Post by Admin on Feb 2, 2024 11:31:09 GMT -5
Sinners Interested in Christ,
Obtaining Favor of the Lord
Whoso findeth me,—shall obtain favour of the Lord. -
PROVERBS 8:35
BY the favour of the Lord is not meant reconciliation, or a state of
favour with God, for that is comprehended in the life found; but the
benefits, fruit, and effects of God's fayour, all along from the time the
sinner is taken into favour. The word rendered obtained, signifies to
bring forth as out of a treasure or storehouse. This treasure is open to
the sinner, and access to it granted him, upon his union with Christ,
so that from thence he may afterwards bring forth as he needs.
The doctrine deducible from the words is,
DOCTRINE. A sinner once interested in Christ, shall obtain favour of
the Lord, bringing it forth as out of a treasure to which he is allowed
access.
In handling this point, I shall,
I. Shew some things supposed in this truth, tending to clear the meaning of it.
II. Wherein the soul once interested in Christ shall obtain fayor of the Lord.
III. Confirm the doctrine.
IV. Apply.
I. I will shew some things supposed in this truth, tending to clear the meaning of it.
1. There is a treasure of favour for poor sinners with the Lord; Matth.
13:44, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field,"
&c. A treasure speaks preciousness, variety, and abundance. God's
favours are precious, because of his infinite excellency; there is a
variety of them, suited to all the cases the sinner can be in; and there
is abundance of them, an inexhaustible stock, sufficient to supply
them all, and that at all times.
2. This treasure is locked on sinners out of Christ, they have no
access to it, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and
strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and
without God in the world, Eph. 2:12. There is favour with God, but it
is not for such sinners; the treasure of wrath is their treasure, Rom.
2:5. They have no saving interest in the Mediator, therefore no
saving interest in the treasure of favour. It is hid in the field of the
gospel; but the field is not theirs, so not the treasure neither.
3. The sinner once interested in Christ has free access to the treasure,
to bring forth from thence whatever he needs; hence says the apostle,
Heb. 4:14, 16, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is
passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,—let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need. But it may be objected, Is there not
free access to that treasure of favour proclaimed to all to whom the
gospel comes? ANSW. It is so. But we may conceive, as it were, a
twofold door of this treasure; the outer door, in the free offer of the
gospel, the inner door, even Jesus Christ himself. Both are closed on
fallen angels; the outer door is opened to sinners of the tribe of
Adam, that they may freely partake of it, if they will come in by the
inner door; but till they enter by this last, they cannot reach it. But
the sinner once interested in Jesus Christ is put in possession of the
treasure, so as to have access to it at any time thereafter, when he is
disposed to bring forth favour out of it; John 10:9, "I am the door: by
me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out,
and find pasture."
4. Even the sinner when he is interested in Christ, will still be
needing, while he is in this world. It is true, he will never be again
reduced to the extremity of total want, John 4:14, but he will be
under partial wants while he lives here, John 13:10. And there is such
an emptiness woven into the very nature of the creature, that the
saints in heaven, though they will feel no want, yet will not become
self-sufficient by glorification.
5. Lastly. As it is the privilege of believers, that they may, so it is their
duty that they do, bring forth and fetch supply for all their wants out
of that treasure. They must still have recourse to it, in all exigencies;
and they are welcome to it. They are let into it, by their union with
Christ, and they should make use of it in their daily walk. And when
they come to heaven, they shall be filled from it for evermore, Rev.
7:17, "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed
them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
II. I proceed to shew wherein the soul once interested in Christ shall
obtain favour of the Lord. They shall obtain it in all things, cases, and
conditions, which they meet with or shall be in. The promise is broad
and large, Heb. 13:5, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Rom.
8:28, "All things shall work together for good to them that love God,
to them that are the called according to his purpose." Go as it will
with the nation, the church, or themselves in particular, they shall
always obtain favour. But it will not be amiss to condescend on some
particulars. They shall obtain favour,
1. In prosperity, when things in the world are in a thriving condition
with them. That is what destroys many, Prov. 1 ult. but it shall not
destroy them, and that is a great favour; Job 1:10, "Hast not thou
made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he
hath upon every side?" a hedge not only about his house, &c., but
about him. Many have the former, while they want the latter, and so
are ruined. There is a threefold favour that a gracious person may
obtain of the Lord in this case.
(1.) Balancing grace, to make them carry evenly and usefully in
prosperity. Job got it in his prosperity, chap. 1:5. The sun of
prosperity shone on him, and he was helped of God to retain his
tenderness, and to improve the smiles of outward providences to the
honour of God. And considering what a corrupt nature the best have,
and how slippery ground the world's heights are, they obtain favour
of the Lord indeed, whom Satan gets not cast over that precipice to
their ruin.
(2.) Balancing providences, some such mixture of bitterness in their
cup, as keeps them from miskenning themselves, and makes them
sing of mercy and judgment; as the apostle experienced in his own
case; 2 Cor. 12:7, "And lest I should be exalted above measure
through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a
thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should
be exalted above measure." It is no small favour to the Christian to
have some thorn of uneasiness put under him while he is here, to
keep him from lying down among the lions' dens and mountains of
leopards, and sleeping in these dangerous places. Every rub a
Christian meets with in his way through the world, is a
memorandum for him, that "this is not his rest." If that do not
prevail, there is,
(3.) The change of the course of providence into adversity. Many
times that is as great a favor as a Christian can meet with; Zeph.
3:12, "I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor
people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord." Sometimes the
Christian begins to feather his nest, and lie secure and forgetful of
God; but God sets fire to his nest, and he is obliged to look to God
whom he had forgotten. The world grows a burden to him, and God
raises a wind that blows the burden off his back. And he draws away
some gilded earth from him, that was drawing his heart from God.
2. In personal outward afflictions, to which the people of God are
liable as well as others. O it is a sad case with Christless sinners,
under affliction: they cry out under their trouble, but they an not
bettered by it; Job 35:9, 10. Nay, many are worsted by their
afflictions, their spirits are embittered; they have no comfort from
earth, and they have none, and apply for none from heaven. But the
sinner once interested in Christ shall obtain favour is this case.
(1.) They shall be bettered by it; Rom. 8:28, forecited. Though they
may for a time be fruitless under affliction, and as a bullock
unaccustomed to the yoke, yet they shall be brought to themselves,
and gain some spiritual advantage thereby. And that is no small
favour, to gather figs of such thorns and briers.
