not only to the righteous themselues but to their children and posterity pag. 358 359. 360 It is necessary to belieue these promises for 1. Faith in these promises doth kill couetous desires distrustfull and distracting cares p. 360. 361 2. He will neuer renounce carnall supports who makes not God the stay of his soule for outward things ibid. 3. Beliefe in God brings good successe ibid. 4. If we cleaue not to the promises of God made concerning temporall things we shall adhere to the promises of life with lesse assurance p. 361. 362 5. Faith sweetneth and sanctifieth vnto vs the vse of all outward comforts vnder our hands p. 362 The godly are allowed to liue by faith touching these promises For 1. Seâ—ing God hath giuen Christ for vs how shall he not with him also freely giue vs all things p. 362. 363 2. The Lord by couenant hath promised to furnish his people with all needfull blessings pertayning to this life p. 363 3. God is our faithfull Creatour we the worke of his hands He is our Shepheard we the flocke of his pasture He is our Father we his children p. 364. 365 4. The patient expectation of the Saints hath confirmed this that God will not bee wanting to his children in things of this life p. 365. 366 The acts of faith in respect of these promises 1. It preserueth from the vse of all vnlawfull meanes knowing that nothing can prosper which God approueth not p. 366. 367 2. Faith is painfull prouident and frugall p. 367 3. It maketh inquiry into the heart turneth from euill and seeketh the face of the Lord earnestly ibid. 4. It stirreth vp to pray without distrustfull fruitlâ—sse excessiue care c. p. 368 5. It seeth riches in God submitteth to his wisdome resteth in his loue and so maintaineth a Christian in some measure of contentation p. 368. 369 6. In prosperitie it keepeth the heart in an holy temper and disposition in humility and meeknesse tendernesse and compassion p. 369. 370 7. It prayeth as earnestly for the sanctification of prosperity and Gods blessing vpon the meanes as for the meanes themselues if they were wanting p. 370. 371 8. It makes heauenly minded in the vse and possession of a prosperous estate ibid. 9. Faith breeds godly iealousie and suspition lest the heart should be drawne away with the pleasing delights of things transitory p. 371. 372 10. It mindeth vs of our change euen when our mountaine seemeth strongest p. 372. 373 How to liue by faith in the vse of meate and drinke 1. By faith we learne out of the Word of God who hath sonne-like interest and title vnto the creatures what creatures are sanctified vnto our vse and how each man must sanctifie them by a reuerent and holy vse p. 373 2. It receiueth them not as the fruit of our fore-cast labour or desert but as gifts of Gods bounty yea as gifts of the gracious couenant p. 373. 374 3. By faith we are taught that man liueth not by bread only but by the prouidence of God and his blessing vpon his owne ordinance ibid. This perswasion takes the heart off the creature and lifteth it vp vnto the Lord in earnest and pertinent prayer pag. 374. 375 4. It teacheth to bee heauenly-minded labouring to taste Gods goodnesse and feele his gracious presence with our spirits at our sweetest feasts p. 375 5. Faith worketh the heart to sobriety and moderation watchfulnesse and feare lest it should bee ensnared and drawne away with these delights p. 375. 376 6. It lifteth vp the soule in thankesgiuing pag. 376 377 7. Faith is frugall compassionate industrious pag. 377. 378 CHAP. IX THe Lord cals for willing chearefull vniuersall vnfained constant obedience p. 378. 379 Looke what seruice the Lord doth expect and call for that hee will inable his people in couenant to performe p. 379. 380 The obedience of the faithfull is imperfect but pleasing p. 380. 381 This faith is most necessary to the leading of a Christian life scil to rest vpon God for ability to doe what hee requireth c. For 1. The word of grace teacheth vs to deny vngodlinesse c. p. 381 2. Want of belieuing the precepts is the cause why many doe still continue in the practice of diuers things inconuenient ibid. 3. Ignorance in this point is the cause why some of the better sort of people are off and on c. ibid. 4. Faith carrieth a man whither soeuer he shall see the Lord to goe before him p. 382 5. Our present faith is commensurable to our fidelitie in Gods Commandements ibid. 6. That act cannot please God which is not animated by faith p. 382. 383 7. When a Christian knowes not whether hee shall haue strength to doe what God requireth or his poore seruice shall find acceptance it must needes occasion many feares and doubts deadnesse and vnchearefulnesse pag. 383. 384 8. Confidence in God to be inabled strengthened and accepted will cut off temptations and discouragements and nourish courage resolution and forwardnesse in wel-doing p. 384 Christians are allowed to belieue that God wil inable them to walke in obedience 1. God hath promised in his couenant to teach them the way that they shall chuse p. 384. 385 2. When he sends forth his seruants vpon any businesse he doth euermore promise to aide and assist them in the execution of it p. 385 3. The seruants of God haue and doe begge grace to bring forth fruits worthy repentance and amendment of life ibid. 4. The faithfull haue bound themselues by couenant and oath to keepe the righteous iudgements of the Lord. p. 386 5. God will perfect the sauing worke which hee hath begun in any of his children ibid. The acts of faith touching obedience required 1. It makes a man wise to discerne what is lawfull good and seasonable ibid. 2. It curbes inordinate passions and ouercomes all impediments temptations difficulties and allurements to the contrary p. 387. 388 3. It purifieth the heart seasoneth euery facultie of soule qualifieth and strengtheneth naturall inclinations altereth the taste of euery appetite and so inableth to obey p. 389 4. Admirable in force and efficacie is the perswasion of faith aboue all the oratory in the world p. 389. 390 5. It disposeth and moueth the heart to absolute vniforme vnpartiall and constant obedience p. 390. 391 6. It fires the heart with vnquenchable loue which in comparison of obedience contemneth the whole world pag. 391. 392 7. Faith makes sensible of our manifold infirmities and that hath bl ssed effects 1. It causeth serious meditation vpon the Word of God that it might sinke deepe into the heart p. 392 2. It worketh the heart often to renew its resolution trusting in Gods grace ibid. 3. It stirres vp earnest and hearty prayer to bee taught vpheld and confirmed ibid. 8. It doth confirme in obedience and pricke forward therein though it be in manifold and bitter persecutions p. 392. 393. 394 Meanes how to quicken our
bodie is wearie after labour and requires rest but sinne is euer stirring neuer quiet no not when occasions be wanting And that it might appeare out of measure sinfull it takes occasion by the commandement it resideth the good motions of the Spirit it disinâ—bleth to euery good worke it diffuseth it venome into euery action and leadeth captiue to the committing of sinne against knowledge and conscience The cursed earth is not so apt to bee ouer-growne with weedes bryars thornes and thistles as the soule with lusts passions distempers worldly cares and sinfull delights The law of the flesh rebelleth against the law of the minde and carrieth with violence to the workes of darknesse The Gally-slaues condition is very hard and miserable but the spirituall bond-slaue is in farre worse estate No drudgerie so base as the seruice of sinne no Tyrant so cruell as sinne which allowes no respite or time of refreshing Rom. 7.24 O miserable man that I am who shall deliuer me from this dominion of sinne this bodie of death I haue deeply defiled my selfe by transgression but haue no power to cleanse my heart O Lord I haue defaced thine Image but cannot repaire it I haue yeelded the powers of my soule to the obedience of sin and now I would cast off that subiection and breake those snares I am altogether vnsufficient for it When I would doe well euill is present with me Rom. 7.21 but I finde no meanes to perfect what I desire I cannot desire good my will is so in bondage I am not able to crawle about the doing of that which is good such is my feeblenesse but I want no strength to that which is euill I am apt and readie to goe astray I am inuironed and beset with sinne on euery side oh when shall I be set at libertie that I might doe the worke of God and runne the race of his Commandements Secondly He must looke to the grace truth and power of God who hath promised to sanctifie to the fulnesse and sufficiencie that is in Christ the fountaine of grace He who hath spoken this to mee Hold me and I will set thee free I will circumcise thy heart wash it purge it heale it of all sicknesses and infirmities he that hath spoken it is God Almightie who giueth Being to all visible creatures and that inuisible world of Spirits who calleth the things that are not as if they were who if there were no print of these things in me can worke and create them gloriously as at first he drew this excellent frame of the world out of that confused lumpe or Masse which hee made of nothing And as he is great in power so is he rich in mercie aboundant in goodnesse and truth as ready and faithfull to keepe as hee was free to make the promise His grace is vnsearchable his Word purer then siluer seuen times refined In my selfe I am full of sinne barren and destitute of grace but Christ is an ouer-flowing fountaine who hath plentifully filled all that belieue All the faithfull haue drawne of his fulnesse and yet his store is no whit diminished O my soule trust thou in the Lord and thou shalt be purged from thy filthines replenished with his grace Loe he calleth the thirstie who bee destitute of all sap and fruit of grace to come vnto him that they may be refreshed The Saints who haue beene most enriched with varietie of graces were by nature as poore and destitute as thou art What they had they receiued by faith Belieue as they did and speed with them Why criest thou out distrustfully by reason of thy barrennesse Doth the streaming fountaine denie water to the thirstie traueller No more doth Christ to the emptie parched soule that comes vnto him Thou hast no grace of thy selfe cleaue vnto him and thou shalt want none that may be for thy good He filleth the emptie and satisfieth the poore that he might be acknowledged the wel-spring of all grace and goodnesse Thirdly He must pray instantly vnto the Lord for sanctifying grace Faith obtaineth as a poore petitioner what the Lord promiseâ—h in speciall fauour nor can it belieue longer then it prayeth virtually or actually O Lord thou hast promised to powre water vpon the thirsty Esay 44.3 35.7 Ioel 2.28 and riuers vpon the dry ground I pray thee wash mee throughly from my filthinesse and water me bountifully with the dew of thy grace which may coole and allay the scorching heate of sinne Zech 13.1 Thou hast opened a fountaine to the house of Dauid and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sinne and for vncleannesse let the streames thereof flow vpon my drie and barren soule that it may be fruitfull in the workes of holinesse O put thy good Spirit into me which may be as a fountaine of liuing waters springing vnto eternall life Fourthly It is good to moue and quicken the heart quietly to rest in the promise and reioyce in hope Waite on the Lord O my soule and bee glad in him for hee hath giuen Christ to be thy Sanctification He is appointed to bee the beginner and finisher of thy holinesse and surely he will not leaue that worke imperfect whereunto he is ordained of the Father Were the progresse of that building commited to thy care and ouer-sight there might bee cause of feare but since it is laid vpon him thine onely and all-sufficient Redeemer there is no place for doubting Hold him fast and thou art safe Lord increase my faith and keepe me close vnto thee in belieuing for euermore CHAP. IIII. What it is to liue by Faith concerning the promises of euerlasting life AS if it were a light thing that God should forgiue all our sinnes Psal 103.3 4. and heale our infirmities he hath giuen promise of euerlasting life to bee conferred of his rich grace vpon them that belieue in Iesus Christ God so loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer belieueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Eternall life is promised Iohn 3.16 And Christ hath purchased life euerlasting no lesse for vs then righteousnesse Heb. 10.19 20. By the bloud of Iesus we may be hold to enter into the Holiest by the new and liuing way which he hath consecrated for vs through the vaile that is to say His flesh For this cause hee is the Mediatour of the New Testament Heb. 9.15 that by meanes of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were vnder the first Testament they which are called might receiue the promise of eternall inheritance And therefore as he is said to haue made reconciliation for iniquitie Dan. 9.24 2 Tim. 1.10 and to haue brought in euerlasting righteousnesse so also to haue abolished death and brought life and immortalitie to light And he makes promise of euerlasting life to them that heare and obey his voice Iohn 10.27 28. Marke 16.16 Acts 16.31 Iohn 6.40 20 31. 1
and supernaturall gift of grace wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Ministerie of the Gospell in the heart of Man a sinner acknowledging and bewayling his offences whereby hee doth not only assent to the whole truth of God and is certainly perswaded that Iesus Christ is appointed of God to be the authour of saluation to them that belieue in him and his Sauiour if hee doe belieue but doth relie cast and repose his soule vpon Christ his Sauiour and by him vpon God as a louing Father in him cleauing inseperably to the Word of truth as good both simply and in comparison and feeding vpon it as the wholsome food of life § 2. God the Father §. 2. God is the authour of faith in his Sonne Iesus Christ our Mediatour by the Holy Ghost is the Authour and worker of Faith Ephes â— 8 Pâ—â—l 1.29 Acts 18.27 Iohn 6.44 Iames 1.17 As saluation so faith is the gift of God It is through grace that men belieue No man can come vnto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him Euery good thing comes from the Father of lights but faith is a gift after a speciall manner most free and profitable comming from the grace of the Donor bestowed vpon vs when we are euery way vnworthy It is such a gift as comes not from common bountie such as God made shew of in the creation but from a speciall fauour which he beareth his in Christ Iesus The Scripture is cleare and euident herein and strong reasons may be deduced thence to proue it For of our selues wee haue no power to belieue or to prepare our selues thereunto There is no such soile in our hearts whence such fruit should spring The meanes of grace and the operation of the spirit accompayning it are free and voluntarie No man can belieue vnlesse he be created and formed anew But regeneration is a free worke of Gods grace and mercie Heb. 12.2 Faith is the worke of God the Father in Iesus Christ For as the naturall head doth not only giue sense and motion to all the members now conioyned but doth send forth those bands whereby they come to bee coupled with it so Christ doth not only giue spirituall sense and motion to his members already vnited vnto him by faith but he is the spring whence this sinew of faith doth flow and issue vnto vs. The Spirit of God is the principall worker of faith and hence wee are said to receiue the Spirit of faith that is the holy Ghost in and through this gift of faith which he worketh and continueth in vs. 2. Cor. 4.13 Rom. 15.13 By faith wee receiue the Holy Ghost and faith is the worke of the Holy Ghost the action of the Holy Ghost creating faith in vs How we are said to receiue the holy Ghost by faith is before faith But the beginning of faith is the receiuing of the Holy Ghost and faith being begun the gifts of the spirit are more more increased by it Ephes 1.13 Gal. 3.14 Faith it self is a work of the spirit but an augmentation of the graces of the spirit is obtained by faith the more our faith dilateth it selfe the more plentifully doe the graces of the spirit flow into vs from Christ Iohn 1.16 Of whose fulnesse we receiue grace for grace How the Spirit is obtained by Prayer Faith doth obtaine the Holy Ghost by prayer and prayer is an act of grace and of the Spirit as faith is a worke of the Spirit Luke 11.13 Before we can lift vp our soules vnto God the holy Ghost must descend into vs and lift vs vp for we moue not but as wee are moued The Holy Ghost is giuen to the Elect before they aske but a greater measure of the Spirit is obtained by Prayer § 3. Faith is not alike in all §. 3. Faith is imperfect though a worke of the Spirit in none perfect though it be the worke of the Spirit for the Spirit worketh faith not as a naturall agent which putteth forth it power to the vttermost and alwayes produceth like effects if it be not hindred but as a voluntary agent which putteth not forth his power to the vtmost worketh according to his pleasure in whom he wil as he wil but not in all alike The Spirit worketh faith not by morall perswasion only inciting to belieue Faith is a powerfull worke of God and leauing it to our free choice whether we will assent or no but by his powerfull operation and omnipotent hand put forth for such a purpose hee produceth this gracious effect There are no seedes of faith in our nature out of which by more outward teaching we may be brought to beliefe for then should faith be naturall as all other things are which our nature can attaine to with outward helpes There is no spirituall life in vs before the infusion of grace whereby we should be able to embrace the perswasions of the spirit for then we should liue spiritually of our selues before wee are quickened by grace If the Spirit of God doe only moue and perswade to belieue then God doth not make the belieuer to differ from the vnbelieuer but the good vse of his owne free will It is of grace that man might belieue and so might he that continueth in infidelitie for hee receiued equall aide and was equally perswaded and incited by the Spirit But if the question bee why doth the one belieue and not the other it is not the Spirit here that makes the difference but the good vse of mans free-will and so that man is inabled to belieue it should bee of grace but that he doth belieue and so differ from other men this should be from himselfe The same power that raised Christ from the dead is said to raise vs vp to belieue Ephes 1.19 20. 1. Pet. 1.5 2. Pet. 1.1 2 3. If an hand or eye bee wanting to a man from his birth can any power restore them but the Almightie power of God by which the body was at first framed and fashioned By what power then is this hand of faith created which reacheth to heauen this eye which doth see the things within the vaile which concerne our peace Io. 6.37 Acts 13.48 Phil. 1.29 Matth. 11.26 This further appeareth by the cause that moueth the Lord to bestow faith vpon some which is his free eternall vnchangeable grace and loue whereby hee loued them to be made heires of saluation before the foundation of the earth was laid For so farre as God effectually willeth and intendeth to worke so farre he putteth forth his omnipotent power to accomplish But God doth intend and effectually will to draw some vnto him before other some §. 4. How God produceth Faith § 4. In producing faith first God bestoweth vpon man the gift of vnderstanding and spirituall wisdome opening and illuminating the eyes of his minde to know the promise in Christ and to
