Five sermons on several subjects. I. A birth-day sermon, preached on the day when…
Five sermons on several subjects. I. A birth-day sermon, preached on the day when the author attained to the eightieth year of his age. II. A dying testimony to the sovereign grace of God in the salvation of his elect, containing three sermons. III. Believers encouraged to pray from the consideration of Christs interceding for them, and with them. / By Increase Mather, D.D ; [Six lines of quotations]
Increase Mather 1639–1723Boston: printed by B. Green for Daniel Henchman, 1719
[2], v, [1], 128 p. ; 15 cm. (12mo) · 27k words · Evans 2053
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.
Ezek.36.26. A new heart will I give you, says God, & a new spirit will I put within you; I will take away the heart of stone & I will give you an heart of flesh. Who can give a New heart? The heart is put for the Soul with all the Powers & Faculties of it. The Soul with all the Powers and Faculties of it, when once Converted, when Grace is bestowed on the Sinner, these are all wonderfully changed, and ⟨p. 64⟩renewed. I will take away the heart […] stone, and will give you a heart of fles•▪ Who can do this but God? Who […] turn a stone into flesh? none but God […] do it. It is therefore evident that th• Conversion & Salvation of Sinners must be ascribed to the Sovereign irresistibl• Grace of God. It will appear yet further▪ If we consider what manner of Sinne•• some are, or have been whom God […] pleased to Convert, and when it is […] does Convert them; not only such […] have been guilty of lesser evils, but some times those that have been very gre•• Sinners, God has been pleased to bestow converting Grace upon them. Thus the•• Ephesians the Text speaks of, they […] been very Notorious Sinners, they ha• been the greatest Idolaters in the World beside that they had been guilty of So•• cery, Act.19.19. It is said of them, the• used Curious Arts; but when they were Converted, they burned their books, wit• a holy indignation at themselves; and the price of them was fifty thousand pieces of Silver, which is fifteen hundred Pounds, Sterling, in English Money. […] much did they give to obtain these wicked ⟨p. 65⟩
books, which was a most abominable Sin in the sight of God; yet God made them New Creatures, turned those vile Sinners into eminent Saints of God. We have a remarkable instance hereof, in the Apostle Paul, he had been a very Notorious Sinner, although' not as to Immoralities, yet he had been the chief of Sinners, he was a great Persecutor, the chief of Sinners because he was a ringleader among Persecutors, he was a great Blasphemer of the Name of Christ, and he would punish Christians, and persecute them even to the very death, and was consenting to the blood of the Martyr Stephen, and yet he found Mercy with the Lord, and how so?
. The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant toward me. Not only Grace, but abundant Grace, and exceeding abundant Grace: And then the time when the Lord came upon Saul to Convert him.
Ezek.36.26. A new heart will I give you, sayes God, & a new spirit will I put within you; I will take away the heart of stone & I will give you an heart of flesh. Who can give a New heart? The heart is put for the Soul with all the Powers & Faculties of it. The Soul with all the Powers and Faculties of it, when once Converted, when Grace is bestowed on the Sinner, these are all wonderfully changed, and ⟨p. 64⟩renewed. I will take away the heart 〈…〉 stone, and will give you a heart of fles•▪ Who can do this but God? Who 〈…〉 turn a stone into flesh? none but God 〈…〉 do it. It is therefore evident that th• Conversion & Salvation of Sinners must be ascribed to the Soveraign irresistibl• Grace of God. It will appear yet further▪ If we consider what manner of Sinne•• some are, or have been whom God 〈…〉 pleased to Convert, and when it is 〈…〉 does Convert them; not only such 〈…〉 have been guilty of lesser evils, but some times those that have been very gre•• Sinners, God has been pleased to besto• converting Grace upon them. Thus the•• Ephesians the Text speaks of, they 〈…〉 been very Notorious Sinners, they ha• been the greatest Idolat•rs in the World beside that they had been guilty of So•• cery, Act.19.19. It is said of them, the• used Curious Arts; but when they were Converted, they burned their books, wit• a holy indignation at themselves; and the price of them was fifty thousand pieces of Silver, which is fifteen hundred Pounds, Sterling, in English Money. 〈…〉 much did they give to obtain these wicked ⟨p. 65⟩books, which was a most abominable Sin in the sight of God; yet God made them New Creatures, turned those vile Sinners into eminent Saints of God. We have a remarkable instance hereof, in the Apostle Paul, he had been a very Notorious Sinner, altho' not as to Immoralities, yet he had been the chief of Sinners, he was a great Persecutor, the chief of Sinners because he was a ringleader among Persecutors, he was a great Blasphemer of the Name of Christ, and he would punish Christians, and persecute them even to the very death, and was consenting to the blood of the Martyr Stephen, and yet he found Mercy with the Lord, and how so? 1 Tim.1.14. The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant toward me. Not only Grace, but abundant Grace, and exceeding abundant Grace: And then the time when the Lord came upon Saul to Convert him.
So as to other Sinners when in the height of their wickedness, when prosecuting their wicked designs▪ with all their might, then God comes and changes them, makes New Creatures of them. It was so with Saul, when drawing ⟨p. 66⟩near to Damascus with an intention to persecute the Christians there, wher• on his Journey before he came to the City, God met with him and Convert• him, changes his heart, that this Saul afterwards Paul, who had been the greatest Persecutor of Christians, becomes the greatest lover of them, and the greatest instance of Converting Men to Christ of any Man in the World. And in the second Chapter of the Acts, we have […] wonderful evidence of the Soverai•• Grace of God. The Jews had just been Crucifying the Lord Jesus Christ, and was there ever a greater Sin committ•• in the World? Now when that blo•• was reeking on them, God comes a•• Converts them, when that blood had ju•• been shed by them: Men might have thought that God would have sent the• active to Hell, but instead of that He Converts them, makes New Creatures […] them. There have been some of the Elect of God, whom He has left to fall into some great Sin to the wounding […] their Conscience, and has made that Sin of theirs to become an occasion of their Repentance, and turning to God. […] ⟨p. 67⟩have then cause to cry. Grace! Grace! that ought to be admired by all the Saints on Earth,& by all the Angels in Heaven.
