33. Mr. Gaspine's Farewell Sermon

33. Mr. Gaspine's Farewell Sermon
"Fear not little Flock, for it is the Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." - Luke 12:32.
In this Chapter we have the sum of a precious Sermon which our Saviour makes to his Disciples in the presense of the multitude. In which we have,
1. Several cautions in the first twenty verses of that Chapter.
2. Some exhortations from thence to the end of it. The Cautions are these.
First, to beware of Hypocrisie, in the three first verses, Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisie; and the motive wherewith he backs this caution, is this, that all things should be opened and made known hereafter, how closely soever they may be carryed, and how secretly soever their sins may be committed here. Men may think to varnish over the fowlest of their actions by a fair and plausible pretences, and so to hide their iniquities from the eyes of God and men; but they are much mistaken; for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, nor hid, that shall not be known, ver. 2.
Secondly, He warns them to beware of timerousness and fearfulness in publishing his Gospel, from the beginning of the 4 to the 12. Verse, I say unto you, my friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that they have no more that they can do; but I will forewarn you whom you shall fear, fear him, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into Hell. I say unto you, Fear him.
Thirdly, He cautions them to beware of covetousness, and this caution of his was occasioned by one that desired Christ to speak to his brother to divide the inheritance with him, verse 13. Upon this Christ takes occasion to caution them against covetousness, verse 15. And he said unto them, take heed and beware of covetousness. And that he might set out the folly of this sin of covetousness, he doth elegantly set it forth by a Parable of a rich man, who was coveting after more and more of the world, and was casting, plodding, and contriving how to pull down his barns, and to build greater, and how to encrease his Estate in the world, when God said unto him, Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee; and whose then will these things be which thou hast provided? from ver. 15. to 20.
Having given them these cautions, he proceeds to give them several exhortations, as to seeking after the Kingdom of God, to giving of alms, to watchfulness against the coming of Christ to Judgment, and several other duties which I shall not now insist upon.
The Text contains that exhortation of Christ, wherein he exhorts them to undauntedness and resolution in the ways of God. Fear not little Flock, for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a Kingdom.
The words may be divided into these two parts:
First, here is an Exhortation.
Secondly, the reason of this Exhortation.
First, an Exhortation, Fear not little Flock: In the which here is,
1. A very loving compellation, in the words, little Flock.
2. The Exhortation itself, fear not.
In the reason of the Exhortation, viz. For it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom, we have these things considerable.
First, here is your Donor, your Father.
Secondly, here is the Donum or gift itself, which God will bestow upon his people, and that is the Kingdom, which is meant the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thirdly, the persons on whom God will bestow this Kingdom, and that is You, you my little flock.
Fourthly, the manner of God's bestowing the Kingdom of Heaven upon his little Flock, and that is by gift, it is your Father's good pleasure to give, &c.
Fifthly and lastly, the motive that prevails with God to give the Kingdom of Heaven to his people, and that is his own good pleasure, it is your Father's good pleasure, &c.
So that you see every word hath its weight: Here is very much profitable matter contained in a few words; and many useful and profitable observations may be observed from it; as,
Doct. First, That Christ's Flock is but a little Flock, a very little Flock; Fear not little Flock.
Here be two diminutive words in Original: First, which signifies little; and then the word which also signifieth a little flock: Christ's Flock is a little Flock, very little in comparison to the rest of the World; the number of those that truly fear God, that are sincere Christians, and that are by a true and lively faith really engrafted into Jesus Christ, is very small in comparison of the profane, the hypocrites, the unconverted and unsanctified, that are only Christians by an external profession, that have only a form of godliness, but deny the power of it: The way to Heaven is narrow, and the gate strait, and there are but few that finde it, Matthew 7:13-14. There may be many that make fair pretences to Religion and Holiness in a time of prosperity; but there are but few that will stick to Christ and his holy ways in discouraging times; there may be many that are rotten professors, but few that are sound in the Faith.
2. Doct. That God is a believers Father; or that every sincere Christian is a Child of God, and hath God for his Father; It is (saith Christ to his Disciples) your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
3. Doct. That every true Believer is interested in the Kingdom of Heaven; the great God will bestow the Kingdom of Heaven upon Believers.
4. Doct. That the Kingdom of Heaven is the free gift of God, It is the Fathers good pleasure to give you a Kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven comes not to a Believer by his own merits, nor by his own deservings; but by God's free gift; the free grace of God is the great motive, it is God's good pleasure so to do. The Saints cannot merit heaven by their holiest actions, though they walk never so closely with God: no, no, the Kingdom of heaven is God's free gift unto Believers.
5. Doct. Lastly, That the consideration of a Believers interest in the Kingdom of heaven, should make him chearful and couragious in the practice of holiness, and keep him from being dismayed and discouraged at all the afflictions and tribulations that he meets withall in the world, this Doctrine is gathered from the Exhortation in the Text, and the reason of it taken together; the Exhortation, viz. Fear not little Flock; the reason of the Exhortation, viz. For it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom; intimating, that this one consideration that God will bestow the Kingdom of Glory upon his people hereafter, should make them with all willingness and chearfulness to wade through all the calamities and incumbrances of this frail life. A Believers heavenly interest should make him rejoyce in the midst of all his tryals and tribulations that he meets with from the hands of men here on earth.
I shall chuse out the second and last of these observations to go on upon, not having time and liberty to insist on them all; that observation then which I shall first of all insist upon, is this, viz.
Doct. That God is a Believers Father, or that every true and sincere Christian hath God for his Father, and is a child of God: It is your Fathers good pleasure.
Before I come to the confirmation of this Truth, I shall shew how many ways a people or person may have God to be their Father, and they may be his Children.
First, A people or person may have God for their Father by Creation; as God is the great Creator of the World, and they are his Creatures, in this general sense God is a Father to all the Men and Women in the World; to this refers that Scripture, Malachi 3:10. saith the Prophet there, have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us? but it is a more peculiar son-ship that belongs to Believers; they have God for their Father in a more special and peculiar manner than this is.
Secondly, A people or person may be the children of God, and God may be their Father by profession: Thus God was a Father to the Jewish Nation of old, because they among all the Nations of the World did profess to own the Lord for their God, and to serve and worship him; and in this respect God doth profess himself to be a Father to Israel, Jeremiah 3:9. I am a Father to Israel, saith God, Ephraim is my first-born: And thus God is a Father to all those that do profess his Name. But if this be all the claim that we can lay to God as our Father, that he is so to us, and that we are his children only by an external profession, this will not entitle us to the Kingdom, that eternal inheritance that God hath laid up for his people in the life to come; it is therefore yet in a more peculiar manner that Believers have God for their Father.
Thirdly, A person may have God for his Father by adoption and regeneration; and thus true Believers, and only such are the children of God, and God is their Father, 1 John 12:13. To as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name, which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God: These are the sons of God, the strictest and most peculiar sons that shall be made partakers of all the priviledges of the children of God, viz. those that receive Christ into their hearts by faith, and such as are truly regenerate and born again; these are the true and genuine children of the most High, the heirs of God, and coheirs of Jesus Christ, as the expression is, Romans 8. these are the children of whom it was spoken, 2 Corinthians 6. last. I will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having thus shewn unto you the several respects in which we may have God for our Father, I shall come to the confirmation of it, and shall prove that Believers have God for their Father in this special and peculiar manner; there are abundance of Scripture-proofs for this, in which Jesus Christ speaking to his Disciples, calleth God their Father, Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they seeing your good works, may glorifie your Father which is in Heaven. And ver. 48. Be ye perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect, Matthew 6:8. Your Father knoweth what things you have need of, before you ask them, Matthew 18:14. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in Heaven, these little ones should perish, John 20:17. Go tell my brethren (saith Christ) that I ascend to my Father, and to your Father, to my God, and to your God. By these and other Scriptures we may see that God is set forth to Believers under the relation of a Father to them: And as God is called in Scripture a Believers Father, so they are called sons, Galatians 4:6. Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Again, 1 John 3:2. Now we are the Sons of God, but it doth not yet appear what we shall be; when we shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is, Galatians 3:16. The Apostle speaking to the unbelieving Galatians, saith, we are all the Children of God by Faith, which is in Christ Jesus. I shall no longer insist on the confirmation of this Doctrine, but shall come to the application of it.
Use. Is it so, that all true believers are the children of God, and have God for their heavenly Father, then the first use may be of comfort and consolation to the godly, in that they are so nearly related to the great God; believers by virtue of their son-ship, having God for their heavenly Father, have abundant ground of comfort and consolation upon these several accounts.
