THE Vanity of this Thought may be sees under these following Heads,

1. IT is granted that GOD is a most merciful GOD. Thus far the Thought of Sinners is Right; and it is their Duty to entertain such a thought of GOD in their hearts. We are to believe that GOD is abundant in Mercy, for so He hath revealed Himself unto us to be. Psal 86. [...].1 [...]. Thou, O [Page 9] Lord, art a God full of compassion and gracious, long-suffering ann plentious in Mercy. This Attribute of Divine Mercy lay hid in GOD until after the A­postacy of Men. Then GOD gave a Glorious discovery of it in the First Promise of the Seed of the Woman. And afterwards GOD more ful­ly and distinctly revealed the exceeding greatness of His Mercy, Exod. 34.6, 7. The Glory of it shines forth throughout the Holy Scriptures, where­in in it is declared to be Infinite and Incomprehen­sible. We cannot then form in our Minds [...]oo great an Idea of it, nor entertain too High & Ho­nourable Thoughts of it. 'Tis a vile reflection upon the Mercy of GOD, to have low and mean Conceptions of it. This is one thing which makes the Sin of Despair to be so great a Sin. It disbe­lieves the Infiniteness of Divine Mercy, looking upon Sin greater than can be forgiven. As if the Sin of Man Exceeded the Mercy of GOD.

2. THO' GOD be most Merciful, yet He is so only to the Repenting Sinner. Sinners in general are not the Objects of Divine Mercy. GOD does not shew Mercy to all Sinners; but only to such to whom He has promised to shew Mercy. Now GOD's Promises of Mercy are made only to Pe­nitent Sinners. Prov. 28.13. Whoso confesseth and forsaketh Sin, shall find Mercy. Isa. 55.7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and be will have Mercy upon him. Repentance is made the con­dition of finding Mercy, and obtaining Forgiveness. If Sinners perform this condition, they may be confident of Mercy; but if they fail of Repent­ing, they will assuredly miss of Mercy. Pardon­ing [Page 10] Mercy & Salvation are confined to Repent­ing and broken hea [...]ed Sinners. 'Tis therefore meer Presumption for any other Sinners to hope for Mercy from the Lord. Devils may as well expect it as they.

3. DIVINE Mercy will be so far from saving im­penitent Sinners, as tha [...] [...]t will make their Damnation the greater. Tho' Sinners promise themselves that GOD's Mercy will be for them, yet they will find it will be against them; it will be so far from standing up for them as a Friend, that it will be turned to be their Enemy. It will be so far from exempting them from Punishment, that it will bring upon them the forest of Punishments. This will be evident if we consider this one thing, viz While Sinners continue in Sin, thinking that Divine Mercy will save them notwithstanding, they are Guilty of the vilest abuse of the Mercy of GOD: For hereby they make the Mercy of GOD an Encouragement to Sin; and look upon it as that which will afford them protection in their wicked ways. Now is not this a most hor­rid Reflection upon the Mercy of GOD, to sup­pose that it will shield Men from Justice, tha [...] they persist in wickedness? Is not this to make the Merciful GOD a Patron, and Friend and Fa­vourer of Sin? Certainly it is. And will no [...] this provoke the very Mercy of GOD to Arm h [...] self against such Sinners? Certainly it will. To such Sinners as these, that place of Sc [...]ipture i [...] applicable. Isa 27 11. It [...]s a people of no under­standing; therefore he that ma [...]e them, will not hav [...] Mercy in them; [...]d he that formed them will shes th [...]u no favour. Tho' they are His Creatures, the [Page 11] Works of His hands, yet He will extend no fa­vour to them. Nay, so far will He be from shewing them any favour, that He will bring Wrath upon them to the uttermost. Instead of their being made Monuments of His Mercy, as they expect; they shall be made the most tre­mendious Monuments of His Vindictive Justice. Such ungodly Men as thus turn the Grace & Mer­cy of GOD into Laciviousness, by making them to countenance their vile Practices, are Men to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for­ever, Jude v. 4, 13. Extremity and Eternity of Misery will be their Portion at the last.

WE see then, from what has been said, That the thought of GOD's being Merciful to us tho' we persist in Sin, is a Vain Thought which will deceive us. Let not then such a Vain Thought as this lodge within us, let it not be cherished by us. On the other hand, Let us take up and main­tain Right Thoughts of the Mercy of GOD. Let us think that the Mercy of GOD is a great induce­ment and encouragement unto Repentance and Reformation; Thus it is represented to us in the Scriptures; and thus it is to be apprehended by us▪ Joel 2.13. Rent your Heart and not your Garment, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, s [...]w to anger and of great kindness, and [...]penteth him of the evil. GOD's being a Gracious and Merciful GOD, is an attracting Argument and Motive to Repentance. It is enough to melt an ingenious Spirit into Tears for its Sins against [...]o good a GOD; and to give him the greatest Encouragement to return to GOD by unfeigned Repentance. O let us make such a genuine use [Page 12] and improvement of the Merciful Nature and Disposition of the Great GOD. Let us think and say within our selves. Shall we Sin against GOD because He is a Merciful GOD? Shall we deshonour Him, and offer indignity to Him because He is G [...]o [...] and Gracious? far be it from us thus to do. How base▪ how vile a treatment is this! His Mercy shall not ha [...] ­den us, but soften as: His Mercy shall not embolde [...] us in Sin, but lead us to Repentance for Sin. He Proclamation of Mercy shall cause us humbly to com [...] unto Him and Accept of His Pardon for Christ [...]s sake; and it shall engage us for ever to lay down the weapon of our Rebellion, and to abide Faithful in His Service. This is the right use which is to be made of the Mercy of GOD; and if thi [...] us [...] be made of it, we shall then find that GOD will Mercifully for­give us our Sins, tho' they have been never so many and so great. His Mercy will then secure us from the strokes of incensed Justice; so as th [...] not the least Punishment shall be inflicted upon us for our Sins, though they have deserved th [...] Damnation of Hell a thousand and a thousan [...] times. The kind Reception that we may then ex­pect to find from a gracious GOD, is most livelily represented to us in the Instance of peniten [...] Ephraim, Jer. 31.18, 19, 20. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus, thou hast chastised us and I was chastised; as a Bullock unaccustomed to il [...] [...]ke; turn thou me and I shall be turned, for the art the Lord my God. Surely after that I wa [...] turn [...] Prepented; and after that I was instructed I smote up [...] my thigh, I was ashamed, yea▪ even confounded because [...] did [...] the reproach of my Youth. Is Ephraim [...] [...]? Is he a pleasant Child? For since I s [...]a [...] against him, I do earnestly remember him still; therefo [...] [Page 13] my bowels are troubled for him, I will surely have Mer­cy upon him, saith the Lord —.

THUS much for the Vain Thoughts of Sinners concerning GOD.

2. THERE are Vain Thoughts in the hearts of Sinners concerning the Providence of GOD, which are great hindrances of their being Saved. GOD who made all things, does exercise a Providence over them all. He unholds, governs and disposes of all Creatures. Now Sinners, tho' they may not deny the Providence of GOD; yet they entertain Vain Thoughts concerning some acts of Divine Pro­vidence, which do much hinder and endanger their Salvation. I shall here Instance only in two of them.

1. IT is a Vain Thought, That because GOD in His Providence, exercises Patience towards Sinners, there­fore He will never punish them for their Sins. It is the usual way of GOD to be patient towards Sinners: He does not presently punish them; nay, oftentimes suffers them to go a long time unpunished. He not only exercises Forbearance towards them, but also long-suffering, Rom. 2.4. Now, Sinners hereupon are apt to think that they shall always go unpunished. They inter­pret the Patience of GOD as an evidence of per­petual impunity. Because GOD suspends the in­fliction of Punishment, they conclude He will totally exempt them from Punishment. Yea, They are apt to think, that He is not offended at their Sins; but rather likes well enough of them, as they do themselves. Psal. 50.21. These things [...]st the [...] done▪ and I kept silence. i.e. I was provi­dentially [Page 14] silent not testifying against thy Sins in a way of Punishment. Then it follows, Tha [...] thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as th [...] self. Now, Such a Thought as this is a great impediment in the way of Sinners Salvation [...] tends to make them careless about Repentance and fleeing from the Wrath to come. If GOD will always let them alone, as they think He will they may then hold on in their evil ways. Eccl 8.11. Because sentence against an evil work is not exe­cuted speedily; therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. But such a though as this which is lodged in them, is a Vain Though 'Tis a Vain Thought, that a Patient GOD was not be a Sin-punishing GOD. Divine Patience yields no ground for such an imagination. The Vanity of this Thought may be seen from what follows.

1. THE primary Intention of GOD in everlasting Patience towards Sinners, is that they might Repent▪ While GOD is Patient, He expects that Sinner [...] should prove themselves Penitent. Such is the [...] Infinite goodness of GOD, that He desires not th [...] Death of Sinners; but had rather that they shoul [...] turn and live. And for this end, He does not immediately destroy them for their Sins, as li [...] might most justly do; but gives them time [...] consider of their evil doings and Repent thereof 2 Pet. 3.9. The Lord is long suffering to us w [...]ll not willing that any should perish, but that all shoul [...] come to repentance. The Day of His Patience, i [...] a designed space for Repentance. Rev. 2.21. [...] gave her space to Repent of her Fornication. An [...] therefore the Day of Divine Patience, is attende [...] with the Means of Repentance, and calls t [...] [Page 15] Repentance. GOD is therein graciously inviting them to Repent and turn to Himself, Rom. 10.21. All the Day long have I stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gain saving people. In this way GOD is waiting upon them, that He may be gra­cious to them.

2. IF Divine Patience be not improved to Repen­tance, it will issue in their most dreadful Destruction. The Patience of GOD will not last always. It will sooner or later come to an and: And the end of it will be terrible to impenitent Sinners. It shall not then be will with them as they imagine; but id beyond all possible imagination. Eccl. 8. 12, 13. Though a Sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged — Yet it shall not be well with the wicked. When GOD's Patience is expi­red, it shall be far from being well with th [...]m. More is intended than expressed. It means that it shall be exceeding ill with them. And in other places of Scripture, it is plainly declared how a­stonishingly great their Punishment will be. Rom. 2.4, 5 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, for­bearance and long-suffering, no [...] knowing that the good­ness of God leadeth thee to Repentence? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thy self wrath against the Day of wrath, and the revelation of the righteous Judgment of God. All the time of GOD's Patience, impenitent Sinners are treasu­ring up wrath; and the longer the Day of GOD's Patience is, the greater Treasures of wrath are they laying up for themselves. When Sinners are Impenitent under much Long-suffering, they are Vessels of Wrath fitted for amazing Destructi­on, Rom. 9 22. The longer they are spared, the more are their sins multiplied and aggravated, [Page 16] and consequently the greater will be their Dam­nation. The measure of Wrath will be according to the measure of Sin. The longer therefore Men have lived in Sin, the more heavy will their Pu­nishment be at the last. So far then is the For­bearance of GOD from being an Evidence o [...] Future impunity, as that it prepares a way fo [...] the largest Vials of Divine Wrath to be poure [...] out on obstinate Sinners.

WELL then, Let us not be so Vain as to think That because GOD spares us for a time, He will therefore spare us always, tho' we continue in Sin▪ Let us not thus abuse the Patience of GOD unt [...] Impenitency. But on the other hand, let us fa [...] in with the Gracious design of GOD's Patience by a speedy Repentance. Let us no longer har­den our hearts, but hearken unto His Voice while the Day of His Patience lasts. Let us think how great a Favour of GOD it is, that His Pa­tience with us is not yet at an end, and th [...] there is yet room for Repentance & reconciliation to GOD. He might have cut us down, as He be done many others, not greater Sinners than ou [...] selves. Since then we are continued to have outstanding in the Lord's Vineyard, let us answe [...] the expectations of GOD, by bringing for [...] the fruits of Unfaigned Repentance, then sha [...] the Long-suffering of GOD prove Salvatio [...] to us.

THUS much for the first Vain Though [...] concerning the Providence of GOD.

2. IT is a Vain Thought that because GOD i [...] His Providence Outwar [...] Prospers Men, therefore [...] [Page 17] bears a special Affection to them. How common is it for Men to bless themselves on the account of their Worldly Prosperity? How ready are they to conclude that GOD must needs greatly love them because He so greatly Prospers them? If He bestows upon them Riches and Honours, and Health beyond what He does to others, they suppose themselves to be the peculiar favourites of GOD. Surely, think they, If GOD had not a singular favour for us, He would not so smile upon us in His Providence. Such a Thought as this is a great Hindrance to Men's Salvation; for it tends to make Men secure in Sin, and so rest satisfyed with their present Spi­ritual Condition, tho' it be not good. The Out­ward favourable Dispensations of Providence to­wards them, makes them think that all is as well as needs be: But this is a Vain Thought, as will appear from two things.

1. THE Greatest Outward Prosperity is not in it self an evidence of GOD's Special Love. This is what GOD has testifyed to us that we might not thereby miss judge of our selves. Eccl. 9.1, 2. No man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them; all things come alike to all, there is one event to the Righteous, and to the Wicked, &c. Prosperous and Adverse Providences are Common to good and bad, and therefore by them alone no Man can know whether he be an Object of the Love, or of the Hatred of GOD. Nay, oftentimes the worst of Men, those that are most abhorred of the Lord, are the most Prosperous Men, as to this World. Jer. 12.7. Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy [Page 18] that deal very treacherously? Psal 73.3, 12. I [...] envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of th [...] wicked. Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the World, they increase in riches. Nay, some­times GOD gives Vast Kingdoms to the worst [...] Men. Dan. 4.17. The Most High [...]leth in [...] Kingdom of Men, and giveth it to whoesoever b [...] will, and setteth up over it the [...]asest of Men. Not of the basest Spirits, and basest Lives, are for th [...] most part set up over the Kingdoms of thi [...] World. The Holy Scriptures and the Record [...] of all Ages do abundantly confirm this for a tr [...] It is then a Vain Thought to think that Prosperity, tho' never so great, is an Infallible Ma [...] of GOD's Special Love.

3. PROSPERITY is oftentimes granted [...] Men, not in Love, but in Truth. So far is Prosperity from being always a fruit and token [...] GOD's Special Love, that it is often a fruit and token of His dreadful Wrath. He grant Prosperity sometimes in Judgment, and not it Mercy: it is many times a Curse of GOD and not a Blessing to Men. The good thing of this World are many times denied to Men in love, and many times given to them in wrath Psal. 78.29, 30, 31. So they did eat and were filled for he gave them their own desire: but while the [...] meat was yet in thier Mouths, the wrath of God can upon them. Prosperity is many times accompanied with a Divine Curse, so as to prove a s [...] to Men's Souls, and an occasion of their eterna [...] destruction. Prov. 1.32. The prosperity of fools she destroy them. It does but fat them for the slaughter and ripen them for ruine. Well then, L [...] [Page 19] us not think that the liberality of GOD dispen­sed to us in Providence is an Infallible Sign of His Special Favour for us. Let us not flatter our selves with such a Vain Imagination, that be­cause GOD opens His bountiful hand to us, therefore we lye near His Heart, and are most dear unto Him. Bare Prosperity affords no solid foundation for such a conclusion. I say bare or meer Prosperity; for Prosperity considered in its Circumstances, may be to a Man a token for Good, and an Evidence of the Fatherly care and kindness of GOD. And it is so, when Pros­perity comes in a way of Honesty and Prayer, when it is enjoyed with a Spirit of Humility, and a sense of Unworthiness of it, when it is made an effectual Motive to Love and Serve GOD, when it is moderately used for our own present Comfort, and readily employed for the Good and Benefit of others in ways of Beneficence and Charity. Prosperity thus circumstanced may be looked upon as an Argument of Divine Love; by this we may know that GOD has a Favour for us. Let us then he concerned that our Pros­perous Circumstances, may always carry along with them such Indications of the Love of GOD to us, as of a Father to his Children. When it is a Day of such Prosperity with us we may then most reasonably be joyful, Eccl. 7.14.

THUS for the Vain Thoughts of Sinners concern▪ in the Providence of GOD; which was a second sort of Vain Thoughts.

3 THERE are Vain Thoughts in the hearts of Sinners concerning Jesus Christ, which are great [Page 20] Hindrances of their being Saved. They do sometimes entertain such thoughts concerning the v [...] Saviour Himself, as do hinder their being Sav [...] by Him. I shall name only two of them, an [...] show their Variety.

1. IT is a Vain Thought That Jesus Christ [...] save Men from Wrath, though they Live in Sin. Sinners are apt to look open Jesus Christ as a deliverer only from the Wrath to come. And [...] such a one they accept of Him and are willing to be Saved by Him. They cry up the Infinit­ [...] Vertue of His most Precious Blood, as that which is sufficient to Cleanse them from the Guilt [...] all their Sins, and to save them from the Damnation of Hell. And thus they please themselve [...] in the all sufficiency and abundant Merit of th [...] Blood of Christ, and hope to be Saved on the Account thereof, though they continue in Si [...] Such a thought as this makes Men look upon Repentance for Sin, the Mortification of Lusts an [...] Reformation of Life, to be needless things. An [...] so it is an Obstruction to the Salvation of Men Souls, as it puts them by from those things whic [...] are necessary to Salvation. This thought then [...] a most pernicious thought, and also as vain as [...] is pernicious The Vanity of it will be se [...] from these things.

1. TO suppose that Jesus Christ will save M [...] from Wrath, though they Live in Sin, is to suppose th [...] Christ is a Minister of Sin. Such a supposition [...] this is most vain and impious. The Apostle rejects such an imagination with the greatest abhorrence and indignation, Gal. 2.17 Is Jes [...] [Page 21] Christ the Minister of Sin? God forbid. 'Tis horrid Blasphemy to suppose Christ to be a countenancer and abettor of Sin. For He is one that Loveth Righteousness, and hateth Iniquity, Heb. 1 9. But now, such as think that Christ will save them from Hell, though they spend their Days in Sin, do make Christ a conniver at Sin, and an approver of it. They represent Him as One that undertakes to secure them from harm, tho' they go on in their Trespasses to the end. They represent Him as One that died to procure for them a liberty to Sin with impunity. How does this reproach the Holy One of Israel!

2. 'TIS most certain that the great end of Christ's Coming into the World, was to save Men from their Sins. For this reason was the Name Jesus given to Him, Because he should save his People from their Sins, Matth. 1.21. The Great Work of Jesus Christ was to save from Sin. Sin is the greatest of evils, and therefore the main design of Jesus Christ was to save from Sin. This was His chief errand into the World, 1 Joh. 3.5, 8. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our Sins. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil. Sin is the special work of the Devil, and this work Christ in a peculiar manner came to destroy. The Devil had set up the Dominion of Sin in our Hearts; and Jesus Christ came to deliver us from this Cur­sed Dominion. He came not to establish the reign of Sin in us, but to overthrow it, and set us at Liberty therefrom. Tit. 2.14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity. So far was Christ from coming to save Men in their [Page 22] Sins, that He came to save them from their Sin And if Christ be not our Saviour from Sin, in vain do we expect▪ that He will be our Saviour from the Wrath to come. Salvation from Sin and Wrath are inseparable.

3. IT is also to [...] that the Death of Christ fo [...] Sin, is one of the greatest Motives to abstinence from Sin. In Christ's Dying for Sin, we have the clearest Discovery of the heinous nature of Sin and its hatefulness unto the Holy GOD. Therei [...] we may see, that Sin was so great an Evil, [...] nothing could make Expiation or Attonement fo [...] it, but the Sacrifice of the Son of GOD Himself▪ Therein we may see GOD's hatred of Sin to [...] such, as that He spared not His own Sea, wh [...] He stood under the imputation of it. The E­ternal burnings of Hell, in which Damned Sin­ners are Punished, do not give such a Demonstra­tion of the Lord's abhorring Sin, as the suffer­ings and Death of His Son, for our sins [...] Since then the Death of Christ on the Cross fo [...] Sin, does afford such an evident Manifestation of the exceeding greatness of the evil of Sin, i [...] should then fill us with the greatest hatred of Sin The design of GOD in giving us any way a f [...]h of the evil of Sin, is, that we might be move to hate it, and flee from it. When therefor [...] He gives us the most hideous prospect of Sin evil, in the Glass of Christ's sufferings and Death He expects that we should thereby be induce to fear Sin and forsake it. Such then as m [...] Christ's Death for Sin, an Argument for continuing in Sin, are guilty of a most vile abused the Death of Christ They make that a Motiv [...] [Page 23] to hold on in Sin, which in its own Nature, and in the intention of GOD and CHRIST, is the greatest Motive to a Total and Eternal ab [...]n­doning of Sin.

FROM these things then it is clear, That Men do but in vain hope that Christ will save them from the Damnation of Hell, tho' they abide un­der the power and practise of Sin. Let us not then entertain such a Vian Thought in our hearts. But on the other hand, let us think▪ and say to our selves thus; ‘If I am not saved from Sin▪ I must infallibly Perish for ever. If I die in my Sins, Jesus Christ will be so far from sa­ving me from Destruction, that with His own Mouth He will condemn, and sentence me to Hell; and with His own hand will cast me down into the Pit, from whence there is no Redemption. Instead of being a gracious De­liverer, He will be a terrible Judge and Aven­ger to me. Let me then look to Christ to be a whole Saviour unto me; to save me from Sin here, and from Wrath hereafter. In thus doing, I may hope to find Mercy with Him now and in the Day of His Glorious appearing to Judge the World.’

