Heaven Opened!:The Riches of God's Covenant of Grace

Chapter 1

18. Directions for the Right Performance of the Duty of Prayer

INTRODUCTION Good news from Heaven! the Day-spring from on high has visited this undone world! After a deluge of sin and misery, behold the bow in the cloud. The Lord God has made and established a new covenant, and this

Chapter 2

Chapter 1.

God in the Covenant The Lord God has made over himself in this covenant. This is the great and comprehensive promise: "I will be their God." (Jeremiah 31:33). I am God; and what I am is all theirs: myself, my glorious in

Chapter 3

I. Their FRIEND. I was angry, but mine anger is turned away; I

was an adversary, I had a controversy with them, but I am reconciled; I have found a ransom, the contest is settled, my wrath is appeased, I am their friend: "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin

Chapter 4

II. Their PORTION. Fury ceases; fears vanish; friendship, favor,

life are granted. But what shall the soul have to live upon? Man was never intended to be self-sufficient; he was created under a necessity of dependence on something without him, not only for the continuance of his bein

Chapter 5

1. Live upon your portion. Here you may feed, herein you may

rejoice, herein you may bless yourself forever. "Let him that blesses himself on the earth, bless himself in the God of truth." Let him that rejoices in the earth, rejoice in the God of truth. Let the strong man live upo

Chapter 6

2. Live up to your privilege. Live according to your rank and

quality, according to your riches laid up for you in God. The rich men of this world live like rich men, they sort themselves with persons of their own quality, attend on the courts of princes, are employed about the pal

Chapter 7

III. He is their SUN. He will discover and make manifest to them

the riches and glory of their portion. He has granted them himself for their portion, and he will reveal and make manifest to them what a portion he is. He will make manifest both the blessedness they shall enjoy in him,

Chapter 8

IV. Their SHIELD. "The Lord God is a sun and a shield." (Psalm

84:11). The gods of the earth are styled, "the shields of the earth," (Psalm 47:9); much more the God of glory. Faith is called a shield: "Above all, taking the shield of faith." (Ephesians 6:16). This signifies the same

Chapter 9

Chapter 2.

Christ in the Covenant God has put Christ into the covenant, and made him over to his people: "I will give you for a covenant." (Isaiah 42:6). He, who is promised as the chief matter, the mediator, surety, and scope of t

Chapter 10

I. As the LIGHT OF LIFE. "A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the

glory of your people Israel." (Luke 2:32). "In him was life, and the life was the light of men." (John 1:4). "He who follows me shall have the light of life." (John 8:12). There is a light that serves to kill and destroy

Chapter 11

1. As our propitiatory sacrifice: "The atoning sacrifice for our

sins." (1 John 2:2). "Christ our Passover." (1 Corinthians 5:7). "The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8). Our price, our ransom, to satisfy justice, pacify wrath, discharge from the curse; to

Chapter 12

2. As a merciful and faithful High-priest, (Hebrews 2:17), who

has made an atonement for us in the earth, and appears for us in Heaven; who has made reconciliation for us, and makes intercession for us, "to appear in the presence of God for us." (Hebrews 9:24). We read, (Exodus 28:1

Chapter 13

3. As OUR LORD AND KING. "A King shall reign in

righteousness," and in him shall the Gentiles trust. "Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem, behold your King comes." (Zechariah 9:9). "The government shall be on his shoulder." (Isaiah 9:6). God has more care of his saints, th

Chapter 14

4. As our Head and Husband. He who is given to be Head over

all things to the church is given to be the Head of the church, (Ephesians 1:22, 23), and of every member in particular. (1 Corinthians 11:3). Believers are all joined to the Lord. (1 Corinthians 6:17). United in Christ

Chapter 15

1. A communication of influences. "Having nourishment ministered."

Christ our Head is our Fountain of life. Our Head is our Heart also, out of it are the issues of life; from him we live, and are nourished and maintained in life. He is our Joseph, all the treasures of the holy land are

Chapter 16

2. It is deposited with Christ: it is laid up with him, committed to his

trust and custody; with him it is secured and put into safe hands. 3. The dispensation of it is committed to him: from him it is at his pleasure to be imparted to us; of his fullness we receive. The Son has life in himse

Chapter 17

2. A combination of interests. As the head and body, as the husband

and wife, so Christ and his saints are mutually concerned—are rich or poor, must stand and fall, live and die together. As the husband conveys to the wife a title to what he has; as the wife holds of the -- 27 of 273 --

Chapter 18

Chapter 3.

