Ingratitude is a Prodigy of Wickedness Unbelief is ungrateful being against the richest Mercy Suppose a King should redeem a Captive and to redeem him should part with his Crown of Gold from his Head and when he had done this should say to the Man redeem'd All I desire of thee in lieu of my Kindness is to believe that I love thee Now if he should say No I do not believe any such thing Or That thou carest not at all for me I appeal to you Were not this odious Ingratitude So is the Case here God hath sent his Son to shed his Blood now God requires only to believe in him that he is able and willing to save us No saith Unbelief his Blood was not shed for me I cannot perswade my self that Christ hath any purpose of Love to me Is not this horrid Ingratitude And this inhanceth a Sin and makes it of a Crimson Colour 3. Unbelief is a Leading Sin It is the Breeder of Sin Qualitas malae vitae initium sumit ab infidelitate Unbelief is a Root-sin and the Devil labours to water this Root that the Branches may be fruitful 1. Unbelief breeds Hardness of Heart Therefore they are put together Mark 16.14 Christ upbraided them with their Vnbelief and Hardness of Heart Unbelief breeds the Stone of the Heart He who believes not in Christ is not affected with his Sufferings he melts not in Tears of Love Unbelief freeth the Heart first it defiles and then it hardens 2. Unbelief breeds Profaneness An Unbeliever will stick at no sin neither at Fals◠Weights nor False Oaths He will swallow down Treason Iudas was first an Unbeliever and then a Traitor Iohn 6.64 He who hath no Faith in his Heart will have no Fear of God before his Eyes 4. Unbelief is a Wrath-procuring Sin 't is Inimica Salutis Bern. Iohn 3.18 Iam condemnatus est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dying so he is as sure to be condemned as if already Iohn 3.36 He that believeth not on the Son the Wrath of God abideth on him He who believes not in the Blood of the Lamb must feel the Wrath of the Lamb. The Gentiles that believe not in Christ will be as well damned as the Jews who blaspheme him And if Unbelief be so fearful and damnable a Sin shall we not be afraid to live in it 2 d. Br. All Graces set Faith awork on Christ. Iohn 3.15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish Eph. 6.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Above all taking the Shield of Faith Say as Queen Esther I will go in to the King and if I perish I perish She had nothing to encourage her she ventur'd against Law yet the Golden Scepter was held forth to her We have Promises to encourage our Faith Iohn 6.37 He that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out Let us then advance Faith by an holy Recumbency on Christ's Merits Christ's Blood will not justifie without believing They are both put together in the Text Faith in his Blood The Blood of God without Faith in God will not save Christ's Sufferings are the Plaister to heal a Sin-sick Soul but this Plaister must be apply'd by Faith 'T is not Money in a rich Man's Hand tho' offered to us will enrich us unless we receive it So it is not Christ's Vertues or Benefits will do us good unless we receive them by the Hand of Faith Above all Graces set Faith on Work Remember this Grace is most acceptable to God and that upon many accounts 1. Because it is a God-exalting Grace It glorifies God Rom. 4.20 Abraham being strong in Faith gave Glory to God To believe that there 's more Mercy in God and Merit in Christ than Sin in us and that Christ hath answered all the Demands and Challenges of the Law and that his Blood hath fully satisfied for us this is in an high Degree to honour God Faith in the Mediator brings more Glory to God than Martyrdom or the most Heroick Act of Obedience 2. Faith in Christ is so acceptable to God because it is such a Self-denying Grace it makes a Man go out of himself renounce all Self-righteousness and wholly rely on Christ for Justification Faith is very humble it confesseth its own Indigence and lives wholly upon Christ. As the Bee sucks Sweetness from the Flower so Faith sucks all its Strength and Comfort from Christ. 3. Faith is a Grace so acceptable to God because by Faith we present a Righteousness to God which doth best please him We bring the Righteousness of Christ into the Court which is called the Righteousness of God 2 Cor. 5.21 To bring Christs Righteousness is to bring Benjamin with us A Believer may say Lord it is not the Righteousness of Adam or of the Angels but of Christ who is God-Man Man that I bring before thee The Lord cannot choose but smell a sweet Savour in Christ's Righteousness Vse II. Trial. Let us try our Faith there is something which looks like Faith and is not Pliny saith there is a Cyprian Stone which is in Colour like a Diamond but it is not of the right kind There is a false spurious Faith in the World Some Plants have the same Leaf with others but the Herbalists can distinguish them by the Root and Taste Something may look like true Faith but it may be distinguished several ways 1. Trial. True Faith is grounded upon Knowledge Knowledge carries the Torch before Faith There is a Knowledge of Christ's Orient Exercises Phil. 3.8 He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all made up of Love and Beauty True Faith is a Judicious Intelligent Grace it knows whom it believes and why it believes Faith is seated as well in the Vnderstanding as the Will It hath an Eye to see Christ as well as a Wing to fly to him Such therefore as are invailed with Ignorance or have only an Implicit Faith to believe as the Church believes have no true genuine Faith 2. Faith lives in a broken Heart Mark 9.24 He cryed out with Tears Lo I believe True Faith is always in an Heart bruised for Sin Such therefore whose Hearts were never touched for Sin have no Faith If a Physician should tell us there were an Herb would help us against all Infections but it always grows in a watery place If we should see an Herb like it in Colour Leaf Smell Blossom but it grows upon a Rock we would conclude this were the wrong Herb. So saving Faith doth always grow in an Heart humbled for Sin it grows in a weeping Eye a watry Conscience Therefore if there be a shew of Faith but it grows upon a Rock an hard impenitent Heart this is not the true Faith 3. True Faith is at first nothing but an Embryo it is minute and small it is full of Doubtings Temptations Fears It begins in Weakness It is like the smoaking Flax Matth. 12.20 It smoaks with Desires but doth not flame with Comfort It is at first