THUS for the first Vain Thought concerning JESUS CHRIST.

1. IT is a Vain Thought, That Christians need [...], obey the Law of GOD, therefore Jesus Christ has perfectly obeyed it for them It is the opinion of some, that Christ's compleat Obedience to the Law of GOD, in the place and stead of Belie­vers, [Page 24] makes their Obedience to it needless. They think this exempts Christians from any Obligation to keep the Commandments of GOD. Christ by fulfilling it for Christians, has thereby, they sup­pose, abrogated it, so that now Obedience to it is not required. Such a thought as this is a great hindrance of Men's Salvation; for it makes them neglect Duty, and look upon themselves as Law, less Persons, that are at Liberty to Live as they List; but such a thought as this is most abomi­nable and vain. The Libertine will find this his Imagination a meer Delusion in the latter end.

THE Vanity of this Thought appears from what follows,

1. IT is most true, That Christ by His perfect Obe­dience to the Law of GOD for Believers, has freed them from the Law as it is a Covenant of Life. To be under the Law as a Covenant of Life is this viz. If a Man keep the Law perfectly then He shall Live, if He breaks it by the least Sin that He shall Die. For the Covenant of Works it Do this and Live, Gal. 3.12. Do not, and Dye Gen. 2.17. Now thus a Christian is not under the Law. Believers are not bound to yield perfect, personal Obedience to the Law of GOD in order to the obtaining Eternal Life. And th [...] reason hereof is, because Jesus Christ as thei [...] Surety has perfectly obeyed the Law for them He has yielded an absolutely perfect and sinles [...] Obedience to the Law of GOD in their stead and therefore GOD does not now require it o [...] them as necessary unto their Salvation. GOD accepts of Christ's perfect Obedience for them [Page 25] and so does not exact perfect Obedience from them, in their own Persons, as the condition of Eternal Life. In this sense it is said that Be­lievers are not under the Law. Rom. 6.14. For ye are not under the Law. i. e. as a Covenant of Works. If they were under the Law as such a Covenant, it would be impossible for them to be Saved. For they cannot possibly fulfil the Terms of that Covenant, which requires Obedience in the highest degree of Perfection.

2. THO' Christians are freed from the Law as a Covenant of Works; yet they are under the Law as a Rule of Life. GOD's Holy Law always was, is and will be a Rule of Life and Obedience to Men, even in Heaven it self. Matth. 6.10. Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven. 'Tis the Duty of all to square their Lives ac­cording to this Rule. Believers themselves, tho' Christ has fulfilled the Law for them as a Cove­nant of Works, are yet bound to walk by the Law as a rule. They are called upon to lead Holy, Righteous, Sober Lives; to be full of Good Works. Now, nothing is Holy, Just and Good, but what is conformed to the Holy, Just and Good Law of GOD. The Law then is a Rule to them which they should be careful to observe in all things. Nay, were not Believers under the Law of GOD as a Rule of their Lives, it were not possible for them to Sin; for Sin is a Transgression of the Law. If it be not a Law to them, they cannot be Guilty of any Crimi­nal Breach of it; but their Sins are many, Jam. [...].2.

[Page 26]3. JESUS CHRIST in keeping the [...] designed Himself to be a Pattern of Obedience to Belie­vers. So far was He from exempting them from all Obedience to the Law, that He intended to set them an Example of Holy Obedience which they should Labour to follow. He [...] not keep the Law meerly to give Satisfaction [...] it for them; but also for their imitation, tha [...] they therein might be followers of Him. Chris­tians therefore Ought to walk as he walked, 1 Jo [...]. 2.6. And our Lord often calls upon His Disci­ples to Follow Him, and Learn of Him, and Do [...] He did. The Gospel is full of such Command [...] Christ's Obedience then does engage Believe [...] unto Obedience, and not dismiss them therefrom His example annexed to the Rule, is a furthe [...] Obligation upon them, unto all Holy Obedience▪

WE see then that 'tis a Vain Thought, Th [...] Christ's Obedience to the Law for us, does [...] off the Bonds of Obedience from us. Let u [...] then such a Thought as this be cherished in [...] hearts: But on the other hand, let Christs per­fect Obedience for us, be used by us as an inducement unto the most willing and ready Obedienc [...] to GOD. Let us think thus with our selv [...] and say, ‘Has the Great and Glorious GOD whom I had offended by my Sins, appoin [...] His Son to save me, by satisfying the La [...] for me? Has He sent Him into the Wor [...] to fulfill that Righteousness for me, which [...] had made my self utterly unable to accomplish? Has He accepted of the most perfe [...] Obedience of His Son for me; so as upon the Account thereof to receive me into His Favour [Page 27] and to make over Eternal Life unto me? Has He done these things for me, and shall I not Love, and Serve and Honour Him to the ut­most of my Power? Surely I will walk before Him in Righteousness and Holiness all the Days of my Life; and will rejoice in the hope of Heaven, where I shall perfectly Obey Him, and Glorify Him in the highest degree for ever.’

THUS much for the third sort of Vain Thoughts. viz. Concerning JESUS CHRIST.

4. THERE are Vain Thoughts in the hearts of Sinners concerning Sin, which are great hindrances of their being Saved. They take up such appre­hensions of Sin as make them more easily to venture upon the Commission of it, and more indifferent about the Repenting of it. All such notions of Sin, which tend to reconcile us to Sin, are most ruinous to Men's Souls. Some Vain Thoughts of this nature, may be here in­stanced in,

1. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That Heart Sins are not Damning. This is the Thought of some Hy­pocritical Persons, who are careful to avoid outward Sins; but are regardless of inwa [...]d Sins, Matth. 23.25. The Hypocrite is not upon his Watch and Guard against Heart-Sins, and yet he cherishes hopes of Heaven. This shows that he does not think his Heart-Sins will prove his Eternal ruin, while he is externally a blameless Liver. And how many are there that seem to fear gross acts of Sin, and to be troubled for them if they fall into them, who yet can easily allow themselves in sinful Frames of Heart, i [...] [Page 28] sinful Tho'ts Desires, &c▪ And whence is it the Men are thus easy under the workings of sinful Lusts in their Hearts? It must [...] because they do not apprehend much danger in them▪ They secretly imagine that these intent Sins do unexpose there to the Damnation of Hell: [...] this is a Vain Thoughts.

For,

1. HEART-SINS [...] exceeding provoking to GOD as well as other Sins. Men are apt to think the GOD is not much offended at those Sins which are acted only in the Heart: But this is a ver [...] great Mistake; Heart-Sins do render Men [...] abominable in the Sight of GOD: And there­fore our Lord Jesus Christ, does denounce [...] dreadful Woes against Men on the account of these Heart-Sins; Matth. 23.27, 28. We unto you Scrib [...] and Pharisees, Hypocrites; for ye are like unto which Sepulch [...]es, which indeed appear beautiful outwork but are within full of Dead Men's Bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righte­ous unto Men, but within they are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Christ here arraigns, and condemns and threatens them, not for visible and scandalous Sins; but for Heart-Iniquities. And we [...] of GOD's most severe Punishing an evil Intention, though never Executed, Psal. 21.10, 11. Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the Earth, and th [...] seed from among the Children of Men. For they intended evil against thee; they imagined a mischiev [...] device which they are not able in perform. No [...] there are scarce [...]ny Sins more displeasing to GOD than many Heart-Sins are; such as Unbelie [...] Pride, Covetousness, Malice, &c.

[Page 29]2. HEART-SINS need to be Repented of us well as other Sins. GOD does as much Com­mand Men to Repent of their Heart-Sins, as of the Sins of their Lips and Lives, Isa. 55.7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Repentance for sinful Thoughts is here called for in order to pardon. And thus in our Context GOD call upon Jeru­salem to Wash their hearts from wickedness, that they might be saved. Thus also the Apostle Peter Exhorts Simon Magus, Acts. 8.22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Heart-Sins then need forgiveness, and most be repented of in order to forgiveness. Which shows that they are of a Damning Nature, and will issue in Damnation if not Repented of. For the design of GOD in requiring Repentance is, that iniqui­ty might not, prove the Sinners ruin, Ezek. 18 30.

3. HEART-SINS will as certainly be brought into Judgment as other Sins. Though Heart-Sins may escape the Knowledge of Men, yet they do not escape the Knowledge of GOD: And He observes them with a purpose to call Men to an Account for them. Jer. 17.9.10. The heart [...]s deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? I the Lord search the he [...]rt, I try the [...]rei [...]s, even to give every man according to his ways. In the Day of Judgment, the Lord will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and w [...]ll make ma­nifest the Counsels of the Heart, 1 Cor. 4.5. In that Day, God will bring every work into Judgment, [Page 30] with every s [...]et thing whether it be good or evil▪ Eccl. 12.14. Not only shall the sinful Speeches and Deeds of Sinners he brought into Judgment; but also their sinful Thoughts, Desires, Designs▪ &c. The very secrets of their Hearts shall then [...] disclosed; Rom. 2.16. In the Day when Go [...] shall Judge the secrets of man, by Jesus Christ. Such will be the ca [...]ctness of the last Judgment, as that the most concealed iniquities shall be laid open. Now, if Heart-Sins will be brought into Judg­ment, it will be into a Judgment of Condemna­t [...]on, and not of Approbation. Such as shall the [...] be found under the Guilt of will be con­demned and punished for them, as well as for the other Sins they stand guilty of.

WE see then, That 'tis a Vain Thought tha [...] Heart-Sins are not Damning. Let us not the [...] suffer this Vain Thought to lodge in our Hearts▪ But on the other hand, let it be our fixed per­swasion that all the Workings of Sin in the Heart, though they break not forth into outward acts, do expose us to the Eternal Wrath of GOD: And let this thought be improved by us unto deep Hu­miliation before GOD for our Heart-Sins. Le [...] us confess them, bewail them and fly to the Blood of Christ for the Pardon of them. Let it also put us upon diligent watchfulness against Heart-Sins for the time to come. In this respect let u [...] Keep our hearts with all Diligence, Prov. 4.23. Keep them from being defiled with Proud, Unclea [...] Malicious, Revengful Thoughts, &c. Such Mourn­ing for Heart-Sins, and watchfulness against them will be a gracious Evidence of our Sincerity. Hypocrites may be very careful to keep their out­side [Page 31] clean. But Upright Men only are careful to keep their inside pure & clean. An earnest desire of, and endeavour after purity of heart, is one of the best Characters of one whose heart is right with GOD.

THUS much for the first Vain Thought concerning Sin

2. IT is a Vain Thought, That the Living in some single, gross actual Sin will not issue in Destruction. Such a Thought there oftentimes is in the hearts of Sinners. They think that if they in­dulge themselves only in some one Sin, there is no danger of perishing thereby. They can't think that GOD will shut them out of Heaven; and cast them down to Hell, for the Reserve of one Sin. Did they live in many Sins, then they sup­pose the end thereof will be Death: But when 'tis no more than a single Sin, which they ac­custom themselves unto, they don't imagine that this will end in their Damnation. Such an imagination as this there is sometimes in the Hearts of Sinners, or else the Holy Ghost would not in the Scriptures so solemnly caution us a­gainst it, as we shall presently shew He does. Now this imagination is a vain imagination, as will appear from these things.

1. ONE Act of heinous Sin has oftentimes issued in the Destruction of Sinners, much more will the custo­mary practice of it. In the Word of GOD, we have many recorded Instances of such as have been smitten with Death, and sent down to Hell, for one gross act of Sin, whereby the Holy GOD [Page 32] was offended. Zimri and Cozbi died and perished in and for an Act of Uncleanness, Numb. 25. [...] Ananias and Saphira were struck with sudden Dea [...] and Destruction for a Lie, Acts 5. Now, If o [...] Act of Uncleanness and Lying, does thus end i [...] the Sinners Destruction, then surely repeated an [...] continued Acts of Uncleanness and Lying wi [...] do so. A Course of Sin is far worse than an A [...] of Sin. Consequently if an Act of Sin brings Destruction on Men, much more will a Course o [...] Sin do so. He that goes on in the Commissi [...] of any kind of Sin, is certainly a far greater Si [...] ner, and more worthy of Damnation; than [...] that is only once guilty of such a Sin.

2. THE living in the practice of any gross Sin, i [...] a certain sign of a graceless Person, that shall ne [...] enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. One that h [...] true Grace, is brought off from every way [...] Sin. Psal. 119.101. I have refrained my Feet fr [...] every evil way. Not only from some, or from ma [...] evil ways; but from Every evil way. There i [...] no way of evil which an Holy Person lives in The Principle of Grace that is in them, s [...] them against every sort of Sin without Exception so that they cannot allow themselves in any Si [...] whatsoever. Such then as live in any Sin, a [...] not in a state of Grace, but in a state of Sin. Th [...] the Apostle John declares that such as do on [...] harbour the Sin of Hatred of their Brother, a [...] in a state of Sin and Death, 1 Joh. 2.9, 11. He th [...] hateth his Brother, is in darkness, even until now, h [...] that hateth his Brother is in darkness, and walketh [...] darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, becaus [...] that darkness hath blinded his eyes. And again, i [...] Chap. 3.15. Whosoever hateth his Brother as a Mur­derer; [Page 33] and ye know that no Murderer hath Eternal Life abiding in him. This single Sin of Hatred liv'd in, proves a Man to be in a sinful State, and that abiding so he will miss of Eternal Life. And in other places of Scripture 'tis expresly declared that such as live in any gross Sin shall not inherit Eternal Life. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. Know [...]e not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the King­dom of God? Be not deceived; neither Fornicators, [...]or Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor Effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with Mankind, nor Thieves, nor Covetous, [...]or Drunkards, nor Revilers, nor Extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God. Thus again in Eph. [...].5, 6. For this ye know, that no Whoremonger nor Unclean person, nor covetous Man, which is an Idola­ter, hath an inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words; for [...]ecause of these things cometh the wrath of God upon [...]he Children of Disobedience. From these Scriptures we plainly see that if a Man be of the number [...]f any one sort of the Sinners here mentioned, [...]e will not be Saved, but will be Damned. [...]f he live in the Sins of Drunkenness, or Unclean­ [...]ess, or Stealing, or Unrighteousness, or Covetous­ [...]ess, &c. he will assuredly perish. Though he [...]o not live in all of them, or many of them, [...]et if he live in any one of them, he will not [...]nherit Eternal Life; but the Wrath of GOD will come upon him.

WELL then, Let not such a Vain Thought as [...]his lodge within us. But on the other hand let [...]s think with our selves, that every path of Sin [...]ads down to Destruction. Let me therefore [...]ke which path of Sin I will, I am in the high [Page 34] way to Hell. If I do not Repent and turn from All my Transgressions, Iniquity will be my ruin If I do not cast away from me All my Tra [...] gressions whereby I have Transgressed, I [...] surely die. May I then by the help of Divi [...] Grace, hate and turn from every false way. M [...] it be my hearty desire, and my happy expe [...] ence that no iniquity shall have Dominion o [...] me. May my Life be blameless and harmles [...] void of offence both towards GOD and towar [...] Man. May I deny all ungodliness, and eve [...] Worldly Lust: And may I with well-ground [...] Hope and Assurance, be able to say with [...] Apostle Paul, that the Lord shall deliver [...] from Every evil Work, and preserve me to [...] Everlasting and Heavenly Kingdom.

THUS for the second Vain Thought conc [...] ning Sin.

3 'TIS a Vain Thought, That there are sufficien [...] Excuses for Sin. Sinners have their specious p [...] tences which they think will excuse, if [...] justify, their Commission of Sin. Such a Thou [...] as this, is Destructive to Men's Souls: For it ma [...] them think they do nothing amiss in sinning and so prevents their judging and condemna [...] themselves for it, as they ought to do, in ord [...] to the obtaining the Forgiveness of it. If th [...] can excuse their Sin, they see no cause to R [...] pent of it. But 'tis a vain imagination, that [...] sufficient Excuse can be made for Sin, as may [...] shown under the various Excuses which Sinn [...] are apt to make.

[Page 35]1. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That a good Inten­tion will Excuse the Commission of Sin. Sometimes Men pretend to have an eye to the Glory of GOD in the Commission of Sin. Such there seems to have been in the Apostles times, who ima­gined that continuance in Sin would give occa­sion to GOD to magnify His Grace, in pardoning of it, Rom. 6.1. What shall we say then? Shall are continue in Sin, that Grace may abound? Their plausible pretence for continuance in Sin, was, That the Grace of GOD might appear more Glorious in the Forgiveness of Sin. Sometimes again, Men pretend the doing Service to others by the Commission of Sin, as in the Case of an Officious Lie, as it is called. Thus Men will tell [...] Lye to promote another's Advantage, or to prevent his receiving Damage. And because their telling such a Lye is done out of kindness to another, they think this will excuse them. But none of these intentions, whether of Glory [...]o GOD, or benefit to our selves, will excuse our Commission of Sin. To think that they will, is a Vain Thought.

For,

1. GOD has plainly declared that the best Inten­tion will not Excuse Sin. As for that pretence of sinning, that GOD's Grace may be more Glori­fied, it is expresly condemned and declared to be most abominable, Rom. 6.1, 2. Shall we continue [...]n Sin that Grace may abound? God forbid. This [...]s an Expression denoting the detestableness of [...]uch an Imagination; and that Men ought by [...]o means to entertain such a Thought in their Hearts. Again, As for the pretence of doing [Page 36] good to others of our selves by committing Si [...] this is also very clearly condemned, Rom. 3.1. Some affirm, that we say, Let us do [...] that good my come; whose Damnat [...]on is just. Here the Apost [...] does evidently condemn that Principle of doin [...] Evil that Good may come; and denounces th [...] worthy of Damnation, who maintain o [...] practic [...] it. Let the Good we intend be never so great be it the saving our own Lives, o [...] the Lives o [...] others, yet we may not do Evil for the sec [...] [...]ing them.

2. SIN Committed with never so good an Inte [...] [...]n, is exceeding provoking to GOD. Sinners ac [...]pt to think that GOD is not offended at Si [...] when they have a good design in Committing it [...]t this is a great Mistake, the Scriptures fully satisfy us to the contrary. GOD Commande [...] Saul to Smite Amai [...]k, and utterly to de [...]troy al [...] th [...] they had, and spare them not, but to slay both ma [...] and woman, infant and suck [...]ing, ox and sheep, ca [...] and [...], 1 Sam. 15.3. However Saul spared th [...] best of the Sheep, and of the Oxen, and of th [...] fatlings and the Lambs. His design herein b [...] declares to be the Offering them in Sacrifice un [...] the Lord GOD, [...]. 15. That this was h [...] real design, is not denied by Samuel the Prophe [...] But taking it for granted; he gives him to unde [...] stand, That altho' he had such a Religious Intention. GOD however was greatly displeased with him for his disobedience, Ver. 22, 23. A [...] Samuel said, hath the Lord as great delight in burn [...] [...]fferings and sacrifices▪ as in obeying the voice of i [...] [...]ord? Be [...]d [...] [...]etter than sacrifice, [...] [...] [...]an [...]am. &c Be [...]u [...]e [...] [Page 37] hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also re­jected thee from being King. Again, we have ano­ther instance in Uzzah, when he saw the Ark in danger of falling, He put forth his hand and took hold of it. And God smote him there for his Error, and there he died by the Ark of God, 2 Sam. 6.6, 7. Undoubtedly Uzzah had an innocent and good Intention in what he did, yet GOD was provoked at him because therein he transgressed the Com­mandment of GOD, who allowed none but the Priests to touch the Ark, Numb 4 15. It then GOD be so greatly offended at Men, for Transgressing His Commandment, though they have therein a good end and design; we may then be assured that a good Intention will not Excuse an evil Action.

3. THE Servants of GOD have bewailed thei [...] Sins committed with a good Intention and Adored the Mercy of GOD in pardoning them. Take only the Apostle Paul as a famous Instance in this Case. He tells us that he Shut up many of the Saints in Prison; that he gave his voice against them when they were put to Death; that he punished them oft in every, Synagogue, and compelled them to blasphem [...] and persecuted them even to strange Cities. All t [...]s he did, because he verily thought with himself tha [...] he ought to do it, Acts 26.9, 10, 11. He acted conscientiously herein and with a great Zeal [...] the Glory of GOD, Phil. 3.6. Concerning Zeal, persecuting the Church. He was Zealous for the Law and Honour of GOD in Persecuting the Church of Christ. So that his Intention was really good. Yet when he came to be sensible of his Sin, he was also sensible that hi [...] good [Page 38] Intention would not excuse it. And therefore he does humbly acknowledge his Sin, and admire the Grace and Mercy of GOD in forgiving it. 1 Tim. 1.13. I was a blasphemer, and a per­secutor, and injurious; but I obtained Mercy. From these things then we see that a good Intention is no sufficient excuse for Sin.

2. IT is a Vain Thought, That the natural In­clination to Sin, will excuse the Commission of Sin There is in the heart of every Man, a strange pro­pensity to Sin. Fallen nature is powerfully b [...]s­sed and bent to the doing Evil. Now this na­tural proneness to Sin, Men are ape to suppos [...] a sort of Apology for Sin. They are ready [...] say, 'Tis natural to all Men to Sin. This is the i [...] ­ [...]ate and universal Inclination of Mankind; and Na­ture will have its way. Such reasonings there are sometimes in the hearts of Sinners. But alas! the naturalness of Sin, is no Excuse for Sin.