The Spirit in the Covenant God has put his Spirit into the covenant: the Almighty, the eternal Spirit; the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of glory and of God. This holy and eternal Spirit is first poured forth on our Head the L

Chapter 19

I. As a "Spirit of WISDOM AND REVELATION." (Ephesians

1:17, 18). To enlighten them, to open their blind eyes, and to shine into their hearts; to give them the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, that they may know what is the hope of his calling, and

Chapter 20

1. It is a marvelous thing that ever light should come into such dark

souls. That those who were born blind, and upon whom the God of this world had, for many years together, been trying his skill to thicken their darkness, to increase and seal them up under it—that ever such eyes should b

Chapter 21

2. They are marvelous things which this light discovers. It is a

wonder that such eyes should ever see at all; and lo, they see wonders. The gospel is a mystery full of wonders: there are heights, and depths, and lengths, and breadths. "We have seen strange things today:" strange love

Chapter 22

3. These marvelous things are revealed to them with marvelous

clearness; that is, in comparison with what they are to the blind world, and in comparison with what they themselves once saw. They come to see the glory, and the beauty, and the reality of the wonderful things of God. "

Chapter 23

II. As a Spirit of HOLINESS AND SANCTIFICATION. He is

given as a holy Spirit, and as a sanctifying Spirit; therefore sanctification is called the "sanctification of the Spirit." (2 Thessalonians 2:13). He comes to change us into his own nature, to make us partakers of his h

Chapter 24

III. As a Spirit of TRUTH AND DIRECTION. (John 16:13). He

shall guide them by his counsel, he shall lead them in the way that they should go. They shall hear a word behind them, saying, This is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the l

Chapter 25

IV. As a Spirit of COMFORT AND CONSOLATION. "If I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7). He shall come unto them, and abide with them, to supply the absence of their Redeemer, to support them under their affliction

Chapter 26

Chapter 4.

The Earth in the Covenant God has put the earth into the covenant. Though the saints have not their portion in this life, yet this world also is theirs: "The meek shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5). "Things present,

Chapter 27

I. The GOOD THINGS present. "Houses, and brethren, and

sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, now in this time." (Mark 10:30). "Length of days are in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honor." (Proverbs 3:16). "Houses and lands," you say, "and riches and

Chapter 28

1. They shall ever have as much as will suffice them, and that is as

much as all. They shall not want anything but what they may well want: "Your Father knows that you have need of these things;" and he knows how much you need. More than is needful, is more than enough; and more than enou

Chapter 29

2. What they have, they have a better and further title to, than any

others in the world. What they have descends upon them not barely by providence, but by promise. (Hebrews 1:2). Christ is heir of all things, and they are fellow-heirs with Christ. A little coming from the promise has mo

Chapter 30

II. The EVIL THINGS of this earth are theirs. The cross is in

the covenant. "If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes."

Chapter 31

1. The cross is separated from the curse. There is something in this.

To be able to say under the sorest afflictions, This scourge is no scorpion; this is no curse, it is but a cross. Our Lord bore both the cross and the curse together, and that made his cup so bitter; but now he has divid

Chapter 32

2. The cross is sanctified to its ends. It has many holy and excellent

ends, and it shall prosper, it shall accomplish its ends. The cross is laid on the saints sometimes to prove them, sometimes to reprove them, to humble them, to purge them; and whatever it is sent to them for, it shall n

Chapter 33

3. The cross is proportioned to their needs and strength. "I will

correct you in measure, and will not leave you altogether unpunished." (Jeremiah 30:11). Just so much as will serve shall suffice; the wise physician has respect both to the need and to the strength of the patient. "I wi

Chapter 34

4. The cross has its special comforts. "Blessed be God, even the

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort with which we oursel

Chapter 35

1. A more plentiful diffusion of special grace. Grace is a comfort; it is

never better with the saints than when that flourishes. The joy of the harvest is nothing to the joy of grace; he is not a Christian that cannot say, "It is summer," when these flowers appear in their beauty. Flourishing