that which is already forgiven 2. This opinion that sins to come as well as past are forgiven doth take away and make void Christ's Intercession Christ is an Advocate to interceed for daily Sins 1 Iohn 2.1 but if sin be forgiven before it be committed what need is there of Christ's daily Intercession What need have I of an Advocate if sin be pardoned before it be committed So that God tho' he forgives all sins past to a Believer yet sins to come are not forgiven till Repentance be Renewed Aphorism 10 Faith doth necessarily antecede Forgiveness there must be Believing on our part before there is forgiving on God's part Acts 10.43 To him give all the Prophets witness that through his Name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of Sins So that Faith is a necessary Antecedent to Forgiveness There are two Acts of Faith to accept Christ and to trust in Christ to accept of his Terms to trust in his Merits and he who doth neither of these can have no Forgiveness he who doth not accept Christ cannot have his Person he that doth not trust in him cannot have benefit by his Blood So that without Faith no Remission Aphorism 11. Tho' Justification and Sanctification are not the same yet God never pardons a sinner but he doth Sanctifie him Justification and Sanctification are not the same 1. Justification is without us Sanctification is within us The one is by Righteousness imputed the other is by Righteousness imparted 2. Justification is equal Sanctification is gradual Sanctification doth recipere maegis minus one is sanctified more than another but one is not justified more than another One hath more Grace than another but he is not more a Believer than another 3. The matter of our Justification is perfect viz. Christ's Righteousness but our Sanctification is imperfect there are the spots of God's Children Deut. 32.5 Our Graces are mixed our Duties are defiled Thus Justification and Sanctification are not the same yet for all that they are not separated God never pardons and justifies a sinner but he doth sanctifie him 1 Cor. 6.11 but ye are justified but ye are sanctified 1 Iohn 5.6 This is he that came by Water and Blood even Iesus Christ. Christ comes to the Soul by Blood that denotes Remission and by Water that denotes Sanctification Let no man say he is pardoned that is not made Holy And This I the rather urge against the Antinomians who talk of being forgiven their sin and having a part in Christ and yet remain unconverted and live in the grossest sins Pardon and Healing go together Isa. 57.19 I create the fruit of the lips peace and I will heal him Peace is the fruit of pardon and then it follows I will heal him Where God pardons he purifies As in the Inauguration of Kings with the Crown there is the Oyl to anoint So when God crowns a man with Forgiveness there he gives the anointing Oyl of Grace to sanctifie Revel 2.17 I will give him a white Stone and in the Stone a new Namâ— A white Stone that is Absolution and a new Name in the Stone that is Sanctificationâ— 1. If God should pardon a man and not sanctifie him this would be a Reproach to him then he should love and be well pleased with men in their sins which is diametrically contrary to his Holy Nature 2. If God should pardon and not sanctifie then he could have no Glory from us God's people are formed to shew forth his Praise Isa. 43.21 but if he should pardon and not sanctifie us how could we shew forth his Praise how could we glorifie him what Glory can God have by a proud ignorant prophane Heart 3. If God should pardon and not sanctifie then that should enter into Heaven that defileth but Revel 21.27 Nothing shall enter that defileth Then God should settle the Inheritance upon men before they are fit for it contrary to that Col. 1.12 He hath made us meet for the Inheritance how is that but by the Divine Unction so that whoever God forgives he Transforms Let no man say his sins are forgiven who doth not find an inherent Work of Holiness in his Heart Aphorism 12. Where God remits sin he imputes Righteousness This Righteousness of Christ imputed is a Salvo to God's Law and makes full satisfaction for the breaches of it This Righteousness procures God's favour God cannot but love us when he sees us in his Sons Robe which both covers and adorns us In this spotless Robe of Christ we Out-shine the Angels Theirs is but the Righteousness of Creatures this is the Righteousness of God himself 2 Cor. 5.21 That we might be made the Righteousness of God in him How great a Blessing then is Forgiveness With remission of sin is joyned imputation of Righteousness Aphorism 13. They whose sins are forgiven must not omit praying for forgiveness Forgive us our Trespasses Believers who are pardoned must be continual Suitors for pardon When Nathan told David The Lord hath put away thy sin 2 Sam. 12.13 yet David after that composed a penitential Psalm for the pardon of his sin Sin after pardon Rebels Sin like Sampson's Hair tho' it be cut will grow again We sin daily and must as well ask for daily pardon as for daily bread Besides a Christian's pardon is not so sure but he may desire to have a clearer Evidence of it Aphorism 14. A full Absolution from all sin is not pronounc'd till the day of Judgment They day of Judgment is called a time of Refreshing when sin shall be compleatly blotted out Acts 3.19 Now God blots out sin Truly but then it shall be done in a more publick way God will openly Pronounce the Saints Absolution before Men and Angels their Happiness is not compleated till the day of Judgment because then their Pardons shall be solemnly Pronounced and there shall be the Triumphs of the heavenly Host. At that day it will be true indeed that God sees no sin in his Children They shall be as pure as the Angels then the Church shall be presented without wrinkle Eph. 5.27 She shall be as free from Stain as Guilt then Satan shall no more accuse Christ will shew the Debt-book crossed in his Blood Therefore the Church doth so pray for Christ's coming to Judgment Rev. 22.17 the Bride saith Come Lord Iesus Light the Lamps then burn the Incense Vse 1. Informaet From this word forgive we learn that if the debt of sin be no other way discharg'd but by being forgiven then we cannot satisfie for it Among other damnable Opinions of the Church of Rome this is one Man's power to satisfie for sin The Councel of Trent holds that God is satisfied by our undergoing the Penalty impos'd by the Censure of Priests And again we have Works of our Own by which we may satisfie for the wrong done to God by these Opinions let any judge what the Popish Religion is They intend to pay the debt they
Calls Satan calls by a Temptation Lust calls evil company calls But as the Adder stops its Ear against the Voice of the Charmer so he who is effectually called stops his Ear against all the Charms of Flesh and Devil Use 3. Of Comfort to them who are the called of God This Call evidenceth Election Rom. 8.30 Whom he predestinated them he also called Election is the cause of our Vocation and Vocation is the sign of our Election Election is the first Link of the golden Chain of Salvation Vocation is the second he who hath the second Link of the Chain is sure of the first Link As by the Stream we are led to the Fountain so by Vocation we ascend to Election Calling is an earnest and pledge of Glory 2 Thess. 2.13 God hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification We may read God's predestinating love in the work of Grace in our heart Branch 2. To such as are called to be thankful to God for this unspeakable Blessing be thankful to all the Persons in the Trinity to the Father's Mercy to the Son's Merit to the Spirit 's Efficacy To make you thankful consider when you had offended God that he should call you that when God needed you not he had Millions of glorified Saints and Angels to praise him yet he called you Again consider what you were before God called you you were in your sins when God called Paul he found him persecuting when he called Matthew he found him at the Receipt of Custom when he called Zacheus he found him using Extorsion When God calls a Man by his Grace he finds him seeking after his Lusts as when Saul was called to the Kingdom he was seeking the Asses That God should call thee when thou wert in the hot pursuit of sin admire God's Love exalt his Praise Again that God should call you and pass by others what Mercy is this Matth. 