The soules ingrafting into Christ. By T.H.

THE SOVLES Ingrafting into CHRIST . MAL. 3.1 .

Behold , I will send my Messenger , and hee shall prepare the way before mee , and the Lord whom yee seeke shall suddenly come to his Temple : even the Messenger of the Covenant whom yee delight in : Behold hee shall come , saith the Lord of Hosts .

FOr the Preface two things are considerable . 1. What wee have done . 2. What wee will doe . We have finished the scope of our endevour , which was to shew how Christs Merits are applied to the Soule , how it stands possessed of grace here and happinesse hereafter . Now these two things must be wrought in the Soule , before it can be made partaker of saving grace : 1. A preparation . 2. an Implantation . A preparation there must be , for a sinner naturally as he hath no grace , so hee is not naturally capable to receive grace . This appeares in 2. things : 1. On Gods part , he breakes the cursed Combination betwixt Sinne and the Soule , hee drawes us from sinne to himselfe . 2. Something on our part touching the disposition of our hearts : and that in 2. workes . 1. Contrition , 2. Humiliation . Now there was a necessity of these two to be in the Soule , as wee then disputed , for these are the two maine hinderances of our Faith : 1. Security , when the soule being blinded takes rest and sees no need to be better , therefore desires it not , hence naturall men thinke it Curiosity , therefore the Lord sends in this worke , and causeth us to know the misery of sinne , and pierces our soules with it , and so upon this we desire a change , for else it sees it must be condemned . 2. When the sinner thus sees his misery , then he begins to scramble for his owne comforts , that he may releeve himselfe , hee will reforme sinne and doe superficiall duties , and so thinke to make amends , this is Carnall confidence , thus many a man perisheth , resting on these huskes , for Meanes are not Mediatours , and Services are not Saviours ; Now in the place thereof God discovers that there is sinne enough in the best services . The Soule being thus plucked off from sin and from all his lusts , and pared from his abilities , renouncing all confidences , and being nothing hee is fit for Christ to bee all in all unto him ; thus farre we have gone . All this while the Soule is like the children of Israel partly wandring in the valley of Teares , partly wildring in the desart of Humiliation . Egypt was a Type of a mans naturall condition , Moses a Type of the Law , Iosuah a Type of Christ , the wildernesse a Type of these two . Now the soule having passed through all these , is just upon the Coast of Canaan . The soule is like a graft , first , it is cut off , then pared , and then ingrafted : So Contrition cuts us off , and Humiliation pares us . The next Point is , the ingrafting into the Lord Jesus , the heart being thus prepared , it is implanted into the true vine , the Lord Christ .

Touching the worke , wee will discover these 2. things : 1. We will open it in generall . 2. We will discover the parts of it .

What it is in generall , our implantation into Christ , is the worke of the Spirit , whereby the humbled sinner stands possessed of Christ , and is made partaker of the Spirituall good things in him .

3. Things in the Description .

The humbled sinner , for else nothing to doe with Christ , stands possessed of Christ , I use the word possessor , because it is rather wrought upon the soule , than comes out of any Principle in the soule ; Christ possesses him , and hence hee comes to bee possessed , Gal. 4.9 . as if he should say , It is not , how wee can perceive him , but how hee will know us . Philip. 3.12 . Still a man is more passive than active , the worke lyes on Gods part . The childe holds the father , because the father holds him . So we hold God , because he holds vs .

Hee is made partaker of the good things in Christ , still the action lyes on Christs part , wee worke so far , as we are wrought on .

These two things are generall in all the workes of application . 1. To be possessed of Christ : 2. To be made partaker of the Spirituall good in him .

As in vocation , Christ drawes the soule , hee challenges more of him , than the being possessed , and the soule following him there is the spirituall good .

In Justification , Christ layes downe a price , there is the possession , and withall , the soule is freed from the guilt and punishment of sinne ; there is the spirituall good .

In Adoption , Christ , not onely cals a sinner , and justifies him , but adopts him , and makes him of a sinner a sonne , there is a nearer possession , and he hath the privileges of a sonne ; there is the Spirituall good derived from Christ .

In Sanctification , the Lord Christ , by the power of his Spirit leaves a stampe of his Image , grace for grace , he is marked for his owne , this is the further possession ; he is freed from the power of corruption ; this is the Spirituall good . Thus in all we see , the soule is possessed of Christ , hee is partaker of the Spirituall good in him .

All this is done by Gods Spirit : a graft cannot put it selfe into the stocke , but the same hand that cut it off , and pared it , must ingraft it , to the same Spirit that wrought Contrition , and humiliation , comes to bee the Spirit of grace and promise . Now for the ground of our discourse , wee have chosen this Text , which is a Prophecie of Iohn the Baptist .

Wherein observe 2. things .

The words are spoken of Iohn the Baptist .

