Then & Now · 24 of 44
1. Poring on Sin More than on the Saviour
1. Poring on Sin More than on the Saviour
THough he can never rob a Believer of his Crowne, yet ſuch is his malice and envy, that he will leave no ſtone unturn’d, no means unattempted to rob them of their comfort, and peace, to make their life a burden, and a hell unto them, to cauſe them to ſpend their days in ſorrow and mourning, in ſighing and complaining, in doubting and queſtioning; ſurely we have no intereſt in Chriſt, our graces are not true, our hopes are the hopes of hypocrites; our confidence is but preſumption; our injoyments are but deluſions, &c.
Though he can never rob a believer of his crown, yet such is his malice and envy, that he will leave no stone unturned, no means unattempted to rob them of their comfort, and peace, to make their life a burden, and a hell unto them, to cause them to spend their days in sorrow and mourning, in sighing and complaining, in doubting and questioning; surely we have no interest in Christ, our graces are not true, our hopes are the hopes of hypocrites; our confidence is but presumption; our enjoyments are but delusions, etc‸.
I ſhall ſhew you this in ſome particulars.
I shall show you this in some particulars.
BY cauſing them to be ſtill poring,449 and muſing upon ſinne, to minde their ſins more then their Saviour, yea, ſo to mind their ſins, as to forget, yea, to neglect their Saviour, that as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks; The Lord is not in all their thoughts; their eyes are ſo fixt upon their diſeaſe, that they cannot ſee the Remedie, though it be neare; and they doe ſo muſe upon their debts, that they have neither mind nor heart to think of their ſurety, &c.
- 449. A Chriſtan ſhould weare Chriſt in his boſome as a flower of de light, for he is a whole paradiſe of delight; he that minds not Chriſt more then his ſin, can never be thankfull and fruitfull as he ſhould.
BY causing them to be still poring,339 and musing upon sin, to mind their sins more than their Saviour, yea, so to mind their sins, as to forget, yea, to neglect their Saviour, that as the Psalmist speaks; The Lord is not in all their thoughts; their eyes are so fixed upon their disease, that they cannot see the remedy, though it be near; and they do so muse upon their debts, that they have neither mind nor heart to think of their surety, etc‸.
- 339. A Christian should wear Christ in his bosom as a flower of delight, for he is a whole paradise of delight; he that minds not Christ more than his sin, can never be thankful and fruitful as he should.
FOr weake beleevers to conſider, that though Jeſus Chriſt hath not freed them from the preſence of ſin, yet he450 hath freed them from the damnatory power of ſin. It’s moſt true, that ſinne and grace were never borne together, neither ſhall ſin and grace dye together; yet while a beleever breaths in this world, they muſt live together, they muſt keep houſe together. Chriſt in this life will not free any beleever from the preſence of any one ſin, though he doth free every beleever from the damning power of every ſin; There’s no condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus, who walke not after the fleſh, but after the ſpirit. The Law cannot condemn a beleever, for Chriſt hath fulfilled it for him; divine Juſtice cannot condemn him, for that Chriſt hath ſatisfied; his ſinns cannot condem him, for they in the blood of Chriſt are pardoned; and his owne conſcience (upon righteous grounds) cannot condemn him, becauſe Chriſt, that is greater then his conſcience, hath acquitted him, &c.
- 450. Peccata enim non nocent, ſi non placent, my ſins hurt me not, if they like me not. Sinn is like that wild figtree, or Ivie in the wall, cut off ſtump, body, bough, and branches; yet ſome ſtrings or other will ſprout out again till the wall be pluckt down. Rom. 8. 1.