So as to other Sinners when in the height of their wickedness, when prosecuting their wicked designs▪ with all their might, then God comes and changes them, makes New Creatures of them. It was so with Saul, when drawing ⟨p. 66⟩near to Damascus with an intention to persecute the Christians there, wher• on his Journey before he came to the City, God met with him and Convert• him, changes his heart, that this Saul afterwards Paul, who had been the greatest Persecutor of Christians, becomes the greatest lover of them, and the greatest instance of Converting Men to Christ of any Man in the World. And in the second Chapter of the Acts, we have 〈…〉 wonderful evidence of the Soverai•• Grace of God. The Jews had just been Crucifying the Lord Jesus Christ, and was there ever a greater Sin committ•• in the World? Now when that blo•• was reeking on them, God comes a•• Converts them, when that blood had ju•• been shed by them: Men might have thought that God would have sent the• active to Hell, but instead of that He Converts them, makes New Creatures 〈…〉 them. There have been some of the Elect of God, whom He has left to fall into some great Sin to the wounding 〈…〉 their Conscience, and has made that Sin of theirs to become an occasion of their Repentance, and turning to God. 〈…〉⟨p. 67⟩have then cause to cry. Grace! Grace! that ought to be admired by all the Saints on Earth,& by all the Angels in Heaven.
2. Another thing contained in Salvation, is, Justification. Believers are Justified. Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by faith we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Abraham is styled, The Father of all that do believe. Why so? because all that do believe must be justified the same way that Abraham was, not by works, but by faith in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus it is said, Gen. 15.6. which is the first place in all the Bible that speaks expressly of believing: It is said, Abraham believed in the Lord and it was counted to him for righteousness. He was therefore looked upon as a justified Man because he believed on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now this Justification is from free Grace. Tit. 3.7. We are justified by his Grace, (says the Apostle) that so we might ••ve hope of eternal life. Yea, by Grace indeed, by the greatest and freest Grace. Rom. 3. 24. Being justified freely by his Grace. There are two things implied in Justification, both of them are from the rich, ⟨p. 68⟩free Grace of God. One thing implied in Justification, is the forgiveness of Sin▪ As for the justified person his Sins are forgiven, that is an evidence of Infinite Grace. Considering how great a wrong Sin is unto God, and how much it does provoke Him; if God does forgive a sinner it must needs be from Grace, therefore God says, Isa. 43. 25. I will blot ou• your sins, for mine own sake. Not fo• your sakes, not that you deserve any▪ such thing; but for my own sake. That He might magnify His wonderful Grace and Mercy on poor Creatures, He forgives many Sins and great Sins too. We have a Parable to this purpose, Luk. […] 41, 42. There was a certain Creditor▪ that had two Debtors, the one owed hi• fifty pence, the other owed him five hundred pence, they had nothing to pay, and he frankly forgave them both. Thus not only they that owe fifty pence; but they that owe five Hundred pence, yea, Thousands, God frankly forgives them: They have nothing, they may not plead that they deserve to be forgiven. It is more▪over not only a free, but a full forgiveness, that God does favour Believers on ⟨p. 69⟩Christ with. He forgives not some of their Sins only, but all of them. Col. 2. 13. He has forgiven us […] trespasses. Their Sins shall be as tho' they had never been; their Sins are so forgiven, as that not one of them is to be found. Jer. •0. 20.
2. Another thing cont•ined in Salvation, is, Justification. Believers are Justified. Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by faith we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Abraham is styled, The Father of all that do believe. Why so? bec•use all that do believe must be justified the same way that Abraham was, not by works, but by faith in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus it is said, Gen. 15.6. which is the first place in all the Bible that speaks expressly of believing: It is said, Abraham believed in the Lord and it was counted to him for righteousness. He was therefore look'd upon as a justified Man because he believed on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now this Justification is from free Grace. Tit. 3.7. We are justified by his Grace, (says the Apostle) that so we might ••ve hope of eternal life. Yea, by Grace indeed, by the greatest and freest Grace. Rom. 3. 24. Being justified freely by his Grace. There are two things imply'd in Justification, both of them are from the rich, ⟨p. 68⟩free Grace of God. One thing imply'd in Justification, is the forgiveness of Sin▪ As for the justified person his Sins are forgiven, that is an evidence of Infinite Grace. Considering how great a wrong Sin is unto God, and how much it does provoke Him; if God does forgive a sinner it must needs be from Grace, therefore God says, Isa. 43. 25. I will blot ou• your sins, for mine own sake. Not fo• your sakes, not that you deserve any▪ such thing; but for my own sake. That He might magnify His wonderful Grace and Mercy on poor Creatures, He forgives many Sins and great Sins too. We have a Parable to this purpose, Luk. 〈…〉 41, 42. There was a certain Creditor▪ that had two Debtors, the one owed hi• fifty pence, the other owed him five hundred pence, they had nothing to pay, and he frankly forgave them both. Thus not only they that owe fifty pence; but they that owe five Hundred pence, yea, Thousands, God frankly forgives them: They have nothing, they may not plead that they deserve to be forgiven. It is moreover not only a free, but a full forgiveness, that God does favour Believers on
