Then & Now · 40 of 44
1. The Greatness of Sin
1. The Greatness of Sin
BY ſuggeſting to the ſoule the892 greatneſſe and vileneſſe of his ſinnes: what, ſaith Satan, doſt thou think that thou ſhalt ever p. 350 obtain mercy by Chriſt, that haſt ſinned with ſo high a hand againſt Chriſt? that haſt ſlighted the tenders of grace? that haſt grieved the ſpirit of grace? that haſt deſpiſed the word of grace? that haſt trampled under feet the blood of the Covenant, by which thou might’ſt have been pardoned, purged, juſtified, and ſaved? that haſt ſpoken and done all the evill that thou couldſt? No, no, ſaith Satan, he hath mercy for others,893 but not for thee; pardon for others, but not for thee; righteouſneſſe for others, but not for thee, &c. therefore ‘tis in vaine for thee to think of beleeving in Chriſt, or reſting and leaning thy guilty ſoule upon Chriſt.
BY suggesting to the soul the greatness and vileness of his sins: what, saith Satan, dost thou think that thou shalt ever obtain mercy by Christ, that hast sinned with so high a hand against Christ? That hast slighted the tenders of grace? That hast grieved the spirit of grace? That hast despised the word of grace? That hast trampled under feet the blood of the covenant, by which thou might’st have been pardoned, purged, justified, and saved? That hast spoken and done all the evil that thou couldst? No, no, saith Satan, he hath mercy for others,711 but not for thee; pardon for others, but not for thee; righteousness for others, but not for thee, etc‸. Therefore ’tis in vain for thee to think of believing in Christ, or resting and leaning thy guilty soul upon Christ.
- 711. Jer 3:‸5.
THe firſt Remedie againſt this Device894 of Satan, is, to conſider, that the greater your ſinnes are, the more you ſtand in need of a Saviour; the greater your burthen is, the more you ſtand in need of one to help to beare it: the deeper the wound is, the more need there is of the Surgeon; the more dangerous p. 351 the diſeaſe is, the more need there is of the Phyſitian. Who but mad men will argue thus; my burden is great, there-I’le not call out for help; my wound is895 deepe, therefore I’le not call out for balm; my diſeaſe is dangerous, therefore I’le not goe to the Phyſitian. Ah! ‘tis ſpiritual madneſſe; ‘tis the Devills Logick to argue thus: My ſinnes are great, therefore I’le not goe to Chriſt; I dare not reſt nor leane on Chriſt, &c. whereas the ſoule ſhould reaſon thus; the greater my ſins are, the more I ſtand in need of mercy, of pardon, and therefore I will goe to Chriſt, who delights896 in mercy, who pardons ſinne for his owne name ſake; who is as able and as897 willing to forgive pounds, as pence, thouſands, as hundreds.
The first remedy against this device of Satan, is, to consider, that the greater your sins are, the more you stand in need of a Saviour; the greater your burden is, the more you stand in need of one to help to bear it: the deeper the wound is, the more need there is of the surgeon; the more dangerous the disease is, the more need there is of the physician. Who but mad men will argue thus; my burden is great, therefore I’ll not call out for help; my wound is712 deep, therefore I’ll not call out for balm; my disease is dangerous, therefore I’ll not go to the physician. Ah! ’Tis spiritual madness; ’tis the devil’s logic to argue thus: My sins are great, therefore I’ll not go to Christ; I dare not rest nor lean on Christ, etc‸. Whereas the soul should reason thus; the greater my sins are, the more I stand in need of mercy, of pardon, and therefore I will go to Christ, who delights713 in mercy, who pardons sin for his own name’s sake; who is as able and as714 willing to forgive pounds, as pence, thousands, as hundreds.
The ſecond Remedie againſt this Device898 of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that the promiſe of grace and mercy is to returning ſoules: and therefore though thou art never ſo wicked, yet if thou wilt returne, God will be thine, mercy ſhall be thine, & pardon thine, &c. 2 Chron. 30. 9. For if you turn again899 unto the Lord, your brethren, and your children ſhall finde compaſſion before them that lead them captive, ſo that they ſhall come againe into this land; for the Lord your God is gracious and mercifull, and will not turne p. 352 away his face from you, if ye returne unto him. So Jer. 3. 12. Goe, and proclaime900 theſe words towards the North, and ſay, returne thou back-ſliding Iſrael, ſaith the Lord, and I will not cauſe my anger to fall upon you; for I am mercifull ſaith the Lord, and I will not keepe anger for ever. So Joel 2. 13. And rent your hearts, and not901 your garments, and turne unto the Lord your God, for he is gracious and mercifull, ſlow to anger, and of great kindneſſe, and repenteth him of the evill. So Iſa. 55. 7. Let the wicked forſake his wayes, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him returne unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon; or as the Hebrew reads it, he will multiply pardons. So Ezek.902 Chap. 18.
