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HEB. II. 3. How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation?
I AM upon the Prosecution of the second Proposition I raised from this Text, viz.
Doct. 2. That the Means of the great Salvation of the Gospel may be neglected. This is implied in the Words.
I shall now proceed to the last thing proposed to be spoken unto in the Prosecution of this Proposition. Which is,
First, Such that neglect this Salvation, do cast great Contempt upon God.
1. They cast Contempt upon the Wisdom of God that found it out, and on that glorious Counsel that was held in Eternity about it. What is it but a breathing forth of the highest Disdain on the Wisdom of God? What is the Voice of some Sinners Hearts? We shall be saved tho we go on in our own Ways, God is good, merciful, &c. This is, as it were, an undervaluing of the glori∣ous and no less gracious Contrivance of Infinite Wisdom, to seek to be saved some other Way, or to neglect this Way. Suppose a Prince should hold a Council in order to make a Company of Re∣bels happy for ever; not only to pardon them, but to make them Rich, Noble and Honourable; and he should send them the Of∣fers of this rich Bounty and Goodness, and they should contemn it, slight it, and wholly neglect the free acceptation thereof, would not this cast a Slight and Reproach upon that Prince? And would not all Men say, sure they were mad? Brethren, all ungodly Men who neglect this Salvation, consult with the Devil, take Coun∣sel of the Devil, and of their own wicked Hearts, to frustrate, if it were possible, the Counsel of God. He hath ordained the Preach∣ing of the Gospel as the Way to work Faith in them, and so to give them an Interest in Salvation; but they slight and neglect
attending upon the Word, nay, believe it not, but conspire against God, and set themselves against the Lord, and against his Christ, say∣ing, Let us break their Bonds asunder, and cast their Cords from us. Let us cast away the Offers and Promises of this God, and of this Christ, about Salvation and an Eternal Kingdom, and those Threatnings of Wrath and Hell, whereby they would one while allure us to forsake our Sins and beloved Lusts, and at another time frighten us into Faith and Obedience, and to submit our Necks to his Yoke. Come, let us slight all those Arguments he uses to win us over to him, yea, spurn at them, and disregard all the Hopes and Fears these Cords would put us into, could they get us under their Power. What are all these things but Fancies, vain Dreams? Tush, our State is good enough, we can repent hereafter: What is the Gospel but to do as we would be done unto? Let us not trouble our Heads with any other Notions of Religion. And thus they slight and cast contempt upon the infinite Wisdom of God, who found out and contrived this way of Salvation, and by which his manifold Wisdom is revealed.
2. They also who neglect and slight the Salvation of the Gospel, do cast Contempt upon the highest Goodness, Love and Mercy that was ever shewed to Man: God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him might not perish, but have Everlasting Life. Love, to the wonderment of Men and Angels! Shall such a Marriage be offered by the great King, such a Banquet be prepared that cost so much, and shall any make light of it, and despise Infinite Goodness for the sake of their own filthy Lusts, and think they may be saved some other Way? They thereby render the Holy God cruel to his own Son, in his giving him up to die, and to become a Sacrifice for Sin.
Brethren, if Salvation be neglected, it is either out of Presump∣tion or Despair.
(1.) Now such that presumptuously neglect it, seem to magnify God's Mercy in their own Conceit, being wholly ignorant of his Justice and Holiness, and so slight the constituted Method of his declared Goodness in Jesus Christ; and so whilst they seem to magnify God's Mercy, they impair, nay contemn his Soveraignty, by chusing and prescribing other Ways of God's communicating of himself to his Creatures, than what he in his Eternal Counsel fixed upon, and found out.