First , Consider the worke of Iohn the Baptist , he was the Messenger of God , and was to prepare the way for Christ . 2. We have the Consequence , The Lord will suddenly come into his Temple : We come to the point , but before I can discover the severall particulars , give me leave to open two words , that so the doctrine may bee undeniable .

First , what is meant by Temple . 2. What , by Christs comming into the Temple .

First , the word Temple , besides the naturall and literall sense of it , it is also taken Mystically and Spiritually , and so it is here to be conceived , and then it implyes partly the Church of God , I meane the company of the faithfull which serve God in uprightnesse of heart , and as in generall , all the company of the people fearing God , are said , to be the Church of God , and his Temple , so also in particular , every man that is faithfull , is the Temple of God , 2 Cor. 6.10 . Yee are the Temple of the Holy Ghost . Looke as it was in the materiall Temple in Jerusalem , the text saith , the Glory of the Lord fell upon it , and the Lord said , he would abide there , and reveale himselfe there , so the heart humbled and prepared is the Temple of the Lord , and the Lord takes possession of it , and rules in it , and will provide for it for ever . Looke as a man dwels in a house prepared for him , so the Lord dwels in a humbled Soule . Thus we have shewed what is meant by Temple .

What is meant by the comming of the Lord into his Temple : as the Temple was Spiritually to bee conceived , so is this comming . By comming , is here meant , when the Lord comes to take possession of the Soule truly prepared , observe it that the Lord Christ comes as a King , therefore he hath a Harbinger before him , hee hath one to prepare all things for him .

A King comes 2. waies , first he takes soveraigne possession at the place where hee is ; If he come to a towne or to an Inne , the Guests that tooke up the place , must be gone : so the Lord comes as a King , he comes to take soveraigne possession of the Soule . 2. All Kings bring furniture with them , when he comes to a place , his owne furniture must bee hung up . So Christ comes these 2. wayes , he takes full possession of the soule , and provides mercifully for the soule . Thus wee have the words opened , and now the point is plaine enough . The English of the text is this : When Iohn the Baptist , by the power of the Word and Spirit of Contrition , and Humiliation , hath laid the Soules of Gods servants , humbled and willing to be at Gods dispose , then suddenly and immediatly , the Lord Jesus will come , and hee will command as a King , and take possession of an humble Soule , and provide gratiously for it , hee comes to the naked wals , he brings his provision with him , he cares for nothing but a Soule prepared and emptied , and he will bring provision enough of Vocation , Adoption , Justification , and Sanctification : now we will gather the points as they lye .

Doct. 1 That the Lord Jesus cannot be hindred from comming into an humbled Soule .

Doct. 2 That the Lord Christ takes possession of the Soule , as a King , and will provide for it .

The first is , that Christ cannot bee hindred from comming into a Soule truly humbled , hee commeth speedily , as who should say , he layeth all other worke aside , as though he cared for nothing , lookt after nothing , intended after nothing , but how all might come into the heart prepared : the wicked of the world , he will not come at them ; though the rich crie , he will not heare them ; though the honorable perish , he will not looke after them ; but the Lord will come suddenly into an humble Soule , nay , to speake with reverence , he leaves all Company , he leaves Heaven and the blessed Angels , he leaves all , and onely desires to be in , and to live with an humble broken heart , it is the manner of the Phrase ; he comes suddenly , as who should say , he lets all alone , he cares for nothing , go he must , and take possession of a broken Soule ; this is the cause that the Scripture doth not content it selfe , in expressing the marvellous tender respect , that the Lord hath toward such a Soule , the delight the Lord hath in an humble Soule , he will lie with a broken heart , and dwell with it , and sleepe with it ; he will suddenly come into his Temple , Luke 15.16 . We may see it in the father of the prodigall : the prodigall he resolved to returne to his father , and say , I have sinned against Heaven and against thee , &c. the father he observes this , that he is content to be at his dispose , and hee lyeth at the doore , and desires to come into his family , though his condition were base , and he was ragged ; the father he might say , go to your Queanes , let them comfort you if they can ; no , the text saith , hee saw him a farre off , and hee ranne and had compassion on him , and fell upon his neck , and kissed him , before the prodigall could speake a word , or kneele downe , he ranne , and kissed him .