For,

1. THIS natural Inclination to Sin is a just ground of self-condemnation, and so cannot be a ground of so [...] justification for Sin. Our Inclination to Sin is a part of the Corruption of our Nature, and a branch of that Cursed enmity against GOD that is in our hearts. It is said of the carnal Mind, that it is Enmity against God, Rom 8 [...]. Now our great Inclination to Sin against GOD and oppose GOD, is a Principle part of thi [...] horrid enmity. We have therefore cause [...] judge and condemn and abhor our selves in that there is in us such a principle of contra­riety and opposition to GOD. The Apostle Paul does exceedingly bewail the remainders of this Inclination to evil in himself, R [...]m. 7.15, 19. [Page 39] He prea [...]ed under it as a burden which he earnestly long'd to be delivered from, Ier. 24. That then which calls for self-judging and self-abhorence cannot justly be made an Apology for our Sin. How can that excuse us for which we are bound to condemn our selves?

2. THIS Natural Inclination to Sin is an aggre­vation of Sin, rather than an extenuation of it. It is so far from excusing or lessening the Sin, that it makes it the greater. The vicious inclination, makes the Sin proceeding from it, more vile and hateful. When David was penitently confessing his great Transgressions to GOD, he makes mention of the various aggravations of them, as they had been against GOD, and committed in the Sight of GOD, Yet he does not stop here, but follows his Sins up to their Fountain, even the Corruption of his Nature, Psal. 51.5. Behold I was shapen in Iniquity, and in Sin did my Mother conceive me. He mentions the Sin and pravity of Nature, not for his own Vindication; but for his greater Confusion and Abasement he produces it, not to justify himself, but to Justify GOD in Judging him; for that he had not only done such evil things, but had also such an evil heart in him, from whence they proceeded. Indwel­ling Sin then, is no Plea for Sinners, but against them. If a Murderer should Plead his Bloody Disposition, and Murderous Inclination, would that excuse him and exempt him from Punish­ment? Would it not rather make his speedy Execution more just and necessary? We see then, that Original Sin is no Excuse for Act [...] ­al Sins.

[Page 40]3. IT is a Vain Thought. That Temptation to Sin will Excuse the Commission of Sin. In this World Men do meet with very many, and very gr [...] Temptations to Sin, from the Devil and from Men. By these Temptations Men are oftentim [...] carried away to the Commission of Sin. No [...] Men are apt to make these Temptations a [...] Excuse for their Sins. Thus did our First Pare [...] when they had Sinned: Eve said. The Serpent [...] guiled me, and I did eat. She excuses the Si [...] from the Subtlety of the Tempter. So A [...] said, The Woman [...] gave me of the Tree and did eat. He excuses his Sin from the sollicitatio [...] and enticement of his Wife. Thus their sinf [...] Posterity go about to excuse their Sin, becau [...] they were strongly Tempted and Urged to Sin but this is no sufficient Excuse for Sin.

For,

1. TEMPTATION forces no Man to Si [...] Tempters can do no more than intreat us, [...] Arguments with us, propound Motives to us and when they have done all, they cannot con­strain us to Sin. They have not power o [...] our Wills to compel them to Evil: The wi [...] of Man cannot suffer compulsion. If therefor [...] we Sin upon Temptation, we Sin willingly, a [...] consequently are inexcusable. If we yield [...] Temptations the fault is our own. Indeed, [...] Men or Devils could offer violence to [...] Wills and irresistably determine them to [...] we were excusable. But this they cannot pos [...] bly do: they must gain our consent, or the [...] cannot lead as into Sin. If we do not freely [...]ply, they cannot force us to comply.

[Page 41]2. GOD has Commanded to resist Temptation, and offers us his Assistance. If the Devil Tempt us, GOD has charged us to resist him; Jam. 4.7. Resist the Devil, and he will see from you. If Ill Men Tempt us to Sin, GOD has charged us not to give way to their Temptations, Prov. 1.10. My son, if sinners entire thee, consent thou not. It won't then excuse us that we have been Tempted, because it was our Duty to resist Temptation, for GOD required us so to do; but then further GOD not only Commands us to withstand Temptation; but also tenders us His gracious Assistance. Therefore Christ has directed us to seek unto GOD by Prayer, for his help against Temptations; Mat. 6.13. Lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from evil. This shows that Divine Assistance is ten­dred and may be obtained in the way of Prayer. If then we give place to Temptation, we are inexcusable, because we might have had a suffi­ciency of Grace to enable us to resist Tempta­tion. Had we no Prospect of Aids from Hea­ven, we might have some shew of an Excuse for our being overcome by Temptation, we might Plead our own insufficiency as a kind of Apology. But there is no room left for this pretence, because GOD was ready to help and strengthen us, if we had humbly and earnestly requested of Him so to do.

3. GOD sets before us much greater Motives to [...] Temptation, than any Tempter does to comply with Temptation. The Great GOD does Infinitely forbid Satan and his Instruments, in the offers which they make unto us. The most that Temp­ters [Page 42] to Sin can promise to us, is only sensual Pleasure, Worldly Profits or Advancements. Pro. 1 11, 13. Come with us, we shall for preci [...]s and [...]. The Devil bid to the highest, when he offered Christ the Kingdoms of this World and the Glo­ry of them. This is the utmost that [...]e can promise, to win us to a compliance with his Temptations: But what, is all this World to the things which GOD promises to us, in case we resist Temptation? He has assured us that if we overcome, he will give us a Crown of Life, and Glory that fadeth not away, he will make us to sit upon Thrones, he will bestow up­on us the Heavenly Inheritance, and make as to drink of those Rivers of Pleasure, that are at his Right Hand for evermore. These things are incomparable greater inducements to resist Temptation, than the other are to comply with Temptation. So thought Moses. Heb. 11.20. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Aegypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of reward. If a Man therefore shall disregard GOD [...]s Offers, and take up with th [...] offers of Satan, is he not inexcusable? Had Men or Devils made better offers to them than GOD they might have some excuse for hearkening to Temptation. But since GOD does offer [...] them Infinitely better things, than any other do or can do, they are therefore without [...] excuse for complying with Temptation to Sin.

FROM these things then it appears, that though Men's Temptations be never so many and so great, yet that will not be [...]n sufficient excuse for their Commission of Sin.

[Page 43]4 IT is a Vain Thought, That the Commonness of Sin w [...]ll excuse the Commission of Sin. Sometimes there are Sins which do become a common prac­tise; the generality of Men do addict them­selves thereunto. Now this is what Men will alledge as an excuse for their Committing such Sins Because it is a common thing to Cheat, Defraud, over-reach, they think this will excuse them in doing so too. What they do is no more than what the most do; and therefore they sup­pose themselves excusable. But this is no Excuse.

For,

1. GOD has strictly charg'd us not to Commit a Sin, tho' it be never so common▪ GOD knows the pernicious influence of Evil Example, and how apt we are to think that warrantable, at least excusable, which is universally practised. For this reason He has expresly forbidden us to do evil, though never so many accustom themselves thereunto, Exod. 23 2. Thou [...]halt was follow a multitude to do evil. Let the Multitude be what they will, high or low, rich or poor, wise or wo [...], we may not follow them in any evil thing. So again in Rom. 12.2. Be not conformed to this World. Though there be a World of Persons that perpetrate Iniquity, yet we must avoid conformity to them. Since then GOD has so plainly prohibited the following a Multi­tude to do Evil, the Multitude won't excuse us if we do Evil. Either GOD is to blame in forbidding us to imitate them, or we are to blame in following their Example.

2. THE Commonness of a Sin is rather a reason why we should abstain from it, than practice it. The [Page 44] more there are that Sin against GOD, the greater call there is to us to forbear it. Is it no [...] enough that there are so many already engage [...] against GOD; but must we fall in with them to increase the number? When we see GOD [...] Name so much dishonoured, we should be mo [...] concerned to Glorify it. Again, If we follow a Multitude to do Evil, we contract the Guilt of all their Sins. Our Conformity to them i [...] a practical Approbation and Justification of thei [...] Evil Deeds. And this makes as partakers o [...] their Sins; 2 Joh. 11. For he that biddeth [...]i [...] God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds. He t [...] favours or coun [...]ances Sinners in their [...] Deeds, is a partaker of their Evil Deeds. Now we do countenance them in their Sins, when [...] join with them in their Sins. And if this be [...] what a World of Guilt do we bring upon [...] selves by following a Multitude to do Evil▪ We make all their Sins our own. The Comm [...] ness of Sin then won't excuse or extenuate Sin [...] but makes it much greater than otherwise [...] would be.

5. IT is a Vain Thought that the Falls [...] [...]ery the Men into Sin, will excuse our com [...] ting the same Sins. GOD in His Word [...] informed us of very Scandalous Sins comm [...] ted by most Eminent Saints. Now Sinners [...] wont to plead these example as excuses for th [...] committing the like sins. If they are Dr [...] so was Noah: if they lie, so did Abraham. [...] they commit Adultery▪ so did David. The [...] Men have done as they do, and this makes the [...] think themselves excusable▪ But this is a [...] Thought. For,

[Page 45]1. THEIR Sins, thought very Holy Men, were exceeding offensive to GOD. The Great GOD who has made known to us what their Sins were, has as clearly made known to us His Holy Dis­pleasure at them, 2 Sam. 11.27. The thing that David had done displeased the Lord. And to how high a degree He was displeased is awfully re­presented in the following Chap. 9th, 10th, 11th Verses, Wherefore hast thou despised the Commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his fight? Thou hast killed Cri [...]h the Hittite with the sword; and hast taken his wife to be thy wife; and hast slain him with the sword of the Children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house, &c. GOD then did not hold His Servants Guiltless in what they did, nor lightly pass over their Iniquities. If they then provoked GOD, will that best us out in doing so too? Or if they were not excu­ [...]able in Committing Sin, do we think to be ex­cused in imitating them? How absurd is such [...] Imagination!

2. THEIR falls are recorded for our Admoni­tion, not for imitation. The design of GOD in [...]anding down to us the Knowledge of their Sin, is that by them we might take warning, 1 Cor. 10.11. They are written for our Admonition, upon whom the ends of the World are come. They should be Cautions to us against Sin, and not Encouragements to Sin We ought to improve them to greater watchfulness against Sin, and [...]ot to a more presumptuous boldness in Sinning. [...]f such Great and Good Men were overtaken [...]n Great Transgressions, the more need have we [...]o take heed to our selves, lest we fall. This [Page 46] is the proper use we should make of such sad Instances of humane frailty. And 'tis a perverse abuse of them, to excuse our selves in Sin thereby.

6. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That danger of Suf­fering will Excuse the Commission of Sin. The Case is many times so circumstanced, that Men must either do evil, or suffer evil. When this come to be their Case, they frequently commit Sin, that they may escape Sufferings. Thus in time [...] of Persecution, many do Apostatize from the Profession of Religion for fear of Sufferings: And they are ready to think, that they may be excused for their Sin, when only a fear of Suffering was the inducement to it. But this is a Vai [...] Thought, as appears from these things.

1. THE least Sin is a far worse Evil, th [...] the greatest Sufferings. No Affliction whatsoever is comparably so great an Evil as Sin. S [...] wrongs GOD; but Suffering only hurts th [...] Creature. Sin wrongs the Soul, but Affliction hurts only the Body. Sin makes us hateful [...] GOD, Afflictions do not. Sin tends to no Goo [...] but Afflictions may be greatly to our Profit So that Sin is much worse than any Affliction Nay, it is far worse than Death it self; 1 Cor. 1 [...] 56. The Sting of Death is sin. 'Tis Sin that ma [...] Death hurtful: Take away Sin, and the Death is unstung, and becomes an innocen [...] harmless thing; yea a thing most sweet an [...] desirable We ought then to choose Suffering and Death, rather than Sin. Thus did Moses Heb. 11.25. Choosing rather to suffer affliction wi [...] the People of God, than to enjoy the pleasure of [...] [Page 47] for a season. Thus did the Three Worthies choose rather to be cast into a Burning Fiery Furnance, than to Sin against GOD, Dan. 3.18.

2 BY Sinning we expose our Selves to much sorer Punishment than Men are capable of ins [...]. Sin exposes us to the Wrath of GOD, which is In­finitely more dreadful than the Wrath of Man. It is a fearful thing to fall unto the hands of the living God, Heb. 10.31. He can destroy both Soul and Body in Hell forever, whereas Men can only Kill the Body, and that but for a time. The worst that Men are capable of doing to us, is but as nothing to what GOD can do. We have much more cause then to stand in Awe of GOD and not Sin, than thro' fear of Man to venture upon Sin. Fear should rather deter us from Sin, than drive us to Sin, seeing there is far greater danger in Committing Sin, than Abstaining from it.

7. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That Sin is excusable, because 'tis but little. 'Tis sometimes the Thought of Sinners, that there is no great matter in com­mitting lesser sort of Sins. Hence they are sel­dom, if ever, troubled for their supposed little Sins. They don't count them of such Moment [...]s to call for Mourning and Humiliation before GOD, such peccadilloes, as they are termed; petty Oaths, little Thefts and Frauds and Surfeits, need not be laid to heart, and that GOD overlooks [...]hem. But this is a Vain Thought,

For,

1. No Sin is in it self little. 'Tis true, that some Sins are far less than others, all Sins are not equal; [Page 48] there are some Sins which are as Camels, and others which are as Gnats compared among themselves. Nevertheless, those Sins which are Comparatively little, are in themselves excee­ding Great. The least Sin is against the Great and Glorious GOD; 'tis a Transgression of His Law, a Contempt of His Authority, a Re­flection upon His Divine Majesty; and can that be really little, which is contrary to the most High GOD? In Truth, as Sin is against the Infinite GOD, so it is an Infinite Evil. The least Sin is objectively Infinite.

2. GOD has upon Pain of Death, forbidden little Sins as well as great. 'Tis true, That GOD [...]s not threatned every Sin with a like measure o [...] Punishment. There will be different Degrees o [...] Punishment inflicted, according to the different Degrees of Sin. As every Sin is not alike h [...] nous, so every Sin shall not be alike Punished Nevertheless, Death, Eternal Death, is threatne [...] for the least Sin, as that which 'tis worthy o [...] The smallest Transgression of the Law of GOD lays Men open to the Curse of the Law, Gal. [...] 10. Cursed is every one that continueth not in [...] things that are written in the book of the Law to them. If the Law be not kept in an things, it be broken in any the least Degree, it bring Men under the Curse. The first Sin of Ma [...] that was to the matter of it small, what a Cur [...] has it brought on the World!

THUS we have seen how Vain all the Excuses for Sin are. Let us not then harbour i [...] our Hearts, any such Vain Thought, as if Si [...] [Page 49] were an Excusable thing. But on the other hand, Let us think, that if we Sin against GOD, we are left without all Excuse, we can have no Cloke for our Sin, but our Mouths will be stop­ped for ever. If the Heathen are without Ex­cuse for their Sin, as they are, Rom. 1.20. How much more shall we Christians be inexcusable, whose Light and Advantages are Infinitely Su­periour to theirs?

THUS much may suffice for the fourth sort of Vain Thoughts, viz. those concerning Sin.

5. THERE are Vain Thoughts in the hearts of Sinners concerning Repentance, which are great hindrances of their being Saved. These Vain Thoughts respect either the season of Repentance, or the Nature and Truth of Repentance, or the Duty it self; and in all these Respects, their Thoughts are exceeding prejudicial to the Salvation of their Souls. e. g.

1. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That hereafter will be as proper a season for Repentance, as the present Time. That Sinners have such a Thought in them is evident from their Delays of Repen­tance. All Sinners that are not grosly ignorant or desperatly blinded, do know and acknow­ledge, that Repantance is a Duty of such Ne­cessity, as that there can be no Salvation with­out it. And accordingly it is their purpose to Repent, but not as yet: Hereafter they will set upon this Duty, when they come to lie on a Sick Bed, or when they are arrived to Old Age, or when they are more at Leisure, and less involved in Worldly Affairs, &c. Now, how [Page 50] can they satisfy themselves in thus doing, i [...] they do not imagine that hereafter may be a [...] good a season, if not a better or more conveni­ent season to Repent in than Now? Procrastina­tion carries this imagination along with it But this is a Vain Thought.

For,

1. IT is reckoning upon a Time which 'tis [...] uncertain whether they shall ever enjoy. Loytering Sinners do promise themselves an hereafter to Repent in; but they have no sure ground to buil [...] such a promise upon: So far are they from being certain of the expected future Season, as th [...] 'tis altogether most uncertain. Nothing is ordinarily more uncertain to Men than the Peri [...] of their Lives. They do not know how som [...] and suddenly they may Die; when they lea [...] think of it, when there is no outward Prospe [...] of it, they are overtaken by Death; when i [...] perfect Health & Strength, they are in a Moment by one unforeseen Accident or other, brought to their end. How frequent are such Instance [...] in the Course of Divine Providence? We kn [...] not but that our Souls may be required of [...] this Night: We cannot tell whether we shal [...] see the Light of another Day. How Vain th [...] is it to Boast of a to Morrow, much more of [...] long Time to come?

2. IF the Time alotted upon should Arrive, the [...] is less probability of their Repenting then than n [...]. They themselves indeed may suppose it more probable that they shall then Repent; yet i [...] reality, it is far more improbable that they should so do. There is far less likelihood of [Page 51] their future, than present Repentance. What­ever they think, they will be farther off from Repentance than ever. There are three things which give ground for such a Perswasion.

1. THEY will certainly be more hardened in Sin. Hardness of Heart, is a natural Consequent of delaying Repentance, Heb. 3.15. While its said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. If Men refuse to hearken to the Voice of GOD calling upon them to Day to Repent, they will contract greater hardness of heart. The longer Men live in Sin, the more Sin is strengthned and confirmed in them. Continuance in a customary practice of Sin, makes turning from it▪ exceedingly more difficult; Jer. 13.23. Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots? them may ye also do good, that are accusto­med to do evil. Supposing then that Men should live till that hereafter which they dream of, they will be so hardened in Sin, as to have less of an heart to Repent. Oftentimes they are stupid senseless and secure, which is an Evidence of pro­digious hardness of heart contracted. They have nothing of that sense of the evil and danger of Sin which they formerly had. Their Con­sciences are asleep, and they go away with as much quietness, as if they had not the least Guilt lying upon them.

2 THEY may be more uncapable of that scri [...] Consideration, which is necessary to saving Repentance. There can be no sound Repentance where Men do not consider of their evil doings: Now here­after Men may not he in a Capacity for [...] [Page 52] Meditation and Reflection upon their Sins, [...] may affect their hearts with due Grief and S [...] row for them. If they come to lie upon [...] Death-Bed, whereon they purposed to Rep [...] it may be, they are by their Bodily Distemp [...] utterly incapacitated for serious thinking [...] their condition. They are deprived of the [...] use and exercise of their Reason, and go out [...] the World Delirious. Is not this oftentimes [...] manner in which such Sinners Die? and [...] can say that it shall not be so with them?

3. THEY will have less reason to expect [...] A [...]tance of the Holy Spirit, without which 'tis [...] possible for them sincerely to Repent. If they supp [...] 'tis in their own power to Repent when [...] w [...]ll, they do fatally deceive themselves: [...] 'tis GOD only that can work in us a soft [...] penitent frame of heart. Ezek. 11.19. I will [...] the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give [...] an heart of flesh. GOD by His Spirit softens [...] breaks the hard hearts of Sinners. But [...] little ground have Sinners, who delay their [...] pentance, to expect that GOD will here [...] send His Holy Spirit to bring them to Rep [...] tance? Have they not quenched the Mo [...] of the Holy Spirit formerly? when He co [...] ced them of the need of Repenting speedi [...] did they not stifle His Convictions under p [...] tence of Repenting hereafter? Did they [...] purpose notwithstanding to continue and go [...] longer in their Sinful ways, and not turn [...] them, till a great while hence? And [...] Reason have such to think that the Spirit [...] GOD will at the last, work in them that [...] pentance [Page 53] which will be unto Salvation? Have they not much more just ground to think that He will utterly withdraw from them, and leave them to Die and Perish in their Sins? Surely this is what in an ordinary way, may be ex­pected. That offered Grace, that has been so long despised by delaying Sinners, may most justly be denied to them at the last, and most probably will be so.

WE see then, that 'tis a Vain Thought, That we [...] as well Repent hereafter as now. Let us [...] [...]hen entertain such a Vain Thought: But on the contrary, let us think, that Now is the accepted Time, Now is the Day of Salvation; that the present Time, is the best Time to set about the Work of Repenting and turning to GOD; and accordingly let us make haste and Delay no longer. Let us agree quickly with GOD who is our Adversary, and get into good Terms with Him as soon as possible. What­soever our hands do find to do, in the mat­ter of our Repentance, let us do it with all our might, before it be too late. Our early and speedy Repentance is what we shall never Re­pent us of. It will be an abundant Consola­tion, that we have not the Work of Repentance to do at Death. We may then be satisfied that having heretofore sown in Tears, we are now going to Reap in Joy, and that Jesus Christ says to us as to the Penitent Thief, This Day shalt th [...] be with me in Paradise.

