voluntarily agreeth to fulfill the Father's Will by taking our Nature in the fulneſs of Time, and purchaſing eternal Salvation for his People; and the Holy Spirit engageth that the ſaving Benefits of this Redemption ſhall be applied to all whom the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, hath choſen in him before the Foundation of the World, that they ſhould be holy, and without blame before him in love. Agreably it is here ſaid, And when he is come, he will reprove, &c. When he is come, i. e. In the peculiar Manifeſtations of his gracious Preſence; for in his divine Eſſence, the Spirit is immenſe and omnipreſent. Whither ſhall I go from thy Spirit, Pſal. 139.7. He will reprove the World of Sin,—Not only Jews but Gentiles. Poſſibly ſome may be ſtumbled that the Spirit is call'd the Comforter, and p. 4then it is ſaid that he ſhould Reprove. But now, the Word is of a larger Signification, it ſignifieth Advocate, and is thus tranſlated by Beza. We have the ſame Word applied to Chriſt, 1 Joh. 2.1. And accordingly, the Spirit is call'd another Comforter or Advocate, Joh. 14.16. When our Lord aſcended to appear in the Preſence of God for his People, and tranſact their Affairs in the Court of Heaven as their Advocate with the Father; He ſent his holy Spirit to manage the Affairs of the Kingdom of Grace here upon Earth. And this Work of convincing Men of Sin well ſuits with this Character of an Advocate. As ſuch the Spirit of God ſhews Sinners that the Charge laid againſt them in God's Word is juſt, that the World may become guilty before God and that Sinners ſelf-condemned may ſeek Juſtification by the Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt, and ſo be prepared for the Joy of God's Salvation. And this agreeth alſo with the Word here tranſlated Reprove, which ſignifieth to convince by evident Argument and ſolid Reaſon. "I will convince them of their Sins, and after reprove, admoniſh and check them for the ſame" And there's then a particular Sin mentioned, Cont. v. 9 Of Sin, becauſe they believe not in me. The hainous Sin of the Jews in that Day was that they rejected Jeſus Chriſt the Meſſiah p. 5promiſed to their Fathers and ſent to them as the only Name whereby they could be ſaved. He came unto his own, and his own received him not, Joh. 1.11. Saving a Remnant according to the Election of Grace. Becauſe of unbelief, they were broken off, Rom. 11.20. Accordingly when the Spirit of God was poured out and Peter preached to them, Acts 2. He charg'd them home with the great Sin of rejecting and crucifying the Lord of Glory; upon which many are pricked to the Heart, and ſay in deep Concern, Men and Brethren, What ſhall we do? 37. v. And doth not this Sin of Unbelief much prevail in this Age? Many ſeem to be inſenſible how great the Evil of this Sin is, tho' the Word of God declareth, that He who believeth not God, hath made him a liar, becauſe he believeth not the Record that God gave of his Son, 1 Joh 5.10. It's to be fear'd that there are many under the Goſpel, who ſatisfy themſelves with an outward Attendance on religious Duties, while they refuſe to ſubmit to Chriſt, and neglect his great Salvation. But now, when the Spirit of God convinceth Men of Sin, He will ſhew them the great Evil of an Heart of Unbelief, and make them ſenſible of this, that he who believeth not the Son, ſhall not ſee Life; but the Wrath of God abideth on him. Again, The Spirit reproveth of p. 6Righteouſneſs. He will convince Men that Jeſus who ſuffered an accurſed Death as if he had been the vileſt Malefactor, being crucified between two Thieves, is indeed the juſt One; and ſuffered the Juſt for the Unjuſt, that he is the Lord our Righteouſneſs. He will convince Sinners that they can't be juſtified but by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt received by Faith. Now his going to the Father was a Demonſtration of this, that he was Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous, and had fulfilled all Righteouſneſs. — And of Judgment. That all Judgment is committed to the Son as Lord and Chriſt, and that he hath Power as Mediator and in virtue of His Obedience unto Death, to caſt down Satan from his uſurped Throne, and deliver poor Sinners from his deſtoying Power. Agreably where our Saviour ſpeaks of his being litted up upon the Croſs, He ſays, Now is the Judgment of this World: Now ſhall the Prince of this World be caſt out, Joh. 12.31.

Having thus explained the Words of my Text, I return to conſider that Part which I purpoſe more particularly to ſpeak to; the Work of the Spirit in reproving Men of Sin.

p. 7DOCTRINE.