First, They are under his fatherly care and providence: fathers take care for their children, to provide them things necessary, as meat, drink, and apparel; ab iisdem alimur ex quibus generamur, is a true Maxim; We are nourished of those of whom we are begotten; Fathers when their children ask bread, will not give them stones; nor when they ask fish, will they give them scorpions, Matthew 7:9. He that provides not these things for his children, is worse than an Infidel, 1 Timothy 4:8. and hath God commanded this from Parents towards their children, and will not God much more provide for his children that are truly regenerate and born again, and that have his Image by faith engraven on their souls? he would do it much more abundantly, Matthew 7:11. If ye being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to those that ask him? This then is one great priviledge that believers are made partakers of by vertue of this relation, having God for their heavenly Father; God will certainly provide good things for them, both for their being and well-being here and hereafter; and they may come to God as a Father, with holy boldness of faith for all things that they shall stand in need of; God takes care for those that are strangers and enemies to him, and makes his rain to fall upon the unjust, as well as upon the just, Matthew 5:4-5, He giveth them rain from heaven, filling their hearts with food and gladness, Acts 14:7. And will he not much rather feed his own children? he giveth food to all flesh, Psalms 136:25. And will he not much rather take care for his own children that are engrafted into him by faith, that do love and serve him: if God's bounty be largely extended to those that are strangers and enemies to him, even to those that go on in sin and wickedness, as many times it is, then certainly he will kill the farted Calf for his own children, as the Father of the prodigal did for his returning Son. Nay, in this the great God exceedeth earthly Parents, as far as Heaven is above the earth; for natural Parents they give good things to their children when they ask them; but God the Father of Spirits will do much more abundantly for his children, above what they are able to ask or think: the Petitions of God's children may be large, their desires and thoughts larger than heir Petitions; for we are not always able to express outwardly, what inwardly we desire; but God will do more abundantly for his people beyond all these. Let us look into the Word of God, and we shall there see what noble provision he hath made for his people, what food, yea, angels food he hath provided for them; what a feast of fat things (I mean of spiritual dainties and delicates) he hath dressed for them; for their bread, they shall have the bread of life, he that eateth thereof, shall never hunger, John 6:48. they shall have their fill of that hidden Manna laid up in the Sanctuary. We read of Benjamins Messe Genesis 4:3. last, That it was five times as much as any of his Brethren; but the children of God, their food that they shall have from their heavenly Father, shall be a thousand times better, and more satisfactory than that which shall be given to the men of the World; they shall have their measures heaped up, pressed down, and running over, Psalms 34:10. The young Lyons shall lack and suffer hunger, but the children of God, those that cry unto God their Father, shall want no good thing; but especially spiritual good things, they shall be sure to have their fill of these, and shall be satisfied with them, even as with marrow and fatness; and for their drink, they shall have the heavenly Nectar, the water of Life, the bloud of Jesus Christ, the which whosoever drinketh, shall thirst no more, John 4:14. they shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of his house, he will make them drink of the River of his pleasures; for with God is the fountain of life, in his light they shall see light, Psalms 38:8-9. there is a River, the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God, Psalms 46:4. and his Children shall drink of this River of Water of life, clear as chrystal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and the Lamb, Revelation 22:1. it is for these especially that God hath provided the spiritual milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby; they shall suck sweetness out of the promises, those rich breasts of consolation; and for their apparel, the Children of God may say as the Prophet, Isaiah 61:10. I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation; he hath, covered me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments, and as a Bride adorneth herself with Jewels. What shall I say? they shall be cloathed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, a garment without spot or blemish, white as snow, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of those.
Thus you have the first ground of consolation to Believers, upon the account of having God for their Father, he will certainly provide for them those things that shall be necessary, both in this life, and in the life to come.
Secondly, Is God a Father to Believers? then another ground of consolation is this, that he will defend them from their enemies: How mightily doth it provoke natural Parents to see their Children abused? How quickly will their eye affect their heart, and stir them up to come in and rescue them? So will the Lord do for those that are his children by Adoption and Regeneration; he will defend them, he will be a wall of fire round about them, so that all their enemies, both spiritual and temporal, shall not be able to do them any real hurt: the Devil, and all his wiles and temptations, the World and all its tempting allurements: yea, all the policy and malice of Earth and Hell, shall not be able to work their ruine; the Lord is on their side, and they have more for them, than they have against them. Upon this consideration it was that David tells us in his Book of Psalm, Though I walk (saith he) in the valley of the shadow of death, yet will I fear none ill; for thou, O Lord, art my Rock and my Fortress, and my salvation eke forever.
Would we not account him unworthy the name of a Father, that would suffer his Children to be beaten and abused, and destroyed before his face, and not act in their defence? and will God suffer his dear Children so to be? No certainly, He that toucheth them, toucheth the apple of his eye, Zechariah 2:8. and God accounts what is done to them, as if it were done to himself in person; In as much as ye did it unto those little ones, ye did it unto me: Will Christ say one day as he tells us? Matthew 25:40. and, in as much as ye did it not unto the least of these my brethren, ye did it not unto me, ver. 45. Beloved, there is a time coming, when the great God will reckon with ungodly men, for all the injuries and wrongs which they have done to his people, as if they were done to himself immediately.
Oh! consider of this you that are true Believers; are you environed round with adversaries, either spiritual or temporal? you have God for your defence, a God infinite in power, which is able to defend you from the hardest assaults of your most potent and politick Enemies; his Name is a strong Tower, the Righteous fly unto it, and are safe. Are you encountring with great temptations? The Lord being your Father, he will protect you, and not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able to bear, but together with temptation, will make way for your escape, that you may be able to bear it, 1 Corinthians 10:30. the Lord knoweth that his Children are liable to many temptations from Satan, from the world, and from their own corruptions, and that they are subject to many afflictions and tribulations from the hands of men, and therefore he will be sure to be with them, and to be a very present help to them in the time of trouble.
Thirdly, Is God a Believers Heavenly Father? then there is a comfort for them, that God will pity them and compassionate them in all their afflictions; a tender Father pitieth his Children when they are in any calamity; as for instance, in sickness how will the groans of a Child go near the heart of a loving Parent? How do the Agonies of pain in the Child, cause grief and sorrow in the Parents heart? What means would not a Parent use to procure the health and ease of a Child? My life is bound up in the life of the Lad, says Jacob concerning Benjamin. Oh Absalon, my son, my son, would God I had dyed for thee, says David concerning Absalon. What sympathyzing and sallow-feeling will a dear and tender Parent have of the miseries of his Children? And as a Father pitieth his Children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him, Psalms 103:13. The Lord is very pitiful, James 5:11. The pity and compassion of the Lord towards his Children, is excellently set forth in that Scripture, Jeremiah 31:20. Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a pleasant Child? I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still; therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy on him, saith the Lord; The bowels of the Lord do exceedingly yearn towards his people in all their afflictions and distresses, and he is full of pity and compassion towards them.
Fourthly, Is God a Father to all true Believers? then here is also for their comfort, that God doth, and always will love them, and take delight in them; He loves them with an everlasting love, they are his chosen Jewels, and he will certainly one day polish them, though he suffer them to be among the rubbish of the World for a while; They are his pleasant pictures, and he delights to be looking on them, the eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, and upon them that hope in his mercy, Psalms 33:18. God takes pleasure to be viewing the new creature which he hath framed by his own Spirit in the hearts of his people, and his own Image which he stamped upon them; and herein the love that the Lord beareth his Children, infinitely exceeds the Love that earthly Parents bear to theirs, in that he loveth them continually: Earthly Parents they love their Children, but their love may be withdrawn from them again, and is often times; but the love of God will never be withdrawn from his love; whom the Lord loveth, he loveth to the end; and although his loving countenance may be eclipsed for a time, and they may lose the sense of his love to them, by their failings & sinful infirmities, yet the Lord loves them still; There is nothing shall be able to separate Believers from the love of God, Romans 8:25. and onward: the Apostle Paul putteth the question there, (saith he) Who shall separate us from the love of God? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword, as it is written. For thy sake are we killed all the day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter: Nay, (saith he) in all these things we are more than Conquerors through him that loved us; for I am persuaded , that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is not all the troubles of the world, nor tribulations, nor any thing that can render Believers less lovely in the eyes of Christ: It is not all the Devils in Hell, that can withdraw Gods love from his children, although they do endeavours it by enticing them to sin by their temptations, and then by accusing them to God for sin; yet all this will not rout them out of God's love: though the Devil do labour to pick a quarrel between God and his people; yet it is not principalities nor powers, it is not all the power of Hell that shall be able to withdraw Gods love from them.
Fifthly, Is God a Father to Believers? Then they may take this for their comfort, that he will continually be mindful of them. Parents do remember their Children, and are mindful of them: so the Lord, he remembreth his people and will never forget them, Isaiah 49:15. Can a Woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the Son of her womb; yea, they may, yet I will not forget thee: Earthly Parents, though it be but rare, yet they may, and sometimes do forget their children; but God, he is more tender and mindful of his Children, than earthly Parents are of theirs; yea, they may, yet will not I forget thee, &c. Though Gods people do too often forget him, yet he doth never forget them, but remember them in all their conditions, even in their low estate, God is mindful of them, Psalms 136:23. Who remembred us in our low estate, for his mercy endureth forever.
Lastly, Is God a Father to Believers? Then they may take this for their comfort, that God will provide an inheritance for them hereafter: Fathers provide portions and inheritances for their Children for hereafter, so doth God, Romans 8. Now saith the Apostle, we are the Sons of God; and if sons, then heirs, heirs of God, and coheirs with Jesus Christ: How often is the Kingdom of Heaven called an inheritance, the inheritance of the Saints, or them that are sanctified, Acts 20:32. and 26:8. There is an eternal inheritance laid up for the Children of God for hereafter; yea, the Kingdom of Heaven is their inheritance, and it is now preparing for them, John 14:2. and they shall have assuredly one day an abundant entrance into their Fathers Kingdom; the Children of God while they are in the World, they are as Heirs in their minority, they have not yet the possession of their inheritances, but it is theirs, and they shall have it in reversion; but hereafter when they shall leave this earthly Tabernacle, then they shall have the possession of it. Every true and sincere Believer, he is an Heir to a Crown, even a Crown of glory that fadeth not away; Their lines are fallen to them in a pleasant place, they have a goodly Heritage; the Lord is the portion of their Inheritance, Psalms 16:5-6. It is the hope of this Inheritance of theirs, that carrieth on the souls of the Saints in the whole course of their lives; and maketh them joyfully and willingly to wade through all their troubles and difficulties that they meet with in their way to Heaven. It is the consideration of this their portion and inheritance which they are entailed to by having God for their Father, that makes them forget the things that are behind, and press forward towards the mark for the price of the high calling which is in Jesus Christ; it is their acting faith upon this, and having an eye to the recompence of reward, that makes them run with patience the race that is set before them: as knowing, that when they have finished their course, they shall receive a Crown of Life, which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give them at that day.
