N00107:333
Indian dialogues, for their instruction in that great service of Christ, in calling home their country-men to the knowledge of God, and of themselves, and of Jesus Christ. : [Seven lines from Malachi]Indian dialogues, for their instruction in that great sevice of Christ, in calling home their country-men to the knowledge of God, and of themselves, and of Iesus Christ. : [Seven lines from Malachi]
Cambridge: printed by Marmaduke Johnson, 1671
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Penit. Oh the power of the word of God, aptly applied unto the case of a distressed soul! The sweet experience that I have now found in those scriptures which you have produced, and applied to my case▪ ••all ••ke me, hereafter, to search and re•d• the Scriptures more then I h•ve done. I do, like Hagar complain for water, when it is ju•t by me, if I would search. I hope I shall read the Scriptures more then ever I have done.
Penit. Oh the power of the word of God, aptly applied unto the case of a distressed soul! The sweet experience that I have now found in those •criptures which you have produced, and applied to my case▪ ••all ••ke me, hereafter, to search and re•d• the Scriptures more then I h•ve done. I do, like Hagar complain for water, when it is ju•t by me, if I would search. I hope I shall reade the Scriptures more then ever I have done.
John. You have prevented me, or rather the Spirit of God hath put into your heart by power and grace, that which I intended to have presented to you by way of Advice and Counsel, namely, To be frequent and abundant in reading the Scriptures, for you see that all Soul-cordials are laid up there, fetch them out therefore from that divine Treasury, and make use of them for your comfort. I know the Devil will oppose you in this matter, and keep you from conversing in the Scriptures, because they are the sword of the Spirit, Eph. 6.17. whereby we resist his temptations, as Christ himself hath set us an example, Mat. 4.4, 7, 10. when the Devil assaulted him with a temptation, he drew forth the sword of the Spirit, a Text of Scripture, and opposed the temptation thereby, and that presently conquered the Tempter. Do you the same, you cannot imitate a better pattern then our Lord Jesus Christ; and it is his Command also that we should so do, John 5.39. Search the Scriptures: and David made them his meditation day and night, Psal. 1.2. and he had the like experience that you now have found, and came to the like resolution, Psal. 119.93. I will never forget thy precepts, for with them thou hast quickened me.
Iohn. You have prevented me, or rather the Spirit of God hath put into your heart by power and grace, that which I intended to have presented to you by way of Advice and Counsel, namely, To be frequent and abundant in reading the Scriptures, for you see that all Soul-cordials are laid up there, fetch them out therefore from that divine Treasury, and make use of them for your comfort. I know the Devil will oppose you in this matter, and keep you from conversing in the Scriptures, because they are the sword of the Spirit, Eph. 6.17. whereby we resist his temptations, as Christ himself hath set us an example, Mat. 4.4, 7, 10. when the Devil assaulted him with a temptation, he drew forth the sword of the Spirit, a Text of Scripture, and opposed the temptation thereby, and that presently conquered the Tempter. Do you the same, you cannot imitate a better pattern then our Lord Jesus Christ; and it is his Command also that we should so do, John 5.39. Search the Scriptures: and David made them his meditation day and night, Psal. 1.2. and he had the like experience that you now have found, and came to the like resolution, Psal. 119.93. I will never forget thy precepts, for with them thou hast quickned me.
Penit. I feel much tranquility in my mind, in this way of seeking Soul-comfort in the Scriptures. Oh I have found out a way of refuge, comfort and rest in a stormy time, I hope the Lord will give me grace and wisdom to make more use thereof then ever I have done in my life. But still my soul is in great doubts and fears about my eternal condition: if I spend this life in griefs and sorrows, and when I finish here, I go away to eternal misery, Oh what a lamentable case is that! and my fear is, that this will be my condition: my griefs indeed are many, but they are worldly sorrow, I cannot say that I am converted. I desire to know what it is to be converted.
Penit. I feel much tranquility in my minde, in this way of seeking Soul-comfort in the Scriptures. Oh I have found out a way of refuge, comfort and rest in a stormy time, I hope the Lord will give me grace and wisdome to make more use thereof then ever I have done in my life. But still my soul is in great doubts and fears about my eternal condition: if I spend this life in griefs and sorrows, and when I finish here, I go away to eternal misery, Oh what a lamentable case is that! and my fear is, that this will be my condition: my griefs indeed are many, but they are worldly sorrow, I cannot say that I am converted. I desire to know what it is to be converted.
