TheDoctrineofLawandtheGraceUnfolded

byJohnBunyan

Adiscourse touching the law and grace; thenature of the one, andthenatureoftheother;showingwhattheyare,astheyarethetwocovenants;and likewise,whotheybe,andwhat theirconditionsare, thatbeundereitheroftheseTwoCovenants:Wherein,forthebetterunderstandingofthe reader, there are several questions answered touching the law andgrace,veryeasy toberead,andaseasy tobeunderstood,by those thatarethesonsofwisdom,thechildrenofthesecondcovenant.

EditedbyGeorgeOffor.

"For the lawmadenothingperfect,but thebringing inofabetterhopedid;bythewhichwedrawnighuntoGod"(Heb7:19).

"Thereforeweconcludethatamanisjustifiedbyfaithwithoutthedeedsofthelaw"(Rom3:28).

"Tohim[therefore]thatworkethnot,butbelievethonHimthatjustifieththeungodly,hisfaithiscountedforrighteousness"(Rom4:5).

TableofContents

ADVERTISEMENTBYTHEEDITOR

THEEPISTLETOTHEREADER

TheseareseveraltitleswhicharesetovertheseveralTRUTHScontainedinthisbook,forthysoonerfindingofthem–

THEFIRSTPARTThe words of the text opened, and the doctrines laid down. [This

doctrine, that there are some that are under the law, or under theCovenantofWorks.]WhattheCovenantofWorksis,andwhenitisgivenWhatitistobeundertheCovenantofWorksWhotheyarethatareundertheCovenantofWorksWhatmenmayattaintothatareunderthisCovenantofWorks

THESECONDPARTThedoctrineprovedThenewcovenantmadewithChristTheconditionsofthenewcovenantThesuretishipofChristChristtheMessengerofthenewcovenantChristtheSacrificeofthenewcovenantChristtheHighPriestofthenewcovenantChristcompletelyfulfilledtheconditionsofthenewcovenantTheCovenantofGraceunchangeable;theopposersanswered.Who,andhowmenareactuallybroughtintothenewcovenantAwordofexperienceTheprivilegesofthenewcovenantTwoHell-bredobjectionsansweredAuseofexaminationabouttheoldcovenantAlegalspiritTheuseofthenewcovenantTheunpardonablesinObjectionsansweredfor theircomfortwhowouldhavetheirpart in thenewcovenant

TheFirstPart

ADVERTISEMENTBYTHEEDITOR

It is difficult to understand those peculiar trials which called forth themighty energies of Bunyan's mind, unless we are acquainted with thetimes inwhich he lived. The trammels of statecraft and priestcraft hadbeen suddenly removed from religion, andmenwere left to form theirownopinionsas to ritesandceremonies. In this stateofabrupt liberty,somewildenthusiasts ran into singularerrors;andBunyan's firstworkon"GospelTruths"waspublishedtocorrectthem.

Thenfollowedthatalarmtothoughtlesssouls--"AFewSighsfromHell";and, in 1659, as a further declaration of the most important truths ofrevelation, this work on the two covenants was sent forth to chastiseerror,andcomfortthesaintsofGod.Itwaspublishedmanytimesduringtheauthor's life;andsincethen,toalateperiod,verylargeimpressionshave been circulated. Upon a subject of such vast importance--uponwhich hangs all our eternal interests--all our indescribable joys orsorrows in a future and never-ending state--the requirements of ourCreator--andHisgraciousprovisionofpardoningmercy,uponourfailingtokeepHisLaw--thesearesubjectsofintenseinterest.Howimportantisit that all our researches into these solemn realities should be guidedsimply by the revealed will of God! That was the fountain at whichBunyandrunkinallhisknowledge;andwithsimplicity,andmostearnestdesire to promote the glory ofGod in the salvation of sinners, he heregives the result of his patient, prayerful, painful investigation. Thehumble dependence upon Divine mercy which the author felt is verystriking.

Hewas sensibleofhiswantof education; "novain,whimsical, scholar-liketerms"--nophilosophyfromPlatoorAristotle.Hefelt,astohumanteaching,hisweakness,butprovedthat,"whenhewasweak,thenwashestrong."Heclaimedaninterestintheferventprayersofhisfellowsaints-

-"Myheartisvile,thedevilliethatwatch,trustmyselfIdarenot;ifGoddonothelpme,myheartwilldeceiveme."Thiswastheproperspiritinwhich to enter upon so solemn a subject; and the aid he sought wasvouchsafedtohim,andappearsthroughoutthisimportantwork.HisfirstobjectistodefinewhatistheLaw,astrictobediencetowhichisexacteduponallmankind.ItwasgiventoAdam,andwasafterwardsmorefullydevelopeduponMountSinai.

Itcommandsimplicit,universal,perfectobedience,uponpainofeternalruin.Heshowsusthatman,undertheinfluenceofthatlaw,andwhileastrangertotheLawofGrace,mayrepentandreformhisconduct,becomeamemberofaChristianchurch,beavirginwaitingforhisLord,"butnotstepevenuponthelowestroundofthe ladderthatreachethtoheaven."Whileman isa stranger to thenewbirth, "hisdestiny is the lion'sden;yea,worsethanthat,tobethrownintoHelltotheverydevils."Bunyaninthis, aswell as all otherofhisworks, is awfully severeupon thosewhosay, "Let us sin that grace may abound," perverting the consolatorydoctrine of Divine grace to their souls" destruction. "What! becauseChrist is a Saviour, wilt thou be a sinner! because His grace abounds,thereforethouwilt abound in sin!Owickedwretch! rakeHell all over,andsurelyIthinkthyfellowwillscarcebefound.IfChristwillnotservetheirturn,buttheymusthavetheirsinstoo,takethem,Devil;ifHeavenwill not satisfy them, take them,Hell; devour them, burn them,Hell!""Tell the hogs of this worldwhat a hog-sty is prepared for them, evensuchanoneasaGodhathpreparedtoputthedevilandhisangelsinto."

To the distressed, sin-beaten Christian, this book abounds withconsolation,andinstructionshowtoovercomethedevicesofSatan,whowill plant the Ten Commandments, like ten great guns, to destroy thyhopes. "Learn to outshoot the devil in his own bow, and to cut off hisheadwith his own sword.Doth Satan tell thee thou prayest but faintlyandwithcolddevotions?Answerhim,Iamgladyoutoldme,Iwilltrustthemore toChrist'sprayers,andgroan,sigh,andcrymoreearnestlyattheThroneofGrace."Tosuchreadersashavebeendriventothevergeofdespair by a fear of having committed the unpardonable sin, here isstrongconsolation,andaveryexplicitscripturaldefinitionofthatawfulcrime.Wantof spacepreventsmeaddingmore thanmyearnestdesire

that the reading of this treatise may be productive of solid peace andcomfort.--ED.

THEEPISTLETOTHEREADERREADER,

IfatanytimetherebeheldforthbythepreacherthefreenessandfullnessoftheGospel,togetherwiththereadinessoftheLordofPeacetoreceivethosethathaveanydesirethereto,presentlyitisthespiritoftheworldtocryout,Surethismandisdainsthelaw,slightsthelaw,andcountsthatofnone effect; and all because there is not, together with the Gospel,mingled the doctrine of the law,which is not a right dispensing of theWord according to truth and knowledge. Again; if there be the terror,horror,andseverityofthelawdiscoveredtoapeoplebytheservantsofJesusChrist,thoughtheydonotspeakofittotheendpeopleshouldtrustto it, by relying on it as it is a covenant ofworks; but rather that theyshouldbedrivenfurtherfromthatcovenant,eventoembracethetendersand privileges of the second, yet, poor souls, because they areunacquaintedwiththenaturesofthesetwocovenants,oreitherofthem,therefore, "they say," "Here is nothing but preaching of the law,thunderingofthelaw";when,alas,ifthesetwobenotheldforth--towit,the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace, together with thenature of the one and the nature of the other--soulswill never be ableeither to know what they are by nature or what they lie under. Also,neithercantheyunderstandwhatgraceis,norhowtocomefromunderthe law tomeetGod inand through thatothermostgloriouscovenant,throughwhichandonlythroughwhich,GodcancommunicateofHimselfgrace,glory,yea,evenallthegoodthingsofanotherworld.

I,havingconsidered these things, togetherwithothers,havemadeboldtopresentyetoncemoretothyview,myfriend,somethingofthemindofGod,totheend,ifitshallbebutblessedtothee,thoumayestbebenefitedthereby;forverilythesethingsarenotsuchasareordinaryandofsmallconcernment, but do absolutely concern thee to know, and thatexperimentally too, if ever thoudopartakeof thegloryofGod throughJesusChrist,andsoescapetheterrorandinsupportablevengeancethatwillotherwisecomeupontheethroughHisjustice,becauseofthyliving

anddying in thy transgressions against theLawofGod.And therefore,whilethoulivestherebelow,itisthyduty,ifthouwishthyselfhappyforthetimetocome,togiveupthyselftothestudyingofthesetwocovenantstreated of in the ensuing discourse; and so to study them until thou,throughgrace,donotonlygetthenotionof theoneandof theother inthyhead,butuntilthoudofeeltheverypower,life,andgloryoftheoneandoftheother:fortakethisforgranted,hethatisdarkastouchingthescope,intent,andnatureofthelaw,isalsodarkastothescope,nature,andgloryoftheGospel;andalsohethathathbutanotionoftheone,willbarelyhaveanymorethananotionoftheother.

And the reason is this: because so long as people are ignorant of thenatureofthelaw,andoftheirbeingunderit--thatis,underthecurseandcondemningpowerofit,byreasonoftheirsinagainstit--solongtheywillbecareless,andnegligentastotheinquiringafterthetrueknowledgeoftheGospel.Beforethecommandmentcame--thatis,inthespiritualityofit--Paul was alive--that is, thought himself safe; which is clear, (Rom7:9,10 compared with Phil 3:5-11, etc). But when that came, and wasindeed discovered unto him by the Spirit of the Lord, then Paul dies(Rom7) toallhis former life (Phil3)and thatmanwhichbeforecouldcontenthimself to live, though ignorantof theGospel,criesoutnow,"Icount all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of ChristJesusmyLord"(verse8).Therefore,Isay,solongtheywillbeignorantofthenatureoftheGospel,andhowgloriousathingitistobefoundwithintheboundsofit;forweusetosay,thatmanthatknowethnothimselftobesick,thatmanwillnotlookoutforhimselfaphysician;andthisChristknewfullwellwhenHesaith,"Thewholehavenoneedofthephysician,butthesick";[1]thatis,nonewillintruthdesirethephysicianunlesstheyknowtheybesick.Thatmanalsothathathgotbutanotionofthelaw--anotion,thatis,theknowledgeofitinthehead,soastodiscourseandtalkofit--ifhehathnotfeltthepowerofit,andthateffectuallytoo,itistobefearedwillat thebestbebutanotionist intheGospel;hewillnothavetheexperimentalknowledgeofthesameinhisheart;nay,hewillnotseeknorheartilydesireafterit;andallbecause,asIsaidbefore,hehathnotexperienceofthewounding,cutting,killingnatureoftheother.

I say, therefore, if thou wouldst know the authority and power of the

Gospel,labourfirsttoknowthepowerandauthorityofthelaw;forIamverilypersuadedthatthewantofthisonething--namely,theknowledgeofthelaw,isonecausewhysomanyareignorantoftheother.Thatmanthatdothknowthe lawdothnotknowindeedand in truththathe isasinner;and thatman thatdothnotknowhe isa sinner,dothnotknowsavinglythatthereisaSaviour.

Again;thatmanthatdothnotknowthenatureofthelaw,thatmandothnotknowthenatureofsin;andthatmanthatknowethnotthenatureofsin,willnotregardtoknowthenatureofaSaviour;thisisproved(John8:31-36).Thesepeoplewereprofessors,andyetdidnotknowthetruth--theGospel;andthereasonwas,because theydidnotknowthemselves,andsonotthelaw.Iwouldnothavetheemistakeme,Christianreader;IdonotsaythatthelawofitselfwillleadanysoultoJesusChrist;butthesoulbeingkilledbythelaw,throughtheoperationofitsseverityseizingonthesoul,thentheman,ifhebeenlightenedbytheSpiritofChristtosee where remedy is to be had, will not, through grace, be contentedwithouttherealandsavingknowledgethroughfaithofHim.

Ifthouwouldst,then,washthyfaceclean,firsttakeaglassandseewhereit isdirty; that is, if thouwouldst indeedhave thysinswashedawaybythebloodofChrist,labourfirsttoseethemintheglassofthelaw,anddonotbeafraidtoseethybesmearedcondition,butlookoneveryspotthouhast;forhethatlooksonthefoulnessofhisfacebythehalves,willwashbythehalves;evenso,hethatlooksonhissinsbythehalves,hewillseekfor Christ by the halves. Reckon thyself, therefore, I say, the biggestsinner in the world, and be persuaded that there is none worse thanthyself;thenlettheguiltofitseizeonthyheart,thenalsogointhatcaseandconditiontoJesusChrist,andplungethyselfintoHismeritsandthevirtueofHisblood;andafter that, thoushaltspeakof the thingsof thelaw and of the Gospel experimentally, and the very language of thechildrenofGodshallfeelinglydropfromthylips,andnottillthen(James1).

Let this therefore learn thee thusmuch: he that hath not seen his lostconditionhathnotseenasafecondition;hethatdidneverseehimselfinthedevil'ssnare,didneverseehimself inChrist'sbosom."ThismySonwasdead,andisaliveagain:hewaslost,andisfound.""Amongwhomwe

alsohadourconversationintimepast."[2]"Butnoware(somanyofusasbelieve)returnedunto"JesusChrist,"the"chief"ShepherdandBishopofyoursouls."

I say, therefore, if thou do find in this treatise, in the first place,something touching thenature, end,andextentof the law,donot thoucryout,therefore,allofasudden,saying,"Hereisnothingbuttheterror,horror,andthunderingsentencesofthelaw."

Again; if thoudo find in thesecondpartof thisdiscoursesomethingofthefreenessandfullnessoftheGospel,donotthousayneither,"Hereisnothingbutgrace,therefore,surely,anundervaluingofthelaw."No;butreaditquitethrough,andsoconsiderofit;andIhopethoushaltfindthetwo covenants--which allmen are under, either the one or the other--discovered,andheld forth in theirnatures,ends,bounds, togetherwiththestateandconditionofthemthatareundertheone,andofthemthatareundertheother.

There be some that through ignorance do say how that such men aspreach terror and amazement to sinners are beside the book, and areministers of the letter--the law, andnot of theSpirit--theGospel; but Iwould answer them, citing them to the Sixteenth of Luke, from thenineteenth verse to the end; and (1 Cor 6:9,10; Gal 3:10; Rom 3:9-19)only this caution Iwould give by theway, how that theywhich preachterrortodrivesoulstotheobtainingofsalvationbytheworksofthelaw,thatpreachingisnottherightGospelpreaching;yetwhensaintsspeakofthesadstatethatmanareinbynature,todiscovertosoulstheirneedoftheGospel,thisishonestpreaching,andhethatdothdoso,hedoththeworkofaGospelminister(Rom3:9-25).

Again,thereareothersthatsay,becausewedopreachthefree,full,andexceeding grace discovered in the Gospel, therefore we make void thelaw; when indeed, unless the Gospel be held forth in the glory thereofwithoutconfusion,byminglingtheCovenantofWorkstherewith,thelawcannotbeestablished."Dowethenmakevoidthelawthroughfaith,"orpreaching of the Gospel; nay, stay, saith Paul, "God forbid: yea, weestablishthelaw"(Rom3:31).

Andverily,hethatwillindeedestablishthelaw,orsetitinitsownplace,forsoIunderstandthewords,mustbesuretoholdforththeGospelinitsright colour and nature; for if a man be ignorant of the nature of theGospelandtheCovenantofGrace,they,orhe,willbeveryapttoremovethelawoutofitsplace,andthatbecausetheyareignorant,notknowing"whattheysay,norwhereoftheyaffirm."

Andletmetellyou, ifamanbe ignorantof theCovenantofGrace,andtheboundsandboundlessnessoftheGospel,thoughhespeakandmakementionofthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andalsoofthenameofthenewcovenant,andthebloodofChrist,yetatthisverytime,andinthese very words, he will preach nothing but the law, and that as aCovenantofWorks.

Reader,Imustconfess it isawonderfullymysteriousthing,andhehadneed have a wiser spirit than his own that can rightly set these twocovenants in their rightplaces, thatwhenhe speaksof theonehedothnot jostle the other out of its place. O, to be so well enlightened as tospeakoftheone--thatis,thelaw--fortomagnifytheGospel;andalsotospeakoftheGospelsoastoestablish,andyetnottoidolize,thelaw,noranyparticular thereof! It israre,andtobeheardandfoundbut inveryfewmen'sbreasts.

Ifthoushouldstsay,Whatisittospeaktoeachofthesetwocovenantssoastosetthemintheirrightplaces,andalsotousetheterroroftheonesoastomagnifyandadvancethegloryoftheother?TothisIshallansweralso,readtheensuingdiscourse,butwithanunderstandingheart,anditislikethouwiltfindareplythereintothesamepurpose,whichmaybetothysatisfaction.

Reader, if thou do find this book empty of fantastical expressions, andwithoutlight,vain,whimsical,scholar-liketerms,thoumustunderstanditisbecauseIneverwenttoschooltoAristotle,orPlato,butwasbroughtupatmyfather'shouse,inaverymeancondition,amongacompanyofpoorcountrymen.But if thoudo findaparcelofplain,yet sound, true,andhomesayings,attributethattotheLordJesusHisgiftsandabilities,whichHe hath bestowed upon such a poor creature as I am and havebeen.And if thou,beinga seeingChristian,dost findmecomingshort,

though rightly touching at some things, attribute that either to mybrevity,or,ifthouwilt,tomyweaknesses,forIamfullofthem.Awordortwomore,andsoIshallhavedonewiththis.

First.And the first is, Friend, if thoudonotdesire the salvationof thysoul,yetIpraytheetoreadthisbookoverwithseriousconsideration;itmaybe itwill stirup in theesomedesires to lookoutafter it,whichatpresentthoumayestbewithout.

Secondly,Ifthoudostfindanystirringsinthyheartbythyreadingsuchanunworthyman'sworksasmineare,besurethatinthefirstplacethougiveglorytoGod,andgivewaytothyconvictions,andbenottoohastyingettingthemofffromthyconscience;butletthemsoworktillthoudostseethyselfbynaturevoidofallgraces,asfaith,hope,knowledgeofGod,Christ,andtheCovenantofGrace.

Thirdly,Then,inthenextplace,flyinallhastetoJesusChrist,thoubeingsensibleofthylostconditionwithoutHim,secretlypersuadingofthysoulthatJesusChriststandethopen-armedtoreceivethee,towashawaythysins, to clothe theewithHis righteousness, and iswilling, yea, heartilywilling,topresenttheebeforethepresenceofthegloryofGodandamongtheinnumerablecompanyofangelswithexceedingjoy.Thisbeingthus,in the next place, do not satisfy thyself with these secret and firstpersuasions,whichdoormayencouragetheetocometoJesusChrist;butberestlesstill thoudost findbyblessedexperiencethegloriousgloryofthis the second covenant extendedunto thee, and sealedupon thy soulwith theverySpiritof theLordJesusChrist.And that thoumayestnotslightthismycounsel,Ibeseechthee,inthesecondplace,considerthesefollowingthings--

First,Ifthoudostgetoffthyconvictions,andnottherightway(whichisby seeing thy sins washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ), it is aquestionwhethereverGodwillknockatthyheartagainorno;butrathersay,suchanone"isjoinedtoidols,lethimalone"(Hosea4:17).Thoughhebe in anatural state, "let himalone."Thoughhebe in orunder thecurseof the law, "lethimalone."Thoughhebe in theveryhandof thedevil,"lethimalone."Thoughhebea-goingpost-hastetoHell,"lethimalone."Thoughhisdamnationwillnotonlybedamnationforsinsagainst

thelaw,butalsoforslightingtheGospel,yet"lethimalone."MySpirit,My ministers, My Word, My grace, My mercy, My love, My pity, Mycommonprovidences, shallnomorestrivewithhim;"lethimalone."Osad!Omiserable!whowould slight convictions that are on their souls,which(ifnotslighted)tendsomuchfortheirgood?

Secondly, If thou shaltnot regardhow thoudoput off convictions, butputthemoffwithoutthepreciousbloodofChristbeingsavinglyappliedtothysoul, thouartsuretohavethemis-spendingofthatconvictiontoprovethehardeningofthyheartagainstthenexttimethouarttoheartheWordpreachedorread.Thisiscommonlyseen,thatthosesoulsthathavenotregardedthoseconvictionsthatareat firstsetupontheirspirits,docommonly,andthatbythejustjudgmentsofGoduponthem,growmorehard,moresenseless,moresearedandsottishintheirspirits; forsome,whoformerlywouldquakeandweep,andrelentunderthehearingoftheWord,donowforthepresentsitsosenseless,soseared,andhardenedintheir consciences, that certainly if they should have hell-fire thrown intheir faces, as it sometimescriedup in their ears, theywould scarcebemoved; and this comesupon themas a just judgment ofGod (2Thess2:11,12).

Thirdly,Ifthoudoslightthese,orthoseconvictionsthatmaybesetuponthyheartbyreadingofthisdiscourse,orhearingofanyothergoodmanpreachtheWordofGodsincerely,thouwilthavethestiflingoftheseorthoseconvictionstoaccountandanswerforatthedayofjudgment;notonly thy sins, that are commonly committed by thee in thy calling andcommondiscourse,but thoushaltbecalled toa reckoning for slightingconvictions, disregarding of convictions, which God useth as a specialmeans tomake poor sinners see their lost condition and the need of aSaviour.NowhereImightaddmanymoreconsiderationsbesidesthese,totheendthoumayestbewillingtotendandlistentoconvictions;as,

First, Consider thou hast a precious soul, more worth than the wholeworld; and this is commonly worked upon, if ever it be saved, byconvictions.

Secondly,ThissoulisforcertaintogotoHell,ifthoushaltbeaslighterofconvictions.

Thirdly,IfthatgotoHell,thybodymustgothithertoo,andthennevertocomeoutagain."Nowconsiderthis,yethat"areaptto"forgetGod,"andHisconvictions,"lestHetearyouinpieces,andtherebenonetodeliver"(Psa50:22).

Butifthoushaltbesuchanonethatshall,notwithstandingthyreadingofthymisery, and also of God'smercy, shall persist to go on in thy sins,know, in the first place, that here thou shalt be left, by the things thatthou readest,without excuse; and in theworld to come thy damnationwillbeexceedinglyaggravatedforthynotregardingofthem,andturningfrom thy sins, which were not only reproved by them, but also forrejectingofthatWordofGracethatdidinstructtheehowandwhichwaythoushouldstbesavedfromthem.Andsofarewell;Ishallleavethee,andalso thisdiscourse, toGod,who I knowwill pass a righteous judgmentbothuponthatandthee.Iamyours,thoughnottoserveyourlustsandfilthyminds,yettoreprove,instruct,and,accordingtothatproportionoffaithandknowledgewhichGodhathgivenme, todeclareuntoyou theway of life and salvation. Your judgings, railings, surmisings, anddisdainingofme,thatIshallleavetillthefieryjudgmentcomes,inwhichtheoffendershallnotgounpunished,beheyouorme;yetIshallprayforyou,wishwelltoyou,anddoyouwhatgoodIcan.AndthatImightnotwrite or speak in vain, Christian, pray for me to our God with muchearnestness, fervency, and frequently, in all your knockings at ourFather'sdoor,becauseIdoverymuchstandinneedthereof;formyworkisgreat,myheartisvile,thedevilliethatwatch,theworldwouldfainbesaying, "Aha,aha, thuswewouldhave it"; andofmyself, keepmyself Icannot; trustmyselfIdarenot; ifGoddonothelpme,Iamsure itwillnotbelongbeforemyheartdeceiveme,andtheworldwouldhavetheiradvantage of me, and so God be dishonoured by me, and thou alsoashamedtoownme.O,therefore,bemuchinprayerforme,thyfellow!Itrust,inthatgloriousgracethatisconveyedfromHeaventosinners,bywhichtheyarenotonlysanctifiedhereinthisworld,butshallbeglorifiedinthatwhichistocome;untowhich,theLordofHismercybringusall.

JohnBunyan

THEDOCTRINEOFTHELAWANDGRACEUNFOLDED;OR,ADISCOVERYOFTHELAWANDGRACE;THENATUREOFTHEONE,ANDTHENATUREOFTHEOTHER,ASTHEYARETHETWOCOVENANTS,ETC

"FOR YE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE" (Rom6:14).

[THEWORDSOFTHETEXTOPENED,ANDTHEDOCTRINESLAIDDOWN.]

Inthethreeformerchapters,theApostleispleadingforthesalvationofsinners by grace without the works of the law, to the end he mightconfirm the saints, and also that he might win over all those that didoppose the truth of this doctrine, or else leave them themore withoutexcuse;andthathemightsodo,hetakethinhand,first,toshowthestateofallmennaturally,orastheycomeintotheworldbygeneration,saying,intheThirdChapter,"Thereisnonerighteous,no,notone;thereisnonethatunderstandeth;thereisnonethatdoethgood,"etc.Asifhehadsaid,It seems there is a generation of men that think to be saved by therighteousness of the law; but let me tell them that they are muchdeceived, in that they have already sinned against the law; for by thedisobedience of one, many, yea all, were brought into a state ofcondemnation(Rom5:12-20).Now,intheSixthChapterhedoth,asifhehad turned him round to the brethren, and said,My brethren, you seenowthatitisclearandevidentthatitisfreelybythegraceofChristthatwedo inheriteternal life.Andagain, foryourcomfort,mybrethren, letme tell you thatyourcondition iswondroussafe, in thatyouareundergrace; for, saith he, "Sin shall not have dominion over you"; that is,neitherthedamningpower,neitherthefilthypower,soastodestroyyoursouls:"Foryearenotunderthelaw";thatis,youarenotunderthatthatwill damn you for sin; "but" you are "under grace," or stand thus inrelationtoGod,thatthoughyouhavesinned,yetyoushallbepardoned."Foryearenotunderthelaw,butundergrace."Ifanyshouldaskwhatis

themeaningoftheword"under,"Ianswer,itsignifieth,youarenotheld,kept, or shut up by it so as to appear before God under thatadministration,andnonebutthat;orthus,youarenotnowboundbytheauthority of the law to fulfill it and obey it, so as to have no salvationwithoutyousodo;or thus, ifyou transgressagainstanyone tittleof it,you by the power of itmust be condemned.No, no, for you are not sounderit;thatis,notthusunderthelaw.Again,"Foryearenotunderthelaw."What ismeant by thisword "law"? Theword "law," in Scripture,maybetakenmorewaysthanone,asmightbelargelycleared.Thereisthelawoffaith,thelawofsin,thelawofmen,thelawofworks,otherwisecalled theCovenant ofWorks, or the first or old covenant. "In thatHesaithanewcovenant,"whichisthegraceofGod,orcommonlycalledtheCovenantofGrace,"Hehathmadethefirstold,"thatis,theCovenantofWorks, or the law (Heb 8:13). I say, therefore, theword "law" and theword "grace," in this Sixth of the Romans, do hold forth the twocovenantswhichallmenareunder; that is, either theoneor theother."Foryearenotunderthelaw"--thatis,youtowhomIdonowwritethesewords,whoareandhavebeeneffectuallybroughtintothefaithofJesus,youarenotunderthelaw,orundertheCovenantofWorks.Hedothnot,therefore,applythesewordstoall,buttosome,whenhesaith,"Butye";mark,ye,yebelievers,yeconvertedpersons,yesaints,yethathavebeenborn.(YE)"foryearenotunderthelaw,"implyingothersarethatareintheir natural state, that have not been brought in to the Covenant ofGracebyfaithinJesusChrist.

The words, therefore, being thus understood, there is discovered thesetwo truths in them--DOCTRINEFIRST. That there are some inGospeltimesthatareundertheCovenantofWorks.DOCTRINESECOND.Thatthereisneverabelieverunderthelaw,asitistheCovenantofWorks,butunder grace through Christ. "For ye," you believers, you convertedpersons, ye "are not under the law but under grace"; or, for you aredeliveredandbroughtintoorundertheCovenantofGrace.

DOCTRINEFIRST.

Forthefirst,THATTHEREARESOMETHATAREUNDERTHELAW,ORUNDERTHECOVENANTOFWORKS,see,Iprayyou,thatScripturein theThirdof theRomans,where theApostle, speakingbeforeof sins

againstthelaw,andofthedenunciationsthereofagainstthosethatareinthat condition, he saith, "What things soever the law saith, it saith tothemwhoareunderthelaw";mark,"itsaithtothemwhoareunderthelaw, thateverymouthmaybe stopped,andall theworldbecomeguiltybefore God" (Rom 3:19). That is, all those that are under the law as aCovenantofWorks,thatareyetintheirsins,andunconverted,asItoldyoubefore.Againhesaith,"ButifyebeledbytheSpirit,yearenotunderthe law" (Gal 5:18). Implying again, that those which are for sinningagainstthe law,ortheworksofthelaw,eitheras it istheoldcovenant,theseareunderthelaw,andnotundertheCovenantofGrace.Againhesaith, "Forasmanyasareof theworksof the lawareunder thecurse"(Gal3:10).That is, they thatareunder the lawareunder thecurse; formark,theythatareundertheCovenantofGracearenotunderthecurse.Now, therearebut twocovenants, therefore, itmustneedsbe that theythatareunder thecurseareunder the law, seeing those thatareundertheothercovenantarenotunderthecurse,butundertheblessing."So,then, theywhichbeof faithareblessedwith faithfulAbraham,"but therestareunderthelaw(Gal3:9).

Now I shall proceed to what I do intend to speak unto. FIRST. I shallshowyouwhat theCovenant ofWorks, or the law, is, andwhen itwasfirstgiven,togetherwiththenatureofit.SECOND.Ishallshowyouwhatitistobeunderthelaw,orCovenantofWorks,andthemiserablestateofallthosethatareunderit.THIRD.Ishallshowyouwhotheyarethatareunder this covenant,or law.FOURTH. I shall showyouhow faramanmaygoandyetbeunderthiscovenant,orlaw.

WHATTHECOVENANTOFWORKSIS,ANDWHENITWASGIVEN

FIRST.What thisCovenant ofWorks is, andwhen itwas given. [Whatthis covenant is.]TheCovenantofWorksor the law,here spokenof, is

the lawdelivereduponMountSinai toMoses, in twotablesofstone, inten particular branches or heads; for this seeGalatians 4. TheApostle,speakingthereofthelaw,andofsomealsothatthroughdelusionsoffalsedoctrinewerebroughtagain,asitwere,underit,oratleastwereleaningthatway(verse21)hesaith,Asforyouthatdesiretobeunderthelaw,IwillshowyouthemysteryofAbraham'stwosons,whichhehadbyHagarandSarah;thesetwodosignifythetwocovenants;theonenamedHagarsignifiesMountSinai,wherethelawwasdeliveredtoMosesontwotablesof stone (Exo 24:12; 34:1; Deu 10:1).Which is that, that whosoever isunder,heisdestituteof,andaltogetherwithoutthegraceofChristinhisheartatthepresent."ForItestifyagaintoeveryman,"saithhe,speakingto the same people, that "Christ has become of no effect unto you,whosoeverofyouarejustifiedbythelaw,"namely,thatgivenonMountSinai--"yearefallenfromgrace"(Gal5:3,4).Thatis,notthatanycanbejustified by the law; but this meaning is, that all those that seekjustificationbytheworksofthelaw,theyarenotsuchasseektobeunderthesecondcovenant, theCovenantofGrace.Also theApostle, speakingagainofthesetwocovenants,saith,"Butiftheministrationofdeath,"orthelaw,foritisallone,"writtenandengraveninstones,"markthat,"wasglorious,howshallnottheministrationoftheSpirit,"ortheCovenantofGrace, "be rather glorious?" (2 Cor 3:7,8). As if he had said, It is true,therewasaglory intheCovenantofWorks,andaverygreatexcellencydidappearinit--namely,inthatgiveninthestonesonSinai--yetthereisanothercovenant,theCovenantofGrace,thatdothexceeditforcomfortandglory.

[When itwasgiven.]But, though this lawwasdelivered toMoses fromthehandsofangelsintwotablesofstones,onMountSinai,yetthiswasnot the first appearing of this law toman; but even this in substance,thoughpossiblynotsoopenly,wasgiventothe firstman,Adam, intheGarden of Eden, in thesewords: "And the LORDGod commanded theman,saying,Ofeverytreeofthegardenthoumayestfreelyeat:butofthetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevil,thoushaltnoteatofit;forintheday that thoueatest thereof thoushalt surelydie" (Gen2:16,17).Whichcommandment thengiven toAdamdid contain in it a forbidding todoanyofthosethingsthatwasandisaccountedevil,althoughatthattimeitdidnotappearsoplainly, insomanyparticularheads,asitdidwhenit

was again delivered onMount Sinai; but yet the very same.And that Ishallprovethus--

God commandedAdam in Paradise to abstain from all evil against thefirst covenant, and not from some sins only; but if God had notcommanded Adam to abstain from the sins spoken against in the TenCommandments,Hehadnot commanded to abstain fromall, but fromsome; therefore it must needs be that He then commanded to abstainfromall sins forbidden in the lawgivenonMountSinai.Now thatGodcommanded to abstain from all evil or sin against any of the TenCommandments,whenHegaveAdamthecommandinthegarden, it isevident thatHe did punish the sins thatwere committed against thosecommands that were then delivered onMount Sinai, before they weredeliveredonMountSinai,whichwillappearasfolloweth--

TheFirst, Second, andThirdCommandmentswere broken byPharaohandhismen;fortheyhadfalsegodswhichtheLordexecutedjudgmentagainst (Exo 12:12); and blasphemed their true God (Exo 5:2) whichescaped not punishment (Exo 7:17- 25). For their gods could neitherdeliver themselves nor their people from the hand of God; but "in thethingwhereintheydealtproudly,Hewasabovethem"(Exo18:11).

Again; some judge that the Lord punished the sin against the SecondCommandment, which Jacob was in some measure guilty of in notpurginghishousefromfalsegods,withthedefilingofhisdaughterDinah(Gen34:2).

Again; we find that Abimelech thought the sin against the ThirdCommandmentsogreat, thatherequirednoothersecurityofAbrahamagainst the fearofmischief thatmightbedone tohimbyAbraham,hisson,andhisson'sson,butonlyAbraham'soath(Gen21:23).ThelikeweseebetweenAbimelechandIsaac(Gen31:53).ThelikewefindinMosesand the Israelites, who durst not leave the bones of Joseph in Egypt,because of the oath of theLord,whosename, by so doing,wouldhavebeenabused(Exo13:19).

Andwe find theLord rebukingHispeople for thebreachof theFourthCommandment(Exo16:27-29).

AndforthebreachoftheFifth,thecursecameuponHam(Gen9:25-27).AndIshmaeldishonouringhisfatherinmockingIsaacwascastout,asweread(Gen21:9,10).Thesons-in-lawofLotforslightingtheirfatherperishintheoverthrowofSodom(Gen19:14).

The SixthCommandmentwas broken byCain, and so dreadful a curseand punishment came upon him that it made him cry out, "MypunishmentisgreaterthanIcanbear"(Gen4:13).

Again;whenEsauthreatenedtoslayhisbrother,Rebeccasenthimaway,saying,"WhyshouldIbedeprivedalsoofyoubothinoneday?"hintingunto us, that she knew murder was to be punished with death (Gen27:45)which theLordHimself declared likewise toNoah (Gen9:6).[3]Again;anotableexampleoftheLord'sjusticeinpunishingmurderweseeintheEgyptiansandPharaoh,whodrownedtheIsraelites'childrenintheriver (Exo 1:22); and they themselves were drowned in the sea (Exo14:27).

The sin against the Seventh Commandment was punished in theSodomites, etc., with the utter destruction of their city and themselves(Gen19:24,25).Yea,theysuffer"thevengeanceofeternalfire"(Jude7).AlsothemaleShechemites,forthesincommittedbyHamor'sson,wereallputtothesword(Gen34:25,26).

OurfirstparentssinnedagainsttheEighthCommandmentintakingtheforbidden fruit, and so brought the curse on themselves and theirposterity (Gen 3:16). Again; the punishment due to the breach of thisCommandmentwasbyJacobaccounteddeath(Gen31:30,32).AndalsobyJacob'ssons(Gen44:9,10).

Cain sinning against the Ninth Commandment as in Genesis 4:9, wastherefore cursed as to the earth (Verse 11). And Abraham, though thefriendofGod,wasblamedforfalse-witnessbyPharaoh,andsentoutofEgypt (Gen 12:18-20) and both he and Sarah reproved by Abimelech(Gen20:9,10,16).

Pharaoh sinned against the Tenth Commandment, and was thereforeplaguedwithgreatplagues(Gen12:15,17).AbimelechcovetedAbraham's

wife, and theLord threateneddeath tohimandhis, excepthe restoredher again; yea, though he had not come near her, yet for coveting andtakinghertheLordfastclosedupthewombsofhishouse(Gen20:3,18).

[FurtherArguments.] I couldhave spokenmore fully to this,but that Iwould not be too tedious, but speak what I have to say with as muchbrevity as I can. But before I pass it, I will besides this give you anargumentortwomoreforthefurtherclearingofthis,thatthesubstanceof the law delivered onMount Sinai was, before that, delivered by theLordtoman in thegarden.As, first, "deathreignedover themthathadnotsinnedafterthesimilitudeofAdam'stransgression"--thatis,thoughthey did not take the forbidden fruit as Adam did; but had thetransgressionbeennoother,orhad their sinbeen laid to the chargeofnone but those that did eat of that fruit, then those that were born toAdamafterhewasshutoutofthegardenhadnothadsin,inthattheydidnotactuallyeatofthatfruit,andsohadnotbeenslavestodeath;but,inthat death did reign from Adam to Moses, of from the time of histransgressionagainstthefirstgivingofthelaw,tillthetimethelawwasgiven on Mount Sinai, it is evident that the substance of the TenCommandments was given to Adam and his posterity under thatcommand,"Eatnotofthetreethatisinthemidstofthegarden."Butyet,if any shall say that itwas because of the sin of their father that deathreigned over them, to that I shall answer, that although original sin belaid to the charge of his posterity, yet it is also for their sins that theyactuallycommittedthattheywereplagued.Andagain,saiththeApostle,"Forwhereno law is, there isno transgression" (Rom4:15).For "sin isnotimputedwhenthereisnolaw;neverthelessdeathreignedfromAdamtoMoses." saith he (Rom 5:13,14). But if there had been no law, thentherehadbeenno transgression, and sonodeath to followafter as thewages thereof; for death is thewages of sin (Rom 6:23) and sin is thebreachofthelaw;anactualbreachinourparticularpersons,aswellasanactualbreachinourpublicperson(1John3:4).[4]

Again;therearenoothersinsthanthoseagainstthatlawgivenonSinai,for thewhichthosesinsbeforementionedwerepunished; therefore thelawgivenbeforebytheLordtoAdamandhisposterityisthesamewiththat afterwards given onMount Sinai. Again; the conditions of that on

Sinaiandofthat inthegardenareallone;theonesaying,"Dothisandlive," theothersaying thesame.Also judgmentdenouncedagainstmeninbothkinds alike; therefore this law it appeareth tobe the very samethatwasgivenonMountSinai.

Again; the Apostle speaketh but of two covenants--to wit, grace andworks--under which two covenants all are; some under one, and someundertheother.NowthistoAdamisone,thereforethatonSinaiisone,andallonewiththis;andthatthisisatruth,Isay,Iknow,becausethesins against that onSinaiwerepunishedbyGod for thebreech thereofbefore itwas given there; so it doth plainly appear to be a truth; for itwouldbeunrighteouswithGod for topunish for that law thatwasnotbroken;thereforeitwasallonewiththatonSinai.

NowthelawgivenonSinaiwasforthemorecleardiscoveryofthosesinsthatwerebeforecommittedagainst it; for though thevery substanceofthe Ten Commandments were given in the garden before they werereceived fromSinai, yet they lay sodarkly in theheartofman, thathissins were not so clearly discovered as afterwards they were; therefore,saith theApostle, the lawwasadded(Gal3:19).Or,moreplainly,givenon Sinai, on tables of stone, "that the offencemight abound,"-- that is,thatitmightthemoreclearlybemademanifestandappear(Rom5:20).

Again;wehaveanotableresemblanceofthisatSinai,eveningivingthelaw;for,first,thelawwasgiventwiceonSinai,tosignifythatindeedthesubstanceofitwasgivenbefore.And,secondly,thefirsttablesthatweregivenonSinaiwerebrokenatthefootofthemount,andtheotherswerepreservedwhole,tosignifythatthoughitwasthetruelawthatwasgivenbefore,withthatgivenonSinai,yetitwasnotsoeasytobereadandtobetakennoticeof,inthatthestoneswerenotwhole,butbroken,andsothelawwrittenthereonsomewhatdefacedanddisfigured.

[Object.]Butifanyobjectandsay,thoughthesinsagainsttheonebethesinsagainsttheother,andsointhattheydoagree,yetitdothnotappearthatthesameisthereforethesameCovenantofWorkswiththeother.

Answ.ThatwhichwasgiventoAdaminParadiseyouwillgrantwastheCovenantofWorks;foritrunsthus:Dothisandlive;doitnotanddie;

nay,"Thoushaltsurelydie."NowthereisbutoneCovenantofWorks.Iftherefore I prove that that which was delivered onMount Sinai is theCovenantofWorks,thenallwillbeputoutofdoubt.Nowthatthisissoitisevident--

1. Consider the two covenants are thus called in Scripture, the one theadministrationofdeath,andtheothertheadministrationoflife;theonetheCovenantofWorks,theotherofgrace;butthatdeliveredonSinaiiscalled the ministration of death; that, therefore, is the Covenant ofWorks."Butif,"saithhe,"theministrationofdeath,writtenandengravenonstoneswasglorious,"(2Cor3:7).

2.TheApostle,writingtotheGalatians,dothlabourtobeatthemofffromtrustingintheCovenantofWorks;butwhenhecomestogiveadiscoveryofthatlaworcovenant--helabouringtotakethemofffromtrustinginit--hedothplainlytellthemitisthatwhichwasgivenonSinai(Gal4:24,25).ThereforethatwhichwasdeliveredintwotablesofstoneonMountSinai,is the very same thing thatwas givenbefore toAdam inParadise, theyrunningbothalike;thatinthegardensaying,Dothisandlive;butinthedaythoueatestthereof--ordostnotdothis--thoushaltsurelydie.

AndsoisthisonSinai,asisevidentwhenhesaith,"themanwhichdoeththosethingsshalllivebythem"(Rom10:5).Andincasetheybreakthem,evenanyofthem,itsaith,"Cursediseveryonethatcontinuethnotinallthingswhicharewritteninthe(whole)bookofthelawtodothem"(Gal3:10).Nowthisbeingthuscleared,Ishallproceed.

WHATITISTOBEUNDERTHECOVENANTOFWORKS

SECOND.Asecondthingtobespokentoisthis:toshowwhatitistobeunder the lawas it isaCovenantofWorks; towhich I shall speak,andthatthus--

Tobeunder the lawas it isaCovenantofWorks, is tobebound,upon

painofeternaldamnation,tofulfill,andthatcompletelyandcontinually,every particular point of the Ten Commandments, by doing them--Dothis, and then thou shalt live; otherwise, "cursed is every one thatcontinueth not in all," in every particular thing or "things which arewritteninthebookforthelawtodothem"(Gal3:10).Thatmanthatisunder the first covenantstands thus,andonly thus,ashe isunder thatcovenant, or law. Poor souls, through ignorance of the nature of thatCovenantofWorks, the lawthattheyareunder, theydonotthinktheirstatetobehalfsobadas it is;when,alas! there isnone intheworld insucha sad conditionagainbesides themselves; for, indeed, theydonotunderstandthesethings.Hethatisunderthelaw,asitisaCovenantofWorks,islikethemanthatisboundbythelawofhisking,uponpainofbanishment,orofbeinghanged,drawn,andquartered,nottotransgressanyof thecommandmentsof theking; sohere, they thatareunder theCovenantofWorks,theyarebound,uponpainofeternalbanishmentandcondemnation, to keep within the compass of the law of the God ofHeaven. TheCovenant ofWorksmay, in this case, be compared to thelaws of the Medes and Persians, which being once made, cannot bealtered.Daniel6:8.Youfindthatwhentherewasalawmadeandgivenforththatnoneshouldaskapetitionofany,Godorman,butofthekingonly;thislawbeingestablishedbytheking(verse9).Danielbreakingofit,letalldowhatevertheycan,Danielmustgointothelions'den(verse16).Sohere,Isay,therebeingalawgiven,andsealedwiththeTruthandthe Word of God,-- how that "the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Eze18:4).Whosoever doth abide under this covenant, and dieth under thesame,theymustandshallgointothelion'sden;yea,worsethanthat,fortheyshallbethrownintoHell,totheverydevils.

But to speak in a few particulars for thy better understanding herein,know,

First.ThattheLawofGod,orCovenantofWorks,dothnotcontainitselfinoneparticularbranchofthelaw,butdothextenditselfintomany,evenintoalltheTenCommandments,andthosetenintoverymanymore,asmightbeshowed;sothatthedangerdothnotlieinthebreakingofoneortwoofthesetenonly,butitdothlieeveninthetransgressionofanyoneof them. As you know, if a king should give forth ten particular

commands tobeobeyedbyhis subjectsuponpainofdeath;now ifanyman doth transgress against any one of these ten, he doth committreason,asifhehadbrokethemall,andliethliabletohavethesentenceofthelawascertainlypassedonhimasifhehadbrokeneveryparticularofthem.

Second. Again; you know that the laws being given forth by the king,whichifamankeepandobeyforalongtime,yetifatthelastheslipsandbreaksthoselaws,heispresentlyapprehended,andcondemnedbythatlaw.ThesethingsareclearastouchingtheLawofGod,asitisaCovenantof Works. If a man doth fulfill nine of the Commandments, and yetbreakethbutone,thatbeingbrokenwillassurelydestroyhimandshuthimoutfromthejoysofHeavenasifhehadactuallytransgressedagainstthemall;forindeed,ineffect,sohehath.ThereisanotableScriptureforthisintheEpistleofJames,SecondChapter,atthetenthverse,thatrunsthus:--"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in onepoint,heisguiltyofall,"--thatis,hehathineffectbrokenthemall,andshallhavethevoiceofthemallcryoutagainsthim.Anditmustneedsbeso,saithJames,because"Hethatsaid,"orthat lawwhichsaid,"Donotcommitadultery,saidalso,Donotkill.Now,ifthoucommitnoadultery,yetifthoukill,thouartbecomeatransgressorofthelaw"(Verse11).Asthus;itmaybethoudidstnevermaketothyselfagodofstoneorwood,orat leastnot toworship themsogreatlyandsoopenlyas theheathendo,yetifthouhaststolen,bornfalsewitness,orlustedafterawomaninthy heart (Matt 5:28) thou hast transgressed the law, and must forcertain,livinganddyingunderthatcovenant,perishforeverbythelaw;for the lawhath resolved on that before-hand, saying, "Cursed is everyonethatcontinuethnotinALLthings";mark,Iprayyou,"inallthings";thatistheWord,andthatsealsthedoctrine.

Third.Again;thoughamandothnotcovet,steal,murder,worshipgodsofwoodandstone,etc.,yetifhedotaketheLord'snameinvain,heisforevergone,livinganddyingunderthatcovenant."ThoushaltnottakethenameoftheLORDthyGodinvain";thereisthecommand.Buthowifwedo?Thenhesaith,"theLORDwillnotholdhimguiltlessthattakethHisnameinvain."No;thoughthouliveasholyaseverthoucanst,andwalkascircumspectlyaseveranydid,yetifthoudosttaketheLord'snamein

vain,thouartgonebythatcovenant:"ForIwillnot,"mark"Iwillnot,"lethimbeinneversomuchdanger,"IwillnotholdhimguiltlessthattakethMynameinvain"(Exo20:7).Andsolikewiseforanyotheroftheten,dobutbreakthem,andthystateisirrecoverable,ifthouliveanddieunderthatcovenant.

Fourth.Thoughthoushouldestfulfillthiscovenant,orlaw,evenallofit,foralongtime,ten,twenty,forty,fifty,orthreescoreyears,yetifthoudochancetoslipandbreakoneofthembutoncebeforethoudie,thouartalsogoneandlostbythatcovenant;formark,"Cursediseveryonethatcontinueth not in all things," that continueth not in ALL things, markthat,"whicharewritteninthebookofthelawtodothem."Butifamandothkeepall theLawofGodhiswhole lifetime, andonly sinone timebefore he dies, that one sin is a breach of the law, and he hath notcontinued in doing the things contained therein. For, so to continue,accordingtothesenseofthisScripture,istoholdonwithoutanyfailing,eitherinthought,word,ordeed;therefore,Isay,thoughamandothwalkuptothelawallhislifetime,butonlyattheverylastsinonetimebeforehedie,heissuretoperishforever,dyingunderthatcovenant.For,myfriends,youmustunderstandthattheLawofGodis"yea,"aswellastheGospel;andastheythatareundertheCovenantofGraceshallsurelybesavedby it,so,evenso, theythatareundertheCovenantofWorksandthelaw,theyshallsurelybedamnedbyit,ifcontinuingthere.ThisistheCovenantofWorksandthenatureof it--namely,not toabateanything,no, not a mite, to him that lives and dies under it: "I tell thee," saithChrist,"thoushaltnotdepartthence,"thatis,fromunderthecurse,"tillthouhastpaidtheverylastmite"(Luke12:59).

Fifth. Again; you must consider that this law doth not only condemnwordsandactions,asIsaidbefore,butithathauthoritytocondemnthemostsecretthoughtsoftheheart,beingevil;sothatifthoudonotspeakanywordthatisevil,asswearing,lying,jesting,dissembling,oranyotherword that tendeth to, or savoureth of sin, yet if there should chance topassbutonevainthoughtthroughthyheartbutonceinallthylifetime,thelawtakethholdofit,accuseth,andalsowillcondemntheeforit.Youmay see one instance for all in (Matt 5:27,28) where Christ saith, thatthoughamandothnotliewithawomancarnally,yetifhedothbutlook

on her, and in his heart lust after her, he is counted by the law, beingrightlyexpounded,suchanonethathathcommittedthesin,andtherebyhathlaidhimselfunderthecondemnationofthelaw.Andsolikewiseofall therestof thecommands; if therebeanythought that isevildobutpassthroughthyheart,whetheritbeagainstGodoragainstmanintheleastmeasure,thoughpossiblynotdiscernedofthee,orbythee,yetthelaw takes hold of thee therefore, and doth by its authority, both cast,condemn,andexecutetheeforthysodoing."Thethoughtoffoolishnessissin"(Prov24:9).

Sixth.Again;thelawisofthatnatureandseverity,thatitdothnotonlyinquireintothegeneralityofthylifeastouchingseveralthings,whetherthouartuprightthereorno;butthelawdothalsofollowtheeintoallthyholyduties,andwatchethovertheethere,toseewhetherthoudostdoallthingsarightthere--thatistosay,whetherwhenthoudostpraythyhearthathnowanderingthoughtsinit;whetherthoudoeveryholydutythoudoestperfectlywithoutthe leastmixtureofsin;and if itdofindtheetoslip, or in the least measure to fail in any holy duty that thou dostperform,thelawtakethholdonthat,andfindethfaultwiththat,soastorenderalltheholydutiesthateverthoudidstunavailablebecauseofthat.I say, if, when thou art a hearing, there is but one vain thought, or inpraying,butonevainthought,orinanyotherthingwhatsoever,letitbecivilorspiritual,onevainthoughtonce inall thy lifetimewillcausethelawtotakesuchholdonit,thatforthatonethingitdothevensetopenallthe floodgates of God's wrath against thee, and irrecoverably by thatcovenant itdothbringeternalvengeanceupon thee;so that, I say, lookwhichwaysthouwilt,andfailwhereinthouwilt,anddoitasseldomasever thou canst, either in civil or spiritual things, as aforesaid--that is,either in theserviceofGod,or in thyemployments in theworld,as thytrade or calling, either in buying or selling any way, in anythingwhatsoever; I say, if in any particular it find thee tardy, or in the leastmeasureguilty,itcalleththeeanoffender,itaccuseththeetoGod,itputsa stop toall thepromises thereof thatare joined to the law,and leavesthee there as a cursed transgressor againstGod, and adestroyer of thyownsoul.[5]

HereIwouldhavethee,bytheway, for to takenotice, that it isnotmy

intentatthistimetoenlargeontheseveralcommandsinparticular--forthatwould be very tedious both forme towrite and thee to read; onlythusmuchIwouldhavetheetodoatthereadinghereof--makeapause,and sit still one quarter of anhour, andmuse a little in thymind thuswiththyself,andsay,DidIeverbreakthelaw;yeaorno?HadIever,inallmy lifetime,onesinful thoughtpassed throughmyheartsince Iwasborn;yeaorno?Andifthoufindestthyselfguilty,asIamsurethoucanstnototherwisechoosebutdo,unlessthoushutthyeyesagainstthyeveryday'spractice,then,Isay,concludethyselfguiltyofthebreachofthefirstcovenant.Andwhenthatthisisdone,besure,inthenextplace,thoudonot straightway forget it and put it out of thy mind, that thou artcondemnedbythesamecovenant;andthendonotcontentthyselfuntilthoudofindthatGodhathsenttheeapardonfromHeaventhroughthemerits of our Lord Jesus Christ, themediator of the second covenant.AndifGodshallbutgivetheeahearttotakethismycounsel,Idomakenoquestionbutthesewordsspokenbyme,willproveaninstrumentforthedirectingofthyhearttotherightremedyforthesalvationofthysoul.

Thusmuchnowtouchingthelaw,andtheseverityofituponthepersonthat is found under it, having offended or broken any particular of it,either in thought,word, or action; andnow,before Idoproceed to thenextthing,Ishallanswerfourobjectionsthatdolieinmyway,andalso,suchasdostumblemostpartoftheworld.

[FourObjections.]

Object. First. But you will say, Methinks you speak very harsh; it isenoughtodauntabody.Setthecase,therefore,thataman,afterhehathsinnedandbrokenthelaw,repentethofhiswickednessandpromisethtodo so nomore, will not God havemercy then, and save a poor sinnerthen?

Answ. I told you before, that the covenant, once broken, will executeupontheoffenderthatwhichitdoththreatentolayuponhim;andasforyoursupposingthatyourrepentingandpromisingtodosonomoremayhelpwell,andputyou inacondition toattain themercyofGodby thelaw, these thoughtsdo flow fromgross ignoranceboth of thenature ofsin,andalsoofthenatureofthejusticeofGod.AndifIweretogiveyoua

descriptionofoneinalostconditionforthepresent,Iwouldbrandhimoutwithsuchamarkofignoranceasthisis.

Answ.2.[Thefirstanswerisexpoundedbythesecond].Thelaw,asitisaCovenantofWorks,dothnotallowofany repentanceunto life to thosethat liveanddieunder it; for the lawbeingoncebrokenby thee,neverspeaks good unto thee, neither doth God at all regard thee, if thou beunderthatcovenant,notwithstandingallthyrepentingandalsopromisestodo sonomore.No, saith the law, thouhast sinned, therefore Imustcursethee;foritisMynaturetocurse,even,andnothingelsebutcurse,everyonethatdoth inanypoint transgressagainstMe(Gal3:10).TheybrakeMycovenant"andIregardedthemnot,saiththeLord"(Heb8:9).Let themcry, Iwill not regard them; let them repent, Iwill not regardthem;theyhavebrokenMycovenant,anddonethatinwhichIdelightednot;therefore,bythatcovenantIdocurse,andnotbless;damn,andnotsave; frown,andnotsmile; reject,andnotembrace;chargesinandnotforgiveit.TheybrakeMycovenant"andIregardedthemnot";sothatIsay,ifthoubreakthelaw,thefirstcovenant,andthoubeingfoundthere,Godlookingontheethroughthat,Hehathnoregardonthee,nopityforthee,nodelightinthee.

