DOCTRINE. It would be the Prudence of all People, and will be the Practice of wise People to take such notice of the Extraordinary dispensations of GOD as to learn the design of GOD in managing of His Controversy with Sinners, by those Dispensations.

We have several Propositions to be con­sidered under this Doctrine.

I. PROP. The GOD of Heaven does frequently manage a controversy with Sinners upon Earth for their Misdemeanours before Him. He shews that he is displeased at them. And he shews them that he hath just cause to be so displeased. Their wayes are not pleasing in his sight, and so he walks in wayes toward them, that are not pleasing nor easy to them. So in the Second Verse of this Chapter, it is said, [Page 8] The Lord hath a Controversy with his People and he will plead with Israel. Then he tells them what he had done for them. And they had not done before him, as he might justly have expected, and therefore he was offended, and they should be made sensi­ble of his displeasure. And so it was fore­told unto the People of God, in Levit 26, 27 If you will walk contrary unto me, then I will walk contrary unto you. The Lord having told them that if they were willing to obey him, then they should enjoy the blessings of his Covenant. But if they would not hearken to his voice and obey his Commandments and walk in his Sta­tutes, then he would be angry against them, and they might expect the tokens of his anger: Then he shews them that if they would not repent and be reformed by lesser Judgments, then he would bring up on them greater Judgments and punish them yet Seven times for their iniquities and yet Seven times more, and Seven times more, until their Uncircumcised hearts be humbled When he hath begun a contro­versy with Sinners, he will go on with it until they be reformed or destroyed.

[Page 9] II. PROP. The Lord is often pleased to bring Judgments upon Sinners for their Sins, while He is managing his Controversy with then. He hath threatned them with Judg­ments for their Sins, if they don't turn from their Sins He must bring the Judg­ments threatned, that he may appear to be the God of Truth. And he hath done from time to time according to his threat­nings, thus in the Thirteenth verse of this Chapter, He declares, I will make thee sick in smiling thee, in making thee desolate be­cause of thy Sins. Thus also in Deut 28 58. Sayes the Lord, If thou wilt not observe to do all the Words of this Law, that thou mayest year the glorious and fearful Name, THE LORD THY GOD. The Lord shall make thy Plagues wonderful. He told them that if they would be obedient, they should en­joy abundance of blessings, but if they would be rebellious, then there should be curses multiplyed upon them. According­ly it came to pass. The Promises of bles­sing having been fulfilled, Joshua and So­lom [...]n could bring in their testimony for that, so far as to their dayes, [in Josh. 23. 14 1 King. 8 56] The threatnings of curses were also wonderfully accomplished, as both Jeremiah and Daniel observed, [Page 10] [in Lam. 2. 17. Dan. 9 11.] So the Lord often brings various Judgments upon Sin­ners, while he manageth his controversy with them. They find it a perillous thing to continue in wayes of Sin against the Holy God. But,

III. PROP. GOD in pleased graciously to Warn Sinners, before He brings Judgments upon them in His managing to His controversy with them. And these warnings of God are in various wayes delivered.

For sometimes the Lord warns by his Word. So the Lords voice Cryes unto the City. People that read the Word of God, may discern a cry in the Word which they read, like that in Isaiah 3. 10. We to the Wicked, it shall be ill with him. The Writ­ten Word of God plainly cryes, Evil pur­sueth Sinners, it cryes, The Soul, that Sinneth, shall dye, it cryes, The wages of Sin is Death, The cry of the Word is, God will render to every one according to their Works: To them that are contentious and will not obey the truth, he will render indignation and wrath, tribula­tion and anguish, upon every Soul of them. The plain cry of the Word is, The Wicked shall be turned into Hell & all the Nations that forget God. God will rain upon Im­penitent Sinners, fire and brimstone, a [Page 11] burning Tempest must be the Portion of their cup. God will find a time to call to remembrance the Sins of Sinners, and will set their Sins in order before them for their Eternal confusion. The plain Cry of the word is that in the a Thes. 1. [...]—The Lord Jesus will be revealed from Heaven, with his Mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; They shall be punished with ever­lasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the Glory of his Power. And be­sides and before the terrible things, that will come at last upon all finally Impeni­tent Sinners, there are awful cryes in the Word of God against them, denouncing terrible things in this Life and World. Would People Read the Word of God, as they should, they might find the Written Word crying against them for their multi­plyed Impieties against and before God.

So People that hear the Word of God, may often perceive a cry, like that in Ezek. 18 30. Repent and turn from all your trans­gressions, that iniquity may not be your ruine. A cry, like that in John 3 36. He that be­lieveth not the Son of God, the wrath of God abideth on him. A cry, like that in Zeph: 2. 3. Seek ye the Lord, Seek Righteousness and Meekness, that ye may be hid in the day of the Lords anger.

[Page 12] The Ambassadours of the Lord Jesus Christ, who are to Preach the Word of God, are commanded, as in Isaiah 58 1. Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a Trumpet, shew People their transgressions. And as in Ezek 33 8. 9. Thou shalt hear the word at my Mouth and warn People from me, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely dye; and thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way the wicked shall dye in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn him from it, if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy Soul. Thus must the Mi­nisters of God warn Sinners about their Sins, against their Sins, that they may turn from their Sins. They must cry with ear­nestness, with vehemency, with solemnity against the Sins and Vices of the Times and Places, wherein they live.

Indeed Sinners don't love to have their Sins cryed against. And if the Ministers of God will venture to cry against the Sins of Sinners, then will Sinners be ready to cry against the Ministers of God. And if the Ministers will not let Sinners alone to Sin quietly and to live in quiet, while they live in Sin, they be sure Sinners will not [...] let the Ministers of God alone, to [Page 13] have any quietness in their Lives o [...] any comfort in the World, if they can help it. Did not Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, and the Apostles of our Lord find it so. But if Ministers do let Sinners alone to live in Sin, to Sin as they please, then God will not let Ministers no [...] Sinners alone very long They shall nei­ther of them enjoy any long time of quiet­ness. For,

So lies the case. If Sinners will Sin a­gainst God, and God send his Ministers among them, He will have them to cry against their Sins. But if the Ministers of God will not cry against the Sins of Sin­ners, but will be silent, then will Sinners be in danger of perishing in their Sins: but negligent Ministers must answer for the Souls of the perishing Sinners. Their blood will be required at the hands of those that should have cryed and given them warning, that they might have turned from their Sins: Therefore the Ministers of God must not dare, for their Lives, to be Silent; They must cry against Sin, if they love their own Souls. They must be as Trumpets thorow which the Lords voice cryes unto Sinners. Thus there is the cry of the Word, by which the Lord is pleased to warn Sinners, that they may turn from [Page 14] Sin, so as to prevent his Judgments from coming.

But sometimes notwithstanding all the cryes of the voice of the Lord by his Word, Sinners will go on still in their trespasses. But what comes then?

Then,

Sometimes the Lord warns by His Rod And therefore is it said, Hear ye the rod an [...] who hath appointed it. If Sinners will not hear the Word of God, then comes the Rod of God. If the cry of the Word be despised, then the smart of the rod must be endured. Lesser Judgments come to war [...] Sinners of greater Judgments coming i [...] they continue Impenitent, if they are no Reformed by lesser Judgments. The rod comes to tell that the Sword is coming, in Sinners will not be perswaded of the rod to forsake their Sins. For when God hath begun his controversy with Sinners, the [...] may expect that he will go on, to finish in Righteousness, if they will not be Re­formed they must be ruined. The Lord will overcome when He judgeth. Thus we find it with the People of God, of old, it the fore-mentioned 26th of Leviticus, and 28th of Deuteronomy, and in divers other Places of Scripture we find that they were told that if they would not hear the Words [Page 15] of God, they should feel the rod of God. There should come lesser Judgments, and if they did not reclaim them, then there should come greater Judgments. And if they would not be Reformed by the Lord, by these Judgments, then He would punish them yet Seven times more for their Sins. The Lord would break the Pride of their Power, and would send the Sword to a­venge the quarrel of his Covenant. So af­terwards we find, the Lord began with them as a Moth, by lesser Judgments consuming of them; and then went on as a Lyon, by greater Judgments, devouring of them. So the Lord is pleased to deal with Sinners. The Word cryes unto Sinners. You have Sinned against God, Oh! Turn from Sin, left God bring his rod. But if the Sinners do not turn from Sin, then they may justly look for the rod. And when the rod comes, then the rod cryes unto Sinners Oh! The Word of God has been despised therefore is the Rod come Take heed, lest you despise the rod: For if you don't hear the Rod, the Sword may come next The cry of a lesser Judg­ment, is, Oh! Be Reformed by this lest a greater come. And if there be no Re­formation, a greater does come, and if Sin­ners continue still incorrigible, it may be still complained according to Isaiah 9 11. [Page 16] The Lord hath brought sad things upon his People, they are environed with Ene­mies; they know not which way to turn, they are exceedingly distressed, yet, For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still: For the People turneth not [...] him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts. By these things we learn that God is pleased to give warning to Sin­ners, before He brings Judgments upon them He warns by his Word, before he strikes with his Rod. And by lesser Judg­ments coming, He warns that greater will come, unless there be amendment by lesser. So it is commonly with a People external­ly in Covenant with God. He speaks by the Word for their Instruction, before he smites with the Rod for their Correction: or strikes with the Sword for their De­struction. But if they will not be Refor­med by the Word, nor Amended by the Rod, they may fear being ruined by the Sword.

