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THE WORKS
REV. WILLIAM BRIDGE, M.A
i'OHMF.RLY FF.I.I.OW OF F.MAXL'F.L COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, AND PASTOR OF
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IX GRF.AT VARMOUTII, NORFOLK.
XO\V FIRST COLLECTED.
IX FIVE VOLUME.
VOL. I.
LONDON :
PRINTED FOR THOMAS TEGG,
73, C1IEA.PSIDE.
1845.
SYNOPSIS OF THE WORK.
CONTENTS OF VOL. I.
Memoir of the Author
The Great Gospel Mystery of the Saints' Comfort and Holiness opened
and applied from Christ's Priestly Office.
Satan's Power to Tempt and Christ's Love to and Care of his People
under Temptation.
Grace for Grace, or the Overflowings of Christ's Fulness received by
all Saints.
The Spiritual Life and In-being of Christ in all Believers.
Scripture Light the Most Sure Light.
The Righteous Man's Habitation in the Time of Plague and Pestilence.
CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
A Lifting up for the Downcast.
The Spiritual Actings of Faith through Natural Impossibilities.
The Great Things Faith can do.
The Great Things Faith can suffer.
The Freeness of the Grace and Love of God to Believers discovered.
CONTENTS OF VOL. III.
Christ and the Covenant, the Work and Way of Meditation, God's re-
turn to the Soul or Nation, together with his Preventing Mercy.
Christ in Travail.
Seasonable Truths in Evil Times.
CONTENTS OF VOL. IV.
Seventeen Single Sermons on Various Subjects and Occasions.
Evangelical Repentance.
CONTENTS OF VOL. V.
The Siwfulness of Sin and the Fulness of Christ.
Remains.
2018121
IV SYNOPSIS OF THE WORK.
A Word to the Aged.
The Wounded Conscience Cured and the Weak One Strengthened.
The Truth of the Times Vindicated.
The Loyal Convert, According to the Oxford Copy, with Annotations
thereon.
The Doctrine of Justification by Faith opened and applied.
General Index.
CONTENTS OF VOL. I.
Publishers' Preface Til
Memoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
Prefaces xviii
Epistle Dedicatory xxii
THE GREAT GOSPEL MYSTERY OF THE SAINTS' COMFORT
AND HOLINESS, OPENED AND APPLIED FROM CHRIST'S
PRIESTLY OFFICE : IN FOUR SERMONS, ON HEBREWS XI. 17,
18.
Sermon 1. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3
Sermon 2. ,. .. 23
SermonS. 46
Sermon 4. 67
SATAN'S POWER TO TEMPT, AND CHRIST'S LOVE TO, AND
CARE OF HIS PEOPLE UNDER TEMPTATION: IN FIVE SER-
MONS.
Sermon 1. Heb. xi. 18 89
Sermon 2. Heb. xi. 18 108
SermonS. Luke xxii. 31, 32 127
Sermon 4. Luke xxii. 31, 32 146
Sermon 5. Luke xxii. 31, 32 164
GRACE FOR GRACE, OR THE OVERFLOWINGS OF CHRIST'S
FULNESS RECEIVED BY ALL SAINTS : IN SIX SERMONS, ON
JOHN I. 16.
Sermon 1. 185
Sermon 2. 201
SermonS 222
Sermon 4. 242
SermonS. 258
Sermon 6. 276
THE SPIRITUAL LIFE AND IN-BEING OF CHRIST IN ALL
BELIEVERS : IN FIVE SERMONS, ON GAL. II. 20.
Rev. W. Greenhill's Preface 297
Sermon 1. 299
Sermon 2. 320
Sermon 3. 340
Sermon 4. 361
Sermon 5. 382
viii PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
also, for the information as well as the loan of two single
Sermons which could not otherwise have been obtained.
The Publishers beg thus openly, both for themselves and
on the part of their readers, to express their grateful acknow-
ledgments of the valuable assistance which was thus kindly
rendered, and which has thus made the edition in every res-
pect complete.
It will doubtless be observed, that there is not included a
work under the specific title of " Seven Sermons on Faith,"
which was first sent out with that designation by the Countess
of Huntingdon, and which has since become a very popular
book. This volume was made up of the first and last ser-
mons of the work entitled, " A Lifting up for the Downcast,"
accompanied with the three smaller pieces on the same sub-
ject which follow that work in this edition. It may be pre-
sumed, that as in that disjointed state it obtained so much
approbation, the whole of the work, and indeed the whole of
the author's works, of which it may be regarded as a speci-
men, will gain a still greater share of esteem.
The "Word to the Aged" was published anonymously,
and was also privately printed. Independently of the simi-
larity of style and the circumstance of one or two similes
being repeated in this work which the author had employed
in his earlier writings, and which would be sufficient proof
that it is a genuine production of William Bridge, it may be
added, that in one brief biographical account of him, it is
assigned to him without any doubt.
A sermon entitled, " Joab's Counsel and King David's
Seasonable Hearing of it," was published in 1643, with the
name, " W. Bridges, Preacher of the Gospel at Dunstan's in
the East," as the author of it. Although the Publishers
could not discover that William Bridge was ever connected
with that parish, and although the name also was spelt differ-
PUBLISHERS' PREFACE. ix
ently, a circumstance not unfrequent in those times, they had
nearly concluded that it must be his production, from an
allusion in the preface to his controversy with Dr. Fearne.
Further investigation, however, brought to their view two
other pamphlets by this same W. Bridges, and in one of
which, entitled, " Division Divided, or Ruin's Forerunner
Discovered and Decyphered," he has signed his name at the
end of the preface at large, Walter Bridges, thus settling the
point as it respected all the three which were then of course
all passed by.
One pamphlet, however, entitled, " The Loyal Convert/'
has the author's name, W. Bridges, without any further ad-
dition. The Publishers are themselves inclined to believe
that this also is by Walter Bridges, who took the same side
with W 7 illiam Bridge in the controversy on the subject of
resistance ; but as there was no clue to determine the point,
they have decided to include it herein. It would seem that
Dr. Hammond published a tract, entitled, " The Loyal Con-
vert," and which was in favour of the royal cause. W.
Bridges has in his pamphlet reprinted the whole of Dr.
Hammond's, with his own annotations thereupon. The anno-
tations alone, therefore, constitute the writing of W. Bridges.
The last piece in the series, and which only reached the
Publishers when just concluding the last volume, is a posthu-
mous piece. The preface appended thereto sufficiently mani-
fests the doubtful character of its authorship, and William
Bridge, therefore, ought not to be held responsible for every
sentiment it may contain. It is added as making the whole
complete.
The two letters of William Bridge preserved in "Peck's
Desiderata Curiosa," are inserted in the memoir.
The Publishers congratulate themselves in being able to
supply an undoubtedly correct likeness of their venerable
x PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
author. It is engraved fac-simile from the original plate, the
painting from which that was taken, being still preserved in
the vestry of the Independent chapel at Great Yarmouth.
They cannot close this brief advertisement without express-
ing the satisfaction they have derived in thus bringing before
the church the writings, now first collected, of one of her
ablest ministers. It is their earnest desire that the Lord who
so largely blessed his labours when living, may renew that
blessing still more abundantly upon the valued legacy he hath
left behind, and that thereby many may be established in our
most holy faith.
18, PATERNOSTER ROW.
Feb. 6. 1845.
MEMOIH.
MATERIALS for a lengthened Memoir of WILLIAM
BRIDGE do not exist, and it is scarcely worth while for the
sake of diffuseness, to enlarge upon the circumstances of the
times in which he lived : although he undoubtedly occupied
a prominent place in the controversies which then agitated
the church and the kingdom, and by his writings on the
subject of resistance to the higher powers, probably influ-
enced considerably the minds of men at that important
period.
His memory is dear, not as the champion of a sentiment
upon which there will always be difference of opinion, but as
the able and successful preacher of the gospel of peace,
as the luminous and wise unfolder of the doctrines of salva-
tion, as the profound disputant with the enemy in the gate :
here our author shone, here in his proper sphere he gained
and maintained a popularity superior to most of his con-
temporaries, and in these discourses which he has left behind
him, he still lives embalmed in the affections of the church
of Christ, and still continues a profitable servant in the vine-
yard of his Lord.
Times of difficulty and of persecution, have always been
seasons in which God's ministers shine with greatest lustre.
As the stars are brightest in the darkest night, so when
tribulation shrouds the hemisphere in gloom, the lights in
God's spiritual Israel, which in seasons of quiet or pros-
perity are unknown and unobserved, become visible, and men
strengthened then according to the day, come forth manifest-
ing a devotedness and an ability of which they themselves
were previously unconscious ; and thus, as was the case with
the children of the promise in the land of Egypt, the more
they are oppressed the more they grow. God's people will
not for this reason make persecution the subject either of
their desires or their prayers: the cross which the Lord
enables his people to sustain, is the cross which he himself
MEMOIR.
lays upon them : but this fact is a source of encouragement
to the believer when foreboding coming calamity, and it
should establish the certainty of the cheering truth, that if
He who ruleth all things by the word of his power,
should permit to come again into our privileged land the
demon of persecution, he will raise up at the same time,
such as shall be endued with the Spirit from on high, and by
a larger measure of his gracious influences, animate and
support the people of his love. Seldom has it been the
case, that he who was great in the sunshine, continued great
in the gloom. The rich and the dignified, and they of whom
even the people of God hoped great things, often fall away
at such a time, and walk no more with them ; while most
useful and much beloved, some of whom the world is not
worthy, and of whom the world retains no memorial, live and
walk in the light of God's manifested countenance, and feed
the flock of God, at the peril of contumely, suffering and
death.
Amongst those thus useful, thus beloved, and thus in their
personal history almost unremembered, our author must be
included. We have been unable to ascertain even the town
which gave him birth. That he was a native of Cambridge-
shire is we believe certain, and also that he was born in the
year of our Lord, 1600. He was educated at Emanuel Col-
lege, Cambridge, where he entered at the age of sixteen, and
became Master of Arts at the age of twenty-six. He was
for many years a Fellow of this College. It has been
remarked, that this College is distinguished, for having edu-
cated more who became afterwards Nonconformists, than any
seven other Colleges or Halls in either University. In the
year 1631, he was appointed to the lectureship of Colchester,
where he continued but a short time. In the year 1633, he
had a Friday lecture at St. George's, Tombland, Norwich, for
which he was paid by the corporation. In the year 1636, we
find that he was rector of St. Peter's, Hungate, Norwich, a
living which at that time was not worth more than twenty-
two pounds per annum. Here it was that he was silenced
by Bishop Wren, for not being a thorough Conformist. He
continued however in the city some time after his suspension,
until he was excommunicated, and the writ de capiendo came
forth against him.
MEMOIR. xm
Driven thus from his native land, he took refuge in Hol-
land, which has many times been the honoured place for
sheltering the persecuted worthies of the church of Christ.
He settled at Rotterdam, succeeding as pastor the celebrated
Hugh Peters, and becoming thus associated with that emi-
nent man of God, Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs. From a passage
in the " Apologetical Narration," it may be inferred, that Mr.
Bridge received much support from the magistrates of the
city, and that many wealthy persons joined the church, some
of whom had fled from the persecutions of Bishop Wren.
While at Rotterdam he renounced the ordination which he
had received when he entered the church of England, and
was again ordained after the Independent way, by Samuel
Ward, B. D. ; after which he similarly ordained Mr. Ward.
He returned to England in 1642, in the time of the Long
Parliament, before whom he frequently preached. The thanks
of both houses were constantly voted for his able discourses
thus delivered, and on July 30, 1650, the sum of 100 per
annum was voted to him to be paid out of the Impro-
priations. It would seem from the two following let-
ters, which have been preserved in " Peck's Desiderata Curi-
osa," that he was likewise consulted by the Parliament
in reference to a general augmentation of ministers' salaries :
we insert the letters, not as containing any intrinsic merit, but
as shewing that he certainly possessed considerable influence
in his day, or, to use the words of Dr. Nathaniel Johnston,
in his book, entitled, " The King's Visitorial Power Assert-
ed," and in which book there is a petition from the Fellows of
Emanuel College, Cambridge, signed amongst others, by
William Bridge ; " He was a great preacher, and one of the
demagogues of this Parliament."
To Henry Scobell, Esq. Clerk of the Council of State.
HONOURED SIR,
I HAVE received your letters, and am glad that you
are so sensible of the concernment of our Lord Christ, in
the ministry of his word.
The Presbyterian and Congregational Churches in Norfolk,
are many ; and in so short a time as one day, I am not able
ta inquire into their state and condition : but having lately
Xiv MEMOIR.
received a letter from Mr. Philip Nye, in reference to the
Congregational, I have inquired after them the more dili-
gently, and send you the names of all those churches in
Norfolk, with the names of their pastors, and the towns
where they are seated, and the worth of their living, so near
as I can.
The Presbyterian churches I have less acquaintance with,
and if you please to give me longer time to inquire, I shall
serve you therein. Only, Sir, I can tell you now, that here
are four ministers in this town, and no set maintenance for
any, unless 100, which I have from the state, given me by
the Long Parliament. The other ministers are all good men
and worthy, and no revenue but the people's charity.
Six miles from us there is a market town, and the only
great town in the island, and the living is not worth 40. per
annum. If 50 may be laid to it, and a good man put into
the place, it would be very influential upon the whole island.
The gift of the living belongs to the Lord Protector. The
town hath been malignant, called Lowestofie, known to his
Highness, being part of the first fruits of his great labours.
Much service might be done for Christ in settling this place,
and if the Lord will give you hearts to pity this great town,
many souls will bless God for your bowels. I will trouble
you no further, but present this thing to your goodness, and
yourself to the grace of God, who is able to supply all our
wants, according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ.
In whom I continue, Sir,
Tour's, in all Christian observance,
W. B.
Yarmouth, August 16. 1655.
A list of the Independent Teachers who are Pastors of
Churches in the County of Norfolk :
1. Church at Norwich: Pastor, Mr. Armitage; who hath
an augmentation already.
2. Church at Yarmouth: Mr. Tookey, Teacher: Mr.
Bridge, Pastor ; who hath 100 per annum from the state.
3. Church at North Walsom, a market town : Pastor, Mr.
Brabiter ; the living about 40 per annum.
4. Church at Windham, a market town: Pastor, Mr.
Mony ; he hath an augmentation already.
MEMOIR. XV
5. Church at Hupton, a small town and a small living ; no
Pastor, Mr. Wale being gone to Ireland.
6. Church at Tunsted and Stowly : no Pastor, the revenue
of both about 80 per annum
7. Church at Alby and Thwait : Pastor, Mr. Nathaniel
Brewster ; the living about 50 per annum.
8. Church at Lesetiorgham : Pastor, Mr. Cushin ; the liv-
ing about 100 per annum.
9. Church at Fowlsome : Mr. Worts, Pastor ; the worth
of the living known to Major General Skippon.
10. Church at Edgefield : Pastor, Mr. Martin ; the living
competent.
To Henry Scobell, Esq. Clerk of his Highnesses Privy
Council.
WORTHY SIR,
I ii AYE lately received a letter from Mr. Griffith,
in the name of the brethren at London, whereby I am de-
sired to certify you of the receipt thereof. This is then only
to let you understand, that on August 26, I received his let-
ters dated August 20, and I shall take care that copies of the
letters be sent unto all the churches in our county. Continuing,
Your Servant in the gospel of Christ Jesus,
W. B.
Yarmouth, August 28. 1658.
He was one of the dissenting brethren in the Assembly of
Divines at Westminster, and was one of the writers of the
" Apologetical narrative," which was published in 1643.
His name is also subscribed to the " Reasons of the dissenting
brethren against certain propositions concerning Presbyterial
government," which was published in 1648.
After a brief sojourn at Norwich, where he preached a
sermon to the volunteers, he at length fixed at Great Yar-
mouth, where he continued his labours till the Bartholomew
Act. It is very probable, that at Yarmouth his congregation
at least for some time met in the parish church for public
worship, for in the year 1650, the north part of the church
was enclosed for a meeting place, at an expense of ( JOO ; a
considerable sum in those days.
When ejected by the black Bartholomew Act, he went to
reside at Clapham, near London, and preached in, if not found-
ded, the Independent meeting at that place j and at this place
he died, March 12. 1670.
From an epitaph in Yarmouth Church, it would appear
that he was twice married. The name of his first wife is not
known ; he afterwards married Margaret, the widow of John
Arnold, merchant and once bailiff of that town. Whether he
had any children, or how many, we have been unable to as-
certain.
These few brief particulars are all we have been able to
gather, respecting this eminently useful and deeply taught
servant of the Most High God.
We close this brief memorial with an Elegy upon him, the
unknown author of which was contemporary with him.
ELEGY
UPON THE DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM BRIDGE, A FAITHFUL
AND PAINFUL LABOURER IN THE LORD'S VINEYARD.
EVEN as a lamp that spendeth liberally
Its oil, that we may do our work thereby ;
Or as a sparkling star, which shineth bright,
Thereby directing travellers by night ;
Or as the sun, that by his cheerful rays
Disperseth darkness, and his beams displays
On the cold earth, whereby he makes it spring
With fruitful crops, which joyfulness doth bring :
So BRIDGE dispersed his fruitful beams whilst here,
But now he 's fixed in a higher sphere.
You that have skill, sorrow and joy to blend,
Somewhat of both upon this prophet spend.
Grieve for your loss, and yet rejoice in this,
He 's gone from trouble to a place of bliss.
Mourn that you did no more improve his pains,
And yet rejoice that he now reaps the gains.
Weep that so bright a lamp no longer shined,
Yet joy in those choice works he left behind.
Mourn that such lights do set, and when ye 've done,
Joy that he 's there, where needs not moon nor sun,
Which never shall be stained with a night,
BHt hath eternal glory for its light :
MEMOIR.
And let those darkened intervals you see,
Increase your longing in that place to be ;
For here are changes, prophets too must die :
Yet let me that expression mollify :
If the philosopher of old could say,
All of me shall not die ; then sure we may
Transcendantly affirm of BRIDGE, that he
Yet lives, and shall live to eternity.
He lives in heaven, on earth he doth the same ;
There in his soul, here in his works and name.
And though his body now be turned to dust,
Yet, at the resurrection of the just,
Each atom shall be gathered, so to raise
A glorious fabric to his Master's praise ;
And soul and body jointly then shall sing,
Grave, where 'a thy conquest ? death, where is thy sting ?
And then in triumph shall ascend on high,
Having obtained, through Christ, the victory.
PREFACES TO THE ORIGINAL EDITION.
TO THE READER.
So good is the God of Jacob lo his Israel on this side the promised land, that
no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Friend, if it may be verified of thee, what our blessed Saviour spake of Na-
thaniel, " Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile :" thou hast at present,
not only a title to Esau's enough, but the tenure of Jacob's all : according to
that ancient charter of all saints recorded by that great apostle of the gentiles :
" For all things are yours ; whether Paul, Apollos, or Cephas, &c. All are yours,
and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's," 1 Cor. iii. 21, 22, 23.
The very persons and ministry, calling and gifts, studies and writings, prayers
and sermons of the faithful ministers of the gospel, all are for the use, service,
and comfort of Christ's little little flock, TO pK'pov vtoipviov. This evangelical
truth is notably proved by the same apostle to the Ephesians. When our only
High Priest ascended up on high, into the holy of holies there to transact his
priestly office of intercession at the right hand of God the Father, " He gave
some to be apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors
and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ," Eph. iv. 11, 12.
Thus this servant of the Lord is thine ; as much thine, as Paul was the Co-
rinthians. Yea, these his Spirit-full pieces of evangelical mysteries are thine :
thine to build thee up in the saving knowledge of that doctrinal truth, the priest-
ly office of Christ, as it is the magazine and storehouse of all that grace and
comfort which we are crowned with under heaven : thine, to give thee a piercing
insight into the intricate methods of the old serpent, and plainly to discover
upon what rocks and sands the faith of many suffer shipwreck : thine, to arm
*hee with spiritual armour of proof, called a breast-plate, 1 Thess. v. 8. $wpa,
because it guards the heart ; or, as the words elsewhere holds it out, a long-largt
shield, Ephes. vi. 16, Svfioe of $opa, which is very dexterous to defend the
whole of a Christian soldier from all the fiery darts of the wicked one, TOV
nrovypov.
Reader, let us be thine, to beseech thee by the mercies of God, as thou ten-
derest the peace and welfare of all within thy own tabernacle, immediately to
put in practice the holy contents of this experimental book. For if thou art one
of the Lord's Simons, " Behold Satan hath desired to have thee, that he may
sift thee as wheat." Oh, therefore make provision for thy soul with all speed,
before the hour of temptation draweth on. It is not true valour, but desperate
fool-madness, to adjourn this every-day's business of everlasting concernment :
because in this, as in oversights of war, there is no room for a second retractation,
the first error being unrecoverable.
PREFACE. Xi.t
This is all we have to advertise thee touching these choice useful lectures.
For the author of them (whom we very much love and honour) we must bear
witness, that when he first preached them from the bosom of Jesus Christ, his
Master, to many tempted bleeding hearts in and about this populous city, he had
not then the least thought to suffer them in print to serve the public. But after-
wards, eyeing the voice of God in the multiplied desires and greedy expectations
both of friends and strangers, his constant auditors, though of different judg-
ments, in their private speeches and letters : and to prevent a further inconveni-
ence, [sc. the publishing them by some who had imperfect notes in their hands
M. W. M.] was necessitated to depute us [in his absence at Yarmouth] to hand
out into the world this his copy, which was exactly penned from his tongue, by
that his beloved amanuensis, and since kept charily by him as a precious thing
committed to his trust. Trjv Ka\r]f ira.pa.KaTai}x.r)v, 2 Tim. i. 14.
The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ grant thee according to the riches of his
glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man, so that thou
mayest be more than conqueror through him that loved thee, and prayed for
thee, that thy faith fail not. So be it.
Thine in the Lord Jesus,
WILLIAM GREKNHILL.
JOHN YATES.
WILLIAM AODERLEY.
TO THE READER.
THAT we may at least stay the longings of many thirsty souls with a sweet
relish of a promising vintage of new wine this year, we have slipt off this second
ripe cluster of grapes from its fellows, which if it be squeezed in the hand of
faith, will prove itself to be so rich, fragrant, and sparkling with the blood, juice,
and spirit of the gospel, that it needs not the purple of our epistle recommend-
atory to welcome it to any, that are in truth the living branches of the true. Vine.
Yet to the end we may happily invite some that are without to come in, that they
also may both see and taste how good the Lord is to the children of the bride-
chamber :
Reader, stand awhile at the well-head, with the poor woman of Samaria, ad-
miring the infinite dimensions of those waters of life that are fountained up in
Jesus Christ, " of whose fulness we all receive, even grace for grace."
The saints may be brimful of the Holy Spirit, as Stephen was, but it is ac-
cording to measure, a vessel fulness ; but Christ above or without measure, a
spring fulness, which is not only repletive, but diffusive, unsearchable, immea-
surable.
The great ocean is too little to shadow out the overflowings of this fulness ; for
take away a drop or two from thence, it presently suffers a diminution : but
though this Fountain of salvation should shed abroad his love upon all the world
of the elect, as the waters cover the sea, yet it is ever full, running over. There
is not the less light or heat in the Sun of Righteousness, though he daily ariseth
with healing in his wings unto them that fear his name from east to west; " He
is yesterday, to-day, and for ever the same." This is no hyperbole, but the lan-
guage of Canaan. " Nee Christus nee coelum patitur hyperbolum." Lu-
ther.
XX PREFACE.
Oh, that this unspeakable Fulness of heaven or earth, or saints and angels, that
fills all in all, did now constrain thee to cast thy empty pitcher into these depths
of his grace, so shouldest thou with this beloved evangelist, and the rest that are
included in this WE ALL, " receive even grace for grace." To act faith is the
principal use which directly flows out from every doctrine about Jesus Christ.
We shall appeal unto thee, whose eye is fixed on this full book of grace, Is
not fulness in other things, a conquering, golden argument ? Did not Joseph's
treasure of corn, prevail with good old Jacob and his sons to go down into
Egypt ? And shall not this our gospel Joseph, who alone is the Bread of Life
that once came down from heaven to feed hungry souls, engage thee, almost
famished, to come unto him for this staff of life, that thou mayest live ? Were
they not the floods of milk and honey that did run down the promised land, that
did set the Israelites' teeth on edge to be there ? And shall not the overflowings
of Christ's heart in heaven towards sinners on earth, make thee to hunger and
thirst after His righteousness, who is the Lord our Righteousness ? Was it not
the abundance of Solomon's natural wisdom, which was as a constellation of
stars in his crown, that invited the queen of Sheba to travel from the utmost
parts of Arabia to kneel before his throne ? And is there not a greater than
Solomon here, " who is the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express
image of his person, full of grace and truth?" Oh where, where then are the
spiritual actings of thy soul upon him ? Abraham's faith was a very lively, vigorous,
and a more than conquering faith ; when the sentence of death was apparent on
the head of the mercy, and the womb leading to it : and is thy faith like a tree
twice dead, plucked up by the roots ? God forbid. Oh, remember the fulness of
the infiniteness of all perfections that are originally in the Lord, being able to fill
np all the empty chinks, void places, the unsatisfied gaspings and yawnings of
the vast spirit of man. We shall seal up all with the evangelical words of that
voice of Christ echoed in a wilderness, as the great motive of all motives, " The
kingdom of heaven," of grace, of Christ, and all his benefits, " is at hand," hath
approached. Therefore, believe, repent: " Blessed is that servant whom his
Lord when he cometh shall find so doing."
Thine, in and for the Lord Jesus Christ, and his fulness, that thou mayest re-
ceive even grace for grace,
WILLIAM GREENHILL.
WILLIAM ADDERLEY.
JOHN YATES.
EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
To THE WORSHIPFUL MAURICE THOMPSON, Esa., GEORGE THOMPSON,
Esa., WILLIAM THOMPSON, Esa. SHERIFF OF LONDON, ROBERT THOMP-
SON, Esa., SIR JOHN WITTEWRONG, KNIGHT, WILLIAM OFIELD, Esa.,
SAMUEL CHAMPNES, ELIAS ROBERTS, AND WILLIAM HAWKINS, EsaRS.
WITH THEIR WIVES AND CHILDREN, GRACE AND PEACE.
Honoured and Beloved in our Lord Jesus,
IT is not want of respect that I seem thus to crowd your names together, I
owe more than an epistle to each of your names, but because God hath made you
one, though branched into several habitations, I take the boldness to present this
work to you, as unto one family. It is written of the stork, that she useth to
leave one of her young ones to the house where she made her nest. " Ciconise
mos est unum e pullis relinquere domui qua nidulata est." Lud. Vives. And
upon that account some of my labours do belong to your family, where I studied,
and from whence I preached them t^some of you and yours have often desired
the publishing of these notes, and being printed, whither should the press send
them but to your door ? you are the family with whom I have had the honour
to converse much whilst living ; and now the blossoms of the grave are upon me,
I dedicate these notes unto you, that by them I may live and speak with you
when my head shall lie under the clods : you are a family whom the Lord hath
blessed and raised not only to a great estate in the world, but to the saving
knowledge of his Son, our dear Saviour, and whom should I serve and honour
but those whom God honours and blesseth ?
That family is not far from blessing, which hath godly children, children
trained up and seasoned with the grace of Christ from the cradle; " The Lord
blessed the house of Obed-edom," and wherein did that blessing consist ? the
scripture tells us. 1 Chron. xxvi. That some of his children were porters in
the house of God, others were mighty men of valour, able men for strength and
service, and the reason is given, verse 5. " For the Lord blessed him," so that
children useful and serviceable both in church and state are a great blessing unto
a family. The Hebrews say, that children are the father's building, rm a p
" quia films est sedificium patrisj" and indeed he builds wisely that doth lay
the foundations of his house in a godly seed. " Lo, children (saith the Psalmist)
are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb are his reward, as arrows
in the hand of the mighty, so are children of the youth, blessed is the man that
hath his quiver full of them ;" especially where these arrows are well headed and
well hearted too. And upon this account it is good for great families to have
good servants. For, corrupt servants do debauch children, and debauched chil-
dren do scatter brimstone upon the house of their fathers.
Neither is that family an unblessed family which is strict in the observation
Xxii EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
of the sabbath or the Lord's day. God hath blessed that day that he might
bless them who do keep that day ; hereby England hath been blessed with the
power of godliness more than other nations ; "My sabbath, (saith God) shall
be a sign between me and thee." And in the primitive times when a Christian
was asked whether he had kept the Lord's day, his answer generally was, I am
a Christian, I cannot neglect it. " Servasti diem Dominican ? Christianus sum
intermittere non possum." As if the observation of the Lord's day were the
badge of a Christian ; this is the girdle of all our duties, and in respect of this
girdle I may say, ungirt, unblessed ; the valleys of the week day are blessed by
the upper springs of this day ; and as the commandment doth especially point
at, and look wishly upon the master of the family, saying, Neither thou, nor
thy son, nor thy daughter, &c., so doth the blessing also.
Blessed is that family which doth industriously seek to build the house of God
and the house of the poor ; David did but intend to build God's house, and the
Lord promised him to build his house. The Egyptian midwives spared the Is-
raelites' children, whereby, the poor families and houses of the Israelites were
built, and the Lord dealt well with the midwives and made them houses, Exod.
i. 20.
Neither is that family far from blessing which is a friend to the ministry. Re-
ceiving, hiding, and refreshing the painful and faithful ministers and preachers of
the gospel ; " The Lord give mercy (saith Paul) to the house of Onesiphorus, for
he hath refreshed me," not once and no more, but, " he hath oft refreshed me :"
nor did he do this because I followed him and sought him out, but, " he sought
me out very diligently, and found me." And in the day of my greatest affliction
he was not ashamed of me, " for he was not ashamed of my chains," wherefore
the Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy in that day ; and give mercy
unto the house of Onesiphorus, 2 Tim. i. 16, 17, 18. " He that receiveth a
prophet (saith our Saviour) in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's
reward," and what is the reward of a prophet, but to profit by the prophet, and
to have a share in his venture, and in all that good which he doth by his ministry.
A praying family, also, is a precious family and blessed, especially where prayer
and pains, religion and righteousness, frugality and liberality are in conjunction :
some are much for pains-taking and little for prayer, others are much for prayer
and little for pains-taking ; some are much for religion and little for righteousness,
others are much for righteous dealings and little for religion ; some are much for
frugality and little for liberality, others are much for liberality and little for fru-
gality ; but blessed is that family where prayer and pains, religion and righteous-
ness, frugality and liberality meet and dwell together under one roof. " Nisi
Dominus aedificaveric domum frustra laborat quisquis earn sedificat, Psal. cxxvii.
Non enim dicit, Dominus sedificat domum nemine scilicet laborante, sed ita, nisi
Dominus asdificaverit frustra laborat perinde ac si diceret, labore quidem opus est,
sed hujus conatum frustra sumi si solus erit, non enim laboris sedulitas sed Dei
benedictio rem fsecundaret omnia perficit." Luther farrago Epistol.
Now those things I have seen amongst you : only, as heretofore, so now labour
to abound therein more and more, that you and your family may be as the field
which the Lord blesseth. And as God hath raised you to an outward greatness
in the world, so let your hearts be great for God, that what Pliny reported of
Vespasian, may be truly said of you ; " Nee quicquam in te mutaverit fortunse
amplitude nisi ut prodesse tandundem posses et velles." Your abundance hath
changed nothing in you, but this, that your power to do good is now made an-
swerable to your will : counting it greater mercy to lay out for God, than to lay
up for yourselves, for it may be when you come to die, you will have more com-
EPISTLE DEDICATORY. XXlii
fort in what you have laid out for God, than in what you have laid up for your
children. And why should we not give that to God by an act of our faith which
he gave to us by an act of his love ?
And as for your children, if I might not exceed the bounds of an epistle, I
would say to them :
Children, O children, know your fathers, and the God of your fathers, know
3 our parents, for that is the first commandment with promise, and you shall hon-
our yourselves in honouring them. It is recorded of the Catanenses, (Camerar.
oper. subcis. Centur. i. cap. 66.) that they made a stately monument of kingly
magnificence, in remembrance of two sons, who took their aged parents upon
their backs and carried them through the fire when their father's house was all
in a flame. And of all the birds, the stork hath the name for the good bird,
and why ? but because the younger of them do help and bear up the elder, their
weak parents ; but though your parent is to be honoured, yet your God is more
to be honoured. If you know Gou when you are young, God will know you
when you are old ; " remember therefore your Creator in the days of your
youth :" and your Creator will remember you in the days of your age. " nVDn
pia avis, ciconiis eximia in est pietas : et enim quantum temporis impenderint
foetibus educandis, tantum et ipsse a pullis suis invicem aluntur. Solinus, cap.
11. Schind. Parentes senectute confectos numeris suis gestare dicuntur."
Avenar.
Take heed of youthful sins, for the sweet sins of our youth do bite sore in our
age.
Get an inward principle of grace in your own souls, for if you live on your
parents' root, when your parents die, your goodness will die too ; and therefore
look well to the laying of your foundation, which is not to be laid in disputation
but humiliation.
Be not unwilling to bear the yoke in the days of your youth, for he that can
carry a calf when he is young, will carry an ox when he is old. Affliction gives
you understanding ; it is the school of experience. The oxen that are for use,
are kept tied up, when those that are fatted for the shambles, are let loose into
the pastures to feed at their pleasure. " Vituli triturantes quotidie ligantur vi-
tuli mactandi quotidie in pascuis libere relinquuntur." Augustin.
Be not too confident of what you can do, or will do. Young men are apt to
be too confident, as old men are k apt to be too fearful ; but the best swimmers
are the soonest drowned, because of their confidence. " Wherefore in all thy
ways acknowledge the Lord, and lean not to thine own understanding," Prov. iii.
When you come to the great turns of your life, be sure that you make a right
choice, for every man is as his choice is. If there be any dirt on the hands, it
will appear in the knuckles, the turning places ; and if there be dirt in your
lives, it will be found and appear in your great turns.
Let your dwelling-place be where God dwells, and he dwells where his ordi-
nances are, for there he records his name. But though you live under ordinances
in regard of your station, yet live above them in regard of your affection, passing
through them unto Christ, and through Christ into the bosom of the Father. It
was not David's sling that killed Goliah, but the name of God in the use of the
sling.
Seek not great things for yourselves in this world, for if your garments be too
long, they will make you stumble ; and one staff helps a man in his journey,
when many in his hands at once hinder him ; but labour to do great things for
God, and God will do great things for you. Terrene or earthly felicity, is the
EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
lowest part of perfect felicity. " Infima pars fselicitatis perfect* est terrena
fuelicitas. " Augustin.
Be much in private prayer, for the more you come to God, the more welcome
you are ; his customers have the best pennyworths ; and if God do much for you
in the morning duty, do much for him all the day after ; and if you have little
from God in the morning, walk humbly all the day after. " A prece prin-
cipium."
Let your company be always such as you may get good from, or do good unto.
When you are alone, think of good things ; and when you are in company, speak
of good things.
Keep the truth, and the truth will keep you.
And whatever mercy or blessing you receive, trace it to heaven gates, and to
Christ's blood ; for it flowed from Christ's blood, and leads you to heaven.
" And the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that
great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
make you all (parents and children) perfect in every good work to do his will,
working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to
whom be glory for ever and ever."
Your servant in the gospel of Christ,
WILLIAM BRIDGE.
THE GREAT GOSPEL MYSTERY OF THE SAINTS' COMFORT
AND HOLINESS,
OPENED AND APPLIED FROM
CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE,
IN
FOUR SERMONS,
PREACHED AT STEPNEY, A. D. 1647.
VOL. I.] B
ON
CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE.
SERMON I.
" Wherefore in all things it behoved him, to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and a faithful High Priest, in
things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for atonement} for the
sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted,
he is able to succour them that are tempted." HEB. n. 17, 18.
THE apostle Paul, (whom I take to be the penman of this
epistle) having in the former part of this chapter, shewed the
reasons, why it behoved Christ for to suffer death : he comes
now, in the latter end thereof, to give you an account, by
laying down some reasons, " Why it behoved Christ, to be
in all things made like unto us," whom the apostle here calls
the brethren of Jesus Christ.
In other scriptures we find, that our Lord and Saviour
Christ, is called our Father, " The Everlasting Father, the
Prince of peace." Here he is called our Brother, we his
brethren. Now the same person, to be both a father, and a
brother unto the same man, in nature it cannot be.
But because all these relations, are too scant, and narrow
vessels to hold forth the love of Jesus Christ towards us :
therefore inconsistent relations are given unto him. A
father provides for his child, which the brother doth not.
A brother can stoop, and condescend unto his brother, which
the superiority of the father will not bear. So that here is
held forth unto us, the stooping, condescending love of Jesus
Christ : and therefore he is called our Brother, and we his
brethren.
But why, and what reason is there, that the Lord Jesus
Christ should in all things be made like unto us his brethren ?
The apostle in these words gives the reason, te That he
might be a merciful, and a faithful High Priest, in things
pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the
people," &c. The Lord God our Father, sware unto Jesus
B 2
4 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 1.
Christ, " Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Mel-
chizedek." He was to be the great High Priest. Among
the Jews, in the times of the Old Testament, they had an high
priest, that was in all things to stand between God and them,
and in case any sinned, to make an atonement for them. As
the Jews had their high priest : so the Lord Jesus Christ, he
was to be, and he is, the Apostle and the High Priest of our
Christian profession, as Aaron was of the Jews' profession.
And therefore says the apostle, " It behoved him, in all things
to be made like unto us."
But could not Jesus Christ be merciful unto poor tempted
souls, unless he were in all things made like to them : like
in their natures, like in their affections, like in matter of
temptations ?
Christ as God, could have been merciful unto us, although
he had not been made like unto us : but not as our High
Priest.
There is an ability of sufficiency, and of power: and so
Christ as God, was able to succour those that are tempted,
although himself had never been tempted. But there is an
ability of idoneity or fitness, or aptness and disposition :
and so the apostle says here, " For in that himself hath suf-
fered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are
tempted."
It is plain then, what that is, that is the great support of
a Christian against all temptations : wherein lies our succour
against all temptation, namely, in the priestly office of Jesus
Christ.
The priestly office of Christ, it is the great magazine and
storehouse of all that grace and comfort which we have on
this side heaven : it is that whereby we are reconciled to God
the Father, and relieved against all temptation. This is the
great thing that these words hold forth.
And therefore, upon this account, the apostle Paul, finding
the Hebrews labouring under great temptations, doubtings,
fears, and much unbelief; he does not only here, but all
along in this book of the Hebrews, open the priestly office
of Christ unto them.
And indeed, what comfort can we have in God himself,
but through Christ ? and what comfort can we have in Christ
himself, but as he is clothed with his priestly garment, with
SER. 1.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 5
the office of High Priest ? Whatsoever comfort we have in
the other offices of Christ, namely his kingly and his pro-
phetical offices, it is all originated and principiated in this :
the priestly office of Jesus Christ, it does give a life, and
being, and efficacy to both the other offices. And therefore
the high priest, in the times of the Old Testament, (who was
a type of Christ) he wore a crown upon his head, and the
breastplate of Urim and Thummim upon his breast : showing
that both the other offices, the kingly and the prophetical
office, were planted upon the priestly office of Jesus Christ.
Yea, if you look into the ist, iind, and iiird chapters
of the Revelation, you will find, that whatsoever streams of
comfort did run down upon the churches through the other
titles and attributes of God, they are all fountained here. In
the iind chapter and the 1st verse, the Lord Christ hath
this title, that he holdeth the seven stars in his right hand !
" These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his
right hand." In the 8th verse, writing unto the church of
Smyrna, he takes up another title or attribute : " These
things saith the first and the last, which was dead and is
alive." At the 12th verse, writing unto the church at
Pergamus, he takes up another title : " These things saith he
who hath the sharp sword with two edges." Now look into
the ist chapter, and you shall see that those several titles,
wherewith he clothes himself when he speaks unto the
churches severally, are all summed up together at the 16th
verse. " And he had in his right hand seven stars :" that is
his title unto the church of Ephesus : " And out of his mouth
went a sharp two-edged sword ;" that is his title unto the
church of Pergamus. And at the 18th verse, " I am he that
liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore ;"
that is another title that he useth when he speaketh unto the
church of Smyrna. But in the 13th verse is opened the
fountain of all these streams : " In the midst of the seven
candlesticks, I saw one like unto the Son of man, clothed
with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps
with a golden girdle." This was then the robe and attire of
the High Priest: whose garment came down unto his feet,
and he was girt about with a golden girdle. So that all these
other attributes and titles of Christ, they have their rise
6 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 1.
here ; here is the spring-head of all those consolations, even
the priestly office of Jesus Christ.
Usually those excellencies and attributes of Christ are
most beneficial unto the saints, that are most opposed by the
world. What title, attribute, or excellency of Christ is there,
that is more invaded by the world, than the priestly office of
Jesus Christ ? What is the whole body of anti-christianism,
but an invasion upon this priestly office of Christ ? What is
the popish mass (that unbloody sacrifice) but a derogation
from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ once upon the cross, and
so a derogation from his priestly office ? What are all those
popish penances, and satisfactions enjoined, but a derogation
unto the satisfaction of Jesus Christ, and so unto the priestly
office of Christ ? What is all their praying to saints and
angels, but a derogation unto the intercession of Jesus Christ,
and so unto the priestly office of Christ ? What does the
Pope call himself? he calls himself the high priest, the very
title that our Lord and Saviour takes unto himself. So that
the whole body of anti-christianism, is a great invasion upon
the priestly office of Jesus Christ. Now that which is
usually opposed most by the men of the world, that excel-
lency and that attribute of Christ is of all other the most
comfortable and beneficial unto God's people. The truth is,
this priestly office of Jesus Christ is an office of mere love,
and tender compassion ; erected and set up on purpose for
the relief of poor distressed sinners ; and there is no mixture
of terror with it : there is a mixture of terror with the other
offices of Christ. The Lord Christ, he is King, and he hath
a kingly office, and by his kingly office he rules over the
churches, and rules over all the world : but all do not obtain
mercy that he rules over. " As for those mine enemies, that
will not submit, will not have me to reign over them, bring
them, and slay them before me." The prophetical office of
Jesus Christ, it extendeth unto many that shall never be
saved : " Light shines in darkness, and darkness compre-
hendeth it not." " He came unto his own, and his own
received him not." But now, wherever the priestly office of
Jesus Christ is let forth upon a soul, that soul shall certainly
be saved for ever.
What was the great relief amongst the Jews against their
sins ? The Jews, you shall observe they had many reliefs :
SER. 1.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 7
when they were in the wilderness, and were stung with the
fiery serpents, then they had a brazen serpent for to look
upon, as a relief against that distress. When they wanted
water, they had the water out of the rock, as a relief against
that distress. When they wanted bread, they had manna
from heaven, as a relief against that distress. But when
they sinned, whither did they go ? Then they took a sacri-
fice, and went unto the priest, and he was to offer for them.
So that the priestly office then, was the only relief they had
against sin.
And so now, the priestly office of the Lord Jesus Christ,
it is that great succour and relief which Christians have
against all temptations under heaven.
You will say unto me, But general things affect not : let
us see it in some particulars, wherein this priestly office of
Christ is the great magazine and storehouse of all our grace
and comfort ?
For answer hereunto, I will begin this exercise with one
particular of the priestly office of Christ, in showing what a
relief and succour it is unto a Christian against all temptations,
and what a bottom of comfort, and special means of grace
and holiness.
The text says that the work of the high priest is, " To
make reconciliation for the sins of the people." In the
times of the Old Testament, the high priest made an atone-
ment for the people: in case any man had sinned, he brought
a sacrifice, and his sins were laid upon the head of the sacri-
fice. Once every year the high priest did enter into the holy
of holiest, and with the blood of the sacrifice did sprinkle
the mercy-seat, and laid the sins of the people upon the head
of the scape-goat, and so made an atonement for the people.
All which will clearly appear in that xvith chapter of
Leviticus, at the 14th verse : " He shall take of the blood of
the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy-
seat eastward: and before the mercy-seat shall he sprinkle of
the blood with his finger seven times." And at the 21st
verse : " And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head
of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of
the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, in all their
sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send
him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness, and
8 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 1.
so he shall make an atonement :" as in that chapter. This
was the work of the high priest, in case any had sinned, to
make an atonement and satisfaction (by way of type) for the
sins of the people.
Now for the better proof of this great gospel truth that I
have propounded, I shall insist on these five things.
First, That when the Lord Jesus Christ died upon the cross,
he did offer up himself a sacrifice unto God the Father.
Secondly, That when this sacrifice was upon the altar, then
the sins of all believers, past, present, and to come, were all
laid upon Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, That when these sins were thus laid upon Christ,
he did thereby give full satisfaction unto God the Father,
unto divine justice.
Fourthly, That all this he did as our great High Priest, and
in a more transcendent, and eminent manner, than ever any
high priest did before him.
Fifthly, How all this doth conduce to our comfort, and to
our holiness.
First, When our Lord Jesus Christ died upon the cross,
he did offer up himself a sacrifice unto God the Father. He
did not (as the Socinians say) die only as an example for to
teach us how to die ; but he offered up himself a sacrifice
unto God the Father then. Yea, as if all sacrifices were
met in him ; all those titles that are given unto other sacri-
fices, they are given unto him. There are three sorts of
sacrifices: some were living; others were not living, and
those were either solid, as bread and the like ; or else they
were liquid, as wine and oil. There was always, destructio
ret oblatia, a destroying of the thing offered. If it were a
living thing that was sacrificed, then it was said to be slain :
in answer to that, Jesus Christ is said to be a Lamb slain
from the beginning of the world. If it were a dead thing
that was offered up, as bread, or corn, a solid thing, then the
sacrifice or offering was said to be bruised: in answer to that,
our Lord and Saviour Christ is said to be bruised for our
iniquities. If it were a liquid thing that was offered up to
God, as wine or oil, then it was said to be poured out : in
answer to this, it is said of our Lord and Saviour, that his
soul was poured out unto death. Thus all sacrifices meeting
in him. " Behold the Lamb of God!" (says John the Bap-
SER. 1.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 9
tist) when he saw Christ. He does not say, Behold the bull
of God, or the goat of God ; and yet bulls and goats were
sacrificed. Why does he rather say, Behold the Lamb
of God, than the bullock or the goat ? For when the high
priest went into the holy of holiest, and sprinkled the mercy-
seat, he did not sprinkle the mercy-seat with the blood of the
lamb, but with the blood of a goat ; and yet, notwithstand-
ing, it is not said, Behold the goat of God, but, Behold the
Lamb of God ! Why so ? Not only because that Christ
was of a lamb-like and meek disposition (as some would have
it) : not only because that the great type of Christ was the
paschal lamb (though these be reasons), but there was a daily
sacrifice in the temple ; whether men brought any offering or
no, there was a standing sacrifice in the temple, morning and
evening, and that sacrifice was a lamb. Now therefore, to
shew that Jesus Christ is the daily sacrifice, therefore he cries
out, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, and not the goat of
God ? for the goat was not sacrificed every day as the lamb
was.
For proof of this take the apostle's exhortation, Eph. v.
2, " Walk in love, as Christ hath loved us, and hath given
himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God." Here are
three things considerable. First, He does not say, Who hath
redeemed us ; but to shew his great love unto us, " Who
hath given himself for us:" he doth not say, Who hath given
himself for our sins ; yet he says so in Gal. i. 4, " Who gave
himself for our sins ? " but, " Who gave himself for us."
W T hy ? To shew who they were that he gave himself for :
he gave himself for us, as sinners. Again, he says here, he
gave himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice ; not only an
offering, but a sacrifice too. So that this first proposition is
clearly proved, That our Lord Jesus, when he died upon the
cross, he did offer up himself as a sacrifice unto God the
Father.
Secondly, As he did offer up himself a sacrifice unto God
the Father, so when he was upon this altar, this sacrifice;
the sins of all believers were then laid upon Jesus Christ :
those that do now believe, or shall hereafter believe, they
were all then laid upon Jesus Christ. Look into the liiird of
Isaiah, verse 6, " All we like sheep have gone astray, and
have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath
10 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 1.
laid on him the iniquities of us all/ 5 That which God lays on
shall never be taken off, no man shall take it off: the Lord
hath laid on him the iniquities of us all.
Yea, our iniquities are not only said to be laid on him, but
(to use the same word that is used for the sacrifice) it is said,
He bare our sins upon the cross ; as the goat bare the sins
of the people : so says the apostle, " He himself bare our
sins upon the cross."
Moreover, he did not only bear our sins upon the cross,
but, says the apostle, " He was made sin for us." It is not
said, He was made a sinner, or accounted a sinner only for
us, but " He was made sin for us." All our iniquities were
laid on him ; he bare our sins, and he was made sin for us
upon the cross. Thus briefly the second proposition is
cleared, That when he did thus offer up himself upon the
cross as a sacrifice, the sins of all believers were then laid
on him.
Thirdly, When the sins of believers were laid on him, then
he did make full satisfaction unto God the Father, and divine
justice for all our sins. This is a bottom of much comfort.
For if the Lord Jesus Christ our Surety had not satisfied to
the utmost farthing, our great Creditor, God the Father, for
all our debts, God the Father might come upon us the debt-
ors. But our Surety, the Lord Christ, hath given full satis-
faction unto God the Father, that no more demands can be
be made upon us. And indeed else, how could our Surety
ever have come out of prison : he was under arrest, he was
in the jail, in the grave : the Father, the great Creditor lets
him out ; and did not only let him out, but the Lord Jesus
Christ, he goes into heaven, and sits down there at the right
hand of the Father ; surely, if the Creditor had not been
satisfied, the Surety should never have been released out of
prison.
He was so fully satisfied, that "he looked for iniquity, and
he found none" (says the text). He looked over all his
books, to see if he could find any thing upon the score, but he
found none : all our debts were paid. Behold the Lamb
of God, that takes away the sin of the world." He does not
say, That takes away the sin of the Jews only ; but takes
away the sin of the whole world. He does not say, That
takes away the sins (in the plural number), but takes away
SER. 1.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 11
the sin (in the singular number) : sins go so together, as if
they were but one : but let the sin be never so twisted toge-
ther, as if it were but one sin, this Lamb of God, he takes
away the sin of the world. And he does not say, That hath
pardoned the sin of the world : for then a poor soul might
say, Aye, but though he hath pardoned my sin, yet my sin is
not mortified. Neither does he say, Behold the Lamb of
God, that mortifies or destroys the sin of the world : but he
gives you a word that takes in both pardon and mortification
too. Behold the Lamb of God that takes them away : both
in regard of pardon, and in regard of mortification : " Behold
the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world. 5 '
There is nothing that does so satisfy God the Father, as
obedience, and the more full the obedience is, the more God
the Father is satisfied thereby : now it is said of our Lord
and Saviour Christ, that in this great sacrifice upon the cross,
he was obedient. " He was obedient even to the death of
the cross." That he that did make the law, should come
down from heaven, and be subject to the law, what obedience
was here ! " Obedient to the death." Yea, unto the deaths
(in the plural number). And he made his grave with the
sinners : and his deaths was with the rich. " He made his
grave with the wicked, and with the rich had his deaths,"
Isa. liii. 9. It is in the plural number in the Hebrew, though
in our English translation it is in the singular. As if the
Holy Ghost had called death, the second death that our Lord
Christ had in some measure suffered. For, if you consider
things trulyand rightly, I believe you will find that our Lord and
Saviour Christ when he died, and was in his agony, he did not
only endure the first, but the torments of the second death.
He overcame no more than he submittedto: he overcame death
by submitting to death. Now he overcame the second death
also, and therefore in some measure submitted to the tor-
ments of it, so far as he was capable. Look what the first
Adam should have endured for his sin in the fall, that the
second Adam now did endure in some measure for to take it
off: " The day that thou eatest thou shalt die the death."
It was not barely the corporal and outward death, but it was
the second death. If our Lord and Saviour Christ did not
endure the torments of the second death, the wrath of God
upon his soul ; why did he sweat drops of blood, and trem-
12 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 1."
ble, and shake so, when he came to die ? There is many
saints and martyrs, when they come to die, they go skipping,
and leaping, and rejoicing : and our Lord and Saviour, when
he came to die, he sweats drops of blood ; surely there was
more than an outward death : Oh ! the wrath of God, and
the torments of the second death were upon his soul. Thus
obedient he was, and this obedience of his, it was voluntary,
for he needed not to have died ; but he saw that God the
Father was dishonoured by man's sin, and that poor man
would be lost, and rather than that should be, he does volun-
tarily offer himself unto this obedience. " Lo I come, (says
he,) in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight
to do thy will, and thy law is within my heart," Psalm xl. 7?
8. Mark what an expression there is in that Psalm, it is
spoken concerning Christ, as is plainly interpreted by the
apostle in the xth of the Hebrews, at the 6th verse : " Sa-
crifice and offering thou didst not desire, mine ears hast thou
opened " (or bored). The apostle when he translates these
words, he translates them thus : " My body hast thou pre-
pared." But read them as they are here in the Psalm :
" Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, mine ear hast
thou bored." That as when a servant was willing to stay
with his master, and to do him yet more service, the servant's
ear was to be bored: so says the Lord Christ, 1 am as willing
to do this work, to be thus obedient, as a servant whose ear
is bored is willing to stay with his master : " And mine ear
hast thou bored," says he ; ah, here is obedience, here is
obedience : this now did infinitely satisfy God the Father ;
in so much, that ye may see what is said, in that same vth of
the Ephesians, and the 2nd verse. " Who hath loved us,
and given himself for us, an offering, and a sacrifice to God
for a sweet smelling savour." The whole world was full of
a stench before, and the Lord was displeased with man be-
fore : but now when Christ comes, and offers up his sacrifice,
he did thereby give full satisfaction unto God the Father, for
it was a sweet smelling savour unto God the Father. So that
thus the Father he was fully satisfied.
To this I shall add one word: When the Lord Jesus Christ
offered up himself a sacrifice unto God the Father, and had
our sins laid upon him, he did give more perfect satisfaction
unto divine justice for our sins, than if you, and I, and all
SER. 1.] ON CUBIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 13
of us had been damned in hell unto all eternity. For a cre-
ditor is more satisfied, if his debt be paid him all down at
once, than if it be paid by the week : a poor man that cannot
pay all down, will pay a groat a week, or sixpence a week ;
but it is more satisfaction to the creditor to have all paid at
once. Should we have been all damned, we should have been
but paying the debt a little, and a little, and a little : but
when Christ paid it, he paid it all down to God the Father.
Had we gone to hell, and been damned for ever, we had al-
ways been satisfying of God, aye but God had never been
satisfied : but now when Christ makes satisfaction, God was
satisfied. The creditor, if he be a merciful and a good man,
is more truly satisfied where the debtor is spared ; he does
not desire that the debtor should be cast into prison, and
there lie and rot ; but he is better satisfied with the sparing
of the debtor ; let me have but my money, and so the debtor
be spared I am willing, nay I desire it, says the good creditor.
Now if all we had been cast into everlasting burnings, indeed
the debt should have been a paying, but there the debtor had
been lost : but now when Christ comes, and makes satisfac-
tion unto divine justice, Ah ! poor man is redeemed ; here is
the debtor spared. And therefore, the Lord he is infinitely
more satisfied, by the satisfaction that Christ made upon the
cross for our sins, than if all we had gone to hell ; and been
damned to all eternity. Oh ! what a glorious and blessed
satisfaction did this our High Priest make unto God the
Father !
But you will say then, If the Lord Christ made this full
satisfaction unto God the Father, how is it that believers,
many of them have their sins and debts standing upon the
score still, in their consciences so perplexed in regard of sin,
as if there were no satisfaction at all made ?
Luther calls this aspect of sin, a sacrilegious aspect and
beholding of sin. As now (says he) if a man take out of an
holy place some goods, and bring them into his own house ;
this is sacrilege. So for me to go and take my sins from
Christ, and lay them in mine own bosom, this is sacrilege,
says Luther.
But the reason of it is this, because that men do not study
this truth, but are ignorant of it. As, suppose that a man
do owe three or four hundred pounds to a shopkeeper for
14 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 1.
wares and commodities that he hath taken up there : a friend
comes and pays the debt, crosses the book : but the debtor,
when he comes and looks upon the book, he is able to read
all the particulars ; item for such a thing, and item for such
a thing, and item for such a thing ; but the man being not
acquainted with the nature of crossing the book, he is able
to read all the particulars, and he charges it still upon him-
self, because he does not understand the nature of this cross-
ing the book, and he is as much troubled how he shall pay
the debt, as if it were not paid at all. So now it is here the
Lord Jesus Christ, he hath come and crossed our book with
his own blood : the sins are to be read in your own con-
sciences, but we being not acquainted with the nature of
Christ's satisfaction, and the crossing of the book, we charge
ourselves, as if no sin at all were satisfied for us : yet when
the Lord Jesus Christ was made an offering for sin upon the
cross, then he did give full satisfaction unto God the Father.
And that is the third.
Fourthly, This now he hath done as our great High Priest,
and in a more transcendent and eminent way, than ever any
high priest did before. For, though the high priest did come
and make an atonement for a poor sinner, yet he himself
was never made a sacrifice ; the priest offered up a sacrifice,
but himself never was made a sacrifice. But our great High
Priest does not only offer up a sacrifice, but himself is made
a sacrifice. Yea, that sacrifice that was then in the times of
the Old Testament, it could not purge the conscience ; not
only because, as the apostle speaks, it was the blood of bulls
and goats, but because the sacrifice was performed succes-
sively : as thus, a man sinned, then he brought a sacrifice ;
sins again, and then he brings another sacrifice : and once
every year, the high priest goes into the holy of holiest to
make an atonement. But in the meanwhile a poor soul
might think thus, What if I die before the year come about,
what will become of me ? the high priest, he goes once a
year into the holy of holiest, and sprinkles the mercy-seat,
but what will become of me if I die before that time ? But
now, our great High Priest, he does not only offer up a
sacrifice, and himself the sacrifice ; but he offers up a sacri-
fice once for all : so says the apostle. So that now, when a
Christian hath sinned, he is not to think of a sacrifice that is
SER. 1.] ox CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 15
yet to come, a year hence, but he is to look unto that which
is done already, a sacrifice once offered, and once for all : so
that he needs not be in suspense now, as the Jews were ;
his conscience it may be fully purged from sin.
Again, take the high priest in the times of the Old Testa-
ment, and though he did make an atonement for the sins of
the people, yet sometimes also he did make the people to
sin. It is said of Aaron the great high priest, concerning
the golden calf, that he did make the people naked: but the
Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, he makes an atone-
ment for sin, and never does make them sin : he is so far
from making the people naked, that he covers them with his
righteousness that their nakedness may not appear. Here is
a glorious High Priest.
Yea, this High Priest of ours, he does not only make an
atonement for sin committed, and pays the debt; but he does
also become our Surety unto God the Father : he does not
only pay the debt that is past, but he becomes a Surety for
time to come. None of all those High Priests that ever did
so ; not Aaron, not any high priest that ever gave his bond
unto God the Father, that any sinner should never sin no
more. But our Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest, he
becomes our Surety : and what Surety ? not an ordinary
Surety; for amongst us the Surety joins and does become
bound with the debtor, but still it runs in the name of the
debtor, and the debtor he gives the bond for to pay the debt.
But now here, our Surety, he gives the bond, and we that
are the debtors, we do not give the bond for to pay the debt:
there is no godly man or believer that ever gave a bond unto
God the Father that he will pay the debt : but our Surety
comes, and the bond goes in the name of the Surety, and the
debtor's name is out. Oh ! what a glorious and blessed High
Priest is here ? here is a High Priest, beyond all the high
priests that ever did go before ! And that is the fourth
thing.
Fifthly, How does all this conduce to our comfort or
holiness ?
I. How does all this make to our comfort ?
1. Is it not a comfortable thing in the ears of a poor
sinner, that there is a magazine and a storehouse of mercy
set up ? that the Lord hath erected an office of love, and of
16 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 1.
mere compassion for poor sinners ? Is it not a comfortable
thing that God the Father is satisfied, and so your sins
pardoned ? " Son," says Christ unto the palsied man, " be
of good comfort, thy sins are forgiven thee," Mark ii. 5. He
does not say, Be of good comfort, thy disease is healed : no,
whether thy disease be healed, or whether it be not healed,
this is comfort, " Son, thy sins are forgiven thee."
If the Lord Jesus Christ hath satisfied for my sins, may a
believer say, then whatsoever affliction I do meet withal, it
does not come upon me as a punishment (properly), it does
not come upon me as an arrest for to pay my debt. When
a reprobate is smitten and afilicted, all his miseries, they are
arrests for to pay his debt. Hath the Lord Jesus Christ
satisfied divine justice, and God the Father for me ? then
surely these afflictions they do not come for me to make
satisfaction.
Again, if the Lord Jesus Christ hath satisfied for my sins,
may a believer say, then I shall never be damned, I shall
never fall from grace. I have had many fears that I should
fall from grace, and so go to hell, and perish at last : but if
the Lord Jesus Christ hath satisfied divine justice for my
sin, then God the Father will never punish my sin again, for
it was punished in Jesus Christ, therefore I cannot fall from
grace, therefore I can never be damned.
And if the Lord Jesus Christ hath satisfied divine justice
as our great High Priest, then I may come with boldness
unto the throne of grace. A debtor, so long as his debt is
unpaid, he dares not come by the prison door, by the compter
door ; he is afraid of every sergeant, he is afraid of his friends
that they should be sergeants : but when his debt is paid,
then he dares go up and down with boldness. And so the
poor soul, when he knows that his debt is paid, and Christ
hath satisfied, then he may go with boldness unto the throne
of grace.
But you will say, I cannot have the comfort of this,
because I cannot say that Christ hath satisfied for me : How
shall I know that Jesus Christ is my High Priest, so as to
have satisfied for me ? Ah, if I did but know that the Lord
Jesus Christ were my High Priest in this particular, so as to
have satisfied for me, then should I have comfort indeed :
how shall I discover that ? I am afraid he hath not satisfied
for me !
SEB. 1.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 17
And why not for thee ? (man or woman) why not for thee ?
I shall tell you what I have heard concerning a young man,
that lay upon his death bed, and went to heaven : while he
was lying upon his death bed, he comforted himself in this :
That the Lord Christ died for sinners. Oh ! blessed be the
Lord (says he) Jesus Christ hath died for me. Satan came
in with this temptation to him : Aye but, young man, why
for thee ? Christ died for sinners, but why for thee ? how
canst thou make that appear, that Christ died for thee? Nay
Satan (says he) and why not for me ? Ah ! the Lord Jesus,
he died for sinners, and therefore, Satan, why not for me ?
So he held his comfort, and went up to heaven triumphing.
So say I to thee, poor drooping soul, that labours under
temptation ; why not for thee ? why not for thee ? and say so
unto Satan, Why not for me ?
Again, Christ's satisfaction it lies open for all sorts of
sinners to come unto it. As the promise, it runs indefi-
nitely ; and if a man come to the promise, and apply it ;
his very applying the promise does make it his. You say,
Oh ! that I did but know that the promise belongs to me :
I say, thy very resting upon the promise makes it to belong
to thee. So, the satisfaction of Jesus Christ, this piece of
Christ's priestly office, it lies open for all sorts of sinners
for to come unto it : and your very resting upon it, and
applying it to your own souls, it makes it to belong unto
you.
Furthermore, if Jesus Christ be willing that you should
think that he hath satisfied for you, then it is no presumption
for you to think so. Now says he at the Lord's Supper,
Take my blood that is shed for thee, I apply it to thee. Be-
hold thy King cometh unto thee. When he rode upon an
ass's colt, it was not said, Behold thy Lord cometh, but Be-
hold thy King cometh to thee : he would have every one so
to think.
More especially, if that a poor Christian now, might not go
unto Jesus Christ as unto his High Priest, and say, that he
is an High Priest to me ; then are we Christians, in a great
deal worser condition than the Jews were ; for when a Jew
had sinned he might carry his sacrifice to the priest, and he
might say, That this priest here belongs to me. And there
was never a Jew, amongst all the people of the Jews, but
18 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 1.
when the high priest sprinkled the mercy-seat, but he might
say, This he hath done for me. Now, we are not in a worse
condition than the Jews were : this High Priest is beyond
all the high priests that ever was before him : and therefore
there is never a poor Christian but he may go to the Lord
Christ and say, Oh ! my High Priest, and, This my High
Priest hath satisfied for me. Oh, what comfort is here to
poor drooping souls ! Lift up your heads, Oh all ye saints
and children of God ; methinks here is that indeed, that
might bring you off your own sands. When there is no
water in the river but his own, the tide comes not in, no sea
water, only the water of the river, the native water, (as I
may so speak) then your bottoms, your ships they stand
upon the sands ; but when the tide comes in, then they are
raised, and come off the sands then. And so long as thou
hast nothing in thy own channel, but thine own righteousness,
thou stickest upon the sands in the deep mire; but now,
when the tide of the Lord's satisfaction comes in, there
is a full sea of mercy, and satisfaction (able to swim the
heaviest vessel) made by Jesus Christ. Ah, methinks this
should lift up a poor soul and fetch him off from his sands :
Be of good comfort then. Thus it is evident how this truth
does much conduce to our comfort.
But you will say, Does it not much conduce to our grace
or holiness too ? Or if it do, I pray how ?
Yes, this truth does conduce much to our holiness too.
You shall observe, that the new covenant of grace, it is
laid and founded upon the satisfaction of Jesus Christ upon
the cross, upon that oblation. Three times the apostle Paul
makes mention of the new covenant of grace in the book
of the Hebrews, the viiith, ixth, and xth chapters : and in
all these places he lays the covenant of grace, and founds
it upon this satisfaction of Jesus Christ. But especially
in the ixth chapter, 13th, 14th, and 15th verses. The
14th : " How much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to
God, purge your conscience from dead works, to serve the
living God." Then at the 15th verse, " And for this cause,
he is the Mediator of the New Testament." For this cause :
plainly laying the new covenant of grace upon the satisfaction
of Jesus Christ, upon this part of his priestly office. So
SER. 1.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 19
then, thou mayest now go unto God the Father and say,
Lord, thou hast made a covenant of grace with poor
man, and this covenant of grace is founded upon the
priestly office and satisfaction of Jesus Christ ; and the Lord
Jesus Christ he hath satisfied for me ; and the new covenant
promises, that we " shall be all taught of God." Lord, I am
ignorant, Oh ! therefore now, by the satisfaction of Christ
let me be taught of thee, that I may be made wise unto sal-
vation. And so again, Lord, thou hast made a covenant of
grace with poor man ; this is laid upon the satisfaction of
Jesus Christ : the covenant of grace says, " I will write my
law in your inward parts :" now, O Lord, seeing Jesus Christ
hath founded this covenant in his blood, and I am one of
those that he hath made satisfaction for ; Oh ! write thy law
in my inward parts that I may do all thy wills.
But again (in the second place) that we may see how this
doth conduce to our holiness : strengthen faith, and we
strengthen all : if faith be weakened, all grace is weakened :
strengthen your faith, and you strengthen all your holiness,
and all your graces. The way to strengthen a bough, or a
branch of the tree, is not to carry dung up into the tree, but
to lay it to the root : strengthen the root, and ye strengthen
all the branches. Faith is the root-grace : now the know-
ledge, and the thorough digesting of this truth, that the Lord
Jesus Christ is our great High-Priest, in this point of satis-
faction, it does wonderfully strengthen our faith. For, the
more I know that God is willing, and Christ willing to shew
mercy unto me, the more my faith is strengthened : I know
this, that every man is willing to do the work of his office, if
he be faithful : a porter is willing to carry a burden : why ?
because it is his office to do it. It is the office of Jesus
Christ for to bear our sins : it is his office to be the great
High Priest, that does satisfy God the Father for our sins :
surely therefore, he is willing to do it, for he is faithful in his
office.
But besides, the more I see an holy necessity upon Christ
Jesus, for to show mercy to me, the more my faith rises.
It is very remarkable the Lord Jesus Christ, as God, he
may refuse, and might refuse, whether he would shew mercy
to us or no : but now as a High Priest, he cannot refuse a
poor sinner that does come unto him. If I know that Christ
c 2
20 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 1.
is able to satisfy, is able to shew mercy to me, my faith stirs
a little, at the sight of Christ's ability; if I know that Christ
be willing to shew mercy to me, my faith rises higher : but if
I know that Christ cannot refuse me, if I do come unto him,
then my faith rises up to a great height indeed. When a
poor sinner amongst the Jews, had sinned, and brought his
sacrifice to the high priest, the priest might not refuse it :
our Lord Jesus Christ is our great High Priest; I say, as
God he may refuse, but now, he being our great High Priest,
therefore when a poor sinner comes to Jesus Christ, as a
High Priest he cannot refuse : oh what a great strengthening
is this to faith ! Strengthen faith, and you strengthen all :
the right understanding of this truth, doth wonderfully
strengthen faith.
Further, the more a man is engaged to Jesus Christ, and
takes himself to be engaged to him, the more holy he is : the
more a man sees himself freed from sin by Christ, the more
he takes himself to he engaged to Christ, for freeing of him
from his sin. Now this truth tells us how Christ hath satis-
fied for our sins, freed us from sin ; and so we shall be the
more engaged to Christ. If a man were going to prison,
even at the compter door, for a great sum of money ; and the
door were unlocking : if a man should come and speak to the
sergeant, Hold your hands, here is money for you, I will
pay this man's debt, and lays the money down ; would not
this poor debtor take himself for ever engaged to that man,
that should thus come, and lay down the money, and free
him so seasonably from the compter, and prison ? Thus it
was with the Lord Christ ; Ah, we were all going to prison,
everlasting prison, chains of darkness, and he comes and
lays down the money, makes full satisfaction to God the
Father as our great High Priest : Oh ! what an engagement
is this to every soul unto the Lord Christ, to become the
Lord Christ's for ever.
Lastly, the more a man does deny his own righteousness,
the more holy he is with gospel holiness. It is said of the
Jews, That they going about to establish their own righ-
teousness, submitted not unto the righteousness of Christ.
So on the contrary ; when a man does go about to establish
the righteousness of Christ, then he submits unto it, and
then he denies his own righteousness. The more we see a
SER. 1.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 21
fulness of satisfaction made by Jesus Christ, for all our sins,
unto God the Father, the more we acknowledge Christ's
righteousness, and the more we establish it, and the more we
shall be brought off from all our own righteousness.
Oh ! therefore now, as ever you do desire, to have more
grace, more holiness, more comfort ; study, and study much
this priestly office of Jesus Christ. There are many that
complain, that they cannot profit under the means of grace :
that they have hard hearts : that the ways, and ordinances of
God are not sweet to them : prayer they do perform, but
with no sweetness, they do not relish the blood and Spirit of
Christ upon their spirits in their duties, &c. Many complain
that their sins, and temptations' (like the sons of Zeruiah) are
to mighty for them, and that one day they shall be slain by
the hand of Saul, such a lust, such a corruption. No wonder
that we have these complaints, when we do not go unto the
storehouse of comfort and grace that the Lord hath set open
for us. The priestly office of Christ, it is the great maga-
zine, and storehouse, of all that grace and comfort which we
have on this side heaven : if ye do not go unto it, is it any
wonder that ye want comfort, or that ye want grace ? I ap-
peal to you now ; are there not some, nay, many that never
went to Jesus Christ as their High Priest to this day ? Ah,
are there not some even professors, that do not know what
the priestly office of Jesus Christ means ? Oh 1 no wonder
(poor soul) so uncomfortable, no more strength against
thy temptations. If the State should appoint a man for to
relieve poor, maimed soldiers, that go a begging : if they meet
with the same man that is appointed by the State, and they
beg of him in the streets as an ordinary man, he relieves
them not : but now, if they come unto him, as a man ap-
pointed by the State for relief of such, then he relieves them
according to the duty of his place. So it is with men, they
go to Christ in an ordinary way, they do not go to Christ as
the great Lord Treasurer of all our graces, as our great High
Priest, they do not go unto him as in office ; set up in office
by God the Father for such relief: they do not address them-
selves to him as their High Priest to make satisfaction for
them, and therefore they go away and have no relief. But
would we have more strength against corruption? would we walk
more comfortably in our course ? would we find the ways of
22 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 1.
God, ordinances, and duties more sweet and comfortable to
our souls? then read, and consider that place in the Canticles ii.
3, '* As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my
beloved among the sons : I sat down under his shadow with
great delight, and his fruit was sweet unto my taste." The
spouse speaks it concerning Christ. What is this fruit of
Christ ? Your justification, adoption, vocation, sanctification,
consolation, it is all the fruit of Christ : all your own duties,
your prayers, reading, meditation, they are all the fruit of
Christ: the enjoyment of all his ordinances, and all your
spiritual privileges under the gospel, they are the fruit of
Christ. Now says she, " I sat down under the shadow, and
his fruit it was sweet unto my taste." As it is unto a man that
does love fruit; be it pears, apples, cherries, or the like : I
love this fruit (says he) but yet notwithstanding, I must
needs go where this fruit grows, and gather it off the tree ;
and when he hath gone to the tree, and taken the fruit off
the tree, (says he) I sat down under the tree. I had not the
fruit, the apples, or cherries, brought unto my house, but I
went unto the tree, and gathered it off the tree, and I sat
down under the shadow of the tree, and Oh ! how sweet was
the fruit unto me ! So says the soul, so says the spouse of
Jesus Christ : I sat down under the shadow of Jesus Christ,
and then his fruit was sweet unto my taste. It may be we
have had other shadows : we have sat down under the sha-
dow of our estate, our outward estate hath been sweet unto our
taste. We have sat down, it may be under the shadow of
friendship, and the fruit of friendship hath been sweet unto
our taste ; but behold here a tree, the tree of life, whose
shadow reaches to the end of the earth : Ah, come, come
and sit down under the shadow of Jesus Christ. If there be
ever a poor soul, that never yet knew what comfort meant; Ah,
come, come under the shadow of the Lord Jesus; the priestly
office of Jesus Christ, it hath a very sweet shadow ; come
therefore, you that say you cannot profit under the means,
and you that complain of such . and such temptations, and
such and such sins; and that you were never yet com-
forted, your consciences never pacified : come now, and sit
down under the shadow of the Lord Jesus Christ. I tell
thee, from the Lord, this fruit of his, it shall be sweet unto
thy taste : thou shalt go to prayer, and prayer shall be sweet
SER. 2.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 23
unto thy soul, though heretofore thou couldst find no sweet-
ness in it ; so the word and other ordinances shall be sweeter
unto thee than the honey or the honeycomb.
Thus it is evident how comfortable the priestly office of
Jesus Christ is, and how much conducing unto our comfort,
and holiness: Oh! therefore let us study, now study the
priestly office of Jesus Christ, and come and sit down under
his shadow, and the Lord make his fruit sweet unto all our
souls. And thus I have opened, and applied the first particu-
lar of Christ's priestly office. The second follows. &c.
SERMON II.
" Wherefore in all things it behoved him, to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest, in
things pertaining to godliness, to make reconciliation for the sins of
the people. For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is
able to succour them that are tempted," HEB. n. 17, 18.
* I HAVE begun to discover from these words, that the
priestly office of Jesus Christ, is the great magazine, and
storehouse of all that grace and comfort which we have in
this world: that whereby we are succoured, and relieved
against all temptations. This hath been made good in the
general ; and in one particular work of the high priest.
If we now inquire further, what the work of the high priest
was, and is, that accordingly we may address ourselves unto
Jesus Christ for succour. We shall find, that it is also, to
pray, and intercede for the people. " To make reconcilia-
tion for the sins of the people," says the text, " To make
atonement for the sins of the people," says the Old Testa-
ment. Which reconciliation, or atonement, was made in the
times of the Old Testament, not only by offering of a sacrifice,
but by taking the blood thereof, and presenting that with
prayers, and intercessions, unto God, to accept of it for the
sins of the people. As we shall find in that same xvith of
Leviticus : after the sacrifice was killed, the priest was to
take the blood of it, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the
mercy-seat; as we read in the 14th verse. And at the 12th
and 13th, " He shall take a censer full of burning coals of
24 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE.. [SfiR. 2.
fire from off the altar before the Lord, and his hands full of
sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail ; and
he shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that
the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy-seat." He was
to cause a cloud of incense to arise upon the mercy-seat.
All which was a great type of the prayers, and intercessions of
Jesus Christ : who having once offered up himself a sacrifice
for our sins, hath carried the blood, and the virtue of it into
heaven, there sprinkled the mercy-seat, and there still by his
intercessions does appear for us ; as it is proved at large, in
the ixth chapter of this epistle to the Hebrews, 1 1th and
12th verses, " But Christ being come an High Priest of good
things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle,
not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building :
neither by the blood of goats and calves : but by his own
blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained
eternal redemption for us." And at the 24th verse : " For
Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands,
which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself, now
to appear in the presence of God for us." And if you duly
consider this book of the Hebrews, you will find, that this
work of Christ's intercession, is the essential work of his
priestly office : it seems rather to go beyond the former, than
to fall short of it. Hebrews, the viiith chapter, and the 4th
verse, " For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest."
That is, look as it was in the times of the Old Testament : if
the priest had only offered a sacrifice, and had not gone into
the holy of holiest with the blood thereof, sprinkling the
mercy-seat, praying, and interceding that it might be accep-
ted for the sins of the people, the priest had not done the
work of the priest, and so he had not been a complete priest :
so now, (says the apostle) if Jesus Christ had only offered
up himself here a sacrifice, and had not gone into heaven,
the holy of holiest, and carried the power and the virtue of
his death thither, to pray and intercede for us, he had not
done the work of the great high priest. Every priest
might sacrifice, but every priest might not go into the holy
of holiest, that belonged only to the high priest to do. Now
therefore, Jesus Christ going into heaven, the holy of holiest,
there to make intercession for us, is the great, and the special
work of this High Priest.
SEB. 2.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 25
That I may clear up this mysterious truth, I shall deliver
myself these four ways ; by opening,
First, Wherein the intercession of Christ consisteth : and
what he doth when we say he intercedes in heaven for us.
Secondly, How powerful, and prevailing his intercessions
are with God the Father.
Thirdly, That he doth now intercede as our great High Priest
and in a more transcendent and eminent way and manner,
than ever any high priest did before.
Fourthly, This does conduce to our comfort, and to our
holiness.
First, if it be demanded, Wherein consisteth this interces-
sion of Jesus Christ.
I answer. First it consists in this : His appearing for us
in heaven, his owning of our cause, and of our souls to God
the Father : it is the word that is used in that ixth chapter
of the Hebrews, the 24th verse, " Christ is not entered into
the holy place made with hands, but into heaven, now to
appear in the presence of God for us." He does not in an
ordinary way and manner appear for us in heaven ; but with
an emphasis, he does openly, and publicly, before all the
saints and angels, appear for us in the presence of God the
Father. It is a comfort unto a man, sometimes to have a
good friend at court, at the king's elbow, that may own him,
and appear for him : but though a man have a friend at
court, sometimes if there be any danger, he will not appear
and own a man ; it may be he will own him, and counte-
nance his cause as long as there is no danger, but no longer.
But now, here, we have a friend in heaven, that will appear
for us, and own our causes, and our souls, and in all conditions
appear for us. That is the first.
Secondly, He doth not only appear for us ; but by virtue of
his priestly office, he does carry the power, merit, and vir-
tue of his blood into the presence of God the Father in hea-
ven, and sprinkles the mercy-seat with it seven times. Seven
is a note of perfection. Those that Christ suffered for, he
does intercede for. He takes all their bonds, and he carries
them in unto God the Father, and he says, Father, I have
paid these bonds, I have paid this debt, 1 have satisfied thy
justice for these poor sinners, and now my desire is, that they
may be acquitted from these bonds, and from these debts.
26 ox CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 2.
This also is remarkable in that ixth chapter of the Hebrews,
llth and 12th verses.
Thirdly, He doth not only carry the power, and virtue of
his blood, and present it to God the Father for our dis-
charge : but he does also plead our cause in heaven, answer-
ing unto all those accusations that are brought against us.
And therefore we may read what the apostle says in the
viiith of Romans 33rd verse. " Who shall lay any thing
to the charge of God's elect ? it is God that justifies, who is
he that condemneth ? it is Christ that died, yea, rather that
is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God : who
also maketh intercession for us." Upon this ground the
apostle speaks thus ; Who shall condemn them ? Jesus Christ
is at the right hand of God the Father, to take off all accusa-
tions that shall be brought against them. Let the world
condemn, let Moses condemn, let Satan condemn ; Jesus
Christ is at the right hand of God the Father, to take off all
accusations that shall be raised against them. Concerning
this there is a clear and full instance in that notable scripture
the iiird chapter of Zechariah, and the 1st verse, we find
Satan standing at the right hand of Joshua to resist him.
" He shewed me Joshua the high priest, standing before the
angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to
resist him." It was the custom of the accuser, to stand at
the right hand of the accused : Psalm cixth verse 6th, f ' Set
thou a wicked man over him, and let Satan stand at his right
hand :" take the wall of him in his accusation, condemning of
him. Now here Satan standing at Joshua's right hand,
notes his accusing of him. Well what was the matter that
he accused him of ? Ye shall find that there was matter,
verse the 3rd. " Now Joshua was clothed with filthy gar-
ments, and stood before the angel." Satan came and accu-
sed him that he had filthy garments : and so he had : for the
priests had defiled themselves in Babylon, in marrying of
strange wives, as Joshua and his children are charged, in the
xtii chapter of Ezra, and the 18th verse. Give me leave a
little to open this charge of Satan, that we may see Satan
had matter of charge, and accusation against Joshua. " And
among the sons of the priests, that were found that had taken
strange wives : namely the sons of Joshua." He was high
priest. So that now, Joshua had defiled his garments:
SER. 2.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 27
there was then matter of accusation for Satan to work upon. But
now, our Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest steps in,
and takes off this accusation : the Lord said (at the iiird of
Zechariah, 3rd verse) unto Satan, " The Lord rebuke thee, O
Satan, even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke
thee." The word used by the Septuagint, is the same that
is used for excommunication. And it is here twice repeated,
" The Lord rebuke thee, even the Lord rebuke thee :" not
only to show the fulness of Satan's rebuke : but to show the
fulness of the intercession of Jesus Christ. Now would we
see the fulness of Christ's apology for Joshua ? says the
Lord unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, even the Lord re-
buke thee : and (says he at the latter end of the 2nd verse)
" Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire ?" Thus it is true
Lord, that Joshua hath filthy garments : but yet not withstand-
ing, Joshua is but as a brand plucked newly out of the burning.
Take a brand, and pull it newly out of the fire, and there
will be dust, ashes, and dirt about it. Lord (says he) Joshua
is but newly pulled out of the burning, and therefore, Lord,
he must needs have some ashes, and some dirt, and some filth
about him : O Lord, (says Christ) although that Joshua be
clothed with filthy garments, I will take away those filthy
garments : verse the 4th, " He answered and spake
unto those that stood before him saying, Take away the filthy
garments from him : and unto him he said, Behold, I have
caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe
thee with change of raiment." This can be none but Christ.
Thus Christ takes off the accusation that was brought against
Joshua by Satan, for his filthy garments. And so does the
Lord Christ now ; if a poor soul fall into any sin, defile his
garments, Satan, he comes in, and takes the right hand of
him, stands at the right hand and accuses, by reason of this
filthy garment : but our Lord Jesus Christ our great High
Priest, he being at the right hand of the Father, takes up the
cause, and answers to the accusation : True Lord, this poor
soul, indeed hath filthy garments ; but he is but as a fire-
brand plucked newly out of the burning : he was in his na-
tural, and sinful condition the other day, in his burning, and
he is but newly changed, and therefore he must needs have
some dirt, and some filth upon him, as a fire-brand plucked
out of the burning ; and therefore consider him in that respect,
28 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 2.
and though he have filthy garments now upon him; yet I
will give him change of raiments, and take away his filthy
garments. Thus the Lord Christ steps in to God the Father,
and answers to all those accusations that are brought against
him to God the Father. This is the third thing that he does
by way of his intercession.
Again, he doth not only plead our cause, and take off
accusations that are brought against us : but he does also call
for absolution, and pardon of poor sinners, at the hand of
God the Father, in a way of justice and equity : and therefore
he is called, our Advocate : " If any man sin, we have an Ad-
vocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous/ 3 1 Johnii. 1.
The work of an advocate differs from the work of a petitioner ;
an advocate does not petition the judge, but an advocate, he
tells the judge what is law, what is right, and what ought to
be done. So the Lord Jesus Christ being in heaven, and
making intercession, is there as our Advocate : Lord (says
he) this man, he hath sinned indeed, but I have satisfied for
his sins, I have paid for them to the full, I have satisfied thy
wrath to the full : now therefore, in a way of equity, and in
a way of justice, I do here call for this man's pardon ; thus
Christ intercedes. And thus we see, briefly, wherein the
intercession of Christ consisteth, and what he does when we
say, That he intercedes for us in heaven.
Well, but suppose he does intercede, can he.prevail in his
intercession, hath he any potency, power or prevalency with
God the Father in his intercession ?
Yes very much : and therefore we find in that same iiird
of Zechariah, that Joshua goes away with a fair mitre upon
his head ; verse 5, " And I said, Let them set a fair mitre
(or a crown) upon his head : so they set a fair mitre (or a
crown) upon his head, and clothed him with garments, and
the angel of the Lord stood by/ 3 Satan at the beginning
stood at his right-hand to accuse him ; but this accuser of
the brethren goes away with a double rebuke, and Joshua
goes away with a crown : through the intercession of Jesus
Christ he goes away with a crown upon his head.
All which will appear to you if we consider three things.
First, what great interest our Lord and Saviour Christ
hath in the bosom of God the Father. Paul prevailed with
Philemon for Onesimus, through the great interest that Paul
SEB. 2.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 29
had in the bosom of Philemon. Our Lord and Saviour
Christ, he hath lien in the bosom of God the Father from
all eternity: he is his Son, his natural Son, his beloved Son,
his Son that did never offend him: and therefore surely
when he comes and intercedes for a man, he is most like to
speed, to prevail. We know that David going out against
Nabal and his house, Abigail comes forth, meets with David,
and intercedes for Nabal ; and Abigail did so powerfully
intercede even for Nabal, that she turned David's heart quite
round about. David swore he would not leave one of the
house, and after Abigail had interceded a little for Nabal, in
1 Sam. xxv. 32, David said unto Abigail, " Blessed be_the
Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me :
and blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou which hast kept
me this day from coming to shed blood." Pray what did
Abigail say, that she turned David thus about, that ^her
intercession was thus powerful ? Says Abigail, " As for
Nabal he is according to his name. And it shall come to
pass (at the 30th verse) when the Lord shall have done to
my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken con-
cerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel,
that this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart to
my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that
my lord hath avenged himself." This shall be no grief at
all unto thine heart, says she, and other words that she used,
by which she prevailed here with David. But Abigail was
a stranger to David : and Abigail she prays and intercedes
for Nabal, a wicked, vile, foolish man. Shall Abigail, a
woman, a stranger prevail thus with David for a Nabal ?
and shall not the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father,
not a stranger, nor a stranger to his bosom, but beloved from
everlasting, shall not he prevail much more, when he comes
and pleads the cause of the elect, and of the children of
God, in the presence of God the Father, whom the Father
loves also ? Great is the rhetoric of a child : if a child do
but cry Father, especially if the child be a wise child, he
may prevail much with a tender-hearted father. The Lord
Jesus Christ he is the Son of the Father, and he is the wis-
dom of the Father too ; and God the Father is a tender-
hearted Father. Oh ! surely therefore, powerful are the
intercessions of Jesus Christ with God the Father.
30 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 2.
Secondly, the prevalency of Christ's intercessions with the
Father will appear, if we consider the inclination and dispo-
sition that God the Father hath unto the same things that
Christ prayeth and intercedeth for. If a child should come
and intreat his father in a matter that the father hath no
mind to, or that the father is set against, possibly he might
not prevail : but if a beloved child shall come and pray the
father in a business that the father likes as well as the child,
surely then the child is very like to speed. Thus it is : the
Lord Jesus Christ comes and he intercedes for us, and the Fa-
ther hath as great an inclination and disposition unto the work
that Christ intercedes for, as Christ himself hath; and
therefore says Christ, " Lo, I come to do thy will : I come
not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."
That which Christ did, that he had a mind to ; it was rather
the will of the Father than Christ's will : the Father is as
strongly inclined and disposed to what Christ did and wills,
as Christ himself. " Those that thou hast given me," says
he, " I have lost none :" they are thine own, Lord, and
therefore I pray for them. We have a notable expression to
this end in the xth chapter of John and the 17th verse.
" Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down
my life, that I may take it again." " I lay down my life :"
here is his suffering and his satisfaction. " That I may take
it again :" go up to heaven and take it again and intercede.
" Therefore doth my Father love me :" Oh ! what a round
of love is here : God the Father out of love sends Christ
into the world to die for man : " God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten Son." Well, Jesus Christ
out of love to us he dies for us : " Who hath loved us and
given himself for us." The Father loves the world in giving
Christ; the Son loves the world in dying for us; and the
Father he loves Christ again for loving us. Christ loves us,
and the Father loves Christ again for loving of us. A
mighty high expression ! that the Father should love Christ
for loving us. So then look wherein the love of Christ is
seen unto poor sinners, the Father's inclination and dispo-
sition is unto that as much as Christ's. So that when he
comes unto God the Father and does intercede, he must
needs prevail, because the Father loves him for his inter-
[SER. 2. ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 31
ceding, the Father likes the matter as well as he, loves him
the better for it.
Thirdly, this will appear also, if we consider upon what
terms our Lord and Saviour Christ, our great High Priest,
was taken and admitted into heaven, the holy of holiest : so
it is called. He was honorably received into heaven, and he
was received thither for to do the work of the high priest.
He was honorably received when he came to heaven : " Sit
thou down at my right-hand," says God the Father to him ;
a note of 'honor. When Solomon would express his honor
to his mother, he set her down at his right-hand. Thus God
the Father would express the honorable welcome that Christ
had when he came to heaven : Sit thou down at my right-
hand, says he. Now ye shall observe, that whensoever this
is made mention of, the sitting down at the right-hand of
God the Father ; it is made mention of, not with the kingly
office of Christ, but with the priestly office of Christ : as if
he were set down there to do the work of the priestly office.
One would think, I say, that this should be expressed with
the kingly office of Christ, but you shall find it running
along in the scripture still with the priestly office of
Jesus Christ. Look into Hebrews viii. 1. Now of the
things which we have spoken this is the sum : " We have
such, an High Priest, who is set on the right-hand of the
throne of the Majesty in the heavens." It is named with
the priestly office. And so again in the xth chapter of the
Hebrews, at the llth and 12th verses, " Every high priest
standeth daily ministering, and offering oftentimes the same
sacrifices, which can never take away sin: but this man
(speaking of Christ) after he had offered one sacrifice for
sins, for ever sat down on the right-hand of God." It is
carried along with the mention of the priestly office of
Christ ; as if he were sat down at the right-hand of God the
Father in heaven, on purpose to do the work of the priestly
office. When Jesus Christ came into heaven, into the holy
of holiest, he came thither as our great High Priest ; and he
said unto God the Father, Lord, I am not now come in
mine own name, for my own sake only, but I come as the
great High Priest, having on this breast-plate the name of all
the elect : and I come to intercede for poor sinners ; I come
as High Priest. Says God the Father to him, Welcome
32 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 2.
upon those terms, welcome upon those terms; notwithstand-
ing thou dost come in their names, come and sit down at
my right-hand, says God the Father to him. Thus the
Father is engaged, for he received him upon those terms into
heaven, as our great High Priest. The Father therefore is
engaged to hear his intercession, and so the intercession of
Jesus Christ must have a great deal of power and prevalency
with God the Father in heaven. This is the second thing.
But, thirdly, Does the Lord Jesus Christ intercede for us
in heaven as our great High Priest ?
Yes, and he does do this in a more transcendent and emi-
nent way and manner than ever any high priest did before
him.
For, first, he hath gone through more temptations than
ever any high priest did. " He was tempted," says the text,
" that he might succour those that are tempted/' as an High
Priest. If he was tempted that he might succour those that
are tempted, succour them as an High Priest ; then the more
he was tempted, the more experimentally able he is for to
succour those that are tempted. Never any high priest that
was tempted like unto Christ. " He was (says the apostle)
in all things tempted like unto us, sin only excepted."
Poor soul, name any temptation that thy heart is scared at
the thoughts of, and you will find that the Lord Jesus Christ
he was tempted with that temptation. You will say, I am
oftentimes tempted to doubt whether I be the child of God
or no, and that very often. So was Christ too : you know
the place in the ivth of Matthew, " If thou be the Son of
God," and " If thou be the Son of God," twice that the devil
would set an if upon Christ's Sonship. Oh ! but I am temp-
ted often times to use indirect means to get out of trouble.
So was Christ too : " Command that these stones be made
bread," says the devil to him. Oh ! but sometimes I have
been tempted even to lay violent hands upon myself. So
did the devil tempt Christ too : " Cast thyself down off the
pinnacle of the temple ;" that was a temptation. Oh! but I
am tempted unto such evil things, that truly I am afraid to
speak of; such blasphemies, such horrid, and wretched blas-
phemies, as I think never came upon the heart of any child
of God, so that I am afraid to think of them, and ashamed
to mention them. And was not Christ so ? was not he
SER. 2.] ox CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 33
tempted so ? Says the devil to him, " All this will I give
thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Oh ! horrid blas-
phemy ! blush, blush, O sun : that the Lord Jesus, the God
of glory, should fall down to the devil, and worship the devil ;
what wretched blasphemy was here, that he should speak
this ! and yet the Lord Jesus Christ, he was tempted to it.
What shall I say, He was in all things tempted like unto us,
sin only excepted. Now, there was never any high priest
that was so tempted, and he was therefore tempted, that he
might succour those that are tempted. He is more able as
our High Priest to intercede, to put in for you, and to suc-
cour you, than ever any high priest was before him.
Again, as he hath gone through more temptations than
ever any high priest did : so also, he is filled with more com-
passions. It behoved the high priest to be merciful : it is an
office of love, and mercy. Now our Lord and Saviour
Christ (says the apostle) is such an High Priest as cannot
but be touched with your infirmities : the high priest that
did go before him, sometimes, was not touched with their
infirmities : Hannah came and prayed, and Eli's heart was
not touched with her infirmity, at the first. But our High
Priest cannot but be touched, he does sympathize with us
under all our infirmities. He is afflicted in all our afflictions.