11.26 Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight That God should pass by the wise and noble Persons of sweeter disposition acuter parts guilty of less Vice and that the Lot of Free-grace should fall on you O astonishing Love of God It was a great favour of God to Samuel that God call'd to him and revealed his Mind to him and passed by Eli though a Priest and a Judge in Israel 1 Sam. 3.9 so that God should call to thee a flagitious sinner and pass by others of higher birth and better morals here is that calls aloud for Praise As God so governs the Clouds that he makes them rain upon one place and not upon another so doth he dispence his Grace it shall drop its sweet dew upon one and not another Two at a Sermon one his heart the Lord opens the other is no more affected with it than a deaf Man with the sound of Musick Here is the Banner of Free-grace display'd and here should be the Trophies of Praise erected Eliah and Elisha were walking together on a sudden there came a Chariot of Fire and carried Eliah up to Heaven but left Elisha behind so when two are walking together Husband and Wife Father and Child that God should call one by his Grace but leave the other carry one up in a triumphant Chariot to Heaven but let the other perish eternally O infinite rich Grace how should they that are call'd be affected with God's discriminating Love how should the Vessels of Mercy run over with Thankfulness how should they stand upon Mount Gerizim blessing and praising God O begin the work of Heaven here Such as are Patterns of Mercy should be Trumpets of Praise Thus S. Paul being call'd of God and seeing what a Debtor he was to Free-grace breaks forth into Admiration and Gratulation 1 Tim. 1.13 Use 4. To the Called walk worthy of your high Calling Eph. 4.1 I beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called in two things 1. Walk compassionately pity such as are yet uncalled Hast thou a Child that God hath not yet called a Wife a Servant Weep over their dying Souls They are in their Bloud under the Power of Satan O pity them Let their sins more trouble you then your own Sufferings If you pity an Ox or Ass going astray will you not pity a Soul going astray Show your Piety by your Pity 2. Walk holily yours is an holy Calling 2 Tim. 1.9 You are called to be Saints Rom. 1.7 Show your Vocation by a Bible-conversation Shall not Flowers smell sweeter than Weeds Shall not they who are ennobled with Grace have more Fragrancy in their Lives than Sinners 1 Pet. 1.15 As he who hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation O dishonour not your high Calling by any sordid Carriage When Antigonus going to defile himself with Women one told him He was a King's Son O remember your Dignity Called of God! of the Bloud-Royal of Heaven do nothing unworthy of your Honourable Calling Scipio refused the Embraces of an Harlot because he was General of an Army Abhor all Motions to sin because of your high Calling 'T is not fit for them who are the Called of God to do as others tho' others of the Iews did drink Wine it was not fit for the Nazarite because he had a Vow of Separation upon him and had promised Abstinence Though Pagans and loose Christians take liberty to sin yet it is not fit for them who are called out of the World and have the Mark of Election upon them to do so You are consecrated Persons your Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost and your Souls must be a Sacrary or Holy of Holies OF IVSTIFICATION Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace Quest. XXI WHat is Iustification Resp. It is an Act of God's Free-grace whereby he pardoneth all our sins and accepts us as righteous in his sight only for the Righteousness of CHRIST imputed to us and received by Faith Iustification is the very Hinge and Pillar of CHRISTIANITY and an Errour about Iustification is dangerous like a Crack in the Foundation or an Errour in the first Concoction Iustification by Christ is a Spring of the Water of Life and to have the Poison of corrupt Doctrine cast into this Spring is damnable It was a Saying of Luther That after his Death the Doctrine of Iustification would be corrupted As it hath been in these latter Times the Arminians and Socinians have cast a dead Fly into this Box of precious Oyntment I shall endeavour to follow the Star of Scripture to light me through this Mysterious Point Quest. What is meant by Iustification Resp. It is verbum forense a word borrowed from Law-courts wherein a Person arraigned is pronounced Righteous and is openly absolved in the Court Thus God in justifying a Person pronounceth him to be Righteous and looks upon him as if he had not sinned Quest. What is the Ground of Iustification Resp. The Causa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the
2 Tim. 4.3 Austin confesseth that before his Conversion he went to hear St. Ambrose rather for his Eloquence than the Spirituality of the matter Ezek. 33.32 Thou art unto them as a very lovely Song of one that hath a pleasant Voice and can play well on an Instrument Many come to the Word only to feast their Ears they like the Melody of the Voice the Mellifluous Sweetness of the Expression the Newness of the Notion Acts 17.21 This is to love the Garnishing of the Dish more than the Food This is to desire to be pleased rather than edifyed Like a Woman that paints her Face but neglects her Health So they paint and adorn themselves with curious Speculations but neglect their Souls Health This hearing doth neither sanctifie the Heart nor the Sabbath 2. Lay aside Prejudice 1. Prejudice against the Truths Preached The Sadduces were prejudiced against the Doctrin of the Resurrection Luke 20.27 2. Prejudice against the Person preaching 1 King 22.8 There is one Micaiah by whom we may enquire of the Lord but I hate him This hinders the Vertue of the Word If a Patient hath an ill Opinion of his Physician he will not take any of his Receipts tho never so good Prejudice in the Mind is like an Obstruction in the Stomach which hinders the Nutritive Vertue of the Meat Prejudice poysons the Word and makes it to lose its Efficacy 3. Lay aside Covetousness Covetousness is in not only getting the World unjustly but loving it inordinately This is a Great Hindrance to the Word Preached The Seed which fell among Thorns was choked Mat. 13.22 An Emblem of the Word being Preached to a Covetous Hearer The Covetous Man is thinking of the World when he is hearing his Heart is in his Shop Ezek. 33.31 They sit before thee as my People and they hear thy Words but their Heart goeth after their Covetousness A Covetous Hearer derides the Word Luke 16.14 The Pharisees who were covetous heard all and they derided him 4. Lay aside Partiality Partiality in hearing is when we like to hear some Truths Preached but not all We love to hear of Heaven but not of Self-denial of reigning with Christ but not of suffering of the more Facil Duties of Religion but not them which are more knotty and difficult as Mortification laying the Ax to the Root and hewing down their Beloved Sin Isa. 30.10 Proyhesie smooth things such as may not grate upon our Conscience Many like