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

The Spirit of God is the great Diſpenſer of common and ſaving Grace. There is a ſaving Conviction of Sin, which the Spirit of God works in the Hearts of Men when he enlightens them to diſcern ſpiritual Things after a ſpiritual manner. When God gives them the Light of the Knowledge of his Glory, they ſee that Evil in Sin as it is contrary to him, his Nature and revealed Will, which cauſes them to mourn for it with that godly Sorrow which worketh Repentance to Salvation. Now mine Eye ſeeth thee. Wherefore I abbor my ſelf, and repent in Duſt and Aſhes, Job 42.5, 6. They look unto Jeſus as pierced by their Sins and mourn, Zech. 12.10. Thus it is when the Spirit of Grace converts Men, and turns them from Sin to God, by working a ſaving Change in their Hearts. And there is a legal Conviction which the Spirit of God works in the Hearts of Men before Converſion, whereby they are awakened out of their carnal Security in Sin, and bro't under deep Concern about Deliverance from it as a deſtroying Evil. Now it is a matter of the greateſt Importance to ſuch as are under this Work, p. 8that it be carried on till it iſſue in a ſaving Converſion to God. For the divine Spirit, who acts with ſovereign Liberty, may be provok'd to depart, and leave Men to periſh in their Sins. Thus the Spirit of God ſtrove with the Sinners of the old World, whoſe departed Spirits are call'd Spirits in Priſon, 1 Pet. 3, 19. Their Bodies were deſtroy'd by the Flood, and their Souls are now ſhut up in Hell, Where they are kept in durance to the Judgment of the great Day. And indeed it is plain from Scripture that theſe lower Workings of the Spirit, if I may ſo call them, have been in ſome preparatory to ſaving Converſion, while others have ſtifled them. I ſhall give you an Inſtance of each from the Word of God, to awaken your Hopes and Fears, the great Springs of human Endeavours. The rough and hardy Jaylor came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, ſaying, Sirs, What muſt I to be ſaved? They anſwer, Believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt be ſave And it ſeems the Spirit ſoon converted him even that ſame Night; yea gave him the Joy of God's Salvation. He rejoyced, believing in God with all his Houſe, Acts 16 29,— 34. O that this may be the happy Caſe of the many now under Convictions! Felix alſo trembled, as Paul reaſoned of Righteouſneſs, Temperance, and Judgment to come p. 9Acts 24.25. Behold the Judge quaking for Fear before his Priſoner! We may well ſuppoſe a greater than Paul was there, even the Judge of all the Earth, reproving this Man for his Crimes by the Spirit accompanying Paul's faithful Miniſtry: But then he unhappily endeavour'd to put off his Convictions by ſaying to Paul, Go thy way for this Time; when I have a convenient Seaſon, I will call for thee. And for ought any thing that appears, the Spirit ceaſed ſtriving with him. We read indeed that Felix ſent for Paul again; but not to hear the Word of God, and inquire how he ſhould improve his Convictions; but becauſe he hoped that Money ſhould have been given him of Paul, that he might looſe him, v. 26. A baſe Thing indeed! And after two Years, to ſhew the Jews a Pleaſure, he left Paul bound, v. 27, Upon the whole, it is highly probable, that the convenient Seaſon, he pretended to wait for, never came. O it is a dangerous Thing to reſiſt the Spirit of God ſtriving with us, and as it were bid him depart from us!

I would now ſpeak particularly to the Doctrine under theſe following Heads;

I. The Holy Spirit is the Author of this Work of Conviction, II. We may conſider the Means he uſeth to convince Men of p. 10Sin. III. Offer ſome Deſcription of this Work of Conviction.

I. THE Holy Spirit is the Author of this Work of Conviction.

That there is ſuch a Work going before and preparatory to ſaving Converſion in God's choſen People, is evident from Scripture and Experience. The Son of Man is come to ſeek and ſave that which was loſt; and the Prodigal Son is repreſented as ſenſible of his periſhing Condition, before he reſolveth to ariſe and go to his Father,— Luke 15.17, 18. And our compaſſionate Redeemer inviteth them that labor and are heavy laden to come to him for reſt, Matth. 11.28. And we find from Examples upon Record in Scripture, as well as of later Date down to our own Times, that God takes this Courſe with Men, convincing them of Sin and bringing them under a deep Concern about their Souls before he grants them the Joy of his Salvation. Now whatever Inſtruments may be uſed in this Work, we muſt acknowledge that the Spirit of God is the great Efficient. He ſtriveth with Men, Gen. 6.3. And accordingly Stephen charged his Hearers with the great Sin of reſiſting the Holy Ghoſt, Act. 7.51. How ſharp were his Arrows in their Hearts who heard Peter's Sermon upon occaſion of the p. 11wonderful Effuſion of the Holy Ghoſt in the Day of Pentecoſt: Act. 2. They were pricked in their Heart, 37. v. And in a little Time ſeem to have been ſubdued to the Obedience of Faith. Agreably, the Spirit of God is called a Spirit of Bondage, Rom. 8.15. Ye have not received the Spirit of Bondage again to fear. Indeed the holy Spirit can't be the Author of Sin whereby Men are brought into Bondage; but then He makes Sinners ſenſible of this cruel Bondage, and brings them to groan after Deliverance.