Object. Second.Buthathnot the lawpromises aswell as threatenings?saying,"Themanwhichdoeththesethingsshalllive,"mark,heshalllive,"bythem,"orinthem(Rom10:5;Gal3:12).

Answ.1.TobreaktheCommandmentsisnottokeeporfulfillthesame;butthouhastbrokenthem,thereforethepromisedothnotbelongtotheebythatcovenant.2.Thepromisesthatareofthelawareconditional,andsonotperformedunlesstherebeafullandcontinualobediencetoeveryparticularofit,andthatwithouttheleastsin."Dothis"--mark,dothis--andafterwardsthoushaltlive;butifthoubreakonepointofitonceinallthylife,thouhastnotdonethelaw;thereforethepromisesfollowingthelawdonotbelonguntotheeifonesinhathbeencommittedbythee.Asthus,Iwillgiveyouaplaininstance--"Setthecase,therebealawmadebytheking,thatifanymanspeakawordagainsthimhemustbeputtodeath,andthismustnotberevoked,butmustforcertainbeexecutedontheoffender;thoughtherebeapromisemadetothemthatdonot

speakawordagainsthim,thattheyshouldhavegreatlovefromhim;yetthispromiseisnothingtotheoffender;heisliketohavenoshareinit,ortobeeverthebetterforit;butcontrariwise,thelawthathehathoffendedmustbeexecutedonhim;forhissinshuttethhimoutfromashareof,orin, thepromises." So it is here, there is a promisemade indeed, but towhom?Why,itistononebutthosethatlivewithoutsinningagainstthelaw;butifthou,Isay,sinonetimeagainstitinallthylifetime,thouartgone, and not one promise belongs to thee if thou continue under thiscovenant.Methinkstheprisonersatthebar,havingoffendedthelaw,andthechargeofajustjudgetowardsthem,domuchholdforththelaw,asitisaCovenantofWorks,andhowitdealswiththemthatareunderit.Theprisoner having offended, cries out for mercy; Good, my lord, mercy,saithhe,pray,mylord,pityme.Thejudgesaith,Whatcanstthousayforthyself that sentence of death should not be passed upon thee? Why,nothing but this, I pray my lord be merciful. But he answers again,Friend,thelawmusttakeplace,thelawmustnotbebroken.Theprisonersaith, Good,my lord, spareme, and I will never do so anymore. Thejudge, notwithstanding the man's outcries and sad condition, must,according to the tenor of the law, pass judgment upon him, and thesentenceofcondemnationmustbereadtotheprisoner,thoughitmakeshim falldowndead tohear it, ifheexecutes the lawasheought todo.AndjustthusitisconcerningtheLawofGod.

Object.Third.Ay,butsometimes, forallyourhaste,thejudgedothalsogive some pardons, and forgives some offenders, notwithstanding theiroffences,thoughhebeajudge.

Answ. It is not because the law is merciful, but because there ismanifestedtheloveofthejudge,nottheloveofthelaw.Ibeseechyoutomarkthisdistinction;forifamanthathathdeserveddeathbythelawbe,notwithstandingthis,forgivenhisoffence,itisnotbecausethelawsaith,"sparehim";but it is the loveof the judgeorchiefmagistrate thatdothset themanfree fromthecondemnationof the law.Butmark;here thelaw of men and the Law of God do differ; the law of man is not soirrevocable;butiftheSupremepleasehemaysometimesgrantapardonwithout satisfactiongiven for theoffence;but theLawofGod isof thisnature, that ifamanbe foundunder it,anda transgressor,orone that

hath transgressed against it, before that prisoner can be released theremustbea fullandcompletesatisfactiongiven to it, eitherby theman'sown life or by the blood of some otherman; for "without shedding ofblood isno remission" (Heb9:22); that is, there isnodeliverance fromunderthecurseoftheLawofGod;andtherefore,howeverthelawofmanmaybemadeofnoneeffectsometimesbyshowingmercywithoutgivingofa full satisfaction,yet theLawofGodcannotbesocontented,norattheleastgiveway,thatthepersonoffendingthatshouldescapethecurseand not be damned, except some one do give a full and completesatisfactiontoitforhim,andbringtheprisonerintoanothercovenant--towit, theCovenantofGrace,which ismore easy, and soul-refreshing,andsin-pardoning.

I say, therefore, youmust understand that if there be a lawmade thatreaches the life, to take it away for the offence given by the offenderagainstit,thenitisclearthatifthemanbesparedandsaved,itisnotthelawthatdothgivethemanthisadvantage,butitisthemeremercyoftheking,eitherbecausehehatharansomorsatisfactionsomeotherway,orbeingprovokedtheretooutofhisownlovetothepersonwhomhesaveth.Now,thoualsohavingtransgressedandbrokentheLawofGod,ifthelawbenot executedupon thee, it isnotbecause the law ismerciful, or canpassbytheleastoffencedonebythee,butthydeliverancecomesanotherway; therefore, I say, however it be by the laws ofmenwhere they becorruptedandperverted, yet theLawofGod isof thatnature, that if ithathnotthyownbloodorthebloodofsomeotherman--foritcallsfornoless, for to ransom thee from the curse of it, being due to thee for thytransgression,andtosatisfythecries,thedolefulcries,thereof,andeverfor to present thee pure and spotless before God, notwithstanding thisfiery law--thou art gone if thou hadst a thousand souls; for "withoutshedding of blood there is no remission" (Heb 9:22); no forgiveness oftheleastsinagainstthelaw.

Object.Fourth.But,youwillsay,"Idonotonlyrepentmeofmyformerlife, and also promise to do so no more, but now I do labour to berighteous,andto liveaholy life;andnow, insteadofbeingabreakerofthelaw,Idolabourtofulfillthesame.Whatsayyoutothat?"

Answ.Setthecase,thoucouldstwalklikeanangelofGod;setthecase,

thoucouldstfulfillthewholelaw,andlivefromthisdaytothylife'sendwithoutsinninginthought,word,ordeed,whichisimpossible;but,Isay,setthecaseitshouldbeso,why,thystateisasbad,ifthoubeunderthefirst covenant, as ever itwas.For, first, I know thoudarestnot saybutthou hast at one time or other sinned; and if so, then the law hathcondemnedthee;andifso,thenIamsurethatthou,withallthyactionsand works of righteousness, canst not remove the dreadful andirresistiblecursethatisalreadylaidupontheebythatlawwhichthouartunder,andwhichthouhastsinnedagainst;thoughthoulivesttheholiestlifethatanymancanliveinthisworld,beingunderthelawofworks,andsonotundertheCovenantofGrace,thoumustbecutoffwithoutremedy;forthouhastsinned,thoughafterwardsthouliveneversowell.

Thereasonsforthisthathathbeenspokenarethese--

First, The nature of God's justice calls for it--that is, it calls forirrecoverable ruin on them that transgress against this law; for justicegaveit,andjusticelookstohaveitcompletelyandcontinuallyobeyed,orelse justice is resolved to take place, and execute its office, which is topunishthetransgressoragainst it.Youmustunderstandthatthejusticeof God is as unchangeable as His love; His justice cannot change itsnature; justice it is, if itbepleased;and justice it is, if itbedispleased.ThejusticeofGodinthiscasemaybecomparedtofire;thereisagreatfiremadeinsomeplace;ifthoudokeepoutofit,itisfire;ifthoudofallinto it, thouwilt find it fire; and therefore theApostle useth this as anargumenttostiruptheHebrewstostickclosetoJesusChrist, lest theyfallunderthejusticeofGodbythesewords,"ForourGodisaconsumingfire"(Heb12:29);intowhich,ifthoufall,itisnotfortheetogetoutagain,as it iswithsomethat fall intoamaterial fire;no,buthe that falls intothis,hemustliethereforever;asitisclearwherehesaith,"Whoamongus shall dwellwith everlasting burnings, andwithdevouring fire?" (Isa33:14).For justice onceoffendedknowethnothow to showanypity orcompassiontotheoffender,butrunsonhimlikealion,takeshimbythethroat,throwshimintoprison,andthereheissuretolie,andthattoalleternity,unlessinfinitesatisfactionbegiventoit,whichisimpossibletobegivenbyanyofusthesonsofAdam.

Secondly,ThefaithfulnessofGodcallsforirrecoverableruintobepoured

outonthose thatshall liveanddieunder thiscovenant. If thou,havingsinnedbutonesinagainstthiscovenant,andshouldstafterwardsescapedamning, God must be unfaithful to Himself and to His Word, whichbothagreeasone.First,hewouldbeunfaithful toHimself; toHimself,thatis,toHisjustice,holiness,righteousness,wisdom,andpower,ifHeshould offer to stop the running out of His justice for the damning ofthemthathaveoffendedit.Andsecondly,HewouldbeunfaithfultoHisWord,HiswrittenWord,anddisown,deny,andbreakthat,ofwhichHehathsaid,"ItiseasierforHeavenandearthtopass,thanonetittleofthelawtofail,"orbemadeofnoneeffect(Luke16:17).Now,ifHeshouldnot,according to His certain declarations therein, take vengeance on thosethatfallanddiewithinthethreatandsadcursesdenounced,inthatHisWordcouldnotbefulfilled.

Thirdly,BecauseotherwisehewoulddisownthesayingsofHisProphets,and gratify the sayings of His enemies; His Prophets say He will takevengeance; His enemies say He will not; His Prophets say He willremember their iniquities, and recompense them into their bosom; butHisenemiessay theyshoulddowell,andtheyshallhavepeace, thoughtheywalkaftertheimaginationsoftheirownhearts,andbenotsostrictastheWordcommands,anddonotasitsaith(Deu29:19,20).Butletmetell thee, hadst thou a thousand souls, and each of them was worth athousandworlds,Godwould set them all on a light by fire, if they fallwithinthecondemningsofHisWord,andthoudiewithoutaJesus,eventhe rightJesus; "for theScriptures cannotbebroken."What!dost thouthinkthatGod,Christ,Prophets,andScriptures,willalllieforthee?andfalsifytheirwordsforthee?Itwillbebutillventuringthysouluponthat.

And the reasons for it are these:--First, Because God is God; andsecondly,Becausemanisman.

First,BecauseGodisperfectlyjustandeternallyjust,perfectlyholyandeternallyholy,perfectlyfaithfulandeternallyfaithful;thatis,withoutanyvariablenessorshadowofturning,butperfectlycontinueththesame,andcannot aswell cease to beGod as to alter or change the nature ofHisGodhead.AsHeisthustheperfectionofallperfections,HegaveoutHisLawtobeobeyed;butifanyoffendit,thentheyfallintothehandsofthisHiseternaljustice,andsomustdrinkofHisirrevocablewrath,whichis

the execution of the same justice. I say, this being thus, the law beingbroken, justice takes place, and so faithfulness followeth to see thatexecutionbedone,andalsototestifythatHeistrue,anddothdenounceHis unspeakable, insupportable, and unchangeable vengeance on thepartyoffending.

Secondly, Because thou art not as infinite as God, but a poor createdweed,thatisheretodayandgonetomorrow,andnotabletoanswerGodinHisessence,being,andattributes; thouartboundto fallunderHim,for thy soul or body candonothing that is infinite in such away as tosatisfythisGod,whichisaninfiniteGodinallHisattributes.

[Miseryofmanbythislaw.]

But todeclareuntoyou themiseryofmanby this law topurpose, Idobeseechyoutotakenoticeofthesefollowingparticulars,besideswhathasbeenalreadyspoken:--First,Ishallshowthedangerofthembyreasonofthe law, as they come from Adam; Second, as they are in their ownpersonsparticularlyunderit.

[First, The danger of them by reason of the law, as they come fromAdam.]

1.AstheycomefromAdam,theyareinasadcondition,becauseheleftthemabrokencovenant.Ortakeitthus:becausethey,whiletheywereinhim, did with him break that covenant. O! this was the treasure thatAdamlefttohisposterity;itwasabrokencovenant,insomuchthatdeathreignedoverallhischildren,anddothstilltothisday,astheycomefromhim, both natural and eternal death (Rom 5). It may be, drunkard,swearer,liar,thief,thoudostnotthinkofthis.

2.He did not only leave them a broken covenant, but alsomade themhimselfsinnersagainstit.He[Adam]madethemsinners--"Byoneman'sdisobediencemany weremade sinners" (Rom 5:19). And this is worsethanthefirst.

3.Notonlyso,buthediddeprivethemoftheirstrength,bywhichatfirstthey were enabled to stand, and left them nomore than deadmen. O

helplessstate!OhowbeggarlyandmiserablearethesonsofAdam!

4. Not only so, but also before he left them he was the conduit pipethroughwhich the devil did convey off his poisoned spawn and venomnatureintotheheartsofAdam'ssonsanddaughters,bywhichtheyareatthisdaysostronglyandsoviolentlycarriedaway,thattheyflyasfasttoHell,andthedevil,byreasonofsin,aschaffbeforeamightywind.

5.Inaword,Adamledthemoutoftheirparadise,thatisonemore;andput out their eyes, that is another; and left them to the leading of thedevil. O sad! Canst thou hear this, and not have thy ears to tingle andburnonthyhead?Canstthoureadthis,andnotfeelthyconsciencebegintothrobanddag?Ifso,surelyitisbecausethouarteitherpossessedwiththedevil,orbesidesthyself.

[Second.] But I pass this, and come to the second thing, which is, thecauseoftheirbeinginasadcondition,whichisbyreasonoftheirbeingintheirparticularpersonsunderit.

1. Therefore, they that are under the law, they are in a sad condition,becausetheyareunderthatwhichismoreready,throughourinfirmity,to curse than to bless; they are under that called the ministration ofcondemnation, that is, they are under that dispensation, oradministration,whoseproperworkistocurseandcondemn,andnothingelse(2Cor3).

2.Theirconditionissadwhoareunderthelaw,becausetheyarenotonlyunderthatministrationthatdothcondemn,butalsothatwhichdothwaitan opportunity to condemn; the law doth not wait that it might begracious,but itdothwait tocurseandcondemn; itcameonpurpose todiscoversin,"Thelawentered,"saiththeApostle,"thattheoffencemightabound" (Rom5:20)or appear indeed tobe thatwhichGoddothhate,and also to curse for that which hath been committed; as he saith,"Cursediseveryonethatcontinuethnotinallthingswhicharewritteninthebookofthelawtodothem"(Gal3:10).

3.Theyareinasadcondition,becausethatadministrationtheyareunderthatareunderthelawdothalwaysfindfaultwiththesinner'sobedience

aswellashisdisobedience,ifitbenotdoneinarightspirit,whichtheythatareunderthatcovenantcannotdo,byreasonoftheirbeingdestituteoffaith;therefore,Isay,itdothcontrolthem,saying,"Thiswasnotwelldone,thiswasdonebythehalves,thiswasnotdonefreely,andthatwasnot done perfectly, and out of love toGod." And hence it is that somemen, notwithstanding they labour to live as holy as ever they canaccordingtothelaw,yettheydonotliveapeaceablelife,butarefullofcondemnings,fullofguiltandtormentofconscience,findingthemselvesto fail here, and to fall short there, omitting this good which the lawcommands, anddoing that evilwhich the law forbids, but never giveththemonegoodwordforalltheirpains.

4.They that areunder the laware in a sad condition,because theyareunderthatadministrationthatwillneverbecontentedwithwhatisdonebythesinner.Ifthoubeunderthiscovenant,workashardasthoucanst,thelawwillneversay,"Welldone";neversay,"Mygoodservant";no;butalwaysitwillbedrivingtheefaster,hasteningoftheeharder,givingtheefreshcommands,whichthoumustdo,anduponpainofdamnationnottobeleftundone.Nay,itissuchamasterthatwillcursethee,notonlyforthysins,butalsobecausethygoodworkswerenotsowelldoneastheyoughttobe.

5. They that are under this covenant or law, their state is very sad,becausethislawdothcommandimpossiblethingsofhimthatisunderit;andyetdothbutrightinit,seeingmanatthefirsthadinAdamstrengthtostand,ifhewouldhaveusedit,andthelawwasgiventhem,asIsaidbefore,whenmanwasinhisfullstrength;andthereforenoinequalityifitcommandsthesamestill,seeingGodthatgavetheestrengthdidnottakeitaway.Iwillgiveyouasimilitudefortheclearingofit.SetthecasethatIgive tomy servant tenpounds,with this charge,Lay it out formybestadvantage,thatImayhavemyownagainwithprofit;nowifmyservant,contrarytomycommand,goethandspendsmymoneyinadisobedientway,isitanyinequalityinmetodemandofmyservantwhatIgavehimatfirst?Nay,andthoughhehavenothingtopay,Imaylawfullycasthimintoprison,andkeephimthereuntilIhavesatisfaction.Sohere;thelawwas delivered toman at the first when he was in a possibility to havefulfilledit;now,then,thoughmanhavelosthisstrength,yetGodisjust

incommandingthesameworktobedone.Ay,andiftheydonotdothesamethings,Isay,thatareimpossibleforthemtodo,itisjustwithGodto damn them, seeing it was they themselves that brought themselvesintothiscondition;therefore,saiththeApostle,"Whatthingssoeverthelaw (or commands) saith, it saith to themwho are under the law; thateverymouthmaybestopped,andalltheworldmaybecomeguiltybeforeGod"(Rom3:19).Andthisisthysadconditionthatartunderthelaw(Gal3:10).

But if any should object, and say, But the law doth not commandimpossiblethingsofnaturalman,--

IshouldanswerinthiscaseastheApostledidinanotherverymuchlikeunto it,saying,"Understandingneitherwhattheysay,norwhereoftheyaffirm." For doth not the law command thee to love the Lord thy Godwithallthysoul,withalltheystrength,withallthymight,etc.,andcanthenaturalmandothis?Howcanthosethatareaccustomedtodoevil,do that which is commanded in this particular? "Can the Ethiopianchangehisskin,ortheleopardhisspots?"(Jer12:23).

Doththelawcommandtheetodogood,andnothingbutgood,andthatwith all thy soul, heart, and delight? which the law as a Covenant ofWorkscallethfor;andcanstthou,beingcarnal,dothat?Butthereisnomanthathathunderstanding,ifheshouldheartheesayso,butwouldsaythatthouwasteitherbewitchedorstarkmad.

6.Theythatareunderthelawareinasadcondition,becausethatthoughtheyfollowthelaw,orCovenantofWorks;Isay,thoughtheyfollowit,itwill not lead them to Heaven; no, but contrariwise, it will lead themunderthecurse.Itisnotpossible,saithPaul,thatanyshouldbejustifiedbythelaw,orbyourfollowingofit;forbythat"istheknowledgeofsin,"andbyitwearecondemnedforthesame,whichisfarfromleadingustolife,beingtheministrationofdeath(2Cor3).Andagain;"Israel,whichfollowethafter the lawof righteousness,hathnotattained to the lawofrighteousness.Wherefore?Becausetheysoughtitnotbyfaith,butbythelaw,andbytheworksthereof"(Rom9:30-32).

7.Theythatareunderthelawareinasadcondition,becausetheydonot

knowwhetherevertheyshallhaveanywagesfortheirworkorno;theyhave no assurance of the pardon of their sins, neither any hopes ofeternallife;butpoorheartsastheyare,theyworkfortheydonotknowwhat,evenlikeapoorhorsethatworkshardallday,andatnighthathadirtystableforhispains;sothoumayestworkhardallthedaysofthylife,andatthedayofdeath,insteadofhavingagloriousrestintheKingdomofHeaven,thoumayest,nay,thoushalt,haveforthysinsthedamnationof thysoulandbody inHell toalleternity; forasmuch,as I saidbefore,thatthelaw,ifthousinnest,itdothnottakenoticeofanygoodworkdonebythee,buttakesitsadvantagetodestroyandcutoffthysoulforthesinthouhastcommitted.

8.They thatareunder the laware ina sad condition,because theyareunder that administration; uponwhose soulsGod doth not smile, theydying there; for the administration that God doth smile upon Hischildrenthrough,istheCovenantofGrace,theybeinginJesusChrist,theLordoflifeandconsolation;butcontrariwisetothosethatareunderthelaw; for they haveHis frowns,His rebukes,His threatenings, andwithmuchseveritytheymustbedealtwithal--"FortheycontinuednotinMycovenant,andIregardedthemnot,saiththeLord"(Heb8:9).

9.Theyareinasadcondition,becausetheyareoutofthefaithofChrist;theythatareunderthelawhavenotthefaithofChristinthem;forthatdispensationwhichtheyareunderisnottheadministrationoffaith.Thelawisnotoffaith,saiththeApostle(Gal3:12).

10.BecausetheyhavenotreceivedtheSpirit; forthat isreceivedbythehearingoffaith,andnotbythelaw,northeworksthereof(Gal3:2).

11.Inaword, ifthouliveanddieunderthatcovenant,JesusChristwillneitherprayforthee,neitherlettheehaveonedropofHisbloodtowashaway thy sins, neither shalt thou be somuch as one of the least in theKingdomofHeaven;foralltheseprivilegescometosoulsunderanothercovenant, as the Apostle saith--"For such are not under the law, butundergrace"--thatis,suchashaveashareinthebenefitsofJesusChrist,orsuchasarebroughtfromunderthefirstcovenantintothesecond;orfrom under the law into the grace of Christ's Gospel, without whichCovenantofGrace,andbeingfoundinthat,thereisnosoulcanhavethe

least hope of eternal life, no joy in the Holy Ghost, no share in theprivilegesofsaints,becausetheyaretiedupfromthembythelimitsandbondsoftheCovenantofWorks.Foryoumustunderstandthatthesetwocovenantshave their several bounds and limitations, for the ruling andkeepinginsubjection,orgivingoffreedom,tothepartiesunderthesaidcovenants.Nowtheythatareunderthelawarewithinthecompassandthe jurisdiction of that, and are bound to be in subjection to that; andliving and dying under that, they must stand and fall to that, as Paulsaith,"Tohisownmasterhestandethorfalleth."TheCovenantofGracedothadmit to those thatareunder italso libertyand freedom, togetherwithcommandingofsubjectiontothethingscontainedinit,whichIshallspeaktofurtherhereafter.[ForwhatpurposetheLawwasaddedandgiven.]

Butnow,thattheformerthingsmaybefurthermadetoappear--thatis,what the sad condition of all them that are under the law is, as I haveshownyousomethingof thenatureof the law,soalsoshall Ishowthatthe lawwas added and given for this purpose, that itmight be sowiththosethatareoutoftheCovenantofGrace.

First,Goddidgivethelawthatsinmightabound,notthatitshouldtakeawaysininany,buttodiscoverthesinwhichisalreadybegotten,orthatmaybehereafter begotten, by lust andSatan (Rom5:20). I say, this isoneproperworkofthelaw,tomakemanifestsin;itissenttofindfaultwiththesinner,anditdothalsowatchthatitmaydoso,anditdothtakeall advantages for the accomplishing of its work in them that give earthereto,ordonotgiveear,ifithavetheruleoverthem.Isay,itislikeamanthatissentbyhislordtoseeandpryintothelaboursandworksofother men, taking every advantage to discover their infirmities andfailings,andtochidethem?yea,tothrowthemoutoftheLord'sfavourforthesame.

Second.AnothergreatendwhytheLorddidaddorgivethe law, itwasthatnomanmighthaveanythingtolaytothechargeoftheLordforHiscondemningofthemthatdotransgressagainstthesame.Youknowthatif a man should be had before an officer or judge, and there becondemned,andyetbynolaw,hethatcondemnshimmightbeverywellreprehendedorreprovedforpassingthejudgment;yea,thepartyhimself

mighthavebettergroundtopleadforhislibertythantheothertopleadforthecondemningofhim;butthisshallnotbesointhejudgment-day,butcontrariwise;fortheneverymanshallbeforcedtolayhishandonhismouth, and hold his tongue at the judgment of Godwhen it is passedupon them; therefore saith the Apostle, "What things soever the lawsaith,itsaithtothemwhoareunderthelaw";thatis,allthecommands,allthecursingsandthreateningsthatarespokenbyit,arespoken,saithhe, "thateverymouthmaybestopped";mark, Ibeseechyou, "it saith,"saith he, "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world maybecomeguilty beforeGod" (Rom3:19). So thatnow, in case any in thejudgment-dayshouldobjectagainstthejudgmentofGod,asthoseinthe25thofMatthewdo,saying,Lord,whensawweTheethusandthus?andwhydostThoupasssuchasadsentenceofcondemnationuponus?surelythisisinjustice,andnotequity:nowforthepreventingofthisthelawwasgiven;ay,andthatitmightpreventtheetopurpose,Godgaveitbetimes,beforeeitherthyfirstfatherhadsinned,orthouwastborn.Sothatagain,ifthereshouldbetheseobjectionsofferedagainsttheproceedingsoftheLordinjusticeandjudgment,saying,Lord,whyamIthuscondemned,Ididnot know itwas sin?Nowagainst these twowas the lawgivenandthatbetimes,sothatboththeseareanswered.Ifthefirstcomeinandsay,WhyamIjudged?whyamIdamned?thenwillthelawcomein,evenalltheTenCommandments,with everyoneof their cries against thy soul;the First saying, He hath sinned against Me, damn him; the Secondsayingalso,HehathtransgressedagainstMe,damnhim;theThirdalsosayingthesame,togetherwiththeFourth,Fifth,Sixth,Seventh,Eighth,Ninth,Tenth;evenallofthemwilldischargethemselvesagainstthysoulifthoudieunderthefirstcovenant,saying,Heortheyhavetransgressedagainstus, damn them,damn them: and I tell thee also, that these tengreatguns,theTenCommandments,will,withdischargingthemselvesinjusticeagainstthysoul,sorattleinthyconscience,thatthouwiltinspiteofthyteethbeimmediatelyputtosilence,andhavethymouthstopped.Andletmetelltheefurther,thatifthoushaltappearbeforeGodtohavetheTenCommandments discharge themselves against thee, thouhadstbetter be tied to a tree, and have ten, yea, ten thousand of the biggestpiecesofordnanceintheworldtobeshotoffagainstthee;forthesecouldgonofurtherbutonlytokillthebody;butthey,bothbodyandsoul,tobetormentedinHellwiththedeviltoalleternity.

Third,Again;ifthesecondthingshouldbeobjected,saying,ButLord,Ididnotthinkthishadbeensin,ortheotherhadbeensin,fornobodytoldmeso;thenalsowillthegivingofthelawtakeoffthat,saying,Nay,ButIwasgiventothyfatherAdambeforehehadsinned,orbeforethouwastborn,andhaveever sincebeen in thysoul toconvince theeof thysins,and to control thee for doing the thing that was not right. Did not Isecretlytelltheeatsuchatime,insuchaplace,whenthouwastdoingofsuchathing,withsuchanone,orwhenthouwasallalone,thatthiswasasin, and that God did forbid it, therefore if thou didst commit it, Godwouldbedispleasedwith thee for it:andwhenthouwas thinkingtodosucha thingat sucha time,didnot I say,Forbear,donot so?Godwillsmitethee,andpunishtheeforitifthoudostdoit.Andbesides,Goddidsoorderitthatyouhadmeinyourhouses,inyourBibles,andalsoyoucouldspeakandtalkofme;thuspleadingthetruth,thoushaltbeforcedtoconfessit isso;nay,itshallbesoinsomesortwiththeveryGentilesand barbarous people that fall far short of that light we have in theseparts of theworld; for, saith theApostle, "TheGentileswhichhavenotthe law,dobynature the thingscontained in the law, these,havingnotthe law," that is, not written as we have, yet they "are a law untothemselves: which show the works of the law written in their hearts"(Rom2:14,15).Thatis,theyhavethelawofworksinthembynature,andthereforetheyshallbeleftwithoutexcuse;fortheirownconsciencesshallstand up for the truth of this where he saith, "Their conscience alsobearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or elseexcusingoneanother."Ay,butwhen?Why,"in thedaywhenGodshalljudgethesecretsofmenbyJesusChristaccordingtomyGospel"(Rom2:15,16).Sothis,Isay,isanotherendforwhichtheLorddidgivethelaw--namely,thatGodmightpassasentenceinrighteousness,withoutbeingcharged with any injustice by those that shall fall under it in thejudgment.

Fourth,AfourthendwhytheLorddidgivethelawitwas,becausetheythat die out of JesusChristmight not only have theirmouths stopped,butalsothattheirpersons"mightbecomeguiltybeforeGod"(Rom3:19).And indeed this will be the ground of silencing, as I said before, theyfinding themselves guilty, their consciences backing the truth of thejudgmentofGodpasseduponthem,"theyshallbecomeguilty"--that is,

theyshallbefitvesselsforthewrathofGodtobepouredoutinto,beingfilledwithguiltbyreasonoftransgressionsagainstthecommandments;thus, therefore, shall the parties under the first covenant be "fitted todestruction"(Rom9:22)evenaswoodorstraw,beingwelldried,isfittedforthefire;andthelawwasaddedandgiven,andspeakstothisveryend,thatsinsmightbeshown,mouthsmightbestoppedfromquarreling,andthat "all the world,"mark, "the worldmay become guilty before God,"andsobeinjusticeforeverandeveroverthrownbecauseoftheirsins.

Andthiswillbesoforthesereasons--

1.BecauseGodhathatimetomagnifyHisjusticeandholiness,aswellastoshowHis forbearanceandmercy.Weread inScripture thatHiseyesaretoopuretobeholdiniquity,andthenweshallfindittrue(Hab1:13).We read in Scripture that He will magnify the law, and make ithonourable,andthenHewilldo it indeed.Now,because theLorddothnotstrikesosoonasHeisprovokedbysin,thereforepoorsoulswillnotknownorregardthejusticeofGod,neitherdotheyconsiderthetimeinwhichitmustbeadvanced,whichwillbewhenmendropunderthewrathofGodasfastashailinamightystorm(2Peter3:9;Psa50:21,22).Now,therefore,looktoitallyouthatcountthelong-sufferingandforbearanceof God slackness; and because for the present He keepeth silence,thereforetothinkthatHeislikeuntoyourselves.No,no;butknowthatGodhathHissettimeforeverypurposeofHis,andinitstimeitshallbeadvanced most marvelously, to the everlasting astonishment andoverthrowofthatsoulthatshallbedealtwithalbyjusticeandthelaw.O!howwillGodadvanceHisjustice!O!howwillGodadvanceHisholiness!First, by showingmen thatHe in justice cannot, will not regard them,becausetheyhavesinned;and,secondly,inthatHisholinesswillnotgivewayforsuchuncleanwretchestoabideinHissight,Hiseyesaresopure.

2.BecauseGodwillmakeitappearthatHewillbeasgoodasHisWordtosinners.Sinnersmustnotlooktoescapealways,thoughtheymayescapeawhile,yet theyshallnotgo faralladoeunpunished;no,but theyshallhave theirdue toa farthing,whenevery threateningandcurse shallbeaccomplishedandfulfilledontheheadofthetransgressor.Friend,thereisneveran idlewordthat thouspeakestbutGodwillaccountwiththeeforit;thereisneveraliethoutellest,butGodwillreckonwiththeeforit;

nay, there shallnotpass somuchasonepassage inall thy lifetimebutGod, the righteousGod,will have it in the trial byHis law, if thou dieunderit,inthejudgment-day.

WHOARETHOSETHATAREUNDERTHECOVENANTOFWORKS

THIRD. But you will say--"But who are those that are thus under thelaw?"

Answ.Thosethatareunderthelawmaybebranchedoutintothreeranksof men; either, first, such as are grossly profane, or such as are morerefined; whichmay be two ways, some in a lower sort, and some in amoreeminentway.

First,ThentheyareunderthelawasaCovenantofWorkswhoareopenprofane,andungodlywretches, suchasdelightnotonly insin,butalsomaketheirboastofthesame,andbragatthethoughtsofcommittingofit.Now,asforsuchastheseare,thereisaScriptureintheFirstEpistleofPaul to TimothyChapter 1, verses 9, 10,which is a notable one to thispurpose,"Thelaw,"saithhe,"isnotmadeforarighteousman,"notasitis a Covenant of Works, "but for the" unrighteous or "lawless anddisobedient,fortheungodlyandforsinners,forunholyandprofane,formurderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, forwhoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, formenstealers, for liars," lookto it, liars, "forperjuredpersons,and," inaword, "if there be any other thing that is not according to sounddoctrine." These are one sort of people that are under the law, and sounderthecurseofthesame,whosedueistodrinkupthebrimfulcupofGod's eternal vengeance, and therefore I beseech you not to deceiveyourselves; for "know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit thekingdomofGod?Neither fornicators,nor idolaters,nor adulterers, noreffeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, norcovetous,nordrunkards,norrevilers,norextortioners, shall inherit the

kingdomofGod"(1Cor6:9,10).

Poor souls, you think that you may have your sins, your lusts, andpleasures, and yet you shall do prettywell, and be let to go free in thejudgment-day;butseewhatGodsaithofsuchinDeuteronomy29:19,20--whichshall"blesshimselfinhisheart,saying,Ishallhavepeace,"Ishallbesaved,Ishalldoaswellasothers,inthedaywhenGodshalljudgetheworldbyJesusChrist;but,saithGod,Iwillnotsparethem,no,butMyangerandMy jealousyshall smokeagainst them.How far?Even to theexecuting all the curses that arewritten in theLawofGodupon them.Nay,saithGod,Iwillbeevenwiththem,"forIwillblotouttheirnamesfromunderHeaven."Andindeeditmustofnecessitybeso,becausesuchsoulsareunbelievers,intheirsins,andunderthelaw,whichcannot,willnot, showanymercyon them; for it isnot theadministrationofmercyandlife,buttheadministrationofdeathanddestruction,asyouhaveit(2Cor3:7,9);andall those,everyoneof them,thatareopenprofane,andscandalouswretchesareunderit,andhavebeensoeversincetheycameintotheworldtothisday;andtheywillforcertainliveanddieunderthesame dispensation, and then be damned to all eternity, if they be notconverted from under that covenant into and under the Covenant ofGrace,ofwhich I shall speak in itsplace; andyet forall this,howbragand crank [6] are our poor wantons and wicked ones in this day offorbearance! as if God would never have a reckoning with them, as iftherewasnolawtocondemnthem,asiftherewasnohellfiretoputtheminto.ButOhowwill theybedeceivedwhentheyshall seeChrist sittingupon the judgment-seat, having laid aside his priestly and propheticaloffice,andappearingonlyasajudgetothewicked?whentheyshallseeall the records ofHeaven unfolded and laid open; when they shall seeeachmanhisnameintheBookofLife,andinthebookofthelaw;whenthey shall see God in Hismajesty, Christ in Hismajesty, the saints intheirdignity,butthemselvesintheir impurity.Whatwill theysaythen?whitherwilltheyflythen?wherewilltheyleavetheirglory?Osadstate!(Isa10:3).

Second. They are under the law also who do not only so break anddisobeythelaw,butfollowafterthelawashardasevertheycan,seekingjustificationthereby--thatis,thoughamanshouldabstainfromthesins

against the law,and labour to fulfill the law,andgiveuphimself to thelaw,yetifhelooknofurtherthanthelawheisstillunderthelaw,andforall his obedience to the law, the righteous Law of God, he shall bedestroyed by that law. Friend, youmust not understand that none butprofanepersonsareunder the law;no,butyoumustunderstand thatamanmaybe turned fromavain, loose, open,profane conversationandsinningagainstthe law,toaholy,righteous,religious life,andyetbe inthe same state, under the same law, and as sure to be damned as theother thataremoreprofaneand loose.And thoughyoumaysay this isvery strange, yet I shall both say it and prove it to be true. Readwithunderstanding that Scripture in Romans 9:30-31, where the Apostle,speakingoftheverything,saith,"ButIsrael,whichfollowedafterthelawofrighteousness";mark,thatfollowedafterthelawofrighteousness;theynotwithstanding their earnest pursuit, or hunting after the law ofrighteousness,"hathnotattainedtothelawofrighteousness."Itsignifiesthusmuchtous,thatletamanbeneversoearnest,sofervent,sorestless,so serious, so ready, so apt and willing to follow the law and therighteousnessthereof,ifhebeunderthatcovenant,heisgone,heislost,heisdeprivedofeternallife,becauseheisnotundertheministrationoflifeifhediethere.ReadalsothatScripture,Galatians3:10,whichsaith,"Forasmanyasareoftheworksofthelawareunderthecurse";mark,theythatareoftheworksofthelaw.Now,fortobeoftheworksofthelaw, it is to be of the works of the righteousness thereof--that is, toabstain from sins against the law, and to do the commands thereof asnearasevertheycanfortheirlives,orwithallthemighttheyhave:andthereforeIbeseechyoutoconsiderit,formen'sbeingignorantofthisisthe cause why so many go on supposing they have a share in Christ,because they are reformed, and abstain from the sins against the law,who,whenallcomestoall,willbedamnednotwithstanding,becausetheyarenotbroughtout fromunder theCovenantofWorks, andputundertheCovenantofGrace.

Object. "Butcanyou inverydeedmake these thingsmanifestlyevidentfrom theWordofGod?Methinks to reason thus is very strange, that amanshould labour towalkupaccording to theLawofGodasmuchaseverhecan,andyetthatmannotwithstandingthis,shouldbestillunderthecurse.Prayclearit."

Answ. Truly this doth seem very strange, I do know full well, to thenatural man, to him that is yet in his unbelief, because he goeth bybeguiledreason;butformypart,Idoknowitisso,andshalllabouralsotoconvincetheeofthetruthofthesame.

1.Then, the law is thus strictandsevere, that if amandosinbutonceagainst it,he, I say, is gone for everby the law, livinganddyingunderthatcovenant.Ifyouwouldbesatisfiedastouchingthetruthofthis,dobutreadGalatians3:10,whereitsaith"Cursediseveryone,"thatis,notamanshallmissbythatcovenant,"thatcontinuethnotinall,"mark,inall"thingswhich arewritten in the book of the law to do them." (1.) Praymark,hereisacurse,inthefirstplace,ifallthingswritteninthebookofthelawbenotdone,andthat,continuallytoo--thatis,withoutanyfailingorone slip, as I saidbefore.Now there isnever aone in theworldbutbefore they did begin to yield obedience to the least command, they intheir own persons did sin against it by breaking of it. The Apostle,methinks, is verynotable for the clearingof this inRomans3:5. In theoneheendeavoursfortoprovethatallhadtransgressedinthefirstAdamashe stood a commonperson, representing bothhimself andus in hisstandingand falling. "Wherefore," saithhe, "asbyonemansinenteredinto the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,"mark that; but why? "for that all have sinned" (Rom 5:12). That is,forasmuch as all naturally are guilty of original sin, the sin that wascommittedbyusinAdam;sothisisonecausewhynonecanbejustifiedbytheirobediencetothelaw,becausetheyhaveinthefirstplacebrokenit in their first parents. But, (2.) in case this should be opposed andrejectedbyquarrelsomepersons,thoughtherebenogroundforit,Paulhathanotherargumenttobackhisdoctrine,saying,Forwehaveproved(already)thatbothJewsandGentilesareallundersin."Asitiswritten,Thereisnonerighteous,no,notone.""Theyareallgoneoutoftheway,they are together,"mark, together, "becomeunprofitable, there is nonethat doeth good,no, not one." "Their throat is an open sepulchre;withtheir tongues they have used deceit, the poison of asps is under theirlips." Their "mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." "Their feet areswift to shed blood." In a word, "Destruction and misery are in theirways; and theway of peacehave theynot known."Now then, saithhe,havingprovedthesethingssoclearly,theconclusionofthewholeisthis,

"That what things soever the law saith," in both showing of sin, andcursing for the same, "it saith"all "to themwhoareunder the law thateverymouthmaybestopped,andalltheworldmaybecomeguiltybeforeGod"(Rom3:10,19).Sothathere,Isay,lieththegroundofournotbeingjustified by the law, even because, in the first place, we have sinnedagainst it; for know this for certain, that if the law doth take the leastadvantage of thee by thy sinning against it, all that ever thou shaltafterwardshear from it isnothingbutCurse, curse, cursehim, "fornotcontinuing in all thingswhich arewritten in the book of the law to dothem."

2. Thou canst not be saved by the righteous Law of God, the firstcovenant,becausethat,togetherwiththisthymiserablestate,byoriginalandactualsins,beforethoudidstfollowthelaw,sincethyturningtothelawthouhastcommittedseveralsinsagainstthelaw--"Inmanythingsweoffend all." So that now thy righteousness to the law beingmixedwithsometimes the lust of concupiscence, fornication, covetousness, pride,heart-risings against God, coldness of affection towards Him,backwardnesstogoodduties,speakingidlewords,havingofstrifeinyourhearts,andsuchlike;Isay,thesethingsbeingthus,therighteousnessofthe law is become too weak through this our flesh (Rom 8:3), and so,notwithstanding all our obedience to the law, we are yet through ourweaknessunder thecurseof the law; for,as I saidbefore, the law is soholy, so just, and so good, that it cannot allow that any failing or slipshouldbedoneby themthat look for lifeby thesame."Cursed iseveryone that continuteth not in everything" (Gal 3:10).And this Paul knewfullwell,whichmadehimthrowawayallhisrighteousness.Butyouwillsay,thatwashisown.Answ.Butitwaseventhatwhichwhilehecallsithisown,healsocallsittherighteousnessofthelaw(Phil3:7-10)andtoaccountitbutdung,butasdirtonhisshoes,andthat,thathemightbefoundinChrist,andsobesavedbyHim"withoutthedeedsof the law"(Rom3:28).But,

3.Setthecase,therighteousnessofthelawwhichthouhastwaspureandperfect,without the least flawor fault,without the leastmixture of theleast sinful thought, yet this would fall far short of presenting of theeblamelessinthesightofGod.AndthatIprovebythesearguments--(1.)

Thefirstargumentis,thatthatwhichisnotChristcannotredeemsoulsfromthecurse, itcannotcompletelypresentthembeforetheLord;nowthelawisnotChrist;thereforethemorallawcannot,byallourobedienceto it, deliver us from the curse that is due to us (Acts 4:12). (2.) Thesecondargumentis,thatthatrighteousnessthatisnottherighteousnessoffaith,thatis,bybelievinginJesusChrist,cannotpleaseGod;nowtherighteousnessofthelawasaCovenantofWorksisnottherighteousnessoffaith;thereforetherighteousnessofthelawasactedbyus,beingunderthat covenant, cannot please God. The first is proved inHebrews 11:6,"ButwithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseHim";mark,itisimpossible.The second thus, "The law is not of faith" (Gal 3:12; Rom 10:5,6),comparedwithGalatians3:11."ButthatnomanisjustifiedbythelawinthesightofGod,itisevident;for,Thejustshalllivebyfaith.Andthelawisnotoffaith."

Butforthebetterunderstandingofthosethatareweakofapprehension,Ishallprove it thus--1.Thesoulthathatheternal life,hemusthave itbyrightofpurchaseorredemption(Heb9:12;Eph1:7).2.Thispurchaseofredemptionmustbe through thebloodofChrist. "Wehave redemptionthroughHis blood." "Without shedding of blood is no remission."Nowthe law is not in a capacity to die, and so to redeem sinners by thepurchase of blood, which satisfaction justice calls for. Read the sameScriptures (Heb 9:22). Justice calls for satisfaction, because thou hasttransgressed and sinned against it, and that must have satisfaction;thereforeallthateverthoucanstdocannotbringinredemption,thoughthoufollowthelawupthetothenail-head,asImaysay,becauseallthisis not shedding of blood; for believe it, and know it for certain, thatthoughthouhadstsinnedbutonesinbeforethoudidstturntothe law,thatonesinwillmurderthysoul,ifitbenotwashedawaybyblood,evenby thepreciousbloodofJesusChrist, thatwasshedwhenHedidhanguponthecrossonMountCalvary.

Object.Butyouwillsay,"Methinks, thatgivingofourselvesupto livearighteouslifeshouldmakeGodlikethebetterofus,andsoletusbesavedbyChrist,becausewearesowillingtoobeyHislaw."

Answ. Themotive thatmovethGod to havemercy upon sinners is notbecause they arewilling to follow the law, but becauseHe iswilling to

save them. "Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprighteous of thineheart dost thou go topossess their land" (Deu9:4-6).Nowunderstandthis: if thywill todorighteousnesswasthe firstmovingcausewhyGodhadmercyontheethroughChrist,thenitmustnotbefreelybygrace--Isay,freely.ButtheLordlovestheeandsavestheeuponfreeterms,havingnothingbeforehandtomakeHimacceptofthysoul,butonlythebloodofChrist;thereforetoallowofsuchaprincipleitistoallowthatgraceistobeobtainedbytheworksofthelaw,whichisasgrossdarknessasliesinthedarkestdungeoninPopery,andisalsodirectlyoppositetoScripture--Forweare"justifiedfreelybyHisgrace,throughtheredemptionthatisinChrist";notthroughthegoodthatisinourselves,ordonebyus,no,"butbyfaith,without"--markthat--"withoutthedeedsofthelaw"(Rom3:24-28).Again, "Notofworks, leastanymanshouldboast" (Eph2:9).No, no, saith he, "Not according to our works," or righteousness, "butaccordingtoHisownpurpose";mark"accordingtoHisownpurposeandgrace,whichwas" a free gift, "given us in Christ Jesus," not lately, but"beforetheworldbegan"(2Tim1:9).

Object.But youwill say, "ThenwhydidGodgive the law, ifwe cannothavesalvationbyfollowingofit?"

Answ. I told you before that the law was given for these followingreasons--1.Thatthoumightestbeconvincedbyitofthysins,andthatthysinsmightindeedappearverysinfuluntothee,whichisdonebythelawtheseways--(1.)Byshowingof theewhataholyGodHeis thatdidgivethe law; and, (2.)By showing thee thy vileness andwickedness, in thatthou,contrarytothisholyGod,hasttransgressedagainstandbrokenthisHis holy Law; therefore, saith Paul, "the law entered, that the offencemightabound,"thatis,byshowingthecreaturetheholinessofGod,andalsoitsownvileness(Rom5:20).2.ThatthoumayestknowthatGodwillnot damn thee for nothing in the judgment-day. 3. Because He wouldhave no quarreling at His just condemning of them at that day. 4.BecauseHewillmaketheetoknowthatHeisaholyGodandpure.

WHATMENMAYATTAINTOTHATAREUNDERTHISCOVENANTOFWORKS

FOURTH]Quest."Butseeingyouhavespokenthusfar,Iwishyouwoulddo somuchas to show in someparticulars, bothwhatmenhavedone,andhowfartheyhavegone,andwhattheyhavereceived,beingyetunderthiscovenant,whichyoucalltheministrationofcondemnation."

Answ. This is somewhat a difficult question, and had need be not onlywarily, but also home and soundly answered. The question consists ofthreeparticulars--First,Whatmenhavedone;Second,Howfarmenhavegone; Third,What they have received, and yet to be under the law, orCovenantofWorks,andsoinastateofcondemnation.

[First.] As for the first, I have spoken something in general to thatalready; but for thy better understanding I shall yet speak moreparticularly.

1.Amanhathandmaybeconvincedandtroubledforhissins,andyetbeunder this covenant, and that in a very heavy and dreadful manner,insomuchthathefindtheweightofthemtobeintolerableandtooheavyfor him to bear, as it was with Cain, "My punishment," saith he, "isgreaterthanIcanbear"(Gen4:13).

2.Amanlivingthusunderasenseofhissinsmayrepentandbesorryforthem,andyetbeunderthiscovenant,andyetbeinadamnedstate.Andwhenhe,Judas,sawwhatwasdone,he"repented"(Matt27:3).

3.Menmaynotonlybeconvinced,andalsorepentfortheirsins,buttheymayalsodesiretheprayersofthechildrenofGodforthemtoo,andyetbeunder this covenant and curse, "ThenPharaoh called forMoses andAaron,inhaste,andhesaid,Ihavesinned;entreattheLORDyourGodthatHemaytakeawayfrommethisdeath"(Exo10:16,17).

4. A man may also humble himself for his offences and disobedienceagainsthisGod,andyetbeunderthiscovenant(1Kings21:24-19).

5.Amanmaymake restitutionuntomen for the offence he hath doneuntothem,andyetbeunderthiscovenant.

6.AmanmaydomuchworkforGodinhisgeneration,andyetbeunderthisfirstcovenant;asJehu,whodiddothatwhichGodbidhim(2Kings9:25,26).AndyetGodthreatenethevenJehu,becausethoughhediddothe thing that theLord commandedhim, yethedid itnot froma rightprinciple;forhadhe,theLordwouldnothavesaid,"Yetalittlewhile,andIwillavengethebloodofJezreeluponthehouseofJehu"(Hosea1:4).

7.Menmayhearandfeartheservantsof theLord,andreverencethemveryhighly; yea, andwhen theyhear, theymaynotonlyhear,buthearanddo,andthatgladlytoo,notoneortwothings,butmany;mark,manythings gladly, and yet be lost, and yet be damned, "For Herod fearedJohn,"why?not becausehehad any civil power overhim, but because"hewasa justmanandanholy,andobservedhim;andwhenheheardhim,hedidmanythings,andheardhimgladly"(Mark6:20).Itmaybethat thou thinkest that because thou hearest such and such, thereforethou art better than thy neighbours; but know for certain that thoumayestnotonlyhear,butthoumayesthearanddo,andthatnotwithabackward will, but gladly--mark, "gladly"--and yet be Herod still, anenemytotheLordJesusstill.Considerthis,Iprayyou.

Second.Buttothesecondthing,whichisthis,Howfarmaysuchanonego?Towhatmaysuchanoneattain?Whithermayhearrive,andyetbeanundoneman,underthiscovenant?1answer--

1.Suchanonemaybereceivedintofellowshipwiththesaints,astheyareinavisiblewayofwalkingonewithanother;theymaywalkhandinhandtogether, "The Kingdom of Heaven," that is, a visible company ofprofessorsofChrist,islikenedtotenvirgins,whichtooktheirlamps,andwentforthtomeettheBridegroom,"fiveofthemwerewise,andfivewerefoolish"(Matt25:1,2).These,inthefirstplace,arecalledvirgins--thatis,suchasareclearfromthepollutionsoftheworld;secondly,theyaresaidto go forth--that is, from the rudiments and traditions ofmen; thirdly,they do agree to take their lamps with them--that is, to professthemselves the servants of Jesus Christ, that wait upon Him, and forHim;andyetwhenHecame,Hefoundhalfofthem,eventhevirgins,that

hadlamps,thatalsowentforthfromthepollutionsoftheworldandthecustomsofmen,tobesuchas lost theirprecioussouls(verse12)whichtheyshouldnothavedone,hadtheybeenundertheCovenantofGrace,andsonotunderthelaw.

2. They may attain to a great deal of honour in the said company ofprofessors, that which may be accounted honour, insomuch that theymaybeputintrustwithchurchaffairs,andbearthebag,asJudasdid.Ispeaknotthistoshamethesaints,but,beingbeloved,Iwarnthem;yetIspeakthisonpurposethatitmight,iftheLordwill,knockatthedoorofthesoulsofprofessors.ConsiderDemas!

3. They may attain to speak of the Word as ministers, and becomepreachersoftheGospelofJesusChrist,insomuchthatthepeoplewheretheydwellmayeven takeupaproverb concerning them, saying, "Isheamong the prophets?" his gifts may be so rare, his tongue may be sofluent,andhismattermaybesofit,thathemayspeakwithatonguelikeanangel,andspeakofthehiddenmysteries,yea,ofthemall;markthat,andyetbenothing,andyetbenoneoftheLord'sanointedones,withtheSpiritofgracesavingly,butmayliveanddieunderthecurseofthelaw(1Cor13:1-4).

4.Theymaygoyetfurther;theymayhavethegiftsoftheSpiritofGod,whichmayenablethemtocastoutdevils,toremovethebiggesthillsormountainsintheworld;nay,thoumayestbesogiftedastoprophesyofthings to come, themost glorious things, even the coming of the LordJesus Christ to reign over allHis enemies, and yet be but a Balaam, awickedandamadprophet(2Peter2:16;Num24:16-25).

5.Theremaynotonlystandthusforawhile,foralittleseason,buttheymay stand thus till the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ withHis holyangels;ay,andnotbediscoveredofthesaintstillthatveryday."Thenallthose virgins arose,"--thewise and the foolish; then!when?why,whenthisvoicewasheard,"BeholdtheBridegroomcometh,goyeouttomeethim" (Matt 25:1-6).And yetwereout of theLord JesusChrist, and yetwereunderthelaw.

6. Nay, further, they may not only continue in a profession till then,

supposingthemselvestobeunderthegraceof theGospel,whenindeedthey are under the curse of the law, but even when the Bridegroom iscome, theymay still be so confidentof their state tobegood, that theywill even reason out the casewith Christ why they are not let into thekingdomofglory, saying, "Lord,Lord,wehaveeatenanddrunk inThypresence; andThouhast taught in our streets."Nay, further, "HavewenotprophesiedinThyname?andinThynamehavecastoutdevils?"Nay,notonly thus,but, "donemany,"mark,wehave "donemanywonderfulworks."Nay,further,theyweresoconfident,thattheycommanded,inacommanding way, saying, "Lord, open to us." See here, I beseech you,how far these went; they thought they had had intimate acquaintancewithJesusChrist,theythoughtHecouldnotchoosebutsavethem;theyhadeatanddrunkwithHim,satat the tablewithHim,receivedpowerfromHim,executedthesamepower.InThynamehavewedonethusandthus; evenwroughtmanywonderfulworks (Matt 7:22; Luke 13:25,26).Andyet thesepoorcreatureswere shutoutof thekingdom.Oconsiderthis,Ibeseechyou,beforeitbetoolate,lestyousay,Lord,letuscomein,whenChristsaith,Thrusthimout(Verse28).Hearsyoucry,"Lordopentous,"whenHesaith,"Depart,Iknowyounot";lestthoughyouthinkofhavingjoy,youhave"weepingandgnashingofteeth."

Third.But the third thing touched in thequestionwas this--WhatmaysuchanonereceiveofGodwhoisunderthecurseofthelaw?

1.TheymayreceiveananswertotheirprayersfromGodatsometimes,forsomethingsastheydostandinneedof.IfindinScripturethatGoddidhear thesepersons that theApostlesaithwerecastout (Gen21:17)."AndGodheardthevoiceofthelad,"evenofcast-outIshmael;"andtheangelofGodcalledtoHagar"whichwasthebond-woman,andunderthelaw(Gal4:30)."outofheaven,andsaiduntoher,Fearnot;forGodhathheardthevoiceoftheladwhereheis."Friends,itmaybeyoumaythink,because you have your prayers answered in some particular things,thereforeyoumaysupposethatastoyoureternalstateyourconditionisverygood.ButyoumustknowthatGoddothhearthecryofacompanyofIshmaelites, the sons of the bondwomen, who are under the law as aCovenantofWorks.IdonotsayHehearsthemastotheireternalstate,butHeheareththemastoseveralstraitsthattheygothroughinthislife,

ay, and gives them ease and liberty from their trouble. Here this poorwretchwasalmostperishedforalittlewater,andhecried,andGodheardhim,yea,HeheardhimoutofHeaven.ReadalsoPsalm107:23-29."Hegavethemtheirdesire,butHesentleannessintotheirsoul"(Psa106:15).[7]

But somemay say,Methinks this is yetmore strange that God shouldhear the prayers, the cries of those that are under the law, and answerthem.Answ.Itoldyoubefore,Hedothnothearthemastotheireternalstate,butastotheirtemporalstate;forGodastheirCreatorhathacareforthem,andcauseththesuntoshineuponthem,andtheraintodistillupon their substance (Matt 5:45). Nay, He doth give the beasts in thefieldtheirappointedfood,anddothheartheyoungravenswhentheycry,whicharefarinferiortoman(Psa147:9).Isay,therefore,thatGoddothhearthecriesofHiscreatures,anddothanswerthemtoo,thoughnotastotheireternalstate;butmaydamnthemneverthelesswhentheydieforallthat.