THUS for the first Vain Thought concerning Repentance.

[Page 54]2. IT is a Vain Thought, That if a gross Sin be Confessed and Bewailed, it is truly Repented of, though it be not forsaken. Such a Thought as this there is sometimes in the hearts of Sinners. They are Guilty it may be, of the Sin of Drunken­ness, Uncleanness, &c. Hereupon they make Confession of it to GOD, Mourn for it, and ear­nestly beg the Pardon of it. Having thus done, they think themselves truly Penitent, tho' up­on the next Opportunity and Temptation, they commit the same Sin again; and when they have thus repeated their Sin, they renew also their Confessions and Lamentations: And thu [...] they go on Sinning and Confessing, and because as often as they Sin, so often they bemoan it they suppose that they do really Repent of it▪ But this is a Destructive and Vain Thought.

For,

1 GOD has destroyed Sinners for continuing to Commit gross Sins, though they have Confessed and Bewailed them [...] remarkable Instance of thi [...] kind we [...] in Pharaoh King of Aegypt: H [...] refused at the Command of GOD to let Isra [...] go; hereupon GOD Punished him with on [...] sort of Plague; under the Calamity of this Judgment he Confesses his Sin, and begs Praye [...] for the removal of the Judgment, and promise [...] to let Israel go. No sooner is the Plague removed, but he renews his disobedience to th [...] Command of GOD. Hereupon GOD smites him with another Plague, then again he Confesse [...] his Sin, justifys GOD, condemns himself and his People, and Prays for the removal of tha [...] Plague; no sooner is this Plague removed, but he returns to his Sin. And that [...] he renew h [...]s [Page 55] Confessions and Rebellions, till at length GOD Destroyed him in a most astonishing manner. This Example plainly shows, that tho' Sinners do never so often confess and bewail their Sins, yet if they persist in them, they do not truly Repent of them. If this were saving Repentance the Wrath of GOD would not come upon them as it did upon Pharaoh. In Truth, such Re­pentance is but a mock-Repentance, which does rather pull down the Wrath of GOD, than turn it away.

2. TURNING fr [...]m all gross Sin, as to the Customary practice of it, is essential to true Repentance. There are Sins of Infirmity, which are una­voidable and cannot be wholly abstained from in this Life; but we shall daily be more or less overtaken with them. Of this nature are, some Distractions and wanderings of Mind in the Duties of Prayer, Reading and Hearing the Word of GOD; some sudden involuntary Motions of sinful Fear, Shame, Anger, Grief, Joy; some vain, foolish, idle Thoughts: The best of Men cannot possibly keep themselves free from such Sins as these. Therefore 'tis not to be supposed that none are truly Peni­tent who do not so Repent of them, as to keep clear of them. Such Sins as these are turned from, only as to Allowance, Approbation and Indulgence: A true Penitent Mourns for these Sins, disapproves of them and detests them, and would gladly be freed from them; yet he can­not keep himself free from them. But then as for gross and heinous Acts of Sin, every true Penitent turns from them, as to the frequent [Page 56] and ordinary practice of them. Indeed, he may fall into such great Sins; but yet this is [...] and not common. He does not after Repenta [...] Multiply such Acts of Sin, and go on in a [...] peated way of Committing them; No, he [...] forms and leaves off such a Course of Sinni [...] in this kind: Such Reformation is an Essen [...] part of sound Repentance; Ezek. 18.30, 3 [...] Repent and turn from all your Transgressions — Cast away from you all your Transgressions whereby y [...] have Transgressed. All avoidable Sins, such a Gross Sins, are turned from and cast away where there is sincere Repentance. Such th [...] as hold on in the ordinary Commission of g [...] Iniquities, do not heartily Repent of them [...] they be never so full of their Confessions [...] them, and seeming Lamentations for them [...] is then a Vain Thought that we Repent, wh [...] we don't Reform in this Case. Let not th [...] such a Vain Thought lodge within us; but let [...] on the other hand think, that if we duely Co [...] our Sins, we shall forsake them. With peni [...] Ephraim we shall say, What have we any more [...] with Idols? And with Holy David we shall [...] able to say, We have refrained our feet from [...] evil way.

THUS for the second Vain Thought c [...] cerning Repentance.

3. IT is a Vain Thought, That Sins of [...] righteousness are Repented of, though there be no d [...] nor design to make Restitution, Such a Though [...] as this, there oftentimes is in the Hearts of [...] righteous Men. They are sensible that [...] [Page 57] have sinned in Stealing from their Neighbour, or defrauding him. Hereupon they may Con­fess their Sin to GOD, and beg the Pardon of it; yet all this while never purpose or take any Care to Restore what is thus unrighteously gotten: Without doing this, they suppose their Repentance is sincere and acceptable to God: But this is a Vain Thought.

For,

1. HE that refuses to make Restitution, does not seriously Confess his unrighteousness to GOD. There ought to be explicite and solemn Confession of known gross Sins to GOD. He that does not thus Confess them to GOD, does not really Re­pent of them. Now such serious and solemn Confession of the Sin of unrighteousness, is not made by one that refuses to Restore dishonest Gain: For if he speaks out all that is in heart, his Confession must run in such Terms as these. Lord, I acknowledge mine Iniquity, in Tres­passing against my Neighbour. I have sinned in that I have wronged him in his Wordly Interests. How­ever, I purpose not to do him Right; but to Live and die in the Possession of what I have unjustly gotten from him. Can such a Confession as this be called Serious? Is it not rather a mocking of, and trifling with the most High GOD?

2. HE that refuses to make Restitution, does not really hate and grieve for the Sin of unrighteousness, which he has been guilty of. Nothing is more clear than that Repentance includes in it, an hatred of and sorrow for Sins Committed. But how can a Man say that he does hate his unrighteous Action, and is heartily grieved for it, when he has no [Page 58] will to Restore what he has unrighteously Gain­ed? These things are utterly inconsistent. Did a Man indeed abhor the injustice he has perpe­trated and were he afflicted in spirit for it, he would labour to repair the damage he has thereby done to his Neighbour. Men do but falsely pre­tend that they hate and are grieved for an un­just Acquisition, while they contentedly abide in a possession equally unjust: How could they quietly keep what they have deceitfully gotten, if they had the least spark of Godly sorrow for their deceitful Dealing? While Men wil­lingly neglect to make Restitution, they do but delude themselves in thinking they have th [...] Godly sorrow for their Sin, which worketh Re­pentance unto Salvation. Were it sound Repen­tance it would bring forth the fruits of Righ­teousness and Honesty is Evidences thereof.

3. HE that refuseth to make Restitution lives in the Omission of a plain Duty. 'Tis evident, that he does not really Repent of his unrighteousness, who neglects to do what GOD requires of him in that Case: For by neglecting to do what GOD Commands him, he adds Sin to Sin; and con­sequently is so far from Repenting of what h [...] has done, that he becomes more Guilty in the sight of GOD. Now by refusing to restor [...] unjust Gain, Men are disobedient to GOD, they don't do, what they stand bound to do by th [...] Law of GOD. There is a twofold Law which in this Case they do Transgress; they Transgress the Law of Christian Charity. The Command of GOD is that in Matth. 19.19. Thou shalt lo [...] thy Neighbour as thy self. We must Love our [Page 59] Neighbour with the same Truth of Love, as we do our selves, though not with the same Degree of Love. But how can Men say that they as truely Love their Neighbour as they do them­selves, when they have wronged him, and won't do him Right? Of true Love it is said, That it worketh no ill to his Neighbour, Rom. 13.10. It won't hurt him in his Estate; but will rather help him, and promote his outward welfare.

Again,

THEY Transgress the Law of Equity. The Command of GOD is that in Mic. 6.8. Do Justly; and that in Prov 3.27. Withold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Tho' it be in the power of our hand to withold it from him, yet we ought not to do it; but should restore it to him. Is it not a just thing to give every Man that which is his own? Is there any Man living that does not know this to be just and equal? Is not this the Foundation of all Laws and Courts of Judi­cature for the securing every Man's Property? Nay, Do not the Early Dictates of natural Light, teach even little Children to say, That's mine, give me it? Men then cannot but know that 'tis a Point of Justice to return to every Man that which is his. And when it respects themselves. they can instantly see the Equity in it, and reck­on those Unjust, who keep that from them, which of Right belongs to them. Such then as refuse to Restore what they have unjustly gotten from their Neighbour, are transgressors of the Law of Charity and Equity; and while they are willingly and resolvedly so, how can it be tho't that they Repent of their unrighteousness? They [Page 60] do indeed approve of it, persist in it; and hold fast Deceit, refusing to let it go.

LET not then such a Vain Thought lodge wi [...] us. But on the other hand, let us think, th [...] We ougth to do so to others, as we would they sh [...] do to us. We should suppose our selves to be i [...] th [...]ir Case, and they in ours, and then do by th [...] as we would in reason have them do by [...] This is the Golden Rule by which we shoul [...] regulate our Carriage towards Man. Let us a [...] tend this Rule in giving to every one their D [...] as we would have them do to us. Let us [...] solve to do that which is Lawful and Righ [...] restoring the Pledge, and giving again, that wh [...] we have sinfully taken away. Rather than [...] back from any Man that which is his, le [...] be ready to say with Zacheus, If I have wro [...]g [...] any Man, behold I restore him four fold. This is [...] way to Live and not Die: This is to put a [...] the accursed thing, which if detained, [...] bring the Curse of GOD upon our Perf [...] and all that we have. For how many ga [...] Estates have been blasted on the account of [...] unrighteous Methods in which they have be gained? As ever then we would expect al [...] Blessing of GOD, Let us, if we have wrong [...] any, make Restitution as far as we are able. [...] add as far as we are able, because in case of r [...] inability to make Restitution, GOD will accept of a willing Mind, joined with a fixed purpose of making Restitution, if ever we be p [...] [...]nto a Capacity for so doing. In this Case th [...] holds true, 2 Cor 8 12. If there be [...]ust a willing [...] that a Man hath, and [...] [Page 61] according to that he hath not A sincere readi­ness to Restore according to our Ability shall find acceptance with GOD; and He will be Merciful to our unrighteousness when it is Re­pented of, with such an honest and ready Dis­position of Heart.

THUS much for the Third Vain Thought concerning Repentance.

4. IT is a Vain Thought, That Repentance is no Gospel Duty. This is the most Vain and worst Thought of all, and yet a Thought by some entertained; they call Repentance a Legal Duty, and the Preaching of it Legal Preaching, they think that a Child of GOD ought not to be troubled for his Sins; and that it does not be­come a Gospel-Spirit to grieve and sorrow for Miscarriages. They say, that GOD beholds no Iniquity in Jacob, takes no notice of them, as having from Eternity Pardoned them; and there­fore they ought not to Mourn for them: Thus speaks the abominable Antinomian. Such a Thought as this is most pernicious, as it makes Men secure and quiet in Sin and Impenitency. The Vanity of this Thought is so obvious as that little needs be said to Evidence it.

Yet,

1. NOTHING is more clearly revealed in the Gospel to be a Duty, than that of Repentance. 'Tis altogether needless to produce the Multiplied Commands to Repent. It may suffice only to say that Repentance was constantly pressed by Jesus Christ the Author of the Gospel In His Publick Ministry he made it one of the chief Sub­jects [Page 62] which He insisted upon, as being that which He was especially sent to call Sinners unto, Math. 9.13. I am not come to call the Righ­teous but Sinners to Repentance: And it is Recor­ded of Him, that this was His Practice; Mat. 4.17. At that time Jesus began to Preach and to say, Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Mark 1.14, 15. Jesus came into Galilee, Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, saying, Repent ye, and believe the Gospel. Now surely Jesus Christ was a Gospel Preacher, and Preached Repentance as an Evangelical Duty; and not only did He thus Himself; but likewise Commanded His Apostle to Preach the same Doctrine of Repen­tance, Luke 24.46, 47. He said unto them, — That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Prea­ched in his name, among all Nations.

2. REPENTANCE is Commanded in the Gos­pel as necessary to Salvation. 'Tis not only required as a Duty; but as a Duty of absolute neces [...] unto Salvation. Without it Men cannot be Par­doned. Acts 3.19. Repent ye therefore and he Con­verted, that your Sins may be blotted out. Without it Men cannot be Saved; Luke 13 3, 5. Except ye Repent, ye shall likewise Perish. Impenitency will end in Eternal Perdition; Rom. 2.5 after this impenitent heart, treasurest up to thy self Wrath, &c.

WE see then, That it is a Vain Thought, That Repentance is a needless thing, and not calle [...] for in the Gospel. Let not such a Thought lodge in us; but let us know and believe that GOD now Commands all Men every where to Repent, and that if we do not exercise our selves in Re­pentance, we shall Eternally Perish.

THUS much for the Fifth sort of Vain Thoughts, viz. those concerning Repentance.

6. THERE are Vain Thoughts in the Hearts of Sinners concerning Obedience, which are great Hindrances of their being Saved. Sinners do many times take up wrong notions of true Obedience. They think they do indeed Obey GOD, when they do not; and thus falling short in their Obedience, they do miss of Salvation. Some of their Vain Thoughts in this Case may be mentioned.

1. IT is a Vain Thought, That Partial Obedience to the Commandments of GOD is true Obedience. If Men Obey GOD in some things, in many things, they think they Obey Him acceptably, though they don't Obey Him in all things. Thus Men sometimes are seemingly careful and exact in observing the Duties of the First Table of the Law; they seem to be very Religious towards GOD, in performing those Duties of Worship which He requires of them. They Pray to GOD in their Families, they Pray also in Secret, they frequent the Publick Wor­ship and Ordinances of GOD, and are seemingly Devout therein: And now they think they are Dutiful and Obedient Christians, though it may be all this while they neglect the Duties of the Second Table of the Law: They are not Just and Honest in their Dealings, they are not Charitable and Beneficent, they are not Chaste and Sober.

AGAIN, On the other hand, Men are some­times strict Observers of the Second Table o [...] [Page 64] the Law; but are negligent and careless [...]bout the Duties of the First Table of the Law: They are Men of Justice and Honesty, Sober and Temperate, Kind and Charitable: And now they think they are good Livers; and do as much as needs to be done; though all this while they neglect Prayer, Reading of the Holy Scrip­tures and attending on GOD in Gospel Ordi­nances, and Sanctifying the Sabbath: But 'tis a Vain Thought, that such Partial Obedience i [...] Right and well-pleasing Obedience. The Vanity of this Thought thus appears,

1. GOD requires of Men Universal Obedience [...] His Commandments. He does not allow Men [...] dispense with any of His Commands, but en­joins the Observation of them all, without Ex­ception. The more difficult, as well as the m [...] easy, the least as well as the greatest, are a [...] to be complied with. Numb. 15.40. That ye may remember and do all my Commandments. Mat. 28.20. Teaching them to observe all things which [...] have Commanded you. Conformity to the whole Law of GOD is expected and demanded of us. Our Obedience ought to be as extensive as the Law of GOD, reaching to every part of it Every Duty required must be practised, and no one of them willingly Omitted. Unless there be such a Care to keep all the Commandment of GOD, [...]our Obedience is unsound.

2. PARTIAL Obedience is so far from being pleasing to GOD, as that it is exceeding provo­king to Him. The Holy Lord rejects and abhors such half serving of Him. Isa. 1.11, [...]3. To [Page 65] what purpose is the multitude of your Sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord. I am full of the burnt offerings of Rams, an [...] [...] fa [...] of fed Beasts. And I delight not in the blood of Bullocks, or of Lambs, or of He-goats. Bring no more Vain Oblations, incense is an abomination unto me, &c. All these were things which GOD required, and yet the Lord testi­fies his abhorence of them. The reason here­of was because they all this while neglected the Duties of the Second Table of the Law; Ver. 17. Learn to do well, seek Judgment, relieve the Oppressed, judge the Fatherless, plead for the Widow. And our Lord Jesus Christ denounces Woes to such Partial Keepers of GOD's Commandments, Matth, 23.23. Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees, Hypo [...]rites; for ye pay tythe of Mine, and Annise and Cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law, Judgment, Mercy and Faith; these things ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. And most justly may GOD be offen­ded at such partial Obedience. For there is no regard to the Authority of GOD in such Obe­dience. Things are to be done for this reason because GOD Commands them: Psal. 119.4, 5. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! The Authority of GOD should be the ground of our Obedience; but now such as are par­tial in their Obedience, have no respect to the Authority of GOD: If that were their Mo­tive to keep any of the Commandments of GOD, it would move them to keep all His Command­ments; for the Authority of GOD is alike unstamped on all the Commandments. Such then are Guilty of Contempt of the Divine Au­thority. [Page 66] Again, in partial Obedience there is no Exercise of Love to GOD: Our Obedience ought to flow from a Principle of [...]ove to GOD. And when it does so, is will make us study to do all GOD's Will, 1 Joh. 5.3. For this is the Love of God, that we keep his Commandments; and his Commandments are not grievous. None of the Commands of GOD are grievous or distastefull to one that truly Loves GOD: He likes then all, and endeavours to keep them all. Such then as Obey some Commands, and disobey others, do nothing from Love to GOD W [...] then may GOD be displeased at what they do.

FROM these things it appears that Partial Obedience is not right and acceptable Obedience. Let us not then vainly think that it is true O­bedience: But on the other hand, let us think that Integrity or Universality is essential to E­vangelical Obedience: And accordingly let [...] shew our selves Cordial Friends to Christ, by doing whatsoever He has Commanded us. Let [...]s be such as Zecharias and Elizabeth, who walked in all the Commandments and Ordinan­ces of the Lord blameless. Let us have a Con­scientious respect to all GOD's Commandments, then shall we not be ashamed.

THUS for the First Vain Thought concerning Obedience.

1 IT is a Vain Thought, That meer extend Obedience is true Obedience. Some Men think, that [...] they do outwardly conform to the Law of GOD, they Obey it sufficiently and acceptably. [Page 67] Thus the Pharisees esteemed themselves very strict observers of the Law of GOD, when they only kept it Externally, doing no more than the outward Duties of Religion. So many suppose, that if they are outwardly blameles [...] and regular, that they do as much as GOD calls for. If they perform Duties of Religious Worship as to the outward Acts of them; if they are Just and Honest, Sober, Chast and Charitable, they think they are Righteous Per­sons that duely observe the Commandments of GOD. But this is a Vain Thought, as thus appears,

1. GOD requires inward Obedience of Men, and that Principally. The Law of GOD is a Spiri­tual Law, Rom. 7.14. The Law is Spiritual. It is given as a Law to the Soul and Spirit of a Man. It reaches all the Faculties of the Soul, all the Affections of the Heart, and the Actings of them, requiring their Conformity thereunto. The Law of GOD is to be kept with our Spirits, as well as with our Bodies. GOD calls for the Heart and Spirit in His Service, Joh. 4.23, 24. The true Worshippers shall Worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth; for the Father seeketh such to Worship him. God is a Spirit, and they that Worship him, must Worship him in a Spirit and [...] Truth. The Heart and Spirit must be engaged in all our Worship and Obedience. This is the Life and Soul of all Obedience: This GOD chiefly minds and calls for, Jer. 30.21. — For who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto m [...]st saith the Lord. Where therefore the Heart is wanting, GOD is not obeyed as He ought to be, though Men be never so outwardly [Page 68] exact in what they do. If their inward Thoughts, Desires, Aims and Ends are not regulated by the Holy Law of GOD, they do not rightly obey GOD, though their Speeches and outward Actions be never so Conformed to the Law of GOD. Outside Obedience, is the least part of Obedience: Spiritual Obedience is the chief.

2. OUTWARD Obedience without Inward, it exceeding displeasing to GOD. So far is GOD from taking up satisfied therewith, as that H [...] abhorrs it. To turn GOD off with meer out side Service, is hateful Hypocrisy or Formality, which are abomidable unto GOD. Thus our Lord testifies concerning the Hypocritical Scril [...] and Pharisees, Matth. 15.7, 8. Ye hyphocrites, a [...] did Esaias Prophesy of you, saying, This People draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, but their heart is far from me. And upon this Account our Lord denounces a Woe unto them, Matth. 23, 27, 2 [...]. Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees, Hyphocrites; for ye are like unto whited Sepulchers, which indeed ap­pear beautiful outward, but are within full of [...] Men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto Men, but within ye are full of Hypocrisy and Iniquity. Men that are only externally Religious, are no better tha [...] Painted Sepulchres, most loathsome to the Holy GOD. Though their Lives be never so spe­cious and beautiful in the [...]ye of the World; yet if in their Hearts they do not Love GOD, Delight in Him, Desire Him. [...]ea [...] and Reverence Him, all is disregarded of GOD. He make no Account of Bodily Exercises, when the Heart is witheld from them. If Men come up [Page 69] to the Publick Worship of GOD, and outwardly attend on His Ordnances; yet if their Hearts go after their Covetousness, or any other Lust, GOD regards them not. If Men Pray long and often, yet if their Hearts go not out to GOD, and Pant not after Communion with Him, He regards not their Prayers. If Men give Alms, dispense their Bounties, yet not with a willing and cheerful Mind readily complying with the call of GOD thereto, the Lord regards it not. Let us not then harbour such a Thought in us, as if meer Bodily Obedience were Sin­cere and True Obedience. But on the other hand, Let us think, that if we would accepta­bly obey GOD, we must obey with and from the Heart. With our Spirits we must serve Him, approving our Hearts to Him in all our ways. With our whole Man we must obey Him, Labouring to Glorify GOD both with our Bodies and with our Spirits: Knowing, that if we have both pure hands and a clean heart, we shall ascend into the Hill of the Lord, and stand in His Holy Place above, and there see the Lord and be like Him.