to hear of the Love of Christ but not of loving their Enemies They like the Comforts of the Word not the Reproofs Herod heard Iohn Baptist gladly he liked many Truths but not when he spake against his Incest Lay aside Partiality 5. Lay aside Censoriousness Some instead of judging themselves for Sin sit as Judges upon the Preacher Either his Sermon had too much Gall in it or it was too long These will sooner censure a Sermon than practise it God will judge the Judger Mat. 7.1 6. Lay aside Disobedience Rom. 10.21 All the day long have I stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient People 'T is spoken of the Jews God stretched out his Hands in the Preaching of the Word but they rejected Christ. Let there be none among you that wilfully refuse the Counsels of the Word 'T is sad to have an Adders Ear an Adamant Heart Zac. 7.11 12. If when God speaks to us in his Word we are deaf when we speak to him in Prayer he will be dumb III. If you would hear the Word aright have God Ends in hearing Come to the Word to be made better Some have no other end in hearing but because it is in Fashion or to gain Repute or stop the Mouth of Consbience But come to the Word to be made more Holy There 's a great deal of difference between one that goes to a Garden for Flowers to wear in her Bosom and another that goes for Flowers to make Syrups and Medicines of We should go to the Word for a Medicine to cure us as Naaman the Syrian went to Iordan to be healed of his Leprosie 1 Pet. 2.2 Desire the sincere Milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby Come to the Word to be changed into the Similitude of it As the Seal leaves its Print upon the Wax so labour that the Word Preached may leave the Print of its own Holiness upon your Heart Labour that the Word may have such a Vertue upon you as the Water of Jealousie to kill and make fruitful Numb 5.27 That it may kill your Sins and make your Souls fruitful in Grace IV. If you would hear the Word aright come to it with Delight The Word Preached is a Feast of fat things With what Delight do Men come to a Feast The Word Preached anoynts the blind Eye mollifies the Rocky Heart it beats off our Fetters and turns us from the Power of Satan to God Acts 26.18 The Word is the Seed of Regeneration Iam. 1.18 the Engine of Salvation Hear the Word with Delight and Complacency Ier. 15.16 Thy Words were found and I did eat them they were the joy and rejoycing of my Heart Psal. 119.103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter than Honey unto my mouth Yea love that Word which comes most home to the Conscience Bless God when your Corruptions have been met with when the Sword of the Spirit hath divided between you and your Sins Who cares for that Physick which will not work V. If you would hear the Word aright mix it with Faith Believe the Verity of the Word Preached that it is that Word by which you must be judged and not only give Credence to the Word Preached but learn to apply it to your own Souls Faith concocts the Word and turns it into Spiritual Nourishment Many hear the Word but it may be said of them as Psal. 106.24 They believed not his Word As Melancton once said to some of the Italians Ye Italians Worship God in the Bread when ye do not believe him to be in Heaven So many hear God's Word but do not believe that God is they question the Truth of his Oracles If we do not mix Faith with the Word it is like leaving out the Chief Ingredient in a Medicine which makes it ineffectual Unbelief hardens Mens Hearts against the Word Acts 19.9 Divers were hardened and believed not Men hear many Truths delivered concerning the Preciousness of Christ the Beauty of Holiness the Felicity of a Glorified Estate but if through Unbelief and Atheism they question these Truths we may as well speak to the Stones and Pillars of the Church as to them That Word which is not Believed can never be Practised Vbi male creditur ibi nec benè vivitur Unbelief makes the Word Preached of no effect Heb. 9.2 The Word preached did not profit not being mixed with Faith in them that heard it The Word to an Unbeliever is like Dioscordium put into a Dead Man's Mouth which
give him high honour and veneration and render his Name sacred We can add nothing to Gods Essential Glory but we are said to honour and sanctifie his Name when we lift him up in the World and make him appear greater in the eyes of others When a Prince is crowned there is something added really to his Honour but when we go to crown God with our Triumphs and Hallelujahs there is nothing added to his Essential Glory God cannot be greater than he is only we may make him appear greater in the eyes of others Quest. 3. When may we be said to hallow and sanctifie Gods name Answ. 1. When we profess his Name our meeting in this holy assembly is an honour done to Gods Name this is good but it is not enough All that wear Gods livery by profession are not true servants there are some Professors Christ will at the last day profess against Matth. 7.23 I will profess I never knew you Therefore to go a little further 2. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we have an high appretiation and esteem of God we set him highest in our thoughts The Hebrew word to honour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to esteem precious We conceive of God in our minds as the most super-excellent and infinite good we apprehend in God a constellation of all beauties and delights we adore God in his Glorious Attributes which are the several beams by which his Divine Nature shines forth we adore God in his Works which are bound up in three great Volumes Creation Redemption Providence we hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we lift him highest in our Souls we esteem him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a super-eminent incomprehensible good 3. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we trust in his Name Psal. 33.21 We have trusted in his holy name No way can we bring more revenues of Honour to God or make his Crown shine brighter than by confiding in him Rom. 4.20 Abraham was strong in faith giving glory to God there was an hallowing of Gods Name As unbelief stains Gods honour and eclipseth his Name 1 Iohn 5.10 He that believeth not makes God a lyar so Faith doth glorifie and hallow Gods Name The Believer trusts his best Jewel in Gods hands Psal. 3.5 Into thy hands I commit my Spirit Faith in a Mediator doth more honour and sanctifie Gods Name than Martyrdom or the most sublime acts of Obedience 4. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we never make mention of his name but with the highest reverence Gods Name is Sacred and it must not be spoken of but with veneration The Scripture when it speaks of God gives him his Titles of Honour Gen. 14.20 Blessed be the most high God Neh. 9.5 Blessed be thy glorious name which is exalted above all praise To speak vainly or slightly of God is a profaning his Name and is a taking his Name in vain Let his Name be Hallowed By giving God his venerable Titles we do as it were hang his Jewels on his Crown 5. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we love his Name Psal. 5.11 Let them that love thy name be joyful and that Love which is honouring Gods Name must be a special discriminating Love the cream and flower of our Love such a Love as we give to none besides As the Wife honours her Husband by giving him such a Love as she gives to none else a Conjugal Love so we hallow Gods Name by giving him such a Love as we give to none else a Love joyned with Worship Psal. 45.11 He is thy God and worship thou him 6. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we give him an Holy and Spiritual Worship 1. We give him the same kind of Worship that he hath appointed Lev. 10.3 I will be sanctified of all that come nigh to me that is I will be sanctified with that very Worship I have appointed It is the purity of Worship God loves better than the pomp It is a dishonouring of Gods Name to bring any thing into his Worship which he hath not instituted as if God were not wise enough to appoint the manner how he will be served Men will go to prescribe him and super-add their inventions This God looks upon as offering strange fire and it is an high provocation 2. We give God the same Heart devotion in Worship as he hath appointed Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving the Lord. The word for fervent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a Metaphor that alludes to Water that seeths and boyls over so our Affections should boyl over in holy Duties To give God outside Worship and not the Devotion of the Heart is instead of hallowing and sanctifying him in an Ordinance to abuse him as if one call for Wine and you give him an empty Glass It is to deal with God as Prometheus did with Iupiter who did eat the Flesh and present Iupiter with nothing but Bones covered over with Skin then we hallow Gods name and sanctifie him in an Ordinance when we give him the vitals of Religion an Heart flaming with Zeal 7. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we hallow his day Ier. 17.22 Hallow ye the Sabbath day Our Christian Sabbath which comes in the room of the Iews Sabbath is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords day Rev. 1.10 This was antiently called dies lucis a day of light wherein Christ the Sun of Righteousness shines in an extraordinary manner It is an honour done to God to hallow his Sabbath 1. We must rest on this day from all secular works Ier. 17.21 Bear no burden on the Sabbath day As Ioseph when he would speak with his Brethren thrust out the Egyptians so when we would have converse with God on this day we must thrust out all earthly employments It is observable Mary Magdalen refused to anoint Christs dead Body on the Sabbath-day Luke 23.56 She had before prepared her Oyntment and Spices but came not to the Sepulchre till the Sabbath was past She rested on that day from civil Work though it were a commendable and glorious Work the anointing of Christs dead Body 2. We must in a solemn manner devote our selves to God on this day We must spend this whole day with God Some will hear the Word but leave all their Religion at Church they do nothing at home they do not pray or repeat the Word in their houses and so they rob God of a part of his day 't is to be bewailed to see how Gods day is profaned Let not Men think Gods Name is hallowed while his Sabbath is broken 8. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we ascribe the honour of all we do to him Psal. 96.8 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name Herod instead of hallowing Gods Name stain'd the honour of his Name in assuming that praise to himself which was due to God Acts 12.23 We ought to take the honour from our selves and give it to God 1
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a thing by the by he doth not much mind If ever we would have Heaven we must look upon it as our main concern Other things do but concern our livelyhood this concerns our Salvation then we make Religion our business when we wholly devote our selves to Gods service Psal. 139.18 we count those the best hours which are spent with God we give God the cream of our affections the flower of our time and strength we traffique in Heaven every day we are Merchants for the Pearl of price He will never get an Estate who doth not mind his Trade he will never get heaven who doth not make Religion his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his main business 6. If you would obtain the Kingdom of Heaven bind your hearts to God by sacred Vowes Vow to the Lord that by his Grace you will be more intent upon heaven than ever Psal. 56.12 Thy vowes are upon me O God A Vow binds the Votary to Duty he looks upon himself as obliged by his Vow to cleave to God Bees when they fly in a great Wind ballast themselves with little stones that they may not be carried away with the Wind so we must fortifie our selves with strong Vowes that we may not be carried away from God with the violent wind of temptation No question a Christian may make such a Vow because the ground of it is Morally good he vowes nothing but what he is bound to do by vertue of his Baptismal Vow namely to walk with God more closely and to pursue heaven more vigorously 7. If you would obtain the Kingdom embrace all seasons and opportunities for your Souls Eph. 5.15 Redeeming the time Opportunity is the cream of time the improving the seasons of Grace is as much as our Salvation is worth The Marriner by taking the present season while the Wind blowes gets to the haven by taking the season while we have the means of Grace and the wind of the Spirit blowes we may arrive at the Kingdom of heaven We know not how long we shall enjoy the Gospel the seasons of Grace like Noahs Dove come with an Olive-branch in their mouth but they soon take Wings and fly Though they are sweet yet swift God may remove the Golden Candlestick from us as he did from the Churches of Asia We have many sad symptoms Gray hairs are here and there upon us Hos. 7.9 therefore let us lay hold upon the present season they that sleep in Seed-time will beg in Harvest 8. If you would go to the Kingdom of Heaven you must excubias agere keep a daily Watch Mark 13.37 I say unto all watch Many have lost Heaven for want of watchfulness Our hearts are ready to decoy us into sin and the Devil lyes in ambush by his temptations we must every day set a spy and keep centinel in our Souls Hab. 2.1 I will stand upon my watch 1. We must watch our Eyes Iob 31.1 I made a covenant with my eyes Much Sin comes in by the eye When Eve saw the tree was good for food and pleasant to the eyes then she took Gen. 3.6 First she looked and then she lusted the eye by beholding an impure Object sets the heart on fire the Devil oft creeps in at the window of the eye Watch your eyes 2. Watch your Ear. Much Poyson is conveyed through the ear Let your ear be open to God and shut to Sin 3. Watch your Hearts We watch suspicious persons The heart is deceitful Ier. 17.9 Watch your heart 1. When you are about holy things it will be stealing out to vanity When I am at Prayer saith S. Hierom Aut per porticum deambulo aut de foenore computo either I am walking through Galleries or casting up Accompts 2. Watch your heart when you are in Company The Basilisk poysons the herbs he breaths on the breath of the wicked is infectious Nay watch your hearts when you are in good Company such as have some good in them yet may be some grains too light they may have much levity of Discourse and if no scum boils up yet too much froth The Devil is subtle and he can as well creep into the Dove as he did once into the Serpent Satan