2. They may receive promises from the mouth of the Lord. There aremany thathavepromisesmade to themby theLord inamosteminentway, and yet, as I said before, are such as are cast out and called thechildren of the bond-woman, which is the law--"And the angel of GodcalledtoHagaroutofHeaven,"thatwasthebond-woman,saying,"Fearnot;forGodhathheardthevoiceoftheladwhereheis.Arise,liftupthelad,andholdhiminthinehand;FORIWILLMAKEHIM,"--mark,thereisthepromise,--"forIwillmakehim,"ofthesonofthebond-woman,"agreatnation"(Gen21:17,18).

3.Nay,theymaygofurther;fortheymayreceiveanotherheartthantheyhadbefore,andyetbeunderthelaw.Thereisnoman,Ithink,butthosethatdonotknowwhattheysay,thatwillthinkorsaythatSaulwasunderthe Covenant of Grace; yet after he had talked with Samuel, and hadturned his back to go from him, saith the Scripture, "God gave himanotherheart" (1 Sam10:9).Anotherheart,mark that, and yet anout-cast,a rejectedperson(1Sam15:26,29).Friends, Ibeseechyou, letnotthese things offend you, but let them rather beget in your hearts aninquiringintothetruthofyourcondition,andbewillingtobesearchedtothebottom;andalso,thateverythingwhichhathnotbeenplantedbythe

Lord'srighthandmayberejected,andthattheremaybeareachingafterbetterthings,eventhethingsthatwillnotonlymakethysoulthinkthystate isgoodnow,butthatthoumayestbeableto looksin,death,Hell,the curse of the law, togetherwith the Judge, in the facewith comfort,havingsuchareal,sound,effectualworkofGod'sgraceinthysoul,thatwhenthouhearestthetrumpetsound,seestthegravesflyopen,andthedead come creeping forth out of their holes; when thou shalt see thejudgment set, the books opened, and all theworld standing before thejudgment-seat;Isay,thatthenthoumayeststand,andhavethatblessedsentencespokentothysoul,"Come,yeblessedofMyFather,inheritthekingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt25:34).

[Objectiontothishead.]But,youwillsay,forallthis,Wecannotbelievethatweareunderthelaw,forthesereasons--As,First.Becausewehavefound a change in our hearts. Second. Because we do deny that theCovenantofWorkswillsaveany.Third.Because,forourparts,wejudgeourselves far from legal principles; for we are got up into as perfect aGospelorder,astomatterofpracticeanddisciplineinchurchaffairs,asanythisdayinEngland,aswejudge.

[Answer to reason first.] That man's belief that is grounded uponanythingdoneinhim,orbyhimonly,thatman'sbeliefisnotgroundeduponthedeath,burial,resurrection,ascension,andintercessionofJesusChrist; for that man that hath indeed good ground of his eternalsalvation,hisfaithissettleduponthatobjectwhichGodiswellpleasedorsatisfiedwithal,whichisthatmanthatwasbornofMary,evenherfirst-bornSon-- that is, hedoth apply by faith tohis soul the virtues ofHisdeath, blood, righteousness, etc., and doth look for satisfaction of soulnowhereelsethanfromthat,neitherdoththesoulseektogiveGodanysatisfaction as to justification any other ways; but doth willingly andcheerfully accept of and embrace the virtues of Christ's death, togetherwiththerestofHisthingsdonebyHimselfonthecrossasasacrifice,andsince also as a priest, advocate, mediator, etc.; and doth so really andeffectually receive the glories of the same, that thereby--mark that--therebyheis"changedintothesameimage,fromglorytoglory"(2Cor3:18).Thusingeneral;butyetmoreparticular--

1.To thinkthatyourcondition isgoodbecause there issomechange inyou froma looseprofane life, toamoreclose,honest,andcivil lifeandconversation;Isay,tothinkthistestimonysufficienttogroundthestressof thysalvationupon isverydangerous.First,becausesuchasouldothnotonly laythestressof itssalvationbesidesthemanChristJesusthatdied upon the cross; but secondly, because that his confidence is notgroundedupon theSaviourof sinners,butuponhis turning fromgrosssins to amore refined life,--and itmay be to the performance of somegoodduties--whichisnoSaviour;Isay,thisisverydangerous;thereforeread it, and the Lord help you to understand it; for unless you lay thewhole stress of the salvation of your souls upon themerits of anotherman--namely,Jesus--andthatbywhatHediddoandisadoingwithoutyou,forcertain,assureasGodisinHeaven,yoursoulswillperish.Andthis must not be notionally neither, as with an assenting of theunderstandingonly;butitmustbebythewonderful,invisible,invinciblepower of theAlmightyGod,working in your souls byHis Spirit such areal,saving,holyfaith,thatcan,throughtheoperationofthesameSpiritbywhichitiswrought,layholdonandapplythesemostheavenly,mostexcellent,mostmeritoriousbenefitsofthemanChristJesus,notonlytoyour heads and fancies, but to your very souls and consciences, soeffectually,thatyoumaybeablebythesamefaithtochallengethepower,madness,malice,rage,anddestroyingnatureeitherofsin,thelaw,death,thedevil,togetherwithHellandallotherevils,throwingyoursoulsuponthe death, burial, resurrection, and intercession of that man Jesuswithout(Rom8:32-39).But,

2.Doyouthinkthattherewasnochangeinthefivefoolishvirginsspokenof(Matt25:1-3).Yes;therewassuchachangeinthoseverypeople,thatthefivewiseonescouldgivethemadmittanceofwalkingwiththeminthemost pure ways and institutions of the Gospel of Christ, and yet butfoolish; nay, theywalkedwith them, or shallwalkwith them, until theLordJesusChristshallbreakdownfromHeaven,andyetbebutfoolishvirgins, and yet but under the law, and so under the curse, as I saidbefore.

[Secondpartofobjection.]But,sayyou,WehavedisownedtheCovenantofWorks,andturnedfromthatalso.

[Answertoreasonsecond.]Thisissoonersaidthandone.Alas,alas!poorsoulsthinkbecausetheysay,"Grace,grace,itisfreelybygrace,"thereforethey are under the Covenant of Grace. A very widemistake. Youmustunderstandthusmuch,thatthoughyoubesuchascanspeakofthegraceof the Gospel, yet if you yourselves be not brought under the veryCovenantofGrace,youareyet,notwithstandingyourtalkandprofession,very farwideof a senseandof a share in theCovenantof theGraceofGodheldforthintheGospel.

TheJewswereofaclearerunderstandingmanyofthemthantoconcludethat the law, andonly the law,was theway to salvation; for they, eventhey that received not the Christ of God, did expect a Saviour shouldcome (John 7:27,41-43). But they were men that had not the GospelSpirit, which alone is able to lead them to the very life, marrow, orsubstance of the Gospel in right terms; and so being muddy in theirunderstandings, being between the thoughts of a Saviour and thethoughts of the works of the law, thinking that they must beaccomplished for the obtaining of a Saviour, and His mercy towardsthem; I say, between these they fell short of a Saviour. Asmany poorsoulsinthesedays,theythinktheymustbesavedalonebytheSaviour,yet they think there is something to be done on their parts for theobtaining of the good-will of the Saviour, as their humiliation for sin,theirturningfromthesame,theirpromises,andvows,andresolutionstobecomenewmen,joininchurch-fellowship,andwhatnot;andthusthey,bringingthisalongwiththemasameanstohelpthem,theyfallshortofeternalsalvationiftheyarenotconverted;seethatScripture(Rom9:30-32).TheApostlesaiththere, that theythatsoughtnotdidobtain,whentheythatdidseekfellshort."Whatshallwesaythen?"saithhe."ThattheGentiles which sought not after righteousness, have attained torighteousness,"yea,"eventherighteousnesswhichisoffaith."Andwhatelse?Why,"butIsraelwhichfollowedafterthelawofrighteousness,hathnotattainedtothelawofrighteousness."Howcamethattopass?

"Because,"saithhe,"theysoughtitnotbyfaith,butasitwere"--mark,hedoth not say, altogether, no, "but as it were"--that is, because as theysought,theydidalittlebythebyeleanupontheworksofthelaw.Andletmetellyou,thatthisissuchahardthingtobeatmenoffof,thatthough

Paulhimselfdidtaketheworkinhand,hedidfindenoughtodotouchingit;how ishe fain to labour in the ten firstchaptersofhisEpistle to theRomans,fortheestablishingofthosethatdidevenprofesslargelyinthedoctrineof grace, andalso in thatEpistle to theGalatians; andyet lostmany,dowhathecould.Now,thereasonwhythedoctrineofgracedothsohardlydown--evenwithprofessors--intruth,effectually, it isbecausethere is a principle naturally inman that doth argue against the same,andthatthus:Why,saiththesoul,Iamasinner,andGodisrighteous,holy, and just; His holy Law, therefore, having been broken by me, Imust,byallmeans,ifeverIlooktobesaved,inthefirstplace,besorryfor my sins; secondly, turn from the same; thirdly, follow after goodduties, and practise the good things of the law and ordinances of theGospel, and sohope thatGod forChrist's sakemay forgiveallmysins;whichisnotthewaytoGodasaFatherinChrist,buttheway,theverywaytocometoGodbytheCovenantofWorks,orthelaw,whichthingsIshallmorefullyclearwhenIspeaktotheseconddoctrine.

Again,therefore,thosethatthisdayprofesstheGospel,forthegeneralityof them they are such, that, notwithstanding their profession, they areveryignorantofthatgloriousinfluenceandlustreofthesame;Isay,theyareignorantofthevirtueandefficacyofthegloriousthingsofChristheldforthbyand in theGospel,whichdothargue theirnotbeingunder theCovenantofGrace,butratherunderthelaworoldcovenant(2Cor4:3).As,forinstance,ifyoudocomeamongsomeprofessorsoftheGospel,ingeneralyoushallhavethemprettybusyandripe;alsoabletoholdyouinaverylargediscourseinseveralpointsofthesamegloriousGospel;butifyou come to the same people and ask them concerning heart-work, orwhatworktheGospelhathwroughtonthem,andwhatappearancetheyhave had of the sweet influences and virtues on their souls andconsciences,itmaybetheywillgiveyousuchananswerasthis--IdofindbythepreachingthereofthatIamchanged,andturnedfrommysinsinagoodmeasure,andalsohavelearned(butonlyintongue),todistinguishbetween the law and the Gospel, so that for the one--that is, for theGospel--I can plead, and also can show the weakness andunprofitablenessoftheother.Andthusfar,itisliketheymaygo,whichisnotfarenoughtoprovethemundertheCovenantofGrace,thoughtheymayhavetheirtonguessolargelytippedwiththeprofessionofthesame

(2 Peter 2:20) where he saith "For if after they have escaped thepollutionsof theworld through theknowledgeof theLordandSaviourJesus Christ," which was not a saving knowledge, "they are againentangled therein, and overcome, the latter end" of thatman "isworsethanthebeginning"(Matt25:1-4,etc.;Matt7:22).

Object.But,youwillsay,isnotthisafairdeclaringoftheworkofgrace,or doth it not discover that, without all gainsaying, we are under theCovenantofGrace,whenweare able,not only to speakof the gloriousGospel of JesusChrist, but also to tell, and that by experience, thatwehavebeenchangedfromworsetobetter,fromsintoaholylife,byleavingofthesame,andthatbyhearingoftheWordpreached?

Answer1.Amanmay,inthefirstplace,beabletotalkofallthemysteriesoftheGospel,andthatlikeanangelofGod,andyetbenomoreinGod'saccountthanthesoundingofadrum,brass,orthetinklingofacymbal,whichare things that,notwithstanding their soundandgreatnoise,areabsolutely void of life and motion, and so are accounted with God asnothing--that is,noChristians,nobelievers,notundertheCovenantofGraceforallthat(1Cor13:1-4).2.Menmaynotonlydothis,butmayalsobechangedinreality,foraseason,fromwhattheyformerlywere,andyetbenothingatall in theLord'saccountas toaneternalblessing.Read2Peter2:20,theScripturewhichImentionedbefore;for,indeed,thatoneScriptureisenoughtoproveallthatIdesiretosayastothisverything;for, if youobserve, there is enfolded therein these following things--(1.)ThatreprobatesmayattaintoaknowledgeofChrist.(2.)Thisknowledgemaybeofsuchweightandforce,that,forthepresent,itmaymakethemescapethepollutionsoftheworld,andthisbyhearingtheGospel."Forifafter they have escaped the pollutions of the world through theknowledgeoftheLordandSaviourJesusChrist,theyareagainentangledtherein, and overcome, the latter end of that man is worse than thebeginning." [Some professors, take them at the best, they are but likedogs, spewing out their filth for a time.]Now that they are reprobates,dogs, or sows, read further; "But," saith he, "it is happened unto themaccordingtothetrueproverb,Thedogisturnedtohisownvomitagain;andthesowthatwaswashedtoherwallowinginthemire"(Verse22).

[Thirdpartofobjection.]Thelastpartoftheobjection.But,sayyou,our

practicesintheworshipofGodshalltestifyforusthatwearenotunderthe law; for we have by God's goodness attained to as exact a way ofwaking in the ordinances of God, and as near the examples of theApostles,aseveranychurchessincetheprimitivetimes,aswejudge.

[Answer to reason third.]What then?Doyou think that thewalking inthe order of the churches of old, as to matter of outward worship, issufficienttoclearyouofyoursinsatthejudgment-day?or,doyouthinkthatGodwill be contentedwith a little bodily subjection to thatwhichshall vanish and fade like a flower, when the Lord shall come fromHeaveninflamingfire,withHismightyangels(2Thess1:7,8).Alas,alas,how will such professors as these are fall before the judgment-seat ofChrist!Thensuchaquestionasthis,"Friend,howcamestthouinhither,nothavingaweddinggarment?"willmake thembespeechless,and falldownintoeverlastingburnings,thousandsonaheap;foryoumustknowthatitisnotthenyourcrying,Lord,Lord,thatwillstandyouinstead;notyoursaying,WehaveateanddrankinThypresence, thatwillkeepyoufromstandingonthelefthandofChrist.Itistheprincipleaswellasthepracticethatshallbeinquiredintoatthatday.

Quest.Theprinciple,youwillsay,whatdoyoumeanbythat?

Answ. My meaning is, the Lord Jesus Christ will then inquire andexaminewhetherthespiritfromwhichyouactedwaslegalorevangelical--thatis,whetheritwastheSpiritofadoptionthatdiddrawyououttothething you took in hand, or ameremoral principle, togetherwith someshallowandcommonilluminationsintotheoutwardwayoftheworshipofGod,accordingtoGospelrule.

Quest.But,youwillsay,itislike,Howshouldthisbemademanifestandappear?

Answ.Ishallspeakbrieflyinanswerhereuntoasfolloweth--First,then,that man that doth take up any of the ordinances of God--namely, asprayer,baptism,breakingofbread,reading,hearing,alms-deeds,orthelike; I say, he that doth practise any of these, or such like, supposingtherebytoprocuretheloveofChristtohisownsoul,hedothdowhathedothfromalegal,andnotfromanevangelicalorGospelspirit:asthus--

foramantosupposethatGodwillhearhimforhisprayer'ssake,forhisalm's sake, for his humiliation's sake, or because he hath promised tomake God amends hereafter, whereas there is no such thing as asatisfactiontobemadetoGodbyourprayersorwhateverwecando; Isay,thereisnosuchwaytohavereconciliationwithGodin.Andsoalsoformentothink,becausetheyaregotintosuchandsuchanordinance,andhavecrowdedthemselvesintosuchandsuchasociety,thatthereforetheyhavegotprettygoodshelterfromthewrathoftheAlmighty;when,alas,poorsouls, thereisnosuchthing.No,butGodwillsosetHisfaceagainstsuchprofessors,thatHisverylookswillmakethemtoteartheirveryflesh;yea,makethemtowishwouldtheyhadthebiggestmillstoneintheworldhangedabouttheirneck,andtheycastintothemidstofthesea.For,friends,letmetellyou,thoughyoucannowcontentyourselveswithouttheholy,harmless,undefiled,perfectrighteousnessofChrist;yetthereisadaya-cominginwhichthereisnotoneofyoushallbesavedbutthose that are and shall be found clothedwith that righteousness;Godwill say to all the rest, "Take them, bind themhand and foot, and castthemintoouterdarkness;thereshallbeweepingandgnashingofteeth"(Matt22:13).

ForChristwillnotsayuntomeninthatday,Come,whichofyoumadeaprofession ofMe, andwalked in church-fellowshipwithMy saints: no;but then it shall be inquired into, who have the reality of the truth ofgracewrought in their hearts. And, for certain, he thatmisseth of thatshallsurelybecastintotheLakeofFire,theretoburnwiththedevilsanddamnedmenandwomen;theretoundergothewrathofaneternalGod,andthatnotforaday,amonth,ayear,butforever,forever,foreverandever; there is thatwhich cutteth to thequick.Therefore, look to it, andconsidernowwhatyoudo,andwhereonyouhangyoursouls;foritisnoteverypinthatwillholdinthejudgment,noteveryfoundationthatwillbeabletoholdupthehouseagainstthosemighty,terrible,soul-drowningfloodsanddestroyingtempestswhichthenwillroaragainstthesoulandbodyofa sinner (Luke6:47-49).And, if theprinciplebe rotten,allwillfall,allwillcometonothing.Now,theprincipleisthis--Nottodothingsbecausewewouldbesaved,but todo themfromthis--namely,becausewedoreallybelieve thatweareandshallbe saved.Butdonotmistakeme;Idonotsayweshouldslightanyholyduties;Godforbid;butIsay,

hethatdothlookforlifebecausehedothdogoodduties,heisundertheCovenantofWorks,thelaw;lethisdutiesbeneversoeminent,sooften,sofervent,sozealous.Ay,andIsay,asIsaidbefore,thatifanymanormen,ormultitudesofpeople,dogetintoneversohigh,soeminent;andclearpracticesandGospelorder,astochurchdiscipline,ifitbedonetothisendIhavebeenspeakingof,fromthisprinciple,theymustandshallhavethesesadthingsfalltotheirsharewhichIhavemadementionof.

Object.But,youwill say, canamanuseGospelordinanceswitha legalspirit?

Answ. Yes, as easily as the Jews could use and practise circumcision,thoughnotthemoralorTenCommandments.ForthisIshallbeboldtoaffirm,thatitisnotthecommandsoftheNewTestamentadministrationthatcankeepamanfromusingofitsself[thatadministration]inalegalspirit;forknowthisforcertain,thatitistheprinciple,notthecommand,thatmakes the subjector to the sameeither legalor evangelical, and sohis obedience from that command to be from legal convictions orevangelicalprinciples.

Now,hereinthedeviliswondroussubtleandcrafty,insufferingpeopletopractise theordinancesandcommandsof theGospel, if theydobutdothem in a legal spirit, [I beseech you, do not think because I say this,thereforeIamagainsttheordinancesoftheGospel,forIdohonourthemintheirplaces,yetwouldnotthatanyofthemshouldbeidolized,ordoneinawrongspirit,]fromaspiritofworks;forheknowsthen,thatifhecanbutgetthesoultogooninsuchaspirit,thoughtheydoneversomanyduties, he shall hold them sure enough; for he knows full well thattherebytheydosetupsomethingintheroomof,or,attheleast,tohavesome, though but a little, share with the Lord Jesus Christ in theirsalvation;and ifhe canbutget theehere,heknows thathe shall causetheebythydependingalittleupontheone,andsothywholedependencebeingnotupontheother,thatis,Christ,andtakingofhimuponhisownterms, thou wilt fall short of life by Christ, though thou do verymuchbusythyselfinasuitablewalking,inanoutwardconformitytotheseveralcommandsoftheLordJesusChrist.Andletmetellyouplainly,thatIdoverily believe that as Satan by his instruments did draw many of theGalatiansbycircumcision(though,Isay,itwasnoneofthecommandsof

themoral law) tobedebtors todouponpainof eternal damnation thewholeofthemorallaw,soalsoSatan,inthetimeoftheGospel,dothuseeventhecommandslaiddownintheGospel,someofthem,tobindthesoulovertodothesamelaw;thethingbeingdoneandwalkedin,byandinthespirit;for,asIsaidbefore,itisnottheobediencetothecommandthatmakes the subjector thereto evangelical, or of aGospel spirit; but,contrariwise, the principle that leads out the soul to the doing of thecommand, thatmakes thepersons thatdo thuspractise any command,togetherwiththecommandbythempractised,eitherlegalorevangelical.As,forinstance,prayer--itisaGospelcommand;yetifhethatpraysdothitinalegalspirit,hedothmakethatwhichinitselfisaGospelcommandan occasion of leading him into a Covenant ofWorks, inasmuch as hedothitbyandinthatoldcovenantspirit.

Again;givingofalmsisaGospelcommand;yetifIdogivealmsfromalegalprinciple,thecommandtomeisnotGospel,butlegal,anditbindsmeover,asaforesaid, todothewhole law--"Forhe isnotaJew,"noraChristian, "which is one outwardly"--that is, one only by an outwardsubjection to the ordinances of prayer, hearing, reading, baptism,breaking of bread, etc.--"But he is a Jew," a Christian, "which is oneinwardly,"whoisrightlyprincipled,andpractiseththeordinancesoftheLord from the leadings forth of the Spirit of theLord, froma true andsavingfaithintheLord(Rom2:28,29).Thosemenspokenofinthe7thofMatthew,forcertain,foralltheirgreatdeclaration,didnotdowhattheydid from a right Gospel spirit; for had they, no question but the Lordwouldhavesaid,"Welldone,goodandfaithfulservant."But inthattheLord Jesus doth turn them away intoHell, notwithstanding their greatprofessionoftheLord,andoftheirdoinginHisname,itisevidentthatnotwithstanding all that theydiddo, theywere still under the law, andnot under that covenant as true believers are--to wit, the Covenant ofGrace;andifso,thenalltheirdutiesthattheydid,ofwhichtheyboastedbeforetheLord,wasnotinandbyarightevangelicalprincipleorspirit.

Again,saiththeApostle,"Whatsoeverisnotoffaithissin,"(Rom14:23);but there are some that do even practise baptism, breaking of bread,together with other ordinances, and yet are unbelievers; thereforeunbelieversdoingthesethings,theyarenotdoneinfaithbutsin.Nowto

do these things in sin, or without faith, it is not to do things in anevangelicalorGospelspirit;alsotheythatdothesethingsinalegalspirit,theverypractisingofthemrendersthemnotunderthelawofChrist,asHeadofHisChurch,buttheworkstheydoaresomuchcontradictiontotheGospelofGod,ortheCovenantofGrace,thattheythatdothemthusdoevensetupagainsttheCovenantofGrace;andtheveryperformanceof them is of such force that it is sufficient to drown them that aresubjects thereunto, even under the Covenant of Works; but this poorsoulsarenotawareof,andthereistheirmisery.

Quest.Buthave younootherway todiscover the things of theGospel,howtheyaredonewithalegalprinciple,butthoseyouhavealreadymadementionof?

Answ.Thatthoumightestbeindeedsatisfiedherein,Ishallshowyoutheverymannerandwaythatalegal,orold-covenant-convertedprofessor,bearwiththeterms,dothtakebothinthebeginning,middle,andtheendofhisdoingofanydutyorcommand,orwhatsoeveritbethathedothdo.1.Hethinkingthisorthattobehisduty,andconsideringofthesame,heisalsopresentlypersuadedinhisownconsciencethatGodwillnotacceptofhimifheleaveitundone;heseeingthatheisshortofhisduty,ashesupposeth, while this is undone by him, and also judging that God isangrywithhimuntilthethingbedone,he,inthesecondplace,setstothedoingoftheduty,totheendhemaybeabletopacifyhisconsciencebydoing of the same, persuading of himself that now the Lord is pleasedwithhimfordoingofit.2.Havingdoneit,hecontentshimself,sitsdownathisease,untilsomefurtherconvictionsofhisdutytobedone,whichwhenhe seeth and knoweth, he doth do it as aforesaid, from the sameprinciple as he did the former, and so goeth on in his progress ofprofession.This is todo things froma legalprinciple,and fromanold-covenant spirit; for thus runs that covenant, "Theman that doth thesethings shall live in them,"of "by them" (Lev 18:5;Gal3:12;Rom10:5).Butmoreofthisintheuseofthisdoctrine.

Object.But, youwill say,by thesewordsof yours youdo seem todenythatthereareconditionalpromisesintheGospel,asisclear,inthatyoustrike at such practices as are conditional, and commanded to be doneuponthesame.

Answ.ThethingthatIstrikeatisthis,thatamaninorwithalegalspiritshould not, nay, cannot, do any conditional command of the Gospelacceptably,astohiseternalstate,becausehedothit inanold-covenantspirit. "Nomanputtethnewwine intooldbottles"; butnewwinemusthavenewbottles,aGospel commandmusthaveaGospel spirit,orelsethewinewillbreakthebottles,ortheprinciplewillbreakthecommand.

Object.ThenyoudograntthatthereareconditionalpromisesintheNewTestament,asinthemorallaw,orTenCommands.

Answ. Though this be true, yet the conditional promises in the NewTestament do not call to the same people in the same state ofunregeneracytofulfillthemuponthesameconditions.

TheLawandtheGospelbeingtwodistinctcovenants, theyaremade indiversways,andthenatureoftheconditionsalsobeingnotthesame,assaith theApostle, the righteousness of the law saith one thing, and therighteousness of faith saith another (Rom 10:4-6). That is, the greatconditioninthelawis,Ifyoudothesethings,youshalllivebythem;butthecondition,eventhegreatestconditionlaiddownforapoorsoultodo,as to salvation--for it is thatwe speak of--is to believe thatmy sins beforgivenmeforJesusChrist'ssake,withouttheworksorrighteousnessofthelaw,onmypart,tohelpforward."Tohimthatworkethnot,"saiththeApostle [that is] for salvation, "but believeth onHim that justifieth theungodly,his faith"--mark, "his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom4:5). So that we, saith, he, "conclude that a man is justified by faithwithout"--markagain,"withoutthedeedsofthelaw"(Rom3:28).

Butagain;thereisneveraconditionintheGospelthatcanbefulfilledbyan unbeliever; and therefore, whether there be conditions or whetherthere be none, itmakes nomatter to theewho artwithout the faith ofChrist; for it is impossible for thee in that state todo them,soas tobeeverthebetterastothyeternalestate;therefore,lestthoushouldstsplitthysoulupontheconditions laiddownintheGospel,as thouwiltdo ifthougoabout todo themonlywitha legal spirit;but, I say, topreventthis,seeifthoucanstfulfillthefirstcondition;thatis,tobelievethatallthysinsareforgiventhee,notforanyconditionthathathbeenorcanbe

done by thee, but merely for the Man's sake that did hang on MountCalvary,betweentwothieves,somesixteenhundredyearsagoandodd.And, I say, see if thou canst believe that at that timeHedid,whenHehangedontheCross,givefullsatisfaction,forallthysins,beforethouinthy personhadst committed ever a one. I say, see if thou canst believethis;andtakeheedthoudeceivenotthyselfwithanhistorical,notional,ortraditionalacknowledgmentofthesame.

And,secondly,seeifthoucanstsowellfulfillthiscondition,thattheveryvirtueandefficacythatithathonthysoulwillengagetheetofulfillthoseotherconditions,really in lovetothatManwhomthoushouldstbelievehathfranklyandfreelyforgiventheeall,withoutanyconditionactedbytheetomoveHimthereto,accordingtothatsayingin2Corinthians5:14,15;andthenthydoingwillarisefromacontraryprinciplethanotherwiseitwilldo--thatis,thenthouwiltnotactanddobecausethouwouldstbeacceptedofGod,butbecausethouhastsomegoodhopeinthyheartthatthouartacceptedofHimalready,andnotonthine,butwhollyandaloneuponanotherman'saccount;forhererunstheGospelspiritoffaith:"Webelieve,"--mark, "We believe, and therefore speak." So we believe, andthereforedo(2Cor4:13).Takeheed,therefore,thatyoudonotDO,thatyoumaybelieve,butratherbelievesoeffectuallythatyoumayDO,evenallthatJesusdothrequireofyoufromarightprinciple,evenoutoflovetoyourdearLordJesusChrist,whichthingIshallspeaktomorefullybyandby.

Object.Butwhatdoyoumeanbythoseexpressions?Donotdothatyoumaybelieve,butbelievesoeffectuallythatyoumaydo.

Answ.WhenIsay,Donotdothatyoumaybelieve,Imean,donotthinkthat anyof the things that thou canstdowillprocureorpurchase faithfromGoduntothysoul;forthatisstilltheold-covenantspirit,thespiritofthelaw,tothinktohaveitforthydoing.Theythataresaved,theyaresaved by grace, through faith, and that not of themselves, not foranythingthattheycando,fortheyareboththefreegiftofGod,"Notof"doing, or of "works, lest anyman should," be proud, and "boast" (Eph2:8,9).Now, somepeople be so ignorant as to think thatGodwill givethemChrist,andsoallthemeritsofHis,iftheywillbebutvaliant,anddosomethingtopleaseGod,thattheymayobtainHimatHishands;butlet

metellthem,theymayloseathousandsoulsquickly,iftheyhadsomany,bygoingthiswaytowork,andyetbeneverthebetter;fortheLorddothnotgiveHisChrist toanyuponsuchconditions,butHedothgiveHimfreely; that is, without having respect to anything that is in thee (Rev22:17;Isa55:1,2).TohimthatisathirstwillIgive;Hedothnotsay,Iwillsell;but,Iwillgivehimthewateroflifefreely(Rev21:6).

Now, if Christ doth give it, and that freely, thenHedothnot sell if foranythingthatisinthecreature;butChristdothgiveHimself,asalsodothHisFather,andthatfreely,notbecausethereisanythinginus,ordonebyus, thatmovesHim thereunto. If itwere by doing, then, saithPaul,"Grace is not grace," seeing it is obtained byworks; but grace is grace,andthatisthereasonitisgiventomenwithouttheirworks.Andifitbebygrace,thatis,ifitbeafreegiftfromGod,withoutanythingforeseenasdone,ortobedone,bythecreature,thenitisnotofworks,whichisclear;thereforeitisgrace,withouttheworksofthelaw.Butifyousay,Nay,itisof something in themandoneby him thatmovesGod thereunto; thenyoumust conclude that either grace is no grace, or else thatworks aregraceandnotworks.Dobutreadwithunderstanding(Rom11:6).

NowbeforeIgoanyfurther,itmaybenecessarytospeakawordortwoto some poor souls that are willing to close in with Jesus Christ, andwouldwillinglytakeHimuponHisownterms,onlytheybeingmuddyintheirminds, and have not yet attained the understanding of the termsandconditionsofthetwocovenants,theyarekeptofffromclosingwithChrist; and all is, because they see they can do nothing [to merit Hisfavour].As,forexample,cometosomesouls,andaskthemhowtheydo,they will tell you presently that they are so bad that it is not to beexpressed.IfyoubidthembelieveinJesusChrist,theywillanswerthatthey cannot believe; if you ask themwhy they cannot believe, theywillanswer,becausetheirheartsaresohard,sodead,sodull,sobackwardtogoodduties;andiftheirheartswerebutbetter,iftheyweremoreearnest,iftheycouldpraybetter,andkeeptheirheartsmorefromrunningaftersin,thentheycouldbelieve;butshouldtheybelievewithsuchvilehearts,andpresumetobelieveinChrist,andbesofilthy?Nowallthisisbecausethespiritofthelawstillrulethinsuchsouls,andblindsthemsothattheycannotseethetermsoftheGospel.

Toclearthis,takethesubstanceorthedriftofthesepoorsouls,whichisthis--"IfIwerebetter,thenIthinkIcouldbelieve;butbeingsobadasIam,thatisthereasonthatIcannot."ThisisjusttodosomethingthatImaybelieve,toworkthatImayhaveChrist,todothelawthatImayhavetheGospel; or thus, tobe righteous that Imay come toChrist.Oman!thoumustgoquitebackagain,thouartoutoftheway,thoumustbelieve,because thou canst not pray, because thou canst not do; thou mustbelieve,becausethereisnothingintheenaturallythatisgood,ordesirethaftergood,orelse thouwiltnevercometoChristasasinner;and ifso,thenChristwillnotreceivethee;andifso,thenthoumayestseethattokeepofffromChristbecausethoucanstnotdo,istobekeptfromChristbythelaw,andtostandofffromHimbecausethoucanstnotbuyHim.ThushavingspokensomethingbythewayforthedirectionofthosesoulsthatwouldcometoChrist,Ishallreturntotheformerdiscourse,whereinariseththisobjection--

Object. But you did but even now put souls upon fulfilling the firstconditionof theGospel, even tobelieve inChrist, and sobe saved;butnow you say it is alone by grace, without condition; and therefore bythesewords,thereisfirstacontradictiontoyourformersayings,andalsothatmenmaybesavedwithouttheconditionoffaith,whichtomeseemsaverystrangething.Idesire,therefore,thatyouwouldclearoutwhatyouhavesaid,tomysatisfaction.

Answer,1.ThoughtherebeaconditioncommandedintheGospel,yetHethat commands the condition doth not leaveHis children to their ownnaturalabilities,thatintheirownstrengththeyshouldfulfillthem,asthelaw doth; but the sameGod that doth command that the condition befulfilled,evenHedothhelpHischildrenbyHisHolySpirittofulfill thesame condition; "For it is Godwhichworketh in you,"--mark "in you,"believers,"bothtowillandtodoofHisowngoodpleasure"(Phil2:13)."Thoualsohastwroughtallourworks inus,andforus"(Isa26:12).Sothat, if the condition be fulfilled, it is not done by the ability of thecreature.But,

2.Faith,asitisagiftofGod,oranactofours,takeitwhichwayyouwill,ifwespeakproperlyofsalvation,itisnotthefirstnorthesecondcauseofoursalvation,butthethird,andthatbutinstrumentallyneither--thatis,

itonlylayethholdofandappliethtousthatwhichsavethus,whichistheloveofGod,throughthemeritsofChrist,whicharethetwomaincausesofoursalvation,withoutwhichallotherthingsarenothing,whetheritbefaith, hope, love, orwhatever can be done by us. And to this the greatApostle of the Gentiles speaks fully, for, saith he, "God, who is rich inmercy, lovedus, evenwhenweweredead in sins" (Eph2:4,5).That is,whenwewerewithoutfaith,andthatwasthecausewhywebelievedforHe therebyhathquickenedus together, through themeritorious cause,which is Christ, and so hath saved us by grace--that is, of His ownvoluntaryloveandgoodwill;theeffectofwhichwasthis,Hegaveusfaithto believe in Christ. Read soberly Ephesians 2:4-8. Faith, as the gift ofGod,isnottheSaviour,asouractdothmeritnothing;faithwasnotthecause thatGodgaveChrist as the first, neither is it the causewhyGodconverts men to Christ; but faith is a gift bestowed upon us by thegraciousGod,thenatureofwhichistolayholdonChrist,thatGodaforedidgiveforaransomtoredeemsinners;thisfaithhathitsnourishmentand supplies from the sameGod that at the first did give it, and is theonly instrument, through the Spirit, that doth keep the soul in acomfortable frame, both to do and suffer for Christ; helps the soul toreceivecomfortfromChristwhenitcangetnonefromitself,bearethupthesoulinitsprogressheavenwards.

But that it is the first cause of salvation, that I deny, or that it is thesecond,Ideny;butitisonlytheinstrument,orhand,thatreceiveththebenefits,thatGodhathpreparedfortheebeforethouhadstanyfaith;sothatwedonothingforsalvationaswearemen.Butifwespeakproperly,itwasGod'sgrace thatmovedHimtogiveChristaransomforsinners;andthesameGod,withthesamegrace,thatdothgivetothesoulfaithtobelieve,andso,bybelieving,tocloseinwithHimwhomGodoutofHisloveandpitydidsendintotheworldtosavesinners,sothatalltheworksofthecreatureareshutoutastojustificationandlife,andmenaresavedfreelybygrace.Ishallspeaknomorehere;butinmydiscourseuponthesecondcovenant,IshallansweraHell-bredobjectionortwo,toforewarnsinnershowtheyturnthegraceofGodintowantonness.

And thus,yousee, Ihavebriefly spoken toyousomething touching thelaw. First, what it is, and when given; secondly, how sad those men's

conditions are that areunder it; thirdly,who they are that beunder it;fourthly,howfartheymaygo,andwhattheymaydoandreceive,andyetbeunderit;whichhathbeendonebywayofanswerstoseveralquestions,forthebettersatisfactionofthosethatmaystandindoubtofthetruthofwhathathbeendelivered.

Now, in thenextplace, I shall come tosomeapplicationof the truthofthat which hath been spoken; but I shall in the first place speaksomething to he second doctrine, and then afterwards I shall speaksomethingbywayofuseandapplicationtothisfirstdoctrine.

TheSecondPart

TheDoctrineProved

The second doctrine now to be spoken to is, TO SHOW THAT THEPEOPLEOFGODARENOTUNDERTHELAWBUTUNDERGRACE--"Foryearenotunderthelaw,butundergrace"(Rom6:14).

Youmaywell remember that from thesewords Ididobserve these twogreattruthsoftheLord--FIRST,ThattherearesomeinGospeltimesthatareunderthelaw,orCovenantofWorks.SECOND,Thatthereisneverabeliever under the law, or Covenant ofWorks, but under grace. I havespoken something to the former of these truths--to wit, that there aresomeunderthelaw,togetherwithwhotheyare,andwhattheirconditionis, thatareunder it.NowIamtospeaktothesecond,andtoshowyouwhotheyare,andwhattheirconditionis,thatareunderthat[CovenantofGrace].

ButbeforeIcometothat,Ishallspeakafewwordstoshowyouwhattheword "grace" in this place signifies; [I touched upon this in the firstdoctrine] for the word "grace" in the Scripture referreth sometimes tofavour with men (Gen 33:10; 39:4; 50:4). Sometimes to holyqualifications of saints (2 Cor 8:7). And sometimes to hold forth thecondescension of Christ in coming down from the glory whichHe hadwithHisFatherbeforetheworldwas,tobemadeofnoreputation,andaservanttomen(2Cor8:9;Phil2:7).Again:sometimesitistakenforthefree, rich, andunchangeable love ofGod toman, throughJesusChrist,that for our cause and sakes didmakeHimself poor; and so it is to beunderstoodinthesewords,"Foryearenotunderthelaw,"tobecursed,anddamned,andsentheadlongtoHell,"but"youare"undergrace,"tobesaved,tobepardoned,tobepreserved,"andkeptbythemightypowerof God, through faith," which alone is the gift of grace, "unto eternalglory." This one Scripture alone proves the same--"For by grace are yesaved" (Eph 2:8), by free grace, by rich grace, by unchangeable grace.Andyouaresavedfromthecurseofthelaw;fromthepower,guilt,and

filthofsin;fromthepower,malice,madness,andrageofthedevil;fromthe wishes, curses, and desires of wickedmen; from the hot, scalding,flaming, fiery furnace of Hell; from being arraigned as malefactors,convinced,judged,condemned,andfetteredwiththechainsofoursinstothedevilstoalleternity;andallthisfreely,freelybyHisgrace(Rom3:24)by rich grace unchangeable grace; for, saith He, "I am the LORD, Ichangenot:thereforeyesonsofJacobarenotconsumed"(Mal3:6).Thisisgraceindeed.

The word "grace," therefore, in this Scripture (Rom 6:14) is to beunderstoodof the free loveofGod inChrist to sinners,byvirtueof thenewcovenant, indeliveringthemfromthepowerofsin, fromthecurseandcondemningpowerof theoldcovenant, fromthedestroyingnatureof sin, by its continual workings; as is all evident if you read withunderstandingthewordsas they lie--"For,"saithhe,"sinshallnothavedominion over you," or, it shall not domineer, reign, or destroy you,though you have transgressed against the Covenant ofWorks, the law;andthereasonisrenderedinthesewords,"Foryearenotunderthelaw"--that is, under that which accuseth, chargeth, condemneth and bringsexecution on the soul for sin,--"but under grace"; that is, under thatwhichfreesyou, forgivesyou,keepsyou,andjustifiesyoufromallyoursins,adversaries,orwhatevermaycomeintolayanythingtoyourchargetodamnyou.For that is truly calledgrace in this sense thatdoth set amanfreefromallhissins,deliverhimfromallthecursesofthelaw,andwhatelsecanbelaidtoHischarge,freely,withoutanyforesightinGodtolookatwhatgoodwillbedonebythepartythathathoffended;andalsothatdothkeep the soulby the samepower through faith--whichalso ishisownpropergift--untoeternalglory.

Again;thatitisapardonnotconditional,butfreelygiven,consider,first,itissetinoppositiontoworks--"Yearenotunderthelaw."Secondly,Thepromisethatismadetothem(saying,"Sinshallnothavedominionoveryou") dothnot runwith any condition as on their part to bedone; butmerelyandalonebecausetheywereunder,orbecausetheyhadthegraceofGod extended to them. "Sin shall not have dominion over you: for,"markthereason,"yearenotunderthelaw,butundergrace."

The words being thus opened, and the truth thus laid down, HOW

THEREISNEVERABELIEVERUNDERTHECOVENANT OF WORKS, BUT UNDER GRACE, the free, rich,unchangeableloveofGod,itremaineththat,inthefirstplace,weprovethedoctrine,andafterthatproceed.

THEDOCTRINEPROVED.

Nowinthedoctrinethereare twothingstobeconsideredandproved--FIRST,Thatbelieversareundergrace.SECONDLY,NotunderthelawasaCovenantofWorks;forsoyoumustunderstandme.Forthesetwoweneedgono further thantheverywords themselves; the firstpartof thewordsprovesthefirstpartofthedoctrine,"Yearenotunderthelaw";thesecond part proves the other, "but" ye are "under grace." But besidesthese, consider with me a few things for the demonstrating of thesetruths,as,

First.Theyarenotunderthelaw,becausetheirsinsarepardoned,whichcould not be if they were dealt withal according to the law, and theirbeing under it; for the law alloweth of no repentance, but accuseth,cursethandcondemnetheveryonethatisunderit--"CursediseveryonethatcontinuethnotinallthingswhicharewrittenintheBookoftheLawto do them" (Gal 3:10). But, I say, believers having their sins forgiventhem, it is because they are under another, even a new covenant--"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, when I will make a newcovenantwith them."--"For Iwill bemerciful to their unrighteousness,andtheirsinsandtheiriniquitieswillIremembernomore"(Heb8:12).

Second.Theyarenotunderthelaw,becausetheirsinsandiniquitiesarenotonly forgiven,but theyare forgiven them freely.They that stand inthe first covenant, and continue there, are to havenever a sin forgiventhemunless theycangiveGodacompletesatisfaction; for the lawcallsforitattheirhands,saying,"Paymethatthouowest."O!butwhenGoddealswithHissaintsbytheCovenantofGraceitisnotso;foritissaid,"And when" He saw "they had nothing to pay, He frankly" and freely"forgavethem"all--"Iwillhealtheirbacksliding;Iwilllovethemfreely."--Iwillblot "out thy transgressions forMineownsake,"etc. (Luke7:42;Hosea14:4;Isa43:25).

Third.Thesaintsarenotunder the law,because the righteousness thattheystandjustifiedbeforeGodinisnottheirownactualrighteousnessbythe law,butby imputation,and is really the righteousnessofAnother--namely,ofGodinChrist(2Cor5:21;Phil3:9)."EventherighteousnessofGod, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all," that is,imputedto"themthatbelieve"(Rom3:22).Butiftheywereundertheoldcovenant,theCovenantofWorks,thentheirrighteousnessmustbetheirown,[Butitisimpossiblethattherighteousnessofmanbythelawshouldsavehim.]ornoforgivenessofsins--"Ifthoudoestwell,shaltthounotbeaccepted?" but if thou transgress, "sin lieth at the door," saith the law(Gen4:7).

Fourth.Inaword,whatsoevertheydoreceive,whetheritbeconversiontoGod;whetheritbepardonofsin;whetheritbefaithorhope;whetheritberighteousness;whetheritbestrength"whetheritbetheSpirit,orthefruitsthereof;whetheritbevictoryoversin,death,orHell;whetheritbeHeaven, everlasting life, and glory inexpressible; orwhatsoever it be, itcomestothemfreely,Godhavingnofirsteyetowhattheywoulddo,orshoulddo,fortheobtainingofthesame.Buttotakethisinpieces--1.Inaword,aretheyconverted?Godfindsthemfirst,for,saithHe,"IamfoundofthemthatsoughtMenot"(Isa65:1).2.Havetheypardonofsin?Theyhave that also freely,--"I will heal their backsliding, I will love themfreely" (Hosea 14:4). 3. Have they faith? It is the gift of God in ChristJesus,andHeisnotonlytheAuthor,thatis,thebeginnerthereof,butHedothalsoperfectthesame(Heb12:2).4.Havetheyhope?ItisGodthatisthe first cause thereof--"Remember the word unto Thy servant, uponwhich Thou hast caused me to hope" (Psa 119:49). 5. Have theyrighteousness?ItisthefreegiftofGod(Rom5:17).Havetheystrengthtodo the work of God in their generations, or any other thing that Godwouldhave themdo?Thatalso isa freegift fromtheLord, forwithoutHimweneitherdonorcandoanything(John15:5).7.Havewecomfort,or consolation?We have it not for what we have done, but from GodthroughChrist;forHeistheGodofallcomfortsandconsolation(2Cor1:3-7). 8. Have we the Spirit, or the fruits thereof? it is the gift of theFather--"howmuchmoreshallyourheavenlyFathergivetheHolySpirittothemthataskHim(Luke11:13)?"Thouhaswroughtallourworks inus"(Isa26:12).

Andso,Isay,whetheritbevictoryoversin,death,Hell,orthedevil,itisgivenusbythevictoryofChrist--"ButthanksbetoGodwhichgivethusthe victory through our Lord JesusChrist" (1 Cor 15:57;Rom7:24,25).HeavenandgloryitisalsothegiftofHimwhogivethusrichlyallthingstoenjoy(Matt25:34).

So that these things, if they be duly and soberly considered, will givesatisfactioninthisthing.Imighthaveaddedmanymorefortheclearingof thesethings;as1.WhenGodcametomantoconverthim,Hefoundhimadeadman(Eph2:1,2).HefoundhimanenemytoGod,Christ,andthesalvationofhisownsoul;Hefoundhimwallowing inallmannerofwickedness;He foundhim takingpleasure therein;with all delight andgreediness.2.HewasfaintoquickenhimbyputtingHisSpiritintohim,and to translate him by the mighty operation thereof. He was fain toreveal Christ Jesus unto him, man being altogether senseless andignorantofthisblessedJesus(Matt11:25,27;1Cor2:7-10).4.Hewasfainto break the snare of the devil, and to let poor man, poor bound andfetteredman,outofthechainsoftheenemy.

THENEWCOVENANTFREEANDUNCHANGEABLE,WHOAREUNDERIT,

ANDTHEIRPRIVILEGES

Nowweare toproceed,and the things thatweare to treatupon in thesecondplacearethese—First.[Besidesthereasonsalreadygiven.]Whyisit a free and unchangeable grace? SECOND. Who they are that areactuallybroughtintoHisfreeandunchangeableCovenantofGrace,andhow theyarebrought in?THIRD.What are theprivilegesof those thatareactuallybroughtintothisfreeandgloriousgraceofthegloriousGodofHeavenandglory?

[THE NEW COVENANT FREE AND UNCHANGEABLE BECAUSEMADEWITHCHRIST.]

FIRST.WHYITISAFREEANDUNCHANGEABLEGRACE.

And for the opening of this wemust consider, first, How and throughWhom this grace doth come to be, first, free to us, and, secondly,unchangeable?This grace is free tous through conditions inAnother—that is, by way of covenant or bargain; for this grace comes by way ofcovenantorbargaintous,yetmadewithAnotherforus.

First.Thatitcomesbywayofcovenant,contract,orbargain,thoughnotpersonally with us, be pleased to consider these Scriptures, where it issaid,"IhavemadeacovenantwithMyChosen:IhaveswornuntoDavid[ThewordDavidinthisplacesignifiethChrist,asalsointheseScriptures—(Eze 34:23,24; 37:24,25).] My servant" (Psa 89:3). "And as for Theealso,bythebloodofThycovenant,"speakingofChrist,"IhavesentforthThyprisonersoutof thepitwherein isnowater," (Zech9:9-11).Again;"Yehave sold yourselves fornought; and ye shall be redeemedwithoutmoney"(Isa52:3).BlessedbetheLord," therefore,saithZacharias,"forHehathvisitedand"also "redeemedHispeople,andhathraisedupanhornofsalvationforusinthehouseofHisservantDavid;asHespakebythemouthofHisholyProphets,whichhavebeensincetheworldbegan;thatweshouldbesavedfromourenemies,andfromthehandsofallthathateus;toperformthemercypromisedtoourfathers,andtorememberHis holy covenant," or bargain (Luke 1:68-72). [Imight give youmoreScriptures; but pray consider the second thing.] And if any should beoffendedwith theplainnessof thesewords, as somepoor soulsmaybethrough ignorance, let them be pleased to read soberly Isaiah 49:1-12,andtheretheymayseethatitrunsasplainabargainasiftwowouldbemaking of a bargain between themselves, and concluding upon severalconditionsonbothsides.Butmoreofthishereafter.Now,

Second. This covenant, I say,wasmadewithOne, notwithmany, andalso confirmed in the conditions of itwithOne, notwith several. First,thatthecovenantwasmadewithOne(Gal3:16)."NowtoAbrahamandhisSeedwerethepromisesmade.Hesaithnot,Andtoseeds,asofmany;butasofone,And to thySeed,which isChrist" (Verse17). "And this, Isay,thatthecovenantthatwasconfirmedbeforeofGod,inChrist,"etc.ThecovenantwasmadewiththeSeedofAbraham;nottheseeds,buttheSeed, which is the Lord Jesus Christ, ourHead andUndertaker in the

thingsconcerningthecovenant.

Third.TheconditionwasmadewithOne,andalsoaccomplishedbyHimalone, and not by several; yet in the nature, and for the everlastingdeliverance ofmany; even by oneman JesusChrist, as it is clear fromRomans5:15-17,etc.,andinZechariah9:11,theLordsaithtoChrist,"AndasforThee"—mark,"AsforTheealso,bythebloodofThycovenant,"oras for Theewhose covenantwas by blood; that is, the condition of thecovenant was, that Thou shouldst spill Thy blood; which having beendoneintheaccountofGod,saithHe,IaccordingtoMyconditionhaveletgotheprisoners,orsentthem"outofthepitwhereinisnowater."ThoseScriptures in Galatians 3:16,17 that are above cited, are notably to ourpurpose;Verse16saithitwasmadewithChrist,Verse17saithitwasalsoconfirmedinorwithGodinHim.Prayreadwithunderstanding."Now,"saithPaul,"thepromiseswerenotmadeuntoseeds,asofmany;butasofone,And to thy Seed,which is Christ." . . . . "The law,whichwas fourhundredandthirtyyearsafter,cannotdisannul,thatitshouldmakethepromiseofnoneeffect."NotthatthecovenantwasmadewithAbrahamand Christ together, as two persons that were the undertakers of thesame; the promisewasmadewith, or to, Abraham afterwards; but thecovenantwithChristbefore.

[NeitherAbrahamnorthefathersabletoundertaketheaccomplishmentofthiscovenant.]

Further, that the covenantwasnotpersonallymadewithAbraham,no,norwithanyofthefathers,neithersoasthattheywerethepersonsthatshouldstandengagedtobetheaccomplishersthereof,eitherinwholeorinpart;whichisveryclear.

First.BecausethiscovenantwasnotmadewithGodandthecreature;notwith another poor Adam, that only stood upon the strength of naturalabilities; but this covenantwasmadewith the secondPerson,with theEternalWordofGod;withHimthatwaseverywaysasholy,aspure,asinfinite, as powerful, and as everlasting as God (Prov 8:22-31; Isa 9:6;Zech13:7;Phil2:6;Heb1;Rev1:11-17;22:13,17).

Second.Thiscovenantorbargainwasmadeindeedandintruthbefore

manwas inbeing.O!God thoughtof thesalvationofmanbefore therewasanytransgressionofman;forthen,Isay,andnotsincethen,wastheCovenant ofGracemadewith theUndertaker thereof; for all the othersayingsare toshowuntous thatgloriousplotandcontrivance thatwasconcluded on before time between the Father and the Son, whichmayvery well be concluded on for a truth from the Word of God, if youconsider,1.ThattheScripturedothdeclarethatthepricewasagreedonbytheSonbeforetime;2.ThepromisewasmadetoHimbytheFatherthatHeshouldhaveHisbargainbeforetime;3.Thechoice,andwhotheywerethatshouldbesavedwasmadebeforetime,evenbeforetheworldbegan.

1.Forthe first,That thepricewasagreeduponbeforetheworldbegan.Considerthewordwhichspeakethofthepricethatwaspaidforsinners,even the precious blood of Christ; it saith of Him, "Who verily wasforeordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest inthese last times foryou,whobyHimdobelieve," etc. (1Peter 1:20,21).Mark, itwas foreordainedor concludedonbetween theFather and theSonbeforetheworldbegan.

2.ThepromisefromGodtotheSonwasalsomadeinthesamemanner,asitisclearwheretheApostlesaithwithcomforttohissoul,thathehad"hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before theworldbegan,"(Titus1:2)whichcouldbetononebuttheMediatorofthenewcovenant,because therewasnoneelse towhom it shouldbemadebutHe.

3.Thechoicewasalsomade then, evenbeforemanhadabeing in thisworld,asitisevidentwherehesaith,"BlessedbetheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whohathblesseduswithallspiritualblessingsinheavenlyplacesINChrist:accordingasHehathchosenusinHimbeforethe foundationof theworld, thatwe shouldbeholyandwithoutblamebeforeHim in love" (Eph 1:3,4). [Did I think thiswouldmeetwith anyopposition,Ishouldbeinthismorelarge.]Nay,didIlookuponitheretobenecessary,IshouldshowyouverylargelyandclearlythatGoddidnotonly make the covenant with Christ before the world began, and theconditions thereof, but I could also show you that the very saints'qualifications, as part of the covenant, was then concluded on by the

FatherandtheSonaccordingtotheseScriptures,which,itmaybe,Imaytouchuponfurtheranon(Eph1:3,4;2:10;Rom8:28).But,

Third. This covenant was notmade with any of the fathers, neither inwhole nor in part, as the undertakers thereof; for then itmust be alsoconcludedthat theyareco-partnerswithChrist inoursalvation,andsothatChrist isnotMediator alone; but thiswouldbeblasphemy for anyoncetosurmise.Andtherefore,bytheway,whenthoureadestofthenewcovenantinScriptureasthoughitwasmadewithAdam,Noah,Abraham,or David, thou art to consider thus with thyself—1. That God spake totheminsuchawayfortoshoworsignifyuntoushowHedidmakethecovenantthatHedidmakewithChristbeforetheworldbegan,theybeingtypesofHim.2.ThatHetherebymightletthemunderstandthatHewasthesamethenasHeisnow,andnowasHewasthen;andthatthenitwasresolvedonbetweenHisSonandHIM,thatinafteragesHisSonshouldintheirnatures,fromtheirloins,andfortheirsins,bebornofawoman,hangedontheCross,etc.,forthem:forallalongyoumayseethatwhenHespeakethtothemofthenewcovenant,Hementionstheirseed—theirseed—stillaimingatChrist;Christ,theSeedofthewoman,wastobreakthe serpent's head (Gen 3:15; 17; Psa 89:36).Now toAbrahamandhisSeed was the promise made; his Seed shall endure for ever, and HisthroneasthedaysofHeaven,etc.;stillpointingatChrist.And,3.TostiruptheirfaithandexpectationstobeconstantuntotheendinwaitingforthatwhichHeandHisSonhadconcludedonbeforetime,andwhatHehadsince theconclusiondeclaredunto theworldby theProphets.4. Itappeareth that the heart ofGodwasmuchdelighted therein also, as isevident, in thatHewasalways ineveryagedeclaringof thatunto themwhichbeforeHehadpreparedforthem.OthisgoodGodofHeaven!

