A pious selection: containing A divine cordial...

Front matter

A

LIBRARY

MM

Index

A Word of Comfort for the Church of God 149

A Name in Heaven the Truest Ground of Joy 175

The Power of Grace in Weaning the Heart from the World 219

A Choice Drop of Honey from the Rock Christ 249

The Character of a Hypocrite 275

The Character of a Sincere Christian 278

On Christian Prudence 281

An Answer to the Question, " How should we read the Word of God?" 284

The Work and Contention of Heaven 291

Interesting Intelligence from India 326

OR

THE TRAXSCENDANT PRIVILEGE

OF

THOSE THAT LOVE GOD,

AND AEE

g>atnng!2 CaHetr.

BY THOMAS WATSON,

PASTOR OF ST. STEPHEN'S, WALBROOK* LONDON Author of" Heaven taken by Storm, 70

TO "WHICH IS ADDED BT THE SAKE AUTHOR,

A. Word of Comfort for the Church of God,

"WITH A

RECOMMENDATORY ADVERTISEMEN I\ BY THE REV. MR. BULL, NEWPOI*T-P AGNELL,

.But as for gov, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it fir good,

Gen. L 20.

A 2

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE Author of the following excellent discourse, was one of more than two thousand witnesses for the truth, " who were shamefully ejec- "from the church, m 1662, in violation of the royal " word) as well as the clear principles of virtue*"* But the Lord knows hoxv to bring good out of evil, and he does it to them that are really his. Those excellent men, when excluded from their pulpits, laboured to serve the church of Christ by their writings ; and hence arose those numerous and valuable books which have proved a blessing to multitudes, and which continue to this day to enrich and benefit the church of Christ.

In the writings of this author we every way see roangelical doctrine expressed in a very spiritual strain ; his style is concise, comprehensive, and lively ; but above all, there is a divine unction upon all his works, which renders them exceedingly instructing and edifying to those who are rightly disposed to the things of God, and an eternal world.

The discourse before us, is, I thtnk, inferior to none of his works. It is admirably suited to the case of the dejected and fearful believer ; it powerfully tends to dispel his darkness, doubt, and fears; to call into exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ \ end to promote an inward and spiritual delight in him.

I have found it, as well as the other treatises of Mr. Watson, a source of much spiritual comfort? 4 Wiiberforce's Practical View, page 242.

advertisp:ment.

and even cheat -fulness under the weakness and dejection so common in old age. I do most cheerfully recommend it to all under spiritual distress, — and it is my most fervent prayer \ that the Lord Jesus Christ may follow it with the abundoytt blessing of the Holy Spirit to all into whose hand it may come.

JVM. BULL,

Newport PagirelL

Christian Reader,

THERE are two things, which I have always looked upon as difficult ; the one is, to make the wicked sad ; they want not cause of sadness, they are t^ken captive by Satan : this is all that is gotten by fighting on the Devil's side ; he doth not make his soldiers captains, but captives ; he leads them prisoners before him, and at last will give them damnable pay : yet so are sinners blinded by the god of this world, that they cannot see the chains they are held in, 1 but kiss their fetters, and go laughing to hell. The other puzzling difficulty, is, to make the godly joyful : though they have enough to rock their troubled hearts quiet/ and may encourage themselves in the Lord their God ; yet, like the froward child, they put away the breast, and refuse to be comforted. Am. non, though a king's son, was lean. This dejection in the godly, ariseth from a double spring ; either because their inward comforts are darkened, or their outward comforts are disturbed : to cure both which troubles, I have put forth this ensuing piece, hoping, by the blessing of God, it will buoy up their desponding hearts, and make them look with a more pleasant aspect ; I would prescribe them to take, now and then, a little of this cordial. When the prophet Elijah's spirits were ready to faint under the juniper- tree, the angel set before him a cake, and a cruse of water ; and when he had eaten* he was cheered, and went in the

TO THE READER.