THUS for the Second Vain Thought con­cerning Obedience.

3. IT is a Vain Thought, That our own Per­sonal Obedience is that which does Justify us in the sight of GOD. The Jews in the Apostles times we possessed with this imagination, that they might be Justified by their own Righteousness, a Righteousness of their own working out. They endeavoured to keep the Law, expecting thereby [Page 70] to Justify themselves before GOD. Thus says the Apostle concerning them, Rom. 9.32. They sought Righteousness by the works of the Law. And again, Chap. 10.3. They go about to establish their own Righteousness. Thus do many that call them­selves Christians: They think their own Wo [...] and Obedience can Justify them before the [...] of GOD: But this is a Proud and Vain Thought

For,

1. OUR own Obedience cannot, [...]stify for our Sin, and therefore cannot Justify us before GOD. Justi­fication includes in it an exemption from Con­demnation, on the Account of Sin. A Justifyed Person has no matter of Guilt laid to his Charge. Rom. 8 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect? It is God that justifyeth. He that i [...] Justifyed is acquitted and absolved, all Hi [...] Sins are answered for. That then which Justi­fies us, does Justify us from all our Iniquities; 'tis that in consideration whereof GOD Pardon [...] all our Sins, and absolves us from the Curse of the Law; 'tis that which is the ground and cause of the Remission of Sin. If it does not re­move our Guilt and free us from Condemnation, it does not Justify us in the sight of GOD. Now this our own Obedience, cannot possibly do; it cannot make amends for our Sins. Our best Obedience is what we owe to GOD, and therefore can't be my Satisfaction for past Sins. The most Holy Men cannot Answer for the least of all their Sins; Job 9.2, 3 How should Man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. All out Duties, and all our Sufferings won't satisfy for any of our Sins; the best of them are defective [Page 71] and defiled so as to need Pardon, and there­fore cannot procure Pardon for us. 'Tis only the Righteousness of Jesus Christ, that satisfies Divine Justice for our Sins, and for the sake whereof all our Sins are forgiven; Eph. 4.32. Go [...] for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. For the sake of His Satisfaction GOD forgives Sin to us, and not for the sake of any Satisfaction given by our selves. We are therefore said to be Justified by the Blood of Christ, Rom. 5.9. And 'tis that alone which cleanses from all Sin, 1 Joh. 1.7. 'Tis His Blood which pacifies GOD, and turns away His Anger from us, and re­conciles us to GOD; Rom. 5.10. When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son.

2. OUR own Obedience cannot Merit Eternal Life for us, and therefore cannot Justify us before GOD. Justification includes in it a Right to Eternal Life; 'tis therefore called, Justification unto Life, Rom. 5.18. A Justified Person is ad­judged worthy of Eternal Life, and is look'd upon as one that has a Just Title to Eternal Life; that then which Justifies a Man before GOD, Merits Eternal Life for him, and is that upon the Account whereof Eternal Life is bestowed on him. A Justifying Righteousness, is a Meritorious Righteousness, which procures for us a Title to Glory. Now this our own Obedience cannot possibly do. Our most exact Obedience, is far short of what we owe to GOD. Our most Holy Performances, are interwoven with a great deal of Iniquity. So imperfect and polluted are our best Duties, [Page 72] that the Condescention of GOD is to be A­dored in taking the least Gracious Notice of them. Far are they from Meriting the smalle [...] Favour, much more from Meriting Eternal Ble [...] sedness. Heaven is not a Debt due to us from Justice, but a gift of Grace thro' Jesus Christ our Lord, Rom. 6. ult. 'Tis not our Obedien [...] that purchases Heaven for us, but 'tis the O­bedience of Jesus Chirst in our stead that M [...] ­rits it for us. Our Obedience may Evidence our Title to Eternal Life, but 'tis the Obedience of Jesus Christ that procures this Title for us. 'Tis he that has obtained Eternal Redemption f [...] us, Heb. 9.12.

3. OUR Sincere Obedience follows our Justifica­tion, and therefore cannot be that by which we [...] Justified before GOD. The Objects of Justifying Grace, are ungodly Sinners; Rom. 4.5. To [...] that worketh not, but believeth on him that Ju [...]ti­fieth the ungodly. They are ungodly before they are Justified, though they do not continue un­godly after they are Justified; for in the sa [...] moment wherein they are Justified, they are ali [...] renewed by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ Justification and Sanctification are inseparabl [...] joined together, 1 Cor. 6 11. Such were s [...]e [...] you; but ye are wasted, but ye me sanctified, but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God. None then are Justified continuing in Sin and under the Power them. o [...]; for the Benefit of Sanctification always g [...]es along with Justification. Yet however, [...]i [...]n are not Godly, do not lead Religiou [...] and Godly Lives, until they are Justified [Page 73] They do no works Spiritually Good and pleasing [...]o GOD, till they are brought into a Justified [...]tate. GOD is first reconciled to Men's Per­sons and then to their Works; Gen. 4.4. And the Lord had respect unto Abel, and his offering. His Person was first accepted into Favour with GOD, and then his Sacrifice was accep­ted and well pleasing to GOD. We see then that our own Obedience does not Justify us before GOD. By the works and deeds of the Law, (which means our Obedience which is made up of such works,) shall no flesh be Justified in his sight, Rom. 3.20. Let us not then trust [...]o our own Righteousness for Justification; but let us renounce our own Obedience, as to depen­dance thereon for Justification. We must not renounce Obedience as to the practice of it, but we must labour to grow more exact there­in, and hold on in the course of it, as that whereby GOD will be Honoured, and our own Comfort, Peace and Salvation be promo­ted. Yet however we are not to depend upon it, for Pardon and Life. In this respect we are to look off from it, as insufficient to procure Mercy and Salvation for us; and we are to look only to the Obedience of Jesus Christ to the Death for us, as that in consideration whereof GOD will forgive us all our Sins, and receive us into His Favour and Kingdom. 'Tis the alone Righteousness of Jesus Christ whereon we must rest, and which we must bring to, and Plead with GOD for, the Re­mission our Sins, and the Salvation of our Souls. If we are thus careful to keep all the Commandments of GOD, and yet while we [Page 74] so do, have our entire dependance on the Righteousness of Jesus Christ, for our Justifica­tion before GOD, then are we in the true way to Life Eternal: Our Souls are then safe, and shall not miscarry. We then do as the Holy Apostle Paul did; who is a sure Guide to us in this Case, Phil. 3.8, 9 Yea doubtless, and I account all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for when I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by Faith.

THUS much for the sixth sort of Vain Thoughts.

7. THERE are Vain Thoughts in the hearts of Sinners concerning Faith, which are great Hin­drances of their being Saved. True Faith is es­sential to Salvation. So it is declared to be in the Gospel, Mark 16.16. He that believeth shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. Without Faith there is no Salvation; but cer­tain Damnation: If Men therefore miss of Faith, they Perish for ever. Now there is scarce any thing that more endangers our missing of it, than a Vain Imagination that we are pos­sessed of it when indeed we are not. And how many are there that think they are true Be­lievers, when they are far from being so? They take that to be saying Faith, which is not so; and thence are deceived about them­selves. Here I shall mention some of their Vain Thoughts in this case.

[Page 75]1. IT is a Vain Thought, That a meer belief of the Gospel is a saving Faith. In the Days of the Apostles there were some who thought if they were perswaded of the Truth of the Gos­pel and made a Profession of it, that they were True Believers and should be Saved. They rested in a naked Assent to the Gospel Reve­lation of Jesus Christ. Such as these the A­postle James does particularly write against in his Epistle. And as there was then, so there are still many who think, that if they give Credit to the Doctrines of the Gospel, they are such Believers as have the Promise of Salvation made to them: And hence 'tis that many reckon upon being Saved, because they belong to that Body of Christians, whom they suppose to be most Orthodox and sound in the Faith: But this is a Vain Thought as will appear from two things.

1. A meer belief of the Gospel, is what may be found in Hypocrites and Wicked Persons. The worst of men may be Believers of Gospel Truths: In the Holy Scriptures we have many Recor­ded Instances of this kind: We Read of such as were Convinced of the Truth of Christ's Doctrine and that assented thereto, who yet w [...]e vile Persons. Thus in Joh. 6.14. Then [...] Men, when they had seen the Miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a Truth that Prophet that should come into the World. They believed Him to be the Messiah, the Great Prophet came from GOD; and so prevalent was their Con­viction and Perswasion, that they would needs make Him their King, Ver. 15. There were about to come and take him by fo [...]ce, to make that 1 Kings. [Page 76] And yet these same Persons not long after, turn Professed Enemies to Him. Thus it is also said of Simon Magus, that he Believed and will Baptized, Acts 8.13. He ackowledged the Truth of the Gospel, and joined himself to the Church; and yet we find in Ver. 23. That he was in the gall of bitterness and bond of Iniquity. He was all this while under the Dominion of Sin.

2. A meer Belief of the Gospel, is to be found in the Devils themselves. They Believe the Ex­istence of GOD, Jam. 2.19. Thou believest there is one God, thou dost well; the Devils also believe and tremble. They have such a Belief of a GOD as fills them with dread and horror. They Believe there is a Jesus or Saviour for Sinful Men; Acts 19.15. And the evil spiri [...] said, Jesus I know. They Believe that this Jesus is the Son of GOD, and that He will it their Judge and Destroyer, Mat. 8.29. And they cryed out, saying, what have we to do with thee, Jesus thou son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time. Mark 1.24. Let [...] alone, what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I k [...] thee who thou art, the holy one of God. Th [...] Believe the Gospel to contain the Doctrine of Salvation, Acts 16.16, 17. The evil Spirit which Possessed the Damsel, spake by her, at least moved her to speak and say, These Men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto [...] the way of Salvation. Those evil Spirits do be­lieve all the Doctrins of revealed Religion, and therefore do in all Ages raise up Hereticks and false Teachers to corrupt and oppose those D [...]ctrines.

[Page 77]WE see then, that a Faith of Assent is to be found in the worst of Men; yea, in very Devils. This then cannot be saving Faith. In­deed, saving Faith does include this Assent in it: Yet this Assent alone is far from being justifying and saving Faith. Let us not then rest in such a dead Faith as this is, lest we Perish forever. Jam. 2.14. What doth it profit my brethren, though a Man say, he hath Faith and have not Works; can Faith save him? No is cannot.

2. IT is a Vain Thought, That great Confi­dence of Salvation, is saving Faith. Some there be that are under a strong Perswasion that they shall be Saved; they make no doubt of going to Heaven, when they go out of this World; they are full of Confidence concerning their future happy Estate. Now this Confidence they account saving Faith: But this may prove a Vain Thought.

For,

1. SUCH great Confidence may be, and often­times is, a fruit of gross Ignorance. Men oftentimes know not what an horrid Evil Sin is, and what dreadful Wrath it deserves: They know not how Holy and Just that GOD is, against whom they have Sinned: They know not what that Faith and Holiness is, without which no Man shall see the Lord. In short, they know very little of their Sin, Duty and Dan­ger. And when Men are thus Ignorant, 'tis not to be wondered at, that they are so Confident. Their gross Ignorance involves them in senseless Security: They see not their Danger, and so fear nothing. And hence many times they go [Page 78] out of the World with great hopes and expec­tations of Happiness; which is indeed nothing but a pleasing Dream of such as are asleep in Sin, thro' the Blindness of their Minds, and when they awake in the other World, they find it to be so. 1 Thes. 5.3 When they say, peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh, &c.

2. SUCH great Confidence may be, and oftentimes is, built upon a false Foundation. Men sometimes have seeming grounds for their great Confidence; there is something or other which they found their Confidence upon, though it be but a sa [...] ­d [...] Foundation. Of this nature is their Pro­fession of Religion, their participation in Privi­leges and common Gifts of the Spirit; [...] which we shall have occasion to speak mo [...] distinctly hereafter. These are the things which cherish and support the Hope and Confidence of Hypocrites; but these are broken Reeds to lean upon which will not prevent their drop­ping down into the Pit of Destruction. Job 8.13, 14. The Hypocrites hope shall perish: Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spid [...] web.

LET us not then be deceived with a Vai [...] and false Confidence. But let us see to it that our Confidence be well-grounded, and thereby discover it self to be a Gracious fruit of saving Faith. If it be built upon Jesus Christ, the only sure Foundation and Rock of our Salvation; if it be grounded on His Merits and Mediation; and if it be accompanied with diligent Endea­vours to Purify our selves as He is Pure; the [...] is our Confidence such, whereof we shall not [Page 79] be ashamed; 1 Joh. 3.3. He that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, &c.

THUS for the seventh sort of Vein Thoughts.

8. THERE are Vain Thoughts in the hearts of Sinners concerning Love to Christ, which are great hindrances of their being Saved. Love to Christ is necessary to Salvation by Jesus Christ. He that Loveth not our Lord Jesus Christ will be accursed; 1 Cor. 16.22. If Men therefore are deceived about their Love to Christ, and think they do really Love Him, when indeed they do not, they are in great danger of Perish­ing Eternally. Now it is a common thing for Men to profess Love to Christ, when as in Truth they are far from Loving Him aright: They have wrong Thoughts, mistaken Notions concerning true Love to Christ, which prove [...]tal to them in the Issue. I shall here name some of their Vain Thoughts in this Case.

1. IT is a Vain Thought, That Jesus Christ is sincerely Loved, when there is an allowed abiding Love to any Sin whatsoever. There is indeed some de­gree of Love to Sin in all such as do dearly Love our Lord Jesus Christ. Their Love to it is not wholly taken away, but there are some remains of affection to Sin in them, and will be so as long as they are in this World. Yet however, this Love to Sin is disallowed and lamented. It is a grief and trouble to them to find in their Hearts any workings of good­will towards Sin, any tendencies unto delight in Sin. These relicks of Love to Sin, are the [Page 80] lead and burden of their Souls; and being so, they are consistent with sincere Love to Jesus Christ.

BUT now, When Love to any Sin is al­lowed, cherished and willingly entertained in the heart, there is no sincere Love to Christ in that heart Yet many may think, that Christ may be their Beloved, though they harbour some Beloved Lust in their Bosoms. They think they may have a friendship for Christ, and a friendship for some Sin too. If some that evidently take pleasure in Iniquity were asked, whether they really Loved Christ, they would say, they hop'd they did; and would be much offended if they should be account [...] Enemies and haters of Christ; yet such they really are; and their thought of Love to Chri [...] is a most Vain Thought.

For,

1. THOSE that Love Christ do Love Communion with Christ, and therefore cannot have an allow [...] love for Sin, which separates from Christ. A Lover of Christ, is one that greatly desires and delight in Communion with Jesus Christ. Cant. 1.5. Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where th [...] makest thy Flocks to rest at noon. A Lover of Christ seeks for Opportunities of Fellowship and Converse with Jesus Christ. This is what his Soul longs for, as that which is most sweet and refreshing to him; Cant. 2 3. I sat under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet unto my taste. No such pleasant Moments as those wherein they draw nigh to Christ, and Christ draws nigh to them: Such inter­course as this, is Heaven begun upon Earth [Page 81] and is what they would have continued and not interrupted. Hence they cannot but hate Sin which deprives them of Communion with Jesus Christ, and seperates between Him and them. They know that Sin is a Bar, and the only Bar, in the way of their sweet Fellowship with Christ, and therefore they cannot allow themselves in any Love to it. 'Tis absolutely impossible for Men to hold up delightful Com­munion with Christ, and delightful Communion with any Lust. This is in Religion a pure, flat Contradiction. 'Tis a most Vain Imagination, that Men may take pleasure in Filthiness, In­ [...]emperance, &c. and take real Pleasure in Communion with Christ too; 1 Joh. 1.6. If [...]e say that we have fellowship with him, and walk [...] darkness, we lie. 'Tis a lie, to say or think that we have Fellowship with Christ, when we maintain Converse with any Sin. For as the Apostle says in 2 Cor 6.14. What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? These can­not be joined together and united in a way of Communion: He that cleaves to the one will and must of necessity forsake the other.

2. THOSE that Love Christ, do Love the Com­mandments of Christ; and therefore cannot have an allowed Love for Sin, which is a breach of His Com­mandments. A Lover of Christ's Person is a Lover of His Precepts, Joh. 14.23. If a man Love me he will keep my words. Love is an officious Grace, which inclines to the doing the will of the Person beloved. One that really Loves Christ, chooses Him for his Lord and King, to [Page 82] Serve and Obey. He Loves and Delights in the Commandments of Christ; Psal. 119.97. O h [...] l [...]ve I [...] Law! His Love to it is exceeding great▪ And not only does he Love some of the Commandments of Christ, but all of them; Psal. 119.127, 128. Theref [...]re I live th [...] Command­ments above go [...]d▪ yea above fine g [...]d: I esteem [...] thy Precepts to be right. Now he that thee Loves the Law of GOD universally, cannot allow himself in a Love to any Sin. There­fore the Psalmist adds in the last cited pla [...] And I hate every fa [...]se way. He that Loves all GOD's ways, must hate every Evil way: For all Sin is a Transgression of GOD [...]s Law; 'tis a direct contrariety to the Law of GOD▪ 'Tis therefore impossible for a Man to Lov [...] GOD's Law and not to hate Sin: For tha [...] which moves h [...]m to Love the Law of GOD, must necessarily move him to hate Sin He Loves the Law of GOD because it is J [...]st, Holy and Good, and therefore he must hate Sin, which is unjust, unholy and evil.

3. THOSE that [...]ve Christ do L [...]ve the Glory of Christ, and theref [...]re cannot hate an a [...]we [...] Let [...] Sin wh [...]ch d [...]s [...]urs Christ. A true Lover of Christ, has his Heart [...]t for the Honour of Christ; he is most tender of the Glory of Christ, and makes that the great end of his Life; P [...]l 1.20, 21. Christ sha [...] be magn [...]fied in [...] body, whether [...]t [...]e in Life or by Death. H [...] to me to live it [...] Rom. 14 8. [...] F [...]r w [...]e [...]er we [...] we live [...] the Lord. Such as Love Christ, have a great respect to the Name and Ho [...]y of Christ: They Rejoice when Christ is Glorified by others, [Page 83] and they desire to Glorify Him themselves. How such as are so concerned for the Glory of Christ cannot allow themselves in Love be sin, which does re [...]lect dishonour upon Christ. It cannot be that a Man should take delight in the Glory of Christ, and yet take delight in that which robs Christ of the Glory due to him.

WE see then, that Men do not really Love Christ, if they maintain a reserved love for [...]n: Any darling bosom Lust is inconsistent with true Love to Christ. Let us not think that we Love Christ, when we are in Love and [...]eague with any Lust: But let us be fully perswaded in our selves, that if we Love the [...]ord, we shall hate all Evil, Psal. 97.10. If Christ have the Predominant Affection of our [...]uls, we shall say to every once beloved-Lust, [...]et ye hence. Though a Lust has been as dear [...]o us as a right Hand or a right Eye, we shall out it off, and pluck it out, and cast it away from us.

THUS for the first Vain Thought.

2. IT is a Vain Thought, That Christ is sincerely Loved, when the World is more Loved than Christ. Men are apt to think that they are real Lo­vers of Christ, though they are more passionate Lovers of the World. How many are there whose hearts are so set upon this World, as that they will Transgress the Rules of Christ [...] get a little of the World? How many are there that will customarily neglect Duties of Communion with Jesus Christ that they may [...]ve more time to follow their Worldly Affairs? [Page 84] They neglect Family Prayer, Secret Prayer, Publick Ordinances through a greedy desire of Gain. Such as these do Love and Prize the World more than they do Jesus Christ, and yet they suppose they have an hearty Love for Jesus Christ: But the Thought of such Worldly. minded Professors is a Vain Thought, as will appear from these two things.

1. SUCH as do sincerely Love Jesus Christ, do account Him the most amiable Object, and therefore can't Love any Creature more than Jesus Christ. There is more of Loveliness in Jesus Christ, than in the whole Creation: For He is the Great GOD Infinite in Goodness and Excel­lency: There is none like Him, none that may be compared with Him for Amiablene [...] This is what every true Lover of Christ is fully assured of. The Language of his Soul concern­ing Christ is that, Cant. 5.10, 16. He is the chiefest among ten thousands, he is altogether Love [...]. He sees a surpassing Beauty in Jesus Christ; Psal. 45.2. Thou art fairer than the Children of M [...]n. He is so as to His Human Nature, and every one that Loves Christ, sees that Man Christ Jesus to be far more Glorious and desirable than all Men or Angels. Now they who do esteem Jesus Christ to be so Transcendently Lovely, do Love Him above all things in the World; they see Him to be most worthy of their Love, and accordingly do give unto Him the Preference in their Affection. Their Sanctified Judgment concerning the matchless Excellency of Jesus Christ, does draw forth their Superlative Love to Him: None is so Lovely in their Eyes [Page 85] as Jesus Christ, and therefore none is so Belo­ved of their Souls as Jesus Christ.