it neither extinguisheth the nature of man nor the light of reason Faith is not a brutish captiuitie which yields vp her eyes to bee put out but the vnderstanding receiuing a more excellent sight by faith yeilds vp the worse and doth not loose her light but exchange it for the better There is a double assent one from reason the other from authoritie both are made with the knowledge of the Minde knowledge is included in both in the one of the cause and properties which is strictly called Science in the other of the authoritie and truth of the reuealer and in that respect of the thing taught which is called Faith Rom. 10.14 17. 1. Cor. 4.14 1. Cor. 13.2 Bellar. vbi supra How shall we belieue in him of whom we haue not heard There is no sight without some visible obiect no faith without the knowledge of God in Christ Though knowledge be not faith but an habit distinct from it yet it concurres to the being of faith in as much as no man can assent to that hee neuer heard of Wisdome is distinguished from knowledge as a thing more excellent which yet it presupposeth so faith is distinguished from knowledge but cannot be without it The knowledge which hath no ingredience into faith is the knowledge of that which is not reuealed for faith not only goeth before such knowledge but vtterly repels it neuer admitting any curious search into Gods secrets But in things reuealed faith knoweth what it belieueth and by belieuing knoweth the more Faith is the cause of more ample knowledge but some knowledge of Gods will and pleasure is antecedent to faith This knowledge must be distinct sound certaine And this knowledge must be distinct sound and certaine For faith diuine is sure and certaine therefore the knowledge whereupon it is grounded must be such as cannot deceiue The assent which faith giues to the Word of God is absolute and vnlimited which can neuer bee yeilded vnlesse being certaine in it selfe we know it certainly as it is 1. Thess 5.19.20 Col. 3.16 1. Iohn 4.1 Acts 17 1â— 12. 1. Reg. 13.20 21 Acts 1â— 1.14 Psal 119.18 34 73.144 Col. 1.5 2. â— Ephes 1.16 17. 2. Cor. 8.7 Hosius contra Brent lib. 3. Bellar. de Iustif. l. 1. c. 7. §. Iudicium Tolet. instr Sacerd l. 4. cap. 2. and bee assured that wee conceiue of it aright The examination of doctrines by the touchstone is commanded of God and wonderfully commended by the Holy Ghost the neglect of examining what wee heare doth bring great perill and danger for such as receiue doctrines vpon the credit of their Teachers are euer vnsetled apt to bee seduced and readie to start backe in time of trouble Certaine knowledge is to bee begged of God both for our selues and others and thankes haue beene and should bee giuen to God for this grace and mercie vouchsafed vnto the Saints The Papists haue much extolled the Colliars faith commended ignorance and disgraced knowledge as if faith were much better defined by ignorance then by knowledge but when they are pressed with euidence of Scripture in this point they grant that knowledge in all fundamentall points of Religion is necessary for lay people and would colour the matter as if they meant the knowledge of reason was not necessarie to faith T. W. in his triple accusation of D. White but of reuelation onely Not to dispute of their meaning in those propositions though their words and practice and matter intreated of sufficiently argue the vanitie of that excuse wee may take them as they say and spare labour to proue that faith cannot be a blinde assent because we haue their confession for it that faith requireth knowledge of reuelation The Implicite faith then of them that know nothing in Religion but belieue as the Church belieueth Rom. 1.17 16 1. Cor. 10.15 11.28 2. Cor. 13.5 2. Pet. 1.5 1. Pet. 3.15 Rom. 12.1 2. not vnderstanding what she belieueth or professeth is most absurd but when we know Christ truly and whatsoeuer is absolutely necessarie to saluation there bee many things wrapped vp from vs which wee ought to belieue in which respect faith may bee called implicite or infolded For being compassed about with mists of ignorance In what respects faith is Implicite wee attaine not the vnderstanding of many things reuealed of which we may note very many examples in the Disciples of Christ hauing not yet obtained full illumination Iohn 20.9 Matth. 16.22 Luke 24.25 Acts 1.6 10.14.11.2 Iohn 4.39 41. Heb. 11.31 and in them who being only stirred vp by the miracles of Christ went no further then to acknowledge him to be the promised Messias So that when a man knowes and vnderstands in generall the substantiall Articles belonging to faith which are contained in the Scriptures and is ignorant only in the particulars whereby the said general Articles are demonstrated and when withall he vses the meanes to encrease in knowledge by searching the Scriptures and hearing the Word preached in this case his faith may bee true though infolded in many particulars Faith also may be implicite in another respect for many that truely belieue cannot certainly affirme they doe belieue which befalleth them that are touched in conscience for sinne who bewaile their offences and desire to be reconciled vnto God Now as in the little tender bud are infolded the leafe the blossome and the fruit so in true sorrow broken-heartednesse and vnfained acknowledgement faith and many graces of Gods Spirit are infolded But this is not properly vnderstood when wee speake of implicite faith neither is faith so much wrapped vp in these graces as the sight of faith and sence of comfort hid from their eyes that be distressed § 2. Faith presupposeth knowledge and yeilds assent to the word of grace §. 2. Faith is an Assent relying vpon the authoritie of God who is true in all his sayings sincere faithfull constant in all promises and can neither deceiue nor bee deceiued Abraham belieued God Gen. 15.6 the word imports he thought the words of God to be sure certaine stable and constant Moses saying Exod. 4.31 Deut. 1.52 Exod. 4.31 14.31 Israel will not belieue me meaneth they would not assent or giue credit to his words And when it is said Israel belieued the Lord and his seruâ—nt Moses thereby is vnderstood that they gaue credit to the word of the Lord spoken by his seruant Moses This is cleere in the exhortation of Iehoshaphat vnto the people saying 2. Chron. 20.20 Belieue in the Lord your God so shall you be established belieue his Prophets so shall yee prosper And that of Dauid Psal 116.10 I belieued therefore haue I spoken Beliefe is alwayes grounded vpon the authoritie and reputation of him for whose word sake wee belieue and must needs haue reference to some vttered word or reuelation as the obiect but it may be sustained and strengthened by other
10. it hath this proposition concerning the present or time past To me belieuing in Christ my sinnes are forgâ—ued And thus the horned argument of the Iesuite Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap 10. Sect. ratio secunda Idem de Eccl. lib. 4. cap. 11. §. Sectary nostri whereby he would proue the speciall mercie of God not to be the obiect of faith Iustifying and our doctrine in that point to b e grosse and absurd is easily vntied For thus he reasoneth Iustifying faith goeth before Iustification But faith in the speciall mercie of God followeth Iustification For hee that belieueth the pardon of his sinnes is either iust before or not iust if iust before then faith iustifyeâ—h not if vniust then belieuing that his sinnes bee pardoned he belieueth a lie Our answere is that speciall faith hath the sundrie acts but to this purpose specially two The first heartily to desire earnestly to thirst after D. Field of the Ch lib. 3. cap. 44 Bolton of walking with God pag. 321. 322. To belieue that my sinne is now forgiuen in Christ is rather an act of experience in a Belieuer now iustified then that beliefe which is required to Iustification P. Bayn Helpe to true Happines part 2. qu. 9. humbly to intreate for acceptation and confidently to rest vpon the promise of free remission The other comfortably to assure and perswade that that is granted which was desired and receiued in promise Faith by her first act obtaineth and receiueth pardon and doth not finde vs iust when wee begin to belieue by her second act shee doth not actually iustifie but finding the thing done certifyeth and assureth vs of it So then speciall faith in her first act is before Iustification and procureth obtaineth and receiueth pardon but then shee hath not the perswasion of it as alreadie done in her second act shee presupposeth the thing done and alreadie obtained and so truely perswadeth the belieuer of it but procureth not the doing of it Before Iustification faith seeketh and receiueth the promise of forgiuenesse after Iustification it comfortably assureth of the blessing obtained in both it hath for it obiect the speciall mercie of God in Christ Faith receiueth Christ offered in the Gospell and it perswadeth and assureth of pardon in Christ receiued both these bee the acts of faith sometimes expressed a Iustifiing faith hath some acts as a cause disposing preparing and fittiâ—g vs to the receit of that gracious sauour whereby God doth iustifie vs and other as a susceptiue cause receiuing embracing and enioying the same In the former respect faith consists not in a perswasion that wee are the sons of God but in the latter Feild appendex to the fifth Booke second part in the definition of Iustifying faith but if we speake of faith as it iustifyeth it peculiarly embraceth Christ with his benefits as he is profered in the word and Sacrament For faith which is required to Iustification is not a perswasion or knowledge of things alreadie possessed but a confidâ—nce of things promised and vpon belieuing to bee obtained which in the order of causes not in time doth goe before remission of sinnes Who knoweth not that we must belieue that we might be iustified Iustified I say and not certified of Iustification by the benefite of faith The Scripture is cleare Belieue and thou shalt be saued God iustifieth the circumcision by faith and the vncircumcision through faith Doe not these and many the like passages shew that Iustification and not onely the sense and manifestation of Iustification alreadie obtained doth depend on faith § 4. It may bee said we are iustified before in Gods decree Indeed whom God doth iustifie them he decreed to iustifie from all eternitie but whereas election is manifested by faith as by its effect iustification doth depend vpon faith as its cause and wee are iustified by faith as the instrument thereof For election is an act immanent and eternall §. 3. Act. 16.31 Rom. 3.30 but iustification transient and in time inferring some change in the person iustified not physiciall but morall in respect of state §. 4. whereby it comes to passe that the person is in another condition and account then he was before In briefe the act of faith preswading of the pardon of sinne alreadie obtained by belieuing and glorying in the sense of Gods mercie must bee distinguished from that act of faith which iustifieth and is a leauing or staying vpon Christ to obtaine remission the priuiledge of grace and comfort which comes to the soule by belieuing must be distinguished from the condition of the couenant which is required on our parts before wee can obtaine pardon This is the rather to be noted Fishers answere to certaine articles because the maine cauils of the papists against our doctrine touchâ—ng particular confidence in Gods mercie and certainetie of saluation are grounded vpon this surmise that wee make that faith which is an assured and certaine perswasion of our particular election iustificâ—tion and saluation to be the sole cause to wit on Mans part of Iustification whereas Iustification it selfe must goe before the assurance of it and such persons onely can haue true assurance and certaintie of their Iust fication election and Saluation who doe vnfainedly belieue and know assuredly that they belieue as they ought And it makes much for the comfort of many faithfull people who commit their soules vnto Christ Iesus and depend vpon him and no other for saluation who yet are much perplexed as if they had no faith nor could doe ought pleasing vnto God because they want this certaine assurance of the remission of their sinnes whereas if they had learned what it is to belieue vnto Iustification and trust vnto the promise for pardon they might for the present take comfort in this that notwithstanding their feare they relie vpon Christ â—nd commit their soules vnto God as to their faithfull Redeemer and might with more ease and speed grow vp vnto the desired comfort and assurance when they should distinctly perceiue and discerne the groundâ— of faith and assurance by what steps and degrees they must clime from the one vnto the other CHAP. VIII By faith a true belieuer may bee certaine and infallibly assuredly of the remission of his sinnes and eternall saluation §. 1. How Faith assureth of saluation § 1. IT is a Principle common amongst our Aduersaries that eueâ—y conclusion issuâ—ng from one proposition reuealed expressely in Scripture another clearely and certainely knowne otherwise and by euident and good consequent added vnto it b longs to faith and is belieued by no other habit then of faith As for example All the dead shall rise Peter is dead therefore Peter shall rise The conclusion is Theologicall and belongs to faith though it be not expressely written that Peter is dead or that he shall rise againe So it is in this present matter All that belieue shâ—ll bee saued this proposition is
hand of Herod How much more ought and will that man who is assured of Gods fauour and loue towards him for euer admire the mightie power vnspeakeable goodnes and rich mercie of God who hath deliuered him from the pit of Hell from the power of Satan from the curse of the law and from the waiting for of all the wicked Deuils and damned Spirits and hath translated him into the kingdome of his deare Sonne And if hee daily consider his vnworthines and and renued sinnes hee shall see more cause to wonder euery day then at the first if comparison may be made in such a case and to renue his repentance care watch and resolution to better his obedience For is it not to be wondred at that God pardoneth the sinnes of his children daily and continueth his mercie towards them and the sence of his loue euen vnto the end Who can thinke vpon his slippes and infirmities which breake from him euery day for which the wrath of God is iusty prouoked against him and withall remmeber how God is pleased to spare him to grant him accesse into his presence and to afford vnto him the sence of his loue but he must needs be astonished at the enioyment of so great and incomprehensible so large and long-enduring kindnesse his heart must bee enflamed with loue and enlarged in praises still more and more his affections raised to striue against sinne and set vpon the workes of holinesse and righteousnes wherevnto they are designed euery day more and more Assurance of sauation then doth not beget securitie but quickeneth to more sincere setled and constant obedience nor it is possible that a Christian should hold his assurance longer then he doth follow cherish and feed this heauenly affection in himselfe CHAP. IX Faith is grounded vpon the word of God not vpon the authoritie of the Church and resteth vpon God in Christ not vpon the Saints militant or triumphant §. 1. § 1. TThe Schoolemen diuide the obiect of faith into the materiall obiect and into the formall The materiall are the Articles or things belieued The formall is the foundation and last maine principle whereupon faith relieth or that whereinto the assent which yeeldeth vnto the matter belieued is resolued In which sence the obiect of faith is all one with the foundation or ground work of it But howsoeuer we vnderstand it whether for the maine reason last resolution of assent or for that whereupon our confidence leaneth relyeth resteth the authoritie of the Church cannot be the ground nor the Saints tryumphant the obiect of faith diuine The Authoritie of the Church cannot be the ground of faith 1. Thess 2.13 2. Tim. 3.16 We belieue that God hath his Church but we neither belieue in the Saints militant nor triumphant The ground or foundation of faith must bee some thing which is purely and simply diuine admixt with no errour yea subiect to no errour the indubitate word and reuelation of Christ the diuine and prime veritie reuealed by inspiration But the word of God alone is purely and simply diuine admixt with no errour the Church is subiect to errour neither hath it any truth immediately or by diuine inspiration Rom. 11.20 but by second meanes the authoritie of the Church is a thing create distinct from the first veritie The immortall seed whereby wee are regenerate and made faithfull is the onely formall principle or ground of faith The word of God alone is that immortall seed Therefore the word of God alone 1. Pet. 1.13 is the onely formall principle of faith And euen as in Husbandrie although diuers instruments and meanes bee requisite and necessary to wit plowing sowing c. yet the seed is the beginning and sole immediate cause of the graine spinging vp euen so in the spiritual plantation of faith in which our soules are liuing fields the immortall seed which the Apostles first preached and afterwards committed to writing produceth faith as the sole principle immediate motiue and formall obiect of faith as the ministerie authoritie and calling of the Church produce the same as the adiuvant and instrumentall cause or as the meanes of applying the word and seales thereof but not as the first principle Whatsoeuer credit the Church hath it receiueth the same from the Scriptures as is acknowledged by some of our principall Aduersaries and confirmed by the Apostle who saith Ephes 2.20 We are built vpon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles The present faith of Christians is of the same kind with the faith of the Prophets and Apostles But the faith of these holy men was sounded vpon immediate diuine reuelation and not vpon the authoritie of the Church § 2. Herein the Romanists faith differs from the faith of ancient Christians for the Saints who liued of olde grounded their faith vpon the pure and faithfull Word of God § 2. The Papists make the Popes authoritie the only ground of Faith as vpon a sure foundation but the authoritie of the Pope whom they call the Church virtuall is the first ground and last resolution of the Romanists faith Indefinitely or indeterminately they teach whatsoeuer God hath spoken is most true in that sence wherein hee meâ—nt it But if we descend to any determinate speeches written or vnwritten either acknowledged or supposed for God Word the present Romish Church doth take vpon her absolutely to iudge of all and euery part of them If wee speake of that Canon of Scripture which wee haue the sence or interpretation of any text any article of faith concluded out of it the onely cause they doe or can belieue them infallibly is the Popes infallibilitie that commends them The Churches or Popes proposall is not only a condition requisite but the remonstratiue root the immediate cause and reason of their belieuing diuine reuelations And if it bee a reason why they belieue them and sway the minde to embrace the truth then it is the proper efficient cause of beliefe According to their doctrine the orthodoxall answere to this Interrogation Why doe you belieue the doctrine of the Trinitie to be a diuine Reuelation is because the Church proposeth it to me for such But he that admits this answere for sound and Catholike and yet den es the Churches proposall to bee the true and proper cause of his beliefe in the former point hath smothered the light of nature by admitting too artificiall subtiltie into his braines Whatsoeuer it be Cause Condition Circumstance or effect that truly satisfieth this demand Why doe you belieue this or that it is a true proper cause of our beliefe though not of the thing belieued We must here obserue that there is a twofold resolution One of the things or matters belieued or knowne into theâ—r first parts or elements Another of our beliefe or perswasions concerning them into their first causes or motiues In the one the most generall or remotest cause In the other the most immediate