IV. PROP. It would be the Prudence of all People to take such Notice of the extra­ordinary Dispensations of God, as to learn what is the design of God in his managing of his Con­troversy with His People by those Dispensations. We are to remember that the God of Hea­ven [Page 17] is pleased ordinarily to walk in a way of Mercy toward Sinners, while they live in this World. The Sinfullest People in this World enjoy more Mercies than they endure Sorrows while they live here upon the Earth. And when God begins to bring any Sorts of Judgments upon Sin­ners: they are strange, uncouth, unusual, unexpected things; and so may be styled the extraordinary dispensations of God. He goes out of his common Road, when he steps into a way of Judgment with Sin­ners. The judicial dispensations of God may be called His Strange Works, for at their first coming, they are frequently sur­prizing and amazing unto Sinners. Tho' they have been told & warn'd about them, yet when they come they seem to wonder at them, as new & strange things. Indeed when judgments have continued some time & are grown common, then People grow less and [...]ess affected & concerned with them. So when War, Famine or Pestilence are grown common Evils among a People, then Sin­ners frequently grow hardened, unconcer­ned, unaffected. They make light of the Evils. But then frequently the Lord is pleased to bring something that is uncom­mon. There shall happen some extraordi­nary things, that shall mightily astonish [Page 18] People, and put them into great confusion at lest for a while.

And the All wise God hath evermor [...] some holy design in His extraordinary dis­pensations toward Sinners. For He is cause by Counsel, ever acting with Infi­nite Wisdom. He does nothing in vain. He doth never amuse the World with any strange thing, without some wise aim. He hath some Glorious Intention in all his ex­traordinary dispensations about his Crea­tures. For we are sure from Eph 1. 11. He worketh all things after the Counsel of his own Will. And therefore with Infinite Wisdom, consummate Prudence, and ex­quisite Contrivance. All his Actions a [...] weighed, ordered and contrived with a view at something for the Advancement of His Own Glory.

And about all the Evils of Trouble that come upon Sinners, all sorts of Judgment whether they be ordinary or extraordinary Ones, it may be demanded, as in Amos 3. 6 Shall there be Evil in the City, and the Love hath not done it? [The Lord has a han [...] in all the Judgments that come upon Sin­ners] The Lord will do nothing, but he re­vealeth his secrets to his Servants the Prophets. And else-where it is demanded, Who is b [...] that saith and it cometh to pass, when the Lo [...] [Page 19] commandeth it not? The Counsel of the Lord shall stand, the Thoughts of his Heart to all Genera­tions. Every thing that cometh to pass in the World, is directed by the Infinite Wis­dom of God. He knows and sees all, yea He foresees and orders all. Nothing can come to pass without His permitting Will.

Indeed He does not force the Wills of Sinners, nor compel them to Sin against himself in breaking of his Laws. There is no such decree or purpose of God as lays any necessity of compulsion upon the Wills of any of his Creatures, that may be improved as Instruments in the hand of God, in bring­ing to pass those things that may be called the Judgments of God: For God may ap­point what shall be, and may design to di­rect his Instruments in their Actions, while they act most Willingly and most Wick­edly, without his being the Author of their Sin. For we are sure that God 'fore knew, for He 'foretold unto Moses, that the heart of Pharaoh would be hardned so that He would not be willing to let the Children of Israel go out of his Land. Yet Pharaoh did voluntarily harden his heart. Nei­ther the Purpose of God to permit Pharaoh to hearden his heart, nor his Prediction of that purpose unto Moses, had any such In­fluence upon Pharaoh to harden his heart, [Page 20] as that he had any reason to complain that he was necessitated by any coactio [...] or compulsion upon his Will by the per­mission of God, to harden his own Sins heart; he willingly hardened his heart Yea though God upholdeth Sinners [...] their Being, and strengtheneth them [...] their Acting about those things that and very Sinful, He is not chargeable with their Sins, while thy do, what they do a­gainst his Revealed Will. And the All wise God knows how to govern the Wil [...] of Sinners, in all their Actions for his Own Glory; and hath some glorious Ends all his dispensations about all his Crea­tures. Thus it was in a peculiar manner observed about the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Servants of God would acknowledge (in Acts 4 28) The Sinner in Crucifying our Saviour, have do [...] What thy hand and thy counsel determined be­fore to be done. Him being delivered [...] the determinate counsel and fore-know­ledge of God, they had by wicked Hand crucifyed and slain. So our Lord Jesus Christ hath told us, about the Providence of our heavenly Father extending it set unto the very Hairs of our Heads ( [...] 10 29 30) Not a Bird nor an Hair can fall on the ground without the Providence [Page 21] [...] God Governing the World. Then God orders all things, directs all with In­finite Wisdom, designs all for his Own Glory, hath glorious designs in all his Works, and especially in his more extra­ordinary dispensations about the Children of Men.

But what now follows here upon? Cer­tainly it would be the Prudence of all to like Notice of the extraordinary dispensa­tions of God so, as to learn what is the de­ [...]g [...]n of God in those dispensations. For [...]is is implyed in Hearing the Rod, and who hath appointed it. The Rod of God [...]ath a voice; it is their duty to Hear [...]at voice, and to Hear it so as to Mind it; to Mind it so as to consider [...] and to consider it so as to understand [...]e intention of the Glorious God in send­ing his Rod: that by discerning the inten­tion of the Rod, they may be prepared to answer the intention of God in using His God. This would be the Prudence of all people, when they behold the extraordi­nary dispensations of God in His holy Pro­vidence, that they might conform to His designs. For all People are call'd upon to [...]ear the Rod, and who hath appointed it.

And,

[Page 22] V. PROP. This will be the Practice [...] Wise People: They will take such Notice [...] the extraordinary dispensations of God, as [...] learn something of the designs of God in these dispensations, while He is managing of a Con­troversy with Sinners. The Man of Wis­dom will see the Name of God. He will not only Hear the voice of God in His Word; but he will endeavour also [...] Mind the voice of God in His Rod, so a [...] to discern something of the intention o [...] the Rod of God, that he may be prepare to comply with the intention of Him that sends the Rod. They that are furnishes with the best Wisdom. The Fear of the Lord, and are made Wise unto Salvation thro' Faith in Christ Jesus; when the behold any extraordinary dispensations [...] Divine Providence, they will consider such as these things.

(1) They will consider & acknowledge that there is a Providence of God managing [...] things. All things are under the direction of the Glorious God. The People of God will ascribe nothing to blind fate, nor to wild chance, whatever Philistines may do They that are Israelites indeed will Sub­scribe unto the ancient Acknowledgment of the Church of God, in Psal. 115. 3. Our [Page 23] God is in the Heavens, he hath done what ever the pleased: And in Psal. 135. 6. What ever the Lord pleased, he did in Heaven and Earth, in the Seas and in all deep Places. That is every where. All Creatures, both Inani­mate and Animate, both Irrational and Ra­tional, both Good and Bad, both Men and Angels, are so in the hand of God, and so under his Command, that they cannot move nor stir without His Permission. All his Creatures and all their Affairs are [...]der his absolute Government, so that they can do nothing without his leave, Yea, He hath so determined about all their Actions, that he knows What and When every One of them shall be; and He de­signs to Glorifie Himself in them all, by them all. Nothing comes to pass any where in the whole World, but what the Almighty God hath determined to per­form or permit. He performs what is Good, He permits what is Evil, or else it [...]ould not be. And as His Kingdom is an everlasting One: Psal. 145. 13. Thy King­dom is an Everlasting Kingdom, and thy Do­minion endureth throughout all Generations; Thus it is an Universal Kingdom, Psal. [...]03. 19. The Lord hath prepared his Throne [...] the Heavens, his Kingdom ruleth over all. Then all things are under the Govern­ment [Page 24] of Divine Providence. The [...] High doth according to his Will, in [...] Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabi­tants of the Earth; and none can stay his Hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou He sayes, My Counsel shall stand, I will do all my Pleasure. This the People [...] God will consider, and they will acknow­ledge all things to be under the inspection of Divine Providence.

