I say, the reasonableness of this doctrine; for however it may seem
foolishness to the natural man, yet to those, who have tasted of
the good word of life, and have felt the power of the world to come,
it will appear to be founded on the highest reason; and is capable,
to those who have eyes to see, even of a demonstration; I say of
demonstration: for it stands on this self-evident truth, that we are
fallen creatures, or, to use the scripture-expression, “have all died
in _Adam_.”
I know indeed, it is now no uncommon thing amongst us, to deny the
doctrine of original sin, as well as the divinity of JESUS CHRIST; but
it is incumbent on those who deny it, first to disprove the authority
of the holy Scriptures; if thou canst prove, thou unbeliever, that the
book, which we call _The Bible_, does not contain the lively oracles of
GOD; if thou canst shew, that holy men of old, did not write this book,
as they were inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost, then will we give up the
doctrine of original sin; but unless thou canst do this, we must insist
upon it, that we are all conceived and born in sin; if for no other,
yet for this one reason, because that GOD, who cannot lye, has told us
so.
But what has light to do with darkness, or polite infidels with the
Bible? Alas! as they are strangers to the power, so they are generally
as great strangers to the word of GOD. And therefore, if we will preach
to them, we must preach to and from the heart: for talking in the
language of scripture, to them, is but like talking in an unknown
tongue. Tell me then, O man, whosoever thou art, that deniest the
doctrine of original sin, if thy conscience be not seared as with a
hot iron! tell me, if thou dost not find thyself, by nature, to be a
motly mixture of brute and devil? I know these terms will stir up the
whole Pharisee in thy heart; but let not Satan hurry thee hence; stop a
little, and let us reason together; dost thou not find, that by nature
thou art prone to pride? otherwise, wherefore art thou now offended?
Again, dost not thou find in thyself the seeds of malice, revenge,
and all uncharitableness? and what are these but the very tempers of
the devil? Again, do we not all by nature follow, and suffer ourselves
to be led by our natural appetites, always looking downwards, never
looking upwards to that GOD, in whom we live, move, and have our being?
and what is this but the very nature of the beasts that perish? Out
of thy own heart, therefore, will I oblige thee to confess, what an
inspired apostle has long since told us, that “the whole world (by
nature) lies in the wicked one;” we are no better than those whom St.
_Jude_ calls “brute beasts;” for we have tempers in us all by nature,
that prove to a demonstration, that we are earthly, sensual, devilish.
And this will serve as another argument, to prove the reality of the
operations of the blessed Spirit on the hearts of believers, against
those false professors, who deny there is any such thing as influences
of the Holy Spirit, that may be felt. For if they will grant that the
devil worketh, and so as to be felt in the hearts of the children of
disobedience (which they must grant, unless they will give an apostle
the lye) where is the wonder that the good Spirit should have the same
power over those who are truly obedient to the faith of JESUS CHRIST?
If it be true then, that we are all by nature, since the fall, a
mixture of brute and devil, it is evident, that we all must receive the
Holy Ghost, ere we can dwell with and enjoy GOD.
When you read, how the prodigal, in the gospel, was reduced to so low
a condition, as to eat husks with swine, and how _Nebuchadnezzar_ was
turned out, to graze with oxen; I am confident, you pity their unhappy
state. And when you hear, how JESUS CHRIST will say, at the last day,
to all that are not born again of GOD, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into
everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels,” do not your
hearts shrink within you, with a secret horror? And if creatures, with
only our degree of goodness, cannot bear even the thoughts of dwelling
with beasts or devils, to whose nature we are so nearly allied, how do
we imagine GOD, who is infinite goodness, and purity itself, can dwell
with us, while we are partakers of both their natures? we might as well
think to reconcile heaven and hell.
When _Adam_ had eaten the forbidden fruit, he fled and hid himself from
GOD; why? because he was naked; he was alienated from the life of GOD,
the due punishment of his disobedience. Now, we are all by nature naked
and void of GOD, as he was at that time, and consequently, until we are
changed, renewed, and cloathed with a divine nature again, we must fly
from GOD also.
