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Saving Faith Set forth In Three Dialogues, or Conferences:
Publican.
Phariſee.
Doubting Beleever.
Whereunto is added TVVO SERMONS One of them Preached before the Parliament the other Before the Lord Mayor of the City of LONDON.
By VAVASOR POWELL, Miniſter of the Goſpell.
LONDON, Printed by Robert Ibbitſon for Li
at the Crown in Popes-head Alley. 1651.
THis Authour hath aChriſt and Moſes Excellency, &c. Diſtin
I now humbly preſent it to you, with a ſmall portall (or ſhort EpiEdifice, it ſelf, (being ſo little, and built with ſo many unhewne ſtones,) deſerves not a great Porch, or Gate before it.
Diſcourſe, and that which I do, (and ſhall) aime at and endeaCourſe, was, and is the Exaltation of Chriſt, and the humiliation, and abaſing of the Creature.
Chriſt was once humbled that wee might be exalted, and he is now exalted that wee might bee humbled. I may ſay without flatfore-runner, either of the raiſing of Chriſt in mens hearts,utter ruining, breaking and ſinking of them. The Lord is jealous for his owne, and zealous for his Sons glory;glory hee will not give to any other.
There bee two hard Leſſons, which are as the Alpha and Omega, in Gods Book. The one is to deny our ſelves, and the oto give glory to God: And hee is the compleateſt Scholler in Chriſts Schoole, who is beſt vers'd in this divine learning.
Yee Worthy Rulers (of our Iſrael) Conſider how God hath exalted You in the hearts of his People, over the heads of your Domeſtique Enemies, and in the eyes of your Foraigne foes. Now what doth the Lord require for all this from you againe? but that you walke humbly, and give his Highneſſe his deſerved, and due Glory.
Though Moſes and Aaron, (two choyce Chriſtians, and ChamIſrael for a long time,dangers and difficulties)
Canaan, becauſe they did not ſanctifie God, at the waters of Meribah. Alſo Eli (who was forty years a Prieſt of the Lord) was taken away,becauſe he honoured his ſons above the Lord. Would you ſtand your ſelves, and keep the hopoſterity to proſper, and to have a name in the world, when you are gone out of it? then make it your buſineſſe to exalt Chriſt. Oh remember that God puls downe ſome,
to the end that others might not exalt themſelves. The Lord of Hoſts (ſaith Iſaiah) hath purpoſed to ſtain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.
There is a day comming, when all fleſh ſhall be humbled, and
the Lord alone exalted; & that day ſhal be upon every one that is proud and lofty,
and upon every one that is lifted up, & he ſhal be brought low. Humble your ſelves therefore, and exalt, neither your hearts, nor your gates, Seek not great things for your ſelves,
and let there not bee a lye in your right hands,
neither cover violence with a garment. Propound nothing to your ſelves to ſeek for, but the honour of Chriſt, and the Saints, and Nations inteintereſts and ſafeties are involved, and incluNehemiah, who did twelve years hard ſervice freely. And that becauſe the bondage was heavy upon the people. The Lord hath hitherto made you friends to the Saints, and Fa
Likewiſe your zealous and glo
And for the making of your actions yet more incomparable, (if your more publique and weighty buſineſſe permit) to ſet ſome time, and perſons aſide, to hear, and reJob: That you have not withheld the poore from their deſire, nor cauſed the eies of the Widdow to faile: nor
ſeene any periſh for want of cloathing, nor any poor without covering.
Another deſirable thing is, that all the REMAINDERS of Paganiſme, Popery and Superſtition, may be taken away, and that the places formerly conſecrated, by Biſhops, and ſtill adored by the ignorant and ſuperſtitious (who call the Churches, and houſes of God) may be declared to have no inherent holineſſe in them: Alſo that the heathen names of dayes, and months may be aboliſhed, that ſo the people may learne to ſpeake the language of the Scriptures, and not of Aſhteroth: and that Jehovah & not Jupiter; Chriſt and not Saturn, may be named; and written by us who profeſſe our ſelves to be among the beſt, and the reſormedſt of Chriſtians.
And that you may (to uſe the
Nehemiah, that though the former Governours were chargeable to the people:
and even their ſervants bare rule over them: Yet ſo did not I (wee) becauſe of the fear of the Lord This ſhall bee the prayer of him (for you) who can ſay as Deborah:
My heart is towards the Governours of Iſrael (England) that offered themſelves willingly among the people, bleſſe the Lord.
The firſt, betweene Chriſt, and a Publican. The ſecond, between Chriſt, and a Phariſee. The third, between Chriſt, and a doubting Beleever.
Joh. 7.31. Then drew neare all the Publicans and Sinners for to
Luke 15.1. And he ſaid unto one of them:
Poore Publican, What makes thee draw near to mee?
Becauſe they ſay (Lord) that thou art a friend of Publicans and Sinners, Matth. 11.19.
So I am, and thou art welcome my beloved friend, ſit downe therefore with me, and my Diſciples, Mat. 9.10.
Good Maſter, though I am unworthy to come into thy preMar. 7.25. Luke 10.39. Joh. 12.3.
How knoweſt thou that my words are gracious?
Lord I have heard thee ſay, that Publicans and Harlots, ſhall enter into the King dome of heaMat. 21.31. Luke 18.11.12.
And what ſay the Phariſees to that?
They murmure among themThis man receiveth ſinners, and eateth with them, Luke 15.2.
Didſt thou ever heare me preach beſides that time?
Yes, once beſides, and it was the beſt, and comfortableſt Sermon that ever I heard.
Doſt thou remember any of it?
Yes, (though I have a bad me
Is that all thou doſt remember?
No, I remember ſomewhat more, that thou didſt ſpeake of a
Well done my friend, thou hast well remembred; but doſt thou know why I ſpake theſe compariſons?
No Sir, I doe not well know that.
It was to comfort, and encourage the Publicans and great ſinners, that did heare me, and to ſilence the Jewes that did murmure, becauſe they came to beare me, and becauſe I received them.
It is true Lord, there were
I did mean thy Country-men, and companions, the Publicans, Harlots, and Sinners, that are in a loſt condition, becauſe of your ſinnes, and wickedneſſe in the eyes of others (as the Phariſees) quite loſt, and adjudged to periſh for ever.
