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October the 21, 1750.

February the 23, 1752

SERMON

Rev. Elnathan Wight 1715 1761

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Ms. Sermon written by Rev. Elnathan Wight 1715-61

Presented by George T. Partridge

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Sept 1928

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if thou doest well shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door:— (Genesis 4:7)

These are the word of the Lord to Cain, who was of that wicked one and slew his brother because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous, Cain was the first man that was born into the world and it soon appeared that he partook of the corrupt nature of his parents it soon broke forth into open acts of sin, even some of the worst of sins he was a murderer, he slew his brother, and that because his works were righteous, which was an aggravation of his crime, indeed Cain was a worshiper of the true God, but his heart was not right with God, and neither the matter nor manner of his worship was right, so that God had not respect to him, nor his offering, verse 3 and in process of time it came to pass that, Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord (Genesis 4:3) , he brought his offering to the Lord, but he would not accept thereof for it had no respect to Jesus Christ, the fruit of the ground was no type of Christ. verse 4 and Abel he also brought of the firstlings of this flock, and of the fat thereof. and the Lord had respect unto Abel, ~~and his,~~ and his offering (Genesis 4:4) , Abel's offering was a type of Christ, it was a lamb, which was typical of the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29) , God had first respect to Abel and then to his offering, he had first respect to his person

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and then to his service this showeth us that the tree must be good before the fruit can be good, it also showeth us, that good works have no part in our Justification before God, and that God doth not choose any for their good works, because he has first respect to the persons before he has to their offerings verse 5, but unto Cain and to his offer-ing he had not respect (Genesis 4:5) , he was not one of God's chosen, and his heart was not right with God, he had no faith in the promised Seed, though he brought an offering to God, he was not sincere, and when he saw that God had not respect to him nor his offering, he was greatly displeased, and Cain was wroth, and his countenance fell (Genesis 4:5) . thus it is with many natural men if God will not have respect to them, nor their services though they have not one spark of love to God, nor faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, they will be wroth, and think that God dealeth hardly by them, when they have no reason for it, verse 6, and the Lord said unto Cain why art thou wroth? and why; is thy countenance fallen (Genesis 4:6) ? q.d. what reason can you give for your being thus displeased have I done you any wrong? God as it were appealeth to his own conscience in the words of our text. if thou doest well shalt thou not be accepted (Genesis 4:7) ? if thou hadest brought an offering, of my own appointing, as thy brother Abel did, and offered it in faith as he did, shouldest thou not been

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accepted? yea surely: what reason do then have you to be wroth and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door (Genesis 4:7) q.d. if thou dost not well you may blame your self if you are not accepted, the sin lieth at your own door, the guilt of it will fall upon you you can not, cast the blame any where else.—

from the words we may observe this doctrine viz.

That all those that do well shall be accepted by God, but all those that do not well, shall, be rejected by him, and their sin will lie at their own door and the guilt thereof will be upon their own heads.—

In speaking to this doctrine I shall endeavor the following things

1.To show when persons may be said to do well in the sense of our text and doctrine,—

2.That all such shall be accepted of God—

3.what is intended by their being accepted of him—

4. who they are that do not, do well

5.That God will reject all such,

6.That their sin will be at their own door, and the guilt thereof will be upon their own heads, or their destruction will be of themselves—

1. Then I am to show when persons may be said to do well in the sense of our text and doctrine,

1. negative it doth not intend a perfect sinless obedience in their own persons, for if this was the case

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there would never one of the seed of Adam find acceptance with God, for there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not (Ecclesiastes 7:20) , indeed the law requireth perfect obedience now as much as ever, but it can not be done by the persons them selves, but it must be done by the surety of all those that are accepted of God, but