If their Iniquity be sought for, they shall not be found, there shall be none. Why! It is all carried away into the wilderness of everlasting forgetfulness; it shall not be found when God has par•ioned it. Another thing implied in Justification, the Sinner is accepted as Righteous. For the Righteousness of Christ is imputed to him, not Christ's essential Righteousness, then he would be God, nor his habitual Righteousness, for then he would be perfectly sanctified; but Christs active Righteousness is imputed to the believer. What Christ has done God accepts of it as if the Believer himself had done it. 2 Cor.5.21. He hath made him to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. He has been made so only by imputation. Rom.5.19. As by the disobedience of one, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one many are made righteous. Hence one ⟨p. 70⟩of the Martyrs has an admirable expr•• sion, Behold (says he) here is a wonderful exchange, Christ has my sins, and I ha•• His righteousness. Christ has my si•• has answered for them, and I have […] Righteousness imputed to me. […] would magnify his law and make it hon•• rabble, therefore there must be a comple•• Obedience to the Law of God, and […] case His Law is transgressed, then the p• nalty of the Law must be submitted […] The Lord Jesus Christ has undertak•• both these, He has fulfilled the Law: […] Him all Believers are looked upon, as […] they had kept the Law, so have a rig•• unto eternal life. Rom.8.4. The righ•• ousness of the law is fulfilled in us. […] is it fulfilled in us? but with respect […] the Lord Jesus Christ, He has fulfill•• the law, He has done all that the law […] God required to be done; He never di• transgress it in Thought, Word, or Deed now because Christ has done it, Believe• are said to fulfil the law, for what he […] done is imputed to them. Christ […] has submitted to the penalty of the […] He was made a curse for us, that we mig•• be delivered from the curse. He w••⟨p. 71⟩wounded for our transgressions; He had our iniquities laid upon Him, the punishment due to us was laid upon our Lord Jesus Christ, Isa•. 53.1. Thereby He has made full satisfaction to the Justice of God, so has obtained Life & Salvation for us;
If their Iniquity be sought for, they shall not be found, there shall be none. Why! It is all carried away into the wilderness of everlasting forgetfulness; it shall not be found when God has par•ioned it. Another thing implied in Justification, the Sinner is accepted as Righteous. For the Righteousness of Christ is imputed to him, not Christ's essential Righteousness, then he would be God, nor his habitual Righteousness, for then he would be perfectly sanctified; but Christs active Righteousness is imputed to the believer. What Christ has done God accepts of it as if the Believer himself had done it. 2 Cor.5.21. He hath made him to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. He has been made so only by imputation. Rom.5.19. As by the disobedience of one, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one many are made righteous. Hence one ⟨p. 70⟩of the Martyrs has an admirable expr•• sion, Behold (says he) here is a wonderful exchange, Christ has my sins, and I ha•• His righteousness. Christ has my si•• has answered for them, and I have 〈…〉 Righteousness imputed to me. 〈…〉 would magnifie his law and make it hon•• rable, therefore there must be a comple•• Obedience to the Law of God, and 〈…〉 case His Law is transgress•d, then the p• nalty of the Law must be submitted 〈…〉 The Lord Jesus Christ has undertak•• both these, He has fulfilled the Law: 〈…〉 Him all Believers are look'd upon, as 〈…〉 they had kept the Law, so have a rig•• unto eternal life. Rom.8.4. The righ•• ousness of the law is fulfilled in us. 〈…〉 is it fulfilled in us? but with respect the Lord Jesus Christ, He has fulfill the law, He has done all that the law God required to be done; He never di transgress it in Thought, Word, or Deed now because Christ has done it, Believe are said to fulfil the law, for what he done is imputed to them. Christ has submitted to the penalty of the He was made a curse for us, that we mig be delivered from the curse. He w
the passive Obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is usually called, or the Obedience of His Passion and Death, has been a full satisfactory price offered to God: therefore it is said, Rom.4.25▪ that He rose again for our justification. Hereby it is evident that Believers are justified, that a perfect satisfaction was made to God by Christs dying. Christ was put into the Grave for our debt; in as much then as God has opened the Grave and let our Saviour Christ come out of the Grave, we may conclude He has made full satisfaction to the Justice of God; the reason is because Christ is our Surety. Now if the Surety pay the debt, it is as if the debtor himself had paid it: So has Christ our surety who is called, The Surety of the New Testament. If it be objected, If we are saved by the Righteousness of Christ, How then is it by Grace? For answer, Salvation by the Righteousness ⟨p. 72⟩of Christ and by Grace do very […] consist. There is not only Grace but abundant Grace, in our being saved by […] Righteousness of Christ. Rom. 5. 15. […] gift by grace which is by One man Jesus Christ has abounded to many. If God […] accept of the Obedience of another […] our behalf, it is Grace. The giving […] Christ, the greatest & most glorious […] that ever was or that possibly could […] was from Infinite Grace; His being […] His Son should endure such Su••• rings that He might obtain our Salv••• on, was wonderful Grace. It is theref••• said, Heb.2.9. Christ has tasted death […] every Man, by the Grace of God. The•• is a New Covenant made & this is […] the Righteousness of Christ. Christ […] the Mediator of the New Covenant; […] Covenant of the Gospel is the Coven••• of Grace. Tit. 2.11. It is said, The Gra•• of God which brings salvation; has appear•••• to all men: The Gospel is that Grace. […] is Grace that has appeared to all M••▪ Thus concerning Grace in Justificati••▪ There is a third thing contained in […] Salvation, Namely Glorification, I sha•• leave that and the Application of […] Doctrine to another time.