For weak believers to consider, that though Jesus Christ hath not freed them from the presence of sin, yet he340 hath freed them from the damnatory power of sin. It’s most true, that sin and grace were never born together, neither shall sin and grace die together; yet while a believer breathes in this world, they must live together, they must keep house together. Christ in this life will not free any believer from the presence of any one sin, though he doth free every believer from the damning power of every sin; There’s no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. The law cannot condemn a believer, for Christ hath fulfilled it for him; divine justice cannot condemn him, for that Christ hath satisfied; his sins cannot condemn him, for they in the blood of Christ are pardoned; and his own conscience (upon righteous grounds) cannot condemn him, because Christ, that is greater than his conscience, hath acquitted him, etc‸.
- 340. Peccata enim non nocent, si non placent, my sins hurt me not, if they like me not. Sin is like that wild figtree, or Ivy in the wall, cut off stump, body, bough, and branches; yet some strings or other will sprout out again till the wall be plucked down. Rom‸ 8:‸1.
The ſecond Remedy againſt this device451 of Satan, is, to conſider, that though Jeſus Chriſt hath not freed you from the moleſting, and vexing power of ſin, yet he hath freed you from the reigne and452 dominion of ſin. Thou ſayeſt that ſinne doth ſo moleſt and vex thee, that thou canſt not think of God, nor go to God, nor ſpeak with God; oh! but remember, ‘tis one thing for ſin to moleſt and vex thee, and another thing for ſinne to reigne, and have dominion over thee. For ſinne ſhall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Sin may rebell, but it ſhall never reigne in any Saint; it fareth with ſin in the regenerate, as with thoſe Beaſts that Daniel ſpeaks of, That had their dominion taken453 away, yet their lives were prolonged for a ſeaſon, and a time.
The second remedy against this device of Satan, is, to consider, that though Jesus Christ hath not freed you from the molesting, and vexing power of sin, yet he hath freed you from the reign and341 dominion of sin. Thou sayest that sin doth so molest and vex thee, that thou canst not think of God, nor go to God, nor speak with God; oh! but remember, ’tis one thing for sin to molest and vex thee, and another thing for sin to reign, and have dominion over thee. For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Sin may rebel, but it shall never reign in any saint; it fareth with sin in the regenerate, as with those beasts that Daniel speaks of, That had their dominion taken342 away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season, and a time.
Now ſin reigns in the ſoule, when the ſoul willingly and readily obeys it, and ſubjects to its commands, as Subjects do actively obey, and embrace the commands of their Prince. The commands454 of a K. are readily embraced and obeyed by his Subjects; but the commands of a Tyrant are embraced & obeyed unwillingly. All the ſervice that is done to a Tyrant, is out of violence, and not out of obedience; A free and willing ſubjection to the commands of ſin, ſpeaks out p. 199 the ſoul to be under the reign and dominion of ſin; but from this plague, this hell, Chriſt frees all Beleevers: Sin cannot ſay of a beleever, as the Centurion ſaid of his ſervant; I bid one goe, and be goeth, and to another come, and he cometh, and to another do this, and he doth it. No, the heart of a St. riſes againſt the commands of ſin; and when ſin would cary his ſoule to the Devill, he hales his ſin before the Lord, and cries out for Juſtice, Lord, ſaith the beleeving ſoule, ſinn playes the Tyrant, the Devill in mee, it would have mee to doe that which makes againſt thy holineſſe, as well as againſt my happineſſe; againſt thy honour and glory, as my comfort & peace; therefore do me juſtice, thou righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth, and let this tyrant ſin die for it, &c.
- 454. ‘Tis a ſigne that ſin hath not gained your conſent, but committed a rape upon your ſouls, when you cry out to God; if the raviſhed Virgin under the Law cryed out, ſhe was guiltleſſe▪ Deut. 22. 27. So when ſinne plays the Tyrant over the ſoule, and the ſoul cries out ‘tis guiltleſſe, thoſe ſins ſhall not be charged upon the ſoule.
