The vvorks of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge: now preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth. The second volumn. [sic] Viz. 1. Grace for grace; or, The overflowing of Christs fulness received by all saints. II. The spiritual actings of faith through natural impossibilities. III. Evangelical repentance.

Grace FOR Grace OR THE OVER-FLOWINGS OF CHRISTS-FULNES Received by all SAINTS .

JOHN 1.16 .

And of His Fulness have all we received , even Grace for Grace . Preached at Dunstans in the East , March 16. 1644

HERE in this Chapter are Two choice Spirits , John the Baptist , and John the Evangelist : both agreeing in this , To advance the Honor of Jesus Christ . John the Baptist is brought in by John the Evangelist , giving ( as you reade in this first Chapter ) Four great Testimonies of Jesus Christ .

The first begins at the 15. verse , John bare Witness of Him and cryed , saying , This was He of whom I spake . Wherein John the Baptist doth prefer Jesus Christ above himself ; both in regard of His Person , and in regard of His Office ; In regard of His Person , as you reade in the latter end of the 15th , This was He of whom I spake , He that cometh after me , is preferred before me , for He was before me .

In regard of His Office , at the 16 , the 17 , and 18. verses : And of His Fulness have al we received , even Grace for Grace . For the Law was given by Moses , but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ , &c.

I confess there are Learned Interpreters , as Cyril , and Chrysostome , that do conceive the words of my Text , to be the words of John the Evangelist : the 15. verse , having ( as they say ) relation unto Johns speech in the latter end of the 14. verse , Full of Grace and Truth .

But Origen and others ( unto whom I rather incline ) think that they are the words of John the Baptist ; because they are knit unto the former by the copulative And: And , of His fulness have all we received , Grace for Grace . He therefore that spake the words of the former verse , in all likelyhood , spake these words : He that spake the words of the former verse was John the Baptist , and therfore these words being linked unto the former by the word , And , in all likelyhood are the words of John the Baptist .

The Words of themselves fall into these Three Propositions .

First , That there is a fulness of Grace in Jesus Christ . Secondly , That of this fulness , we have all received . Thirdly , That we have all received , even Grace for Grace .

There is a great Controversy upon the latter Clause , what should be meant by those Words , Even grace for grace : But because the Determination thereof fals properly within the compass of the Third Proposition , and will have little influence upon the first , which I intend ( God willing ) to speak unto at this time ; therefore I pass by that Controversy , and come presently unto the First Proposition , which is this :

Doct. That there is a fulness of Grace in Jesus Christ .

Fulness is here attributed ( you see ) unto Jesus Christ .

The word in the Original sometimes is taken for Abundance , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Psa. 24.1 The Earth is the Lords , and the fulness thereof : So here it is not taken ; here it is too narrow : for there is not only Plenitudo abundantiae , but , Plenitudo redundantiae ; not only a fulness of Abundance , but a fulnesse of Redundancy ; an over flowing of fulness in Jesus Christ .

Sometimes the word is used for Fulfilling , and Perfecting of a thing : So Love is said to be the Fulfilling of the Law . So it is not taken here , for though Christ be the end of the Law , yet notwithstanding , the Fulness spoken here , is that which we do receive , and that is the Fulness of grace .

The word Firstly , and Properly is given unto Vessels , that are brim-ful of liquor ; and so Metaphorically appli'd here unto our Lord Jesus Christ , who is brim-ful of grace ; in whom there is no emptyness , there is no evacuity . While I speak of Jesus Christ , I mean Christ as Mediator , as God-man . There is a Fulness in Christ as God : That is not the fulness , so Christ is not taken here , by what is said in the verse before the Text , the 14 verse . And the Word was made flesh ; And of His Fulness we have all received : So that it is the Fulness of Christ as Mediator , there is a Fulness of grace in Christ as Mediator . I shal keep me close unto the words . The Fulness is here spoken of which we are said to receive , of which we receive ; we receive grace for grace ; 't is the Fulness therefore of grace that is in Christ , that I am now speaking of .

Now the word Grace , sometimes it is taken for the Love and Favour of God : We are saved by Grace : That is , Eph. 2.5 . we are saved through the Love and Mercy of God .

Sometimes this word in the Original is used , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Coll. 3.16 or put for Holiness : Singing with grace in your hearts ; that is , with Holiness in your hearts .

And sometimes 't is used for Excellency , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Donum , quodquis gratificatur . for Gifts , or Ability , as in Ephes. 4.7 . and in al these respects there is a fulness of grace in Christ .

First of all , Take grace for Love , and Bounty and Mercy : and so there is , Plenitudo bonitatis , there is a Fulness of Love in Christ : The heart , and love of Christ now in Heaven , is the same toward poor sinners , toward His Children , toward Beleevers , toward Men ; as it was when He was upon the earth , when Christ was upon the earth .

First , There was a fulness of Pardoning Love in Him : Then He would pardon men , before they did come for pardon . Father , Luk. 23.24 . ( saies Christ ) Father forgive them , they know not what they do . Ye count it a great act of love , where the fault is great ; to forgive a man upon his acknowledgment of the fault : Our Lord Christ did not stay for their acknowledgment , but whilst they were reeking in their sins He forgives : Father forgive them , forgive them , they know not what they do .

Yea , if you look into the Gospel ye shall find , that when men were putting forth the highest acts of fin , He was putting forth the highest acts of His love . When Christ was suffering for Peter , Peter was denying Christ : Peter denying Christ , and Christ suffering for Peter . When He was upon the earth , He did not only pardon once , but He would pardon again and again : if men sinned again , He would pardon again . The Disciples slept , and Christ Pardon'd : They slept again , and Christ pardon'd again : they slept again , and Christ pardon'd again . Yea , and when He had pardon'd , He would not upbraid them with their former sins , or with His own mercy : After His Resurrection not a word to Peter , of all his denial , or of Christ mercy . Beloved ! Christ is the same in Heaven , He is the same in Heaven now .

Again , when Christ was upon the Earth , His first , and His great care was , Matt. 5.3 , 4. for those that were weak in grace . The first Sermon that He Preached , Blessed are the poor in spirit : and blessed are those that mourn : He doth not say , blessed are those that have assurance of the love of God : and blessed are those that have the sence of His Love in their hearts ; but blessed are the Poor ; and blessed are they that mourn : And when any poor doubting , trembling soul came unto Him , He would not cast away their service because it was accompanied with infirmity : but He would rather passe by their infirmity , because it was accompanied with some sincerity : So the Woman that came behind Him : So Nicodemus . And when any poor soul could not come to Christ , could not come to Christ in Christs way ; Christ would come down to him in his way : Thomas ( saith He ) Thou sayest thou wilt not beleeve , unless thou thrust thy hands into My side : Thomas , Thou wilt not honour Me by beleeving unless thou seest ; Thomas , Thou wilt not come up to Me in My way : Well , I will come down to thee in thy way : Come , reach hither thy fingers , and thrust thy hands into My side , and be not faithless , but beleeving . Oh! the admirable condescention of the love of Jesus Christ ! Beloved ! He is the same now in Heaven .

Again , When He was upon the Earth , He professed that His heart , and His love , and affections was as much ( if I say not more ) unto one Saint , Rev. 22.14 . Matt. 12 47.50 . as unto all His kindred that are such . Blessed are those that keep Thy Commandements : Bebold , ( say they ) Thy Mother , and Thy Brother , and Sister are without to speak with Thee : Saies He , Whosoever shall do the Will of My Father which is in Heaven , the same is My Brother , Sister , and Mother . As if He should say , You count My kindred happy , because they are neer unto Me ; but do you see one poor beleeving , trembling gracious soul ? I tel you , the soul that keeps My Commandements , is as much unto Me as all My kindred that are such , Here is love ! And I say , the Lord Jesus , His heart is the same still in Heaven . And therefore you shall observe , that when He was risen and came amongst His Disciples , the dore being shut ; He comes into the room and He saies unto them , Luke , 24.36 . Peace be unto you : Why Peace be unto you ? ( the ordinary way and manner of Salutation : ) As if He would say thus much unto them , That they should find Him every way as courtious , and as loving towards them now being risen , as He was before He died .

And , my beloved , if Jesus Christ should not be as gracious , and as kind after death , as before ; then His Disciples should be losers by His death : But He profest to them before He died , that they should not be losers , but gainers rather . When our Lord Christ was upon the earth , out of His love He died for us ; He loved us , and died for us : His love then cost Him much : Now that He is in Heaven He dies no more , He can love us at a cheaper rate . And shall we think , that when He was upon the earth , He would lay down His life for us ; and now He is in Heaven He won't speak a good word for us ? Certainly , beloved , the Lord Jesus is as full of love , and tender affection toward His now He is in Heaven , as He was upon the earth . Take grace for Love , and so there is a fulness of grace in Jesus Christ . That is the first .

Secondly , Take grace for Holiness , and so there is , Plenitudo sanctitatis , a fulness of Holiness in Jesus Christ . There are Three things in the old Testament that were very Holy , The Law : The high Priest : And the Temple .

As for the Ceremonial Law , though it was very holy ; yet in regard of the Spiritual command of the Gospel , and Christ ; the Ceremonials of the Law , in the book of the Hebrews , Heb. 7.16 is called the Carnal Command .

And as for the high Priest , though he had holiness written upon his fore-head ; yet therein he was but a type of Christ . And saith the Apostle in the book of the Hebrews : The high Priest then when he offered for others sins , Heb. 7.27 . he offered first for his own sins : But our high Priest not so .

And as for the Temple , it was indeed very holy , the Jews rested much thereupon : And therefore they cryed thrice , Jer. 7.4 The Temple , the Temple , the Temple of the Lord : But now if you look into the 6. Chap. of Esay , you shal find that our Lord Christ is there upon the Temple ; and whereas they cryed Three times for the Temple , The Temple of the Lord , the Temple of the Lord , the Temple of the Lord : Three times this is ecchoed concerning Christ , Holy , holy , holy . ( At the first verse ) I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne , high and lifted up , and His Train filled the Temple ; His Train filled the Temple . Above it stood the Seraphims : each had six wings , with twain he covered his face , with twain he covered his feet , and with twain he did fly , and one cryed unto another , and said , Holy , holy , holy . As if he should say : you that are the Jewes , you cry out of the Temple ; The Temple , the Temple , the Temple : But here 's holiness , here 's one that is holy , Holy , holy , holy . That this is to be understood of Christ , you may see plainly , by comparing it with the 4. Chapter of the Revelations , at the 2. verse : Immediately I was in the Spirit : and behold , a Throne was set in Heaven , and one sate on the Throne . ( as it is said in Esay ) one sate on the Throne . And he that sate was to look upon as a Jasper , and a Sardine stone : And there was a rain-bow round about the Throne : And round about the Throne were four and twenty Seats , and there were four and twenty Elders , and four living creatures : ( The discription of the Gospel-Church ) And ( saith he at the 8. verse : ) The four beasts had each of them six wings about him , and they were full of eyes within , and they rest not day and night , saying , Holy , holy , holy . ( Mark ) the very same expression that you have there in Esay : he doth not say thus , Righteous , righteous , righteous ; Just , just , just : But Holy , holy , holy . Is there not then a fulness of Holiness in Jesus Christ ?

I 'le give you but Two Demonstrations of it .

If there were not a fulness of Holiness in Jesus Christ , how is it possible that God and man could be brought so neer together , that were so far asunder ? Every man naturally is full of sin : You say of the Begger , He is full of vermine , why ? because he goes to this door , to that door , and to another door , and he scatters his vermine where ever he comes , and the man knows it not : Surely therefore , the man is full of vermine .

And so a man naturally , dropping , and scattering his sins and not knowing of it , it argues he is ful of sin . God , he is full of Holiness : whose eyes cannot endure to behold iniquity : yet when men are converted and drawn to God , they are brought neer unto him : they are the apple of His eye : their names are written in the palme of his hand . That is , ( saies Luther ) the hand is an instrument of work ; and when the names of the Saints are said to be written in the palme of Gods hand , it notes thus much ( saies he ) That God in all his works hath an eye to his Children ; God in all the works of his hands hath an eye to his Children . They are the friends of God , and God is their friend : When a man is my friend , not only his Purse is my friend , or his Estate is my friend , or his Tongue is my friend , or his Hand is my friend ; but his Sword is my friend : So when God is a friend to any , not only his Mercy is his friend , but the Sword of God is his friend , the very Wrath of God is a friend to his Children : Such a great friendship there is between God and his people , so neer they are brought to one another . Well , but how are they brought thus neer ? They are brought neer by Jesus Christ : in whom we have a Manuduction , a leading by the hand ( saies the Apostle ) as the word carries it ) unto God the Father . But now , could men so full of sin , and God so full of Grace , and Holiness be brought so neer together by Jesus Christ , if there were not an infinit fulnesse of Holiness in Jesus Christ ?

Again , If there were not this fulnesse of Holinesse in Christ , how should he be anointed with the oyl of gladnesse above his fellowes ? The Saints themselves are said to be full of grace . Ephes. 1.23 . The Church called , The fulnesse of Christ that filleth all in all : Stephen , Mary , others : full of the holy Ghost : Surely therefore , if so much of the oyntment run down upon Christs Members , there must be a great anointing upon Christ himself : Surely , there must be an infinit holinesse in Christ , that must serve us all : And of his fulnesse we have All received , we have All received .

You will say , Object But if the Saints be full of grace and holinesse , how is this the property of Christ ?

Yes , For though the Saints be full of grace , Answ. and holinesse ; yet their fulnesse is but a fulnesse of Sufficiency , ( Mark ) whereby they are made able to this , or that work whereunto they are appointed : But the fulnesse of Christ , is a fulnesse of Efficiency , that filleth all in all . And therefore 't is said in this Chapter , The Law was given by Moses , Joh 1.17 but Grace , ( Grace and Truth you read it ) Grace and Truth came by Christ : the word will bear it , But Grace and Truth were made by Christ : Christ is our Grace-maker .

The fulnesse that is in the Saints , is but a Particular fulnesse .

The fulnesse that is in CHRIST , is an Vniversall fulnesse . Therefore saies the Apostle , It pleased the Father , Col. 1.19 that in him should all fulness dwel . All fulnesse .

The fulnesse that is in the Saints , is such a fulnesse as does ebbe and flow ; as the Haven is said to be full of water , yet sometimes 't is empty : but there is a dwelling fulnesse in the Sea : So there is a dwelling fulnesse in Jesus Christ : and therefore saies the Apostle , It pleased the Father , that in Him should all fulnesse dwel : Oh! 't is a dwelling fulnesse that is in Jesus Christ .

Our Righteousnesse as we are distinct , or abstracted from Christ , 't is but a fading Righteousnesse : as the morning dew . Our righteousness ( saies Hosea ) is as the morning dew , Hos. 6.4 . in regard of it's fading : But the holiness , and righteousness of Christ , in the 110. Psalme , is called , The dew of the morning : not in regard of it's fading nature , but in regard of it's much-ness . in regard of it's multitude , because it makes al dewy . So then it is a Filled Fulness : It is a dwelling Fulness : It is a Glorious fulness , a fulness beyond all expressions . Thus , take grace for Holiness , and so also , there is Plenitudo Sanctitatis in Jesus Christ .

Thirdly , Take grace for Gifts , or for Ability , and Excellency : And so there is , Plenitudo Excellentiae , a fulness of , excellency in Jesus Christ . Therefore saith the Apostle , Hebr. 7.25 . He is able to save to the uttermost ; He is able to save to all perfection , those that do come unto Him : He is able to save to the utmost ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 though thou hast finned to the utmost , He is able to save thee to the utmost .

Would you have a proof of His Kingly fulness ? ( for He is both King , Priest , and Prophet , ) Look then I pray into the 1. Hebrews , at the 3 verse . He is called the brightness of His Fathers glory : Who being the brightness of His glory , and the express Image of His Person , and upholding all things by the word of His Power , when He had by Himselfe purged our sins , sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on High : He is made so much better then the Angels , as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name then they : For unto which of the Angels said He at any time &c. But ( at the 8. verse ) unto the Son He saith , Thy Throne , O God , is for ever and ever , a Scepter of righteousness is the Scepter of Thy Kingdom . Here 's the fulness of His Kingly Office .

Would you have a proof of His Prophetical fulness ? look into this Chapter where the Text lies , and it 's said , at the next verse , the 17. verse ; The Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ : No man hath seen God at any time ; the only begotten Son , which is in the bosome of the Father , He hath declared Him . Ye all count Moses a great Prophet ; so he was : But Jesus Christ was above him , in two , or three things here .

Moses gave the Law : But grace came by Jesus Christ grace and truth came by Jesus Christ .

Moses never saw God , he saw His back side : Christ hath seen Him : John , 1.18 . No man hath seen God at any time ; the only begotten Son , ( Moses was but a servant ) the only begotten Son , which is in the bosom of the Father , He hath declared Him . None so fit to declare the mind of God ( which is the work of a Prophet ) as He which hath lien in the bosom of God the Father .

Would you have a proof of His Priestly fulness ? Pray look into the , 16. of John : ( consider it duely ) saith he , I will send the Comforter ( at the 7. verse ) and He shall convince the would of sin ; and of righteousness ( at the 10. verse ) because I go to My Father and ye see Me no more : Mark those words : I go to My Father and ye see Me no more . As if He should say thus : You are indebted to God the Father through your transgressions : I am become your surety ; & now I am ready to be cast into prison for your debt : the grave is to take hold upon me , I am to lye by it for your fin , for your debt : But ( saith He now ) I le rise out of the grave , I le come forth of prison , I le go to God the Father , and you shall see Me no more : Whereas now , if I did not pay the whole debt when I came in Heaven , God the Father would say to Me : You are in prison for mans debt , What do you here ? You have not paid the debt yet ; go to prison again , go down to prison again . No ( saith He ) but I go to My Father and ye shall see Me no more : and therefore conclude I have paid the ful debt , I go to My Father and ye see Me no more .

Would you have a proof of Christs fulness of Excellency in general ? Look then I pray upon the 2. of Hag. 7. there you have this expression of Him : He is called the desire of all Nations : I will shake all Nations , and the desire of all Nations shall come : ( mark ) the desire of all nations shall come . Christ , our Lord Jesus , is the desire of all nations . What is there in all the world that is the desire of all nations but Jesus Christ ? Some Nations , some Kingdoms , ( as the West-Indies ) they are full of Gold and Silver , but they want Clothing ; and therefore they desire Cloth . Other Kingdoms now , ( as these of England , and the like ) they have much Cloathing , and Cloath ; but they want Gold and Silver and they desire that : Some Nations they abound with Spices , and with Wines ; but they want Corn : and they desire that . Some Nations again , they have much Corn , I but they have no Wine , no Spices ; and they desire that . Oh! but our Lord Jesus Christ , He is the desire of All Nations , the desire of All Nations . What woman , never so beautiful that the whole world was in love with ? Jesus Christ the desire of All Nations . And , Col. 1.18 . ( saith the Apostle ) He hath in all things the preheminence . If you will , I will gather it up into a Syllogisme , thus : If Jesus Christ be the desire of all Nations , and hath the preheminency of all the world ; then there is a fulness of excellency in Jesus Christ : But our Lord Jesus is the desire of all Nations , having the preheminency in all the world ; surely therefore , there is a fulness of excellency in Jesus Christ , a fulness of excellency , a fulness of Holiness , 1 Cor. 2.2 . Phil. 3.8 . a fulness of Love : No wonder then that Paul saies , I desire to know nothing , but Jesus Christ , and Him Crucified : No wonder that He said , I count all things but dung , and dross , in comparison of the knowledge of Jesus Christ Certainly , surely , there is a fulness of grace in Jesus Christ .

You will say unto me , Applic. We see , we know there is a Fulnesse in Jesus Christ , a Fulnesse of Grace : But now ( by way of Application , ) What is our Duty that doth flow from hence ?

Much every way : I will instance in 4. or 5. particulars so many Duties that do flow from hence .

First , 1 Duty . If there be such a Fulnesse in Jesus Christ , a Fulness of Grace in Jesus Christ ; Then let all men come unto Him . There 's none of us all here present , but labour under some wants or other : Oh! saies one ; I have a great Charge ; family , Parish , or other waies ; and I want grace to mannage it . Oh! saies another : I have great and strong Temptations ; and I want strength to resist them . Oh! saies another : There are many Errors abroad ; I want knowledge to discern them , and avoid them ; I want wisdom to know the Truth , and joyn with the Truth , and own the Truth , and manifest the Truth . Well , what ever your wants be , there is enough in Jesus Christ to supply it , there is a fulness in Him ; why should we not come unto Him ? Oh! you that never tasted of Christs sweetness , that never yet partaked of His fulnesse ; Come unto the Lord Jesus that you may be filled for ever .

You will say , Object . ( it may be ) I am a poor , weak , ignorant , simple man or woman ; a guilty creature : and I am afraid for to come unto Him . Mark this .

But if Christs Invitation be made to you ; Answ. then you will not be afraid to come to Him . Now I pray you look into the 9. Chap. of the Proverbes of Solomon ; See what an invitation is made upon this ground of Christs fulnesse : Wisdom hath built her house . ( by Wisdom , you must understand Christ , as will easily appear by reading over the former Chapter ) Wisdom hath built her an house . ( that is the Church ) She hath hewen out her seven Pillars , ( the firmnesse and beauty of the Church : Seaven is a note of perfection ) She hath killed her beasts , She hath mingled her wine , She hath also furnished her table . Here is the Fulnesse of Christ in His Church . What then ? She hath sent forth her Maidens , ( that is , the Ministers of the Gospel , who , as Virgins should be untouch't , and undefiled by the world ) She crieth in the high places of the City : Who so is simple , let him turn in hither ; as for him that wanteth understanding , she saith to him , Come , eate of my bread , and drink of the wine which I have mingled . Pray observe it , who are invited to pertake of this fulness ; simple ones : Who so is simple , let him turn in hither .

Oh! but I am not only simple , and ignorant ; Object . but the Lord knows , I have no heart to good things .

See what follows , Who so is simple , let him turn in hither : Answ. and as for him that wanteth heart , ( so 't is in the Hebrew ) she suith to him , to him that wanteth heart , Come , eate of my bread , and drink of my wine which I have mingled . Oh! is there ever a poor , simple man or woman here ? one that complains , The Lord knows , I want a heart to what is good ? The Invitation of the Lord Jesus , it is made to you , it is made to you ; think not to say within your selves , I am afraid to come to Christ .

I have read of the Senate of Athens , that once upon occasion , they were constrained to sit in the open fields : and being there set in the open fields ; a poor chased bird , a sparrow , or the like ; chased by the birds of prey ; came flying to the bosom of one of the Senators , for rescue from the birds of prey : The Senator being of a churlish disposition , he takes the poor , little , chased bird , and throws it from him , upon the ground , and so kil'd the bird : whereupon the Senate made an Order , that he should die himself : they would not have a man so churlish to be one of the Senators . And do you think , that the Lord Jesus Christ , when you come as a poor , chased bird for shelter into His bosom : Do you think that the Lord Christ wil throw you away ? No , no. as He is full of glory , and excellency ; so He is full of love , and bounty : Whatever therefore thou hast bin ( man or woman ) whatever you have been : though you have been never so vile , Come unto Jesus Christ , come unto Jesus Christ . Oh! me thinks this Doctrine that I have now preached unto you , is a solemn , and a great invitation to every soul for to come unto Jesus Christ : & therefore come now unto Him , Come unto Christ , Come unto Christ : Come Drunkard , Come Swearer , Come Liar , Come Unclean person ; Oh! Come , come : You that never tasted of Christs sweetness , you that never yet pertak't of Christs fulnesse ; Come now ; Come for there is a fulnesse in Jesus Christ . That 's the first thing .

Secondly , 2 Duty . If there be such a fulnesse in Christ ; Then let us all trust unto Him , build upon him : And you that are the Servants , and People of God , trust , and trust perfectly : There is no grace would stand us in more stead in these evil times . Beloved ! ye al see into what sad times we are now fallen : There is no grace ( I say ) wil stand us in more stead , or more able to turn away the evil that is now upon us , then faith is . Luther hath a notable story to this purpose : There was ( saith he ) a deadly contest , between a great Bishop , and a Duke of Saxonie : The Duke of Saxonie prepares for War against him : but before he would come upon him , he sends a Spy to observe what the Bishop was a doing : The Spy went : and being returned again ; Come ( saies the Duke ) what is the Bishop a doing ? Sir ( saies he ) he is idle , and secure , you may fall upon him , and destroy him when you wil : I ( saies he ) but what saies the Bishop ? Sir , he saies thus : I will feed my flock , I will visit the sick , I will preach the Gospel ; and as for the War , I will Totius belli molem Deo committere , I wil commit the whol weight and bulk of this War to God Himself who fighteth for me . I ( saies the Duke ) did the Bishop say so ? Bellum ei inferat Diabolus , non ego , then ( saies he ) Let the Devil take up Arms against him if he will , for I will not . Thus , thus faith , faith turns away the Sword , faith turns away War . And my beloved , there is no such way , either to beget , or increase faith , as the sight , and consideration of the fulness of Jesus Christ : Those that know Thy Name , Psalm . 9.10 . Psalm . 36.7 . ( saith the Psalmist ) they will trust unto Thee : How excellent is Thy Name , O Lord ; therefore do the children of men put their trust in Thee . Beloved ! ye have heard of Christs Name , His Name is ful of sweetnesse : Oh! therefore , you servants , and People of God , that have gon fearing , and trembling up and down , drooping under many fears , without assurance of Gods love in Christ ; if there be such a fulnesse in Christ , then trust unto Him : yea , trust , and trust perfectly to Him . If Satan come and tempt you , and saies thus unto you ; Thou art a poor unworthy creatrue ; and dost thou think to have mercy ? Answer , True Satan , I am so indeed , most unworthy . but there is a fulnesse in Jesus Christ , and I will trust in Him . Does Satan tempt thee , and say unto thee ; Thou art a poor guilty creature , and dost thou think to find mercy ? Answer , True Satan , I confesse I am , I have committed such and such sins ; but there is a fulnesse in Jesus Christ , and I will trust in him : Say , say Satan what thou wilt against me , I subscribe unto it : I am poor , I am empty , I am unworthy , I am guilty : but Christ is Full , Christ is Full ; there is Fulnesse in Jesus Christ , I will trust unto Him . Oh! you Servants of the Lord , Live much by Faith : there is a Fulnesse in Christ , trust unto it . And that 's the second .

Thirdly , If there be such a fulness in Christ : 3. Duty . Then 't is our duty to draw forth this fulness : Let all men draw forth this fulness . That is done these Three waies :

First by a serious , frequent , solemn consideration , and eyeing of Christs fulness . 2 Cor. 3.18 . For beholding as in a glass ( saies the Apostle ) we are changed from glory to glory : The beholding of Christs glory , changes us into glory .

'T is drawn forth also , by our resting upon it in a time of Temptation . 'T is here in regard of Christs fulness , as in regard of Gods mercy , or promise : ( pray mark it ) My very resting upon Gods promise in the time of a Temptation , does make it mine : my very resting upon His mercy in a time of Temptation , does make His mercy mine : and my resting also , or your resting upon the fulness of Christ in the time of a Temptation , does make it yours .

'T is drawn forth also , by giving forth : As now , the Conduit , or Cistern receives more water into it , by letting out the water which it hath . Possibly , there may be much water in the Conduit , or much water in the Cistern ; and the fountain may be willing to furnish it with more , but 't is full already ; therefore now , turn the cock , and let that run out which it hath received already , and it draws more into the Cistern : So here , beloved , our very spending for Christ receives from Christ : the way to draw out His fulness , is to lay out His fulness ; as you do receive from Him , so to comunicate to other folk : this draws it out . Well then , A fulness ye have heard there is in Christ . This fulness is to be drawn out ; ye hear also , how it is , or may be drawn out . Enter therefore into your Chamber , and when you are all alone ; seriously , frequently , think much of this Fulness of Jesus Christ : and in the time of your Temptation , then rest upon it . And as it pleaseth Jesus Christ to give out any of His Fulness unto you , so let it run out again upon other folk . And this is the third thing .

Fourthly , 4 Duty . If there be such a fulness of grace in Christ : Then let us all labour to be like unto Him ; full of grace as Christ , full of meekness , full of humility , full of Love especially ; for there is a fulness of love in Christ . And yet , alas ! when ever was there lesse love , and more strife then now ? when ever lesse love among Professors ? when ever more strife then now ? Give me leave a little : Beloved in the Lord ! you see , and know what great divisions there are among us , great strifes . All strife and envy arises from an apprehension of scantiness , and narrowness in the thing desired . Now then , that which we do strive for ; either it is more of the World : Or more of Christ . If it be more of the World that we sirive for ; who shall be most Rich , who shall have most Honor : if it be more of the world that we strive for : Why ? Oh! why should we strive for that which may make us worser , but cannot make us better ? why should we strive for that , when as the very striving for it , will deprive us of it ? If it be more of Christ that we strive for : ( mark ) if it be more of Jesus Christ , and more of Him that we strive for ; There is enough in Him , there is enough in Jesus Christ for to serve us al. If two , or three , or six , or twenty men be a thirst ; and they go to drink out of a Bottle : while one is drinking the other envies , because he thinks there will not be enough for him too : But if now , five , six , twenty , a hundred be a thirst ; and go to the River : while one is drinking the other envies not : Why ? because there is enough to serve them all . Beloved ! if it be more of Christ that we strive for , if it be more of Jesus Christ that we strive for ; there is a fulness in Him , there is enough in Christ ; there is enough in Jesus Christ ( ye have heard ) to serve all our turns . Oh! therefore , that there may be no more striving , no more enuy , no more contention , no more division , labor , let us all labor to be more and more like unto Jesus Christ : He was full of grace , especially He was full of love , let us labor to to be like unto Him .

In the fift , and last place : The fift Duty . 5 Duty If there be such a fulness in Jesus Christ : Then take heed how we do any thing that may rob Christ of the glory of His fulness : Let all men take heed how they do any thing that may rob Jesus Christ of the glory of His fulness . As now , Suppose that I think , and am perswaded , that Jesus Christ hath not given a sufficient rule , hath not laid down a perfect a sufficient rule in the Word , for the Ordering , and for the Governing of the Churches : and therefore I will eek out what He hath done with my own prudence : This robs Him of the glory of His Prophetical fulness . Or , suppose I think my sins are so great , they can never be pardoned , so great , there is no hope for mercy : This robs Him of the glory of His Priestly fulness . Or , suppose that I stint , and limit Christ unto this , or that particular means of delivering of the Church ; I know that God is able to deliver England , and to deliver the Church ; but if He do not take this way , if He do not take this course , if this means fail , then we are all undone , then all , all is lost if this means take not : This is to rob Christ of the glory of His Kingly fulness ; to stint Him to one means ; to tie Him , and limit Him to one means . Or , suppose that I set my heart upon any Creature fulness ; and say as the whore said in the 7 of the Proverbs , Come , and let us take our fill of love : Come friends , come company , let us go unto such a Tavern , or such a place , where we may be fully merry : Come , O my soul , take thy contentment in creature fulness , there is enough there : This robs Christ of the glory of all His fulness . To carry away the custom of my thoughts unto another Shop from Christ , argues that there is not enough in Christ alone . Then , beloved ! to conclude all . Are there any here ; ( as I fear there may be too many ) that have thus robbed Jesus Christ of the glory of His fulness ? I beseech you , in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ , whose fulness I have bin now preaching to you ; I beseech you , in the fear of God , go into your Chamber , and be alone awhile , and fall down before the Lord , and say thus unto Him , or to this purpose :

Oh! Lord , I confess it hath bin so with me : I have thought that there hath not bin a sufficient rule for the Government of the Churches ; and herein I have wronged Christ in His Prophetical fulness , and the Lord pardon this unto me .

Lord ! I confess also , I haue said , many times , that my fins are so great , that there is no hope for mercy , that there is no hope for pardon ; herein I have wronged the Priestly fulness of Jesus Christ : now the Lord pardon this unto me ,

I confess , Lord , I have stinted thee , and I have limitted thee , and I have said , many times , in my hast ; if this means fail , then England is undone , the Church undone ; thus I have limitted thee , Lord : Oh! herein I have wrong'd thee , and robbed Christ in His Kingly fulness .

Yea , Lord , I do acknowledge , and I do confess , I have gone to creature-comforts , and my heart hath taken a content and complacency , as if there were enough there ; but now I see there is a fulness in Jesus Christ : the Lord pardon me , that ever I let out my heart upon any creature-comfort , upon any thing but Jesus Christ . You that have bin guilty ; fall down , and humble your selves before the Lord and consider that there is a fulness in Jesus Christ , and labor to draw out this fulness from Him . Which that you may so do , think on all these things , and the Lord blesse them to you .

SERMON II. JOHN 1.16 . Preached at Wapping . Aug. 17. 1646.

And of His Fulness have all we received , even Grace for Grace .

I Have made entrance into these Words in a neighbouring Congregation : and shal now desire to go on where I left there .

The Words hold forth , Three , Great , Grand Propositions .

First , That there is a Fulness of Grace in Jesus Christ . Secondly , That of His Fulness all we do receive . Thirdly , That we do receive of His Fulness : even Grace for Grace .

The former Proposition I have dispatched : and desire at this time to speak unto the second .

All we do receive of His Fulness . Of His Fulness have all we received .

The difficulty that lies upon the Proposition is this : Who are meant here by this All Wee . Some there are that conceive , that by those words we are to understand all the Creatures in Heaven , and Earth ; because 't is said before , in the beginning of the Chapter ; That He is the light , that lighteth every one that cometh into the world . But though the thing be true , that there is no Creature , either in Heaven , or Earth , but more or lesse is beholding to Jesus Christ : for if Christ had not stept in upon the fall , Gods displeasure was so great against man , that he would presently have broke up house : and the sin of the fall was so heavie , that it would have broken the very Axel-tree of the World , if Jesus Christ had not put to His shoulder ; according to that of the Apostle : Heb. 1.3 . He bears up all with the Word of His Power : yet notwithstanding , all the Creatures in Heaven or Earth , cannot be meant here , by this , All Wee : for all the creatures in Heaven and Earth , do not receive Grace : they may be said to receive of the Fulnesse of Christ ; but not Grace for Grace . But ( at the 12. verse , 't is said ) as many as received Him , to them gave He power to become the Sons of God , euen to them that beleeve in his Name . Now in Scripture phrase , those are said to receive Christ Himself , that do receive His Grace : and those that receive His Grace , receive Christ Himself . Understand therefore , by this , All Wee , those that receive Him ; as ye have it in the 12. verse , which is explained to be , Them that beleeve in His Name .

And then the Observation , or Doctrine lies plain before us , which is this :

That all the Saints and People of God , Doct. do pertake of the Fulness of Christ in a way of receiving .

It falls a sunder into Two parts , Thus :

First , That there is a communication of the Fulness of Jesus Christ unto all Beleevers .

Secondly , That whatsoever Grace or Holiness the Saints have from Christ , they have it in a way of receiving .

I shall only speak unto the former at this time :

There is a communication of the Fulness of Jesus Christ unto all Beleevers . Of His Fulness all we receive . ( mark ) There is a communication of the Fulnesse of Jesus Christ , unto all Beleevers .

He is the second Adam which the Apostle Paul speaks of , in the 1 Cor. 15. Chapter , and the 45. verse , The first man Adam was made a living soul , and the last Adam was made a quickning Spirit . The whole world is divided into Two great Houses : As once in this Kingdom , There was the House of York : And the House of Lancaster . So now , the whole world is divided into Two great Houses : The House of the First Adam : And the House of the Second Adam . The first man Adam was made a living soul , and the last Adam was made a quickning Spirit : that is , look as the first Adam did communicate life unto all his seed : So the second Adam does communicate Spiritual life , and grace unto all his people . As by the first Adam , sin , and sorrow , and death came into the world ; and so upon all man-kind : So by the second Adam , grace , and life , and eternal life unto all Beleevers . There is a dealing out , a giving out of the fulness of Jesus Christ unto all Beleevers . This will appear .

First of all , by the Union that there is between Christ , 1 Reason and a Beleever : there is a glorious , a blessed , an incomparable union between Christ , and every Beleever , though he be never so weak , though he be never so poor . There is a union between the Root , and the Branches ; and by vertue of that union , the Root sends forth life , and strength into all the Branches : but yet notwithstanding , the Root is not in the Branches ; nor the Branches in the Root , mutually . There is a union between the Head , and the Members ; and by vertue of that union , the Head hath an influence upon all the Members : but yet the Head is not in the Members ; nor the Members in the Head . But now , there is a union between Christ , and Beleevers : and Christ is in them ; and they are in Christ : We in Christ , and Christ in us . There is a glorious , and blessed union between them . Now union is the cause of communion , or communication : bread is united unto a mans body by eating of it ; and so by vertue of the union , strength is derived into all the parts , into all the members ; and the nearer , and closer unto , this union is , the more full is the communication . Now though the union between Christ , and a Beleever , be set out in Scripture phrase , under such Metaphors as these : The Root , and the Branches : The Husband , and the Wife : And the Head , and Members ; yet none of all these are able to reach it , not in all respects : 't is a glorious , and 't is a blessed , and incomparable union . And therefore , there must needs be a comunication of the fulness of Christ to every Beleever .

Secondly : Rea. 2 My second reason I lay upon four Propositions : and so shall arise , and ascend unto the conclusion by several steps , thus

First , There is an infinite treasury of Grace , and Holiness in Jesus Christ ; whereby He is able to supply , and succour all those that are tempted . If a man hath had a straight shoe upon his foot , or a straight garment ; he knows where it pinches , and accordingly he is able to get it mended . Now the Lord Jesus Christ , He hath put on our flesh , and knows where it pinches : He hath bin cloathed with our flesh , and He knows every place where it pinches ; and accordingly He is able to succour . And therefore ( saies the Apostle ) He was in al things tempted like unto us , Heb. 2.18 . that He might be able to succour those that are tempted . Jesus Christ is not only , the Lord-Treasurer of all our comforts ; but the Lord Keeper of al our graces . The neerer any thing comes unto the Fountain of excellency , the more excellent it is : The Sun is the fountain of light : and the neerer any thing comes to the Sun , the more light it hath . Fire is the fountain of warmth , and heat ; and the neerer any thing comes unto the fire , the more warm it is . Why , The Deitie is the Fountain of all Holiness ; and Jesus Christ is so neer unto it , as Mediator ; that the Apostle saies , In Him the fulness of the God Head dwells . Col. 2.9 . And surely therefore , there must needs be an infinite treasury of Grace , and Holinesse in Him .

The Saints ( you know ) of the Old-Testament , they were very Holy ; Abraham , and Isaac , and Jacob , and Joseph , and Moses , and Samuel , and David , and Solomon ; they were full of Grace , and Holinesse : and yet these were but types of Christ , they were but shadows of Christ . Now the type and the shadow does fall infinitly short of the thing typified , and of the substance : And therefore , if there were so much Grace , and Holinesse in things that were but a shadow of Christ ; if there was so much Wisdome , and Holinesse in others of them that were but the type : Oh! what an infinit treasury of Grace , and Holinesse must there be in Christ Himself . This is the first Proposition .

Secondly , As there is an infinit treasury of Grace , and Holinesse in Jesus Christ : So whatever Grace , and holiness Christ as Mediator hath received by God the Father ; He hath not received it for Himself , but for others : Pray mark it , Whatsoever Grace , and Holines is in Jesus Christ as Mediator , ( I do not speak of Him as God , but as Mediator ) He hath not received it for Himselfe , but for others . Jesus Christ was not Baptized for Himself , but for finners , stood in the place of sinners when He was Baptized . Jesus Christ died not for Himself , but for us . When Christ ascended up to Heaven , He went not for Himself only , but saith He , I go to prepare a place for you . Jo. 14.2 . Eph. 4.8 And so when Christ received gifts ; ( saies the Apostle ) He received gifts for men ; not for Himselfe , but for others : He received gifts for men . The woman hath milk in her breasts , but not for her selfe but for her child . The Sun hath abundance of light in his body , 't is not for himself , but for the world . And so Jesus Christ , He hath received abundance of grace , and holinesse ; but 't is not for Himself but for others . And therefore pray mark what He saies , in John , 17.19 . And for their sakes I sanctifie My self , that they also might be sanctified through the Truth . He does not say , for My own sake do I sanctifie My self , but for their sakes : For their sakes I sanctifie my self , that they also might be sanctified through the Truth . There are certain Official parts in the body ( you know ) that stand as Officers unto all the rest . The stomack hath a great deal of meat in it , but it hath not that meat for it self but that it may communicate to all the members . The liver hath a great deal of blood in it but the liver hath not the blood in it for it self , but that it may communicate it unto all the parts . And the head , it hath all the fences seated in it , it hath many spirits : but not for it self , but for the members . So Jesus Christ , who is the Head of the Church : whatsoever Grace , and Holinesse , as Mediator , He hath received ; He hath not received for Himselfe , but for others .

This may make the Saints , and People of God to come with boldnesse to the Throne of Grace : Hath Christ received for others , & not for Himself ; Then why not for me ? Lord , why not for me ? Now you shal see that further proved in the 61. Chap. of Esay . the 1. & 2. verses . The Spirit of the Lord God is on me , because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tydings unto the meek ; He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted , to proclaim liberty to the captives , and the opening of the prison to them that are bound . To proclaim the acceptable yeer of the Lord , and the day of vengeance of our God , to comfort all that mourn : They are the words of Christ , spoken in the Person of Christ : as if he had said thus : There are a generation of men in the world , that are taken captive by their sins ; and lie bound in chains , and irons by Satan : and they are broken , and bowed down greatly under the burden of them : Now God the Father , He hath design'd me , to go open the prison dores to these poor captives : and because God the Father hath design'd me to it ; therefore the Spirit of the Lord is upon me , ( not in me ) therefore the Spirit of the Lord is upon me , because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tydings unto the meek . So that you see now , that anointing that falls upon the head of Christ , it falls not upon Him for Himself , barely , but that it may run down upon all His members . That is a second Proposition .

Thirdly , As there is an infinite treasury of grace , and holiness in Christ : which He hath not received for Himself , but for others : So ( in the third place , ) there is an infinite propension , and willingness in Jesus Christ to communicate this grace unto the children of men . Pray mark it : There is an infinit propension , and willingnesse in Jesus Christ ; to communicate , and give out his grace unto the children of men . Heb. 3.2 . He is faithful ( saies the Apostle ) in all His house as Moses was . Now if Jesus Christ should receive gifts for men , for others ; and then run away with all , and not be willing to give them out ; He could not be faithful : but faithful He is . Look I pray for this in the 16. Psal. 2 v. Thou hast said unto the Lord , Thou art my Lord , my goodness not for thee : but for the Saints that are in the earth , and for the excellent in whom are all my delight . You reade the words thus : Thou hast said unto the Lord , Thou art my Lord ; my goodnesse extendeth not to thee . But in the Hebrew , the word extendeth is not . Thou art my Lord : my goodnesse not for thee : but for the Saints that are in the earth . That these words are spoken of Christ . Pray reade the Four last verses ; I have set the Lord alwayes before me : ( at the 8. ver. ) because He is at my right hand , I shall not be moved . Therefore my heart is glad , and my glory rejoyceth : my flesh also shall rest in hope . For thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell ; neither wilt thou suffer thy holy One to see corruption . Now compare these words with what the Apostle saies in Acts , 2.25 . David speaketh concerning him , ( mark ) For I foresaw the Lord alwayes before my face , he is on my right hand , I shall not be moved : Therefore did my heart rejoyce , and my tongue was glad : Moreover also , my flesh shall rest in hope : Because thou will not leave my soul in hell , ( the same viorde ) neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption . Mark what is said then , at the 29. ver. the Apostle proves , That these words of the Psalm , must needs be understood of Christ , and not of David . Men and brethren , ( saies he ) let me freily speak unto you of the Patriarch David , that he is both dead and buried , and his Sepulcher is with us unto this day . Therefore ( saies he ) these words cannot be understood of David , but must be understood of Christ . Now then , this Psalm being thus to be understood of Christ , saies Christ , Lord , Thomi●t my Lord : my goodness is not for thee : but for the Saints that are in the earth , and for the excellent in whom is all my delight . They are my delight , and therefore what goodnesse I have from thee , I am willing to give it out again unto them , because al my delight is in them . Do you not think , that a man is willing to eat his meat when he is a hungry I ray look into the 4. chaptes of John , and you shall see what was Christs meat ( verse the 34. ) Jesus faith unto them , My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me , and to finish His Work . My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me : What is that ? Finish His Work : What is that ? You reade before in the , 61 Esay , That the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him : and God the Father had anointed Him to open the prison door . Now therefore ( saith He ) look how willing a man is to eat his meat when he is a hungry : So willing am I to releeve poor sinners , to open the prison dore to poor captive souls . Tender hearted Mothers , are you willing to give your Children suck ? to have your breasts drawn ? Yes : Why so ? Truly , not only because of my child , but the truth is , unless my breasts be drawn 't is a pain to me : not only for my child therefore , but for my own ease also , you will say . Why , brethren , the Humanity of Jesus Christ , is ( as I may so speak ) the breasts of the Deity ; by which we suck out all the holiness , and grace which we have : and if Jesus Christs breasts be not drawn , He counts it a pain to Him . And therefore He complains so in the Gospel : Joh. 1.11 . I came unto mine own , and mine own received me not ; They will not draw My breasts ; He counts it a pain to Him . Tell me , are you willing to receive grace ? Yes : If you be willing to receive grace , Jesus Christ is willing to give it : for you cannot be willing , if He were not willing first , your willingness does come from His. But I pray , what grace are you willing to have Oh! saies one , I am a poor ignorant creature : I would fain , I would fain have more knowledge . Oh! saies one , I am one of great Passions , and of a disordered life ; and , Oh! that I had my life better ordered . Oh! saies another , I am a poor guilty soul ; and I would have pardon , I would have pardoning grace . Now I 'le appeal to you : Whether do you not think , that an honest man is willing to do the work of his office ? Can a man be an honest man , and not be willing to do the work of his office ? This is the Office of Jesus Christ . He is a Prophet , and therefore He must be willing to teach you you that complain that you are ignorant . This is the Office of Jesus Christ to be a King ; and therefore He is willing to direct you ; and to order you : You that complain of distemper , and disorder .

This is the Office of Christ to be a Priest , and therfore He is willing to satisfie for you : and indeed , if Jesus Christ were not willing to give out His grace unto the children of men , He would never lay it upon such conditions as He does . When a man is unwilling to do a thing for another , He will put it upon hard conditions : As Saul , being unwilling to give his Daughter to David , He put it upon hard conditions . But now , what does Jesus Christ require ? What does the Lord Jesus Christ require , for the Communication of His grace ? But only this , that you do receive it : Mark , only this , that we do receive it ; a condition indeed , that is no condition : I say , a condition that is no condition , because he promises strength to receive also . Oh! my beloved : Why should we cumber the way to Heaven with Preparations , and Qualifications , and Precedaneous conditions ? There are no In-coms , no In-coms to be paid at our coming in to Jesus Christ ; there are no Precedaneous conditions : Grace is free , and Mercy is free , and Christ is free , and His Love is free : there is an infinite Propension in Jesus Christ , to communicate this His Grace to the children of men . This is the third Proposition .

Fourthly , As Christ is infinitly willing : So ( in the Fourth place ) there is nothing , either in Heaven , or in earth that can hinder Him from doing al. For now , grant all the former Three : That there is an infinite treasury of Grace in Christ . That He hath not received it for Himself , but others . That He is infinitly willing to give it out unto the children of men . Yet , if He can be hindred ; al the former is nothing : Mark therefore the Fourth , ( and then we come to the Use . ) There is nothing , either in Heaven , or Earth , that can hinder Jesus Christ from communicating His Grace .

I work , Esay , 43.13 . ( saies God ) and who shall let ? And I communicat My grace ( saies Christ ) and who shall hinder ? If any thing can hinder it must be either Satan without us , or our sins within us : Satan without cannot hinder , he could not go into the herd of swine , he could not destroy a hog , a sow , a pig till he had leave from Christ : and can Satan hinder then , when Christ intends to communicate His grace ? He is called the strong man , but Christ is called the stronger than he . Luke 22.31 , 32. Peter , Peter ( saies our Saviour ) Satan hath desired to winnow thee ; but I have prayed that thy faith fail not . I , one prayer , one prayer by Jesus Christ is stronger than all the temptations of Satan . Satan cannot hinder . Nor can our sins within hinder . For if you look into the 2. Chapter of Titus : 't is said there , at the 14. verse , He gave Himself for us , that He might redeem us from al iniquity . If from All iniquity , then from unbeleef . Then unbeleef cannot hinder . If a King come on purpose to pardon All Rebellion ; if he be able , and willing , and come on purpose to pardon All Rebellion : then no one Rebellion can hinder , can be a reason why he should not pardon . The Covenant that God makes with His ; is like the Covenant that He made with Noah ; as you reade in the 54. Chapter of Esay , the 8. and 9. verses : In a little wrath I hid my face from thee , for a moment ; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee : saith the Lord thy redeemer : for this is as the waters of Noah unto me : for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth ; so have I sworn that I would not be wrath with thee , nor rebuke thee . Mark , The Covenant God would make with His people , is like the Covenant that He made with Noah : The Covenant that He made with Noah , what is that ? Pray now look into the , 8. Chapter of Genesis , & the 21. verse . Noah being come out of the Ark , and offering unto the Lord ; The Lord smel'd a sweet savour : and the Lord said in His heart , I will not again curse the ground any more for mans sake ; for the imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth . I think it should rather be read thus , according to the Hebrew : I will not again curse the ground any more for mans sake ; although the imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth : although : ye read it , for : I wil not again curse the ground any more for mans sake ; for , the imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth : One would think He should rather say thus : I wil curse the ground again , and I will bring a new floud , for the imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth . No , but the Covenant that God made with Noah , was thus : I do now make a Covenant with man-kind , that the world shall never be drowned again : yea , Though man do sin , yet the world shall not be drown'd again . This is the Covenant that the Lord made with Noah : The Lord did not make such a Covenant as this : I do promise , that the world shall not be drown'd again , if man do not fin . No , but the Covenant that the Lord made with Noah was thus : But I promise the world shall not be drown'd again , Though men do sin again : this is the Covenant the Lord made with Noah : it was so far from running upon a condition , that it runs crosse to all conditions . So now the Lord saies concerning a poor Beleever : I do take this soul into Covenant with Me : Yea , and Though he do sin , yet notwithstanding I will pardon him , and this soul shall never lye under water again , shall never lye under water again : his sin shall not hinder My grace ; he shall never lye under water again : for as the Covenant I made with Noah , such is the Covenant I make with every beleever . And beloved , if indeed that we could hinder Christ , when He comes to communicate His grace ; if our sins could hinder : then we might resist grace , with an Overcoming resistance . 'T is true , a man may resist the grace of God , with A gain-saying resistance ; but he cannot resist the grace of God , with an overcoming resistance . Whatsoever is overcome , is overcome by a stronger : Man , ( I say ) cannot resist with an overcoming resistance . Pray do but consider well the Covenant of Grace : Ezek. 36 26 , 27. saies the Lord in that : I will take away the heart of stone , and I will give an heart of flesh : and I will cause ye to walk in my waies ; and I will put My Spirit into you . I will take away the heart of stone : What is that ? a stone is hard , a hard thing does not yeeld to the touch , a soft thing yeelds . Pharaoh had a hard heart , and therefore he yeelded not . When therefore , the Lord makes such a promise as this ; I will take away the heart of stone : What is His meaning ? His meaning is plainly , I will take away the un-yeelding , the resisting disposition that is in man . Now therefore , when the Lord makes such a promise as this : That He will put His Spirit into them , and cause them to walk in His waies : Our resisting can be no hindrance : Why ? because the Lord hath made a promise to take away our resisting . If the Covenant had run thus : I will put My Spirit into you , and cause you to walk in My waies ; upon this condition , that you do not resist , then we could hinder : but the Lord in the same promise that He does say , I will put My Spirit into them , and cause them to walk in My waies : He doth also promise to take away the resisting heart , to take away the spirit of resisting . I will take away the heart of stone : there 's the resisting : And I will cause them to walk in My waies . So that our sins cannot hinder .