2. SUCH as sincerely Love Jesus Christ, do ac­ [...]t Him their Blessedness, and therefore cannot Love the World more than Jesus Christ. An Interest in Him and the Enjoyment of Him, is th [...] which makes Eternally Blessed and Happy, 1 Thes. [...].17. And so shall we ever be with the Lord. To be for ever with Him, is to be forever perfectly Blessed: This is what every Lover of Christ is sensible of. He sees all Good, Infinite Goo [...] to be laid up in Jesus Christ; this makes him to say, Whom have I in Heaven but thee, and there is none upon Earth, that I desire besides thee, Psal. 11.15. Jesus Christ is the great Object of the desires of his Soul; so as that he is willing to have this World, and go away from all the most desirable Enjoyments of it, that he might be with Jesus Christ, Phil. 1.23. Having a desire to depart, and be with Christ, which is for better. The World in his eye is a vain empty thing compared with the Blessed Jesus, and therefore he can chearfully exchange the World for Christ. Where a Man's Treasure is, there is his heart: Math. 6.21. If Christ then be our Treasure, our Portion, He will have our Hearts.

WE see then that 'tis a Vain Thought, That such as Value the World more than Christ, do unfeignedly Love Christ; let not such a Vain Thought lodge within us: But let us be assu­red, that if we inordinately Love the World, the Love of Christ is not in us. If we Love [...]ther of Mother, Son or Daughter more than Christ, we are not worthy of Him. If we [Page 86] don't Love Christ above all things, we don't Love Him in Sincerity. If He be not our best Beloved He is not the Beloved of our Souls. Nothing is Loved so much as Christ, but every thing is Loved for less than Christ, by every one that is a true Lover of our Lord Jesus Christ.

THUS much for the Eighth sort of Vain Thoughts.

9. THERE are Vain Thoughts in the he [...]i [...] of Sinners concerning Conversion, which are gre [...] Hindrances of their being Saved. Except sinners be Converted they cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Matth. 18.3. Without Conversion there can be no Salvation. Now Sinners oftentimes do think themselves real Converts when in­deed they are not; and this false Judgment which they pass upon themselves, proceeds from their Vain, mistaken Thoughts about so and Conversion. They take that to be sin­cere Conversion, which is not so. Some of their Vain Thoughts in this Case may here be mentioned.

1. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That Conviction is Conversion. There are but few Sinners, who live for any considerable time under the Faithful Preaching of the Gospel, but what do Expe­rience some Work of Conviction. The Holy Spirit does ordinarily so far accompany the Ministry of the Word, as thereby, in some de­gree, to Convince Sinners of their Sin and Misery. They are many times so awakned as to be full of trouble, fear and terror, which may produce Mourning for Sin, and prevent [Page 87] the taking that delight in it as formerly they did. Such is their Consternation through the Apprehension of their danger of Perishing under the Wrath of GOD, that they do bewail their past Sins, wish they had not committed them, are concerned about obtaining the Pardon of them, and have some Purposes of turning from them. Now when Sinners are under such a Convincing Sense of the Evil of their Sins and their Danger of Damnation, and are there­by brought to a Confession of their Sin and some Humiliation for it, they are ready to conclude themselves really Converted; because they are brought out of a State of senseless Security in Sin, they think they are brought into a State of Grace; but this may be a Vain Thought.

For,

1 THERE may be great Conviction where there is no saving Conversion. Though there i [...] to Conversion without some previous degree of Conviction, yet there may be strong Con­viction without Conversion. In the Word of GOD we have many Instances of Sinners that were deeply Convinced, and yet were uncon­verted. Cain was under deep Convictions of the Sinfulness and Wretchedness of his condition, yet remained in an unconverted Estate. Judas was under dreadful Convictions, yet Perished in his Iniquity. Faelix was so Convinced of his Guilt and Obnoxiousness to the Judgment of GOD as to tremble, and yet was far from being Converted. From these Examples it is evident that the Spirit of GOD may greatly awaken the Guilty Consciences of Sinners, and give them a terrifying sight of their Sin and [Page 88] Danger, and yet leave them unconverted. All are not brought out of a State of Sin, that are awakened out of Security in Sin.

2. CONVICTIONS may wear [...], and issue in dreadful hardness of heart. This is some­times the sad consequent of Convictions: So far are they from issuing in Conversion that they do issue in much greater hardness. This was the Case of Pharaoh. He was often under clear Con­victions of his Sin, in disobeying the Voice of GOD, yet he waxed harder and harder under all his Convictions: His heart was nothing softened by them, but grew more hardened in his Rebellions against GOD: He contracted greater hardness, and was by the Just Judgment of GOD given up to hardness of heart unto his Destruction. And does not frequent Experience testify, that awakened Sin­ners [...]eturn to their former State of wretched Security in Sin? Their Convictions die away, their troubles for Sin are soon over, their Fears and Concern about their Spiritual and Eternal Condition are at an end, and they grow more easy and quiet in Sin, than ever they were before: They do not cherish but quench the good Motions of the Holy Spirit upon their Souls, whereupon he ceases to strive with them, and so they come to loose all sense and feeling [...]f the Evil of Sin.

WE see then that Conviction is not Con­version: Let us not then [...]est in [...]are Con­ [...]ction, but be [...]estless until it issue in our saving Convers [...]on to GOD [...]o this end bless GOD for Convi [...]tions Than [...]fully entertain [Page 89] all Awakenings from the Spirit of GOD. It is a great Mercy to be roused out of Sinful Security; and it ought to be acknowledged as a Mercy. Pray also to GOD, that He would finish what He has begun, in carrying on the Work of Conviction unto thorow Conversion. Pray earnestly that He who has broken would bind up, and that He who has wounded would Mercifully heal: And give not over Prayer until you find your Convictions to be Sa­ving by the Gracious Fruits and Effects there­of. What these are, I shall for your help, just name to you. Self-loathing and Abhorrence, becoming vile in your own eyes: Self-judging and condemning, really Pronouncing your selves worthy of Wrath, and that GOD would be Just if He should inflict it on you: Self-despair, seeing an utter impotency and help­lesness in your selves to save your own Souls: Sense of your need of an able Saviour and Redeemer, and that Jesus Christ alone is this alsufficient Saviour: Finally, hereupon an Humble accepting of Jesus Christ for your alone Saviour; committing your Souls unto Him, venturing your Souls upon Him, trusting in Him to be Saved from the Guilt, and Power and Punishment of Sin. If by your Convictions you are thus driven out of self, and brought to em­brace Jesus Christ as the only hope, help and Salvation of your Souls, then are your Con­victions Saving, then have they issued in your turning from Sin and self, unto GOD in Christ, which distinguishes them from the Con­victions of H [...]tes, whereby they are de­ceived.

THUS for the first Vain Thought concerning Conversion.

2. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That Reformation is Conversion. Sinners do many times outwardly Reform; there is a visible Amendment in their Lives and Conversations; some Sins which they formerly addicted themselves unto, they do now forbear the practice of them; some Duties which they formerly liv'd in the neglect of, they do now live in the Performance of them. Now, because they are Reformed as to such Sins of Omission and Commission, they think they are Cnoverted Persons: Their external Reformation they look upon as an evidence of their real Conversion: But this may be a Vain Thoughts.

For,

1. THERE may be Outward Reformation where there is no Inward turning from Sin. In true Con­version the Heart and Affections are turned from Sin; the Heart is not toward Sin as formerly it was, but is set against it, it's love to Sin is turned into hatred of it; Its Joy and Delight is turned into Grief and Sorrow for it. Sin to a real Convert is become most loathsome, it is the abominable thing which his Soul hates. Now a Man may be Outwardly Reformed, and yet not thus Inwardly loath and hate Sin. Though he externally turns and abstains from Sin, yet he may inwardly love it as much as ever: His Abstinence from Sin may proceed from a meer sense of the hurt it does him in his Name or Estate. The Disgrace and Damage which attend Sinful practices may make him Reform. Or the meer fear of Damnation may [Page 91] cause a Man to break off a sinful way of Living. His Conscience may fly in his Face, and repre­sent to him the Wrath of GOD which his Sins expose him to: Hereupon he may Reform and amend his ways, yet all this while there is a secret allowed Love to the very Sins ab­stained from; might he commit those Sins and yet Escape Temporal and Eternal Punishment, he would freely venture upon the Commission of them. 'Tis not an inward hatred of Sin which makes him watchful against Sin; but only a fear of the Evil Consequents of Sin; so that the Lusts of such a Person are not subdued and mortified by Grace, but are only restrained by external Motives and Considerations. Sin still bears Dominion in his Soul, though it does not break forth in his Conversation as it was won't to do: There is no change of Heart, though there be somewhat of a change of Life.

2. GREAT Outward Reformation may be follow­ed with a returning to the Practice of Sin. A real Convert never more returns to a course and trade of Sinning: But oftentimes such as have been Reformed, have also fallen back to their Prophanity and Wickedness: Of such we Read, 2 Pet. 2.20, 22. After they have escaped the pol­lutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again intan­gled therein and overcome. It is happened unto them according to the true Proverb, the Dog is turned to his own [...]omit again; and the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. They were outward­ly Reformed, yet afterwards relapsed to their former filthy Practices. Yea, many times such [Page 92] as have greatly Reformed have Returned to their Sins with greater violence than ever: They have proved for more vile It vicious after their Refor­mations, than they were before their Reformation: They wa [...] worse than ever, so that their l [...]t Estate is far worse than the first, Matth. 12.4 [...]. Their Lusts that have been so long restrained, when they come to break forth again, are more impetuous and outragious.

WE see then that Reformation of Life is not Conversion, not always a certain evidence of it. Indeed, there is no Conversion, where there is not Reformation: Yet there may be Reformation where there is not saving Conversion. Let [...] not th [...]n rest in [...]er outward Reformation; but see to it that there be a real internal De­testation of all Sin, as well as an external Al [...] ­ [...]in [...]nce therefrom: When these two are joined together, they are a sure evidence of a Conver­ted Estate. When Sin is turned from both in Heart and Life, so that we can say with Davil. I hate every false way, and have refrained my so [...] from every evil way, then are we undoubtedly the Subjects of Converting Grace.

THUS for the ninth sort of Vain Thoughts.

10. Lastly, THERE are Vain Thoughts in the Hearts of Sinners concerning the Attainment of Salvation, which are great hindrances of their being Saved. Some of their Thoughts in this Case may be named.

1. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That Salvation is easily attained. Such a Thought as this there is [Page 93] commonly in the hearts of sinners; they think [...] 'tis a most easy thing to be saved. Hence it is that they are so careless about their Sal­vation, and do so little towards it, imagining that much need not be done in order to their being saved. It may be, they outwardly at­tend the Publick Worship of GOD on His Holy Day: It may be they do every Day make a cold, slighty Prayer to GOD, and not have Him else in their Thoughts all the Day long. It may be, they do now and then Read in the Holy Scriptures or some Books of Piety, little regarding what they Read, and less concerned [...]o Practice it: These things it may be are the most that they do; and possibly they do not so much as this, and yet they hope in this way to be saved. Nay, sometimes sinners think it so easy a thing to be saved, as that they put off all Concern for their Salvation, till their Dying Day, supposing that a few Moments may suffice for the obtaining Eternal Salvation. Such an imagination as this, is exceeding per­nicious and most Vain.

For,

1. THE Commands of GOD require great Diligence in the Affair of our Salvation. When GOD is calling upon us to secure Salvation to our selves, He [...]ets us know that we must [...]ake pains in order thereunto. Thus our Lord says, Luk. 13.24. Strive to enter in at the strait [...]re; for many, I say unto you shall seek to enter [...], and shall not be able Every sort of seeking, some slight and faint endeavours won't do to bring Men to Salvation. They must Strive to enter in it the strait [...]ate which leads to Eternal [Page 94] Life. The Word here Translated to Strive, signifies the putting forth all our Might and Strength, as the Combatants were won't to do, when they fought for a Prize: And so it plainly intimates, that we must give all Diligence to obtain Salvation. Thus also we have the Apostle giving that Exhortation to Christians, Phil. 2.12. Work out your own Salvation with fear and trem­bling. We must not give way to sloth and negligence, but be diligent in the use of all means conducing to our Salvation; and that with a sollicitous Concern lest we should mist of Salvation through a failure in our Duty. In the Business of our Eternal Salvation we must not be slothful, but fervent, serious and vigo­rous. Whatsoever our hands find to do in this matter, we are to do it with all our might, Eccl. 9.10. The Gospel is full of such calls to Di­ligence, Labour and Watchfulness in order to Salvation. Now these calls do most evi­dently testify unto us, that 'tis no easy thing to be saved. Were the obtaining Salvation a matter of no great Difficulty, all these Com­mands requiring our utmost Diligence, would be needless and impertinent.

2. THE Opposition in the way of Salvation is very great. There are a great many Adversaries that labour to prevent our Salvation. There are Lusts within us, which war against our souls, 1 Pet. 2.11. These Lusts do all that they can to hinder the Salvation, and to procure the Destruction of our Souls. They obstruct us in doing those Duties which tend to the Salvation of our Souls, and they sollicit us to the Com­mitting [Page 95] those Sins which tend to the ruin of our Souls. Indwelling Sin is an active Princi­ple, never idle, but always working more or less. And all its actings are constantly against the good and welfare of our Souls. Again, there is Satan who is a restless opposer of our Salvation; 1 Pet. 5.8. Your Adversary the Devil, as a roaring Lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour. His constant work and business is to tempt Men to Sin and so to bring Destructi­on upon them. He watches all Opportunities and takes hold of all Advantages to make them Sinful and Miserable. Again, There is the World which is full of Snares and Temptations. The Men of this World by their evil Counsels and Examples, by their promises and threatnings, do much endanger our Salvation. The Things also of this World, thro' the inordinate Appetites in us after them, do very much oppose our Salvation. Our hearts are apt to be too much taken with them, too much set upon them, to the neglect of GOD and our Souls: Yea, we are too apt to abuse them by excess to the satisfying our Lusts, and so to the destroying our Souls. There is then a great deal of Opposition both from within and without which we meet with in the way to Salvation. The adversaries are many, and potent, and skilfull to Destroy. It is not then an easy matter to withstand all this opposition, and to break thro' it unto Sal­vation. We must daily Watch and Pray, and have our eve to Jesus Christ, that His Grace may be sufficient for us, or we shall assuredly Perish by the hands of our Enemies.

[Page 96]3. THE Duties required in order Salvation are exceeding Difficult. Indeed, The Commands of Christ are not in themselves grievous, 1 Joh. 5.3. But his yoke is easy, Matth. 11.28. Christ's Com­mands in their own Nature are Easy, Pleasant and Delightful; and as far as Persons are re­newed and assisted by the Holy Spirit, they do in some measure experimentally find them so: Yet however, thro' the Corruption of our Na­ture, Obedience to the Commands of Christ is become impossible to unregenerate Persons, and difficult to the Regenerate in some degree, and especially at some times. There are some Duties so contrary, and cross to the Corrupt Inclina­tions of Nature, that they cannot readily be performed without much watchfulness over our own Spirits, and very much assistance from our Lord Jesus Christ: Of this nature, are those Duties required. Math. 5.44. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. 'Tis no easy thing for Men who are subject to sinful Passions and Infirmi­ties to do these things. Nor is it an easy thing to be content with every Condition, to give Thanks in every thing, to trust in GOD at all times, to deny our selves, and take up our Cross and follow Christ. These are things which we cannot do without special and abundant Assistance from GOD our Saviour, Phil. 4.13.

4. DUTIES of Obedience though difficult must be persevered in to the end. 'Tis not enough that we Obey GOD for a time, but we must Obey Him always, in order to Salvation. Perseve­rance [Page 97] is a condition of Salvation; Math. 10.22. He that endureth to the end shall be saved. Rev. 1 10. Be thou faithful unto Death, and I will give thee a Crown of Life. There must be a Patient continuance in well doing, in order to Eternal Life, Rom. 2.7. Such as Apostatize from their Pro­fession and Practice of Religion will Perish; Heb. 10.38 39. If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him, but we are not of them who draw back unto perdition. It is then necessary unto Salvation, that we abide constant in the Service of GOD. Now it is no easy thing to bold on, and hold out to the end, in the way of GOD's Commandments, notwithstanding all the Diffi­culties and Oppositions we meet withal. Let us not then entertain such a Vain Thought, that 'tis an easy thing to be Saved. But on the o­ther hand, let us look upon it as an exceeding difficult thing, and unto Man an impossible thing to be Saved. Nothing short of Al­mighty Power can bring us into a state of Salvation; and nothing but the Mighty Power of GOD can preserve us in that Estate, and bring us to the Consummation of it, in the Kingdom of Heaven. Nor may we expect that GOD will exert His Power unto our Sal­vation, unless we are diligent in the use of appointed Means. Let us not then sit still and do nothing, as if the attainment of Salvation were a matter of greatest Facility: But let us humbly wait on GOD in His own appointed way, being instant in Prayer to GOD Day and Night, following Him from one Ordinance to another, then may we hope, that GOD will meet us and Bless us, and shew us His Salvation.

THUS much for the first Vain Thought concerning Salvation.

2. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That eminent Gifts are a certain Pledge of Salvation. GOD in the Dispensation of Common Gifts, is pleased to make a great difference between Men. On some He bestows them more sparingly, on others more plentifully. Now such as are favoured with a larger measure of Gifts than others, are apt to promise Salvation to themselves on the Ac­count thereof; because GOD has conferred upon them a greater Gift of Knowlege in Di­vine things, or a greater Gift in Prayer, &c. than on others, they think they shall be Saved. They take it for granted, that such unusual Gifts are to be reckoned among those things which accompany Salvation, which have a cer­tain and infallible Connexion therewith: But this is a Vain Thought.

For,

.1 GREAT Gifts may be unsanctifyed. Men may partake of Excellent Gifts and yet be void of true Grace. Thus the Apostle supposes that Persons may be the Subjects of Extraordinary Gifts, and yet be destitute of Love to GOD and their Neighbours; 1 Cor. 13.1, 2. Though I speak with the tongues of Men and of Angels, and have not Charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of Prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have no Charity, I am nothing. So that there may be very Glorious Gifts, even [Page 99] the Gift of Tongues, the Gift of Knowledge in the great Mysteries of the Gospel, the Gift of Prophecy and miraculous Faith, and yet not the least spark of true Grace. Men of the great­est Parts, are not always, nay, seldom are, Men of real Piety, 1 Cor. 1.26

2. HENCE Persons may be excluded from Hea­ven, notwithstanding their [...]minent Gifts. Being destitute of true Holiness, they shall not s [...]e the Lord, Heb. 12.14. And though Men may be able to Plead at the last Day, their parti­cipation in the greatest Gifts, yet this will not procure for them an Admission into the K [...]ng­dom of Heaven. Thus our Lord has assured us, that it will be with many at the last Day: Math. 7.22, 23. Many will say to me in that Day. Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name cast out Devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; Depart from me ye that work iniquity. Jesus Christ will then disown them, cast them out of His Favour, and seperate them for ever from His Gracious Presence.

LET n [...]e then build their hope of Salvation upon me [...] Gifts though never so great. They ought to be Coveted and Prized, but are not to be consi [...]ted in. For they are not in themselves the lea [...] Evidences of Salvation: But when they are Sanctifyed they are then indeed very visible and clear marks of a Right to Eternal Salvation. And then are they Sanctifyed, when the free [...] of GOD is acknowleged in the bef [...] [...] of them, when the Heart is [...] under the Enjoyment of them, when [Page 100] the Glory of GOD and the good of others, is truly aimed at in the diligent improvement of them.

THUS for the second Vain Thought con­cerning Salvation.

3. IT is a Vain Thought, That a participation in special Privileges will secure Salvation to us. There are many singular Privileges of Christianity which Persons participate of, upon the Ac­count whereof they hope to be Saved: Be­cause they are interested in external Gospel. Privileges, they conclude themselves in a safe Estate: But this is a Vain Thought, as may be shewn under some particular instances of Privileges confided in.

1. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That Descent fro [...] eminently Holy Ancestors will secure Salvation to us Some that are the Children and Posterity of Pious Progenitors, are apt to conclude that their Relation to such will recommend them to the Favour of GOD and assure them of the King­dom of Heaven. They can't think that GOD will cast off and destroy the Offspring of His Holy Servants that were dear to Him: But this is a Vain Thought. Hence John the Baptist Cautions the Jews against carnal Confidence in this Case, and gives them to understand that their being the Childern of Abraham would be no Security to them against the Wrath of GOD▪ Math 3 7, 9. Who hath warned you to see from the Wrath to come? Think n [...]t to say within your selves, we have Abraham to our Father. Though the Parents be never so Holy on Earth, and never [Page 101] so Happy in Heaven, yet their Children may be but out of the Kingdom of Grace and Glory, Luk. 13 28 There shall be weeping and gnasting of teeth, when y [...] [...] see Abraham and Isaac and Javob in t [...] Kingd [...] of God, and you your selves th [...]ust our.

LET none then rest in their being de­scended from an Holy Stock. Indeed, it is a great Mercy in it self to be born of Godly Pa­rents. Such have many Prayers laid up for them▪ many Advantages which others have not, and lye nearer to the Blessing than others do; and to despise this Birth-Right is a mark of a profane Spirit, as in Esau: Yet however this is not a Privilege to be confided i [...] for Salvation; it may be a great Advantage to our Salvation if it be duely improved: But if it be not aright improved▪ it will be an exceeding great aggravation of our Damnation. The Children of Pagans and of Wicked Parents, will have far less to Answer for, than the Chil­dren of Holy Believing Parents.