Here the godly have the earnest of their inheritance, which is the Spirit of God, Ephesians 1:14. After that ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of Promise, which is the earnest of our Inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his Glory. Here Believers have the promise of their inheritance: The Word of God is a Believers Patent for his inheritance, in which God doth as it were by promise make over Heaven, and Happiness, and Glory to true Believers, to be enjoyed by them forever in the Life to come; but hereafter, then they shall have the fruition and possession of it.
Would you know what a glorious Inheritance this is, that the children of God by believing are entitled to? 1 Peter 1:4. It is an Inheritance uncorruptible, undefiled, which fadeth not away. They are Heirs to a Crown of Glory, they are heirs of God, and coheirs with Jesus Christ, which is the Heir of all things: believe it Friends, it is such a glorious inheritance that the Children of God are entitled unto, that all the Inheritances and Possessions in the world are but a trifle in comparison of it; to set out the beauty and excellency of the Saints inheritance, is a task fitter for some Angel, than for a mortal Creature
For eye hath not seen, neither hath ear heard, neither hath entred into the heart of man to conceive what the Lord hath laid up for them that fear him, Isaiah 64:4.
Thus you see what abundant cause of comfort Believers have upon this consideration, that God is their Father, and that they are his children in every condition of their lives, in every trouble either outward or inward; howsoever it be with a regenerate Christian, one that is a true child of God, he hath cause to take comfort in this.
First, Is a Believer in want here in the World? is he in distress, and driven to straights, not knowing what course to take for the supplying of his natural wants (as Gods people are driven to such conditions sometimes) he can go to God as unto a Father, and make his wants and necessities known to him; he both can and will finde out some way or other for a supply for you: He that hath promised so large a portion hereafter in Heaven, will not deny so much of this World as is necessary for you in your way to Heaven; Your Father knows what good things you have need of, Matthew 6:8. God which is the Believers Father, knows what things they need, and he is ready to hear them, and knoweth how to help them.
Secondly, is a Believer in danger? is he environed about with his Enemies on every side, and compassed about with those that seek his hurt? Oh! what comfort is this that he can go to God as unto a Father for help, even to him that is Almighty, and able in a moment to defend them from their most powerful and politick adversaries? is a godly man in danger, and hath he Enemies that do wrongfully seek his life, as David had? Psalms 31:13. yet he may have the same confidence that David had in that condition, and say as he said in the following Verse: Yet I trust in thee, Oh Lord, I said, thou art my God, my times are in thy hand, deliver me from the hand of mine Enemies, and from them that persecute me.
Thirdly, doth a Believer finde his corruption within, to rebel against the regenerate part? Doth he finde the Law in his Members which is warring against the Law of his minde, to lead him into captivity to the Law of sin and death? Doth he finde his sins to be very strong within him, and that they begin to draw him away from God? Oh! what comfort is this to a Child of God in this condition, that he can go and complain then to his heavenly Father, and be confident that this Father will hear him, and help, and make him more than a Conqueror over all the Enemies of his.
Fourthly, art thou that art a believer, in doubt, and knowest not what course to take? go to thy heavenly Father for direction: he is the infinitely wise God, and he will be sure to direct thee for the best.
Fifthly, art thou slandered, reviled, and reproached in the world, and made the common scorn and derision of the Ungodly? go to thy Father, thy heavenly Father, and complain to him; he will certainly clear up thine innocency, as the light at noon-day, and wipe off all the reproaches that are wrongfully cast upon thee.
Sixthly, art thou that art a Believer, wronged by men, and knowest not how to right thy self? go to thy Heavenly Father, he will certainly set all things right one day: neither is it all the power and policy of thine adversaries, nor their riches, nor any thing that shall be able to pervert him, and hinder him from redressing thy wrongs, and from doing thee right.
Seventhly, and lastly, Dost thou finde thyself to be in a state of languishing, thou that art a Believer? for to such I am speaking all this while: Dost thou finde thy natural strength to decay, and thy sickness to encrease, and thy pains to grow upon thee? putting thee in minde that thy body must be shortly laid in the grave; telling thee that thou mayest expect within a few days or hours to lay down thy earthly Tabernacle, and to encounter with the pangs of death? Oh happy soul then, that canst make thy approaches to God, as unto a Father; and breath out thy soul into the bosome of thy Heavenly Father; and say as Christ did when he was on the Cross; Father, into thy hand I commend my Spirit: Believe it Christian, thou that art truly such, it will afford thee more comfort than that God is thy Heavenly Father, and thou his Child by Adoption and Regeneration, then if thou wert related to the greatest Prince, and the puissant Monarch in all the world.
Thus I have done with the first Use, which is a Use of Consolation to the godly, upon this consideration, that they are the Children of God, and that he is their Heavenly Father.
2. Use for Caution.
Secondly, If it be so, that all true Believers are the Children of God, and that he is their Father; then this should caution wicked men to beware how they meddle with Gods Children: Oh! have a care of afflicting, wronging, persecuting, hurting of the people of God, lest you be found fighters against God; have a care of anoying, and troubling those that are so near and dear to God, that are so tender to him as the apple of his eye: beware of vexing and molesting those that are so nearly related to the great King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; you may think it may be that you may do what you will to the godly, because they are low and mean in the world, as many of them are; But I must tell you, as mean and as low as they are in your esteem, they are near and dear to God: carnal men may think they may oppress, and wrong, and do what they please to the people of God, because they are weak, and not able to help themselves; but little do they think how nearly the great God doth account himself concern'd in their affairs; little do the great ones of the world consider, what heavy reckoning will be laid to their charge one day for injuring, wronging, and molesting the poor servants of God; if they did, surely we should not have them so busily imployed therein as they are. Thus for the second Use.
3. Use for Examination.
Thirdly, is it so, that Believers have God for their Heavenly Father, then here is matter of Tryal; how shall we know, whether God be our Father or no? and whether we be his children in this peculiar manner, by Adoption and Regeneration? It is true, God is a Father to us by Creation, and we are his Children by Profession; but if this be all the relation that we bear to God, this will not entitle us to holiness and salvation, without we are regenerate and born again, and are become his Children by Regeneration, and God be our Father by vertue of the new Covenant: We are all by nature the children of wrath, Ephes. 2:3. How shall we know then, whether we are gotten into the state of Son-ship, by Adoption and Regeneration, and whether God be our heavenly Father? there are many that pretend that they have God for their Father, when as yet they are under the Dominion of their lusts, and are strangers to a work of true conversion and regeneration, and enemies to a life of holiness, and a groundless presumption, that men are the Children of God, when there is no such matter, hath proved the bane of many thousand souls. I shall therefore give you these characters, whereby we may know, whether we are the children of God in this peculiar manner or no.
First, whose Image do you bear, do you bear the Image of God? or else do you bear the Image of Satan? Those that are the Children of God by Adoption and Regeneration, they are such as bear their Fathers Image; the Image of God which is created in righteousness and in true holiness, is ingraven upon their souls: they are such as do bear the Image of the heavenly Adam, 1 Corinthians 15:49, And they have put on the New man which is created in knowledge, after the Image of him that created him, Colossians 3:10. And it is so with thee, dost thou bear the Image of God? hast thou a new and holy nature put into thee, inclining thee to all holy duties, and avoid all sin? art thou renewed in holiness, then thou art a Child of God, and God is thy Heavenly Father? but if it be not thus with thee, if thou hast not this new and holy nature wrought in thee, but thy old corrupt nature is predominant, inclining thee to sin; whatsoever groundless presumption thou mayst have, yet thou art no true Child of God by Regeneration and Adoption.
Secondly, wouldst thou know whether thou art the true child of God or no? by whose spirit art thou led? by the spirit of God, or by the spirit of Satan; they that have God for their Father, are led by the spirit of God, Romans 8:14. As many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the Sons of God: try thy self then by this, art thou led by the spirit of God? Dost thou live after the flesh, and not after the spirit? Dost thou mind the things of the spirit, and not the things of the flesh? if so, then thou mayst comfortably conclude that thou art the Child of God, and that he is a heavenly Father: we may know our Sonship by our spirit, if we are the Sons of God by Adoption and Regeneration, then we are led by a spirit of God, which is a spirit of Prayer, Romans 8:15. A spirit of liberty, making us free from the dominion of our lusts, and from the slavery of sin and Satan, 2 Corinthians 3:17, John 8:32. A spirit of love to God, and to the people of God, 1 John 5:2.
