A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

Use 2. Let it put us upon trial: What are we the better for these Days of Grace? Have we more knowledge and clearness of Faith? Alas! we are far inferior to those that obtained but the Shadows; their Eagle-Eye discerned more of Christ in a Ceremony, than we can in the Substance. It is said, Zech. 12.8. He that is feeble among them at that Day, shall be as David; and the House of David shall be as God, as the Angel of the Lord before them. But we come short, not only of David, but of the meanest Believer in the Old Testament, and have little knowledge of the ⟨p. 15⟩Covenant and Blessings of it. We lose the benefit of the days of Light wherein we live: as good we had never heard of the Gospel; nay, in some sense it had been better for us we had never enjoyed these days of Plenty, if we do […] profit by them. To stumble in the Night is more venial and pardonable; but it is dangerous to stumble there where we have the benefit of the Light to see our way. The Grace of God hath appeared, breaking out like a clear Light, yet we come short of Grace offered to us. Trees in a fertile Soil should be more fruitful, and Cattle in better Pasture should thrive more: so we that are led forth by the pleasant Streams, and refreshed with the tender Grass of the Earth, should thrive more. Wherefore hath God set up a Candle, a Light in the Church, but that we should work by it? Therefore have you improved these days of Grace? What of Power have you got to subdue Corruption? Alas! to some the Gospel is but a dead Letter still, it gives them no strength to master their Corruptions; at best it is a directive Light, not persuasive, it is only as Light, not as Fire to consume and burn up their Lusts; therefore what of Strength can you speak of for subduing of Corruption? What of willingness of Heart to do Duties? The Love of Christ constraineth us, • Cor. 5.14. You who are not acquainted with God's Love and Grace, have less Constraint: It should not be so, yet there is more recorded of the Piety, Zeal and Devotion of the Saints of the Old Testament, than we can imitate. And have we a greater measure of Comfort to carry us out against Discouragement? Have we a more full Joy to bear us up against all the Afflictions of this present Life, now there is more Grace discovered? Joh. 15.11. These things have I spoken to you, that my Joy might remain in you, and that your Joy might be full.