Now sin reigns in the soul, when the soul willingly and readily obeys it, and subjects to its commands, as subjects do actively obey, and embrace the commands of their prince. The commands343 of a king are readily embraced and obeyed by his subjects; but the commands of a tyrant are embraced and obeyed unwillingly. All the service that is done to a tyrant, is out of violence, and not out of obedience; A free and willing subjection to the commands of sin, speaks out the soul to be under the reign and dominion of sin; but from this plague, this hell, Christ frees all believers: sin cannot say of a believer, as the Centurion said of his servant; I bid one go, and he goeth, and to another come, and he cometh, and to another do this, and he doth it. No, the heart of a saint rises against the commands of sin; and when sin would carry his soul to the devil, he hales his sin before the Lord, and cries out for justice, Lord, saith the believing soul, sin plays the tyrant, the devil in me, it would have me to do that which makes against thy holiness, as well as against my happiness; against thy honour and glory, as my comfort and peace; therefore do me justice, thou righteous Judge of heaven and earth, and let this tyrant sin die for it, etc‸.
- 343. ’Tis a sign that sin hath not gained your consent, but committed a rape upon your souls, when you cry out to God; if the ravished Virgin under the Law cried out, she was guiltless. Deut‸ 22:‸27. So when sin plays the Tyrant over the soul, and the soul cries out ’tis guiltless, those sins shall not be charged upon the soul.
The third Remedie againſt this device455 of Satan, is, conſtantly to keep one eye upon the promiſes of remiſſion of ſinne,456 as well as the other eye upon the inward operations of ſin. This is moſt certain truth, that God will graciouſly pardon thoſe ſins to his people, that he will not in this life fully ſubdue in his people. Paul prayes thrice, i. e. often to be delivered from the thorn in the fleſh, all he can get is, my grace is ſufficient for thee; I will graciouſly pardon that to p. 200 thee, that I will not conquer in thee,457 ſaith God. And I will cleanſe them from all their iniquity, whereby they have ſinned againſt me, and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have ſinned againſt me, and whereby they have tranſgreſſed againſt me. I, even I am hee that blotteth out thy tranſgreſſions for mine owne ſake, and will not remember thy ſinnes. Ah! you lamenting ſoules, that ſpend your dayes in ſighing and groaning under the ſenſe and burthen of your ſins; why doe you deale ſo unkindly with God, and ſo injuriouſly with your own ſoules, as not to caſt an eye upon thoſe precious promiſes of remiſſion of ſinne, which may beare up, and refreſh your ſpirits in the darkeſt night, and under the heavieſt burden of ſin.
- 455. 3 Remedie. [dropped from the edition]
- 456. Iſa. 44, 22. Mica 7. 18, 19. Coloſſ. 2. 13, 14. The promiſes of God are a precious booke, every leafe drops myrthe and mercy.
- 457. Though the weak Chriſtian cannot open, read, and apply them, Chriſt can, & will apply them to their ſouls. Ier. 33. 8. Iſa. 43. 25. מחה An Hebrew participle, & notes a conſtant, a continued act of God; I, I am he, blotting out thy tranſgreſſions, to day, and to morrow, &c. 4 Remedie.
The third remedy against this device of Satan, is, constantly to keep one eye upon the promises of remission of sin,344 as well as the other eye upon the inward operations of sin. This is most certain truth, that God will graciously pardon those sins to his people, that he will not in this life fully subdue in his people. Paul prays thrice, i. e. often to be delivered from the thorn in the flesh, all he can get is, my grace is sufficient for thee; I will graciously pardon that to thee, that I will not conquer in thee,345 saith God. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me, and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned against me, and whereby they have transgressed against me. I, even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Ah! you lamenting souls, that spend your days in sighing and groaning under the sense and burden of your sins; why do you deal so unkindly with God, and so injuriously with your own souls, as not to cast an eye upon those precious promises of remission of sin, which may bear up, and refresh your spirits in the darkest night, and under the heaviest burden of sin.
- 344. Isa‸ 44:‸22. Mic 7:‸18, 19. Col 2:‸13, 14. The promises of God are a precious book, every leaf drops myrrh and mercy.
