A44342:512
The application of redemption by the effectual work of the word, and spirit of Christ, for the bringing home of lost sinners to God ... by that faithful and known servant of Christ, Mr. Thomas Hooker ...
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1656
Title page: Internet Archive scan of the Early English Books microfilm
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Generally: It is a renouncing of whatsoever might cross the coming and entertaining of our Saviour Christ into the Heart: And it is the fitting of the Soul […] Faith, and for being in Christ by Faith: Particularly it shows it self in Four Things.
Generally: It is a renouncing of whatsoever might cross the coming and entertaining of our Savior Christ into the Heart: And it is the fitting of the Soul 〈…〉 Faith, and for being in Christ by Faith: Particularly it shewes it self in Four Things.
The First is the Renouncing the Authority of §2those bosom Corruptions which have Lorded it over the Soul, and kept out the Power of the Gospel from prevailing and taking place in the Heart; That accursed Union and Combination that hath been long between the Heart and its secret Lusts, which for their naturalness are said to be The old man, Eph. 4. 22. And for their nearness our earthly members, Col. 3. 5. born and bred with us, which make and […] the Corrupt disposition of our Hearts; This Combination must be broken, this League […]; else there is no place for the Presence of a […].
The First is the Renouncing the Authority of §2those bosom Corruptions which have Lorded it over the Soul, and kept out the Power of the Gospel from prevailing and taking place in the Heart; That accursed Union and Combination that hath been long between the Heart and its secret Lusts, which for their naturalness are said to be The old man, Eph. 4. 22. And for their néarness our earthly members, Col. 3. 5. born and bred with us, which make and 〈…〉 the Corrupt disposition of our Hearts; This Combination must be broken, this League 〈…〉; else there is no place for the Presence of a 〈…〉.
True, These noisome Distempers will be as Tyrants ⟨p. 146⟩still, Usurping Authority over the Soul, but they are not acknowledged as Lawful […], by the Soul rightly prepared for the Lord: But the sinner rightly fitted, shakes off the yoke and […] from under the […] of these Distempers, […] though he be not able to wage War and to mortify them, by any power received; […] he withdraws his […] from his Lust, and stands ready, to entertain a deliver; This […] Work the […] here […] by the Evangelist, implyes [Greek or Hebrew] non […] perfect onem sonat […] concinnitatem […] ad […] aptantur, saith Calvin in Locum. And the Original in the Prophet Isa ah, 40. 3. imports no more: both showing the same thing, even an utter Emptiness that ought to be in the heart: Thus also is this Work […] and set out in the […] thereof, Every mountain shall […] […] low, It is not paving but levelling, not a bringing in of some […] ability so much which this Preparative stroke […] stamp looks at, (take it strictly (in hoc signo […], as they say) but a removing of all that, out […] the way which might stop or stay our Saviours coming, for […] he Professeth, Matth. 10. 37. He […] loveth Father or Mother more than me, is not […] of me: Not […], that is, Not fit to […] him, or Mercy by him: As we use to say, A fusty Vessel is not worthy of precious Liquor: A dusty Cabinet not worthy to have a Diamond put into it. That is, They are not fit to Receive these, […] the Things will be spoiled, not […] […] them.
