TheBruisedReed

ByRichardSibbes

TableofContents

1.TheReedandtheBruisingChrist'scalling-HowChristpursueshiscalling–Whatitistobebruised-Thegoodeffectsofbruising

2.ChristWillNotBreaktheBruisedReedChrist's dealings with the bruised reed - For ourselves - Who are thebruisedreeds?

3.TheSmokingFlaxGraceislittleatfirst-Graceismingledwithcorruption

4.ChristWillNotQuenchtheSmokingFlaxTheleastsparkofgraceisprecious-Supporttheweak

5.TheSpiritofMercyShouldMoveUsSimplicity and humility - Sound judgment - How those in authorityshouldact-Wearedebtorstotheweak

6.MarksoftheSmokingFlaxOurruleisthecovenantofgrace-Thepresenceofthe.heavenlyfire

7.HelpfortheWeakTemptationswhichhindercomfort-Weaknessshouldnotkeepusfromduty

8.DutiesandDiscouragementsWeshouldpersistinduties-Overcomingdiscouragements-Thesourceof discouragements - Some scruples removed - What are sins ofinfirmity?

9.BelieveChrist,NotSatanHowwe should think of Christ -WhenChrist seems to be an enemy -Whendoubtassailsus

10.QuenchNottheSpiritFalsedespairofChrist'smercy-FalsehopeofChrist'smercy-ResistingChrist'smercy-PresumingonChrist'smercy-Seekinganothersourceofmercy-Mistreatingtheheirsofmercy-Strifeamongtheheirsofmercy-Takingadvantageofthebruised-Despisingthesimplemeansofmercy

11.Christ'sJudgmentandVictoryChrist's judgment established in us - Christ's mildness and hisgovernment - Pardon leads to obedience - Justification leads tosanctification

12.Christ'sWiseGovernmentJudgment andwisdom - The need for heavenly light -Where Christ'sgovernment is set up - How Christ governs us - The effects of this inpractice

13.GraceShallReignWhyChrist'skingdommustprevail-Whytheenemyseemsvictorious-ConsolationforweakChristians-EvidencesofChrist'sruleinus

14.MeanstoMakeGraceVictoriousRules for right judgment - Keeping our judgment clear - Reasons forseeminglackofprogress-AllshouldsidewithChrist

15.Christ'sPublicTriumphTheopengloryofChristinhismembers-Followsincerityandtruth-Christaloneadvancesthisgovernment-Wemustnotlooktoourselves-ChristmakesusfeelourdependenceThetriumphofgrace

16.ThroughConflicttoVictoryWhyChrist'sgovernmentisopposed-Wemustexpectopposition-OurvictoryinChristiscertain-Treasurethe leastdegreeofgrace-EncouragementtocometoChrist-Christisthehopeofthechurch-Faithwillprevail

Copyright

1.TheReedandtheBruising

The prophet Isaiah, being lifted up and carried with the wing of aprophetical spirit, passes over all the time between him and theappearingofJesusChrist in the flesh.Seeingwith theeyeofprophecy,andwiththeeyeoffaith,Christaspresent,hepresentshim,inthenameofGod,tothespiritualeyeofothers,inthesewords:`Beholdmyservant,whomIuphold;mineelect, inwhommysouldelighteth;Ihaveputmyspirituponhim:heshallbring forth judgment to theGentiles.Heshallnotcry,norliftup,norcausehisvoicetobeheardinthestreet.Abruisedreed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: heshall bring forth judgment unto truth' (Isa. 42:1 3). These words areallegedbyMatthewas fulfillednow inChrist (Matt. 12:1820). In themare propounded, first, the calling of Christ to his office; secondly, themannerinwhichhecarriesitout.

CHRIST'SCALLING

Godcallshimherehisservant.ChristwasGod'sservant in thegreatestpieceofservicethateverwas,achosenandachoiceservantwhodidandsufferedallbycommissionfromtheFather.InthiswemayseethesweetloveofGodtous,inthathecountstheworkofoursalvationbyChristhisgreatest service, and in that he will put his only beloved Son to thatservice.Hemightwellprefixitwith`Behold'toraiseupourthoughtstothe highest pitch of attention and admiration. In time of temptation,apprehensiveconscienceslooksomuchtothepresenttroubletheyareinthattheyneedtoberouseduptobeholdhiminwhomtheymayfindrestfortheirdistressedsouls.IntemptationsitissafesttobeholdnothingbutChrist the truebrazenserpent, the true`LambofGodthat takethawaythe sin of the world', (John 1:29). This saving object has a specialinfluenceofcomforttothesoul,especiallyifwelooknotonlyonChrist,butupontheFather'sauthorityandloveinhim.ForinallthatChristdidandsufferedasMediator,wemustseeGodinhimreconcilingtheworlduntohimself(2Cor.5:19).

What a support to our faith is this, that God the Father, the partyoffendedbyoursins,issowellpleasedwiththeworkofredemption!Andwhat a comfort is this, that, seeing God's love rests on Christ, as wellpleasedinhim,wemaygatherthatheisaswellpleasedwithus,ifwebeinChrist!ForhisloverestsinawholeChrist,inChristmystical,aswellas

Christ natural, because he loves him and us with one love. Let us,therefore, embrace Christ, and in him God's love, and build our faithsafelyonsuchaSaviourthatisfurnishedwithsohighacommission.

See here, for our comfort, a sweet agreement of all three persons: theFathergivesacommissiontoChrist;theSpiritfurnishesandsanctifiestoit,andChristhimselfexecutestheofficeofaMediator.OurredemptionisfoundeduponthejointagreementofallthreepersonsoftheTrinity.

HOWCHRISTPURSUESHISCALLING

Thisisheresaidtobedonemodestly,withoutmakinganoise,orraisingdustbyanypompouscoming,asprincesareaccustomedtodo.`Hisvoiceshallnotbeheard.'Hisvoice indeedwasheard,butwhatvoice?`Comeuntome,allyethatlabourandareheavyladen'(Matt.11:28).Hecried,buthow?`Ho,everyonethatthirsteth,comeyetothewaters'(Isa.55:1).Andashiscomingwasmodest,soitwasmild,whichissetdowninthesewords:`Abruisedreedshallhenotbreak,andsmokingflaxshallhenotquench.'

Wesee,therefore,thattheconditionofthosewithwhomhewastodealwasthattheywerebruisedreedsandsmokingflax;nottrees,butreeds;andnotwhole,butbruisedreeds.Thechurchiscomparedtoweakthings:to a dove amongst the fowls; to a vine amongst the plants; to sheepamongstthebeasts;toawoman,whichistheweakervessel.

God'schildrenarebruisedreedsbefore theirconversionandoftentimesafter. Before conversion all (except such as, being brought up in thechurch, God has delighted to show himself gracious to from theirchildhood)arebruisedreeds,yetindifferentdegrees,asGodseesfit.Andastherearedifferenceswithregardtotemperament,giftsandmanneroflife, so thereare inGod's intention tousemen in the timetocome; forusuallyheemptiessuchof themselves,andmakesthemnothing,beforehewillusetheminanygreatservices.

WHATITISTOBEBRUISED

Thebruised reed is aman that for themost part is in somemisery, as

thosewere thatcametoChrist forhelp,andbymiseryhe isbrought toseesinasthecauseofit,for,whateverpretencessinmakes,theycometoanendwhenwearebruisedandbroken.Heissensibleofsinandmisery,evenuntobruising;and,seeingnohelpinhimself,iscarriedwithrestlessdesiretohavesupplyfromanother,withsomehope,whichalittleraiseshim out of himself to Christ, though he dare not claim any presentinterest ofmercy. This spark of hope being opposed by doubtings andfears rising from corruption makes him as smoking flax; so that boththese together,abruisedreedandsmoking flax,makeup thestateofapoor distressed man. This is such an one as our Saviour Christ terms`poor in spirit' (Matt. 5:3), who sees his wants, and also sees himselfindebtedtodivinejustice.Hehasnomeansofsupplyfromhimselforthecreature,andthereuponmourns,and,uponsomehopeofmercyfromthepromiseandexamplesofthosethathaveobtainedmercy,isstirreduptohungerandthirstafterit.

THEGOODEFFECTSOFBRUISING

Thisbruising is requiredbeforeconversionthatso theSpiritmaymakewayforhimself intotheheartby levellingallproud,highthoughts,andthatwemayunderstandourselves tobewhat indeedwearebynature.Welovetowanderfromourselvesandtobestrangersathome,tillGodbruisesusbyonecrossorother,andthenwe`begintothink',andcomehometoourselveswiththeprodigal(Luke15:17).Itisaveryhardthingtobringadullandanevasivehearttocrywithfeelingformercy.Ourhearts,like criminals, until they be beaten from all evasions, never cry for themercyofthejudge.

Again, this bruising makes us set a high price upon Christ. Then thegospelbecomesthegospelindeed;thenthefigleavesofmoralitywilldousnogood.Anditmakesusmorethankful,and,fromthankfulness,morefruitful in our lives; forwhatmakesmany so cold andbarren, but thatbruisingforsinneverendearedGod'sgracetothem?

LikewisethisdealingofGodestablishesusthemoreinhisways,havinghad knocks and bruisings in our own ways. This is often the cause ofrelapses and apostasy, becausemen never smarted for sin at the first;theywerenotlongenoughunderthelashofthelaw.Hencethisinferior

work of the Spirit in bringing down high thoughts (2 Cor. 10:5) isnecessarybefore conversion.And, for themostpart, theHolySpirit, tofurthertheworkofconviction,joinswithitsomeaffliction,which,whensanctified,hasahealingandpurgingpower.

Afterconversionweneedbruisingsothatreedsmayknowthemselvestobe reeds, and not oaks. Even reeds need bruising, by reason of theremainderofprideinournature,andtoletusseethatwelivebymercy.Such bruising may help weaker Christians not to be too muchdiscouraged,whentheyseestrongeronesshakenandbruised.ThusPeterwas bruisedwhen hewept bitterly (Matt. 26:75). This reed, till hemetwiththisbruise,hadmorewindinhimthanpithwhenhesaid,`Thoughall forsake thee, Iwill not' (Matt. 26:33). The people ofGod cannot bewithouttheseexamples.Theheroicdeedsofthosegreatworthiesdonotcomfortthechurchsomuchastheirfallsandbruisesdo.ThusDavidwasbruised until he came to a free confession,without guile of spirit (Psa.32:3 5); nay, his sorrows did rise in his own feeling unto the exquisitepainofbreakingofbones(Psa.51:8).ThusHezekiahcomplainsthatGodhad`brokenhisbones'asalion(Isa.38:13).ThusthechosenvesselPaulneededthemessengerofSatantobuffethimlestheshouldbe liftedupabovemeasure(2Cor.12:7).HencewelearnthatwemustnotpasstooharshjudgmentuponourselvesorotherswhenGodexercisesuswithbruisinguponbruising.Theremustbeaconformitytoourhead,Christ,who`wasbruisedforus'(Isa.53:5)thatwemayknowhowmuchwearebounduntohim.

Ungodly spirits, ignorant of God's ways in bringing his children toheaven,censurebrokenheartedChristiansasmiserablepersons,whereasGod is doing a gracious, goodworkwith them. It is no easymatter tobringamanfromnaturetograce,andfromgracetoglory,sounyieldingandintractableareourhearts.

2.ChristWillNotBreaktheBruisedReed

Inpursuinghiscalling,Christwillnotbreakthebruisedreed,norquench

the smoking flax, inwhichmore ismeant than spoken, for hewill notonly not break nor quench, but hewill cherish thosewithwhomhe sodeals.

CHRIST'SDEALINGSWITHTHEBRUISEDREED

Physicians,thoughtheyputtheirpatientstomuchpain,willnotdestroynature, but raise it upbydegrees. Surgeonswill lance and cut, butnotdismember. A mother who has a sick and self willed child will notthereforecastitaway.Andshalltherebemoremercyinthestreamthanin the spring? Shallwe think there ismoremercy in ourselves than inGod,whoplantstheaffectionofmercyinus?

ButforfurtherdeclarationofChrist'smercytoallbruisedreeds,considerthe comfortable relationships he has taken upon himself of husband,shepherdandbrother,whichhewilldischargetotheutmost.Shallothersbyhis grace fulfillwhathe calls themunto, andnothewho, out ofhislove, has taken upon him these relationships, so thoroughly foundedupon his Father's assignment, and his own voluntary undertaking?Considerthenameshehasborrowedfromthemildestcreatures,suchaslambandhen,toshowhistendercare.ConsiderhisverynameJesus,aSaviour,givenhimbyGodhimself.Considerhisofficeanswerabletohisname,whichisthatheshould`bindupthebrokenhearted'(Isa.61:1).AthisbaptismtheHolyGhostrestedonhimintheshapeofadove,toshowthatheshouldbeadovelike,gentleMediator.

Seethegraciouswayheexecuteshisoffices.Asaprophet,hecamewithblessing in hismouth, `Blessed are the poor in spirit' (Matt. 5:3), andinvited those to come to him whose hearts suggested most exceptionsagainst themselves, `Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavyladen'(Matt.11:28).Howdidhisheartyearnwhenhesawthepeople`assheephavingnoshepherd'(Matt.9:36)!Heneverturnedanybackagainthatcametohim,thoughsomewentawayofthemselves.Hecametodieasapriestforhisenemies.Inthedaysofhisfleshhedictatedaformofprayeruntohisdisciples,andputpetitionsuntoGodintotheirmouths,andhis Spirit to intercede in their hearts.He shed tears for those thatshed his blood, and now he makes intercession in heaven for weakChristians,standingbetweenthemandGod'sanger.He isameekking;

he will admitmourners into his presence, a king of poor and afflictedpersons. As he has beams of majesty, so he has a heart of mercy andcompassion.Heistheprinceofpeace(Isa.9:6).Whywashetempted,butthathemight`succor themthatare tempted' (Heb.2:18)?WhatmercymaywenotexpectfromsograciousaMediator(1Tim.2:5)whotookournatureuponhimthathemightbegracious?Heisaphysiciangoodatalldiseases,especiallyatthebindingupofabrokenheart.Hediedthathemighthealoursoulswithaplasterofhisownblood,andby thatdeathsaveus,whichweweretheprocurersofourselves,byourownsins.Andhashenot the sameheart inheaven? 'Saul, Saul,whypersecutest thoume?' cried theHead inheaven,when the footon earthwas troddenon(Acts 9:4). His advancement has not made him forget his own flesh.Thoughithasfreedhimfrompassion,yetnotfromcompassiontowardsus.ThelionofthetribeofJudahwillonlytearinpiecesthosethat`willnothavehimruleoverthem'(Luke19:14).Hewillnotshowhisstrengthagainstthosewhoprostratethemselvesbeforehim.

FOROURSELVES

1.Whatshouldwelearnfromthis,butto`comeboldlytothethroneofgrace' (Heb. 4:16) in all our grievances? Shall our sins discourage us,when he appears there only for sinners? Are you bruised? Be of goodcomfort,hecallsyou.Concealnotyourwounds,openallbeforehimandtake not Satan's counsel.Go to Christ, although trembling, as the poorwomanwhosaid,`IfImaybuttouchhisgarment'(Matt.9:21).Weshallbehealedandhaveagraciousanswer.GoboldlytoGodinourflesh;heisfleshofourflesh,andboneofourboneforthisreason,thatwemightgoboldly to him.Never fear to go toGod, sincewehave such aMediatorwithhim,whoisnotonlyourfriendbutourbrotherandhusband.Wellmighttheangelproclaimfromheaven,`Behold,Ibringyougoodtidingsofgreatjoy'(Luke2:10).Wellmighttheapostlestirusupto`rejoiceintheLordalway:andagainIsay,Rejoice'(Phil.4:4).Paulwaswelladviseduponwhatgroundshedidit.PeaceandjoyaretwomainfruitsofChrist'skingdom.Lettheworldbeasitwill,ifwecannotrejoiceintheworld,yetwe may rejoice in the Lord. His presence makes any conditioncomfortable. `Be not afraid,' says he to his disciples, when they wereafraid,asiftheyhadseenaghost,`ItisI'(Matt.14:27),asiftherewere

nocauseoffearwherehewaspresent.

2.Letthissupportuswhenwefeelourselvesbruised.Christ'swayisfirsttowound,thentoheal.Nosound,wholesoulshalleverenterintoheaven.Thinkwhen in temptation,Christwas tempted forme;according tomytrialswillbemygracesandcomforts. IfChristbe somerciful asnot tobreakme,Iwillnotbreakmyselfbydespair,noryieldmyselfovertotheroaringlion,Satan,tobreakmeinpieces.

3.SeethecontrarydispositionofChristontheonehandandSatanandhisinstrumentsontheother.Satansetsuponuswhenweareweakest,asSimeon and Levi upon the Shechemites, `when they were sore' (Gen.34:25),butChristwillmakeupinusallthebreacheswhichsinandSatanhavemade.He`bindsupthebrokenhearted'(Isa.61:1).Asamotheristenderest to themost diseased and weakest child, so does Christmostmercifully incline to theweakest. Likewise he puts an instinct into theweakest things to rely upon something stronger than themselves forsupport. The vine stays itself upon the elm, and the weakest creaturesoften have the strongest shelters. The consciousness of the church'sweaknessmakesherwilling to leanonherbeloved, and tohideherselfunderhiswing.

WHOARETHEBRUISEDREEDS?

Buthowshallweknowwhetherwearesuchasmayexpectmercy?Answer:(1)Bythebruisedhereisnotmeantthosethatarebroughtlowonlybycrosses,butsuchas,bythem,arebroughttoseetheirsin,whichbruisesmostofall.Whenconscienceisundertheguiltofsin,theneveryjudgment brings a report of God's anger to the soul, and all lessertroubles run into this great troubleof conscience for sin.As all corrupthumoursruntothediseasedandbruisedpartofthebody,andaseverycreditor falls upon the debtor when he is once arrested, so whenconscience is once awakened, all former sins and present crosses jointogether to make the bruise the more painful. Now, he that is thusbruisedwillbe contentwithnothingbutwithmercy fromhimwhohasbruised him.He has wounded, and hemust heal (Hos. 6:1). The Lordwhohasbruisedmedeservedlyformysinsmustbindupmyheartagain.

(2)Again,amantrulybruisedjudgessinthegreatestevil,andthefavorofGod the greatest good. (3)Hewould rather hear ofmercy than of akingdom.(4)Hehaspooropinionsofhimself,andthinksthatheisnotworththeearthhetreadson.(5)Towardsothersheisnotcensorious,asbeingtakenupathome,butisfullofsympathyandcompassiontothosewho are under God's hand. (6) He thinks that those who walk in thecomforts of God's Spirit are the happiest men in the world. (7) Hetrembles at theWord of God (Isa. 66:2), and honours the very feet ofthoseblessedinstrumentsthatbringpeaceuntohim(Rom.10:15).(8)Heismore takenupwith the inwardexercisesofabrokenheart thanwithformality,andisyetcarefultouseallsanctifiedmeanstoconveycomfort.

Buthowshallwecometothisstateofmind?Answer:First,wemustconceiveofbruisingeitherasastate intowhichGodbringsus,orasadutytobeperformedbyus.Bothareheremeant.WemustjoinwithGodinbruisingourselves.Whenhehumblesus,letushumble ourselves, and not stand out against him, for then he willredouble his strokes. Let us justify Christ in all his chastisements,knowingthatallhisdealingtowardsusistocauseustoreturnintoourownhearts.Hisworkinbruisingtendstoourworkinbruisingourselves.Letuslamentourownperversity,andsay:Lord,whatahearthaveIthatneedsallthis,thatnoneofthiscouldbespared!Wemustlaysiegetothehardnessofourownhearts,andaggravatesinallwecan.WemustlookonChrist,whowasbruised forus, lookonhimwhomwehavepiercedwithoursins.Butalldirectionswillnotprevail,unlessGodbyhisSpiritconvinces us deeply, setting our sins before us, and driving us to astandstill. Then we will cry out for mercy. Conviction will breedcontrition, and this leads to humiliation. Therefore desire God that hewouldbringaclearandastronglightintoallthecornersofoursouls,andaccompanyitwithaspiritofpowertolayourheartslow.

Asetmeasureofbruisingofourselvescannotbeprescribed,butitmustbesofaras(1)thatwemayprizeChristaboveall,andseethataSaviourmustbehad;and(2)thatwereformthatwhichisamiss,thoughitbetothecuttingoffofourrighthand,orpullingoutofourrighteye.Thereisadangerous slightingof theworkofhumiliation, somealleging this forapretence for their casual dealingwith their ownhearts, thatChristwill

notbreakthebruisedreed;butsuchmustknowthateverysuddenterrorand short grief is not that which makes us bruised reeds; not a little`bowing down our heads like a bulrush' (Isa. 58:5), but aworking ourhearts to such a grief as will make sin more odious unto us thanpunishment, until we offer a `holy violence' against it. Else, favouringourselves,wemakeworkforGodtobruiseus,andforsharprepentanceafterwards.Itisdangerous,Iconfess,insomecases,withsomespirits,topress toomuchand too long thisbruising,because theymaydieunderthe wound and burden before they be raised up again. Therefore it isgoodinmixedassembliestominglecomfortthateverysoulmayhaveitsdueportion.Butifwehavethisforafoundationtruth,thatthereismoremercy in Christ than sin in us, there can be no danger in thoroughdealing.Itisbettertogobruisedtoheaventhansoundtohell.Thereforeletusnot takeoffourselves toosoon,norpulloff theplasterbeforethecure be wrought, but keep ourselves under this work till sin be thesourest, andChrist the sweetest, of all things.AndwhenGod's hand isuponusinanyway,itisgoodtodivertoursorrowforotherthingstotherootofall,whichissin.Letourgriefrunmostinthatchannel,thatassinbredgrief,sogriefmayconsumesin.

But are we not bruised unless we grieve more for sin than we do forpunishment?Answer: Sometimes our grief from outward grievancesmay lie heavieruponthesoulthangriefforGod'sdispleasure,because,insuchcases,thegrief works upon the whole man, both outward and inward, and hasnothingtosupportit,butalittlesparkoffaith.Thisfaith,byreasonoftheviolent impression of the grievance, is suspended in the exercises of it.This is most felt in sudden distresses which come upon the soul as atorrentorlandflood,andespeciallyinbodilysicknesseswhich,byreasonofthesympathybetweenthesoulandthebody,workuponthesoulsofarastohindernotonlythespiritual,butoftenthenaturalacts.Therefore,Jameswishesusinafflictiontoprayourselves,butincaseofsicknessto`send for the elders' (James 5:14). Thesemay, as those in theGospels,offeruptoGodintheirprayersthesickpersonwhoisunabletopresenthis own case.HereuponGod admits of such a plea from the sharpnessandbitternessofthegrievance,asinDavid(Psa.6).TheLordknowsourframe;heremembersthatwearebutdust(Psa.103:14),thatourstrength

isnotthestrengthofsteel.

This is a branchof his faithfulness tous ashis creatures,whencehe iscalled `a faithful Creator' (1 Pet. 4:19). `God is faithful, who will notsufferyoutobetemptedabovethatyeareable'(1Cor.10:13).TherewerecertaincommandmentswhichtheJewscalledthehedgesof the law.Soas to fencemenoff fromcruelty,Godcommanded that theyshouldnottake the damewith the young, nor `seethe a kid in hismother'smilk'(Exod.23:19),nor`muzzle themouthof theox' (1Cor.9:9).DoesGodtakecareofbeasts,andnotofhismorenoblecreature?Andthereforeweought to judge charitably of the complaints of God's people which arewrungfromtheminsuchcases.JobhadtheesteemwithGodofapatientman,notwithstanding thosepassionate complaints. Faith overborne forthe present will gain ground again; and grief for sin, although it comeshort of grief for misery in terms of violence, yet it goes beyond it inconstancy; as a running stream fed with a spring holds out, when asuddenswellingbrookfails.

For the concludingof thispoint, andour encouragement toa thoroughworkof bruising, andpatienceunderGod's bruising of us, let all knowthatnonearefitterforcomfortthanthosethatthinkthemselvesfurthestoff.Men,forthemostpart,arenotlostenoughintheirownfeelingforaSaviour.Aholydespair inourselves is thegroundof truehope. InGodthe fatherless findmercy(Hos.14:3); ifmenweremore fatherless, theyshould feelmoreGod's fatherlyaffection fromheaven, for theGodwhodwells in the highest heavens dwells likewise in the lowest soul (Isa.57:15).Christ'ssheepareweaksheep,andlackinginsomethingorother;he therefore applies himself to thenecessities of every sheep.He seeksthatwhichwas lost, andbrings again thatwhichwas driven out of theway, and binds up that which was broken, and strengthens the weak(Ezek.34:16).Histenderestcareisovertheweakest.Thelambshecarriesinhisbosom(Isa.40:11).HesaystoPeter,`Feedmylambs'(John21:15).Hewasmostfamiliarandopentotroubledsouls.HowcarefulhewasthatPeterandtherestoftheapostlesshouldnotbetoomuchdejectedafterhisresurrection!`Goyourway,tellhisdisciplesandPeter'(Mark16:7).Christknewthatguiltoftheirunkindnessinleavingofhimhaddejectedtheir spirits. How gently did he endure the unbelief of Thomas and

stoopedsofaruntohisweakness,astosufferhimtothrusthishandintohisside.

3.TheSmokingFlax

Inpursuinghiscalling,Christwillnotquenchthesmokingflax,orwick,butwillblowituptillitflames.Insmokingflaxthereisbutalittlelight,andthatweak,asbeingunabletoflame,andthatlittlemixedwithsmoke.Theobservationsfromthisarethat,inGod'schildren,especiallyintheirfirst conversion, there is but a little measure of grace, and that littlemixed with much corruption, which, as smoke, is offensive; but thatChristwillnotquenchthissmokingflax.