Observe here foure particulars : He saw him a farre off , and had compassion on him , ranne to meet him , and kissed him . Hee never now remembers that he was riotous , a whorer , a drunkard , that he had lavished out all his substance : all this was forgotten : but when he sees him come humbly , and brokenly , he saw him a farre off , before the prodigall could see his father ; nay hee compassioned his wretchednesse , before he could confesse it , nay , hee ranne to meet him more speedily than he could come to him , and when the prodigall fell downe before him , hee fell on his necke and kissed him , before he could speake a word ; this Scripture doth not satisfie it selfe , it cannot tell how to expresse the marvellous ready inlargement of the Lord , to give entertainment to an humbled Soule , and it is remarkable , after the prodigall had said , Father I have sinned , &c. Fetch out , saith he , the best robe ; to cover him , and put a ring on his finger , &c. As who should say , T is no matter for thy stubbornnesse and rebelliousnesse ; a prodigall thou hast been , I care not for it , bring this robe to cover him , kill the fat Calfe to feed him , and the ring to adorne him . So Luke 15.4 . A man that hath an hundred sheepe , and one be gone astray , he leaves there 99. and he goes seeking for that , and when hee findes the stragling sheep , though it cannot come home , he takes it upon his shoulder and brings it home : The lost sheepe is the lost Soule , that is bee-wildred , the Lord Jesus after all mercies vouchsafed to him , and kindnesse enlarged towards him ; yet the lost sheepe will be stragling , the Lord leaves all now to seeke him : and marke the phrase and the degree thereof , he leaves all to seeke it , and will never leave till hee finde it , he doth not seeke hourely , but he seekes till hee hath found it ; when he hath found it , he brings it home . The Lord will leave all , to seeke an humbled sinner ; the more need thou hast of Christ , the more labor he will bestow in seeking of thee , and he will never leave seeking , till hee hath found thee ; and when he hath found thee , though thou canst not goe , he will carry thee upon his shoulders , to everlasting happinesse . This is to expresse the marvellous readinesse and bounty of the Lord , towards a poore humble sinner , Matth. 13.45 . This is the scope of the Parable of the Pearle ; the text saith , The Kingdome of God is like unto a Pearle , which when a Merchant had found , he seld all he had , and bought it . First , we will open the text , then apply it to our purpose . The Pearle is nothing else but the rich Mercy of God , and Grace , and Salvation in Christ : the Merchant man is every poore sinfull creature , that wants mercy to comfort him , and grace to pardon him ; for what is all the world , if my Soule wants mercy ? well he knoweth where the Pearle is ; the bargaine is thus , he must sell all and buy this Pearle : Hee comes to Gods tearmes , & buyeth it at his rate , and there is no more words : this selling of all is , when a man parts with all sinnes , and confidence in himselfe : then he hath sold all , when he will neither trust to his owne worth , nor rest in his owne sufficiency , and seeth himselfe miserable by corruptions committed , and seeth that he is unable to releeve himselfe out of his misery , and then hee is willing to part with all ; and when hee hath done this , then there is no more words to the bargaine , but the Lord bids him take the Pearle , he hath bought it , and carry it away with him : so then the case is cleere , if you bee good chapmen , and bid roundly , and come to Gods price , there is no more words to the bargaine . You would have sinne and Christ , God and Devill ; no , no , but sell all and the pearle is yours : you may take it in your hand , and carry it home with you : thus much for the proofe .

Reasons . I come now to the Reasons , whence comes it , that the Lord will not delay to come into an humble soule , the marvellous readinesse of the Lord , it is admirable to thinke on it : the reasons are three :

Because the Lord Jesus was sent , for this very end , by God the Father , Matt. 15.24 . And hee came also to this very purpose , Luke 19.10 . Gather up the places . I am not sent , but to the lost sheepe of Israel ; and in the other place , there he came to seeke , and save that which was lost , that is , lost in the sight and sense of his owne misery , lost in regard of his owne ability and sufficiency to helpe himselfe : Then lastly , willing to be disposed by another , this is the nature of a lost man . The man that is in the wildernesse , if hee knew not the way out , there is no meanes to succour him ; therefore he is willing and contented , that any man should direct him the way out : if a man should say , this is the path that leads you out of the wildernesse to such a place , would hee not yeeld to his advice , hee were but a lost man ; so dost thou see , that thou art lost , if thou liest in the wildernesse of sinne , thou art a damned man ; and then lost , dost thou see that thou art unable to come out and succour thy selfe , art thou contented to be informed by God , and disposed by him , then marke what the text saith : The Sonne of man , the Lord Jesus came to seeke such sinners , and the Lord will never leave till he finde thee , and when hee hath found thee , hee will never leave till hee hath saved thee : the Lord , though thou canst not seeke him , hee will seeke thee ; and when hee hath sought thee , hee will save thee too . Then if the end of Christs comming , and the scope of his sending , be to save a lost sinner , then above all , hee will attaine his owne end , fulfill what was betrusted to him , hee will seeke and save him .