And then,

(2) They will consider & acknowledge that the Lord manages all things in His H [...] Providence with Infinite Wisdom. We m [...] say as in Psal. 104. 24. O Lord, How many fold are thy works! in Wisdom hast thou [...] them all. The Wisdom of God appear not only in the works of Creation, and more gloriously in the works of Redempti­on, but also in the w [...]ks of Providence there is the Infinite Wisdom of God ap­pearing. We read in Isaiah 18. 29. [...] Lord of Hosts is wonderful in Counsel and ex­cellent in working. And we read of it purpose of him who worketh all thing after the Counsel of His Own Will. [...] having purposed about all that hath, [...] shall come to pass, the purposes of [...] must be framed with Infinite Wisdom, and He must act wisely in His bringing to [...] [Page 25] all His Purposes. Both Wisdom & Might [...]re His. Nothing can come to pass with­out the Divine Will; and the Wisdom of God is continually exercised in his taking [...]are about all his Creatures, and especially about his Children: For if things come to pass by an Heatheni [...]h, fatal Necess [...]y, then might the blessed God say to His Children: Such and such Troubles and Sorrows will come upon you, there is no help for you to avoid them, and therefore you must endure them and improve them, as well as you can: But our heavenly Fa­ther has provided better comfort for his Children than so; in the advice that our blessed Saviour hath given to his People, in Matt. 10. 28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the Soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both Soul & Body in hell. Are not two Sparrows sold for a farthing, and one of them shall not fall on the ground, without your Father; but the very Hairs of your head are all numbred. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many Sparrows. It means, that if God take care of the Birds in the Air and of the Hairs of our Heads, then be sure he will take care about our Lives and our Souls, and also about all our Affairs in this World. And then surely he does wisely in all that he [Page 26] does. And if an heathenish Empero [...] would acknowledge about the King [...] Heaven, as in Dan. 4. 39. All his works [...] Truth and his ways Judgment; Surely god [...] People must acknowledge and consider and remember he is Wise in Heart as we as Mighty in Strength.

But then.

(3) They will consider and acknow­ledge that the All-wise God wisely manages [...] things, in His Providence for His own Glory The Glory of God is the Ultimate End [...] all the works of God. He hath designed his own Glory in all his Purposes and [...] his Performances. All his determination from Eternity, and all his dispensatio [...] throughout all Time are levelled at th [...] End, The advancement of his own Glory Thence that Admiration, Rom. 11. [...] Oh! the depth of the riches of the Wisdom [...] Knowledge of God! how unsearchable are [...] Judgments and his Wayes past finding [...] for who hath known the Mind of the Lord, who hath been his Counsellor; for of him a [...] through him, and to him are all things, whom be Glory for ever So the People God consider and acknowledge that Go [...] hath designed his Glory in all the work of His holy Providence.

[Page 27] (4) They will realize unto themselves that the extraordinary Dispensations of God, are set before them for their conside­ration, that they may learn something from them, for His Glory & their Own benefit. For the Children of Wisdom look upon the God of Heaven as their Father; and they cannot believe that their All-wise Fa­ther would present things before the Eyes of his Children, without any design of Honour to his Name or advantage to their Souls. They don't imagine that he only designs to amaze them or amuse them with his dispensations. But they Believe that [...]he would have them to consider of them so as to glorify Him, and get good for themselves. They reckon themselves call'd upon as in Job 37. 14. Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. They consider, Psal. 111. 2. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of those that have plea­sure therein. So they think themselves under obligation to take notice of the works of God. They consider, Psal. 107. 43. Whoso is wise will observe those things. that are done by God in his holy Provi­dence. All the works of God are to be considered, wise Persons are willing to con­sider them as they have leisure, advantage, ability and opportunity. But the more [Page 28] surprizing, and stupendous works of God call for more close attention to see into the intention of them, and should be mov [...] narrowly considered that they may be more thorowly understood and usefully improved by those that fear God, so the they may answer the expectations of God concerning them. The People of God should bend their Minds to look into his more notable and terrible works.

And therefore,

(5) They must not cease considering the extraordinary dispensations of God un­til they have learned something of the [...] own duty, unto which they should be ex­cited by those dispensations, that they ma [...] know how to behave themselves under All the awful dealings of God. These thing are implyed in Hearing the Rod and wh [...] hath appointed it: and in seeing the Name of God, when the Lord's voice cryes by extraordinary dispensations: We read [...] Heb. 12. 11. No chastening seemeth, for [...] present, joyous, but grievous; nevertheless af­terward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of Righ­teousness to them that are exercised thereby When God is by extraordinary dispensa­tions of his Providence chastening a Sinful People, they should so consider of his dealings with them as to bring forth fruit [Page 29] of Repentance, and of Righteousness, that may issue in everlasting Peace to their Souls. And therefore they must consider the works of God so that they may know what He would have them to do: It was a good resolution of a Religious Man, Psal. 85. 8. I'le hear what God the Lord will say, for he will speak peace unto his (holy) People, but let them not return again to folly, (or that they may not return again to folly.) This may imply that as we must mind What God sayes by his Words, that we may be reduced or preserved from Sin; so we should mind what God sayes by his Works that we may be reclaimed or diverted from Sin; Be sure we should mind what God the Lord sayes to us, both by his Words and by his Works, that we may more fully understand what our behaviour ought to be before the Lord. As the goodness of God should lead us to Repentance, that we may do better than we have done; so by the Chastizements of God we should be excited unto more Holiness. And be sure the more Awakening dispensations of the Most High are to be considered and improved for such Ends. While dreadful Judgments of God are in the Earth, the In­habitants of the World should learn Righ­teousness. Then would they see the Name [Page 30] of the Lord and hear his Rod. And they are made no better by the extraordi­nary dispensations of God in his Provi­dence, it may be justly complained against them, they do not as they should, behold the Majesty of the Lord. But that the [...] may be no just reason for any such com­plaint to be made against us:

The APPLICATION of the thing that have been delivered must now follow in this Use of Exhortation.

DOCT. 1. Persons may be equally favoured with External Privileges, for the Exciting and Assisting of Repentance, and other good things; and yet may be wonderfully distin­guished in respect of their Internal Advan­tages by those Privileges.

They that enjoy the same External Means of Grace, may not alwayes receive the same benefit by those Means. They that are a-like as to their Outward Enjoy­ments, may not be a like as to their [...] ­provements of those Enjoyments. This is plain from the Instances in our Text; This Two Malefactors on the Cross, were both of them near unto our Lord Jesus Christ; the dying Saviour was bleeding by their sides, and his blood, for ought appears, offered as freely to one, as to the other; and both of them saw, and heard, and felt very [Page 86] terrible things, that should have imbitter'd Sin to their Souls, and made them willing to have the blood of Christ applyed to their Souls, and their Souls cleansed from Sin with that blood. Yet one remained Impenitent, manifested his Impenitence, proceeded in Sinning against God. The other appeared Penitent, manifested his Repentance, gave glorious demonstrations, that he sincerely Repented of his wicked­ness, confessed his Sin, acknowledged the Justice of God in his Punishment, pleaded for the Innocence of the Lord Jesus Christ, believed in him for Salvation, shewed the Truth of his Faith by his humble Prayer to the Lord, professed Him before all People; there present, had a speedy, gracious glori­ous, wonderful & Soul-satisfying answer to his Prayer: A full demonstration of the [...] & sincerity of his Repentance. Thus [...] these two distinguished, as to the be­ [...] that they obtained by the Means of Grace, notwithstanding their being so much a like in the External Means that they en­joyed. And so in other Instances, Persons that are a-like in External Privileges may be unlike, in respect of Spiritual advanta­ges by those Privileges.