It was the work of the high priest to sympathize with the
people ; and yet notwithstanding, there was a law, that the
high priest might not mourn for his kindred, in that he
might not, as others, sympathize or mourn. But now, our
Lord Jesus, he does fully sympathize with us, and therefore
goes beyond all the high priests that ever were before him.
Further, He is more faithful in his office, and place, than
ever any high priest was. Aaron was an high priest, but
unfaithful in the matter of the golden calf. But our Lord
and Saviour Christ, he is more faithful than Moses was. In
this iiird of Hebrews 1st and 2nd verses, (and so on)
" Wherefore, holy brethren, consider the Apostle and High
Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to him
that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his
house." He steps over Aaron ; who was the high priest,
and he compares him here to Moses in faithfulness. Now
Moses was faithful in all his house : but our Lord and Sa-
viour here, he is preferred before Moses in point of faithful-
34 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 2.
ness; yet it is said, " Moses was faithful in all his house. 3 '
When that the Lord commanded Moses any thing, as the
Lord commanded so did he, and rose up early in the morn-
ing to do the commandment of God : he was faithful in all
his house ; and yet our Lord and Saviour was more faithful
than Moses in the matter of his priesthood. For so it is
brought in here, at the iiird verse, " For this man was
counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he
who hath builded the house, hath more honour than the
house." Verse the 5th. " Moses verily was faithful in all
his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which
were to be spoken after : but Christ as a son over his own
house." Look now, as a child or a son is more faithful in
his father's house than a servant will be : so (says the apos-
tle) Christ is more faithful than Moses. And look as the
builder of the house, does go beyond, and excel every beam,
and stone in the house, or every part of the building : so
does the Lord Christ in faithfulness, exceed Moses. You
will say, there is a great difference between a stone in the
building, and the maker of the house : look what difference
there is between a stone, or a piece of wood, and the maker
of the building : so great a difference there is (says the apos-
tle) between Jesus Christ, in the matter of his priesthoocf,
and Moses ; yet notwithstanding, Moses is faithful in all his
house. Oh ! then how faithful is Jesus Christ, in the matter
of his priesthood ! He goes before all that ever went be-
fore him.
Again, take other high priests, and though they were never
so good, they could not always intercede, they died; the high
priest died, and another came in his room: but this man liveth
for ever to make intercession.
Yea, take the high priest in the times of the old testa-
ment ; and while he lived, he did not always intercede for
the people : once in a year, the high priest came to enter
into the holy of holiest to sprinkle the mercy- seat with blood,
and caused a cloud to arise upon the mercy-seat, with his
prayer, and intercessions for their acceptance : and then he
went out of the holy of holiest, and laid aside his garments.
But now, our great High Priest, is ascended into the holy of
holiest never to put off his priestly garments : and he does
not once a year sprinkle the mercy-seat with his sacrifice, but
SER. 2.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 35
every day : and therefore he goes beyond all the high priests
that ever went before him.
And yet further : take the high priest in the old law, in
the times of the old testament : and though they did offer
sacrifice for some sins, and intercede ; yet there was other
sins again, that no sacrifice was to be offered for. If a man
did kill another at unawares, there was a sacrifice. If a man
sinned ignorantly, there was a sacrifice. But says the text
in the xvth of Numbers 30th verse. " If any man sin pre-
sumptuously, he shall be cut off, and there shall be no sacrifice
for him :" no sacrifice, no intercession by the high priest then.
But we have such an High Priest, that makes intercessions
for all sins. So he says himself: "Every sin and blasphemy shall
be forgiven, except the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost/'
Every sin, though it boil up to blasphemy, it shall he for-
given ; but without sacrifice there is no remission : and there-
fore he hath made a sacrifice ; and so he presents the sacri-
fice, and intercedes for every poor sinner : and therefore he
is such an High Priest, that transcends all the high priests
that ever went before him.
In the fourth place, How doth all this conduce now to our
comfort, or our holiness ; to our grace, or peace ?
First, To our comfort. Very much to our comfort. And
therefore in the ist chapter of Zechariah good words, and com-
fortable are spoken upon this occasion : (verse 8.) says the pro-
phet, " I saw by night, and behold, a man riding upon a red
horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the
bottom, and behind him were there red horses speckled and
white. Then said I, O my Lord, what are these ? And the
angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee
what these be. And the man that stood among the myrtle
trees, answered and said, these are they, whom the Lord
hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. And they
answered the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle
trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth,
and behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest. And
the angel of the Lord answered, and said, O Lord of hosts,
how long, wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem, and on
the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation
these three-score and ten years?" Here is intercession.
" And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me, with
D 2
36 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 2.
good words, and comfortable words." Give me leave to
open the words a little, and we shall see how much it makes
to our comfort, this intercession of Jesus Christ. At the
8th verse, " I saw (says he) a man riding upon a red horse."
This is the Lord Jesus Christ presented thus to us. " And
he stood among the myrtle trees." The saints and people of
God they are called the myrtle trees, for their greenness,
sweetness, and fruitfulness. " And these myrtle trees were
in the bottom." That is, in a dark, in a low, and a poor
condition : it is the condition of myrtle trees, and of the
saints and people of God to be oft in bottoms, and in a dark
and low condition. Well : " Behind him were there red
horses, speckled, and white : and I said, O my Lord, what
are these ? " Now that this is Christ ; first of all, he is called
a Man, and an Angel too. Secondly, as Christ walked be-
tween the golden candlesticks, in the book of Revelation :
so here he stood among the myrtle trees, among the saints.
And behind him (attending upon him) were red horses, spec-
kled, and white. That is, angels sent to and fro through the
earth, upon his message, and upon his errand ; and unto him
they come and give an account, and to none but Christ.
Then we shall see this angel, that stood among the myrtle
trees, comes and intercedes : all the angels they come and
bring in this report, that the church and people of God were
in a low condition. " Then this angel that stood among the
myrtle trees, answered and said, (at the 12th verse) O Lord
of Hosts, how long, wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem,
and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had in-
dignation these three score and ten years ? " It must needs
be Christ, for no angel intercedes, but Christ alone. What
is the fruit of this intercession ? (at the 13th verse) "The
Lord answered the angel that talked with me, with good
words, and comfortable words." Aye, indeed, good words,
and comfortable are the fruit of the intercession of Jesus
Christ. It is a matter of great comfort this, that the Lord
Christ, our great High Priest, is in heaven to intercede for
us. Is it not a comfort to a poor man, to have a friend
above, near the king, or in the court, that may be able to do
him kindness ? a man sometimes says, I had a friend indeed
in the court, but now he is dead. Aye but, here is a friend
that never dies : he ever lives to make intercession. Friends
SEB. 2.] ox CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 37
may alter, and torn enemies ; but he changeth not. Our
Lord and Saviour Christ said unto his disciples, rejoice not
in this, that the devils fall down like lightning before yon :
but rejoice in this, "That your names are written in heaven :"
it is a matter of great joy to have one's name written in hea-
ven : Oh ! but what is it then, to have one's name written
in the chief part of heaven, to have one's name written there
upon the breastplate of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest,
that is gone into the holy of holiest. Thus it is, the Lord
Christ is now gone to heaven, entered into the holy of holi-
est, and carries our names into the presence of God the Fa-
ther, and there pleads and intercedes for us. Oh ! what
matter of comfort is here !
But you will say unto me : This is exceeding good, and
very comfortable in itself: but what is this to me ? for I am
afraid that the Lord Christ does not intercede for me : if in-
deed I could persuade myself, that the Lord Jesus were in
heaven as my High Priest, to intercede for me, I think verily
I should have comfort, though I were in the lowest bottom,
though I were in hell itself: but Oh ! I am afraid to bear
myself upon the intercession of Jesus Christ, lest I should
presume.
This is the great objection, and stands up continually, to
resist the comforts of God^s people : give me leave therefore,
to deal with this objection all along, and to take it off, that
so the comfort may fall more fully upon you.
First, I will shew, it is no presumption for us to bear our-
selves upon the intercession of Jesus Christ.
Secondly, Who those are that the Lord Christ does inter-
cede for in heaven. And,
Thirdly, How willing, how infinitely willing he is to inter-
cede for us : that so I may bring the comfort nearer to our
own bosoms.
First, I say it is no presumption for us to bear ourselves
upon the intercession of Jesus Christ : no presumption to
believe. We know the story of the woman in the gospel,
that came unto our Lord and Saviour, touching the hem of
his garment for her cure, and she was cured thereby. But
our Saviour perceiving virtue to be gone from him, he calls
out the person, Who hath touched me? come forth ; and the
woman came forth trembling. Our Lord and Saviour Christ
38 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 2.
does not say to this poor woman, How dare you thus touch
me ? how durst thou thus presume to do it ? Consider, the
woman had no command to do it, no precept to back her :
the woman had no promise to engage her, that if she did
touch the hem of his garment she should be cured. The
woman had no example ; never any before that touched the
hem of his garment and was cured. No commandment, no
promise, no example : surely now, if any man or woman
should presume, it should be this woman, that had no
commandment, nor promise, nor example; and yet the
Lord Jesus Christ does not chide her away, does not tell her
she had presumed; but, " O woman, thy faith hath saved thee,
thy faith hath made thee whole." Let me speak this home :
we have a command now to believe in Christ; and a promise :
Those that come unto him, he ever liveth to make interces-
sion for them. And we have examples of many that have
come unto Jesus Christ, born themselves upon his interces-
sion, and have gone away cured. What ! was it no presump-
tion for the woman to come and touch Christ, without a
commandment, and a promise, and an example ? and have
you examples, and have you promises, and have you com-
mandments to believe, and will you say this is presumption ?
Be not deceived, it is no presumption for thee, poor soul, to
bear thyself at length upon Jesus Christ.
Secondly, to make this out a little more fully, I shall dis-
cover who those are that the intercession of Jesus Christ
does belong unto. " If any man sin, we have an Advocate
with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous/ 5 1 John ii. 1.
You will say, This is to be carried upon those that were
spoken of before : and those were such as had fellowship
with the Father : " Truly our fellowship is with the Father,
and with his Son Jesus Christ," chap. i. ver. 3. " Now if any
man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous." If any man that hath fellowship with the
Father, or Christ, sin ; they have an Advocate with God the
Father. First therefore stand you by I pray, that we will
take for granted, all you that ever had any fellowship with
God the Father, or with Jesus Christ ; this doctrine of the
intercession of Jesus Christ, and the comfort hereof, does
belong to you.
Moreover, in the xviith chapter of John, there we find that
SER. 2.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 39
our Saviour says, he prays for those that do believe, and
should believe. Those that he prays for here, he intercedes
for in heaven : " Neither pray I for these alone (at the 20th
verse), but for them also which shall believe on me through
thy word." I do not pray only for those that do believe
now, but for them also which shall believe. Well then, here
is a second sort, those that do believe, and those that wait
upon the Lord in the ordinance, that they may believe, or
shall believe: stand you by also, you are another sort of
people that the intercession of Jesus Christ, and the comfort
thereof, does belong unto.
But now yet further, if we look into the viith chapter of
this epistle unto the Hebrews, at the 25th verse we shall find
these words : " Wherefore he is able, also, to save them to
the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever
liveth to make intercession for them." Who are those ?
Those that come unto God by him. Lay this, and the liiird
chapter of Isaiah, the 12th verse, together: " He was num-
bere'd with the transgressors (speaking of Christ clearly),
and he bare the sins of many, and made intercession for the
transgressors." It may be thou canst not say, I have fellow-
ship with God the Father : it may be thou canst not say, I
do believe, I am persuaded that I do believe ; thou canst not
say so : well, but can you say thus : Through the Lord's
grace I do come unto God by Christ ; I have been, and I am
a great transgressor, but I come unto God by Christ ; I am
one of the coming transgressors : I have been a transgressor,
but I am a coming transgressor, I come unto God by Christ.
Stand you by also, this intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ,
it belongs unto you : and let me tell thee for thy comfort,
poor soul, whatsoever thou hast been, that comest unto the
Lord by Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest,
he is gone to heaven to intercede for thy soul.
But you will say, There is one thing that makes me afraid
he will not intercede for me, I have been so great a trans-
gressor : for I have been a transgressor against Jesus Christ,
this High Priest : Oh ! I have sinned against this great High
Priest, Jesus Christ, and therefore I am afraid he will not
intercede for me.
For answer to this, I shall only desire you to turn to the
xvith chapter of Numbers, the 41st verse, and consider it
40 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SfiR. 2.
duly; we read there, that all the congregation murmured
against Moses and Aaron : Aaron was the High Priest : and,
says the text, " all the congregation of the children of Israel
murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have
killed the people of the Lord." They had murmured against
Moses and Aaron. Then, at the 46th verse, " Moses said
unto Aaron, Take a censer, put fire therein from off the
altar, put on incense, go quickly unto the congregation, and
make an atonement for them : for there is wrath gone out
from the Lord, the plague is begun." And see what Aaron
did : " And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into
the midst of the congregation, and behold, the plague was
begun among the people : and he put on incense, and
made an atonement for the people. And he stood between
the dead and the living, and the plague was stayed." They
had sinned against Aaron the high priest, and yet Aaron
(but the typical high priest, he was but a type of Christ)
he ran in, although they had sinned against him, and
he stood between the dead and the living, and made an
atonement for them". Oh ! if there was so much bowels of
compassions in the type, in Aaron, when they had sinned
against him, as to go and intercede for them : how much
more is there in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the typified
High Priest, to poor souls, to intercede for them.
But now, this may be more fully made out to us, if we do
but take in the third thing, and that is : The Lord Jesus
Christ, he is infinitely willing to intercede for us. We have
seen who those are unto whom the intercession of Christ
belongs: namely, such as have had any fellowship with God the
Father, or with Christ : such as do believe, or shall hereafter
believe : and all those poor transgressors that come unto
God the Father by Christ. Now observe, how infinitely
willing the Lord Jesus Christ is to intercede for us that are
thus : that will appear thus :
First, He must needs be willing to do that which he hath
received his anointing for. It is said of Aaron that he was
anointed ; and that ointment ran down upon his beard, and
unto the skirts of all his garment : not a piece of Aaron's
garment but was perfumed with the ointment that Aaron
was anointed with. Surely there is not a skirt of the garment
of Jesus Christ, but the anointment wherewithal he, our
SER. 2.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 41
High Priest was anointed, does run down upon him. He is
the Messiah, the anointment : so he is called in the xth of
Isaiah. The anointment. He was anointed with the oil of
gladness above all his fellows : above all the high priests that
ever were before him. And he was anointed for this very
end, that he might do the work of the high priest ; which is,
to intercede for the sins of the people. And therefore in
that place in John, 1st Epis. ii. 1, " If any man sin, we have
an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ." Christ signifies
anointed. If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the
Father : but who is that ? he is Jesus, that signifies your Sa-
viour, and so he is willing to intercede. Aye, but it may be
he~is not able to do it, it may be he hath not received the
anointing to do it. Yes, he is called Christ. u If any man
sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ:" or,
if you will, Saviour, Anointing. So that he is anointed for
this end and purpose, to be your Advocate. Now if a man
do receive money for to lay out for the benefit of others,
poor orphans, or the like ; if a man be faithful, certainly he
will lay out the money for them, according to the intention
of him that did trust him with the money. The Lord Jesus
Christ, he hath received the anointing, he is anointed as our
great High Priest, to do the work of the priestly office : and
this is one work, to intercede, and therefore he must needs
be very willing to do it.
Again, the more any thing is the work of a man's relation,
wherewithal he is clothed, the more (if he be faithful) is he
willing to do the work. And I pray mind it a little. When
men are exalted, and come to greatness or honor, then
they give down the comforts of their relation unto those
that depend upon them: if a father come to any great
preferment, the comfort of the relation of the father then
falls down upon the children, runs down then upon the fruit
of his loins. And so, if one friend do come unto prefer-
ment, the comfort of the relation (or friendship) falls down.
Now the Lord Jesus Christ, he is our High Priest; and he
is now exalted, he is gone to heaven : and therefore all the
comforts of all the relations that he stands in towards us, do
now fall upon us. And therefore he is willing, he is very
willing, because this is the work of his relation.
And further, It is the work of his office. What a man
42 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 2.
does by office, that he does willingly ; what a man does by
office, he does industriously, he does not do it by the by :
what a man does by office, he does it readily ; according unto
a man's place, or office, so will his interpretation be. Sup-
pose now a child that hath very good parts, come before
three men, of three several professions ; a lawyer, a minster,
and a merchant. The child having very good parts ; the
merchant says, he will make a very good merchant ; the law-
yer says, he will make a very good lawyer : and the minister
says, he will make a very good scholar : according to their
three relations, or places, or office, or work, their interpreta-
tion is. So now, if three men, of three several trades,
whose work lies about wood, come and behold a fine green
tree : one man says, it is good for this : and another says, it is
good for that : and the third says, it is good for another use :
according to his place and calling will his interpretation be.
So now, when a poor soul comes before God : Moses (the
law) looks upon him : and the devil looks upon him : and
Jesus Christ looks upon him : the work of the law is to con-
demn ; the work of the devil to accuse ; and the work of
Jesus Christ is to intercede, it is the work of his office. Now
therefore, as soon as the devil sees such a soul, Oh, says he,
here is a fine instrument for me, here is a fit subject for me
to enjoy. As soon as Moses sees this man, Here is a fine
subject for me to condemn unto all eternity. But when
Jesus Christ looks upon such a soul, says he, Here is a fine
soul for me to save unto all eternity, to intercede for ! Why ?
Because it is his office, and what a man does by office, he
interprets accordingly. Therefore what the Lord Jesus
Christ does, he does by office, and he does it readily and
willingly. And I will give you one demonstration of it ; it
was the end why Jesus Christ was taken into heaven, into
the holy of holiest : that he might intercede. According to
scriptures mentioned before, in Heb. ix. 24 : " For Christ is
not entered into holy places made with hands, but into hea-
ven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us."
He does not say thus, Christ is now gone to heaven, to be
glorified there; Christ is now gone to heaven, to enjoy
the bosom of his Father, for his own happiness. No, but
he is gone into heaven to appear in the presence of God for
us. This is the end of his ascension. And so again in the
SER. 2.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 43
viith of the Hebrews : " Wherefore he is able to save to the
uttermost, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for us."
What ! is he in heaven to be glorified there ? No, but the
end why Christ is in heaven, is to make intercession for poor
sinners : and therefore, he must needs be infinitely willing to
do this, because it is the end of his going thither into the
holy of holiest. Oh therefore be of good comfort, all you
that do come unto God by him, for he is willing to intercede
for you. And let not any thing discourage you. It may be
you will complain, and say, Oh ! but I am much opposed
here in this world. What matter, so long ss Jesus Christ
does intercede for me in heaven, and speaks good words unto
God the Father for me in heaven ; what though I be opposed
by men ? It may be you will complain, and say, Oh ! but I
am much tempted, and cannot pray. Be humbled for it j
but yet know this, that when you cannot pray, Christ prays
for you ; and he prays that you may pray. It may be you
complain, and say, Oh ! but I labour under such and such
corruptions, and the devil he is busy with me, exceeding
busy, and I cannot overcome them : and the devil stands at
my right hand for to tempt me, and to lead me into such and
such sins. Well, be it so, yet, notwithstanding the Lord
Jesus Christ, he is at the right hand of our Father, and he is
set down at the right hand of God the Father, till all his
enemies be made his footstool; and your sins are his ene-
mies : and therefore be of good comfort, O all ye people of
the Lord. Is there ever a poor myrtle tree, a soul that grows
in a bottom, in a poor dark condition ? be of good comfort,
the Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, he is entered
into heaven, into the holy of holiest, there to intercede with
God the Father for thee.
Aye but, you will say unto me, Does not this conduce to
our grace and holiness too ? and how does it do it ?
This intercession of Jesus Christ ; this work of the priestly
office of Christ, and the consideration thereof, it does con-
duce exceedingly unto our grace and holiness. For,
First, what a mighty encouragement is here unto all poor
sinners, for to come unto Jesus Christ. " He ever liveth to
make intercession for those that come unto God by him."
Oh ! then, who would not come unto God by Christ ? who
would not come unto Jesus Christ ? Methinks a poor sinner
44 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 2.
should say, Indeed my sins were so great, that I was afraid
for to come unto God ; but now I hear that the Lord Jesus
Christ is in heaven, to make intercession for all those that
come unto God by him, though I have been a drunkard, now
I will go unto God by Christ ; and though I have been a
swearer, and though I have been an unclean wanton, yet I
will go unto God by Christ. Indeed I thought that my time
was past, for I have been an old swearer, and I have been an
old drunkard, and I have been an old Sabbath-breaker, and
I have been a sinner so long, that I was even afraid of go-
ing to God at all, and thought there was no mercy, nor no
pardon for me : but seeing now that this is true, that the
Lord Jesus Christ is in heaven to make intercession for all
those that come unto God by Kim, well, through the Lord's
grace, now I will go unto the Lord Christ, I will go unto
Jesus Christ. I indeed am a young man, and I thought
it was to no purpose to go unto God, God would not regard
poor ignorant ones, and I am a poor ignorant creature, and
thought it was to no purpose for me to go unto God. But
now I understand this, that the Lord Jesus Christ is in
heaven to make intercession for all those that come unto
God by him ; well then, though I am ignorant, yet will I go
unto God by Christ ; and though I am but a poor young
thing, and scarce understand the terms of religion, yet will I
go unto God by Christ. Oh ! come unto Christ, come unto
Christ. Behold here, in the name of the Lord, I stand and
make invitation to poor sinners. Come, poor drunkard,
swearer, Sabbath-breaker, unclean heart, the Lord Jesus
Christ is in heaven to make intercession for all that come
unto God by him ; and will not you come ? Oh, how will
you answer it at the great day ! when it shall be said, The
Lord Jesus Christ made a tender and offer of mercy to you,
and you would not accept of it, you would not come unto
him. Here is matter of great encouragement unto all poor
sinners to come unto Jesus Christ.
Again, secondly, the more I apprehend or see with a
spiritual eye that the Lord Jesus Christ does appear in
heaven for me, the more am I engaged to appear upon earth
for him. Mark, I pray, that you may see how this does
conduce unto grace and holiness. Ah ! shall the Lord Jesus
Christ appear in heaven, before saints and angels and God
SEE. 2.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 45
the Father for my soul, and shall I be afraid to appear before
poor worms for him ? Shall the Lord Jesus Christ own me
in heaven, and shall not I own him upon earth ? Shall the
Lord Jesus Christ, as the great High Priest, take my name,
and carry it upon his breast into the presence of God the
Father, and shall not I take the name of Christ and hold it
forth to the world ? Oh ! I beseech you consider what a
mighty engagement is here to stand to and appear for the
Lord Christ, and to own his cause in these backsliding times,
because he is now in heaven appearing for you, and making
intercession for you.
Thirdly, the more I consider or apprehend that the Lord
Jesus Christ does lay out himself for me, the more am I
engaged to lay out myself for him. The Scripture says, " He
ever liveth to make intercession for you." He lays out his
whole eternity for you. Methinks we have here before us,
the greatest argument in the world for to make us to walk
closely with God in Christ; for shall the Lord Jesus Christ
spend of his eternity for me, and shall not I spend of my
whole time for him ? He ever liveth : " He ever liveth to
make intercession." Before the world was made, his delight
was in the habitable parts of the earth, among the children
of men. He laid out himself in delighting upon you before
the world was made. Well, in due time he comes down into
the world ; and here, while he was upon the earth, he laid
out himself fully for you. Then he dies, and goes up to
heaven, and, says he, " I go to prepare a place for you."
He was at work for you before the world began : then he
comes down upon the earth, and here he spends all his time
for you : and now that he is gone to heaven, the text saith,
" He ever liveth to make intercession for you ;" he spends
off all his eternity for you. Oh ! does not the Lord Jesus
grudge me eternity, to spend off his eternity for my soul ;
and shall I grudge the Lord Jesus Christ a little time, to
spend a little time for him? Surely people do not think
what Christ is doing in heaven for them, (you that are saints
especially) if you did, you could not be paddling in the
world so much. Shall the Lord Jesus Christ be appearing
in heaven for me, and shall I be digging in the world ?
Shall he be making mention of my name unto God the
Father, and interceding for me ; and shall I be sinning
46 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 3.
against him, shall I be contending with his children, shall I
now be joining with his enemies, shall I be opposing his
ways ? Oh ! if people would but think what the Lord Jesus
Christ is doing in heaven for them, they would not rebel so
in the world against him as they do. Wherefore, that you
may be kept from your sins, and kept from the world, think
of these things. The apostle says, " These things have I
written unto ye, that ye sin not : and if any man sin, we
have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the right-
eous/* And so say I to you : I have been here delivering to
you this doctrine concerning the priestly office of Jesus
Christ ; and these things have I preached unto you that you
sin not. And therefore, that you may be kept from sin, and
your hearts made more holy, think of the priestly office of
Jesus Christ, he is gone into heaven to make intercession for
you. And thus have I discovered the second particular of the
priestly office of Jesus Christ. A third follows.
SERMON III.
" Wherefore in all things it behoved him, to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest, in
things pertaining to godliness, to make reconciliation for the sins of
the people. For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is
able to succour them that are tempted." HEB. 11. 17, 18.
WE have found already, that the work of the high priest
was and is, to satisfy and to intercede for the sins of the
people.
Now if we inquire further, we shall find also, that the
work of the High Priest was and now is, To offer up the
gifts of the people unto God; to present our prayers,
praises, duties, services, and all spiritual performances unto
God the Father, and to procure acceptance of him. This
was done thus. In the times of Moses, in the Tabernacle
there were two parts or courts, as we read in the ixth chapter
of the Hebrews. In the one which was called the holy of
holiest, there was the ark, the mercy-seat, the cherubim of
glory, and the golden censer. In the other there was the
brazen altar upon which they offered sacrifices, there was the
SER. 3.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 47
table of shewbread, the golden candlestick, and the golden
altar upon which incense was. This is expressly laid down
in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th verses of that ixth of Hebrews :
" For there was a tabernacle made, the first wherein was the
candlestick and the table and the shewbread ; which is called
the sanctuary. And after the second vail, the tabernacle
which is called the holiest of all, which had the golden cen-
ser, and the ark of the covenant, overlaid round about with
gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's
rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; and over it
is the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy-seat/' And
as every day, morning and evening, there was a lamb offered,
a sacrifice for the sins of the people, upon the brazen altar ;
so every day, morning and evening, there was incense also
upon the golden altar : which was performed while the peo-
ple were without at prayer, mingling that incense with their
prayers ; as it is in the ist chapter of Luke, the 8th, 9th and
10th verses : " It came to pass that while he (that is, Zacha-
rias) executed the priest's office before God in the order of
his course, according to the custom of the priests office, his
lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the
Lord : and the whole multitude of the people were praying
without at the time of incense/' So that the incense was at
a time when they were sweetly mingling their prayers and
the incense together. But now, although that there was a
sacrifice every day, yet once in the year the high priest came,
and he took the blood of the sacrifice, and carried it into the
holy of holiest, and sprinkled the mercy-seat therewith.
And although there was incense too, from the golden altar,
every day, yet once in the year the high priest came, and he
took the golden censer, and putting incense into it from off
the golden altar, went into the holy of holiest and caused a
cloud of perfume to arise upon the mercy-seat. All which
was a great type of Jesus Christ our High Priest: who
though he offered up himself a sacrifice once for sin without,
yet when he died and ascended, he carried the virtue of that
his blood into the holy of holiest, into heaven, and sprinkled
the mercy-seat therewith : although he began to make inter-
cessions while he lived, as we read in the xviith of John ; yet
when he ascended up into heaven, the holy of holiest, then he
did take his golden censer, and carried his intercession into
48 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 3.
heaven, causing a cloud of sweet perfumes to arise upon the
mercy-seat : which still he does, whilst we are praying here
without, he mingling all our duties with his intercessions ;
and so taking altogether as one, presents it unto God the
Father for our acceptance. And this he does now as our
High Priest ; for if we look into this book of the Hebrews,
we shall find, that the apostle speaking of the High Priest,
relating unto Jesus Christ; says, in the vth chapter and the
1st verse, that it was his work to offer gifts : " That he may
offer both gifts and sacrifices." And so in the viiith chapter
and the 3rd verse : " Every high priest is ordained to offer
gifts and sacrifices." Thus we have another great work, of
our great Priest ; which is, to offer up all our prayers, our
duties, our gifts unto God the Father, which if ye will, we
may call another part of Christ's intercession ; but I handle
it distinct.
Now that I may open and clear this great gospel mystery,
I shall endeavour to discover :
First, What Jesus Christ, our High Priest, doth, when he
does offer up our gifts unto God the Father.
Secondly, What abundance of favour and acceptance this
our great High Priest himself hath in heaven.
Thirdly, That he doth improve all that his own acceptance,
for our acceptance ; planting all our duties upon his own ac-
ceptance, upon that acceptance that he hath with the Father.
Fourthly, What abundance of acceptance therefore we
have, in all our duties by him.
Fifthly, How this doth conduce to our grace and to our
comfort.
First, What doth our Lord and Saviour Christ, our great
High Priest, when he offers up our gifts unto God the Father?
First, He doth take our persons, and carries them in unto
God the Father, in a most unperceivable way to us. He
knows that if our persons be not first accepted, our duty
cannot be accepted : Love me, and love my duty ; love me,
and love my service : hate me, and hate my service. In the
covenant of works, God did first accept of the work, and
then of the person ; the person for the work : but in the
covenant of grace, God doth first accept of the person, and
then the work. Now, therefore, that our work and our duty
may be accepted with God the Father ; the Lord Christ, our
SER. 3.] ox CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 49
High Priest, doth first take our person and our name, and
carries them into the presence of God the Father. This was
plainly shadowed out unto us by that of the high priest ;
who went into the holy of holiest, with the names of all the
tribes upon his breast. Which the apostle speaks out
plainly : " In whom we have access with boldness." The
word access, as some observers manuduction, hand-leading:
In whom we have an hand-leading ; or by whom we are led
by the hand unto God the Father. As a child, having run
away from his father, is taken by the hand of a friend, or of
his elder brother, and brought again into the presence of his
father : so, all we having run away from God, are taken, and
led again into the presence of the Father by the hand of
Jesus Christ. He is that ladder that Jacob saw, upon whom
we do ascend into the bosom of God, and go into heaven.
Our High Priest, Jesus Christ, doth first take our persons,
and lead us into the presence of God the Father.
Secondly, As he doth take our persons, and lead, and carry
us into the presence of God the Father : so, when we do
perform any duty, he doth observe what evil, or failing there
is in that duty, and draws it out, takes it away before he
presents the duty unto God the Father. A child that would
present his father a nosegay or posy, goes into the garden, and
he gathers flowers and weeds together ; but coming to his
mother, she takes them, and picks out the weeds, and binds
up the flowers by themselves, and so it is presented to the
father. Thus it is with us : we go to duty, and we gather
weeds and flowers together : but the Lord Jesus Christ, he
comes and picks out the weeds, and then he presents nothing
but flowers unto God the Father.
And this we have plainly set forth unto us, by that of the>
high priest taking away the iniquities of the holy things of
God's people, in the xxviiith chapter of Exodus : " Thou
shalt make a platform of pure gold (at the 36th verse) and
grave upon it like the engravings of a signet HOLINESS UN-
TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it
may be upon the mitre j upon the forefront of the mitre it
shall be." Then at the 38th verse : " And it shall be upon
Aaron's forehead (that is, the high priest), that Aaron may
bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of
Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts : and it shall be al-
50 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 3.
ways upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before
the Lord." Thus taking away the iniquity of their holy
things. So it is said concerning our Saviour Christ,
in the iiird chapter of Malachi, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th
verses : Who may abide the day of his coming ?" plainly
understood of Christ, as appears by the 1st verse. Then at
the 3rd : " He shall sit as a refiner, and purifier of silver ;
and he shall purify the sons' of Levi, and purge them as gold
and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in
righteousness. Then shall the offerings of Judah and Jeru-
salem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old/'
Then shall their offerings be pleasant. When ? When he
hath purged their sacrifices and their offerings. This in the
days of his flesh, and now much more. This is the second
thing, that the Lord Christ, our great High Priest doth in
offering up our gifts unto God the Father, he takes out the
weeds.
Thirdly, As he takes away the iniquity of our holy things,
so he observes what good there is in any of our duties, or
performances ; and with that he mingles his own prayers and
intercessions ; his own incense ; and presents all as one work
mingled together unto God the Father. This we have so
fully in the viiith chapter of the Revelation, that I need name
no other place : " Another angel (at the 3rd verse) stood at
the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given unto
him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of
all saints upon the golden altar, which was before the throne.
And the smoke (at the 4th verse) of the incense which came
with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God, out
out of the angel's hand." This must needs be understood
of Christ ; for no angel docs intercede but Christ, who is
called, " The angel of the covenant." It is said, he stood at
the altar, having a golden censer : which none of the high
priests had: and there was given unto him much incense, and
this he offered with the prayers of all the saints ; and the
smoke of the incense came with the prayers of the saints,
and ascended up before the Lord. He alludes unto the way,
and custom of the Jews, and the high priest : shewing, that
the Lord Jesus Christ doth all this for us, as our great High
Priest : that is the meaning of it. So that this is plain what
SEB. 3.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 51
he doth, when as our great High Priest, he offers up our
gifts unto God the Father.
But in the second place : Suppose he doth so, what favor
or acceptance hath this our great High Priest in heaven ?
He hath very much : " Father (says he) I thank thee that
thou hearest me always." He never spake a word unto God
the Father, but the Father heard him always. We read (as
I remember) but of two places in the New Testament where
the Lord by an audible voice gives testimony of Jesus Christ
his Son : and in both those places we have the same words
uttered, " This is my beloved Son in whom I am well
pleased :" and again ; " This is my beloved Son, in whom I
am well pleased." We may know what favour a man hath
with another, by the trust that he doth commit to, and re-
pose upon him: Joseph had great favour in the eyes of
Pharaoh ; and how did it appear ? it appeared by this, be-
cause Pharaoh trusted him with so much. Now God the
Father hath trusted Jesus Christ, this our great High Priest,
very much. This I shall evidence in four particulars, viz.
What a great trust God the Father hath put upon him.
First, It was an agreement between God the Father, and
Christ, the second Person, before the world was, that in due
time he should come into the world, take flesh upon him,
and die for sinners : and he did so. But before Christ came
into the world, there were thousands of souls saved ; how
came they to be saved ? They came to be saved by the
blood of Christ, and before Christ had died. So then, God
the Father saved them upon Christ's bare word, that he
would come into the world, and die for them. What a
mighty trust was here ! That so many hundred thousand
souls should be saved, upon a bare word of Christ that he
would come into the world, and die for them afterward.
Again, the trust appears in this : that he was made when
he did come into the world, the great Lord Treasurer of all
the grace and comfort, that should be given out unto the
children of men. When Pharaoh trusted Joseph, all the
whole kingdom was put into his hand, with the corn thereof,
and not a grain was to be given out to any but as Joseph
gave it out : which argued a mighty trust. So now, that
not any grace or comfort, given out to the children of men,
E 2
52 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 3.
but only by the hand of Christ, it argues a mighty trust that
the Father put upon him.
But yet further, when our Lord and Saviour Christ died,
and ascended unto God the Father to heaven ; as soon as
ever he came into heaven, saith the Father to him, Thou hast
now suffered, " Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen
for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth
for thy possession :" all the world at one word. Ask of me
(saith he) and at the first word I will give thee the whole
world. It was a mighty, and a great trust that the Father
did put upon him.
Yea, as if all this were not enough ; the Father did put
the keys of heaven and of hell into his hand : the keys of
heaven and hell into the hand of Christ. So we read in the
ist of Revelation 18th verse. " I am he that liveth and
was dead : and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen ; and
have the keys of hell and of death." There is no man that
goes to hell, but he is locked in by Jesus Christ : and there
is no man goes to heaven, but Christ hath the keys of hea-
ven, and he locks him in there unto all eternity. The Lord
Jesus Christ, he hath the keys of hell, and of heaven ; he
hath the keys of all men's eternity hanging at his girdle.
Oh ! what an infinite trust is here, that God the Father hath
put upon him ! Then let us conclude, if that trust do argue
favour; and the Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest, hath
such a great trust as this put into his hands by the Father ;
what infinite acceptance must he needs have with God the
Father.
In the third place : Suppose that he have all this favour
and acceptance in heaven, doth he improve this his favour,
and acceptance, for our acceptance, and for our favour ?
Yes, he improves all this his favour and acceptance, for
our acceptance, and does plant all our prayers, and duties,
upon his own acceptance. Lord, (saith he unto his Father
concerning believers) " I will, that where I am, they may be
also : I will, O Lord, that they may be one, even as thou Father
and I am one." He doth not count himself full, and happy,
but in the happiness, and fulness of the church. And
therefore, as Christ is called, The fulness of God the Fa-
ther : so the church is called, The fulness of Jesus Christ :
in the 1st of the Ephesians, and the last verse; " Which is
SER. 3.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 53
his body the fulness of him that filleth all in all." When
our Lord and Saviour Christ came to die, and the heart and
love of God the Father was let out unto him : ye shall find,
if ye look upon that xviith of John, and read it all over, that
he spends his time, not so much in praying for himself: the
time was but short, and his prayer short, " Father, if it be
possible let this cup pass : if not, yet not my will, but thine
be done/' But he spends most of the time, in praying and
interceding for those that did believe, or should afterward
believe. The favour and acceptance which the high priest
had, in the time of Moses, was not for himself: he had a
mitre upon his head, and a golden girdle upon his loins
priestly garments ; and he had great acceptance when he
went into the holy of holiest ; but it was not for himself, he
did improve it all for the people : he was to lay it out all
for the people, and not for himself. Our High Priest, goes
beyond all other high priests in this particular also : for now,
as for other high priests, though they went in with their
incense, and covered the mercy-seat with a cloud ; yet it was
but once in the year : but our High Priest, is always in the
holy of holiest, and never goes out of it, ever covering the
mercy-seat with his intercessions. Take their high priest,
and though he were very holy as Aaron was ; yet sometimes
he made the people naked unacceptable : but our great High
Priest, never makes his people naked, but always clothes
them with his own righteousness.
Take their high priest, and though he did go into the
holy of holiest for the people, yet he never led the people
into the holy of holiest, they stood without : but our great
High Priest, is not only gone into the the holy of holiest
himself, but doth also lead every poor believer into the holy
of holiest ; as we read in the xth of the Hebrews, and the
19th verse: " Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter
into the holiest by the blood of Jesus Christ." The people
might not enter into the holiest, in the time of the Jews :
but our great High Priest, hath improved his favour for us
thus far, that every man may come into the holy of holiest.
Now, if our great High Priest in this respect go beyond all
the high priests that ever were before him, and they did
improve their interest, and their favour, and their acceptance
for the people, much more doth the Lord Jesus Christ our
54 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [ER. 3.
High Priest, improve the favour, interest, and acceptance
that he hath in heaven, for our acceptance, and the accep-
tance of all our duties. And that is a third particular.
But, if that be so ; then surely we have great acceptance
in all our duties : but have we so ?
Yes, very great ; in, and through the Lord Jesus Christ
our High Priest. And therefore, if we look into the xivth
of John, our Lord and Saviour saith, " Whatsoever ye ask
in my name (at the 13th verse) that will I do." Aye, but
may we be sure of this ? He repeats it again (in the 14th
verse) " If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."
Yea, that ye may see what great acceptance we have now
through him, in all those duties that we offer up to God the
Father : saith he in the xvith chapter and the 26th verse.
" At that day ye shall ask in my name : and I say not unto
you, that I will pray the Father for you : for the Father him-
self loves you." It is a mighty high speech. I do not say,
that I will pray for you : ye shall have so much favour and
love in heaven, from the Father immediately, that he will
hear you presently. Aye, but is not all upon Christ's ac-
count? Yes, and therefore saith he, at the 13th verse of
the xivth chapter, " Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name
that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
So that all is upon Christ's account. Great was the testi-
mony of Christ's acceptance which he had from heaven,
" This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Now if we look in the Scripture, we shall find, that the same
words are given unto the saints. Is the Lord Jesus Christ
called the Son of God ? My beloved Son : so are believers
too ; " As many as receive him, have power to be called the
sons of God." Is he called, the beloved Son of God?
" This is my beloved Son :" so are the saints also ; in the
xxxist chapter of Jeremy, at the 20th verse. " Ephraim
my dear son, a pleasant child." Ephraim ; that is Israel,
my dear son, a pleasant child. Well, is it said, " In whom
I am well pleased ?" my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased : the same word also is given to men. When our
Lord and Saviour Christ was born into the world, the angels
they came and sung at his birth, and they sung " Good-will
towards men ;" so we read it ; but it is the same word that
is used concerning Christ himself, My beloved Son, in
SER. 3.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 55
whom I am well pleased/ 5 So that whatsoever word there
is in all this speech, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased ; whatsoever word there is in that sentence con-
cerning Christ, it is given also unto the saints, unto believers ;
so greatly does he improve his own favour and acceptance
for our acceptance, and so great acceptance have we through
Christ.
Yea, as the Lord Jesus Christ is said to be made sin for
us, in the abstract ; so are we said to be made righteousness
by him ; in the abstract too : as we have it in the ist of the
Canticles, and the 3rd verse. " Therefore do the virgins
love thee :" so we read it in our English translation ; but in
the Hebrew it is, " Therefore do the righteousnesses love
thee." The saints and believers through Christ, are called,
righteousnesses, in the abstract. So that here is the great ac-
ceptance, that the saints, and believers do find through this
acceptation of Jesus Christ our High Priest.
But, suppose a man be very poor, and lives in some mean
cottage; which hath but one 'room to lie, dine, and sup in;
and that a smoky, dark room too : and this poor creature
comes and prays unto God : will the great and glorious God of
heaven and earth take notice of such a prayer, from such a
worm as this ? and shall he find acceptance with God the
Father ?
For answer to that, look into the iind of the Canticles, and
the 14th verse. " O my dove that art in the clefts of the
rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy coun-
tenance," (they are the words of Christ) " let me hear thy
voice :" why ? " for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance
is comely." But I pray, where now is the church ? In the
clefts of the rock, and in the secret places of the stairs : in a
hole under the stairs (as it were) in a poor distressed place ?
an hidden place ; now (says he) here thy voice is sweet, and
thy countenance comely.
Well, but suppose that a duty, or service be performed by
one that is weak ; weak in grace, or weak in parts and gifts :
for that is my case, (will some say) I am one of very weak
parts and gifts, and I have little memory, or ability of speech;
there are some men indeed, that are of great parts, and
graces, and when they pray, I make no question but their
prayers do find acceptance ; but as for me, I am one of very
56 ox CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 3.
mean abilities ; Oh ! can there be any acceptance of such
prayers as mine are through Jesus Christ ? Will God answer
such stammerings, lispings, half words, broken imperfect
petitions ?
Yes, we know that the pair of turtles were accepted in the
time of the law, by those that could offer no more. Surely
much more now, will a poor turtle be accepted in the time of
the gospel, and those that could but bring goats-hair towards
the making of the tabernacle, they were welcome : and shall
it not be so now, much more in the times of the gospel ?
That which is little in regard of quantity, it may be great in
regard of proportion ; as the widow's mite was. The sun
falls (we know) with a common influence upon all the herbs,
and plants : but there is a several sweetness, and flowers that
are of a several, and different growth : there is the rose, and
there is the violet : the violet is not so tall as the rose, the
violet lies on the ground ; but though the violet be not so
tall as the rose, the violet hath its sweetness : and it may say
to the rose, though I be not so tall, yet I have my sweetness
as well as thou hast. So now, there is a common influence
from Jesus Christ upon all the saints, and they have their
several sweetness ; one as the rose, and the other as the vio-
let : it may be, here lies a poor Christian upon the ground
like the violet, and is not so tall in gifts and parts as the
other is; but yet notwithstanding, he hath his sweetness.
Christ takes that lovingly that comes from love, whatever it
be, though it be never so weak.
Well, but suppose that a man's duty, or service be per-
formed with many failings, infirmities, hardness of heart,
straitness of spirit, distracting thoughts ; this is my case :
Oh ! is there any acceptance for such a duty as this is ? will the
Lord Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, take such a duty
as this is, and carry it in unto God the Father, and is there
any acceptance for such a duty as this ?
We know how it was with Nicodemus, and the woman
that came trembling, and touched the hem of Christ's gar-
ment. And we must know that in every duty, that we do
perform, there are two things : there is the sacrifice ; and
there is the obedience in offering the sacrifice. Though the
sacrifice may be imperfect, yet your obedience in offering the
sacrifice, may be perfect, with gospel-perfection. It is in re-
SER. 3.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 57
gard of our duties, as in regard of our persons ; never think
that God will deal otherwise with our duties, than he deals
with our persons. The Lord came and justified the ungodly,
when he justified you : he comes, and he finds a poor soul in
a sinful condition, and he imputes his righteousness unto that
soul, and justifies an ungodly one, not justifying him so as
to go on in sin ; it is the word of the apostle, " He justifies
the ungodly." So the Lord comes and finds a great deal of
ungodliness in your duty, and he imputes his righteousness
unto that duty: and he justifies the duty, which in your eyes
is an ungodly duty. This indeed is the wonder of all, that
he should deal thus by us : for, did we ever hear of any gar-
ment, that would make the crooked straight ? If a man have
a crooked back ; come and put velvet upon him, silk, scarlet
upon him, it may make him handsomer, but it will not
change his back, and make him straight. But when the
Lord Christ comes, he finds all our souls crook-backed, as it
were, and he puts on his righteousness, and this garment
makes that which was crooked to become straight : it makes
the very crook-backed duty, to become a straight duty. Did
we ever hear, or read, of any seal, that when it was set upon
the wax, would change the wax into gold, or into silver like
the seal ? it may leave its impression, but it does not change
the wax into its own metal. If there be a stamp set upon
silver or gold, the metal remains as it was before : but if a
stamp be set upon brass, it does not make it silver; or if it
be set upon silver, it does not make it gold. Aye, but when
the Lord Jesus Christ comes unto a duty, and sets his own
stamp, and his own righteousness upon a duty, that which
was brass before ; full of failings, and much unrighteousness
before ; changes it into gold, into silver. He only hath the
philosopher's stone (as I may so speak) : all that Christ
touches turns into gold ; turns all our duties into gold : and
when he hath done so, he presents them unto God the
Father. This our great High Priest doth. And this is the
fourth thing.
But how doth all this make for our comfort, or for
our grace ?
Surely, we cannot but see already how it doth make for
our comfort.
Is it not a comfortable thing, for a man to know, that his
58 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 3.
duties are not lost ? that his prayer is not lost ? that his
hearing the word is not lost ? that his searching the Scrip-
tures is not lost ? that his conference and communion is not
lost ? A man is unwilling to lose any thing : and the more
precious it is, the more unwilling to lose it. If we have a
venture at sea : we are unwilling to lose our venture : and
the greater our venture is, the more unwilling to lose it. If
a man have but a quarter of his estate in a vessel, he is un-
willing to lose it ; more unwilling if he have half his estate ;
most if he have all, and his children there in the vessel too.
Now as men are unwilling to lose their wordly venture : so a
man that is sensible of his soul, is very unwilling to lose his
soul's venture ; to lose his prayers, and to lose all his duties.
Friends, here is an insuring office ; the Lord Jesus Christ
is our great insurer in this respect : and he doth as he is our
High Priest, offering up our gifts unto God the Father, assure
us that none is lost, not any lost. Indeed, if we had such an
high priest, as were not able to take notice of the circum-
stances of our duties, much might be lost : but this our Lord
Christ, our great High Priest, doth not only take notice of
our duty whatever it be ; but of all the circumstances of our
duties, and so presents them unto God the Father, in the
full latitude, in all the gracious circumstances of them.
Therefore saith he, unto the angel of the church of Pergamos
in the iind of the Revelation, and the 13th verse ; " I know
thy works." Why, but Lord, though thou dost know our
works, yet it may be thou dost not take notice where our
work is done : Lord, it may be thou dost take notice of my
prayer, but Lord, thou dost not take notice where I dwell,
and live, and in what family I do pray unto thee ; Lord, I am
in a wicked, and a wretched family, that does oppose prayer :
Lord, may be thou dost take notice of my prayer, but thou
dost not take notice of this circumstance : yes, (says he)
" I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where
Satan's seat is." Well, l< and thou boldest fast my name, and
hast not denied my faith, even in those days, wherein Anti-
pas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where
Satan dwelleth." It is remarkable, the Lord Jesus Christ
takes notice, not only of our duty ; but of every circumstance
of the duty, and so he presents it unto God the Father, not
only the duty, but the circumstance of the duty ; and there-
SER. 3.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 59
fore there is not a hair of your duty lost, not one grain of
your duty lost : is not this an unspeakable comfort unto a
poor soul, that knows that nothing is lost of all the prayers
it hath made unto God, that there is no loss at all ? The
very pantings of our hearts at the throne of grace, are recei-
ved into the bosom of our heavenly Father.
Further, is it not a comfort for a man to have liberty to
go unto the mercy-seat, and there for to meet with God ?
It is said of wicked men, " That they sit in the seat of the
scornful." There is (it seems then) the seat of the scornful;
and there is a mercy-seat : a drunkard, when he is with his
drunken company, and sits upon the ale bench (it may be)
scorning, and jeering at some of the godly, making songs on
them, he is set upon the seat of the scornful ; that is a cursed
seat. Aye, but there is another seat, there is a mercy-seat ;
and there is never a poor saint and child of God, but he may
go in to the mercy-seat of the Lord Jesus Christ that hath
all the favour and acceptance in heaven ; he carries him in
to the mercy-seat, and God the Father will never put him by :
what comfort is here !
Besides, is it not a great comfort to a man ; for to know
how it shall go with him at the great day of judgment ?
When there shall be hundred thousands at the right hand of
Christ ; and hundred thousands at the left hand of Christ ;
when all faces shall gather paleness ? Oh 1 (says one) that I
did but know, how it shall go with me at that day ! This
doctrine tells us, That the Lord Jesus Christ is our judge at
that day, and he that shall judge us then, he takes our pray-
ers and all our duties now, and carries them in unto the
presence of God the Father, and by him we have acceptance,
and according to these we shall be judged. Surely then, if
he takes our duties and carries them in for acceptance, unto
God the Father, he will never judge you for them, and con-
demn you for them at that day. Here is comfort !
Once more ; is it not a comfort, for a poor beggar to be
relieved at a rich man's door ? We are all beggars in re-
gard of heaven : and the Lord Jesus Christ, he does not
only come forth and serve us, but he takes us (poor beggars)
by the hand, and leads us in to his Father. Oh ! what com-
fort is here ! what comfort is here !
Indeed if I were able to say, that the Lord did accept my
60 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 3.
duty, this were comfort indeed : if I were able to conclude, that
the Lord Jesus Christ did take my prayers, and my duties,
and carry them in unto God the Father ; this were sweet
consolation : but how shall I know that ?
If the Lord Jesus Christ be our High Priest, then we may
say also, that he takes our duties, and carries them in for
acceptance unto God the Father : if we may say that Jesus
Christ hath satisfied for us, and doth intercede for us, then
we may say also, that he takes our duties, and carries them
for acceptance unto God the Father.
But yet a little further, to bring this comfort nearer to
your hearts ; give me leave to appeal to you :
First. Whosoever thou art that makes this objection:
Didst thou ever find a spiritual fire come down from heaven
(as it were) upon thy heart in duty, or after duty ? In the
times of the Old Testament, if they offered up a sacrifice,
and a material fire came down from heaven and burnt up the
sacrifice to ashes, it was a certain testimony that the sacri-
fice was accepted. Now in the times of the gospel we must
not expect material fire to come down upon our duties:
but hath the Lord at any time caused an inward, and spi-
ritual fire to fall down upon thy heart, warming thy spirit
in duty ? there the Lord speaks thus much to thee ; thy
sacrifice is turned into ashes, and it is accepted by Jesus
Christ.
Again, did you never find in your heart (you that make
this objection) to pray, and cry, and intercede for others,
for the godly especially ? Look what disposition there is
in your hearts towards the members of Christ, there is the
same disposition in Christ's heart towards you. Ah ! do
you think that there is love in your bosom towards the saints ;
and that there is none in Christ's heart towards you ? Do
you think that your bowels are more large than Christ's?
Canst thou find in thine heart to go unto God, when thou
seestVsaint in misery, to go to God, and pray, and cry, and
intercede for him ? and do not you think that the Lord Jesus
hath_ as much bowels towards you, to go and intercede for
you, and present your prayers unto God the Father.
Further, do not you look upon your own duties, as
coming from yourselves, most unworthy ? Beloved ! it is in
regard of duties, as it is in regard of persons : when a man
SER. 3.] ox CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 61
does judge himself to be most unworthy, then Christ counts
him worthy. God counts him worthy in Christ. As you read
in the ist of the Canticles, says the spouse there, verse 5.
" I am black (O ye daughters of Jerusalem) as the tents of
Kedar: Look not upon me because I am black," verse 6.
Now would you see Christ's opinion of her, that counts her-
self black, saith she, black and black again : but Christ saith
concerning her; verse 8. " O thou fairest among women.-' She
callsherself black, and Christcallsherfair,and" the fairestamong
women." Now, when a man doth count himself most unwor-
thy, God counts him most worthy : and when a man looks
upon his own duties, and sacrifices, as most unworthy, they
are looked upon by Jesus Christ as most worthy ; poor
prayers in our eyes, are precious in God's eye.
A word more : do not ye think, that grace is larger now,
in the times of the gospel, than it was in the times of the
law ? If ye doubt it, as unto this particular ; look upon the
xxxth chapter of Exodus, compared with the xlist of Ezekiel.
In the xxxth chapter of Exodus, the Lord commands an
altar to be made to burn incense upon ; " Of shittim wood
shalt thou make it :" verse the 1st. " A cubit shall be the
length thereof," verse the 2nd. The altar is for incense ; it
is the matter that now we are upon : " A cubit shall be the
length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and two
cubits shall be the height thereof." Now in the xlist chap-
ter of Ezekiel, he speaks of the altar in the times of the gos-
pel : and (saith he) at the 22nd verse, (it is the altar of in-
cense that there is prescribed to be made, the altar of wood,
of shittim wood.) " The altar of wood was three cubits
high, and the length thereof two cubits." And yet again,
this altar of incense in the times of the gospel, is to be as
large again, as that in the times of the law ; as high, and as
long, and as large again. In the times of the law, times of
the Old Testament; a poor soul might go unto the high
priest, and might challenge a right in him, and might say,
That his service, and his duty, and his sacrifice was accepted
by the high priest. If in the times of the Old Testament a
man might say so ; much more may a poor soul now go unto
Jesus Christ our great High Priest, and say, that his service
and his duty, and sacrifice, is accepted through him. Here
62 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 3.
is abundance of comfort unto the saints : be of good comfort,
all you that do believe.
But, how doth this make unto our holiness, unto holiness
of life ? We confess indeed, that there is abundance of com-
fort in this, that the Lord Jesus Christ, our great High
Priest, takes all our gifts, and all our prayers, and presents
them to God the Father, and that in his acceptance, we have
acceptance : but I pray, how doth all this conduce to our
holiness of life ?
Much every way :
First, in case I be ungodly, a wicked man : here is that
that may for ever keep me, from opposition to the good ways
of God. I have said sometimes (may a wicked man say)
concerning godly men's duties, That it was their hypocrisy :
and I have said concerning such and such professors, this is
your pride, and this is your singularity ; and I have opposed,
with all bitterness, and earnestness, the prayings, and wrest-
lings of some of God's people ; but is this true, that the
Lord Jesus Christ, takes every prayer, of the meanest of
God's children, and carries it into the bosom of God the Fa-
ther ? and shall I spit upon that that Christ owns ? shall I dare
to oppose that that the Lord Jesus Christ presents unto his
Father ? The Lord in mercy pardon me : I have sinned and
done foolishly, and for aught I know, I may have spoken evil of
that duty, that Christ hath carried into the presence of God the
Father: Oh! through the Lord's grace then, for ever will I leave
to make any opposition, against any of the good ways of God
again, and I will never speak one word against the persons,
meetings, or supplications of the godly again.
Again, In case a man be ungodly, a wicked man : here is
mighty encouragement, for to come unto Jesus Christ ; aye,
and to come presently. For is Jesus Christ the ladder that
Jacob saw, by whom we go up to heaven ? doth he take all
our duties, and prayers, and present them to God the Father
for acceptance ? Then, till I do come to Christ, all is no-
thing, all is lost : if I be a drunkard, and will not come to
Christ, prayer is all lost ; If I be a swearer, and will not
come to Christ, an unclean wretch, and will not come to
Christ ; all my prayers, and all my duties are lost : Oh ! the
Lord pity me (may many a poor soul say) I have lost
too many prayers already, through the Lord's grace, now
SER. 3.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 63
I will lose no more : Oh ! I come to Christ, Lord I come, I
come. This is a mighty encouragement, to make every man
now for to come unto Jesus Christ ; because the Lord Jesus
our High Priest, takes every duty, and carries it into the bo-
som of God the Father for acceptance. Thus for ungodly.
Secondly, in case a man be godly ; this truth doth conduce
to our further holiness, and growth in grace.
If I be godly ; then here I see infinite reason, why I
should be much in duty ; not only pray, but be much in
prayer. Why ? for the Lord Christ taketh all, and carries
all into the bosom of the Father, mingles his own odours, in-
tercessions with it, although it be but a sigh, and a groan.
The apostle upon this account, makes this use of it ? having
spoken of Christ our High Priest? Therefore (saith he)
" let us come with boldness unto the throne of grace." The
word signifies, to speak all one's mind ? let us come speaking
all. Having such an High Priest indeed, as will carry all
into the presence of God the Father, for acceptance, every
sigh, and every groan ? then who would not be much in
prayer ? speak all to Christ, be free with Christ, " come with
boldness ?" There is many a poor soul, that is much dis-
couraged, and he dares not go to prayer, many times, afraid
to go to the throne of grace. The reason is because he looks
upon his prayer, or duty, as it lies upon his own heart, or as
it comes from himself. Whereas, my beloved, it is with
your prayers, and duties, as it is with fire : your kitchen fire
is troubled with abundance of smoke, and there is filth about
it ; fire upon the hearth hath much smoke : but fire above,
in the element of fire, there is no smoke. So, your prayer,
when it lies upon your own hearth (as I may say) there is a
great deal of smoke ; but when it gets once into the hands
of Jesus Christ, there is its element, and it is freed from all
its smoke. Or as it is with a man's body : so long as he
lives here upon the earth, he is feeble, and weak, and many
times sickly : as soon as he is come into heaven, all his weak-
ness is taken away, and his body being in heaven, it is pre-
sently glorified, and strength put upon it, and all his diseases
are gone. So it is with our prayers : so long as they are
here below, in our own bosoms, they are full of weakness;
but as soon as our prayer is out of our mouth, it is in
the hand of Christ, it is in heaven, it is glorified, the weak-
64 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 3.
ness is now done away ; Oh ! it is a glorified prayer ; when
once it is gone from you, it is in the hand of Christ. And
therefore, this is a mighty encouragement unto all those that
are godly, to be, not only in prayer, but to be much in
prayer, come with boldness unto the throne of grace.
Again, If ye be godly ; yea, if ye be ungodly : here I see
infinite reason, why I should receive every truth that comes
from Christ, though accompanied with many failings in him
that speaks it. The Lord Jesus Christ, he accepts of every
prayer, and duty that comes from me ; though it have many
weaknesses : yea, he takes my prayer, and carries it into the
presence of God the Father for acceptance, my poor prayer,
labouring with many weaknesses : then when a truth comes
from Christ, shall not I accept of it ? what though the minis-
ter, or preacher that speaks it, labour with this or that
weakness ? There is pride, or there is some miscarriage in the
delivery, or the like : shall the Lord Christ take my prayer,
labouring under infirmity, and accept thereof, and carry it
into the presence of God the Father for acceptance, notwith-
standing all the failings of my duty ? and shall not I accept
of truth that comes from Christ, notwithstanding all the
failings of the poor messenger that brings it ?
Further, the more evangelical you are in your obedience,
the more holy ye are in your lives. This truth that is now
before ye, well studied and considered, will make you more
obedient in an evangelical way. And ye shall find therefore,
that the Lord himself from heaven does make this use of it :
pray consult with the xviith of Matthew, and the 5th verse,
" This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased : hear
ye him." Those words follow, " Hear him." Hearing notes
faith, and obedience ; not bare hearing with the ear. Com-
pare this, and the same speech together, which ye have in
the iiird of Matthew and the 17th verse. " Lo a voice from
heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well
pleased." Hear ye him,is not there in the iiird of Matthew; but
here in the xviith of Matthew, these words are added, Hear
ye him : what should the reason be, that hear ye him, should
be added here in the xviith of Matthew, and not in the iiird
of Matthew ? Give me leave to give you some reason for
it, so far as may make to our present purpose : not to say any
thing of that which Moses said, In his days a prophet will
SER. 3.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 65
the Lord your God raise up unto you like unto me, hear ye
him. And now here, in the xviith of Matthew, at the trans-
figuration, Moses and Elias appeared, which they did not in
the iiird of Matthew.
First, consider that the emphasis may lie upon the word
hear, and not upon the word him, only : " This is my belo-
ved Son in whom I am well pleased : hear ye him ;" his face
did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the
light. And Christ appeared in great glory, and they stood
looking upon him ; nay (says the Lord from heaven) do not
make it a gazing matter, but hear him : do not stand looking
upon him, but hear him. He does not appear in such a
glory in the iiird of Matthew, when he was baptized; and
therefore those words are not added there.
But again, here now in the xviith chapter of Matthew, at
the transfiguration, appear Moses, and Elias. Behold (at
the iiird verse) " There appeared unto them, Moses and
Elias talking with him." Moses that gave the law ; Elias that
restored it. " Then answered Peter and said unto Jesus ;
Lord, it is good for us to be here : if thou wilt, let us make
here three tabernacles ; one for thee, and one for Moses, and
one for Elias." Peter and so the rest of the disciples, began
for to equalize Moses to Jesus Christ : one for Moses, and
one for Elias, and one for Jesus Christ ; no more for Christ
than for Moses. Now the Lord takes Peter off from all his
mistakings : Your eye is upon Moses (saith he) but I (saith
the Lord God Almighty) am well pleased in my Son : this is
my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. I am well
pleased with you, and with your duties, through this my
Son, and not through Moses; and therefore hear Christ, and
not Moses. He lays this in upon it, that therefore they
should be evangelical, and hear Jesus Christ, because the
Lord Christ gives acceptance unto all, and by him God is
well pleased with them.
Again further, the more glory Christ does appear in, the
greater reason there is why we should hear him. Now
here the Lord Jesus Christ appeared in glory; his face
did shine as the sun and his raiment was white as the light.
In the iiird of Matthew, he was there baptized, and he did
not appear in glory : but now here he appears in glory; and
therefore says the Lord, now hear him ; this is your glorious
66 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 3.
Saviour, hear him. Beloved ! what greater glory can Jesus
Christ appear to your souls in, than this, the glory of his
love ? he takes every one of your duties, and your prayers,
and he carries them into the bosom of God the Father, and
by him you have acceptance. Oh ! what a glorious Saviour
have ye ! therefore hear him : this is that, if anything, will
make ye very obedient to Christ, more than to Moses, to
be evangelical in all your duties.
Yet further, the more a man can rejoice in spiritual pri-
vileges with humility ; and the more humble a man is, and
yet can rejoice in his spiritual privileges, the more holy he
is : there goes a great deal of holiness to it, to join these two to-
gether : for a man to rejoice in his spiritual privileges and
yet to be humble : and to walk very humbly. Some there
are, that look upon their spiritual privileges, and rejoice
much ; but they do not walk humbly : some labour to walk
humbly, and are much troubled in the consideration of their
own evil ; but they do not rejoice in their spiritual privi-
leges. Give me a Christian that doth both, and he is a bles-
sed man. The study of this truth that is now before you,
will teach you to do both, to do both together : for, what a
great privilege is this, not a sigh, not a groan, not a duty,
but the Lord Christ takes it, and carries it in, and presents
it to God the Father for me, whereby I have acceptance ?
Considering this ; here is matter of much joy and rejoicing.
Aye but, it is Christ that does it ; there is no such worthi-
ness in mine own duty ; it were lost, and cast away, if Jesus
Christ did not take it in his hand, and carry it into the bosom
of God the Father, and therefore, why should I not walk
humbly.
I conclude all with this, if that the Lord Jesus Christ
our great High Priest, offers up all our gifts unto God the
Father, whereby we have acceptance: what infinite cause
have we all to be thankful to God for Christ, and to love
Jesus Christ tor ever !
Suppose one of you had been among the disciples, when
the Lord Christ washed his disciples' feet ; and he should
have come, and washed your feet, and have done it; would
not your heart have glowed with love to Jesus Christ ? Yet
when the Lord Jesus Christ washed his disciples' feet, it was
in the days of his flesh, when he was here on the earth : but
SER. 4.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 67
now he is in glory, and yet for all this, he takes your dirty
prayers, and does (as it were) wash the feet of your prayers,
that he may present them to God the Father: he washes
your tears over again in his blood, and presents them to God
the Father : he takes all your duties, and perfumes them with
his intercessions, and so presents them unto God the Father.
Oh ! what cause have we to love Jesus Christ ! Oh ! you
that never loved Christ, love him now ; and you that loved
him before, love him much more : you that fear the Lord,
love the Lord : and let us all, even go away with our hearts
warmed with this love, blessing and praising the name of the
Lord.
And thus I have led you into a third work of our great
High Priest, which is this, to offer up the gifts of the people
unto God the Father : A fourth follows, &c.
SERMON IV.
" Wherefore in all things it behoved him, to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest, in
things pertaining to godliness, to make reconciliation for the sins of
the people. For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is
able to succour them that are tempted." HEB. n. 17, 18.
IT hath been opened and applied, that the work of the
high priest, was, and is, to satisfy for the sins of the people ;
to make intercession for them ; and to offer up their gifts
unto God the Father ; all which Christ doth for us.
I shall speak of one work more of our great High Priest,
and that is, to bless the people. We read in the Old Testa-
ment, of two sorts of high priests : one according to the or-
der of Aaron the Levitical high priest, as I may so speak,
and his work was, for to bless the people ; as we may read in
the vith chapter of Numbers, and the 23rd verse : " Speak
unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, on this wise ye shall
bless the children of Israel, saying unto them/' c. There
was another high priest; not according to this order of
Aaron ; and that was Melchisedec : and he also did bless
Abraham. And the apostle speaking of him as a great type
of, and in relation to Jesus Christ our great High Priest, in
F 2
68 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 4.
the viith chapter of this book of the Hebrews, and the 6th
verse, saith, that he blessed Abraham : " But he whose de-
scent is not counted from them, received tythes of Abraham,
and blessed him that had the promises." So then this bles-
sing of the people, being the work of both the high priests ;
and both Aaron and Melchisedec being great types of Jesus
Christ our High Priest ; surely it must needs be one of the
great works of our High Priest, for to bless the people.
For the opening and clearing up of this truth, I shall en-
deavour to discover :
First, What the blessing of Christ our High Priest is,
wherein it consists, and what Christ doth, when he doth bless
the people.
Secondly, That it belongs unto Jesus Christ especially, for
to bless the people.
Thirdly, That our Lord and Saviour Christ, our great
High Priest is exceeding willing for to bless poor sinners ;
and that this blessing of the people, is a work whereunto he
is much inclined, and wherein he is much delighted.
Fourthly, That he doth this, and doth it fully.
Fifthly, According to our method : how all this doth con-
duce unto our comfort, and unto our holiness.
First, If ye ask me, what the blessing of Christ, and of the
gospel is ; and wherein it consists ?
I answer first in the general, That the blessing of the gos-
pel, and of Christ, consisteth in spiritual things especially,
and not in temporal. And therefore saith the apostle in that
ist of the Ephesians, and the 3rd verse : " Blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed
us, with all spiritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ."
The curse, and judgments of God, that do befal meji now
under the gospel, are not in outward afflictions, and bodily
troubles so much ; as in spiritual miseries, blindness of mind,
and hardness of heart : and so also on the contrary, the bles-
sing of the gospel, doth not consist so much in outward
things, as in spiritual ; " Who hath blessed us with spiritual
blessings." Indeed, if we look into the Old Testament we
shall find, that when Moses did bless the people, he blessed
them much in temporal blessings. In the xxviiith of Deu-
teronomy, and the 2nd verse. " All these things shall come
upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken to the
SER. 4.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 69
voice of the Lord thy God." What blessings are those ?
" Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou
be in the field : blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and
the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the in-
crease of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep : blessed shall
be thy basket and thy store." Thus he goes on in outward
blessings. But now if we look into the gospel, and consider
the blessings of Jesus Christ, and lay them together with
Moses, we shall find them to be spiritual blessings. In
the vth of Matthew, and the 3rd verse &c. " Blessed are
the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven : bles-
sed are those that mourn for they shall be comforted." In-
deed the promise of the earth comes in at the 5th verse ; but
he returns again to spiritual blessings : " Blessed are they
which hunger and thirst after righteousness ; for they
shall be filled. Blessed are the pure in heart ; for they shall
see God." Here are spiritual blessings ; this is the stream of
the gospel, it runs this way. When the Lord blesseth a man,
he gives him that which is suitable to him. In the times of
the gospel, men are more spiritual than they were in the
times of the law ; therefore gospel-blessings, they are spirit-
ual blessings. Every thing gives, and communicates to ano-
ther, according to what it hath itself: the sun communicates
light unto the world, because it hath light itself: and man
communicates the nature of man unto his child, because he
hath the nature of man himself. So our Lord Christ, when
he blesses, he communicates according unto what he hath
himself; and his blessings especially consisting in spiritual
things, so he doth bless. Indeed, as in the times of the Old
Testament there were spiritual blessings, that were mixed
with temporal, by virtue of the covenant that was made with
Abraham : so now, outward blessings are thrown in as an
overplus : but yet notwithstanding, though they be not spirit-
ual in their nature, they are spiritual in their end, and so it is
true to say that the blessing of the gospel, and of Christ is a
spiritual blessing.
But more particularly, if ye ask me wherein this consis-
teth ? I shall name but two things :
First, This blessing of the gospel, or of Christ, it consists
in a supernatural, and spiritual enjoyment of God in Christ :
the love and favour of God in Christ, When the priests
70 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 4.
blessed in the times of the Old Testament, in that vith of
Numbers they said, " The Lord cause his face for to shine
upon thee, and be gracious unto thee : the Lord lift up
his countenance upon thee and give thee peace: the
Lord bless thee, and keep thee." Verses 24, 25, 26. Which
the apostle Paul expounding, in the 2nd Cor. the xiiith chap-
ter and the 14th verse, renders it thus : " The grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion
of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." The Lord bless
thee, the Lord cause his face to shine upon you ; the Lord
lift up the light of his countenance upon you : three times ;
the Lord, the Lord, the Lord ; noting the Trinity ; which the
apostle here explains by the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. <{ Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see
God." Seeing of God, is a blessing out of the mouth of
Christ, a gospel blessing. And what is it for a man to see
God ? In the phrase of the Old Testament, the Hebrew, to
see, is ordinarily used for to enjoy. In the ivth Psalm.
" Who will shew us any good ?" The word in the Hebrew
is, Who will make us to see any good ? that is to enjoy
good. So then, to see God, it is to enjoy him. When Jacob
enjoyed God, he saw him; and the place it was called, Peniel;
for he had seen the Lord, and there the Lord blessed him.
There is no seeing of God but in Christ. And therefore I
say, that herein consists the blessing of the gospel, in a
supernatural, and spiritual enjoyment of God in Christ, the
favour and love of God in Christ.
Again, it consists also, in the inhabitation of the Holy
Ghost in our hearts : the giving out of the Holy Ghost unto
the hearts of men. And therefore it is added in that place
of the Corinthians ; " And the communion of the Holy
Ghost, be with you all. Amen." That must needs be the
great blessing of the gospel, and so of Christ ; that is the
thing promised in the gospel. What is that ? If we look
into the ist chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, and the 4th
verse, it is said there of the disciples, " That they should wait
for the promise of the Father/ 5 Christ commanded them that
they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the pro-
mise of the Father. What is that ? We know what it was,
and is, that which befel afterward ; it was the giving out of
the Holy Ghost : the Holy Ghost fell upon them, and this
SER. 4.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 71
is called " The promise of the Father/' That as in the times
of the Old Testament, the promise was, the giving of the
Son, and coming of the second person : so after Christ came,
the great promise was, the coming of the third person, and
the giving of the Holy Ghost. " When I am gone (saith
Christ) I will send ye another Comforter. He that believeth,
out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." This he
spake concerning the Spirit, which was not yet given, in
those extraordinary emanations of gifts and graces, because
he was not yet glorified. So then, the great blessing that
was to be given unto the children of men, the great gospel
blessing, was the giving out of the Holy Ghost : this is a
gospel blessing indeed.
Well, but what doth Christ do, when he doth bless ?
It is observable, that when any superior did bless ; a fa-
ther did bless his child, or the like ; he did observe what was
the choice mercy, and good in those times, and he did wish
that unto his child, or unto his inferior. And so in Isaac,
and Jacob's time ; the choice good was the dew of hea-
ven : and when they did bless their children, they wished
unto them the dew of heaven. So now, when our Lord
Jesus, our great High Priest, doth bless any man ; observing
that the choice mercy of the gospel is the enjoyment of God
in Christ, the favour and love of God, and the giving out of
the Holy Ghost into a man's heart ; he doth wish all this
good unto him, and he says unto God the Father : Lord, let
this poor soul have thy favour ; Oh ! cause thy face to shine
upon this poor soul, and give out the Holy Ghost unto it
that it may walk after the Spirit.
In the second place, it is observable, that when the priests
did bless the people, they did not barely wish good unto
them, but they did authoritatively pronounce them blessed.
" They shall put my name upon them, saith the Lord, when
they bless," Num. vi. 27. So when the Lord Christ, our
great High Priest, doth bless a man, he does not barely wish
him good, the Lord cause his face for to shine upon that soul
in a way of wishing : but the Lord Christ being a High Priest
when he blesseth, he doth authoritatively pronounce such a
soul to be blessed.
Thirdly, When the priest blessed, he did not only pro-
nounce the people blessed : but in the blessing of the priest
72 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 4.
there was a kind of binding power ; it had the power, force,
and efficacy of an absolution. And, therefore, as Christ says
unto his disciples, " Go, and whosoever sins ye remit, they
shall be remitted :" I will stand by you in it. So saith the
Lord in that same place, the vith of Numbers, " On this wise
shall ye bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The
Lord bless thee and keep thee." And at the 27th verse,
" They shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I
will bless them." I will stand by them in this. So when
the Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest doth bless, he
doth not only pronounce a man to be blessed, but he doth
absolve him from all his sins : and, saith he, by authority
that is given to me from my Father, the keys that are put
into my hand, I do bind this blessing upon this poor soul.
Further, The priest when he blessed, indeed he could wish
well, and he could pronounce a man blessed, and he might
absolve, but he could go no further, he could not confer the
blessing, he could not bestow the blessing : but our Lord
Christ, being an High Priest beyond all the high priests that
ever were before him in this respect too, where he doth bless,
he bestoweth the blessing, being God and man, he bestoweth
the blessing.
In the fifth place, This our great High Priest, being God
and man ; look how God blesseth, so doth he bless. In the
Scripture ye shall find, that when God the Father blessed,
he said unto those things that he blessed, Increase and mul-
tiply : still when he blessed, Increase and multiply. So the
Lord Jesus Christ our High Priest, when he comes to bless,
he doth not barely wish good unto a poor soul, or pronounce
him blessed, or bestow a good thing upon him ; but saith he,
O soul, multiply in this good ; the Lord increase thy graces,
and thy gifts, and thy comforts; poor soul, increase and
multiply herein. This the Lord Christ our great High Priest
doth. Thus it is clear what the blessing of the gospel is,
wherein it consists, and what our High Priest doth when he
doth bless the people.
But, secondly, Does this blessing properly or specially be-
long unto Jesus Christ ?
Yes, for he was made a curse for sin, he and none else
made a curse for sin ; and, therefore, it belongs unto him
\bove all the world for to bless. For look what evil Jesus
SER. 4.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 73
Christ endured, the contrary good he merited for the children
of men, a power to bestow that good. Now he above all
was cursed, hung upon the cross, and died a cursed death, he
was made a curse ; therefore it belongs unto him above all
for to give the blessing, for to bless poor sinners. Primum
in quolibet genere, fyc. The first in every kind is the cause of
the rest. The sun is the cause of all the light we have here
below, and it is the first light body. And the Lord Jesus
Christ, he is the first blessing : therefore hath thy God blessed
thee for ever. There are three that we read of in Scripture
especially that did bless : the father, the king, and the priest :
the father did bless his children, the king blessed his s'ubjects,
and the priest blessed the people. Now the Lord Jesus Christ
he is our Father, " The everlasting Father :" he is our King,
" I will set my King upon my holy hill :" and he is our great
High Priest; and therefore all these relations meeting in him,
it belongs unto him above all for to bless the people.
But, thirdly, is the Lord Jesus Christ willing for to bless
poor sinners and inclined unto it ?
Yes, he is very willing : this blessing of the people, it is a
work whereunto he is much inclined, and wherein he is most
delighted. Ye shall observe therefore, what abundance of
blessings Christ scattered among the people when he was here
upon the earth. Ye do not read that ever he cursed any man,
formally cursed him. Once, indeed, he pronounced a curse, but
it fell upon a barren fig-tree, not upon a man. But take your
Bibles and turn over from leaf to leaf, and see how frequent he
was in blessing ; and consider whether you do read in all the
Bible of any preacher or prophet that ever in the way of their
preaching pronounced so many blessings as Christ did ? He
begins blessing, "Blessed are the poor ;" and "Blessed are
those that mourn ;" and " Blessed are those that hunger and
thirst;" and " Blessed are those that are persecuted for my
name's sake. Blessed are those that hear the word of God
and keep it. He took little children into his arms and blessed
them." Do but mark in all the gospel, how frequent Christ
was in blessing, never in cursing ; more frequent in blessing,
than ever any preacher was in all his sermons. What is the
reason of this ? Because this work of blessing the people
is a work wherein the Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest, is
much delighted, a work whereunto he is most inclined.
74 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 4.
Well, fourthly, but doth he do it ?
Yes, he doth do it, and doth it fully. The same place that I
named will prove it, the ist of the Ephesians, and the 3rd
verse, " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in
heavenly places in Christ. Not only meritoriously, but by
the hand of Christ. And, saith he, he hath done it, with all
spiritual blessings, and he hath done it by Jesus Christ.
You will say, We do not see that men are thus blessed by
Christ; for where Christ blesseth, he doth not only wish well
and good unto a man, but he bestoweth it ; yea, he doth not
only bestow good, but he doth increase and multiply : but
upon this account, how few are there in the world that are
blessed by Christ !
For answer, It is a hard thing, sometimes, unto a Christian
for to discern this blessing of Christ. Ye can see the boughs,
fruit, body, bark of a tree ; but if ye will see the root, ye
must dig and take pains for to see it : it is an easy thing to
see the leaves, &c., but if you would see the root, ye must dig
and take pains for it. This blessing of Jesus Christ it is
the root of all ; and if you will see this, you must dig and take
pains to see it, it does not lie open to every one's view. The
Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest, does not bless as man
blesses, and so his blessing is very much hidden from our
eyes ; he does not bless as we do, he does not bless as the
world does : if the world sees a rich man, it pronounces him
blessed : O 1 there is a blessed man, and there is a happy
man ! what an excellent dwelling hath he, how healthful ! his
table is spread, &c. The world blesses rich men, pronounces
them happy and blessed. But our Lord Jesus Christ, he
does as Jacob did when Joseph brought his two sons to Jacob
to be blessed by him ; he set Ephraim the younger at the
left hand of Jacob, and he set Manasseh the elder at the right
hand of Jacob, that Jacob might give the right hand blessing
to the elder, and the left hand blessing to the younger : but
when Joseph had set them thus before Jacob, Jacob crosses
hands, and he turns the right hand blessing to the younger.
So two men are brought before Christ, a rich man > it may be,
and a poor man, and in the eye of the world, the rich man
must carry the blessing : O ! but our Lord Christ, he crosses
hands, and he lays the blessing upon the younger brother
SER. 4.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 75
many times. And so in regard of ordinances : two sorts of
ordinances are brought before Christ, God's ordinance and
man's ordinance; and man's ordinance, in the eye of the
world, is the elder brother, and God's ordinance the younger
brother ; and both these are brought before Christ for a bles-
sing, and the ordinance of man is set at the right hand of
Christ by the world ; but the Lord Christ, he crosses hands,
and he lays the blessing upon the younger brother in this res-
pect. And so two men are brought before him, a proud
pharisee and a poor broken-hearted sinner; the pharisee
comes unto the right hand of Christ, and thinks for to carry
the blessing ; but the Lord Christ crosses hands, and lays
the right hand blessing upon the poor broken-hearted sinner,
and passes by the proud pharisee. The Lord Christ doth not
bless as the world blesseth.
Again, as he doth not bless as the world blesseth, so he
doth not bless always as professors bless. Professors, they
do ordinarily bless men according unto their outward privi-
leges, gospel and church privileges : O ! says the woman unto
Christ, " Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and blessed are
the paps that gave thee suck/' Christ crosses hands. Nay,
but, says Christ, " Blessed are those that hear the word of
God, and keep it, and do my commandments/' You bless
according to outward privileges ; I do not go that way of
blessing, says Christ : he does not bless as professors bless
Thirdly, He does not bless as godly men bless always ; as
gracious men bless, not always. For, you that are godly, you
pronounce such a man blessed, as hath much grace, and hath
assurance of the love of God in Christ ; and one that hath
strong and great parts, and able to carry away whole sermons
word for word, and of strong memory and large gifts, that are
head and shoulders above their fellows. But the Lord Jesus
Christ does not always bless thus ; " Blessed are the poor in
spirit," says he. " Blessed are those that mourn." He does
not say, Blessed are those that rejoice ; or, Blessed are those
that have the assurance of God's love ; or, Blessed are those
that are strong in grace : No, but dost thou know a poor
weak Christian, a mourning soul like a dove of the valleys,
says the Lord, I bless him.
Thus I say, the Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest,
76 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 4.
he does not bless as we bless, he does not bless as the world
blesses, he does not bless always as professors bless, he does
not bless always as godly men bless, and therefore no wonder
that his blessing is hidden. Children when they are very
young are often blessed by their parents, and they do not mind
it or take notice of it ; children of two or three years old :
and so it is with many a gracious soul blessed by Jesus Christ,
they do not take notice of their Father's blessing. But the
Lord Christ doth always bless his people; only, there are
several times special seasons that he gives out his blessing :
let me tell ye of those times a little, that so ye may come for
his blessing while his hand is in as it were ; so that you may
be crowned with spiritual blessings in and from Jesus Christ.
First, When Christ our High Priest doth see that a man
is weak in grace or weak in gifts, and hath some work or ser-
vice for him to do, some employment to call him forth unto ;
then the Lord Christ doth bless him. There are two times
especially, as I remember, that the Lord speaks those words
concerning man, " Increase and multiply." Once in the be-
ginning, when he had made man and woman ; and once in
the ixth of Genesis, when he had brought Noah out of the
ark. Why does he rather choose for to speak those words,
Increase and multiply, at these two times especially, rather
than at any other time ? In the beginning there was but a
little stock of mankind, and the Lord had a design upon man
to make use of him in the world, and therefore in the begin-
ning, says he, Increase and multiply : but afterward that the
flood had swept away man, Noah and his family being pre-
served, when he came out of the ark, the Lord having yet a
further design upon man to use him, he reneweth those words
again, Increase and multiply. So when the Lord Christ sees
that a man's heart is upright and sincere with him, and he
hath some work and service for him to do, then the Lord
comes forth and blesses him : O soul, increase and multiply,
increase in thy gifts and graces, and multiply. That is one.
Again, As the Lord doth bless weak gifts and graces when
he intends to use them ; so also when as he hath made use of a
man, when a man hath done the work of God, and done it to
purpose, then the Lord blesses that man. Melchisedec, a
great type of Christ, here when Abraham had been upon a
great service, slaying kings, and rescued Lot, then Melchi-
SER. 4.] ox CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 77
sedec the high priest comes forth and blesses him. So when
the Lord Jesus Christ our great High Priest, sees that a poor
soul hath been upon his work, upon his service, and hath
done his work faithfully, then he comes forth and blesses that
soul : O soul, live for ever.
Again, As he does bless at this time, when a man hath
done his work ; so also when a man is willing for to leave all
his relations and natural engagements for to follow him to
cleave close unto him, and to his ways, and ordinances. The
Lord blessed Abraham, " Thou shalt be blessed ; in blessing
I will bless thee, and thou shalt be blessed." Upon what
occasion ? " Abraham," says he, " get thee out of thy coun-
try, and go to a land and place that I will shew thee." And
Abraham did so, Abraham pulled up his tent, and went after
the Lord, and left his own relations ; and thereupon the Lord
fell upon him and blessed him. So when the Lord Christ our
High Priest sees a soul willing even to trample upon his re-
lations for to follow him, willing to leave all natural engage-
ments for to be his servant ; then the Lord Christ comes out,
and says he, This soul do I bless : In blessing I will bless
thee, and I will bless thee exceedingly. That is a third time.
Fourthly, The Lord Christ, our High Priest, does bless
when the world curses, a special time of Christ's blessing is
when the world curses. When Rabshekah reviled, blasphe-
med, and cursed, then God blessed. When Balak hired Ba-
laam for to curse the people of Israel, then the Lord blessed
them by the mouth of Balaam himself. And ye see what
Christ says to this purpose in that same vth chapter of Mat-
thew, at the 10th verse, " Blessed are they which are perse-
cuted for righteousness' sake." But when are they blessed ?
" Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute
you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for
my sake. Blessed are ye when men shall persecute you." Aye
but, suppose it does not come to a bodily persecution, men
may not be thrown in prison, or brought to the stake. Says
he, " Blessed are ye when men shall revile," persecute you
with the tongue, " and say all manner of evil against you for
my sake." When the world says of such a poor soul, that he
is an hypocrite, a dissembler ; and speaks all manner of evil
that can be devised against a poor soul for the name of
78 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 4.
Christ, that is the very time, that Christ comes for to bless
that soul, then doth Christ bless ; it is a blessed season.
In the fifth place, The Lord Christ does also bless, when
his people do graciously enjoy the ordinances purely and evan-
gelically administered. It is said concerning Zion, there
commanded he his blessing for ever, " Blessed are the people
that hear the joyful sound; they shall walk in the light of
his countenance," Ps. Ixxxix. 15. It is written of the priests
in the times of the old testament, that when the people, the
congregation were come together, they blessed them; when the
people were come together for the enjoyment of ordinances
according to God's own appointment, then the priests blessed
them. And did their high priest bless them then ? and shall
not our High Priest do it now ? Did their high priest bless
them when they sat under Mosaical ordinances ? and shall
not our High Priest bless the people that sit under evangel-
ical and gospel ordinances, purely and evangelically adminis-
tered ? The people then might make account of the greatest
blessing; and so you may do also of the blessing of Jesus
Christ when thus you do enjoy ordinances. Only there is
this difference : (other differences there are, but this only I
shall speak of:) Then the priest did bless the people when the
congregation was dismissed ; but now, the Lord Jesus Christ,
our great High Priest, he is blessing of the congregation all
the while ; he is going up and down in the congregation all
the while that the word is preached and ordinances adminis-
tered, and he is blessing poor souls as they sit longing after
him, and sighing towards him ; he is blessing of them all the
while. Thus he does bless, and though you do not always
perceive it, yet he doth bless his people. And that is the
fourth thing.
But yet you will say, fifthly, How does all this conduce
unto our comfort and unto our holiness ?
Much every way.
First for comfort, beloved, Is it not a comfortable thing to
be blessed by Jesus Christ? Children counted it a great
matter to be blessed by their parents. When as Jacob had
gotten the blessing from Esau ; Esau goes and sits down and
mourns, he could not be comforted because the blessing was
gone : and Jacob, though he were thrust out of doors, yet be-
cause he had gotten the blessing, he went away cheerful ;
SER. 4.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 79
and it was but an Isaac's blessing. But behold a greater
than Isaac is here ! Oh ! was it such a matter to have an
Isaac's blessing ? what is it then to be blessed by Jesus
Christ ? Beloved ! when as Christ doth bless, he turns all
our curses into blessings, and our miseries into mercies.
When God curses, he turns our table into a snare : and when
Christ blesseth, he turns our snare into a table, quite con-
trary. Jacob pronounced a curse upon his two sons, Simeon
and Levi (you know upon what occasion) they should be
divided and scattered in Israel : afterward the tribe of Levi
stands up at the commandment of God to execute justice
and judgment, and the Lord blessed them : and how did he
bless them ? they were to be the preachers unto all the
tribes ; and so that they might be preachers unto all the
tribes, they were to be scattered into all the tribes, and so
Jacob's curse was turned into a blessing to them.
Is it not a comfortable thing, for a man to have all his
cursers, to be blessers ? It is a comfortable thing, for all a
man's curses to become blessings: but now I say, it is a comfor-
table thing, for all a man's cursers, to be blessers to him. When
the Lord Christ blesses, he will make men's cursers whether
they will or no, (in the day of their visitation at least) for to
bless. Ye know that Balaam would have cursed Israel, but
the Lord had blessed them. Balaam got upon a high moun-
tain, and from thence he would have cursed Israel, but it
would not be. Then he gets upon another high mountain,
and from thence he would have cursed Israel, but it would not
be. Then he gets upon another high mountain : thinking
that would have done it, and from thence he would have
cursed Israel, but that would not do it. Oh ! says he, " The
Lord hath seen no iniquity in Israel," and therefore he blesses
them : the curse is turned into a blessing ; so there are
many that deal thus by the people of God in these days :
they get upon such an high mountain, such a great and high
means, and they think to curse the people of God from thence,
butitwillnotbe. Then they get upon another mountain, another
means, thinking from thence to curse the people of God, but
it will not be. Then they get upon another high mountain
or hill, and think then to curse the people of God, and do
them mischief, but it will not do it. Why ? for the Lord
Christ sees no iniquity, the Lord Christ hath blessed them :
80 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SBR. 4.
and so at last, in the day of wicked men's visitation, they are
forced to say, These are the people of God, and these are
blessed and shall be blessed. We know what is said in the
Scripture, " The blessing of the Lord maketh rich : and he
addeth no sorrow therewithal." Is it not a good thing then
to be blessed by Christ ? If a man be blessed by Jesus Christ
he may bless himself in the Lord, and he may comfort him-
self in every condition, and he may say thus, Well, though
I be a poor man, yet I am blessed by Christ : and though my
estate be sunk, and decayed, yet I am blessed by Christ : and
though I be reproached, and hated by men, yet I am blessed
by Jesus Christ ; a man may comfort himself in every con-
dition.
But you will say, indeed if a man be assured that Christ
hath blessed him, he may do thus ; but I am afraid that Christ
hath not blessed me, or that he is not willing to bless me : if I
could be assured that this great High Priest, had once laid
his hand, his blessing-hand upon me, I should have comfort
in all conditions.
Give me leave to lay two or three things before you con-
cerning this.
First, When the Lord blessed Abraham, he said unto him,
" In thee and thy seed shall all nations be blessed. It is a sign
unto Abraham, that he was blessed, because others were bles-
sed by him. So now, when a man's parts, gifts, graces, and
comforts are blessings to others, it is an argument that that
man is blessed himself.
Further, when a man is blessed by God, or Christ ; he is
drawn nearer to God by all outward things, by all things ;
" Come ye blessed, go ye cursed." Blessing hath an attrac-
tive nature, " Come ye blessed :" when the Lord Christ
does bless a man, he does draw him, " Come ye blessed."
When a man is brought nearer to God by affliction, he is
blessed : when a man is brought nearer to God by his estate,
by any comfort, by any sorrow, here is blessing, " Come ye
blessed." Blessings draw one nearer to God with a cord of
love.
Thirdly where the Lord does bless, he does cause a man
to increase and multiply, in that thing wherein he is blessed.
Increasing and multiplying, is so natural unto blessing, that
in the original tongues of the Old and New Testament,
SER. 4.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 81
plenty is put for blessing. I will give you but one clear
place for it in the New Testament, the 2 Corinthians ixth
chapter, 5th verse. " Therefore I thought it necessary to ex-
hort the brethren, that they would go before unto ye, and
make up before-hand your bounty " The word is your bles-
ing. Whereof you had notice before ; that the same might
be ready as a matter of bounty. The word is, a matter of
blessing. But especially in the next verse. But this I say,
" He which soweth sparingly, shall reap sparingly : and he
which soweth bountifully, shall reap bountifully." And he
which soweth with blessing (as it is in the original) shall reap
with blessing : and here it is opposed to sparingly, and
translated bountifully. Where the Lord does bless, he does
always cause a man to increase and multiply.
Now, beloved in the Lord, I appeal unto all your souls,
you that make this objection, that are afraid the Lord Christ
hath not blessed you as your High Priest, hath not laid his
hand upon you, and blessed you : yet do not ye know more of
Christ than ye have known before ? hath not the hidden
truths of the gospel been increased and multiplied upon your
hearts ? hath not your hearts been brought nearer to God
by affliction ? hath not your souls been drawn nearer to God
by his outward dealings with you ? And as Abraham was
therefore blessed, because he was made a blessing to others :
so I appeal to ye, have not your parts, gifts, and graces, in
some measure been blessings unto others, even unto your
poor family, and unto others also ? Then be of good com-
fort (man or woman) wherever thou standest, the Lord
Christ hath blessed thee, and thou shalt be blessed, hold
up thy head poor blessed soul, the Lord Jesus hath blessed
thee : when the Lord did lay this blessing upon thee, I can-
not tell thee, but I find thee a blessed man, stay thyself upon
the Lord, cheer up thy drooping heart, thou art a blessed
soul.
But you will say, How does this make unto our holiness ?
I confess this is a very comfortable cordial, that the Lord
Jesus Christ is in office to bless poor sinners ; but how does
this conduce unto our holiness ?
