THese Words are an Argument to prove the Eternal God-head of esus Christ , because those that do receive him , are made the Sons of God , and have such a dignity and preheminence , or prerogative thereby , as none but God can bestow . My intent in this Text is only to open the phrase of receiving Christ , as it is Synonimous and made all one with beleeving on him . As many as received him , As many as believed on his name have this power , to become the Sons of God .

First : In generall , Receiving notes passiveness , or being the subject of a thing . As cloth doth receive a color which is put upon it , and is not naturall or proper to it . And as the Earth receives the seed that is put into it by the hand of the Husbandman . There may be an act in receiving , yet Receiving doth principally note passiveness ; because that act is an order of nature , either after receiving , or else Receiving is the complement , or that unto which the same act tends . As a graft being put into a stock , the Stock closeth with the Graft by vertue from its self : So we having the Grace of Faith infused , we also do adhere and cleave unto God . Or as in receiving mony , there is an acounting of it , but that accounting of it serves only to take it into possession . So it is here also . There is somthing the soul doth in receiving , but it tends only to this end that it may be possessed of Jesus Christ and of his merits .

Secondly : As there is a passiveness in Receiving to be noted ; So in receiving there is a meanness and and lowness of condition . It was an Apotheg●e or usuall speech of our Lord ( as it seems by the Apostle ) To say . It is better to give than to receive Acts 20.35 . That is better , more honorable , more commendable . He that gives the least gift , hath more honor than he that receives the greatest kindness . And as I shall shew you afterward . In regard of the profit of beleeving , it is very great , but in regard of the manner of beleeving it is an abasement unto man , A denial even of his reason for the testimony sake of Christ . But those are not the things which I intend principally .

Thirdly : in Receiving there is a taking to ones self that which before he had not . As a man receives mony which before was out of his hands ; by being received it comes into his possession , and is his own . And in this sense you shal find the word [ Received ] used in the Scripture in Heb. 11.39 . All these having obtained their good report through Faith , received not the promise . Received it not , that is , they saw not : they were not made actually partakers of the benefits of Christ being in the flesh ; Although that they had the advantage and profit of his undertaking for them with the Father : They Received it not , that is , they were not actually partakers .

Fourthly , Receiving notes the taking a thing with joy and gladness of heart . As the Text saith , in Heb. 13.2 . There was some that did receive Angels unawares . It being ( you know ) a phrase that is taken from those men that do bid welcome their guests or friends . Acts 7.59 . And so Stephen prays in that language , Lord Jesus ( saith he ) receive my Spirit . He doth by his faith apprehend Jesus Christ standing in the door of Heaven ( as Abraham stood in the door of the Tent ) and praies him to be pleased and not pass him by , but to receive him that he may sit down and eat and drink in the kingdom of God .

These two latter things are those which principally I intend to speak unto in this point . And if you look into the words of my Text , you shal find .

First , that the persons that are Receivers are Beleevers . For as many ( saith the Text ) as received him , to them he gave power to become the Sons of God , even to as many as beleeve on his name . All they that received him , beleeved on him , and all they that beleeved , received Christ : They , and none else . They are the same persons .

Doct Secondly , you may observe ( which is the main thing I intend ) that Beleevers and Receivers are not only one and the same persons : But to beleeve is to receive , and to receive Christ is beleeve on his name . What in the beginning of the Text is called receiving of him , in the end of the Text is called beleeving on his name , the same persons in the same act that in the beginning of the verse are said to receive , are in the latter end of the verse said to beleeve on his name . They must of necessity be but divers expressions of the same Act , for this reason : Because otherwise , if you make them two distinct acts , a man may receive Christ , and yet not beleeve , and a man may beleeve on Christ , & yet not receive him . It is impossible that Christ should be received but by Faith , and it is impossible a man should beleeve on the name of Christ , and not receive him . The manner of speech is supposed to be a Caldeisme , or a propriety among the Caldees , who make it all one to beleeve and to trust . And upon this now shall I fasten a little while .

