CLII lectures vpon Psalme LI preached at Ashby-Delazouch in Leicester-shire / by that late faithfull and worthy minister of Iesus Christ, Mr. Arthur Hildersam.

Lecture LXXII. On Psalme 51.5. Octob. 16. 1627.

IT followeth now,4 1.1 that wee proceed to the fourth and last point, wherein the admirable goodnesse of God, is set forth by the Doctrine of originall sin; and that is this. That the sinfulnesse, and corruption of our nature, being so great as it is, it should doe us no more hurt then it doth. And surely this is a thing that wee can never sufficiently admire, that wee not onely slipping, and falling oft into many actuall sins, but having also still in us so vile a nature, such a fountaine of corruption, that maketh us wee cannot cease from sin any one moment, and like the troubled sea that cannot rest (it is the Prophets compari∣son, though in another sense, Esa. 57.20.) is ever casting up some filthy myre and dirt or other, to defile our best actions by; that wee being such I say, the Lord should not loath and abhorre, both our selves, and every thing that pro∣ceedeth from us. That the Lord should notwithstanding all this, have so graci∣ous respect unto us, and to our poore service as he hath, this doth notably set forth his admirable goodnesse and mercy towards us.

This will the better appeare unto us, if wee shall distinctly consider these three things. 1. What wee and our best actions, and performances are. 2. What the Lord is in the holinesse of his owne nature. 3. What the respect is that the Lord (notwithstanding) doth shew to us, and to the service we do unto him.

For the first Our flesh and corrupt nature is such, as it will not suffer us to [ 1] doe any one duty in that manner as wee ought. This blessed Paul complained of, Rom. 7.18. To will, is present with mee (this was doubtlesse the speech of a regenerate man) but how to performe that which is good, I find not. And that that hee saith of himselfe there, hee saith of all the faithfull. Galat. 5.17. Yee cannot doe the thing that yee would. Nay it doth so palpably corrupt, and de∣file every good thing wee desire to doe, as our selves cannot choose (if there bee any truth of grace in us) but discerne, and bee ashamed of it, and com∣plaine of it also, as the Church doth, Esa. 64.6. Wee are all as the uncleane man (the leper) and all our righteousnesses (not one, but all) are as filthy rags. So that when wee have done the best service that ever wee did to God, wee have cause to cry God mercy for it, and to pray with good Nehemiah, 13.22. Lord pardon mee according to the greatnesse of thy mercy. And if we (as blind and senselesse, and full of selfe-love, as we are) can discerne so much filth our selves in them; what can the Lord doe. Who is greater then our heart (as the Apostle speaketh, 1 Ioh. 3.20.) and knoweth all things?

For the second point, The Lord (wee know) is so infinitely holy, that hee [ 2] cannot abide to looke upon, hee cannot but detest all filthinesse, and sin. Thou art of purer eyes (saith the Prophet. Hab. 1.13.) then to behold evill, and canst not looke on iniquity. Hee will by no meanes cleare the guilty, as the Lord speaketh of himselfe. Exod. 34.7. Therefore shall thy campe bee holy (saith the Lord. Deuterono. 23.14.) lest hee see any uncleane thing in thee, and turne away from thee.

Now let us come to the third point I told you was to bee considered, though [ 3] there be so much filthines in us, and all our best services, and though the Lord doe so loath all filthinesse of sin, yet doth he not loath us nor our services, but hath

great respect to us and to them for all that. And this shall appeare unto us in foure points especially.

[ 1] First. He taketh notice of all the good things that his poore servants doe, and will not forget the least of them, but keepeth a register of them. I know thy works and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not beare them which are evill, saith Christ to the poore Angell of the Church of Ephesus, Rev. 2.2. that had lost his first love, and was much decayed, and fallen away in his good∣nesse. There is not any patience that the poore weake Christian hath shewed in suffering ought for Christs sake, not any paines hee hath taken to get to heaven, not any zeale hee hath shewed against sin, but the Lord ta∣keth notice of it, bee it done never so secretly, Actes 9.11. Yea, he will remember it also, and never forget it. David knew this, and therefore pray∣ed, Psal. 56.8. Put thou my teares into thy bottle, are they not in thy regi∣ster? Hee taketh notice of the teares wee shed for our sinnes, and in our prayer, and will not forget them. And surely this is a matter of great ad∣miration, and so David conceived of it, Psal. 144.3. Lord, what is man that thou takest knowledge of him; or the son of man, that thou makest account of him?