GRACEISLITTLEATFIRST

ThereareseveralagesinChristians,somebabes,someyoungmen.Faithmay be as `a grain ofmustard seed' (Matt. 17:20).Nothing so little asgrace at first, and nothingmore glorious afterward. Things of greatestperfectionare longest incoming to theirgrowth.Man, themostperfectcreature, comes to perfection by little and little; worthless things, asmushrooms and the like, like Jonah's gourd, soon spring up, and soonvanish. A new creature is themost excellent creature in all the world,thereforeitgrowsupbydegrees.Weseeinnaturethatamightyoakrisesfromanacorn.ItiswithaChristianasitwaswithChrist,whosprangoutofthedeadstockofJesse,outofDavid'sfamily(Isa.53:2),whenitwasatthe lowest, but he grew up higher than the heavens. It is not with thetrees of righteousness as it was with the trees of paradise, which werecreatedallperfectatthefirst.Theseedsofallthecreaturesinthepresentgoodlyframeoftheworldwerehidinthechaos,inthatconfusedmassatthefirst,outofwhichGodcommandedallcreaturestoarise.Inthesmallseedsofplantsliehiddenbothbulkandbranches,budandfruit.Inafewprinciples liehiddenallcomfortableconclusionsofholy truth.All thesegloriousfireworksofzealandholiness inthesaintshadtheirbeginningfromafewsparks.

Letusnotthereforebediscouragedatthesmallbeginningsofgrace,butlookonourselves as elected to be `holy andwithout blame' (Eph. 1:4).Letuslookonourimperfectbeginningonlytoenforcefurtherstrivingtoperfection, and to keep us in a low opinion of ourselves. Otherwise, incaseofdiscouragement,wemustconsiderourselvesasChristdoes,wholooksonusasthoseheintendstofitforhimself.Christvaluesusbywhatweshallbe,andbywhatweareelectedunto.Wecallalittleplantatree,because it is growing up to be so. `Who has despised the day of smallthings?'(Zech.4:10).Christwouldnothaveusdespiselittlethings.

Thegloriousangelsdisdainnotattendanceon littleones- little in theirown eyes, and little in the eyes of the world. Grace, though little inquantity,yetismuchinvigorandworth.ItisChristthatraisestheworthoflittleandmeanplacesandpersons.Bethlehemwastheleast(Mic.5:2;Matt.2:6),andyetnottheleast;theleastinitself,nottheleastinrespectthatChristwasbornthere.Thesecondtemple(Hag.2:9)cameshortoftheoutwardmagnificenceoftheformer;yetitwasmoregloriousthanthefirst becauseChrist came into it. TheLord of the temple came into hisowntemple.Thepupiloftheeyeisverylittle,yetseesagreatpartoftheheavenatonce.Apearl,thoughlittle,yetisofmuchesteem.Nothingintheworldisofsogooduseastheleastgrainofgrace.

GRACEISMINGLEDWITHCORRUPTION

But grace is not only little, but mingled with corruption; therefore aChristian is said to be smoking flax. So we see that grace does not doawaywith corruption all at once, but some is left for believers to fightwith.ThepurestactionsofthepurestmenneedChristtoperfumethem;andthisishisoffice.Whenwepray,weneedtoprayagainforChristtopardon the defects of our prayers. Consider some instances of thissmokingflax:

MosesattheRedSea,beinginagreatperplexity,andknowingnotwhattosay,orwhichwaytoturn,groanedtoGod.Nodoubtthiswasagreatconflict in him. In great distresses we know not what to pray, but theSpiritmakes request with sighs that cannot be expressed (Rom. 8:26).Brokenheartscanyieldbutbrokenprayers.

WhenDavidwas before the king ofGath (1 Sam. 21:13) anddisfiguredhimselfinanuncomelymanner,inthatsmoketherewassomefirealso.Youmayseewhatanexcellentpsalmhemakesuponthatoccasion,Psalm34,inwhich,onthebasisofexperience,hesays,`TheLORDisnighuntothemthatareofabrokenheart'(Psa.34:18).`Isaidinmyhaste,Iamcutofffrombeforethineeyes.'Thereissmoke.`Neverthelessthouheardestthevoiceofmysupplications'(Psa.31:22).Thereisfire.`Lord,saveus:weperish'(Matt.8:25),crythedisciples.Hereissmokeofinfidelity,yetso much light of faith as stirred them up to pray to Christ. `Lord, Ibelieve.'Thereislight.

‘Help thoumineunbelief.' There is smoke (Mark9:24). Jonah cries, `Iamcastoutofthysight.'Thereissmoke.`YetIwilllookagaintowardthyholytemple.'Thereislight(Jon.2:4).

`Owretchedman that Iam!', saysPaul,witha senseofhis corruption.Yet he breaks out into thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord(Rom.7:24).

`Isleep,'saysthechurchintheSongofSolomon,`butmyheartwaketh'(SongofSol.5:2).Inthesevenchurches,whichfortheirlightarecalled`seven golden candlesticks' (Rev. 2 and 3), most of them had muchsmokewiththeirlight.

Thereasonforthismixtureisthatwecarryaboutusadoubleprinciple,graceandnature.Theendofitisespeciallytopreserveusfromthosetwodangerousrockswhichournaturesarepronetodashupon,securityandpride,andtoforceustopitchourrestonjustification,notsanctification,which,besidesimperfection,hassomestains.Ourspiritualfireislikeourordinary fire here below, that is, mixed. Fire is most pure in its ownelementabove;soshallallourgracesbewhenwearewherewewouldbe,inheaven,whichisourproperelement.

FromthismixturearisesthefactthatthepeopleofGodhavesodifferentjudgments of themselves, looking sometimes at the work of grace,sometimesattheremainderofcorruption,andwhentheylookuponthat,then they think they have no grace. Though they love Christ in hisordinancesandchildren,yettheydarenotclaimsonearacquaintanceas

tobehis.Evenasacandle inthesocketsometimesshows its light,andsometimestheshowoflightislost;sosometimestheyarewellpersuadedofthemselves,sometimesataloss.

4.ChristWillNotQuenchtheSmokingFlax

The second observation concerning the weak and small beginnings ofgrace is thatChristwillnotquench thesmoking flax.This is so for twoprincipalreasons.First,becausethissparkisfromheaven:itishisown,itis kindled by his own Spirit. And secondly, it tends to the glory of hispowerful grace in his children that he preserves light in the midst ofdarkness,asparkinthemidstoftheswellingwatersofcorruption.

THELEASTSPARKOFGRACEISPRECIOUS

There is an especial blessing in that little spark. `As the new wine isfoundinthecluster,andonesaith,Destroyitnot;forablessingisinit:sowill I do for my servants' sakes' (Isa. 65:8). We see how our SaviourChristborewithThomasinhisdoubting(John20:27),andwiththetwodisciples thatwent toEmmaus,whowaveredas towhetherhe came toredeem Israel or not (Luke 24:21).He quenched not that little light inPeter,whichwassmothered:Peterdeniedhim,buthedeniednotPeter(Luke22:61).`Ifthouwilt,thoucanst,'saidonepoormanintheGospel(Matt.8:2).`If thoucanstdoanything,'saidanother(Mark9:22).Bothwere smoking flax. Neither of themwas quenched. If Christ had stooduponhisowngreatness,hewouldhaverejectedhimthatcamewithhis`if'.ButChristanswershis`if'withagraciousandabsolutegrant,`Iwill,bethouclean.'Thewomanthatwasdiseasedwithanissuedidbuttouch,withatremblinghand,andbutthehemofhisgarment,andyetshewentawaybothhealedandcomforted. In thesevenchurches (Rev.2and3),weseethatChristacknowledgesandcherishesanythingthatwasgoodinthem.Becausethedisciplessleptdueto infirmity,beingoppressedwithgrief, our Saviour Christ frames a comfortable excuse for them, `Thespiritindeediswilling,butthefleshisweak'(Matt.26:41).

IfChristshouldnotbemerciful,hewouldmissofhisownends:`Thereisforgivenesswith thee, that thoumayestbe feared' (Psa. 130:4).Nowallarewelcometocomeunderthatbanneroflovewhichhespreadsoverhisown:`Untotheeshallallfleshcome'(Psa.65:2).Heusesmoderationandcare,`lestthespiritshouldfailbeforehim,andthesoulswhichhehathmade'(Isa.57:16).Christ'sheartyearned,thetextsays,whenhesawthepeople without meat, `lest they faint in the way' (Matt. 15:32); muchmorewillhehaveregardforthepreventingofourspiritualfaintings.

SUPPORTTHEWEAK

Here see the opposite dispositions in the holy nature of Christ and theimpure nature of man. Man for a little smoke will quench the light.Christ,wesee,evercherisheseventheleastbeginnings.Howheborewiththe many imperfections of his poor disciples! If he did sharply checkthem,itwasinlove,andthattheymightshinethebrighter.Canwehavea better pattern to follow than this from him by whomwe hope to besaved?`Wethenthatarestrongoughttobeartheinfirmitiesoftheweak'(Rom.15:1).`Iammadeallthingstoallmen,thatImightbyallmeanssave some' (1 Cor. 9:22).Oh, that this gaining andwinning dispositionwere more in many! Many, so far as in us lies, are lost for want ofencouragement. See how that faithful fisher of men, the Apostle Paul,laborstocatchhisjudge:`Iknowthatthoubelievesttheprophets'(Acts26:27), and thenwishes him all saving good, but not bonds.Hemighthaveadded themtoo,buthewouldnotdiscourageone that responded.Hewould thereforewishAgrippaonly thatwhichwas good in religion.HowcarefulwasourblessedSaviouroflittleones,thattheymightnotbeoffended!HowhedefendshisdisciplesfrommaliciousimputationsofthePharisees!Howcarefulnottoputnewwineintooldvessels(Matt.9:17),nottoalienatenewbeginnerswiththeausteritiesofreligion(assomedoindiscreetly).Oh, sayshe, they shall have time to fastwhen I amgone,andstrengthtofastwhentheHolyGhostiscomeuponthem.

Itisnotthebestway,toassailyoungbeginnerswithminormatters,buttoshowthemamoreexcellentwayandtraintheminfundamentalpoints.Then other things will not gain credence with them. It is not amiss toconceal their defects, to excuse some failings, to commend theirperformances, toencourage theirprogress, toremovealldifficultiesout

oftheirway,tohelpthemineverywaytobeartheyokeofreligionwithgreaterease,tobringthemtoloveGodandhisservice,lesttheyacquireadistaste for itbefore theyknow it.For themostpartwe see thatChristplantsinyoungbeginnersalovewhichwecalltheir`firstlove'(Rev.2:4),to carry them through theirprofessionwithmoredelight, anddoesnotexpose themtocrossesbefore theyhavegatheredstrength;aswebringonyoungplantsand fence them fromtheweatheruntil theybe rooted.Mercy to others should move us to deny ourselves in our libertiesoftentimes,incaseofoffendingweakones.Itisthe`littleones'thatareoffended (Matt. 18:6). Theweakest aremost ready to think themselvesdespised;thereforeweshouldbemostcarefultogivethemsatisfaction.

ItwouldbeagoodcontestamongstChristians,oneto labourtogivenooffence,andtheothertolabourtotakenone.Thebestmenareseveretothemselves, tenderoverothers.Yetpeopleshouldnot tireandwearoutthepatienceofothers:norshouldtheweakersofardemandmoderationfromothersastorelyupontheir indulgenceandsotorest intheirowninfirmities,withdangertotheirownsoulsandscandaltothechurch.

NeithermusttheydespisethegiftsofGodinothers,whichgraceteachestohonorwheresoevertheyarefound,butknowtheirpartsandplace,andnot undertake anything above their measure, which may make theirpersonsandtheircaseobnoxioustoscorn.Whenblindnessandboldness,ignorance and arrogance, weakness and willfulness, meet together inmen,itrendersthemodioustoGod,burdensomeinsociety,dangerousintheircounsels,disturbersofbetterpurposes,intractableandincapableofbetterdirection,miserableintheissue.WhereChristshowshisgraciouspower inweakness,hedoes itby lettingmenunderstandthemselvessofarastobreedhumility,andmagnifyGod'slovetosuchastheyare.Hedoesitasapreservativeagainstdiscouragementsfromweakness,tobringmenintoalessdistancefromgrace,asanadvantagetopovertyofspirit,rather than greatness of condition and parts, which yield to corruptnaturefuelforpride.Christrefusesnoneforweaknessofparts,thatnoneshouldbediscouraged,butacceptsnoneforgreatness,thatnoneshouldbe lifted upwith thatwhich is of so little reckoningwithGod. It is nogreatmatterhowdull the scholarbewhenChrist takesuponhim tobethe teacher, who, as he prescribes what to understand, so he gives

understandingitself,eventothesimplest.

The church suffersmuch fromweak ones, thereforewemay assert ourliberty to deal with them, though mildly, yet oftentimes directly. Thescope of true love is to make the party better, which concealmentoftentimes hinders.With some a spirit ofmeekness prevailsmost, butwith some a rod. Somemust be `pulled out of the fire' (Jude 23)withviolence,andtheywillblessGodforusinthedayoftheirvisitation.Wesee thatourSaviourmultiplieswoeuponwoewhenhehas todealwithhard hearted hypocrites (Matt. 23:13), for hypocrites need strongerconviction than gross sinners, because their will is bad, and thereforeusuallytheirconversionisviolent.Ahardknotmusthaveananswerablewedge, else, in a cruel pity, we betray their souls. A sharp reproofsometimes is apreciouspearl anda sweetbalm.Thewoundsof securesinnerswillnotbehealedwithsweetwords.TheHolyGhostcameaswellinfierytonguesasinthelikenessofadove,andthesameHolySpiritwillvouchsafeaspiritofprudenceanddiscretion,whichisthesalttoseasonall our words and actions. And such wisdomwill teach us `to speak awordinseason'(Isa.50:4),bothtotheweary,andlikewisetothesecuresoul.And, indeed,hehasneedof `the tongueof the learned' that shalleither raise up or cast down, though in this place I speak of mildnesstowardsthosethatareweakandaresensibleof it.Thesewemustbringongently,anddrivesoftly,asJacobdidhiscattle(Gen.33:14),accordingtotheirpace,andashischildrenwereabletoendure.

Weak Christians are like glasses which are hurt with the least violentusage, but if gently handled will continue a long time. This honor ofgentleusewearetogivetotheweakervessels(1Pet.3:7),bywhichweshall both preserve them and likewisemake them useful to the churchandourselves.

Indiseasedbodies, ifall illhumoursbepurgedout,youshallpurge lifeand all away. Therefore, though God says that he will `refine them assilver is refined' (Zech. 13:9), yet he said he had `refined thee, but notwithsilver'(Isa.48:10),that is,notsoexactlyasthatnodrossremains,forhehasrespecttoourweakness.Perfectrefiningisforanotherworld,fortheworldofthesoulsofperfectmen.

5.TheSpiritofMercyShouldMoveUs

Preachers need to take heed therefore how they deal with youngbelievers. Let them be careful not to pitch matters too high, makingthingsnecessaryevidencesofgracewhichagreenottotheexperienceofmanyagoodChristian,andlayingsalvationanddamnationuponthingsthatarenotfittobearsogreataweight.Inthiswaymenareneedlesslycastdownandmaynotsoonberaisedupagainbythemselvesorothers.The ambassadors of so gentle a Saviour should not be overbearing,settingupthemselves in theheartsofpeoplewhereChristaloneshouldsitasinhisowntemple.Toomuchrespecttomanwasoneoftheinletsofpopery.`Letamansoaccountofus,asoftheministersofChrist'(1Cor.4:1),neithermorenorless,justsomuch.HowcarefulwasPaulincasesofconsciencenottolayasnareuponanyweakconscience.

SIMPLICITYANDHUMILITY

Preachersshouldtakeheedlikewisethattheyhidenottheirmeaningindark speeches, speaking in the clouds. Truth fears nothing somuch asconcealment, anddesiresnothing somuchas clearly tobe laidopen totheviewofall.Whenitismostunadorned,itismostlovelyandpowerful.OurblessedSaviour, ashe tookournatureuponhim, sohe tookuponhim our familiar manner of speech, which was part of his voluntaryabasement. Paulwas a profoundman, yet he became as anurse to theweakersort(1Thess.2:7).

That spirit ofmercy thatwas in Christ shouldmove his servants to becontenttoabasethemselvesforthegoodofthemeanest.Whatmadethekingdomofheaven`sufferviolence'(Matt.11:12)afterJohntheBaptist'stime,butthatcomfortabletruthswerelaidopenwithsuchplainnessandevidence that the people were so affected with them as to offer a holyviolencetoobtainthem?

Christchosethosetopreachmercywhohadfeltmostmercy,asPeterandPaul, that theymightbeexamplesofwhat they taught.Paulbecameallthingstoallmen(1Cor.9:22),stoopinguntothemfortheirgood.Christ

camedownfromheavenandemptiedhimselfofmajestyintenderlovetosouls.Shallwenotcomedownfromourhighconceitstodoanypoorsoulgood? Shall man be proud after God has been humble? We see theministersofSatanturnthemselvesintoallshapesto`makeoneproselyte'(Matt.23:15).Weseeambitiousmenstudyaccommodationofthemselvestothehumoursofthosebywhomtheyhopetoberaised,andshallnotwestudy application of ourselves to Christ, by whom we hope to beadvanced,nay,arealreadysittingwithhiminheavenlyplaces?AfterwearegainedtoChristourselves,weshouldlabourtogainotherstoChrist.HolyambitionandcovetousnesswillmoveustoputuponourselvesthedispositionofChrist.Butwemustputoffourselvesfirst.

Again we should not rack their wits with curious or `doubtfuldisputations'(Rom.14:1),forsoweshalldistractandtirethem,andgiveoccasion tomake them cast off the care of all. That age of the churchwhichwasmost fertile in subtlequestionswasmostbarren in religion;for itmakes people think religion to be only amatter of cleverness, intying and untying of knots. The brains of men inclining that way arehotterusuallythantheirhearts.

Yet notwithstanding, when we are cast into times and places whereindoubtsareraisedaboutprincipalpoints,herepeopleoughtto labourtobeestablished.Godsuffersquestionsoftentimes toarise for trialofourlove andexerciseof our abilities.Nothing is so certain as thatwhich iscertainafterdoubts.Shakingsettlesandroots.Inacontentiousage,itisawisethingtobeaChristian,andtoknowwhattopitchoursoulsupon.Itisanofficeofloveheretotakeawaythestones,andtosmooththewaytoheaven.Therefore,wemusttakeheedthat,underpretenceofavoidanceof disputes, we do not suffer an adverse party to get ground upon thetruth; for thusmayweeasilybetrayboth the truthofGodand soulsofmen.

And likewise those are failing that, by overmuch austerity, drive backtroubledsoulsfromhavingcomfortbythem,for,asaresultofthis,manysmother their temptations, and burn inwardly, because they have noneintowhosebosomtheymayventtheirgriefandeasetheirsouls.

We must neither bind where God looses, nor loose where God binds,

neitheropenwhereGodshuts,norshutwhereGodopens.Therightuseof the keys is always successful. In personal application, theremust begreat heed taken; for amanmay be a false prophet, and yet speak thetruth. If itbenota truth to theperson towhomhespeaks, ifhegrievethosewhomGodhasnotgrievedbyunseasonabletruths,orbycomfortsinan illway, theheartsof thewickedmaybestrengthened.Oneman'smeatmaybeanother'spoison.

If we look to the general temper of these times, rousing and wakingScripturesarefittest;yettherearemanybrokenspiritswhoneedsoftandcomforting words. Even in the worst time the prophetsmingled sweetcomfortforthehiddenremnantoffaithfulpeople.Godhascomfort.Theprophetistold,`Comfortyemypeople'(Isa.40:1),aswellas,`Liftupthyvoiceasatrumpet'(Isa.58:1).

SOUNDJUDGMENT

Andherelikewisethereneedsacaveat.Mercydoesnotrobusofourrightjudgment,soas to takestinking firebrands forsmoking flax.Nonewillclaimmercymore of others than those who deserve due severity. Thisexampledoesnotcountenance lukewarmness,nortoomuchindulgencetothosethatneedquickening.Colddiseasesmusthavehotremedies.Itmade for the just commendationof thechurchofEphesus that it couldnotbearthemwhichwereevil(Rev.2:2).Weshouldsobearwithothersastomanifestalsoadislikeofevil.OurSaviourChristwouldnotforbearsharp reproof where he saw dangerous infirmities in hismost beloveddisciples. Itbringsundera curse todo theworkof theLorddeceitfully(Jer. 48:10), even where it is a work of just severity, as when it issheathing the sword in the bowels of the enemy. And those whom wesuffer to be betrayed by their worst enemies, their sins, will have justcausetocurseusoneday.

It ishardtopreserve justboundsofmercyandseveritywithoutaspiritaboveourown,bywhichweoughttodesiretobeledinallthings.Thatwisdomwhich dwellswith prudence (Prov. 8:12)will guide us in theseparticulars,withoutwhichvirtue isnotvirtue, truthnot truth.The ruleand the case must be laid together; for if there be not a keen insight,seeminglikeness inconditionswillgiverisetoerrors inouropinionsof

them. Those fiery, tempestuous and destructive spirits in popery thatseektopromotetheirreligionbycrueltyshowthattheyarestrangerstothat wisdomwhich is from above, whichmakesmen gentle, peaceableandreadytoshowthatmercywhichtheythemselveshavefelt.Itisawayofprevailingagreeableboth toChristand toman'snature toprevailbysomeforbearanceandmoderation.

Andyetoftenweseeafalsespiritinthosethatcallformoderation.Theirdoingsoisbuttocarrytheirownprojectswiththegreaterstrength;andiftheyprevailtheywillhardlyshowthatmoderationtootherswhichtheynow call for from others. And there is a proud kind of moderationlikewise,whenmenwilltakeuponthemtocensurebothparties,asiftheywerewiserthanboth,although,ifthespiritberight,anonlookermayseemorethanthosethatareinconflict.

HOWTHOSEINAUTHORITYSHOULDACT

Inthecensuresofthechurch,itismoresuitabletothespiritofChristtoincline to themilder part, and not to kill a fly on the forehead with amallet,nor shutmenoutofheaven for a trifle.The very snuffers (wicktrimmers)ofthetabernacleweremadeofpuregold,toshowthepurityofthosecensureswherebythelightofthechurchiskeptbright.Thepowerthat isgiventothechurchisgivenforedification,notdestruction.Howcareful was Paul that the incestuous Corinthian (2 Cor. 2:7), if herepented, should not be swallowed up with too much grief. Civilmagistrates, for civil exigencies and reasons of state, must let the lawhaveitscourse;yetthusfartheyshouldimitatethismildking,asnottominglebitternessandpassionwithauthorityderivedfromGod.AuthorityisabeamofGod'smajesty,andprevailsmostwherethereisleastmixtureofthatwhichisman's.Itrequiresmorethanordinarywisdomtomanageit aright. This string must not be too tight, nor too loose. Justice is aharmoniousthing.Herbshotorcoldbeyondacertaindegree,kill.Weseeevencontraryelementspreservedinonebodybywiselytemperingthemtogether. Justice in rigor is often extreme injustice, where someconsiderable circumstances should incline to moderation; and thereckoningwillbeeasierforbendingrathertomoderationthanrigor.

Insolentbehavior towardmiserablepersons, ifhumbled, isunseemly in

any who look for mercy themselves. Misery should be a lodestone ofmercy,notafootstoolforpridetotrampleon.Sometimesitfallsoutthatthose who are under the government of others are most injurious bywaywardness and harsh censures, herein disparaging and discouragingtheendeavorsofsuperiorsforpublicgood.Insogreatweaknessofman'snature,andespeciallyinthiscrazyageoftheworld,weoughttotakeingoodpartanymoderatehappinessweenjoybygovernment,andnotbealtogetherasanailinthewound,exasperatingthingsbymisconstruction.Hereloveshouldhaveamantletocastuponlessererrorsofthoseaboveus. Oftentimes the poor man is the oppressor by unjust clamors. Weshould labourtogive thebest interpretationto theactionsofgovernorsthatthenatureoftheactionswillpossiblybear.

WEAREDEBTORSTOTHEWEAK

Inthelastplace,thereissomethingforprivateChristians,evenforallofusinourcommonrelations,totakenoticeof:wearedebtorstotheweakinmanythings.

1.Letusbewatchfulintheuseofourliberty,andlabourtobeinoffensivein our behavior, that our example compel them not. There is acommanding force in an example, as there was in Peter (Gal. 2).Loosenessoflifeiscrueltytoourselvesandtothesoulsofothers.Thoughwe cannot keep thosewhowill perish fromperishing, yet ifwedo thatwhichisaptofitselftodestroythesoulsofotherstheirruinisimputabletous.

2.Letmentakeheedof takingupSatan'soffice, inmisrepresentingthegood actions of others, as he did Job's case, `Doth Job fear God fornaught?'(Job1:9),orslanderingtheirpersons,judgingofthemaccordingtothewickednessthatisintheirownhearts.Thedevilgetsmorebysuchdiscouragementsandreproachesthatarecastuponreligionthanbyfireandfaggot.These,asunseasonablefrosts,nipallgraciousinclinationsinthebud,andasmuchasinthemlies,withHerod,labourtokillChristinyoungprofessors.AChristian isahallowedanda sacred thing,Christ'stemple; and he that destroys his temple, him will Christ destroy (1Cor.3:17).