Very much : this holds forth great encouragement, unto all
poor sinners for to come to Christ, and to come without de-
lay. Why ? once come to Christ and blessed ; but without
G
82 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 4.
Christ and cursed : an enemy to Jesus Christ and a cursed
man : cursed in thy store-house : cursed in thy basket ;
and cursed in all things that thou puttest thine hand unto.
Oh ! then, will you not come to Christ that you may be
blessed : that day that a poor soul comes unto Christ, what-
ever he hath been he is blessed : that day may be called
Gilgal, for then the curse is rolled away from him. " Bles-
sed is the man whose iniquity is forgiven, and whose sin is
pardoned." The first day, the first minute, that he comes
to Christ, his sin is pardoned, and he is blessed. Who
would not then come unto Christ presently, that he may
be blessed for ever? When as Esau had sold his birth-
right for a mess of pottage, the Lord looked upon him as a
profane man, and he stands upon record in Scripture for
a profane man unto this day, because he sold his birth-
right. And says the text, Though he sought the blessing
(it was a blessing) with tears, he never recovered it. The
Lord Jesus Christ, he is now among us, and offering to bless
us ; and if I will rather keep my sins than come unto Jesus
Christ, the Lord will look upon me as a profane man ; and
I may go and seek the blessing with tears, and never recover
it again. Oh ! here is that, methinks, that should make
every wicked man ; if there be ever a drunkard, swearer, or
unclean wanton that reads this book, mind what is said for
your everlasting peace : I say, here is that, methinks, that
should make every wicked man, to look upon the godly, as
David did upon the sparrows, and upon the swallows : says
David, " These birds full nigh thine altar, may have place
to sit and sing " as ye have it in your singing psalms. These
birds can come and make their nests ; but as for me I am
kept at a distance : he was provoked by the sparrows and
swallows making their nests near the altar. So may a
wicked man say, There is a godly man indeed, he may go to
Jesus Christ he may go to prayer, and he may offer up his gift
to God the Father by the hands of Christ, he can come near
to God by Christ : but as for me, I am yet without Christ, I am
not yet gone to Jesus Christ; 1 am such a cursed swearer, I am
such a profane drunkard, I am such a vile, wretched wanton,
such a notorious, scandalous sinner ! Oh ! these people are
blessed, but I am cursed, but now through the Lord's grace
I will go unto the Lord Christ that I may be blessed.
SER. 4.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 83
Yea, my beloved, here is, methinks, a strong invitation,
unto all those that are young people for to come unto Jesus
Christ : even those that are very young. Hear the word of
the Lord, ye children. The Lord Jesus Christ received
children into his arms and he blessed them. You that are
nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen years
old; you can be solicitous for your father's blessing, and
have gone down upon your knees often unto your father,
and you have said, Pray father, pray to God to bless me.
Oh ! will ye go to your outward father for his blessing ? and
will ye not go unto Jesus Christ ? He is an everlasting Father,
this your earthly father will be dead ere long ; he is an ever-
lasting Father, children, and he is able to bless ye, and willingto
bless ye. Have ye gone down upon your knees to your outward
father ? Oh ! children, down, down upon your knees before
the Lord Jesus Christ, and go to him for his blessing. Some
of you, it may be, never went yet to Christ for his blessing ;
ye have lived so many years, ten, eleven or twelve years, and
never went to Christ as High Priest, for his blessing all this
while. Oh ! what a mighty encouragement is here unto
all men to come to Christ, that they may be blessed by
him.
But yet further, As there is an encouragement for to come
unto Christ : so this argument does also encourage us to go
on in the good ways of Christ, notwithstanding all opposition
that we meet withal : I say, it does speak encouragement to go
on in the face of all opposition. For when Abraham had been
at battle, then came Melchisedec the high priest to bless him:
and when a poor soul goes out to battle for Christ, then
comes our great Melchisedec, our High Priest, and blesses
that soul. The time of opposition, it is the time of Christ's
blessing. Therefore, why should I be discouraged, or beaten
out of the way of Christ, by reason of any opposition, though
it be never so great ? Times of opposition are Christ's bles-
sing time.
Again, This argument does not only speak encouragement
against all opposition : but it does also encourage us to go
on in the good ways of God when we are called unto it,
though we have but little strength and weak parts. Though
there be but little oil in the cruse, though there be but little
meal in the barrel, if Christ call to the work, he will bless a
G2
84 ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. [SER. 4.
man in it : and when Christ blesses, he does multiply and
increase a man's parts in the using of them. As when he
commanded them to sit down and eat, he did multiply and
increase the bread in their eating : so now, does Christ call
me to any work or service ? well then, though I am weak,
though I have not oil enough, though I have not meal enough,
though I have not strength enough ; yet the Lord Christ will
bless, and when he blesses, he does increase and multiply :
and therefore, why should not I go on upon his work, if he
do call me thereunto, though I have never so little strength.
And yet further, If all this be true : why should not a man
be contented with his condition, though he be never so mean ?
Beloved in the Lord ! is there not enough in Christ's bles-
sing ? Truly, he is too covetous, whom the blessing of
Christ will not satisfy. Well, whatever my condition be, yet
I may be blessed by Jesus Christ ; and hath the Lord bles-
sed me ? then will I be contented with my condition, though
it be never so mean, I have all, as Jacob once said, I have all.
Yea, in the fifth and last place : Here is that, which if well
studied and considered ; will provoke us all for to bless the
Lord, and continually to bless the Lord ! What is the life of
a Christian here, but continual blessing of God ? it is heaven
begun : and in heaven, they do nothing else but bless and
praise the Lord ; and I say our life here is heaven begun
and therefore a Christian should be always blessing and
praising the Lord.
Well, But what will make a man to be always blessing, and
praising of God in Christ ?
The knowledge that a man is blessed by Christ, will make
a man bless God for Christ. And therefore consider how
the apostle reasons, in the ist of Ephesians, and the 3rd
verse, " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ :" Why ? " who hath blessed us." When once a man
can come to this, for to say, That the Lord Christ hath bles-
sed him ; then he will break forth into blessing and praising
of the Lord ; O ! Blessed be the Lord : bless the Lord, O
my soul ; and bless the Lord all that is within me : for the
Lord hath blessed me with spiritual blessings. Do you
therefore desire to be always in this work of blessing the
Lord ? think much of this.
To conclude all ; give me leave to call upon you to remem-
SER. 4.] ON CHRIST'S PRIESTLY OFFICE. 85
her what ye have read. Ye have read, That it is the work of
our great High Priest, to satisfy fur the sins of the people :
to answer unto all accusations that are brought against them :
to offer up all our prayers and gifts unto God the Father :
and to bless poor souls. Now then, beloved, according to all
your wants, and according to all your temptations : I do be-
seech you in the Lord, go to Jesus Christ, unto this High
Priest ; try and see if you do not find it true, that the Lord
does make good all this unto you. In case that you be under
any spiritual want or temptation ; put your souls under this
disjunction : Come, O my soul, either the Lord Jesus Christ
is our great High Priest, or else he is not : if he be not, what
means this and that Scripture ? And if the Lord Jesus
Christ be our great High Priest; then surely he being faith-
ful, will do all the work of the high priest for my soul. Indeed
I have sinned, and sinned greatly ; but O Lord, it is the work
of our High Priest to satisfy : now, Lord Jesus, I come to
thee as mine High Priest, O ! satisfy for me. Indeed, I con-
fess, mine own conscience does accuse me, Satan does accuse
me, Moses does accuse me : but it is the work of our great
High Priest, to take off all accusations brought against poor
believers : now Lord, I do come unto thee, as to my great
High Priest, Oh ! take off this accusation that any poor soul
does labour under. Indeed, when I look upon mine own
duties ; there is so much deadness, so much hardness of
heart, and so many distractions that do accompany them,
that I am afraid they will never be accepted: but, O Lord, it
is the work of our great High Priest, to take away the weeds
of the duty, and to present the duty ; now, O Lord, I come
unto thee as mine High Priest, Oh ! carry my prayers into
the bosom of God the Father. Yea, when I look upon my
former life, Lord, I cannot but conclude myself, a poor
cursed sinner : but yet notwithstanding, it is the work of our
great High Priest, for to bless the people : O Lord, I do
therefore now come unto thee as mine High Priest, Oh !
bless me, and say unto all my graces, Increase and multiply.
SATAN'S POWER TO TEMPT,
CHRIST'S LOVE TO AND CARE OF HIS PEOPLE
UNDER TEMPTATION.
IN
FIVE SERMONS,
PREACHED AT ST. MARGARET'S, NEW FISH STREET,
A. D. 164G.
ON TEMPTATION.
SERMON I.
" For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted" HKB. n. 18.
THE scope and drift of this epistle, is to raise and
strengthen the faith of the Hebrews, and so the faith of
those that are weak in grace. Our apostle Paul, therefore,
whom I take to be the penman, labours to discover the
transcendant excellency of Jesus Christ, with his love and
good-will to the children of men. And because his excel-
lencies were either such as relate his person, or such as
relate his offices, of King, Priest, and Prophet; he tells us,
in the ist chapter, that for the personal excellencies of Jesus
Christ, " He is the Son of God, heir of all things, by whom
were the worlds made : being the brightness of his Father's
glory, and the express image of his person," in the 2nd and
3rd verses of that chapter. " That he is far above the
angels/' at the 4th verse. That he is God himself, at the
6th verse. And as for those excellencies that relate his
offices, he tells us at the 1st verse, that he is the Prophet of
prophets. That he is the great King, at the 8th verse.
That he is an High Priest, in the iind chapter and the 1 7th
verse. And therefore who would not trust unto him, and
take heed unto such things as he shall speak unto them.
And as for the love and good-will that he bears unto the chil-
dren of men, the apostle speaks it out in all this iind chapter.
The greater condescension in the person loving to the
person loved, the greater is the love. Now though Jesus
Christ be heir of all things, and had all things put under his
feet; far above all angels; yet notwithstanding, at the 7th
verse, " lie is made a little lower than the angels, takes our
nature upon him/' &c.
The more profitable any love is to the person loved, the
greater is the love. Such is the love of Christ, for his love
90 OX TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 1.
is such, that " by him many sons are brought to glory," at
the 10th verse. " Sanctified while they live," at the llth
verse. Satan, their deadly enemy, subdued for them., at the
14th and 15th verses.
The more distinguishing any love is, the greater is that
love. Now Jesus Christ, as the great load-stone, passes by
the golden metal of angels, and draws unto himself the iron
metal of mankind : at the 16th verse : " For verily, he took
not on him the nature of angels ; but he took on him the
seed of Abraham."
Again, the more the person loving does suffer for the
person loved, the more and the greater is the love. Christ
suffered death, and he was while he lived subject to our
infirmities, and unto our temptations. " He was in all things
made like unto us," at the 1 7th verse. " And he was
tempted as we are tempted, that he might succour those that
are tempted," at the 1 8th verse.
And would you have an account or a reason of all this ?
It is that he might show mercy unto the children of men :
verse the 17th : " Wherefore in all things it behoved him to
be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful
and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make
reconciliation for the sins of the people." If he were not
made like unto us, in regard of our infirmities, he could not
so experimentally pity us under our infirmities. If he were
not tempted like unto us, he could not so feelingly succour
us under our temptation ; and so he had not been so fit to
have been our High Priest : but our High Priest he is gone
into the holy of holiest, to make reconciliation for the sins
of the people. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to
be made like unto us, that he might be a merciful and faith-
ful High Priest : " for in that he himself hath suffered,
being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted."
I will not hold you longer in the coherence, or division of
the words, or further explication : I shall open the words,
God willing, more particularly and distinctly, as I shall come
to the observations that shall be raised from them. And I
begin with the last, being made the reason of the former.
" For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is
able to succour them that are tempted." Tempted twice :
he tempted, and they tempted.
SEE. 1.] ON TEMPTATION. 91
This word tempted, or tempt, it is given in Scripture
phrase sometimes to God, sometimes to man, and sometimes
to the devil ; and accordingly it is used three ways. Some-
times it is used for to prove; and so God is said for to tempt,
in the xiiith of Deuteronomy. Sometimes it is used for to try,
to make experiment of a thing, or a person, whom or which
we did not know before ; and so it is given to man, as I take
it, in the vith of Judges. Sometimes it is used for a solicit-
ation, and drawing unto what is evil ; and so it is given unto
the devil, in the ivth of Matthew, Christ " was led into the
wilderness to be tempted." If ye look into the Scripture,
ye do not find in all the Old Testament, that the word
temptation is given to Satan, that Satan was said to tempt
any : Satan did frequently tempt, we read in the Old Testa-
ment; but, I say, the word tempt is not given unto him.
Satan tempted Job, but Job's afflictions in the Old Testa-
ment are not called Satan's temptations. As our Lord and
Saviour Christ in the Old Testament was vailed, the Old
Testament was full of Christ, yet Christ was hidden there :
so was Satan and his temptations masked. Now when the
light of the glorious gospel shined more clearly in the
coming of Jesus Christ, as Christ's vail was taken off, so
Satan's mask was taken off. Satan's temptations are no
longer called afflictions, but bare temptations, throughout
the New Testament. Indeed, this word temptation, in the
phrase of the New Testament, is used sometimes for afflic-
tion, sometimes for Satan's suggestions, sometimes for our
own sins. Temptation used for our afflictions : in the ist of
James, 2nd verse, " Rejoice when ye fall into divers tempta-
tions ;" that is, afflictions. Sometimes for the devil's sug-
gestions solicitations to evil : so in the ivth of Matthew,
Christ is " led into the wilderness to be tempted." Some-
times for our own sins : Galatians the vith chapter and the
1st verse, " If any man be overtaken with an infirmity, you
that are spiritual, restore him, considering that you also may
be tempted." Now though our Saviour Christ is said to be
tempted, in the two first respects, and not in the third ; yet
when it is said here in the text, " He himself hath suffered
being tempted ;" I take it to be meant in the second way,
not the first, for otherwise there would be an identity thus :
He himself hath suffered, having suffered : that would be the
92 ON TEMPTAT1OK. SER. 1.]
sense of it else. And though we ourselves are said to be
tempted in all three respects ; in regard of afflictions, Satan's
suggestions, and our own corruptions and sins ; yet when it
is said in the latter end of the verse, " He is able to succour
them that are tempted ;" I take it to be meant especially in
the two last respects, and not in the first : for it hath relation
unto that which goes before, the last verse being a reason of
the latter end of the 1 /th verse : " To make reconciliation
for the sins of the people ; for in that he himself hath
suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are
tempted." Hence the observation that I shall present unto
you is only this.
That God doth suffer his own servants, and dearest chil-
dren, to be sorely tempted ; yea, even to suffer by the hand
of the temptation.
Our Lord and Saviour Christ, th^ Son of God, the only
beloved Son of God, yet, saith the text, " He himself hath
suffered being tempted:" not only tempted, but suffered
being tempted. And it is said of his brethren, (for so his
people are called in the beginning of the 17th verse,) that
they are tempted. " He is able to succour them that are
tempted." Succouring pre-supposeth suffering.
For the opening and clearing of this truth, I shall deliver
myself these three ways.
First, That there is a suffering, afflictive dispensation in
every temptation, though it does not prevail.
Secondly, That the saints and people of God do thus
suffer, and why ?
Thirdly, Answer to an objection ; and so come to the
application.
First, There is a vexing, corroding, afflictive disposition in
every temptation, when it takes least, though it do not pre-
vail. These granadoes, fire-balls, fire-darts of Satan, have a
danger with them ; though they do not burn down our spi-
ritual building to the ground, they are afflictive, there is
somewhat of a suffering with them. Paul calls his bufferings,
a thorn, or a prick in the flesh : a buffeting and therefore
afflictive : a thorn, or a prick in the flesh, and therefore
afflictive. Notable is that expression which our Saviour
Christ useth in the xxiind of Luke, at the 31st verse, to
Peter. " Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you
[SER. 1. ON TEMPTATION. 93
that he may sift you as wheat," There is never a word here,
but carries a suffering with it. It is some affliction, to have
so great an adversary as an angel is, who is great in power ;
the devil is called an angel, and he is called Satan, that is an
adversary. Satan hath desired : the word that is used there,
desired, it is not used again in the New Testament, as I remem-
ber. But in other authors that use it, it signifies such a de-
siring, as when one man does challenge another into the
field to a duel : or such a desiring as when a man comes and
calls for open, and public punishment upon a man : and all
this is suffering and afflictive. Or, as your translation hath
it : Satan hath desired to have you ; he does not say thus :
Satan hath desired to sift you ; but Satan hath desired to have
you. Is it not an affliction to a child, to hear a beggar stand
craving and begging of his father to have him away, to carry
him away from his house ? there is never a temptation, but in
that temptation Satan desires to have you, you that are the
children of God, Satan desires to have you. Then again," He
hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat."
Now though in sifting there is a separation between the chaff
and the wheat, yet it is not without a concussion, and a
shaking of the wheat : the wheat and the grain is shaken,
though the chaff be blown aside, and laid on heaps. And
though through the skill of the sifter, the wheat may be so
kept, as it does not fall into the chaff-heap ; yet notwithstan-
ding there is some danger in sifting, that the grain should
fall over into the heap of chaff, and be burnt with the chaff:
so here. Especially where Satan, the great destroyer of
mankind, hath the fan in his hand : saith Christ, " Satan
hath desired to have you," and hath desired to have you,
" that he may sift you as wheat ;" and I tell you there is
so much danger in it, that nothing but my prayer can secure
you, " But 1 have prayed for you." So that you see, there
is something of a suffering in a temptation. You know it
was a law in the Old Testament, that if a woman were abroad
in the fields, and there met her some that offered violence to
her; if she cried out, and did not consent, she was not guilty :
but now, though she were not guilty, but innocent, if she were
abused,itwouldbeacontinualafflictiontoamodest good woman.
So it is here, Satan comes to meet us, and though we do not
consent to him, yet a gracious heart cannot but look upon it
94 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 1.
as an affliction, to be thus followed, and hunted with a temp-
tation. And the Holy Ghost alluded to this practice, when
he saith here in the text, Jesus Christ is able to succour :
the word succour, prj^am, signifies such a succouring as
brings in help unto those that cry out ; to come in, and run
in with help upon one's crying out. In the xiith of the Re-
velations, it is said, " Woe to the inhabitants of the earth ;
for the devil is come down with great wrath, for he knows
that his time is short." There is a woe in it, where the de-
vil comes down with great wrath. Now he looks upon all
the saints, as having their time but short, and he comes
down upon them in great wrath with his temptations : and
there is a woe in it, although the temptation takes not : and
for aught I know, upon this account, the New Testament
may so promiscuously use the word temptation, both for af-
fliction, and Satan's suggestions, even because seldom any
affliction comes, but it does bring temptation with it : never
any temptation but brings affliction : always something of a
suffering in every temptation, even at that very time when it
does least prevail. This is the first thing.
Secondly, Doth God suffer his own children thus to suffer?
Yes, And many times the best, most tempted ; the best
men meet with the worst temptations ; those that are most
eminently godly, are most foully assaulted. David, Job,
Peter, Paul, and Christ himself was. Yea, God doth not
only suffer Satan to come, and present evil objects before his
servants, but suffers him to go so far, as to solicit, to press,
to follow on his temptation. And therefore it is said con-
cerning David, " That Satan stood up, and provoked him to
number the people." He did not only present an evil object
to him, but he followed his temptation, he solicited, he stood
up and provoked David to number the people.
Yea, God doth not only suffer this : but at that very time,
when the saints have had most of God, then they have suf-
fered by the hand of temptation. When Paul had been taken
up into the third heaven, then a messenger, Satan, was sent
to buffet him : And when Jesus Christ had heard the voice,
"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased;"
Then, (says the text in the ivth of Matthew 1,)" was he led
by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil."
And so with the saints now : when they have been, as it
SER. ].] ON TEMPTATION. 95
were, in the third heaven with God, when they have had
most of him, when they have heard the Lord saying, This is
my beloved child ; after special manifestations of his love,
then most tempted : Oh ! who would be secure, after mani-
festations of God's love ?
Further, God doth not only suffer it thus far : but some-
times he suffers his children to be so far tempted, as they
seem to have the worser, Satan the better ; Satan taking the
wall of them, the upper hand. In the iiird of Zechariah, it
is said concerning Joshua : " That Satan stood at his right
hand :" Satan took the wall of him, took the upper hand of
him.
Lastly, God suffers this to be, and to continue a long time
with some of his children. Paul saith, he had prayed thrice :
that is, often ; and all the answer he could get was this, " My
grace is sufficient for thee," Paul ; I do not say, I will deliver
thee, but thou shalt have grace enough to uphold thee : my
grace shall be sufficient. Thus God suffers his own dear
children to suffer under the hand of temptation.
And would you know the reason ? Good authors say, That
God suffers his own dear children to be tempted, that they
may be more enlightened. Temptation enlightens the temp-
ted ; thereby they are more experienced, and so more en-
lightened : God is pleased to answer them by this secret of
thunder.
God suffers his children thus to be tempted, that they
may be cleansed. This is God's usual way, he does wash us
from our own filth, by the dung and excrement of these un-
clean spirits, and scours off the rust from his chosen vessels
by the messengers of Satan : these are God's scullions to
make his golden pots of the sanctuary the brighter.
God suffers his own children to be tempted, that they may
be conserved or kept : he preserves them from one sin, by
being tempted to another. And Paul says, That he received
that messenger of Satan twice, that he might not be exalted.
God suffers his children to be tempted, that their graces
may be increased. As the fire is blown up by the wind of
the bellows ; and the strength of an argument draws out the
strength of the answerer : so does these temptations draw
out the strength of the tempted.
God suffers his children to be tempted, that they may be
96 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 1.
discovered to themselves and others, what their sins and
graces are. You do not know what the liquor is^ until the
vessel be bored, then you know it. And the word that is
here used for temptation, *rpcur,*o. originally signifies to
bore, as a vessel is bored. The love of a woman is never
more known, than when her husband is from home, and she
is solicited to folly, then her love is tried to her husband.
God suffers his children to be tempted, that occasionally
they may be made more fit to receive the fulness of Christ as
a Saviour. A man not tempted may receive the fulness of
Christ as the head : but unless a man be tempted, not fit to
receive the fulness of Christ as a Saviour.
Hereby they are made like unto Jesus Christ. Christ was
made like to us, that he might be tempted ; and we are temp-
ted that we may be made like to him. He was made like to
us, that he might be tempted, and so become our High Priest :
and we are tempted, that we may be made like to him, and
receive of the mercy of that office. He was made like to us
and tempted, that he might have communion with us in the
evil of our temptation : and we are made like to him and
tempted as he was, that we might have communion with him
in the benefit of his temptations. For these and other rea-
sons, God suffers his children to be tempted. But my design
is not to fall upon the argument of temptation at large ; only
to speak of the suffering part of it: " For in that he suffered
being once tempted, he is able to succour those that are
tempted."
And upon the same reason or account, that God suffered
the children of Israel to be vexed, and to suffer by the hands
of the Egyptians, he doth suffer his own dear children to be
stung and vexed by these temptations. Give me leave a
little in that.
God suffered the Israelites to be vexed, and to suffer much
by the hands of the Egyptians, that so he might make his
glorious power the more to appear for them and in them.
For when men saw that the Israelites increased and pros-
pered, the more they were oppressed, and the more the
Egyptians laboured to cut them off: then who would not
say, oh ! what power and what mercy is here ? So now,
when as men shall see, that the graces of the saints increase
by temptation, and by spiritual oppression ; who would not
say, oh ! what mercy and what power is here ?
SER. 1.] ON TEMPTATION. 97
God suffered the Israelites to be vexed by the Egyptians
that the Israelites might not learn their manners, and their
superstitions. They were very apt to drink in their man-
ners, to imitate, to follow them. Notwithstanding all the ill
usage that the Israelites had at the hand of the Egyptians,
they were very apt to learn their manners : had they had bet-
ter usage, how would they have drunk them in much more
then ? Beloved ! God would not have us to learn the man-
ners of Satan, we are apt to drink them in too much notwith-
standing all the hard dealing that we have from our temptations
that do come from Satan : had we better entertainment, how
should our souls mingleand incorporate with those temptations.
God suffered the Israelites to be vexed by the Egyptians,
that so they might be provoked against them, to cut them
off, and destroy them utterly. We never cut off an enemy,
and destroy him utterly until we be provoked ; and we are
provoked by the ill usage we have at their hands. God
would have Satan destroyed : for this cause was Christ mani-
fested in the flesh, that he might destroy the works of Satan ;
and what Christ did for us, he doth work in us : and we will
not destroy him till we be provoked ; and therefore God is
pleased to let us have such hard dealing, and suffering work
from the hand of temptation, that we may be the more pro-
voked against him.
God suffered the Israelites to be vexed by the Egyptians,
that so they might long for Canaan the land of rest. And
why doth God suffer his people to suffer thus by their temp-
tations, but that they might cry out for help, and for the land
of rest ? as David, " Oh that I had wings like a dove for
then would I fly away and be at rest."
If the children of Israel had not suffered thus from the
hands of the Egyptians ; in all likelihood they would have
returned to Egypt much more than they did. They made
them a captain to return again, notwithstanding all the hard-
ness that they underwent in Egypt : but had the children of
Israel had good usage in Egypt, how would they have re-
turned again thither ; beloved ! we are apt to return again to
folly ; you that are the servants of God, too apt to return
to folly, notwithstanding all the hard usage that you have
from the hand of your temptation, how apt and ready are
you to return to folly ; now God loves you, and would not
H
98 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 1.
have you to return again ; and therefore that you might not
return to your garlic, onions, and flesh-pots again, he suffers
this spiritual Pharaoh thus to follow you, and lie hard upon
you in these temptations. And thus you see what a glorious
design of love God hath, even in the suffering part of his
children's temptations: God's own children do suffer thus by
the hand of a temptation.
But you will say, in the third place, (to answer the objec-
tion) If God's own people, his dearest children, be sorely
tempted, yea, suffer under the hand of a temptation : how is
that true, which you have in the 1 Epistle of John, the vth
chapter, and the 18th verse : " Whosoever is born of God
sins not : he that is begotten of God, keeps himself, and
that wicked one toucheth him not ;" the devil toucheth him
not : and if the devil does not so much as touch him, how
can this be true, that he suffers thus by the hand of his
temptation.
For answer hereunto, ye must know that this word touch-
ing, in Scripture phrase, besides the literal sense, sometimes
notes an hurting, or harming of one. So in the cvth
Psalm, and the 15th verse. " Touch not mine anointed."
Which is explained in the following words, " and do my
prophets no harm." We read of Christ's touching, and the
devil's touching. Christ touching those that were sick, and
he cured them with his touch, it was an healing, curing
touch, the touch of Christ. And we read of the devil's touch-
ing : so he speaks unto God that he would touch Job ; that
is, that he would break him, and break all his estate; Christ's
touch is an healing touch, a curing touch ; but Satan's touch
is a destroying touch, a breaking touch. Now though God
suffers his own children to be tempted, yea, and to suffer by
the hand of a temptation, yet notwithstanding, the evil one
touches him not, so as to harm him, to hurt him ; but in the
conclusion, so as to heal and to cure him, which is na touch-
ing.
Again, this same word touching, in Scripture phrase,
sometimes notes fellowship and communion ; and so when
the apostle forbids the Corinthians fellowship, and commu-
nion with idolaters ; saith he " Be ye separate, and touch
no unclean thing." Touching there noting communion
and fellowship with them in their worship: do not in the
SER. 1.] ON TEMPTATION. 99
least measure have any communion with them. So now al-
though it pleases God, to suffer Satan thus to vex his chil-
dren with temptation, yet notwithstanding, they have not
fellowship or communion with him. Satan knocks at their
door, but they do not frequently, and ordinarily open and let
him in, so as to sup with them : Christ stands at their door
and knocks, and they open and he comes in and sups with
them, and they with him : they have fellowship with the Fa-
ther, and they have fellowship with Jesus Christ, but they
have not fellowship with the devil ; they do not delight in
him, they do not converse with him, they have not this fel-
lowship with him : and therefore though they meet with
temptation, yea, and though they suffer under temptation,
yet in this respect the evil one touches them not, but suffer
they do. And so I have cleared the point : God suffers his
own dear children to be sorely tempted, yea, and to suffer
under the hand of temptation.
I come to the application.
If this be so ; Then why do you that are the servants of
God question God's love to you, and call your own condition
into question because of your temptations, or because of the
hard things that you meet withal from the hand of your
temptation ? Oh ! says one, if God loved me, I should never
be thus tempted, I should never suffer such hard things by
temptation as now I do : was there ever any of God's chil-
dren tempted thus ? Surely this cannot stand with grace.
But was not Jesus Christ tempted ? Yes, but I am tempted
mnay times to doubt of my childship, whether I be the child of
God, son of God, aye or no. And was not Christ thus ? There
were two special times of Christ's temptation ; once when he
entered upon the ministry ; once when he went out of the
world ; and you shall see, how at both these times he was
followed with this temptation. In the ivth of Matthew, there
you read of the first, and in the combat, twice, If thou be the
Son of God, says the devil, putting an if upon his Sonship :
and again, If thou be the Son of God ; putting another if
upon his Sonship. So when he was upon the cross; the
devil's instruments speak his own language, they had not for-
gotten it : If he be the Son of God, let him come down ;
putting an z/"upon his Sonship again. The devil follows this
close. Oh ! but I am tempted many times to use indirect
100 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 1.
means to get out of trouble, out of mine affliction. And was
not Christ so ? when he was an hungry, says the devil to him,
(( Command that these stones be made bread." Oh ! but I
am tempted, I am loth to say what it is, sometimes even to
lay violent hands upon myself. And what said the devil to
Christ ? Throw thyself down off the pinnacle of the temple.
Oh ! but I am tempted to horrid and blasphemous things
that I am afraid to name, and my heart trembles to think of.
And was not Christ thus tempted ? says Satan to him, " All
this will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me."
What ? worship the devil ! Oh ! horrid blasphemy ! Blush,
heavens, and be astonished : " All this will I give thee, if
thou wilt fall down and worship me." Oh, but 1 am tempted
to despair : sometimes, I confess, I am able to read God's
love, and to say, that God is with me, and I think I can say,
1 know that God is with me : but at another time, Oh, how
unlike am I unto myself, and I say mercy is gone, and Christ
is gone, and hath left me as an orphan. And I pray consider
how it was with Christ in this respect ; he went as near to it
as could be, without sin. It is Musculus's observation. In
the xvith of John : " Behold," says Christ at the 32nd verse,
" the hour cometh," speaking of his suffering hour, " yea, it
is now come, when ye shall be scattered every one from his
own, and shall leave me alone : and yet I am not alone
because the Father is with me," (speaking of his suffering
hour.) And yet when he was upon the cross, he says, Father,
" My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ?" How
diverse does he seem to be from himself: says he, I am not
alone, because the Father is with me. And yet when he
comes into the hour, My God, my God, why hast thou for-
saken me ? Oh, but I have suffered as much as ever any did,
I have suffered by the hand of my temptations, they have
been a continual torment to me, and I have suffered much
from them. Well, but have ye suffered more than Christ
suffered ? It is said in the text, " For in that he suffered
being tempted." What a mighty suffering was it, for the
glorious God of heaven and earth to have such temptations
thrown in upon him ; any one temptation to be lodged in his
mind, what a mighty suffering was this ! Thus you see how
Christ suffered.
And, beloved, He suffered and was tempted, that he might
. 1.] ON TEMPTATION. 101
succour you that are tempted. Will you question his love
then, because of your temptation or your own condition ? do
ye know what ye do ? Suppose that your Father should
leave you a great estate, and give you good evidences ; and
a cunning lawyer comes and writes upon the back side of
your evidence, Naught, naught : will ye because of that, join
with him and say, that your father hath given you nothing ?
Christ hath given you in a great estate of mercy, and hath
given you good evidences for it; and Satan now comes and
writes upon the back side of your evidence, and says, This is
naught. Will you join with him against God and Christ?
what wrong is this to his love : think of it, I pray, you that
are the saints and people of God : Be humbled under every
temptation, though it be never so small ; but never question
your condition, though your temptation be never so great.
There is indeed, something of a suifering, a malignant
quality, an affliction in every temptation when it takes least ;
and therefore, look how you would walk under an affliction,
so walk under your temptation. In your affliction, you will
walk humbly ; so under your temptation do. In your afflic-
tion, you will examine the cause, especially if your affliction
lie long upon you ; so in your temptation do. In your af-
fliction, you will seek God early ; so in the morning of your
temptation do. In the day of your affliction, you will engage
to God ; the day of affliction is the day of engaging, and you
say, Oh, if the Lord will deliver me, through his grace I will
do so and so : so in your temptation do. In your affliction,
you will take heed of those sins that you are most apt unto
in the time of affliction ; so do in the time of your tempta-
tion : for example thus : in affliction, a man is very apt to
be discouraged, to have his heart sink, and to die within him ;
so in temptation, take heed of that. In affliction, a man is
apt so to mind his present burden, as to forget all his for-
mer mercy ; so in the time of temptation take heed of that.
In the time of affliction, a man is very apt to be froward, and
impatient, to break out into frowardness and impatiency,
though he did not so before. As the wood that is laid upon
the fire, sends forth filth which you did not see in the wood
before it came upon the fire : so men are apt to send forth
filth, and much frowardness and impatiency in the time of
affliction, when you took them for good natured people
102 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 1.
before, and thought there was no such frowardness in them,
and no such impatiency ; so in the time of temptation, also,
take heed of that. In the time of affliction, men are apt to
make an evil construction and interpretation of things ; afflic-
tion raises passion, and passion puts other colours upon
things than formerly : and so in time of temptation, we are
apt to make strange constructions of God's dealings, and
Christ's dealings with us ; take heed of that. In time of af-
fliction, men are apt to change their behaviour ; David did
so, he let fall his spittle upon his beard, and feigned himself
mad; he changed his behaviour: and so are men apt to
change their behaviour in times of temptation ; take heed of
that. In time of affliction, men are apt to stint and limit
God, and say, Can God provide a table now ? and can God
deliver now ? and so also in the time of temptation, men are
apt to say, Can God provide now? and can God deliver
now ? and so stint and limit the Holy One of Israel ; take
heed of that. In the day of affliction a gracious heart does
rather rejoice that he hath any opportunity to exercise his
grace, than mourn for his present burden : so do you now.
In the day of affliction, a gracious heart doth more desire to
be cleansed than to be delivered; wishes rather that his
heart may be sanctified by his affliction, than that his afflic-
tion may be removed. There is something of a suffering (ye
have heard) in every temptation : now then, does a tempta-
tion arise and press in upon you ; go to the Lord, and say,
Lord, though I meet with hard things from the hand of my
temptations, and these temptations have lain long upon me :
yet I do rather choose grace than peace ; rather to be clean-
sed, than to be delivered. Oh ! my beloved, how well it
might be with us, if we did but improve our temptations :
what a gaining day, what a learning day might the day of
temptation be ; yea, what an harvest day unto us, when
Satan desires to winnow us.
But you will say unto me, We are greatly unskilled in this
matter; temptations I have, and great temptations, wherever
I go, in every business : but oh, how should I so order things
and manage my thoughts, and my heart, as that I may be
able so to walk under these temptations, that I may have
peace and comfort in the latter end ?
Beloved, the next point tells us, that Jesus Christ is a
SER. 1.] ON TEMPTATION. 103
succouring Christ to all his tempted people : and I intend,
God willing, to show you how Christ succours, and how we
should draw succour from him under temptations. But for
the present, give me leave to give you some rules and direc-
tions against these suffering temptations, and so I will wind
up all.
First, Take heed that you do not yield to anything, that
you may be rid of; that you do not yield to any part of the
temptation, that you may be delivered from. It is more easy
to keep the enemy out of the town, than to get him out when
he is come into it ; if he get into the town, and get into the
market-place, it will be a more hard thing to get him out
again. It is an easy thing to keep a stone on the top of an
hill while it lies there ; but when it once begins to roll down,
it is a hard thing to stay it, and you cannot say how far it
shall go. How many are there that say when they are
tempted, I will yield but once, I will yield but a little, and I
will never yield again, this is the last time : oh ! but your
once yielding, and your yielding but a little, engages your
heart to the whole work. You should watch and pray against
temptation ; " Watch and pray that ye enter not into temp-
tation :" he does not say, Watch and pray that you be not
tempted ; but watch and pray that ye enter not into tempta-
tion. It is one thing for temptation to knock at the door,
and another thing to come in : when temptation enters you,
you enter into temptation ; take heed of that.
Again, Take heed that you do not carry the sin and the
guilt of your old condition into a new condition. See your
call into a new condition, before you leave your old con-
dition. Never count yourself safe or secure in any condition ;
but as soon as ever you come into any condition, observe
what are the snares and temptations of that condition.
Some there are that carry the evil of their former condition
into an after condition, into a new condition ; and then, as
Rachel carrying away her father's idols, tempted Laban to
follow after.
Some again, they do not much mind their calling to a con-
dition, nor do not go in the strength of their call ; whereas
you shall observe, that when Peter was called to stand before
the princes and rulers, he did boldly profess Christ, because
his call did lead him thereunto ; but when he was not called
104 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 1.
into the high priest's hall then he falls before a tempting wench.
Others again there are, that think their condition will secure
them. Oh, says one, if I were but in such and such a con-
dition, then I should be safe and free from Satan's tempta-
tions ; whereas, several conditions, have several temptations,
and the devil does use sometimes to tempt a man to alter his
condition, so that by your very avoiding a temptation you
fall into it. Take heed of this.
Thirdly, If temptation do arise, observe the temptation ;
and know that there is some suitable disposition of your
own wherein the devil does lay that temptation, and labour
to file and pare off that disposition. Beloved, the devil ob-
serves the situation of our hearts, and accordingly does plant
his ordnance : he seldom tempts, but he lays his temptation
in our own disposition, something suitable unto the tempta-
tion. So when David had a mind to number the people,
then the devil stands up, and provokes him to number the
people, suitable to his own disposition. When our Lord and
Saviour Christ was an hungry, then he comes and tempts
him to turn stones into bread. When, again, he cried out
and said, " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ? "
then says the devil's instruments, If thou be the Son of God,
then come down and show thyself. He does usually lay his
temptation in our own disposition that is suitable to the
temptation. And therefore, I say, first observe the tempta-
tion, then know you have a disposition subservient thereunto,
and the devil lays his temptation in that disposition, and pre-
sently falls to work, and labours to file and pare off more and
more that disposition in Jesus Christ.
Fourthly, When a temptation arises, do not always stand
to answer it in the kind ; but sometimes turn your mind and
thoughts off it to another object. It is in our deliverance
from a temptation, as in our comforts under an affliction : a
man hath a great affliction upon him, possibly the death of
some friend that is near and dear unto him, and you go to
comfort him, and in comforting him, you fall a speaking of
his friend departed : whereas the way to comfort him, is not
to speak of the person departed, but fall into conference
about some other good thing different : and by that time his
heart is settled upon some other thing, then you may come
back again and speak of the friend departed without grieving
SER. 1.] ON TEMPTATION. 105
of him ; but otherwise, even in your comfort you fetch out
tears. And so I say in regard of temptation : the way to
avoid temptation is not always to apply a salve directly per-
tinent to the temptation j but turn off your mind and your
thoughts to some other good object, and by that time your
mind is settled upon other objects, you will be easily able to
meet with the temptation.
Fifthly, Above all things take the shield of faith. " Whom
resist, stedfast in the faith." " Simon, Simon," says our
Saviour, " Satan hath desired to have you, that he may win-
now you : but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail
not:" that must do it. That same woman that came to
Christ for her daughter, she met with great temptations :
there was the temptation of her calamity ; her daughter pos-
sessed : there was a temptation of Christ not answering, but
delaying her answer : there was a temptation of Christ's
seeming denial ; " I am not sent but to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel." There was a temptation
of her own un worthiness ; " It is not lawful to take the
children's bread and to cast it to dogs :" yet notwithstanding
she believes. Oh ! says our Saviour, (f Woman, great is thy
faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt." And so I say,
though your temptations be twisted one within another, and
one stands at the end of another ; do but get the prospect of
faith, and you will be able to look over all. When tempta-
tion, therefore, arises, say, Lord, though thou kill me, yet
will I trust in thee : and, Satan, though thou slayest me, I
will keep to Jesus Christ. It was the speech of Taulerus,
one that Luther prizeth above all : says he, Though the mari-
ners may make use of their oars in the time of calm ; yet
when a storm comes down, the mariners leave all and fly to
their anchor. So, though at other times we may make use
of resolutions, and vows, and the like ; yet when the storm
of temptation comes down, nothing then but fly to the an-
chor ot faith, nothing then like to casting of anchor into the
vail. And as if the Holy Ghost put all on this, he calls faith
our anchor ; and he calls faith our shield. All dangers are
either sea dangers or land dangers : if your dangers be sea
dangers, faith is your anchor ; and if your dangers be land
dangers, faith is your shield. And therefore, I say, when
temptation arises, labour then to exercise your faith, and say,
106 OX TEMPTATION. [SER. 1.
Oh, how should I do this thing, and sin against my Christ,
and sin against my God ? Satan, thou tellest me, All this
will I give thee, if thou wilt do this thing : Aye, but how shall
I do this and sin against Jesus Christ who hath loved me and
given himself for me ? Satan, thou tellest me, that if I do
yield, God is merciful, and God will pardon me: Yea, but
Satan, God hath pardoned me already, and therefore I will
not yield ; and because I know that the Lord would pardon
me if I did it, therefore I will not do it. Thus labour to ex-
ercise your faith in time of a temptation.
Sixthly, Be sure of this, When temptation arises, do not
fear too much, nor do not fear too little. I confess, it is an
hard thing to carry it equally between too much and too
little ; but, beloved, if you fear too much, you honour Satan,
you weaken yourselves : immoderate fear weakens. And if
you fear too little, then you grow secure ; security betrays
you, and so you lose all before you strike a stroke. Where-
fore this rule is : If temptation arise, do not fear too much,
though the temptation be never so great : do not fear too
little, though the temptation be never so small.
Seventhly, Art thou assaulted by temptation ? Either you
do overcome, or you are overcome : if you do overcome, be
thankful, lest you lose your former victory, by your after un-
thankfulness. And if you be overcome, yet do not lay down
the weapon, hold it up still, stand upon your guard. The
devil tempts that he may tempt ; and he is willing to be
overcome in the skirmish, that he may overcome you in
the battle ; and he brings up the greatest temptations in the
rear : as Job's afflictions were greatest at the last : yea, he
tempts us to break the law, and sin against the law, that he
may tempt us to sin against the gospel. This is the seventh
rule : If you be overcome, or be not overcome, walk thus.
Eightly and lastly, If temptation do arise ; he sure that
you make some improvement of it for the better. If an
enemy come and make an assault against one of your garri-
son towns, and he goes away and gets no hurt, he is encour-
aged and invited to come again ; for, says he, I lost nothing,
though I did not gain and carry the town, yet I lost nothing.
But now, if upon his assault he loses many men, and his ord-
nance ; I will come no more there, says he, for there I had
such and such a great loss. Thus it is with Satan when he
[SER. I. ON TEMPTATION. 107
comes before a soul with his temptations : There is a soul,
says he, I came before him with my temptations, and though
indeed I did not carry it, I did not get the thing I would, yet
I lost nothing, and therefore I will go again. But there is a
soul, and there is a heart ; I came before him with my temp-
tations, and I confess I lost much ; I tempted and he prayed,
and the more I tempted the more he prayed, and the more I
tempted still, the more he did go to Jesus Christ, and there-
fore I will tempt him no more. Beloved, labour to improve
your temptations ; go to God with your temptations in your
hands, and pray over your temptations: and if you
improve your temptations, you shall not be troubled
with Satan ; and therefore you are troubled with
Satan so much, because you improve your temptations no
more. Oh, how well might it be with us, if we did but im-
prove our temptations ! what a good day would this be ;
what a good day might be this sad day of our temptation, if
we did but improve our temptations. And I beseech you think
of it, how we may improve them more and more. You
know what our Saviour said concerning the false ground ; In
the time of temptation it fell away : let that awe our hearts.
You know what our Saviour says again by way of comfort
unto his disciples ; " You continued with me in my tempta-
tions, and therefore I appoint unto you a kingdom :" and
blessed are they that do continue and hold out this siege.
Beloved, these turning times are tempting times : and I think
I may truly say, if ever there was an hour of temptation upon
this kingdom, this is the hour of England's temptation, it is
an hour of temptation. Oh ! you that are the servants of
God, and the disciples of Jesus Christ, will ye not watch
with him one hour ? an hour of temptation it is ; but this is
our comfort, it is but an hour : and therefore you that are his
servants and disciples, will you not watch with him one
hour ? Watch and pray, watch and pray : some pray, but
they will not watch ; and some pretend to watch, but they
do not pray. Therefore that I say to you, to myself, and to
all is, Watch and pray : if you watch, you enter into your
master's joy; if you watch not, you enter into temptation:
Oh ! let us all watch and pray, that we enter not into temp-
tation.
108 ON TEMPTATION. [SBB. 2.
SERMON II.
" For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted" HEB. n. 18.
BY the word tempted in the first clause, relating to Christ,
we are to understand Satan's solicitations to evil (as ye have
read in the former sermon). By the word tempted in the
last clause, " He is able to succour them that are tempted,"
especially to understand those solicitations of Satan and our
own sins, by comparing the former verse with this. As if
the apostle should say : For in that our Lord and Saviour
Christ was tempted by Satan, solicited to what was evil ; he
is able to succour them that are both, either solicited to evil
or overcome thereby.
But how is it said here, He is able to succour them that
are tempted, in that he himself suffered being tempted ?
Was he not as God able to succour them that are tempted ?
Why then is it said, In that he suffered being tempted, he is
able to succour them that are tempted ?
There is an ability of sufficiency, and an ability of idoniety.
As God, indeed, he is able to succour those that are tempted :
but by being tempted in the flesh, he is able, that is, apt and
idonious to succour those that are tempted. There is an ab-
solute ability and a respective ability as he is High Priest.
As God indeed, he was able to succour them that are
tempted, though he had not been tempted : but he speaks of
Christ here as our High Priest ; and so by being tempted,
he is able to succour them in that way. There is, as I may
so speak, a scientifical ability, or an experimental ability.
As he was God, he was able in the first sense to succour, it
is true : but by being tempted, he is able experimentally to
succour them that are tempted.
It is an ability of disposition and compassion that here he
speaks of. And therefore in the vth chapter, speaking of
the same thing, he saith concerning the high priest, That he
can have compassion on the ignorant, and those that are out
of the way. So then, Christ by being tempted, is able to suc-
cour those that are tempted with an ability of idoniety, an
SER. 2.] ON TEMPTATION. 109
experimental ability ; with an ability of compassion and dis-
position, and gracious inclination. And so the observation
that lies before us is this :
The Lord Jesus Christ is a succouring Christ to tempted
souls.
In the former doctrine ye heard, That God suffers his own
servants and dearest children to be sorely tempted. Now this
doctrine holds forth the remedy : Jesus Christ is a succouring
Christ to tempted souls. As our hearts are full of sin, so his
heart is full of succour, he is a succouring Christ. His
names and titles speak him so. His nature speaks him so.
His offices, his doctrine, his life and conversation, his death
and sufferings call him a succouring Christ. I shall not run
through all these particulars. But because men are known
by their names, I will fix there a little : and we shall see
how all the names and titles of Christ call him a succouring
Christ.
If we search the Scriptures, we may observe, that the
names of Satan, of the deyil, carry malice with them, and
evil against them : And the names of Jesus Christ are con-
trary thereunto, as holding forth a succour against all that
evil that is in him who is the evil one.
Is the devil called Satan? that is, an adversary: Jesus
Christ is called our Friend. Is Satan called Diabolus ? the
accuser, or the accuser of the brethren : Jesus Christ is called
our Advocate. Is Satan called a destroyer ? Jesus Christ is
called our Saviour. Is Satan called a lion, that goes up and
down seeking whom he may devour ? Jesus Christ is called a
Lion of the tribe of Judah. Is Satan called a serpent and
old serpent? Jesus Christ is called the Brazen Serpent.
Still names of relief and succour answerable unto those
names of Satan.
We shall observe, that there is no evil in sin, but there is
somewhat in the name of Jesus Christ that speaks the con-
trary, contrary succour. Is sin called avo^m or a trans-
gression of the law ? Jesus Christ is called our Righteous-
ness : " The Lord our Righteousness." Is sin called folly ?
Jesus Christ is called Wisdom, "The Wisdom of the Father."
Is sin called an infirmity or weakness ? He is called the
Rock, and the Rock of Ages, and the Arm of the Lord. Is
sin called darkness ? He is called Light. Is sin called pol-
110 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 2.
lution or uncleanness ? His blood is the " Fountain opened
for sin and for uncleanness to wash in." Is sin called death ?
He is called Life. Is there ignorance in sin ? He is called
our Prophet in opposition to that. Is there disorder in sin ?
In opposition to that he is called our King to order. Is
there guilt in sin ? In opposition to that he is called our
Priest ; he is called our Propitiation in that place of John :
but in the iiird of the Romans, and the 25th verse, he is called
our Propitiatory, " Whom God hath set forth to be a propi-
tiation," so you read it, but rather, i\a^rjpior a propitiatory ;
the same Greek word that the Septuagint used for the Jews'
propitiatory : and in that he is our Propitiation or Propitia-
tory; this speaks him a succouring Christ.
Famous was the succour and relief that the Jews had from
their cities of refuge: and as if the Holy Ghost intended the
confirmation of this truth that is now before us, those He-
brew names that were given to the cities of refuge are given
to Christ. Is any of the cities of refuge called Kedesh ? sig-
nifying holy. He is called, Holy, holy, holy. Was another
city called Shechem ? signifying shoulder : Upon his shoul-
der is the government; and the lost sheep brought home
upon his shoulder. Is another city called Hebron ?
from society or fellowship : By him we have fellowship with
the Father. Is another called Golan ? signifying one revealed
or manifested : It is said of him, He was manifested in the
flesh. Is another city called Ramoth ? things exalted : Him
hath God exalted, and by him are all exalted. In the phrase
of the New Testament, he is called our Father, and our Bro-
ther, and our Friend, and our Shepherd ; a Hen, a Lamb, a
Door : there are none of all his names, but speak him full of
sweetness, and loving disposition, and succour unto poor
souls.
But that I may the better clear up this truth I shall deli-
ver myself these four ways.
First, That Jesus Christ is able to succour tempted souls.
Secondly, That he is willing to do it.
Thirdly, That he is faithful in doing of it.
Fourthly, How he doth it, in the day and time of their
temptation ; and so come to the application.
First, He is able to do it, he is able to succour them that
arc tempted. He is able (saith our apostle in that xviith of
2.] ON TEMPTATION. Ill
the Hebrews) to save those that come unto God by him, he
is able to save them to the uttermost : as Satan tempts to
the uttermost he is able to save to the uttermost. And as
they sin to the uttermost, he is able to save to the uttermost.
A man is said to be able to do all that which he hath a com-
mission, and power from God to do : the Lord Jesus Christ
in the iiird of the Romans and the 25th was set forth to be a
propitiation : " Whom God hath set forth to be a propitia-
tion." " He hath laid help upon one that is mighty :" and that
is Christ. Designed, and called he is to the office of the high
priest. The proper work of the high priest's office was to con-
dole with, relieve and succour the people against their sins ;
and the more eminent any high priest was, the more in this
work. In the xviith of the Hebrews, we find all along, how
abundantly he excels all the high priests that ever were.
As for other high priests, they did not take an oath when
they came into their office : but he swears. Other high
priests, had sins themselves to offer for : but he holy and
separate from sinners. Other high priests died, and did not
continue so for ever : but he " liveth for ever to make inter-
cession." Other high priests offered not themselves : but
he offered up himself. He was a king and a priest: they were
not. They indeed entered into the holy of holiest, but it was
earthy : he is gone into the holy of holiest and that is hea-
venly. They were but types of him, shadows : if a shadow
fall upon a dirty ground, it cannot make it dry : but the sun
can : and yet notwithstanding, these other high priests, the
apostle saith of them, " Being compassed about with infirmi-
ties; they could have compassion on those that are ig-
norant, and out of the way " they men of infirmities, sin-
ners ; they in the time of the law : how much more is Jesus
Christ able to succour, who is so transcendant an High Priest,
and excelling all others that ever went before him. I will
say nothing of the great power that he hath with the Father^
or in his own hands : the keys of hell and death. He is able
by conquest for to succour you that are tempted : he is able
by conquest for to raise the seige that is laid against our
souls ; he hath beaten through the enemy : as now, if a town
be beleaguered straitly, besieged by an enemy, and the
enemy abroad in the field, having an army in the field : if
any will come to raise the siege, they must fight through the
112 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 2.
army, they must beat through the army before they can raise
the siege. Never a tempted soul but is thus besieged with
temptation, closely begirt, and the devils were abroad in the
field, were masters of the field till Christ came : and no man,
nor angel was able to beat through : but Jesus Christ beat
up the quarters all along, beat through the enemy, cast out
devils all along, overcame. Paul by being tempted overcame
temptation. So by his dying he overcame death ; and by
taking our infirmities upon him, he overcame our infirmities;
and by being subject to the law, he overcame the law, and
the curse of the law : and so by being tempted, he overcame
temptation; and having beaten the enemy out of the field
he is now able to raise the siege ; he is absolutely able to raise
the siege, which none else is able to do : he is able to save to
the uttermost. We shall not need to stand long on this.
But you will say, secondly, We will grant Christ is able to
succour tempted souls : but is he willing ?
Yes, he is infinitely willing to succour poor tempted souls.
Our great succour lies in reconciliation with God the Father;
as by comparing these two verses together doth appear.
God the Father hath set him forth to be a propitiation : it
was the will of God the Father, that Jesus Christ should
come and make propitiation, it was his will. Now, look into
the xlth Psalm, and see what Christ saith concerning the
will of the Father ; verse the 7th. " Lo, I come : in the
volume of the book it is written of me : I delight to do thy
will, O my God : yea, thy law is within my heart :" some
books read it, " thy law is within my bowels :" thy law is
within my heart, it is in my desires. Yea, not only, saith he,
in my desires : but in the gospel we read it, with desiring
have I desired to eat this passover, before he suifered.
Desiring have I desired. And, saith he, " I have a baptism
to be baptized with, and I am straitened till it be accom-
plished :" I can have no rest till it be done, I am straitened
till it be accomplished. Yea, not only so : but, saith he,
here in this Psalm, " I delight to do thy will :" it is the will
of God he should make propitiation, and so succour : " I
delight to do thy will/' And in the viiith of the Proverbs:
" My delights are with the sons of men :" some read it, " All
my delight :" but it is in the plural number. When God
laid the foundations of the earth my delights were with the
[SER. 2. ox TEMPTATION. 113
sons of men. A high, and a great expression. Surely,
Jesus Christ cannot but he willing to succour tempted ones,
when his delights are with the sons of men.
Again, a man must needs be willing to do that which he
is willing to suffer much for, to be at much cost and pains
for. David was willing to build the temple, because he laid
out so much by way of preparation. And Araunah was wil-
ling to have a sacrifice, because he gave up his threshing
ftoor : it appeared he was willing. And now then Jesus
Christ is content to suffer so much that he may make a pro-
pitiation for sinners, and reconciliation with the Father and
so succour ; it argues that he is very willing.
Besides, a man is willing to have that done which he is
much troubled for if it be not done. You know when Christ
came to Jerusalem, he wept, says the text, and he wept : he
came a succouring, and they would not be succoured ; " How
often would I have gathered thee as a hen gathers her chick-
ens under her wings, and thou wouldest not." A hen is a
succouring creature : Christ came a succouring, came to
gather them as a hen. A hen sits upon the eggs, and hatch-
eth with the warmth of her body : So doth Christ do with
the warmth of his love. A hen sits until the feathers be off
her own body, makes her own body naked for to hatch up :
And so did Christ. When the chicken is hatched, she suc-
cours it, and covers it under her wings ; and when the chicken
can run abroad,- let the hen find but a grain of corn, she
clucks, and calls the chicken to her to have part of it : and
so did Christ. And when danger comes, the kite comes, she
calls the chicken under her wings again to succour it : So
does^ Christ. When he says thus, He came to gather them
as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, he came to
succour them, but they would not be succoured ; see how
he takes it : the text says " He wept," he was much troubled.
Wise men do not use to weep before company ; children will :
but those that are very wise, if they will weep, they weep in
private. Jesus Christ (that was the wisdom of the Father)
falls a weeping, and all because they would not be succoured.
Surely then, Jesus Christ is very willing to succour poor sin-
ners. And beloved, this was his love, and this was his com-
passion in the day of his infirmity : how great is it now in
the day of his glory !
114 OX TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 2.
Again, It argues that he is very willing to succour poor
tempted souls, because he was so willing to cure diseased
bodies ; when he was upon the earth he was willing to cure
them, so willing, as though it did cost a miracle, yet he
would do it. So willing, that though they did not know him
as he was, but thought him a prophet, yet he would do it.
So willing, as that though they did not desire it themselves,
but were brought by others, yet he would do it. So willing,
as that though they were unmannerly in their coming to him,
witness the pulling the tiles off the house, yet he would do
it. And that so willing, though much unbelief expressed by
those that were brought unto him, yet he would do it. I be-
seech you consider it : this was a work that Christ came into
the world to do ; this is the work, the work that Christ came
to do, it was to bind up broken hearts : the work that Christ
came to do, was to open the prison doors to poor captives :
" The Spirit of the Lord is upon me" (you know the place)
to administer a word in due season to those that are weak.
He hath given me the tongue of the learned to administer a
word in due season to those that are weak. Now then, if
Jesus Christ was so willing to do the other work which was
but his work by the by, which was not the work that he did
come about : how infinitely willing must he needs be to do
(he work that he did come about. But I say, to succour
poor tempted ones, this was the work that he came upon ;
heaven hath not altered him, he hath lost none of his love by
going thither : Surely therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ is in-
finitely willing to succour poor tempted souls.
Well, thirdly, But though he be able and willing, yet it
may be he is not faithful.
Yes, saith the former verse, faithful ; merciful and faithful
High Priest. Faithful in all his house as Moses was. What
honest man will break his word ? go contrary to his oath ?
He is sworn into this office of the High Priest. Yea, we
have not only his promise and his oath, but the Father's
bond for the Son's performance : " The seed of the woman
shall break the serpent's head ;" it shall bruise his heel, she
shall break his head. The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper
in his hand. This is the work that is in his hand, to succour
tempted ones : it shall prosper in his hand. In the viiith
chapter of Matthew, we read there at the 16th verse, that
SER. 2.] ON TEMPTATION. 115
he cast out spirits with his word, and healed all that were
sick : that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias
the prophet, saying, " Himself took our infirmities, and bare
our sicknesses." Because he took our infirmities, and bare
our sicknesses, he took himself to be engaged for to heal the
sicknesses and diseases among the people. Beloved ! he
hath taken our infirmities, he hath borne our sins, and there-
fore he takes himself engaged also for to heal our foul dis-
eases, to heal those temptations : he is very faithful.
Well, But suppose he is faithful, how doth he succour
those that are tempted in the day and time of their tempta-
tion ? (that is the fourth thing).
He succours before temptation: he succours in tempta-
tion : he succours after temptation.
Christ succours tempted souls before the temptation
comes, sometimes ; by a special manifestation of himself, his
love, and fulness to them. When Christ himself was to be
tempted, immediately before, the Father said from heaven,
" This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
And so when Christ sees that a soul is to go into temptation,
he speaks out from heaven, and says, This is my beloved
servant in whom I am well pleased.
Sometimes he succours before temptation, by laying in of
gospel principles and gospel dispositions in the heart. The
law is weak, says the apostle. As it is weak unto the point
of justification, the matter of justification ; so a legal dispo-
sition is weak as to the matter of resisting temptation : a
gospel disposition is able to bear it off. Christ foreseeing a
temptation, lays in such a disposition, and then when it
comes, Oh ! says the soul, how shall I be able to close with
all this love of the world, having received so many love-to-
kens from my dear Saviour.
Again, He succours before the temptation, by filling the
heart with the Holy Ghost. When the vessel is filled with
one liquor, it keeps out another. I will return to my house,
saith Satan, and I came and found it empty ; and so he en-
tered. The Lord, therefore, fills the house, the soul, with the
Holy Ghost, and so keeps Satan from entering.
He succours also under temptation, by opening the eyes
of him that is tempted to see that it is but a temptation. A
temptation is half cured, when a man knows that it is but a
I 2
116 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 2.
temptation : when a man's eyes are open to see the tempter
and the temptation. Therefore men are so hardly cured,
because they are hardly persuaded that it is a temptation ;
when they see that, then they say, Get thee behind me, Satan.
Christ opens their eyes.
Again, He succours under temptation, by letting fall some
glimpse of his love, some love-look upon a tempted soul.
And so, when Peter was in the high priest's hall, Christ looks
upon him, and he went out and wept bitterly. It was the
sweet voice of Christ that made Peter weep bitterly ; Peter's
tears came from Christ's eyes first; and though he were much
engaged, yet having a love-look from Christ, I will stay no
longer, and away he goes. And so, when a soul sees but
the gracious eye of Christ looking on him, he breaks off
from his temptation : thus he succours.
Again, he succours under temptation by temptation, even
from temptation. Beloved ! the devil seldom tempts with
one single temptation : as we seldom commit single sins, or
receive single mercies ; so the devil seldom tempts with a
single temptation. One may be laid in our natures, and the
other laid in our callings. Christ sees now, that one is given
to uncleanness or to pride ; and so he lets out Satan upon
him, to trouble him with blasphemous thoughts, and by the
afflictions of those blasphemous thoughts, they are kept
from pride, and from wantonness, and delighting in other sins.
He does succour from temptation ; I say, from temptation
by temptation (sometimes) by causing a word in the tempta-
tion to stand out, so as thereby to give the tempted man an
hint to Jesus Christ. So when Christ tempted and tried the
woman of Canaan ; It is not lawful to cast children's bread
before dogs. There stood out a word, that word dog ; she
lays hold on it; "Truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the
crumbs." Christ does so order the very temptations of
Satan, that some word or other in the very temptation does
so stand forth as to hint the soul again unto Jesus Christ.
Sometimes he succours under temptation : by throwing in
a promise, lotting the soul upon some promise ; which, as a
cable, keeps the heart fast in the time of a storm.
And sometimes he succours under temptation, again, by
weakening the temptation, and by keeping the heart and the
temptation asunder ; may be, by raising up some affliction :
. 2.] ON TEMPTATION. 117
woe to that soul when the heart and temptation meet, cor-
ruption and temptation meet. The Lord Christ, therefore,
sometimes is pleased to raise up an affliction between them,
that so these two wicked lovers may be kept asunder. Thus
under temptation.
After temptation he succours : by filling the heart with joy
unspeakable and full of glory. By sending the angels to
minister : as when the devil left Christ, had tempted him and
left him ; then came the angels and ministered to him.
Every way, before temptation, and in temptation, and after
temptation, the Lord Jesus Christ is a succouring Christ to
tempted souls : he is a succouring Christ. Beloved ! he was
a man of sorrows that he might be a God of succours ; his
heart it is full of succours.
I come to the application.
First, Whilst I stand upon this truth, methinks I hear a
solemn and gracious invitation to all poor tempted souls to
come unto Jesus Christ, to come for succour. There is none
of you all but labour under some temptation or other. Ye
have read that the Lord Christ is a succouring Christ : shall
I need to invite you to come unto him ? Ye have read how
able he is : and willing he is to succour. His heart is bent
to succour you ; his arms are open, his bosom is open, his
heart is open to poor tempted souls that they may receive
succour from him. Oh, therefore, you that are tempted,
come unto Jesus Christ that you may be succoured by him :
come unto Christ; come unto Christ alone.
You will say, But does he succour all that are tempted ?
why then are any damned ?
Some men will not come unto him : " Ye will not come
unto me that ye may have life." Some come unto him, but
make an half Christ of him : they will not come under great
temptations ; then they are afraid, and then they despair :
they will not come under small temptations : then they des-
pise : but for middling temptations, those they will come to
Christ for succour in ; and thus they make a half Christ of
him. Some come to him as to a Moses ; make a conditional
Christ of him : they must have their own preparations and
humiliations before they come unto him, or else they will not
come unto him. But, beloved, ye know what the apostle
says, in the viith of the Hebrews : " He is able to save unto
118 ON TEMPTATION. [SBR. 2.
the uttermost those that come to God by him." Those that
come to God by Him : if you come unto Him he will
succour.
But my temptation is an old temptation, an ancient temp-
tation ; I have gone under fears and temptations for many
years together, I may say, almost my whole life : and will
Jesus Christ succour such an one as I am ?
Pray what think you of the verse that goes before the
text? read it and consider it : the 14th and 15th verses:
" He himself took part of the same, that through death he
might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the
devil." And at the 15th verse : " Deliver them from Satan
that were all their life-time subject to bondage." That he
might deliver them from Satan that were all their life-time
subject to bondage : in fear of death, and all their life-time
subject to bondage.
Art thou, therefore, a man or woman that hath gone up
and down, all thy days, in fear of death, and fear of hell, and
been in bondage all thy life-time ? See, he came to deliver
such souls : such tempted souls as these are, Christ came to
deliver.
Oh ! but my temptation is not a bare temptation, there is
much affliction that is mixed withal: and will he deliver
those ?
Yes, you know how it was with Jacob : Jacob used indirect
means to get the blessing ; Esau's heart rose against him :
Jacob flies for it ; when he was in the field, in the night,
then Christ appears to him : a ladder, whose top was in hea-
ven (the Deity), the bottom on earth (the humanity), and
angels ascending and descending. All the while he was in
his father's house he never had this vision of Christ, but
now, when he lay in the open field, Christ appears for his
succour by his angels thus.
Oh, but my temptation is not such ; but my temptation is
mixed with much corruption ; I have a proud heart, an un-
clean heart, a froward heart : will the Lord Jesus Christ lay
such a wretched heart as mine is in his bosom ? Oh, will he
succour such a soul as I am ?
For answer to this, I pray consider these three things with
me : the Lord Jesus Christ is a succouring Christ ye have
read; and,
SER. 2.] ON TEMPTATION. 119
First, He will succour tempted sinners most when they are
most tempted. When the child is sick, and when the child
is most sick, then the mother comes forth and succours it,
then love sits upon the bed-side, then love lays the child in
her bosom. And, says he, in the Ixvith chapter of Isaiah,
and at the 13th verse, "As one whom his mother comforteth,
so will I comfort you."
Again, secondly, he will not only succour thus, but he
will succour you that are tempted, when you cannot succour
yourselves; when your own thoughts cannot succour you,
when your own thoughts dare not succour you, or when
your own thoughts trample upon your evidences, and when
your own thoughts shall make a mutiny in your hearts, and
set all on fire : " In the multitude of my thoughts thy word
comforts my soul." The Lord knows how to deliver in the
time of temptation, though you do not know; and when
you do not know it, then he knows, and then he will deliver
when you know not. Read again the same place, the 13th
verse of the Ixvith of Isaiah. " As one whom his mother
comforteth, so will I comfort you." Who are those ? says
he, at the 5th verse. " Hear the word of the Lord, ye that
tremble at his word, and you that are cast out by your
brethren : as one whom his mother comforteth, so will I
comfort you :" you that lie and tremble before the promise,
and dare not draw near unto it, as a mother comforteth, so
will I comfort you.
Thirdly, He will not only succour thus, but he will succour
poor tempted souls with a notwithstanding : notwithstanding
all their failings, notwithstanding all their infirmities. Jo-
seph, a type of Christ, his brethren sold him away, he en-
dured much misery. Afterward his brethren came to want,
and they go down to Egypt to him ; and when they came
there, Joseph succours them, notwithstanding all their
former unkindness : I am your brother Joseph, I am Joseph
your brother ; it is true you sold me, and thus and thus you
dealt by me ; but you are come for succour, and I will suc-
cour you with a notwithstanding. So says the Lord Jesus
Christ : Poor tempted soul, I know how thou hast dealt by
me, how thou hast sold me, how thou hast neglected me,
how thou hast crucified me ; but I will succour thee with a
120 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 2.
notwithstanding, notwithstanding all thy guilt and all thy
fear, I will succour thee with a notwithstanding.
Three great succours that the Jews had in the wilderness.
Succour from the rock, that gave out water ; succour against
their thirst. Succour from the manna that came down from
heaven ; succour against their hunger. Succour from the
brazen serpent; from the fiery serpents that stung them.
All these three were great types of Christ. " And the rock
was Christ," says the apostle. And says Christ himself, " I
am the bread," speaking of the manna. " And when I am
lifted up," speaking of the brazen serpent, alluding to it.
Now look into the story and you will find, God did not give
out these succours to them till they murmur ; in the xvth of
Exodus, there they murmur and murmur and murmur, and
then God opened the rock, and God gave them water not-
withstanding. And in the xvith of Exodus there he gives
them bread. And in the xviith there he opens the rock :
but first they murmured ; the Lord gave them these succours
with a notwithstanding. The thing that I mean is this :
Will the Lord give them a typical Christ for their succour,
with a notwithstanding, and will he not give poor tempted
souls a real Christ with a notwithstanding ? notwithstanding
all, if they do come unto him, if tempted souls do but come
unto him ? Oh, what a mighty encouragement is here unto
all poor tempted souls to come unto Jesus Christ ? Oh you,
come unto Jesus Christ, you that never came unto Jesus
Christ, come unto Jesus Christ, you shall find him a suc-
couring Christ.
Secondly, If this doctrine be true, what ground of strong
consolation is here unto all the saints ? Oh, you that are
the servants of God, children of God ; you that are saints,
will you ever doubt of Christ's love again ? will you ever
suffer your hearts to lie under the pressure of despondent
fears again ? Doubting arising from ignorance, mistakes of
Christ ; we put Esau's clothes upon him ; we make him an
angel of darkness and then we fear him. Ye do not look
upon him as a succouring Christ, and therefore you are so
full of doubtings ; or if you do, you do not actuate your con-
siderations and your notions on him.
Beloved ! Either there is a truth in this doctrine ; or else
there is not. If there be not, what mean all the proofs that
[SER. 2. ON TEMPTATION. 121
ye have had ? And if there be a truth, if the Lord Jesus
Christ be a succouring Christ to tempted souls ; why then
should you not triumph in him ? and say, Well nothing shall
separate me from the love of God in Jesus Christ : I am
persuaded, " I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is
in Christ Jesus our Lord." Thus Paul reasoned in the viiith
of the Romans. And I pray mark it ; " Who then shall
separate us ? (says he at the 35th verse) shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
sword ? Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors,
through him that loved us. I am persuaded, that neither
death, nor life," &c. Whence did arise this persuasion ?
(at the 23rd verse) " Who shall lay any thing to the charge
of God's elect ? it is God that justifieth." Mark, he does
not say, It is God that justifies me; but only in the general,
" It is God that justifieth : who is he that condemneth ? it
is Christ that died." He does not say, It is Christ that died
for me ; but it is Christ that died.
You will say, Aye indeed, if I could say, That God justifies
me ; and Christ died for me ; then I would say with Paul,
that nothing shall separate.
Paul raises this persuasion thus ; it is God that justifies,
and it is Christ that died.
Aye, but was there any temptation, in any of all these that
Paul speaks on ?
Yes sure : why does he say else, " That in all these things
we are more than conquerors ?" There is an adversary's
power in this. And what think you when he says, " That
neither life nor death, nor angels, nor principalities and
powers ?" Does not the devil come in there, under prin-
cipalities and powers ? Neither does he say thus ; I will
hope well now, that because Christ dies, and it is God that
justifies ; I will hope well : No, but " I am persuaded, none
of all these shall separate me from the love of God in
Christ." Though I have feared, I will fear no more. Thus
he makes his triumph. Oh ! what strong consolation is here
to all the saints ? You that are the tempted saints of God,
do not your hearts burn, and glow within you with love to
122 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 2.
Jesus Christ ? and will you question his love to you ? Did
Christ come and succour you ? and will you not succour
yourselves ? Is his heart full of succour toward you ? and
will not you own it ? The Lord rebuke our unbelief.
Thirdly, If Jesus Christ be a succouring Christ : then let
us be succouring Christians. Shall the Lord Jesus Christ
take a poor tempted soul into his arms ? and shall I thrust
him away with my hand? shall the Lord Christ take him
into his bosom ? and must I thrust him out of .the city, and
the place where he dwelt? Shall the Lord Jesus Christ
carry a poor tempted soul upon his shoulder, by way of suc-
cour ? and shall I carry him upon my shoulder as a burden ?
It was Christ's command : " See that ye love one another, as
I have loved you." And how did Christ love us ? " He loved
us, and gave himself for us :" he loved us, and was made in
the form of a servant, took our infirmities upon him : he
loved us, and was tempted for us, suffered being tempted :
and shall not I be willing to succour those that are tempted ?
You look upon another man's opinion, or his practice, or his
froward disposition, and you are offended at it, whom other-
wise you would love, and do account godly : but how do you
know whether that be not his temptation ? that his disposi-
tion, and opinion, and practice ; how do you know whether
that be not his temptation that he lies under ? and will not
you succour him ? Oh ! my beloved, how contrary are our
dispositions to Christ's ? Christ came from heaven to suc-
cour those that are tempted : and we call for fire from hea-
ven against those that are tempted. Christ would bear with
much smoke, for a little fire : and we will quench a great deal
of fire because of a little smoke. Oh ! therefore, as you de-
sire to be like unto Jesus Christ, succour the saints : and if
there be any thing in their life that does offend you, say,
with yourselves ; Aye, but maybe it is a temptation that such
a man lies under; and Christ came to succour those that are
tempted, why should not I ?
Fourthly, If the Lord Jesus Christ be a succouring Christ,
then, why should we yield unto our sins and to our tempta-
tions ? Though the siege be strait, and violent, and fierce, if
a city be blocked up, be beleaguered ; if it have but hopes
that succour and relief will come, it will hold it out ; and if it
know for certain that succour will come, it will hold out unto
SER. 2.] ON TEMPTATION. 123
great extremity. There is never a temptation, but you are
beleaguered by it : and when your temptation is about you,
say, O my soul, be quiet, yield not ; the Lord Jesus Christ is
a succouring Christ, and succour will come, and therefore
hold it out. Shall the Lord Jesus Christ, shall he succour
me against my temptations with his bosom ? and shall I take
my sins and temptations into mine own bosom ? Shall he
come to succour me against my sins ? and shall I succour my
sins that he comes against ? What a mighty argument is
here to keep us from all our sins, and from yielding to our
temptations. Jesus Christ is a succouring Christ to tempted
souls.
In the fifth place, If there be a truth in this, Christ is a suc-
couring Christ ; Let us all labour to answer Christ. Beloved,,
it is the duty and the property of the people of God, to ob-
serve what God is doing upon their hearts, and to help on
that work. If Jesus Christ be succouring of any of your
souls against your temptations ; Oh ! help it on, help on the
work ; it is your duty for to help it on, and to answer him.
But you will say, Christ succours before temptation ; and
he succours under temptation ; and he succours after temp-
tation : how shall I answer this ? how shall I help his work
on ?
Give me leave to give an answer unto this question, and
so I will wind up all. Does the Lord Jesus Christ succour
before temptation ? Observe his succours, and lay them up
in your hearts against a rainy day : gird your sword upon
your thigh, it may not be to seek when the enemy comes j
have it in readiness. You do not lay the plaster on upon
the wrist for the ague, when the ague is on, but before it
comes. Observe what those tokens of love are that Jesus
Christ does throw into your bosom before a temptation
comes, and lay them up carefully there.
And, beloved in the Lord, labour to keep the sense of his
love warm upon your hearts. Look as it is with water in
winter ; so with your hearts in this respect : so long as the
fire is under the water, and the water is hot, it freezes not ;
but when the heat goes off, and the water is cold, then ice
comes upon it. And so long as your heart is kept up in the
sense of Christ's love, and warm with Christ's love ; so long
the ice comes not, the temptation comes not. The slumber
124 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 2.
of grace is a preparation to sin and a preparation to tempta-
tion. When once our hearts grow cold, and grow remiss ;
then way is made to temptation : and therefore if you would
answer Jesus Christ, Oh ! labour to keep the sense of his
love still upon your hearts.
And when the temptation is come, then look upon Jesus
Christ. No temptation so violent or fierce, but a thought
may steal out, and get a look upon Jesus Chrsst. The sight
of Christ on the cross, is a judge upon the bench against all
temptations. The consideration of three things keeps one
from the power of temptation : the worth of a soul ; the hei-
nousness of sin; and the love of Christ. And you see all
these in Christ upon the cross. When temptation comes,
stand and look upon him. You know, that when the Israelites
were stung, they were then to look upon the brazen serpent,
and by their very looking upon it, they were cured thereby.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our brazen serpent, lift up upon gos-
pel poles, having more excellency than any brazen serpent.
This was but a piece of brass ; he is the God of glory. That
for a time ; he is our High Priest, and lives for ever. That
for the Jews only ; but he for Jew and Gentile. That for
those that could see, and if any poor blind man was stung, it
was a case, what should become of the blind man, how should
he look upon the brazen serpent ? how should he be cured ?
but this our brazen serpent is able to give you an eye. Be-
loved, this ordinance is still on foot spiritually. And therefore
Christ says by the prophet Isaiah, " Look unto me from all
the ends of the earth, and be saved." Oh ! when a tempta-
tion comes, poor tempted soul, address thyself to the Lord
Jesus, stand wishly looking upon him.
And then, give thy soul over into the hands of Christ all
thou canst : put thyself out of thine own hands. So long
as the plank, or the board swims in the stream, in the midst
of the water, you may draw it along with a little thread ;
but if once it comes towards the bank, towards the shore,
and touches upon the ground, then you can hardly draw it.
So long as your temptation is in the stream of Christ's love,
and of his blood, you may draw it along the more easily :
but if once it come to touch upon your own shore, oh then
you draw hard. Whensoever, therefore, a temptation arises,
go unto Jesus Christ, and say, O Lord, I have no strength
SER. 2.] ON TEMPTATION. 125
to stand against this great enemy : I confess it is my duty to
resist this temptation, but it is thy promise to succour me
under this temptation, and therefore I put myself upon thee.
And then, rest upon Christ. As I used to say, Your very
resting upon him makes him your's; your resting on his
strength makes it yours; and your resting on his succour
makes that yours.
And if the Lord command you to the use of any means,
do not rest upon any because they are great, or despise any
because they are small. You do observe that the great vic-
tories among the, Jews, they were obtained by the weakest
means ; and by the blowing of ram's horns, walls fell down.
Those were but types of those spiritual victories under the
God seldom does wound the head of a temptation, but
first the heel (the means) is bruised, whereby the head of the
temptation is wounded. As Christ's heel is bruised in his
wounding of Satan's head : so I say it is in regard of means :
seldom that any means do wound the head of a temptation,
but the very heel of that means is first bruised : and, there-
fore do not despise it though it be small.
And if it please the Lord to cast in any promise, when
you are under a temptation, oh, take heed that you do not
live upon the letter of the promise. I mean, do not live
upon the conveyance, but upon the land : and yet how many
do live upon the bare promise, bare letter of the promise.
When a temptation comes, pass from the temptation unto
the promise, and through the promise unto Jesus Christ, and
learn to live upon the thing promised, and not the letter of
the promise.
After temptation is over, (I can but touch on things,)
either you have the better of Satan, or else the worse. If
you have the worse ; be for ever humbled, but never discou-
raged. And if you have the better of him ; then rejoice in
the Lord, and in all his goodness toward you, and in all his
succouring love and mercy. " Rejoice in the Lord evermore,
and again I say, Rejoice." "As one whom his mother com-
forteth, so will I comfort you." And then it follows, " They
shall rejoice : your hearts shall rejoice." But take heed that
your spiritual joy, after victory, does not degenerate into
carnal joy, and you be drunk therewith. It is reported of
126 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 2.
the English, that once going into Spain, and taking in a town
there ; after they had taken it, there being much wine in the
town, the soldiers fell a drinking of themselves drunk ; and
the country came down upon them, and beat them out, and
recovered the town again. So it is with many : they have
victory over temptation, and they begin to rejoice spiritually;
but their spiritual joy degenerates into carnal joy, and they
are drunk with their joy, and so lose their victory. Beloved,
joy not in your joy, but in the God of your joy, after victory.
And if you have the better after temptation, if you have
the better : be sure of this, that you improve your victory to
more assurance. If the devil get the better of you, he will
be sure to improve his victory to your despair : I say, If he
get the better of you, he will be sure to improve his victory
to your despair. Therefore, if you get the better of him, be
sure that you improve your victory to more assurance of
God's love in Christ.
Yea, my beloved, for aught I know there is no temptation
that a child of God meets withal, but he may improve it to
more assurance. As thus :
Surely, if I were the devil's own, he would never trouble
me thus. When the strong man keeps the house, all is at
peace, and all is at quiet. Now ever since, from the very
first day that I have set my face towards heaven and Christ;
oh how have I been troubled, and tempted, and perplexed,
and vexed in my spirit ! Surely, therefore, I am none of the
devil's. Now if I had been his own, I should have been
more quiet under him : but because I am thus troubled, I
hope in the Lord I am none of the devil's, I am the child of
God. Thus a man may improve.
And, oh, what a good thing were it, if we did make im-
provement of our temptations ! what gracious improvement
might we make of all our temptations ; and what a blessed
issue might we have in our temptations, if we did go unto
Christ for succour !
I beseech you, therefore, in the Lord, when as any temp-
tation arises, go unto Jesus Christ, he is a succouring Christ.
He hath national succours ; and he hath family succours ;
and he hath personal succours : you have national tempta-
tions ; and you have family temptations ; and you have per-
SER. 3.] ON TEMPTATION. 127
sonal temptations, soul temptations, temptations when you
are alone. Therefore go unto Christ for succour.
To conclude : I beseech you, beloved in the Lord, go to
Christ and try him ; put him to it : the greater your tempta-
tion is, the more fit work for Christ to cure : do not despair ;
do not sit down ; go to Jesus Christ, you shall find him
better than I have spoken, you shall not find him worse ; he
will go beyond my words, he will not fall short of my words.
As the devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he
may devour : so Jesus Christ, in the gospel, goes up and
down with his succour, seeking whom he may succour. Go
to him for succour : and the God of peace, even Jesus Christ
himself, tread down Satan under our feet shortly.
SERMON III.
"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired
to have you that he may sift you as wheat ; but I have prayed for thee
that thy faith fail not." LUKB xxn. 31, 32.
AFTER our greatest enjoyments of God, usually follow the
greatest temptations of Satan. And therefore our Saviour
speaks these words unto his disciples. In the 19th verse of
this chapter, we find them at the Lord's Supper with Christ
himself; "This is my body which is given for you; this do
in remembrance of me." Having received the supper with
Christ himself, and having had sweet communion with him
there, our Saviour gives them out a most gracious and bles-
sed promise, at the 28th, 29th, and 30th verses, "Ye are they
which have continued with me in my temptations, and I ap-
point to you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto
me ; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom,
and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
Having said thus unto them, he comes in the very next
words to acquaint them with a great temptation that was
coming down upon them all : and therefore these words are
knit together with the former by the word and ; " And the
Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired."
Though you have had this communion with me ; and though
1 have made you this gracious and blessed promise, know,
128 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 3.
that there is a great storm of temptation coming down upon
you.
Here are two things : the danger of the temptation ; and
the remedy against it. The danger in the 31st, and the re-
medy in the 32nd verse. In the 31st verse, we have for con-
sideration, the tempter, called Satan, which signifies an ad-
versary. The tempted ; and those are, not Simon only, but
all the disciples. Satan hath desired you : it is in the plu-
ral number : he directs his speech unto Simon, but the temp-
tation spreads larger upon all the disciples ; " That he may
sift you."
The manner of the temptation, in two expressions : Satan
hath desired you : according to the original word, Satan hath
challenged you into the field; as one man does another: and
hath desired you, that he may sift you as wheat, and leave
you nothing but chaff. Plainly then here is this observa-
tion.
The Lord Jesus Christ does give leave sometimes unto
Satan, to tempt and winnow his own and best disciples ;
Christ's own, and best disciples are exposed to Satan's temp-
ting, and winnowings : not Peter only, but James and John
and all the beloved disciples of Jesus Christ were exposed
here unto Satan's winnowings. He hath desired you, in the
plural number, not thee Peter only, but you all my disciples,
that he may sift you as wheat.
For the clearing and making out of this truth, I shall la-
bour to discover.
First, What great power Satan hath to tempt, molest, and
annoy the children of men.
Secondly, That he puts forth this power especially upon
the saints, Christ's own and best disciples.
Thirdly, How he comes by this power, and why God
the Father gives him this leave. And so to the applica-
tion.
First, if ye ask me, What power Satan hath to infest,
molest, and thus to tempt the children of men ?
I answer, First, ye know that Satan is an angel still ; and
being an angel, he is a superior creature to man, and there-
fore, according to the rank of creation, he hath a great deal of
power over man. Man hath a great power over the beasts,
for man is a superior. The beasts have a great deal of power
SER. 3.] ON TEMPTATION. 129
over the herbs and the grass, for the beast is the superior.
The angels by creation are superior to man ; Satan, though
fallen, is an angel still : according to the rank of creation,
therefore he must needs have a mighty power over the chil-
dren of men.
Secondly, He is not only a superior creature, but also a more
spiritual creature than man, he is a spirit : and upon that
account, he is more able to come within man, to close with a
man's soul and spirit : being spirit himself, he is more able
to converse with, to close and get within our souls and
spirits.
Thirdly, He is able to suggest unto man whatsoever he
pleases, and to cast in a thousand sinful objects into a man's
mind one after another.
Yea, fourthly, and being so well experienced, having stu-
died man for many thousand years : having gotten in all these
years so much tempting skill and policy, he is able to discern
what that bait is that will take soonest with the children of
men, according to their natures, constitutions, complexions,
ages, sexes, &c.
Fifthly, He is not only able to present and suggest, but he
is also able to follow his suggestions. It is said, " That he
stood up, and provoked David to number the people :" he
did not only present that evil unto David, but he did solicit :
he provoked David to number the people, says the text.
Sixthly, he is not only able thus, but he is able, also, to
bemire the fancy, to raise storms in that lower region : a
man's soul, ye know, it works by organs, it works by the
body, and by the fancy : now Satan being able to disturb the
fancy of a man, is thereby able, also, to hinder the very ope-
ration of the soul.
Seventhly, He is able to hold down a man's mind unto
that particular thing, and to cut off all relief to the soul ; so
to besiege it, that unless relief come immediately from hea-
ven, he is able to bow down a man's mind, and to hold it
down unto that particular.
Lastly, Satan hath so great a power, that the same words
that are given unto God, and unto the Holy Ghost, for good,
in Scripture, are given, also, unto Satan for evil. The Holy
Ghost is said to enlighten a man : Satan is said for to blind
him : " The God of this world hath blinded their eyes,"
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130 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 3.
says the apostle. The Spirit is said " to rule in us ;" Satan
is said to " rule in the children of disobedience." The Holy
Ghost is said " to work in us mightily ;" the same word is
used for him also. The Holy Ghost is said to fill the hearts
of believers ; " They were filled with the Holy Ghost :" so
are men's hearts said to be filled with Satan ; says Peter to
Ananias, " Why hath Satan filled thine heart ?" Indeed, there
are three things especially wherein he does fall short : for
though Satan is able to discern what temptations would take
best with a man, yet he does not know man's thoughts, for God
only is the knower of one's thoughts ; that is God's prero-
gative. And though Satan may work very effectually in the
children of disobedience, yet, notwithstanding, he does not
work with an almighty power. When the Lord converts a
man, he puts forth an almighty power in man's conversion.
" The same power," says the apostle, " that raised up Christ
from the dead, makes ye to believe." The devil is magnipo-
tent, says Luther, but not omnipotent : the devil may be very
powerful, but he is not almighty : neither does he put forth
an almighty power in his temptations, as God does in the
conversion of a sinner. And though he may suggest, and
provoke unto what is evil, he cannot force or determine any
man to evil. And therefore says the apostle Peter, " Why
hath Satan filled thine heart?" He asked Ananias that
question, because Satan, though he did fill his heart, he could
not have forced, or determined him without his own will there-
unto. But very powerful Satan is. In the vith chapter of
the Ephesians, you shall see the apostle speaks thus much
unto you there, at the 12th verse : " For we wrestle not
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places." He speaks
concerning Satan, as you see in the former verse : " Put on
the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil, for we wrestle not against flesh
and blood," &c. It is something for a man to have all the
world against him, to have all mankind against him : if all
mankind should be against one man, you would say, There
were a great strength ; but behold more than that, here is
something more than flesh and blood that every man does
wrestle against : " For we wrestle not against flesh and
SER. 3.] ON TEMPTATION. 131
blood :" all mankind is but flesh and blood, and so there
is a weakness ; but we wrestle not against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, for authority ; and against
powers, for strength ; and against the rulers of the darkness
of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Oh, what a mighty power then hath Satan to infest, molest,
and to tempt the children of men.
Whether does Satan put forth this power, and exercise this
his tempting power upon the saints and children of God ?
Yes, for they are the saints that the apostle speaks of here,
in that to the Ephesians : " For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood." You that are Ephesians, and you that are
saints, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities and powers. Properly, ye do not wrestle with
a man that is down ; ye wrestle with a man for to throw him
down ; but he must be a standing man that ye wrestle with-
al : ye do not wrestle with one that does run away, but one
that stands to it. Now all wicked men, they are down, but
the saints, they stand, and they labour to throw Satan down,
and Satan labours to lay them all along in unbelief: but they
properly do wrestle with Satan, for they stand, the other are
fallen already.
Yea, the saints are not only tempted by Satan ; but the
best, and the most beloved disciples of Jesus Christ. In the
Old Testament; who more beloved than David and Job ? yet
they were tempted. In the New Testament ; who more be-
loved than Peter and Paul ? One of the circumcision, and
the other of the uncircumcision and apostleship, and yet both
had special temptations.
Yea, it is possible for one of God's own children to be so
far oppressed with Satan, that he may eren be weary of his
life. In the xth chapter of Job, and the 2nd verse, says Job
under his great temptations, " My soul is weary of my life."
And if Rebekah were weary of her life because of the child-
ren of Heth ; much more may a poor gracious soul be weary
of his life, by reason of these children of darkness, these
powers of darkness, these temptations of Satan.
But you will say, Why should Satan lie so heavy upon
God's own children and people ? for he may know, that they
shall be saved do he what he can. Satan had heard our Saviour
Christ say to Peter, The gates of hell shall not prevail against
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132 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 3.
thee ; and yet now Satan tempts : if Satan know this, why
should he follow God's children, yea, the best of his children
so sorely with sad temptations ?
First, Satan is the envious man we read of in Scripture ;
and when he hears the Lord owning and honouring of his
children, then does his envy work, and rise : and when he
hears any of God's children triumphing by faith, and making
boast of the love of God, then does his malice kindle into a
flame ; Shall such a one go to heaven, and shall I be damned,
says he, shall such a one be received, and shall I be cast
away for ever ? These are the boilings of this envious man's
heart against the children of the Most High.
But, secondly, there is this great reason for it. Satan
knows, that if he can but make God's people and the best of
his children fall ; though they should not be damned, but
pardoned, that their fall may be stumbling blocks unto others
that may be damned. And therefore, I pray, mark how it is
carried concerning David : it is said in the 1 Chronicles xxist
chapter, and the 1st verse, "That Satan stood up against
Israel to provoke David to number Israel." It is not said
thus ; And Satan stood up against David, and provoked Da-
vid to number the people : no, but thus, And Satan stood up
against Israel, and provoked David to number the people : he
stood up against Israel ; Why ? because he knew, that if he
did make David thus to number the people, it would be a
stumbling for all Israel, and all Israel should fare the worse
by it. When Satan stands up and tempts the master of a
family unto sin, he does not barely stand up against him ; but
in tempting him, he stands up against all the family. When
Satan tempts a religious holy man, a beloved disciple of
Christ in a town, Satan stands up against all the town in
tempting that one man. He stood up against Israel, and
tempted David to number the people: and so when he
tempts those that are the most beloved disciples of Christ, he
stands up against others ; and therefore, though Satan knows
that their sins shall be pardoned, yet he does follow them
with sad and sore temptations.
Thirdly, Satan loves to divide between friends ; he is the
great make-bare of the world, he loves to divide. He may
know, that there is so much goodness between man and wife,
that he shall never part them ; and yet he will labour to sow
SER. 3.] ox TEMPTATION. 133
discord among them, that they may live uncomfortably.
And so, though he knows he shall never part Christ and a
poor believer; yet he will labour to throw jealousies into the
heart of a believer concerning the love of Christ. He knew
well enough what was said concerning our Saviour Christ ;
what was said by the angels at the birth of Christ ; what was
said by the angel to Mary, what was said by Elizabeth ; he
heard what was said from heaven, " This is my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased :" and yet presently he comes to
Christ with an if; "If thou be the Son of God :" labouring
to throw a jealousy into the heart of Christ, and to doubt of
his Sonship, even with God the Father. So I say, although
Satan should know that the Lord will pardon such or such a
man, yet he loves to make a division between God and the
soul, and to cast in jealousies between Christ and a believer.
As for others, says he, they are my own already, I shall not
need to break into that house, there is nothing but chaff lies
there ; but here is a godly man, and here is treasure ; and
therefore he does especially lay his battery against the saints,
and those that are the most beloved disciples of Jesus Christ.
But you will say unto me, How does Satan come by this
tempting power, this infesting and molesting power ?
Great is the power, as we have read already, that he hath,
as he is a superior creature : but Satan hath yet another
power, and that is the power of conquest ; for in Adam's fall,
Satan conquered the whole world, all mankind, they were
the devil's conquest upon the fall. When a man is converted
and turned to God, then he comes out of the kingdom of
Satan. But I say, upon the fall the devil made a conquest
upon all mankind, and so by conquest he hath a great power.
Satan hath leave from God the Father to tempt ; I do not
say that he hath a special leave for every temptation, not a
special commission or permission, or leave for every tempta-
tion ; but there is no great or extraordinary temptation that
does fall upon the children of God, but Satan hath a special
leave from God the Father for it. There was a special temp-
tation upon the country, in his running their herd of swine
into the sea, and he had leave for that before he did it.