(2.) They shall be supported under it; Isa. 43:2, "When thou passest
through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they
shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou
shall not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Though
with one hand they be cast down, they shall be held up with the
other. They have fatherly pity and sympathy in all their afflictions,
Isa. 63:9, and in their hopeless case the everlasting arms are
underneath them.
(3.) They shall have deliverance in due time, one way or other, that
they shall not perish in their affliction. Though the night be ever so
long, the morning cometh; the days of their mourning shall end;
Psalm 34:19, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord
delivereth him out of them all."
3. In desertion. Christ's spouse may be under desertion; the Lord
may withdraw and hide himself from those that are dear to him; they
may for a time "walk in darkness, and see no light;" Isa. 50:10, "go
mourning without the sun," and be so pressed that they cannot
contain themselves from crying out; Job 30:28. All communication
betwixt heaven and them may seem to be stopt and blocked up; Lam.
3:8. They may be under fearful terrors from the Lord; Job 6:4. And
this case may be of long continuance with them, as in Heman; Psalm
88:15, "I am afflicted and ready to die, from my youth up; while I
suffer thy terrors, I am distracted." But in such a case they shall
obtain favour of the Lord.
(1.) They shall never be totally deserted or forsaken. Though the
husband may withdraw, yet the relation shall never be broken, nor
shall they go out of mind with him, though they may apprehend
themselves to be forgotten; Isa, 49:14, 15, 16. They shall have now
and then some gleam of light in their darkness, and a secret support
shall never be wanting; Psalm 112:4; Deut. 33:27.
(2) They shall not be finally deserted; Isa. 54:6. Though he may be
gone, he will certainly return. There is a seed of joy sown, which
though it lie never so long under the clod, it cannot rot, it will spring
up; Psalm 97:11. And for the spirit of heaviness they shall get the oil
of joy. And the ill reports which unbelief has spread concerning a
trying, hiding God, shall be proved false.
4. In temptation. While they are in the world, they are in a place of
snares and temptations. Sometimes public temptations are going,
compliance with which being fashionable it is hard to stand the
shock. Private temptations are never wanting from a busy devil, an
ensnaring world, and an evil heart. These are means of remediless
ruin unto many. But in such a case they shall obtain favour of the
Lord. They shall either,
1. Be made to keep their ground against the temptation, and stand
conquerors; 2 Cor. 12:9. They shall have grace to discover the snare,
and grace to withstand the solicitations to comply with it. And that is
a great favour bestowed on poor, weak, self-emptied Christians, in
whom grace from the treasure of favour does triumph; while others
leaning to themselves are suffered to fall; Isa. 40:30, 31. The truth is
there is no temptation so contemptible, but it will lay a self-confident
man on his back; and none so great, but by faith the weakest
Christian may get over it; Phil. 4:13. I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me.
(2.) At least temptation shall not get a complete victory over them as
over unbelievers; Luke 22:31, 32, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon,
behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as
wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not" Satan
carried Peter far, even to the denying of Christ; but yet he found
favour, that he could not get him all the length he would have had
him. They may fall deep in temptation, but they will not be suffered
to drown; for the Lord upholdeth them with his hand, Psalm 37:24.
5. Even when fallen into sin, the Lord will not leave them, nor cast
them off; Heb. 13:5. They grieve the Spirit by their falls; so they may
expect in that case, that God will withdraw the light of his
countenance, that he will set a mark of his indignation upon their
way, and it may cost them broken bones ere they recover. Yet in this
case they shall obtain favour of the Lord.
(1.) God will not suffer them to lie still in it, but will raise them up
again, John 8:35. Some fall off, and are never recovered; but as for
believers, not one of them shall be lost. God's love to them is through
Jesus Christ; and forasmuch as he is always beloved of the Father,
they shall ever be loved for his sake, Psalm 89:30–33. And love is
active to raise up the beloved party fallen.
(2.) While be raiseth them up, he will make their falls work for good,
Rom. 8:28. Out of the eater shall be brought forth meat, and out of
the strong sweetness. Satan shall be outshot in his own bow. They
shall thereby be let into a clearer view of the corruption of their
nature, see more need of Christ and his grace, be more emptied of
themselves, and learn to prize imputed righteousness more, and so
be led more to a life of faith, and close dependence on the Lord.
6. In a time of public calamity. We have all reason to look for such a
time on this guilty declining generation, that God will sum up the old
and new debts of Scotland, and charge them together upon the
generation that is filling up the measure of our fathers. But come
what will come, they that are once interested in Christ, shall obtain
favour of the Lord.
(1.) It may be they shall be hid, and kept out of trouble, that the
stroke shall not reach them, Zeph. 2:3. The floods may swell, yet he
that sitteth on the floods can keep them from touching his own when
he will; and often does so, Psalm 32:6, "Surely in the floods of great
waters, they shall not come nigh unto him. Whatever be the stroke
that is sent, every arrow has its commission, and can touch none
whom God will have safe, Psalm 91:7; as in the cases of Noah and Lot.
(2.) If it do fall upon them, they may expect a gracious mixture of
favour in it; Jer. 15:11, "The Lord said, Verily it shall be well with thy
remnant, verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time
of evil and in the time of affliction. And the Lord has often made his
care of his people in common calamity, with the beautiful mixture of
kindnesses with sharp trials, more desirable in the issue, than to
have been kept quite free, Rom. 5:3. This made Paul take a pleasure
in distresses, 2 Cor. 12:10.
(3.) Though it should come to an extremity with the child of God, yet
the sting shall be out of it, and so it shall do him no real harm. Death
is the worst of it, but the child of God may meet it with that saying; 1
Cor. 15:55, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy
victory?" The truth is, whereas the blessings of the wicked are cursed,
the curses are changed into blessings to them that are in Christ,
Rom. 8:28.
7. Lastly. At death, and through all the ages of eternity. During life
the wicked receive many common favours from the Lord, but at
death that spring is quite dried up to them. But then the spring of
favour to them that are in Christ, never to be interrupted any more,
begins to flow abundantly. They shall obtain favour of the Lord.
(1.) They shall then be perfectly freed from sin, and all inclination or
temptation to it, Heb. 12:23. They will then get a full answer to that
petition, "Lead us not into temptation." The leprosy in the house will
then be quite removed, when it is pulled down. And the body of sin
shall breathe out its last with the death of the body.
(2.) They shall be freed from all trouble whatever, and enjoy perfect
happiness in the full enjoyment of God, Rev. 14:13. At the last day
their bodies shall obtain the favour of a blessed resurrection, and
soul and body shall be eternally glorified together.
