A cordiall for a fainting soule, or, Some essayes for the satisfaction of wounded spirits labouring under severall burthens in which severall cases of conscience most ordinary to Christians, especially in the beginning of their conversion, are resolved : being the summe of fourteen sermons, delivered in so many lectures in a private chappell belonging to Chappell-Field-House in Norwich : with a table annexed, conteining the severall cases of conscience which in the following treatise are spoken to directly or collaterally / preached and now published ... by John Collings.

Cap. 4.

How to satisfie a poor soul doubting whether it may be∣leeve or no, because of its many and great sins past, or its continuing corruptions, and so deemeth it self unworthy.

FIrst of all consider, Gods grace is enough for thee, This scruple of thy spirit, ariseth from scant, & streightned thoughts of rich incomprehen∣sible grace: Be convinced therefore, that there is a fulnesse enough in the ocean of infinite grace to swal∣low up thy soul, however loaded with a burthen of sin; observe but how the Scripture setteth out infi∣nite love, take one place for all, Eph. 3. 17, 18, 19. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith, that you being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to compre∣hend

with all Saints, what is the bredth, and length, and depth, and heigth; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you might be filled with the ful∣nesse of God. Mark how the Apostle expresseth free grace, by all dimensions; are thy sins in the heighth? there is an heighth of love; are they in the depth? there is a depth of love; are they long, broad? are they all? yet there is mercy enough in this Christ, for such is his love that it passeth know∣ledge; are they a mountain? why who art thou (O great mountain before Zerubbabell) thou shalt be made a plain; do thy sins cry up to heaven? his mercies are a∣bove the heavens; are thy sins more in number then the haires of thy head, his mercies are more in num∣ber then the sand which lieth on the sea shore. Now this is easie to be conceived, if we do but conceive, and know that the mercies of God are infinite; God is an infinite God, and every mercy of his, is as in∣conceivable as himself is. His love passeth all under∣standing (saith the Apostle;) have no low thoughts (Christian) of the heighth of free grace which rea∣cheth up to the heavens, yea, and above the heavens; Is the filthy garments of thy wickednesse of a larger extent thinkest thou, then the long white robe of his righteousnesse, Who was made for thee righteousnesse, wisdom, sanctification, and redemption. Is the fountain set open for Iudah, and Ierusalem, for sin, and for uncleannes so shallow that thou canst not bath in it? Mistake not (Christian) it is a bath of capacity to hold all filthy souls, be their uncleannesse what it will, if they will but come and wash, and be clean; those that have the rottenest wounds, the fil••hiest sores, the most un∣sound ••arkasses, may fetch balm from Gilead enough

to heal their wounds. When Christ was upon the earth, the Evangelist tells us, Matth. 4. 24. They brought unto him all sick people, that were sick of divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and he healed them. When vertue went out from Christ, to heal the poor woman 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ouched the hemme of his garment, it went 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••im as light goeth out of the sun, that there is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for what goeth out. Christ never had any vertue went out of him, so as by such emission he lost any. How many Saints think you, since old Abrah••m (who was the father of the faithfull) to this day, have touched the hemme of his garment? vertue went out and hea∣led every one, and yet his garments are all oily with mercy and grace still. How many drops of blood have thirsty Saints had from Davids time to this hour, and yet the fountain of cleansing blood, hath not a drop lesse in it? Grace in Christ is like the heat of the fire, or light of the sun, take how much you will of either, you shall not rob either; nar∣row, not the breadth of incomprehensible love; when thou hast measured for beleevers ten thousand yards, there shall not be a nail lesse on the piece of free-grace. The sea, though a thing infinite, will hardly be measured out by quills, much lesse shall the un∣fadomable ocean of infinite love, be measured by drops for the washing poor souls from the stains and filth of their sins. The boy could tell the father, he would have done emptying the sea into an hole with a spoon, before he should have opened the Doctrine of the Trinity; And sooner shalt thou get all the light out of the body of the sun, and hear out of the fire, then put Jesus Christ to pant for his breath of

