Use 2. To direct you how to further, and also how to judge of, your progress in the work of conversion.
1. When you begin to mind necessary things : Mat. vi. 20, 21, 'But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal ; for where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also.' When you put questions to yourselves about heaven and the way thither, your thoughts must be more upon it, and your discourses tend that way ; at least, you will be running to means to hear more of G-od and heaven.
2. When you have an anxious sense of your lost condition, and God liath showed you your danger, your hearts are troubled because of sin, that you find it a heavy burden, you are in the eye of the promise : Mat. xi. 28, ' Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and ye shall find rest for your souls.'
3. When you find the burden groweth so heavy (as it was with the young man that came to Christ, Mat. xix.) that you are resolved to save your souls whatever it cost you : Mat. xiii. 46, ' And when he had found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all, and bought it.' Many cheapen the comforts of Christianity, but do not go through with the bargain. You will not stick with God for anything, but set yourselves to do his will, whatever reluctances from within or dis- grace and oppositions from without you meet with.
4. When your heart is so fixed and confirmed in this purpose, that when it cometh to trial and exigence, you do judge it better to deny your lusts, renounce your interests, run all hazards for Christ ; you can thwart your affections, run through straits, disgraces, nicknames, scorns, and can lay down your life at Christ's feet, Mat. xviii. 8, 9 ; part with right hand or right eye. Better go to heaven with the loss of all, than to hell with the greatest crown.
262 SERMONS UPON ACTS II. 37, 38. [SeR. IV.
SERMON IV.
Tlien Peter said unto them, Repent, and he baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. — Acts ii. 38.
In the former verse we had their serious question ; here is Peter's seasonable answer. They that take a right course, and seriously in- quire after the way of salvation, are not likely to be disappointed. God saith, ' Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you,' Mat. vii. 7. Men that are in good earnest in the use of means shall not be refused in any needful suit. Therefore ' Stand ye in the ways, and see ; ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls,' Jer. vi. 16. So do these poor wounded souls do, and so must we do. Now what was the effect ? It is the part of a good physician not only to discover the disease, but also to prescribe a remedy ; especially should spiritual physicians be tender of broken- hearted sinners, willing and ready to give them counsel. When Judas had a wound in his conscience, he cometh to the high priest, and said, ' I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.' But do they tender bis case, or afford him any relief in his great straits ? No ; ' What is that to us ? see thou to that,' Mat. xxvii. 4 ; they leave him to his own horrors and despairing thoughts. But Peter dealeth more compas- sionately with these converts : he doth not upbraid them with their past sin, and leave them in despair, but giveth them wholesome counsel and advice for the good of their souls : ' Then Peter said unto them,' &c.
In Peter's direction and counsel to them take notice — (1.) What he persuadeth them to do ; (2.) The argument by which he persuadeth them ; what they shall do, and what they shall receive.
In the first, two things —
1. 'Repent.'
2. ' Be baptized in the name of Christ.' What ? why ? and to what end ? ' For the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.'
First, The first thing he persuadeth them to is repentance. But this advice seemeth needless, yea, burdensome. Was it seasonable to press men that lay under deep terror and compunction to repent ? Is not this to break a bruised reed, and add sorrow to sorrow ?
Ans. No such matter. Therefore I shall —
1. Show the difference between the former work, and that to which they are now pressed.
2. Evidence to you that this is a proper cure.
[1.] The difference. Before it was Karevvyrjaav; now it is /xera- vorj<jare. There is a great difference between these things. The word is more capacious, implying a change of mind and counsel. If you take repentance for godly sorrow and trouble of heart, yet still there is a difference between the former work and this. The former sorrow was legal, wrought by terror, and a fear of being damned ;