Now then , put al these together : There 's an infinit treasury of grace , and holiness in Jesus Christ . This He hath not received for Himselfe , but for others . There is an infinite propension , and willingness in Him , to give out this grace unto the children of men . And nothing either in Heaven or earth can hinder Him : Surely therefor , there is the Communication of the Fulness of Jesus Christ , unto all Beleevers

You will say unto me then : Object . Why are Beleevers then so empty of Grace ? 'T is the ordinary complaint : Oh! I am full of evil : Oh my heart is empty of all that is good : Beleevers they complain thus : How can this Doctrine be true , if this experience be good ?

I answer : First , Answ. The Fulnesse of Grace which is in a Beleever , is many times hid from the world , and from himself : When you go to the Sea side , you see the water , you see abundance of water : & ye hear the water roaring , and raging , and making a noise : but you do not see the Gold , and the Silver that lies at the bottom of the Sea : you see the water of the Sea ; but you do not see the wealth that is in the Sea . So now , when you go and look upon a Beleever ; you behold his troubles , you see his waves , and al the troubles that beat upon him : Oh! but the wealth of a Beleever ; the Fulness of a Beleever , the Fulnes of Christ that is in him , that you see not , 't is hid from the world , and 't is hid from himself , many times . And therefore ( saies the Apostle ) Our life is hid with God in Christ : Coll. 3.3 , 4. When Christ who is our life shall appear , then shall we also appear with Him in glory .

Secondly , Though there be a communication of the Fulnesse of Christ unto all Beleevers : yet He does communicate as a universal Cause . The universall Cause doth seldom or never produce particular effects , but with a concurrence of particular Causes . The Sun is the universal Cause of all the fruitfulnesse that is upon the earth : Yet notwithstanding , it does produce the Fruit , ( your Corne , Barly , and Rye , and Wheat ; ) with the help of man : The ground is plowen , and sowen . The River , or the Fountain is the universal Cause of the Water that yee have in your houses : but yet notwithstanding , you have not this Water , but by pipes , and conveyance ; and when ye want water in your house , you do not say ; There is no water in the Thames , there 's no water in the Fountain : No , but surely the pipe is broken , the pipe is stopt ; or we want some pipe or other . So now , when you want Grace , and when you are empty of Grace ; you are not to say ; Oh! it is because there is not enough in Christ , or Christ is not willing ; but rather , surely the pipe is broken , or we want this , or that Ordinance : the pipe is not clean , the pipe is stopt , and therefore we are so empty of Grace as we are .

Thirdly , Though there be a communication of the Fulnesse of Christ unto all Beleevers : yet notwith standing he does it in proportion . ( Mark ) Christ does give unto every man according to the place that he bears in his body : As the soul , the soul sends forth life , and motion to all the members ; but the soul does not give a hearing faculty unto the eye , nor the soul does not give a seeing faculty unto the eare ; neither can the foot say , I have nothing from the soul , because I cannot speak like the tongue : neither can the tongue say , I have nothing from the soul , because I cannot walk like the foot . So the Lord Jesus Christ , He doth observe what place every man doth bear in His Body , & accordingly He doth give forth Grace unto men . You cannot say thus : Surely , I have none of Christ , because I cannot pray , and do so as others do : But mark , what is the place the you do bear in the Body of Christ , and you may go to Christ for strength for that : you may say thus , Lord through thy Grace thou hast given me such a place in Thy Body , and I want strength for that ; O! let me have it from Thee .

Fourthly , Though there be a communication of the Fulnesse of Christ unto all Beleevers : yet 't is according to their necessities , and wants . The lace ( you know ) 't is laid upon the seam ; upon the seam there lyes the lace : lace indeed , may be laid upon the whol cloath ; but ordinarily , your silken-lace , your silver-lace , your golden-lace ; 't is laid upon the seam . Now the Lord Jesus Christ , He knows all the seams of your life , all the seams of your life : there He laies His Golden-Lace on . Mark therefore , what are the seams of thy life , and see if Christ hath not laid on something there . pa Take but these Four Considerations together , and there is a sufficient Answer to that Objection .

I come to the Application . Applic.

And whilst I stand upon this point : Me thinks here I see , the transcendant excellency of the Saints , & of Beleevers ; and the betterness of their condition , above the men of the world , though they be never so Rich , or Great , Beloved ! Every man is according to the fulnesse that he doth live upon : There is the Fulnesse of the Earth ; 1 Cor. 10 26. The Earth is the Lords , and the Fulness thereof . And wicked men , they are said to be filled with this : Whose bellies Thou fillest with hid Treasures . Psalme the 17. And there is the Fulnesse of Jesus Christ : And of this Fulnesse the Saints , and Beleevers do all receive , and partake . Look therefore , what a difference there is between these fulnesse's The fulnesie of the Earth ; And the Fulnesse of Jesus Christ : such a mighty difference , in point of excellency , there is between a Beleever , though he be never so poor : and a wicked man-though he be never so rich . Give me leave a little , to open the difference of these Fulnesses to you ; that so you may see the difference betwwen men , and men , and be incouraged unto a godly course .

First , The fulness of the world , it is fulness made up of many things . Martha , Martha , Luke 10.41 . ( saies Christ ) thou art busied about many thing . 'T is a fulness made up of many things ; and therefore not a Homogenial fulness : The fulnes of Christ is a fulnes made up of one thing , the Deitie , in whom the God-head dwells ; and therefore 't is a Homogenial fulness ; every part of it is fulness : every part of a Homogenial body , hath the name of the whole : Wvery part of water , is called water , though it be but a drop : Every part of fire , is fire , though it be but a spark : And Every part of Heaven , it is called Heaven , though it be but a corner of Heaven . And so , every part of the Fulness of Jesus Christ , is fulness . As the Philosophers say of the soul , Animatota in toto , that the soul is , wholly in the whol , and wholly in every part : So the Fulness of Christ , 't is wholly in the Church , and 't is wholly in every Beleever . Every Beleever may come and say , I have all Christ . But as for the fulness of the world , every one that hath the worlds fulness cannot say so ; I have all the worlds fulness .

Secondly , The fulness of the earth , is a fulness made up of the worser things . The world , it is a great Body , and it hath in it some things that are of a grosser , more drossy nature : and some things that are of a finer nature . The fulness of the earth , it is of the drossy , and the grosser part of the world : Oh! but the Fulness of Christ , it is of the finer part ; and the fulness that does come from Him unto Beleevers , the best of the bests ; wine of the lees ; and marrow out of the bones ; and wine well refined ; 't is of the finer part of the world : The other is but the grosser , the thicker , the dirtier , the more grosser part .

Thirdly , The fulness of the earth , is a fulness that runs into emptiness ; a fulness that hath an hole at the bottom : Like unto an hour glasse : if you turn it up , the upper part of the glasse is full of sand : but because it hath an hole at the bottom , and there stands a glasse beneath it as big as it self ; it empties it self into that galsse . Then you turn up the glasse again , and that is full : but because that hath an hole at the bottom , it runs out , having an empty glasse beneath it , and this fulness runs into it . So now , ; t is with the worlds fulnes : a man he hath a great estate , he hath his glasse full of sand : I but because his children , and his family stands under him ; his sand runs into them , and he is soon emptied ; he is soon emptied into them . Then , when the father is dead , and gone ; and hath emptied out his fulness into his children ; the childrens glasse is turn'd up : but they having children under them , and house under them ; their sand also , is soon run out , it runs out into emptiness . Thus , all the fulness of the world , 't is but a fulness that hath a hole at the bottom , that runs into emptiness . Oh! but the fulness of Jesus Christ , the fulness of Jesus Christ it is a dwelling fulness ; His sulness runs out into Leleevers , & yet He is ful Himself : In Him the fulnes of the God head dwels , it dwelleththere .

Fourthly , The fulness of the Earth , it can never satisfie the better part of man , [ the soul ] it can never satisfie that . All satisfaction , and contentment arises from the conjunction , of a Convenient with a Convenient ; the conjunction of sutables . If a man have never so great an Estate , if his heart be not suted to it , he hath no content . If a man have never so small an Estate , if his heart be suted to it , he is content . So that now , all content arises from sutablenessm , the conjunction of sutables . What sutableness is there between the fulness of the earth ; and the better part of man , the soul ? Mark . Properly a thing is never said to be full , till it be full of that for which it was made : A mans Chest , a Chest or Trunk is not said to be full of aire ; though it be ful of aire ; yet notwithstanding , we say the Chest , or Trunk is empty , because 't is not fil'd with that for which it was made . And so , take one of these meeting Houses ; though the place be full of stooles , yet notwithstanding , though ( I say ) the place be full of stools , or full of air ; yet we say , the Church is empty : because though it be full , yet 't is not full of that for which it was made , full of people . So now , take a man that hath all the fulness of the earthl : because that his soul was never made , his better part was never made for the fulness of the earth , therefore he is said to be empty , in the midst of all his fulness his heart is empty ; and the man is an empty man , because his heart is not full of that for which he was made , and that is Christ , that is Christ ; the fulness of Christ in him ; he is an empty man all this while . Oh but the fulness Jesus Christ , is a soul-satisfying fulness : He that drinks of the water that I shall give him ( saies He ) shall never thiest again . Joh. 4.4 . Psal. 17.15 . When I awake ( saies the Psalmist ) I shall be satisfied with thy likeness . And that is a Fourth .

Fiftly , The fulness of the earth cannot commend a man unto God , or make him more lovely or beautiful in the eyes of God . The poor , vain , foolish stage-player thinks himself brave , and a jolly man-while he is in kings cloathes ; or while he is acting the part of a King : but the wise spectator , he saies : And is he that does but act the Kings part , or hath the Kings cloaths on , so brave a man , what is a King indeed . Beloved the Lord He sees all we have , and do ; stands by as a wise spectator ; and when men brave it out with the worlds fulness : I , what then is the man , that acts the Fulnesse of Christ ? Is he so brave a man that hath a possession here land , and house ; What is he then that hath an eternal inheritance ? If there fall but the least drop of the Rulness of Christ upon a soul , it makes the soul lovely , and beautiful in the eyes of God . 1 Pet. 3.4 . The Apostle speaking of the adorning of women : saies he ( at the 3 verse ) Whose adorning , let it not be that outward adorning , of playting the hair , and of wearing of gold , or of putting on of apparrel : but let it be the hidden man of the heart , in that which is incorruptible ; even the Ornament of a meek , and quiet spirit , which is in the sight of God of great price . As if he should say : All other Ornaments , plaiting of hair , and gold , and the like ; is of no price in the eyes of God : Oh! but a quiet spirit , and a meek spirit ; one drop of the Fulness of Christ falling upon the soul , makes the soul lovely in the fight of God ; is of great price .

Sixtly , The fulnesse of the Earth , is a fulnesse that is mixt with poison , sin . & the curse of God . What pleasure or delight can a man take in drinking , when he shall consider with himself , that poison is mixt withal ? this is good , or sweer liquor ( saies he ) indeed : Oh! but there is poison in the Cup , and therefore I wil not meddle with it . Take all the Fulnesse of the world ; and if it be not mixt with the Fulnesse of Jesus Christ , there is poison in it , the Curse of God in it , the wrath of God there : and therefore , what pleasure , what contentment can a man take therein , without the Fulnesse of Fulnesse of Jesus Christ ?

Seventhly , The Fulnesse of the Earth is a defiling Fulness . When a thing is mixed with any thing that is worse than it self , it is defiled thereby : If silver be mingled with gold , the silver is not defil'd thereby , because gold is better than the silver : but if silver be mingled with lead , the silver is defil'd , because 't is mingled with something that is worse than it self . So now , if a man be mingled with Spiritual , and Heavenly things , his heart is not defil'd thereby , because they are better than himself : but if a mans heart be mingled with the things of the world , his heart is defil'd , because 't is mingled with something that is worse than himself : and the more a mans heart is mingled with the things of the earth , the more defil'd it is . As a dog , that hath bemir'd himself , the more he fawnes upon you , the more he dirties you : If you take a dog abroad with you into the fields , and he run into a dirty ditch , or the river : after he is dirty , you will not suffer him to come neer you and themore he fawns upon you , and leaps upon you the more he defiles you . Truly , such is the earths , and the world fulness : as ( I say ) a dog , the more it fawns upon you , and falls upon you , the more it defles you : Oh! but the Fulnesse of Jesus Christ is a pure Fulnesse , a Fulness that is full of purenesse .

Eightly , Take al the Fulnesse of the world , and though it be never so much , it fals under your expectation : Sink your expectation as low as you can , and yet notwithstanding , it wil fall below your expectation . As for the Fulnesse of Jesus Christ , raise , and scrue up your expectation as high as you can , and yet you shall find more therein then ever you expected .

Ninthly , As for the fulnesse of the earth , somtimes 't is better wanted than injoyed : It may make you miserable , it cannot make you happy . Oh! but the Fulnesse of Jesus Christ , it can never make you miserable , it will certainly make you happy , there is no such time , wherein 't is better wanted , than injoyed .

Tenthly . As for the Fulnesse of the earth , ( again ) It costs a man many times more than 't is worth : it costs him his Time , his precious Thoughts , his Soul ; much is laid out for it , much care to get it , much fear to keep it , and much grief to lose it . Oh! but the Fulnesse of Jesus Christ , it costs him nothing : Esay , 56.1 . Come , buy Wine , and Milk without money , or moneys-worth . Christ gives much , and takes little , takes nothing , it costs you nothing , and having it you have all .

And again . ( to name no more of these ) Take all the fulnesse of the Earth , and though it be never so much : it is not able to answer you with Love ; to return you Love , for your Love . The greaten , & noblest Gift of the world , is Love . That is alwaies unworthy of your love , that cannot answer your love again . If you have a full bagg , If you have a full Table ; if you have a full House : these fulnesses cannot answer you with love again ; but it can defile your own love . Oh! but the Fulnesse of Christ , it can answer you with Love for Love , it gives you a better Love than you brought : it Nobilitates , and Meliorates , and raises your own love forever . Behold ! This is the Fulnesse , this is the Fulnesse that the Saints , that Beleevers do partake in , that they do receive of : and they may come to this Fulness of Jesus Christ , and they may say : Of this Fulnesse , of this Fulnesse wee have all received : As those wicked men , they may go unto the fulnesse of the Earth , and they may say indeed ; Of this fulnesse we have all received ; but as for that Fulnesse we have none of it . Oh! how much better is the condition of a Beleever , than the condition of a wicked man , though he be never so great , or rich .

You that are Beleevers , you do envy at the men of the world , because of their fulnesse ? I Pray tell me , would you change your Fulnesse for theirs ? Would you change your Condition for theirs ?

And you that are of the world , wicked ungodly men ; that have but the Earths fulnesse : Why do you lay out your thoughts and your time upon such a fulnesse ? a dropsical fulnesse ; a fading fulnesse ; a dying fulnesse ; a fulnesse that is mixt with a Curse ; a fulnesse thsat does al bemire you , and dirty you : pray tell me , Are you able with the Dasies , & Tulips of the world , to satisfie your better part ? Oh! know you not , that notwithstanding all the Earths fulnesse , that a wicked mans fortune , ( I say ) that a wicked mans fortune it lies in a lake that burneth with fire and brimstone ? And when you have done all you can , & gathered all that ever you can together ; you may go unto your full purses ; or unto your full bags ; or unto your full houses ; or unto your full barnes ; and you may say of this fulnesse I have received . Oh! but you cannot go unto the Fulnesse of the Lord Jesus Christ , and say ; And of this Fulness my soul hath received . Oh! fool ( saies our Saviour , Luke 12.20 . when His barnes are full ) this night shall thy soul be taken away from thee . And when you come below , in the pit , where no water is ; then you will complain , and say : Oh! wretch that I was ; I might have had of the Fulness of Jesus Christ , but I chose rather the fulness of the earth : and if I had had the Fulness of Christm , I had bin made for ever ; but I chose rather the fulnesss of the world , then the Fulness of Jesus Christ , and now I am lost for ever ; Oh! I am lost for ever , I have none of the Fulness of Jesus Christ .

What an incouragement here is then ( And so I come unto the Second Use : Appli . 2. and I will not hold you long in it ) What an incouragment is here unto al men , good and bad , to come in unto Jesus Christ , and partake of His Fulnesse ! ( I say ) in the Second place ; here is incouragement unto all you that hear the Word of the Lord this day , good or bad : an incouragement unto all souls , good , and bad to come in unto the Lord Jesus Christ , and partake of His fulnesse ! Saies our Lord and Savior , When I am lift up , Joh. 12.32 . I will draw all men after Me : I , Love is a drawing thing : Love is a drawing thing : it draws men and women together into one youke , that lived farr asunder ; And what greater love than this , that Jesus Christ should lay down His Life for poor sinners ? Wisdome , wisdome is a drawing thing , it drew the Queen of Sheba from farr , to come unto Solomon ; and behold a greater than Solomon is here ! Riches , riches ; Wealth , wealth is a drawing thing . Bounty , and Liberality a drawing thing ; it draws the poor beggar to the rich mans dore : And behold ! here 's Riches ! Oh! there 's an infinite treasury of Grace , and Holinesse in Jesus Christ . And here 's Liberality ! For there is an infinite propension , and willingnesse in the Lord Jesus Christ , to give out of this Fulnesse unto poor finners . Oh! hath God the Father exalted Jesus Christ , and shall not our hearts exalt Him ? Beloved ! let but Jesus Christ be exalted in your thoughts , and in your hearts ; and you will stand : Firm against all Temptations : Firm against and Discouragements : Firm against all Afflictions .

Firm against all Temptations : If Temptations come to offer you profit , and pleasure ; then will you make this answer : No , you bid me losse ; for there is a fulness in Jesus Christ ; and of His Fulness , through the Lords mercy , I have received ,

Firm against all Discour agements : If the Devil come , and tell you ; Thou art now a Professor , but ere long you will fall away , and prove as great a scandal to Religion , as ever you honored it before : You will make this answer , True ( indeed ) Satan , I have a backsliding soul , I have a backsliding heart ; but there is a Fulnes in Jesus Christ , & through the Lords mercy , I have received of this Fulness ; an d therefore I shal persevere in the way that I am in , notwithstanding sall thy discouragements .

Firm against all Afflictions : if you want this creature-comfort , or the other creature-comfort ; you will answer : I , true , I want Friends , I want Money , I want Credit ; Oh! but yet , there 's a Fulness in Jesus Christ , and there 's enough in Him ; and of this Fulness , through the Lords mercy , I have received . Oh! what a drawing , what a drawing argument is here ! me thinks the stoutest sinner in all the Congregation should now come in , and close with the Lord Jesus Christ .

You will say unto me : Here are incouragements indeed , Quest. to Beleevers ; for the Doctrine runs thus : There is a communication of the Fulness of Jesus Christ unto all Beleevers . Oh! but what incouragement is here for others , that are not Beleevers ? And truly I am afraid , I am even afraid that I am not one of those ; what incouragement is there for others , that are not Beleevers also ?

I pray look into the , 68. Psalm ; Answ. ( and consider it wel ) at the 18. verse . See what is spoken concerning Christ to this purpose that now I am upon : Thou hast ascended on high , Thou hast led captivity captive : Thou hast received gifts for men ; ( 't is spoken of Christ ) yea , for the Rebellious Also ; Mark that word : Thou hast received gifts for men ; yea , For the Rebellious Also . Well then , is there ever a Rebellious Childe in this Congregation ? Is there ever a Rebellious Drunkard , that hath taken up arms against the Lord Jesus Christ ? Is there ever a rebellious Swearer , or an unclean heart here , that hath taken up arms against the Lord Jesus Christ ? ( Saies the Text ) He hath received gifts for men ; yea , for the Rebellious Also ; The Reason why you have not these gifts , is , because you do not come to Christ . Oh! But if you would come to Christ , ( Mark ) If you would come to Christ , you that are Rebellious , if you would come to Jesus Christ , He hath these gifts , or Grace by Him ; if you would come to Him , you should have these gifts from Him . Who would not throw down his weapons now ? Is there ever a Rebel in all this Congregation , that hath taken up arms against the Lord Jesus Christ heretofore ? Me thinks he should be incouraged hence to come unto Jesus Christ . Bodin hath a story concerning a great Rebel , that had made a great , and strong party against a Roman Emperour : & the Emperour makes Proclamation ; that who ever could bring in the Rebel , either alive , or dead , should have such a great sum of money . The Rebel hearing of this , he comes in himself , presents himself unto the Emperour , and demands the sum of money . Saies the Emperour ; if now , I should put him to death , the world would think , that I did it to save my money : notwithstanding all his former rebellion , the Emperour pardons him , and gave him the sum of money . Oh! would a Heathen Emperour do thus by a poor Rebel ? And if thou , ( man or woman ) wilt throw down thy weapons , and come in unto the Lord Jesus Christ , do you think that the Lord Jesus Christ , will not give to you those gifts that He hath received for you ? Certainly He will . Oh! me thinks therefore , every poor sinner should now hang upon this last word ; yea , For the rebellious Also . Hath the Lord Jesus Christ receiued gifts for men , and for the rebellious Also ? I wil for ever hang upon that word , Also . Oh! I have bin a Rebel : I have bin an unclean Rebel ; I have bin a swearing Rebel ; I have bin a drunken Rebel : Oh! Lord , I will throw down my weapon , and hang upon this word , Also : Hath He received gifts for men ; and for the rebellious Also ? Oh! I will come in unto Him . Oh! what a mighty incouragement is here for all , good and bad , to come in unto Jesus Christ ? Come Drunkard ; Come Swearer ; Come Unclean heart ; Come Sabbath-breaker ; Come lying-Children ; Come stealing-Servants : Oh! Come unto the Lord Jesus Christ that you may be fil'd for ever . Oh! Come unto Christ , that you may leave your sins . Here is incouragement to all , good and bad , to come unto Jesus Christ .

One word more of Use unto Beleevers ; Appli . 3. and so I have done . Is there a communication of the Fulness of Jesus Christ unto all Beleevers : Then Beleevers Own your own , own your own : labor to strengthen your Assurance of your Union with Jesus Christ : and maintain your confidence in Him . If you have Assurance of Union with Jesus Christ , you may have the comfort of all this truth : you may , and you will say thus , or to the like purpose : Hath the Lord given me Christ , and will He not with Him give me all things else ? True indeed , I want Grace to do such a work with ; to pray with , to hear with , to examine my own heart , withal : I want Grace to do such a work for God : Oh! but , there is a communication of the Fulness of Jesus Christ unto all Beleevers ; and through the Lords Grace I am one : There is a communication of the Fulness of the Lord Jesus Christ unto all the Saints ; and through the Lords Grace I am one : and therefore in due time , I know I shall have this Grace communicated to me .

But if you want the Assurance of your Union with Jesus Christ : Oh! then , you will want the comfort of this Truth : then you will break out and say : True indeed , there is the communication of the Fulness of Christ unto Beleevers ; but the Lord knows I am none ; 'T is true indeed , there 's a communication of the Fulness of Christ unto al the Saints ; but the Lord knows I am none ; I have an unclean heart of mine own : the Lord knows I am none . Oh! therefore , you that have gone doubting up and down , and had no assurance of your condition all this while ; assurance of your Union with Jesus Christ : for the love of God , get it now : as you desire to have the comfort of this truth that now I have bin upon , get it now .

You see Beloved , these times we are fallen upon , are dying times : and truly , I may say ; Dying times , and Doubting hearts cannot stand together : Oh! Cock up , cock up ? you that have had your evidence for Heaven lying abroad all this while , get it in . Labor to get assurance of your Union with Jesus Christ : and maintain your confidence , and assurance ? and so shall you have the comfort of all this Truth made good unto you : And the Lord give it in unto you .

SERMON III. JOHN 1.16 .

And of His Fulness have all we received , even Grace for Grace . Preached at Magnus . Aug. 24. 1645.

I Have made entrance into these Words in other Congregations : And desire to proceed here , where I left there .

The Words are spoken of our Lord and Savior Christ : They hold forth Three great , grand Propositions .

First . That there is a Fulness of Grace in Jesus Christ . Secondly , That of His Fulness , all we have received . Thirdly . That of His Fulness all we have received , Even Grace for Grace .

I have done with the First Proposition .

The Second afforded this Observation .

That all the Saints , and People of God do partake of the Fulness of Jesus Christ in a way of receiving .

This fals asunder into Two Parts , or Two Branches .

First , That there is a Communication of the Fulness of Jesus Christ unto all Beleevers . Secondly , That what ever Grace , or Holiness the Saints have from Christ , they have it in a way of receiving .

I have done also , with the First of these : And am now ( God willing ) to speak to the Second .

Whatsoever Grace , or Holiness the Saints , and People of God have from Christ ; they have it all in a way of receiving . Of His Fulness all we have received .

The former Branch told us , That Christ Communicates : This tels us , That we Receive . There the Emphasis lay upon Christs Communicating : And here the Accent is set upon our Receiving . The Grace of Jesus Christ is not borne with us : We do not go to Jesus Christ in the strength of our Nature , to take of His Fulnesse to our selves : But Jesus Christ gives out , and we receive : All in a way of Receiving .

The Grace , and Mercy of our Justification , and remission of Sins ; is by way of Receiving . Rom. 5.11 . Not only so , but we also joy in God , through our Lord Jesus Christ , by whom we have now received the atonement . Atonement is to be had , it is to be had by Christ ; and this in a way of Receiving .

Again . The Grace and Mercy of our Adoption , is to be had in a way of Receiving . Gal. 4.5 . He came to redeem them that were under the Law , that we might receive the Adoption of Sons . Adoption is a Blessing that is most desirable : This Christ gives ; and this we receive .

Again . The Grace of our Sanctification , is to be had in a way of Receiving . What is the Cause , and Original of all our Grace , or Holinesse but the Spirit of God ? And that is received . Gal. 3.2 . This only would I learn of you , Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law , or by the hearing of Faith ? The Schools say , that the word Grace , is either taken for The Gifts of the holy-Ghost : or for Saving , and Sanctifying Grace .

Take Grace for , The gifts of the holy-Ghost , ( as sometimes the Word is used in Scripture ) and that is in a way of Receiving . Acts , 10.47 . They heard them speak with Tongues ( at the 46. ver. ) Then answered Peter , Can any man forbid water , that these should not be Baptized , which have received the holy-Ghost ; That is The Gift of the holy Ghost .

Take Grace for Holiness , and Sanctification ; and that is also , in a way of Receiving ; to be had in a way of Receiving . Rom. 8.15 . For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear : But ye have received the Spirit of Adoption , whereby we cry , Abba , Father . There are Gifts of Prayer : And there is the Spirit of Prayer , of Adoption crying , Abba , Father . The First may be without Grace ; but the Second not : where ever the Second is , there is Grace : And this is Received saith the Apostle here :

In general , all is by way of Receiving . Col. 2.6 . As ye have Received the Lord Christ ( saies the Apostle ) see that ye walk in Him . And in another place : 1 Cor. 4.7 . What hast thou , that thou hast not Received ? What hast thou , that thou hast not Received ; All in a way of Receiving . He shall come down ( saies the Psalmist in the 72. Psalm speaking concerning our Lord and Savior Christ , and His Grace at the 6. verse ) He shall come down like rain upon the mowen grass . Or as some write it ( for so the Original will bear it ) He shall come down like rain upon the Fleece : having relation to Gideons Fleece . He shall come down like rain upon the mowen grass : as showers that water the earth . A Psalm for Solomon : ( saies the Title . ) But there are many things in this Psalm , that cannot properly , be understood of Solomon ; but in a type , properly belonging to Jesus Christ . For as Strigelius does well observe : ( at the 7. verse , the verse next following this text ) it is said : In his daies shall the righteous flourish : and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth . Solomon did not live so long as the moon endures . This therefore , is to be understood of Christ . And at the 5. verse , it is said : They shall fear thee as long as the Sun and moon endure , throughout all generations . They did not fear Solomon ; men did not fear Solomon as long as the Sun and moon endures , through all generations . This therefore , must be understood of Christ . Now , see therefore , what is said of Christ , and concerning His Grace : ( saies the Text , in the 6. verse : ) He shall come down like rain upon the mowen grass . Like rain : rain ( you know ) is that that does make the earth fruitful . Non ager sed annus facit fructum : 'T is not the sowing , but 't is the Year that causes fruit : 't is the rain that causeth fruit : And so , 't is the Grace of Jesus Christ that does make us fruitful ; His Grace the cause of our Grace . I will be as a dew ( saies the Lord , in the 14. of Hosea ) unto Israel : and then follows fruitfulness .

Again , The rain cometh by special appointment from God ; Amos. 4.7 . Judg. 6.38 , 39 , 40. with a kind of dis-crimination . He maketh the rain to fall upon one City ( saith the Prophet ) and not upon another . As wee reade concerning Gideons Fleece ; the dew fell upon the Fleece , when all the earth was dry round about it : And then the dew fell upon the ground , when the Fleece was dry . And this was a Type of the Grace of Christ : when the Jewes were bedewed with the Grace of Christ , then all the Nations round about , they were dry : And then , when God bedewed the Gentiles , the Nations round about with His Grace ; then the Jews were dry , and they are dry to this day .

Again , The rain , falleth ( 't is the Scripture phrase ) the rain falleth ; and falleth upon the earth : and the earth is a recipient to receive it : it is meer recipient at the first , and then brings forth it 's fruit : the Rain falleth . And so doth the Grace of Christ : the Grace of Christ falls upon the souls of men and women ( saith the Text here ) He shall come down like the rain upon the mowne grass . So doth the Grace of Jesus Christ , it comes down upon a poor soul : All in a way of receiving , al in a way of receiving ; whatever grace , or holiness a man hath on this side Heaven , it is all in a way of Receiving .

And this will appear further to you , if you consider : The insufficiency of Nature . The Supernaturallity of Grace . The Shortness of all means that are appointed thereunto . The work and nature of Faith . And the posture , and true behaviour of Prayer .

First of all . There is a Natural inability in a man unto what is good , truly , Spiritually good .

First . A man is unable by Nature , to overcome any sin , though it be never so small . A man by Nature , he may abstain from vices , from a sin ; but overcome it he cannot . Sin may be Satisfied , and not Mortified . ( Mark ) ●n may be Satisfied , and not Mortified . As in the dropsie : There is a great deal of difference between the satisfying of a mans thirst , and the healing of the Disease . Many men think that their fin is certainly Healed , when 't is only Satisfied . Whereas a beggar , when he is competently served , he will beg no more : And sin , beggar-like , when 't is well served it will not beg again presently , not in the same temptation . Sin it self , will cease to sin , that it may gather strength to sin . But now ; a man by nature he cannot overcome it . And therfore , in the 1 Cor 15.57 . the Apostle saies thus : But thanks be to God , which giveth us the Victory , through our Lord Jesus Christ . Victories , and all Victories is through our Lord Jesus Christ . And if in the Old Testament , all Victories were given from God , all outward Victories were given from Him : Then much more in the New Testament , are all our Spiritual Victories , ( the former being but Types of these ) much more are all our Spiritual Victories , then to be given to God . Now you see how it was with David , in the 18. Psalme , concerning outward Victories he gives all to God . Saies he there ( at the 32 verse , ) It is God that girdeth me with strength : He maketh my feet , like hindes feet : He teacheth my hands to war , so that a Bow of steel is broken by mine Arms. And at the 2. verse ( saies he ) The Lord is my Rock , my For tress , my Deliverer : my God , my strength in whom I wil trust ; my Buckler , and the horn of my Salvation , & mine high Tower . As if all his War-like strength and skill were from God . And is not much more our Spiritual strength , which we have in our Christian warfare from Jesus Christ ? Psal. 16.8 . I have set the Lord alwaies at my right hand , therefore I shall not fall : ( saies the Psalmist . ) Naturally then , a man is utterly unable to overcome any sin , or temptation , though it be never so small .

Secondly . As a man is unable to overcome any sin : So also , if he be fallen , he is unable to rise again . Peter himself must have a look from Christ , before he could repent . As if Jesus Christ had said to him ; Peter , thou art now down in the dirt , and I know thou canst not rise , unlesse I give forth My hand unto thee : then here is My hand ; and so He did heave him up . Every sin that a man does commit , he is taken captive by it , more or lesse : sin is a captivity . Now , Voluntas non est libera , nisi liberata : A man is not free , unlesse freed . If the Son make you free , you are free indeed ; but else not at all . Every sin that a man does commit , it is a mortal wound , a death of the soul , sin is . A man may be able to kill himselfe , but being kil'd , he cannot raise himself . The Ship having his rudder broken , cannot go where it wil but must go where the Tempest pleases . And Beloved , there is never a fin that a man commits , but he does strike upon his rudder , he does strike upon the earth withal ; and he does lose his rudder . A poor sheep is able for to lose it self , & to wander : but being lost , is not able to come home agaim . Yea , our Savior saies , in the Parable of the lost-sheep , ( meaning lost-man ) The lost-sheep is taken by the shepherd , or the good-man that finds it , and is layd upon his shoulder , and so brought back again . What is this shoulder , but the strength of Christ ? And indeed , if a poor soul , if a wandting , poor , lost soul be not laid on the shoulder of Jesus Christ : he will lose , and wander unto all Eternity , will lose himself , and wander for ever . This is wel exprest ( as an Ancient does observe ) in the example of Adam : when Adam had sinned , and fallen ; Adam was not able to return again ( Let us mark it the rather , because Adam , he was our Great Common-father ; and in his example we may all see our own faces , ) Saies he , Adam being fallen , he could not rise again : but when Adam was fallen , What does he ? Then he sets himself , for to make himselfe cloaths of siggleaves , that so he might be freed from the injury of the weather : he could mind his cloathes , and do something to take away his shame ; but not one thought of God , not one word of God whom he had lost . And so now man , man having finned ; What does he do ? He can mind his cloathes , he can mind the affairs of the world ; those things that concern this life , and his body : Oh! but not one word , not one thought of God , until the Voice of the Lord be heard : And what then ? Then Adam-like he may be ashamed , and may be afraid , ; but yet no repentance till Christ comes . Naturally a man being fallen , he is unable to rise again .

Thirdly . As he is unable to rise again : So he is unable to stand , to hold , to continue : though he should rise up again , he is unable to stand , he is unable to hold , to continue . And therefore David seeing his people in a good frame , he prayes , That the Lord would continue that good in the thoughts of their heart , and that for ever . And so the Apostle in the 1 Peter , 5.10 . 1 Chron. 26.18 . But the God of all Grace , who hath called us unto His eternal Glory by Christ Jesus , after ye have suffered a while , make ye perfect , stablish , strengthen , settle you . ( Pray mark the words ) The God of all Grace , stablish , strengthen , settle you . He does not say ; The God of Nature settle you : Oh! 't is an act of Grace , of great Grace , of rich Grace to be settled , it is an act of great Grace to be truly settled , As Hierome excellently notes ; God is alwaies a giver ; God is alwaies a bestower : It shal not suffice me that God hath once given , unless He would alwaies give . You know the parable concerning the strong man , that ye reade of , in Mat. 12. being cast out by a stronger then he , and yet returns again . The Devil is this strong man in some great , and grosse sin : now , though he be cast out ; yet notwithstanding the room being emptied , though it be garnisht with moral vertues , and Evangelical gifts yet the room being left empty of Jesus Christ , the Lord Jesus Christ not keeping the house : saies the Devil , the house is mine still : and therefore ( saies he ) I will return to mine house , he calls it his house all this while ; Though the strong man were cast out , and though the room were swept , and garnisht , yet he calls it his house still , because Jesus Christ did not keep there , and continue there . So that , the Lord Jesus Christ must have the Keeping of the house , as well as the Sweeping of the house . Naturally , a man is unable to hold , to stand , and continue , though he do rise .

Fourthly . ( Pray mark it , that you may see , what an insufficiency there is unto what is good , that so we may be brought unto more dependence on Christ . ) As a man is unable to stand , and persevere : So also , he is unable to any one good work ; Spiritually , Evangelically good . We are not able ( saies the Apostle ) as of our selves , 2 Cor. 3.5 . to think a good thought , to speak a good word ; but all our sufficiency is of God . And Bradwardin , he reasons the case very well : ( Saies he thus ● ) If that a man bestow good breeding upon his child : the father gives the natural being to the child , he brings him up in Military affaires , & the child grows very skilful , & the father furnishes him with al kind of Armour : yet notwithstanding , if the child hath the prowess , & the valour of the action from himself , he may boast in himself , and he may say , True indeed , I had my being from my father , I had ( indeed ) my skill from my father , I had my Armes from my father : But the Action is my own , the valour my own , the strength of the action is my own . So ( saies he ) if God should give habitual grace to a man , if the strength for the action should not be from God , he might boast ; True indeed , I had the habit from God , the habitual grace from God , but the action is my own , the spirit of the action is my own : he had now wherein to boast . But all boasting is cut off , as you shall hear by and by . And therefore Naturally a man is unable to every work : Not only the habit is received ; but strength for the action also , 't is all received .

Fiftly . As a man is unable to every action : So also , he is Naturally unable to prepare himself unto what is good , spiritually good . ( Good people mark it ) I say , a man is also unable to Prepare himself unto what is good . Not only unable to do good ; but unable to Prepare himself unto what is good , Spiritually good : not only unable to Overcome the enemy , but unable to draw out his forces : not only unable to Receive the enemies charge ; but he is unable to draw out his forces . Ho , ho , every one that thirsteth , Isa. 55.1 come and buy wine and milk without money , or monies worth . If a man could prepare , here is money , here is monies worth : As one observes well , Then a man might say , The first beginning of my salvation was of my self : Yea , in truth a man may say , The greatest part is from my self : for 't is more to begin , and more to prepare ; so the the greatest part of our salvation should be from our selves . Ye know what the Apostle saies , ( and I pray consider it ) in Ephe. 2.1 . And you hath He quickned , who were dead in trespasses and sins . Even you ( at the 5. v. ) even when we were dead in sins hath quickned us together with Christ ; by Grace ye are saved . ( Mark ) Twice the Apostle brings in that sentence : be brings it in again at the 8. verse : For by Grace ye are saved : why twice ? Not only to shew that the progresse of a Christian is by Grace , but the very first begining , and setting out , 't is al of grace : By Grace ye are saved . 'T is a good speech of Austin , Grace is no way Grace , unlesse it be every way free . Now can a poor dead man prepare himselfe unto life ? Did Lazarus prepare himself to life ? Could he do it ? Could Lazarus do it ? There is ( saith the Philosopher ) a proportion alwaies between the Action , and the terme of the Action . Now what proportion is there between Nature and Grace ? No man ( saies our Savior ) comes unto the Son , Joh. 6.44 but whom the Father draws , thus saies our Savior . Oh! but ( saies Pelagius ) I can go unto Jesus Christ by my own preparation , I can prepare , I can draw my self unto Jesus Christ , or I can draw Christ to me . Beloved ! In natural Actions , there needs alwaies preparations to the introducing of forms : because in the way of Generation of Nature , things are wrought by degrees . As for example now : If a great log lie in the mud ; before you can carry it away , you must loosen it from the mud : but the logg doth not loosen it selfe : And so , if wood be to be burnt ; first it must be dried , there is preparing the wood to be burnt , because the thing is to be done by degrees . But in the conversion of a poor sinner , the work is done in a moment , it is no natural work , God infuses Grace there ; and therefore there needs no prepararation there . And therefore Bradwardine , he reasons the case very well thus , If ( saies he ) a man can prepare himself , then the preparation either helps forward , or causes the following grace ; if it does not help forward , nor cause the following grace , then it does not prepare , that which does not help , does not prepare : & if it does help forward the following grace , or cause it , that God must give a following grace as a reward of this preparation ; then surely , this preparation makes a man pleasing in the eyes of God : for , will God reward a man for a work that does not make him pleasing in the eyes of God ? But how can a man be pleasing in the eyes of God , Heb. 11.6 . without Faith ? Without Faith it is impossible to please God . So that a man cannot prepare himself to what is good . Put all these together : A man cannot naturally overcome a sin , a temptation , though never so small : He cannot rise when he is fallen : he cannot stand though he should rise : yea , he is unable to any good work , simply in it self : and he is not able to prepare himself unto what is good . Surely therefore , all is in a way of Receiving : what ever grace one hath , he hath it in a way of Receiving . This is the first Argument .

Secondly . This truth is also argued from the Supernaturallity of Grace : Grace is a Supernatural thing , and is called in Scripture phrase , The Seed of God : The Image of Christ : The Divine Nature : The good and perfect Gift that comes from above from the Father of Lights : It is wrought in the soul by the infinite , and Almighty Power of God ; the same power wherewith God Created Heaven and Earth at the first . And therefore 't is called a Creation , in Ephe. 2.10 . We are His Workmanship , created unto good Works . The same power that the Lord used in raising up Christ from the dead , is also put forth in the conversion of every sinner .

And besides , When the Lord is pleased to convert , and draw a poor sinner unto Himself , He does not alwaies take those that are the best , those that are the wisest , those that are the most moral , Civil men ; He does not alwaies take the most Prudent : but many times the Lord takes the worst ; Paul , Zacheus , Matthew , the Jailour , divers others . And if you look into the 33. Chapter of Job , where you have the plat-form ( indeed ) of mans conversion : you shall find there , in what a time God takes a man to Convert him : ( at the 14. verse ) God speaketh once , yea twice , yet man perceives it not : In a dream , in a vision of the night , when deep sleep falleth upon men , in slumbrings upon the bed : Then He openeth the ears of men , and sealeth their instruction , That He may withdraw man from his purpose , and hide pride from man . When man least thinks of it , then God comes , in a dream , in a vision of the night , when deep sleep falleth upon a man , and in slumbrings upon the bed : Then he openeth the ears of men , and sealeth their instruction . What does all this argue then ? But that grace , grace is infused , grace is supernatural ; Oh! there is a supernaturallity in saving grace : Surely therefore , all is in a way of Receiving , all is Received . That is a Second Argument .

Thirdly . This truth is also argued , from the Shortness of the means of grace . Much means of grace appointed ; but take the means as it is in it self without Gods appointment , or institution upon it , & you wil find that all means are too short to reach the end . For example : In the old Testament , when the Lord would take in Jericho , and break down the walls of Jericho ; He Commands , Josh. 6.4 The Rams horns should be blown . Take the blowing of the Rams-horns as lying under Gods appointment , and so this action was sufficient for to break down the walls : but take the action of blowing the Rams-horns by it self , and so it was too short . So the Lord commands Naaman , 2 Kings 5.10 . To go and wash himself in the water of Jordan : take this action of Naaman washing himself in the water ; take it ( I say ) without Gods Commandement : take it with Gods Commandement , Gods Appointment , so it was sufficient to reach his Cure , and heale him of his Leprosy : but now , take the action as it was in it self , without the Appointment , and institution of God , and so it was too short to reach his Cure . So in the new Testament : Joh. 9.6 . our Savior Christ , He takes spittle and clay for to cure a mans eyes : Take this under Christs appointment , and so it 's sufficient to reach the cure ; but take it without , and so short . So God did appoint in Baptisme a man should be washed in water ; and in the Sacrament we should eat bread , and drink wine , for the begetting , and increasing of Faith . Take these actions as they lie under Gods Appointment , and Institution , they are able to reach this end : but take these actions as they are in themselves , washing in water ; and eating bread , and drinking wine ; they are all too short ; all too short , either to beget , or increase Grace . Well now , why does the Lord stil appoint such means , as in themselves are too short for the end whereto appointed ? Surely , not only for this reason , that he might teach us , that the thing done is rather by the appointment , then by the use of means : but also to show thus much , That though we do use the means , yet notwithstanding in the use of the means , we do not attain the thing by the use thereof ; but that in the using of means , and waiting there , we shall receive strength from God to do it , to attain the end . Whensoever therefore , you consider the shortness of the means appointed , conclude thus , That all is in a way of Receiving : therefore God hath appointed the means that are in themselves short .

Fourthly . This Doctrine is further argued , From the work , and nature of Faith . There is no Grace that the Scripture puts more upon , than Faith . ( Mark I pray ) In the old Testament , all the Victories are put on Faith : In the new Testament , all the Cures : if thou canst but Beleeve ( saies Christ ) According to thy Faith be it unto thee . Yea , Beloved , if you look into the new Testament , you shal find , that the same works that are given to Christ , are given to Faith , Jesus Christ , He is said for to Sanctifie the soul : So doth Faith , Faith purifies the heart ( saies the Apostle . ) Jesus Christ , He is said for to justifie a sinner : So does Faith too : Being justified by Faith : Romans , the 5th . Jesus Christ , He is said for to save the soul , He is called our Savior : So doth Faith too : By Faith ye are saved . What 's the Reason now , that the Lord does especially set the Crown upon the head of Faith ? Some think it is for this Reason ; Because that Faith doth unite the soul unto Jesus Christ : But so does Love , Love is an affection of Union ; and all Grace unites to Christ ; as every sin seperates , so every Grace unites . Others think 't is for this Reason : Because that as Faith sets the Crown upon the head of Christ : So God sets the Crown upon the head of Faith : and this is true . For as the Lord does honor those persons most , that honor Him most : So He wil honor those Graces most , that honor Him most . But besides this , I conceive , the great Reason is this ; why the Lord does thus set all over upon Faith : ( I say ) because that Faith , in the nature of it , is a Receiving Grace . And therefore John having said in this 1. Chap. of Joh. and the 12. verse . To as many as received Him , He gave power to be called the Sons of God . Explains himself by this afterward in the same verse ; Even to them that Beleeve on His Name . So that Beleeving is nothing else but Receiving the Grace of God : the nature of Faith , being to Receive the Truth , or the Receiving of Jesus Christ : the proper work , and nature of Faith being to Receive . Now therefore when the Lord does put al upon Faith , and Faith in it's nature is a Receiving ; plainly it holds forth this Truth unto us , That all is in a way a Receiving : all Grace in a way of Receiving .

Fifthly and lastly . This Truth is argued also , From the posture , and true behavior of Prayer ( Mark ) Prayer , is nothing else , but the souls begging , or petitioning for something from Heaven . A begger you know , when he begs , he holds forth , or he stretches forth his hand : noting a willingness to receive . So you reade in Scripture , that when the soul is put into a posture of Prayer , it is put into this posture . Reade therefore what is said , in Job , 11.13 . If thou prepare thine heart , ( or est ablish thine heart , for so the word signifies ) if thou prepare thine heart , and stretch out thine hands towards Him . That is , if thou doest Pray unto Him , thou stretchest out thine hands unto Him . Now as one observes well : As it were a derision , or a mocking of God , to praise God , or to give God thanks for that which He doth not give , but I have in my own power : So it were also a mocking of God , to pray to God for that which is not in His hands to give , but in mine to do . Now my Beloved , What ever Grace , or Holinesse a man hath , he is to pray for : pray for healing strength ; pray for quickning strength ; pray for confirming strength ; pray for strength to pray : and seeing the posture of prayer is this , to stretch forth the hands , ( which notes receiving ) in that we are for to beg all Grace from God ; it argues , all is in a way of Receiving , all , all good is in a way of Receiving : what ever Grace , or Holinesse a man hath on this side Heaven , 't is all in a way of Receiving .

But you will say , Object . That this Cuts off all endeavour ; if all be in a way of Receiving , then nothing to be done ? This Doctrine is an Enemy to all Obedience , to all laboring , to al good Works , and to all performance , to al Endeavour .