There was a special temptation upon Ahab, in the lying spirit
of the prophets, and he had a special leave and permission
from God for that. There was a special temptation upon
134 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 3.
Job, and he had a leave for that. Here was a special temp-
tation coming down upon the disciples, and he had leave for
that. Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired you. He was fain
to ask leave, and he had leave for that. There is no extraor-
dinary or great temptation befals any of the children of God,
but Satan is fain to ask leave for it ; he hath a leave for it,
before he can come and tempt the soul.
But you will say then unto me, Why does God the Father
give Satan leave thus to tempt his own children and Christ's
own disciples ?
First, take it thus, Look whatsoever is the end and the
issue of any evil which befals the children of God, that was
the design of God the Father in suffering that evil to come
upon them. Now the end and issue of the saints' tempta-
tion is always good unto them ; and therefore God suffers
the temptations of his people, because he hath a design of
mercy and love upon them in these temptations. What was
the end and issue of Satan's tempting of Adam and Eve ?
They fell, and then the righteousness of Christ, and eternal
life thereby was brought in : this was the end and the issue
of it. Now God the Father had this design upon Satan's
temptation, all the while Satan was tempting of Adam : and
the Lord would never have suffered our heel to have been
bruised by Satan's temptation, but that he did intend to
break the head of Satan. It was a great temptation that of
David, when as Satan stood up and provoked him to number
the people : pray, what was the end and issue of that temp-
tation ? I shall only name the Scriptures : the 1 Chronicles,
the xxist chapter; and the xxiind chapter and the beginning
of it; and the 2 Chronicles, the iiird chapter, and 1st verse,
compared together you shall find this. First Satan tempts
David ; he numbers the people, the people being numbered,
a plague breaks forth ; the plague prevailing, David goes
and offers up a sacrifice at the threshing floor of Oman, and
there God told him the temple should be built. David had
a long time desired to know where the temple should be
built ; he says, he would give no rest unto himself, no sleep
unto his eye-lids, until he had found out a place for God :
you shall find, that David had this place discovered as the
issue of this temptation, this was the issue of it ; the devil
had as good have let David alone, he had as good have been
SER. 3.] ON TEMPTATION. 135
quiet, for David now had the end and the issue, attained unto
that that he never did attain unto before. So I say it is with
the people of God, the Lord never suffers his own children
to fall into any sin, but he does intend to wean them from
that sin that they do fall into even by the falling into it : the
Lord never suffers any of his own children to be tempted,
but he intends to break the back of that temptation, even by
their being tempted. This is the design of God the Father.
Oh ! what a glorious design of love and mercy is here upon
all the temptations of God's people !
But, secondly, God hath yet greater and higher designs :
The manifestation of his own power, of his own wisdom, of
his own faithfulness, of his own love and free grace.
The manifestation of his power. When Paul was tempted
and buffeted by Satan, the Lord said unto him, that his
" strength should be perfected in weakness :" in Paul's weak-
ness, God's strength should be perfected.
The manifestation of his wisdom. " The Lord knows how
to deliver the godly out of temptation," says the apostle.
The manifestation of his faithfulness. In the 1 Cor. x. 13,
" The Lord is faithful, and will not suffer you to be tempted
above what ye are able to bear."
The manifestation of his free love and grace. And there-
fore, when Paul was tempted and buffeted by Satan, and
prayed against his temptation, the Lord answered thus : " My
grace is sufficient for thee."
But in regard of the saints themselves : How should they
give a probate or testimony of their uprightness and sincerity,
their firm and fast cleaving to God, if they were never temp-
ted ? read for this purpose the xiiith chapter of Deuteron-
omy, and the 2nd and 3rd verses. Before Job was tempted,
Satan thought that Job had served God for a boon, for some-
thing : " Hast thou not seen my servant Job ?" says God ;
Aye, says Satan, but " Does Job serve God for nought ?" Job
is an hypocrite, all things go well with him ; Job is in a fair
and blessed outward condition, and Job was never tempted :
does Job serve God for nought? but now touch him, and let
me tempt him a little, and see if he does not blaspheme God
then : thus Satan then. And just thus is the language of the
devil now : Does such a man or woman serve God for nought ?
he is but an hypocrite, all things go well with him, he was
136 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 3.
never yet tempted : but, O Lord, let this man or woman
come under my hand, and let me tempt him a little, and see
if he does not blaspheme. Well, Satan, says God, Job is in
thine hand, only spare his life. And Satan did tempt him
and touch him ; and instead of blaspheming, behold, bles-
sing ; " The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away ; blessed
be his Name." Here now Job gave a testimony that he did
not serve God for something, that his heart was sincere and
upright. And so, when men can hold out, notwithstanding
all their temptations, they give a testimony of their upright-
ness and sincerity, and that their souls do cleave unto God in
truth. For these and many other reasons, the Lord doth suf-
fer his own best and dearest children to be tempted by Satan.
I come to the application.
If God doth suffer his own people and dearest children to
be exposed to Satan's temptings and winnowings ; Why
should any man then doubt of his childship, doubt of his own
everlasting condition, and say, that he is none of the child of
God because he is tempted ? Beloved, I have seen a sore
evil under the sun, a vanity even among the saints and peo-
ple of God : some doubting of the soundness of their condi-
tion and the love of God because they are not tempted ;
others doubt because they are tempted. One says, Oh ! I am
afraid I am none of the child of God, for I was never tempted ;
the children of God, they meet with temptations, but I was
never yet buffeted, and therefore I am none of God's child :
another, on the contrary ; I labour under these and these temp-
tations, and therefore, I fear that I am none of God's child :
yea, sometimes the same person thus : First, he does not ob-
serve his own heart, and says he, I fear I am none of God's
child, for I was never tempted. Afterward when he meets with
temptation, then he doubts again that he is not God's child
because he is tempted. Oh, what childish dealing is this
with God your Father !
But, my beloved in the Lord, if this be true, that the Lord
doth suffer his own, and best children, to be exposed to Sa-
tan's winnowings and temptings, then why shouldest thou
conclude that thou art not the child of God because thou art
tempted ? Oh, but I do not conclude, will some say, that I
am not the child of God ; I do not conclude that the Lord
does not love me because I am tempted, but because I meet
SER. 3.] ox TEMPTATION. 137
with such and such temptations. Tell me, did not David,
Job, Paul and Peter meet with such and such, and so great
temptations ? Yea, did not Christ himself meet with it ?
Oh, but my temptations are such as would make one's hair
stand upright on one's head to think of them ; sometimes
tempted even to lay violent hands upon myself. What think
ye of Christ ? when Satan spake unto him, and tempted him
to throw himself down off the pinnacle of the temple. Oh,
but I am tempted with such temptations that I am ashamed
to name, and my heart aches and trembles when I do reflect
on them ; even with blasphemous thoughts. What think ye
of Christ ? was not he tempted to blasphemy ? says the devil
to him, " All this will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and
worship me :" what greater blasphemy than to worship the
devil ? to make a God of the devil himself, what greater
blasphemy ? Oh ! but I fear and doubt my condition, and
the love of God towards me, because my temptations are
not as the temptations of God's children ; but my tempta-
tions are such as cannot stand with grace, there is a spot,
that is not the spot of God's people : and are there not temp-
tations that are not the temptations of God's people ? have
not wicked men their peculiar temptations, such as does not
fall upon the children of God ? I am afraid that my temp-
tations are of that rank and of that sort, and therefore I fear
and doubt my condition. Mark I pray, this same word
temptation may be considered two ways j either in regard of
the formality or form of the temptation, or in regard of the
materiality or matter of the temptation.
Take now temptation according to the propriety of the
speech and phrase, and so wicked men are not said to be
tempted by Satan ; by their own hearts they are, but I speak
of Satan's temptations, properly the wicked are not said to
be tempted by Satan. He is said to rule in them, in the
children of disobedience ; and he is said to lead them captive
at his will : but if ye look into the New Testament, ye will
not ordinarily find, that wicked men are said to be tempted
by Satan. A man does not tempt his wife, but when he solicits
another woman, then he is said for to tempt that woman.
As the saints are married to Christ, so wicked men they are
matched to Satan ; and he is not in propriety of phrase said
for to tempt them. Your men-stealers, those that steal
138 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 3.
children, they do not tempt their own children for to go with
them, they naturally go with their father : but they come and
tempt your children, they are other folk's children that they
tempt. And so Satan, he is properly said to tempt those
that are none of his children. A master does not tempt
his servant, he is not said properly to tempt his own servant
to dwell with him, or to serve him : but he goes to another
man's servant, and speaks to him to come and dwell with
him, and to serve him. As for wicked men, they are properly
the servants of Satan ; and therefore when the devil solicits
them to do that which is evil, or to dwell with him, and to
converse with him, it is not I say in propriety of speech a
proper temptation : but for the servants of Christ, when he
solicits them unto evil, then he is properly said to tempt
them. This for the form of a temptation.
But now, take a temptation in the materiality of it, for the
matter of it, which is a solicitation to evil ; and so wicked
men are tempted by Satan ; yea, they more tempted than the
godly are, that is, they are more solicited unto evil by Sa-
tan ; and the same temptation that godly men are tempted
with, wicked men are tempted with : and the same tempta-
tion that wicked men are tempted with, a godly man is
tempted with. As there is no duty which a godly man does
perform, but a wicked man may do it, for the act, and yet
remain wicked : so there is no sin, which a wicked man falls
into, but a godly man may be tempted to it, and yet remain
godly.
But you will say unto me, This evil that is upon my heart,
is not the temptation of Satan, but indeed it is the corrup-
tion of mine own heart, and therefore I fear my condition.
Indeed, if I were sure that it were only the temptation of
Satan, I should never question God's love, nor mine own
condition because of it j but, oh ! I am afraid it is not a
temptation of Satan, but the corruption of mine own heart,
and therefore I fear all is not right with me.
I answer, first, this is no new thing for God's own people and
children, to charge all Satan's temptations upon their own
hearts, to lay all at their own door. Wicked men, they charge all
their own corruptions upon Satan's temptations, as if they were
not their own, but altogether Satan's : godly men, they
charge all Satan's temptations upon their own hearts, and
SER. 3.] ox TEMPTATION. 139
upon their own account, as if they were all their own and
nothing of Satan's ; this is no new thing. Adam and Eve,
when they were fallen, and had eaten the forbidden fruit, then
they were ungodly, in the state of nature presently upon the
fall before they believed in Christ : and, says Eve, " This
serpent gave me to eat ;" as if she should say, He hath done
it, it is all his work, it is Satan's work, and it is none of
mine ; being in her unregenerate state, she lays all upon the
devil, and frees herself, as if she had nothing to do with it.
On the other side, David was provoked by Satan to number
the people; yet notwithstanding, see what he says in the
2. Sam. xxivth chapter and the 10th verse. " And David's
heart smote him after that he had numbered the people ;
and David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that
I have done ; and now I beseech thee, O Lord, take away
the iniquity of thy servant, for I have done very foolishly."
He lays it all upon himself: he does not go now and say,
Satan hath provoked me to number the people, and it is Satan's
work and none of mine ; but he does charge it here upon
himself, as if Satan had no hand at all in it. I have done
foolishly, says he, and I have sinned, and forgive this great
iniquity. This is usual ; wicked men excuse their own corrup-
tions, by Satan's temptations : godly men aggravate Satan's
temptations by their own corruptions.
But, in the second place, although this be so, that it is
usual with the saints thus to do, to charge all upon them-
selves and nothing on Satan ; yet know, that the saints seldom
or never do fall into any great sin, but Satan hath a special
hand therein. I am not of Origen's mind, to lay all sin upon
Satan, not upon man ; but I say, there is no great sin that
any of God's children do fall into, but Satan hath a special
hand and a work therein. And, therefore, if ye look into the
New Testament, you will find, that the sins of the godly,
they are very often called temptations : in the first of Corin-
thians, the xth chapter, and the 13th verse, " There hath no
temptation taken you, but such as is common to man ; but
God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above
that which you are able, but will with the temptation, also,
make a way to escape. Wherefore (at the 14th verse), my
dearly beloved, fly from idolatry ;" as if that were tempta-
tion too. And so in that vith of Galatians, and 1st verse :
140 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 3.
" If any man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering
thyself, let thou also be tempted :" lest thou also fall into sin.
And so the apostle says unto the Thessalonians, in the first
epistle, the iiird chapter, and the 5th verse : u For this cause,
when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith,
lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our
labour be in vain. The meaning is, Lest you are fallen ; but
it is called temptation to them.
Thirdly, Although this be true, that there is no great sin
that the saints do fall into, but Satan hath a special hand in
it j yet it is the property and disposition of God's people to
be humbled and grieved under their temptations, as if they
were all their own and nothing of Satan's. Peter goes out
and weeps bitterly when he had fallen ; he might have said
thus : The Lord told me that there was a temptation coming,
Satan had desired to winnow me ; and now the word of the
Lord is fulfilled, Satan hath tempted me, and I am thus fal-
len : but not a word of Satan, but he goes out and weeps
bitterly, as if it were all his own work. And let me tell you,
for your comfort, when as you can mourn over your tempta-
tions, as if they were all your own, and nothing of Satan's,
the Lord will pardon them to you, as if they were all Satan's,
and nothing of your own.
In the fourth place, to speak a little of the difference be-
tween these, that ye may know the difference between the
temptations of Satan and the corruptions of your own heart.
When as your heart and your flesh trembles and quakes
under the first rising and motion of a sin, this is not your
own corruption alone, but there is a temptation with it.
When the corruptions of one's own heart do work up evil,
a man's heart is rather pleased and tickled with it, and con-
sents to it, than any way one's flesh lies trembling and quak-
ing under it. That temptation is not much to be feared,
when a man fears himself for his temptation. He is to be
feared most that does fear least : and he is to be feared least
that does fear most. A godly, gracious man or woman, is
humbled under nothing m^re than under his temptations ;
he looks upon his temptations, as the greatest afflictions in
all the world. As now, take that of blasphemous thoughts ;
suppose a poor soul troubled with such evil thoughts, such a
SER. 3.] ON TEMPTATION. 141
poor soul says, I do profess it in the sight of God, I never
met with such an affliction since I was born : I have lost
children ; oh, but that affliction is not like to this ! I have
lost friends ; oh, but that affliction is not like to this ! I have
lost my estate ; oh, but that affliction is not like to this !
Man or woman, if it be thy affliction it is not thy sin. And
I appeal to you now, you that say ye do not doubt of God's
love, ye do not fear your own condition, because of tempta-
tions only, but because ye are afraid they are the corruptions
of your own heart, and not the temptations of Satan ; I ap-
peal to you that say so ; Are ye not afraid in yourselves be-
cause of your temptations ? Do not ye look upon your
temptations as your greatest afflictions ? Nay, does not thy
flesh quake and tremble, sometimes, when a temptation
dashes, and beats in upon thy soul ? Does not thy very out-
ward man, sometimes, lie quaking and trembling before a
temptation ? Certainly this is not all the corruption of thine
own heart, here is the devil's hand, here is a temptation in it,
and, poor soul, thou mayest have some comfort yet; not-
withstanding the oppression is so great, yet here is comfort,
it is no other but what may stand with grace.
Oh ! but you will say, suppose it be all the temptation of
Satan, and not the corruption of mine own heart, yet it is a
great affliction, and what comfort can I have in this condition ?
What comfort ! Is it not much comfort to know that there
is nothing does befal you but what may befal a true child of
God ? Sometimes ye say thus : No man's condition is like
to mine ; did I but know that it is so with other of God's
children, then I should be satisfied. This doctrine tells thee,
that Christ's own best disciples, sometimes, are exposed to
Satan's temptings, to Satan's winnowings.
Is it not a great comfort, for a man to know, that while he
is tempted, Christ is at prayer for him ? " But I have prayed
for thee." In time of temptation you cannot pray, aye but
Christ can pray, and he is then at prayer for you : as he said
to Peter, so he says to every disciple of his now, " But I
have prayed for thee:" poor soul, though thou canst not
pray for thyself, yet I have prayed for thee.
Is it not a sweet comfort, for a man to know, that the
enemy is overcome before he strikes ? Satan's temptation is
overcome by Christ's intercession; and Christ prays before
142 ON TEMPTATION. [SflR. 3.
Satan tempts ; " But I have prayed for thee :" before the
temptation came.
Is it not a choice comfort, for a man to know, that Satan,
the great tempter, hath no more power than my Father gives
him leave ? Thus it is, " Satan hath desired," &c.
Is it not wonderful comfort, for a man to know, that there
is something that he can never be robbed of? When a man
is travelling on his journey, if he meet with thieves, they
take away the money that he hath about him ; but when they
have taken all his money that he hath about him, Well, says
he, though they have taken away my spending money, and
that which I did wear about me, yet I have land at home
that they can not rob me of. And so says the child of God,
or at least he may say so, when Satan comes and tempts him,
and robs him of some comfort ; yet, blessed be the Lord, I
have union with Christ that I can never be robbed of; and I
have an inheritance in heaven that thieves cannot break
through and steal away. Satan may take away my spending
money, my spending comforts that I have here in this world ;
but Oh ! blessed be God, I have such comforts, and such an
estate, such durable riches that I can never be robbed of.
Oh ! you that are the saints and people of God, lift up your
heads : you that have been bowed under temptation, these
things have I spoken to you, that you may not be overwhel-
med with temptation, you that are tempted, but that in the
midst of all you may breathe out your souls in the bosom of
Jesus Christ.
Well, but you will say, It is not comfort that I look for,
or that I follow after ; but the truth is, I am sorely tempted,
and Satan lies heavy on me, following, and dogging me at the
heels to yield unto his temptations ; what shall I say, or
what shall I do, that I may not yield unto his temptations ?
Whatshaltthou say: if it be possible, do not stand to treat
with Satan, do not stand to parley with him ; he will dispute
you out of all your comfort if you stand and parley with him.
You have half lost the field when ye honour Satan, and you
honour him when you follow him into his disputes : if it be
possible therefore do not stand and parley, or dispute with
Satan, but if you must say something to him, and ye must
treat, ye must speak ; tell Satan then, that therefore you be-
lieve it, because he denies it : therefore you do not believe
SER. 3.] ox TEMPTATION. 143
it, because he affirms it ; that you believe the contrary be-
cause he speaks thus. When ye are to deal with a great
liar, one that is your enemy, and he comes and tells you very
ill news, you will say, He is a liar and he is my enemy, and
he does it to scare me, and therefore I believe the contrary.
Satan is a great liar, and he is your enemy, and therefore
when he says unto thee, there is no hope for thee, thou hast
been a great sinner, a drunkard for thus many years, a
swearer thus many years, there is no hope for thee : say to Sa-
tan, therefore I believe the contrary, there is hope for me,be-
cause thou sayest there is none, for thou art a liar, yea, the
father of lies.
Again, if ye must speak with Satan ; then speak of
Christ of grace, of the infinite love of God in Christ : he
cannot stand before words of grace, and before words of
love : not a word of grace, or of free love in all his temp-
tations.
Yea, if you must speak with Satan, tell him, Oh ! tell him,
what ye find in the ways of God, and tell him, that you be-
lieve beyond what ye find ; thus : Satan for the present I find
nothing but sweetness in the ways of God : thou told me
that if I would turn godly I should never have a merry day
again, but I tell thee what I now find ; I find of a truth that
the sourest part of godliness, is sweeter than the sweetest
part of wickedness. Satan, I find, that all that ever thou
told me is false ; thou saidest, I should lose all my friends :
I have better. Thou saidest, I should lose all my comforts
if I turned godly ; I have better, Satan. And this I find,
Satan ; that all that ever Christ spake unto me, is true : oh !
I find infinite sweetness in the ways of God, and I believe
beyond what I find ; that if the wheels of providence should
run never so cross, yet through grace I would believe. Be-
loved, ye know what the apostle says, " Whom resist, sted-
fast in the faith :" and " By faith we quench his fiery darts."
Must ye therefore needs speak with Satan, speak to him words
of faith ; not of sense, man, not of reason, but speak words of
faith : I charge ye in the Lord, if ye will stand and parley, and
speak with Satan, speak words of faith to him, speak words
in a way of believing ; and it is only faith that brings Christ
and the soul together in the time of temptation ; and when
Christ comes in, Satan goes out.
144 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 3.
But you will say, I know it is a good thing and happy, so
to answer Satan's temptations as I may not yield : but oh !
that I might not be led into any temptation : What shall I
do that I may prevent it ?
First, take heed that you do not stand playing upon the bor-
ders or confines of any sin. If you stand upon the brink of a
sin, Satan comes behind and thrusts you into it. Some there
are that tempt the tempter, that begin unto Satan, they drink
to Satan the first draught, and Satan pledges them, and
drinks unto them again. Would you, my beloved, prevent
temptation ? Oh ! take heed how ye stand playing upon
the borders of any sin, the holes of the asps.
Again, secondly, If ye would prevent temptation ; then la-
bour to get your hearts mortified unto the objects of love and
fear. Satan tempts two ways ; as a serpent, and as a lion.
When Satan tempts as a serpent ; then he does make a ten-
der, and an offer of some comfortable, profitable, sweet thing.
You shall be like God, " You shall be as God," says he unto
Adam and Eve, when he tempted as a serpent, came as a
serpent. And so dealing as a serpent with our Saviour
Christ, if All this will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and
worship me." Shows him the glory of the world, and all this
will I give thee. So says he unto a poor soul when he tempts
as a serpent, Come and yield unto this temptation, and all
this comfort will I give thee, and all this profit will I give
thee, and all this repute and honour will I give thee. Thus
as a serpent. Sometimes he tempts as a lion ; for he goes
up and down as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
And when Satan tempts as a lion, then he does roar upon a
poor soul, and labours to scare him out of his conscience, and
out of the good ways of God. And therefore in the book of
the Revelation, "Satan shall cast some of you into prison."
Satan shall do it. And sometimes he shall stand and rattle
the chains of a prison ; look, do you hear these ? If you will
go on in such and such a way, you will lose all your friends ;
and if you will go on in such a way, I will make it too hot for
you, and thus and thus shall you suffer, and it shall cost ye a
prison ere I have done with you. Thus now Satan tempts
as a lion, by holding terrible objects before a man. It it said
that Satan came to our Saviour Christ, and he found nothing
in him ; so he prevailed not : but Satan comes to us, and he
SBR. 3.] ON TEMPTATION. 145
finds a great deal in us, he finds a disposition in us to be
moved with objects of love, unto comfortable, and profitable
things : he comes to us, and finds in us a disposition to be
moved with fear by terrible objects. Wherefore now, my
beloved, do you desire to prevent the mischief of a temp-
tation ? oh ! labour more and more to die unto all the
objects of your outward love, and the objects of fear ; die
to the objects of love, get your heart mortified to these two
objects of love and fear. And be sure of this, if thou
wouldest prevent temptation, that ye labour more and more
to walk in the light : Satan is the prince of darkness, and he
walks in darkness, and he tempts in darkness. "When
night comes the beasts go forth to their prey, " says the
Psalmist. And when Satan sees a poor ignorant soul, that
walks in the dark, says he, Here is a fit prey for me. Oh !
therefore, you that are ignorant, and have sat ignorant under
the ordinances ; for the Lord's sake, labour to get more light
and more knowledge, get your heart opened unto every truth
of God, labour to acquaint yourselves more with gospel
light, and set your bosoms open unto every truth of the
Lord.
And, beloved ! whether you would overcome, or whether
you would prevent temptation ; whatever means you use ;
be sure of this, that you take your temptation and dip it
in the blood of Christ. Take a candle, that is lighted, and
only blow out the candle, the candle is easily lighted again :
but when the candle is out, take it and put it into the water,
and then it is not so easily lighted again : so now a tempta-
tion comes, and you blow it out with a resolution, and you
will not yield to it, alas, it is easily lighted again : but now
take this candle, take this temptation, and come and dip it
in the blood of Jesus Christ, and it will not be so easily
lighted again ; so you shall be able to prevent temptation
for the time to come : never rest alone in resolving, but, oh !
take your temptation and dip it in the blood of Jesus Christ.
And if that you do overcome your temptation at any time;
be thankful to God: if ye have more than flesh and blood
against you, ye shall have more than flesh and blood with
you. And therefore, have you overcome temptation ? go
away and be very thankful, and say, oh ! though flesh and
blood be against me, yet I have more t'.ian flesh and blood
14G OX TEMPTATION. [SER. 4.
with me, praise the Lord much : and if you have been over-
come with temptation, yet be not discouraged ; for ye hear
the doctrine, God doth suffer his own dear children to be
tempted, to be buifetted, to be exposed to Satan's temptings,
and to Satan's winnowings. But though ye be tempted,
and it be a temptation of Satan, yet ye hear withal, that
it is the property and disposition of God's own people to
grieve and mourn under their temptation, as if it were all
their own, and nothing of Satan's. Wherefore now, my
beloved, having heard these things, think on them, and the
Lord bless them to you every day more and more.
SERMON IV.
"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired
to have you that he may sift you as wheat ; but I have prayed for thee
that thy faith fail not." LUKE xxu. 31,32.
YE find that these words hold forth the relation of a great
storm of temptation coming down upon Christ's disciples.
The danger of it. And the remedy against it. Of the dan-
ger somewhat ye heard from the 31st verse. And now I am
to speak unto the 32nd verse. " But I have prayed for thee,
that thy faith fail not."
Here is somewhat implied, and somewhat expressed : im-
plied, Satan's design, and his great design upon their faith.
Expressed; Christ's love and care, his special love and care
over them, and towards them in this temptation. As if
he should say thus, Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to
tempt you ; not only thee, but all my disciples : the tempta-
tion is great, and in this temptation, his great design is upon
your faith : but I have spoken unto my Father, and your
Father, that your faith may not fail. So that hence you may
observe thus much :
That in the time of temptation, Satan's great design is
upon the faith of the saints, to make their faith fail.
He doth not say, But I have prayed for thee, that thy
prayer fail not, or that thy patience fail not, or that thy love
fail not; but I have prayed that thy " faith fail not." So
that Satan's great design in all his temptations is upon the
SER. 4.] ON TEMPTATION. 147
faith of the saints, that he may make their faith to fail
them.
For the further clearing and opening of these words, and
of this truth, I shall labour to show you :
First, What it is for to fail in our faith ; and how far the
saints may fail in their faith in time of temptation.
Secondly, What an evil thing it is for the saints to fail in
their faith in time of temptation.
Thirdly, That Satan's great design in all his temptations,
is upon our faith.
Fourthly, How Satan labours to weaken our faith in the
time of temptation ; what strokes he gives unto our faith,
and how we shall be able to bear off those blows in the time
of temptation, that so our faith fail not ?
If ye ask me, first, What it is for to fail in faith here ? I ans-
wer,Theword in the original signifies, an eclipse, as the eclipse
of the sun, or of the moon : and the words may be so trans-
lated, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith be not
eclipsed. But according to the ordinary acceptation of that
word eclipse, Peter's faith did fail, for it was much eclipsed.
The word signifies also, a total defect, such as Judas made,
who of a disciple became an enemy, a traitor; and instead
of believing fell to despair : and so Peter's faith did not fail.
A man's faith is said to fail, either when it falls short of what
it hath been, or what it should be ; and in both these res-
pects Peter's faith did fail : it fell short of what it had been,
it fell short of what it should be. But there is a two-fold
failing in faith : one in regard of the acting and exercise of
faith ; and another in regard of the grace of faith itself. In
regard of the acting, working, and exercise of faith, Peter's
faith did fail : but in regard of the grace itself, so it failed
not. The Lutherans, they say, and contend much for it,
that a regenerate man's faith may fail totally, and finally in
time of temptation : and so they say that Peter's faith, failed
here, when he denied his Lord and Master ; because it is
said in the next words, " When thou art converted strengthen
thy brethren." As if his faith had failed so far, as he should
need a new conversion. But that word translated, When
thou art converted (as divers of the learned do well observe)
may be translated, again, thus : I have prayed for thee that
thy faith fail not : and do thou strengthen thy brethren
148 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 4.
again : do thou return to that work again. And so you have
the same word used in the Septuagint, translated at the
Iviiith Psalm, at the 6th verse. " Wilt thou not revive us
again ?" The word in the Hebrew is thus : Wilt thou not con-
vert, or turn unto us, and revive us ? which we translate,
" Wilt thou not revive us again ?" And so the words here
may be translated, (being an Hebraism) But do thou
strengthen thy brethren again. But suppose that the words
stand according to their present translation, it does not argue,
that Peter did fail totally in this temptation : for, the whole
life of a Christian here, is a continual converting, and turning
to God : we repent, and repent again ; we turn, and turn
again. Every day we turn unto God yet more and more ;
every day brings forth another conversion : yet not so, as if
the former conversion were made void. And if the faith of
a believer would fail totally in the time of a temptation ;
what should be the meaning of those words, in 1 John
vth chapter, and the 18th verse. " We know, that whoso-
ever is born of God sinneth not ; but he that is begotten of
God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him
not :" the wicked one : that is Satan, he toucheth him
not. But now, if Satan could tempt a godly man, and pre-
vail so far in his temptation, as to make his faith fail totally,
then he would touch him to the purpose : but, says the text,
" He keeps himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not :"
and therefore his faith cannot fail totally, a regenerate
man's faith cannot fail totally. And ye know what is
said, in that viith of Matthew at the 24th and 25th
verses, " Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which hath
built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended and the
floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house ;
and it fell not, because it was founded upon a rock." Now
every believer is founded upon a rock, Christ, and therefore
though the rain descend, and the floods come, and the
winds blow, and temptations be never so great, he cannot
fail totally, because he is built upon a rock. In the xiiith of
Matthew, ye know it is made the property of the false ground
that in the time of temptation it fell away : now if the good
ground, a regenerate man, should fall away in the time of
temptation ; what difference were there between the false
SER. 4.] ON TEMPTATION. 149
ground, and the good ground ? Plainly therefore, the Scrip-
ture holds forth this truth unto us, that a regenerate man, a ,
believer, though his faith may fail much, yet it does not fail
totally in time of temptation. And thus Peter's faith failed,
and thus it failed not : in regard of the exercise, and acting
of his faith it did fail ; but in regard of the grace itself, faith
itself, so it failed not : and so it is, and may be with others
of the saints also.
Secondly : If the faith of a believer do only fall in regard of
the acting, exercise, and working thereof, what great inconve-
nience is there or evil in the failing of his faith ?
Much, my beloved, very much: for though that faith
fail only in regard of the acting, exercise, and working, he
does lose an opportunity of glorifying God. It is said of
Abraham, that he believed and gave glory to God. Faith
gives glory to God : it glorifies his power, his mercy, his
faithfulness, and his wisdom ; not faith in the habit, but faith
in the exercise of it, glorifies God : and so much as a man's
faith does fail, in the acting, working, and exercise of it,
so much he loseth an opportunity of glorifying God.
Moreover, he loses his own comfort. Faith is a comfort-
ing grace. " Being justified by faith, we have peace with
God." And in the xvth to the Romans, and the 13th verse,
ye find, that joy and peace grows upon faith : " Now the
God of hope, fill ye with joy and peace in believing." So
much as a man does believe, so much joy and peace : if a
man fail in the exercise of his faith, he does lose his comforts.
Yea, hereby also, he does lose his present prize. A
Christian hath a prize in this life ; he hath a two-fold crown :
a crown of glory in the world to come ; and a present crown.
And therefore says the Lord unto the Church of Philadelphia,
" Hold fast that which thou hast, lest another take thy
crown." Now if a man do fail in the exercise of his faith,
he does lose much of his present prize. Ye know how it
was with Moses and Aaron, ye read of it in the xxth chapter
of Numbers, and the 12th verse. "And the Lord spake
unto Moses and Aaron, because ye believe me not, to sanc-
tify me in the eyes of the children of Israel ; therefore ye shall
not bring this congregation into the land which I have pro-
mised them." They were shut out of the land of Canaan
for not believing. But Moses and Aaron did not lose the
150 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 4.
grace of faith, it was only failing in the exercise of faith ;
their failing was not in the grace itself, but only they failed
in the exercise of their faith, and they were shut out of
Canaan for it. And Moses besought the Lord earnestly in
prayer, that he would reverse this threatening, and it might
not be ; he was shut out of Canaan, merely for failing in the
exercise of his faith. Oh ! what an evil thing is it then, for
a Christian to fail in his faith, though it be no more than in
the exercise of his faith.
Further, in this failing of one's faith, though but in the
exercise of it; a Christian does lose much of the benefit,
and sweetness of the mercy promised. Look as it is with
a wicked man, in regard of the judgment threatened ; so
with a godly man in regard of the mercy promised. Now
take a wicked man, and let the threatening of God be ful-
filled before him upon others, upon himself; he profits not
by God's judgments. Why ? because that he does not ex-
ercise faith concerning the threatening ; and so when the
judgment comes, he profits not by God's dealing, by God's
judgment, he loses the benefit of God's dispensations that
way. So I say with a godly man : let the promise be ful-
filled, and possibly he does not find the sweetness, or the
benefit of the mercy promised when the promise is fulfilled.
Why ? because he does not exercise faith in the promise
itself. When as the Lord gave manna, Moses had the sweet-
ness of it, why ? because he exercised faith about it ! but
the children of Israel, they made a tush of it, a light matter
of it : why ? because they looked upon it in a way of sense,
and did not take it in a way of believing, and so they lost
the benefit, and sweetness of the mercy promised. Beloved,
it is no small matter this, for to lose the benefit and sweet-
ness of the mercy promised : that a Christian loses by fail-
ing in his faith in regard of the exercise of it ; and therefore
certainly it is a very evil thing : though their faith fail not
in regard of the grace itself, yet if it fail in regard of the
work, and the exercise of it, it is a very evil thing, and much
inconvenience comes unto the saints thereby.
Thirdly, whereby may it appear, that Satan's great de-
sign is upon our faith in the time of temptation ?
He does tempt most unto that sin which is the greatest :
and the sin against the gospel is the greatest sin. Satan's
SER. 4.] ox TEMPTATION. 151
great design is to hinder the work of Christ, the kingdom
of Christ in the hearts of the saints; to counter-work the
Spirit of God. Satan does tempt that he may tempt : and
the greatest temptation usually comes in the rear, comes at
the last. Satan does tempt a man to break the law ; but
he hath a further reach in that: for he tempts a man to
break the law, that so he may tempt him afterwards to sin
against the gospel : he lies in ambush in one temptation,
for to draw to another. When Satan tempted our first parents
Adam and Eve, he tempted like a serpent, in form of a ser-
pent: and so now too, he comes, and he winds about us in
his temptation ; but his sting is in the tail, and at the latter
end. And thus ye see it was in the temptation of our
Saviour Christ, his great design was upon Christ's faith : in
the ivth of Matthew, ye know he hath three temptations
there : and says he, in the two first temptations, " If thou
be the Son of God ?" and, " If thou be the Son of God ?"
and in the last temptation : "All this will I give the, if thou
wilt fall down and worship me." He tempted him to blas-
phemy, and atheism; and what greater unbelief? so it is
with the saints also : Satan, comes and he tempts them
to sourness, frowardness, and passion in their families, but
he hath a further reach upon that distemper : for, says he,
I will tempt this man or woman to passion, and froward-
ness, and when he hath been froward, and passionate, then I
will tempt him to be doubting whether he be the child of
God or no : first I will tempt this man for to break the law, and
when he hath broken the law, then will I tempt him to sin
against the gospel, then will I strike at his faith : his great
design still is upon your faith in all his temptations.
But you will say, Why is Satan's great design upon our
faith in time of temptation ?
He is the great robber, or thief: and if he can, he will
be sure to spoil a man of that which is the best. Now faith
is more precious than gold ; the trial of your faith is, faith
is the gift of God : and therefore if he can get any thing
from a man, he will get that which is God's gift. He is the
great hinderer of all good, of every good work ; and he will
especially labour to hinder that work which is the work ot
God in a special manner: and this is the work of God, that
ye believe in his Son. Satan knows, that faith is the most
152 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 4.
called ; and the anchor of faith. If ye be in a storm at sea ;
faith is your anchor : If ye be in danger at land, before ene-
mies, faith is your shield. If that a man's faith fail, his
duties fail, his heart fails, and all fails. He knows well
enough, that he shall soon make us suffer shipwreck, if he
can but weaken faith, and therefore his great design is upon
our faith. He knows, that faith is most prejudicial to him-
self; for "by faith we overcome the world; whom resist,
steadfast in the faith ; and by faith we quench the fiery darts
of the devil." Now then, says Satan, does faith quench my
fiery darts ? then will I labour to quench faith if I can.
The devil does labour always to present himself in Christ's
clothes unto a soul, as an angel of light : and he does labour
to present Christ in his own clothes, as an angel of darkness.
When as he is a liar himself, he does labour to make the
soul put the lie upon Christ, and upon the Spirit. The Spirit of
God, that comes and testifies unto a man or woman, thou
art the child of God : Satan says, no. When a man there-
fore does say, he is not the child of God ; the language of
his action is, he gives the lie unto the Spirit, and he says
that Satan speaks true : so here he makes Christ and the
Spirit of Christ a liar by his unbelief; and he makes the
devil to speak true. Now this is Satan's great design, and
therefore in all his temptations, still he strikes at the faith
of the saints, labours to weaken their faith ; his great design
is upon their faith.
In the fourth place, how does Satan weaken our faith in
time of temptation ? What are those strokes that Satan
gives unto our faith ? ajid how shall we be able to bear
them off.
In the general, Satan does sometimes labour to weaken
our faith, by drawing us from the means of faith. Take the
wood away from the fire, it will soon lose its heat, if not put
out. And if a man be but drawn away from the means of
faith ; the means drawn from him, or he from the means by
his own default, his faith will be soon weakened. This Satan
labours to do sometimes.
Sometimes, again, he raises up mountains of difficulties ;
and discouragements in the way of a Christian's obedience ;
and so labours to wound his faith. Throw water upon the
fire, it will soon be out.
SER. 4.] ON TEMPTATION. 153
But that I may speak the more fully unto this great ques-
tion, the answer whereof is of concernment every day
amongst you.
Ye know there are three acts of faith : there is the faith
of reliance ; whereby a soul does rely upon God in Christ.
There is the faith of assurance ; whereby a man is per-
suaded of God's love towards him, and his love to God, and
that he is the child of God. And there is the faith of ac-
knowledgment ; whereby a man does own, and acknowledge
the cause, and truth of Christ. I shall now spend some
time, and shew ye how Satan strikes at all these faiths : and
withal labour to shew you, how we may bear off his blows,
that so we may stand in the time of temptation, and our faith
may not fail.
First, For the faith of reliance : Satan does sometimes
strike at the faith of reliance in the saints, by hiding from
them their former experiences of God's gracious dealing with
them. So long as a man hath the sight, and view of his ex-
periences of God's gracious dealing with him before, h does
rely on God, and he says, I will for ever rest upon God, and
rely upon God in Christ, for thus and thus he hath dealt with
me heretofore. Now therefore, Satan does labour in the
time of temptation, to hide the experiences of the saints from
them, and so does strike at their faith, and labours to make
their faith fail.
But then, how should we bear off this blow ?
Thus : Take heed that ye never rest upon the promise
barely, or only because of your experience ; but rather deal with
your experience because of the promise. It is a good thing
for a man to come up to the promise by the ladder of experi-
ence : but it is better for a man to go down to the promise by
his experience. And if ye look into the cvith Psalm, ye shall
find, that when a man does rest upon the promise, barely by
reason of his experience, his faith will soon fail. " The wa-
ters covered their enemies" (at the llth verse, it is spoken
of the Israelites when they came through the Red Sea) " there
was not one of them left." Verse the 12th. "Then be-
lieved they his words." Mark now, because of their ex-
perience, now they believed God's word, now they believed
his promise by reason of their experience ; " Then believed
they his words, they sang his praise." But what became of
154 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 4.
this : read the next words : " They soon forgat his works,
they waited not for his counsel/' So that 1 say, take heed
that ye do not rest upon the promise barely, and only be-
cause of your experience, for if your experience be but
out of the way a little, then your heart will fail, and your
faith fail presently.
Secondly, Take heed that ye never mourn for any evil, no not
for sin itself, so as to be unthankful for, or unmindful of former
mercies. We are very apt to this, and Satan he comes, and
tempts, and says unto a poor soul, Are you speaking of for-
mer mercies, or blessings to be thankful for them ? That is
a good work for others, but as for you, you have committed
such a sin, and it is your duty now to mourn for your sin
committed, look you to that, to be humbled ; apply yourself
to that work : and so when he hath gotten a man's heart
fixed upon that work in opposition to thankfulness for for-
mer mercies received, the soul loses the sight of his experi-
ence, and so his faith fails in the time of temptation. Where-
fore my exhortation is, that you may avoid this blow, and
this stroke. Never mourn, no not for sin committed ; but
so as still to be thankful for grace received, otherwise your
experience will go out of sight, and then your faith fails you.
Again, thirdly, Satan does sometimes strike at the faith of reli-
ance, labours to weaken the faith of the saint's reliance, by
sundering or severing their souls from the promise. So
long as a man hath the sight of Ihe promise, and the pro-
mise is by him ; a gracious heart says, I will for ever trust
in God, and rely upon God in Christ, for thus and thus hath
God spoken, and thus and thus saith the promise to me.
But now, if the promise be gone, then a man's reliance fails.
Satan therefore, in the time of temptation, labours to take
away the promise ; scaring the soul, or cogging the soul from
the promise ; this he does many ways, but sometimes he
speaks out thus ; What ! do you meddle with the promise ? the
promise does not belong to you, the threatening belongs to
you ; you have sinned so and so, and the threatening belongs
to you, but the promise does not belong to you : and if he
can but get the soul to believe this, then his faith fails.
Oh I but, how should we bear off this blow in time of temp-
tation ? for I confess thus, by this temptation does Satan
strike at my faith, and labours to make my faith to fail.
SER. 4.] ON TEMPTATION. 155
In this case, let a man's heart speak thus :
First : If the Lord do command me to believe, then the
promise belongs to me, for I cannot believe unless I apply
the promise : now in this time, at this very time of my temp-
tation, the Lord does command me to believe, else it were
no sin not to believe ; it is a sin for me not to believe, now
therefore the Lord commands me to believe ; but believe I
cannot unless I apply the promise, therefore God would
have me to apply the promise, therefore the promise does
belong to me, and I may apply it.
Again, secondly, let the heart speak thus : if the Lord
does give out a threatening that it may not be fulfilled ; and
he does give out a promise that it may be fulfilled : if the
very applying of the threatening, makes the threatening not to
belong to me ; and the very applying of the promise, makes
the promise to belong to me ; then the threatening does not
belong to me, for I have applied it ; and the promise does
belong to me, for I have applied it : oh ! I remember how
my soul hath lien trembling before the threatening, the Lord
knows I have often applied the threatening : but now this is
true, that the very applying of the threatening, makes the
threatening not to belong to a man ; and the very applying of
the promise, makes the promise to belong to a man ; and
therefore, Satan, the threatening belongs not unto me, but the
promise does.
But then again, thirdly, let him say thus : If I be more
godly now, than I was when Satan told me, that the threat-
ening did not belong to me, and the promise did belong to
me, then there is no reason for this temptation. When I
went on in a way of sin, then Satan told me, that the threat-
ening did not belong to me ; and then he told me, the promise
did belong to me : oh ! but now I am more godly than I was
then, I have more of Christ than I had then I am sure, and
therefore Satan, didst thou tell me, that the promise did be-
long to me then ? therefore it belongs much more to me
now. Thou toldest me therefore when I went on in a way
of sin, the threatening did not belong to me : now then the
threatening does less belong to me, for now I am more godly
than I was then.
But above all things, remember that of the command to
believe. Luther was a man that laboured under great temp-
156 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 4.
tations : and being once sorely tempted, and the tears trick-
ling down his cheeks ; says he, My friend, my spiritual fa-
ther, came unto me, and said, O my son ? why dost thou
mourn ? dost thou not know that God hath commanded thee
to believe ? When, says Luther, I heard that word, com-
mand, that God hath commanded me to believe ; it prevailed
more with my heart, than all that was said, or thought on
before. So say I now unto ye, does Satan come with this
temptation, and tell thee, the promise does not belong to
thee ? answer, Aye, but the Lord hath commanded me to
believe, Satan, God hath commanded me to believe, it is my
duty at this time to believe ; but I cannot believe unless I
apply the promise, therefore I may go by commission from
God unto the promise, and the promise does belong to me.
Thus, give in these answers, so shall ye be able to stand,
and to rely upon God, and your faith of reliance shall not
fail. This is the first thing, the faith of reliance.
Secondly, How does Satan strike or labour to weaken the
faith of assurance, the assurance of God's people ?
Much may be said here, it is a large field; I shall only ga-
ther up some few things, and present them to you.
First, Sometimes Satan does labour to weaken the assu-
rance of the saints, by telling them that they have no faith.
Assurance is the flower of faith, it grows upon faith ; but
you have no faith, says Satan, and therefore your assurance
is naught. But how unreasonable is this temptation ! for
observe I pray, in what rounds Satan goes : he tempts us to
believe that we have no faith, because we have no assurance ;
and he tempts us again, to believe we have no assurance, be-
cause we have no faith. For answer hereunto, I shall only
turn unto that ivth to the Romans : It is said of Abraham,
at the 2 1st verse, " Being fully persuaded, that what God had
promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore (at
the 22nd verse,) it was imputed to him for righteousness."
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was im-
puted to him: but for us alsor.to whom it shall be imputed,
if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the
dead. Abraham was justified by faith, it was imputed to
him for righteousness : and says the apostle here, it was not
written for his sake, but for us also. We are justified as
Abraham was, by the same faith : what faith is that ? Is it
SER. 4.] ON TEMPTATION. 157
the faith of assurance ? Yes ! he was assured indeed, but I
pray of what ? He was assured that God was able to per-
form : he being fully persuaded, that what he had pro-
mised, he was able also to perform. Abraham believed that
God was able, and so relied upon God, and hereby he was
justified. So it shall be with men and women now : if they
be assured, and persuaded, that God is able, and so rely upon
God ; this is the faith that justifies. When therefore this
temptation comes, answer unto Satan : Satan, thou sayest I
have no assurance, because I have no faith ; but I have this
assurance that Abraham had, whereby he was justified, I
believe God is able to help me, and so I rely upon God, and
therefore, Satan, I am now justified, and stand righteous
through Jesus Christ in the sight of God.
Secondly, As he does labour to weaken the faith of assu-
rance, by telling the saints that they have no faith ; so, also,
by telling them that they have no obedience, that they do
not profit under the means, that they are not fruitful : wher-
ever there is true faith, there will be obedience, and men will
profit under the means, and be fruitful, but you are unfruit-
ful, and you are barren, and where is your obedience ? here
is no obedience, therefore no faith : so no assurance, your
assurance is wrong.
Well, but how may we ward, and keep off this blow in the
time of temptation, that our faith of assurance may not fail ?
Truly, I answer, this blow is not to be warded off, if this
be true ; that ye never were obedient, never fruitful, never
profited by the means of grace ; this blow falls dead upon
the soul, this blow is not to be warded off, this is no tempta-
tion. But now, if ye have ever been fruitful, if ye have ever
been obedient, if ye have ever profited by the means of
grace ; though for the present ye may seem dead : yet re-
member what Job says, " There is hope of a tree, though it
be cut down, that by the scent of waters it will flourish
again." And so, there is hope of thy soul, that by the scent
of the gospel waters thou mayest flourish again. But though
there be no obedience in your own eye, though ye do not
profit under the means in your own eye ; yet your obedience
may be in the eye of others : and, in time of temptation,
another man's eye is a better judge than your own.
But suppose there seem to be no obedience, neither in your
158 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 4.
own, nor in another's eye ; yet the root of the matter may be
in you. Ye know how it is with the fish, that are in the wa-
ter, in a windy and a stormy day : ye put many fish into a
pond ; and in a fair, sun-shiny day, ye see them playing upon
the water, upon the uppermost part of the water ; but in a
rainy and stormy day, ye see none of them there, but yet you
say they are all there, they are in the water, they are at the
bottom, though you see them not. And so, it may be, in
this stormy time of temptation, your obedience and profiting
is not seen, but it may be there as heretofore. Satan does
never more press a child of God, to try himself by signs
of grace drawn from his own conversation, than in the time
of temptation. There is indeed a good use of signs drawn
from our own conversation, but this is agreed upon by all, that
there is no use of them in the time of temptation. And
therefore says Luther : In the time of temptation, I am as if
there were no law, nor no works, but only the righteousness
of Christ in the world, and so I do rest upon him. Does
Satan come forth, therefore, with this temptation, That you
have no obedience, that you do not profit, that you are un-
fruitful ? answer it thus : True, Satan, I confess I am very
unprofitable, and therefore I will learn to profit more ; I con-
fess I am very unfruitful, and therefore I will labour to be
more fruitful : but, Satan, I will not now, at this time, deter-
mine about my condition ; for it may be a time of tempta-
tion : hereafter, at another time, I will come and determine
about my condition, and I will look after signs, but now, at
this time, it may be a time of temptation, and therefore I
will forbear to wind, and draw up a conclusion, but lean my-
self upon God, and rest upon God at this time.
Thirdly, Sometimes Satan does labour to weaken the as-
surance of God's people, the faith of assurance, to make that
to fail, by telling of them, that they have no faith at all, be-
cause they have no particular faith, no particular promise ;
for, says Satan thus : Faith and wavering, faith and doubt-
ing, do not agree ; he that believeth doubteth not : but now
you pray and doubt, you believe and waver ; ye have no
particular word for what you believe, therefore ye have no
particular faith, so no faith at all, and therefore your assurance
is naught.
How should we ward off this blow ?
SER. 4.] ox TEMPTATION. 159
In this case, now, let a poor believer say two or three
things unto his own soul.
First, Tell thy soul this : Though it pleases God, some-
times, to give out a particular word unto his people, a parti-
cular promise, in the time of affliction, or desertion (especially)
or temptation ; yet the Lord does not, therefore, give out a
particular promise, that a man may measure his condition
thereby ; there is a mistake ; but the Lord does therefore
give out a particular word or promise, to uphold the soul in
the condition : not to measure out his condition by it, but to
uphold him ; and therefore, though I have not a particular
word or promise, I will not conclude against my faith for
this.
Secondly, Tell thine own soul, that though it pleases the
Lord to give out a particular word or promise sometimes ;
yet always he does not. Hezekiah had a particular word for
his recovery; but the three children had not a particular
word that they should be delivered out of the fiery furnace,
yet they believed ; and whether God deliver, or does not
deliver, say they, we will not bow ourselves to this idolatry.
So that, though God is pleased, sometimes, to give out a
particular word or promise, yet always he does not, and there-
fore my faith may be right, Satan, though I have not a par-
ticular word now for this business.
Again, thirdly, tell thy soul this: that though God is pleased
thus to indulge, and sometimes to give out a particular promise
unto his people, and they have a particular faith concerning
this or that business ; yet there is always a waiting faith that
we read of in Scripture. There is a faith of recumbency,
whereby a soul leans upon God, and commits his cause unto
God : and there is a waiting faith. Now therefore, Satan,
though I have not a particular word, and a particular faith
for this business ; yet notwithstanding I have a waiting faith,
I can wait upon the Lord my God, and I can rest upon Je-
sus Christ : and therefore, Satan, I do yet believe, and my
faith is right. Tell your own soul thus ; so shall you be able
to stand to your faith, and shall not fall off in the time of
your temptation.
Thirdly, for the faith of acknowledgment. Sometimes
Satan does labour to weaken the faith of the saint's acknow-
ledgment. He does labour either that they should deny the
160 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 4.
truth, or not own it : either that they should deny Christ,
or that they should not own him. So he laboured to make
Peter's faith to fail, by denying Christ. And therefore, he
comes unto a poor soul and says, if you will go on in this
way, it shall cost you a prison ; can you lie and rot, and die
in a prison ? he rattles chains in the ears of a poor believer,
and so labours to scare him away from his conscience, and
from his faith, and from the truth and cause of God, and the
good ways of Christ :
How should we ward off this blow ?
First, before the temptation comes, labour to possess your
heart much, with the mercy, and privilege of suffering for
the cause, truth, name, and way of Christ. To you it is
given, not only to believe, but to suffer ; it is a great gift :
a suffering opportunity, and a suffering heart is a great gift
from God. Is it not a great mercy to be conformable to
Jesus Christ our Head ? " For this cause (says Christ) came
I into the world, that I might bear witness unto the truth."
Is it not a great mercy, to be confessed at the last day before
all the world, angels and men ? " He that confesses me be-
fore men, (says Christ) him will I confess before my Father,"
&c. Is it not a great mercy, to live and reign with Christ a
thousand years ? ye know that scripture ; I shall not speak
of the meaning of it now, but certainly, there is a great deal
of glory promised there, living and reigning with Christ a
thousand years : and the promise is made unto those that do
acknowledge, and own the cause and truth of God, and Jesus
Christ. Possess your heart much, with the privilege, and
mercy, of bearing witness to the truth, the cause, and the
good way of Christ before your temptation comes.
Secondly, If you would bear off the blow of this temptation ;
be sure that you look upon both sides of your suffering, or
bearing witness to the truth, cause, or way of Christ : the
dark side, and the light side; let them not be sundered.
When the Lord calls for any of his people to suffer at any
time for him, he does give them more strength than before,
and he does give them more comfort and consolation, than
they had before. Now Satan, comes forth and holds the
suffering, he makes mention of the suffering ; but he hides
the strength, and the consolation. Either Satan holds forth
the suffering alone ; or else, if he do mention any strength, or
SER. 4.] ON TEMPTATION-. 161
comfort that a gracious soul shall have in the suffering, it
is but the same strength that he hath now, he does not speak
of the strength he shall have then, and the great consola-
tion that he shall have then when the suffering comes : and
so these being parted, the suffering, and the consolation
being parted, now our faith fails. Whenever therefore this
temptation does come upon you, answer thus : Satan, here
thou bringest the suffering before me, and causest that to
come before me ; but thou dost not tell me of the strength
I shall have, and of the consolation I shall receive ; Satan,
I shall not have the strength I have now, nor the consolation
I have now, but I shall have more strength then, when the
suffering comes, and I shall have more consolation, when as
the affliction comes than I had before. Keep these toge-
ther, do not look only upon the one side of your suffering,
and witness-bearing ; but look upon both sides together, and
thus you shall be able to stand, and ride out the storm of
this temptation.
But you will say, We have heard of the several blows that
Satan gives unto our faith : unto the faith of reliance, unto
the faith of assurance, and unto the faith of acknowledge-
ment ; how he labours to weaken all these our faiths, and
how we should bear off all these blows : but there may be
yet some temptation, possibly, that does not fall within the
compass of these temptations : these directions are pointed
against these particular temptations ; but I have other temp-
tations that does not fall within the compass of these, where-
by Satan labours to weaken my faith, and to make my faith
to fail : what general rules and directions may be given, by
which a man should so walk, as that Satan may not make
his faith to fail in the time of his temptation ?
I answer, first : Before your temptation comes, while you are
upon even ground ; study, and look much into the Scripture,
and into every corner, and nook thereof, as I may so speak,
laying, and treasuring up promises and words suitable to
every condition. Let the word of the Lord dwell in you
richly ; that so when a temptation comes, ye may have a
word suitable at hand, and this will help ye to bear off the
strength of the temptation when it comes.
Secondly, Either a particular word and promise does come
unto ye, or it does not, in the time of your temptation.
M
162 ON TEMPTATION. [SEB. 4.
If it do come unto ye, take heed that ye do not measure
yourselves, or your condition, by the warmth, and life, and
enlargement of your heart, which ye have at the coming in
of the word. And if a particular word or scripture, and
promise do not come unto you in the time of your tempta-
tion ; do not measure yourselves, and your condition, by the
straitness, and deadness of your heart which you have at
that time when a particular word does not come.
Thirdly, If temptation come, Look much unto the infirm-
ities of Jesus Christ: not the sinful infirmities, for so he had
none, but he had many other infirmities. And ye know
what the spouse in the time of desertion says, in the book
of the Canticles, " His left hand is under my head, and with
his right hand he does embrace me." The right hand, is a
hand of power ; and the left hand, is a hand of weakness :
and in the the time of desertion, and temptation, it is a great
relief to a poor soul, to consider the infirmities of Jesus
Christ ; his left hand is under our head then. As when a
man is enlarged in heart, it is good to consider of Christ's
example, that so he may be humbled under his enlargement :
so when a man is in desertion, or temptation, it is good
for to think of Christ's infirmities, that so he may not be
overwhelmed, or cast down too much.
Fourthly, If temptation do come, be sure of this, that ye
do not conclude it is no temptation. Satan tempts, and
then he tempts a man to think it is no temptation. So long
as a poor soul thinks it is but a temptation, his heart is borne
up with comfort, and he says, It is but a temptation, and it
will be over shortly, and the Lord Jesus Christ will pity me,
for it is but a temptation, and so his heart is borne up with
comfort, waiting upon God : but if the devil can get a man
so far, as to make him think it is no temptation, but worse
than a temptation ; then his heart fails, and his faith fails.
Therefore, I beseech ye, if a temptation come, do not con-
clude it is no temptation, but say, oh ! it may be it is a temp-
tation, and therefore, I will wait on God.
Fifthly, If temptation come, remember thine own soul of
the ways of God with thee. God's ways, ye know, are in the
deep, and his footsteps are not known ; but as the heavens
are greater than the earth, so are God's ways of mercy be-
yond our ways. Now therefore, if a dark temptation do come
SER. 4.] ON TEMPTATION. 163
upon ye, and ye see no way to get out, say, Oh but, my soul,
remember God's ways are infinite, and his ways are beyond our
ways ; and though I see no way, God hath infinite ways, he
walks over mulberry-trees, and his ways have been in the
deep ; and so it hath been all along with my soul, and there-
fore, now, O my soul, wait on God.
Sixthly, If temptation come, if Satan come, do you run
to Christ ; and look how Satan appears to you, so do you
apply the attributes of Christ to you suitable to his tempta-
tion. Does Satan set a temptation to your breast ? observe
what temptation it is, and take an attribute of Christ suitable
to that temptation, and set it to the breast of that tempta-
tion. For example : does Satan come and tempt as a ser-
pent ? Then remember, that Jesus Christ is the brazen Ser-
pent. Does Satan come and present himself as a roaring
lion ? Now remember, that Jesus Christ is the Lion of the
tribe of Judah. Does Satan come and present himself as an
accuser ? Now remember, that the Lord Jesus Christ is an Ad-
cate. Beloved ! in the time of temptation, ye are to run to
Christ, that is true ; but that is not all, but you are to observe
how your temptation lies, and apply that attribute of Christ
to your soul which is suitable to your temptation : do this,
and your faith shall not fail in time of temptation.
Seventhly, and lastly, " Above all things, take the shield
of faith." Take the shield of faith, that your faith may not
fail : for, the way to believe, is to believe ; the way to pray,
is to pray ; the way to hear, is to hear ; the way to receive,
is to receive ; the way to perform duty, is to perform duty ;
the way to exercise grace, is to exercise grace. When temp-
tation therefore does come upon thee, that thy faith may not
fail, now stir up thyself to this work of faith, and to believe ;
and if ye believe that ye shall overcome, ye shall overcome ;
and if ye believe that that ye shall prevail against your temp-
tations, ye shall prevail against your temptations. And,
poor soul, if thou canst rely upon Christ, and believe that
thou shalt be justified, thou shalt be justified ; and if thou
canst by faith rely upon the promise, the promise shall be-
long to thee. Wherefore, stir up yourselves now to believe
when temptation comes. When ye have to deal with an
enemy here among men, I do not say, believe ye shall over-
come your enemy, and ye shall overcome : a man may be-
M 2
164 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 5.
lieve he shall overcome his outward enemy here in the field,
and yet fall before him, and not overcome : but having to
deal with this enemy, God's enemy, your father's enemy, and
your enemy ; believe ye shall overcome him, and ye shall
overcome him.
But shall we overcome him only if we believe ?
Whoever thou art that speakest, or thinkest thus : dost
thou make an only of believing ? I tell thee. from the Lord,
It is an harder thing to believe, than to keep all the com-
mandments : for there is something in nature towards the
keeping of the ten commandments, but nothing in nature
towards believing in Christ. And, poor soul, dost thou
make an only of believing ? thou dost not know what belie-
ving means : but I say unto thee from the Lord, Believe
that thou shalt overcome, and thou shalt overcome ; believe
that thou shalt prevail against Satan, and thou shalt prevail
against him ; believe that thy sins shall be pardoned through
Christ and rely upon him, and thy sins shall be pardoned.
Whensoever therefore any temptation comes, oh ! run to
Christ, cry unto Christ, and rest upon Christ, and say, Lord,
I do believe, help thou my unbelief.
Beloved in the Lord, ye have heard, that in all Satan's
temptations, his great design is upon your faith, to weaken
your faith : therefore, let it be all your design, in all your
temptations, to strengthen your faith, and to look to your
faith. Which that ye may do, think on all these things, and
the Lord bless them to you.
SERMON V.
"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired
to have you that he may sift you as wheat ; but I have prayed for thee
that thy faith fail not." LUKE xxn. 31,32.
THESE words, as ye have heard, acquaint us with a great
temptation that was to come down upon Christ's disciples.
Concerning which ye have here, the danger of the tempta-
tion : and the remedy against it. For the danger of the
temptation, I have spoken already : and now come unto this
32nd verse, (f But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail
SER. 5.] ON TEMPTATION. 165
not." Here is something implied and something expressed.
Satan's design implied, which is, and was, to weaken the faith
of Christ's disciples, to make their faith to fail. And of that
ye have heard already.
Now that which is expressed is ; Christ's tender care of, and
love unto his disciples in regard of their temptations. And
this love and care of his towards his disciples under tempta-
tion, is expressed in many things. First, in the forewarning
of them of a temptation coming upon them : there is his love
and care, in that he told them of the temptation before it
came. And then, also, he prayed for them. Yea, he prayed
for them before they were tempted. Yea, and he tells them
that he did pray for them that they might have assurance of
his help in the time of their temptation. Great was his love
and care to, and for his disciples under their temptation. And
so the observation is this.
Christ's love and mercy, is never more at work for his dis-
ciples and people, than when they are most assaulted by Sa-
tan. When Satan is most busy to tempt and assault their
faith, then is Christ's love and mercy most at work, to keep
and defend both them and their faith. We do not read of
such a prayer for Peter before. We read, indeed, that our
Saviour said unto Peter ; " Unto thee do I give the keys of
the kingdom of heaven ;" " Thou art Peter, and upon this
rock will I build my church:" but we do not read there, that
he prayed for Peter. But here he prays, and for Peter in
particular : " I have prayed for thee." Why ? Because now
his temptations were to be more than ordinary ; and there-
fore Christ's love and care was drawn out and expressed in a
more than ordinary way.
For the clearing of this truth unto ye, I shall labour to
discover,
First, Wherein the love, care, and mercy of Christ is ex-
pressed unto his people under their temptations.
Secondly, That this love and care of his, is most expressed
when they are most tempted.
Thirdly, What there is in the heart of Christ, that does
thus incline him to this indulgence or mercy. And so to the
application.
First, If ye ask me, wherein the love and care of Christ is
expressed unto his people under their temptations ? I an-
166 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 5.
swer, first, In the ordering of their temptations. For there
is no temptation befals any of his, but he measures out the
temptation according to their abilities. As a wise physician
does not give the same physic unto every person, but consi-
ders every one's ability ; that which he gives to one, is too
strong for another : he considers first the ability of his pa-
tient, and prescribes accordingly. Now, though our Saviour
Christ does not direct Satan for to tempt, yet he does order him
in tempting ; and Satan cannot put the least drachm into any
temptation, but as it is measured out by the hand of Christ.
And this is that which the apostle speaks plainly, in 1 Cor.
xth chapter and the 13th verse : " But God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able," &c.
that ye may be able to bear it. The psalmist David says :
" Search me, O Lord, and prove me," Psalm cxciii. That
is, says Gregory, first, O Lord, look upon my strength, and
then, if I must be tempted, suffer me to be tempted accord-
ing to my ability. Christ does measure out all the tempta-
tions of his people according to their abilities.
Secondly, As he does measure out their temptations accord-
ing to their abilities: so he does also mortify their temptations,
and weaken them as they come through his hand. Mortify
them before they do come at his disciples and people, before
they do come at you. And, upon this account, partly, it is
said, that, " We are more than conquerors, through Christ
that giveth victory." Because our enemy is overcome before
he strikes, and his blow is broken as he strikes. And there-
fore, says the apostle, concerning our Saviour, " That he hath
spoiled principalities and powers, and made a show of them
openly upon the cross." All your temptations, the power and
strength of them, were spoiled upon the cross. There is no
temptation befals any of God's people, but it is mortified and
weakened before it does come at them ; the sting, teeth, and
the poison being taken out.
Thirdly, He does not only thus mortify and weaken a
temptation before it does come at us ; but he does cause
Satan so to lay his temptations, as that he may be discerned,
and so overcome. Satan tempted Adam and Eve, but he
tempted in a serpent, and so Adam might easily have dis-
cerned the hand of Satan in it, for Adam knew all the
creatures, he gave them their names, and he knew their
SER. 5.] ox TEMPTATION. 167
natures ; and he knew well enough the serpent could not
speak to him ; he might easily have known that the hand of
Satan was in the business. And so now, though God does
suffer Satan to tempt his people, yet he does cause Satan so
to lay his temptation, as that the black feet of the tempter
may be discovered ; and when a temptation is discovered it
is half overcome.
Fourthly, He doth not only thus, but the Lord Jesus
Christ hath the timeing of all our temptations. Time is a
great matter in the point of temptation. Should a tempta-
tion come at such or such a time, possibly God's child might
be overwhelmed. I praise the Lord, says one, I did resist
such a temptation ; but had it fallen out at such a time, I
should never have been able to have stood under it. Satan
observes his tempting times, he knows that great advantage
may be made unto him by this. And therefore when Christ
was an hungry, he tempted him to turn stones into bread :
observed his time. And as Satan does observe his time to
tempt, so our Lord and Saviour Christ does set him his time,
and the time of his temptations is in the hand of Christ.
And therefore, if ye look into the xxth chapter of the
Revelation, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd verses, ye shall find to this
purpose thus : " I saw an angel come down from heaven,
having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in
his hand : and he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent,
which is the devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand
years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up,
and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations
no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled, and after
that, he must be loosed a little season." Mark, the Lord
Jesus Christ hath not only the tempter in a chain, that he
can go no further than he gives him leave to go ; but his
hand also is in the hand of Christ, and Christ hath an eye
to the time of his temptation, a special eye upon the time of
our temptation, and this argues much of his care and love.
Fifthly, He hath not only the timeing of our temptations,
but he does also sanctify our temptations, and does make
them blessed means of our sanctification. And therefore
says Paul, " I received the messenger Satan for to buffet me,
that I might not be exalted." Twice he hath that: " That
he might not be exalted out of measure." But for this I
168 OX TEMPTATION'. [SfiR. 5.
need go no further than the instance of Peter. Before Peter
was tempted, what abundance of carnal confidence was there
in Peter ! " Lord (says he) though all men forsake thee,
yet will not I." But now I pray look upon him after his
temptation, and you shall see how this carnal confidence was
laid down ; for our Saviour says unto him, " Peter, lovest
thou me more than these ? Lord (says he) thou knowest I
love thee " but not a word of the comparative, " more than
these :" he had left comparing now, having been under
temptation, and having fallen, his carnal confidence was
gone, and he does not say now, " Lord, though all men for-
sake thee, yet will not I ;" the comparison is left out now ;
he answers to the other part, but not a word to that. So
that I say, If the Lord Jesus Christ do measure out all our
temptations for us, and mortify them before they come at
us ; and does cause Satan to lay them as we may most easily
discover them ; and if the Lord Christ does time our temp-
tations for us, and sanctify them unto us : then certainly
there is much of Christ's love and mercy at work for his
people under their temptations.
Secondly, If ye ask me yet further, Wherein is the love of
Christ expressed, or drawn out unto his people under their
temptations ? I answer, it is seen and expressed in this :
in teaching of them in and by their temptations. Tempting
times are teaching times unto God's people : the school of
temptation is a great school. Luther said, that the tempta-
tions of Satan were the embracings of Christ ; meaning that
then Christ did embrace his people most, and discover most
of his love unto them. Three things, he said, there were
that made a preacher : meditation, prayer and temptation.
And indeed when or where does God or Christ reveal him-
self more fully unto his people, than in the times of their
temptations ? It is said that at Massah and Meribah, the
waters of strife and of temptation, there the Lord gave
Israel his statutes. How many experiences do God's peo-
ple get in, and by their temptations ? Tempting times are
teaching times, and Christ teaches his people by their temp-
tations. Satan's buffetings are the saints' schoolings.
Yea, thirdly, He does not only teach his people, but he
does also bear up and uphold their hearts with new supplies
of his grace and Spirit in the times of their temptations.
SER. 5.] ON TEMPTATION. 169
Christ does not suffer his people to go into new temptations
with old strength ; but as a new temptation does come from
Satan, so new supplies of grace and strength do come from
Christ. Says David, in the xcivth Psalm and the 18th
verse, " When I said, My foot slippeth ; thy mercy, O Lord,
held me up." He does not say thus, When my foot slippeth,
thy mercy, O Lord, held me up : but, " When I said, My
foot slippeth " when I thought I was quite rejected, cast off,
and forsaken ; " When I said, My foot slippeth ; then thy
mercy, O Lord, held me up." As new temptations do come
in, so new strength comes in.
Yea, and supplies of grace in proportion to our tempta-
tions. " My grace is sufficient for thee," says the Lord to
Paul : My grace is fit for thee.
Yea, he does not only give out proportionable strength,
but an overplus of strength. As the woman that had oil
given her ; not enough barely to pay her debt, but an over-
plus to live on the rest. So God's people in the time of
their temptations, have not only strength given them to
stand out against their temptations, but an overplus to live
on the rest.
Yea, and they have not only incomes of assisting grace,
but of accepting grace too ; more accepting grace. God
doth and will then accept lesser than at another time.
Though the prayer be weak and the faith low, yet, says the
Lord, It is the time of temptation with this my poor servant,
and therefore I will take the duty, though it be never so
little, because it is the time of temptation ; it is a time of
darkness, and a time of sadness. Ye know what our Saviour
said unto Thomas : " Reach hither thine hand, and put it
into my side." Come, Thomas, if thou wilt not believe
without it, I will take thy faith even upon these terms, for I
know it is a time of temptation with thee. What grace,
what love and mercy is here !
Yea, fourthly, The Lord Jesus Christ does not only come
in thus, with supplies of grace and strength in the times of
temptation ; but he does give his people an ease and a
remedy, a breathing time under their temptations, though
they be never so sad and never so great. Indeed Job said
that God was his enemy, and would not suffer him to swal-
low his spittle, he followed him so close ; but the good man
170 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 5.
was mistaken much, for at the same time, the time of his
temptation, he could say, " I know that my Redeemer
liveth," and he could bless the Lord : he had his breathing
time in the midst of all. When David was persecuted by
Saul, he was under temptation ; for, as the devil casts some
men into prison, so the devil persecutes in wicked men : yet
David had his breathing time now and then ; Saul given into
his hands, as a pledge of that full deliverance that David
should have afterwards. And this is no other than that
which the apostle speaks of, in that same 1st of the Corinth-
ians, the xth chapter at the 13th verse, " Who will not
suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will
with the temptation also make a way to escape :" make an
outlet, so the word is ; he will make an outlet. Though the
smoke be very offensive, yet there shall be always some
window open for to let it out, or some door open for a poor
tempted soul to go out at : still an outlet, some breathing
time in the midst of these temptations.
Fifthly, and lastly. As the Lord Jesus Christ liveth for
ever to make intercession for us ; So he doth it especially
when his people are under temptation; then he prays for
them, and then especially. I will not determine, whether
Christ now in heaven, does intercede vocally, or really : but
when Satan lies hard upon a poor tempted soul, and fetches
blood from it, then does the Lord Jesus step in unto his
Father, and present his wounds, and his blood, and says
unto his Father, O Father, I have prayed unto thee, that
this poor man or woman, may not fail in the time of temp-
tation. Thus it was with Peter here ; I have prayed for
thee: and yet this was not the time of his full intercession,
when he was here on earth. There are two parts of Christ's
priestly office: satisfaction, and intercession. The proper
place for him to make satisfaction for sin, was here on
earth : and in heaven, the holy of holiest, he does make in-
tercession ; there he does do it fully, but he could not for-
bear while he was here on earth ; but he says unto Peter,
I have prayed for thee. Though my great work in heaven
be to intercede, and my special work here on earth be to
satisfy : yet notwithstanding, I have prayed for thee already
Peter. And the Lord Jesus Christ was heard in all that he
prayed for. Now then, if the Lord Christ doth in-
.] ON TEMPTATION. 171
tercede here on earth for his poor tempted servants, and was
heard here ; how much more, when his disciples are tempted,
does he intercede, and pray for them in heaven, and is heard
there. Satan may come running in upon you with his temp-
tation : but when Satan runs in upon you with his tempta-
tion, Christ runs into the presence of God the Father, and
spreads his blood, and his satisfaction for you, and there he
says unto the Father, Father, I have prayed that this man
or woman's faith may not fail. Oh ! what grace, and mercy,
and love is here ! Thus in all these respects, and many
others that I might mention, is the love of Christ, and his
mercy drawn out unto his people, in the time of their
temptation.
Well, But how may it appear, that Christ's mercy is
most at work, when his people are most assaulted by Satan ?
Christ deals by his, as God the Father did deal by him. Now
ye shall find, that God's love was nevermore towards Christ,
than when Christ was under temptation. When Christ
came to die, Satan was very busy ; it is called, The hour of
darkness : so busy was Satan with all his malice against him :
yet then was the Father's love towards Christ, then espe-
cially ; for says Christ, " Therefore does the Father love me,
because I lay down my life." If the Father did therefore love
him, because he laid down his life, then his love was most
at work towards Christ when this hour of darkness was.
And so I say, when your hour of darkness is, the hour of
temptation ; Christ's love is then most at work, because he
deals by his, as the Father did deal by him.
The truth is, Christ's dealing with his disciples, was a
pattern and platform of his dealing with all his people, to
the end of the world. Now ye shall observe, that Christ's
love was never more let out towards his disciples, than from
this time, after he had said these words, " Satan hath de-
sired to sift you as wheat." After this time they were all
offended because of Christ, and they all forsook him : Peter
denied him; some doubted whether he were the Messiah
or no : and another would not believe his resurrection ; and
as sheep, they were all scattered, and shattered ; great was
their temptations : yet from this time, do but observe the
love of Christ towards them : after this speech, then Christ
preaches a most excellent and sweet sermon to them, in
172 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 5.
the xivth, xvth, and xvith chapters of John. Then he takes
water and a towel, and washes, and wipes his disciples 3 feet.
Then he appoints the Lord's Supper. Then he spends a
whole chapter, the xviith of John, in prayer for them :
makes a most excellent, and sweet prayer for them. Then
he calls them his friends : Ye are no longer my servants,
but my friends : yea, his children : yea his little children.
Never was his love more drawn out, or expressed towards
them, than after this time ; and, I say, this was a pattern and
a platform of his dealing, with all his people unto the end
of the world. And therefore, though Christ do suffer his
own people to be tempted, yet his love and mercy is never
more at work than when they are most assaulted by Satan.
Thirdly, you will say, What is there in the heart of
Jesus Christ, that does incline him to this indulgence to-
ward his people, that his love and mercy is then most at
work, when they are most assaulted by Satan ?
My beloved, there is the quintessence of all the excellency
of loving relations in Jesus Christ : a father, a mother, a
brother, a friend. He is the Everlasting Father. And his soul
was in travail, says the prophet. He is not ashamed to call
you his brethren. And he is a Friend : " I call you my
friends." Now though parents be tender of their children
at all times, yet especially when they are sick ; then there is
a chair of love stands by the child's bed-side. And so, though
Christ be always tender of his people, yet then especially,
when their souls are sick, and labour under temptation.
There is the greatest pity in Christ that can be, the most
pitiful disposition in Christ ; which is always laid out where
he sees a fit object for it. Pray what is the object of pity ?
The object of pity, is one whom ye love in misery. If ye
see a man in misery, yet if ye do not love him, ye do not pity
him : if ye see a man whom ye love, yet if ye do not see him
in misery, ye do not pity him ; ye love him but ye do not pity
him : but a person whom ye love in misery is the object of
pity. Now all the saints and people of God are the beloved
of Christ; and when they are in temptation, that is their
greatest misery ; and therefore, when they are most tempted,
then is the love and mercy of Christ drawn out unto them
especially.
Besides, the Lord Jesus Christ hath a great interest and
SEW. 5.] ON TEMPTATION. 1?3
share in every believer, a share going in every believer. As
the member hath an interest and share in the head, so the
head hath also in every member. " Thine they were (says
Christ) and thou gavest them me." Christ hath a special
and great interest in all his people, and he will not lose his
interest. The truth is, when Satan does assault a believer,
he does rather strike at Christ, than at the believer. And
therefore, says Gregory well, The devil, in tempting Job, did
not so much strike at Job, as at God ; for the Lord had said
that Job was an upright man : and now the devil would go
about to make Job an hypocrite; so that the devil would fain
have made God a liar ; and he did not so much strike at Job,
as at God's testimony of Job : he did strike at God. And
so now, in all the temptations of the saints, he strikes at
Christ, and they bear those temptations because of Christ.
Let a man go on in a wicked and ungodly way, Satan will not
vex him with temptations ; but let a man once become godly,
and be in Christ, and then how many temptations will Satan
vex him with ? Now, says Christ, shall this poor soul endure
all this for me, and shall not I help, shall not I assist, shall
not I deliver ? If a man break his arm or his leg before ye,
you will pity him : but if he break his arm or his leg in your
work or service, in a work that you set him about, you count
yourself engaged then to help him. It is the work of Christ
that the saints are about, and Christ sets them on work ; and
when Satan comes to tempt, it is to disturb them in the work
that Christ sets them about : Now, therefore, says Christ,
shall they endure all this because of me, and because of my
work, and shall not I assist and defend them and help them ?
Surely I will. O my beloved ! if ye did but know what an
interest Jesus Christ hath in every believer, you would easily
see the reason of this, so great tenderness in him, that his
love and mercy is never more at work than when they are
most assaulted by Satan.
For application.
What abundance of comfort is here unto all those that are
the true disciples of Jesus Christ ! you are not alone in your
temptations, Christ is with you ; and he is in heaven too, in-
terceding and praying for you : he hath sent his Spirit into
your hearts, to make intercession for you there ; and he him-
self is in heaven, making intercession and praying for you
174 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 5.
there : when you are in temptation, Christ is at prayer for
you. Yea, he does not only pray for you, but his love and
his mercy is most of all at work then, when you are most as-
saulted. Oh, what comfort is this !
But, will some say, I fear this comfort belongs not to me,
because I am none of these that are Christ's true disciples ;
Christ prayed for Peter, because he was his disciple ; and he
prayed for the rest because they were his disciples : but as
for me, though in profession I may be a disciple, yet really I
fear I am no true disciple of Jesus Christ, and therefore I
fear that he does not pray and intercede for me in the time of
my temptation.
Two things for answer to this :
First, I pray consider that place in the xvith chapter of
Matthew, and the 24th verse : " Then said Jesus unto his
disciples, If any man will come after me (or, If any man will
be my disciple; so some books have it), let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow me." Mark, here are three
properties of a true disciple. To open the words a little unto
ye, that I may settle this comfort the more fully upon your
hearts.
First, A true disciple does deny himself. So long as a
man is in the state of nature, he is always in the circle of
self, and Satan keeps him in it : but when Christ comes, he
gets out of that circle, and then he denies himself. Self
says, whether natural self, civil self, or sinful self, thou art
now minding Christ, and the ways of Christ ; but mind thy
estate more, and thy name more, and thy friends and rela-
tions more, and thy health more, and thy pleasures and re-
creations more. Nay, says a true disciple, but I must mind
Christ more, I must mind mine own soul more, I must mind
mine eternity more ; so he denies himself; his sinful self,
and civil self, and religious self too : his self-reason, and his
self-will, and his self-affection.
Secondly, He does take up his cross : a true disciple takes
up his cross. It is not said, he does bear his cross with pa-
tience ; there is a great deal of difference between these ;
bearing of a man's cross with patience, when it is laid upon
him, and taking up his cross when it is laid before him. Pro-
perly a man is said to take up his cross, when there is sin
laid on one side; and there is a cross, and an affliction laid
SER. 5.] ON TEMPTATION. 175
on the other side ; now, either you must commit this sin, or
else you must endure this cross, or affliction : Nay then,
says a true disciple, rather than I will commit that
sin, I will endure this affliction ; and so he takes up his
cross.
Thirdly, He does also follow Christ. Some there are, that
having suffered for the name, and cause of Christ, they
then grow proud of their sufferings, and they fall into
foul miscarriages ; but a true disciple of Christ, when he
hath taken up the cross, he follows Christ : now properly a
man is said to follow Christ, when he does do those things
at Christ's command, wherein Christ does differ from others.
As now a man is said to follow Luther, when he does follow
him in those things wherein he differs from Calvin ; a man
follows Calvin, when he does follow him in those things
wherein he differs from Luther. So a man is said to follow
Christ, when he follows him in those things wherein he dif-
fers from others. There are some things, wherein Christ
and nature do agree : nature says, That a man must do by
another, as he would be dealt by himself; herein Christ
and nature agree. But Christ says, " A new commandment
give I unto ye, that ye love one another, as I have loved
you :" here Christ differs from nature. Nature teaches a man
that there is a God, and that God is to be prayed unto ;
and that a man is to pray for his friends : but now Christ
says, " Pray for your enemies." I say, a man is properly
said for to follow Christ, when he follows him in that where-
in Christ differs from others. Now whosoever thou art that
makes this objection, that thou art not a disciple of Jesus
Christ, and therefore he does not pray for thee in the time
of thy temptation ; I appeal to ye : Are ye not willing to take
up your cross ? rather to endure that affliction, than com-
mit this sin ? do ye not set yourself to deny yourself, your
pleasures, recreations, relations, and all for Christ? And
do ye not desire to follow Jesus Christ in those things
wherein he does differ from Anti-Christ, and from nature,
and from Moses ? then surely, thou art a disciple of Jesus
Christ.
But besides this, our Saviour tells us in the xviith of
John, that he did not only pray for those his present
disciples ; but, says he, " I pray for all that shall believe on me
176 ON TEMPTATION. [SEB. 5.
through their word," verse the 20th. What is it to believe
on Christ ? To rest upon Christ for life and glory in the
time of our temptation ; this is to believe on Christ. Now
in the time of your temptation, do not ye rest on Christ ?
do not ye rely on Christ ? then Christ hath prayed for ye.
And though thou art in such a temptation, as thou complain-
est, thou canst not pray, yet the Lord Jesus Christ hath prayed
for thee : and he is heard in all that he prayed for.
But I fear, will some say yet, that the Lord Jesus Christ
does not pray, or intercede for me in the time of my temp-
tation, because my faith fails me ; oh ! my faith hath failed
me in the time of temptation. Did Christ pray for me
my faith would not fail, for he is heard in all that he prays
for; but oh ! my faith fails in time of temptation, and there-
fore I fear that this love and mercy of Christ is not at work
for me in the time of my temptation.
For answer, first, There is a great deal of difference be-
tween the failing of your faith and the failing of your heart.
Possibly your heart may fail in time of temptation, and yet
not your faith. Look I pray into the Ixxiiird Psalm, the
26th verse, and you shall find as much. Says the Psalmist
there, " My flesh and my heart faileth." Aye, but did not
his faith fail now ? See what he says ; his faith stands not-
withstanding this : " But God is the strength of my heart,
and my portion for ever." Here is his faith. So that
though his flesh failed, and his heart failed, yet his faith did
not fail. There is a great deal of difference between a
recoiling fit of a heart-failing in time of temptation, and the
failing of one's faith.
Secondly, It is one thing for you to fail in your faith in
your own opinion, and another thing for your faith to fail in
the opinion of Jesus Christ. When Peter denied his Lord
and Master, in his own opinion he could not but think that
his faith failed ; and yet in the opinion of Jesus Christ his
faith did not fail, for Christ prayed that his faith should not
fail; and it did not fail, for Christ was heard in what he
prayed for.
Thirdly, There is a great deal of difference between the
failing of faith, and failings that do accompany faith. The poor
woman that came to Christ and touched the hem of his
garment, failed very much, for she came behind him and
SER. 5.] ON TEMPTATION. 177
thought to have stolen a cure : aye, but, though there were
many failings that did accompany her faith, yet her faith did not
fail, for she came and touched the hem of his garment, and
was cured by her faith. So I say there is a great deal of
difference between the failing of faith, and the failings that
do accompany faith ; there may be many failings that do ac-
company one's faith, and yet one's faith may stand and not
fail.
But yet further, whosoever you are, that say your faith
fails you, and therefore you are afraid that Christ prays not
for you : man or woman, did thy faith ever fail thee like Pe-
ter's ? Didst thou ever deny thy Lord and Master as Peter did ?
and yet Christ said, " I have prayed that thy faith fail not,"
and he was heard in the thing that he prayed for.
Oh ! but, that was but one act in Peter ; but my faith doth
constantly fail ; Peter denied, and his faith failed in the exer-
cise as to one act, but my faith doth constantly fail in time of
temptation : I was heretofore more able to believe in the
time of my temptation than now I am ; my faith is failed,
and it constantly fails, and therefore I fear that the Lord
Christ will not pray for me in the time of my temptation.
Well, but if you be more able to rely upon mere free
grace, than ye have been heretofore, then your faith is not
less, but, increased rather. If you be now more able to be
contented with your condition, than you were heretofore ; if
you can let God and Christ alone, to use his own means
about you ; if you can leave the events and successes of
things, more unto God than you could heretofore ; then your
faith is not failed, but rather increased. Man or woman, if
that you are able now to take those hints of a word which
you could not heretofore; if your judgment be more settled
in the truth; if you be more contented to suffer now for
the cause, and the way of God than you were heretofore : then
thy faith is not failed, but thy faith is increased rather,
and so thou comest within the compass of the Lord Christ's
prayer.
Oh ! but yet, will some say, I have sinned greatly, very
much ; I have been a great sinner ; and therefore I fear, that
the Lord Jesus Christ will let me alone to wrestle with my
temptations all alone, and will not pray and intercede for me
in the time and hour of my temptation.
178 ON TEMPTATION. [SfiR. 5.
Well, I must yet say again to you : Hast thou sinned more
than this Peter did, when he denied his Lord and Master ?
Yet Christ prayed for him, and his prayer took and prevailed.
Have you sinned more than Jerusalem did ? " Oh Jerusa-
lem, thou that stonest the prophets," says Christ, when they
put him to death. And yet if you look into the ist of the
Acts, you shall find, that Christ after his resurrection, bids
his disciples for to stay and wait at Jerusalem, and not stir from
thence ; and preach the gospel, and mercy, and free-grace in
Jerusalem. Hast thou, man or woman, that makest this ob-
jection, sinned more than those did that put Christ to death ?
that run him into his body with a spear ? that nailed him
upon the cross? hast thou sinned more than these? Ye
know our Lord and Saviour when he was upon the cross, he
prayed for them ; oh ! " Father forgive them, they know
not what they do." But, Lord, these are thine opposers,
these are persecutors, and they persecute thee to death.
Well, be it so, says Christ, I know what I do, and I know
whom I pray for : " Father forgive them, they know not what
they do." Oh ! what grace, and mercy, and love are here !
Comfort, yea, comfort unto all the disciples of Jesus Christ :
when ye are in temptation, the Lord Christ is at prayer for you.
And remember the doctrine; never is his love and mercy
more at work for ye, than when Satan is most busy about ye,
to tempt ye most. What comfort is here ! This was that,
in part, that comforted the martyrs in the primitive times, ye
read of very great comforts that the martyrs had in the primitive
times, those times next after Christ: I have desired to consider,
what it was especially, that bore up their hearts under
all those persecutions. And Turtullian, pitches upon
this as one thing : We consider, says he, the case of Peter ;
Satan desired to winnow him ; Christ prayed for him. Here
were, says Turtullian, two requests before God the Father:
one was the request of Satan : and another was the request
of Christ. Now the Son having more credit with God the
Father than Satan, his request must needs prevail : so, says
he, Satan hath desired for to tempt, and to winnow us, and
persecute us ; but the Lord Jesus Christ hath requested for
us : there are two requests before God the Father ; there is
Satan's request to winnow us ; and there is the Son's request
praying for us: now therefore, seeing that the Son hath
SER. 5.] ON TEMPTATION. 179
more credit with God the Father than Satan, therefore are
we assured that we shall be upheld, and our faith shall not
fail. And so may you also. This is matter of great comfort
unto all the saints.
You will say, Indeed it is matter of great comfort : but is
there no duty that this truth calls for at our hands ? Here
is much comfort, but what is that duty that this truth calls for ?
I answer, Much every way. If I be an ungodly man ; what
a mighty encouragement is here for to get into Jesus Christ,
that I may be in the number of the true disciples. So long
as a man is out of Christ, not a true disciple of Jesus Christ ;
Satan may come and tempt, and do what he will with him,
and no Christ by to help. Satan could not hurt, or touch,
or tempt Job, but he must ask leave : but Satan went to
the Sabeans, and brought in them upon Job's estate, and
and he did not ask leave for that, they were in his power,
he ruleth in the children of disobedience. Daniel was in
the lions' den, and they devoured him not, their mouths
were stopped, and they could not hurt him : but when the
enemies were thrown in to the lions, they cracked, and
crushed their bones before they came to the ground. If a
godly man, one that is a true disciple of Jesus Christ, if he
be in a den, with these lions, devils, their mouths shall
be stopped, they shall not swallow him. But oh ! for wick-
ed men that are not in Christ, these lions, they crush
their bones, every day they crush their bones : and a wick-
ed man may say as Saul did, " The Philistines are upon me, and
God is departed from me." So a wicked man, that is not
in Christ, he may cry out and say, oh ! temptations are upon
me, and Christ is departed from me, I have none of Christ
to help me : as for the saints, and those that are true disci-
ples of Jesus Christ, they have Christ at hand, though they
fall, Christ is by for to help them up. And Christ himself
measures out all their temptations, and Christ assists them,
and helps them, but oh ! as for me, I am all alone in my
temptations, I, poor soul, am all alone in my temptations :
ah ! who would be a drunkard still ? who would be a swearer
still ; who would be an unclean wanton still ? who would be
a liar, and a thievish servant still ? let me tell ye, that while
ye go on in these sins, you are out of Christ : poor soul, a
swearer, a drunkard, a common liar, a sabbath breaker, a
N 2
180 ON TEMPTATION. [SER. 5.
wanton, out of Christ, and thy temptations fall heavily upon
thee ; the Lord knows, thou art all alone in the time of thy
temptations : oh ! but get into Jesus Christ, get into Jesus
Christ, to be in the number of Christ's true disciples ; and
when thou art templed, the Lord prays for thee; yea, and
the love and mercy of Christ is never more at work for thee,
than when thou art most tempted, and assaulted by Satan.
What a mighty encouragement is here to all that hear the
word of the Lord, to get into Jesus Christ !
But if I be godly ; and all this be true : Why should I
question the love of God towards me in the time of my
temptation ? Beloved ! ye know in your experience, ye are
never more apt for to question the love of Christ, than in
temptation ; and yet Christ's love is never more at work for
you than in temptation. Oh ! what an unworthy answering
of Christ's love is here !
Again, If I be godly : Why should not I be contented, and
quiet under all my temptations, though they be never so
great ? Christ prayeth for me, Christ's love is most at work
now I am most assaulted, his bowels then yearn towards me.
Yea, If I be godly : Why should I not with Paul, triumph
over all temptations ? and make my boast of Christ, and say
as he did " Now know I that nothing shall separate me from
the love of God in Christ ;" not principalities, nor powers,
nor devils, nor temptation ; for when I am most tempted,
Christ is most at work in love for me.
Yea, beloved in the Lord, why should we riot all warm our
hearts with this love of Jesus Christ ? it is a mercy that the
Lord Christ will cast but an eye or a look upon a poor soul
under temptation ; that is a mercy : aye, but I tell ye more
than so ; Christ does not only cast an eye and a look
upon a poor tempted soul, but his love and mercy is never
more at work than when you are most assaulted and tempted
by Satan : ah, what grace and heart-warming love is here !
If I be godly, again, upon this account, why should I give
over so soon, and lay down my weapon in time of tempta-
tion ? If a city be beleaguered, besieged, and know that help
will come, they will not give over. And though I am thus
besieged, and thus tempted, help will certainly come, for
Christ hath prayed ; why should I give over then in time of
temptation ?
SER. 5.] ON TEMPTATION. 181
And if these things be so, if there be so much love in the
heart of Christ towards poor tempted souls : then, beloved,
should we not all run to Christ in the time and hour of our
temptation, run unto him by prayer ?
It may be there are some that will say, If Christ pray for
us in time of temptation, what need we pray ?
But, I answer, pray look into this chapter, and you will
find our Saviour carries it otherwise. In the text, says he,
" But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." At the
46th verse, says he, " Why sleep ye ? rise and pray, lest ye
enter into temptation." So that, though he had said that he
prayed for them, yet he calls upon them also to pray. It is
good praying, my beloved, when mercy is coming: and mercy
is then coming when Christ is praying ; and when you are
most tempted, then Christ is at prayer.
But to end all. Whatever your temptations, therefore, be,
you that are the servants of God, still think ye hear Christ
saying to ye, Man, woman, be of good comfort, I have prayed
for you : though thy temptations be very great, I have prayed
for thee : though thou canst not pray for thyself as thou
wouldest, I have prayed for thee : when flesh fails, and eyes
fail, and heart fails, and all fails, yet remember this, Christ
prayeth for you, in the time of your temptation Christ pray-
eth for you : think that ye hear Christ speaking to ye in the
time of your temptation, for certainly he does it as well to his
disciples now, as he did to his disciples then, he does speak
and say, Be of good comfort, man or woman, though thy
temptations be great, yet I have prayed for thee, and thy
faith shall not fail.
GRACE FOR GRACE,
OVERFLOWINGS OF CHRIST'S FULNESS RECEIVED BY
ALL SAINTS.