and temporall For so they should haue made them their arme who were but flesh What is alledged out of Exodus Moses speaketh in reproach of the Israelites Ier. 17.5 who belieued neither the Lord nor Moses touching the promise of their deliuery out of Egypt vntill such time as they hauing quite passed the Red Sea did see their enemies dead in the Sea And though they belieued the truth of the Lord Psal 106.12 and the word of his seruant when they had the accomplishment of his promise yet they did not confidently betake themselues to the Lord as their onely refuge and rest vnder the shadow of his wings For the Lord complaineth often of their infidelitie towards him Psal 78 22. Heb. 3 1â— and the historie makes mention of their distrust murmurâ—ng and rebellion against the Lord. In the other place the people are praysed as those who rested in the word of the Prophet before that the promise was effected But they leaned not vpon the Prophets as authours of their helpe neither had that beene prayse-worthy in them nay it had beene detestable Idolatrie If they will haue the Hebrew preposition to bee of force in those places by Moses and the Prophets we are to vnderstand the word taught by Moses and the Prophets from God as the Chaldee explaineth it they belieued in the Word of the Lord and in the prophesie of Moses his seruant The exposition of both texts may bee taken out of that of the Lord to Moses Exod. 19.9 Iohn 5.45 Loe I come vnto thee in a thicke cloud that the people may heare when I speake with thee and belieue thee for euer that is that they may receiue thee for a faithfull and true Prophet and belieue in the word that I shall make knowne vnto them by thee And as the Israelites are said to be baptized into Moses 1. Cor. 10.1 that is into the doctrine or law of Moses whereof he was a Minister so are they said to belieue in Moses and the Prophets that is in the word which they taught from God They were the instruments and Ministers of the Lord and ministerially the people belieued in them that is in the Word of the Lord published by them Of Sion it is said the poore of his people shall trust in it Esay 14.32 The meaning is not that the faithfull shall put their trust in Sion as wee must hope in God but that the inhabitants of Sion shall dwell in a quiet and secure place as the Prophets often affirme that saluation is in Sion Ioel 2.32 It may well bee translated The poore of his people shall betake themselues vnto it Iob 24.8 Psal 104.18 as vnto a place of protection and refuge by the blessing of God not as vnto the chiefe stay and prop of their soules They further obiect that the Apostle referreth faith and loue to the Saints saying Phil. 5. verse Bellar. de beatitud Sanct. lib. 1. cap. 20. Verse 6. Hearing of thy loue and faith which thou hast towards the Lord Iesus and toward all Saints But in this place faith is referred only to Christ and loue to the brethren as it appeareth in the two verses next following In the former whereof faith is restrained vnto Christ and in the latter the loue here mentioned is carried to the brethren which appeareth also in that other where vpon the same occasion he so distinguisheth faith and loue that faith is appropriated vnto Christ and loue referred to the Saints For the very words also the Apostle hath so fenced them Ephes 1.15 Col. 1 4. that although the truth were not otherwise cleare our Aduersaries can haue no aduantage for their doctrine of pinning our most holy faith vpon the sleeue of euery Saint For although hee haue coupled Charitie and Faith together which in other Epistles hee doth distinctly referre the one to Christ the other to the faithfull yet hee hath vsed prepositions which note that faith must passe no fâ—rther then to Christ as charitie goeth no further in this place but vnto the Saints For where the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is such as might haue serued both to note our faith towards Christ and our charitie towards our Brethren hee declares that hee would not haue Faith and Charitie carried to one and the same obiect by the choice of seuerall bands of prepositions wherewith to tie each of these vertues with the subiect whereunto they belong But to goe no further then to the Rhemists translation can they say that we haue charitie in the Lord Iesus If with the later clause further remoued which is towards all Saints they will haue both Charitie and Faith conioyned yet it followeth much more that with this clause in the Lord Iesus which is neerer vnto charitie then the other they ought both also to be coupled If this be absurd much more is it that vpon this ground of coupling Faith and Charitie together they would haue them both carried and applied vnto these words vnto the Saints As for the order of words and coupling things together which are to be referred distinctly the like is to be found in other passages of holy Scripture Math. 12.22 Againe Loue and Faith may be put for faithfull firme and sted ast loue the like whereunto we may often find But by this no resting of the place our Aduersaries are driuen not only to belieue in the Catholike Church but also in euery seuerall member of the Catholike Church For seeing the Apostle commendeth Phiâ—â—mon for his loue towards euery Saint that came vnto him it followeth that if as they say he commendeth faith towards the Saints hee commendeth it towards euery man a part and so euery Christian is to belieue in other which our Aduersaries will not affirme CHAP. X. Of the Effects Subiect and Degrees of Iustifying Faith § 1. MAny and excellent are the fruits and effects of faith §. 1. The benefits and effects of Faith for which cause it hath beene adorned with many singular titles of hohour It is called the gift of gifts the soule of our soule the root of an honest life the character of the sonnes of God the key whereby the treasures which are in Christ are opened vnto vs the mother of sound ioy and nurse of a good conscience the hand whereby we apprehend Christ the eye whereby wee see the inuisible things of God the mouth whereby we receiue the seed of saluation the pledge of our eternall inheritance the earnest of our peace with God the seale of our election the ladder whereby we certainly and safely ascend vp to Heauen the shield of a faithfull soule the sword whereby we beate and wound our enemies the token of our vnion in Christ our victorie and the band whereby we are vnited vnto the chiefe good The fruits of faith are diuided into two Heads Internall and Externall which the Schoolemen call Elicite and Imperate But to speake of them
grace as well as any benefite tending thereunto As we are iustified by faith so wee are saued by faith Eph. 2.8 not in respect of present saluation or redemption whereof here we are pertakers but in respect of glorification to come in due time to be reuealed Belieue on the Lord Iesus Act. 16.31 and thou shalt hee saued By faith wee haue accesse into this grace Rom. 5.2 wherein wee stand and reioyce in the hope of glory When the Apostle saith With the heart Man belieueth vnto righteousnesse Rom. 10.10 and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation Hâ—e doth not so distinguish these two as if faith were the cause of righteousnes confession of saluation or as if faith were sufficient to righteousnes but not to saluation for hee had often said Rom. 4 16. that wee are saued by faith that the promise is by faith But he describes the qualification of that faith which iustifyeth and saueth namely that it is a stedfast affiance that flyeth to God by heartie supplication and breaketh forth into profession of Gods name The promise is Rom. 10.11 Whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be saued and faith herein flyeth to the throne of grace with ardent supplications and layeth hold of saluation promised of grace Secondly Faith doth not begin to apprehend life and then leaue it it to works that we might attain the accoÌ„plishment by theÌ„ but it doth euer rest vpon the promise vntill we come to enioy it Heauen is an inheritance freely vouchsafed to the adopted sonnes of God whose interest vnto it commeth by belieuing not by working Rom. 6.23 The gift of God is eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord if it be a gift of meere fauour it cannot be of workes Eph. 2.8.9.10 Gal. 3.18 If the inheritance be of the Law it is no more of promise but God gaue it to Abraham by promise And that which God will doe about his children in the day of iudgement is called mercy 2. Tim. 1.18 The Lord shew mercy to Onesiphorus in that day The immediate cause of life is Gods grace as the immediate cause of death is sin Rom. 5.21 But if life be of grace it is by faith We are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation 1. Pet. 1.5 So that our faith neuer giues ouer till wee come to bee actually possessed of the immortall and vndefiled inheritance reserued for vs in Heauen Thirdly By faith we receiue the promised Spirit as the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the purchased possession Gal. 3.14 Because ye are sonnes God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts crying Ezek. 34.29 Gal. 4 6. Rom. 8.15 Abba Father The holy Ghost doth first infuse the grace of faith into our hearts whereby we belieue but belieuing and being made the sonnes of God wee receiue the Spirit more fully and manifestly dwelling in vs to sanctification and assurance of our Redemption By the benefite of the holy Ghost faith springeth in vs by which faith the abundance of the selfe-same spirit is increased and so of a greater faith is still made a greater increase of the Spirit In whom after yee belieued Ephe. 1.13 yee were sealed with the Spirit of promise He that belieueth Iohn 7.38 out of his belly shall flow riuers of liuing water And these gifts of the Spirit which we receiue by faith from Christ our Head are the beginnings of that glorious life we expect and looke for one in substance different in degrees and according to the measure of grace receiued so is the life of glory begunne in vs. Fourthly Faith in the promises of euerlasting life leadeth forward in the pathes of peace and righteousnes It mortifyeth corruption studyeth holinesse Math. 6.21 raiseth the heart to things aboue and directeth the conuersation according to the pollicie of the new Ierusalem Life eternâ—ll is not giuen for workes but it is the good pleasure of God that his children should be holy and exercise themselues in all good workes Rom. 8.13 Gal. 6.8 If yee through the Spirit doe mortifie the deeds of the body yee shall liue He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reape life euerlasting Blessed are the pure in heart Math. 5 8. for they shall see God Follow peace with all men and holinesse Heb. 12.14 without which no man shall see the Lord. Charge them that be rich in this world that they bee not high minded nor trust in vncertaine riches but in the liuing God who giueth richly all things to inioy That they doe good that they be rich in good workes ready to distribute willing to communicate 1. Tim. 6.17.18.19 Laying vp in store for themselues a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternall life But yee beloued building vp your selues in your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost keepe your selues in the loue of God Iude verse 20.21 Iam. 1.12.25 Math. 35.34.35 looking for the mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ vnto eternall life Come yâ—e blessed of my Father inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world For I was hungred and yee gaue mee meate c. These and such like passages of Scripture shew not the cause why but the qualification of the persons vnto whom not how it is deserued but what doth precede the bestowing of life eternall And faith that looketh for that blessed hope and layeth hold vpon the promise of that heauenly and incorruptible inheritance lifteth vp the heart into Heauen kindleth loue inflameth with zeale encourage h against difficulties and inciteth to run the way of Gods Commandements If probable hope of great aduantage drawes on the Merchant to vndertake a long and tedious voyage by Sea notwithstanding the many casualties and perils wherewith it is beset faith in the assured promises of God concerning saluation will set a man forward in his Christian iourney hold hâ—m on in his way with courage and chearefulnesse and hearten him to the workes of godlinesse notwithstanding the temptations of Satan the allurements of the world or oppositions of the flesh to the contrarie Phil. 3.20 Our conuersation is in Heauen from whence also wee looke for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus Christ Col. 1.3.4.5 Wee giue thankes to God and since wee heard of your faith in Christ Iesus and of the loue which yee hau to all the Saints For the hope which is laid vp for you in Heauen Heb. 11.13 14.15.16 By faith Abraham Isaâ—c and Iacob confessed that they were pilgrimes and strangers on the earth and hauing oportunitie would not returne into their owne countrey because they desired a better countrey that is an heauenly Fiftly It seeketh to get our title confirmed and assured to the conscience by euidence and earnest or pawne it exerciseth it selfe vpon the
delight This is a true saying The charter anciently giuen by that great Lord of all at our first conuersion touching the vse of his creatures was forfeited into the hands of the Doner by Adams fall But it is restored and renewed by Christ to them who aâ—e honoured with the Adoption The heires of heauen are the right inheritors of the earth The Sonnes of God by Adoption are Brethren and Coheires with Christ whom the Father hath appointed heire of all things Rom. 8.17 and hence ariseth vnto them the holy vse of â—he creatures Heb. 1.2 and ministerie of the Angells Are chastisements needfull or behooffull for them Iere. 46.28 Esay 54.8 Heb. 12.10 11. Ier. 24.5 Esay 27.9 Psal 89.31.32 1. Pet 4.14 Rom. 8.28 Acts of Faith that arise from the priuiledges of the godly He will correct them in measure for a moment fâ—r good to take away sinne but his louing kindnesse he will not take from them nor suffer his faithfulnesse to faile Are they loaded with reproaches for righteousnesse sake The Spirit of glorie and of God shall rest vpon them In a word whatsoeuer may happen All things shall worke together for the best vnto them And seeing God hath prepared and promised such excellent priuiledges vnto his children in this life hence it is that faith resteth vpon his grace to receiue from him whatsoeuer may be good and profitable for them O how great is the goodnesse which thou hast laid vp for them that feare thee Psal 31.19 which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sonnes of men Verse 20. Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man thou shalt keepe them secretly in a pauilion Psal 36.7 from the strife of tongues How excellent is thy louing kindnesse O Lord therefore the children of men put their trust vnder the shadow of thy wings verse 8. They shall bee abundantly satisfied with the fulnesse of thy house and thou shalt make them drinke of the riuer of thy pleasures The Lord is my shepheard Psal 23.1 I shall not want He shall leade his flocke like a shepheard he shall gather the lambes with his arme Esay 40 11. and cary them in this bosome and shall gently lead those that are with young What can they want Psal 146.5 6 7 8 9. Leuit. 26.12 2. Cor. 6.16 Prou. 10.24 Esay 49.15 16. Deut. 14.2 who haue god to be their Father to prouide for them and protect them to blesse them and dwell with them to succour them and supply them with all needfull blessings spirituall and bodily in fittest season whose eare is open to their desires whose compassions exceed the tendernes of a mother to her sucking babe who hath chosen them to be his owne proper good which he loueth and keepeth in store for himselfe and for speciall vse Thou Israel art my seruant Iacob whom I haue chosen the seed of Abraham my friend Esay 41 8 9. Thou whom I haue taken from the ends of the earth and called thee from the chiefe men thereof and said vnto thee Thou art my seruant I haue chosen thâ—e and not cast thee away Feare thou not for I am with thee Verse 10. bee not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will vphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse Verse 17. When the poore and needie seeke water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will heare them I the Lord of Israel will not forsake them Verse 18. I will open riuers in the high places and fountaines in the midst of the valleyâ—s I will make the wildernesse a poole of water and the dry land springs of water Secondly It petitioneth instantly for succour For it seeth in God whatsoeuer it needeth or desireth and will neuer cease to seeke reliefe The more confident it is to obtaine the more importunate it will bee in suing Oile put to the fire causeth the flame to ascend and the promises of helpe and succour receiued by faith put life and vigour into the petitions of faith Heare O Lord Psal 27.7 8. Verse 9. when I cry with my voice haue mercy also vpon mee and answere me Hide not thy face farre from me put not thy seruant away in anger thou hast beene my helpe leaue me not neither forsake me O God of my saluation Vnto thee wiâ—l I cry Psal 28.1 2. O Lord my rocke be not silent to me lest if thou be silent to me I become like them that goe downe into the pit Heare the voice of my supplications when I cry vnto thee when I lift vp my hands towards thy holy Oracle With-hold not thou thy tender mercies from me O Lord Psal 40.11 let thy louing kindnesse and thy truth continually preserue me Thirdly It receiueth earthly blessings as gifts of the couenant and part of his childes portion God vouchsafeth outward things to wicked men of common bountie but to his children the blessings of this life bee tokens of his loue and speciall good-will and so receiued and embraced by faith For substance the gift is one both to the Iust and vniust but in respect of the cause possession and vse there is great difference which is discerned by faith though it cannot be seene with the eye Hosea 2.20 21 22. I will euen betroth thee vnto me in faithfulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. And it shall come to passe in that day I will heare saith the Lord I will heare the Heauens and they shall heare the Earth and the Earth shall heare the Corne and the Wine and the Oile and they shall heare Iezreel Fourthly Faith in these and the foresaid promises doth greatly enlarge the heart towards God and stirreth vp to a serious and earnest studie of holinesse If a Christian be much in the meditation of Gods singular goodnesse towards him euery manner of way aboue all that he could possibly aske or thinke it will euen constraine him to yeeld vp himselfe wholy vnto God in all manner of godly conuersation Psal 26.2 3. Examine me O Lord and proue me try my reines and my heart For thy louing kindnesse is before mine eyes and I haue walked in thy truth Fiftly It doth inwardly quiet and cheere the heart in the midst of manifold outward discouragements troubles and persecutions in the world Hope of glorie in due time to be reuealed and of continuall supply of all good th ngs from God in the meane space to bee freely giuen will stâ—blish the heart with strong consolation and cause in outward pâ—ofession of Ioy to the glory of God the encouragement of other faithfull people and the amazement of the wicked Heb. 10.34 This is to bee seene in the liues and deaths of Gods faithfull seruants who tooke ioyfully the spoiling of their goods knowing in themselues that they had