But who was it Lord, that did ſeeke for the loſt ſheep, and the loſt piece of ſilver?
It was I, who am the Saviour of ſinners, and the Shepherd of the ſheep, that am come to ſeeke and to ſave that which is loſt, Luke 19 10. Matth. 18.11.
Lord I am one of thoſe that are loſt, what ſhall I doe to be ſaActs 16.31.
I am the way, and the doore, if any man enter in, he ſhall be ſaved, and whoſoever beleeveth on me, ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life, Joh. 14.6. & 10.9. & 3.15.16.
Lord canſt thou ſave ſuch a ſinner as I am?
Yes, I have power to ſave, and power to deſtroy, but I came not to deſtroy
mens lives, but to ſave them, Jam. 4.12. Luk. 9.56.
And art thou willing Lord, that I ſhould be ſaved?
Yes, I am willing that all ſhould be ſaved, and come to the knowledge of the truth, 1 Tim. 2.5.
But, Lord, I am a wicked and a ſinfull man, Luk. 5.8.
I know (deare ſoule) thou art ſo; But, I came not to call the righteous, but ſinners to repentance, Matth. 9.13.
But Lord, I am not an ordi
Notwithſtanding poore man, hearken for thy comfort, There was a certaine Creditor, that had two debtors, the one ought five hundred pence, and the other fifty; and when they had nothing to pay, be frankly forgave them both, Luk. 7.41.42.
But Lord, I am a greater ſin
What though, I am come to deliver thoſe, that were all their life time ſubject to
bondage, Heb. 2.15.
Lord be mercifull to me beLuke 18.13.
I am mercifull, and I will bee mercifull, and will pardon thy ſins, Jer. 3.12. Heb. 8.12.
Lord, I am ſuch a ſinner, I de
Though thou doſt not deſerve pardon, and though thou haſt wearied me with thy ſins, yet I will pardon thine iniquities for my owne names ſake, Eſa. 43.25.
Lord, I doe thinke my ſinnes are ſo great, that it is impoſſible for them to be pardoned.
Doe not thinke or ſay ſo, for all things are poſſible to him that beleeveth, Mark. 9.23.
But my ſins are ſo red, I think all the water in the ſea cannot waſh them away.
Though thy ſins be as ſcarlet, they ſhal be as white as ſnow, and though they be red like crimſon, they ſhall be as wooll, (if thou wilt turne to me from them) for my bloud can cleanſe thee from all ſin, Eſa. 1.18. 1 Ioh. 1.7.
But Lord if I ſhould turne to thee from them, yet they are writIer. 18.23.
I am be that blotteth out thy tranſgreſſions, yea, have blotted out as a thicke cloud thy tranſgreſſions, and as a cloud thy ſins: returne therefore unto me, for I have redeemed thee, Eſa. 43.25. & 44.22.
But if I ſhould returne unto thee, yet when I ſinne againe, thou wilt remember my ſins.
No, I will pardon thee, and thy ſins and iniquities will I remember no more, Heb. 10.17.
Oh Lord! I am the childe of wicked parents, and thou ha
If a wicked father begets a ſon, that ſeeth all his fathers ſins which he hath done, and conſidereth, and doth not ſuch like; that ſonne ſhall not beare the iniquity of the father; Ezek. 18.14.20. Ezek. 16.3. to the 13.
But Lord, were there any wicked parents that had good children?
Yes, many, as wicked
had good Hezekiah: So
Idolatrous Amon, zealous Ioſiah, and ungodly Saul, had godly Ionathan.
Lord, what if I be a Baſtard, and the childe of whoredome?
That doth not hinder thee neither to be ſaved, for my ſervant
was a Baſtard; ſo was my ſervant Phares who is reckoned in my owne Genealogie. Compare Gen. 38.18. & 29 & Ruth 4.12. with Mat. 1.3.
But Lord, is there not ſuch a Scripture, that a Baſtard ſhall not enter into thy Congregation
Yes there is ſuch a
Scripture, and that ſhould make people ſhun the ſin of whoredome, but that doth not exclude men, that are borne Baſtards after the fleſh, if they be borne againe of the Spirit, either out of my Church on Earth, (now in the dayes of the Goſpell) or yet out of Heaven.
But what Lord, if my father was a Baſtard?
Neither doth that binder, for Zarah the brother of Phares (who was a Baſtard) begot my two wiſe and godly ſervants Ethan and Heman, comHeman, and Ethan.
Oh Lord, I am a very old ſin
No, it is not too late, for I call ſome at the ninth hour, yea ſome at the
eleventh houre. And I will poure out of my Spirit upon old men in theſe Goſpel daies, Mat. 20.6.9. Joel 2.28. with Act. 2.17
But Lord, I have committed ſuch great and hainous ſins, both by ſpeaking, and doing, that I am afraid it is in vaine for me to ſeek mercy.
Though thou haſt ſpoken, and done evill things, as much as thou couldeſt, yet returne unto me, and I will not cauſe mine anger to fall upon thee, for I am mercifull, Jer. 3.5.
How ſhall I looke upon thee Gracious Lord, for I have multiplied ſins againſt thee.
As thou haſt multiplied ſins, ſo will I
multiply pardons, if thou wilt returne unto me the Lord, Eſa. 55.7.
Oh but Lord, I ſcarce think, that any ſo wicked as my ſelfe were ſaved, for I was an Idolater, an Adulterer, a Thiefe, a Drunkard, and what not, that was wicked.
Such were many of my ſervants that are now in heaven, but I according to my owne kindneſſe, and pitty to them, ſaved them by waſhing, ſanctiand juſtifying them, by my owne
Name, Blood, and Spirit,
Oh but mercifull Saviour, I was a Ring-leader of others into ſinne, and I enticed, and drew ma
As thou waſt a Ring-leader, and Enticer of others into ſin, ſo I can make thee a guide and leader of others into, and in the way of righteouſneſſe, as I made thy Country-man Levi and others.
But that which makes me fear moſt, is becauſe I was a Blaſphemer, Reviler, and Perſecutor of thy peo
Yet thou ſhalt have mercy, becauſe thou didſt it ignorantly through unbeliefe, 1 Tim. 1.13.