Thus, near the beginning of the World, Cain and Abel doubtless had the same Reli­gious [Page 87] Admonitions about the Affairs of their Souls given to them by their father Ad [...]. So Shem and Ham in the Family of Noah; so Isaac and Ishmael in the Fami­ly of Abraham; so Jacob and Esau in the Family of Isaac. And yet they differed much in respect of the benefit which they received by the means that they enjoyed. And in after-times, did not Peter and Judas enjoy the same excellent instructions of our Lord Jesus Christ? And were not the same Exhortations delivered by John the Baptist, and by our Saviour in the hearing of the Pharisees, and of the Sadducees, that were delivered by them, in the hearing of their other Disciples? And were not the foolish Virgins equally favoured with the wise, in respect of their External Privi­leges? But how vast the difference be­tween them, in respect of their advantages by those Privileges? And is it not so in our dayes? Don't we see that as the same Sun that softens the wax, hardens the clay; so the same Word which unto some is the savour of life unto life, is unto others the savour of death unto death. And the Seals of the Covenant may be Seals of Salvation to some, and of Damnation to others And the Providential dispensations of God, both Mercies and Sorrows, ordinary and extra­ordinary, [Page 88] may have a very different opera­tion upon the Subjects of them. Some are bettered and benefitted by what they experience, and furthered in holiness, and prepared for eternal happiness; while o­thers may be hardned and confirmed in their wickedness, and ripened for eternal misery, by what they experience.

This comes to pass by the Sovereign disposal of the All-wise God, who is not obliged to give an account about any of his Matters, unto any of his Creatures. He may do what he will with his own; we are all the work of his hands, He hath brought us out of nothing into being, and so may dispose of us for Time and for E­ternity as He pleases. And besides this, we are all Sinners, and by our Sins we all deserve the Wrath and Curse of God for ever, and he would be just, if he should leave us all to Perish eternally in our Sins, He might justly with hold from us oil the Means of Grace, or a blessing from all those Means. It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that shew­eth Mercy, that any are saved or advanta­ged by the Means of Grace. Therefore should not any trust in the Means of Grace nor bless themselves in their enjoyment of the Means of Grace, nor imagine that, be­cause [Page 89] they enjoy the Means of Grace, there­fore they are in a happy condition: For Persons may enjoy the Means of Grace, and yet Perish in their Sin. Salvation can­not be ascertained to all them that enjoy the Means of Grace. For we see that some who enjoy those Means of Grace, that as far as we can discern, are exceedingly benefi­cial to others, yet perish themselves. The Impenitent Sinner on the Cross perished in his Sin, tho' he were near unto that Sa­viour, by whom his Penitent Companion obtained Eternal Salvation.

Yet we are not excused from serious di­ligence, in all suitable endeavours, to get good by all the Means of Grace, tho' Sal­vation be not infallibly annexed to those means. We must be diligent in the improvement of all the Means of Grace, that we can improve, acknowledging, that if we obtain saving Grace, in the use of any of the means of Grace, it must be a­scribed unto the Free Grace of God, by whose Grace we are saved, through Faith, and that not of our selves, that is the Gift God.

Therefore we must not say, that because others have got no good by the Means of Grace, there is no hope that we shall ever get any good, and so it is in vain for as [Page 90] to use those Means, But we must in Obe­dience to God and with Dependence on Christ, for assistance and acceptance, im­prove the Means of Grace, with hopes for benefit, by the Grace of God, whatever has been the effect thereof unto others, what­ever may be the event thereof unto our selves.

Had the Penitent Thief on the Cross been discouraged, by hearing the ungod­ly Expressions of his Impenitent Compa­nion, he would have made an ill use of what he heard. But when he exercised the Grace of God in his rebuking of his Companion for his Wickedness, and ac­knowledged the Righteousness, of God and the Innocence of Christ, and pro­fessed his Faith in the Glorious Redeemer, Prayed to Him for His Mercy, humbly referred himself to His Will; we see that things then issued well to him.

Indeed, that the Impenitent Thief con­tinued Impenitent, is to be ascribed unto the Wickedness of his own heart; and that the Penitent Thief discovered his Repen­tance, must be ascribed unto the Free Grace of God. There is Wickedness e­nough in the Hearts of all Sinners, to keep them for ever in their Impenitence, if the Grace of God were not bestowed on some [Page 91] to promote their Repentance. And God [...] under no Obligation to bestow His Grace upon Sinners. But He will be Gracious, to whom He will be Gracious, and He will have Compassion, on whom He will have Compassion. But where God in­tends to bestow Mercy upon Sinners, He will excite Sinners to improve Means to obtain Mercy: at least, before He makes them sensible that He has bestowed saving Mercy on them. If your Salvation be in­tended, you shall be excited to use the Means of Salvation. But it will not be enough to enjoy to attend the Means of Salvation; others may do so and get no good by them, as to their Eternal Benefit. But if God has designed your Salvation, He will incline you to improve the Means [...] Salvation diligently, seriously, and to Work out your Salvation with Fear and Trembling. And He will work in you [...] will and to do according to His good [...]easure. And one hopeful Evidence of [...]he Gracious Intention of God, about your salvation, will be your Prayer to Him [...]hat His Grace may be so exercised toward you, and therein glorified.

DOCT II. Impenitent Sinners would be Saved from Eternal Misery, without any Regard to the Glory of God in their Sal­vation.

There is in all Rational Creatures a Na­tural desire of Happiness, or Freedom from Misery. They would not be Eternally Miserable. The worst of Sinners have some sort to desire to be Easy and Happy for ever. They think, they pretend, they would be Saved and go to Heaven. They would not be Damned nor go to Hell. If they must leave this World; when they leave it, they would not go to a place of Torment, but to a place of Comfort.

But as for all Impenitent Sinners, while they remain Impenitent, they do not sin­cerely desire the Glory of God in their Sal­vation. The Impenitent Malefactor on the Cross cryed, If thou be the Christ, sa [...] thy self and us. He Prayed, after a manner for Salvation, for himself and his Compa­nion. He desired that our Lord Jesus Christ would shew Himself to be the Pro­mised Messiah, by delivering Himself [...] of the hands of His Enemies, and from His present Sufferings, and by appearing for the Salvation of himself and his Compa­nion [Page 93] [...] present Mise [...] [...] regard for the Glory of [...] might be Glori­fyed in their Salvation.

So it is with all Impenitent Sinners, might they live in Sin for ever, and be free from Misery: they would have no con­cernment about being Saved to Glorify God: they would be contented to live in Sin for ever, to the dishonour of God. This is the disposition of all Impenitent Sinners Universally.

Indeed some Sinners do, more plainly, discover this disposition, than some other Sinners. But all Impenitent Sinners have so much of this ungodly disposition pre­vailing in them, as long as they are Impe­nitent, that might they be Saved and Freed from Eternal Misery, let who will be con­cerned for the Glory of God, they take no care about Glorifying God.

Thence it is, partly, that so many Sin­ners do so Shamefully and Wickedly put off the Work of their Souls, from time to time, and follow their sinful courses, until they think they are near Dying, and then they begin to think something must be done, to get ready for Death, to make their Peace with God, that He may be willing to take their Souls into Happiness, when [Page 94] they go out of this Miserable World. They desire that God would take them to Himself, now they think, they can live no longer. But if God remove the occa­sion of their present fear of Dying, and they seem like to live longer; they can pre­sently take to the same Course of Sin, that they were in before, they go on still in their Trespasses. They are not concerned For the Glory of God in their Salvation. All the Salvation that they desire, might be separated from the Glory of God.

And so some, that seem to be Mightily concerned for some of the Means of Sal­vation, Ecclesiastical Privileges, the Seal­ing Ordinances of God, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord to be Administred to themselves and to others, they are fre­quently too little concerned for the Glory of God. If they might be admitted to Evangelical Privileges, they would be contented to live in their Sins, to the disho­nour of God, and the reproach of Religion. So, it seems, it was with some of the Hearers of John the Baptist, and therefore he ad­vised them to bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance, if they desired to be Baptized now they were up grown. So they that desire Gospel Privileges, in a Church State now, must be concerned to prepare [Page 95] for those Privileges, that they may Glorify God in their injoyment of them. They must endeavour that there may be, at least, room to hope that they do sincerely desire to turn from all Sin to God in Jesus Christ, and to live holily by the Grace of Christ, and to follow and perfect Holiness in the fear of God, for the Glory of God; before they can be regularly admitted unto the Table of the Lord, or unto Baptism, if they are come to years of understanding. I have said, at least, Room to hope thus of the [...].