The second remedy against this device of Satan, is, solemnly to consider, that the promise of grace and mercy is to returning souls: and therefore though thou art never so wicked, yet if thou wilt return, God will be thine, mercy shall be thine, and pardon thine, etc‸. 2 Chr 30:‸9. For if you turn again715 unto the Lord, your brethren, and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land; for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him. So Jer‸ 3:‸12. Go, and proclaim716 these words towards the North, and say, return thou back-sliding Israel, saith the Lord, and I will not cause my anger to fall upon you; for I am merciful saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever. So Joel 2:‸13. And rent your hearts, and not717 your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. So Isa‸ 55:‸7. Let the wicked forsake his ways, 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; or as the Hebrew reads it, he will multiply pardons. So Ezek.718 Chap. 18.
Ah ſinner! ‘tis not thy great tranſgreſſions that ſhall exclude thee from mercy; if thou wilt break off thy ſins by repentance, and return to the fountaine of mercy. Chriſts heart, Chriſts armes are wide open to embrace the returning Prodigall. ‘Tis not ſimply the greateſt of thy ſins, but thy peremptory perſiſting in ſinne that will be thy eternall overthrow.
Ah sinner! ’Tis not thy great transgressions that shall exclude thee from mercy; if thou wilt break off thy sins by repentance, and return to the fountain of mercy. Christ’s heart, Christ’s arms are wide open to embrace the returning prodigal. ’Tis not simply the greatest of thy sins, but thy peremptory persisting in sin that will be thy eternal overthrow.
The third Remedie againſt this Device903 of Satan, is, ſeriouſly to conſider, that the greateſt ſinners have obtained p. 353 mercy, and therefore all the Angells in heaven, all the men on earth, and all the Devils in hell, cannot tell to the contrary, but that thou mayeſt obtain mercy. Manaſſeh was a notorious ſinner,904 he erected Altars for Baal, he worſhipped and ſerved all the hoaſt of Heaven; He cauſed his ſonnes to paſſe through the fire; he gave himſelfe to witchcraft and ſorcerie; he made Judah to ſinn more wickedly then the heathen did, whom the Lord deſtroyed before the children of Iſrael; hee905 cauſed the ſtreets of Jeruſalem to run downe with innocent blood, &c. Ah! what a devill incarnate was he in his actings; and yet when he humbled himſelfe, and ſought the Lord, the Lord was intreated of him, and heard his ſupplication, and brought him to Jeruſalem, and made himſelfe known unto him, and crowned him with mercy and loving kindneſſe, as you may ſee in 2 Chron.906 chap. 33. So Paul was once a blaſphemer, a perſecutor, and injurious, yet he obtained907 mercy. So Mary Magdalen was a908 notorious ſtrumpet, a common whore, one out of whom Chriſt caſt ſeaven Devills, yet ſhe is pardoned by Chriſt, and dearly beloved of Chriſt, Luke 7. So909 in Mar. 16. v. 9. Now when Jeſus was riſen early, the firſt day of the week, he appeared firſt to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he p. 354 had caſt ſeaven Devills. Janſenius on the place ſaith, ‘tis very obſervable that our Saviour after his reſurrection firſt appeared to Mary Magdalen, and Peter, that had been grievous ſinners; that even the worſt of ſinners may be comforted and encouraged to come to Chriſt, to believe in Chriſt, to reſt and ſtay their ſoules upon Chriſt for mercy here, and glory hereafter; that is a very precious word for the worſt of ſinners, to hang upon Pſal. 68. v. 18. The910 Pſalmiſt ſpeaking of Chriſt, ſaith, Thou haſt aſcended on high, thou haſt led captivity captive, thou haſt received gifts for men, yea for the rebellious alſo, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