IN
SIX SERMONS,
PREACHED AT ST. DUNSTAN'S IN THE EAST,
AND OTHER PLACES.
A. D. 1644-5.
GRACE FOR GRACE.
SERMON I.
" And of his fulness have all we received, even grace for grace."
JOHN i. 16.
HERE in this chapter are two choice spirits, John the
Baptist and John the Evangelist; both agreeing in this, to
advance the honour of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist is
brought in by John the Evangelist, giving, as you read in this
first chapter, four great testimonies of Jesus Christ.
The first begins at the 15th verse : " John bare witness of
Him, and cried, saying, This is he of whom I spake/'
Wherein John the Baptist doth prefer Jesus Christ above
himself; both in regard of his person and regard of his of-
fice : in regard of his person, as you read in the latter end of
the 15th verse, " This was he of whom I spake, He that co-
meth after me, is preferred before me ;" in regard of his office,
at the 16th, the 17th and 18th verses, " And of his fulness
have all 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 Chry-
sostome, that do conceive the words of my text to be the
words of John the Evangelist: the 15th verse having, as
they say, relation unto John's speech in the latter end of the
14th 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, there-
fore, that spake the words of the former verse, in all likeli-
hood spake these words: he that spake the words of the
former verse was John the Baptist, and therefore these words
being linked unto the former by the word and, in all likeli-
hood are the words of John the Baptist.
The words of themselves fall into these three propositions :
186 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 1.
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 tha determination thereof falls properly within
the compass of the third proposition, and will have little in-
fluence upon the first, which I intend, God willing, to speak
upon at this time ; therefore I pass by that controversy, and
come presently unto the first proposition, which is this :
That there is a fulness of grace in Jesus Christ.
Fulness is here attributed, you see, unto Jesus Christ.
The word in the original K\epapa sometimes is taken for
abundance : " The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness
thereof," Psalm xxiv. 1. So here it is not taken, here it is
too narrow ; for there is not only Plenitudo abundantiee, but,
Plenitudo redundantly ; not only a fulness of abundance, but
a fulness of redundancy an overflowing 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 of 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 brimful of liquor, and so metaphorically applied here
unto our Lord Jesus Christ, who is brimful of grace, in
whom there is no emptiness, there is no evacuity. While I
speak 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 14th 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 shall 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 :
it is the fulness therefore of grace that is in Christ, that I
am now speaking of.
Now the word grace, sometimes is taken for the love and
SER. 1.] GRACE FOB GRACE. 187
favour of God : " We are saved by grace," Eph. ii. 5 : that
is, we are saved through the love and mercy of God.
Sometimes this word x*/"c in the original is used or
put for holiness : " Singing with grace in your hearts," Col.
iii. 16 ; that is, with holiness in your hearts.
And sometimes it is used for excellency, for gifts, or
ability, as in Ephes. iv. 7> (x a f to > ia Donum, quodquis gratifi-
caturj, and in all 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
believers, 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 (says Christ), Father forgive them, they know not
what they do," Luke xxhi. 24. 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 sin, he was put-
ting 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 pardoned ; they slept
again, and Christ pardoned again ; they slept again, and
Christ pardoned again. Yea, and when he had pardoned, 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's 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 for those that were weak in grace. The first
sermon that he preached, " Blessed are the poor in spirit,"
188 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 1.
Matt. v. 3, 4, 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 sense 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 pass by their infirmity because it was accom-
panied 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 Christ's
way, Christ would come down to him in his way. Thomas,
saith he, thou sayest thou wilt not believe, unless thou thrust
thy hands into my side ; Thomas, thou wilt not honour me
by believing 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 believing. Oh, the
admirable condescension of the love of Jesus Christ ! Be-
loved, he is the same now in heaven.
Again, When he was upon the earth, he professed that his
heart, and his love, and affections were as much, if I say not
more, unto one saint, as unto all his kindred that are such.
"Blessed are those that keep thy commandments," Rev.
xxii. 14. " Behold, say they, thy mother, and thy brother, and
sister are without to speak with thee :" says he, " Whosoever
shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same
is my brother, sister, and mother," Matt. xii. 47 50. As if
he should say, you count my kindred happy, because they are
near unto me ; but do you see one poor, believing, trembling,
gracious soul? I tell you the soul that keeps my command-
ments, 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 door being
shut ; he comes into the room, and he says unto them, " Peace
be unto you," Luke xxxiv. 36. 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
courteous, and as loving towards them now being risen, as
he was before he died
SER. 1.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 189
And, my beloved, if Jesus Christ should not be as gra-
cious, and as kind after death, as before ; then his disciples
should be losers by his death : but he professed to them be-
fore he died, that they should not be losers, but gainers ra-
ther. 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 will not
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, is
called the carnal command. Heb. vii. 16.
And as for the high priest, though he had holiness written
upon his forehead ; yet therein he was but a type of Christ.
And saith the apostle, in the book of Hebrews vii. 27 ; "The
high priest then when he offered for others' sins, 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 cried thrice, The
temple, the temple, the temple of the Lord, Jer. vii. 4. But
now if you look into the vith chapter of Isaiah, you shall find
that our Lord Christ is there upon the temple ; and whereas
they cried three times for the temple, The temple of the Lord,
the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord. Three
times this is echoed 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 co-
vered his feet, and with twain he did fly, and one cried unto
190 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 1.
another, and said, Holy, holy, holy. As if he should say :
you that are the Jews, you cry out of the temple ; the tem-
ple, the temple, the temple. But here is holiness, here is one
that is holy, holy, holy, holy. That this is to be understood of
Christ, you may see plainly, by comparing it with the ivth
chapter of the Revelation, at the 2nd verse : " Immediately
I was in the spirit, : and behold a throne was set in heaven,
and one sat on the throne," as it is said in Isaiah, one sat on
the throne. "And he that sat was to look upon as a jasper, and
a sardine stone. And there was a rainbow 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 description of the gospel church. And,
saith he, at the 8th verse, " The four beasts had each of them
six wings about them, 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 Isaiah : 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 will 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
near together, that were so far asunder ? Every man natur-
ally is full of sin : You say of the beggar, he is full of ver-
min, why ? because he goes to this door, to that door, and
to another door, and he scatters his vermin wherever he
comes, and the man knows it not : surely therefore, the man
is full of vermin.
And so a man naturally, dropping, and scattering his sins
and not knowing of it, it argues he is full of sin. God, he is
full of holiness : whose eyes cannot endure to behold ini-
quity : yet when men are converted and drawn to God, they
are brought near unto him : they are the apple of his eye :
their names are written in the palm of his hand. That is,
says Luther, the hand is an instrument of work ; and when
the names of the saints are said to be written in the palm of
God's hand, it notes thus much, says 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
1.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 191
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 as a friend to his children : such a great
friendship there is between God and his people, so near they
are brought to one another. Well, but how are they brought
thus near ! they are brought near by Jesus Christ : in
whom we have a manuduction, a leading by the hand, says
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 near together by Jesus Christ, if there
were not an infinite fulness of holiness in Jesus Christ ?
Again, if there were not this fulness of holiness in Christ,
how should he be anointed with the oil of gladness above his
fellows ? The saints themselves are said to be full of grace.
The church called, " The fulness of Christ that filleth all in
all:" Ephesians ist chapter 23rd verse. Stephen, Mary,
others ; full of the Holy Ghost : surely therefore, if so much
of the ointment run down upon Christ's members, there
must be a great anointing upon Christ himself: surely, there
must be an infinite holiness in Christ, that must serve us all :
and of his fulness we have all received, we have all received.
You will say, But if the saints be full of grace and holi-
ness, how is this the property of Christ ?
Yes, I answer, for though the saints be full of grace, and
holiness ; yet their fulness is but a fulness of sufficiency,
mark, whereby they are made able to this or that work where-
unto they are appointed : but the fulness of Christ is a ful-
ness of efficiency, that filleth all in all. And therefore it is
said in this chapter, " The law was given by Moses/' John i.
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 fulness that is in the saints, is but a particular
fulness.
The fulness that is in Christ, is an universal fulness.
Therefore says the apostle, " It pleased the Father, that in
him should all fulness dwell," Col i. 19. All fulness.
The fulness that is in the saints, is such a fulness as
does ebb and flow; as the haven is said to be full of
192 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 1.
water, yet sometimes it is empty : but there is a dwelling
fulness in the sea: so there is a dwelling fulness in
Jesus Christ : and therefore, says the apostle, it pleased the
Father that in him should all fulness dwell : oh ! it is a
dwelling fulness that is in Jesus Christ.
Our righteousness as we are distinct, or abstracted from
Christ, it is but a fading righteousness ; as the morning dew.
" Our righteousness (says Hosea) is as the morning dew/'
Hosea vi. 4. in regard of its fading : but the holiness and
righteousness of Christ, in the cxth Psalm, is called " The
dew of the morning :" not in regard of its fading nature, but
in regard of its muchness, in regard of its multitude, because
it makes all 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 excellentia, a fulness of excellency in
Jesus Christ. Therefore saith the apostle, " He is able to
save to the uttermost/' Heb. vii. 25 ; 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 sinned to the utmost,
he is able to save 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
1st chapter of the Hebrews, at the 3rd verse. He is called
the brightness of his Father's glory : " Who being the bright-
ness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and
upholding all things by the word of his power; when he had
by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the
Majesty on high : he is made so much better than the angels,
as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name
than they : for unto which of the angels said he at any time"
&c. But, at the 8th verse, " Unto the Son he saith, Thy
throne, O God, is for ever and ever, a sceptre of righteous-
ness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." Here is 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 is said, at the
next verse, the 1 7th verse, " The law was given by Moses,
but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ : no man hath seen
. 1.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 193
God at any time ; the only begotten Son, which is in
the bosom 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 parts : Christ hath
seen him : " No man hath seen God at any time ; the only be-
gotten 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 xvith of John ; consider it duly : saith he, " I
will send the Comforter (at the 7th verse), and he shall con-
vince the world of sin, and of righteousness (at the xth
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, and now I am ready to be cast into prison for your
debt : the grave is to take hold upon me, I am to lie by it for
your sin, for your debt : but, saith he now, I will rise out of
the grave, I will come forth of prison, I will 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 to heaven, God the
Father would say to me, You are in prison for man's 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 full debt : " I go to my Father and
ye see me no more."
Would you have a proof of Christ's fulness of excellencies
in general ? Look then I pray upon the iind chapter of
Haggai, and 7th verse, there you have this expression of him.
He is called the desire of all nations : " I will shake all na-
tions, 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
o
194 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 1.
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 clothing and cloth ; 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, aye, 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, saith the apostle, "he
hath in all things the pre-eminence," Col. i. 11. If you will,
I will gather it up into a syllogism, thus : If Jesus Christ be
the desire of all nations, and hath the pre-eminency 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
pre-eminency in all the world ; surely, therefore, there is a
fulness of excellency in Jesus Christ ; a fulness of excellency,
a fulness of holiness, a fulness of love. No wonder, then, that
Paul says, " I desire to know nothing, but Jesus Christ, and
him crucified," 1 Cor. ii. 2 ; no wonder that he said, " I
count all things but dung and dross, in comparison of the
knowledge of Jesus Christ/ 3 Phil. iii. 8. Certainly, surely,
there is a fulness of grace in Jesus Christ.
You will say unto me, We see, we know there is a fulness
in Jesus Christ, a fulness of grace : but now, by way of ap-
plication, what is our duty that doth flow from hence ?
Much every way : I will instance, in four or five particu-
lars, so many duties that do flow from hence.
First, If there be such a fulness in Jesus Christ, a fulness
of grace in Jesus Christ j then let all men come unto him.
There is none of us all here present, but labour under some
wants or other. Oh, says one, I have great charge, family,
parish, or otherwise ; and I want grace to manage it. Oh,
says another, I have great and strong temptations, and I
want strength to resist them. Oh, says another, there are
many errors abroad ; I want knowledge to discern them, and
avoid them ; I want wisdom to know the truth, and join with
the truth, and own the truth, and manifest the truth. Well,
whatever your wants be, there is enough in Jesus Christ to
].] GRACE FOR GRACE. 195
supply them, there is a fulness in him ; why should we not
come unto him ? Oh ! you that never tasted of Christ's
sweetness, that never yet partaked of his fulness ; come unto
the Lord Jesus that you may be filled for ever.
You will say, it may be, I am a poor, weak, ignorant, sim-
ple man or woman ; a guilty creature : and I am afraid for to
come unto him. Mark this.
But, I answer, if Christ's invitation be made to you, then
you will not be afraid to come to him. Now I pray you look
into the ixth chapter of the Proverbs of Solomon ; see what
an invitation is made upon this ground of Christ's fulness :
" 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 hewn out her seven pillars," the firm-
ness and beauty of the church : seven is a note of perfection :
" she hath killed her beasts ; she hath mingled her wine ; she
hath also furnished her table." Here is the fulness of Christ
in his church. What then ? " She hath sent forth her maid-
ens," that is, the ministers of the gospel, who, as virgins,
should be untouched and undefiled by the world: " she crieth
in the high places of the city : Whoso is simple, let him turn
in hither : as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith
to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of my wine which
I have mingled." Pray observe it, who are invited to partake
of this fulness ; simple ones : " Whoso is simple, let him
turn in hither."
Oh ! but I am not only simple and ignorant; but the Lord
knows I have no heart to good things.
I answer, See what follows : " Whoso is simple, let him
turn in hither : and as for him that wanteth heart," so it is
in the Hebrew, " she saith to him," to him that wanteth
heart, " Come, eat 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 occa-
sion they were constrained to sit in the open fields : and be-
ing there set in the open fields, a poor chased bird, a sparrow
o 2
196 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 1.
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 killed 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 will 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 been, man or woman ; whatever you
have been, though you have been never so vile, come unto
Jesus Christ, come unto Jesus Christ. Oh ! methinks 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 :
and 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
Christ's sweetness, you that never yet partaked of Christ's
fulness; come now; come, for there is a fulness in Jesus
Christ. That is the first thing.
Secondly, If there be such a fulness 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 all see into what sad times we are now fallen :
there is no grace, I say, will stand us in more stead, or more
able to turn away the evil that is now upon us, than 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
Saxony : the duke of Saxony prepares for war against him :
but before he would come upon him, he sends a spy to ob-
serve what the bishop was a doing. The spy went : and be-
ing returned again ; Come, says the duke, what is the bishop
a doing ? Sir, says he, he is idle, and secure, you may fall
upon him and destroy him when you will. Aye, says he,
but what says the bishop ? Sir, he says 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 will
commit the whole weight and bulk of this war to God him-
. 1.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 197
self, who fighteth for me. Aye, says the duke, did the bishop
say so ? bellum ei inferat diabolus, non ego : then, says he
let the devil take up arms against him if he will, for I will
not. Thus, thus 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 (saith the
Psalmist) they will trust unto thee," Psalm ix. 10. " How
excellent is thy name, O Lord ! therefore do the children of
men put their trust in thee," Psalm xxxvi. *J. Beloved, ye
have heard of Christ's name, his name is full of sweetness :
oh, therefore, you servants and people of God, that have gone
fearing and trembling up and down, dropping under many
fears, without assurance of God's love in Christ ; if there be
such a fulness in Christ, then trust unto him : yea trust, and
trust perfectly to him. If Satan come and tempt you, and
says thus unto you ; Thou art a poor, unworthy creature j
and dost thou think to have mercy ? Answer, True, Satan,
I am so indeed, most unworthy ; but there is a fulness 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
confess I am, I have committed such and such sins ; but
there is a fulness 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 fulness in Jesus
Christ, I will trust unto him. Oh, you servants of the Lord,
live much by faith : there is a fulness in Christ, trust unto
it. And that is the second.
Thirdly, If there be such a fulness in Christ : then it is
our duty to draw forth this fulness : let all men draw forth
this fulness. That is done these three ways :
I. By a serious, frequent, solemn consideration and
eyeing of Christ's fulness. " For beholding as in a glass
(says the apostle) we are changed from glory to glory," 2 Cor.
iii. 18. The beholding of Christ's glory, changes us into
glory.
II. It is drawn forth also by our resting upon it in a time
of temptation. It is here in regard of Christ's fulness, as in
regard of God's mercy, or promise : pray mark it, my very
198 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 1.
resting upon God's promise in the time of 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.
III. It 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 wa-
ter in the conduit, or much water in the cistern ; and the
fountain may be willing to furnish it with more, but it 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 com-
municate to other folk : this draws it out. Well, then a ful-
ness 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, 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 espe-
cially ; for there is a fulness of love in Christ. And yet, alas !
whenever was there less love, and more strife than now ?
whenever less love among professors ? whenever more strife
than 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 apprehen-
sion 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 strive for ; who shall be most rich, who shall have
most honour : if it be more of the world that we strive for :
why ? oh ! why shou Id 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 ?
1.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 199
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 all. If two, or three, or six, or twenty men be
athirst ; 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 hun-
dred be athirst, 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
envy, no more contention, no more division ; labour, let us
all labour to be more and more like unto Jesus Christ : he
was full of grace, especially he was full of love, let us labour
to be like unto him.
In the fifth and last place : the fifth 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 persuaded that Jesus Christ hath not
given a sufficient rule, hath not laid down a perfect, a suffi-
cient rule in the word, for the ordering, and for the govern-
ing of the Churches, and therefore I will eke 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 viith of Proverbs, " Come and
200 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 1.
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 con-
clude 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 been 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 been so with me : I have
thought that there hath not been 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, that I have said many times that my
sins 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 limited
thee, and I have said many times in my haste, If this means
fail, then England is undone, the church undone : thus I
have limited thee, Lord. Oh, herein I have wronged 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 con-
tent and complacency, as if there were enough there ; but
now I see there is a fulness in Jesus Christ : the Lord par-
don me that ever I let out my heart upon any creature com-
fort, upon any thing but Jesus Christ. You that have been
guilty, fall down and humble yourselves before the Lord,
and consider that there is a fulness in Jesus Christ, and
labour to draw out this fulness from him. Which that you
may so do, think on all these things, and the Lord bless
them to you.
SER. 2.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 201
SERMON II.
" And of his fulness have all we received, even grace for grace."
JOHN i. 16.
I HAVE made entrance into these words in a neighbouring
congregation, and shall 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 despatched, 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 we ? " Some there are that
conceive, that by those words we are to understand all the
creatures of heaven and earth, because it 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 less is beholden to Jesus Christ : for
if Christ had not stepped in upon the fall, God's displeasure
was so great against man, that he would presently have
broke up house ; and the sin of the fall was so heavy, that
it would have broken the very axle-tree of the world, if
Jesus Christ had not put too his shoulder, according to that
of the apostle, " He bears up all with the word of his
power," Heb. i. 3 : yet notwithstanding, all the creatures in
heaven or earth cannot be meant here, by this " All we," for
all the creatures in heaven and earth do not receive grace :
they may be said to receive of the fulness of Christ, but not
grace for grace. But at the 12th verse it is said, " As many
as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe 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
202 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 2.
we/' those that receive him ; as ye have it in the 12th verse,
which is explained to be, Them that believe in his name.
And then the observation or doctrine lies plain before us,
which is this :
That all the saints and people of God, do partake of the
fulness of Christ in a way of receiving.
It falls asunder into two parts, thus :
First, That there is a communication of the fulness of
Jesus Christ unto all believers.
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 believers. " Of his fulness all we receive." Mark,
there is a communication of the fulness of Jesus Christ
unto all believers.
He is the second Adam which the apostle speaks of, in the
1st Corinthians, xvth chapter, and the 45th verse : " The
first man Adam was made a living soul, and the last Adam
was made a quickening spirit/ 3 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 quickening 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 mankind ; so by
the second Adam, grace and life and eternal life unto all be-
lievers. There is a dealing out, a giving out of the fulness
of Jesus Christ unto all believers. This will appear
First of all, By the union that there is between Christ
and a believer. There is a glorious, a blessed, an incom-
parable union between Christ and every believer, though he
be never so weak, though he be never so poor. There is a
union between the root and the branches ; and by virtue 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
SER. 2.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 203
is a union between the head and the members, and by virtue
of that union, the head hath an influence upon all the mem-
bers ; but yet the head is not in the members, nor the mem-
bers in the head. But now, there is a union between Christ
and believers, 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 man's
body by eating of it ; and so by virtue 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 believer, be set out in scripture phrase, under such
metaphors as these ; the root and the branches ; the hus-
band and the wife ; and the head and members ; yet none
of all these are able to reach it, not in all respects : it is a
glorious, and it is a blessed and incomparable union. And
therefore, there must needs be a communication of the ful-
ness of Christ to every believer.
Secondly, My second reason I lay upon four propositions,
and so shall arise and ascend unto the conclusion by several
steps, thus :
I. 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 strait shoe
upon his foot, or a strait garment ; he knows where it pinches,
and accordingly he is able to get it amended. Now the
Lord Jesus Christ, He hath put on our flesh, and knows
where it pinches ; he hath been clothed with our flesh, and
he knows every place where it pinches ; and accordingly he
is able to succour. And therefore, says the apostle, " He
was in all things tempted like unto us, that he might be able
to succour those that are tempted," Heb. ii. 18. Jesus
Christ is not only the Lord Treasurer of all our comforts ;
but the Lord Keeper of all our graces. The nearer any
thing comes unto the fountain of excellency, the more ex-
cellent it is. The sun is the fountain of light, and the nearer
any thing comes to the sun, the more light it hath. Fire is
the fountain of warmth and heat ; and the nearer any thing
comes to the fire, the more warm it is. Why, the Deity is
the fountain of all holiness, and Jesus Christ is so near unto
204 GRACE FOR GRACE [SER. 2.
it, as Mediator ; that the apostle says, " In him the fulness
of the God-head dwells/' Col. ii. 9. And surely therefore
there must needs be an infinite treasury of grace, and holi-
ness 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 holiness ; and yet these were but types of
Christ, they were but shadows of Christ. Now the type
and the shadow does fall infinitely short of the thing typified,
and of the substance : and therefore, if there were so much
grace and holiness in things that were but a shadow of
Christ ; if there was so much wisdom and holiness in others
of them that were but the type : oh ! what an infinite trea-
sury of grace and holiness must there be in Christ himself.
This is the first proposition.
II. As there is an infinite treasury of grace, and
holiness 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 holiness is in Jesus Christ as Media-
tor, I do not speak of him as God, but as Mediator, he hath
not received it for himself, but for others. Jesus Christ was
not baptized for himself, but for sinners, 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," John xiv. 2. And so when Christ received
gifts, says the apostle, " He received gifts for men," Eph. iv.
8 ; not for himself, but for others : he received gifts for men.
The woman hath milk in her breasts, but not for herself, but
for her child. The sun hath abundance of light in his body,
it is not for himself, but for the world. And so Jesus Christ
he hath received abundance of grace and holiness; but it is
not for himself, but for others. And therefore pray mark
what he says, in John xvii. 19, " And for their sakes I sanc-
tify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the
truth." He does not say, for my own sake do I sanctify
myself, but for their sakes : " For their sakes I sanctify my-
self, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."
There are certain official parts in the body, you know, that
SER. 2.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 205
stand as officers unto all the rest. The stomach hath a great
deal of meat in it, but it hath not that meat for itself, 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 itself, but that it may communicate
it unto all the parts. And the head, it hath all the senses
seated in it, it hath many spirits ; but not for itself, but for
the members. So Jesus Christ, who is the head of the
church whatsoever grace and holiness as Mediator he hath
received, he hath not received for himself, but for others.
This may make the saints and people of God to come with
boldness to the throne of grace : hath Christ received for
others, and not for himself; then why not for me? Lord,
why not for me ? Now you shall see that further proved in
the Ixist chapter of Isaiah, the 1st and 2nd verses: "The
Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord hath
anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek ; he hath
sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, and to proclaim
liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them
that are bound ; to proclaim the acceptable year 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 designed me to go open the prison
doors to these poor captives : and because God the Father
hath designed me to it; therefore the Spirit of the I^ord is
upon me, not in me ; therefore the Spirit of the Lord is upon
me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good
tidings 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 mem-
bers. That is a second proposition.
III. As there is an infinite treasury of grace and holi-
ness 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 infinite
propension and willingness in Jesus Christ, to communicate
206 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 2.
and give out his grace unto the children of men. " He is
faithful (says the apostle) in all his house, as Moses was,"
Heb. iii. 2. Now if Jesus Christ should receive gifts for
men, for others ; and then run away with all, and not be wil-
ling to give them out; he could not be faithful : but faithful
he is. Look, I pray, for this in the xvith Psalm, at the 2nd
verse : " 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 read the words thus : " Thou hast said unto the Lord,
Thou art my Lord : my goodness extendeth not to thee."
But in the Hebrew, the word extendeth is not. " Thou art
my Lord : my goodness not for thee : but for the saints that
are in the earth." That these words are spoken of Christ,
pray read the four last verses : " I have set the Lord always
before me :" at the 8th verse, " because he is at my right-
hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and
my glory rejoiceth : 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 says in Acts ii. 25 : " David speaketh
concerning him (mark) : For I foresaw the Lord always be-
fore my face; he is on my right-hand, I shall not be moved :
therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad :
moreover also, my flesh shall rest in hope : because thou
wilt not leave my soul in hell," the same words, " neither
wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." Mark
what is said then at the 29th verse, the apostle proves, that
these words of the Psalm, must needs be understood of
Christ, and not of David. " Men and brethren, (says he)
let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he
is doth dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto
this day." Therefore, says he, these words cannot be un-
derstood of David, but must be understood of Christ. Now
then, this Psalm being thus to be understood of Christ, says
Christ, " Lord, thou art 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 goodness I have from thee, I am willing
to give it out again unto them ; because all my delight is in
them. Do you not think, that a man is willing to eat his meat
SER 2,] GRACE FOR GRACE. 20?
when he is a hungry ? Pray look into the ivth chapter of
John, and you shall see what was Christ's meat, verse the
34th : " Jesus saith 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; whatisthat? You read before in the Ixist of Isaiah,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 relieve poor sinners, to open the
prison door 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 it is
a pain to me : not only for my child therefore, but for mine
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 Christ's breasts be not drawn,
he counts it a pain to him. And therefore he complains so
in the gospel : " I came unto mine own, and mine own received
me not," John i. 1 1 ; 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 ! says one, I am a poor igno-
rant creature : I would fain, I would fain have more know-
ledge. Oh ! says one, I am one of great passions, and of a
disordered life; and, oh! that I had my life better ordered.
Oh ! says another, I am a poor guilty soul ; and I would
have pardon, I would have pardoning grace. Now I will
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 com-
plain that you are ignorant. This is the office of Jesus Christ
to be a king ; and therefore he is is willing to direct you ;
and to order you : you that complain of distemper, and dis-
order.
208 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 2.
This is the office of Christ to be a priest, and therefore
he is willing to satisfy 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 qualifica-
tions, and precedaneous conditions ? There are no incomes,
no incomes 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 communi-
cate this his grace to the children of men. This is the third
proposition.
IV. As Christ is infinitely willing : (so in the fourth
place) there is nothing, either in heaven, or in earth that
can hinder him from doing all. For now, grant all the for-
mer three : that there is an infinite treasury of grace in
Christ. That he hath not received it for himself, but others.
That he is infinitely willing to give it out unto the children
of men. Yet, if he can be hindered, all 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, says God, and who shall let ? And I communi-
cate, my grace, says Christ, and who shall hinder?" Isa.xliii. 13.
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 hin-
der then, when Christ intends to communicate his grace ?
He is called the strong man, but Christ is called the stronger
than he. " Peter, Peter, says our Saviour, Satan hath desired
to winnow thee ; but I have prayed that thy faith fail not,"
SER. 2.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 209
Luke xxii. 31, 32. Aye, 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 iind chapter of Titus ; it is said there at
the 14th verse, " He gave himself for us, that he might re-
deem us from all iniquity." If from all iniquity, then from
unbelief. Then unbelief cannot hinder. If a King came
on purpose to pardon all rebellion : if he be able, and will-
ing, 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 read in the
livth chapter of Isaiah, the 8th and 9th verses : " In a little
wrath I hid my face from thee, for a moment ; but with ever-
lasting 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 viiith chapter of Ge-
nesis, and the 21st verse, Noah being come out of the ark, and
offering unto the Lord ; " The Lord smelled a sweet savour :
and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the
ground any more for man's sake ; for the imagination of
man's 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 man's sake; although the
imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth ; although :
ye read it, for, I will not again curse the ground any more
for man's sake ; for, the imagination of man's heart is evil
from his youth. One would think he should rather say
thus : I will curse the ground again, and I will bring a new
flood, for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his
youth. No, but the covenant that God made with Noah,
was thus : I do now make a covenant with mankind, that
the world shall never be drowned again ; yea, though man
do sin, yet the world shall not be drowned 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
210 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 2,
the world shall not be drowned again, if man do not sin.
No, but the covenant that the Lord made with Noah was
thus : but I promise the world shall not be drowned again,
though men do sin again : this is the covenant the Lord
made with Noah : it was so far from running upon a con-
dition, that it runs cross to all conditions. So now the Lord
says concerning a poor believer : I do take this soul into
covenant with me : Yea, and though he do sin, yet not-
withstanding I will pardon him, and this soul shall never lie
under water again, shall never lie under water again : his sin
shall not hinder my grace; he shall never lie under water
again : for as the covenant I made with Noah, such is the
covenant I make with every believer. And beloved, if in-
deed that we could hinder Christ, when he comes to comuni-
cate his grace ; if our sins could hinder, then we might resist
grace with an overcoming resistance. It is true, a man may
resist the grace of God, with a gainsaying resistance ; but
he cannot resist the grace of God, with an overcoming re-
sistance. 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 : says 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
ways ; and I will put my Spirit into you/' Ezek. xxxvi. 26,
27. I will take away the heart of stone ? What is that ? a
stone is hard, a hard thing does not yield to the touch, a soft
thing yields. Pharaoh had a hard heart, and therefore he
yielded not. When therefore, the Lord makes such a pro-
mise as this ; I will take away the heart of stone : what is
his meaning ? his meaning is plainly, I will take away the
unyielding, 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 ways : 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 ways ;" 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 ways :"
He doth also promise to take away the resisting heart, to
SER. 2.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 211
take away the spirit of resisting. " I will take away the
heart of stone :" there is the resisting : " And I will cause
them to walk in my ways/' So that our sins cannot
hinder.
Now then, put all these together. There is an infinite
treasury of grace and holiness in Jesus Christ. This he
hath not received for himself, 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 therefore, there is
the communication of the fulness of Jesus Christ unto all
believers.
You will say unto me then, Why are believers then so empty
of grace ? It is the ordinary complaint : Oh ! I am full
of evil : Oh, my heart is empty of all that is good : Be-
lievers they complain thus : How can this doctrine be true,
if this experience be good ?
I answer : I. The fulness of grace which is in a be-
liever, 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 ; and 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
believer ; you behold his troubles, you see his waves, and all
the troubles that beat upon him. Oh ! but the wealth of a
believer, the fulness of a believer, the fulness of Christ that
is in him, that you see not, it is hid from the world, and it is
hid from himself, many times. And therefore, says the apos-
tle, " Our life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who
is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in
glory," Col. iii. 3, 4.
II. Though there be a communication of the fulness
of Christ unto all believers, yet he does not communicate as
a universal cause. The universal cause doth seldom or never
produce particular effects, but with a concurrence of particu-
lar causes. The sun is the universal cause of all the fruit-
fulness that is upon the earth : yet notwithstanding, it does
produce the fruit, your corn, barley, rye, and wheat, with the
help of man, the ground is plowed and sown. The river, or
p 2
212 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 2.
the fountain is the universal .cause of the water that ye 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 is no water in the fountain. No, but surely
the pipe is broken, the pipe is stopped ; 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 or-
dinance : the pipe is not clean, the pipe is stopped, and there-
fore we are so empty of grace as we are.
III. Though there be a communication of the fulness
of Christ unto all believers : yet notwithstanding he does it
in proportion. Mark, Christ does give unto every man ac-
cording to the place 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, and the
soul does not give a seeing faculty unto the ear ; 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, and 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 that 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 ; Oh,
let me have it from thee.
IV. Though there be a communication of the fulness
of Christ unto all believers : yet it is according to their ne-
cessities and wants. The lace, you know, it is laid upon the
seam ; upon the seam there lies the lace : lace indeed may
be laid upon the whole cloth ; but ordinarily, your silken
lace, your silver lace, your golden lace, it 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 lays his gol-
den lace on. Mark, therefore, what are the seams of thy
life, and see if Christ hath not laid on something there.
2.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 213
Take but these four considerations together, and there is a
sufficient answer to that objection.
I come to the application.
First. And whilst I stand upon this point : methiriks here I
see the transcendent excellency of the saints, and of believers ;
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 fulness that he doth live upon :
there is the fulness of the earth ; " The earth is the Lord's,
and the fulness thereof," 1 Cor x. 26. And wicked men,
they are said to be filled with this : " Whose bellies thou
fillest with hid treasures," Psalm xvii. 14. And there is the
fulness of Jesus Christ : and of this fulness the saints and
believers do all receive and partake. Look therefore what
a difference there is between these fulnesses ; the fulness of
the earth ; and the fulness of Jesus Christ : such a mighty
difference in point of excellency, there is between a believer,
though lie be never so poor : and a wicked man though he
be never so rich. Give me leave a little, to open the differ-
ence of these fulnesses to you ; that so you may see the dif-
ference between men and men, and be encouraged unto a
godly course.
I. The fulness of the world, it is a fulness made up of
many things. " Martha, Martha," says Christ, " thou art
busied about many things," Luke x. 41. It is a fulness
made up of many things ; and therefore not a homogenial
fulness : the fulness of Christ is a fulness made up of one
thing, the Deity, in whom the Godhead dwells ; and there-
fore it is a homogenial fulness ; every part of it is fulness :
every part of a homogenial body, hath the name of the whole :
every 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, Anima tola
in toto, that the soul is wholly in the whole, and wholly in
every part ; so the fulness of Christ, it is wholly in the
church ; and it is wholly in every believer. Every believer
may come and say, I have all Christ. But as for the fulness
of the world, every one that hath the world's fulness cannot
say so ; I have all the world's fulness.
214 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 2.
II. 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 believers, the best of
the best ; wine of the lees ; and marrow out of the bones; and
wine well refined ; it is of the finer part of the world : the
other is but the grosser, the thicker, the dirtier, the more
grosser part.
III. The fulness of the earth, is a fulness that runs into
emptiness ; a fulness that hath a hole at the bottom ; like
unto an hour-glass : if you turn it up, the upper part of the
glass is full of sand ; but because it hath an hole at the bot-
tom, and there stands a glass beneath it as big as itself; it
empties itself into that glass. Then you turn up the glass
again, and that is full : but because that having an hole at
the bottom, it runs out, having an empty glass beneath it,
and this fulness runs into it. So now it is with the world's
fulness : a man he hath a great estate, he hath his glass full
of sand : aye, but because his children, and his family stand
under him ; his sand runs into them, and he is soon emp-
tied ; he is soon emptied into them. Then, when the fa-
ther is dead, and gone ; and hath emptied out his fulness
into his children ; the children's glass is turned 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, it 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 fulness runs out into believers, and
yet he is full himself: in him the fulness of the Godhead
dwells, it dwelleth there.
IV. The fulness of the earth, it can never satisfy the
better part of man, the soul, it can never satisfy that. All
satisfaction and contentment arise from the conjunction of
a convenient with a convenient ; the conjunction of suitables.
If a man have never so great an estate, if his heart be not
suited to it, he hath no content. If a man have never so
small an estate, if his heart be suited to it, he is content.
SER. 2.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 215
So that now, all content arises from suitableness, the con-
junction of suitables. What suitableness 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 is made : a man's chest, a chest
or trunk, is not said to be full of air ; though it be full of air ;
yet notwithstanding, we say the chest or trunk is empty,
because it is not filled with that for which it was made.
And so take one of these meeting houses; though the place
be full of stools, 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 it is not full of that
for which it is made, full of people. So now, take a man
that hath all the fulness of the earth : because that his soul
was never made, his better part was never made for the ful-
ness 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 of Jesus Christ is a soul-satisfying fulness :
" He that drinks of the water that I shall give him, (says he)
shall never thirst again/' John iv. 14. " When I awake
(saith the Psalmist) I shall be satisfied with thy likeness,"
Psa. xvii. 15. And that is the fourth.
V. 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 a
brave and a jolly man while he is in king's clothes ; or
while he is acting the part of a king : but the wise spectator,
he says, And is he that does but act the king's part, or hath
the king's clothes on, so brave a man ; what is a king in-
deed ? Beloved, the Lord he sees all we have and do ; stands
by as a wise spectator ; and when men brave it out with the
world's fulness ; aye, what then is the man, that acts the ful-
ness of Christ ? Is he so brave a man that hath a posses-
sion here, land, and house ; what is he then that hath an
eternal inheritance ? If there fall but the least drop of the
fulness of Christ upon a soul, it makes the soul lovely and
beautiful in the eyes of God. The apostle speaking of the
adorning of women : says he, at the 3rd verse, " Whose
216 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 2.
adorning, let it not be that outward adorning, of plaiting the
hair, and of wearing of gold, and of putting on of apparel: but
let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is incor-
ruptible ; even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,
which is in the sight of God of great price," 1 Peter iii. 4.
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
sight of God ; is of great price.
VI. The fulness of the earth, is a fulness that is mixed
with poison, sin, and the curse of God. What pleasure or
delight can a man take in drinking, when he shall consider
with himself, that poison is mixed withal ? this is good, or
sweet liquor, says he, indeed ; oh ! but there is poison in the
cup, and therefore I will not meddle with it. Take all the ful-
ness of the world ; and if it be not mixed with the fulness of
Jesus Christ, there is poison in it, the curse of God in it, the
wrath of God there : and therefore what pleasure, what con-
tentment can a man take therein, without the fain ess of Jesus
Christ ?
VII. The fulness of the earth is a defiling fulness. When
a thing is mixed with any thing that is worse than itself, it is
defiled thereby : if silver be mingled with gold, the silver is
not defiled thereby, because gold is better than the silver:
but if the silver be mingled with lead ; the silver is defiled,
because it is mixed with something that is worse than itself.
So now, if a man be mingled with spiritual and heavenly
things, his heart is not defiled thereby, because they are bet-
ter than himself: but if a man's heart be mingled with the
things of the world, his heart is defiled ; because it is min-
gled with something that is worse than himself: and the
more a man's heart is mingled with the things of the earth,
the more defiled it is. As a dog, that hath bemired him-
self, the more he fawns upon you, the more he dirties you.
If you take a dog abroad with you into the fields, and he
runs into a dirty ditch, or the river ; after he is dirty you will
not suffer him to come near you ; and the more he fawns
upon you, and leaps upon you the more he defiles you. Truly
such is the earth's and the world's fulness : as, I say, a dog,
the more he fawns upon you. and falls upon you. the more it
SfiR. 2.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 217
defiles you. Oh ! but the fulness of Jesus Christ is a pure
fulness, a fulness that is full of pureness.
VIII. Take all the fulness of the world, and though it be
never so much, it falls under your expectation. Sink your
expectations as low as you can, and yet notwithstanding, it
will fall below your expectation. As for the fulness of Jesus
Christ, raise and screw up your expectation as high as you
can, and yet you shall find more therein than ever you ex-
pected.
IX. As for the fulness of the earth, sometimes it is bet-
ter wanted than enjoyed. It may make you miserable, it
cannot make you happy. Oh ! but the fulness of Jesus
Christ, it can never make you miserable, it will certainly
make you happy, there is no such time, wherein it is better
wanted than enjoyed.
X. As for the fulness of the earth, again, it costs 'a man,
many times, more than its 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 fulness of Jesus Christ, it costs him
nothing : " Come, buy wine and milk, without money or
money's worth," Isa. Ivi. 1. Christ gives much, and takes
little, takes nothing ; it costs you nothing, and having it, you
have all.
XI. And again, to add no more of these, take all the ful-
ness 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 greatest, and noblest gift of the world, is love.
That is always unworthy of your love, that cannot answer
your love again. If you have a full bag, 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 fulness 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 for ever. Behold !
this is the fulness, this is the fulness that the saints and be-
lievers do partake in, that they do receive of: and they mjiy
come to this fulness of Jesus Christ, and they may say, Of
this fulness, of this fulness we have all received. As those
wicked men, they may go the fulness of the earth, and they
may say indeed ; of this fulness we have all received ; but as
218 GRACE FOR GRACE [SfiR. 2.
for that fulness we have none of it. Oh ! how much better
is the condition of a believor, than the condition of a wicked
man, though he be never so great or rich.
You that are believers, you do envy at the men of the
world, because of their fulness ? I pray tell me, would you
change your fulness for theirs ? Would you change your
condition for theirs ?
And you that are of the world, wicked ungodly men ; that
have but the earth's fulness, Why do you lay out your
thoughts and your time upon such a fulness ? a dropsical
fulness ; a fading fulness ; a dying fulness ; a fulness that is
mixed with a curse ; a fulness that does all bemire you, and
dirty you : pray tell me, are you able with daisies, and tulips
of the world to satisfy your better part ? Oh ! know you
not, that notwithstanding all the earth's fulness, that a
wicked man's fortune, I say, that a wicked man's fortune, it
lies in a lake that burneth with fire and brimstone ? And
when you have done all you can, and gathered all that ever
you can together ; you may go unto your full purses ; or un-
to your full bags ; or unto your full houses ; or unto your
full barns ; and you may say : of this fulness I have received.
Oh ! but you cannot go unto the fulness of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and say : and of this fulness my soul hath received.
Oh, fool, says our Saviour, when his barns are full, " this
night shall thy soul be taken away from thee," Luke xii. 20.
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 Christ, I had been made for ever; but I chose rather the
fulness of the world, than 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.
Secondly, What an encouragement here is then, and so I
come unto the second use : and I will not hold you long in
it. What an encouragement is here unto all men good and
bad, to come in unto Jesus Christ, and partake of his ful-
ness ! I say in the second place; here is encouragement
unto all you that hear the word of the Lord this day, good
or bad : an encouragement unto all souls, good and bad, to
come in unto the Lord Jesus Christ, and partake of his ful-
SER. 2.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 219
ness ! Says our Lord and Saviour, " When I am lift up, I
will draw all men after me," John xii. 32. Aye, love is a
drawing thing. Love is a drawing thing : it draws men and
women together into one yoke, that lived far asunder. And
what greater love than this, that Jesus Christ should lay
down his life for poor sinners ? Wisdom, wisdom is a draw-
ing thing ; it drew the Queen of Sheba from far to come un-
to 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 man's door. And behold, here is riches ! Oh,
there is an infinite treasury of grace and holiness in Jesus
Christ. And here is liberality ! For there is an infinite
propension and willingness in the Lord Jesus Christ, to give
out of this fulness unto poor sinners. 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 your hearts, and you will stand firm against
all temptations, firm against all 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 loss; for there is a fulness in Jesus
Christ ; and of his fulness through the Lord's mercy, I have
received.
Firm against all discouragements. 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
honoured it before. You will make this answer, True, indeed,
Satan, I have a backsliding soul, I have a backsliding heart ;
but there is a fulness in Jesus Christ, and through the Lord's
mercy, I have received of this fulness ; and therefore I shall
persevere in the way that I am in, notwithstanding all thy
discouragements.
Firm against all afflictions. If you want this creature
comfort, or the other creature-comfort ; you will answer :
Aye, true, I want friends, I want money, I want credit. Oh !
but yet, there is a fulness in Jesus Christ, and there is
enough in him ; and this fulness, through the Lord's mercy,
I have received. Oh, what a drawing, what a drawing argu-
ment is here ! Methinks the stoutest sinner in all the
220 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 2.
congregation should now come in and close with the Lord
Jesus Christ.
You will say unto me. Here are encouragements indeed
to believers; for the doctrine runs thus. There is a commu-
nication of the fulness of Jesus Christ unto all believers.
Oh ! but what encouragement is here for others, that are not
believers ? And truly I am afraid, I am even afraid that I
am not one of those ; what encouragement is there for others
that are not believers also.
I answer, Pray look into the Ixviiith Psalm, and consider
it well, at the 18th 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 (it 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 child 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. Says 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
but 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 encouraged 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 emperor :
and the emperor makes proclamation ; that whoever 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 emperor, and demands
the sum of money. Says the emperor : If now, I should
put him to death, the world would think I did it to save my
money : notwithstanding all his former rebellion, the emper-
or pardons him, and gave him the sum of money. Oh !
SER. 2.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 221
would a heathen emperor 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 ! methinks,
therefore, every poor sinner should now hang upon this last
word; yea, for the rebellious also. Hath the Lord Jesus
Christ received gifts for men. and for the rebellious also ? I
will for ever hang upon that word, also. Oh ! I have been
a rebel : I have been an unclean rebel ; I have been a swear-
ing rebel ; I have been 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 encou-
ragement 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 filled for ever ; oh, come unto Christ, that you may leave
your sins. Here is encouragement to all, good and bad, to
come unto Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, One word more of use unto believers, and so I
have done. Is there a communication of the fulness of
Jesus Christ unto all believers ? Then, believers, own your
own, own your own ; labour 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 be-
lievers, and through the Lord's grace I am one ; there is a
communication of the fulness of the Lord Jesus Christ unto
all the saints, and through the Lord's grace I am one ; and
therefore in due time I know I shall have this grace commu-
nicated 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
222 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 8.
you will break out and say, True indeed, there is the com-
munication of the fulness of Christ unto believers, but the
Lord knows I am none ; it is true indeed there is a commu-
nication of the fulness of Christ unto all 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 been 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. Labour to get assurance of your union
with Jesus Christ, and maintain your confidence and assu-
rance, 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.
" And of his fulness have all we received, even grace for grace."
JOHN i. 16.
I HAVE made entrance into these words in other congre-
gations, and desire to proceed here where I left there.
The words are spoken of our Lord and Saviour 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 afford-
eth this observation :
That all the saints and people of God do partake of the
fulness of Jesus Christ in a way of receiving.
This fulls asunder into two parts, or two branches.
SER. 3.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 223
First, That there is a communication of the fulness of Je-
sus Christ unto all believers.
Secondly, That whatever 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
tells us that we receive. There the emphasis lay upon
Christ's communicating, and here the accent is set upon our
receiving. The grace of Jesus Christ is not born with us ;
we do not go to Jesus Christ in the strength of our nature,
to take of his fulness to ourselves, 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. " Not only so, but we also joy
in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have
now received the atonement," Rom.v. 11. 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. " He came to redeem them that were
under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons,"
Gal. iv. 5. 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 holiness but the Spirit of God ? and that is received.
" This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by
the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith ? " Gal. iii.
2. 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 x.. 46, " They heard them speak with tongues." At the
47th verse, " Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid wa-
ter, 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,
224 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 3.
in a way of receiving; to be had in a way of receiving. " 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," Rom. viii. 15. There are gifts of prayer, and
there is the Spirit of prayer, of adoption, crying, Abba, Fa-
ther. The first may be without grace, but the second not :
wherever the second is, there is grace : and this is received,
saith the apostle, here.
In general, all is by way of receiving. " As ye have re-
ceived the Lord Christ (says the apostle) see that ye walk in
him," Col. ii. 6. And, in another place, " What hast thou,
that thou hast not received ? " 1 Cor. iv. 7- What hast thou
that thou hast not received ? all in a way of receiving. " He
shall come down," says the Psalmist in the Ixxiind Psalm,
speaking concerning our Lord and Saviour Christ, and his
grace, at the 6th verse, " He shall come down like rain upon
the mown 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 Gideon's fleece. " He shall come down
like rain upon the mown grass : as showers that water the
earth." A Psalm for Solomon, says the title, but there are
many things in this Psalm that cannot properly be under-
stood of Solomon : but, in a type, properly belonging to
Jesus Christ. For as Strigelius does well observe : at the
7th verse, the verse next following this text, it is said, " In
his days 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 under-
stood of Christ. And, at the 5th verse, it is said, " They
shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, through-
out all generations." They did not fear Solomon ; men did
not fear Solomon as long as the sun and moon endure,
through all generations : this, therefore, must be understood
of Christ. Now see, therefore, what is said of Christ, and
concerning his grace : says the text, in the 6th verse, " He
shall come down like rain upon the mown grass." Like
rain : rain, you know, is that which does make the earth
fruitful. Non ager sed annus facit fructum : it is not the
sowing, but it is the year that causes fruit : it is the rain that
causeth fruit : and so it is the grace of Jesus Christ that
does make us fruitful ; his grace the cause of our grace. " I
SER. 3.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 225
will be as dew (says the Lord, in the xivth of Hosea) unto
Israel :" and then follows fruitfulness.
Again, The rain cometh by special appointment from God,
with a kind of discrimination. " He maketh the rain to fall
upon one city (saith the prophet) and not upon another," Amos
iv. 7- As we read concerning Gideon's fleece, Judges vi. 38,39,
40, the dewfell upon the fleece, when all the earth was dryround
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 Jews 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, it is the Scripture, phrase, the rain
falleth, and falleth upon the earth, and the earth is a recipient
to receive it. It is mere recipient at the first, and then
brings forth its 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 rain upon the mown grass." So doth the grace of
Jesus Christ, it comes down upon a poor soul, all in a way
of receiving, all 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 supernaturality 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.
I. 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, sin may be satisfied and
not mortified. As in the dropsy, there is a great deal of
difference between the satisfying of a man's thirst, and the
healing of the disease. Many men think that their sin is
certainly healed, when it is only satisfied. Whereas a beg-
gar, when he is competently served, he will beg no more.
226 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 3.
And sin, beggar-like, when it is well served it will not beg
again presently, not in the same temptation. Sin itself, will
cease to sin, that it may gather strength to sin. But now, a
man by nature he cannot overcome it. And therefore in the
1 Cor. xv. 57> the apostle says thus: " But thanks be to
God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus
Christ.'* Victories, and all victories is through our Lord Je-
sus 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 ye
see how it was with David, in the xviiith Psalm, concerning
outward victories ; he gives all to God. Says he there, at
the 32nd verse, " It is God that girdeth me with strength.
He maketh my feet like hind's feet : he teacheth my hands to
war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms." And
at the 2nd verse, says he, " The Lord is my rock, my for-
tress, my deliverer : my God, my strength in whom I will
trust ; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and mine
high tower." As if all his warlike strength and skill were
from God. And is not much more our spiritual strength
which we have in our Christian warfare from Jesus Christ ?
" I have set the Lord always at my right hand, therefore I
shall not fall," says the Psalmist, Ps. xvi. 8. Naturally then,
a man is utterly unable to overcome any sin, or temptation,
though it be never so small.
II. 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 Je-
sus Christ had said to him ; Peter, thou art now down in the
dirt, and know thou canst not arise, unless 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 cap-
tive by it, more or less : sin is a captivity. Now, Voluntas
mn est libera, nisi liberata: a man is not free, unless 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 soxil, sin is. A man may be able to kill him-
self ; but being killed he cannot raise himself. The ship
having his rudder broken, cannot go where it will, but must
SEE. 3.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 227
go where the tempest pleases. And beloved, there is never
a sin that a man commits, but he does strike upon his rud-
der, he does strike upon the earth withal ; and he does lose
his rudder. A poor sheep is able for to lose itself, and to
wander: but being lost is not able to come home again.
Yea, our Saviour says, 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 laid 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 wander-
ing, 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 well expressed, 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. Says he, Adam being fallen, he could not rise again :
but when Adam was fallen, what does he ? Then he sets
himself, for to make himself clothes of fig-leaves, that so he
might be freed from the injury of the weather: he could
mind his clothes, 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 sinned ; what does
he do ? He can mind his clothes, 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 re-
pentance till Christ comes. Naturally a man being fallen,
he is unable to rise again.
III. 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
prays, That the Lord would continue that good in the
thoughts of their heart, and that for ever, 1 Chron. xxvi.
18. And so the apostle, in the 1 Peter v. 10, " But the
God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory
by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered awhile, make ye per-
fect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." Pray mark the words,
Q 2
228 GRACE FOR GRACE [SfiR. 3.
' the God of all grace, stablish, strengthen, settle you." He
does not say, The God of nature settle you. Oh, it 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 Hierom excel-
lently notes, God is always a giver, God is always a bestower.
It shall not suffice me that God hath once given, unless he
would always give. You know the parable concerning the
strong man that ye read of in Matt. xii. being cast out by a
stronger than he, and yet returns again. The devil is this
strong man in some great, and gross sin ; now, though he be
cast out ; yet notwithstanding the room being emptied,
though it be garnished with moral virtues, and evangelical
gifts ; yet the room being left empty of Jesus Christ, the
Lord Jesus Christ not keeping the house : says the devil, the
house is mine still ; and therefore, says 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 garnished, 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 un-
ble to hold, to stand, and continue, though he do rise.
IV. Pray mark it, that you may see what an insufficiency
there is unto what is good, that so we may be brought unto
more dependance 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 (says the
apostle) as of ourselves, to think a good thought, to speak a
good word ; but all our sufficiency is of God/' 2 Cor. iii. 5.
And Bradwardine, he reasons the case very well : says 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 affairs, and the child grows very skilful, and
the father furnishes him with all kind of armour : yet notwith-
standing, if the child hath the prowess, and 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, in-
deed, my skill from my father, I had my arms from my fa-
ther: but the action is my own, the valour my own, the
strength of the action is my own. So, says he, if God should
give habitual grace to a man, if the strength for the action
SER. 3.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 229
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, it is all received.
V. 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 enemy's charge, but he is unable to draw out
his forces. " Ho, ho, every one that thirsteth, come and buy
wine and milk, without money, or money's worth." Isa. Iv. 1.
If a man could prepare, here is money, here is money's worth.
As one observes well, Then a man might say, the first begin-
ning of my salvation was of myself, yea, in truth a man may
say, The greatest part is from myself; for it is more to begin,
and more to prepare ; so the greatest part of our salvation
should be from ourselves. Ye know what the Apostle says,
and I pray consider it, in Ephesians ii. 1. "And you hath He
quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Even you,"
at the 5th verse, " even when we were dead in sins, hath
quickened us together with Christ : by grace ye are saved."
Mark, twice the Apostle brings in that sentence : he brings it
in again at the 8th verse, "For by grace ye are saved." Why
tyice? not only to show that the progress of a Christian is
by grace, but the very first beginning and setting out, it is all
of grace: "By grace ye are saved." It is a good speech of
Austin, Grace is no way grace, unless it be every way free.
Now can a poor dead man prepare himself unto life ? Did La-
zarus prepare himself to life ? Could he do it ? Could Lazarus
do it ? There is, saith the philosopher, a proportion always
between the action and the term of the action. Now what
proportion is there between nature and grace ? " No man,"
says our Saviour, " comes unto the Son, but whom the Father
draws," John vi. 44. Thus says our Saviour. Oh ! but says
Pelagius, I can go unto Jesus Christ by my own preparation,
230 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SBR. 3.
I can prepare, I can draw myself unto Jesus Christ, or I can
draw Christ to me. Beloved ! in natural actions, there needs
always 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 carry it away, you must loosen it from the mud :
but the log doth not loosen itself: 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 preparation there. And therefore Brad war-
dine, he reasons the case very well thus : If, says 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 : and if it does help forward
the following grace, or cause it, that God must give a follow-
ing 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, without faith. "Without faith it is
impossible to please God," Hebrews xi. 6. So that a man
cannot prepare himself to what is good. Put all these
together : a man cannot naturally overcome a sin, a tempta-
tion, 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 himself, and he is not able to
prepare himself unto what is good. Surely therefore, all is
in a way of receiving : whatever grace one hath, he hath it in
a way of receiving. This is the first argument.
Secondly, This truth is also argued from the supernatu-
rality 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 it is called a creation, in Ephesians ii. 10, "We
are his workmanship, created unto good works." The same
SER. 3.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 231
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 always take
those that are the best, those that are the wisest, those that
are the most moral, civil men ; he does not always take the
most prudent : but many times the Lord takes the worst ;
Paul, Zaccheus, Matthew, the Jailor, divers others. And if
you look into the xxxiiird chapter of Job, where you have
the platform, indeed, of man's conversion : you shall find
there, in what a time God takes a man to convert him : at the
14th verse; "God speaketh once, yea, twice, yet man per-
ceives it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep
sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings 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 slumberings 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 supernatu-
rality 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 itself without God's appointment
or institution upon it, and you will 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, " the ram's horns should be
blown." Josh. vi. 4. Take the blowing of the ram's horns
as lying under God's appointment, and so this action was
sufficient for to break down the walls : but take the action of
blowing the ram's horns by itself, and so it was too short.
So the Lord commands Naaman to go and wash himself in
the water of Jordan: 2 Kings v. 10. Take this action of
Naaman washing himself in the water : take it, I say,
without God's commandment : take it with God's com-
mandment, God's appointment, so it was sufficient to
reach his cure, and heal him of his leprosy : but now, take
232 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 3.
the action as it was in itself, without the appointment and in-
stitution of God, and so it was too short to reach his cure.
So in the New Testament : our Saviour, Christ, He takes
spittle and clay for to cure a man's eyes. John ix. 6. Take
this under Christ's appointment, and so it is sufficient to
reach the cure ; but take it without, and so short. So God
did appoint in baptism, 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 God's 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 ; and too short either to beget or
increase grace. Well now, why does the Lord still 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 appoint-
ment, than bythe 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 there-
of, but that in the using of means, and waiting there, we shall
receive strength from God to do it, to attain the end. When-
soever, 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 them-
selves 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 Testa-
ment, all the victories are put on faith. In the New Tes-
tament, all the cures : if thou canst but believe, says Christ,
" According to thy faith be it unto thee." Yea, beloved, if
you look into the New Testament, you shall find that the
same works that are given to Christ, are given to faith.
Jesus Christ, he is said for to sanctify the soul : so doth
faith. " Faith purifies the heart," says the apostle. Jesus
Christ, he is said for to justify a sinner : so does faith too.
" Being justified by faith." Romans v. Jesus Christ, he is
said for to save the soul, he is called our Saviour : so doth
faith too. By faith ye are saved. W T hat is the reason now
that the Lord does especially set the crown upon the head of
SER. 3.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 233
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 separates, so every grace unites. Others think it 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 honour those persons
most that honour him most : so he will honour those graces
most that honour 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 ist
chapter of John, and the 12th 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 believe on His name." So that believing 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 all upon faith, and faith in its nature
is a receiving; plainly it holds forth this truth unto us, that
all is in a way of receiving : all grace in a way of receiving.
Fifthly and lastly, This truth is argued also, from the
posture and true behaviour of prayer. Mark, prayer is nothing
else, but the soul's begging or petitioning for something from
heaven. A beggar you know, when he begs, he holds forth,
or he stretches forth his hand : noting a willingness to
receive. So you read in Scripture, that when the soul is put
into a posture of prayer, it is put into this posture. Read,
therefore, what is said in Job xi. 13, " If thou prepare thine
heart," or establish 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 tor that which he does not
give, but I have in my own power : so it were also a mock-
ing of God, to pray to God for that which is not in His hands
to give, but in mine to do. Now, my beloved, whatever grace
or holiness a man hath, he is to pray for : pray for healing
strength ; pray for quickening strength ; pray for confirming
234 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 3.
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: whatever grace or holiness a man hath on this
side heaven, it is all in a way of receiving.
But you will say, 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 labouring, to all
good works, and to all performance, to all endeavour.
I answer, not so. The apostle expressly does speak the
contrary, as you may read, and I pray mark, in the iind
chapter of his Epistle to the Philippians : " Wherefore," at
the 12th verse, says he, "my beloved, as ye have always
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 13th verse. " For it is God which
worketh in you both to will, and to do, of His good plea-
sure." Work out your own salvation with fear and trem-
bling : why ? for all is in a way of receiving ; it is God, it is
God that worketh all in all ; it is God, it 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 doctrine is against endeavour; pray
tell me, what work or endeavour ? Either you would endea-
vour for to leave your sins ; or you would endeavour to do
what is good, to perform some good. If you would endea-
vour for to leave your sins : there is no such way, as to be
truly, fully persuaded in your heart of this truth : that all is in
away of receiving. Mark, therefore I pray, how the Apostle
argues for that purpose, in the 1 Corinthians iii. 3.
For, says he " Ye are carnal ; ye are carnal ; for where-
as 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 Apollos, are ye not carnal ?"
Well, but what course does the apostle take to cure this
carnality ? See what he says, at the 6th verse : at the 5th,
" Who then is Paul ? who is Paul ? and who is Apollos, but
ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to
every man : I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave
the increase. So then, neither is he that planteth anything,
SER. 3.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 235
neither is he that watereth, but God that gives the increase."
As if he should say thus : Here is divisions among you ; and
one says, I am for Paul ; and I am for Apollos : 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 Apollos.
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. Says Paul, " I have
laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the
grace of Christ in me," 1 Cor. xv. 10. Mark, " yet not I,
but the grace of Christ in me." Laboured more than they
all, more abundantly than all, yet all 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 endeavours, as the
serious consideration of this truth that is now before you.
I will 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 depend-
ance 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 falls 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
doctrine tells 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 vth chap. 24th verse, 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,"
236 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 3.
says he, " they have not feared the Lord, that hath given them
rain, the former and 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 falls 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 wait-
ing upon God: "But those that wait on the Lord shall
renew their strength/' says Isaiah xl. 31. Now if a man
hear that if he have no oil in his lamp, he is lost for ever;
and there is no way to get oil, but by setting his vessels under
God's spout, and God's ordinance : will not this make a man
to wait upon him ? Some there are that defer their repent-
ance, and they think to repent afterward, they think they
shall be able to repent afterward : but now, when a soul shall
hear that all is in a wa) ~f receiving ; he must take it. there-
fore, when God does offer it ; then he concludes thus ; is it so
indeed, that all is in a way of receiving ? strength to repent, it
is by receiving, then will I take, while the Lord offers me
strength. Oh ! I will never defer my repentance again, I will
now wait upon God, and now while the Lord offers, now I
will take it. Thus you see this doctrine is a friend unto all
endeavour. All is in a way of receiving ; no such friend unto
good endeavour as this doctrine.
But you will say unto me, Why hath the Lord cast things
into this mould, that all should be in a way of receiving ?
Besides the reason, 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 God's proceeding this way, that all grace should be in a
way of receiving.
I. And the first is : That all boasting, rejoicing, con-
fidence in one's self may be taken away. " If Abraham
(says Paul in the ivth 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 is no room for boasting. Mark therefore,
SER 3.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 237
what is said in 1 Cor. iv. ?. " Who maketh thee to differ
from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not re-
ceive ? Now if thou didst receive it, why doest thou glory
as if thou hadst not received it ?" God cannot endure boast-
ing, cannot endure self-confidence, God cannot endure that
a man should glory in any thing in himself: therefore all, all
is in a way of receiving. This is God's reasoning.
II. Again, God hath so ordered things in the dispensa-
tions of his grace under the gospel, that Jesus Christ may be
fully honoured, exalted. No such way to honour Christ as
this, that all should come out of his hands, to be received
from him. Pray, was it not a great honour 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 receving : 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 which makes the Lord
Jesus Christ glorious, that all must be in a way of receiving
from Jesus Christ.
III. 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 sense : 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 sense and reason ; so the Lord would have all his chil-
dren 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 :
Aye, says a poor soul, is it so indeed ? What ? all in a way
receiving ? Then I see a necessity of living by faith : O
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, full of spiritual use : yet
238 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SEB. 3.
though I shall not be able to do what I would, give me leave
for to make some application of the point ; and so will I wind
up all.
I. Is this doctrine true, that all, all is in a way of receiv-
ing ? Then behold what infinite care the great God of hea-
ven and earth hath of believers, of every believing 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 cut-
ting ; 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 believers ! When the Lord would
commend his care of the children of Israel unto them;
pray mark what an argument he uses in Deut. xi. 10, 11, 12.
" For the land whither thou goest in to possess it, 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 fetched water out of the river Nilus, and
so they watered the land of Egypt with their feet. But,
says heat the llth 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
men's feet, as Egypt was. ." A land (says 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 always on it, from the beginning of the year,
even unto the end of the year." He giveth rain from hea-
ven, and when your land wants water, it is given from hea-
ven, it is not watered by men's feet, it 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 virtues,
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.
SER. 3.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 239
Oh ! but give me a soul that hath rain from heaven, that
lives in a 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
believer, he hath all in a way of receiving : oh ! the infinite
care that the Lord hath of every believer though he be never
so mean.
II. Is this doctrine true, all in a way of receiving ? Then
behold, what sweet, and comfortable, and pleasant lives the
saints live, believers 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 through : you
say, Good Lord ! how is man able to do, or bear all this ?
Paul and Silas, singing in the stocks, when they were whip-
ped and scourged, and the blood running down their shoul-
ders ; and yet singing : how ? how are they able to do all, to
bear all ? Lo 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
fine, and a sweet time : but when you see the child coming
at a high gate, or stile to get over, or dirty lane to pass 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 will be the pleasantest
place to the child, when it is taken up into the father's arms.
Thus it is with the saints : great works they do, and hard
things they go through : oh ! but they are taken up in
Christ's arms, 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 always 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 is a blessed man indeed, and here is a happy man
you think presently ! Thus it is ; the great pains of a Chris-
tian is to receive from Christ, and to spend for Christ. Oh !
what a sweet life do the saints live, that live by faith in Je-
sus Christ.
III. Is this doctrine true ? Then what abundance- are
there in the world, many that live under the gospel, that
240 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 3.
from hence are argued to have no saving interest in Je-
sus Christ. Good people, mark it that I say, are not savingly
united to Jesus Christ. There is a two-fold union with
Christ ; as Christ is considered two ways : he is either con-
sidered with his church, the church and he making one
body ; and so all together are called, Christ : in 1 Cor xii.
Or else he is considered as the great Mediator, and Saviour
of believers by himself. Accordingly men may be said to be
united to him, either outwardly in the church, tied and rela-
ted 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 piece of bread, or a loaf
of bread ; he ties it to his arm ; his arm hath no strength
from that, it is but an outward tie to his arm, it hath no
strength from that : and it argues that it is but an outward
tie, 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 express it thus : Take a graft,
and tie it unto a tree, tie it unto a stock, and it brings forth
no fruit at all ; why because it is but outwardly tied 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 virtue of the stock that it is grafted
into. So, my beloved, there is a company, there is a gene-
ration of people that live here under the gospel, that are
outwardly tied unto Christ : they are baptized, they have
the name of Christ by profession ; and by the tie of the ordi-
nances, they are outwardly tied 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 preached; they might
have lived civilly; they might have lived justly among their
neighbours ; 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 !
SER. 3.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 241
these are but outwardly tied, as a loaf of bread is tied to a
man's arm ; so is the Lord Jesus in the ordinances tied unto
them. Aye, but then, there are another people that are sa-
vingly 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 have not all from Christ ; certainly,
therefore, there are many that are not savingly united to
Jesus Christ. This is a third. I will add but one more, and
so I have done.
IV. Is this doctrine true ? All in a way of receiving.
Then surely, beloved, all is of grace, from first to last.
Heaven, heaven is a donative, salvation is a donative, every
step in the ladder to heaven is grace, every link of the chain
is grace. Oh ! every beam of our day is grace ; every stone
of our building is grace. Is all in a way of receiving ?
What, praying strength ? What, hearing strength ? What,
suffering strength ? What is all, all 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
God's 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 all 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 may 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
242 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 4.
Lord : you that have waited, wait still; you that never waited,
wait now. Beloved, the more dependant our condition is,
the more depending should our spirits be. What more de-
pendant condition can you think of: all, all in a way of re-
ceiving. Oh ! therefore, now let us all labour to live by faith.
Go away with this in your bosoms : I see a necessity of liv-
ing 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.
" And of his fulness have all we received, even grace for grace."
JOHN i. 16.
I HAVE made entrance upon these words in some neigh-
bouring 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 all 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 less than seven or eight interpretations that
are given by men. I shall presently tell you what I appre-
hend to be the meaning of them.
Three things, I conceive, may be specially held forth in
these words :
First, They may note, an abundance of grace that the
saints in the New Testament have from Jesus Christ.
Secondly, The universality of grace. '
And, Thirdly, An answerableness of grace in every Chris-
tian unto the graces of Jesus Christ.
I begin with the former at this time.
First, 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 clear up the meaning be-
fore I come to that which I intend to press, it suits with the
SER. 4.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 243
like phrase of Scripture : " Skin for skin, and all that a man
hath will he give for his life," Job ii. 4. You know the place.
That is, a man will give all his skins, all his cattle and skins
(for their estates in those times did lie in cattle much), he
will give all 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 suits with the word, and or even. It is not
barely said thus, And of his fulness have all we received,
grace for grace ; but, " Of his fulness have all 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 suits 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 suits with the
matter that is in hand j and you may know what the matter
in hand is by the title. Now the title that is here given to
Christ, the attribute that is here given to Christ, is Fulness ;
answerable to that is, fulness of grace in us, or abundance of
grace from him. This also suits 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,
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," John i. 17, 18.
You have much by Moses, but you have more by Christ ;
you have abundance of grace in Christ.
This also is agreeable to other Scriptures, where the same
matter is spoken of. If you look into the vth of the Ro-
mans, you shall find that the apostle, speaking of the free
gift of grace, at the 15th verse says, 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, joined
with abundance ? Look into the 17th verse, and there you
read, " For if by one man's offence, death reigned by one ;
much more they which receive abundance of grace, and of
R 2
244 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 4.
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 abun-
dance of grace from Jesus Christ.
First, Abundance of grace discovered.
Secondly, Abundance of grace exhibited and communi-
cated 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 :
I. 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 beginning God
made man perfect and righteous, after his own image. Man
falling from that estate, exposed himself and all his posterity
to the wrath of God for ever. Then grace steps in, and
makes its first advance in the world : " The seed of the
woman shall break the serpent's head," Gen. iii. 15. Here
Christ is preached, and preached to the greatest sinners,
Adam and Eve, that had damned all the world ; and Jesus
Christ is preached 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 mightest have
kept thee so ; thou wouldest not trust to me, Adam ; thou
wouldest trust unto the devil ; go now, now thou art fallen,
go mend thyself, 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 stayed for Adam's
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 preached, 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
SER. 4.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 245
into one body, the covenant which he does make with Abra-
ham : And unto Abraham he says, " In thy seed shall all
the nations of the world be blessed," Gen. xii. 3. " In thy
seed (says the apostle) ; he does not say seeds, but seed,
meaning Christ," Gal. iii. 16. Abraham saw so much of
Christ, that our Lord says, " He saw His day, and rejoiced
in it," John viii. 56. Here the sun was gotten higher ; for
now, though Christ was preached to Adam, the promise was
propounded; yet notwithstanding, it was but barely pro-
pounded to Adam, it was not applied, and propounded in
obscure terms to Adam too ; and rather given threatening-
wise against Satan, than promise-wise concerning them.
But now the Lord does professedly come and apply the pro-
mise 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 believers. 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 expressly, " A prophet will I raise up like unto
thee," Deut. xviii. 15, and I will put my name in him, he
shall be called God and 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
lest 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 read 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-veiled, and it is a pain to
love to conceal itself; the Lord does make a further revela-
tion of his grace, of Christ, by his servant David : for after
David and Solomon's time, we read of the eternal generation
of Christ, Prov. viii. ; of the incarnation of Christ, Psalm
xl. 7, " Lo, I come, in the volume of thy book," says the
Psalmist ; of the death and sufferings of Christ, Psalm xxii.
1, " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ? " and
divers other Psalms ; of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in
the cxviiith Psalm, and the xvith Psalm, " Thou wilt not
suffer thine Holy One to see corruption ;" of all the three
246 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 4.
offices of Jesus Christ ; his Kingly office, Psalm ii., " Yet
will I set my King upon my holy hill ;" his Prophetical of-
fice, " He shall declare the decree," Psalm ii. 7 ; and his
Priestly office, " Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedek," Psalm ex. : of the ascension of Jesus Christ,
Psalm Ixviii., " He hath ascended on high, and received gifts
for men:" of the sitting at the right-hand of God the Father,
Psalm ex., " The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my
right-hand." Thus you see in David's time the gospel had
advanced 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, Dan. ix. Of the place where he should be
born: " at Bethlehem," Micah v. 2. The person that should
bear him : " A virgin shall conceive," Isa. vii. 14. 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," Mai. iii. 1 ; Isa. xl. 3.
He will ride upon an ass's colt : " Behold thy King comes
riding upon an ass's colt," Zech. ix. 9. He shall be sold for
" thirty pieces of silver," says the prophet Zechariah, chap,
xi. 12. He shall die, not for his own sins but OUT'S : " The
chastisement of our peace shall be upon him," Isa. liii. 5.
And, as if all this were not enough, the Lord speaks out the
covenant of grace expressly in Jer. xxxi. 31 : " The days
come, says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with
the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah/' At the
33rd verse : " This shall be the covenant that I will make
with them, after those days, saith the Lord ; I will put my
law into their inward parts, and write it in their hearts ; and
I will be their God, and they shall be my people : and they
shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man
his brother, saying, Know the Lord ; they all shall 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 Saviour himself
comes, and then grace advances higher, by much higher; then
grace enlarges her quarters, extending itself unto all the
world, go teach all nations : " Go, teach all nations," says
SER. 4.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 247
our Saviour. Matt, xxviii. 19. That house of Israel would
serve such a candle as Moses was ; but when the Sun arises,
no less than the whole world for him to display his beams
upon. He had set up a school of grace in that corner of the
world, in Jewry : but when the Lord Jesus himself comes, a
free-school is set up, the school of free grace for all the chil-
dren of men to come unto : Go, teach all nations.
II. Yea, in the second place, although our Saviour Christ
did go unto our forefathers, 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 veil : but now the veil 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," 2 Cor. iii. 18.
The Jews, 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 1st verse of the xth chapter to the
Hebrews : " For the law, having a shadow of good things to
come, and not the very image of the thing." Here is the
shadow, and here is the image, and here is the thing itself:
" the thing itself is yet to come." They indeed had the sha*
dow, 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 says, The whole world is but one day,
as it were ; and as the evening and the morning made the
day, so, says he, our forefathers the Jews, they had the even-
ing, but we have the morning.
III. 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 seemed to be law to them : as now, we have
the law among us, but it is so tempered with the gospel ;
that the law itself 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 circumcised, and a Mosai-
cal Christ. They had grace in the hand of the law. And
therefore you shall observe, that when the Lord appeared
unto them in a way of greatest mercy, he appeared still with
tokens of majesty, and greatness : but now we have grace in
248 GRACE FOR GRACE [SfiR. 4.
the hand of grace ; we have grace with the tokens of grace,
and with the tokens of love. And this difference the apos-
tle makes out clearly, in the xiith of the Hebrews, from the
1 8th unto the 25th verses.
IV. Again, though they had many doctrines of grace,
and of free grace ; yet themselves were not made free there-
by ; 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 to-
wards God. Indeed, those that were godly among them,
they were children : " 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," Gal. iv. 1, 4, 5,
6. 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 labour under such a temptation ; oh !
Father, help me : I want such a blessing, or mercy, oh ! Fa-
ther give it me.
V. Again further, although they had many sprinklings of
the doctrines of grace ; yet they fell but droppingly upon
them ; now a drop, and then a drop : as you have it in the
ist chapter of the Hebrews, 1st verse, " God who at sundry
times, and in divers manners, spake in times past unto the
fathers by the prophets ; hath in these last days spoken unto
us by his Son." God who by piece-meals, drop by drop ;
now a drop and then a drop, spake unto our forefathers 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 all by his Son. When this king came,
then all the cocks run with wine. Some observe that Je-
sus Christ preached the gospel more plainly unto one poor
ignorant, sinful, wicked woman, that ye read of in the ivth of
John ; than he did unto all our forefathers under the Old
Testament : for unto which of all our forefathers did he say,
I am the Messiah, " Ask of me the water of life, and I will
give it thee ?" You know the great doctrines of the gospel,
SER. 4.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 249
justification by grace ; free remission of sins ; and the like.
Now though these doctrines be in the Old Testament, yet
take your book, and how many leaves shall you read over,
before you be able to read this doctrine clearly ? But open
your book where you will, open in the New Testament, and
you shall meet with one every where ; with this doctrine, the
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 clear up to you. That those that have the
least measure of gospel grace, they receive grace for grace,
they have abundance of grace.
I. Is it not a great matter for an ungodly man to be jus-
tified ? What man so godly, but he was ungodly before
justified ?
II. Is it not a great matter for a man to be the son of
God ? to be the child of God ? All God's children shall be
portioned answerable to their Father's estate : David coun-
ted it a great mater 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, he gives power to be called the
sons of God," John i. 12. And there is this difference be-
tween God's adoption, and man's : 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 communi-
cates his nature to him. So says the apostle, " We are made
partakers of the divine nature," 2 Pet i. 4.
III. Is it not a great matter, to have the image of Jesus
Christ drawn upon a filthy soul ? To have one's heart in-
clined, naturally inclined, as it were, unto all the command-
ments of the gospel ? " I will write my law in your heart,"
250 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 4.
Jer. xxxi. 33, says God, in the covenant of grace. That look
as the heathen, having the law of nature written in their
hearts, are naturally inclined unto the works of nature. So
will I write my law of grace in your hearts, and you shall be
naturally inclined 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 we have as much of Christ's righ-
teousness imputed to us for our justification as any of all the
apostles had : and if our faith be right it is like precious
with theirs.
IV. Is it not a great matter, for a man to be in heaven
before he comes there ? To have eternal life in the world ?
" This is eternal life, to know thee, and whom thou hast
sent, Jesus Christ," John xvii. 3. 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 out unto all the saints under
the New Testament.
But you will say unto me : We do not find this in expe-
rience, 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 answer, Aye, but do you consider the opposition of grace:
the retinue of grace : and the mystery of grace.
I. 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 be much in quality.
There is no true gospel-grace, but it is much opposed. When
Jesus Christ came into the world, you know Herod raised
all the country upon him : and so when Christ comes
into the heart, the whole 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 ;
SER. 4.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 251
what do you say ? An enemy is landed, an enemy is landed,
and all the country rises. So when Christ lands upon a
soul, at the first, he lands as an enemy unto the sin and
soul ; and all the soul, the region, the continent, it rises up
against him.
Then also, as the dragon stood before the woman, which
you read of in that of the Revelations, to cut off the child as
soon as it was born : so the devil stands before the soul, to
cut of the soul's 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 farewell all friends ; and farewell
all your former pleasures ; and farewell all preferment. Was
it not a great matter for Job to be upright in the Land of Uz ?
why ? because there was much opposition in it. Is it not a
great matter for a little poor bark 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, It is not much grace h e hath, or much good he
does. Oh, but consider, if you would consider the great oppo-
sition the soul meets withal, then you will say, Oh, it is much
indeed, there is abundance of grace there.
II. Consider the retinue of grace : grace hath a great reti-
nue, though it be very mean, it hath a 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, it is
much. Look upon the little cottage in itself, or the rood of
land in itself, it is not much, but consider it as an earnest of
a great inheritance, so it is much. Beloved ! whatsoever
grace the saints have, they have it but as an earnest. Ye
read of the testimony of the Spirit ! the earnest of the Spirit ;
all the grace that the saints have on this side heaven, it is all
but the earnest of what they shall have. And the apostle he
blesses God for this, as ye read in Colossians i. 12. "Giving
thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be par-
takers 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
252 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 4.
heir to your estate, all are not heirs : but all God's children
have an inheritance. And the inheritance called an inherit-
ance of light: it does not lie in a dark, foggy, and fenny, and
moorish place, it is a comfortable inheritance, it is an inheri-
tance of light. And the apostle, he does here give thanks
unto God, that had made them meet to be 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 itself, and you say ; it is not much : Aye, but look
upon it as an earnest, but as an earnest, and then you will
say. it is much indeed, Oh, it is much indeed.
III. But then especially ; consider the mystery of grace :
grace is a mystery, Ye read 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 god-
liness 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, O ! what
abundance of grace is here, even in the weakest saint !
1. For example, to instance. Ye say it is no great matter,
for a man or woman to tremble before the word, it is more
than many a one does ; many come and sit out sermons, and
never tremble before the word. Well, but you say, it is no
great matter to tremble before the word, to tremble at the
word. Aye, but for a man to tremble at the word, and yet to
count it as honey, and the honey-comb ; to tremble at the
word, and yet to love it and prize it then, and look upon it as
the honey and the honey-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 honey, even as
honey, and the honey-comb, for sweetness. This is much.
2. 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, and yet notwithstanding
at the same time to think that he does not profit, that he is
SER. 4.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 253
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 is a mystery. Put all to-
gether ; you take things asunder, and therefore you think it is
not much.
3. Again. You think it is no great matter for a man to
comfort himself in this, That the Lord knows his heart. Aye,
but for a man to comfort himself in that, and yet say, there
is much hypocrisy there; and the same day, it may be, say;
Oh ! I am an hypocrite. Thus you shall have it with many a
poor, gracious, drooping soul. All is naught ; O my heart, it
is full of hypocrisy ; and I am but an hypocrite ; and yet
now, let him be charged or accused by men of the world, for
such and such designs ; he comforts himself in this : Oh, but
blessed be the Lord, the Lord knows my heart. Put these
things together.
4. Again. You will say, it is no great matter for a man to
look into his own heart ; so to look into his own heart, and
so to be sensible of his sin, as to think he shall perish for
ever. Aye, but, for the same person, to profess 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 and lay his condition to a drunkard, to an adulte-
rer ; says he, I profess I would not change my condition with
that man for all the world, at the same time. Here is a mys-
tery ! it is strange but there is 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 least.
5. Again. You say it is no great matter for a man to work
out his salvation with fear and trembling. Aye, 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.
6. Further. You say it is no great matter for a man to
walk closely with God. But it is a great matter. It may be
you will say it is not. Aye, but for a man to walk closely
254 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 4.
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 business,
and yet walk exactly : this is much.
7. Again. You will say, it is no great matter for a man to be
diligent in his particular calling. Aye, but for the same per-
son, for to take no thought, no dividing thought, what he
shall eat, or drink, or put on ; and yet be diligent in his par-
ticular calling, this is much. Now so it is, you shall have a
godly, gracious soul, taking no care, no dividing care what he
shall eat, or drink, or what he shall put on : and yet diligent
in his particular calling.
8. 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. Aye, 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 shall be for his
gain, God will 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 mystery ! this is much.
9. Again. You will say, it is no great matter for a man to
be quiet under his affliction, because it does come from God ;
for that reason : aye, but for the same person to be more
sensible, and to be the more afflicted, because it does come
from God ; this is much. Beloved, you shall have these two
meet together : a godly, gracious soul, he is therefore quiet
under affliction, because it does come from God ; and he is
therefore the more sensible of his affliction, because it does
come from God. Here is a mystery ! put these together, and
you will say, Things rise high.
10. I will instance but in one more, and that is a tenth.
You will say, it is no great matter for a man to be contented
with his condition : to be contented with his condition when
SER. 4.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 255
it is mean, and when it is poor. Aye, but for the same per-
son to desire a better, and pray for a better, and to pray
earnestly for a better, and yet be contented with his condi-
tion though it be never so mean : this is much. Thus it is
with the saints, a child of God, being in a mean condition,
he desires a better ; he prays to God for a better, and he
prays 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 mys-
tery, there is a mystery in every piece of godliness : and you
look not upon things under the mysterious notion, and you
say, It is no great matter that is in the life of such an 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 the least measure of gospel grace, hath abundance of
grace : he that hath but the least degree of grace, hath abun-
dance of grace ; of Christ's 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 abun-
dance.
Some few things by way of application, and so I have
done.
I. If it be so, then why should any of God's people vi-
lify, and degrade, and lower 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, Aye, 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 small
sin, because committed against the great God ; there is no
blessing small, because received from the great God : but of
256 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR 4.
all blessings, gospel blessing is the greatest. 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 lookest upon as little, it 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 vilify, and lower the grace of God, where-
withal you are enriched through Jesus Christ.
II. 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
sinners professors are ! yea, the sins of God's own people 1
The more light and knowledge a man hath, if he sin, the
greater is his sin. The more beams of grace fall upon a
man's 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 are the re-
medy. 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 profes-
sors now, that know more, that have more grace, more grace
discovered now ? Many, when they sin, they excuse them-
selves, 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 Samson did so : I have committed this or that
sin ; but Noah did so. Aye, but we have more light, \ve
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 es-
caped 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
SER. 4.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 257
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.
III. But, in the third place, if there be such an abun-
dance of grace communicated now, unto all the people of
God under the New Testament ; what a mighty encourage-
ment is here to all, good and bad : I say, a mighty encou-
ragement to all, to all those that hear me this day, good and
bad.
Bad : an encouragement to 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 is a fulness in
Jesus Christ, and those that come unto him shall be filled 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 filled by Christ ? Mark, is there an abundance of
grace to be had from Christ, and wilt thou have none, drunk-
ard ? Is there such abundance of grace to be had in Christ,
and wilt thou have none, wanton ? Unclean heart, wilt thou
have none ? Swearer, sabbath-breaker, wilt thou have none ?
The Lord persuade your hearts to come in unto Jesus Christ.
I tell you, you will have more from him than you expect.
The prodigal looked but for bread at his father's house, and
he met with a fatted calf, and with a ring, and with the best
garment : you shall have more than you looked for ; it is a
mighty encouragement. Oh, you that never thought of re-
turning 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 encouragement unto all that are
godly, and therefore they should labour 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 ? Labour, oh ! labour all you ser-
vants of God to abound in the work of the Lord, that you
may be filled with all the fulness 'of God in Christ; that you
may be filled 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
258 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 5.
gospel grace, thou hast abundance. Brethren, grace hath
abounded ! Oh ! let us abound in grace, abound in 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 : " As you have received
the Lord Jesus Christ: walk in him ; always abounding in
the work of the Lord ; forasmuch as ye know that your la-
bour is not in vain in the Lord," Col. ii. 6.
And thus much for the first thins: that is here intended.
SERMON V.
" And of his fulness have all we received, even grace for grace."
JOHN i. 16.
YE heard, the last day, that three things were contained in
this last clause, " Even grace for grace," as it stands in rela-
tion 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 peo-
ple 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, says Austin,
that is, grace in order to grace : God gives the former grace,
says he, to prepare for the after grace. Whether the former
or the latter rain ; whether the former or the latter grace, it
it all from Christ. Whatsoever grace the saints have, they
have it from Christ.
This suits with the phrase of Job still : " Skin for skin,"
that is, all a man's skin. So it is explained by the following
words : " Skin for skin, even all that a man hath will he give
for his life," Job ii. 4. 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 suits with the scope of the place : the scope
SER. 5.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 259
of the place is, to exalt Jesus Christ above them that came
before him, above Moses. Therefore, says he, at the next
verse, " For the law was given by Moses, but grace and
truth came by Jesus Christ," John i. 17. Though the law
were given by Moses, yet, notwithstanding, grace, the chief,
that is from Christ.
Now grace, the word grace here in the 17th verse, must be
understood of all grace : " 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. Thus 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. Some-
times it is taken for God's 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 says, " We are not able, as of ourselves, to think a
good thought ; but all our sufficiency is of God," 1 Cor. iii.
5. And if you look into this ist chapter of John, you find
that those that are regenerate, and born again ; it is said con-
cerning them, at the 13th verse, " that they are not born of
bloods," in the plural number ; your English hath it, blood,
in the singular number : " 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 : so the Jews :
" We are the children of Abraham." Some there are, and
were, that think themselves the children of God because of
some legal workings and monkish devotions : all those legal-
ities under the gospel are called flesh. Some there are that
think themselves the children of God, because of some more
s 2
260 GRACE FOR GRACE. [ER. 5.
refined, and raised, and heroical actions. That he might ob-
viate all these, says he, " We are not born of bloods, nor of
the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
You are for free-will, and you think free-will hath a great
stroke in man's conversion : but how can ye look this scrip-
ture 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 will of man : but I tell you,
says he, " we are not born 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 i. 17, "Every good
giving and every perfect gift is from above." In some of
your books you read thus : " Every good gift and every
perfect gift is from above." But it is rather to read, " Every
good giving." Every good gift and every good giving is from
above. Not only the thing given is from abo\e, 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 all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ, " He is the first-
born among many brethren," Rom. viii. 29. He is the first
fruit that sanctifieth all the rest. " I am the First and the
Last," says he, Rev. i. 17- 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, 15th verse : " This was he (says John) of whom I
spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me, for
he was before me." So ye read it, but it is, "He was my
first," preferred before me, for he was my first. And there-
fore the first, giving a being unto all that follows, Jesus Christ,
he does give a being unto all our grace. " I am the way,
the truth, and the life," says he, John xiv. 6.
" I am the way." Would you go to heaven ? You can-
not go thither, but you must go in some way. A man can-
not 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. Says 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 says, " I am the way," it is as if
he should say, That look whatever means you do use in order
SER. 5.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 261
to heaven, all those means, they have their virtue and their
power and their efficacy from me.
Aye, 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, says he, therefore " I am the truth." And it is ob-
servable, how truth lies between way and life ; as if the way
to life were thorough truth, as if truth were the great road
or thorough-fare to life. Says Jesus Christ, I am that too,
I am the way and the truth too.
Aye, but though a man be in the right way, and he have
a guide, he may fall sick and die, and never come to his
journey's end.
Therefore says 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 man's 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. The
door of a powerful ministry; a large and an effectual door is
opened. 1 Cor. xvi. 9. The door of the ear ; " He openeth
the ear and sealeth instruction," Job xxxiii. 16. The door
of the understanding and of the heart ; Lydia's heart was
opened. Acts xvi. 14. 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," Rev. iii. 7-
In the ist of the Revelation and the 18th verse, he says, that
he " hath the keys 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 whatso-
ever grace or holiness there is in any man's heart, he opens
the door, he lets it in, it is by his ordering and his sending
thither.
And, beloved, if Jesus Christ were not the great Lord-
Keeper of his Father's wardrobe, why should those names
and titles be given to him, which you find so frequently in
Scripture ? Cast your eyes where you will, you shall hardly
-62 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SEtt. 5.
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 " the Sun of
Righteousness," Mai. iv. 2. 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," Rev. xxii. 16.
If you behold your own body, he is called the head, and the
church the body. Col. i. 18. If you look upon your own
clothes, he is called your raiment ; " Put ye on the Lord
Jesus," Rom. xiii. 14. If you behold your meat, he is called
bread, the Bread of Life," John vi. 35. If you look upon
your houses, he is called a door. John x. 9. If you look
abroad into the fields, and behold the cattle of the fields, he
is called the Good Shepherd, John x. 11; he is called the
Lamb, John i. 29 ; he is called the fatted calf, Luke xv. 23.
If you look upon the waters, he is called a fountain ; the
blood of Christ a fountain. Zech. xiii. 1. If you look upon
the stones, he is called " a Corner Stone," Isa. xxviii. 16.
If you look upon the trees, he is called " a Tree of Life,"
Prov. iii. 18. 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 show, that in a spiritual
way and sense, 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 Shepherd, but
the Good Shepherd. He is not only called a Lamb, but the
" Lamb slain from the beginning 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 therefore, as the apostle
speaks, Col. iii. 11, you read 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, it is from Jesus Christ. Surely may one say,
SER. 5.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 263
The Lord is our strength ; surely may we all say, The Lord
is our strength, the Lord Jesus is our righteousness. What-
soever grace or holiness the saints have, they have it from
Jesus Christ.
You will say, 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.
I answer, No, it does no way derogate from God the Fa-
ther. The apostle Paul was much in this doctrine that now
I am upon, and yet he honoured the Father too. " Grace
and peace (says he) from God our Father, and from our Lord
Jesus Christ," Rom. i.7. Though all grace be from Christ, yet
grace and peace from the Father too, says he, from God our
Father. And having shown in the viith of the Romans,
that being married unto Christ, and dead unto the law, that
therefore we should bring forth fruit. As in the 4th verse :
" Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the
law by the body of Christ, that ye should be married to an-
other, 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:
" I and my Father are one," says Christ, John x. 30. In
honouring Jesus Christ, you honour the Father, as in ho-
nouring of the Father you honour Christ.
You will say, Wherein is the honour to the Father accor-
ding unto this truth ? How does this any way make to
the honour of God the Father, that all grace is from Jesus
Christ ?
Yes ! for I answer, First, though all grace be immediately
given out of the hand of Christ, all grace from him, and he
gives it out; he is commissioned, and designed by the Fa-
ther to do it : he does but the Father's work. " I came not
to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me,"
John vi. 38. Was it any dishonour to Pharaoh, that Jo-
seph gave out the bread in the time of famine ? No, because
he was commissioned by Pharaoh to do it. And so now, if Je-
sus Christ have a commission from the Father to do this, it
is no dishonour to the Father : and a commission he hath,
264 GRACE FOB GRACE. [SER. 5.
he will shew you it under hand and seal ; " Him hath God
the Father sealed," John vi. 27. So says 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
furnished and accomplished with ability unto this great
office by God the Father. Isa. Ixi. 1. The Spirit of the
Lord is upon me (says he) and he hath anointed me to open
the prison doors to captives," &c. Now, is it any dishonour
to God, that the sun does distribute and give out light, and
heat unto all the creatures ? No, but rather an honour 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 be-
low ; he lifts up his hands, and says ; 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 dishonour 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 : in the mean while, " None comes unto the Son
but whom the Father draws," John vi. 14, and " None
comes unto the Father, but he unto whom the Son reveals
him," Matt. xi. 27. Is it any disparagement unto a man, to
have a wise, a potent, a great man to his child ? " A wise
son makes a glad father," says Solomon, Prov. x. 1. Indeed
if the Father and the Son were two, they might be enemies:
but Christ and the Father are one : " I and my Father are
one," John x. 30 : and therefore in honouring of Jesus Christ,
you honour the Father also.
But you will say, 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 ? W r as there no creature that
was fit for this work but Christ alone ?
No, I answer, this trust would have broke the back of any
creature : no creature in heaven or earth, as a mere creature,
SER. 5.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 265
was able to purchase this trust : he had not a stock and es-
tate of grace enough by him : Christ himself hath it by pur-
chase : for he being the second person, the apostle tells us,
" He emptied himself, and became of no reputation ; where-
fore God hath given him a name above every name," Phil.
ii. 7> 9, that in the name and strength of Jesus Christ we
should be more than conquerors. He had a great estate by
him, he was the second person : yet notwithstanding, this
purchase was so great, that says Paul, " He emptied himself."
