should so dishonour God after he had bestowed a Temporal Kingdom upon him 2 Sam. 12.7 Thus saith the Lord God of Israel I anointed thee King over Israel and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul and I gave thee thy Masters house and thy Masters wives into thy bosom and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah and if that had been too little I would moreover have given thee such and such things Wherefore hast thou despised the Commandment of the Lord to do evil in his sight As if the Lord should say O David dost thou use me thus Did I ever deserve this at thy hand Is this thy kindness to thy friend And if the Lord took it so unkindly from Davids hands because he had bestowed a Temporal Kingdome upon him how much more unkindely may God take it from your hands whom by the grace of Faith he hath assured of an Eternal Kingdom Deut. 32.6 Do ye thus requite the Lord ah foolish people and unwise Is not he thy Father that hath bought thee c And is it not he that hath bought Heaven it self for thee and wilt thou thus dishonour him by thy sins By Sin a man dishonours the Donor of this great Gift And secondly He wrongs his own Soul for Sin wrongs the Soul he blots the Evidence or Conveyance which God hath given him to assure him of this heavenly Kingdom What sayes Christ Luk. 10.20 Rejoyce that your Names are written in Heaven or in the Book of Life First that you know this that you have this Evidence God hath a threefold Book 1. Of Providence God hath a threefold Book which is Gods Fore-knowledge and Disposing all things in the world Of this David speaks Psal 139.16 Thine eyes did see my substance yet being imperfect and in thy book first in the Book of Providence were all my members written 2 A Book of Mens Works and Ways Rev. 20.12 And I saw the dead small and great stand before the Lord and the Books were opened and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their Works The third is the Book of Mens Ends and Rewards which is called The Book of Life Dan. 12.1 At that time thy people shall be saved every one that shall be found written in the Book Now this Book is either in the Original which is Gods Calendar of such as are appointed to Life and Salvation in his own Fore-knowledge and Decree for The Lord knoweth who are his 2 Tim. 2.19 Or else the Counterpane of it in the Hearts and Consciences of such as do believe 1 Joh 5.10 He that believeth hath the witness in himself Now howsoever it is true He that is once written in Gods Book of Life if we take it for Gods Fore-knowledge and Decree can never be blotted out again The foundation of God stands sure yet if we take it for that Witness that is written in the Heart and Conscience it may be much blotted and blurred and obscured by our wilful sinning against God It is true God will speak peace and pardon to his people but let them not turn again to folly For if they do though they lose not their pardon yet they may lose their peace so far that they shall not be able to reade their Pardon or their Assurance for Heaven Therefore such a man as he dishonours the Giver so he sins against his own Soul Therefore let him declare his Thankfulness by the hating and forsaking all sin And Thankfulness to be shewn by performance of all duties Secondly By the Practice of all holy Duties and good Works If God be so abundant in Reward to assure us by Faith of Eternal Life it calls upon us very strongly to be so much the more abundant in our work It is the Apostles Argument 1 Cor. 15. last having discours'd at large of the glorious condition of Gods People after the Resurrection Therefore my beloved Brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. O that we would oft consider there is an Eternity for Reward but a short time for work and when the time of this Life is once past there is not a second opportunity there is no returning back again there is no doing of any thing in the Grave Therefore let us work Joh. 9.4 while we have the light of Life the night of death comes wherein no man can work no man can then believe or repent or bring forth the fruits of repentance There is no repentance in Hell to any purpose and if we repent of any thing in heaven it shall be of this that we did God no more and no better service upon earth And therefore so oft as we cast an eye upon the Eternity of Reward and the short time of our work let us bestir our selves in our places Take the counsel of the Wise man Eccles 9.10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do either for God or for the Church of God or for thy own Soul do it with all thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor Wisdom in the grave whither thou art going He that thinks seriously of his Eternal condition after death cannot be an unprofitable Servant in his life And so much for the seventh Particular what Manner of Life the Just lives by Faith All that is worth the Name of Life Natural Spiritual and Eternal Life Faith is the Key that opens to us the Kingdom of Heaven So says Calvin in his third Sermon on Gen. 15 6. THE EIGHTH GENERAL HEAD QUEST VIII What are the Reasons for living by Faith WE come now to the Eighth Particular the Reasons why God will have the Just to live by Faith We have given particular Reasons to the particular Branches before as Why the Just lives by Faith the Life of Justification Sanctification Renovation Fructification Mortification and Vivification c. We shall now give the general Reasons which reach to all in general Why God will have the Just to live by Faith It is true God is not bound to give us a Reason or give us an account of any of his Matters Job 33.13 It is the folly of vain man to call Gods Wisdom to the Bar of his shallow Reason But Rom. 9.20 Who art c. Gods Will may well stand for a Reason And yet God is pleased in this particular to give us a Reason of his Will Wicked men in the Scripture are said to be unreasonable men 2 Thess 3.2 they do a thing because they will do it though they have no good Reason for it But God though he is most Absolute and Independent is pleased in this matter of Faith to give us a Reason of his Will That man might not dispute and wrangle with God and say What Reason have I to live by Faith seeing I have little or nothing in hand