The third remedy against this device of Satan, is, seriously to consider, that the greatest sinners have obtained mercy, and therefore all the angels in heaven, all the men on earth, and all the devils in hell, cannot tell to the contrary, but that thou mayest obtain mercy. Manasseh was a notorious sinner,719 he erected altars for Baal, he worshipped and served all the host of heaven; He caused his sons to pass through the fire; he gave himself to witchcraft and sorcery; he made Judah to sin more wickedly than the heathen did, whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel; he720 caused the streets of Jerusalem to run down with innocent blood, etc‸. Ah! what a devil incarnate was he in his actings; and yet when he humbled himself, and sought the Lord, the Lord was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him to Jerusalem, and made himself known unto him, and crowned him with mercy and loving kindness, as you may see in 2 Chron.721 Chap. 33. So Paul was once a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious, yet he obtained722 mercy. So Mary Magdalene was a723 notorious strumpet, a common whore, one out of whom Christ cast seven devils, yet she is pardoned by Christ, and dearly beloved of Christ, Luke 7. So724 in Mark 16:‸9. Now when Jesus was risen early, the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. Jansenius on the place saith, ’tis very observable that our Saviour after his resurrection first appeared to Mary Magdalene, and Peter, that had been grievous sinners; that even the worst of sinners may be comforted and encouraged to come to Christ, to believe in Christ, to rest and stay their souls upon Christ for mercy here, and glory hereafter; that is a very precious word for the worst of sinners, to hang upon Ps 68‸ v. 18. The725 Psalmist speaking of Christ, saith, Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive, thou hast received gifts for men, yea for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
What though thou art a rebellious child, or a rebellious ſervant? what though thou art a rebellious ſwearer, a rebellious drunkard, a rebellious Sabbath-breaker, &c. yet Chriſt hath received gifts for thee, even for the rebellious. He hath received the gift of pardon, the gift of righteouſneſſe; yea all the gifts of the ſpirit for thee, that thy heart may be made a delightfull houſe for God to dwell in.
What though thou art a rebellious child, or a rebellious servant? What though thou art a rebellious swearer, a rebellious drunkard, a rebellious Sabbath-breaker, etc‸. Yet Christ hath received gifts for thee, even for the rebellious. He hath received the gift of pardon, the gift of righteousness; yea all the gifts of the spirit for thee, that thy heart may be made a delightful house for God to dwell in.
Bodin hath a ſtory concerning a great Rebell that had made a great ſtrong party againſt a Roman Emperour; the Emperour makes Proclamation, that p. 355 who-ever could bring the Rebell dead or alive, he ſhould have ſuch a great ſumme of money; The Rebell hearing of this, comes and preſents himſelf before the Emperour, and demands the ſumm of money; now ſaith the Emperour, if I ſhould put him to death, the world would ſay, I did it to ſave my money, and ſo he pardons the Rebell, and gives him the money. Ah ſinners! ſhall a Heathen do this, that had but a drop of mercy and compaſſion in him? and will not Chriſt do much more,911 that hath all fulneſſe of grace, mercy, and glory in himſelfe? Surely his bowels doe yerne towards the worſt of Rebels. Ah! if you will but come in, you will find him ready to pardon, yea one912 made up of pardoning mercy: Oh! the readineſſe and willingneſſe of Jeſus Chriſt to receive to favour the greateſt Rebels.
Bodin hath a story concerning a great rebel that had made a great strong party against a Roman emperor; the emperor makes proclamation, that who-ever could bring the rebel dead or alive, he should have such a great sum of money; The rebel hearing of this, comes and presents himself before the emperor, and demands the sum of money; now saith the emperor, if I should put him to death, the world would say, I did it to save my money, and so he pardons the rebel, and gives him the money. Ah sinners! Shall a heathen do this, that had but a drop of mercy and compassion in him? And will not Christ do much more,726 that hath all fulness of grace, mercy, and glory in himself? Surely his bowels do yearn towards the worst of rebels. Ah! if you will but come in, you will find him ready to pardon, yea one727 made up of pardoning mercy: Oh! the readiness and willingness of Jesus Christ to receive to favour the greatest rebels.