tempted Christ by an Apostle 3. Watch your hearts in Prosperity now you are in danger of Pride The higher the Water of the Thames riseth the higher the Boat is lifted up the higher that Mens Estates rise the higher their Hearts are lifted up in Pride In Prosperity you are in danger not only to forget God but to lift up the heel against him Deut. 32.15 Iesurun waxed fat and kicked It is hard to carry a full Cup without spilling and to carry a full prosperous Estate without sinning Turpi fregerunt saecula luxu divitiae molles Sen. Trag. Sampson fell asleep in Dalilahs lap many have fallen so fast asleep in the lap of Prosperity that they have never awaked till they have been in Hell 4. Watch your hearts after holy Duties When Christ had been Praying and Fasting then the Devil tempted him Mat. 4.23 After our combating with Satan in Prayer we are apt to grow secure and put our Spiritual Armour off and then the Devil falls on and wounds us O if you would get Heaven be alwayes upon your Watch-tower set a spy keep close centinel in your Souls Who would not watch when it is for a Kingdom 9. If you would arrive at the Heavenly Kingdom get those three Graces which will undoubtedly bring you thither 1. Divine Knowledge There 's no going to Heaven blindfold In the Creation Light was the first thing which was made so 't is in the new Creation Knowledge is the Pillar of Fire which goes before us and lights us into the Heavenly Kingdom 'T is light must bring us to the inheritance in light Col. 1.12 2 Faith Faith ends in Salvation 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of your faith Salvation He who believes is as sure to go to Heaven as if he were in Heaven already Acts 16.31 Faith toucheth Christ and can he miss of Heaven who toucheth Christ Faith unites to Christ and shall not the Members be where the Head is All have not the same degree of Faith we must distinguish between the direct act of Faith and the reflex act Affiance and Assurance yet the least seed and spark of Faith gives an undoubted title to the Heavenly Kingdom I am justified because I believe not because I know I believe 3. Love to God Heaven is prepared for those that love God 1 Cor. 2.9 Love is the Soul of Obedience the Touchstone of Sincerity By our loving God we may know he loves us 1 Iohn 4.19 and those whom God loves he will lay in his bosom Ambrose in his Funeral Oration for Theodosius brings in the Angels hovering about his departing Soul and being ready to carry it to Heaven asked him What that Grace was he had practised most upon Earth Theodosius
Branch of Exhortation Let us labour to have the Evidence of pardon to know that our sins are forgiven A man may have his sins forgiven and not know it he may have a pardon in the Court of Heaven when he hath it not in the Court of Conscience David's sin was forgiven assoon as he repented and God sent Nathan the Prophet to tell him so 2 Sam. 12.13 but David did not feel the comfort of it at present as appears by the penitential Psalm compos'd after Psal. 51.8 Make me to hear the Voice of Ioy and ver 12. Cast me not away from thy Presence It is one thing to be pardoned and another thing to feel it The Evidence of pardon may not appear for a time and this may be 1. From the Imbecillity and Weakness of Faith Forgiveness of sin is so strange and infinite a Blessing that a Christian can hardly perswade himself that God will extend such a favour to him As it is said of the Apostles when Christ appeared to them first They believed not for Ioy and wondred Luke 24.41 So the Soul is so stricken with Admiration that the wonder of pardon doth almost stagger his Faith 2. A man may be pardoned and not know it from the Strength of Temptation Satan accuseth the Godly of sin and tells them that God doth not love them What should such sinners think of pardon Believers are compared to bruised Reâ—ds Mat. 12.20 and Temptations to Winds Mat. 7.25 Now a Reed is easily shaken with the wind Temptations shake the godly and tho they are pardoned yet they know it not Iob in a Temptation thought God his Enemy Iob 16.9 yet then he was in a pardoned condition Quest. But why doth God sometimes conceal the Evidence of pardon Answ. Tho' God doth pardon yet he may withold the sence of it a while 1. Because hereby he would lay us lower in Contrition God would have us see what an evil and bitter thing it is to offend him we shall therefore lie the longer steeping our selves in the brinish Tears of Repentance before we have the sence of Pardon It being long before Davids broken Bones were set and his pardon sealed the more contrite his Heart was and this was a Sacrifice God delighted in 2. Tho God doth forgive sin yet he may deny the manifestation of it for a time to make us prize pardon and make it sweeter to us when it comes The difficulty of obtaining a Mercy inhanceth the Value when we have been a long time tugging at prayer for a Pardon of Sin and still God witholds but at last after many Sighs and Tears pardon comes now we esteem it the more and it is sweeter Quo longiùs defertur eò suavius laet atur the longer Mercy is in the Birth the more welcome will the Deliverance be Let me now reassume the Exhortation to labour for the Evidence and Sence of pardon He who is pardoned and knows it not is like one who hath an Estate befallen him but knows it not Our comfort consists in the knowledge of Forgiveness Psal. 51.8 Make me to hear the Voice of Ioy. This is a Proclaiming a Iubile in the Soul when we are able to read our pardon and to the witness of Conscience God adds the witness of his Spirit in the mouth of these two witnesses our Joy is confirmed O labour for this Evidence of Forgiveness Quest. How shall we know that our sins are forgiven Answ. We must not be our own judges in this case Prov. 28.26 He that trusteth in his own Heart is a fool The Heart is deceitful Ier. 17.9 and it is Folly to trust a Deceiver The Lord only by his Word must be Judge in this Case whether we are pardoned or no as it was under the Law no Leper might judge himself to be clean But the Priest was to pronounce him clean Levit. 13.37 So we are not to judge of our selves to be clean from the Guilt of Sin till we are such as the Word of God hath pronounced to be clean How then shall we know by the Word whether our Guilt is done away and our Sins pardoned Answ. 1. The pardoned sinner is a great weeper The sence of Gods Love melts his Heart that Free-grace should ever look upon me that such Crimson Sins should be wash'd away in Christ's Blood this makes the Heart melt and the Eyes drop with Tears Never did any man read his pardon with dry Eyes Luke 7.38 She stood at his feet weeping her Heart was a spiritual Limbick out of which those Tears were distill'd Mary's Tears were more precious to Christ than her Ointment Her Eyes which before did sparkle with Lust whose amorous Glances had set on fire her Lovers Now she makes them a Fountain and washeth Christ's feet with her Tears She was a true penitent and had her pardon ver 47. Wherefore I say her sins which were many are forgiven A pardon will make the hardest Heart relent and cause the stony Heart to bleed and is it thus with us have we been dissolv'd into Tears for sin God seals his pardons upon melting Hearts 2. We may know our Sins are forgiven by having the Grace of Faith infused Acts 10.43 To him give all the Prophets