3.Amongthethingsthataretobetakenheedof,thereisamongordinaryChristiansaboldusurpationofcensuretowardsothers,notconsideringtheirtemptations.Somewillunchurchandunbrotherinapassion.Butillhumours do not alter true relations; though the child in a fit shoulddisclaimthemother,yetthemotherwillnotdisclaimthechild.

ThereisthereforeinthesejudgingtimesgoodgroundofJames'scaveatthatthereshouldnotbe`manymasters'(James3:1),thatweshouldnotsmiteoneanotherbyhastycensures,especiallyinthingsofanindifferentnature; some things are as themind of him is that does them, or doesthemnot;forbothmaybeuntotheLord.

Aholyaiminthingsneitherclearlyrightnorwrongmakesthejudgmentsofmen,althoughseeminglycontrary,yetnotsomuchblamable.Christ,forthegoodaimsheseesinus,overlooksanyillinthem,sofarasnottolay it to our charge. Men must not be too curious in prying into theweaknessesofothers.Weshouldlabourrathertoseewhattheyhavethatisforeternity,toinclineourhearttolovethem,thanintothatweaknesswhichtheSpiritofGodwillintimeconsume,toestrangeus.Somethinkit strength of grace to endure nothing in the weaker, whereas thestrongestarereadiesttobearwiththeinfirmitiesoftheweak.

Where most holiness is, there is most moderation, where it may bewithoutprejudiceofpietytoGodandthegoodofothers.WeseeinChristamarvelous temper of absolute holiness, with greatmoderation.Whatwouldhavebecomeofoursalvation,ifhehadstooduponterms,andnotstooped thus low unto us? We need not affect to be more holy thanChrist.Itisnoflatterytodoashedoes,solongasitistoedification.

TheHoly Ghost is content to dwell in smoky, offensive souls. Oh, thatthatSpiritwouldbreathe intoourspirits thesamemercifuldisposition!Weendurethebitternessofwormwood,andotherdistastefulplantsandherbs,onlybecausewehavesomeexperienceofsomewholesomequalityinthem;andwhyshouldwerejectmenofusefulpartsandgraces,onlyfor some harshness of disposition, which, as it is offensive to us, so itgrievesthemselves?

Grace,whilewelivehere,isinsoulswhich,becausetheyareimperfectly

renewed, dwell in bodies subject to several humours, and these willinclinethesoulsometimestoexcessinonepassion,sometimestoexcessin another. Bucer was a deep and a moderate divine. After longexperience he resolved to refuse none in whom he saw aliquid Christi,somethingofChrist.ThebestChristiansinthisstateofimperfectionarelikegoldthatisalittletoolight,whichneedssomegrainsofallowancetomakeitpass.Youmustgrantthebesttheirallowance.

Wemustsupplyoutofourloveandmercythatwhichweseewantinginthem.ThechurchofChristisacommonhospital,whereinallareinsomemeasure sickof some spiritual diseaseor other, so all haveoccasion toexercisethespiritofwisdomandmeekness.

Sothatwemaydothisthebetter,letusputuponourselvestheSpiritofChrist. There is a majesty in the Spirit of God. Corruption will hardlyyieldtocorruptioninanother.Prideisintolerabletopride.Theweaponsofthiswarfaremustnotbecarnal(2Cor.10:4).Thegreatapostleswouldnotsetupontheworkoftheministryuntiltheywere`enduedwithpowerfromonhigh'(Luke24:49).TheSpiritwillonlyworkwithhisowntools.AndweshouldthinkwhataffectionChristwouldcarrytothepartyinthiscase.Thatgreatphysician,ashehadaquickeyeandahealingtongue,sohadheagentlehand,andatenderheart.

And,further,letustaketoourselvestheconditionofhimwithwhomwedeal.Weare,orhavebeen,ormaybeinthatconditionourselves.Letusmake the case our own, and also consider in what near relation aChristian stands to us, even as a brother, a fellowmember, heir of thesamesalvation.Andthereforeletustakeuponourselvesatendercareofthem in every way; and especially in cherishing the peace of theirconsciences. Conscience is a tender and delicate thing, andmust be sotreated.Itislikealock:ifitsworkingsarefaulty,itwillbetroublesometoopen.

6.MarksoftheSmokingFlax

To determine whether we are this smoking flax which Christ will notquench,wemustremembertheserules:

Wemusthavetwoeyes,onetoseeimperfectionsinourselvesandothers,theothertoseewhatisgood.`Iamblack,'saysthechurch,`butcomely'(Song of Sol. 1:5). Those who are given to quarrelling with themselvesalwayslackcomfort,andthroughtheirinfirmitiestheyarepronetofeedon such bitter things as will most nourish that disease which troublesthem.Thesedelighttobelookingonthedarksideofthecloudonly.

Wemustnotjudgeofourselvesalwaysaccordingtopresentfeeling,forintemptationsweshallseenothingbutsmokeofdistrustfulthoughts.Firemayberakedupintheashes,thoughnotseen.Lifeinthewinterishidintheroot.

Wemust beware of false reasoning, such as: because our fire does notblazeoutasothers,thereforewehavenofireatall.Byfalseconclusionswemaycome to sinagainst thecommandment inbearing falsewitnessagainstourselves.Theprodigalwouldnotsayhewasnoson,butthathewasnotworthytobecalledason(Luke15:19).Wemustneithertrusttofalseevidence,nordenytrue;forsoweshoulddishonortheworkofGod'sSpirit inus,and losethehelpof thatevidencewhichwouldcherishourlovetoChrist,andarmusagainstSatan'sdiscouragements.SomeareasfaultyinthiswayasiftheyhadbeenhiredbySatan,the`accuserofthebrethren'(Rev.12:10),topleadforhiminaccusingthemselves.

OURRULEISTHECOVENANTOFGRACE

We must acknowledge that in the covenant of grace God requires thetruthofgrace,notanycertainmeasure;andasparkoffireisfire,aswellas thewhole element. Thereforewemust look to grace in the spark aswellasintheflame.Allhavenotthelikestrong,thoughtheyhavethelikeprecious, faith (2 Pet. 1:1), whereby they lay hold of, and put on, theperfectrighteousnessofChrist.Aweakhandmayreceivearichjewel.Afewgrapeswill show that theplant is a vine, andnota thorn. It isonethingtobedeficientingrace,andanotherthingtolackgracealtogether.God knows we have nothing of ourselves, therefore in the covenant ofgraceherequiresnomorethanhegives,butgiveswhatherequires,and

acceptswhathegives:`Ifshebenotabletobringalamb,thensheshallbringtwoturtledoves'(Lev.12:8).Whatisthegospelitselfbutamercifulmoderation, inwhichChrist'sobedience is esteemedours, andour sinslaid upon him, wherein God, from being a judge, becomes our Father,pardoning our sins and accepting our obedience, though feeble andblemished?Wearenowbrought toheavenunder thecovenantofgracebyawayofloveandmercy.

Itwillproveaspecialhelptoknowdistinctlythedifferencebetweenthecovenantofworksandthecovenantofgrace,betweenMosesandChrist.Moses, without any mercy, breaks all bruised reeds, and quenches allsmoking flax. For the law requires personal, perpetual and perfectobediencefromtheheart,andthatunderamostterriblecurse,butgivesnostrength.Itisaseveretaskmaster,likePharaoh's,requiringthewholetale of bricks and yet giving no straw. Christ comeswith blessing afterblessing, even upon those whom Moses had cursed, and with healingbalmforthosewoundswhichMoseshadmade.

Thesamedutiesarerequiredinbothcovenants,suchastolovetheLordwithallourheartsandwithalloursouls(Deut.6:5).Inthecovenantofworks,thismustbefulfilledabsolutely,butunderthecovenantofgraceitmusthaveanevangelicalmitigation.Asincereendeavorproportionabletogracereceivedisaccepted(andsoitmustbeunderstoodofJosiah,andothers,when it is said theydid thatwhichwas right in the sightof theLord).

Thelawissweetenedbythegospel,andbecomesdelightfultotheinnerman (Rom. 7:22).Under this gracious covenant, sincerity is perfection.ThisisthedeathinthepotoftheRomanreligion,thattheyconfoundthetwo covenants, and it deadens the comfort of drooping ones that theycannot distinguish them. And thus they suffer themselves to be heldunder bondage when Christ has set them free, and stay in the prisonwhenChristhassetopenthedoorsbeforethem.

Wemustrememberthatgracesometimesissolittleastobeindiscernibletous.TheSpirit sometimeshas secretoperations inuswhichweknownot for the present, but Christ knows. Sometimes, in bitterness oftemptation,whenthespiritstruggleswithasenseofGod'sanger,weare

apttothinkGodanenemy.Atroubledsoulisliketroubledwater:wecanseenothinginit,and,sofarasitisnotcleansed,itwillcastupmireanddirt. It is full of objections against itself, yet for themost partwemaydiscernsomethingofthehiddenlife,andofthesesmotheredsparks.Inagloomydaythereissomuchlightthatwemayknowittobedayandnotnight;sothereissomethinginaChristianunderacloudwherebyhemaybediscernedtobeatruebelieverandnotahypocrite.Thereisnomeredarkness in the state of grace, but some beam of light whereby thekingdomofdarknessdoesnotwhollyprevail.

THEPRESENCEOFTHEHEAVENLYFIRE

Applyingtheserules,wemaysay:

First, if there be any holy fire in us, it is kindled from heaven by theFatherof lights,who`commandedthelighttoshineoutofdarkness'(2Cor.4:6).Asitiskindledbytheuseofmeans,soitisfed.ThelightinusandthelightintheWordspringtheonefromtheotherandbothfromtheoneHolySpirit.Therefore,inthecaseofthosethatregardnottheWord,itis`becausethereisnolightinthem'(Isa.8:20).Heavenlytruthsmusthaveaheavenlylighttodiscernthem.Naturalmenseeheavenlythings,notintheirownproperlight,butbyaninferiorlight.Ineveryconvertedman,Godputsalightintotheeyeofhissoulproportionabletothelightoftruthsrevealedtohim.Acarnaleyewillneverseespiritualthings.

Secondly,theleastdivinelighthasheatwithitinsomemeasure.Lightintheunderstandingproducesheatofloveintheaffections.Inthemeasurethatthesanctifiedunderstandingseesathingtobetrueorgood,inthatmeasure the will embraces it. Weak light produces weak inclinations,strong light, strong inclinations. A little spiritual light is of strengthenoughtoanswerstrongobjectionsoffleshandblood,andtoseebeyondallearthlyallurementsandopposinghindrances,presentingthemasfarinferiortothoseheavenlyobjectsitbeholds.Alllightthatisnotspiritual,because it lacks the strength of sanctifying grace, yields to every littletemptation, especially when it is fitted and suited to personalinclinations.ThisisthereasonwhyChristiansthathavelightthatislittlefor quantity, but heavenly for quality, persevere, when men of largerapprehensions sink. This prevailing of light in the soul is because,

togetherwiththespiritofillumination,theregoes,inthegodly,aspiritofpower (2 Tim. 1:7) to subdue the heart to truth revealed, and to put ataste and relish into the will, suitable to the sweetness of the truth;otherwise a will that is merely natural will rise against supernaturaltruths, as having an antipathy and enmity against them. In the godly,holytruthsareconveyedbywayofataste;graciousmenhaveaspiritualpalateaswellasaspiritualeye.Gracealtersthespiritualtaste.

Thirdly,where thisheavenly light iskindled, itdirects in the rightway.Foritisgivenforthatuse,toshowusthebestway,andtoguideusintheparticularpassagesof life;otherwise, it isbutcommon light,givenonlyforthegoodofothers.Somehavelightofknowledge,yetfollownotthatlight, but are guided by carnal reason and policy, such as those theprophetspeaksof,`Allyethatkindleafire. . .walkinthelightofyourfire, and in the sparks that yehavekindled.This shall yehave ofminehand;yeshallliedowninsorrow'(Isa.50:11).Goddelightstoconfoundcarnal wisdom, as enmity to him, and robbing him of his prerogative,whoisGodonlywise.Wemust,therefore,walkbyhislight,nottheblazeof our own fire.Godmust light our candle (Psa. 18:28) or elsewewillabideindarkness.Thosesparksthatarenotkindledfromheavenarenotstrong enough to keep us from lying in sorrow, though they make agreaterblazeandshowthanthelightfromabove,asmadmendogreaterthings than sober men, but by a false strength: so the excess of thesemen's joyarises froma false light.`The lightof thewickedshallbeputout' (Job 18:5).The lightwhich somemenhave is like lightningwhich,after a sudden flash, leaves themmore in darkness. They can love thelightasitshines,buthateitasitdiscoversanddirects.AlittleholylightwillenableustokeepChrist'sWord,andnotbetrayreligionnordenyhisname,asChristspeaksofthechurchofPhiladelphia(Rev.3:8).

Fourthly, where this fire is, it will sever things of diverse natures, andshow a difference between such things as gold and dross. It will severbetweenfleshandspirit,andshowthatthisisofnature,thisofgrace.Allisnot ill inabadaction,orgood inagoodaction.There isgold inore,whichGodandhisSpirit inus candistinguish.A carnalman'sheart islikeadungeon,whereinnothingistobeseenbuthorrorandconfusion.This lightmakes us judicious and humble, upon clearer sight of God's

purityandourownuncleanness,andmakesusabletodiscerntheworkoftheSpiritinanother.

Fifthly,sofarasamanisspiritual,sofarislightdelightfultohim.Heiswillingtoseeanythingamissthathemayreform,andanyfurtherservicediscoveredthathemayperform,becausehetrulyhatesillandlovesgood.If he goes against light discovered, he will soon be reclaimed, becauselight has a friendly party within him. Therefore, at a little sight of hiserror, he is soon open to counsel, asDavidwas in his intention to killNabal;andheblessedGodafterwards,whenhewasstoppedinanillway(1Sam.25:32).

Inthecaseofacarnalman,thelightbreaksinonhim,buthelaborstoblock its entrance. He has no delight in coming to the light. It isimpossible, before the Spirit of grace has subdued the heart, that itshould not sin against the light, either by resisting it, or keeping itprisoner under base lusts and burying it, as it were, in the earth, orperverting it, and so making it an agent and factor for the flesh, insearchingoutargumentstopleadforit,orabusingthatlittlemeasureoflightmenhave, so as to keepout a greater, higher, andmoreheavenlylight.So,at length, theymakethe light theyhaveamisleadingguide toutterdarkness.Andthereasonisbecausethelighthasnofriendwithin.Thesoulisinacontraryframe,andlightalwayshindersthatsinfulpeacethatmenarewillingtopromisethemselves.Henceweseethatlightoftenenragesmenmore,asthesuninspringtimebringsonfeverishillnesseswhenitstirsupbodilyhumoursratherthanovercomingthem.

There is nothing in the worldmore uneasy than the heart of a wickedmanmadetolistentospiritualinstruction,until,likeathief,heputsoutthecandlesothathemaysinwithlessrestraint.Spirituallightisdistinct.It apprehends spiritual good and applies it to ourselves; but commonlightisconfused,andletssinliequiet.Wherefireis,inanydegree,itwillfight everything contrary to it. God put irreconcilable hatred betweenlightanddarknessfromthefirst;soalsobetweengoodandill,fleshandSpirit(Gal.5:17).Gracewillneverjoinwithsin,anymorethanfirewithwater. Fire will mingle with nothing contrary, but preserves its ownpurity, and is never corrupted as other elements are. Therefore, thosethatpleadandplot for liberties for the fleshshowthemselvesstrangers

fromthelifeofGod.Feelingthisstrife,graciousmenoftencomplainthattheyhavenograce.Buttheycontradictthemselvesintheircomplaints,asifamanthatseesshouldcomplainhecannotsee,orcomplainthatheisasleep;whereastheverycomplaint,springingfromadispleasureagainstsin,showsthatthereissomethinginhimoppositetosin.Canadeadmancomplain? Some things, though bad in themselves, yet reveal good, assmokerevealsthepresenceoffire.Aviolentreactioninthebodyshowsbodily vigor. Some infirmities show more good than some seeminglybeautiful actions. Excess of passion in opposing evil, though not to bejustified,yetshowsabetterspiritthanacalmtemperwherethereisjustcause of beingmoved. It is better that thewater should run somewhatmuddilythannotrunatall.Jobhadmoregraceinhisilltemperthanhisfriends in their seemingly wise demeanor. Actions stained with somedefectsaremoreacceptablethanemptycompliments.

Sixthly, fire, where it is present, is in some degree active. So the leastmeasureofgraceworks,asspringingfromtheSpiritofGod,who, fromhis operations, is compared to fire. Even in sins, when there seemsnothingactivebutcorruption,thereisacontraryprinciple,whichbreaksthe forceof sin, so that it isnotboundlessly sinful, as in those thatarecarnal(Rom.7:13).

Seventhly,firemakesmetalspliableandmalleable.Sograce,whereit isgiven,makestheheartpliableandreadytoreceiveallgoodimpressions.Obstinatespiritsshowthattheyarenotsomuchassmokingflax.

Eighthly,fire,asmuchasitcan,setseverythingonfire.Sogracelaborstoproduce a gracious impression in others, andmake asmany good as itcan.Gracealsomakesagracioususeevenofnaturalandcivilthings,andspiritualizesthem.Whatanothermandoesonlyinacivilwayagraciousmanwilldoholily.Whetherheeatsordrinksorwhatsoeverhedoes,hedoesalltothegloryofGod(1Cor.10:31),makingeverythingserviceabletothatultimateend.

Ninthly, sparksbynature flyupwards.So theSpiritofgracecarries thesoulheavenwardand setsbeforeusholy andheavenly aims.As itwaskindledfromheaven,soitcarriesusbacktoheaven.Thepartfollowsthewhole:firemountsupward,soeverysparktoitsownelement.Wherethe

aimandbentofthesoulistowardsGod,thereisgrace,thoughopposed.The leastmeasureof it isseen inholydesires,springing fromfaithandlove, forwe cannotdesire anythingwhichwedonotbelieve first tobe,andthedesireofitissuesfromlove.Hencedesiresarecountedapartofthe thing desired, in some measure. But these desires must be (1)constant,forconstancyshowsthattheyaresupernaturally natural,andnot enforced; (2)directed to spiritual things, suchas tobelieve, to loveGod,notbecauseofaparticularemergency,inthatonethinksonemightescapesomedanger ifonehadgrace,butasa lovingheart iscarried tothe thing loved for the sake of some excellency in it; (3) accompaniedwithgriefwhenthedesireishindered,soastostirusuptopray:`Ohthatmywaysweredirected that Imight keep thy statutes!' (Psa. 119:5); `Owretchedman that I am!Who shall deliverme?' (Rom. 7:24); and (4)suchdesires asdriveus onward still: `Oh, that Imight serveGodwithmore liberty.Oh, that Iweremore free from these offensive, unsavory,hatefullusts!'

Tenthly, fire, if ithasanymatter to feedon,enlarges itselfandmountshigher and higher, and, the higher it rises, the purer is the flame. Sowhere true grace is, it grows inmeasure and purity. Smoking flax willgrow to a flame; and, as it increases, so it discardswhat is contrary toitselfandrefinesitselfmoreandmore.Ignis,quomagislucet,eominusfumat(Asfiregivesmorelight,itgiveslesssmoke).Therefore,itarguesafalse heart to set ourselves a low standard in grace and to rest inbeginnings, alleging that Christ will not quench the smoking flax. Thismerciful disposition in Christ is joined with perfect holiness, shown inperfect hatred to sin; for, rather than that sin should not have itsdeservedpunishment,hebecamea sacrifice for sin. In thishisFather'sholinessandhisownshonemostofall.Andbesidesthis,intheworkofsanctification,thoughhefavorshisworkinus,yethedoesnotfavorsininus; forhewillnever takehishand fromhiswork,untilhehas takenawaysin,even in itsverybeing, fromournatures.ThesameSpirit thatpurifiedhisholyhumannaturecleansesusbydegreestobesuitabletosoholyaHead,andframesthe judgmentandaffectionsofall towhomheshowsmercy to concur with his own, in laboring to further his end ofabolishingsinoutofournatures.

7.HelpfortheWeak

Bymeditationontheserulesandsigns,muchcomfortmaybebroughttothesoulsoftheweakest.Thatitmaybeingreaterabundance,letmeaddsomething to help them over some few ordinary objections and secretthoughtsagainst themselveswhich, gettingwithin theheart, oftentimeskeepthemlow.

TEMPTATIONSWHICHHINDERCOMFORT

1. Some think they have no faith at all because they have no fullassurance,whereasthefairestfirethatcanbewillhavesomesmoke.Thebestactionswillsmellofthesmoke.Themortarwhereingarlichasbeenstampedwillalwayssmellofit;soallouractionswillsavorsomethingoftheoldman.

2.Inweaknessofbodysomethinkgracedies,becausetheirperformancesarefeeble,theirspirits,whicharetheinstrumentsoftheirsouls'actions,beingweakened.But theydonot consider thatGod regards thehiddensighs of those that lack abilities to express them outwardly. He thatpronounces those blessed that consider the poor will have a mercifulconsiderationofsuchhimself.

3. Some again are haunted with hideous representations to theirimaginations,andwithvileandunworthythoughtsofGod,ofChrist,oftheWord,which,asbusyflies,disquietandmolesttheirpeace.ThesearecastinlikewildfirebySatan,asmaybediscernedbythestrangeness,thestrength and violence, and the horribleness of them even to corruptnature.ApioussoulisnomoreguiltyofthemthanBenjaminwaswhenJoseph'scupwasputintohissack.Amongotherhelpsrecommendedbygodly writers, such as detestation of them and diversion from them tootherthings,letthisbeone,tocomplaintoChristagainstthem,andtoflyunder the wings of his protection, and to desire him to take our partagainst his and our enemy. Shall every sin and blasphemy of man beforgiven,andnot theseblasphemous thoughts,whichhave thedevil fortheir father, when Christ himself was molested in this way so that he

mightsuccorallpoorsoulsinthiscondition?

ButthereisadifferencebetweenChristandusinthiscase.BecauseSatanhadnothingofhisowninChristhissuggestionsleftnoimpressionatallin his holy nature, but, as sparks falling into the sea, were presentlyquenched.Satan'stemptationsofChristwereonlysuggestionsonSatan'spart, and apprehensions of the vileness of them on Christ's part. Toapprehendillsuggestedbyanotherisnotill.ItwasChrist'sgrievance,butSatan'ssin.Butthusheyieldedhimselftobetempted,thathemightbothpityusinourconflicts,andtrainusuptomanageourspiritualweaponsas he did. Christ could have overcome him by power, but he did it byargument.ButwhenSatancomestous,hefindssomethingofhisowninus,whichholdscorrespondenceandhas intelligencewithhim.There isthesameenmityinournaturetoGodandgoodness,insomedegree,thatis inSatanhimself.Thereforehis temptations fasten, for themostpart,some taint upon us. And if there were no devil to suggest, yet sinfulthoughts would arise from within us, though none were cast in fromwithout.Wehaveamintofthemwithin.Thesethoughts,ifthesouldwellonthemsolongastosuckordrawfromandbythemanysinfuldelight,then they leave a more heavy guilt upon the soul, hinder our sweetcommunionwithGod,interruptourpeace,andputacontraryrelishintothe soul, disposing it to greater sins. All scandalous actions are onlythoughtsatthefirst.Illthoughtsareaslittlethieves,which,creepinginatthe window, open the door to greater. Thoughts are seeds of actions.These,especiallywhentheyarehelpedforwardbySatan,makethelifeofmanygoodChristiansalmostamartyrdom.Inthiscaseitisanunsoundcomfortthatsomeminister,thatillthoughtsarisefromnature,andwhatisnaturalisexcusable.Wemustknowthatnature,asitcameoutofGod'shandsinthebeginning,hadnosuchrisingsoutofit.Thesoul,asinspiredofGod,hadnosuchunsavorybreathings.Butsince itbetrayed itselfbysinitis,insomesort,naturaltoittoforgesinfulimaginations,andtobeafurnaceofsuchsparks.Andthis isanaggravationof thesinfulnessofnaturalcorruption,thatitissodeeplyrootedandsogenerallyspreadinournature.

Itpromoteshumiliationtoknowthewholebreadthanddepthofsin.Butthe fact that ournaturenow, so far as it is unrenewed, is sounhappily

fruitfulinillthoughts,ministersthiscomfort,thatitisnotourcasealone,asifourconditioninthisweredifferentfromothers,assomehavebeentempted to think, even almost to despair. None, say they, have such aloathsomenatureasIhave.Thisspringsfromignoranceofthespreadingoforiginalsin,forwhatcancomefromanuncleanthingbutthatwhichisunclean?`As inwater faceanswereth to face, so the [polluted]heartofmantoman'(Prov.27:19),wheregracehasnotmadesomedifference.Asin annoyances from Satan, so here, the best way is to lay open ourcomplaintstoChrist,andcrywithPaul,`OwretchedmanthatIam!whoshalldelivermefromthebodyofthisdeath?'(Rom.7:24).Ongivingventto his distress, he presently found comfort, for he breaks intothanksgiving,`IthankGod.'Anditisgoodtoprofitfromthis,tohatethisoffensive body of deathmore, and to draw nearer toGod, as that holyman did after his `foolish' and `beastly' thoughts (Psa. 73:22 and 28),and so to keepourhearts closer toGod, seasoning themwithheavenlymeditations in themorning, storing up goodmatter, so that our heartmaybeagoodtreasury,whilewebegofChristhisHolySpirittostopthatcursed issueand tobea living springofbetter thoughts inus.Nothingmore abases the spirits of holymen that desire to delight inGod afterthey have escaped the common defilements of the world than theseunclean issues of spirit, as beingmost contrary to God, who is a pureSpirit.Buttheveryirksomenessofthemyieldsmatterofcomfortagainstthem.Theyforcethesoultoallspiritualexercises,towatchfulnessandamorenearwalkingwithGod, and to raise itself to thoughtsof ahighernature, such as those which the truth of God, the works of God, thecommunion of saints, themystery of godliness, the terror of the Lord,andtheexcellencyofthestateofaChristianandaconversationsuitableto it, do abundantly minister. They discover to us a necessity of dailypurgingandpardoninggrace,andofseekingtobefoundinChrist,andsobringthebestoftenupontheirknees.