Chapter 36

2. The cross will also bring a more clear revelation of special love.

Love you me, Lord? If so, it is enough. Let me hear your voice, let me see your face. Kiss me with the kisses of your mouth. Your loving- kindness is better than life; send forth your light and your truth, let these tell

Chapter 37

3. You shall have also a more full manifestation of glory. There is not

a prison into which the saints are cast, but has a window in the palace. Calvary becomes a Tabor, where they have a sight of their Lord in his glory. Golgotha becomes a Pisgah, where they may look over Jordan into the la

Chapter 38

4. That which comprehends all the rest, a more manifest exhibition

of Christ's special presence: "I am with you to save you." (Jeremiah 30:11). "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you

Chapter 39

I. THE ANGELS OF LIGHT are in the covenant. "Are they not

all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14). While our Lord himself was sent down to minister, behold his servants are to be ministered unto; the angels are m

Chapter 40

1. They are mighty. "Bless the Lord, you his angels that excel in

strength." (Psalm 103:20). An angel is more than an army; what slaughters have the angels made in the armies of the aliens! A hundred fourscore and five thousand Assyrians are slain by one angel of the Lord, when encampe

Chapter 41

3. They are faithful. They can do much for the saints, but will they

do it? Yes, they are faithful; they do the commandments of God. (Psalm 103:20). God bids them keep, and they are faithful, and will keep, his sheep: we are taught to pray that "the will of God may be done on earth, as it

Chapter 42

4. They are favorites; they behold the face of God, they dwell in

his presence, they are admitted to stand before his throne, they can be heard: they have favor in Heaven, and therefore have they such power on earth. "Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say u

Chapter 43

II. THE POWERS OF DARKNESS are delivered over in the

covenant: Satan and all his instruments. We are naturally in bondage to Satan, held "captive by him at his will," (2 Timothy 2:26); his prisoners, his slaves, his vassals. By the blood of the covenant, the Lord has broug

Chapter 44

1. They shall fight against it; they are all combined and listed against

the church, making a war upon it. "Raze it, raze it, even to the foundation thereof. Down with it, root and branch; let it not have a being, let it not have so much as a name under Heaven." Particular quarrels there may

Chapter 45

2. Though they shall fight against the church, yet they shall not

overcome. They shall not prevail against it; that is, not finally: in the end the victory shall be the saints'. Jerusalem shall be "a burdensome stone for all people," (Zechariah 12:3); such a stone that they shall not b

Chapter 46

III. God has put DEATH into the covenant. "Whether Paul, or

Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, all are yours." (1 Corinthians 3:21). Death! there is a great purchase, you will say; what advantage is that? Yes, death is an advantage. To die is gain. For,

Chapter 47

1. The commission of death is changed. It was once, Take him, jailer;

away with him, carry him to prison, there to be reserved to the judgment of the great day. It is now, Take him, janitor; take him, porter; take him in, give him an entrance into his Master's joy. Death does but take the

Chapter 48

2. Death is conquered. What does this mean? Your enemy is yours;

your enemy is subjected to you; a conquered enemy is made a tributary; death is disarmed, it has lost its sting. When a serpent has lost its sting, you may take it into your bosom. He that can say, "Death, where is your

Chapter 49

3. Death is at once the destruction of all their enemies. When once

death has done its office upon them, then farewell Edom, and Amnion, and Amalek, and Egypt—farewell the pricking brier and the grieving thorn; then farewell sin and sorrow forever: the Egyptians they have seen and feared

Chapter 50

IV. God has put THE KINGDOM into this covenant: "Theirs

is the kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5:3). "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32). Glorious things are -- 63 of 273 -- spoken of you, O you city of God. I might here enlarge in describ

Chapter 51

Chapter 6.

A New Heart in the Covenant GOD has put into the covenant ALL THE MEANS OF SALVATION—all things necessary to our obtaining the everlasting kingdom. All the outward means of salvation. Ordinances—the word, sacraments, and

Chapter 52

8. A heart to endure to the end.

A New Heart "A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you." (Ezekiel 36:26). This new heart is the genus comprising all the graces -- 65 of 273 -- noticed in the chapters which follow; and theref

Chapter 53

2. A new law, or frame, or bent of spirit, inclining, disposing, and

fitting them to all that which they are made for. And this is the meaning of God's writing his law in the heart. The law written in the heart signifies not only the law made known in the heart, but the heart made suitabl

Chapter 54

3. A new power, strengthening them for their new work. We have all

these mentioned in one Scripture: "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7). A sound mind, there is the new light; a spirit of love, there is the new law,

Chapter 55

Chapter 7.