Hence then appears the reasonableness of our being obliged to receive
the Spirit of GOD. It is founded on the doctrine of original sin: and,
therefore, you will always find, that those who talk against feeling
the operations of the Holy Ghost, very rarely, or slightly at least,
mention our fall in _Adam_; no, they refer St. _Paul_’s account of
the depravity of unbelievers, only to those of old time. Whereas it is
obvious, on the contrary, that we are all equally included under the
guilt and consequences of our first parent’s sin, even as others; and
to use the language of our own church-article, “bring into the world
with us, a corruption, which renders us liable to GOD’s wrath, and
eternal damnation.”
Should I preach to you any other doctrine, I should wrong my own soul;
I should be found a false witness towards GOD and you; and he that
preaches any other doctrine, howsoever dignified and distinguished,
shall bear his punishment, whosoever he be.
From this plain reason then appears the necessity why we, as well as
the first apostles, in this sense, must receive the Spirit of GOD.
For the great work of sanctification, or making us holy, is
particularly referred to the Holy Ghost; therefore, our LORD says,
“Unless a man be born of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom
of GOD.”
JESUS CHRIST came down to save us, not only from the guilt, but also
from the power of sin: and however often we have repeated our creed,
and told GOD we believe in the Holy Ghost, yet, if we have not believed
in him, so as to be really united to JESUS CHRIST by him, we have no
more concord with JESUS CHRIST than _Belial_ himself.
And now, my brethren, what shall I say more? tell me, are not many of
you offended at what has been said already? do not some of you think,
though I mean well, yet I have carried the point a little too far? are
not others ready to cry out, if this be true, who then can be saved? is
not this driving people into despair?
Yes, I ingenuously confess it is; but into what despair? a despair of
mercy through CHRIST? no, GOD forbid; but a despair of living with GOD
without receiving the Holy Ghost. And I would to GOD, that not only
all you that hear me this day, but that the whole world was filled
with this despair. Believe me, I have been doing no more than you allow
your bodily physicians to do every day: if you have a wound, and are in
earnest about a cure, you bid the surgeon probe it to the very bottom;
and shall not the physician of your souls be allowed the same freedom?
What have I been doing but searching your natural wounds, that I might
convince you of your danger, and put you upon applying to JESUS CHRIST
for a remedy? Indeed I have dealt with you as gently as I could; and
now I have wounded, I will attempt to heal you. For I was in the
_Last_ place, to exhort you all to come to JESUS CHRIST by faith,
whereby you, even you also, shall receive the Holy Ghost. “For this
spake he of the Spirit, which they that _believe_ on him should
receive.”
This, this is what I long to come to. Hitherto I have been preaching
only the law; but behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy. If I
have wounded you, be not afraid; behold, I now bring a remedy for all
your wounds. Notwithstanding you are sunk into the nature of the beast
and devil, yet, if you truly believe on JESUS CHRIST, you shall receive
the quickening Spirit promised in the text, and be restored to the
glorious liberties of the sons of GOD; I say, if you believe on JESUS
CHRIST. “For by faith we are saved; it is not of works, lest any
one should boast.” And, however some men may say, there is a fitness
required in the creature, and that we must have a righteousness of our
own, before we can lay hold on the righteousness of CHRIST; yet, if
we believe the scripture, salvation is the free gift of GOD, in CHRIST
JESUS our LORD; and whosoever believeth on him with his whole heart,
though his soul be as black as hell itself, shall receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost. Behold then, I stand up, and cry out in this great day
of the feast, let every one that thirsteth come unto JESUS CHRIST and
drink. “He that believeth on him, out of his belly shall flow (not only
streams or rivulets, but whole) rivers of living water.” This I speak
of the Spirit, which they that believe on JESUS shall certainly receive.
For JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; he is the
way, the truth, the resurrection, and the life; “whosoever believeth
on him, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” There is no respect
of persons with JESUS CHRIST; high and low, rich and poor, one with
another, may come to him with an humble confidence, if they draw near
by faith; from him we may all receive grace upon grace; for JESUS
CHRIST is full of grace and truth, and ready to save to the uttermost,
all that by a true faith turn unto him. Indeed, the poor generally
receive the gospel, and “GOD has chosen the poor in this world, rich
in faith.” But though not many mighty, not many noble are called; and
though it be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than
for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of GOD, yet, even to you that
are rich, do I now freely offer salvation, by JESUS CHRIST, if you will
renounce yourselves, and come to JESUS CHRIST as poor sinners; I say,
as poor sinners; for the “poor in spirit” are only so blessed, as to
have a right to the kingdom of GOD. And JESUS CHRIST calls none to him,
but those who thirst after his righteousness, and feel themselves weary,
and heavy laden with the burden of their sins. JESUS CHRIST justifies
the ungodly; he came not to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance.
Do not then say you are unworthy; for this is a faithful and true
saying, and worthy of all men to be received, “that JESUS CHRIST came
into the world to save sinners;” and if you are the chief of sinners,
if you feel yourselves such, verily JESUS CHRIST came into the world
chiefly to save you. When _Joseph_ was called out of the prison-house
to ♦_Pharaoh_’s court, we are told, that he staid some time to prepare
himself; but do you come with all your prison cloaths about you; come
poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked, as you are, and GOD the
Father shall receive you with open arms, as was the returning prodigal.
He shall cover your nakedness with the best robe of his dear Son’s
righteousness, shall seal you with the signet of his Spirit, and feed
you with the fatted calf, even with the comforts of the Holy Ghost.
O, let there then be joy in heaven over some of you, as believing; let
me not go back to my Master, and say, LORD, they will not believe my
report. Harden no longer your hearts, but open them wide, and let the
King of glory enter in; believe me, I am willing to go to prison or
death for you; but I am not willing to go to heaven without you. The
love of JESUS CHRIST constrains me to lift up my voice like a trumpet.
My heart is now full; out of the abundance of the love which I have for
your precious and immortal souls, my mouth now speaketh; and I could
now not only continue my discourse until midnight, but I could speak
until I could speak no more. And why should I despair of any? no, I can
despair of no one, when I consider JESUS CHRIST has had mercy on such a
wretch as I am; but the free grace of CHRIST prevented me; he saw me in
my blood, he passed by me, and said unto me, Live; and the same grace
which was sufficient for me, is sufficient for you also; behold, the
same blessed Spirit is ready to breathe on all your dry bones, if you
will believe on JESUS CHRIST, whom GOD has sent; indeed, you can never
believe on, or serve a better master, one that is more mighty, or more
willing to save; I can say, the LORD CHRIST is gracious, his yoke is
easy, his burden exceeding light; after you have served him many years,
like the servants under the law, was he willing to discharge you, you
would say, we love our Master, and will not go from him. Come then, my
guilty brethren, come and believe on the LORD that bought you with his
precious blood; look up by faith, and see him whom you have pierced;
behold him bleeding, panting, dying! behold him with arms stretched
out ready to receive you all; cry unto him as the penitent thief did,
LORD, remember us now thou art in thy kingdom, and he shall say to
your souls, shortly shall you be with me in paradise. For those whom
CHRIST justifies, them he also glorifies, even with that glory which
he enjoyed with the Father, before the world began. Do not say, I have
bought a piece of ground, and must needs go see it; or I have bought a
yoke of oxen, and must needs go prove them; or I have married a wife, I
am engaged in an eager pursuit after the lust of the eye, and the pride
of life, and therefore cannot come. Do not fear having your name cast
out as evil, or being accounted a fool for CHRIST’s sake; yet a little
while, and you shall shine like the stars in the firmament for ever.
Only believe, and JESUS CHRIST shall be to you wisdom, righteousness,
sanctification, and eternal redemption; your bodies shall be fashioned
like unto his glorious body, and your souls be partakers of all the
fulness of GOD.
♦ “Pharoah” replaced with “Pharaoh”
Which GOD of his infinite mercy, &c.