II. We proceed to conſider the Means which the Spirit of God uſeth to convince Men of Sin.

I. THE great Inſtrument is the Word of God.

And accordingly the Word is call'd the Sword of the Spirit, Eph. 6.17. All Scripture is given by Inſpiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, 2 Tim. 3.16. But then the ſame Spirit that moved thoſe holy Men who wrote the Scriptures, muſt accompany them with his divine Influence; or there will be ſad Occaſion to take up that Lamentation, Who hath believed our Report? and to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed? Iſa. 58.1. When the Spirit is withdrawn, we find that the Miniſtry of the Word has little p. 12or no good Effect upon the Hearts of Sinners. They are unmov'd as the Seats they ſit upon: Their Ears are heavy and their Eyes ſhut, Iſa. 6.10. But when this almighty Spirit is pleas'd to take his Word into his own Hand, and wound the Sinners Conſcience with it, he can no longer make light of the Commands or Threatnings; they come home to him, and reach his very Heart: He is convinced of all, he is judged of all, 1 Cor. 14.23. He is convinced of the Sins whereby he hath tranſgreſſed God's holy Law, and his Heart condemneth him for them. Now the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and ſharper than any two edged Sword, piercing even to t… dividing aſunder of Soul and Spirit, and of the Joynts and Marrow, and is a Diſcerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart, Heb. 4.12. The Law of God is call'd a fiery Law, Deut. 33.2. And it may well be ſo call'd, not only as it was deliver'd out of the midſt of the Fire, from the burning Mountain; but alſo, as in it we have God's burning Wrath, and fiery Indignation againſt Sinners revealed from Heaven. Accordingly when the Word of God is accompanied with the Spirit, and ſo comes with Power upon the Hearts of Sinners, they feel Pain and Anguiſh, and are ſenſible of the deadly Wounds Sin hath given them. Is not my Word like as a Fire, ſaith the Lord: p. 13and like a Hammer that breaketh the Rock in Pieces? Jer. 23.29. When the Spirit takes it into his Hand, he breaks the Sinners carnal Confidences. By the Law is the Knowlege of Sin, and by it the Spirit reproves Men for their Sins, and convinceth them of their loſt periſhing Condition as Tranſgreſſors of God's Law. So ſharp and cutting were God's Reproofs of his ancient People by his Word in the Mouth of his holy Prophets, that he ſays, Therefore have I hewed them by the Prophets: I have ſlain them by the Words of my Mouth, Hoſ. 6.5.

2. The Holy Spirit convinceth and reproveth Men of Sin by God's providential Diſpenſations, particularly by afflictive Providences.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit makes uſe of the divine Goodneſs to lead Sinners to Repentance, Rom, 2.4. And draweth them as with the Cords of a Man, and Bands of Love. Agreably it is promis'd that the Children of Iſrael, ſhould fear the Lord, and his Goodneſs in the latter Days, Hoſ 3.5. But I am now conſidering the Reproof given by Afflictions. When Sinners reſiſt the Spirit ſpeaking to them in and by his Word, he ſometimes takes the Rod, and teacheth them as Gideon taught the Men of Succoth with Briars and Thorns of the Wilderneſs. And when they are thus torn and wounded, they are bro't to conſider what an evil Thing Sin p. 14is, and their need of a Saviour to deliver them from it. Thus God ſaid to his ancient People by the Prophet Jeremiah. Thine own Wickedneſs ſhall correct thee, and thy Backſlidings ſhall reprove thee: know therefore and ſee, that it is an evil Thing and bitter that thou haſt forſaken the Lord thy God, and that my Fear is not in thee, ſaith the Lord God of hoſts. Chap. 2.9. Outward Proſperity is apt to make Men careleſs and ſecure; to ſay with the Church of the Laodiceans, I am rich, and increaſed with Goods, and have need of nothing. But now, When God brings Men into Straits and under Difficulties, He ſometimes awakeneth them to a ſerious Reflection upon their ſpiritual Poverty, Miſery and Wretchedneſs, I ſpake unto thee in thy Proſperity, but thou ſaidſt, I will not hear: this hath been thy manner from thy Youth, that thou obeyedſt not my Voice. The Wind ſhall eat up all thy Paſtors, and thy Lovers ſhall go into Captivity, ſurely then ſhalt thou be aſhamed and confounded for all thy Wickedneſs, Jer. 22.21, 2. And thus it was with Ephraim when he bore the Reproach of the Sins of his Youth under God's Chaſtiſements, Jer. 31.18. I have ſurely heard Ephraim bemoaning himſelf thus, Thou haſt chaſtiſed me, and I was chaſtiſed, as a Bullock unaccuſtomed to the Yoke: turn thou me and I ſhall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God. Tho' theſe Words nextly refer to God's People, p. 15they may be fitly applied to particular Perſons. When God corrects Men, and by his Spirit opens their Ears to Diſcipline, he ſhaws them the Neceſſity of their turning to God, and maketh them concern'd to obtain converting Grace. Turn thou me—. O that this may be the happy Caſe of the many young People who are under Convictions at this Time! Dear Children! Ask the Spirit of Grace as a Spirit of Regeneration and Adoption, that you may have your weary Souls reviv'd with that good Word which followeth, v. 20. Is Ephraim a dear Son? is he a pleaſant Child? for ſince I ſpake againſt him, I do earneſtly remember him ſtill: therefore my Bowels are troubled for him: I will ſurely have Mercy upon him, ſaith the Lord. But to return, When Perſons are ſecure, God cometh upon them, takes away their Health, and brings them ſeriouſly to conſider their latter End. God ſhaketh me over the Grave, ſays the awakened Sinner, and what will become of me, if I die in my Sins, if I die out of Chriſt? Again, God comes & taketh away their earthly Goods, and ſo convinceth them of the Evil of truſting in uncertain Riches, and awakens them to ſeek that good Part which can't be taken away. Again, God bereaveth Men of their near and dear Friends, and ſo quickens them to ſeek the Favour and Friendſhip of the eternal God, making them taſte the Bitterneſs of Sin as it hath brought p. 16Death into the World, and ſhewing them the Vanity of Creatures. We read of thoſe Sinners, Pſal. 78.34, 5. When he ſlew them, then they ſought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. And they remembred that God was their Rock, and the high God their Redeemer. And was it not thus with this People in the Time of the EARTHQUAKE, when God threatned to ſend us down quick into the Pit? Did not Multitudes tremble as the Jailor, and inquire with great Concern, what muſt we do to be ſaved? How did People flock to God's Houſe, and with what aw did they attend to his Word, while the Foundations of the Earth were ſhaken under us! Yea, I humbly apprehend that there is Reaſon to believe that the mighty Voice uttered from the deep Places of the Earth, together with the ſtill Voice of God's Word, was ſanctified not only for the Conviction, but alſo for the Convenſion of Numbers of People, by the Spirit of God. So far as we can judge, there were a Number, whom the Terrors of that dreadful Night awakened, whom the Spirit effectually call'd. While it is to be fear'd that the Impreſſions made on a far greater Number wore off, and dyed away. I the rather mention this remarkable Providence, becauſe I apprehend that the Time of it was a Seaſon in which God was pleaſed in a general and extraordinary manner to ſtrive with this p. 17People. Since that we have been viſited with a very mortal Sickneſs, in which God hath cut off many of our Children; but I cannot learn that People have been awakened in any Proportion to the exceeding Awfulneſs of the Judgment.