True, These noysom Distempers will be as Tyrants ⟨p. 146⟩still, Usurpiug Authority over the Soul, but they are not acknowledged as Lawful 〈…〉, by the Soul rightly prepared for the Lord: But the sinner rightly fitted, shakes off the yoak and 〈…〉 from under the 〈…〉 of these Distempers, 〈…〉 though he be not able to wage War and to mortifie them, by any power received; 〈…〉 he withdraws his 〈…〉 from his Lust, and stands ready, to entertain a deliver; This Work the here by the Evangelist, implyes non perfect onem sonat concinnitatem ad aptantur, saith Calvin in Locum. And the Original in the Prophet Isa ah, 40. 3. imports no more: both shewing the same thing, even an utter Emptiness that ought to be in the heart: Thus also is this Work and set out in the thereof, Every mountain shall low, It is not paving but levelling, not a bringing in of some ability so much which this Preparative stroak stamp looks at, (take it strictly (in hoc signo , as they say) but a removing of all that, out the way which might stop or stay our Saviors coming, for he Professeth,
The Soul is brought to Renounce […] §2might serve to share in the Work and Glory of Free Grace, and so cast some blemish […], or at […] diminish the due worth thereof: which the […] Christ (who doth all to the praise of the Glory […] ⟨p. 147⟩1his Grace) will not suffer, and therefore he will have this Coast cleared also before his coming: And the Soul must be emptied, not only of those things, which out of the intr […] Evil of their nature do cross the Nature of Grace, as Sins and Corruptions; but also of all that confidence in any spiritual sufficiency […] […], by which, while we would seem to share with him in the Work of our Conversion, and ease […] of some part of the Labour, we do indeed take some part of the Honour from him, concerning which […] hath said, That he will not give his Glory to […], Isa. 42. 8. The Lord Jesus as he will not suffer […] Corruption never so strong to hinder his Work, when he will accomplish it, so neither will he suffer […] of our performances or abilities, be they what […] will, to join Purchasers with him in the […] of Grace, as though he were not either able or willing to be the Author and finisher of our Faith 2[…]. No, no: We must not ad of ours, but in […] case take all of him, and from him; not bring […] own wisdom with us, but become fools, that we 3[…] be wise; and that's the way which God hath […] to gain information, not think to join our […] with Christ, and so become Co-partners with […], (I speak of the first Work of Conversion) to […] our selves Holy, Just, and Wise, but […] 4our selves we must look that he should be made Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and […] to us.
Hence the Apostle, Phil. 3. 9. professeth he desired […] to be found in Christ, not only as not having his […] sins, but not having his own […], which […] by the Law.
Hence the Apostle, Phil. 3. 9. professeth he desired 〈…〉 to be found in Christ, not only as not having his 〈…〉 sins, but not having his own 〈…〉, which 〈…〉 by the Law.
A Real Renouncing of our own worthiness of that §3Grace and Mercy which we need, and without which […] are most miserable; this being one Condition of ⟨p. 148⟩the Second Covenant of Grace made in Christ, whereby it's differenced from that of the Law made with Adam; Namely, That Holiness and Righteousness wherewith the Nature of man was beautified in Paradise, though it was not so natural as issuing out of1 the Principles, out of which he was compounded and made, yet by all Orthodox Divines it is in this sense judged natural2 in that in Gods wise Providence and righteous appointment, it was due to Nature; It being cross to the wise proceeding of the infinite wise God, to require Obedience from a Creature if he should not have given ability to the Creature to perform it: It Arguing weakness and unskilfulness at the least, in the Workman to make a thing for an End, and not make it able to attain the End […] which it was made: But in this Second Covenant of the Gospel, it is far otherwise; when we in our first […] had misspent the stock the Lord had bestowed upon us, we were unworthy to be betrusted with any more: and hence it comes to pass when the Lord will lay hold upon the proud heart of a Sinner and draw him to himself, he sinks his Spirit with the sense of his own wretchedness, so that he sees and confesseth freely that he is undone without Mercy, and yet conceives it's not possible that ever such a worthless worm should partake thereof, acknowledgeth it's just with God to deny to give, nay to offer Grace to him, that hath slighted, rejected, opposed Grace from day to day; He knows he cannot procure or Purchase Gods favour, challenge he dare not, without it he concludes he must perish, and yet deserves by his own confession ⟨p. 149⟩he should never obtain it; Dan. 9. 7, 8. O Lord, Righteousness belongs to thee, but unto us confusion of face, nothing but shame and confusion belongs to us, no mercy nor grace,
The soul now stands ready to side it with Christ for §4him to take possession of it, that though the soul be not able to kill sin, yet it's empty, the Coast is clear, as when Joab sent to David to come and take the City, 1so the soul stands ready, that if Jesus Christ would come and take possession of it, and do that for it, which it cannot do it self; this is that that it would have, the soul is content that Christ should do all; as suppose a City that is Garrisoned with Enemies, they cannot get them out themselves, but they are willing that the General should come with his Soldiers and drive them out, and place another Garrison there: so the soul is content that Christ should dispossess whatsoever opposeth him, and do whatsoever is pleasing to himself, Isa. 26. 13. O Lord our God, […] Lords besides thee have had Dominion over us, but by thee only will we make mention of thy Name; as if the soul should say, I cannot subdue my sins my self, but let Christ do what is good in his eyes; the soul is content that Christ should work upon it, and do all for it.