III. I shall next confirm the doctrine, That a sinner once interested in
Christ, shall obtain favour of the Lord. This is evident, if ye consider,
1. They have a right to the whole treasure of favour through Jesus
Christ, in whom they are interested; 1 Cor. 3:22, 23, "All are yours;
and ye are Christ's." It is the purchase of his precious blood, and a
purchase made for them; and hence not only the love and mercy of
God, but the justice of God secures their enjoyment of it, 2 Thess. 1:6,7.
2. Jesus Christ is the dispenser of the treasure, the high Steward of
the house of heaven. As he has purchased it by his blood, so the
Father has put the dispensing or distributing of it in his hand, John
5:22, Matth. 28:18. Now he is their best friend, yea, he is their
husband, their head, and they are members of his body. How then
can they miss of obtaining favour of the Lord.
3. The enjoyment of it is secured to them by the covenant of
promises. In the covenant there are promises suited to every case
they can be in; all these are "yea and amen in Christ." So being
interested in Christ, they are interested in all the promises, 2 Pet. 1:4.
These are the several articles of their marriage covenant with Christ,
by which the whole treasure of the favour of God is settled upon
Christ's espoused ones, for their through bearing in time, and
complete provision to all eternity.
4. Lastly. They have each of them a private key to the treasure, and
that is faith; hence says our Lord, Matth. 21:22, "All things
whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." There
is a cloud of witnesses, Heb. 11, who did, and suffered great things;
not by their own strength, but by furniture from heaven; and how did
they obtain it, but by faith, that self-emptying, taking, receiving
grace, out of Christ's fulness? They who can rightly manage this key,
need never want, be their case as low as it can be; faith is a noble
provider, bringing strength to the weak, light to the blind, food to the
hungry, clothing to the naked, &c.
I shall shut up this doctrine with some improvement.
USE I. Of information. It informs us, that,
1. Jesus Christ is the way to the Father, and the only way, John 14:6.
Whoso would obtain favour of the Lord, most make him their friend
in the first place. For he is the one Mediator, and all communication
that we have with Heaven most be by him. They who place their
confidence of acceptance with God in their duties, will obtain
indignation and wrath, instead of favour from the Lord.
For in Christ only God is or can be well pleased with one that is a
sinful creature.
2. Those who are interested in Christ are made up for ever, their
bread is baken for time and eternity. They are provided for all
conditions they can be in, or circumstances they can be brought into.
This is a plentiful treasure, and a treasure that has no bottom, which
is made over to them in Christ. Alas! that ever any losses in the world
should disquiet a believer, that "has in heaven a better and an
enduring substance," Heb. 10:34. He may put his gain in Christ in
the balance with all worldly losses, and it will weigh them all down.
3. Those who are without Christ are without the favour of God, Eph
2:12. Common favours they may receive, but special favour is far
from them. The truth is, the best things they get are blasted to them;
hence their prosperity destroys them, and the very gospel of God is
the savour of death. How can they have the favour of a holy just God,
who are not reconciled to him in his Son, and clothed with his
righteousness?
4. Lastly. It is believers' own fault, that at any time they are not
sufficiently provided according as their case requires. They may have
it for the bringing it forth out of the treasure, John 1:16. The breasts
are full, if we would suck of the divine consolations. The armoury is
sufficiently furnished for the spiritual warfare, if we could bring forth
the weapons. The promises which the believer is interested in, are
the channel of conveyance of supply; but alas! faith is often wanting,
which should draw it in through these means of conveyance. If we
could believe, all things would be possible.
USE II. Of exhortation, both to sinners and saints. And,
First, To sinners. Labour ye above all things to get an interest in
Christ. O that I could engage you to this pursuit! Truly this is and
ought to be made by you the great business of your life, the great
interest ye are to pursue, John 6:29. Ye are all pursuing some one
interest or other; and carnal worldly interest is what has the greatest
number of followers. I would exhort you to labour to secure an
interest in Christ. To press this, consider,
MOTIVE 1. An interest in Christ is the most worthy interest ye can
pursue. And I would commend it to you as such, as deserving your
highest esteem and regard, as far excelling all the low and secular
interests that can possibly engage your attention. It is the one thing
needful, in comparison of which all other pursuits are arrant trifles.
MOTIVE 2. It is an interest that ye may now obtain. Christ is willing
to be yours, and to confer upon you his whole fulness, all the riches
of his grace and glory. "Behold, now is the accepted time: behold,
now is the day of salvation." "To-day, if ye will hear the voice of
Christ speaking in the gospel, harden not your hearts." Christ now
calls you to come to him, that ye may have an interest in him. O then
for the Lord's sake, and your own souls' sake, delay not to come to
him, that ye may have life, and obtain favour of the Lord.
Secondly, To saints. Labour ye to improve your interest in Christ, by
bringing in to yourselves daily out of that treasure for whatsoever ye
need. The treasure is opened to you, ye are allowed free access to it;
improve your privilege by bringing forth out of it suitable supply for
all your wants.
QUEST. But bow is that to be done? what way can one bring forth
supply out of the treasure of favour? Ans. By faith. Faith is the key of
the treasure-door that opens it, the feet that carry into it, the hand of
the soul that takes up the necessary supply, and brings it away, Heb.11.
Hence the believer is said to "live by faith," Gal 2:20, it being that
which by its communication with Christ maintains the spiritual life,
and is the great provider for all graces. Now, to manage this work successfully,
1. Ye most lay all your wants upon him. That moment that Christ and
a soul meet in the everlasting covenant, the soul embracing him in
the gospel-offer, he says to the soul, as Judg. 19:20, "Peace be with
thee; howsoever, let all thy wants lie upon me." Whatever ye want for
soul or body, duty or danger, time or eternity, let it all lie on me. And
this is agreeable to the marriage covenant, wherein the provision lies
upon the husband, 1 Pet. 5:7. Now faith is to say, "Be it so; from
henceforth all my wants be on my Lord." And this implies two things.
(1.) Renouncing of self-provision, or living on one's own stock and
purchase; Matth. 16:24, "If any man will come after me let him deny
himself." Faith empties a soul of itself; it is a man's going out of
himself to Jesus Christ for all. While the provision brought from
Egypt lasted, the manna fell not; and while men are busy bringing
forth of their own store for their needs, the treasure in heaven is
locked upon them; but it is opened to the self-emptied believer; Luke
1:53, "He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he
hath sent empty away."
(2.) Trusting him for the supply of all your wants, betaking
yourselves to him to live wholly by him. Ye must be like a poor man,
who can do nothing for himself, being utterly unable to work and win
any thing, that casts himself on his rich friend for all he needs, Psal.