A Heart to Know the Lord -- 70 of 273 -- "I will give them a heart to know me." (Jeremiah 24:7). The knowledge of God is the first excellency of the new heart. As in the old, so in the new creation, as was said before,

Chapter 56

1. A TRANSFORMING power. "We all, with open face beholding as

in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image." (2 Corinthians 3:18). "Be you not conformed to this present world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your minds." (Romans 12:2). The renovation

Chapter 57

2. A FRUCTIFYING power. This sunshine makes a fruitful soil. My

desire for you, says the apostle, is "that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every g

Chapter 58

II. ITS SAVOR. "And makes manifest the savor of his knowledge by

us in every place." (2 Corinthians 2:14). The knowledge of God is sweet-scented; it casts forth a fragrancy wherever it comes. It has a gratefulness to the heart, and leaves sweet impressions on the senses of the saints.

Chapter 59

Chapter 8.

-- 83 of 273 -- One Heart "I will give them one heart." (Ezekiel 11:19). We read, "Ephraim is like a silly dove, without heart," (Hosea 7:11); he has no heart at all, that is, none for his God, as good as none; and in P

Chapter 60

I. IT FIXES UPON ONE END. God is its end. There it wholly

"bestows itself: "I am your." (Psalm 119:94). And there only it takes up its rest. "And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in you." (Psalm 39:7). God is both its work and its wages. To please God, this is its whole b

Chapter 61

1. The place of its chief end. God is its first and last. He is first in the

eye, and it looks no further. It makes him not only its chief, but in a sense its only aim. It will have no other God, and therefore no other end but the Lord. It makes all things else not only to stoop and stand by, but

Chapter 62

2. The power of the end. The end has a fourfold power: it draws; it

directs; it governs: and it rewards. (1.) It draws the heart to it; God, who is a Christian's end, is also his beginning. Our first step heavenward we owe to the influence of Heaven upon us: "Draw me, we will run after y

Chapter 63

II. This one heart has BUT ONE THING TO DO. "This one

thing I do." (Philippians 3:13). There are all things in that one thing; all things needful. How many things soever his hand finds to do, all is but one. He intends in all, God. A renewed heart designs God, and is making

Chapter 64

1. Really. It pursues this end in a plain and honest way. He that has

this one heart, has but one way. Heart and life go hand in hand; he makes straight steps for his heart, and his heart makes straight steps for his feet. As he looks straight on, so he walks straight on to his mark. He do

Chapter 65

2. Heartily. Whatever he does for God, he does it with a good-will.

He has cast all his business into one, and he is intent upon it. He works righteousness, as sinners work wickedness, "with both hands earnestly." (Micah 7:3). He is religious in good earnest, he prays in good earnest, he

Chapter 66

Chapter 9.

A Heart of Flesh "I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26). The old heart is a stone, cold as a stone, dead as a stone, hard as a stone; but I will take a

Chapter 67

1. As to sin. And this discovers itself both before the commission,

and after the commission of it. Before the commission. While it is under a temptation, or feels the first impulse to sin. A tender heart startles, starts back at the sight of a sin, as at the sight of a devil: "How can I

Chapter 68

2. As to duty. A tender heart will neither slight a sin, nor neglect a

duty. It is loath to grieve and offend, and careful to serve and please the Lord. It would not that he should suffer by it, nor so much as lose his due. It watches against sin, and unto duty. It cares how to please the L

Chapter 69

1. Tenderness of conscience consists in these three things: clearness

of judgment, quickness of sight, and uprightness or faithfulness. Clearness of judgment, when it is well-instructed, and understands the rule, and can thence discern between good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14). There is a tend

Chapter 70

2. Tenderness of the will consists in its flexibleness and pliableness

to the will of God. And this is that tenderness wherein chiefly lies the blessing of a soft heart: a hard heart is stubborn and obstinate. Your neck is as an iron sinew, and your brow brass. You will not be ruled, there

Chapter 71

3. Tenderness of the affections. Of these I shall instance only three—

love, fear, sorrow. (1.) The tenderness of love is seen in its benevolence and in its jealousy. In its benevolence. Our goodness extends not to the Lord, but our good-will does. Our love can add nothing to him: "Can a ma

Chapter 72

Chapter 10.

