The oyle of gladnesse. Or, Comfort for dejected sinners. First preached in the parish church of Banbury in certaine sermons, and now published in this present treatise. By William Whately minister there.

CHAP. V.

§ 1.

NOw in the fourth place, I will tell you by what meanes you must strengthen your

faith, that it may affoord you large and strong consolation: for though no labour of man with∣out the power of Gods Spirit can worke this comfort, yet doth the Spirit of God beget it, by meanes of such holy labours and endeavours as himselfe incites us to. These meanes are chie∣fly foure: Meditation, Prayer, Conference, and a due information of judgement concerning this matter of remission of sins.

The first then is Me∣ditation, and that princi∣pally

of foure things.

1. Of the perfect me∣rits of Iesus Christ. 2. Of the infinite mercies of God. 3. Of the large and unlimited promises of the Word. 4. Of Gods gratiousnesse to other sinners, out of all which sound consolation may be taken, by the most broken heart that is or can be.

§ 2.

The first thing then to be seriously pondered upon is, the perfection of Christs merits, for upon this foundation

doth comfort most de∣pend. For our selves it matters not what we have deserved, or can deserve, for it must be confessed that our deserts extend to nothing but ruine and destruction. But our Lord and surety Iesus Christ hath made a full and perfect satisfaction to the justice of God, and deserved full and perfect remission of sinnes for all that seeke unto him. For of him the Scripture beareth witnesse,* 1.1 That in him God is well pleased, and that by him all that beleeve,* 1.2 are justified from

all things, from which they could not bee justified by the law of Moses. And him hath God set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud.* 1.3 Hee hath redeemed us from the curse of the law,* 1.4 being made a curse for us.* 1.5 Also He is our Wisedome, Righte∣ousnesse, Sanctification and Redemption. And in Him wee have redemption through his bloud,* 1.6 the forgivenesse of sinnes. And He hath taken away the sinnes of the world.* 1.7 And His bloud cleanseth us from all sinne.* 1.8 And He is able to the uttermost,* 1.9 to

save those that come unto God by him. All these places doe testifie the fullnesse and absolute perfection of his righ∣teousnesse and satisfacti∣on, that as by the sinne of one man, the first Adam, many have beene made sinners, so by the righte∣ousnesse of one man the se∣cond Adam,* 1.10 many be made righteous.

Now as it is in the case of a debtor and of his surety, so it is betwixt God and us in this mat∣ter. Though the debtor being a meere banque∣rupt, cannot possibly

discharge his owne debt, yet if his surety have al∣ready made payment of all his debts, or fully discharged them, he is safe enough from dan∣ger: So, though we be utterly destitute of all ability to satisfie for our sinnes, and to deserve pardon of them; yet if our surety Iesus Christ have fully satisfied for them, as he hath, there is hope enough of our be∣ing pardoned. For our Lord Iesus Christ was both God and man, a person infinitely more excellent then all men,

and therefore his suffe∣rings and obedience are of such infinite worth and valew, that by him the wrath of God is ful∣ly appeased towards us. For it was a great de∣monstration of Gods justice to punish him his onely begotten Sonne for our sinnes in such sort as he did, as if he had punished us to all eternity. Suppose di∣vers debtors, one owing 10000 lb. another 5000 another 1000 another 100 lb. some more, some lesse, but each one more then his substance could

possibly satisfie: yet if some able person had laid downe divers Iew∣els of farre greater va∣lew then all their debts did amount unto, then were their debts suffici∣ently answered for, nei∣ther need they be dis∣couraged at the great∣nesse of them. Even so, when we have commit∣ted innumerable sinnes, deserving eternall death, and can no way satisfie for our selves, yet so long as he hath perfectly ful∣filled the law for us, be∣ing made under the law in our steed, and hath

perfectly satisfied the justice of God by bea∣ring the curse for us; our estate is good enough in him, though never so irrecoverable in our selves. Wherefore com∣pare thy sins to Christs merits, and thinke, is not he my Saviour? hath not he discharged my debt? hath not he answered for mine offences? are not his death, sufferings, and obedience, much more able to pacifie Gods an∣ger, then my transgres∣sions to provoke it? Doubtlesse it is so: no man that professeth

Christian Religion will deny it, and therefore by his bloud peace of con∣science may come unto the greatest sinner.

§ 3.