- 345. Though the weak Christian cannot open, read, and apply them, Christ can, and will apply them to their souls. Jer‸ 33:‸8. Isa‸ 43:‸25. מחה An Hebrew participle, and notes a constant, a continued act of God; I, I am he, blotting out thy transgressions, today, and tomorrow, etc‸. ‸ ‸
The fourth Remedie againſt this device of Satan, is, to look upon all your ſins, as charged upon the account of Chriſt, as debts which the Lord Jeſus hath fully ſatisfied; and indeed were there but one farthing of that debt unpaid, that Chriſt was engaged to ſatiſfie, it would not have ſtood with the unſpotted juſtice of God, to have let him come into Heaven, and ſit down at his owne right hand; but all our debts by his death being diſcharged, we are freed, and he is exalted to ſit down at the right p. 201 hand of his Father, which is the top of his glory, and the greateſt pledg of our felicity; For he hath made him to be ſin for458 us that knew no ſinne, that we might be made the righteouſneſſe of God in him, ſaith the Apoſtle: All our ſins were made to meete upon Chriſt, as that Evangelicall Prophet hath it. He was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our iniquities, the chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and with his ſtripes we are healed. All we like ſheep have gone aſtray, we have turned every one to his owne way, and the Lord hath layd on him the iniquity of us all; or as the Hebrew hath it, he hath made the iniquity of us all to meet in him. In Law we know, that all the debts of the Wife are charged upon the Husband; ſaith the Wife to one, and to another, if459 I owe you any thing, go to my husband; ſo may a beleever ſay to the Law, and to the juſtice of God; if I owe you any thing, go to my Chriſt, who hath undertaken for me; I muſt not ſit downe diſcouraged under the apprehenſions of thoſe debts, that Chriſt to the utmoſt farthing hath fully ſatisfied; would it not argue much weakneſſe, I had almoſt ſaid much madneſſe, for a debtor to ſit down diſcouraged, upon his looking over thoſe debts, that his ſurety hath readily, freely, and fully ſatisfied; the ſenſe p. 202 of his great love ſhould engage a man for460 ever to love, and honour his ſurety, and to bleſſe that hand that hath paid the debt, and croſt the books, &c. but to ſit down diſcouraged when the debt is ſatisfied, is a ſinnne that beſpeaks Repentance, &c.
- 458. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Chriſt was (peccatorum maximus) the greateſt of ſinners by imputation, and reputation. Iſa. 53. 5, 6.
- 459. Chriſt hath the greateſt worth and wealth in him, as the worth and value of many pieces of ſilver is in one piece of gold, ſo all the excellencies ſcattered abroad in the creatures, are united to Chriſt.
- 460. All the whole volume of perfections, which is ſpread through Heaven & earth, is epitomized in him.
The fourth remedy against this device of Satan, is, to look upon all your sins, as charged upon the account of Christ, as debts which the Lord Jesus hath fully satisfied; and indeed were there but one farthing of that debt unpaid, that Christ was engaged to satisfy, it would not have stood with the unspotted justice of God, to have let him come into heaven, and sit down at his own right hand; but all our debts by his death being discharged, we are freed, and he is exalted to sit down at the right hand of his Father, which is the top of his glory, and the greatest pledge of our felicity; For he hath made him to be sin for346 us that knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, saith the apostle: All our sins were made to meet upon Christ, as that evangelical prophet hath it. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all; or as the Hebrew hath it, he hath made the iniquity of us all to meet in him. In law we know, that all the debts of the wife are charged upon the Husband; saith the wife to one, and to another, if347 I owe you any thing, go to my husband; so may a believer say to the law, and to the justice of God; if I owe you any thing, go to my Christ, who hath undertaken for me; I must not sit down discouraged under the apprehensions of those debts, that Christ to the utmost farthing hath fully satisfied; would it not argue much weakness, I had almost said much madness, for a debtor to sit down discouraged, upon his looking over those debts, that his surety hath readily, freely, and fully satisfied; the sense of his great love should engage a man for348 ever to love, and honour his surety, and to bless that hand that hath paid the debt, and crossed the books, etc‸. But to sit down discouraged when the debt is satisfied, is a sin that bespeaks repentance, etc‸.