2. 'TIS a Vain Thought, Tha [...] [...] participation in the Ordinances of the Gospel will secure Salvation to us. Many Persons, because they are admitted to all Ordinances, do thereupon conclude that they shall be Saved. They think their visible Interest in, and outward A [...]dance on GOD in these Divine Institutions, will certainly bring them to Heaven: But this is a Vain Thought. Per­sons may be Baptized in the Name of GOD, and be solemnly Dedicated to Him in that Ordinance, they may also sit all their Days under the power­ful Preaching of the Word of GOD; they [Page 102] may be received into the Fellowship of the Faithful, and sit down with them at the Sup­per of the Lord, and yet be disowned by Christ at His appearing. Luk. 13 26.27. Then shall ye began to [...], we have eaten and drunk in thy pre­sence, and thou hast taught in our streets but he shall say, I [...]il you, I know you not whence you are, [...]epare from me all ye workers in iniquity.

LET none then trust to their Enjoyment of the Word and Ordinances of GOD. They are indeed great and distinguishing Favours, for which GOD is to be Praised; Psal. 147.19. He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his Judgments unto Israel, he hath not dealt so with [...]ny nation; and as for his Judgments [...] have not known them, Praise ye the Lord. It is also a very great Advantage to enjoy the Word and Ordi­nances of GOD; Rom. 3 1, 2. What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of Cir­cumcision? much every way; chiefly, because tho [...] unto them were committed the Oracles of God. Such as are betrusted with the Holy Oracles and things of GOD, have all external Advantages put into their hands for the Everlasting Salvation of their Souls. They are lifted up to Heaven in point of Privileges, but these Privileges must be im­proved, in order to their bringing us to Hea­ven. 'Tis not the meer enjoyment of them; but the Wise Improvement of them, that will assure us of Salvation by them. Let us th [...] look upon them as means of Communion with GOD, and accordingly be careful to hold up Communion with GOD in the use of them. Let us then look upon them as means of Grace and Sanctification, and accordingly Labour to [Page 103] bring forth the Fruits of Holiness in a diligent attendance on them. If they are thus improved by u [...], then have we enjoyed them with the Blessing of GOD, and then may we be con­fident that they shall be the Means of bringing us to the full and Eternal Fruition of GOD in Heaven.

THUS much may suffice for the Doctrinal handling this Point. I shall now proceed to make some Brief Application of the whole in [...] Word of USE.

USE of Caution, LET us take heed that we [...]e not Deceived by Vain Thoughts to our Distincti­on. A Caution of this Nature is given to us by the Apostle, in Eph. 5.6. Let no man deceive [...] with Vain Words. There were some it seems, who taught them that Men might live in For­nication, Covetousness, and such like gross Sins, and yet find Mercy or Escape Punishment at the last. Such Words the Apostle calls Vain Words, had bids them take care that they be not de­ [...]ded by such Vain Words. We had need be con­cerned that we be not lull'd asleep by Vain Imaginations unto our Eternal Undoing: A Vain Imagination was that which undid our first Parents and their Posterity. They vainly Thought, that by Eating the forbidden fruit [...]hey should be Wise and knowing as Gods. This Vain Thought entertained, was the inlet to [...]ll that Sin and Misery, that has overspread the [...]ce of the Earth. The Vain Thoughts likewise of Sinners, are equally pernicious to them, open­ing the Door to all the Woes and Miseries of [Page 104] the Eternal World. Let us then see to it that we be not deceived by such Vain Thoughts. To enforce this Caution a little further, two things may be considered by us.

1. CONSIDER what a dreadful disappoint­ment these Vain Thought will issue in, if they are suffered to lodge within us. These Vain Thoughts do fill Sinner with hopes that it shall go well with them at last, and that their Case is not so bad as it is represented to be: But their hopes and expectations will assuredly meet with frus­tration in the latter end. And how afflicting, yea tormenting will such a disappointment be! We see that disappointment in this Life is usual matter of vexation to Men; when they looked for Good, but instead thereof meet with much Evil, how does it disquiet and trouble them▪ What then will be the Anguish and Torment of total disappointment of our Expectations in the other World? The secure and carnal Christian that hoped to find GOD a Merciful GOD to him▪ shall instead thereof find Him a most Just, Terrible and Sin avenging GOD. The Formal, Hypocritical Professor of Religion that Promised Heaven to Himself, shall instead thereof be shut out of Heaven and cast down into Hell O how killing will such a disappointment as this be! Who can conceive the bitterness of Spirit and Torment of Mind in which they will thus speak to themselves; ‘We hop'd to have found Mercy of the Lord and to have been received into His Heavenly Kingdom; but behold! we are Eternally excluded from an Interest in Divine Mercy, and are Vessels of [Page 105] Wrath fitted for and Sentenced to Everlasting Destruction. How is our hope perished▪ how is it cut off! how is it swept away as a Spiders Web! is it come to this at the last, that we must lie down in sorrow, when we hop'd to see no sorrow, and feel no evil? O that ever we should harbour those Vain Thoughts which has brought such a disappointment on us!’

2 CONSIDER how inexcusable we shall be in the judgment of our own Consciences. Sinners may now baffle and bribe, and stop the mouth of Conscience, but then they cannot do so. Con­science will then irresistably discharge the Duty of a Witness. Accuser and Judge. It will then [...]estify unto us, that we did know, or might [...]ve known, that those Thoughts which we entertained were Vain. That we were warned against the harbouring of them▪ and might [...]sily have seen and known the Vanity of them [...] we been minded so to do. That we were [...]ot [...]ling to be undeceived, but loved dark­nes [...] [...] this case rather than light, because our [...] were evil, and because sinful ways were beloved by us. Hereupon Conscience will con­demn us as Guilty of our own Destruction, and will declare its Approbation of the Justice and [...]quity of GOD in our Eternal punishment; and will Everlastingly upbraid us for our folly [...]nd madness in taking up and retaining such [...]ain Thoughts in our hearts. And how intolera [...]e will the restless Accusations of Conscience [...]ee! How insupportable the Torments from the [...]awings of that Worm that dieth not▪ The [...]ge of Conscience will be a very He [...]l in the Soul.

[Page 106]LET the Consideration of these things make us careful that we be not deceived by Vain Thoughts.

DIRECTIONS follow.

Direct 1. LET us be jealous of our own hearts. Self-Jealousy is a good preventive of Delusion. Our hearts are naturally Deceitful above all things, Jer. 17.9. If we be not exceeding watchful we shall easily be deceived by them: They are apt to flatter us, and to suggest to us, that all is and shall be well with us, when it is far from being so. Thus it was with the Church of Laodicea, Rev. 3.17. Thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Our Deceiving hearts incline us to take up too favourable an opinion of our selves, and to think our state and ways good, when they are not so. It is therefore great folly to trust to the judgment of our own hearts, without an impartial and thorow Examination of the grounds it goes upon; Prov. 28.26. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool. It is our Wisdom not to be too Credulous, when our hearts speak well of the Thoughts we entertain, and the practices we allow our selves in▪ There will be more of Wisdom, and less of Danger, to suspect our own hearts, than to be hasty in believing them: There can be no harm in being afraid lest we should be de­ceived by them. We are more apt to err on the hand of Indulgence than of Severity; and there is more danger in self-Confidence, than self-Jealousy: If we are jealous of our selves, it [Page 107] will only make us more concerned to be better, which will be no inconvenience to us. But if we are self-confident, we are in dan­ger of being Secure without due concern to amend what may be amiss. Let us then put the same question to our selves, as was once put by Jehu, 2 King. 10.15. Is thy heart right? Let us enquire whether our hearts be right in the judgment they pass upon the No­tions which we espouse, and the ways we walk in. He that is thus inquisitive, is in an hopeful way not to be Deceived by Vain Thoughts.

Direct. 2. LET us Labour to get a well-in­formed judgment. Vain Thoughts proceed ordina­rily from an erroneous Mind, Eph. 4.17, 18. Walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkned. Rom. 1.21. They became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkned. Vain Ima­ginations concerning GOD, and other things, proceed from blindness of Mind. We should therefore labour to get our Minds inlightned with the light of Truth. This will serve to rectify our Thoughts, and prevent Vain Thoughts. To this end we must Study the Scriptures which are a Light to discover to us the way of Truth and Error. If we Con­sult those Holy Oracles of GOD, they will inform us what Thoughts are Right and what are Vain. If then we would not be left to call Good Evil, and Evil Good, let us be Conversant with the Word of GOD, which is [Page 108] the only Rule whereby to know Good or Evil. Understanding in GOD's Precepts, will dis­cover to us Every false way, Psal. 119.104. As ever then we desire not to be Deceived, let us acquaint our selves with the unerring Word of GOD; and let us bring every Thought which we entertain to that Word, and thereby try whether it be a Vain Thought or not. If we Diligently and Conscientiously thus do, with a desire to come to the Knowledge of Truth and Duty, we may hope that we shall not be left to the deceiving power of Vain Thoughts.

Direct. 3. BE earnest in Prayer to GOD. Un­to self-jealousy and diligent searching the Scrip­tures, we must add fervent Prayer to GOD: This is a Duty in all Cases useful and neces­sary, but especially in those Cases which d [...] ­mons immediately respect the Eternal safety of our Souls; and such is the Case before us.

AND here three things we should earnestly beg of GOD in Prayer. Viz.

1. THAT GOD would [...] Discover to us those Vain Thoughts that may be in us. Tho' our hearts are very deceitful, yet GOD knows them thorowly, and sees all the deluding Vain Thoughts that are in our hearts; they may be concealed from us, but they are not hid from GOD. We should therefore cry to the heart-searching GOD▪ that He would give us a dis­ce [...]n [...]ng of these Vain Thoughts that may be hid [Page 109] de [...] from our own eyes. Say as in Job 34.32. That which I see not, teach them [...]. If we are thus really willing and desirous to know the Evil that is in us, we shall not long abide Stran­gers to our own hearts. GOD will shew them unto us.

2. THAT GOD would graciously deliver us from the deceiving Power of those Vain Thoughts that may be in us. Though our Vain Thoughts should be discovered to us; yet unless GOD put forth His Mighty Power, we shall still be deceived by them. John the Baptist discove­red to the carnal Jews the Vanity of their Ima­gination, that their Relation to Abraham as their Father, would secure them from Destruc­tion, Math. 3.9. And think not to say within your lives, we have Abraham to our Father. Yet not­withstanding they remained under the Pow­er of this Vain Imagination. Nothing short of the mighty working of the Spirit of GOD can cast down the Vain Imaginations that are in us. We should therefore cry to GOD, that no sinful Thought may have Dominion over us, and that we may not be [...] to hold fast Deceit.

3. THAT GOD would help [...]s to take upright Th [...]ug [...]ts [...] put them into practise. 'Tis GOD only that can furnish our Minds with right Notions of things. He makes us in the hidden part to Know Wisdom, Psal. 51.6. He by His Spirit leads us into all Truth; and He [...]lone can make us to walk in the Truth, to [Page 110] live up and according to the Truth revealed to us. Pray then to GOD that when He has discovered the right way to you, He would also enable you to walk therein. Let the Prayer of David be your humble Prayer to GOD; Psal. 139.23, 24. Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and leed me in the way everlasting.

Under several Propositions this Doctrine may be spoken to.

Prop. 1. THERE is a Spirit in Man which is a distinct Being from his Body. Man consists of two parts, a Spirit and a Body which are dis­tinct Substances, and of a vastly different Na­ture. Man is not all Body, but is principally Spirit. This is his Chief and most Excellent Part: Though what and how Excellent it is, we do not our selves perfectly know. The Body of Man is indeed, a most wonderful and excel­lent Work of GOD; Psal. 139.14. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. The frame and constitution of the Body is truly mar­vellous. The Spirit of Man however is a far [Page 114] more Glorious and Excellent Being than the Body. The Spirit of Man, has such a power of Thinking, as to be able in a Moment to ex­tend it's Thought beyond the utmost bounds of the whole Creation. It has such a power of Understanding, as to be able to discern between Truth and Error, Good and Evil. It has such a power of Election, as to be capable under­standingly to choose GOD for its last end and chief Good. It has such vast and large Desires, which all Created Good is not suffici­ent fully to Satisfy. In short, it is a Being of far more worth and excellency than the whole World, Math. 16.26. What is a Man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and loss his own Soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his Soul?

Prop. 2. THE Spirit of a Man remains after the Death of his Body. As for the Body that is Mor­tal and must Die; so has GOD Ordained, and so it shall be, Heb. 9.27. It is appointed unto men once to die. Death passes upon all Men by the unalterable appointment of GOD; and at Death the Body perishes, turning to rottenness and dust: But as for the Spirit of a Man that remains entire after the Dissolution of the Body. The Spirit does not Perish with the Body, as Men may Atheistically imagine.

Here,

1. IT remains as to its Essence. For it is not capable of Dissolution into any pre-existent Prin­ciples as the Body is; and that because it is formed immediately out of nothing. And tho' it be in the Power of GOD to annihilate it, or turn it into nothing again, yet He will not [Page 115] thus do. He has plainly revealed it to us, that the Soul is of an immortal Nature, that it dies not with the Body, but survives it and exists after Death, (which will be evinced under the following Propositions.)

2. IT remains as to it's Faculties and the Exer­cise of them. The Understanding, Will and Af­fections do still continue and perform their pro­per Operations. The Spirit of a Man after Death does not cease to act its Rational Powers; but undoubtedly exercises them more vigorously than ever. At Death it is freed from those clogs and obstructions, which it often met with from the Body; and so has nothing to hinder its exerting its Powers to the utmost. The way and man­ner of its acting is to us as yet unknown; yet this should not make us in the least to question the Truth of it; for we do not know the way of our Spirit's acting while it is in the Body: Who can comprehend the manner of the Souls acting by the several Organs of the Body? And yet we make not the least doubt concerning the reality of its Actings. Why then should we disbelieve the Activity of the Soul after Death, because we cannot conceive the manner of its Operations? But that it Lives and Acts after Death, and is a Subject of Blessedness or Misery will be hereafter shown.

Prop. 3. AFTER Death the Spirit of a Man remains not with the Body, but is separated from it. It does not abide in the Body, nor is it present with the Body, but departs from the Body; Gen. 35.18. And it came pass as her soul was in [Page 116] departing; for she died. 1 King. 17.21. Let this Childs soul come into him again. It was then gone out of him. Death dissolves the Union between Soul and Body, upon which the Soul immediately departs away from the Body. Hence after Death the Spirit is said to be absent from the Body, 2 Cor. 5.8. We are willing rather to be absent from the body i. e. as to our Spirits. After Death there is a real local distance between the Soul and Body, though how great a distance we know not in particular, only in general, they are as far distant from each other, as Heaven or Hell, the receptacles of Men's Spirits are from the Grave.

Prop. 4. THE Spirit of a Man upon its sepa­ration from the Body, goes to Jesus Christ as its Judge. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Great Judge of all Men; all Judgment is committed unto Him. The last Judgment of Men and Angels will be managed by Jesus Christ; and so is the particular Judgment of Men as to their Spirits immediately upon Death, their Spirits do then go to GOD their Judge, Eccl. 12.7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God who gave it. The Spirits of Men do not all go to Heaven to appear in the immediate Presence of the human nature of Jesus Christ, for nothing unclean enters there­unto: But they go to Christ as GOD who is every where, and so can manifest himself in any Place whatsoever. Tho' in what Place or after what manner He will thus manifest Him­self, is unknown to us. But this we know that Jesus Christ has all Power in Heaven and Earth, power over all Flesh, and power to Judge and [Page 117] Dispose of the separate Spirits of Men, Rev. 1.18. I am he that liveth, and was dean; and be­hold, I am alive for evermore, Amen, and have the Keys of Hell and Death. He has the Keys of Hell or the Invisible World: He has power to dis­pose of the Spirits of Men when they pass out of this visible, into the other invisible World.

Prop. 5. WHEN the Spirit of a Man goes to Christ after Death, it is received or rejected by Him. One or the other is what befalls the Soul of every Man, according to the State in which he dies.

1. IF a Man die in a State of Sin, his Spirit is rejected by Christ the Righteous Judge. The Son of GOD Judges it, Condemns it, Banishes it from His Presence, and casts it into Hell. How this particular Judgment is managed, and how long it is in Transacting, we cannot say: But that Judgment passes upon the separate Soul of a Sinner, and that the Judicial Sentence is exe­cuted upon it in its rejection from Christ into the place of Punishment, is most evident from the Scriptures of Truth. Thus it is said con­cerning the World of ungodly Men who Perished in the Blood, that their spirits are in the infernal Prison, 1 Pet. 3.19. And it is said concerning the People of Sodom and Gomorrah, that they are actually Suffering the vengeance of Eternal Fire, Jude 7. Which can be understood only of their Spirits, for their Bodies were consumed in the [...]ire which turned the Cities into Ashes. Thus it is also said of the Wicked rich Man that when he died he went to Hell and was in Torments, Luk. 16.23. Which cannot be meant of his [Page 118] Body for that was buried in a Grave. It was therefore his Soul which was tormented in the Flames of Hell; and though this be but a Pa­rable yet with the Scope it as clearly represents to us the Misery of seperate sinful Souls, as if it were a real Hystory, and asserted it in the most plain words. Again, We read concern­ing Treacherous Judas, that when he died, he went to his [...] place, Acts 1.25. This place that he went to cannot mean the Grave, for [...]hat is not Judas's own and proper place, but the common place of all Men good and bad, J [...]b 30.23. It was therefore a place which of special right belonged to him, as a Betrayer of the Lord of Glory, and this can be no other than Hell the place of Torments. And con­sequently he went to this place at Death, only as to his Spirit; his miserable Corps remain [...] upon the Earth as a Spectacle of Horror, while his perfidious Spirit was Suffering the Ven­geance of GOD in the place of Devils.

THUS it appears from the Word of GOD, that the departed Spirits of ungodly Men are seperated from Christ and sent to Hell. And besides the Word of GOD, are there not many Providential Demonstrations of this Truth, in those dreadful Anguishes which seize the Souls of Convinced Sinners, when they see the Day of their Death approaching? What amazing Distresses of Conscience are they under! what fearful Expectations of Wrath and fiery Indigna­tion from the Lord, are they filled withal! Th [...]se things are the fore-runners and fore-assu­rances of that deplorable Estate their Spirits are entering upon

[Page 119]2. IF a M [...]n die in a State of Grace, his Spirit is received by Jesus Christ; is meets with a kind Re­ception from that Glorious Lord.

1. JESUS CHRIST receives it into [...]is Gracious Care. When the Spirit of a Godly Man goes out of his Body, Jesus Christ takes the Charge of it. He looks after it, that no injury be offered to it by the Prince of the Power of the Air, and his Hellish host; as He Himself passed in Safety and Triumph, thro' the Ter­ritories of Satan in His Ascention to Heaven, so He takes care that the Spirits of His Ser­vants shall have the like safe and triumphant Passage. And He not only exerts His own Pow­er herein, but also sends His Holy and Mighty Angels to safe-guard the passing Spirits of Be­lievers. They are all Ministring Spirits sent forth by Jesus Christ to Minister to them that are the Heirs of Salvation. Heb. 1.14. And as they Minister to the Saints in their Life-time, so also at and after their Death. Their separa­ted Spirits are committed to the Custody and Conduct of Glorious Angels by the Lord of Angels, and are by them conveyed to the Place prepared for them; Luk. 16.2 [...]. And it came to pass that the Beggar died, and was carried by the Angels into A [...]aham's bosom. They shew the Be­lieving Soul the way to Christ, and bring it to the Place of Rest, Refreshment and Consolation, which is reserved for the People of GOD.

2. JESUS CHRIST receives it into H [...]s Gl [...]rious Kingdom. The Blessed Angels that are [Page 120] the Souls Attendants and Guardians, do intro­duce it into the Kingdom of Heaven, where it is received by Jesus Christ, to be and abide with Him. The Souls of Believers are then ad­mitted into the immediate, personal Presence of Jesus Christ. When they are absent from the body, they are present with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.8. He then fulfils that Promise which He made to them as far as it respects their separate Spirits, Joh. 14.3. I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am there ye may be also. He takes them to Himself to be with Him in Heaven, as He said to the Penitent Thief on the Cross, Luk. 23.43. This Day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. And therefore the Apostle Paul expected to be with Christ, when his Soul was separated from his Body, Phil. 1.23. Ha­ving a desire to depart and be with Christ. Thus is the Spirit of every Man received or rejected by Christ, which is the fifth Proposition.

Prop. 6. IT ought to be the great Concern of every Man, that when his Spirit goes to Christ at Death, it may be received by Him and not rejected. This should be his desire, this should be his en­deavour, that when his dying Hour comes, his Spirit may be received into the Gracious Care and Glorious Kingdom of GOD our Saviour.

FOR two Reasons every Man should make this his great Concern.