strength of that meat, till he came unto Horeb, the mount of God* Methinks this text, like that sweet repast, may very much corroborate and strengthen the saints in their journey to heaven ; and may be as a sacred feather, to. drop the golden oil of consolation into their hearts : all these things shall work together for good to them that love God. To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort ; but to be assured that all things which fall out, shall co-operate for their good? that their grosses shall be turned into blessings, the bloody showers of affliction shall water the withering root of their grace, and make it flourish more ; here is that may fill their hearts, with joy till they run over. It will be no small revive ment to me, if these labours of mine prove advantageous to any. When St. Paul's prison, would not admit him the liberty of a: pulpit, he wrote some epistles, the benefit whereof the church of God hath reaped in after ages* VV hen I. am at present taken off from my public cm; by me nr. of preaching, I shall be glad if I may be useful by writing; and while I myself am in a civil sense dead, I may make others in a spirl uai cense alive ; this is the prayer of him, who is

Thy friend, in all true

Affection and devotion,

Thomas Watson.

Contents

OF THE DIVINE CORDIAL.

Chap. 1. Preface, or Introduction 13

2. Shewing that all things work for good to the

saints 1 5

3. That the best things work for good 16 That the attributes of God work for good That the promises of God work for good That the mercies of God work for good That the graces work for good

That the creatures of God work for good, in

particular the good angels That the communion of saints works for good That Christ's intercession works for good That the saints' prayers, conceived and indited by the blessed Spirit, work for good

4. That the worst things work for good to the

godly 30 That the evil of affliction works for good That the evil of temptation works for good That the evil of desertion works for good That the evil of sin, by God's over-ruling

power, works for good to the godly

5. Shewing why all things must needs work far

good to the saints 6£

6. Several inferences drawn from the proposi-

tion 66 ?. Shewing the persons interested in this glorious privilege, they love God 7?

The nature of love The kinds of love The properties of love The degree of love 8* A sharp reproof to those who do not love God 84

CONTENTS OF THE DIVINfc GORDIAC

Chap. 9. Discovering the fruits of love to God 88

10. Containing an exhortation to love God 101 Motives to excite love

Means directing to it

Preserve love that it doth not fall into a consumption

Increase love to God, and blow it up into a holy flame

11. The second qualification of the persons interes-

ted in the text, they are effectually called 120 Our deplorable condition before we are called The means of our blessed call God's method in calling sinners The properties of the divine call The end of effectual calling

12. Two inferences from the premises 130

13. Exhorting to labour after the heavenly call-

ing 131

14. Several exhortations to them who are called 137 Admire free-grace

Pity those who are uncalled Walk worthy of your high-calling

15. Concerning God's purpose 143

16. Our whole salvation must be resolved into

God's promise 143 The saints* comforts are built upon this impregnable rock

A

DIVINE CORDIAL,

CHAP, i

THE INTRODUCTION*

We know that all things work together for good, to them that love Cod, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Rom. viiL 28.

IF the whole Scripture be the feast of the sotf^ (as St* Ambrose saith) then this chapter may be a dish at this feast, which with its sweet variety may very much refresh and animate the hearts of God's people. In the preceding verses the Apostle had been wading through the great doctrines of justification and adoption ; mysteries so arduous and profound, that without the help and conduct of the Spirit, he might soon have waded beyond his depth. In this verse the Apostle toucheth upon that pleasant string of consolation ; We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God. Not a word but is weighty : therefore I shall gather up every filing of this gold> that nothing be lost.

In the text there are three general branches. First. A glorious privilege, All things work for good. Second. The persons interested in this privilege ; and they are doubly specified. !• They are lovers of God, 2. They are -called, Third. The original and spring of this effectual calling, set down in these words, according to his purpose. Of all these in order j and 1 begin with the first*

B

First. The glorious privilege; wherein there are two things to be considered. I. The certainty of the privilege, We know. II. The excellency of the privilege, All things work together for good.

