O that I could! Surely if I had seen him, their doubts and fears were dissipated, and and heard him, I should have ventured. But now unbelief and fear keep me back. I observe, therefore, 3. That as we have no less need of Jesus than those of old, who saw him and conversed with him; so we have at least equal encouragement to come unto him. This, I think, will appear, if we consider that, On the one hand, the bodily presence of Christ, considered in itself, had no peculiar or extraordinary influence upon those who saw him, but all was wrought by the power of his Spirit; the same Spirit which is promised to abide with his church for ever. 1st, Multitudes who saw and heard him were unmoved and unconvinced by all the wonders of his love. Though he spake as never man spake, and went about doing good, he was slighted, opposed, and hated, even to the death. And those who know the heart of man, and believe that the carnal mind is enmity against God, will allow it highly probable, that upon a supposition he should appear again in the same circumstances of humiliation, and to use the same authoritative freedom in vindicating the commands of God from the vain figments, traditions, and customs of men, he would meet with little better treatment, even in those countries which are called by his name, than he did from the proud, self-righteous, unbelieving Jews. We may warrantably suppose there were many more lepers, blind, &c. in the places where he resorted, than those who came to him to be healed. they could confidently say, "Now we believe;" (John xvi. 30;) yet it was not long before they found his reply fulfilled. Jesus said unto them, "Do you now believe? The hour is coming, when you shall be scattered every man to his own, and shall leave me alone," John xvi. 32. Will not this instance convince you of your mistake, when you think you could depend more on a voice from heaven, than on the written word? The apostles had the strongest ground of assurance imaginable, the word of the Lord Jesus himself, face to face: and yet this would not support them, without renewed supplies of strength. On the other hand, consider if the loss of his bodily presence is not more than made up to us, 1st, By the fuller manifestation of the Holy Spirit than was afforded before his ascension. The Holy Ghost was not then given in that clear and abundant measure as afterwards, (John vii. 39,) because Jesus was not yet glorified. While he was with them he was their Comforter and Teacher; but he told them, "When I depart, I will send you another Comforter," (John xiv. 16, and xvi. 7,) whose office and abode with you will be in many respects so much more advantageous, that on this account it is expedient for you that I go away. 2dly, By the greater number and variety of promises which we enjoy. We have not only the scriptures of the Old Testament in common with them, but to us the ancient revelations of the will and love of God are enlarged, explained, applied, and confirmed, by the superaddition of the New, Ephes, 11, 5. 2dly, Many of his professed disciples, even after they had followed him for a while, turned back, and forsook him, John vi. 66. We have, therefore, the less reason to won- 3dly, By the experience of multitudes of der, when we see any give up the profession all ages, people, and languages, who have of the gospel, and return to the world again. gone before us, since their time, the cloud of It was thus from the beginning, and those witnesses to the truth and grace of God, the who do so now, would have done so if they reality of eternal things, and the victorious had lived then. His looks, his voice, his ges-power of faith, is now increased by the conture, and even his discourses and miracles, could not engage a single person to cleave to him with full purpose of heart, unless he was likewise spiritually revealed to the eye of their faith, as the image of the invisible God, the brightness of the Father's glory, full of grace and truth. current evidence of thousands and millions, who have overcome all opposition by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of his testimony. 4thly, By the proofs and living witnesses of his power and grace amongst ourselves. Are there not many, with whom you worship 3dly, Even his true disciples, who were and converse from day to day, who can tell constantly with him, to whom he had per- you, they were even dead in trespasses and sonally made the most express and endearing sins, but he has quickened them? They were promises, and who sometimes thought them- once as you are, labouring and heavy laden: selves assured beyond the power of a doubt, they waited for him long, had a share in such yet could not maintain their confidence longer temptations and conflicts as you now feel, than his Spirit upheld them. To them ex- were often at a stand, and upon the point of pressly, though not to them exclusively, Je-concluding their case to be desperate, as you sus had said, "I go to prepare a place for you," (John xiv. 2,) and I will come again to receive you to myself, that "where I am, there ye may be also," John xiv. 3. When he had concluded that affectionate discourse, may think yours at present; but at length they were enabled to come unto him, and they have found rest. Every such