The father of mercies did meet, embrace, and kiſſe that prodigall mouth which came from feeding with ſwine, and kiſſing of Harlots. Ephraim had913 committed Idolatry, and was backſliden from God; he was guilty of lukewarmneſſe and unbelief, &c. yet ſaith God, Ephraim is my deare ſonne, hee is a914 pleaſant child, my bowels are troubled for him; I will have mercy (or rather as ‘tis p. 356 in the Originall, I will have mercy, mercy) upon him ſaith the Lord. Well ſaith God, Though Ephraim be guilty of crimſon ſinnes, yet he is a ſonne, a deare ſonne, a precious ſonne, a pleaſant childe: Though he be blacke with filth, and red with guilt, yet my bowels are troubled for him, I will have mercy, mercy upon him. Ah ſinners! if theſe bowels of mercy doe not melt, win, and draw you, Juſtice will be a ſwift witneſſe againſt you, and make you lye downe in eternall miſery, for kicking againſt the bowels of mercy.
The father of mercies did meet, embrace, and kiss that prodigal mouth which came from feeding with swine, and kissing of harlots. Ephraim had728 committed idolatry, and was backsliden from God; he was guilty of lukewarmness and unbelief, etc‸. Yet saith God, Ephraim is my dear son, he is a729 pleasant child, my bowels are troubled for him; I will have mercy (or rather as ’tis in the original, I will have mercy, mercy) upon him saith the Lord. Well saith God, Though Ephraim be guilty of crimson sins, yet he is a son, a dear son, a precious son, a pleasant child: Though he be black with filth, and red with guilt, yet my bowels are troubled for him, I will have mercy, mercy upon him. Ah sinners! If these bowels of mercy do not melt, win, and draw you, justice will be a swift witness against you, and make you lie down in eternal misery, for kicking against the bowels of mercy.
Chriſt hangs out ſtill, as once that warlike Seythian did, a white flag of grace and mercy to returning ſinners that humble themſelves at his feete for favour; but if ſinners ſtand out, Chriſt will put forth his red flag, his bloody flag, and then they ſhall dye for ever by a hand of Juſtice. Sinners, there is no way to avoid periſhing by Chriſts iron rod, but by kiſſing his golden Scepter.
Christ hangs out still, as once that warlike Scythian did, a white flag of grace and mercy to returning sinners that humble themselves at his feet for favour; but if sinners stand out, Christ will put forth his red flag, his bloody flag, and then they shall die for ever by a hand of justice. Sinners, there is no way to avoid perishing by Christ’s iron rod, but by kissing his golden sceptre.
The fourth Remedie againſt this Device915 of Satan is, to conſider, that Ieſus Chriſt has no where in all the Scripture excepted againſt the worſt of ſinners that are willing to receive him, to belive in him, and to reſt upon him, for happineſſe, and bleſſedneſs: Ah ſinners! why ſhould you be more cruell and unmercifull p. 357 to your own ſoules, then Chriſt is. Chriſt hath not excluded you from mercy, why ſhould you exclude your owne ſoules from mercy? Oh that you would dwell often upon that choiſe Scripture, John 6. 37. All916 that the Father giveth me, ſhall come to me, and him that cometh to me, I will in no wiſe caſt out (or as the Originall hath it) I will not caſt out. Well ſaith Chriſt, if any man will come, or is coming to me, let him be more ſinfull, or leſſe; more unworthy, or leſſe; let him be never ſo guilty, never ſo filthy, never ſo rebellious, never ſo leprous, &c. yet if hee will but come, I will not, not, not caſt him off. So much is held forth in that 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10, 11. Know ye not that the unrighteous917 ſhall not inherite the Kingdome of God? Be not deceived: Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abuſers of themſelves with man-kinde. Nor theeves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, ſhall inherite the Kingdome of God. And ſuch were ſome of you: but ye are waſhed, but ye are ſanctified, but ye are juſtified in the name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the ſpirit of our God.
The fourth remedy against this device of Satan is, to consider, that Jesus Christ has no where in all the Scripture excepted against the worst of sinners that are willing to receive him, to believe in him, and to rest upon him, for happiness, and blessedness: Ah sinners! Why should you be more cruel and unmerciful to your own souls, than Christ is? Christ hath not excluded you from mercy, why should you exclude your own souls from mercy? Oh that you would dwell often upon that choice Scripture, John 6:‸37. All730 that the Father giveth me, shall come to me, and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out (or as the original hath it) I will not cast out. Well saith Christ, if any man will come, or is coming to me, let him be more sinful, or less; more unworthy, or less; let him be never so guilty, never so filthy, never so rebellious, never so leprous, etc‸. Yet if he will but come, I will not, not, not cast him off. So much is held forth in that 1 Cor‸ 6:‸9, 10, 11. Know ye not that the unrighteous731 shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with man-kind. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God.