2. Positively they do well who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and maintain good work, it was by faith in + that Abel obtained acceptance with God, by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain by which he obtained witness that he was righteous God testifying of his gifts, and by it he being dead yet speaketh (Hebrews 11:4) , he that doeth well believeth in the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart, and sincerely endeavors to keep all God's commands, he has no dependence upon any of his own doing for acceptance with God, he dependeth entirely upon the righteousness of Christ for acceptance both as to his person, and services, this is to do well, it is well pleasing to God, he will have respect to such as depend altogether upon the righteousness of Christ for acceptance, there is nothing more pleasing to him than to see his people renounce all dependance upon their own doings when they have done the most in this way they do the most honor to Jesus, Christ, they own all their salvation to be from him so likewise ye when ye have done all these things

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which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do (Luke 17:10) . they that do well endeavor as much to keep all the commands of God as if they were to be saved by it, and renounce all dependance upon it as if they had done nothing, they endeavor to keep God's commands from a principle of love, and obedience not to merit heaven by it, the more they depend upon the righteousness of Christ to save them, the more they live to his glory, they who live thus do well, but

2. To show that all such shall be accepted of God, he that believeth shall be saved (Mark 16:16) , God will accept of every one that believeth in Jesus he never will reject one that doth not reject Christ, he receiveth all that come unto him, then Peter opened his mouth and said of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: ~~with~~ God but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him (Acts 10:34-35) .

3. To show what is intended by persons being accepted of God, and

1. it intendeth that he owneth them as his children, and receiveth them into his special favor, he freely pardons all their sins for Christ's sake, so as never to lay any of them to their charge, he accepteth of them as righteous in his sight alone for the righteousness of Christ, he accepteth all they do which is agreeable to his will there in not the least thing which they do out of obedience

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to him, but he will accept of it and reward him for it or rather according to it, if they give a cup of cold water to any of his disciples in the name of a disciple he will not lose his reward (Matthew 10:42) .

2. God's accepting of them intends that he will at last receive them into heaven, and eternally save them from destruction, and make them perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of himself, he will always own them as his children, and he will not be ashamed to be called their God (Hebrews 11:16) , he so accepteth of those that do well that he will never reject them, those that he once accepteth as his children he will never cast off they have a sure stand in Christ they are upon an immovable foundation, the rock of ages never moveth neither do those that are built upon him those that are once accepted Shall never be rejected, the gifts and callings of God are with repentance, he first accepted on the account of Christ's righteousness, and that remaineth always the same, therefore his respect to his saints will always remain, all those that God accepts shall as certainly go to heaven as if they were already there Christ has gone to take possession of it for them, they that do well Shall surely be inhabitants of the upper world

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4. To show who they are that do not do well in the sense of our text.

1.There is no unbeliever that doeth well, if he maketh ever so high a profession of religion, all his religion is nothing but an outside show nothing but hypocrisy, a mere shadow without any substance, if he do ever so many things that are right as to the matter of them, yet the manner of his doing them is not well, he has no regard to Jesus Christ in any of his offerings, he offereth all up in his own name, and all from a principle of self love, and if they find that they can not be accepted in this way, they will be wroth like Cain, and think they are hardly dealt by, because God will not have respect to them, nor their offerings though they have no respect to Jesus Christ in any thing they do, such do not do well, for without faith it is impossible to please God, if they read and pray, and hear, and fast often and give much of their goods to the poor, and pay every man his due, and always speak the truth to their neighbor, and converse much upon the things of religion, and call Christ Lord ever so much, yet without faith these things are nothing they can not please God, they cannot be said to do well in the sense of our text, indeed it is a vain thing for any to think they do well, if they neglect these things, but many do them, and not do well, there is nothing more offensive in the sight of a holy God, than hypocrisy, every unbeliever lieth to God, in every thing he doeth in religion therefore he doeth not do well.