The soul now stands ready to side it with Christ for §4him to take possession of it, that though the soul be not able to kill sin, yet it's empty, the Coast is cleer, as when Joab sent to David to come and take the City, 1so the soul stands ready, that if Jesus Christ would come and take possession of it, and do that for it, which it cannot do it self; this is that that it would have, the soul is content that Christ should do all; as suppose a City that is Garrisoned with Enemies, they cannot get them out themselves, but they are willing that the General should come with his Soldiers and drive them out, and place another Garrison there: so the soul is content that Christ should dispossess whatsoever opposeth him, and do whatsoever is pleasing to himself, Isa. 26. 13. O Lord our God, 〈…〉 Lords besides thee have had Dominion over us, but by thee only will we make mention of thy Name; as if the soul should say, I cannot subdue my sins my self, but let Christ do what is good in his eyes; the soul is content that Christ should work upon it, and do all for it.
The Second Particular to be attended for the Explication §2of the Point, is to show the Manner of this Work: and that will also appear in Four things.
The Second Particular to be attended for the Explication §2of the Point, is to shew the Manner of this Work: and that will also appear in Four things.
The soul of a sinner is merely patient herein; it's ⟨p. 150⟩§1wrought upon him, not wrought by him, by any power he hath inherent in himself; so the phrase and language of Scripture, Jer. 31. 18. Turn me, and I shall be turned: and verse 19. After I was turned I […]: that also includes as much, Gal. 4. 9. we know God, […] rather (in this first Work) are known of him.
The soul of a sinner is meerly patient herein; it's ⟨p. 150⟩§1wrought upon him, not wrought by him, by any power he hath inherent in himself; so the phrase and language of Scripture, Jer. 31. 18. Turn me, and I shal be turned: and verse 19. After I was turned I 〈…〉: that also includes as much, Gal. 4. 9. we know God, 〈…〉 rather (in this first Work) are known of him.
And therefore it's no work of Sanctification, properly, and as it's taken in a narrow and strict sense; for the sinner be ng justified by Faith, and having the Spirit of Adoption dwelling in him, hath received a principle of life whereby he comes to be active, Act. 15 9. Having purified their hearts by faith. This only is in way of preparation to fit us for our being in Christ, that I may receive this power; this is to make room for faith and Christ, that having received him, I might be enabled by the power of the Spirit to run right, which is Sanctification: Hence then, go no further than this work: the sinner as yet is not a good Tree, nor can he bring forth good Fruit, but is in way of preparation to be made one; yet this work as it comes from the Spirit, is good and pleasing to God, because the Spirit is a good tree, and is the Author of this, I only am the receiver of it, and therefore it is none of my fruit properly, nor am I said to do any thing to please God by this, because it's done in me, not by me; As it is in the infusion of the Grace of Faith, look at it, as the soul is the subject of the Work, the act it self comes from the Spirit: and as a fruit of the Spirit it is good and accepted of God, yet I cannot properly be said to please God in it, because it is not an act done by me.
And therefore it's no work of Sanctification, properly, and as it's taken in a narrow and strict sense; for the sinner be ng justified by Faith, and having the Spirit of Adoption dwelling in him, hath received a principle of life wherby he comes to be active, Act. 15 9. Having purified their hearts by faith. This only is in way of preparation to fit us for our being in Christ, that I may receive this power; this is to make room for faith and Christ, that having received him, I might be enabled by the power of the Spirit to run right, which is Sanctification: Hence then, go no further than this work: the sinner as yet is not a good Tree, nor can he bring forth good Fruit, but is in way of preparation to be made one; yet this work as it comes from the Spirit, is good and pleasing to God, because the Spirit is a good tree, and is the Author of this, I only am the receiver of it, and therefore it is none of my fruit properly, nor am I said to do any thing to please God by this, because it's done in me, not by me; As it is in the infusion of the Grace of Faith, look at it, as the soul is the subject of the Work, the act it self comes from the Spirit: and as a fruit of the Spirit it is good and accepted of God, yet I cannot properly be said to please God in it, because it is not an act done by me.
Hence those feeble Objections fall to the ground, and are wiped away with a wet finger.
If there be any saving Preparation before the infusion1 of Faith, then the soul brings forth good fruit, and is a good tree without Faith: And Secondly, ⟨p. 151⟩then there is something which pleaseth God, and then the soul pleaseth God without Faith.