Faith , I say , it is a receiving of Christ . As many as received him . There is somthing to be received for beleeving . In 1 Pet. 1.9 . Receiving the end of your Faith , the salvation of your Souls . A man shal be saved for his faith , as well as rewarded for his sufferings or any other act of obedience and observance unto God , a man shal be as well rewarded at the last because he hath much of God , as because he hath done much for God , indeed he doth most for God , that receivs most from God . He that goes on trust with Christ , and receivs any thing of him , shall be rewarded for his receiving , rewarded for his gain and for his getting . Of his fulness have we received Grace for Grace , John , 1.16 . For Grace that is , because we have one Grace , we shall have another until we come to be full . That word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , translated [ for ] is as much in the Scripture , as [ Because ] in Eph. 5.31 . For this cause 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , shall a man leave his Father and Mother and shall be joyned unto his Wife . The same word may be rendred , For this cause , Because God hath given us one degree , he will give us another : Because he hath shewed us one kindness , he will with-hold nothing that is good from us . Among men , he that takes upon trust , binds himself to make return and to pay again : But he that trusts God makes God a Debtor to him . It may be that thou accountest it a presumption , that thou beleevest ; But God accompts it service : And of all services it shall not be unrewarded , but have the fullest and largest measure , because of all services it is that which is most humbling and self-denying of the Creature . But of that by the way .

As there is a receiving somthing for beleeving , so there is a receiving in beleeving . Faith it self is a receiving , as eating is a taking of what may nourish : And buying or possession is a receiving an inheritance . So you shall find that Faith is compared in John 6.53 . to eating and drinking . And to buying in Esa. 55.1 . Somtimes it s an hand that laies hold , and wil not let go the thing which it hath ; and to the being possessed of an inheritance . Christ receives all from the Father , and Faith receives all from Christ . All comes from the Father into Christ as into a Fountain , and Faith fetchech all from that Fountain into us as into lesser measures or cisterns . Jesus Christ is the Treasury and Faith tels out of him what the Soul hath need of ; as Christ is made between us and God , so faith is given to this end that Christ may be made whatsoever he is unto us . That the thing I aim at may yet be more fully and plainly known to you .

Faith indeed in the Scripture is somtimes expressed by Working but the Text saith , It works by love . Gal. 5.6 . that is , It doth set love on a flame and makes a man to have an indeared esteem of God , and an undervaluing of himself , and every thing which he hath for his sake . Faith doth work , but it is by the hand of love . But now look on Faith in it self , And so it s a receiving . I say it is a receiving . It s a having and craving grace , which will alwaies be getting and wil never have enough . When it is filled , it is hungry , and like the barren Womb , and the earth , and the grave , it stil cries , Give , Give . And for this you shall find the Scripture very cleer . John 1.11 . He came to his own , and his own received him not , that is , they did not apply him unto themselves as the author of their salvation , as the Messiah which was promised . In 2 Cor. 6.1 . the Apostle cals beleeving , the receiving of the Grace of God . When he would set forth the unbelief that is in men naturally , he saith , the naturall man receives not the things of God , in 1 Cor. 2.14 . As you have received Christ Jesus , so walk in him . Col. 2.6 . that is , answer your Faith with works , let your life be answerable to your hopes , and to the state you are brought into by beleeving . I may quote many other expressions to shew that Faith is a receiving . But these shall serve . I wil only give a three fold Argument or Demonstration of it .