I. The certainty of the privilege : IVeknow. It is not a matter pendulous or doubtful ; the Apostle doth not say, we hope, or conjecture, but it is like an article in our creed, We know all things work for good: Whence observe,

Doct. That the truths of the gospel are evident and infallible.

A christian may come not only to a loose opinion, but to a certainty of what he holds. As the axioms in logic, and aphorisms in physic, are demonstrated to reason ; so the truths in religion are demonstrated to faith : We know saith the Apos^ tie. Though a christian hath not a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel, }et he hath a certain knowledge. We see through a glass darkly, 1 Cor. xiii. 12. therefore we have not perfection of knowledge ; but, we behold with open face. 2 Cor. iiL 18. therefore we have certainty. The Spirit of God doth imprint heavenly truths upon the heart, as with the point of a diamond. A christian may know infallibly there is an evil in sin, a beauty in holiness : he may know that he is in the state of grace, We know that we have passed from death to life. 1 John iii. 14. He may know that he shall go to heaven. We know that if our earthly tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house made without hands, eternal in the ■heavens. 2 Cor. v* 1. The Lord doth not leave his people at uncertainties in matters of salvation. The apostle comes wdth his probatum est in the XtKt 9 %ve know j we have arrived at a holy confi-

A Divine Cordial.

dence ; we have both the Spirit of God, and our own experience setting seal to it.

Use. Let us not rest in scepticism, but labour to come to a certainty in the things of religion. As that martyr woman said, I cannot dispute for Christ, but I can burn for Christ. God knows whether we may be called forth to be witnesses to his truth ; therefore it concerns us to be well grounded, and confirmed in it. If we are doubtful christians, we shall be wavering christians ; whence is apostacy, but from incredulity ? Men first question the truth, and then fall from the truth. Oh beg the Spirit of God, not only to anoint you, but to seal you, 2 Cor. i. 22.

CHAP 1L

Containing the great Proposition*

II. I pass to the second, the excellency of the privilege, All things work together for good. This is as Jacob's staff in the hand of faith, with which we may walk cheerfully to the mount of God : what will satisfy or give content, if this will not ? All things work together for good. This word work together, is a physical expression. Several poisonous ingredients put together, being tempered by the skill of the apothecary, make a sovereign medicine, and work together for the good of the patient. So all God's providences being divinely tempered and sanctified, do work together for the best to the saints. He who loves God, and is called according to his purpose, may say to his soul, soul take thy [ ease , for there is much good laid up for thee } every thing in the

A Divine Cordial.

world shall be for thy good. This is a christian's cordial, which may cause the color to come in his face, and make him like Jonathan, who when he had tasted the honey at the end of the rod, his eyes were enlightened. 1 Sam. xiv. 27. Why should a christian exterminate himself? why should he kill himself with care, when all things shall sweetly concur, yea, conspire for his good ? The result of the text is this.

Doct. That all the various dealings of God with his children, do by a special providence turn to their good.

All the paths of the Lord are mercy unto such as keep his covenant. Psal. xxv. 10. If every path hath mercy in it, then it works* for good.

L What things work for good to the godly.

2. Why all things work for good to the godly.

1. What things are they which work for good te the elect ?

j\nsw. 1. The best things.

2. The worst things.

CHAP. III. Shexvhig that the best things work tc get her for good to

the godly.

HHHE best things work for good to the godly;

j there are eight of these.

1. God's attributes work for good ; these three in particular.

1. God's power works for good. It is a glorious power, Col. i. 11. and it is engaged for the good of the elect, Out of this strong comes forth

I?

sweetness. The power of God works for good four ways.

11 In supporting us in misery.

2. In supplying our wants-

3. In subduing our corruptions.

4. In conquering our enemies.

God's power works for good. 1. In supporting; us in misery. Underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut. xxxiii. 27. What upheld Daniel in the lion's den? Jonah in the whale's belly ? the three children in the furnace ? only the power of God. Is it not strange to see a bruised reed grow and flourish? How is a weak christian able, not only to endure affliction, but to rejoice in it? He. is upheld by the arms cf the Almighty. My strength is made perfect in weakness- 2 Cor. xii. 9.