If it be objected, Ah, J know his redemption is perfect and all-surficient, but how can I tell that it shall be granted unto me? I answer, put off that question a little, till thou have first answe∣red some few questions which I shall propound unto thee. Dost not thou thinke that the bloud of

Christ is sufficient to wash away all thy sins? is not his satisfaction full, compleate and of worth enough to answer for all thy transgressions, even though they were more then they bee? If thou sayest no, thou denyest the truth of the fore-alledged Scrip∣tures, and disparagest the merits of our blessed Sa∣viour, which I hope thou wilt not dare to doe: but if yea, as needs thou must say yea, then hearken yet further a little, and for thine owne interest into this satisfaction, receive

satisfaction by this rea∣son: Our Saviour Christ calleth unto him, all that travell and are heavy la∣den with sin, and promi∣seth refreshing & rest un∣to their soules. Tell me, art not thou laden? art not thou crushed? Dost not thou confesse thy sins to be a most insupporta∣ble burden, and so hea∣vie a loade that they will surely presse thee downe to hell, if he doe not ease thee? if thou dost not or dost not desire so to doe thou art none of them whom I intend to com∣fort, if thou dost, why

then in Gods name, let that loving invitation of our Lord satisfie thy forementioned doubt, and conclude thou thus for thy selfe. Every one that being heavy la∣den will come unto Christ, shall bee refre∣shed, shall have rest to his soule, and therefore shall have his merits be∣stowed upon him, with∣out which there can bee no rest to his soule. Now I am heavy laden, and I will runne to Christ (and so doe J pray thee, with∣out doubting or feare any longer) and then

thou must conclude in∣fallibly, I shall be refre∣shed, I shall have the me∣rits of Christ to be mine, according to the truth of his promise.

§ 4.

And so you have the first meditation. The se∣cond must be of the infi∣nite mercies of God in Christ, who is gratiously ready in him, the Sonne of his loves, to accept of every sinner that re∣nouncing himselfe, and all his owne righteous∣nesse, doth flie wholy to

him for refuge. For the Lord is a God,* 1.11 gratious & mercifull, slowe to anger, abundant in kindnesse and truth, reserving mercy for thousands, forgiving ini∣quity, transgression and sinne. His mercy is as high above us as heaven is above the earth.* 1.12 He will abundantly forgive,* 1.13 and his waies are not as our waies, nor his thoughts as our thoughts, for as the hea∣vens are higher then the earth, so are his waies higher then our waies, and his thoughts above our thoughts. Yea hee hath multitude of tender

compassions, and is rich in mercy to all that call up∣on him,* 1.14 and his mercy endureth for ever. You see by these words of Scripture what store of mercy there is in God, and what quantity of compassion poore sin∣ners that are humbled, must looke to finde with him. Now consider further, what is this mer∣cy and compassion of God? Doubtlesse it is a willingnesse, prompt∣nesse, readinesse, for∣wardnesse, full reso∣lution to accept of miserable sinners that

have made themselves most wretched by their sinnes, and to relieve their miseries when they humbly stoope unto him. Mercy is not an ability to pardon and helpe if one will, but a willingnesse to helpe and pardon when one is able. Wee doe not call him a merci∣full man, that could help a poore distressed person if he would, but it is not his pleasure so to doe, for so it may be with a most cruell and hard hearted fellow. The most rigo∣rous and exating rich Usurer, could forgive

his debtor (that is a banckerout and can pay him nothing) if hee would, but he will not though he can, and ther∣fore doth not deserve to be called mercifull. The most fierce and furious tyrant might forgive his subject, if he would, that hath offended, but be∣cause he is not willing, therefore no man styles him pitifull and grati∣ous. So neither were the God of heaven full of grace, mercy and com∣passion, if onely he were able to forgive humbled sinners, and would not;

that were not mercy I say, that were not com∣passion, but this is grace, this is compassion. He is willing to receive the humbled wretch, he is ready to forgive, and fully resolved with him∣selfe to blot out all his sinnes from his remem∣brance, bee they what they will for number or haighnousnes, when once he converteth unto him. Now therefore that thou knowest the store of mercy that is in God, and also what mercy is. Compare thy sinnes also to Gods mercy, and see

if they can be in any sort equall thereunto. For are not his mercies in Christ infinite, endlesse, boundlesse, and there∣fore farre surpassing all the sinnes of all sinners, which bee they, what they can be, for weight and number, yet doubt∣lesse infinite they cannot bee.