3. The holy Spirit makes uſe of His Works of Grace to convince and awaken Sinners.

At ſometimes the Spirit is awfully reſtrain'd, and then Converſions are rare and doubtful. At other Seaſons, God is pleas'd to pour out His Spirit upon his People, and then his Works of Grace, are as the Light which goeth forth. Many ask the Way to Zion, with their Faces thitherward, and not a few declare God's Works of Grace towards them with rejoicing. Convictions and Converſions become more frequent and apparent, ſo far as our Judgment reacheth. It is true, the ſaving Converſion of others can't be certainly known by us in the ordinary Way, becauſe we are not able to look directly into the Heart, but muſt judge by outward Appearances. And therefore we ought to exerciſe Judgment with Charity. But then there are ſometimes Fruits of the Spirit ſo evident, that they can't be conceal'd or denied. There is the Manifeſtation of the Spirit in his divine Operations. 1 Cor. 12.7. Perſons that were before quiet in their Sins and unconcerned, are ſo awakened that they can't ſtifle their Convictions, nor p. 18conceal their Diſtreſs; but are made to cry out, What ſhall we do? How ſhall we eſcape the Wrath to come? And when a Son or Daughter, or any other in a Family are thus wrought upon, the Houſe is alarm'd with it, and thus their Friends and Acquaintants are happily preſs'd with Concern about their own Souls by the Convictions of others, when the Spirit of God is pleas'd to uſe them as Means for this End. And when ſuch a Work of Grace ſpreads and increaſeth thro' the good Hand of God upon his People, it will be ſtill more obſervable, and ſuch as are conſiderate, will be ready to ſay admiring, What hath God wrought! Yea, all that behold it, muſt now ſee, if they will open their Eyes, that there's more in Religion than a lifeleſs Formality, and outward Attendance on Ordinances. When the Work of God is thus reviv'd among a People, the Form of Godlineſs will be animated with the inward Life and Power of it. God's own Children will be quicken'd to ariſe and trim their Lamps, that their Light may ſhine before others. And ſuch as were Strangers to Religion before, will now preſs into the Kingdom of Heaven. That Deſcription well agreeth to ſuch a Seaſon. The Kingdom of Heaven ſuffereth Violence, and the Violent take it by Force, Matth. 11 12. The Miniſters of Chriſt will be encouraged and enlivened in their Work, and ſuch as are under p. 19Convictions will be awakened to a more diligent Attendance on the Word and Ordinances. Now ſuch things as theſe, under the Influence of the bleſſed Spirit, muſt have an happy tendency to rouſe the ſleepy ſecure Sinner, and reprove him for his criminal Indifferency in the great Concerns of his Soul. And thus the holy Spirit maketh uſe of the Works of his Grace to convince Men of their Sin and Danger, while they behold a great Alteration in others for the better; but have not felt the like in themſelves. That God who formeth the Spirit of Man within him, hath faſhioned their Hearts alike; ſo that as in Water, Face anſwereth to Face; ſo the Heart of Man to Man. Pſal, 33.15. Prov. 27.29. Whence ariſeth a kind of Sympathy and Affection reſpecting each other; ſo that what toucheth the one; affecteth the other. And this is in an eſpecial manner obſervable in ſuch as are near and dear to each other. When the Child is in Diſtreſs, the tender Parent is preſently touched with the feeling of it's Sorrow: When the Brother crieth out in Anguiſh of Soul, the kind Siſter can't forbear to condole with him. Accordingly, When it pleaſeth the holy Spirit to uſe theſe Inclinations and Affections in Men as Means, good impreſſion, by the divine Bleſſing, wonderfully propagate and multiply. This I find obſerv'd by a Reverend and dear Brother, in his Narrative p. 20of the ſurpriſing Work of God in the Converſion of many hundred Souls in Northhampton, and the neighbouring Towns, &c. "There is no one Thing that I know of that God has made ſuch a Means of promoting His Work amongſt us, as the News of others Converſion; in the awakening Sinners, and engaging them earneſtly to ſeek the ſame Bleſſing, and in the quickening of Saints."**See Mr. Edward's Narrative, P. 39. And as more lately, we have receiv'd good News of this kind from more diſtant Places upon this Continent; ſo I can't but hope that God's ſending one and another of his Servants among us who had been perſonally acquainted with theſe later wonderful Works of Grace, together with their very laborious and fervent Preaching, and the Miniſtry of others his Servants; has been bleſ'd to convince many of their Sins, and awaken them to a ſerious Concern about their Souls. Yea, It is hopeful that there are a Number converted, and brought home to Chriſt. Let us give the Praiſe to the God of all Grace: And let Paſtors and Parents, and other Chriſtians in their ſeveral Places uſe their beſt Endeavours to forward this good Work; for tho' the Work is the Lord's, and he alone can carry it on with victorious Succeſs; yet he delights to uſe his People as Inſtruments, p. 21and expects that in the way of Duty they ask His Bleſſing in the more plentiful and extenſive Effuſions of his Spirit. Thus when God had promiſed to give his People a new Heart; to put his Spirit within them, and cauſe them to walk in his Statutes: He adds, I will yet for this be enquired of by the Houſe of Iſrael, to do it for them, Ezek. 36.37.