free-grace. Oh, that sinners had but as willing leggs as he hath capacious arms; we see hands are washed every day, and have been these thousands of years, now how long can we think it would yet be, should we get the dirtiest hands we could make, before all the seas, rivers, fountains, and streams in the world, would be exhausted; yea, though they should wash seven times a day? infinitely sooner (Christian) then the fountain of free-grace shall be exhausted, with all the buckets that come to draw the water of life from it. Seest thou a steeple, as Pauls in London, or the like, of a very great heighth; seest thou the highest mountain that seems to have married the clouds, and sit in their lap: Suppose now that mountain or steeple in the deepest place of the ocean, how much wouldst thou see on it? nay, were another on the top of that, there would not be a spier of grasse, nor a grain of dust discernable; were thy mountain of sins, that with their heighth seem not to threaten the clouds at all, but God himself, were I say, that, yea and another, and a third, thou∣sands of them piled up and thrown into the ocean of infinite love, the bottomlesse depth of his meritori∣ous blood, the waters of free grace would still be as much higher, as the heavens are higher then the earth, yea, infinitely higher then the highest planet is above the lowest spring. O the depth! Suppose thou sawest the highest Cedar in Lebanon, the highest Pyramide upon the earths Make thy self a ladder of ten thousand staves if thou canst, and rear it up, how much higher would the sun be thinkest thou? infinite higher are the mercies of thy Saviour, Chri∣stian, above the heighth of thy transgressions. There

is mercy enough, thats the first—But this is easie enough to be evinced, a Christian will tell you he cannot, dare not, doth not doubt this, he doubteth not of the power, but of the will of God.

Secondly, Consider therefore, That there is will e∣nough in the God of mercies, as well as power enough to save thee, if thou wilt but beleeve in him. It is a note of Pious Master Rutherford, That none can doubt, or say they doubt of Gods will, but they must really doubt of Gods power; for if thou beleevest his power, thou must at the same time beleeve his will; But for this it is easie enough to evince the good will of God, to save the greatest of sinners. Where shall we finde his will but in his word? and how shall we judge of it but by his acts? It is a known and certain rule, That the Gospel shuts none out of heaven, but those that by un∣beliefe, lock the gate against themselves; Enquire but into Gods promises, is there the least parenthesis of any exception in all the pages of free grace? Isai. 1. 18. Come now (saith God) Let us reason together, Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be white as wooll. There is no sinners sin that is died in grain, but such as have sinned the sin against the Holy-ghost; hast thou been a murtherer? thy sin is yet but a scarlet die, I will make it as snow (saith God;) hast thou been a blasphemer? All sin and blaspemy shall be forgiven (saith Christ) Mat. 12. 31. Hast thou been an idolater? an unclean wretch? I will sprinkle clean water upon you (saith God) and you shall be clean, from all your filthinesse, and from all your idols will I cleanse you, Eze. 36. 25. What? hast thou abused Christ, and spoken against him? who is thy onely salvati∣on?

Whosoever (saith Christ) speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him, Matth. 12. 32. Heark (Christian) is there not as much infinitenesse in thy Christs will (thinkest thou) as in his power?

Secondly, Nay, consider, his will is not onely full e∣nough of power, but there is an earnestnesse of desire in his will to save the greatest of sinners, that leaving their sins, will turn to him; this will be easily enough evin∣ced from his expressions and actions, tending to that end; He speaks, he swears, he pleades, he e••postulates, he weeps, he invites, he comes, he dies.

1. He speaks, that you have heard, he saith, I will save scarlet, crimson, sinners; I will say to them that are in their blood, live, I will powre out water upon the unclean.

