Satan; the biggest sinners are Satan's colenels and captains; the bigger sinner breeds most of that hor- rible vermin, sin; the author's experience about it. -Fifth. Because the biggest sinners are the best helps in the church, when converted; this is illus- trated by several particulars.—Sixth. Because such, when converted, are apt to love Christ most; a plea- sant story of Martha and Mary; Christ has but little thanks for saving little sinners.-Seventh. Because grace, when received by such, finds matter to kindle upon, more freely than it finds in others; illustrated in three or four similitudes, with a note upon the debauchery of the youth of our times.-Eighth. Be- cause by this means the finally impenitent are left the more without excuse; no ground for the impenitent at judgment, for an excuse from the greatness of their sins, why they came not to Jesus Christ; instances to convince them how it will go with them then, for neglecting the grace of God now........... APPLICATION First. By this doctrine we are showed how to make a right judgment of the heart of Christ to men.-Second. This shows also the sufficiency of the merits of Christ; such as his merits are, such is his grace, the one is seen by the other.-Third. Here is encouragement for you that think yourselves the worst, yet to come to Christ; objections touched upon and dissolved, to obstruct our coming to Christ. -Fourth. An expostulation with great sinners to come to Christ; objections touched.-Fifth. There is no ground for such to despair, that would be saved by Jesus Christ; four kinds of despairing; three sorts reasonable and to be allowed; the badness of that de- spair that keeps us off from closing with Christ showed in several particulars; despair the devil's master.- Sixth. Since Christ doth offer means to the biggest sinners, let them take heed that they lay right hold thereon; take heed of presuming instead of believing; faith and wild faith, and how discovered; when pre- sumption puts itself in the place of faith; three things to help the Jerusalem sinner to know when to believe in Christ; the design of Satan; the danger of not accepting when Christ offers mercy.-Seventh. If it be so, then here is ground for those that are not sin- ners of the largest size, to come to Christ for mercy; objections answered; a man comparatively a little sinner, made by conviction a great one; a lamentable cry for pardon, a great thing with God; a right plea for pardon lieth not in our numbering up, but ariseth from the sense of the greatness of sin; heavenly subtilty; the comparison of little and great sinners explained; one of the comeliest sights in the world; a caution to the great and little sinner.-Eighth. By this grace of Christ is made appear the true reason of Satan's malice against him; who Satan makes use of to manage his despite against Christ; how they stickle for Satan unawares to themselves.- Ninth. Considering this mercifulness of Christ, let the tempted harp hereon, for their comfort and consola- tion; Satan's masterpiece, his club and maul; the way to foil the devil; at what season the passover was first eaten; nothing like faith to help at a pinch; faith, the eye, hand, and mouth of the soul.-Tenth. Here is encouragement for such as have, in word or deed, spoke or done badly, in a day of trial; a com- fortable similitude for such; Peter instanced; pro- mises for such; an objection answered; Christ has bags of mercy never broken up.-Eleventh. Use for exhor- tation to ministers and Christians to carry it to the world like their master, Christ; we should not be austere; we should not affect worldly grandeur; we should, in life and conversation, be exemplary; a gentle reproof..........
What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?'
The salvation of the soul of more importance than
house or land, honours or preferments, and yet
neglected to amazement; they that embark with
Christ have the wind in their faces, and the foaming
rage of the sea of this world beating upon them;
but faith says the end is sure and glorious; some
see not the value of the soul until, like Dives, it is
revealed by the light of hell flames.
105
DOCTRINE FIRST- That the loss of the soul is the highest,
the greatest loss-a loss that can never be repaired
or made up-Method of illustrating this; FIRST,
Show what the soul is. SECOND, Show the great-
ness of the soul. THIRD, What it is to lose the
soul. FOURTH, The cause for which men lose their
souls......
FIRST, SHOW WHAT THE SOUL IS-Its powers, senses, and
passions-1. The heart, the spirit, the best and most
noble part of man; the understanding or conscience;
the whole man; imaginations, memory, and affec-
tions; man's pre-eminence over the beast.-2. The
soul has spiritual senses; sight, the eyes of the
understanding,' hearing, taste, smell, feeling.-3.
The soul has passions; love, hatred, joy, fear, grief,
anger; how noble, powerful, and sensible, is the
soul....
SECOND, THE GREATNESS OF THE SOUL-The soul great
as compared with the body, which is its house to
dwell in; it has another house eternal in the hea-
vens.-2. The body is the soul's clothes, it will have
to put them off; a rent in the clothes little in com-
parison to one in the body; a disease in the body
nothing to a diseased soul.-3. The body a vessel to
hold the soul; a treasure in an earthen vessel;
costly cabinets not to be stuffed with trumpery.—4.