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when he slew them then they sought him and and they returned and inquired early after God, and they remembered that God was their rock and the high God their redeemer nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues for their hearts w~~ere~~as not right with him neither were they steadfast in his covenant (Psalms 78:34-37) , thus it is with all unbelievers they lie to God, when they pretend to worship him because their hearts are not right with him, he answered and said unto them well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites as it is written this people honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me (Mark 7:6) , this is the case with them that do not believe let them pretend ever so much, there is not one of them that doeth well, God will not accept the best outward service without the heart, this is what he calleth for, my son give me thine heart (Proverbs 23:26) , (saith he) and they that do not give God their hearts do not, do well, for he hath a right to it, and demands it of them,

2. There is none of those, that live in any sin that do well, no drunkards, swearers, liers, sabbath breakers, nor such as are disobedient to parents and masters, no unclean persons, nor thieves, nor covetous persons, no envious nor proud person, none of these do well, they who live in any one of these sins are [workers] of iniquity, if they do ever so many good things as to the matter of them, yet if they love, and live in one sin, that will spoil all, it proveth that they are not sincere, but

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5. To show that God will reject all such as do not, do well, he can not do otherwise, consistent with his holiness, and justice, God can not receive a sinner into his favor that will not believe in Jesus if they bring offerings of their own like Cain, God will reject them, and their offerings too, all they can bring will not atone for one sin, justice can never be satisfied by any thing the creature can do, he that believeth not shall be damned let him be who he will, high, or low, rich, or poor old or young, there is no respect of persons with God, he that doeth not well he will reject, as he did Cain he will say unto them, let their profession be what it will, and then will I profess unto them I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity (Matthew 7:23) , there is nothing more evident from the word of God than that all, that do not well shall be rejected by God, it would be needless to spend any time to prove this thing, if men really believed in their hearts that it was true, but alas how few are there that do believe it, if we may allow men to act according as they believe, how many are there who do not do well, and yet are at ease, as if it were a very light matter to be rejected of God. Cain when he was really made to know that this was his case, said that his punishment was greater than he could bear, and so will every one when they have their eyes open to see it. and yet they must bear it, for if they do not well God will not accept them

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6. I am to show that those that do not well, will have sin lie at their own door, and the guilt thereof will be upon their own heads, or their destruction will be of themselves, the soul that sinneth shall die (Ezekiel 18:4) , every one must answer for his own sin, there is none that can cast the blame thereof upon others, sin will lie at their own door, so that it will appear to be their sin, and however conscience may be asleep for a time, it will awake, and charge sin home upon the person that committed it, sin lieth at the door (Genesis 4:7) the guilt thereof is not removed if thou doest not well sin lieth at the door (Genesis 4:7) (saith the Lord, in our text) it will never be to any good purpose for any to think to excuse them selves when they do not well, it will be a vain thing for any to say their nature inclined them to sin, they could not help it. God did not give them grace to keep from it, this will be no excuse, sin will lie at their, door if they can not cease from sin, ~~yet they sin saving not,~~ if they sin necessarily [yt] it is freely, they choose sin with their whole hearts, if they lay the blame to others that enticed them into sin, as Adam and Eve did, yet sin will lie at their own door, Eve seems to lay the blame of her sin upon the devil, or the serpent, she confessed the fact, but seems to excuse her self, the serpent beguiled me, and I did eat (Genesis 3:13) ,

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Adam also confessed the fact, but layeth the blame, to the woman and it seems, as if he layed it remotely upon God, the woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat (Genesis 3:12) but this was no excuse he sinned freely, and so doth every one that liveth in sin, there is no unsanctified person that sinneth against his will, his whole heart goeth out after it, their sin will be upon them, and their destruction of themselves, every one that liveth in sin destroyeth his own soul. but he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul, all they that hate me love death (Proverbs 8:36) , they love the way which leadeth to eternal death they that do not well destroy them selves o israel thou hast destroyed thy self but in me is thine help (Hosea 13:9) ,—

What has been said may serve for the doctrinal part I proceed now to make some improvement which may be in a few uses—

use 1. of information. is it so shall all those that do well be accepted of God; and shall all those who do not well, be rejected by him; and shall their destruction be of them selves. We may from hence see

1.The blessed condition of all those that do well, all those whom God accepteth, are blessed for time, and and eternity, if God accepteth them if all the world rejecteth them it will do them no wrong, he has received them into his family and they shall be fed with the