unrighteousness 2. We may know it by the End of spiritual actions if it be the glory and honour of Christ and a care to preserve the things of Christ as the Members of the Body have a principal care of adorning and preserving the Head The Arm receives a blow to defend the Head so a living Member of Christ truly united to him as he goes to Christ for strength Phil. 4.13 so he refers all to the honour of Christ in conclusion another adventures himself far for the truth and cause of Christ as Paul Acts 20. Neither is my life dear unto me so I may fulfil the Ministery of Christ c. So in general Faith lives on Christ 2. In particular Or 2. In particular he lives by Faith in the Application Means 1. His Death 1. Of the Death of Christ for though we have benefit by the Birth of Christ Luke 2.10 11. as we shewed this day fortnight yet not so much as by his death and joy in birth onely in relation to his death He is born a Saviour i.e. one that shall die for your sins Rom. 5.10 Heb. 2.14 Through death he destroyed him that had power of death that is the devil Yet there is joy in his Birth as in the approach of a friend that comes to loose as out of Prison if we be in for Debt or Murther We then rejoyce when he comes to the door but onely in reference to paying of the Debt for if he should then turn back it would sad us the more So in this case Must Aarons ear and hand and foot be sanctified it must be done by the application of the Blood of the Covenant Exod 29.20 Thus our hearing thus our words thus our works thus our walking is sanctified in the application of the Blood of Christ Heb. 9 14. the Blood of Christ purge your consciences 'T is all the price of Blood 2 Cor. 5. ult He hath made him to be sin for us c. Faith sanctifies as by laying hold of the Blood and Death of Christ so of the Resurrection and Life of Christ Means 2. His Resurrection As the Resurrection of Christ is a Birth so he is called The first-born from the dead so the assurance of his Resurrection proved by the powerful government of the Church and of the whole World for the Churches sake in his Session at the Right-hand of his Father this begets a lively hope and so a spiritual new birth in us 1 Pet. 1.3 We are begotten again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead Faith or Hope makes use of Christs Resurrection and this New birth of faith begets a New life of Sanctification Coloss 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ c. The love of Christ dying for us and rising for us and reigning for us acting all our affairs at the Right-hand of God his Father yea the love of Christ begetting of us to this lively hope by his Death and Resurrection all these constrain us to a holy life 2 Cor. 5. Ver. 14. For the love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that if one dyed for all then were all dead and that 15. He dyed for all that they which live should not live henceforth unto themselves but unto him which dyed for them and rose again Therefore 16. We live no more after the flesh i.e. with carnal and sinful affections And 17. If any man be in Christ he is a new creature a new man a regenerate person and hath a renewed conversation Therefore Wherefore because he seeing the love of Christ by the eye of Faith in dying for him and rising again this raiseth up his heart to newness of life As if he heard Christ perswading of him like as a tender-hearted mother perswades her childe per viscera by her own bowels If thou art my childe if thou dost own me for thy Mother then obey my commandments and follow my advice so saith the Apostle Col. 3. If ye be risen again with Christ if ye be partakers of a New Birth through the pangs of his Death and the power of his Resurrection if ye be his children if ye acknowledge God for your Father set your affections ow things which are above Phil. 3.20 and let your conversation be in heaven And so the just lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification in the application of the Death and Resurrection of Christ 3. He lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification Means 3. His Appearing and Judgment in the application of the Appearing of Christ and the Judgement of Christ 2 Tim. 4.1 I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom Preach the word be instant c. Look as the warning of an Assize or Sessions makes one careful to provide themselves that their cause may be found good that they may be able to stand in Judgement so in this case The same argument see Tit 2.13 Live soberly righteously c. looking for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ And 1 Cor. 15. last Theâ—efoâ—e my beloved brethren be ye stedfast c. Wherefore for as much as ye know c. i. e knowing by faith or believing your labour one day shall not be in vain in the Lord. A cause of all sins is made not believing the Judgement 2 Pet. 3.3 4. Where is the Promise of his coming c and a cause of holy walking the believing of it ver 11 12. What manner of persons ought ye to be in all hâ—ly conversation and godliness looking for and hasting to the coming c. Therefore it is observable in Scripture where-ever almost there is mention of the last Judgement it speaks of Christs judging men by the fruits of Faith rather then by Faith it self that the believing of the last Judgement may stir us up to a holy life Mat. 25.35 c. 2 Cor. 5.10 Rev. 20.12 there the Books are opened the Book of Gods Decree and yet men judged according to their works Think of this you that have to do in Judgement this day * other Books must one day be opened It may make a Felix tremble it may move all to be holy and righteous in all their actions Means 4. His Word 4. He lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification in the application of the Word of Christ Without Faith the Word profits not neither this nor any other way but being mixed with Faith Heb. 4.2 it is quick and powerful and mighty in operation 2 Cor. 10 4. to the pulling down of strong holds i.e. proud thoughts earthly thoughts unclean thoughts Joh. 15.3 Now are you clean through the word that I have spoken to you Psal 19. The word of the Lord is clean and endures for ever And as it is clean in it self so it is a cleansing word in the effect