The body a tabernacle for the soul; a place of wor-
ship; the worshippers far greater than the place;
the body a wondrous work of God, but the soul
greater and more wonderful........
Other things that show the greatness of the soul-
It is the breath of God; the body is of the earth;
it is God's own image; his desire, I will dwell in,
and walk with them;' the soul is a vessel to hold
God's grace; Christ paid a great price for souls; it
is immortal though not eternal; the body is only the
working tool of the soul; the soul has to do with
invisibles; it can hold communion with heaven or
with hell; it will ascend to inconceivable joys, or
descend to everlasting fire, GNAWING WORMS, UTTER
DARKNESS, ireful words.......
THIRD, OF THE LOSS OF THE SOUL-1. He that loseth
his soul loseth himself-Hell ripens the faculties of
the soul to exquisite torment; no patience in hell;
love will be stark dead.-2. The loss of the soul a
double loss-Man loses himself, and God casts him
away in abhorrence; a similitude of Abigail's sling.-
3. It is a loss most fearful--attended with the most
heavy curse of God.-4. A loss everlasting............ 119
FOURTH, THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF THE SOUL-First,
Sin the cause of the loss of the soul. Second, How
sin by the help of the soul destroys it. Third,
Through sin the soul sets itself against God.-
I. Against the law.-II. Against the gospel........... 126
DOCTRINE SECOND-Those unconcerned now, would,
when it is too late, give all they have in exchange
for the soul. FIRST, That God has undertaken, and
will accomplish, the breaking of the spirits of all the
world, either by his grace and mercy to salvation, or
by his justice and severity to damnation. SECOND,
That it is, and will be the lot of some, to bow and
break before God when it is too late...
USE AND APPLICATION-USE FIRST, The greatest waster
Advertisement by the Editor..........
Epistle to the Reader......
The apostle's policy to beget a due regard to eternal
life; his explication and exhortation; his addition
-We have an Advocate.'
Two great truths contained in the text: I. A sup-
position, viz., That men in Christ may sin.-II. An
expression, by way of consolation, in case of sin, viz.,
We have an Advocate with the Father. Two things
for inquiry in these truths: First, An inquiry into
what our apostle means by sin; in which is consi-
dered, A difference in the person and in the sin.
And, Second, An inquiry into what it is for Christ
to be an Advocate......
THE METHOD OBSERVED IN THE DISCOURSE.
FIRST, TO SPEAK OF THIS ADVOCATE'S OFFICE.
First, By touching on the nature of this office.
Second, By treating of the order or place of this
office. Third, The occasion of this office, viz., some
great sin.....
SECOND, TO SHOW HOW CHRIST DOES MANAGE HIS OFFICE.
First, How he manages his office of Advocate with
the Father.-1. ALONE, not by any proxy or deputy.
-2. Christ pleads at God's bar; the cause cannot
be removed into another court.-3. In pleading, Christ
observes these rules: (1.) He granteth what is charged
on us.-(2.) He pleads his own goodness for us.-(3.)
Christ requires a verdict in order to our deliver-
ance. Second, How Christ manages his office of an
Advocate against the adversary by argument.—1.
He pleads the pleasure of his Father in his merits.
-2. He pleads God's interest in his people. Third,
Christ pleads his own interest in them. Six weighty
reasons in this plea.-1. They are Christ's own.
-2. They cost him dear.-3. He hath made them
near to himself.-4. Christ pleads his right in
heaven to give it to whom he will.-5. Christ pleads
Satan's enmity against the godly.-6. Christ can
plead those sins of saints for them for which Satan
would have them damned.........
THIRD HEAD, TO SHOW WHO HAVE CHRIST FOR AN ADVO-
CATE; WHEREIN ARE THREE THINGS CONTAINED.
First, This office of Advocate differs from that of
a priest.—1. They differ in name.-2. They differ in
169
FOURTH HEAD, TO SHOW THE CLIENT'S PRIVILEGES, BY
THE BENEFIT OF THIS OFFICE OF ADVOCATE.
First Privilege, The Advocate pleads a price paid.
Second Privilege, The client's Advocate pleads for
himself also; both concerned in one bottom.-1. He
pleads the price of his own blood.-2. He pleads it
for his own. Third Privilege, The plea of Satan
is groundless. Fourth Privilege, Is consequential;
the client's accuser must needs be overthrown.
Fifth Privilege, The Advocate hath pity for his
client, and indignation against the accuser.
Sixth
Privilege, The judge counts the accuser his enemy;
to procure the judge's son to plead is desirable.
Seventh Privilege, The client's Advocate hath good
courage; he will set his face like a flint. Eighth
Privilege, The Advocate is always ready in court;
he appears Now in the presence of God. Ninth
Privilege, The Advocate will not be blinded with
bribes. Tenth Privilege, The Advocate is judge in
the client's cause. Eleventh Privilege, The Ad-
vocate hath all that is requisite for an advocate to
have.........