Indeed, it would be a very awful thing, if any People, Professing the Christian Re­ligion, should be overwhelmed with such Enthusiastical Prophanity, as to live con­tentedly without the Holy Ordinances of God, and without any care to prepare for those Ordinances, and without any sense of any need of any Preparation for them, and yet think that things are well e­nough with their Souls, tho' they live in disobedience to the plain, express, positive Commands of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But it would be a no less awful thing, [...] [...]y People, pretending to Christianity should be carried away with such [...] Formality, as to desire that [...] Or­dinances of God should be prostituted [...] [Page 96] to the base Lusts of Wicked Sinners; and be Administred unto those that are noto­riously unprepared for those Ordinances, and evidently without any care to pre­pare for the improvement of them, and would be hardened in their Wickedness and confirmed in their Impenitence, and have their Damnation dreadfully Sealed upon their Souls, if they should enjoy them.

Nor would it seem well, if any Persons, manifesting a Zeal for God, should igno­rantly encourage poor Sinners to any such impiety. For how can they think that the Lord will hold them guiltless?

For we should be concerned for the Glory of God, in all the remarkable En­terprises of our whole Conversation, but peculiarly in our attending of the Holy Ordinances of His Instituted Worship. And it is not for the Glory of God, for us to neglect the Ordinances of God, pre­tending that we are not fit for them. Herein we Rebel against God. Nor is it for the Glory of God for us to abuse the Ordinances of God by Prostituting them to the Lusts of Sinners, in Administring them to those, that by their clearly [...] to [Page 97] Ordinances; This would be to Reproach the Lord, who is Glorious in Holiness.

But it will be for the Glory of God, if we mourn for our negligence and care­lessness about our Preparation for the Or­dinances of God, and beg Pardon for all our sinful Omissions, for the sake of Christ, and Pray for Grace that we may be pre­pared for the Ordinances of God, accor­ding to the Directions of the Gospel.

And when we are so prepared, it will be for the Glory of God, for us to desire to have them Administred unto us, according to the Rules of His Word. This would be for the Glory of God & for the Honour of His People in this World and for their Welfare for ever.

But if People are not concerned for the Glory of God, in their Salvation, He will take care for His own Glory, in their con­fusion. For He has declared in Lev. 10. 3. I will be Sanctified in them, that come nigh me, and before all the People I will be Glorified. Then if God intends our Salvation, He will make us concerned for His Glory.

DOCT. III. Where there is no evidence of Repentance it may be justly feared that there is no right fear of God.

[Page 98] If People did rightly Fear God, they would Repent of Sin. So thought the Peninent Sinner on the Cross, about his impenitent Companion, hearing him utter his ungodly expressions, that shewed that he had no Repentance, he feared that he was without the Fear of God, and says, Dost not thou fear God. The fear of God will excite Repentance of Sin. So thought the Saint of God, in Psal. 26 1. The transgression of the Wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his Eyes. If Sinners abide in their Trans­gression without Repentance, we may justly fear that they do not rightly Fear God. Therefore should we consider the Glorious Perfections of God, that we may Fear Him and repent of Sin. For such is the wickedness of our sinful Hearts, that we are not willing to part with Sin, except we are terrifyed from Sin. Job acknow­leges in Chap. 31. 23. Destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of His highness I could not endure. Tho' he were a good Man, yet he found that there was need for him to be kept in aw, by the Fear of God. Then let us consider the Righteousness, the Holiness, the Infinite Purity, the Almighty Power and the Su­perlative Excellency of God, that we may [Page 99] be excited to Fear Him, as a God hating all Sin, resolving to Punish all Sin, to de­story, Eternally, those that continue finally Impenitent in Sin. But let us also consider the Grace, the Mercy, the Compassion, the Loving Kindness of God, that we may Fear the Lord for His Goodness, and Fear Him, as One ready and willing to shew Mercy for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ unto Miserable Sinners that Penitently repair to Him, in the Name of Christ, for His Pardoning Mercy, notwithstanding all their unworthiness.

DOCT. IV. Penitent Sinners will Desire and Labour that other Sinners may be brought unto Repentance.

This disposition appears in the Peni­tent Sinner on the Cross; one of the first Evidences of His Repentance, was this, he rebuked his Companion for his wicked­ness, and laboured to excite him to Fear God, and shewed him that there was great reason for Him to Fear God now he was under Condemnation for his wicked­ness.

And we read about David in Psal. 31. 123 He promises that upon Gods restoring him unto his Favour, after his great Sin, her [Page 100] would endeavour that Sinners might be Converted unto the Lord.

And we find about the Apostles of our Lord, that were first called by Him, they Invited others to come and partake with them, in the Benefits of the Merciful Messiah.

And our Lord gives that Counsel to Peter, When then art Coverted, (that is, re­stored from thy Fall) strengthen thy Bre­thren And he remembred the Counsel and practised it, in advising, Pass the time of your Sojourning bo [...] in fear: he would not have others to be sinfully confident of their own strength, as he had been of his. But he would have them to fear al­ways, and walk humbly with God that they might be preserved from Sin.

This will be the disposition of all truly Penitent Sinners; they will endeavour that others may be brought to share with them, in the benefits of Repentance.

For as Impenitent Sinners have so much of the Spirit of the Devil within them, and the Image of Satan upon them, that they desire and labour to hinder other Sinners from turning from Sin to God, in Jesus Christ, they strive to prejudice them a­gainst the Means of Grace, and would all their [...] with base, mean thoughts [Page 101] about the Ordinances and the Emba [...] ­dours of the Lord Jesus Christ, be [...]e that then they may be kept out of the way of Conversion. So Penitent Sinners, that have the Spirit of Christ in them, and the Image of God reinstamped on them, they desire and labour to further others in turning from Sin to God, in Jesus Christ; they endeavour to awaken them out of their sinful security, and they strive to promote in them, good and right Opinions about the Means of Grace, and would have them love the Ordinances of God, and prize the Embassadours of Christ, because then they will be in a hopeful way unto Repentance and Salvation, they will be in the way where the Lord commands His Blessing, even Life for evermore, to them that walk uprightly in that way con­scientiously improving the means of Grace [...] Obedience to God, with reliance on Christ for the Influences of the Holy Spi­rit, to make those means beneficial for the saving of their Souls.

This may help us to know what sort of People they are that hinder others from repenting of their Sins. They are Impe­ [...] Sinners themselves, or at best, they [...] much more to be done, than has been done, about their own Repentance! [Page 102] And this will be found the fault of not only the more Prophane Transgressours, who declare their Sin, like Sodom and hide it not, and labour all they can to make other People as bad as themselves; and have their various devices to keep their Foolish Companions fast in the Chains of Death, by holding them in the Cords of their Wickedness: But this will be found the Crime of too many Formal Professors, Persons that have only the Form of God­liness themselves, denying the Power of it, and so labour to make others contented with the Formalities of Religion, without ever endeavouring to experience the reali­ties of Christianity. And this likewise will be found the Crime of some indiscreet Persons, that stifle the Convictions of Sinners, by leading them into some Com­pany, or some Exercise, that shall so divert their Convictions, that they shall never be really Converted, they shall never see their need of coming to the Lord Jesus Christ for Salvation. Abundance of Souls are lost, by having their Convictions diverted without being brought unto the Lord Jesus Christ by a saving Conversion.

They that, notwithstanding all suitable Cautions, will still go on to hinder Souls from repairing to the Lord Jesus Christ for [Page 103] deliverance from their Burthens, will give too much reason to impact that they ne­ver yet experienced a Work of Repentance in their own Souls; but taking up with an imperfect work of the Law, having some Convictions upon their Souls, that [...] a little Trouble, and then with an imperfect Work of the Gospel, misap­plying some Promises, that give a little Comfort to their Souls; they never come [...] Christ themselves, and so are left un­to the Tremendous misery of hindering [...] Conversion of others. Let all of us beware of this Evil and keep clear from [...]very such Evil, that we may not lose our souls.