A Heart to Love the Lord "THE Lord your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 30:6). Love is the soul of the new

Chapter 73

I. ITS OBJECT. The object of divine love is God. God is good, and

good is amiable. God is all good: there is none good but one, that is God. God is essentially good, goodness in the abstract; he is infinitely excellent, he is all perfection. In this one attribute all the rest of the at

Chapter 74

2. God in Christ. In whom alone, considering us as sinners, he can be

said to be good to us. There is a fourfold incentive of love— perception, proportion, propriety, possession. PERCEPTION, the apprehension or understanding of the object to be loved. We must know before we can love: now G

Chapter 75

3. In all the things of God: in his word, ordinances, Sabbaths, saints,

in graces, duties, in all his ways; the saints love God, and love his word; it is God in the Word they love; they love God, and they love ordinances, and Sabbaths, and saints: it is God in all these they love; they love

Chapter 76

II. ITS ACT. Love is a natural affection. The love of God is the soul's

clasping or closing with the Lord. It is the expansion, or going out of the heart in its strength after God—the uniting or knitting of the soul with God, with a delight and acquiescence in him. There are three things inc

Chapter 77

1. The strength of the heart making out after God. This is that which

is commonly called our love of desire, the breathing, or thirsting, or panting of the heart after God, (Psalm 42:1); the heart's working God-wards with its whole might; loving him above all things, desiring him above all

Chapter 78

2. The uniting of the soul with God. Our cleaving to him. By love

heart cleaves to heart, soul cleaves to soul. It is said of Shechem, (Genesis 34:3), that his heart cleave unto Dinah. He loved her with his heart, she was gotten into his heart, and there his heart holds her. Barnabas e

Chapter 79

3. The soul's taking pleasure, and taking up its rest in him. This is

called our love of delight. Where we love, there will be a delightful stay of the mind upon God. The object dwells in the eye; we are still looking where we love. "When I awake, I am still with you;" there our thoughts a

Chapter 80

Chapter 11.

A Heart to Fear the Lord "I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me." (Jeremiah 32:40). In unfolding this topic, I shall proceed by these steps: I shall show, 1. That the Lord God is a dreadf

Chapter 81

I. THE LORD GOD IS A DREADFUL GOD: he is dreadful in the

excellency and glory of his majesty. "Shall not his excellency make you afraid, and his dread fall upon you?" (Job 13:11). His power is dreadful: "Fear you not me? says the Lord. Will you not tremble at my presence, whic

Chapter 82

II. The Lord God has put THE DREAD OF HIMSELF UPON

THE HEARTS OF ALL THE EARTH. Not the best only, but the worst of the sons of men. "I am a great King, says the Lord; and my name is dreadful among the heathen." This dread of the Lord breaks forth upon them.

Chapter 83

1. From the impress of God upon the natures of all men. As the law,

so the being of God is written in their hearts; he has his witness in their consciences. If the atheists of the earth could answer all the arguments from without proving that there is a God; yet they can never confute th

Chapter 84

3. It is further heightened by his judgments, which he executes on

the earth. The judgments of God, are God revealing himself from Heaven against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, and strike most terror, 1. When he smites suddenly, and makes quick work with sinners: as when He

Chapter 85

4. Yet further, men's dread is increased by their consciousness of

guilt, and of their being bound over to the judgment to come. The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, with the point of a diamond it is graven upon the tables of their heart. The sin of Judah is written; yes, and

Chapter 86

III. Yet by sin the heart of man is MUCH HARDENED from

the fear of the Lord. Sin blinds the eye and hardens the heart, brings into danger and puts out of fear. Who in such danger, and yet who so bold as the blind sinner? When the understanding is darkened, the next word we r