Oh but Lord, I finde my heart is hardened, through the deceitful
I can, and will take the ſtony heart
out of thy fleſh, and I will give thee a heart of fleſh, Eze. 36.26.
Lord wilt thou doe all for mee?
I muſt do all for thee, for without mee thou canſt doe nothing, Phil. 2.13. Joh. 15.5.
Lord, what then ſhall I do?
Before I teach thee what thou muſt doe; I will firſt ſhew thee, what I have done, and ſuffered for thee.
Good Maſter I deſire to know that.
1. I left my own glory, and came into the world to ſave thee, and ſuch ſinners as thou art, John 17.5. 1 Tim 1.15.
2. Though I was the onely Son of my Father, and in his own forme, and equall to him; yet I tooke upon mee the forme of a ſervant, for thee and thy brethrens ſake, Joh. 1.14. Phil. 2.6, 7, 8.
3. Though I was Heire of all things, and Poſſeſſour of heaven and earth, yet I became poore and hungry, that thou mighteſt be made rich, Heb. 1.2. Gen. 14.19. and 2 Cor. 8.9.
4. Though I deſerved honour, and glory; yet I was reviled, threamed, and perſecuted by my owne creatures, and all for my good will to thee, Heb. 2.9. 1 Pet. 2.23.
5. Though I had no ſinne, yet I was made ſin that thou poore ſinner mighteſt eſcape ſin, 1 Pet. 1.19. and 2.22, 2 Cor. 1.21.
6. Though I was a Law-giver, and Law-maker, yet I became under the curſe of my own Law, that I might redeem thee from that curſe, Eſa. 33.22. Gal. 3.13.
7. When I had power over mine own life, and no man could take it from mee, yet I laid it downe for thee, that thou mighteſt have life, Joh. 10.18. Rom. 5.6.9. 1 Ioh. 3.16.
8. Though I was my fathers delight, and an object of his love from everlaſting: yet I became an object of his wrath, for my love to thee, Prov. 8.30. Pſa. 88.16. & 102.10.
9. When thou waſt an enemy, and ſtranger to God my father, I made peace betweene him, and thee, and reconciled
thee to him by my death, and jufferings, Rom. 5.10. Col. 1.20, 21. Eph. 2.12, 13.
10. When thou wert a ſlave to the Devil, and a fire-brand of hel; I did reſcue thee from the power of the one, and redeem thee from the plague and puniſhment of the other, 2 Tim. 2.25. Amos 4.11. Heb. 2.14, 1 Theſ. 1.10.
Oh Lord I did not deſerve a
True thou didſt not deſerve it, but yet I did it freely, and out of my love to thee, Rom. 3.24. Eph. 5.2.
Are all my ſins, Lord, ſatisfied for, and done away by thy death.
Yes, they are perfectly ſatisfied for, and abſolutely don away out of my fathers ſight, never to be imputed again to thee, 2 Cor. 5.19.
And is there nothing now in the way that hinders me to bee ſaved?
No, there is nothing, for I have taken all things out of the way, that hindred thee to be ſaved, Col. 2.14.
And am I to do nothing to be ſaved?
No, nothing at all towards thy owne ſalvation, for I have bought thee from death, and purchaſed thee life, and ſalvation, 1 Cor. 6.20. 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. Eph. 1.14.
Shall I then be ſaved Lord?
Yes, if thou wilt beleeve, and truſt wholly and onely upon me, and upon my righteouſneſſe and merits, thou ſhalt bee ſaved, Joh. 3.36. Rom. 9.33. and Ro. 10.9.11.
Lord I would beleeve, but I partly am afraid to beleeve; and partly, I am ſo weak I cannot be
Thou poor fearefull heart, feare not, but be ſtrong Eſa. 35.4. But tell me why thou art afraid.
Leaſt I ſhould preſume, or leaſt I ſhould beleeve, and have no ground for my faith.
It is not preſumption for thee to do what I command thee, but it is obedience, and is not my word of promiſe a ſufficient ground for thy faith? 1 Ioh. 3.23. Joh. 5.24.
Doeſt thou then Lord com
Yes, feare not, beleeve on me, and thou ſhalt be ſaved, Lu. 8.50. with Act. 16.31.
But Lord though thou com
I will write my law in thy heart, and will inable and give thee power to beleeve, Heb. 8.10. Mat. 12.21.
Lord if thou wilt alſo give me power to beleeve, I will ac
Doest thou not beleeve?
Oh yes, now Lord I do be
This is the worke and gift of God that thou doſt beleeve; for fleſh and blood hath not wrought this in thee, Ioh. 6.29. Eph. 2.8.
Oh Lord, I do acknowledge it to be thy worke, but I am afraid I ſhall looſe this faith againe.
I that am the Authour of thy faith,
will alſo finiſh it: be therefore of good cheare, for thou art one of my Fathers children, and of my Saints, and my ſpirit ſhall abide in thee for ever, Heb. 12.2 Iohn 1.12. Iohn 4.14. Iohn 7.38 39.
Lord I have ſinned againſt thy father, and againſt thee, and I am unworthy to bee called either his Son, or thy Servant, Luk. 15.21.
Sonne, thy ſins are forgiven thee, ſinne no more, Luke 5.23. Iohn 8 11.
Lord I am afraid I ſhall ſinne againe, though I deſire, and reſolve never to do it. But what Lord, if I ſhould ſinne againſt my will?
Thou canſt not ſinne willingly and wilfully; for my ſeede of grace will remain in thee, and if thou ſinneſt through weakneſſe, and frailty, I will be an Advocate, and propitiation for thy ſinnes, 1 Ioh. 3.9. 1 Ioh. 2.12.
Is it then thy will Lord, that I ſhould have forgiveneſſe of my ſins, and doubt no more?
Yes ſure, for theſe things have I
ſpoken, that thou ſhouldeſt have a full aſſurance, and doubt no more.
But what if Sathan, when he ſees me ſinne, will tempt me to doubt again?
Say unto him, that I am faithfull and juſt to forgive thee thy ſinnes, and that my blood cleanſeth thee from all ſin. 1 Ioh. 17.