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provision of his house, they are his adopted children, he has received them into his favor, he has pardoned all their sins for Christ's sake he will not remember their sins against them, he freely pardoneth the sins of all those that he accepteth, and he will take a fatherly care of them so long as they live in this world they shall never want any good thing, and when they have done with things here below he will receive them into everlasting habitations, never to go any more out, and shall be rewarded a thousand fold for all they have done or suffered here

2. Hence see the folly of those who live in sin and think to lay the blame of their damnation upon God, if they should perish, God will say to all such if thou doest well shalt thou not be accepted, and if thou doest not well sin lieth at the door (Genesis 4:7) , God can do them no wrong they receive the due reward of their deeds, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) yea eternal death, hell, and destruction is the natural fruits and effect of sin. they would none of my counsel they despised all my reproof. therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices (Proverbs 1:30-31) , they who think to lay the blame of their sin, and destruction to god's decree, will see that ~~that~~ it was their own fault, sin will lie at their own door if they had done well God would have accepted them.

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they will find that their eternal misery will be the fruit of their own way, this doctrine reproveth such as think the Lord ways are not equal, because he saveth some and leaveth others to die in their sins, they find fault with the sovereignty of God, they think he is not just, to choose some to everlasting life, and leave others that are as good by nature as they to perish in their iniquities, they are ready to say the Lord's ways are not equal, if they do not speak it out in so many words, yet they think so in their hearts, there hath been such men in the world, and no doubt still are, yet the children of thy people say: the way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them their way is not equal when the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby, but if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby yet ye say, the way of the Lord is not equal: O house of Israel I will judge every one after his ways (Ezekiel 33:17-20) however men may cavil, and find fault with the sovereignty of God in his saving some, and leaving others to perish the day is coming when they shall see the Justice of God shine bright in the damnation of those that perish, they will then know that the Lord's way is equal for he will judge every one according his way: they will know that it is their way that is not equal

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for if they had done well God would accept them, and if they do not well sin, must lie at the door. it can not be otherwise, it is agreeable to the strictest Justice and equity. all that perish their destruction is of themselves.

Use 2. of examination, and trial. we have heard something when persons may be said to do well, in the sense of our text, and when not, and there is not one of us present before the Lord, but he belongeth to one of these sorts of men, and their condition, is widely different, though it may be in a great measure hid at present, because a hypocrite may perform all outward acts of religion that a true Child of God can; but one doeth well, and the other not, their state is greatly different, and so will be their end one will be accepted of God, and the other rejected by him, therefore it highly concerneth every one to examine him self, to see which sire he is of, indeed there are some that have no need, to examine much to know whether they do well, their own consciences condemn them, but others are not so easily known and how do you think concerning your state, and standing do you think in you do well in the sense of our text, have you found acceptance with God? has he received you into favor. has he pardoned all your sins

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and adopted you into his family, do you depend entirely upon the righteousness of Christ for acceptance with God, can you say with all your heart, when you have performed your duty in the best manner, that you are unprofitable servants (Luke 17:10) many may say this in words because they have learned to say it, but the thing is to say it from the heart, they that do well, can say thus, do you see sin enough in your best duties, to condemn you for ever ~~if not~~ if not, you do not well. this may seem a contradiction to some, but it is a real truth for there is not a Just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not, and the least sin is enough to condemn any. moreover they who do not see sin in their best duties can not, depend upon the righteousness of Christ for acceptance with God, therefore they do not bring their offering in faith, they have no eye to the righteousness of Christ that they and their offerings may be accepted, no they will depend upon their own duties if they think they are done well, so that they could see no sin in them, it was by faith that abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain (Hebrews 11:4) , there are many that are greatly mistaken concerning performing duties in faith some think that it consisteth in a confidence, that they shall be— accepted, are there not some of you who think this is faith, if you believe that God will accept you, and your services? their is nothing of faith in this if this be all if you expect to be accepted for your

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doing these things, this is directly opposite to faith, if this be faith faith is no more faith, (as the apostle saith in another case) ¹ they who do thus do not do well, they have no faith, and yet this is all the faith that many have, they have great confidence that they shall be accepted with God because they have done such, and such things, such greatly deceive their own souls, and will be sadly disappointed in the end, they that have true faith do what God commandeth them, and depend wholly upon what Christ hath done for acceptance with God, unto such God will have respect, and to none else,