Not so : Ans. The Apostle expresly does speak the contrary , as you may reade , ( and I pray mark ) in that 2d Chapter of his Epistle to the Philippians : Wherefore ( at the 12 verse ) saies he ) my beloved , as ye have alwaies obeyed , not as in my presence only , but now much more in my absence : work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling . Why ? ( at the 13 verse ) For it is God which worketh in you both to will , and to do , of His good pleasure . Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling : why ? for all is in a way of Receiving ; 't is God , 't is God that worketh all in all ; 't is God , 't is God that does it , therefore work . Mark , how the Apostle argues : He does not argue , as many do : And I pray tell me if there be any here that think this Doctrin is against Endeavour ; pray tell me , What Work or Endeavour ? Either you would endeavour for to leave your fins ; or you would endeavour to do what is good , to perform some good . If you would endeavour for to leave your sins : there is no such way , as to be truly , fully perswaded in your heart of this truth , That all is in a way of Receiving . Mark therefore I pray , how the Apostle argues for that purpose , in the 1 Cor. Chap. 3. at the 3d verse : For ( saies He ) Ye are carnal ; ye are carnal ; for whereas there is among you envying , and strife , and divisions , are ye not carnal and walk as men ? For while one saith , I am of Paul , and another , I am of Apollo , are ye not carnal ? Well , but what course does the Apostle take to cure this carnallity ? See what he saies , at the 6th verse : at the 5th Who then is Paul ? who is Paul ? and who is Apollo ? but Ministers by whom ye beleeved , even as the Lord Gave to every man : I have planted , Apollo watered , but God gave the increase : So then , neither is he that planteth any thing , neither is he that watereth : but God that gives the Increase . As if he should say thus : Here 's divisions among you ; and one saies , I am for Paul ; and I am for Apollo : Oh! but get your heart settled in this Truth , That all is of God , and all is of Christ , and all is in a way of Receiving ; and then divisions will be no more ; there will be no more such sayings as these , I am for Paul , and I am for Apollo .

And again , Would your endeavours be for the performance of what is good ? The consideration of this Truth that is now before you , is of great avail this way too . Saies Paul , I have labored more abundantly than they al , yet not I , 1 Cor. 15.10 . but the Grace of Christ in me . Mark , yet not I , but the Grace of Christ in me . Labored more than they al , more abundantly than all , yet al from Christ , and yet all from Grace , and yet all in a way of Receiving . Surely , there is no such way to gracious , and blessed endeavors , as the serious consideration of this Truth that is now before you .

I 'le give you Two Reasons for it :

All Actions are carried upon two wheels , Fear , and Love . As a Cart moves upon two wheels ; so every Action is carried upon these two , Fear , and Love . The more ye love , the more ye move towards a thing : The more ye fear , the more ye move to avoid it : Fear , and Love the two great wheels of every motion . Now as for Love ; what greater Love than this ; That Jesus Christ hath died for us , and worketh all our works for us , and in us ? and Love causeth Love . As for Fear , Ye know there are some children , so long as they are kept in dependance upon the father , the father having not given them portions they are obedient to him : but if once the children have gotten their portions , and are come to live by themselves , then no more obedience . If you have a man by the wrist , and he knows that if you let him go , he fals down into some great river , and there he is lost for ever : will not this man that you have by the wrist , will not he be afraid now to offend you , knowing you have him thus by the wrist ? Beloved ! this Doctrin tels us , that the Lord hath us all by the wrist ; we live in a continual dependance upon Him : and all is in a way of Receiving : will not this make us to fear the Lord then ? The Prophet Jeremiah , in the 5th of Jer. 24. He wonders that the people should not fear the Lord upon this ground : That the Lord gave them the former and the latter rain . And ( saies he ) they have not feared the Lord , that hath given them rain ; the former & the latter rain . As if he should say thus : These poor people they depend upon God for rain ; and is it not a strange thing that they should not fear Him ? Why , beloved , There is not one drop of Spiritual rain , or dew of Grace that fals upon the heart , but we live in dependance upon God for it ; shall not this make us fear ?

Again , besides , Whatsoever service you tender unto God on this side Heaven , it is all a waiting upon God . And therefore , the Saints that serve God , in Scripture they are said to wait on God . ( Mark I pray you ) Our service is a waiting upon God : Isa. 40.31 . But those that wait on the Lord , shal renew their strength ( saies Isaiah . ) Now if a man hear , that if he have no oyl in in his I amp , he is lost for ever ; and there is no way to get oyl , but by setting his vessel under Gods Spout , and Gods Ordinance ; will not this make a man to wait upon Him ? Some there are that defer their Repentance , and they think to repent afterward , they think they shall be able to repent afterward : But now , when a soul shal hear , that all is in a way of Receiving ; he must take it ( therfore ) when God does offer it ; then he concludes thus : Is it so indeed , That al is in a way of Receiving ? strength to repent , 't is by receiving ? then wil I take while the Lord offers me strength : Oh! I wil never defer my Repentance again , I wil now wait upon God , and now while the Lord offers , now I wil take it . Thus you see this Doctrine is afriend unto all endeavour : All is in a way of Receiving : no such friend unto good endeavour as this Doctrine .

But you wil say unto me . Quest. Why hath the Lord cast things into this mould , That al should be in a way of Receiving ?

Besides the Reason , Answ. That mercy may be sure unto all His servants , which they would soon spend if it were in their own keeping ( Mark I pray ) There are these Two or Three Reasons of Gods Proceeding this way , That all Grace should be in a way of Receiving .

And the First is : That all Boasting , rejoycing , 1. Rea. confidence in ones self may be taken away . If Abraham ( saies Paul in the 4. of the Romans ) were justified by works , he hath whereof to glory , though not before God : He hath whereof to glory . But now , when all is in a way of Receiving , there 's no room for Boasting . Mark therefore what is said , in the 1 Cor. 4.7 . Who maketh thee to differ from another ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive ? Now if thou didst receive it , why doest thou glory as if thou hadst not received it . God cannot indure Boasting , cannot indure Self-confidence , God cannot indure that a man should glory in any thing in himself : therefore all , all is in a way of Receiving . This is Gods Reasoning .

Again . 2. Rea. God hath so ordered things in the dispensations of His Grace under the Gospel , That Jesus Christ may be fully Honored , Exalted . No such way to Honor Christ as this , that all should come out of His hands , to be received from Him . Pray ? Was it not a great Honor to Joseph in the time of the famine in Egypt , that no bread , but should come through his hands ? not a corn of grain but should come through his hands ? So here : when no grace , no strength , no aid , no assistance , no supplies ; but all through the hand of Christ , all in a way of Receiving : does not this glorify Christ much ? What is it , ( I pray ) that makes the Sun so glorious a creature , above all the creatures in the world ; but this , That all the creatures depend upon him for light , and for warmth ? This is that that makes the Lord Jesus Christ glorious , That all must be in a way of Receiving from Jesus Christ .

Thirdly . 3. Rea. God hath so ordered things in the dispensations of His Grace under the Gospel , That the Saints , and Children of God may live by faith . ( Good people mark it . ) Some there are , some creatures in the world , that do live by Sence : as the beasts , and beastly men . Some creatures there are that do live by Reason , moral men : But the Lord would have His Children to live by Faith : That as the men of the world do live by Sence and Reason ; So the Lord would have all His Children to live by Faith . What way , or means to bring a soul off for to live by Faith ? Establish this Doctrine , let this be a Statute made in the Churches , All in a way of Receiving : I , ( saies a poor soul ) is it so indeed ? What ? all in a way of Receiving ? Then I fee a necessity of living by Faith : Oh! Lord , teach me now for to live by Faith .

Thus you see the Doctrine clearly proved by Reason to you . I shall not be able to reach the Use of the point , so as I intended .

The Doctrine is exceeding Useful , ful of Spiritual Use : yet though I shall not be able to do what I would , give me leave for to make some Application of the point ; and so I will winde up all .

Is this Doctrine true , 1 Applic. That all , all is in a way of Receiving ? Then behold what infinite care the great God of Heaven and Earth , hath of Beleevers , of every beleeving soul though he be never so mean ! would you not think , that if a mother were so tender of her child , that she would not let her child eat a bit of bread , but it should be of her own cutting : that she would not let it drink a drop of drink , but it should be of her own drawing : would you not think this mother , this woman were very careful of her child ? Beloved ! thus the case stands : No Grace , no Assistance , no Help for duty , no Help against sin ; but the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will have the cutting of it , the Lord Jesus Christ will have the giving of it out ; He will have the drawing of it all ; all in a way of Receiving . Oh! what care ! Oh! what infinite care hath God of poor Beleevers ! When the Lord would commend His care of the Children of Israel unto them ; pray mark what an argument he uses , in Deut. 11.10 , 11 , 12. For the Land whether thou goest in to possess it , is not as the Land of Egypt from whence ye came out , where thou sowedst thy seed , and wateredst it with thy foot , as a garden of herbs . They fetch 't water out of the River Nilus , and so they watered the Land of Egypt with their feet . But ( saies he at the 11. verse ) the Land whither ye go to possess it , is a Land of hills and valleys , and drinketh water of the rain of Heaven : Not taken out of the River , and watered by mens feet , as Egypt was . A Land ( saies the Lord ) which the Lord thy God Careth for : A Land which the Lord thy God Careth for : He Cared not for Egypt . How does he prove that the Lord Cared for it ? The eyes of the Lord thy God are alwaies on it , from the begining of the yeer , even unto the end of the yeer . He giveth rain from Heaven , and when your Land wants water , 't is given from Heaven , 't is not watered by mens feet , 't is not watered as Egypt was watered , which Land God Cared not for . So now , there are some people in the world , that water themselves , that go forth in their own strength , that have moral vertues , and they water their hearts with their own feet , ( as I may say ) the Lord Cares not for those , the Lord Cares not for such . Oh! but give me a soul that hath rain from Heaven , that lives in continual dependance , that acknowledges that all is Received , that lives upon Heaven ; the Lord Cares for such a soul . Now this is the condition of all the Saints , of every Beleever , he hath all in a way of Receiving : Oh! the infinite care that the Lord hath of every Beleever though he be never so mean .

Secondly . Appli . 2. Is this Doctrine true , All in a way of Receiving ? Then behold ! what sweet , and comfortable , and pleasant lives the Saints live , Beleevers have . When you look upon a Godly man , and consider what great works he does , and what hard things he bears , what great Afflictions he goes thorow : You say , Good Lord ! how is a man able to do , or bear all this ? Paul and Silas ●●nging in the stocks , when they were whipt and scourg'd , & the blood running down their shoulders ; and yet singing : How ? how are they able to do all , to bear all ? To here , here is the reason : They have all in a way of Receiving . When you see the little Child run by the father in his hand , in a green meadow , you say , the Child hath a ●●ne , and a sweet time : but when you see the Child coming at a high gate , or stile to get over , or dirty lane to passe over , now ye say , how will the Child do now ? Why , surely the Child will do as well , and better now , if the father takes the child up in his arms , the dirty lane wil be the pleasantest place to the child , when 't is taken up into the fathers armes . Thus 't is with the Saints great works they do , and hard things they go thorow : Oh! but they are taken up into Christs Armes , and they have all in a way of Receiving . When you look upon a man that does keep a great Table , hath many servants attending on him ; his Purse alwaies full of money ; you will say , surely , this man leads a fine , and a sweet life if it do not cost him much for to receive it , or get this money : but if you hear that he hath all his Estate , only for telling his money , his great pains is all in receiving his money : Oh! here 's a blessed man indeed , and here 's a happy man you think presently ! Thus 't is ; the great pains of a Christian is to Receive from Christ , and to spend for Christ . Oh! what a sweet life does the Saints live , that live by Faith in Jesus Christ ?

Thirdly . Appli . 3. Is this Doctrine true ? Then what abundance are there in the world , many that live under the Gospel , that from hence are argued to have no saving interest in Jesus Christ . ( Good people mark it ) that I say , are not savingly united to Jesus Christ . There is a Two-fold Vnion with Christ ; as Christ is considered Two waies : He is either considered with His Church , the Church and He making one body ; and so all together are called , Christ : In 1 Cor. 12. Or else He is considered as the great Mediator , and Savior of Beleevers by Himself . Accordingly men may be said to be Vnited to Him , Either Outwardly in the Church , tied and related to Him by outward Ordinances : Or else Inwardly united to Him by saving faith . When a man is Inwardly united to Jesus Christ by saving faith ; he hath all from Christ : Strength unto every duty from Jesus Christ : Praying strength , and Hearing strength , and Repenting strength , and Confirming strength , he hath from Christ in a way of Receiving . But the other hath little , or nothing from Christ : ( Pray mark it ) I will express it thus : A man takes a peice of bread , or a loaf of bread ; he tyes it to his arm ; his arm hath no strength from that , 't is but an outward tye to his arm , it hath no strength from that : and it argues that 't is but an outward tye , it causes no strength by it . But if a man take bread , and eat it , that there be an inward union , then there is strength , there is bread goes to all the parts : you know my meaning . Or thus ; I will expresse it thus : Take a graft , and tye it unto a Tree , tye it unto a stock , and it brings forth no fruit at all ; why ? Because 't is but outwardly tyed unto the root , unto the stock of the Tree : But take the branch , and graft it into the Tree , into the stock ; then it brings forth all that it brings forth by vertue of the stock that 't is grafted into . So my beloved , there are a company , there are a generation of people that live here under the Gospel , that are Outwardly tyed unto Christ : they are Baptized , they have the Name of Christ by profession ; and by the tye of the Ordinances , they are outwardly tyed unto Christ : but , Oh! they receive nothing from Him , nothing from Him : pray , what do they receive ? Suppose Christ had not come into the world , suppose they had never heard Christ preacht ; they might have lived Civilly ; they might have lived Justly amongst their neighbors : they might have abstained from Lying , and Drunkenness : why , they do not thus much : poor creatures , nothing from Christ , they receive nothing from Christ : Oh! these are but outwardly tyed , as a loaf of bread is tyed unto a mans arm ; so is the Lord Jesus in the Ordinances tyed unto them . I , but then , There are another people , that are Savingly united to Jesus Christ : and these , they have strength from Him ; they cannot Pray but as they have strength from Christ ; they cannot Confer and speak of good things , but as they have strength from Christ , they cannot go and hear a Sermon with any affection , but as they have strength from Christ : All , all in a way of Receiving : Oh! they stand in a way of dependance upon God , in Him , and they have all from Christ , these are Savingly united to Christ . But Oh! many that live among us that have not all from Christ : Certainly therefore , there are many that are not savingly united to Jesus Christ . This is a Third . I 'le adde but one more , and so I have done .

Is this Doctrine true , Appli . 4. All in a way of Receiving ? Then surely Beloved , All is from Grace , from first to last . Heaven , Heaven is a Donative , Salvation is a Donative , every step in the Iadder to Heaven is Grace , every link of the chain is Grace ; Oh! every beam of our day is Grace ; every stone of our building Grace . Is all in a way of Receiving ? What ? Praying strength ? What ? Hearing strength ? What ? Suffering strength ? What is all , al in a way of Receiving ? Oh then ! what glorious Grace is here ! Oh! rich Grace ! Oh! free Grace ! Oh! incomparable Riches of the freeness of Gods Grace in Christ ! Is the Lord Jesus the Alpha , and the Omega ? Is He the Beginning , the Middle , the End of all our actions ? Oh! what Grace is here ! If there be ever a drooping soul , If there be ever a poor , hard heart , a cold heart , a frozen heart in all this Congregation ? Come , O poor soul come , and warm thine heart at this fire of Love . Were our Heaven , and our Salvation put to sale upon our Doing : ( I say ) were Mercy set to sale at our doing , then we were in a sad condition , we were in a lamentable condition . Well now , Is al in a way of Receiving ? What then though I cannot Pray for the present ? What then though my heart be dead for the present ? yet notwithstanding , I will wait upon the Lord in the way of His Ordinances , it may be this day , and this time I shall receive something that may put life into my poor , dead , soul . Oh! you that never waited upon the Lord , and upon free Grace , wait now upon the Lord : you that have waited , waite still ; you that never waited , wait now . Beloved ! the more Dependant our condition is , the more Depending should our spirits be : What more Dependant condition can you think of ? All , all in way of Receiving : Oh! therefore , now let us all labor to live by faith : Go away with this in your bosomes ; I see a necessity of living in a continual Dependance on God in Christ . Which that you may do , think of all these things , and the Lord bless them to you .

SERMON IV. JOHN , 1.16 . Preached at Margrets new fish-street . Decem. 8 1645.

And of His Fulness have all we received , even Grace for Grace .

I Have made entrance upon these Words in some Neighbouring Congregations ; in the hearing of divers of you : and my desire is to finish them here .

Having spoken of the former part of the verse : And of His Fulness have al we received .

I come now unto the latter Clause ; Even Grace for Grace .

The great Question is upon these words ; What should be the meaning of them ?

There are no lesse then Seven , or Eight Interpretations that are given by men . I shal presently tel you what I apprehend to be the meaning of them :

Three things , I conceive , may be specially held forth in these words :

They may note , An Abundance of Grace , that the Saints in the New Testament , have from Jesus Christ .

The Vniversality of Grace .

And an Answerableness of Grace in every Christian , unto the Graces of Jesus Christ .

I begin with the former at this time . They seem to note an Abundance of Grace : Of His Fulness , all we have received , even Grace for Grace : that is , Abundance of Grace .

This Interpretation , ( that I might cleer up the meaning before I come to that which I intend to press ) it sutes with the like phrase of Scripture , Job , 2.4 . Skin for skin , and all that a man hath , will he give for his life : ( you know the place . ) That is , a man will give all his Skins , all his Cattell and Skins : ( for their Estates in those times did lie in Cattell much ) he wil give al his Skins though they be never so many ; he will give them all for to save his life : Skin for Skin ; though he have never so many : Skin for Skin , Abundance of Skins : Grace for Grace , and Abundance of Grace : Gratia gratiis accumelata .

This also sutes with the word , And , or Even : 't is not barely said thus : And of His Fulnes have al we received Grace for Grace : but , of His Fulnes have al we received , Even Grace for Grace . That is , in great Abundance ; we have not only received Grace , but we have received much Grace , Even Grace for Grace . This also sutes , with the Title , the Attribute that is here given to Christ ; and that is ; Fulness : When God , or Christ is mentioned in Scripture they are mentioned still under such a Title , as sutes with the matter that is in hand : and you may know what the matter in hand is , by the Title . Now the Title here that is given to Christ , the Attribute that is given to Christ , is Fulness : Answerable unto that is , Fulness of Grace in us , or Abundance of Grace from Him . This also sutes with the Scope of the place : for here the Evangelist sets Christ above Moses ; shows how Christ does go beyond Moses : the following verse coming in as a reason of this : For the Law was given by Moses , John , 1.17 , 18. but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ . No man hath seen God at any time ; the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father , He hath declared Him . You have much by Moses , but you have more by Christ ; you have Abundance of Grace by Christ .

This also is agreeable to other Scriptures , where the same matter is spoken of : If you look into the 5. of the Romans , you shall find , that the Apostle , speaking of the free gift of Grace , ( at the 15. verse ) saies , That it hath Abounded unto many : Much more the Grace of God , and the gift by Grace , which is by one man Jesus Christ , hath abounded unto many . Would you have the word Received , joyn'd with Abundance ? Look into the 17. verse , and there you reade For if by one mans offence , death reigned by one ; much more they which Receive Abundance of Grace , and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ . All these things being thus laid together , they argue unto me ; The main , and special thing that is here intended , is , an Abundance of Grace : of whose Fulness we have all received , Even Grace for Grace : All the Saints and People of God under the new Testament , do receive Abundance of Grace from Jesus Christ .

Abundance of Grace Discovered .

Abundance of Grace Exhibited , and Communicated to all the Saints : he that hath the least measure of Gospel Grace , hath Abundance of Grace from Jesus Christ .

Abundance of Grace is now Discovered . That I may make that appear : First .

It will appear , if you consider the several Advances , that Grace hath made , from the beginning of the world to this day , upon the children of men . In the begining God made man perfect , and righteous , after His own Image : Man falling from that Estate , expos'd himself , and all his posterity to the wrath of God for ever : Then Grace steps in , and makes it's first Advance into the world ; Gen. 3.15 . The Seed of the woman shall break the serpents head . Here Christ is preach't , and preached to the greatest sinners ; Adam and Eve , that had damn'd all the world : And Jesus Christ is preach't immediately by God Himself . One would think now , that the Lord should rather have said to Adam : Adam , I made thee Perfect , and Righteous ; thou might'st have kept thee so : thou would'st not trust to Me , Adam ; thou would'st trust unto the Devil ; Go now , now thou art fallen , go mend thy self ; if thou canst find out a better Master , Adam . Or if the Lord would have shown mercy to Adam ; one would think , that He should have staied for Adams Repentance ; that Adam should first a cried Him mercy : No , but before ever this poor prodigal stirs one step unto his Father , his Father runs out to meet him , to overtake him : The Lord Christ is preacht , the Promise is propounded , the free Grace of God is revealed : Here was the first Advance that ever Grace made into the world .

But God who is rich in Grace , was not satisfied with this ; but as in the fourth day , He does gather up all the light that was scattered abroad in the world before , into one body , The Sun : So now He does gather up all the beams of His Grace into one body , The Covenant which He does make with Abraham : Gen. 12.3 . Gal. 3.16 . John , 56. And unto Abraham He saies , In thy Seed shall all the Nations of the world be blessed . In thy Seed ( saies the Apostle ) He does not say Seeds ; but Seed : meaning Christ . Abraham saw so much of Christ , that our Lord saies , He saw His day , and rejoyced in it . Here the Sun was gotten higher : For now , though Christ was preach't to Adam ; the Promise was propounded : yet notwithstanding , it was but barely propounded to Adam , it was not applied ; And propounded in obscure terms to Adam too : and rather given Threatning-wise against Satan ; then Promise-wise concerning them . But now , the Lord does professedly come and apply the Promise unto Abraham ; And in thy Seed : which He does not give unto Abraham , as Abraham , as that Person ; but as a Common Person for all Beleevers . Here was now a Second Advance that Grace made into the world .

But the Lord was not yet satisfied with this ; but causes His Grace to Advance higher , in Moses time : And unto Moses He speaks expresly ; Deut. 18.15 . A Prophet will I raise up like unto thee ; & I 'l put My Name in him : He shall be called , God , & Jehovah as I am . Then the Lord proclaimed before Moses , himself to be , the Lord , gracious , merciful , forgiving iniquity , transgression , and sin , reserving mercy for thousands . Then the Lord gave the Law : and least they should think , that God intended it as a Covenant of works ; He did at the same time give the Ceremonial Law ; that thereby they might reade the satisfaction of Jesus Christ for any sin they should commit against the Moral Law . Here was a higher Advance .

But because this was still under-vail'd ; And it is a pain to love to conceal it self : the Lord does make a further revelation of His Grace , of Christ , by His servant David : for after David , and Solomons time , we reade of the Eternal generation of Christ ; Proverbs the 8. Of the Incarnation of Christ : Loe , I come , Psal. 40.7 . in the volume of thy Book ( saies the Psalmist . ) Of the Death , and Suffering of Christ ; Psalm the 22.1 . ( and divers other Psalms ) My God , My God , why hast thou forsaken me . Of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ : in the 118. Psalm ; and the 16. Psalm . Thou wilt not suffer thine holy One to see corruption . Of all the Three Offices of Jesus Christ : His Kingly Office , The second Psalm , Yet will I set my King upon my holy Hill . His Prophetical Office , He shall declare the Decree , Psal. 2.7 . And His Priestly Office ; Thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedech , Psal. 110. Of the Ascention of Jesus Christ ; Psal. 68. He hath ascended on high , and received gifts for men . Of the Sitting at the right hand of God the Father , the 110. Psal. The Lord said unto my Lord , sit thou on my right hand . Thus you see in Davids time the Gospel had Advance further , had gotten a great deal of ground .

But the Lord was not yet contented , but causes more of His Grace to break forth in the times of the Prophets ; more concerning Christ : He tells them of the very Time Christ should be born , Daniel the 9. Of the Place where He should be born , At Bethlehem . The Person that should bear Him : Mic. 5.2 Isa. 7.14 Mal. 3.1 A Virgin shal conceive . Gives them divers Characters whereby they should know Him when He came : And I will send my Messenger before Him , The voice of one crying in the wilderness : He will ride upon an Asses colt ; Behold thy King , Isa. 40.3 Zac. 9.9 . & 11.12 Isa. 53.5 comes riding upon an Asses colt : He shall be sold for Thirty pieces of silver ( saies the Prophet Zachary ) He shall die , not for His own sins but ours ; The chastisement of our peace shall be upon Him . And , as if all this were not enough ; The Lord speaks out the Covenant of Grace expresly in Jer. 31.31 . The daies come , saie the Lord , that I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel , and with the house of Judah , verse the 33. This shall be the Covenant that I will make with them , after those daies saith the Lord ; I will put my Law into their inward parts , and write it in their hearts ; and will be their God , and they shall be my people : And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor , and every man his brother ; saying , Know the Lord : They shall all know me , from the least of them , unto the greatest of them , saith the Lord ; for I will forgive their iniquity , and I will remember their sin no more . What a mighty Advance had Grace made now ! Is there any more yet ? Yes ! our Savior Himself comes , and then Grace Advances higher , by much higher ; then Grace enlarges her Quarters , extending it self unto all the world , go teach all Nations : Go teach all Nations ( saies our Savior . ) That house of Israel would serve such a candle as Moses was : Mat. 28.19 . But when the Sun arises , no less then the whol world for him to display his beams upon . He had set up a school of Grace in that corner of the world , in Jenny : But when the Lord Jesus Himself comes , a Free-School is set up , the School of Free Grace for all the children of men to come unto : Go teach all Nations .

Yea , in the second place . Although our Savior Christ did go unto our fore fathers , the Jews ; and preach unto them by His Spirit : He came to them as Joseph to his brethren at the first , in a hidden way under a vail : But now the vail of the Temple is rent asunder , and the most common people may see into the Holy of Holiest ; Now we all with open face , behold as in a glass the Glory of the Lord . The Jews , 2 Cor. 3.18 . they had the Shadows : and we have , ( as it were ) the Picture : but the Substance , the Thing ; it is yet to come . These Three ye find in that first verse of the 10. Chapter to the Hebrews . For the Law having a shadow of good things to come , and not the very Image of the thing . Here 's the Shadow ; and here 's the Image ; and here 's the Thing it self : The Thing it self , it is yet to come : They indeed had the Shadow , but we have the Image : and look how much an Image , or the picture of a man goes beyond a shadow ; So much does the discovery of Christ now , go beyond the discoveries of Him then . Luther saies , The whol world is but one day , ( as it were . ) And as the evening , and the morning made the day ; so ( saies he ) our fore fathers the Jews , they had the evening , but we have the morning .

Again . Though there were many Doctrines of Grace , and mercy communicated to our fore fathers the Jews : Yet notwithstanding they were so tempered with the Law , that the very Gospel seem'd to be Law to them : As now , we have the Law among us , but 't is so temper'd with the Gospel ; that the Law it self is Gospel-wise to us . They had Christ in the hand of Moses , and we have Moses in the hand of Christ . A mighty difference ! As we have a Baptized , and a Christian Moses ; so they had a Circumcized , and a Mosaical Christ . They had Grace in the hand of the Law . And therefore you shall observe , that when the Lord appear'd unto them in way of greatest mercy , He appear'd still with tokens of Majesty , and Greatness : But now we have Grace in the hand of Grace ; we have Grace with the tokens of Grace , and with the tokens of Love . And this difference the Apostle makes out cleerly , in the 12. of the Hebrews , from the 18. unto the 25.

Again , Though they had many Doctrins of Grace , and of free Grace ; yet themselves were not made free thereby but they were as the children of the bond-woman ; they were not free from Ceremonial Rites . They had the free use of the creature : their hearts were not free , and enlarged towards God . Indeed , those that were Godly among them , they were Children : Gal. 4.1 , 4 , 5 , 6. But ( as the Apostle speaks ) they being under age , they differed not from servants ordinarily : But when the fulness of time was come , God sent forth his Son , that we might receive the adoption of Sons : And the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry , Abba , Father . They had the spirit of Bondage unto fear ; and we have the Spirit of Adoption unto Love , to cry , Abba , Father . They could not go to God , but with many fears : but there is none of all the Saints now , but go with a Spirit of Love , go to God as a Father : Every Saint now , may go to God and say , Father , Father , I labor under such a temptation ; Oh! Father , help me : I want such a blessing , or mercy , Oh! Father give it me .

Again further , Although they had many sprinklings of the Doctrins of Grace ; yet they fell but droppingly upon them ; now a drop , and then a drop : As you have it in the 1. Chap. of the Hebrews : 1. verse , God who at sundry times , and in divers manners , spake in times past unto the fathers by the Prophets ; hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by His Son . God who by piece-meals , drop by drop ; now a drop and then a drop , spake unto our fore-fathers by the Prophets ; hath in these last times spoke unto us by His Son . This being the opposition , shews , that God spake perfectly , and spake al by His Son . When this King came , then all the Cocks run with wine . Some observe , that Jesus Christ preached the Gospel more plainly unto one poor , ignorant , sinful , wicked woman , that ye reade of in the 4. of John ; then He did unto al our fore-fathers under the Old Testament : for unto which of all our fore-fathers did He say , I am the Messiah , Ask of Me the water of life , and I will give it thee ? You know the great Doctrins of the Gospel , Justification by Grace : Free remission of sins ; and the like : Now though these Doctrins be in the Old Testament , yet take your Book , and howmany leaves shal you reade over , before you be able to reade this Doctrine cleerly ? But open your Book where you wil , open in the New Testament , and you shall meet with one everie where ; with this Doctrine , this great Doctrine of Free-Grace every where . Oh! much , much of Jesus Christ , and of His Grace that is now Discovered ; surely Abundance of Grace , Abundance of Grace Discovered to the Saints now , and to all the Saints .

But in the Second place . As there is Abundance of Grace Discovered : So there is Abundance of Grace Exhibited , and Communicated to all the Saints . Those that have the least measure of Grace now , have Abundance of Grace . That is the Thing that I would cleer up to you . That those that have the least measure of Gospel-Grace , they receive Grace for Grace , they have abundance of Grace .

Is it not a great matter for an ungodly man to be Justified ? What man so godly , but he was ungodly before Justified ?

Is it not a great matter for a man to be the Son of God ? to be the Child of God ? All Gods Children shall be Portioned answerable to their Fathers Estate : David counted it a great matter to be son-in-law to a King , though but a wicked King , and the Kingdom but small . What is it then to be Adopted to be the Son of God , the Daughter of God ? To as many as receive Him , Joh 1.12 He gives power to be called the Sons of God . And there is this difference between Gods Adoption , and mans : When man does Adopt one to be his son , he may put his Name upon him ; he may give his Estate to him : but he cannot make the person to be like himself ; he cannot communicate his nature to him . But now , when God does Adopt one to be His Child , He does not only put His Name upon the Soul , and give him a great Estate ; but He makes him to be like Himself , and communicates His Nature to him . So saies the Apostle , 2 Pet. 1.4 We are made partakers of the Divine Nature .

Is it not a great matter , To have the Image of Jesus Christ drawn upon a filthy soul ? To have ones heart inclin'd , naturally inclin'd ( as it were ) unto all the Commandements of the Gospel ? I will write My Law in your heart , Jer. 31.33 . saies God in the Covenant of Grace . That look as the Heathen , having the law of nature written in their hearts , are naturally inclin'd unto the works of Nature . So will I write my Law of Grace in your hearts , and you shall be naturally inclin'd unto the works of Grace , and unto the works of the Gospel . He that hath least of Christ , he hath all Christ ; all Christ imputed unto all the Saints . Beloved ! we have not so much of Christ in our lives as Peter , and Paul , and John had : but wee have as much of Christs Righteousness imputed to us for our Justification as any of all the Apostles had : and if our Faith be right , 't is like precious with theirs .

Is it not a great matter , for a man to be in Heaven before he comes there ? Joh 17.3 To have eternal life in this world ? This is eternal life , to know thee , and whom thou hast sent , Jesus Christ . And that day that any soul begins to know Jesus Christ : that day is the day-break of his eternity : the Saints that are in Heaven , they count from that day ; there began our eternity ; This is eternal life ; here it begins . All the Saints and People of God , they do know God in Jesus Christ . And therefore surely , There is an Abundance of Grace , Grace for Grace , an Abundance of Grace Communicated , and given our unto all the Saints under the new Testament .

But you will say unto me : Object . We do not find this in experience , do not see such an Abundance of Grace in the lives of those ye count godly ; those that are in Christ indeed , we do not find that they have such an Abundance of Grace ?

I but , Ans. Do you consider , The Opposition of Grace : The Retinue of Grace : And the Mysiery of Grace .

First , For the Opposition of Grace . A little Grace may be much opposed : and when the Opposition is great , though Grace be small in the Bulk , it may be great in the Work : though little in the Quantity , yet it may be much in Quality . There 's no true Gospel-Grace , but it is much opposed . When Jesus Christ came into the world , you know Herod raised all the County upon him : And so when Christ comes into the heart , the whol soul it is raised against Him , because He comes as an enemy unto the soul . As when an enemy Lands , the Beacons are all fired , and the Country all rises : what do you say ? An enemy is landed , an enemy is landed , and all the Country rises . So when Christ Lands upon a soule , at the first . He Lands as an enemy unto the ●●n , and soul ; and all the soul , the Region , the Continent , it rises up against Him .

Then also , as the Dragon ●ood before the woman ( which you reade of in that of the Revelations ) to out off the child as soon as it was born : So the Devil stands before the soul , to cut off the souls birth .

Then also comes in the power of all Relations ; And the power of all Engagements : And the power of all former Customs ; And the power of an Evil Nature : Nay , if you will go this way to work , then farewel all Friends ; and farewell all your former Pleasures , and farewel all Preferment . Was it not a great matter for Job to be upright in the Land of Vz ? why ? Because there was much opposition in it . Is it not a great matter , for a little poor Barque , or Vessel to live at Sea in the time of a storm ? for a little spark of fire to live in much water ? for a little light to live in a great wind ? You look upon such a poor gracious soul , and you do not consider the wind that blows upon it , the storms that beat upon it ; and you say , 'T is not much Grace he hath , or much good he does : Oh! but consider , if you would consider the great Opposition that the soul meets withal , then you will say , Oh! 't is much indeed , there is Abundance of Grace there .

Secondly . Consider the Retinue of Grace : Grace hath a great Retinue , Though it be very mean , it hath rich Retinue . If a man hath but a poor Cottage , an Acre of Land , an half-Acre of Land , a Rood : Yet if it be an Earnest of a great Inheritance , 't is much : Look upon the little Cottage in it self , or the Rood of Land in it self , 't is not much ; but consider it as an Earnest of a great Inheritance ; so 't is much . Beloved ! whatsoever Grace the Saints have , they have it but as an Earnest . Ye reade of the Testimony of the Spirit , of the Earnest of the Spirit : all the Grace that the Saints have on this side Heaven , 't is all but the Earnest of what they shall have . And the Apostle , he blesses God for this , as ye reade in the 1. of the Colossians 12. Giving thanks unto the Father , which bath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light : ( Mark , ) Here are Three things especially considerable in these words : All the Children of God have an Inheritance . You have but one Heir to your Estate , all are not Heirs ; but all Gods Children have an Inheritance . And the Inheritance called , an Inheritance of Light : It does not lie in a dark , foggy , and fenny , and moorish place ; 't is a comfortable Inheritance , 't is an Inheritance of light . And the Apostle , He does here give thanks unto God , that had made them Meet to be the partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light . He does not here give thanks unto God , for the Inheritance ; but that they were meet , to be partakers of the Inheritance ; that they had an Earnest , till the Inheritance came . ( I say ) all the Grace which a godly man hath on this side Heaven , it is but an Earnest : you look upon it as it is in it self , and you say ; 'T is not much : I but , look upon it as an Earnest , but as an Earnest , and then you will say , 'T is much indeed , Oh! 't is much indeed .

But then Thirdly , and specially : Consider the Mystery of Grace : Grace is a mystery . Ye reade in Scripture of the mystery of iniquity , and the mystery of godliness : godliness is not only a mystery in the general , but all the parts of godliness are mysterious ; there is a mystery in every part : and if you would but a little consider the mystery of Grace , I dare say , you would lift up your hands and say then , Oh! what Abundance of grace is here , even in the weakest Saint !

For example , to Instance . Ye say , 't is no great matter , for a man or woman to tremble at the Word : 'T is more then many a one does ; many come and fit out Sermons , & never tremble before the Word . Well , but you say , 't is no great matter to tremble before the Word , to tremble at the Word . I but , for a man to tremble at the Word , and yet to count it as hony , and the hony-comb to tremble at the Word , & yet to love it , & prize it then , & look upon it as the hony and the hony-comb ; this is much : Now ye shall have a poor soul , a poor Christian , come and tremble before the Word , and yet look upon the Word as the hony , even as hony , and the hony-combe , for sweetnesse ; This is much .

Again . You count it no great matter , for one to love the Ordinances , so to love the Ordinances above all the world , as to be willing to part with all the world , rather than to part with them : This is a great matter . But may be , you will say , this is no great matter . Well , but for a man or a woman to think so ; so to love the Ordinances , & yet notwithstanding , at the same time to think that he don't Profit , that he is barren , and gets little or no good thereby ; this is much . Now thus you shall have it with a poor Christian ; love , and prize the Ordinances , and would not part with the Ordinances for all the world , and yet at the same time complain , and say : Oh! I get little good thereby . Here 's a Mystery . Put all together ; you take things asunder , and therefore you think it is not much .

Again . You think it is no great matter for a man to comfort himself in this , That the Lord knows his heart . I but , for a man to comfort himself in that , and yet say , There is much hypocrisy there ; & the same day , ( it may be ) say ; Oh! I am an hypocrite . Thus you shall have it with many a poor , poor gracious , drooping soul . All is naught ; Oh! my heart , it is full of hypocrisy ; and I am but an hypocrite : and yet now , let him be charg'd or accused by men of the world , for such and such designes ; he comforts himself in this : Oh! but , blessed be the Lord , the Lord knows my heart . Put these things together .

Again , You wil say 't is no great matter , for a man , To look into his own heart ; so to look into his own heart , and so to be sencible of his sin , as to think he shall perish for ever . I but , for the same person , To professe he would not change his condition with another for all the world ; this is much . Take many a poor drooping soul , and thus it is : I am afraid I shall go to Hell , and perish to all eternity : But now , come & lay his condition to a Drunkard , to an Adulterer ; saies he , I professe , I would not change my condition with that man for all the world , at the same time . Here 's a mystery ! 't is strange ; but there 's a mystery in every piece of godliness ; and if you would but consider , it would appear that there is much Grace in those that have the least .

Again . You say 't is no great matter , for a man To work out his salvation with fear , and trembling . I but , for the same person , To rely upon Jesus Christ , only , for salvation ; This is much . Now thus it is , you shall have a godly man work , work with fear , and trembling , as if he would earn Heaven with his fingers-ends , and yet he relies upon Jesus Christ only for his salvation .

Further. You say 't is no great matter , for a man , To walk closely with God : But 't is a great matter . It may be you wil say 't is not . I but , for a man to walk closely with God , and yet to be in the dark : to walk exactly , and yet to be in a crowd , and throng of business ; who can walk exactly in the dark ? and who can walk exactly in a crowd , when he is carried to and fro in a crowd ? Thus now , you shall have a godly , gracious man , walk exactly with God , closely with God ; and yet may be in the dark ; a Child of light , and yet in the dark ; and in a crowd of occasions and businesse , and yet walk exactly : this is much .

Again . You will say , 't is no great matter for a man to be diligent in his particular Calling . I but , for the same person , for to take no thought , no dividing thought , what be shall eate , or drink , or put on ; and yet be diligent in his particular Calling : this is much . Now so it is , you shall have a godly , gracious soul , taking no care , no dividing care , what he shall eate , or drink , or what he shall put on ; and yet diligent in his particular Calling .

Again . You will say , It is no great matter , for a man , To grieve for sin past , and to strive against sin for the time to come . I but , for the same person to know , that his sin past is pardoned , and to know , that if he fall into a sin for the time to come , God will work good out of it , it shal be for his gain , God wil over-rule it so ; and yet strive against it as the greatest evil in the world : this is much . Now thus it is , A gracious soul knows his sin is pardoned , yet he grieves for it : and he knows that if he shall fall into a sin , the Lord will over-rule things so , as he shall be the better for it ; and yet he strives against his sin , as the greatest evil in the world . Here is a Mastery ! this is much .

Again . You will say 't is no great matter , for a man to be quiet under his Affliction , because it does come from God ; for that reason : I but for the same person , To be the more sencible , and to be the more afflicted , because it does come from God ; this is much . Beloved ! you shal have these Two meet together : A godly , gracious soul , he is therefore quiet under Affliction , because it does come from God ; and he is therfore the more sencible of his affliction , because it does come from God . Here 's a mystery ! put these together , and you will say , things rese high .

I 'le Instance but in one more , and that is a Tenth . You will say 't is no great matter , For a man to be contented with his condition : to be contented with his condition when 't is mean , and when 't is poor . I but , for the same person , To desire a better , and pray for a better , and to pray earnestly for a better ; and yet be contented with his condition though it be never so mean ; this is much . Thus 't is with the Saints , a Child of God , being in a mean condition , he desires a better ; he prayes to God for a better , and he prayes earnestly to God for a better ; and yet he is contented with his condition though it be never so mean : pray , and pray earnestly , and yet contented with his condition , though it be never so mean , Thus , my Beloved ; Oh! there is a Mystery , there is a mystery in every piece of godliness : and you look not upon things under the mysterious Notion , and you say ; 'T is no great matter , that is in the life of such a one : Oh! but , if you would look upon things under this Notion , and consider the mystery of godliness , and every piece thereof you would lift up your hands , and say ; Oh! surely , he that hath but the least measure of Gospel-Grace , hath Abundance of Grace : he that hath but the least degree of Grace , hath Abundance of Grace ; of Christs Fulness . Now under the new Testament we have received not Sparingly , not Scantly : but Grace for Grace , and Abundance of Grace : he that hath but the least measure , hath received much , hath received Abundance ,

Some few things by way of Application , and so I have done .

If it be so ; Applic. 1 Then why should any of Gods People vilifie , and degrade , and lowen the gift of God wherewithal they are enriched through Jesus Christ ? Would you take it as fair dealing from a child that is estated in great lands by his father ; if he should say , my father indeed was pleased to bestow a great Estate upon my Brother ; but he hath given little , or nothing to me ? He hath bestowed great means upon such a Sister , but he hath given little or nothing to me ? This were not fair dealing . And is this fair dealing with your God , and with your father ? When you shall say , I , there is such a godly man , the Lord hath given him a great Estate of the Gospel , but little or nothing to me : And there is such a woman , such a Sister ; the Lord hath done much for her soul ; but Oh! little or nothing for me . Beloved ! There is no sin small , because committed against the great God ; There 's no blessing small , because received from the great God : but of all blessings , Gospel-blessing is the greatest blessing . Hath the Lord therefore , ( man or woman ) given thee any Gospel-Grace , the Grace of Jesus Christ ? He hath given thee much : that which thou look'st upon as little , 't is much in the eye of Heaven . Wherefore now , let not the Eunuch say ; Oh! let not the Eunuch say ; I am a dry tree any longer . Take heed how you degrade , and vilifie , and lowen the Grace of God wherewithal you are inrich't through Jesus Christ .

Secondly . Appli . 2. If there be such Abundance of Grace , even Grace for Grace ; Abundance of Grace given unto the Saints , and People of God under the new Testament : Behold then , what great finners Professors are ! yea , the fins of Gods own people . The more light , and knowledge a man hath ; if he sin , the greater is his sin : The more beams of Grace fall upon a mans heart , the more he is able to discern the motes that are there , and so may avoid them : and sinning , he sins the more . The more grace , and the more mercy a man sins against , the greater is his sin ; because free Grace , and mercy is the remedy . The more strength a man hath to stand , the greater is his sin if he fall : As it was with Adam , He had strength to stand , and yet he fell . ( I say ) the more strength a man hath to stand , the greater is his sin if he fall . Now Beloved ! ye have heard what Abundance of Grace is Discovered , Exhibited , Communicated unto all the Saints under the new Testament ; unto all the People of God : Oh! how great are their sins when they fall ! The Lord was quick with many that sinned in the old Testament : and will He not be quick with Professors now ? that know more , that have more Grace , more Grace Discovered now ? Many , when they sin , they excuse themselves and they say , True indeed , I have thus and thus sinned ; but David did so : I have sinned , I have done thus and thus ; but Sampson did so : I have committed this , or that sin ; but Noah did so . I but , we have more light , we have more Grace discovered ordinarily among us now , than ordinarily among them in the Old Testament : We have more Grace Discovered ; more Abundance of Grace Communicated now . And therefore as the Apostle concludes from it ; we ought the more Abundantly to take heed : For if they escaped not without a recompence of reward that sinned against the Law of Moses ; What shall become of those that sin against the Word of Christ , the Son of God ? Professors ! all you that are the People of God , take heed how you sin ! take heed how you tamper with your sins : Grace hath Abounded ! you have received much : and therefore if you sin , this is that that will make your sins out of measure sinful : Take heed what you do .

But in the Third place . Appli . 3. If there be such an Abundance of Grace Communicated now , unto all the People of God under the new Testament : What a mighty Incouragement is here to all , good and bad ; ( I say ) a mighty Incouragement to all , to all those that hear me this day , good and bad .

Bad , An incouragement unto those that are Bad , to those that are wicked : Therefore they should come in unto Jesus Christ ; He will not send your souls away empty ; there 's a Fulnesse in Jesus Christ , and those that come unto Him shall be fil'd by Him . He does not only give Grace , but He gives Abundance of Grace : Who would not come unto Jesus Christ , that he may be fil'd by Christ ? ( Mark ) Is there an Abundance of Grace to be had from Christ ? and wilt thou have none , Drunkard ? Is there such Abundance of Grace to be had in Christ ? and wilt thou have none , wanton ? Unclean heart , wilt thou have none ? Swearer , Sab-bath-breaker , wilt thou have none ? The Lord perswade your hearts to come in unto Jesus Christ . I tell you , you will have more from Him , then you expect : The Prodigal look't but for bread at his fathers house ; and he met with a fatted Calfe , and with a Ring , and with the best Garment ; you shall have more than you look't for : 'T is a mighty Incouragement . Oh! you that never thought of returning unto Jesus Christ , Come in now unto Jesus Christ , that you may have Abundance of Grace from Him . I have done , only this , Here is also incouragement unto all that are godly , and therefore they should labor to be rich in Grace . shall Jesus Christ do much for you ? and will you do little for Him ? shall you receive Abundance from Him ? and will you not do Abundance for Him ? Labor , Oh! labor all you Servants of God to Abound in the Work of the Lord ; That you may be fil'd with all the Fulness of God in Christ ; That you may be fil'd with all the fruits of righteousness ; That you may be strengthened with all might in the inner-man : you have received much , you have had Abundance ; he that hath the least Grace , hath Abundance : if thou hast but the least Gospel-Grace , thou hast Abundance . Brethren ! Grace hath Abounded ! Oh! let us Aboundin Grace , Aboundin Faith , and Abound in Patience , and Abound in Meekness , Sweetness , and Love towards one another , and towards all the Saints . You have received much ; can you go to Heaven with doing little ? God expects much from you . I conclude therefore , with the exhortation of the Apostle : Col. 2.6 . As you have received the Lord Jesus Christ : walk in Him ; Alwaies Abounding in the work of the Lord , forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord .

And thus much for the First thing that is here intended .

SERMON V. JOHN , 1.16 .

And of His Fulness have all we received , even Grace for Grace . Preached at Margrets new fishstreet . Dec. 15.1645 .

YE heard the last day , that three things were contained in this last Clause , Even Grace for Grace ; as it stands in relation to the former part of the verse .

First of all , It notes an Abundance of Grace : Even Grace for Grace ; that is , Abundance of Grace . The Saints and People of God under the new Testament , do receive Abundance of Grace from Jesus Christ .

Secondly , It notes also thus much : That all Grace is from Jesus Christ . That whatsoever Grace the Saints have , they have it from Jesus Christ . Grace for Grace ( saies Austin ) that is , Grace in order to Grace : God gives the former Grace ( saies he ) to prepare for the after Grace . Whether the former , or the latter rain ; whether the former or the latter Grace , 't is all from Christ . whatsoever Grace the Saints have , they have it from Christ .

This sutes with the phrase of Job still : Skin for skin , that is , all a mans skins . So 't is explain'd by the following words : Skin for skin , Job , 2.4 . even all that a man hath will he give for his life . So here , Of His Fulness have all we received , Even Grace for Grace : that is all Grace : Whatsoever Grace we have , we have it from Jesus Christ .

And this also sutes with the Scope of the place : the scope of the place is , to exalt Jesus Christ above them that came before Him , above Moses Therefore saies he at the next verse , Joh 1.17 For the Law was given by Moses , but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ . Though the Law were given by Moses yet notwithstanding , Grace , ( the chief ) that is from Christ .

Now Grace , The word Grace here in the 17. verse , must be understood of All Crace . The Law was given by Moses , but Grace and Truth : that is , All Grace : And this verse being brought in as a reason of the former ; surely therefore , this must needs be the meaning also of the former , That all grace is from Jesus Christ ; whatsoever Grace the Saints have , they have it from Jesus Christ . This is the Argument that I intend ( God willing ) to speak unto at this time .

Grace , Sometimes is taken for the Favour of God . Somtimes it is taken for Gods Assistance . Sometimes it is taken for Holiness , either in the habit , or in the act . Sometimes it is taken for gifts .

Sometimes the word Grace , is used for an Office in the Church . Whatsoever it be , which way soever you take it ; All Grace is from Christ : whatsoever grace the Saints have , they have it from Jesus Christ .

This now will appear , if you consider , The Insufficiency of Nature : And the All-sufficiency of Christ .

As for the Insufficiency of Nature ; You know what the Apostle saies : 1 Cor. 3.5 . Wee are not able as of our selves , to think a good thought , but all our sufficiency is of God . And if you look into this first Chapter of John , you find , That those that are regenerate , and borne again ; 't is said concerning them ( at the 13. verse ) that they are not borne of Bloods ( in the plural number ) your English hath it , Blood , ( in the singular ) You are not born of blood , nor of the will of the flesh , nor of the will of man , but of God . Some there are , and were , that thought themselves to be the children of God , because they came of godly parents , because of their bloods , because of their education : Ioh. 8.33 So the Jews , Wee are the Children of Abraham . Some there are , and were , that think themselves the Children of God , because of some Legal workings , and monkish devotion : all those legalities under the Gospel , are called , flesh . Some there are that think themselves the children of God , because of some more refined , and raised , and heroical actions . That he might obviate all these ; saies he , We are not born of bloods , nor of the will of the flesh , nor of the wil of man , but of God . You are for Free-will , and you think Free-will hath a great stroke in mans Conversion : but how can ye look this Scripture in the face ? No way of will , not of the will of the flesh , nor of the will of man . If it be any will , it must be either the will of the flesh , or the wil of man : but I tel you ( saies he ) We are not borne of blood , nor of the will of the flesh , nor of the will of man , ( no way of will ) but of God .