instance should encourage you to gird up the loins of your minds; to be patient, and hope to the end. As they have known your troubles, so shall you partake of their consolations in due time. What is it then should hinder you from coming to Jesus, that you may find rest! What exceptions can your unbelief devise against the invitations, motives, and example which the Lord sets before you by his preached gospel! (1.) Is it a sense of your load which makes you say you are not able? But consider that this is not a work, but a rest. Would a man plead, I am so heavy laden, that I cannot consent to part with my burden; so weary, that I am not able either to stand still or lie down, but must force myself farther? The greatness of your burden, so far from being an objection, is the very reason why you should instantly come to Christ, for he alone is able to release you. (2.) But perhaps you think you do not come aright. I ask, how would you come? If you can come as a helpless unworthy sinner, without strength, without righteousness, without any hope but what arises from the worth, work, and word of Christ, this is to come aright. There is no other way of being accepted. Would you refresh and strengthen yourself, wash away your own sins, free yourself from your burden, and then come to him to do these things for you? May the Lord help you to see the folly and unreasonableness of your unbelief! I have observed already, that coming to Christ signifies more at first than merely to come into his presence; so likewise, it means more now than to be found among his worshippers. Let none of you be deceived with a form of godliness. Examine your religious profession by these tests: Have you laboured under a sense of your misery? Have you known the burden of sin? Has Jesus given you rest? Or are you earnestly seeking to him for it? If you understand not the meaning of these questions, you are not yet in that state to which the promises are made. And why are you not labouring and heavy laden? Are you not sinners! Has not the righteous God revealed a law? Has he not guarded this law with the sanction of a dreadful curse! Have you not transgressed this holy law in thought, word, and deed, times without number! If you have not, why do you join in the public confession, and call for mercy when the commandments are repeated! If you have, how will you escape the penalty! How indeed, if you dare to neglect this great salvation! The law condemns you already; if you receive not the gospel you must perish without remedy; for other name or names whereby men can be saved there is none under heaven. Once more you are warned of danger; once more the refuge is set before you. We preach Jesus, who came to seek and to save those who were lost; Jesus, who was wounded with whips, and thorns, and nails, that his enemies might be healed. Dues not this thought affect you? Will you slight his love, despise his blood, and crucify him afresh? God forbid. Is there not some heart now relenting, beginning to feel impressions of fear, shame, and grief! Happy beginning! Obey the voice of God now opening in your conscience! Now is the time to pray; before you knew not what to pray for; but now you see you want the blood of Christ, and the teaching of his Spirit. "Ask, and you shall receive; and seek, and you shall find." Take your warrant from my text; Jesus has said, Come unto me, and I will give you rest." Let your hearts answer, "Take away our iniquity, and receive us graciously: Behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God; and in thee the fatherless, the helpless, the comfortless, find mercy." SERMON XI. OF BELIEVERS' REST IN CHRIST. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.— Matth. xi. 28. THE learned have a variety of arguments whereby to prove the scriptures to be the word of God. But though that kind of proof which may be brought in a way of reasoning and external evidence, is doubtless useful upon proper occasions; yet I apprehend the chief and most satisfactory argument to those who are capable of receiving it, arises from the correspondence between the subject-matter of the scriptures and the state of an awakened mind. When the eyes of the understanding are opened, we begin to see every thing around us to be just so as the scriptures have described them. Then, and not till then, we perceive, that what we read in the Bible concerning the horrid evil of sin, the vileness of our fallen nature, the darkness and ignorance of those who know not God, our own emptiness, and the impossibility of finding relief and comfort from creatures, is exactly true. We cannot but apply the words of the woman of Samaria, and say, Come and see a book that has told me all that ever I did, (John iv. 29,) the ground of all my complaints, the true cause and nature of all the evil I either see, hear, or feel, from day to day. And as we find our disease precisely described, so we perceive a suitableness in the proposed remedy. We need a Saviour, and he must be a mighty one; but though our wants and sins, our fears and enemies, are great and numerous, we are convinced that the character of Christ is sufficient to answer them all. We need a rest, a rest which the world cannot give. Inquire where we will among the creatures, experience | the wearisome exercise of a conscience bur brings in the same answer from all, "It is dened with guilt; but by coming to Jesus, not in me. This again confirms the word and believing in him, an end is put to this. of God, which has forewarned us that we When we are enabled to view our sins as laid shall meet nothing but disappointment in upon Christ, that those who come are acceptsuch pursuits. But there is a spiritual rested in the Beloved, that there is no more conspoken of which we know to be the very demnation, but pardon, reconciliation, and thing we want, and all our remaining solici- adoption are the sure privileges of all who tude is how to attain it. From hence, as I trust in him,-O the sweet calm that immesaid, we may assuredly conclude, that the diately takes place in the soul! It is somebook which gives us such just views of every thing more than deliverance. There is a thing that passes, must be given by inspira- pleasure more than answerable to the former tion from him who is the searcher of hearts. pain, a comfort greater than all the trouble This proof is equally plain and conclusive to that went before it. Yea, the remembrance all capacities that are spiritually enlightened, of the former bitterness greatly enhances the and such only are able to understand it. We present pleasure. And the soul understands are now to speak, and experiences the meaning of those scriptures: "When the Lord turned the captivity of Zion, then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing," Psalm cxxvi. 1, 2. "In that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation: I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation," Isa. xii. 1, 2. III. Of this promised rest. And here two things offer to our consideration: 1. What this rest is? 2. How it is obtained? 1. The Greek word* expresses something more than rest, or a mere relaxation from toil; it denotes refreshment likewise. A person weary with long bearing a heavy burden, will need not only to have it removed, but likewise he wants food and refreshment, to restore his spirits, and to repair his wasted strength. Such is the rest of the gospel. It not only puts a period to our fruitless labour, but it affords a sweet reviving cordial. There is not only peace, but joy in believing. Taken at large, we may consider it as twofold: 1st, A present rest. So the apostle speaks, "We who have believed do enter into rest," Heb. iv. 3. (1.) The common, wearisome pursuit of the world, is described as "spending their money for that which is not bread, and their labour for that which satisfieth not;" (Isa. lv. 2;) wandering from object to object in quest of good, (Psalm iv. 6,) but still mortified by incessant and repeated disappointment. We should pity a person whom we should see seeking some necessary thing day after day, which we knew was impossible to be found there. It is, however, the case with all till they come to Christ. Satisfaction is what they profess to aim at, and they turn every stone (as we say,) try every expedient to meet with it, but in vain. It is only to be found in him. When they come to him their wishes are answered. This is exemplified by our Lord in the character of a merchant-man seeking goodly pearls, (Matt. xiii. 46,) who was still upon the inquiry till he had found one pearl of great price. This answered and exceeded his desires: upon the discovery of this one, he rejoiced to forego all his former acquisitions, and to give up every other possession on purpose that he might obtain it. (2.) I have spoken something concerning (3.) There is likewise a rest from the pow er of sin. In vain is this sought from resolutions and endeavours in our own strength. Even after we are spiritually disposed, and begin to understand the gospel-salvation, it is usually, for a season, rather a fight than a rest. But when we are brought nearer to Christ, and taught to live upon him as our sanctification, deriving all our strength and motives from him by faith, we obtain a comparative rest in this respect also. We find hard things become easy, and mountains sink into plains, by his power displayed in our behalf. Farther, (4.) There is a rest from our own works. The believer is quite delivered from the law as a covenant, and owes it no longer service in that view. His obedience is gracious, cheerful, the effect of love, and therefore he is freed from those fears and burdens which once disturbed him in the way of duty. At first there was a secret, though unhallowed dependence on himself. When his frames were lively he was strong, and thought he had something to trust to, but under a change (and changes will happen) he was at his wits end. But there is a promised, and therefore an attainable rest in this respect,-a liberty and power to repose on the finished work and unchangeable word of Christ; to follow him steadily through light and darkness; to glory in him only when our frames are brightest ; and to trust in him assuredly when we are at our lowest ebb. Such is the present rest; different in degrees according to the proportion of faith, and capable of increase even in those who have attained most, so long as we remain in this imperfect state. But there is, 2dly, A future rest, besides and beyond all that can be experienced here: "There remaineth yet a rest for the people of God," Heb. iv. 9. Faint and imperfect are our most enlarged ideas of that glory which shall be revealed. It does not yet appear what we shall be," 1 John iii. 2. Who can describe or conceive the happiness of heaven? The most we can clearly understand of it lies in negatives. It will be as unlike as possible to this wilderness of sin and sorrow where we are now confined. Here we are in a warfare, but then we shall enter into perfect rest. (1.) A rest from all sin. There no unclean thing shall defile or disturb us for ever. We shall be free from sin in ourselves. This alone would be worth dying for. Indwelling sin is a burden under which even the redeemed of the Lord must groan, whilst they sojourn in the body; and those who are most spiritual are most deeply affected with shame, humiliation, and grief, on this account, because they have the clearest views of the holiness of God, the spirituality of the law, the love of Christ, and the deceitfulness of their own hearts. Therefore the apostle Paul, though perhaps in grace and talents, in zeal and usefulness, distinguished above all the children of Adam, accounted himself the chief of sinners, (1 Tim. i. 15,) less than the least of all saints, (Eph. iii. 8,) and cried out, under the disparity he felt between what he was and what he would be, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Rom. vii. 24. But we shall not carry this burden beyond the grave. The hour of dissolution shall free us from the inbred enemies (the inseparable concomitants of this frail perishing nature) which now trouble us, and we shall see them no more for ever. Again, we shall be free from all the displeasing effects of sin in others. Our hearts shall be no more pained, nor our ears wounded, nor our eyes filled with tears, by those evils which fill the earth. Now, like Lot in Sodom, we are grieved every day with the filthy conversation of the wicked, 2 Pet. ii. 7. Who that has any love to the Lord Jesus, any spark of true holiness, any sense of the worth of souls in his heart, can see what passes amongst us without trembling? How openly, daringly, almost universally, are the commandments of God broken, his gospel despised, his patience abused, and his power defied! To be a silent spectator of these things is sufficiently grievous; but if (as we are in duty bound) we dare to stand as witnesses for God in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, we find the spirit of the first-born. Cain instantly takes fire, and denounces war against all who should presume to say, that we ought In to obey and fear God rather than men. vectives and ill treatment, are the certain lot of all who openly and consistently appear on the Lord's side; and if they escape stripes and bonds, imprisonment and death, it is to be ascribed to the restraints of divine providence, and (as a means in our happy land) to the temper of the laws, and to the clemency of the powers under whom we live. These things often constrain the believer to say, "O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I flee away, and be at rest," Psalm lv. 6. Let us not be weary or faint in our minds; ere long this wish shall be answered. A glorious rest awaits you, where sin and sinners shall have no place, nor the alarms of war be heard any more. (2.) A rest from all outward afflictions, which, though necessary, and, under the influence of divine grace, profitable, are grievous to bear; but then they will be necessary no more. Where there is no sin, there shall be no sorrow. Then, believers, God "shall wipe away all tears from your eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away," Rev. xxi. 4. (3.) A rest from Satan's temptations. How busy is this adversary of God and man! what various arts, what surprising force, what constant assiduity, does he employ to ensnare, distress, and terrify those who by grace have escaped from his servitude! He says, like Pharaoh of old, "I will pursue, I will overtake, I will destroy," Exod. xv. 9. He follows them to the last stage of life, but he can follow them no farther. The moment of their departure out of the body, shall place them beyond his reach for ever. (4.) A rest from unsatisfied desires. Here the more we drink, the more we thirst; but there our highest wishes shall be crowned and exceeded; we shall rest in full communion with him whom we love; we shall no more complain of interruptions and imperfections, of an absent God, and a careless heart. Here, when we obtain a little glimpse of his presence, when he brings us into his banqueting-house, and spreads his banner of love over us, how gladly would we remain in such a desirable frame! How unwilling are we to come down from the mount! But these pleasing seasons are quickly ended, and often give place to some sudden unexpected trial, which robs us of all that sweetness in which we lately rejoiced. But when we ascend the holy hill of God above, we shall come down no more; we shall be for ever with the Lord, never offend him, never be separated from him again. We shall likewise rest in full conformity to him, Psalm xvii. 15. Here we find a mixture of evil in our best moments: when we approach nearest to him, we have the quickest sense of our defilement, and how