But Lord wilt not thou have me to confeſſe my ſinnes?
Yes, I will have thee confeſſe them, be ſorry for them, and forſake them, 1 Ioh. 1.9. Prov. 28.13.
But Lord, is it thy minde, that I ſhould alwayes be ſorrow
No, but it is my mind, rather that thou ſhouldeſt always rejoyce, and have ſtrong conſolation, Phil. 4.4. Heb. 6.18.
Oh Lord, I cannot chuſe but cry, and mourn and be aſhamed, and hate my ſelfe for all my forEzek. 16.61.
Thou maieſt do that, and yet hold
faſt thy confidence; for the ſpirit of mourning, and the ſpirit of grace, and adoption, may be in thy heart at once, and the one not deſtroy the other, Zac. 12.10.
Lord how is that?
Thou maiſt mourne at the ſight of thy ſins, as they were comitted againſt me, and for thy denying, ſelling and crucifying me, and yet thou maieſt beleeve (becauſe I have ſaid ſo) that they are all pardoned. As Joſephs brethren, cryed, and complained for their guiltineſſe in ſelling him, yet they were glad that he was alive, and could helpe them in their diſtreſſe, Gen. 42.21, 22.
Now Lord thou haſt taught me, what I ſhould do in reſpect of my ſelfe; but now Lord I would do ſomething for thee.
Come then and follow me, Mat. 9.9. And he aroſe and followed him.
THen one of the Phariſees came to him, and asked him, what ſhal I do to work the work of God Joh. 6.28?
This is the worke of God, that thou beleeve in him (viz. me) whom he hath ſent, Joh. 6.29.
But Maſter what good thing ſhall I do, that I may have eternall life, Mat. 19.16.
If thou wilt be ſaved by doing, then keep the Commandements.
I have kept them all from my youth, Mat. 19.20.
Then thou art no ſinner.
Yes, we are all ſinners; but I thanke God I am not as other men are, Extortioners, Unjuſt, AdulteLuke 18.11.
Why, what doeſt thou more than this Publican?
I faſt twice in the weeke, and give tithes of all that I poſſeſſe, and concerning the Law, I live blameLuk. 18.12. Phil: 3.6.
Haſt thou never read, that they which followed after the Law of Righteouſneſſe, have not attained to the Law of Righteouſneſſe, Rom. 9.31.
No, I never obſerved that, but I remember another text, where God ſaith, I gave them my StaEzek. 20.11.
Doeſt thou then think to go to heaven by doing?
Not by doing onely, but by doing good, and departing from e
But doth not the Law ſay, curſed is he that obſerveth not all things that are written in the words of the Law to do them, Deut: 27.26.
Yes, that is, whoſoever breaks the Law is accurſed, unleſſe hee re
The Law doth not ſay, unleſſe men repent for breaking it, they are accurſed, but it ſays abſolutely they are curſed, and I ſay whoſoever keepeth the whole law, and yet offendeth in one point, he is guilty of all, Gal. 3.10. Jam: 2.10. Mat: 5.19.
I ſay ſo too, that except men keep the law of Moſes they
Doeſt thou know the Law?
Yes, I know the Law, for I am inſtructed daily out of the Law, by our
The Prieſts have done violence to the Law, and they that
handle the Law know not the Lord.
Jehovah, hath ſaid, that the Law ſhal not periſh, from the Prieſts for the Prieſts lips is to keep knowJer: 18.18. Mal: 2.7.
God hath ſaid alſo, that the Law ſhall
periſh from the Prieſts, and that
they
ſhall not every man teach his neighbour any more, for all ſhall know the Lord, from the leaſt to the greateſt.
I perceive thou goeſt about to deſtroy the Law.
Thinke not ſo: for I am not come to deſtroy the Law, but to fulfill it, Mat: 5.17. Luke. 16.17.
I Sir, I like that, that wee ſhould fulfill the Law, for Moſes gave us the Law, that wee ſhould performe it.
Yes, Moſes gave you the Law, but
none of you keepeth it, but
you have beene partiall in the Law.
Ye pay tithe of Mint, Annis, and Cumming, and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law, Judgement, Mercy, and Faith.
It is true, we may come ſhort in ſome things, but he that keepeth the Law happy is he.
Thou that
reſteſt in the Law, and makeſt thy boaſt of the Law, through breaking the Law thou doest diſhonour God; and cauſeſt many to
ſtumble at
the Law, verily I ſay unto thee, thou
ſhalt be judged by the Law.
No, I hope rather, to be ju
Verily, verily, I ſay unto thee, by the deeds of the Law, there ſhall no fleſh be juſtified in Gods ſight, Rom. 3.20. Gal: 3.11.
How then ſhall I bee juſtifi
The righteouſneſſe of God without the Law is manifeſt, being witneſſed by the Law and the Prophets, Rom. 3.21.
What Righteouſneſſe is that?
Not a mans
own righteouſneſſe, which is called, the
Righteouſneſſe of the Law: but the
righteouſneſſe which is of God by faith.
What difference is there be
Moſes deſcribeth the righteouſneſſe of the Law, thus, that the man
which doth thoſe things which the Law requireth ſhall live by them: but the righteouſneſſe of faith, ſaith, whoſoever beleeveth on me ſhall be ſaved, Ro, 10.5.6.11.
How can men bee ſaved by beleeving in thee, for thou art but one?
As by one
mans offence death reigned, by one much more, they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteouſneſſe, ſhall reigne in life by mee, who am the
ſonne of righteouſneſſe,
and made by God my Father to bee righteouſneſſe unto men.
Thou beareſt record of thy ſelfe, Joh. 8.13.
Though I bear record of my ſelfe, yet my record is true.
My Father alſo beareth witneſſe of mee, and this is his witneſſe, that he hath given life, and this life is in (me) his ſon.
But what ſayeſt thou, how was our father Abraham and his ſeed (who lived before thee) juſtified and ſaved?
Your Father Abraham, rejoyced
to ſee my day, and be ſaw it, and was glad, for
I was before Abraand be and his ſpirituall ſeed, were juſtified and ſaved by faith in me.