witness that whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins In saving Faith there are two things Abrenunciation and Recumbency 1. Abrenunciation A man renounceth all Opinion of himself dig'd out of his own Burrough he is quite taken off himself Phil. 3.9 He sees all his Duties are but broken Reeds tho' he could weep a sea of Tears tho' he had all the Grace of Men and Angels it could not purchase his pardon 2. Recumbency Faith is an Assent with Affiance The Soul doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it gets hold of Christ as Adonijah did of the Horns of the Altar 1 Kin. 1.51 Faith casts it self upon the Stream of Christ's Blood and saith If I perish I perish if we have but the Minimum quod sic the least Dram of this pretious Faith we have something to shew for pardon To him give all the Prophets witness that whosoever believes in him shall receive Remission of sin This Faith is acceptable to God it pleaseth God more than offering up ten thousand Rivers of Oyl than working Miracles than Martyrdom or the highest Acts of Obedience 2. Faith is profitable to us it is our best Certificate to shew for pardon No sooner doth Faith reach forth its Hand to receive Christ but Christ sets his Hand to our Pardon 3. Sign The Pardoned Soul is a God-admirer Micah 7.18 Who is a God like thee that pardonest iniquity O that God should ever look upon me I was a sinner and nothing but a sinner yet I obtain'd mercy Who is a God like thee Mercy hath been despised yet that mercy should save me Christ hath been Crucified by me yet his Cross Crowns me God hath display'd the Ensigns of Free-Grace he hath set up his Mercy above
Temptation strikes at some Grace more than other As in tempting he aims at some Persons more than others so he aims at some Grace more than other and if he can prevail in this he knows what an advantage it will be to him If you ask what Grace it is that Satan in his Temptations doth most strike at I Answer it is the Grace of Faith He lays the Train of his Temptation to blow up the Fort of our Faith Fidei scutum percutit Why did Christ pray more for Peter's Faith than any other Grace Luk. 22.32 Because Christ saw that his Faith was most in danger the Devil was striking at this Grace Satan in Tempting Eve did labour to weaken her Faith Gen. 3.1 Yea hath God said ye shall not eat of every Tree of the Garden The Devil would perswade her that God had not spoken Truth and when he had once wrought her to distrust then she took of the Tree 'T is called Scutum fidei the Shield of Faith Ephes. 6.16 Satan in Tempting strikes most at our Shield he assaults our Faith True Faith though it cannot be wholly lost yet it may suffer a great Eclipse Though the Devil cannot by Temptation take away the Life of Faith yet he may the lively acting He cannot Gratiam diruere but he may debilitare Quest. But why doth Satan in Tempting chiefly set upon our Faith A. 1 King 22.31 Fight neither with small nor great save onely with the King So Faith is as it were the King of the Graces it is a Royal Princely Grace and puts forth the most Majestick and noble Acts therefore Satan fights chiefly with this Kingly Grace I shall shew you the Devils Policy in assaulting Faith most First Because this is the Grace doth Satan most Mischief it makes the most resistance against him 1 Pet. 5.9 Whom resist stedfast in Faith No Grace doth more bruise the Serpents Head than Faith Faith is both a Shield and a Sword defensive and offensive 1. It is a Shield A shield guards the Head defends the Vitals the shield of Faith causeth that the fiery darts of Temptation do not pierce us thorough 2. Faith is a Sword it wounds the Red Dragon Quest. How comes Faith to be so strong that it can resist Satan and put him to flight Answ. 1. Because Faith brings the strength of Christ into the Soul Sampson's strength lay in his Hair ours lies in Christ If a Child be assaulted it runs and calls to its Father for help So when Faith is assaulted it runs and calls Christ and in his Strength overcomes 2. Faith furnisheth it self with store of Promises the Promises are Faith's Weapons to fight with Now as David by Five Stones in his Sling wounded Goliah 2 Sam. 17.40 So Faith puts the Promises as Stones into its Sling I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 He will not break the bruised reed Matt. 12.20 He will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able 1 Cor. 10.13 The Lord will shortly bruise Satan under your feet Rom. 16.20 None shall pluck you out of my Fathers hands Joh. 10.29 Here are Five Promises like five Stones put in the Sling of Faith and with these a Believer wounds the Red Dragon Now Faith being such a Grace that doth so resist and wound Satan he will watch his opportunity that he may batter our shield though he cannot break it 2. Satan strikes most at our Faith and would weaken and destroy it because Faith hath a great influence upon all the other Graces Faith sets all the Graces a-work Like some rich Clothier that gives out a stock of Wool to the Poor and sets them all a Spinning So Faith gives out a stock to all the other Graces and sets them a working Faith sets Love a-work 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gal. 5.6 Faith which worketh by love When once the Soul believes God's Love this kindles Love to God The believing Martyrs burned hotter in Love than in Fire Faith sets Repentance a-work When the Soul believes there is Mercy to be had and that this mercy is for him this sets the eyes a Weeping O saith the Soul that ever I should offend so gracious a God Repenting tears drop from the eye of Faith Mark 9.24 The Father of the Child cried out with tears Lord I believe Faith set his eyes abroach with Tears therefore the Devil hath most spight at Faith and by his Temptations would undermine it because it is such an Operative Grace it sets all the other Graces on work If the Devil cannot destroy our Faith yet if he can disturb it if he can hinder and stop the actings of Faith he knows all the other Graces will be lame and unactive If the Spring in a Watch be stopp'd it will hinder the motion of the Wheels If Faith be down all the other Graces are at a stand 21. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is In broaching those Doctrines that are Flesh-pleasing Satan knows the Flesh loves to be gratified it cries out for ease and liberty it will not endure any yoke unless it be lined and made soft The Devil will be sure so to lay his bait of Temptation as to please and humour the flesh The Word saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Strive as in an Agony to enter into Glory Crucifie the Flesh Take the Kingdom of Heaven by holy Violence Now Satan to enervate and weaken these Scriptures comes with Temptations and flatters the Flesh. He tells Men there needs no such Strictness Why so much zeal and violence a softlier pace will serve sure there is an easier way to Heaven There needs no breaking the heart for Sin do but confess to a Priest or tell over a few Beads or say some Ave Maries and this will procure you a Pardon and give you admission into Paradise Or the Devil can go another way to work if he sees Men startle at Popery then he stirs up the Flattering Antinomian and he comes in another Disguise and saith What needs all this cost What needs Repenting Tears These are legal VVhat need you be so strict in your Obedience Christ hath done all for you you may make use of your Christian Liberty This Temptation draws away many it takes them off from strictness of life He who sells cheapest shall have most Customers The Devil knows this is a cheap easie Doctrine which will please the flesh and he doth not doubt but he shall have Customers enough 22. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is in Reference to Holy Duties His policy is either to hinder from duty or discourage in duty or put Men on too far in duty I. To hinder from Duty as 1 Thes. 2.18 I would have come once and again but Satan hindred me So many Duties of Religion had been performed but Satan hindered The hand of Ioab is in this There are Three Duties which the Devil is an enemy to and labours to keep us from 1. Meditation He will let Men