- 346. 2 Cor‸ 5:‸21. Christ was (peccatorum maximus) the greatest of sinners by imputation, and reputation. Isa‸ 53:‸5, 6.
- 347. Christ hath the greatest worth and wealth in him, as the worth and value of many pieces of silver is in one piece of gold, so all the excellencies scattered abroad in the creatures, are united to Christ.
- 348. All the whole volume of perfections, which is spread through Heaven and earth, is epitomized in him.
Chriſt hath cleared all reckonings betwixt God and us; you remember the Scape-goate, upon his head all the iniquities461 of the children of Iſrael, and all their tranſgreſſions in all their ſinns were confeſſed462 and put, and the Goate did beare upon him all their iniquities, &c. Why, the Lord Jeſus is that bleſſed Scape-Goate, upon whom all our ſins were laid, and who alone hath carried our ſins away into the Land of forget fulneſſe, where they ſhall never, never be remembred more; a beleever under the guilt of his ſin may looke the Lord in the face, and ſweetly plead thus with him; ‘Tis true Lord, I owed thee463 much, but thy Son was my Ranſome, my Redemption; his blood was the price, he was my ſurety, and undertook to anſwer for my ſinnes; I know thou muſt be ſatisfied, and Chriſt hath ſatisfied thee to the utmoſt farthing, not for himſelf, for what ſins had he of his own? but for me, they were my debts that he ſatisfied for; be pleaſed to look over the book, and thou ſhalt find that ‘tis croſt p. 203 by thy owne hand, upon this very account that Chriſt hath ſuffered, and ſatisfied for them.
Christ hath cleared all reckonings betwixt God and us; you remember the Scape-goat, upon his head all the iniquities349 of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins were confessed350 and put, and the goat did bear upon him all their iniquities, etc‸. Why, the Lord Jesus is that blessed Scape-goat, upon whom all our sins were laid, and who alone hath carried our sins away into the land of forgetfulness, where they shall never, never be remembered more; a believer under the guilt of his sin may look the Lord in the face, and sweetly plead thus with him; ’tis true Lord, I owed thee351 much, but thy Son was my ransom, my redemption; his blood was the price, he was my surety, and undertook to answer for my sins; I know thou must be satisfied, and Christ hath satisfied thee to the utmost farthing, not for himself, for what sins had he of his own? But for me, they were my debts that he satisfied for; be pleased to look over the book, and thou shalt find that ’tis crossed by thy own hand, upon this very account that Christ hath suffered, and satisfied for them.
The fifth Remedy againſt this device464 of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider of the reaſons, why the Lord is pleaſed to have his people exerciſed, troubled, and vexed with the operations of ſinful corruptions,465 and they are theſe; partly to keep them humble, and low in their owne eyes; and partly to put them upon the uſe of all divine helps, whereby ſin may be ſubdued and mortified; And partly, that they may live upon Chriſt for the perfecting the work of Sanctification;466 and partly, to weane them from things below, and to make them heart-ſick of their abſence from Chriſt, and to maintain in them bowels of compaſſion towards others, that are ſubject to the ſame infirmities with them; and that they may diſtinguiſh between a ſtate of grace, and a ſtate of glory, and that Heaven may be more ſweet to them in the cloſe. Now doth the Lord upon theſe weighty reaſons ſuffer his people to be exerciſed, and moleſted with the operations of ſinfull corruptions; oh! then let no beleever ſpeak, write, or conclude bitter things againſt his owne ſoule, and comforts; becauſe that ſinne troubles and vexes his righteous ſoule, p. 204 &c. but lay his hand upon his mouth, and be ſilent, becauſe the Lord will have it ſo, upon ſuch weighty grounds, as the ſoule is not able to withſtand.