Objection:Butyouwill say,perhaps, theScriptures sayplainly that thenew covenantwas and ismadewith believers, saying, "Thedays come,saiththeLord,thatIwillmakeanewcovenantwiththehouseofIsrael,andwiththehouseofJudah;notaccordingtothecovenantthatImadewith their fathers in thedaywhenI led themoutof the landofEgypt,"etc. (Heb 8:8-10). So that it doth not run with Christ alone, but withbelieversalso—Iwillmakeanewcovenantwith thehouseof IsraelandJudah,etc.(Jer31:33).

Answer first: It cannotbemeant that thenewcovenantwasmadewithChrist,andthehouseofIsraelandJudahastheundertakersthereof;forsoitwasmadewithChristalone,whichisclear,inthatitwasmadelongbeforethehouseofIsraelandJudahhadabeing,asIshowedbefore.But,

Answer second: Thesewords here are spoken, first, to show rather theend of the ceremonies than the beginning or rise of the new covenant.Mindalittle;theApostleislabouringtobeattheJews,towhomhewrotethis Epistle, off of the ceremonies of the law, of the priests, altar,offerings, temple, etc., and to bring them to the right understanding ofthethingandthingsthattheyheldforth,whichweretocome,andtoputanendtothose.IfyoudobutunderstandtheEpistletotheHebrews,itisadiscoursethatshoweththattheSonofGodbeingcome,thereisanendput to the ceremonies; for theywere to continue so longandno longer—"It,"saiththeApostle,"stoodinmeatsanddrinks,anddiverswashings,andcarnalordinances imposedon themuntil the timeof reformation";that is, untilChrist did come. "ButChrist being come anhighpriest ofgood things to come," etc.,putsanend to the thingsandordinancesofthe Levitical priesthood. Read the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Chapters ofHebrews,andyouwillfindthistrue.

So, then, when He saith, "The days come in which I make a newcovenant," it is rather to be meant a changing of the administration,taking away the type, the shadow, the ceremonies from the house ofIsrael andJudah, and relievingby thebirthofChrist, and thedeathofChrist,andtheofferingofthebodyofHimwhomtheshadowsandtypesdid point out to be indeed He whom God the Father had given for aransombycovenantforthesoulsofthesaints;andalsotomanifestthetruthofthatcovenantwhichwasmadebetweentheFatherandtheSonbefore theworld began; for though the new covenantwasmade beforetheworldbegan,andalsoeveryoneinallageswassavedbythevirtueofthatcovenant,yetthatcovenantwasneversoclearlymademanifestasatthe coming, death, and resurrection of Christ; and therefore, saith theScripture, "He hath brought life and immortality to light through theGospel." "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling" notaccording to" the "works" of righteousness which we have done, "butaccording toHis own purpose and grace,whichwas given us in Christ

Jesus before theworld began," there is the covenant, but itwas "madeMANIFEST by the APPEARING of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hathabolisheddeath,andbroughtlifeandimmortalitytoLIGHTthroughtheGospel" (2 Tim 1:9,10). Therefore, I say, these words are therefore todiscoverthatthetimewascometochangethedispensation,totakeawaythetype,andbringinthesubstance,andsomanifestingthatmoreclearlywhichbefore layhid indarksayingsand figures.And this isusualwithGodtospeakinthismanner.

Again;ifatanytimeyoudofindinScripturethattheCovenantofWorksisspokenofasthefirstcovenantthatwasmanifested,andsobeforethesecond covenant, yet you must understand that it was so only as tomanifestation—thatis,itwasfirstgiventoman,yetnotmadebeforethatwhichwasmadewithChrist;andindeeditwasrequisitethatitshouldbegivenormadeknown first, that thereby theremightbeawaymade forthe second,by itsdiscoveringof sin,and the sad state thatmanwas inaftertheFallbyreasonofthat.Andagain,thattheothermightbemadethemorewelcometothesonsofmen.Yet thesecondAdamwasbeforethefirst,andalsothesecondcovenantbeforethefirst.Thisisariddle].

AndinthisdidChristintimemostgloriouslyanswerAdam,whowasthefigureofChrist,aswellasofotherthings.Romans5.For,Wasthefirstcovenantmadewith the firstAdam? sowas the second covenantmadewiththesecond;fortheseareandwerethetwogreatpublicpersons,orrepresentatorsof thewholeworld,as to the firstandsecondcovenants;andthereforeyoufindGodspeakingonthiswiseinScriptureconcerningthenewcovenant—"MycovenantshallstandfastwithHIM.""Mymercywill Ikeep forHIMforevermore,"saithGod:"MycovenantshallstandfastwithHIM"(Psa89:28,34,35);thisHIMisChrist,ifyoucomparethiswithLuke1:32,"MycovenantwillInotbreak"—namely,thatwhichwasmadewithHIM—"noralterthethingthatisgoneoutofMymouth.OnceIhaveswornbyMyholinessthatIwillnotlieuntoDavid,"[Davidhereisto be understood Christ.] to whom this was spoken figuratively in thePerson ofChrist; for thatwasGod's usualway to speak of the gloriousthingsoftheGospelinthetimeoftheLaw,asIsaidbefore.

THECONDITIONSOFTHENEWCOVENANT

TheconditionsalsowereconcludedonandagreedtobefulfilledbyHim:asitisclear,ifyouunderstandHissayinginthe12thofJohn,atthe27thverse, where He foretelleth His death, and saith, "Now is My soultroubled;andwhat shall I say?Father, saveMe fromthishour:but forthiscausecameI"intotheworld"untothishour";asifHehadsaid,Mybusiness isnownot toshrink fromMysufferings thatarecominguponMe; for these are the things that are a great part of the conditionscontracted in the covenant which stands between My Father and Me;thereforeIshallnotpraythatthismightbeabsolutelyremovedfromMe;For,"forthiscausecameI"intotheworld;eventhiswastheverytermsofthecovenant.Bythisyoumaysee,"weareundergrace."

Now in a covenant there are these three things tobe considered--First.Whatitisthatiscovenantedfor.Second.Theconditionsuponwhichthepersonswhoareconcernedinitdoagree.Third.Iftheconditionsonbothsides be not according to the agreement fulfilled, then the covenantstandeth not, but is made void. And this new covenant in theseparticularsisveryexactlyfulfilledandmadeoutinChrist.

First.The thingor things covenanted forwas the salvationofman,butmadegoodinChrist--"TheSonofManiscometoseekandtosavethatwhichwaslost.TheSonofMandidnotcometodestroymen'slives,buttosavethem.IgaveMylifearansomformany.Andthisisthewill,"orcovenant, "ofHim that sentMe, that of all whichHe hath givenMe, Ishould losenothing,but should raise it upagainat the lastday" (John6:39).

Second.Astouchingtheconditionsagreedon,theyranthus--1.OntheMediator's side, that He should come into the world; and then on theFather's side, that He should give Him a body. This was one of thegloriousconditionsbetweentheFatherandChrist;"Wherefore,whenHecometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldestnot"--that is, the old covenantmustnot stand, but giveway to anothersacrificewhichThouhastprepared,whichisthegivingupMyManhood

to thestrokesofThy justice--"forabodyThouhastpreparedMe" (Heb10:5).Thisdothproveusundergrace.

2.OntheMediator'sside,thatHeshouldbeputtodeath;andonGodtheFather'sside,thatHeshouldraiseHimupagain;thiswasconcludedonalso to be done betweenGod the Father andHis Son Jesus Christ.OnChrist's side, that He should die to give the justice of His Fathersatisfaction,andsoto takeawaythecursethatwasduetous,wretchedsinners,byreasonofourtransgressions;andthatGodHisFather,beingevery ways fully and completely satisfied, should byHismighty powerreviveandraiseHimupagain.Hehath"broughtagain--ourLordJesus";thatis,fromdeathtolife,throughthevirtueoreffectualsatisfactionthatHereceivedfromthebloodthatwasshedaccordingtotheterms"oftheEverlastingCovenant"(Heb13:20).

3.On theMediator's side, thatHe shouldbemadea curse; andon theFather's side, that through Him sinners should be inheritors of theblessing.Whatwonderful lovedoth thereappearby this in theheartofourLordJesus, in suffering such things forourpoorbodiesandsouls?(Gal3:13,14).Thisisgrace.

4.ThatontheMediator'ssidethereshouldbebyHimavictoryoverHell,death,andthedevil,andthecurseoftheLaw;andontheFather'sside,that these should be communicated to sinners, and they set at libertythereby--"Turnyoutothestronghold,"saithGod,"yeprisonersofhope;eventodaydoIdeclarethatIwillrenderdoubleuntothee"(Zech9:12).Whyso?ItisbecauseofthebloodofMySon'scovenant(Verse11);whichmadePaul,thoughsensibleofabodyofdeath,andofthestingthatdeathdidstrike intothesoulsofall thosethatare foundintheirsins,boldtosay,"Odeath!whereisthysting?Ograve!whereisthyvictory?Thestingofdeathissin."Thatistrue,andtheterribleLawofGoddothaggravateand set it home with insupportable torment and pain. But shall I bedauntedatthis?No,"IthankmyGodthroughJesusChristHehathgivenmethisvictory."Sothatnow,thoughIbeasinnerinmyself,yetIcan,bybelieving in Jesus Christ, the Mediator of this new covenant, triumphoverthedevil,sin,death,andHell;andsay,Donotfear,mysoul,seeingthevictoryisobtainedoverallmyenemiesthroughmyLordJesusChrist(1Cor15:55-57).Thisisthewaytoproveourselvesundergrace.

5. That on the Mediator's side He should by thus doing bring ineverlasting righteousness for saints (Dan9:24); and that theFather forthis shouldgive themaneverlastingkingdom(1Peter 1:3-5;Eph1:4;2Tim4:18;Luke22:28,29).But,

Third.[Howtheconditionsarefulfilled].Inthenextplace,thiswasnotall--that is, theCovenantofGrace,with the conditions thereof,wasnotonlyconcludedonbybothpartiestobedone,butJesusChrist[Christisput into office by the Father, to do all things contained in the newcovenant].mustbeauthorizedtodowhatwasconcludedontouchingthiscovenant by way of office. I shall therefore speak a word or two alsotouching the offices, at least, some of them, that Christ Jesus did anddothstillexecuteas theMediatorof thenewcovenant,whichalsoweretypedoutintheLeviticallaw;forthisisthewaytoprovethatwearenotunderthelaw,butundergrace.

CHRISTISTHESURETYOFTHENEWCOVENANT

FIRST.Hisfirstoffice,afterthecovenantwasmadeandconcludedupon,wasthatJesusshouldbecomeboundasaSurety, [HisSuretyship].andstand engaged upon oath to see that all the conditions of the covenantthatwereconcludedonbetweenHimandHisFathershould,accordingtotheagreement,beaccomplishedbyHim;andthatafter that,Heshouldbe the Messenger from God to the world to declare the mind of Godtouchingthetenorandnatureofboththecovenants,especiallyofthenewone.TheScripturesaith,thatJesusChristwasnotonlymadeapriestbyanoath,butalsoaSurety,orbondsman,as inHebrews7:21,22.Inthe21st Verse he speaketh of the priesthood of Christ, that it waswith anoath;andsaith,inthe22ndVerse,"Bysomuch"also"wasJesusmadeaSuretyofabettertestament,"orcovenant.

NowthecovenantwasnotonlymadeonJesusChrist'ssidewithanoath,butalsoonGodtheFather'sside,thatitmightbeforthebettergroundof

establishment to all those that are, or are to be, the children of thepromise.MethinksitiswonderfultoconsiderthattheGodandFatherofour souls, by Jesus Christ, should be so bent upon the salvation ofsinners, thatHewould covenantwithHis Son Jesus for the security ofthem, and also that there should pass an oath on both sides for theconfirmationofTheirresolutiontodogood.AsiftheLordhadsaid,MySon,ThouandIhaveheremadeacovenant,thatIonMypartshoulddothusandthus,andthatThouonThypartshouldstdosoandso.NowthatWemaygive these souls thebestgroundof comfort thatmaybe, thereshallpassanoathonbothsides, thatOurchildrenmaysee thatWedoindeedlovethem."WhereinGod,willingmoreabundantlytoshowuntotheheirsofpromise the immutabilityofHis counsel," inmakingof thecovenant, "confirmed it by an oath: that we might have a strongconsolation,whohavefledforrefugetolayholduponthehopesetbeforeus"(Heb6:17,18;7:21).Mark,the6thChaptersaith,GodconfirmedHispartbyanoath;andthe7thsaith,ChristwasmadeorsetonHisofficealsobyanoath.Again,"Once,"saithGod,"haveIswornbyMyholiness,thatIwillnotlieuntoDavid,""noralterthethingthatisgoneoutofMymouth,"(Psa89:34,35)aswasbeforecited.

HereinyoumayseethatGodandChristwereingoodearnestaboutthesalvationofsinners;forassoonaseverthecovenantwasmade,thenextthing was, who should be bound to see all those things fulfilled whichwere conditioned on between the Father and the Son: the angels, theycouldhavenohandsinit;theworldcouldnotdoit;thedevilshadratherseethemdamnedthantheywouldwishthemtheleastgood;thusChristlooked,andtherewasnonetohelp;thoughtheburdenlayneversoheavyuponHisshoulder,HemustbearitHimself;fortherewasnonebesidesHimself to uphold, or so much as to step in to be bound, to see theconditions,beforementioned, fulfilledneither inwholenor inpart (Isa63:1-7). So thatHemust not be onlyHewithwhom the covenantwasmade,butHemustalsobecomethebondsmanorsuretythereof,andsostand bound to see that all and every particular thing conditioned forshouldbe,bothinmanner,andmatter,atthetimeandplace,accordingtotheagreement,dulyandorderlyfulfilled.Isnotthisgrace?

Nowastouchingthenatureofasuretyandhiswork,insomethingsitis

wellknowntomostmen;thereforeIshallbeverybriefuponit.

First.Youknowasurety isatthebargain'smaking;andsowasChrist--"ThenwasIbesideHim"(Prov8:30).

Second. A surety must consent to the terms of the agreement, orcovenant;andsodidChristJesus.NowthatwhichHedidengageshouldbedoneforsinners,accordingtothetermsofthecovenant;itwasthis--1.ThatthereshouldbeacompletesatisfactiongiventoGodforthesinsoftheworld; for thatwasonegreat thing thatwas agreeduponwhen thecovenant was made (Heb 10:5,17). 2. That Jesus Christ should, asaforesaid,bringinaneverlastingrighteousnesstoclothethesaints(Hisbody) withal (Dan 9:24,25). Here is grace. 3. That He should take inchargetoseeallthoseforthcomingwithoutspotorwrinkleatthedayofHis glorious appearing from Heaven in judgment, and to quit thembeforetheJudgment-seat.Again,

Third. In theworkofa surety there is requiredby thecreditor that thesuretyshouldstandtowhatheisbound;andonthesurety'ssidethereisa consenting thereunto. 1. The creditor looks, that in case the debtorproves a bankrupt, that then the surety should engage the payment. Isnotthisgrace?[Howeveritisinotherengagements,itisthusinthis].2.Thecreditorlooksthatthesuretyshouldbeanableman.NowourSuretywas,andis,inthiscase,everywaysuitable;forHeisheirofallthings.3.Thecreditorappointstheday,andalsolooksthatthecovenantshouldbekept, and the debt paid, according to the time appointed; and it isrequired of sureties, as well as stewards, that they be found faithful--namely,topaythedebtaccordingtothebargain;andthereforeitissaid,"Whenthefullnessofthetimewascome,GodsentforthHisSon--madeunder the law, to redeem them that were under the law," (Gal 4:4,5).Thuscomesgracetosaints.4.Thecreditorlooksthathismoneyshouldbebroughtintohishouse,tohisownhabitation.Jesus,ourSurety,inthisalso is faithful; for by His own blood, which was the payment, He isentered into the holy place, even into Heaven itself, which is God'sdwelling-place,torenderthevalueandpricethatwasagreeduponforthesalvation of sinners. But I shall speak more of this in another head,thereforeIpassit.Again,

Fourth.Ifthesuretystandsbound,thedebtorisatliberty;andifthelawdo issue out anyprocess to take any, itwill be the surety. [Though thedebtor, togetherwith the surety, is liable to pay the debt by the law ofman,yetChristourSuretyonlybytheCovenantofGrace].And,O!howwonderfully truewas thisaccomplished in that,whenChristourSuretycamedown fromHeaven,God'sLawdid so seizeupon theLord Jesus,andsocruellyhandleHim,andsoexactuponHim,thatitwouldneverletHimaloneuntilithadaccusedHimandcondemnedHim,executedHim,and screwedHis very heart's blood out ofHis precious heart and side;nay,andmorethanthistoo,asIshallshowhereafter.

CHRISTTHEMESSENGEROFTHENEWCOVENANT

SECOND. [His secondoffice].After that JesusChristhad stoodbound,and was become our Surety in things pertaining to this covenant, Hisnextofficewas tobe theMessengerofGod touchingHismindand thetenor of the covenant unto the poor world; and this did the Prophetforesee longbefore,whenhe saith, "Behold, Iwill sendMymessenger,andhe shallprepare thewaybeforeMe"; speakingofJohn theBaptist."And he shall prepare the way before Me." And then He speaketh ofChristtothepeople,saying,"AndtheLordwhomyeseekshallsuddenlycome toHis temple."Who isHe?Even theMessengerof the covenant,whom ye delight in," that is Christ. "Behold, He shall come, saith theLORDofHosts"(Mal3:1).

Now the covenant beingmade before between the Father and the Son,andJesusChristbecomingboundtoseeall theconditionsfulfilled, thisbeingdone,HecouldcomedownfromHeaventoearth,todeclaretotheworldwhatGod theFatherandHEhadconcludedonbefore,andwhatwasthemindoftheFathertowardstheworldconcerningthesalvationoftheir souls;and indeed,whocouldbetter comeonsuchanerrand thanHethatstoodbywhenthecovenantwasmade?thanHethatshookhandswith theFather inmakingof thecovenant? thanHe thatwasbecomea

Surety in the behalf of poor sinners, according to the terms of thecovenant.

Now, you know, a messenger commonly when he cometh, doth bringsomeerrandtothemtowhomheissent,eitherofwhatisdoneforthem,orwhattheywouldhavethemwhomtheysenduntodoforthem,orsuchlike.NowwhatagloriousmessagewasthatwhichourLordJesusChristcame down fromHeavenwithal to declare unto poor sinners, and thatfromGodHisFather?Isay,howgloriouswas it;andhowsweet is it toyou that have seen yourselves lost by nature? and it will also appear aglorious one to youwho are a seeking after JesusChrist, if you do butconsiderthesefollowingthingsaboutwhatHewassent--

First.JesusChristwassentfromHeaventodeclareuntotheworldfromGodtheFatherthatHewaswonderfullyfilledwithlovetopoorsinners.First,inthatHewouldforgivetheirsins.Secondly,inthatHewouldsavetheirsouls.ThirdlyinthatHewouldmakethemheirsofHisglory."ForGod so loved theworld, thatHe gaveHis only begotten Son.--ForGodsentnotHisSonintotheworldtocondemntheworld,butthattheworldthroughHimmightbesaved"(John3:16,17).

Second.GodsentJesusChristtotellthepoorworldhowthatHewoulddothisforpoorsinners,andyetbejust,andyetdoHisjusticenowrong;andthatwastobedonebyJesusChrist'sdyingofacurseddeathintheroomofpoorsinners,tosatisfyjustice,andmakewayformercy;totakeaway the stumbling- blocks, and set openHeaven's gates; to overcomeSatan,andbreakofffromsinnershischains(Luke4:18)tosetopentheprisondoors, and to let theprisonersgo free (Isa61:1-3).And thiswasthemessage that Christ was to deliver to the world by commandmentfromHis Father; and this didHe tell uswhenHe came ofHis errand,wherehesaith,"IlaydownMylifeforthesheep--nomantakethitfromMe,butIlayitdownofMyself.Ihavepowertolayitdown,andtotakeitagain.ThiscommandmenthaveIreceivedofMyFather"(John10:15-18).EventhiscommandmenthathMyFathergivenMe,thatIshouldbothdothisthingandalsotellituntoyou.

Third.Hewasnotonly sent as aMessenger todeclare thisHis father'slove,butalsohowdearlyHehimselflovedsinners,whataheartHehad

to do them good, whereHe saith, "All that the Father givethMe shallcometoMe";andletmetellyou,MYhearttoo,saithChrist--"Himthatcometh toMe, Iwill innowise cast out" (John6:37).AsMyFather iswillingtogiveyouuntoMe,evensoamIaswillingtoreceiveyou.AsMyFatheriswillingtogiveyouHeaven,soamIwillingtomakeyoufitforit,bywashing youwithMyownblood; I laydownMy life that youmighthavelife;andthisIwassenttotellyouofMyFather.

Fourth.Hismessagewas further;He came to tell themhowandwhichway they should come to enjoy these glorious benefits; also by layingdownmotives to stir themup to accept of thebenefits.Theway is laiddowninJohn3:14,15,whereChristsaith,"AsMoseslifteduptheserpentinthewilderness,evensomusttheSonofManbeliftedup,"orcausedtobehangedontheCross,anddiethedeath--"thatwhosoeverbelievethinHimshouldnotperishbuthaveeverlastinglife."Theway,therefore,thatthou shalt have thebenefit and comfort of thatwhichMyFather and Ihavecovenantedfor,forthee,IamcomedownfromHeaventoearthonpurpose to give thee intelligence, and to certify thee of it. Know,therefore, that as I have been born of a woman, and I have taken thisBodyuponMe,itisonpurposethatImightofferitupupontheCrossasacrificetoGod,togiveHimsatisfactionforthysins,thatHismercymaybeextendedtothysoul,withoutanywrongdonetojustice;andthisthouart tobelieve,andnot in thenotionbut fromthyverywholesoul.Nowthemotivesaremany.1.Iftheydonotleavetheirsins,andcometoJesusChrist,thattheirsinsmaybewashedawaybyHisblood,theyaresuretobe damned in Hell; for the law hath condemned them already (John3:18,19).2.Butiftheydocome,theyshallhavethebosomofChristtoliein, the Kingdom ofHeaven to dwell in, the angels and saints for theircompanions,shallshinetherelikethesun,shallbethereforever,shallsituponthethronesofjudgment,etc.Hereisgrace.

Methinks if I had but the time to speak fully to all things that I couldspeaktofromthesetwoheavenlytruths,andtomakeapplicationthereof,surely,withtheblessingofGod,Ithinkitmightpersuadesomevileandabominable wretch to lay down his arms that he hath taken up indefiance against God, and is marching Hellwards, post-haste with thedevil;Isay,methinksitshouldstopthem,andmakethemwillingtolook

backandacceptofsalvationfortheirpoorcondemnedsouls,beforeGod'seternalvengeanceisexecuteduponthem.O,therefore!youthatareuponthismarch, Ibeseechyouconsidera little.What! shallChristbecomeadrudge for you; and will you be drudges for the devil? Shall Christcovenant with God for the salvation of sinners; and shall sinnerscovenantwithHell,death,andthedevilforthedamnationoftheirsouls?ShallChristcomedownfromHeaventoearthtodeclarethistosinners;andshallsinnersstoptheirearsagainstthesegoodtidings?Willyounothear the errand ofChrist, althoughHe telleth you tidings of peace andsalvation?How,ifHehadcome,havingtakenacommandmentfromHisFathertodamnyou,andtosendyoutothedevils inHell?Sinner,hearHismessage;Hespeakethnoharm,HiswordsareEternalLife;allmenthatgiveearuntothem,theyhaveeternaladvantagebythem;advantage,Isay,thatneverhathanend.Besides,dobutconsiderthesetwothings,itis like they have some sway upon thy soul--1. When He came on Hismessage,HecamewithtearsinHiseyes,anddidevenweepinglytenderthe terms of reconciliation to them; I say, with tears in his eyes. AndwhenHecamenearthecity--i.e.,withHismessageofpeace--beholdingthehardnessoftheirhearts,Heweptoverit,andtookupalamentationover it; becauseHe saw they rejectedHismercy, which was tidings ofpeace;Isay,wiltthouthenslightaweepingJesus,Onethatsoloveththysoulthat,ratherthanHewilllosethee,Hewillwithtearspersuadewiththee?2.Notonlyso,butalsowhenHecame,Hecameallonagorebloodtoproffermercytothee,toshowtheestillhowdearlyHedidlovethee;asif He had said, Sinner, here is mercy for thee; but behold My bloodysweat,Mybloodywounds,Mycurseddeath;beholdandseewhatdangerIhavegonethroughtocomeuntothysoul;Iamcomeindeeduntothee,and do bring thee tidings of salvation, but it costMeMy heart's bloodbeforeIcouldcomeatthee,togivetheethefruitsofMyeverlastinglove.Butmoreofthisanon.

ThushaveIspokensomethingconcerningChrist'sbeing theMessengerofthenewcovenant;butbecauseIamnotwillingtocuttooshortofwhatshallcomeafter,Ishallpassbythesethingsnothalftouched,andcometotheotherwhichIpromisedevennow;whichwastoshowyou,thatastherewereLeviticalceremonies inorbelongingtothefirstcovenant,sothesetypes,orLeviticalceremonies,didrepresentthegloriousthingsof

thenewcovenant.Inthoseceremoniesyoureadofasacrifice,ofapriesttoofferupthesacrifice,theplacewhere,andthemannerhow,hewastoofferit;ofwhichIshallspeaksomething.

CHRISTTHESACRIFICEOFTHENEWCOVENANT

THIRD. [A thirdofficeofChrist, in reference to thenewcovenant,wasHisbecomingthesacrifice].Astouchingthesacrifice;youfindthatitwasnottobeofferedupofallkindofbeasts,asoflions,bears,wolves,tigers,dragons, serpents,or such like; to signify, thatnotall kindof creaturesthat had sinned, as devils, the fallen angels, should be saved; but thesacrificewastobetakenoutofsomekindofbeastsandbirds,tosignify,that some of God's creatures that had sinned He would be pleased toreconcile them toHimself again; aspoor fallenmanandwoman, thosemiserable creatures,God, theGodofHeaven,hadagood look foraftertheir fall; but not for the cruel devils, thoughmore noble creatures bycreationthanwe.Hereisgrace.

Nowthoughthesesacrificeswereoffered,yettheywerenotofferedtotheendtheyshouldmakethecomersto,orofferersthereof,perfect;butthethingsweretorepresenttotheworldwhatGodhadinafteragesfortodo,whichwaseventhesalvationofHiscreaturesbythatofferingofthebodyof Jesus Christ, of which these were a shadow and a type for theaccomplishing of the second covenant. For Christ was by covenant toofferasacrifice,andthataneffectualonetoo,ifHeintendedthesalvationofsinners--"AbodyhastThoupreparedforMe;IamcometodoThywill"(Heb10:5).Ishallthereforeshowyou,First.WhatwasexpectedbyGodinthesacrificeinthetype,andthenshowyouhowitwasansweredintheantitype.Second.Ishallshowyouthemanneroftheofferingofthetype,andsoanswerabletheretotoshowyouthefitnessofthesacrificeofthebodyofChrist,bywayofansweringsomequestions.

First.Forthefirstofthese,[WhatwasexpectedbyGodinthesacrificeinthe type, and how answered in the antitype]--1. God did expect thatsacrificewhichHeHimself had appointed, and not another, to signify,thatnonewouldserveHis turnbut thebodyandsoulofHisappointedChrist, theMediator of the new covenant (John 1:29). 2. This sacrificemustnotbelamenordeformed;itmusthavenoscar,spot,orblemish;tosignify, that JesusChristwas to be a complete sacrifice by covenant (1Peter1:19).3.Thissacrificewas tobe takenoutof the flockorherd; tosignify, that Jesus Christ was to come out of the race of mankind,accordingtocovenant(Heb10:5).But,

Second. As to the manner of it [The offering of the types, and soanswerable thereto, to show the fitness of the sacrifice of the body ofChrist]--1.Thesacrifice,beforeitwasoffered,wastohaveallthesinsofthechildrenofIsraelconfessedoverit;tosignify,thatJesusChristmustbearthesinsofallHischildrenbycovenant(Isa53:4-7;1Peter2:24)."AsforTheealso,bythebloodofThycovenant,"inHisownbodyonthetree(Zech9:11).2.Itmustbehadtotheplaceappointed--namely,withoutthecamp of Israel; to signify, that Jesus Christ must be led to theMountCalvary (Luke23:33). 3.The sacrificewas tobekilled there; to signify,that JesusChristmust anddid sufferwithout the city of Jerusalem foroursalvation.4.Thesacrificemustnotonlyhaveitslifetakenaway,butalsosomeofitsfleshburneduponthealtar;tosignify,thatJesusChristwasnotonlytodieanaturaldeath,butalsothatHeshouldundergothepainsandtormentsofthedamnedinHell.5.Sometimestheremustbealiving offering and a dead offering, as the goat thatwas killed, and thescape-goat,thedeadbirdandthelivingbird,tosignify,thatJesusChristmustdie,andcometolifeagain(Lev19:4-6).

6.Thegoatthatwastodiewastobethesin-offering;thatis,tobeofferedastherestofthesin-offerings,tomakeanatonementasatype;andtheothergoatwastohaveallthesinsofthechildrenofIsraelconfessedoverhim,andthenletgointothewilderness,nevertobecatchedagain(Lev16:7-22).Tosignify,thatChrist'sdeathwastomakesatisfactionforsin,andHiscomingtolifeagainwastobringineverlastingjustificationfromthepower,curse,anddestroyingnatureofsin(Rom4:25).7.Thescape-goatwas to be carried by a fitman into thewilderness; to signify that

JesusChristshouldbothbefitandabletocarryoursinsquiteawayfromus,soastheyshouldneverbelaidtoourchargeagain.Hereisgrace.8.Thesacrificesunder the law, commonlypartof themmustbeeaten; tosignify, that they thataresavedshouldspiritually feedon thebodyandbloodofJesusChrist,orelsetheyhavenolifebyHim(Exo12:5-11;John6:51-53). 9. This sacrifice must be eaten with unleavened bread; tosignify,thattheywhichlovetheirsins,thatdevilishleavenofwickedness,theydonotfeeduponJesusChrist.[8]

Nowofwhathathbeen spoken this is the sum, that there is a sacrificeunderthenewcovenant,asthereweresacrificesundertheold;andthatthis sacrifice did everyway answer that, or those; indeed, they did butsufferforsininshow,butHeinreality;theyaretheshadow,butHeasthe substance. O! when Jesus Christ did come to make Himself asacrifice, or to offerHimself for sin, youmay understand that our sinswereindeedchargedtopurposeuponHim.O!howtheyscarredhissoul,howtheybrakeHisbody,insomuchthattheymadethebloodrundownHis blessed face and from His precious side; therefore thou mustunderstand these following things--First, that Jesus Christ by covenantdiddieforsin.Secondly,thatHisdeathwasnotamerenaturaldeath,buta"curseddeath,"evensuchanoneasmendoundergofromGodfortheirsins, thoughHeHimself hadnone, even such a death as to endure theverypainsandtormentsofHell.OsadpainsandinexpressibletormentsthatthisourSacrificeforsinwentunder!ThepainsofHisbodywerenotall; no, but thepainsofHis soul; forHis soulwasmadeanoffering aswellasHisbody,yetallbutonesacrifice(Isa53).

[AsChristdidnotsufferinHisbodywithoutsufferinginsoul,noryetinsoulwithoutHissuffering inbody; itwasbecausenot thebodywithoutthe soul, but both the body and soul of the saints should be for eversaved]. To signify, that the suffering of Christ was not only a bodilysuffering,butasoulsuffering;notonly tosufferwhatmancould inflictuponHim,butalsotosuffersoultormentsthatnonebutGodcaninflict,orsuffertobeinflicteduponHim.O,thetormentsofHissoul!theywerethe torments indeed;His soulwas that that felt thewrath ofGod. "Mysoul,"saithHe,"isexceedingsorrowful,evenuntodeath" (Matt26:38)."NowisMysoultroubled,andwhatshallIsay?"(John12:27).Therock

wasnot so rent aswasHisprecious soul; therewasnot sucha terribledarknessonthefaceoftheearththenastherewasonHisprecioussoul.O! the torments ofHell and the eclipsings of theDivine smiles ofGodwere both upon Him at once; the devils assailing of Him, and GodforsakingofHim,andallatonce!"MyGod,MyGod,"saithHe,"whyhastThouforsakenMe?"(Matt27:46).Nowinmygreatestextremity;nowsinislaiduponMe,thecursetakesholdofMe,thepainsofHellareclaspedaboutMe,andThouhastforsakenMe.Osad!Sinners,thiswasnotdoneinpretence,butinreality;notinshow,butinverydeed;otherwiseChristhad dissembled, and had not spoken the truth; but the truth of it Hisbloodysweatdeclares,Hismightycriesdeclare,thethingswhichandforwhatHesuffereddeclare.Nay,Imustsaythusmuch,thatallthedamnedsouls inHell,withall theirdamnations,didneveryet feel that tormentand pain that did this blessed Jesus in a little time. Sinner, canst thouread that JesusChristwasmade an offering for sin, and yet go in sin?Canst thou hear that the load of thy sins did break the very heart ofChrist,andspillHispreciousblood?andcanstthoufindinthyhearttolabourtolaymoresinsuponHisback?CanstthouhearthatHesufferedthepains,thefieryflamesofHell,andcanstthoufindinthyhearttoaddtoHisgroansbyslightingofHissufferings?Ohard-heartedwretch!howcanstthoudealsounkindlywithsuchasweetLordJesus?

Quest.ButwhydidChristofferHimselfinsacrifice?

Answ.Thatthoushouldstnotbethrowntotheverydevils.

Quest.ButwhydidHespillHispreciousblood?

Answ.ThatthoumightestenjoythejoysofHeaven.

Quest.ButwhydidHesufferthepainsofHell?

Answ.Thatthoumightestnotfrywiththedevilanddamnedsouls.

Quest.ButcouldnotwehavebeensavedifChristhadnotdied?

Answ.No; forwithout thesheddingofbloodthere isnoremission;andbesides,therewasnodeaththatcouldsatisfyGod'sjusticebutHis,which

isevident,becausetherewasnoneinacapacitytodie,orthatwasabletoansweraninfiniteGodbyHissosufferingbutHe.[9]

Quest.ButwhydidGodletHimdie?

Answ.Hestanding in the roomof sinners,and that in theirnamesandnatures,God'sjusticemustfalluponHim;forjusticetakesvengeanceforsin wheresoever it finds it, though it be on His dear Son. Nay, GodfavouredHis Sonnomore, finding our sins uponHim, thanHewouldhavefavouredanyofus;for,shouldwehavedied?sodidHe.Shouldwehavebeenmadeacurse?sowasHe.ShouldwehaveundergonethepainsofHell?sodidHe.

Quest.ButdidHeindeedsufferthetormentsofHell?

Answ.Yea,andthatinsuchahorriblewaytoo,thatitisunspeakable.

Quest.CouldHenothavesufferedwithoutHissosuffering?WouldnotHisdyingonlyofanaturaldeathhaveservedtheturn?

Answ. No, in nowise. 1. The sins for which He suffered called for thetorments of Hell; the conditions upon which He died did call for thetormentsofHell;forChristdidnotdiethedeathofasaint,butthedeathof a sinner, of a cursed and damned sinner; becauseHe stood in theirroom,thelawtowhichHewassubjectedcalledforthetormentsofHell;thenatureofGod'sjusticecouldnotbateHimanything;thedeathwhichHewas to suffer had not lost its sting; all these being put together doirresistiblydeclareuntousthatHe,asasacrifice,didsufferthetormentsofHell(Gal3:13).But,2.HadHenotdiedandsufferedthecurseddeath,thecovenanthadbeenmadevoid,andHisSuretyshipwouldhavebeenforfeited,and,besidesthis,theworlddamnedintheflamesofHell-fire;therefore, His being a sacrifice was one part of the covenant; for theterms of the covenant were that He should spill His blood. O blessedJesus!Oblessedgrace!(Zech9:10,11).

Quest.Butwhy,then,isHisdeathsoslightedbysome?

Answ. Because they are enemies to Him, either through ignorance or

presumption;eitherforwantofknowledgeoroutofmalice;forsurelydidthey loveorbelieveHim, they couldnot choosebutbreakandbleedathearttoconsiderandtothinkofHim(Zech12:10,11).

CHRISTTHEHIGHPRIESTOFTHENEWCOVENANT

FOURTH, [A fourth office of Christ under the new covenant is Hispriestly]. Thus, passing this, I shall now speak something to Christ'spriestly office. But, by the way, if any should think that I do spin mythread too long in distinguishing His priestly office from His being asacrifice,thesupposingthatforChristtobeapriestandasacrificeisalloneandthesamething;anditmaybeitis,becausetheyhavenotthoughtonthissowellastheyshould--namely,thatasHewasasacrificeHewaspassive,that is, ledorhadawayasa lambtoHissufferings(Isaiah53);butasapriestHewasactive--thatis,HedidwillinglyandfreelygiveupHisBody tobea sacrifice. "HehathgivenHis lifea ransomformany."Thisconsiderationbeingwithsomeweightandclearnessonmyspirit,Iwasandamcausedtolaythemdownintwoparticularheads.

And therefore I would speak something to is this, that as there werepriestsunderthefirstcovenant,sothereisaPriestunderthis,belongingtothisnewcovenant,aHighPriest,theChiefPriest;asitisclearwhereitissaid,We"havingahighpriestoverthehouseofGod"(Heb3:1;5:5,10;7:24-26;8:1,4;10:21).

NowthethingsthatIshall treatuponarethese--First, IshallshowyouthequalificationsrequiredofapriestundertheLaw;Second,hisoffice;and,Third,howJesusChristdidaccordingtowhatwassignifiedbythoseunder the law; Isay,howHedidanswer the types,andwhereHewentbeyondthem.

First,Forhisqualifications:--

1.TheymustbecalledtheretoofGod--"Nomantakeththishonourunto

himself,buthe that iscalledofGod,asAaron" (Heb5:4).NowAaron'sbeingcalledofGodtobeapriestsignifiesthatJesusChristisaPriestofGod'sappointment,suchanonethatGodhathchosen,likesof,andhathsetonwork--"CalledofGodanHighPriest,"etc.(Heb5:10).

2.Thepriestsunderthelawtheymustbemen,complete,notdeformed--"SpeakuntoAaron,"saithGodtoMoses,"saying,Whosoeverhebeofthyseedintheirgenerationsthathathanyblemish,lethimnotapproachtoofferthebreadofhisGod.Forwhatsoevermanhebethathathablemish,heshallnotapproach;ablindman,oralame,orhethathathaflatnose,or any thing superfluous, or a man that is broken-footed, or broken-handed,orcrook-backt,oradwarf,orthathathablemishinhiseye,orbe scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; no man that hath ablemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer theofferingsof theLordmadeby fire;he thathathablemish;heshallnotcomenightoofferthebreadofhisGod"(Lev21:17-21).Whatdothallthissignify but that, (1.) He must not be lame, to signify he must not gohaltinglyabout theworkofour salvation. (2.)Hemustnotbeblind, tosignify thathemustnotgo ignorantly towork,buthemustbequickofunderstanding in the things of God. (3.) He must not be scabbed, tosignifythatthepriestmustnotbecorruptoffilthyinhisoffice.(4.)Inaword,hemustbeeverywaycomplete, tosignify tous thatJesusChristwastobe,andis,mostcompleteandmostperfectinthingspertainingtoGodinreferencetoHissecondcovenant.

3.Thepriestsunderthelawwerenottobehard-hearted,butpitifulandcompassionate,willingandready,withabundanceofbowels,toofferforthepeople,andtomakeanatonement for them(Heb5:1,2).Tosignify,thatJesusChristshouldbeatender-heartedHighPriest,ableandwillingtosympathizeandbeaffectedwith the infirmitiesofothers, topray forthem,toofferupforthemHispreciousblood;HemustbesuchanOnewhocanhavecompassiononacompanyofpoor ignorantsouls,andonthemthatareoutoftheway,torecoverthem,andtosettheminsafety(Heb 4:15). And that He might thus do, He must be a man that hadexperience of the disadvantages that infirmity and sin did bring untothosepoorcreatures(Heb2:17).

4.Thehighpriestsunderthelawwerenottobeshyorsqueamishincase

therewereanythathadtheplagueorleprosy,scaborblotches;butmustlook on them, go to them, and offer for them (Lev 13), all which is tosignify, thatJesusChrist shouldnot refuse to takenoticeof the severalinfirmitiesofthepoorestpeople,buttoteachthem,andtoseethatnoneof them be lost by reason of their infirmity, for want of looking to ortendingof.[10]

Thisprivilegealsohaveweunderthissecondcovenant.Thisisthewaytomakegraceshine.

5. The high priests under the law they were to be anointed with veryexcellentoil,compoundedbyart(Exo29:7;30:30).Tosignify,thatJesus,theGreatHighPriestofthisnewcovenant,wouldbeinamosteminentwayanointedtoHispriestlyofficebytheHolySpiritoftheLord.

6.Thepriest's foodand livelihood in the timeofhisministrywas tobetheconsecratedandholythings(Exo29:33).Tosignify,thatitistheverymeatanddrinkofJesusChristtodoHispriestlyoffice,andtosaveandpreserveHispoor,tempted,andafflictedsaints.Owhatanew-covenantHighPriesthavewe!

7.Thepriestsunderthelawweretobewashedwithwater(Exo29:4).Tosignify, that Jesus Christ should not go about the work of His priestlyofficewiththefilthofsinuponHim,butwaswithoutsintoappearasourHighPriest in thepresenceofHisFather, to executeHispriestlyofficethereforouradvantage--"Forsuchahighpriestbecameus,whoisholy,harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than theheavens"(Heb7:26).

8. The high priest under the law, before theywent into the holy place,therewere tobeclothed--withacuriousgarment,abreastplate,andanephod,andarobe,andabroideredcoat,amitre,andagirdle,andtheyweretobemadeofgold,andblue,andpurple,andscarlet,andfinelinen;and in his garment and glorious ornaments there must be preciousstones, and on those stones there must be written the names of thechildren of Israel (read Exodus 28), and all this was to signify what agloriousHighPriestJesusChristshouldbe,andhowintherighteousnessofGodHeshouldappearbeforeGodasourHighPriest, toofferupthe

sacrificethatwastobeofferedforoursalvationtoGodHisFather.ButIpassthat.

Second,NowI shall speak toHisoffice.Theofficeof thehighpriest ingeneral was twofold. 1. To offer the sacrifice without the camp. 2. Tobringitwithintheveil--thatis,intotheholiestofall,whichdidtypeoutHeaven.

1.[Firstpartofthehighpriest'soffice].(1.)Itwastheofficeofthepriesttoofferthesacrifice;andsodidJesusChrist;HedidofferHisownBodyandSoul in sacrifice. I say,HEdidOFFER it, andnot another, as it iswritten,"NomantakethawayMylife,butIlayitdownofMyself;Ihavepowertolayitdown,andIhavepowertotakeitagain"(John10:17,18).Andagainitissaid,"WhenHe,"Jesus,"hadoffereduponesacrificeforsin, for ever sat down on the right hand ofGod" (Heb 10:12). (2.) ThepriestsunderthelawmustofferupthesacrificethatGodhadappointed,andnoneelse,acompleteonewithoutanyblemish;andsodidourHighPriest,whereHesaith, "SacrificeandofferingThouwouldestnot,butabodyhasThoupreparedMe," and that Iwill offer (Heb 10:5). (3.)Thepriestwas to take of the ashes of the sacrifice, and lay them in a cleanplace;andthissignifies,thattheBodyofJesus,afterithadbeenoffered,shouldbe laid intoJoseph's sepulchre,as ina cleanplace,whereneveranymanbeforewaslaid(Lev6:11,comparedwithJohn19:41,42).

2. [Second part of the high priest's office]. This being one part of hisoffice,andwhenthiswasdone,theninthenextplacehewas,(1.)Toputonthegloriousgarment,whenhewastogointotheholiest,andtakeofthe blood, and carry it thither, etc., hewas to put on theholy garmentwhichsignifieththerighteousnessofJesusChrist.(2.)Hewasinthisholygarment,whichhathinitthestones,andinthestonesthenamesofthetwelve tribesof thechildrenof Israel, toappear in theholyplace. "Andthou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of thechildren of Israel: six of their names on one stone, and the other sixnames of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth (Exo28:9,10).Andthiswastosignify,thatJesusChristwastoenterintotheholiest,thenHewastheretobearthenamesofHiselectinthetablesofHisheartbeforetheThroneofGodandtheMercy-seat(Heb12:23).(3.)Withthishewastotakeofthebloodofthesacrifices,andcarryitintothe

holiestofall,whichwasa typeofHeaven,and therewashe tosprinklethemercy-seat;andthiswastobedonebythehighpriestonly;tosignify,thatnonebutJesusChristmusthavethisofficeandprivilege, tobethepeople'sHighPriesttoofferforthem.

"But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, notwithout blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of thepeople"(Heb9:7).(4.)Hewastheretomakeanatonementforthepeoplewith the blood, sprinkling of it upon themercy-seat; but this must bedonewithmuch incense. "AndAaronshallbring thebullockof thesin-offeringwhichisforhimself,andforhishouse,andshallkillthebullockofthesin-offeringwhichisforhimself:andheshalltakeacensorfullofburningcoalsoffirefromoffthealtarbeforetheLord,andhishandsfullofsweet incensebeatensmall,andbring itwithin theveil:andheshallputtheincenseuponthefirebeforetheLord,thathecloudoftheincensemaycoverthemercy-seatthatisuponthetestimony,thathedienot:andhe shall takeof thebloodof thebullock, and sprinkle itwithhis fingerupon the mercy-seat eastward, and before the mercy-seat shall hesprinkleof thebloodwithhis finger seven times.Then shall hekill thegoatofthesin-offering,thatisforthepeople,andbringhisbloodwithintheveil,anddowiththatbloodashedidwiththebloodof thebullock,and sprinkle it upon the mercy-seat and before the mercy-seat." (Lev16:11- 15). Now this was for the priest and the people; all which dothsignify thatJesusChristwasafterHisdeathtogo intoHeaven itself,ofwhichthisholyplacewasafigure,andtheretocarrythesacrificethatHeofferedupontheCrossintothepresenceofGod,toobtainmercyforthepeopleinawayofjustice(Heb9).Andinthatheissaidtotakehishandsfull of sweet incense, it signifies that Jesus Christ was to offer up Hissacrifice in the presence of His Father in a way of intercession andprayers.

I might have branched these things out into several particulars, but Iwouldbebrief. I say, therefore, theofficeof thepriestwas to carry theblood into theholyplace,andthere topresent itbefore themercy-seat,withhisheartfullofintercessionsforthepeopleforwhomhewasapriest(Luke1:8-11).ThisisJesusChrist'sworknowintheKingdomofGlory,toplead His own blood, the nature and virtue of it, with a perpetual

intercessiontotheGodofMercyonbehalfofuspoormiserablesinners(Heb7:25).

[Comfortable considerations from Christ's intercession]. Now, in theintercession of this Jesus,which is part ofHis priestly office, there arethesethingstobeconsideredforourcomfort--

1.ThereisapleadingofthevirtueofHisBloodforthemthatarealreadycome in, that they may be kept from the evils of heresies, delusions,temptations, pleasures, profits, or anythingof thisworldwhichmaybetoohardforthem."Father,IpraynotthatThoushouldesttakethemoutoftheworld,"saithChrist,"butthatThoushouldestkeepthemfromtheevil"(John17:15).

2.IncasethedevilshouldaspireupintothepresenceofGod,toaccuseanyofthepoorsaints,andtopleadtheirbackslidingsagainstthem,ashewilldoifhecan,thenthereisJesus,ourLordJesus,readyintheCourtofHeaven, at the righthandofGod, toplead thevirtueofHisBlood,notonlyforthegreatandgeneralsatisfactionthatHedidgivewhenHewason theCross, but also the virtue that is in itnow for the cleansingandfresh purging of His poor saints under their several temptations andinfirmities;assaiththeApostle,"For ifwhenwewereenemieswewerereconciledtoGodbythedeathofHisSon,muchmorebeingreconciled,weshallbesavedbyHislife"--thatis,byHisintercession(Rom5:10).

3.Themaintainingofgrace,also,isbyJesusChrist'sintercession,beingthesecondpartofHispriestlyoffice.O,hadwenotaJesusattherighthandofGodmakingintercessionforus,andtoconveyfreshsuppliesofgraceuntousthroughthevirtueofHisBloodbeingpleadedatGod'srighthand,howsoonwoulditbewithusasitiswiththoseforwhomHepraysnotatall(John17:9)?Butthereasonwhythoustandestwhileothersfall,the reasonwhy thougoest through themany temptationsof theworld,andshakestthemofffromthee,whileothersareensnaredandentangledtherein, it is because thou hast an interceding Jesus. "I have prayed,"saithHe,"thatthyfaithfailnot"(Luke22:32).

4. It is partly by the virtue of Christ's intercession that the elect arebroughtin.TherearemanythataretocometoChristwhicharenotyet

brought in to Christ: and it is one part of His work to pray for theirsalvation too--"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them alsowhichshall believe," thoughas yet theydonotbelieve "onMe," but that theymaybelieve"throughtheirword"(John17:20).Andletmetellthee,soul,forthycomfort,whoarta-comingtoChrist,pantingandsighing,asifthyheart would break, I tell thee, soul, thou wouldst never have come toChrist, ifHe had not first, by the virtue ofHis blood and intercession,sentintothyheartanearnestdesireafterChrist;andletmetelltheealso,that it isHisbusiness tomake intercession for thee,notonly that thoumightest come in, but that thou mightest be preserved when thou artcomein(CompareHeb7:25;Rom8:33-39).

5. It is by the intercessionofChrist that the infirmities of the saints intheirholydutiesareforgiven.Alas,ifitwerenotforthepriestlyofficeofChrist Jesus, theprayers, alms, andotherduties of the saintsmightberejected, because of the sin that is in them; but Jesus being our HighPriest, He is ready to take away the iniquities of our holy things,perfuming our prayers with the glory of His own perfections; andthereforeitisthatthereisananswergiventothesaints'prayers,andalsoacceptance of their holy duties (Rev 8:3,4). "But Christ being come anhigh priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfecttabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;neitherbythebloodofgoatsandcalves,butbyHisownbloodHeenteredin once into theholy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.Forifthebloodofbullsandofgoats,andtheashesofanheifersprinklingtheunclean,sanctifiethtothepurifyingoftheflesh:howmuchmoreshallthe blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered HimselfwithoutspottoGod,purgeyourconsciencefromdeadworkstoservethelivingGod?AndforthiscauseHeisthemediatoroftheNewTestament,"or covenant, "that by means of death, for the redemption of thetransgressionsthatwereunderthefirsttestament,theywhicharecalled,"notwithstanding all their sins, "might receive the promise of eternalinheritance"(Heb9:11-15).

Third.The third thingnow to be spoken to is, to showwhere andhowJesus Christ outwent and goes beyond these priests, in all theirqualificationsandoffices,forthecomfortofpoorsaints.

1.They thatwerecalled to thepriesthoodunder the lawwerebutmen;butHeisbothGodandman(Heb7:3,28).

2.Theirqualificationswereintheminaveryscantyway;butJesuswaseverywayqualifiedinaninfiniteandfullway.

3. They were consecrated but for a time, but He for evermore (Heb7:23,24).

4.Theyweremadewithoutanoath,butHewithanoath(Verses20,21).

5.Theyasservants;butHeasaSon(Hebrews3:6).

6.Theirgarmentswerebut suchas couldbemadewithhands,butHistheveryrighteousnessofGod(Exo28;Rom3:22;Phil3:8,9).

7.Theirofferingswerebut thebodyandbloodofbeasts,andsuch like,but His offering was His own body and soul (Heb 9:12,13; 10:4,5; Isa53:10).

8.Thosewereatbestbutashadowortype,butHetheverysubstanceandendofallthoseceremonies(Heb9:1,10,11).

9.Theirholyplacewasbutmadebymen,butHis,orthatwhichJesusisentered,isintoHeavenitself(Heb9:2,3,24).

10.Whentheywenttooffertheirsacrifice, theywereforcedtooffer forthemselves, as men compassed about with infirmity, but He holy,harmless, who did never commit the least transgression (Heb 7:26;10:11).

11. They when they went to offer they were fain to do it standing, tosignify that God had no satisfaction therein; but He, when "He hadofferedonesacrificeforsinsforever,satdownontherighthandofGod,"tosignifythatGodwasverywellpleasedwithHisoffering(Heb10:12).

12. They were fain to offer "oftentimes the same sacrifices, which cannever take away sins"; butHe, "by one offeringhathperfected for everthemthataresanctified"(Heb10:11,14).

13. Their sacrifices at the best could but serve for the cleansing of theflesh,butHisforcleansingbothbodyandsoul--thebloodofJesusChristdoth purge the conscience from dead works, to live a holy life (Heb9:13,14).

14.Thosehighpriestscouldnotofferbutonceayearintheholiestofall,butourHighPriestHeeverlivethtomakeintercessionforus(Heb9:7;12:24,25).

15.Thosehighpriests,notwithstandingtheywerepriests, theywerenotalwaystoweartheirholygarments;butJesusneverputsthemoffofHim,butisinthemalways.

16.Thosehighpriests,deathwouldbe toohard for them,butourHighPriest hath vanquished and overcome that cruel enemy of ours, andbrought life and immortality to light through the gloriousGospel (Heb7:21,23;2:15;2Tim1:10).

17.Thosehighpriestswerenotabletosavethemselves;butthisisabletosaveHimself,andallthatcometoGod,byHim(Heb7:25).

18. Those high priests" blood could not do away sin; but the blood ofJesusChrist,whoisourHighPriest,"cleansethusfromallsin"(1John1:7).

19. Those high priests sometimes by sin caused God to reject theirsacrifices;butthisHighPriestdothalwaysthethingsthatpleaseHim.

20. Those high priests could never convey the Spirit by virtue of theirsacrificesoroffice;butthisHighPriest,ourLordJesus,Hecananddothgiveallthegiftsandgracesthataregiventothesonsofmen.

21.Thosehighpriestscouldneverbytheirsacrificesbringthesoulofanysinnertoglorybyvirtueofitself;butJesushathbyoneoffering,asIsaidbefore,perfectedforeverthosethatHediddiefor.ThusinbriefIhaveshowedinsomeparticularshowandwhereinJesusourHighPriestdothgobeyondthosehighpriests;andmanymorewithoutquestionmightbementioned,butIforbear.

Christtheforerunnerofthesaints.

FIFTH.A fifthofficeofChrist in reference to the secondcovenantwas,thatHeshouldbetheforerunnertoHeavenbeforeHissaintsthatweretofollowafter.First,Hestrikeshandsinthecovenant,[andthen]Hestandsbound as a Surety to see everything in the covenant accomplished thatwastobedoneonHispart;[next]HebringsthemessagefromHeaventotheworld; andbeforeHegoethback,HeofferethHimself for the samesinsthatHeagreedtosufferfor;andsosoonasthiswasdone,Hegoethpost-haste toHeavenagain,notonly to exercise the secondpartofHispriestlyoffice,butasourforerunner,totakepossessionforus,evenintoHeavenitself,asyoumaysee,whereitissaid,"WhithertheForerunnerisforusentered"(Heb6:20).