FIFTH, LAST HEAD, TO SHOW THE NECESSITY OF CHRIST
FOR OUR ADVOCATE.
First, To vindicate the justice of God against the
cavils of the devil. Second, There is law to be
objected against us; Christ appeals to the law itself.
Third, Many things give our accuser advantage.-
1. Many things relating to the promises.-2. Many
things relating to our lives.-3. The threats annexed
to the gospel. Fourth, To plead about our afflictions
for sins. Fifth, To plead the efficacy of our old titles
to our inheritance, is questionable because of new
sins. Sixth, Our evidences are oft out of our hand,
and we recover them by our Advocate...............
SIXTH, OBJECTIONS REMOVED.
First Object. What need all these offices or nice
distinctions?-Answ. The wisdom of God is not to
be charged with folly. Second Object. My cause
being bad, Christ will desert me.-Answ. Sin is
deadly destruction to faith. Third Object. But who
shall pay the Advocate his fee?-Answ. There is law,
and lawyers too, without money, Fourth Object. If
Christ be my Advocate once, he will always be tron-
bled with me.-Answ. He is an Advocate to the
utmost........
SEVENTH, USE AND APPLICATION.
Use First, To consider the dignity God hath put
upon Christ, by offices, places of trust, and titles of
honour, in general. Use Second, To consider this
office of an Advocate in particular. Use Third, To
wonder at Christ's condescension, in being an Advo-
cate for the base and unworthy. Use Fourth,
Improve this doctrine to strengthen grace.-1. To
strengthen faith.-2. To encourage to prayer.-3.
To keep humble.-4. To encourage to perseverance.
-Object. I cannot pray; my mouth is stopped.-
Answ. Satan cannot silence Christ.-5. Improve
this doctrine, to drive difficulties down. Use Fifth,
If Christ pleads for us before God, we should plead
for him before men. Use Sixth, To be wary of sin
against God; Christianity teaches ingenuity;* Christ
CHRIST A COMPLETE SAVIOUR; or, The In-
tercession of Christ, and who are privileged in it.
Advertisement by the Editor.
From He. vii. 25. The chapter exhibits the greatness
of the person and of the priesthood of the Lord Jesus 203
I. THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST-1. What it is.-2. For what he intercedes.-3. What is to be inferred from it; that the elect may be all brought home to the Father; that their sins be forgiven, and graces maintained; that their persons may be preserved and brought to glory; saints require it by reason of sin; God a consuming fire........ II. THE BENEFITS OF THIS INTERCESSION- -He saves by justification and preservation; reconciled to God by his death; saved by his life; he ever liveth to make intercession; objections answered; it is to the utter- most; to those who are a great way off, such as the town sinner; the great backslider; he is able, worthy, willing, to intercede for grace, pardon, hope, love, zeal, humility, and simplicity; to enable us to pray; give alms; hear the word; be faithful; Satan ever trying to get us into his sieve; to afflict; defile; Christ intercedes, and we live in hope............ III. THE PERSONS INTERESTED IN HIS INTERCESSION- They that come; what it is to come; some come to Christ, but not to God by him; such persons de- scribed; character of those who come to God by Christ aright.-1. Sinners under eight particulars. -2. Backsliders; the manner of their coming, and object; the madness of those who hesitate............
IV. THE CERTAINTY OF THEIR REAPING THE BENEFITS-
Ile ever liveth; his covenant cannot be broken; con-
firmed by an oath; he has infinite merits.......
Inferences from this subject-1. How far lost is
the soul, to require such a salvation.-2. Satan is
marvellous loath to lose his prey.-3. Christ's love
is unwearied love; Christ ought to wear the glory
of our salvation for ever......
Usrs-1. Study the priestly office of Christ as a great
gospel truth.-2. Diligently improve it to yourself
and others.-3. Let it give thee boldness of access to
God...........
Editorial Preface...........
The disciples having attempted to go over the sea with-
out their Lord, were stayed with contrary winds;
he went to them walking on the sea; they were
afraid of the wind and sea, and then of their Lord;
but when he came the wind was fair; the people
followed him for their bellies; their hearts rotten;
he rebuked them; and points to heart work-ʻ All
that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him
that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out '...... 240
I. THE FATHER'S GIFT OF PERSONS TO JESUS............... 241
II. THE SON'S RECEPTION OF THAT GIFT-All shall come to me and not be cast out. Considered, I. By way of explication; and, II. Of observation......