The second ground . Because an humble broken soule , is the fittest subject to set forth the glory of the riches of Gods grace and Salvation , that is in Christ purchased , and through Christ conveyed to the soule : I say they are the fittest subjects for God to worke upon , for the Lord to come to and dwell in , and to set forth the honour of the worke of Redemption as it deserves , Ephes. 2.11.12 . The text saith , hee worketh all things according to the counsell of his will , and why so ? namely , to the praise of the glory of his grace . Now observe it , there is no soule so fit to set forth the praise of the glory of the grace of the Lord , and the great worke of Salvation , as a broken soule , and selfe denying heart : for an humble soule denies all in it selfe , but expects all from grace , and the free favour of God . It saith , it is unworthy to receive mercy , that it needs and beggs , and therefore an humble soule is the fittest of all to set forth the great worke of God , all the Councell of God ; to set forth the riches of his grace , that all may be said to be grace , as in that of Zacharie , when the temple was built , thy cryed , Grace , Grace , Grace , as who should say , grace layeth the first stone , and grace layeth the last stone ; all is of grace , from beginning to ending : so an humble soule setteth forth the freenesse of Gods grace abundantly , and saith , I deserved nothing but hell , and if I have any thing but hell , it is from Gods mercy . But a proud heart , hee opposeth the worke of God ; all the workmanship of the grace of God : The proud heart will have something of it selfe , and take something to it selfe to boast of , and where is grace now ? it's not grace , but your parts and abilities that you attribute all to , and by that meanes hinder the setting forth the riches of Gods mercy in Christ : Therefore an humble soule is the best shop , wherein the great worke of redemption , and frame of salvation may be seene : the poore soule will say , Looke what the Lord hath done , and it is marvellous in our eyes , it ought to be marvellous in our hearts . Looke as it is with men ; No wise man will dwell in an house , where his credit may not be maintained , and where hee may not have all conveniences necessary , and therefore no marvell though Christ comes into an humble heart , it is the fittest place for the credit of Christ : Christ would worke all in the soule ; the humble soule is content , he shall take notice of it . It is a schoole rule , there is no wise man that disposeth of the frame of a building , but if he hath disposed of it , he will set it up , and dwell in it , unlesse he wants power or wisdome ; power , in that he hath begun a thing , and was not able to finish it ; none of these can befall God : God is a wise sufficient cause , hee never disposeth of a matter fully , but he brings a frame and a forme to the matter disposed : Now when the Lord hath prepared a building , and framed an humble soule to dwell in , if hee will not finish his frame , hee must want power and wisdome : But these cannot be wanting , to an almighty , and most wise God , therefore hee that hath fitted the heart for his owne credit , and for all conveniences , that all may be wrought by him , and all glory may come to him , surely that powerfull God , that cannot be hindred , and that wise God , that doth nothing but out of wisedome , hee will reare up the building of grace , and salvation shall be bestowed upon the soule .

The third ground . Because now all hinderances are taken out of the way that should stop him , and all impediments that should let him , are removed wholly , therefore the place being for him , and he ready to come , he must of necessity come : for if there be any hinderance , to stop the comming of Christ into the soule ; it must either lie on his part or on our part , but it shall appeare that there is no hindrance either on Gods part , or a broken soules part , therefore there is nothing can hinder the Lord from comming : if there be any thing on our parts to hinder him , it is either because wee love our selves , or cleave to our sinnes : Now a broken heart hath renounced both these ; an humble soule saith , sinne shall not rule in mee ; and a selfe denying heart saith , I cannot rule my selfe , and therefore Lord guide mee with thy grace , now the way is ready , the soule is divorced from all other matches , therefore it is ready for the Lord ; the humbled soule hath renounced sinne , and all authority of it selfe , and would have Christ rule over it : Now therefore all impediments must be on Christs part , that which cannot be , Revel. 3.20 . Our Saviour Christ is so farre from being unwilling to come into the soule , that he stands knocking at the doore ; hee knocks at a proud loose heart , at a base drunken heart , Forsake these sinnes , and entertaine a Saviour : renounce these corruptions , and entertaine thy owne salvation : be not under the power of corruption , that will undoe thee , but submit to Christ , that will redeeme thee : Hee knocks and knocks againe , Open my Love , my Dove , my undefiled one : the Lord knocks thus at the doore ; therefore if the doore be open , he will surely come in : nay he protesteth himselfe , I stand at the doore and knock : hee hath stood often at the heart of many stubborne sinners , and knocked by mercies and judgements , and knocked by the word , and all blessings hee hath bestowed , and saith , If any will open , I will come in and dwell with him . Now then , he that promiseth , that if the doore be open , hee will come in , if the doore be open , that hee may come , there is no unreadinesse in him to come into the soule , but in an humbled soule , the doore is open , away sinne , away selfe , I trust you not , let the Lord come and rule in , & take possession of the heart of mine ; the doore is wide open now , and the Lord knocked before , is glad to take the occasion , and comes speedily into the soule prepared and humbled . So then if it be the end of the ruling and comming of Christ , if the glory of his mercy bee advanced thereby , if there be no hindrance , neither on our parts , or on Christs part ; then the soule being thus disposed , immediately expect our Saviour , for hee will come . Thus much for the proofe .