Frist , All that have Faith in any degree , have desires and longings after Jesus Christ , and the things of him . Faith it s an appetite in the new Creature whereby it craves and hungers after Jesus Christ and his benefits , and therefore you shall find expresly , that Faith and praying unto God or desiring after him are made all one . Rom. 10.11 , 12 , 13. In verse 11. the Scripture saith , Whoever beleeveth on him shall not be ashamed . For marke it , There is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile , for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him . For whosoever shal call upon the name of the Lord shall besaved . I say if you compare verse 11. with ver. 12 and 13. Faith and calling on the name of the Lord are al one . For the Apostle proves that there is no man that doth beleeve , but he shal be saved , by this ; That there is no man that cals on the name of the Lord but he shall be saved . Those that have attained unto the greatest degrees of Faith their mouths are fullest of complaints , & their Souls fullest of sighings because of their wants . Their praiers are Lord increase out Faith . And not only so , Luke 17.5 but when they have prayed , they cannot be quiet until such time as they find it encreased and the fruits of it in them . In Acts , 26.7 . it 's said that the Patriarchs hoping to come to Heaven , did instantly serve God : That word translated Instantly , is in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , they did as one doth who stretches out himself to get a thing which he hath much ado to lay hold on , but had rather have , than any thing that he hath in his hands . Such a kind of desire was in the Patriarchs after Glory . In Rom. 8.19 . the Apostle tells you of an earnest expectation that is in the Creation for the manifestation of the Sons of God , that they may be freed from their imperfections , and be like their Head Jesus Christ . Paul professeth that he desires to be with Christ Jesus ; that is , he professeth it as one that must either have his mind , or must die . Those that have the least degree of Faith , are alwaies craving after Jesus Christ ; they are never well but when they are receiving . Paul in Acts 9.11 . is said to pray ; Go ( saith God to Ananias ) unto Paul , Behold he prayes . He did other things besides prayer ; he was sensible of his sin , and afflicted in his conscience for going against Jesus Christ ; but the Text mentions nothing but this , That he praies ; because that was it that al the bitterness of sin was a means unto , and that which he was eminent in . And all that Paul desired was , That God would give him Christ although he had done what he could to crucifie him again in his members . As the love of the world makes a man to be scraping and gathering together by any means , although it be never so vile . It 's no matter what the thing be , so it brings in gain to a worldly man . So it is the proper work of Faith to make a man look for Jesus Christ in all Ordinances and Duties . That is the penny which it sweeps the house for , and searcheth every duty for . Now this desire , it comes from Faith . For what makes any man desire , but hope , and the knowledge of the excellency of the things hoped for : Both which comes through believing . That is the first thing . All that have Faith desire to receive Jesus Christ and his benefits , and therefore the Act of receiving is the principal act of Faith .

Secondly , All other Acts of Faith are subordinate to this Act of receiving , and done in reference to receiying . You have heard that Faith hath divers Acts. It takes Gods word , and receives his Testimony , even when it fees no reason to expound the thing that is spoken of ; but the End is , that it may receive . I know whom I have trusted , and that he is able at that day to give unto me what I have committed to him . As a man takes the word of a man to this end , that he may be sure not to miss what is due to him : So this man takes the word of God and the Testimony of God only in order to be made a receiver of the things promised . Faith that doth unite , Christ dwels in our hearts by faith , but that very act of union is to this end , that so all Christ may be ours , Eph. 3.17 . We do but touch him , that so vertue may come out from him into us . Faith makes a man dependant and hanging upon God , but it is only that so a man may ingage the Lord to give , and he may receive . As a man comes to one and saith , I will trust to you for such a debt at such a time , that so he may see that he doth not only expect it , but that he doth him double injury if he doth not give it him . Faith attracts and draws , but that is only that the soul may receive . That is the second Reason . Faith is a receiving Grace , because al the Acts and Operations of it are in order to receiving .

Thirdly , : Until this act of Faith be done , Faith can do nothing . Nothing can be done by Faith untill such time as it doth receive . Faith purifies the heart , Acts 15.9 . It makes the whol conversation lively . We do live by the Faith of the Son of God , Gal. 2.20 . It makes a man overcome the world , and all the corruptions that are in the world and the evill one to boot , 1 John , 5.4 . This is the victory wherby ye overcome the world , even your faith . He that is born of God overcomes the wicked one . But mark it , As water is first put into the Cistern before it flows forth , And as the earth first receives the seed before it brings forth meat for him by whom it is dressed : Heb. 6.7 . And as the Disciplesare first bid to attend the Passover , and then to receive the Holy Ghost , and then to go abroad and to distribute unto the Nations the knowledge of Christ : So Faith first receives from Christ , and according as it receives from him , So it stirs up every Grace and Faculty to its work . I say Faith receives first , In Col. 2.6 . As ye have received the Lord Jesus Christ , so walk in him . As , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is suitably to our receiving of Christ . We beleeve , therefore have we spoken , 2 Cor. 4.13 . Now that which is said concerning faiths opening the mouths of the Apostles to declare for certain the truth of that Doctrine which they were experienced in : So I may say concerning any other Duty . When as Faith hath received the certainty of the word of God , then it cals upon the understanding not to dispute . When as Faith hath received Jesus Christ then it cals upon the will , and saith , forsake all other things and cleave unto him , for you have enough in him ; He is a Mine and a Field wherein there is a Treasure , and you shal need nothing while you have him . And from this three-fold Demonstration , I suppose it will appear that Faith is a receiving . And beloved , think not much that I stand long upon this for it is not rivited in our thoughts . We live not as if it were so .