John. All Mankind are once born, by natural birth they come into this world; but all Gods children are born again, John 3, 3. Except a man be born again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven: and this is a spiritual birth, ver 5. Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, &c. Baptism is an outward sign of it, but the inward grace is a work of the Spirit, and the Spirit worketh by the Word of God, James 1.18, 21. Of his own will bega• he us •y the word of truth; and ver. 21. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls. By faith in the Promise the soul is united to Christ, and he that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit, 1 Cor. 6.17. When an afflicted soul doth venture it self and its All, upon the faithful word of Promise, and says to God, as Job said, Job 13.15. Though he kill me, yet I will trust in him; this is the new-born soul, and this believing soul shall be surely saved at last, whatever sorrows and afflictions it goes through in this life. ⟨p. 76⟩And whereas you say that your sorrows and griefs are but worldly sorrow: I answer, That the question is not what kind of sorrow it is, so much, as what the effects of it is; for no matter what the sorrow is, if it drive the soul to Christ; our salvation is by Christ, and not by sorrow: the use of sorrow is to embitter sin, and the world, and to drive the soul to Christ for relief and rest; if worldly sorrow, or rather sorrow about worldly things do this, it hath its end, and proves to be a godly sorrow. Sorrows are not to merit any thing from God, but to force the afflicted soul to fly to him for refuge. We shall find examples in Scripture, where sorrows about worldly things have effectually driven the soul to fly to God for refuge. Psal 88.18. Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness. This was an outward affliction, and yet in the first verse of that Psalm, it drives him to fly and cry to the God of his salvation; and this is an act of faith. So
that is, some broke jests upon him at their Taverns and Tiplings, and others scorned him, &c. all these were outward afflictions, but they drove David to fly and cry to God, ver. 17. Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul, &c. and this is an act of faith. So it was with Job in his affliction, Job 30.8, 9, 10. the basest of the people made songs and jests upon him; but mark what end God made with Job. So James speaks, Jam. 5.12. Therefore whatever your griefs be, turn them into prayers, and cry to God for relief, and then your grief hath a sanctified end, and you will at last learn to say after David, in that high strained string of Faith and Experience, It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes, Psal. 119.71. And ver. 67▪ of that Psalm, Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I have kept thy word. And therefore what though your afflictions be outward afflictions, seeing God is pleased mercifully to bless them unto your spiritual and eternal good. But I further observe, that sundry of your expressions do hold forth a spiritual sorrow for your sin, and a fear of Gods wrath, and an earnest desire to flee from, and escape wrath to come. I pray therefore express your self what sorrows and griefs you have of that kind; for although such sorrows do not deserve any thing at Gods hand, yet they are of a more spiritual nature, and spring from a deep reverence and fear of God, and do more immediately and effectually drive the soul for refuge to Jesus Christ, who only delivereth the soul from the guilt and condemnation of sin. Utter some drops of those soul-wounding terrors, which afflict you in the sense of your sin guiltiness.
that is, some broke jests upon him at their Taverns and Tiplings, and others scorned him, &c. all these were outward afflictions, but they drove David to fly and cry to God, ver. 17. Lord, how long wilt thou l•ok on? rescue my soul, &c. and this is an act of faith. So it was with Iob in his affliction, Iob 30.8, 9, 10. the basest of the people made songs and jests upon him; but mark what end God made with Iob. So Iames speaks,
Penit▪ Still my soul admireth to see the great use is to be made of the word of God, which doth engage my soul more and more, to a more frequent use of the Scriptures. Lord Jesus help me to perform it. My fore-mentioned griefs about my outward condition, are but the Porch of those troubles that lodge in my distressed soul. When I look down into the dungeon of my heart, and the dunghill of my life, I am filled with an abhorrence of my self, and wonderment at Gods patience, to suffer such a wretch as I am to live. I know much of the sins of others, but I know more by my self, then I know by any body else, considering circumstantial aggravations. I can truly say with Paul, 1 Tim. 1.15. sinners, […] whom I am chief. If my Companions have mis-led me, or my leaders have caused me to err, it may aggravate their sin, but be no excuse or apology for mine; I have done as evil as I could, and had not God hampered me with outward affliction and trouble, it is not to be said by man how vile I should have been. It is sometimes a quieting argument to my heart, to be patient under my outward crosses, because they be Mustard on the Worlds Nipples, to keep me from surfeiting upon the Creature. If I look into the glass of Gods Law, and behold the face of my life, and of my soul, as they are there represented, I am afraid of my self, I abhor my self, I am confounded. Gods Sabbaths I have profaned▪ Gods Word I have neglected; Gods Grace I have despised and resisted; I have broken the whole Law of God, every Command have I violated: for there be some acts of sin that I never did actually commit, yet the habit of sin is in me, and in inclination and desire I am guilty of it: and for a foundation of this mountainous heap of guilt, I am guilty of Adams fall, the first, the worst, the root of all the sins of the sons of men. My sinful habit and disposition by nature, doth viciously incline me to sin, against my desires, purposes, promises, and resolutions. When I strive and labour, and cry and pray against my sins, yet upon the opportunity and occasion offered, my •in will return; I am weak, that is strong; I am subdued, and that prevaileth. Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me?