55:22, 1 Pet. 5:7, it is a pithy description of faith which we have; Ruth
2:12," The Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to
trust;" for the believer is like a silly chicken unable to preserve itself
from the bird of prey, getting in under the wings of the dam for protection.
2. Ye must lay your wants before him, table your complaints and
present your petitions unto him, upon whom all your wants are laid,
Matth. 21:22. Thus Paul did again and again, and brought forth
plentifully out of the treasure, 2 Cor. 12:8, 9. What God has a mind to
give, he will yet have his people to seek. And this imports,
(1.) A free unfolding of your case to him, as to your best friend, able
and willing to help, Eph. 3:12. Faith makes the believer pour out his
heart to the Lord, Psalm 62:8. Ye most unfold it freely, fully, without
reserve; for to do otherwise would argue distrust. Many a time the
believer's heart is full of griefs, sorrows and anxieties; but the best
ease a pained heart can get, is pouring out itself in the bosom of a
God in Christ, Cant. 7:11.
(2.) A resignation of the matter into the hands of the Lord, Psalm
37:5. He is infinitely wise, and the care of the house-hold of heaven is
devolved upon him by his Father, John 5:22. He is to judge what
wants are really fit to be supplied to every one, what measures of
supply they must have, at what time the supply is to be
communicated, and in what manner. And it is the work of faith to
leave all these upon him, and rest satisfied in his wise disposal.
3. Ye must believe the promises relative to the supply of your needs;
Matth. 21:22, "All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing,
ye shall receive." God will have his people deal with him in the way of
trusting of his word of promise. And the more firm trust we have in
his word, the more abundantly do we receive of his fulness. They are
the breasts of the divine consolations, and faith sucks the sap of
them, by believing them; Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and
my shield, my heart trusted in him, and I am helped."
(1.) Ye must believe them as a sure word, that shall certainly be made
out, Psalm 119:160. The unbelieving world take the promises but for
fair words, which they will not trust to; but do thou take them for
sure words, big with mercy and favour, which shall not miscarry, but
certainly bring forth at the set time, Psalm 12:6.
(2.) Ye must believe them with a faith of particular application, not
only that they shall be made out to others, but that they shall be
made out to you, Mark 11:24; James 1:6, 7. What canst thou be the
better of a salve not applied to thy sore, or of a promise not applied
to thy soul? The devils may believe that the promises shall be
accomplished, but they cannot believe they shall be accomplished to
them. In our national covenant we abjure the Pope's general and
doubtsome faith. But alas! the applicatory and appropriating act of
faith, whereby one appropriates Christ and his benefits to one's self,
is much fallen out of our divinity now-a-days, and is in hazard of
being extruded, that it may not enter again. The promises are God's
blank bills and bonds; if ye do not by faith fill up your own name in
them, what will they avail you?" But fill it up by faith, and come
forward with them in your hand, saying with David, Psalm 119:49,
"Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused
me to hope."
4. Lastly, Wait and hang on about the Lord's hand confidently, till
the supply come, using the means of God's appointment for it, Isa.
40 ult.; Psalm 27 ult. Faith and the use of means do sweetly agree, so
that they be means of God's appointment, Psalm 37:3. And they must
not be separated. To use means without dependence on the Lord for
the success, is atheism; to pretend to believe, and neglect the means
of God's institution, is presumption. But be you in the use of means,
and wait on him with confident expectation, that what is good the
Lord will give. This is it which in the Old Testament is celebrated
under the name of trusting, relying, and staying on the Lord. Trust
reposed in a generous man, is a strong tie on him to answer
expectation, Gen. 19:8. And they who trust in the Lord shall never be
ashamed.
Thus I have shewn you, how you may bring forth out of God's
treasure of favour. O ye Christians who have interest in Christ, let
this be your daily work; apply to the treasure. For motives, consider,
1. It is a high privilege that it is open to you, and ye have access to it,
and will you not improve it? If ye consider that it is shut on the most
part of the world, that it was opened to you by the blood of the Son of
God, by the operation of the Spirit of God upon you, bringing you to
embrace the everlasting covenant, ye will prize that access, and
improve it. Had one ready access allowed them to their prince's
favour, would they slight it? No surely.
2. This is the Christian life, by which true believers are distinguished
from hypocrites, even the life of faith, Gal. 2:20. And what is that but
the daily travelling betwixt their own emptiness and the fulness that
is in Jesus Christ? Whereas the hypocrite, lives upon his own stock, a
stranger to communion with God, and drawing supplies from him in
the way of believing. As ever ye would prove yourselves sincere
Christians then, take this way.
3. The want of this is the cause that Christians lead such poor lives as
they do; Matth. 13 ult., "He did not many mighty works there,
because of their unbelief." Many who have cordially embraced Christ
in the gospel-offer, spend their time in complaining of their wants,
more than applying to the treasure for supply; more in doubting of
their interest in Christ, more than in improving it this way; in
disputing their right to the treasure of favour in Christ, more than
believing. And hence such,
(1.) Unfruitful lives, little progress in holiness, victory over
corruption, usefulness for God in their stations, &c., Col. 2:6, 7. Little
faith will always make little holiness; forasmuch as faith purifies the
heart, and is the blessed instrument of the soul's communion with
God, by which influences from heaven are brought down, without
which the soul must needs be in a withered case.
(2.) Uncomfortable lives. God is "the God of consolation," Rom. 15:5,
and the way to obtain it is in the way of believing, ver. 13. The truth
is, it is no wonder the Christian, when he looks to himself, be
discouraged, and drive heavily, since often he can see nothing there
but weakness, darkness, and deadness; but faith looks to Christ, and
sees a fulness in him, "Who of God is made unto us wisdom,
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption;" Col. 2:9, 10.
4. This is a day when Christians have much need to keep up
communion with God, and live by faith, Eph. 5:16. It is a day wherein
religion is like to die out, and the little of it that is left is in hazard of
dwindling away, in principle and practice, into mere morality; it is a
day of many temptations and snares, and withdrawing of the Spirit,
and wherein judgment seems to be hastening on apace, spiritual and
temporal judgments too, for that men have not received the truth in
the love thereof, and have walked in darkness while they had the light.
5. Lastly, They are most welcome to the Lord, who come with the
most holy boldness, and oftenest unto him, for supply out of the
treasure; Matth. 15:28, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee
even as thou wilt." Those honour God most, who are most emptied of
themselves, and have most business in heaven, for supply of their
wants. It is a pleasure to have full breasts sacked; and there is a
fulness in this treasure of favour lodged in Christ. His fulness is not
the fulness of a vessel only to serve itself, but of a fountain to be
communicated. O then bring forth daily out of it.