(2.) If it be neglected through Despair, they cast Contempt up∣on Christ's Blood, as if there was not a Sufficiency in it to cleanse and save them from their Sins; and not only so, but also render God not to be believed, who hath said, There is Life in his Son, and whosoever believes in him shall not perish. Therefore Despair makes God a Liar, as it is a high degree of Unbelief: Moreover, it ren∣ders God to be cruel to his Creatures; for though they fall down at his Feet, and humble themselves, yet the Voice of Despair is, God is only an angry Judg, and clothed with nothing but Wrath and Fury. Nay, and it casteth a disparagement upon the Power and Sufficiency of God to save when he appears in his full united Strength, for so he does manifest himself in Jesus Christ. And hereby such seem to intimate, as if a multitude of Sins could throw God's Mercy into the Depths of the Sea, instead of Mercy's casting our Sins therein, notwithstanding Justice hath received a full Satisfaction for them by the Hands of our Blessed Saviour and Surety.
3. From hence it appears that they who neglect this Salvation through Unbelief, do cast also Contempt upon God's Power to save, rendering him unable to do it by his right Hand, even by Jesus Christ: Man is very apt to question God's Power, like them of old; Can God spread a Table in the Wilderness? All Distrusts arise from Fears and Jealousy, either of the Strength, or else of the Faithfulness and Justice of the Object addressed unto in a Time of Distress; that either the Person is weak and unable to help, or else dishonest and unjust; and though he hath promised to save, to help, yet he will not. Even so it is here, all they that neglect the Salvation of the Gospel, from Unbelief and despond∣ing Thoughts, either seem to strip God and Jesus Christ of his Power to save, or else of his Truth and Faithfulness, who hath said, Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye Ends of the Earth. And again, He that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out. A convin∣ced Sinner, before he comes to Christ (nay and sometimes after∣wards too when under Temptation) is apt to say, Can God par∣don my Sins? Can God remit my Sins that are so great? Pray take notice of two Texts of Scripture, the one respects such Sin∣ners that are not awakened, and so seem to presume; the other refers to convinced and awakened Sinners who seem to despair, and yet go on in their Sins.
(1.) Isa. 57. 10. Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy Way; yet sayest thou not, There is no Hope? Thou goest on in thy unjust and
sinful Ways, till thou hast even wearied thy self, as if the Lord should say, and yet thinkest thy State good, wilt not say there is no Hope; but contrariwise thou hast Hope, and dost conclude all is well: these are bold presumptuous Sinners.
Compare this Text with that in Jer. 2. 25. But thou sayest, There is no Hope; No, for I have loved Strangers, and after them I will go. We are very vile, our Consciences reprove us, convince us of our abominable Evils, but there is no Hope, God will not pardon us, nor take us into his Favour; therefore we will go on in our own Ways, and take our swing: These were ashamed of their doings, as the next Verse shews, and yet not so ashamed as to leave their Sins and Doings, and to return to the Lord, but doubted of his par∣doning Grace. We see, say some, there's no ground of Hope, there is no help for such as we, our Hearts are so hard, Corrupti∣ons are so strong in us, there is no Salvation for us; we will there∣fore take our Course, cleave to our Sins and Lovers, and to our old Companions; we will even follow our Trades, and pursue the World, and satisfy our Lusts with Pleasures. Despair sometimes makes Persons desperate; others of this sort grow melancholy, and ready, through Satan's Temptations, to lay violent Hands on themselves, when it prevails far upon them. Now these I say do cast great Reproach upon the Power of God, and his pardoning Grace in Jesus Christ.
4. Such who believe not but neglect the Salvation of the Gospel, cast contempt and dishonour on the Truth of God, they do not give credit to what God says in his Word about Salvation by Jesus Christ, and of that necessity there is of Faith in him, and Union with him, and of being born again, if ever they are saved. If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your Sins. But the Jews would not be∣lieve this. Hence it is said, He that believeth not, maketh God a Liar, because he believeth not the Record that God gave of his Son: As such do, who do not believe the Testimony of any Person, though ne∣ver so true. And is it not a horrid Evil to render God a Liar? He saith, Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish; and except a Man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. But this is not be∣lieved by many Persons, they hope to be saved, though not rege∣nerated.