Chriſt was borne in an Inne, to ſhew that he receives all commers; his garments were divided into four parts, to ſhew, that out of what part of the world ſoever we come, we ſhall be received; If we be naked, Chriſt hath Robes to cloth us; if we be harbourleſs, Chriſt hath room to lodg us. That is a choiſe Scripture, Acts 10. 34, 35.919 Then Peter opened his mouth, and ſaid, of a truth I perceive that God is no reſpecter of perſons. But in every Nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteouſneſſe, is accepted with him.
- 919. Acts 10. 34, 35.
Christ was born in an inn, to show that he receives all comers; his garments were divided into four parts, to show, that out of what part of the world soever we come, we shall be received; If we be naked, Christ hath robes to clothe us; if we be harbourless, Christ hath room to lodge us. That is a choice Scripture, Acts 10:‸34, 35.733 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
- 733. Acts 10:‸34, 35.
The three Tongues that were written upon the Croſſe in Greeke, Latine, and Hebrew, to witneſſe Chriſt to be920 the King of the Jewes, do each of them in their ſeverall Idiom avouch this ſingular Axiome, that Chriſt is an all ſufficient Saviour, and a three-fold cord is not eaſily broken. The Apoſtle puts this out of doubt in that Heb. 7. v. 25.921 Wherefore he is able alſo to ſave them to the vttermoſt, that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them. Now he were not an Al-ſufficient Saviour, if he were not as able to ſave the greateſt, as the leaſt of ſinners. Ah ſinners, tell Jeſus Chriſt that he hath not excluded you from mercy, and therefore you are reſolved that you will ſit, p. 359 waite, weep, and knock at the doore of mercy, til he ſhall ſay, ſouls be of good cheer, your ſins are forgiven, your perſons are juſtified, and your ſoules ſhall be ſaved.
The three tongues that were written upon the cross in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, to witness Christ to be734 the King of the Jews, do each of them in their several idiom avouch this singular axiom, that Christ is an all sufficient Saviour, and a three-fold cord is not easily broken. The apostle puts this out of doubt in that Heb‸ 7‸ v. 25.735 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Now he were not an All-sufficient Saviour, if he were not as able to save the greatest, as the least of sinners. Ah sinners, tell Jesus Christ that he hath not excluded you from mercy, and therefore you are resolved that you will sit, wait, weep, and knock at the door of mercy, till he shall say, souls be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven, your persons are justified, and your souls shall be saved.
The fifth Remedie againſt this Device922 of Satan, is, to conſider, that the greater ſinner thou art, the dearer thou wilt be to Chriſt, when he ſhall behold thee as the travel of his ſoule. Iſa 53. 11.923 He ſhall ſee of the travell of his ſoule, and be ſatisfied. The dearer we pay for any thing, the dearer that thing is to us; Chriſt hath paid moſt, and prayed moſt, and ſighed moſt, and wept moſt, and bled moſt for the greateſt ſinners, and therefore they are dearer to Chriſt then others that are leſſe ſinful. Rachel was924 dearer to Jacob then Leah, becauſe ſhee coſt him more; he obeyed, endured, and ſuffered more by day and by night for her, then for Leah. Ah ſinners! the greatneſſe of your ſinns does but ſet off the freeneſſe and riches of Chriſts grace, and the freeneſſe of his love, this maketh Heaven and Earth to ring of his praiſe, that he loves thoſe that are moſt unlovely; that hee ſhewes moſt favour to them that hath ſinned moſt highly againſt him, as might be ſhewed by ſeverall inſtances in Scripture, as Paul, Mary Magdalene, and others, who ſinned more p. 360 againſt Chriſt then theſe? and who had ſweeter, and choicer manifeſtations of divine love and favour then theſe?