Thirdly, we may know whether God be our heavenly Father or no; by this do we labor to set forth the honour of God? Children, they are very tender of the honour of their Parents; this is a great duty to honour earthly Parents, Exodus 20:11 much more should we honour God, which is the Father of Spirits; If I am your Father, where is mine honour? (saith Christ) if God be our Father, where is that honour that we should yield to him? if we are the Children of God by Regeneration and Sanctification, then we are tender of the honour of Christ? it will make our hearts rise to hear his Name blasphemed, or taken in vain: his Sabbaths prophaned, his Worship corrupted by human mixtures: his Creatures abused unto excess, his Commandments broken: these things will grieve and trouble us more than anything, if we are Gods Children in truth; But if we can see God dishonoured by the unholy lives of carnal men, his Commands trampled underfoot, and yet not be grieved at this: but canst close in with those that make it their business to dishonour God, then thou art no Child of God in this particular sense: the great dishonour that is brought to God in the world, is a sad sign that there's but few, very few, that are in truth the Children of God: and the abounding and increasing of all sorts of sin, whereby God is exceedingly dishonoured: drunkenness, swearing, Sabbath-breaking, uncleanness, lying, extortion, oppression, scorning and deriding at Holiness, contempt of Gods Ordinances, Persecution of his faithful laborious Ministers and People; I say the abounding of these and such like abominations is a very sad evidence, that there are very few that have God for their Heavenly Father, in this special and peculiar manner, and that are his children by Adoption and Regeneration.
Lastly, wouldest thou know whether God be thy Father, and thou his child by this? whether thou art couragious in the ways of God, and in the practice of Godliness? they that have God for their heavenly Father, they have a noble and Heroick spirit; they are such as will not be ashamed, nor afraid to lead a holy life; notwithstanding all the mocks and taunts, and threats of the world: they that are of a base timerous spirit, that are afraid of owning the ways of holiness, for fear of being reproached, reviled or opposed by the prophane world: they that are afraid to cleave to the wayes and people of God in discouraging times, they are not of the right strain; say not then that thou art born of God; unless thou canst prove thy noble extraction, by thy noble and heroick courage & resolution; notwithstanding all the trouble, calamity, & persecution thou maist meet with in the world. Thus much for Examination.
4. Use for Exhortation.
Fourthly, Is it so, &c. Then here is a word of Exhortation.
First, unto those that are Unregenerate, that have not God for their Father in this peculiar manner: and that is, that they would never be in rest, till they come to be united unto Jesus Christ, and to have him to be their Father by Regeneration; it is a sad thing to be void of this, when we cannot go to God as to a Father, and cannot expect anything from him, as from a Father. Oh! how little do thousands think of this, whether they are the Children of God, and have God for their Father, or no; they care not for it, they make not out after it: Or take it for granted, when they have no true and real ground so to do. Oh! then labour to get into this state of Son-ship; close with Jesus Christ by a lively, operative, heart-purifying faith, that thou maist thereby be invested into Gods family, and become his Child; consider, that before thou art thus by faith ingrafted into Christ, thou hast woeful Parents, thou art a child of disobedience, Ephes. 2:2. A child of wrath, Verse 3. A child of Satan, John 8:44
Secondly, here is a word of Counsel and Exhortation to the Godly, that are the Children of God by Adoption and Regeneration.
First, to those my first council is, that you would make it your greatest care and diligence to please your Heavenly Father, and have a care of sinning against him; consider, that the sins of Gods Children, are very grievous to him, said Caesar to his son Brutus, when he saw him among his betrayers; What, and thou my son? so will God say to his children, when they grieve him by sin: what, and thou my son? my child, one whom I have Adopted my Heir; what, will you sin against me? I thought you had had more love; have I loved you so much, and do you love me so little? hath my spirit comforted you, and will you grieve it? have my bowels yearned towards you, and will you kick against them? have I been crucified for you, and will you crucifie me again afresh by your sins? The nearer the Relation is that the soul beareth to God, the greater is the aggravation of the sin against God.
Secondly, labour to shew forth your noble extraction, by your noble and raised affections; it is beneath the son of a Prince to be taken up with trifles, it is beneath one that is heir to a Kingdom, to set his affections upon low and base things, things of nought; So it is beneath the Children of the great King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, to let their affections run out inordinately after the world, and the enjoyments thereof; they are born from above, and therefore should set their affections upon things above, and not on things on earth, Colossians 3:2. What an unsutable thing is it for a Christian, to be taken up with the inordinate love of the world? it is a Degradation to the heirs of Heaven to have their minds taken up only or mostly with Earth, and earthly Vanities, they are, ad majora nati, born to greater things: it is unbecoming such to soil their affections with Earth, which are born to an inheritance incorruptible, which fadeth not away. Oh, that the children of God, and such as do profess themselves so to be, would manifest their holy and heavenly extraction, by their holy and heavenly affections: and that such as are the Sons and Daughters of God by Adoption and Sanctification, would not walk so far beneath that Relation.
Thirdly, Labor to imitate your heavenly Father: Be you followers of God as dear Children, Ephes. 5:1. Be ye merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful; be ye holy as he is holy, be ye compassionate as he is in all things; labor to imitate your Heavenly Father, it is a Christians honor to be like God, and to imitate him.
Fourthly, labour more and more to obey your heavenly Father: our natural Parents, may require obedience of us, and it is our duty to give it them; much more may him that is the Father of spirits require it of us, and it is much more our duty to give it him: Walk as obedient Children, 1 Peter 1:14 Yea, you must obey him chearfully too; The obedience of Children is herein differenced from the obedience of slaves, in that slaves are drawn to their duty out of a slavish fear, but children come to it willingly, out of a filial affection. Oh therefore let your obedience to God be chearful and voluntary: Take delight to do the will of your heavenly Father.
Lastly, submit to your heavenly Fathers chastisements; this is the Exhortation of the Apostle to the Hebrews, Hebrews 12:5-7. My Son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth, be chasteneth, and scourgeth every Son he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with Sons, for what Son is he whom the Father chasteneth not: But if ye are without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye Bollards and not Sons: Let us not then murmur and faint under our afflictions and chastisements, but let us submit to them, and labour to grow the better for them. Thus much for the first Observation? That God is a believers heavenly Father; the other observation that I proposed to insist upon from this Text, was the last of the five mentioned in the beginning, and it contains the chief sum and scope of the whole verse, and is most suitable to our Times, and to this Occasion, you may remember was this.
Doct. That the consideration of a Believers interest into the Kingdom of Heaven, should make him chearful and couragious in the practise of holiness, and keep him from being dismayed at all the trouble and calamities that he meeteth withall in the world: Fear not (saith Christ) little flock, for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. In this Observation, there is two things supposed.
First, it is supposed in this Doctrine, that believers have an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven: This I need not now stand to prove, having spoken to it already in the handling of the former Observation: God being their Father, he hath provided an eternal inheritance of glory for them, in his eternal Kingdom.
Secondly, It is supposed in the Doctrine, that believers are like to meet with opposition from the world; they are diligent in the practise of godliness, are driving a Trade for Heaven: they shall be sure to meet with abundance of trouble and hindrance from the world, and the Prince of the world; this is a truth exceeding manifest, both from Scripture and experience: We shall be hated of all men for his names sake, Matthew 10:22. And because Christ hath chosen his people out of the world, therefore the world hated him. John 15:19. And experience makes this evidence in all ages of the world; those that are godly & walk with God, they have been sure to have their portion of afflictions and tribulations, from the hands and tongues of the malicious and ungodly world, & my design is to shew, what little cause the Servants of God that have an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven, to be afraid or dismayed at any of these hindrances and oppositions, that they meet withal in their way to Heaven. For the handling of this Doctrine, and the fitting of it for our improvement by Application; I shall speak to these three things.
First, I shall shew you by some instances from the word of God, how the Saints that have had an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven, have been encouraged in the ways of God, and have had their spirits born up in their lowest condition, and in their greatest tryals and troubles here below.
Secondly, I shall shew you that believers are deported from despondency; and being dismayed under their sufferings upon the consideration of their Heavenly interest.
Thirdly, I shall give you some Reasons, why believers, that have a Title to the Heavenly Glory, should be couragious and undaunted, and not dismayed at all their eternal Trials and Tribulations that they meet withal from the world: and so shall come to the Application.
First, For the first of these, I might give you many instances from the word of God, of the courage and magnanimity of the heirs of Heaven in their Tryals; as David, how couragious was he in the Lord, even in his lowest condition, Psalms 46:1-4. God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in Trouble; therefore (saith he) will we not fear, though the earth be removed, though the Mountains be cast into the midst of the Sea, though the Waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the Mountains shake with the swelling thereof, Selah, Psalms 118:6. The Lord is on my side, I will not fear what man can do unto me: David he had put confidence in God, and therefore was not afraid of man; where the fear of God is, and where the hope of glory is, there the slavish fear of man will quickly vanish away: this no doubt was that which made the three Children not to be afraid of the fiery Furnace, nor Daniel of the Den of Lyons, Dan. 3:16. and 6. We have a notable example to this purpose, Habakkuk 3:17-18. Although the Fig-tree should not blossome, nor fruit be in the Vine; though the labour of the Olive should fail, and the fields should yield no meat, though the flocks should be out off from the fold, and there should be no herd in the stall: yet will I rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The consideration of his heavenly interest, and that God, was the God of his salvation, was that which not only kept the Prophet from being dismayed, but also made him to rejoyce in the absense of all creature joys and comforts; the want of these worldly things, were not able to abate his heavenly joy, which he had in the God of his salvation. The consideration of their heavenly interest, and their title to the everlasting glory, was that which made the Apostles of Christ so couragious and comfortable under all their sufferings that they underwent for Christ: This was that which made the Martyr Steven so fearless and undaunted, when he was on the brink of death, and when the stones flew about his ears, when he could look up into Heaven, the place of his Inheritance, where he was going, and take a view of that Heavenly glory, Acts 7:55. A believer that can look up by an eye of faith upon Christ and Heaven and take a view of the unseen world, the place of his eternal rest and felicity, will be able in some measure to undergo with comfort, the sharpest and bitterest persecutions that the malice of Men or Devils can expose him to; This was that which made Paul and Sylas sing praises at midnight, when they were shut up in prison, and their feet in the stocks, Acts 16:25. This was that which caused the believing Hebrews, to take joyfully the spoiling of their goods; even the consideration of their interest in the Kingdom of Heaven, Hebrews 10:34. For ye bad compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing that in Heaven, you have a better, and a more enduring substance; Their knowledge of this their interest in the Heavenly riches, made them willingly to part with the earthly riches for the sake of Christ.