Chapter 87

V. WHAT THIS FEAR OF THE LORD IS, that he will put

into their hearts. The fear of God is sometimes taken in Scripture as comprehending all religion. Job was said, (Job 1), to be a man fearing God, that is, a godly man; but in this sense I shall not here speak of it. Some

Chapter 88

1. A reverence of God. To fear God, is to have the awe of God abiding

upon the heart—to be under a sense of the majesty and glory of the Lord, shining forth in all his attributes, especially in his holiness and omniscience: the glory of his holiness, and the sense of such a holy eye upon t

Chapter 89

2. Abhorrence of evil for the Lord's sake, is the other part of the fear

of God. Here we shall consider its object and its ground. (1.) The object of this abhorrence in general is evil: "Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good." (Romans 12:9). Good is the object of love, evil o

Chapter 90

1. A presumption upon temptation, in confidence of strength. Some

unwary souls, not knowing what spirit they are of, supposing themselves too hard for the devil, will be venturing within his reach, as if they would dare him to try his skill and power; who, having forgotten this prayer,

Chapter 91

2. Presumption on sin, in confidence of mercy. And that either in

confidence of mercy already obtained—"I am in Christ, and my sin shall not separate me from him; whatever I do, I have a pardon in my hand:" or in hope of mercy at last—"I have to do with a merciful God, and therefore ma

Chapter 92

3. Presumption on sin, in contempt of mercy and justice: "I will have

my sin, though I never find mercy; I will have my will and my way, and run the hazard of what follows; I will take my course, come on me what will." This last sort presume to sin in contempt of mercy and judgment; they a

Chapter 93

Chapter 12.

An Obedient Heart "I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes; and you shall keep my judgments and do them." (Ezekiel 36:27). Obedience is of the heart or of the life. In this Scripture, God un

Chapter 94

I. For THE OBEDIENCE OF THE HEART, he undertakes in the

former words, I will put my Spirit in your heart. Where Satan dwells, he rules; and where the Spirit of the Lord dwells, there God rules. The Spirit in the heart is the law of the heart. Those two promises, "I will put m

Chapter 95

1. A sincere resolution flows from an inward rooted inclination: "I

have inclined my heart to perform your statutes always." (Psalm 119:112). Our new purpose is from our new nature; it is not produced by some sudden fright, or sense of danger; or merely by a present force of argument; bu

Chapter 96

2. A sincere resolution is founded on a firm assent to the truth of

Scripture revelation. A Christian resolves for godliness because he believes God, that he is as he has said, the rewarder of them that diligently seek him. He is built on the Scriptures; as his hopes, so his purposes hav

Chapter 97

3. A sincere resolution is founded on the highest reason. Where we

resolve without reason, we quickly find a reason to change. Where we resolve we know not why, we shall change we know not how soon. To resolve we know not why, and to resolve on we know not what, will be alike unstable.

Chapter 98

4. A sincere resolution is the fruit of mature deliberation.

Deliberation gives reason its full weight, makes the strength of it appear; it lays all things in the balance; it is the comparing of reasons for and against, the weighing of arguments and objections, encouragements and

Chapter 99

5. Spirituality

(1.) SUBJECTION. Servants must be subject, must not be at their own wills, but at the will of another. The heart of man naturally affects dominion; that is the great controversy of sinners with God. Who shall be Lord? "W

Chapter 100

II. OBEDIENCE OF THE LIFE. This is the inclination and

resolution springing up into action, and is a necessary proof of the soundness of the resolution. Though sincere resolution be obedience on God's account, yet that resolution which, supposing there be time and opportunit

Chapter 101

1. In general, when the whole course of life is the issue of the

mentioned sincere resolution—when the life is the birth of the purpose, the fruit growing up out of that holy root. There may be actions materially good, that yet are not gracious actions because they arise not from a ri

Chapter 102

2. In particular actions, when they are done in simplicity and

singleness of heart unto the Lord—when, whatever sinful mixtures there may sometimes be of carnal motives, that may have an influence to bring them about, yet the great poise that moves the -- 177 of 273 -- wheels, the

Chapter 103

Chapter 13.

An Enduring Covenant "I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me." (Jeremiah 32:40). Th

Chapter 104

Chapter 14.