Quest. I confesse , nothing should be deare ( and if I know my selfe ) there is no sinne , but I am content it should be loosened from mee , my sinne I have abandoned , my selfe I have renounced , and yet I find no comfort , so that this doctrine is not true , or my heart not cured .

Answ. Is it thus with thee ? then Christ is come , but thou perceivest it not . When Iacob awaked out of his sleepe , Surely ( said hee ) the Lord is in this place , and I perceived it not : And so the Lord is in thy soule , and thou perceivest him not .

Quest. But can Christ be , and not be seene ?

Answ. I , t is too too often , and the hindrances are of two sorts .

1. On our part . 2. On Christs part .

Those on our parts , are of foure sorts .

Christ is come into thy soule , and thou dost not know him . Matt. 14.26 . When Christ was nearest to comfort &c. they thought it had beene a spirit to terrifie them . So thou saiest , thy sinnes are ugly to thee , thou thinkest this is not Christ , but it is : Jesus Christ is there , and thou seest it not . Iohn 20.15.16 . The poore soule of the woman longed for Christs society , and shee thinking it had beene a gardner , enquired of a Saviour , for a Saviour : So a broken hearted sinner seekes a Saviour ; if you know how I may obtaine favour with God , counsell a poore sinner . It is Christ that gives thee the heart to seeke him , and that Christ thou seekest : by the vertue of a Saviour , thou seekest for a Saviour , as a man lookes for a candle , by the light of his candle . Iohn 14.9 .

Thou attendest not to our Saviour when hee comes ; hee that comes , quietly conveies himselfe , and thou seest him not : as to his Disciples , when they were all shut up in a Chamber , then hee appeared in the midst , Luk. 24. Why seekest thou the living among the dead . So wee rub the sore dayly , and thinke , can grace come into such a heart : Whilst thou art thus looking on corruption , thou canst not see Christ : Why seekest thou the living among the dead , why seekest thou a Saviour to comfort thee , among corruptions that would condemne thee . It was not the fault in Hagars eyes , that shee saw not the fountaine , but shee attended not to it ; so wee sit disconsolate , and Christ is in us , but wee looke not after him : A man that waits for a Noble-man ; if hee come not at the houre appointed , hee goes into a corner and weepes , because hee thinks he hath taken distaste , and this , whilst the Noble-man approaches , and is there a great while , before hee knowes it ; so while wee goe drooping under our corruptions , the Lord Christ comes not , and wee goe to discouragement , and in the mean time Christ comes , and wee see him not . Hee that goes in a dungeon shall never see Sun-shine , though it shine never so cleerely ; so when this Sonne of Righteousnesse shines , wee goe into the dungeon of discouragement , and so perceive him not , though hee shines most cleerely .

Wee also are not able aright to know when Christ is in us : because wee judge him by sense , and some extraordinary sweetnesse , wee imagine should be in us : woe judge upon false grounds ; every sinner sets up a fancie in his owne Imagination , that if Christ comes , strange matters will be wrought . Now framing this fancie in his conceit , he will take no other evidence of Christs comming .

It was the fault of Gideon , Iudges 6.13 . he judges Gods presence there , upon false grounds ; for hee was with him , as well to helpe him beare the misery , as to deliver him from it ; so it is with an humble sinner burthened with the sight of his abominations ; when the Ministers say , The Lord is with you , you broken sinners , they reply , If the Lord be with us , why is all his befalne us : what , say some , distempers so violent , corruptions so many , and can the Lord be here ? where are those miracles the Saints heretofore have found ? Behold what God did for David , for Elias , for Paul , they led captivity captive , and were more than Conquerors over their corruptions , and yet wee are burthened with our sins . I answer , the Lord is as well present to helpe thee contend against sinne , as to make thee domineere over it . The same Apostle that was more than Conqueror at one time , was led captive at another , Rom. 7.23 . And had the flesh lusting against the Spirit , Rom. 8.1 . Gal. 5.17 . This is your conceit ; you thinke if the King come , there will be no Traitours ; but Traitors will follow the Court : you thinke if the King come to your harts , hee must needs promote you to some place of honour . This is the apprehension of a broken heart : Were Christ in mee , then I should have such and such sufficiency ; these are desperate mistakes , Iohn 20.25 . It is a patterne of a broken Soule that depends upon some stirring apprehension , if I had that ability , if my heart could so breake , if I had such assurance , then Christ were come : You will not beleeve the King is come , unlesse hee hug you in his bosome . Thus wee judge according to sense , not according to the promise of Christ , who is blessed for ever : It befalls the Soule as Iacob , Gen. 45.24 . Hee would not beleeve their word ; but when hee saw their Chariots , then he was perswaded of it : this is the frame of disconsolate spirits . Wee have the word of God , to confirme the presence of Christ , unlesse you be Charioted with that ability , as to triumph over all sinnes , your spirits are not revived , you beleeve not that Ioseph is yet alive , your Saviour is with you .