DOCT. V. It is a great aggravation of their Wickedness, for Wicked People to con­tinue Impenitent in their Wickedness, with­out the Fear of God, while they are under terrible Punishment for their Wickedness.

Therefore sayes the Penitent Sinner to [...] Impenitent Companion, Dost not thou [...] God, seeing thou art in the same con­demnation? As if he had said, whatever others may plead, you are inexcusable, if you remain Impenitent in your Wicked­ness, while God is punishing of you for your Wickedness.

[Page 104] To Trespass yet more, in the time of Distress, it is the way to get a Brand fixed upon the Impenitent Sinner to all Gene­rations. This is that King Abaz! that tres­pass'd yet more in the time of his Distress. Take notice of him! To Sin against God is very bad; to continue in Sin, till God calls to turn, is worse; to proceed in Sin, till God smites with blows for Sin, is yet worse; But to go on in Sin after many blows have been dispens [...] [...]ill makes the case worse and worse. This proceeds from a dreadful hardness of Heart. To receive no Correction; to refuse to be reclaimed, to resolve to continue unreformed, una­mended, incurable under and after all the dreadful strokes of Gods Mighty Hand, it is to be going apace toward the Condition of the Devils, that never will Repent.

Let none of us be found among such wo­ful Sinners. Have we been Chastised for our Faults? Then let us resolve that we will not offend any more. Beg of God for the Pardon of Sins past, for me sake of Christ. And beg of God to give His Grace, for the sake of Christ, that you may give to His Glory for time to come, and be [...] for His Glory for ever.

Tremble to think of being given over to such a Mischief, such a Misery, such a [Page 105] Lamentable Calamity as to remain Impe­nitent under and after Punishment. Dread the thoughts of coming into so sad a Con­dition, as that of the Impenitent Malefactor upon the Cross, to be without the Fear of God, while under Condemnation.

But what! Are there any Numbers of People in such Danger, that we need to be so Admonished, thus Cautioned? Yes; there is reason to fear some are in Danger. Three or Four sorts of People, at least, might be mentioned, that are in dreadful Danger of being more Miserable than the Impenitent Malefactor on the Cross, be­cause they are in Danger of Perishing in their Wickedness, after they have been warned by his Example. Who are they?

1. Unchast Sinners. They that seem to be given over to the Sins of Unchastity, and are so far brought under Condemna­tion, that they have brought shame, dis­grace, and reproach on their Names, disho­nourable wounds, mischiefs and ruines up­on their Interests; and yet have so little of the Fear of God in their Souls, that they venture to go on still in their Wickedness. They can't find in their Hearts to leave their Unchastity, nor can they heartily Pray [...] God for clean Hearts. These are in [Page 106] Danger of Perishing under a terrible Con­demnation, because that such are seldom reclaimed unto Repentance. The Bible shews about the Sin of Unchastity, that none that go to it, return. So few that they are almost none, they are next to none. They make no shew, they are so very few that be recovered from the Sin. Oh! that the Sinners that feel their Consciences now smiting of them, or should feel the lashes of their Consciences, would beg Earnestly of God, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the Purifying Influences of His Holy Spirit, that they might have Grace to Repent, before it be too late.

2. Drunkards. They that are given over to the Lust of Drunkenness, and are so far brought under Condemnation for that their Wickedness, that they begin to feel the Woes, that God has Denounced against Drunkards: Their Names are Blasted, their Estates are Wasting and Sinking, their Bodies consuming, if they don't stag­ger in the Streets, by reason of Strong Drink, but above all their Souls are dread­fully Destroyed, yea, their Consciences be­nummed so, that they can't find in their Hearts any the least Inclination to leave off their Wickedness. They must have [Page 107] their Drams, they will have their Drams they love their Strong Drink; so that it they loose their Eyes and all that is dear to them, yet they can't leave it. Are not these under Condemnation? Don't the Wrath of GOD Flame upon their Souls? After they are Drunk, before they are quite Sober, they'l say, they will seek it yet again. They'l Profanely say, they'l take another Hair of the same—, tho' they are Damn'd for it. Oh! Let no Person then abide under such Condemna­tion: But beg for the Holy Spirit of God, that you may be filled with the Spirit, and then you will mourn bitterly before the Lord, for all your Excesses in drinking Strong Drink, and you'l pray for Pardon for the sake of Christ, and you'l beg that [...]ou may be kept out of the way of Temp­tation to the like Sin for Time to come and you'l watch against the Occasions of [...].

3. Hypocrites. That have made a Pro­fession of Godliness, but have not been Sincere in their Profession. They know that they endure Terrible Things, their Consciences frequently scourging of them Terribly, for their False Dealing with God. And they find it hard to keep up [...] Shew of Religion, because they have [Page 108] no Root of Grace in their Souls, nor Uni­on with Christ. And yet they can't find in their Hearts to beg of God to change their Hearts. They are loth to leave all their Sins. They have some Sin or other, that they are unwilling to part with. And tho' they know themselves to be Hypocrites and so under Condemnation, yet they will not Repent. Yea, tho' they find God chasti [...]ing of them, in leaving them to sad Falls into great Sins; yet they Repe [...]t not of their Hypocrisy. Let them take heed, lest they come at last into the Con­demnation of the Impenitent Sinners, who having no Fear of God, are led forth with the Workers of Iniquity. When will they Pray Sincerely and Earnestly for Integrity and Uprightness?

4. Covetuous Wordlings; who know that their Hearts are set upon the World, [...] that they love the World more than they love God or their Souls, and find God cros­sing them in their Worldly Designs, disap­pointing and impoverishing them with one [...] after another. And yet they will not Repent of their Unrighteousness, and their [...] from God more than is meet while they see it brings them to Poverty. Let them take heed lest they be found ly­ing under the Condemnation of Sinners [Page 109] without the Fear of God. And let them remember, that the Covetuous are Abhor­red of the Lord. If any Man love the World, the Love of the Father is not in him. Oh! That they would see the Va­nity of the World, and choose the Lord for the Portion of their Souls.

5. We might add One Article more, and a very Comprehensive One;

The Ungodly Company-Keepers. Who know, that their Ungodly Company has done them a deal of Damage, rob'd them of abundance of their precious Time, De­faced and so Defeated all their good Con­victions, fill'd their Souls with terrible Confusions, deprived them of their once desireable Reputation among the Religi­ous, and yet they can't leave their Ungod­ly Company. They seem under the Con­demnation of them that Fear not God. They have no Inclination to abandon their unnecessary Familiarity, with their Ungod­ly Company, that never did them any good. Tho' they have heard the awful Warnings of God, A companion of [...] must be destroyed, and they that will not depart from the Tents of the Wicked, shall be consu­med in all their Sins. And they that will partake with Sinners in their Sins, will partake with them in their Plagues; and [Page 110] tho' they have seen the dreadful Judgments of God, signally breaking the Knots of Ungodly Company, and wasting away those that belonged unto those Impious Combinations, yet they venture on still in their Wickedness, encouraging one ano­ther to hold on their Way, strengthening the Hands one of another for their Evil-Doings, notwithstanding all the remarka­ble Blasts of Heaven Thunder striking of them, in their Infandous Enterprizes, be­fore all Serious Observers. But,

When will the Ungodly Company-Keepers come to themselves, and forsake the Foolish and Live, and walk in the way of Understanding? When will they be­come the Companions of them that Fear God, and keep His Precepts, and mind their Souls. Oh! That they would walk with the Wise, and Pray to God for the best Wisdom, that they might appear Wise unto Salvation thro' Faith in Christ Jesus. But leaving them, another Doctrine may now be considered.

DOCT. VI. The Truth of Repentance for Sin should be discovered in Penitent Sin­ners, not only by their Serious Concernment for the good of others and the Glory of God, as well as their own good; but also by their Humbleness before God, and their Thankful­ness unto God.