Our chief comfort is that our blessed Saviour, as he bade Satan departfromhim,afterhehadgivenwayawhiletohisinsolence(Matt.4:10),sohewillcommandhimtobegonefromus,whenitshallbegoodforus.Hemustbegoneataword.AndChristcanandwilllikewise,inhisowntime,rebuketherebelliousandextravagantstirringsofourheartsandbringallthethoughtsoftheinnermanintosubjectiontohimself.

4. Some think, when they become more troubled with the smoke ofcorruption than they were before, therefore they are worse than theywere. It is true thatcorruptionsappearnowmore thanbefore,but theyareless.

For, first, themore sin is seen, themore it is hated, and therefore it isless. Dust particles are in a room before the sun shines, but they onlyappearthen.

Secondly, the nearer contraries are one to another, the sharper is theconflict between them.Now, of all enemies the spirit and the flesh arenearestonetoanother,beingbothinthesoulofaregenerateman,inthefacultiesofthesoul,andineveryactionthatspringsfromthosefaculties,and therefore it is nomarvel that the soul, the seat of this battle, thusdividedwithinitself,isassmokingflax.

Thirdly, themore grace, themore spiritual life, and themore spirituallife, themoreantipathy to thecontrary.Thereforenonearesoawareofcorruptionasthosewhosesoulsaremostalive.

Fourthly, when men give themselves up to self-indulgence, theircorruptions do not trouble them, as not being bound and tied up; butwhen once grace suppresses their extravagant and licentious excesses,thenthefleshboils,asdisdainingtobeconfined.Yettheyarebetternowthantheywerebefore.Thatmatterwhichyieldssmokewasinthetorchbeforeitwaslighted,butit isnotoffensivetillthetorchbeginstoburn.Letsuchknowthatifthesmokebeonceoffensivetothem,itisasignthatthereislight.Itisbettertoenjoythebenefitoflight,thoughwithsmoke,thantobealtogetherinthedark.

Norissmokesooffensivetousaslightispleasanttous,sinceityieldsanevidence of the truth of grace in the heart. Therefore, though it iscumbersomeintheconflict,yetitiscomfortableasevidence.Itisbetterthatcorruptionshouldoffendusnowthan,bygivingwayto it togainalittle peace, to lose comfort afterwards. Let such therefore as are atvarianceandoddswiththeircorruptionslookonthistextastheirportionofcomfort.

WEAKNESSSHOULDNOTKEEPUSFROMDUTY

It shouldencourageus toduty thatChristwillnotquench the smokingflax,butblowonittillitflames.Someareloathtodogoodbecausetheyfeeltheirheartsrebelling,anddutiesturnoutbadly.Weshouldnotavoidgoodactionsbecauseoftheinfirmitiesattendingthem.Christlooksmoreatthegoodinthemwhichhemeanstocherishthantheillinthemwhichhemeans toabolish.Thougheating increasesadisease,asickmanwillstilleat,sothatnaturemaygainstrengthagainstthedisease.So,thoughsincleavestowhatwedo,yet letusdoit,sincewehavetodealwithsogoodaLord,andthemorestrifewemeetwith,themoreacceptanceweshallhave.Christlovestotasteofthegoodfruitsthatcomefromus,eventhoughtheywillalwayssavorofouroldnature.

AChristiancomplainshecannotpray.`Oh,Iamtroubledwithsomanydistractingthoughts,andnevermorethannow!'Buthasheputintoyourheartadesiretopray?ThenhewillhearthedesiresofhisownSpiritinyou.`Weknownotwhatweshouldprayforasweought'(norhowtodoanything else as we ought), but the Spirit helps our infirmities with`groaningswhichcannotbeuttered'(Rom.8:26),whicharenothidfromGod.`Mygroaningisnothidfromthee'(Psa.38:9).Godcanpicksenseoutofaconfusedprayer.Thesedesirescry louder inhisears thanyoursins.SometimesaChristianhassuchconfusedthoughtsthathecansaynothing but, as a child, cries, `O Father', not able to express what heneeds,likeMosesattheRedSea.ThesestirringsofspirittouchtheheartofGodandmelthimintocompassiontowardsus,whentheycomefromtheSpiritofadoption,andfromastrivingtobebetter.

`Oh,but is it possible', thinks themisgivingheart, `that soholy aGodshouldaccept suchaprayer?'Yes,hewill accept thatwhich ishisown,andpardonthatwhichisours.Jonahprayedinthefish'sbelly(Jon.2:1),being burdened with the guilt of sin, yet God heard him. Let not,therefore, infirmities discourage us. James takes away this objection(James 5:17). Somemight object, `If Iwere as holy as Elijah, thenmyprayersmightbe regarded.' `But,' sayshe, 'Elijahwasamansubject tolikepassionsasweare.'Hehadhispassionsaswellaswe,ordowethinkthatGodheardhimbecausehewaswithoutfault?Surelynot.Butlookatthe promises: `Call uponme in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee'

(Psa.50:15). `Ask,and it shallbegivenyou' (Matt. 7:7)andothers likethese. God accepts our prayers, though weak, because we are his ownchildren,andtheycomefromhisownSpirit;becausetheyareaccordingtohisownwill;andbecausetheyareofferedinChrist'smediation,andhetakesthem,andminglesthemwithhisownincense(Rev.8:3).

There is never a holy sigh, never a tearwe shed,which is lost. And aseverygraceincreasesbyexerciseofitself,sodoesthegraceofprayer.Byprayerwe learn topray.So, likewise,weshould takeheedofa spiritofdiscouragement in all other holy duties, since we have so gracious aSaviour.Prayasweareable,hearasweareable,striveasweareable,doasweareable,accordingtothemeasureofgracereceived.GodinChristwillcastagraciouseyeuponthatwhichishisown.

WouldPauldonothingbecausehecouldnotdothegoodthathewould?No,he`pressedtowardthemark'.

Letusnotbecruel toourselveswhenChrist is thusgracious.There isacertainmeeknessofspiritwherebyweyieldthankstoGodforanyabilityatall,andrestquietwiththemeasureofgracereceived,seeingitisGod'sgoodpleasureitshouldbeso,whogivesthewillandthedeed,yetnotsoas to rest from furtherendeavors.Butwhen,with faithfulendeavor,wecomeshortofwhatwewouldbe,andshortofwhatothersare,thenknowfor our comfort, Christ will not quench the smoking flax, and thatsincerity and truth, as we said before, with endeavor of growth, is ourperfection.

WhatGodsaysofJeroboam'ssoniscomforting,`Heonlyshallcometothe grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward theLORD God of Israel' (1 Kings 14:13), though only `some good thing'.`Lord,Ibelieve'(Mark9:24),withaweakfaith,yetwithfaith;lovetheewith a faint love, yet with love; endeavor in a feeble manner, yetendeavor.Alittlefireisfire,thoughitsmokes.Sincethouhasttakenmeintothycovenanttobethinefrombeinganenemy,wiltthoucastmeofffortheseinfirmities,which,astheydispleasethee,soaretheythegriefofmyownheart?

8.DutiesandDiscouragements

From what has been said it will not be difficult, with a little furtherdiscussion,toresolvethatquestionwhichsomerequirehelpin,namely,whether we ought to perform duties when our hearts are altogetheraverse to them. To be satisfied on this point, wemust take account ofcertainthings.

WESHOULDPERSISTINDUTIES

1.Ourheartsofthemselvesarereluctanttogiveuptheirliberty,andareonlywithdifficulty brought under the yoke of duty. Themore spiritualthedutyis,themorereluctancethereis.Corruptiongainsground,forthemostpart,ineveryneglect.Itisasinrowingagainstthetide,onestrokeneglectedwillnotbegainedinthree;andthereforeitisgoodtokeepourhearts close to duty, and not to listen to the excuses they are ready toframe.

2.Aswesetaboutduty,Godstrengthenstheinfluencethathehasinus.We find awarmness of heart and increase of strength, the Spirit goingalongwithusandraisingusupbydegrees,untilheleavesusasitwereinheaven.Godoftendelights to takeadvantageofouraverseness, thathemaymanifesthisworkthemoreclearly,andthatallthegloryoftheworkmaybehis,asallthestrengthishis.

3. Obedience is most direct when there a nothing else to sweeten theaction.Althoughthesacrificeisimperfect,yettheobediencewithwhichitisofferedisaccepted.

4.Whatiswonasaspoilfromourcorruptionswillhaveasgreatadegreeofcomfortafterwardsasithasofobstructionforthepresent.Feelingandfreeness of spirit are often reserved until duty is discharged. Rewardfollowswork.InandafterdutywefindthatexperienceofGod'spresencewhich,withoutobedience,wemaylongwaitfor,andyetgowithout.ThisdoesnothindertheSpirit'sfreedominblowinguponoursoulswhenhepleases (John 3:8), for we speak only of such a state of soul as is

becalmedandmustrow,asitwere,againstthestream.Asinsailingthehandmustbe to thehelmand theeye to the star, soherewemustputforththatlittlestrengthwehavetodutyandlookupforassistance,whichtheSpirit,asfreelyasseasonably,willafford.

Yetinthesedutiesthatrequirethebodyaswellasthesoultheremaybeacessation till strength is restored.Whetting a tool does not hinder, butprepares. In sudden passions, also, there should be a time to composeandcalmthesoul,andtoputthestringsintune.Theprophetaskedforaminstreltobringhissoulintoframe(2Kings3:15).

OVERCOMINGDISCOURAGEMENTS

Sufferingbringsdiscouragements,becauseofourimpatience.`Alas!',welament,`Ishallnevergetthroughsuchatrial.'ButifGodbringsusintothetrialhewillbewithus inthetrial,andat lengthbringusout,morerefined. We shall lose nothing but dross (Zech. 13:9). From our ownstrengthwecannotbeartheleasttrouble,butbytheSpirit'sassistancewecanbearthegreatest.TheSpiritwilladdhisshoulderstohelpustobearourinfirmities.TheLordwillgivehishandtoheaveusup(Psa.37:24).'Yehaveheardofthepatienceofjob,'saysJames(James5:11).Wehaveheard of his impatience too, but it pleased Godmercifully to overlookthat.Ityieldsuscomfortalsoindesolateconditions,suchascontagioussicknessesand the like, inwhichwearemore immediatelyunderGod'shand,thatthenChristhasathroneofmercyatourbedsideandnumbersourtearsandourgroans.And,tocometothematterwearenowabout,theSacrament', itwasordainednotforangels,butformen;andnotforperfectmen,butforweakmen;andnotforChrist,whoistruthitself,tobind him, but because we are ready, by reason of our guilty andunbelievinghearts,tocalltruthitselfintoquestion.

Thereforeitwasnotenoughforhisgoodnessto leaveusmanypreciouspromises,buthegivesusconfirmingtokenstostrengthenus.Andevenifwearenotsopreparedasweshouldbe,yetletusprayasHezekiahdid:`ThegoodLORDpardoneveryonethatpreparethhishearttoseekGod,theLORDGodofhisfathers,thoughhebenotcleansedaccordingtothepurification of the sanctuary' (2 Chron. 30:18,19). Then we comecomfortably to this holy sacrament, and with much fruit. This should

carryus throughalldutieswithmuchcheerfulness, that, ifwehateourcorruptionsandstriveagainstthem,theyshallnotbecountedours.`ItisnomoreIthatdoit,'saysPaul,`butsinthatdwellethinme'(Rom.7:17).Forwhatdispleasesusshallneverhurtus,andweshallbeesteemedbyGodtobewhatweloveanddesireandlabourtobe.Whatwedesiretobewe shall be, andwhatwe desire truly to conquerwe shall conquer, forGodwillfulfillthedesireofthemthatfearhim(Psa.145:19).Thedesireisanearnestofthethingdesired.Howlittleencouragementwillcarryustotheaffairsofthislife!AndyetallthehelpsGodofferswillhardlyprevailwithourbackwardnatures.

1 A marginal note in early editions reads, `This was preached at theSacrament'.

THESOURCEOFDISCOURAGEMENTS

Where,then,dothesediscouragementscomefrom?

1.NotfromtheFather,forhehasboundhimselfincovenanttopityusasa father pities his children (Psa. 103:13) and to accept as a father ourweakendeavors.Andwhatiswantinginthestrengthofduty,hegivesusleave to take up in his gracious indulgence. In thiswaywe shall honorthatgraceinwhichhedelightsasmuchasinmoreperfectperformances.Possibilitastuamensuratua(Whatispossibletoyouiswhatyouwillbemeasuredby).

2.NotfromChrist,forhebyofficewillnotquenchthesmokingflax.Wesee how Christ bestows the best fruits of his love on persons who aremeanincondition,weakinabilities,andoffensiveforinfirmities,nay,forgrosser falls. And this he does, first, because thus it pleases him toconfound the pride of the flesh, which usuallymeasures God's love bysomeoutwardexcellency;andsecondly, in thiswayhedelights toshowthefreedomofhisgraceandconfirmhisroyalprerogativethat`hethatglorieth'must`gloryintheLord'(1Cor.1:31).

In the eleventh chapter ofHebrews, among that cloudofwitnesses,weseeRahab,GideonandSamsonrankedwithAbraham,the fatherof the

faithful(Heb.11:31,32).OurblessedSaviour,ashewastheimageofhisFather, so in this he was of the same mind, glorifying his Father forrevealingthemysteryofthegospeltosimplemen,neglectingthosethatcarriedthechiefreputationofwisdomintheworld(Matt.11:25,26).

Itisnotunworthyofbeingrecorded,whatAugustinespeaksofasimpleman in his time, destitute almost altogether of the use of reason,who,althoughhewasmostpatientofall injuriesdone tohimself,yet fromareverenceofreligionhewouldnotendureanyinjurydonetothenameofChrist, somuchso thathewouldcast stonesat those thatblasphemed,notevensparinghisowngovernors.ThisshowsthatnonehaveabilitiessomeagerastobebeneaththegraciousregardofChrist.Whereitpleaseshimtomakehischoiceandtoexalthismercyhepassesbynodegreeofunderstanding,thoughneversosimple.

3. Neither do discouragements come from the Spirit. He helps ourinfirmities, and by office is a comforter (Rom. 8:26; John 14:16). If heconvincesofsin,andsohumblesus, it is thathemaymakeway forhisoffice of comforting us. Discouragements, then, must come fromourselvesandfromSatan,wholaborstofastenonusaloathingofduty.

SOMESCRUPLESREMOVED

Among other causes of discouragement, some are much vexed withscruples,evenagainstthebestduties;partlybydiseaseofbody,helpedbySatan'smalice in castingdust in their eyes in theirway toheaven; andpartly from some remainder of ignorance,which, like darkness, breedsfears- ignorance especially of this merciful disposition in Christ, thepersuasionofwhichwouldeasilybanishfalsefears.Theyconceiveofhimasoneonwatchforalladvantagesagainstthem, inwhichtheymayseehowtheywrongnotonlythemselvesbuthisgoodness.Thisscrupulosity,forthemostpart, isasignofagodlysoul,assomeweedsareofagoodsoil.Thereforetheyarethemoretobepitied,forit isaheavyaffliction,andthegroundofitinmostisnotsomuchfromtroubleofconscienceasfromadisorderedimagination.TheendofChrist'scomingwastofreeusfromall suchgroundless fears.There is still in some such ignoranceofthat comfortable conditionwe are in under the covenant of grace as todiscouragethemgreatly.Thereforewemustunderstandthat:

1.Weaknesses do not break covenantwithGod. They do not break thecovenantbetweenhusbandandwife,andshallwemakeourselvesmorepitiful than Christ who makes himself a pattern of love to all otherhusbands?

2.Weaknessesdonotdebarusfrommercy;rathertheyinclineGodtousthe more (Psa. 78:39). Mercy is a part of the church's marriageinheritance. Christ betroths her to him `in mercy' (Hos. 2:19). Thehusband isbound tobearwith thewife, asbeing the`weakervessel' (1Pet.3:7),andshallwethinkChristwillexempthimselffromhisownrule,andnotbearwithhisweakspouse?

3.IfChristshouldnotbemercifultoourweaknesses,heshouldnothaveapeopletoservehim.Supposethereforeweareveryweak,yetsolongaswearenotfoundamongstmaliciousopposersandunderminersofGod'struth, let us not give way to despairing thoughts; we have a mercifulSaviour.

But lestwe flatter ourselveswithout good grounds,wemust know thatweaknessesare tobereckonedeither imperfectionscleavingtoourbestactions, or actionsproceeding from immaturity inChrist,whilstwearebabes,ortheeffectsofwantofstrength,whereabilityissmall,orsuddenunintended breakings out, contrary to our general bent and purpose,whilst our judgment is overcastwith the cloudof a sudden temptation,afterwhichwe feelour infirmity,grieve for itand fromgrief,complain,and,with complaining, striveand labour to reform; finally, in laboring,wemakesomeprogressagainstourcorruption.

Weaknesses so considered, although a matter of humiliation and theobjectofourdailymortification,yetmaybeconsistentwithboldnesswithGod,norisagoodworkeitherextinguishedbythemortaintedsofarastoloseallacceptancewithGod.Buttopleadforaninfirmityismorethananinfirmity; toallowourselves inweaknesses ismorethanaweakness.Thejustificationofevilshutsourmouths,sothatthesoulcannotcallGodFatherwithchildlike liberty,orenjoysweetcommunionwithhim,untilpeacebemadebyshamingourselves,andrenewingourfaith.Thosethathaveeverbeenbruisedforsin,iftheyfall,aresoonrecovered.PeterwasrecoveredwithagraciouslookofChrist,DavidbyAbigail'swords.Ifyou

tellathieforavagrantthatheisoutoftheway,hepaysnoheed,becausehisaimisnottowalkinanyparticularway,exceptasitsuitshispurpose.

WHATARESINSOFINFIRMITY?

Toclarifythisfurther,wemustunderstandthat:

1.Wherever sins of infirmity are in a person, theremust be the life ofgracebegun.Therecanbenoweaknesswherethereisnolife.

2.Theremustbeasincereandgeneralbenttothebestthings.Though a godly manmay suddenly be drawn or driven aside in someparticulars,yet,byreasonofthatinteresttheSpiritofChristhasinhim,and because his aims are right in the main, he will either recover ofhimself,oryieldtothecounselofothers.

3.Theremustbearightjudgment,allowingofthebestways,orelsetheheartisrotten.Thenitwillinfusecorruptionintothewholeconversation,so thatallmen'sactionsbecome infectedat thespringhead.They thenjustify loosenessandcondemnGod'swaysastoomuchstrictness.Theirprincipleswherebytheyworkarenotgood.

4.TheremustbeaconjugallovetoChrist,sothattherearenotermsonwhich they will change their Lord and husband, and yield themselvesabsolutelyovertoberuledbytheirownlusts,orthelustsofothers.

A Christian's behavior towards Christ may in many things be veryoffensive,andcausesomestrangeness;yethewillownChrist,andChristhim;hewillnotresolveuponanywaywhereinheknowshemustbreakwithChrist.Wheretheheartisthusintheserespectsqualified,therewemust know this, that Christ counts it his honor to pass by manyinfirmities, nay, in infirmities he perfects his strength. There are somealmost invincible infirmities, such as forgetfulness, heaviness of spirit,sudden passions and fears which, though natural, yet are for themostparttaintedwithsin.Ofthese,ifthelifeofChristbeinus,weareweary,andwouldfainshakethemoff,asasickmanhisfever;otherwiseitisnottobeesteemedweaknesssomuchaswillfulness,andthemorewill, the

moresin.Andlittlesins,whenGodshallawakentheconscienceand`setthem inorder' beforeus (Psa. 50:21)will prove greatburdens, andnotonlybruiseareed,butshakeacedar.YetGod'schildrenneversinwithfull will, because there is a contrary law in their minds by which thedominion of sin is broken and which always has some secret workingagainstthelawofsin.Neverthelesstheremaybesomuchwillinasinfulactionasmaydestroyourcomforttoaremarkabledegreeafterwardsandkeepus longon therackofadisquietedconscience,God inhis fatherlydispensationsuspendingthesenseofhislove.Totheextentthatwegiveway toourwill in sinning, to that extentwe set ourselves at adistancefromcomfort. Sin against conscience is as a thief2 in the candle,whichspoils our joy, and thereby weakens our strength. We must know,therefore, that willful breaches in sanctification will much hinder thesenseofourjustification.

Whatcourseshallsuchtaketorecovertheirpeace?Theymustcondemnthemselvessharply,andyetcastthemselvesuponGod'smercyinChrist,asattheirfirstconversion.AndnowtheymustembraceChristthemorefirmly,astheyseemoreneedinthemselves;andletthemrememberthemildnessofChristhere,thathewillnotquenchthesmokingflax.Oftenwe see that, after a deep humiliation, Christ speaks more peace thanbefore, to witness the truth of this reconciliation, because he knowsSatan's enterprises in casting such down lower, because they aremostabasedinthemselvesandareashamedtolookChristintheface,becauseoftheiringratitude.

WeseethatGoddidnotonlypardonDavidbut,aftermuchbruising,gavehim wise Solomon to succeed him in the kingdom.We see in Song ofSolomon6:4that,afterthechurchhasbeenhumbledforherslightingofChrist, he sweetly entertains her again, and begins to commend herbeauty.Wemustknow forour comfort thatChristwasnot anointed tothisgreatworkofMediatorforlessersinsonly,butforthegreatest,ifwehavebuta sparkof true faith to layholdonhim.Therefore, if therebeanybruisedreed,lethimnotmakeanexceptionofhimself,whenChristdoesnotmake an exceptionofhim. `Comeuntome, all ye that labourand are heavy laden' (Matt. 11:28).Why shouldwe notmake use of sograciousadisposition?Weareonlypoorforthisreason,thatwedonot

know our riches in Christ. In time of temptation, believe Christ ratherthan thedevil.Believe truth from truth itself.Hearkennot to a liar, anenemyandamurderer.

2Aflawinacandlewickwhichcausesguttering.

9.BelieveChrist,NotSatan

SinceChrist is thuscomfortably setout tous, letusnotbelieveSatan'srepresentationsofhim.Whenwearetroubledinconscienceforoursins,Satan'smanner is then topresentChrist to the afflicted soul as amostseverejudgearmedwithjusticeagainstus.ButthenletuspresenthimtooursoulsasofferedtoourviewbyGodhimself,holdingoutascepterofmercy,andspreadinghisarmstoreceiveus.

HOWWESHOULDTHINKOFCHRIST

When we think of Joseph, Daniel, John the Evangelist, we frameconceptions of themwith delight, as ofmild and sweet persons.MuchmorewhenwethinkofChrist,weshouldconceiveofhimasamirrorofallmeekness.Ifthesweetnessofallflowerswereinone,howsweetmustthat flower be? In Christ all perfections of mercy and love meet. Howgreat then must that mercy be that lodges in so gracious a heart?Whatevertendernessisscatteredinhusband,father,brother,head,allisbutabeamfromhim; it is inhiminthemosteminentmanner.Weareweak,butwearehis;wearedeformed,butyetcarryhisimageuponus.Afatherlooksnotsomuchattheblemishesofhischildasathisownnatureinhim;soChristfindsmatteroflovefromthatwhichishisowninus.Hesees his own nature in us:we are diseased, but yet hismembers.Whoeverneglectedhisownmembersbecausetheyweresickorweak?Noneeverhatedhisown flesh.Can thehead forget themembers?CanChristforget himself? We are his fullness, as he is ours. He was love itselfclothedwithman's nature,which he united so near to himself, that hemightcommunicatehisgoodnessthemorefreelytous.Andhetooknotournaturewhen itwasat itsbest,butwhen itwasabased,withall the

naturalandcommoninfirmitiesitwassubjectto.

Let us therefore abhor all suspicious thoughts, as either cast in orcherishedbythatdamnedspiritwho,ashelaboredtodividebetweentheFatherandtheSonbyjealousies,bysaying,`IfthoubetheSonofGod'(Matt. 4:6), so his daily study is to divide between the Son and us bybreeding falseopinions inusofChrist,as if therewerenotsuch tenderlove inhim to such aswe are. ItwasSatan's art from thebeginning todiscreditGodwithman,bycallingGod'sloveintoquestionwithourfirstfatherAdam.Hissuccessthenmakeshimreadyatthatweaponstill.