Secondly, the next thing to be spoken unto, is this; to shew that the people of God, upon this consideration of their interest in the Kingdom of Glory; have been deported from fear and despondence, and exhorted to courage and magnanimity in the ways of God: Upon this consideration it is, that Christ exhorts his little flock in the Text, not to fear, because that God would give them the Kingdom of Heaven. How often are the Servants of God in Scripture, deported from fear, Isaiah 41:10. Fear not, I am with thee, be not dismayed, I am thy God. Vers. 14. Fear not thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel: I will help thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer. Isaiah 50:7-8. Fear ye not the reproach of men, be not dismayed at their revilings, for the Moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool, but my Righteousness shall be forever, and my Salvation from Generation to Generation: And again, Vers 12. Who art thou that shouldest be afraid of a man that shall dye, and of the Son of man that shall be made as grass, and forgetteth the Lord thy Maker, that stretched out the Heavens, and laid the foundation of the Earth? And our Saviour in the New Testament, to the supporting of Believers under their afflictions and tribulations; tells them, that it is a blessed thing, thus to be dealt withal by the World, Matthew 5, 10, 11, 12. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and speak all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake: rejoyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven. And Luke 6:22. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate from you their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil for the Son of mans sake, rejoyce in that day, and leap for joy, for behold your reward is great in Heaven. The consideration of our interest in the Kingdom of Heaven, should keep us from being dismaved, though we are hated, persecuted, reproached by the prophane world, but should make us rejoyce rather, and leap for joy. Thus much for the second thing, which is, That the people of God are deported from fear and despondency, and exhorted to courage and magnanimity in the ways of God, from the very consideration of their interest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thirdly, I shall give you the Reasons why Believers, those that have an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven, should not fear not be dismayed at any outward trouble, opposition, or tribulation that they meet with in the world.
First, it is very unsutable for one that hath secured the heavenly interest, and his title to eternal glory, to be dismayed at thing of nought: how unsutable is it for one that is an Heir of Heaven, to be excessively grieved and disconsolate, because he meeteth with some rubs in his way thither? Oh how unseemly is it for a child of light to walk in darkness and heaviness, because somewhat of the world falls a cross to his expectation or desire: for one that is to enjoy eternal happiness in the life to come, to be dismayed and perplexed at every petty cross that he meeteth here below? how unseemly is it for a child of God, and Heir of Heaven, for one that shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the Heavenly glory, to go up and down drooping at inconsiderable crosses and light afflictions, which are but for a moment.
For a worldling that hath all his good things here, and hath no other portion but in this life, to be grieved and perplexed at his external losses and troubles; this is not so much for such a one to be grieved when he is thwarted in his designs, and when the world falls a cross to him, this is but sutable and agreeable to such a one, because he hath placed his Hope, his Contentment, his joy and delight in these things: and therefore being deprived of them, he is deprived of his best things, his Portion, his All.
But for a Child of God, one that hath an interest in eternal life and glory, to be cast down and dismayed at such small things, as the affliction, trials and tribulations of the world: Oh what an unseemly thing is this, as if their Heavenly interest did not give them greater cause of joy and rejoycing, then those external worldly afflictions, do give them cause of sadness and disconsolation.
The Frantick mirth of the prophane World, that are in the high way to Damnation, and the groundless perplexities of the regenerate Children of God, are both alike, unsuitable and unseemly, although not both alike dangerous.
To see a Worldling, that hath nothing else to comfort and support him, but the fading enjoyments of this present life, to be merry and jovial, as if all were well; and on the other hand, to see a believer that is an heir of Heaven, to live in a drooping and disconsolate state, because of these outward troubles, is cause of pity and lamentation.
Secondly, as it is unsuitable for a child of God that hath secured his eternal state, and made sure of his heavenly interest, to be dismayed at the afflictions of the world, so it is very unwarrantble; believers are commanded to be much in holy rejoycing; Rejoyce (saith Christ to his Disciples) because your names are written in Heaven, Luke 10:20. Be glad in the Lord, Oh ye righteous, and shout for joy, all ye upright in heart, Psalms 32:11. Rejoyce in the Lord, oh ye righteous, for praise is comely for the upright, Psalms 33:1. Rejoyce evermore, 1 Thessalonians 5:16. Oh how exceeding unwarrantable is it then for those that have an interest in the heavenly Glory, to be discouraged at their outward afflictions, by which they do disparage Religion, and frighten away others from the doors of grace.
Thirdly, it is irrational for one that hath secured his interest in the Heavenly Kingdom, to be afraid of his worldly afflictions and tribulations, seeing all the losses and crosses in the World, are as nothing comparatively to such an one: Let a Child of God but weigh and ponder such things aright, and compare the cause of joy that he hath, by virtue of his heavenly interest on the one hand, with the cause of sorrow that he hath, by reason of the crosses of the world on the other, and he will see, that he hath a thousand times more cause of joy, than of sorrow; and therefore the thoughts of his heavenly interest, should swallow up those of his worldly troubles and disappointments. I reckon (saith the Apostle Paul) that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us, Romans 1:18. And the same Apostle tell us elsewhere, our light afflictions which are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 2 Corinthians 4:17. Now, is it not unreasonable for a believer to be grieved and disquieted with those light afflictions which shall be recompensed with an eternal weight of glory? What can a child of God lose, as long as his God, his portion, his interest in Heaven is safe and secured to him? What are all the losses that he can sustain in the World, as long as he is interested in the Eternal Kingdom of Glory?
I must tell you, Believers, ye that walk holily and closely with God, and have a title to the Kingdom of Heaven, for you to be grieved and discontented because all things do not concur according to your desires in the World, is unreasonable and absurd; as if a rich man that hath a great Estate, and fair Houses and Orchards, should be disquieted because the winde bloweth away a few leaves from his Trees.
Is not the Kingdom of Heaven that thou art entitled to, enough to make thee amends for all thy troubles and calamities in the end? Art thou troubled by the profane World, and vexed up and down by thy Enemies, and not suffered to rest in quiet? And is it not enough for thee that the Kingdom of Heaven is the place of thine eternal rest and happiness, where thou shalt be forever advanced above their reach? Art thou exposed to the loss of thy place and estate in the World, and will not an incorrupted Crown of glory, and an eternal inheritance among them that are sanctified, make thee amends for those petty losses that thou sustainest here? Art thou the off-scouring of the World here? and is it not enough that thou shalt be glorified in the presense of Saints and Angels hereafter? Art thou slandered and reproached by the World? And is not this enough to support thee that thou shalt be acquitted at the bar of Christ? Dost thou suffer the loss of liberty? And art thou under restraint and imprisonment, and is not this enough to comfort thee, that thou art free from the captivity and dominion of sinne? and art rid of those chains and fetters by which so many thousands in the World are led captive by Satan at his pleasure, and that thou art free from the prison of Hell? Put case (which is the greatest trouble that a godly man can undergoe in the World) thou art to lose thy life for the sake of Christ, and of a good Conscience, however a Believers interest in the Kingdom of Heaven should keep him from being dismayed at that loss; an eternal life of happiness and glory will be enough to recompence thee a thousand-fold for loss of this frail life. Thus you have the third Reason, it is irrational for a Believer that hath an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven, to be dismayed at those outward crosses and losses that he sustains in the World, because they are very little and inconsiderable while their God, their portion, their heavenly interests is safe and secure to them.
Lastly, one that is an Heir of Heaven, and hath a title to the Heavenly Kingdom, should be couragious in the ways of God, and not be daunted at his outward troubles, because of the short continuance of them, as the joyes and pleasures of the World are but for a little moment of time, so the sorrows and tribulations of the World are but for a small moment of time; neither the troubles of the godly, though they may be sharp, yet they are but short, death will quickly put a period to them all, all the tryals and tribulations of the Saints will be at an end when they come to enter into their everlasting rest. The Saints in Heaven are perfectly freed as from the evil of sin, so from the evil of suffering; they will be out of the reach of their most powerful and malicious adversaries. Now what little reason hath a Believer that hath an interest in the Kingdom of Glory, to be dismayed at his worldly troubles, which shall so soon be done away, when he hath a title to everlasting happiness to support him? Who is there that would be dismayed at the sufferings of a few years or weeks, if he were assured of an eternal weight of glory to make him amends for it. Thus much for the Doctrinal part.
Use 1.
Is it so, that a Believers interest in the Kingdom of Heaven should make him chearful and couragious in the wayes of God, and keep him from being dismayed at the sufferings and afflictions that he meeteth withal in the World? Is it so, that one that hath a title to Heaven, hath cause of joy in the midst of his greatest sorrows and troubles? Then
First of all, Here is matter of tryal and examination for us to try our selves whether we have a title to Heaven or no: We would all rejoyce to have somewhat which might effectually support us, and bear us up under troubles and afflictions in the World, and it is sad when we are in trouble, if we have nothing to support us; but if we have secured our heavenly interest, and have cleared our title to the Kingdom of Glory, we have then the greatest ground of comfort and joy in the World, and we may upon right grounds rejoyce under the sharpest tribulations that we meet with from the hands of men. I shall therefore give you some marks and characters how we may know, whether we have an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven, or no. And here I might refer you back to those characters propounded in the application of the former Doctrine; if we can truly say that God is our Father by Adoption and Regeneration, and that we are his Children, then we may safely conclude, that we are some of those that have an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven; if we are the Children of God, then we are coheirs of God, Romans 8. are entitled to Heaven; try then whether you can conclude that you are the Children of God. But because I know not whether ever I shall have liberty to speak to you again from this place, I shall propose some other characters also to help us to pass a right judgment upon ourselves in a matter of so great concernment.