The fifth remedy against this device of Satan, is, to consider, that the greater sinner thou art, the dearer thou wilt be to Christ, when he shall behold thee as the travail of his soul. Isa 53:‸11.736 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied. The dearer we pay for any thing, the dearer that thing is to us; Christ hath paid most, and prayed most, and sighed most, and wept most, and bled most for the greatest sinners, and therefore they are dearer to Christ than others that are less sinful. Rachel was737 dearer to Jacob than Leah, because she cost him more; he obeyed, endured, and suffered more by day and by night for her, than for Leah. Ah sinners! The greatness of your sins does but set off the freeness and riches of Christ’s grace, and the freeness of his love, this maketh heaven and earth to ring of his praise, that he loves those that are most unlovely; that he shows most favour to them that hath sinned most highly against him, as might be showed by several instances in Scripture, as Paul, Mary Magdalene, and others, who sinned more against Christ than these? And who had sweeter, and choicer manifestations of divine love and favour than these?
The ſixth Remedy againſt this Device925 of Satan, is, ſeriouſly to conſider, that the longer you keepe off from Chriſt, the greater and ſtronger your ſinnes wil grow. All divine power and ſtrength againſt ſin flowes from the ſouls union926 and communion with Chriſt; while you keepe off from Chriſt, you keep off from that ſtrength and power which is only able to make you trample downe ſtrength, lead captivity captive, and ſlay the Goliah’s that bids defiance to Chriſt. ‘Tis only faith in Chriſt that makes a927 man triumph over ſin, Satan, Hell, and the world. ‘Tis onely faith in Chriſt928 that binds the ſtrong man hand and foot; that ſtops the iſſue of blood; that makes a man ſtrong in reſiſting, and happy in conquering. Sin always dies moſt, where faith lives moſt; the moſt believing ſoule, is the moſt mortifyed ſoule. Ah ſinner! remember this, there is no way on earth, effectually to be rid of the guilt, filth, and power of ſinne, but by believing in a Saviour. ‘Tis not reſolving, ‘tis not complaining, ‘tis not mourning, but believing that will make thee divinely victorious over that bodie of ſinne that to this day is too p. 361 ſtrong for thee, and that will certainly be thy ruine, if it be not ruin’d by a hand of faith.
The sixth remedy against this device of Satan, is, seriously to consider, that the longer you keep off from Christ, the greater and stronger your sins will grow. All divine power and strength against sin flows from the soul’s union738 and communion with Christ; while you keep off from Christ, you keep off from that strength and power which is only able to make you trample down strength, lead captivity captive, and slay the Goliaths that bids defiance to Christ. ’Tis only faith in Christ that makes a739 man triumph over sin, Satan, hell, and the world. ’Tis only faith in Christ740 that binds the strong man hand and foot; that stops the issue of blood; that makes a man strong in resisting, and happy in conquering. Sin always dies most, where faith lives most; the most believing soul, is the most mortified soul. Ah sinner! Remember this, there is no way on earth, effectually to be rid of the guilt, filth, and power of sin, but by believing in a Saviour. ’Tis not resolving, ’tis not complaining, ’tis not mourning, but believing that will make thee divinely victorious over that body of sin that to this day is too strong for thee, and that will certainly be thy ruin, if it be not ruined by a hand of faith.
The ſeventh Remedie againſt this Device929 of Satans, is, wiſely to conſider, that as there is nothing in Chriſt to diſcourage the greateſt ſinners from believing in him, ſo there is every thing in Chriſt that may encourage the greateſt ſinners to believe in him, to reſt and leane upon him for all happineſſe, and bleſſedneſſe: If you look upon his nature, his diſpoſition, his names, his titles, his offices, as King, Prieſt, and930 Prophet, you ſhall finde nothing to diſcourage the greateſt ſinners to receive931 him, to believe on him. Chriſt is the greateſt good, the choiſeſt good, the chiefeſt good, the moſt ſutable good, the moſt neceſſary good; he is a pure good, a reall good, a totall good, an eternall good, and a ſoul-ſatisfying good. Sinners, are you poor? Chriſt932 hath gold to enrich you; are you naked? Chriſt hath royall robes, hee hath white rayment to cloath you; are you blind? Chriſt hath eye-ſalve to enlighten you; are you hungry? Chriſt will be Manna to feed you; are you thirſty?933 he will be a Well of living water to refreſh p. 362 you; are you wounded? hee hath balm under his wings to heale you; are934 you ſick? he is a Phyſitian to cure you; are you priſoners? he hath laid downe a ran ſome for you. Ah ſinners! tell me, tell me, is there any thing in Chriſt to keep you off from believing? No, is there not every thing in Chriſt that may incourage you to believe in him? Yes: O then believe in him, and then though your ſinnes be as ſearlet, they be as935 white as ſnow; though they be red like crimſon, they ſhall be as wool. Nay then your iniquities ſhall be forgotten, as well as936 forgiven, they ſhall be remembred no more; God will caſt them behinde his back, he will hurle them into the bottome of the Sea.
