Proposition 2

PROPOSITION. II.

That when that time comes, there shall be a more peculiar opening of this Fountain. There is something to be done in that day, which was never before done in this regard; and that must be with regard to the manner and degree of the manifestation and application of it. We may take a brief account of this affair in the following Conclusions.

1. That there are happy times predicted for the Church, after her wilderness estate shall be over. As there was a time, when after God had brought his people out of Egypt, they went through the wilderness, in order to their glorious settlement in Canaan, so we are told of the Gospel Church, that soon after its being called it should go into the wilderness, and be there for a prefixed time (Revelation 12:6). The women fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. But God has promised to it in this world, a more glorious conspicuous state after these days are ended; and this is celebrated in the four last chapters of that book: and this by some is supposed to be aimed at in (Canticles 8:5), 'Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?' It being a thing that shall be very surprising to all that shall observe it. Hitherto also may that have a special reference (Psalms 85:3), 'Glorious things are spoken of you, oh City of God.'

2. That these glorious things have not as yet befallen it in their complete accomplishment. I dare not deny, but that there are some things spoken in the Scriptures concerning the Church of God, that must be referred to the triumphant state of it, and it would be a delusion to apply them to its militancy. There must also be an allowance made for our supposing the Spirit of God, who condescends to speak to us in our own language, to use hyperbolical expressions, and set forth the better condition of the militant Church upon Earth, with words borrowed from the state of glory to which it shall at length arrive: but we must not think that he goes about to delude us with flourishing promises, and then put us off with low and little performances. There have indeed been wonderful accomplishments for the Church in these latter days, peculiarly since the beginning of the Reformation; but these are little in comparison with the things foretold to be brought to pass; we are therefore to look for a transcendently greater glory behind, and making haste to appear. Who shall read Isaiah 60 throughout, and particularly from verse 18 to the end, and chapter 11:6, &c. with many other prophecies of a like import? He must confess that there is more yet to be expected.

3. That these days are to be contemporary with the calling of the Jews, and the fulness of the Gentiles, and the destruction of Antichrist. In what order these shall be brought about, I dispute not; but God will doubtless prepare the way to the destruction of the Man of Sin who stands in the way, by giving an enlarged commission for the preaching of the Everlasting Gospel, which shall call his out of Babylon, and convince the great ones of their egregious folly in giving their power to the Beast, and provoking them to reassume it; which preaching shall also call in the nations of the world that at present are unconverted; by which the Jews shall likewise be affected, and persuaded to come in with them to Christ. These things to be sure will be closely connected, and one of them follow upon the other. The Apostle tells us (Romans 11:25), 'Blindness in part is happened to Israel, till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in'; and verse 30, 31, 'As you in times past have not believed God, yet now have obtained mercy through their unbelief, even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy, they may also obtain mercy.' And now it is that these blessed days shall commence: and therefore when the Whore is judged, great salvations come in, and the Jews are brought in, together with the Gentiles to celebrate it with their Hallelujahs (Revelation 19:1, 3, 4, 6). And now shall the sealed ones, both of the Jews and Gentiles appear in their lustre.

4. That the happiness of those times will be mainly spiritual. Not but that there will be an external glory then afforded to the Church of God; that is the time when God will say to Zion, arise and shine (Isaiah 60:1). Then will that prediction be fulfilled in (Isaiah 2:2), 'The mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow to it'; and that (Psalms 72:3), 'The mountains shall bring forth peace to the people'; and verse 7, 'In his days shall the righteous flourish and abundance of peace, so long as the Moon endureth.' Then shall Satan be bound, and the haters of God shall feign obedience, and his enemies lick the dust. Then will that be understood and experienced (Ezekiel 28:24), 'There shall be no more a pricking briar to the House of Israel, nor any grieving thorn, &c.' But the great glory of these times will be, that grace will then flourish, and holiness abound. Christ told Pilate (John 18:36), 'My Kingdom is not of this world': and holiness will mainly difference that from all else; it is therefore said of these times (Zechariah 14:20, 21), 'In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness to the Lord, &c.'

5. The spiritual felicity of those days will flow from the more full opening of Christ the Fountain: For,

1. All spiritual good derives from Christ to us. We have none in us naturally; as he purchased for us all that we have, so he confers it upon us: it is of his fulness that we receive (John 1:16). What therefore he gives, we derive from him, and therefore our increases are proportionable to his communications to us; if he withholds from us, we wither, and go to decay, but if he shall influence us liberally, we shall flourish.