First.HeisrunbeforetoopenHeaven'sgates--Beyeopen,yeeverlastingdoors,thattheKingofGlorymayenterin.

Second.Heisrunbeforeustotakepossessionofgloryinournaturesforus.

Third.Heisrunbeforetoprepareusourplacesagainstwecomeafter--"Igotoprepareaplaceforyou"(John14:1-3).

Fourth. He is run thither to make the way easy, in that He hath firsttroddenthepathHimself.

Fifth.He isrunthither toreceivegifts forus.AllspiritualandheavenlygiftshadbeenkeptfromushadnotChrist,sosoonasthetimeappointedwascome,runbacktotheKingdomofGlorytoreceivethemforus.ButIcannot stand to enlarge upon these glorious things, the Lord enlargethem upon your hearts by meditation. [These things have I spoken toshowyouthatsaintsareundergrace.]

CHRISTCOMPLETELYFULFILLEDTHE

CONDITIONSOFTHENEWCOVENANT

HerenowImightbegintospeakofHispropheticalandkinglyoffice,andtheprivilegesthatdoandshallcomethereby,butthatIfearIshallbetootedious,thereforeatthistimeIshallpassthemby.ThusyoumayseehowtheCovenantofGracedothrun,andwithWhomitwasmade,andalsowhatweretheconditionsthereof.

Now,then,thisgrace,thiseverlastinggraceofGod,comestobefreetousthrough the satisfaction, according to the conditions, given by Anotherforus;forthoughitbefree,andfreelygiventous,yettheobtainingofitdidcostourHead,ourpublicMan,averydearprice."Foryeareboughtwithaprice,"evenwiththepreciousbloodofChrist.SoitisbyAnother,Isay,notbyus;yetitisassurelymadeovertous,eventosomanyofusasdoor shallbelieve,as ifwehaddone it, andobtained thegraceofGodourselves (1 Cor 6:20; 1 Peter 1:9).Nay, surer; for consider, I say, thisgraceisfreetous,andcomesuponaclearscore,byvirtueofthelabourandpurchaseofAnotherforus;mark,thatwhichisobtainedbyAnotherforusisnotobtainedforusbyourselves--No,butChristhath,notbytheblood of goats and calves, "obtained eternal redemption for us," whichwere things offered by men under the law, "but by His own blood,"meaning Christ's, "He entered in once into the holy place, havingobtainedeternalredemptionforus"(Heb9:12).

It comes tobeunchangeable through theperfectionof that satisfactionthatwasgiventoGodthroughtheSonofMaryforus; forwhatevertheDivine, infinite, and eternal justice of God did call for at the hands ofman,ifeverheintendedtobeapartakerofthegraceofGod,thisJesus,thisoneMan,thispublicPerson,did,didcompletelygiveasatisfactiontoit,evensoeffectually;whichcausedGodnotonlytosay,Iampleased,but"I amwell pleased"; completely and sufficiently satisfied with Thee ontheir behalf; for so youmustunderstand it (Matt 3:17).Mark thereforethesefollowingwords--"And,havingmadepeace,"orcompletelymadeupthedifference, "through the blood ofHis cross, byHim to reconcile allthingsuntoHimself;byHim, I say,whether theybe things inearth,orthingsinheaven.Andyou,thatweresometimealienatedandenemiesinyourmindbywickedworks,yetnowhathHereconciled,"how?"in the

bodyofHis flesh throughdeath, to present youholy,"mark, "holy andunblameableandunreproveableinHissight"(Col1:20-22).Andthusitisgrace,unchangeablegracetous;becauseitwasobtained,yea,completelyobtained,forus,byJesusChrist,God-man.

Object.But somemay say,Howwas itpossible thatonemanJesus,byone offering, should so completely obtain and bring in unchangeablegraceforsuchaninnumerablecompanyofsinnersasaretobesaved?

Answ.First.InthatHewaseverywayfittedforsuchawork.And,Second.Inthat,asIsaidbefore,Hedideverywaycompletelysatisfythatwhichwasoffendedbyourdisobediencetotheformercovenant.

[First.Hewaseverywayfittedforsuchawork].And,fortheclearingofthis,

1. Consider, was itman that had offended?HewasMan that gave thesatisfaction--"For since by man came death, by man came also theresurrectionofthedead"(1Cor15:21).

2.WasitGodthatwasoffended?HewasGodthatdidgiveasatisfaction--"Untousachildisborn,untousasonisgiven.--andHisnameshallbecalledThemightyGod"(Isa9:6)."HethoughtitnotrobberytobeequalwithGod:but," foroursakes,He"madeHimselfofnoreputation,"etc.(Phil2:6-7).

3.Forthefurtherclearingofthis,toshowyouthatineverythingHewasrightlyqualifiedforthisgreatwork,seewhatGodHimselfsaithofHim;HecallsHim,inthefirstplace,Man;and,secondly,HeownsHimtobeHisFellow,saying,"Awake,Osword,againstMyShepherd,andagainsttheMan"--mark, "theMan that isMyFellow, saith theLORDofhosts"(Zech13:7).

Sothatnow,letDivineandinfinitejusticeturnitselfwhichwayitwill,itfinds one that can tell how tomatch it; for if it say, I will require thesatisfactionofman,hereisaMantosatisfyitscry;andifitsay,ButIaman infiniteGod, andmust andwill have an infinite satisfaction;here isOnealsothatisinfinite,evenfellowwithGod,fellowinHisessenceand

being;fellowinHispowerandstrength;fellowinHiswisdom;fellowinHismercyandgrace; togetherwith therestof theattributesofGod;sothat, I say, let justice turn itself which way it will, here is a completePersontogiveacompletesatisfaction(Prov8:23;1Cor1:24;Titus2:10;comparedwithVerse11).ThusmuchofthefitnessofthePerson.

Second.ForthecompletenessofthesatisfactiongivenbyHimforus.Andthatisdiscoveredintheseparticulars--

1.Doth justice call for thebloodof thatnature that sinned?here is theheart-blood of Jesus Christ--"We have redemption throughHis blood,"(Eph1:7,14;1Peter1:18,19;Zech9:10,11).

2.Doth justice say that this blood, if it benot the blood ofOne that isreally andnaturallyGod, itwill not give satisfaction to infinite justice?then here is God, purchasing His Church "with His own blood" (Acts20:28).

3.Dothjusticesay,thatitmustnotonlyhavesatisfactionforsinners,buttheythataresavedmustbealsowashedandsanctifiedwiththisblood?thenhereisHethatsolovedus,thatHe"washedusfromoursinsinHisownblood"(Rev1:5).

4. Is there to be a righteousness to clothe them with that is to bepresentedbeforeDivinejustice?therehereistherighteousnessofChrist,which is "even the righteousness ofGodby faith" (Rom3:22;Phil 3:8-10).

5. Are there any sins now that will fly upon this Saviour like somanylions, or raging devils, if He take in hand to redeemman? He will becontent tobear themallHimselfalone,even inHisownbodyuponthetree(1Peter2:24).

6. Is there any law now that will curse and condemn this Saviour forstandinginourpersonstogivesatisfactiontoGodforthetransgressionof man? He will be willing to be cursed, yea, to be made a curse forsinners, rather than they shall be cursed and damned themselves (Gal3:13).

7. Must the great and glorious God, whose eyes are so pure that Hecannotbehold iniquity; Isay,mustHenotonlyhave theblood,but theverylifeofHimthatwilltakeinhandtobetheDelivererandSaviourofuspoormiserablesinners?HeiswillingtolaydownHislifeforHissheep(John10:11).

8.MustHenotonlydieanaturaldeath,butmustHissouldescendintohell, though it should not be left there,Hewill suffer that also Psalms16:10;andActs2:31.[11]

9. Must He not only be buried, but rise again from the dead, andovercome death, that Hemight be the first-fruits to God of them thatsleep, which shall be saved? He will be buried, and also through thestrengthofHisGodhead,HewillraiseHimselfoutofthegrave,thoughdeathholdHimneversofast,andtheJewslayneversuchagreatstoneupon themouthof the selpulchre, and seal itnever so fast (1Cor 15:4;Luke24:34).

10. Must He carry that body into the presence of His Father, to takepossession of Heaven, and must He appear there as a priest, as aforerunner, as an advocate, as prophet, as a treasure- house, as anintercederandpleaderofthecausesofHispeople?Hewillbeall these,andmuchmore,totheendthegraceofGodbyfaithinJesusChristmightbemade sure to all the seed. "Who then can condemn? It is God thatjustifieth;becauseChristhathdied,yearather,thatisrisenagain."Who,now seeing all this is so effectually done, shall lay anything, the leastthing?whocan find the least flaw, the leastwrinkle, the leastdefectorimperfection,inthisglorioussatisfaction(Rom8:33-34;Heb6:20;9:24;John14:2,3;1John2:1)?

Object. But is it possible thatHe should so soon give infinite justice asatisfaction,acompletesatisfaction?fortheeternalGoddothrequireaneternallyingunderthecurse,totheendHemaybeeternallysatisfied.

Answ.Indeed,thatwhichisinfinitemusthaveaneternitytosatisfyGodin--thatis,theythatfallintotheprisonandpitofutterdarknessmustbetheretoalleternity,totheendthejusticeofGodmayhaveitsfullblowatthem.ButnowHethatIamspeakingofisGod,andsoisinfinite(Isa9:6;

Titus1:16,17;Heb1:8,9;Phil2:4-6).Now,HewhichistrueGodisabletogive inas littleatimeaninfinitesatisfactionasAdamwas ingivingthedissatisfaction.AdamhimselfmighthavegivensatisfactionforhimselfassoonasChristhadhebeenveryGod,asJesusChristwas.Forthereasonwhy the posterity of Adam, even somany of them as fall short of life,must liebroiling inHell toalleternity is this--theyarenotable togivethejusticeofGodsatisfaction,theybeingnotinfinite,asaforesaid."ButChrist," that is,God-man, "being comeanHighPriest," that is, toofferand give satisfaction, "of good things to come , by a greater andmoreperfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of thisbuilding; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own,"--markyou that, "butbyHisownbloodHeentered inonce into theholyplace,havingobtainedeternal redemption forus."Buthow?"For if theblood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling theunclean,sanctifiethtothepurifyingoftheflesh:howmuchmoreshallthebloodofChrist,whothroughtheeternalSpirit,"whothroughthepowerandvirtueofHisinfiniteGodhead,"offeredHimselfwithoutspottoGod,purgeyourconsciencefromdeadworkstoservethelivingGod?Andforthiscause,"thatis,forthatHeisGodaswellasman,andsoabletogivejusticeaninfinitesatisfaction,therefore,"Heisthemediatorofthenewtestament, that by means of death, for the redemption of thetransgressionsthatwereunderthefirsttestament,theywhicharecalledmightreceivethepromiseofeternalinheritance"(Heb9:11-15).AsIsaidbefore.

Object.Thisismuch;butisGodconnectedwiththis?IsHesatisfiednowinthebehalfofsinnersbythisMan'sthussuffering?IfHeis, thenhowdothitappear?

Answ.Itisevident,yea,wonderfulevident,thatthishathpleasedHimtothefull,asappearethbythesefollowingdemonstrations.--

First.InthatGoddidadmitHimintoHispresence;yea,receiveHimwithjoyandmusic,evenwiththesoundofthetrumpet,atHisascensionintoHeaven(Psa47:5).AndChristmakesitanargumenttoHischildrenthatHisrighteousnesswassufficient,inthatHewenttoHisFather,andtheysaw Him no more, "of righteousness," saith He, "because I go to MyFather,andyeseeMenomore"(John16:10).AsifHehadsaid,MySpirit

shallshowtotheworldthatIhavebroughtinasufficientrighteousnesstojustifysinnerswithal,inthatwhenIgotoappearinthepresenceofMyFatherontheirbehalf,HeshallgiveMeentertainment,andnotthrowMedownfromHeaven,becauseIdidnotdoitsufficiently.

Again; if youconsider thehighesteem thatGod theFatherdoth setonthe death ofHis Son, youwill find thatHehath received good contentthereby.WhentheLordJesus,bywayofcomplaint,toldHisFatherthatHeandHismeritswerenotvaluedtotheworth,HisFatheranswered,Itis a light thing that I should give Thee, OMy Servant, to bring Jacobagain;"IwillalsogiveTheeforalighttotheGentiles,thatThoumayestbeMysalvationuntotheendoftheearth"(Isa49:6).AsiftheLordhadsaid, "My Son, I do value Thy death at a higher rate than that ThoushouldstsavethetribesofIsraelonly;beholdtheGentiles,thebarbarousheathens, theyalsoshallbebrought inas thepriceofThyblood.It isalightthingthatThoushouldestbeMyServantonlytobring,orredeem,thetribesofJacob,andtorestorethepreservedofIsrael:IwillalsogiveThee fora light to theGentiles, thatThoumayestbeMysalvationuntotheendoftheearth."[12]

Again; youmay see it also by the carriage ofGod the Father to all thegreat sinners to whommercy was proffered.We do not find that Godmaketh any objection against them to come to Him for the pardon oftheirsins;becauseHedidwantasatisfactionsuitabletothegreatnessoftheirsins.TherewasManasseh,whowasonethatburnedhischildreninthefiretothedevil,thatusedwitchcraft,thatusedtoworshipthehostofheaven, that turnedhisbackontheWordthatGodsentuntohim;nay,that did worse than the very heathen that God cast out before thechildrenofIsrael(2Chron33:1-13).AlsothosethatarespokenofintheNineteenthofActs,thatdidspendsomuchtimeinconjuration,andthelike,forsuchIjudgetheywere,thatwhentheycametoburntheirbooks,theycountedtheprice thereof tobe fifty thousandpiecesofsilver(Acts19:19).SimonMagusalso,thatwasasorcerer,andbewitchedthewholecity,yethehadmercyprofferedtohimonceandagain(Acts8).Isay,itwas not the greatness of the sins of these sinners; no, nor of aninnumerable companyof others, thatmadeGodat all to object againstthesalvationoftheirsouls,whichjusticewouldhaveconstrainedHimto

hadHenothadsatisfactionsufficientbythebloodoftheLordJesus.Nay,further,IdofindthatbecauseGodtheFatherwouldnothavethemeritsof His Son to be undervalued, I say, He doth therefore freely by Hisconsentletmercybeprofferedtothegreatestsinners--inthefirstplace,for the Jews, that were the worst of men in that day for blasphemyagainst theGospel; yet theApostleprofferedmercy to them in the firstplace--"It was necessary," saith he, "that theWord of God should firsthavebeenspokentoyou"(Acts3:26;13:46).

AndChristgavethemcommissionsotodo;for,saithHe,Letrepentanceand remission of sins be preached inMyname among all nations, andbegin--markthat,"beginningatJerusalem"(Luke24:47),Letthemthatbut theotherdayhad theirhandsup to theelbows inMyheart'sbloodhave the first proffer of My mercy. And, saith Paul, "For this cause Iobtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth alllongsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe onHimto lifeeverlasting"(1Tim1:16).AstheApostlesaith, thosesinnersthatweredead,possessedwith thedevil,and thechildrenofwrath,Hehath quickened, delivered, and saved. ThatHemight, even in the very"ages to comeHemight show the exceeding riches ofHis grace inHiskindnesstowardus,"andthat"throughChristJesus"(Eph2:7).

Second. It isevident that thatwhich thisMandidasacommonpersonHedid itcompletelyandsatisfactorily,asappearsbytheopenness,asImaysocallit,whichwasintheheartofGodtoHimatHisresurrectionand ascension--"Ask ofMe," saithHe, "and I shall give Thee the" very"heathenforThine inheritance,andtheuttermostpartsof theearth forThypossession"(Psa2:8).AndthiswasatHisresurrection(Acts13:33).Whereas, though He had asked, yet if He had not given a full andcomplete satisfaction, justice would not have givenHim any thing; forjustice,thejusticeofGod,issopure,thatifitbenotcompletelysatisfiedineveryparticular,itgivethnothingbutcurses(Gal3:10).

Third.ItisyetfarmoreevidentthatHehathindeedpleasedGodinthebehalf of sinners, in that God hath given Him gifts to distribute tosinners,yea,theworstofsinners,asafruitofHissatisfaction,andthatatHis ascension (Psa 68:18). Christ hath so satisfied God, that He hathgivenHimallthetreasuresbothofHeavenandearthtodisposeofasHe

seeth good; He hath so pleased God, that He hath given Him a nameabove every name, a sceptre above every sceptre, a crown above everycrown,akingdomaboveeverykingdom;HehathgivenHimthehighestplace inHeaven, evenHis own right hand;He hath givenHim all thepower ofHeaven and earth, and under the earth, inHis own hand, tobindwhomHepleaseth,andtosetfreewhomHethinksmeet;Hehath,inaword,suchahighesteemintheeyesofHisFather,thatHehathputintoHishandsallthingsthatarefortheprofitofHispeople,bothinthisworld and that which is to come; and all this as the fruit of Hisfaithfulness indoing ofHiswork, as theMediator of thenew covenant(Phil2:9;Rev19:6).Thouhastascendedonhigh,Thouhastledcaptivitycaptive, Thou hast received gifts-- mark, Thou hast received them--formen, even for the worst ofmen, for the rebellious also; and hath sentforthsome,beingfurnishedwiththesegifts;some,Isay,fortheworkoftheministry,totheedifyingofthemthatarealreadycalled,andalsoforthecallinginofallthoseforwhomHecovenantedwithHisFather,tillallcomeintheunityoffaith,etc.(Eph4:8-13).

Fourth. Itdothstillappearyet farmoreevident; forwillyouhearwhattheFatherHimselfsaithfortheshowingofHiswell-pleasednessinthesetwo particulars--First, in that He bids poor souls to hear and to do asChrist would have them (Matt 3:17; Luke 9:35). Secondly, in that Heresolves tomake them that turn their backs uponHim, that dishonourHim,which isdone inaverygreatmeasureby those that layasideHismeritsdonebyHimselfforjustification;Isay,Hethatresolvedtomakethis His footstool, whereHe saith, "Sit Thou atMy right hand, until Imake Thine enemies Thy footstool" (Psa 110:1). Are they enemies toThee?saithGod.Iwillbeevenwiththem.DotheyslightThymerits?DotheyslightThygroans,Thytears,Thyblood,Thydeath,Thyresurrectionandintercession,Thysecondcomingagaininheavenlyglory?Iwilltearthemandrendthem;Iwillmakethemasmireinthestreets;IwillmakeThy enemiesThy footstool (Matt 22:44;Heb 1:13; 10:13).Ay, saithHe,and"Thoushaltdashtheminpieceslikeapotter'svessel"(Psa2:9).LooktoityouthatslightthemeritsofthebloodofChrist.

Fifth.Againfurther;yetGodwillmakealltheworldtoknowthatHehathbeenandiswellpleasedinHisSon,inthatGodhathgiven,andwillmake

itappearHehathgiven, theworld tocome intoHishand;and thatHeshall raise the dead, bring them before His judgment-seat, executejudgmentuponthem,whichHepleasethtoexecutejudgmentontotheirdamnation; and to receive them to eternal life whom He doth favour,evensomanyasshallbefoundtobelieveinHisnameandmerits(Heb2)."ForastheFatherhathlifeinHimself;sohathHegiventotheSontohave life inHimself;andhathgivenHimauthoritytoexecute judgmentalso,becauseHeistheSonofman.Forthehouriscoming,inthewhichallthatareinthegravesshallhearHisvoice,andshallcomeforth;theythat have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that havedoneevil,unto the resurrectionofdamnation" (John5:26-29).Ay, andtheworstenemythatChristhathnowshallcomeatthatdaywithapaleface, with a quaking heart, and bended knees, trembling before Him,confessing the glory ofHismerits, and the virtue therewas in them tosave,"tothegloryofGodtheFather"(Rom14:11;Phil2:11).

Muchmoremight be added to discover the glorious perfection of thisMan's satisfaction; but for you that desire to be further satisfiedconcerning this, search theScriptures, andbegofGod togiveyou faithandunderstanding therein; andas for you that slight these things, andcontinuesodoing,Godhathanotherwaytotakewithyou,eventodashyou in pieces like a potter's vessel; for this hath Christ received ofHisFathertodountoyou(Rev2:27).

ThusIhaveshowedyouinparticular,thattheCovenantofGraceofGodisfreeandunchangeabletomen--thatis,inthatithathbeenobtainedformen,andthatperfectly,tothesatisfyingofjustice,andtakingallthingsoutofthewaythatwereanywaysahindrancetooursalvation(Col2:14).

THECOVENANTOFGRACEUNCHANGEABLE;THEOPPOSERS

ANSWERED

ThesecondthingforthediscoveringofthisfreenessandconstancyoftheCovenantofGraceofGodismanifestedthus--

First.WhatsoeveranymanhathofthegraceofGod,hehathitasafreegiftofGodthroughChristJesustheMediatorofthiscovenant,evenwhenthey are in a state of enmity to Him, whether it be Christ as thefoundation-stone,orfaithtolayholdofHim,markthat(Rom5:8,9;Col1:21,22). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not ofyourselves,"notforanythinginyou,ordonebyyouforthepurchasingofit,but "it is thegiftofGod," (Eph2:8)and thatbestowedonyou,evenwhenye"weredeadintrespassesandsins"(Eph2:1,9).Nay,ifthouhastsomuchasonedesirethatisright,itisthegiftofGod;forofourselves,saiththeApostle,wearenotabletospeakagoodword,orthinkagoodthought(2Cor3:5).

Was itnotgrace,absolutegrace, thatGodmadepromise toAdamaftertransgression? (Gen 3:15).Was it not free grace inGod to save such awretchasManassehwas,whousedenchantments,witchcraft,burnthischildreninthefire,andwroughtmuchevil?(2Chron33).Wasitnotfreegracetosavesuchasthosewerethatarespokenofinthe16thofEzekiel,whichnoeyepitied?WasitnotfreegraceforChristtogivePeteralovinglook after he had cursed, and swore, and deniedHim?Was it not freegracethatmetPaulwhenhewasagoingtoDamascustopersecute,whichconvertedhim,andmadehimavesselofmercy?

AndwhatshallIsayofsuchthatarespokenofin1Corinthians6:9,10,speakingthereoffornicators,idolaters,adulterers,effeminate,abusersofthemselves with mankind, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers,extortioners,thebasestofsinnersintheworld,andyetwerewashed,andyet were justified; was it not freely by grace? O saints, you that are inheavencryout,"Wecamehitherbygrace;andyouthatareontheearth,Iamsureyoucry,Ifeverwedogothither,itmustbefreelybygrace!"

Second. In the next place, it appears to be unchangeable in this--1.Becausejusticebeingoncesatisfieddothnotusetocallforthedebtagain.No;letneversuchasinnercometoJesusChrist,andsotoGodbyHim,andjustice,insteadofspeakingagainstthesalvationofthatsinner,itwillsay,Iamjustaswellasfaithfultoforgivehimhissins(1John1:9).When

justice itself is pleased with aman, and speaks on his side, instead ofspeaking against him, we may well cry out, Who shall condemn? 2.Because there is no law to come in against the sinner that believes inJesusChrist;forheisnotunderthat,andthatbyrightcomesinagainstnonebutthosethatareunderit.Butbelieversarenotunderthat--thatis,nottheirLord,thereforethathathnothingtodowiththem;andbesides,Christ's blood hath not only taken away the curse thereof, but alsoHehath inHisownPersoncompletely fulfilled itasapublicPerson inourstead. (Rom 7:1-4). 3. The devil that accused them is destroyed (Heb2:14,15). 4. Death, and the grave, andHell are overcome (1 Cor 15:55;Hosea13:14).5.Sin,thatgreatenemyofman'ssalvation,thatiswashedaway (Rev 1:5). 6. The righteousness of God is put upon them thatbelieve,andgiven to them,and theyare found in it (Phil3:8- 10;Rom3:22).7.Christ isalways inHeaventopleadfor them,andtoprepareaplace for them (Heb 7:24; John 14:1-4). 8.He hath not only promisedthatHewillnotleaveus,norforsakeus,butHehathalsosworntofulfillHis promises. O rich grace! O free grace! Lord, who desired Thee topromise?whocompelledTheetoswear?

Weusetotakehonestmenupontheirbareword,butGod,"willingmoreabundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of Hiscounsel,"hath"confirmeditbyanoath:thatbytwoimmutablethings,"HispromiseandHisoath,"inwhichitwasimpossibleforGodtolie,"orbreakeitherofthem,"wemighthaveastrongconsolation,whohavefledforrefuge to layholduponthehopesetbeforeus" (Heb6:17-18). Iwillwarrantyou,GodwillneverbreakHisoath;thereforewemaywellhavegoodgroundtohopefromsuchagoodfoundationasthis,thatGodwillneverleaveusindeed.Amen.

Third. Not only thus, but, 1. God hath begotten believers again toHimself, to be His adopted and accepted children, in and through theLordJesus(1Peter1:3).2.Godhathpreparedakingdomforthembeforethe foundation of the world, through Jesus Christ (Matt 25:34). 3. Hehathgiventhemanearnestoftheirhappinesswhiletheylivehereinthisworld. "After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit ofpromise,whichistheearnestofourinheritanceuntiltheredemptionofthepurchasedpossession,untothepraiseofHisglory,"andthatthrough

this Jesus (Eph 1:13,14). [These things aremore fully laiddown in thatpartof thebookwhich containeth thediscourseof theprivilegesof thenew covenant]. 4. If His children sin through weakness, or by suddentemptation,theyconfessingofit,Hewillinglyforgives,andhealsalltheirwounds,renewethHislovetowardsthem,waitstodothemgood,casteththeirsinsintothedepthsofthesea,andallthisfreely,withoutanyworkdonebymen asmen--Not for your own sakes do I do this,Ohouse ofIsrael,beitknownuntoyou,saiththeLord,butwhollyandalonebythebloodofJesus(Eze36:23,23).5.Inaword,ifyouwouldseeitaltogether,God'slovewasthecausewhyJesusChristwassenttobleedforsinners.JesusChrist'sbleedingstopsthecriesofDivinejustice;GodlooksuponthemascompleteinHim,givesthemtoHimasHisbyrightofpurchase.JesuseverlivestoprayforthemthatarethusgivenuntoHim.GodsendsHis Holy Spirit into them to reveal this to them, sends His angels tominister for them; and all this by virtue of an Everlasting CovenantbetweentheFatherandtheSon.Thricehappyarethepeoplethatareinsuchacase!

Nay,further,HehathmadethembrethrenwithJesusChrist,membersofHisfleshandofHisbones,thespouseofthisLordJesus;andalltoshowyouhowdearly,howreally,howconstantlyHelovethus,who,byfaithofHis operation, have laid hold upon Him. [These things I might havetreateduponmorelargely].

[FurtherArgumentsandObjectionsanswered].

Ishallnowlaydownafewargumentsforthesuperabundantclearingofit, and afterwards answer two or three objections that may be madeagainstit,andsoIshallfalluponthenextthing.

First.GodlovesthesaintsasHelovesJesusChrist;andGodlovesJesusChristwithaneternallove;thereforethesaintsalsowiththesame."ThouhastlovedthemasThouhaslovedMe"(John17:23).

Second.ThatlovewhichisGodHimself,mustneedsbeeverlastinglove;andthatisthelovewherewithGodhathlovedHissaintsinChristJesus;therefore His love towards His children in Christ must needs be aneverlastinglove.ThereisnonedaresaythattheloveofGodismixedwith

a createdmixture; if not, then itmust needs beHimself (1 John 4:16).[YoumustnotunderstandthatloveinGodisapassionasitisinus;buttheloveofGodistheveryessenceornatureofGod].

Third.Thatlovewhichisalwayspitcheduponus,inanobjectasholyasGod,mustneedsbeaneverlastinglove.NowtheloveofGodwasandispitcheduponus,throughanobjectasholyasGodHimself,evenourLordJesus;thereforeitmustneedsbeunchangeable.

Fourth.IfHewithwhomtheCovenantofGracewasmade,didineverything and condition do even what the Lord could desire or require ofHim, thatHis lovemightbeextendedtous,andthat forever, thenHislovemustneedsbeaneverlastinglove,seeingeverythingrequiredofuswascompletelyaccomplished forusbyHim;andall thishathourLordJesus done, and that most gloriously, even on our behalf; therefore itmustneedsbealovethatlastsforeverandever.

Fifth.IfGodhathdeclaredHimselftobetheGodthatchangethnot,andhath sworn to be immutable in His promise, then surely He will beunchangeable;andHehathdoneso;thereforeitisimpossibleforGodtolie,andsoforHiseternallovetobechangeable(Heb6:13-18).Hereisanargument of the Spirit's own making! Who can contradict it? If anyobject,andsay,But still it isupon theconditionofbelieving--Ianswer,The condition also is His own free gift, and not a qualification arisingfromthestockofnature(Eph2:8;Phil1:28,29).Sothathereistheloveunchangeable; here is also the condition given by Him whose love isunchangeable, whichmay serve yet further for a strong argument thatGod will have His love unchangeable. Sinner, this is better felt andenjoyedthantalkedof.

ObjectionFirst.ButifthisloveofGodbeunchangeableinitself,yetitisnotunchangeablysetuponthesaintsunlesstheybehavethemselvesthebetter.[Thefirstobjection].

Answ. AsGod's love at the first was bestowed upon the saintswithoutanything foreseenby theLord in them,asdoneby them,Deuteronomy9:4-6,soHegoethonwiththesame,Saying,"Iwillneverleavetheenorforsakethee"(Heb13:5).

Objection Second. But how cometh it to pass then, that many fall offagainfromthegraceoftheGospel,afteraprofessionofitforsometime;some to delusions, and some to their own sins again? [The secondobjection].

Answ.They are all fallen away,not from the everlasting loveofGod tothem, but from the profession of the love of God to them. Men mayprofessthatGodlovesthemwhenthereisnosuchmatter,andthattheyare the children ofGod,when the devil is their father; as it is in John8:40-44.Thereforetheythatdofinallyfallawayfromaprofessionofthegraceof theGospel, it is, first, because they arebastards andnot sons.Secondly,becauseastheyarenotsons,soGodsuffereththemtofall,tomakeitappearthattheyarenotsons,notofthehouseholdofGod--"Theywentoutfromus,buttheywerenotofus;foriftheyhadbeenofus,theywould no doubt," mark that, "no doubt," saith he, "they would havecontinuedwithus:buttheywentout,"fromus,"thattheymightbemademanifest that they were not all of us" (1 John 2:19). And thoughHymeneus and Philetus do throw themselves headlong to Hell,"neverthelessthefoundationofGodstandethsure,havingthisseal,TheLordknoweththemthatareHis"(2Tim2:17-19).

Objection Third. But the Scripture saith that there are some that hadfaith, yet lost it, and havemade shipwreck of it. [The third objection].NowGod loves no longer than they believe, as is evident; for "he thatbelievethnotshallbedamned."Sothen,ifsomemayhavefaith,andyetloseit,andsolosetheloveofGodbecausetheyhavelosttheirfaith,itisevidentthatGod'sloveisnotsoimmutableasyousayit istoeveryonethatbelieveth.

Answ. There are more sorts of faith than one that are spoken of inScripture--

1. There is a faith thatmanmayhave, and yet be nothing, none of thesaintsofGod,andyetmaydogreatthingstherewith(1Cor13:1-4).

2. There is a faith that was wrought merely by the operation of themiraclesthatweredoneinthosedaysbyChristandhisfollowers--"AndmanyofthepeoplebelievedinHim."Howcametheybytheirfaith?Why,

bytheoperationofthemiraclesthatHedidamongthem;forsaidthey,"When Christ cometh, willHe domoremiracles than thesewhich thismanhathdone?"(John7:31).

Thegreatthingthatwroughttheirfaithinthem,wasonlybyseeingthemiracles thatHedid,John2:23,which isnot that saving faithwhich iscalled the faith ofGod's elect, as is evident; for theremustnot be onlymiracles wrought upon outward objects to beget that--that being tooweakathing--butitmustbebythesamepowerthatwasstretchedoutinraisingChristfromthedead;yea,theexceedinggreatnessofthatpower(Eph1:18,19).So there isabelieving,being takenwithsomemarvelouswork, visibly appearing to the outward sense of seeing; and there is abelieving that is wrought in the heart by an invisible operation of theSpirit,revealingthecertaintyofthesatisfactionofthemeritsofChristtothesoul inamoregloriousway,both forcertaintyand fordurableness,bothastothepromiseandtheconstancyofit(Matt16:17,18).

3.Thereisafaithofaman'sown,ofaman'sselfalso;butthefaithoftheoperationofGod,inScripture,issetinoppositiontothat,for,saithHe,you are saved by grace, "through faith, and that not of yourselves," ofyourownmaking,butthatwhichisthefreegiftofGod(Eph2:8).

4.Wesay there isanhistorical faith--that is, suchas isbegottenby theco-operationoftheSpiritwiththeWord.

5. We say there is a traditional faith--that is, to believe things bytradition, because others say they believe them; this is received bytradition,notby revelation, and shallneverbeable to stand,neitheratthedayofdeath,noratthedayofjudgment;thoughpossiblymen,whiletheylivehere,mayesteemthemselvesandstatestobeverygood,becausetheirheadsarefilledfullofit.

6. There is a faith that is called in Scripture a dead faith, the faith ofdevils,orofthedevil;theyalsothathaveonlythis,theyarelikethedevil,andassuretobedamnedashe,notwithstandingtheirfaith,iftheygetnobetterintotheirhearts;foritisfarofffromenablingofthemtolayholdofJesusChrist,andsotoputHimonforeternal lifeandsanctification,whichtheymustdoifevertheybesaved(James2:19,26).

ButalltheseareshortofthesavingfaithofGod'select,asismanifest;Isay, first, Because these may be wrought, and not by that power soexceedinglystretchedforth.Secondly,Becausethesearewrought,partly,(1.) By the sense of seeing--namely, themiracles--not by hearing; and,(2.) The rest is wrought by a traditional or historical influence of thewords in theirheads,notby aheavenly, invisible, almighty, and savingoperationoftheSpiritofGodintheirhearts.

7. I do suppose also that there is a faith that is wrought upon menthrough the influence of those gifts and abilities that God givessometimestothosethatarenotHisownbyelection,thoughbycreation;mymeaningis,somemen, findingthatGodhathgiventhemverygreatgiftsandabilities,--astothegiftsofpreaching,praying,workingmiracles,orthelike--Isay,thereforedoconcludethatGodistheirFather,andtheyareHischildren;thegroundofwhichconfidenceisstillbegotten,notbythegloriousoperationoftheSpirit,butbyaconsideringofthegreatgiftsthatGodhathbestoweduponthemastothethingsbefore-mentioned.Asthus, (1.) the poor soul considers how ignorant it was, and now howknowing it is. (2.) Considering how vain it formerlywas, and also nowhow civil it is, presently makes this conclusion--Surely God loves me,surely He hath made me one of His, and will save me. This is now awrong faith, as is evident, in that it is placed upon awrong object; formark,thisfaithisnotplacedassuredlyonGod'sgracealone,throughtheblood andmerits of Christ being discovered effectually to the soul, butuponGodthroughthosethingsthatGodhathgivenit,asofgifts,eitherto preach, or pray, or do great works, or the like, whichwill assuredlycometonoughtassureasGodisinHeaven,ifnobetterfaithandgroundoffaithbefoundoutforthysoulsavinglytorestupon.

As to the second clause of the objection,which runs to this effect,Godlovesmenupon theaccountof theirbelieving, Ianswer, thatGod lovesmenbefore theybelieve;He loves them,Hecalls them,andgives themfaith to believe--"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great lovewherewithHelovedus,"when?whenwebelieved,orbefore?"evenwhenweweredeadinsins,"andso,farofffrombelievers,"hathquickenedustogetherwith"Christ,"bygraceyearesaved"(Eph2:4,5).

Now,also, I suppose that thouwilt say in thyheart, Iwouldyouwould

show us then what is saving faith; which thing itmay be Imay touchuponawhilehence,inthenextthingthatIamtospeakunto.Otheythathavethataresafeindeed!

SECOND.WHOANDHOWMENAREACTUALLYBROUGHTINTOTHENEW

COVENANT

TheSECONDthing that Iamtospeakunto is this--WHOtheyare thatare actually brought into this free and unchangeable grace; and alsoHOWtheyarebroughtin.

Answ.Indeed,nowwecometothepinchof thewholediscourse;and ifGoddobuthelpmetorunrightlythroughthis,asIdoverilybelieveHewill,Imaydothee,reader,good,andbringglorytomyGod.

Thequestioncontaineththesetwobranches--FIRST.Whoarebroughtin;SECOND.Howtheyarebroughtin.

[FIRST. Who are brought in?] The first is quickly answered-- "ChristJesus came into the world to save sinners," Jewish sinners, Gentilesinners,oldsinners,youngsinners,greatsinners,thechiefestofsinners.Publicansandharlots--thatis,whores,cheaters,andexactors--shallenterintotheKingdomofHeaven(1Tim1:15;Rom5:7-11;1Cor6:9,11;Matt21:31)."ForIcomenot,"saithChrist,"tocalltherighteous,butsinnerstorepentance"(Mark2:17).

Asinner in theScripture isdescribed ingeneral tobea transgressorofthelaw--"Whosoevercommitethsin,transgresseththelaw;forsinisthetransgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). But particularly; they aredescribedinamoreparticularway,as,1.Suchasinwhomdwelleththedevil (Eph 2:2,3). 2. Such aswill do the service of him (John8:44). 3.Such as are enemies to God (Col 1:21) 4. Such as are drunkards,whoremasters, liars, perjured persons, covetous, revilers, extortionists,fornicators, swearers, possessed with devils, thieves, idolaters, witches,sorcerers,conjurors,murderers,andthelike(1Cor6:9,10;2Chron33:1-13;Acts2:36,37;9:1-6;19:9;1Tim1:14-16).Thesearesinners,andsuchsinnersthatGodhathpreparedHeaven,happiness,pardonofsin,andaninheritanceofGod,withChrist,withsaints,withangels,iftheydocome

in and accept of grace, as Imight prove at large; for God's grace is sogreat, that if they do come to Him by Christ, presently all is forgiventhem; thereforeneverobject that thysinsare toogreat tobepardoned;but come, taste and see how good the Lord is to any whosoever comeuntoHim.

[SECOND.] The second thing is, How are these brought into thisEverlastingCovenantofGrace?

Answ.WhenGod doth in deed and in truth bring in a sinner into thismostblessedcovenant,[CometotheTouchstone,sinner].forsoitis,Heusuallygoeththisway--

First.HeslaysorkillsthepartytoallthingsbesidesHimself,andHisSonJesusChrist,andthecomfortsoftheSpirit.FortheclearingofthisIshallshowyou,1.WithwhatGodkills;2.HowGodkills;3.TowhatGodkillsthosewhomHemakesaliveinJesusChrist.

1.[WhatGodkills].WhenGodbringssinnersintotheCovenantofGrace,Hedoth firstkill themwith theCovenantofWorks,which is themorallaw, or Ten Commandments. This is Paul's doctrine, and also Paul'sexperience.Itishisdoctrinewherehesaith,"Theministrationofdeath,written and engraven in stones--the ministration of condemnation,"whichisthelaw,inthatplacecalledtheletter,"killeth"(2Cor3:6-9).Theletter,saithhe,killeth;orthelaw,ortheministrationofdeath,whichinanother place is called "the voice of words" (Heb 12:19), because theyhave no life in them, but rather death and damnation, through ourinabilitytofulfillthem,dothkill(Rom8:3;2Cor6).Itishisexperiencewherehesaith,"Iwasalive"thatis,tomyownthings,"withoutthelawonce," that is, before God did strike him dead by it, "but when thecommandment came," that is, todoandexercise its rightofficeonme,whichwastokillme,then"sinrevived,andIdied,"andIwaskilled."Andthecommandment,"orthelaw,"whichwasordainedto"beunto"life,Ifound tobeuntodeath.For sin, takingoccasionby the commandment,deceivedme,andbyitslewme"(Rom7:9-11).

2.ButhowdothGodkillwiththislaw,orcovenant?

1.Byopeningtothesoulthespiritualityofit--"Thelawisspiritual,"saithhe,"butIamcarnal,soldundersin"(Rom7:14).Nowthespiritualityofthelawisdiscoveredthisway--

(1.)Byshowingtothesoulthateverysinfulthoughtisasinagainstit.Ay,sinner, when the law doth come home indeed upon thy soul in thespiritualityof it, itwilldiscover such things to thee tobe sins thatnowthoulookestoverandregardestnot;that isaremarkablesayingofPaulwhenhesaith,"Sinrevived,andIdied."Sinrevived,saithhe;asifhehadsaid,ThosethingsthatbeforeIdidnotvaluenorregard,butlookeduponthem to be trifles, to be dead, and forgotten; but when the law wasfastenedonmysoul, itdid so raise them from thedead, call them intomind,somusterthembeforemyface,andputsuchstrengthintothem,thatIwasovermasteredbythem,bytheguiltofthem.Sinrevivedbythecommandment,ormy sinshadmighty strength, life, andabundanceofforceuponmebecauseofthat,insomuchthattheykilledme(Matt5:28).

(2.)Itshoweththateverysuchsindeservetheternaldamnation.Friends,Idoubttherebebutfewofyouthathaveseenthespiritualityofthelawofworks.But this is one thing inwhich it discovereth its spirituality, andthisistheproperworkoftheLaw.

(3.)God,withadiscoveryofthis,dothalsodiscoverHisownDivineandinfinite justice, of which the law is a description, which backs what isdiscoveredbythelaw,andthatbydiscoveringofitspurityandholinesstobesoDivine,sopure,soupright,andsofaroffromwinkingattheleastsin,thatHedothbythatlaw,withoutanyfavour,condemnthesinnerforthat sin (Gal 3:10). Now, when He hath brought the soul into thispraemunire,[13]intothispuzzle,then,

2.He showeth to the soul thenature and conditionof the lawas to itsdealings with, or forbearing of, the sinner that hath sinned against it;whichistopassaneternalcurseuponbothsoulandbodyofthepartysooffending, saying to him, Cursed be the man that continueth not ineverything that iswritten in theBookof theLaw todo it; for, saith thelaw,thisismyproperwork;first,toshowtheethysins;andwhenIhavedone that, then, in the next place, to condemn thee for them, and thatwithoutallremedy,asfromME,oranythingwithinmybounds,forIam

nottosaveany,topardonany--nay,nottofavouranyintheleastthingthathavesinnedagainstme;forGoddidnotsendmetomakealive,butto discover sin, and to condemn for the same. Now, so soon as this ispresentedtothyconscience, inthenextplace, theLordalsobythis lawdoth show that now there is no righteous act according to the tenor ofthatcovenantthatcanreplievehim,ortakehimofffromallthishorrorand curse that lies upon him; because that is not an administration ofpardon, as I said before, to forgive the sin, but an administration ofdamnation,becauseoftransgression.

O, theverydiscoveryof thisstrikeththesoul intoadeadlyswoon,evenabovehalfdead!ButwhenGoddothdotheworkindeed,Hedoth,inthenextplace,showthesoul thathe is themanthat iseternallyunderthiscovenant bynature, and that it is he that hath sinned against this law,anddothbyrightdeservethecurseanddispleasureofthesame,andthatall that ever he candowill not give satisfaction to that glorious justicethatdidgivethislaw;holyactions,tearsofblood,sellingall,andgivingittothepoor,orwhateverelsecanbedonebythee,itcomesallshortandisalltonopurpose(Phil3).Iwillwarranthim,hethatseeththis,itwillkillhim to thatwhichhewas alive unto before, thoughhehad a thousandlives.Ah, sinners, sinners,were you but sensible indeed of the severityandtruthofthis, itwouldmakeyoulookaboutyoutopurpose!O,howwould itmake you strive to stopat that thatnowyoudrinkdownwithdelight!Howmanyoathswoulditmakeyoubiteasunder!Nay,itwouldmake you bite your tongues to think that they should be used asinstruments of the devil to bring your souls into such an unspeakablemisery;thenalsoweshouldnothaveyouhangthesalvationofyoursoulsupon such slender pins as now you do; no, no; but you would be inanother mind then. O, then we should have you cry out, I must haveChrist;what shall Ido forChrist?howshall I comeatChrist?Would Iwassure, trulysureofChrist.Mysoul isgone,damned,castaway,andmustforeverburnwiththedevils,ifIdonotgetpreciousJesusChrist!

3.Inthenextplace,whenGodhathdonethis,thenHefurthershowsthesoul that that covenantwhich it is underbynature is distinct from theCovenantofGrace;andalsotheythatareunderitarebynaturewithoutanyofthegraceswhichtheyhavethatareundertheCovenantofGrace;

as, (1.) That it hathno faith (John 16:9). (2.)Nohope (Eph2:12).Nornoneof theSpirit towork these things in itbynature. (4.)Neitherwillthat covenant give to them any peace with God. (5.) No promise ofsafeguard from His revenging law by that covenant. (6.) But lieth bynatureliabletoallthecurses,andcondemnings,andthunderclapsofthismostfierycovenant.(7.)Thatitwillacceptofnosorrow,norepentance,no satisfaction, as from thee. (8.) That it calls for no less than thesheddingofthyblood.(9.)Thedamnationofthysoulandbody.(10.)Andiftherebeanythingprofferedtoitbythee,astothemakingofitamends,it throws it back again as dirt in thy face, slighting all that thou canstbring.

Now,whenthesoulisbroughtintothiscondition,thenitisindeeddead,killedtothattowhichitwasoncealive.Andtherefore,

3.Inthenextplace,toshowyoutowhatitiskilled:andthatis,

1.Tosin.O,itdaresnotsin!itseesHell-fireispreparedforthemthatsin,God'sjusticewillnotspareitifitliveinsin;theLawwilldamnitifitliveinsin; thedevilwillhave it if it follows itssins. [HereIamspeakingofone that is effectually brought in]. O, I say, it trembles at the verythoughtsofsin!Ay,ifsindobutoffertotemptthesoul,todrawawaythesoulfromGod,itcries,itsighs,itshunneththeveryappearanceofsin,itis odious unto it. If God would but serve you thus that love yourpleasures,youwouldnotmakesuchatrifleofsinasyoudo.

2.ItiskilledtotheLawofGodasitistheCovenantofWorks.O,saiththesoul, the lawhathkilledmeto itself, "I throughthe lawamdeadto thelaw"(Gal2:19).ThelawisanotherthingthanIdidthinkitwas.Ithoughtitwouldnothavebeensosoul-destroying,sodamningalaw!Ithoughtitwould not have been so severe against me for my little sins, for myplaying,formyjesting,formydissembling,quarreling,andthelike.Ihadsomethoughts,indeed,thatitwouldhewgreatsinners,butletmepass!and though it condemned great sinners, yet it would pass me by! Butnow,would Iwere free fromthiscovenant,would Iwere free fromthislaw! Iwill tell thee that a soul thusworked upon ismore afraid of theCovenantofWorks thanhe isof thedevil; forhe sees it is the law thatdothgivehimupintohishandsforsin;andifhewasbutclearfromthat,

he should not greatly need to fear the devil. O, now every particularcommandtearsthecaulofhisheart;noweverycommandisagreatgunwellchargedagainsthissoul;nowheseeshehadasgoodrunintoafiretokeephimselffromburning,astoruntothelawtokeephimselffromdamning;andthisheseesreally,ay,andfeels it too, tohisownsorrowandperplexity.[14]

3.Thesoulalsonowiskilled tohisownrighteousness,andcounts thatbut dung, but dross, notworth the dirt hanging on his shoes.O! then,sayshe,thoufilthyrighteousness!howhastthoudeceivedme!Howhastthou beguiledmy poor soul! (Isa 64:6).Howdid I deceivemyselfwithgivingofa littlealms;withabstaining fromsomegrosspollutions;withwalking in some ordinances, as to the outside of them! How hath mygood words, good thinkings, good meanings, as the world calls them,deceived my ignorant soul! I want the righteousness of faith, therighteousnessofGod;forIseenowthereisnolesswilldomeanygood.

4.Itisalsokilledtoitsownfaith,itsnotionoftheGospel,itsownhope,itsownrepentings,itsownpromisesandresolutions,toitsownstrength,itsownvirtue,orwhatsoeverithadbefore.Now,saiththesoul,thatfaithI thought Ihad, it isbut fancy; thathope I thought Ihad, I see it isbyhypocritical, but vain andgroundlesshope. [These thingswouldbe tootedioustoenlargeupon].Nowthesoulsees ithathbynaturenosavingfaith,nosavinghope,nograceatallbynature,bythefirstcovenant.Nowit crieth out,Howmany promises have I broken! andhowmany timeshave I resolved in vain,when Iwas sick at such a time, and in such astraitatsuchaplace!Indeed,Ithoughtmyselfawisemanonce,butIseemyselfaveryfoolnow.O,howignorantamIoftheGospelnow,andoftheblessedexperienceoftheworkofGodonaChristianheart!Inaword,itseesitselfbesetbynaturewithallevil,anddestituteofallgood,whichis enough to kill the stoutest, hardest-hearted sinner that ever lived ontheearth.O,friends,shouldyoubeplainlydealtwithalbythisdiscoveryof the dealing of God with a sinner when He makes him a saint, andwouldseriouslytryyourselvesthereby,asGodwilltryyouoneday,howfewwould therebe foundof you tobe somuchas acquaintedwith theworkofGod in thenotion,much less in theexperimentalknowledgeofthesame!Andindeed,Godisfaintotakethiswaywithsinners,thusto

killthemwiththeoldcovenanttoallthingsbelowacrucifiedChrist.

Sixreasonsofthisdiscourse.

1.Becauseotherwise therewouldbenone in theworld thatwould lookafterthissweetJesusChrist.TherearebutafewthatgotoHeaveninall,comparatively; and those few God is fain to deal with them in thismanner, or else His Heaven, His Christ, His glory, and everlastinghappinessmust abide by themselves, for all sinners.Do you think thatManasseh would have regarded the Lord, had He not suffered hisenemiestohaveprevailedagainsthim?(2Chron33:1-16).Doyouthinkthat Ephraim would have looked after salvation, had not God firstconfoundedhimwiththeguiltofthesinsofhisyouth?(Jer31:18).WhatdoyouthinkofPaul?(Acts9:4-6).Whatdoyouthinkofthejailer?(Acts16:30-32).Whatdoyouthinkofthethreethousand?(Acts2:36,37).WasnotthisthewaythattheLordwasfaintotaketomakethemcloseinwithJesusChrist?WasHenotfaintokillthemtoeverythingbelowaChrist,thatweredriven to theirwits" ends, insomuch that theywere forced tocry out, "What shall we do to be saved?" I say, God might have keptHeavenandhappinesstoHimself, ifHeshouldnotgothiswaytoworkwithsinners.Ostout-heartedrebels!Otender-heartedGod!

2.Becausethen,andnottill then,willsinnersacceptofJesusChristonGod's terms. So long as sinners canmake a life out of anything belowChrist,solongtheywillnotclosewithChristwithoutindenting;[15]

But when the God of Heaven hath killed them to everything belowHimselfandHisSon, thenChristwilldownonany terms in theworld.And, indeed, this is the very reason why sinners, when they hear ofChrist, yetwill not close inwithHim; there is something that they cantake content in besidesHim.Theprodigal, so long ashe could contenthimselfwith thehusks that the swinedid eat, so longhedid keephimaway from his father's house; but when he could get no nourishmentanywhere on this side of his father's house, then saith he, and not tillthen,"Iwillarise,andgotomyfather,"etc.

Isay,thisisthereason,therefore,whymencomenofaster,andclosenomorereadily,withtheSonofGod,butstandhaltingandindenting[16]

about the terms theymust haveChrist upon; for, saith the drunkard, IlookonChristtobeworththehaving;butyetIamnotwillingtoloseALLforhim;allbutmypot,saiththedrunkard;andallbut theworld,saiththe covetous. I will part with anything but lust and pride, saith thewanton.ButifChristwillnotbehadwithoutIforsakeall,castawayall,thenitmustbewithmeasitwaswiththeyoungmanintheGospel,suchnewswillmakemesorryattheveryheart.

But now, when a man is soundly killed to all his sins, to all hisrighteousness, to all his comfortswhatsoever, and sees that there is nowaybutthedevilmustleavehim,buthemustbedamnedinHellifhebenot clothedwith JesusChrist;O, then, saith he, givemeChrist on anyterms,whatsoeverHe cost; thoughHe costme friends, thoughHe costme comforts, thoughHe costme all that ever I have; yet, like thewisemerchantintheGospel,theywillsellalltogetthatpearl.Itellyou,whenasoulisbroughttoseeitswantofChristaright,itwillnotbekeptback;father, mother, husband, wife, lands, livings, nay, life and all, shall goratherthanthesoulwillmissofChrist.Ay,andthesoulcountethChristacheapSaviourifhecangethimuponanyterms;nowthesoulindents[17]no longer. Now, Lord, give me Christ upon any terms, whatsoever Hecost;forIamadeadman,adamnedman,acastaway,ifIhavenotChrist.What say you,Oyouwounded sinners? Isnot this true as Ihave said?Wouldyounotgivetenthousandworlds, ifyouhadsomany,sobeyoumightbewell assured that your sins shall bepardoned, and your soulsandbodiesjustifiedandglorifiedatthecomingoftheLordJesusChrist?

3.TheLord goeth thisway for this reason also, that itmightmake thesoulsensiblewhatitcostChristtoredeemitfromdeathandHell.Whenaman cometh to feel the sting and guilt of sin, death andHell upon hisconscience, then, and not till then, can he tell what it cost Christ toredeemsinners.O!saiththesoul,ifafewsinsaresoterrible,andlaythesoulundersuchwrathandtorment,whatdidChristundergo,whobarethesinsofthousandsandthousands,andallatonce?

Thisalsoisonemeanstomakesoulstenderofsin(itistheburnedchildthat feareth the fire), to make them humble in a sense of their ownvileness,tomakethemcounteverythingthatGodgiveththemamercy,tomakemuchoftheleastglimpseoftheloveofGod,andtoprizeitabove

thewholeworld.Osinners,wereyoukilledindeed[tosin],thenHeavenwouldbeHeaven,andHellwouldbeHellindeed;butbecauseyouarenotwroughtuponinthismanner,thereforeyoucountthewaysofGodasbadasagoodmancounteththewaysof thedevil,andthewaysof thedevilandHellasgoodasasaintdothcountthewaysofGod.

4.Again,Godisfaintogothisway,andalltomakesinnersmakesureofHeaven.Solongassoulsaresenselessofsin,andwhatadamnablestatetheyare inbynature, so long theywill evendallywith theKingdomofHeavenandthesalvationoftheirownpoorsouls;butwhenGodcomethandshoweththemwheretheyare,andwhatitisliketobecomeofthemiftheymissof thecrucifiedSaviour,O, then,saith thesoul,wouldIweresureofJesus;whatshallIdotogetassuranceofJesus?AndthusisGodforced,asImaysay,towhipsoulstoJesusChrist,theybeingsosecure,so senseless, and somuch their own enemies, as not to look out aftertheirowneternaladvantage.

5.A fifth reasonwhyGoddothdeal thuswith sinners it is,becauseHewould bring Christ and the soul together in a right way. Christ andsinnerswouldnevercometogetherinabelovedposture,theywouldnotsosuitablysuiteachother,iftheywerenotbroughttogetherthisway,thesinnerbeingkilled.O,whenthesinneriskilled,andindeedstruckdeadtoeverythingbelowanakedJesus,howsuitably thendoththesoulandChrist suit one with another. Then here is a naked sinner for arighteousness Jesus, a poor sinner to a rich Jesus, a weak sinner to astrongJesus,ablindsinnertoaseeingJesus,anignorant,carelesssinnertoawiseandcarefulJesus.O,howwiseisGodindealingthuswiththesinner!He stripshimof his ownknowledge, thatHemay fill himwithChrist's; He killeth him for taking pleasure in sin, that he may takepleasureinJesusChrist,etc.