They must humbly refer themselves un­to the Sovereign Pleasure of God, and Thankfully accept and improve the least Mercy from God. So the Penitent Sin­ner in our Text, not only endeavours to reclaim his Impenitent Companion from his unreasonable Wickedness, but he also sensibly acknowledges the Righteousness of God, in the Punishments that were come on them for their Wickedness. And he humbly Prays unto the Lord Je­sus Christ, and humbly Submits himself unto the Will of that Glorious Lord, and shews a willingness to be contented with the least Mercy that might be conferred on him, and waits on the Lord for His own Time to know His Will. So Hum­ble, so Thankful was he in his Repentance:

We might here say, that the Penitent Sinner on the Cross, having Preached a good Sermon, he then made a good Prayer, in the hearing of Jesus Christ. His Ser­mon was Occasioned by what was La­mentable, [Page 112] the Railing Language of a Sin­ful Creature at our Suffering Saviour. His Prayer was answered with what was Com­fortable, the Gracious Promise of our Mer­ciful Saviour to a Distressed Sinner.

The Converted Sinner concerned for the Glory of God, perceiving his Uncon­verted Companion to be in a very bad Frame under his terrible Sufferings, for his heinous Wickedness, he Preaches unto him an Excellent Sermon to promote his Repentance toward God, endeavour­ing to Excite him unto a Consideration of his Duty, under his [...] Circum­stances, advising him to Evidence more of the Fear of God, than had hitherto ap­peared in his Language, and to consider and Acknowledge the Righteousness of God in the Punishment that was Inflicted upon them both for their Wickedness. And then he Preaches about the Lord Je­sus Christ, declaring His Righteousness, while he Condemned himself and his Com­panion for their own Wickedness, and manifested an acceptation of the Pu­nishment of his own Wickedness, and would have his Companion to be so sensi­ble of his Ill deserving that he might ac­cept of the Punishment of his Wickedness. Thus he Preached to [...] Companion.

[Page 113] But it is possible that the Penitent Sin­ner, seeing little or no Evidence of Re­pentance in his Companion, he then Ad­dresses himself unto the Lord Jesus Christ, and makes unto him an Excellent Prayer, to entreat His Compassion for his own Soul. But probably with an earnest De­sire still for the Welfare of the Soul of his Companion; for he so Expresses himself in his Prayer, that his Companion might be encouraged to Believe in the Lord Je­sus Christ. He plainly discovers before all People, his own firm Confidence in the Tender Compassions of his Gracious Lord, so that he could venture the Ever­lasting Affairs of his never-dying Soul with Him. This might have been for the Encouragement of his Companion. How­ever, in his Prayer, Lord, Remember me, when thou comest into thy Kingdom; he Ac­knowledges the Lord Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, the Saviour of Souls, and the King of Heaven; that He was then going into His Kingdom, that if He had but a kind Thought about him, and would but think upon him with Compassion, it would be to his Advantage; and he is contented with the smallest Mercy, a kind Thought: And he desires this Kindness of the Lord, when he should come into [Page 114] His Kingdom. He would wait His Will about the Time and Way for the bestowing of any the least Mercy that He should see cause to bestow upon him. Thus he Prayed to his Redeemer.

Now for the USE of this Doctrine.

Let all Persons thus discover the Truth of Repentance for Sin, imitate the Pe­nitent Sinner on the Cross. in his discove­ring of his Repentance for Sin.

It is not enough to say, that you have Faith in your Souls, toward the Lord Je­sus Christ; nor is it enough to say, that you have Repentance toward God in your hearts; but you must endeavour to satisfy others, that you do truly Repent.

All Sinners have dishonoured God, by Sinning against Him. They should there­fore endeavour to honour Him by Repen­ting of their Sins. But some of their Sins have been committed before others, they should therefore endeavour that others may know, as well about their Repentance for Sin, as they have known about their Com­mission of Sin. The Salve should cover the Sore: and if the Sins of any Persons have been openly committed, then should Repentance for those their Sins, be openly evidenced.

[Page 115] And if God hath, in His Holy Provi­dence, brought Sinners out upon the Stage of the World, to make them to be Exam­ples unto others, then it is their Duty to Glorify God before the World, by con­fessing of those their more Secret Sins, that have Provoked the Lord to leave them unto the more Open Sins, that have ex­posed them before the World; that others may be warned against, and so preserved from the like Out-breakings into Sin, so as to prevent further Dishonour from coming [...] the Holy Name of God, by Open Sin­ning. This agrees with the Advice to [...] a Bad Man, as also with the Prac­tice of David, a Good Man; when their Sins found them out, and they were, by [...] Holy Providence of God, openly ex­posed. They were then to give Glory to God by making Penitent Confession of [...]eir Sins before the World, that others [...]ight hear and fear, and might no more [...]in so against the Lord.

If one Sinner has been left, by the So­vereign Providence of God, to stumble [...] fall grievously into any great Iniquity, [...] as mightily to Dishonour God and [...]ound his own Soul, and grieve the Hearts [...] his Neighbours; it is for the Honour of [...]od, and the Benefit of others, that he [Page 116] tell them of the Evils, at or by which he began to stumble, and that he warn them against those Evils. Thus,

If Sinners have neglected Secret Prayer to God, or grown slack to, or cold in, or careless about, any other Duty of Godli­ness, and God has punished them for their secret Neglects, by His leaving them to fall into more Open Sin, that brings them under publick Shame, they should ac­knowledge how they began to leave God, and should acknowledge the Righteousness of God in leaving them, and should there­withal advise others to take heed, lest they begin to leave God, by giving way to se­cret Sins of Omission, that are often pu­nished by the guilty Sinners being left unto Open Sins of Commission, that bring the woful Sinners at last unto Open Pu­nishment. If Sinners have been remarka­ble for their Disobedience to their Superi­ors, and God has punished them for their Disobedience, by leaving them to further and greater, and more Heinous and Open Crimes, and they come to be cut down by the Sword of Civil Justice, and must Dye before their Time, for their being Wicked overmuch, it is their duty to Advise all and especially Young People, to avoid all sinful Disobedience to their Lawful Supe­riors [Page 117] lest God cut them off in the midst of their Days, and take them away by some dreadful stroke of His Wrath.

If Sinners know in their own Conscien­ces, that they were very careless about the Religious Observation of the Lord's Day, and God hath left them so to some other Iniquity, that they are Openly Pu­nished, as they justly fear, for their Pro­phanation of the Sabbath of the Lord; they should warn others, that Sabbath breaking is a costly Sin, that they may dread the Wickedness, the Sacrilage of Robbing God of His own Time, that He hath reser­ved in peculiar for His Holy Worship.

And if Sinners know, and can truly charge themselves, that they have not kept such a Guard as they should have kept, on their Tongues, nor had so much care of Truth, as they should have had in their speech, but have sometimes talked too much at random, without the Fear of God; and God hath punished them for that their Wickedness, by leaving them to more grievous and ruining Transgressions; They should warn others to take heed to their Ways, that they Sin not with their Tongues, but keep their Tongues from E­vil, and their Lips from speaking Guile.

The Penitent Sinner on the Cross may [Page 118] be produced as a good Example for this Thing. The cautioning of Sinners against E­vil Speaking. For he was ready to reprove his Companion for his Ungodly Expressi­ons. He would have him to govern his Tongue more with the Fear of God.

The Impenitent Sinner on the Cross, doubtless might be Ignorant enough, and he might have had very little Information about our Lord Jesus Christ; he might on­ly hear some general Report that he was the Messiah, the Saviour of the World, be­fore he came to hang by him on the Cross. And so his Ignorance might be some Oc­casion of his Unbelief, that he discovered in saying, If Thou be the Christ, save thy self and us. But yet he was not without great Fault in his Ungodly Expressions forasmuch as we know, that he should have been more Confiderate than to make a Doubt, whether One that had so many Tokens of His being the Christ, were in­deed the Messiah. But the Penitent Sinner did well to Admonish him for his unfi [...] Discourse. And so should they that have been Faulty, and are brought to Repen­tance themselves, Admonish others against the ways of Sin, that they have experien­ced to be Pernicious to their own Souls.

[Page 119] And if Sinners know, and can justly charge themselves [and Oh! what Num­bers that live under the Gospel, may so charge themselves, and very justly?] that they have dreadfully despised the Lord Jesus Christ, neglected the great Salvation, delaying to accept the Offers of His Gos­pel, and to comply with the Motions of the Holy Spirit of God, and so have lived in their Impenitent Unbelief, and are sa­tisfyed that the Righteous and Holy God us therefore given them up unto their own Hearts Lusts, and unto the Power of [...] [...]s the punishment for their wickedly refusing to accept the gracious Offers of [...] Merciful Saviour; They should seri­ously tell others about the Danger of all [...] delayes, and solemnly warn them against the Evil of all such needless de­layes, and earnestly excite them to make [...]aste and make sure about the Affairs of their Souls, and presently give themselves unto the Lord Jesus Christ, and sincerely comply with the Invitations of Salvation immediately, that they may not receive [...] Grace of God in vain, lest the Lord would be provoked to give them up Eter­nally unto the Lusts of their own Hearts & [...]ower of Satan, who will be ready to hur­ry them into Soul-Desolating Abominati­on.