USE

BEleeve then this is the principal use of Faith , To Receive , to be like a Bucket to draw water of life , and salvation out of the Well ; A spunge ( as I may expressit ) to suck in and draw of the fulness of Jesus Christ . That Faith is best which is most receptive . That is the thing I do intend . That is best us'd which is us'd to this end , to receive . The excelency of Faith doth not lie in it self , but in its object : In what it doth bring in : For there is more vertue in the Act of any Grace whatever . He that knows a thing , doth it because of the evidence of reason . But he that beleeveth , knows it not , Only he believs because he thinks that he that speaks , speaks true . Faith degrades a man from the use of his reason , and makes him although far more excellent in his knowledg , yet to see in the light of God . It is so , because he saith so . As a man that hath but little stock , but hath goods coming in by his trade , Such a trade is Faith . It 's a weak and a feeble Grace ( as I may call it ) of it self , but it is that which doth receive and fetch in much from Jesus Christ . As the way of some mans living is not upon any thing he hath of his own , but he is a Receiver to some noble and great man , and all his rents and Estate passeth through his hands , and so he comes to have a feeling of it , and to be inriched . Through the hand of Faith al the Treasury of grace and mercy cometh , Do not therefore my beloved think it enough that you do by Faith secure your selves from the fear of Hell , and say I do beleeve and therefore I shall not perish but have everlasting life , Do not think it enough that by Faith you order your conversation aright ; ( for although it be true that no grace makes cleaner work in a mans conversation than Faith doth , it purifies even as God is pure , of all that Niter and Soap which God hath given to wash in , there is none so scouring as Faith is , if I may use that expression , it will fetch out any spot and any defilement ) But although Faith be of excellent use to order a mans conversation yet do not think you have made sufficient use of your Faith when you have used it to that end , but use it to receive . As the use of a purse is to put money in , And the use of an Iron Chest is to lodge money in , So the end of Faith is to receive . You are often times checking your selves , that you are not contented with what you have , for you have more than you deserve , And that is true , But it is not more than you ought to receive . For Faith must have its perfect work , and its perfect work is this , that it doth look upon all Ordinances as bags that are filled , out of which it 's to receive according as Jesus Christ hath laid up and treasured up of himself in them . After every duty enquire therfore what thy Faith hath gotten , how thy talent of Faith hath gained . Be not contented that thou hast the same confidence that thou hadst , thou must either have more confidence , or further of the spirit of Christ by that confidence . Before thou dost go to any Duty or to any Ordinance , charge thy self as the Master or Merchant doth charge his Servant that goes out to receive money Go to such a place and receive and return not else , Importune and be not satisfied with any answer untill you have received such a sum . As men are lost in the world , and are of little use , they are in vain , but ciphers , because they are not put to that work to which their Genius and disposition tends : One man is made a Preacher that is much fitter for another calling , And another goes into the world that is fitter for another politick imployment . The World is out of order , because men are not put to that use which God hath fitted men for . So the Grace of Faith is out of order and of little use , because it is not put to its proper work , viz. to receive . Put your Faith to that and you will thrive , and not otherwise . They profited not , because they did not mix the word with Faith , Heb. 4.2 . And what is said of hearing the word , may be said of Praying , or receiving the Lords Supper , Meditation , or any other Ordinance whatsoever . They profited not : That is , they got no more because it was not mixed with Faith . Things are said to be mixed , not when they are one in another in a common vessel , but when they are beaten together that they make but one body and substance . So Faith is mingled