the passive Obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is usually called, or the Obedience of His Passion and Death, has been a full satisfactory price offered to God: therefore it is said, Rom.4.25▪ that He rose again for our justification. Hereby it is evident that Believers are justified, that a perfect satisfaction was made to God by Christs dying. Christ was put into the Grave for our debt; in as much then as God has opened the Grave and let our Saviour Christ come out of the Grave, we may conclude He has made full satisfaction to the Justice of God; the reason is because Christ is our Surety. Now if the Surety pay the debt, it is as if the debtor himself had paid it: So has Christ our surety who is called, The Surety of the New Testament. If it be objected, If we are saved by the Righteousness of Christ, How then is it by Grace? For answer, Salvation by the Righteousness ⟨p. 72⟩of Christ and by Grace do very 〈…〉 consist. There is not only Grace but abundant Grace, in our being saved by 〈…〉 Righteousness of Christ. Rom. 5. 15. 〈…〉 gift by grace which is by One man Jesus Christ has abounded to many. If God 〈…〉 accept of the Obedience of another 〈…〉 our behalf, it is Grace. The giving 〈…〉 Christ, the greatest & most glorious 〈…〉 that ever was or that possibly could 〈…〉 was from Infinite Grace; His being 〈…〉 His Son should endure such Su••• rings that He might obtain our Salv••• on, was wonderful Grace. It is theref••• said, Heb.2.9. Christ has tasted death 〈…〉 every Man, by the Grace of God. The•• is a New Covenant made & this is 〈…〉 the Righteousness of Christ. Christ 〈…〉 the Mediator of the New Covenant; Covenant of the Gospel is the Coven of Grace.
MANY things have been spoken for Demonstration of the Truth before us. The last time we entered upon a Seventh Demonstration, namely, If we consider the principal things contained in this Salvation, we shall see it is from Grace. There are (as we have said) especially three things contained therein, Conversion, Justification, Glorification. Concerning Conversion and Justification, that they proceed wholly from Grace, you have heard. We go on to show, that the Glorification of Believers, also proceeds wholly from the free Grace of God. I say then, Believers on Christ shall be Glorified, not one link in the Apostles Golden Chain, as some of the Ancients have called it, shall be broken, viz. that in Rom. 8. 30. Whom he did predestinate them •e also called, and whom he called, them he justified, and whom he justified, them […] glorified. Believers then shall be made the subjects of Glory, and that is from Infinite ⟨p. 74⟩Grace. 1 Pet. 5. 10. The God of all Grace hath called us unto his Eternal G•ory. If God were not a God of Infinite Grace, it could not be so; one that has deserved Hell more than a Million times over▪ could never not only be delivered from thence; but also be made partaker […] a glorious Heaven. This Glorification […] called Eternal Life in Scripture; an• that is called Grace. 1 Pet. 3. 7. He•rs of the Grace of Life. There are especially two considerations which set forth the wonderful Grace of God herein.
MANY things have been spoken for Demostration of the Truth before us. The last time we entred upon a Seventh Demonstration, namely, If we consider the principal things contain'd in this Salvation, we shall see it is from Grace. There are (as we have said) especially three things contain•d therein, Conversion, Justification, Glorification. Concerning Conversion and Justification, that they proceed wholly from Grace, you have heard. We go on to show, that the Glorification of Believers, also proceeds wholly from the free Grace of God. I say then, Believers on Christ shall be Glorified, not one link in the Apostles Golden Chain, as some of the Ancients have called it, shall be broken, viz. that in Rom. 8. 30. Whom he did predestinate them •e also called, and whom he called, them he justified, and whom he justified, them 〈…〉 glorified. Believers then shall be made the subjects of Glory, and that is from Infinite ⟨p. 74⟩Grace. 1 Pet. 5. 10. The God of all Grace hath called us unto his Eternal G•ory. If God were not a God of Infinite Grace, it could not be so; one that has deserved Hell more than a Million times over▪ could never not only be delivered from thence; but also be made partaker 〈…〉 a glorious Heaven. This Glorification 〈…〉 called Eternal Life in Scripture; an• that is called Grace. 1 Pet. 3. 7. He•rs of the Grace of Life. There are especially two considerations which set forth the wonderful Grace of God herein.
First, If we consider the greatness of that happiness, which God will bring Believers to the Enjoyment of. And, ho• great is it? That neither I nor any Ma• living can declare. 1 Cor. 2. 9. It hi• not entered into the heart of man to conceive, what God hath prepared for them that love him. It is beyond all Expressions, beyond all Conception Glorious▪ It is in Scripture set forth by Metapho•• and Similitudes, of such things as are of greatest value among Men; by that of […] Treasure, Mat. 6. 20. Lay up for yourselves Treasures in Heaven. By that of • Crown, Rev. 2. 10. By that of a Kingdom▪⟨p. 75⟩which is the greatest Riches & Dignity among Men. Jam. 2. 5. Hath not God chosen the poor of this World, rich in •aith, heirs of the Kingdom. It is set forth by that of a Rich Glorious Inheritance. Eph. 1. 18. The Riches of the Glory of the Inheritance. Believers in another World shall in some respects be made equal to the Angels of Heaven. Luk. 20. 36. They shall be equal to the Angels. The Children of the Resurrection shall be so, being the Children of God. They shall be, (tho' not equal to) yet made very like unto the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Joh. 3. 2. We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. When the Day comes that Believers shall see Jesus Christ as He is, in all His Glory, they shall be made like to Him; as to their Bodies which shall be made like to Christ's Glorious Body. Phil. 3. 21. He shall change our vile Bodies, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious Body. Then how Glorious will their Souls be in respect of that Holiness, that Grace, which they shall then be filled with? Again, If we consider the continuance of this Glory, that sets forth the wonderful Grace of God. In that ⟨p. 76⟩respect Believers in Christ are happier than Adam in Paradise was: Adam was a happy Man before he sinned against God; but he was in a state wherein he might lose his happiness, might be turned out of Paradise,& he was so when he sinned; but it shall not be so with the Believer. Rev. 3. 12. I will make him a pillar i• the temple of my God, & he shall go out […] more. It was truly affirmed by one, th•• Believing Job when on the Dunghill was • happier man than Adam in Paradise, namely in respect of that state he was brought into; then what is Job now when his Soul is in Heaven?