Fall for as he was created in a possibility of standing so he was created in a possibility of falling also and fall he did as is manifest to all the world by woful experience Much less then would there be any certainty of this Salvation after the Fall should it depend upon the perfection of his own Righteousness Isa 64.6 for all our Righteousness is as filthy Rags But when nothing else is required of us in point of Justification but the renouncing our own Righteousness and the accepting of that which was performed by Jesus Christ who hath fulfilled all Righteousness to the utmost demand of the Law When once God gives us grace to do this as this is done by the grace of Faith we may be sure the gates of Hell shall never prevail against us Therefore God would have the Just live by Faith that his Salvation might be upon surer grounds General VSES Vse I. Of Information Vse 1 FOr Information If the just lives by Faith First see the happy Condition of Believers Joh. 6.29 Information in 7 things It is comfort against all discomforts What is thy Discomfort What troubles thee The happy condition of believers They have comfort 1. Against self-condemnation Is this thy discomfort when thou lookst into thy Self thou seest nothing but the Sentence of Death and condemnation in regard of thy sinfulness of Nature and Life yet thou maist say though I see nothing but Death it self By Faith I live 1. Doth the Law condemn thee Gal. 3.10 Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them 2. Doth thine own Conscience condemn thee taking part with the Law which is written there Conscience is a Practical Syllogism The Law affords the Major Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them Conscience affords the Minor But I have not continued in all things written in the book of the Law to do them Therefore I am cursed 3. Doth the Devil condemn thee who sails with wind and tide making use of the Law and Conscience As the Devil is called The Accuser of the Brethren 4. Do other Men condemn thee with whom thou hast sinned by counsel consent or incouragement Thou hast been partaker of other mens sins and these come to rise up in Judgement against thee 5. Doth the Gospel it self condemn thee At least for the time that is past Thou hast outstood many thousand sweet proffers of Grace and Mercy therefore thou art afraid that Sentence belongs to thee Prov. 1.24 Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded c. 6. Dost thou fear sometimes condemnation from the Mouth of the Judge who shall judge men according to the things that are written in the Books Rev. 20.12 yet here is thy comfort if thou believest thou art in an estate of Life The Just shall live by Faith Faith unites him to an everlasting Principle of Life And There is no condemnation to them that by faith are implanted into Christ Rom. 8.1 They are freed from condemnation Joh 5.24 1. Of the Law Rom. 7.6 We are delivered from the Law in regard of Exaction Curse and Malediction Rom. 8.2 3. We are not under the Law as a Covenant but onely as a Rule Rom. 10.14 Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one who believes 2. Of Conscience Heb. 9 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God This blood is sprinkled by Faith which purifies the heart Act. 15.9 and as it purifies so it pacifies Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have peace with God 3. Of Satan Rev. 12.10 For the accuser of our brethren is cast down which accused them before God day and night His accusations are cast out of the Court like the Accusations of some troublesome Informer or busie Promoter And how are we freed from his Accusations but by Faith 1 Pet. 5.9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith Repel his Accusation of God as if he did not love you because he afflicts you For of such an Accusation he there speaks as appears by the Means which there is fitted to that kinde of resistance Whom resist stedfast in the faith knowing that the same afflictions are accomplish'd in your brethren 4. Of Men Rom. 8.33 34. The Apostle challengeth Men and Devils If the Superior Judge will absolve and justifie what hath the Inferior Judge or Witness to say against the party 5. Of the Gospel Indeed if they who believe had stood out to the end the Sentence had belonged to them But because they did by Faith receive the Gospel at the last all their former rejecting of it shall not so much as be mentioned Rev. 3.20 Christ stands at the door and knocks and makes a gracious Promise If any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me But alas who hears at the first knock Christ stands there many a day it may be many years before the poor creature opens and believes yet if he opens at last Christ comes in and makes good his Promise 6. Of the Judge for God shall judge the secrets of men according to the Gospel Rom. 2.16 Believers shall hear a Sentence of Absolution Come ye blessed So There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom 8.1 Secondly is this thy Discomfort 2. Comfort against absence from the Lord. Thou art absent from the Lord O when shall I come and appear before God Faith draws God near to the Soul in the Promise and in the Seal of the Promise Thou seest the face of God in a lively picture in a clear glass in the glass of the Word and Sacrament and that 's a great comfort As it is some comfort to have the lively Picture of an absent friend but no picture can draw one friend so near to another as these lively pictures do draw God to the Soul Therefore when we act our Faith we are said to draw near to God Heb. 10.22 3. Against distance of things promised Thirdly is this our Discomfort The distance of the thing promised yet this is our Comfort Faith gives us such Security as if the thing had a present subsistence Heb. 11.1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen 4. Against Temporal and Spiritual wants Fourthly is this thy Discomfort That thy Wants are many in Temporals and Spirituals and thou knowest not how to get them supplied yet this is thy Comfort Christ is a Fountain and the Word a Treasure and as long as there is any thing left in the Word or in Christ in whom all fulness dwells thou canst never want