To the like purpose you have in James , 1.17 . Every good giving , and every perfect gift is from above . In some of your books you reade thus : Every good gift , and every perfect gift is from above : But it is rather to be read , Every good giving . Every good gift , and every good giving is from above . Not only the Thing given , is from above , but the very Donation , the very Exhibition , the very Giving out of the thing that is good , it is from above . Every good giving , and every perfect gift is from above . So that plainly then , there is an utter Insufficiency in Nature unto what is good .

As for the Al-sufficiency of Jesu Christ : Rom. 8.29 . Rev. 1.17 . He is the first born among many Brethren . He is the first fruit that sanctifieth all the rest . I am the first , and the last , saies he . The first is the cause of the rest . The Sun is the first , and the great light , so the cause of all other light . Jesus Christ , He is called the first , in this same Chapter , 15. verse This was He ( saies John ) of whom I spake , He that cometh after me , is preferred before me , for He was before me . So ye reade it , but it is He was my first , preferred before me , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . for He was my first ; and therefore the first , giving a Being unto all that follows . Jesus Christ , He does give a Being unto all our graces . I am the way , the truth , and the life , saies He. Joh. 14.6

I am the Way . Would you go to Heaven ? You cannot go thither , but you must go in some Way : A man cannot go unto a City , but he must go some way or other ; if he go by water , go by land , this way , or that way ; still he goes some Way or other . Saies Christ if you would go to Heaven , I am the Way . This same word , Way , it notes the means unto a thing : and when He saies , I am the way , 't is as if He should say , That look what ever means you do use in order to Heaven , all those means they have their vertue , and their power , and their efficacy from me .

I but , a man may be in a way , and in a right way ; and yet notwithstanding , if he have not some guide , he may lose his way .

True ( saies He ) therefore I am the Truth : and 't is observable , how Truth , lies between Way , & Life : as if the way to Life were thorough Truth , as if Truth were the great road , or the thorough-fare to life : saies Jesus Christ , I am that too ; I am the Way , and the Truth too .

I but , though a man be in the right Way , and have a guide ; he may fall sick , and die , and never come to his journeyes end .

Therefore saies Christ , I am the way , and the Truth , and the Life too . I , even I am He , that gives life unto all your motions , and actions for Heaven ; all Grace from Christ . He it is , even He alone , that hath every mans heart , and soul under lock and key .

There are Three great doors , that must ordinarily be opened , before converting-Grace can get into the soul of man : 1 Cor. 16.9 . Job , 33.16 . Acts. 16.14 Rev. 3.7 The door of a Powerful Ministry : A large , and an effectual door is opened . The door of the Eare : He openeth the eare , and sealeth instruction . The door of the Vnderstanding , and of the heart : Lydias heart was opened . Now if you look into the Scripture you will find , that Jesus Christ hath the opening of all these doors . He hath the key of David , He openeth and no man shuts , and shutteth and no man openeth . in the 1. of the Revelation , and the 18. He saies , That He hath the keyes of Hell , and of death . No man goes into the grave , but He opens a door to let him in : and no man goes to Hell , but Jesus Christ He locks him up there , He locks him up there unto all eternity ; if He did not lock him in , he would not be there unto all eternity . So that whatsoever Grace , or holiness there is in any mans heart , He opens the door , He lets it in , 't is by His ordering and His sending thither .

And Beloved , if Jesus Christ were not the great Lord-Keeper of His Fathers wardrobe ; why should those Names , and Titles be given to Him , which you find so frequently in Scripture ? Cast your eyes where you wil , you shal hardly look upon any thing , but Jesus Christ hath taken the Name of that upon Himself . If you cast your eyes up to Heaven in the day , and behold the Sun : He is called , Mal. 4.2 Rev. 22.16 . Col. 1.18 Rom. 13.14 . Ioh. 6.35 Ioh. 10.9 Ioh. 10.11 Ioh. 1.29 Luk. 15.23 . Zac. 13.1 Isa. 28.16 . Pro. 3.18 . The Sun of righteousness . If you cast your eyes in the night upon the Stars , or in the morning upon the morning star : He is called , The bright morning star . If you behold your own Body : He is called the Head , and the Church the Body . If you look upon your own Clothes : He is called your Rayment ; Put ye on the Lord Jesus . If you behold your Meat : He is called Bread , The Bread of life . If you look upon your Houses ; He is called a Door . If you look abroad into the fields , and behold the Cattel of the fields : He is called , The good Shepherd ; He is called , The Lamb ; He is called , The fatted Calf . If you look upon the Waters : He is called , A Fountain , The Blood of Christ a Fountain . If you look upon the Stones : He is called , A corner Stone . If you look upon the Trees : He is called , A Tree of life . What is the reason of this ? Surely , not only to way-lay your thoughts , that wheresoever you look , still you should think of Christ : But to shew , that in a Spiritual way , and sence , He is all this unto the soul . And you may observe , that these Titles , and Names , they are not barely , and nakedly given to Him ; but still with some speciality , some mark or other . He is not barely called the Shepheard ; but the good Shepheard . He is not onely called a Lamb ; but the Lamb slain from the begining of the world . He is not barely called the Light ; but , The true Light , the Light of the world . He is not barely called Bread ; but , The Bread of life . Now you know why Adam at the first gave Names unto the Creatures : according to their names was their Natures , was their conditions , and Adam , our first father Adam , was not mistaken when he gave the names . And do you think , Christ the Second Adam , when he gives these names unto himself , that he is mistaken ? Certainly , he is not mistaken , he is all this . And therfore as the Apostle speaks in the 3. Col. 11. you reade it , Christ is all in all : but better , He is all things , in all persons : or all things , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 in all things : He is all things . Whatsoever good there is found in any man , 't is from Jesus Christ . Surely may one say , The Lord is our strength , Surely may we all say , the Lord is our strength , the Lord Jesus is our righteousness : Whatsoever Grace , or holiness the Saints have , they have it from Jesus Christ .

You will say , Object . This , though it seem to give much to Christ , it derogates from the Father : for if all be from Jesus Christ ; then nothing from the Father , and so it derogates from God the Father .

No , Answ. It does no way derogate from God the Father . The Apostle Paul was much in this Doctrine that now I am upon , Rom. 1.7 . and yet he honored the Father too . Grace and Peace ( saies he ) from God our Father , and from our Lord Jesus Christ . Though al Grace be from Christ , yet Grace and peace from the Father too , ( saies he ) from God our Father . And having shown in the 7. of the Romans , That being married unto Christ , and dead unto the Law , that therefore we should bring forth fruit . ( as in the 4. verse , ) Wherefore my Brethren , ye also are become dead to the Law , by the Body of Christ , that ye should be married to another , even to Him who is raised from the dead , that we should bring forth fruit unto God . He does not say , That we should bring forth fruit unto Christ ; but that we should bring forth fruit unto God . The Father and Christ are one : Joh. 10.30 I and my Father are one ( saies Christ . ) In honoring Jesus Christ , you honor the Father ; as in honoring of the Father you honor Christ .

You will say , Wherein is the honor to the Father , Quest. according unto this Truth ? how does this any way make to the honor of God the Father , that all Grace is from Jesus Christ ?

Yes ! for , First , Ans. Though all Grace be immediatly given out of the hand of Christ , all grace from Him , and He gives it out ; He is Commissioned , and defigned , by the Father to do it : He does but the Fathers work . Ioh. 6.38 I came not to do my own will , but the will of Him that sent me . Was it any dishonor to Pharoah , that Joseph gave out the bread in the time of famine ? No , because he was Commissioned by Pharoah to do it . And so now , If Jesus Christ have a Commission from the Father to do this , 't is no dishonor to the Father : and a Commission He hath , He will shew you it under hand , and seal ; Him hath God the Father sealed . Ioh. 6.27 so saies Christ .

Again , Though all Grace come immediately out of the hand of Christ , all Grace from Him , and He gives it out : Yet He is furnish't , and accomplish't with ability unto this great Office by God the Father . Isa. 61.1 . The Spirit of the Lord is upon me , ( saies he ) and He hath anointed me to open the prison dores to Captives &c. Now , is it any dishonor to God , that the Sun does distribute , and give out light , and heat unto all the Creatures ? No , but rather an honor to Him : for when a man sees so glorious a creature as the Sun , that gives out light , and heat unto all the creatures here below ; he lifts up his hands , and saies ; Oh! what a glorious God have we , that hath furnished this creature with these abilities ? So now , when a man considers Christ , as this great Sun of righteousness , distributing His Graces to all the Saints ; will it be any dishonor to God the Father that He is in this Office , seeing He hath furnished Him hereunto ? Surely no , they will-rather lift up their hands and say , Oh! what a good God have we , that hath furnished Christ with all these abilities for our poor souls ?

Again , Though the administration of things be in the hand of Christ , the right is in the Father : and when Jesus Christ hath done His work , He will give up the Kingdom to the Father : Ioh. 6.44 Mat. 11.27 in the mean while , None comes unto the Son but whom the Father draws And None comes unto the Father , but he unto whom the Son reveals him . Is it any disparagment unto a man , to have a wise , a potent , a great man to his child ? Pro. 10.1 A wise son , makes a glad father ( saies Solomon . ) Indeed , if the Father , and the Son were two , they might be enemies : but Christ and the Father are one : Joh. 10.30 . I and my Father are one : and therefore , in honoring of Jesus Christ , you honor the Father also .

But you will say , Quest. Was there no creature in all the world , that was fit to make this great trust over to ? Why hath God the Father put Christ into this Office , that all Grace should come out of His Hand ? Was there no creature that was fit for this work but Christ alone ?

No , Ans. This trust would have broke the back of any Creature : no Creature in Heaven or Earth , as a meer creature , was able to purchase this trust ; he had not a stock , and Estate of Grace enough by him : Christ Himselfe hath it by purchase : For he being the Second Person , the Apostle tels us , Phil. 2.7.9 . He emptied Himself , and became of no reputation ; wherefore God hath given Him a Name above every name , that in the Name and strength of Jesus Christ we should be more than Conquerers . He had a great Estate by Him , He was the Second Person : Yet notwithstanding , this purchase was so great , that ( saies Paul ) He emptied Himself . Surely no Creature in Heaven and Earth was able to come to this purchase : He that must be the worlds Joseph , to give out bread of Grace to all the world , the Saints in the world ; He must have infinite Knowledge ; to know the wants of Gods Peopel : and He must have infinite Mercy , and Patience , and Goodness to pitty them : and He must have infinite Power , to reach it forth unto them , which no creature hath , and therefore no creature at all fit for this work .

Besides , God the Father hath so ordered things in the dispensations of His Grace , that he might take the most comentment , and complacency , and delight in the duties , and services of his People : this is the only way to it . This is my beloved Son ( saies he ) in whom I am well pleased . Mat. 3.17 . If there be a garment that is laid with gold-lace , hung or stuck full of Pearls ; though the Cloth of the garment be not much worth ; yet because of the gold-lace , and the Pearls that are upon it , you count it very precious . Such are our duties ; the Cloth of our duty is not much worth , but because of the golden-lace , and the Pearls of the Graces of Jesus Christ , they are very precious . 'T is not in regard of our duties , as in regard of your flowers , or posies : let a flower , or posy be never so sweet , they receive not any of the sweetness from the bosom that it sticks in : the posy does sweeten the bosom , but the bosom does not sweeten the posy . I but now , the duty that is stuck in the bosom of Jesus Christ , is sweetned by the bosom , by the bosom that it sticks in . Pray mark therefore what is said in the 11. of the Canticles for this purpose . ( Saies the Spouse at the 12. ver. ) When , ( or while ) the King sitteth at his table , My spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof . My Spikenard : what is that ? The Graces , and the duties , and the services of Gods People , they are His Spikenard : this Spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof , while the King sitteth at his talbe ; while it is in the presence of Jesus Christ ; whilst the posy is in His bosom it smels sweet , else it does not . Now God the Father , ( I say ) He hath so ordered things , that He may take a complacency , and contentment in the duties , and services of His People , and therefore it is that all their Graces they come from Jesus Christ , by vertue of Him .

It will be Objected yet . Object . It should seem that all Grace does not come from Christ ; no , nor from God the Father neither : for in the 16. of the Proverbs , and the 1. verse it is said , ( as some translations reade it ) The preparations of the heart are of man , but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord . If a man can prepare his heart , that is a great matter : but now ( saies Solomon ) The preparations of the heart is of man , but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord : Surely therefore , all is not of Grace , and all is not of Christ .

By way of Answer , Answ. 1 I shall say these Three things .

First , The meaning of this place cannot be according to this Objection : for then , ( as Bradwardine does well observe ) the greater should be given to man , and the lesser should be given to God : for it is a greater thing for a man to Prepare his heart , then for him to speak words when his heart is prepared . And then again ( as Austin observes ) this would be contrary to other Scriptures : for our Savior Christ , Joh. 15.5 He saies , Without me ye can do nothing : Yes , might a man say , according to Solomons Doctrine , I can prepare my own heart , and that is a great duty . And so ; whereas the Apostle saies , We are not able for to think a good thought : 2 Cor. 3.5 . A man might say , yes , but according to Solomons Doctrin , I am able to prepare my own-heart . The meaning therfore , of this place , cannot be according to this objection .

The scope therefore , ( Secondly ) of this place is this : To shew the vanity , and the boot-lesness of all our thoughts without God . Let a man think , and think , and spend his heart in thought-fulness , all is in vain unless God go along with him : for God can come between his heart , and his lips ▪ So it was with Balaam ; he prepared his heart for to curse the people ; but God came between his heart and the preparation , and he gave an answer of blessing : contrary to the preparation of his heart . That is the scope of the place , to show the vanity of the preparations of our hearts to any busyness , unless we take God along with us .

Thirdly . This place is so far from speaking against the Doctrine in hand that it seems to speak for it . For according to the Hebrew , the words may be read thus : The heart preparations of man , and the answer of the tongue from the Lord : giving both heart , and tongue into the hand of the Lord . And if it be so , that after a man hath prepared his heart unto any work , God is able to come between the heart and the lip , and to give in another answer into the mouth then what was intended in the heart : this shows , that all is of God , that all is of Grace ; and so this place does rather confirm the Doctrine that I am now upon .

I but yet it will be said then . Grant it , Object . that all Grace is from Christ , that whatsoever Grace a man hath , he hath it from Jesus Christ : Yet so , as that when a man is converted , and drawn to Christ ; there is a principle , or a habit of Grace infused into the soul , whereby through ordinary concurrence , and assistance from God , a man is able for to walk graciously without fresh assistance : For example , When the Lord made the world in the beginning , He gave unto the creatures a power to bring forth their like : He gave unto the Beasts a power to bring forth their like : He gave unto Plants , unto Herbs a power to bring forth their like : He gave unto Man a power to bring forth his like ; and so , Grace being but a creature , He gave also unto Grace , a power to bring forth gracious actions without fresh assistance , only by ordinary concurrence : yet because that this first habit is infused and comes from God , this is said to be from Christ , and from Grace ; so that though all is of Grace , and all is from Christ , yet all is not from Christ in regard of fresh assistance .

Give me leave to answer this . Yes , Ans. all is from Jesus Christ , all Grace is from Jesus Christ in regard of fresh assistance too .

For although in the beginning God made a Covenant of works with man , and then gave that Grace , that he had a power to bring forth it 's like : Yet now the Lord , hath brought us under a better Covenant , a better Covenant than the former was . In the First Covenant that God made with us , and with Adam ; the Lord gave man a great stock of Grace , but gave him no promise of perseverance ; but now he hath . In the First ( indeed ) God gave man a great stock of Grace ; but Satan being a stronger than man , came upon him , and beguil'd him of it . Now though the Lord does give a Christian less grace in his hand for the present ; yet He hath laid it up in so safe a hand , that though Satan , a stronger than he , does come down upon him , he is not able to wrest it from him , or beguile him of it , because 't is in the hand of Christ , that is a stronger than he : And Jesus Christ , by a Compact with the Father from all Eternity , hath engaged Himselfe to do it , to give forth Grace , and Assistance to all the Elect , according to all their needs . So that ( I say ) now , all Grace is from Jesus Christ in regard of fresh assistance . Therfore the Psalmist prayes thus : Lord open thou my lips , Psal. 51.15 . and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise . Lord , though thou hast given me habitual Grace , yet if I have not fresh assistance from thee , for to open my lips , my mouth will not shew forth thy praise . Psa. 119.18 . And so again , Lord open mine eyes , that I may see the wonders of thy Law . And to this purpose 't is in the 17. Psalm , and the 5. verse , ( saies David ) Hold up my goings in thy paths , that my foot-steps slip not . ( Mark I pray ) David ye know was a godly man , hee had a habit of grace : Now Lord ( saies David ) as for the business that is between Saul and me , thou knowest I am in thy way : yet Lord ( saies he ) though I be in thy way , and have a habit of Grace , yet if thou dost not hold up my steps ; if thou dost not give me fresh assistance , I shall fall , I shall slip : Hold up my going in thy paths , that my foot-steps slip not . Does not the Apostle say , Phil. 2 13 The Will , and the Deed is from God ? You may observe , that the Graces of Gods People , they are called in the new Testament , Gal. 5.22 The fruits of the Spirit : They are not called the fruits of a former habit , but they are called , The fruits of the Spirit . And indeed , if all grace were not from Jesus Christ in regard of fresh assistance ; truly , then might a man have wherein to boast : ( as Bradwardin reasons the case ) For ( saies he ) though a child have his being from his father ; his Education from his father ; Learning , Military skill : yet notwithstanding , the valour of an action being his own , he hath in opposition to his father wherin to boast : True , I confess indeed , I had my being from my father ; I had my Nature from my father ; I had my Education from my father ; I had this Skill from my father : But the prowess , and the valour , and the spirit of the action is all mine own ; and he hath wherein to boast . So if he hath the Habit only from Christ , he hath wherewith to boast : True , I had the Habit , the Grace from God ; I but the spirit of the action , that is mine own ; he had wherein to boast . But there is no room for boasting : and therefore all Grace is from Christ in regard of fresh assistance .

It will be yet said , Obj. But if all Grace be from Christ in regard of fresh assistance too : Why is it said , that we Repent ; and we Beleeve ; and we Obey ? for if all Grace in regard of the very work , be from Christ ; if Jesus Christ do work al our works ; Why is it not rather said , That Christ does Repent ; and Christ does Beleeve ; and Christ does Obey ?

I answer , No. You know the Persons that are Responsal : Ans. If I owe a man a Thousand pounds , and have never a penny to pay it ; and another man he comes , and lends me the money , and goes along with me to the Creditor , the bond is taken up , and acquittance made , discharge made : He is not said to have paid the money , but I am said to pay the money that am Responsal : So now , you are Responsal : and therefore , though ye have all strength from Christ to do it , yet you are said to Repent , and Beleeve , and Obey . The Devil is not said to commit Adultery , and commit Murder , yet by his instigation 't is done . The Sun does work with the Tree , when the Tree does bring forth fruit and yet 't is not said that the Sun brings forth an apple , or brings forth fruit : because the Sun does work as a universal Cause , and the Tree as a particular Cause . So now , though Jesus Christ does work in all your workings ; yet He is not said to Repent , or Beleeve , or to Obey ; because He works as a universal Cause ; and you work as a particular Cause Only behold here the mirrour of Grace : All is of Christ ; and yet all is Ours : all is ours in Denomination , and al is Christs in Operation : all is ours in regard of Incouragement ; and all is Christs in regard of Glory : al is ours in regard of Reward ; and all is Christs in regard of Honor. Here 's Grace ! here 's the mystery of Grace ! but still all , whatsoever Grace a man hath , he hath it from Jesus Christ .

I but , Quest. will you say , To what end is this Doctrine opened , thus largely opened , and prest ; What good is there that does come thereby ?

What good ! Answ. What good would you have ? What good would you do ? Would you have the Lord Jesus Christ to become your strength ? The way to have Him to become your strength , is to count Him so ; Look I pray upon the 31. Psalm , the 2. and 3. verse , Be thou my strong Rock , for an house of defence to save me : for thou art my Rock , and my Fortress . Be thou my Rock , for thou art my Rock : What kinde of Argument is this ? Yes , 't is a good argument : The way to have Christ our Rock , is to account Him our Rock : My very resting upon the Promise , does make it mine : and your very resting upon Jesus Christ doth make Him yours : and what will make you rest more upon Him , then to see that all is from Him ?

Again . Would you have your hearts warmed with love unto Jesus Christ ? indeed our whol life should be nothing else but an expression of love to Christ , as Christs life , and death was nothing else but an expression of love to us : Now saies a gracious soul , Is this true indeed , that all Grace is from Christ ? that whatsoever Grace the Saints have , they have it from Jesus Christ ? that there is not a good thought in my heart , but runs through the heart of Jesus Christ before it does come at mine ? what infinit cause then have I to love Jesus Christ !

Again . Would you live in Dependance upon Christ , for Grace , for Truth : the serious consideration of this truth will help you to it . I confesse indeed , ( will some say ) when I look upon my self , I am a man or woman of such poor gifts , or parts , that I have no hope , I am afraid I shall never attain to the Truth of the time ; but is it so , that all is from Jesus Christ ? whatever Grace the Saints have , they have it from Jesus Christ ? Why may not I know the Truth of the time as well as another ? I will yet wait on Jesus Christ .

Again . Would you walk Humbly ? Be very humble , and get a ferious , and deep humiliation for sin committed ? the study of this truth will help you do it . You know what the Prophet Isaiah saies : Oh! Lord , ( saies hee ) wo is me , Isa. 6.5 . I am undone , I am undone ! Why ? what 's the matter ? Oh! ( saies he ) mine eyes have seen the King . If you look into the 3. Chapter of Matthew , you will find there , in John the Baptist , such a self-humbling speech , Christ-advancing speech , as you shal not meet with many of the like again : Sales he , ( at the 11 verse ) Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear : or as other Gospels hath it : Whose shoes latchet I am not worthy to unloose . Beloved ! I pray consider it a little : John , then which there was not a greater , the great Preacher that al the Countrey followed : John cryes out & saies , Whose shoes latchet I am not worthy to unloose . What made him think thus ? what wrought his heart into this humble this self-denying frame ? The very Doctrine we are now upon : saies he , I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance ; but He that cometh after me is mightier then I , whose shoes I am not worthy to bear : he shal baptize you with the holy Ghost & with fire . As if he should say thus : I may baptize you outwardly , but the efficacy of al these ordinances it is from Jesus Christ , & therefore , because the efficacy of every ordinance is from Jesus Christ , saies he , as for me , I am not worthy to bear His shoes , to undo His latchet .

Yet further ( in the general ) Would you be Fruitful ? would you be fruitful in your life and conversation ? People , they complain of Barrenness : Would you be Fruitful ? Observe what course the Gardiner takes with the Apricock : This is a fruit ( saies he ) that will not grow every where ; but surely , if it will grow any where , it will grow upon the back of this Chimney , the warm heat , the heat of the Chimney wil nurse it up : Or else it wil grow against that Wall , I 'le set it in the face of the Sun , that it may have the smiles of the Sun-beames , and then it will grow : he sets it there , and then it grows , and brings forth a pleasant fruit . Doest thou complain thou art not fruitful ; what 's the reason ? may be thou grow'st in the shade ; may be thou grow'st in the shade : but come and bring forth thine heart , set it in the Sun , under the warm beames of the love of Jesus Christ ; see if thy heart be not fruitful then . And beloved , what greater love then this , That Jesus Christ hath dyed for sinners ? that He hath dyed for sinners ? that He hath purchased all Grace for sinners ? and He keeps their stock in His own hand , to give it out unto them according to all their wants ? Here is love ! Here is grace ! This is the way to be fruitful :

I come to the Application .

Is it so , Applic. That all Grace is from Christ that whatfoever Grace the Saints have , they have it from Jesus Christ ; Christ Meriting , and Christ Working : That all our Efficiency ; and Sufficiency ; and Al-sufficiency if from Christ : That He is the great Joseph , the worlds Joseph ; the Lord-Keeper of all our Graces ; the Lord-Treasurer of all our comforts ; Then , Oh! what infinite cause have we all , to advance , and lift up the Name of Jesus Christ , to hallow Jesus Christ , not verbally , but really . Cōmanded ye are to honor your parents : they give you a Being , and yet by that Being , you are brought forth under the wrath of God ; but yet honor them , because you have your being from them : I , and by your birth , and by your nature exposed unto the wrath of God for ever : Yet honor them , because you have your being from them .

And shall wee honor our parents because we have our outward being from them ? and shall not we honor Jesus Christ , from whom we have the being of all our Graces , the being of our souls unto all Eternity ? What infinite ingagements are upon us all to honor Jesus Christ .

You will say unto me : Quest. This indeed does naturally follow : but how shall we honor Jesus Christ according to the heighth of this Doctrine ? how shall we honor Jesus Christ according to the heighth of this Truth , that is now before us ? Give me leave to spend some time in this : this is that I have bin driving at all this while . Some particulars herein .

First . Ye cannot honor Jesus Christ , Ans. Vnless that you do offer up your own Christ unto him : I say , unless you offer up yor own Christ to him ; I mean , your natural Christ to him . Some there are , that make a Christ of their goad meaning , and think to be saved thereby ; rest upon that , & think to be saved thereby . Some rest upon an honest , and sober Conversation , & think to be saved thereby . Some rest upon their Duties , inlargments in Duties ; and think to be saved thereby . Some rest upon their very resting ; trusting is not to be trusted to : but some rest upon their very resting , and think to be saved thereby . Some rest upo those Injoyments , and Sweetnesses that they meet withall in duty , and think to be saved thereby . Beloved ! you may observe That when the Lord commanded His People in the old Testament to honor Him , He commands them to sacrifice such things to Him , which other Nations did make their Gods : they should sacrifice sheep , and oxen , and birds ; such things they should offer up unto God , that others did worship as God : Plainly teaching this , That he that will honor God , must give that unto God which the world makes it's God . So say I , if you would honor Christ , you mst give that up unto Jesus Christ , which other men do make their Christ . Many false Christs there are that are made by men : you cannot honor Jesus Christ , if you don't give up those to Him .

Again . You cannot honor Jess Christ , If you count it a small matter to belong to him . A servant that honours his master , does count it a great matter to belong to Him . And therefore David , he does title some of his Psalms so : A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord : He does not say , A Psalm of David the King of Israel ; but , A Psalm of David the Servant of the Lord : Counting it more honor to be the Lords Servant , then to be King of Israel ; he counted it a great matter to be the Lords Servant , because he honored the Lord . Those that honor Christ , they look upon the things of Christ as great matters : the words of Christ , as great works : and the Ordinances of Christ as great matters ; and a great matter to belong to Christ : and if they lose any thing , or lose any friend ; they will relieve themselves here ; Oh! but yet I belong to Jesus Christ , yet I belong to Jesus Christ .

Thirdly . Ye cannot honor Jesus Christ , and give the worst to Him . Abel honored God , and he offered the best ; and because he offtered the best , therefore he honored God . If I be a father , Mal. 1.6 & 8. Pro. 3.9 . where is mine honor ? ( saies the Lord. ) Why bring ye the leane , and the maimed , and the feeble ? Honor the Lord with thy substance , and with the first fruits of all thine increase , ( saies Solomon . ) Observe therefore , what is your best , and what is your substance , and what are your first fruits ? and give them up to Christ . Young men , young men & women ; the best of your yeers ; the best of your strength , the best of your time is to be given to Christ : ye cannot honor Jesus Christ , and give Him the worst : Oh! that the old people would be much humbled ; and the young people would be much incouraged : you cannot honor Jesus Christ , and give the worst to Him .

Fourthly . Ye cannot honor Jesus Christ , And despise the choice work of Christ . What is the choice work of Christ ? Grace , Grace is the choice work of Christ , that comes out of His hand ; and the worst name that you can give it is ; to call it Hypocrisy . Some there are , that looking upon the lives of godly men , they say : I but he is all Hypocrisy , and they are Hypocritical . Yea , and some poor souls there are , that when they look upon their own souls , they conclude and say ; I but , 't is all Hypocrisy ; I prayed at such a time , but it was all in Hypocrisy : I but what if it be the Grace of Christ ? what if it prove so ? Surely , surely ye cannot honor Jesus Christ , and despise the choicest works that come out of His hands .

Again . A man is siad then for to honor Christ , When He does trust unto Him , & rest upon Him for help at a dead lift ( as we speak commonly ) and the more a man does relie upon Jesus Christ in straights , and in the time of Temptation , the more he does honor Jesus Christ . Abraham gave glory to God , he beleeved above hope , and under hope ; and because he beleeved above hope , and under hope , therefore he gave glory to God , when he considered his own body . Man or woman , wouldst thou therefore now honor Jesus Christ ? Say , True , I confess indeed I Have finned much ; and when I look , upon my self , I know no reason why such a wretch , so great a finner as I should be saved : but because the way to honor Christ , is for to rest upon Him ; and I have dishonored Jesus Christ enough already , therefore now , through the Grace of God , I will cast the waight of my poor , guilty soul upon Jesus Christ ; yea , for that very reason will I leave the waight of my guilty soul upon Him , because thereby I may honor Him .

Agtain . The way to honor Iesus Christ , is , So to walk , and so to live ; as the men of the world may speak well of the waies of Christ by your Conversation . Mat. 5.16 . Let your light so shine before men , that they may glorifie God &c. The men of the world , will then speak well of the waies of Christ , when a Christian , that hath the Name of Christ in a special manner put upon him , when he does that through the strength of Christ , which the men of the world cannot do : pray for those that persecute you ; do good to those that do ill to you : when a man is Abundant in the Work of the Lord , Constant therein , and Humble . For Abundant , you know what our Savior saies : In this is my Father glorified , Joh. 15.8 . that ye bring forth much fruit . One Sun in the firmament , honors God the Creator more , then a hundred little stars . One strong Christian , that does much for God , honors Him more then Twenty , then a hundred weak ones .

I but though a man have Abundance of Grace , and be Abundant in the work of the Lord ; yet notwithstanding , if he be not Constant therein , he does not cause the way of Christ to be well spoken of : what will men say ? I , he is wound up to a great height for the present , but stay a little , and you will find Him down by and by .

Yea , though a man be Abundant ; and Constant : yet if he be not Humble , he does not honor the way of Christ : when a man is Abundant in good , Constant therein , and walks Humbly ; what saies the world then ? I , there 's the man , if al Professors were such ; I , there 's an Humble man , there 's a self-denying man ; I , if you were all such , if you were all such , then I should like the waies of God the better . Take heed therefore , unto your lives , that you so walk , as that the waies of Iesus Christ may be well spoken of by you .

In the Seventh place . Would you honor Jesus Christas you should ? Then own Him : own Him in evil times , and stand for Him in the times of general decliningt . Honor est Testimonium de alicujus Excellentia : Honor is the Testimony of a mans Excellency : when I testifie of an Excellency in aman , then I honor him ; and the more I testifie of an Excellency in a man , the more I honor him . Now the less the Truth of Christ is ; and the more despised the Ordinance of Christ is , and the more I suffer for it ; the more do I testifie of an Excellency in Jesus Christ : What! suffer the loss of all for that which the world counts little worth ! ô ! if there be such an excellency in a Truth , a smal Truth , a despised Ordinance ; What an Excellency is there in Christ Himself ! Observe therefore , what those despised Ordinances are , and labor to bear them up , those Truths that the world counts smal Truths , be willing to lose much for them ; stand for them in times of general declining ; own Iesus Christ in evil times ; otherwaies you cannot honor Him .

I have done . Only thus : Be willing to stoop unto any work , ( though it lies much below your condition ) for Jesus Christ ; and say , that you are not sufficient unto such a work : when you have done the work , set the Crown upon the head of the means , that is most properly Christs . Some means are Natural , and some Institutional : Some means that are neer unto Christ : Some means that ye use in a work , that are more properly Christs : Chuse to set the Crown upon the head of the means that is neerest to Iesus Christ . Thus doing , ye shall honor Iesus Christ . And Oh! my Beloved , Why should not we all now set our selves for to honor Him ? not in word , but in deed to honor Iesus Christ ? He hath done all for our profit , why should we not do all for His honor ? God the Father honors Iesus Christ , why should not we honor Iesus Christ ? you that have had the experience of this Truth , as I make no question but there are many here , that have had the experience of it ; that whatsoever Grace the Saints have , they have it from Iesus Christ : you ( I say ) that have had the experience of this Truth ; Oh! labor now to advance , to lift up the Name of Iesus Christ : Oh! that our whole life , might be nothing else , but a Christ-advancing life ! you that have the experience of it , labor , not in word , but in deed to lift up the Name of Iesus Christ .

SERMON VI. JOHN , 1. 16. Preached at Margrets newfishstreet . Dec. 22. 1645.

And of His Fulness have all we received , even Grace for Grace .

THREE Things ( ye heard ) are to be noted in this last Clause , as it stands in relation to the former part of the verse :

First . It notes An Abundance of Grace .

Secondly . It notes thus much : That whatsoever Grace the Saints have , they have it from Jesus Christ . And of these Two I have I have spoken already .

The Third now follos . It notes also , An Answerableness of Grace in every Christian unto the Grace of Christ . of whose Fulness we have all received , Even Grace for Grace ; Grace Answerable to His Grace . We have not only received Abundance of Grace from Christ : but whatsoever Grace , or Holiness there is in Jesus Christ , there is somewhat in the Saints that is Answerable thereunto .

And this now sutes with your ordinary expression : When the Seal fals upon the wax , and the wax receives it rightly ; ye say , there is upon the wax , Stamp for Stamp , Character for Character , Image for Image : So here , Grace for Grace , that is , whatsoever Grace there is in Christ , there is the like stamp upon the heart of every Christian .

This also sutes with that expression of Scripture : Mat. 5.38 An eye for an eye ; and a tooth for a tooth : That is , an eye answerable unto an eye ; a tooth answerable to a tooth : So Grace for Grace , that is answerable Grace : whatsoever Grace , or holiness there is in Christ ; Something in a Christian that Answers thereunto .

Take Grace for Favour , Mat. 3.17 2 Sam. 12.25 . for the Favour of God : And is Jesus Christ called the Beloved of God ? This is my Beloved Son : So are the Saints too ; Solomon called Jedidiah , The beloved of God .

Take Grace for Priviledge . Is Jesus Christ called the Son of God ? This is my beloved Son : So are the Saints too : Every Son whom he loves &c. Heb. 12.6 Is He called an Heir , a a Heb. 1.2 The Heir of all things ? The Saints are said to be b b Rom. 8.17 . Heirs and Coheirs with Jesus Christ . Is He called c c 1 Pet. 2.6 . Elect and Precious ? So are they too ; d d 1 Pet. 1.2 . Elect and precious . Is He called Gods e e Zach. 13.7 . Fellow ? ( as ye have it in Zachary ) The Saints they are called His Fellows : f f Heb. 1.9 Who is anointed with the oyl of gladness above his fellows ; That is , above the Saints . Is He called the Light ? g g Joh. 8.12 . The Light of the world ? The true Light ? They are called Light too : h h Eph. 5.8 . Ye were darkness , but now are ye Light in the Lord .

Take Grace for Assistance . And had Jesus Christ felt an Assistance from God the Father ? As ye reade at large in the 22. Psalm : so have the Saints too ; i i 1 Cor. 12.9 . Joh. 17.9 Ibid. Joh. 1.14 Act 7.55 My Grace is sufficient for thee .

Take Grace for Holiness , or Sanctification . And is He said to be Sanctified ? For this cause have I sanctified my self : So are the Saints also said to be sanctified : That they also may be sanctified . Is He said to be Full of Grace ? Full of Grace and Truth : So are the Saints too : ( Some of them ) Steven , full of Grace : and Mary full of Grace . Oh! what a glorious mercy is here before us now ? Whatsoever Grace , and holiness there is in Christ ; somewhat in the Saints that is Answerable thereunto . Let us awaken , and stir up our selves for to look into it .

Ye reade of a fellowship that the Saints have with Christ ; in that 1 Epistle of John the 1. Chapter and the 3. verse . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Communio , 1 Cor. 1.2 Societas Gal. 2.9 . That which we have heard and seen , declare we unto you , that ye also may have fellowship with us ; and truly our fellowship is with the Father , and with His Son Jesus Christ . He does exhort them to fellowship with them , with the Saints , upon this ground and motive , because their fellowship was with the Father , and with the Son : He does assert this fellowship with the Father , and with the Son ; with the most ingenious asseveration ; And truly our fellowship , may be you will think this no great matter , truly our fellowship is with the Father , and with His Son Jesus Christ . And so in that known place in the 1 Corinths : 10.16 . The cup of blessing which we bless , is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ ? ( As you reade it ) 't is the same word fellowship : And in the 1 Cor. 1.9 . ver. 't is said , God is faithful , by whom ye are called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord : The same word there too , The word that is used in the Acts of the Apostles , where 't is said , Act 2.44 That the Disciples had all things common . Look therefore , as it is in a Society , where they have all things Common . such is the fellowship that is between Christ , and the Saints : They have not any Sin , but it is imputed to Jesus Christ , though it be great or small : and He hath not any Grace , but it is communicated to all the Saints ; hath not any Grace , but they have some Grace or other that is Answerable thereunto : This is a great matter .

Would you know the reason now ? Grace for Grace , Grace Answerable to His Grace .

First of all . There is a glorious , Rea. 1 and blessed union between Christ and every Christian : a union beyond all expression . It is compar'd indeed , unto the union that is between the Head , and the Members : the Root , and the Branches : the Husband , and the Wife : but though they come up unto what Christ intended , yet they all fall short of this Vnion that is between Christ and a Christian : for the Head is not in the Members , nor the Members in the Head , mutually , but Christ in them , and they in Christ : I in you , Joh. 14.20 . and you in me ; saith He : It is a union of mutual in-being , not a union of affection only , such as the stones have , when they lye together in a great heap : but rather , such as is between the wine and the water when they are put together , saving that they are not mixt together : Christ is not mixt with a Christian , a Christian is not mixt with Christ ; Christ is not a Christian , a Christian is not Christ : but there is a union of mutual in-being . Now you know , when the fire gets into the Iron is united to it , is in it ; the properties of the fire are composed to the Iron ; the Iron forgets his own blackness , & shines with the shining of the fire , & burns with the burning of the fire . And as a coal , a char-coal , though it be never so dark , and black a body , when the fire comes , gets into it ; the properties of the fire are communicated to it , and it burns like the fire it self , and melts like the fire it self , and shines like the fire it self . So , when the Lord Jesus Christ is united to a soul , look what Excellencies there are in Christ , what Graces in Christ , the same are Communicated to it : the soul shines with Christs shining , and warms with His warming ; there is Grace Answerable for His Grace . You know , there was a blessed union between the second Person , and our Nature , our flesh , the second Person takes our Nature upon him , and being united to our flesh , by vertue of the hypostatical union , the idioms , and properties of the one , are given to the other , God hath no flesh , God hath no blood ; and yet we reade in the Acts of the Apostles , of the blood of God , because of the union : the properties of the flesh , and of mans nature are given to God . Eph. 4.10 . So saies the Apostle : He that descended is the same also that ascended . God does not descend , for He is every where ; but by reason of the union , what is proper to the flesh is given to God . And so now , in this mistical Vnion , there being such a glorious , and blessed union , between Christ and a Christian ; whatsoever Grace , or Excellency , or property is in Christ Himself , there is an Answerableness of Grace , an excellency wrought in the heart of every Christian ; he hath Grace for Grace , he hath stamp for stamp .

And again , Secondly . Rea. 2 The Lord Jesus Christ is our second Adam , a Common person between God and us . Now look as it was concerning our fore-father Adam , being a Common person ; look what nature he had , we have : He was made up of soul and body ; and so are we , His body had legs , and arms , and other members ; and we have member for member ; we have head for head , and arms for arms , and legs for legs : And so , he sinning , we have sin for his sin , pride for his pride , and unbelief for his unbelief ; because he was a Common person . So I say , Jesus Christ , being our Second Adam ; look what Grace he had , the Saints have ; they have Grace for His Grace , they have Holiness for His Holiness . The Apostle saies , in the 5. of the Romans : That as by one mans offence , death came : So through the gift of Grace , Grace hath abounded . But not as the offence : ( saies he at the 15. verse ) So also is the Free-gift : For if through the offence of one man , many be dead ; much more the Grace of God , and the gift by Grace , which is by one man Jesus Christ , hath abounded unto many . Now , if we should not have Grace for Grace from Christ , as we had sin for sin from the first Adam ; how should Grace superabound ? Our Lord and Savior Christ saies himself , I have life in my Self , The Son hath life in Himself : Joh. 5.26 . which laid to that expression which you have in the 1. of Genesis , speaks to our purpose ; the 11. and 12. verses , God said , Let the Earth bring forth grass , the herb yeelding seed , and the fruit-tree yeelding fruit after his kind , whose seed is in it self : And so again , at the 12. verse , Whose seed was in it self . That is , these Creatures had a power in themselves to bring forth their like . And so saies Jesus Christ , as other Creatures had seed in themselves to bring forth their like : So have I life in my Self , and am able to bring forth my like ; and so He does : for He is our Second Adam ; and therefore , as we had sin for sin from the First Adam ; we must have Grace for Grace from the Second Adam also .

Thirdly . There is an incomparable , and glorious , Rea. 3 blessed love between Christ and a Christian . Love , loves to make a thing loved to be like it self . Love in an Inferiour is of an Imitating Nature : and love in a Superiour is of a Similitating Nature . Now therefore , if there be love between Christ and a Christian , they must needs be very like ; and love there is : Christ loves the Saints above all the world ; and the Saints love Christ above all the world . Only Christs love exceeds : for when the Spouse speaks of Christ in the Canticles , she cals Him , My beloved , in the Concrete : but when He speaks of her , He cals her my love my dove , in the Abstract . Jesus Christ had loving thoughts towards the Saints before the world was : as ye reade in the 8. of the Proverbs , and the 29. verse . Saies wisdom , ( and so Christ ) there : When He gave to the Sea His Decree , that the waters should not pass His Commandement : when He appointed the foundations of the earth : Then I was by Him , as one brought up with Him : I was daily His delight ( verse the 31. ) Rejoycing in the habitable part of His earth : and my delights were with the sons of men . Jesus Christ was then in the bosom of His Father , He had enough to take up His heart with full delight ; and yet notwithstanding , before the Saints were , His love was towards them , and His delight was in them : Surely , if He loved them so much before they had a being , when they have a being , He will exercise , and put forth that old , and ancient love of His in more abundance , towards them . When a man loves a Maid , or a Virgin : while she is in her fathers house , she is set a part for him : but now afterward , when she leaves her fathers house , and all her kindred , that she may only cleave unto him ; then his heart is drawn out more : How am I ingaged ( saies he ) to love this woman , that hath left all the world to come unto me . So there was love in Christ towards the Saints while they were but set a part for Him in Gods Decree : but now when they shall leave their fathers house for Him , will He not then delight in them ? See what is said in the 45. Psalm : Hearken , O daughter , ( at the 10. verse ) and consider , and incline thine ear : forget also thine own people , and thy fathers house : So shall the King greatly desire , ( or delight ) in thy beauty . But delight in them , and love them he cannot ; unless they be like unto him : for the lover loves to make a thing loved to be like himself , or himself to be like to it : The lover would ( if he could ) melt himself into a One-ness with the thing loved . Indeed our love is scant , and we cannot do it . Moses , ( of whom the Law is signified ) might chip , and pare his wives nailes , but he could not change her countenance . A man may love his wife , and bestow much upon her ; but he is not able to change her countenance , to make her to be like himself : But Jesus Christ hath this happiness above all the world ; His love hath this happiness above all other love , that He is able to melt the person loved , the soul loved into His own likeness : and therefore , wherever Jesus Christ sets His heart upon any soul , to delight in any ; He draws His Image upon them , makes the soul to be like unto Him : what Grace He hath Himself , He does communicate it unto that soul , that there is an Answerableness of Grace , Even Grace for Grace .

Again , There is the same Spirit in a Christian , Rea. 4. Joh. 15 26. that is in Christ . I will send ( saies He ) the Comforter , the Spirit of truth , and He shall come unto you . The Spirit does not only come to them ; but is said to dwel in them , and to be shed abroad upon their hearts . Now if a Beast had the spirit , and the soul of a man ; he would work like a man , he would speak like a man : and if a Plant , if a Tree , if an Herb had the life of a Beast ; it would tast like a Beast : And if a Stone , if that had the life of a Plant , it would grow like a Plant. So now , if a Christian have the Spirit of Christ , he must work like Christ , he must needs be like Christ : Now the same Spirit He hath , a Christian hath the same Spirit with Christ , and therefore needs must be like unto Him , and have Grace for His Grace . Somewhat in a Christian , Answerable to every Grace of Christ .

You will say unto me : How can this be ? Object . indeed it holds forth abundance of comfort unto the Saints , and an incouragement to all , to be so : But how can this be ? There are some Incommunicable Properties , Personal Excellencies of Christ ; Are all men Saviors ? Are all men Mediators ? Are all men Christs ?

No , Answ. We must therefore so understand it , in things that man is capable of : We have member for member with Adam , every man , head for his head , and legs for his legs ; but every man is not the first Adam , that every man is not capable of . So Jesus Christ , He is made like to us , but He is not a sinner , that He was not capable of : And so we have grace for grace , Answerable Grace ; 't is to be understood in things that we are capable of : We are not Saviors , we are not Mediators , we are not Christs . In some of those things that we are not capable of : yet there is somewhat in a Christian , that in some other kind is Answerable thereunto : As now for example , When our Lord and Savior Christ was Baptized , the Heavens opened , and the holy-Ghost fell down upon Him in the shape of a Dove : The holy-Ghost does not so fall down upon men now , but yet 't is shed abroad in the hearts of all that are godly . He is the great King , and the Priest , and the Prophet of his Church : All the Saints are Kings , and Priests , and Prophets ; but not to that heighth as He was . To open this a little , that I may cleere the point .

Is our Lord and Savior Christ a Prophet ? and as a Prophet does He teach His people ? the Saints ; in that of the Revelation , Rev. 11 3. The Two Witnesses are said to Prophesie in sackcloth . They are said to Prophesie too .

Is our Lord and Savior Christ a King ? and as a King , does He Over-come , and subdue Satan ? and our lusts ? and the world ? 1 Joh. 5.4 . So do the Saints too . This is your Victory wherby ye Over-come the world , even your Faith . As a King , Does he , Over-come , and sit down in His Throne ? So do they too : In the 3. of the Revelations , and the 21. verse : To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my Throne ; even as I also overcame , and am set down with My Father in His Throne . ( Mark I pray ; ) Christ hath a Throne on Earth : ( Saies He ) As Lovercame , and am set down with my Father in His Throne in Heaven : So those that overcome shall sit down ; That is , Matt. 8.11 . have Communion . Many shall come from the East , and from the West ; and shall sit down with Abraham , and Isaac : That is , have Communion with them . So here , To him that overcomes , wil I grant to sit down with me in my Throne : They shal have Communion with Jesus Christ in his Throne . As a King , does the Lord Jesus Christ Rule the Nations , Psa. 2.9 . and break them in pieces with a rod of iron ? So shall the Saints do in their generation , and in their way . Look I pray into the 2d of the Revelation , the 26. verse : And he that overcometh , and keepeth my works unto the end ; To him will I give power over the Nations . And he shall rule them with a rod of iron : ( Mark ) And he shall rule them with a rod of iron : As the vessel of a potter shall they be broken to shivers , even as I received of my Father . He does not say , Even as I received this Doctrine of my Father , but as I ( which you reade of in the second Psalm ) received this Power from my Father : they shall communicate with me in this Power : Even as I received of my Father , So shall they receive it ; they shall have Communion with Him in this .

Is Jesus Christ a Priest ? and as a Priest , Does He Sacrifice ? So do the Saints too . The Apostle Exhorts the Romans , That they offer up themselves a reasonable sacrifice . As a Priest , Rom. 12.1 does He make Intercession ? So 't is said concerning the Saints , in the 8. of the Romans : The Spirit of God that is upon them , makes Intercession with groans that cannot be exprest . As a Priest , does Jesus Christ , as our great high-Priest , Enter into the Holy of Holiest ? that you will say belonged unto the Priest alone , and none might enter into the Holiest , and the Holy of Holiest but the Priest . So do the Saints too : See I pray , what Communion , and fellowship the Saints have with Jesus Christ : Saies he , in the 10. of the Heb. and the 19. ver. Having therefore , Brethren , boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus ; by a new and living way &c. Is our high Priest entered into the Holy of Hollest as a high Priest ? You shall have Communion in His Priestly Office too : and as He entered into the Holy of Holiest : so shall you too . Thus you see , there is an Answerableness in the Saints , with what is in Christ . And indeed , herein does our Spiritual Regeneration , go beyond our Generation : For , though a child be like unto the father in this , that he is a man like the father , and he hath a head like the father , and arms , and legs like the father : yet his feature may not be like the fathers , lineaments not alike : But now , in our Spiritual Regeneration , there is such a likeness ; as whatsoever Grace , or Holiness is in Jesus Christ , there is somewhat in all the Saints that is Answerable thereunto .

By way of Application then : Applic. 1 If this be so ; That the Saints do receive from Christs Fulness , Grace for Grace ; Grace Answerable to the Grace of Christ : That whatsoever Grace , or holiness there is in Christ , there is somewhat in all the Saints that is Answerable thereunto . Then what abundance of men and women are there , even living under the Gospel , that have no present share of saving interest in Jesus Christ . Me thinks I hear this Doctrine crying aloud , and saying , stand by profane men , stand by : You that are meerly Civil , and moral people , stand by : And all Hypocrites , stand by : as having no share and interest in Jesus Christ .