First, If we consider the greatness of that happiness, which God will bring Believers to the Enjoyment of. And, ho• great is it? That neither I nor any Ma• living can declare. 1 Cor. 2. 9. It hi• not entred into the heart of man to conceive, what God hath prepared for them that love him. It is beyond all Expressions, beyond all Conception Glorious▪ It is in Scripture set forth by Metapho•• and Similitudes, of such things as are of greatest value among Men; by that of 〈…〉 Treasure, Mat. 6. 20. Lay up for yourselves Treasures in Heaven. By that of • Crown, Rev. 2. 10. By that of a Kingdom▪⟨p. 75⟩which is the greatest Riches & Dignity among Men. Jam. 2. 5. Hath not God chosen the poor of this World, rich in •aith, heirs of the Kingdom. It is set forth by that of a Rich Glorious Inheritance. Eph. 1. 18. The Riches of the Glory of the Inheritance. Believers in another World shall in some respects be made equal to the Angels of Heaven. Luk. 20. 36. They shall be equal to the Angels. The Children of the Resurrection shall be so, being the Children of God. They shall be, (tho' not equal to) yet made very like unto the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Joh. 3. 2. We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. When the Day comes that Believers shall see Jesus Christ as He is, in all His Glory, they shall be made like to Him; as to their Bodies which shall be made like to Christ's Glorious Body. Phil. 3. 21. He shall change our vile Bodies, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious Body. Then how Glorious will their Souls be in respect of that Holiness, that Grace, which they shall then be filled with? Again, If we consider the continuance of this Glory, that sets forth the wonderful Grace of God. In that
And what will Jo• be in the Resurrection, when with his Bodily eyes he shall see Jesus Christ […] is God? This sets forth the freeness and Riches of the Grace of God, that He should take fallen Man, & bestow a happiness on them that they cannot be deprived of. As for Life in this World it is a fading thing, no Man can enjoy that long; the greatest Men must be Subject to Death, and the best Man also. Do the Prophets live for ever? but as for Life in Heaven, that shall never have an end. Those things which we see, are but Temporal; ⟨p. 77⟩the greatest happiness Men enjoy in this World, is momentany; but now that in Heaven is not for Time, but for Eternity. 2 Cor. 4. 18. The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are Eternal. And it is as sure that the Believer shall enjoy this Glory as if he were now in the actual Possession of it. It is therefore said, Joh. 3. 36. He that believes has everlasting Life. It is not only true that he shall ••ave; but that he has Everlasting Life; he has it in the beginnings of it; and in the faithful promise of that God that cannot lie. It is said of Believers in the Context, Eph. 2. 6. He hath made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. In respect of Christ their Head, He has made them to sit together in heavenly places. And, as sure as Jesus Christ is in Heaven, Believers shall be there in a little time. These things set forth the Grace of God. Thus for the Doctrinal handling of the Truth.
And what will Jo• be in the Resurrection, when with his Bodily eyes he shall see Jesus Christ 〈…〉 is God? This sets forth the freeness and Riches of the Grace of God, that He should take fallen Man, & bestow a happiness on them that they cannot be deprived of. As for Life in this World it is a fading thing, no Man can enjoy that long; the greatest Men must be Subject to Death, and the best Man also. Do the Prophets live for ever? but as for Life in Heaven, that shall never have an end. Those things which we see, are but Temporal; ⟨p. 77⟩the greatest happiness Men enjoy in this World, is momentany; but now that in Heaven is not for Time, but for Eternity. 2 Cor. 4. 18. The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are Eternal. And it is as sure that the Believer shall enjoy this Glory as if he were now in the actual Possession of it. It is therefore said, Joh. 3. 36. He that believes has everlasting Life. It is not only true that he shall ••ave; but that he has Everlasting Life; he has it in the beginnings of it; and in the faithful promise of that God that cannot lie. It is said of Believers in the Context, Eph. 2. 6. He hath made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. In respect of Christ their Head, He has made them to sit together in heavenly places. And, as sure as Jesus Christ is in Heaven, Believers shall be there in a little time. These things set forth the Grace of God. Thus for the Doctrinal handling of the Truth.
USE, I. If Men are Saved by Grace, then they are not Saved by their own free ⟨p. 78⟩Will. There have been those in th• World, who have maintained, that Men are Saved by the Power of their […] free will; that they have naturally a free will to that, that is good, as well as to th•• which is evil. They say the reason why some are Saved and not others, is not because of any special Grace of God towards them; but because some impro••• the power of their own free will mo•• than others do; this was the opinion […] Pel•gius, Austin therefore calls him […] enemy of the Grace of God. This […] was condemned by a whole Synod […] Palestine, and afterward by three othe• Synods, to be Heretical. It is certainly • great Error. How can Men be Saved, […] the Power of their own free will, whe• they have not a free will to that which is Spiritually Good, till God by His powerful Grace shall renew their wills, and of unwilling make them willing? Psal. 110. 3. Thy people shall be willing in th• Day of thy power. God does show the power of His Grace in making those that are unwilling to become a willing People. As Men have no power to do that that is Spiritually Good by nature; […] ⟨p. 79⟩[…] power▪ to will it neither. It is God works in you both to will and to do of His own good pleasure. Christ says, Joh. 15. 5. Without me ye can do nothing. One of the Ancients descanting on those words of our Saviour, speaks thus, Christ does not say without me, ye can do but little; He does not say without me, you can do no great Matter; He does not say you cannot, except with great difficulty do that that is necessary for you to do, but you can do nothing that is Spiritually good without Christ. The fruit will be according to the Tree it grows upon. Mat. 7. 16. Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles. Men must be otherwise than what they are by Nature, or they cannot bring forth good fruit, the fruit of Grace, of Salvation, no they cannot. Luther wrote a book with that Title, The Servo Arbitrio. Concerning that will that is a slave, He would not call it the will Liberum Arbitrium, Free will, because the will of the Sinner is a captive, a slave to the will of the Devil. 2 Tim. 2. 26. Taken captive by him at his will. Nay, that which is sadder, the will of the Sinner is a slave to the Lusts, and vile ⟨p. 80⟩Corruptions of his own heart. Jo•. […] 34. He that committeth sin, is a servant […] sin.