First, then whosoever thou art that wouldest try thy title to the Heavenly Glory, thou maist try it by this: If the design of thy life be to glorifie God, and to promote their Heavenly interest, then thou art one of those that are intitled to the Heavenly Inheritance; if thou drivest a Trade for Heaven, and if that the obtaining of Heaven be the principal part of thy care and business, and the great design that thou drivest at in all thy actions, then by this thou mayest try thy title to Heaven. Apply now this home to thy soul, what Trade and design art thou now driving in the world? Is it thy main business here to promote thy temporal or thine eternal state? Art thou striving more after Earth or Heaven? If thy design here be after Riches, Honour or Greatness in the World? and makest all thy actions subservient to thy design, then thou art none of those that have a Title to Heaven; But if it be the business of thy life, and the Trade that thou drivest in the World to advance Gods glory, and thine eternal salvation, and dost care for no more of this World, than may tend to promote Gods glory, and thine eternal happiness; then thou maist safely conclude that thy name is written in Heaven, and that thou hast an interest in that Kingdom. It is the grand mistake of Thousands of souls everywhere, that they pretend to seek after the Kingdom of Heaven, but they seek it only by the by, and their main design in the World is somewhat else, as to grow Rich, or Great, or Honourable here; They do not make it their principal business, and their great design to secure their Title to Heaven; But the look upon Heaven only as a reserve for them, when they can enjoy the World no longer; And therefore they will have some glances, and some faint endeavours that way; But if ever we will enter into Heaven, we must first of all seek Gods Kingdom and his righteousness, Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:31.
Secondly, wouldest thou know whether thou hast a Title to the Heavenly glory, or no: Thou mayest know it by thy heavenly mindedness: They that have an interest in the Heavenly Kingdom, they have Heavenly hearts; if their Treasure be in Heaven, their hearts will be there also, Matthew 6:20-21. Lay up for your selves treasures in Heaven, where neither Moth, nor Rust can corrupt, and Thieves break through and steal; for where your Treasure is, there will your hearts be also. And is it so with us, are our hearts taken up with the Heavenly glory? Are our meditations and contemplations much on Heavenly objects? Or else, are they taken up only or mostly with earthly vanities? Are our hearts on our Riches, Pleasures, &c. Or else are they placed upon Heaven, and Heavenly things? If we have a title, to the Kingdom of Heaven, our hearts, minds and affections, will be Heavenly, and taken up with Heavenly Objects, Colossians 3:1-2. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the Earth.
Thirdly, wouldest thou know whether thou hast an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven, or no? How dost thou like the employment of Heaven? if thou likest the employment of Heaven, then thou mayest comfortably conclude, that thou hast an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Canst thou say thou delightest to be employed in serving, and in glorifying God, and in worshipping of him in spirit and truth, according to his word? Canst thou say in truth, that thou delightest to do the will of God here on earth, as it is done by the Angels in heaven, and the spirits of just men made perfect there? Dost thou take delight to be employed in that employment that the Saints of heaven are, and shall be forever employed in? Dost thou take pleasure to adore, and praise, and magnifie the ever blessed God? Dost thou take pleasure in the duties of Religion, and rejoyce to be conversing with God in prayer, and in other holy exercises, and to be enjoying communion with him? if it be thus with thee, as I have now described: this, this will evidently make out thy Title for Heaven. Many Thousands pretend that their designs are to go to Heaven, and they presumptuously conclude that they have an interest in that Kingdom, when as they like not the Heavenly employment in themselves or others, and they care not to get acquaintance with God here on earth, and are strangers to the duties of Religion, and to a life of holiness, and perhaps spends and hour in a week, or it may be in a month in secret prayer, or in other holy exercises; and it may be neglect the worship of God in their Families too; but if we are unacquainted with the imployment of Heaven, which is to praise and magnifie, worship and adore God; if thou delightest not so to do, thou canst not conclude that thou hast a Title to Heaven: but if thou hast an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven, then thou dost most of all delight in that imployment which hath most of Heaven in it.
Fourthly, if thou hast an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven, thou hast a special love to the heirs of Heaven; and thou hast a near and dear affection to the people of God though they be despised, rejected, scorned, and persecuted by the prophane world; and thou dost delight in the company of those on Earth, which are like to be thy companions in Heaven, and thou hadst rather have the society of those howsoever mean and low in the world, that have the trueth of grace in them, than of all the stately and glittering gallants of the World, that are strangers to a Life of holiness; and the more holy and heavenly they are in their hearts, and lives, the more amiable will their company be to thee, 1 Job 3:14. Psalms 15:4. Put thy self to the question whether it be thus with thee, or no, and thou shalt finde out thy title to heaven thereby.
Lastly, if thou hast a title to Heaven, then thou art so far at a point with all the riches, and pleasures, and enjoyments of the World, as that thou wilt rather forgo them all, than forsake Christ; and rather part with them all, rather than they shall hinder thee in thy way towards Heaven; and if thou art brought so far at a pinch, as that thou must either forsake thy interest in Christ and Heaven; or to forgo thy worldly accommodations; thou art very willing to forgo them all that thou mayest stick close to Christ, and go forward in thy way to thy Heavenly Inheritance; thus it was with the Apostle Paul, Php_3:7-8. But what things (saith he) were gain to me, those I accounted loss for Christ; Yea, doubtless I account all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do account them but dung that I may win Christ; And is it so with us then, when riches, honour, and pleasure do stand in competition with Christ, and hinder us in our progress in grace and holiness; are we willing and ready to cast them away, as we would cast away Dung; if it be thus with us in reality, then we may conclude we have a title to Heaven, and an interest in the eternal glory. By these things, Beloved, you may try whether you have an interest in Heaven or no. Having finished the Use of Examination, I shall come to the next Use, which is the last that I shall speak unto, which an Use of Exhortation.
Is it so, that the consideration of a Believers interest in the Heavenly Glory is enough to bear up his spirit under all the trials and tribulations of this Life, then, Oh that you which cannot upon Trial finde, that you have a title to Heaven, that you would labour after an interest in the Heavenly Glory; if thou hast no interest there, what good will all the enjoyments of the World do thee? how quickly will all thy comforts and pleasures leave thee? and what little cause hast thou to rejoyce in the abundance of outward things, if thou hast no title to the durable riches? if thou art void of the riches of grace here, and hast no title to the riches of Glory hereafter; what wilt thou do in a day of Tryal, and in an hour of trouble and calamity? What wilt thou do when Losses, Crosses, Troubles and Vexations shall compass thee about, if thou hast not an Heavenly interest to support thee under them? What wilt thou do, when Pains and Anguish, when Diseases, Sickness and Death shall seize upon thee, if thou hast not a Title to thy Heavenly inheritance? These things will certainly and speedily come upon us, how far off soever we may put them in our thoughts; the proud looks of the lofty will quickly be turned into an earthly paleness; though they look as big, and carry themselves as high, as if they had a protection from Hell and the Grave; and those bodies which we now take so much care to please and pamper, will shortly become a feast for Worms; though they may be adorned with all the Ornaments that the pride of man can invent, and friends, and riches, and will but accompany us to the Grave, and there leave us; and Oh what will then become of us, if we have no interest in Christ and Heaven, and can no lay claim to the everlasting Glory.
If you ask me, how we shall do to secure our interest in the Kingdom of Heaven? I answer, it must be by a through closure with Christ by saith, and chusing of him for our Lord and Saviour; God hath ordained that those that are united to Christ by faith here on earth, that they shall be with Christ; and live with Christ in Heaven: Heaven and Glory is the Dowry that God giveth with his Son Jesus Christ; and they that will Marry the Heir shall have the Inheritance; and if we are Christs, then all will be ours, 1 Corinthians 3:22-23. Whether of Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or things present, or things to come, all is yours, and ye are Christs; They that have an interest in Christ, have a Title to all. Let us therefore contract ourselves to Christ: resolving to be no longer our own, but his; and to live no longer to ourselves, but to him; let us chuse him to be our Lord and Saviour, and take him upon his own Terms as he is offered to us in the Gospel, to be our King, Priest, and Prophet; and when we are once thus united to Christ by faith, we shall be coheirs with him of the heavenly Inheritance; all this will be ours when we are Christs by a self-resignation, and submission, and when Christ is ours by a believing choice and election; when we have thus made choice of Christ upon his own terms to be our Lord and Saviour, our portion and our all: and have given up ourselves to him to be wholly his, and at his dispose: this will undoubtedly give us a sum and an unquestionable title to Heaven.