Surely no creature in heaven or earth was able to come to
this purchase. He that must be the world's 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 God's
people : and he must have infinite mercy, and patience, and
goodness to pity them : and he must have infinite power, to
reach it forth unto them, which no creature hath, and there-
fore 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 con-
tentment, and complacency, and delight in the duties and
services of his people : this is the only way to it. " This is
my beloved Son (says he) in whom I am well pleased," Matt,
iii. 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. It is not in regard of
our duties, as in regard of our flowers, or posies : let a flower
or posie be never so sweet, they receive not any of the sweet-
ness from the bosom that it sticks in : the posie does sweeten
the bosom, but the bosom does not sweeten the posie. Aye but
now the duty that is stuck in the bosom of Jesus Christ, is
sweetened by the bosom, by the bosom that it sticks in.
Pray mark, therefore, what is said in the xith of the Canticles
for this purpose. Says the spouse at the 12th verse, " 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 God's peo-
ple, they are his spikenard : this spikenard sendeth forth the
266 GRACE FOR GRACE. [$ER. 5.
smell thereof, while the king sitteth at his table ; while it is
in the presence of Jesus Christ ; whilst the posie is in his
bosom it smells sweet, else it does not. Now God the Fa-
ther, 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 virtue of him.
It will be objected yet. It should seem that all grace does
not come from Christ ; no, nor from God the Father nei-
ther : for in the xvith of the Proverbs, and the 1st verse, it
is said, as some translations read 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, says Solomon, " The preparations of the
heart are 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, I shall say these three things.
1. 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, than 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 Saviour Christ,
he says, " Without me ye can do nothing," John xv. 5 : yes,
might a man say, according to Solomon's doctrine, I can
prepare my own heart, and that is a great duty. And so
whereas the apostle says, " We are not able for to think
a good thought," 2 Cor. iii. 5 : a man might say, yes, but
according to Solomon's doctrine, I am able to prepare my
own heart. The meaning therefore of this place cannot be
according to this objection.
2. The scope therefore, of this place is this : to shew
the vanity and the bootlessness of all our thoughts without
God. Let a man think, and think, and spend his heart in
thoughtfulness, 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
. 5.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 267
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 business, un-
less we take God along with us.
3. This place is so far from speaking against the doc-
trine 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
than what was intended in the heart : this shows that all is of
God, that all is of grace ; and so this place does rather con-
firm the doctrine that I am now upon.
Aye, but yet it will be said then : Grant it, 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 crea-
ture, he gave also unto grace a power to bring forth gracious
actions without fresh assistance, only by ordinary concur-
rence : 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, all is from Jesus
Christ ; all grace is from Jesus Christ in regard of fresh as-
sistance 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 its 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
268 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 5.
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 stronger than man, came upon him, and beguiled 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 be-
guile him of it, because it 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 himself 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. Therefore the Psalmist
prays thus : " Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall
shew forth thy praise," Psalm li. 15. 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. And so again, " Lord, open mine eyes, that I
may see the wonders of thy law," Psalm cxix. 18. And to
this purpose, it is in the xviith Psalm, and the 5th verse, says
David, " Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps
slip not." Mark, I pray, David ye know was a godly man,
he had a habit of grace. Now, Lord, says David, as for the
business that is between Saul and me, thou knowest I am in
thy way ; yet, Lord, says 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 goings in thy paths, that my footsteps
slip not." Does not the apostle say, " The will and the deed
is from God ?" Phil. ii. 13. You may observe, that the gra-
ces of God's people, they are called in the New Testament,
" the fruits of the Spirit," Gal. v. 22. 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 Bradwardine reasons the case : For,
says he, though a child have his being from his father, his
education from his father, learning, military skill ; yet, not-
withstanding, the valour of an action being his own, he hath
in opposition to his father wherein to boast. True, I confess
SER. 5.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 269
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
wherein to boast : true, I had the habit, the grace from God,
aye but the spirit of the action, that is mine : he hath where-
in 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, but if all grace be from Christ in regard
of fresh assistance too, why is it said that we repent, and we
believe, and we obey : for if all grace, in regard of the very
work, be from Christ ; if Jesus Christ do work all our works ;
why is it not rather said, that Christ does repent, and Christ
does believe, and Christ does obey ?
I answer, No. You know the persons that are responsi-
ble : 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 responsible. So, now, you are responsible: and
therefore, though ye have all strength from Christ to do it,
yet you are said to repent, and believe, and obey. The devil
is not said to commit adultery, and commit murder, yet by
his instigation it is done. The sun does work with the tree,
when the tree does bring forth fruit ; and yet it is not said
that the sun brings forth an apple, or brings forth fruit : be-
cause the sun does work as an universal cause, and the tree
as a particular cause. So now, though Jesus Christ does
work in all our workings, yet he is not said to repent, or be-
lieve, or to obey : because he works as an universal cause,
and you work as a particular cause. Only behold here the
mirror of grace : all is of Christ, and yet all is cur's ; all is
cur's in denomination, and all is Christ's in operation ; all is
cur's in regard of encouragement, and all is Christ's in regard
of glory ; all is our's in regard of reward, and all is Christ's
in regard of honour. Here is grace ! Here is the mystery of
grace ! but still all, whatsoever grace a man hath, he hath it
from Jesus Christ.
Aye but, will you say, to what end is this doctrine opened,
270 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 5.
thus largely opened and pressed ? What good is there that
does come thereby ?
What good ! I answer, 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 xxxist Psalm, the 2nd and 3rd verses : " 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 kind of argument is this ? Yet it is a
good argument : the way to have Christ our rock, is to ac-
count him our rock ; my very resting upon the promise does
make it mine ; and your very resting upon Jesus Christ does
make him yours ; and what will make you rest more upon
him, than to see that all is from him ?
Again. Would you have your hearts warmed with love
unto Jesus Christ ? Indeed our whole life should be nothing
else but an expression of love to Christ, as Christ's life and
death was nothing else but an expression of love to us.
Now, says 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 be-
fore it does come at mine ? What infinite 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 confess indeed, will some say, when I
look upon myself, 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 ? whatsoever 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 serious and deep humiliation for sin committed ? The
study of this truth will help you to do it. You know what,
the prophet Isaiah says, " Oh, Lord, (says he) woe is me, I
am undone, I am undone," Isa. vi. 5. Why ? what is the
matter ? Oh, says he, " mine eyes have seen the King."
If you look into the iiird chapter of Matthew, you will find
SEU. 5.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 2?1
there, in John the Baptist, such a self-humbling speech,
Christ-advancing speech, as you shall not meet with many of
the like again. Says he, at the llth verse, " Whose shoes I
am not worthy to bear;" or as other Gospels hath it,
" Whose shoes latchet I am not worthy to unloose." Be-
loved, I pray consider it a little. John, than which there
was not a greater, the great preacher that all the country
followed, John cries out and says, " 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 ? Says he, " I
indeed baptize you with water unto repentance ; but he that
cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not
worthy to bear : he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost
and with fire." As if he should say thus : I may baptize
you outwardly, but the efficacy of all those ordinances, it is
from Jesus Christ, and therefore, because the efficacy of
every ordinance is from Jesus Christ, says 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 gardener takes with the apricot. This is a
fruit, says 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 this chimney will nurse
it up. Or else, It will grow up against that wall, I will set
it in the face of the sun, that it may have the smiles of the
sunbeams, and then it will grow. He sets it there, and then
it grows, and brings forth a pleasant fruit. Dost thou com-
plain thou art not fruitful ; what is the reason ? may be thou
growest in the shade, may be thou growest in the shade ;
but come and bring forth thine heart, set it in the sun, under
the warm beams of the love of Jesus Christ : see if thy
heart be not fruitful then. And, beloved, what greater love
than this, that Jesus Christ hath died for sinners ? that he
hath died 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.
272 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 5.
Is it so, that all grace is from Christ, that whatsoever grace
the saints have, they have it from Jesus Christ Christ
meriting, and Christ working; that all our efficiency and
sufficiency, and all-sufficiency is from Christ. That he is the
great Joseph, the world's 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. Commanded 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. Aye, 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 we honor our parents because we have our out-
ward being from them ? and shall we not honor Jesus Christ,
from whom we have the being of all our graces, the being of
our souls unto all eternity ? What infinite engagements are
upon us all to honor Jesus Christ.
You will say unto me, 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 been
driving at all this while. Some particulars herein.
Ye cannot honour Jesus Christ, unless that you do offer
up your own Christ unto him : I say, unless you offer
up your own Christ to him ; I mean, your natural Christ to
him. Some there are, that make a Christ of their good
meaning, and think to be saved thereby ; rest upon that, and
think to be saved thereby. Some rest upon an honest and
sober conversation, and think to be saved thereby. Some
rest upon their duties, enlargements in duties, and think to
be saved thereby. Some rest upon their very resting ; trust-
ing is not to be trusted to : but some rest upon their very
resting, and think to be saved thereby. Some rest upon
those enjoyments and sweetnesses that they meet withal in
duty, and think to be saved thereby. Beloved, you may ob-
serve, that when the Lord commanded his people in the Old
Testament to honour him, he commands them to sacrifice
such things to him, which other nations did make their gods ;
SER. 5.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 273
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 honour God,
must give that unto God which the world makes its god.
So say I, if you would honour Christ, you must 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 honour Jesus Christ, if you do not give up those to
him.
Again. You cannot honour Jesus 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 honour to be the
Lord's servant, than to be king of Israel ; he counted it a
great matter to be the Lord's servant, because he honoured
the Lord. Those that honour Christ, they look upon the
things of Christ as great matters : the works 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.
Ye cannot honour Jesus Christ, and give the worst to him.
Abel honoured God, and he offered the best ; and because
he offered the best, therefore he honoured God. " If I be a
Father, where is mine honour ? (says the Lord.) Why bring
ye the lean, and the maimed, and the feeble ?" Mai. i. 6, 8.
" Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first
fruits of all thine increase," says Solomon, Prov. iii. 9. Ob-
serve therefore, what is your best, and what is your sub-
stance, and what are your first fruits ? and give them up to
Christ. Young men, young men, and women ; the best of
your years, the best of your strength, the best of your time
is to be given to Jesus Christ : ye cannot honour Jesus
Christ, and give him the worst : oh ! that the old people
would be much humbled ; and the young people would be
much encouraged : you cannot honour Jesus Christ, and give
the worst to him.
T
274 GKACE FOIl GRACE. [SliR. .") .
Ye cannot honour 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 : Aye, but it 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 ; Aye, but it is all hypocrisy ; I prayed such a time,
but it was all in hypocrisy : aye, but what if it be the grace
of Christ ? what if it prove so ? Surely, surely ye cannot
honour Jesus Christ, and despise the choicest works that come
out of his hands.
Again, a man is said then for to honour Christ, when he
does trust unto him, and rest upon him for help at a dead
lift, as we speak commonly, and the more a man does rely
upon Jesus Christ in straits and in the time of tempta-
tion, the more he does honour Jesus Christ. Abraham gave
glory to God, he believed above hope, and under hope ; and
because he believed above hope, and under hope, therefore
he gave glory to God, when he considered his own body. Man
or woman, wouldest thou therefore now honour Jesus Christ ?
Say, True, I confess indeed I have sinned much ; and when
I look upon myself, I know no reason why such a wretch,
so great a sinner as I, should be saved : but because the
way to honour Christ is for to rest upon him ; and I have
dishonoured Jesus Christ enough already, therefore now,
through the grace of God, I will cast the weight of my poor
guilty soul upon Jesus Christ ; yea, for that very reason will
I leave the weight of my guilty soul upon him, because there-
by I may honour him.
Again, the way to honour Jesus Christ, is, so to walk
and so to live, as the men of the world may speak well of
the ways of Christ by your conversation. " Let your light
so shine before men, that they may glorify God,'' &c. Matt.
v. 16. The men of the world will then speak well of the
ways 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
SER. 5.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 2J"5
of the Lord, constant therein, and humble. For abundant,
you know what our Saviour says : " In this is my Father
glorified, that ye bring forth much fruit," John xv. 8. One
sun in the firmament, honours God the Creator more, than
an hundred little stars. One strong Christian, that does
much for God, honours him more than twenty, than an
hundred weak ones.
Aye, but though a man have advance 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 ? Aye, 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 honour the way of Christ: when
a man is abundant in good, constant therein, and walks hum-
bly; what says the world then ? Aye, there is the man, if
all professors were such ; aye, there is an humble man, there
is a self-denying man ; aye, if you were all such, if you were
all such, then I should like the ways of God the better.
Take heed therefore, unto your lives, that ye so walk, as that
the ways of Jesus Christ may be well spoken of by you.
Would you honour Jesus Christ as you should ? Then
own him : own him in evil times, and stand for him in the
times of general declining. Honor est testimonium de allicu-
jus excellentia ; honour is the testimony of a man's excel-
lency: when I testify of an excellency in a man, then I hon-
our him ; and the more 1 testify of an excellency in a man,
the more I honour 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 testify of an excellency
in Jesus Christ : what ! suffer the loss of all for that which
the world counts little worth ! O ! if there be such an ex-
cellency in a truth, a small truth, a despised ordinance ; what
an excellency is there in Christ himself ! Observe therefore,
what those despised ordinances are, and labour to bear them
up, those truths that the world counts small truths, be wil-
ling to lose much for them; stand for them in times of ge-
neral declining; own Jesus Christ in evil times; otherwise
you cannot honour him.
I have done. Only thus : be willing to stoop unto any
T 2
276 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 6.
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 Christ's. Some
means are natural, and some institutional : some means that
are near unto Christ : some means that ye use in a work,
that are more properly Christ's : choose to set the crown
upon the head of the means that is nearest to Jesus Christ.
Thus doing, ye shall honour Jesus Christ. And oh ! my
beloved, why should not we all now set ourselves for to
honour him ? not in word, but in deed to honour Jesus
Christ ? He hath done all for our profit, why should we not
do all for his honour? God the Father honours Jesus
Christ, why should not we honour Jesus 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
Jesus Christ: you, I say, that have had the experience of this
truth. Oh 1 labour now to advance, to lift up the name of
Jesus Christ: oh! that our whole life, might be nothing
else, but a Christ-advancing life ! you that have the expe-
rience of it, labour, not in word, but in deed to lift up the
name of Jesus Christ.
SERMON VI.
" And of his fulness have all we received, even grace for grace."
JOHN i. 16.
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 spoken already.
The third now follows. 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 ans-
SER. 6.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 277
werable 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 suits with your ordinary expression : when
the seal falls 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 suits with that expression of Scripture, " An eye
for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth," Matt. v. 38 ; 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, for the favour of God. And is Jesus
Christ called the Beloved of God ; " This is my beloved
Son," Matt. iii. 1 7 ? so are the saints too ; Solomon is called
" Jedidiah, the beloved of God," 2 Sam. xii. 25.
Take grace for privilege. 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. xii. 6. Is he called
an Heir, " the Heir of all things/ 1 Heb. i. 2 ? the saints are
said to be " heirs and co-heirs with Jesus Christ," Rom. viii.
17. Is he called " Elect and precious," 1 Peter ii. 6 ? so are
they too " elect and precious," 1 Peter i. 2. Is he called
" God's Fellow," as ye have it in Zechariah xiii. 7 ? the
saints they are called his fellows : " Who is anointed with the
oil of gladness above his fellows," Heb. i. 9, that is, above
the saints. Is he called the Light, " the Light of the world,"
John viii. 12, the true Light ? they are called light too : " Ye
were darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord," Eph.
v. 8.
Take grace for assistance. And had Jesus Christ felt an
assistance from God the Father, as ye read at large in the
xxiind Psalm ? so have the saints too : " My grace is suffi-
cient for thee," 1 Cor. xii. 9.
Take grace for holiness or sanctification. And is he said
to be sanctified ; " For this cause have I sanctified myself,"
John xvii. 19 ? so are the saints also said to be sanctified:
278 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 6.
" That they also may be sanctified/ 5 John xvii. 19. Is he
said to be full of grace ; " full of grace and truth/' John i.
14 ? so are the saints too, some of them : Stephen, full of
grace, Acts vii. 55 ; 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 ourselves
for to look into it.
Ye read of a fellowship that the saints have with Christ in
that first Epistle to John, the ist chapter and the 3rd verse :
" That which we have heard and seen, declare we unto you,
that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fel-
lowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."
Communio, I Cor. i. 2 ; societas, Gal. ii. 9. 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 ingenuous
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 1 Cor. x. 16, "The cup of blessing which we
bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?" as
you read it; it is the same word, fellowship. And in 1 Cor.
i. 9, it 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, as the word that is used in the Acts of the
Apostles, ii. 44, where it is said, " 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.
I. First of all, there is a glorious and blessed union be-
tween Christ and every Christian ; a union beyond all expres-
sion. It is compared, indeed, unto the union that is between
the head and the members, the root and the branches, the hus-
SER. 6.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 279
band and the wife ; but though they come up to what Christ
intended, yet they all fall short of this union 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, and you in me," saith he
John xiv. 20. It is a union of mutual in-being, not a union
of affection only, such as the stones have, when they lie to-
gether in a heap ; but rather such as is between the wine and
the water, when they are put together, saving that they are
not mixed together. Christ is not mixed with a Christian, a
Christian is not mixed 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 communi-
cated to the iron ; the iron forgets his own blackness, and
shines with the shining of the fire, and burns with the burn-
ing of the fire. And as a coal, a charcoal, 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 itself, and melts like the fire itself, and shines
like the fire itself. So, when the Lord Jesus Christ is uni-
ted to a soul, look what excellencies there are in Christ, what
graces in Christ, the same are communicated to it; the soul
shines with Christ's 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 virtue 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
read, in the Acts of the Apostles, of the blood of God, be-
cause of the union : the properties of the flesh and of man's
nature are given to God. So says the apostle : " He that
descended is the same also that ascended," Eph. iv. 10. God
does not descend, for he is everywhere ; but by reason of the
union, what is proper to the flesh is given to God. And so
now, in this mystical union, there being such a glorious
and blessed union between Christ and a Christian; what-
soever grace, or excellency, or property is in Christ himself,
there is an answerableness of grace, an excellency wrought in
280 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. G.
the heart of every Christian ; he hath grace for grace, he hath
stamp for stamp.
II. And again, The Lord Jesus Christ is our second
Adam, a common person between God and us. Now look
as it was concerning our forefather 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 com-
mon 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 says, in the vth of the Romans, " That as by one
man's offence death came, so through the gift of grace, grace
hath abounded : but not as the offence (says he at the 15th
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 Sa-
viour Christ says himself, I have life in myself; " the Son
hath life in himself," John v. 26 ; which laid to that expres-
sion which you have in the ist of Genesis, speaks to our
purpose, the llth and 12th verses: "God said, Let the
earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit-
tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself;"
and so again at the 12th verse, " Whose seed was in itself."
That is, these creatures had a power in themselves to bring
forth their like. And so says Jesus Christ, as other creatures
had seed in themselves to bring forth their like ; so have I
life in myself, 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.
III. There is an incomparable, and glorious, blessed love
between Christ and a Christian. Love, loves to make a
thing loved to be like itself. Love in an inferior is of an
imitating nature, and love in a superior is of an assimilating
SER. G.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 281
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 Christ's love exceeds;
for when the spouse speaks of Christ in the Canticles, she
calls him " My Beloved," in the concrete ; but when he
speaks of her, he calls her " My Love, my Dove/' in the
abstract. Jesus Christ had- loving thoughts towards the
saints before the world was ; as ye read in the viiith of the
Proverbs and the 29th verse. Says Wisdom, and so Christ,
there, " When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters
should not pass his commandment; 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 31st), re-
joicing 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. \Vhen a man loves a maid or a virgin, while she is
in her father's house, she is set apart for him ; but now after-
ward, when she leaves her father's house and all her kindred,
that she may only cleave unto him, then his heart is drawn
out more. How am I engaged, says 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
apart for him in God's decree; but now when they shall
leave their father's house for him, will he not then delight in
them ? See what is said in the xlvth Psalm : " Hearken, O
daughter, (at the 10th verse) and consider, and incline thine
ear ; forget also thine own people, and thy father's 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 oneness with the tiling
loved. Indeed our love is scant, and we cannot do it. Mo-
ses, of whom the law is signified, might chip and pare his
282 GRACE FOB GRACE. [SER. 6.
wife's nails, 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 Chiist 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 likenees : 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.
IV. Again, There is the same Spirit in a Christian, that
is in Christ. " I will send (says he) the Comforter, the
Spirit of truth, and he shall come unto you," John xv. 26.
The Spirit does not only come to them, but is said to dwell
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 taste 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 ? Indeed it holds
forth abundance of comfort unto the saints, and an encou-
ragement to all to be so ; but how can this be ? There are
some incommunicable properties, personal excellencies of
Christ : Are all men Saviours ? are all men Mediators ? are
all men Christs ?
I answer, No; we must therefore so understand it, in
things that man is capable of. We have member for mem-
ber 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, it is to be
understood in things that we are capable of; we are not Sa-
viours, we are not Mediators, we are not Christs. In some
SER. 6.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 283
of those things that we are not capable of, yet there is some-
what in a Christian that in some other kind is answerable
thereunto. As now for example, when our Lord and Saviour
Christ was baptized, the heavens opened, and the Ho'y
Ghost fell down upon him in the shape of a dove: the Holy
Ghust does not so fall down upon men now, but yet it 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 height as he was. To open this a little, that I may clear
the point:
Is our Lord and Saviour Christ a Prophet, and as a Pro-
phet does he teach his people, the saints ? In that of the
Revelation, xi. 3, the two witnesses are said to prophesy in
sackcloth. They are said to prophesy too.
Is our Lord and Saviour Christ a King, and as a King
does he overcome and subdue Satan, and our lusts, and the
world ? So do the saints too. " This is your victory where-
by ye overcome the world, even your faith," 1 John v. 4.
As a King, does he overcome, and sit down in his throne ?
So do they too. In the iiird of the Revelation and the 21st
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 : says he " As I overcame, and am set
down with my Father in his throne in heaven ;" so those
that overcome shall sit down, that is, have communion.
" Many shall come from the east and from the west, and shall
sit down with Abraham and Isaac," Matt. \iii. 11; that is,
have communion with them. So here, " To him that over-
comes, will I grant to sit down with me in my throne."
They shall have communion with Jesus Christ in his throne.
As a King does the Lord Jesus Christ " rule the nations,
and break them in pieces with a rod of iron ? " Psalm ii. 9.
So shall the saints do in their generation and in their way :
look I pray into the iind of the Revelation, the 26th 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 thall 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
284 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 6.
does not say, Even as I received this doctrine of my Father,
but, As I (which you read of in the iind 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 sacri-
fice ? So do the saints too. The apostle exhorts the Ro-
mans, " that they offer up themselves a reasonable sacrifice."
Rom. xii. 1. As a Priest, does he make intercession?
So it is said concerning the saints in the viiith of the Ro-
mans: " The Spirit of God that is upon them, makes inter-
cession with groans that cannot be expressed." 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:
says he, in the xth of the Hebrews and the 1 9th verse, " Ha-
ving 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 holiest 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 spi-
ritual 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 father's
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.
I. By way of application then : if this be so ; that the
saints do receive from Christ's 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 or saving interest in Jesus Christ.
Methinks I hear this doctrine crying aloud, and saying;
SER. 6.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 285
Stand by, profane men, stand by : you that are merely 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 lie, 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 merely civil, moral. Though they
will not swear great, and gross oaths : 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 god-
lines, 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 command it, they will do it, whatever
it be : but would Jesus Christ do ? When Jesus Christ was
upon the earth, he was zealous, " The zeal of thine house
hath eaten me up/' John ii. 17: but they are formal, and
they are lukewarm : oh, is this grace for grace ? is this your
answerableness ? and are these in Jesus Christ ? As for
those that are hypocrites : they have always some secret sin
or other, some back door or other that they may go out at :
but had Jesus Christ so? They lie contemplating, and
chewing of the devil's cud ; and are indulgent to their base
thoughts, their sinful thoughts ; but was Jesus Christ so ?
They savour gifts and expressions more than graces : but did
Jesus Christ do so ? They, though they seem to be morti-
fied, 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 na-
286 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SfiR. 6.
ture ; they naturally care for the things of Christ : hypocrites
do not so. Behold ! here is the character of a Christian in-
deed, 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 !
II. If this doctrine be true, what a happy and blessed
thing is it for a man to be in Christ ! Behold the dignity of
the saints ! Beloved, here is glory on this side glory : it is
the glory and the honour of a man to be like to God ; it is
the glory and honour of a disciple to be like his master ; it is
the glory and honour of a child to be like his father ; it is the
glory and honour of a Christian to be like unto Jesus Christ.
Every Christian hath the image of Christ drawn upon him.
Had our Lord Jesus, the great and 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 been a great ho-
nour to belong to Christ, to wear his livery : but behold !
here is more than so, the saints do not only wear his livery,
but they have his grace : and their grace is of the same na-
ture with the very grace of Christ ; as our grace should have
been of the same nature with Adam's 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 men's hearts after
him; only touched our hearts that we might have followed him;
what a mercy had it been ! But behold ! here is more than so:
the saints they have grace for grace ; whatsoever grace, or ho-
liness 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 wonld not be en-
couraged to get into Jesus Christ? Oh, you that are in
Christ, do you know what privileges 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 is dignity !
here is privilege indeed !
SER. 6.J GRACE FOR GRACE. 287
But you will say, All dignity calls 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, I answer, you cannot be proud of it, for then you
shall not be like to Christ : who, though he thought it no
robbery to be equal to God the Father, he humbled himself,
and became of no reputation. Beloved, you know that all
talents 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. It is our wisdom 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 believing. If God be working
patience in our hearts, it is our duty to help forward the work
of patience. Look, now, what work that is, that God is do-
ing in our hearts, and lives, for us ; that work we are bound
to help forward. Now, therefore, hath God drawn the image
of Jesus Christ upon your hearts, so that that there is an ha-
bitual likeness in your souls unto Jesus Christ ? then it is
your duty to labour for an actual likeness; to be like unto
him in all your workings, to live as he lived, and to do as he
did, and to speak as he spake : labour more and more to be
like unto him in your lives.
And if you say, How should that be ? the apostle tells you :
tf Whom beholding, as in a glass, we are changed from glory
to glory, according to his own image," 2 Cor. iii. 18. The
serious, frequent beholding of Jes.is 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
Christ's obedience was divided into active and passive obe-
dience. Would you in the doing part of your life be like
unto Christ? Behold him in his doing: omnis Ckristi actio
est instruct : every action of Christ may be our instruction.
Nothing in Christ not imitable; some things more especially.
For example, our Lord and Saviour Christ, he made it his
great business and design to bear witness to the truth : " For
this cause came I into the world, that I might bear witness
unto the truth," John xviii. 37-
Again, He would stoop to any work, though it lay much
288 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 6.
below him : wash 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 God's work, he would not know his
own natural relations ; and therefore says he to his mother,
" Woman, my time is not yet come," John ii. 4. He does
not say, Mother, my time is not yet come ; but, Woman. In
God's work he would not know his own natural 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 es-
teem of the wicked, though they were never so rich.
He did, again, so exercise one grace, as he might exercise
another. He would so rejoice in God, as he might grieve for
sin ; not his own, but our^s : and he did so grieve for sin, as
he might rejoice 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 lion ; a lamb in his own cause, and
a lion in God's cause. Oh, that in these things you would
labour to be like unto him. It would be infinite, indeed it
would be beyond 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
doings.
And so for his sufferings. Ye shall observe, he would not
suffer till he was called unto it. Therefore he stood so pre-
cisely upon his time : " My time is not yet come," John vii. 8.
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 : " Get thee behind me, Satan," Matt. xvi. 23. In
all his sufferings he bad an especial eye to other men's good;
then he went very quietly and meekly : " As a lamb dumb
before the shearers, so he opened not his mouth," Isa. liii. 7.
And he was more sensible, which I pray mark, of God's
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, says he, " My God, my
God, why hast thou forsaken me r" Matt, xxvii. 46.
The sun did forsake him too :' the sun did withdraw his light :
and yet he does not say, O sun, why doest thou thus forsake
SER. 6.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 289
me ? The disciples all forsook him : and yet he does not
cry out Thomas, why dost thou now forsake me ? Peter,
why dost thou now forsake me ? He cries not out of them.
His body was nailed to the cross : and he does not cry out
and say, oh, my hands ; oh, my body ; oh, the pain that I
endure ; but here he cries out of this : oh, " my God, my
God, why hast thou foraaken me ?" He was more sensible
of God's withdrawing from him, than of all the other mise-
ries that he did endure. Oh ! my beloved, that you would
labour now for to be like unto Jesus Christ; in your doing;
in your suffering for to be like to him. The sight of a gra-
cious Christ, will make us gracious if any thing will do it.
Labour 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 shined ; 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 is 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.
III. By way of application. If this be true: that the
saints and people of God, do receive of Christ's fulness, even
grace for grace : how infinitely 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. i. 9. " God is
faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." By whom ye are 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."
290 GRACE FOB GRACE. [SfiR. 6.
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 is 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 is a greater gift when Jesus Christ was given
unto the world, than that the whole world was given to man.
For now, take the world ; and though it hath many glorious
pieces of God's workmanship ; his power, and wisdom : 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 God's workmanship in the world ; yet they carry with them
but the footsteps of God. Oh, but Jesus Christ he is the ex-
press image of the Father ; and when he gives this express
image unto a soul ; as Christ is the express image of the Fa-
ther, so the soul becomes the express image of Jesus Christ.
Ye know what the apostle says, concerning our Saviour
Christ : mark, " In whom the fulness of the Godhead dwells
bodily," Col. ii. 9. That is, look what attributes, and excel-
lencies are in God, the same are in Jesus Christ as Media-
tor : whatsoever attribute is in God, as God ; the same
shines forth in Jesus Christ as Mediator. The fulness of
the Godhead dwells in Christ bodily ; and the fulness of
Christ dwells 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 dwells in him bodily, so
the fulness of Christ dwells in every Christian spiritually.
And this fellowship hath God the Father called you unto :
" By whom we have fellowship," 1 Cor i. 9 ; this hath God
the Father called you unto. Oh ! how infinitely are you
bound unto God the Father, to honour and bless the Father !
When ye look upon the Son, methinks you should bless the
. 6.] GRACE FOR GRACE. 291
Father! and when ye look upon the Father, 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
father, 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
not we 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
yourselves to be infinitely 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 with
the saints that have received of Christ's fulness thus, grace
for grace : it is thus, mark it I pray.
IV. Is this true, that of his fulness ye have all received,
grace for grace, an swerableness of grace ? that ye have fel-
lowship with Jesus in all his graces ? Then be for ever con-
tented to have fellowship with Jesus Christ in all his suf-
ferings; 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
grace 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 suffering ; for if you have suffer-
ing for suffering, you shall have comfort for comfort : if you
have fellowship with him in his sufferings, you shall have
fellowship with him in his comforts too. Mark ye, When
Jesus Christ suffered, had he a Deity to support him ? So
shall ye have. When Jesus Christ suffered, had he angels to
minister to him ? So shall you have. When Jesus Christ
suffered, did he see the travail of his soul ? So shall you see
it. W T hen Jesus Christ was lift up, he drew all men after
him : so shall you do : when you are lift up for the truth
upon the cross ; you are apt to think, now will the truth suf-
u 2
292 GRACE FOR GRACE. [SER. 6.
fer, now will the cause of God fall to the ground ; but re-
member : if you have fellowship in his graces ; if you have
fellowship with Christ in his sufferings ; you shall have fel-
lowship 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 suf-
fer for : and never shall men be more drawn after the truths
that you suffer for, than 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 ! It is observed, that our Saviour never met
with any great debasement, but at that time, in the midst of
that debasement, there was some breakings forth of glory.
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 fall down before him, and offer gifts ; frankincense
and myrrh.
Again, He was baptized : he needed not to have been bap-
tized; he was clean enough in his nature, he put our clothes
upon him, stood in our nature : now he hears a voice from
heaven, saying, " This is my beloved Son," Matt. iii. 17.
Again, you read of him riding upon an ass : not riding
in a coach drawn with lions, or drawn with elephants, but
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 world's Saviour : 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 fel-
lowship with Christ in his sufferings ? you shall have fellow-
ship 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, espe-
cially for the truth, boggle not at it, be content and say
within yourselves, Oh, blessed be the Lord, that hath called
SER. 6.] 'GRACE FOR GRACE. 293
me out to this work ! I shall have this fellowship with
Christ in his sufferings, I shall now have suffering for suf-
fering, 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 yourselves in these words, and never startle at
suffering, as heretofore; 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.
THB
SPIRITUAL LIFE
AND
IN-BEING OF CHRIST IN ALL BELIEVERS.
IN
FIVE SERMONS,
PREACHED AT STEPNEY,
AND OTBER PLACES.
A. D. 1648.
TO THE READER.
I THOUGHT good to give thec notice, that these Sermons were taken from
the author's mouth when he preached them. A word spoken is soon forgotten,
bat what is written remains, and may do you, your children, and children's
children good ; and this is the intent and desire of the author. When yon view
this mite of his, you may see something of Christ in it ; let it be your care to
see what you can find of Christ in yourselves : " Know ye not that Jesus Christ
is in you, except ye be reprobates ? " This workadviseth you, not to rest upon
notions, for then you do no other than feed your precious souls with fancies,
which is as unfitting, and more dangerous food for your souls, than the husks
were for the prodigal's body : it is a real Christ, not a notional Christ, must sa-
tisfy your souls. We all know there is store of gold in the Indies, but we are
never the richer for it unless we have it in possession ; neither is it our hearing
of Christ, nor our knowing there is a Christ, but our having of Christ in posses-
sion that benefits our souls. Hast thou a proud heart ? read this book, and it
will teach thee humility. Hast thou a despairing heart ? read this book, and it
will teach thee to believe. Hast thou a legal heart ? read this book, it will teach
thee to be evangelical. Hast thou a secure heart ? read this book, it will teach
thee to be watchful. Hast thou a froward heart ? read this book, it will teach
thee to be meek. If thou wouldst come to Christ with a budget of duties upon
thy shoulders, old Adam's proud principle, then thou mnst not look here, for he
labours to empty thee of thy own righteousness, and send thee naked to Jesus
Christ, who came " not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." If
thou lookest for quaint speculations, and eloquent expressions of human wisdom,
which administer as little comfort to the pastor as edification to the people ; in
truth here is nothing to please fantastical ears with whimsies, it was neither spo-
ken nor written for any such intent : the words were spoken for edification, and
were, by the desire of friends, written for the same intent. If, then, thou lovest
plain dealing, and to benefit thy soul, read, and this book will teach thee to leave
the success to God : when Paul hath planted, and Apollos hath watered, it is God
must give the increase. Art thou a sinner ? here is mercy for thee, here is Christ
for thee. Art thou a drunkard ? here is water of life for thee, which if thou
drinkest thou shalt never thirst again. Art thou covetous ? here is riches for
thee, spiritual riches, durable riches that will not fade. Art thou profane ? read
this, and it will teach thee to be holy. Art thou a saint ? here is comfort for
thee, even the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. Art thou in darkness ? here is light
for thee, " Jesus Christ the true light, that lightens every one that comes into the
world:" he shall be ten times more constant to thy soul than the sun in the firma-
ment. Art thou weak in parts : weak in faith ? weak in grace ? read this book, and if
the Lord be pleased to speak to thy soul, here is strength for thee, even the
mighty God. Art thou poor ? here is Christ, and " the earth is his and the ful-
ness thereof:" it is laid up in his hand for thee, it is the purchase of his blood, he
hath bought it for thee, it is thy own, and he doth but keep it for thee, thou
mayest go boldly to him for it ; though thou art loth to borrow, and ashamed to
CCXCV111 TO THE READER.
beg, yet thou mayest go boldly for thy own. This book, courteous reader, will
teach thee to depend on God, to wait on Christ for all. He feeds the young ra-
vens, he tends the sparrows, he clothes the lillies, therefore be sure be will not
let his children want, whatsoever storms be without. Keep Christ, and thou
shalt have peace, yea, the Prince of Peace within ; then thou shalt have peace
when all the world is in trouble, then thou shalt be kept safe in the hour of temp-
tation, which shall come to try all those that live upon the face of the earth.
Prepare a place for the Lord Jesus Christ in thy heart, and he will provide a
mansion for thee in his Father's house, where thou shalt sin no more, and sorrow
no more, but God shall wipe away all tears from thy eyes. Always remember,
thou hast here no abiding place, but seekest one to come. This, courteous rea-
der, is the course and aim of the author in this treatise for thy benefit, he spends
his spirits that thou mayest be happy, that thou mayest grow up from strength to
strength, until thou comest to be a perfect man in Jesus Christ ; and this, also,
is the earnest desire and prayer of him to Almighty God, for thee, who is, and
shall always remain, thine to love and serve in the gospel,
WILLIAM GREENHILL.
THB
SPIRITUAL LIFE.
SERMON I.
" Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me"
GAL. ii. 20.
IN this epistle, the apostle Paul does industriously prove,
that a man is justified by faith in Christ alone, and not by
the works of the law. Which he plainly affirms at the 16th
verse, " Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of
the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ ; even we have be-
lieved in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the. faith
of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the
works of the law shall no flesh be justified/' But 'if a man
be not justified by the works of the law, then a man may
live as he lists, may cease from working. Not so, says the
apostle, for so " we ourselves should be found sinners, and
Christ would be made the minister of sin, which God for-
bid," verse 17. " Yea, and I should build again the things
which I have destroyed, and make myself a transgressor/'
verse 18. " But I through the law, am dead unto the law,
that I might live unto God," verse the 19th.
But if a man be justified by faith alone, and so by the
death of Christ, then a man is crucified with Christ ; and if
a man be crucified, or if you be crucified with Christ, how
then do you live ? Yes, says he at the 20th verse, " I am
crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me."
" Nevertheless," or, now I live ; " I live," that is, a spiri-
tual life. There is a natural life, and there is a spiritual life.
He does not here speak of the natural life, when he says,
" Nevertheless I live ;" because he adds, " yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me ;" that is, spiritually. And when he says,
" I live," he speaks it in the person of every believer; not
in his own person, but he personates a believer all along.
300 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 1.
" I through the law, am dead to the law, that I might live
to God ;" I a believer ; and I am crucified with Christ.
I a believer. And, " Nevertheless I live." All along
he does personate a believer, and does not speak in his own
person, but in the person of a believer. And he says here,
" Nevertheless I live." He had said before, that " we are
justified by faith alone, and not by the works of the law ;"
and that a believer was crucified with Christ. Now, says he,
this doctrine that I have preached unto you, is no way oppo-
site unto our spiritual life, or unto our holiness ; yet, now I
live, or " nevertheless I live." From whence then you may
observe these two things.
First, That every true believer, every godly, gracious man,
is a living man, lives a spiritual life, is in the state of life.
Secondly, That our justification by faith alone, and our
being crucified with Christ ; is no enemy, but a friend unto
this spiritual life. " Nevertheless I live."
First of all. Every godly, gracious man, is a living man,
is in the state of life, lives a spiritual life.
And this ye have most expressly, in that vith chapter of
John, at the 40th verse : " This is the will of him that sent
me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on
him, may have everlasting life ; and I will raise him up at
the last day." But, though he shall have everlasting life
hereafter, it may be he hath not this life for the present.
Look therefore what he says at the 47th verse, " Verily,
verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath ever-
lasting life." It is not said, he shall have everlasting life,
but he hath everlasting life ; everlasting life is begun in him
already. And that ye may be the more sure of it, he gives
you a double verily, " Verily, verily I say unto ye, he that
believeth on me hath everlasting life." But how can this
be ? Nay, how should it be otherwise ? for a man's life is as
his meat is ; and says our Saviour, " I am the bread of life,"
at the 48th verse. Then at the 54th verse, " Whosoever
eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life.
For my flesh (at the 55th verse) is meat indeed, and my
blood is drink indeed ; he that eateth my flesh, and drinketh
my blood, dwelleth in me and I in him. As the living Fa-
ther hath sent me, and I live by the Father ; so he that eat-
eth me, even he shall live by me." So that ye see, this
SER. 1.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 301
chapter is full of it, here is a cloud of witnesses. I say,
therefore, That every godly, gracious man, is a living man,
and fives another life from the life of the world, a spiritual
life, and is in the state of spiritual life.
I. For the opening of this truth unto ye, we must first
of all inquire, What this spiritual life is ? Take therefore
this description of it : It is that supernatural perfection of
soul, whereby a man being united unto Christ, by the Spirit,
is able to act, move, and work towards God as his utmost
end.
1. It is a supernatural perfection. There is some perfec-
tion in every life. Life is the greatest good and perfection,
death is the greatest evil. Therefore when the Lord threat-
ened Adam, to punish him for eating the forbidden fruit, he
says, "The day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt die the DEATH,"
Gen. ii. 17. Death is the greatest evil, and so life is the
greatest good and perfection. And this the devil knew full
well, when he said, " Skin for skin, and all that a man hath
will he give for his life," Job ii. 4. So that life is a perfec-
tion. But I say, this spiritual life, it is the supernatural
perfection of the soul. And therefore in the ivth chapter of
the Ephesians, and the 18th verse, this life of the saints, the
very life of the saints is called, the life of God. It is a
supernatural perfection of the soul therefore.
2. As it is a supernatural perfection of soul, so it rises
from our union with Christ, by the Spirit. A man is united
to God by faith, and by the Spirit : and as our outward life
does arise from the union between the soul and the body ;
and though the body be never so fair or full, yet if it be not
united to the soul, it is but a dead carcase : so our spiritual
life, it doth arise from our union with Christ ; and though a
man have never so many moral virtues, and his conversation
be never so fair, yet if not united to Christ by the Spirit, he
is but a dead man, spiritually a dead man. And therefore
saith the apostle here in the text, " Nevertheless I live, yet
not I, but Christ liveth in me."
3. As it arises from our union with Christ, by the Spirit ;
so, I say, it is that supernatural perfection, whereby a man is
able to act, and move, and work towards God as his utmost
and last end. And therefore says the apostle in the former
verse, " I through the law, am dead unto the law, that I may
302 THE SPIRITUAL, LIFE. [SfiB. 1.
live to God ;" to God, as my last and my utmost end. And
when a man is able to act, and move, and work towards God,
as his last and utmost end, then he is said to live spiritually.
So that when ye have this description of our spiritual life, I
repeat it again, it is that supernatural perfection of soul,
whereby a man being united unto Christ, by the Spirit, is
able to act, and move, and work towards God, as his utmost
end.
II. Whereby may it appear, that every godly, gracious
man, is thus a living man, made partaker of this spiritual
life, so as to be able to act, and move, and work towards
God as his utmost end ?
I will take but the three ordinary lives that are in the
world. The vegetative life, the life of plants and herbs. The
sensitive life, the life of beasts. And the rational life, the
life of man. And I will shew ye, that the essential proper-
ties of all these lives, are in a spiritual way in the godly ; and
then the argument will lie thus : if the essential properties
of all these lives be in a spiritual way in every godly man :
then certainly, every godly, gracious man, is a living man,
and in the state of life ; living another life from the life of
the world.
1. Take the life of plants and herbs, or of flowers, and
what is the essential property of the vegetative life ? It is to
grow ; no sooner hath a thing the vegetative life, but it does
grow. All plants, and herbs, and flowers, they grow, and
trees they grow, because they have this vegetative life. And
so the saints do, they grow in grace. It is said of them in the
Ixxxivth Psalm, " They go from strength to strength." It
is an Hebraism, and it notes augmentation ; from, to, notes
augmentation. And the like Hebraisms ye have in the New
Testament. In Rom. i. 27. " For therein is the righteous-
ness of God revealed, from faith to faith." It notes the aug-
mentation of faith. And so in 2 Cor. iii. 18, " But we all,
with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,
are changed into the same image, from glory to glory." It
notes an augmentation of glory. And so, " They go from
strength to strength." That is, they grow in strength ; it
notes, an augmentation of their strength. But suppose they
do want the means, and want the ordinances ; do they grow
then ? Yes. It is that which is said in the same Psalm ;
SER. 1.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 303
" Though they walk through the valley of Baca, and be in a
dry place, where no water is ; yet they go on from strength
to strength." And, " we all with open face beholding as in
glass, the mirror of the Lord, are changed from glory to
glory." Not some, but all ; all believers, and all the godly,
they do grow in grace. And this ye know, is the difference
between a painted child, and a living child ; take a living
child, and though he be but little, and very weak, yet he
grows bigger. But now, a child that is painted upon a wall,
a painted child grows not : and if a man come to ye and say,
What is the reason that this child does not grow ? two or
three years agone he was as big as now he is ? you will easily
answer, Because he is but a painted child, he is not a living
child ; if he were a living child he would grow. Now the
saints and people of God, they grow in grace, and therefore
they are living children : they are living children, and there-
fore they grow in grace.
2. What is the essential property of the sensitive life, of
the life of beasts, of the life of birds? for they live another
life than the life of trees, and flowers, and herbs ; what is the
essential property of that kind of life ? The essential pro-
perty of that kind of life is, To be sensible of good or evil
suitable unto it. And so the saints and people of God are :
they are sensible also, they are not past feeling, as it is said
of wicked men, but they are sensible of things suitable to
them. Indeed, they have not the sense and feeling of things
as they would, or do desire : but there are three things which
the saints and people of God are all sensible of. They are sen-
sible of their sins ; especially if they be committed against
their knowledge. They are sensible of the hidings of God's
face from them. And they are sensible of the church's
miseries.
They are very sensible of their sins : and therefore Paul
cries out, u O wretched man that I am ! I find a law in my
members ; O wretched man that I am !" Rom. vii. 23, 24.
Ye read in other places of his epistles, he says, " He will
rejoice concerning his afflictions and infirmities," 2 Cor. xii.
10. He tells us how he was stoned, and how he was impri-
soned, scourged, whipped; and in all that, he does not cry out
" O wretched man that I am ! But now, finding the law in
his members, he is more sensible of that than of any afflic-
304 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 1.
tion ; here now he cries out, " O wretched man that I am,
who shall deliver !"
And as for the hiding of God's face : the people of God
are the most sensible of that too. For ye know what David
said, " As a sword in my bones, while they said unto me,
Where is now thy God ?" Psalm xlii. 10. The Lord had hid
his face from him. Oh, says he, this is a sword in my bones,
while men say unto me, Where is now thy God ? And so
our Lord and Saviour Christ, when he was upon the cross,
he cries out, " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken
me?" Matt. vii. 46. He does not cry out unto his apostles and
disciples, Why have you forsaken me ? They all left him,
and yet he did not say, O Thomas, O Peter, O Matthew, oh,
all my disciples and apostles, why have you forsaken me ?
And the sun had withdrawn his light ; and he does not say,
Why hast thou forsaken me ? He felt many pains, being
pierced through, nailed unto the cross ; and yet he does not
cry out and say, Oh, what pains and tortures do I feel ! but,
as sensible of this more than of all his outward torment, he
cries out, " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ?"
And as it is with the Head, so it is with the members.
And, as unto the miseries of the churches. Ye know how
it was with Jeremiah ; " Oh, that my head were a fountain
of tears, that I could weep day and night for the slain of my
people," Jer. ix. 1. Thus, I say, a godly man, though he
have not the sense and feeling of his sin, and of other things
as he would have, yet these three things he is especially sen-
sible of: sensible of his own sin, especially that committed
against knowledge ; the hiding of God's face from him ; and
the miseries of the churches. Surely, therefore, he is alive,
he hath this essential property of this life in a spiritual way,
and therefore he is alive, and in the state of life.
3. Take now the third life, the life of reason, the rational
life, the life of man. And what is the essential property of
that life ? It is to understand, to know, and to reflect upon
a man's own actions, whether they be good or evil. A beast
does many actions, but a beast hath not power to reflect upon
his own action, to consider whether it be good or evil when
he hath done the action. Herein a man is distinct from a
beast. A beast understands not, knows not, is not able to
reflect upon his own action, and to consider whether it be
SEE. 1.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 305
good or evil when he hath done it. But, now, a man that
hath this rational life, is ; and the more of man in a man,
the more he is able to reflect upon his own action. Look, I
pray, into the xlvith chapter of Isaiah, and there ye shall
find this to be the essential property of a man : at the 8th
verse, " Remember this, and shew yourselves men." Where-
in ? " Bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors." Reflect
upon your own action, and consider what ye have done, and
thus ye will shew yourselves to be men, to have the life of
men in you. And upon this account, when as the prodigal
bethought himself, then he is said to return unto himself.
Now every godly, gracious man hath this power, to reflect
upon his own action. And therefore converting Ephraim is
brought in thus, " smiting himself upon his thigh/' saying,
" Oh. what have I done ?" Jer. xxxi. 19. And in that of the
Epistle to the Corinthians, it is said, " Know ye not, how
that Christ is in you, unless ye be reprobates," 2 Cor. xiii. 5.
That is, unless ye be reprobates, ye may know that Christ is
in you. A reprobate, indeed, does not reflect upon his own
action ; but as a beast he goes on : he prays, may be, and
does not reflect upon his prayer when he hath done ; he hears
the word, and does not reflect upon his hearing when he hath
done ; he sins against God, and does not reflect upon his own
action and sin, smiting himself upon his thigh, saying, Oh,
what have I done ? But, now, every godly, gracious man
does thus reflect upon his own action, and is able to do it.
So then, take the argument in the whole, and it lies thus : If
a godly, gracious man, have all the essential properties of
those three lives, in a spiritual way and manner; then cer-
tainly he is in the state of life, and does live a spiritual life.
Now, as ye have heard, every godly, gracious man, hath all
the essential properties of all these three lives, in a spiritual
way and manner, and therefore, certainly he does live a spiri-
tual life, he is in the state of life.
III. But how may it appear that others are not in this
state of life ? that a wicked man is not in this state of life ?
that a wicked man is a dead man, spiritually dead ? that the
godly, and the godly only are made partakers of this spiritual
life, and that others are not ?
I answer, Our Lord and Saviour does speak expressly,
" Ye will not come to me that ye may have life," John v. 40.
x
S06 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 1.
But look into the iiird chapter of John, and the 36th verse,
and ye shall find these words : " He that believeth on the
Son hath everlasting life ; and he that believeth not the Son
shall not see life." Shall not see life ; mark those words, he
shall not come within the view or sight of life, or of the
good things of life. He does not barely say, He shall not
live : no, but he shall not see life, he shall not see the good
things of life. So that plainly, then, he that believeth not is
a dead man, spiritually a dead man, and lives not this spiri-
tual life.
But all motion comes from life : can a man act, move and
work and not be alive ? Even wicked men, they pray, and
they hear, and they read, and they meditate, and they act, and
move and work towards God, and they do many good things,
and have many moral virtues ; and can all this be, and yet
no life in them ?
I answer, Yes : for ye know a watch, or a jack, or a clock,
they all move, and act, and work, and yet they have no life.
Though a wicked man may act, and move, and work towards
God, yet, notwithstanding, that motion does but arise from
the natural perfection that is left in him by the fall. Take a
civil man, and though he have many moral virtues, what is
there in him that lies beyond the reach of nature, with the
dye of gospel education. But, now, this spiritual life, it is a
supernatural perfection. Indeed, it is said of hypocrites,
they have a name to live : aye, but they are dead ; they are
accounted living, but they live not. Why ? Because they
are not united unto Christ by the Spirit, which is the other
property of the spiritual life. This spiritual life, I say, it is
the supernatural perfection of the soul, whereby a man is able
to act, and move, and work towards God as his utmost end.
Now there is no wicked man that is able to move towards God
as his utmost end : for, as the schools well speak, wicked men,
they do use what they should enjoy, that is God: and they do
enjoy what they should use, that is the world. What wicked man
is there in all the world, that is able to move and work towards
God as his last and his utmost end ? There is a two-fold end:
there is an hither end and a remote end; a hithermost end and a
remote or one's utmost end. A wicked man, indeed, he may
have God as the hither end of his action, but himself is at
the utmost end. Look, I pray, into the second of Samuel,
the iiird chapter, at the 17th and 18th verses, and there you
SER. 1.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 30?
shall read to this purpose : " Abner had communication with
the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David, in times
past, to be king over you; now then do it, for the Lord hath
spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David
I will save my people Israel." Here, now, he had God in
his eye, and the fulfilling of the Lord's promise ; here is one
end why he would bring about the kingdom to David : " For
the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my
servant David I will save my people Israel." But now look
a little higher, and you shall see what his utmost end was in
bringing about the kingdom to David : he falls out with the
son of Saul: and Saul's son comes to him, and says, " Where-
fore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine ?' : verse 7-
Whereupon Abner was very angry ; at the 8th verse, " Then
was Abner very wrath for the words of Ishbosheth, and said,
Am I a dog's head, which against Judah doth shew kindness
this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren,
and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand
of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concern-
ing this woman ? so do God to Abner, and more also, except,
as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so do I to him ; to
translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up
the throne of David over Israel." Mark, here was self; he
would be revenged of him. Indeed, he set God at the hither
end of the action, but it was self that was at the utmost end
of the action. And so it is with a wicked man ; though he
may have God at the hither end of his action, yet himself is
at the utmost end of his action. It is not so with a godly,
gracious man; but though self may be at the hither end of
his action, God is the utmost end : and if you ask him,
Neighbour, friend, why do you thus pray, and hear, and read,
and meditate ? Oh, says he, that my poor soul may be com-
forted ; for I am one that am of a troubled spirit. Well, but
why would you be comforted ? I would therefore be com-
forted, that I might serve God the better. Here his own
comfort is at the beginning of the action, but God is at the
utmost end. Take a wicked man, I say, and though he doth
act, and move, and work towards God, yet he wants a super-
natural perfection, he is not united to Christ by the Spirit,
he does not act, and move towards God as his utmost end.
But, now, every godly, gracious man doth, and therefore he,
x 2
308 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SEB. 1.
and he alone is the living man, that hath this spiritual life,
that is in this state of life.
Is all a civil man's civility nothing ? and are all moral
virtues nothing ? Are all these then good for nothing ?
I answer, Yes, they are in themselves good, and they are
good for something, but they are not good to make a man
spiritually alive. If a man come and offer you a brass six-
pence, or a brass shilling ; and you say, No, it will not go :
and if he reply, and say to ye, But though it be brass, is it
good for nothing? you will say, Yes, it is good for something,
brass is good for something, but it is not good for money, it
will not go for pay, it will not pay your debt, it is is not suf-
ficient to fetch you out of prison ; it will not make you
alive, it is not good for this. So now say I : Do ye ask
whether these be good for nothing? I say, Yes, they are
good, all moral virtues are in themselves good ; but they are
not good for to pay your debt, they are not good to make
you alive, they can never make you spiritually alive ; it is
only grace, and union with Jesus Christ by the Spirit, that
must make a man alive, spiritually alive ; and this only the
saints and people of God have ; and therefore they only are
the living men, every child of God is a living man, and
none else.
If this be so, what abundance of comfort is here, unto all
the saints and people of God. He only lives, comparatively,
that lives this spiritual life : the saints and people of God
they are alive. Doest thou therefore believe ? Art thou
united to Jesus Christ by the Spirit ? Then thou art alive,
and in the state of life, made partaker of this spiritual life.
And dost thou know what it is to be made partaker of this
spiritual life ? dost thou know what a life it is that now thou
livest ? It is a life better and beyond the life that thou
shouldest have lived in the state of innocency : for as the
second Adam is more excellent than the first Adam was;
" The first man, Adam, was made a living soul, but the
second Adam was made a quickening spirit," 1 Cor. xv. 45 ;
so that life that comes from Christ the second Adam, is
better and beyond that life that you should have had from
the first Adam in the state of innocency.
Of all lives, this spiritual life, that now I am speaking of,
is the most pleasant life. In the xxxvith Psalm, says the
SER. 1.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 309
Psalmist concerning the godly, at the 8th verse, " They shall
be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house ; and
thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures."
Now, as Austin doth well observe upon that place, The river
hath many waves, one following upon another : and so are
the pleasures of the saints, the spiritual pleasures ; one wave,
one pleasure following upon another ; and it is a deep river.
Oh ! but a river may be dry. Nay it cannot be dry if it be
maintained with a fountain, and with springs. Now see
what follows, at the 9th verse, " They shall satisfy them-
selves of the river of thy pleasures : why ? " for with thee is
the fountain of life." So that, if a man do but enjoy God in
Christ, and be united unto Christ by the Spirit, he hath this
life, which shall be as a river of pleasures maintained with
a fountain. Yea, this life it shall know no end. Your lives
now, they run into death : but this life, this spiritual life, it
shall know no end. The apostle argues unto the Romans,
that they should die no more, because they had communion
with Christ in his death : and therefore, says he, " In that
he died once, he shall die no more," Rom. vi. 10. And so,
you having communion with Christ in his death, you shall
die no more : once alive spiritually, and ye shall die no more.
Who can go to heaven and pull Christ out of heaven ? In
the iind chapter of Paul unto the Ephesians, the 5th verse,
says the apostle there, " Even when we were dead in tres-
passess and sins, hath he quickened us together with Christ,
and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Jesus Christ." Here is sitting together in
heavenly places with Christ Jesus ; and we are raised up in
Christ. So then, if once ye have this spiritual life in Christ,
ye shall never die again spiritually.
And this life, that now I am speaking of, it is of all other
lives, the most communicative life. A man does communi-
cate life unto his child ; but his child is not able presently,
as soon as it is born, to communicate life unto another child.
One beast does communicate life unto another; the sheep
communicates life unto the lamb : but the lamb as soon as it
is brought forth is not able to communicate life to another,
and get another. And so, the herb communicates life to
another, but not presently as soon as it is an herb. But
now, no sooner does a man partake of this spiritual life, but
310 THE SPIRITUAL, LIFE. [SfiR. 1.
he is presently able to communicate life unto another :
" When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren/ 5 Luke
xxii. 32. No sooner was Paul made alive by another, but
he presently goes and communicates this life unto his bre-
thren.
And let me tell you or one thing more : though your sins
have been very great while you were in the state of death,
before you were made partakers of this spiritual life : yet
when ye once come to partake of this spiritual life, the Lord
will look upon all your former sin under another consideration,
a mollifying consideration. " This my son was dead, (says
the father of the prodigal,) and is now alive," Luke xv. 24 :
that is all. He does not say, This was a whoremonger, or
this was a rioter, or this was a spendthrift ; and now he is
returned and come home to me for meat : no, but in mollifying
terms, only thus, " This my son was dead, and is now alive. 3 *
And ye know what is said of David, David committed a great
sin in the murder of Uriah : and yet says the Lord concern-
ing David, " He turned not aside to the right hand or to the
left, save only in the matter of Uriah," 1 Kings xv. 5. He
does not say, Save only in the murder of Uriah ; but in a mol-
lifying term, he says only so, save only in the matter of Uriah:
a mollifying term : why ? because that David had repented
of the sin, and now the Lord does not look upon it, but
under this mollifying term; save only in the matter; not in
the murder of Uriah, but in the matter of Uriah. And so,
if thou do repent, and turn unto the Lord thy God, though
thy sins have been very great in the state of thy death, yet if
once ye come to be made partaker of this spiritual life, the
Lord will look upon all thy former sins under other terms,
and mollifying considerations : He will not say, Here is this
poor wretch, that now I do look upon as a drunkard, or a
swearer ; but he will say thus ; This my son was dead, but
is now alive : this my daughter was dead, and is now alive.
Thus the Lord will look upon your former evils, if once ye
come to be made partakers of this spiritual life. Oh, there-
fore, what a blessed condition are the saints and people of
God in, that are made partakers of this same spiritual life. I
remember it is written of a certain martyr in the primitive
times, a woman ; when she was brought before the enemies
of the gospel, they put divers questions to her, and she ans-
SER. 1.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 311
wered all their questions with one answer, which was this :
Christiana sum, I AM A CHRISTIAN. When they said unto
her, Woman, art thou married or no ? I am a Christian,
says she. What parents hast thou, woman ? I am a Chris-
tian, says she. Woman, where dost thou live ? I am a
Christian, says she. She answered all their questions with
this, I am a Christian. And so, methinks a man may answer
all objections that are made unto him with this : I am alive
in Christ. But, thou hast a dead estate, much of it is lost at
sea, or land. Well, but I am alive in Christ. But hast thou
not a dead husband, or a dead wife, or a dead child ? I am
alive in Christ. But, is not thy name dead, and buried
under reproaches ? I am alive in Christ. A poor soul may
answer all with this ; I am alive in Christ. Oh, what a bles-
sed thing is it, for a man to be made partaker of this spirit-
ual life ! This is the condition of all the saints. Art
thou therefore alive, and made partaker of this spiritual
life ? blessed art thou from the Lord, and thou shalt be bles-
sed to all eternity.
I am afraid that I have not this spiritual life ; for my heart
is dead, and cold and stiff: and dead men, they are cold and
stiff, very stiff: and truly so it is with me; my heart is cold,
and dead, and stiff, and therefore I fear I am free among the
dead, and not free among the living.
I answer, Have ye not heard, that there is a deadness
which is opposite to liveliness, as well as a death that is op-
posite to life ? And were thine heart dead, with a death
opposite to life, thou couldst not feel it. And I appeal to
thee ; if that thy soul be alive in opposition to death ; hast
thou not more cause to be thankful, that thy soul is alive in
opposition to death, than to be discouraged, that thy soul is
dead in opposition to liveliness ?
But there is a difference, ye know, between the coldness
of a living man, and the coldness of a dead man. Take a
dead man, and if he be cold, it is not all your fires will put
warmth into him, or your Aqua-vit<B 3 or your chafing or rub-
bing of him, or your warm beds that will make him warm.
But now take a man that is cold, and living; and if ye chafe
him, or bring him to the fire, or lay him in a good warm
bed ; he recovers his warmth again. And so it is with a
godly heart though cold, yet bring it unto the ordinance,
312 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 1.
either publicly, or privately, and it recovers its warmth
again : and hath it not been even so with some of you ?
It is true, a dead man is stiff. But have you found your-
selves in a way of sin, an evil way; and are you so stiff
therein, as ye will not be put out of your way, no, not by ad-
monition ? then ye are stiff indeed. There are two men that
are out of the way, suppose, the traveller, and the thief: the
traveller is out of his way : and it you come to him and say,
Sir, you are much out of your way : he hearkens to ye, and
he thanks ye, and he returns into his way again. But if ye
come to a thief and say, Sir, you are out of your way ; he
laughs, and scorns, and comes not into the way. So,
there are some indeed, that are out of their way; and if you
do come to them and tell them, that they are out of their
way; they will bless and praise the Lord for your admoni-
tion, and labour to return into their way again. But some
there are, that if you tell them, that they are out of their
way, they will rather scorn and jeer at it ; What have you to
do to meddle with me ? what have you to do to meddle with
my ways ? meddle with your own matters. These men are
stiff, they are stiff indeed ; why ? because they are dead :
they are stiff in the way of their sin, and they will not be
stirred out, no, not by admonition, why ? because they are
dead. But I appeal to ye, whether is it thus with ye or no ?
Do not ye say rather, I praise the Lord, though sometimes,
yea many times, I am out of the way, and in the way of sin ;
yet I can rejoice in an admonition, and bless the Lord for an
admonition : yea, this I can speak, though my heart be
sometimes very cold, yet I have found heat, and warmth
recovered again, either under a public, or under a private or-
dinance : well then, be of good comfort, thou art not dead ;
though thou mayest be asleep, yet thou mayest be among the
living.
I am afraid that I am not alive spiritually, that I am not
made partaker of this spiritual life, because I do not grow in
grace; and this is the difference between a living child and a
dead child : the dead painted child grows not, but the living
child grows ; and the Lord knows I do not grow in grace,
and therefore I fear that I am but the painted child of God,
and I am not the living child.
I answer, If this were true, it were ill : for growth, indeed,
SEE. 1.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 313
is a sign of life. But whoever you are that make this objec-
tion, and lie under this fear : give me leave to propound to
ye two or three questions.
Do ye not grow more out of love with your own righteous-
ness, and with your own duties, as to the resting on them ?
The stronger a man grows in grace, the more he grows into
Christ; and so, the more he grows off from himself and his
own righteousness.
Do ye not find, that ye are less subject to be offended
now than heretofore ye were ? When a man is in the state
of nature, and in spiritual death, then he is apt to be offen-
ded against all actions, and against the good way of God, and
the people of God ; this is your godliness, these are your
professors, and they are all so: very apt to be offended.
When a man is converted, and turned to God ; while he is
weak in grace, he is apt to stumble, and to be offen-
ded ; but the stronger he grows in grace, the less he will
be offended.
Whether do ye not grow more off from the youthful things
that godly men look unto ? I say, the things that the youth-
fulness of godliness is taken much with ? Ye know that
youth is taken with many things that the state of man is not.
A child, a little child is taken with babies, and with rattles,
and with toys ; and when it grows bigger to eight, nine, or
ten years old, it is taken with other things ; and as the child
grows into a man, so he grows off from those childish and
youthful things. There are some things that the youth of
godliness is taken withal ; as, taken much with expressions
in prayer, and duty, and hearing the word ; and taken much
with the sense and feeling of God's love ; this is good, and
they cannot live without it. But when a man grows into
more strength of grace, then he grows off from these things
that the youth of godliness is taken withal, and he is more
able to live without them ; heretofore he could not live
without such an expression in duty, and he could not live by
faith alone : but now, when once he grows to a man in grace,
he is more grown off from that which the youth of godliness
is taken withal. Now upon all these things, I appeal to ye.
Whoever ye are that makes this objection, and say, Ye can-
not grow in grace, and therefore afraid that ye are but the
painted child of God, and not the living child of God : whe-
314 THE SPIRITUAL, LIFE. [SER. 1.
ther do ye not find, that ye are more grown off from those
things that the youth of godliness is taken with ? Whether
do ye not find, that ye are less subject to be offended now,
than you were heretofore ? And are you not more grown
off from your own righteousness ? Yes, I must needs say
this, through the Lord's goodness and mercy to me, though
I am not grown in grace as I desire, yet I am more grown
off from my own righteousness than I was heretofore : and
I am not so subject to be offended at the good ways of God
and the people of God, as heretofore : and, I praise God
I can live off from those things that the youth of godliness
is taken withal : well, be of good comfort, thou art grown,
and thou art not the painted child, but, for aught I know,
thou mayest be the living child, dear and precious with the
Lord thy Father.
But there is one thing yet sticks with me, and makes me
afraid that I am yet dead in my sins and trespasses, and
that I am not made partaker of this spiritual life, and that
is this ; I am alive to the world : can a man live unto God
and to the world too ? when I go into the world and upon
my worldly occasions, then I am very lively ; but when I
come to duty, then I am dead, and my heart dead, and there-
fore I am afraid that I am not alive to God, and made par-
taker of this spiritual life.
I answer, This, if true, is very ill : for I find in that xiiith
of Matthew, the parable of the seed, that there are three
false grounds, unto one true ground ; three unsound hearts
to one sound, that live under the gospel and the preaching
of the word; and that ground that goes the furthest and
yet falls short of the truth, is the ground that received the
word ; the thorny ground, and the thorns choked it :
it is the worldly professor. Three to one false ; and the
worldly professor goes the furthest, such a one as is choked
in duty with the world.
But yet notwithstanding, let me tell ye this : Every man
is not alive to the world, or a worldly man, that does use the
things of the world, or that is active, and cheerful in the way
of his calling : for the things of the world, they are the ma-
terials of our grace, that our grace works upon while we are
here below.
Yea, let me tell you further, and I pray observe it warily,
SER. 1.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 315
Possibly a man may see a greater beauty in the things of the
world, after conversion, than ever he saw before. As now,
in the case of the law. While a man is in the state of
nature, then he is under the law ; but when a man is con-
verted and drawn to Christ, then he is free from the law :
and then when he is freed from the law, he sees a greater
excellency in the law, than ever he saw before conversion ;
for then says he, Now I see that the commandment is holy,
just and good. Indeed, as to the point of justification, he
sees a greater emptiness in the law than ever he did before ;
but as to the point of rule of life, he sees a greater beauty in
the law than ever he did before. So Paul did, as ye read in
the vhth of the Romans. So in this case : though as to the
point of satisfaction, a man after he is converted sees less in
the creature than ever he did before ; yet as to the point of
Christ's purchase, looking upon the creature as the purchase
of Jesus Christ, Christ hath purchased these for me, he sees
a greater beauty in them now than ever before ; for, says he,
Christ hath purchased these, and all these are mine in Christ,
and Christ hath paid for me; Christ is mine, and I am
Christ's, and these are mine, and all is Christ's. Though as
to the matter of satisfaction, his soul cannot be satisfied, he
sees less in the world than ever he did before ; yet as to the
*matter of Christ's purchase, a man after his conversion may
see a greater beauty in the things of the world than ever he
did before.
Only here, I remember the story of Anselmo : walking
abroad in the fields, he saw a shepherd's boy that had taken
a bird, and having tied a stone unto the leg of the bird, the
bird offered to fly and mount up, but still the stone at her
heel pulled the bird back again ; whereupon Anselmo falls a
weeping : Thus, saith he within himself, it is with men, they
sometimes offer to mount up to God in good purpose, but
then they have some earthly business at their heel, and that
makes them fall down again ; they purpose and purpose, and
offer and offer to mount up to God, but there is a stone at
the heel, some earthly business at the heel, and so they fall
down to the earth again. So if it be with you now, if you
have a stone at your heel, a calling at your heel, an employ-
ment at your heel, an earthly business at your heel ; yet
every day you are mourning and lamenting over it, and
316 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 1.
saying, Oh ! what a clog have I at my heel, what a stone
have I at my heel ! Oh, Lord, when shall I come to heaven,
that I may be freed from this clog at my heel ? I say, if you
mourn and lament over this clog that you have at your heel,
it rather argues that you are alive than dead ; and therefore
take in all the comfort that hath been spoken concerning
this truth : the saints and people of God, are in a most
comfortable state upon this account.
But you will say unto me, Is there nothing in this doctrine
but comfort ? Is there no duty that this doctrine calls for
at our hands ? Suppose now that I be alive., spiritually
alive ; that indeed I am not the painted child, but I am the
living child of God, and made partaker of this spiritual life;
what is my duty now that does flow from hence ?
I answer, Surely you will be thankful for your life. If
your outward and momentary life were given you for a prey,
you would be thankful : and will ye not be thankful for this
life, this spiritual life, this pleasant life, this eternal life, that
never shall be taken from you ?
But there are three things I will propound to you in par-
ticular.
1. If we be alive indeed, and made partakers of this spi-
ritual life, why then should we not live at an higher rate than
the world do, which have none of this life ? The beast lives
at an higher rate than the plant or the herb does ; why ?
because it hath an higher life than the plant or herb hath.
Man, as man, lives at an higher rate than the beast does ;
why ? because man, as man, hath an higher life than the
beast hath. And if a man have this spiritual life, he hath a
life that is higher than the men of the world's life is : and
therefore, if we be alive, and made partaker of this spiritual
life, why should we not live at an higher rate ? why should
I not say to my own soul thus, and speak it often, Oh,
my soul, wherein dost thou live at an higher rate than civil
men do ? thou hast a higher life, thou sayest, why dost thou
not then live at an higher rate ?
2. If we be alive indeed, and made partakers of this spi-
ritual life, why should our hearts run after the things of the
world, so as to feed on them as our meat, to be satisfied with
them ? Every life lives upon some meat that maintains it,
and is suitable to it. The herb hath one kind of life, and it
SEE. 1.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 317
hath a meat that suits to it. The beasts have another life,
and they have a meat that does suit to that life. Man hath
another life, different from the beast, and therefore he hath
a meat that doth suit to his life. Now this spiritual life, it
is another kind of life than the natural life of man is, and
therefore it must have a meat that does suit with it, meat that
the world knows not of. Says our Saviour, " I have meat to
eat that you know not of," John iv. 32. This life of grace,
it is a hidden life ; and therefore the meat thereof that it
lives upon, it is an hidden meat. Then, if you are alive in-
deed, and have this spiritual life, why do you live upon these
outward things, and why should our hearts run out after
these outward things, so as to live upon them, and make
them, as it were, our meat, for the satisfaction of our souls,
to live upon ?
3. If we be alive indeed, and made partakers of this spi-
ritual life, why is our communion and fellowship together no
more living ? Why no more living fellowship and commu-
nion ? Why is our conference no more warm and living ?
A living coal warms, ye know. There is this difference be-
tween a living coal and a dead coal : take a dead coal, and
though it be never so great or small, it sullies and blacks,
more or less, but it warms not. But take your living coal,
which hath fire in it, and though it be never so great or
small it does warm in proportion, more or less it warms.
And if we be as living coals, why then is our conference and
communion together no more warming ? When ye go into
wicked and ungodly company, there ye meet with dead coals,
and there ye are sullied and dirtied and blacked by them. I
say, If ye indeed be living coals, why is your conference no
more warm and living ? Oh, what sad times are we now
fallen into. Heretofore, some four or six or ten years ago,
ye should not come into a Christian's company, but you
should have some heart-warming conference, that you should
bless God for many years after. As it is said of Junius, he
came into a poor countryman's house, and he spake so feel-
ingly of Christ, that he thought it was not knowledge only
that would serve a man's turn, and thereupon he thought of
his own condition, and was turned to God. And we read of
the martyrs in the primitive times, when they met together,
they would speak much of the kingdom, the kingdom, the
318 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 1.
kingdom of heaven ; insomuch, as their accusers, their ene-
mies, and persecutors, charged them, that they aimed at the
empire and the kingdom ; whereas they were speaking of a
heavenly kingdom, and not of an earthly kingdom. But, I
say, they were always speaking of the kingdom, the king-
dom. And so heretofore, in former times, when Christians
did meet together, then they would speak of the kingdom,
and something that would warm their hearts together, that
they might be the better all the year after. But now, when
we are met together, either our speech is about news, or
some dispute in point of religion, or some other thing ; yea,
though it be upon the Lord's day. But if you be living
coals, where is your living conference, and your heart-warm-
ing communion ? Certainly, if you be alive in Christ indeed,
and made partaker of this spiritual life, you will live at a
higher rate than the men of the world do.
Is there nothing in all this doctrine, concerning those that
are dead in sins, and not made alive ; hath this doctrine no-
thing to say to them ?
Yes, it hath very much to say to them, only I am loth to
be the messenger of death to any one of your souls ? But,
if this doctrine be true, that every godly man is a living
man, and in the state of life, and none else : How many
poor dead souls may this doctrine find in congregations ! It
is said, that when the Egyptians found their first-born dead
in their families, there was a great cry through Egypt, a great
cry in every family. And were men as sensible of their souls
as they are of their bodies, oh, what a great cry might there
be in divers of your families ! One crying out, and saying,
Oh, Lord, I have a dead child, whose soul is dead : another,
Oh, Lord, I have a dead servant in my family : another, Oh,
Lord, I have a dead wife in my family, whose soul is dead :
another, I have a dead husband, a dead friend. I say, were
men and women as sensible of their souls as they are of their
bodies, what crying, what a great cry this morning might
there be found in this congregation ! But I choose rather to
exhort ye in the name of the Lord, for to get this same spi-
ritual life that now I have been speaking of; above all get-
ting to get this spiritual life. Ye see into what sad times you
are fallen. Who knows how long he shall live ? Who knows
how long he shall be the owner of his estate, liberty, or life ?
SER. 1.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 319
The kingdom is full of blood ; and there is a blood-thirsty
disposition that runs through the kingdom : and if you and I
have our lives taken from us, and we have not a better life,
what a sad condition shall we be in. Wherefore I beseech
ye in the Lord, labour to get another life, this spiritual life,
that shall never be taken from you ; and the Lord give you
hearts to do it.
But you will say, How should that be done ?
I answer, Come unto Jesus Christ : whatever thou beest,
man or woman, now come unto Jesus Christ. Says the Lord
Christ, " They will not come unto me that they may have
life," John v. 40. There are three things that keep men from
coming to Christ: one thing is, men's negligence; men think
they can repent afterward, and they may have Christ after-
ward, and so for the present they neglect coming to Jesus
Christ. Sometimes, nay always, unbelief keeps men off from
coming to Jesus Christ. For as faith brings Christ and the
soul together, so unbelief keeps a man from coming to Jesus
Christ. And another thing is, unwillingness to part with all
for Jesus Christ. The young man ye have read of in the gospel,
went away sorrowful when Christ said to him, Go and sell
all, to come to Christ : so he did not come to Christ upon
that account. And so, when we come to men and women,
and say, You must come to Christ, and leave all your former
company; Nay, say they, I can have Christ better cheap,
upon better terms ; and I cannot leave my company, and my
merry meetings : and so they come not to Christ. But I
beseech you in the Lord, come unto Jesus Christ ; oh, what-
ever thou hast been, come unto Jesus Christ that you may
have life.
I know many will say, I have been long dead in my tres-
passes and sins, and I fear there is no hope of life for me.
Now mark what I say to that, and so I will end all. There
are three mentioned in the gospel whom Christ raised from
the dead. One a maid that lay in her father's house, and
Christ came in and took her by the hand, and said unto her,
Arise. Another was a young man, that was carried out of
his father's house, and was laid out upon the hearse ; and
Christ came, and said unto him, Arise. And the third was
Lazarus, that had been four days dead, and stank again ; and
Christ speaks to Lazarus, and he comes forth. And these
320 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 2.
three, saj s Austin, shows those that Christ will raise up from
the dead again. The first, the maid that lay in her father's
house, notes that sort of sinners that commit secret sins, and
never come abroad, never come into act. The second, the
son that was carried out of his father's house, and laid upon
the hearse, notes that sort of sinners that sin openly; swearers
and drunkards, whose sins are abroad. And the third, that
of Lazarus, notes that sort of sinner that hath lien so long
in the grave that he even smells again. Now I pray further
observe this, that when Christ came to raise Lazarus, then
Christ prayed, but he did not pray when he raised the other
two ; and he groaned over him ; he did not groan over the
maid, nor over the young man, but he groaned over Lazarus,
to shew the difficulty of raising a poor sinner from the dead
that hath lien long in his sin. And therefore, if there be
ever a poor soul here that is dead in his sins ; oh, go to
Christ while thou art young, and fall down before him and
say, Oh, Lord, I have a dead heart of mine own, oh, let me
have life from thee. But whether thou be young or old,
here is yet hope ; Lazarus raised as well as the young rnaid,
and young man ; Lazarus, that lay, till he stank again in the
grave ; and therefore, yet there is hope though thou hast lien
long. Wherefore in the name of the Lord, I beseech you all,
come unto Jesus Christ this morning, If there be ever a
poor dead soul in this congregation, as may be some there is,
some drunkard crept in, some swearer, some unclean wanton :
well, if there be ever a dead soul in this congregation, now
go to Christ that thou mayest have life : and I say to thee,
Awake thou that sleepest, and stand up from the dead and
the Lord Jesus give us life.
SERMON II.
" Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
GAL. ii. 20.
YE heard the last day, that two things especially, are
observable from these words :
First. That every godly, gracious man, is a livin
SER. 2.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 321
is in the state of life, lives a spiritual life. And this I have
spoken to.
Secondly. That our justification by faith alone, is no
enemy, but a real friend unto this our spiritual life.
Nevertheless, ?& and now I live ; but now I live. As
if he should say, I never did live before ; but now, being jus-
tified by faith alone, and having the experience of this great
truth, now I live. At the 1 6th verse, he had said, " That a man
is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of
Jesus Christ ;" whereupon it was, or might be objected : if
a man be not justified by the works of the law, then is he
free from the law, then he is dead unto the law, then a man
may live as he lists ? Nay, not so, says the apostle at the
the 19th verse, " For I through the law, am dead to the law,
that I might live to God :" quite contrary, " That I might
live to God, I am dead to the law." Yea, " and though I
am crucified with Christ, yet now I live," and 1 never did
live till now ; but now I live : this very principle of justifi-
cation by faith alone, is the fountain and original of all my spi-
ritual life. And thus indeed you shall find : for if you look
into those three epistles of Paul to the Romans, the Gala-
tians, and the Hebrews ; ye shall find that the apostle does
give this as the rise unto all his exhortations unto holiness of
life : in the latter end of the epistle to the Romans, the apos-
tle does exhort unto holy practices, and to a godly conversa-
tion : but in the beginning, he does state, and prove this doc-
trine, of justification by faith alone. So in this epistle to the
Galatians ; so in the epistle to the Hebrews : as if the only
rise of all our holiness, and godly conversation were this,
our free-justification through the blood of Christ, by faith
alone.
For the opening, and clearing of this great truth ; I shall
spend a little time in the explication of the terms.
First. Justification by faith alone.
Secondly. I shall labour to demonstrate this truth unto
you, that justification by faith alone, is the fountain and ori-
ginal of all our holiness and spiritual life.
Thirdly. Answer to some objections.
Fourthly. Labour to shew ye, what there is in this free
justification by faith alone, that may, can, or doth advance
our holiness.
322 THE SPIRITUAL, LIFE. [SfiR. 2.
First. What is meant by this justification by faith alone ?
I answer, that I may be understood by the meanest.
By this justification I mean, That act of God's grace, where-
by through the imputations of our sins to Christ, and Christ's
righteousness unto us, God the Father doth pronounce us
righteous in his sight. This is justification. And this is
done by the righteousness, and the blood of Christ only,
as the material and meritorious cause, it is done only' by
faith as the instrumental cause, so we are said to be justified
by faith alone. Yet not so, as that a man is justified by
faith which hath no works ; for all justifying faith is full of
works : but these works do not come into our justification :
as now, a man's servants, they have him to bed. Ser-
vants have their master and mistress to bed ; tend upon them
to bed ; but they do not go into the bed with them : they
are with them again in the morning, they bring them water
and necessary things, but they do not come to bed to them.
Now, says, Luther, justification is that bed, where Christ and a
believing soul lies : and though good works, duties, and
prayers tend upon Christ, and wherever there is faith, there
are these; yet this bed of justification is kept free, and entire,
and only for the righteousness of Jesus Christ ; and they
come not to bed, they come not into this work. Or if you
will thus : ye know, that when an Israelite was stung in the
wilderness, by a fiery biting serpent, he was then to look
upon the brazen serpent; and by the beholding of the bra-
zen serpent he was cured; the looking of his eyes cured
him. He had other members, there were the arms, and the
legs, and other members that did accompany the eyes ; but
though there were other members that did accompany the
eyes, it was the seeing of the eyes that did cure the person.
And so, though works do accompany faith ; and there is no
saving justifying faith, but works accompany it ; yet it is
only the beholding of this brazen serpent by the eye of faith,
that does cure the soul as to the point of justification.
When Abraham went up into the mountain to offer up his
son, he spake to his servants to stay below, " Stay you here
till I come again, at the foot and bottom of this hill," Gen.
xxii. 5 : and so they did. Servants he had, but they stayed
below. And so when a man goes up into this hill of justifi-
cation, this high mountain, he takes only his faith with him,
SER. 2.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 323
and he says unto all his works, and unto all his duties, stay
you below at the bottom of the hill ; and there they attend.
So that faith, justifying faith, though it hath always works,
yet they come not into this matter of of justification. It is
faith alone that justifies. This by way of explication.
Secondly. But you will say, How may it appear now, that this
free-justification of a poor sinner by faith alone, is the origi-
nal of all our holiness and spiritual life ?
Thus, it appears by contraries : contraries, have contrary
consequences. If the law, and justification thereby, be no
friend, but a real enemy unto all our grace and holiness, then
justification by faith alone is a friend to it : but now take the
law, and you shall find that justification thereby, is
no friend, but a real enemy unto all our holiness, and
the power of godliness. What greater enemies had the
world ever to the power of godliness, than the Jews were ?
and they sought to establish their own righteousness, and to
be justified by the law. And now-a-days, what more bitter
and more fell enemy unto the power of godliness, than a moral,
civil man ? Why ? Because though he do not understand
himself, yet he doth secretly seek his acceptance with God,
by his own doing, and good meaning. A man can never live
to God, that lives to himself: so long as a man seeks justifi-
cation by his own doing and working, he lives in himself.
Therefore says the apostle, " I desire not to be found in
mine own righteousness," Phil. iii. 9 : to be found in it.
Hope is the spring of action. The ploughman ploughs in hope,
and he sows in hope ; hope is the spring of action. Now if
a man seeks to be justified by the law, or the works of the
law, there is no hope ; for all works are imperfect : and if no
hope, says the soul, why should I work ? as good never a
whit, as never the better. That cannot be the principle of
our grace and holiness, which can neither convert a man,
nor mortify his sins, nor quicken one to what is good, nor
comfort, or free him from temptation. Now I pray, what is it
that converts a soul to Christ ? is it the law, or the preaching
of the law ? Nay, says our Saviour, " I will send the Com-
forter, and he shall convince the world of sin," John xvii. 9.
But where do I receive the Spirit ? Says the apostle in
the next chapter, the iiird of the Galatians, " O ye foolish
Galati.-ins this would I know of ye, Received ye the Spirit by
Y 2
324 THE SPIRITUAL, LIFE. [SfiR. 2.
the preaching of the law, or by the hearing of faith }" Not
by the preaching of the law. And as for mortification of sin :
can the law do that ? Nay, says the apostle in the viiith of
the Romans, " The law is weak : what the law could not do,
being weak, God sent his own Son, to condemn sin in the
flesh." So that the law cannot mortify sin, the law cannot
do it. And as for our quickening unto what is good ; can
the law do that ? Nay, says the apostle, " The law is a
dead letter ; and the law is the ministration of death ;" and
can that which is a dead letter, and the ministration of death,
quicken us unto what is good ? certainly it cannot. And as
for our temptations, and freedom from them; does the law do
that ? Ye know the apostle triumphs, " Who shall lay any
thing to the charge of God's elect ?" And who shall lay any
thing to my charge? shall the anger, and wrath of God?
shall Satan, or mine own conscience ? I will not be much
afflicted, says he: why ? for it is God that justifies. He does
not say, for it is Moses that justifies : but it is Christ
that died, and God justifies, not Moses. Samson, ye know,
found an honey-comb in the body of a dead lion ; not
in hives at home, or trees abroad ; but he found an honey-
comb in the body of the dead lion. So does a poor
tempted soul find all the honey-combs of comfort, in the
body of the dead Lion of the tribe of Judah, not in his own
hive. I have read of a certain man that was much in prayer,
fasting and reading ; and the devil came unto him and told
him, Friend, why dost thou pray so much, and read so much,
and fast so much? it is all to no purpose, for thou shalt go to
hell at the last, thou shalt never go to heaven : says he, As
for that, I leave that to God ; it is not my question, whether
I shall go to heaven, or hell : but my question is, how shall I
serve God,and live to God? Had he now sought justification in
a way of works, and by the law; he could have ever been able
to have answered to this temptation ? Ye may see what the
apostle says in the viith chapter of his epistle to the Romans ;
he gives you a similitude thus : as a woman ; so is the soul of
every man : so long as a woman is married unto one" man,
she brings forth children unto him, and not unto any other,
but is dead unto all others : but when that man dies, she is
free to marcy ; and she marries another, and she brings forth
children unto him. Now says the apostle, at the 4th verse,
SER. 2.] THE SPIRITUAL J.IFB. 325
" 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." So that, so long as a man is
married to the law, he can never bring forth fruit unto God.
Now then, thus lies the reason : if that the law, and justifi-
fication thereby, be no friend but a real enemy unto all our
holiness: then contraries having contrary consequences,
justification by faith alone, is a friend, and no enemy unto our
spiritual life and holiness.
This also will appear, if ye consider the parallel between
the first and second Adam. Christ is our second Adam.
Now, says the apostle, in the vth of the Romans, " As by the
sin of one, death came upon all men to condemnation : so
by the righteousness of one, life comes unto many." Well,
but how came condemnation upon all men by the sin of one?
The first Adam, he was a common person, he did stand for
all mankind ; when he sinned, all mankind sinned : and
therefore as soon as any one is born, the sin of Adam being
imputed to him judicially; that imputation is the original of
all the unholiness that is among the children of men. So
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, being our second Adam,
he is a common person, stands in the room of all the elect ;
he was obedient, not for himself, but for them : Christus non
meruit sibi. Obeyed not for himself: and he died not for
himself, but for them, righteous for them. When therefore,
a man is born into the other world, is regenerate by faith ?
then all that righteousness of Christ, the second Adam, is
imputed to him.
And this imputation of his righteousness by faith, is the
original of all that holiness that is in our lives, thus : as all
the unholiness, and wickedness that is in the world, does
flow from the imputation of the first Adam's sin : so all that
grace and holiness that is in the world, does flow from the
imputation of the second Adam's righteousness. Now by
faith alone, this righteousness is imputed, and does become
ours, and therefore, justification by faith alone, is the princi-
ple and original of all our grace and holiness.
If free remission of sin, and the sense thereof, be the
cause of our holiness : then justification by faith alone must
needs be a friend unto it. For these two, free remission of
326 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SEB. 2.
sin, and justification by faith alone, go together, and are ordi-
narily taken for one. And therefore in the iiird of the Romans,
theapostle having said at the 24th verse," Being justified freely
by his grace '" he says at the 28th verse, " That a man is
justified by faith :" and saying that a man is justified by
faith, he says, That a man is justified freely by grace ; these
are put together. Now free remission of sin, and the sense
thereof is the cause of all our holiness. Ye know what the
apostle says, * The grace of God hath appeared unto all
men, teaching us to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and
to live righteously and soberly in this present world," Titus ii.
11, 12. All holiness comes from thence, the apparition of
grace, free remission of sin. And ye know what it is that
doth hatch the chicken ; it is not the fire that doth hatch the
chicken, nor is it the cold water that does hatch the chicken; but
laying of the eggs under the warm feathers of the living hen.
Come to a man or woman that hath many eggs, that are yet
not chickens, within a month or two, these are all become
living chickens : say you, how comes it to pass, that all
these are now living chickens ? What ! did you lay these
eggs unto the fire? No, for then they would have been
roasted. What, did you lay these eggs in the cold water ?
No, then they would have rotted ; but I laid them under the
warm wings of the living hen, and so they are become chick-
ens. So you come to a living soul, a living heart, and you
say, Friend, how came you to be thus enlivened, and quick-
ened ? a month or two ago, I heard you complaining of your
dead heart, Oh, my heart is dead : but how came you to be
thus enlivened, and to be thus quickened ? Did you go and
lay your heart against the fire of the law ? No, that would
have scorched me, and tormented me. What, did you go
and lay your heart in the cold world ? No, that would have
rotted me. How then ? Truly, after all my fears, and after
all my doubtings, I went and laid my cold heart under the
warm wings of divine love, and so it came to pass that I am
thus enlivened, and I am thus quickened, as you see this day,
for the which I bless the Lord for ever. Three things there
are that do make up a gracious conversation : repentance
for sin past; mortification of sin present; and the obedi-
dience of faith, or obedience.
Now as for repentance : look, I pray, at what is said in the
SER. 2.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 327
viith chapter of Luke, and see what is the cause of that :
you read there a story of a great sinner, that became a great
penitent, at the 37th verse, " Behold a woman in the city
which was a great sinner ; and she came and stood behind
Jesus (at the 38th verse) weeping, and began to wash his feet
with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head."
" She wept much ;" why ? " for " says the text at the latter
end of the chapter, " she loved much." But why did she
love much ? She loved much, because much was forgiven
her. So, then, remission is the cause of repentance. And
have ye not so much expressly in that xvith chapter of Eze-
kiel, and the last verse : " I will establish my covenant with
thee, that thou mayest remember and be confounded, and
never open thy mouth any more, because of thy shame, when
I am pacified towards thee, for all that thou hast done." So
that this shame and repentance comes from pacification. And
as for this matter, Luther had so great a sight into it, that,
says he, Before I was justified by faith alone, and saw into
this matter of free remission, I looked upon that word, re-
pent, as a terrible word, I did even hate that word, and I
wished that there had been no such word in all the book of
God ; but after once that word, justicia, was opened, the
righteousness of faith ; and after once I understood this doc-
trine of free remission, and justification by faith alone, then
I loved repentance.
As for the mortification of sin : ye know what the apostle
says, " Let not sin reign in your mortal bodies, or have do-
minion over you :" why ? " for ye are not under the law, but
under grace," Rom. vi. 12, 14. So, then, it is being under
grace that does mortify sin.
And as for the matter of obedience : ye know what the
Psalmist says, " There is mercy with thee, O Lord, that thou
mayest be feared," Psalm cxxx. 4. That is, that thou mayest
be served, that thou mayest be obeyed. So that obedience,
also, comes from the sight of mercy and of free remission.
Now, if free remission, and the sense thereof, be the cause
of our holiness ; then, surely, justification by faith alone can
be no enemy, but must needs be a real friend unto all our
spiritual life.
Thirdly. But by way of objection, it will be said, this doc-
trine of free remission and justification by faith alone, seems to
328 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 2.
carry somewhat with it that is opposite unto grace and holi-
ness ; for the more a man is bound unto the law, and takes
himself to be so, the more obedient he will be to the law :
but now, a man never takes himself more to be bound under
the law, than when he seeks to be justified by the works of
the law, and so he will be most obedient.
For answer, ye must know that the word law, in the New
Testament, is taken two ways : either it is taken for the co-
venant of works, thus ; If you keep the ten commandments
perfectly, you will live for ever : this is the covenant of
works : sometimes the law is taken for the ten command-
ments, the rule of man's life. In the first sense a Christian
is dead unto the law, and is freed from it ; but in the second
sense, a believer, a justified person, is more bound to the
law, to observe it as a rule of life, than ever he was. Only,
you must know, there is a twofold bond; there is the bond
of love, and there is the bond of fear ; as there is the law of
love, and the law of fear. Love, and the bond of love, is
stronger than fear and the bond of fear ; for fear is servant to
love, fear is the handmaid of love; for ye never fear the losing
of any good thing but what ye first love. Fear is the servant
to love, and therefore love is stronger than fear, and the bond
of love stronger than the bond of fear. Now, though a
justified person be not bound unto the law, with the bond of
a servile fear, yet he is bound unto the law with the bond of
love; and so he is more obedient, as the bond of love is
stronger than the bond of fear. A man must needs be obe-
dient unto Christ, that takes himself to be none of his own,
but Christ's. Therefore says the apostle, " Glorify Christ
with your body, because ye are bought with a price, and be-
cause ye are God's," 1 Cor. vi. 20. So long as a man seeks
to be justified by works, and by the law, so long he looks
upon himself as his own ; but when a man sees that he is
justified by faith alone, then he looks upon himself as
Christ's; that he is not his own : and so he is more obedient
unto Christ than ever he was before.