Penit▪ Still my soul admireth to see the great use is to be made of the word of God, which doth engage my soul more and more, to a more frequent use of the Scriptures. Lord Jesus help me to perform it. My fore-mentioned griefs about my outward condition, are but the Porch of those troubles that lodge in my distressed soul. When I look down into the dungeon of my heart, and the dunghill of my life, I am filled with an abhorrence of my self, and wonderment at Gods patience, to suffer such a wretch as I am to live. I know much of the sins of others, but I know more by my self, then I know by any body else, considering circumstantial aggravations. I can truly say with Paul,
When I consider the infinite Justice of God offended, the infinite Wrath of God provoked, the eternal Law of God violated, and the eternal torments provided and prepared in hell for sinners, and the insuperableness of my sin, by any means I can use, it will prevail over me, it will keep me in bondage, it will enslave me, and I fear it finally will damn me. In these considerations my soul is sunk and drowned. If therefore there be any Balm for my sore, any succour for my distressed soul, show me the way how I shall escape these everlasting burnings, that are the just recompense of my transgressions.
When I consider the infinite Justice of God offended, the infinite Wrath of God provoked, the eternal Law of God violated, and the eternal torments provided and prepared in hell for sinners, and the insuperableness of my sin, by any means I can use, it will prevail over me, it will keep me in bondage, it will inslave me, and I fear it finally will damn me. In these considerations my soul is sunk and drowned. If therefore there be any Balm for my sore, any succour for my distressed soul, shew me the way how I shall escape these everlasting burnings, that are the just recompence of my transgressions.
John. The first endeavour of the heart of man, is to pacify Gods ⟨p. 78⟩wrath with something of our own; and first by mincing, excusing and apologizing, as they did, Jer. 2.33, 34, 35, 36▪ 37. Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? thou teachest ways and arts to sin cunningly; and hence the blood of innocent souls is openly sound in thy skirts: yet thou sayest, I am innocent, and his anger shall be turned away. But then divine Justice taketh the cause in hand; Why gaddest thou about to seek so many shifts? I will never leave thee till I have made thee ashamed of them all, for none of them shall prosper to turn away divine wrath, or to procure thee a pardon. But I find not your soul mincing of your sin, nor making excuses for your self. The next course the heart of man will take, is to purchase a pardon, by giving to God some great sacrifice, or by doing some great penance; as it is expressed in Micah 6.6, 7, 8▪ Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and b••e my self before the high God? sha•l I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of r•vers of oil? shall I give my first born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin […] my soul? He hath showed thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to l•ve mercy, and […] walk humbly with thy God? The inquiry is wherewith a sinner shall pacify God; he proffers great matters, more then he can perform: he bids low at first, only burnt-offerings and calves; but when that will not be accepted he rises higher, s•ewing what he would do if he had wherewith, he bids thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil; if that will not do, he offers the fruit of his body for the Sin of his soul, whether macerations of the body, or any other fruit: but alas, all will not do. And then ver 8. he shows what is the only thing that will satisfy, only Jesus Christ, believed on by faith, held forth in those works of sanctification and holy l•fe, for so the Scripture testifies, 2 Cor 5.19. God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto himself. And
I do not mention such Texts of Scripture as call to repentance, because the end of repentance being to dispose the heart to believing; it seemeth to me, by your many gracious and penitent confessions, that the Spirit of God hath wrought in you a penitent heart already, and your soul lieth in the very next capacity of believing in our Lord Jesus Christ by the Promise. Yea further I say, that your gracious acceptance of the Word of God, love unto it▪ and submission to its light and conduct, these a•ts of grace in you are so powerful, sweet and savoury, that I know not but that the work of faith is already wrought in your poor, mourning, trembling, but blessed soul; and therefore be no more so disconsolate, hope in the Lord, and do as it is said, Psal. 27 14. W•it on the Lord, ⟨p. 79⟩be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart: wait, I say, upon the L•rd.