Obtaining Favor of the Lord
Whoso findeth me,—shall obtain favour of the Lord. -
PROVERBS 8:35
BY the favour of the Lord is not meant reconciliation, or a state of
favour with God, for that is comprehended in the life found; but the
benefits, fruit, and effects of God's fayour, all along from the time the
sinner is taken into favour. The word rendered obtained, signifies to
bring forth as out of a treasure or storehouse. This treasure is open to
the sinner, and access to it granted him, upon his union with Christ,
so that from thence he may afterwards bring forth as he needs.
The doctrine deducible from the words is,
DOCTRINE. A sinner once interested in Christ, shall obtain favour of
the Lord, bringing it forth as out of a treasure to which he is allowed
access.
In handling this point, I shall,
I. Shew some things supposed in this truth, tending to clear the meaning of it.
II. Wherein the soul once interested in Christ shall obtain fayor of the Lord.
III. Confirm the doctrine.
IV. Apply.
I. I will shew some things supposed in this truth, tending to clear the meaning of it.
1. There is a treasure of favour for poor sinners with the Lord; Matth.
13:44, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field,"
&c. A treasure speaks preciousness, variety, and abundance. God's
favours are precious, because of his infinite excellency; there is a
variety of them, suited to all the cases the sinner can be in; and there
is abundance of them, an inexhaustible stock, sufficient to supply
them all, and that at all times.
2. This treasure is locked on sinners out of Christ, they have no
access to it, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and
strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and
without God in the world, Eph. 2:12. There is favour with God, but it
is not for such sinners; the treasure of wrath is their treasure, Rom.
2:5. They have no saving interest in the Mediator, therefore no
saving interest in the treasure of favour. It is hid in the field of the
gospel; but the field is not theirs, so not the treasure neither.
3. The sinner once interested in Christ has free access to the treasure,
to bring forth from thence whatever he needs; hence says the apostle,
Heb. 4:14, 16, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is
passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,—let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need. But it may be objected, Is there not
free access to that treasure of favour proclaimed to all to whom the
gospel comes? ANSW. It is so. But we may conceive, as it were, a
twofold door of this treasure; the outer door, in the free offer of the
gospel, the inner door, even Jesus Christ himself. Both are closed on
fallen angels; the outer door is opened to sinners of the tribe of
Adam, that they may freely partake of it, if they will come in by the
inner door; but till they enter by this last, they cannot reach it. But
the sinner once interested in Jesus Christ is put in possession of the
treasure, so as to have access to it at any time thereafter, when he is
disposed to bring forth favour out of it; John 10:9, "I am the door: by
me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out,
and find pasture."
4. Even the sinner when he is interested in Christ, will still be
needing, while he is in this world. It is true, he will never be again
reduced to the extremity of total want, John 4:14, but he will be
under partial wants while he lives here, John 13:10. And there is such
an emptiness woven into the very nature of the creature, that the
saints in heaven, though they will feel no want, yet will not become
self-sufficient by glorification.
5. Lastly. As it is the privilege of believers, that they may, so it is their
duty that they do, bring forth and fetch supply for all their wants out
of that treasure. They must still have recourse to it, in all exigencies;
and they are welcome to it. They are let into it, by their union with
Christ, and they should make use of it in their daily walk. And when
they come to heaven, they shall be filled from it for evermore, Rev.
7:17, "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed
them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
II. I proceed to shew wherein the soul once interested in Christ shall
obtain favour of the Lord. They shall obtain it in all things, cases, and
conditions, which they meet with or shall be in. The promise is broad
and large, Heb. 13:5, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Rom.
8:28, "All things shall work together for good to them that love God,
to them that are the called according to his purpose." Go as it will
with the nation, the church, or themselves in particular, they shall
always obtain favour. But it will not be amiss to condescend on some
particulars. They shall obtain favour,
1. In prosperity, when things in the world are in a thriving condition
with them. That is what destroys many, Prov. 1 ult. but it shall not
destroy them, and that is a great favour; Job 1:10, "Hast not thou
made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he
hath upon every side?" a hedge not only about his house, &c., but
about him. Many have the former, while they want the latter, and so
are ruined. There is a threefold favour that a gracious person may
obtain of the Lord in this case.
(1.) Balancing grace, to make them carry evenly and usefully in
prosperity. Job got it in his prosperity, chap. 1:5. The sun of
prosperity shone on him, and he was helped of God to retain his
tenderness, and to improve the smiles of outward providences to the
honour of God. And considering what a corrupt nature the best have,
and how slippery ground the world's heights are, they obtain favour
of the Lord indeed, whom Satan gets not cast over that precipice to
their ruin.
(2.) Balancing providences, some such mixture of bitterness in their
cup, as keeps them from miskenning themselves, and makes them
sing of mercy and judgment; as the apostle experienced in his own
case; 2 Cor. 12:7, "And lest I should be exalted above measure
through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a
thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should
be exalted above measure." It is no small favour to the Christian to
have some thorn of uneasiness put under him while he is here, to
keep him from lying down among the lions' dens and mountains of
leopards, and sleeping in these dangerous places. Every rub a
Christian meets with in his way through the world, is a
memorandum for him, that "this is not his rest." If that do not
prevail, there is,
(3.) The change of the course of providence into adversity. Many
times that is as great a favor as a Christian can meet with; Zeph.
3:12, "I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor
people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord." Sometimes the
Christian begins to feather his nest, and lie secure and forgetful of
God; but God sets fire to his nest, and he is obliged to look to God
whom he had forgotten. The world grows a burden to him, and God
raises a wind that blows the burden off his back. And he draws away
some gilded earth from him, that was drawing his heart from God.
2. In personal outward afflictions, to which the people of God are
liable as well as others. O it is a sad case with Christless sinners,
under affliction: they cry out under their trouble, but they an not
bettered by it; Job 35:9, 10. Nay, many are worsted by their
afflictions, their spirits are embittered; they have no comfort from
earth, and they have none, and apply for none from heaven. But the
sinner once interested in Christ shall obtain favour is this case.
(1.) They shall be bettered by it; Rom. 8:28, forecited. Though they
may for a time be fruitless under affliction, and as a bullock
unaccustomed to the yoke, yet they shall be brought to themselves,
and gain some spiritual advantage thereby. And that is no small
favour, to gather figs of such thorns and briers.
(2.) They shall be supported under it; Isa. 43:2, "When thou passest
through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they
shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou
shall not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Though
with one hand they be cast down, they shall be held up with the
other. They have fatherly pity and sympathy in all their afflictions,
Isa. 63:9, and in their hopeless case the everlasting arms are
underneath them.