Reas. 1. IF Jesus Christ receive his Spirit, it shall be safe and happy; no evil shall befall it, all good shall come unto it. What it's Condition shall [Page 121] be, is represented to us in, Heb. 12.23. It shall be made Perfect, it arrives to a State of Perfection to the uttermost. I Shall here but briefly men­tion a few Particulars in which may be set be­fore us some Representation of that Perfection which is enjoyed by the departed Spirit of a Believer.

1. IT enjoys a most perfect [...]ison of the Glory of Christ. This is one thing which Christ prayed for on the account of all Believers, Joh. 17.24. I will that those whom thou hast given me, may be where I am to behold my Glory. This Prayer is in part answered to every Believer at his Death. The Soul of a Believer is then received to that sight of Christ's Glory, which be Prayed for. The Understanding which is as the eve of the Soul, has a clear view and discerning of the Glo­ry of Jesus Christ.

Particularly,

1. IT beholds the Glory of Christ as GOD, in the highest Manifestations thereof. This Glory of Christ is in it self invariably the same: But there are different degrees of its manifestation; and in Heaven there are the fullest manifesta­tions of it to the Spirits of Just Men. Then eminently does Jesus Christ so manifest Himself to them as not unto the World. There the Saints are not in the Dark, not under any Doubts concerning His Glorious Godhead, as they are sometimes in this World. They see the Glory of His participation in all the Ex­cellencies and Perfections of GOD, which ren­der Him Infinitely Glorious. They see the Glory of His Divine Personality, or the incom­prehensible manner of His Subsisting from the [Page 122] Father in the Divine Essence. They see the Glo­ry of His being the only begotten of the Fa­ther equal to Him in Power and Glory. They see the Glory of His co-operation with the Fa­ther, working the same things with the Father inseparably; being together with Him the Au­thor of all the Works of Creation and Provi­dence. They see the Glory of His Communion with the Father, in that Infinite Joy and Delight which He experiences in the Bosom of t [...] Fa­ther. They see the Glory of His being [...]e last end of all things that as they are from Him, so they are for Him and on Him. They see the Glory of His being the Object of the Worship of every Creature in Heaven, they themselves joining with the Glorious Angels in the Ascrip­tions of Glory and Honour. Blessing and Praise [...]om Him. Thus have they a clear Prospect of the Divine Glory of Jesus Christ: A Com­prehensive Knowledge thereof they have not, neither can possibly have: For how can a Fi­nite Being comprehend an Infinitely Glorious GOD? They have however as full and per­fect a Knowledge of the Glory of the Godhead of Jesus Christ as they are capable of. Their enlightned and enlarged Minds are filled with the Glory of GOD in Christ Jesus.

2. IT beholds the Glory of Christ as Mediator. This Mediatorial Glory is peculiar to Jesus Christ, who is the alone Mediator between God and Man, 1 Tim. 2.5. Some glimpse of this Glory Be­lievers have in this World by Faith; but it is thro' a Glass darkly, and as the Understanding of a Child. But in Heaven the Spirits of Just [Page 123] Men have an immediate, full and perfect view of the Mediator's Glory. They behold the Glory of the Constitution of the Person of the Media­tor, as it any be called, who is both GOD and Man in one Person, a most Mysterious thing, and full of astonishing Glory, the like where­unto is not to be found. They behold the Glory of His Office, in the great Trust which GOD has reposed in Him, committing all the con­cerns of His Glory, a [...] [...]he Salvation of His Elect into His hands. They behold the Glory of His full Furniture for that Office, in all those unsearchable Treasures of Wisdom and Grace that are laid up in Him. They behold the Glory of His Mediatory Performances on Earth, in His State of Humiliation, clearly perceiving the Infinite Satisfaction and Merit that is in them. They behold the Glory of His Heavenly Inter­cession, how He appears in the Presence of GOD for His People, and how He procures for them and secures to them the Favour of GOD, the Gracious acceptance of their Persons and Per­formances. They behold the Glory of His Me­diatory Kingdom, seeing Him to be the L [...]mb upon the Throne, exercising Dominion over all the Works of GOD, and Governing all things in a never-failing subserviency to the Glory of GOD, and the Salvation of His Church. Thus do they behold the Transcendant Glory of their Redeemer at the Right Hand of the Majesty on High, having a Name given to Him, that is above every Name; and being the Constituted Judge before whom all shall stand, and to whom every knee shall bow as the Last Day.

[Page 124]3. IT beholds the Glory of Christ as Man. The Humane Nature of Christ, which was while here on Earth, under debasing, ignominous and dis­honourable Circumstances, is now in Heaven Crowned with Honour and Glory in the highest Degree. And tho' this be the lowest and most Inferiour Glory of Jesus Christ, yet 'tis but little of it that we do now conceive. But the Saints in Heaven have a direct and full view of this His Created Glory. He shines in this Glory before them, as He did before His A­postles in the Mount of Transfiguration here on Earth; there they behold this Man in all H [...]s Glory. They behold the Glory of His hu­mane Nature, in it's Personal Union to the Son of GOD, which is the highest Dignity where­unto 'tis possible for a Creature to be advanced. O how Glorious is that Nature which is so as­sumed by the Son of GOD as to become His proper Nature, and to be United to the Divine Nature in His Person! They behold the Glo­rious Holiness of His humane Nature in its perfect freedom from all Sin, and unmeasurable fulness of Grace. They behold the Glory of His humane Nature in it's wonderful Wisdom and Knowledge. Might and Strength, whereby it criers all things in the best manner, and effects them to the best purposes in concurrence with His Divine Nature. They behold the Glory of His humanity in that radiant and resplendent Lustre that is upon it, a dark representation whereof was given in His Transfiguration, when H [...]s Face did shine as the Sun They see that Lamb to be the L [...]ght of the City of GOD, [Page 125] so as to exempt if from all need of the Sun or Moon to shine in it. They find that Light to be sweet and refreshing, and that 'tis a pleasant thing to behold that Sun of Righte­ousness while He shineth in His full bright­ness. Thus do the departed Spirits of Holy Men enjoy a perfect Vision of the Glory of Christ in His Deity, Mediatorship and Huma­nity. There is no vail there upon His Glory, but it all lies open to the full Perception of the Glorified. O how blessed and happy are those Spirits which stand continually before Him and behold His Face in Glory! this is that which is called the Beatifick or Blessed-making Vision. Such a Vision of the Glorious Jesus as renders them compleatly Happy. They so see Him as to be transformed into His likeness, having the Everlasting Print of His Glory left upon them. Finally, They shall see Him as theirs, in whom they have a full and Eternal Interest, whereupon with Triumphant Joy they say as in Psal. 48. [...]4 This God is our God for ever and ever.

THUS for the first Thing enjoyed, viz. Per­fect Vision of Christ.

2. IF the Spirit be received by Jesus Christ, it enjoys Perfect Communion with Jesus Christ. When the Elect of GOD are brought into the Kingdom of Grace, they are called unto the actual Fellowship of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. [...].9. They have saving Interest in Him and Gracious Communion with Him. 1 Joh. 1.3. And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with [...] Son Jesus Christ. Yet this Communion which [Page 126] they have with Jesus Christ here on Earth, is very imperfect: but when they shall be received in­to the Kingdom of Glory, then they shall be admit­ted unto most perfect Communion with Him. Their Fellowship with Him now, is only in inchoation and gradual Progress, but then it shall be in Perfection and Consummation. Com­munion with Jesus Christ is then Perfect, when it is immediate, full, uninterrupted and ever­lasting. Now such is the Communion which the Spirit of a Believer is received unto after its Departure from the Body.

1. THE Spirit of a Believer when received by Christ at Death enjoys immediate Communion with Jesus Christ. While the Spirit of a Believer dwells here in the Body it is at a distance from the Lord Christ, but when it departs from the Body it goes into the immediate Personal Presence of the Lord; 2 Cor. 5.6, 8. While we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. We are willing rather to be absent from the body, and pre­sent with the Lord. So, Phil. 1.23. Having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. The Departed Spirits of Just Men, do see Christ Face to Face, 1 Cor. 13.12. And therefore they do enjoy immediate and most intimate in­tercourse with the Lord of Glory. In what manner and ways this Glorious intercourse is carried on, we cannot particularly and distinctly declare. Only this we are assured of in ge­neral, that Glorified Spirits on their part, do immediately Exercise all their Powers and Graces upon Jesus Christ, in Contemplating, Loving, Worshipping and Serving of Him; Rev. 22.3, 4. [Page 127] And his servants shall serve him and see his face. On Christ's part, He sheds abroad His Love in their Hearts, making them to partake of the clearest and fullest Manifestations of His most dear Affection for them in a most immediate way. Furthermore, what sweet and Divine Con­ferences may pass between Christ and the Church Triumphant, we cannot say. This we know that when He was Transfigured in the Mount, two of the most eminent Saints in Glory, even Moses and Elias came down and appeared to Him, and held a Conference with Him concerning His Decease at Jerusalem, Luk. 9.30, 31. Surely this was something of Heaven upon Earth, some small representation of what is done in Heaven above.

2. THE Spirit of a Believer when received by Christ at Death, enjoys full Communion with Christ. The Souls of Believers while in the Body have Communion with Christ only in low degrees. Tho' their Communion with Him be at some times more full than at other times, yet 'tis al­ways incompleat. Christ now Comes into their souls, and sups with them, and they with him, Rev. 3.20. They enjoy some manifestations of Christ to them, but not full. They enjoy some sense of His Love to them, but not full. The fulness of their Communion with Christ is reserved for Heaven. There the Saints Love Christ with all their Heart, with all their Soul, with all their Mind, and with all their Might. Their Love goes out to Christ in its full Strength, and all their Graces are acted on Him in the highest degree. There also the Sun of Righteousness shines on them in His full Strength, filling them with [Page 128] Light, Life, Comfort, Joy unspeakable and full of Glory, Psal. 16.11. In thy presence is the fulness of Joy. Then shall the Apostle's Prayer for the Ephesians have its utmost accomplishment in all the Saints; Eph. 3.19. That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. They are by Christ filled with all the fulness of GOD, to the ut­most of their enlarged Capacity. They partake of as much of the communicable fulness of Christ as their Natures are capable of.

3. THE Spirit of a Believer when received by Christ at Death, enjoys uninterrupted Communion with Christ. The Communion of the Saints with Christ here on Earth, is much broken and in­terrupted by one means or other. The constant risings and workings of Corruption in them, do always in some measure disturb their free Con­verse with Jesus Christ. Such is the remaining vanity and unsteadiness of the mind, that it often wanders from Christ in the Duties of Com­munion. The best of GOD's Servants do sadly experience how difficult a thing it is to keep their Hearts engaged in close Communion with Christ, and how apt are they to start a­side from Him in Holy Duties. Again, some­times Holy Men do fall into such Sins which provoke Christ greatly to withdraw from them, and which do very much estrange their Hearts from Christ. How fearfully was David's Com­munion with Christ interrupted and cut off by his foul Sins? Their Sins do make a very great separation between them and their GOD, Isa. 59.2. Again, the necessary occasions of the present Life, and the necessary repose of Nature by Sleep, do take them off from actual Converse [Page 129] with Jesus Christ. So that on one account or other there is in this World a frequent inter­ruption of the Saints Communion with Christ. But now, when their Spirits are received by Christ into Heaven all bars in the way of their Communion with Him, are totally removed, nothing deprives them of Communion with Christ for a Moment; they serve and enjoy Him in­cessantly, Rev. 7.15. They are before the Throne of God, and serve him day and night in his Temple, and he that sitteth on his Throne shall dwell among them. No Enemy, no Adversary enters there to give the least disturbance to their sweet inter­course with the King of Glory. There are no Temptations, hurries, darkness, confusion, cor­ruptions to cause the withdrawing of Christ or [...]idings of His Face from them. There is no­thing to occasion the least diversion of Mind from Christ the Glorious Object of their Con­templations and Adorations. There they can say, in a far more perfect sense, what David once said. Psal. 57.7. My heart is fi [...]ed, O God, my heart is fixed, I will sing and give praise.

4. THE Spirit of a Believer when received by Christ at Death enjoys Everlasting Communion with Christ. It enters upon a Communion which never shall have an end. When it once enters into that Temple above, It shall go no more out, Rev. [...].12. There it shall make its perpetual abode with Christ: For this denotes the lasting Na­ture and Perpetuity of their Fellowship with Christ, as it is without intermission, so with­out cessation. Our times of Fellowship with Christ here on Earth, are but of short continu­ance; [Page 130] but in Heaven it shall be perpetuated to all Eternity, 1 Thes 4.17. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.

THUS for the second thing enjoyed by the sepa­rate Spirit, viz. Perfect Communion with Jesus Christ.

3. IF that Spirit of a Man be received by Christ, it enjoys Perfect Conformity to Christ. GOD from all Eternity, has determined with Himself, to make all His Chosen and Called ones like unto His Son Jesus Christ; Rom 8.29. For whom he did fore know, he also did predestinate, to be conformed to the image of his Son. This Conformity to the Son of GOD, is begun in this Life and perfected in the next. When therefore the Spirit of a Believer departs from the Body and goes to Christ, it arrives unto a fullness of Conformity to Jesus Christ.

1. IT it perfectly Conformed to Christ in His Sinlessness. Jesus Christ always was harmless, undefiled and separate from Sinners. He knew no Sin, did no Sin, was without all Sin; no Sin was ever inherent in Him or committed by Him. Now herein the Souls of Believers are perfectly Conformed to Jesus Christ in Heaven. In this World their Souls have Sin cleaving to them in all their Faculties, and all their Operations; but in Heaven this vicious quality is quite taken away, their Souls have nothing of Sin dwelling in them: They brought Sin into this World with them, but they carry none of it with them into the other World. There is not in the Mind the least vanity or darkness; [Page 131] There is not in the Will the least aversion from Good, or the least Propensity to Evil: There is not in the Affections the least impurity or ir­regularity. The Soul is without the least spot or blemish upon it, Eph. 5.27. And this per­fect Ejection of Sin is sweetned by the Blessed impossibility of its making any re-entrance into the Soul. It's state of compleat freedom from Sin, by the Grace, Merit and Power of Jesus Christ, is immutable. Thus is the separate Spirit, of a Believer altogether sinless and impeccable like unto the Lord who receives it.

2. IT is perfectly Conformed to Christ in His Holi­ness. The Man Christ Jesus always was and is perfectly Holy. He is in a way of eminency the Holy and Just One, Acts 3.14. His Nature and all His Actions were perfectly Holy. Herein the Spirit of a Believer in its separate Estate is made like to Jesus Christ. In this World the Soul of a Believer is Renewed after the image of Christ in righteousness and true holiness, Eph. 4.24. And it is renewed more and more Day by Day, 2. Cor. 4.16. The good Work of Grace and Sancti­fication begun in it is carried on in this Life, Phil. 1.6. But it attains not to Perfection till it be separated from the Body and received into the Hands of Jesus Christ. Christ has purchased Perfection for it but bestows it not till the Soul goes to Him in Heaven. Then the Soul is made like to Christ in the highest degrees of Holi­ness it is capable of: It is Holy as the Lord Himself is Holy. Not in a way of equality, for so none is Holy as the Lord; but in a way of as full Resemblance as the Capacity of the [Page 132] Soul will admit of. And this perfect Confor­mity of the Soul to Christ in Holiness, has re­spect both to the Nature and Actings of the Soul. It is Habitually Conformed to Christ, possessing such habits of Grace as are in Christ in the heighth of Perfection: It is full of Grace and Holiness as Christ is. It is also Actually Confor­med to Christ, exerting such perfect Acts of Holiness as Christ: It Lives such an Holy Life as Christ Lives, doing the Will of GOD per­fectly as it is done by Jesus Christ Himself in Heaven. Jesus Christ and the perfected Spirits with Him, are fully of one Mind, one Heart and one Way, without the least discrepancy. Such Thoughts as Christ has of GOD Holi­ness. Sin, &c. just the same Thoughts have the Glorified Spirits.

THUS much for the third Thing.

4. Lastly, IF the Spirit of a Man be received by Jesus Christ, it enjoys Perfect Contentment in Christ. Jesus Christ in His Glory, is a Soul-satis­fying Object. The Spirits of Just Men that are in Heaven, take full content in Him. When Christ was Transfigured in the Mount, Peter was so transported and pleased that he said, T [...]s good being here; and would gladly have tar­r [...]ed there, and no more returned to the World. How sweet and satisfying then is it to the Saints above, to see Christ shining in all His Glory▪ What a ravishing Object is that Lord [...] Glory. The Glorified Soul in all his Facul­ties fines perfect Rest and Satisfact [...]n in the Lord Jesus Chri [...]t.

[Page 133]1.THE Understanding is perfectly satisfied or the Contemplation and Knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is an Object Infinitely Excel­lent; He is possessed of all Divine Perfections, All the fu [...]s of the Go [...]i [...]al dwells in him, Col 2.9. [...]e whole Nature and all the Attributes of GOD do belong to Jesus Christ. He is God over [...] blessed for evermore, Rom 9 5. There is therefore an Infinite fullness of Glory and Excellency, of Truth, Wisdom and Knowledge in Jesus Christ. This fulness of His is most con­spicuous to the Spirits in Glory. They have a clear and distinct, tho' not a full and compre­hensive Knowledge thereof. Such a Knowledge they have as is fully Satisfactory to their perfectly enlighted Minds. Nothing more can be requisite to a full Contentment of the Mind, than an Object Infinitely Glorious, and a clear perception thereof. This fil [...]s the Mind with a Knowledge every way satisfying. Such is the Knowledge which the Saints in Heaven have of Jesus Christ. There the eye of the Mind is satisfied with Seeing. Christ the Light of Hea­ven is sweet to the Eye, and it is a pleasant thing to behold that Son of Righteousness. The Apostle [...]au [...] was so satisfied in the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ, tho' but imperfect, that he cared for nothing else in Comparison of it, [...]hi [...] 3 8 How satisfied then must the Saints in Heaven be, who partake of this most excellent Knowledge in its Perfection?

2 THE [...] fully sati [...]fied i [...] the [...] and [...] There is i [...] Jesus Christ an immensity of Goodness. He [...] and [Page 134] chief Good, so that the enjoyment of Him is the highest blessedness. Now this is the Pri­viledge of the Glorified Spirits. They enjoy Him as the Fountain of Living Waters whereof they Drink and are fully satisfied. Their De­sires do find compleat Satisfaction in and from Him, so as to say, Whom have we in Heaven but that? and there is none that we desire besides thee. They desire no Object besides GOD in CHRIST, having Infinitely enough in Him to terminate all their Desires, and to bring them under a Blessed incapacity of desiring any thing more. This full Satisfaction of desire is also attended with a fullness of Joy. The Imagination of Man can­not reach that gladness of Heart which springs from the refreshing light of Christ's Countenance and the most inward sense or His Love. Faith in Christ here on Earth does sometimes produce in the Soul a Joy unspeakable and full of Glory, 1 Pet. 1.8. How inconceivable then is that Joy which arises from the immediate sight and full enjoyment of Christ in Heaven.

THUS we have seen what a safe and happy State the Spirit of a Man is in, if it be recei­ved by Christ at Death. And for this Reason every Man should be greatly concerned that his Spirit may be received by Christ when it leaves His Body, Which is the first Reason.

Reas. 2. IF the Spirit of a Man be received by Christ at Death, the Body also shall in due time be received by Him, and be made happy in Conjunction with the Soul. If Christ takes care of a Man [...]s Spirit, He will also take care of his Body. If [Page 135] He save a Man's Soul, He will save his Body also, for He is a Saviour of the whole Man. Our Bodies, as well as our Spirits are purcha­sed and bought by Him, and therefore shall partake of Perfect Redemption, 1 Cor. 6. [...]0. Our Bodies are sanctified as well as our Spirits, 1 Thes. 5.23. And therefore shall be made perfect in Holiness and Happiness. Our Bodies are U­nited to Christ as well as our Souls, 1 Cor. 6.15. And therefore they shall enjoy perfect Communion with Christ in His appointed time. For the present they are laid in the Grave and there sleep in Christ, 1 Thes. 4.14. and Context; their Grave is but a Bed of Rest, where­in they take their Repose, under the watchful Eye of Jesus Christ. After a while, He will come again and awake them out of Sleep by His sweet and Friendly Voice. When He shall have a desire to these Works of His hand, He shal [...] call, and they will answer Him out of the Dust He will raise these Bodies, He will revive them He will new make them, and reunite them to their Spirits, adorned with most Glorious and, Excellent Qualities; a summary Representation of these things the Apostles gives us in 1 Cor. 15. These Bodies shall be made immortal, incor­ruptible, spiritual, strong, vigorous and beauti­ful: And to say all in a Word, Jesus Christ shall Change these Bodies, and fashion them like unto His own Glorious Body, [...] 3.21. When He has thus made His Saints to appear in Glory like Himself; He will then put the highest Marks of Honour upon them, and perform His last and greatest Offices of K [...]n [...] ­ness for them: He will place them as H [...]s [Page 136] Right Hand, He will give them His Publick Commendation, He will translate them to Hea­ven, where He will present them to GOD His Father with inconceivable Solemnity and Joy, and dispose of them in the several Glori­ous Mansions which He has prepared for them, and so shall they ever be with the Lord, behold­ing His Face in Righteousness, and satisfied with His likeness to all Eternity. Thus shall it be done to the Man whose Spirit is at Death re­ceived by the Lord Jesus Christ.

I proceed now to the Application of the Doctrine.