is to liue by faith p. 203. 204 What is to be done that we might liue by faith viz. 1. Aquaint our selues familiarly with the Word of God 2. Exercise faith aright in the Word p. 204. 205 Besides expresse Cmmandements and direct promises there be speciall promises and commandements by consequent which we are to note and make vse of p. 205. 206 The acts of faith about the Word 1. It doth firmely and vniuersally assent to the whole Word of God and set a due price and value vpon it p. 207 2. It ponders the word seriously and treasures it vp safe ibid. 3. It preserues and keeps in the way of the promises ibid. 4. It plyes the throne of grace with earnest and continuall supplications ibid. 5. It looketh vp directly vnto God his wisdome power mercy and faithfulnesse p. 208 6. It resteth quietly vpon God and tryumpheth before the victory p. 208 Meanes to stirre vp our selues to liue by faith scil 1. Find out thy vnbeliefe p. 208. 209. 210. c. 2. See the necessity and pretiousnesse of faith p. 213 3. Meditate on the grounds of faith p. 213. 214 4. Feeling weaknesse of faith looke on Christ p. 214 5. Pray for the Spirit of faith p. 215 CHAP. II. WHat is meant by Gods promises and the diuers kinds therof p. 216 The promise of forgiuenesse of sinnes ibid. This promise is free p. 217 Yet obtained through Christ only ibid. And receiued and possessed by faith and by it alone p. 217 218 This promise is of faith 1. That it might be of free grace ibid. 2. That it might bee stedfast and sure to all the seed ibid. 3. That only is the true manner of Iustification which shuts forth all boasting in the dignity of our workes p. 218. 219 Its necessary to seeke pardon of sinne by faith for 1. In our selues we be sinfull and cursed and remission which is of grace can be obtained by no other meanes but only by faith in Iesus Christ p. 219 2. Faith goeth directly vnto Christ that by him wee might be justified ibid. 3. Faith in the promises of mercy doth commend and maintaine the glory of Gods grace p. 220 The acts of faith touching this promise of forgiuenes be diuers 1. It generally belieueth the promise to bee true and thereby discernes that sinne is pardonable p. 220. 221 2. It stirreth vp earnest desires and longings to bee made partaker of this mercy p. 221. 222 3. It draweth vs forward to seeke mercy of God by vnfained confession and hearty supplication p. 222. 223. 224 4. It embraceth and resteth vpon the speciall and free mercy of God in Christ for pardon p. 224. 225 5. It doth certifie of pardon granted and sealed vnto vs. p. 225 How faith doth assure that our sinnes are already pardoned p. 225. 226 Three prerogatiues accompany confident assurance 1. Peace with God 2. Free accesse vnto the throne of grace 3. Ioy in the Holy Ghost vnspeakable and glorious p. 227. 228 6. By faith we continue in this blessed state in sweet peace and fellowship with God p. 228. 229 A Christian may liue by faith for many dayes or rather all the dayes of his life in sweet peace and communion with God if he will learne to maintaine and take paines to exercise his faith aright p. 230. 231. 232 To what measure of ioy a Christian may attaine p. 232. 233 Two speciall causes there be why many good Christians liue so long in feare and doubt 1. An immoderate aggrauation of their sinne and continuall thought of their vnworthinesse p. 234 These must know it is good to deny themselues but not to doubt of the mercy of the Lord. ibid. The detestation of sinne is greatly to be commended if they remember withall that there is hope in Israel concerning this p. 235 There be sins of ignorance infirmitie forgetfulnesse and sudden passion and there be foule enormous notorious sinnes which wound conscience p. 235. 236 If a man haue often fallen into notorious offences he is not to despaire ibid. A foule offence after grace receiued is not vnpardonable p. 236. 237 Many complaine they cannot belieue when indeed they thinke there is no promise of mercy made vnto them vpon which they should ground their confidence ibid. Such must know 1. that God calleth them in his word to come vnto him as if he did particularly name them 2. They must consider of the free grace of God in promising and his faithfulnesse in making good whatsoeuer he bath promised ibid. The second cause is ignorance of the way how this assurance is to be sought vpon what foundation it is to bee laid in what order they come vnto it p. 238 Two things are specially to be learned for their direction 1. That assoone as euer a man feeles sin as a burden and doth truly thirst to bee eased of it hee hath a calling to come vnto Christ p. 238 2. The barren in grace must come vnto Christ to bee supplyed of his fulnesse p. 239 Directions to the weake how to stirre vp themselues to beleeue when they feele no comfort p. 239 1. They must vnfainedly humble their soules before God in the confession of sinne with earnest prayer for pardon p. 240 2. They must rowse and stirre vp themselues to beleeue with reasons drawne from the promises and couenant of God made in Iesus Christ considerations taken out of the word and experience of his dealing with other his seruants in former times p. 241. 242 3. They must be instant with the Lord to giue them both strength of faith the sight of their belief p. 242. 243 4. They must comfort their hearts in the certainty of Gods word though for the present they feele no comfort p. 243 Thus faith is daily to be preserued and quickened ibid. CHAP. III. OF the promises of Sanctification p. 244 A Christian is allowed to beleeue these promises for 1. In the couenant of grace God hath promised to take away the heart of stone c. p. 245 2. The fountaine of grace is set open vnto the thirsty and he is inuited to come and drinke to the satisfying of his soule p. 245. 246 3. Christ by his bloud hath purchased for his people all spirituall blessings in heauenly things ibid. 4. We are taught to aske of God in Christ increase and strength of grace ibid. 5. The faithfull haue relyed vpon Christ for grace and ability to walke in his wayes ibid. 6. Mans duty is Gods free gift of grace ibid. It is necessary to belieue that God will sanctifie our nature and enable to the duties of holinesse p. 246. 247 For 1. Iustification sanctification be indiuiduall p. 247 2. Otherwise Christians shall very much stagger be off and on coldly set vpon the practice of Christianity ibid. 3. Our owne strength is too weake for the worke of holinesse ibid. 4. Setlednesse in this that God will perfect the worke of holinesse begun causeth men to goe about
iudge and esteeme those things reuealed of God to be the most vndoubted and infallible truth This vnderstanding is requisite to faith for it is impossible for a man to belieue that whereof he hath no knowledge or vnderstanding Out of question faith is a most wise gâ—ft or grace of Gods holy Spirit making those that be endued therewith wise vnto saluation which we shall easily discerne if we consider how great the subtletie of that old Serpent the Deuill is as also the deceitfulnesse of sinne both which are defeated by faith This vnderstanding is the gift of Gods grace for as reasonable vnderstanding is beyond the compasse of that knowledge which the beasts haue by kâ—nd so is this vnderstanding farre beyond the reach of all that wisedome left in corrupted nature It is a worke irresistable for it is wrought according to the purpose of the Lord 2. Cor. 4.6 2. Tim. 1.9 Dan. 11.36 and the counsell of God cannot be frustrated In illumination the minde suffereth not from any naturall power which it hath to conceiue or vnderstand spirituall things but from that state of obedience that the minde standeth in vnto Almightie God whereby it must necessarily see whatsoeuer he will enlighten it to behold and set before it There is no naturall power in an eye now blind to receiue sight but if God will enlighten it must needs see So there is no naturall power in the eye of the mind now become darknesse to receiue the light of sauing knowledge which is euery way a thing both for matter and manner supernaturall vnto it but if he open the eyes of the vnderstanding and shine into the heart it must needes vnderstand Secondly God doth infuse or powre the habit of faith into man whereby he giueth to will to come vnto Christ and to enioy him The first worke of God is signified in Scripture by opening the eyes of the vnderstanding Ephes 1.18 Acts 26.18 Lukâ— 24.45 Iohn 6.44 Esay 50.5 Acts 16.14 Ezek. 11.19 the second by Gods drawing vs both at least figuratiuely by the opening of the eare the opening of the heart the taking away the heart of stone and giuing an heart of flesh This second worke is requisite to faith for as a dead man can do no act of life vntil a liuing soule be breathed into him nor a blinde eye see vnlesse new light be giuen vnto it no more can man dead in trespasses and sinnes moue himselfe to receiue the promises of grace vntill the free and gracious disposition or habit of faith be infused whereby the will is inclined agreeably to the disposition of it to come vnto God As man cannot naturally see or perceiue the things of God no more can hee naturally will or desire them And this is apparant by the hardnesse of mans heart that cannot repent till God mollifie it 1. Cor. 2.14 Isay 65.2 3. Rom. â— 5 and by his stiffeneckednesse and stubbornnesse to resist the holy Spirit speaking in the Ministerie of the word vntill he be renewed and changed by grace This habit of faith is receiued not by any naturall disposition of will in vs to heauenly things for then man should liue spiritually of himselfe before the life of grace be put into him but the heart as it standeth in obedience to Gods Almighty power to take what stampe he shall imprint to follow him wither hee shall draw and to containe what hee powreth into it The increase of faith is of God admitteth this habite And as the beginning so the increase and progresse the consummation and perfection of faith is the gift of God the worke of the Spirit Heb. 12.2 Luke 17.5 Marke 9.24 Phil. 1.6 2. Thes 1.3 11. Of God the increase of faith is to be asked and from him it is receiued As we cannot will to belieue vnlesse God prepare the heart and giue that will no more can we will to perseuere in faith or goe forward therein vnlesse God doe minister strength and sustaine vs by his grace §. 5. Faith is the gift of God and the act of man § 5. Faith then is the gift of God and the act of man a wonderfull and supernaturall gift of God and a liuely motion of the heart renewed by grace and powerfully moued by the Spirit The power to belieue and will to vse that power is of God But the act of the will in resting vpon Christ is mans It is man that belieueth but it is God only and altogether that inableth stirreth vp putteth forward and inclineth the heart to belieue By Gods enlightening man seeth by his teaching he vnderstands and the Lord enclining his will he willeth embraceth possesseth and keepeth Christ with all blessings promised in him So that faith is the motion of mans heart wrought in him by the Spirit of God Euen as a wheele which of it selfe cannot moue yet being moued of another doth moue whose motion though but one is said to be the motion of the mouer and of the thing moued so faith is nothing but the action of God in man but considered in a diuers manner it is both the act of God and man as wrought by God in man it is the worke of the Lord as the motion of man his heart being moued of God it is the act of man For the action of man in belieuing with the heart is nothing but his knowing and acknowledging of things by Gods making him know and acknowledge them his apprehending willing chusing embracing and retayning them by Gods making him to apprehend will chuse embrace and retaine them It is true that we Belieue because we will Belieue but wee will Belieue doth note not the princip ll cause but a cause subordinate working by way of free disposition which diâ—position it receiueth from an higher cause Heb. â— 4 not from naturall strength The Iust is said to liue by his owne faith and faith is called ours or our owne not that we are the Authours cause or workers of it but because we possesse it and are the speciall subiects in which it is wrought by God And also because it concernes our selues in particular and what wee belieue wee belieue it particularly concerning our selues § 6. Not to dispute whether God doth extraordinarily worke faith in the hearts of men §. 6. Faith wrought by the Word without the externall publishing of his word will or pleasure this is sure that ordinarily the Holy Ghost doth worke by the Ministerie of the Word The Word can doe nothing without Gods Spirit and ordinarily the Spirit will doe nothing without the Word Faith is called the fruit of the lips Esay 57. â—9 the Word is both the meane whereby we belieue and the subiect matter of our beliefe A man may see without light or colour heare without eare or sound as possibly as belieue without the Word of God For when faith is an affiance or perswasion touching the good will of God towards vs in
Iesus Christ how can we be perswaded touching his gracious pleasure till we be acquainted with his word whereby he hath declared it How can I belieue or certainly know that a friend will doe me this or that good turne vnlesse I haue his word or promise to that effect no more could we euer know or bee perswaded that God would forgiue our sinnes or shew mercie vpon vs should hee not by his Word signifie and make knowne the same Rom. 10.8 Iohn 12 6. Marke 1.15 Rom. 1.16 Isay 53.1 The Word is the Word of faith propounding things to bee belieued and commanding vs to belieue The Gospell is the word of the kingdome the power of God to saluation the arme of God Faith is the mother of Prayer Encreased by Prayer and the vse of the Sacraments Prayer a meanes of the increase and conseruation of faith The Sacraments doe confirme conserue and increase faith begunne but the Word only is the instrument to beget faith Two things are here to be looked vnto First that we seuer not what God hath ioyned together Secondly that we attribute not to the instrument what is proper to the Authour For the Word by the Ordinance of God is appointed to represent to our mindes what it is ordained to signifie and by it as an instrument it pleaseth God to worke but the whole force efficacie and power doth flow from God and he that created man at the first Marke 16.20 1. Cor. 12.6 is his restorer to life eternall If it be demanded why doe not all belieue that heare the Word Why all doe not belieue that heare the Word The answere is Mans wilfulnesse is the fundamentall radicall prime cause of obstinate vnbeliefe and he belieueth not because he will not belieue which disposition the will hath of it selfe by nature But the reason why one belieueth and not another is because the Holy Ghost doth not inwardly teach all men but whom he will and ioyne his efficacie to the Woâ—d preached and heard in whom he will The cause of this his will we are not bound to render we cannot render but must rest in the good pleasure of God Though faith be the gift of God men must vse the meanes to obtaine it And though no man doe belieue by the externall hearing of the Word vnlesse the inward operation of the Holy Ghost regenerating and giuing faith doe accompany it yet must all men giue attendance to the hearing of the Word preached and diligent reading because it is the meanes that God hath ordained for the begetting of faith and by precept diuine they are thereunto obliged Neither shall it excuse any man to say hee could not belieue and if he should make triall his endeauour would be in vaine Such friuolous pretences shall nothing auaile before God The lesse able wee are to belieue of our selues the more carefull should wee bee to vse the meanes that God hath ordained that we might obtaine it Marriage was neuer held superfluous or vnnecessary for the propagation of mankind because the reasonable soule is not generated by our parents but immediately created and infused of God That faith is the sole gift of God wholly infused not partly acquired by vs should rather incite then any way abate our endeuours for attaining it For faith is not giuen but in the vse of the meanes and though he giue not faith vnto all men he violently withholds faith from no man that seeketh it but denieth it iustly to them that willingly preferre the pleasures of sin before the pearle of the Gospell And as Christ infused not humane life into trees stockes and stones but into bodies passiuely organized and figured for the fit habitation of the humane soule so neither doth hee ordinarily bestow supernaturall grace on euery one that hath a reasonable soule but on such onely as are by him passiuely prepared for it The conclusion is that wee must waite daily at the posts of Wisdomes gate meditate seriously vpon the Word of life and nourish the motions of Gods Spirit as the meanes whereby faith is begunne and increased in vs. CHAP. III. Of Iustifying faith what it is and what things are implied therein § 1. IVstifying faith presupposeth the knowledge of God and Christ §. 1. Faith presupposeth knowledge of the precepts of the word and promises of the Gospel Knowledge is an antecedent if not a part of faith Knowledge I say not of the reason and nature of the th ngs but of reuelation which rests in the meaning of the testimonie distinctly vnderstood The things which God commandeth vs to belieue exceed all naturall capacitie cannot be knowne in their essence and properties as things naturall are by the light of reason But euery belieuer must know it to be the Word of God which he receiueth and what is signified thereby and the things to be as they are reuealed though he cannot comprehend the reason or causes of them Iob 19.25 Iohn 17.3 2. Tim. 1 1â— 2. Tim. 2.7 Acts 26.18 Mat. 11.25 26. Ephes 1.8 â— Iohn 6.15 1. Iohn 4.16 Knowledge is put for faith as that which euer accompanieth it When God enricheth men with faith he is said to open their eyes to reueale vnto them the misterie of his will and they are said to bee taught and instructed of him Out of question faith is a most wise grace making them that be endued therewith wise vnto saluation and that euident to the belieuer which of it selfe is incomprehensible In faith historicall there must be knowledge of the historie and truth of the Gospell much more in faith Iustifying There is such relation betwixt Faith and the Word Iohn 20.21 Rom. 10.17 Esay 55.3 Col. 1.6 2. â— Ephes 1.12 that without the Word there can be no Faith as the foundation being taken away that which should bee built vpon it cannot stand The order whereby men are brought to the faith is this first they heare and then they belieue Faith is an assent to the truth and promises of God But no assent can be giuen to a thing vtterly vnknowne What is more absurd then to dreame of a blinde assent to wee know not what to a thing wee neuer heard off Howsoeuer faith apprehends mysteries not to be inquired into yet the proposition and doctrine of all the Articles of faith must be distinctly conceiued Popish Obiections preuented that a man bee able to vnderstand what they are If a man cannot giue a reason of the thing belieued hee must be able to giue a reason of his beliefe 2. Cor. 10.5 Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap. 7. Faith captiuates our vnderstanding vnto the obedience of Christ but is not ignorant of Christ or of his doctrine It giueth credit and submitteth to the truth acknowledged though it seeme absurd to carnall reason but it cherisheth not ignorance of diuine mysteries exceeding all humane capacitie It subiecteth reason to the doctrine of God and his reuelation but