As for Profane men : they will be Drunk , and Swear , and commit Adultery and Lye , and break the Sabbath : But would Jesus Christ do so ? They count it the life of their life , and the soul of their soul , to be at a merry meeting , a jovial meeting : but would Jesus Christ do so ? When Jesus Christ was upon the earth , He went up and down doing good , and scattering good , communicating good ; and they go up and down scattering their sins : and is this Grace for Grace ? is this Answerable ? I appeal to you .

As for those that are meerly Civil , Moral : Though they will not swear great , and gross Oathes ; yet swear by their faith , and by their Troth : but would Jesus Christ do so ? They carry a secret spleen , and envy at the power of godliness , and those that have it : but would Jesus Christ do so ? They frame up their Religion , and their Worship according to the Times ; if Authority comand it , they will they will do it whatever it be : but would Iesus Christ do so ? When Iesus Christ was upon the earth , He was Zealous , The Zeal of thine house hath eaten me up : Ioh. 2.17 but they are formal , and they are Luke-warm : Oh! is this Grace for Grace ? is this your Answer ableness ? and are these in Iesus Christ ? As for those that are Hypocrites : They have alwaies some secret sin or other , some back-door or other that they may go out at : but had lesus Christ so ? They lie contemplating , and chewing of the Devils Cud ; and are indulgent to their base thoughts , their sinful thoughts ; but was Iesus Christ so ? They savour gifts , and expressions more then Graces : but did jesus Christ do so ? They , though they seem to be mortified , and dead unto the grosser part of the world , meat , drink , and clothes : yet they are no way mortified , and dead unto the finer part of the world , their Names , and their Credits : Was it thus with Jesus Christ ? Indeed an Hypocrite , through the strength of Education , living under the Gospel , may set himself to imitate Christ : but there is an Artificial imitation ; and a Natural resemblance . A father may have two sons ; The one that is unlike him , but imitates him : the other that does naturally resemble the father , and imitate him too : Such are the Saints , being made partakers of the Divine Nature ; they naturally care for the things of Christ : hypocrites do not so . Behold ! here 's the Character of a Christian indeed , he hath Grace for Grace , whatever Grace there is in Christ , he hath somewhat Answerable thereunto . Oh! how few men and women are there in the world , that have a saving share and interest in Jesus Christ !

Secondly . If this Doctrine be true : What a happy , Appli . 2. and blessed thing is it for a man to be in Christ ! Behold ! the Dignity of the Saints ! Beloved ! here 's glory on this side glory ; 't is the glory , and the honor of a man to be like to God : 't is the glory , and honor of a Disciple to be like his Master : 't is the glory , and honor of a Child to be like his father : 't is the glory , and honor of a Christian to be like unto Jesus Christ : Every Christian , hath the Image of Christ drawn upon him . Had our Lord Iesus , the Great , & Mighty Potentate , only come by a poor soul , and cast His Skirt over him , and said unto the soul , wear thou my Livery : it had bin a great honor to belong to Christ , to wear His Livery : But behold ! here 's more than so , the Saints do not only wear His Livery , but they have His Grace : and their Grace is of the same nature with the very Grace of Christ ; as our Grace should a bin of the same nature with Adams , if Adam had stood . Yea , not only their Grace is of the same nature ; but look what Grace Christ had , they have Answerable to it . Had this great and royal Loadstone , that draws all mens hearts after him ; only touch't our hearts that we might have followed him ; what a Mercy had it bin ! But behold ! here is more than so : the Saints they have Grace for Grace ; whatsoever Grace , or holiness there is in Christ , somewhat in a Christian Answerable thereunto . Oh! Dignity ! Oh! Dignity ! how can a Christian but be welcome to God the Father , that does not come only in the Name of Christ to Him ; but brings the Image of Christ too with him , Grace for Grace . Oh! who would not be Incouraged to get into Jesus Christ ? Oh! you that are in Christ , do you know what priviledges you walk under every day ? You , sometimes , are ready to envy at the men of the world : but I pray , Would you now change your condition with them ? Such a one , he hath passion for passion ; and pride for pride ; and sin for sin with the world : and you have , Grace for Grace with Jesus Christ . Here 's Dignity ! here 's Priviledge indeed !

But you will say ; Quest. All Dignity cals for Duty : Suppose it be so ; That whatsoever Grace , and holiness there is in Christ , there is somewhat Answerable in my soul : Oh! what is my Duty now that does flow from hence ?

Surely , Ans. you cannot be proud of it , for then you shal not be like to Christ ; Who though He thought it no robbery to be equal with God the Father ; He humbled Himself , & became of no reputation . Beloved , you know that all Talents lents are to be improved ; and the greater the Talent , the more improvement is to be made ; and improvement is to be made of the same kind . 'T is our wisedom to observe what work God is a doing upon our souls , and to help forward that work . If God be working Faith in our hearts , it is our duty to help forward the work of Beleeving . If God be working Patience in our hearts , 't is our duty to help forward the work of Patience . Look now , what work that is , that God is doing in our hearts , and lives for us ; that work we are bound to help forward : Now hath ( therfore ) God drawn the Image of Jesus Christ upon your hearts , so that there is an habitual likeness in your souls unto Jesus Christ ? Then it is your duty to labor for an actual likeness ; to be like unto Him in all your working ; to live as He lived ; and to do as He did ; and to speak as He spake : labor more and more to be like unto Him in your lives .

And if you say , How should that be ? The Apostle tells you : Whom beholding , as in a glass , 2 Cor. 3.18 . we are changed from glory to glory , according to His own Image : The serious , frequent beholding of Jesus Christ , is the only way to be like unto Him Beloved ! your lives , they are divided into two parts : There is a Doing part : and a Suffering part : As Christs Obedience was divided into Active , and Passive Obedience . Would you in the Doing part of your life be like unto Christ ? Behold Him in His Doing : Omnis Christi Actio , est instructio . Every Action of Christ may be our instruction : Nothing in Christ not imitable ; some things more especially . For Example : Our Lord and Savior Christ , He made it His great business and design , To bear witness to the Truth : For this Cause came I into the world , Joh 18.37 . That I might bear witness unto the Truth .

Again , He would stoop to any work , though it lay much below Him : wasn His Disciples feet : lay His Excellencies , at the feet of their Infirmities .

Again , When He went upon any work , He was much in Prayer first . Judas knew His Praying place .

And when He was at Gods work , He would not know His own Natural Relations : And therefore saies He to His Mother , Moman , My time is not yet come : He does not say , Mother , Joh. 2.4 . My time is not yet come : but Woman . in Gods Work , He would not know His owne Naturall Relations .

If He had to deal with man : He had a high esteem of the Saints though they were never so low : And He had a low esteem of the wicked , though they were never so rich .

He did ( again ) so exercise one Grace , as He might exercise another . He would so rejoyce in God , as He might grieve for sin ; not His own , but ours : and He did so grieve for sin , as he might rejoyce in God . He was very Zealous , yet he was Wise too : He was wise , and yet he was Zealous too .

He was a Lamb , and a Lyon : a Lamb in his own Cause ; and a Lyon in Gods Cause . Oh! that in these thigns you would labor to be like unto Him . It would be infinit : indeed it would be beyone me , if I should single out all his Graces that were eminent in Him . He was a Heaven of Grace , full of shining stars . Behold Him in His Doings : The only way for you to be like to Him in your Doing , is to behold Him in His Doing .

And so for His Sufferings . Ye shall observe , He would not suffer till He was called unto it . Therefore He stood so precisely upon His Time : Joh. 7.8 . My Time is not yet come .

And when He was called unto it , He would not be put out of His way . If they cast water upon Him , it made Him flame the more ; Mat. 16.23 Isa. 53.7 Get thee behind me Satan . In all His sufferings , He had an especial eye to other mens good : then He went very quietly ; and meekly : As a Lamb dumb before the shearers , so He opened not His mouth . And He was more sensible ( which I pray mark ) of Gods withdrawing from Him in His sufferings , than of all the pains , disgrace , and misery that He did undergo . And therefore , when He was upon the Cross ; saies He , My God , My God , why hast thou forsaken me ? Mat. 27.6.4 The Sun did forsake Him too ; the Sun did withdraw his light ; and yet He does not say , Oh! Sun , why doest thou thus forsake me ? The Disciples al forsook Him : and yet He does not cry out , Thomas , Why doest thou now forsake me ? Peter , why doest thou now forsake me ? He cries not out of them His body was nail'd to the Cross : and he does not cry out and say , Oh! my hands ; Oh! my body ; Oh! the pain that I indure : but here he cries out of this : Oh! My God , My God , why hast thou forsaken me ? He was more sensible of Gods withdrawing from Him , tnan of all the other miseries that He did indure . Oh! my beloved , that you would labor now , for to be like unto Jesus Christ ; in your Doing : in your Suffering for to be like to Him . The sight of a gracious Christ , will make us gracious , if any thing will do it . Labor now , to be like unto Him , more and more . This is your duty that does flow from hence . You that are Saints , you that are Christ's , you that have received Grace for Grace ; Christ expects , work for work , and doing for doing ; that you should shine as He shin'd ; and that you should live as He lived ; that you should so walk , and be in the world , that those that do live with you may say ; Here 's a man , or woman that is like to Christ , that hath received Grace for Grace : now we see this Doctrine true ; I cannot think of any Grace of Christ , but I see it shining forth in this man and woman . This is your Duty .

Thirdly ( by way of Application ) If this be true : Appli . 3. That the Saints , and People of God , do receive of Christs Fulness , Even Grace for Grace : How infinitly are we bound unto God the Father , for our Lord Jesus Christ ! glorious is the fellowship , and communion that the Saints have with Christ , ( as ye heard ) they have not only fellowship with Him in His sufferings , to have suffering for suffering : but they have fellowship with Him in His Graces , Grace for Grace : and this fellowship hath God the Father brought you into . Mark therefore , that place again which you have in the 1 Cor. 1.9 God is faithful , by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord . By whom ye were called unto this fellowship . Therefore still the Apostle , he blesses God , the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ : Blessed be God , and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . Not barely , Blessed be God , but , Blessed be God , the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ .

Beloved ! Ye know there are Two great Gifts , that the Scripture makes mention of . First God makes the world , and Man : and having made man , He gives all the world to man : there 's one Gift , and a great Gift . Man having fallen , and lost his former Happiness ; Christ comes into the world , the second Person becomes man ; and this man he gives unto the world .

First He gave the world to man : And Secondly , He gives Christ , this man , unto the world : and His second Gift is the greater Gift : it 's a greater Gift when Jesus Christ was given unto the world , than that the whol world was given to man . For now , take the world ; and though it hath many glorious pieces of Gods workmanship ; His Power , and Wisedom : yet God may give all the world to man , and not give him Himself : but when He gives Jesus Christ to man , He gives Himself with Him . Though there be many several pieces , beautiful pieces of Gods workmanship in the world ; yet they carry with them but the Footsteps of God : Oh! but Jesus Christ He is the express Image of the Father ; and when He gives this express Image unto a soul ; as Christ is the express Image of the Father , so the soul becomes the express Image of Jesus Christ . Ye know what the Apostle saies , concerning our Savior Christ : Col. 2.9 . ( mark ) In whom the fulness of the God-head dwels bodily : That is , look what Attributes , and Excellencies are in God , the same are in Jesus Christ as Mediator : Whatsoever Attribute is in God , as God ; the sameshines forth in Jesus Christ as Mediator . The Fulness of the God-head dwels in Christ bodily : and the Fulness of Christ dwels in every Saint Spiritually . Jesus Christ , He hath Perfection for Perfection ; He hath Attribute for Attribute ; He hath Excellency for Excellency with God the Father . And every gracious godly soul , he hath Grace for Grace from Jesus Christ : Of his Fulness have we received , Grace for Grace : As the Fulness of God the Father dwels in Him bodily , so the Fulness of Christ dwels in every Christian Spiritually .

And this fellwoship hath God the Father called you unto : By whom we have fellowship : 1 Cor. 1.9 this hath God the Father called you unto . Oh! how infinitly are you bound unto God the Father , to honor , and bless the Father ! When ye look upon the Son , me thinks you should bless the Father : and when ye look upon the Pather , you should love the Son . As a mother does ; when she looks upon her Child , she loves the father ; and when she looks upon the fatehr , she loves the Child again : So a Christian , when he looks upon Jesus Christ , he should bless the Father ; and when he looks upon the Father , he should bless Jesus Christ , and love Jesus Christ : Dear Father , thou hast not only given us thy Son , but given us thy Son in such a way , that we should have Grace for Grace , Answerable to His Grace : is this after the manner of men ? Oh! therefore , why should we not all say , Blessed be God , and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . Oh! you , you that love Jesus Christ , bless the Father : and you that bless the Father , love Jesus Christ : take your selves to be infinitly bound unto god the Father , who hath given you such a Christ as this , of whom you should have Grace for Grace .

I have done . Only I would leave one Exhortation whith the Saints , that have received of Christs fulness thus , Grace for Grace : It 's thus , mark it I pray .

Is this true , That of His Fulness ye have all received , Appli . 4. Grace for Grace , Answerableness of Grace ? that ye have fellowship with Jesus Christ in all His Graces ? Then be for ever contented to have fellowship with Jesus Christ in al his Sufferings . And truly , well may ye be contented , if you have fellowship with Christ in His Sufferings ; if you have Suffering , for Suffering , ye shall have Grace for Grace , and Glory for Glory ; if ye partake with Him in His Sufferings , ye shall partake with Him in His Graces , and partake with Him in His Glory . I say , well may ye be contented to have fellowship with Him in His Sufferings , for if you have suffering for suffering , you shall have Comfort for Comfort : if you have fellowship with Him in His sufferings : you shal have fellowship with Him in His Comforts too . ( Mark ye ) When Jesus Christ Suffered , Had He a Deity to support Him ? So shall you have . When Jesus Christ Suffered , Had He Angels to minister to Him ? So shal you have . When Jesus Christ suffered , Did He see the travaile of His Soul ? So shall you see it . When Jesus Christ was lift up , He drew al men after Him : So shal you do : when you are lift up for the Truth upon the cross ; you are apt to think , now wil the Truth suffer , now wil the Cause of God fall to the ground : But remember , if you have fellowship in His Graces ; if you have fellowship with Christ in His Sufferings ; you shal have fellowship with Christ in His Comforts : This was one of His Comforts ; when He was lift up upon the Cross , then He drew all men after Him : So , when you come to be lift up upon the Cross , then shall men be drawn after the Truths that you suffer for : and never shal men be more drawn after the Truths that you suffer for , then when you come to be lift up upon the Cross to suffer for them . Oh! who would not be willing to partake with the Lord Jesus Christ in His sufferings , to have fellowship with Him in his sufferings , to have suffering for suffering ? 'T is observed , that our Savior never met with any great dobasement , but at that time , in the midst of that debasement , there was some breakings forth of Golory . He was born in a Stable , He was laid in a Manger ; here was His first debasement : Here glory breaks forth ; the Wise men come and fal down before Him , and offer gifts ; frankincense , and mirrhe .

Again , He was Baptized : He needed not to have been Baptized ; He was clean enough in his Nature , He put our cloathes upon him , stood in our nature : Now , He hears a Voice from Heaven , Matt. 3.17 saying , This is My Beloved Son .

Again , You reade of Him riding upon an Ass : Not riding in a Coach drawn with Lyons , and drawn with Elephants Savior , riding upon an Ass , in a mean way , a debased way ; now breaks forth some glory , now they cry , Hosanna , Hosanna to him .

Again , upon the Cross , there he was most debased ; then breaks forth some glory : The Sun , that stands still , and vails his face , as one astonished at the worlds Savior : Now does the vail of the Temple rend in sunder , now Glory breaks forth in the midst of his debasement ; Thus it was with Christ . Have you suffering with him for sufferings ? Have you fellowship with Christ in his sufferings ? you shall have fellowship with Christ in his Comforts . Oh! therefore I beseech you be contented now to have suffering for suffering with Jesus Christ ; and whensoever any suffering comes , especially for the Truth , boggle not at it , be content , and say within your selves , Oh! blessed be the Lord , that hath called me out to this work ! I shall have this fellowship with Christ in his sufferings , I shall now have suffering for suffering , therefore I shall have Comfort for Comfort , I shall have Grace for Grace , I shall have Glory for Glory : Oh! who would not be encouraged ? I leave this Exhortation with you , comfort your selves in these words , and never startle at suffering , as herefore ; but make account of this , That if you have Grace for Grace , ye may meet with Suffering for Suffering ; but then you shall have Comfort for Comfort , and ye shall have Glory for Glory . Think on these things , and the Lord give us to practise them .

THE SPIRITUALL-ACTINGS OF FAITH Through NATURALL-IMPOSSIBILITIES .

Rom. 4. vers. 19. And being not weak in faith , he considered not his own body now dead , when he was about an hundred years old , neither yet the deadnesse of Sarahs wombe .

Rom. 4. vers. 19. And being not weak [ or weakned ] in Faith . &c.

IN this latter Part of the Chapter ye have the commendation of Abrahams faith ; Preached at Margarets New-fishstreet . Fev . 23. 1645. described from the Subject or Matter of that he beleeved , in the 18. and 19. verses . From the Manner of his beleeving , He staggered not , ( at the 20. verse ) at the promise of God through unbeliefe , but was strong in faith , &c. From the Cause of his faith , the sight of Gods Al-sufficiency and faithfulnesse , being fully perswaded , that what he had promised he was able also to performe . From the Effect of his Faith , He gave glory to God .

First of all for the Subject , or the Matter that he beleeved ; more plainly expressed in the 18. v. Who aginst hope beleeved in hope , that he should become the father of many Nations , according to that which was spoken , so shall thy seed be : Aggravated and inlarged in this 19. verse ; The Matter that he beleeved was inclosed with many difficulties , he beleeved that he should be the father of many Nations , and that in his seed all the Nations of the world should be blessed , herein he had an eye unto Jesus Christ ; but now his owne body was dead , being about an hundred years old , and Sarahs wombe dead , yet notwithstanding sayes the text , Being not weak in the faith , he considered not his own body now dead , nor yet the deadnesse of Sarahs wombe .

You will say , Obj. How can this be tht the Apostle here sayes , Abraham considered not his own body being now dead , when we read in the 17. Chapter of Genesis , and vers. 17. ( unto which Story this Chapter relates ) it is said , That Abraham fell upon his face , and laught in his heart , and said , Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred yeares old ? and shall Sarah that is ninety yeares old , beare ? Did not Abraham here , consider the deadnesse of his own body ? and the deadness of Sarahs wombe ? why does the Apostle say thus then ?

Some answer it thus , Answ. That the Apostle here speakes of the first giving out of the promise unto Abraham , which we read of in the 12. of Genesis ; but that cannot be , he was not then an hundred years old ; He considered not his own body now dead when he was about an hundred years old , and so t' is said , he was an hundred years old in the 17. Chapter , of Genesis and the 17. verse ; therefore it must relate unto that .

Others , they answer it thus , That Abraham hideed at the first did consider his owne body , and did doubt through unbeliefe : but afterwards Abraham recollected himself , and got over that unbeliefe ; but the Apostle he speakes the contrary in the 20. verse , He staggered not at the promise through unbeliefe .

Others , they answer it , by labouring to sind out some mysticall interpretation of those words , Shall a child be brone unto him that is an hundred years old ? and shall Sarah that is ninety years old beare ? as if Abraham ( say they ) had said thus , Lord , thou hast some secret meaning in these words , I pray thee speak it out unto me , and tell me plainly thy meaning ; and therefore , ( say they ) God answered to that purpose in the 19. verse , And God said , Sarah thy wife shall beare thee a son indeed . I meane according to my words , Sarah shall beare thee a Son indeed .

But we need not straine for any mysticall interpretation , or expression : when Abraham sayes , Shall a child be bron unto him that is an hundred years old ? ( In that seventeenth of Genesis and the seventeenth ) they are words not of Doubting , but words of Inquiring : Abraham desiring to be further satisfied , and rightly to understand the meaning of the promise , and rightly understanding the meaning of the promise , sayes the Apostle , He did not much mind , he did not throughly mind , he did not stand poring upon , or considering the deadnesse of his own body , or the deadnesse of Sarahs wombe .

There are three things ( especially ) considerable in these words .

Frist of all , That Abrahams body and Sarahs body are dead , after God gives out a promise of a great seed of his .

Secondly , That notwithstanding this , yet Abraham beleeved & is commended for it , He being not weak in the faith , considered not his own body being now dead .

And thirdly , That in all this he had an eye unto Jesus Christ , as I shall shew you afterward ; Accordingly I would take up three observations thus .

First , When God intends to fulfill his promise by giving any speciall blessing to the children of Abraham , he does first of all put the sentence of death upon the blessing , and upon all the means that do lead unto it .

Secondly , That then , and then especially it is the duty of all the children of Abraham to trust in God .

And thirdly , That no difficulty can stand before faith ; true , saving , justifying faith carries the soule through all difficulties , discouragements , and naturall impossibilities to Jesus Christ .

I begin with the first at this time .

When God intends to fulfill his promise by giving any speciall blessing to the children of Abraham , Doct. to beleevers , he does first put the sentence of deathupon it , and upon all the means that do lead unto it .

A promise of a great seed like the starres of heaven , and the sand upon the sea-shore , is given to Abraham ; but before it is fulfilled , Abrahams body is dead , and Sarahs wombe dead ; the sentence of death put upon the mercy , and the means that do lead unto it ; and herein Abraham is held forth for our example , it was written not for his sake alone , ( at the 23. verse ) but for us also , to whom it shall be imputed ( at the 24. verse ) And as thus it fell out with Abraham , so it falls out with all the children of Abraham , with all beleevers , when God intends to give any speciall or great mercy by fulfilling his promise , he does first of all write down the sentence of death upon the mercy , and upon the means that do tend unto it .

The Saints and People of God , lsa . 62 12. they are called the Redeemed of the Lord , not onely because they are redeemed from hell and from wrath , but because that they have their mercies and blessings in a way of Redemption ; there is a line of that great mercy of Redemption that runnes through all the mercies which they have ; they have Health redeemed our of the hand of Sicknesse , they have Liberty redeemed out of the hand of Straitnesse , they have peace redeemed out of the hand of Warre , they have Assurance redeemed out of the hand of Doubting and Vnbeliefe , they have Mercy redeemed out of the hand of Misery , they have Joyes and Comforts redeemed out of the hand of Griefe ; they are the redeemed of the Lord , whatsoever great Mercy or Blessing they have , they have it in a way of Redemption ; Thus it was with Abraham . And was it not thus with Joseph ? ( I shall not have time to speake of the Patriarchs all of them ) Joseph you know had a promise by way of vision , Gen. 37. That his sheafe should be higher then all the sheaves , and all the sheaves of his Brethren should bow down to his , the Sunne and the Moone should bow down before him ( his Father and mother ; ) this promise was afterward fulfilled when his Brethren went down into Egypt , and bowed before him there , and his Father went down into Egypt ; but first of all Joseph is sould into Egypt , the sentence of death put upon the Mercy ; the promise did bring forth , but it had a sore and a hard labour first .

And was it not thus with the People of Israel ? they had a promise of great increase like the sands upon the sea , and that they should be brought into the Land of Canaan ; first the sentnece of death is put upon both these , their Males are to be cutt off from Egypt , and before they come into Canaan , they must go into a howling wildernesse ; thus the sentence of death passes first upon the mercy before they do come to it .

And was it not thus with David ? David had a Kingdome promised him , that he should be the King of Israel , but first of all David must be thrust out of the Kingdome , he must into the wildernesse , he must be hunted up and down there like a partridge , David must be a Traitor first before he can be a King , and David must be a Rebell first in the eyes of the King before he can come to the Kigndome and to the Throne ; he had the mercy afterward , but first the sentence of death was put upon it .

So Job ; a great and a large and a comfortable Estate that God gave unto him , but first he is plundered and spoiled of all , a sentence of death passes upon all his comforts ; And is not this Gods dealing with his People still ? look I pray into the 11. of the Revelation , and ye shall see how the two witnesses are to fare ; After three days and an half , ( at the 11. v. ) the Spirit of life from God entred into them , and they stood upon their feet , and great fear fell upon them which saw them and they heard a great voice from Heaven ; saying unto them , Rev. 11. come up hither ; But I pray marke , they are kild first ; at the latter end of the 7. verse , He shall make warre against them , and shall overcome them , and kill them , and their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great City which spiritually is call'd Sodome and Egypt ; and they of the People , and Kingreds , and Tongues , and Nations , shall see their dead bodies three dayes and an half , and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves : There is a Spirit of life enters into them afterwards . I but first of all a sentence of death passes upon them ; this is Gods way and manner of dealing with his People , with the children of Abraham , with those that are true Beleevers .

What Reason for it ? This seemes somewhat strange : Not a blessing or a mercy of any great importance , or concernment , but the sentence of death passes upon it first : What Reason for this ? Why is God pleased to take this way with his owne people , the Children of Abraham ?

First of all , Reas. 1 God doth so give blessings , and mercies unto his own people , as , That he may be most of all seene therein . Beloved ! God doth not onely give us these outward creature-comforts , for to supply our Wants , but to beare up the honour of his owne greatnesse . You have not fish out of the water , onely to supply your wants : nor fruit from the earth , onely to supply your wants : nor light from the Sun , only to supply your wants , but to beare up the honour of Gods greatnesse also . When he gives unto his people , he does give in such a way , as may most of all bear up the honour of his own greatnesse : if it were only to supply their wants , then possibly , the sentence of death should never come upon the second cause : but now , it is also to beare up his own honour the honour of his own greatnesse and that is done this way .

Hereby God is known to to be a living God : so long as there is life in the meanes , God is not so well known to be a living God : but when all meanes are dead , and yet the mercy comes , Oh! sayes a soule , now I see that God is a living God .

Hereby the Power of God is made known ; he must needs be great in power , that can say to things that are not , Bee ; and give a Resurrection unto dead things : so long as there is strength , and ability in the meanes , men do not so much consider the power , and the All-suffciency of God : but when all meanes are strengthlesse , and all meanes are dead , and yet the mercy comes ; Oh! sayes a soule , now I see that God is a God Almighty , God All-sufficient .

Hereby he is made known under the name of Jehovah ; a Being that gives a Being unto all other Beings ; faithfull in fulfilling his promise : so long as there is a being in the second cause , and in the meanes ; God is not known by the name Jehovah : but when there is a sentence of death put upon the second cause , and yet the mercy comes : Oh! now sayes a soul , I see that God is Jehovah , a Being that gives a Being to all other Beings . Therefore God does it . 2. Reas.

And then againe secondly , God does go this way with his people , with beleevers , the children of Abraham , That they may learne more to trust unto him , to trust unto God alone : You know what the Apostle sayes in the first of Timothy the fifth chapter and firth verse , She that is a widdow , and desolate trusteth in God . We seldome trust in God , till a desolation come upon the meanes : A widdow that is desolate , trusteth in God ; when desolation comes upon the meanes , then we learne for to trust in God . One that does learne to swimme , so long as he can touch the bottome , can touch the earth with his foote , he does not commit himselfe unto the streame : but when he can feele no bottome , then he commits himselfe unto the mercy of the waters : Now so long as a man can stand upon the second cause , he can feele the bottom with his feete , he does not commit himselfe to the streame of mercy : but when once the second cause is gone , and he cannot feele the bottome ; then he commits himselfe unto the streame of mercy . And you shall see the Apostle gives you this account of it , in the second of Corinths , the first chapter , and the ninth verse , But we had the sentence of death in our selves , that we should not trust in our selves , but in God , which raiseth the dead . This is another reason , why God is pleased to go this way .

Againe , Reas. 3 Thirdly , It is fit that all beleevers should be conformable to Jesus Christ . It was thus with Christ . we read in that second of the Philippians , of our Lord and Saviour , That God highly exalted him , and gave him a name above every name . But see first of all , a sentence of death passes upon his name , He was made of no reputation ( verse the seventh ) he was made of no name first : And being of no reputation , tooke upon him the forme of a servant , and was made in the likenesse of man : wherefore God hath highly exalted , and given him a name which is above every name . He brought salvation , life to ligth ; he spoil'd Satan but first of all he was spoil'd himselfe , and a sen tence of death passes upon him before he brought things unto life and he gives you to understand thus much himself , & here he holds forth himselfe for our example ; in the twelfth chapter of John sayes he , at the twenty third verse , The time is come that the Sonne of man should be glorified . Well , but how ? Verely , verely , I say unto you , except a corne of wheat fall to the ground and die , it abideth alone : but if it die , it bringeth forth much fruit . Thus he comes to his glory , he must die first , and so he must come to glory . If any man serve me , ( sayes he at the twenty sixth verse ) Let him follow me , and where I am , there shall also my servant be . This is the way that Christ went , and this way God took with Christ . Love loves to be like unto Jesus Christ : and Faith loves to go in the garment of Jesus Christ : as with him , so with the Saints .

And then againe fourthly , Reas. 4 God is pleased thus to order things in the dispensations of his grace , and mercy , That the comforts of his people may be the more sure , and stedfast . If our comforts hang at the girdle of the creature , they are most uncertaine : but if they be laid up in God , in his promise , upon his power ; then they are certaine . He that is engag'd in the crowd , must be carried too and fro in the crowd : And he that is in a ship , must be carryed as the ship is . If a man stand upon a banke of Ice , he is apt to slide ; but if he stand upon dry ground , he stands more sure : All the second causes , they make but a banke of Ice ; and when a man stnads on them ; and his comforts on them he is apt to slide : the only dry ground is Gods power , and Gods faithfulnesse , and his promise .

That a mans comforts therefore may not slide , but may be more sure , and stedfast ; God takes this course with his people , putting a sentence of death upon the mercy , and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it , before he gives it out unto the soule .

I but you will say , Object . This shakes the very foundation of all my comfort : for it this be true . That when God intends any speciall mercy to the children of Abraham , he does first put the sentence of death upon it , and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it : then surely , I am none of the children of Abraham , I never had any skpeciall mercy yet given unto me ; I do not find that it hath been so with me .

No , what then ? Because your experience don't speake it , Answ. is it not therefore true ? Some would have the Sunne set by their watch , and not their watch set by the Sunne : some measure the truth of all the doctrines that they heare by their owne experience , and if their owne experience speake them true , then they are true ; otherwise not , But I say , what then ? It may be thou art a man , or woman , that the Lord never gave out a promise to thee , not a promise to thy soule : some there are in prayer , that by the strength of their memory can reach in a promise ; and when Art , and memory reaches in a promise into prayer , the sentence of death , does not then passe indeed : but when the Lord gives out a promise to the soule , then the sentence of death passes upon the businesse , upon the mercy , and upon the meanes that do lead unto it . I appeal unto all the Saints here : Whether ever had ye any great mercy in all your life ; but first of all , there was a sentence of death past upon it , and upon all the meanes that did lead unto it ? And therefore , thought thou saiest , this shakes the foundation of thy comfort , truely , better a rotten foundation should be shaken , then stand .

But you will say , Quest. Is it so with the Saints in regard of all their Spirirtuall blessings too ?

Yes . Answ. When ever did the Lord give an Ordiance to his people in the way of a speciall mercy , but first of all the sentence of death came upon the businesse , and upon all the means that did lead unto it ?

When did the Lord ever give any grace to his people , but first of all the sentence of death past ? when ever did the Lord give any incouragement in duty to any of his children , but first a sentence of death past ? When ever did the Lord give any great injoyment of himselfe to any of his children , but first a sentence of death past ? When ever was a poore soule made fruitfull , but first a sentence of death past ? Oh! never any more barren then I , never any more dead then I ; Our Lord and Saviour Christ , he promises his Disciples , that he would send them the Holy-Ghost , the Comforter : but before the Comforter came , he goes away himselfe from them , and they were left , and never in such a sad condition as immediately before the Comforter came . And if you mind it here , though Abraham had many acts of Faith , yet this act of faith is singled out from all the rest of the actings of Abrahams faith ; wherein Abraham is held forth as a patterne for all beleevers . The grace of a godly man , is his soules Resurrection , We are risen , being risen with Christ , by grace we rise : Now sayes the Apostle ; 't is in regard of the Resurrection , is with seed that is sown : it first dies , and then it rises . The Saints , and people of God , they have all their graces , and all their comforts in a way of Resurrection . This is the way therefore God takes with his people . Onely , take along with you , these three or foure cautionall considerations .

First , this is to be understood concerning the great and the speciall belssings and mercies which beleevers have . There are some blessings and mercies that are more common and ordinary ; some that are more speciall and greater . I do not say , that this is true concerning every common and ordinary blessing that a beleever hath , that he hath no blessing , no mercy ; but first of all a sentence of death is put upon it , and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it , but ( I say ) its true concerning the great , and the speciall blessings and mercies . We reade of Abraham that he had other children , it was not so in regard of them , but Isaac was the great blessing ; it was so in regard of Isaac . The children of Israel , they had their daily bread , and their water ; their daily provisions , we do not find it in regard of them : but they had Manna from heaven , and they had water out of the Rock , they had speciall water , speciall bread , so in regard of these . And therefore if you look into Exod. 15. you shall find there at the last verse . They came to Elim , where were twelve Wels of water , ( according to the twelve Tribes , every Tribe had twelve ) and threescore and ten palm trees , ( according to the number of those that went down to Egypt , ) But now before they had these twelve Wels of water , yea reade at the 22. verse , that they went three dayes in the wildernesse , and found no water , at the 25. verse , you reade of waters they had that were very sweet : but before that , the water was bitter it was called Marah , And when they came to Marah , they could not drink of the waters of Marah , for they were bitter : therefore the name of it was called Marah . And the people murmured against Moses , saying , what shall we drinke ? and he cried unto the Lord , and the Lord shewed him a tree , which when he had cast into the waters , the waters were made sweet . The speciall waters and blessings of Gods people come to them thus .

Againe , the sentence of death may be put upon your mercy in another mans hand . It was a great mercy , even to Isaac , that by him all the Nations of the world should be blest ; but the sentence of death was put upon this mercy in Abrahams hand , as well as in his owne ; Thou comest it may be to the preaching of the word , and thou art converted by such a sermon ; thou doest not see how the sentence of death was put upon this mercy before thou hadst it : may be the sentence of death was put upon it in the Ministers hand , in the Preachers hand , may be he had laid aside those Doctrines , and those Truths , and thought to preach upon another matter ; may be the sentence of death was put upon thy mercy in his hand : so sometimes it is in another mans hand .

Againe , though the sentence of death be put upon a mercy , before a beleever comes to it ; yet it is much according to the life of the mercy that is afterward . If the life be great , the death is great , If the life be small the death is small . And sometimes the sentence of death falls mostly upon the apprehension : as it was with Hagar ; she was in the wildernesse , and she thought she should die for want of water : only ( said she ) I won't see my child die , and there was a Well by . So that now , here the sentence of death lay mostly upon her own apprehension . And thus you have it also with Joshua of whom you reade in the first of Ioshua ; the Lord makes him a great promise : now therefore arise , ( sayes he at the second verse ) go over this Iordan , thou and all this people ; every place the sole of your foot shall tread upon ; that have I given unto you . And at the latter and of the fift verse . I will be with thee , I will never leave thee nor forsake thee . Now if you look into the seventh Chapter , you find that Joshua had rent his clothes ( in the sixt verse ) and fell to the earth upon his face , before the arke of the Lord , untill even-tide , and Ioshua said alas , O Lord God , wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Iordan , to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites , to destroy us ? would to God we had been content , and dwelt on the other side Jordan , why ? what s the matter ? you read there went up 3 thousand men of the Israelites , and thirty six men of them were smote by the men of Ai. Here was cause now of fear , but no cause of such expressions as did fall from Ioshua : a sentence of death passes upon the mercy , but it lay mostly upon the apprehension of Ioshua . Sometimes it fals more upon the apprehension , and lesse upon the thing , sometimes it fals more upon the thing , and lesse upon the apprehension : but alwayes more or lesse , when God intends any great or speciall mercy to his people , to the children of Abraham , he does first cause the sentence of death to passe upon it , and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it .

You will say then , Quest. why does God give the promise ? I confesse this is true , I seldome had any great mercy in all my dayes , but first of all , the sentence of death came upon it : But one thing seemes very strange to me ; that the Lord should give out a promise , first a promise given out , and then comes the sentence of death upon the mercy , and upon the meanes that do lead unto it . What should be the meaning of this ? why does the Lord deal thus , give out a promise first ?

A promise is given out twice . At the first , Answ. 1 before we do use the meanes , to incourage us thereunto . Afterwards upon some incouragements that we do meet with in the use of means .

When the Lord does first give out the promise , a sentence of death then passes , that he may shew you where the mercy lies . As the mother does deale by her child ; showes the child where the meat stands : child , thou art not yet fit for it , thou shalt have it in due time , look , here it stands . Or as a father that showes the child where the money lies : child , time is not yet , but there the money lies , ther 's the bag it 's in , none shall take it from thee . So does God do : you thinke that the Mercy lies in the second cause ; No , sayes God , here , here 's the bag that it lies in . Therefore he does first give out the promise , that he may tell the soule where the Mercy lies , show the soule where it is .

And then againe . Answ. 2 God does therefore give out the promise , notwithstanding the sentence of death ; because he intends not to give the Mercy presently . You think it may be , that assoone as you have a promise set on upon your heart , you shall presently injoy the Mercy : Nay , but God does therefore give you a promise , because you shall not have it presently .

As for Example : If I would pay a man my money down presently , I would not give him a bond : but my very giving him a bond , argues , I am not to pay him presently . So the Lord , he gives out a promise , and you thinke now , you must have it presently : No , ( sayes the Lord ) but because a sentence of death is to come , and thou shalt not have it presently ; therefore I give out the promise .

And againe thirdly , Answ. 3 God does therefore give out the promise notwithstanding his sentence of death : that your hearts may be borne up against all discouragements , when the wombe of the second Cause shall be dead . God sees that his child , or servant , is going to a great storme : ther 's such a child of mine ( sayes God ) he is going into a great storme , and his Faith will be put to a great stresse ; therefore I will furnish him with Cables , and good Anchors ; I 'le throw him out a promise . You thinke , because God gives you a promise , because God gives you Cables , because God gives you Anchors , therefore you shall come to land presently : the Lord does therefore give you a promise , because he does see that a storme is coming : you mistake the way of God in his promise , this is Gods way , he gives out a promise , and then causes the sentence of death to passe upon the businesse , and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it .

I come unto the Application .

Whilst I stand upon this truth , Applicat . me thinkes I see matter of great , and everlasting incouragement to all the Saints and people of God : be not discouraged , but rather keep silence , waite , and stay upon God when the darkest times go over your head ; when the sentence of death is put upon the Mercy , and blessing which you do most desire . This is Gods way , when he intends any great Mercy to any of his children , he puts a sentence of death first upon it . Oh! when death sits upon the meanes , Psal. 116.11 . then we conclude all 's dead , the Mercy dead , all 's gone ; and we are very apt to have despairing thoughts , and to make despondent conclusions . I said in my hast ( sayes he ) all men are liars : Samuel sayes , I shall have a Kingdome ; the sentence of death is put upon the businesse ; All men are liars . Psal. 31.22 . So in another place : I said in my hast , I am cast out of thy sight : shall I see the face of God ? nothing but death upon all the means ; Isai . 38.11 . I am cast out of thy sight . So with Hezckiah , I said ( saies he ) I shall be cast out of the Land of the living . And so now adayes : I thought indeed that we should have had a Reformation ; but now nothing but sad Division : I thought we should have had free enjoyment of al the Ordinances : but now the sentence of death put upon all . I had thought I should have had Assurance , and never doubted again ; but now death put upon it , and upon all the means that do lead unto it : all 's dead , all 's gone : Oh! we are very apt to be much discouraged , & to make strange conclusions when death comes upon the meanes : 't is a hard thing to keep from such conclusions : For the businesse comes to a Vote ( as it were ) it comes to a Vote before the Soule . The question is ( sayth the Soule ) whether I shall be saved or no ? As many as are for the Affirmative , say , I : I , sayes the Promise . As many as are for the Negative , say , No : No , sayes Threatnings ; and , No , sayes guilty Conscience ; No , no , no , sayes a thousand sinnes . The question is , whether I shall be delivered or no ? I am in such an Alliction , and straitnesse ; the question is whether I shall be delivered or no ? As many as are for the Affirmative , say , I : I , sayes the Promise . As many as are for the Negative say , No : No , sayes Providence ; No , say all second Causes , and all the meanes round about ; No , no , no , say a thousand sinnes . Now my beloved , it s a hard thing for a poor Soule to give an Affirmative with the bare Promise , when all else gives a Negative : but the reason is , because this truth that now I am upon , is not by you ; were but this truth by you , it were easy to give an Affirmative with the bare Promise , when death sits upon all the meanes . As for example : Suppose our Army by in the field , engaged with the enemy ; a Troupe routed , a Regiment routed , a Wing routed ; Come , ( sayes a carnall Souldier ) fellow Souldiers , shift for your lives , for we are all undone and spoil'd : Nay , not so , stay ( sayes the beleeving Souldier ) this is Gods way ; when God intends any great Mercy to his people , he does first of all put the sentence of death upon it , and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it : and therefore , come , fall on , fall on , brave hearts , fall on ; for this is Gods way : ans so it proves many times .

Or suppose a man be in some personall straite or affliction : the Devill , the Tempter he comes ; ye see in what straite ye are ; ther 's no meanes at all for your deliverance , you had as good take such and such an indirect course ; why should you waite any longer ? Nay , sayes the Soule , but I have learned otherwise : when God intends any great Marcy to his children , he does first of all put the sentence of death upon it , and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it : and therefore I will waite on God still , I may be in Gods way , this may be Gods way ; it may be the Lord is in a way to give me a greater Mercy then ever I had in all my dayes . Oh! my Beloved , that you would but gird this truth upon your thigh , how might you cutt off all discouragements as they rise upon you .

You will say , Quest. How does this cutt off discouragements ? some things there are that die , and never rise again , as Beasts : some things there are that die , and do rise again , as Men : The sentence of death is upon the Mercy that I do much desire ; and did I know indeed , that it should rise again , it were a matter of great Incouragement to me , but that I do not know .

For Answer , Answ. I shall onely say thus much to it : A may be of Mercy , is a sufficient ground for our reliance and support of the Soule upon God . Marke , there is two acts of Faith ; the Faith of Reliance , and the Faith of Assurance ; Assurance , that causes Joy ; Reliance that causes Quietnesse : Accordingly there are two Objects of Faith ; A shall be of Mercy , that is the Object of Assurance ; A may be of Mercy , that is the Object of Reliance . Ye shall observe therefore , that when the Lord would call out his people to an act of Reliance upon him , he holds out a may be of mercy to them : Zeph. 2.3 . Seeke the Lord , ye meeke of the earth ; seeke righteousnesse , seeke meeknesse ; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lords anger ; ye know the place in Zephaniah : And if you looke into the 1 Samuell the 14. Chapter , ye shall find , that this may be was that encouraged Jonathan ( at the 6. verse ) Jonathan said to the Young man that born his Armour : Come , and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised : it may be that the Lord will worke for us ; for there is no restraint with the Lord to save by many , or by few . It may be the Lord will work for us , for there is no restraint with the Lord , to save by many or by few . This encouraged Jonathan , and hereby he incourages his Armour-bearer . So , when a man can say thus : it may be the Lord will show Mercy to me in such a work , or in such a businesse ; there is no restraint with him ; it causes the Soule to rely on God . Now this Doctrine , it holds forth a may be to you , a may be of Mercy to you ; though you have not an Assurance that this mercy that hath the sentence of death upon it , will certainly rise againe ; yet notwithstanding , seeing it is Gods way , this is Gods way with the Children of Abraham ; when he intends to give a speciall Mercy , he does put a sentence of death upon it . This holds forth a may be unto you , a may be of Mercy this Doctrine holds forth unto you . Why therefore ( my beloved ) should we not relie upon God , when the sentence of death is put upon the meanes , upon all the meanes that does lead unto the Mercy that you most desire ?

But you will say unto me ; Is there no way , Quest. no meanes to spy out Gods meaning in this particular ? Oh! that I did but know , whether this Mercy that hath the sentence of death upon it , shall rise again : how shall one know that ? are there no meanes to know it ? whether a Mercy shall rise againe , when the sentence of death is upon it ?

I shall speake but two things unto that , briefly .

A Christian may have some perswasion of the Resurrection of his Mercy when the sentence of death is put upon it ; Answ. 1 by the frequent visitings of the promise ; marke , when God intends any speciall Mercy to his people , he gives out a promise ; then comes the sentence of death : but if he intends to fulfill the promise ; he does cause the promise frequently to visit the Soule , even when the sentence of death is upon the businesse ; often to knock at the doore of the Soule . When there is Good-will between two Young people kept from marrying by their Parents , and the Young man often is at the house ; ye say , surely , if the Parents were but dead , there would be a marriage quickly , by the frequent visitings . So now , when the promise does frequently visit the Soule in the time when the sentence of death is upon the businesse , it argues that the Mercy is not quite dead . Moses had a promise in a vision : the Bush burning , and not consuming ; Israel in Egypt , and not destroyed : Moses , he carries this promise along with him in his bosome : indeed we do not reade of it till Moses comes to die ; and when Moses comes to blesse the People : Deu. 33.16 . The good will of him that dwelt in the Bush , be with you . This same promise kept Moses company all along ; and though the sentence of death was often put upon the businesse , yet notwithstanding , in that the Mercy came and visited him , it argued that this promise was not quite dead . So by the frequent Visitings of the same promise ; Job . 14.9 . Though the Tree be cutt down ; yet through the sent of those waters it shall rise again .

But especially , in the second place : A Christian may have some comfortable perswasion , that the Mercy is not dead , but sleepeth By the First-fruits of the promise . When the Jews kept the Feast of the First-fruits ; they knew that the Harvest was not farre off . And so , when the First-fruits of a Mercy comes , we may know that the Mercy , or blessing is not farre off . Beloved , God does use to give the First-fruits of a blessing , before the great blessing comes . It 's a good speech of one sayes he : God does with the same seale , seale divers matters ; one Mercy is made a seale to another . God does give one Mercy , as a pledge of another , and as a seal of another . And so our Saviour Christ does , in that 9. Chapter of Matthew , we reade of a certain Ruler , that came to him for his Daughter ; and he said , ( at the 18. verse ) My Daughter is ever now dead , but come , and lay thine hand upon her , and shee shall live . Here was his unbeliefe , that he should say : Come and lay thine hand upon her ; Christ could have healed her , without coming to her : But Jesus arose , and followed him . And behold a woman ( at the 20. verse ) which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years , came behind him , and touched the hem of his garment : Jesus turned him about , and when he saw her , he said , Daughter , be of good comfort , thy Faith hath made thee whole . And the woman was made whole from that same houre : And when Jesus came into the Rulers house , and saw the Minstrels , and the People making a noise : He said unto them , Give place , for the maid is not dead , but fleepeth : And they laught him to scorne . He did a miracle in the way , as a pledge unto them that he would do this miracle also , that he would raise up his daughter : and by this miracle that he did in the way , he did give them a seale of the miracle following , of the Mercy following . Thus he does many times .

Thus he dealt by David : the Lord made David a promise of the Kingdome , to give him the Kingdome , bring him to the Throne : David , he is thrust out into the Wildernesse : well , when he is there , Saul he persecutes him , hunts him ; Saul , comes so neare him , as that Saul is on one side the hill , and he on the other , nearer : But even there Saul is delivered into the hand of David . This now , this Mercy here in the Wildernesse , was a pledge to him of the Kingdome afterward . So now is it with you : hath the Lord given you a promise of some great blessing , or some great Mercy ? and thereupon does the sentence of death come upon it , and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it ? In the interim , between the promise , and the fulfilling ; does the Lord deliver you from some affliction that rises up in your way : the Interim-mercy , the deliverance being of the same nature with the Mercy promised , is a pledge unto you , that the Mercy shall rise againe ; though the sentence of death be now upon it . And thus you should look upon things .

But while I am upon this , 'T is enough for the Reliance of the Soule upon God , A may be of Mercy : I say , a may be of Mercy , is enough for the act of Reliance . And this Doctrine alwayes hold forth this truth unto you , that there is a may be ; because , when God intends to fulfill his promise , by giving any speciall blessing , or Mercy to the children of Abraham ; he does first of all put the sentence of death upon the blessing , and upon all the means that do lead unto it . Shall we not then waite upon him ? keep silence in the day of trouble .

I 'le give you two or three incouragements hereunto , and so I will winde up all .

Beloved , The sentence of death ( you say ) is upon the Mercy , or the blessing that you do much desire . If ever the Mercy rise , and the grave-cloathes be taken off ; it shall be the choisest Mercy that ever you had in all your lives . Abraham had divers sons , but the jewell was Isaac , the dead Mercy : Hannah had divers children , but who like Samuel ? the found Mercy ? Mercy once lost , and then found , is a choise Mercy , it is the greatest Mercy . First I say , If ever you come to find the Mercy you have lost ; if ever that rise which the sentence of death is put upon , it shall be the greatest Mercy . Job had a good Estate : but when all was plunder'd , a sentence of death came upon all : when he came to his comforts , and his Estate againe , then it was done . Some have observed concerning Joseph , that according to the severall links of his Affliction , were the pearles in the crown of his Mercy : Ther 's observed some eight or nine . I shallnot have time to inlarge my self in them ; onely thus : Joseph he is sold by his Brethren into Egypt ; Answerable unto that , Josephs Brethren come down to Egypt , and worship before him . Joseph is accused for wronging his Mistrisse , sad reproaches cast upon him ; Answerable to that , a Herauld proclaimes before him : This is the man whom the King honours . Joseph is thrown into prison , the irons enter into his soule ; Answerable to that , a chaine of gold is hung about his necke . Joseph a poor stranger , brought as low , as ever man was ; Answerable to that , he is made next in the Kingdome to Pharoah . Beloved , if the dead Mercy rise : as your bodies when they rise , they rise in glory : So when the Mercy rises , it will rise a glorious Mercy . And as it shall be the greatest Mercy that ever you had : so it shall be the surest . That is most certain , that is certain after uncertainty . Whose assurance was like to Thomas's ? Oh! sayes Thomas , My Lord , and My God ; two My's , My Lord , and My God ; it came out of doubting . A Tree that stands after shaking , stands the most firmly : Assurance after doubting is the strongest Assurance , surest Assurance . As 't is the greatest Mercy ; so I say , it shall be the surest Mercy , if ever the Mercy rise .