2. There have been the gradual communications of this good to the Church and people of God in all generations. This fountain has been and continues opened to some or other of fallen men from the beginning; and the manifestations and operations of it have been sometimes more, sometimes less: but there will be more of it than ever in these days; yes, it will then arrive to a fulness, not of absolute, but comparative perfection.

3. The glory of these days, in regard of the fulness of the opening of this fountain, will be seen in two things.

1. In respect of light. This shall be the evening of the Gospel day, of which we are told (Zechariah 14:6, 7): It shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark; but it shall be one day, that shall be known to the Lord, not day nor night; but it shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be light. The shadows will fly away, and then shall that word be accomplished and take place (Habakkuk 2:14): The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Then shall all differences in judgment between God's people cease, and that be fulfilled (Zephaniah 3:9): Then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.

2. In respect of efficacy. The virtue of this fountain shall then appear abundantly; the pardoning and sanctifying influence of it shall be to admiration (Ezekiel 37:9): Every thing that lives, which moves, wherever the rivers shall come, shall live. The Spirit will then mightily accompany the dispensation of the Gospel, and conversions will not be so rare and dubious as now they are, nor the lives of Christians so barren, but then will those prophecies have a wonderful accomplishment (Isaiah 32:15, &c., chapter 35:10, &c.). These are some of the precious things to be expected in that day.

USE 1. This doctrine affords matter of great consolation to the children of God under the present evil days. And truly the promise and faith of these days, have given great light and comfort to God's children in former times, under the darkest distresses that they met with; how much more may it now do so to us in these times of great searchings of heart? If we look on the present state of Christianity in the world, it appears with a black face; and if we stint our speculations here, it will sink us in despondency; but let us look forward, and we may gather abundant refreshment. Consider then,

1. There are better times yet to come. It is night at present, and the terrors of it are apt to affright us; but the day will break, and let us refresh ourselves with that consideration (Psalm 30:5): Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. God has said in (Psalm 125:3): The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous. And the Psalmist resolves (Psalm 102:13): You shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion; and (Psalm 94:14): The Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. The whole creation groans for this day, and we ought to live upon the hope of it (Romans 8:19, 23). Nor need we to fear whether it shall be accomplished, for God has engaged in it; and we are told (Isaiah 9:7): The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.

2. It will not be long before these days commence. Although we cannot tell the day, or month, or year when that time shall be, yet we are fully assured that it is hastening. We are told in the Apostles' days (Hebrews 10:37): Yet a little while and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry. How many of the preliminary predictions, of things that were to intervene and make way to it, have already received their fulfilment? And we may expect that God will make a short work of it, when it draws nigh its accomplishment. Nor need the present face of things, though dismal, affright us; or make us think it afar off, for how often is the darkest part of the night just before the day breaks? And therefore the Church acknowledges (Psalm 126:1): When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like those that dream.

3. Let us then much ponder the happiness of those days, and refresh our weary spirits therewithal. The thing is sure, determined, and cannot fail; let then our faith give a present subsistence to the things thus hoped for, and our meditation feed itself comfortably with them: let us for this end consider with great delight of the things that are then to be expected. Then shall the Jews come over to the Lord Jesus Christ, whom they have abjured (Zechariah 12:10, &c.). Then will they ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward; then their graves shall be opened, and they shall pay homage to their Lord Redeemer. Then shall the Gentiles be called in plenty; then will that word take place (Psalm 22:27): All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before you; and that (Hosea 1:10): It shall come to pass that in the place where it was said to them, you are not my people, there it shall be said to them, you are the sons of the Living God. Then will God gloriously accomplish that promise (Psalm 2:8): Ask you of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. Then will the Sun of Righteousness appear in his meridian brightness, and dispel the mists of ignorance, error, and superstition; then will that prayer of the Church be answered (Psalm 67:2): That your way may be known upon earth, your saving health to all nations. Then will all the differences in the Church of Christ be adjusted, and their contentions will cease about the different ways and modes of worship, which at present not a little disturb the Church's tranquility (Zechariah 14:9): In that day there shall be one Lord, and his name one. Nor any more shall the noise of hammers and axes be heard in the building of God's Temple: it will be a very peaceable and flourishing state of the Church, when there shall be neither adversary nor evil occurrent. And shall not the belief of these things revive our fainting spirits, and make us to wait patiently through these dreary hours of trouble?