[ 2] Secondly. As hee doth take notice of the least good duties wee doe in love and obedience to him, so he taketh not notice of, nor regardeth those staines and spots, whereby the best services of his children are defiled, but passeth by them, and imputeth them not unto them, but seeth them as it were through his fingers. Even as sundry blemishes that are in our children (as a mole in the face, or pock holes, or a squint eye) which to another man seeme great deformities, to us seeme none at all; even so is it with the Lord in this case. Hee seeth no iniquitie in Iacob (as Baalam himselfe was constrained in the spirit of prophecy to confesse, Numbers 23.21.) nor transgression in Israel. Hee doth not for these spots and blemishes that are in our ser∣vices, wee doe unto him, reject us or our services, but accepteth of them, and taketh them in good part, as if there were no spot or defect in them at all. He did not reject the service that Rahab did him, in saving of the spies, though she had blemished, and stained it with a lye, Ioshua 2.4, 5. but accepted, and commended it, Hebrewes 11.31. The prayer that Ioshua made, when (out of impatiency) he cryed, Iosh. 7.7. Would to God wee had beene content, and dwelt on the other side of Iordan, and never come into Canaan; the Lord rejected not for all that. When David in his prayer, was so full of infidelity, that hee said in his hast, I am cut off from before thine eyes, neverthelesse (saith hee Psalme 31.22.) thou heardest the voice of my supplications, when I cryed unto thee. And at another time, when he was in that distresse, that he saith, his soule refused to bee comforted, hee remembred God, and was troubled, and his spirit was overwhelmed (as he saith, Psal. 77.2, 3. A poore prayer you may thinke it was that a man in that case could make) yet did not God reject that prayer that was so foully stai∣ned, but as he saith verse 1. when he was in that case, I cryed to God with my voice, even to God with my voice, and hee gave eare unto mee. When Moses had shewed a great deale both of impatiency, and infidelity when God bad him only speake unto the rocke before the people (as you shall read, Num. 20.10, 11.) yet did not God reject his service for this, but wrought with him, and shewed his marvellous power, even in that work neverthelesse. And surely so he doth still; he doth not reject our prayers for our manifold infirmities, he doth not refuse to work with, and blesse our poore labours that are his ministers, though (alas) we bewray much of our owne ignorance, and other our corrupti∣ons in them, when we preach best of all. And even in this also his marvel∣lous goodnesse and mercy is to be admired by us, which maketh the Church breake forth into that speech of admiration, and so would wee all if wee

did rightly consider it. Mic. 7.18. Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquitie, and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage?

Thirdly. Hee delighteth in us, and in our poore services, notwithstanding all [ 3] these corruptions whereby they are desiled. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that feare him, saith David, Psal. 147.11. and 149.4. The Lord taketh plea∣sure in his people. If yee will obey my voice indeed (saith the Lord to the chil∣dren of Israel, Exodus 19.5.) and keep my Covenant, then ye shall be pecu∣culiar treasure vnto me above all people. And Mala. 3.17. They shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my Iewels, and I will spare them as a man spareth his owne sonne that serveth him. Yea, those poore duties wee performe to him in his service, which our selves take so small comfort in, yet hee delighteth in them. Hee delighteth in the way of a good man, saith David, Psalm. 37.23. And Solomon Prov. 15.8. The prayer of the upright in his delight. Thy voice is sweet, saith Christ to his Church, Cant. 2 14▪ In which respect, hee compareth the hearts of his people that are able to pray, Revel▪ 5 8. unto golden vialls full of sweet odours. And the faithfull minister is said by the Apostle, 2 Cor. 2.15. to be unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are sa∣ved, and in them that perish, whether the people receive good by our labours, or no. And for this cause also hee desireth to heare us pray, to see us keepe his Sabbaths, preach, and heare his word, give almes to his poore members, &c. as much as ever man did desire any thing hee most delighted in. Let me see thy countenance (saith Christ to his Church, Cant. 2.14) let me heare thy voice. And Iohn 4.23. The father seeketh such worshippers, as worship him in spirit and truth; as a great man would seeke farre and neere for a faithfull, and pro∣fitable servant. And have not every one of us cause to wonder at this, and to say to the Lord, as Iohn Baptist did to Christ, Matth. 3.14. I have need to bee baptized of thee, and commest thou to me? I have need to seek to thee, to have my best services washed, and cleansed from their filthines, and seekest thou to mee for such poore services as I am able to doe?

Fourthly and lastly. Hee doth also reward every service wee doe unto him, [ 4] notwithstanding all the imperfections and staines of it. Whatsoever good thing any man doth (saith the Apostle, Ephes. 6.8.) the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Not onely great services, and such as much glory redoundeth to his name by, but even the meanest and poorest, and such as may seeme to bee of least use unto him. See what Christ saith of the poore widdowes two mites, Luke 21.3. of a cup of cold water given to one of his little ones in the name of a Disciple, Matth. 10.42. and what the Apostle saith Colos. 3 24. of the conscionable service,that a poore drudge, that had an infi∣dell to his master did, Know that of the Lord, ye shall receive the reward of inhe∣ritance. Therefore when Christ speaketh, Matth. 25. of the good workes that shall bee rewarded in heaven, hee speaketh not of Martyrdome, nor of building of Colledges, nor fighting the Lords battell, nor redeeming of impro∣priations, and such like great and excellent workes, but of such as the meanest Christian almost may bee able to performe. The poore mans sacrifice, who was able to bring but a turtle Dove, or a young Pigeon, was an offering of as sweet a savour unto the Lord (as you shall find Levit. 1.17) as the rich mans was, that brought never so many sheepe, or oxen either. Yea, those very ser∣vices that have beene apparantly polluted with mixture of corruption, have beene rewarded by him neverthelesse. Because the mid-wives feared God, (saith Moses, Exodus 1.20, 21. and saved the childrens lives) therefore God dealt well with the mid-wives, and made them houses; though they in doing this service, had excused themselves by a lye, as yee may see, verse 19. Yea, those services that we do unto God with sensible untowardnesse, unwillingnesse, and reluctancy of our flesh against them, those God will bee most sure to reward.