When our eyes are held , namely when the sting of Conscience sea●es , or when the fiercenesse of temptation presses in , or else when some worldly inconvenience sits close , so that the thoughts of a mans heart are wholly bestowed upon that object , the Soule cannot owne Christ , though he were close by him . A man that hath his heart swayed with sad meditations , though hee meet with a man of his acquaintance , yet hee would not know him : So it was with the disciples , looke Luke 24. vers. 32. Did not our hearts burne in us ; as who should say , there was testimony enough , of a divine presence , it was a Christ that spake , but wee were not able to see it : So when the soule is taken up with two hurries , partly with temptation , partly with worldly occasions , it sees not Christ , though the heart burnes towards him : this is the ground , why , when Satan lets flie , though wee propound never so many promises , alwayes those perplexed Spirits forget what is spoken , and their minde is only upon temptation : They attend not Christ in the promise , because their eyes are held , though they be in their privie Chamber , and may talke with our Saviour , Psalm . 13.23 .

The Lord Jesus , out of our just desert , doth hide himselfe , Esay 8.17 . Psalm . 31.22 . Now Christ hides himselfe in these three cases .

When the Saints fall into some foule grosse sin , or else are at truce with some bosome corruption , though but an infirmitie , then God doth withdraw his presence , for obedience is the tearme of Gods presence , 2. Chron. 15.1 . Hee is with us , while we are with him : If then the Saints breake company , no marvell though Christ withdraw his society , Iohn 19.21 . This is the tenure of Christs manifestation , provided wee love him ; but if not , hee is gone , Psalm . 51. Create a new Spirit within mee , ( as who should say ) all is to begin a new . This God doth so shew his indignation against sinne , hee will not beare nor bolster it , no not in his owne , and this God doth not only when they sin fouly , but when they are at truce with a distemper , though but an Infirmity : as for example , if a Christian be overtaken ordinarily with a cholerick distemper , if a Christian be eager of the world , or growes dead in services , it is just with God , that these men should be destitute of their comforts .

When the Saints of God grow wanton , abusing the sense and sweetnesse of the feeling of his favour , thereupon growing carelesse , now God seeing a man abusing his goodnesse , it is just with him to estrange himselfe from that Soule , that hee may labour for his former strength againe , Cant. 5.2 . Psalm . 30.6 .

The Lord hides himselfe by way of prevention , as thus ; hee will not make some of his to apprehend his favour , lest they should pranck up themselves in the privilege , and censoriously contemne their fellow brethren ; but holds out the heart at the staffe end , so much mercy as may serve his turne , that hee may be a little comforted , and yet humbled . If the Father see the child grow proud , hee keeps him upon dependance , that he may have better obedience . So God sees wee have unruly hearts , and therefore keeps us upon dependance , that hee may have more obedience , Iohn 16.12 . If there were high sailes upon a little Barke , they would drowne it in stead of carrying of it : So men proportion their sailes , according to their Barke . This is one maine ground , why God takes away the sense of his favour : The Sea is the world , the Soule sailes about , and a little gale carrieth it on , but if it should have great sailes , they would drowne it ; not that grace doth this , the fault is not in the sailes , but in the boat that will not beare , &c. So the fault is not in grace , but in the Soule , that cannot beare it : This is the reason why many men have smoken out their dayes in sorrow , and at their death have great assurance : It was the speech of a good man , that God will not alwayes give his servants a cup of Sack ; his meaning was , hee would not alwayes comfort them ; the comforts of Gods Spirit are better than wine , now much of this comfort with a proud heart , would cause him to trample upon every man : Therefore God keeps the cup to the last . If while therefore God keeps us under hatches , if while hee withdrawes his hand , wee doe contend with the Almighty , and often say , why should I pray , and God answers not , heare and God accepts not ? if when wee are kept low , and doe thus , if then wee had what wee would , certainly wee would turne our backs to the Almighty and say , as they in Ieremy 2.31 . Wee will come no more unto thee : Therefore it is good for God to doe thus , wee are not able to beare this saile , else God would give it .