And then againe , Lastly : As the surest , so it shall be the sweetest Mercy . The children of Israel , they had wholesome meat , and water , and drinke : but the sweetest water was that , which they had after no water : water out of a rocke , that was like hony : And a Mercy that comes out of a rocke , that comes from out of the sentence of death , from under death ; it shall be the sweetest Mercy . You know what the Father of the Prodigall sayes , when his son was come home : he cals his friends together : Lak . 15.32 . Come ( sayes he ) and make merry with me ; for this my son was dead , and is now alive : Cals his friends together , and speaks thus unto them . So shall it be with the Soule , when the Mercy lost , is found , when the Mercy dead is raised : then the Soule shall call in his friends ; Come , O my friends ; Come , I le tell you what the Lord hath done for my Soule : here , here is a Mercy dead , and 't is now alive : Come , make merry with me , O my friends ; this my Assurance it was even dead , and 't is now alive : Oh! this Blessing , this Blessing it was dead ; but 't is now alive : Come and make merry with me , O my friends ; for this Mercy was dead , and 't is now alive . Thus I say : if this Mercy rise that hath the sentence of death upon it ; it shall be the greatest Mercy ; it shall be the surest ; and it shall be the sweetest Mercy , that ever you had in all your dayes . And therefore , who would not waite upon the Lord ? who would not waite upon the Lord , when the sentence of death is put upon the Mercy , and upon all the manes that do lead unto it ? Oh! my beloved in the Lord ; that you would but possesse your hearts of this one Truth , this Mercy : how quiet would your Soules be under all the distempers , and the troubles of the time ; Nationall distempers , Personall distempers . When you look upon the troubles that are abroad ; yet your hearts would be quiet , and you would say , well , but yet notwithstanding , we may be in the way to the greatest Mercy that ever England saw ; why should we be thus discouraged ? Oh! my Soule waite upon God , this is Gods way ; he never gives any great Mercy to any of his people ; but first he does put a sentence of death upon it , and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it : And therefore , notwithstanding all , yet we may be in Gods way : Therefore , Oh! my Soule , waite on him .

Thus much for this time .

Rom. 4. vers. 19.

And being not weak in faith , he considered not his own body now dead , when he was about an hundred years old , neither yet the deadnesse of Sarahs wombe .

THe words ( as ye heard the last day ) are spoken concerning Abraham : Preached-at Margarets New fishstreet . March . 2. 1645. And they hold forth three great Truths unto us .

The First is this : That when God intends to fulfill his promise , by giving any speciall blessing to the children of Abraham : he does first put the sentence of death upon the blessing , and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it : Abrahams body is dead , and Sarahs wombe is dead ; when God had promised him a great seed .

The Second is this : When God is thus pleased to put the sentence of death upon a blessing , or the meanes that do lead thereto : Then , and then especially , 't is the duty and commendation of all the children of Abraham to beleeve in God , and not to stand poring upon the meanes , and the deadnesse thereof . He considered not his own body being dead , nor the deadnesse of Sarahs wombe .

The Third is this : That no difficulty can stand before Faith : true saving , justifying Faith , carries the Soule through all difficulties , discouragements , and naturall impossibilities to Jesus Christ . Thus it was here with Abraham : he being not weak in Faith , he had an eye unto Jesus Christ .

I have done with the First ; and my desire is now at this time , to dispatch the Second .

When God is pleased thus to put the sentence of death upon a blessing ; Doctr. or the meanes that do lead unto it : it is the duty of the children of Abraham then to trust in God ; not to stand poring upon , or considering of the meanes , and the deadnesse thereof .

Thus it was here with Abraham : God made Abraham a promise that his seed should be like the sand , and like the starres for multitude : But Abrahams body is dead , and his wives body is dead : Notwithstanding , Abraham considered not the deadnesse of the meanes . And in all this he is held forth for our Example , as you heard the last day . As he did therefore so must we do .

The Doctrine is somewhat large . I shall break it asunder into three parts , and endeavour to cleare up these three Propositions unto you , for the proof of the whole .

First , That a meere rationall considering of the meanes , and the deadnesse thereof : is a great , and a speciall enemy to the work of beleeving .

Secondly , That when all means faile , 't is the duty , and commendation of the children of Abraham , then to beleeve .

Thirdly , That so to do , is exceeding pleasing to God , and most acceptable .

First , That a meere rationall considering of the meanes : the straitnesse , or scantinesse ; narrownesse , or deadnesse of the meanes , is a great , and a speciall enemy to the work of beleeving .

Abraham being not weak in Faith , considered not his own body being dead . If he had considered , he might have been hindered in his Faith .

Ye reade of Zacharias ( that good man , Father of John the Baptist ) that when the Angell brought him tidings of a child , in way of his speciall Mercy ; he would not beleeve it . And in the 1. of Luke , and the 20. verse : ye reade how he was punished for it : Behold , thou shalt be dumbe , and not able to speak , untill the day that these things shall be performed , because thou beleevest not my words . But what hindred him ? what kept him off from this work of beleeving ? you shall find at the 18. verse ; too much attendance unto , and considering of the meanes , and the deadnesse thereof . Zachary said unto the Angell , Whereby shall I know this ? for I am an old man , and my wife well stricken in years . He look't too much upon , and considered , he stood poring too much upon the meanes ; and this was the enemy unto his Faith . You know Beloved , that the Scripture hath laid a flat opposition between Faith , and sence . We live by Faith , sayes the Apostle , and not by sight , or by sence . The reasons drawn from sence , are sence : and when a man does live by reason drawn from sence , and beares up his heart therewithall , he does live by sence . If you live by Faith , you don't live by sence : if you do live by sence , you don't live by Faith . They are as two buckets , the life of Faith , and the life of sence ; when one goes up , the other goes down : the higher Faith riseth , the lower sence and reason : and the higher sence and reason , the lower Faith . That is true of the schooles , Reason going before Faith , weakens , and diminisheth it : But Reason following upon Faith , increases and strengthens it . Besides , you know Paul sayes ; Not many wise &c. Why not many wise called ? Those that are wise , they consider the things of God , and of the Gospel in a meere rationall way , and therefore not many wise are called : it hinders them from the worke of beleeving : Luther sayes well : If you would beleeve ( sayes he ) you must crucify that Question , why ? God would not have us so full of wherefores . And if you would beleeve , you must go blindfold into Gods command : Abraham subscribes to a blank , when the Lord called him out of his own Countrey .

Besides , You know the great field that Faith hath to work in ; the large and vast Orbe , and Sphear that it hath to move in .

Faith can go into the Old Testament , and run up as high as Adam , and come back again to the Soul , and tel the Soul : I have seene a man whom God hath pardoned that damn'd all the World ; and why may he not pardon thee ? Faith can runne up to Heaven , and come home againe to the Soule ; and say , I have seene the Glory there : be of good comfort , ther 's enough in Heaven to pay for all . Faith can runne unto Gods All-sufficiency , to Gods Omnipotency ; and having viewed that well , it returnes to the Soule home againe ; and sayes , be quiet , ther 's enough in God alone : and Faith having placed , and seated it selfe upon this high Tower and Mountaine ; Gods Omnipotency and All-sufficiency ; it hath a great prospect , it can look over all the World , and look into another World too : but now Reason , it gets upon some little Mole-hill of Creature-ability ; and if it can see over two or three hedges , 't is well And therefore ; Oh! what a paine is it to Faith , to be tied to Reason . I suppose you will all say , that if a man were able to go a journey of two or three hundred miles a foote , he were a very good footman : yet if you will tie him to carry a child of foure or five years old with him ; you will say , it would be a great luggage to him ; and the man would say , pray let this child be left at home : for though he may runne along in my hand half a mile , or go a mile with me ; yet notwithstanding I must carry him the rest of the way : and when I come at any great water , or to go over any hill , I must take him upon my backe ; and that will be a great burden to me . And thus 't is betweene Faith and Reason : Reason ( at the best ) is but a child to Faith : Faith can foot it over Mountaines and Difficulties , and wade through Afflictions , though they be very wide : but when Reason comes to any Affliction , to wade through that , and to go over some great Difficulties ; then it cries out and sayes , Oh! Faith , good Faith go backe againe , good Faith go backe againe : No ( sayes Faith ) but i 'le take thee upon my backe Reason : and so Faith is fain to do indeed ; take Reason upon its backe : but , Oh! what a luggage is Reason to Faith ? Oh! what a burden is Reason to Faith ? Faith never works better , then when it works most alone . The meere rationall considering of the means , and the deadnesse thereof , is a great and speciall enemy to the worke of beleeving . That is the First .

The Second Proposition is this ; That when all meanes faile , and seem to lye dead before us ; then it is the duty , and commendation of all the children of Abraham , to beleeve : That is , to beleeve the thing may be , and so to rest , and relye on God in Christ . Thus it was here with Abraham .

And hath not the Lord commanded by the Apostle , saying ; Let them that suffer according to the will of God , commit the keeping of their Soules to the hand of God , as into the hand of a Faithfull Creator ? the 1 of Peter 4.19 . When ye are scrupled about your Election or Reprobation , you look upon God , as a Potter , that hath power over the clay , to make it either a Vessel of honour or dishonour : But when you are to beleeve , then you are not to look upon God as a Potter , that workes out of clay , or out of materials ; but as a Creator , that workes out of nothing ; yea as a faithfull Creator , that will be sure to worke out of nothing , whom you shall be sure of . Thus then you are to look upon him . You know the place in the third of Habakuk , and the 17. verse : Although the Fig-tree shall not blossome , neither shall fruit be in the Vines , the labour of the Olive shall faile , and the Fields shall yeeld no meate , the flocke shall be cutt off from the fold , and there shall be no herd in the stals ; yet I will rejoyce in the Lord , I will joy in the God of my salvation ; the Lord God is my strength &c. Thus Habakuk beleeved . Beloved , we are so to beleeve as the promise runnes ; Gods promise is the rule of our Faith : look how that speakes , so may we beleeve . The promise and Faith is the buckle and claspe fit for one another . Now the Lord does not onely promise to helpe the children of Abraham , Isai . 41 17. but he promises to helpe when all meanes faile : When the poor and needy seeke for water , and there 's none . I pray look into that third of Jeremy , and the 8. verse : Behold , ( sayes the Lord ) I will bring them from the north Country : his people scattered here into the Land of the North. And gather them from the coasts of the Earth , and with them the blinde and the lame , the woman with childe , and her that travaileth with child together , a great company shall returne hither . The Lord promises to bring them backe to their owne Country from the Land of the North.

I but may some say , Object . I am a poore blind man , and I shall never find the way home againe .

Sayes he , Answ. I will gather them from the coasts of the earth , and with them the blind .

Oh! Object . but I am a poore lame man , and I shall never be able to go so far .

And with them ( sayes he ) the blind and the lame . Answ.

Oh! Object . but I am a woman with child , surely , I shall never be able to returne to my own Country .

Yes , Answ. ( sayes he ) the woman with child .

I , Object . but I am a woman like to be in travaile about that time : surely I shall be left behind , I shall never return to my own Country .

Marke , Answ. the woman with child , and her that traivaileth with child , and a company shall return . God does not only promise help , but he promises to help the children of Abraham when all meanes faile .

And if you look into the New Testament you will find , that severall promises which are given out in the Old-Testament , upon speciall and extraordinary occasions , assuring helpe beyond meanes ; are brought down into the New-Testament for us to apply there . When the Devil came to tempt our Lord and Saviour , to turne stones into bread : sayes our Saviour , Man lives not by bread alone , but every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God . Math. 4.4 Now if you look into the eighth of Deuteronomy , and the third verse , you will find , that those words were spoken upon an extraordinary occasion , help beyond meanes : He humbled thee , and suffered thee to hunger , and fed thee with Manna , which thou knewest not , neither did thy fathers know : that hee might make thee know that man doth not live by bread onely , but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord .

And so here in this fourth of the Romans , Abraham beleeved , when all meanes failed , he beleeved the promise , and he is brought down for our example , that we should beleeve the promise also when meanes faile . And if you look into , and consider the eleventh of the Hebrewes , where you have a catalogue of many beleevers , ye shall find , that many of them , beleeved when the means failed , beyond meanes , and yet they are all brought downe , and made mention of for our example .

Surely , therefore t is the duty of the children of Abraham to beleeve when all meanes faile , and seeme to be dead before us : Meanes for the Soule , Meanes for the Body , Means for the Family : Meanes for the Churches .

Take this for the reason : Reas. Such a Faith is to be exercised unto God , as is sutable unto that God in whom we do beleeve . If the God in whom we do beleeve were a God that did helpe onely by meanes , then we were to trust so unto him : but being he is such a God as workes beyond meanes , we are to exercise a faith towards him , sutable to this God in whom we do beleeve . So in regard of our Love ; We must love God with a love worthy of God . Now if a man should onely love God , for benefits and blessings that he receives from him : and not for the holinesse , and excellency that is in God himselfe ; this love were not worthy of God . So in regard of our faith : if we should onely beleeve God in regard of the reason , and experiences , and means ; this faith were no way worthy of God . I will beleeve a man , I will beleeve the worst of men , the vilest man , so farre as I can see him , and shall I beleeve God no further ? We must beleeve with a faith worthy of God ; faith is not worthy of God , unlesse we beleeve beyond meanes ; this is the faith that is worthy of God ; this is the faith required , and commended . Take but one Scripture for it more . In the seventeenth of Luke , there were ten Lepers came unto Christ , desiring cure , saying , Jesus , Master have mercy on us ( at the thirteenth verse ) When he saw them , he said to them go shew your selves unto the Priests . And it came to passe as they went they were cleansed . It seems they were not cleansed then as he spake , they were not cleansed when Christ sayes , Go and shew your selves to the Priests : for it is said , as they went they were cleansed . Why then should they shew themselves to the Priests ? They were to shew themselves to the Priests , to bring an offering for their cleansing : yet , sayes our Saviour , go shew your selves to the Priests : They were to beleeve that they should be cleansed , although they saw themselves full of Leprosie .

So , although a soule sees himselfe to be full of Leprosy , yet notwithstanding it is to rely upon Jesus Christ , and to beleeve as if he were fully cleansed : This is the second Proposition .

The third will make out this the more full : Thus to beleeve when all meanes faile , is exceeding pleasing to God , and most acceptable .

This kind of faith Christ commends in Thomas : Joh. 20.29 Thomas ( sayes Christ ) thou hast beleeved because thou hast seene ; but blessed are those that do beleeve and have not seen . Blessed is any man that does beleeve , though his hands may be full of sence : but of all beleevers , blessed is that beleever , that beleeves beyond sence , that beleeves and hath not seene .

There are two especially that Jesus Christ does commend for beleeving : Mat 15.28 Mat. 8 10 the Canaanitish woman ; and the Centurion . To the one , sayes he , O woman great is thy faith . Concerning the other : I have not seene such faith , no not in Jsrael . And both of these beleeved above hope , and under hope , when the meanes in view , seemed to chide them off from beleeving . In that eleventh of the Hebrewes , many of the Saints are commended for their Faith : They had other graces , wherein they did excell : Moses was a Meeke man , he is not recorded there , and commended for his meeknesse , but for his Faith . Sampson was a stout , and a resolute man : he is not commended there for that , but for his Faith . They had other excellent graces , but this grace of Faith is singled out to weare the Crown : Heb. 11.39 They all obtain'd a good report through Faith . That weares the Crowne of all other graces . And you shall find that that Faith was mingled with many weaknesses : Rahab , one of those beleevers , what a deale of weaknesse passed from her , in her beleeving . Yet notwithstanding , though their Faith was clogged with many weaknesses , yet their Faith is commended , and most of them beleeving beyond means , and when all meanes failed : plainly speaking out this truth to us : The great acceptation that such a Faith hath with God . Beloved ! this faith , beleeving when all meanes faile , and lye dead before us , turnes God about ; ( as we may speak with reverence ) and make God , of an enemy , a seeming enemy ; to become our friend . If you trust unto your friend , for a kindnesse ; he will do it because you rest on him : if you rest upon an enemy , he failes you : but if you rest on God , he will therefore do it because you rest on him , and he will become your friend by your resting on him . Oh! I have been a great and a wretched sinner : Yet notwithstanding , I know there is infinite riches of grace in Christ , and therefore sayes the soule , I will rest on him : yea Lord , though thou kill me , yet will I rest upon thee . I , ( saies the Lord ) wilt thou now rest upon mee , now I frown , now I chide , now I have a rod in my hand , now I have a sword in my hand to kill thee ( as it were ) wilt thou now rest upon mee ? Well , be of good comfort , thou art mine for ever : Man , or woman , go in peace , good is thy faith . This resting thus upon God , when all meanes faile , it melts Gods anger into love .

And besides , it is that faith that is most successefull , the most speeding in prayer . You may look into the second of Chronicles the thirteenth Chapter , and you shall find there , that Abijah going to warre with Jeroboam , had not more then halfe so many as Jeroboam had . Abijah set the battaile in array with an Army of valiant men of warre , even foure hundred thousand chosen men : A great Army . But Jeroboam had as many againe . And Jeroboam also set the battale in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men , being mighty men of valour . I pray now let us consider , how went the day ? Reade the seventeenth verse . Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter : so there fell down of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men : Five hundred thousand chosen men slaine . How came this about ? Reade the eighteenth verse . Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time , and the children of Judah prevailed , because they relyed upon the Lord God of their Fathers . Or as some books have it , because they stayed upon the Lord God of their father . The meanes was too scanty , it was short ; they rested upon God beyond the meanes , and see what great successe they had upon this : they were but foure hundred thousand , against either hundred thousand ; and they slew five hundred thousand men . So successefull is this worke , and this way of beleeving .

It is this faith that now I am speaking of ; beleeving when all means faile , and lye dead before us : that does honour God especially ; which doth justify the soule : It is the soule-saving faith of all . Pray looke into the seventh of Luke , and consider it well . It is said at the last verse . Jesus said to the woman , they Faith hath saved thee , go in peace : but here 's no mention at all before of her Faith : There 's mention of her love , in the fourty seventh verse , I say unto thee , her sins , which are many , are forgiven , for she loved much . There 's mention before of her teares , at the eight and thirty verse . A woman in the City ; which was a sinner , brought an Alabaster box of ointment , and stood at his feete behind him weeping , and began to wash his feete with teares , and did wipe them with the haires of her head , and kissed his feete , and annointed them with the ointment . Here 's mention of her teares , here 's mention of her Liberality , and Bounty , and Love to Jesus Christ : and yet our Lord and Saviour Christ , does not say thus : woman , thy teares hath saved thee , go in peace : Woman thy Repentance , and thy Humiliation hath saved thee , go in peace , he doth not say , thy Love to me , and thy Bounty to me hath saved thee , go in peace , woman : No , but our Lord and Saviour , he saw a secret worke of reliance upon himselfe in this woman , for she was a great sinner , and he sayes unto her , woman , Thy Faith hath saved thee , goe in Peace . This is the soule-saving faith , thus to beleeve when all meanes faile , and seeme to lye dead before you . Surely therefore , to do thus , must needs be exceeding pleasing to God , and most acceptable .

And so I have done with those three Propositions : Applic. and now come to the Application .

If these things be so : Oh! what manner of Faith should we have ? Will ye only beleeve when meanes are strong , and have life in them ? Ye have read of the unbeliefe of the people of Israel when they were in the wildernesse : being in the wildernesse , they wanted much outward provision , ordinary provision ; and by occasion thereof they murmured , full of unbelief , in so much as the Lord was angry with them , and slew them , so that they never came into the Land of promise . But I pray , what was their unbelief , for which God did slay them ? Was it this that they did not beleeve when they had meanes ? No , but that they did not beleeve when all means failed , when all outward meanes failed ; that is their unbeliefe .

Beloved , we have their promises , we have their Example , we have more meanes of faith then they ; and shall not our Faith rise higher then theirs ? Shall not we beleeve an inch beyond the meanes ? You have heard the Doctrine : T is the duty of all the children of Abraham to beleeve when meanes faile , 't is exceeding pleasing to God , and 't is most acceptable . Oh! What an incouragement is here , to beleeve above hope , and under hope , and when death sits upon the lips of the second cause , and speakes nothing but terror ! Some there are , that say , they can beleeve for their bodies , but they cannot trust God for their Soules when meanes faile : Some say , they can trust God for their Soules when meanes faile , but they cannot trust God for their Bodies : some say , they can trust God for Themselves but they cannot trust God for their Families ; what shall become of my wife and children ? Some say , they can trust God for their Families ; but they cannot trust God for the Church ; when a strome rises , they cry out and say , Lord , carest thou not that we perish ? though Jesus Christ be in the ship with them .

We are very ready , and apt to hunt after the meanes when we want them : and to rest upon them when we have them . And there is a great propensnesse in us to doing , rather then unto beleeving ; before conversion : and in the point of conversion .

Before conversion : sayes the young man , Mat. 1916. What shall I do that I may inherite eternall life ? And in the point of Conversion , in the second of the Acts , What shall we do to be saved ? And Paul himselfe , Act. 9.6 . Act. 6.30 . Lord , what wilt thou have me to do ? The Jaylor too , What shall I do to be saved ; What shall I do ? But I pray marke the Apostles answer to the Jaylor , when he cryed out and said , Oh! What shall I do ? The Apostle does not say , go fast , and pray , though he had need to do that : but the first worke that the Apostle does put him upon , is , Beleeve and thou shalt be saved , This is the worke .

And therefore , Iohn 6.28 , 29. when some came to Christ , and ask't him this question , Master , what shall we do that we may work the works of God ? sayes Christ , This is the work of God , that ye beleeve in him whom he hath sent . And of all workings of Faith , this same beleeving when all means do faile , and seeme to lie dead before us , is that which is most pleasing to God . Oh! that we could learne , Oh! that we could learne this point , to beleeve when the sentence of death is past upon a businesse , and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it .

You will say , Object . I am affraid to beleeve when meanes faile , for God hath commanded us to use meanes : and as in angling of fish , a man is to have his eye upon the cork , so he is to have his eye upon the meanes ; God hath commanded us to use the meanes :

True , Answ. in your fishing and angling , you have an eye unto the cork ; but in Christs fishing there is another corke that you are to have an eye unto ; Christ commands to beleeve . Master ( say they ) We have fish't all night , and caught nothing ; neverthelesse at thy command we will cast in againe . Luke 5.5 . The same God that hath commanded you to keepe the ten Commandements , commands you to beleeve when all meanes faile .

And whereas ye say , ye are affraid to beleeve when you have no meanes , because God hath commanded you to use the meanes , and now meanes are wanting .

I shall desire you to consider with me but these foure things .

First of all , Thou sayest , meanes faile , and seeme to lie dead before thee , and thou art affraid now to beleeve ; but it may be , that this is the time that God does take away the meanes on purpose to try thy Faith .

Beloved , there is a time when God does purposely take away the meanes to try a mans Faith . God does first try our Faith , before he does feed our sence . When our Lord and Saviour Christ , was to worke that great miracle , feeding so many thousand with five barley loaves , and two small fishes , we reade in the sixth Chapter of John , and the 5. verse thus , Jesus lift up his eyes , and saw a great company , and said to Philip , whence shall we buy bread , that these may eate ? Why did our Saviour Christ thus put Philip upon it ? reade what followes . And this he said to prove him : He took away the meanes ; and this he said to prove him . There is a time when the Lord does sometimes take away the meanes on purpose to prove thy Faith ; how doest thou know , ( man or woman ) whether this be not the day and the time ? Thou sayest , thou canst not beleeve , because meanes faile ; it may be 't is the time of thy triall , God sending this time of purpose to try thee .

Again secondly , Consider this ; God does never give to supply our lusts , but to supply our wants . Possibly there may be meanes to supply thy want , though not meanes to supply thy lust . When our Lord and Saviour Christ fed so many thousand , what did he feed them with ? Five barley loaves and two fishes ; not with Turkey , not with Partridges , Iohn 6.9 . not with Quailes , not with Chickens ; but with barley loaves .

It may be thou hast a barley loafe-meanes , but thou hast not Chicken-meanes ; and because thou hast not meanes to supply thine appetite , and to supply thy lust , thou sayest thou hast no meanes , and all meanes faile : Oh! this is very ordinary among some people ; because they have not meanes to satisfy their mind and their lust , therefore they say , that all meanes faile . I beseech you Beloved , consider whether there be not this great mistake , when you say , that all meanes faile ; onely a failing of meanes to supply your appetite and your lust , but not a failing of barley loave-meanes ; whether there be not alwayes that meanes left by God .

In the third place , But suppose that all meanes faile indeed , and lie dead before you ; now Faith is a meanes to a meanes : ( marke ) now Faith is a meanes to Faith , Faith hath a commission from God to put life into that meanes that lies dead before you ; Faith hath a power from God to make that a meanes which was none before . Poor Soule , thou stand'st quaking and shaking at a distance & sayest , Oh! there 's no meanes but contrary meanes : Come up to that contrary meanes , come up to it in a way of beleeving , and thy very coming up to that which thou look'st upon as contrary , through thy faith will be made a meanes to thee . When the Apostle Peter was in prison , the Angel comes to him , strikes off his chaines , and bids him go out presently ; Peter does not say thus , what should I stirre for ? Lord , Sir , there is an iron gate to go through , there are so many guardes of Souldiers to passe through ; Peter does not say so , but rises in a way of beleeving , comes to the iron gate in Faith , and when he comes at it , the iron gate doth open : And so it will be with you ; indeed if you come unto that which seemes a contrary means , in a naturall way , the iron gate still continues shut ; but Oh! if you would use your Faith , come up unto that which you look upon as the most contrary , in the way of beleeving , faith hath such a power from God , to put life into that meanes that lies dead before you .

And in the fourth place : consider this for your further incouragement : that look what way God is used to walk in towards you , the same way you may boldly expect him in Does the Lord use to walke towards thee in a way of preventing mercy ? You may boldly expect him in that way . Does the Lord walke towards you in an extraordinary way ? ( as in these times he hath towards us , though an unworthy people : ) I say , does the Lord walke towards you in an extraordinary way ? Hath he done so heretofore ? You may expect him in that way . Now I appeale to you , you that are the people of God ; hath not the Lord walked towards your Soules in an extraordinary way ? Hath not the Lord said concerning Christ , His name shall be called wonderfull ? Isa. 9.6 . As you are known by your name , Richard , or Thomas , or John ; so Jesus Christ shall be known by this name among his people , Wonderfull : working wonders .

Hath not the Lord said , His way is in the deepe ? Beloved , Psa 77.19 the Lords way is in the deepe , towards his people , and towards the wicked : towards his people , his way is in the deep when he walks towards them . Behold ( saith he by the prophet Jeremy , speaking concerning the times of the Gospel ) a new thing will I worke , I will do a new thing , a woman shall compasse a man ; you reade it ; but as Calv in reads it , Ier. 31.22 . A woman shall lay Siege to a man . That is , the weaker shall take the stronger . And , sayes the Lord , never tell me 't is a new thing ; and such a thing as was never done before , I 'le never stand upon that , I le doe things never done before , I 'le doe a new thing ( saith the Lord ) I will lead you in a way that was never went , never troden before ; I 'le doe a new thing . And when the Lord walkes in an extraordinary way towards you , now his way is in the deepe . His way is in the whirle-wind ( sayes the Prophet ) Oh! beloved , Nah 1.3 . shall we tye God to meanes then ? True , God hath commanded you to use the meanes when you have them : But where hath God forbidden you to trust in him when you have no meanes ? Thus Abraham did , he considered not his own body being dead , nor Sarahs wombe being dead ; for this his faith is commended ; So shall you be . Oh! that our faith were right : Oh! that we could learn to live by faith , at a higher rate then ever yet we have done . Time yet may come , for ought we know , that you may find more use of this point .

But you will say unto me , I am afraid I shall presume : Obj. trust in God when all meanes faile , meanes for my soule , and meanes for my body , and meanes for my family ! trust in God now ! I am afraid I shall presume : presumption is a great sinne .

Marke . I shall onely tell you what 't is to presume , Answ. ( in answer to this ) praesumo ; is to take a thing before 't is given , or offered : Mercy 't is alwayes offred to a poore sinner : Jesus Christ came to save sinners , and die for sinners ; thou canst not take mercy before 't is offred . For a man to thinke that he shall fly in the ayre with wings like a bird , this is to presume for a man to put God upon provision for his lust , this is to presume : for a man to put God upon extraordinary , where ordinary may be had , this is to presume .

But for a man to relie upon God for necessities in extraordinary cases , when ordinary cannot be had ; this is no presumption , but Faith . Mark , I say , to put God upon extraordinary , when ordinary may be had ; this is presumption : But to rely upon God for necessities in an extraordinary case , when it cannot be had in an ordinary ; this is no presumption at all . Beloved , 't is presumption in the highest degree for you and mee , ( poore creatures ) to tye up the hands of God , to labour to do it is dangerous .

As for example : one poore Subject to go to his Prince , and tye up his hands and feet , or to go to his Pallace , and nayle up all his doores , and leave him but one little wicket to come out at ; this is presumption . And so , for a man to tye God to meanes , to tye God to a time , to tye God to this or that meanes , to tye God to meanes in generall : this is presumption . ( Marke ) Some there are that tye God to a Time : Oh! if mercy does not come by such a day , or such a time , I am undone for ever . Others they won't tye God to a Time , but they will tye God to this or that particular meanes : Oh! if mercy come not that way , or by that meanes , I am gone , I am lost for ever . Others , they won't tye God to time , nor to particular meanes ; but they will tye God to meanes in generall , they won't beleeve God a whit beyond meanes , and so tye God to meanes in generall : Ah , what is this but ranke presumption ? for a poore creature , to tye up the hands of his Creator ! the fin that you seeke , and thinke to avoid , you fall into : This is presumption .

And beloved , do you know how prejudiciall this is to your selves ? As a dishonour to God ; so a great hinderance to your selves to doe thus : it turnes God out of the way of his mercy ; Nay , ( sayes God ) seeing you will have no mercy but in a roade of meanes , you shall have none but in a roade of meanes ; so mercy comes thinne , and scant , and by little drops ; whereas otherwise mercy would come thick , and full , and large .

Hereby you are put upon indirect meanes to get out of trouble : pray , what is the ground that causes men to use indirect meanes to get out of trouble ? is not this at the bottome ? you thinke meanes must be used ; this is at the bottome .

Beloved in the Lord , as you do desire God may not be dishonoured , that Mercy may come full and not scant unto you , learne to beleeve at another rate then ever you have done ; when all meanes faile and seeme to lie dead before you , then beleeve : so for thy Soule , so for thy Body , so for thy Estate .

You will say , How should I do this ? Quest. to beleeve when all meanes faile and lie dead before me ? I have a great prospect in my sinnes ; the guilt of one sinne comes and that hath a blow at my conscience : and the guilt of another sinne that comes and that gives a blow to my conscience , and my conscience is all blacke and blue with blowes , and they all cry out and say , poor damn'd , damn'd and undone creature , and I see no way , no meanes at all left for my salvation ; Ah! Lord , what shall I do to beleeve now when all meanes faile ?

I shall onely speake a word to it , and so winde up all , Answ. thus ;

Know , that thou mayest trust God , that thou mayest find Mercy , that thou mayest beleeve in such a case as this is . Beloved , therefore thou hast not beleeved in such a case heretofore , because thou didst think thou mightst not beleeve . But now know from the Lord , 't is no temptation , 't is no presumption , in such a case as this thou mayest leane thy poor guilty soule upon God this day . I am loath to make comparisons between one duty and another ; but if there be any compares , this act of beleeving when all meanes seeme to lie dead before us , is more then all thy prayers and teares : Thou criest out and sayest , Oh! that I had teares in prayer , Oh! that God would inlarge my heart in prayer , Oh! that God would breake this hard heart ; and blessed be the Lord indeed when so it is .

But now , art thou in such a case ? hast thou a prospect of all thy sins , and all means seem to lie dead before thee ? and doest thou now go unto Jesus Christ , saying to him , Ah , Lord , I have been a great and a wretched sinner ; yet now , hearing of thy free and rich grace , I do throw my selfe upon thee ; Lord , if thou killest mee , yet I will trust in thee ; through thy grace , I will never returne againe unto folly ; onely Lord , I do leane my Soule upon thee ; as for comfort , Lord give me comfort when thou wilt ; onely , I leane my Soule upon thee ? I tell thee , this act of thy Faith is more pleasing to God , then thy twenty years teares , then thy twenty years prayers , if there be any compare .

But why then ( my Beloved ) should you look at this as a matter of presumption , to trust upon God and upon Christ in this condition ? know 't is your way unto Jesus Christ when all meanes faile ; Oh! 't is the only way for your deliverance , deliverance from your sinnes , and the feare of your sinnes ; carry this rule home along with you ; deliverance is then nearest when Faith workes highest , and Faith then workes highest when all means are lowest . Do not stand poring then , ( Christian ) don 't stand poring upon the deadnesse of the meanes , or the deadnesse of thine owne heart . As the sight , beholding , and gazing upon beauty , is a snare , and a temptation to those that are given to wantonnesse : and the sight of much gold and silver and fine houses , a temptation to those that are given to worldlinesse : So , the sight , and beholding of the deadnesse of the meanes , is a great snare and temptation to those that are given to doubting and those that are given to unbeliefe . Does the meanes therefore lie dead before thee at any time ? Soule , man , or woman , go to the Lord , and say thus , Ah! Lord , turne away mine eyes from beholding this same dead meanes ; away , away to the promise , when all meanes faile , now beare thy selfe at length upon the promise , go unto Jesus Christ , throw thy self now at his feete , and say , Lord though thou kill me , yet will I trust in thee , if I perish ; I will perish here . Do this and live .

And thus I have done with the Second Proposition . And so much for this time .

Rom. 4. vers. 19.

And being not weak ( or weakned ) in faith , he confidered not his own body now dead , when he was about an hundred years old , neither yet the deadnesse of Sarahs wombe .

THe words are spoken of Abraham : and they hold forth Three great Truths , as yee have heard .

First , That when God intends any great mercy , or blessing to the children of Abraham ; he does first put the Sentence of death upon the blessing , or mercy , and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it .

Secondly , That then , and then especially , 't is the duty of all the children of Abraham , of all beleevers then , for to trust in God .

Thirdly , That no difficulties can stand before Faith : true saving , justifying faith , carries the soule through all difficulties , discouragements , and naturall impossibilities to Jesus Christ .

I have done with the two former , and am now to speake unto the third .

No difficulties can stand before Faith : Doct. 3 True saving , justifying Faith , carries the soule through all difficulties , discouragements , and naturall impossibilities to Jesus Christ .

Abraham had a promise given him , that his seed should be as the starres of Heaven : and that in his seed all the Nations of the world should be blest . Upon this promise , Abrahams body is dead , and Sarahs body is dead : Now Abraham beleeves . Being not weake in Faith , he considered not the deadnesse of his own body . And in this he had an eye unto Jesus Christ : for this was imputed to him for righteousnesse ; and herein he is held forth as an example to us that beleeve with a justifying faith , in this chapter . So that where ever there is true , saving , justifying faith , it carries a man through all difficulties , through all naturall discouragements .

For the clearing whereof , I shall deliver my selfe in these foure things .

First , I will shew you , That the way to Jesus Christ is clogged with many difficulties , and naturall discouragements : this as a rice unto all the rest .

Secondly , That true , saving faith , will carry one through all these .

Thirdly , That nothing else can do it .

And Fourthly , What it is in true , saving , justifying Faith , that does is ? How this Faith comes to do it ?

First , The way to Jesus Christ is clogged with many difficulties , or naturall discouragements . No sooner does a man begin to looke after Christ , but difficulties , and naturall discouragements do arise ; and they are prest by Satan with much violence . When the children of Israel began to make out of Egypt , Pharoah doubles their taske , and labours to make their way grievous , and troublous . And so soone as a soule begins to look after Christ ; Satan , and the world labours to make his way troublous . The Devill is the great hunter of Soules : So long as the Game goes well with the hunter , and he is going into his snare , he makes no noise ; but if once the Hare , or the Game begin to decline the snare , and go another way , then he hoopes , and he hollowes , and he makes a noise , that he may scare it into the snare againe . And so , as long as men are going into the Devils snare , he makes no noise ; but if once they begin to turne aside from his snare , then he raises Town & Country , and a great noise is made to scare the soule in againe He knowes that a candle may be easily blown into light , when 't is new put out . Paul met with no buffetings of Satan , till he had been taken up into the third heavens and seene the glory there . So long as Paul went on in his Pharasaicall way , he met with no opposition : and so long as a man goes on in the way of the world , or in some Pharasaicall Devotionall-way , that is not the way of the Gospell , he meetes with no opposition : but when once the Lord takes him ( as it were ) into the third heavens , and shews him the glory of Christ , then Satan begins to buffer him . Nature within us , that stands and saies , Will you go to Christ ? 't is impossible that ever you should get him . And the world without : Will you go to Christ ? you will lose all your friends : Will you become a foole too ? What with the world , and what with the flesh , and what with the Devill , the way to Jesus Christ is clogged with many difficulties .

And this will appeare yet further , if you consider the Nature of Faith and the worth of it . 'T is a grace , a Gospel grace , a precious grace , whereby we do come to Christ . I say , 'T is a grace ; Nulla Virtus sine lapide . When our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified , they rould a stone over his sepulcher , and when the Disciples came , they said , Who shall roule away the stone ? Mark 16 3 And as our Lord himselfe had a stone roul'd upon him , so the more of Christ is in any vertue , the greater stone , and the greater difficulty is rould upon it ; every vertue , and every grace , hath one stone or other that is roul'd upon it : but the more of Christ in any thing , the more , the greater is the stone that is roul'd upon it . Faith is an excellent grace . 1 Pet. 1.7 . The triall of your Faith is more precious then gold , sayes the Apostle ; what is Faith it selfe then ? It is the Intelligencer of the Soule , the directrix or Queene-regent of all the graces , it sits at the sterne , and guides the whole Vessel . 'T is that grace that gives a Being unto a Christian , other graces the Well-being . It is that grace that brings Christ and the Soule together : It is that grace , that covers the defects of all other graces ; Ephes 6.16 . 'T is called the shield ; a shield does not only cover the body , but the rest of the armour ; Faith does not onely cover the Soule , but the defects of all other graces . There is an excellency in grace : excellent things and jewels they are hard to come by . Therefore by it we come unto Christ . He that comes over the River , must come from that side of the water , if he will come to this : And he that comes to Christ , he must come from his old Customes , and his own Engagements , and his own Righteousnesse : this is a hard thing . I may say in some respects , 't is harder to beleeve , then to keepe the ten Commandements , because there is something in nature towards them . Christ is the way to Heaven , and Faith is the way to Christ ( understand it rightly ) Faith is the way to Christ ; now therefore it being so hard a worke to beleeve , surely , the way to Jesus Christ must needs be laid with many difficulties , and naturall discouragements . But that is but the rice .

Secondly , Though the way to Jesus Christ be clogged with many difficulties , True , saving , justifying Faith , will carry us through all difficulties , discouragements , and naturall Impossibilities to Jesus Christ . 'T is that grace that is opposed to the sinful 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 that the Apostle speaks of ; He being not weak in Faith , he considered not his owne body 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 he staggered not ; the word you translate staggering , in other places 't is translated doubting , Nothing doubting ; but the same word is translated also ; discerning ; Not discerning the Lords body . 1 Cor. 11.29 . And , so the word will fully bear that signification . When a man lookes upon things with an eye of reason , he makes a discretion of Dijudication of things : some things are facile easy ; some things are hard . But when a man lookes by faith , upon the power of God , there is not that discretion there . All things are easy to the eye of faith , that lookes at the power of God . You shall observe therefore , that when our Lord and Saviour himselfe , would beare up the hearts of his disciples over all discouragements , he directs them to this worke of beleeving with a saving , instifying faith ; you know the place , Let not your hearts be troubled , Iohn 14.1 . ye beleeve in God , beleeve also in mee . An Hebraisme , noting a Similitude : The father workes hitherto , and I work . That is , as the father workes , so I work . So here , ye beleeve in God , beleeve also in me . That is , as ye beleeve in God the father , so beleeve also in me ; ye beleeve that God the Father is able to provide for you : beleeve in me , that I am able to satisfy for you . If you would not haue your hearts troubled that I am now to leave you , at the many discouragements that you are to meet withall ; 't is not enough for you , that you beleeve in God , as God ; but you must beleeve in me also , as your mediator , and rest upon me : True , saving , justifying faith , is the onely meanes to beare up your hearts through all this trouble , And if you looke into the 17. of Luke , you shall find , that when our Saviour Christ would teach his Disciples how to do a hard work , he does point them unto this justifying faith . And the Lord said , ( at the sixt verse ) If ye had faith as a graine of mustard-seed , you might say to this Sycamine-tree , Be thou pluckt up by the roote , and be thou planted in the Sea , and it should obey you . You will say , This is a faith of Miracles . You may be pleased therefore to observe , that our Saviour Christ uses this , and the like expression upon three severall occasions . Once upon occasion that his Disciples could not cast out the Devil out of some that were possest . Once upon occasion that the fig-tree was dryed up and withered . And once here upon occasion that the Disciples said , Lord increase our faith : when they thought it was so hard a thing to forgive a man so often as Christ required .

First , our Saviour uses this and the like expression of removing a Sycamine tree , and the mountaines ; upon occasion that the Disciples could not cast out the Divell . And of that you reade in Matth. 17.20 . and there ( indeed ) he speakes of the faith of miracles . Why could not we cast him out ? ( verse 19. ) Iesus said unto them , because of your unbeliefe : for verily I say unto you , if ye have faith as a graine of mustard-seed , ye shall say unto this mountain , remove hence to yonder place , and it shall remove , and nothing shall be unpossible unto you . Here he speakes of the faith of miracles , because thereby we should be able to cast out the divell ; which plainly speaks a miracle .

He uses againe this like expression , upon an occasion of the drying up of the fig-tree . And concerning that you reade in Mark 11.20 . As they passed by , they saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots . Peter calling to remembrance , saith unto him , Behold , the fig-tree which thou cursedst is withered away . Jesus answering , said unto them , have faith in God . And verily I say unto you , whosoever shall say to this mountaine , be thou removed , and be thou cast into the sea , and shall not doubt in his heart , &c. Here the faith called for , is both faith of Miracles , and a justifying faith too : a faith of miracles , it is brought in upon occasion of this miracle , Christ sayes if he hath faith , he shall not only do this , but he shall remove mountains , But here is a justifying faith also intended , for he sayes , Have faith in God , ( at the 22 verse ) so you reade it . But in the margent of your Bible , it is , have faith of God ; when as the Scripture speakes of a justifying faith , it uses to speak in such an expression as this . So Paul sayes , Gal 2.19 . I live by the faith of the son of God , speaking of justifying faith , not by faith in the Son of God . So in Rev. 14. 't is called the faith of Jesus : and then it seemes to run very largely , somewhat too largely , if it were only a miraculous faith , faith of miracles that were here intended . For I say unto you , whosoever shall say unto this mountaine , be thou removed , The faith of miracles and gifts only to some , unto another the gift of faith ; not to all , sayes the Apostle . And then here 't is opposed to doubting , the same word that is used here in my text concerning Abraham , who beleeved , and staggered not : sayes he here , Whosoever shall say to this mountaine , be thou removed , and be thou cast into the sea , and shall not doubt in his heart , or shall not stagger in his heart : 't is the same word that is used there , the same opposition . So that I take it , both are here intended : one primarily , the other secondarily .

But now in Luke 17. there is an other occasion , that this expression is brought in by our Saviour Christ : he sayes unto his disciples , ( at the third verse ) If thy brother trespasse against thee , rebuke him ; if he repent , forgive him ; if he trespasse against thee seven times in a day , and seven times in a day turne againe to thee , saying , I repent , thou shalt forgive him : And the Apostles said unto the Lord , increase our faith : And the Lord said , if you had faith as a graine of mustard-seed , you might say unto this Sycamine tree , &c. Here is no miracle here , that these words is brought in upon : why should our Saviour put that upon a faith of miracles , in doing a worke of Christianity , the forgiving the brother so often thus ? the faith that is to bwe exercised in prayer , and in forgiving our brother ordinarily , is not the faith of miracles : but the faith he here cals for , is a faith that is to be used in prayer , and in forgiving of our brethren : surely , this is a saving faith , a justifying faith that is here intended . And as one sayes well , what 's all the worke of faith , but an the removing of mountaines ? when take our sins , that stand up and hinder the light of Gods grace from shining in our hearts , and remove them off from our selves unto Jesus Christ , to his bloud , that they are drown'd , as in the bottome of that Redses , what is this but to remove mountaines ? when we take our carnall Reason , and our High thoughts , and bring them into obedience unto Jesus Chirst , what is this but to remove mountaines ? when our great and manifold Temptations are laid levell , that the promise may come into the soule freely , what is this but to remove these mountaines ? Mountaines rose up in the way of Zerubbabell when he was to build the Temple : Zach. 4.7 . Who art thou , O Mountaine ? Temptation , and Corruption , Mountaines ; and the Curse of the Law , a great mountain . Would you therefore now remove these mountaines ? walk over these naturall impossibilities ? ther 's no such way as to get a justifying , and saving faith , sayes our Saviour . What a bundance of Difficulties did Noahs faith carry him through ? The Lord commanded Noah to build an Arke ; Noah , he might have said thus : Lord , thou hast now commanded mee to build an Arke : I was never brought up to that trade ; I have been a preacher many yeeres , but I never yet was a Wheele-wright , never yet a Ship - Carpenter : And Lord , If I do go about to build an Arke , the whole world will jeere me : what will this old man doe ? will he ride in a Ship upon the dry ground ? And when I have built the Arke , Lord How shall I doe to get in all the Creatures into the Arke ? And if the Creatures do come , they will teare me in pieces ; the Lyons and the Bears they will prey upon me . Yea , Lord , And if they do come into the Arke , and into the ship , the very stench of all the beasts will poyson me : yet notwithstanding all these Difficulties , and all these discouragements , Noah prepared an Arke , Why ? For he beleeved , and he beleeved with a Saving , justifying Faith .

So , if you look into the New-Testament , that is full of this : What abundance of difficulties did the wise men go through that came to worship Jesus Christ ! They were commanded to go worship him that was borne King of the Jewes : They might have said thus : What is the King of the Jewes to us ? We know no such King : Shall we go out of our own Kingdome , and out of our own Country to worship the King of the Jewes ? The despised people of the Jewes ? When they came at Jerusalem ; the learned men , the Priests , and those that were of that Country ; they knew none such : when they came at the place where Christ was borne , they found him in a Stable ; and they might have said : Is this the King of the Jewes ? Is this his Pallace ? What ? A Stable for his Pallace ? What ? Are these horse , are these his Courtiers ? Is this a King ? 'T is impossible he should be a King : Yet not withstanding , they went : Why ? because they beleeved , and this their Faith carryed them through all .

What abundance of difficulties did Matthewes Faith carry him through ? The Lord commanded Matthew to follow him : Matthew follow me ( sayes Christ ) and so he did : Mat. 9 9. But he might have said thus : Whether shall I follow this man ? I have a good calling , I have so many hundreds coming in by the yeere from the Custome-house ; this man hath not wheron to lay his head : I shall be a begger ; all my friends will call me a foole : Notwithstanding , Matthew leaves all and followes Christ : Why ? He beleeved , with a saving , justifying Faith .

What abundance of difficulties did Zacheus's Faith carry him through ? Zacheus ( sayes our Lord to him ) hast , Luk. 19.5 . and come downe ; for I must abide with thee this day : he came down , he received him into his house ; and being there he sayes , Lord , behold , verse . 8 9. the halfe of my goods I give to the poore , and if there be any one that I have wrong'd by false accusation , I restore unto him foure-fold . Marke , what a hard worke he went through : The halfe of my goods I give to the poore . Pray let us compute it a little : Suppose his estate was a thousand pound . Lord , ( sayes he ) the halfe of my goods I give to the poore , ther 's but five hundred left . Suppose he had wroung'd a man to the value of a hundred pound : Lord , ( sayes he ) I restore foure-fold ; then there is but one hundred left of a thousand : What a great matter was this ? Yet this Zacheus did : Why ? Oh! Zacheus ( sayes Christ ) This day is Salvation come to thine house , for so much as thou also art the son of Abraham : He beleeved as Abraham did , with a saving , justifying Faith . So then , thus you see , that true saving , justifying saith ; carries a man through all difficulties , discouragements and naturall impossibilities to Jesus Christ .

But in the third place . Nothing else can do it , conviction of the good wayes of God cannot do it : Saul was convinced that David was a righteous man : 1 Sam. 24.17 . O my son David ( sayes he ) thou art more righteous then I ; and yet he persecuted him . Conviction , bare conviction will not do it .

Resolution won't do it neither : Resolution to turne to God and to become a new man , or woman , that won't do it : bare Resolution won't do it . Many Resolve , thta won't do it . And therefore saies our Saviour to Peter ; Luk 22●13 Peter , I have prayed that thy Faith faile not : Satan hath desired to winnow thee ; and , Peter , thou hast said , though all men forsake me , thou wilt not ; thou hast taken up a great Resolution , but Peter , t is not Resolution will do it , if any thing hold , it will be thy Faith : and therefore Peter , I have prayed that thy Faith faile not . He does not say , I have prayed that thy Resolution faile not : NO , Peter , I have prayed that thy faith faile not . You have reade what Hazael resolv'd , when the Prophet told him he should be a great persecutor , rip up women with child : Oh! sayes he , Does my Lord look upon me as a dogs head , and yet he did it . Resolution won't do it : Resolution won't carry one through Temptation , and difficulties .