5. Such who believe not, but neglect the Salvation of the Go∣spel, yet think to be saved, go about to cross and contradict the settled Will and Purpose of God; it is in effect to shew a dislike of God's way of Salvation: The Jews are said not to submit
themselves to the Righteousness of God: they magnified their Wills above the Will of God, liked not of that way of Salvation that he in his Eternal Counsel fixed upon; they will be saved by their own Righteousness; that which God accounts but as filthy Rags, they esteem as a choice Robe. Suppose, Brethren, there was some other Way to be saved than by Christ, yet is it not meet that the Crea∣ture comply with the Will of his Creator? Shall he rebel against his Soveraign? Were there two ways to such or such a City, one by Sea, and the other by Land, and a Prince commands his Ser∣vant to go by Sea, and not by Land, shall he attempt to go by Land, and so cross his Master's Will, and violate his express Com∣mand? But it is not so here, there is but one Way of Salvation; There is no other Name given under Heaven: therefore such must needs be more inexcusable, who neglect this Way, and their Con∣dition dangerous; for let them think what they will, damned they will be at last, whoever they are that neglect this Salvation. But more of that hereafter.
2dly. Those that neglect the Salvation of the Gospel, do slight and cast Contempt on Jesus Christ; they seem to undervalue all that he has done: certainly that was not worth his coming from Hea∣ven to Earth to effect, that you do not think worth your while to go a Mile or two to attend upon the Means of, nor worth setting your Thoughts seriously upon. Was our Salvation so great, that he parted with his Life to procure it, and is it not worth your parting with your Sins to have an Interest in it? What is the Voice of the Hearts and Ways of such Sinners? Do not they reproach the Son of God after this manner, Why wast thou so unwise to shed thy Blood to purchase Salvation for us? We do not value it above the Pleasures of the World, we esteem our carnal Delights and earthly Profits more than that Salvation which thou hast wrought.
2. Nay they slight the Person of Christ, who says, Behold me, behold me, look unto me; Can you see me stand knocking at the Door of your Hearts, and refuse to let me in? Should one cry out Pity me, pity me, you will break my Heart, if you do this thing; suppose it be a dear Father or Mother that thus speaks to a Child that takes evil Courses, and the Child regards not the Cry nor Tears of its Parent; would not all say, that such a Child contemn'd his Father? Thus, Sinners, you will be found contemners and slighters of Jesus Christ one Day, if you neglect this so great Salvation;
he stands ready to imbrace you in his Arms, to espouse your Souls, but you slight and despise him and his precious Love in your Hearts.
3. Nay such who neglect this Great Salvation, slight the Voice of Christ's Blood. Sirs, the Blood of Christ cries, his Death has a Voice in it: Hath Christ's Blood been shed to redeem you, to cleanse you from Sin, to save and sanctify your Souls, and will you not hear the loud Cry thereof? Nay, doth not Christ himself cry to you after this manner, Wilt thou continue in thy Sin, and neglect the Salvation I have purchased? What greater Ingratitude, what worse Indignity canst thou cast upon me, and upon that Sacrifice which I have offered up to make thy Peace, and reconcile thee un∣to God? After this manner Christ seems to speak.
4. To neglect this Salvation, is to cross or contradict the grand Design of God in sending his Son into the World; was it not to exalt Jesus Christ, to magnify him? Last of all he sent unto them his Son, saying, They will reverence my Son. God requires and commands all to honour his Son, believe in his Son, receive and imbrace his Son, subject to his Authority; to this End he sent him into the World: But how do such seek to cross the Design of God herein, who prefer their earthly Profits and Pleasures, nay their sinful Ways and wicked Practices, above Jesus Christ and that Salvation he hath purchased? O how great is the Sin of such who neglect this Salvation!