Thou seest how great a thing this globe of earth and water seemeth to be to them that walke upon it, yet in compari∣son of the heavenly spheare that doth incom∣passe it, what is it else, but

a poynt, a prick, a center, a thing of nothing, that holdeth no proportion to those higher regions, and know assuredly, that there is no more propor∣tion betwixt all the sins of all men, and Gods mercies, then betwixt the poynt of earth, and the circumference of the skies. He is willing to pardon more then all of them can commit, and therefore onely they bee not pardoned, because they will not humble themselves to seeke par∣don. Thus then must thou raise up thy falling

heart, I have to doe with a most infinitely mercifull and tender hearted Father, that doth not desire the death of him that dieth, but is ten thousand thousand times more willing to give me pardon then I am to crave or accept it. It pleaseth him more to bestow forgivenesse, then me to receive it. O doe not so great an in∣jury to God, as to set any bounds and limits to his goodnesse, to diminish or detract from the boundlesnesse of his compassion, to thinke

that thou canst possibly exceed his goodnesse with thy badnesse, but go unto him and acknow∣ledge, saying, O Lord, the multitude of thy mercies doe farre sur∣mount the multitude of my rebellions, O there∣fore be gratious to mee according to the multi∣tude of thy mercies, and so thou shalt bee safe.

But thou wilt say perhaps how can I tell that God will shew mercy to me? I answer, Art not thou one of those to whom he hath sealed up mercy

in baptisme? yea but thou wilt say, many are baptized that never finde mercy. I answer, not one that in sence of want of mercy, and in a perswa∣sion that God can bee mercifull to him, doth seeke to the throne of grace for it. And for a fuller answer to this doubt, now proceed to the third meditation.

§ 5.

This is of the wide∣nesse and largenesse of Gods promises to sin∣ners, which are of such

an unlimited extent, that they exclude no sinner for no sinne, and in no time of comming to him. For in all these re∣spects, are his promises wondrous large and of great extent. J say first they shut not out any sinner, but runne in this generality, Come unto me (All) that are hea∣vie laden, even all, all without any exception, so that whosoever he be that is heavy laden, hee sees the gate of Gods goodnesse standing open to him, and wide enough to receive even him also

among the rest of sin∣ners; next hee excepts not any sinne, but telleth us thus, The bloud of Christ purgeth us from all sinne.* 1.15 And againe, if your sinnes were as red as scarlet they shall bee as white as snow.* 1.16 And againe,* 1.17 I will blot all his iniquities out of my re∣membrance, and he bids them pray thus, Take away all iniquity,* 1.18 and al∣lowed David to cry and say,* 1.19 Blot out all mine ini∣quities. Doe you not heare how generall these promises bee, not nar∣rowed with any excepti∣on,

but alone to be un∣derstood with this quali∣fication of the persons, if they be humbled for sin. And in like manner for the time of comming lies not the promise, in the day that the sinner turneth?* 1.20 meaning when so ever, sooner or later, first or last, so that hee turne in truth, you see no time excepted for the grant of pardon of sinne. Indeed in regard of crosses, it may fall out, that a man may seek to God for freedome of them and not find it, but for pardon of sinnes, he

that comes in truth, comes never too late. And here now is the right use of those univer∣sall promises, which are set downe in Scripture. God would have no man perish, but would have all men saved and come to the knowledge of the truth,* 1.21 and He is a propitia∣tion for the sinnes of the whole world,* 1.22 and Hee gave himselfe a ransome for all,* 1.23 and He tasted death for every man.* 1.24 Which the Lord hath of set purpose conceived in this ample forme of words, that there might

bee sure and certaine ground and footing, for the faith of any man whatsoever, that being tyred with his sinnes, doth runne unto this grace of God in Christ to finde helpe in time of need. Seeing God hath not excepted thy person, or thy faults, or thy time of comming, doe not thou except thy selfe, make not the gate of Gods promises scanter, or narrower then it is. He hath opened both the leaves of these dores as wide as may bee, and thinkes it not fit to

cloze them up, against any humbled and con∣fessing sinner, at any time: O doe no thou put a distrustfull hand upon them, to shut them against thy selfe, but let them stand wide open, and enter boldly, and aske mercy, and looke for mercy, and finde it.

§ 6.