Secondly, the next address that I have to make, is to those that are the Heirs of this Kingdom, and have a Title to this Heavenly Inheritance. Is it so, that a Believers interest in the Kingdom of Heaven is enough to bear up his spirit under all his troubles and afflictions, and to keep him from being dismayed under his sorest Trials and Tribulations that he meeteth withal from the World; then the Exhortation that I shall give to you, is the same that our Saviour giveth in the Text: Fear not little Flock, for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. You that have an interest in the Heavenly Glory; Oh be not dismayed nor affrighted at those outward afflictions and tribulations that you meet with here below; it is true, God doth often exercise his dear Children with Trials, Afflictions and Tribulations; this is the way by which God doth discipline his Children, while they are in their Minority here; this Believers must count upon beforehand; but there is not any of those things that should make a believing Christian dismayed, seeing his eternal concernments are so safe, and his Heavenly interest is secure.
And there is no Trouble nor Cross that the Saints can meet withal, but that we are somewhere or other in the Word of God exhorted not to be afraid of it. Do we meet with reproach from men, is that the Cross we undergo? this indeed is heavy, insomuch that the Psalmist complains, that his heart was broken by it, Psalms 69:20. Yet the Servants of God, the Heirs of Heaven, are cautioned not to fear that, •a. 51:10. Fear not the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their revilings: or is the affliction that thou meetest withal, imprisonment for the sake of Christ and of a good Conscience, this is likewise grievous and heavy to be born; yet the Heirs of Heaven are exhorted not to fear that neither, Revelation 2:10. it is Christs advice to the Church of Smyrna, Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison, that ye may be tryed, and shall have Tribulation Ten days; be thou faithful unto the death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Those that have interest in the crown of life; imprisonment for the sake of Christ, if God should call them thereunto: nay, put case thou wert to suffer death itself for the sake of Christ, this is the greatest and sorest of all sufferings: yet the servants of God are cautioned not to fear that neither, for it can be but a bodily death, and it will make way for a better and happier life, Matthew 10:28. Fear not them that can kill th• body, but are not able to kill the soul. Whatsoever the sufferings be, thou that art a Believer, and hast an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven, thou art exhorted not to be afraid of it.
Oh Christians! I beseech you act faith upon your Heavenly Interest; I might tell you it can never be more seasonable so to do than now; the more you act faith hereupon, the more you will be enabled to live above the frowns of a troublesome and vexatious world. Oh look up by an eye of faith upon the recompence of rewards, and you will be able to prefer the afflictions of the Saints, before the vain and transitory pleasures of unregenerate sinners, which endure but for a moment, and to chuse the greatest affliction before the least sin, as Moses did, Hebrews 11:25-26.
And let the joy that is set before you make you to endure the Crosses of this world, and to despise the shame, as the Captain of your salvation hath done before you; and let the hope of the Glory of God make you rejoyce, notwithstanding all the scorn and contempt that you meet with from the world.
But because of our frailty and aptness to be afraid and dismayed at afflictions and tribulations, I shall see before you some considerations, which if well weighed, might (by the blessing of God) do much to the curing, and removing of those fears and discontents that are apt to seize upon us when we are exposed to Trials and losses in the world.
First, Consider Christians, you that have secured your heavenly interest: are you in sore Troubles, and do you meet with hard dealings from men? it may be you may bring more glory to God by our afflictions, losses and crosses in the world, than if you should always be in a quiet, prosperous, and serene condition: it may be God may have a greater Revenue of glory by thy troubles and tryals, than by thy prosperity in the world: and shall we not be willing to be in such a condition▪ howsoever unpleasant to our corrupt flesh, in which we may be most serviceable for God, and bring most honour and glory to him? It is a sign that we have little love to God, or indeed to own souls, if we do not prefer the Glory of God before our own ease and carnal contentment; what do we but mock with God in our prayers, when we pray that his Name may be glorified, if we are dismayed and discontented when God is glorified by us in our sufferings, because they are tedious and irksome to our flesh: If we are unwilling that God should be glorified by our sufferings: If we are unwilling to honour him in an afflicted state, why do we then in our prayers pretend to beg that God may be glorified? Oh, how much is God glorified many times by the sufferings of his people, when as he is dishonoured by the secure and sensual lives of many thousands that are in prosperous, calm; and quiet condition in the World! I might give you many instances from the Scripture, to such that the sufferings of Gods people, have tended very much, to the setting forth of the high praises of the Lord. Oh, how much have the sufferings of the Israelites been all along! of Joh, of David, of Hezekiah, of the three Children, of Daniel: and so under the New Testament; how have the sufferings of Stephen, Paul, Silas, and the rest of the Apostles and Martyrs, resounded to the honor and glory of God, for whom they suffered!
Indeed, Gods people do more honour and glorifie God by their sufferings, than by their doings for him. Let us not then be dismayed, though we may be in a troublesome and suffering condition; seeing this is a condition, in the which we are most capable of doing service for God, and of bringing most honor and glory to him.
Secondly, Thou that hast an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven, art thou in an afflicted suffering condition in the world? to bear up thy fainting spirits, consider, that affliction and tribulation, is that, by which God is pleased to cleanse and purge his people from sin: Afflictions are like Black-soap, which doth seem to soil the Cloath, and make it more filthy, yet it purgeth and cleanseth it, and maketh it more white at length: it is as the fire, into which the Gold may be thrown, yet it is not consumed, but refined and purified, thereby it loseth only its dross; so the Saints are not quite consumed by their afflictions, but sanctified, and they lose only that filth, dross, and rust, that doth mix itself with grace in their hearts; by this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, saith God, speaking of afflictions: and this is all the fruit to take away his sin, and shall we be unwilling to have our sins purged?
It is true, as for those that are Reprobates, God usually lets them alone to go on and die, and perish forever: when as yet, God is pleased to correct his people, and to cast them into the Furnace of affliction, because he intends mercy to them: and surely it will be known one day, that there can be no greater Judgment befall poor Creatures, than to be let alone without chastisements, to take their own swing in sin: and Oh how many thousands are now in Torment, for that they were let alone in their sins, and never chastised by Afflictions in their Life time: when as Gods people are chastened of the Lord, that they might not be condemned with the World, 1 Corinthians 11:32. And which is easier to be born, external tribulations in this life, or eternal torments in the life to come; one of these two will certainly befall every man and woman of us; either we shall be chastened here, or condemned hereafter: the wicked are oftentimes let alone here they are not in troubles as other men. Psalms 73. but they are condemned with the World: The Godly, they are often chastized of the Lord here, but it is in mercy to them, that they may be purged from sin, and not condemned with the world. And David tells us, that by his afflictions he was reduced from going astray, and brought back again into the Fold of God, Psalms 119:67. Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now have I kept thy precepts. And shall we be dismayed at the means whereby we are kept close to God, and are kept from falling away from God? A man is willing to take a bitter medicine to purge away that disease which would otherwise kill him; Nor is he troubled at the working of his Physick, though he have many painful gripes, so long as it tends to the removing of those obnoxious humours and diseases which would otherways bring him to his grave: And shall Christians be afraid of the bitter Cup of Afflictions, which by Gods blessing purge away their sins, which are the diseases of their Souls, and so preserve them from eternal death? Thy trials here are to purge thee, and cleanse thee, that thou mayest not lie in Eternal torments in the world to come. And shall Christians be dismayed at that which tends to their Eternal health and Salvation, and to the keeping of their Souls from Hell? We should rather rejoyce to be in that condition whatsoever it be; by which we may be most purged and preserved from sin. Standing pools do usually contract filth and mud: So those Christians that are settled upon the lees in a prosperous state and condition, they do very frequently get filth and corruption; The people of God are never made the freer from sin by their freedom from outward afflictions. This then is the second consideration to keep the Saints from being dismayed at their afflictions in the World, because thereby they are purged from sin which would otherways prove the bane of their souls.
Thirdly, you that are the heirs of Heaven, and have an interest in the Eternal Glory, you are in affliction and tribulation in the World, be not dismayed; For consider, that the thing do tend to the exercising and increase of our graces, and to the making of you eminent in Grace and holiness: And will you be daunted at that which tends to the making of you more holy? Will you be grieved at that which tends to the increasing of your faith, patience, humility, heavenly-mindedness, and to the making of you more eminent for holiness and godliness? Believers are usually greater gainers by their afflictions in the World, than by their external prosperity; yea, many times they are losers by their prosperity, when as they have been great gainers by their troubles and adversity. Oh how many have gained in grace and holiness by their losses in the World: the servants of God were never more eminent in grace, than when they were least and lowest in their outward estate: true graces are the diamonds that shine brightest in the darkest night, and these shine clearest in the obscurest night of adversity.
The Saints in Scripture were then most eminent for holiness, and godliness, and all other graces, when they lay under greatest troubles and tribulations from the World, and how exemplary in holiness, and how eminent in faith and heavenly-mindedness were the Martyrs, when they were afflicted, tormented, imprisoned, burned and persecuted with the most grievous persecutions from the hands of wicked men: when as the prosperity and pleasures of the wicked did tend to the hardening of them in their sins,
Did we seriously consider how great hinderers, riches & pleasures, and worldly prosperity are to grace and holiness, we should not be so discontented at our mean and afflicted condition in the World, nor so over-desirous of those accommodations which have proved the bane of so many, and the hinderers of their salvation; peace and plenty, honor and prosperity, doth very often increase pride and covetousness, security, and earthly-mindedness; when as affliction, tribulation, want, reproach, being sanctified by God, doth tend to the exercising and increasing of patience, humility, and a heavenly conversation; and upon this consideration the Apostle Paul gloryed in tribulations, because it wrought in him the grace of patience, Romans 5:3. and not only so (saith he) but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, &c. There are many souls now in torments for that pride, security, worldly-mindedness, and other sins which were nourished and fostered up in their prosperity in the world: and many souls now in heaven which were helped forward in their way thither by the exercise of those graces which were nourished and encreased by their adversity, crosses, and calamities here below. Be not therefore dismayed and discontented Christian with that condition, though it be grievous to thy frail flesh, which doth tend to the encreasing of grace and holiness.