(3.) They shall have deliverance in due time, one way or other, that
they shall not perish in their affliction. Though the night be ever so
long, the morning cometh; the days of their mourning shall end;
Psalm 34:19, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord
delivereth him out of them all."
3. In desertion. Christ's spouse may be under desertion; the Lord
may withdraw and hide himself from those that are dear to him; they
may for a time "walk in darkness, and see no light;" Isa. 50:10, "go
mourning without the sun," and be so pressed that they cannot
contain themselves from crying out; Job 30:28. All communication
betwixt heaven and them may seem to be stopt and blocked up; Lam.
3:8. They may be under fearful terrors from the Lord; Job 6:4. And
this case may be of long continuance with them, as in Heman; Psalm
88:15, "I am afflicted and ready to die, from my youth up; while I
suffer thy terrors, I am distracted." But in such a case they shall
obtain favour of the Lord.
(1.) They shall never be totally deserted or forsaken. Though the
husband may withdraw, yet the relation shall never be broken, nor
shall they go out of mind with him, though they may apprehend
themselves to be forgotten; Isa, 49:14, 15, 16. They shall have now
and then some gleam of light in their darkness, and a secret support
shall never be wanting; Psalm 112:4; Deut. 33:27.
(2) They shall not be finally deserted; Isa. 54:6. Though he may be
gone, he will certainly return. There is a seed of joy sown, which
though it lie never so long under the clod, it cannot rot, it will spring
up; Psalm 97:11. And for the spirit of heaviness they shall get the oil
of joy. And the ill reports which unbelief has spread concerning a
trying, hiding God, shall be proved false.
4. In temptation. While they are in the world, they are in a place of
snares and temptations. Sometimes public temptations are going,
compliance with which being fashionable it is hard to stand the
shock. Private temptations are never wanting from a busy devil, an
ensnaring world, and an evil heart. These are means of remediless
ruin unto many. But in such a case they shall obtain favour of the
Lord. They shall either,
1. Be made to keep their ground against the temptation, and stand
conquerors; 2 Cor. 12:9. They shall have grace to discover the snare,
and grace to withstand the solicitations to comply with it. And that is
a great favour bestowed on poor, weak, self-emptied Christians, in
whom grace from the treasure of favour does triumph; while others
leaning to themselves are suffered to fall; Isa. 40:30, 31. The truth is
there is no temptation so contemptible, but it will lay a self-confident
man on his back; and none so great, but by faith the weakest
Christian may get over it; Phil. 4:13. I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me.
(2.) At least temptation shall not get a complete victory over them as
over unbelievers; Luke 22:31, 32, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon,
behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as
wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not" Satan
carried Peter far, even to the denying of Christ; but yet he found
favour, that he could not get him all the length he would have had
him. They may fall deep in temptation, but they will not be suffered
to drown; for the Lord upholdeth them with his hand, Psalm 37:24.
5. Even when fallen into sin, the Lord will not leave them, nor cast
them off; Heb. 13:5. They grieve the Spirit by their falls; so they may
expect in that case, that God will withdraw the light of his
countenance, that he will set a mark of his indignation upon their
way, and it may cost them broken bones ere they recover. Yet in this
case they shall obtain favour of the Lord.
(1.) God will not suffer them to lie still in it, but will raise them up
again, John 8:35. Some fall off, and are never recovered; but as for
believers, not one of them shall be lost. God's love to them is through
Jesus Christ; and forasmuch as he is always beloved of the Father,
they shall ever be loved for his sake, Psalm 89:30–33. And love is
active to raise up the beloved party fallen.
(2.) While be raiseth them up, he will make their falls work for good,
Rom. 8:28. Out of the eater shall be brought forth meat, and out of
the strong sweetness. Satan shall be outshot in his own bow. They
shall thereby be let into a clearer view of the corruption of their
nature, see more need of Christ and his grace, be more emptied of
themselves, and learn to prize imputed righteousness more, and so
be led more to a life of faith, and close dependence on the Lord.
6. In a time of public calamity. We have all reason to look for such a
time on this guilty declining generation, that God will sum up the old
and new debts of Scotland, and charge them together upon the
generation that is filling up the measure of our fathers. But come
what will come, they that are once interested in Christ, shall obtain
favour of the Lord.
(1.) It may be they shall be hid, and kept out of trouble, that the
stroke shall not reach them, Zeph. 2:3. The floods may swell, yet he
that sitteth on the floods can keep them from touching his own when
he will; and often does so, Psalm 32:6, "Surely in the floods of great
waters, they shall not come nigh unto him. Whatever be the stroke
that is sent, every arrow has its commission, and can touch none
whom God will have safe, Psalm 91:7; as in the cases of Noah and Lot.
(2.) If it do fall upon them, they may expect a gracious mixture of
favour in it; Jer. 15:11, "The Lord said, Verily it shall be well with thy
remnant, verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time
of evil and in the time of affliction. And the Lord has often made his
care of his people in common calamity, with the beautiful mixture of
kindnesses with sharp trials, more desirable in the issue, than to
have been kept quite free, Rom. 5:3. This made Paul take a pleasure
in distresses, 2 Cor. 12:10.
(3.) Though it should come to an extremity with the child of God, yet
the sting shall be out of it, and so it shall do him no real harm. Death
is the worst of it, but the child of God may meet it with that saying; 1
Cor. 15:55, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy
victory?" The truth is, whereas the blessings of the wicked are cursed,
the curses are changed into blessings to them that are in Christ,
Rom. 8:28.
7. Lastly. At death, and through all the ages of eternity. During life
the wicked receive many common favours from the Lord, but at
death that spring is quite dried up to them. But then the spring of
favour to them that are in Christ, never to be interrupted any more,
begins to flow abundantly. They shall obtain favour of the Lord.
(1.) They shall then be perfectly freed from sin, and all inclination or
temptation to it, Heb. 12:23. They will then get a full answer to that
petition, "Lead us not into temptation." The leprosy in the house will
then be quite removed, when it is pulled down. And the body of sin
shall breathe out its last with the death of the body.
(2.) They shall be freed from all trouble whatever, and enjoy perfect
happiness in the full enjoyment of God, Rev. 14:13. At the last day
their bodies shall obtain the favour of a blessed resurrection, and
soul and body shall be eternally glorified together.