2. In supplying our wants, God creates com- - forts when means faiL He that brought food to the prophet Elijah by the unnatural ravens, will bring sustenance to his people. God can preserve the oil in the cruse. 1 Kings, 17. 14. The Lord made the sun on Ahaz's dial go ten degrees backward : so when our outward comforts are declining, and it is almost sun-setting, God often causeth a revival, and brings the sun many degrees backward.

3. In subduing our corruptions. He will subdue our iniquities. Mic. vii. 19 Is thy sin strong? God is powerful , he will break the head of this leviathan. Is thy heart hard ? God will dissolve that stone in Christ's blood. The Almighty maleeth my heart soft. Job xxiii. 16. When we say as Jeho^aplui, we have no might against this great army, the Lord goes up with us ? and helps us to fight our battles : he strikes off the heads of those goliah lusts which are too strong for us.

4. In conquering our enemies. He stains the pride, and breaks the confidence of adversaries. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron. Psal. ii. 9. There is rage in the enemy, malice in the devil, but power in God. How easily can he rout all the forces of the wicked ! It is nothing for the Lord to help. 2 Chron. xiv. 11. God's power is on his church's side. Happy art thou O Israel, O people saved by the Lord, who is the shield of thy help, and the sword of thy excellency. Deut. xxxiii. 29.

II. The wisdom of God works for good. God's wisdom is our oracle to instruct us. As he is the mighty God, so the counsellor, Isa. ix. 6. We are often times in the dark, and in matters intricate and doubtful, know not which way to take ; here God comes in with light. / will guide thee with mine eye. Psal. xxxii. 8. Eye, there, is put for God's wisdom. Whence is it the saints can see further than the most quick-sighted politicians ? They foresee an evil, and hide themselves, they see Satan's sophisms ; God's wisdom is the pillav effire to go before, and guide them.

II I. The goodness of God works for good two ways. 1. God's goodness is a means to make us good. The goodness of God leadeth to repentance. Horn. ii. 4. The goodness of God is a spiritual sun-beam to melt the heart into tears. Oh saith the soul, hath God been so good to me ? hath he reprieved me so long from hell, and shall I grieve his Spirit any more ? shall I sin against goodness ?

1. The goodness of God works for good* as it ushers in all blessings. The favors we receive are the silver streams which flow from the fountains of God's goodness. This divine attribute of goodness brings in two sorts of blessings ; 1. Common blessings. All partake of these, the bad, as well as the good : this sweet dew falls upon the thistle, as well as the rose. 2. Crowning blessings. These only the godly partake of. Who croxvneth us with loving kindness* Psal x. 3. Thus the blessed attributes of God work for good to the saints.

2. The promises of God work for good. The promises are a bill of God's hand ; is it not good to have security ? The promises are the breasts of the Gospel ; and is not the breast for the good of the infant ? They are called precious promises* 2. Pet. 1. 4. they are as aquavits to a soul that is ready to faint. Cardan saith, every precious stone hath some virtue latent in it : the promises are full of virtue, and that especially in four cases.

1. Are we under the guilt of sin ? there is a promise, the Lord merciful, gracious, &c. Exod. xxxiv. 6. Where God doth as it were put on his glorious embroidery, and hold out the golden sceptre to encourage poor trembling sinners to come to him. The Lord merciful God is more willing to pafdon, than to pu^sh ; mercy doth more multiply in him, than bin in us ; mercy is his nature. The bee naturally gives honey ; it stings only when it is provoked. But saith the guilty sinner, J cannot deserve mercy : but he is gracious ; he shews mercy, not because we deserve mercy , - but because he delights in mercy. But what is that to vm ? perhaps my name is not in the pardon. He keeps mercy for thousands ; the exchequer of mercy is not exhausted : God hath treasures lying by/ and why mayest not thou

A Divine Cordial.

eome in for a child's part? This promise is ar Beozar-stone.

2. Are we under the defilement of sin ? there is a promise working for good. 1 xvill heal their back-slidings. Hos. xiv. 4. God will not only bestow mercy, but grace. And he hath made a promise of sending his Spirit, Isa. xliv. 3. which for its sanctifying nature, is in scripture compared sometimes to w T ater, which cleanseth the vessel ; sometimes to the word, which is the fan to the winnow, and doth purify the air; sometimes to fire, which doth refine metals. Thus the Spirit of God shall cleanse and consecrate the soul, making it partake of the divine nature.

3 Are we in great dangers ? there is a promise works for our good. I will be with him in trouble. Psal. xcL 15. God doth not use to bring his people into troubles, and leave them there, but will stand by them, he will hold their heads and hearts when they are fainting- And there is another premise, Me is their strength in the time of trouble. Psal. xxvii. 39. Oh saith the soul, I shall feint in the day of trial ; but God will be the strength of our hearts, he will join his forces with us ; either he will make his hand lighter, or our faith stronger.

4, Do we ft ar cnitward wants ? there is a promise. They that fear the Lord, shall not want any geod thing* Psal. xxxiv. 10. It it be good for us, we shall have it ; if it be not good for us, then, the not having of it is good. / will bless thy bread and thy water. Kxod. xxiii. ^5. This blessing falls as the honey-dew upon the leaf, it sweetens that little we possess. Let me want the venison, so I may have the blessing. Bui I fear I shall not get a livelihood ? peruse that senpture. / have, been

A Divine Cordial.

young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. PsuL xxxviL 25. How must we understand this ? 1- David speaks of it as his own observation ; he never beheld such an eclipse, he never saw a godly man brought so low, that he had not a bit of bread to put in his mouth 2 David never saw the righteous and their seed lacking. Though the Lord might try godly parents a while by want, yet not their seed too : the seed of the godly shall be provided for. 3 David never saw the righteous begging of bread, and forsaken : though he might be reduced to great streights, yet not forsaken ; still he is an heir of heaven, and God loves him. Thus in all these cases the promises work for good.

Quest. How do the promises work for good ?

Answ. I. They are food for faith; and that which strengthens faith works for good. The promises are the breast-milk of faith; faith sucks nourishment from them, as the child by drawing the breast. Jocob feared exceedingly. G^n. xxxii. 7. His spirits were ready to faint; now he goes to the promise, Lord thou hast said thou wilt do me good Gen. xxxii. 12- This promise was his food ; he got so much strength by sucking this promise, that he was able to wrestle with the Lord all night in prayer, and would not let him go till he had blessed him.

2. The promises are springs of joy. There is more in the promises to comfort, than in the world to perplex. Ursin was comforted by that promise. No man shall pluck them out of my Father's hands. John x. 29. The promises are cordials in a fainting fit. Unless thy word had been my delight, 1 had perished in my affliction. FsaL cxix, 92. the pro-

A Divine Cordiai.

mises are as cork to the net, to bear up the heart from sinking in the deep waters of distress.

3. The mercies of God work for good to the

godly.

I. Temporal mercies, as health, and prosperity. Mercy works most kindly upon an ingenuous spirit.

1. The mercies of God humble. Then went King David, and sat before the Lord, and said> who am /, O Lord God. and what is my father 1 $ house, that thou hast brought me hitherto ? 2 Sam. vii. 18. Lord, whence is such honour conferred upon me, that I should be King ? that I who did follow the sheep, should go in and out before thy people ? So saivh a gracious heart, Lord, what am 1, that it should be better with me than others ? that I should drink of the fruit of the vine, when others drink, not only a cup of wormwood, but a cup of blood ? what am I, that 1 should have those mercies, which others want, who are better than I ? Lord, whence is it, that notwithstanding all my unw worthiness, a fresh tide of mercy comes every day ? The mercies of God make a sinner proud, but a saint humble.