begun in them from day to day This is the couenant which God hath made with his people Ier. 32.40 Ezek. 36.26.27 I will put my feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from my wayes This promise is very necessarie to bee beleiued Phil. 1.6 1. Cor. 1.8 2. Tim. 1.12 for if people be not well grounded in belieuing that God will build them vp more strongely from day to day and perfect the good worke in them which hee hath begun euen to full sanctification in the feare of God they shall verie much stagger and goe backe coldly set vpon the practice of godlines be off and on now forward now backeward not knowing how to begin or to proced in the way of holinesse Beliefe that God will inable them to euery dutie he doth require and strengthen them against enemies that doe oppose is a maine post in the Christian building an exceeding furtherance vnto godlinesse without which they shall be oft shaken and dismaid These promises be of great price for if a Christian were allowed to aske of God whatsoeuer he would next vnto the pardon of his sinnes and saluation of his soule what would hee desire but to bee assured from God that he will establish him in grace and teach him the good way which he ought to goe that hee will sanctifie him in soule spirit and body and keepe him blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus vnto iudgement And when he discerneth any such promise to be made it is not hard to conceiue with what deare affection and strong adherence he doth receiue it how close hee layeth it vp in his soule and sweetly feedeth vpon it This promise is sweete and beliefe thereof stirring and operatiue for it hearteneth to the practice of mortification and new obedience with greate courage chearefulnes and stayednes it quickeneth encourageth to pray as necessities shall giue cause it preserueth from fainting and dismayednes when strength is not very great and if at any time through weaknesse and infirmitie securitie catch hold vpon vs saith in the promiseâ— that God will be our strength and helpe is that which raiseth vs againe and putteth courage into vs to fight against the aduersaries of our soule Things temporall Many gracious and free promises concerning the blessings of this life are dispersed in the Word of life which faith receiueth as true and certaine because they come from the God of Truth Gen. â—5 5 â—os 1.5 Heb. 13.5 1. Tim. 4.8 Rom. â— 2 who is faithfull sincere and constant in all his promises Godlinesse hath the promises both of this life and that which is to com He that spared not his owne Sonne but deliuered him vp for vs all how shall hee not with him also freely giue vs all things As health maintenance credit prosperous successe in our callings and lawfull dealings deliuerance out of troubles and such like This is the assurance that God hath giuen euen his faithfull promise often repeated many wayes ratified and confirmed that he will make competent prouision for his children which is to faith better then many bils of securitie from men yea then large possessions in hand for the present The worth and goodnesse of earthly blessings promised is apparent specially when they bee giuen in loue and mercie as gifts of the couenant tokens of free grace and by a supernaturall prouidence eleuated to spirituall vse in which sence they are promised and vouchsased vnto them that feare God and walke in his wayes And therefore when the belieuer is rightly informed that God hath made any such promises he putteth forth the hand of faith to lay fast hold vpon them and boxeth them vp safe as his best and only euidence for the things of this life and the sanctification of them For want of this faith many vertuous and godly men are greatly staggered and perplexed plunged into deepe vncomfortable dumps and â—edious troubles about the things of this life But when once these promises be well riuitted into and haue taken root in the heart by a liuely faith beliefe hereof bringeth forth contentment comforteth in the multitude of perplexities encourageth to diligence in our places quickeneth in aduersities and strengthens to the workes of righteousnesse as knowing that to bee the surest way for the gaining of durable riches and trusting more to the faithfull prom ses of God though aboue likelihood then to their owne carnall deuices though in shew and appearance probable § 5. As faith requireth what God promiseth §. 5. 3. The threatnings because God is faithfull the promises of great worth and goodnesse so it belieueth the threatnings denounced in the Word not barely apprehending them as true and certaine but also declining them as euill For the whole Scripture breathed from God and euery part therof is Gods Word of infallible truth deseruing absolute credit God is as well iust as mercifull faithfull and true as well in his threats as in his promises and equally to bee belieued in both so farre as by his Word he hath assured vs of both Hee that belieueth the one as hee ought belieueth both and he that belieueth not bo h giues sound credit to neither Beliefe of the threatnings is necessarie Rom 15.4 For whatsoeuer things are written whether precepts promises threatnings examples are written for our learning and as the promises of thiâ— life and the life to come are sharpe spurres to quicken vs vnto godlinesse so the threatnings are strong bridles to keepe from naughtinesse Firme assent to the certaine accomplishment of diuine threatnings â—oth beget humiliation for sinne past and vigilancie to shâ—nne sinne and escape danger it strengthens against base carnall feares and the threats of men that oppose the â—ruth and reuiueth care to serue and please God at all tâ—mes and in all things Wherefore doe the terrours of men so much affright but because sleight beliefe is giuen â—o the threatnings of the Lord The grace and mercie of God belieued breeds loue of God and consequently â—rue feare which is opposed to sencelesse stupiditie and carnall presumption though it casteth out feare which proceedeth from vnbeliefe But what need Belieuers feare the threatnings seeing there is no condemnation or cause of feare to them that belieue The Apostle saith indeed there is no condemnation to such Rom. 8.1 but wee cannot therefore conclude that there is no cause of feare to them vnlesse no other euils but final damnation need to bee feared But whilest the soule is subiect to bring vpon it Gods temporarie wrath sicknesses spirituall hellish anguish to the sense of it there is still cause enough to feaâ—e Seeing that concerning temporall threats and punishments God dealeth as sharpely Amos 3.2 2. Sam. 12 14 or rather more sharpely with his children then any other why should they not dread his Fatherly correction Would a childe that had but one sparke of wit or common reason prouoke his Father to scourge and whip
righteousnesse which is of God through faith For looke as nothing in a poore man can make him rich further then it doth get riches into his possession so nothing in vs sinners can make vs righteous to life further then it doth lay hold on such a righteousnesse which can take away sinne and make vâ— righteous to the receiuing of life eternall Faiâ—h is câ—lled the faith of Christ Gal. 2.16 because Christ is he whom faith doth apprehend and receiue to righteousnesse and life according to that of the Euangelist Iohn â— 36 1. John 3.12 13 He that belieueth on the Sonne of God hath life euerlasting That is the principall obiect of faith for which embraced and receiued by faith eternall life is giuen from grace Ioh. 6 47. 17.3 But eternall life is giuen of grace for Christ embraced or rested vpon by Faith a Ro. 10.10 11. Rom. â— 9 1. Cor. 15.3 To belieue Christ dead and risen as the Apostles taught him is true beliefe but that is not barely to belieue the historie of his Death and Resurrection but the fruits and benefits thereof and that wiâ—h the affiance It is so to belieue the Death and Resurrrection of Christ as thereby to looke for forgiuenesse of sinnes which is to put our trust in the speciall mercie of God through Iesus Christ This is plaine by the words of Martha for when Christ asked her Iohn 11.26 27. Doest thou belieue this that whosoeuer belieueth on me shall not die euerlastingly She answereth yea Lord I belieue that thou art Christ that is I cannot doubt but that those that cleaue to thee shall haue life euerlasting teaching that these confessions imply an affiance and trust of all good through him The Euâ—uch his profession was Acts 8.38 I belieue that Iesus Christ is the Sonne of God but the faith of this Eunuch waâ— a particular confidence of heart whereby he embraced Christ his Sauiour and belieued on him for his particular benefit and comfort Nathanael professed of Christ Iohn 1.49 50. that hee was the King of Israel that he was the sonne of God and so much in generall the Deuilâ— belieue and know Marke 5.7 Luke 8.28 was Nathanaels faith nothing but a bare perswasion that Christ was the Sonne of God yet it was a perswasion ioyned with affiance for he rested vpon him and so belieueâ— the promise of mercie in him God hath raised vp Christ to bee a Prince and Sauiour to giue repentance to Israel Acts â— 21 Rom. 8.34 and forgiuenesse of sinnes and to belieue Christ a Prince and Sâ—uiour raised from the dead and set at the right hand of the Father doth imply trust and affiance in him for forgiuenesse of sinnes and life euerlasting through the grace of God § 2. It is obiected §. 2. that to belieue the power of God is Iustâ—fying faith for our Sauiour required no more of the blinde man Math. 9.27 28. then to belieue that hee was able to heale him And the Leper seemeth to doubt of his will Marke 1.40 Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap. 8. but waâ— well perswaded of his power But it is one thing to looke vnto Christ for bodily health or to receiue a temporall blessing another to belieue in him to Iustification For the faith which Christ requires to Iustification is such a faith as doth acquite vs from our sinnes and doth procure vs righteousnesse But many were healed by our Sauiour that for ought can be proued were not acquited from their sinnes And if these blinâ—e men had only belieued that he was able to â—ure the malady of their eies notwithstanding this their faith their soules had beene vncured their sinnes vncouered Many that were cured of their bodily infirmities were also healed of their spirituall diseases not because they belieued his power to helpe them but because they relied vpon him as their only Sauiour And the testimonie it selfe sheweth that the blinde men belieued Christ to be the Messias in times past promised of the Father and now exhibited so that they might belieue to iustification Heb. 11.33 34 35. but their beliefe of his omnipotencie did not iustifie them The writer to the Hebrewes sheweth in diuers examples that by Iustifying faith some subdued Kingdomes other some stopt the mouthes of Lions certaine quenched the force of fire others escaped the edge of the sword c. All which things though temporall were atchieued by Iustifying faith which is the hand of the people of God to receiue good by but faith iustified not as it was occupied about or looked vnto these things but as it was carried to an higher obiect The healing of corporall diseases was a seale vnto vs Isay 53.4 Math. 8.17 that Christ is our deliuerer from sinne and death as the Scriptures testifie and our Aduersaries confesse and therefore in belieuing the mercie of God towardes them in healing of their diseases they might forthwith conceiue that of his free grace hee would be pleased to forgiue their sinnes which are the true causes of all our maladies Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap. 9. It is againe obiected that in the Creed is contained the whole obiect of Iustifying faith But in it there is no mention of the speciall mercie of God In this obiection there is a two-fold mistaking for in the Creed is contained the obiect of faith which is belieued that is the summe of doctrine to be belieued to saluation is there explained But here we speake of the obiect of Iustifying faith by which we belieue The doctrine of faith is one thing the priuate act of the heart relying vpon the promises of mercie another Now when we enquire what is the obiect of Iustifying faith the question is not what is the summe of faith or of the articles to be belieued but what the faith of the heart in all these articles which it belieueth doth first and principally looke vnto rest vpon and receiue to saluation For when all Christians professe and historically belieue all the Articles of the Christian faith yet many are not iustified or saued because they belieue not as they ought whence it is euident that bâ—re assent to the Articles of Religion is not that faith which iustifie or sâ—ues but another of farre different nature is required if wee would bee pertakeâ—s of these blessings Againe verball mention of Gods speciall mercie there is not any in the Creed but really it is inâ—luded For to belieue in God is to depend vpon his mercie reaching to the pardon of our offences Ier. 31.33 Esay 25.9 33.22 To belieue in Christ is to relie vpon him as the authour of redemption reconciliation and peace with God which doth necessarily imply the speciall mercie of God And in the Creed we belieue the remission of sinnes which article cannot bee explained according to the doctrine of the Gospell without beliefe in the speciall mercie of God and confidence thereon
estate But this falleth out by the wise prouidence of God so disposing least by the suddaine change from so damnable and vncomfortable an estate to so happie and ioyfull he should be lifted vp and conceited and so become secure and presumptuous Againe this maketh him the more to pâ—ize the sense of Gods mercie and with the greater care to preserue his faith and to shunne all sinne and wickednes which might hinder the apprehension of his continuall loue § 5. Satan tempteth some to doubt because at first they receiued the truth without due tryall §. 5. 5. They receiued the truth at first without due tryall and examination whose dutie it is carefully to reforme whatsoeuer they espie to haue beene amisse but for one rotten post it is no wisedome to pull downe the whole building Remedy 1. Ioh. 1.9 For God is mercifull and readie to forgiue our imperfections when vpon the knowledge and sight wee confesse and bewaile them Faith may bee true though much were amisse when first we receiued the truth The Disciples at first followed Christ in hope of temporall preferment and yet their faith was sound true for when they came to the knowledge of their errour they reformed it did still inseperably cleaue vnto him It is the great wisedome and mercie of the Lord for a time to hide from his children the sight of their infirmities and wants and nowithstanding their manifold weakenesses to afford vnto them the sence of his loue least they should be vtterly discouraged and faint vnder the burden for want of experience finding the entrance into life hard and difficult Naturall discretion teacheth vs to deale with children according to their abilitie not to dishearten them by exacting what is aboue their strength The like compassion doth the Lord shew to his by the comforts of his Spirit preparing them to endure the assaults of Satan § 6. Many Christians be exercised with this temptation that they cannot bee the children of God because they neuer had that deepe sorrow §. 6. 6. They neuer had that deep sorrow which many haue felt and long lying vnder it that many of their Brethren haue had Remedy God deales not with all alike Whereas they should know that not mens examples but Gods word must be our rule of direction The Lord dealeth not with all alike because in wisedome hee knoweth what is most meete for euery man Doth any man complaine because his ioynts are set or his wounds cured with little smart and paine The Physician knowes best the strength of his patient and what hee can beare what is necessarie for one would kill another It is good to grieue Faith may bee sound in theÌ„ who neuer found such depth of sorrow as others haue done because we can grieue no more for sinne But to doubt of Gods loue because he deales gently with vs least we should be swallowed vp of sorrow is great ignorance weaknesse and folly God many times keepes from his seruants the horrible and gastly aspect of their sinnes in wonderfull mercie least the horrour of them and Gods wrath due for them should ouer-whelme them Hos 2.14 Acts 16.14 15. If God by inticements and speaking to thy heart haue brought thee home vnto him thou hast cause to magnifie the tender mercie of the Lord who hath not dealt with thee after thine iniquities for had hee set thee vpon the racke as many haue beene thou hast reason to thinke thou hadst neuer beene able to beare it Feare of conscience griefe of minde doubtfulnesse of saluation commends no man to God neither is it against a man or with him in assuring himselfe of saluation whether he haue long or short time beene pressed with such sorrowes but that he be well freed and deliuered from such trouble and discharged of his feare § 7. A poore Christian is oft put to great plunges through the malice of Satan because there is much weaknesse of spirituall life in him hee neuer felt any great strength of grace in himselfe §. 7. 7. They neuer felt any great strength of grace and what he formerly felt is now decayed Remedy By this Temptation God doth chasten our pride and swelling of heart vnthankefulnesse discontinuance of care to cherish and increase receiued graces by meanes sanctified running into occasions of decay and cooling and contentment with a small pittance of grace faith holâ—nesse For all which sinnes and other of like kind we must vnfainedly humble our selues before God crauing pardon of his meere grace and mercie This Humiliation is a speciall meanes to ease the conscience as the wound doth cease raging when it is opened and well drawne Wee may haue true faith though we neuer had any great strength of grace And it must bee remembred that wee are but children and therefore weake yea and subiect to many spirituall diseases such as take away sence of life and therefore we must seeke to be cured and not despaire of life When any one part or member is distempered or ill at ease we despaire not of the safetie of the whole person but labour to cure and restore it to health againe so when wee haue offended wee should resort to the Physitian Christ Iesus make our complaint to him and bee confident for his promise sake that hee will helpe vs. And if they who haue falne and offended God Ier. 3.1 may turne home againe to their first Husband with good welcome shall not they much more bee beloued of him and comforted by him who haue not prouoked him but are only held downe through feare and infirmitie And though their graces bee small they may bee true whiles they bee small Little faith is faith as a little fire is fire God despiseth not little things in obedience offered to him In the sacrifices of the Law not the price of the gift but the abilitie and affection of the offerer was respected Luke 21.2 3 4. And if weaknesse of grace was any iust cause of feare who might assure himselfe of Gods loue Not one For though some haue grace in greater measure then others yet all are compassed with infirmities and haue not attained vnto perfection But it is not so much enquired how great or little as how sincere our faith and obedience is Faith if it bee vnfained though but as a graine of Mustard seed obedience if it bee heartie though mingled with many infirmities hath promise of gracious acceptation And the smallest beginnings are pledges of greater fauours where there is thankfull acceptance and conscionable vse of those alreadie receiued to the glory of the bestower § 8. If what was formerly felt bee now decayed in feeling euen in Gods dearest children there may be decay §. 8. 8. What they formerly felt is now decaied of graces in part and for a time Remedie Phil. 4.10 Math. 16.18 In Gods dearest children there may bee decay of graces Of the Philippians the