The seventh remedy against this device of Satan’s, is, wisely to consider, that as there is nothing in Christ to discourage the greatest sinners from believing in him, so there is every thing in Christ that may encourage the greatest sinners to believe in him, to rest and lean upon him for all happiness, and blessedness: If you look upon his nature, his disposition, his names, his titles, his offices, as King, priest, and741 prophet, you shall find nothing to discourage the greatest sinners to receive742 him, to believe on him. Christ is the greatest good, the choicest good, the chiefest good, the most suitable good, the most necessary good; he is a pure good, a real good, a total good, an eternal good, and a soul-satisfying good. Sinners, are you poor? Christ743 hath gold to enrich you; are you naked? Christ hath royal robes, he hath white raiment to clothe you; are you blind? Christ hath eye-salve to enlighten you; are you hungry? Christ will be manna to feed you; are you thirsty?744 He will be a Well of living water to refresh you; are you wounded? He hath balm under his wings to heal you; are745 you sick? He is a physician to cure you; are you prisoners? He hath laid down a ransom for you. Ah sinners! Tell me, tell me, is there any thing in Christ to keep you off from believing? No, is there not every thing in Christ that may encourage you to believe in him? Yes: O then believe in him, and then though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as746 white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Nay then your iniquities shall be forgotten, as well as747 forgiven, they shall be remembered no more; God will cast them behind his back, he will hurl them into the bottom of the Sea.
The 8. and laſt Remedie againſt this937 Device of Satan is, ſeriouſly to conſider the abſolute neceſſity of beleeving in Chriſt. Heaven is too holy, and too hot to hold unbelievers, their lodging is prepared in hell Revel. 21. 8. But938 the fear full and unbelieving, &c. ſhall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire & brimſtone, which is the ſecond death. If ye believe not that I am he (ſaith Chriſt)939 you ſhall die in your ſins: And he that dyes in his ſins, muſt to judgment, and to hell in his ſins. Every unbeliever is a condemned man: He that beleeveth not p. 363 (ſaith John) is condemned already, becauſe940 he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten ſonne of God. And hee that941 beleeveth not the Son, ſhall not ſee life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Ah ſinners! the Law, the Goſpel, and your owne Conſciences has paſs’d the ſentence of condemnation upon you, and there is no way to reverſe the ſentence but by believing in Chriſt; and therefore my counſell is this: Stir up your942 ſelves to lay hold on the Lord Jeſus, and look up to him, and wait on him from whom every good and perfect943 gift comes, and give him no reſt till he hath given thee that Jewell Faith, that is more worth then Heaven and Earth; and that will make thee happy in life, joyfull in death, and glorious in the day of Chriſt. And thus much for the Remedies againſt this firſt Device of Satans, whereby he keeps off thouſands from believing in Chriſt.
The 8. and last remedy against this device of Satan is, seriously to consider the absolute necessity of believing in Christ. Heaven is too holy, and too hot to hold unbelievers, their lodging is prepared in hell Rev 21:‸8. But748 the fearful and unbelieving, etc‸. Shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. If ye believe not that I am he (saith Christ)749 you shall die in your sins: And he that dies in his sins, must to judgment, and to hell in his sins. Every unbeliever is a condemned man: He that believeth not (saith John) is condemned already, because750 he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God. And he that751 believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Ah sinners! The law, the gospel, and your own consciences has passed the sentence of condemnation upon you, and there is no way to reverse the sentence but by believing in Christ; and therefore my counsel is this: Stir up your752 selves to lay hold on the Lord Jesus, and look up to him, and wait on him from whom every good and perfect753 gift comes, and give him no rest till he hath given thee that jewel faith, that is more worth than heaven and earth; and that will make thee happy in life, joyful in death, and glorious in the day of Christ. And thus much for the remedies against this first device of Satan’s, whereby he keeps off thousands from believing in Christ.