WHENCHRISTSEEMSTOBEANENEMY

`But forall this, I feelnotChrist so tome,' says thesmoking flax,`butratherthecleancontrary.Heseemstobeanenemytome.Iseeandfeelevidencesofhisjustdispleasure:

Christmayactthepartofanenemyalittlewhile,asJosephdid,butitistomakewayforactinghisownpartofmercyinamoreseasonabletime.Hecannotrestrainhisbowelsofmercylong.Heseemstowrestlewithus,as with Jacob, but he supplies us with hidden strength to prevail atlength. Faith pulls off the mask from his face and sees a loving heartunder contrary appearances. Fides Christo larvam detrahit (Faith pullsawaythemaskfromChrist).AtfirstheansweredthewomanofCanaan,whowascryingafterhim,notaword.Thenhegaveheradenial.Afterthat he gave an answer tending to her reproach, calling her a dog, asbeingoutside the covenant.Yet shewouldnotbe sobeatenoff, for sheconsideredtheendofhiscoming.AshisFatherwasnevernearerhiminstrengthtosupporthimthanwhenhewasfurthestoffinsenseoffavortocomfort him, so Christ is never nearer us in power to uphold us thanwhenheseemsmost tohidehispresence fromus.The influenceof theSon of righteousness pierces deeper than his light. In such cases,whateverChrist'spresentbearingistowardsus,letusopposehisnatureandofficeagainstit.Hecannotdenyhimself,hecannotbutdischargetheoffice his Father has laid upon him. We see here the Father hasundertaken thathe shallnot `quench the smoking flax', andChristhasalsoundertakentorepresentus to theFather,appearingbeforehimforusuntilhepresentsusblamelessbeforehim(John17:6,11).TheFather

hasgivenustoChrist,andChristgivesusbackagaintotheFather.

WHENDOUBTASSAILSUS

`Thiswouldbegoodcomfort,'saysone,`ifIwerebutassmokingflax.'

It iswellthatthisobjectionpinchesonyourself,andnotonChrist.It iswellthatyougivehimthehonorofhismercytowardsothers,thoughnottoyourself.YetdonotwrongtheworkofhisSpiritinyourheart.Satan,asheslandersChristtous,soheslandersustoourselves.Ifyouarenotsomuchassmokingflax,thenwhydoyounotrenounceyourinterestinChrist,anddisclaimthecovenantofgrace?Thisyoudarenotdo.Whydoyounotgiveyourselfupwholly tootherpleasures?Thisyourspiritwillnot allow you todo.Wheredo these restless groanings and complaintscomefrom?LayyourpresentstatealongsidetheofficeofChristtosuch,anddonotdespisetheconsolationoftheAlmightynorrefuseyourownmercy. Cast yourself into the arms of Christ, and if you perish, perishthere. If you do not, you are sure to perish. If mercy is to be foundanywhere,itisthere.

InthisappearsChrist'scaretoyou,thathehasgivenyouaheartinsomedegree sensitive.Hemighthavegivenyouup tohardness, securityandprofanenessofheart,ofallspiritualjudgmentsthegreatest.Hewhodiedforhisenemies,willherefusethose,thedesireofwhosesoulistowardshim?Hewho,byhismessengers,desiresustobereconciled,willheputusoffwhenweearnestlyseekitathishand?No,doubtless,whenhegoesbeforeusbykindlingholydesiresinus,heisreadytomeetusinhisownways.Whentheprodigalsethimselftoreturntohisfather,hisfatherdidnotwaitforhim,butmethimintheway.Whenhepreparesthehearttoseek,hecauseshiseartohear(Psa.10:17).Hecannotfindinhishearttohide himself long from us. If God should bring us into such a darkcondition as that we should see no light from himself or the creature,thenletusrememberwhathesaysbytheprophetIsaiah,`Whoisamongyou...thatwalkethindarkness,andhathnolight?'nolightofcomfort,nolightofGod'scountenance`lethimtrustinthenameoftheLORD,andstayuponhisGod'(Isa.50:10).Wecanneverbeinsuchaconditionthat there will be just cause of utter despair. Therefore let us do asmarinersdo,castanchorinthedark.Christknowshowtopityusinthis

case.LookwhatcomforthefeltfromhisFatherwhenhewasbroken(Isa.53:5).Thisiswhatweshallfeelfromhimselfinourbruising.

Thesighsofabruisedheartcarryinthemareport,bothofouraffectiontoChrist,andofhiscaretous.Theeyesofoursoulscannotbetowardshimunless he has cast a gracious lookuponus first. The least lovewehavetohimisbutareflectionofhislovefirstshininguponus.AsChristdid,inhisexampletous,whateverhechargesustodo,sohesufferedinhisownpersonwhateverhecallsustosuffer,sothathemightthebetterlearn to relieve and pity us in our sufferings. In his desertion in thegardenandonthecrosshewascontent tobewithout thatunspeakablesolacewhich thepresenceofhisFathergave,both tobear thewrathoftheLordforatimeforus,andlikewisetoknowthebetterhowtocomfortusinourgreatestextremities.GodseesfitthatweshouldtasteofthatcupofwhichhisSondranksodeep,thatwemightfeelalittlewhatsinis,andwhathisSon'slovewas.ButourcomfortisthatChristdrankthedregsofthecupforus,andwillsuccorus,sothatourspiritsmaynotutterlyfailunder that little tasteofhisdispleasurewhichwemay feel.Hebecamenotonlyamanbutacurse,amanofsorrows,forus.Hewasbrokenthatwe should not be broken; he was troubled, that we should not bedesperatelytroubled;hebecameacurse,thatweshouldnotbeaccursed.Whatever may be wished for in an all sufficient comforter is all to befoundinChrist:

1.AuthorityfromtheFather.Allpowerwasgiventohim(Matt.28:18).2.Strengthinhimself.Hisnameis`ThemightyGod'(Isa.9:6).3. Wisdom, and that from his own experience, how and when to help(Heb.2:18).4.Willingness, as being bone of our bones and flesh of our flesh (Gen.2:23;Eph.5:30).

10.QuenchNottheSpirit

We are now to take notice of various sorts of men that offend deeplyagainstthismercifuldispositionofChrist.

FALSEDESPAIROFCHRIST'SMERCY

Therearethosewhogooninallillcoursesoflifeonthispretence,thatitwould be useless to go to Christ, because their lives have been so bad;whereas,assoonaswe looktoheaven,allencouragementsarereadytomeetusanddrawusforward.Amongothers,thisisoneallurement,thatChrist is ready towelcomeusand leadus further.Nonearedamned inthe church but those that are determined to be, including those whopersistinhavinghardthoughtsofChrist,thattheymayhavesomeshowof reason to fetch contentment from other things, as that unprofitableservant (Matt. 25:30) who would needs take up the opinion that hismasterwasahardman,therebytoflatterhimselfinhisunfruitfulways,innotimprovingthetalentwhichhehad.

FALSEHOPEOFCHRIST'SMERCY

Therearethosewhotakeupahopeof theirown, thatChristwillsufferthemtowalkinthewaystohell,andyetbringthemtoheaven;whereasall comfort should draw us nearer to Christ. Otherwise it is a lyingcomfort,eitherinitselforinourapplicationofit.

RESISTINGCHRIST’SMERCY

TherearethosewhotakeitonthemselvestocastwateronthosesparkswhichChrist laborstokindle inthem,becausetheywillnotbetroubledwiththelightofthem.SuchmustknowthattheLambcanbeangry,andthattheywhowillnotcomeunderhisscepterofmercyshallbecrushedin pieces by his scepter of power (Psa. 2:9). Though he will graciouslytendandmaintaintheleastsparkoftruegrace,yetwherehefindsnotthesparkofgracebutoppositiontohisSpiritstrivingwiththem,hiswrath,oncekindled,shallburntohell.There isnomore justprovocationthanwhenkindnessischurlishlyrefused.

WhenGodwouldhavecuredBabylon,andshewouldnotbecured,thenshewasgivenuptodestruction(Jer.51:9).WhenJerusalemwouldnotbegatheredunder thewingofChrist, then theirhabitation is left desolate(Matt.23:37,38).Whenwisdomstretchesoutherhandandmenrefuse,thenwisdomwilllaughatmen'sdestruction(Prow.1:26).Salvationitself

willnotsavethosethatspillthemedicineandcastawaytheplaster.Itisapitifulcase,whenthismercifulSaviourshalldelightindestruction;whenhethatmademenshallhavenomercyonthem(Isa.27:11).

Oh,saytherebelsof thetime,Godhasnotmadeustodamnus.Yes, ifyouwill notmeet Christ in theways of hismercy, it is fitting that youshould `eat of the fruit of your own way, and be filled with your owndevices' (Prow.1:31).Thiswillbe thehellofhell,whenmenshall thinkthat they have loved their sinsmore than their souls; when they shallthinkwhat love andmercyhas been enforcedupon them, and yet theywould perish. The more accessory we are in pulling a judgment uponourselves,themoretheconsciencewillbeconfoundedinitself.Thentheyshall acknowledge Christ to be without any blame, themselves withoutanyexcuse.

Ifmenappealtotheirownconsciences,theywilltellthemthattheHolySpirithasoftenknockedattheirhearts,aswillingtohavekindledsomeholydesiresinthem.HowelsecantheybesaidtoresisttheHolyGhost,but that the Spirit was readier to draw them to a further degree ofgoodnessthanwasconsistentwiththeirownwills?Thereforethoseinthechurchthataredamnedareselfcondemnedbefore.Sothathereweneednot rise tohigher causes,whenmencarry sufficient cause in theirownbosoms.

PRESUMINGONCHRIST'SMERCY

Andthebestofusallmayoffendagainst thismercifuldisposition ifwearenotwatchfulagainstthatlibertywhichourcarnaldispositionwillbeready to take from it. Thus we reason, if Christ will not quench thesmokingflax,whatneedwefearthatanyneglectonourpartcanbringusintoacomfortlesscondition?IfChristwillnotdoit,whatcan?

You know the apostle's prohibition, notwithstanding, `Quench not theSpirit' (1Thess. 5:19).Such cautionsofnotquenchingare sanctifiedbytheSpiritasameansofnotquenching.Christperformshisofficeinnotquenching by stirring up suitable endeavors in us; and there are nonemoresolicitousintheuseofthemeansthanthosethataremostcertain

oftheirgoodsuccess.Thereasonisthis:themeansthatGodhassetapartfor theeffectingofanythingare included in thepurpose thathehas tobringthatthingtopass.Andthisisaprincipletakenforgranted,evenincivilmatters; forwho, ifheknewbeforethat itwouldbea fruitfulyear,wouldthereforehanguphisploughandneglecttillage?

Hencetheapostlestirsusupfromthecertainexpectationofablessing(1Cor.15:57,58),andthisencouragementfromthegoodissueofvictoryisintended to stir us up, andnot to put us off. Ifwe arenegligent in theexerciseofgracereceivedandtheuseofthemeansprescribed,sufferingourspiritstobeoppressedwithmanyandvariouscaresofthislife,andtakenotheedofthediscouragementsofthetimes,forthiskindofneglectGodinhiswisecaresuffersusoftentofallintoaworseconditioninourfeelingsthanthosethatwereneversomuchenlightened.Yetinmercyhewillnot sufferus tobe so far enemies toourselves aswholly toneglectthesesparksoncekindled.Wereitpossiblethatweshouldbegivenuptoabandonall endeavorwholly, thenwecould look fornoother issuebutquenching;butChristwilltendthissparkandcherishthissmallseed,sothathewillalwayspreserveinthesoulsomedegreeofcare.

Ifwewouldmakeacomfortableuseof this,wemustconsiderall thosemeans whereby Christ preserves grace begun; such as, first, holycommunion, by which one Christian warms another. `Two are betterthan one' (Eccles. 4:9). `Did not our heart burn within us?', said thedisciples (Luke 24:32). Secondly, muchmore communion with God inholy duties, such asmeditation and prayer,which not only kindles butaddsalustertothesoul.Thirdly,wefeelbyexperiencethebreathoftheSpirit to go alongwith the breath of hisministers. For this reason theapostle knits these two together: `Quench not the Spirit. Despise notprophesyings' (1 Thess. 5:19,20). Nathan, by a few words, blew up thedecayingsparksinDavid.RatherthanthatGodwillsufferhisfireinustodie,hewillsendsomeNathanorother,andsomethingalwaysisleftinustojoinwiththeWord,asofthesamenaturewithit;asacoalthathasfireinitwillquicklygathermorefiretoit.Smokingflaxwilleasilytakefire.Fourthly,graceisstrengthenedbytheexerciseofit:`Arisetherefore,andbedoing,andtheLORDbewiththee'(1Chron.22:16),saidDavidtohissonSolomon.Stirupthegracethatisinyou,forinthiswayholymotions

turn to resolutions, resolutions to practice, and practice to a preparedreadinesstoeverygoodwork.

However,letusrememberthatgraceisincreased,intheexerciseofit,notbyvirtueof theexercise itself,butasChristbyhisSpirit flows into thesoul and brings us nearer to himself, the fountain, so instilling suchcomfort that the heart is further enlarged. The heart of a Christian isChrist'sgarden,andhisgracesareassomanysweetspicesand flowerswhich, when his Spirit blows upon them, send forth a sweet savor.Therefore keep the soul open to entertain the Holy Ghost, for he willbringincontinuallyfreshforcestosubduecorruption,andthismostofallon the Lord's day. John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, even inPatmos, the place of his banishment (Rev. 1:10). Then the gales of theSpiritblowmorestronglyandsweetly.

Aswelook,therefore,forthecomfortofthisdoctrine,letusnotfavorournaturalslothbutexerciseourselvesrathertogodliness(1Tim.4:7),andlabourtokeepthisfirealwaysburninguponthealtarofourhearts.Letusdressourlampsdaily,andputinfreshoil,andwindupoursoulshigherandhigherstill.Resting inagoodcondition is contrary tograce,whichcannotbutpromoteitselftoafurthermeasure.Letnoneturnthisgrace`intolasciviousness'(Jude4).Infirmitiesareagroundofhumility,notapleafornegligence,noranencouragementtopresumption.Weshouldbeso far from being evil because Christ is good that those coals of loveshouldmelt us. Therefore thosemaywell suspect themselves inwhomthe consideration of this mildness of Christ does not work that way.Surelywheregraceis,corruptionis`asvinegartotheteeth,andassmoketotheeyes'(Prov.10:26).Andthereforetheywilllabour,withrespecttotheirowncomfort,as likewise for thecreditof religionand thegloryofGod, that their lightmay break forth. If a spark of faith and love is soprecious, what an honor will it be to be rich in faith!Who would notratherwalkinthelight,andinthecomfortsoftheHolyGhost,thanlivein a dark, perplexed state? And not rather be carried with full sail toheaventhanbetossedalwayswithfearsanddoubts?Thepresenttroublein conflict against a sin is not so much as that disquiet which anycorruption favored will bring upon us afterward. True peace is inconquering,notinyielding.Thecomfortintendedinthistextisforthose

thatwouldfaindobetter,butfindtheircorruptionsclogthem;thatareinsuchamist,thatoftentheycannottellwhattothinkofthemselves;thatfainwouldbelieve,andyetoften fear that theydonotbelieve;and thatthinkthatitcannotbethatGodshouldbesogoodtosuchsinfulwretchesas they are, and yet they do not permit these fears and doubts inthemselves.

SEEKINGANOTHERSOURCEOFMERCY

Andamongothers,howdotheywrongthemselvesandhimthatwillhaveothermediators toGod for them thanhe!Areanymorepitiful thanhewhobecamemanto thatend, thathemightbepitiful tohisownflesh?Let all, at all times, repair to this meek Saviour, and put up all ourpetitionsinhisprevailingname.Whatneeddowehavetoknockatanyother door? Can any be more tender over us than Christ? Whatencouragementwehavetocommendthestateof thechurch ingeneral,orofanybrokenheartedChristian, tohimbyourprayers,ofwhomwemayspeaktoChrist,astheydidofLazarus,`Lord,thechurchwhichthoulovest,andgavestthyselffor,isindistress';`Lord,thispoorChristian,forwhomthouwastbruised(Isa.53:5) isbruisedandbroughtvery low.' Itcannot but touch his heartwhen themisery of those so dear to him isspreadbeforehim.

MISTREATINGTHEHEIRSOFMERCY

Again, considering this gracious nature in Christ, let us think withourselvesthus:whenheissokindtous,shallwebecruelagainsthiminhisname,inhistruth,inhischildren?Howshallthosethatdelighttobesoterribleto`themeekoftheearth'(Zeph.2:3)hopetolooksograciousaSaviourintheface?Theythataresoboisteroustowardshisspouseshallknow one day that they had to deal with himself in his church. So itcannotbutcuttheheartofthosethathavefeltthisloveofChristtohearhimwoundedwhoisthelifeoftheirlivesandthesouloftheirsouls.Thismakes those that have felt mercy weep over Christ whom they havepiercedwiththeirsins.Therecannotbutbeamutualandquicksympathybetweentheheadandthemembers.Whenwearetemptedtoanysin,ifwewillnotpityourselves,yetweshouldspareChrist,innotputtinghimtonew torments.The apostle couldnot findout amoreheart breaking

argumenttoenforceasacrificeofourselvestoGodthantoappeal tous`bythemerciesofGod'inChrist(Rom.12:1).

STRIFEAMONGTHEHEIRSOFMERCY

ThismercyofChristshouldalsomoveustocommiseratethestateofthepoorchurch,tornbyenemieswithout,andrendingitselfbydivisionsathome.ItcannotbutaffectanysoulthateverfeltcomfortfromChristtoconsider what an affectionate entreaty the apostle makes to mutualagreement in judgment and affection. `If there be therefore anyconsolationinChrist,ifanycomfortoflove,ifanyfellowshipoftheSpirit,ifanybowelsandmercies,fulfillyemyjoy,thatyebelikeminded'(Phil.2:1), as if he should say, `Unless you will disclaim all consolation inChrist, labour tomaintain theunity of theSpirit in thebondof peace.'WhatajoyfulspectacleisthistoSatanandhisfaction,toseethosethatare separated from the world fall in pieces among themselves! Ourdiscordisourenemy'smelody.

Themoretoblamearethosethatforprivateaimsaffectdifferencesfromothers, andwill not suffer thewounds of the church to close andmeettogether.Thismustnotbeunderstoodas ifmenshoulddissembletheirjudgmentinanytruthwherethereisjustcauseofexpressingthemselves;for the least truth isChrist's andnot ours, and thereforewe are not totakelibertytoaffirmordenyatourpleasure.Thereissomethingdueonapennyaswell as onapound, thereforewemustbe faithful in the leasttruth,whentheseasoncallsforit.Thenourwordsare`likeapplesofgoldin pictures of silver' (Prov. 25:11). One word spoken in season will domore good than a thousand out of season. But in some cases peace,throughhavingourfaithtoourselvesbeforeGod(Rom.14:22),isofmoreconsequencethantheopendiscoveryofsomethingswetaketobetrue,considering that the weakness of man's nature is such that there canhardly be a discovery of any difference in opinion without someestrangementof affection.So farasmenarenotofonemind, theywillhardly be of one heart, except where grace and the peace of God beargreat rule in theheart (Col. 3:15).Thereforeopen showofdifference isonly good when it is necessary, although some, from a desire to besomebody, turn into by ways and yield to a spirit of contradiction inthemselves.Yet,ifPaulmaybejudge,they`areyetcarnal'(1Cor.3:3).If

itbewisdom,itiswisdomfrombeneath:forthewisdomfromabove,asitispure,soitispeaceable(James3:17).OurblessedSaviour,whenhewastoleavetheworld,whatdidhepressuponhisdisciplesmorethanpeaceandlove?Andinhislastprayer,withwhatearnestnessdidhebegofhisFather that`theyallmaybeone',asheand theFatherwereone (John17:21).Butwhatheprayedforonearth,weshallonlyenjoyperfectly inheaven.Letthismakethemeditationofthattimethemoresweetuntous.

TAKINGADVANTAGEOFTHEBRUISED

Andfurther, toexposeoffendersof thiskind,whatspirit shallwe thinkthem tobe of that take advantage of thebruisedness and infirmities ofmen'sspiritstorelievethemwithfalsepeacefortheirownworldlyends?Awounded spiritwill partwith anything.Most of the gainful points ofpopery,suchasconfession,satisfaction,meritandpurgatory,springfromhence, but they are physicians of no value, or tormentors and notphysiciansatall.Itisagreaterblessingtobedeliveredfromthestingofthesescorpions (Rev.9:5) thanweare thankful for.Spiritual tyranny isthe greatest tyranny, and then especially when it is wheremostmercyshould be shown; yet even there some, like cruel surgeons, delight inmaking longcures, to serve themselves through themiseryofothers. Itbringsmen under a terrible curse that they `remembered not to showmercy, but persecuted thepoor andneedyman', that theymight `evenslaythebrokeninheart'(Psa.109:16).

Inthesameway,tosuchasraisetemporaladvantagetothemselvesoutofthe spiritual misery of others we must add such as raise estates bybetraying the church, and are unfaithful in the trust committed untothem,whenthechildrencryforthebreadoflife,andthereisnonetogivethem, bringing thus upon the people of God that heavy judgment of aspiritual famine, starvingChrist inhismembers.Shallwe so requite sogood a Saviour who counts the love and mercy shown in feeding hislambs(John21:15)asshowntohimself?

DESPISINGTHESIMPLEMEANSOFMERCY

Lastly,theycarrythemselvesveryunkindlytowardsChristwhostumbleat his low stooping to us in his government and ordinances, that are

ashamedofthesimplicityofthegospel,thatcountpreachingfoolishness.They,outoftheprideoftheirheart,thinkthattheymaydowellenoughwithout thehelpof theWordandsacraments,and thinkChristdidnottakeenoughdignityuponhim;andthereforetheywillmendthematterwith theirowndevices so that theymaygivebetter satisfaction to fleshandblood,asinpopery.WhatgreaterunthankfulnesscantherebethantodespiseanyhelpthatChristinmercyhasprovidedforus?Inthedaysof his flesh the proudPharisees took offence at his familiar conversingwithsinfulmen,thoughheonlydidsoasaphysiciantohealtheirsouls.WhatdefenseswasPauldriventomakeforhimself, forhisplainnessinunfolding the gospel? Themore Christ, in himself and in his servants,shall descend to exalt us, the more we should, with all humility andreadiness,entertainthatloveandmagnifythegoodnessofGod,thathasput the great work of our salvation, and laid the government, upon sogentleaSaviouraswillcarryhimselfsomildlyinallthingswhereinheisto deal betweenGod and us, and us andGod. The lower Christ comesdowntous,thehigherletuslifthimupinourhearts.SowillallthosedothathaveeverfoundtheexperienceofChrist'sworkintheirhearts.

11.Christ'sJudgmentandVictory

We come now to the last part of our text, concerning the constantprogress of Christ's gracious power, until he has set up an absolutegovernmentinuswhichshallprevailoverallcorruptions.Itissaidherethat he will cherish his beginnings of grace in us until he bring forth`judgmentuntovictory'(Matt.12:20).

CHRIST'SJUDGMENTESTABLISHEDINUS

Byjudgmenthereismeantthekingdomofgraceinus,thatgovernmentwherebyChristsetsupathroneinourhearts.GovernorsamongtheJewswere first called judges, then kings, whence this inward rule is calledjudgment,asalsobecauseitagreeswiththejudgmentoftheWord,whichthePsalmistoftencalls judgment (as inPsalm72:1,2)because itagreeswithGod'sjudgment.MenmayreadtheirdoominGod'sWord.Whatit

judgesofthemGodjudgesofthem.Bythisjudgmentsetupinus,goodisdiscerned, allowed, and performed; sin is judged, condemned, andexecuted.Ourspirit,beingundertheSpiritofChrist,isgovernedbyhim,and,sofarasitisgovernedbyChrist,itgovernsusgraciously.

Christandweareofonejudgmentandofonewill.Hehashiswillinus,andhis judgments are so investedwith authority inus as that they areturnedintoourjudgment,wecarryinghislawinourhearts,writtentherebyhisSpirit (Jer.31:33).The law in the innermanandthe lawwrittenanswertoeachotherascounterparts.

Themeaning then is that the gracious frame of holiness set up in ourheartsbytheSpiritofChristshallgoforwarduntilallcontrarypowerissubdued.The spiritof judgmentwillbea spiritofburning (Isa.4:4) toconsume whatever opposed corruption eats into the soul like rust. IfGod's builders fall into errors and build stubble on a good foundation,God'sSpirit,asaspiritual fire,willrevealthis intime(1Cor.3:13),anddestroyit.Thebuildersshall,byaspiritofjudgment,condemntheirownerrors and courses. Thewholework of grace in us is set out under thenameofjudgment,andsometimeswisdom,becausejudgmentisthechiefand leading part in grace, so that the gracious work of repentance iscalledachangeofthemind,andanafterwisdom.Ontheotherhand,inthelearnedlanguagesthewordsthatexpresswisdomimplyalsoageneralrelishandsavorofthewholesoul,andrathermorethejudgmentoftastethan of sight or any other sense, because taste is the most necessarysense, and requires a nearer application of the object than all othersenses.So,inspirituallife,itismostnecessarythattheSpiritshouldalterthe taste of the soul so that it might savor the things of the Spirit sodeeplythatallotherthingsshouldbeoutofrelish.

And as it is true of every particularChristian thatChrist's judgment inhimshallbevictorious, so likewiseof thewholebodyofChristians, thechurch.ThegovernmentofChrist,andhistruth,wherebyherulesasbyascepter,shallat lengthbevictoriousinspiteofSatan,antichrist,andallenemies.Christ,ridingonhiswhitehorse(Rev.6:2),hasabowandgoesforth conquering, in the ministry, that he may overcome either toconversion or to confusion. But yet I take judgment principally forChrist's kingdom and government within us, firstly, because God

especiallyrequiresthesubjectionofthesoulandconscienceashisproperthrone; and, secondly, because, if judgment shouldprevail in all othersaboutusandnotinourownhearts,itwouldnotyieldcomforttous;andthereforeitisthefirstthingthatwedesirewhenwepray, 'Thykingdomcome', that Christ would come and rule in our hearts. The kingdom ofChrist in his ordinances serves but to bring Christ home into his ownplace,ourhearts.