If there be any saving Preparation before the infusion1 of Faith, then the soul brings forth good fruit, and is a good tree without Faith: And Secondly, ⟨p. 151⟩then there is somthing which pleaseth God, and then the soul pleaseth God without Faith.
The Answer is easy, and at hand: These saving1 Preparations are no acts of mine, therefore not my fruit, nor can I be said to do any thing to please God by them, because they are […] in me, not by me, and the soul may have a good work wrought upon it, and be the receiver of it though not the Author of it; but as they come from the Spirit of God who is holy and blessed, so are they good fruits, and truly pleasing to God.
The Answer is easie, and at hand: These saving1 Preparations are no acts of mine, therefore not my fruit, nor can I be said to do any thing to please God by them, because they are 〈…〉 in me, not by me, and the soul may have a good work wrought upon it, and be the receiver of it though not the Author of it; but as they come from the Spirit of God who is holy and blessed, so are they good fruits, and truly pleasing to God.
This Preparative Work imports not so much any gracious habit or spiritual quality which is put into the soul, as a principle by which it is enabled to act that which concerns its everlasting welfare: but its rather an act of the spirit of Christ, whereby it doth fling down those strong holds, dispossess the power of Satan, and quit the soul from those overpowering and prevailing claims which Satan and Sin […] over it, as to exercise their tyranny and authority upon it; The soul sues out a divorce; now that is to weaken, and wholly to remove the claim of marriage, and authority which the party challenged thereby to act upon the party and overrule her, and yet […] divorce is neither marriage nor matrimonial love, but making room for the right and possession of the spirit by faith; as Hos. 3. 3. Thou shalt not before another, so I will be for thee. Acts' 26 18. To turn men from darkness, and from the power of Satan. It's a cutting off of the branch that it grow not upon its old root, and receive not sap and influence therefrom. For in the Fall of Man, there was a double work of Sin, First a turning of the soul from God; Then Secondly a settling of the soul upon the root of Adams rebellion, by a delivery of it up into the hand and power of perverted mutability, whence comes a daily ⟨p. 152⟩influence, and intercourse of the power of sin, and of Satan by sin, acting of it as he will; now this cutting off the soul by preparation, breaks off the continuance, and growing to the root of […]; which being interrupted and intercepted, it cannot act and carry the soul as formerly.
This Preparative Work imports not so much any gracious habit or spiritual quality which is put into the soul, as a principle by which it is enabled to act that which concerns its everlasting welfare: but its rather an act of the spirit of Christ, whereby it doth fling down those strong holds, dispossess the power of Satan, and quit the soul from those overpowering and prevailing claims which Satan and Sin 〈…〉 over it, as to exercise their tyranny and authority upon it; The soul sues out a divorce; now that is to weaken, and wholly to remove the claim of marriage, and authority which the party challenged thereby to act upon the party and overrule her, and yet 〈…〉 divorce is neither marriage nor matrimonial love, but making room for the right and possession of the spirit by faith; as
When this Preparation is fully wrought, Faith is §3certainly, and will undoubtedly be infused, and cannot be hindered, when (I say) it is complete and come to its full period in ultimata disposition: for there is a legal preparation which may befall Reprobates, it is a plashing of the soul not a total cutting off the soul from sin, which makes corruption couch more close, but will never kill it, nor is appointed by God for this end, to make way for the form of Faith, but for other ends, (as shall appear in the use of the point.)
When this Preparation is fully wrought, Faith is §3certainly, and wil undoubtedly be infused, and cannot be hindered, when (I say) it is compleat and come to its full period in ultimata dispositione: for there is a legal preparation which may befall Reprobates, it is a plashing of the soul not a total cutting off the soul from sin, which makes corruption couch more close, but will never kill it, nor is appointed by God for this end, to make way for the form of Faith, but for other ends, (as shall appear in the use of the point.)
But there is also an Evangelical Preparation, wherein the Lord intends to fit the soul fully for faith, and its implanting by faith into Christ: and this end he doth never, he can never miss; For there is no Efficient that spends his time & labour in preparing the matter but he will bring in the form, unless either he wanted wisdom in beginning that which he should not perfect, or wanted power in making a preparation for that, he could never bring to perfection, but neither of these can befall the Lord. Mal. 3. 1. When the soul is prepared, then the Lord presently comes into it.