III. I shall next confirm the doctrine, That a sinner once interested in
Christ, shall obtain favour of the Lord. This is evident, if ye consider,
1. They have a right to the whole treasure of favour through Jesus
Christ, in whom they are interested; 1 Cor. 3:22, 23, "All are yours;
and ye are Christ's." It is the purchase of his precious blood, and a
purchase made for them; and hence not only the love and mercy of
God, but the justice of God secures their enjoyment of it, 2 Thess. 1:6,7.
2. Jesus Christ is the dispenser of the treasure, the high Steward of
the house of heaven. As he has purchased it by his blood, so the
Father has put the dispensing or distributing of it in his hand, John
5:22, Matth. 28:18. Now he is their best friend, yea, he is their
husband, their head, and they are members of his body. How then
can they miss of obtaining favour of the Lord.
3. The enjoyment of it is secured to them by the covenant of
promises. In the covenant there are promises suited to every case
they can be in; all these are "yea and amen in Christ." So being
interested in Christ, they are interested in all the promises, 2 Pet. 1:4.
These are the several articles of their marriage covenant with Christ,
by which the whole treasure of the favour of God is settled upon
Christ's espoused ones, for their through bearing in time, and
complete provision to all eternity.
4. Lastly. They have each of them a private key to the treasure, and
that is faith; hence says our Lord, Matth. 21:22, "All things
whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." There
is a cloud of witnesses, Heb. 11, who did, and suffered great things;
not by their own strength, but by furniture from heaven; and how did
they obtain it, but by faith, that self-emptying, taking, receiving
grace, out of Christ's fulness? They who can rightly manage this key,
need never want, be their case as low as it can be; faith is a noble
provider, bringing strength to the weak, light to the blind, food to the
hungry, clothing to the naked, &c.
I shall shut up this doctrine with some improvement.
USE I. Of information. It informs us, that,
1. Jesus Christ is the way to the Father, and the only way, John 14:6.
Whoso would obtain favour of the Lord, most make him their friend
in the first place. For he is the one Mediator, and all communication
that we have with Heaven most be by him. They who place their
confidence of acceptance with God in their duties, will obtain
indignation and wrath, instead of favour from the Lord.
For in Christ only God is or can be well pleased with one that is a
sinful creature.
2. Those who are interested in Christ are made up for ever, their
bread is baken for time and eternity. They are provided for all
conditions they can be in, or circumstances they can be brought into.
This is a plentiful treasure, and a treasure that has no bottom, which
is made over to them in Christ. Alas! that ever any losses in the world
should disquiet a believer, that "has in heaven a better and an
enduring substance," Heb. 10:34. He may put his gain in Christ in
the balance with all worldly losses, and it will weigh them all down.
3. Those who are without Christ are without the favour of God, Eph
2:12. Common favours they may receive, but special favour is far
from them. The truth is, the best things they get are blasted to them;
hence their prosperity destroys them, and the very gospel of God is
the savour of death. How can they have the favour of a holy just God,
who are not reconciled to him in his Son, and clothed with his
righteousness?
4. Lastly. It is believers' own fault, that at any time they are not
sufficiently provided according as their case requires. They may have
it for the bringing it forth out of the treasure, John 1:16. The breasts
are full, if we would suck of the divine consolations. The armoury is
sufficiently furnished for the spiritual warfare, if we could bring forth
the weapons. The promises which the believer is interested in, are
the channel of conveyance of supply; but alas! faith is often wanting,
which should draw it in through these means of conveyance. If we
could believe, all things would be possible.
USE II. Of exhortation, both to sinners and saints. And,
First, To sinners. Labour ye above all things to get an interest in
Christ. O that I could engage you to this pursuit! Truly this is and
ought to be made by you the great business of your life, the great
interest ye are to pursue, John 6:29. Ye are all pursuing some one
interest or other; and carnal worldly interest is what has the greatest
number of followers. I would exhort you to labour to secure an
interest in Christ. To press this, consider,
MOTIVE 1. An interest in Christ is the most worthy interest ye can
pursue. And I would commend it to you as such, as deserving your
highest esteem and regard, as far excelling all the low and secular
interests that can possibly engage your attention. It is the one thing
needful, in comparison of which all other pursuits are arrant trifles.
MOTIVE 2. It is an interest that ye may now obtain. Christ is willing
to be yours, and to confer upon you his whole fulness, all the riches
of his grace and glory. "Behold, now is the accepted time: behold,
now is the day of salvation." "To-day, if ye will hear the voice of
Christ speaking in the gospel, harden not your hearts." Christ now
calls you to come to him, that ye may have an interest in him. O then
for the Lord's sake, and your own souls' sake, delay not to come to
him, that ye may have life, and obtain favour of the Lord.
Secondly, To saints. Labour ye to improve your interest in Christ, by
bringing in to yourselves daily out of that treasure for whatsoever ye
need. The treasure is opened to you, ye are allowed free access to it;
improve your privilege by bringing forth out of it suitable supply for
all your wants.
QUEST. But bow is that to be done? what way can one bring forth
supply out of the treasure of favour? Ans. By faith. Faith is the key of
the treasure-door that opens it, the feet that carry into it, the hand of
the soul that takes up the necessary supply, and brings it away, Heb.11.
Hence the believer is said to "live by faith," Gal 2:20, it being that
which by its communication with Christ maintains the spiritual life,
and is the great provider for all graces. Now, to manage this work successfully,
1. Ye most lay all your wants upon him. That moment that Christ and
a soul meet in the everlasting covenant, the soul embracing him in
the gospel-offer, he says to the soul, as Judg. 19:20, "Peace be with
thee; howsoever, let all thy wants lie upon me." Whatever ye want for
soul or body, duty or danger, time or eternity, let it all lie on me. And
this is agreeable to the marriage covenant, wherein the provision lies
upon the husband, 1 Pet. 5:7. Now faith is to say, "Be it so; from
henceforth all my wants be on my Lord." And this implies two things.
(1.) Renouncing of self-provision, or living on one's own stock and
purchase; Matth. 16:24, "If any man will come after me let him deny
himself." Faith empties a soul of itself; it is a man's going out of
himself to Jesus Christ for all. While the provision brought from
Egypt lasted, the manna fell not; and while men are busy bringing
forth of their own store for their needs, the treasure in heaven is
locked upon them; but it is opened to the self-emptied believer; Luke
1:53, "He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he
hath sent empty away."
(2.) Trusting him for the supply of all your wants, betaking
yourselves to him to live wholly by him. Ye must be like a poor man,
who can do nothing for himself, being utterly unable to work and win
any thing, that casts himself on his rich friend for all he needs, Psal.