I do not mention such Texts of Scripture as call to repentance, because the end of repentance being to dispose the heart to believing; it seemeth to me, by your many gracious and penitent confessions, that the Spirit of God hath wroug•t in you a penitent heart already, and your soul lyeth in the very next capacity of believing in our Lord Jesus Christ by the Promise. Yea further I say, that your gracious acceptance of the Word of God, love unto it▪ and submission to its light and conduct, these a•ts of grace in you are so powerful, sweet and savoury, that I know not but that the work of faith is already wrought in your poor, mourning, trembling, but blessed soul; and therefore be no more so disconsolate, hope in the Lord, and do as it is said, Psal. 27 14. W•it on the Lord, ⟨p. 79⟩be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart: wait, I say, upon the Lrd.
Penit. I do perceive that you take that to be a great work of grace and faith in my heart, so gladly to receive the Word of God, and submissively to give up my self to the conduct thereof. I cannot deny, but confess, that my heart is really so as I have expressed, and every thing that hath passed in this Conference hath had something in it, to strengthen that frame of heart it me: and now lastly and especially, that you do bring forth that work which is wrought in me to be an evidence of faith, this doth so much the more incline and oblige my heart to a great love and reverence to the Scriptures, and a resolution, through the grace, help and assistance of Jesus Christ, to spend the rest of my life in a more diligent and abundant attendance on the hearing, reading, meditating on, and obeying of the Word of God. If this be an act of faith, I desire to live that part of the life of faith all the days of my life. Lord help me to perform this promise unto God.
Penit. I do perceive that you take that to be a great work of grace and faith in my heart, so gladly to receive the Word of God, and submissively to give up my s•lf to the conduct thereof. I cannot deny, but confess, that my heart is really so as I have expressed, and every thing that hath passed in this Conference hath had something in it, to strengthen that frame of heart it me: and now lastly and especially, that you do bring forth that work which is wrought in me to be an evidence of faith, this doth so much the more incline and oblige my heart to a great love and reverence to the Scriptures, and a resolution, through the grace, help and assistance of Jesus Christ, to spend the rest of my life in a more diligent and abundant attendance on the hearing, reading, meditating on, and obeying of the Word of God. If this be an act of faith, I desire to live that part of the life of faith all the dayes of my life. Lord help me to perform this promise unto God.
John. I will show you the reason why I lay so much weight upon that […] of heart, to embrace the Word, to love it, to obey it, &c. First, I find that it is the character of th•se famous primitive Converts, Acts 2.41, 42. The• they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls: and they continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship. Their obedience to, and walking in the Word, is a chief effect and Sign of the true and thorough work of grace in them: in that point their Conversion shined, and it seemeth to me, that your Conversion doth in this point shine. Again, Jam. 1.21. it is said, Lay aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness▪ and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Here be three things in this Text: the first is the preparative work, to cast away all filthiness, and out boilings of naughtiness. This work God hath wrought in your distressed heart, which appeareth in your penitent confessions. The second work is to receive the word with meekness, and so, that it may appear to be an ingrafted word, connaturalized in your heart; and this is the work which I observe to be wrought in your heart, which is the work of faith, whereby you are united to Christ by the word so received, and submitted unto: The entrance of thy word giveth life, Psal. 119.130. Then the third thing; this Word so received and ingrafted, whereby you are united to Christ, this will save your soul; you are a ve••el of grace, and shall be a vessel of glory, f•ar it not, God that cannot lie hath spoken it. Again, 1 Pet 2.1, 2. Laying aside all malice, and •ll gu••e, and hypocrisies, and envies, and evil speakings; As new born •a•es desire the sincere milk o• the •ord, that ye may grow thereby. Here see 1. A new born babe, that is, a soul converted, a new creature formed
the word of God is the seed of God to beget the new creature, 1 John 3.9. and then the word of God is milk to feed and nourish the new creature. Now this is the thing that I observe in you, that as a new born babe you desire the milk of the word: and note this word, Sin•ere milk; a living babe of Christ cannot abide humane mixtures added to the word of God; he loves the pure word, he cannot relish mixtures.