Job 15.14 God can do it Out of an unholy Heart he can produce Grace O! make David's Prayer Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God Lay thy Heart before the Lord and say Lord my unsanctified Heart pollutes all it toucheth I am not fit to live with such an Heart for I cannot honour thee nor to die with such an Heart for I cannot see thee O create in me a clean heart Lord consecrate my heart and make it thy Temple and thy Praises shall be sung there for ever Use 3. of Thankfulness Hath God brought a clean thing out of an unclean hath he sanctified you wear this Jewel of Sanctification with thankfulness Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who hath made us meet for the Inheritance c. Christian Thou could'st defile thy self but not sanctifie thy self But God hath done it he hath not only chain'd up sin but chang'd thy Nature and made thee as a King's Daughter all glorious within He hath put upon thee the Breast-place of Holiness which though it may be shot at can never be shot thorow Are there any here that are sanctified God hath done more for you then millions They may be illuminated but not sanctified He hath done more for you then if he had made you the Sons of Princes and caused you to ride upon the high places of the Earth Are you sanctified Heaven is begun in you Happiness is nothing but the quintissence of Holiness O how thankful should you be to God Do as that blind Man in the Gospel after he had received his sight He followed Christ glorifying God Luke 18.43 Make Heaven ring of God's Praises Of ASSVRANCE Quest. WHat are the Benefits flow from Sanctification Resp. Assurance of God's Love Peace of Conscience Ioy in the Holy Ghost Encrease of Grace and Perseverance therein to the end 1. Benefit flowing from Sanctification is assurance of God's Love 2 Pet. 1.10 Give Diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Sanctification is the Seed Assurance is the Flower which grows out of it Assurance is a consequent of Sanctification the Saints of old had it 1 Iohn 2.3 We know that we know him 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed here was Sensus Fidei the reflex act of Faith and Gal. 2.20 Christ hath loved me Here was Faith flourishing into Assurance Aecolampadias when he was Sick pointed to his Heart Hic sat Lucis Here I have Light enough meaning Comfort and Assurance Quest. 1. Have all Sanctified Persons Assurance Resp. They have a right to it and I do incline to believe that all have it in some degree before their last expiring though their Comfort may be so strong and their Vital Spirits so weak that they cannot express what they feel But I dare not positively affirm that all have Assurance in the first moment of their Sanctification A Letter may be written when it is not Sealed so Grace may be written in the heart yet the Spirit may not set the Seal of Assurance to it God is a free Agent and may give or suspend Assurance pro libito as he please Where there is the Sanctifying work of the Spirit he may withhold the Sealing work partly to keep the Soul Humble partly to punish our careless walking We neglect our Spiritual watch grow remiss in duty and then walk under a Cloud We quench the Graces of the Spirit and God withholds the Comforts and partly to put a difference between Earth and Heaven This I the rather speak to bear up the Hearts of Gods People who are dejected because they have not Assurance You may have the Water of the Spirit poured on you in Sanctification though not the Oyl of Gladness in Assurance there may be Faith of Adherence and not of Evidence there may be Life in the Root when there is no Fruit in the Branches to be seen so Faith in the Heart when no Fruit of Assurance Quest 2. What is Assurance Resp. It is not Vocal any audible Voice or brought to us by the help of an Angel or Revelation Assurance consists of a Practical Sylogism where the Word of God makes the major Conscience the minor the Spirit of God the Conclusion The Word saith He that fears and loves God is loved of God there is the major Proposition then Conscience makes the minor but I fear and love God then the Spirit makes the Conclusion therefore thou art loved of God And this is that which the Apostle calls The Witnessing of the Spirit with our Spirits that we are his Children Rom. 8.16 Quest. 3. Whether hath a Sanctified Soul such an Assurance as excludes all doubting Resp. He hath that which bears up his Heart from sinking he hath such an Earnest of the Spirit that he would not part with for the Richest Prize but his Assurance though it be infallible it is not perfect There will be sometimes a Trepidation or Trembling he is safe yet not without fears and doubts as a Ship lies safe at Anchor yet may be a little shaken by the Wind. If a Christian had no Doubtings there should be no unbelief in him had he no Doubtings there would be no difference between Grace Militant and Triumphant Had not David his Ebbings sometimes as well as his Flowings like the Mariner who sometimes cries out Stellam Video I see a Star sometimes the Star is out of Sight Sometimes we hear David say Thy Loving Kindness is before mine Eyes Psal. 26.3 But at another time he was at a loss Psal. 89.49 Lord where are thy former Loving Kindnesses And there may fall out an Eclipse in a Christians Assurance to put him upon longing after Heaven Then there shall not be the least doubting then the Banner of Gods Love shall be always display'd upon the Soul then the light of God's Face shall be without Clouds and have no Sun-setting then the Saints shall have an uninterrupted Assurance and be ever with the Lord. Quest. 4. What are the differences between true Assurance and Presumption Resp. 1. They differ in the method or manner of working Divine Assurance flows from Humiliation for Sin I speak not of the measure of Humiliation but the Truth There are in Palermo Reeds growing in which there is a Sugred Juice A Soul humbled for Sin is the Bruised Reed in which grows this sweet Assurance God's Spirit is a Spirit of Bondage before it be a Spirit of Adoption but Presumption ariseth without any humbling work of the Spirit How camest thou by thy Venison so soon The Plow goes before the Seed be sown the Heart must be plowed up by Humiliation and Repentance before God sows the Seed of Assurance 2. He who hath a real Assurance will take heed of that which will weaken and darken his Assurance he is fearful of the Forbidden Fruit he knows though he cannot sin away his Soul yet he may sin away his Assurance But he who hath the Ignis Fatuus of