Againe , Morall vertues won't do it . The yound man that came to Christ , he was a great moralist : when our Saviour told him he should keep the Commandements , that he might obtaine eternall life , Lord , Mat 19.20 ( sayes he ) all these have I kept from my youth ; and Christ look't upon him and loved him , he was a fine Moralist , but notwithstanding he did not follow Christ , he went away , and was very sorrowfull . Bare morrall vertues won't do it , for they are dead things : You see how 't is with a mans shooe , though the Leather be never so thick , yet be going upon the stones and the gravell , the Leather weares thin , and weares out : But if a man goes barefoot , though the skin of his foot be tinner , the skin does not weare out , but growes thicker : as Indians , they go barefoot , and their skin of their feet weares thicker , by going upon the gravell , and upon the stones : What is the Reason ? The Leather of a mans shooe is a dead thing , but the foot is a living thing . And so Faith is a living thing , and will carry a man over gravell and stones , and difficulties : but morrall vertues , they are but dead things , and though they be never so thick , they will grow thin , and weare out , and come to nothing . Bare morrall vertues won't do it .

And then againe , Gifts , and Parts , and Gospel inlargements cannot do it , they leave black ashes upon the Soule ; they are a blaze , they make a great blaze : Straw that is burnt , makes a great blaze , but it leaves black ashes upon the harth : So , where these are , without saving Faith , they may make a great blaze , but the end of them is black ashes upon the Soule . Jedas , ye know , he had great Gifts , and Gospel-parts ; but that would not doe it , would not carry him through all his Temptations , and difficulties to Jesus Christ . Pray do but compare Nicodemus and Judas : Nicodemus was but in his Catechisme of Christianity , when Judas was a preacher : Nicodemus comes to Christ by night , when Judas preaches Christ openly : but in the end , Nicodemus ownes Christ , when he is dead ; and Judas betrayes him when he is living . Nicodemus had a true , saving-faith ; Judas had onely gifts ; Gosper gifts , and Gospel-enlargements , that will not do it neither .

And then againe , The experience of Gods former dealings , providentiall dealings and preservation ; that won't do it . You know how it was with those Spies that was sent into the Land of Canaan : there were two sorts of Spies : There were good Spies , and there were bad spies : The good Spies brought up a good report of the Land : and the evill Spies , brought up an evill report .

How ? Why ? Consider but a little . The good Spies they met with many troubles when they were sent out to spy out the Land : faine to be hidden in Rahahs house : and then they fled to the mountaines , and there they lay : They come home , and they say , The Lord hath delivered this people into our hands The other Spies now , that brought up the evill report ; they met with no such hard fare that we reade of : and yet they come home , and they say , The men of the Countrey are the children of Anak , and the Cities are wall'd up to Heaven : they had experience of Gods preservation in a speciall manner , and yet notwithstanding , that would not do it . Bare experience of Gods preserving mercy , that will not do it , 1 Iohn . 5.4 2 Co● 1.2.4 . 't is only faith will do it , saving justifying faith , will do it : This is the Victory whereby you overcome the world , your faith : By faith yea stand . Looke upon your dangers under a Sea-notion , and Faith it is called your Anchor . Looke upon your dangers under a land-notion , and faith it is called your Shield : nothing but faith can doe it ?

You will say to me , in the Fourth place , What is it in this saving , justifying faith , that is able thus to carry the soule through all Difficulties , and discouragements , and naturall impossibilities to Iesus Christ ? How does faith do it ?

Give me leave to stay here .

First , Faith shewes the soule the glorious , invisible things of God and of his grace ; and brings them neare unto the soule . It was a hard thing for Moses to leave all the pleasures , and profits , and preferrements of Egypt : he did it though , choosing rather the afflictions of Pharoah with Gods people ; Why ? saies the. 11. of the Hebrews , He saw him that is invisibel : But how did he see him ? By faith ( saies the text ) by faith he saw him that is invisible . Faith opens the eyes for to see that a man hath more with him , then against him : and the workes of God , in Christ , are not seene by the world : Gods pardoning mercy , not seene by the world : The Vnion with Iesus Christ , and the priviledge thereof ; not seene by the world : The satisfaction of Iesus Christ for a poor Sinner , not seen by the world : The great Power of God not seen , or if so , yet at a distance , it don't much affect . Faith is the substance of things not seene : Heb. 11.1 . it does not only shew a man things that are otherwise unseene , but brings them neare ; Salvation near ; pardoning mercy near ; the Priviledges of Union with Christ neare ; Christs satisfaction neare : and so when Difficulties and Discouragements do arise , saies the soule through faith , Why should not I be satisfied with any condition , seeing Christ hath satisfied for me ? I am one with Christ , Christ is a common person : When Christ died , I died : when Christ rose , I rose : when Christ ascended , I ascended : Christ sitting in Heaven , I sit there . Thus faith , it elevates , and raises up the soule into heaven , it carries it over all difficulties and discouragements that it can meet withall .

Againe , true , saving faith ; 2. 1 Cor. 3.22 . it tels the soule that all things are its owne . All things are yours , ( saies the Apostle ) things present , and things to come , life and death ; all things are yours . Faith speakes the same language : All things are yours ( Soule ) all things are yours : Difficulties are yours , and naturall impossibilities are yours ; things present are yours , and things to come are yours . Will you be afraid of that which is your owne ? Will the owner be afraid of his owne dog : a mastiffe , he fals upon a stranger , and worries him , and a stranger is a afraid of him ; but the owner is not afraid , he leapes and fawnes upon him , but does not worry him . Sayes faith , all these Difficulties , and all these Temptations , they are your owne , they won't worry you ; they may leape upon you , they may fawne upon you , but they won't worry you ; they are all your owne ; part of the purchase that Jesus Christ hath made for you , all these are your owne , Faith holds this steadily upon the soule , and so a man breaks through Difficulties .

Againe thirdly , True saving , justifying , faith , it shewes a man greater excellencies in Christ , then all difficulties , and natur all Discour agements can amount unto on the other side . You know how 't is with a dog , the Grey-hound , if hee sees the game a great way off , he gives it over : but when he comes neare , he will rush through the very bushes for to take the Hare , throw himselfe upon his back that he may take it , a naturall hope makes him do it : Faith , it raises a mighty hope in the soule , presents the soule with many Excellencies , and raises a mighty hope in the soule for the obtainment of them : it does spread more Excellencies before the soule , then can be lost by the hand of Difficulties : for example : If a man hath beene a Prodigall , and now is returning to Christ : the world sayes , friends say , if you take this course , you will lose all ; you will lose all your acquaintance , lose your liberty , lose your estate , may be lose your life : Be it so ( saies faith ) though thou losest thy friends , thou shalt gaine better : and though thou losest thy liberty , thou shalt gaine better : and though thou losest thy life it selfe , thou shalt gaine a better ; 't is but a while neither ( sayes faith ) that thou shalt lose these things , and thou shalt have them better , in a better Edition . When a mans eyes are open to behold the Excellencies of Christ , then they are shut to outward Discouragements . When a man hath beheld the Sunne in its glory , his eyes dazle to the things that are below : Now Faith opens a mans eyes to see the Excellencies of Jesus Christ , and so the soule is carried through Difficulties and Discouragements , though they be never so many .

Againe fourthly , True , saving faith , it inables the soule to leave the successe and the event of all unto God himselfe . Nothing strengthens the hands of Difficulties and Discouragements , so much , as solicitude about successe and event of things : True saving faith helps a man to leave the successe to Christ ; it does commit the soule unto God , unto Christ ; there is a mutuall committing between Christ and a beleever : Christ commits himselfe unto a beleever , and a beleever commits himselfe againe unto Christ . Christ commits himselfe unto a beleever : you know what is said in the Gospel , John 2.24 . Psal. 37.5 . He did not commit himselfe unto them , because they did not beleeve him : arguing , that he did commit himselfe unto others that did beleeve him . And beleever commit themselves unto Jesus Christ . Commit thy way unto the Lord ; there is a mutuall way of committing : Christ , he does commit his Grace ; he does commit his Spirit ; he does commit his Truth unto a beleever : a beleever commits his Estate , and his Name , and Himselfe againe unto Christ : Christ commits his work unto a beleever ; and a beleever commits the successe of the work againe unto Jesus Christ . Faith now leaves the event , and the successe unto Jesus Christ ; and therefore , when Difficulties and naturall Discouragements arife , and say , What wilt thou do now ? What wilt thou do now to be preserved ? What wilt thou do to continue now ? What wilt thou do to be delivered now ? What will become of you now ? Oh! Satan ( sayes a beleever , ) thou hast mistaken the question ; My question is not , What shall become of me ? I have left the successe of things to God : but my question is , What shall I do for God ? My question is , How shall I love Jesus Christ ? My question is , How shall I be like unto Jesus Christ ? My question is , How shall I serve my generation , and owne Jesus Christ in these times ? This is my question , Faith , true , saving faith , it leaves the successe and the event of things unto Christ , and so thereby the soule is carried through all Difficulties and naturall Discouragements unto Jesus Christ .

In the fifth place . True , saving faith is that grace whereby the soule takes up the yoke of Christ , and the burden of Christ upon his soule . Christs burden , does unburden all other burdens , the very taking Christs burden upon a man , does ease him of all other burdens . This may seem strange to you , that the taking of a new burden , should ease one of the former : if a man be carrying coales or wood , the taking of a new burden would not ease him of the former ; but the burden of Christ ( Belove ) is of another nature . Austin distinguishes them ; there is a burden burdening , and a burden supporting : he expresses it thus ; The feathers that a bird or a foule is cloathed with , they have a weight in them , the wings and feathers have a weight , a pound of feathers is as heavy as a pound of lead ; there is a weight in those feathers , yet notwithstanding , they beare up the burden of the body ; though there be a weight in them one weight beares up another : Or as 't is with your coaches , the wheeles are heavy ; yet notwithstanding , being fastened unto the coach , unto the body of the coach , makes the body to go away the lighter , though they be heavy in themselves , So now 't is here , the burden of Jesus Christ it makes all other burdens to go away the lighter . Faith , true , saving Faith , it is the grace that takes up the burden of Christ upon the soule , and so thereby all other burdens are made the lighter , and difficulties and discouragements overcome .

In the sixt place . True , saving faith , it does teach a man for to picke out the love of God , from under the anger of God . God never makes his Pils so bitter , but he mighles some Sugar withall : and true faith can find it out . When as our Lord and Saviour Christ said , Ioh. 2.4.5 . woman what have I to do with thee ? mine houre is not yet come : The next words that she saies is , to the servants , Whatsoever he bids you do , that do . They wanted wine , she came to him for wine , and he answered her so : it may seem an hard answer , yet saies she to the servants , whatsoever he bid you do , that do . For our Saviour had said , my houre is not yet come : implying therfore , that he would do it . Implycation is enough for Faith , for Mary's Faith . Faith , it acquaints a man with the wayes of God , and acquaints a Soule what Gods wayes are : it tels the soule , that when Christ seemes to be the greatest Enemy , he intends the greatest friendship . He ( sayes faith ) does then intend for to raise us up , when he seemes most for to cast us downe : whereupon , when difficulties and discouragements do arise , Is this his way indeed ? ( sayes a beleeving soule , ) why then shall I be borne down with so many discouragements , though they be never so many ?

In the seventh and last place : true saving justifying faith , fils the soule with Gods infinity , or infinitenesse . Gods way is not as your way ( sayes Faith ) nor his thoughts as your thoughts ; but as the Heavens are above the earth , so are his thoughts beyond yours , and his wayes beyond your . Faith lodges this principle into the Soule , that God is infinite ; and having laid that principle there , when difficulties and discouragements do arise , saying , you see now into what distresse you are brought , now you see there is no hope at all for you deliverance ; true indeed , sayes the Beleever through the strength of Faith , I see there is no way in any one reason , but God is infinite ; I see many difficulties , but God is infinite : the soule by Faith being fild with the apprehension of Gods infinitenesse , hereby is carried through all difficulties and discouragements to Jesus Christ .

I have not time , I see , to tell you how Faith workes by love , which much watter cannot quench , stronger then death . And how Faith is strengthened with the strength of the power of God that it layes hold upon . As the Ivie is strong by the strength of the oake that it graspes upon : so Faith is strong by the strength of that God that it graspes upon .

But the thing is sufficiently proved , No difficultie can stand before saving Faith ; True , saving , justifying Faith , carries the Soule through all difficulties , discouragements , and naturall Impossibilities to Jesus Christ .

I come to the Application .

If these things be so , Applic. Then if difficulties and naturall discouragements do arise ; ( who is there among you , but meete with some or other in your severall places ? ) see here the way how for to grapple with them ; strengthen your Faith , exercise your Faith ; Resolution ( you are mistaken ) resolution won't do it ; ( Christian ) here is thy strength . Conviction won't do it , Morall Vertues won't do it , Evangelicall Gifts , and Parts , and Inlargements won't do it ; Experiences of Gods preservation of you won't do it ; ( Christian ) here 's thy strength : But Oh! let not your strength be cutt off in the lap of any Dalilah . True , justifying Faith is your strength , that is your shield . The Heathen could say , when he was sore wounded , Is my shield whole ? if that be well , all is well : So say I , if your shield be well , if your faith be well , if your true justifying saving faith be well , then all is well . Thus you shall be able to look difficulties and discouragements in the face , though they be never so great .

You will say unto me , Quest. suppose a man hath newly begun to look unto Jesus Christ and now difficulties and naturall discouragements do arise : how shall he be able so to raise , and to use his faith , as he may be able to breake through all unto Jesus Christ ?

Take heed that you do not stand poring too much upon them . Answ. Abraham considered not the deadnes of his own body , Sarahs body ; But if you will behold them ,

First , Exercise your faith in the promise , before you do speak with those difficulties . Some there are that stand poring so much upon difficulties and naturall discouragements ; that they have spent the strength of their spirits : So that when the promise comes , they have no strength at all in their spirits to entertaine the promise with . If the Rope or Cable be never so strong , that is thrown out into the water , if a man be drowned before the Rope or Cable come at him , what matter is it though the Cable be never so great ? Some there are that stand poring so much upon naturall discouragements , that their hearts are even sunke , and drown'd before the promise comes : and how can the promise help you then ? therefore say , Come first promise , Come first promise .

And then againe , if you will behold these , Look upon them as they are your Tryall , and many times the devils Engines to worke your hearts off againe : I say your Tryals , and the devils Engines to worke your hearts back againe . When you were in your naturall condition , then your heart was quiet , your conscience quiet , and the divell quiet , and your friends quiet , and did not speak evill of you : Now you begin to look towards Christ , now conscience condemnes , now the Divell accuses , now your friends , your former friends they speak evill of you . I appeale to thee ( man or woman ) in thine own soule , doest thou not thinke that thy former condition , was an ungodly condition ? yes : and then quiet ; then conscience quiet , then friends quiet , then Satan quiet : and now conscience accuses , and now Satan accuses , and now friends speak evill . Oh! therefore , say , surely , this is nothing but a Temptation : and beleeve it ( beloved ) it is halfe a victory over a Temptation , to know that a Temptation is but a Temptation .

In the third place . Now , now especially ; set thy selfe with all thy might to venture upon Jesus Christ : Labour much in venturing upon Jesus Christ now . Mark . Faith is nothing else but the Soules venture : it ventures to Christ : it ventures on Christ : it ventures for Christ .

It ventures to Christ , in opposition to all legall torrours . It ventures on Christ , in opposition to all our own guiltinesse . It ventures for Christ , in opposition to all Difficulties , and discouragements : The proper nature of faith is to venture : and what need we venture , if there were no difficulties ? Difficulties properly call for venturing . ( Marke it ) Do difficulties arise ? Now set thy selfe to venture upon Jesus Christ .

If a man be to go home over some water , or River , and the water rises , he sayes with himself , how shall I get over this water ? The longer I stay , the more it rises : he begins to go into it , and he comes back againe : but ( sayes he ) there is no other way , as good first , as at the last ; I must venture , I must over , there is no other way ; and so he ventures . So say I now unto thee : This thou must come unto at last ( poor soule ) Difficulties , and discouragements arise , to stave thee off from Christ ; at the last thou must venture upon Jesus Christ , at the last you must venture , notwithstanding all your guilt : you begin to do it , and you are ready to go back ; but know this , first or last you must venture upon Christ : hadst thou not better do it at the first ? Oh! therefore , when ever any difficulties do arise , put thy selfe upon faith : say , come , O my soule , here is a difficulty , now venture on Jesus Christ .

In the fourth place , for your incouragement know this : That the more and greater difficulties your duties or your graces are recovered out of the hand of , the more comfortable they will be to you . ( I pray mark it ) I say , duty , or grace , recovered out of the hand of difficulty , is the most comfortable . You know how it was with David at Ziklag : the enemy had come upon him , taken away his wife , and all his comforts ; a sentence of death was upon all his comforts : David , he followes after , overtakes the enemy , recovers his wife , and all his comforts , and there he had the greatest spoile of all spoiles ; he sent unto all his friends of his spoile , he never had a greater spoile . So I say , does difficulty , or discouragement break in upon your duty ? Morning duty ? Evening duty ? Or any grace ? Follow after it : if thou strikest this difficulty in the hinder part , and recoverest thy duty , or thy grace out of the hand of the difficulty , thy duty and thy grace will be more comfortable then ever it was .

And then in the Fift place , Study Jesus Christ more , and labour for a cleare , & a distinct knowledge of Jesus Christ . Faith in Scripture phrase , it is called knowledge , the knowledge of Christ By his knowledge he shall justify many : Isa. 53 11. to know , and beleeve , they are put together ; the more you know , the more cleere and distinct knowledge you have of Christ , the stronger your faith : the lesse knowledge you have of Christ , the weaker your faith ; a weak faith is apt to be blown down with every wind : Abraham being not weake , he considered not his own body , so he staggered not . The weake fire , it may be put out with fuell , casting of much wood upon it ; the strong fire , it increases , and growes , even by throwing on of water that is contrary ; a weak faith is borne down instantly . Art thou therefore weak , and hast newly begun to look towards Jesus Christ ? Oh , labour to get stronger faith ; and that you shall do , by growing in the knowledge of Iesus Christ . Study Christ more ; his life more ; his death more ; his fulnesse more ; the merciful dispositon of Iesus Christ more : Thus shal you be able to grow strong , and shal work through all difficulties , and discouragements unto the Lord Christ .

Yet you will say to mee : Quest. But suppose now that a man hath beleeved some time , a great while , been in Christ a great while ; difficulties , and discouragements doe arise to beat a man out of the good wayes of Christ that he hath taken up : How should a man so raise , and use his faith , as he may be able to work through all these unto Jesus Christ ?

I 'le speak but to this , and so I 'le wind up all . Answ.

First of all , consider your call , often consider your call , your first call to a worke ; and put your selves often unto this disjunction , Either God hath called me to this worke , or else he hath not . If God hath not called me , what meanes this Scripture ? And what meanes that Scripture ? And what meanes the other Scripture ? And if God hath called me , why should I lay down the work for any difficulty ? Will not he carry me through ? And know this , that difficulties do sometimes arise in our way , to make a stoppage in our proceedings : and sometimes they arise onely to draw out our faith . When as thou seest thy call cleare unto any work , then say , these difficulties arise onely to draw out my faith , and not to make a stoppage in my proceedings .

In the second place , consider this , That the more you beleeve in the face of difficulty , the more you please God . Nothing so pleasing to God , as beleeving in the face of difficulty . God will trust him with much , that trusts much to God : God will break through many difficulties to save thy soule , if thou canst break through many difficulties to come to him . There 's no grace does more honour God , then Faith ; of all graces it honours God most : and of all the pieces of faith , none doe more honour God , then beleeving in the face of difficulties . When therefore any difficulty or naturall discouragement does arise , say , the Lord pardon mee ; Oh! I have dishonoured God enough already : is this the way for to honour God , to beleeve in the face of difficulties , and naturall discouragements ? Here now I have more opportunity to do it ; the Lord help mee , now will I set my selfe to beleeve .

In the third place , Sometimes when you meete together , speak unto one another of the great things that God hath done ; the great things that God hath promised ; the great things that Faith hath done . As words of anger do draw out anger , so experiences do draw out Faith . Onely I pray take heed , when ye speake of your experiences , and what God hath done , that ye don't lay , or ground your Faith upon your experience , but upon the promise . 'T is a good speech that Parisiensis hath , Experience ( sayes he ) 'T is like the crutch , the lame mans crutch , it does uphold the lame man , but it don't cure him : And so , an experience , it stayes up thy soule for the present , but experience cannot cure you of your unbeliefe ; 't is onely the promise cures you of your unbeliefe . 'T is said in the 106. Psalme , concerning the children of Israel , When they saw the Egyptians lie in the sea before them , then they beleeved in God , and sang his praise : And the next words that follow , are , They soone forgate his works . I , when as we beleeve the word onely because of experience , no wonder that we soone forget our experiences , and all . Therefore take heed , tell of your experiences , draw out your experiences for to strengthen your Faith , yet lay not your Faith upon your experience , but upon the Word .

And againe in the fourth place . Above all things , consider what great difficulties Jesus Christ hath broke through to come to you . Ye reade of him so described in the Canticles , He comes leaping over the mountaines ; many are the mountaines , that Jesus Christ came leaping over to come to you . Passion-worke is greater and harder then Creation-worke : he came leaping over the mountaines of worke . Oh! shall Jesus Christ come leaping over mountaines , and difficulties to come to my Soule , and shall I go over no mountaines , and breake through no difficulties to get to Jesus Christ ? thinke what difficulties he broke through to come to you .

And lastly , Never speak with your difficulties or discouragements apart from the promise . If a man be travailing in the rode , and a thiefe can sunder him from his company , draw him alone into the woods , a hundred to one but he takes his purse , if he save his life . And if the Devill can part you from the promise , take you into the woods , where you shall see nothing but darknesse , difficulties , and discouragements ; a hundred to one but he spoiles you of all your comforts : ( man or woman , ) does difficulty arise therefore ? naturall discouragement arise ? Away to the promise , and say unto them when they come , I will never speak with you , unlesse it be in the presence of a promise .

Oh , but Gods providence seemes for to crosse his promise . Obj.

Be it so ; yet thou mayest beleeve , Answ. though Gods providence seemes for to crosse his promise , yet thou mayest rest on the promise .

Oh , but I have a threatning set on upon my heart . Object .

Be it so , yet thou mayest beleeve the promise , Answ. although the threatning have taken hold upon thee , and fild thee with trouble , for God does therefore threaten , that he may make way to a Promise ; Gods promises don't make way to his threatnings ; but his threatnings make way to his Promises . God does therefore threaten that he may not fulfill : but God does therefore promise that he may fulfill : and therefore though the threatning have taken hold upon thine heart , and thou liest under the apprehension of Gods displeasure , get away to the promise , rest upon the promise .

I but Jesus Christ hath withdrawn from me , Object . and hid himselfe from me .

Be it so , yet thou mayest go to the Promise . Christ doth therefore withdraw from thee , that he may draw thee to him . Answ. Jesus Christ does therefore hide himselfe , that he may show thee his face more and more : Our brother Joseph he cannot conceale himselfe long , his bowels and compassions won't let him .

Wherefore then , whensoever any difficulties , or naturall discouragements do arise upon you , come to this conclusion , now therefore will I trust in God , now therefore will I venture upon Iesus Christ ; O my soule , now venture , now venture and say , Lord , such and such difficulties are risen ; thou hast called me to this work : difficulties arise upon me , surely thou hast called me to this work : they are not therefore to make a stoppage in my proceedings , but to draw out my faith : now therefore , I do here lay the waite of my poore guilty soule upon thee , do with me what s good in thine eyes : Ah Lord , my prayers are dead , my affections dead , and my heart dead : but thou art a living God , and I bare my selfe upon thee . Beloved , if ye can beleeve , all things are possible ; if you cannot beleeve , all things are unpossible ; faith will make a thing easy though it be never so difficult : as unbelief doth make a thing difficult though it be never so easie . This is a certaine truth : no difficulty can stand before faith : true saving justifying faith carries the soule through all difficulties , discouragements , and naturall impossibilies to Jesus Christ . Oh therefore , as you desire to grapple with the difficulties that you do meet withall , stirre up your selves in a way of beleeving ; for you have hear that nothing else can do it . The Lord teach us to beleeve at a higher rate then ever yet we have done .

EVANGELICAL Repentance .

MATTHEW 3.2 . Repent ye : for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand . Preached at Clapham . May , 10. 1646.

MATTHEW 3.2 . Or thus , Repent ye : for the Kingdom of Heaven hath approached

THESE Words , are the words of John the Baptist , when he first began to preach the Gospel of Christ ; and if ye look into the next Chapter , the 4. of Matth. and the 17. vers. ye shal find , That our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Himself does preach the same Doctrine , in the same words , Jesus began to preach , and to say , Repent , for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand . Our Savionr Christ , the better preacher , is not ashamed to tread in Johns steps , and words : John honored Christ , and Christ honored John . Ministers should strengthen the hands one of anoter . And if ye look into the 10. Chapter of Matthew , ye shall finde , That when our Saviour sent out his Disciples for to Preach the Gospel , he commands them to preach the same Doctrin too , in the same words ( verse the 7. ) Go ye , preach , saying ; The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand . But here 's no , Repent ? Yes , that was in their Commission too , as ye may reade in the 6. of Mark and the 12. verse ( they would not preach a word beyond their Commission ) And they went out , and preached that men should Repent . So that their Commission also was to preach thus , Repent , for the Kingdom of Heaven hath approached , or hath drawn neer unto you . Surely , there is somewhat more than ordinary in these words , That John and our Saviour Christ , and all the Disciples should begin thus , for to preach in these words , Repent , for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand . They were all Ministers of the Gospel : and the Ministers of the Gospel , are not barely to preach Repentance , but they are to preach Repentance upon Gospel Motives , The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand .

In the words ye have an Exhortation , Repent ye : A Motive unto the work of Repentance , for the Kingdom of Heaven hath approached .

Repent ye ] That is , be not only sorrowfull for sin committed , but mend your lives . Repentance is sometimes taken in a large sence for Amendment of life . Sometimes Repentance is taken only for Godly sorrow , in a more strict , and a narrow sence .

Somtimes it is taken largely , For the Amendment of our life : not only for godly sorrow , but all obedience , and reformation . And so it may be taken here ; as ye may perceive by the 3. vers. where this word , Repent , is explain'd , Repent ye , for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand ; for this is He that was spoken of by the Prophet Esaias , saying , The voice of one crying in the wilderness , Prepare ye the way of the Lord , make his paths streight . Preparing the way of the Lord , and making streight paths , all one with Repentace . There is a Iegal Repentance : And there is an Evangelical Repentance . Some think it is a Legal Repentance that is here required ; and there upon they urge a necessity of Legal preparation before a man does come to Christ : as there is a John Baptist before Christ ; so ( say they ) there must be a Legal work of necessity before a poor soul can have any admittance to Jesus Christ .

But I pray consider the words , and you will find ; That not a Legal repentance ; but Evangelical is here required . Did our Savior Christ Himself preach Legal Repentance ? They are the words of our Savior Christ ; He uses them too .

The Repentace is , as the Consideration is that this work is to be founded on , as the motive is . What 's the motive ? The Kindom of Heavcn is at hand , Repent ; let your Repentance be upon this ground , because the King-dom of Heaven hath approach't , because the Kingdom of Heaven hath drawn neer . He does not say , Repent , because the Kingdom of Hell is neer , but because the Kingdom of Heaven is neer : the Motive being Evangelical , the Repentance is so , 't is not a Legall , but an Evangelieal Repentance that is here required . Besidesw these words , Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand , are not spoken only to the ungodly , but unto the godly also of those times who were to prepare the way of the Lord , and to make streight their pathes . And therefore , not to be understood of a Repentance only preparatory to that in the heart .

But what then are we to understand here by the Kingdom of Heaven ? Quest. and the approaching of the Kingdom of Heaven ? For the Kingdom of Heaven hath approached , or drawu neer unto you .

The Kingom of Heaven sometimes in the language of the new Testament Notes , Ans. The glorious condition of the other world that we are going to . Sometimes it notes the State of the Church ; it 's used for the Church of Christ . And sometimes for the Gospel of Christ . I take it here for the whole State of the Messiah : the Kingdom of grace , Christ , and all his benefits , grace , mercy , and free remission published in the Gospel , in the several dispensations , and administrations thereof : this is called the Kingdom of Heaven , for this motive , The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand , is set and used here in opposition unto the motives that was used among the Jewes : when the Jewes were Excited , and put upon any duty , they were stirred up thereunto upon such motives as these : for the Kingdom of Canaan is at hand ; If you do so and so , God will bring you into the Land of Canaan , and give you that Land . Now under the Gospel , here are other motives , Repent , for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand : Not like those Jewish motives , The kingdom of Canaan is at hand , or the Kingdom of the Jebusites is at hand ; Christians are not only or especially to be stir'd up by such motives as those , but by higher , and greater motives , Repent , for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hadn . And may carry an Hebraisme with it , The Kingdom of Heaven : that is , a heavenly Kingdom : as the Law is called the Law of fire , in the Hebrew , a fiery Law . The Jews expected the Messiah , & dream'd of an outward , glourious , and pompous Kindgom : Now saies John the Baptist , The Messiah is come , his Kingdom is come ; but it is not an outward , glorious , and pompous Kingdom ; but 't is an heavenly Kingdom , and therefore , Repent , and prepare your selves for the receiving of it , make your way plaine , for the Kingdom of Heaven , an heavenly Kingdom is now at hand .

Is at hand ] we reade it ; but according to the original rather thus , The Kingdome of Heaven hath approch'd , Appropinquavit : As if he should say thus , Do you turn to God , because God hath turned to you : do you draw neer to God , because the kingdom of grace , and free-remission hath drawn neer to you .

There are Two Notes that lie here before us , that I shall commend unto your consideration .

The First is this , That the Kingdom of Heaven , of Grace , Mercy , and of free-remission does approach unto us before we do come unto it .

And Secondly , That the appropinquation , or drawing neer of the Kingdom of Heaven , is the highest , and greatest argument , and motive in the world unto true repentance .

The Kingdom of Heaven , ( I say ) the Kingdom of Grace , Mercy , and Free-remission of sin , does appreach to us , before we draw neer to it . Repent , turn ye ; for the Kingdom of Heaven hath approached , or it hath come to you , and therefore do you come to it .

Thus it lies in the words : And thus you will find it all-a-long .

Thus God hath promised : This Christ hath parabled : Thus God fulfilled .

Thus God hath promised . Thou shalt hear a voice behind thee : What voice is that ? but the voice of mercy , and the voice of grace , and of free-remission .

Thou shalt hear a voice behind thee : Isa. 30.21 . When thou art going away from God , and when thou hast thy back upon God ; thou shalt hear a voice of mercy behind thee ; it shall follow after thee before thou dost come to it .

And thus ye have a cleer parable for it , which you may reade , fully speaking this truth , in Luke 14.16 , 17 , 18. and so on , A certain man made a great supper , and bade many ; And sent his servant at Supper-time , to say to them that were bidden , Come , for all things are now ready . And they all with one consent began to make extuses : So that the Servant came ( at the 21. vers . ) and shewed his Lord these things . Then the Master of the house being angry , said to his Servant , Go quiekly into the Streets and Lanes of the City , and bring in hither the poor , and the maimed ; and the balt , and the blind . ( Mark ) here are invitations of mercy sent out to those that never thought of it . And the Servant said , Lord , it is done as thou bast commanded , and yet there is room . And the Lord said unto the Servant again ( at the 23. vers . ) Go out into the high-wayes , and beages , and compel them to come in , that my house may be filled . See I pray , how the kingdom of Grace , and Mercy , and Free-remission is broughe neer unto a people , before ever they did make after it .

And this ( I say ) you shall find fulfilled . So God hath dealt by the world . So by particular Kingdoms , and Nations in the world . So by particular Towns , and Countries in a Kingdom . So by particular Families in a Towne . And so by particular persons in a family .

Thus God hath dealt with the World , He hath brought neer the Kingdom of Grace , and Mercy , and free-remission to the World , before ever the World did make after it . When the whol World had sinned in the fall , and lay in wickedness , and never thought of returning unto God ; God so loved the world , Joh. 3.16 that he sent his only begotten Son to them . When Adam did not think of Christ , nor the world in him ; the Lord gives out a promise , The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head . Gen. 3.15 Thus mercy , and grace made it's approach towards the world , before ever the world did seek after it .

So in regard of a Nation , in regard of a Kingdome in the world : Go ( saies our Lord and Savior Christ unto his Disciples ) and teach all Nations . The Nations did not come to Christ and say , Lord , the Jewes have refused the Gospel , and therefore we beseech thee that the Gospel may be preached unto us , and we will receive it : No , but before ever they sent any such message to have the Gospel come down to them , the Gospel is sent to them , Go ( saies our Savior ) Go preach to all Nations . But Lord ( they might say ) Suppose that in those nations we meet with such a man as Herod , such a man as Pilate ; shall we preach the Gospel , and free remission of sins then to such a one ? Go ( saies Christ , ) I make no exceptions ; Go , and preach to all Nations . But suppose that a Judas come in when we are preaching the Gospel . Saies Christ , I make no exceptions , if a Judas will come and submit , Goe , preach to all , Goe preach the Gospel , Go preach to all Nations .

And was it not thus with the Nation of the Jewes , as ye reade in the 16. Chapter of the Prophesie of Ezekiel , when they were first taken into Gods love ? None eye pitied thee , ( at the 5. verse ) to do any of these unto thee , to have compassion on thee . Verse the 6. When I passed by thee , and saw thee polluted in tlsine own blood , I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood , Live : yea , I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood , Live . And so it will be with this people the Jews again , when they shall be converted in the latter daies of the world : The Lord speaks so concerning them by the Prophet Esay : I was found of those that sought me not . And in the 66. Isa. 65.1 Chapter of Esay and the 7. verse , 't is said concerning the Jewes that are yet to be called , and the preventing love of God towards them : Before she travailed , she brought forth : before her pain came , she was delivered of a man-child .

Thus it is also with particular Towns in a Kingdom , or in a Nation : the kingdom of grace , of heaven is brought neer to them before they do seek to it . The Apostles went & preach't unto several Towns ; Iconium , & Derbe , & Lystra ; before those Towns did call for the Gospel . And if you look into the 4. Chapter of Matthew , you find , That our Saviour Christ came and dwelt in Capernaum ( at the 13 verse ) which is upon the sea-coast , in the borders of Zabulon and Naphtali : That it might be-ful filled which was spoken by Esaias the Prophet , saying , The Land of Zabulon , and the Land of Nephtali , by the way of the Sea beyond Jordan , Galilee of the Gentiles : The people which sate in darkness , saw great light : and to them which sate in the region and shadow of death , light is sorung up . While they were sitting still in their sins , and in the very shadow of death , Christ goes among them , and causes a glorious light to shine upon them : they did not go out to the light , but the light did come out to them first .

So 't is also in regard of a particular Family in a Town : 't is said concerning the Jailors family , that they were all baptized , they all beleeved : but how ? did the Jailors family come and seek after the Kingdom of Heaven , before the Kingdom of Heaven was brought unto them ? No , The Apostles , were brought into prison , God works a miracle ; the Kingdom of Heaven , grace , and free remission is brought to the prison , and is brought to the Jaylors family , before ever the Jailor did stir after it .

And so ye know it was with the family of Zacheus : Luke , 19 9. Zacheus ( saies our Saviour ) This day is salvation come to thine house . Pray consider it a little , did Zacheus's house go to seek for salvation ? or rather , did not salvation come and seek for Zecheus's house ? Indeed Zecheus out of a curiosity ran and got up into a tree that he might see the out-side of Jesus Christ : but our Lord and Saviour Christ , cals him down , Zacheus ( saies he ) I must dine with thee : invites himself , he carries salvation unto his family .

Thus God deals by Families : He deals thus by the World , He deals thus by Nations , He deals thus by Towns , He deals thus by Families .

And he deals thus by particular Persons also : Was it not thus with Matthew the Publican ? He sate ( ye know ) in his Custome-house , and Christ came and found him out there ; he did not first go and seek after Christ , but Christ came first unto him , and found him out in his trade , and said unto him , 1 Tim. 1.13 . follow me . And was it not thus with Paul ? Saies Paul , I was a blasphemer , and a persecutor : But I obtained mercy . I was breathing out threatenings against the Saints , and against the Disciples of Jesus Christ : but as I was breathing out threatenings against them , the holy Ghost breath'd upon my heart , and met me in the way , and unhorst me , and showed me mercy : the Kingdom of Heaven did approach unto Paul , before ever Paul sought after it .

And as 't is with a particular Person in regard of his first Conversion , and first Repentance : So in regard of his After-Repentance : Peter sins , and before ever Peter repents , Christ looks back upon him ; that is the first , then Peter wept bitterly . Johah sin'd , and sin'd greatly in running away from God : before ever Johah could find in his heart , for to seek unto God , God works a miracle : provides a chamber of preservation , even in the belly of destruction , in the Whales-belly for him . God brought neer his pardoning mercy , and grace to him , before ever Jonah came neer to it .

And as 't is in regard of a mans first , second , and after Prepentance : So 't is also in regardof a mans Comfort , and Consolation . O Lord , ( saies David ) Make me to receive joy , Psal. 51.8 . Psa. 77.2 and comfort ; that the bones that thou hast broken may rejoyce : My soul refuseth comfort , ( saies he ) As if he should say thus : Lord , I have been a great Surgeon at other mens hearts , and I have been able to set their bones that have been out of joynt : but now mine own bones are broken ; I have fallen greatly , and now my own bones are broken , I cannot set mine own bones ; My soul refuseth comfort , and the promise is to my heart-like a bank of Ice , that my heart slips off : and Lord , if thou doest not uphold my heart with a promise , I shall never have comfort : Make me to see comfort , O Lord .

Thus you see , where ever you look in the Scripture , 't is full of the truth that is here before us , namely , That the Kingdome of Heaven , grace , mercy , and free-remission does approach unto us before we draw neer to it .

Evidences of it .

The First is , Taken from our own Condition : Naturally we are lost sheep ; so we are called by Christ . Man , in his natural state , is compared unto the lost son , the lost groat , and the lost sheep . Now you know when a sheep is lost , it does not lie where it is lost : if you lose your purse , or if you lose a ring , it will lie where it was lost unless it be taken up : but now , if a sheep be lost , the sheep wanders up and down , and doth not lie where it was lost , but wanders up and down over one mountain to another , through one thicket to another , through one dirty place to another : and of all creatures , the lost sheep does not seek the way home again : A dog lost will seek the way home again ; a Cat , and such like creatures lost , will seek the way home again : but a sheep lost , does not seek the way home again . Now we are all lost sheep , wandring up and down : One , he wanders over the mountain of Pride : another through the thicket of the World : another through some unclean Slough : but all wandring , and no man able to find his home , till he be first found . Therefore saies our Saviour Christ , Luke 19.10 I came to seek , and to save those that are lost . He does not say barely , I came to save those that are lost ; but I came to seek , and to save those that are lost . And truely , we must be sought all along . Saies David , in the 119. Psalme and the last : Lord , I have gone astray like a lost sheep , O seek thy servant . We have need of continual seeking , as long as there is continual wandring : we have need of such a shepheard as may seek us out . But first of all the Kingdom of Heaven does seek us out before we do seek it : when we are found , then we seek , but we never seek , till we are first found .

A Second Evidence , I take from Christs willingness for to save sinners . There is an infinite willingness in our dear Saviour for to save poor sinners . He came from Heaven for that end and purpose : If a man come a thousand miles upon a business ; will ye not think he is willing to do it ? Jesus Christ came from Heaven for this business , for to save sinners ; Is He not then willing to do it ? I may say that Jesus Christ is more willing to save sinners , than sinners are to be saved by him . The Prodigal goes home to his father ; but when the father sees him after off , he runs : the Prodigal goes , and the father runs to meet him with mercy .

Yea , and our Savior Christ seems to be most willing to save the greatest sinners : the greatest Saints have bin made up out of the greatest sinners . When the Lord Jesus Christ was upon the earth , did he not carry his grace , and mercy , and the doctrin of free remission to the greatest finērs ? Peloved , consider of it I pray you , The greater the sinner is , the more is Christ honored in getting out his Pardon , and in satisfying for such a finner , and so he will love Christ the more . Look I pray into the 7 Chap. of Luke , Simon ( saies Christ ) I 'le propound thee a parable . Master , say on ( saies he ) Then saies , our Savior ( at the 41 vers ) There was be certain Creditor , that had two Dobters ; the one ought five hundred pence , and the other fifty : And when they had nothing to pay , he frankly forgave them both . Tell me therefore , which of them will love him most ? Simon answered and said , I suppose that he to whom he forgave most . And he said unto him , thou hast rightly judged . Those that he forgives most unto , will love most . Jesus Christ loves to be greatly honored , and loved , and therefore he is willing to save the greatest sinners . But now , the greatest sinners are most opposit unto what is good , they don't seek after what is good : Surely therefore , if Jesus Christ would save sinners , and the greatest sinners ; of necessity the Kingdome of Heaven , and of Grace , must approach unto us , before we draw neer to it .

But you will say , Object . Zech. 1.3 Jam. 4.8 The Scripture seems to be contrary unto this Doctrine : For hath not the Scripture said , Turn unto the Lord , and he will turn unto you ? Draw neer to God , and he will draw neer to you ? How is this therfore true , That the kingdom of grace , mercy , and free-remission , does first draw neer unto us , before we draw neer unto it ?

Yea , Hath not our Savior Christ said , Matth. 9 13. I came not to cal the righteous , but sinners to repentance ? That is , such as are sensible of their sins : Surely therefore , a man must be sensible of his sins , must be sensible first , before the kingdome of Heaven , of Grace , Mercy , and Free-remission be brought néer unto him .

For Answer , The Scripture is cleerly with us , Answ. Joh. 4.19 . Joh. 15.16 . The Apostle John speaks out expresly , We love him , because he loved us first .

And saies our Savior , You have not chosen me , but I have chosen you : I have chosen you , you have not chosen me .

And whereas 't is said , That we should turn to God , and he will turn to us : And draw neer to God , and he will draw neere to us . That is , He wil draw neer unto you again , he will turn more unto you ; not as if we should begin to turn to him , and first draw neer to him , before he does first draw neer to us at all : But , draw neer to him , and he will draw neer to you : And turn to him , and he will turn to you : That is , he will draw more neare to you ; and he will turne unto you again .

And whereas 't is said , That Christ came not to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance : That is , such as are sensible of their sins ; and men must be first sensible , before the offer of grace , mercy , and free-remission be made unto them .

I beseech you turn unto the place where the Scripture lies : 't is in the 9. Chapter of Matthew at the latter end of the 13. verse . I am not come to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance . This ( say I ) is not to be understood of sinners only Sensible of their own sins , but sinners indeed . Christ came to call sinners indeed , yea , before they are sensible of their sins . For the word ( Sinner ) here , must be understood as the word sinner before is , in the 10. and 11. verse , As Jesus sate at meat in the house , behold , many Publicans and sinners came and sate down with him , and with his Disciples . When the Pharisees saw it , they said unto his Disciples , why eateth your Master with Publicans and sinners ? He did eat with those that were not sensible of their sins : Sinners there , are not to be meant of those only that were sensible of their sins ; Christ did not only eat with those that were sensible of their sins . Now he gives this account of it , I came not to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance : That is , sinners , such as he names before , such as he did eat withal ; and they were not only such as were sensible of their sins .

Again , Our Saviour Christ gives this account , at the 12. verse , The whole need not the Physitian , but those that are sick . To answer to this Objection , That our Saviour did eat with sinners , and converse with sinners . Saies he , I am a Physitian ; and Physitians , are to go to those that are sick only . There is this difference between me a Physitian , and other Physitians : for I come unsent for ; but other Physitians come when sent for . I , as a Physitian come to Cal my Patients : but other Physitians are Called in by their Patients . Now ( saies he ) I am a Physitian , and I come not to call the righteous , but sinners , I come to Call my Pationts . Physitians don 't only go to those that are sensible of their disease ; but if a man be past sence , his friends send for the Physitians , and the Physitian goes : So does Christ here , Comes unto his Patients when they are not sensible of their disease many times .

Again ; This sutes with that which goes before . Go ( saies he , at the 13 verse ) and learn what that meaneth , I will have mercy , and not saerifice . Sometimes this phrase , this sentence is to be understood concerning bodily mercy : But here 't is to be understood of mercy to the soule Go ye and learn what that meaneth , I will have mercy , and not sacrifice . Ye object to me , that I converse with Publicans and sinners , not with those that are righteous in their generation , go and learn what that meaneth , I will have mercy , and not sacrifice : I have more delight in conversing with poor sinners , that with those Jews that do offer sacrifice .

Ang again , Gonsider what sense would here be , if this should be the meaning ; I came not to call the righteous , but sinners : That is , I came to call those that are sensible of their sins , Then the meaning must be this : I came not to call the righteous , but men that are penitent , men that are sensible of their sins , and are penitent . If by the calling the sinners we are to understand those that are sensible only ; then the sense must be this , I came not to call the righteous , but men that are penitent . No , no , Christ came to cal sinners , poor sinners ; although they were never yet sensible of their sins , the Lord Jesus Christ came to call sinners , which are so indeed .

This Doctrine then stands notwithstanding that Objection .

But you will say , Obj. The Prodigal seems to come home unto his father , before his father does come to him ; and to repent , before his father shows mercy to him : and so our repentance does prevent the Lords mercy , and not the Lords mercy prevent our repentance .

For Answer , Ans. 'T is good for us alwaies to attend unto the scope of the Scripture ; in Parables especially : The scope of the Parable cannot be according to the tenure of this Objestion ; for then it should be contrary to the former Parable , of the lost sheep .

Indeed , The Prodigal saies he will repent , before he goes to his father : Luke . 15.18 , 19. I will return to my father , and I will say , I have sinned against Heaven , and against thee ; and I am not worthy to be called thy Sonne : but he never saies so till he came to his father : after his father had fallen upon his neck , and forgiven him , and showed mercy to him , then he said so , and not before . And ( saies the text ) when his father saw him a far off : Notwithstanding he had resolved to go home , yet he was far off from mercy : his father saw him a far off ; and had compassion , and ran , and fell on his neck , and kis't him , preventing of him by his grace : this makes it more prevalent .

But yet you will say , Object . How can this be ? can God love sinners ? can God set his love upon poor sinners , that are so ?

What saies the Apostle in Rom. 4.5 . Answ. He justifies the ungodly , not in their sins , but from their sins , through Christ . 'T is not in Gods love , as in our love : you love , because the thing loved is lovely : but Gods love , does make lovely : your love finds lovely : and Gods love makes lovely . You love a person because of some beauty : but Gods love does make beautiful . You love a person because of some good you do find before you love : but Gods love brings the goodness with it , Gods love makes the person good that he does love . His love is the original & root of all our obedience , and sanctification . Though the Root lies under ground , all the branches are beholding to it : and the fruit have their sap , and life from it . So though Gods reconciling love lies under ground , and ye see it not , yet 't is the Root of all your obedience , of all your sanctification . Ye may observe therefore , that in the Epistle to the Romans , to the Galatians , to the Hebrews ; when the Apostle would stir up the Romans , Galatians , Hebrews to holiness of life : that he laies his Exhortation upon the Doctrine of free-grace , love , justification by faith alone , and the sulness of Christs satisfaction for poor unworthy sinners . In the book of the Romans , he begins to state the Doctrine of free justification of sinners : and remission by Christ alone . In the book of the Galatians , he begins with free-remission of sins , and justification by faith alone : So in the book of the Hebrews : But the end and conclusion of all these Epistles to the Romans , Galatians , Hebrewes , is , Obedience , Repentance , and holiness of life . As if this were the great Root that all our obedience did grow upon , even free remission of sins , and Justification by faith alone . And if justificiation do go before our sanctification , then of Necessity there must be an approaching of the Kingdom of Heaven to us , before we do come to it .

Give me leave to give you Two , or Three Reasons of it , and so I will come to the Application .

First of all , Reas. 1 God doth so order things in the dispensations on s of his grace , and administration thereof , as that he may be known to be God , Jehovah , that all flesh may see his glory . What is the glory of God ? His free-grace is his glory . And therefore ye shall observe , that when Moses begs to see Gods glory , Lord ( saies he ) show me thy glory . Exo. 33.18 , 19. The Lord made him this answer , Moses , would'st thou see my glory ? What ? otherwise than thou hast seen it in the Mount ? Moses , here is my glory : I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy : The Lord read him a lecture of his free-grace : Moses , here 's my glory , my free-grace is my glory . And how can Gods freegrace be more seen , and manifest than in such a way . Causing the Kingdom of Heaven , of grace , and free remission to draw neer to us , even before we do stir towards it .

Secondly , Reas. 2 God does so order things in the dispensations of his grace , as that men may be made the most gracious . The sight of Gods grace , wil make a man gractions : the more ye see the grace of God in Christ , the more gractious ye wil be . And pray mark that instance which ye have in the 7. of Luke : ( the same that Inamed before ) consider it well , at the 37. verse , Behold , a woman in the City which was a sinner ( it seems she was a very wicked woman , a sinner ) when she knew that Jesus Christ sate at meat in the Pharisees house , brought an Alabaster box of ointment , and stood at his feet behind him weeping , and began to wash his feet with teares , and did wipe them with the haires of her head , and kissed his feet , and anointed them with the ointment . What 's the reason of this ? Saies our Saviour Christ , I say unto thee , ( at the 47. verse ) Her sins , which are many , are forgiven her , for she loved much . She wept much , because she loved much : and she loved much , because much was forgiven her .

The Papists and those that do follow them say indeed , That her forgiveness was a fruit of her love : because 't is said here , Her sins , which are many , are forgiven , for she loved much . But good people makr it , and you-will find , that first of all there is forgivenss , and thereupon the woman loved : and her loving much , was but a sign of her being much forgiven . For this is sutable with the latter end of the 47. verse : Her sins , which are many , are forgiven , for she loved much . Much forgivenss is the ground of loving much : and loving much , is a fign of much forgiveness : for it follows , But to whom little is forgiven , the same loveth little .