Now followes the last meditation, which must be of the examples of Gods grace, in per∣forming these promises to other sinners, as bad,

if not worse then any of us can be. For the Lord hath made good these words of his in his Son to as great, hainous, will∣full, presumptuous offen∣dors, as any have beene, are or can bee in the world, that will come unto him. No man can name, so great a sinne or sinnes, with so great ag∣gravations, but that the Scriptures affoord us ex∣amples of as grievous sinnes pardoned, and as grievous sinners saved, if they have framed them∣selves to humiliation and conversion. For what

may thy sin bee or thine obstinacy in sin? Is it murder and adultery runne into with fore-re∣solved deliberation? continued in with great hardnesse and obdurati∣on? behold these were Davids faults, and thou seest him pardoned and comforted, yea though he ran unto them in old age after many benefits received, and after a long time of forward∣nesse in the true religi∣on and service of God. Hast thou beene an Ido∣later? a Buggerer? a Drunkard? a Rayler? an

Extortioner? why such were some of the Corin∣thians, (as Paul remem∣bers them) and yet they were washed, sanctified, justified, as he also tel∣leth them. Hast thou besides Idolatry fol∣lowed Sorcerers and Witches? and practised inchantments and sorce∣ries? and that with so much and so long ob∣stinacy, as to kill those that should admonish thee of these faults? Why so did Manasses too, and yet he is pardoned. Hast thou persecuted Christ? blasphemed

him? made others to blaspheme? and put them to death that would not? why so did Paul also, (and that after divers yeares spent in those places, where many wonders and mi∣racles were wrought to confirme the Gospell of Christ) and yet he is par∣doned. Hast thou beene an harlot? so was Rahab, and the sinnefull woman in the Gospell. Hast thou beene a theefe? so was hee that defended Christ on the Crosse. Hast thou denied and foresworne Christ? so

did Peter also after hee had beene diverse yeares his disciple, and yet all these are pardoned. Yea verily brethren, the first sinne that ever was committed, was in many respects the greatest of all particular acts of sin that ever were commit∣ted since. It was virtu∣ally, radically, causally all sinne, and yet loe Adam and Evah that did commit it, they are saved. The smalnesse of the matter makes the fault farre greater, being a light and easie thing, propounded meerely for

a triall, and as a signe and profession of their obe∣dience, as if a man should forbid his childe a very slender thing, and that which hee might easily forbeare, to testifie his obedience unto him, he would be more offen∣ded against him in this case, by how much hee had made choyce of a more triviall matter to proove his obedience withall. Now for such persons at such a time, in such a place, in such a state, on such motives to disobey their maker in such a thing, so easie to

bee observed, and given to them onely to proove their obedience, surely a greater disobedience (and therefore a greater sinne) can hardly be na∣med, and yet as I said before, this sinne is par∣doned, and those sinners saved. And who now can be hopelesse? who now can cast off com∣fort? Now therfore stay and look upon those ef∣fects & proofes of Gods mercy and truth, and say unto thy selfe, is not God the same God that of old? was not his ju∣stice and anger against

sin, as great then as now? and is not his mercy and truth, as large and sure now as then? and why then should not J also take heart, to seeke unto the same God and rest upon him. And these be the most comfortable meditations that I could propound, to the sor∣rowfull and fearefull heart of the broken sin∣ner, for the suppling of his wounds, and fitting his soule for consolation.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mat. 3. ult.
• * 1.2

  Act. 13.38, 39.
• * 1.3

  Rom. 3.25.
• * 1.4

  Gal. 3 1
• * 1.5

  1 Cor. 1.30.
• * 1.6

  Ephes 1.7
• * 1.7

  Joh. 1.29
• * 1.8

  1 Ioh 1 7
• * 1.9

  Heb. 7.25.
• * 1.10

  Rom. 5.9.
• * 1.11

  Exod. 14 6.
• * 1.12

  Psal 103 11.
• * 1.13

  Isa. 55.7, 2, 9.
• * 1.14

  Rom. 10 12.
• * 1.15

  1 Joh. 1.7
• * 1.16

  Isa. 1.18.
• * 1.17

  Ezek. 18.22.
• * 1.18

  Hos. 14.2.
• * 1.19

  Psal. 51.9
• * 1.20

  Ezek. 33.12.
• * 1.21

  1 Tim. 2.4.
• * 1.22

  1 Ioh. 2.2.
• * 1.23

  1 Tim. 2.6.
• * 1.24

  Heb. 2.9.