If this be such a principle of grace and holiness, how
comes it to pass that men sin the more, as they hear more of
this free remission, and justification of a poor sinner by faith
alone? Oh, says one, God is merciful and gracious, and
therefore I will now live as I list, and repent afterwards. If
SER. 2.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 329
this doctrine, this truth, and this grace of God, be the prin-
ciple of all our holiness; how comes it to pass that men sin
more hereby ?
I answer, pray how comes it to pass, if that water doth
cleanse, that it doth not cleanse the blackamoor ? and if fire
doth warm, how comes it to pass that it doth not put
heat into the dead man ? and if the sun do enlighten, how
comes it to pass it doth not enlighten those that are blind ?
I may ask you the reason, likewise ; but I will tell you the
reason, the reason of this is, because men are contrary unto
God ; and all that doth make this use and application of the
Lord's mercy and grace, they are contrary unto God, for God
works good out of evil: now a wicked man being contrary unto
God, he works evil out of good. God works the greatest
good, grace, out of the greatest evil, sin : a wicked man, he
works the greatest evil, sin, out of the greatest good, God's
love and grace. Why ? Because he is contrary to God.
But, now, take this truth and this grace of God, as it is in
itself, and so it is a very real friend unto all our grace and
holiness.
Fourthly. You will say, then, What is there in this justifi-
cation by faith alone, or free remission, that does advance our
holiness? How comes it to pass? What is there in this, that
hath such an influence upon our lives, to make us the more
holy, the more heavenly ?
1. The more a man does forsake any good thing of his own
for Christ, the more Christ is engaged to give a man his good
things. There is no losing in losing for Jesus Christ. What
ye lose for Christ, ye shall gain by Christ : and the greater
and sweeter any blessing is that ye lose for Christ, the greater
blessing will Christ give unto ye in the room thereof. Now
what nearer thing is there to a man than his own righteous-
ness ? In justification by faith alone, a man lays down all
his own righteousness at the feet of Jesus Christ, and there-
fore Christ is engaged to give him a better righteousness, the
righteousness of God.
2. God does never cause any man to pass under any rela-
tion, but he does write the law of that relation upon his heart.
For example, If the Lord does cause a man to pass under the
relation of a magistrate, God will write the law of that rela-
tion upon him, and give him ability to it. If God does cause
330 THE SPIRITUAL, LIFE. [SER. 2.
a man to pass under the relation of a minister, God witl write
the law of that relation on him. If God does cause a man
to pass under the relation of a husband, or a father, God will
cause the law of that relation to be written upon his heart.
Now when a man is justified by faith alone, then he becomes
the son of God : " To as many as receive him, he gives power
to be called the sons of God ; even to as many as believe on
his name," John i. 12. I say, when a man is justified by
faith alone, he becomes the son of God, he passes under that
relation ; therefore then does the Lord write the law of that
relation of a son upon his heart, and thereby he is made
more son-like by his obedience.
3. The more a man does agree with God and the law, the
more fit he is to walk with God and observe the law. When
a man is justified by faith, then he is agreed with God: " Can
two walk together, unless they be agreed ?" Amos iii. 3. Now
when a man is justified by faith, he is reconciled to God ;
reconciled to the justice of God, reconciled to the anger of
God, reconciled to the law of God, the law is his friend. Now
before a man was justified, the anger of God was his enemy,
and the justice of God his enemy, and the law his enemy ;
but now, being justified, he is reconciled to God : reconciled
to his anger, that is satisfied by Christ ; reconciled to the law,
that is satisfied by Chris t : thus he is made a friend to God,
he is agreed with God, and with the law, and so he can walk
with God, and so he is the more obedient.
4. But especially thus : As by works, and seeking justifi-
cation by works, a man is estated in the covenant of works ;
so by faith, and seeking justification by faith alone, a man is
estated in the covenant of grace. When a man is estated in
the covenant of grace, God is engaged to give grace unto him,
to make him holy. For that, I pray, do but read what we
have in that xxxvith chapter of Ezekiel, at the 25th verse,
and so downwards : " Then will I sprinkle clean water upon
you, and ye shall be clean : from all your filthiness, and from
all your idols will I cleanse you. A new heart, also, will I
give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will
take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give
you an heart of flesh : and I will put my Spirit within you,
and cause you to walk in my statutes ; and ye shall keep my
judgments and do them." First, I pray, mark here, that the
SER. 2.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 331
Lord does promise remission of sin, although it be never so
great : " I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and wash ye
from all your filthiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse
you." But, says a poor doubting soul, though the Lord do
thus wash, I am so foul, and so unclean, that I am afraid I
shall never be cleansed. Yes, says the Lord, I will sprinkle
clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean. But though I
be clean, and cleansed from my guilt, and my sin pardoned ;
yet, notwithstanding, I have such a naughty, filthy heart, as
I shall foul myself again. See what follows : " A new heart
also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you."
Oh, but my heart is so hard, like a stone, that I shall resist
this mercy of God. Nay, says he, " And I will take away
the stony heart out of your flesh :" I will take away the re-
sistance, the stony heart out of your flesh. But though it be
so, as long as my nature is unchanged I shall never do that
which is right. Says God, I will change your nature for you ;
" I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will
give you a heart of flesh." I will make such a change in you,
that whereas before, naturally, ye were as hard as a stone,
now I will make you as soft as flesh. But though the Lord
doth thus change my nature, yet, notwithstanding, I shall
never be able to order my conversation aright, I shall never
be obedient. Mark what follows : " I will put my Spirit
within you, and I will cause you to walk in my statutes :"
I will make you obedient, says God. Oh, what streams of
mercy are here ! But, I pray, mind the fountain whence
these flow ; they all flow from this fountain of free remission.
The first is, " I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and
cleanse you from all your idols ;" I will forgive you freely.
Aye, but though this be set first, it may be this is not the
cause of the rest ; how shall it appear that this free remission
is the cause of all our holiness ? Then, I pray, look into the
viiith chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews, where this cove-
nant of grace is repeated, at the 10th verse : " For this is the
covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, saith the
Lord, I will put my laws into their minds, and write them in
their hearts : and they shall not teach every man his neigh-
bour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord :
for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest." Why ?
" For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their
332 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 2.
sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." So that
remission is the cause of sanctification : I will thus and thus
sanctify, says the Lord ; " For I will be merciful to their un-
righteousness, and their sins and iniquities will I remember
no more :" this is the cause of all that. Now, I say, when a
man is once estated in this covenant of grace, the Lord, ye
see,. is engaged then to make him holy. And as by works,
and seeking justification by works, a man is estated in the
covenant of works ; so by faith, and seeking justification by
faith alone, a man is estated in the covenant of grace ; and
so the Lord is engaged for to make him holy. So that thus
you see, now, this free grace of God, justification of a poor
sinner by faith alone, it is no enemy, but a real friend unto
all our holiness and spiritual life. No wonder, therefore,
that the apostle says, " And now I live."
By way of application. If these things be so, then here
we see the reason why men are no more gracious, no more
heavenly, no more holy, no more spiritual in their lives ;
because they think not of this, they study not this, they
never had the true sense of this : even because they do not
stand clear from their own duties, and their own doings, as
to the great matter of justification and acceptance with God.
Is the free remission of sin, and justification by faith alone,
the fountain and original of all our holiness ? Then why
stand ye gazing upon your own duties ? upon your own
prayers and mournings ? Would ye live ? I know you
would : " Skin for skin, and all that a man hath will he give
for his life," Job ii. 4. But, would you live spiritually ?
would you live an eternal life, that life that never dies, that
communicative life, that life that is better than you should
have had in the state of innocency ? Then do you stand
clear from all your own doings and duties and workings, as
to this great matter of your acceptance with God the Father.
Do ye think that Jesus Christ will present a duty or a ser-
vice unto God the Father, that steps into his room and place
and office? What is the place and room of Christ? He is
our Saviour, and the Mediator between God and man, that
stands between God and man, for to cause acceptance with
God the Father. If then you pray, hear, read, mourn, and
think by all these to fetch in your acceptance with God the
Father; do you not bring your duty into the room of Christ,
SER. 2.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 333
and into the place of Christ ? And do ye think that the
Lord Jesus Christ will ever present such a duty unto God
the Father, as steps into his room and place ? What a sad
thing is it, for a man to draw his own works or his own
doings into his acceptance or justification : for a man to turn
aside to the covenant of works!
You will say, But when may a man be said for to draw
his own works or duties into his acceptance with God the
Father ? Or, when may a man be said to turn aside to the
covenant of works ?
Even godly men do it too much. Abraham, though the
father of the faithful, went in to Hagar, the type of the law.
And so now the children of Abraham, believers, do too much
go in to Hagar still, and to the law still. When a man can-
not, dares not rely upon Jesus Christ, until he first sees his
own duty, and his own prayer, and enlargement in duty ;
then he does this too much. When a man does measure all
his acceptance with God the Father, by his own performance
If I be enlarged, then I am accepted ; if I am straitened,
now I am not accepted then he does this too much. When
a man will not come to Christ, until his heart be first quick-
ened and warmed by some particular word ; then he does
this too much. But oh ! you, you that are godly, labour I
beseech ye in Christ, to stand clear from your own duties
and doings. The more distinct knowledge ye have in this
truth, and the more ye walk in the sense of it, the more spi-
ritual and holy ye will be.
But, will some say, that I may take off some scruples and
answer some cases of conscience ; If these things be so,
then do I fear that my obedience was never right, for truly I
have even turned aside to a covenant of works, the Lord
knows I have. I remember the time when I had legal
breakings, and all my obedience hath flowed from thence.
Is free remission, and justification by faith alone, the foun-
tain and spring-head of all our obedience and holiness ?
then seeing that legal breakings have been the spring-head
of all my obedience, then do I fear my obedience was never
right. Oh ! I fear that I have been wrong all this while,
that I have been but an hypocrite all this while, and have
deceived myself, and been under the law all this while.
Stay a little, you read in Scripture concerning Jacob and
334 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 2.
Esau : it is said, " That the elder shall serve the younger/ 3
Gen. xxv. 23. That is, says Luther, in a spiritual way : the
elder, the law, shall serve the younger the gospel : and the
elder sin shall serve the younger grace. Now, have your
former legal-breakings, made you more for to prize grace,
and to prize Christ, and to prize free remission, and justifi-
cation by faith alone ? Here then, the elder does serve the
younger. And what though legal-breakings were first, and
were the elder in your heart, yet so long as the elder does
serve the younger, thou hast no reason to be discouraged in
this respect.
I fear that my obedience and my holiness is not right ;
because it so little, and so scant : free remission the foun-
tain of all our holiness, that is a full fountain : and if
my holiness were a stream from that fountain, it would be
more full and more abundant : the Jews they knew little of
this truth, justification by faith alone, and yet they were
holy ; David holy, and Moses holy, and Josiah holy : is this
the fountain of all our grace, and of all our holiness, free re-
mission and justification by faith alone ? Then the more
discovery there is of this, the more holy we should
be : but alas, I find my holiness and my obedience so scant,
and little, that I am afraid it can never come from so full a
fountain as this is.
Beloved, there is nothing little between God and a gra-
cious soul. There is nothing small that comes from God to
you, because it comes from an infinite God : there is nothing
small that goes from a gracious soul unto God again, because
it comes from an infinite desire of pleasing God. It is one
thing to be more in the shell, and another thing to be more
in the kernel. Luther professes, that when he was a monk,
as it seems by his writings he was fifteen years in a cloister,
says he, When I was a monk, I was a great deal more holy
then, according to the outward appearance, than I am now ;
then I prayed, and then I fasted, and then I macerated my
body, and then I went meanly ; but now I eat, and I drink,
and I clothe myself as others do ; and yet now one little
prayer is more accepted with God than all my fifteen years
prayers before : why ? because says he, then I prayed in a
way of works, and sought justification in a way of works ;
but now I have had a taste of this justification by faith alone,
SER. 2.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 335
and a little from thence is more pleasing unto the Lord, than
all the fifteen years before.
But whoever you are that make this objection, give me
leave to propound these two questions to you.
1. Whereas you say, it is little, and therefore you fear it
cannot come from so full a fountain : dost thou stint, or
limit thyself in thy obedience, or in thy holiness ? A man
that seeks to be justified, and saved by his working, he does
stint and limit himself: I have enough, says he, for to bring
me to heaven, and what need I more ? a great many are very
precise, and strict, but, I praise the Lord, I have enough for
to bring me to heaven, and what need I more ? So he stints
and limits himself, And I have been weeping, and mourn-
ing enough for to get forgiveness, and the Lord now hath
forgiven me, and what need I more ? Thus he stints, and
limits himself, because he is under the law, and under a
covenant of works.
2. Though your obedience as you think is very little and very
small: do you oppose those that have much do you oppose those
that have the power of godliness, and those that have more
than yourself? A man that seeks justification by works, he
does oppose those men that have more holiness than himself.
See I pray, how it was with the Jews in that ixth of the Ro-
mans, and 31st verse : " But Israel which followed after the
law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righ-
teousness." Wherefore ? Because they sought it not by
faith, but as it were by the works of the law: for they
stumbled at that stumbling stone/' They stumbled at
Christ, they stumbled at Christianity, they stumbled at the
corner stone. And so now, moral and civil men, that seek
acceptance, though they do not understand themselves, in
a way of working ; they oppose those that are more godly
that have the power of godliness. But ye know, a spark
of fire, though it be but a spark of fire, it will not oppose
the flame ; though it be not so great as the flame, yet it will
not oppose the flame : it opposes the water, but it doth not
oppose the flame of fire. And so if a man have grace,
though it be but a spark of grace ; yet notwithstanding, if it
be in truth, it will not oppose a flame. But now civil and
moral men, that walk in a way of works, and are under the
law ; oh, how do they oppose those that have the power of
336 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 2.
godliness, that have more grace than themselves, that are in
a flame for Christ, them they oppose ! Is it so with you
that make this objection ? Oh no, I praise the Lord, your
soul will say, if it speak in truth ; though I have but little,
the Lord knows I do not oppose them that have much : I
rejoice rather in those that have more than myself, yea, I
rejoice in those that have the power of godliness. And,
Lord, thou knowest I do not stint and limit myself; oh, I
can never be godly enough, and I can never repent enough,
and I can never mourn for my sins enough. Well, be of
good comfort, this may be no other stream, than what flows
from this blessed fountain, free remission, and justification
by faith alone.
But some will say, I fear that upon all this account, my
obedience and my holiness is not right; for I do not find the
visible characters of justification upon my sanctification.
Justification by faith alone is the fountain of all our holiness:
then if my obedience were right, it would taste of my justi-
fication and of free remission ; if my holiness were right, it
would savour of free remission : but I do not find any visible
characters of justification upon my sanctification ; I do not
find that my sanctification does relish or savour of free re-
mission, or justification by faith alone; and therefore I fear
all is naught, my obedience hath been naught and wrong all
this while.
For answer to this. Know ye not, beloved, that a man's
justification may be hidden from sense, when sanctification
is in truth ? Know ye not, that the life of grace is a hidden
life ? not only hidden from the world, but hidden from one's
own soul, many times.
But what are those visible characters of justification, which
are engraven upon a man's sanctification, so that when a
man does see them, he may say, Surely here is a sanctifica-
tion, that is no other than that which flows from free remis-
sion, and justification by faith alone ?
When a man does mourn for his sin because it is par-
doned, does not this repentance savour of free remission ?
When a man does obey the Lord, because God hath par-
doned and forgiven him ; does not this sanctification then
savour of his justification and of free remission ?
When there is a meeting of all graces, and one good work
. 2.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 337
and duty and grace is reconciled to another in a man's life ;
is there not then a taste and a savour of justification and
free remission ? When the Lord does justify a poor sinner,
then all the attributes of God are reconciled to one another ;
justice is reconciled to mercy, and mercy is reconciled to
justice ; and all these reconciled attributes of the Lord, do
meet upon the soul of a justified person : and accordingly,
there is a meeting of all graces in the soul, and all good
works and graces they are reconciled to one another. That
whereas before a man was justified, they were at odds, at a
distance one from another, and were inimititious one to
another ; now they are not. Whereas before a man was jus-
tified, he could not rejoice in God, but it hindered his mourn-
ing for sin ; and he could not mourn for sin, but it hindered his
faith, and he could not believe : his believing hindered his
repentance. But now, when a man is justified and reconciled
to the Lord, then all those works, duties and graces are
reconciled to one another. Why ? Because the attributes
of God are reconciled unto one another, and all the attri-
butes of God, they meet upon the heart of a justified per-
son, and so there are the characters of his justification upon
his sanctification here. And I appeal to ye, whoever you
are that labour under this scruple, Is it not thus with thy
soul in truth, do not you find it thus, that now you look
upon the very justice of the Lord as your friend, the justice
and righteousness of the Lord as your friend ? That now
ye are reconciled, as it were, to those duties, that therefore
you looked upon as your enemies ? That now you rest upon
the Lord Christ that you may be obedient ; and your very
resting upon Christ, makes you obedient ; your very behold-
ing of Christ changes you from glory to glory ? as the
apostle speaks, 2 Cor. iii. 18. If you would speak in truth
from your soul, you would say thus : Lord, thus it is with
me ; now I am reconciled to that duty that before was an
enemy to me, and now these works, duties and graces are
reconciled: for now, the more I can rejoice in God, the
more I can mourn for sin ; and the more I believe, the more
I can repent. Heretofore, the more I believed the less I
repented; my believing was my security: but now I see
these works and duties are friends to one another, that now,
the more I repent, the more I believe ; and the more I believe,
338 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 2.
the more I repent; all these works are reconciled in me.
And Lord, thou that knowest all things, knowest, that there-
fore I grieve for my sins, because thou hast pardoned them ;
and therefore I desire to obey thee, because thou hast for-
given me. Well then, here are the visible characters of thy
justification upon thy sanctification. And therefore be of
good comfort notwithstanding this objection.
Only let me tell thee this, It may be thou hast not stood
enough at a distance from thy own doings and duties, as to
the matter of thy acceptance with God. But, would you be
more spiritual and holy in your lives ? labour more and
more to stand at a distance from all your duties and doings,
as to the great matter of your acceptance with God the
Father.
But you will say, Suppose that I have not stood clear from
my own doings as to the matter of my justification or accep-
tance with God the Father ; what shall I do, that now I may
stand clear in this matter, that so this fountain of free
remission and justification by faith alone, may be opened
upon my soul, and my spiritual life thereby may be more
enlarged and increased ?
Some things by way of answer to this, and so I have done.
1. Be ye humbled in the sight and presence of the Lord,
that you have walked in that way, that you have tied Jesus
Christ unto your conditions, and that you have made use of
Christ only to eke out your performance, as to the matter of
your acceptance.
2. Study much the transactions of things between God
the Father and Jesus Christ; and then you will find, that
Jesus Christ had satisfied God the Father before ever you
came into the world: and therefore your souls when you
think of this will say, How therefore can my work or my
duty any way bring in satisfaction or acceptance with God the
Father. Study, I say, the transactions between God the
Father and Jesus Christ.
3. Acquaint your soul much with the difference between
the covenant of works and the covenant of grace. In the
covenant of works, a man's work is first accepted and then
his person ; but in the covenant of grace, a man's person is
first accepted, and then his work, And when you under-
stand this, then you will say, Aye, if this be true, that a
SER. 2.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 339
man's person is first accepted, and then his work, how can
my work any way fetch me in acceptance with God the
Father ? O my soul, for ever stand clear in this great matter
of my acceptance in my duties.
4. Whenever your duties, your works and your graces are
highest, then, and then especially, use thy soul to be beyond
them, and say thus : Though now, I bless the Lord, my heart
is thus and thus enlarged, yet I do not count upon my accep-
tance by reason of this enlargement. Though, I bless the
Lord, I have now prayer, that before had none, yet I do not
count my acceptance with God the Father by this prayer.
When, I say, thy duty is highest, use thy soul to be beyond
it.
5. When your duty, grace and holiness is lowest, then
know that now ye have an opportunity to stand clear from
your own duties and working, as to the matter of your
acceptance and justification by faith alone. If I have a
friend in my house, that lives in my house with me, whom I
would not have privy unto a work or business, I shall take
the opportunity to do the work when that friend is out of
doors. Now, say I, he is abroad ; if he were at home he
would be prying over my shoulder, and he would have a
finger in the business, and he would see it ; but now he is
abroad, now I will take the time to do it. My brethren,
your duties, prayer and humiliation, they are all friends to
your justification ; but when prayer is out, and duty is out
and abroad, and out of sight, and not at home : now take
your time to be clear in the matter of resting upon Christ
alone, and say, Now my prayer is gone, and duties gone, and
all out of sight, O Lord ! now I have an opportunity to
rest upon Christ alone : had my prayer been at home, and
duties at home, they would have been peering and prying
into this work, but now they are all out of sight, now I will
rest upon Christ and his righteousness alone. This is cer-
tain, that this justification by faith alone, and free remission
of a poor sinner, it is the great fountain and principle of all
our grace and holiness ; and therefore, if you would be more
gracious and more holy, I beseech you in the name of Christ
study it much, and walk in the sense of it. And what is the
reason that many professors are no more holy and humble,
but waspish and peevish and harsh, and of a rugged dispo-
z 2
S40 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 3.
sition ? but because they have not studied the gospel more,
and free remission, and justification by faith alone, and they
have not the sense of this upon their hearts. Poor souls,
you want the experience of this. You think, some of you,
there is no such way to be holy and gracious, as to have
legal breakings, to have the law pressed upon you ; but I do
here tell you in the name of the Lord, and I lie not, that
justification by faith alone, and free remission, is the prin-
ciple of all our obedience and all our holiness. And when
Paul came to this, and the sense of this, " Now I live/' says
he : and so wilt thou say, poor soul, when thou comest to
the sense of this truth : I was dead before, but now I live ;
indeed I was down, and my heart dead, when I hung upon
my own duties, but now I live. Now therefore, as you
desire to live, and live spiritually, the Lord give you hearts
to live in the sense and experience of this great truth ; justi-
fication and free remission by faith alone.
SERMON III.
" Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveih in me."
GAL. ir. 20.
THE apostle Paul having spoken of our living to God in
the former verse, of our spiritual life, in those words, " Yet
now I live ;" he proceeds unto the properties of this spiritual
life, and those are three, First, It is a self-denying life : u Yet
not I: I live, yet not I." Secondly, It is a Christ-advancing
life : But Christ liveth in me." Thirdly, It is the life of
faith : " And the life which I live in the flesh, I live by the
faith of the Son of God."
I begin with the first at this time, in those words, " Yet
not I." The words hold forth a self-depression or self-anni-
hilation. The words are spoken in the person of a believer.
So that in all these Fs ; " I through the law," and " I am
crucified," and " I live," Paul doth personate a believer, one
that seeks justification by faith alone, according to the tenure
of the gospel. And so the observation is this :
Every true believer that seeks justification by faith alone,
SER. 3.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 341
is An humble, self-denying person ; denying himself in spiri-
tual things.
The way of the gospel is a self-denying way. Though a
believer, that seeks justification by faith alone, and not by
the works of the law, does live a spiritual life, and so does
act, move and work towards God; yet he cannot endure to
write an I upon his own performance. " Yet not I." He
will obey God, but he will not have an I to be written upon
his obedience. He will pray to God, but he will not have an
I to be written upon his performance. Yet not I : " I live,
yet not I." Wherever the gospel comes in power, it does
work this self-denying frame of soul and spirit. And thus it
was with Paul, in regard of his own person, as ye read in the
first of Corinthians, the xvth chapter, speaking with relation
unto the other apostles, at the 10th verse, " I laboured more
abundantly than they all ; yet not I, but the grace of God
which was with me." I laboured more abundantly than they
all, yet not I. I have been a preacher of the gospel, and
have been a means to convert many souls unto Jesus Christ;
" yet not I, but the grace of God with me." I have comforted
many afflicted souls ; yet not I. I have been a means to
plant many churches ; yet not I, but the grace of God with
me. He will not have his work defiled with self, or this /
to be written upon what he doth. And so it is with every
believer, more or less ; this is the way, and this is the spirit
of the gospel : where it comes in life, truth and power, thus
it is.
For the clearing of this great truth unto you. First, I
shall spend a little time in the explication, and shew ye what
it is for a man to deny himself in spiritual things. Secondly,
I shall labour to give you some demonstrations of the truth.
Thirdly, Answer one objection. And, Fourthly, Shew ye
what there is in the gospel, or the way of the gospel, that can
work a man's heart to this frame.
First, If ye ask me, What is it for a man to deny himself
in spiritual things ?
I answer, Ye know that there is a threefold self mentioned
by divines. A natural self; as a man's parts, wit, reason,
will, affections and inclination, are called one's self. Then
there is a sinful self; and so a man's corruption, lust, and
.sinful disposition is called one's self. And then there is a
342 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiB. 3.
religious self; and so a man's duties, graces, obedience, righ-
teousness and holiness are called one's self. Now though a
man is to deny all these, yet I am not at this time to speak
of the common place of self-denial, this scripture does not
lead me to it ; but only of self-denial in spiritual things, de-
nial of religious self. There is a great difference between a
man's denying of his sinful and of his religious self. When
a man does deny his sinful self for Christ, then he is wholly
to leave and forsake his sin and that self. But when a man
is to deny his religious self for Christ, he is not to leave and
forsake his duty : only, in point of justification, he is to re-
nounce all; and, in point of sanctification, he is to attribute
the strength, the power, and the glory of all his graces and
duties unto Jesus Christ, and to himself nothing : and when
a man, in point of justification, does renounce all ; and, in
point of sanctification, does attribute the strength, the power,
and the glory of all unto Jesus Christ, and unto himself no-
thing ; then he denies himself in spiritual things.
For there is a twofold denial of one's self even in spiritual
things. One that is opposed to self-seeking, and another that
is opposed to self-advancing. When a man seeks himself,
he makes himself his end : when a man does advance him-
self, he makes himself his end. Now though a man be to
deny himself in opposition to all self-seeking, yet that is not
the argument that lies here, it is not the argument of this
scripture ; but a man is called upon by this scripture, to deny
himself in opposition to self-advancing : " I live ; yet not I,
but Christ liveth in me."
But yet again, that we may rightly understand things.
Though every believer is to deny himself, in spiritual things,
and so to depress himself; yet, notwithstanding, he is not to
speak evil of the grace of God within him. For there are
two things in every duty or service : there is something of
God : s, and something of a man's own ; something of the
Spirit of God, and something of a man's own. Now though
a man may trample upon all his duties, and upon all his
graces, as to the point of justification ; yet as to the point of
sanctification, he may not mis-call the graces of God in him,
and his duties, saying, These are nothing but the fruits of
hypocrisy : for then he should speak evil of the Spirit, whose
works they are. A man tramples and treads upon the dirt,
SER. 3.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 343
but he will not trample upon money, upon gold and silver :
why ? because that is a precious metal, or hath the stamp or
the image of the prince upon it. Now our own duties, our
own righteousness and holiness, as to the matter of justifica-
tion, they are nothing worth, and so we trample upon all ;
but as to the matter of sanctification, they have the image of
Christ upon them, they are precious metal ; and therefore for
a man to say, This is hypocrisy, and all is nothing but hypo-
crisy ; this is not self-denial : properly, self-denial in spiritual
things is, as to the matter of justification, to renounce all;
and as to the matter of sanctification, to attribute the strength,
the power, and the glory of all unto Jesus Christ, and to
one's self nothing : and when a man does attribute all the
strength, the power, the glory of all to Jesus Christ, and to
himself nothing; then he is said to deny himself in spiritual
things. This by way of explication.
Secondly. But now, whereby may it appear that the gos-
pel works this grace in the heart of man ?
I. If the law, and the preaching of the law, cannot make
a man to deny himself in spiritual things, then the gospel
must do it ; for this grace is to be obtained, and found some-
where, something must work. Now the law, and the preach-
ing of the law, can never make a man to deny himself in
spiritual things ; but rather it will make a man to seek him-
self in spiritual things. For what is it to preach the law, but
when I shall come from God, and tell ye, that if you do keep
the ten commandments, and fail in nothing, ye shall be saved ;
but if ye fail in any one point, ye shall be damned, and lost
for ever. This will not make a man to deny his own righ-
teousness, but rather to seek himself his own salvation to
avoid damnation, and seek himself, in spiritual things. But
now, when I come to ye, and speak thus unto ye from the
Lord, that if you do throw down all your own righteousness
at the feet of Christ, and rest only upon him, ye shall be
saved ; this will make a man to deny all his own righteous-
ness, and deny himself in spiritual things : and this is the
gospel. And the gospel must needs do it. For what is the
gospel, but the voice of Christ, the preachings and the ser-
mons of Christ ? Now look as it was with the first Adam ;
the first lesson that the first Adam did learn, practice and
teach his posterity, was, to advance himself in spiritual
344 THE SPIRITUAL, LIFE. [SER. 3.
things. " The day that thou eatest (says Satan to him) thou
shalt not die ; but thine eyes shall be opened, and thou shalt
be as God," Gen. iii. 5. Which he believed, and did eat,
and so laboured to advance himself in spiritual things. The
first lesson that ever he learned and taught his posterity, was
to advance himself. So the second Adam ; the first lesson
that ever the second Adam, Christ, put in practice, was self-
denial in spiritual things. For says the apostle, " He thought
it no robbery to be equal with God, and yet humbled himself
unto the form of a servant, and became of no reputation,"
Phil. ii. 6, 7- This was the first thing. Now, I say, the
gospel is nothing else, but the voice of Christ, the sermons
and preachings of Jesus Christ, the second Adam ; and there,
and there only is this lesson to be learned.
II. Every godly, gracious man, that lives under the gos-
pel, is of a spirit and disposition contrary to the world.
This is the disposition of the world, to write an I upon what
they do. Ye know what that proud king said, Have not I
built this great Babel, for the honour of my majesty, have
not I built it ? Dan. iv. 30. And ye know what the legal
pharisee said, Lord, I thank thee, that I am not as other
men ; no extortioner, and the like : I fast, I pray, I give
alms. Luke xviii. 11, 12. He writes an I upon what he
does. Now the spirit of a believer is contrary ; and though
a believer say, I pray, yet he will bite that I in again, and he
will say, yet not I, but the grace of God within me. He
is of a disposition contrary unto that of the world, and
therefore, cannot write an I upon what he does.
III. Every godly, gracious man, that liveth under the
gospel, is very tender of trenching upon, or doing any thing
contrary to God's prerogative, unto Christ's prerogative.
This is the prerogative of God, of Christ, to write an I upon
what he does. " I create the fruit of the lips, peace, peace,
says God," Isa. Ivii. 19. " I even I am he," Isa. xliii. 25.
So in many places. " Go, (says our Saviour Christ) tell
that fox, Herod, that I work to-day, and to-morrow," Luke
xiii. 32. This is the great prerogative of God, and of
Christ, for to write an I upon what they do. Now belie-
vers, they are very tender of doing any thing that may in-
trench upon God's prerogative, and therefore they cannot
SER. 3.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 345
write an I upon what they do, but deny themselves in
spiritual things.
IV. The more truly any man does repent, the more
sensible he is of his own unworthiness, and so the more
self-denying in spiritual things. Ye know how it is with the
prodigal in the parable, when he comes home, says he upon
his return, " I will go unto my father, and I will say, I am
not worthy to be called thy son, make me as one of thy
hired servants," Luke xv. 18, 19. In my father's house
there is bread, and I will go home, and be contented to be
one of my father's hired servants. Before he went out no
room in his father's house was good enough for him ; but
now upon his return, any room in his father's house is good
enough. Before he went out, no diet, no meat and drink in
his father's house would serve his turn, but away he goes :
but now in his return, in my father's house there is bread
enough, says he. And let me be as one of thy hired ser-
vants. Thus sensible of his own unworthiness, and with
self-denial. Why ? because now repentance had taken hold
of his heart. Well, the more therefore a man does repent,
the more sensible he is of his own unworthiness, and the
more he will deny himself in spiritual things. But I pray
what is it that does cause true repentance ? Is it the gos-
pel ; or is it the law ? Nay, not the law, but the gospel.
Ye know what John said, ye know what our Saviour said,
and ye know what the apostle said, for they all preach the
same things, the same words, " Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand." They do not say, Repent for the king-
dom of hell is at hand ; repent or ye shall be damned : but,
repent, for the kingdom of grace, mercy, and of free-remis-
sion is at hand. So that it is the gospel that does work re-
pentance, and therefore it is the gospel and the gospel only,
that does make a man sensible of his own unworthiness, and
to deny himself in spiritual things.
But it will be objected now, in the Third place, How
say ye, that the gospel works this ? for, have we not heard,
and have we not read, that many moral men, heathen men,
and divers papists, that have written much, and spoken
much for humility and self-denial ; yea, and have gone very
far in the practice of it ? How therefore, say ye, that this
is only the work of the gospel ; that this only is wrought
346 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 3.
where the gospel comes in power in the heart of a believer,
that seeks justification by faith alone ?
For answer, I grant ye that the very heathen, papists and
moral men, have spoken much, and written much, concern-
ing humility and self-denial : and have seemed to go far in
the practice of it. I have read of some papists, that have
been so abstemious that they have gone up and down from
one tavern to another, and from one feast to another ; and
when men have been eating and drinking liberally, they have
sat down, abstaining from all meats and drinks, presenting
themselves as patterns of self-denial in the point of appetite.
And indeed, we read of three degrees that the more mode-
rate papists do make of self-denial and humility. The first
degree, says Granatensis, and divers others, is, for a man to
acknowledge, that all comes from God, and nothing from
himself. The second degree of humility is, to acknowledge,
that whatsoever a man hath from God, he hath it not from
merit, but from grace, and mere mercy. The third degree
of humility or self-denial is, for a man to be eagle-eyed,
and quick-sighted, in beholding another man's excellency ;
but mole-eyed, and not seeing his own excellency. Even
thus far the papists. So that I grant, men may seem to go
very far therein. But I speak of self-denial in spiritual
things : and do we read of moral, heathen men and the
like ; that do deny themselves, it may be in words, but,
I say, in practice, that do deny or have denied themselves
in spiritual things ?
Take a moral, civil man; and though he may seem to
be very humble, and deny himself; yet he is proud of his
humility. Says one philosopher, when he came unto
Plato's house, and saw his house lay very neat : I trample
upon Plato's pride, says he : but Plato answered again, Not
without your own pride. But now, take a believer, and he
doth not only deny himself, but is sensible of his own pride,
when he is most humble, in that very thing wherein he is
humble.
Again, take a moral, civil man ; and though he may seem
to be very humble, and to deny himself; yet it is but in this
or that particular thing : but now a believer denies himself
in all. " I count ALL things but dung and dross, (says
the apostle) for Christ," Phil. iii. 8.
SER. 3.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 347
Again, Take a moral, civil man ; and though he seem to
be very humble, and to deny himself; yet notwithstanding,
it is but the artifice of his reason and his resolution. If I
go on in such and such away, says he, I shall be undone ; and
therefore I must deny myself of this company, and of this plea-
sure ; and so by the strength of his reason and resolution, he
does deny himself. But now, a believer, a Christian, he
denies himself in spiritual things, by the beholding of Jesus
Christ.
Again, Take a moral, civil man, though he may seem
to be humble, and deny himself; yet there is no mystery,
no spiritual mystery in his self-denial : in gospel self-denial
there is, the gospel does work mysteriously like itself, it is
the great mystery. Take a Christian, a believer, and I pray,
do but observe a little, what a great mystery there is in all
his humility and self-denial, wrought by the gospel. As
thus:
He ever cries out, What shall I do to be saved, what shall
1 do to be saved ? and yet he professes that he does not
expect to be saved by doing. Here is a mystery.
Again, He counts himself less than the least of all God's
mercies ; and yet he thinks God hath done more for him,
than if he had given him all the world. Here is a mys-
tery.
Again, He prizes every duty and every gift and every
grace, although it be never so small, prizes it above all the
world ; and yet he counts all but dung and dross in regard
of Christ. Here is a mystery.
Again, He looks upon himself as the greatest sinner, and
thinks of every one better than himself; and yet when he
looks upon a drunkard, or a swearer, or the like, professes
that he would not change his condition with him for all the
world. He looks upon himself as the greatest sinner, and
thinks of every one better than himself; and yet he says
concerning such and such, he would not change his condi-
tion with them for all the world. What a mystery is
this !
Again, He mourns under reproaches and the despisings
of men, and yet he triumphs over them and is above them.
Here is a mystery.
Again, He counts himself nothing, and all that ever he
348 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 3.
does, nothing : and yet he praises the Lord for every little,
and thinks that God hath done more for him, in giving him
Christ, than if he had given him all the world. Here is a
mystery.
Now, as for the seeming humility and self-denial that is
in heathen or moral civil men, there is none of this mystery ;
but there is a spiritual mystery that runs along in the veins
of all this gospel humility and self-denial.
But I speak of self-denial in spiritual things ; and what
moral, civil man, does deny himself in spiritual things ? I
remember one makes mention of a certain godly man, Dies
Lusitamis, that was sorely tempted by Satan in his time.
The man was much in duty, and Satan comes unto him and
says, Why dost thou take thus much pains ? thou dost fast
and watch, but, O man, what is there that thou doest more
than I do ? Art thou no drunkard, or no adulterer ? Says
Satan, I never was drunk, nor I never committed adultery.
What, dost thou watch ? Says Satan, I never slept. Dost
jthou fast ? Says Satan, I never ate any meat, or drank any
beer or wine. What therefore, O man, says Satan, dost
thou do more than I do ? Yes, says he, Satan, I will tell
thee what I do, I pray, and I serve the Lord, and walk hum-
bly, and deny myself. True indeed then, says Satan, I
confess herein thou dost go beyond me ; for I am proud and
I have exalted myself ; and therefore that thou dost deny
thyself, and walk humbly with thy God, herein indeed thou
goest beyond me. And know, a Christian does not only go
beyond Satan, but he goes beyond moral, civil, legal men ;
and wherever the gospel comes in power, it works this dispo-
sition and frame of heart, there it is wrought indeed.
Fourthly, You will say, What is there in the gospel, or
the way of the gospel, which lies in justification by faith
alone, that can work a man's heart unto this frame and dis-
position ?
I shall name three or four things of many.
I. The more a man does see the glory of God, the more
humble he will be and deny himself, even in spiritual things.
Ye may read how it was with Job, chap. ix. Ye do not read
in all that book, that Job does any where in one chapter so
much deny himself, as concerning his own righteousness,
which he stood much upon to his friends, as in this ixth
SER. 3.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 341>
chapter, verse 15, " Whom (speaking of God) though I
were righteous, yet I would not answer, but I would make
supplication to my Judge." Verse 16, " If I had called,
and he had answered me, yet would I not believe that
he had hearkened unto my voice." Then at the 20th verse,
" If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me :
if I say I am perfect it shall also prove me perverse/* Verse
the 21st, "Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my
soul : I would despise myself." Then at the 30th verse, " If
I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never
so clean ; yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine
own clothes shall abhor me." But whence did all this self-
denial in spiritual things proceed now ? If you look into the
former part of the chapter, ye shall see that Job had a great
prospect of the glory of God : " I know it is so of a truth :
but how should man be just with God ? (verse the 2nd) If
he will contend with him, he cannot answer him. God is
wise in heart, and mighty in strength : (verse the 4th, then
verse the 5th) which removeth the mountains, and they know
not ; which overturneth them in his anger. Which shaketh
the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
Which commandeth the sun, and it ariseth not j and sealeth
up the stars. Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and
treadeth upon the waves of the sea. Which maketh Arctu-
rus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
W T hich doth great things past finding out, yea, and wonders
without number." And now having this prospect of the
greatness and glory of the Lord, he denies his own righte-
ousness ; denies himself in spiritual things. And ye know
how it was with the prophet Isaiah, in the ixth chapter and
5th verse : " Then said I, Woe is me, for I am undone : be-
cause I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst
of a people of unclean lips." Woe is me, I am undone, a
man of unclean lips. But stay, oh, thou blessed prophet,
thou art a great, and hast been a great preacher, a gospel
preacher ; yea, thou art a prophet. Well, says he, yet, woe
is me, for I am undone, I am a man of unclean lips. Why,
what is the matter ? At the latter end of the verse : " For
mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." And if
ye look into the former verses of that chapter, ye shall
find that it was a sight of Christ in his glory, as will more
350 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 3.
fully appear, by comparing of that, and in the ivth chapter
of the Revelation together, at your leisure. But where can a
man see the glory of God but in the gospel ? The gospel is
called, the glorious gospel : there the glory of God is to be
seen. With open face there, as in a glass, we behold the
glory of the Lord.
II. The more I see Christ as an eminent, transcendent
example of humility and self-denial, the more I learn to deny
myself, even in spiritual things. Now the gospel holds forth
Christ as the most eminent example of humility and self-
denial ; such an example as the sun never saw before, from
first to last. At the first ; " He thought it no robbery (says
the apostle) to be equal with God : and yet he humbled him-
self, and took upon him the form of a servant," Phil. ii. 6, 7
And at the last ; says he unto his Father, " Yet not my will,
but thy will be done," Luke xxii. 42. And if ye look into
the xiiith chapter of John, ye shall find there, that our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ, takes a towel and water, and falls
down at the feet of his disciples, and washes their feet : verse
the 4th, " He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments,
and took a towel, and girded himself; and after he had pour-
ed water into a basin, he began to wash his disciples' feet, and
to wipe them with a towel. When the pharisee saw the wo-
man coming unto Christ, and wash his feet, and wipe them with
the hair of her head ; he wondered, and said, Surely, if this
had been a prophet, he would not have suffered a sinner to
come so near to him." Did the pharisee wonder at this
condescension, that Christ should humble himself so far as
to suffer a poor woman to come so near him, as to wash his
feet with her tears ? Oh ! what condescension is here, for
ever to be wondered at, that the Lord Christ himself should
down upon his knees, and wash the disciples' feet ; that the
great God of heaven and earth, the second Person, incarnate,
should now come, fall down at the feet of sinners, Judas
among them too, and wash his disciples' feet ! When all
power in heaven and earth was in his hands, that with those
hands he should wash the feet of sinners !
But stay a little, it may be all power in heaven and earth
was not then given into his hands. Yes, read for that pur-
pose the 3rd verse, that goes before this story : " Jesus know-
ing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and
. 3.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 351
that he was come from God, and went to God ; he riseth from
supper, and laid aside his garments/'
But though all power in heaven and earth was given into
his hands, it may be he did not know it. Yes, says the text,
" Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his
hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God ;
he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments, and took
a towel, and girded himself: after that, he poured water into
a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet." Oh, what
self-denial is here ! Was there ever such self-denial as here ?
And this, this does the gospel hold forth unto ye, and only
to be learned in the gospel.
III. The more I see myself a debtor unto Jesus Christ,
for all my gifts and for all my graces ; the more humble
I shall be, and the more I shall deny myself in spiritual
things. Ye know how it is with a man that owes for
his clothes : possibly a man may wear brave and fine
clothes ; but he owes for them at such a shop. While he
is abroad, he swaggers, and is proud of his clothes ; but
when he comes into the shop where he owes for them, and
looks upon the book, and what he hath to pay, he strikes
sail then, and is more modest, ashamed, and blushes. The
gospel is the great shop from whence we have all our gifts,
and all our graces : and when I come into the gospel, there I
see how infinitely I am a debtor to free grace for all 1 have :
and though I may be proud in spirit at another time, yet if
I come into the gospel, and see what an infinite debtor to
free grace I am, for all that ever I wear upon the back of my
soul, then I think, Oh ! what cause have I to be humble !
Shall I be proud ? Shall not I deny myself in spiritual
things ? I say, the gospel is the shop of all our gifts and all
our graces.
IV. The saving, justifying faith, is an emptying grace :
it brings Christ into the soul ; and when Christ comes into
the soul, all other things must out. As when a king
or prince comes into a house, the master of the house
goes out of his own lodging, and all must out, to make
room for the prince : so when Christ comes into one's soul,
then all goes out, all other things go out. It is in our
believing on Jesus Christ, as on our believing on God the
352 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 3.
Father. " Ye believe in God (says Christ) believe also in
me/' John xiv. 1. Look how ye believe in God the Father,
so do ye believe in me. Now, as when a man does believe
in God the Father for provision, for outward provision ; as
seeing an all-sufficiency in God to provide ; then he sees an
insufficiency in all the creatures to help, and never before.
So, when a man comes to believe in Christ, when he sees
that all-sufficiency that is in Christ to redeem and satisfy for
him ; then he sees an insufficiency in all his own duties and
righteousness, and never till then. The truth is, a man
cannot come to Christ, unless he do forsake all. As ye can-
not come to this side of the water or river, unless you come
from that side of the river. Now faith, it is nothing else
but a coming to Jesus Christ : and therefore, wherever
there is a true, saving, justifying faith, a man does deny
himself in spiritual things : he cannot write an I upon his
own performance, upon his own duties.
If so, if all these things be trus : how hard a thing is it,
for a man to believe ; how few are there in the world that
do believe indeed ! True, saving, justifying faith, it makes a
man abundant in the work of the Lord ; it makes a man
live a spiritual life : but then it takes away that I from him,
he cannot write an I upon what he does, as formerly he hath
done. It makes a man live a spiritual life : but it makes
him also to deny that spiritual life.
There are four streams, that this spiritual life is divided
into : the stream of performance, the stream of obedience,
the stream of our sufferings, the stream of enjoyment. True
saving faith and the gospel, makes a man to deny himself in
all these.
As for our performance and obedience ; ye know what
the apostle says concerning himself, Thus and thus I was,
and thus and thus I have lived : but now I count all things
as dung and dross in regard of Christ.
As for our sufferings : I have read of some martyrs in
the primitive times ; that being in prison and ready to suf-
fer; divers came to comfort them, and called them, Blessed
martyrs, No, say they, we are not worthy of the name of
martyrs : by no means, they would not bear it, that they
should call them martyrs : they denied themselves in their
sufferings.
SER. 3.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 353
As for our enjoyment: ye know what the apostle says,
<: I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, which is
best of all. Nevertheless, for your sakes," (says he) &c.
Phil. i. 23. I am in a strait. And in another place, " I
knew a man (says he) that was taken up into the third hea-
ven, whether in the body, or out of the body I cannot say,"
2 Cor. xii. 2. That was himself, but he would not own
himself in it. And in another place he says, " That he
could wish himself accursed for his brethren according to
the flesh, that they might receive the gospel," Rom. ix. 3.
Oh, what a self-denying frame of heart is here ! But where
is this self-denying frame of heart now to be found amongst
us : how does this I, this same self, creep into all our
speeches, and into all our doings ? If it please the Lord to
use a minister in his service : what a I-ing is there ! I con-
verted such a man, and I comforted such a man ; and it was
my ministry that did it : oh, what self is here ! what a I-
ing is here. So, if it please God to use a physician, for the
curing of the outward man ; it was my prescription, and it
was my receipt, and I did it. And if a Christian do but pray,
or perform any duty ; thus and thus I said, and these words
I spake ! did not I tell ye so ? I told ye what would come
to pass : oh, what a I-ing there is among people ? how
does self, this I and self creep into all our speeches, and into
all our doings ! But is this our faith, and is this the
fruit of our faith ? Every true believer, that seeks justifi-
cation by faith alone, is an humble self-denying person ;
that denies himself in spiritual things. Then, how few are
there that have true saving faith ! Certainly, this saving,
justifying faith, is another manner of thing than the world
takes it to be.
But will some say, Upon this account, we hope we have
all faith : for we can all say concerning our duties, and our
performances, that they are nothing ; my prayer is nothing,
and my hearing is nothing, but Christ is all in all ; yea, and
we can say severally, all of us, as Paul does here, " I live,
yet not I :" and therefore we all now hope, that we have
faith indeed, for we are able thus to deny ourselves in spiri-
tual things.
I wish it were so : that all were indeed able to deny them-
354 TUB SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 3.
selves in spiritual things. But give me leave a little, to
speak something to ye by way of convincement.
Are there not some here, that cannot deny themselves in
outward things ? Some here, that cannot deny themselves
in their appetite, their eating and their drinking for Jesus
Christ ? Some here that cannot deny themselves of their
wicked company ? Some here that cannot deny themselves
of a frothy, vain jest or jeer at the people of God for Christ's
sake? Are there not some here that cannot deny them-
selves in clothes, in their words, in an oath, for Christ ?
Are there not some here, that cannot deny themselves in
their passions for Christ ? froward, and they live frowardly in
their families ? Our Saviour says, " Learn of me, for I am
meek and lowly," Matt. xi. 29. Meekness and humility go
together : frowardness and pride therefore go together.
Now, when you cannot deny yourselves in your passions, in
your clothes, in your company, in a foolish word for Christ :
dost thou think, that thou canst deny thyself, or dost deny
thyself in thy duties, or in thy righteousness, or in thy spi-
ritual things for Christ ? Be not deceived.
Again. Are there not some here, that do seek themselves
in spiritual things ? Self-seeking, and self-advancing, as I
have said, do differ, but the one is a sign of the other. A
man can never deny himself, that seeks himself. I say, he
cannot deny himself in spiritual things, that seeks himself
in spiritual things. Now I pray consider it : when ye meet
with any spiritual loss, whose account and head do ye set
it down upon ? Ye know how it is in trade, and merchan-
dizing : some men trade for themselves ; and some trade for
others : if I trade for myself; when I meet with a loss, I set
it down upon mine own account, and upon mine own head.
If I trade for another ; when I meet with a loss, I set it
down upon his account, and upon his head. Now when you
meet with spiritual losses ; whose account do you set down
your spiritual losses upon, upon whose head ? Are there not
many here, that set down their spiritual losses upon their
own account ? Indeed I have lost such an opportunity, and
I have sinned so, and therefore shame will come unto me,
vexation and trouble. What a dishonour is this unto Jesus
Christ ! Some indeed, when they meet with a spiritual loss,
they set it down upon Christ's account ; and they break
SER. 3.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 355
their hearts with the sense of this. Others, they set down
all their spiritual losses upon their own heads, and their
own accounts ; what does this argue, but that they trade for
themselves and not for Christ : they seek themselves, and
therefore they do not deny themselves.
Are there not some, that do stint and limit themselves in
the service of God ? O my soul, thou hast enough for to
bring thee to heaven already ; and what needest thou more ?
Is not this for to seek one's self in spiritual things, is not
here abundance of self?
Again, Are there not some, that dare prescribe the Lord ?
If a general gives out an order to have a thing done so, and
a common soldier comes and says, No, not so, but thus : does
not this common soldier advance himself in prescribing the
general ? The Lord Christ hath said, that we may come
unto him, and the first thing of all is, for to come unto
him : but man says, No, unless I find my heart humbled
first, and broken first, I will not go to Christ, I have no rule
for it. This is to prescribe Christ, and this is to advance
one's self.
Again, Are there not some among us, that when they
have been at duty in the company of others, have strange
repetitions pass upon their hearts ? When you pray all
alone, you have no such repetitions; but when you have
prayed, or been exercising in a company, doth not your
heart run back sometimes and say Thus and thus I said,
and this and this I did, and this expression I had ? Hath
there not been strange kind of repetitions, after you have
performed duty in company ? Is not here self, is not here
the I?
Again, Are there not some, that never to this day were
sensible of their pride in spiritual things ? now I dare boldly
say unto thee from the Lord, Thou hast not yet learned this
lesson of self-denial in spiritual things, that wert never hum-
bled for thy pride in spiritual things. I repeat it again, I
say, If thou wert never humbled for thy pride in spiritual
things, to this day, the Lord knows, thou hast not learned
this great lesson of self-denial in spiritual things. I say no
more by way of convincement ; only this : there is nothing
that a professor is more apt to be proud of, than spiritual
things. Before a man takes up a profession ; possibly then
A A 2
356 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 3.
he is proud of his clothes ; or he is proud of his friends ;
or he is proud of his fine house and the like, but after once
a man comes to take up a profession, there is nothing that
he is more apt to be proud of than his gifts, graces, and spi-
ritual things. For, look where a man's excellency lies,
there his pride grows. Now the excellency of a professor
lies in spiritual things ; and therefore there his pride grows,
and there he is most apt to be proud. Yet let me tell ye,
it is a more dangerous thing to be proud of a man's duties,
and spiritual gifts, than to be proud of clothes, than to be
proud of these outward things ; for this pride of spiritual
gifts, it is directly opposite to a man's justification. And the
more secret and hidden any thing is, the more dangerous it
is : and when sin and pride lies under duties, and spiritual
things, then it is hidden indeed. The more bold a sin is,
the greater it is ; when a sin shall dare to come into the
presence of God, then it is bold indeed : now pride in spirit-
ual things comes more into the presence of God than
pride of clothes and these outward things do, and therefore
it is the bolder and the greater sin; and therefore, who
would not take heed thereof! who would not labour for
this self-denial, to be humble, and denying of one's self in
spiritual things ? Truly, the first step to humility, is, to
see one's pride : and the first step to self-denial, is to be
convinced of one's self-advancing.
But, will some poor soul say, that hears all this, I am
convinced of mine own pride and selfishness in all my duties;
I can do nothing but self gets in ; I write an I upon all that
I do ; I cannot deny myself in spiritual things. I have
heard of some, that have been so humble and self-denying,
that they have been willing and contented to go to hell if
God would have it so : but as for me, the Lord knows I am
not contented so ; I have a proud heart, and self creeps into
all that I do, and therefore I fear that I have not this faith,
therefore I fear that the gospel never came in power upon
my soul to this day.
Though every true believer be an humble, self-denying
person, and is made partaker of this gospel self-denial: yet
know, there is something of self, some remains of self that
still continues with the best, something still that will taste of
the cask. Though the onion that is beaten in the mortar be
3.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 357
taken out of the mortar, yet the mortar will smell of it. A
godly, gracious man, is sensible of his own pride and self-
advancing in spiritual things, and will cry out and say, Oh,
what a proud heart have I, a self-advancing heart have I !
But show me that man that was ever so transformed, melted,
changed into the mould of the gospel, but still some savour
of self remains.
Whereas you say, that some are willing and contented to
go to hell if God would have it so. I have heard it of
some ; yea, and that some ministers have put people upon
this trial, as thus : Art thou contented to go to hell if God
would have it so ? I say, I have heard that even some
ministers have put people upon such a trial as this is ; but
where is their commission, where hath any minister such a
commission from the Lord, to put poor people upon such a trial
as this is ? Soul, art thou contented to go to hell if God would
have it so ? Let any minister shew me his commission to
put a soul upon such a trial as this is. And where, soul,
hast thou a commission to put thyself upon such a trial ?
No, we may have an eye to the recompense of reward ; the
Lord Christ himself had so, he had an eye himself unto the
recompence of reward : and therefore, though thou canst not
bring thy soul unto this height, yet there may be some
humility, even gospel self-denial, that may lie under the leaf.
This gospel humility and self-denial, it is, as I may so speak,
the soul violet. The violet, ye know, it is a very sweet
flower, but it lies very low, it hangs down its head, and it
lies under other herbs, obscure herbs, as if it loved to be
unseen, but it smells very sweetly ; and if you would find
out this sweet-smelling herb and violet, you must lift up
other obscure leaves, and there you shall see it. So this
humility and self-denial, it lies under other duties and under
other exercises ; and if you would see it, you must lift up
other leaves. Though thou art not able to attain to that
height as to say, thou wouldest be contented to go to hell if
God would have it so ; yet thou mayest have this sweet
violet, though it lie under other herbs, yet thou mayest see
it, and it may be smelled. Only this, if at any time self
breaks out, if at any time thy soul begins to be advanced in
regard of duty or spiritual things ; I do here call upon you,
fall down before the Lord, and humble thyself before him
358 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 3.
for the pride of thy heart concerning spiritual things, and
labour to get this self-denial in spiritual things. I am not
to speak of self-denial at large, but I call upon you from the
Lord to labour to get self-denial in spiritual things. And
take these two or three motives to it.
1. The more you deny yourself in spiritual things, the
more you shall be sure to keep them. Says Chrysostom,
The best treasury to keep any good work in is, forgetfulness
of that good work. Ye know, that if a man be to travel,
the way to keep himself and his money is, not to go to the
market-cross and there proclaim that he hath so much money
about him, or to carry with him in his journey; the only way
for a man to lose his money is to let it be known, and to
brag of it abroad. And truly what is the reason that so
many in these days of ours have made shipwreck ? Some
heretofore have been very forward, had great gifts, great
parts ; and now they are rotten, they have lost all. Why ?
Because they were proud of them, and did not walk humbly
under them.
2. The more you do deny yourselves in spiritual things,
the more humble you will be in other thiugs ; and the more
humble you are, the more sweetly shall you live in your own
bosom, yea, towards and amongst others. Some possibly
complain of a froward spirit : oh, says one, I am of an
angry disposition ; my husband, my children, my servants,
my wife or my friends, cannot medoUe with me or touch me,
but I am ready to break out in distemper, anger and fro-
wardness ; the Lord knows I have a very froward and peevish
heart of mine own. But what is the reason ? Pride, pride
is the cause of frowardness. Ye see how it is with a bladder :
let a bladder be blown full of wind, and though you may
take it at the end, yet notwithstanding you cannot hold the
bladder in your hand, or the greatest hand in the town can-
not hold the bladder. But take a pin and prick the bladder,
and the least child may hold it then. What is the reason
that men cannot be held, cannot be handled, cannot be
touched by their neighbours, friends, and those that are
about them, they cannot be grasped and walked with ? but
because they are proud and swollen. Therefore get an hum-
ble and self-denying heart, and thou shalt walk more sweetly
\vith thine own soul and others that are about thee.
SER. 3.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 359
3. The more you deny yourselves in spiritual things, the
more you shall be exalted in them. I say, the more you
deny yourselves in spiritual things, the more those spiritual
things shall grow, be exalted, the more increased. " Hum-
ble thyself (or yourselves, says the apostle) under the hand
of the Lord, and he will exalt you in due time," 1 Pet. v.
6. And let me tell you this, that look what that is wherein
you do humble yourselves before the Lord, therein the Lord
will exalt you. Dost thou humble thyself before the Lord
in regard of these outward things ? there will the Lord exalt
thee. Dost thou humble thyself before the Lord in regard
of thy parts and thy gifts ? there will the Lord exalt thee.
Dost thou humble thyself before the Lord in regard of thine
own graces, and thine own obedience, and thine own righte-
ousness ? therein will the Lord exalt thee. Ye know that
John the Baptist said concerning Christ, " He must increase,
but I must decrease," John iii. 30. And says John again
concerning our Saviour Christ, " Whose shoe-latchet I am
not worthy to unloose," John i. 27 ; or, whose shoes I am
not worthy to carry. Mark how he humbles himself to
Jesus Christ ; and mark how Christ honours John : oh, says
Christ, " There is not a greater among them that are born of
women, than John the Baptist," Matt. xi. 11 ; Christ exalts
him. And so says the Centurion, " Oh, Lord, I am not
worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof," Matt. viii.
8. Mark how he humbles himself here before the Lord
Christ ; and mark what our Saviour says of him, " I tell you,
I have not found such faith, no, not in Israel," verse 10. So
that look where thou humblest thyself, there will the Lord exalt
thee. Soul, dost thou desire therefore that the Lord would
exalt thy graces, that thy gifts and graces should be increased?
Humble thyself there, and learn to deny thyself in spiritual
things, not only in regard of outward but in spiritual things,
that you may say, " I live, yet not I."
But you will say, This is a hard thing; what may we do,
that we may be able to deny ourselves in spiritual things ?
Never perform any duty, but as often as thou canst, reflect
upon thy performance, and observe the defects thereof. When
ye write a letter, after ye have written it you read it over ; or
whatever ye write almost, if it be of any concernment, after
ye have written it, then you read it over ; and if ye find any
360 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 3.
thing amiss, then ye blot it out, and when ye have done, ye
take your sand-box and throw dust upon it ; or ye go to the
chimney, and take ashes and throw upon the paper. Will
ye do thus for your letters that you write, and will ye not do
thus for your duties and performances ? When you have
prayed, and performed duty, go, go and look it over, and
there you will find many defects ; many things to be blotted
out, and many things to be put in ; and when you have
found the defects in your duty, throw dust upon it, and
humble yourselves before the Lord.
If you would deny yourselves in spiritual things, observe
much the in-comes of the Spirit of the Lord upon your soul;
the way and manner of it, how suddenly, how unexpectedly,
how freely the Lord by his Spirit breathes upon your soul.
When your heart is dead, when your heart is hard, when you
say, God is now gone, and will never return again ; oh, what
freedom once I had in prayer ! but now my heart is hard,
and I shall never be able to pray again : then comes the
Spirit of God, and breathes upon your soul, and gives you
prayer again. Now, if I would but observe the breathings of
the Spirit of the Lord, how it comes upon me thus, when I
am dead, when my heart is hard, when I say I shall never
have prayer again ; if I could but observe the freeness of
the Spirit's breathing over my soul, and raising up my heart
to duty again, should I be proud of duty, think you ?
Should I not rather say, Shall I be proud ? I was dead, my
heart hard, and had not the Spirit come and breathed upon
my soul, I had never been able to pray again, but had been
locked up for ever : and shall I be proud ? Observe the in-
comes of the Spirit ; the way and manner of it : be much
in this, and you will be able to deny yourselves in spiritual
things.
Look much into the gospel ; study much the gospel and
the way of the gospel. The more you see an humble Christ,
the more you will learn humility. W T here shall you see an
humble Christ but in the gospel ? The more you see a self-
denying Christ, the more you will learn self-denial. And
where shall you read of a self-denying Christ but in the gos-
pel ? The more ye see the free and rich grace of God, the
more you will deny yourselves in spiritual things. And where
shall ye see the free-grace of God but in the gospel ? The
SER. 4.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 361
more faith ye have, the more ye will deny yourselves in spi-
ritual things. And where shall ye get faith but in the preach-
ing of the gospel, and in studying of the gospel ? This grace
of humility and self-denial in spiritual things, grows only in
the garden of the gospel, in the bed of the gospel. There is
a field humility, and there is a common, or a field self-denial,
as I may so speak. As ye see it is with your flowers and
herbs : there is a garden thyme, and there is a field thyme ;
there is a garden rose, and there is a field rose ; there is a
garden honey-suckle, and there is a field honey-suckle : so
there is a field self-denial, that grows among heathen and
among moral people, that can deny themselves of this or that
particular thing ; their appetite, clothing, or now and then
their company. And there is a gospel self-denial, a myste-
rious self-denial. But this self-denial in spiritual things,
grows nowhere but in the garden of the gospel ; there thou
shalt see an humble Christ, and become humble ; there thou
shalt see a self-denying Christ, and become self-denying.
Therefore study the gospel, and study the way of the gospel.
You that have walked in a legal way, study the gospel, and
the way of the gospel. I tell you, in the words of the apos-
tle, " If the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that perish/' 2
Cor. iv. 3. If the gospel, and the way of the gospel be hid,
it is hid to them that perish. And therefore go unto the
Lord, and beseech him to open to you the way of the gospel ;
and in this gospel you shall be able to learn this self-denial,
and be able to say, as here the apostle, " I live, yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me."
SERMON IV.
" Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
GAL. ii. 20.
IN these words ye have another property of oar spiritual
life ; it is a Christ advancing life : " I live, yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me." The former words, " Yet not I," hold
forth a depression and annihilation of a man's self in spiri-
tual things. These words, " But Christ liveth in me," hold
362 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 4.
forth the advancings of Jesus Christ. He gives the power,
strength and honour of all unto Jesus Christ, " But CHRIST
liveth in me."
In the words there are these three things especially obser-
able:
I. The presence of Christ with a believer: "Christ in
me."
II. The efficacy of his presence : " He liveth in me."
III. The constancy of his effectual presence : he does
not stay for a day or a night in me, but, " he LIVETH in me."
And accordingly there are three doctrines that these words
afford.
I. Christ is in all believers. For he does personate a be-
liever all along, when he says, I, as ye have heard ; Christ is
in each believer.
II. Christ liveth in all believers.
III. That Christ does live more in a believer than a be-
liever doth himself: " Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
I shall speak only to the former.
Christ is in all believers. Christ is in each believer. Every
saint and child of God hath Christ within him.
This truth was so commonly known in the apostle's time,
that he says unto the Corinthians, " Know ye not, how that
Christ is in ye, unless ye be reprobates ?" 2 Cor. xiii. 5. That
is, unless ye be reprobates, ye may know that Christ is in
you. So our Saviour Christ himself, in that book of John,
vi. 56., " He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,
dwelleth (or abideth) in me, and I in him." And so often in
the xivth, xvth and xvith chapters of John, Christ speaks to
this purpose : " I in you, and you in me." So that the
Scripture is full of this, Christ is in all believers, Christ is in
each believer.
For the clearing of this great truth. We must first inquire,
How Christ may be said to be in a believer.
And for that, ye must know, that as God is in the world,
and the things of the world, several ways, so Christ is in be-
lievers.
1. God is in the world, and the things of the world, in re-
gard of his power. He is in all the world, as we say a king
is in all his kingdom, because his power extendeth to all his
kingdom. And so God is in all the world because his power
SER. 4.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 363
extendeth to all the world. And thus Jesus Christ is in a
believer. But this is not all.
2. God is in the world, and in the things of the world, by
way of presence. " Whither shall I go from thy presence ?"
says the Psalmist. " If I go up into heaven, thou art there,"
&c. Psalm cxxxix. 7, 8. And thus also is Jesus Christ in the
heart of a believer. But yet this is not all.
3. God is said to be in the world, and in the things of the
world, in regard of his essence : essentially present unto all
the world. For every attribute of God is like unto God ;
his attributes are all infinite; he is infinite in wisdom, justice,
power and mercy : and so he is infinite in his essence, and
therefore essentially present unto all the world. And thus,
also, Christ is in the heart of a believer, as God. But yet
this is not all.
4. God is said to be in the world, and the things of the
world, by way of special manifestation. And so God was in
the temple, not because his essence was more in the temple
than in another place, but he was in the temple by way of
manifestation of himself unto his people there. And thus,
also, Jesus Christ is in the hearts of those that are believers,
specially manifesting and revealing himself there unto them.
But yet this is not all neither.
5. God is said to be in a creature by way of personal union,
being personally united to him. As when the Deity, by the
second Person, was united unto our nature, unto flesh : God
was in Christ, " in whom the fulness of the Deity dwells
bodily," says the apostle, Col. ii. 9. And thus, in a spiritual
and mystical way and manner, Christ is in all believers by
his Spirit, the third Person : not only the graces of Christ,
but Christ himself, in and by his Spirit, is in the heart of a
believer ; I say, Christ by his Spirit. And therefore Chry-
sostom observes, Whereas it is said, in the viiith of the
Romans, and the 9th verse, that " if the Spirit of God dwell
in ye ;" at the 10th verse following, it is said, " If Christ be
in you ;" those two being made one, one being put for the
other. Now I say, that Christ that is in a believer, is not
the habit of grace only, which the saints have in their souls,
but Christ himself by his Spirit. And therefore if ye look
into that vth chapter to the Romans, ye shall find, that be-
sides the grace of the Spirit, the Spirit itself is said to be
364 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 4.
given unto us : verse 5, " Because the love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto
us." Not only the grace of the Holy Ghost given unto us, and
shed abroad in our hearts, but the Spirit itself which is given
unto us. And so in that xvith chapter of John, where the
Lord promises to send the Comforter. " He shall teach thee
(says Christ) ; and he shall teach thee all things; and he will
shew unto ye things to come," verse 13. But the habits of
grace cannot teach a man, and shew him things to come.
And what shall he teach ? " Whatsoever he shall hear, that
he shall speak," verse 13. This is the Comforter, this is the
Spirit. Now the habits of grace do not thus speak and hear,
and therefore, certainly, the Spirit of Christ is in the hearts
of God's people, and in the hearts of believers ; it is more
than the bare habit of grace, the gifts and the graces of the
Spirit. And to this purpose it is clearly spoken by the apos-
tle, in the viiith chapter of the epistle to the Romans, and
the llth verse, u But if the Spirit of him that raised up Je-
sus from the dead, dwell in you ; he that raised up Christ
from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his
Spirit that dwelleth in you." This Spirit cannot be meant
habitual grace. For it is the Spirit of him that raised up
Jesus from the dead, dwelleth in you. So that plainly, then,
in a spiritual and mystical way, Christ is in each believer by
his Spirit ; and this Christ in a believer, is not the gifts and
the graces of the Spirit, but Christ himself by his Spirit.
This I confess rises high ; but herein I am not alone :
divers school -men and fathers, and of our own divines, concur-
ring with me. The Reverend Mr. Perkins, it was his speech,
That the person of a believer, is united to the person of Christ.
But I shall give you the words of an eminent preacher, that is
now in heaven, as we have them in the works that he hath left.
Says he, ' It hath been a great dispute among the school-men,
whether a believer does receive the Holy Ghost itself, or
only the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost : but, says he,
it is a question, where there needs be no question ; and dis-
pute, where there needs no dispute : for the Scripture is
clear, that we do not only receive the gifts and the graces of the
Holy Ghost, but the Holy Ghost itself, for are we not said
to be, " The temple of the Holy Ghost ?" 1 Cor. vi. 19.
SEB. 4.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 3G5
and this sets out the abundant kindness and goodness of
God : as, says he yet, it is more kindness to give a man
fruit and the tree, than to give him barely the fruit : so it is
abundantly more grace in God, to give a man the Holy
Ghost itself, rather than to give him only the gifts and the
graces of the Holy Ghost. And indeed, what greater com-
fort can there be than this ? That believers are not only
made partakers of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost,
but of Christ himself, Christ really in all believers, by his
Spirit/
You will say unto me, But how can this be ; we have or-
dinarily understood it otherwise ; and so we have heard it
preached too, That Christ in a believer, is nothing else but
the grace of Christ; and the Spirit in a believer, is nothing
else but the gifts, graces, and the operations of the Spirit:
and indeed, how can it be otherwise ? For if Christ be really
united unto each believer, really in a believer by his Spirit, and
so made one with him ; then a believer may say, I am Christ,
and I am the Spirit; which is Montanism, and which is
blasphemy : and therefore, how can this be, that Christ is
really united to each believer by his Spirit, and really in a
believer by his Spirit ?
I confess this is very hard to understand : and when I
consider the in-being of Christ in a believer, I remember
that story that is written concerning Austin ; That walking
by the sea-side, he saw a boy take a mussel-shell, and go to
the sea, carrying water with his mussel-shell into a ditch
that was by, out of the sea into the small trench : he asked
the boy, what he would do ? Says he, I will empty all the
sea into that ditch : and he smiled, and told him that he
could not do it: says he, No more able are you, with the
mussel-shell of your understanding, to carry out the ocean of
the Trinity in a small tractate and discourse of your own.
And what is your understanding, but as a little mussel-shell
in regard of Christ, and the glory of the Trinity ? Surely,
we are not able with this little mussel-shell, for to carry out
all the depth of this truth in a small discourse. But it is a
great mystery. Are you able to tell me, how the child is
formed in the mother's womb ? Or are ye able to tell me,
how the soul is united to the body ? Who then can tell ex-
actly, how Christ is united to the soul of a believer ? It is a
366 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 4.
great mystery, one of the great mysteries of the gospel.
But because our Saviour hath said, " Unto you it is given to
know the mysteries of the kingdom, and to others it is not/*
Matt. xiii. 11 ; therefore we should all labour to understand
it. And that ye may not be misled herein, as divers of late
have been, into strange kind of blasphemous speeches, I
shall give you these three or four propositions or distinc-
tion about it.
1. You must know, that though Christ be really united unto
each believer, yet this unition, or union is a voluntary act, and
not a natural act, and so Christ may unite himself unto the
soul, so far as it pleases himself: it is not a natural act, but
a voluntary act; and being an act wherein he is free, he
may unite himself unto the soul, so far as he pleases, and no
farther. Now the Lord Jesus Christ, hath not united him-
self so far unto the soul of a believer, that a believer should
say, I am Christ, and I am the Spirit : for, then a believer
were to be worshipped as well as Christ, if he were Christ.
2. You must know this, That there is a great deal of dif-
ference, between joining unto another, by way of contact
or touching; and joining unto another by way of composi-
tion. As for example, the sea and the land, they are joined
together, they are united : but how ? not by way of compo-
sition, but by way of contact ; the sea touches the land, and
the land touches the sea : yet the land cannot say, I am the
sea ; nor the sea cannot say, I am the land : why ? because
it is an union only by contact, by touching, and not by com-
position, one being compounded of the other. So the union
that it is between Christ and a believer, is byway of spiritual
contact; Christ touching the soul by his Spirit; and the
soul touching Christ by faith. I say, it is an union by way of
spiritual contact and touching, and not by composition ;
and therefore a believer cannot say, that I am Christ, and I
am the Spirit.
3. You must know, there is a two-fold in-being. One
whereby essences are applied unto each other ; and another
whereby essences are mixed together. I will make it as
plain as I can, thus : ye see in a heap of stone, and wheat,
they both make but one heap . and the stone may say, I am
in this heap, and the wheat may say, I am in this heap ? but the
stone cannot say, I am the wheat ; nor the wheat cannot say,
SER. 4.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 367
I am the stone : why ? because though they be united and
joined together in one heap, it is by way of application of one
essence unto another, one being applied unto another. But
now, take water and wine, and mingle them together, and
there every part may say, I am water, and I am wine : why ?
because there is an union by way of mixture. Now there
is a great union between Christ and a believing soul : yet a
believing soul, though he be really united to Christ by the
Spirit, cannot say, I am Christ, or I am the Spirit: why?
because it is an union by way of application, and not by
way of mixture, as wine and water mingled together : if it
were an union by way of essences, then a believer might say,
I am Christ, and I am the Spirit : but it is an union by way
of application, a believer being applied to Christ, and Christ
applied unto a believer.
4. You must know this, that there is a great deal of dif-
ference between the inbeing of a spiritual thing in a material,
and the inbeing of one material or corporal thing in another.
I shall make it as plain as I can, and it will be of concern-
ment to you. Take a body, now, and let that be mixed with
another, and each part may say, I am that which I am joined
to : but take the spirit, or a spiritual being, and let that be
mixed with a more material being ; and then the material
being cannot say, I am the spirit, and the spirit, I am the
matter. As now ye see in the great union between the soul
and the body ; the soul is in every part of a man, tota in
toto : the soul, says the philosopher, is wholly in every part ;
the whole soul of man being in every part of the body : yet,
notwithstanding, the body cannot say, I am the soul, nor the
soul cannot say, I am the body, because they are thus united
together. Why? Because here is an union of a spiritual
thing with a more material, which does keep the natures dis-
tinct. Or thus give me leave to express it to ye : iron and
fire being joined together, your fire is in every part of the
iron ; and yet, notwithstanding, though the fire be in every
part of the iron, the iron cannot say, I am the fire, nor the
fire cannot say, I am the iron. Why ? Because here is a
more spiritual body in a more material body, and so the na-
tures are kept distinct. Or if you will, yet further : ye see
the light in the air ; the light is more spiritual than the air,
and the light is in every part of the air ; yet, notwithstand-
368 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 4.
ing, the air cannot say, I am the light, nor the light cannot
say, I am the air ; but these two are kept distinct. Why ?
Because here is an union of that which is more spiritual, unto
that which is more material. So I say here, though Christ
be really united unto each believer, yet, notwithstanding, the
soul of a believer is more material ; though not in itself
material, yet in respect of Christ, the soul is a gross nature
in regard of the Spirit of Christ : and being thus therefore
united, these natures are kept distinct ; the Spirit of Christ
is kept distinct from the nature of the soul, and the soul
from the nature of the Spirit. And therefore the soul of a
believer, though united really unto Christ by the Spirit, can-
not say, I am the Spirit, or I am Christ.
But if we look, will some say, into the xviith chapter of
John, our Lord and Saviour Christ seems to speak this way,
at the 20th and 21st verses. " Neither pray I for these alone
(says he), but for them also which shall believe on me
through their word : that they all may be one, as thou Father
art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us."
Here Christ prays that believers may be one with him, as he
and the Father were one. But if Christ be really united to
each believer by his Spirit, what difference is there between
this union and the hypostatical union ? The second Person
was united unto our nature, to our flesh : and if now Christ
be united unto a believer by his Spirit, which is the third
Person, what is the difference between the hypostatical union
and the union of a believer with Christ by the Spirit ?
Much every way. For take a believer, and though Christ
be united unto a believer really by his Spirit, yet notwith-
standing, the believer is not said to be assumed, the Spirit
doth not assume the heart of a believer, as the second Person
did assume our flesh ; and though we are united unto Christ
by the Spirit, yet not said to be assumed by the Spirit.
Again, Though Christ be really united unto each believer,
yet it is no personal union, as the hypostatical union is. A
man is a person before he is united so unto Christ by the
Spirit. But now Christ's soul and body, they were not a
person before united unto the second Person : but the soul
and body of Christ, and the second Person in the Trinity
united together make up one person. I say that is a per-
sonal union, all making up but one person. But now a
SER. 4.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 369
believer, he is a person before his union with Christ by the
Spirit; he is a person, a wicked person, but he is a person.
Again, The union that is between Christ and a believer,
it is in respect of the other union, an accidental union,
Christ united unto the soul by faith, by the intervening of
grace and accidents. But now the second Person was united
unto our nature, and unto our flesh, not by the intervening
of any grace, or any accident, but there substance was united
unto substance by the second Person. I say, it was not an union
by the intervening of any grace : for though all graces were in
Christ, yet the union of the second Person to our flesh, is not
by the intervening of any grace, faith or the like : but now our
union to Christ is by the intervening of grace, of faith, and so
this union is but an accidental union in regard of that.
Again, Though Christ be united unto all believers by his
Spirit ; yet he is so far united unto a believer, as to make
him a member of the body only : but the second Person
was united unto our nature, and unto our flesh, to make Christ
the Mediator. Indeed, if God were united to man so far as
to make him Mediator between God and man, then he might
say, I am God, and I am Christ: but, I say, this union
being voluntary, he does so far unite himself unto the soul
of a believer, as to make him a member of the body only, and
not a Mediator. But when the second Person was united to
our nature, the union was to make the Person a Mediator.
And thus ye see, there is a great deal of difference between
that hypostatical union, and this mystical union of a believer.
And whereas it is said in that xviith of John, that Christ
prays that we may be one with him, as he is with the Fa-
ther: " That they all may be one, as thou Father art in me,
and I in thee ; that they also may be one." I answer : This is
an 03 of similitude, and not of equality : Christ prays unto
the Father, that believers may be one with him ; not by way
of equality ; that a believer should be equally one with
Christ, as Christ is with the Father : for then Christ should
pray, that a believer might be worshipped too, which he
never did : and if that Christ here should pray, that a belie-
ver might be one with Christ, as Christ with the Father, in
regard of equality; then Christ should pray that a belie-
ver should be one with him from eternity : for says he unto
his Father in the beginning of the chapter, " Glorify me
370 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 4.
with thyself, with the same glory which I had with thee be-
fore the world was/ 5 Christ was one with the Father before
the world was. Therefore, if he should pray, that a believer
might be one with him, in regard of equality, he should
pray, that a believer might be one with him, in that respect :
which were impossible. But he does not pray, that a belie-
ver might be one with him by way of equality, as he
is one with the Father by way of equality, but simili-
tude. And yet divers learned and reverend men, think the
meaning of that place rather to be this, That they may be
one among themselves : Christ prays, that they may be all
one ; that is : Lord, I pray, that they may love and agree
together ; he prays for union among themselves. But sup-
pose it be taken the other way, that the Lord Jesus Christ
here does pray, that believers may be one with him, as he is
with the Father : that is, not in regard of equality, but in
regard of similitude ; that as Christ is one with the Father
in a way suitable to him, so believers may be one with Christ
in a way suitable unto them.
But suppose then, you will say, that a believer is not one
with Christ in this height of oneness ; how may it appear,
by way of scripture reason, that Christ is really united unto
each believer, and that he is really in the soul of a believer
by the Spirit ; not only in regard of infused habits, habits of
grace, grace inherent ; but that Christ himself is really in a
believer by his Spirit ?
Ye know, that we are united to Christ by faith : and look
what faith lays hold upon, that it brings into the soul : but
now, faith does not lay hold upon the graces of Christ barely,
but upon Christ himself, and therefore Christ himself by
faith is brought into the soul, and is there really in the soul
of a believer by his Spirit.
Christ is in a believer, as a believer is in Christ. Now a
believer is not in Christ ; that is, in his graces. When we
say, that we are in Christ ; we do not mean that we are in
the graces of Christ, but a believer is in Christ himself, as
in the common head. A believer is not in the graces of
Christ only, but he is in Christ himself. So Christ is not in
a believer only by his graces, but he is really there in the
soul of a believer by his Spirit.
If the Lord Christ were not really in the soul of a believer
by his Spirit, besides those habits of grace, actings and ope-
SER. 4.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 3jl
rations of the Spirit ; then how would there be three that
bare witness ? The apostle tells us ; " There are three that
bear witness in heaven, and in our hearts, the Spirit, water
and blood," 1 John v. 8. Water ; what is that ? That is
sanctification ; a man's sanctification does bear witness to
him that he is the child of God, that is, water. But now,
sanctification consists, either in the habit of grace, or in the
acting of grace ; if therefore the Spirit of Christ in a believer,
were nothing else but grace, inherent grace, then it were all
one with the testimony of water : but there are three that
bear witness, there is the testimony of the Spirit, there is
the testimony of blood, and there is the testimony of water :
if by the Spirit we are to understand only, the grace of
Christ, the habit of grace in the soul, then there would be
but two that bear witness, namely, water and blood; be-
cause the other would be all one with water : water being
meant only sanctification : but now there are three that do
bear witness unto a soul that is in Christ, the Spirit and
blood and water ; and therefore Christ is really in a believer,
Christ really united unto all believers by his Spirit.
What is the benefit of all this ? For suppose that we grant
this, That Christ in a believer is not only grace, and the
habits of grace in the soul, but Christ himself is really in
the soul of a believer by his Spirit : what profit, benefit,
or comfort will come unto a believer more this way, than the
other way ?
Much every way : If Jesus Christ be really united to each
believer by his Spirit, and really in him in this spiritual and
mystical way ; then a believer shall have more blessed and
glorious communion with Christ than the other way. For
union is the root of communion : the husband and the wife
are first joined together, and united, and then they have
communion with one another and fellowship in their goods
and estate; union is the ground of communion; and the
nearer the union, the greater the communion. Now if
Christ should be only in a believer by the habit of grace,
the union would not be so great : but if this be true, that
Christ is really in a believer by his Spirit, Christ really united
to each believer, here the union is dearer, and therefore the
communion and fellowship that a believer shall have with
Christ, a great deal more and more blessed.
n 2
372 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 4.
If Christ be really united unto a believer, unto all believers
by his Spirit, then his love must needs be infinite towards
believers. If that his graces only were in them, he would
love them ; because thereby they should be made like unto
him : but now, if his own Spirit be in a believer, then his
love must needs be infinite unto a believer, and a believer's
love infinite to him again in his way. This is a great and
glorious privilege.
If Christ be really in a believer, really united to each believer
by his Spirit ; then a believer, knowing this, may say, I have
now somewhat more than any hypocrite can attain unto.
Says a poor soul, many times, If I had but that grace that no
hypocrite can attain unto, then my soul would he quiet with-
in me ; but now, as for gifts and graces, there is no hypocrite
but may attain to them, or something that is like to them.
What will ye instance in ; will ye instance in faith ? It is said
of Simon Magus, Acts viii. 13, that he believed. Will ye
instance in repentance ? It is said of Judas, Matt, xxvii. 3,
that he also repented ; and, Heb. xii. 1 7, Esau that sought
the birth-right with tears. Will ye instance in hearing of the
word with joy ? It is said, Matt. xiii. 20, so did the false
ground. Will ye instance in the partakings of the heavenly
gift and powers of the world to come ? Men have a taste of
these, and yet fall away. Heb. vi. 5, 6. Will ye instance in
sanctification itself ? It is said of certain wicked men, in the
xth of the Hebrews, " That they trample upon the blood of
Christ, wherewithal they are sanctified." So that even a
wicked man, in Scripture phrase, is said to be sanctified ; one
that falls away and comes to nought. But where do ye find,
in all the Scripture, that the Lord Christ is said to be in an
hypocrite ? An hypocrite is said to repent, to believe, to re-
ceive the word with joy, and to be sanctified, in a large
sense ; but where do ye find, in all the Bible, of any hypocrite
that Christ is said to be in him really united unto an hypo-
crite ? No, this is the great privilege of a believer only ;
" Christ in you the hope of glory," Col. i. 27-
If Jesus Christ be really united unto each believer, by his
Spirit, then a believer shall never die again spiritually die
again. I have read of a woman, that when her husband was
dead, she would eat and drink the ashes of her husband ;
have his body burnt to ashes, and so eat and drink the ashes
SER. 4.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 373
of her husband : and being asked the reason, Because, says
she, I mean to part with him no more ; I have parted with
him once already, when we were one, but now I will be made
one with him in another way, and I will part no more with
him. So, if Christ be in a believer, really in a believer,
Christ really united unto each believer by his Spirit ; then
Christ and that believer shall never part again, that believer
shall die no more ; for the same Spirit that raised up Christ
from the dead, dwelling in a believer, shall also raise up a
poor believer, yea, though he fall into the grave of sin ; he
shall never die spiritually again upon this account.
If Christ be really united unto all believers by his Spirit,
then they may come with boldness unto the throne of grace,
and with unlimited expectations of mercy from God the Fa-
ther, and from Christ Jesus. The nearer ye are unto any
person, the more boldness ye have towards him, and the
larger will your expectations be from him. If a man marry
his servant ; whilst she was his maid, she was not so bold,
nor could expect so much from him : when she becomes the
wife, then she is more bold, and can expect more, because
now she is nearer. A child may have more boldness, and
expect more from the father than the servant; and the ser-
vant that is within doors more than the servant that works
in the field; but the wife, that is nearest, she is most bold,
comes with most boldness into the presence of the man, and
hath the largest expectations from him, because she is near-
est to him. So the nearer that the soul of a believer does
get unto God, the more boldness he may have when he comes
to God, and the larger expectations of mercy from him. Now
if Christ were in a believer only by the habit of grace, and
Christ in the soul were nothing else but the habit of
grace ; here were yet a great distance from Christ : but now,
if Jesus Christ be really united unto each believer by his
Spirit, here is a close union indeed. And therefore, upon
this account, every believer may come with boldness now,
and with unlimited expectations of mercy from God the Fa-
ther, being brought thus near, that Christ himself is really
in the believer's soul. And what a glorious and blessed con-
dition is every believer in now upon this account.
Here I would stand, admire, and call upon you all to ad-
mire the condescending, glorious, and unspeakable love of
374 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 4.
Christ. It was an infinite love of Christ to condescend so
far, as to come down into our nature when he was incarnate ;
but as if he were not near enough to us then, he comes down
into the heart of a believer by his Spirit. When Christ was
upon the earth, we were in him as in a common person : now
Christ is in heaven, he is in us by his Spirit. What glorious,
condescending love is here ! If a father portion a child, set
him up in a good trade, and the child decay through his own
folly, the father will not portion him again; possibly he may
help him, but he will not give him ; ordinarily parents do not
give so great a portion to help him up again, somewhat the
parents will do, but not so much as at the first. The Lord
of heaven, he puts a great portion into our hands at first, and
we decayed, and broke; and behold, the Lord does not only
give us as good a portion as we had at the first, but infinitely
better ; for now the Lord Christ is united unto each believer,
now he comes and dwells in the soul of a believer by his
Spirit. The Psalmist wondered and admired at the love of
God to man : " O Lord (says the Psalmist) how excellent is
thy name ! Lord, what is man ?" Psalm viii. 1, 4. Why ?
Lord, what is man that thou visitest him ! He wondered at
the love of God that would visit man. But behold a greater
love than so, to visit poor man, for Christ is come down into
the soul of a believer, he is come into him by his Spirit ; not
only come to visit him, but Christ really united unto each
believer by his Spirit. What glorious and condescending
love is here !
Upon this account, no wicked man should dare to oppose
any of the children of God. Why ? Because Christ is in
them : Christ not only in his graces, but Christ really in all
believers by his Spirit. And will a man dare to speak evil
of him that is one with Christ ; or to defile the temple of
the Lord, and the dwelling-place of the Lord ? u He that
defiles the temple of the Lord, him will God destroy " 1
Cor. iii. 17- Take heed what you do, if there be any oppo-
sers here.
What abundance of comfort is here unto all believers.
Christ is in you of a truth ; not only by the infusion of his
grace, but Christ really in you by his Spirit. It is some
comfort to a sickly man, that he hath a physician always in
the house with him ; and to a woman that is near her time
SER. 4.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 375
of travail, that the midwife is in the house with her. What
comfort is it then unto a poor soul, that Christ is always in
him, really in him by his Spirit. You that are believers, will
not this content you ? He is too covetous whom God can-
not suffice. He hath all things, that hath him that hath all
things. Now every believer hath Christ, Christ really in a
believer by his Spirit ; not notionally, not by the habit of
grace only ; but Christ is really united unto each believer by
his Spirit. Here is comfort, comfort, comfort, unto all those
that are believers.
But I fear that Christ is not in me, I do not find or per-
ceive that Christ is in me, and therefore I can have none of
the comfort of this doctrine. Were Christ really in me by
the Spirit, Christ would be working in me ; but I do not find
these workings of Jesus Christ in me ; and were the Spirit
in me, (it is quick, lively and powerful,) I should do great
things for God ; but alas, I do nothing for him, und therefore
I fear that the Lord Christ is not in me of a truth.
I grant, that where Christ comes into the soul, he does
cause the soul to do great things for God, greater than it
could do before. So it was with Zaccheus, so with the jailor,
so with Paul, and so with divers others. But then ye must
know, that a work is great or small according to the opposi-
tion that it does meet withal. Though a work or duty be
small in itself, yet if it meet with great opposition and break
through it, it is a great work. It was no great matter for the
poor woman to give one or two mites into the treasury ; but
she having no more, and it being all her livelihood, it was a
great matter. It is no great matter for a man to pray, and
to pray constantly, and to frequent the ordinances ; but when
a poor creature shall meet with all opposition from his rela-
tions, then it may be a great matter to do this. It is no
great matter, comparatively, for to stay one's soul upon Jesus
Christ; but in the time of temptation, when one's soul is
full of fears, and a man does look upon Christ as his enemy,
then to cast himself into the arms of Christ, and to stay the
soul upon Christ then, this is a greater work. So that the
work is great, though small in itself, if it meet with great
opposition and break through all.
But whosoever you are that make this objection, fearing
that you are not in Christ, and so have not the comfort of
376 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SEB. 4.
this doctrine ; give me leave to propound three or four
questions to you.
1. Who and what are those, and whose servants are they,
that do come into and go out of your souls ; are they not
the retinue and the servants of Jesus Christ ? Ye say, Such
a man or a nobleman lives here, for his servants go in and out
daily. And what words come out of your mouth, and what
words go in at you ear ; whose servants are they ordinarily ?
Are you ever better than when you are thinking or speaking
of Jesus Christ, and hearing from Christ ? Certainly, if his
servants do most ordinarily come in and go out, the Master
is within, Christ is within.
2. Do not ye find your souls in some measure naturalized
unto the work of Christ ? the things of Christ and the work
of Christ in some measure naturalized unto your souls ?
Adam, ye know, was the first man, the father of us all; we
were in him as our root, and he in us as his seed ; and his
works, they are naturalized to us. We being in him as in
the root, and he being in us as in his seed, his works are
naturalized to us. It is natural to see and to hear and to
speak, it is natural for a man to sin. Sometimes ye ha\e a
wicked man hating of a godly, gracious man, and he can
give you no reason for it : I cannot tell why, saith he, but my
heart is against him. But I will tell ye why, and what the
reason is : The old man is in him, the old Adam is in him,
and the work of Adam is naturalized to a wicked man, and
he can give you no reason, many times, why he does so,
because the work is naturalized to him. So on the contrary,
the Lord Jesus Christ is our second Adam, and believers
being in him as in their root, and he in them as in his seed ;
his works also are naturalized unto a believer in a great
measure; that a believer, sometimes, his heart does stand
unto the good work of God, and he can give you no reason
for it ; why I should love this or that godly man, I can give
you no reason, but so it is, my heart stands towards him.
The reason is this, because that Christ the second Adam is
within, and so his work and things are naturalized unto the
soul ; and, in some measure, is it not so with you ?
3. Whoever you are that make this objection, Did ye ever
find, perceive, or think that Christ is in you ? It may be
now ye are under some present fear, doubting ; but were you
SER. 4.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 377
never persuaded of this in-being; did ye never think, or
were ye never persuaded that Christ was in you ? Yes,
sometimes I have, and sometimes I have not again : some-
times I do think that Christ is in me of a truth, and some-
times I do not. Then look into the xivth chapter of John,
ye shall see what our Saviour promises. " I will pray the
Father (at the 16th verse) and he shall give you another
Comforter." And what then ? He describes him, in the
17th verse. And at the 20th, says he, " At that day ye shall
know, that I am in my Father, and you in me ; and I in
you." " At that day." It may be for the present you can-
not say that Christ is in you, you in him, and he in you ;
but did ye never think yet in all your life that Christ was in
you? Yes, once or twice, or sometimes, I confess I did
think that Christ was in me ; and I was strongly persuaded
too that Christ was in me; but now I have lost those per-
suasions. But how came ye to be so persuaded at that time
that Christ was in you ? Thus it was with me, my heart
was dead, hard, and I could not pray ; I thought that God
and mercy was gone, that I should never see the face of God
again : and all on a sudden, when my soul was in this con-
dition, I know not how, but all on a sudden, a strange and
unspeakable comfort came unto my soul, and my soul stood
up as it were from the dead, and then I had this persuasion
that Christ was in me. Well, soul, be of good comfort, this
was Christ's time, that was Christ's time ; and though now
for the present thou canst not say that Christ is in thee, I
tell thee from the Lord that time shall come again, and
Christ will send the Comforter again, and then shalt thou
know that thou art in the Father, and Christ is in thee, and
thou art in Jesus Christ; for what he said unto those disci-
ples, he said unto other of the disciples, Wait but a little,
and though I be absent for a little time, I will send the
Comforter, and then shall ye know. Although you do not
know now, yet there is a time when the Comforter shall
come, and then shalt thou know that Christ is in thee, and
thou art in Jesus Christ.