And this sutes also with the Parable that ye have before , at the 41. and the 42. and the 43. verses . ( Which is brought in upon occasion of this womans loving thus much . ) A certain Creditor had two debtors : the one ought five hundred pence , and the other fifty : and when they had nothing to pay , he frankly forgave them both . Tell me therefore , which of them will love him most ? Simon answered and said , I suppose that he to whom he forgave most . Marke the scope of the parable , and you will find it is to show , That love flows from forgiveness . The Papists , ( and others that cleave to them ) therefore , go against the scope of this Parable .

And now my beloved , if all our love be upon forgiveness , and forgiveness goes first ; Oh! what free-grace is here ? We Repent , and we Weep because we love ; and we love because we are forgiven : but forgiveness goes first : Oh! what grace ! and love is here ! Paul was so taken with this , that to me he seems to be more taken with it , than with the vision that he had in the third Heaven , saies he , I knew a man ( whether in the body , 2. Cor. 12.2 . or out of the body ) a man ( saies he ) wrapt up into the third Heaven , and heard unspeakable words , which is not lawful to be uttered . And this Paul speaks of but once . But saies Paul , I was a blasphenter , 1. Tim. 1.13 . I was a persecutor ; but I obtained mercy : This story he tels three times : he tels the other story but one time ; but this story , this story of free grace ; how he was a blasphemer , and a persecutor , and how he obtain'd mercy ; this was never out of his mind . As if he were more refresh't with the thought of this , than with the other . And I pray what then ? Do but observe Paul , who gracious he is : how humble he is : how thankful he is : how ready to serve Christ : how ready to serve the Churches for Christ : how ready to suffer for Christ upon all occasions : Oh! how gracious did this make him . Thus 't is with a poor soul , that hath tasted of the free-grace of God in Christ ; the heart is more taken herewithal , than with the thoughts of Heaven : Ah , saies a poor soul , I was going on in such a sinful way ; or I lay sleeping and snorting in my sins ; and I know not how , before ever I was aware , the Kingdom of Heaven did approach unto me , and the Lord in his free-grace showed mercy to my family , and to my poor soul : Oh! therefore , any thing for Jesus Christ ; Oh! I will spend , and be spent , Oh! any thing for Jesus Christ . The sight of Gods grace , does make one gracious ; and therefore Christ does take this way , Causing the Kingdom of Heaven , grace , and free remission , to approach first unto us , before we do draw neer to it .

There is one Reason more , I will but name it .

Christ does so order things in the dispensations of his grace , that no flesh might glory in it selfe , or in any thing that it hath , or doth : that no flesh might rest in any duty , in any service , in any suffering ; but only upon grace , upon Christ alone . Beloved ! we are very unwilling to come unto any duty ; and when we have done , we are then as apt to rest upon it , as ever we were unwilling to come unto it . But what 's the reason that men are so apt to rest upon their duties , but because there are these secret thoughts , that they come to Christ , before he does come to them . Let the heart be possest with this truth , That Jesus Christ , and the Kingdom of Heaven , and of free-grace , does approach unto us , and come neer to us , before we draw neer to it . And then he will not rest so much upon what he is , doth , or suffereth . A man in this case is like unto a Silk-worme ; you know how 't is with that worme : it makes a fine web , a fine work ; and when it hath done , it dies in it , afterward it eats a hole through the work , and it comes out with wings , a quite other creature than it went into it . So it is with a poor Christian : he makes a fine work of duty , and then he dies in it ; but through the manifestations of Gods free grace , he does , as it were , eat a hole through all , and he comes out with wings flying away from his duties , not so as to neglect the performance of them , but so , as not to rest upon them : flyes away from ( in regard of resting upon any ) duty ; and only upon this ground , because ( saies he ) God did draw neer to me , grace did draw neer to me , mercy did draw neer to me , before ever I drew neer to it : and therefore why should I rest upon any duty , performe it I will , but through grace I will not rest upon it .

By way of Application ; Applic. 1 Let us I pray consider with our selves , whether God hath dealt thus by our souls or no : Hath the Kingdom of Heaven approch't , and drawn neer unto us , before we drew neer to it ? if not , truly ( for ought that I know ) we are yet under the Law : and all our mournings , and walkings Heaven-ward , they are but Legal : If God love you indeed , He shews kindness , and mercy to you , before you do come to him .

'T is with Gods darlings , as 't is with the worlds-darlings . You have some men take a great deal of pains , rise early , and go to bed late , and yet the world does not smile upon them : these are the world's enemies . Some take pains , and grow rich thereby ; these are the worlds friends , Others there are again , that before ever they take any pains the Lord is upon them with the worlds blessings ; these are the worlds darlings . So I say , God hath his darlings ; and if thou art one of Gods darlings , He does cause the Kingdom of Heaven , Grace , and Free-remission to appear and draw neer unto thy soul , even before thou dost draw neer to it . Hath God dealt thus by any of you ? Oh! contemplate , consider seriously the sweetness of this grace . Beloved ! preventing grace , is sweet grace . The Lord gave a Grown , a Kingdom to David ; but the best Pearle in all the Crown , that his eye was most upon , was Gods preventing mercy : Psa. 21.3 . Lord ( saies he ) thou hast prevented me with the goodness of thy blessing . As if he had said thus ; Lord , thou hast not only given me a kingdom , made me a King over thy people ; but when I was a poor Shepheard , keeping my fathers sheep : thou diddest prevent me with thy love . So may a poor soul say , Ah , Lord , thou hast not only given me a kingdom , but thou hast prevented me with thy love . 'T is a great matter , that the great God of Heaven and Earth should answer our prayers , give us any mercy upon our request : I , but that the Lord should give us the greatest mercie before we come for it . Pray good people mark it a little , Ye shall observe , that the greatest mercies that ye have ; ye have them , and they are given unto you before you come for them . There are some great mercies that a Christian hath : as Conversion of his soul , Justification , Remission of sin : Some lesser mercies ; as comfort , and peace , and outward plenty . As for these lesser mercies , God gives them when we do come for them : but as for the great Mercies ; Remission of sin ; Justification of our persons ; Conversion of our souls , God is upon us with these mercies before we come for them : Oh! what grace is here ! Oh! what glorious , rich grace is here ! What! shall be not stand and admire at the glory of this free grace of God in Jesus Christ !

You will say unto me : Quest. But suppose this , that the Lord hath brought the Kingdom of Heaven neer to me , and my family before I did come to it : for I must confess , that I have tasted , and drunk deeply of Gods preventing love : Oh! how graciously hath God dealt by our poor family ! wee were a poor , ignorant family ; and the Lord shewed mercy to our family when we little thought of it : to such a Child , to such a Servant , to such a Friend , to mine own soul . Indeed this is true , That the Kingdom of Heaven hath approch't unto me , drawn neer unto me before I drew neer to it ; Oh! what is my duty now , that does flow from hence ?

Let me tell you : Ans. 1 Duty .

First of all ; Be sooner at Heaven gate with your duties hereafter , than ever you were before . When as a Master comes into his servants Chamber in the morning , and takes him abed : if the servant have any ingenuity , the servant saies , this my Masters coming thus early , is plainly a rebuke to my sloth ; and therfore ( God willing ) I will be up sooner another day . So now , when as the Lord does thus prevent us with his grace , and is at our bed-side with his grace , when we lie sleeping , and never think of mercy , and grace ; an ingenious soul should say thus : What is all this , but a plain rebuke to the slothfulness of my duty ? Come , up prayer , up duty , oh my soul be up sooner : Yea , through the Lords grace I will be up sooner at Heaven gate in duty than ever I was before : His preventing grace teaches me thus much , that I am not soon enough at Heaven gate with my duty .

Again , 2. Duty . Hath the Lord prevented any of you with grace , and caused the Kingdom of Heaven to draw neer to you before you drew neer to it ? Do you do the like : labour in your love to be like to Christ , to be like to God . We stand upon our terms when we have to deal with men , upon our terms of State . had Jesus Christ stood upon terms of State when . he came to save sinners , what had become of us ? We say , we will forgive such a man for wrong done to us , upon his acknowledgement : Oh! but did Christ do so ? Did not Christ prevent us ? Beloved ! ye see how 't is with the water , it moves downward ; but if the fire get into it ; if there be water in a pot , upon the fire , and fire get into the water , the fire makes it move upward , it moves according to the nature of the fire then . So now , if the love of Jesus Christ get into our hearts , it will make us move like unto Christ : How does the love of Jesus Christ move ? Oh ( saies Christ ) Father forgive them , they know not what they do . Luke 23.34 . Christ did not stay for acknowledgement : a poor , and a low thing for a Christian ; Enough for a Heathen to say so , I will forgive such a man for wrong done to me upon his acknowledgment . Let our love be like unto Christs , and labour to prevent others with our love , as Jesus Christ hath prevented us .

Thirdly , Then let all men waith upon others , 3 Duty . with all longsufforing , and patience , for their Conversion , and the revelation of truth unto them . Thou art a Parent , and desirest thy Child may be Converted , and hast taken a great deal of pains with him for his Conversion , and yet it will not be . Thou art a governour of a family , and would'st fain have such a servant converted to Christ , and hast taken a great deal of pains ; and yet it won't be . A friend you have , and you would fain that he knew such a Truth , and much pains you have taken to beat such a Truth into him , and he don't take it , and you are ready to be angry : but remember this , The Kingdom of Heaven draws neer to us before we draw neer to it : Grace must come to thy Childs soul first before it does come to Christ , Mercy must come to the soul : and the Lord must come and bring truths unto the soul . What is then to be done ? Then be not angry with him : wait with all long suffering , and all patience , and go to God ; go to God for thy Child ; go to God for thy friend ; go to God for thy servant , upon this ground , Because the Kingdom of Heaven must come to us first before we can come to it .

But Especially , 4. Duty . and Fourthly , Trust in the Lord for ever . Oh! all you that are the servants of the Lord , upon this ground , Trust in the Lord for ever . Does the kingdom of Heaven approach , and draw neer to us , before we draw neer unto it ? Then say within your souls , Doubting shall be no more .

Some there are , that doubt of their salvation , because of the lgnorance that is in them : darkness causes fear : they don't know the mercifull disposition of Jesus Christ , and so they doubt of his love . The Devil , as he labours to change himself into an angel of light ; so he labours to change Christ into an angel of darkness . But beloved , ye have heard of the merciful , sweet disposition of Jesus Christ : he is willing to save sinners , and the greatest sinners ; brings neer the Kingdom of Heaven to us , before we draw neer to it : Oh! wilt thou doubt again ? poor Christian , wilt thou doubt again ?

Some there are , that doubt of their salvation , because they are afraid their duties shall not be accepted , prayers shall not be accepted : Oh! if I could but be perswaded ( saies one ) that the Lord would hear my prayer , and accept of my duty , then I should know indeed I should be saved : but I am afraid the Lord doth not hear my prayers , and accept of my duties ; and therefore I fear I shall not be saved . Man or woman , where ever thou standst , or art ; hear the Word of the Lord . Does the Lord cause the Kingdom of Heaven to approach and draw neer to us , before we draw neer to it ? will the Lord be found of those that seek him not ? and will he not be found of you that do seek him ? Will the Lord come with his grace , and make an offer of grace , and mercy to a sinner , and a great sinner ? and will not the Lord receive you , when you do come unto him ? Think of this : and surely then you will say , Doubting shall be no more .

Some there are , that doubt of their salveation , because they cannot pray ; their hearts are dead : pray I cannot , and hear I cannot , and reade I cannot , performe duty I cannot ; and therefore I have cause to fear I shall never come to Heaven . Well , but though you cannot , Man , or Woman , Christian ; pray as thou art able , and hear as thou art able , and reade as thou art able : the Lord Christ is of this sweet disposition , That . he does canse the Kingdom of Heaven to draw neer to us , before we draw neer to it : Oh! therefore , you that are the servants of the Lord , Trust in the Lord for ever ; for ever trust in the Lord : and let doubting be no more .

I conclude all with one word of Exhortation , Applic. 2 and it is unto those that have not yet submitted unto this Kingdom of Heaven , this Kingdom of Grace : Is there a truth in this Doctrine ? That the Kingdom of Heaven , grace , mercy , and free remission , does approach unto us , before we draw neer unto it ? and that because ( indeed ) we are not able to draw neer to it , before it draws neer unto us ? Then all you , that have not yet submitted unto this Kingdom of grace , and the offer of grace , and mercy in the Gospel : when ever any offer shall be made unto ye , take heed that ye neglect not so great salvation . You see how 't is with the sea-man : because the sea-man is not able to raise a wind ; or turn the wind when 't is raised ; he lies upon the sea-coast ready , waiting upon the wind : and when the wind turns , then he hoists up his sailes , for saies he , now the wind is come about , and if I lose this gale , I am likely to lose my voyage : I cannot turn the wind , I cannot make the wind . So I say to you , man or woman , young man , or old ; hath the Lord brought a gale upon thine heart at any time ? a gale of mercy , made a tender of mercy , and free remission to thee ? Oh! for the love of God , and of thy own soul , take heed how you lose this opportunity : is the wind come about ? ( the Spirit blows where it listeth : ) is the wind come about ? Up with thy sailes , up with thy sailes , take heed how you lose this opportunity that now you have . Little do you think , that the Kingdom of Heaven may be in such a motion as you despise : the Kingdom of Heaven may be knocking at your door , the door of your heart , by such a hand as you little think of . The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of musterd-seed , Mat. 13 31 , 32. which indeed is the least of all seeds ; but it grows to that bigness , that the fowles of the aire come and make there their nests : When you see a little musterd-seed , you will say , 't is impossible ; can ever this musterd-seed grow to that bigness , that the fowles of the aire should there make their nests ? The Kingdom of Heaven is like Christ himself : Can this be the Messiah ? 't is the Carpenters son ; can this Carpenters son be the Messiah ? So the Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of musterd-seed ; comes with a small motion : May be a Child makes a motion to his father , Oh! father , let there be prayer in our family , Oh! let there be reading the Word in our family . May be the servant comes and makes a motion to the Mistrisse ; Oh! Mistrisse , let 's go to such a Sermon , let us go to such a meeting , let 's go to prayer : The Kingdom of Heaven may come in such a motion : by the hand of a Child , by the hand of a servant : take heed therefore if you have not submitted to this offer ; Oh! take heed , take heed how you neglect so great salvation : I say the Kingdom of heaven may come in such a small motion as you despise . And therefore , if ever the Lord breath upon any of your hearts ; if the wind come about ; man and woman , up with thy sailes , now for thy life , now for thy Eternity ; if this gale be lost , may be thou shalt never have such a gale again : The Kingdom of heaven does approach , and draw neer unto us , before we draw neer unto it : well therefore , when it comes , see that you accept of it .

SERMON II. MATTHEW 3.2 .

Repent ye : for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand : Preached at Margrets New-fishstreet . March . 16. 1645 Or hath approached .

THESE Words are part of that Sermon which John the Baptist preached , when he first began for to preach the Gospel . They contain , ye see , at the first view , An Exhortation to Repentance , with a motive , or encouragment thereunto : For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand .

I take it for granted , that ye understand what is the notion of Repentance . And my design is not to fall into the common place of Repentance ; but only to speak to it so far as it hath relation to this motive .

Some there are that think these words are to be understood of a Legal Repentance ; as if John the Baptist's Ministry were a legal Ministry ; and in that sense he himself a fore-runner to Jesus Christ . This ( me thinks ) is to lowen the Ministry of John the Baptist . And if you look into the 1. Chap. of Luke , you will find , that John's Ministry was not a Legal Ministry , but a Gospel-Ministry : ( the 76 , and the 77. verses ) Thou Child shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest : for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord , to prepare his wayes : To give knowledge of salvation unto his people , by the remission of their sins . And if ye look into the following verse to the Text , ye shall finde the interpretation of this Repentance : Repent ye : for this is he that was spoken of by the Prophet Esaias , saying , The voice of one crying in the wilderness , Prepare ye the way of the Lord , make his paths straight . So that preparing the way of the Lord , and making his paths straight ; is all one with that which is going befoe . Now is any one able to make his paths straight before he do come to Christ ? why then do we come to Christ if we be able to make our paths straight before we do come unto him ?

And besides , As the Motive is , such is the Repentance that is founded on it . The motive here is Evangelical : Repent ye : for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand . The motive is Evangelical , surely therefore , the Repentance here required , is not a Legal , but an Evangelical Repentance .

But what is it then ? what is here meant by the Kingdom of Heaven ? and the Kingdom of Heaven being at hand , or approaching ?

In the language of the new Testament , the Kingdom of Heaven is sometimes put for the Kingdom of Glory : Sometimes it is put for the Church of Christ under the new Testament : Sometimes it is put for the Gospel , and the preaching of the Gospel : Sometimes for the whole Kingdom of Grace . I take it here for the whole state of the Messiah : the Kingdom of grace , the preaching of the Gospel , and the dispensations thereof . And he saies here , That the Kingdom of Heaven hath approach't : therefore do you turn , therefore do ye repent .

There are these Two Notes that lie before ye .

First , The Kingdom of Heaven does approach unto us , before we do come unto it . Repent ye : or turn ye : because the Kingdom of Heaven hath approach't unto you ; So in the beginning .

Secondly , That the appropinquation , approaching , or drawing neer of the Kingdom of Heaven , is the highest , and the greatest motive in the world unto true Repentance .

I have spoken to the former in a Congregation not far distant : and my desire is to speak unto the Second .

The appropinquation , approaching , Doct. or drawing neer of the Kingdom of Heaven , is the highest . and the greatest motive in the world unto true Repentance .

This is the Motive that John uses here ; thus John begins , when he began for to preach the Gospel . And if you look into the 4. the next Chapter , ye shall find , that our Saviour Christ begins to preach Repentance upon the same Motive : verse the 17. from that time Jesus began to preach , and say , Repent : for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand . The same words . And if ye look into the 10. Chapter of Matthew , ye shall find , that when he sent out his Apostles for to preach , he put the like words into their mouthes also : ( at the 7. verse ) And as ye go , preach , saying , The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand .

There the word , Repent , is not you will say : But if you look into the 6. of Mark , and the 12. verse : ye shall find that 't is said there , Then they went out , and preach't , that men should repent . It was part of their Commission : and thus they were to preach Repentance upon this motive , That the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand , or the Kingdom of heaven is approaching . Surely therefore , this is the great Motive , the motive of motives . In the invitation to the great Supper spoken of in the Gospel : what is the motive used , for to bring men unto the supper , but this ? Come , for all things are now ready : Mercy is ready , the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is ready , Come , for all things are now ready : this is the motive that is used there . And if ye look into the 12. Chapter of Paul to the Romans , ye shall find at the 1. verse , That when the Apostle doth exhort them , to present themselves a living sacrifice , holy , acceptable unto God : he perswades by this motive of mercy : I beseech you therefore , brethren , by the mercies of God , that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice . I beseech ye therefore . That Therefore , sends us unto the former Chapter , to enquire what these mercies were . At the 30. verse of the former Chapter , he saies unto them , For as ye in times past have not beleeved God , yet now have obtained mercy through their unbeliefe . The Jewes were cast off : and the Gentiles ( these Romans ) received to mercy , the Kingdom of Heaven did come to them , the Gospel effectually preach't to them , the Doctrine of free-remission of poor sinners : Now ( saies he ) I beseech you by the mercies of God , that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice . The Scripture is full of this .

But for our better opening , and clearing of this Truth : Let us I pray descend into the particulars of Repentance , and consider how the grace , and mercy , and love of God in Christ ( which is the substance of this Kingdom of Heaven ) hath an influence upon them all ; and how all of them are caused thereby .

First , A man that does Repent , must see , and know his sins : true-sight of sin is requisite to true Repentance Indeed , a man may in some measure attain unto the knowledge , and discovery of his sin by some Affliction : when Adoni-bezek had his fingers , and toes cut off , you know what he said : Thus have I done . Afflictions do un-leave a man , take off his leaves : when the leaves are off the hedges , ye see those birds-nests , that ye could not see before when the leaves were on : And so , when affliction hath made one naked , and taken ones leaves off , a man is able to see those nests of corruption in his own heart that he never did see before .

The Apostle saies , By the Law is the knowledge of sin : but now , though by the Law , as by a rule , we come to the knowledge of our sin ; and by Affliction we are help't to see the nests of our own hearts : yet notwithstanding , a man cannot see his sins fully but by Gospel-light ; it is a work of the Spirit to convince of sin : I will send the Spirit , the Comforter , and he shall convince the world of sin . And where does the Spirit breath , but in the Gospel , the Kingdom of Heaven , the preaching of the Gospel ? Received ye the Spirit ( saies the Apostle ) by the works of the Law , or by the preaching of faith ? When once Esay the Prophet had had a fight of Christ , he cries out , Vae mihi , I am undone : We is me , I am undone , I am unclean .

Again , ( for I will but touch upon these ) As a man must know his sin : So if he will repent truly , he must be grieved , and humbled for it . If you look into the 7. of Luke , ye may see what work it had : A woman , a great sinner comes to Christ , and she washes his feet with her teares : what made her do so ? She loved much , for much was forgiven her . So that the more the love and mercy of God in Chrst is opened in the Gospel , or does make it's approach unto a soul , the more the soul is set a weeping and mourning for sin committed .

Again , As a man Repenting must be grieved for sin committed ; So he must , and he will loath himself : self-loa-thing is requisite to Repentance . If a man have taken a surfet by eating or drinking , he does not only loath the meat which caused the surfet , but he loaths the very Vessel that hath the smell of the meat , or the liquor in it : So now , when a man comes to Repent , he does not only loath his sin , but he loaths himselfe , the vessel , where the sinne was : Oh! these filthy eyes of mine ; Oh! these vile hands , Oh! this vile heart of mine ; hee loaths himself . But what causes this self-loathing ? Th Prophet Ezekiel will tell ye , in the 20. of Ezekiel . the 41 , 42 , and 43. verses : Then shall ye loath your selves when I am pacified ; or when God had shown them mercy , caused his love to approach unto them : Then should they loath themselves . 'T is not all your Afflictions : nor all my Threatnings ( saies God ) that will make ye to loath your selves : but when ye see my love , my grace , my pardoning mercy ; then shall ye loath your selves : not your sins only , but your selves also .

Again , A Repenting person does not only loath himself for his sin : but he is ashamed of it : he is ashamed of his former evil waies . What fruit have ye of those things whereof ye are [ now ] ashamed : not before , but wereof ye are [ now ] ashamed . So long as a man walks in the dark , he does not blush , he is not ashamed though his Cloaths be ragged , and torne , and his naked flesh appears , because he is in the dark : But if he come to the light , then he blushes that his nakedness appears : And so long as men are in their sins , and are in darkness , they are not ashamed of their sins ; because they are in darkness : But when once they come to the light , then they blush , and then they are ashamed : What light is that that will ashame one of sin ? there is light enough in hel-fire , for the damned there to reade their sins by , but that don't make them ashamed : where the light of the Gospel , the opening of the Kingdom of Heaven is , and pardoning love is , there is shame . Ye shall see therefore , how Ezra bulshes , when he considered the love of God , and their sins together : in the 9. of Ezra and the 6. verse . And he said , O my God , I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face unto thee , my God : Why ? for our iniquities are increased . Is that all ? No , saies he at the 8. verse : for a little space grace hath been shewed us from the Lord our God , to give us a remnant to eseape , and to give us a nail in his Holy place : we were bond-men , yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage : And now , O our God , what shall we say after this ? after this ? The sight of their own sins , and the remembrance of Gods love together , made him blush . Ye know the place in Ezekiel , Then shall ye be confounded , and ashamed , when I am pacified towards ye . The more a man knows that God is pacified towards him , the more he is ashamed .

Again , A Repenting person is not only ashamed of his former evil waies : but as occasion serves , he will acknowledge his sins : But I pray , what works the heart over to this acknowledgment ? When David had Saul at a great advantage , and spar'd him : Saul breaks forth into this expression , O my son David , thou art more righteous than I : O David ! thou art a righteous man , but I am an unrighteous man . So when the soul sees what infinite advantage the Lord hath it at , and how the Lord spareth ; then the soul breaks forth , and saies , The Lord is righteous , I am unrighteous , I am unrighteous : this works an acknowledgment .

Sixtly , A Repenting person , does not only acknowledge his sin as occasion serves ; but he labours to un-sin his sin ; and truely , else it is no Repentance . He does walk contrary unto himself , and his former self : he does labour to undo what he had done before sinfully : he does labour to unsay what he had said before wickedly . Before the Jaylor was converted , he clap't up the Apostle into close prison , and either he whipt him there , or else being whipt , he did not relieve him , and wash his wounds : But the Jaylor Repenting , mark how he walks contrary to himself : Repenting , he opens the prison door , he washes the Apostles wounds , brings him into his own house , sets meat before him . Those Sorcerers Acts , 19. repenting , burnt their books , which before they prized , and studies much . How did Manasses walk contrary to himself , when he once Repented ?

Well , But what is that that will bring the soul to this disposition , to walk contrary to ones former self ? If you look into the 116. Psalm , ye shall find there how the Psalmist eats up his former words : I said in my hast , all men are lyers : It was amiss in me , I eat my words , I am sorry for it : what made him do it ? Saies he at the 3. verse , The sorrows of death compassed me about , and the pains of hell gate hold upon me : I found trouble and sorrow : Then called I upon the Name of the Lord ; O Lord I beseech thee deliver me . ( at the 5. verse ) Gracious is the Lord , and righteous : yea , our God is mercisul . Now having had a tast of Gods grace , and God mercy , now he eats his former words . And so the good man Hezekiab : I said ( saies he ) I am cut off from the land of the living : Isa. 38.11 . He did eat his words , I repent , it was suddenly done : How was he wrought off to this ? He had tasted of the love , and grace , and goodness of God ; and this made him do it . So that now , look into the bowels of Repentance , and the several workings thereof , and ye shall find there is no such way , or means , or motive to bring a soul unto Repentance , as the approaching of the Kingdom of Heaven , the word , and work of Gods grace , and love of God in Jesus Christ .

Would you know the Reason ? Briefly thus .

Repentance is a fruit of faith . Ye have a notable expression of godly sorrow to the height , in the 12. of Zachary , the latter end of the 10 , 11 , and 12. verses , ( speaking of the Call and Conversion of the Jews . ) They shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son : and shall be in bitterness for him , ( the latter end of the 10. verse ) as one that is in bitterness for his first-born . Bitterness upon bitterness , and mourning . And in that day ( at the 11. verse ) there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem , as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon : And the land shall mourn , every family apart , the family of the house of David apart , and their wives apart . Here is great mourning , and sorrow ; What caused this ? saies he at the 10. verse , They shall look upon me whom they have pierced , and they shall mourn : They shall look upon me whom they have piercit . This is the eye of faith , and all true mourning , and sorrow does come from thence . All tears of Repentance flow from the eye of faith : the more a man by faith is able to see a pierced Christ , the more his heart is pierced for sin committed : the more by faith a man is able to see a wounded Christ , the more will his heart be wounded for sin committed . Faith works Repentance : but what worketh faith ? Surely the Gospel , the preaching of the Gospel : Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law , or by the preaching of faith ? He does not say by the preaching of the Gospel , but by the preaching of faith : The Gospel is called faith , not only because 't is the Cbject of faith ; but that by which faith is wrought .

Again , As Repentance is a fruit of faith : So also it does flow from love . Amor doloris causa ; Love is the cause of grief . The more a man loves another , or apprehends that he is loved of him ; the more he grieves , if he hath any way injured him . If you at un-awares do strike another , and one tell you that he is your enemy ; ye grieve not , ye are not troubled ; unless it be in regard of some mischief that may come to your self : But if one tell you , that he is a friend , a specialfriend ; that grieves you . So now if by my sins I have striken at God : if I look upon God as an enemy , I am not grieved much , I am not troubled much : But when I consider him as my father , the best friend I have in the world ; and consider how by my sins I have stricken at him ; this makes me grieve : Oh! that ever I should wound the name of him whom my soul loves ! She loved much ( saies our Saviour concerning the weeping woman ) she loved much , for much was forgiven her : He does not say , she wept much , for much was forgiven her : there was no mention before of her love , but only of her weeping ; and yet saies our Saviour , she loved much : because he would shew what it was that drew up the sluce of these tears : it was her love . And what causeth love ? Love causeth love . The more a man sees , and apprehends the love of Christ towards him , the more his heart is drawn out in love towards Christ again . And what greater act of love than this ? That the Kingdom of Heaven approaches , that the Kingdom of Heaven should come , and make it's approach to such a poor sinner as I am : Surely therefore , the approaching , or drawing neer of the Kingdom of Heaven , is the highest , and greatest motive in the world unto true Repentance .

You will say , Experience seems for to speak the contrary : for , arguments drawn from Hell , and the wrath of God , seem to be more powerful , and efficacious in the working of Repentance . I have ( will some say ) sometimes considered the wrath of God , and let out my heart upon arguments drawn from thence ; and then I have bin much humbled , broken ; been much affected : yea , the truth is , I have been more humbled , and more broken , and more affected , and more troubled for sin ; than when the Gospel , the word of the Kingdom hath been preach'd , and opened unto me : How therefore is this true ? Experience seems to speak the contrary .

I answer , Quicquid recipitur &c. Every thing is received according unto the receiver . A legal spirit doth relish and savour most of those arguments which are drawn from Hell , and from the wrath of God : But an Evangelical Christian , those that are drawn from love and mercy . But for the more full Answer to this , pray consider with me , these Six , or Seven Distinctions .

First , It 's one thing for a man to be troubled in Conscience : and another thing to be humbled for sin committed . Those that are Damn'd in Hell , and lie there despairing , must needs be troubled in Conscience ; how could they despaire else ? Take a soul that hath the work of the Law upon him , and a meer work of the Law ; and in some respects , he may be more troubled in Conscience : but a Christian that hath a work of the Gospel upon his heart , is notwithstanding this , more humbled for sin committed .

Again , It 's one thing for a man to be prick't in heart : and another thing for a man to Repent . Ye shall find therefore , that in the 2. of the Acts : 't is said concerning divers , That they were prick't in their heart , and said , What shall we do ? Peter said nnto them , Repent . They were prick't in their heart , and said , what shall we do ? and he said , Repent . Possibly then , a man or woman may be prick't in the heart , and yet not Repent . Those that have the work of the Law upon them , may have more legal prickings : but those that have the work of the Gospel , they Repent more .

Again , It 's one thing for a man to Repent of sin considered , in genere entis : and another thing , in genere moris . Sin may be considered in regard of the mischief , and inconvenience that does come thereby : Or in regard of the moral evil of it . 'T is said concerning Judas , That when he saw what became of things , he Repented . And a Malefactor , a murderer , when he sees what shall become of him , that he must die for his sin ; he may Repent of his sin , in genere entis ; wishing that he had never done it : and yet my be not Repent , in genere moris . Ye reade concerning Esau , in the 12. of the Hebrews , That he sought his birth-right with teares ; but found no room for his Repentance . He Repented , he Repented with Tears ; but found no room for his Repentance . What Repentance was this ? Saies Austin : He greived that he had lost his birth-right ; not that he had sold his birth-right . So there was no room for such a Repentance . And so now , take a man that hath the work of the Law upon his soul , and he may be much troubled , he may Repent , and he may have more Repentings in regard of the evil that does come by sin : but the other more in regard of the evil that is in sin it self .

In the Fourth place , It 's one thing for a man to be broken with the weight of sin : and another thing to have his soul thawen , and melted for it . There is a great deal of difference you know , between the breaking of the ice with your hands , or with a staffe ; and the thawing of the ice , melting by the thaw . When you take a staffe and break the ice with your hands , though you break it in one place , it freezes in another : but when there is a thaw , then it melts , then it breaks every where . So now it is in regard of legal breakings : Here 's a man hath a work of the Law upon his soul , he breaks for his Drunkenness , and he breaks for his Swearing , and he breaks for his Wantonness : Oh! but he freezes in Unbelief , in another place ; he freezes in Unthankfulness : But when a gospel-work comes , it makes a general thaw , a man is broken every where . And this is more .

Again , It is one thing for a man to have more sorrow , griefe , Repentance in the Ore : and another thing to have a more sorrow , griefe , and Repentance that is well Refin'd . As now , suppose a man take a hand full of gold in the Ore ; it seems to be a great deal more than a twenty shilling-piece : I but , because much of that is to be taken away , a great deal of Earth is to be taken away , it is less in the worth . Thus it is between Legal Repentance , and Evangelical : The Legal Repentance may seem to be more in bulk : I but , a great deal of that is to be taken away : Much unbelief to be taken away : many sad , despairing conclusions to be taken away : a great deal of Mercinariness to be taken away . And therefore ye shall observe , That when the father had kiss't the Prodigal , he left out the Mercinary piece that he spoke of before he came home . Saies he ( at the 18. verse ) I will arise , and go to my father , and will say unto him , Father , I have sinned against Heaven , and before thee , and am no more worthy to be called thy Son : make me as one of thy hired servants : ( in the 15. Chapter , the 18. and 19. verses ) verse the 20. He arose and came to his father : his father saw him , and ran and fell on his neck , and kiss't him , had compassion on him : ran , and fell on his neck , and kiss't him : And the son said unto him , Father : ( Now see whether he makes good his words , that he said he would say when he came to his father ) I have sinned against Heaven , and in thy sight , and am no more worthy to be called thy Son : But his Father said to his servants , Bring forth the best robe : He leaves out that , Make me as one of thy hired servants . One kisse from his father had fyled off all the mercinary disposition . Oh! much , much of the Legal-work is to be taken away : In Evangelical Repentance , there is much in little : in Legal Repentance there is little in much .

Again , It 's one thing for grief , sorrow , Repentance to be more in view , sence , and noise : and another thing to be more in spirit , and in profit . As now for Example : The rain does sometime fall in a storme , and when it does so , it makes a great noise : the earth hath not time for to take it at the first into it's bosome ; it runs down the streets in great abandance , and it stands in some places , in great plashes of water : At another time the rain fals by smal drops , and makes no such noise ; but yet notwithstanding , it fals to the root of the Corn , and profits more : for when the rain fals so in a storm , it laies the Corn ; the Corn ( I say ) is laid by it . So now , sorrow , and griefe sometimes fals in a storm , as in Legal Repentance ; and it is great in view , stands in great plashes of water : Oh! but then it doth lay our Duties , it laies our Assurance , it laies our Faith : Evangelical Repentance , that makes no such noise , but it fals to the root of the graces , and don 't lay your comfort , it don't lay your Assurance , it don't lay your Duties . And so it is more in profit .

Lastly , This , Sorrow , grief , and Repentance ; may take ones own heart much , or the heart of God much : ones own heart may be much affected , or the heart of God may be much affected : Beloved ! we are apt to love our first-borne : and though Legal repentance does not alwaies go before the work of the Gospel ; ( for what legal work was there in Matthew before he did come to Christ ? or what Legal work was there in Zacheus before he came to Christ ? ) yet often times it does : I say yet often times it does : and this being the first-born of our soul , we go to God with both our Repentances Legal , and Evangelical : and we say , Lord , lay the hand , Oh! lay the right-hand of thy blessing upon my first born , oh ! let that inherite : But the Lord deals here , as old Jacob did , when Joseph brought his two Children before him to be blest : Jacob crost his hands , and for Joseph's sake he laid the blessing upon the younger . So now does God do ; you would have me to lay my blessing ( saies God ) upon your first-born , upon your Elder , upon your Legal Repentance . No , saies God , I have said , The Elder shal serve the Younger , & I wil cross my hands ; and for Joseph's sake , because there is more of Christ in this younger , therfore here will I lay the hand of my blessing . Beloved ! the heart of a Christian , a gracious man , is never more drawn out in greif than upon the apprension of love in jured : The greater love , and the greater injury is presented , the greater is the greif : When the Kingdom of Heaven comes unto a poor soul , there is the greatest love presented ; sin against that , is the greatest injury : when therefore a man is senfible of his sin under that notion , then is his heart most affected and drawn forth in godly sorrow . Surely therefore , The approaching , and the drawing neer of the Kingdom of Heaven , is the greatest motive , & argument under Heaven unto true Repentance .

By way of Application : If these things be so , Vse . 1 What a sad condition are those in , whom the kingdom of Heaven , the word of the kingdom , the Doctrine of free-remission hath come unto , and yet they are not stir'd , nor moved for to turn to God , or to repent ? It may be , here is some Drunkard , some Swearer , some notorious Sabbath-breaker , some wanton that is gotten into the Congregation : I will not say to thee , Friend , how camest thou in hither ? Ah , poor soul , thou maiest hear that voice , and those words too soon another day : But this I say , Friend , the greatest motive under Heaven hath been used to move , and turn thee ; and yet thou art nothing moved , and stirred therewith : O! whereby shall thy soul be brought unto Repentance ? Go ( saies our Saviour Christ unto his Disciples ) preach , Repent : for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand : if they receive ye , your peace be upon them : if not , it shall be more easie for Sodom and Gomorah , than for that City , than for that people , at that great day . Oh for the Lords sake , take heed when ye hear the Word of the Kingdom , take heed that ye don't lose it : Repent , and then turn to God .

But if these things be so ( in the Second place ) Then here we see the reason , Vse . 2 why our hearts are no more broken , are no more humbled , no more Repentance , no more melting , heart no more softened : because ye don't labour to bring the Kingdom of Heaven neer unto your souls : I mean the Gospel , and the Word of the Gospel ; free-remission of poor sinners : When the Kingdom of Heaven comes neer unto a person , he runs away from it , from the Promise ; Oh! it belongs not to me ; I am not so and so qualified : I am not so and so broken ; I am not so and so weary , and heavy laden ; and therefore the promise belongs not to me . But the approaching of the Kingdom of Heaven , is the only means and motive to break thy heart , and wilt not thou therefore come to it , because thy heart is not broken ?

Oh! but the Promise don't belong to me : the Promise is made unto those that are weary , and heavy laden , and I am not so .

Mistake not good people , The invitation is made to the weary , and heavy laden , but the promise is made to Coming . There are Two things in that speech : Come unto me all ye that are weary , and heavy laden . Here 's an Invitation : and here 's a Promise : The Invitation is made indeed to those that are weary , and heavy laden : Oh! but the Promise is made to Coming , the Promise is made to Comming .

But that is all one ( you will say ) for then it seems I am not invited , if the invitation be made to such .

God does not speak every thing , in every Scripture : But man or woman , art thou not invited by some other Scripture ? Pray what think ye of that in the 9. of the Proverbs : Wisdom hath built her an house : ( that is , Christ , compar'd with the former Chapter ) she hath kild her beasts ; she hath mingled her wine ; she hath furnisht her table . She cries upon the high places of the City . What does she cry ? reade the 4. verse : Who so is simple , let him come in hither : as for him that wanteth understanding , ye reade it : 't is , As for him that wanteth heart , Come eat of my bread , and drink of the wine which I have mingled . The Invitation is made to simple ones : who so is simple , let him turn in hither .

Oh! But I have such an heart as never any had : I want a heart unto all that is good . Mark , As for him that wanteth heart , she saith to him , Come , eat of my bread . How think ye ? is the Invitation here made only to those that are weary , and heavy laden ? And if ye consider that place in the Gospel which ye know . The Invitation to the great supper . The servants are sent forth to call in those that were bidden , and they excuse themselves : But they were bidden , they were invited : were they weary , and heavey laden think ye ? Well , he sends out again , and invites others . Look upon the text : were they weary , and heavy laden too ? Go ( saies he ) Go , Go to the high-waies , and go to the hedges , and compel them to come in : were they weary , and heavy laden too ? And if ye look into the 3. of the Revelations , ye find there , that our Saviour saies at the 20. verse : Behold , I stand at the door and knock : if any man hear my voice , and open the door , I will come in , and sup with him , and he with me . Our Saviour Christ here stands knocking , and offers the greatest mercies that can be ; fellowship , and communion with a poor soul : I will come in to him , and will sup with him , and he with me . What greater blessing , or mercy can you desire than fellowship with Jesus Christ ? Saies Jesus Christ ; If any man will open , I will come in , and sup with him , and he with me . Here 's mutual fellowship ; Christ stands , and offers this , he stands knocking . But I pray , what door does he knock at ? whose door does he knock at ? Oh! my beloved , 't is a Laodicean door : Laodiceans , what are those ? Luke-warm : I would thou wert hot , or cold ; but seeing thou art Luke-warm , I will vomit thee out of my mouth . Luke-warm person worse than prophane ; and yet behold , Jesus Christ stands at a luke-warm persons door : knocking and tendering mercy to a luke-warme Laodicean person .

I but stay , May be they were weary , and heavy laden first , before they were invited .

Reade the 17. verse . Because thou saiest , I am rich , and increased with goods , and have need of nothing : and knowest not that thou art wrethed , and miserable , and poor , and blind , and naked . Were these weary , and heavy laden , think ye ? And yet at this door , behold ! at this door the Lord Christ stands knocking ! Oh! grace ! Oh , glorious , rich grace ! Oh! you that have stood at a distance from the promise , and dared not draw neer to the promise ; said it did not belong to you , you were not invited to mercy : Consider , do you consider what great enemies ye are unto your own breakings , and humblings that ye do so much desire ? The approaching of the Kingdom of Heaven , and the Doctrine of grace , and of free-remission unto a poor sinner , is the greatest means , and motive in the world to break ones heart . Oh! therefore , as ever you desire to have your hearts broken , and to be humbled ; look much to the Kingdom of Heaven , and the Doctrines thereof , and never say , it does not belong unto you .

But Thirdly , Vse . 3 If these things be so ? if there be a truth in this Doctrine ? what infinite cause have we all , for to Repent , to mend our lives , and to turn to God ? The Kingdom of Heaven hath approach't . Beloved ! hath not the Kingdom of Heaven approach't unto our Nation ? Take the Kingdom of Heaven for the Kingdom of Glory : and in these dying times , how hath the Kingdom of Heaven approach't in that sense ! Take the Kingdom of Heaven for the State of the Church : and how many Church-truths hath broken out in these daies , that were not known before ? Take the Kingdom of Heaven for the Gospel ; and the preaching of the Gospel : how hath God gone up and down in these latter times , even in these times of trouble , preaching free-grace to poor England ? Witness all these Victories ye have had , notwithstanding all your sins . Oh! England , England ; now Repent , and turn unto the Lord : Surely , if ever , the Kingdom of Heaven is come to you : yea , hath not the Kingdom of Heaven approach't unto many of your souls in particular ? are there not some here , great sinners , that have been invited to mercy ? are there not some here , great sinners , that have received mercy ? hath the Kingdom of Heaven approach't unto you ? and will not you Repent ? and will not you turn to God ? and will not you amend your lives ?

You will say , This work is not now to do : we have Repented already .

But pray give me leave : Have ye , have ye Repented upon Gospel-Motives ? have ye Repented upon this ground , because the Kingdom of Heaven hath approach't ? Oh! how many legal Professors are there among Professors ? As there are Two sorts of men in the world ; Some that live in dark places , and prisons : And others that walk up and down in the light . So , some there are among Professors , some legal , that woak up and down in the dark , and see no light : Others again , that walk up and down in the light of the Gospel : many , many legal Professors .

Beloved , The more Evangelical your Repentance is , the more it will cure your souls , and not hurt your body : Legal Repentance soakes into the body , and frets out the very strength of ones body . Pray look a little into the 33. Chapter of Job ; See what the holy Ghost saies there . God speaks once , yea twice , yet man percieves it not : ( here is man in his natural , pure natural state ) In a dream ( at the 15. verse ) in a vision of the night ; when deep sleep falleth upon men , in stumbrings upon the bed : ( that is , before a man is aware . ) Then he openeth the ears of men : and sealeth their instruction : That he may withdraw man from his purpose , and hide pride from man . What then ? He is chastened also with pain upon his bed , and the multitude of his bones with strong pain : So that his life abhorreth bread , and his soul dainty meat . Verse the 21. His flesh is consumed away , that it cannot be seen : and his bones that were not seen stick out : His soul draweth neer to the grave , and his life to the destroyers . Here 's Legal work . Then comes the Gospel . If there be a messenger with him , an Interpreter , one of a thousand , to show unto man his uprightness : Then he is gracious unto him , and saith , Deliver him from going down to the pit : I have found a ransome . Then at the 25. verse : His flesh shall be fresher than a childs , he shall return to the daies of his youth . His flesh shall be fresher than a childs . Thus , Evangelical Repentance is a friend both to soul and body : Meer Legal Repentance eats out the strength of ones spirit , even of ones very body .

Again , The more Evangelical your Repentance is , the more you will be humbled , and grieved for sins against the Gospel . I will send ( saies Christ ) the Comforter , and he shall convince the world of sin : what sin ? of sin , and of unbeliefe . Oh! saies the soul that Repents Evangelically ; who more guilty of unbelief than I ? Oh! never any one more Ignorant of Christ than I : Oh! the unkindness of my soul towards Christ ! Legal Repentance , it pitches upon some breach of the Law , and there it rests .

Again , Enangelical Repentance , complies with spirituall joy , and is a friend unto it . You grieve for sin , and you rejoyce in God : and when you rejoyce in God , you grieve for sin . I will send the Comforter ( saies our Saviour . ) He does not say , I will send the Spirit : No , but I will send the Comforter , and he shall convince the world of sin , and of unbelief . The Comforter , because it shall be a work of Comfort , unto the soul that is convinced of sin Gospel-wise . and the more a man rejoyces in Christ , the more he grieves for sin : and the more he grieves for sin , the more he rejoyceth in Christ again .

Again , When your Repentance is Evangelical : The more you apprehend , or hope that your sin is pardoned , the more you wil grieve for it . Ye reade in the Psalms of one special Penitential Psalme of David : the 51. Psalme . But when was that made ? A Psalme of David , when Nathan the Prophet came to him : that is , after the Prophet Nathan had been with him . And what did Nathan the Prophet say to him ? Saies Nathan , Thy sin is forgiven thee . Upon that message , David fals into a Penitential Psalme , a Psalme of Humiliation , and of Repentance . The more a man hath assurance that his sin is pardoned , the more he doth grieve for it .

And the more Evangelical your Repentance is , the more your heart will be inlarged to , and for Christ . The sight of Gods free-love in Christ , will make your heart free in love unto Christ , and for Christ . When the poor sinner , the woman , spoken of in the 7. of Luke , had much forgiven her freely ; she came and brought her precious boxes , and powred them out upon Jesus Christ . So , when a soul hath tasted of the free love of God in Christ ; then , no boxes of ointment too precious to powre out upon the feet of Jesus Christ .

Further , The more of the Gospel , and the more of the Kingdom of Heaven , is in your Repentance : The more of the Gospel will be in your Obedience , the more of the Gospel will be in your Assurance , the more of the Gospel will be in your Performance , in your prayers , and other duties . Beloved ! Repentance is foundation work : it hath an influence upon all your service . If your Repentance be Legal , your Obedience Legal , and your Performance Legal , and your Assurance Legal ; ever tying God unto such conditions , as he never tyed you to , through the improvement of your own unbelief . But now , when as your Repentance hath the Gospel in it , drawn up , and raised upon such motives as these ; then your Obedience , your Comforts , your Duties , your Assurance will have the impression of the Gospel also upon them .

And Seventhly , The more of the Gospel , the Kingdom of Heaven , is in your Repentance : The more your hearts , and spirits will be meekned , and sweetned towards the Saints , towards your fellow Servants the people of God . What is the Gospel but a dead Christ ? As Jesus Christ was a living Gospel : So the Gospel is a dead Christ .

When the Gospel approaches , when the kingdom of Heaven draws neer to a soul , and Christ therein ; the heart is meekned , and made like to Christ . The Law is called a fiery Law , the Law of fire ; Comapred unto Hagar ; And saies the Apostle , The children of the bond-woman , will persecute the children of the free-woman , of Sarah . And what 's the reason that there is so much bitterness among Professors ? but because there is no more of the Gospel , and of the Kingdom of Heaven , in our Profession . Beloved in the Lord : Ye see into what sad times of Discord , and Bitterness we are now brought : As ever you do desire to be free from this spirit of Bitterness : as ye do desire that ye may not have a hand in opposing your fellow-servants , and acting a spirit of bitterness towards the Children of God : Oh! labour for more of the Gospel , get more of it into your Repentance , and into your Obedience : Oh! let us labour to be more Evangelical than ever we have been .

I had need call upon my own heart for this : and give me leave to measure your own hearts by mine . Beloved ! I don't now come to call for Repentance barely , but I come this night unto you , calling for refined Repentance , Gospel-Repentance : these are refining times : your publick Worship refin'd , the Government refin'd : Christians had need refine all their Duties , and all their Graces , and all their Comforts , and all their Assurance : we had need even take our whole garment ; and look into every seame , brush every seame , there is so much dust gotten into it . Oh! labour , labour to be more Evangelical , to get more of the Gospel of Christ into all your Duties . The Gospel is the Ministration of life : And the Ministration of the Law ; is called the Ministration of death . The Ministration of the Gospel , called the Ministration of righteousness : the Ministration of the Law , is called the Ministration of Condemnation . The Gospel , is called a Glorious Gospel , a Glorious Gospel : as ye do desire that Glory may be upon you , get more of this Glorious Gospel into you : more of the Gospel into all your Duties , into your Repentance : Which that you may do : Now even Repent , that ever you have been so Legal in your Repentance . A man will never be Evangelical in his Repentance , that does not in some measure , grieve that he hath been so Legal in his Repentance .

And to end all : If at amy time , Man or Woman , thou dost find thy heart dead , and dull , and saiest thou canst not pray , thou art unapt , and thy heart 's hardened : Then go , go to the word of the Kingdom , go to the Gospel , go , lay out thy soul before the word of the Gospel : consider the Kingdom of Heaven , the word of the Kingdom , free remission unto poor sinners ; and this is the only way for to break your heart : for certainly , this is a truth that I have spread before you , ( think of it : ) The appropinquation , approaching , or drawing neer of the Kingdom of Heaven ; is the highest , and the greatest motive in the world unto true Repentance .

FINIS .