thy wings They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of thy house and thou shalt make them drinke of the riuer of thy pleasures For with thee is the fountaine of life in thy light shall we see light It is a pleasure to him to want other pleasures who is oft and euery day serious in the meditation of the remission of his sinnes the free grace and eternall loue of God towards him in Iesus Christ He that is euery day busied to fetch out a pardon of course for his daily infirmities and to make euen reckoning betwixt God and his Soule that nothing remaine on the score to interrupt his peace shall neither be idle nor vnprofitable neither want imployment nor comfort This course can open no gap to licentiousnesse libertie in sinne Psal 19.12 13. or carnall securitie for he is euer most studious not to runne into arrerages who is most desirous to haue his debts cancelled and blotted out Faith is of the nature of souereigne purifying waters which so wash off the corruption of the vlcer that they coole the heate and stay the spread of the infection and by degrees heale the same And of Cordials which so comfort and ease the heart as also they expell noxious humours and strengthen nature against them Iustifying faith takes kindly rooting in a cleane heart and being rooted purifieth it more and more Faith that pleads for mercie doth cleaue to the Commandements stirre vp to holinesse ouer-rule the affections delight in purity and diffuse the vertue of the word into euery facultie of the soule It may be obiected If faith certifie that our sinnes be pardoned and there be such ioy in belieuing how comes it to passe that many good Christians liue so long in feare and doubt Wence it is that many good Christians liue so long in feare and doubâ— who would bee contented to take any paines to bee setled in assurance of Gods loue The common causes of this slownesse of beliefe are many First an immoderate aggrauation of their sinne and continuall thought of their vnworthinesse Thus the case stands with many poore Christians faine they would belieue as they acknowledge but they are vnworthy they haue beene sinners These must knowe it is good they should see their owne vnworthinesse but not that they should be hindred thereby from comming to Christ it is good to denie themselues but not to doubt of the mercy of the Lord. Christ came to seeke that which was lost Math. 18.11 Esay 61.1.2 Math. 9.13 1. Pet. 3.18 Rom. 5.10 Math. 11.28 to binde vp the broken hearted and to saue sinners He died for his enemies for the vnworthy He inuiteth the burdened to come vnto him and makes sute to the poore and worthlesse that he might ease and inrich them If they were not vnworthy what neede had they of Gods mercy or how should God glorifie the riches of his mercy in pardoning their offences The feeling of their vnworthines makes them fit to receiue mercy from God who doth vâ—uchsafe it freely seeing besides their sinne which makes them vnworthy they haue a sence of it and an heart broken for it If they were not vnworthy they could noâ— belieue If their case had not beene desperate what neede was there that Christ should come from the bosome of his Father Esay 43.25 and 44.22 Hos 14.3.4 Pardon is offered freely of grace the more vile they be in themselues the fitter to receiue this vndeserued kindnesse Oh but their sinnes are grieuous and notorious scarlet crying scandalous sinnes This detestation of sinne is greatly to bee commended if they remember withall Ezra 10.2 that there is hope in Israel concerning this if they will set one eye vpon the mercy of God as they set the other vpon the vilenesse of their iniquities If their sinnes be many and great Eph. 2.4 Psal 3â— 5 Psal 51.1.2 Exod. 34.6.7 Esay 55.9 God is rich in mercy abundant in goodnesse hath a multitude of tender mercies His mercie reacheth aboue the Heauens he forgiueth iniquitie transgressioÌ„ sin rebellion All faults are easily pardonable to his infinite mercy which exceeds Mans as Heauen doth Earth which can readilier forgiue seuentie then Man seuen offences Was not Adam Manasses Paul the sinfull woman commonly called Mary Magdalene 2 Chron. 33.12.13 1. Tim. 1.13.15 Act. 2.37.38 Luk. 7. â—7 the Cretians and Iewes who imbrewed their hands in the bloud of Christ receiued of him to mercie Doth not â—e delight to forgiue much that he may binde to loue much Shall not his fauour superabound to the sence of faith where sinne hath abounded to the wounding of Conscience It matters not what the wound is so Christ be the Physitian Iohn 1.7 Esay 1.18 The bloud of Christ cleanseth vs from all sinne Nothing but the bloud of Christ can wash away the guilt of the least sin and his bloud is sufficient to purge the most polluted Conscience But they haue felt no extraordinary measure of sorrow for sinne they are rather dull and sencelesse Are they weary of sinne haue they sorrowed to selfe-deniall and to renounce their interest in whatsoeuer might seperate betwixt Christ and them To such is the word of Reconciliation sent But they haue often slipped into the same sinnes There is a difference of offences There be sinnes of ignorance infirmity forgetfulnesse and sudden passion whereunto the heart yeeldeth not aduised consent and from which the faithfull by reason of their frailtie can neuer be free in this life in some degree or other Now vnto these God of his mercy is pleased to grant a pardon of course 1. Iohn 1.8 1. Iohn 2.2 notwithstanding his seruants step oft into them through weaknesse prouided they humble themselues seeke mercy and labour the mortification of their infirmities Abraham twice denied Sarah to be his wife saying Shâ— is my Sister Of Dauid it is recorded that though hee were a man after Gods owne heart in all things except the matter of Vriah yet of frailtie hee offended many times in the same particular There bee foule enormious notorious sins which wound the conscience and stop and hinder the liuely operation of grace and these mâ—st be repented of and aduisedly left and forsâ—ken before we can belieue to the pardon and forgiuenesse of them Neuerthelesse if a man haue often fallen into these offences he is not to despaire but seriously to confesse and to forsake hiâ— sinne that he may obtaine mercy For the Lord inuiteth the obstinate and rebellious to repent and by word and oath assureth them of forgiuenesse if they will returne And if wee looke vpon examples we shall finde many such who vpon humiliation and earnest prayer haue beene receiued vnto mercy But they haue fallen grieuously since conuersion So did Dauid and Peter who yet recouered by grace and vpon repentance were forgiuen A foule offence after grace receiued is not vnpardonable The bloud of Christ which washeth away the guilt of sinnes
before conuersion is sufficient to purge the conscience from sins after conuersion likewise We are commaunded to repent of taught to pray for the pardon of sinnes without exception It is of free mercy that former sinnes are couered and by the same mercy of God this trangression may be pardoâ—ed The mercy of God is euerlasting his couenant vnchangeable though we be vnfaithfull yet he cannot forget himselfe He delighteth to shew mercy and reioyceth in the soule that hath sinned but now lamenteth saying I haue sinned and it did not profit me The commaundement of god inioyning vs to forgiue our brother not seuen times but seuentie times seuen times if he repent is an expression of his readinesse to shew mercy to them who do oft and grevously offend if they returne by vnfained repentance and sue for mercy Oh then take heede that to other great and many sinnes infidelitie be not added Doubting begets deadnesse whereas lookâ—ng vp vnto the promises of mercy will both ease and soften the heart But they cannot belieue Indeeâ—e they thinke there is no promise of mercy made to them vpon which they should ground their confidence Therefore they must know that God calleth them in his word to come vnto him as if he did particularly name them and promiseth to receiue them vnto mercy and then they must consider of the frâ—e grace of God in promising and his faithfulnesse in making good whatsoeuer he hath promised that neither want of feeling nor conceit of vnworthinesse dis-hearten them from drawing nigh vnto him They must thinke seriously with themselues I neede mercy and the Lord hath promised it I thirst after it and the Lord will grant vnto mee my desire according to his promise I am vtterly vndone if I obtaine not helpe and helpe is not to bee found but in the Lord Iesus who louingly inuiteth me to come vnto him that I may be refreshed Seeing therefore I long for mercy the Lord makes offer of it in his dearely beloued Sonne I will goe vnto him and humble my soule before the throne of his grace I will entreate mercy and rolle my soule vpon the promise of saluation All my helpe is to looke off my selfe an obiect of confusion and looke vpon Christ an obiect of consolation therefore I cleaue vnto him as mine onely Sauiour and trust in him though he should kill me It doth not please God that I should stand alooffe and straine courtesie now he encourageth mee to come with confidence or giue way to doubtings now I haue his promise who neuer failed any that trusted in him who hath done more for me then euer he promised therfore I will goe vnto him in the mediation of Iesus Christ and importune his grace if I perish I will perish in his bosome to die for it nothing shall s perate me from his mercy A second cause of this slownesse may be ignorance of the way how this assurance is to be sought vpon what foundation it is to be laid in what ordeâ— they come vnto it Sometimes they mis-conceiue the promises as if they were offered only to Belieuers and not laid as the foundations of faith and thereupon falsely conclude that no promise is made vnto them because they cannot finde that they doe belieue Sometimes they mistake the nature of faith taking it to be a perswasion or assurance that their sinnes are pardoned and so conclude that they haue no faith because they want assurance when in the order of nature faith is precedent to actuall remission And many times Christians are herein deceiued that they feare to receiue and apply the promises of grace till they can finde in themselues such a measure of sanctification as is scarce if at all attaineable in this life These and such like blockes must bee remoued by good information acquainting themselues out of the word of God what faith is the order in which wee must climbe vp to assurance how the promises are to be receiued and what is the true vse of sanctification But two things are specially to be learned for their direction First that assoone as euer a man feeles sinne as a burden Isa 55.1 Ioh. 7 37. Numb 21.9 and doth truely earnestly feruently thirst to be eased of it he hath a calling to come vnto Christ to aske obtaine and receiue mercy He that was bitten with the fierie serpent was appointed to looke vp to the brasen Serpent that he might recouer Oh then delay no longer bee not held backe with vaine obiections and causelesse scruples Math. 11.28 1. Ioh. 3.24 Behold he calls thee to come why shouldest thou feare in respect of thy vilenes Faith is obedience and obedience is more acceptable then courtesie and complement The sooner thou commest the better welcome It is rudenesse and not good manners not to doe as thou art bidden to doe yea and so earnestly perswaded intreated and charged to do To doe the worke of God is to belieue in him whom he hath sealed and sent to be thy Sauiour Ioh. 6.29 And shâ—lt thou not tenne times more honour and please him in trusting vpon his mercies and sealing to his truth then in fearing his iustice and dreading his power Secondly hee that finds himselfe plunged into the gulfe of miserie by sinne and destitute of the sappe and fruite of grace is inuited to come vnto Christ that hee may receiue from him the grace of sanctification as well as remission Oh euery one that thirsteth Reu. 22.17 Isay 55.1.2 Ioh. 7.37.38 come yee to the waters Hee that belieueth out of his bellie shall flow riuers of water of life The barren in grace must come vnto Christ to be supplied of his fulnesse Gal. 3.14 By faith wee receiue the promised Spirit He that walloweth in sinne is not fitted to belieue for iustifying faith can neuer take sound rooting in the heart which is not resolued to forgoe the practice and hast cast off the loue of all sinne but when a man is wearie of sinne and finds emptinesse of grace as hee is commaunded to pray for mercy and the gifts of grace so is he to belieue in Christ for the obtaining of both Wherefore study striue endeuour to belieue and lay hold on the Rocke as in danger of drowning a man will doe on the tree or post that comes next to hand When thou hast in thy conceite most cause to despaire labour against it When thou hast no reason in thy apprehension to belieue belieue with all thy power when the fauour of God is lost to thy feeling it may be present to thy faith which discerneth what is promised though to sence it haue no being And for thine encouragement set before thine eies Christs freedome to all suiters in the time of his flesh repelling none who truely desiâ—ed the price of his bloud There be other causes of this weakenesse Directions to the weake to stirre vp themselues to bee when they feele no comfort which haue beene
Iohn 2.25 My sheepe heare my voice and I know them and they follow me And I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish In the Gospell wee find eternall life promised vpon condition of faith in Christ Belieue on the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saued and what God promiseth of free grace that faith doth certainly receiue Life is promised vpon condition of faith and by faith wee are quickened entitled vnto and made pertakers of life euerlasting Iohn 3.36 Hee that belieueth on the Sonne hath euerlasting life Hee that heareth my Word and belieueth on him that sent me hath euerlasting life Iohn 5.24 and shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death to life This is the record 1 Iohn 5.11 12 13. that God hath giuâ—n to vs eternall life and this life is in his Sonne He that hath the Sonne hath life and he that not the Sonne hath not life If once we be bâ—ought to belieue in Christ life etâ—rnall is then begun in vs. This is life eternall Iohn 17.3 to know that is with the knowledge of faith thee to be the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Col. 3.4 Ephes 3.17 For Christ is our life who dwels in our hearts by faith and therefore whosoeuer belieue in him haue life through and with him And this life is not another but one in substance with that blessed and glorious estate which the Saints enioy in Heauen though different in degree Againe when first we belieue then wee are intituled to life euerlasting and so haue the accomplishment of glorie in respect of right and proprietie 1. Pet. 1.3.4 Blessed bee the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten vs againe vnto a liuely hope by the resurrection of Iesus from the dead To an inheritance incorruptible and vndefiled and that fadeth not away That being iustified by his grace wee should be made heires according to the hope of eternall life For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God Titus 3.7 by the death of his Sonne much more being reconciled wee shall be saued by his life They which receiue abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousnesse Rom. 5.10 Verse 17. shall raigne in life by one Iesus Christ To an earthly inheritance title followeth vpon the birth to the spirituall vpon our Adoption But when wee belieue in Christ wee are then made the Sonnes of God by Adoption yea sonnes accepted To as many as receiued him Ephes 1.6 John 1.12 to them gaue he priuiledge to become the Sonnes of God euen to them that belieue on his Name Behold what manner of loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that wee should bee called the Sonnes of God Beloued 1. Iohn 3.1 2. now are wee the Sonnes of God Gal. 3.26 29. and it doth not yet appeare what we shall be For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus c. And if yee be Christs then are yee Abrahams seed and heiâ—es according to the promise Gal. 4.4 5. When the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman made vnder the Law to redeeme them that are vnder the Law Verse 7. that wee might receiue the adoption of Sonnes Wherefore thou art no more a seruant but a sonne Rom 8 14. and if a sonne then an heire of God through Christ. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Verse 17. Heb. 12.23 Therefore wee must belieue it c. And if children then heires heires of God and ioynt heires with Christ And for this cause the faithfulâ— are called the Church of the first begotten whose names are writt n in Heauen Now if eternall life be promised in the Gospell purchased by Christ and in right and title belong vnto the faithfull wee may conclude it is our part and dutie to belieue in God through Iesus Christ as well for the obtaining of eternall life to be giuen of grace as the forgiuenesse of our sinnes It is very necessary to belieue it And this is is necessarie that we might with the more quietnesse of Minde beare the afflictions and worldly losses the troubles and persecutions which befall vs in this world Heb. 10.35 36. Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward for yee haue need of patience that after yee haue done the will of God yee might receiue the promise Abraham is commended in Scripture that he left his friends his natiue Countrie and all earthly hopes there whiâ—h were not small and came to dwell in a strange Land as a Pilgrime where he suffered many iniuries Heb. 11.8 9 10. anâ— was exercised with many troubles of sundry kinds all which he endured with inuincible patience by the hope and desire of eternall life and that heauenly Countrie whereunto hee was called The hope of Heauen is the firme and sure anchor of the soule to sustaine and stablish it that it bee not tossed vp and downe and ouer-whelmed with reproaches and indignities Heb. 6 19. offered with the worldly losses miseries of this life It serues also to establish our hearts against sundry worldly cares and feares affectation of earthly greatnesse and carking for earthly necessaries For why should we admire the glory of this life when most excellent glory riches and happinesse ioyned with it is prepared and giuen vs through faith in Christ Why should we doubt of earthly necessaries when God hath bequeathed vnto vs an heauenly kingdome Faith in Christ to receiue an incorruptible crowne of glory will moderate desires of earthly things that wee shall neither admire nor aspire after great things below nor basely dist ust the Lord for supply of what he knowes meete and conuenient for vs. Feare not little flocke Luk. 12.32 for it is your Fathers good pleasure to giue you the Kingdome If wee keepe Heauen in our eye and looke to the high price of our calling wee shall fight couragiously and runne with paâ—ience notwithâ—tanding all opposition What can daunt him in the wayes of godlinesse or make him slaâ—ke his pace who runnes to obtaine not a corruptible but an incorruptible crowne 1. Cor. 9.25 By faith some were tortured not accepting deliuerance Heb. 11.35 that they might obtaine a better resurrection Let vs runne with patience vnto the race that is set before vs Looking vnto Iesus Heb. 12.1.2 the Author and finisher of our faith who for the ioy that was set before him endured the crosse despising the shame and is set downe at the right hand of the throne of God The acts of faith concerning these promises be these The acts of faith concerning these promises First As an humble petitioner it receiueth and layeth hold vpon saluation it selfe promised which wee haue of Gods
cease to muse on the tentations of Satan and stirre vp himselfe couragiously valiantly to trust in the mercies of the Lord and relie vpon his grace Why art thou cast downe Psal 43.5 O my soule and why art thou disquieted within mee why dost thou harbour perplexing doubtfull thoughts and in much pensiuenesse tosse too and fro the tentations of Satan Psal 39.3 This musing kindles the fire the more thou thinkest vpon the tentat on and art disquieted with doubtings the greater libertie hath the Deuill to tempt the lesse able are thou to with-stand his malice If thou bee deiected he will be insolent if thou be affâ—ighted he will bee the more furious Trust therefore in the Lord and waite vpon his grace for hee hath seene thine aduersitie he will heare thy prayers the sinnes cleauing to the tentations which thou so much fearest are pardoned forgiuen vnto thee Euill thoughts conceiued with delight pleasure and purpose are most displeasing vnto God dangerous vnto the soule but euen hellish tentations which neuer found consent or approbation vnder which thou art humbled from which thou earnestly crauest to bee deliuered doubt not but vpon thine vnfained suite they are freely remitted and done away Be strong and of good courage feare not nor be dismaied for the Lord will be thy defence and vnder the shadow of his wings thou shalt be safe Satan cannot tempt longer then God shall giue him leaue and hee will neuer suffer thee to be tempted aboue measure but will giue a good issue vnto the tentation 1. Cor. 10 13. Thou art called to fight vnder the banner of Christ Iesus and in the name of the Lord thou shalt be inabled to doe valiantly and ouercome Psal 60.12 2. Cor. 12.9 If Satan continue his assaults Gods grace is sufficient for thee If thy strength be cleane gone Gods power shall be magnified the more in thee and he hath brought thee low that thou maist not trust in thy selfe 2. Cor. 1.9 but in the liuing Lord and that the whole praise of the victory might bee ascribed vnto him If thy strength did remaine it was not to be leaned vnto and now it is decayed and gone there is no cause of feare for the Lord w ll be thy stay In the most difficult assaults and tedious encounters wee are exhorted Ephes 6.10 to bee strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Be of good courage and God will grant thee an easie a ioyfull victorie Satans drift in tempting is to turmoile dis-hearten perplexe with feares and driue into despaire and if thou take heart and courage to rest quietly vpon Gods grace and flie vnto his Name thou shalt put him to flight thou hast alreadie got the day Waite but a while and these darke mists and terrible stormes shall be dispersed By these temptations the Lord hath taught thee to see thy weaknesse and the malice of Satan to denie thine owne wisdome and prize his fauour lightly to esteeme all things here below and highly to value mercy reaching to the pardon of sinne and heauenly communion and fellowship with God And if this bitter potion hath wrought so kindly for thy spirituall good why shouldst thou bee dismayed Trust in the Lord bee of good courage and hee shall strengthen thee Psal 31.24 27.14 Psal 34.22 The Lord redeemeth the soule of his seruants and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate Fourthly He must exercise himselfe in wel-doing harbour holy and heauenly meditations nourish the motions of Gods Spirit bee zealous and diligent in Prayer reading and hearing the Word of God chearefull and industrious in the workes of his honest calling For idlenesse and deiected lumpishnesse and excessiue feare prepare for all temptations but serious and good imployment is a speciall meanes to preuent or diuert them In this case constant proceeding in a course of godlinesse and continuall exercise of Minde and Bodie in that which is good and pleasing in the sight of God doth much more auaile then direct opposition I haue too long vexed and turmoiled my selfe with the temptations of Satan broken off the exercise of godlinesse directly to answere and oppose them yeelded to thoughts of vnbeliefe giuen way to discouragements as if it had beene in vaine to pray omitted the dutie vpon conceit of vnfitnesse dulnesse vnworthinesse accounted the duties of my calling tedious and burthensome set open my heart to intangling scruples and distracting feares questioning the loue of God towards me vpon euery false suggestion and concluding oft through vnbeliefe that God had shut vp h s louing kindnesse for euer in displeasure So foolish haue I beene and ignorant euen in this point a beast Pardon O Lord the infidelity doubting deiectednesse and carnall excessiue feares of thy poore seruant deliuer my soule from the snares of Satan acquaint me with his Methods in tempting and how I may preuent him and strengthen me in the combate that I neuer faint nor breake off the course of godlinesse through vnbeliefe I am purposed through thy grace to cast my soule vpon thy tender mercies to seeke thy face continually to waite vpon thee in thine ordinances and to exercise my selfe in the workes of Pietie Mercie and an honest calling If Satan tempt to distrust raise feares seeke to discourage my soule or break off my prayers by his hellish suggestions I will striue to maintaine my faith lay faster hold vpon the promises of mercy stop mine eares against scruples and doubtings take greater courage to draw nigh vnto God belieue the acceptance of my willing though weake seruice and by how much the Deuill shall seeke to oppose or hinder my comfort courage or constancie so much the more will I stirre vp my selfe to goe forward and continue therein The Lord will heare a sigh or groane bottle vp a teare and gratiously accept poore and meane seruice from a sick childe I perceiue the maine scope of Satan in suggesting hellish temptations is to driue me into despaire disquiet the soule with feares cast me into deepe vnprofitable sorrow and discourage in euery holy dutie that I might altogether neglect it or with great heartlesnesse go about it as if it were vnprofitable should neuer be accepted And I shall then preuent Satan and put him to flight when I take occasion by his temptations to sticke closer vnto the word of promise stirre vp my selfe zealously to seeke the fauour of God turne my thoughts from disputing about his suggestions pray that I may be fitted to pray waite vpon God for helpe begge the pardon of daily infirmities and take heart and resolution to commit my soule vnto him in wel-doing striuing daily to reforme what is amisse and grow in grace but not questioning acceptance because of my infirmities present dulnesse and distemper of soule being wasted and spent Psal 17.13 whiles I struggled with the temptations of the Deuill Arise O Lord disappoint Satan cast him downe
Heb. 10.35.36 Heb. 6.12 Reu. 13.10 For faith is the ground of silent and quiet expectation of saluation When Christians are persecuted for the name of Christ all men see they haue great neede of patience that after they haue suffered for a time they might enioy the promise which now they hold by faith as it weâ—e by reuersion not in actuall possession But without confidence there can be no patience Faith in God is the only stay and support of the heart in trouble and affliction Psal 27.13 I had fainted vnlesse I had belieued to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the land of the liuing Remember thy word vnto seruant vpon which thou hast caused me to hope This is my comfort in my affiction Psal 119.49.50 for thy word hath quickened me In daily and lighter tryals a man of milde and patient temper may hold vp the Head but when one deepe calleth vnto another and the waues flow ouer our head when nature yeeldeth and the heart fainteth then to stand fast and bee of good courage that only can faith doe which is grounded vpon the rich mercie of God and relyeth vpon his Almightie power Faith is the Palme that sinkes not vnder the waightiest of burdens the Camomile that spreades the more it is trodden the oile that euer ouerswimmes the the greatest quantitie of water you can power vpon it In the most boisterous tempests it lifteth vp the chinne that we shall not drowne Heb. 11.35 36. and when a man is halfe dead it quickens and puts life into him By faith the Saints haue endured cruell mockings scourgings bonds imprisonments Eph. 6.16 tortures and death and in all these were more then conquerours Faith is the sheild of the soule whereby it is defended against all the fierie darts of the Deuill When we are afflicted we shall be tempted to impatience despaire doubting of Gods loue and the vse of wicked means to helpe our selues out of trouble Psal 3.2 and 31 11. and 35.15.36 Iob 30.1 The world will follow vs with scornes and traunts as if God had forsaken vs and would not arise for our helpe Our owne corrupt hearts will be readie to start aside repine faint question the Lords truth and mercy 1. Thess 3.5 and Satan will not be wanting to his opportunitie with all his might malice and subtiltie to seduce discourage or terrifie When our Sauiour was an hungred in the wildernesse Math. 4.3 the tempter came vnto him and saide If thou be the Sonne of God command that these stones be made bread Now seeing the burden of afflictions is made more heauie by temptations accompanying wee had neede to be well vnderpropped with a liuely faith that we might withstand and repell the force of the Enemie Faith onely supplieth all our wants in affliction Hee that possesseth all earthly things in greatest prosperitie and hath not faith hath nothing in deed much lesse the man that liueth in miserie but hee that liues by saith wants nothing that is good when miseries beset him on euery side For the present riches of a Christian are the gracious and faithfull promises of God which faith possesseth not looking to what we haue in hand but what the Lord hath laid vp in store and expecteth to receiue from God in fittest season more assuredly then if hee had it in his owne power to vse The Men of this world trust their friends with their stocke or monie and make account it iâ— as readie at hand as if they had it in their owne possession and sure it is the true belieue hath iust and good cause to trust God rather then himselfe and to relie vpon his word for whatsoeuer hee hath commited vnto him Fâ—iâ—h in time of danger doth as it were fence and compasse vs with the promises of God but without faith we are naked and lie open to the malice of our Aduersaries Behold his soule which is lifted vp Hab. 2.4 is not vpright in him but the iust shall liue by his faith The vniust man puffes vp himselfe and buildes towers of defence to himselfe bâ—t the iust man belieueth and that shall be to him in stead of all castles towers bulwarkes in the world For it brings vs vnder the wing presence Psa 18.2 Deut. 32.30 Psal 31.3 and 71.3 and protection of God it makes him our refuge and safeguard high rocke and tower of defence Afflictions profit not if they be not mixed with faith in them that beare them Bodily physicke procureth not health if naturall heate be lacking in the patient which might cause the potion to worke to the expelling of the sicke humour faith in respect of afflictions the physicke of the soule is that naturall heate wherby they are made to worke kindly to the purging of sin and the encrease of grace and comfort where it is altogether wanting their can be no kindly worke The righteous are allowed to liue by faith in the times of euill when calamities of all sorts compasse them about The Godly are allowed to liue by faith in afflictions 1. Tim. 4.8 Rom. 8.28 for godlinesse hath the promise of this life and that which is to come and the godly are to belieue both according to the word of the Lord. God hath promised that all things shall worke together for good to them that loue God 1. Cor. 10.13 Act 27.25 and that he will not suffer vs to be tempted aboue that wee are able and it is our dutie to belieue God that it shall be eâ—en as he hath tolde vs. The godly haue had this confidence in formers times whose practice is both a token of our priuiledge and a patterne of our dutie What time I am afraid I will trust in thee Psal 56.3 Psal 31.5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of truth yea though I walke through the valley of the shaddow of death I will Psal 23 4. feare no euill for thou art with me thy rod and thy staffe they comfort me Come and let vs returne vnto the Lord Hos 6.1.2 for he hath torne and he will heale vs hee hath smitten and he will binde vs vp After two dayes will hee reuiue vs in the third day hee will raise vs vp and wee shall liue in his sight God is hereby much glorified that wee relie vpon him as our rocke of defence al-sufficient Sauiour and trustiest friend in time of distresse It is one of the Lords most royall titles Psal 60.5 Psal â— 9 Psal 10.14 to bee the Father of the Fatherlesse and a iudge of the widowes a refuge for the oppressed and the helper of the poore Thou hast beene a strength to the poore Esay 25.4 a strength to the needie in his distresse a refuge from the storme a shadow from the heate when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storme against the wall Esay 30.18 And therefore