USE 2. We also have here a rule by which to judge of the times. Every one is ready to make his remarks on the times that he lives in, and which pass over him, and to judge of them whether the days are good or evil. The generality of men take their measures from the observation of outward providence; if there be outward peace and plenty, they call them happy days; if outward distress and trouble, they call them evil. But we have a better rule, and more safe for Christians, and that is, to judge according as this fountain is opened among us. The more of Christ that a people enjoy, the happier are they, and the less he is known and acknowledged in his great design of Mediatorship, the greater is the infelicity of such a people. And by this rule I believe the times are evil in the most places that are called Christian; inasmuch as it is a day wherein the greatest number of those that should preach the doctrines of Christ, of Redemption, Justification, Sanctification, and Eternal Life to be obtained by him, and so to be the instruments of opening the fountain to men; do rather endeavour to obscure them, by perverting the great doctrine of justification by his righteousness alone, and confounding New Covenant obedience with mere morality, or a legal righteousness. How contrary are these things to those which will be the glory of the times of refreshment!

USE 3. For exhortation to the people of God in two particulars.

1. Be exhorted to pray much and earnestly for the conversion of the Jews. This duty seems to be too much neglected in these days; and possibly one great reason of it is, because the belief of this article runs so low in the Christian world. Be we then roused up to this duty: and there are these considerations which are very profitable for this end.

1. The thing is a matter of faith, and so it calls for prayer. It is a truth not to be doubted, since God has given us the assurance of it in his word, and we ought to receive his testimony, and thereby set to our seal that he is true. Now the things that we believe, because God has promised them, and which are future, are such things as are proper for us to pray for: they are good in themselves, and worth the desiring; and the strength of prayer is in this belief. Yes, this is the way in which God has said that he will communicate the good promised to his people (Ezekiel 36:37): I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them.

2. They once prayed for us, we therefore owe this duty to them. There was a time when God only knew them of all the families of the earth; the Gentiles were far off: then they prayed that we might be brought in to Christ's fold; and among others, Psalm 67 is a prayer of the church of the Jews on this account: surely then it is but a due requital for us to pray for them.

3. Their miserable condition calls for it: they are objects of compassion, and every tender heart cannot but condole them; nor is it like to be better with them till the happy day of their conversion comes. And well may we use a like expostulation which Christ, the Angel of the Covenant, once did for them of old when in distress (Zechariah 1:12): O Lord of hosts, how long will you not have mercy on Jerusalem; against which you have had indignation.

4. The benefit which shall come with their conversion, to the Gentile churches, is our great encouragement to importunity in it. There was no little advantage by their casting off, but the Apostle assures us that their grafting in shall be transcendently more (Romans 11:15): If the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? Surely then we pray for ourselves, when we pray for them; and one would think that interest would not lie.

5. These happy times are to be ushered in by prayer. God is well pleased in our praying for them (Psalm 122:6): Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love you. And he has told us, that such a spirit shall be preparatory to that happy day, and help to bring it in (Isaiah 62:6, 7): I have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: you that make mention of the Lord keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. When therefore God shall pour out such a spirit of prayer on his people in this regard, it will be a blessed prognostic of that glorious time, hastening.

2. Let it encourage all that are godly to leave their children behind them with faith and comfort. We are some of us going off the stage, and are very solicitous what shall become of ours when we are gone. There are many saddening considerations that appear in our view, which do sometimes fill us with perplexity; but let such as fear God look through and beyond the present discouragements, and comfort themselves with such thoughts as these: not only do we leave our children to a good God, a covenant-keeping God, whose truth and faithfulness we may safely rely upon; but it is comfort for us to think that that day is not far off. And though we may not live to see the dawnings of it, yet our posterity may see the breaking of it, and partake in the happy benefits that it shall bring to the church of God: to nourish our faith with the contemplation of the glorious dispensations which there shall be in that day, when God will bring his church out of darkness, into light, and take them out of the horrible pit, and set their feet upon the rock. And then to remember, that the children of the faithful have a special interest in the blessings of that day, according to the promise (Isaiah 54:13): All your children shall be taught of God, and great shall be the peace of your children. Let us then in faith do our duty to them while we live, and when we die, let us rejoice in this hope, that there are better times coming on, when God shall bring back his people's captivity; when he who cannot lie, will give being to that precious word, in which he has made us to hope (Psalm 69:35, 36): God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah, that they may dwell there, and have it in possession: the seed also of his servants shall inherit it, and they that fear his name shall dwell therein.