USE, I. If Men are Saved by Grace, then they are not Saved by their own free ⟨p. 78⟩Will. There have been those in th• World, who have maintained, that Men are Saved by the Power of their 〈…〉 free will; that they have naturally a free will to that, that is good, as well as to th•• which is evil. They say the reason why some are Saved and not others, is not because of any special Grace of God towards them; but because some impro••• the power of their own free will mo•• than others do; this was the opinion 〈…〉 Pel•gius, Austin therefore calls him 〈…〉 enemy of the Grace of God. This 〈…〉 was condemned by a whole Synod 〈…〉 Palestine, and afterward by three othe• Synods, to be Heretical. It is certainly • great Error. How can Men be Saved, 〈…〉 the Power of their own free will, whe• they have not a free will to that which is Spiritually Good, till God by His powerful Grace shall renew their wills, and of unwilling make them willing? Psal. 110. 3. Thy people shall be willing in th• Day of thy power. God does show the power of His Grace in making those that are unwilling to become a willing People. As Men have no power to do that that is Spiritually Good by nature; 〈…〉⟨p. 79⟩〈…〉 power▪ to will it neither. It is God works in you both to will and to do of His own good pleasure. Christ says, Joh. 15. 5. Without me ye can do nothing. One of the Ancients descanting on those words of our Saviour, speaks thus, Christ does not say without me, ye can do but little; He does not say without me, you can do no great Matter; He does not say you cannot, except with great difficulty do that that is necessary for you to do, but you can do nothing that is Spiritually good without Christ. The fruit will be according to the Tree it grows upon.
It is added, If the son make you […] then you shall be free indeed. Till Chr••• the Son of God renew the will of […] Sinner▪ he has not a will to that which is Spiritually good. The will of Man […] the worst thing in him. Jer. 17. 9. […] heart is desperately wicked, and deceitful above all things, who can know it? Mat. […] 19. Out of the heart proceed evil thought▪ murders, adulteries, fornications, […] false witness, blasphemies. Can Grace […] Salvation proceed out of such an hea•• as that is? The Apostle says, 1 Cor. […] 7. Who maketh thee to differ? If thou ha•• Grace and another has none, Who ma•• thee to differ? The Proud free will may say, I made my self to differ, I ma•• use of my free will, when others d•• not. The Psalmist says, Psal. 1•5. 1. […] unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto […] Name be glory, because of thy mercy. But now if Men could Convert and so Sav•• themselves by the power of their ow• free will, they might say, Not to th• Mercy of God, but to us be glory give•▪ The Apostle says, Rom. 9. 16. It is not […] ⟨p. 81⟩him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. Whereas if the Conversion, and Salvation of Men did depend on their own free will, and not wholly on the Grace of God, the Apostles words might be inverted, and it might be said, it is not wholly God that shows Mercy, but of him that willeth, and of him that runneth. Nothing can be more contrary to the Scriptures than to say, That the Conversion of Men depends on themselves, that Regeneration is from the Power of their own free will. If a Man is indeed Regenerated, He is born not of the will of the flesh; not by the power of his own carnal will, but of God. Jam.1.18. Of his own will begat •e us by the word of truth.
It is added, If the son make you 〈…〉 then you shall be free indeed. Till Chr••• the Son of God renew the will of 〈…〉 Sinner▪ he has not a will to that which is Spiritually good. The will of Man 〈…〉 the worst thing in him. Jer. 17. 9. 〈…〉 heart is desperately wicked, and deceitful above all things, who can know it? Mat. 〈…〉 19. Out of the heart proceed evil thought▪ murders, adul•eries, fornications, 〈…〉 false witness, blasphemies. Can Grace 〈…〉 Salvation proceed out of such an hea•• as that is? The Apostle says, 1 Cor. 〈…〉 7. Who maketh thee to differ? If thou ha•• Grace and another has none, Who ma•• thee to differ? The Proud free will may say, I made my self to differ, I ma•• use of my free will, when others d•• not. The Psalmist says, Psal. 1•5. 1. 〈…〉 unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto 〈…〉 Name be glory, because of thy mercy. But now if Men could Convert and so Sav•• themselves by the power of their ow• free will, they might say, Not to th• Mercy of God, but to us be glory give•▪ The Apostle says, Rom. 9. 16. It is not 〈…〉⟨p. 81⟩him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Whereas if the Conversion, and Salvation of Men did depend on their own free will, and not wholly on the Grace of God, the Apostles words might be inverted, and it might be said, it is not wholly God that shews Mercy, but of him that willeth, and of him that runneth. Nothing can be more contrary to the Scriptures than to say, That the Conversion of Men depends on themselves, that Regeneration is from the Power of their own free will. If a Man is indeed Regenerated, He is born not of the will of the flesh; not by the power of his own carnal will, but of God.
USE, II. If Men are Saved by Grace, then they are not Saved by their own works. Thus does the Apostle declare in the Context before us, By Grace are ye saved, through Faith, and that not of your selves, •t is the gift of God, not of works least any man should boast. He says the same again to Timothy, 2 Tim. 1. 0 He hath saved us and called us, not according to our works, •ut according to his own Purpose and Grace. ⟨p. 82⟩That is to say, of His own gracious purpose. And the same again, in his Epistle to Titus, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy •e saveth us If it is by Grace […] not by works; for these two are contradictory, they are […] one wit• another. So does the Apostle argot, Rom. 11. 6. If by Grace, then is it no mo•• of works; if it be of works; then is […] more Grace. How often is it said […] Scripture, We are saved and justified […] Faith, in opposition to a being saved by works? Faith does not Save or Justify […] it is a Grace wrought in us; but in respect of the object of it, the Righteousn••• of Jesus Christ. To be Saved by Faith […] the same with being Saved by the Right• ousness of Christ; for Faith i• the Gra•• that gives us an Interest in that Righteousness. I will mention but two pla•• Arguments, that evince the Truth before us.