But was not Abraham juſtifi
If Abraham were juſtified by workes, he hath whereof to glory,
Abrahams faith was accompabut net before God: for what ſaith the Seripture. Abraham beleeved God, and it was accounted to him for righteouſneſſe, Ro. 4.2.3.
If I bee not juſtified by my good works, to what end ſhould I performe them?
Though thy good workes cannot juſtifie thee before God, yet they may glorifie God, and be profitable unto men, Mat. 5.16. Tit. 3.8.
Well then, I am glad my good workes bee good for ſome
Yes, thy good workes would bee good for ſomething, if thy faith (like Adid work with thy works: but thou doeſt not beleeve, and all thy good works, thou doeſt, to be ſeen of men, Iam.
No, I doe not do my good workes to bee ſeene of men, but to pleaſe God.
I tell thee that without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God, Heb: 11.6.
But God hath ſaid, if a man doe well, hee ſhall be accepted.
It is not for their well-doing that men are accepted with my father, but they are made acceptable in mee, and their works are accepted for my ſake, Eph. 1.6. 1 Pet: 2.6.
But am I no nearer Heaven, that performe good workes, than this ſinfull and ungodly Publican?
Thou Hypocrite that juſtifieſt thy ſelfe, and judgeſt another: I tell thee, that Publicans and Harlots, ſhall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven before ſuch as thou art, Mat: 7.5. and 21 31.
Oh untrue, and falſe-doctAbraham, Ioh. 7.49. & 8.33.
Thou blinde, and ſelfe-conceited Phariſee, underſtandeſt thou not the Scripture? I will have mercy, and not ſacrifice, for I am not come to call the righteous, but ſinners to repentance. And I ſay unto thee, unleſſe thou doeſt beleeve in mee, thou art not the child of Abraham, Mat. 9.13. Gal. 3.26.
I beleeve in the God of Abraham, the God of Iſaack, and the God of Jacob, whoſe child and ſer
If thou didſt beleeve in God, thou wouldeſt alſo beleeve in mee, but thou art the child of the devill, and in bondage to this day, Ioh: 8.44. Gal. 4.25.
How am I in bondage?
Thou art under the curſe of the Law, and under the power of ſinne and Sathan; and canſt never be made free, unleſſe I make thee free, Ioh: 8.34, 35, 36.
How doeſt thou free men?
By my
death, and ſufferings, I ſatisfie the Law; by the
power of my reſurrection, I overcome death; and
by my Spirit, I
caſt out Sathan, and
ſubdue ſinne.
Sir, I hope to be freed ano
Thy ſacrifices and thy prayers, are an abomination unto me, and thy workes are not found perfect before God, Eſa. 66.3. Prov. 15.8. and 28.9. Rev. 3.2.
What doſt thou thinke to beat me off from my long prayers, and good workes? I hope by theſe, together with my faſting, and mourning, to lay a ſure, and hap
Thou worker of iniquity, that doſt
practice hypocriſie, I tell thee, thy prayers are
ſinne, thy workes are done to be ſeen of men; thou alſo faſteſt for
ſtrife, and thy mourning is but hypocriticall: therefore inſtead of laying a ſure and happy foundation, thou
heapeſt up wrath to thy ſelfe, againſt the day of wrath.
Sir, I am not a hypocrite,
Though thou doſt outwardly
appeare righteous unto men, yet within thou art full of hypocriſie and iniquity; thou ſeed of the Serpent, thy
hope will periſh, for thou canſt not
eſcape the damnation of hell.
I doe not feare what thou ſaieſt, for I am better perſwaded of my ſelfe.
Though thy ſeared conſcience, and hardned heart hinders thee yet from fearing; yet feare, terrour, 'and trembling ſhall
ſurpriſe, and fill thy ſpirit, that thou ſhalt roare in
flames of fire, and in everlaſting burnings.
I have joy and comfort in my ſpirit often from my perfor
Thou painted Sepulchre, haſt thou not read! that the
joy of an hypocrite
is but for a moment? and that an hypocrite ſhall not
come before God. And doſt thou not
reſtraine prayer before God; and when thou prayest, doſt thou not doe it publickly to bee
ſeen of men?
I pray in private alſo.
Then it is either when ſome
puniſhment is upon thee, or elſe to quiet thy carnall conſcience.
Mr. why doſt thou reproach me in ſaying thus?
Thou diſſembler that
ſeekeſt honour of men, and not the honour which commeth from God: thou art to expect nothing but ſhame, and
everlaſting contempt.
Sir, thou judgeſt raſhly.
No, as I heare, I judge, and my judgement is juſt and true, Joh. 5.30. and 8.16.26.
How knoweſt thou what I am, that thou ſo judgeſt?
I am he that ſearcheth the heart, and trieth the reines, and I will give to every one of you according to your works, Rev. 2.23.
When thou judgeſt the world, what difference wilt thou make between us that ſerved God, and the Heathens that ſerved him not?
The difference will be this, that your
condemnation will be the greater, becauſe (though ye knew God, yet) ye ſerved him
vainly, falſely, and
hypocritically.
Good Maſter, I would eſ
I have told thee already, that there is no other way for thee to eſcape it, but onely by me, but yet thou doſt not beleeve me, Joh. 10.25.
How wilt thou have me be
Firſt, I will have thee ſee thy ſelfe to be the
greateſt and vileſt of ſinners, and then ſee all thy
owne righteouſneſſes, ſervices, and performances, to be as filthy and menſtruous rags: And after thou haſt denied and
abhorred
thy ſelfe, then cry out, Maſter, ſave me, or elſe I periſh; for the
whole need not a Phyſitian, but thoſe that are ſicke.
I doe ſee my ſelfe a ſinner, and I am ſorry for my ſinnes. And doth not God ſay, that whoſoever confeſſeth and forſaketh his ſins ſhall finde mercy.
I ſay unto thee (thou luke-warme Profeſſor) Except thou eateſt my fleſh, and drinkeſt my bloud; and ſubmitteſtunto my righteouſneſſe, thou canſt not be ſaved, Joh. 6.53.