III. The 3d Head is to give ſome Deſcription of this Work of the Spirit in Conviction.

I ſhall at preſent, only obſerve a few Things in general relating to it,

This Work of the Spirit is by Divines commonly call'd Preparatory, as it goeth before ſaving Converſion, and is wrought in order to it, reſpecting ſuch as are afterwards effectually call'd by the Spirit. By this Work, ſays the excellent Mr. Norton, "We underſtand certain inherent Qualifications, coming between the carnal Reſt of the Soul in the State of Sin, and Converſion wrought in the Miniſtry both of the Law and Goſpel, by the common Work of the Spirit concurring; whereby the Soul is put into a miniſterial Capacity of believing immediately, i. e. of immediate receiving the Lord Jeſus Chriſt." This is the order in which God proceeds in the Work of his Grace on the Souls of ſuch as are grown to Years of Underſtanding: He maketh them ſenſible of their Sin and Miſery, p. 22and ſo brings them to ſeek Jeſus who ſaveth his People from their Sins, and to ſubmit to him. Indeed this Work is neither the efficient nor meretorious Cauſe of their ſaving Converſion; however in this Way God awakeneth his People to a diligent Attendance on the Means of Grace, till he ſhall work in them to will and to do, and make them his willing People, in the Day of his Power. And here, we may obſerve that we muſt not preſume to limit and reſtrain the infinite Spirit of God in this matter, who is call'd the free Spirit, Pſal. 51.12. No doubt there may be great Variety as to Degrees of Terror, as to the Time Perſons are kept under it, and the like. And we muſt take heed that in this reſpect we do not make our particular Experiences general Rules to judge of the State of Men God opened the Heart of Lydia, and the Jailor came trembling with the utmoſt Conſternation. And it hath been obſerved that ſome have been kept under a Spirit of Bondage for a conſiderable Time, while other convinced Sinners have been in a ſhort Time ſurpris'd with a Viſit from the holy Spirit of God as a Spirit of Adoption, which ſuppoſeth the New-Birth. Again, as to outward Expreſſions of deep Concern in Tears, wringing the Hands, &c. Perſons under like inward deep Concern of Mind may conſiderably differ according to different Conſtitutions and Tempers. Again, Some may have p. 23been more hainous Tranſgreſſors than others, and God may impreſs their Minds with terrible Fears in ſome Proportion. Again, It's no improbable Suppoſition, that ſome have been converted in early Childhood before they were capable of giving a diſtinct Account of this Work. Nor need it ſeem ſtrange, if ſuch as have been favour'd with a pious Education and good Impreſſions from their Childhood, ſhould be more at a loſs in this Matter, than ſuch as have been ſuddenly ſurpris'd as Saul, while going on in open Rebellion againſt God, and ſo knock'd down under the fearful Apprehenſions of his Wrath, and then rais'd with the wonderful Manifeſtations of the free Grace of God in Jeſus Chriſt ſuper-abounding where Sin had abounded. Therefore ſuch as find upon ſtrict and impartial Examination, that they abhor themſelves for Sin as it is contrary to the declarative Glory & revealed Will of God, and ſo turn from all Sin unto God, as their chief Good and higheſt End; that they are willing to ſubmit to Chriſt as their Prince and Saviour, truſting only to his Righteouſneſs for their Juſtification before God, and taking his Yoke upon them: I ſay, theſe Perſons ought not to diſtreſs themſelves, becauſe they can't give ſuch a diſtinct Account of the Time and Manner of this Work of Conviction, as ſome others can; nor yet have experienc'd ſo great Terrors as others haye felt before they were p. 24born of the Spirit. Such as have been made ſenſible of their loſt and periſhing Condition by the Fall, and then made willing to receive Jeſus Chriſt in all his Offices as their only Saviour; have the Things found in them which go before, and accompany Salvation; and ſhould be encourag'd to truſt in the Name of the Lord, and ſtay upon their God. However, It is happy for ſuch as are able to give a more clear and diſtinct Account of the peculiar Seaſon and Manner of this Work of the Spirit; for this has a tendency to bring their Minds to a better Settlement as to their Aſſurance of the ſaving Work of Grace wrought after it. On the other hand, Perſons who have been under great Terrors, and now receive the Word with Joy, muſt rejoice with holy Fear, and look to it that they have that contrite and humble Spirit with which the high and lofty One dwells, to revive the Spirit of the humble, and the Heart of the contrite One; For there is a Joy which is no true Sign of ſaving Converſion. The ſtony-ground Hearers we have deſcrib'd by our Lord, who ſearcheth the Heart, Matth. 13.20. He that received the Seed into ſtony Places, the ſame is he that heareth the Word, and anon with Joy receiveth it: The ſtony Heart was not taken away, nor was there any Root of ſaving Grace; and accordingly in Time of Trial they wither'd. And then there's no ſaving Virtue in legal Terrors to p. 25convert Men; this Change is wrought according to the exceeding greatneſs of God's Power. However, neither do I ſpeak theſe Things to damp their Joy who upon their Converſion may have receiv'd the Spirit of God to witneſs with their Spirits, that they are the Children of God. And I make no doubt but this is the happy Caſe of many, when the Spirit is poured out plentifully. When there were Three Thouſand Souls added, we read that they gladly receiv'd the Word, Acts 2.41. But then, I am concern'd that we may all obey that Word, and obtain the Benefit of it. Let every Man prove his own Work, and then ſhall he have rejoicing in himſelf alone, and not in another, Gal. 6.4.