the word of God is the seed of God to beget the new creature, 1 John 3.9. and then the word of God is milk to feed and nourish the new creature. Now this is the thing that I observe in you, that as a new born babe you desire the milk of the word: and note this word, Sin•ere milk; a living babe of Christ cannot abide humane mixtures added to the word of God; he loves the pure word, he cannot rellish mixtures.
Penit. My dearest friend, God hath made you an instrument in his hand to lay before me unspeakable consolation; and I cannot deny but I feel it in my heart, I am another man then what I was, I looked on my self the most miserable of men, I now am happy being united to Christ. O blessed change! I am in admiration at this, I admire the grace of Christ to a dead, lost, damned sinner. I am come into a new world, I have other desires then I had, and other purposes; I see things in another frame then I was wont to see them. I must live a new life, and steer a new course. But in this point my soul desires to begin, I am not mine own, I am the servant of Jesus Christ, he died for me, and by his grace I desire to live unto him. And now I find my self greatly to need Counsel how to order my self in my future course; what shall I d• for the Lord, who hath done so much for me? My dear friend, your Counsel hath been greatly owned and blessed by the Lord for my new birth, I desire to have great respect to your Counsel for the ordering of my ways in my new life. You do partly know that my people, and some chief ones among them, have had but a small measure of respect for me, but I have great reason to overlook it, and bury it, because in his infinite mercy Christ hath turned it about for my better good; my heart telleth me that I must seek the good of my people, how to manage that work wisely, is my difficulty, wherein I need your Counsel. I would to God that all my people were as I am, and tasted and felt what I have found; but that is not yet so. I desire to bring them to be the Lords people, how I shall accomplish that, is my great difficulty. You know I have been frequently among you praying Indians ▪ and in my heart have adhered to you, and it may be that I have •ou•d the less acceptation for it; but I leave that God. I mu•• do and perform the trust, ch•rge and duty that my Lord Jesus hath committed to me. My question therefore is, How shall I ⟨p. 81⟩comport with the present affairs, and state of things? how shall I bring the matter about, to bring about my people to pray to God?
Penit. My dearest friend, God hath made you an instrument in his hand to lay before me unspeakable consolation; and I cannot deny but I feel it in my heart, I am another man then what I was, I looked on my self the most miserable of men, I now am happy being united to Christ. O blessed change! I am in admiration at this, I admire the grace of Christ to a dead, lost, damned sinner. I am come into a new world, I have other desires then I had, and other purposes; I see things in another frame then I was wont to see them. I must live a new life, and steer a new course. But in this point my soul desires to begin, I am not mine own, I am the servant of Jesus Christ, he died for me, and by his grace I desire to live unto him. And now I finde my self greatly to need Counsel how to order my self in my future course; what shall I d for the Lord, who hath done so much for me? My dear friend, your Counsel hath been greatly owned and blessed by the Lord for my new birth, I desire to have great respect to your Counsel for the ordering of my wayes in my new life. You do partly know that my people, and some chief ones among them, have had but a smal measure of respect for me, but I have great reason to overlook it, and bury it, because in his infinite mercy Crist hath turned it about for my better good; my heart telleth me that I must seek the good of my people, how to manage that work wisely, is my difficulty, wherein I need your Counsel. I would to God that all my people were as I am, and tasted and felt what I have found; but that is not yet so. I desire to bring them to be the Lords people, how I shall accomplish that, is my great difficulty. You know I have been frequently among you praying Idians and in my heart have adered to you, and it may be that I have oud the less acceptation for it; but I leave that God. I mu do and perform the trust, chrge and duty that my Lord Jesus hath committed to me. My question therefore is, How shall I
John. It joys my heart to hear these gracious breathings of Gods Spirit in you. I taste in your discourse evident tokens of a living child of God. I see that my judgement about the spiritual state of your soul, was not a product of precipitate charity, but an effect of the spirit of right discerning. I will encourage you in your godly purposes, with a modest application of some of the Angels words to Gideon, Judg 6.12, 14. Go on, thou mighty man of valour, and go in this thy strength, and thou shalt save thy people. The Lord will be with thee. But for the manner of your proceeding in this matter, my thoughts incline me to propose this way: Be open to own the grace of God bestowed on you, to confess your former known crooked and dark ways, and the change which God by his grace hath wrought in you. At present, let your first motion be to stay a while at Natick, adjoin your self to the Church, who when they hear your Confession, will joyfully receive you. In due season, request of the Church to send some able, pious, and fitting Teachers with you, among your people. Prudent Counsel may be taken how to prepare and predispose your people for such a motion. I do not doubt but the Governor and Magistrates of the Massachusetts, will be easily entreated to interpose in so good a work, which may tend to the bringing in so many people to the service of Jesus Christ.