But there is also an Evangelical Preparation, wherin the Lord intends to fit the soul fully for faith, and its implanting by faith into Christ: and this end he doth never, he can never miss; For there is no Efficient that spends his time & labor in preparing the matter but he will bring in the form, unless either he wanted wisdom in beginning that which he should not perfect, or wanted power in making a preparation for that, he could never bring to perfection, but neither of these can befall the Lord. Mal. 3. 1. When the soul is prepared, then the Lord presently comes into it.
The Soul is brought to Renounce 〈…〉 §2might serve to share in the Work and Glory of Free Grace, and so cast some blemish 〈…〉, or at 〈…〉 diminish the due worth thereof: which the 〈…〉 Christ (who doth all to the praise of the Glory 〈…〉 ⟨p. 147⟩1his Grace) will not suffer, and therefore he will have this Coast cleared also before his coming: And the Soul must be emptied, not only of those things, which out of the intr 〈…〉 Evil of their nature do cross the Nature of Grace, as Sins and Corruptions; but also of all that confidence in any spiritual sufficiency 〈…〉 〈…〉, by which, while we would seem to share with him in the Work of our Conversion, and ease 〈…〉 of some part of the Labor, we do indeed take some part of the Honor from him, concerning which 〈…〉 hath said, That he will not give his Glory to 〈…〉, Isa. 42. 8. The Lord Jesus as he will not suffer 〈…〉 Corruption never so strong to hinder his Work, when he will accomplish it, so neither will he suffer 〈…〉 of our performances or abilities, be they what 〈…〉 will, to joyn Purchasers with him in the 〈…〉 of Grace, as though he were not either able or willing to be the Author and sinisher of our Faith 2〈…〉. No, no: We must not ad of ours, but in 〈…〉 case take all of him, and from him; not bring 〈…〉 own wisdom with us, but become fools, that we 3〈…〉 be wise; and that's the way which God hath 〈…〉 to gain information, not think to ioyn our 〈…〉 with Christ, and so become Co-partners with 〈…〉, (I speak of the first Work of Conversion) to 〈…〉 our selves Holy, Just, and Wise, but 〈…〉 4our selves we must look that he should be made Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and 〈…〉 to us.
A Real Renouncing of our own worthiness of that §3Grace and Mercy which we need, and without which 〈…〉 are most miserable; this being one Condition of ⟨p. 148⟩the Second Covenant of Grace made in Christ, wherby it's differenced from that of the Law made with Adam; Namely, That Holiness and Righteousnes wherewith the Nature of man was beautified in Paradice, though it was not so natural as issuing out of1 the Principles, out of which he was compounded and made, yet by all Orthodox Divines it is in this sense judged natural2 in that in Gods wise Providence and righteous appointment, it was due to Nature; It being cross to the wise proceeding of the infinite wise God, to require Obedience from a Creature if he should not have given ability to the Creature to perform it: It Arguing weakness and unskilfulness at the least, in the Workman to make a thing for an End, and not make it able to attain the End 〈…〉 which it was made: But in this Second Covenant of the Gospel, it is far otherwise; when we in our first 〈…〉 had mispent the stock the Lord had bestowed upon us, we were unworthy to be betrusted with any more: and hence it coms to pass when the Lord wil lay hold upon the proud heart of a Sinner and draw him to himself, he sinks his Spirit with the sence of his own wretchedness, so that he sees and confesseth freely that he is undone without Mercy, and yet conceives it's not possible that ever such a worthless worm should partake thereof, acknowledgeth it's just with God to deny to give, nay to offer Grace to him, that hath slighted, rejected, opposed Grace from day to day; He knowes he cannot procure or Purchase Gods favor, challenge he dare not, without it he concludes he must perish, and yet deserves by his own confession ⟨p. 149⟩he should never obtain it; Dan. 9. 7, 8. O Lord, Righteousness belongs to thee, but unto us confufion of face, nothing but shame and confusion belongs to us, no mercy nor grace, Ezek. 36. 31, 32. They shal loarh themselves in their own eyes; and not for your 〈…〉 do I these things saith the Lord; be ashamed and confounded, O house of Israel. In a word, then is a man truly worthy that is fit to hear of, and to receive mercy, when he is rightly, really become 〈…〉 of his own unworthiness.