with the word , when there is not only a believing in the Gross , and a taking for granted that that is true which is received , but when unto every word there goes an assent and a closing of heart unto every word . That is true saith the soul in such a case . When as it hears the heart is desperately wicked , and that none can go to the bottom of it , And when it hears by and by that concerning such an heart that there is hope , the Soul saith that is true . When every thing is mingled with Faith then it profits . Let me I beseech you ( my beloved ) speak a little to you freely . Why do you suffer your Faith to be Idle ? Why do you busie it about works beneath you , about that which is not most excellent and profitable ? Do not think you have gotten enough when by your Faith you have gotten into Christ , and Grace from him by Faith , for you are alwaies to be receiving . Many a man is apt to think it were well if he could keep what he hath gotten , if he can but hold his hold , and keep his union , and continue it under temptations , if he can but maintain his practice and hope & not backslide : But I beseech you beloved consider that al this is not enough , for you are to be receiving , not withstanding that which you have received . And let me tel you this too , that if you are not receiving you are never able to hold that which you have . As the waters in the stream would fail if there were not a continuall flowing from the Wel-head and Fountain , So there must be a continual efflux and flowing and influence from Jesus Christ that so the Grace you have may hold . In a Trade , he cannot keep open a Shop long that hath no comings in : And so it is certainly in the matters of Religion ; If you pay use ( for so you must do for all the opportunities and grace you have , they must be imployed ) and you have no gain , it will undo you , although you began with the greatest stock of resolutions , and purposes , and desires , and what you wil else . And therefore as you enquire into your selves , whether you have faith or not to prove whether you are a Beleever ; So examine especially thy Book , and see what thou canst get by beleeving . Imploy thy faith therefore to this end , That you seek out what is promised , what God hath said he will give ; for he will give Grace and Glory , and with-hold no good thing from them that walk uprightly , Psal. 84.11 . And send out Faith to get in all these Promises , and challenge God upon his word continually , and say , Lord , thou hast said this , and that , and a third thing , I have it under thy hand , it is written , Thou hast spoken it , and hast made me to beleeve in thee ; and shall thy Word be as flesh that shall fail and come to nothing ? Imbolden thy heart , and strengthen the hand of thy Faith to receive ; enlarge thy hand , and open thy mouth to take in much : and if thy Faith brings in any thing less than Jesus Christ , it brings in nothing : For as it is in my Text , As many as received Him , Joh. 1.16 . were the Sons of God ; and of His fulness we received Grace for Grace . If thou hast any thing but Christ , thou hast nothing : And if thou hast any thing but from his heap , and fountain , and fulness , thou wilt not be enriched by it ; thou hast received but straws and leaves for Gold and Jewels . I beseech you my beloved , know , That as God hath given the eye to see , and the ear for hearing ; so he hath given Faith to receive ; on purpose to this end , That you may be continually taking in from his fulness . Faith is of a having and a craving nature and unsatisfied til a man hath obtained the fulness he is ordained to in Christ ; when it 's filled , it is hungry : the more it hath the more it would have . Faith doth not only serve to keep you in a state of Grace ( for by Faith you stand ) but to receive all Christs fulness which is laid up in him for you . Oh that we could beloved beleeve this , and live such a kind of life ; Such a kind of life of Faith is indeed Heaven upon Earth , when as a man is alwaies telling over treasures for his own use and purpose . How joyful is the Merchant when the Ship comes home , and he is unlading the rich commodities which it is come fraighted with ? How joyfull is the Husbandman when the harvest comes , and renders an hundred fold for every corn ? Such is the joy of God in the heart , and would be so if we did continually receive .