Well then; If I cannot be ſa
Haſt thou not read, that
Salvation belongeth onely to the Lord, and that men are ſaved by grace, without the workes of the Law; why then doſt thou ſo
lightly eſteem of the Rocke of thy Salvation? by ſeeking to be juſtified and ſaved (as
it were) by thy owne workes: I tell thee againe, thou muſt
deny thy owne righteouſneſſe wholly, and looke to
be found in my righteouſneſſe onely, elſe thou canſt not be ſaved.
Indeed Maſter, thou makeſt the way to Heaven very hard.
It is ſo hard, that many ſhall ſeeke to enter in, and ſhall not bee able, Luke 13.24.
If it be as thou ſayeſt, I am afraid that many of our beſt Scribes and Phariſees will come ſhort of Heaven.
Thou maiſt be ſure of that, for verily I ſay unto thee, Except thy righteouſneſſe, exceeds the righteouſneſſe of the Scribes and Phariſees, thou ſhalt in no caſe enter into the Kingdome of Heaven, Mat. 5.20.
But Maſter, there be ſome that doe great works in thy name, ſhall not all ſuch be ſaved?
No, for many will ſay unto mee hereafter, Lord, Lord, have we not propheſied in thy name, and in thy name caſt out devills, and in thy name done many wonderfull things; and then will I profeſſe unto them, I never knew you, depart from mee yee workers of
Matth. 7.22.23.
But why ſhould not ſuch rather be ſaved then caſt away?
Becauſe they did (as thou doſt) doe all theſe things to be ſeen of men, and to gaine honour unto themſelves, and ſo built their Salvation upon this falſe foundation, as the fooliſh builder built his houſe upon the ſand, which in
i.e. Times of triall and perſetime of flood, and winds, could not ſtand, but fell, Mat. 7.26, 27.
I ſee thou doſt reject mee, I thought to be one of thy Diſciples, and to follow thee.
No, I doe not reject thee, but am very willing to receive thee; but firſt conſider, what thou doſt, and what it will coſt thee, if thou wilt be my Diſciple, and follow me.
What will it coſt mee Ma
Thou muſt
i.e. In comparihate thy father and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and ſisters, and thine owne life alſo; yea thou muſt goe, and ſell all that thou haſt, and take up thy croſſe daily, and follow mee, elſe thou canſt not bee my
Diſciple, Luke 14.26, 27.
This is a hard ſaying, who can hear it, and he went away ſorJoh. 6.60.66. Mat. 19.22.
COme unto me al ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt, Mat. 11.28.
Oh Lord, I am a poor heavy laden ſinner that would come unto thee, but cannot come.
It is true O ſoule, no man can come unto me, except the FaJoh. 6.44.
How then Lord ſhall I come unto thee?
I and my Father are one, and we give power to the faint, and to them that have no might, we adde ſtrength,Joh. 10.30. Eſay 40, 29.
Lord, I am altogether without ſtrength, therefore draw mee unto thee, and I will come.
I will draw thee unto mee with the cords of a man, with bands of love, and with loving kindHoſ. 11, 4. Ier. 31.3. Ioh. 12.32.
But Lord now I looke upon my ſelfe, I ſee I am unworthy to come unto thee; yea, unworthy of the leaſt of thy mercies.
So ſaid my ſervantIohn the Baptiſt, andIacob, and
If ſuch men as John Baptiſt, and Jacob did judge themſelves unworthy; how many thouſand times more uxworthy am I, a wretched and wicked ſinner?
It is true, neither they, nor thou,
Luk. 20.35. and 21.36. Rev. 3.4.
But Lord, if there were any thing that were good in me, it might a little incourage me to come unto thee, but I find nothing but evill in me.
Doſt thou not know, that without me thou canſt
2. Becauſe thou ſeeſt nothing but evill in thee, thou ſhouldſt the rather come unto me, who am the
True Lord, thou art the Founand wel-ſpring of life, and it is thy blood (and nothing elſe) that can waſh away my ſins: but how can I come near to thee, who am ſo wicked, that for ought I know, have counted thy blood an
unholy thing.
Thou poor,
What the Iewes did, they did ignorantly; but I have ſinned againſt knowledge, which makes my ſins worſe then theirs.
If thou haſt finned againſt knowledge, yet thou haſt not ſinPeter ſinned againſt knowledge, when hee denied with an oath that hee knew me not, Mat. 26.72.
Oh but yet my ſinnes are worſe then his, for his ſin was but one ſin, and that a ſuddaine and ſhort ſin; but I have ſinned many ſinnes and continued long in them.
So did my beloved ſervant David (who was a man according to my owne heart) commit ſeverall ſinnes together, as Murther, Whoredome &c. and continued a while too in his ſinnes.
Oh but Lord, thoſe ſervants of
thine, though they ſinned againſt thee, yet they expreſſed a great deale of ſence of their ſins, and ſorrow for them; but I can neither be ſenſible of, nor ſorrowfull for mine.
Oh ſweet ſoule, thou miſtakſence, ſhame, and ſorrow. And I hear thee daily bemoahave
ſinned againſt the Lord, woe is me for I am undone.
Oh good Lord, it is not without cauſe that I cry, wo is me I am unfor I thinke there is no ſoule in ſuch a dangerous, and deſperate condition, as mine is in.
Why doeſt thou thinke, and ſay ſo?
Becauſe I have ſinned that unpardonable ſin againſt thy ſpirit.
Oh thou poor and precious ſoule, thou doſt but thinke ſo, and feare ſo: But tell mee how canſt thou ſin, that ſin againſt my Spirit, and yet pray for more of my Spirit,
Spirit as thou doſt?
Oh Lord, I have often grieved, and quenched thy Spirit, and is not this to commit that unpardonable ſin?
My owne deare and loving children may, and doe ſometimes grieve my ſpirit by ſinning, and quench the gracious motions of it, and yet doe not ſin that unpardonEph. 4.30. 1 Theſ. 5.19. Eſay. 63.10.
Oh but I can thinke no leſſe, but that I have committed that ſin, for I have had hard, cruell and deſperate thoughts in my heart, againſt the Holy Spirit.
Though (my childe) thou haſt had ſuch thoughts in thy heart, yet thou haſt not ſpoken eSpirit (as the Jewes did) which is the ſin of blaſphemy, and that unpardonable ſinne, Mat. 12.24, 28, 31. Mark. 3.22, to 30.