5. Hereby also they abuse the matchless Love, the unspeakable Love and Favour of Jesus Christ; they do not only slight his Per∣son, contemn his Blood, and cross the Design of the Father, but they also abuse and disdain his precious Love, which caused him to take upon him the Form of a Servant, and to yield himself up to the cursed Death of the Cross. Greater Love hath no Man than this, that a Man lay down his Life for his Friend: But Jesus Christ laid down his Life for his Enemies; Whilst we were yet Enemies, we were reconciled unto God by the Death of his Son. And shall Sinners, after the manifestation of such Love, slight him, and the Salvation wrought by him at such a dear Rate? Nay, shall Christ's repeated Calls, Wooings, and Intreaties, be not regarded, who spreadeth forth his Hands all the Day long? Shall any be so ungrateful, so blind, so rebellious, as to let Christ stand all Night at the Door of their Hearts, even till his Head is wet with Dew, and his Locks with the Drops of the Night? This shews the great Evil and Wickedness of those who neglect this great Salvation: Doth not this tend to ex∣pose
the Son of God to shame, to be thus slighted, as if not worth the least regard? Should a Prince come a thousand Miles to court, or offer his Love to a low, a contemptible and base-born Damsel, and she should nevertheless slight him, and give him no entertain∣ment, would not this be deemed an abominable Abuse of his Love, as well as great Contempt cast upon his Person? Sinners are ready to say, there is no comeliness in him that we should desire him: but alas, 'tis because they do not know him; they are blind and see him not, 'tis the carnal Eye that can see no Beauty in Christ; were the Eyes of their Understandings opened, they would be of another Opinion concerning him.
6. The Evil in neglecting of this is so great, that it is (as it were) a piercing of Christ again; nay, and when a poor Sinner is con∣vinced of this great Iniquity, he cries out, What have I done? Have I not grieved, nay, wounded afresh my dear Saviour, by not believing in him, and not receiving the great Salvation offered by him? Though I never saw the Person of Christ, yet I have of∣fered Violence to him in resisting his Authority, despising his Love, and slighting his Salvation. As a Man is guilty of Treason, by a∣basing the Statue or Image of a King, so are Men guilty of the Blood of Christ, and of trampling upon it, when they count it as a Trifle, or unprofitable to their Salvation, seeking Life and Sal∣vation some other ways, or are wholly regardless about it; it is as a Stab at his very Heart, a tearing out (as it were) his Bowels: he suffered willingly all those great Torments which were inflicted up∣on him, to remove from us a necessity of Suffering; had he not stept in to bear our Sins, we had been lost for ever. O why then is not he imbraced by Faith that works by Love! It implies a Sinner has no Love to him, no not so much as to his Sins and Folly; it is a denying the Excellences of Christ, the Preciousness of Christ: for as Faith accounts all things but Dung in comparison of Christ, so (as one observes) Unbelief counts Christ but Dung, Union and Communion with him but Dung, in comparison of this World and the Pleasures of Sin.
7. Those that neglect the Salvation of the Gospel, thinking to be saved some other way, do seem to reflect upon, if not despise the Wisdom of Jesus Christ: Do they not charge him with Folly and Inconsiderateness, in undertaking such a Task, such a Work, on such hard Terms, when it might be had some other way? What, suffer such Pain, Sweat, great Drops of Blood, and be nailed to the Cross to procure Salvation for us, which might be
obtained by a sober Life, or by doing to all as they would be done unto, or by following the Dictates of the Light of natural Con∣science, or by our own Inherent Holiness? What did Jesus Christ aim at by shedding of his Blood, but the appeasing of God's Wrath, and the bringing in of an Everlasting Righteousness, and to purchase Grace to sanctify Mens Souls, and to open the Gates of Heaven, which Divine Justice had shut and barr'd up against us? Now certainly those who neglect this Salvation, do either fancy these Blessings are not worth regard or looking after, or else they may be procured by some other Way, and on easier Terms, than by Faith in the Blood of Christ: And is not this to charge our Lord Jesus with Folly; and with the Greeks of old, to account the Preach∣ing of the Cross Foolishness?
8. They render, it is evident, the shedding of Christ's Blood to be in vain, who neglect the Means of this Salvation, and so thereby slight the Blessings which he hath purchased: it must be an undervaluing of the price of Redemption; for that which a Per∣son regards not, though procured at never so dear a rate, he de∣clares was in vain purchased: this is, with a Witness, therefore, lightly to esteem of the Rock of their Salvation: it is to stop their Ears to the Cry of Christ's Blood. His Blood (as you heard) cries to Sinners to apply it to their perishing Souls, and to leave their sinful Ways; but they regard it not, though it seems afresh to stream forth from his Heart in the Virtue of it, and flows through the Pipes of the Gospel in the Offers of it. Did not they who refused to come to the Marriage-Supper, declare, that the King had in vain prepared all those costly Dainties, for let who will come and eat thereof, they will not? And thus many render the bloody Sacrifice to be offered up in vain, by neglecting the Salvation offered in the Gospel.