USE II.

IN the second place . If Faith be a receiving , then put out this Act. Excercise your Faith thus . As our Lord saith , John 16.24 . Ask and receive . That is , not only desire and pray , but take what you desire and pray for from God : So I say , Believe and Receive . Beleeve not only that Faith is a receiving , but actually receive , and be ever getting . Every Grace is to have its perfect work , as the Apostle James speaks concerning patience , Let patience have its perfect work James 1.4 . A Grace doth its perfect work when it serves all the turns for which it is given , when as it doth all the acts to which it hath power . Faith ( as you heard in the explication ) hath many other acts besides receiving . Receiving is an act and work which Faith is as good at , and as good for as any other , the perfect and compleat work of Faith is to receive Christ . Set it therefore about it . Set it to reap al the Fruit of Jesus Christ and of the promises . Set it as your Atturney ( as I may so speak ) to cal in the debts you have and the good you hope for . Make Faith to be not only the evidence of what is promised ( as Moses did the Mountain that he stood upon to behold Canaan ) but make it the substance of things hoped for , Heb. 11.1 . That is , possesse your selves of the things beleeved and hoped for . Therefore as out of the Ark the Dove was sent , and when she returned she was sent out again untill she brought an Olive branch in her mouth . So send out your Faith again and again , and never rest till it hath received and gotten more from Christ than it had before , yea received according to the large gifts that are made through the promises . Plainly thus . As a man is to enquire of his Faith whether it be opeative or not , whatit doth , What work and fruit his Faith hath . So he is to enquire what his Faith receives what receipts it makes . It 's not a good Faith which works not , and it 's not a true Faith which receives not . Ask what the Lord hath done for thy Soul ? What promises are come in ? What they have yeilded unto thee ? What word is made good ? What thou hast gotten every day more than other ? What thou hast gotten by prayer or any other duty . And if thou dost find that there is no coming in , blame thy Faith , and send it out to its work , send it out to receive from Jesus Christ . That I may a little set you on upon this , or that you may understand what you are to do .

1. Neglect not this for any other Act of Faith whatsoever . As our Lord said in another case , These things you ought to have done , but not to have left the other undone , Matth. 23.25 . So I say , you ought by Faith to assent to the truth of what is promised , And you ought by Faith to keep your hold and union unto Jesus Christ , but you ought as well to receive , and to get in what you have not yet . Intend this act of Faith more than al other acts , as that end to which all other acts of Faith serves , and which maintains all other Acts of Faith . Know that you are therefore to trust and are to be united to Christ that you may receive from him , and be filled with his fulness . Be contented with no other kind of receiving through Faith than what may be able to maintain all other acts of faith . For as the Stomack in the body must be looked unto , because it maintains the blood and spirits , if the stomack takes not in and receives , all the rest of the parts of the body will decay . Or as the fountain and water head must be kept continually cleer ; because it sils the stream and the pipe . Or that I may set it out more familiarly ; As a man that hath a great family and many mouths to feed , he takes care that he hath receipts coming in proportionably . If we get not in from Christ continually , nothing that is required wil go on well , and be well performed : Out of the receipts of faith , you are to purifie your hearts , and to mortifie corruptions ; The receipts of faith must strengthen comfort and incourage your hearts in God , and put you on upon prayer and all other things . Every duty you perform must be done in the strength which you receive from Jesus Christ , and therefore you need receive much . We are troubled if the earth yields not forth its increase , If by our Trade , comings in are not according to our expences : We are justly troubled if we find distance and strangeness of heart between us and Jesus Christ , If our Souls close not by faith with Jesus Christ and his righteousness , but stands off , and stands out with him : We are as well to be troubled if we receive not of his fulness . Thou oughtest as much to put thy faith upon receiving , as upon adhering unto Jesus Christ . That thou majest adhere and cleave unto Christ by faith , thou saiest that Christ is thy life , and thou art undone if thou rest not thy self upon him : Thou art undone also if thou dost not receive of his fulness . Union with Jesus Christ is done by faith at once , Receiving from Christ is to be done daily . You will cleave unto Christ so much the faster as you find you have received from him . Whether shall we go from thee , say they , thou hast the words of eternall life , John 6.68 . When they had once found life in Jesus Christ , they could not tel how to leave him . Like foolish Children that play with the breast , but suck not , Such folly is in our hearts . We must have promises suitable to al our conditions , but we let them lie by us , and we improve them not . Though we have a right in Christ , yet we draw not from him Grace for Grace . Like persons that lay up Gold , but it is for some speciall use , Or like Cordials that are taken only in extraordinary fits , but not continually ; So do we make use of faith . But as a worldly man counts there is so much loss as there is no laying out of the money that lies by him , If his money lies by him any time , he counts there is so much loss to him , because it might have brought him in somthing . So count so much loss of your faith , as you want use of it in receiving from Jesus Christ .