Vse 1 If this be so , let every Soule take his part and portion : All you stout disobedient spirits , that will not obey the Gospell of God , all hearts not broken , and spirits not humbled , I have nothing to say to you for the while : But you that have any obedience of the worke of the spirit , and grace in your Soules , you that are now willingly conte●●●d , and resolutely perswaded to give way to Ch●●●● and breake open doore to a Saviour : if there be any Soule that hides himselfe according to the former doctrine , you humble , broken hearted sinners , goe your wayes with comfort , and the God of heaven goe with you , nay , hee is with you , hee will meet with you at home , nay , hee will meet with you in the mid-way ; what ever thy sinnes , or miseries , or wants be , here is consolation , yea abundant consolation , to support the heart , if thou beest a poore broken hearted sinner , it is enough , the Lord Christ will come into your soules , and let then what will , or can come , the Lord Jesus will come , and that suddenly . But you will say , So many are the sinnes that lye upon mee , my corruptions like clouds , come in upon mee , all my oathes and drunkennesse , all pride , and loosenesse , and vanitie , and earthly mindednesse , all my corruptions come in upon mee , and the guilt remaines , and they are not pardoned : their horror remaines , and I cannot get my soule pacified in the assurance of the forgivenesse of them : that pride , and adultery , and drunkennesse , army after army , Legion after Legion of sinnes , presse in upon mee . Are your soules thus perplexed with miseries ? why , I beseech you , consider what I say : art thou humbled thou polluted heart ? art thou oppressed with thy corruptions ? doth thy soule say , it is the greatest burthen I have , the greatest wound I feele ; if my heart were but rid of my sinnes , my soule should be quiet , and my heart pacified ; why then , If the Lord seeth thee humbled , hee will never see thee corrupted , hee will come suddenly : let all thy corruptions come accusing , let all thy sinnes rise up at armes against thee : yet if thy heart be broken for these , and humbled in the consideration of these , and resolved to forsake them , the Lord will come suddenly , and then mercy will come to pardon all , to subdue all these cursed distempers that hang upon thee : But you will say , What , will this Lord come into my soule , this wretched soule , these mud-walls , this abhominable heart ; what to mee , will the Lord come to my temple ? such hideous sinnes have I committed , and the Lord come into such a rotten cottage , and such a base cursed heart as mine ? Aye , marke what the text saith , I stand at the doore and knock ; If any man will open , I will come in . Hee knocks at the doore of every proud person , and adulterer , and drunkard : if any adulterous person will open , the Lord will come and sanctifie him : If any uncleane wretch will open , the Lord will come and release him from all abhomination : what a comfort is this then ? let Satan accuse us , and sinne condemne us , if the Lord will comfort us , who can discourage us ? if the Lord will save us , who can condemne us ? Againe , as this is comfort against all sinnes , so there is marvellous comfort against all extremities and miseries : If thou art humbled , let miseries come , and troubles and temptations come , and Christ will come too , into an humble Soule , in all weaknesses , Christ will come , to strengthen in all disgraces : and will come to honour thee , here is comfort : The favour of men goeth away , the neerer a man goeth to God , the farther they goe from him , hee is a stranger now to his brother , and an aliant to his mothers Sonne : why , let thy wants be what they will , and let troubles come , and weaknesse come , though they come , the Lord will not goe away ; though friends be farre off , the Lord will be neere unto thee : Be therefore comforted , for even the wise man saith , a man will change honour to get a commoditie , sometimes hee will part with honour , for profit , and money will supply all ; whatsoever the world can doe , money can doe . Therefore this quiets the rich man ; I have it by mee , I have many wants , that is no matter , I have it by mee in money : haply hee wants a house , that 's no matter , hee hath it by him in money , and therefore can build him one : hee wants cloathes to cloath him ; but hee hath it in money , and that will buy them , ( thus money answers to all . ) You that are broken hearted sinners goe home chearfully , eat your bread with glad hearts : the Lord accepts you , and how ever men will not looke after you , but looke aloofe : goe home , and the Lord comfort you more and more , know the Lord Christ comes suddenly and answers to all ; it was the speech of Christ to his Disciples : Feare not little flock , it is your Fathers will to give you a Kingdome : You are troubled , you shall have a Kingdome , that will quiet you : you are disgraced , you shall have a Kingdome , that will honour you : you are in persecution , you shall have a Kingdome , that will comfort you . Let an humble Soule goe downe into the Sea , and fly into the uttermost parts of the earth , yet it will comfort thee , the Lord will come suddenly , and bring his provision with him ; wheresoever thou art , hee will be with thee , to comfort thee and cheare thee . You little ones that are humbled , it is not your Fathers pleasure only to give you a Kingdome , but his Sonne and hee answers all : what though thou hast many miseries ? thou hast a Christ that is the God of all mercies : thou hast many sinnes , what of that ? thou hast a Christ , that is the God of all grace ; where ever thou art , hee will bee with thee ; though thou wert banished , yet he will wander up and downe all the wildernesse , but he will find thee and bring thee upon his shoulders , to cheare thee , and comfort thee here , and give the end of thy hopes hereafter : If wee be not comforted hereby , it is a shame , therefore let every sad Soule take his part : if you have Christ , you have enough , though you never see good day after .

Now wee come to the second doctrine .

Doct. 2 When the Lord Jesus comes to the humbled Soule , hee takes possession of it as his owne : now when the soule is at Gods dispose , that mercy may doe what it will with him : and then the Lord takes possession , Ezek. 16.8 .

Quest. Wherein lies the Soveraigne possession ?

Answ. It appeares in two particulars .

The Lord Jesus undertakes for the Soule .