Lord I am not ſure but that I have ſpoken evill words of thy ſpirit; for I know I have many times uttered vile,
and curſed words.
Notwithſtanding thou dideſt through the violence of thy tempJob,
David, Jeremy, Jonah, and Peter did) yet thou haſt not done deſpight (nor ſinned maliciHeb. 10.29.
Oh I have been and ſtill am very wilfull, and have often ſinned wilfully, and thou ſayest in thy word that if any ſinne wilfully after they receive the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more ſacrifice for ſins.
Thou deare ſoule, have not I heard thee often in prayer complaining of, and bewailing thy ſins, and beging earneſtly for power againſt them; therefore it is rather againſt thy will (then wilfully) that thou doſt ſinne.
Oh but I finde ſinnes in power in my ſoule, which if I were a Saint they would not be ſo.
My ſervant Paul found ſinne ſo ſtrong in him that he confeſſed he was carnall, and ſold under ſin; and that he found a law in his members,Paul when it could carry him captive.Rom. 14.23.
Oh but neither Paul nor any other Saint, hath ſinned preſumptuouſly as I have done.
My ſervant David prayed, that hee might bee kept from preDavid ſined preſumpVriah.
But Lord I have rebelled againſt thee.
So did my ſervants ofRebillious: and to me belongs merDan. 9.9.
Oh but my Rebellion is the worſt Rebellion of all, for I have rebelled against the light: I have profeſſed
thee, and yet I have belyed thee, and made an hypocriticall profeſſion; I ſeemed like Judas, to be thy friend, whilſt in my heart I did not love thee.
The houſe of Iſrael and the houſe of Judah dealt treacherouſly againſt me the Lord, and belied me, and Ephraim my deare ſonne, comJer. 5.11.12. Hoſ. 11.12. with Jer. 23.6. and 31.20.
But Lord Ephraim was never ſo wicked as I am, and guilty of ſuch Lukewarmneſſe, Hypocriſie and Backeſliding as I am guilty of.
Yea, Ephraim was as a cake not turned. And Ephraim fed upEphraim, that I could not deſtroy him, Hoſ. 8.8. and 12.1.14. with 11.8.
But I increaſed in ſin, and the more mercies I received the more my heart was exalted.
Even ſo did Ephraim ſin more and more, and according as hee
Hoſ. 13.2, 6.
But Lord what didſt thou do to Ephraim?
I drew them with the cords of a man, and with bands of love, and I was as the dew unto them, Heb. 11.4. and 14.5.
Oh but I have forſaken the Lord, and backeſlided from thee.
So did Iſrael and Judah, Jer. 2.13. and 3.6. and 4.16.
But Lord I find that my heart is bent to continuall backeſliding, yea, my backeſlidings are encreaſed.
So wereHoſ. 14.4. Jer. 3.14.22.
But I fell into groſſe ſinnes that hath diſhonoured thee, and cauſed thine enemies to blaſpheme.
So did my ſervant David, 2 Sam. 12.14. and other of my Saints.
I but then he did mourne and repent greatly for his ſins, but I cannot do ſo, for I find my heart as hard as an Adamant.
So my people Iſraels hearts formerly, were as hard as a Rocke, Adamant, and Flint, Jer. 5.3. Ezek. 3.9.
Oh but I have been long (yea ever) troubled with this hardneſſe of heart.
Though thou haſt, yet I wil take the ſtony heart out of thy fleſh and I wil give thee a heart of fleſh, Eze. 36.26.
But I cannot repent mee of the hardneſſe of my heart.
What though, yet I am exalAct. 5.31.
Oh but I doe not find that I am ſenſible enough of my ſin; for if I were I ſhould mourne, and be aſhamed for all the wickedneſſe which I have committed againſt thee.
When thou doeſt ſee mee whom thou haſt pierced, and when thou ſeeſt that I am pacified toRev. 1.7. Ezek. 6.9. & 16.63.
But Lord I am a very great ſinner, and I would faine ſee the nature and number of my ſins, that I might truly repent me of them, and be humbled for them.
If thou didſt ſe all thy ſins with their nature, number, and aggravaCain and Iudas. And it is not ſo much the ſight of ſin as the ſight of my Love, Grace, Goodneſſe, and Glory, that will lead thee to repentance, and humble thee for thy ſins. Luk. 7.42.47. Zach. 12 10. Rom. 2.4. Eſa. 6.5.
Oh Lord I know I am as wicked a ſinner and as ungodly a wretch as ever lived: but though I know this yet methinks I am not broken with the ſence thereof, I cannot weep nor ſhed tears for my ſins, Oh no! I go many times to prayer and to heare Sermons, and there is no more working, nor relenting upon my ſoule, then if J were a dead ſtock, or ſtone.
Oh my deare ſoule do not thou belye thy ſelfe, for I have heard ma
Oh Lord that I had but faith to beleeve that for my ſelfe.
Have faith in me, and be not faithleſſe but beleeving. Mar. 11.22. Ioh. 20.27.
Lord I find ſo much Atheiſme and unbeliefe in my heart that I have often times queſtionings in my ſelfe concerning God, and concerning the Scriptures, and word of God.
Theſe are the temptations and ſuggeſtions of Satan, and my own DiſLuk. 24.25.
Oh Lord, J am troubled with a thouſand temptations.
Yet feare not (my loving and
But I think that no Saint hath ſuch temptations as mine, for ſometimes, I am tempted to kill my ſelfe, and ſometimes to kill others; inſomuch that J cannot look upon any weapon, waters, or the like, but I am ready to do my ſelfe away therewith.
Satan tempted me to caſt my ſelfe of the Pinacle of the Temple and he alſo tempted many of my deare Children, to deſtroy themſelves: but do not thou hearken to the Accuſer (for he doth accuſe thee to me and me to thee) but rather ſay unto him,Satan it is written, my Lord Jeſus hath overhurt or violence to my ſelfe: therefore get thee behind me thou lier, murtherer, and Enemy, for I will put my truſt in Chriſt though he kill me, and I will endeavour to live to ſerve him, though he ſhould afterwards damne me.
Though I do ſometimes reſolve againſt Satans temptations, and labour to reſiſt them: yet I find my temptations are renewed; and I am not able to withſtand them, for they come in as a floud upon me.