USE, II. If Men are Saved by Grace, then they are not Saved by their own works. Thus does the Apostle declare in the Context before us, By Grace are ye saved, through Faith, and that not of your selves, •t is the gift of God, not of works least any man should boast. He says the same again to Timothy, 2 Tim. 1. 0 He hath saved us and called us, not according to our works, •ut according to his own Purpose and Grace. ⟨p. 82⟩That is to say, of His own gracious purpose. And the same again, in his Epistle to Titus, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy •e saveth us If it is by Grace 〈…〉 not by works; for these two are contradictory, they are 〈…〉 one wit• another. So does the Apostle arg•t, Rom. 11. 6. If by Grace, then is it no mo•• of works; if it be of works; then is 〈…〉 more Grace. How often is it said 〈…〉 Scripture, We are saved and justified 〈…〉 Faith, in opposition to a being saved by works? Faith does not Save or Justify 〈…〉 it is a Grace wrought in us; but in respect of the object of it, the Righteousn••• of Jesus Christ. To be Saved by Faith 〈…〉 the same with being Saved by the Right• ousness of Christ; for Faith i• the Gra•• that gives us an Interest in that Righteousness. I will mention but two pla•• Arguments, that evince the Truth before us.
1. The best work of a Christless Sinn•• does not deserve the name of a good […] Tit. 1. 16. They are to every good work […] probate. The Tree that is a bad […] the Fruit of it will be bad. Mat. 7. […] ⟨p. 83⟩A corrupt tree, cannot bring forth good •ruit. An unbelieving Sinner is such a […], therefore he cannot bring forth good fruit. That is the misery of a Christless Sinner, he never did one good work in all his Life, that God did esteem, and accept as good. What if he pray? Psal. 109. 7. His prayer becomes sin. What if […] does perform any other Religious Du•y? Hag. 2. 14. That which they offer is ••clean. That as long as a Man is in a […] state, he cannot perform any one good work, will appear if we consider what is necessary, that so a work may become a good work. It is required, not ••ly that the matter of it be such as God requires; but that it proceeds from a right Principle, from a Principle of Faith in the heart. This you see in the instance of Cain & Abel, Heb. 11. 6. Without Faith •t is impossible to please God. Let a Man▪s work be whatever it may be, if he has not Faith in Christ, he does not please God. As now Abel's offering was plea•ing to God, because he had Faith in Christ that was to come into the World. Cain's •ffering God did not accept of it, because […] had no Faith. Again, the end must ⟨p. 84⟩be such as God approves of, else the work is not a good work; a corrupt end will spoil a good work, as we see in J•hu, wh• he executed Judgment on the bloody house of Ahab, he did what God Commanded; but because his end was no• good, it was in God's account no better than Murder; therefore God threatened, that he would avenge on the house of […] the blood of Jezreel, Hos. 1.6. We see it in the Pharisees, they would Pray, they would give Alms, and the like; but they did it to be seen of Men, that spoiled their good works, that they found no acceptance with God. Among the Gentiles the Heathen, some of them would […] such works as made them famous; they excelled in Morality, that the World cried them up and admired them; but Austin said truly, that those works […] theirs, for which the World admired them, were Splendida peccata, but splendid Sins, beautiful abominations.
1. The best work of a Christless Sinn•• does not deserve the name of a good 〈…〉Tit. 1. 16. They are to every good work 〈…〉 probate. The Tree that is a bad 〈…〉 the Fruit of it will be bad. Mat. 7. 〈…〉⟨p. 83⟩A corrupt tree, cannot bring forth good •ruit. An unbelieving Sinner is such a 〈…〉, therefore he cannot bring forth good fruit. That is the misery of a Christless Sinner, he never did one good work in all his Life, that God did esteem, and accept as good. What if he pray? Psal. 109. 7. His prayer becomes sin. What if 〈…〉 does perform any other Religious Du•y? Hag. 2. 14. That which they offer is ••clean. That as long as a Man is in a 〈…〉 state, he cannot perform any one good work, will appear if we consider what is necessary, that so a work may become a good work. It is required, not ••ly that the matter of it be such as God requires; but that it proceeds from a right Principle, from a Principle of Faith in the heart. This you see in the instance of Cain & Abel, Heb. 11. 6. Without Faith •t is impossible to please God. Let a Man▪s work be whatever it may be, if he has not Faith in Christ, he does not please God. As now Abel's offering was plea•ing to God, because he had Faith in Christ that was to come into the World. Cain's •ffering God did not accept of it, because 〈…〉 had no Faith. Again, the end must ⟨p. 84⟩
2. The best works of the best Men […] the World are attended with a great dea• of imperfection. They come very muc• short of that which the holy Law of Go• calls for. Feign they would come upt•⟨p. 85⟩that perfection, but they cannot. Rom. 218. For to will is present with me, but […] to perform that which is good I find not. There is iniquity in the holy things of the Lords Servants. Well did the Psalmist […], If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquity, • Lord, who shall stand? Psal. 130. 3. May we not speak as the Church does, Isai.••▪6. All our righteousness are as filthy […]. Can we then think to Merit Sal•••ion by them? It is impossible it should […] so, considering there is so much imperfection in the best works we do: Who can make a Prayer without an unsuitable or impertinent thought in his heart? Suppose a Man to confess Sin never so Penitently, he needs pardoning Mercy in respect of that confession. Austin Prayed, Lavo lacrimas Domine, Lord wash my Tears, my sinful polluted tears. Suppose a Man not only to Pray, but to Fast as well as Pray, and to pour out many tears before God, because he has sinned against so good a God, yet that Man, his years need washing in the blood of Christ, that they may find acceptance with God. We see then Men cannot be saved by their own works. The Doctrine of Mens being ⟨p. 86⟩saved by their own good works, their Meriting Heaven thereby is one of the fundamental Errors of Popery. And there is nothing more contrary to the Gospel, the great design where of is to Exalt Christ and Grace, and to abase Man. What could be more proudly spoken than the Speech of a Jesui•ed Papist, who sai•, That if God would give him Heaven gratis he would not accept it so, he wo••• do something to deserve it before •e would accept it. Can a Sinner Merit Heaven, that has Merited Hell so often? Eccl. 7. 20. There is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not. Indeed there are just Men in Heaven that are always doing good, and who do not sin; but there is not one such just Man upon Earth. As for a Meritorious work there must be some proportion between the work done, and the reward; whereas there is no proportion between out works, and the reward of eternal Life. If Men could Merit by their Obedience, it would be by their Passive Obedience, but it is said, Rom.8. 18.