Iohn. It joyes my heart to hear these gracious breathings of Gods Spirit in you. I taste in your discourse evident tokens of a living childe of God. I see that my judgement about the spiritual state of your soul, was not a product of precipitate charity, but an effect of the spirit of right discerning. I will encourage you in your godly purposes, with a modest application of some of the Angels words to Gideon, Judg 6.12, 14. Go on, thou mighty man of valour, and go in this thy strength, and thou shalt save thy people. The Lord will be with thee. But for the manner of your proceeding in this matter, my thoughts incline me to propose this way: Be open to own the grace of God bestowed on you, to confess your former known crooked and dark wayes, and the change which God by his grace hath wrought in you. At present, let your first motion be to stay a while at Natik, adjoyn your self to the Church, who when they hear your Confession, will joyfully receive you. In due season, request of the Church to send some able, pious, and fitting Teachers with you, among your people. Prudent Counsel may be taken how to prepare and predispose your people for such a motion. I do not doubt but the Governour and Magistrates of the Massachusets, will be easily intreated to interpose in so good a work, which may tend to the bringing in so many people to the service of Jesus Christ.
Penit· I do well approve and accept of your Counsel, it savoureth of discretion and wisdom, in all things God hath guided your lips to drop like the honey-comb into my heart. And now I have one request further unto you, That while we are together in this solitary opportunity, we may spend some time in conversing with God in Prayer, turn all those things that have passed into Prayers, and the future matters also; let us spread them before the Lord, and beg his guidance and blessing.
Penit· I do well approve and accept of your Counsel, it savoureth of discretion and wisdome, in all things God hath guided your lips to drop like the honey-comb into my heart. And now I have one request further unto you, That while we are together in this solitary opportunity, we may spend some time in conversing with God in Prayer, turn all those things that have passed into Prayers, and the future matters also; let us spread them before the Lord, and beg his guidance and blessing.
John. I do greatly accept this motion; and it is another sign of the truth of the work of Gods grace in your heart, because this is the property of the new creature, a new-born babe, that he will cry Abba Father. Here we leave them at Prayer.