Lastly, thou that art a believer, & heir of heaven, art thou in affliction, be not dismayed, because these things being sanctified by God will tend to the fitting of thy soul for, and to the bringing of thee nearer to heaven; afflictions and tribulations do tend to the uniting of souls closer to Christ, and to the fitting and preparing them more and more for eternal glory; and hence it is that God hath ordained that through many tribulations we must enter into glory, Acts 14:22. God doth discipline his dear Children by sorrows and troubles here, and so fit them for to reign with him hereafter, and shall we be dismayed at such a condition that doth tend to the fitting of us for our Heavenly Inheritance, and to the bringing of us nearer to Christ and Salvation? Oh let not afflictions nor tribulations dismay you that have an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven to support you, but let the consideration of your Heavenly interest keep you from fainting at all your afflictions and tribulations that you meet with in your way to Heaven.
And now beloved hearers, give me leave to trespass a little more upon your patience, seeing this is like to be the last opportunity that I shall have to speak to you from this place, being prohibited to preach, unless upon such terms as I confess my conscience dares not submit unto; being therefore enforced to lay down my Ministry, I thought good to let you know that it is neither out of singularity nor stubbornness in opinion, which many it may be may conjecture, but because the things required are such as my conscience cannot close withal; could I see a sufficient warrant from the Word of God for those Ceremonies and other things that are enjoyned, I should readily submit unto them; for I can take the great God to witness with my conscience that nothing in the world grieveth me a hundred part so much as to be hindred from the work of the Ministry, and to be disabled from serving my great Master Christ in that employment: but seeing I cannot finde my warrant thence, I dare not go against my conscience, and so do evil that good may come thereby. Those strict prohibitions recorded, Deut. 42. and 12:32. Proverbs 30:6. and in other Scriptures, wherein we are prohibited to make any addition to Gods own institutions in his worship, and the terrible threatnings pronounced against those that shall transgress in this particular, hath such impression: upon my heart, that I dare not give my assent nor consent to anything in Gods! Worship which is not warranted from his word; but I think it the lesser evil of the two to expose myself to sufferings in the world, rather than to undergo the checks and reproaches of a wounded and grieved conscience.
Dearly beloved, While I had liberty to speak unto you, I may say with the Apostle Paul, Acts 20:27. I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God; but according to that strength and ability that God hath given me, have laboured to instruct you, and to press home upon you those great and saving truths which are of necessity to be known and practised, in order to salvation. And as the Apostle Paul writ to the Philippians, Php_1:8. So may I say to you, that God is my record, how greatly I have longed after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ: your conversation unto God, and eternal salvation, is that which I have had in my eye; for this I have prayed, for this I have preached, for this I have studied; neither is there anything more joyous to me, than to hear of any of my hearers that are walking in the truth, and that have set their faces towards Heaven.
But seeing God is pleased (for ends best known to himself) to suffer my Mouth, together with the Mouths of many others, my Dear and Reverend Brethren in the Ministry to be stopped, I desire to leave a word or two with each of you, which I would have you to look upon as the words of a dying Minister, or of a dead Minister, in a civil sense; and therefore suffer them to take the deeper impression upon your hearts; I shall therefore direct a word or two to three sorts of persons.
First, To those that do much rejoyce at this time, and that have earnestly looked and longed for it; to such who hug themselves, and make merry because the troublers of Israel (as wicked men account the Ministers of Christ to be) which have told them of their sins, and reproved them of their carnal, sensual, unholy lives, are not suffered to preach, nor to trouble them with the unpleasing Doctrines of repentance, conversion, mortification of sin, and other truths which they dislike; to those who look upon the faithful, laborious, convincing preachers of the Word of God to be their enemies, because they have told them the truth, and could not sooth them up in their sins; and rejoyce as the inhabitants of the earth did rejoyce over the Witnesses, and make merry, Revelation 11:10.
To you I say, whosoever you are, that none have more need of our labours, and of our preaching than you; and if you were but acquainted truly with your own state in which you are (which is a state of death and wrath, without you repent, and turn, and become new creatures) you would be of other minds than now you are: and turn your mirth and jollity into mourning. Consider, that is never the better with any City when the watchmen are removed, nor for a traveller when the light is gone which should direct him in his way; and it cannot be but sad, when so many thousands of godly Ministers, which by their doctrine and lives have been as Lights in the world, shall be extinguished and silenced: believe it Sirs, there is no good groping out our way to Heaven in the dark, when as we know not whether our next step will be in Heaven, or Hell in eternal joy, or misery. A Sick man is never the nearer health, because his Physician is not suffered to speak to him of the danger of his Disease; and carnal and ungodly men are never the nearer their salvation, because their faithful Ministers are not suffered to preach to them of the evil and danger of their sins, which are the hinderers of it. I shall commend to your consideration that one Scripture, which I would have you be often reading, and thinking on, as it is recorded, 1 Peter 4:17-18. The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of Christ; and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly, and the sinner appear? If God begin with his faithful Ministers to chastise and afflict them; Oh what then will become of the wicked and ungodly world! if the godly drink fust of this Cup, it is because the wicked shall drink the dregs of it.
A second sort of persons which I shall speak to, are such who are halting between two; that are like Agrippa, almost persuaded to be Christians; that have some convictions upon their consciences, of the excellency of the ways of God, but yet their interest leads them another way, they are unwilling to expose themselves to any troubles or tribulations, by going against the stream of the world, they are afraid that if they should be diligent in the duties of Religion, and should walk holily and closely with God, that then they should be reproached and scorned, or persecuted by the World, and therefore they will go on a little way, but no farther than that they may retreat back again with ease and safety as to their carnal and worldly interests; to such whosoever you are I must tell you, First, that you must go beyond the common sort of the World, unless you will intend to come short of Heaven, you must not take the example of the multitude to be a sufficient warrant for you to walk by; the broad way, though it be to your corrupt natures the most pleasant way, yet it is not the safest, but the most dangerous way; and the narrow way of holiness and godliness will be found at last to be the way leading to life, though there be but few that finde it, Matthew 7:13; Matthew 7:15. they that are afraid of making too much ado for Heaven, they are like to have nothing at all to do with Heaven; it is a Christians duty, and should be his care, not to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of their minde, that they may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God, Romans 12:2.
Secondly, you must not stick at afflictions and crosses in the World if you intend to go to Heaven. Christs cross is the first that must be learnt by Christs Disciples, Luke 14:27. you must account upon it before hand, that if you will live godly in Christ Jesus, you must suffer persecution, 1 Timothy 3:5. You must not be afraid of the reproaches of the ungodly, nor flinch at oppositions and tribulations, if you intend to be everlastingly happy: the fearful are in the forefront of them that march to Hell, Revelation 21:8. but the fearful and unbelieving and abominable, &c. shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. The fearful you set down in the front in that black List there mentioned; But the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Thirdly, the end will pay for all; the Kingdom of Heaven will make you amends for all the tribulations that you meet with in your way to Heaven.
Lastly, I shall speak a word to those that fear the Lord, and are diligent in the practise of godliness, that are very much grieved that their faithful Teachers would be removed into corners, my advice that I have to give you besides what I have spoken before, is the same with Pauls to the Philippians, Chap 4:1. My brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord my dearly beloved. Consider your Heavenly interest, and let that bear you up under all your worldly troubles and persecutions: let not the terrour nor threats of men nor devils make you stir a part from the Doctrine which is according to godliness, though you may be scorned and afflicted by men, yet the day will come when you will be publickly owned and honoured by the Lord of glory, and when Christ which is your life shall appear, then shall you appear with him in glory? be not affrighted at the suffer∣ings of your Ministers, though they should be far greater than now they are; nor discouraged at the backsliding of hypocritical professors, who having formerly made fair pretences to religion and reformation, yet are turned with the dog to their old vomit again and by their so doing do declare that it is their carnal interests only that they look unto, and therefore they will be for religion and reformation, so long as that may be promoted thereby, and no longer: but labour to imitate the heroick courage of Joshua, who resolved that he and his House would serve the Lord, though all Israel should forsake him and backslide from him. Stand fast, I beseech you in the faith, quit your selves like men, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day; and having done all to stand, let not the enmity nor opposition of the ungodly make you to forsake the duties of Religion, and the ways of holiness; think not the better of that way, or of those persons meerly because they prosper in the world, nor the worse of those meerly because they are persecuted and afflicted. What were those that were tortured not accepting deliverance, that had tryal of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment; that were stoned, that were sawen asunder, that were tempted, that were slain by the sword; they that wandered about in sheeps-skins, and goats-skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented, Heb. 22:35, 36, 37. They were such of whom the world was not worthy, vers. 38. True holiness and the fear of God are never the less lovely in Gods account, because it is rejected, scorned, and condemned by the wicked world; and sin and prophaneness is never a whit the more pleasing unto Christ because it is in fashion, and practised by the greatest or most of men. Finally my brethren, commit your selves and your way unto the Lord, and wait patiently for him, he will command deliverance for you in his own time. Snatch not after deliverance by any preposterous and unlawful courses, before God holdeth it out to you, lest you provoke him to detain it the longer from you.
To conclude all, I shall take leave of you in the words of the Holy Ghost, recorded, Acts 20:32, Hebrews 13:20-21. And now brethren, I shall commend you to God, & to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified. And the God of peace which brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.