The Riches of the Covenant, or a Short View of the Exceeding Great and Precious Promises (By Joseph Alleine, author of "An Alarm to Unconverted Sinners") The Voice of the Herald O all you inhabitants of the world, and dw

Chapter 105

1. THE GLORIOUS IMMUNITIES. Here I seal you your pardon.

Though your sins be as many as the sands, and as mighty as the mountains, I will drown them in the deeps of my bottomless mercies. I will be merciful to your unrighteousness; I will multiply to pardon; where your sins ha

Chapter 106

2. Yes, I will not only free you from your miseries, but will

confer upon you ROYAL PRIVILEGES AND PREROGATIVES, and instate you into higher and greater happiness than ever you have fallen from. Lo, I give myself to you, and all things with myself. Behold, O you sons of men; b

Chapter 107

1. In all my ESSENTIAL PERFECTIONS. My eternity shall be

the date of your happiness. I am the eternal God, and while I am, I will be life and blessedness to you. I will be a never-failing fountain of joy and peace and bliss unto you. I am the first and the last, that was, and

Chapter 108

2. Yes, further, I will be yours in all my PERSONAL

RELATIONS. I am the everlasting Father, and I will be a Father to you. I take you for my sons and daughters. Behold, I receive you not as servants, but as sons to abide in my house forever. Whatever love or care children

Chapter 109

1. THINGS PRESENT are yours! Lo, I give you Caleb's blessing,

the upper springs and the nether springs. I will bless you with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. To you pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the service of God, and the promis

Chapter 110

2. THINGS TO COME are yours! The perfecting of your souls,

the redemption of your bodies, the consummation of your bliss. When you have glorified me for a while on earth, and finished the work I have given you to do, you shall be caught up into paradise, and rest from your labor

Chapter 111

Chapter 15.

Triumph in the Covenant (by Joseph Alleine) The Various Conflicts and Glorious Conquests of Faith over Unbelief Yes, has God said, I will be a God unto you? Is it true indeed? Will the Lord be mine? Will he lay aside the

Chapter 112

Chapter 16.

To the Unconverted, With a Form of Covenanting With God O earth, earth, earth, hear the Word of the Lord. You men of this world, you spirits that are in prison, held captive to iniquity, under the prince of this world; i

Chapter 113

2. Sincere subjection—by a free and cheerful putting yourself under

him, as your Lord whom you will obey and be subject to, in all things. The wife must be subject to her husband; yet not as a slave, by constraint, but freely and by consent.

Chapter 114

3. Total dependence—holding him as your Head, expecting nothing,

owning nothing but what descends upon you from him; depending upon him for all things, the bearing of your debts, your discharge from your bonds, and your whole provision for a livelihood and maintenance. Consider, then;

Chapter 115

II. Will you take him FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE, for

richer, for poorer? Though your Lord be a King, yet his kingdom is not of this world. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister; he came to serve and to suffer, and all those that will follow him must suffer wit

Chapter 116

1. The renouncing of sin consists in the disengaging or

loosening of the heart from sin. It is a hearty willingness to let it go: a willingness to part is our parting with sin—a breaking the -- 239 of 273 -- peace, the cutting off the league between sin and the soul; when a

Chapter 117

2. Will you renounce the world also? By the world, understand

all the substance of the world, houses, lands, money, and whatever worldly possessions; all the shadows of the world, its honors, pleasures, pomps, with all its glory; the men of this world, the friendship of the world,

Chapter 118

3. Will you forsake the devil also? But I need not now ask you

that; that is done already: farewell, devil, when once sin and the world are cast out. If you will not be tempted to sin, if the world ceases to be a temptation, the devil might as well cease to be a tempter. There be ma

Chapter 119

IV. Will you cleave unto Christ FROM HENCEFORTH

UNTO DEATH? You will have Christ; but when? Shall this be the marriage-day? Will you from henceforth be the Lord's; or when shall it be? Must it be tomorrow, or next month, or next year, or some time or other, you know n

Chapter 120

Chapter 17.