Use 3. this doctrine speaketh terror to all unbelievers, to every one that liveth in sin, and doeth not do well. it is enough to make every one tremble that is in an estate of unbelief, God will not accept thee whoever thou art, and sin lieth at the door your damnation will be of your selves, you can lay the blame no where else, if you can do it now and make yourselves easy for the present, the day is coming when you can not, you must hear it all your selves, you will find that sin lieth at your own door, and the guilt thereof is not removed, though conscience may be asleep for the present, yet it will awake, and roar like a lion against you, how will you be able to bear the guilt, and punishment of all your sins to all eternity. there is not the guilt of one of one of them removed, if they were committed ever so long ago, it still lieth at the door Cain lived many years after God rejected him

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and his offering, and after he slew his brother, and it seems as if, his conscience, fell fast asleep for after he had said his punishment was greater than he could bear, he went, and built a city, and it seems as if he was at ease, and unconcerned, but his guilt was not removed it lay at the door, and this may be the case with many they go on a long time in sin, and treasure up wrath to them selves, and grow so hardened in sin, that they may have little or no fear, that their sins will ever be laid to their charge, is not this the case with some of you my hearers? o your case is amazingly dangerous and will soon be past remedy (if you repent not) sin lieth at the door (Genesis 4:7) , and if you believe it not now you will know it in a very short time to your everlasting sorrow.

Use 4. of exhortation

1. To such as have never as yet done well, such as have no faith in Christ would you be accepted of God, would you have God have respect to you and your offerings, if so submit your selves to Jesus Christ their is no other way you must forsake all your sins and renounce your own righteousness and depend alone upon the righteousness, of Christ or you can never be accepted of God, he will reject you, his law can not be honored, any other way you have broken it, and you can never make satisfaction, but must suffer the penalty, except you believe in Jesus. he has fulfilled it, he has magnified it, and made it honorable the law of God is more honored if

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you believe in Jesus, than it can be any other way, if you should keep the whole law, to all eternity it would not be so much honored as it was by Christ's keeping of it, and, if you should suffer the penalty of it. for ever, you could never make full satisfaction, to it, but Christ has fully answered all the penalties of the law, o you have the greatest encouragement to believe in Jesus, in this way you will please God, and he will have respect to you and your offerings, o if you love your souls take an everlasting farewell of every sin, and renounce your own righteousness and cleave to Jesus Christ as your portion, Savior, and redeemer, and God will accept you and make you perfectly blessed in the enjoyment of him self for ever.

2. Let the people of God, from hence be exhorted for ever to bless him for Jesus Christ his unspeakable gift had it not been for Christ God would never have accepted you nor any of your services, sin would have been at your door, and the guilt thereof could never be removed, you must have lain down in sorrow, and everlasting despair, you never could have been forgiven so much as one sin, never could have looked towards God with the least hope of mercy you never could have put up one prayer to God, never one note of praise you never could have had any thing from God, but wrath and vengeance, but now God has accepted you for Jesus' sake, if you were but suitably affected with unspeakable love and mercy of God. towards you

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your hearts would be filled with thankfulness, and your mouths with praise, it is alone for the righteousness of Christ that you are accepted, and received into God's favor and admitted into his family, and have right to all the blessing of heaven, it is by virtue of his righteousness, that you shall enter into heaven there to dwell for ever, how should you live to his glory, who has done so great things for you he has bought, and redeemed you, with his own blood, you are under the strongest obligations to live as becometh the gospel, remember you are not your own, but you are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) therefore you ought to glorify God in your bodies, and spirits which are the Lords, see to it that ye live as becometh the children of the living God, lest you give the world occasion to say, you expect to be saved, or accepted for Christ's sake, and take a liberty to sin, nothing can be more dishonorable to God than the sins of his own children, I conclude with the words of the apostle I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service, and be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2)