2. He swears, and hath bid us to tell you his oath, Ezek. 33. 61. say unto them, As I live (saith the Lord) I desire not the death of a sinner, but had rather that he should turn from his wickednesse and live. Lo, he could swear by no greater, he swears by himself. O happy creatures (saith Tertullian) for whom God is pleased to put himself to his oath; O unbeleeving wret∣ches, if we will not trust our God swearing. Yet further,

3. He pleades, Turn ye, turn ye from your evill ways, why will ye die O ye house of Israel? Micah 6. 3. O my people! what have I done to thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testifie against me. He expostulates, Isai. 5. 4. What could I have done more, for my vineyard then I have done. Wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes brought it forth wilde grapes.

4. He appeals to the mountains and foundations of the earth, Mic. 6. 1, 2, 3. to the sinners themselves, Isa. 5. 3, 4. Iudge now O ye inhabitants of Iudah and Ieru∣salem.

5. He wishes groaning, Deu. 5. 29. O that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments alwayes, that it might be well with them, and their children for ever. And again, Deut. 32. 29. O that they were wise, that they under∣stood this, and would consider their latter end.

6. He professeth he knoweth not how to destroy them. Hosea 11. 8. How shall I give thee up Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee O Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim, my heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

7. He weeps when he came nigh Jerusalem, he wept over it and said, O Ierusalem, Ierusalem—how oft would I have gathered thee, as an hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but thou wouldst not? Mat. 23. 37, 38. Christ would, but the sinner would not.

8. He invites, Isai. 55. 1, 2, 3. Ho, every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money come ye buy and eat without money, and without price; and again, vers. 3. Incline your ear and come un∣to me, and your soul shall live; Heark how he calls Mat. 11. 29. Come unto me all ye that are weary, and heavy laden and I will ease you. The Father saith come, the Son saith come, the Spirit saith come, you that are in the hedges come, he sends out his servants to highway-people, Matth. 22. 9. To as many as are found there; why stay you disputing his will, when he so often saith come, come? Rev. 22. 17. The Spirit and the Bride say come, and let him that heareth say come, and let him that is a thirst come, and whosoever will let him drink of the water of life freely. Is not all this enough to let thee know God is willing, and Christ is willing to receive thee? Lo, Christ will come to thee.

9. See that essence of glory, bowing the heavens and coming down, laying aside his robes of Maje∣sty, and putting on thy filthy garments, see him ti∣ring himself in going about from place to place, up∣on no other errand then this, to cry at the markets, Oh, if any sinners love life, happinesse, if any will go to heaven, let them come to me, I will shew them the way to my fathers bosome, and endear them to my fathers heart. Read his Sermons, observe his pains, thou wilt finde a willing Saviour, not excepting Publicans, and Harlots, from the Kingdom of God.

10. Wouldst thou have more tokens of his will yet? See him dying, hanging upon the crosse, dropping out his last blood, breathing out his last breath, stretching out his dying arms, to encircle sinners should run into him, breathing out the breath of free-grace i•• his very last act upon a theefe, that had not an hour to live; Who shall dispair? who shall say Christ is not willing to save him, and not blaspheme eternall love? speak truth! corrupt heart say thou art not willing to be saved.

11. Is not this yet enough? Observe him setting Ministers in his Church, left thou shouldst not reade, and none should tell thee the truth of his eternall love, to speak out his good will in thine ears: All our errand is nothing but this, sinners Christ is willing to save you, And as Embassadours for Christ as though God did be∣seech you by us, we pray you in Christs stead be ye recon∣ciled to God, 2 Cor. 5. 20. Why canst thou not be∣leeve his will? Consider in thy Saviours will, there is not onely a latitude for, but an eagernesse of thy eternall salvation: Why therefore doest thou say, my sins are so great that God will not pardon me?

Beleeve, O blaspheme not the God of infinite good∣will.

But thirdly, Consider, That Gods eye of free-grace hath looked fauourably upon, and Christs blood hath wa∣shed as filthy and polluted creatures, as thou art or canst be. Christ hath planted in the wildernesse, The shit∣tah tree, the mirtle, and the oil-tree, and hath set in the desert the fir-tree, and the box, and the pine tree; He hath made as bad crab-stocks, as thy soul is, bring forth pleasant and delitious fruits. It is a note of Master Rutherfords, That the dew of grace, hath ordi∣narily faln upon the most gracelesse souls. Possibly thou mayest see and finde presidents of actuall sinners, born as black as the Ethiopian, and that have made it their work to colly themselves with the soot of sins, as much as thou hast, and that have dried in sin with as long customary continuance, as thou hast done; yet Christ took them and washed them milk-white; hast thou been an idolater? a persecutor? so was Manasses; hast thou been unclean? so was David; hast thou crucified Christ? so had they that were converted at Peters Sermon; hast thou denied Christ? so did Peter himself; hast thou been a blasphemer? so was Paul, yea, the chiefest of sinners, yet received to mercy; hast thou had seven devils? so had Mary Magdalen, yet purged and dispossest; hast thou put off all to the last cast? so did the theefe upon the crosse. Lo here! souls all mire and dirt, that no∣thing could be discerned in them but filth and pu∣trefaction; their faces were so mired with sin, that nothing of goodnesse could be discovered, yet these are now in heaven, all purified Saints, in whom there is no blemish, no spot, all crowned spotlesse

heirs of glory, without the least speck of the ink of sin upon them. Hast thou sinned beyond these thin∣kest thou? it is hardly credible, but suppose that free-grace hath not (so far as thou canst finde) any where set a stamp of love upon a soul so actually wicked as thou art before God; Yet secondly, There is never a Saint this day in glory, that was not as seminal∣ly and habitually wicked, as thou art or canst be, And free-grace looked upon him in restraining the cor∣ruptions of his heart, and preventing him, other∣wise he had run with thee to the same excesse of riot and wickednesse; David was as filthy a wretch, when he wallowed and tumbled in his naturall blood, as thou art or canst be. But to passe on to a fourth consideration, which will hang upon a chain with this.

Fourthly, If thou couldst suppose that infinite free-grace, never yet did so great a work, as to wash and save such a sinfull soul as thine is, yet this could not in reason be a just hinderance to thy Faith; because, the depth of infinite love and free-grace, was never yet sounded. Though thou couldst truely say, God never mani∣fested his power and good will, in pardoning such a creature of hell, as I am; yet what would follow? Therefore God cannot pardon me, or therefore God will nor pardon me: Did ever God do his utmost, Christian? thousands of thirsty, filthy creatures, since the world began, have been bring∣ing their buckets, and diving into the infinite depth of eternall love, but did ever any Ethi∣opian soul, dive so low as to bring up a stone from the bottome? was ever any sinfull soul, that was brought to the streams of free mercy, such a

capacious bucket, that it could not be filled with∣out grating upon the bottome of unfadomable love? nay, did ever any carry away so much for their own wants, that they left the living fountain at a low wa∣ter? Paul brought as large a bucket, as any, and had as much need of a great measure of free-grace: Well, he plungeth himself in, but doth he dive to the bottome, or doth he not, almost drowned in that depth of eternall sweetnesse, turn head, and come up again with his belly and throat, and mouth, full of living waters, from the springs of eternall love? And cries out 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, O the depth of the riches, &c. mark how he puts all the children of love upon diving into the depth, but puts them out of hope of finding the bottome or top of that height, and depth, and length, and breadth of love, Eph. 3. 17, 18, 19, which passeth knowledge. It is not so much to thee whom God hath pardoned, as whom God will par∣don; is not the fountain of his love dry? are the springs yet running? nay, can he pardon beyond the measure of his former mercies? then how can thy sins be too great to be pardoned? were there never such sinners pardoned? Behold (saith God) I will do a new thing in the earth, I will make a way in the wil∣dernesse, and rivers in the desert; therefore remember not the former things, consider not the things of old, not to stint the Lord by them; What? do you tell me (saith God) what I have done? I can do more then ever I yet did; I am not tied to presidents, I can make them.