The words being thus explained, that judgment here includes thegovernment ofmind, will and affections, there are various conclusionsthatnaturallyspringfromthem.

CHRIST'SMILDNESSANDHISGOVERNMENT

ThefirstconclusionfromtheconnectionofthispartoftheversewiththeformeristhatChristismildinthewaythatwehaveseensothathemaythen set up his government in those whom he is so gentle and tenderover.Hepardonsinthiswaysoastobeobeyedasaking;hetakesustobe his spouse so as to be obeyed as a husband. The same Spirit thatconvincesusofthenecessityofhisrighteousnesstocoverusconvincesusalsoof thenecessityofhisgovernment to ruleus.His love tousmoveshimtoframeustobelikehimself,andourlovetohimstirsusuptobesuch as he may take delight in, neither do we have faith or hope anyfurtherthanwehaveaconcerntobepurgedasheispure.Hemakesussubordinategovernors,yea,kingsunderhimself,givingusgracenotonlytofightbuttosubdueinsomemeasureourbaseaffections.Itisonemainfruit of Christ's exaltation that he may turn every one of us from ourwickedness(Acts3:26).`FortothisendChristbothdied,androse,andrevived, thathemightbeLordbothof thedeadand living' (Rom.14:9).Godhasboundhimselfbyanoaththathewouldgrantusthat`wemightservehimwithoutfear, inholinessandrighteousnessbeforehim'(Luke1:75),andnotonlybeforetheworld.

PARDONLEADSTOOBEDIENCE

Thismay serve for a trial to discernwhomay lay just claim toChrist'smercy.Onlythosethatwilltakehisyokeandcountitagreaterhappinesstobeunderhisgovernmentthantoenjoyanylibertyoftheflesh;thatwill

takewholeChrist,andnot singleoutofhimwhatmaystandwith theirpresentcontentment;thatwillnotdivideLordfromJesus,andsomakeaChrist of their own, may make this claim. None ever did truly desiremercy forpardonbutdesiredmercy forhealing.Davidprays for anewspirit,aswellasforasenseofpardoningmercy(Psa.51:10).

JUSTIFICATIONLEADSTOSANCTIFICATION

This also shows that those are misled that make Christ to be onlyrighteousnesstousandnotsanctification,exceptbyimputation,whereasitisagreatpartofourhappinesstobeundersuchaLord,whowasnotonlybornforus,andgiventous,buthasthegovernmentlikewiseuponhisshoulder(Isa.9:6,7).HeisourSanctifieraswellasourSaviour,ourSaviouraswellbytheeffectualpowerofhisSpiritfromthepowerofsinasbythemeritofhisdeathfromtheguiltthereof;providedthesethingsareremembered:

1. The first and chief ground of our comfort is that Christ as a priestofferedhimselfasasacrificetohisFatherforus.TheguiltysoulfliesfirsttoChristcrucified,madeacurseforus.ThenceitisthatChristhasrighttogovernus;thenceitisthathegivesushisSpiritasourguidetoleadushome.

2. In the course of our life, after we are in a state of grace, if we areovertaken with any sin, we must remember to have recourse first toChrist's mercy to pardon us, and then to the promise of his Spirit togovernus.

3.Andwhenwefeelourselvescoldinaffectionandduty,thebestwayistowarmourselvesatthisfireofhisloveandmercyingivinghimselfforus.

4.Again, remember this, thatChrist rulesusbya spiritof love, fromasenseofhislove,wherebyhiscommandmentsareeasytous.Heleadsusby his free Spirit, a Spirit of liberty. His subjects are voluntaries. Theconstraint that he lays upon his subjects is that of love. He draws ussweetly with the cords of love. Yet remember also that he draws usstronglybyaSpiritofpower,foritisnotsufficientthatwehavemotives

and encouragements to love and obey Christ from that love of his,whereby he gave himself for us to justify us; but Christ's Spirit mustlikewisesubdueourhearts,andsanctifythemtolovehim,withoutwhichallmotiveswouldbeineffectual.

Ourdispositionmustbechanged.Wemustbenewcreatures.Theyseekfor heaven in hell that seek for spiritual love in an unchanged heart.When a child obeys his father it is from reasons persuading him, aslikewisefromachildlikenaturewhichgivesstrengthtothesereasons.ItisnaturalforachildofGodtoloveChristsofarasheisrenewed,notonlyfrom inducement of reason so to do, but likewise from an inwardprincipleandworkofgrace,whencethosereasonshavetheirchiefforce.Firstwearemadepartakersofthedivinenature,andthenweareeasilyinducedandledbyChrist'sSpirittospiritualduties.

12.Christ'sWiseGovernment

The second conclusion from the final part of the text is that Christ'sgovernmentinhischurchandinhischildrenisawiseandwellorderedgovernmentbecause it is called judgment, and judgment is the life andsoulofwisdom.Ofthisconclusiontherearetwobranches:first,thatthespiritualgovernmentofChristinusisjoinedwithjudgmentandwisdom,and secondly, wherever true spiritual wisdom and judgment are, therelikewisetheSpiritofChristhasbroughtinhisgraciousgovernment.

JUDGMENTANDWISDOM

As to the first, awell guided life by the rules of Christ standswith thestrongest and highest reason of all; and therefore holy men are called`wisdom's children' (Luke7:35), andareable to justify,bothby reasonand experience, all theways ofwisdom.Opposite courses are folly andmadness.HereuponPaulsaysthat`hethatisspiritualjudgethallthings'(1Cor.2:15)thatappertaintohim,andis judgedofnonethatareofaninferiorrank,becausetheylackspirituallightandsighttojudge.Yetthissortofmenwilljudgeand`speakevilofthethingsthattheyunderstand

not'(2Pet.2:12);theystepfromignorancetoprejudiceandrashcensure,withouttakingrightjudgmentintheirway,andthereforetheirjudgmentcomes to nothing. But the judgment of a spiritualman, so far as he isspiritual, shall stand,because it is agreeable to thenatureof things.Asthingsareinthemselves,sotheyareinhisjudgment.AsGodisinhimselfinfinite ingoodnessandmajesty,sohe is tohim.HeascribestoGodinhishearthisdivinityandallhisexcellencies.AsChrist is inhimself theonlyMediator,andallinallinthechurch(Col.3:11),soheistohim,bymakingChristsoinhisheart.AsallthingsaredungincomparisonwithChrist(Phil.3:8),sotheyaretoPaul,asanctifiedman.Astheveryworstthinginreligion,`thereproachofChrist',isbetterthan`thepleasuresofsin for a season' (Heb. 11:25 26), so it is to Moses, a man of a rightesteem. As one day in the courts of God is better than a thousandelsewhere(Psa.84:10),soitistoDavid,amanofareformedjudgment.Thereisaconformityofagoodman'sjudgmenttothingsastheyareinthemselves,andaccordingtothedifferenceoragreementputbyGodinthings,sodoeshisjudgmentdifferoragree.

Truth is truth, anderror, error, and thatwhich isunlawful isunlawful,whethermenthinksoornot.Godhasputaneternaldifferencebetweenlight and darkness, good and ill, which no creature's conceit can alter;andthereforenoman'sjudgmentisthemeasureofthingsfurtherthanitagreestotruthstampeduponthingsthemselvesbyGod.Forthisreason,becauseawiseman'sjudgmentagreestothetruthofthings,awisemanmayinsomesensebesaidtobethemeasureofthings,andthejudgmentofoneholywisemantobepreferredbeforeathousandothers.Suchmenusuallyare immovableas thesun in its course,because they think,andspeak and live by rule. A Joshua and his house will serve God (josh.24:15),whatsoeverothersdo,andwillrunacoursecontrarytotheworld,becausetheirjudgmentsleadthemacontraryway.HenceitisthatSatanhasaspiteattheeyeofthesoul,thejudgment,toputitoutbyignoranceandfalsereason,forhecannotruleinanyuntileitherhehastakenawayorpervertedjudgment.Heisaprinceofdarkness,andrulesindarknessof the understanding. Therefore he must first be cast out of theunderstanding by the prevailing of truth and planting of it in the soul.Those, therefore, that are enemies of knowledge help Satan andantichrist,whosekingdom,likeSatan's,isakingdomofdarkness,toerect

their throne.Hence it is promised by Christ, that theHolyGhost shallconvincetheworldofrighteousnessorjudgment(John16:8);thatis,thatheisresolvedtosetupathroneofgovernment,becausethegreatlordofmisrule,Satan,`theprinceofthisworld',isjudgedbythegospel,andtheSpirit accompanying it. His impostures are discovered, his enterpriseslaid open. Therefore when the gospel was spread the oracles ceased,Satan fell fromheaven like lightning(Luke10:18).Menwere translatedoutofhiskingdomintoChrist's.Whereprevailingisbylies,discoveryisvictory: `they shall proceedno further: for their folly shall bemanifestuntoallmen'(2Tim.3:9).Sothatmanifestationoferrorgivesastoptoit,for none will willingly be deceived. Let truth have full scope withoutcheckorrestraint,andletSatanandhisinstrumentsdotheirworst,theyshall not prevail, as Jerome says of the Pelagians in his time: `Thediscoveryofyouropinionsisthevanquishingofthem,yourblasphemiesappearatthefirstblush."

THENEEDFORHEAVENLYLIGHT

Hencewelearnthenecessitythattheunderstandingshouldbegroundedinknowledgewhichisabovenature

1Jerome(c.347419)inhisEpistletoCtesiphon.

forawellorderedChristian life.Theremustbe light todiscoveranendbeyondnature,becauseofwhichweareChristians,andarulesuitabletodirecttothatend,whichisthewillofGodinChrist,discoveringhisgoodpleasure toward us, and our duty towards him. And in virtue of thisdiscoverywe do all thatwe dowhichmay in anyway furtherwhatwereckontobetrue.Theeyemustfirstbesingle,andthenthewholebodyand frame of our conductwill be light (Matt. 6:22); otherwise bothweandourcourseof lifearenothingbutdarkness.ThewholeconductofaChristian is nothing else but knowledge reduced to will, affection andpractice.Ifthedigestionoffoodinthestomachisnotgood,theworkingofthelivercannotbegood;soifthereiserrorinthejudgmentitmarsthewholeofpractice,asanerrorinthefoundationdoesabuilding.Godwillhave no blind sacrifices, no unreasonable services (Isa. 1:13), but willhave us to love him with all our mind (Rom. 12:2), that is, with ourunderstandingpart,aswellaswithallourhearts(Luke10:27),thatis,the

feelingpartofthesoul.

This ordering of Christ's government by judgment is agreeable to thesoul, and God delights to preserve the manner of working peculiar toman, that is, to do what he does out of judgment. As grace supposesnature,asfoundeduponit,sotheframeofgracepreservestheframeofnatureinman.And,thereforeChristbringsaboutallthatisgoodinthesoul through judgment, and that so sweetly thatmany, by a dangerouserror,thinkthatthatgoodwhichisinthemandissuesfromthemisfromthemselves, and not from the powerful work of grace. So it is in evil,where the devil so subtly leads us according to the stream of our ownnature thatmen think that Satan had no hand in their sin; but here amistakeiswithlittleperil,becauseweareevilofourselves,andthedevilonlypromotes illhe finds inus.But thereareno seedsof supernaturalgoodness at all in us. God finds nothing in us but enmity, only he hasengravedinournatureaninclinationingeneraltothatwhichwejudgetobegood.Nowwhenheclearlyrevealswhatisgoodinparticular,weareattractedtoit;andwhenheshowsusconvincinglywhatisevilweabhoritasfreelyasweembraceditbefore.

Fromthiswemayknowwhetherweworkasweshoulddoornot.Thatis,whenwedowhatwedooutofinwardprinciples,whenwedonotchoosewhat isgoodonlybecauseweweresobroughtup,orbecausesuchandsuch whom we respect do so, or because we will maintain a side, somakingreligionafaction;butoutofjudgment,whenwhatwedothatisgoodwefirstjudgeinourselvessotobe;andwhatweabstainfromthatisillwefirstjudgetobeillfromaninwardjudgment.AsoundChristian,ashe enjoys the better part, so has he first made choice of it withMary(Luke 10:42). He establishes every purpose by counsel (Prov. 20:18).God, indeed, uses carnal men to very good service, but without athoroughalteringandconvictionof their judgment.Heworksby them,butnotinthem.Thereforetheydoneitherapprovethegoodtheydonorhatetheeviltheyabstainfrom.

WHERECHRIST'SGOVERNMENTISSETUP

Thesecondbranchofthisconclusionisthat,wherevertruewisdomandjudgment are, there Christ has set up his government, because where

wisdom is it directs us, not only to understand, but to order our waysaright.WhereChristasaprophet teachesbyhisSpirit,he likewiseasakingsubduestheheartbyhisSpirittoobediencetowhatistaught.ThisisthatteachingwhichispromisedofGod,whennotonlythebrainbuttheheart itself is taught;whenmendonotonlyknowwhat theyshoulddobut are taught the very doing of it. They are not only taught that theyshould love, fearandobey,but theyare taught love itself, and fearandobedience themselves. Christ sets up his throne in the very heart andalters itsdirection, somakinghis subjects good, togetherwith teachingthem to be good. Other princes can make good laws, but they cannotwrite them in their people's hearts (Jer. 31:33). This is Christ'sprerogative:he infuses intohissubjectshisownSpirit.Uponhimtheredoesnotonly rest thespiritofwisdomandunderstanding,but likewisethespiritofthefearoftheLord(Isa.11:2).Theknowledgewhichwehaveofhimfromhimselfisatransformingknowledge(2Cor.3:18).ThesameSpiritwhoenlightensthemindinspiresgraciousinclinationsintothewilland affections and infuses strength into the wholeman. As a graciousmanjudgesasheshould,soheinclinestoanddoesashejudges.Hislifeis a commentary onhis inwardman.There is a sweet harmony amongGod'struth,hisjudgment,andhiswholeconversation.

HOWCHRISTGOVERNSUS

TheheartofaChristian is likeJerusalemwhen itwasat itsbest,acitycompact within itself (Psa. 122:3), where are set up the thrones ofjudgment (Psa. 122:5). Judgment should have a throne in the heart ofeveryChristian.Notthatjudgmentalonewillworkachange.Theremustbe grace to alter thebent and swayof thewill before itwill yield tobewrought upon by the understanding. But God has so joined thesetogetherthatwheneverhesavinglyshinesontheunderstandinghegivesasoftandpliableheart.ForwithoutaworkupontheheartbytheSpiritofGoditwillfollowitsowninclinationtothatwhichitloves,whateverthejudgment shall say to the contrary. There is no natural proportionbetween an unsanctified heart and a sanctified judgment. For theunalteredheartwillnotgiveleavetothejudgmentcoldlyandsoberlytoconcludewhat isbest,asasickman,whilsthis feverish illnesscorruptshis taste, is rather desirous to please that than to hearken towhat the

physicianmaysay.Judgmenthasnopowerover itselfwhere thewill isunsubdued,forthewillandaffectionsbribeittogivesentenceforthem,whenanyprofitorpleasureshallcomeincompetitionwiththatwhichthejudgmentonlyshall ingeneral think tobegood.Andtherefore it is, forthemost part, in the power of the heart what the understanding shalljudgeanddetermine inparticular things.Wheregracehas subdued theheart,unrulypassionsdonotcastsuchamistbeforetheunderstandingthatitdoesnotseeinparticularcaseswhatisbest.Baseconsiderations,springingfromselflove,donotalterthecaseandbiasthejudgmentintoa contrary way; but that which is good in itself shall be good to us,althoughitcrossesourparticularworldlyinterests.

THEEFFECTSOFTHISINPRACTICE

Therightunderstandingof thishasan influenceonpractice,whichhasdrawnmetoamorefullexplanation.Thiswillteachustherightmethodof godliness: to beginwith judgment, and then to beg ofGod, togetherwith illumination, holy inclinations of ourwill and affections, that so aperfectgovernmentmaybesetupinourhearts,andthatourknowledgemaybe`inalljudgment'(Phil.1:9),thatis,withexperienceandfeeling.WhenthejudgmentofChristissetupinourjudgments,andthence,bytheSpiritofChrist,broughtintoourhearts,thenitisinitsproperplaceandthrone.Untilthen,truthdoesusnogood,buthelpstocondemnus.ThelifeofaChristianisaregularlife,andhethatwalksbytherule(Gal.6:16) of the new creature, peace shall be upon him. He that despisesGod'swayandlovestoliveatlarge,seekingall libertytotheflesh,shalldie(Prov.19:16).AnditismadegoodbyPaul,`Ifyeliveaftertheflesh,yeshalldie'(Rom.8:13).

Welearnlikewisethatmenofanillgovernedlifehavenotruejudgment.Nowickedmancanbeawiseman.WithoutChrist'sSpiritthesoulisinconfusion,withoutbeautyandform,asallthingswereinthechaosbeforethecreation.Thewholesoulisoutofjointtillitbesetrightagainbyhimwhoseoffice is to `restore all things'.Thebaserpart of the soul,whichshould be subject, rules all and subdues what little truth is in theunderstanding, holding it captive to base affections. And Satan bycorruption gets all the holds of the soul, till Christ, stronger than he,comesanddriveshimout,takingpossessionofallthepowersandparts

of soul andbody tobeweaponsof righteousness, to servehim.Then itbecomestrue,`Newlords,newlaws'.Christasanewconquerorchangesthe fundamental lawsofoldAdamandestablishesa governmentofhisown.

13.GraceShallReign

The third conclusion from the final part of the text is that Christ'sgovernmentwillbevictorious.Letusseethereasonsforthis.

WHYCHRIST'SKINGDOMMUSTPREVAIL

1.Christhasconqueredallinhisownpersonfirst,andheis`overall,Godblessedforever'(Rom.9:5),andthereforeoversin,death,hell,Satanandthe world. And, as he has overcome them in himself, so he overcomesthem in ourhearts and consciences.We commonly say that consciencemakesamankinglyorcontemptible,becauseitisplantedinustojudgefor God, either with us or against us. Now if natural conscience be soforcible, what will it be when, besides its own light, it has the light ofdivine truth put into it? It will undoubtedly prevail, either tomake ushold up our heads with boldness or abase us beneath ourselves. If itsubjectsitself,bygrace,toChrist'struth,thenitboldlyfacesdeath,hell,judgment and all spiritual enemies, because then Christ sets up hiskingdomintheconscienceandmakesitakindofparadise.

The sharpest conflictwhich the soulhas is between the conscience andGod's justice.Nowif theconscience,sprinkledwith thebloodofChrist,hasprevailedoverassaultsfetchedfromthejusticeofGod,nowsatisfiedbyChrist,itwillprevailoverallotheroppositionwhatsoever.

2.Wearetoencounteraccursedanddamnedenemies;therefore,iftheybegintofallbeforetheSpiritinus,theyshallfall.Iftheyriseupagain,itistohavethegreaterfall.

3.TheSpiritoftruth,towhosetuitionChristhascommittedhischurch,andthetruthof theSpirit,which is thescepterofChrist,abide forever;

therefore the soul begotten by the immortal seed of the Spirit (1 Pet.1:23),andthistruth,mustnotonlyliveforever,butalsoprevailoverallthatopposeit,forboththeWordandtheSpiritaremightyinoperation(Heb.4:12).And,ifthewickedspiritisneveridleinthosewhomGodhasdelivereduptohim,wecannot thinkthat theHolySpiritwillbe idle inthose whose leading and government is committed to him. No, as hedwellsinthem,sohewilldriveoutallthatriseupagainsthim,untilheisallinall.

What is spiritual is eternal. Truth is a beam of Christ's Spirit, both initself and as it is engrafted into the soul. Therefore it, and the gracewrought by it, though little,will prevail. A little thing in the hand of agiantwilldogreatthings.A little faithstrengthenedbyChristwillworkwonders.

4. `Unto everyone that hath shall be given' (Matt. 25:29). The victoryovercorruptionortemptationisapledgeoffinalvictory.AsJoshuasaidwhenhesethisfootuponthefivekingswhomheconquered,`ThusshalltheLORDdotoallyourenemies' (josh.10:25).Heaven isoursalready,onlywestrivetillwehavefullpossession.

5.Christaskingbringsinacommandinglightintothesoulandbowstheneck,andsoftenstheironsinewoftheinnerman;andwherehebeginstorule,herulesforever,`ofhiskingdomthereshallbenoend'(Luke1:33).

6.ThepurposeofChrist'scomingwastodestroytheworksofthedevil,bothforusandinus;andthepurposeoftheresurrectionwas,aswellassealingtoustheassuranceofhisvictory,soalso(1)toquickenoursoulsfromdeathinsin;(2)tofreeoursoulsfromsuchsnaresandsorrowsofspiritualdeathasaccompanytheguiltofsin;(3)toraisethemupmorecomfortable,asthesunbreaksforthmoregloriouslyoutofathickcloud;(4)toraiseusoutofparticularslipsandfailingsstronger;(5)toraiseusoutofalltroublesomeanddarkconditionsofthislife;and(6)atlengthtoraise our bodies out of the dust. For the same power that the Spiritshowed in raisingChrist, ourHead, from the sorrows of death and thelowest degree of his abasement, that power, obtained by the death ofChrist fromGod,nowappeasedbythatsacrifice, theSpiritwillshowinthechurch,whichishisbody,andineveryparticularmemberthereof.

Andthispowerisconveyedbyfaith,bywhich,afterunionwithChristinhis estates both of humiliation and of exaltation, we see ourselves, notonlydeadwithChrist,butrisenandsittingtogetherwithhiminheavenlyplaces(Eph.2:6).Nowwe,apprehendingourselvestobedeadandrisen,and therefore victorious over all our enemies in our Head, andapprehendingthathisscopeinallthisistoconformustohimself,weareby this faith changed into his likeness (2 Cor. 3:18), and so becomeconquerorsoverallourspiritualenemies,ashe is,bythatpowerwhichwederivefromhimwhoisthestorehouseofallspiritualstrengthforallhispeople.Christ at lengthwill fulfillhispurpose inus, and faith restsassuredof it,and thisassurance isveryoperative, stirringusup to joinwithChristinhispurposes.

And so, as to the church in general, by Christ it will have its victory.Christ is that little `stone cutoutwithouthands'whichbroke inpiecesthe goodly image (Dan. 2:34), that is, all opposite government, until itbecame `a greatmountain, and filled the whole earth' (Dan. 2:35). Sothatthestonethatwascutoutofthemountainbecomesamountainitselfatlength.Whoartthou,then,Omountain,thatthinktostandupagainstthismountain?Allshalllieflatandlevelbeforeit.Hewillbringdownallmountainous, high, exalted thoughts, and lay the pride of all flesh low.Whenchaffstrivesagainstthewind,orstubbleagainstthefire,whentheheelkicksagainst thepricks,when thepotsherdstriveswith thepotter,whenmanstrivesagainstGod,itiseasytoknowonwhichsidethevictorywillbe.ThewindsmaytosstheshipwhereinChristis,butnotoverturnit.The waves may dash against the rock, but they only break themselvesagainstit.

WHYTHEENEMYSEEMSVICTORIOUS

Objection: If this is so,why is it thuswith thechurchofGod,andwithmanyagraciousChristian?Thevictoryseemstobewiththeenemy.

To understand this, we should remember, firstly, that God's childrenusually, in their troubles, overcomeby suffering.Here lambs overcomelions,anddoveseagles,bysuffering,thathereintheymaybeconformableto Christ, who conquered most when he suffered most. Together withChrist'skingdomofpatiencetherewasakingdomofpower.

Secondly, this victory is by degrees, and therefore they are too hastyspiritedthatwouldconquerassoonastheystrikethefirststroke,andbeattheendoftheirraceatthefirstsettingforth.TheIsraelitesweresureoftheir victory in their journey toCanaan, yet theymust fight it out.GodwouldnothaveusquicklyforgetwhatcruelenemiesChristhasovercomefor us. `Slay them not, lest my people forget,' says the Psalmist (Psa.59:11),sothat,bytheexperienceofthatannoyancewehavebythem,wemightbekeptinfeartocomeundertheirpower.

Thirdly,Godoftenworksbycontraries:whenhemeanstogivevictory,hewillallowustobefoiledatfirst;whenhemeanstocomfort,hewillterrifyfirst;whenhemeanstojustify,hewillcondemnusfirst;whenhemeanstomake us glorious, he will abase us first. A Christian conquers, evenwhen he' is conquered. When he is conquered by some sins, he getsvictoryoverothersmoredangerous,suchasspiritualprideandsecurity.

Fourthly, Christ's work, both in the church and in the hearts ofChristians,oftengoesbackwardsothatitmaygoforwardbetter.Asseedrotsinthegroundinthewintertime,butaftercomesupbetter,andtheharderthewinterthemoreflourishingthespring,sowelearntostandbyfalls,andgetstrengthbyweaknessdiscovered virtutiscustosinfirmitas(weaknessisthekeeperofvirtue).Wetakedeeperrootbyshaking.And,as torches flame brighter by moving, thus it pleases Christ, out of hisfreedom,inthismannertomaintainhisgovernmentinus.Letushereinlabourtoexerciseourfaith,sothatitmayanswerChrist'swayofdealingwithus.Whenweare foiled, letusbelieveweshallovercome;whenwehave fallen, letusbelievewe shall riseagain.Jacob,afterhe receivedablow which made him lame, yet would not give over wrestling (Gen.32:25) tillhehadobtained theblessing.So letusnevergiveup,but, inourthoughts,knitthebeginning,progressandendtogether,andthenweshallseeourselvesinheavenoutofthereachofallenemies.Letusassureourselves thatGod'sgrace,even inthis imperfectstate, isstronger thanman's freewill in the state of original perfection. It is founded now inChrist,who, as he is the author, sowill he be the finisher, of our faith(Heb.12:2).Weareunderamoregraciouscovenant.