55:22, 1 Pet. 5:7, it is a pithy description of faith which we have; Ruth
2:12," The Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to
trust;" for the believer is like a silly chicken unable to preserve itself
from the bird of prey, getting in under the wings of the dam for protection.
2. Ye must lay your wants before him, table your complaints and
present your petitions unto him, upon whom all your wants are laid,
Matth. 21:22. Thus Paul did again and again, and brought forth
plentifully out of the treasure, 2 Cor. 12:8, 9. What God has a mind to
give, he will yet have his people to seek. And this imports,
(1.) A free unfolding of your case to him, as to your best friend, able
and willing to help, Eph. 3:12. Faith makes the believer pour out his
heart to the Lord, Psalm 62:8. Ye most unfold it freely, fully, without
reserve; for to do otherwise would argue distrust. Many a time the
believer's heart is full of griefs, sorrows and anxieties; but the best
ease a pained heart can get, is pouring out itself in the bosom of a
God in Christ, Cant. 7:11.
(2.) A resignation of the matter into the hands of the Lord, Psalm
37:5. He is infinitely wise, and the care of the house-hold of heaven is
devolved upon him by his Father, John 5:22. He is to judge what
wants are really fit to be supplied to every one, what measures of
supply they must have, at what time the supply is to be
communicated, and in what manner. And it is the work of faith to
leave all these upon him, and rest satisfied in his wise disposal.
3. Ye must believe the promises relative to the supply of your needs;
Matth. 21:22, "All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing,
ye shall receive." God will have his people deal with him in the way of
trusting of his word of promise. And the more firm trust we have in
his word, the more abundantly do we receive of his fulness. They are
the breasts of the divine consolations, and faith sucks the sap of
them, by believing them; Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and
my shield, my heart trusted in him, and I am helped."
(1.) Ye must believe them as a sure word, that shall certainly be made
out, Psalm 119:160. The unbelieving world take the promises but for
fair words, which they will not trust to; but do thou take them for
sure words, big with mercy and favour, which shall not miscarry, but
certainly bring forth at the set time, Psalm 12:6.
(2.) Ye must believe them with a faith of particular application, not
only that they shall be made out to others, but that they shall be
made out to you, Mark 11:24; James 1:6, 7. What canst thou be the
better of a salve not applied to thy sore, or of a promise not applied
to thy soul? The devils may believe that the promises shall be
accomplished, but they cannot believe they shall be accomplished to
them. In our national covenant we abjure the Pope's general and
doubtsome faith. But alas! the applicatory and appropriating act of
faith, whereby one appropriates Christ and his benefits to one's self,
is much fallen out of our divinity now-a-days, and is in hazard of
being extruded, that it may not enter again. The promises are God's
blank bills and bonds; if ye do not by faith fill up your own name in
them, what will they avail you?" But fill it up by faith, and come
forward with them in your hand, saying with David, Psalm 119:49,
"Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused
me to hope."
4. Lastly, Wait and hang on about the Lord's hand confidently, till
the supply come, using the means of God's appointment for it, Isa.
40 ult.; Psalm 27 ult. Faith and the use of means do sweetly agree, so
that they be means of God's appointment, Psalm 37:3. And they must
not be separated. To use means without dependence on the Lord for
the success, is atheism; to pretend to believe, and neglect the means
of God's institution, is presumption. But be you in the use of means,
and wait on him with confident expectation, that what is good the
Lord will give. This is it which in the Old Testament is celebrated
under the name of trusting, relying, and staying on the Lord. Trust
reposed in a generous man, is a strong tie on him to answer
expectation, Gen. 19:8. And they who trust in the Lord shall never be
ashamed.
Thus I have shewn you, how you may bring forth out of God's
treasure of favour. O ye Christians who have interest in Christ, let
this be your daily work; apply to the treasure. For motives, consider,
1. It is a high privilege that it is open to you, and ye have access to it,
and will you not improve it? If ye consider that it is shut on the most
part of the world, that it was opened to you by the blood of the Son of
God, by the operation of the Spirit of God upon you, bringing you to
embrace the everlasting covenant, ye will prize that access, and
improve it. Had one ready access allowed them to their prince's
favour, would they slight it? No surely.
2. This is the Christian life, by which true believers are distinguished
from hypocrites, even the life of faith, Gal. 2:20. And what is that but
the daily travelling betwixt their own emptiness and the fulness that
is in Jesus Christ? Whereas the hypocrite, lives upon his own stock, a
stranger to communion with God, and drawing supplies from him in
the way of believing. As ever ye would prove yourselves sincere
Christians then, take this way.
3. The want of this is the cause that Christians lead such poor lives as
they do; Matth. 13 ult., "He did not many mighty works there,
because of their unbelief." Many who have cordially embraced Christ
in the gospel-offer, spend their time in complaining of their wants,
more than applying to the treasure for supply; more in doubting of
their interest in Christ, more than in improving it this way; in
disputing their right to the treasure of favour in Christ, more than
believing. And hence such,
(1.) Unfruitful lives, little progress in holiness, victory over
corruption, usefulness for God in their stations, &c., Col. 2:6, 7. Little
faith will always make little holiness; forasmuch as faith purifies the
heart, and is the blessed instrument of the soul's communion with
God, by which influences from heaven are brought down, without
which the soul must needs be in a withered case.
(2.) Uncomfortable lives. God is "the God of consolation," Rom. 15:5,
and the way to obtain it is in the way of believing, ver. 13. The truth
is, it is no wonder the Christian, when he looks to himself, be
discouraged, and drive heavily, since often he can see nothing there
but weakness, darkness, and deadness; but faith looks to Christ, and
sees a fulness in him, "Who of God is made unto us wisdom,
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption;" Col. 2:9, 10.
4. This is a day when Christians have much need to keep up
communion with God, and live by faith, Eph. 5:16. It is a day wherein
religion is like to die out, and the little of it that is left is in hazard of
dwindling away, in principle and practice, into mere morality; it is a
day of many temptations and snares, and withdrawing of the Spirit,
and wherein judgment seems to be hastening on apace, spiritual and
temporal judgments too, for that men have not received the truth in
the love thereof, and have walked in darkness while they had the light.
5. Lastly, They are most welcome to the Lord, who come with the
most holy boldness, and oftenest unto him, for supply out of the
treasure; Matth. 15:28, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee
even as thou wilt." Those honour God most, who are most emptied of
themselves, and have most business in heaven, for supply of their
wants. It is a pleasure to have full breasts sacked; and there is a
fulness in this treasure of favour lodged in Christ. His fulness is not
the fulness of a vessel only to serve itself, but of a fountain to be
communicated. O then bring forth daily out of it.