Fifthly, There is as much reason on thy part for Iesus Christ to receive thee, though thou beest (as thou sayest) the worst of sinners, as ever there was in Noah, Dani∣el,

or Job, for him to receive them. This is Master Ru∣therfords note, What internall cause was there thin∣kest thou, in any spotlesse Saints of glory, why Jesus Christ gave them Faith here, and hath now crowned them with a crown of glory? was there any? Esa. 43. 25. I (saith God) am he that blotteth out trans∣gressions for mine own names sake. God for his own sake elected them, therefore Christ died for them; Christ of his own good will powred out his blood for them, therefore he gave them power to beleeve, and come to him; here is all the cause (ab extra) from without still. And is there lesse cause in Christ for thee, then there was for them? look in his Gospel promises; or is there lesse cause in thee, then a mere nothing? But I shall make this more full in a sixth position, which I shall commend to thy considera∣tion, which is this.

Sixtly, That God never received any soul, because it had a portion to set it off. Thou sayest, O I cannot be∣leeve, &c. why I am not worthy of salvation, I am a great sinner, I have been an auncient sinner. Well then, suppose that thou never hadst to thy know∣ledge committed actuall sins, but wert (as thou thinkest) clean, and spotlesse, then thou couldst come to Jesus Christ, and think he would accept of thee. Thy money perish with thee; doest thou think that Christ, that gift of God, can be purchased with the money of thy merits? Doth Christ take any souls, because they are worthy? or doth he therefore take them, that he might make them worthy? doth Christ therefore take a filthy mired sinner, because it is unclean? or that he might wash it from it un∣cleannesse? God gives his Son, thou mistakest if thou

thinkest he can be bought of thee, either for love, or money? canst thou make Christ rich with the coblers ends of thy righteousnesse? thinkest thou he that hath the inexhaustible treasury of righteous∣nesse, doest thou think he cares for thy farthings? wilt thou bring thy drops to the bottomlesse ocean of his bloody merits?

Your penny-worths cannot roll about that everlasting wheele of free-grace, the decree of election, nor bow, nor break Christs free-heart to save you more then another.

The Garden of free-grace (Christian) hath never a weed of humane merit in it; no nor yet is there a space to set it in. The Robe of Christs righteousnesse is rich, and full enough, and needeth not the dunghill patches of thy merits? That new-cloth will not endure to be pat∣ched with thy old rags. Christ is a Noble-Bride-groom, that would take a portion with his spouse, if she could bring a proportion for him; Adam, if he could have got it up, might have been married to God with a dowry. But for as much as now that cannot be, perfection is not attainable. Christ scorns thou shouldst say, Thou hast brought him a farthing. The men of the earth shall not make him rich. The first marriage-contract God made with man, he demanded a portion, and proffered the jointure of glory: But when man with all his scra∣pings could not pay it, Come, saith Christ, I will take thee with nothing then. Do all, or take all, is Christs Dilemma to the children of men.

Lastly, Consider, That by how much the greater and more abominable sinner thou art, by so much shall the Lord Christ attain his ends more fully which he aims at, in saving any souls. Doest thou ask what that is? It

is his own glory, the glory of his free-grace. God when he declares his free-grace to any soul, makes a particular Proclamation, Come, let all the world see the power of my mercy, and the good will that is in my bowels, that I can wash such a stained soul that is nothing else but sin, that I will pardon such an old inveterate sinner; Now by how much thy sins are more and greater, by so much God more sets out the vertue of his balm, in healing such old pu∣trified stinking wounds.

Secondly, God knows, such sinners once pardoned and changed, will more glorifie him. They that have much forgiven, will love much.