Iohn. All Mankinde are once born, by natural birth they come into this world; but all Gods children are born again, Iohn 3, 3. Except a man be born again, he cannot enter into the kingdome of heaven: and this is a spiritual birth, ver 5. Ex•ept a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, &c. Baptism is an outward sign of it, but the inward grace is a work of the Spirit, and the Spirit worketh by the Word of God, Iames 1.18, 21. Of his own will bega• he us •y the word of truth; and ver. 21. Wherefore lay apart all fil•hiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls. By faith in the Promise the soul is united to Christ, and he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit, 1 Cor. 6.17. When an afflicted soul doth venture it self and its All, upon the faithful word of Promise, and sayes to God, as Iob said, Iob 13.15. Though he kill me, yet I will trust in him; this is the new-born soul, and this believing soul shall be surely saved at last, whatever sorrows and afflictions it goes through in this life. ⟨p. 76⟩And whereas you say that your sorrows and griefs are but worldly sorrow: I answer, That the question is not what kinde of sorrow it is, so much, as what the effects of it is; for no matter what the sorrow is, if it drive the soul to Christ; our salvation is by Christ, and not by sorrow: the use of sorrow is to imbitter sin, and the world, and to drive the soul to Christ for relief and rest; if worldly sorrow, or rather sorrow about worldly things do this, it hath its end, and proves to be a godly sorrow. Sorrows are not to merit any thing from God, but to force the afflicted soul to fly to him for refuge. We shall finde examples in Scripture, where sorrows about worldly things have effectually driven the soul to fly to God for refuge. Psal 88.18. Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness. This was an outward affliction, and yet in the first verse of that Psalm, it drives him to fly and cry to the God of his salvation; and this is an act of faith. So Psal. 35.15. But mine adversaries they rejoyced, they gathered themselves together, yea the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not. With hypocritical meekers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their •eeth;
Iohn. The first endeavour of the heart of man, is to pacifie Gods ⟨p. 78⟩wrath with something of our own; and first by mincing, excusing and apologizing, as they did, Jer. 2.33, 34, 35, 36▪ 37. Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? thou teachest wayes and arts to sin cunningly; and hence the blood of innocent souls is openly sound in thy skirts: yet thou sayest, I am innocent, and his anger shall be turned away. But then divine Justice taketh the cause in hand; Why gaddest thou about to seek so many shifts? I will never leave thee till I have made thee ashamed of them all, for none of them shall prosper to turn away divine wrath, or to procure thee a pardon. But I finde not your soul mi•cing of your sin, nor making excuses for your self. The next course the heart of man will take, is to purchase a pardon, by giving to God some great sacrifice, or by doing some great penance; as it is expressed in Mi•ah 6.6, 7, 8▪ Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and b••e my self before the high God? sha•l I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of r•vers of oyl? shall I give my first born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin 〈…〉 my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to l•ve mercy, and 〈…〉 walk hum•ly with thy God? The inquiry is wherewith a sinner shall pacifie God; he proffers great matters, more then he can perform: he bids low at first, onely burnt-offerings and calves; but when that will not be accepted he rises higher, s•ewing what he would do if he had wherewith, he bids thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oyl; if that will not do, he offers the fruit of his body for the Sin of his soul, whether macerations of the body, or any other fruit: but alas, all will not do. And then ver 8. he shews what is the onely thing that will satisfie, onely Jesus Christ, belived on by faith, held forth in those works of sanctification and holy l•fe, for so the Scripture testifies, 2 Cor 5.19. God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto himself. And Acts 4.12. There is no other Name under heaven by whi•h we can be saved. Acts 16.31. Bel•eve in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Iohn. I will shew you the reason why I lay so much weight upon that 〈…〉 of heart, to embrace the Word, to love it, to obey it, &c. First, I finde that it is the character of th•se famous primi•ive Converts, Acts 2.41, 42. The• they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls: and they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship. Their obedience to, and walking in the Word, is a chief effect and Sign of the true and thorough work of grace in them: in that point their Conversion shined, and it seemeth to me, that your Conversion doth in this point shine. Again, Iam. 1.21. it is said, Lay aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness▪ and receive with •eekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Here be three things in this Text: the first is the preparative work, to cast away all filthiness, and out boilings of naughtiness. This work God hath wrought in your distressed heart, which appeareth in your penitent confessions. The second work is to receive the word with meekness, and so, that it may appear to be an ingrafted word, connaturalized in your heart; and this is the work which I observe to be wrought in your heart, which is the work of faith, whereby you are united to Christ by the word so received, and submitted unto: The entrance of thy word giveth life, Psal. 119.130. Then the third thing; this Word so received and ingrafted, whereby you are united to Christ, this will save your soul; you are a ve••el of grace, and shall be a vessel of glory, f•ar it not, God that cannot lie hath spoken it. Again, 1 Pet 2.1, 2. Laying aside all mal•ce, and •ll gu••e, and •ypocrisies, and envies, and evil speakings; As new born •a•es desire the sincere milk o• the •ord, that ye may grow thereby. Here see 1. A new born babe, that is, a soul converted, a new creature formed ⟨p. 80⟩in the heart by faith laying hold on Christ, and from him receiving the Spirit, to dwell in him, and to form this new creature in his heart. Now what acts of life doth this babe perform? they are two: 1. By mortification and repentance he purgeth out all his sins; and this act of life you effectually do by your penitent confessions. The second act of life is, he desires the sincere milk of the word that he may grow thereby. The new creature is fed by the same means by which it was begotten:
