336 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SeK. II.
legible characters. And what is the effect ? A man becometh a law to himself, he carrieth his rule about with him, and hath a ready and willing mind to obey it : Ps. xxxvii. 31, ' The law of God is in his heart ; none of his steps shall slide.' The truth is rooted in him, and his heart is suited and inclined to it ; he unfeignedly loveth what is commanded of God, and hateth what is forbidden by him.
5. The work itself is sometimes generally expressed by these notions. It is called Katvrj fcrlais, ' The new creature,' 2 Cor. v. 17, when a man is thoroughly framed anew in all his faculties ; and 1 John iii. 9, it is called airepfxa, ' The abiding seed;' not a vanishing affection, but a remaining seed ; and it is called ' A good treasure,' Mat. xii. 35. There is a stock that supplieth holy thoughts, words, and actions. As a man that hath a bad treasure of corruption, the more he spends, the more it is increased ; so a man that hath a good stock, he bringeth forth holy thoughts, words, and actions. And it is called ' A new heart, and a right spirit,' Ps. li. 10 ; Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27 ; and it is called ' A sound heart,' Ps. cxix. 80. There is a slight heart, and a sound heart, which is not only opposed to the shows of hypocrites, but to the sudden pangs and half-dispositions of tempo- raries, when grace beareth a universal sovereignty over us, inclining the heart to love, and please, and serve God.
6. Sometimes the work is particularly expressed by the several graces of the Spirit, all which are comprised in faith and repentance : Acts xx. 21, ' Teaching them repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.' Repentance towards God, because by it we return to the duty we owe to our creator ; and faith, in the gospel notion, doth principally respect our Redeemer, and his mediation for us. By repentance we return to the duty enjoined by the law, from whence we are fallen ; and by faith we apprehend the love of Christ, and what he hath done for us. By repentance we are set in joint again as to pur obedience to the lawgiver ; and by faith we close with, and are united to our Redeemer, without which we cannot be accepted with God. Both are the principles of all sincere obedience and subjection to the gospel-law or covenant.
If you ask me, what is this oil in the vessel that we must have to qualify us to meet the bridegroom at his coming ?
Ans. It is repentance, mortifying our inward lusts, and faith work- ing by love.
(1.) Repentance, mortifying our inward lusts, that in newness of life we may glorify God ; therefore called ' Repentance from dead works,' Heb. vi. 1. By common grace men may cast off all outward evils, escape the pollutions of the world, but are never really and inwardly changed in their natures till the Spirit of Christ worketh this grace in the heart ; they are but as a sow washed, 2 Peter ii. 22 ; there is an inclination to wallow in the mire of carnal delights again. It is possible a man may see such an excellency in Christ, and be so affected at the hopes of his mercy, and melted at the thoughts of his love, as to cast off outward gross evils which the world liveth in ; but this is but the sow washed ; the heart is not changed. Lust for a while may be benumbed, seem quenched, but it is not deadened, it is not weakened: 'If ye through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body,'
Vers. 3, 4.] sermons upon matthew xxv. 337
Horn. viii. 13; as appeareth by its breaking out again with the more violence.
(2.) Faith working by love, that is the great principle of gospel- obedience. True grace doth not lie hid in the soul in lazy habits, but sets the soul a-work for God, upon the apprehension of his love in Christ ; this constraineth us entirely to give up ourselves to God, 2 Cor. v. 14, minding his interest, studying his will, seeking to please him in all things. A man is not to be judged by present pangs, but by the constant bent and bias of his soul ; it is set God-ward, to please him, and enjoy him, notwithstanding the back-bias of corruption.
Secondly, We now come to the effects. The effects are two : —
1. A constant fitness, readiness, and propension to do and suffer what God calleth us unto, or a habitual inclination of heart towards that which is good.
2. A habitual aversation to that which is evil.
1. A habitual inclination of heart towards that which is good ; this is called in scripture, ' the having the heart at the right hand,' Eccles. x. 2. He speaketh not of the natural posture, but the leaning of the heart towards duty ; he is ready fitted and prepared for duty. And sometimes this is called, ' having our loins girt,' 1 Peter i. 13, as ready to travel ; or it noteth the ready disposition that should be in us for duties or conflicts. So 'we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,' Eph. ii. 10 ; that is, put into a fitness and aptitude for them. As everything that is created hath a fitness and aptitude for that use for which it serveth, the water to flow, the air to be carried to and fro ; so a Christian hath a fitness for his work. The opposite to this is that, Titus i. 16, 'To every good work repro- bate ; ' unfit to be employed for this holy business. Briefly, as every habit serveth for this use, Ut quis facile, jucunde et constanter agat ; to perfect the operation of that faculty in which it is seated, so that a man may act easily, pleasantly, constantly ; so doth habitual grace serve for this use, to incline us, and fit us for the service of God. There are three things that are found in those that have this work wrought in them : —