2. The mercies of God have a melting influence upon the soul, they dissolve it in love to God. Gocfs judgments make us fear him, his mercies make us to love him. How was Saul wrought upon by kindness ! David had him at the advantage, and might have cut off, not only the skirt of his robe, but his head ; yet he spares his life : this kindness melted Saul's heart. Is this thy voice, my son David? and Saul lift up his voice and wept. 1. Sam. xxiv. 16. Such a melting influence hath God's mercy, it makes the eyes drop with tears j of love.

A Divine Cordial.

3. The mercies of God make the heart fruitful. When you lay out more cost upon a field, it bears a better crop, A gracious soul honours the Lord with his substance ; he doth not do with his mercies, as Israel with their jewels and ear-riogs, make a golden calf ; but as Solomon did with the moneythrown into the treasury, build a temple for the Lord. The golden showers of mercy cause fertility,

4. The mercies of God make the heart thankful. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his bene- Jits towards me ? I will take the cup of salvation. Psal. cxiv. 12. 13. David alludes to the people of Israel, who at their peace-offerings did use to take a cup in their hands, and give thanks to God for deliverances. Every mere) is an alms of free grace ; and this enlargeth the soul in gratitude. A good christian is not a grave to bury God's mercies? but a temple to sing his praise. If every bird in its kind (as Ambrose speaks) doth chirp forth thankfulness to its maker ; much more will an ingenuous christian, whose life is enriched and perfumed with mercy.

5. The mercies cf God quicken. As they are load-stones to love, so whet-stones to obedience. / will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Psal. cxix. 9. He that t^kes a review of his blessings, looks upon himself as a person engaged for God ; he argues from the sweetness of mercy? to the swiftness of duty ; he spends and is spent for Christ; he dedicates himself to God. Among the Romans, when one had redeemed another? he was afterwards to serve him. A soul encompassed with mercy is zealously active in God's service.

6. The mercies of God work compassion to others. A christian is a temporal saviour ? he

A Divine Cordial.

feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, visits the widow and orphan in their distress ; the bucks and bellies of the poor, die the furrows where he ws the golden seeds of ! is charity : A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: Psal. cxii. 5. Charity drops from him freely, as myrrh from the tree. Thus to the godly, the mercies of God work for good they are wings to lift them up to heaven.

2, Spiritual mercies work for good. The blessed ordinances,

1. The word preached works for good ; it is a savour of life, it is a soul transforming word, it assimilates the heart into Christ's likeness, it is the breeder of assurance, our Gospel came to you, not in u ord only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and much assurance. 1 Thes. i. 5. It is the cha iot of salvation.

2. Prayer works for good. Prayer is the bellows of the affection, it blows up holy desires and ardours of soul : prayer hath power with God, Command ye me Isa. xlv. 11. It is a key that unlocks the treasury of God's bowels. Praver keeps the heart open to God, and shut to sin ; it assuageth the intemperate heats and swellings of lust. It was Luther's counsel to a friend, when he perceived a temptation begin to arise, to betake himself to prayer. Prayer is the christian's gun, which they discharge against their enemies. Prayer is the Pancreston. the sovereign medicine of the soul. Prayer sanctifies every mercy, 1 Tim. iv 5> it is the dispeiler of sorrow : by venting the grief, it easeth the heart. When Hannah had prayed, she went away and was no more sad, 1. Sam. i. 18. And if it hath these rare eftects, then it works for good.

A Divim Cordial.

3. The Lord's Supper works for good ; It is an emblem of the miarriage supper of the Lamb, Rev, xix. 9. and an earnest of that communion we shall have with Christ in glory ; it is a feast of fat things ; it gives us bread from Heaven, such as doth not only preserve life, but prevent death. It hath glorious effects in the hearts of the godly ; it quickens their affections, strengthens their graces, mortifies their corruptions, revives their hopes> encreaseth their joy. Luther saith, "it is as great a work to comfort a dejected soul, as to raise the dead to life;" yet this may, and sometimes is done to the souls of the godly in the blessed supper. The sacrament hath a peculiar excellency above the word preached. In the word there is the breath