take the stonie heart out of their flesh and will giue them an heart of flesh I will saue them out of their dwelling places Ezek. 37.23.24 whâ—rein they haue sinned and will cleanse them so shall they bee my people and I will be their God And Dauid my seruant shall be king ouer them and they shall all haue one sheepheard they shall also walke in my iudgements and obâ—erue my statutes and doe them In that day sing yee vnto her A vineyard of red wine I the Lord doe keepe it and will water it every moment lest any hurt it I will keepe it night and day Isay 27.2.3 Surely shall one say In the Lord haue I righteousnes and strength Isay 45.24 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God They shall still bring forth fruite in old age Psal 92.13.14 Rom. 6.14 they shall bee fat and flâ—urishing Sinne shall not haue dominion oueâ— you Now we are dâ—liu red fro the law that being dead wherein we were held Rom. 7.6 that we should serue in newnâ—s of Spirit and not in oldnes of the letter I can doe all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Phil. 4 13. The Christians obedience is imperfect but pleasing Pro. 12.22 Psâ—l 147.11 Psal 149.4 The obedience of the faithfull which through the power of grace they performe is weake imperfect but pleasing acceptable vnto God The Lord taketh pleasure in them that feare him in those that hope in his mercy The Lord taketh pleasure in his people he will beautifie the meeke with saluation In euery nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted of him The Lord by Moses did often times tell his people that they offering vp their sacrifices Act. 10.35 such as he commanded they should be accepted which is often repeated by the pâ—ophets Leu. 1.3.4 and 22.21 and 23.11 Thou shalt makâ— a plate of pure gold and graue vpon it like the engrauings of a sâ—gnet Holines to the Lord and it shall be vpon Aarons forehead that Aaron may beare the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel shal hallow in all their holy gifts Exod. 28.36.38 and it shall be alwayes vpon his forehead that they may bee accepted before the Lord. Esay 60.7 All the flockes of Kedar shall be gathered together the Rams of Nebaioth shall minister vnto thee they shal come vp with acceptance on mine altar The Priest shall make you burnt offerings vpon the alter and your peace offerings Ezek. 43.27 20 40 41. and I will accept you saith thâ— Lord God Then shall the offerings of Iudah and Ierusaleâ— be pleasant vnto the Lord as in the dayes of old and as in former yeares Mal. 3.4 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousnes with burnt offering and whole burnt offering Psal 51.19 Hereunto may be referred the prayer of the prophet Let the words of my mouth and the meditation oâ— my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength Psal 19.14 and my râ—deemer Accept I beseech thee the freewill offerings of my mouth O Lord and teach mee thy Iudgemâ—ntâ— Psal 119.108 Deut. 33.11 There bee many other testimonies to the same purpose I b seech you therefore brethren by the mercies of Goâ— that yee present your bodies a liuing sacrifice holy acceptable vnto God Rom. 12.1 Phil. 4.18 I am full hauing receiued of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you an odour of a sweete smell a sacrifice acceptable wel-pleasing to God But to doe good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased Yee also Heb. 13.16 1. Pet. 2.5 as liuely stones are built vp a spirituall house an holy Preisthood to offer vp spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Iesus Christ Children obey your parents in all things Col. 8.20 Heb. 11.5 for this is well pleasing Before his translation Enoch had receiued this testimonie that he pleased God And this faith is most necessarie to the leading of a Christian life Faith is necessary to the leading of a Christian life scil to adhere and sticke fast vnto the commandements rest vpon God for abilitie to do what he requireth and that he will accept what sincere and vnfained seruice though weake and imperfect is tendered vnto his Highnesse For the word of grace which commandeth to belieue the free mercie of the Lord to the pardoning of sinne Tit. 2.11.12 teacheth vs to denie vngodlinesse and worldly lust and to liue godly iustly and soberly in this present euil world Such as giue vp their names to Christ must not looke to bee lawlesse but they come to take a yoâ—ke vpon them Math. 11.28.29 Ioh. 13.34 and stand obliged to fulfill the law of Christ called the new Commaundement Want of belieuing the precepts is the cause why many doe still continue in the practise of diuers things inconuenient and suffer inordinate passions to hold them vnder Ignorance or carelesnesse in this point is the cause why some of the better sort of people are off and on now forward then backward scarce setled or stayed at any time not knowing how to set vpon the practice of repentance how to begin or to proceed therein Whereas this faith much auaileth to the furthering of the deare Children of God in a godly course the shâ—ning of euill and the practice of holinesse True faith is an obsequious confidence which carrieth a man whither soeuer he shâ—ll see the Lord to gâ—e before him Heb. 11.5.7.8.9.10 c. By faith Hâ—noch walked with God Noah builded an Arke Abraham offered vp his sâ—nne Isaac Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter Our present faith or trust in God is but commensurable to our fideliâ—ie in his Commaâ—ndements ere we can make a faithfull plea for mercie Gods will neglected must bee executed either in act if the obâ—ect be present and may be prosecuted or in sincere and constant resolution if abilities and opportunities required to execution of what we resolue vpon be altogether wanting or our endeauours vpon ineuitable occasions hindred Gal. 5.6 Faith worketh by loue which constraineth men to doe the will of God and submit themselues to his holy Commandements The strength of faith to it seuerall obiects is vniforme that assurance of forgiuenesse cannot be greater then care of obedience The very consciousnesse of any one sin wherevnto we haue beene indulgent will be of like force to withdraw our assent from Gods mercy as the delight or pleasure of that sensuall obiect was to cause vs to transgresse any part of his wil reuealed The same strength beautie had to allure vnto adulterie will that foule sinne vnrepented of haue to diuorce our soules from Christ Nor can wee faile in practice of this or other Commandement without a precedent defect of that faith which onely
condemning it freely vnfainedly begging pardon with strength of grace to withstand sinne for the time to come Whensoeuer faith commeth to receiue the seale of pardon it pleadeth guiltie humbleth for transgression and intreateth forgiuenesse of vndeserued mercie that grace might be magnified in forgiuenesse Fiftly By faith wee receiue Christ offering himselfe freely to be contracted vnto vs. Christ maketh loue as a suiter and hath giuen the Sacrament as a token of his loue and faithfulnesse faith apprehendeth the miserie of the soule without Christ the excellent dignitie honour and beautie of Christ and the happinesse of the soule which is vnited vnto him and thereupon humbly embraceth his offer oâ— loue Sâ—xtly By faith wee resigne vp our selues vnto Iâ—sus Christ and willingly yeeld soule and bodâ—e vnto him This the natuâ—e of the matrimoniall contract which passeth beâ—wixt Christ and the belieuer requireth for as Christ promiseth to be a Sauiour Head and Husband vnto the belieuer so doth hee troth-plight himselfe vnto Iesus Christ to cleaue vnto him as his only Sauiour and in all things to bee obedient vnto his will and pleasure Wherefore my brethren Rom. 7.4 yee are also become dead to the Law by the bodie of Christ that yee should be married to another euen to him who is raised from the dead that we should bring forth fruit vnto God Seuenthly Faith feedeth vpon Christ and sucketh vigour from him Iohn 6.55 His flesh is meate indeed and his bloud is drinke indeed Meate to bee eaten not with the teeth but by faith Meate indeed not in nature but in effect because it nourisheth the soule and giueth eternall life to them that eate thereof And by faith wee spiritually eate the flâ—sh of the Sonne of Man and drinke his bloud And as he that eateth wholsome food is strengthened thereby and made fit and able for the actions of this life so hee that feedeth vpon Christ spiritually and by faith is strengthened to the actions of spirituall life and made able for the exercises of pietie and holinesse Eightly Faith assureth of that spirituall contract which hath passed betwixt Christ and the Christian soule and is sealed in the Sacrament Cant. 2.16 so that he may truly say My beloued is mine and I am his As a couple who haue lawfully giuen faith to each other and confirmed the same by pledge or token in the Congregation are assured of each other so when we haue contracted our selues vnto Christ and receiued the pledge thereof we come to be assured by faith that Christ is ours and that wee haue communâ—on in all the benefits of his death and passion Thâ—s faith reasoneth God the Father hath freely promised the pardon of all sinnes in and through Iesus Christ Christ doth offer himselfe as a Redeemer to deliuer them from the power of darknesse and to bring them into perpetuall grace with his Father to wash them from their sinnes by his bloud and spirit and to preserue and nourish them vnto life eternall who will receiue and belieue in him And being so louingly called and inuited I haue receiued the mercifull promise and â—esigned my selfe vnto Iesus Christ why then should I stand in doubt I heare the word of promise I see and haue receiued the seales annexed to the Word of grace the true and faithfull testimonie of God confirmed by oath and I may not question his truth nor draw backe from mine owne promise to rest vpon and cleaue vnto him for euermore Ninthly It stirreth vp ioy and thankfulnesse with serious remembrance of the manifold benefits and blessings which in Christ Iesus are vouchsafed When men haue a lease of some good bargaine sealed they are merrie and glad much greater cause of ioy haue they who haue receiued from God who cannot lie such a pledge of his loue the seale of an euerlasting inheritance Arise O my soule and sing for ioy for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen vpon thee Thou didst sit in darknesse forlorne and miserable guiltie of sinne in bondage to the curse in feare of eternall condemnation but now God is appeased Christ hath satisfied iustice pardon is proclaimed thou hast receiued the free gracious promise and eternall blessed peace is concluded And for thy greater assurance God hath added his seale to his free grant of pardon holy bread is added and giuen to thee for a Sacrament and diuine testimonie that the body of Christ was crucified for thee blessed wine is added and giuen to thee for a certaine pledge and token that the bloud of Christ was shed for thee that righteousnesse purchased by that sacrifice is thine that eternall saluatioâ— procured by that price is thine by an irreuocable title Praise the Lord O my soule and forget not the gâ—eat â—oue of God in giuing his Sonne to die that thou mightest be deliuâ—reâ— from the feare of hell death forget not the Loue oâ— Christ in sâ—ffering death that thou mightest bâ— seâ— fâ—ee from the curse of the law and burning wrath of God deserued by sinne forget not the grace and fauour of God in calling thee to feast with him and giuing this pledge and earnest of his perpetuall loue Thou canst not forget â—hese but thou forgettâ—st thy selfe thou canst not neglect these but thou hatest thy selfe What canst thou desire more then to haue God to be thy God Christ to thy Sauiour What wouldst thou remember if thou forget the loue of Christ in suffering death for thy redemption and the earnest of his loue whereby hee doth assure that his body was crucified and his bloud shed for thee Meanes to stirre vp our selues to receiue the Lords Supper in faith Now the better to stirre vp our selues to receiue this Sacrament in faith First Wee must bewaile our vnbeliefe dulnesse earthly-mindednesse the distemper of our spirituall taste and conceite of spirituall fulnesse labouring to quicken the sense of our misery and raise the soule to an high prizing of Christ and hungring after him Emptinesse prepares to receiue meate and hunger giues it a good rellish and if wee see our miserie and nakednesse without Christ and thirst after him wee shâ—ll eate his flesh and drinke his bloud with sweete comfort and refreshing Secondly Consider how freely the Lord doth tender Christ to bee receiâ—ed in his Word and Sacrament The Lord I say faithfull in his promises plentifull in mâ—rcies who hath authoritie to giue what he promiseth offâ—reth Christ withall the benefits of his death and pâ—ssion to euery poore despised thirstie afflicted soule who doth desire and will receiue him Thirdly weigh and consider the blessed state and condition of them who bee reconciled vnto God contracted vnto Iesus Christ who are eased from their sinnes washed from their filthinesse and separated vnto glory and so quicken our soules to receiue and lay fast hold vpon these inestimable benefits offered vnto vs by name Fourthly Hauing troth-plighted our selues to Iesus Christ vnfainedly wee must awaken
as an euil he shall fall into but which he shall escape by the constant study and practice of holines For our assurance to escape damnation through the death of Christ Phil. 2.12 Math. 10.28 Luke 12.4.5 is no greater then our care to auoyd sin which leadeth thereunto Worke out your saluation with feare and trembling Feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soule but rather feare him which is able to destroy both soule and body in hell Thirdly It stâ—rreth vp continuall watchfulnesse to shunne whatsoeuer might bâ—eed danger or procure Gods displeasure When sleepinesse beginneth to come vpon vs faith ioggeth our elbow and telleth the Lord is at hand with a whip to awaken vs. The approach of perill apprehended will rowse vp the sluggard to looke about him Faith also teacheth so to acknowledge the anger of God as that it draweth the heart aboue all things to take heed not to prouoke him by carelesnesse and securitie Who knoweth the power of thy anger 2. Cor. 5.10 11. Psal 90.11 Euen according to thy feare so is thy wrath Fourthly The threatnings mingled with faith cause sorrowfull melting or relenting of heart for sinne committed When the King of Nineueh belieued the preaching of Ionah Ionas 3.6 7 8. that within fortie dayes that gâ—eat Citie should be destroyed hee rose from his throne put on sackcloth and proclaimed a Fast vnto the Lord. And when the Lord testified his displeasure against the Israelites by sending thunder and lightning in Wheate Haruest all the people feared greatly and said vnto Samuel 1. Sa. 12.18 19. Pray for thy seruants vnto the Lord thy God that we die not for we haue added vnto all our sinnes this euill to aske vs a King Now the threatnings belieued worke the same effect Iudges 2.3 4. that the iudgements seene When Iosiah heard what the Lord spake against Ierusalem and against the inhabitants of that place his heart was tender 2. Kin. 22.18 19 and hee humbled himselfe before the Lord. Fiftly When wee see by faith from what miseries wee are deliuered of the free grace and mercie of God our hearts are enlarged in prayse and thanksgiuing In distresse faith powreth out supplications when the calamitie is ouer-past it setteth forth the goodnesse of the Lord and singeth of his glorie When the Israelites were in safetie on the shoare looking backe vpon the danger escaped when they passed through the red Sea Exod. 15.1 2. they make a ioyfull noise to the God of their saluation their songs are answerable to their fore-conceiued feare And so when the Lord brought backe the captiuitie of Babylon Psal 126.2 their mouthes were filled with laughter and their tongues with ioy The due consideration of our deserts manifest by the threatnings contained in the Word of God doth maruellously affect the heart with desire to publish and spread abroad the louing kindnesse of the Lord when by faith in Christ wee see our selues to bee set free from the dreadfull curses of the Law and mercifully saued from the righteous iudgement of our sinnes By this which hath beene said it is manifest that this life of faith is most excellent and comfortable and by good proofe and experience wee should be able to say so if wee would be perswaded but to take a taste of the benefit and sweetnesse that it bringeth For by this faith we are directed to seeke and follow after Christ Ephes 3.17 till wee come to be assured that he dwelleth in vs as the fountaine of life and that in him we are deliuered from the gilt and punishment of all our sinnes 2. Cor. 5.19 whereas others who liue not by it wauer are oft distracted and know not where to begin the foundation of that great worke nor how to build thereon By this faith we may come to sound rest and holy securitie about our saluation from time to time enioying the comfort of it still more and more with incredible ioy whereas others euen the best are oft vnsetled and much disquieted If the Lord lead vs into the darke and exercise vs with manifold afflictions and temptations by this faith we are enabled to hold him by the hand to cast our selues vpon the promises of grace and so relying vpon his power faithfulnesse and mercy to promise safetie vnto our selues aboue likelihood and appearance yea when wee feele the contrarie The rage of sinne is weakened and wee haue strength against it though not alwayes to preuaile which were not expedient yet at least to be in combate with it which is euer a good testimonie of our safetie for hereby we proue our selues to bee liuely members of the Church Militant Also by this we are preserued against fearefull sinnes and haue grace to walke in newnesse of life and all parts of it with ioy and chearefulnesse If we liue by faith we haue deliuerance from mâ—ny sharp bitter afflictions beare those which we must go vnder more meekly patiently because it makes vs depend vpon Gods promises not stinting him to any set time maner of deliuerance or measure of afflictioÌ„ By it we walk in our callings more chearfully honestly painfully with lesse distractioÌ„ toile vexatioÌ„ but with more profit then they that flow in with wealth haue all shifts cunning slights to gaine by Psal 127.1 2. For whiles we see God euer going before vs in al our earthly dealings and actions as we should more looke to it that we find it so then to our greatest profits weightiest dealings this faith shall vphold vs in the quietest estate and most sweet peace such as all the carnall wisedome of man shall neuer find nor enioy This faith teacheth vs to pray at all times as our necessities require with feruency coÌ„fidence euen in the depth of afflictions when the graue is readie to swallow vs vp and shut her mouth vpon vs Psal 69.13 14 15 16. it enableth to look vnto the Lord with strong arguments to implore his aid O Lord God of my saluation Psal 88.1 2 3. I haue cried day and night before thee for my soule is full of troubles and my life draweth nigh vnto the graue Out of the depths haue I cried vnto thee O Lord Lord heare my voice Psal 130.1 2. My spirit within me is ouer-whelmed my heart within me is desolate I stretch forth my hands vnto thee Psal 143.3 6. my soule thirsteth for thee in a thirsty land O remember not against vs former iniquities let thy tender mercies speedily preuent vs Psal 79.8 for we are brought very low If the affliction be very grieuous and of long continuance faith doth neither quaile nor cease to seek helpe but looketh vp to the Lord expecting saluation in due time to be reuealed O God Psal 74.1 2. why hast thou cast vs off for euer Why doth thine anger smoake against the sheepe of thy pasture Remâ—mber thy Congregation which thou hast purchased of old the rod of thine inheritance Psal 69.29 Psal 68.35 Verse 22. which thou hast redeemed I am poore and sorrowfull let thy saluation O God set me vp on high for God is the strength of his people who will brâ—ng them againe from the depths of the Sea The life of faith shall 〈◊〉 in ioy comfort He that trusteth in the Lord shall r◠〈◊〉 in his holy Name I am a wonder vnto many but the 〈◊〉 my strong refuge Psal 71.7 8. Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day Our heart shall reioyce in him Psal 33.21 because we haue trusted in his holy Name Loe this is our God we haue waited for him and he will saue vs this is the Lord Esay 25.9 we haue waited for him we will be glad and reioyce in his saluation The expectation of them that hope in the Lord Psal 68.19 69.30 shall not be frustrated therefore they shall reioice in him and sound forth his praises He that hath learned to liue by faith Heb. 11.13 shall also die in faith All these died in or according to the faith If we know how to walke with God by faith as Henoch did all the daies of our life amidst the manifold temptations changes that we meet withall in this world we shal the better encounter with death when the agonies therof be vpon vs. Death is many waies terrible and the assaults of Satan at that time are vsually most strong as being his last but hee that hath taken out this lesson To liue by faith shall easily quench the fierie darts of the Deuill manfully conquer this strong enemie renew his repentance and confidence in Gods mercy vpon the sight of sin willingly resigne himselfe into the hands oâ— God This is the ordinary course Liue in faith die in faith Liue holily and die blessedly Therefore let vs leaue late repentance to them that think it but a sport to venture a soule and take that course that is sure to speed To say no more it is exceeding dangerous to put off repentance from day to day though some few haue obtained mercie at their latter end But this is sure he that liueth in faith shall die in faith and liue in glory for euermore Amen FINIS