6.Godgoeththiswaywithsinners,becauseHewouldhavethegloryoftheirsalvation.Shouldnotmenandwomenbekilledtotheirownthings,theywould do sacrifice unto them, and instead of saying to the Lamb,"THOUARTWORTHY," theywouldsaytheirownarm,theirownrighthandhathsavedthem;butGodwillcutoffboasting fromeverenteringwithinthebordersofeternalglory;forHeisresolvedtohavethegloryofthebeginning,themiddle,andtheend;ofthecontriving,andsaving,and

givingsalvationtothemthatenterintothejoysofeverlastingglory(Rom3:27;Eph2:8,9;Titus3:5;Rev5:9). "That theymightbecalled treesofrighteousness,theplantingoftheLORD,thatHemightbeglorified"(Isa61:3). Imighthaverun throughmany thingsas to this;but I shallpassthem,andproceed.

Second.Now, thesoulbeing thiskilled to itself, [Thesoul thathath therightworkofGoduponitsheart,isnotonlykilledtoitself,butalsomadealivetoChrist].itssins,itsrighteousness,faith,hope,wisdom,promises,resolutions,andtherestofitsthingswhichittrustedinbynature;inthenextplace,ithathalsogivenuntoitamostglorious,perfect,andnever-fadinglife,whichis--

1.Alifeimputedtoit,yetsoreally,thattheverythoughtofitinthesoulhathsomuchoperationandauthority,especiallywhenthemediationofit ismixedwith faith, as tomake it, though condemned by the law, totriumph, and to look its enemies in the face with comfort,notwithstanding the greatness of the multitude, the fierceness of theiranger,andthecontinuationoftheirmalice,beneversohotagainstit.

Thisimputedlife--forsoit is--istheobedienceoftheSonofGodasHisrighteousness, in His suffering, rising, ascending, interceding, and soconsequently triumphing over all the enemies of the soul, and given tome,asbeingwroughtonpurposeforme.Sothat,isthererighteousnessinChrist?that ismine.Isthereperfectioninthatrighteousness?that ismine.DidHebleedforsin?itwasformine.HathHeovercomethelaw,thedevil,andHell?thevictoryismine,andIamcountedtheconqueror,nay,morethanaconqueror,throughHimthathathlovedme.AndIdocountthisamostgloriouslife;forbythismeansitisthatIam,inthefirstplace, proclaimed both inHeaven and earth guiltless, and such an onewho, as I am inChrist, amnot sinner, and sonotunder the law, tobecondemned,butasholyandrighteousastheSonofGodHimself,becauseHeHimself ismyholinessandrighteousness,andsolikewisehavingbythisallthingstakenoutofthewaythatwouldcondemnme.

Sometimes I bless the Lord my soul hath had the life that now I amspeaking of, not only imputed tome, but the very glory of it uponmysoul;for,uponatime,whenIwasundermanycondemningsofheart,and

feared, because of my sins, my soul would miss of eternal glory,methought I felt in my soul such a secret motion of this--Thyrighteousness is inHeaven, togetherwith the splendour and shiningofthe Spirit of Grace in my soul, which gave me to see clearly that myrighteousnessbywhichIshouldbejustifiedfromallthatcouldcondemn,wastheSonofGodHimselfinHisownPerson,nowattherighthandofHis Father representing me complete before the Mercy- seat in HisOwnself; so that I saw clearly that night and day, wherever I was, orwhateverIwasadoing,still therewasmyrighteousness justbeforetheeyesofDivineglory;sothattheFathercouldneverfindfaultwithmeforany insufficiency thatwas inmy righteousness, seeing itwas complete;neithercouldHesay,Whereisit?becauseitwascontinuallyatHisrighthand.[18]

Also,atanothertime,havingcontractedguiltuponmysoul,andhavingsomedistemperofbodyuponme, I supposed thatdeathmightnowsoseizeuponas to takemeaway fromamongmen; then, thought I,whatshallIdonow?isallrightwithmysoul?HaveItherightworkofGodonmysoul?Answeringmyself,"No,surely";andthatbecausethereweresomanyweaknessesinme;yes,somanyweaknessesinmybestduties.For,thoughtI,howcansuchanoneasIfindmercy,whoseheartissoreadytoevil,andsobackwardtothatwhichisgood,sofaras it isnatural.Thusmusing,beingfilledwithfeartodie,thesewordscomeinuponmysoul,"Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is inChrist Jesus" (Rom 3:24). As if God had said, Sinner, thou thinkestbecause that thou hast had somany infirmities andweaknesses in thysoulwhilethouhastbeenprofessingofMe,thereforenowtherecanbenohopesofmercy;butbeitknownuntothee,thatitwasnotanythingdonebytheeatthefirstthatmovedMetohavemercyuponthee:neitherisitanything that is done by thee now that shallmakeme either accept orrejectthee.

BeholdMySon,whostandethbyMe,He is righteous,Hehath fulfilledMyLaw, and givenme good satisfaction; onHim, therefore, do I look,andontheeonlyasthouartinHim;andaccordingtowhatHehathdone,sowill Idealwith thee.Thishaving stayedmyheart, and takenoff theguilt throughthestrengthof itscomingonmysoul,anonaftercame in

thatwordasasecondtestimony--"Whohathsavedus,andcalleduswithanholycalling,notaccording toourworks,"of righteousnesswhichwehavedone,"butaccordingtoHisownpurposeandgrace,whichwasgivenus inChristJesusbefore theworldbegan" (2Tim1:9).And thus is thesinner made alive from the dead, being justified by grace through therighteousnessofChrist,whichisuntoallanduponallthemthatbelieve,accordingtotheScriptures--"Andthe lifewhichInowlive--it is"bythefaith of the Son ofGod,who lovedme, and gaveHimself forme" (Gal2:20)."Ilaydownmylifeforthesheep.""Iamcomethattheymighthavelife,andthattheymighthaveitmoreabundantly"(John10:10,15)."Forif,whenwewereenemies,wewerereconciledtoGodbythedeathofHisSon,muchmore,beingreconciled,weshallbesavedbyHislife.Thatassin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign throughrighteousnessuntoeternallifebyJesusChristourLord"(Rom5:10,21).

2.ThislifeisnotonlyimputedtohimthatiswroughtonbytheSpiritofGrace--thatis,notonlycountedhis,butalsothereisputintothesoulanunderstanding,enlightenedonpurposetoknowthethingsofGod,whichis Christ and His imputed righteousness (1 John 5:20) which it neverthought of nor understood before (1 Cor 2:9-11).Which understandingbeing enlightened andmade to see such things that the soul cannot becontentedwithoutitlayholdofandapplyChristuntoitselfsoeffectually;I say, that the soul shall be exceedingly revived in a very heavenlymeasurewiththeapplicationofthisimputedrighteousness;fortherebyitknoweth it shall find God speaking peace to itself, with a fatherlyaffection, saying, "Be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee"; therighteousnessofMySonIbestowuponthee;"Forwhatthelawcouldnotdo, in that itwasweakthroughthee," thy"flesh,""Ihavesent forthMyonly Son, and have condemned" thy sins in His flesh (Rom 8:3). Andthough thou hast gone astray like a lost sheep, yet onHim I have laidthineiniquities;andthoughthoutherebydidstundoandbreakthyselfforever,yetbyHisstripesIhavehealedthee.Thus,Isay,theLordcauseththesoulbyfaithtoapplythatwhichHedothbygraceimputeuntoit,forthus every soul more or less is dealt withal; the soul being thusenlightened,thusquickened,thusmadealivefromthatdeadstateitwasin before, or at least having the beginnings of this life, it hath theseseveral virtuous advantages,which theyhavenot that aredead in their

sinsandtrespasses,andunderthelaw--

[Advantagespossessedbythequickened].

First.Itseethwhatasadconditionallmenbynaturearein,theybeinginthat statewhich itselfwas inbutawhile since;butnowbygrace it isabeginningtoscrabble[19]outofit;nowitseeth"thewholeworldliethinwickedness," and so liable to eternal vengeance, because of theirwickedness(1John5:19).Ah,friends,letmetellyou,thoughyoumaybeignorant of your state and condition, yet thepoor, groaning, hungeringsaintsofGoddoseewhatasad,woeful,miserablestateyouarein,whichsometimesmakes themtremble to thinkofyourmost lamentable latterend,yourdyingso,andalsotoflythefastertotheirLordJesus,forveryfearthattheyalsoshouldbepartakersofthatmostdolefuldoom.[Likeasthe children of Israel, who fled for fear when the ground opened itsmouthtoswallowupKorahandhiscompany].Andthisithathbyvirtueof its own experience, knowing itself was but awhile ago in the samecondition, under the same condemnation. O! there is now a hearthblessingofGodthateverHeshouldshowtoititssadcondition,andthatHeshouldinclineitshearttoseekafterabettercondition.

OblessedbetheLord!saiththesoul,thateverHeshouldawakenme,stirupme,andbringmeoutofthatsadconditionthatIoncewiththemwasin(Psa103:1-3).Itmakesalsothesoultowondertoseehowfoolishlyandvainly therestof itsneighboursdospend theirprecious time, that theyshould be so void of understanding, so forgetful of their latter end, sosenselessofthedamningnatureoftheirsins.Othattheireyeswerebutenlightenedtoseewhereaboutstheyare!surelytheywouldbeofanothermind than theyarenow in.Now, the soulwonders to seewhat slenderpins those poor creatures dohang the stress of the eternal salvation oftheirsoulsupon.O!methinks,saiththesoul, itmakesmemourntoseethatsomeshouldthinkthat theywerebornChristians;andothers, thattheir baptism makes them so; [20] others depend barely upon atraditional, historical faith, which will leave their souls in themidst ofperplexity. That they should trust to such fables, fancies, and wickedsleightsofthedevil,astheirgooddoings,theirgoodthinkings,theircivilwalkingand livingwith theworld.Omiserableprofession, and the endthereofwillbeamiserableend!

Butnow,whenthesoulsisthuswroughtupon,itmustbesuretolookforthe very gates ofHell to be set open against it with all their force andmighttodestroyit.NowHellrageth,thedevilroareth,andalltheworldresolvethtodothebesttheycantobringthesoulagainintobondageandruin.Also, thesoulshallnotwantenemies,even in itsownheart's lust,[But this is but for the exercise of his faith.] as covetousness, adultery,blasphemy, unbelief, hardness of heart, coldness, half- heartedness,ignorance,withaninnumerablecompanyofattendants,hanging,likesomany blocks, at its heels, ready to sink it into the fire of Hell everymoment, together with strange apprehensions of God and Christ, as ifnowtheywereabsolutelyturnedtobeitsenemies,whichmakethitdoubtof thecertaintyof itssalvation; foryoumustunderstand, that thoughasoulmayinrealityhavetherighteousnessoftheSonofGodimputedtoit,andalsosomefaithinaverystrongmannertolayholduponit,yetatanother time, through temptation, they may fear and doubt again,insomuch that the soulmay be put into a very great fear lest it shouldreturnagainintotheconditionitoncewasin(Jer32:40).

O,saiththesoul,whenIthinkofmyformerstate,howmiserableitwas,itmakesmetremble;andwhenI thinkthatImay fall into thatconditionagain, how sad are the thoughts of it to me! I would not be in thatcondition again for all the world. And this fear riseth still higher andhigher,asthesoulissensibleofSatan'stemptations,oroftheworkingofitsowncorruptions.Ah!thesefilthylusts,thesefilthycorruptions.OthatIwereridofthem,thattheywereconsumedinamoment,thatIcouldbequiteridofthem,theydosodisturbmysoul,dishonourmyGod,sodefilemyconscience,andsometimessoweakenmyhands in thewayofGod,and my comforts in the Lord; O how glad should I be if I might bestrippedofthem(Rom7:24).WhichfearputsthesouluponflyingtotheLord by prayer for the covering of His imputed righteousness, and forstrengthagainstthedevil'stemptationsanditsowncorruptions;thatGodwouldgivedownHisHolySpirittostrengthenitagainstthethingsthatdo so annoy its soul, and sodiscourage it in itsway,with a resolution,throughgrace,nevertobecontentedwhile[until]itdothfindinitselfatriumphingoverit,byfaithinthebloodofacrucifiedJesus.

Second.The soul thathathbeen thuskilledby theLaw to the things it

formerly delighted in, now, O now, it cannot be contented with thatslender, groundless faith and hope that once it contented itself withal.No, no; butnow itmust be brought into the right saving knowledge ofJesusChrist,nowitmusthaveHimdiscoveredtothesoulbytheSpirit,nowitcannotbesatisfiedbecausesuchandsuchdotellitisso.No;butnowitwillcryout,Lord,showmecontinually,inthelightofThySpirit,through Thy Word, that Jesus that was born in the days of CaesarAugustus,whenMary,adaughterofJudah,wentwithJosephtobetaxedatBethlehem,thatHeistheveryChrist.Lord,letmeseeitinthelightofThy Spirit, and in the operation thereof; and let me not be contentedwithoutsuchafaiththatissowroughtevenbythediscoveryofHisbirth,crucifying, death, blood, resurrection, ascension, intercession, andsecond--whichisHispersonal--comingagain,thattheveryfaithofitmayfillmysoulwithcomfortandholiness.

AndO,howafraidthesoulislestitshouldfallshortofthisfaith,andofthehope that isbegottenby suchdiscoveries as theseare!For the soulknoweththatifithathnotthis,itwillnotbeabletostandeitherindeathor judgment; and therefore, saith the soul, Lord, whatever other poorsoulscontentthemselveswithal,letmehavethatwhichwillstandmeinstead, and carry me through a dangerous world; that may help me toresist a cunning devil; that may help me to suck true soul-satisfyingconsolation fromJesusChrist throughThypromises, by themight andpowerofThySpirit.Andnow,whenthepoorsoulatanytimehathanydiscoveryoftheloveofGodthroughableeding,dying,risen,intercedingJesus,becauseitisnotwillingtobedeceived,O,howwary[Butthismaybeitstemptation,takingplacethroughthetimorousnessofthesoul].isitof closingwith it, for fear it should not be right, for fear it should notcomefromGod!Saiththesoul,CannotthedevilgiveonesuchcomfortItrow?Cannothetransformhimselfthusintoanangeloflight?Sothatthesoul,becausethatitwouldbeuponasureground,criesout,Lord,showmeThysalvation,andthatnotonceortwice,but,Lord,letmehaveThypresencecontinuallyuponmyheart,today,andtomorrow,andeveryday.

For the soul, when it is rightly brought from under the Covenant ofWorks,andplantedintotheCovenantofGrace,thenitcannotbe,unlessitbeundersomedesperatetemptation,contentedwithoutthepresenceof

God, teaching,comforting,establishing,andhelpingof thesoul togrowinthethingsoftheLordJesusChrist;becauseitknoweththatifGodhathbutwithdrawnHispresenceinanywayfromit,asHedothdosometimesforawhile, that then thedevilwillbesure tobenearathand,workingwithhistemptations, tryingallwaystogetthesoul intoslaveryandsinagain;alsothecorruptprinciple,thatwillbejoiningandcombiningwiththeWickedOne,andwillbewillingtobeaco-partnerwithhimtobringthe soul into mischief; which puts a soul upon an earnest, continualpanting after more of the strengthening, preserving, comforting, andteaching presence of God, and for strong supplies of faith, that itmayeffectuallylayholdonhim.

Third.ThesoulisquickenedsothatitisnotsatisfiednowwithoutitdoindeedandintruthpartakeofthepeaceofGod'select;nowitisupontheexamination of the reality of its joy and peace. Time was indeed thatanythingwouldserve its turn,any falseconceitsof its state tobegood;butnowallkindofpeacewillnotserveitsturn,allkindofjoywillnotbeacceptedwith it; now itmust joy inGod through JesusChrist; now itspeace must come through the virtues of the blood of Christ speakingpeacetotheconsciencebytakingawayboththeguiltandfilthofsinbythatblood;alsobyshowingthesoulitsfreeacceptancewithGodthroughChrist, He hath completely fulfilled all the conditions of the firstcovenant,andfreelyplaceditintothesafetyofwhatHehathdone,andsopresentsthesoulcompleteandspotless inthesightofGodthroughHisobedience.Now, I say,hehath "peace through thebloodofHisCross,"and seeshimself reconciled toGodby thedeathofHisSon,or elsehiscomfortwillbequestionedbyhim(Col1:20,21).Itisnoteverypromiseascomethnowuponhisheartthatwillservehisturn,no,buthemustseewhether the babe Jesus be presented to the soul in and through thatpromise.Nowifthebabeleapinhiswomb,asImaysosay,itisbecausetheLord'spromisesoundsaloudinhisheart,comingtohimbigwiththeloveandpardoninggraceofGodinJesusChrist;Isay,thisisthefirstandprincipal joy that the soul hath that is quickened and brought into theCovenantofGrace.

Fourth.Now theman finds heavenly sanctificationwrought in his soulthroughthemostpreciousbloodoftheManwhosenameisJesusChrist--

"Jesus, thatHemight sanctify thepeoplewithHis ownblood, sufferedwithoutthegate."Nowthesoulsfindsachangeintheunderstanding,inthewill, in themind, in theaffections, in the judgment,andalso in theconscience;throughtheinwardmanachange,andthroughtheoutwardman a change, from head to foot, as we use to say, "for he that is inChrist," and so in this Covenant of Grace, "is a new creature," or hathbeentwicemade--made,andmadeagain(2Cor5:17).O,nowthesoulisresolvedforHeavenandGlory;nowitcriethout,Lord,iftherebearighteyethat isoffensivetoThee,pluck itout;oraright foot,cut itoff;orarighthand,takeitfromme.NowthesouldothbegintostudyhowitmayhonourGod,andbringpraisetoHim.NowthesoulisforapreparationforthesecondcomingofChrist,endeavouringtolayasideeverythingthatmayhinder;andfortheclosinginwiththosethingsthatmaymakeitinabelovedpostureagainstthatday.

Fifth.Andall this is fromaGospel spirit, andnot froma legal,naturalprinciple, for the soul hath these things as the fruits and effects of itsbeingseparateduntotheCovenantofGrace,andsonowpossessedwiththatSpiritthatdothattend,yea,anddwellinthemthatarebroughtintotheCovenantofGracefromundertheoldcovenant;Isay,thesethingsdospring forth in the soul from another root and stock than any of theactingsofothermendo;forthesoulthatisthuswroughtuponisaswelldead to the lawand the righteousness thereof--as the first covenant--aswellastoitssins.

Sixth.NowthesoulbeginstohavesomeblessedexperienceofthethingsofGod,evenofthegloriousmysteriesoftheGospel.

1.Nowitknoweththemeaningofthosewords,"Myfleshismeatindeed,andMybloodisdrink,indeed,"andthatbyexperience;forthesoulhathreceived peace of conscience through that blood, by the effectualapplicationof it tothesoul(John6:55).First,byfeelingtheguiltofsindieofffromtheconsciencebytheoperationthereof.Secondly,Byfeelingthepowerthereof to takeawaythecurseof the law.Thirdly,By findingthevery strengthofHell to failwhenonce thebloodof thatManJesusChristisreceivedinrealityuponthesoul.

2.NowthesoulalsoknowethbyexperiencethemeaningofthatScripture

thatsaith,"OuroldmaniscrucifiedwithHim,thatthebodyofsinmightbedestroyed"(Rom6:6).NowitseesthatwhentheManJesusdidhangon the tree onMount Calvary, that then the body of its sinswas therehangedup,deadandburiedwithHim,thoughitwasthenunborn,soasnever to be laid to its charge, either here or hereafter; and also, so asnevertocarryitcaptiveintoperpetualbondage,beingitselfovercomebyHim,evenChrist,theHeadofthatpoorcreature.Andindeedthisistheway forasoulboth to livecomfortablyas touching theguiltof sin,andalsoastouchingthepowerofthefilthofsin;forthesoulthatdothorhathreceived this in deed and in truth, finds strength against themboth byandthroughthatManthatdidforhimandtherestofhisfellow-sinnerssogloriouslyovercomeit,andhathgiventhevictoryuntothem,sothatnowtheyaresaidtobeovercomers,nay,"morethanconquerorsthroughHim,"theoneManJesusChrist(Rom7:33-37).

3.Now the soul hath received a faith indeed, and a lively hope indeed,suchanoneasnowitcanfetchstrengthfromthefullnessofChrist,andfromthemeritsofChrist.

4.Yea,nowthesoulcanlookonitselfwithoneeye,andlookuponChristwithanother,andsay,Indeed,itistrue;Iamanemptysoul,butChristisafullChrist;Iamapoorsinner,butChristisarichChrist;Iamafoolishsinner,butChristisawiseChrist;Iamanunholy,ungodly,unsanctifiedcreature in myself, but Christ is made of God "unto me, wisdom, andrighteousness,andsanctification,andredemption"(1Cor1:30).

5.Nowalso that fiery law, that it couldnotonceendure,nor couldnotoncedelightin,Isay,nowitcandelightinitaftertheinwardman;nowthis law is its delight, it would always be walking in it, and always bedelightinginit,beingoffendedwithanysinoranycorruptionthatwouldbeanywaysanhinderancetoit(Rom7:24,25).Andyetitwillnotabide,itwillnotendurethatthat,eventhatthatlawshouldoffertotaketheworkofitssalvationoutofChrist'shand;no,ifitoncecomestodothat,thenoutofdoorsitshallgo,ifitwereasgoodagain.ForthatsoulthathaththerightworkofGodindeeduponit,cries,Notmyprayers,notmytears,notmyworks, notmy things, do they come from thework of the Spirit ofChristitselfwithinme,yettheseshallnothavethegloryofmysalvation;no, it is none but the blood of Christ, the death of Christ, of theMan

Christ Jesus of Nazareth, the carpenter's son, as they calledHim, thatmusthavethecrownandgloryofmysalvation.NonebutChrist,nonebutChrist. And thus the soul labours to give Christ the preeminence (Col1:18).

AWORDOFEXPERIENCE

Now,before Igoany further, Imustneeds speakaword frommyownexperience of the things of Christ; and the rather, because we have acompany of silly ones in this day of ignorance that do either comfortthemselveswith a notionwithout the power, or else do both reject thenotion and the power of this most glorious Gospel; therefore, for thefurtherconvictionofthereader,Ishalltellhim,withDavid,somethingofwhattheLordhathdoneformysoul;andindeedalittleoftheexperienceof the thingsofChrist is farmoreworththanall theworld. Itwouldbetoo tedious for me to tell thee here all from the first to the last; butsomething I shall tell thee, that thoumayestnot think these things arefables.[ThisconvictionseizedonmysouloneSabbathday,whenIwasatplay, being one of the first that I had, which when it came, though itscared me with its terror, yet through the temptation of the devil,immediately striking in therewith, Idid rub itoffagain,andbecameasvileforsometimeasIwasbefore,likeawretchthatIwas].[21]

Reader,whenitpleasedtheLordtobegintoinstructmysoul,Hefoundmeoneoftheblacksinnersoftheworld;Hefoundmemakingasportofoaths,andalsooflies;andmanyasoul-poisoningmealdidImakeoutofdiverslusts,asdrinking,dancing,playing,pleasurewiththewickedonesoftheworld.TheLordfindingofmeinthiscondition,didopentheglassofHisLawuntome,whereinHeshowedmesoclearlymysins,boththegreatnessofthem,andalsohowabominabletheywereinHissight,thatIthoughttheverycloudswerechargedwiththewrathofGod,andreadytolet fall the very fire of His jealousy uponme; yet for all this I was soweddedtomysin,that,thoughtIwithmyself,IwillhavethemthoughI

losemysoul,(OwickedwretchthatIwas!)butGod,thegreat,therich,the infinitemercifulGod,didnottakethisadvantageofmysoultocastmeaway,andsay,Thentakehim,Devil,seeinghecaresforMenomore;no,butHefollowedmestill,andwonuponmyheart,bygivingmesomeunderstanding, not only into my miserable state, which I was verysensibleof,butalsothattheremightbehopesofmercy;alsotakingawaythat loveto lust,andplacing intheroomthereofa lovetoreligion;andthustheLordwonovermyhearttosomedesireafterthemeans,tohearthe Word, and to grow a stranger to my old companions, and toaccompany the people of God, together with giving of memany sweetencouragements fromseveralpromises in theScriptures.Butafter this,the Lord did wonderfully set my sins upon my conscience, those sinsespecially that I had committed since the first convictions; temptationsalsofollowedmeveryhard,andespeciallysuchtemptationsasdidtendto the making me question of the very way of salvation--viz., whetherJesusChristwastheSaviourorno;andwhetherIhadbesttoventuremysouluponHisbloodforsalvation,ortakesomeothercourse.

ButbeingthroughgracekeptclosewithGod,insomemeasure,inprayerand the rest of the ordinances, but went about a year and upwardswithout any sound evidence as from God to my soul touching thesalvationthatcomesbyJesusChrist.But,atthelast,asImaysay,whenthesettimewascome,theLord,justbeforethemencalledQuakerscameintothecountry,didsetmedownsoblessedlyinthetruthofthedoctrineofJesusChrist,thatitmadememarveltosee,first,howJesusChristwasbornofavirgin,walkedintheworldawhilewithHisdisciples,afterwardshanged on theCross, spiltHis blood,was buried, rose again, ascendedabovethecloudsandheavens,therelivestomakeintercession,andthatHealsowillcomeagainatthe lastdayto judgetheworld,andtakeHissaintsuntoHimself.

Thesethings,Isay,Ididseesoevidently,evenasifIhadstoodwhenHewas in the world, and also when He was caught up. I having such achangeasthisuponmysoul,itmademewonder;andmusingwithmyselfat the great alteration thatwas inmy spirit--for theLorddid also verygloriouslygivemeinHispreciousWordtobackthediscoveryoftheSonofGoduntome,sothatIcansay,throughgrace,itwasaccordingtothe

Scriptures (1 Cor 15:1-4). And as I wasmusingwithmyself what thesethingsshouldmean,methoughtIheardsuchawordinmyheartasthis--Ihavesettheedownonpurpose,forIhavesomethingmorethanordinaryfortheetodo;whichmademethemoremarvel,saying,What,myLord,suchapoorwretchasI?Yetstillthiscontinued,Ihavesettheedownonpurpose,andsoforth,withmorefreshincomesoftheLordJesus,andthepowerof thebloodofHisCrossuponmysoul, even soevidently that Isaw,throughgrace,thatitwasthebloodshedonMountCalvarythatdidsaveandredeemsinners,asclearlyandasreallywiththeeyesofmysoulasever,methought,Ihadseenapennyloafboughtwithapenny;whichthingsthendiscoveredhadsuchoperationuponmysoul,thatIdohopethey did sweetly season every faculty thereof. Reader, I speak in thepresence of God, and He knows I lie not; much of this, and such likedealingsofHis,couldItelltheeof;butmybusinessatthistimeisnotsotodo,butonly to tellwhatoperation thebloodofChristhathhadoveranduponmyconscience,andthatatseveraltimes,andalsowhenIhavebeeninseveralframesofspirit.

As,first,sometimes,Ihavebeensoloadenwithmysins,thatIcouldnottellwhere torest,norwhat todo;yea,atsuchtimesI thought itwouldhavetakenawaymysenses;yetatthattimeGodthroughgracehathallofasuddensoeffectuallyappliedthebloodthatwasspiltatMountCalvaryoutofthesideofJesus,untomypoor,wounded,guiltyconscience,thatpresentlyIhavefoundsuchasweet,solid,sober,heart-comfortingpeace,that it hathmademe as if it [my terror] had not been, andwithal thesame, Imay say, and I ought to say, the power of it, hath had such apowerfuloperationuponmysoul,thatIhaveforatimebeeninastraitand trouble to think that I should love and honourHim nomore, thevirtueofHisbloodhathsoconstrainedme.

Again; sometimesmethinksmy sins have appeared so big tome that Ithoughtoneofmysinshavebeenasbigasallthesinsofallthemeninthe nation; ay, and of other nations too, reader; these things be notfancies,forIhavesmartedforthisexperience,butyettheleaststreamoftheheartbloodofthisMan[22]Jesushathvanishedallaway,andhathmade it to fly, to theastonishmentof suchapoor sinner; andas I saidbefore,hathdeliveredmeupintosweetandheavenlypeaceandjoyinthe

HolySpirit.

Again; sometimeswhenmyhearthathbeenhard,dead, slothful,blind,andsenseless,whichindeedaresadframesforapoorChristiantobein,yetatsuchatime,whenIhavebeenissuchacase,thenhaththebloodofChrist, the precious blood of Christ, the admirable blood of theGod ofHeaven, that run out of His body when it did hang on the Cross, sosoftened,livened,quickened,andenlightenedmysoul,thattruly,reader,Icansay,Oitmakesmewonder!

Again;whenIhavebeenloadenwithsin,and[Icannotstandheretotelltheeofparticulartemptations].pesteredwithseveraltemptations,andinaverysadmanner,thenhaveIhadthetrialofthevirtueofChrist'sbloodwith the trial of the virtueof other things; and Ihave found thatwhentearswouldnotdo,prayerswouldnotdo,repentingsandallotherthingscouldnotreachmyheart;Othen,onetouch,onedrop,oneshiningofthevirtueoftheblood,ofthatbloodthatwasletoutwiththespear,ithathinaveryblessedmannerdeliveredme,thatithathmademetomarvel.O!methinks ithathcomewithsuch life, suchpower,withsuch irresistibleand marvelous glory, that it wipes off all the slurs, silences all theoutcries,andquenchesallthefierydarts,andalltheflamesofHell-fire,that are begotten by the charges of the Law, Satan, and doubtfulremembrancesofmysinfullife.

Friends,asPetersaithtothechurch,soIsaytoyou,IhavenotpreachedtoyoucunninglydevisedfablesintellingyouofthebloodofChrist,andwhatauthorityithathhaduponmyconscience;Ono,butasPetersaithtouchingthecomingoftheLordJesusintotheworld,soinsomemeasureIcansayofthebloodoftheLordJesusChristthatwasshedwhenHedidcomeintotheworld.Thereisnotonlymysingletestimonytouchingthis;no,but thereareall theProphetsdoagree inadvancing this inwriting,and also all the saints do now declare the same, in speaking forth theamiablenessandmanypowerfulvirtuesthereof."AsforTheealso,bytheblood of Thy covenant," saith God to Christ, "I have sent forth Thyprisoners out of the pit wherein is no water" (Zech 9:11). "We haveredemption throughHisblood" (Eph 1:7).Again, "Wehave redemptionthroughHisblood"(Col1:14).Ourrobesarewashedandmade"whiteinthe blood of the Lamb" (Rev 7:14). The devil is overcome through "the

bloodof theLamb"(Rev12:11).Yea,andconscience ispurged,too,andthatthroughthebloodoftheLamb(Heb9:14).WehavefreerecoursetotheThroneofGracethroughthebloodofJesus(Heb10:19).Icouldbringtheeacloudofwitnessesoutofallthetypesandshadows,andoutofthesundry Prophets, and much more out of the New Testament, but Iforebear,becauseIwouldnotbetootedioustothereaderinmakingtoolarge a digression, though I have committed here in this discourse notransgression,forthebloodofChristispreciousblood(1Peter1:18,19).

THIRD.THEPRIVILEGESOFTHENEWCOVENANT

Inthenextplace,Ishallshowyoutheseveralprivilegesandadvantagesthat themanorwomanhaththat isunderthisCovenantofGrace,overwhattheyhavethatareundertheCovenantoftheLawandWorks.As,

First. The Covenant ofGrace is not grounded upon our obedience, butuponGod'slove,evenHispardoninglovetousthroughChristJesus.Thefirstcovenantisstoodtobebrokenorkeptbyus,andGod'sloveorangerto be lost or enjoyed thereafter aswe, as creatures, behaved ourselves;butnow,theverygroundoftheCovenantofGraceisGod'slove,HismerelovethroughJesusChrist--"TheLORDdidnotsetHisloveuponyou,norchoose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for yewere the fewest of all people: but because the LORD loved you, andbecauseHewouldkeeptheoathwhichHehadswornuntoyourfathers"(Deu7:7,8).Again,"InHisloveandinHispityHeredeemedthem,""andthe angel ofHis presence saved them," that is, Jesus Christ (Isa 63:9).And again, "Who hath saved us--not according to our works" ofrighteousnesswhichwe have done, "but according toHis own purposeandgrace,whichwasgivenusinChristJesusbeforetheworldbegan"(2Tim1:9).

Second.Thisloveisnotconveyedtousthroughwhatwehavedone,asisbeforeproved,butthroughwhatHehathdonewithWhomthecovenantwasmade,whichwasgivenusinChrist--AccordingasHehathchosenusinChrist. "Who hath blessed uswith all spiritual blessings in heavenly

places in Christ." "God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you," that is,throughChrist'sdoings,throughChrist'ssufferings(2Tim1:9;Eph1:3,4;4:32).Nowifthisbebutrightlyunderstood,itdothdiscoverabundanceofcomforttothem,thatarewithintheboundsoftheCovenantofGrace.For,

1.Hereabeliever seethhe shall stand, ifChrist'sdoingsand sufferingsstand;whichissurefoundation,forGoddealethwithhimthroughChrist.And so, secondly, he shall not fall, unless the suffering and merits ofChrist be thrown over the bar, being found guilty,whichwill never be,before theeyesofDivine justice; forwithHim the covenantwasmade,andHewastheSuretyofit;thatis,asthecovenantwasmadewithHim,soHestoodboundtofulfillthesame(Zech9:11;Heb7:22).ForyoumustunderstandthatthecovenantwasmadebetweentheFatherandtheSonlongbeforeitwasaccomplished,ormanifestlysealedwithChrist'sblood;itwasmadebeforetheworldbegan(Titus1:2;Eph1:4;1Peter1:18-20).Buttheconditionsthereofwerenotfulfilleduntillessthantwothousandyearsago;andallthatwhiledidJesusstandboundasasurety,asIsaidbefore,isusedtodo,tillthetimeinwhichthepaymentshouldbemade.AnditwasbyvirtueofHisSuretyship,havingboundHimselfbycovenantto do all things agreed on by theFather andHim, that all those of theelectionthatwerebornbeforeHecame,thattheymightbesaved,anddidenter intorest.Fortheforgivenessofsinsthatwerepast, thoughitwasthrough the blood of Christ, yet it was also through the forbearance ofGod (Rom 3:25). That is, Christ becoming Surety for those that diedbeforeHiscoming,thatHeshouldindeedandintruth,atthefullnessoftime, or at the timeappointed, give a complete and full satisfaction forthem according to the tenor or condition of the covenant. (Gal 4:4).Again,

2. The second covenant, which believers are under, as the ground andfoundation, if it is safe, so thepromises thereof arebetter, surer, freer,andfuller,etc.

(1.) They are better, if you compare the excellency of the one with theexcellency of the other. The first hath promised nothing but an earlyparadise--Do this, and thou shalt live; namely, here in an earthlyparadise.Buttheotherdothbringthepromiseofaheavenlyparadise.

(2.)AstheCovenantofWorksdothpromiseanearthlyparadise,yetitisaparadiseorblessing, thoughonceobtained, yetmightbe lostagain; fornolongerthanthoudoestwell,nolongerartthoublessedbythat.O,butthe promises in the new covenant do bring unto us the benefit of aneternal inheritance--That "they which are called might receive thepromiseofeternalinheritance."Orare!itisan"eternalinheritance"(Heb9:15).

(3.)Theother,asitisnotsogoodasthis,soneitherisitsosureasthis;andthereforehecallstheonesuchanoneasmightbe,andwas,shaken,butthisissaidtobesuchanonethatcannotbeshaken."AndthisWord,"saithhe, treatingof the twocovenants fromverse the8th to the24th--"And thisWord, yet oncemore, signifieth the removingof those thingsthat are," or may be, "shaken, as of things that are made, that thosethings which cannot be shaken," which is the second covenant, "mayremain,"(Heb12:27);for,saithhe(verse28)"whichcannotbemoved."Therefore,yeblessedsaints,seeingyouhavereceivedakingdom"whichcannotbemoved,"therefore,"letushavegrace,wherebywemayserve"our"Godacceptablywithreverenceandgodlyfear."

Thusingeneral,butmoreparticularly.

(4.)They are surer, in that they are foundeduponGod's love also, andtheycometouswithoutcallingforthosethingsatourhandsthatmaybea means of putting of a stop to our certain enjoying of them. Thepromises under, or for the law, they might easily be stopped by ourdisobedience;but thepromisesunder theGospel say, "IfHeavenabovecanbemeasured,andthefoundationsof theearthsearched,"then,andnottillthen,"IwillalsocastoffalltheseedofIsraelforallthattheyhavedone" (Jer 31:37). Again, "I, even I, am He that blotteth out thytransgressions forMineown"name's "sake, andwill not remember thysins"(Isa43:25). IwillmaketheeapartakerofMypromise;andthatImaysodo,Iwilltakeawaythatwhichwouldhinder;"Iwillcastalltheirsins into thedepthsof thesea," thatMypromisemaybesure toall theseed;and therefore, saith theApostle,whenhewould showus that thenew-covenantpromisesweremoresure than theold,he tellsusplainlythat the law and works are set aside and they are merely made ours

throughtherighteousnessoffaith,whichistherighteousnessofChrist--"For the promise, that he [Abraham] should be the heir of theworld,"saithhe,"wasnottoAbraham,ortohisseed,throughthelaw,"orworks,"butthroughtherighteousnessoffaith.Foriftheywhichareofthelaw,"orofworks,"beheirs,"then"faithismadevoid,andthepromisemadeofnoneeffect.Thereforeitisoffaith--totheendthepromisemightbesuretoalltheseed"(Rom4:13-14,16).

(5.)Surer,becausethatasthatistakenawaythatshouldhinder,sotheyarecommittedtoafaithfulFriendofoursinkeeping.ForallthepromisesofGodareinChrist,notyeaandnay,butyeaandamen;certainandsure;sure,becausetheyareinthehandofourHead,ourFriend,ourBrother,our Husband, our flesh and bones, even in the heart and hand of ourpreciousJesus.

(6.)BecausealltheconditionsofthemarealreadyfulfilledforusbyJesusChrist, as aforesaid; every promise that is a new- covenant promise, iftherebeanycondition in it,ourUndertakerhathaccomplishedthat forus, and also giveth us such grace as to receive the sweetness as dothspringfromthemthroughHisobediencetoeverythingrequiredinthem.

(7.) Surer, because that as they are grounded upon the love of God,everythingistakenoutoftheway,inthehandofasureFriend.AndhasChrist has fulfilled every condition as to justification that is containedtherein, so the Lord hath solemnly sworn with an oath for our betterconfidence in this particular-- "For when God made promise toAbraham," and so to all the saints, "because He could swear by nogreater,He sware byHimself, saying, Surely, blessing Iwill bless thee,and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patientlyendured,heobtainedthepromise.Formenverilyswearby thegreater:andanoath for confirmation is to themanendofall strife," that theremightbenomoredoubtorscrupleconcerningthecertainfulfillingofthepromise."WhereinGod,willingmoreabundantlytoshowuntotheheirsof promise the immutability of His counsel," or certain, constant,unchangeabledecreeofGodinmakingofthepromise,forthecomfortofhischildren,"confirmeditbyanoath:thatbytwoimmutablethings,"Hispromisebackedwithanoath,"inwhichitwasimpossibleforGodtolie,wemighthaveastrongconsolation,whohavefledforrefugetolayhold

uponthehopesetbeforeus"(Heb6:13-18).

(8.)Thattheyarebetteritappearsalsointhattheyarefreerandfuller.Thattheyarefreer,itisevident,inthatonesaith,Noworks,nolife--Dothis,andthenthoushaltlive;ifnot,thoushaltbedamned.Buttheothersaith,WearesavedbybelievinginwhatAnotherhathdone,withouttheworksoftheLaw--"Nowtohimthatworkethnot,butbelievethonHimthat justifieth theungodly,his faith iscounted for righteousness" (Rom4:4,5).Theonesaith,Paymethatthouowest;theothersay,Idofranklyandfreelyforgivetheeall.Theonesaith,Becausethouhastsinned,thoushaltdie;theothersaith,BecauseChristlives,thoushaltlivealso(John15).

(9.) And as they are freer, so they are fuller; fuller of encouragement,fullerofcomfort;theone,towit, thelaw, lookslikePharaoh'ssevenill-favouredkine,morereadytoeatoneupthantoaffordusanyfood;theotherislikethefullgrapeinthecluster,whichforcertainhathagloriousblessing in it. The one saith, If thou hast sinned, turn again; the othersaith,Ifthouhastsinned,thoushaltbedamned,forallIhaveapromiseinme.

3.They thatareof the secondarebetter than they thatareof the first;anditalsoappearethinthis--ThepromisesoftheLaw,throughthemwehave neither faith, nor hope, nor the Spirit conveyed; but through thepromisesof theGospel thereareall these--"Wherebyaregivenuntousexceeding great and precious promises, that by these we might bepartakersoftheDivinenature"(2Peter1:4).Otherefore"letusholdfastthe profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful thatpromised"(Heb10:23)."Inhopeofeternallife,"howso?because"God,thatcannotlie,promiseditbeforetheworldbegan"(Titus1:2).

4. They that are in this covenant are in a very happy state; for thoughtherebeseveralconditionsintheGospeltobedone,yetChristJesusdothnotlookthattheyshouldbedonebyman,asman,butbyHisownSpiritinthem,asitiswritten,"Thouhastwroughtallourworksinus."Istherethatcondition,theymustbelieve?Why,then,Hewillbeboththe"authorand finisherof their faith" (Heb12:2,3). Is therealsohope tobe inHischildren? He also doth and hath given them "good hope through His

grace"(2Thess2:16).Again,arethepeopleofGodtobehavethemselvesto thegloryofGodtheFather? thenHewillwork in them"bothtowillandtodoofHisowngoodpleasure"(Phil2:13).

5.Again,asHeworksallourworksinusandforus,soalsobyvirtueofthis covenant we have another nature given unto us, whereby, or bywhichwearemadewillingtobeglorifyingofGod,bothinourbodiesandinour spirits,whichareHis--"Thypeople shall bewilling in thedayofThypower"(1Cor6:20;Psa110:3).

6.Inthenextplace,allthosethatareunderthissecondcovenantareinawonderful safe condition; for in case they should slip or fall after theirconversionintosomesinorsins(forwholivesandsinsnot?(Prov24:16),yet through the merits and intercession of Christ Jesus, who is theirUndertaker in this covenant, they shall have their sins pardoned, theirwoundshealed,andtheyraisedupagain;whichprivilegethechildrenofthe first covenant have not; for if they sin, they are never afterwardsregardedbythatcovenant--TheybrakeMycovenantandIregardedthemnot, saith the Lord (Heb 8:9). But when He comes to speak of theCovenantofGrace,speakingfirstofthepublicpersonunderthenameofDavid,Hesaiththus,"HeshallcryuntoMe,ThouartMyFather,MyGod,andtherockofMysalvation.AlsoIwillmakeHimMyfirstborn,higherthanthekingsoftheearth.MymercywillIkeepforHimforevermore,andMycovenantshallstandfastwithHim.HisseedalsowillImaketoendureforever,andHisthroneasthedaysofheaven.

IfHis children forsakeMy law, andwalknot inMy judgments; If theybreakmy statutes, and keep notMy commandments; Then will I visittheir transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.Nevertheless My lovingkindness will I not utterly take from Him, norsufferMyfaithfulnesstofail.MycovenantwillInotbreak,noralterthethingthatisgoneoutofMylips.OncehaveIswornbyMyholinessthatIwillnotlieuntoDavid.Hisseedshallendureforever,andHisthroneasthesunbeforeMe.Itshallbeestablishedforeverasthemoon,andasafaithfulwitnessinheaven"(Psa89:26-37)."Mycovenantshallstandfastwithhim"--mark that.As ifGodhadsaid, Ididnotmake thiscovenantwithman,butwithMySon,andwithHimIwillperformit;andseeingHehathgivenMecompletesatisfaction,thoughHischildrendo,through

infirmity,transgress,yetMycovenantisnotthereforebroken,seeingHewith whom it was made standeth firm, according to the desire of myheart; so thatMy justice that is satisfied, andMyLaw,hathnothing tosay,forthereisnowantofperfectioninthesacrificeofChrist.

Ifyouloveyoursouls,andwouldhavethemliveinthepeaceofGod,tothewhichyouare called inonebody, evenallbelievers, then Ibeseechyouseriouslytoponder,andlabourtosettleinyoursoulsthisonething,that the new covenant is not broken by our transgressions, and thatbecauseitwasnotmadewithus.ThereasonwhytheverysaintsofGodhave somany ups and downs in this their travel towardsHeaven, it isbecausetheyaresoweakinthefaithofthisonething;fortheythinkthatif theyfailofthisorthatparticularperformance, if theirheartsbedeadandcold,andtheirlustsmightyandstrong,thereforenowGodisangry,andnowHewill shut themoutofHis favour,now thenewcovenant isbroken,andnowChristJesuswillstandtheirFriendnolonger;nowalsothe devil hath power again, and now theymust have their part in theresurrection of damnation; when, alas! the covenant is not for all thisneverthemorebroken,andsothegraceofGodnomorestraitenedthanitwasbefore.Therefore,Isay,whenthoufindestthatthouartweakhere,and failing there, backward to this good, and thy heart forward to thatevil; thenbesurethoukeepasteadfasteyeontheMediatorofthisnewcovenant,andbepersuadedthat it isnotonlymadewithHim,andHispartalsofulfilled,butthatHedothlookuponHisfulfillingofit,soasnottolaythysinstothycharge,thoughHemayasaFatherchastisetheeforthe same--"If His children forsake My law, and walk not in Myjudgments;iftheybreakMystatutes,andkeepnotMycommandments;thenwill Ivisit their transgressionwith therod,andtheir iniquitywithstripes.Nevertheless,"mark "neverthelessMy lovingkindnesswill I notutterly take fromHIM, nor sufferMy faithfulness to fail.My covenantwillInotbreak,noralterthethingthatisgoneoutofMylips."Andwhatwasthat?Why,that"Hisseedshallendureforever,andHisthroneasthesunbeforeMe"(Psa89:30-34,36).

7.Anotherprivilegethatthesaintshavebyvirtueofthenewcovenantis,that they have part of the possession or hold of Heaven and Gloryalready,andthattwomannerofways--(1.)TheDivinenatureisconveyed

fromHeavenintothem;and,secondly,thehumannature,i.e.,thenatureofman, is received up, and entertained in, and hath got possession ofHeaven.Wehave the first-fruitsof theSpirit, saith themanofGod;wehavetheearnestoftheSpirit,whichisinsteadofthewhole,foritistheearnestof thewhole--"Which is theearnestofour inheritanceuntil theredemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory"(Eph1:13,14;Rom8:8-11).(2.)Thenatureofman,ournatureisgotintogloryasthefirst-fruitsofmankind,asaforerunnertotakepossessiontillwe all come thither (1 Cor 15:20). For the Man born at Bethlehem isascended,which is part of the lump ofmankind, into glory as a publicPerson,asthefirst-fruits,representingthewholeofthechildrenofGod;so that in some sense itmaybe said that the saintshavealready takenpossessionofthekingdomofHeavenbytheirJesus,theirpublicPerson,Hebeingintheirroomenteredtoprepareaplaceforthem(John14:1-4).Ibeseechyouconsider,whenJesusChristcamedownfromGlory,itwasthatHemightbringustoGlory;andthatHemightbesurenottofail,HeclothedHimselfwithournature,asifoneshouldtakeapieceoutofthewholelumpinsteadofthewhole,untiltheothercomes,andinvestethitinthatglorywhichHewas inbeforeHecamedownfromHeaven(Heb2:14,15).Andthusisthatsayingtobeunderstood,speakingofChristandHissaints,whichsaith,"And"He"hathraisedusuptogether,andmadeussittogetherinheavenlyplacesinChristJesus"(Eph2:6).

8.Again,notonlythus,butallthepowerofGod,togetherwiththerestofHisgloriousattributes,areonourside,inthattheydwellinournature,which is the Man Jesus, and doth engage for us poor, simple, empty,nothingcreaturesastooureternalhappiness(1Peter1:5)."ForinHim,"that is, in theMan Christ, who is our nature, our Head, our root, ourflesh, our bone, "dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col2:9,10). Mark how they are joined together, "In whom dwelleth thefullness of the Godhead. And ye are complete in Him." God dwellethcompletelyinHim,andyoualsoarecompletelyimplantedinHim,whichistheHeadofallprincipalityandpower;andallthisbytheconsentoftheFather--"ForitpleasedtheFatherthatinHimshouldallfullnessdwell"(Col1:19).

Nowmark,theGodheaddothnotdwellinChristJesusforHimselfonly,

but that it may be in a way of righteousness conveyed to us, for ourcomfortandhelpinallourwants--"AllpowerisgivenuntoMeinheavenandinearth,"saithHe(Matt28:18).Andthenfolloweth,"And lo, Iamwith you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Verse 20). "He hathreceivedgiftsformen,yeafortherebellious"(Psa68:18)."OfHisfullnesshaveallwereceived,andgraceforgrace"(John1:16).Andthisthesaintscannotbedeprivedof,because thecovenantmadewithChrist, ineverytittleofit,wassocompletelyfulfilledastorighteousness,bothactiveandpassive, that justicecannotobjectanything;holinessnowcan find faultwithnothing;nay,allthepowerofGodcannotshakeanythingthathathbeendoneforusbytheMediatorofthenewcovenant;sothatnowthereis no Covenant of Works to a believer; none of the commands,accusations,condemnations,or the least tittleof theoldcovenant tobechargedonanyofthosethatarethechildrenofthesecondcovenant;nosintobecharged,becausethereisnolawtobepleaded,butall ismadeup by our middle man, Jesus Christ. O blessed covenant! O blessedprivilege!Bewise,therefore,Oyepoordroopingsoulsthatarethesonsofthissecondcovenant,and"standfastinthelibertywherewithChristhathmade you free, and be not entangled AGAIN," nor terrified in yourconsciences, "with the yoke of bondage"; neither the commands,accusations,orcondemnationsoftheLawoftheoldcovenant(Gal5:1).

TWOHELL-BREDOBJECTIONSANSWERED

Object.Ifitbeso,thenoneneednotcarewhattheydo;theymaysinandsinagain,seeingChristhathmadesatisfaction.[Thefirstobjection].

Answ. If Iwere topointoutone thatwasunder thepowerof thedevil,andgoingpost-hastetoHell,formylifeIwouldlooknofartherforsuchamanthantohimthatwouldmakesuchauseasthisofthegraceofGod.What, because Christ is a Saviour, thou wilt be a sinner! because Hisgraceabounds,thereforethouwiltaboundinsin!Owickedwretch!rakeHellallover,andsurely I think thy fellowwill scarcebe found!And letmetelltheethisbeforeIleavethee--asGod'scovenantwithChristforHischildren, which are of faith, stands sure, immutable, unrevocable, and

unchangeable,soalsohathGodtakensuchacoursewiththee,thatunlessthou canst make God forswear Himself, it is impossible that thoushouldst go to Heaven, dying in that condition--"They tempted Me,provedMe,"andturnedthegraceofGodintolasciviousness,"soIsware,"markthat,"soIsware,"andthatinMywrath,too,thattheyshouldneverenterintoMyrest.CompareHebrews3:9-11,with1Corinthians10:5-10.No,saithGod;ifChristwillnotservetheirturns,buttheymusthavetheirsins too, take them, Devil; if Heaven will not satisfy them, take them,Hell;devourthem,Hell;scaldthem,frythem,burnthem,Hell!Godhathmoreplacesthanonetoputsinnersinto.IftheydonotlikeHeaven,Hewill fit themwithHell; if theydonot likeChrist, theyshallbeforcedtohavethedevil.Thereforewemustandwilltellofthetruthofthenatureof the Covenant of Grace of God to His poor saints for theirencouragementandfortheircomfort,whowouldbegladtoleapatChristuponanyterms;yettherewith,wecantellhow,throughgrace,totellthehogs and sonsof thisworldwhat ahog-sty there is prepared for them,evensuchanonethatGodhathpreparedtoputthedevilandhisangelsinto,isfitlypreparedforthem(Matt25:41).

Object.ButifChristhathgivenGodafullandcompletesatisfaction,thenthoughIdogoon insin, Ineednot fear,seeingGodhathalreadybeensatisfied.[Thesecondobjection].ItwillbeinjusticeinGodtopunishforthosesinsforwhichHeisalreadysatisfiedforbyChrist.

Answ.Rebel,rebel,therearesomeinChristandsomeoutofHim.1.TheythatareinHimhavetheirsinsforgiven,andtheythemselvesmadenewcreatures, and have the Spirit of the Son, which is a holy, living, self-denyingSpirit.AndtheythatarethusinJesusChristaresofarofffromdelightinginsin,thatsinisthegreatestthingthattroubleththem;andOhowwillingwouldtheyberidoftheverythoughtsofit(Psa119:113).Itisthegriefoftheirsouls,whentheyareinarightframeofspirit,thattheycanlivenomoretothehonourandgloryofGodthantheydo;andinalltheirprayerstoGod,thebreathingsoftheirsoulsareasmuchsanctifyinggraceaspardoninggrace,thattheymightliveaholylife.Theywouldaswillingliveholyhereastheywouldbehappyintheworldtocome;theywouldaswillinglybecleansedfromthefilthofsinastohavetheguiltofittaken away; they would as willingly glorify God here as they would be

glorifiedbyHimhereafter (Phil3:6-22).2.But thereare some thatareoutofChrist,beingundertheLaw;andasforallthose,letthembecivilorprofane,theyaresuchasGodaccountswicked;andIsay,asforthose,if all the angels in Heaven can drag them before the judgment-seat ofChrist, they shall be brought before it to answer for all their ungodlydeeds; and being condemned for them, if all the fire in Hell will burnthem,theyshallbeburnedthere,iftheydieinthatcondition(Jude15).And, therefore, ifyou loveyoursouls,donotgivewaytosuchawickedspirit. "Let no man deceive you with" such "vain words," as to think,becauseChristhathmadesatisfactiontoGodforsin,thereforeyoumayliveinyoursins.Ono,Godforbidthatanyshouldthinkso,"forbecauseof these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children ofdisobedience"(Eph5:6).

ThushaveI,reader,giventheeabriefdiscoursetouchingtheCovenantofWorksandtheCovenantofGrace,alsoofthenatureoftheone,togetherwiththenatureoftheother.Ihavealsointhisdiscourseendeavouredtoshow you the condition of them that are under the Law, how sad it is,both from the nature of the covenant they are under, and also by thecarriageofGodunto themby thatcovenant.Andnow,becauseIwouldbringall intoas littleacompassasIcan,Ishallbeginwiththeuseandapplicationof thewhole inasbriefawayas I can,desiring theLord toblessittothee.

[USEANDAPPLICATION].

AUSEOFEXAMINATIONABOUTTHEOLDCOVENANT.

First.And, firstofall, letusherebegin toexaminea little touching thecovenantyoustandbeforeGodin,whetheritbetheCovenantofWorksortheCovenantofGrace;[Thefirstuseisauseofexamination].andfor

therightdoingofthis,Ishalllaydownthisproposition--namely,thatallmennaturallycomeintotheworldunderthefirstofthese,whichiscalledtheoldcovenant,ortheCovenantofWorks,whichistheLaw;"Andwereallbynaturethechildrenofwrath,evenasothers";whichtheycouldnotbe,hadtheynotbeenunderthelaw;fortherearenonethatareundertheother covenant that are still the children of wrath, but the children offaith,thechildrenofthepromise,theacceptedchildren,thechildrennotofthebond-woman,butofthefree(Gal4:28-31).