I would only further ſay at preſent, that when the Spirit of God convinceth Men of Sin, he ſhews them the guilt and derſtroying Power of their Sins; maketh them ſenſible of their Miſery and Danger as they lie expoſed to the Curſes of the Law, and brings them to ſeek Deliverance with earneſtneſs and deep Concern. And thus the Spirit prepareth them to hearken to the gracious Invitations and Offers of the Goſpel, while he alſo ſhews them their utter Inability to come up to the Terms of the Gospel in their own Strength, and their great Unworthineſs that God ſhould work in them to will and to do. And therefore, that if they are ſav'd, it muſt be from the free ſovereign Grace of God, p. 26who has Mercy on whom he will have Mercy. And as to ſuch whom the Spirit of God converts, he changeth their Hearts, renews them in the Spirit of their Minds reſpecting every Power of the Soul; and ſo perſwadeth and enableth them to Truſt in Jeſus Chriſt as the only Name given among Men wherely we muſt be ſaved; taking their Encouragement from the Grace of God, the Merits of Chriſt, and free Offers of the Goſpel. When Chriſt is thus formed in the Heart, the poor Creature ſo highly ſavour'd, is ready to cry out, Lord this Salvation is too great and good for me; but thou art worthy to be believed and obey'd, and nothing is too great or wonderful for thee. Be it unto me according to thy Word.

APPLICATION.

USE 1. Let us pay divine Honour to the holy Spirit, and give Him the Glory of His Works of Grace.

His Preſence with God's People is better to them, even then the bodily Preſence of Chriſt upon Earth; for our Saviour aſſur'd his Diſciples that it was expedient for them that he ſhould go away, that the Comforter might come unto them. And He is the Diſpenſer of all Grace. The Love of God is ſhed abroad in the Heart, and the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt bro't home to the Soul, by the Communion of the Holy Ghoſt. We are bleſſed p. 27in His Name; common and ſaving Grace are communicated by him to periſhing Sinners: and therefore we ought to aſcribe Bleſſing and Glory and Honour to him, who is called God, Act 5.3, 4. There are Three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghoſt: and theſe Three are One, 1 Joh. 5 7. Let us then fall down and worſhip that God who is the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghoſt. And let us be ſenſible that the Application of the Redemption purchaſed by Chriſt is from the Holy Spirit. When we behold many convinced of Sin, and ſome in a judgment of Charity converted; let us look above Men and Means, and ſay, Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name be the Glory. We have in a publick and ſolemn manner ſought the Lord for this great Gift, and now we ſhould bleſs God for it, and beſeech Him to give his Spirit more abundantly.

2. Is it the Spirit of God who reproveth Men of Sin? Learn the dangerous State of ſuch as are ſecure in Sin, or ſtifle their Convictions.

