(2d.) A right to the privileges of the new covenant, which are pardon and life : Acts xxvi. 18, 'To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them
SERMON UPON PSALM VIII. 2, 27
which are sanctified;' and Col. i. 12-14, 'Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, who hath delivered us from the power of dark- ness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.'
(3d.) The honour that redoundeth to God thereby. By weak and despised means God brings about the ends of his glory. The party delivered was fallen man, who gave up at first assault ; the deliverer is Christ, found in fashion as another man : 1 Cor. i. 25, ' The weak- ness of God is stronger than men.' That which in man's opinion hath least wisdom, strength, and virtue in it, that doeth all ; by man and man crucified.
Use 1. If it be so great a mercy, see that you be partakers of it ; see that Satan's power be destroyed as to your souls. Christ doth not only enter upon the world by conquest, but hath much to do with every individual person before he can settle his kingdom in their hearts. There is a combat between Christ and Satan for the rescue of every sinner, and we are not easily brought to change masters. It is long ere we awaken : 2 Tim. ii. 26, ' That they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil.' And after we are awakened, ere we consent to part with our beloved lusts. Now yield to him ; suffer him to save you. You look to the outward interest of Christ in the world, and you do well ; but it is easier to bring men to own the true religion, than to bring them under the power of it. The victory we are con- cerned in is the taming our own flesh, and overcoming the corruptions and carnal inclinations, or to set up Christ's government in the heart where once Satan ruled. The kingdom of Christ within us is most comfortable to us, Luke xvii. 20, 21. If once you are Christ's, you will most really be for his interest in the world, and there is an enmity put into you : Gen. iii. 15, ' I will put enmity between the two seeds.'
2. If it be so great a mercy, then do not lose it, but use the means appointed for your safety.
[1.] By baptism you are engaged, for you are listed under Christ's banner ; we take an oath to be true to the captain of our salvation : Rom. vi. 13, ' Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unright- eousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.'
[2.] In the Lord's supper we come to quicken our zeal, and renew our holy resolutions to adhere and cleave to Christ, renouncing Satan, that we may steadfastly persevere in the duties of our heavenly calling. There our baptismal vow is ratified ; we are apt to forget it.
3. The armour is faith, hope, and love : 1 Thes. v. 8, ' Putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for an helmet the hope of salva- tion.' Faith owns Christ to be what he is, and so breedeth a constant adherence to him. Love casteth out fear of persecution, and maketh us delight in him ; and hope waiteth for the eternal reward.
4. The manner of using this armour ; it must be with sobriety and watchfulness : 1 Peter v. 8, ' Be sober, be vigilant.'
28 SERMON UPON PSALM VIII. 2.
[1.] Sobriety, or moderation as to the good things of the present world, lest we be enticed to a neglect of God and heavenly things.
[2.] Vigilancy notetli tenderness of conscience, when conscience standeth porter at the door, examining what goeth in and what cometli out. Men that have no great tenderness of conscience fear not much the loss of their souls, and are most easily wrought on by Satan.
SEEMOiX UPON JOSHUA VI. 26.
Cursed he the man before the Lord that riseth up and huildeth this city Jericho : he shall lay the foundation thereof in his first- born, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates thereof. — Josh. vi. 26.
These words relate to the history of Jericho's destruction. In which, the place and the manner of its being destroyed are notable.
.1. The place, Jericho, was — (1.) A strong and well-fenced city ; one of those which frightened the spies who were sent to view the land. To appearance it seemed impregnable. (2.) It was a frontier, a key to let in all or stop all that entered into the land of Canaan on that side. (3.) A wicked place and people above oth€rs ; deliciousness of the situation contributing to the luxury of the inhabitants.
2. The manner of its destruction. It was by the marching of Israel about the city seven days, and the priests going before them blowing with rams' horns ; a type of God's blessing on the labours of his ministers, in stirring up his people against the kingdom of sin, Satan, and antichrist. But faith must use such means as God hath appointed, though to appearance they be never so despicable. Against Midian Gideon useth the stratagem of lamps in pitchers, which the apostle calleth ' treasure in earthen vessels,' 2 Cor. iv. 7 ; so here, by the blast of the rams' horns, the walls of this seemingly impregnable city fell flat to the ground : 2 Cor. x. 4, ' For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God in the pulling down of strongholds.'