I that ſay unto the proud waves hitherto ſhalt thou come but no fur
But Lord I find I am not only troubled with feare and ſad temptations: but alſo with ſtrong and powerfull corruptions.
I will ſubdue all thy iniquities, and thy ſins ſhall not have dominion ouer thee, Mich. 7.19. Rom. 6.14.
Oh but this doth much trouble
me, that I do not find any love in my heart to thee.
What though thou doſt not, yet I will circumciſe thy heart and thou ſhalt love me: and when thou appre
I have ſinned (Lord) againſt thy mercies and abaſed thy love, yea loved my ſins more then thee, therefore I cannot think that ever thou wilt look upon me with any love or delight.
So did my ſervant David,
Jſrael doe, yet as I loved them, ſo will I love thee freely, and betroth thee to me in loving kindneſſe and mercy.
But Lord I have not only ſin'd againſt thy mercies, but againſt thy corrections, and chaſtiſements alſo.
So did my people Iſrael formerly doe,
I bui my condition is worſe the n all that, for I have been long under the means of grace, and yet I am altogether fruitleſſe; and like the barren Fig-tree.
Thou troubled ſoule in me is thy fruit found,
I Lord, its true, if J were a branch in thee and a true member of thy houſe, then I could beleeve theſe promiſes of thine; alas! I am neither of both, but ſeparated from thee, and thy people.
Do not ſay that thou art none of mine (for I have bought thee with my blond) and do not ſpeak that thou art ſeparated from my people;
Sure if I were not an out-caſt and a Reprobate, I ſhould not be thus
(as I am) in a wilderneſſe condition.
Iſrael was accounted an out-caſt and ſhe cried out;
Oh if I were but one of thine, I ſhould then count my ſelfe the happieſt in all the world.
Feare not my Spouſe, for I am thy Husband, and thy Father.
If I were one of thy Children thou wouldſt not hide thy ſelfe from me as thou doſt.
I have hid my ſelfe and my face from ſome of my Prophets and people of old and yet it was in love to them, and ſo it is to thee, Pſal. 88.14. Eſa. 8.17. & 64.7.
But thou haſt hid thy ſelfe from me, and thou ſeemeſt alſo to be angry with me.
Fury is not in me (towards thee) and though I be angry, yet my anger is but for a moment, Eſa 27.4. &. 54.8.
Yet Lord thou haſt been angry with me a long time, for thou haſt for gotten me.
Zion did ſay ſo, the Lord hath forſaken me, and my Lord hath forEſa 49.14, 15. Ier. 51.5.
But Lord if thou had'ſt not forgotten me, thou would'ſt never have left me, in ſuch a wilderneſſe and barren condition as I am in.
I have allured thee into the wilHoſ. 2.14.
I have been may years in trouble, and terrours and wanting peace in my ſoule, which could not poſſibly have been, if I had truly beleeved in thee.
But now will I ſpeak peace unPſal. 85.8. Luk. 1.79.
How Lord wilt thou ſpeak peace unto me,
i. e. The Prea chers Lips that preacht peace.and guide me into the way of peace?
I will create the fruit of the lips Peace, Peace, and my ſpirit ſhall be
Eſa 57, 19. & 55.12.
But Lord thy word ſaith; there is no peace to the wicked.
No not to a man that will perEſa 53.5. & 54.13.
But Lord how can I have peace, ſeeing a man cannot have peace before (and without) he does beleeve?
Thou ſhalt have faith and peace, and I will give peace through beleeTheſ. 3.16.6.
But Lord then J muſt know that I am one of thine.
Thou ſhalt know that I am the Lord thy God, and that thou art one of my people: Ezek. 34.30.
Oh how ſhall I know that.
My ſpirit ſhall beare witneſſe with thy ſpirit that thou art my Child. Rom. 8.16.
But how ſhall I know that it is thy
ſpirit that beareth this witneſſe, and that it is not the ſpirit of deluſion?
Thou maiſt know that by its power in working in thy heart which no other ſpirit can work alike: as alCor. 5.5. & 7.22. Gal. 5.22, 23.
Lord what elſe ſhall I beleeve, beſides being one of thine?
Doſt thou beleeve that?
Yes Lord, J do beleeve, that thou art Ieſus the Son of God and the Saviour of the world: Act. 8 37. Joh. 6.69. & 11.27.
But doſt thou beleeve that I am thy Saviour.
Lord I do beleeve that there is no other way to be ſaved but only by thee: Act. 4.12.
But doſt thou beleeve that thou ſhalt be ſaved by me.
Lord I do beleeve, help my unbeliefe: Mark 9.24.
To thee it is given to beleeve: Phil. 1.29.
Now Lord I doe beleeve.
What doſt thou now be
I beleeve that thou loved'ſt me and did'ſt give thy ſelfe for me, and that thou art my Lord, and my God, and that I am juſtified and ſhall be ſaved by grace: Gal. 2.20. Joh. 20.28. Act. 15.11.
How cam'ſt thou tobeleeve this?
Lord it is by thy gift and work that J do beleeve it: Eph. 2.8. Heb 12.2.
Well; now thou doſt beleeve, what wilt thou do?
Lord what wilt thou have me to do? Act. 9.6.
If thou love me keep my words: Ioh. 14.23.
What are thoſe words of thine?
Search the Scriptures, for they are able to make thee perfect and wiſe unto ſalvation, and to furIoh. 5.39.2 Tim. 3.16.17.
But Lord how ſhall I underſtand thy word?
I will make known my words unto thee: Pro. 1.23.
But Lord is there no danger of my departing and falling away from thee now I do beleeve?
No, the Mountaines ſhall depart, and the Hills be removed, but my loving kindneſſe ſhall not depart from thee: Eſa 54.10. Ier. 32.40.
Lord I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart Pſal. 119 69.
I have redeemed thee, that thou ſhould'ſt ſerve me withLuk. 1.69.
Come ye Children and I will declare what my Lord hath don for my ſoule.
My SOVLE ſhall make her boaſts of the LORD,
the humble ſhall be are this and be glad, and magnifie the LORD with me, and let us Exalt his Name together: Pſal. 34.11.2, 3.