4. Although for the present you do not find those work-
ings of Christ in you, and those powerful operations of the
Spirit, which should argue this same in-being; yet do ye not
find some workings of grace in your soul, according unto the
place, room and station that you have in the body of Christ ?
378 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 4.
The soul ye know it is in the body, yet the soul does not put
out such power in one member, as it puts forth in another ;
the soul does not act in one member, as it does in another;
it does not put forth so much strength in the little finger, or
in the thnmb, as it puts forth in the arm. The soul does not
act in the eye, as it acts in the mouth ; neither does it act
in the tongue, as it acts in the ear. Should the eye say, I
have no soul in me, because I cannot speak like the tongue ?
Should the tongue say, I have no soul in me, because I
cannot see like the eye ? Should the ear say, I have no soul
in me, because I cannot speak like the tongue ? No, but
the soul that is in the body, it gives according to the station
and place of every member that is in the body. So now the
Lord Christ, he gives out unto all his body. He is by his
Spirit in the hearts of believers, but he does not give unto
every believer alike; one believer hath one place in the body
of Christ, and another believer hath another place in the
body of Christ. But now I say to thee, observe what
place, room and station thou hast in the body of Christ, and
then tell me whether, aye or no, do not ye find some work-
ings of grace, in some measure, suitable unto the place,
room and station that ye have in the body of Christ ? Yes,
surely I cannot deny this, but there are some workings in
my soul, according to the room and station that I have in
the body of Christ ; and this I can say, that when the Com-
forter came, then I did know that Christ was in me ; and I
can say this also, through grace, in some measure, the work
and things of Christ are naturalized to me. They are the
servants and retinue of Christ that do come in and go out
unto my soul. The Lord knows I am never better than
when I am speaking of Jesus Christ, and hearing from Jesus
Christ. If so, soul, be of good comfort, though thou hast
feared that Christ is not in thee, go in peace, thy faith hath
made thee whole, and the Lord Jesus Christ is in thy soul :
the Lord Christ that is thus really united unto each believer
by his Spirit, is really in thy soul and in thy heart.
Suppose it be so, that the Lord Christ be in my soul in-
deed, What is my duty now that does flow from hence ?
I answer, I am not able to tell ye what your duty is that
does flow from hence, it is so great and so large; but in two
or three words thus :
SER. 4.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 379
If Christ be in you of a truth : then why should the world
be in you in its strength and power ? I say, if Christ be in
you of a truth, why should you meddle, either in regard of
your soul and body, with any thing that may be unsavoury or
distasteful to Jesus Christ ? If a man have a guest in his
house that he prizes highly ; will he bring swine into his
chamber ; this were as much as to bid him begone. And if
Christ be in you, and in you of a truth, will ye bring swine
unto him ; will ye bring lusts ; will ye bring the world ?
You are the temples of the Holy Ghost; therefore why should
ye not take heed of defiling these temples ; what manner of
men and women should we be in all holy conversation, if
Christ be in us of a truth ?
If Christ be in you of a truth, why then should ye not be
contented with your condition whatever it be, yea, thankful
for it, yea in some proportion thankful ? I say, contented,
thankful, and thankful in proportion. I know, a man that is
made partaker of this great mercy, this in-being of Christ in
the soul, can never be thankful in proportion unto the mercy
received ; but he may be thankful in proportion unto other
mercies. You will be thankful to a man that gives you an hun-
dred pounds ; you will be more thankful to him that gives
you a thousand pounds ; you will be more thankful to him
that gives you a thousand pounds a year : it may be you will
say to him that gives you a thousand pounds, I can never be
thankful enough to you : but yet you will be more thankful
to him that gives you a thousand pounds a year. So here
you can never be thankful enough in proportion to the
mercy received, but you may be thankful in proportion to
other mercies received. If the Lord had given you the
whole world for your portion, you would have been thankful:
now in that he hath given you his Son, and that Jesus
Christ is really united unto you by his Spirit, and Christ
really in your soul ; he hath done more for you, than if he
had given you all the whole world. And will ye be thankful
for these outward things and not for this in-being of Christ
in your souls ? And yet, how many are there, that are
sometimes blessing God, and shewing some kind of thank-
fulness for outward things ; but as for this in-being of
Christ in the soul, that they are strangers to, and the Lord
knows thev were never thankful for that, so much as for out-
88(3 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 4.
ward things. But if Christ be in you of a truth ; why should
you not be contented with your condition whatever it be,
yea, thankful for it, yea, thankful in proportion.
If Christ be in you of a truth, then why should you not
venture upon any work or service for God, although it do lie
beyond you, and beyond your strength, and expect large and
great things from him ? You say, sometimes, you would do
such or such a thing for God ; but you have no strength to
do it. But if Christ be in you of a truth, and really united
unto your soul, then surely you shall have strength enough,
and you may expect large and great things from him.
Therefore, venture upon work and service for God ; yea,
although they do lie beyond your present strength, be not
unwilling thereunto, but expect great things from God, be-
cause Christ is really in you.
To end all, be exhorted to get a share in this great
mercy that I have been speaking of, this in-being of Christ
in the soul. It may be there are some, that can say, I have
none of Christ in my soul, and I may speak truly ; some
that can say, I have an unclean heart within me, but I have
no Christ within me ; I have a wanton heart within me, but
I have no Christ within me yet ; I have a proud heart within
me, but I have no Christ within me yet ; I have a worldly
heart within me, but I have no Christ within me yet : I have
a blaspheming heart within me, but I have no Christ within
me; I have a lying and deceitful heart within me, but I
have no Christ within me to this day; Lord, I have no
Christ within me, what shall I do ? Others, it may be, that
have indeed Christ within them, and they can say, Lord, I hope
that I have Christ within me ; but I do not find that I have
room enough in my heart for such a guest : Lord, my soul
is not enlarged enough for such a guest as Christ is ; Lord,
my soul is a poor narrow room, oh ! that my soul were
more enlarged : what shall I do to get my soul enlarged to
give entertainment to such a guest as Christ is ?
I shall speak to ye both from one Scripture, turn ye both
to the xviith of John, and the last verse, says our Lord and
Saviour Christ praying unto his Father, " And I have de-
clared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love
wherewith thou hast loved me, may be in them, and I in
them." Mind the words. Here are these three things ob-
SER. 4.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 381
servable in them. First of all, Here ye have this doctrine
that I have been speaking of all this while, Christ in each
believer : " I in them." Secondly, That God the Father
does love a believer, though not so much as Christ, yet with
the same love that he loveth Christ : " That the love where-
with thou hast loved me, may be in them, and I in them."
Thirdly, That the way to procure this love, and this in-being
is, to have the name of God declared : " And I have declared
unto them thy name, and I will declare it." Why ? " That
the love wherewith thou hast loved me, may be in them, and
I in them." So, then, the way for to get this in -being is, to
have the name of God declared unto poor souls. What is
this name, the name of God the Father that Christ declares ?
It was the love of God ; his free grace and love. Says Christ,
" God so loved the world," c., John iii. 16; and still Christ
preached the love of God to poor lost man. This was the
name of God that is declared. Now, then, do any of your
souls complain, that you want this in-being of Christ in you ;
or that you have not room in your souls to entertain such a
guest ? Observe, where this name of God is declared and
manifested, this free love of God is manifested and declared ;
and there set thy soul under the spout, under the declaration,
under the manifestation of the name of God, and look upon
it, as if Christ were there preaching and declaring the name
of God to thy soul, and there Christ shall come in unto thee,
and there thy poor narrowed and straitened soul shall be en-
larged, and made more capacious for Jesus Christ.
Wherefore I beseech you, then, receive this word of ex-
hortation ; and let every soul go unto Jesus Christ, and say
to this purpose : Lord Jesus, thy work is to declare the name
of the Father to poor sinners, that so thou mayest be in
them ; now, O Lord, I am a poor sinner, Lord, declare the
name of the Father to me; Lord, declare the name of the
Father to me. I have a straitened heart, I have not room
enough for thee in my soul ; oh that it were enlarged for
thee ! now, therefore, declare this name of thy Father to me,
that so the love wherewith thy Father hath loved thee, may
be in me, and I in thee also. Thus, I say, go unto Jesus
Christ. And study, study much this in-being of Christ in
your souls : you that have it not, labour to get it ; and you
382 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 5.
that have this in-being, labour to be thankful for it, improve
it, and get your souls more and more enlarged under it.
SERMON V.
" Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
GAL. n. 20.
I INTEND at this time to speak on these words, " But
Christ liveth in me;" wherein ye have these three things:
I. The in-being of Christ in a believer : " Christ in me."
II. The efficacy of this in-being : " Christ liveth in me."
III. The constancy thereof; he doth not stay for a night
or two, but he liveth, or abideth in me.
Accordingly there are three notes or observations.
I. Christ is in each believer Christ is in every Christian.
For when he says, " I live, yet not I ;" he personates a be-
liever all along, speaks not in his own person, but in the per-
son of a believer, one justified by faith alone.
II. That Christ liveth in all believers : " Christ liveth in
me."
III. That Christ liveth more in believers than themselves
do : "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Christ
hath a greater hand and stroke in the spiritual actions of be-
lievers than themselves have.
I have spoken of the former of these in another place and
now I will speak unto the other : and therefore I shall put
them both together, in one doctrine or observation, thus :
Christ doth so live in a believer, that he hath a greater
hand and stroke in the spiritual actions of a believer, than a
believer himself hath : Christ lives in a believer more than
himself, as to his spiritual actions.
For the opening and clearing of this truth. First, I shall
labour to shew you that Christ liveth in each believer. Se-
condly, That he hath a greater hand and stroke in the actions
of his spiritual life than a believer hath himself.
First, That Christ liveth in each believer. A man liveth
where he worketh, and stayeth, or abideth. A man doth not
live where he lieth ; he may come and stay for a day or two,
SER. 5.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 383
and yet not be said to live there : but where a man works,
and stays, or abides, there he lives. Now both these you
shall find Christ doth : the first in that known place the viith
of John, the 38th verse : " He that believeth on me, as the
Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living
water. This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe
on him should receive." Where the Spirit of Christ is, there
is Christ. And this is a promise made to all believers, more
or less, to be fulfilled unto them ; " Out of their bellies shall
flow rivers of living water :" which is to be understood of
the Spirit. So that the Spirit of Christ shall be in them, and
be working in them. And as for the other, you know what
is said in that xivth of John, and the 23rd verse : saith our
Saviour there, " If any man love me, he will keep rny words ;
and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and
make our abode with him/' It is the same word that is used
before for mansions: In my Father's house are many mansions,
ver. 2. We will come and take up our mansions with him. And
this was so received a principle in the apostle's time, that he
says to the Corinthians, in the 1st epistle, iiird chapter, 16th
verse, " Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and
that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? " But if you look
into the viiith chapter of the Romans, you shall see all
proved together, verses 10, 11 : t( And if Christ be in you,
the body is dead because of sin ; but the spirit is life, be-
cause of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised
up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you ; he that raised up
Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies,
by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." Here are three or four
things observable. First, That Christ in you, and the Spirit
in you, is all one. And therefore having said in the 10th
verse, " If Christ be in you;" at the llth verse he says, " If
the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell
in you." Again, you may observe here, that Christ in a be-
liever, is not habitual grace only ; for, saith he, " If the Spirit
of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you." It
was not faith or habitual grace that raised up Christ from the
dead, but the Spirit of God himself. And, saith he, this
Spirit " dwelleth in you." So that Christ in a believer, is
not only the habit of grace, but the Spirit of Christ. And
then, thirdly, ye may observe this too ; that this Spirit is a
384 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 5.
living Spirit, and dwelleth or abideth in a believer. For it
is said twice here, that the Spirit dwelleth in you. So that
plainly then, you see from the words, Christ dwells in every
believer, Christ dwells in every Christian, he liveth in him.
And if it were not so, how should the absence of Jesus
Christ be recompensed by the coming of the Spirit, or of
the Comforter? When our Lord and Saviour Christ left
the world and his disciples, he gave them a gracious promise
of sending his Spirit : " And if I go not (saith he) the Spirit
or the Comforter will not come : but if I go, I will send the
Comforter, and he shall make up your loss of me," John xvi.
7- Now if that the Spirit of Christ should not be in a
believer, and live in him ; how would the coming of the
Holy Ghost, and of the Spirit, make up the loss of the per-
sonal presence of Jesus Christ ?
Besides, you know that friends love to be near unto one
another ; and the nearer they are, the happier they count
themselves ; they love not to be asunder : the soul of the
lover liveth where it loveth, rather than where it liveth. Now
there is the greatest friendship between Christ and a believer,
and the Lord Jesus Christ hath a happiness above all friends,
that he can make himself nearer, and be more one with his
friends, than any friend in the world can. And, therefore,
upon those terms of love and friendship, Christ by his Spirit
liveth in all believers.
It will be said, If Christ liveth in all believers, really liveth
in them by his Spirit, then what need of ordinances ; for
Christ, and the Spirit of Christ in me, can live without ordi-
nances : and if a man have attained once unto the Spirit,
Christ in him, and Christ living in him ; and have attained
unto the Spirit, the Spirit of Christ really living in him ; what
need of any commandments without, or rules without ; for
the Spirit will be a sufficient rule to lead him into all that is
right : what need, therefore, of any commandments, rules or
ordinances without ?
I answer, Yes ; for we use the ordinances, not only for the
enjoyment of God in them, but as a testimoay of our obedi-
ence. If that the enjoyment of God and Christ, were the
only reason of the ordinances, then in case that a man could
without the ordinances have the enjoyment of God and
Christ, he might lay by the ordinances : but seeing that we
SER. 5.] THE SPIRITUAL, LIFE. 385
are for to use the ordinances as an act of our obedience, al-
though a man can enjoy Christ, have the Spirit, and Christ
living in him j yet notwithstanding, he is still to bear up the
ordinances, because there he is to express his obedience
unto God and Christ. And now give me leave a little to
fix here, to take off this scruple, and objection, if you look
into the xxviith of Numbers, you shall find that Joshua had
the Spirit, and not in an ordinary way, but in a more than
ordinary way the Lord gave Joshua his Spirit; and yet not-
withstanding, Joshua was to be under commandments, and
under ordinances: at the 18th verse. " The Lord said unto
Moses, take thee Joshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom is
the Spirit, and lay thine hand on him, and set him before
Eleazer the priest, and before all the congregation : and give
him a charge in their sight/' Mark, he was to come under
a command, and under a charge although he had the Spirit.
" And he shall stand before Eleazer the priest, who shall
ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the
Lord. And so it was. And Moses did as the Lord com-*
manded him." Now Joshua doth not say, What need I go to
Eleazer, or to the priest ; what need I go and consult by
Urim and Thummim ? for I have the Spirit, that is able to
lead me into all truth. No, but he submits unto his charge,
and he waits upon the Lord in this way of the ordinances,
although it is said here, that he had the Spirit. So, had not
David the Spirit in a great measure ; and yet, did he not use
the ordinances ? But look into the New Testament, and
there you find that the apostles had the Spirit also : our
Lord and Saviour Christ, he breathed upon them ; they wait-
ed for the coming of the Spirit : and the Holy Ghost fell
upon them ; and yet notwithstanding, they were under com-
mands ; for saith our Saviour Christ to them, " Go teach all
nations, baptizing and teaching them to do whatever I
command you." Matt, xxviii. 19. So that although they
had the Spirit, and the Holy Ghost, in a greater measure
than any man, for aught I know, ever had since ; yet not-
withstanding, they were under commandments: "Teaching
them, saith he, to do whatsoever I command you." And ye
know what our Saviour says, in that place I mentioned even
now, " He that believeth on me, out of his belly shall flow
rivers of living water, which he spake concerning the Spirit
c c
386 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 5.
and the Holy Ghost that should be given, for he was not
yet glorified." John vii. 38, 39. A promise made to
believers, and the churches, in the times of the apostles ;
they had the Spirit by virtue of that promise: and yet
notwithstanding, they were under ordinances, and did use the
ordinances. But that you may see how this objection runs
cross, both to the Old and to the New Testaments ; look
upon one place more ; it is in the xxxth chapter of Isaiah,
the 20th and 21st verses, a promise made concerning the
times of the gospel. " And though the Lord give you the
bread of adversity arid the water of affliction, yet shall not
thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine
eyes shall see thy teachers." Here are ordinances, here are
teachers. Well now, but where is the Spirit ? Verse the
21st. " And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, say-
ing, This is the way, walk ye in it." Thine ears shall
hear a word behind thee; who speaks that word? Look
^into the ist chapter of the Revelation, and there you shall
find, it is the Spirit that speaks the word behind one ; at the
10th verse : " I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and
heard behind me a great voice." So that this voice behind,
is that of the Spirit ; when we do not expect the Spirit,
the Spirit cometh and speaketh to us. So that thus now
ye see, teaching, and ordinances, and the Spirit of Christ in
us, and living in us, may and do stand together.
But yet will some say, What need of these things; if
Christ liveth in each believer really by his Spirit, what
need of commandments, or teaching without; for is it not
said, Ye shall be all taught of God ; and ye shall no longer
teach your neighbour ; is it not so said in Scripture ?
No, not just so : for if you look into that xxxist of Jere-
miah from whence the place is fetched : and the viiith chap-
ter of the epistle to the Hebrews; ye shall find that the
words runs thus : " This is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel (verse the 10th) after those days,
saith the Lord: I will put my laws into their mind, and
write them in their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and
they shall be to me a people. And they shall not teach
every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying,
Know the Lord : for all shall know me from the least to the
greatest." Mark how the words run : it is not barely said
. 5.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 387
thus : " They shall not teach every man his neighbour, and
every man his brother;" but that clause is added to it,
saying, Know the Lord: they shall not teach every man
his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know
the Lord. As if he had said, I will now make a covenant
of grace and mercy with you ; I will write my laws in your
hearts, and ye shall all know me, and though you have been
taught heretofore as ignorant people, that have not known
the Lord, yet now, because I will write my laws in your
hearts, and my laws shall be there ; ye shall not teach every
man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know
the Lord, as if ye were ignorant, but my law shall be within
your hearts, and you shall be taught as a knowing people.
Ye must know that although the Spirit of Christ live in
every Christian, and so God ; yet the Spirit is the free gift of
God, and therefore it acts and works no further than it
pleaseth God to give it. Now look into the Scripture, and
you shall find, that the Lord was never pleased to give the
Spirit for this end, that it should be the only rule of a man's
life ; but for this end, that it should be an help to a man to
know the rule, and to keep the rule. Look into the word
and you shall find that the Spirit of the Lord was never
given, to be the only rule for a man to live by, but it was given
to be an help to understand, keep and fulfil the rule. And
therefore Chrysostom doth well observe, it is with Christ
in us, saith he, as with Christ without us. In the times of
the Old Testament, the great promise was of giving Christ :
in the times of the New Testament, the great promise is,
the giving of the Spirit. Now, therefore, look as it was
with Christ when he came into the world, so with the Spi-
rit when he cometh into the heart, Christ with us. Now
when Christ came into the world, he came not to destroy
the law, but he came to fulfil the law : so when the Spirit
cometh into the heart, the Spirit cometh not to destroy the
gospel, or the ordinances of the gospel ; but he comes to
fulfil the gospel. Christus impletio legis, Spiritus impletio
Evangelii. Christ the fulfilling of the law, the Spirit
the fulfilling of the gospel. Quacvnyue sunt in lege, fyc.
Whatsoever things are in the law, Christ fulfilleth :
whatsover things are in the doctrine of the gospel,
the Spirit fulfilleth. And as when Christ came, he came
c c 2
388 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 5.
not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it ; for he saith himself,
" I came to fulfil the law," Matt. v. 17, so when the Spirit
comes unto any soul, saith the Spirit also, I come not to
destroy the gospel, or the commandments of the gospel;
but I come into this poor soul, to help it to fulfil the com-
mandments of the gospel. Now when I do take away the
commandments, and make the commandments no command-
ments to me, I mean the commandments without, then I
destroy the commandments as to me ; when I do make the
ordinances of Christ, as no ordinances to me; then I do
destroy them, as to me: and when I make the rule without, to
be no rule as to me, then I destroy it, as to me : and when I, that
am a believer say thus, I have the Spirit, and therefore I have
no need of any commandment from without, for the Spirit is
rule enough ; here I take away the commandment, as to me ;
I take away the ordinances, as to me[; I take away the rule
as to me, and therefore I destroy them. Certainly, Christ
within us, is not contrary to Christ without us : Christ with-
out us, did not destroy the law; Christ within us, doth not
destroy the gospel. Therefore, for any now to throw up
ordinances upon this account, because they have the Spirit
to lead, and guide them ; this is to walk contrary to all the
Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testament. Oh ! that
people would think of this one thing, the Spirit was never
given to be the only rule of a man's life ; but it was given to
help us to understand, and to enable us to keep the rule.
Thus you see, ordinances, and Christ living in a Christian,
can stand together. And so you have the first thing cleared
and proved, Christ liveth in all believers.
Secondly, Whereby may it appear that the Lord Jesus Christ
doth so live in a believer, as that he hath a greater hand,
and stroke in all the actions of his spiritual life than a belie-
ver hath himself; that Jesus Christ doth live more in a be-
liever than himself doth ?
The Scripture is very plain. If ye look into the ist
chapter of Paul to the Ephesians, and the last verse, there
you find these words, speaking of Christ and his church,
" Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in
all." Our understandings, our wills, our affections, our du-
ties, they are but empty vessels till Christ doth fill them, he
filleth all, he filleth all in all. If ye have any sails spread in
SER. 5.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 389
any duty, it is Christ thatfilleth them. Look into the iiird
chapter of that Epistle to the Colossians, ye shall find that
at the llth verse it is said of Christ, He is all in all. The
words are, " But Christ is all, and in all." He is all in all
men ; so it may be read : or, he is all in all things.
Either way it may be read and it signifies both, he is all in
all men, and he is all in all things. Take the last all, for all
men ; and so he is all in all them. Take the last all, for all
tilings ; and so he is all in all them, in all things. Now
if the Lord Jesus Christ be all in all things, and all in all men ;
then certainly, he hath a greater hand and stroke in the
actions, the spiritual actions of believers, than themselves
have.
To make this clear to you by instances, thus : if the Lord
Jesus Christ have a greater hand and stroke in our conver-
sion, in our performance of duties, in our obedience, in the
grace of our sufferings, in our assurance, than we, or believers
have themselves, then, certainly, this part of the doctrine
must stand clear and firm.
As for our conversion : ye know what our Saviour says,
" None come unto the Son, but whom the Father draws :
and none know the Father, but he unto whom the Son
reveals him." Matt. x. 22. Convert me, saith the turning
soul, and I shall be converted.
As for our performances, or duties ; prayer, or whatever
it is, look into the viiith chapter to the Romans, and the
26th verse, " Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmi-
ties." But how doth this prove that the Spirit hath a
greater hand and stroke in our prayers than ourselves have ?
Mark what follows, " For we know not what we should pray
for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for
us, with groanings which cannot be uttered."
As for the matter of our obedience. You know what the
apostle saith, both unto the Romans, and unto the Galatians,
That we are led by the Spirit: believers are led by the Spirit.
Plus est agi, quam regi. He doth not say, We are ruled
by the Spirit, but he saith, a believer is led by the Spirit ;
not ruled, but led. It is more to be led than to be ruled : for
when a man is ruled by another, he acts himself, and his
own actions are seen : but when a man is led, and carried
away by another, though he may act himself, the other's
f
390 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SfiR. 5.
action is more seen than his. We, saith he, are led by the
Spirit.
As for our grace in suffering ; the deportment and demean-
our of a gracious soul in the time of suffering, see what our
Saviour Christ says for that, in the xth of Matthew 19th and
20th verses : " But when they deliver you up, take no thought
how or what ye shall speak : for it shall be given you in that
same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak
but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you/'
So that he hath a greater stroke in the grace and carriage of
a soul under his sufferings than himself hath.
As for the matter of our assurance. You know also what
the apostle Paul saith, in that same viiith of the Romans,
" Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again unto fear ;
but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry,
Abba, Father : the Spirit itself bearing witness with our spi-
rits, that we are the children of God." So that now all
these five things are clear. And if the Spirit and Christ in
a believer, the Spirit of Christ, have a greater stroke in a
man's conversion, in his performance, in his obedience, in
the grace of his suffering, and in his assurance, than himself
hath : then surely, the Lord Jesus Christ hath a greater
hand and stroke in spiritual actions of believers, than them-
selves have ; now that is proved.
To give you one reason for it. If a believer had a greater
hand and stroke in his spiritual actions, than the Spirit of
Christ ; then had he whereon to boast : for he might say
thus : I have now been at duty ; I confess I have had some
help from Christ, and from the Spirit ; but I had the great-
est hand and stroke therein myself, and therefore why should
I not boast ? I have been now at prayer, and though I have
had some help from the Spirit in prayer, yet I had the
greatest hand and stroke therein myself, therefore why
should I not boast ? But, saith the apostle, boasting is ex-
cluded : surely therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ doth so
live in a Christian, as that he hath a greater hand and stroke,
in all the actions of his spiritual life, than a Christian, or a
believer hath himself; so that he may say truly, " I live, yet
not I, but Christ liveth in me."
If this be true ; surely there are few believers in the
world ; how few are there in whom Christ lives thus ? I
SER. 5.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 391
fear upon this account, will some poor soul say, that I have
no faith in Jesus Christ : I thought once that I had faith
in Christ, and that I was a believer, but I do not find Christ
living in me thus, that the Lord Jesus hath a greater hand
and stroke, in all my duties than myself, and therefore I fear
that I never yet had faith : are there not few believers in the
world upon this account ?
I grant it, there are few believers in the world, few that
have faith, few in whom Christ lives thus. But that this
doctrine may not be a stone of stumbling to any weak chns-
tian, you must know this : That it is with Christ in us,
living in us, as it was with Christ without us, living without
us. When the Lord Christ came into the world, and lived
here on earth, lived without us : he lived a conflicting life, a
life under temptations, and freedom from those temptations ;
desertions, and freedom from those desertions: his life here
on earth was a hidden life, a veiled life ; " He came unto his
own, and his own received him not/' John i. 11 ; and
knew him not : his own would not say, Now our Lord
Christ is among us. So when Christ comes into the soul
by his Spirit, when he lives there, he lives a conflicting life :
he hath his temptations there, and his freedom from those
temptations ; he hath his desertions there, and his freedom
from those desertions : he liveth a hidden life there, a veiled
life there ; he comes to his own, and many times the soul
that is his own, doth not receive him in a way of comfort,
is not able to say, Christ liveth in me. But whoever you
are that make this objection, or lie under this fear ; give me
leave to propound four or five questions to you.
1. What is that in you, that doth ordinarily sway the great
actions of your lives ? When the Lord Christ comes into
the soul, he comes as a king, presently ascendeth the throne,
and takes hold of the scepter ; interests himself in all that doth
sway the soul, and sways the actions of the soul : now what
is it that doth sway a man's actions ? Finis actionis domina
et regina est. The end sways the action. And look what
that is that doth sway your end, that is it which liveth in
you ; if self swayeth your end, self liveth in you ; if Christ
sway your end, Christ liveth in you. Now, soul, take all the
actions of thy life, since thou hast set thy face towards hea-
392 THE SPIRITUAL, LIFE. [SfiR. 5.
ven, and as for the great turnings of your life, and the great
actions, hath not Christ been at the end of them ?
2. Do you not find a secret kind of disposition unto all
the commandments of the gospel ? Where the Spirit is,
there Christ liveth. When the Lord makes a covenant of
grace, you shall observe he promiseth, that he will give his
Spirit, and withal that he will write his law in our hearts :
and when he promiseth in the covenant of grace, that he
will write his law in our hearts, he doth also promise for to
give his Spirit. As when the Lord gave out the law at first
to mankind, he did write the moral law in man's heart : so
that the heathen now have the law written in their hearts,
the moral law; whereby they are disposed and inclined to
morality and civility : so when the Lord comes and makes
a covenant of grace with the soul, then he doth give out his
Spirit to the soul, and then he doth write his law, the law of
grace, love and of the gospel, in that soul, and that soul hath
a secret disposition unto all the commandments of the gospel.
Now do you not find it thus with you ? when sometimes you
are tempted to what is evil, do not ye say thus, I cannot do
it; O Lord, thou knowest I cannot live as I have done, and
I cannot want the presence of God and Christ. What
means this cannot, but a law within, that God hath written
in the heart ; there is the Spirit, and there is Christ ?
3. Do not you find your souls sometimes carried out to
what is good, beyond and contrary to your own dispositions
and natural inclinations ? It is written of Trajan the Empe-
ror, that he was an exceeding meek, loving, quiet, good
hatured man ; and yet he was one of the greatest persecu-
tors in the primitive times, he had his hand in as bloody
actions against the saints, as any persecutor in those times :
yet a man of a quiet, loving, sweet nature and disposition.
How came this to pass ? He was acted by Satan, and being
thus acted beyond his own disposition and inclination, it
argued that Satan had a greater hand and stroke in his ac-
tion than himself had. So, when a man shall be carried on
to what is good, even contrary to his own nature and dispo-
sition, what doth this argue, but that the Lord Christ
hath a greater hand and stroke in that action than himself hath.
. Do not you find, sometimes, whoever you are that
ma e this objection, or lie under this fear, that Christ doth
SER. 5.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 393
not live in you ; do not you find, that sometimes your soul
is carried out to what is good, beyond what you intended ?
When Zaccheus went up into the sycamore-tree, he only went
up to see the outside of Christ ; but he comes down, receives
Christ into his house, there he bids him welcome and saith,
" Lord, behold the half of my goods I give to the poor,"
Luke xix. 8. Zaccheus never intended this when he went
up to see Christ : what is the reason ? The Lord Christ
was upon his soul, the Lord Christ at work upon
him; and because he was carried out farther in this
good work than ever he intended, it thereby doth appear,
that the Lord Jesus Christ had a greater stroke in
this spiritual action of his than himself had. As on the
other side, a wicked man sometimes he begins to sin ; and
saith he within himself, I will do it but a little, I will not
go very far, I will never do it again, I will now take my leave
of this sin, it shall never be acted by me any more. But he
goes farther in it than ever he intended ; Why ? because the
devil hath a greater stroke upon him than himself hath.
So here, when as a man's soul shall be carried out unto what
is good beyond what he intended, this argues that the Lord
Jesus Christ is at work upon his soul, and hath a greater
hand and stroke upon his actions, his spiritual actions than
himself hath. Now is it not thus with thee ?
5. Whoever thou art, man or woman, that makes this
objection, and lies under this fear, that the Lord Christ doth
not live in thee ; were you never persuaded of this, did you
never yet think, that Christ was in you ; did you never yet be-
lieve that Christ lived in you ? Yes, I confess I had such
thoughts once ; but oh, I have lost those thoughts, I have
lost those persuasions. But when you had those thoughts,
and when you had those persuasions, how came you by
them ? My soul was lying in a sad, dark, dead, hardened
condition ; my soul was ready to sink with despair : and all
on a sudden, my soul was raised up within me to this per-
suasion, for to think that Christ was in me, and that Christ
liveth in me. Well, either these thoughts were from Satan,
or from Christ ; either this persuasion of yours was from
Satan, or it was from Christ : not from Satan, for Satan
doth not use to be so loving to a poor tempted soul, to bear
t up when it is ready to sink under temptation ; Satan doth
394 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 5.
not use to be so loving to a poor soul to free it from
despair : then it was from Christ ; and if it were from Jesus
Christ, then Christ had a greater hand and stroke in this
persuasion than thy own soul; for thou sayest, I was dead,
dull, hardened, ready to sink ; and I said, Mercy is gone, I
shall never see the face of Christ again ; and all on a sudden
these persuasions were raised in me. Here Christ plainly
hath a greater stroke in this persuasion than thy own
soul.
Upon all this I do now appeal unto you, whoever you are
that lie under any of these fears, hath it not been thus with
you, that all on a sudden you have been raised to these per-
suasions ? Do not you find that sometimes your soul hath
been carried out to God, even contrary to your own inclina-
tion and disposition ? Do not you find that sometimes your
soul hath been carried out to what is good, beyond all that
you intend ; you thought to begin prayer a little while, and
hath not the Lord sometimes come in, and carried out your
soul farther than ever you intended ? Do you not find a
secret disposition or inclination to all the commandments of
the gospel of Jesus Christ ? Do you not find that in the
greatest actions and turnings of your lives, Christ hath been
at the end thereof? Oh yes, if I should speak true I must
needs say this, Although I have not seen Christ at the end
of every action, yet as for the great actions and turnings of
my life, I must needs say Christ hath been there. And the
Lord knows I have a secret disposition to the commandments
of the gospel. And, O Lord, thou knowest that I have
been carried out many times to what is good, contrary to
mine own disposition. O Lord, thou knowest I have been
carried further in a way of good than ever I intended. O
Lord, thou knowest when my soul hath been dead, hardened,
and I have said, Now mercy is gone, and I am driven from
mercy; then, then hath there been persuasions raised in me,
that Jesus Christ is in me. Well, be of good comfort, soul,
be of good comfort from the Lord. If thou hast these per-
suasions, do not check them ; and if for the present you
have not these persuasions, yet wait on the Lord, for our
Saviour Christ hath said, " I will send the Comforter ; and
in that day ye shall know, that I am in you, and you in me/'
John xiv. 20 : and therefore wait upon Christ for that da\ .
SER. 5.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 395
Suppose this doctrine be true, that Christ liveth in all
believers; that he hath a greater hand and stroke in the
actions, the spiritual actions of believers, than themselves
have; what conclusions or practical meditations shall we
draw from hence ?
I will name some and lay them before you ; carry them
home with you.
If these things be true, then may every one say, Now I
see that the in-being of Christ in the soul, is not a mere
fancy, a mere notion, but carries with it the greatest reality
in the world. For when Christ is in a believer, there he
lives, acts and works : yea, and he hath a greater stroke in
the spiritual actions of believers than themselves have.
Surely therefore, this in-being of Christ in the soul, is a
work of power, of almighty power, the same power that
raised up Christ from the dead.
If these things be true, then here may a man say, I see a
great and vast difference between a godly and a wicked man.
Take a wicked man, and though he be never so great or
rich, yet Satan is in him, Satan liveth in him and ruleth in
him ; the prince of the air ruleth in him, and he is taken
captive by the devil at his will. But now take a godly man,
and though he be never so. poor and mean, yet Christ is in
him, Christ liveth in him, Christ hath a greater hand and
stroke in his actions than himself hath. Take a wicked
man of the highest form, and though he do pray, hear, read,
confer or speak of good things, yet not Christ, but himself
works and acts in him ; self worketh and acteth him. But
take a godly man, and though he be never so weak, Christ
liveth in him, and hath a greater hand in his actions than
himself. Who would not be godly, who would not get into
Jesus Christ ?
If these things be true, what desperate madness is it for
any to oppose the saints and children of God, especially for
the matter of their religion and gracious actions ? It is
opposition done unto Christ himself. Christ liveth in them.
And the Lord Christ doth so live in a gracious man, a belie-
ver, as he hath a greater stroke in all his prayers and in all
his duties than himself hath. Then for a man to stand and
scorn, scoff and jeer at the prayers, duties and gracious
actions of a believer, what is it, but to make opposition to
396 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 5.
Christ himself? If there be ever an opposer, a scorner in
this congregation. Poor soul ! where wilt thou appear in the
great day ?
If all these things be true, then may every believer say,
Now I see what a great evil it is for any child of God to say
that his duties are nothing but hypocrisy, or the work of
Christ hypocrisy. Do ye look upon the work of Jesus
Christ as so vile and base ? nothing more base in your
eye than hypocrisy. If Christ be in me, he liveth in me, he
hath a greater hand and stroke in all my spiritual actions
than myself hath. Therefore, through the grace of God, I
will be for ever wary how I say of my own duties again, they
are all nothing but vile hypocrisy.
If these things be true, then here now I see the reason
why a believer is and ought to be thankful to God for all
those things that he doth to God and for God; not only
thankful for what he receiveth from God, but thankful for
what himself doth offer unto God. We read of David, that
when he and his people had offered a great offering, he
praiseth the Lord for his own willingness to offer unto the
Lord. So a believer is not only to be thankful for what he
receiveth from God, but also for what he himself doth do to
God and for God. Why ? Because it is not he that doth
it, but Christ living in him ; and the Lord Christ hath a
greater stroke in that action which he doth to God, or for
God, than himself hath. Therefore infinite reason why we
should not only be thankful for what we receive from God,
but for what we do to and for God.
If all this be true, then here we see a mighty engagement
for every poor believer to come unto duty, although his heart
be dead, dull, heavy and indisposed unto it ; because it is not
he, but Christ worketh in him in duty. Am I therefore
dead, dull, heavy and indisposed to prayer or any duty;
yet will I go and offer myself unto God in prayer. Either
Jesus Christ will come down upon my prayer, God will
come down in my duty, or else he will not. If the Lord do,
what a mercy shall it be unto me. If the Lord do not come
down while I am at duty, and work all my work for me, it
shall be my affliction, and I will mourn after God. But
whether the Lord does come down in my duty, or whether
he does not, it is as it pleaseth him ; I will wait upon the
Lord, for it is he that worketh in us mightily. Oh, my soul,
SEE. 5.] THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 39?
therefore for ever wait upon God in duty, yea, although my
heart be hard, dead, dull and indisposed thereunto.
If all this be true, what gracious, holy, heavenly lives
should all those lead that pretend to the word, believer.
Some there are that do pretend to the word, believer I am
a believer ; and they say they have faith. But if I have
faith indeed, then Christ liveth in me : not the world liveth
in me, but Christ liveth in me ; not malice liveth in me, but
Christ liveth in me ; not pride liveth in me, but Christ liveth
in me. But how many are there, poor souls, that may say
in truth, Pride liveth in me, and malice liveth in me, and the
world liveth in me, but Christ liveth not in me. And will
ye say then, that ye have faith ? Let us not be deceived.
But if this be true, that Christ liveth in all believers, what
gracious and holy conversations should the conversations of
believers be; and whensoever you fail in any thing, you
should even say, Yea, but would Christ do so ? My soul,
thus and thus hast thou spoken, but would Christ have
spoken thus and thus ?
If all this be true, why should we not all stand, wonder,
and admire at the infinite love of Christ ? It was much love
in Christ, for to come down into our nature ; it was yet more
for to come down into our hearts by his Spirit ; yet more for
to live, act and work there : but the Lord Christ, he is not
only come down into our nature, come down into our hearts,
for to live, act and work there: but the Lord Christ hath an eye
upon all our actions, the Lord Christ hath a greater stroke in
all our spiritual actions than ourselves have ; he is at the
beginning, and he is at the middle, and he is at the latter end
of every action. Had the Lord Christ only given himself
for us, what a great mercy had it been ; but he hath given
himself to us, not only for us, but to us ; he cometh and
liveth in a believer : he liveth more in a believer, than a
believer doth himself. What love, mercy and grace is here !
You that are believers, do you know your own privilege ?
What is it to have Christ living in you ? Only hear the
word of exhortation, you that are made partakers of this
great privilege, Christ living in you : " Christ in you the
hope of glory," Col. i. 27. Labour now to hold forth the
virtues of Jesus Christ in your lives. And when ye have
done all, then walk humbly, walk humbly with your God,
398 THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. [SER. 5.
and say as Paul here of the true believer, " I live, yet not I,
but Christ liveth in me." I have been now at prayer, yet
not I, but Christ prayed in me : I have been now at confer-
ence, and spoke such and such good words ; yet not I, but
Christ worketh in me, speaketh in me. Upon this account
let us all labour to walk humbly with our God, for it is Christ
more than you, Christ hath a greater stroke in all your
actions than yourselves have ; therefore now let every man
say, " I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
SCRIPTURE LIGHT
MOST SURE LIGHT:
COMPARED WITH
1. REVELATIONS AND VISIONS. 2. NATURAL AND SUPERNA-
TURAL DREAMS. 3. IMPRESSIONS WITH AND WITHOUT
THE WORD. 4. LIGHT AND LAW WITHIN. 5. DIVINE
PROVIDENCE. 6. CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE. 7. HU-
MAN REASON. 8. JUDICIAL ASTROLOGY.
IN
THREE SERMONS.
SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE MOST
SURE LIGHT.
SERMON I.
" We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well
that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the
day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." 2 PETER i. 19.
IN these words, ye have an exhortation to a great duty,
namely, attention, or taking heed to the word of God in dark
and dangerous times and places. The duty is commanded
and commended : " Ye do well that ye take heed/' *.-Awc
TToutli , ye do well, or beautifully ; this is your Christian beauty
and comeliness in the eyes of God. Now this duty is urged
and amplified; urged by divers arguments: some taken from
the excellency of the word itself. First, It is Xye ^o^Trrae, a
word of prophecy, or a prophetical word, written by divine
inspiration ; the same that is spoken of in verse 20, called pro-
phecy of Scripture. Secondly, It is Xoyoe /3f/3ampoe, a more
sure word. Some think the comparative is put for the su-
perlative, as Acts xxv. 10, * *1 <n> K*\\WV eTrywuvKEe, as thou
very well, or best knowest : but I take it rather to be meant
comparatively ; for the word of God written, is surer than that
voice which they heard in the mount, whereof he spake in
the former verse. More sure is the word written, than that
voice of revelation ; not ratione veritatis, not in regard of the
truth uttered, for that voice was as true as any word in the
Scripture ; but more sure, ratione manifestationis, more cer-
tain, settled and established. Secondly, Some arguments are
taken from the usefulness of the word to us; for it is as a
light shining in a dark place, and therefore it is good for us
to take heed thereunto. But how long must we take heed to
it ? Even as long as we live, and whilst we are in the dark
especially, even until the day dawn, and the sun shine in his
full strength and brightness in your hearts ; which is the se-
cond thing whereby this duty is amplified.
Some think that it is to be understood of a supernatural
401 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [SfiR. I*
revelation and light which God doth set up in the soul, which
when a man hath obtained, then he is to take heed to the
written word no longer; but that cannot be, 1. Because the
apostle doth here prefer the written word before a revelation
from heaven : now if he do prefer it before a divine revela-
tion, then it is not to give place to the dawning of some spe-
cial light and revelation in the heart; for then he should
destroy in the latter part of the verse, what he had affirmed
and built up in the former part. 2. One Scripture is to be
explained by another; but Isa. viii. 20, the Lord saith, " To
the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to
this word, it is because there is no light (or morning) in
them :" if therefore any man do pretend light, or the shining
of the morning star in his soul, so as to lay by the word
written, that light is no true light ; and so this interpretation
can be no true interpretation of these words. 3. This inter-
pretation doth suppose, that the morning star did not shine
in the apostles' time, and that then the apostles, with the
saints of those times, had not this light within them ; for the
apostle saith, " We have a more sure word, and ye do well
that ye take heed thereunto." All the saints and people of
God, then, did walk by, and take heed unto the written word ;
yet they had light within them. This interpretation, there-
fore, is contrary to the sense of the apostle here.
Others think that these words are spoken to the believing
Jews, in reference to the prophets of the Old Testament ; as
if the apostle should say, The glorious light of the gospel
hath not yet fully conquered your hearts ; and therefore until
your gospel light be more clear, you shall do well to take heed
to the prophets of the Old Testament, who do all testify with
us of Christ. But this will seem to argue, that when gospel
light doth more fully rise upon us, then we may lay by the
prophets of the Old Testament.
Others think that this day dawning, and the day star arising,
doth note that full and clear vision of God and Christ which is
yet to come. Now, because the whole earth shall be filled
with the knowledge of the Lord, in the latter days, in respect
to which time it is promised, Rev. ii. 28, " I will give him
the morning star;" and in chap. xxii. 16, Christ doth appear
to the saints under that title, saying, " I am the bright and
morning star."
SER. 1.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 402
Therefore it is conceived by some, that the apostle here
doth relate to that time, and so the sense of the words should
be this : Though now ye be in the dark, yet ye have the light
of the Scripture to walk by ; whereto ye shall do well that
ye take heed, until ye be brought to, and under a more glo-
rious and clear dispensation. But the word used for the
morning star, Rev. ii. 22, is not the same that is here used,
and translated the day star.
The Scripture shall not be out of date in the days of those
glorious times ; for the walls of that city, the new Jerusalem,
which shall come down from heaven, hath twelve founda-
tions, and in them, the names of the twelve apostles of the
Lamb. Rev. xxi. 14.
This interpretation doth suppose that the morning star, or
the sun, for so the word may be rendered, as Suidas saith,
*wo-0ogoe o TO 0w9 avetle\\uv t o i/\to<?, doth not shine in our
hearts now, and that it hath not shined already, whereas it is
said, Luke i. concerning Christ's first coming, verse 78,
" Whereby the Day-spring from on high hath visited us, to
give light to them that sit in darkness," &c. And the apostle
Paul saith, The day is far spent ; and ye are the children of
light and of the day. Surely, therefore, the day had then
dawned in those times ; and therefore these words cannot only
relate to the glorious times that are yet to come.
Others say these words do relate unto heavenly glory ; and
so the meaning of the words should be, That we are to take
heed unto the written word, until we come into heaven ;
which thing is true : but where do we find in Scripture, that
the glory of heaven is said thus to dawn, or shine in our
hearts ; or that Christ is said thus to shine in our hearts, in
regard of heavenly glory ?
Therefore I think the word until, is not to be taken exclu-
sively, but as in other scriptures ; Psalm ex. " Sit thou on
my right-hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."
Shall Christ sit on God's right-hand no longer ? Shall he
not sit there for ever ? Yea, he shall sit there for ever, after
all enemies are subdued. But the words shew what Christ
shall enjoy and do whilst the enemies rage; he shall sit in
power, judging, on the right-hand of God ; not that he shall
not sit there when they are subdued. So here, " Ye do well
(saith the apostle) that ye take heed to the word, until the
D D 2
403 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [SER. I,
day dawn, and the day star arise, and shine in your hearts ;"
that is, until ye have more clear light ; not that ye lay by the
word then, but because ye are now in the dark, I will tell you,
says the apostle, what ye shall do whilst ye are in the dark,
even take heed to the word written. And so the doctrine
from the whole verse is this :
Scripture light is our great and most sure light, whereunto
we shall do well that we take heed, and that especially in our
dark times and places,
For the opening and prosecuting whereof, four things will
fall under your consideration :
First, That a good man may be in the dark, in a dark place,
state and condition.
Secondly, Though he be in the dark, yet God hath not left
him without Scripture light to walk by.
Thirdly, This Scripture light is the most excellent, safe and
sure light.
Fourthly, It is the duty of all the saints to take heed there-
unto, and to walk thereby, and that especially in their dark
times and places.
First, It is possible that a good man may be in the dark,
on a dark ground, and in a dark condition ; yea, possibly a
man may truly fear the Lord, yet he may walk in the dark,
and see no light of comfort. Isa. 1. 10. Doth not the church
complain in the Lamentations, saying, " He hath set me in
dark places }" chap. iii. 6. Was not David in the dark, when
he said, " The Lord will lighten my darkness }" 2 Sam. xxii.
29. Was not Job in the dark, when he said, " The Lord
hath set darkness in my paths," Job xix. 8 ; and when he
said, " I waited for light, and there came darkness?" chap. xxx.
26. And was not Heman in the dark, when he said, " Thou
hast laid me in the lowest pit in darkness ?" Ps. lxxxviii.6.
Yea, was not Christ himself in the dark, when the hour and
power of darkness came upon him ? Luke xxii. 53. Surely,
therefore, it is possible that a good man may be in the dark,
upon dark ground, and in a dark condition ; and it must
needs be so : for,
A good man may live and dwell in a place or town where
no means of grace are; in a poor, dark and ignorant corner
of the world. Did not Job dwell in the land of Uz ? And
when David thirsted after ordinances, saying, " My soul
SER. 1.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 405
thirsteth after thee, O God, to see thy power and thy glory,
so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary," Psalm Ixiii. 1, 2,
was he not then in such a dark corner as I now speak of ?
The title of the Psalm tells us, that he was in the wilderness
of Judah : and if ye look into 1 Sam. xxvi. ye shall find him
complaining thus : " They have driven me out this day from
abiding in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go serve other
gods," verse 19. Such a dark place was Capernaum, and
Galilee, by the way of the sea, Galilee of the gentiles, where,
Matt. iv. 16, it is said, " The people sat in darkness and in
the shadow of death ;" yet here did Peter and Andrew dwell,
when our Saviour called them to follow him : there did James
and John dwell likewise. And as a wicked man may live
under the means, and the light shine on him, though he com-
prehend it not ; so it may be the lot and portion of a good
man to live, and dwell, and be in a town, or place, or parish,
where there is no means and no light shining.
As he may live and dwell in such a place as this, so he may
be in some great affliction and persecution ; " for the dark
places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty :"
persecuting times are dark times. When do beasts go forth
to their prey? but in the night. And when are thieves bold?
but in the night. In times of persecution, the enemies of
God's people are very bold, and those beasts do go forth to
their prey. Surely, therefore, this time is a dark time with
the saints.
If a good man may be in such straits, as for the present
he doth not see his way before him ; then he may be in the
dark. Thus it was with Joseph when Mary was first with
child ; he did not know what to do in the case, until the an-
gel of the Lord appeared to him. Thus it was with David
often, especially at Reilah, when he went down to Achish,
feigned himself mad, changing his behaviour; and at Ziklag,
when his wives and goods were taken from him, and his men
thought of stoning him. John xii. 35, " He that walketh in
darkness, knows not whither he goes," saith our Saviour.
And when a man is in such straits, as that he doth not see
his way, then he is in the dark indeed.
A good man may be much offended. Times of offences
are dark times : " He that walketh in darkness stumbleth :"
and so much as I do take offence, and am stumbled, so much
406 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [SfiR. 1.
I am in the dark. Now possibly a good man may be much
offended, and stumbled; though he be not offended at the
good way of God, and power of godliness, nor at all the
saints, yet he may be under much offence: "All you shall be
offended (saith our Saviour to his disciples) because of me."
And if a good man may be offended, then he may be in the
dark, on a dark ground, and in a dark condition.
As a good man may be offended and stumbled, so he may
stumble into some mistakes and errors ; erroneous times are
dark times : every error is darkness, as truth is light. Now
a good man may err ; for though he doth see much when his
eyes are opened in his first conversion, yet every man doth
not see all things ; two, or three, or four may see, and have
their eyes open, yet one may see further than another. God
hath several truths for several ages and generations : as in a
great house there are hangings for every room, and the hang-
ings of this room are not fit for that, and the hangings of
that are not fit for another ; so God hath several hangings of
truth, to furnish several generations ; and those that are fit
for this, are not fit for that : Non nulla video non visa beato
Augustino, says Luther, et rursum mult a visuros scio, qtiee
ipse ego non video : I see many things, said he, that were not
seen to Austin ; and those that come after me, shall see those
things that I see not. Oh, saith Austin, there is such a
depth in Scripture, that I do multo plura nescire quam scire ;
that I am ignorant of more things than I know. Ye see how
it is in a room where there are many pictures; though ye see
some of them presently, yet others have a silken curtain
drawn-before them, which ye see not immediately : so here,
though God do reveal much unto you, yet there is a silken
curtain that is still drawn before some truths, and therefore
even a good man may be much mistaken. " The Lord hath
hid this thing from me," said Elisha. 2 Kings iv. 27. And
when David told Nathan that it was in his heart to build an
house unto God ; " Go, (said Nathan to him) and do all that
is in thine heart ; for the Lord is with thee." Yet Nathan,
though a prophet, was mistaken, and in an error; for the same
night the Lord appeared to him, and told him that this work
was reserved for another, not for David. Possibly, therefore, a
good man may mistake, even in the things of God, and so be
in the dark.
SER. 1.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 407
If a good man may be engaged in some division and dis-
sention, then he may be in the dark. Dividing times are
dark times ; and possibly a great division and dissention may
fall amongst good men. So great and sharp a division fell
between Paul and Barnabas, that they forsook one another.
I read of two good men, whom Epiphanius makes mention
of, that were fellow-sufferers for the Christian faith, eyertlo
ow Trapofapoe ; and being condemned, and sent to work in
the metal mines, there fell so great a difference between
them, that they drew a partition wall between them in the
mine, and would not hold communion with each other, in
the service of Christ, for which they both suffered. Cyprian
doth impute the great sufferings and persecutions of the
primitive times, unto the discord and dissention of brethren?
Imo vero nee venissent fratribus fuse mala si in unum frater-
nitas esset animata, saith he, Epist. iv. lib. 4. Ye have heard
of the difference between Chrysostom and Epiphanius, and
of that between Jerome and Ruffinus, and of that between
Ridley and Hooper. In Luther's time, the contest was so
hot and great and violent, between him with his party, and
Zuinglius, Oecolampadius and others, that though they met
together with divers princes for reconciliation ; and they did
at that meeting draw up several articles of faith, wherein
they did all agree, and whereto they did all subscribe ; yet
Luther would not call the Calvinists, brethren. And in these
days of ours, what scuffling is there between brethren, fight-
ing one with another. Why ? but because they are in the
dark. If brethren fight and scuffle one with another, who
will not say they are in the dark ?*
A good man may be under some desertion. God may
withdraw from him ; and when God withdraws, then he is
in the dark. Desertion time is a dark time, and such a cloud
as this may go over the heads of the best. Surely therefore
it is possible that a very good man may be much in the
dark.
* Capio ex hac vita miguare ut liberattr ab immuuibus et iraplucabilibus odiis
Theologorum. Melanch. Strigellius Melc. Adam.
Et vidi mare vitreum inixtum igni. Apoc. xv. 2.
Quid autem aliud ignis designet, a que serventis litei et contentiones fla-
grantes odiis ! ignem veni missurus in teiram inquit Christus, &c. Hujusmodi
ignis vagatur per totam Reformatum Ecclesiam qute vel absumit plurimos vel
inolesta cat reliquis duui restinguere nituntur. Brightm. in Apoc. xv. 404.
408 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [SfiR. 1.
And if a good man may be under some temptation and
sin, then he may be in the dark. Temptation time is a dark
time. When a man cannot see his own hand, though he lift
it up before his eyes, then he is in the dark indeed. Now
possibly a good man may be in such a temptation, that he
shall not be able to see the lifting-up of his own hand in
prayer, saying, I go to prayer, but I cannot pray at all ; and
that which I do perform, it is no duty. Sometimes it is so
with him, that he cannot read his own graces nor see them.
Though the fish lie playing upon the water, and you may see
them in a fair sunshine ; yet in a storm or night ye see them
not, though they be in the pond or river still. So here,
though when the light of God's countenance doth shine upon
the soul, he is then able to see and read his own graces ; yet
if it be a storm, or the night of temptation, he cannot see
them. Why ? Not because they are not in his heart and
life as before, but because he is in the dark. Possibly there-
fore a good man may be in the dark, upon a dark ground,
and in a dark condition. That is the first thing.
Secondly, Though a good man may be in the dark, yet he
hath Scripture light to walk by. God hath not left him
comfortless, and without light, in obscure darkness, as the
wicked are ; but he hath light within him, and that great
light of the written word without, " Whereunto ye do well
that ye take heed (saith the apostle), as unto a light shining
in a dark place. 55 This Scripture light he hath always by
him. " To the law and to the testimonies (saith the prophet
Isaiah, chap, viii.), if they speak not according to this word,
it is because there is no light in them. 55 It is a dark time
which the prophet speaks of, " For many shall stumble and
fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken, 55 verse 15.
" The Lord hideth his face from the house of Jacob/ 5 verse
17. " Behold I, and the children whom the Lord hath
given me, are for signs and wonders in Israel, 55 verse 18.
" And they shall look unto the earth, and behold trouble and
darkness, dimness of anguish, and they shall be driven to
darkness, 55 verse 22. Yet in this time they have the law and
the testimony, that great Scripture light to walk by.
But have not even wicked men this light also of the
Scripture, to walk by in their darkness ?
I answer, They have it as a blind man hath the sun : the
SER. 1.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 409
sun is in the firmament over the head of a blind man, yet it
is no light to him. So here.
And though a wicked man doth hear and may read the
Scripture, and know many truths which are therein con-
tained, yet he doth not know the greatness of them. A
man may know and say, This is the sun, and this is the light
thereof; yet not know the greatness of the sun, and that it
is abundantly bigger than the earth. So a wicked man may
and doth know many truths, but he doth not see and know
the greatness of truths, for he prizeth other things of the
world above them. A good man knows the truths of the
gospel, and he sees the greatness of them, for he leaves all
to follow them.
And though a wicked man may have his eyes open to see
many truths of the Scripture, yet in seeing, he doth not see
the same ; for as a good man may know natural things in a
spiritual way, so he doth know spiritual things in a natural
way. A good man seeth the things themselves that are con-
tained in the Scripture ; and therefore it is that the know-
ledge of Christ, is called Christ : " Till Christ be formed in
you," saith the apostle ; that is, till the knowledge of Christ
be formed. The thing is put for the knowledge of it.
Why? Because in knowing, the saints know the things
themselves. Wicked men know and have the notion of
them ; for there is a knowledge of things in the notion of
them, which wicked men may have : and there is a know-
ledge of the things themselves, which the saints and people
of God have.*
But may not a good man's eyes be held from this Scrip-
ture light ?
Yes, in some things ; but though his eyes be held, it is
only quo ad hoc, as to this or that truth in particular. When
he is converted and brought home to God, then are his eyes
said to be opened, then is he anointed with the unction of
the Holy One, and doth know all things necessary unto his
salvation. Yet as Hagar*s eyes though open, were held from
* Duplex eat cognitio rei disciplinaris et intuitiva, clisciplinaris eat per audi-
tum et narrationem solam intuitiva est ilia quam ex re presenti et sensu percepta
manantem habemus ilium infideles et impii multi assequunter in ipsis fidei myg-
teriis hanc vero minime, w yci p.T) ir^ta, ravla. rv<f>\ tft
2 Pet. i. 9. Ames, de Lumine Natune et Gratia.
410 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [ER. 1.
seeing the fountain of water that was by her, when she said,
" I will not see the death of my child " so a good man's
eyes may be open, yet they may be held quo ad hoc, as to
this or that truth or way : but though they be held, yet I say
it is but quo ad hoc, not in regard of all.
Though a good man's eyes may be held from some part of
this Scripture light; yet if he be in health, and not under
some temptation and spiritual sickness, he doth not shut
his own eyes against any Scripture light. A sick man will
not endure the opening of the window or casement ; but if
a man be in health, Set open the window, saith he, that light
may come in, though some smoke do come in withal ; I will
venture and hazard the smoke, for light I must have, and I
cannot be without it. So, if a man be in health for his soul,
he calls for the opening of the windows : possibly some
errors and smoke may come in with light and truth ; yet set
the windows open, saith he : but if sickly and weak, he is so
afraid of errors and smoke, that he dares not endure the
means of further light, but even turns his back, and shuts
his eyes against some Scripture light; but a good man in
health doth not so.
Though a good man's eyes may be held from some Scrip-
ture light and truth, insomuch as he may be in the darkness
of some ignorance, yet he knows more than he is able to
utter, and he feels more than he can speak. A knowing,
learned man, it may be, can utter more of the Scripture than
he feels ; but a good man feels more than he can utter.
And though some Scripture truths may be hidden from
him sometimes, yet he hath his intervals of sight. As with
a man in travel, when he comes upon such or such an hill or
mountain, he sees the steeples and pinnacles of the town which
he is going to ; then he comes into a valley, and he loseth the
sight of them again ; then he comes again to another hill,
and then he sees them again. So in our journey or travel to
heaven, we see such and such truths to-day, then we come
into a valley, and we lose the sight of them ; then God raises
our hearts again, and we see them again. Thus the saints
have their intervals of sight.
And though a good man may be in the dark, yet God doth
not leave him so. As it is in the darkness of fears, so in all
other darkness. Ye read, Matt, xxviii, that when Christ
SER. 1.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 411
rose from the dead, the stone was rolled away from the se-
pulchre, and they that were about it were in great fear.
There were keepers of the sepulchre, whom the Jews had
set to watch the same ; and there were the godly women,
waiting for the resurrection : both were in fear, and in great
fear. But the angel appears to Mary and the good women,
saying, " Fear not ye ;" ye seek Jesus, he is risen, he is not
here, fear not ye. He did not say so to the wicked soldiers
that kept and watched the sepulchre ; they feared, and he
left them in their fears, and in their dark condition. But
the good women feared, and were in a dark condition ; but
the Lord did not leave them in it, but gave them Scripture
light to comfort them : " He is risen, as he said." So that
a good man may be in the dark, yet God will not leave him
in his darkness, but even then he hath a light, and a sure
light to walk by. And that is the second thing.
Thirdly, This Scripture light is the most excellent, safe
and sure light : it is the light of lights ; the most excellent
light of all under God in Christ. For,
It is a true light. There are many false lights in the
world, but Scripture light is the true light. The proper
work of light is to make manifest : " They will not come to
the light (saith our Saviour) lest their deeds be made mani-
fest." Now the light of the Scripture doth manifest things
unto us ; it is by James compared to a looking-glass. When
ye look upon a looking-glass, ye see three things, the glass,
yourself, and all the other things, persons, stools or pictures
that are in the room. So in looking in the Scripture, this
great looking-glass, ye see the truths that are therein con-
tained concerning God and Christ. There is God seen es-
pecially, and Christ seen ; there also you see yourself, and
your own dirty face ; there also you see the creatures that
are in the room with you, and their emptiness ; the empti-
ness of men, and of all comforts and relations. This is
that manifesting light under Christ, that is true light indeed.
As it is a true light, so it is an admirable and wonderful
light. For there are the wonderful things of God's law;
whereupon David prayed, " Open thou mine eyes, that I
may see the wonderful things of thy law." There is the
light of Christ, who is called a marvellous light; and the
more ye look into the Scripture and know, the more ye will
412 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [SER. 1.
admire. In other knowledges, the more ye know, the less ye
admire ; amor noti, admiratio ignoti : but in Scripture know-
ledge, the more light ye have, and the more ye know, the
more you will lift up your hands and admire, at your own
ignorance and God's grace. It is a most admirable light.
As it is an admirable light, so it is a safe and sure light.
Other false lights do lead men into fens and bogs ; but we
have a more sure and safe light, and the more of it falls upon
your eye, the more is your eye preserved. It is not so with
outward lights, vehemens sensibile destruit senwrium. Your
eye is able to bear a moderate light ; but if the light be
vehement, your sense is not able to bear it, but is destroyed
by it. Not so with this Scripture light, the stronger and
more vehement it is, the more it doth perfect the eye of your
soul ; it is not destructive, but it is perfective light. Upon
which account Austin prayed to God, Sint sacra Scriptures
tuce delicice me a in quibus nee fallere possum nee f alii : O
Lord, said he, let thy Holy Scriptures be my delights, by
which I can neither deceive nor be deceived. This is that
safe and sure light indeed.
As it is a safe and sure light, so it is a pleasant and satis-
fying light. Light is pleasant to the eye, and the eye
ordinarily is not satisfied with seeing : but this is that light
which doth bring men to rest ; for when a man knows what
shall he his portion for ever, then his heart is at rest, and not
before. Now it is only the Scripture, and the light thereof,
which under Christ doth discover and manifest that unto
men. " Stand in the old and good way (saith the prophet),
and ye shall find rest." That way is this Scripture way : if
a man once depart from the Scripture, he runs from one
error to another, and he rests not. But here is rest to be
found. This is that satisfying light which doth bring unto
rest.
As it is a pleasant, satisfying light ; so it is a full and
sufficient light, able to make the man of God perfect unto
salvation. " The law of the Lord is perfect," Psalm xix ;
and it makes perfect, else it were no rule of life : for as
Austin speaks, the regula must be regulato suo adequata.
Surely therefore it is sufficient to administer help unto all
conditions. It is a lanthorn to our feet ; whatever ground
our feet are on, or in what dark place soever, this light can
SER. 1.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 413
find them out. What state can you be in, but the Scripture
will find a commandment for your rule, and a promise for
your assistance and reward. It is able to reach unto all
conditions, for it is a full and sufficient light.
As it is a full and sufficient light, so it is a clear light, a
light that shineth ; it hath no thief in it, as many lights and
candles have : not that there are no hard things therein, and
difficulties ; where is the man that ever was able to untie all
the knots and difficulties of Scripture ? * Paul's epistles
have their hard things to be understood, even in the eyes of
Peter, 2nd epist. iii. 16. Yet what truth is in all the Scrip-
ture, which is necessary to salvation, but doth lie plain and
clear. " For this commandment which I command thee this
day, is not hidden from thee, neither is it afar off; it is not
in heaven, &c. ; nor is it beyond the sea, &c. But the
word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart,
that thou mayest do it," Deut. xxx. 11 14 ; Rom. x. 6, &c.
" Unto you it is given (saith Christ to his disciples) to know
the mysteries of the kingdom. If the gospel be hid, it is
hid unto them that perish ; but we have the mind of Christ,"
1 Cor. ii. 16. Surely therefore this light is a clear and a
shining light.
As it is a clear light, so it is the best light in the world,
the most excellent light, a light beyond all other things which
do pretend to light. Seven or eight things there are, in
these times, which men do cry up as great lights, whereby
many do profess to walk. And those are: 1. Revelations or
visions. 2. Dreams. 3. Impressions made upon the heart,
with or without a word. 4. Experience. 5. The law and
light within. 6. Providence. 7- Reason. 8. Judicial As-
trology. But now if you compare these lights with Scrip-
ture light, ye shall find that this is that only light which doth
exceed them all, and that there is no more light in them than
what they do borrow from it.
Instance I. Wherein doth this Scripture light exceed or
go beyond revelations or visions, and the light thereof ?
This Scripture light, as you have seen, is a full light,
a light which did shine forth at once in and by Jesus
Christ. Revelations and visions are more particular;
* Passimur apertis exercemur obscuris, illic fames pellitur hie faatidium.
Austin.
414 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [SER. 1.
though God did sometimes speak in that way and manner,
yet then he spake drop by drop, guttatim ; but now he hath
in these last days, spoken his full mind by his Son. These
were but as the apples which did fall from the tree of wis-
dom ; but in the gospel and Scripture, ye have the whole
tree itself. Look therefore what difference there is between
the tree, and some particular apple that doth fall from it ;
so great a difference there is between this and those.
Scripture light is the highest light ; Scripture dispensation
the highest dispensation : the dispensation of visions and re-
velations was of a lower rank. When the people of God
were in their infancy, they were led much by visions and re-
velations ; that being a dispensation which did most suit with
an infant state. And what is the reason that so many chris-
tians now do desire visions and revelations, but because they
are weak, and upon the return to the law again ? The strong-
er any Christian is, the more he doth walk by faith ; and the
more he doth live by faith, the more he doth choose to walk
by the Scripture, the written word of God, the object of
faith. It is recorded of Luther, that when he had fasted and
prayed a whole day, and then had a vision of Christ, he cried
out, and said, Avoid, avoid, thou confounded devil, I know
no picture of Christ but the Scripture. Therein is Christ
lively pictured, described, and set forth before our eyes : it is
not so in revelations and visions.
This Scripture light is a more sure and certain light : for
if God should now speak unto you by visions, or visional
revelations, how would you know that this were the voice of
God, and not a delusion of Satan ? Would ye know it by
the truth that is spoken ; how do ye know the truth but by
Scripture ? And who doth not know that the devil will speak
an hundred truths that he may croud in one lie amongst
them.* Or would ye know that it is a true revelation, and
not an illusion, by the high things that should be revealed ?
What greater, higher things, than the things of the gospel ?
These are the mystery of the kingdom, called the " deep
* Ditamus preterea quoniam non est humanitus regula generalis, vel ars dabilis
ad discernendum semper et infallibilitur quse verse sunt et quse falsae aut illusorise
revelationes. Gersom. Tract, de distinctione verarum et falsar. visionum. Tom.
i. 175, 176, &c.
SER. 1.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 416
things of God " and says the apostle Paul, " I fear, lest by
any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety,
so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that
is in Christ." And how did Satan beguile Eve, but by per-
suading her to high things, that she should be like to God ?
And thus I fear many are beguiled even at this day amongst
us. Or would ye know a revelation of God's from the delu-
sion of Satan by the event, in that some future thing is re-
vealed to you, which doth fall out accordingly ? then read
what the Lord says in Deut. xiii. 1 ; "If there arise among
you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a
sign, or a wonder, and the sign or wonder come to pass, say-
ing, Let us go serve other gods, which thou hast not known ;
(verse 2) thou shalt not hearken to the words of that prophet,
for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love
the Lord your God." God may suffer a revelation to come
to pass, and yet it may not be from the Lord, but to prove
you, whether you love him, and will cleave unto him.* Or
will ye know a true revelation from a delusion by your taste,
per saporem, which is said to be the way whereby they did
know that thing was of God ? Then what an uncertainty
will here be, that your whole salvation shall hang upon, and
be ruled by your own taste. But now the written word of
the Lord is certain, sure and stedfast ; " Heaven and earth
shall pass, but not one tittle of the word shall pass :" the
least apex and tittle of it is more established than the moun-
tains.
There is no danger in tending upon and taking heed to
this Scripture light. 1. But if men do attend to revelations
and visions, how easily may they be drawn to despise the
Scripture, and such as do wait thereon. There were a gene-
ration of men, in Luther's days, that pretended unto great
discoveries and revelations ; men of great parts, and of high
language ; insomuch as Bucholcerus says of them, That they
neither understood themselves nor others, nor others them,
* Sancti autem viri inter illusiones atque revelntiones, ipsas visionum voces aut
imagines quodam intimo sapore discernunt ut scient vel quid a bono spiritu per-
cipiant vel quid ab illusore patiantur naro si erga heec mens cauta non fuerit per
deceptorem spiritum multis se vanitatibus immergit, qui nonnunquam solet multa
predicere, ut ad extremum valeat ani^nam ex una falsitate laqueare. Gregor.
Dialo. Lib. iv.
416 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [SfiR. 1.
but were always speaking of revelations, visions, deifications,
&c.* As for other men that kept close to the Scripture, they
called them vocabulists, literalists, grammatists, and creatur-
ists. And so now it will be also, if men once do attend, and
take heed unto visions, they will easily despise the Scriptures
and such as do take heed thereto. Yea, 2. And if men do
attend to these visions and revelations, how easily may they
be drawn into popery and superstition ? How did Mahomet
set up his Alcoran ? but by persuading the people to attend
unto revelation. And how did the papists so much prevail
upon the nations of the world ? but by their visions and re-
velations. Search the stories, and you shall find that both
the Turkish Alcoran and the popish religion had their foun-
dations here : and if Luther had hearkened to revelations and
visions, and not kept close to the Scripture, what had become
of his reformation ? Nay, but says he, Pactumfeci cum do-
mino Deo meo, $c. I have made a covenant with the Lord
my God, that he may not send me visions, or dreams, or
angels; Contentus enim sum hoc dono, quod habeam Scrip-
turam : I am content with this gift, that I have the Scrip-
sure, which doth abundantly teach and supply all those
things that are necessary for this life and for the future.
Yea, 3. If a man do once come to attend and take heed
unto visions and revelations, how easily may he slide and de-
part into atheism ; for what difference is there between an
atheist, or a pagan infidel, and a Christian, but only this,
that the Christian is for the Scripture, and doth adhere to
that, the other not ? Take away the Scripture from me, and
there will be little difference between me and an infidel.
But now the more a man doth attend unto visions, the more
his heart and hands will be loosed from the Scripture.
Surely, therefore, there is a danger in this ; but Scripture
light is a sure and a safe light.
Why but, you will say, may not God speak by extraordi-
nary visions and revelations, in these days of ours ?
* Swenckfeldiani sunt ter miseri, nee se nee alios intelligunt, non se que non
intelligunt se dicere pugnantia non alios idque non tarn naturali sua tarditate in-
geniorum quam eo quod tenentur irretiti suis quibusdam enthusiasticis laqueis
unde se extricari sumrnum putant impietatem, dementabant multot magnifecis
istis verbis quae semper illis in ore iiluminatio, revelatio, deificatio hominis interi-
oris et spiritualis, &c. Scultet. Anual. an. 1525, pages 269, 270.
SER. 1.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 41/
Yes, without all doubt he may : God is not to be limited,
he may speak in what way he please. If God will, he may
say to a man, as he said to Abraham, " Go and offer up thy
son Isaac to me :" but is not that commandment, " Thou
shalt not kill," a more sure and certain rule for me to walk by?
God may, if he will, say to a man as he once said to Hosea,
" Go and take thee a wife of fornications :" but is not that
commandment, " Thou shalt not commit adultery," a more
sure and certain word and rule for me to walk by ? What
God may do I will not dispute : he may thus speak to men,
if it please him ; yea, and if we may give credit unto known
histories, the Lord hath spoken in this way sometimes to
some of his servants since the apostles' time. Cyprian tells
us of four revelations, which the Lord gave him, before that
persecution did come upon them. Mr. Fox, in the Book of
Martyrs, tells us of many visions which one Gallus, a French
martyr, had ; and of one which Mr. Philpot had : Scultetus
also, and Sleiden tell us that God did reveal it to Luther, that
there should be no war in Germany whilst he lived. Yet
there is a great deal of difference between faith in the pro-
mise and a vision or revelation. Possibly, then, the Lord
may speak in such a way as this is to some of his servants.
But now, that you may have a boundary in this matter,
Though God may thus speak to some of his servants, yet
if I have an itching desire after visions and revelations it is
ill. The Lord may work a miracle, and being wrought, I am
bound to receive it; but I may not put God upon the work-
ing of a miracle. So here, if God will speak in this way to
me, he may ; but I may not put him on it without tempting
of him ; yea, I am to be so far from desiring God to speak
in this way of a vision, as I am bound rather to be backward
to it. For as Alvarez observes well,* If a master be abroad
in the night, and the servant be backward to open the door
unto him, and to let him in, lest some thief should coun-
terfeit his voice ; the master will not take it ill at the servant's
hands, that lie made him stay so long before he did open the
door, but will rather commend that servant. So, saith he,
though a man be backward to receive these revelations, yet
knowing what deceit there is abroad in the world, God will
* Revelationes caute recipients. Alvarez de vita spiritual! de discretione
spirituum. Lib. v. Cap. 4.
E E
418 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [SER. 1.
not take it ill at his hands, but will commend him for it. An
itching desire after visions, argues that a man is not content
with the Scripture ; and is it not enough for us to see Christ
in heaven ? Gersom tells us * of an ancient father, who
when the devil did appear to him, in the shape and image of
Christ, saying, I am come in person to visit thee, for thou art
worthy ; did with both his hands shut his eyes, saying, Nolo
hie Christum videre ; I will not see Christ here, it is enough
for me that I may see him in heaven.
Though God may possibly speak in this way to some of his
servants, yet if the revelation be contrary to, or diverse from
the Scripture, it is not God's but the devil's ; for says the
apostle, " Though we, or an angel from heaven, do preach any
other gospel to you, than that which we have preached unto
you, let him be accursed," Gal. i. 8 ; which he repeats again,
and therefore good for us to mark again : " I say now again,
If any man preach any other gospel unto you, than that which
ye have received, let him be accursed/' verse 9.
Yea, though the revelation or vision be not contrary to
the Scripture, yet if it be brought to try or confirm the doc-
trine of the gospel, it is not the Lord's ; for the doctrine of
the gospel is confirmed already, and that sufficiently. We
read, indeed, Heb. ii. 4, that when Peter was at first to go
and open a door to the gentiles, then the Lord did appear to
him in way of a vision ; but after that truth was confirmed,
that the gentiles should be called, then God appeared no
more by vision for the confirmation thereof. Now the
doctrines of the gospel are all confirmed by miracles and gifts
of the Holy Ghost; and therefore if any man have a revela-
tion, to try or confirm any gospel doctrine, it is a delusion of
Satan, not a revelation of God.
Though God may sometimes lead a man in extraordinary
ways, and work by ways and means extraordinary ; yet if a
man's heart be drawn off from the ordinary means by what
is extraordinary, it is not right. Mr. Greenham, famous for
resolving cases of conscience, being once asked, as his book
tells us, Whether there might now be visions, agreeable to
* Alter sanctorum patrum dum sibi dsemoni transfiguratus in Christum, dice-
ret, Ego sum Christus personalitur te visitans qui dignus es ; confestim clausit
oculos utraque manu vociferans, nolo hie Christum videre, satis est ipsum in
gloria si videro. Gersom. de Probatione Spirituum.
SER. 1.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 419
the word ? he said, there might be such extraordinary ; but,
saith he, whoso is moved with them, and not with the word,
wherewith he is charged to be moved, and is not drawn the
more by the vision to the true means, that man's faith is
suspicious. And I pray, what is the reason why the Lord
will not have us to believe the prophet, in Deut. xiii., that
doth foretell such things as do come to pass ? The reason
is, because he seeks to turn you to other gods, whom ye
have not known ; and because he hath spoken to turn you
from the Lord your God, and from keeping his command-
ments. Do I therefore come unto you, and pretend visions
and revelations, that I may thereby turn a people from the
good ways and ordinances of Christ ? then I am a deceiver,
and if you receive me, or the pretended revelation, you are
deceived also.
Though God did speak to his people of old by visions and
revelations, and those were not always examined by the word
written ; yet now the Lord speaketh nothing to us in this
way, but what he will have examined by the word : for says
the apostle, " If an angel from heaven preach any other
gospel than what I have preached unto you, let him be ac-
cursed." * Surely therefore the very revelations are to
come under the examination of this word and gospel. And
therefore, if there be any revelation that refuses to be
examined by the word, it is a thief and a robber, an illusion
of Satan, a vagrant, and not sent by God. And if the
Scripture be that only lydius lapis, that touch-stone, whereby
all our gold is to be tried ; that light, whereby we are to try
all our revelations and visions ; then this Scripture light is
the more excellent light in compare with the other.
And thus now I have done with the first thing, which doth
pretend to much light in these days of ours ; namely, visions
and revelations. The Second followeth, namely, that of
dreams and voices.
* Est autetn moueta ista spiritualis revelationis tanquam aurea in quinque
principaliter examinanda, scil in pondere, iu flexibilitate, in durabilitate, in con-
figuratione et colore ; quartum signum est veritas ; eat namque sacra Scriptura
locus vel officina ubi cunus regius inoentrc spiritualis reconditur, quod si cum
aliquo vel minimo puncto d. narius discrepet in sua figuratione, et super Scrip-
tionem ad hoc cuno regis absque ulla dubitatione falsatus est. Gersom de distinct
verat. vision, a fal. page 584, torn. i.
E E 2
420 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [ER.
SERMON II.
" We have also a more sure word of prophecy, ichereunto ye do well
that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the
day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." 2 PETER i. 19.
INSTANCE II. As for dreams and voices, the Scripture or
the written word of God, is more excellent than those ;
and the light of Scripture is the best light in compare with
any light that may come from them. For,
1. In many dreams there is much vanity. Eccles. v. 7 '
" In the multitude of dreams, and many words (saith Solo-
mon), there are also divers vanities ; but fear thou God." * It
seems then that the fear of God doth not consist with these.
Here is a check upon our attendance on these : but says the
apostle, " Let the word of God dwell in you richly ;" there
is no check on that.
2. Dreams are uncertain. Some are natural and some are
supernatural. It is an hard thing to know whether the
dream be natural or supernatural.t In case it be super-
natural : supernatural dreams are either diabolical, from the
devil ; or divine, from God : and it is an hard thing to know
whether it be of God, or from Satan. Some think, that if
dreams do greatly afflict and trouble the mind with some
sharp impression, then they are of God. " Because (says
Pilate's wife) I have suffered many things this night in a
dream :" and this dream of hers, say they, was of God. But
others think rather that it was from Satan, who would have
hindered the death of Christ, and so the great work of man's
redemption. But if ye look into Job vii. ye shall find that
he saith to God, " Thou scarest me with dreams :" yet it
was Satan that did it, for as before, when Satan by his in-
* Somnia ne cures nam fallunt somnia plures.
f Gregor. Moral, lib. 8.
Somnia $ TreuTrla, graviter animos somniantum feriebant, quod divinitus
immissorum somniorum est quasi proprium. Gerard in Gen. cap. xl. p. 705.
Somuia divinitus inspirata vehementer movent somniantem, habent impres-
siones valde acres, quale fait Pharaonis, in quo tanla fuit consternatio animi et
Kla<rte et sent i ret esse divinam quandam admonitionem. Luther in Gen. 31.
Circa cognitionem humanse mentis duo oportet considerate scil. representa-
tionem, rerum et judicium de rebus representatis si cui fiat divinitus represen-
tatio aliquarum rerum per similitudines imaginarias non est talis censendus pro-
pheta nisi illuminetur ejus mens ad judicandum. Aquin. 22. q. 173. art. 2.
SER. 2.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 421
struments took all from Job, he saith, " The Lord hath
taken away ;" so here, when Satan vexed and scared him
with dreams, he saith to God, acknowledging his providence,
" Thou scarest me with dreams :" and yet I say it was
Satan, for he was put into Satan's hand, and whatever afflic-
tion he met with, it was from Satan and his instruments.
So that the trouble and suffering of the dream, doth not
argue that it is from God. It is a very hard thing to know
whether it be of God, or from Satan. And in case that the
dream be of God, yet it is an hard thing to know the mean-
ing and interpretation of it. For Pharaoh had a dream, but
all his magicians could not interpret it ; that was a work for
Joseph. And so, though Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, and
that might be of God, yet neither he nor his wise men could
tell the interpretation thereof; that was a work for Daniel,
the work of a prophet. A wicked man may have a dream
from God, but it requires the spirit of no less than a prophet
to give the interpretation thereof. But now, are we at such
uncertainties in reading the word ? Can none but a pro-
phet understand the Scripture ? The priests and levites
gave the sense of the word to the people ordinarily, yet
they were no prophets. The word of the Lord is a light
and lanthorn unto all our feet, plain and easy to be under-
stood, in all those things that are absolutely necessary unto
our salvation.
But may not God speak unto us by a dream now, if he
will?
Without doubt he may, if he please ; God is free. But
where do we find in Scripture, that dreams are an ordinance
of God now, wherein he hath commanded us to wait upon
him for the expectance of any mercy ?
And if God should speak to me by a dream, yet if I make
that a sign of mine own godliness, or of God's love to me,
then am I under a delusion ; for even wicked men have had
their dreams from God, Balaam, and Pharaoh, and Nebu-
chadnezzar, and others. Do I therefore dream a strange
dream, and conclude that therefore I am in God's love,
because he thus speaks to me ? then am I deceived. What
wise man is there in the world, that will or dare lay and ven-
ture his soul and salvation upon a dream, or the interpretation
of it ? But you may and must lay and venture your souls
422 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [SfiR. 2.
and salvation upon the Scripture. Surely therefore the light
of dreams is not to be compared therewith.
But suppose that I have an immediate voice, is not that
to be compared with the Scripture ?
An immediate voice, say you. Either that immediate
voice is from hell or from heaven : if it come from hell, to
report and certify you of the torments thereof, that you may
repent of your sins, then hear what our Saviour saith of that
in compare with the Scripture : Luke xvi. 31, " They have
Moses and the prophets, and if they hear not Moses and the
prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose
from the dead." And if that voice which you have, do come
from heaven, then either it is the voice of an angel or of
God himself. If it be the voice of an angel, then see what
the apostle saith of that in compare with the word and
Scripture : Gal. i. 8, " Though we or an angel from heaven
preach any other gospel unto you, than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed :" and this is that
gospel which we have now written in this book of the Gala-
tians. And if the voice which you have do come from God
himself, then see what the apostle saith here of that in com-
pare with the Scripture: verse 17, " There came a voice to
Christ, from the excellent glory, saying, This is my beloved
Son ; and this voice which came from heaven, we heard."
Verse 19, " And we have also a more sure word of prophesy,
which is the written word ;" for saith he, " No prophesy of
Scripture," &c. So that ye see, this written word of God,
or the Scripture, is beyond all dreams and immediate voices.
It may be some will say, But may not God speak by an
immediate voice to a soul now ? To which I answer, What
God may do is one thing ; and what he doth in the way of
a settled ordinance, wherein we are to wait on him and
expect from him, is another thing. Ye read in Heb. i. 1, 2,
thus : " God who at sundry times and in divers manners,
spake in time past by the prophets, hath in these last days
spoken by his Son." In time past he spake by visions,
dreams and voices. If there be such an ordinance still,
wherein we are still to wait on God, why doth the apostle
make this difference between times past, and the present
time of the Son ? Nay, says Luther, but there is such a
sufficiency in the Scripture, that though some men should
SER. 2.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 423
have visions, dreams and voices ; yet the Scripture is so full,
that nee euro, nee desidero, I neither care for nor desire
them. I read of a certain woman, a religious lady of the
empress' bed-chamber, whose name was Gregoria, that being
much troubled about her salvation, did write to Gregory,
that she would never cease importuning hrm until he had
sent her word that he had received a revelation from heaven
that she should be saved : to whom he returned this answer,
Rem difficilem postulas, et inutilem ; Thou desirest an hard
matter and unprofitable ; hard for me to obtain, and unpro-
fitable for thyself to have. And so say I, if any should
come to me, desiring to implore God for such a voice, or
dream, or revelation ; I must answer, Man or woman, thou
desirest an hard work for me to do, and a thing unprofitable
for thyself to have. Thou hast the Scriptures, go search the
Scriptures, wait thou upon God therein ; for in them are the
words of eternal life : they are a sure and a safe light, more
sure, safe and certain, than all revelations, visions, dreams, or
immediate voices. And thus I have done with the second
instance.
Instance III. As for impressions made upon the soul,
whether by a particular word or without it ; the Scripture, or
the written word of God, is more sure than those ; and the
light thereof, the best and most excellent light in compare
with the light of impressions. For,
1. Impressions, though good, are not our daily food.
Aqua vitas, or strong water, is good in a quothing, fainting
fit, but it is not good to make it our daily drink. So here,
in case the soul be in a fainting fit, it is good to have the
impression of some particular word or scripture: but this
impression is not daily food; the word of God written is
our appointed food, our daily food, whether it come with
impression or without impression ; this is that food and
heritage which under God we must live upon. Ps. cxix. 111.
2. If all that light and comfort which men have from
impressions be derived from the word, then the Scripture
must be more excellent; for that which makes excellent, is
more excellent ; that which makes comfortable, is more com-
fortable. But look whatever light and comfort a man hath
from the setting on, or impression of a particular word, is
424 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [SER. 2.
from the word itself; for if any impression have not the im-
pression and stamp of the word upon it, it is adulterate coin.
3. There may be much danger in walking and living by
impressions, whether with or without a word. Good people
are very apt and prone to walk and live by impressions, but
it is a dangerous thing so to do; thereby some are nursed up
in ignorance, and seek for no other knowledge in the study
of the Scriptures, by comparing spiritual things with spiri-
tual: thereby some are always kept unsettled in their spiritual
state and condition ; for if a word come, then they have
comfort ; but when none come, then doth their comfort fail :
thereby also some are misled and carried from the good
ways of God and his ordinances ; for, I pray, what is the
reason that so many, in these days of cur's, have departed
from the ordinances of Christ, but because they took up
truths by impressions, ordinances of Christ by impressions,
and the good ways of God by impressions ; and so when
false impressions came, they presently swallowed them, and
have proved apostates ; yea, and how many are there, who
lie sucking the sweetness of the impression, do lose the
sweetness of that very word which is impressed : as with a
lamb or child that is sucking ; though the child suck the teat
or breast for a time, yet if you draw away the breast or teat,
and give it a dry finger, it doth suck that. So it is with
many ; first they suck the sweetness of some particular word
that is set on the soul : but when they live and walk by im-
pressions, what do they then but suck the dry finger, the very
impression ? and so do lose the sweetness of the word itself.
But now take the word of God written, and there is no
danger in living and walking by it ; it is our duty to walk
and to live thereby.
But is there no use then of impressions with or without a
particular word ? Is there no light that doth shine through
them?
I answer, Yea, much, for they comfort in time of tempta-
tion, desertion or affliction. In case a man be in the dark,
and God doth give out some particular word, setting it with
power on his soul, it is much comfort to him.
Or in case a man be in some straits, not knowing which
way to take. Two ways may be before him, both comforta-
ble, both lawful ; yet a man is troubled, and would fain go
SER. 2.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 425
that way wherein he may do God most service. If a parti-
cular word be set upon his heart, whereby he is inclined one
way rather than another, it may be some guide to him.
Or in case that a man doth see his way clear before him,
yet knows that he shall meet with many difficulties and much
opposition; if now God do give out a particular word to him,
it will strengthen his heart and hands much, as in that case
of Joshua, chap. i.
But though God do speak much by impressions some-
times, and there is much light and comfort riseth in the soul
by them ; yet,
If I do make an impression the certain judge of doctrines,
then am I much deceived. This is the great privilege of the
Scripture, saith the protestant, against the papists, to be the
only judge of doctrines and controversies. Indeed God may
please to open a place of Scripture to the soul, in the im-
printing of it; but to make an impression the certain judge
of a doctrine, is without doubt a great error : for where do
we find that ever God hath appointed an impression unto
this chair. You read of Mr. Fox, that blessed man who
wrote the Book of Martyrs, that he had so great and deep an
impression made upon his soul, concerning the meaning of a
scripture, that he thought he could not be deceived therein.
He tells the story twice, once in the ' History of the Ten
Persecutions of the Primitive Times/ and once in his Com-
mentary on Rev. xiii. The scripture opened and sensed to
him, was verse 5 of that chapter : " And he shall continue
forty-two months." Writing, saith he, the story of the ten
persecutions, I was so much affected therewith, that I even
expostulated with God, why he would suffer his people to
suffer such cruel things; and why he would not tell his church
and servants when the time of the end of their trouble should
be : whereupon, saith he, being in this sad conflict in my own
soul, I heard a voice, saith the English relation, but the latin
thus ; Sine voce tamen ; only I did not hear a voice, but had
vehementem cogitationis impressionem, a vehement impression
of mind, which whispered thus to me ; Oh, thou fool, count
these months by Sabbaths, as the weeks of Daniel are counted
by Sabbaths ; which I did, says he, with the help of some
godly merchants, and found the years to be two hundred
and ninety-four, just the time of the ten persecutions: doubt-
426 SCRIPTURE LIGHT THE [SfiR. 2.
less, therefore, this is the time of the beast, and herein I was
fully satisfied.* Yet this cannot be the true meaning of that
text, as is confessed by all hands ; for this beast that is to
continue forty-two months, doth receive his power from the
dragon ; therefore it is not the time of the dragon, but the
red dragon ; that is, the heathen Roman emperor did perse-
cute the woman, Rev. xii. standing before her, to devour the
man child, the seed of the church, as soon as she was deli-
vered, verses 2 and 3. Yet this good and holy man thought,
that that must needs be the meaning of the forty- two months,
because the interpretation came to him with such an impres-
sion. Possibly, therefore, a good man may be much deceived
by impressions, especially when they come with a particular
word. But where do we find in all the Scripture, that we are
to judge of doctrines by impressions ? No, but by the writ-
ten word of God ; that is the only rule whereby we must
judge, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things, and
one scripture with another.
Though there may be much comfort found in the way of
impressions, especially coming with a word, yet if the word
be not set upon the heart, according to the true sense and
scope of it, we have cause to fear that the impression is not
of God, but an illusion of Satan. For where do we find in
Scripture, that ever God did set a word upon the soul, but in
the true sense and scope of it ? The devil brought a word to
Christ, and applied it, not according to the true scope thereof;
" Cast thyself down (says he) ; he shall give his angels charge
over thee :" this was not according to the scope of the Scrip-
ture. But if God set on a scripture with a deep impression,
* Nomen illius qui responsum accepit non hie edo, nee opus est : fluctuant! in
hunc modum hominis animo multumque secum cogitanti do his rebus, tandem
felicior quaedam Divini (ut reor) neminis gratia, quse arcano quodam admonitionis
sibilo velut respondens sine voce tamen at non sine vehement! cogitationis impres-
sione, subito in mentem eis suggerit vel increpat potius stulte numera hos menses
quern admodum Daniel numerit suas hebdomadas per septenarium numerum an-
norum, qui anni si rite supputentur faciunt 294, rem ipsam ita ut gesta est vera,
simplicique narratione adnotandum duxi, Deus mihi testis nee mentior nee singo
nee muto quicquam, nee postulo ut quisquam riloiQ TOI? ^pr^ctitTp.tvo^Q, fidem
adhibeat nisi velit qui non velit, ipse de sua tripode, adferat meliora, mea quidem
ita fert ratio ut credam Christum nee mortuum esse nee mutum, quorsum in ec-
clesia templum Dei aut in templo oraculum cum propitiatorio si nemo in cselis sit
qui in dubiis Scripture locis vobis interpellantium respondeat. Foxus in Apoc.
xiii. page 216.
SER. 2.] MOST SURE LIGHT. 427
it was always according to the true sense and scope of the
scripture. For example, Nehemiah being at prayer, as ye
read chap, i., God gave him a word, with a sweet impression,
and it was according to the true sense thereof. So Acts iv ;
the apostles were at prayer, and God gave a word to them
out of the iind Psalm, and it was according to the true scope
thereof. Where do we find that ever God did set on a par-
ticular word, but according to the true meaning of it ? Have
I therefore an impression with a word ? yet if the word be
not set on my soul, according to the true meaning and scope
of it, then have I cause to fear that it is rather a delusion of
Satan, than the impression of God.
Though the impression be of God, yet if the application
be beyond the impression, I am still in an error. There is
an impression of a word, and there is the application of it :
the impression may be God's, and the application may be mine
own. The Lord gave Abraham a word, that his seed should
be as the stars ; but he made a false application thereof when
he went unto Hagar for the fulfilling of that word. So the
Lord gave a word to Eliphaz, Job iv. 12, " Now a thing was
secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof;
fear came upon me and trembling : (verse 14) then a spirit
passed before my face, it stood still, but I could not discern
it : then I heard a voice, saying, Shall mortal man be more
just than God," verse 15. Here was an impression with a
word, and this was from God ; but he applies this to and
against Job, chapter v. 1 ; the impression was of God, but
the application was his own. Possibly, then, a man may have
an impression from God with a word, yet the application may
be his own ; but though the impression be never so full and
deep, yet if the application be beyond the impression, he is
still in an error. And therefore, seeing that it is an easy
thing, and usual, even for the children of Abraham to make
application 