It's a dreadful Thing for Men to be ſuffer'd to have an accurſed quiet falſe Peace in the Ways of Sin, Luk. 11.21. When a ſtrong Man armed keepeth his Palace, his Goods are in Peace. Alas! Satan ruleth in the Hearts of theſe miſerable Creatures without controul, and they are led Captive by him at his Will. p. 28They hug their Chains, and are unconcern'd about Deliverance, while they are permitted to enjoy the Pleaſure's of Sin without remorſe of Conſcience. They ſport themſelves with their own Deceivings, 2 Pet. 2.13. And God threatens to bring ſudden and irrecoverable Ruin upon them. When they ſhall ſay, Peace and ſafety; then ſudden Deſtruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a Woman with Child, and they ſhall not eſcape, 1 Theſ 5.3. And it is a very dangerous Sign when Perſons are continued under the Means of Grace, and yet are ſleeping in carnal Security: They ſleep as on the Top of a Maſt, and are in Danger every Moment of falling, and of being drown'd in eternal Perdition. O hear God's Voice then without Delay, leſt you lift up your Eyes in Torments, and in utter Deſpair behold a vaſt Gulph fix'd between you and the Seat of the Bleſſed! Awake thou that ſleepeſt, and ariſe from the dead, and Chriſt ſhall give thee Life, Eph. 5, 14. O cry to God for his Spirit to convince and convert you! For ſurely, it's better to endure ſome preſent Pain and Diſtreſs, while yet there is Hope; than to be ſhut out into outer Darkneſs, where is weeping and gnaſhing of Teeth forever. O let me not ſeem to you, while thus warnning you to flee from the Wrath to come, as Lot to his Sons-in-law, as one that mocketh! Lot went out, and ſpake unto his Sons in law, which married his Daughters, and ſaid, Up, p. 29get ye out of this Place; for the Lord will deſtroy this City: but he ſeemed as one that mocked unto his Sons in law, Gen. 19.14. Thus we may ſuppoſe they ſlept ſecurely that Night; but what came in the Morning? The Lord rain'd upon Sodom and upon Gomorrha Brimſtone and Fire from the Lord out of Heaven, 24 v. And when the Fire from Heaven had deſtroyed their Bodies, their miſerable Souls were caſt into Hell. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the Cities about them, in like manner giving themſelves over to Fornication, and going after ſtrange Fleſh, are ſet forth for an Example, ſuffering the Vengeance of eternal Fire Jude v 7. O eſcape for your Lives then this Night, leſt by to Morrow you be conſumed! Or have you been favoured with Convictions, but have ſtifled and loſt them? Can you remember when the Spirit of God moved on your Hearts, exciting you to pray, and attend to the preaching of the Word; to put away Sin, and to reform your Lives? But now theſe good Motions ceaſe, and the Spirit is departed from you. Is this your unhappy State? Know it, Your Caſe is very hazardous, yet not deſperate. Fear then, leſt God ſhould puniſh you with the Men that are ſettled on their Lees. Juſtify God in this Matter, and confeſs that you have greatly ſinn'd by vexing his good Spirit. At the ſame Time, take heed and beware of going on deſperately in your Sins, as if there was no Hope. p. 30Even ſuch as you have found Mercy. Seek to God then the more earneſtly to revive his Work in your Souls. Be the more ſenſible from this of the deep Corruption of your Hearts, and of the Enmity of your carnal Minds againſt God; and deprecate that dreadful Judgment of judicial Blindneſs and hardneſs of Heart. Bemoan your ſelves, and ſay, O that it was with me, as in Months paſt And let that be your earneſt and continued Prayer, Caſt me not away from thy Preſence; and take not thy holy Spirit from me.

3. Let ſuch as are under the Convictions of the Spirit, bleſs God for them; and in the uſe of all Proper Means ſeek the Lord that theſe may end in a ſaving Converſion.