[Quest.]Nowhere lieth thequestion.Whichof these twocovenantsartthouunder,soul?

Answ.IhopeIamundertheCovenantofGrace.

Quest. But what ground hast thou to think that thou art under thatblessed covenant, and not rather under the Covenant of Works, thatstrict,thatsoul-damningcovenant?

Answ.Whatground?Why,IhopeIam.

Quest.Butwhatgroundhastthouforthisthyhope?forahopewithoutagroundis likeacastlebuilt intheair, thatwillneverbeable todotheeanygood,butwillprovelikeuntothatspokenofinJob8,"Whosehopeshallbe cutoff, andwhose trust shallbe" like "a spider'sweb.Heshallleanuponhishouse,butitshallnotstand;heshallholditfast,"asthouwouldstthyhope,itislike,"butitshallnotendure"(Job8:13-15).

Answ.Myhope is grounded upon the promises;what else should it begroundedupon?

Reply.Indeed,tobuildmyhopeuponChristJesus,uponGodinChrist,through the promise, and to have this hope rightly, by the sheddingabroadoftheloveofGodintheheart,itisaright-groundedhope(Rom5:1-7).

Quest. Butwhat promises in the Scripture do you find your hope builtupon?andhowdoyouknowwhetheryoudobuildyourhopeuponthepromisesintheGospel,thepromisesofthenewcovenant,andnotrather

onthepromisesoftheoldcovenant,fortherearepromisesinthataswellasintheother?

Answ.IhopethatifIdowellIshallbeaccepted;becauseGodhathsaidIshall(Gen4:7).

Reply.Osoul, if thyhopebegrounded there, thyhope isnotgroundedupontheGospelpromises,orthenewcovenant,butverilyupontheold;forthesewordswerespokentoCain,asonoftheoldcovenant;andtheythemselvesarethetenorandscopeofthat; forthatrunsthus:"Dothis,andthoushaltlive.Themanthatdoththesethingsshalllivebythem.Ifthoudowell,thoushaltbeaccepted"(Lev18:5;Eze20:11;Rom10:5;Gal3:12;Gen4:7).

Reply.Why,truly,ifaman'sdoingwell,andlivingwell,andhisstrivingtoserveGodaswellashecan,willnothelphimtoChrist,Idonotknowwhatwill;IamsuresinningagainstGodwillnot.

Quest. Did you never read that Scripture which saith, "Israel, whichfollowed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law ofrighteousness"?(Rom9:30-32).

Object. But doth not the Scripture say, "Blessed are they that do Hiscommandments,thattheymayhaverighttothetreeoflife"?(Rev22:14).

Answ.There is first, therefore, tobe inquired into,whether tokeepHiscommandmentsbetostrivetokeeptheLawasitisaCovenantofWorks,or whether it be meant of the great commandments of the NewTestamentwhicharecitedin1John3:22,23--"Andwhatsoeverweaskwereceive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do thosethingsthatarepleasing inHissight."Butwhatdoyoumean,John?DoyoumeanthecovenantoftheLaw,orthecovenanttotheGospel?Why,"this is His commandment," saith he, "That we should believe on thenameofHisSonJesusChrist,andloveoneanother,"asthefruitsofthisfaith, "asHe gaveus commandment." If it be of the old covenant, as aCovenantofWorks,thentheGospelisbutalostthing.Ifitwereofworks,then nomore of grace; therefore it is not the old covenant, as the oldcovenant.

Quest.Butwhatdoyoumeanbythesewords--theoldcovenantastheoldcovenant?Explainyourmeaning.

Answ.Mymeaningis,thattheLawisnottobelookeduponforlife,soasit was handed out from Mount Sinai, if ever thou wouldst indeed besaved;thoughafterthouhastfaithinChrist,thoumayestandmustsolacethyself in it, and takepleasure therein, to express thy love toHimwhohathalreadysavedtheebyHisownblood,withoutthyobediencetothelaw,eitherfromSinaiorelsewhere.

Quest.DoyouthinkthatIdomeanthatmyrighteousnesswill savemewithoutChrist?Ifso,youmistakeme,forIthinknotso;butthisIsay,IwilllabourtodowhatIcan;andwhatIcannotdo,Christwilldoforme.

Answ.Ah,poorsoul,thisisthewrongwaytoo;forthisistomakeChristbutapieceofaSaviour;thouwiltdosomething,andChristshalldotherest;thouwiltsetthyownthingsinthefirstplace,andifthouwantestatlast,thenthouwiltborrowofChrist;thouartsuchanonethatdostChristthegreatestinjuryofall.First,inthatthoudostundervalueHismeritsbypreferringofthyownworksbeforeHis;and,secondly,byminglingofthyworksthydirty,raggedrighteousnesswithHis.

Quest.Why, would you have us do nothing?Would you have usmakeChristsuchadrudgeastodoall,whilewesitidlingstill?

Answ.Poorsoul,thoumistakestJesusChristinsayingthoumakestHimadrudgeinlettingHimdoall;Itellthee,Hecountsitagreatglorytodoallforthee,anditisagreatdishonouruntoHimfortheesomuchastothink otherwise. And this the saints of God that have experienced theworkofgraceupontheirsoulsdocountitalsothesame--"Saying,Thouart worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof" (Rev 5:9)."Worthy is the Lamb, thatwas slain, to receive power, and riches, andwisdom,andstrength,andhonour,andglory,andblessing" (Verse 12).Andwhyso?readagaininthe9thverse,"ForThouwastslain,andhastredeemedus toGodbyThy" own "blood" (See alsoEph 1:6,7). "To thepraise of the glory ofHis grace--inwhomwehave redemption throughHisblood."

Reply.Allthisweconfess,thatJesusChristdiedforus;buthethatthinkstobesavedbyChrist,andlivethinhissins,shallneverbesaved.

Answ.Igrant that.But thisIsayagain,amanmustnotmakehisgooddoingsthelowestroundoftheladderbywhichhegoethtoHeaven--thatis,he thatwillandshallgo toHeaven,must,whollyandalone,withoutanyofhis own things, venturehisprecious souluponJesusChrist andHismerits.

Quest.What,andcometoChristasasinner?

Answ.Yea,withallthysinsuponthee,evenasfilthyaseverthoucanst.

Quest.ButisnotthisthewaytomakeChristtoloathus?Youknowwhenchildrenfalldowninthedirt,theydousuallybeforetheygohomemaketheir clothes as clean as they can, for fear their parents should chidethem;andsoIthinkshouldwe.

Answ.Thiscomparisoniswronglyapplied,ifyoubringittoshowushowwemustdowhenwecometoChrist.HethatcanmakehimselfcleanhathnoneedofChrist;forthewhole,theclean,andrighteoushavenoneedofChrist,butthosethatarefoulandsick.Physicians,youknow,iftheyloveto be honoured, they will not bid the patients first make themselveswhole,andthencometothem;no,butbidthemcomewiththeirsoresallrunningonthem,asthewomanwithherbloodyissue(Mark5).AndasMaryMagdalenewithherbellyfullofdevils,andthelepersallscabbed;andthatistherightcomingtoJesusChrist.

Reply.Well,IhopethatChristwillsaveme,forHispromisesandmercyareverylarge;andaslongasHehathpromisedtogiveuslife,Ifearmystatetheless.

Answ.Itisverytrue,Christ'spromisesareverylarge,blessedbetheLordforever;andalsosoisHismercy;butnotwithstandingallthat,therearemany go in at the broad gate; and therefore I say, your business isseriouslytoinquirewhetheryouareunderthefirstorsecondcovenant;for unless you are under the second, youwill never be regarded of theLord,forasmuchasyouareasinner(Heb8:9).Andtherather,becauseif

Godshouldbesogoodtoyouas togiveyouashare in thesecond,youshallhaveallyoursinspardoned,andforcertainhaveeternallife,thoughyouhavebeenagreatsinner.ButdonotexpectthatthoushalthaveanypartorshareinthelargepromisesandmercyofGod,forthebenefitandcomfortofthypoorsoul,whilstthouartundertheoldcovenant;becausesolongthouartoutofChrist,throughwhomGodconveyethHismercy,grace,andlovetosinners."Forall thepromisesofGodinHimareyea,andinHimamen."Indeed,Hismercy,grace,andloveareverygreat,buttheyare treasuredup inHim, "given forth inHim, throughHim." "ButGod,whoisrichinmercy,forHisgreatlovewherewithHelovedus--thatHemightshowtheexceedingrichesofHisgrace"--butwhichway?--"inHiskindnesstowardsusthroughJesusChrist."

ButoutofChrist thoushalt findGoda justGod,a sin-avengingGod,aGod thatwill bynomeans spare the guilty; andbe sure that everyonethatisfoundoutofJesusChristwillbefoundguiltyinthejudgment-day,upon whom the wrath of God shall smoke to their eternal ruin. Now,therefore, consider of it, and take the counsel of the Apostle, in 2Corinthians 13:5,which is, to examine thyselfwhether thou art "in thefaith,"andtoprovethyownselfwhetherthouhastreceivedtheSpiritofChristintothysoul,whetherthouhastbeenconverted,whetherthouhastbeen born again, andmade a new creature,whether thouhast had thysinswashedawayinthebloodofChrist,whetherthouhastbeenbroughtfrom under the old covenant into the new; and do not make a slightexamination,forthouhastaprecioussouleithertobesavedordamned.

Andthatthoumayestnotbedeceived,considerthatitisonethingtobeconvinced, and another to be converted; one thing tobewounded, andanothertobekilled,andsotobemadealiveagainbythefaithofJesusChrist.Whenmen are killed, they are killed to all things they lived tobefore, both sin and righteousness, as all their old faith and supposedgracethattheythoughttheyhad.Indeed,theoldcovenantwillshowtheethatthouartasinner,andthatagreatonetoo;buttheoldcovenant,theLaw, will not show thee, without the help of the Spirit, that thou arewithoutallgracebynature;no;butinthemidstofthytroublesthouwiltkeepthyself fromcomingtoChristbypersuadingthysoul that thouartcome already, and hast some grace already.O, therefore, be earnest in

beggingtheSpirit,thatthysoulmaybeenlightened,andthewickednessof thy heart discovered, that thou mayest see the miserable state thatthouartinbyreasonofsinandunbelief,whichisthegreatcondemningsin;andsoinasightandsenseofthysadcondition, ifGodshoulddealwith thee in severity according to thydeservings.Do thou [now] cry toGod for faith in a crucified Christ, that thou mayest have all thy sinswashedawayinHisblood,andsucharightworkofgracewroughtinthysoulthatmaystandinthejudgment-day.Again,

Second. In the next place, you know I told you that amanmight go agreatwayinaprofession,andhavemanyexcellentgifts,[Seconduse].soas to do many wondrous works, and yet be but under the Law; fromhenceyoumay learnnot to judgeyourselves tobe the childrenofGod,because youmayhave some gifts of knowledge or understandingmorethanothers:no,forthoumayestbetheknowingestmaninallthecountryastohead-knowledge,andyetbebutunderthelaw,andsoconsequentlyunderthecurse,notwithstandingthat,1Corinthians13.Now,seeingitisso, thatmenmayhaveall thisandyetperish, thenwhatwillbecomeofthosethatdonogoodatall,andhavenounderstanding,neitheroftheirown sadness, nor of Christ'smercy? O, sad! Read with understanding,Isaiah27:11,"ThereforeHethatmadethemwillnothavemercyonthem,andHe that formed themwill show themno favour" (See also2Thess1:8,9).

Nowthereisonethingwhich,forwantof,mostpeopledomiscarryinavery sadmanner, and that is, because they are not able to distinguishbetween thenature of theLawand theGospel.O, people, people, yourbeingblindedhereas to theknowledgeof this isonegreatcauseof theruiningofmany.AsPaulsaith,"WhileMosesisread,"orwhilethelawisdiscovered, "theveil isupontheirheart" (2Cor3:15) that is, theveilofignoranceisstillupontheirhearts,sothattheycannotdiscerneitherthenatureofthelaworthenatureoftheGospel,theybeingsodarkandblindintheirminds,asyoumaysee,ifyoucompareitwithChronicles4:3,4.AndtrulyIamconfident,thatwereyoubutwellexamined,Idoubtmanyofyouwouldbe foundso ignorant thatyouwouldnotbeable togiveawordof rightanswerconcerningeither theLawor theGospel.Nay,myfriends,setthecase,oneshouldaskyouwhattimeyouspend,whatpains

you take, to the end youmay understand the nature and difference ofthese two covenants,would you not say, if you should speak the truth,that you did not somuch as regard whether there were two ormore?Wouldyounotsay, Ididnot thinkofcovenants,or study thenatureofthem?

IthoughtthatifIhadlivedhonestly,anddidaswellasIcould,thatGodwouldacceptofme,andhavemercyuponme,asHehadonothers.Ah,friends,thisisthecauseoftheruinofthousands;foriftheyareblindedtothis,boththerightuseofthelaw,andalsooftheGospel,ishidfromtheir eyes, and so for certain they will be in danger of perishingmostmiserably,poorsouls that theyare,unlessGod,ofHismeremercyandlove, doth rend the veil from off their hearts, the veil of ignorance, forthat is it which doth keep these poor souls in this besotted andblindfoldedcondition,inwhichiftheydietheymaybelamentedfor,butnothelped;theymaybepitied,butnotpreservedfromthestokeofGod'severlastingvengeance.

ALEGALSPIRIT

Inthenextplace,ifyouwouldindeedbedeliveredfromthefirstintothesecondcovenant,Idoadmonishyoutotheobservingof thesefollowingparticulars.First.Haveacarethatyoudonotcontentyourselves,thoughyoudogoodworks–that is,whichinthemselvesaregood.Secondly.Inandwithalegalspirit,whicharedonethesewaysasfolloweth.

First.IfyoudoanythingcommandedinScripture,andyourdoingofitdothinkthatGodiswellpleasedtherewith,becauseyou,asyouarereligiousmen,dodo the same.Upon thismistakewasPaulhimself indangerofbeingdestroyed;forhethought,becausehewaszealous,andoneofthestrictestsectsforreligion,thereforeGodwouldhavebeengooduntohim,andhaveacceptedhisdoings,asitisclear,forhecountedthemhisgain(Phil3:4-8).Nowthisisdonethus–Whenamandoththinkthatbecausehethinksheismoresincere,moreliberal,withmoredifficulty,ortotheweakeningofhis estate; I say, if aman,becauseof thisdoth think that

Godacceptethhislabour,itisdonefromanold-covenantspirit.

Again;somementhinkthattheyshallbeheardbecausetheyhaveprayerin their families, because they can pray long, and speak excellentexpressions, or express themselves excellently in prayer, that becausetheyhavegreatenlargementsinprayer,Isay,thatthereforetothinkthatGoddothdelight in theirdoings, andaccept theirworks, this is fromalegalspirit.

Again; somemen think that because their parents have been religiousbeforethem,andhavebeenindeedthepeopleofGod,theythinkiftheyalsodoastotheoutwardobservingofthatwhichtheylearnedfromtheirforerunners,thatthereforeGoddothacceptthem;butthisalsoisfromawrong spirit; and yet howmany are there in England at this day thatthink the better of themselvesmerely upon that account; ay, and thinkthe people of God ought to think so too, not understanding that it isordinaryforanElitohaveaHophniandaPhinehas,bothsonsofBelial;also a good Samuel to have a perverse offspring; likewise David anAbsalom.Isay,theirbeingignorantof,orelsenegligentinregardingthis,they do think that because they do spring from such and such, as theJewsintheirgenerationdid,thatthereforetheyhaveaprivilegewithGodmorethanothers,whenthereisnosuchthing;butforcertain,ifthesamefaith be not in themwhichwas in their forerunners, to lay hold of theChristofGodinthesamespiritastheydid,theymustutterlyperish,forall theirhighconceitsthattheyhaveof themselves(John8:33-35;Matt3:7-9).

Second.WhenpeoplecomeintothepresenceofGodwithouthavingtheireyeupon theDivineMajesty, through the fleshandbloodof theSonofMary, the Son of God, then also do they come before God, and dowhatsoever they do from a legal spirit, an old-covenant spirit. As, forinstance, you have some people, it is true, they will go to prayer, inappearance very fervently, and will plead very hard with God that Hewouldgrantthemtheirdesires,pleadingtheirwant,andtheabundancethereof;theywillalsopleadwithGodHisgreatmercy,andalsoHisfreepromises;butyettheyneglectingtheaforesaidbodyorPersonofChrist,therighteousLambofGod,toappearbeforeHimin,Isay,inthusdoingtheydonotappearbeforetheLordnootherwisethaninanold-covenant

spirit; for theygo toGodasamercifulCreator, and they themselvesasHiscreatures;notasHeis,theirFatherintheSon,andtheyHischildrenby regeneration through the Lord Jesus. Ay, and though theymay callGodtheirFather,inthenotion–notknowingwhattheysay,onlyhavinglearnedsuchthingsbytradition–asthePhariseesdid,yetChristwillhaveHistimetosaytothem,eventotheirfaces,asHedidoncetotheJews,Yourfather,forallthisyourprofession,isthedevil,totheirowngriefandeverlastingmisery(John8:44).

Third.Thethirdthingthatistobeobserved,ifwewouldnotbeundertheLaw,ordothingsinalegalspirit,isthis–tohaveacarethatwedononeoftheworksoftheholyLawofGodforlife,oracceptancewithHim;no,noroftheGospelneither.TodotheworksofthelawtotheendwemaybeacceptedofGod,orthatwemaypleaseHim,andtohaveourdesiresofHim, is to do things from a legal or old-covenant spirit, and that isexpresslylaiddownwhereitissaid,"Tohimthatworkethistherewardnot reckoned of grace, but of debt"; that is, he appears before GodthroughtheLaw,andhisobediencetoit(Rom4:4,5).Andagain,thoughtheybeinthemselvesGospel-ordinances,asbaptism,breakingofbread,hearing,praying,meditating,orthelike;yet,Isay,iftheybenotdoneintherightspirit,theyaretherebyusedasahandbythedeviltopulltheeunder theCovenantofWorks,as in former timesheusedcircumcision,whichwasnopartoftheCovenantofWorks,theTenCommands,butaseal of the righteousness of faith; yet, I say, they being done in a legalspirit,thesoulwastherebybroughtundertheCovenantofWorks,andsomostmiserablydestroyedunawarestoitself,andthatbecausetherewasnotarightunderstandingofthenatureandtermsofthesaidcovenants.Andsoitisnow;soulsbeingignorantofthenatureoftheoldcovenant,doevenbytheirsubjectingtoseveralGospelordinances,runthemselvesunder the old covenant, and fly off from Christ, even when they thinktheyareacomingclosertohim.O,miserable!Ifyouwouldknowwhenorhowthisisdone,whetherinoneparticularormore,Ishallshowyouasfolloweth–

1.ThatmandothbringhimselfundertheCovenantofWorks,byGospelordinances,whenhecannotbepersuadedthatGodwillhavemercyuponhim except he do yield obedience to such or such a particular thing

commandedintheWord.Thisistheverysamespiritthatwasinthefalsebrethren (spoken of Acts 15; Galatians, the whole Epistle), whosejudgmentwas, thatunlesssuchandsuch thingsweredone, "theycouldnot be saved." As now-a-dayswe have also some that say,Unless yourinfantsbebaptizedtheycannotbesaved;[23]andotherssay,unlessyoube rightly baptized, you have no ground to be assured that you arebelievers,ormembersofchurches;whichissofarofffrombeingsogoodasa legalspirit, that it is thespiritofblasphemy,as isevident,becausetheydoreckonthattheSpirit,righteousness,andfaithofJesus,andtheconfessionthereof,isnotsufficienttodeclarementobemembersoftheLordJesus;when,ontheotherside,thoughtheyberankhypocrites,yetif they do yield an outward subjection to this or that, they are countedpresentlycommunicablemembers,whichdothclearlydiscoverthatthereisnot somuchhonourgiven to theputtingon the righteousnessof theSonofGodasthere isgiventothatwhichamanmaydo,andyetgotoHellwithinanhourafter;nay,intheverydoingofitdothshuthimselfforeverfromJesusChrist.

2. Men may do things from a legal or old-covenant spirit when theycontentthemselveswiththeirdoingofsuchandsuchathing,asprayers,reading,hearing,baptism,breakingofbread,orthelike;Isay,whentheycan content themselves with the thing done, and sit down at ease andcontent because the thing is done. As, for instance, some men beingpersuadedthatsuchandsuchathingistheirduty,andthatunlesstheydodoit,Godwillnotbepleasedwiththem,norsufferthemtobeheirsofHiskingdom,theyfromthisspiritdorushintoanddothething,whichbeing done, they are content, as being persuaded that now they arewithoutdoubtinahappycondition,becausetheyhavedonesuchthings,likeuntothePharisee,who,becausehehaddonethisandtheotherthing,saidtherefore,inabraggingway,"Lord,IthanktheethatIamnotasthispublican";forIhavedonethusandthus;when,alas!theLordgivehimneveragoodwordforhislabour,butratherareproof.

3.Thatmandothactfromalegalspiritwhomakeththestrictnessofhiswalking the ground of his assurance for eternal life. Somemen, all theground they have to believe that they shall be saved, it is because theywalknotsolooseastheirneighbours,theyarenotsobadasothersare,

andthereforetheyquestionnotbutthattheyshalldowell.Nowthisisafalse ground, and a thing that is verily legal, and savours only of someslightandshallowapprehensionsoftheoldcovenant.Icallthemshallowapprehensions,becausetheyarenotrightandsound,andaresuchaswilldothesoulnogood,butbeguileit,inthattheknowledgeofthenatureofthiscovenantdothnotappeartothesoul,onlysomecommandingpowerithathonthesoul,whichthesoulendeavouringtogiveupitselfunto,itdoth find some peace and content, and especially if it find itself to bepretty willing to yield itself to its commands. And is not this the verygroundofthyhopingthatGodwillsavetheefromthewrathtocome?

If one should ask thee what ground thou hast to think thou shalt besaved, wouldst thou not say, Truly, because I have left my sins, andbecauseIammoreinclinabletodogood,[DonotthinkthatIamagainstthe order of the Gospel]. and to learn, and get more knowledge; Iendeavour towalk inchurchorder,as theycall it, and therefore IhopeGodhathdoneagoodwork forme,andIhopewill savemysoul.Alas,alas! this is a very trick of the devil tomake souls build the ground oftheir salvation upon this their strictness, and abstaining from thewickedness of their former lives, and because they desire to be stricterand stricter.Now, if youwould know such aman orwoman, you shallfindtheminthis frame–namely,whentheythinktheirheartsaregood,then they think also that Christ will havemercy upon them; but whentheircorruptionswork,thentheydoubtandscrupleuntilagaintheyhavetheir hearts more ready to do the things contained in the law andordinancesof theGospel.Again,suchmendocommonlycheeruptheirhearts,andencouragethemselvesstilltohopeallshallbewell,andthatbecause they are not so bad as the rest, butmore inclinable than they,saying, I am glad I am not as this publican, but better than he, morerighteousthanhe(Luke18:11).

4.Thisisalegalandold-covenantspiritthatsecretlypersuadesthesoulthat if ever itwill be savedbyChrist, ifmust be fitted forChrist by itsgettingofagoodheartandgoodintentionstodothisandthatforChrist;Isay,thatthesoulwhenitcomestoChristmaynotberejectedorturnedoff;when indeed and in truth this is the veryway for the soul to turnitselffromJesusChrist,insteadofturningtoHim;forsuchasoullooks

uponChrist rather tobeapaintedSaviourora cypher thanaveryandreal Saviour. Friend, if thou canst fit thyself, what need hast thou ofChrist?IfthoucantgetqualificationstocarrytoChristthatthoumightstbeaccepted,thoudostnotlooktobeacceptedintheBeloved.ShallItellthee?Thouartasifamanshouldsay,Iwillmakemyselfclean,andthenIwillgotoChristthatHemaywashme;orlikeamanpossessed,thatwillfirstcastthedevilsoutofhimself,andthencometoChristforcurefromHim.Thou,must,therefore,ifthouwiltsolayholdofChristasnottoberejectedbyHim;Isay,thoumustcometoHimasthebasestintheworld,more fit to be damned, if thou hadst thy right, than to have the leastsmile, hope, or comfort from Him. Come with the fire of Hell in thyconscience,comewiththyhearthard,dead,cold,fullofwickednessandmadness against thy own salvation; come as renouncing all thy tears,prayers,watchings,fastings;comeasablood-redsinner;donotstayfromChristtillthouhastagreatersenseofthyownmisery,noroftherealityofGod'smercy;donotstaywhilethyheartissofterandthyspiritinabetterframe,butgoagainstthymind,andagainstthemindofthedevilandsin,throwthyselfdownatthefootofChrist,withahalteraboutthyneck,andsay, Lord Jesus, hear a sinner, a hard-hearted sinner, a sinner thatdeservethtobedamned,tobecastintoHell;andresolvenevertoreturn,ortogiveovercryinguntoHim,tillthoudofindthatHehathwashedthyconscience from deadworkswithHis blood virtually, and clothed theewithHisownrighteousness,andmaketheecompleteinHimself;thisisthewaytocometoChrist.

THEUSEOFTHENEWCOVENANT

Nowa fewwords to theseconddoctrine,andso I shalldrawtowardsaconclusion.

FIRSTUSE. The doctrine doth contain in it verymuch comfort to thy[Theuse,fortheseconddoctrine].soulwhoartanew-covenantman,oroneofthosewhoareunderthenewcovenant.Thereis,First,pardonofsin;and,Second,themanifestationofthesame;and,Third,aspowertocausetheetoperseverethroughfaithtotheveryendofthylife.

First,Thereis,first,pardonofsin,whichisnotintheoldcovenant;forinthat there isnothingbutcommands;and ifnotobeyed, condemned.O,butthereispardonofsin,evenofallthysins,againstthefirstandsecondcovenant,underwhichthouart,andthatfreelyupontheaccountofJesusChristtherighteousness,Hehavinginthyname,nature,andintheroomof thyperson, fulfilled all thewhole law inHimself for thee, and freelygiveth it unto thee. O, though the law be a ministration of death andcondemnation,yettheGospel,underwhichthouart, istheministrationof lifeandsalvation (2Cor3:6-9).Though they that liveanddieunderthe firstcovenant,Godregardeth themnot (Heb8:9).Yet they thatareunderthesecondareastheappleofHiseye(Deu32:10;Psa17:8;Zech2:8). Though they that are under the first, the Law, are "called toblackness, and darkness, and tempest, the sound of a trumpet," and aburning mountain, which sight was so terrible, that Moses said, "Iexceedingly fear and quake" (Heb 12:18- 22). "But ye are come untoMountSion,anduntothecityofthelivingGod,theheavenlyJerusalem,and toan innumerablecompanyofangels, to thegeneralassemblyandchurchofthefirstborn,"whosenames"arewritteninHeaven,andtoGodthe Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and toJesus," toblessedJesus, "theMediatorof thenewcovenant,and to thebloodof sprinkling, that speakethbetter things than thatofAbel" (Heb12:22-24).Evenforgivenessofsins(Eph1:7).

Second, The covenant that thou art under doth allow of repentance incasethouchancetosliporfallbysuddentemptation;butthelawallowsofnone(Rev2:5;Gal3:10).Thecovenantthatthouartunderallowstheestrengthalso;butthelawisonlyasoundofwords,commandingwords,but no power is given by them to fulfill the things commanded (Heb12:19).Thouthatartunderthissecond,artmadeason;buttheythatartunderthatfirst,areslavesandvagabonds(Gen4:12).Thouthatartunderthis,hastaMediator,thatistostandbetweenjusticeandthee;buttheyundertheother,theirmediatoristurnedanaccuser,andspeakethmostbitter things against their souls (1 Tim2:5; John 5:45).Again; thewaythatthouhastintoParadiseisanewandlivingway–mark,alivingway;but they that are under the old covenant, their way into Paradise is akilling and destroyingway (Heb 10:20;Gen 3:24).Again; thouhas therighteousnessofGodtoappearbeforeGodwithal;buttheyundertheold

covenant have nothing but the righteousness of the Law, which Paulcountsdirt anddung (Phil3:7-9).Thouhast thatwhichwillmake theeperfect,buttheotherwillnotdoso–"Thelawmadenothingperfect,butthe bringing in of a better hope did,"which is the Son ofGod, "by thewhichwedrawnighuntoGod"(Heb7:19).

Third,Thenewcovenantpromiseththeeanewheart,asIsaidbefore;buttheoldcovenantpromisethnone;andanewspirit,buttheoldcovenantpromisethnone(Eze36:26).Thenewcovenantconveyethfaith,buttheold one conveyethnone (Gal 3). Through thenew covenant the love ofGod is conveyed into the heart; but through the old covenant there isconveyednoneof it savingly throughJesusChrist.Romans5.Thenewcovenant doth not only give a promise of life, but also with that theassuranceoflife,buttheoldonegivethnone;theoldcovenantwroughtwrathinusandtous,butthenewoneworkethlove(Rom4:15;Gal5:6).Thusmuchforthefirstuse.

SECONDUSE.Asall these,andmanymoreprivileges,docometotheethroughorbythenewcovenant,andthatthoumightstnotdoubtofthecertaintyofthesegloriousprivileges,Godhathsoordereditthattheydoallcometotheebywayofpurchase,beingobtainedforthee,readytothyhand, by that oneMan Jesus, who is theMediator, or the Person thathathprincipallytodobothwithGodandthysoulinthethingspertainingtothiscovenant;sothatnowthoumayst lookonall thegloriousthingsthatarespokenofinthenewcovenant,andsay,Allthesemustbemine;Imusthaveashareinthem;Christhathpurchasedthemforme,andgiventhemtome.NowIneednottosay,O!buthowshallIcomebythem?Godis holy, I am a sinner; God is just, and I have offended. No; but thoumaystsay,ThoughIamvile,anddeservenothing,yetChristisholy,andHedeservethallthings;thoughIhavesoprovokedGodbybreakingHislaw that He could not in justice look upon me, yet Christ hath sogloriouslypaidthedebtthatnowGodcansay,Welcome,soul,Iwillgivetheegrace,Iwillgivetheeglory, thoushalt lie inMybosom,andgonomoreout;MySonhathpleasedMe,HehathsatisfiedtheloudcriesoftheLaw and justice, that called for speedy vengeance on thee; He hathfulfilled the whole Law, He hath brought in everlasting righteousness(Dan 9:24,25). He hath overcome the devil, He hath washed away thy

sinswithHismostpreciousblood,Hehathdestroyedthepowerofdeath,andtriumphsoveralltheenemies.ThisHedidinHisownPerson,asacommonJesus,forallpersonsintheirstead,evenasforsomanyasshallcomeintoHim;forHisvictoryIgivetothem,HisrighteousnessIgivetothem,HismeritsIbestowonthem,andlookuponthemholy,harmless,undefiled, and for ever comely in my eye, through the victory of theCaptainoftheirsalvation(1Cor15:55-57).

Andthatthoumayest, indeedandintruth,notonlyhearandreadthisgloriousdoctrine, butbe foundone thathath the life of it in thyheart,thoumustbemuch in studyingof the two covenants, thenatureof theone, and the nature of the other, and the conditions of them that areunderthemboth.Also,thoumustbewell-groundedinthemannerofthevictory,andmeritsofChrist,howtheyaremadethine.

First,Andhere thoumust, in the first place, believe that the babe thatwasbornofMary, lay in amangeratBethlehem, in the timeofCaesarAugustus;thatHe,thatbabe,thatchild,wastheveryChrist.

Second, Thou must believe that in the days of Tiberius Caesar, whenHerodwastetrarchofGalilee,andPontiusPilategovernorofJudea,thatinthosedaysHewascrucified,orhangedonatreebetweentwothieves,whichbycomputation,oraccordingtothebestaccount,isabovesixteenhundredyearssince.[24]

Third,ThoumustalsobelievethatwhenHedidhanguponthatcrossofwood on theMount Calvary, that thenHe did die there for the sins ofthose thatdiddiebeforeHewas crucified; also for their sins thatwerealiveatthetimeofHiscrucifying,andalsothatHedidbythatonedeathgivesatisfaction toGod forall those that shouldbebornandbelieve inHim after His death, even unto the world's end. I say, this thoumustbelieve, upon pain of eternal damnation, that by that one death, thatwhenHediddie,HedidputanendtothecurseoftheLawandsin[ThisisthedoctrinethatIwillliveanddieby,andbewillingtobedamnedifitsavesmenot.IamnotashamedoftheGospelofChrist,foritisthepowerof God to salvation; therefore I preach Christ crucified, to the Jews astumblingblock,and to theGreeks foolishness (Rom1:16; 1Cor 1:23).]andatthattimebyHisdeathontheCross,andbyHisresurrectionoutof

Joseph's sepulchre,He did bring in a sufficient righteousness to clothetheewithal completely–"ForbyoneofferingHehathperfected for everthem that are sanctified." Not thatHe should often offerHimself–"forthenmustHeoftenhavesufferedsincethefoundationoftheworld;butnowONCEintheendoftheworldhathHeappearedtoput,"ordo,"awaysinby thesacrificeofHimself"–namely,whenHehangedon theCross.ForitisbytheofferingupofthebodyofthisblessedJesusChristONCEforall.Indeed,otherpriestsmayofferoftentimessacrificesandofferingswhichcannever takeawaysins;but thisMan, thisJesus, thisanointedandappointedsacrifice,whenHehadofferedONEsacrificeforsins,foreversatdownontherighthandofGod(Heb10:14;9:24,25).

[Awordofadvice].ButbecausethouinthypursuitafterthefaithoftheGospelwiltbesuretomeetwithdevils,heretics,particularcorruptions,as unbelief, ignorance, the spirit of works animated on by suggestions,false conclusions, with damnable doctrines, I shall therefore briefly,besideswhathathbeenalreadysaid,speakawordortwobeforeIleavetheeoffurtheradvice,especiallyconcerningthesetwothings.First,Howthou art to conceive of the Saviour. Second, How thou art to makeapplicationofHim.

First.FortheSaviour.1.Thoumust lookuponHimtobeveryGodandveryMan;notmanonly,norGodonly,butGodandManinonePerson,bothnaturesjoinedtogether,fortheputtingofHiminacapacitytobeasuitable Saviour; suitable, I say, to answer both sides and parties,withwhomHe hath to do in the office of HisMediatorship and being of aSaviour.2.Thoumustnotonlydothis,butthoumustalsoconsiderandbelievethatevenwhatwasdonebyJesusChrist,itwasnotdonebyonenaturewithouttheother;butthoumustconsiderthatbothnatures,boththeGodheadandthemanhood,didgloriouslyconcurandjointogetherinthe undertaking of the salvation of our bodies and souls; not that theGodhead undertook anything without the manhood, neither did themanhooddoanythingwithoutthevirtueandunionoftheGodhead;andthoumustofnecessitydothis,otherwisethoucanstnot findanysoundgroundandfootingforthysoultorestupon.

For if thou lookuponanyof theseasunder–that is tosay, theGodheadwithout themanhood, or themanhoodwithout theGodhead–thouwilt

conclude that what was done by the Godhead was not done for man,beingdonewithoutthemanhood;orelse,thatthatwhichwasdonewiththemanhoodcouldnotanswerDivinejustice,innotdoingwhatitdidbythe virtue and inunionwith theGodhead; for itwas theGodhead thatgavevirtueandvaluetothesufferingofthemanhood,andthemanhoodbeingjoinedtherewith,thatgivethusaninterestintotheheavenlygloryandcomfortsoftheGodhead.

WhatgroundcanamanhavetobelievethatChristishisSaviour,ifhedonotbelievethatHesufferedforsininhisnature?AndwhatgroundalsocanamanhavetothinkthatGodtheFatherissatisfied,beinginfinite,ifhebelievenot also thatHewhogave the satisfactionwas equal toHimwhowasoffended?

Therefore,beloved,whenyoureadoftheofferingofthebodyoftheSonofManforoursins,thenconsiderthatHediditinunionwith,andbythehelpof,theeternalGodhead."HowmuchmoreshallthebloodofChrist,who, through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without spot to God,purgeyourconsciencesfromdeadworks,"etc.

And when thou readest of the glorious works and splendour of theGodheadinChrist,thenconsiderthatallthatwasdonebytheGodhead,itwasdoneasithadunionandcommunionwiththemanhood.AndthenthoushaltseethatthedevilisovercomebyGod-man;sin,death,Hell,thegrave, and all overcome by Jesus, God-man, and then thou shalt findthem overcome indeed. Theymust needs be overcomewhenGod dothovercome them; andwe have good ground to hope the victory is ours,wheninournaturetheyareovercome.

Second.Thesecondthingis,howtoapply,ortomakeapplicationofthisChrist to thesoul.And for this thereare tobeconsidered the followingparticulars–

1.ThatwhenJesusChristdid thusappear,beingbornofMary,HewaslookeduponbytheFatherasifthesinofthewholeworldwasuponHim;nay, further, God did look upon Him and account Him the sin ofman–"HehathmadeHimtobesinforus,"(2Cor5:21)thatis,GodmadeHisSonJesusChristoursin,orreckonedHimtobe,notonlyasinner,

but the very bulk of sin of the whole world, and condemned Him soseverelyas ifHehadbeennothingbutsin."Forwhat the lawcouldnotdo,inthatitwasweakthroughtheflesh,GodsendingHisownSoninthelikenessofsinfulflesh,andforsin,condemnedsinintheflesh"–thatis,foroursinscondemnedHisSonJesusChrist;as ifHehad indeedandtruth been our very sin, although altogether "without sin" (Rom8:3; 2Cor5:21).Therefore,astothetakingawayofthycurse,thoumustreckonHimtobemadesinforthee.AndastoHisbeingthyjustification,thoumustreckonHimtobethyrighteousness;for,saiththeScripture,"He,"thatis,God,"hathmadeHIMtobeSINforus,thoughHeknewnosin,thatwemightbemadetheRIGHTEOUSNESSofGodinHIM."

2.ConsiderforwhosesakesallthisgloriousdesignoftheFatherandtheSonwasbroughttopass;andthatyoushallfindtobeforman,forsinfulman(2Cor8:9).

3.Thetermsonwhichitismadeours;andthatyouwillfindtobeafreegift,merelyarisingfromthetender-heartednessofGod–youare"justifiedfreelybyHisgrace,throughtheredemptionthatisinChrist,whomGodhathsetforthtobeaPropitiationthroughfaithinHisblood,"etc.(Rom3:25).

4. Howmen are to reckon it theirs; and that is, upon the same termswhich God doth offer it, which is freely, as they are worthless andundeservingcreatures,astheyarewithoutallgood,andalsounabletodoanygood.This,Isay,istherightwayofapplyingthemeritsofChristtothysoul,fortheyarefreelygiventothee,apoorsinner,notforanythingthat is in thee, or done by thee, but freely as thou art a sinner, and sostandestinabsoluteneedthereof.

And,Christian,thouartnotinthisthingtofollowthysenseandfeeling,buttheveryWordofGod.ThethingthatdothdothepeopleofGodthegreatest injury, it is their too littlehearkening towhat theGospelsaith,and their too much giving credit to what the Law, sin, the devil, andconscience saith; and upon this very ground to conclude that becausethere is a certainty of guilt upon the soul, therefore there is also forcertain,bysin,damnationtobebroughtuponthesoul.Thisisnowtosetthe Word of God aside, and to give credit to what is formed by the

contrary; but thoumust givemore credit to one syllable of thewrittenWordof theGospel than thoumust give to all the saints and angels inHeaven and earth; much more than to the devil and thy own guiltyconscience.

Letmegiveyouaparable:–Therewasacertainmanthathadcommittedtreasonagainsthisking;butforasmuchasthekinghadcompassionuponhim,hesenthim,bythehandofafaithfulmessenger,apardonunderhisownhandandseal;butinthecountrywherethispoormandwelt,therewere alsomany that sought to trouble him, by often putting of him inmindofhistreason,andthelawthatwastobeexecutedontheoffender.Nowwhichwayshouldthismansohonourhisking,butasbybelievinghishandwriting,whichwasthepardon.Certainlyhewouldhonourhimmore by so doing than to regard all the clamours of his enemiescontinuallyagainsthim.

Just thus it ishere: thouhaving committed treasonagainst theKingofHeaven, He through compassion, for Christ's sake, hath sent thee apardon;butthedevil,theLaw,andthyconsciencedocontinuallyseektodisturbtheebybringingthysinsafreshintothyremembrance.Butnow,wouldst thouhonour thyKing?Why then,he thatbelieveth"therecordthatGodhathgivenofHisSon,"hathsettohissealthatGodistrue."Andthisistherecord,thatGodhathgiventouseternallife,andthislifeisinHis Son" (1 John 5:11). And therefore, my brethren, seeing God ourFatherhathsentusdamnabletraitorsapardonfromHeaven,evenallthepromisesoftheGospel,andalsohathsealedtothecertaintyofitwiththeheart-bloodofHisdearSon,letusnotbedaunted,thoughourenemies,with terrible voices, do bring our former life never so often into ourremembrance.

Object.But,saiththesoul,how,ifafterIhavereceivedapardon,Ishouldcommittreasonagain?WhatshouldIdothen?

Answ.Setthecase:thouhastcommittedabundanceoftreason,HehathbyHimabundanceofpardons–"Letthewickedforsakehisway,andtheunrighteousmanhis thoughts: and lethim returnunto theLORD, andHewill havemercy upon him; and to ourGod, forHewill abundantlypardon"(Isa55:7).

Sometimes Imyself have been in such a strait that I have been almostdriven tomywit'sendswith thesightandsenseof thegreatnessofmysins;butcallingtomindthatGodwasGodinHismercy,pity,andlove,aswellasinHisholiness,justice,etc.;andagain,consideringtheabilityofthe satisfaction thatwas given to holiness and justice, to the end theremight be way made for sinners to lay hold of this mercy; I say, Iconsideringthis,whentemptedtodoubtanddespair,Ihaveansweredinthismanner–

"Lord, here is one of the greatest sinners that ever the ground bare; asinner against the Law, and a sinner against theGospel. I have sinnedagainstlight,andIhavesinnedagainstmercy.Andnow,Lord,theguiltofthembreaksmyheart.Thedevilalsohewouldhavemedespair,tellingofmethatThouartsofarfromhearingmyprayersinthismydistress,thatIcannotangerTheeworse than tocalluponThee; for saithhe,Thouartresolved forever todamn,andnot tograntme the leastofThy favour;yet, Lord, I would fain have forgiveness. And ThyWord, thoughmuchmaybeinferredfromitagainstme,yetitsaith,IfIcomeuntoThee,Thouwill innowisecastmeout.Lord,shall IhonourTheemostbybelievingThou canst pardon my sins, or by believing Thou canst not? Shall IhonourTheemostbybelievingThouwiltpardonmysins,orbybelievingThouwiltnot?

Shall I honour the blood of Thy Son also by despairing that the virtuethereof isnot sufficient,orbybelieving that it is sufficient topurgemefromallmyblood-redandcrimsonsins?Surely,Thouthatcouldstfindsomuch mercy as to pardon Manasseh, Mary Magdalene, the threethousandmurderers,persecutingPaul,murderousandadulterousDavid,and blaspheming Peter–Thou that offeredst mercy to SimonMagus, awitch,anddidstreceivetheastrologersandconjurorsinthe19thofActs–Thouhastmercyenoughforonepoorsinner.Lord,setthecase:mysinswerebigger thanall these,andI lessdeservedmercythananyof these,yetThouhastsaidinThyWordthathethatcomethtotheeThouwiltin"nowisecastout."AndGodhathgivencomforttomysoul,eventosuchasinnerasIam.AndItellyou,thereisnowaysotohonourGod,andtobeatoutthedevil,astosticktothetruthofGod'sWordandthemeritsofChrist'sbloodbybelieving.WhenAbrahambelieved–evenagainsthope

andreason–hegaveglorytoGod(Rom4).Andthis isourvictory,evenourfaith(1John5:4).Believe,andallthingsarepossibletoyou.Hethatbelieveth shall be saved.He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife, and shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out ofChrist'sFather'shands.

Andifthoudostindeedbelievethis,thouwiltnotonlyconfessHimastheQuakersdo–thatis,thatHewasbornatBethlehemofMary,sufferedonMount Calvary under Pontius Pilate, was dead and buried, rose again,and ascended, etc.; for all this they confess, and in the midst of theirconfessiontheydoverilydenythatHisdeathonthatMountCalvarydidgive satisfaction to God for the sins of the world, and that HisresurrectionoutofJoseph'ssepulchreisthecauseofourjustificationinthesightofGod,angels,anddevils;but,Isay,ifthoudostbelievethesethingsindeed,thoudostbelievethatthen,solongago,evenbeforethouwastborn,HedidbearthysinsinHisownbody,whichthenwashangedon the tree, and never before nor since; that thy old man was thencrucifiedwithHim,namely,inthesamebodythencrucified(See1Peter2:24;andRom6:6).Thisisnonsensetothemthatbelievenot;butifthoudo indeedbelieve, thouseest it soplain,andyetsuchamystery, that itmakestheewonder.But,

[THIRD USE]. In the third place, this glorious doctrine of the newcovenant,andtheMediatorthereof,willserveforthecomforting,andthemaintainingofthecomfort,ofthechildrenofthenewcovenantthiswayalso–that is, that He did not only die and rise again, but that He didascendinHisownPersonintoHeaventotakepossessionthereofforme,toprepareaplacethereforme,standeththereinthesecondpartofHissuretyshiptobringmesafeinmycomingthither,andtopresentmeinagloriousmanner,without spotorwrinkle,oranysuch thing; thatHe isthere exercisingofHispriestly office forme,pleading theperfectionofHisownrighteousnessforme,andthevirtueofHisbloodforme;thatHeistherereadytoanswertheaccusationsoftheLaw,devil,andsinforme.Herethoumaystthroughfaithlooktheverydevilintheface,andrejoice,saying,OSatan!IhaveapreciousJesus,asoul-comfortingJesus,asin-pardoning Jesus. Here thoumayst hear the biggest thunder-crack thattheLawcangive,andyetnotbedaunted.

Herethoumaystsay,OLaw!thoumaystroaragainstsin,butthoucanstnotreachme;thoumaystcurseandcondemn,butnotmysoul;forIhaverighteousJesus,aholyJesus,asoul-savingJesus,andHehathdeliveredmefromthythreats,fromthycurses,fromthycondemnations;Iamoutofthyreach,andoutofthybounds;Iambroughtintoanothercovenant,under better promises, promises of life and salvation, free promises tocomfort me without my merit, even through the blood of Jesus, thesatisfactiongiventoGodformebyHim;therefore,thoughthoulayestmysins tomy charge, and sayest thouwilt proveme guilty, yet so long asChrist is above ground, and hath brought in everlasting righteousness,andgiven that tome, I shallnot fear thy threats, thycharges, thysoul-scarringdenunciations;myChristisall,hathdoneall,andwilldelivermefromall that thou,andwhatsoeverelsecanbringanaccusationagainstme.Thusalsothoumaysaywhendeathassaulteththee–Odeath,whereis thysting?Thoumaystbite indeed,but thoucanstnotdevour; IhavecomfortbyandthroughtheoneManJesus;JesusChrist,Hehathtakentheecaptive,andtakenawaythystrength;Hehathpiercedthyheart,andletoutallthysoul-destroyingpoison;therefore,thoughIseethee,Iamnotafraidofthee;thoughIfeelthee,Iamnotdaunted;forthouhastlostthystinginthesideoftheLordJesus;throughHimIovercomethee,andsetfootuponthee.

Also,OSatan!thoughIheartheegrumble,andmakeahellishnoise,andthoughthouthreatenmeveryhighly,yetmysoulshalltriumphoverthee,solongasChristisaliveandcanbeheardinHeaven;solongasHehathbrokenthyhead,andwonthefieldofthee;solongasthouareinprison,andcanstnothavethydesire.I,therefore,whenIhearthyvoice,dopitchmythoughtsonChristmySaviour,anddohearkenwhenHewillsay,forHewillspeakcomfort;Hesaith,Hehathgotthevictory,anddothgivetome the crown, and causeth me to triumph through His most gloriousconquest.

Nay,my brethren, the saints under the Levitical Law,whohadnot thenew covenant sealed or confirmed any further than by promise that itshouldbe; I say, they,when they thoughtof thegloriousprivileges thatGodhadpromisedshouldcome,thoughatthattimetheywerenotcome,but seen afar off, how confidently were they persuaded of them, and

embraced them, andwere so fully satisfied as touching the certainty ofthem, that they did not stick at the partingwith all for the enjoying ofthem.[Shallnotwethenthatseeallthingsalreadydonebeforeusmakeitastrongargumenttoincreaseourfaith(Heb11).]HowmanytimesdothDavidinthePsalmsadmire,triumph,andpersuadeotherstodosoalso,throughthefaiththathehadinthethingthatwastobedone?AlsoJob,inwhatfaithdothhesayheshouldseehisRedeemer,thoughHehadnotthenshedonedropofbloodforhim,yetbecauseHehadpromisedsotodo;andthiswassignifiedby thebloodofbullsandgoats.AlsoSamuel,Isaiah, Jeremiah,Zechariah, etc., howgloriously in confidencedid theyspeak of Christ, and His death, blood, conquest, and everlastingpriesthood, evenbeforeHedidmanifestHimself in the fleshwhichHetook of the Virgin. [For they were so many sure promises, with aremembrance in them, also for the better satisfaction of them thatbelievedthem].

We that have lived since Christ, have more ground to hope than theyundertheoldcovenanthad,thoughtheyhadthewordofthejustGodforthegroundoftheirfaith.Mark,theyhadonlythepromisethatHeshouldand would come; but we have the assured fulfilling of those promises,becauseHeiscome;theyweretoldthatHeshouldspillHisblood,butwedo see He hath spilt His blood; they ventured all upon His standingSuretyforthem,butweseeHehathfulfilled,andthatfaithfullytoo,theoffice ofHis Suretyship, in that, according to the engagement,Hehathredeemed us poor sinners; they ventured on the new covenant, thoughnot actually sealed, only "because He judged Him faithful who hadpromised" (Heb 11:11). But we have the covenant sealed, all things arecompletelydone,evenassureastheheart-bloodofacrucifiedJesuscanmakeit.

There is a great difference between their dispensation and ours forcomfort,evenasmuchasthere isbetweenthemakingofabondwithapromise to seal it, and the sealing of the same. It wasmade indeed intheirtime,butitwasnotsealeduntilthetimethebloodwasshedontheMountCalvary;andthatwemightindeedhaveourfaithmountupwithwings like an eagle, he showethuswhat encouragement and groundoffaithwehavetoconcludeweshallbeeverlastinglydelivered,saying,"For

where a testament" or covenant "is, theremust alsoofnecessitybe thedeath of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead:otherwiseit isofnostrengthatallwhilethetestator liveth.Whereuponneither the first testamentwasdedicatedwithoutblood" (Heb9:16-18).AsChrist'sbloodwastheconfirmationofthenewcovenant,yetitwasnotsealed inAbraham, Isaac, or Jacob's days to confirm the covenant thatGoddidtellthemof,andyettheybelieved;thereforeweoughttogivethemoreearnestheed tobelieve the things thatwehaveheard, andnot inanywiseto let thembequestioned;andtherather,becauseyouseethetestamentisnotonlynowmade,butconfirmed;notonlyspokenofandpromised,butverily sealedby thedeathandbloodofJesus,who is theTestatorthereof.

My brethren, I would not leave you ignorant of this one thing, thatthough the Jews had the promise of a sacrifice, of an everlastingHighPriestthatshoulddeliverthem,yettheyhadbutthepromise;forChristwasnotsacrificed,andwasnotthencomeahighpriestofgoodthingstocome; only the type, the shadow, the figure, the ceremonies they had,togetherwithChrist'sengagingasSuretytobringall thingstopassthatwerepromisedshouldcome,anduponthataccountreceivedandsaved.

Itwaswith them and their dispensation as this similitude gives you tounderstand:–Set the case that there be twomenwhomake a covenantthat theoneshouldgive theother ten thousandsheeponcondition theothergivehimtwothousandpound;butforasmuchasthemoneyisnottobepaiddownpresently,thereforeifhethatbuyeththesheepwillhaveanyofthembeforethedayofpayment,thecreditorrequestethasurety;andupontheengagementofthesuretythereispartofthesheepgiventothedebtorevenbeforethedayofpayment,buttheotheratandafter.Soit ishere;ChristcovenantedwithHisFather forHissheep–"I laydownMylifeforMysheep,"saithHe–butthemoneywasnottobepaiddownsosoonasthebargainwasmade,asIhavealreadysaid,yetsomeofthesheepwere savedevenbefore themoneywaspaid, and thatbecauseofthe Suretyship of Christ; as it is written, "Being justified," or saved,"freely by His grace through the redemption," or purchase, "that is inChristJesus.WhomGodhathsetforthtobeapropitiationthroughfaithinHisblood, todeclareHisrighteousness for theremissionofsins that

arepast,"orthesinnerswhodiedinthefaithbeforeChristwascrucified,throughGod's forbearingtill thepaymentwaspaid; todeclare,Isay,atthis timeHis righteousness; "thatHemightbe just, and the justifier ofhimwhichbelievethinJesus"(Rom3:24-26).

Theendofmyspeakingofthisis,toshowyouthatitisnotwisdomnowto doubt whether God will save you or no, but to believe, because allthings are finished as to our justification: the covenant not onlymade,but also sealed; the debt paid, the prison doors flung off of the hooks,withaproclamationfromHeavenofdeliverancetotheprisonersofhope,saying,"Turnyoutothestronghold,yeprisonersofhope,eventodaydoIdeclare," saith God, "that I will render double unto thee" (Zech 9:12).And,saithChrist,whenHewascome,"TheSpiritoftheLordisuponme,becauseHehathanointedMetopreachtheGospel,"thatis,goodtidings"tothepoor,"thattheirsinsshouldbepardoned,thattheirsoulsshallbesaved. "He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preachdeliverancetothecaptives,andrecoveringofsighttotheblind,tosetatliberty them that are bruised," and to comfort them that mourn, "topreachtheacceptableyearoftheLord"(Luke4:18,19).

Thereforehere,soul,thoumaystcometoJesusChristforanythingthouwantest,astoacommontreasure-house,beingtheprincipalManforthedistributing of the things made mention of in the new covenant, Hehaving them all in His own custody by right of purchase; for He hathboughtthemall,paidforthemall.Dostthouwantfaith?thencomeforittotheManChristJesus(Heb12:2).DostthouwanttheSpirit?thenaskitofJesus.Dostthouwantwisdom?Dostthouwantgraceofanysort?Dostthouwantanewheart?Dostthouwantstrengthagainstthylusts,againstthe devil's temptations?Dost thouwant strength to carry thee throughafflictions of body, and afflictions of spirit, through persecutions?Wouldst thouwillingly hold out, stand to the last, and bemore than aconqueror?thenbesurethoumeditateenoughonthemeritsofthebloodofJesus,howHehathundertakenforthee,thatHehathdonetheworkofthysalvationinthyroom,thatHeisfilledofGodonpurposetofillthee,and is willing to communicate whatsoever is in Him or about Him tothee.Considerthis,Isay,andtriumphinit.