9. Such also who believe not, but reject and turn their Backs upon the Gospel-Salvation, put Jesus Christ to Grief again: It is said, He was grieved because of the hardness of their Hearts. So God said, he was grieved forty Years with those who believed not in the Wilderness. O how many Years have some of you grieved both the Father and the Son, (to speak after the manner of Men) and is not this a great Evil? Will you grieve and weary out the Heart of God, and the Heart of Jesus Christ?
10. It also gives occasion to Satan, to vaunt, boast and triumph over the Son of God: See, says he, how little these Men and Wo∣men, for whom thou gavest thy self to die the Death of the Cross,
do mind the Salvation thou hast purchased for them; they like and approve of my Ways and Motions, my Offers, better than any thing thou hast procured for them, and dost offer to them. May not Satan insult after this manner over the Lord of Life and Glo∣ry, whilst Sinners close in with his Temptations, and cleave to their Lusts, earthly Profits and Pleasures, and neglect the great Salvation of the Gospel?
3dly. Such who neglect this so great Salvation, offer Violence to the Holy Ghost.
1. They do resist the Holy Spirit, whom God hath sent as his great Messenger, to influence, enlighten and convince their Hearts and Consciences about the Worth and Weightiness of this Con∣cern: He will reprove the World of Sin, of Righteousness, and of Judgment. Of Sin, because they believe not on me. Because they neglect attending upon the Means of this Salvation, believe not the Necessity there is of this Saviour, nor of Faith in him, and seek it not above all things: Is it a small Matter to resist the Holy Ghost? O lay it to Heart.
2. They grieve the Holy Spirit also, yea, and hereby tire him out so, that he at last withdraws his Influences from the Sinner, and will strive with him no more, like as he did by the World; and if so, the ruin of the Soul will be unavoidable: for without the Holy Spirit no Man can repent, believe, or be renewed, be regenerated, and so come to have Interest in this so great Salva∣tion.
3. Such quench the Spirit who neglect this Salvation, and do not believe; it is to cast Water on that Divine Spark which the Holy Ghost strives to kindle in the Soul of a poor Sinner, or to blow out the Candle of the Lord, (so far as the Sinner is able to do it) whereby Spiritual Light and Knowledg comes to be let into the Heart.
4. Nay, to neglect this Salvation in the Means of it, is as much as may be to hinder the Work and Office of the Holy Spirit in and about this Salvation. The Holy Spirit hath more immediately to do with Sinners; his special Work is to enlighten, to convince of Sin, to work Faith in the Soul, and to renew and sanctify the polluted Heart; and all that neglect this Salvation, or that slight those Convictions they have of the Evil of Sin, or Sense of their woful Condition, do seek to obstruct the King's great Officer and Messenger in the discharge of his Office. Look to it, Sinners, for
if it be deemed a dangerous thing to resist a Constable in the exer∣cise of his Office, because he is the King's Servant, what Danger do you expose your selves to, that oppose, withstand, and strive to hinder the Spirit in the discharge of his great Work and Of∣fice? It is to contemn the King's Ambassador; the Holy Spirit is sent to treat with Sinners in Christ's Name, it is hereby Christ him∣self speaks to them from Heaven: and they that adhere to the Mo∣tions of the Spirit, do adhere to Jesus Christ; and they that op∣pose or resist his Motions, do oppose and resist Christ also. The Holy Spirit is the great Gospel-Blessing promised, to infuse Grace in the Soul: all Grace is from the Spirit; Sinners cannot believe without the Holy Spirit, nor love God: The Love of God is shed abroad in the Hearts of Believers by the Holy Ghost. There is no Re∣generation without the Spirit: Those that are born again are born of the Spirit; no Union with Christ without the Spirit, no broken Heart, no Cries, no Tears that will prevail with God without the help of the Spirit: Such that will not adhere to his Motions and Influences, say in their Hearts, that they will not be changed, will not believe nor repent, nor have Christ to be their Prince and Sa∣viour. The Spirit awakens the Conscience, and stirs up Fears in the Soul, and sets before the Sinner's Eyes, his great Evil, Guilt and horrid Pollution; therefore if they refuse the Wooings, In∣treaties and Influences of the Spirit, they must perish for ever.