Hath God ſent his Spirit to convince you of Sin, and ſhew to you your need of a Saviour? Be encouraged to ask the holy Spirit to reveal Chriſt unto you, as the Lord your Righteouſneſs; that you may embrace Him as he is freely offer'd in the Goſpel. Are you brought to attend God's Word with Fear and Concern? O ſeek the inward and effectual Call of the Spirit! that you may now ſay, Speak Lord, for thy Servant heareth. Hear the Words of our Saviour, and let them ſtrengthen the Hands which hang down and confirm the feeble Knees, when you may be ready to faint and wax weary in yoar Minds. Luke 11.9. Ask, and it ſhall be given you: Seek, and ye ſhall find: Knock, and it ſhall be p. 31opened unto you. v. 11. If a Son ſhall ask Bread of any of you that is a Father, will he give him a Stone? or if he ask a Fiſh, will he for a Fiſh give him a Serpent? v. 13. If ye then being evil, know how to give good Gifts to your Children: how much more ſhall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him? Now your Converſion is hopeful. You are not far from the Kingdom of God, O ſtrive to enter then, looking to God to work in you, both to will and to do of his good Pleaſure! And take heed you do not quench the Spirit by returning to your Sins, or to your ſinful Companions. Now follow hard after God by a conſtant and diligent Attendance to the Means of Grace. Be frequent and ſervent in Secret Prayer, confeſſing your Sins and crying for Mercy in the Name of Jeſus Chriſt. Get alone, think upon your Ways and meditate upon divine Things. Study the Word of God, which is perfect, converting the Soul; and take heed how you hear it. For Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing hy the Word of God, Rom. 10.17. Wait at the Poſts of Wiſdom's Doors, and labour to be found in thoſe Ways in which Chriſt walks. And yet take heed and beware of depending on your religious Duties and outward Reformations. Say with your ſelf, An Intereſt in Chriſt I muſt have; and accordingly while you uſe the Means, ſeek Reſt to your Souls in Him. Be willing to bear the p. 32Spirit's Reproofs, tho' ſharp and pungent; but if Terrors be overbearing, beſeech the Lord that he would not lay more upon you, than he ſhall enable you to bear. Indeed there may be ſome few ready to complain with Heman, While I ſuffer thy Terrors, I am diſtracted. But bleſſed be God! This is not the ordinary Caſe. And where the regular uſe of Reaſon hath been diſturbed, I am ſatisfied it was not ſo much from any direct Impreſſions of the good Spirit of God, as from natural Diſorders of Body, or moral Diſtempers of mind. Our gracious God would not have, no not the inceſtuous Corinthian, ſwallowen up with over-much Sorrow, 2 Cor. 2.7. However, Pray God to ſhew you the plague of your own Heart, and be ſenſible that the Wound Sin hath given you is incurable unleſs it will pleaſe the great God our Saviour to be the Phyſician. Accordingly, deſpairing in your ſelf, Look to Jeſus, and ſay, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canſt make me whole. Thy Blood cleanſeth from all Sin, and thy divine Spirit is able to apply it. Heal my Soul, for I have ſinned againſt Thee. If Satan tempt you to return to your carnal Security, or to deſpair as if your Sins were ſo great that God would not pardon them; reſiſt him, and cry to God to bruiſe him under your Feet. And labour to be furniſhed with pertinent Texts of Scripture whereby you may anſwer and confute ſuch evil Suggeſtions. p. 33Thus if you are tempted by Satan or your own Luſts, to return to your Evil Courſes; anſwer, It is written, If any Man draw back, my Soul ſhall have no Pleaſure in him, Heb. 10.38. Or if tempted to ſay, mine Iniquity is greater than that it may be forgiven; anſwer, It is written, Come now and let us reaſon together, ſaith the Lord: tho' your Sins be as Scarlet, they ſhall be as white as Snow; tho' they be red like Crimſon, they ſhall be as Wool, Iſa. 1.18. And inſtead of yielding to the Temptation, Plead with God in the Words of David, For thy Names ſake, O Lord, pardon mine Iniquity: for it is great. Pſal. 25 12. And do not perplex your ſelf as if you had committed the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt, which is unto Death. The good Impreſſions you now receive from the Spirit ſtriving with you, make it evident that this is not your Caſe. Again, If you ſeem to grow worſe and worſe after conſiderable Labour and Striving, be not diſcouraged as if it was in vain for you to ſtrive any Longer. The Spirit of God rather diſcovereth to you more and more the deep Corruption of your Hearts, which is an hopeful Symptom, and ſhould be improv'd to convince you more thorowly of your need of the infinite. Power & Grace of God to ſave you. And then, If you are continued for a conſiderable Time under this Work, and cant find Reſt; do not grow impatient, and ſay it is in vain to wait for the p. 34Lord any longer: But rather reſolve that by his Help you will hope and wait for the Salvation of God. I pray conſider, how long God hath waited upon you, it may be Ten, Twenty, or Thirty Years; and will you think it hard to wait upon God a few Months or Years? O be not ſo unrreaſonable and undutiful! It is of the Lord's Mercies you are not conſumed, and it muſt be of his free undeſerved Mercy, if you are ſaved. Certainly then you are well-treated, and have a rich Reward of all your Pains, if God ſhall come at the laſt and ſave you, even when this frail ſhort Life is juſt expiring. Or, If others awakened after you, obtain Grace and Comfort before you, let not your Eye be evil, becauſe God is good. Is it not lawful for Him to do what He will with his own? O take heed then and beware of entertaining hard Tho'ts of God! Lie down at the Foot of ſovereign Grace, and wait God's Time without Murmuring and Complaint. Again, Are blaſphemous Thoughts injected? Caſt them out with Abhorrence, and be not diſmayed. The evil One who caſts theſe fiery Darts, muſt bear the Blame and Puniſhment. In a Word, Do not perplex yourſelves with anxious Inquiries about your Election. This is abſord and prepoſterous at this Time. Hear that Word then, The ſecret Things belong unto the Lord our God; but thoſe Things which are revealed belong unto us, and to our Children forever, p. 35that we may do all the Words of this Law, Deut. 29.29. Your Duty is plainly reveal'd; Give Diligence to make your Calling and Election ſure: for if ye do theſe Things, ye ſhall never fall. 2 Pet. 1.10. Make ſure of the effectual Call of the Spirit, and then you may ſafely conclude that God has loved you with an everlaſting Love, and ſo drawn you to himſelf. Let this great Work then be regarded as the One Thing needful: however, let not your particular Calling be neglected in the Seaſon for it. Wherein you are call'd abide with God, attending this Buſineſs alſo in Obedience to him. The Work of your Salvation will be moſt likely to proſper, when every Duty is attended in it's Place and Time. Upon the whole, Do not conceal the Diſtreſs of your Souls; but be willing to ask and receive Advice in a Matter of ſuch great Importance. Seek the Help of your Paſtors, and other experienc'd Chriſtians. But then, in the diligent uſe of Means, let your Eye and Cry be to the God of all Grace from whom your Help muſt come. And encourage your ſelves in this, that you are in the Hands of a God in finitely good and gracious, who has ſent the Lord Jeſus to bind up the broken hearted. Behold the Son of God ſtands at the Door and knocks, ſaying, If any Man hear my Voice, & open the Door, I will come in to him, & ſup with him, & be with me, Rev. ….20. Lift up your Heads, O ye Gates, and be ye p. 36lift up, ye everlaſting Doors, and the king of Glory ſhall come in. "O glorious Lord, do thou ſpeak to them by the inward Call of thy Spirit, and they will hear and obey thy Voice! Do thou who haſt the Key of David, who openeſt, and no Man ſhutteth; Open their Hearts, and make them thy willing People in the Day of thy Power. Thy Words are Works. Speak the Word, and their Souls ſhall live. Say to one and another that tremble at thy World; Son, Daughter, be of good Comfort your Sins are forgiven, go in Peace." And may you now hear that Word of your Compaſſionate Redeemer, Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt. Take my Yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in Heart, and ye ſhall find reſt unto your Souls, Matth. 11.28, 9. And dutifully anſwer, We come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God.