God is not unrighteous (saith the Apostle, Heb. 6.10) to forget your worke and labour of love.

Now if wee will search the Scriptures, and enquire into the reason of this admirable goodnesse of God, and demand how it commeth to passe, that so per∣fect, and pure, and righteous a God, should so farre respect so imperfect, and im∣pure services as we are able to doe unto him; we shall find three reasons given of it, in the holy Scriptures.

[ 1] First. In these poore services that the faithfull doe unto God, their heart is set to please him, that is the end they aime at. They would faine doe them in faith, and love to God, with fervency, and vigour of spirit. To will, is present with them, as Paul speaketh, Rom. 7.18. They would faine doe better; They would faine serve God, even in that exact manner that hee requireth. Their spirit is willing (as our Saviour saith, Matth. 26.41.) though the flesh be weake. And they oft-times pray unto God as David doth, Psal. 119.5. O that my wayes were directed to keepe thy statutes. And can say as Esa. 26.8. The desire of our soule is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. They that are after the spirit (saith the Apostle, Rom. 8.5.) doe mind the things of the spirit. The poore ser∣vants will, was to pay his master even the ten thousand talents that he requi∣red of him. Matth. 18.24, 16. The faithfull doe not please themselves in any of their failings, but are troubled with them, and mourne for them. As the poore man in the Gospell was, that hee could beleeve no better. Mar. 9.24. In all their coldnesse in prayer, in all their wandrings, and evill thoughts they find then, they can say with the spouse, Cant. 5.2. I sleep, but my heart waketh. And this is a thing that highly pleaseth God, hee will beare with much, when hee findeth this. If there be a willing mind (saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 8.12.) a man is accepted according to that that a man hath. The good Lord pardon every one (saith good Hezechiah in his prayer, 2 Chron. 38.18, 19. and the Lord hearkened to him, verse 20.) that prepareth his heart to seeke God, though hee bee not cleansed according to the purification of the Sanctuary. The Lord will pardon and passe by much, where he seeth the heart is thus set to please him.

[ 2] Secondly. These poore services that we doe are (for the substance of them) the fruits, the thoughts and desires, the words and actions of his owne spirit in us. It is God worketh in us, both to will, and to doe, as the Apostle spea∣keth, Phil. 2.13. In those poore prayers that the faithfull soule maketh, when his spirit is overwhelmed so, that hee knoweth not what to pray as hee ought, the spirit it selfe maketh intercession for us, with groanings that cannot bee ut∣tered; as the Apostle speaketh, Rom, 8.26. And though God dislike never so much that that is ours, the corruptions and staines that cleave to our best works, yet that that is his owne, the worke of his owne spirit, hee cannot but like, and delight in. This reason wee shall find given by David, Psal. 37.23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and hee delighteth in his way. Therefore hee delighteth in the good mans way, because hee by his spirit doth order and direct it. And thus the Church reasoneth, Esay 26.12. Lord thou wilt ordaine peace for us, for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.

[ 3] Thirdly and lastly. The faithfull are in Christ, and God beholdeth them in him, and because hee is in Christ well pleased with, and loveth them, there∣fore doth he take in good part their poore services. He hath made us accepted (saith the Apostle, Ephes. 1.6.) in the beloved. And when we our selves are once reconciled unto God, and in favour with him, it is no marvell though he take our poore services in so good part. The Lord had respect to Abel, and to his offering, saith Moses, Genes. 4.4. Wee that are evill (ye know) can beare with much in them that wee love dearely. Yea▪ the services that the faithfull

doe unto God, they doe not present them to him in their owne name, but in Christs onely, they doe not looke to have them accepted for their owne, but for the Lords sake, as Daniel speaketh, Dan. 9.17, 18. And Christ hath borne all these our blemishes and defects, and fully satisfied for them. As it is said of Aaron the high Priest (Exod. 28 38.) that he did beare the iniquity of the holy things that Gods people did offer, in all their holy gifts. Our spirituall sacrifices are acceptable to God by Iesus Christ, as the Apostle speaketh, 1 Pet. 2 5. For he presenteth them to his father in the merit of his sacrifice, and in presenting them, casteth of these his sweete odours, and incense into them, as you shall read Rev. 8.3. And being so perfumed, it is no marvell though our poore services, be as a sacrifice of a most sweet smelling savour unto God.

Notes

• 4 1.1

  Saving grace.