- 464. 5 Remedie. [dropped from the edition]
- 465. Auguſtin ſaith, that the firſt, ſecond, and third vertue of a Chriſtian is humility.
- 466. Lilmod lelammed, we therefore learn, that wee may teach, is a proverb among the Rabbins. After the Trojans had been wandering, & toſſing up and down the Mediterranean Sea; as ſoon as they eſpied Italy, they cried out with exulting joy, Italy, Italy: ſo will Saints when they come to Heaven.
The fifth remedy against this device of Satan, is, solemnly to consider of the reasons, why the Lord is pleased to have his people exercised, troubled, and vexed with the operations of sinful corruptions,352 and they are these; partly to keep them humble, and low in their own eyes; and partly to put them upon the use of all divine helps, whereby sin may be subdued and mortified; And partly, that they may live upon Christ for the perfecting the work of sanctification;353 and partly, to wean them from things below, and to make them heart-sick of their absence from Christ, and to maintain in them bowels of compassion towards others, that are subject to the same infirmities with them; and that they may distinguish between a state of grace, and a state of glory, and that heaven may be more sweet to them in the close. Now doth the Lord upon these weighty reasons suffer his people to be exercised, and molested with the operations of sinful corruptions; oh! then let no believer speak, write, or conclude bitter things against his own soul, and comforts; because that sin troubles and vexes his righteous soul, etc‸. But lay his hand upon his mouth, and be silent, because the Lord will have it so, upon such weighty grounds, as the soul is not able to withstand.
- 352. Augustine saith, that the first, second, and third virtue of a Christian is humility.
- 353. Lilmod lelammed, we therefore learn, that we may teach, is a proverb among the Rabbins. After the Trojans had been wandering, and tossing up and down the Mediterranean Sea; as soon as they espied Italy, they cried out with exulting joy, Italy, Italy: so will Saints when they come to Heaven.
The ſixth Remedy againſt this Device467 of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that Beleevers muſt repent for their being468 diſcouraged by their ſins. Their being diſcouraged by their ſins will coſt them many a prayer, many a teare, and many a groane: And that, becauſe their diſcouragements under ſin flowes from ignorance and unbeliefe; it ſprings from their ignorance of the riches, freeneſſe, fulneſſe, and everlaſtingneſſe of Gods love; and from their ignorance of the power, glory, ſufficiency, and efficacy of the death and ſufferings of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: And from their ignorance of the worth, glory, fulneſſe, largeneſſe, and compleatneſſe of the righteouſneſſe of Jeſus Chriſt: And from their ignorance of that reall, cloſe, ſpiritual, glorious, and inſeparable union that is betwixt Chriſt, and their precious ſoule: Ah! did precious ſouls know, and beleeve the truth of theſe things, as they ſhould, they would not ſit down dejected, and over-whelmed under the ſenſe and operations of ſin, &c.
The sixth remedy against this device of Satan, is, solemnly to consider, that believers must repent for their being354 discouraged by their sins. Their being discouraged by their sins will cost them many a prayer, many a tear, and many a groan: And that, because their discouragements under sin flows from ignorance and unbelief; it springs from their ignorance of the riches, freeness, fulness, and everlastingness of God’s love; and from their ignorance of the power, glory, sufficiency, and efficacy of the death and sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ: And from their ignorance of the worth, glory, fulness, largeness, and completeness of the righteousness of Jesus Christ: And from their ignorance of that real, close, spiritual, glorious, and inseparable union that is betwixt Christ, and their precious soul: Ah! did precious souls know, and believe the truth of these things, as they should, they would not sit down dejected, and over-whelmed under the sense and operations of sin, etc‸.
- 354. God never gave a Believer a new heart, that it should always lie a bleeding, and that it should always be rent and torn in pieces with discouragements.