I. ALL-Not all mankind, but all that are given to him,
by covenant, to be saved; some are given to him to
destroy, some, like Judas, to bring about his great
salvation; the all,' in the text, are therefore the
children of the promise;' the Father,' an endear-
ing name, giveth' in covenant and in calling ;
Christ is able, mighty to save,' faithful, gentle,
all-wise; They SHALL come'.
.......... 242
To come, not carnally, but spiritually; in absolute
want; weeping; flying; crying out, Lord, save;'
forsaking all for him; objections answered; like the
manslayer who fled to the city of refuge; the jailer;
a solemn inquiry; you would ride full gallop while
your dull jade will hardly trot; never too late if
thou dost come; wonder not if, while you are coming,
the devil throws you down and tears you, as he did
the child in the gospel...........
247
Shall come to me' to receive of his fulness, light, life, all fulness; to his heart-attracting glory; the children of believers, or of the ungodly, all must come in the same way-publicans, harlots, thieves, or bedlams; Christ has his eye upon, and heart open to receive all comers...
I. WHAT IS IT TO BE SAVED?—To save or deliver supposes a state of thraldom or misery; this state dreadful; it is of sin; under the wrath of God; doomed to the bottomless pit; when a soul has FELT this, then he feels the value of salvation, and lays hold on Jesus by faith, and hopes for eternal glory.
II. WHAT IT IS TO BE SAVED BY GRACE-By God's good
will; his free love; of the Father's grace; of the
grace of the Son; of the grace of the Spirit; salva-
tion must unite the three-the love of the Father,
the blood of the Son, and the holiness of the Spirit 342
III. WHO ARE THEY THAT ARE THUS SAVED?—Not the self-righteous; not him that is finally impenitent; not the hypocrite; but it is great sinners; that were dead, but are alive; the humbled, the needy; beware of delay.....
IV. HOW IT APPEARS-They are chosen in Christ; God
has a store of grace for them; sinner, hold up thy
lap and receive God's gifts-repentance, faith, hope,
pardon, His Son, and in him ALL THINGS; God's
dealings with the sinner.........
Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many,
I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not
be able.'-Lu. xiii. 24. This is an answer to the
question, Lord, are there few that be saved?'
I. BY WAY OF EXPLICATION-What is it to be saved? those only know who fear death and hell. We have in these words, I. An intimation of the kingdom of heaven, enter in' to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem. II. A description of the entrance to it. -1. A gate; to keep in, or shut out, as in the case of the wise and foolish virgins; the gate of faith; Christ the gate.-2. A strait gate; not a pinching wicket; wide enough for all the gracious, but so strait that no other can enter; strait by reason of sin; the law; the angel reapers.-3. The exhorta- tion, Strive to enter in;' idle by nature; many difficulties; only those that labour can enter; strive lawfully, strive earnestly, heaven is at stake; the world will strive to keep thee out with flouts, jails, gibbets; it will flatter, allure, entice; if it be strait, you must strive the more........
Some reasons why the carnal world and knowing professors miss of heaven; they cannot part with sin; world hath blinded them; they put off coming to Christ; false professors cry out, but forsake not sin; they apply right names to wrong things; many points of resemblance to be noted.....
USE AND APPLICATION of the whole-1. There are few that be saved; What sayest thou to this, poor sinner? a word to the unclean, the swearer, the drunken, the covetous, the liar; awake; God's axe is at the root, and hell underneath thee.-2. To them that are upon the potter's wheel; be thankful for convictions; see the worst.-3. To professors; to tongue profes- sors; covetous; wanton; opinionists; formalist; legalist; the latitudinarian; the wilfully ignorant ; him that compares himself with others, instead of the Word; he who is for God and Baal too; the free willer.-4. How strangely will some professors be disappointed at the great day; it will be fearful and full of amazement; the hypocrite worse off than the profane; a word of advice to all classes ....
The Word of the Lord is fearful; the law is fearful; if this fear drives us from God, it is ungodly fear... 412 There is a fear that lasteth not; it makes a man judge himself; to cry for mercy; it only lasts till Christ by the Spirit is revealed to the soul; some objections answered, as to fear after adoption; thir- teen proofs that this is of God for good
Five considerations to fear God with child-like fear; the grace of fear.-1. How it is described; God's treasure; softens the heart; the beginning of knowledge and wisdom to hate evil; a fountain of life.-2. The grace of fear flows from God's love; a new heart the impress of the Word; God's judg ments; a godly remembrance of former distresses; receiving an answer to prayer.-3. What doth flow from this fear; reverence of God; watchfulness; godly conversation; reverence of God's ordinances; self-denial; singleness of heart; compassion; prayer; hope; the honest use of means; a delight in God's commandments; enlargement of heart......
The privileges of God-fearers; he has a license
to trust in the Lord; God is his teacher; he under-
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