Again;thismayinformusofthesafestateofthesaintsastouchingtheir

perseverance, that they shall stand thoughHell rages, though the devilroareth, and all the world endeavoureth the ruin of the saints of God,thoughsome,throughignoranceofthevirtueoftheofferingofthebodyofJesusChrist,dosayamanmaybeachildofGodtoday,andachildofthedevil tomorrow,which is gross ignorance; forwhat? Is thebloodofChrist, thedeathofChrist, theresurrectionofChrist,ofnomorevirtuethantobringinforusanuncertainsalvation?ormusttheeffectualnessof Christ's merits, as touching our perseverance, be helped on by thedoingsofman?Surelytheythatarepredestinatedarealsojustified;andtheythatarejustified,theyshallbeglorified(Rom8:30).Saints,donotdoubtofthesalvationofyoursouls,unlessyoudointendtoundervalueChrist's blood; and do not think but thatHe that hath begun the goodworkofHisgraceinyouwillperfectittothesecondcomingofourLordJesus(Phil1:6).Shouldnotwe,aswellasPaul,say,Iampersuadedthatnothingshallseparateus fromthe loveofGod,which is inChristJesus(Rom8).Oletthesaintsknow,thatunlessthedevilcanpluckChristoutofHeaven,hecannotpullatruebelieveroutofChrist.WhenIsayatruebeliever,IdomeansuchanoneashaththefaithoftheoperationofGodinhissoul.

Lastly, Is theresuchmercyas this?suchprivilegesas these?Is theresomuchgroundofcomfort,andsomuchcausetobeglad?IstheresomuchstoreinChrist,andsuchareadyheartinHimtogiveittome?HathHisbleedingwoundssomuchinthem,asthatthefruitsthereofshouldbethesalvationofmysoul,ofmysinfulsoul,astosaveme,sinfulme,rebelliousme,desperateme?Whatthen?ShallnotInowbeholy?ShallnotInowstudy,strive,andlayoutmyselfforHimthathathlaidoutHimselfsouland body for me? Shall I now love ever a lust or sin? Shall I now beashamedofthecause,ways,people,orsaintsofJesusChrist?ShallInowyield my members as instruments of righteousness, seeing my end iseverlastinglife?(Rom6).ShallChristthinknothingtoodearforme?andshall I count anything too dear for Him? Shall I grieve Him with myfoolishcarriage?Shall IslightHiscounselby followingofmyownwill?Thus, therefore, thedoctrineof thenewcovenantdothcall forholiness,engage to holiness, and maketh the children of that covenant to takepleasure therein. Let no man, therefore, conclude on this, that thedoctrineoftheGospelisalicentiousdoctrine;butiftheydo,itisbecause

theyare fools,andsuchashavenot tastedof thevirtueof thebloodofJesusChrist;neitherdidtheyeverfeelthenatureandswaythattheloveofChristhath in theheartsofHis.And thus also youmay see that thedoctrineoftheGospelisofgreatadvantagetothepeopleofGodthatarealready come in, or to them that shall at the consideration hereof bewilling to come in, to partake of the glorious benefits of this gloriouscovenant.But,saiththepoorsoul,

Object.Alas!Idoubtthisistoogoodforme.

Inquirer.Whyso,Iprayyou?

Object.Alas!becauseIamasinner.

Reply.Why,all this isbestoweduponnonebutsinners,as it iswritten,Whilewewereungodly,Christdiedforus(Rom5:6,8)."Hecameintotheworldtosavesinners"(1Tim1:15).

Object.O,butIamoneofthechiefofsinners.

Reply.Why, this is for the chiefof sinners–"Christ Jesus came into theworldtosavesinners,ofwhomIamchief,"saithPaul(1Tim1:15).

Object.O, butmy sins are so big, that I cannot conceive how I shouldhavemercy.

Reply.Why,soul?Didstthoueverkillanybody?Didstthoueverburnanyof thy children in the fire to idols?Hast thoubeenawitch?Didst thoueveruseenchantmentsandconjuration?[Youthatareresolvedtogooninyoursins,meddlenotwiththis].Didstthouevercurse,andswear,anddenyChrist?Andyetifthouhast,thereisyethopesofpardon;yea,suchsinners as these have been pardoned, as appears by these and the likeScriptures,2Chronicles33:1-10,comparedwithverses12,13.Again,Acts19:19,20;8:22,comparedwithverse9;Matthew26:74,75.

Object.ButthoughIhavenotsinnedinsuchkindofsins,yetitmaybeIhavesinnedasbad.

Answ.Thatcannotlikelybe;yetthoughthouhast,stillthereisgroundof

mercyforthee,forasmuchasthouartunderthepromise(John6:37).

THEUNPARDONABLESIN

Object.Alas!man,IamafraidthatIhavesinnedtheunpardonablesin,andthereforethereisnohopeforme.

Answ. Dost thou know what the unpardonable sin, the sin against theHolyGhost,is?andwhenitiscommitted?

Reply.Itisasinagainstlight.

Answ.That is true; yet every sinagainst light isnot the sinagainst theHolyGhost.

Reply.Sayyouso?

Answ.Yea,andIproveitthus--Ifeverysinagainstlighthadbeenthesinthat isunpardonable, thenhadDavidandPeter andothers sinned thatsin; but though theydid sin against light, yet theydidnot sin that sin;thereforeeverysinagainstlightisnotthesinagainsttheHolyGhost,theunpardonablesin.

Object. But the Scripture saith, "If we sin willfully after that we havereceived theknowledgeof theTruth, there remainethnomore sacrificefor sins; but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fieryindignation,whichshalldevourtheadversaries."

Answ.Doyouknowwhatthatwillfulsinis?

Reply. Why, what is it? Is it not for a man to sin willingly afterenlightening?

Answ. 1.Yes; yetdoubtless everywilling sin isnot that; for thenDavid

hadsinneditwhenhelaywithBathsheba;andJonah,whenhefledfromthe presence of the Lord; and Solomon also, when he had so manyconcubines.2.Butthatsinisasinthatisofanothernature,whichisthis--For a man after he hath made some profession of salvation to comealoneby thebloodof Jesus, togetherwith some light andpowerof thesame upon his spirit; I say, for him after this knowingly,willfully, anddespitefullytotrampleuponthebloodofChristshedontheCross,andtocountitanunholything,ornobetterthanthebloodofanotherman,andrathertoventurehissoulanyotherwaythantobesavedbythispreciousblood. And this must be done, I say, after some light (Heb 6:4,5)despitefully (Heb 10:29) knowingly (2 Peter 2:21) and willfully (Heb10:26comparedwithverse29)andthatnotinahurryandsuddenfit,asPeter'swas,butwith some timebeforehand topauseupon it first,withJudas;andalsowithacontinuedresolutionnevertoturnorbeconvertedagain;"foritisimpossibletorenewsuchagaintorepentance,"theyaresoresolvedandsodesperate(Heb6).

Quest. And how sayest thou now? Didst thou ever, after thou hadstreceived some blessed light from Christ, willfully, despitefully, andknowinglystamportramplethebloodoftheManChristJesusunderthyfeet?andartthouforeverresolvedsotodo?

Answ.Ono;Iwouldnotdothatwillfully,despitefully,andknowingly,notforalltheworld.

Inquiry. But yet Imust tell you, now you putme inmind of it, surelysometimes I have most horrible blasphemous thoughts in me againstGod,Christ,andtheSpirit.MaynotthesebethatsinItrow?

Answ. Dost thou delight in them? Are they such things as thou takestpleasurein?

Reply.O no; neitherwould I do it for a thousandworlds.O,methinksthey make me sometimes tremble to think of them. But how and if IshoulddelightinthembeforeIamaware?

Answ. Beg of God for strength against them, and if at any time thoufindestthywickedhearttogivewayintheleastthereto,forthatislikely

enough,andthoughthoufinditmayonasuddengivewaytothatHell-bredwickednessthatisinit,yetdonotdespair,forasmuchasChristhathsaid,"Allmannerofsinsandblasphemiesshallbeforgiventothesonsofmen. Andwhosoever speaketh aword against the Son ofman," that isChrist, as he may do with Peter, through temptation, yet uponrepentance,"itshallbeforgivenhim"(Matt12:31,32).

Object. But I thought it might have been committed all on a sudden,eitherbysomeblasphemousthought,orelsebycommittingsomeotherhorriblesin.

Answ.Forcertain,thissinandthecommissionofitdothlieinaknowing,willful,malicious,ordespiteful,togetherwithafinaltramplingthebloodofsweetJesusunderfoot(Heb10).

Object.ButitseemstoberatheraresistingoftheSpirit,andthemotionsthereof, than this which you say; for, first, its proper title is the sinagainst the Holy Ghost; and again, "They have done despite unto theSpiritofgrace";sothatitratherseemstobe,Isay,thataresistingoftheSpirit,andthemovingsthereof,isthatsin.

Answ.First.Forcertain,thesiniscommittedbythemthatdoasbeforeIhavesaid--thatis,byafinal,knowing,willful,malicioustramplingunderfoot thebloodofChrist,whichwas shedonMountCalvarywhenJesuswastherecrucified.AndthoughitbecalledthesinagainsttheSpirit,yetasIsaidbefore,everysinagainsttheSpiritisnotthat;forifitwere,thenevery sin against the light and convictions of the Spirit would beunpardonable; but that is an evident untruth, for these reasons-- First,BecausetherebethosewhohavesinnedagainstthemovingsoftheSpirit,andthatknowinglytoo,andyetdidnotcommitthatsin;asJonah,whowhenGod had expressly byHis Spirit bid him go toNineveh, he runsthereupon quite another way. Secondly, Because the very people thathavesinnedagainst themovingsof theSpiritareyet, if theydo return,receivedtomercy.WitnessalsoJonah,whothoughhehadsinnedagainstthemovings of the Spirit of the Lord in doing contrary thereunto, "yetwhenhecalled,"ashesaith,"totheLord,"outof thebellyofHell, "theLORDheardhim,andgavehimdeliverance,andsethimagainabouthiswork."ReadthewholestoryofthatProphet.But,

Answ.Second.Ishallshowyouthatitmustneedsbewillfully,knowingly,andamaliciousrejectingoftheManChristJesusastheSaviour--thatis,counting His blood, His righteousness, His intercession in His ownPerson,forhethatrejectsonerejectsall,tobeofnovalueastosalvation;Isay,thisIshallshowyouistheunpardonablesin,andthenafterwardsinbriefshowyouwhyitiscalledthesinagainsttheHolyGhost.

[MustbeawillfullyandmaliciouslyrejectingtheSaviour.]

1.Thatmanthatdothreject,asaforesaid,theblood,death,righteousness,resurrection, ascension, and intercession of theManChrist, doth rejectthat sacrifice, thatblood, that righteousness, thatvictory, that rest, thatGodalonehathappointedforsalvation--"BeholdtheLamb,"orsacrifice,"ofGod"(John1:29)."WehaveredemptionthroughHisblood"(Eph1:7).That I may "be found in Him"--to wit, in Christ's righteousness, withChrist'sownpersonalobediencetoHisFather'swill(Phil3:7-10).ByHisresurrectioncomesjustification(Rom4:25).HisintercessionnowinHisownPersonintheHeavens,nowabsentfromHissaints, isthecauseofthesaints'perseverance(Rom8:33-39).

2.Theythatrejectthissacrifice,andthemeritsofthisChrist,whichHebyHimselfhathbroughtinforsinners,haverejectedHimthroughwhomaloneallthepromisesoftheNewTestament,togetherwithallthemercydiscoveredthereby,dothcomeuntopoorcreatures--"ForallthepromisesofGodinHimareyea,andinHimamen,untothegloryofGod"(2Cor1:20).AndallspiritualblessingsaremadeovertousthroughHim;thatis, through and in thisMan, which is Christ, we have all our spiritual,heavenly,andeternalmercies(Eph1:3,4).

3.Hethatdothknowingly,willfully,anddespitefullyrejectthisManforsalvationdothsin theunpardonablesin,because there isneveranothersacrifice to be offered. "There is no more offering for sin.--Thereremainethnomore sacrifice for sin," (Heb 10:18-26); namely, than theofferingofthebodyofJesusChristasacrificeonceforall(Heb10:10,14,compared with 18, 26). No; but they that shall, after light and clearconviction, reject the first offering ofHis body for salvation, do crucifyHimthesecondtime,whichirrecoverablymeritstheirowndamnation--"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have

tastedof theheavenlygift,andweremadepartakersof theHolyGhost,andhave tasted thegoodWordofGod,and thepowersof theworld tocome,iftheyshallfallaway,torenewthemagainuntorepentance;seeingtheycrucifytothemselvestheSonofGodafresh,andputHimtoanopenshame" (Heb6:4-6). "If they shall fall away, to renew themagain untorepentance." And why so? Seeing, saith the Apostle, they do crucify tothemselvestheSonofGodafresh,anddoputHimtoanopenshame.O,then, howmiserably hath the devil deceived some, in that he hath gotthemtorejectthemeritsofthefirstofferingofthebodyofChrist,whichwas for salvation, and got them to trust in a fresh crucifying of Christ,whichunavoidablybringstheirspeedydamnation.

4.TheythatdorejectthisMan,asaforesaid,dosintheunpardonablesin,becauseinrejectingHimtheydomakewayforthejusticeofGodtobreakoutuponthem,andtohandlethemasitshallfindthem;whichwillbe,inthe firstplace, sinnersagainst the first covenant;andalsodespisingof,eventhelife,andglory,andconsolations,pardon,grace,andlove,thatisdiscoveredinthesecondcovenant,forasmuchastheyrejecttheMediatorandpriestofthesame,whichistheManJesus.Andthemanthatdothso,I would fain see how his sins should be pardoned, and his soul saved,seeing themeans, which is the Son ofMan, the Son ofMary, andHismerits,arerejected;"for,"saithHe,"ifyoubelievenotthatIamHe,youshall,"mark,"youshall,"dowhatyoucan;"youshall,"appearwhereyoucan;"youshall,"followMoses'law,oranyholinesswhatsoever,"yeshalldie in your sins" (John 8:24). So that, I say, the sin that is called theunpardonable sin is a knowing, willful, and despiteful rejecting of thesacrificingoftheSonofManthefirsttimeforsin.

[WhyitiscalledthesinagainsttheHolyGhost.]

AndnowtoshowyouwhyitiscalledthesinagainsttheHolyGhost,asintheseScriptures,(Matt12;Heb10;Mark3).

1. Because they sin against the manifest light of the Spirit, as I saidbefore; it is a sin against the light of theSpirit--that is, theyhavebeenformerlyenlightenedintothenatureoftheGospelandthemeritsoftheMan Christ, and His blood, righteousness, intercession, etc.; and alsoprofessed and confessed the same, with some life and comfort in and

throughtheprofessionofHim;yetnowagainstallthatlight,maliciously,and with despite to all their former profession, turn their backs andtrampleuponthesame.

2.ItiscalledthesinagainsttheHolyGhostbecausesuchapersondoth,asImaysay,layviolenthandsonit;onethatsetshimselfinoppositionto,andisresolvedtoresistallthemotionsthatdocomeinfromtheSpiritto persuade the contrary. For I do verily believe thatmen, in this veryrejectingof theSonofGod,after someknowledgeofHim,especiallyattheirfirstresistingandrefusingofHim,theyhavecertainmotionsoftheSpirit of God to dissuade them from so great a soul-damning act. Butthey,beingfilledwithanoverpoweringmeasureofthespiritofthedevil,dodespiteuntotheseconvictionsandmotionsbystudyingandcontrivinghowtheymayanswerthem,andgetfromundertheconvincingnatureofthem,and therefore it is calledadoingdespiteunto theSpiritofGrace(Heb10:29).Andso,

3. In that they do reject the beseeching of the Spirit, and all its gentleentreatingsofthesoultotarrystillinthesamedoctrine.

4.InthattheydorejecttheverytestimonyoftheProphetsandApostleswith Christ Himself; I say, their testimony, through the Spirit, of thepower, virtue, sufficiency, and prevalency of the blood, sacrifice, death,resurrection, ascension, and intercession of the Man Christ Jesus, ofwhichtheScripturesarefullbothintheOldandNewTestament,astheApostle saith, for all the Prophets from Samuel, with them that followafter, have showed of these days--that is, in which Christ should be asacrificeforsin(Acts3:24,comparedwithverses6,13-15,18,26).Again,saith,he,"Hethereforethatdespisethnotman,butGod;whohathalsogivenuntousHisHolySpirit"(1Thessalonians4:8);thatis,herejectethordespiseththeverytestimonyoftheSpirit.

5.ItiscalledthesinagainsttheHolyGhost,becausehethatdothrejectanddisown the doctrine of salvation by theManChrist Jesus, throughbelievinginHim,dothdespise,resist,andrejectthewisdomoftheSpirit;forthewisdomofGod'sSpiritdidnevermoreappearthanitsfindingoutawayforsinnerstobereconciledtoGodbythedeathofthisMan;andtherefore Christ, asHe is a sacrifice, is called thewisdomofGod. And

again,whenitdothrevealtheLordJesusitiscalledthe"SpiritofwisdomandrevelationintheknowledgeofHim"(Eph1:17).

Object.But,somemaysay, theslightingorrejectingof theSonofMan,Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Mary, cannot be the sin that isunpardonable,asisclearfromthatScriptureinMatthew12:32,whereHeHimself saith, "Whosoever speaketh aword against the Son ofMan, itshallbeforgivenhim;butwhosoeverspeakethagainsttheHolyGhost,itshallnotbe forgivenhim,neither in thisworld,neither in theworld tocome."Now by this it is clear that the sin that is unpardonable is onething,andthesinagainsttheSonofMananother;thatsinthatisagainstthe Son ofMan is pardonable; but if thatwas the sin against theHolyGhost, itwouldnotbepardonable; therefore the sin against theSonofManisnotthesinagainsttheHolyGhost,theunpardonablesin.

Answ.1.Idoknowfullwellthatthereareseveralpersonsthathavebeenpardoned, yethave sinned against theSonofMan, and thathave for atimerejectedHim,asPaul(1Tim1:13,14)alsotheJews(Acts2:36,37).ButtherewasanignorantrejectingofHim,withouttheenlightening,andtaste, and feeling of the power of the things of God,mademention inHebrews 6:3-6. 2. There is and hath been a highermanner of sinningagainsttheSonofMan,whichalsohathbeen,andisstill,pardonable;asinthecaseofPeter,whoinaviolenttemptation,inamightyhurry,uponasuddendeniedHim,and thatafter the revelationof theSpiritofGodfromHeaventohim,thatHe,Jesus,wastheSonofGod(Matt16:16-18).Thisalso ispardonable, if therebeacomingupagaintorepentance.O,richgrace!O,wonderfulgrace!thatGodshouldbesofullof lovetoHispoor creatures, that though they do sin against the Son of God, eitherthrough ignorance, or some sudden violent charge breaking loose fromHell upon them, but yet take if for certain that if aman do slight andreject the Son of God and the Spirit in that manner as I have beforehinted--thatis,foramanaftersomegreatmeasureoftheenlighteningbytheSpiritofGod,andsomeprofessionofJesusChristtobetheSaviour,andHisbloodthatwasshedonthemountwithoutthegatesofJerusalemtobetheAtonement;

Isay,he thatshallafter thisknowingly,willfully,andoutofmaliceanddespite reject, speak against, and trample that doctrine under foot,

resolvingforeversotodo,andifhetherecontinue,Iwillpawnmysouluponit,hehathsinnedtheunpardonablesin,andshallneverbeforgiven,neither in thisworld,nor in theworld tocome;orelse theseScripturesthat testify the truthof thismustbescrabbledout,andmustbe lookedupon formere fables,whichare these following--"For if after theyhaveescapedthepollutionsof theworld, throughtheknowledgeofourLordandSaviourJesusChrist,"whichistheSonofMan(Matt16:13)"andareagainentangledtherein,andovercome,"whichmustbebydenyingthisLordthatbroughtthem(2Peter2:1)"the latterendisworsewiththemthan the beginning," (2 Peter 2:20). For it is impossible for thosewhowere once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift--and havetastedthegoodWordofGod,andthepowersoftheworldtocome;iftheyshallfallaway,"notonlyfall,butfallaway,thatis,finally(Heb10:29)"itis impossible to renew them again unto repentance"; and the reason isrendered,"seeingtheycrucifytothemselvestheSonofGod,"whichistheSonofMan,"afresh,andputHimtoanopenshame"(Heb6:4-6).

NowifyouwouldfurtherknowwhatitistocrucifytheSonofGodafresh,itisthis--fortoundervalueandtrampleunderfootthemeritsandvirtueofHis blood for remission of sins, as is clearlymanifested inHebrews10:26-28, where it is said, "For if we sin willfully after that we havereceived theknowledgeof theTruth, there remainethnomore sacrificefor sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fieryindignation,whichshalldevourtheadversaries.HethatdespisedMoses'law died without mercy,--of howmuch sorer punishment, suppose ye,shallhebethoughtworthy,whohathtroddenunderfoottheSonofGod,"there is the second crucifying of Christ, which theQuakers think to besavedby,"andhathcountedthebloodofthecovenant,wherewithhewassanctified, an unholy thing,"-- and then followeth--"and hath donedespite unto the Spirit ofGrace?" (verse 29).All that Paul had to keephimfromthissinwas,hisignoranceinpersecutingtheManandmeritsofJesus Christ (Acts 9). But I obtainedmercy, saith he, because I did itignorantly(1Tim1:13).

AndPeter,thoughhediddenyHimknowingly,yethediditunwillingly,and in a sudden and fearful temptation, and so by the intercession ofJesusescapedthatdanger.So,Isay,theythatcommitthissin,theydoit

afterlight,knowingly,willfully,anddespitefully,andintheopenviewofthewholeworldrejecttheSonofManforbeingtheirLordandSaviour,andinthatitiscalledthesinagainsttheHolyGhost.ItisanamemostfitforthissintobecalledthesinagainsttheHolyGhost,forthesereasonsbut now laid down; for this sin is immediately committed against themotions,andconvictions,andlightoftheHolySpiritofGodthatmakesititsbusinesstohandforthandmanifestthetruthandrealityofthemeritsand virtues of the Lord Jesus, the Son ofMan. And therefore beware,Ranters and Quakers, for I am sure you are the nearest that sin byprofession,which is, indeed, the right committing of it, of any personsthatIdoknowatthisdayunderthewholeheavens,forasmuchasyouwillnot venture the salvation of your souls on the blood shed on MountCalvary,outofthesideofthatManthatwasofferedupinsacrificeforallthatdidbelieve(Luke23:33).InthatHisofferingupofHisbodyatthattime,eitherbeforeHeofferedit,orthathave,do,orshallbelieveonitforthetimesince,togetherwiththattimethatHeofferedit,thoughformerlyyoudidprofessthatsalvationwaswroughtoutthatway,bythatsacrificethen offered, and also seemed to have some comfort thereby; yea,insomuch that some of you declared the same in the hearing ofmany,professingyourselvestobebelieversofthesame.

O,therefore,itissadforyouthatwereonceenlightened,andhavetastedthesegoodthings,andyet,notwithstandingallyourprofession,youarenow turned from the simplicity that is in Christ to another doctrine,whichwill be your destruction, if you continue in it; forwithout bloodthereisnoremission(Heb9:22).

Manyotherreasonsmightbegiven,butthatIwouldnotbetootedious;yetIwouldputinthiscaution,thatiftherebeanysoulsthatbebutnowwillingtoventuretheirsalvationuponthemeritsofanakedJesus,Idoverilyforthepresentbelievetheyhavenotsinnedthatsin,becausethereisstillapromiseholdsforthitselftosuchasoulwhereChristsaith,"Himthatcomethtome,Iwillinnowise,"fornothingthathehathdone,"casthimout" (John 6:37). That promise isworth to bewritten in letters ofgold.

OBJECTIONSANSWEREDFORTHEIRCOMFORTWHOWOULDHAVETHEIR

PARTINTHENEWCOVENANT.

Object.But,alas,thoughIshouldneversinthatsin,yetIhaveothersinsenoughtodamnme.

Answ.Whatthoughthouhadstthesinsofathousandsinners,yetifthoucometoChrist,Hewillsavethee(John6:37;SeealsoHebrews7:25).

Object.Alas,buthowshallIcome?IdoubtIdonotcomeasIshoulddo?Myheartisnaughtanddead;and,alas!thenhowshouldIcome?

Answ.Why, bethink thyself of all the sins that ever thoudidst commit,andlaytheweightofthemalluponthyheart, till thouartdownloadenwiththesame,andcometoHiminsuchacaseasthis,andHewillgivethee rest for thysoul (Matt 11:28-30).Andagain; if thouwouldstknowhowthoushouldstcome,comeasmuchundervaluingthyselfaseverthoucanst,saying,Lord,hereisasinner,thebasestinallthecountry;ifIhadmy deserts, I had been damned in Hell-fire long ago; Lord, I am notworthytohavetheleastcornerintheKingdomofHeaven;andyet,OthatThouwouldsthavemercy!ComelikeBenhadad'sservantstothekingofIsrael,witharopeaboutthyneck(1Kings20:31,32)andflingthyselfatChrist'sfeet,andliethereawhile,strivingwithHimbythyprayers,andIwillwarranttheespeed(Matt11:28-30;John6:37).

Object.O,butIamnotsanctified.

Answ.Hewill sanctify thee, andbemade thy sanctification also (1Cor1:30;6:10,11).

Object.O,butIcannotpray.

Answ.Toprayisnotfortheetodownonthyknees,andsayoveramanyScripturewords only; for that thoumayest do, and yet do nothing but

babble. But if thou from a sense of thy baseness canst groan out thyheart'sdesirebeforetheLord,Hewillhearthee,andgrantthydesire;forHe can tell what is the meaning of the groanings of the Spirit (Rom8:26,27).

Object.O,butIamafraidtopray,forfearmyprayersshouldbecountedassininthesightofthegreatGod.

Answ.Thatisagoodsignthatthyprayersaremorethanbarewords,andhave some prevalence at the Throne of Grace through Christ Jesus, orelsethedevilwouldneverseektolabourtobeattheeofffromprayerbyundervaluingthyprayers,tellingtheetheyaresin;forthebestprayershewillcalltheworst,andtheworsthewillcallthebest,orelsehowshouldhebealiar?

Object.But I amafraid the day of grace is past; and if it should be so,whatshouldIdothen?

Answ. Truly, with some men indeed it doth fare thus, that the day ofgraceisatanendbeforetheirlivesareatend.Orthus,thedayofgraceispast before the day of death is come, as Christ saith, "If thou hadstknown,eventhou,at least inthisthyday,thethingswhichbelonguntothypeace,"thatis,thewordofgraceorreconciliation,"butnowtheyarehidfromthineeyes"(Luke19:41,42).Butforthebettersatisfyingoftheeastouchingthisthing,considerthesefollowingthings--

First,DoththeLordknockstillatthedoorofthyheartbyHisWordandSpirit?Ifso,thenthedayofgraceisnotpastwiththysoul;forwhereHedoth so knock, thereHe doth also proffer and promise to come in andsup,thatis,tocommunicateofHisthingsuntothem,whichhewouldnotdowasthedayofgracepastwithhissoul(Rev3:20).

Object.ButhowshouldIknowwhetherChristdosoknockatmyheartastobedesiroustocomein?ThatImayknowalso,whetherthedayofgracebepastwithmeorno?

Answ.Considerthesethings--1.DoththeLordmaketheesensibleofthymiserable state without an interest in Jesus Christ, and that naturally

thouhastnoshareinHim,nofaithinHim,nocommunionwithHim,nodelightinHim,orloveintheleasttoHim?IfHehath,andisdoingthis,Hehath,andisknockingatthyheart.2.DothHe,togetherwiththis,putintothyheartanearnestdesireaftercommunionwithHim,togetherwithholyresolutionsnottobesatisfiedwithoutrealcommunionwithHim.3.DothHe sometimes give thee some secret persuasions, though scarcelydiscernible,thatthoumayestattain,andgetaninterestinHim?4.DothHenowandthenglanceinsomeofthepromisesintothyheart,causingthemtoleavesomeheavenlysavour,thoughbutforaveryshorttime,onthyspirit?5.DostthouatsometimeseesomelittleexcellencyinChrist?And doth all this stir up in thy heart some breathing afterHim? If so,thenfearnot,thedayofgraceisnotpastwiththypoorsoul;forifthedayofgraceshouldbepastwithsuchasoulasthis,thenthatScripturemustbebrokenwhereChristsaith,"HimthatcomethtoMe,Iwillinnowise,"for nothing, by nomeans, upon no termswhatsoever, "cast out. (John6:37).

Object.Butsurely,ifthedayofgracewasnotpastwithme,IshouldnotbesolongwithoutananswerofGod'slovetomysoul;thatthereforedothmakememistrustmystatethemoreis,thatIwaitandwait,andyetamnotdelivered.

Answ.1.HastthouwaitedontheLordsolongastheLordhathwaitedonthee?ItmaybetheLordhathwaitedontheethesetwenty,orthirty,yes,fortyyearsormore,andthouhathnotwaitedonHimsevenyears.Castthisintothymind,therefore,whenSatantellstheethatGoddothnotlovethee,becausethouhastwaitedsolongwithoutanassurance,foritishistemptation, forGoddidwait longerupon thee, andwas fain to send totheebyHisambassadorstimeaftertime;and,therefore,saythou,Iwillwait toseewhat theLordwill sayuntome;and therather,becauseHewillspeakpeace,forHeistheLordthereof.But,2.Knowthatitisnotthybeingunder troublea long timethatwillbeanargumentsufficiently toprove that thou art past hopes; nay, contrariwise, for Jesus Christ didtakeournatureuponHim,andalsodidundertakedeliveranceforthose,and bring it in for them who "were all their LIFETIME subject tobondage"(Heb2:14,15).

Object. But alas! I amnot able towait, allmy strength is gone; I have

waitedsolong,Icanwaitnolonger.

Answ. It may be thou hast concluded on this long ago, thinking thoushouldstnotbeabletoholdoutanylonger;no,notayear,amonth,oraweek; nay, itmay be, not so long. Itmay be in themorning thou hastthought thoushouldstnotholdout tillnight;andatnight, tillmorningagain;yet theLordhathsupported thee,andkept thee inwaitinguponHimmanyweeksandyears; therefore that isbut the temptationof thedeviltomaketheethinkso,thathemightdrivetheetodespairofGod'smercy,andsotoleaveofffollowingthewaysofGod,andtocloseinwiththysinsagain.Othereforedonotgivewayuntoit,butbelievethatthoushalt"seethegoodnessoftheLordinthelandoftheliving.WaitontheLord,beofgoodcourage,andHeshallstrengthenthineheart;wait,Isay,ontheLord"(Psa28:13,14).Andthatthoumayestsodo,considerthesethings--(1.)If thou,afterthouhastwaitedthuslong,shouldstnowgiveover, andwait no longer, thouwouldst lose all thy time andpains thatthouhasttakeninthewayofGodhitherto,andwiltbeliketoamanthat,becausehesoughtlongforgold,anddidnotfindit,thereforeturnedbackfromseekingafterit,thoughhewashardbyit,andhadalmostfoundit,andallbecausehewas loath to lookandseeka little further. (2.)Thouwilt not only lose thy time, but also lose thy own soul, for salvation isnowhereelsebutinJesusChrist(Acts4:12).(3.)Thouwiltsinthehighestsinthateverthoudidstsinbefore,indrawingfinallyback,insomuchthatGodmaysay,Mysoulshallhavenopleasureinhim(Heb10:38).But,2.Consider,thousayest,allmystrengthisgone,andthereforehowshouldIwait?Why,atthattimewhenthoufeelestandfindestthystrengthquitegone,eventhatisthetimewhentheLordwillrenewandgivetheefreshstrength."Theyouthsshallfaintandbeweary,andtheyoungmenshallutterly fall:buttheythatwaitupontheLordshallrenewtheirstrength:they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not beweary;theyshallwalk,andnotfaint"(Isa40:30,31).

Object.But thoughIdowait,yet if Ibenotelectedtoeternal life,whatgoodwillallmywaitingdome?"Foritisnotofhimthatwilleth,norofhimthatrunneth,butofGodthatshowethmercy."Therefore,Isay, ifIshouldnotbeelected,allisinvain.

Answ.1.Whyinthefirstplace,tobesurethybackslidingfromGodwill

notprove thyelection,neither thygrowingwearyofwaitinguponGod.But,2.Thouart, itmaybe, troubled toknowwhether thouart elected;and,sayestthou,IfIdidbutknowthat,thatwouldencouragemeinmywaitingonGod.Answ.Ibelievethee;butmark,thoushaltnotknowthyelectioninthefirstplace,butinthesecond--thatistosay,thoumustfirstgetacquaintancewithGodinChrist,whichdothcomebythygivingcredittoHispromises,andrecordswhichHehathgivenofJesusChrist'sbloodand righteousness, together with the rest of Hismerits--that is, beforethou canst know whether thou are elected, thoumust believe in JesusChristsoreally,thatthyfaithlayingholdof,anddrinkingandeatingthefleshandbloodofChrist,evensothatthereshallbelifebegotteninthysoul by the same; life from the condemnings of the Law; life from theguiltofsin;lifeoverthefilthofthesame;lifealsotowalkwithGodinHisSon andways; the life of love toGod the Father, and Jesus ChristHisSon,saintsandwaysandthatbecausetheyareholy,harmless,andsuchthatarealtogethercontrarytoiniquity.

For these thingsmustbe in thysoulasa forerunnerof thybeingmadeacquaintedwiththeother;GodhaththesetwowaystoshowHischildrentheir election--(1.) By testimony of the Spirit--that is, the soul beingunder trouble of conscience andgrieved for sin, theSpirit doth seal upthesoulbyitscomfortabletestimony;persuadingofthesoulthatGod,forChrist's sake, hath forgiven all those sins that lie so heavy on theconscience,andthatdosomuchperplexthesoul,byshowingitthatthatLaw,whichdothuttersuchhorriblecursesagainstit,isbyChrist'sbloodsatisfiedandfulfilled(Eph1:13,14).(2.)Byconsequence--thatis,thesoulfindingthatGodhathbeengooduntoit,inthatHehathshowedititsloststate and miserable condition, and also that He hath given it somecomfortablehopethatHewillsaveitfromthesame;Isay,thesoul,fromarightsightthereof,doth,ormay,drawthisconclusion,thatifGodhadnot beenminded to have saved it,Hewould not have done for it suchthingsasthese.Butforthemoresuredealingwiththysoul,itisnotgoodtotakeanyoftheseapart--thatis,itisnotgoodtotakethetestimonyoftheSpirit,asthousupposestthouhast,apartfromthefruitsthereof,soasto conclude the testimony thou hast received to be a sufficient groundwithouttheother;notthatitisnot,ifitbethetestimonyoftheSpirit,butbecausethedevildothalsodeceivesoulsbytheworkingsofhisspiritin

them,pretendingthatitistheSpiritofGod.

And again; thou shouldst not satisfy thyself, though thoudo find someseekings in thee after thatwhich is good,without the testimony of theother--thatistosay,oftheSpirit--foritisthetestimonyoftwothatistobe taken for the truth; therefore, say I, as thou shouldst be much inpraying for theSpirit to testify assurance to thee, soalso thou shouldstlook to the end of it when thou thinkest thou hast it; which is this, toshowtheethatitisaloneforChrist'ssakethatthysinsareforgiventhee,andalso therebya constrainingof thee toadvanceHim,bothbywordsandworks, in holiness and righteousness all the days of thy life. Fromhence thoumayst boldly conclude thy election--"Rememberingwithoutceasingyourworkoffaith,andlabouroflove,andpatienceofhopeinourLord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father. Knowing,brethren," saith theApostle, "beloved, your election ofGod." But how?whybythis,"ForourGospelcamenotuntoyouinwordonly,butalsoinpower, and in theHolyGhost, and inmuch assurance.And ye becamefollowers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in muchaffliction,withjoyoftheHolyGhost:sothatyewereensamplestoallthatbelieveinMacedoniaandAchaia.AndtowaitforHisSonfromHeaven,whomHe raised from the dead, even Jesus, which" hath "delivered usfromthewrathtocome"(1Thess3:4-6,10).

Object. But alas, formy part, instead of finding inme anything that isgood, I find in me all manners of wickedness, hard- heartedness,hypocricy, coldness of affection to Christ, very great unbelief, togetherwitheverythingthatisbaseandofanillsavour.WhathopethereforecanIhave?

Answ.Ifthouwastnotsuchanone,thouhadstnoneedofmercy.Ifthouwastwhole,thouhadstnoneedofthephysician.Dostthouthereforeseethyselfinsuchasadconditionasthis?ThouhastthemoreneedtocometoChrist,thatthoumaystbenotonlycleansedfromtheseevils,butalsothatthoumaystbedeliveredfromthatwraththeywillbringuponthee,ifthoudostnotgetridofthem,toalleternity.

Quest. But how should I do? and what course should I take to bedeliveredfromthissadandtroublesomecondition?

Answ.Dostthouseeintheeallmannerofwickedness?ThebestwaythatIcandirectasoulinsuchacaseis,topitchasteadfasteyeonHimthatisfull,andtolooksosteadfastlyuponHimbyfaith,thattherebythoumaystevendrawdownofHis fullness intothyheart; for that is therightway,and theway thatwas typedout, beforeChrist came in the flesh, in thetimeofMoses,whentheLordsaiduntohim,"Maketheeafieryserpent"ofbrass,whichwasatypeofChrist"andset ituponapole;anditshallcometopass"thatwhenaserpenthathbittenanyman,"whenhelookethuponit,shall live"(Num21:8).EvensonowinGospel times,whenanysoulisbittenwiththefieryserpents--theirsins--thatthenthenextwaytobehealedis,forthesoultolookupontheSonofMan,who,astheserpentwas,washangedonapole,ortree,thatwhosoevershall indeedlookonHim by faith may be healed of all their distempers whatever (John3:14,15).

As now to instance in some things. 1. Is thy heart hard? Why, then,beholdhowfullofbowelsandcompassionistheheartofChristtowardsthee,whichmaybe seen inHis comingdown fromHeaven to spillHisheart-bloodforthee.2.Isthyheartslothfulandidle?ThenseehowactivetheLordJesusisfortheeinthatHedidnotonlydieforthee,butalsointhat He hath been ever since His ascension into Heaven makingintercessionforthee(Heb7:25).3.Dostthouseeandfindintheeiniquityandunrighteousness?ThenlookuptoHeaven,andseetherearighteousPerson,eventhyrighteousJesusChrist,nowpresentingtheeinHisownperfection before the throne ofHis Father's glory (1 Cor 1:30). 4. Dostthouseethatthouartverymuchvoidofsanctification?Thenlookup,andthoushaltseethatthysanctificationisinthepresenceofGodacompletesanctification,representingallthesaintsasrighteous,assanctifiedonesin the presence of the great God of Heaven. And so whatsoever thouwantest, be sure to strive to pitch thy faith upon the Son of God, andbeholdHimsteadfastly,andthoushalt,bysodoing,findamightychangeinthysoul.ForwhenwebeholdHimasinaglass,eventhegloryoftheLord,wearechanged,namely,bybeholding,"fromglorytoglory,evenasby theSpiritof theLord" (2Cor3:18).This is the trueway togetbothcomfort to thy soul, and also sanctification and right holiness into thysoul.

Poorsoulsthatareunderthedistemperofaguiltyconscience,andundertheworkingsofmuchcorruption,donotgothenearestwaytoHeaveniftheydonot inthefirstplace lookuponthemselvesascursedsinnersbyLaw;andyetatthattimetheyareblessed,foreverblessedsaintsbythemeritsofJesusChrist."OwretchedmanthatIam,"saithPaul;andyet,Oblessed man that I am, through my Lord Jesus Christ; for that is thescopeoftheScripture(Rom7:24,25).

Object.But,alas,Iamblind,andcannotsee;whatshallIdonow?

Answ.Why,truly,thoumustgotoHimthatcanmaketheeyesthatareblindtosee,eventoourLordJesus,byprayer,saying,asthepoorblindmandid,"Lord,thatImightreceivemysight";andsocontinuebeggingHim, till thou do receive sight, even a sight of JesusChrist,His death,blood, resurrection, ascension, intercession, and that for thee, even forthee.And the rather,because, 1.Hehath invited thee to comeandbuysucheye-salveofHimthatmaymaketheesee(Rev3:18).2.Becausethoushalt never have any true comfort till thou dost thus come to see andbehold the Lamb of God that hath taken away thy sins (John 1:29). 3.Because that thereby thouwilt be able through grace, to step over andturnasidefromtheseveralstumbling-blocksthatSatan,togetherwithhisinstruments,hathlaidinourway,whichotherwisethouwiltnotbeabletoshun,butwillcertainlyfallwhenothersstand,andgropeandstumblewhenothersgoupright,tothegreatprejudiceofthypoorsoul.

Object.But,alas,Ihavenothingtocarrywithme;howthenshouldIgo?

Answ.Hastthounosins?Ifthouhast,carrythem,andexchangethemforHisrighteousness;becauseHehathsaid,"CastthyburdenupontheLord,andHeshallsustainthee"(Psa54:22);andagain,becauseHehathsaid,thoughthoubeheavyladen,yetifthoudobutcometoHim,Hewillgivetheerest(Matt11:28).

Object.But,youwillsay,SatantellethmethatIamsocoldinprayers,soweak inbelieving, sogreata sinner, that Idogo so slothfullyon in theway of God, that I am so apt to slip at every temptation, and to beentangledtherewith, togetherwithother things,so that IshallneverbeabletoattainthoseblessedthingsthatareheldforthtosinnersbyJesus

Christ; and therefore my trouble is much upon this account also, andmanytimesIfearthatwillcomeuponmewhichSatansuggestethtome--thatis,Ishallmissofeternallife.

Answ.1.Astothelatterpartoftheobjection,thatthoushaltneverattainto everlasting life, that is obtained for thee already, without thy doing,eitherthypraying,striving,orwrestlingagainstsin.Ifwespeakproperly,itisChristthathathinHisownbodyabolisheddeathontheCross,andbroughtlight,life,andglorytousthroughthisHisthusdoing.Butthisisthe thing that thouaimestat, that thoushaltneverhaveashare in thislifealreadyobtainedforsomanyasdocomebyfaithtoJesusChrist;andall because thou art so slothful, so cold, so weak, so great a sinner, sosubjecttoslipandcommitinfirmities.2.Ianswer,Didstthouneverlearnfortooutshootthedevilinhisownbow,andtocutoffhisheadwithhisownsword,asDavidservedGoliath,whowasatypeofhim.

Quest.Ohowshouldapoorsouldothis?Thisisrare,indeed.

Answ.Why,trulythus--DothSatantelltheethouprayestbutfaintly,andwith very colddevotion?Answerhim thus, and say, I amgladyou toldme,forthiswillmakemetrustthemoretoChrist'sprayers,andthelesstomyown;alsoIwillendeavourhenceforthtogroan,tosigh,andtobesoferventinmycryingattheThroneofGrace,thatIwill,ifIcan,maketheheavens rattle againwith themighty groans thereof.Andwhereas thousayestthatIamsoweakinbelieving,Iamgladyoumindmeofit;IhopeitwillhenceforwardstirmeuptocrythemoreheartilytoGodforstrongfaith,andmakemethemorerestlesstillIhaveit.AndseeingthoutellestmethatIrunsosoftly,andthatIshallgoneartomissofglory,thisalsoshallbe,throughgrace,tomyadvantage,andcausemetopressthemoreearnestly towards themark for the prize of the high calling of God inChrist Jesus. And seeing thou dost tell me thatmy sins are wondrousgreat, hereby thou bringest the remembrance of the unsupportablevengeanceofGodintomymind,ifIdieoutofJesusChrist,andalsothenecessityof theblood,death,andmeritsofChrist tohelpme; Ihope itwillmakemeflythefaster,andpresstheharderafteraninterestinHim;andtherather,because,asthoutellestme,mystatewillbeunspeakablymiserablewithoutHim.Andsoallalong,ifhetelltheeofthydeadness,dullness,coldness,orunbelief,orthegreatnessofthysins,answerhim,

andsay,Iamgladyoutoldme,Ihopeitwillbeameanstomakemerunfaster,seekearnestlier,andtobethemorerestlessafterJesusChrist.Ifthoudidstbutgetthisartastooutrunhiminhisownshoes,asImaysay,andtomakehisowndartstopiercehimself,thenthoumightstalsosay,howdothSatan's temptations,aswellasallother things,worktogetherformygood,formyadvantage(Rom8:28).

Object.ButIdofindmanyweaknessesineverydutythatIdoperform,aswhenIpray,whenIread,whenIhear,oranyotherduty,thatitmakethme out of conceit with myself, it makethme think that my duties arenothingworth.

Answ. I answer, it may be it is thy mercy that thou art sensible ofinfirmitiesinthybestthingsthoudoest;ay,agreatermercythanthouartawareof.

Quest.Canitmeamercyformetobetroubledwithmycorruptions?Canitbeaprivilegeformetobeannoyedwithmyinfirmities,andtohavemybestdutiesinfectedwithit?Howcanitpossiblybe?

Answ. Verily, thy sins appearing in thy best duties, do work for thyadvantage theseways--1. In that thou findestgroundenoughthereby tomaketheehumble;andwhenthouhastdoneall,yettocountthyselfbutanunprofitable servant.And,2.Thouby thismeans art takenoff fromleaningonanythingbelowanakedJesusforeternallife.Itislike,ifthouwast not sensible of many by-thoughts and wickednesses in thy bestperformances, thou wouldst go near to be some proud, abominablehypocrite,orasilly,prouddissemblingwretchatthebest,suchanoneaswouldsendthysoultothedevilinabundleofthyownrighteousness.Butnow,thou,throughgrace,seestthatinallandeverythingthoudoestthereissinenough in it tocondemnthee.This, in the firstplace,makes theehave a care of trusting in thy owndoings; and, secondly, showeth theethatthereisnothinginthyselfwhichwilldotheeanygoodbyworkinginthee,astothemeritoriouscauseofthysalvation.No;butthoumusthavea share in the birth of Jesus, in the death of Jesus, in the blood,resurrection, ascension, and intercession of a crucified Jesus. And howsayestthou?Dothnotthyfindingofthisintheecausetheetoflyfromadepending on thy own doings? And doth it not also make thee more

earnestlytogroanaftertheLordJesus?

Yea,andletmetelltheealso,itwillbeacausetomaketheeadmirethefreenessandtenderheartednessofChrist to thee,whenHeshall liftupthe lightofHiscountenanceuponthee,becauseHehathregardedsuchanoneasthou,sinfulthou;andtherefore,inthissense,itwillbemercyto the saints that they do find the relics of sin still struggling in theirhearts.Butthisisnotsimplythenatureofsin,butthemercyandwisdomofGod,whocausethallthingstoworktogetherforthegoodofthosethatloveandfearGod(Rom8).And,therefore,whateverthoufindestinthysoul,thoughitbesinofneversoblackasoul-scarringnature,letitmovethee to run the faster to the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt not beashamed--thatis,ofthyrunningtoHim.

Butwhen thou dost apprehend that thou art defiled, and also thy bestdutiesannoyedwithmanyweaknesses, let thatScripture come into thythoughtswhichsaith,"OfHimareyeinChristJesus,whoofGodismadeuntouswisdom,andrighteousness,andsanctification,andredemption";andifthoushaltunderstandthat,whatthoucanstnotfindinthyselfthoushaltfindinChrist.Artthouafoolinthyself?thenChristismadeofGodthywisdom.Art thouunrighteous in thyself?Christ ismadeofGod thyrighteousness.Dostthoufindthatthereisbutverylittlesanctifyinggraceinthysoul?stillhereisChristmadethysanctification;andallthisinHisownPersonwithoutthee,withoutthywisdom,withoutthyrighteousness,without thy sanctification, without in His own Person in thy Father'spresence, appearing there perfect wisdom, righteousness, andsanctification inHis ownPerson; I say, as a public Person for thee; sothatthoumayestbelieve,andsaytothysoul,Mysoul,thoughdostfindinnumerable infirmities in thyself,and inthyactions,yet lookuponthyJesus,theManJesus;Heiswisdom,andthatforthee,togovernthee,totakecareforthee,andtoorderallthingsforthebestforthee.HeisalsothyrighteousnessnowatGod'srighthand,alwaysshiningbeforetheeyesofHisglory;sothatthereitisunmoveable,thoughthouartinneversuchasadcondition,yetthyrighteousness,whichistheSonofGod,God-man,shinesasbrightasever,andisasmuchacceptedofGodasever.Othissometimeshathbeenlifetome;andso,whateverthou,Omysoul,findestwanting in thyself, through faith thou shalt see all laid up for thee in

Jesus Christ, whether it be wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, orredemption.Nay,notonlyso,but,asIsaidbefore,HeisalltheseinHisownPersonwithouttheeinthepresenceofHisFatherforthee.

Object.Butnow,ifanyshouldsayintheirhearts,O,butIamoneoftheold-covenantmen,Idoubt--thatis,IdoubtIamnotwithinthisgloriousCovenantofGrace.AndhowifIshouldnot?

Answ.Well, thoufearest thatthouareoneof theoldcovenant,asonofthebond-woman.1.Inthefirstplace,knowthatthouwastoneofthembynature, for all by nature are under that covenant; but set the case thatthouarttothisdayunderthat,yetletmetellthee,inthefirstplace,therearehopesforthee;forthereisagapopen,awaymadeforsoulstocomefromundertheCovenantofWorks,byChrist,"forHehathbrokendownthe middle wall of partition between us" and you (Eph 2:14). Andtherefore, if thouwouldstbesaved,thoumayestcometoChrist; if thouwantest a righteousness, as I saidbefore, there isone inChrist; if thouwouldstbewashed,thoumayestcometoChrist;andif thouwouldstbejustified,thereisjustificationenoughintheLordJesusChrist.Thatisthefirst.2.AndthoucanstnotbesowillingtocometoChristasHeiswillingthoushouldstcometoHim.WitnessHiscomingdownfromHeaven,Hishumiliation, His spilling of His blood from both His cheeks, by sweatundertheburdenofsin(Luke22:44)andHissheddingofitbythespearwhenHehangedon theCross. It appears alsobyHispromises, byHisinvitations,byHis sending forthHismessengers topreach the same topoorsinners,andthreatenethdamnationuponthisveryaccount,namely,theneglectofHim;anddeclaresthatallthethousandsandtenthousandsof sins in theworld should not be able to damn those that believed inHim;thatHewouldpardonall,forgiveandpassbyall,iftheywouldbutcome unto Him; moreover, promiseth to cast out none, no, not thepoorest,vilest,contemptiblestcreatureinthewholeworld.

"Come untoMe all," every one, though you be never somany, so vile,thoughyourloadbeneversoheavyandintolerable,thoughyoudeservenohelp,nottheleasthelp,nomercy,nottheleastcompassion,yet"castyourburdenuponMe,andyoushallfindrestforyoursouls."ComeuntoMeandIwillhealyou, loveyou, teachyou,and tellyou theway to theKingdomofHeaven.ComeuntoMe,andIwillsuccouryou,helpyou,and

keep you from all devils and their temptations, from the Law and itscurses,andfrombeingforeverovercomewithanyevilwhatever.ComeuntoMe forwhat youneed, and tellMewhat youwouldhave, orwhatyouwouldhaveMedo for you, andallMy strength, love,wisdom, andinterestthatIhavewithMyFathershallbelaidoutforyou.ComeuntoMe, your sweet Jesus, your loving and tender-hearted Jesus, youreverlastingandsin-pardoningJesus.ComeuntoMe,andIwillwashyou,andputMyrighteousnessuponyou,praytotheFatherforyou,andsendMySpiritintoyou,thatyoumightbesaved.Therefore,

Consider, besides this, what a privilege thou shalt have at the Day ofJudgmentabovethousands,ifthoudoindeedandintruthcloseinwiththisJesusandacceptofHim;forthoushaltnotonlyhaveaprivilegeinthis life, but in the life everlasting, even at the time of Christ's secondcoming from Heaven; for then, when there shall be the whole worldgathered together, and all the good angels, bad angels, saints, andreprobates,whenallthyfriendsandkindred,withthyneighboursontherighthandandontheleftshallbewiththee,beholdingofthewonderfulglory andmajesty of the SonofGod; then shall the SonofGlory, evenJesus,intheveryviewandsightofthemall,smileandlookkindlyuponthee;whenasmileorakindlookfromChristshallbeworthmorethantenthousandworlds,thenthoushalthaveit.Youknowit iscountedanhonourforapoormantobefavourablylookeduponbyajudge,oraking,in thesightof lords,earls,dukes,andprinces;why, thus itwillbewiththeeinthesightofalltheprincelysaints,angels,anddevils,inthesightofall thegreatnobles in theworld; then,eventhouthatclosest inwithChrist,bethourichorpoor,bethoubondorfree,wiseorfoolish,ifthouclose inwithHim,Hewill sayunto thee, "Welldone,goodand faithfulservant,"eveninthemidstof thewholeworld; theythat lovetheeshallseeit,andtheythathatetheeshallalltotheirshamebeholdit;forifthoufearHimhereinsecret,Hewillmakeitmanifestevenatthatdayuponthehouse-tops.

Secondly, Not only thus, but thou shalt also be lovingly received andtenderly embraced of Him at that day, when Christ hath thousands ofgallant saints, as old Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah,togetherwithall theProphets, andApostles, andmartyrs, attendingon

Him; together with many thousands of glittering angels ministeringbeforeHim;besides,whentheungodlyshallappeartherewiththeirpalefaces,withtheirguiltyconsciences,andtremblingsouls,thatwouldthengivethousandsandtenthousandsofworlds,iftheyhadsomany,iftheycouldenjoybutonelovinglookfromChrist.Isay,then,thenshaltthouhave the hand of Christ, reached to thee kindly to receive thee, saying,Come,thoublessed,stepuphither;thouwaswillingtoleaveallforMe,andnowwillIgivealltothee;hereisathrone,acrown,akingdom,takethem;thouwastnotashamedofMewhenthouwastintheworldamongmyenemies,andnowwillnotIbeashamedoftheebeforethineenemies,butwill, in theviewofall thesedevilsanddamnedreprobatespromotetheetohonouranddignity."Come,yeblessedofMyFather, inherit thekingdompreparedforyoufromthefoundationoftheworld."Thoushaltsee that those who have served Me in truth shall lose nothing by themeans.

No;but ye shallbeaspillars inMy temple, and inheritorsofMyglory,andshallhaveplacetowalkinamongMysaintsandangels(Zech3:7).O!whowouldnotbe in this condition?whowouldnotbe in thisglory? Itwill be such a soul-ravishing glory, that I am ready to think thewholereprobateworldwillbereadytorunmad,tothinkthattheyshouldmissofit(Deu28:34).Thenwillthevilestdrunkard,swearer,liar,anduncleanpersonwillinglycry,"Lord,Lord,opentous,"yetbedeniedofentrance;andthouinthemeantimeembraced,entertained,madewelcome,haveafairmitresetuponthyhead,andclothedwithimmortalglory(Zech3:5).O,therefore,letallthismovethee,andbeofweightuponthysoultocloseinwith Jesus, this tender-hearted Jesus.And if yet, for allwhat I havesaid, thy sinsdo still stickwith thee, and thou findest thyhellishheartloath to let themgo, thinkwith thyself in thismanner--Shall Ihavemysins and losemy soul?Will they dome any goodwhen Christ comes?Would notHeaven be better tome thanmy sins? and the company ofGod, Christ, saints, and angels, be better than the company of Cain,Judas,Balaam,withthedevilsinthefurnaceoffire?Canstthounowthatreadestorhearesttheselinesturnthyback,andgooninyoursins?Canstthou set so light ofHeaven, ofGod, of Christ, and the salvation of thypoor,yetprecioussoul?CanstthouhearofChrist,Hisbloodysweatanddeath, and not be taken with it, and not be grieved for it, and also

convertedbyit?Ifso,Imightlaytheedownseveralconsiderationstostirthee up to mend thy pace towards Heaven; but I shall not; there isenoughwrittenalreadytoleavethysoulwithoutexcuseandtobringtheedownwith a vengeance intoHell-fire, devouring fire, the Lake of Fire,eternaleverlastingfire;Otomaketheeswimandrollupanddownintheflamesofthefurnaceoffire!