[Page 120] For so it is very often with Sinners living under the Gospel, that have a Day of Grace, enjoying the means of Grace and the strivings of the Spirit of God, urging them to accept the Offers of Salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ, and heartily con­sent to receive Him as their External Sa­viour; they are not for a present consent, but they carele [...]ly delay and put off this work from time to time, until the Holy Spirit of God is grieved, so that He with­draws and goes from them; and then the Evil Spirit comes to them and he takes possession of their Souls, and fills them and rules [...] and leads them away Captive according to his will, and they Perish for ever in their Impenitence; and some of them do, before they Dye, become guilty of greater Abominations, than are com­monly committed by them that never lived under the Gospel. According to what we find in Psal. 81. 11. Where sayes the Lord, My People would not hearken to my voice, and Israel would none of me [...] gave them up unto their own hearts [...] and they walked in their own Counsels. But when Sinners be so forsaken by God, they may fear that Satan will quickly be their Councellor. Thence have some that once enjoyed the Offers of the Gospel, but re­jected [Page 121] those Offers, been given up to an astonishing efficacy of Errour, they re­ceived not the love of the Truth, that they might be Saved. And for this cause, doth God send them strong Delusions, that they believe a Lye, that they may be Damned. They take such incurable Offence at the Lord Jesus Christ, or at some thing in His Gospel, or Worship, or People, or Provi­dential Dispensations, that they forsake. Him and His Holy Ordinances, and will never be recovered, never be reduced, ne­ver be renewed again unto Repentance.

But God may suffer some, that have neg­lected the great Salvation a long time, to ill so grievously into Sin, that their Falls may awaken them out of their sinful se­curity, and when they are thorowly a­wakened so as to see their Miserable Con­dition, He may by His Holy Spirit, lead them unto the Lord Jesus Christ, and help them to repair to Him with their distressed and burthened Souls for Salvation. The Prodigal Sinner may go far from his Fa­thers House, & may bring himself into grie­vous distresses, and while he is under those distresses, he may come so far to himself, that he may bethink himself, and call to mind how things were with him [...] former days, and how he enjoyed the [Page 122] Offers of Mercy, but refused then to ac­cept those Offers; and he may, by the Grace of God, be assisted to seek the Face of God, and Pray to the Lord in the time of his Affliction, so as to obtain Mercy and be received into the Favour of God, for the sake of Christ, after a long time of wandring from the Lord! Was it not so with Repenting M [...]asseh? Was not he such an Instance of the Sovereign Grace of God? He had enjoyed a Religious Education, but he had sadly abused what he had enjoyed, he became a very Wicked Sinner; and among other ways of his Wickedness, he Wickedly shed abundance of Innocent Blood, and maintained Con­versation with some who dealt with Fa­miliar Spirits and was very Wicked be­fore the Lord and before the World. And God brought him into Trouble for his Wickedness, but in the time of his Trou­ble he sought the Lord, and the Lord was entreated of him, and he knew that the Lord was God. He acknowledged Jeho­vah, the God of Israel for his God. It is hop'd that he became a true Penitent, that he truly Repented of his Sin.

But when Sinners become true Peni­tents, it becomes them to evidence the Truth of Repentance by their endeavours [Page 123] that other Sinners may be brought unto Repentance. They must not say, What can we do? People won't care to mind any thing that we say to them. They will but reproach and revile us, if we should say any thing to them concerning Repentance. They must not excuse themselves thus. For the Penitent Sinner-on the Cross did not ex­cuse himself, tho' the Lord Jesus Christ was between him and the other Malefactor; yet when he discerned a convenient Op­portunity for him to say something for God and for Christ, he then said what he thought proper for him then to say, for the convincing of his Companion of his Wickedness, and the reclaiming of him from it. He did not plead, That Wicked Sinner has rail'd at the Lord of Glory, and therefore it is in vain for me to say any thing to him. There's no hope that he'l mind any thing that I say. But he was willing to do his Duty, whatever might be the Success. He leaves that with God. And one E­vent of his going his Duty, is this that it is Recorded for his Everlasting Commen­dation, that he pleaded against Sin, and for God, and for Jesus Christ, in the saddest condition of Humiliation, that our Lord was ever in, while He was living upon Earth, before He gave up the Ghost. [Page 124] And tho' the Penitent Sinner did not pre­vail with his Impenitent Companion to Repent, that we can discern, yet it tended [...]o the Glory of God and his own honour, that he attended his Duty. And so it will be with others, that will attend their Du­ty in their Season. They shall not lose their Labour. And besides this, Repen­ting Sinners do owe more than this unto the Glorious God, for what He has done for them, in granting unto them saving Repentance. They should acknowledge their Thankfulness unto Him for His Grace, by endeavouring that others may be Partakers with them in His Grace, or at least, that He may have His Grace Glorifyed, in helping them to perform their Duty.

But this must not be all that Repenting Sinners do for the Glory of God, to en­deavour that others may be brought un­to Repentance; But they must Pray to God for their own Souls. Thus did the Penitent Sinner on the Cross, he not only suitably advised his Companion to what would have been for his benefit, if he had taken his advice; but he also took time, while there was time, to Pray unto the Glorious Redeemer to remember him, and he showed his humility in his Prayer, and [Page 125] his Resignation to the Will of Christ, in Praying for the smallest Mercy, acknow­leging the Sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ, referring himself entirely to His Pleasure. So should others do But O­mitting other things, One Doctrine more may be mention'd, and it is a very com­fortable One.

DOCT. VII. The Gracious Lord Jesus Christ will readily admit into His Favour all truly Penitent Sinners, and will cer­tainly receive them into His Kingdom.

Let sinful Persons be sure that they truly Repent of all their Sins, with unfeigned Re­pentance, and let them endeavour in all fit ways to shew the Truth of Repentance; and they may justly expect that the Mer­ciful Saviour will not only be ready to Pardon all their former Sins, without up­braiding them with any of them, and willing to admit them into His Favour immediately upon their manifestation of Repentance; but also He will certainly receive them, at last, into His Kingdom. No sooner had the Penitent Sinner made his humble Prayer unto his then Crucifyed Lord, but immediately thereupon our now Glorifyed Lord presently shews Fa­vour [Page 126] unto him. receives him into His Fa­vour gives him a favourable Answer to his Prayer; graciously answers the hum­ble desires of his distressed Soul, assuring him, To day thou shalt be with Me in Para­dise. In a state of Bliss and Ease, and Rest, and wonderful Satisfaction. Thence might the Apostle Paul be fully satisfyed (as well as by what is other wayes Re­vealed) that Believers on Christ will be with Christ, in happiness, immediately af­ter the Dissolution, the Separation of their Souls from their Bodies. The Lord assu­red the Penitent Sinner, it should be so with him

It was one mentioned for the Dis­grace, but it is indeed for the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, That he Receiveth Sinners. Penitent Sinners will ever be wel­come to Him, he will in no wise, cast out any of them, that come to Him with Repenting Souls. Never did he turn a­way one Soul, never will He turn away one Soul, that comes to Him, desiring Deliverance from Sin. He is most ready, forward, willing to receive such. And he says, in Mat. 9. 13. I am come to call Sinners to Repentance. Then be sure he will not reject them that Obey His Call but will receive them.

[Page 127] It was declared of Old, in Prov. 28. 13. It was advised and promised, in Isa 55. 6, 7. We are advised and assured, in 1 Joh. 1. 7, 9. And elsewhere abundant­ly in the Sacred Scriptures, we find that God is ready and willing to Pardon Sin­ners, that sincerely Repent of all their Sins, for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in Him to be Reconciled unto them. And that the Lord Jesus Christ is ready and willing to receive [...]to his Favour Penitent Sinners, that are coming to God by Him. And that He will certainly guide them by Counsel [...] bring them to Glory.