Hee disposeth of it to his best advantage .

Hee undertakes for it , ( namely ) hee takes upon him , to shelter it from all the evill which it could not avoid : I told you before , the sinner sees his vilenesse of sinne , and desires now to be freed , but cannot deliver himselfe , and therefore sues to Christ . Now our Saviour steps in , and saies , hee will undertake to pay all : If men be oppressed with some outragious enemy , they seeke to some sorraigne Prince , and submit to him , if hee will take the protection of them . So when the Soule is oppressed with too many sins , with too heavy pangs , it falls downe and desires Christ to be Lord protectour of it ; and then presently Christ comes and frees it from the evill . 35. Numb. 25. it was an Injunction , that the man-slayer should fly to the Cities of refuge , and they should open the gate to him : the man-slayer is the poore sinner that is pursued , now hee flies to the Lord Jesus , his refuge ( as David often speakes . ) Now Christ receives and delivers him from the hand of the avenger . The dangers of an humble heart are three , for which Christ undertakes ; first , the justice of the Father not satisfied ; secondly , the temptation of Satan not conquered ; thirdly , Sinne , not yet subdued : All these the Soule sinkes under , and cries , who will deliver mee : when the heart is thus , Christ is come to rescue it , and saith , be comforted : the justice of my Father I will satisfie , the malice of Satan I will crosse , the power of corruption I will cashiere .

The sinner sees a just God , that will have his glory : when thus justice makes out , Christ puts in Bale . When a man is arested , if some great man give his word , hee is acquitted : so when the venome of Gods vengeance pursues thee , Christ passeth his word , hee will see all satisfied , bee therefore comforted , Christs word will goe , hee desires no other pacifier .

Temptation is subdued , sinne and Satan must give way : That supreme authority makes sinne and Satan vanish . Rev. 1.18 . A key is an ensigne of authority , he that hath the Key , may let in and shut out whom hee will . So Christ can bring out whom he will , Ephes. 4.8 . Looke how Conquerours lead captived slaves , so Christ leads sinne and death , Luke 10.18 . When the Scepter of Christ was displayed , Satan fell like lightning .

Sinne comes to be cashiered , sinne pleads prescription in the Soule , and challenges a title ; yet Christ having taken possession , hee will have all charges ; when sinne saith , I have possessed the Soule from my youth , therefore why should I out , Christ replies , it is usurped , all this title is but forged , it is mine , and I come for my owne , therefore sinne depart , Rom. 8.3 . Christ condemnes sinne in the flesh : to condemne sinne , is as much as , when a man hath cast in his cause , hee layes claime to a thing , and is cast by law . So sinne layes claime to the Soule : and Christ comes and condemnes sinne in the flesh : Hee makes the cause goe against sinne : for sinne claimes right on this ground , every sonne of Adam is the childe of disobedience , he is under my power , and death is his due from mee . Now Christ answers , Those for whom the sinne of Adam hath beene satisfied , over those sin hath no possession : but the Soule is such ; doth Adams sin remaine ? I have satisfied for it . Is sinne strong ? I have led captivity captive : thus sinne loseth his cause , this is to condemne sinne in the flesh , Acts 26.18 . First they were turned from the power of Sathan , and then followed remission of sinnes , and sanctification .

Hee disposes of the Soule for his best advantage ; when Satan the strong man kept the house , and the soule was at his manage , and tillage , it either lay fallow ground , as Ier. 4.3 . overspread with thornes . When sinne and Satan rule the heart , they blinde it , and the whole entertainement on our part , as God calls , so the Soule entertaines that call : and that appeares in two things .

The sinner receives the worke of grace and mercy , being empty : The Lord may powre in what he will , there is roome in the Soule to entertaine any thing : and this is called passive receiving , namely hereby God fits the Soule to receive mercy , and prepares it , that it may come , and the soule being emptied , entertaines the worke of mercy .

The soule being emptied , and having received vertue from God , returnes an answer to this call ; and this we call active calling . The soule having received power , by vertue of that power returnes an answer to the call of God , as it is with an eccho ; first the ayre is moved by the voice , secondly , being moved it returnes the same voice : So it is with the answer of the Soule , Psal. 27.8 . Like that of the men of Syria 1 Kings 20.32.33 . When Ahab said , my brother Benhadad , so the sinner waits and lookes , when will God have mercy , at last God saith , my sonne , and the Soule answereth , thy Sonne Lord , Ier. 3.22 . marke how they answer : Behold wee come , for thou art the Lord our God : The Lord saith , come away , and the Soule saith , behold I come , 1. Cor. 6.17 . It s the same voyce that ecchos , the same beame that reflects from the wall : So it is the same spirit that returnes the voyce : and this answer of the Soule , wee tearme faith . Now wee have cut out our worke , and for the further handling , we have chosen this text , which is , to discover this worke of vocation .