Thirdly, God shall have glory from such a sinner, in that others by his example, shall be kept from despair, and quickned to leave their sins, and trust in Gods mercy, Psal. 34. 6. and 51. 13. Come therefore, beleeve, rest on Christ, Let not thy unworthinesse, thy great, thy many sins, keep thee from Christ. Eusebius in his third book of Eccles. Hist. cap. 20. hath a story of Iohn the Apostle, who at Ephesus finding a young man of a goodly body, gracious face, and servent minde, commended him to one of the Bishops or Elders to take care of him; The Elder accordingly did instruct him, and at length baptized him; This young man afterwards became very wicked, and dis∣solute, seduced by wicked companions: First, be∣came a companion of their feasts, and cups, and then of their theeving, and robberies, at last grew to a very great heigth of disorder and outrage, and be∣came a robber on the mountains. Iohn returning to Ephesus, enquiring for the young man of the Elder, hears this news; Saint Iohn after rebuking the Elder

for his negligence, rode to the mountain, which this young man (now grown to be a Captain of rob∣bers) kept, Saint Iohn being taken of the theevish watch, desired to be brought to their Captain, and accordingly was; when he saw him coming, and knew it was Iohn, he was stricken with shame, and fled away; Saint Iohn pursueth after him crying, My son, why flyest thou from thy father? O son, tender my case, be not afraid, as yet there remaineth hope of salvati∣on, I will undertake for thee with Christ, I will dye for thee if need be, as Christ dyed for us, I will hazard my soul for thine, trust to me, Christ hath sent me. He hea∣ring this, stood still, trembled, and wept, embraced Saint Iohn, and wept bitterly. The Apostle, when he had promised, and protested to procure pardon for him of our Saviour, prayed upon his knees, kissed him, and brings him to the Church, preach∣eth to him, fasts with him, and leaves him not, be∣fore he had restored him a penitent beleever. Is this thy condition Christian? hast thou been well prin∣cipled? and hast thou forget all the Sermons and ad∣monitions, given or preacht to thee, and art thou turnd dissolute, disorderly, guilty of all wicked∣nesse? and now in stead of coming to Christ by Faith, doest thou, wouldst thou fly from him? See▪ thy Christ pursuing thee, calling, inviting, Ah, why doest thou fly from me, that dyed for thee? turn, turn, be∣leeve, be not afraid, as yet there remaineth hope of sal∣vation in my merits, I will under-take with my father for thee, I have dyed for thee, I will hazzard my favour with my father, for thine; trust to me, O now stand still, tremble, weep, pray, turn, trust in the Lord Iesus Christ: Thou art unworthy, but Christ is worthy, he hath grace suf∣ficient

for thee; He hath a good will to save thee, yea, eagerly bent to thy salvation; he perswades, he swears, he pleades, he appeals, he wishes groaning, he pro∣fesseth he knows not how to destroy thee; he weeps over thee, he invites thee, he comes from heaven to call thee, he dies for thee, he sends messengers to invite thee, he hath washed as filthy wretches as thou art; If he hath not, yet he can, he never shewed the utmost of his free-grace, he hath as much reason to save thee, as ever he had to save any of his Saints, for themselves. He never took penny-worth of merit with any; He shall have the more glory, by how much thou art more unworthy; Free-grace shall more shew it self; Thou (if once forgiven) wilt love him the more; Other great sinners will be ready to trust in him from thy example. Come now, turn, beleeve, eschew evill; do good, Though your sins were as scarlet, they shall be as snow, Though as crimson, they shall be white as wooll.

Notes

• Rut. triall of Faith, p. 128.
• ☜
• Hos. 11. 8.
• Mat. 23. 37, 38.
• Isa. 55. 1, 2, 3.
• Mat. 11. 29.
• Mat. 22. 9.
• Rev. 22. 17.
• Mat. 21. 31.
• 2 Cor. 5. 20.
• Esa. 41. 19.
• Esa. 51. 13.
• Act. 2.
• Rom. 11. 33.
• Eph. 3. 17, 18, 19.
• Esa. 43. 18, 19.
• Rut. triall of Faith, p. 20.
• Esa. 43. 25.
• Luk. 7. 47.
• Eusch. Ec∣cles. hist. l. 3. c. 20.