What some say of rooted faith, fides radicata, that it continues, whileweak faith may come to nothing, seems to be contradicted by this

Scripture;for,asthestrongestfaithmaybeshaken,sotheweakest,wheretruthis, issofarrootedthatitwillprevail.Weaknesswithwatchfulnesswillstand,whenstrengthwithtoomuchconfidencefails.Weakness,withacknowledgementof it, is the fittest seat and subject forGod toperfecthis strength in; for consciousness of our infirmities drives us out ofourselvestohiminwhomourstrengthlies.

Fromthisitfollowsthatweaknessmaybeconsistentwiththeassuranceof salvation. The disciples, notwithstanding all their weaknesses, arebidden to rejoice that their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20).Failings,with conflict, in sanctification shouldnotweaken thepeace ofourjustificationandassuranceofsalvation.Itmattersnotsomuchwhatillisinus,aswhatgood;notwhatcorruptions,buthowweregardthem;notwhatourparticularfailingsaresomuchaswhatthethreadandtenorofourlivesare,forChrist'sdislikeofthatwhichisamissinusturnsnotto the hatred of our persons but to the victorious subduing of all ourinfirmities.

Somehave,afterconflict,wonderedatthegoodnessofGodthatsolittleandsuchtrembling faithshouldhaveupheld theminsogreatcombats,whenSatanhadalmostcaughtthem.And,indeed,itistobewonderedat,howmuchalittlegracewillprevailwithGodforacceptance,andoverourenemies for victory, if theheart isupright. Such is the goodnessof oursweetSaviourthathedelightsstilltoshowhisstrengthinourweakness.

CONSOLATIONFORWEAKCHRISTIANS

The first use of this is for the great consolation of poor and weakChristians. Let them know that a spark from heaven, though kindledunder greenwood that sobs and smokes, yet it will consume all at last.Loveoncekindledisstrongasdeath.Manywaterscannotquenchit,andthereforeitiscalledavehementflame,orflameofGod(SongofSol.8:6),kindledintheheartbytheHolyGhost.Thatlittlethatisinusisfedwithaneverlastingspring.AsthefirethatcamedownfromheaveninElijah'stime (1Kings 18:38) lickedupall thewater, to show that it came fromGod,sowillthisfireconsumeallourcorruption.Noafflictionwithoutorcorruptionwithin shall quench it. In themorning, we often see cloudsgatheraboutthesun,asiftheywouldhideit,butthesunovercomesthem

littleby little, till it comes to its full strength.At first, fearsanddoubtshinderthebreakingoutofthisfire,untilatlengthitgetsabovethemall,and Christ prevails. And then he upholds his own graces in us. Graceconquers us first, and we, by it, conquer all else; whether corruptionswithinus,ortemptationsfromoutsideus.

ThechurchofChrist,begottenbytheWordoftruth,hasthedoctrineoftheapostlesforhercrown,andtramplesthemoon,thatis,theworldandallworldlythings,`underherfeet'(Rev.12:1).Everyonethatis`bornofGodovercomeththeworld'(1John5:4).Faith,wherebyespeciallyChristrules, sets the soul sohigh that it looksdownonallother thingsas farbelow,ashavingrepresentedtoit,bytheSpiritofChrist,riches,honor,beautyandpleasuresofahighernature.

EVIDENCESOFCHRIST'SRULEINUS

Now,thatwemaynotcomeshortofthecomfortintended,therearetwothingsespeciallytobetakennoticeofbyus:firstly,whetherthereissuchajudgmentorgovernmentsetupinustowhichthispromiseofvictoryismade, and secondly, how we are to conduct ourselves so that thejudgmentofChristinusmayindeedbevictorious.

TheevidenceswherebywemaycometoknowthatChrist's judgment inusissuchaswillbevictorious,are:

1. Being able from experience to justify all Christ's ways, let flesh andbloodsaywhattheycantothecontrary,andwillinglysubscribingtothatcourse which God has taken in Christ to bring us to heaven, stillapproving a further measure of grace than we have attained to, andprojecting and planning for it. No othermen can justify their courses,whentheirconscienceisawakened.

2. Having reasons of religion the strongest reasons with us, prevailingmorethanreasonsfetchedfromworldlypolicy.

3.Being so true to our ends and steadfast to our rule thatnohopesorfearscanswayusanotherway,butstillweareenquiringwhatagreeswith

ordiffersfromourrule.

4.Beingable to`donothingagainst thetruth,but for thetruth' (2Cor.13:8),thetruthbeingdearertousthanourlives.Truthdoesnothavethissovereigntyintheheartofanycarnalman.

5.Ifwehadlibertytochooseunderwhosegovernmentwewouldlive,outof a delight in the innerman toChrist's government,making choice ofhimonlytoruleusbeforeanyother.Thisarguesthatwearelikemindedto Christ, a free and a willing people, and not compelled to Christ'sserviceotherwisethanbythesweetconstraintoflove.Whenwearesofarsatisfied with the government of Christ's Spirit that we are willing toresignupourselvestohiminallthings,thenhiskingdomiscometous,andourwillsarebroughttohiswill.Itisthebentofourwillsthatmakesusgoodorill.

6.Having awell ordered, uniform life, not consisting of fits and starts,showsawellorderedheart;asinaclock,whenthehammerstrikeswell,andthehandofthedialpointswell,itisasignthatthewheelsarerightlyset.

7. When Christ's will comes into competition with any earthly loss orgain,yetthen,inthatparticularcase,havingtheheartwillingtostooptoChrist is a true sign; for the truest trial of the power of grace is inparticular cases which touch us most closely, for there our corruptionmakes the greatest head.When Christ came nearest to home with theyoungmaninthegospel,helostadiscipleofhim(Matt.19.22).

8. Being able to practice duties pleasing to Christ, though contrary tofleshandthecourseoftheworld,andbeingabletoovercomeourselvesinthateviltowhichournatureisproneandstandssomuchinclined,andwhich agrees to the ruling passion of the times, which others lieenthralled under, such as desire of revenge, hatred of enemies, privateends,etc.,thisshowsthatgraceinusisabovenature,heavenaboveearth,andwillhavethevictory.

Tomake thisclearer,andhelpus inour trial,wemustknowthat thereare threedegrees of victory: first,whenwe resist thoughwe are foiled;

second,whengracegetsthebetter,thoughwithconflict;andthird,whenallcorruptionisperfectlysubdued.Whenwehavestrengthonlytoresist,wemayknowChrist'sgovernmentinuswillbevictorious,becausewhatissaidof thedevil is trueofallourspiritualenemies,`Resist thedevil,andhewill flee fromyou' (James4:7);because`Greater ishethat is inyou',whotakesthepartofhisowngrace,`thanhethatisintheworld'(1John4:4).Andifwemayhopeforvictoryfrombareresistance,whatmaywenothopeforwhentheSpirithasgainedtheupperhand?

14.MeanstoMakeGraceVictorious

Astodirectionsonhowwearetoconductourselvessothatthejudgmentof Christ in us may indeed be victorious, we must know that, thoughChristhasundertakenthisvictory,yetheaccomplishesitbytrainingusup to fight his battles. He overcomes in us by making us `wise untosalvation' (2Tim.3:15); and, in themeasure thatwebelieveChristwillconquer, in that measure we will endeavor by his grace that we mayconquer,forfaithisanobedientandawisegrace.Christmakesuswisetoponderandweighthings,andtorankandorderthemaccordingly,sothatwemaymake the fitterchoiceofwhat isbest.Somerules tohelpus injudgingarethese:

RULESFORRIGHTJUDGMENT

We should judge of things as towhether they help or hinder ourmainpurpose; whether they further or hinder our judgment; whether theymakeusmoreorlessspiritual,andsobringusnearertothefountainofgoodness,Godhimself;whethertheywillbringuspeaceorsorrowatthelast;whethertheycommendusmoreorlesstoGod,andwhethertheyarethe thing inwhichwe shall approve ourselves to himmost.We shouldalsojudgeofthingsnowasweshalldohereafterwhenthesoulshallbebest able to judge, aswhenweareunderanypublic calamity,orat thehourofdeath,whenthesoulgathersitselffromallotherthingstoitself.Weshouldlookbacktoformerexperienceandseewhatismostagreeabletoit,andwhatwasbestinourworsttimes.Ifgraceisorwasbestthen,it

isbestnow.Weshouldalsolabourtojudgeofthingsashedoeswhomustjudge us, and as holy men judge, who are led by the Spirit. Moreparticularly,weshouldjudgeaccordingtowhatthosejudgethathavenointerest inanybenefitthatmaycomebythethingwhichis inquestion;foroutwardthingsblindtheeyesevenofthewise.Weseethatpapistsaremostcorruptinthosethingswheretheirhonor,ease,orprofitisengaged;butinthedoctrineoftheTrinity,whichdoesnottouchonthesethings,theyaresound.Butitisnotsufficientthatjudgmentisright.Itmustalsobereadyandstrong.

KEEPINGOURJUDGMENTCLEAR

1.WhereChristestablisheshisgovernment,heinspirescaretokeepthejudgment clear and fresh, for while the judgment stands straight andfirm,thewholeframeofthesoulcontinuesstrongandimpregnable.Truejudgment in us advances Christ, and Christ will advance it. All sin iseitherfromfalseprinciples,orignorance,orthoughtlessness,orunbeliefofwhatistrue.Bylackofconsiderationandweaknessofassent,Evelosther hold at first (Gen. 3:6). It is good, therefore, to store up trueprinciplesinourhearts,andtorefreshthemoften,that,invirtueofthem,our affections and actions may be more vigorous. When judgment isfortified,evilfindsnoentrance,butgoodthingshaveasidewithinustoentertainthem.Whiletrueconvincinglightcontinues,wewillnotdotheleastillofsinforthegreatestillofpunishment.`Invainthenetisspreadinthesightofanybird'(Prov.1:17).Whilethesouliskeptaloft,thereislittledangerofsnaresbelow.Wemustloseourhighestimationofthingsbeforewecanbedrawntoanysin.

2.Andbecauseknowledgeandaffectionmutuallyhelponeanother,itisgood to keep up our affections of love and delight by all sweetinducements and divine encouragements; forwhat the heart likes best,themind studiesmost. Those that can bring their hearts to delight inChristknowmostofhisways.Wisdomloveshimthatlovesher.Loveisthebestentertaineroftruth;andwhenitisnotentertainedintheloveofit (2 Thess. 2:10), lovely as it is, it leaves the heart, and will stay nolonger.Ithasbeenasuccessfulwayofcorruptingthejudgment,tobeginby withdrawing love, because, as we love, so we tend to judge. Andtherefore it ishard tobeaffectionateandwise in earthly things.But in

heavenlythings,wheretherehasbeenarightinformingofthejudgmentbefore, the more our affections grow, the better and clearer ourjudgmentswillbe,becauseouraffections, thoughstrong,canneverrisehighenoughtoreachtheexcellencyofthethings.Weseeinthemartyrs,whenthesweetdoctrineofChristhadoncegainedtheirhearts, itcouldnotberemovedagainbyallthetormentsthewitofcrueltycoulddevise.IfChristhasoncepossessed the affections, there isnodispossessingofhimagain.Afireintheheartovercomesallfireswithout.

3. Wisdom also teaches us where our weakness lies, and our enemy'sstrength.Bythismeansajealousfearisstirredupinus,wherebywearepreserved; for out of this godly jealousy we keep those provocations,whichareactiveandworking,fromthatwhichispassiveandcatchinginus,aswekeepfirefrompowder.Thosewhowishtohinderthegenerationof noisome creatures will hinder the conception first, by keepingmaleandfemaleapart.This jealouscarewillbemuchfurtheredbyobservingstrictlywhathashelpedorhinderedagracioustemperinus,anditwillmakeustakeheedthatweconsultnotwithfleshandbloodinourselvesor others. Otherwise, how can we think that Christ will lead us out tovictory,whenwetakecounselwithhisandourenemies?

4.Christalsomakesuscarefultouseallmeansbywhichfreshthoughtsandaffectionsmaybestirredupandpreservedinus.Christsohonourstheuseofmeans, and the carehebestowsonus, thathe ascribesbothpreservation and victory to our care in keeping ourselves. `He that isbegotten ofGod keepethhimself' (1 John 5:18), thoughnot byhimself,butbytheLord,independenceonhim,intheuseofmeans.Weareonlysafewhenwewiselymakeuseofallgoodadvantagesthatwehaveaccessto.BygoingoutofGod'swayswegooutofhisgovernment,andsoloseour good frame ofmind, and find ourselves overspread quickly with acontrary disposition.Whenwe draw near to Christ (James 4:8), in hisordinances,hedrawsneartous.

5.Wemust keep grace in exercise. It is not sleepy habits, but grace inexercise, that preserves us. While the soul is in some civil or sacredemployment, corruptions within us are much suppressed, and Satan'swaysofapproachtousstopped.TheSpiritthenhasawayopentoenlargehisinfluenceinus,andlikewisetheprotectionofangelsisthenclosestto

us. This course often prevails more against our spiritual enemies thandirectopposition.Christisinhonorboundtomaintainthosethatareinhiswork.

6. In following all these directions, we must look up to Christ, thequickeningSpirit,andmakeour resolutions inhis strength.ThoughweareexhortedtocleavetotheLordwithfullpurposeofheart(Acts11:23),yetwemustpraywithDavid,`Keepthisforeverintheimaginationofthethoughtsoftheheartofthypeople,andpreparetheirheartuntothee'(1Chron. 29:18). Our hearts are of themselves very loose and unsettled.`Unitemyhearttofearthyname'(Psa.86:11),orelse,withouthim,ourbestpurposeswillfalltotheground.Itisapleasingrequest,outoflovetoGod,tobegsuchaframeofsoulfromhim,thathemaytakedelightinit;andtherefore, in theuseofall themeans,wemustsendupourdesiresandcomplaints tohim for strengthandhelp, and thenwemaybe surethathewill`sendforthjudgmentuntovictory'.

7.Lastly,itfurthersthestateofthesoultoknowwhatframeitshouldbein, thatsowemayorderoursoulsaccordingly.Weshouldalwaysbe fitfor communionwithGod, andbeheavenlyminded in earthlybusiness,andbewillingtobetakenofffromittoredeemtimeforbetterthings.Weshould be ready at all times to depart hence, and to live in such acondition as we would be content to die in. We should have heartspreparedforeverygoodduty,opentoallgoodopportunities,andshuttoalltemptations,keepingourwatch,andbeingalwaysreadyarmed.Sofaraswecomeshortofthesethings,sofarwehavejustcausetobehumbled,and yet we should press forward, so that we may gain more uponourselves, and make these things more familiar and lovely to us. Andwhen we find our souls at all declining, it is best to raise them uppresently by some awakening meditations, such as of the presence ofGod,ofthestrictreckoningwearetomake,oftheinfiniteloveofGodinChristandthefruitsofit,oftheexcellencyofaChristian'scalling,oftheshort anduncertain time of this life, of how little good all those thingsthatstealawayourheartswilldousbeforelong,andofhowitshallbeforeverwithushereafter,aswespendthisshorttimewellor ill.Themorewemakewayforsuchconsiderationstosinkintoourhearts,themoreweshall rise nearer to that state of soul which we shall enjoy in heaven.

Whenwegrowcarelessofkeepingoursouls,thenGodrecoversourtasteofgoodthingsagainbysharpcrosses.ThusDavid,SolomonandSamsonwere recovered. This taste of good things is much easier kept thanrecovered.

REASONSFORSEEMINGLACKOFPROGRESS

Objection: But, notwithstanding my striving, I seem to remain at astandstill.

1. Grace, as the seed in the parable, grows, we know not how. Yet atlength,whenGodseesfittest,weshallseethatallourendeavorhasnotbeen invain.The tree fallsuponthe laststroke,yetall thestrokeshelptheworkforward.

2.SometimesvictoryissuspendedbecausesomeAchanisnotfoundout,orbecausewearenothumbleenough,asIsraelhadtheworstagainsttheBenjamites till they fasted and prayed (Judg. 20:26); or because webetrayourhelps,anddonotstandonourguard,anddonotsoonyieldtothemotionsoftheSpirit,whoputsusinmindalwaysofthebestthings,ifwewould regardhisprompting.Ourownconscienceswill tell us, ifwegive them leave to speak, that some sinful favouringof ourselves is thecause.Thewayinthiscasetoprevail is,first,togetthevictoryoverthepride of our own nature by taking shame to ourselves, in humbleconfession toGod; and then, secondly, to overcome theunbelief of ourhearts by yielding to the promise of pardon; and then, thirdly, inconfidenceofChrist'sassistance,tosetourselvesagainstthosesinswhichhave prevailed over us. So prevailing over ourselves, we shall easilyprevail over all our enemies, and conquer all conditions we shall bebroughtinto.

ALLSHOULDSIDEWITHCHRIST

TheseconduseofthetruththatChristwillhavethevictoryistoestablishthe fact that the best course for nations and states is to `kiss the Son'(Psa. 2:12), and to embraceChrist andhis religion; to sidewithChrist,andtoownhiscauseintheworld.Hissidewillprovethestrongersideatlast.HappyareweifChristhonoursussomuchastouseourhelptofight

hisbattle`againstthemighty'(Judg.5:23).Truereligioninastateisasthemainpillarofahouseandthepostofatentthatupholdsall.Soalsoforfamilies, letChristbethechiefgovernorof thefamily.Andleteveryone be as a house of Christ, to dwell familiarly in, and to rule.WhereChrist is, all happiness must follow. If Christ goes, all will go. WhereChrist's government, in his ordinances and his Spirit, is, there allsubordinategovernmentwillprosper.Religioninspireslifeandgraceintoall other things. All other virtues without it are but as a fair picturewithout a head.Where Christ's laws are written in the heart, there allothergoodlawsarebestobeyed.Nonedespiseman'slawbutthosethatdespiseChrist's first.Nemohumanamauctoritatem contemnit, nisi quidivinamprius contempsit (No one despises human authority unless hefirstdespisesdivineauthority).Ofallpersons,amanguidedbyChrististhebest;andofall creatures in theworld,amanguidedmerelybywilland affection, next to the devil, is the worst. The happiness of weakerthingsstandsinbeingruledbystronger.Itisbestforablindmantobeguided by him that has sight. It is best for sheep, and other fecklesscreatures,tobeguidedbyman.AnditishappiestformantobeguidedbyChrist,becausehisgovernment issovictorious that it freesus fromthefear and danger of our greatest enemies, and tends to bring us to thegreatest happiness that our nature is capable of. This should make usrejoicewhenChristreignsinus.WhenSolomonwascrowned,thepeoplerejoicedsothatthecityrang(1Kings1:45).MuchmoreshouldwerejoiceinChristourking.

Andlikewiseforthosewhosesoulsaredeartous,ourendeavorshouldbethatChristmayreign in themalso, that theymaybebaptizedbyChristwiththisfire(Matt.3:11),thatthesesparksmaybekindledinthem.Menlabourtocherishthespiritandmettle,astheytermit,ofthosetheytrainup,becausetheythinktheywillhaveuseofitinthemanifoldaffairsandtroublesofthislife.Oh,butletuscherishthesparksofgraceinthem;foranaturalspiritingreattroubleswillfail,butthesesparkswillmakethemconquerorsoverthegreatestevils.

ThethirduseofthetruthofChrist'svictoryistoobservethatifChrist'sjudgment shall be victorious, thenpopery,beinganopposite frame, setup by the wit of man tomaintain stately idleness, must fall. And it is

fallen already in the hearts of those on whom the light of Christ hasshone.Itisalie,andfoundedonalie,ontheinfalliblejudgmentofamansubjecttosinanderror.Whenthatwhichistakenforaprincipleoftruthbecomes a principle of error, themore reliance on it, themore dangerthereis.

15.Christ'sPublicTriumph

It isnotonlysaidthat judgmentshallbevictorious,but thatChristwillbring it forth openly to victory. From this we observe that grace willbecomeglory,andcomeforthintothesightofall.NowChristconquers,andachieveshisownends,buthedoessotosomeextent invisibly.Hisenemies in us and outside us seem to prevail. But he will bring forthjudgmentuntovictory,infullviewofall.Thewickedthatnowshuttheireyes to this shall see it to their torment. It shallnotbe in thepowerofsubtlementoseeornotseewhattheywish.Christwillhavepowerovertheir hearts; and as hiswrath shall immediately seize upon their soulsagainsttheirwills,sowillhehavepowerovertheeyesoftheirsouls,thattheymay see and know what will increase their misery. Grief shall befastenedtoalltheirsenses,andtheirsensestogrief.

Thenallthefalseglosseswhichtheyputuponthingsshallbewipedoff.Menaredesiroustohavethereputationofgood,andyetthesweetnessofill;nothingissocordiallyopposedbythemasthattruthwhichlaysthemopentothemselvesandtotheeyesofothers,theirchiefcarebeinghowtodeceive the world and their own consciences. But the time will comewhentheyshallbedrivenoutofthisfools'paradise,andthemoresubtletheirmanipulationofthingshasbeen,themoreshallbetheirshame.

THEOPENGLORYOFCHRISTINHISMEMBERS

Christ, whom God has chosen to set forth the chief glory of hisexcellencies,isnowveiledinrelationtohisbodythechurch,buthewillcomebeforelongtobegloriousinhissaints(2Thess.1:10),andnotlosetheclearmanifestationofanyofhisattributes.Hewilldeclaretoallthe

worldwhatheis,andthenthereshallbenoglorybutthatofChristandhisspouse.Thosethatareassmokingflaxnowshallthenshineasthesuninthefirmament(Matt.13:43),andtheirjudgmentshallbebroughtforthasthenoonday(Psa.37:6).

The imageofGod inAdamhadacommandingmajesty in it, so thatallcreatures reverenced him. Much more shall the image of God in itsperfectioncommandrespectfromall.Evennowthereisasecretaweputintotheheartsofthegreatesttowardsthoseinwhomtheyseeanygracetoshine.SoitwasthatHerodfearedJohntheBaptist;butwhatwillthisbeinthedayoftheirbringingforth,whichiscalled`themanifestationofthesonsofGod'(Rom.8:19)?

TherewillbemoreglorioustimeswhenthekingdomsofthisworldshallbethekingdomsofourLordandofhisChrist(Rev.11:15),andheshallreign for ever. Then shall judgment and truth have their victory. ThenChristwillpleadhisowncause.Truthshallnolongerbecalledheresyandschism, nor heresy catholic doctrine. Wickedness shall no longer gomaskedanddisguised.Goodnessshallappearinitsownluster,andshinein its own beams. Things shall be what they are, `for there is nothingcovered,thatshallnotberevealed'(Matt.10:26).

Iniquityshallnotbecarriedoninamysteryanylonger.Deepdissemblersthat think to hide their counsels from the Lord shall walk no longerinvisible as in the clouds. As Christ will not quench the least sparkkindled by himself, so will he damp the fairest blaze of goodlyappearanceswhicharenotfromabove.

FOLLOWSINCERITYANDTRUTH

Ifthiswerebelieved,menwouldmakemoreaccountofsincerity,whichalone will give us boldness, and not seek for covers for their shame,confidenceinwhich,asitmakesmennowmorepresumptuous,soitwillexposethemhereaftertothegreatershame.

If judgmentshallbebrought forthtovictory, thenthosethathavebeenruledbytheirowndeceitfulheartsandaspiritoferrorshallbebroughtforthtodisgrace.TheGodthathasjoinedgraceandtruthwithhonorhas

joinedsinandshametogetheratlast.Allthewitandpowerofmanwillnever be able to severwhatGodhas coupled together. Truth andpietymaybe trampleduponfora time,butas the twowitnesses(Rev.11:11),aftertheywereslain,roseagain,andstoodupontheirfeet,sowhateverisofGod shall at length stand upon its own foundation. There shall be aresurrection,notonlyofbodiesbutofreputations.Canwethinkthathethatthrewtheangelsoutofheavenwillsufferdustandworms'meattorunacontrarycourse,andtocontinuealwaysso?No,astrulyasChristis`KingofkingsandLordof lords' (Rev. 19:16), sowillhedashall thosepiecesofearthwhichriseupagainsthim,`asapotter'svessel'(Psa.2:9).WasthereeveranyonefierceagainstGodandprospered(Job9:4)?No,doubtless the wrath of man shall turn to Christ's praise (Psa. 76:10).WhatwassaidofPharaohshallbesaidofallheadyenemies,whowouldrather lose their souls than their wills, that they are but raised up forChristtogethimselfgloryintheirconfusion.

Letus, then,takeheedthatwefollownotthewaysof thosemenwhoseendsweshalltrembleat.Thereisnotamorefearfuljudgmentwhichcanbefallthenatureofmanthantobegivenuptoareprobatejudgmentofpersonsandthings,becauseitcomesunderawoe:`Woeuntothemthatcallevilgood,andgoodevil'(Isa.5:20).

Howwillthosebeladenwithcursesanotherdaywhoabusethejudgmentofothersbysophistryandflattery,`deceivingandbeingdeceived'(2Tim.3:13)?Then thecomplaintofour firstmotherEvewillbe takenup,butfruitlessly:`Theserpentbeguiledme'(Gen.3:13);Satanhasdeceivedmeinsuchandsuch;sinhasdeceivedme;afoolishhearthasdeceivedme.Itisoneof thehighestpointsofwisdom to consideronwhatgroundsweventureoursouls.Happymenwilltheybewhohave,byChrist'slight,aright judgmentof things, andsuffer that judgment toprevailover theirhearts.