APPLICATION.
1. O let us lament and mourn over all that neglect this so great Salvation: All Unbelievers and Neglecters of the Means of Sal∣vation, are horridly guilty before the Lord; 'tis hereby all their Sins are bound upon their Consciences, and cleave to them, and are charged upon them, not only Original, but all actual Sin what∣soever.
2. O infinite Love and Patience! May we not stand amazed, and wonder at the long-suffering and forbearance of God? O House of David, (saith the Prophet) is it a small thing for you to weary Men, but will you weary my God also? What greater Wicked∣ness and Ingratitude can there be than this? Will you contemn and resist your Saviour and the Holy Ghost? How long shall God wait upon you? Will he always wait to be gracious? O know that his Mercy will at last be turned into Fury.
3. Unworthy are such to live, to be fed, to be clothed, to be protected and preserved, that thus despise God's Mercy and sove∣reign Goodness: Would a Man feed, clothe, and bestow great Fa∣vours on such that despise, slight and contemn him?
4. What do you think of your selves, Sinners? to you I speak that neglect this so great Salvation. O this is your Sin, you re∣fuse the only Remedy God hath found out to heal and save your Souls, therefore your Damnation will be just and deserved with a witness: You love Darkness rather than Light; you contemn the highest Good, the best of Beings, and the highest Expressions of his Love and Favour; that God that made you, that Christ that spilt his Blood to redeem the worst of Sinners, those Bowels that pitied you, you refuse, and resist that Spirit that would renew you, sanctify you, and make you meet for Heaven, and all this out of love to your base Lusts, your cruel Enemies that seek to destroy and murder your precious Souls. Abhor your selves: Alas, Men do not see what Monsters of Wickedness they are, whilst they neglect this so great Salvation. You sin, I say, against the Remedy, the costly Remedy, the only Remedy, against the Remedy that Infi∣nite Wisdom hath found out, and Infinite Goodness hath vouch∣safed: Yet if you return to God, there is Mercy for you; say, O Lord, now we see our Sin: O that you could but say so in truth, and fall down at the feet of God, and say, Thou hast overcome us with thy Love.
5. Lastly, Here is Comfort for Believers who have received this so great Salvation. O bless God for Faith, cherish the Motions of the Holy Spirit that hath broken your Bonds; you prefer Christ, and the Salvation by Christ, before all things: live worthy of a Part and Interest in this Salvation; you have Salvation, and shall not lose it. O walk so that you may never lose the Joy of it; for that you may do, God may hide his Face, Christ may withdraw himself: if he hath done it, enquire when you had him, and consider what you have done that he hides his Face from you; let the Cause, if it be Sin, be bewailed, and let the loss of him be more grievous to you, than the loss of Comfort from him, and be willing to do any thing to enjoy Christ again.
Sermon X.
Psal. 2. 2, 3.
Eph. 3. 10.
John 3. 16.
Isa. 45. 22. Joh. 6. 37.
Joh. 8. 24.
1 John 5. 10.
Luke 13. 35. John 3. 3, 5.
Rom. 10. 3.
Acts 4. 12.
Mat. 22. 37.
John 15. 13. Rom. 5. 10.
Isa. 65. 2.
Cant. 5. 5.
Isa. 53. 2, 3.
Charnock.
Deut. 32. 15.
Mark 3. 5.
John 16. 8, 9.
Rom. 5. 5. John 3. 5.
Isa. 7. 13.