much we fall short in every branch of duty, in every temper of our hearts; but when we shall see Jesus as he is, we shall be fully transformed into his image, and be perfectly like him. 2. But how is this rest to be obtained? Blessed be God, in that way which alone can render it attainable by such unworthy indigent creatures. If it was to be bought, we have nothing to offer for it; if it was proposed as a reward of merit, we can do nothing to deserve it. But Jesus has said, "I will give you rest.” Our title to it cost him dear; he purchased it for us with his own blood; but to us it comes freely. Faith in his name puts us in immediate possession of the firstfruits, the earnest of this inheritance; and faith will lead us powerfully and safely through all hinderances and enemies to the full enjoyment of the whole. Faith unites us to Christ; gives us an immediate interest in all the benefits of his life, death, and intercession; opens the way of communication for all needful supplies of grace here, and insures to us the accomplishment of all the Lord has spoken to us of, in a state of glory. "He that believeth shall be saved;" (Mark xvi. 16;) saved in defiance of all the opposition of earth and hell; saved notwithstanding he is in himself unstable as water, weak as a bruised reed, and helpless as infancy. What Jesus will give, none can take away. Only remember that it is a free gift. Receive it thankfully, and rejoice in the Giver. Let him have all the glory of his own undertaking. Renounce every hope and every plea, but his promise and mediation. Commit your souls to him, and then fear nothing. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms," Deut. xxxiii. 27. He will fight your battles, heal your wounds, refresh your fainting spirits, guide you by his counsel while here, and at last receive you to himself. May we not therefore say, Happy are the people that are in such a case! happy they, who have been enabled to accept this gracious invitation, who have already entered upon the rest of grace, and have a wellgrounded expectation that they shall rest in glory! Believers, what should you fear, or why complain? Look back to where the Lord found you sleeping in, helpless and hopeless, yet insensible of your danger: look forward to what he has provided for you, an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away; a crown of life, a kingdom that cannot be shaken: think of the love, the suffering, the glory of him to whom you owe these blessings; and let these considerations animate you to run with patience and thankfulness the race that is set before you, Heb. xii. 1. Happy likewise are you, whose hearts are fixed upon this rest, and this Saviour, though as yet you are in heaviness through manifold temptations. The Lord will give you rest. Doubt it not; he cannot deny himself; wait his hour; though he seems to tarry long, yet maintain your confidence in his promise. Re double your prayers, cry mightily to him, he will not (as perhaps many around you do) rebuke your importunity, and charge you to hold your peace. Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise that called upon him? And you, who are yet strangers to rest, are thus far happy, that you are still spared, and have the gospel continued to you. The Lord is still waiting to be gracious; he says to all, Come unto me, and ye shall find rest for your souls. Do you not see this rest desirable! What rest, either here or hereafter, can you expect, if you remain in the service of sin? Why may not you obtain your liberty? You are no worse than others, either by nature or practice. Though you have been transgressors from the womb, you are not excluded, if you do not exclude yourselves: though your sinful habits and inclinations are exceeding strong, he is able to subdue them. There is a power in his blood, and in that Spirit which he is exalted to bestow, sufficient to make the Ethiopian change his skin, and the leopard his spots, (Jer. xiii. 23,) to soften the hardest heart, and to pardon the most aggravated guilt, and to enable those to do good who have been accustomed to do evil. Arise, he calleth you. O may he accompany the outward call of his word with the efficacious power of his grace, that you may this instant obey his voice, and flee to him for refuge! Whither can you flee else? Who but Jesus can save you from the wrath to come? Be wise, and delay no longer. "But if you will not hear, mine eye shall weep for you in se cret places," Jer. xiii. 17. If you will not come to Jesus for life, you must die. If you are out of Christ, God is angry with you every day. The curse of his broken law lies heavy upon you, whether you are asleep or awake abroad or at home, at the market or in the church. The wrath of God is revealed against you; if you turn not, he will whet his sword; (Psalm vii. 12;) he hath bent his bow, and made it ready: he hath prepared the instru ments of death to smite you; he hath ordained the arrows of his vengeance against you: And can you, dare you, go on in your sins, and say, I shall have peace! O may you be wise in time! "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God," Heb. x. 31. "Consider this, ye that forget him, lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver,” Psalm 1. 22. |