Thesoulsofmostmenaredrownedintheirsenses,andcarriedawaywithweakopinions,raisedfromvulgarmistakesandshadowsofthings.AndSatan is ready toenlarge the imaginationofoutwardgoodandoutwardill, andmake it greater than it is, and spiritual things less, presentingthem through false glasses. And so men, trusting in vanity, vanquishthemselves in their own apprehensions.Awoeful condition,when both

weandthatwhichwehighlyesteemshallvanishtogether.Andthiswillbe,astrulyasChrist'sjudgmentshallcometovictory;andinthemeasurethatthevainheartofmanhasbeenenlargedtoconceiveagreatergoodinthe things of this world than there is, by so much the soul shall beenlarged to bemore aware ofmiserywhen it sees its error. This is thedifference between a godly, wise man and a deluded worldling: thatwhichtheonenowjudgestobevaintheothershallhereafterfeeltobesowhen it is too late.But this is thevanityofournatures, that thoughweshunaboveallthingstobedeceivedandmistakeninpresentthings,yetinthegreatestmattersofallwearewillinglyignorantandmisled.

CHRISTALONEADVANCESTHISGOVERNMENT

Afurtherconclusionisthis,thatthisgovernmentissetupandadvancedbyChristalone.Hebringsjudgmenttovictory.Webothfightandprevail`in the power of his might' (Eph. 6:10). We overcome by the Spirit,obtainedby`thebloodoftheLamb'(Rev.12:11).

Itishealonewhoteachesourhandstowarandourfingerstofight(Psa.144:1).Nature,ascorrupted,favorsitsownbeing,andwillmaintainitselfagainst Christ's government. Nature, simply considered, cannot raiseitselfaboveitselftoactionswhicharespiritualandofahigherorderandnature. Therefore the divine power of Christ is necessary to carry usabove all our own strength, especially in duties inwhichwemeetwithgreater opposition; for there, not only nature will fail us, but ordinarygrace,unlessthereisastrongerandanewsupply.Intakingupaburdenthat is weightier than ordinary, if there is not a greater proportion ofstrengththanweight,theonewhoundertakesitwilllieundertheburden;soforeverystrongencountertheremustbeanewsupplyofstrength,asin the case of Peter, who, when he was assaulted with a strongertemptation, being not upheld and shored up with a mightier hand,notwithstandingformerstrength,foullyfell(Matt.26:6974).Andbeingfallen, inourrisingsupagain, it isChrist thatmustdo thework,by (1)removing,or(2)weakening,or(3)suspendingoppositehindrances;and(4)byadvancingthepowerofhisgraceinus,toafurtherdegreethanwehadbeforewefell.Thereforewhenwehavefallen,andbyfallshavebeenbruised,letusgotoChristimmediatelytobindusupagain.

WEMUSTNOTLOOKTOOURSELVES

Letusknow,therefore,thatitisdangeroustolookforthatfromourselveswhichwemust have fromChrist. Since the fall, all our strength lies inhim,asSamson'sinhishair(Judg.16:17).Wearebutsubordinateagents,movingaswearemoved,andworkingaswearefirstwroughtupon,freeinsofaraswearefreed,nowisernorstrongerthanhemakesustobeforthe present in anythingweundertake. It is his Spiritwho actuates andenlivens,andappliesthatknowledgeandstrengthwehave,orelseitfailsand liesuseless inus.Weworkwhenwework fromapresentstrength;therefore dependent spirits are the wisest and the ablest. Nothing isstronger than humility, which goes out of itself, or weaker than pride,whichrestson itsownfoundation.Frustranititurquinon innititur (Hestrives in vain who is not dependent). And this should be particularlyobserved because naturally we aspire to a kind of divinity, in settingabout actions in the strength of our own abilities;whereas Christ says,`Without me ye', the apostles, who were in a state of grace, `can donothing'(John15:5).Hedoesnotsay,youcandoalittle,butnothing.Ofourselves, howeasily areweovercome!Howweakweare to resist!Weare as reeds shaken with every wind. We shake at the very noise andthoughtofpoverty,disgraceorlosses.Wegiveinimmediately.Wehavenopoweroveroureyes,tongues,thoughtsoraffections,butletsinpassinandout.Howsoonweareovercomebyevil,whereasweshouldovercomeevilwithgood.Howmanygoodpurposesstickinthebirth,andhavenostrength tocome forthallwhichshows thatwearenothingwithout theSpiritofChrist.Weseehowweaktheapostlesthemselveswere,tilltheywereenduedwithstrengthfromabove.Peterwasblastedwiththespeechofadamsel (Matt.20:69),butafter theSpiritofChrist fellupon them,themore they suffered, themore theywere encouraged to suffer.Theircomforts grew with their troubles. Therefore in all, especially difficultencounters, letusliftupourheartstoChrist,whohasSpiritenoughforusall,inallourexigencies,andsaywithgoodJehoshaphat,`Wehavenomight . . . neither knowwewhat to do: but our eyes are upon thee' (2Chron.20:12);thebattlewefight isthine,andthestrengthwherebywefightmustbethine.Ifthougoestnotoutwithus,wearesuretobefoiled.Satan knows that nothing can prevail against Christ, or those that relyuponhispower.Thereforehisstudyishowtokeepusinourselves,andin

thecreature.Butwemustcarrythisalwaysinourminds,thatthatwhichisbeguninselfconfidenceendsinshame.

CHRISTMAKESUSFEELOURDEPENDENCE

ThemannerofChrist'sbringingforthjudgmenttovictoryisbylettingussee a necessity of dependence on him. Hence proceed those spiritualdesertions in which he often leaves us to ourselves, in regard to bothgrace and comfort, that we may know the spring head of these to beoutsideourselves.Hence it is that in themount, that is, in extremities,Godismostseen(Gen.22:14).Henceitisthatwearesavedbythegraceoffaithwhichcarriesusoutofourselvestorelyuponanother;andfaithworksbestalone,whenithasleastoutwardsupport.Henceitisthatweoften fail in lesser conflicts and stand firm in greater, because in thelesserwerestmore inourselves, inthegreaterweflytotherockofoursalvation,whichishigherthanwe(Psa.61:2).Hencealsoitisthatwearestrongerafterdefeats,becausehiddencorruption,undiscernedbefore,isnow discovered, and thence we are brought to make use of mercypardoningandpowersupporting.

OnemainreasonforthisdispensationisthatweshouldknowitisChristthat gives both the will and the deed, and that as a voluntary workaccording tohis owngoodpleasure.And thereforewe shouldworkoutour salvation in a jealous fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), lest byirreverentandpresumptuousconductwegivehimcausetosuspendhisgraciousinfluenceandleaveustothedarknessofourownhearts.

THETRIUMPHOFGRACE

Those that are under Christ's government have the spirit of revelation,whereby theyseeand feeladivinepowersweetlyandstronglyenablingthem topreserve faithwhen they feel the contrary, andhope in a statewhich is hopeless, and love toGod under signs of his displeasure, andheavenly mindedness in the midst of worldly affairs and allurementswhichdrawa contraryway.They feel apowerpreservingpatience,nayjoy, in themidst of causes of mourning, inward peace in themidst ofassaults. Whence is it that, when assaulted with temptation andcompassedwithtroubles,wehavestoodfirm,butfromasecretstrength

upholdingus?Tomakesolittlegracesovictoriousoversogreatamassofcorruption,thisrequiresaspiritmorethanhuman.Thisislikepreservingfireinthesea,andapartofheaveneven,asitwere,inhell.Hereweknowwheretoobtainthispower,andtowhomtoreturnthepraiseofit.AnditisourhappinessthatitissosafelyhidinChristforHis,inonesoneartoGodandus.Sincethefall,Godwillnottrustuswithourownsalvation,butitisbothpurchasedandkeptbyChristforus,andweforitthroughfaith,wroughtbythepowerofGod,whichwelayholdof.Thispowerisgloriously set forth by Paul: it is (1) a great power; (2) an exceedingpower; (3) a working and a mighty power; (4) such a power as waswroughtinraisingChristfromthedead(Eph.1:1920).Thatgracewhichisbutapersuasiveofferandinourpowertoreceiveorrefuseisnotthegracewhichbringsustoheaven.ButGod'speoplefeelapowerfulworkofthe Spirit, not only revealing to us ourmisery anddeliverance throughChrist,butemptyingusofourselves,asbeingredeemedfromourselves,and infusing new life into us, and afterwards strengthening us andquickeninguswhenwedroopandhangthewing,neverleavingustilltheconquestisperfect.

16.ThroughConflicttoVictory

The textalso implies that theprevailingofChrist'sgovernmentwillnotbewithoutfighting.Therecanbenovictorywherethereisnocombat.InIsaiahitissaid,`Heshallbringforthjudgmentuntotruth'(Isa.42:3).InMatthewitissaidthatheshall`sendforthjudgmentuntovictory'(Matt.12:20).Theword`sendforth'hasastrongersenseintheoriginal:tosendforthwithforce;showingthat,wherehisgovernmentisintruth,itwillbeopposed,untilhegets theupperhand.Nothing is soopposedasChristand his government are, both within us and outside us; andwithin usmost inourconversion.Thoughcorruptiondoesnotprevailsofarastomakevoidthepowerfulworkofgrace,yetthereisnotonlyapossibilityofopposing,but aproneness tooppose, andnotonly aproneness,but anactual withstanding of the working of Christ's Spirit, and that in everyaction. Yet there is no prevailing resistance so far as tomake void theworkofgrace,butcorruptionintheissueyieldstograce.

It takes much trouble to bring Christ into the heart, and to set up atribunal for him to judge there. There is an army of lusts in mutinyagainsthim.Theutmoststrengthofmostmen'sendeavorsandabilitiesisdirectedtokeepingChristfromrulinginthesoul.Thefleshstilllaborstomaintain its own government, and therefore it cries down the credit ofwhatevercrosses it,suchasGod'sblessedordinances,andhighlyprizesanything,thoughneversodeadandempty,if itallowsthelibertyoftheflesh.

WHYCHRIST'SGOVERNMENTISOPPOSED

AndnomarvelifthespiritualgovernmentofChristissoopposed:

First,becauseitisgovernment,andthatlimitsthecourseofthewillandcastsabridleonitswanderings.Everythingnaturalresistswhatopposesit;sothecorruptwilllaborstobeardownalllaws,andcountsitanoblethingnot tobeawed,andanargumentofa lowspirit to fearany,evenGod himself, until unavoidable danger seizes onmen. Then those thatfearedleastwhenoutofdangerfearmostindanger,asweseeinthecaseofBelshazzar(Dan.5:6).

Secondly,itisspiritualgovernment,andthereforethefleshwillendureiteven less. Christ's government brings the very thoughts and desires,whicharethemostimmediateandfreeissueofthesoul,intoobedience.Thoughamanwereofsuchcontrolledbehaviorthathiswholelifewerefreefromoutwardoffences,yetinChrist'seyestobecarnallyorworldlymindedisdeath(Rom.8:6).He looksonaworldlymindwithagreaterdetestationthananyoneparticularoffence.

One may say, `But Christ's Spirit is in those who are in some degreeearthlyminded.' True, but not as an allower andmaintainer, but as anopposer,subduer,andintheendasaconqueror.CarnalmenwouldliketobringChristand the flesh together,andcouldbecontent,with somereservation, to submit toChrist. ButChristwill be nounderling to anybaseaffection,andtherefore,wherethereisallowanceofourselvesinanysinfullust,itisasignthekeyswerenevergivenuptoChristtoruleus.

Thirdly, this judgment is opposed, because it is judgment, andmendo

not like to be judged and censured. Now Christ, in his truth, arraignsthem, gives sentence against them, and binds them over to the latterjudgmentof the greatday, and therefore they takeupon them to judgethattruthwhichmustjudgethem.Buttruthwillbetoostrongforthem.Manhasadaynow,whichPaulcalls`man'sday'(1Cor.4:3[margin]),inwhichhe gets onhis bench andusurps a judgment overChrist andhisways;butGodhasadayinwhichhewillseteverythingstraight,andhisjudgment shall stand. And the saints shall have their time, when theyshall sit in judgmenton those that judge themnow (1Cor.6:2). In themeantime,Christwillruleinthemidstofhisenemies(Psa.110:2),eveninthemidstofourhearts.

WEMUSTEXPECTOPPOSITION

It is therefore no sign of a good condition to find all quiet, with noopposition;forcanwethinkthatcorruption,whichistheolderelementinus,andSatan,thestrongmanwhohasmanyholdsoverus,willyieldpossession quietly?No, there is not somuch as a thought of goodnessdiscoveredbyhim,buthejoinswithcorruptiontokillitinthebirth.AndasPharaoh'scrueltywasespeciallyagainstthemalechildren,soSatan'smaliceisespeciallyagainstthemostreligiousandmanlyresolutions.

This,then,wearealwaystoexpect,thatwhereverChristcomestherewillbe opposition. When Christ was born, all Jerusalem was troubled; sowhenChristisborninanyman,thesoulisinanuproar,andallbecausetheheartisunwillingtoyieldupitselftoChristtoruleit.

Wherever Christ comes he brings division, not only betweenman andhimself,butbetweenmanandman,andbetweenchurchandchurch;ofwhichdisturbanceChristisnomorethecausethanmedicineisoftroubleinadiseasedbody.Harmfulagentsaretherealcause,forthepurposeofmedicine is tobringhealth.ButChrist thinks it fit that the thoughtsofmen'sheartsshouldberevealed,andhe isset for the fallaswellas therisingofmanyinIsrael(Luke2:34).

Thusthedesperatemadnessofmenislaidopen,thattheywouldratherbe under the guidance of their own lusts, and in consequence of Satanhimself, to their endless destruction, than put their feet into Christ's

fettersandtheirnecksunderhisyoke;though,indeed,Christ'sserviceisthe only true liberty. His yoke is an easy yoke, his burden but as theburden of wings to a bird which make her fly the higher. Satan'sgovernmentisratherabondagethanagovernment,towhichChristgivesup those that shakeoffhisown, for thenhegivesSatanandhisagentspower over them. Since they will not `receive the love of the truth' (2Thess.2:10), takehim,Jesuit, takehim,Satan,blindhimandbindhimandleadhimtoperdition.Thosethattakethemostlibertytosinarethegreatestslaves,becausethemostvoluntaryslaves.Thewill iseither thebest or the worst part in anything. The furthermen go on in a willfulcourse, the deeper they sink in rebellion; and the more they opposeChrist,doingwhattheywill,themoretheyshallonedaysufferwhattheywouldnot.Inthemeantime,theyareprisonersintheirownsouls,boundover in their consciences to the judgment after death of him whosejudgmenttheywouldnotacceptintheirlives.Andisitnotjustthattheyshould findhima severe judge to condemn themwhen theywouldnothavehimasamildjudgetorulethem?

OURVICTORYINCHRISTISCERTAIN

In conclusion and as a general application to ourselves of all that hasbeensaid,weseetheconflicting,butyetsureandhopeful,stateofGod'speople. The victory lies notwith us, butwithChrist,whohas taken onhimbothtoconquerforusandtoconquerinus.Thevictoryliesneitherinourownstrengthtogetit,norinourenemies'strengthtodefeatit.Ifitlay with us, we might justly fear. But Christ will maintain his owngovernmentinusandtakeourpartagainstourcorruptions.Theyarehisenemiesaswellasours.Letus thereforebe`strong intheLord,and inthepowerofhismight'(Eph.6:10).Letusnotlooksomuchatwhoourenemiesareasatwhoourjudgeandcaptainis,noratwhattheythreaten,but at what he promises. We have more for us than against us. Whatcowardwouldnotfightwhenheissureofvictory?Noneishereovercomebuthethatwillnotfight.Therefore,whenanybasefaintingseizesonus,letuslaytheblamewhereitoughttobelaid.

DiscouragementrisingfromunbeliefandtheillreportbroughtuponthegoodlandbythespiesmovedGodtoswearinhiswraththattheyshouldnotenterintohisrest.Letustakeheedthataspiritoffaintheartedness,

rising from the seeming difficulty and disgrace involved in God's goodways,doesnotprovokeGodtokeepusoutofheaven.Weseeherewhatwe may look for from heaven. O beloved, it is a comfortable thing toconceiveofChristaright,toknowwhatlove,mercyandstrengthwehavelaidupforusinthebreastofChrist.Agoodopinionofthephysician,wesay,ishalfthecure.Letusmakeuseofthismercyandpowerofhiseverydayinourdailycombats:`LordJesus,thouhastpromisednottoquenchthesmokingflax,nortobreakthebruisedreed.Cherishthygraceinme;leavemenottomyself;thegloryshallbethine.'LetusnotallowSatantotransformChristtous,tomakehimotherthanheistothosethatarehis.Christwillnotleaveustillhehasmadeuslikehimself,allgloriouswithinandwithout,andpresentedusblamelessbeforehisFather(Jude24).

Whatacomfortthisisinourconflictswithourunrulyhearts,thatitshallnotalwaysbethus!Letusstrivealittlewhile,andweshallbehappyforever.LetusthinkwhenwearetroubledwithoursinsthatChristhasthisin charge from his Father, that he shall not `quench the smoking flax'untilhehassubduedall.Thisputsashield intoourhandstobeatback`allthefierydartsofthewicked'(Eph.6:16).Satanwillobject,`Youareagreat sinner.'Wemay answer, `Christ is a strong Saviour.' But hewillobject,`Youhavenofaith,nolove.'`Yes,asparkoffaithandlove.'`ButChristwill not regard that.' `Yes, hewill not quench the smoking flax:`But this is so little andweak that itwill vanish and come tonaught."Nay,butChristwillcherishit,untilhehasbroughtjudgmenttovictory.'Andthismuchwehavealreadyforourcomfort,that,evenwhenwefirstbelieved,weovercameGodhimself,asitwere,bybelievingthepardonofall our sins, notwithstanding the guilt of our own consciences and hisabsolutejustice.Now,havingbeenprevailerswithGod,whatshallstandagainstusifwecanlearntomakeuseofourfaith?

Oh,whataconfusionisthistoSatan,thatheshouldlabourtoblowoutapoor spark and yet should not be able to quench it; that a grain ofmustardseedshouldbestrongerthanthegatesofhell;thatitshouldbeable to remove mountains of oppositions and temptations cast up bySatanandourrebelliousheartsbetweenGodandus.Abimelechcouldnotendure that it shouldbe said, `Awomanslewhim' (Judg.9:54); and itmustneedsbeatormenttoSatanthataweakchild,awoman,adecrepit

oldmanshould,byaspiritoffaith,puthimtoflight.

TREASURETHELEASTDEGREEOFGRACE

Since there is suchcomfortwhere there is a little truthof grace, that itwillbesovictorious,letusoftentrywhatGodhaswroughtinus,searchourgoodaswellasourill,andbethankfultoGodfortheleastmeasureofgrace, more than for any outward thing. It will be of more use andcomfortthanallthisworldwhichpassesawayandcomestonothing.Yea,letusbe thankful for thatpromisedandassured victorywhichwemayrelyonwithoutpresumption,asPauldoes:`ButthanksbetoGod,whichgivethusthevictorythroughourLordJesusChrist'(1Cor.15:57).Seeaflame in a spark, a tree in a seed. See great things in little beginnings.Looknotsomuchtothebeginningastotheperfection,andsoweshallbe,insomedegree,joyfulinourselves,andthankfultoChrist.

Neithermustwe reason fromadenial of a greatmeasure of grace to adenial of any at all in us, for faith and grace do not consist in anindivisibleamount,sothathewhohasnotsuchandsuchameasurehasnone at all. But, as there is a great difference between a spark and aflame, so there is a greatdifferencebetween the leastmeasureof graceandthegreatest;andhewhohastheleastmeasureiswithinthecompassof God's eternal favor. Though he is not a shining light, yet he is asmokingwick,whichChrist'stendercarewillnotallowhimtoquench.

ENCOURAGEMENTTOCOMETOCHRIST

Andletallthathasbeenspokenallurethosethatarenotyetinastateofgrace to come under Christ's sweet and victorious government, for,thoughweshallhavemuchopposition,yet,ifwestrive,hewillhelpus.Ifwefail,hewillcherishus.Ifweareguidedbyhim,weshallovercome.Ifweovercome,wearesuretobecrowned.Asforthepresentstateofthechurch, we see now how forlorn it is, yet let us comfort ourselves thatChrist's cause shall prevail.Christwill rule, till his enemiesbecomehisfootstool (Psa. 110:1), not only to trample upon, but to help him up tomounthigheringlory.Babylonshallfall,`forstrongistheLordGodwhojudgethher'(Rev.18:8).Christ's judgment,notonlyinhischildren,butalsoagainsthisenemies,shallbevictorious,forheis`Kingofkingsand

Lordof lords' (Rev.19:16).Godwillnotalwayssufferantichristandhissupporterstorevelandswaggerinthechurchastheydo.

CHRISTISTHEHOPEOFTHECHURCH

IfwelooktothepresentstateofthechurchofChrist,itisasDanielinthemidst of lions, as a lily amongst thorns, as a ship not only tossed butalmostcoveredwithwaves.Itissolowthattheenemiesthinktheyhaveburied Christ, with respect to his gospel, in the grave, and there theythinktokeephimfromrising.ButasChristroseinhisperson,sohewillrollawayall stonesandriseagain inhischurch.Howlittlesupporthasthe church and cause of Christ at this day!How strong a conspiracy isagainstit!Thespiritofantichristisnowliftedupandmarchesfuriously.Thingsseemtohangonasmallandinvisiblethread.ButourcomfortisthatChristlivesandreigns,andstandsonMountZionindefenseofthosewhostandforhim(Rev.14:1);andwhenstatesandkingdomsshalldashoneagainstanotherChristwillhavecareofhisownchildrenandcause,seeing there isnothing else in theworld thathemuch esteems.At thisvery time the delivery of his church and the ruin of his enemies are inprogress.We see nothing inmotion till Christ has done his work, andthenweshallseethattheLordreigns.

Christandhischurch,whentheyareatthelowest,arenearestrising.Hisenemies,atthehighest,arenearesttheirdownfall.TheJewsarenotyetcome inunderChrist'sbanner;butGodwhohaspersuadedJapheth tocomeintothetentsofShem(Gen.9:27)willpersuadeShemtocomeintothe tents of Japheth.The `fullness of theGentiles' hasnot yet come in(Rom.11:25),butChrist,whohastheuttermostpartsoftheearthgiventohimforhispossession(Psa.2:8),willgatherallthesheephisFatherhasgiven him into one fold, that there may be one sheepfold and oneshepherd(John10:16).ThefaithfulJewsrejoicedtothinkof thecallingoftheGentilesandwhyshouldwenotrejoicetothinkofthecallingoftheJews?

The gospel's course has hitherto been as that of the sun, from east towest,andso inGod's time itmayproceedyet furtherwest.Nocreaturecanhinder the courseof the sun,nor stop the influenceofheaven,norhindertheblowingofthewind,muchlesshindertheprevailingpowerof

divinetruth,untilChristhasbroughtallunderonehead,andthenhewillpresentall tohisFather:`Theseare those thouhastgiven tome; thesearethosethathavetakenmefortheirLordandKing,thathavesufferedwithme.MywillisthattheymaybewhereIamandreignwithme:Andthenhewilldeliverupthekingdom,eventohisFather,andputdownallotherrule,andauthority,andpower(1Cor.15:24).

FAITHWILLPREVAIL

Letusthenbringourheartstoholyresolutions,andsetourselvesuponthatwhich isgood,andagainst thatwhich is ill, inourselvesorothers,according to our callings, with this encouragement, that Christ's graceandpowerwillgoalongwithus.Whatwouldhavebecomeofthatgreatworkof reformationof religion in the latter springof thegospel ifmenhadnotbeenarmedwithinvinciblecouragetoovercomeallhindrances,withthisfaith,thatthecausewasChrist's,andthathewouldnotfailtohelp his own cause? Luther ingenuously confessed that he often actedinconsiderately and moved by various passions. But when heacknowledged this, God did not condemn him for his errors, but, thecause being God's, and his aims being holy, to promote the truth, andbeingamightyman inprayer, and strong in faith,Godbyhimkindledthatfirewhichalltheworldshallneverbeabletoquench.Accordingtoour faith, so is our encouragement to all duties, therefore let usstrengthenfaith,sothatitmaystrengthenallothergraces.Theverybeliefthat faithshallbevictorious isameanstomakeitso indeed.Believe it,therefore,that,thoughitisoftenassmokingflax,yetitshallprevail.Ifitprevails with God himself in trials, shall it not prevail over all otheropposition?Letuswaitawhile,`standstill,andseethesalvationoftheLORD'(Exod.14:13).

TheLordrevealhimselfmoreandmoretousinthefaceofhisSonJesusChristandmagnifythepowerofhisgraceincherishingthosebeginningsofgraceinthemidstofourcorruptions,andsanctifytheconsiderationofourowninfirmitiestohumbleus,andofhistendermercytoencourageus.Andmayhepersuadeusthat,sincehehastakenusintothecovenantofgrace,hewillnotcastusoffforthosecorruptionswhich,astheygrievehisSpirit,sotheymakeusvileinourowneyes.AndbecauseSatanlaborsto obscure the glory of his mercy and hinder our comfort by

discouragements,theLordaddthistotherestofhismercies,that,sinceheissogracioustothosethatyieldtohisgovernment,wemaymaketherightuseofthisgrace,andnotloseanyportionofcomfortthatislaidupforusinChrist.AndmayhegrantthattheprevailingpowerofhisSpiritinusshouldbeanevidenceofthetruthofgracebegun,andapledgeoffinal victory, at that time when he will be all in all, in all his, for alleternity.Amen.

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