2. The best works of the best Men 〈…〉 the World are attended with a great dea• of imperfection. They come very muc• short of that which the holy Law of Go• calls for. Feign they would come upt•⟨p. 85⟩that perfection, but they cannot. Rom. 218. For to will is present with me, but 〈…〉 to perform that which is good I find not. There is iniquity in the holy things of the Lords Servants. Well did the Psalmist 〈…〉, If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquity, • Lord, who shall stand? Psal. 130. 3. May we not speak as the Church does, Isai.••▪6. All our righteousness are as filthy 〈…〉. Can we then think to Merit Sal•••ion by them? It is impossible it should 〈…〉 so, considering there is so much imperfection in the best works we do: Who can make a Prayer without an unsuitable or impertinent thought in his heart? Suppose a Man to confess Sin never so Penitently, he needs pardoning Mercy in respect of that confession. Austin Prayed, Lavo lacrimas Domine, Lord wash my Tears, my sinful polluted tears. Suppose a Man not only to Pray, but to Fast as well as Pray, and to pour out many tears before God, because he has sinn'd against so good a God, yet that Man, his years need washing in the blood of Christ, that they may find acceptance with God. We see then Men cannot be saved by their own works. The Doctine of Mens being ⟨p. 86⟩saved by their own good works, their Meriting Heaven thereby is one of the fundamental Errors of Popery. And there is nothing more contrary to the Gospel, the great design where of is to Exalt Christ and Grace, and to abase Man. What could be more proudly spoken than the Speech of a Jesui•ed Papist, who sai•, That if God would give him Heaven gratis he would not accept it so, he wo••• do something to deserve it before •e would accept it. Can a Sinner Merit Heaven, that has Merited Hell so often?
The sufferings of thi• present time are not worthy to be compare• with the glory which shall be revealed in […]. ⟨p. 87⟩No proportion, therefore no Meritorious work.
The sufferings of thi• present time are not worthy to be compare• with the glory which shall be revealed in 〈…〉. ⟨p. 87⟩No proportion, therefore no Meritorious work.
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Christ with. He forgives not some of their Sins only, but all of them. Col. 2. 13. He has forgiven us 〈…〉••espasses. Their Sins shall be as tho' they had never been; their Sins are so forgiven, as that not one of them is to be found. Jer. •0. 20.
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wounded for our transgressions; He had our iniquities laid upon Him, the punishment due to us was laid upon our Lord Jesus Christ, Isa•. 53.1. Thereby He has made full satisfaction to the Justice of God, so has obtained Life & Salvation for us;
. It is said, The Gra•• of God which brings salvation; has appear•••• to all men: The Gospel is that Grace. 〈…〉 is Grace that has appeared to all M••▪ Thus concerning Grace in Justificati••▪ There is a third thing contained in 〈…〉 Salvation, Namely Glorification, I sha•• leave that and the Application of 〈…〉 Doctrine to another time.
⟨p. 76⟩
respect Believers in Christ are happier than Adam in Parad•se was: Adam was a happy Man before he sinned against God; but he was in a state wherein he might lose his happiness, might be turn'd out of Paradise,& he was so when he sinned; but it shall not be so with the Believer. Rev. 3. 12. I will make him a pillar i• the temple of my God, & he shall go out 〈…〉 more. It was truly affirm'd by one, th•• Believing Job when on the Dunghill was • happier man than Adam in Paradise, namely in respect of that state he was brought into; then what is Job now when his Soul is in Heaven?
. Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles. Men must be otherwise than what they are by Nature, or they cannot bring forth good fruit, the fruit of Grace, of Salvation, no they cannot. Luther wrote a book with that Title, The Servo Arbitrio. Concerning that will that is a slave, He would not call it the will Liberum Arbitrium, Free will, because the will of the Sinner is a captive, a slave to the will of the Devil.
. Of his own will b•gat •e us by the word of truth.
be such as God approves of, else the work is not a good work; a corrupt end will spoil a good work, as we see in J•hu, wh• he executed Judgment on the bloody house of Ahab, he did what God Commanded; but because his end was no• good, it was in God's account no better than Murder; therefore God threatned, that he would avenge on the house of 〈…〉 the blood of Jezr•el,
. We see it in the Pharisees, they would Pray, they would give Alms, and the like; but they did it to be seen of Men, that spoiled their good works, that they found no acceptance with God. Among the Gentiles the Heathen, some of them would 〈…〉 such works as made them famous; they excelled in Morality, that the World cryed them up and admired them; but Austin said truly, that those works 〈…〉 theirs, for which the World admired them, were Splendida peccata, but splendid Sins, beautiful abominations.
. There is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not. Indeed there are just Men in Heaven that are always doing good, and who do not sin; but there is not one such just Man upon Earth. As for a Meritorious work there must be some proportion between the work done, and the reward; whereas there is no porportion between out works, and the reward of eternal Life. If Men could Merit by their Obedience, it would be by their Passive Obedience, but it is said,