To God's Covenant People Come, you people beloved, you that are highly favored: the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among men. The lines are fallen to you in a pleasant place, yes, you have a goodly heritage. Come and

Chapter 121

I. MAKE SURE YOUR INTEREST in the covenant. Rejoice not

in that which is none of your. Make sure; all lies upon this; your life and all the comforts and concerns of it, both your eternal safety hereafter and your success in all the parts of your Christian course -- 250 of 27

Chapter 122

II. KEEP YOUR EVIDENCES CLEAR. Have you peace?

maintain it carefully. The hidden manna will never breed worms by long keeping. Content not yourselves that you once had peace; it will be but a poor livelihood you will get out of what is wasted and lost. Get you good e

Chapter 123

1. Keep close to God. Keep yourself under his eye and influences.

As both your grace and your comforts had their birth, so must they have their nourishment from Heaven. Lose the sight of the sun, and darkness follows. Let your eyes be towards the hills. Let divine love be the pleasure

Chapter 124

2. Keep hold on Christ. He is your peace. Appear not before God,

but in the blood of the Lamb; let him carry up your duties; and own not that for a comfort which is not brought you by his hand. Let him be your way to the Father, and your Father's way to you. Keep fresh upon your heart

Chapter 125

3. Quench not the Spirit. Observe and obey his motions: when he

excites, get you on; when he checks, get you back; know the holy from the evil spirit, by its according or differing with the Scriptures; reject that spirit in the heart that is not the same with the Spirit in the word.

Chapter 126

4. Keep in with conscience. Make not your witness your enemy.

Deal friendly with it; you will need its good word, which you can not have if it receive blows from you. It will not learn this lesson, to speak good for evil: or if you should compel it to do so, you are -- 253 of 273

Chapter 127

III. Add to your covenant YOUR SACRIFICE. "Gather my

saints together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." (Psalm 50:5). God has made with you, and he expects that you make with him a covenant by sacrifice. Sacrifices were seals of the covenant. A

Chapter 128

2. DEDICATION, or the passing over ourselves to the Lord: "You

have consecrated yourselves to the Lord." (2 Chronicles 29:31). His we are by purchase, but he expects that we be his also by donation: his we are by conquest, but he expects we should be his by consent also. Though he m

Chapter 129

3. OBLATION, or the actual surrender or offering up ourselves to

him. In the offering of this sacrifice is included the immolation or slaying of it. We must slay ourselves, in a spiritual sense—be mortified, be crucified with Christ, and so offered up a sacrifice to him. You will say,

Chapter 130

I. BRING yourselves, and hold yourselves to a frequent and

constant performance of this duty. There must be performance, or there cannot be a right performance. As to those that pray not, or pray but seldom, it is a plain sign that the root of the matter is not in them; they tha

Chapter 131

II. Come to pray with an actual and great EXPECTATION

OF OBTAINING HELP and grace from God. Do not barely impose this duty upon yourself, as your task, but excite and encourage yourself to it, by looking for a return; think what it is that you would have, and look to receiv

Chapter 132

III. Learn the skill to PLEAD WITH GOD in prayer. Though

the Lord be willing to give to those that ask, yet he will have them first prove they are in earnest. Great store of arguments he has furnished us with to press him withal, but he will have us use them: we must strive wi

Chapter 133

1. On God himself. And there are two special things from which

you may plead here. -- 265 of 273 -- (1.) His gracious nature. Draw your arguments by which you plead with God for mercy, from the same source whence he originally drew his arguments for showing mercy—from his own comp

Chapter 134

2. Found your plea on Christ. And there are four things from

which you may plead with God upon this account. -- 267 of 273 -- The Lord's giving Christ to you as your Lord and your Savior. Upon which gift, you may call him your own. The purchase of Christ, who has bought from the

Chapter 135

2. God's call or gracious invitation, "He, every one that thirsts, come

you to the waters, and he who has no money; come you, buy and eat; yes, come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price." (Isaiah 55:1). "Look unto me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth." "Come unto me

Chapter 136

3. Plead Christ. And there are two things in Christ which sinners may

plead with God. His SUFFICIENCY. There is enough in Christ, in his obedience and death, to save the worst of sinners, to save the whole world of sinners. There is a fullness in Christ, "It pleased the Father, that in him

Chapter 137

4. Plead your own necessity. Sinners are necessitous, they have

nothing of value left them; in the fullness of their sufficiency they are in straits. As a sinner of a hundred years is but a child, so a sinner of thousands by the year is but a beggar—poor, miserable, blind, and naked: