this being a particular about which they are ofttimes much exercised and perplexed That we may therefore in some weak measure through the helpe of His light and grace propose some things to cleare up this great and necessary truth we shall first speak a little to it in the generall and then come to cleare up the matter more particularly Before we speak of the matter in generall it would be remembered first That the person who only is in case to make use of Christ for Sanctification is one that hath made use of Him already for Righteousnesse justification for one who is a stranger to Christ and is living in nature hath no accesse to Christ for sanctification He must be a beleever and within the covenant ere he can make use of the grounds of sanctification laid down in the covenant One must first be united to Christ and justified by faith in Him before he can draw any vertue from Him for perfecting holinesse He must first be in Him before he can grow up in Him or bring forth fruit in Him And therefore the first thing that souls would goe about should be to get an union made up with Christ and be cloathed with his righteousnesse by faith and then they have a right to all his benefites first they should labour to get their state changed from enmity to peace reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Yet next it would be observed That when it is said that one must be a beleever before he can go to Christ make use of Him for holinesse sanctification it is not so understood or said That one must know that indeed he is justified by faith before he can make any use of Christ for sanctification One may be justified and a beleever yea and growing in grace through Iesus Christ and so actually improving the grounds of sanctification and making use of Christ for this end and allowed thereunto and yet win to no certainty oâ—… his union with Christ of his justification through faith in Him noâ—… of his faith But thirdly if it be said How can a soul with confidence approach to Christ for usemaking of Him in reference to sanctification that is still doubting of his state and regeneration I answere It is true a clear fight of our interest in Christ by faith would be a great encouragement to our confident approaching to and usemaking of Him in all things and this consideration should moâ—…e all to a more earnest search study of the marks evidences of their Interest a good help whereunto they will finde in the forementioned book I shall only say this here That if the soul have an earnest desire tâ—… be sanctified wholly and to have on the image of God that he may glorifie Him and panteth after holinesse as for life that he may look like Him who is holy maketh this his work and study sorrowing at nothing more than at his short coming crying out and longing for the day when he shall be delivered from a body of death and have the old man wholly crucified he needeth not question his interest in Christ warrant to make use of Him for every part of sanctification for this longing desire after conformity to Gods law and panting after this spiritual life to the end God may be exalted Christ glorified otherâ—… edified will not be readyly found in one that 〈◊〉 yet in nature It is true I grant some who designe to establish their owne righteousnesse and to be justified by their owne works inherent holinesse may wish that they might be more holy and lesse guilty and for some other corrupt ends they may desire to be free of the power of some lust which they finde noxious troublsome and yeâ—… retaine with love and desire some other beloved lusts and so have a heart still cleaving to the heart of some detestable thing or other But gracious souls as they have respect to all the commands of God so they have not that designe of being justified before God by their works nor do they study mortification or sanctification for any such end nay they no sooner discover any by as of their false deceitfull hearts unto any such end but as soon they disowne it and abhore it So that hence believers may get some discovery of the reality of their faith and interest in Christ and of their warrand yea duty to make use of Christ for sanctification Tâ—…s premised we come to speak some thing in the generall of beleevers usemaking of Christ as made of God to us Sanctification and for this end we shall only speak a little to two things first we shall show upon what account it is that Christ is called our sanctification or made of God to us sanctification as the Apostle's phrase is 1. Cor. 1 30. or what Christ hath done as Mediator to beginne carry on to perfection the work of sanctification in the soul. And secondly How the soul is to demeane it self in this matter or how the soul is to make use of improve what Christ hath done for this end that it may grow in grace and perfect holinesse in the fear of God As to the first we would know that though the work of sanctification be formally ours yet it is wrought by another hand as the principal efficient cause even by the Father Son and Holy Ghost The Father is said to purge the branches that they may bring forth more fruit Iohn 15 1. 2. hence we are said to be sanctified by God the Father Iud. vers 1. The Son is also called the sanctifier Heb. 2 21. He sanctifieth cleanseth the Church with the washing of water by the word Ephes. 5. â—…6 The Spirit is also said to sanctifie 2. Thes 2 13. 1 Pet. 1 2. Rom. 15 16. Hence we are said to be washed sanctified by the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 6 11. But more particularly we are said to be sanctified in Christ. 1. Cor. 1. 2. and He is made of God to us sanctification 1 Cor. 1. 30. let us then see in what sense this may be true and 1 He hath by his death blood procuâ—… that this work of sanctification shall be wrought carryed on for he suffered without the gate that He might Sanctifie the people with his owne blood Heb. 13 12. we are saved by the washing of regeneration renewing of the holy ghost which He shed on us abundantly through Iesus Christ our Saviour Tit. 3 5 6. He gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 2 14. Thus our sanctification is the fruit of his death purchased by his bloodâ—… He gave himself for his church that he might sanctifie it Ephes. 5 25 26. â—… He dying as a cautioner publick person beleevers are accounted in law to be dead to sin in Him Hence the Apostle tells us Rom. 6 3 4
their opposition to his work prospering in all their wicked attempts This is a very trying dispensation as we see it was to the holy penman of Psalme 73. for it made him to stagger so that his feet were almost gone and his steps had well nigh slipt yea he was almost repenting of his being a godly person saying vers 13. verâ—…ly I have clansed my heart in vaine washed my hands in innocencie It was something like this which made Ieremie say Cap 8 18. when I would comfort my self against sorrow my heart is faint in me The harvest was past and the summer was ended and yet they were not saved vers 20. and they looked for peace but no good came and for a time of health but behold trouble vers 15. and this was fainting and vexatious And what made Baruch Ieremiah's faith full companion in tribulation say woe is me now for the Lord hath added grief to my sorow I fainted in my sighing and I finde no rest Ier. 45 3. but this that all things were turning upside down God was breaking down that which he had buiâ—… and plucking up that which he had planted Tribulation and suffering for a good cause is even fainting to some as the Apostle hinteth Ephes. 3 13. when he sayes wherefore I desire that yee fainte not at my tribulation for you And that which evinceth the danger of this dispensation is the fainting and backsliding of many in such a time of tryal as sad experience too often cleareth Now the beleevers stay in this case must be the rock of ages Jesus the Truth It is He alone who can keep streight and honest in such a reeling time So that a sight of Christ as the Truth in reference to the carrying on of Truth in the earth and throughing his cause and work will be the only support of a soul shaken by such a piece of tryal But the question is How should Beleevers make use of Christ in such a time to the end they may be keeped from fainting and succumbing in such a storme To which I answere That the faith and consideration of those particulars would helpe to establishment 1. That Christ in all this great work of redemption and in every piece of it is the Fathers servant So is He frequently called his servant Esai 42 1. 49 3 5 6. 52 13. 53 11. Zech. 3 8. therefore this work is a work intrusted to Him He standeth engadged as a servant to be faithful to his trust Moreover adde to this that He hath a commission to perfect that work and we need not doubt but He who is the Truth will be true to his trust Him hath God the Father sealed Iohn 6 27. He oft tells us himself that He is sent of the Father Iohn 4 34. 5 23 24 30 36 37. 6 38 39. 40 44 57. 8 16 18. 12 44 45 49. 7 9 4. 10 36. 11 42. 2. That while He was upon the earth He finished that work that was committed to Him to finish here having purchased all that was to be bought by his blood paying all the price that justice did ask Iohn 17 4. 19 30. By which price he hath purchased a people to himself Revel 5 9. Luk. 1 68. So that His work cause and interest is a purchased work bought with his blood 3. That his resurrection and glorification is an undoubted proof of this that justice is satisfied and that the price is fully payed and also that his exaltation at the Fathers right hand is a sure evidence ground of hope that He shall at last triumphe over all his enemies and that his work of truth shall prosper The Father said to Him Psal. 110 1. Sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy foot stool Being now highly exalted he hath got a name above every name that in his name every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth and that every tongue should confesse that Iesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father Phil. 2. 9 10 11. 4. That the Father standeth engadged to make good to Him all that was promised and to give Him all that He purchased Esa. 53 10 11 12. Christ having now fulfilled his undertaking by making his soul an offering for sin and so satisfying justice which is openly declared by his resurrection admission to glory as the Head of his elect is to expect the accomplishment of what was conditioned unto Him His work therefore on the earth must prosper and the Father hath undertaken to see it prosper Sure the faith of this would much support a poor soul staggering at the thoughts of the prosperity of the wicked and of their evil cause 5. That Christ himself is now throughly furnished and inabled for the carrying on of his work over the belly of all adversaries for all power in heaven and earth is given to Him Matth. 28 18. and every knee must bow to Him Phil. 2 10. all judgment is committed unto Him Ioh. â—… 22 27. Angels powers and authoritie are made subject unto Him 1 Pet. 3 22. Yea all things are under Him Ephes. 1 22. How then can his work miscarry or who can hinder that truth should not flourish in the earth 6. That Christ is actually at work imploying this power for the carrying forward of his designe for the glory of the Father and for his own glory and for the good of his poor people The Father worketh by Him and He by the Spirit which is his great vicegerent sent from the Father and from Him and his work is to glorify the Son and shall receive of his and show it unto us Iohn 16 14. 7 That Christ upon many accounts standeth engadged to perfect this work which He hath begun and is about His honour is engadged to go thorow seing now He is fully furnished for it and hath all the creation at his command He must then perfect his work as to the application as well as He did perfect it as to the purchase His love to his Fathers his own glory to his own peoples good and salvation may assure us that He will not leave the work unperfected and his power and furniture may give us full security that no stope which his work meeteth with shall be able to hinder it 8. That hence it is clear and manifest that his wheel is in the midst of the wheels of men and that therefore He is ordering all their motions and reelings to the best His wheel keepeth an even pace and moveth equally equably in the midst of mens contrary motions 9. And that therefore all the eccentrick and irregular motions of devils and wicked men being in His hand and ordered by Him cannot hinder but further His end So that even enemies while opposeing and seeking to destroy the cause and interest of Christ that his name and
grace and holinesse and salvation to the beleever And whatever we be They will be true to each other our unbeleef will not make the faith of God of none effect 2. The consideration of the noble and faithfull promises contained in the covenant of Grace which shall be all made good in due time 3. If we be humbled under the sence of ouâ—… failings and shortcomings and made to mourne before the Lord and stirred up to more diligence and seriousnesse that may yeeld comfort to our soul. If we be growing in Humility godly Sorrow Repentance Diligence and be gripping faster by faith to the Root we want not ground of joy and support for if that be we cannot want fruit 4. It should be matter of joy and thanksgiving that the beleever is keeped from turning his back on the way of God aud keeped with his face still Zion-ward though he make but little progresse yet he is still looking forward and creeping as he may waiting at God's door begging and asking studying labouring and endeavouring for strength to go faster 5. It is no small matter of peace and comfort if we be keeped from fretting grudging and repineing at the Lords dispensations with us and be taught to sit silent in the dust adoreing His Soveraignity and ascribeing no iniquity to our maker CHAP. VIII How to make use of Christ for taking the guilt of our dayly out-breakings away THe next part of our sanctification is in reference to our dayly failings and transgressions committed partly through the violence of temptations as we see in David and Peter and other eminent men of God partly through dayly infirmities because of our weaknesse and imperfections for in many things we offend all Iam. 3 2. and if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us 1 Iohn 1 8. A righteous man falleth seven times Prov. 24 16. There is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Eccles. 7 20. and Solomon further sayeth 1 King 8 46. that there is no man that sinneth not This being so the question is how Christ is to be made use of for taking of these away For satisfaction to this it would be considered that in those dayly outbreakings there are two things to be noticed first there is the Guilt which is commonly called Reatus poenâ—… whereby the transgressour is liable to the sentence of the law or to the penalty annexed to the breach thereof which is no lesse then God's curse for cursed is every 〈◊〉 that abideth not in all things which are 〈◊〉 the law to do them Gal. 3 10. Next there is the â—…taine or blote which is called Reatus culpâ—… whereby the soul is defiled and made in so far incapable of glory for nothing entreth in there which defileth and of communion and fellowshipe with God who is of purer eyes then He can behold iniquity So that it is manifest how necessary it is that both these be taken away that they may not stand in ouâ—… way to the Father And as to both we must make use of Christ who is the only way to the Father And this we shall now cleare and first speak of the taking away of the Guilt that is contracted by every sin and for this cause we shall briefly speak to two things first Shew what Christ hath done as Mediator for this end that the guilt contracted by our dayly failings and outbreakings might be taken away Secondly shew what the beleever should do for the getting of guilt taken away in Christ or how he should make use of Christ for reconciliation with God after transgressions or for the taking away of the guilt that he lyeth under because of his violation of the law As to the first We say Christ for taking away of Guilt contracted dayly hath done these things 1. Christ laid downe his life a ransome for all the sinns of the Elect both such as were past before they beleeved and such as were to be committed after His blood was shed for the remission of sinâ—… indefinitly and without distinction Mat. 26 28 â—… And this was done according to the tenour of the covenant of Redemption wherein the Fatheâ—… caused all our sins to meet together on Him Esai â—…3 6. and made Him sin or a sacrifice for sin indefinitely 2 Cor. 5 21. and so did not except the sins committed after conversion 3. Having satisfiedjustice and being risen from the dead as a Conquerour He is now exalted to be a Prince to give Repentance and Remission of sins Act. 5 31. Now repentance and remission of sins his people have need of after conversion as well as before conversion 4. There are promises of pardon and remission of sins in the new covenant of Grace all which are sealed and confirmed in the blood of Jesus Ier. 31 34. for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more and Chap. 33 8. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity whereby they have sinned against me and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned against me and whereby they have transgressed against me Esai 43 25. I even I am he that bloteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy sins 5. Though there be no actuall pardon of sins till they be committed and repented of according to the tenor of the gospell Matth. 3 2. Luke 13 3. Act. 2 38. 8 22. yet while Christ beare all the sins of his people upon the crosse they were all then virtually and meritoriously taken away of which Christ's resurrection was a certane pledge and evidence for then gote He his acquittance from all that either law or justice could charge Him with in behalfe of them for whom He laid downe his life a ransome Rom. 8 33 34. who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect It is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth It is Christ that died or rather that is risen againe c. 6. So that by vertue of Christ's death there is a way laid down in the covenant of grace how the sinns of the elect shall be actually pardoned viz. That at their conversion and first laying hold on Christ by faith all the sins whereof they then stand guilty shall be actually pardoned and forgiven in their justification and all their after sins shall also be actually pardoned upon their griping to Christ of new by faith and turning to God by repentance And this way is agreed to by Father and Son and revealed in the gospel for the instruction and encouragement of beleevers and all to the glory of his free grace In whom we have redemption sayeth the Apostle Ephes. 1 7 8 9. through his blood the forgivenesse of sins according to the riches of his grace wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure
commend ourselves to God thereby that we may obtaine pardon 4. The beleever would consider seriously the dreadfulnesse of their condition who are lying under the lash of the law for sin The law sayeth cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the law and every sin is a transgression of the law so that acording to law and justice they are in hazard for evry sin in it self exposeth the sinner to eternal wrath sin being an offence against God who is a righteous judge and a breach of his law A right sight and apprehension of this would serve to humble the sinner before God and make him more earnest in seeking out for pardon that this obligation to punishment might be removed 5. The beleever would not only consider the sin it self but also take notice of all its Aggravations There are peculiar aggravations of some sins taken from the time manner and other circumstances which rightly considered will helpe forward the work of humiliation And the sins of beleevers have this aggravation above the sins of others that they are committed against more love and speciall Love and against more opposition and contradiction of the grace of God within the soul against more light and conviction c. and therefore their humiliation upon this account ought to be singular and serious So was it with David when he took notice of the speciall aggravations of his sin Psal. 51 4 6 14. and Ezra cap. 9. Nehemiah Cap. 9. and Daniel Cap 9. This considering of sin with its due aggravations would helpe to prize mercy at an high rate and cause the soul more willingly waite for and more seriously seek after Remission knowing that God is more angry for great sins than for sins of infirmity and may therefore pursue the same with sorer judgments as He broke David's bones withdrew his comforts c. 6. The beleever would be convinced of an impossibility of doing any thing in himself which can procure pardon at the hands of God should he weep cry afflict himself pray never so all will do nothing by way of merite for the taking away of the least sin that ever he commited and the conviction of this would drive him to despaire in himself and be a meane to bring him cleanly off himself and to look out for mere mercy in Christ Jesus So long as through the deceitfulnesse of Satan the false heart inclineth to the old byas and hath its eye upon any thing in it self from whence it draweth its hops and expectation of pardon and acceptance it will not purely act faith on Christ for this end and so he will lose all his labour and in end be disappointed Therefore the beleever would guard against this and that so much the more that the false deceitful heart is so much inclined thereto and that this deceit can sometime work so cuningly that it can hardly be discerned being fairded over with many false glosses and pretexts and that it is so dishonourable to Jesus and hurtful and prejudicial to the soul. 7. The beleever would act faith on the promises of pardon in the new covenant as having a right to them through Jesus Christ and challenge with humble boldnesse the fulfilling of the same according to that 1. Ioh. 1 9 If we confesse our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins So that the beleever may not only take hold of mercy and grace in God as an incouragement and invitation to go to God for pardon but even of the justice and righteousnesse of God because of his faithful promises and the beleever would have here a speciall eye to Christ in whom all the promises are yea and amen and look for the accomplishment of them through Him and for his sake alone 8. Faith would eye Christ as hanging upon the crosse and offering up himself through the eternall Spirit a sacrifice to satisfie divine justice for all the sins of his own chosen ones we cannot think that Christ bare but some of their sins or only their sins committed before conversion and if he bare all as the Father laid all upon Him the beleever is to lay hold on Him by faith as hanging on the crosse as well for taking away of the guilt of sins committed after conversion as before His sacrifice was a sacrifice for all and He bare our sins without distinction or exception in his owne body on the tree 1. Pet. 2 24. David had his eye on this when he cryed out Psal. 51 7. purge me with hysope hysope being sometimes used in the legall purifications which typified that purification which Christ really wrought when He gave himself a sacrifice for sin Levit. 14 6. Num. 19 18. 9. The beleever looking on Christ dying as a Mediator to pacifie the wrath of God and to make satisfaction to the justice of God for the sins of his people would renew his consent unto that gracious and wise contriveance of heaven of pardoning sins through a crucified Mediator that mercy and Justice might kisse each other and be glorified together and declare againe his full satisfaction with Christ's satisfying of justice for him and taking away the guilt of his sins by that blood that was shed upon the crosse by taking those sins whereof now he standeth guilty and for which he is desireous of pardon and by faith nailing them to the crosse of Christ and rolling them on his shoulders that the guilt of them as well as of the rest might be taken away through the merites of his death and satisfaction Thus the beleever consenteth to that noble act of free grace whereby the Lord made all our sins to meet together on Christ when he taketh those particular sins wherewith now he is troubled and casteth them in into the heape that Christ as the true scape-goat may carry all away This is to lay our hands on the head of our sacrifice 10. The beleever hath another ground of comfort to grippe to in this case and that is Christ's eternall Priesthood whereby he makes intercession for the transgressions of his people and as their advocate and atturnay with the father pleadeth their cause whereby he is able to save them to the last and uttermost step of their jurnay and so to save them from the guilt of all casuall and emergent sins that might hinder their salvation So that the beleever is to put those sins that now he would have pardoned into the hands of Christ the everlasting intercessour and alsufficient advocat that He by vertue of his death would obtaine a new pardon of these their failings and transgressions and deliverance from the guilt thereof and their acceptance with the Father notwithstanding of these transgressions 11. Thus beleevers eyeing Christ as Dying Riseing againe Ascending and as Sitting at the Fathers right hand there to be a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck and to interceed for his owne and to see to the application of
master usher to the poor soul to lead him in to the Father so that by him we have accesse Ephes. 2 18. yea boldnesse and accesse through faith in Him Ephes. 3 12. and He is our advocate 1. Iohn 2 1. and as our atturnay is gone to heaven before us and there liveth for ever to make intercession Heb. 6 20 7 25. And what is there more to be done to procure us accesse or to move encourage us to come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtaine mercy and finde grace to helpe in time of need Heb. 4 14 16. 6. As to that want of freedome and liberty in prayer He helpeth that also for He maketh the dumb to sing Esa. 35 6. and maketh the tongue of the stammerers to be ready to speak elegantly Esai 32 4. He can enlairge the heart and help the soul to pour-out its heart before God 7. As to outward persecution He can easily take that discouragement away by giving the hundereth fold with it by supporting under it and bringing saife thorow it when his presence is with them through fire and water Esa. 43 2. what can trouble them and when he maketh their consolations abound 2 Cor. 1 5. what can discourage them Have not his sung in the very fires and rejoyced in all their afflictions The resting of the Spirit of God and of glory which Peter speaketh of 1 Pet. 4 14. is comfortable enough 8. As for all those sharpe dispensations mentioned in the last place He having taken the sting of all even of death away by taking away sin and purchased the blessing and love of the Father having made reconciliation through his blood all those dispensations flow from love even such as seem sharpest being inflicted for sin as we see Heb. 12 6. So that there is no cause here of fainting or of being so discouraged as to give over the matter But for helpe in this case there should be an use making of Jesus as the Life and that is The third thing which we shall speak a little to viz How the soul should make use of Christ as the Life to the end it may be delivered from this fainting occasioned through manifold discouragements 1. The beleever in this case would minde the covenant of Redemption wherein Christ hath promised and so standeth obliged and engaged to carry on his own through all discouragements to the end so that if any one beleever miscarry Christ loseth more than they can lose for the beleever can but lose his soul but Christ shall lose his glory and this is more worth than all the souls that ever were created And further not only shall Christ lose his glory as Redeemer But the Father shall also lose his glory in not making good his promise to Christ his Son for by the same covenant He standeth engaged to carry thorow all the seed that Christ hath died for And his appointing Christ to be his servant for this end and chooseing Him from among all the folk and his upholding of Him concurring with him delighting in Him and promiseing that He shall bring forth judgment to the gentiles and that to victory or to truth speak out His engadgment to see all true beleevers brought home See Esai 42 1 2 3 4. Mat. 12 17 18 19 20 21. Psal. 89 19 20 21 28 29 35 36 37. Sâ—…re the faith of this would support the poor beleever under all those discouragements 2. They would minde likewise the covenant of Grace wherein all things are contrived and laid downe so as that the beleever may have abundant consolation and comfort in all cases and wherein there is enough to take away all cause of fainting discouragement as might fully be made to appeare if any did questione it 3. They would remember how richly Christ is furnished with all qualifications suiteing even that case wherein they are like to be overwhelmed with discouragements and could the beleever but think upon and beleeve those three things he might be keeped-up under all discouragements first That Christ is a compassionate tender-hearted mediator having bowels more tender than the bowels of any mother so that He will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flax Esai 42 3. He had compassion on the very bodies of the multitude that followed him and would not let them go away fasting lest they should fainte in the way Mat. 15 32. Mark 8 3. and will He not have compassion on the soules of his followers when like to faint through spiritual discouragements Secondly That He hath power and authority to command all things that can serve to carray-on a poor beleever for all power in Heaven and Earth is given to Him all things are made subject to Him Thirdly That He hath a great readinesse and willingnesse upon many accounts to helpe his followers in their necessities Sure were these three firmly believed the beleever could not â—…aint having Christ who is tender and loving willing to helpe and withall able to do what he will to look to and to run to for supply 4. They would take up Christ under all his heart-strengthening and soul comforting relations as a tender Brother a careful Shepherd a fellow-feeling Highpriest a loving Husband a sympathizing Head a life-communicating Root an alsufficient King c. any one of which is enough to beare up the head and comfort the heart of a drouping discouraged and fainting soul much more may all of them yeeld strong consolation to support revive a soul staggering and fainting through discouragement Oh! if wee could but rightly improve and dwell upon the thoughts of these comforting and heart-quickening relations our hearts would not fail us so much as they do 5. They would eye Him as now in glory who as Head and Captaine of salvation hath wreastled through and overcome all difficulties and discouragments that were in his way and in name and behalf of all beleevers that are his followers and members of his body is now possessed of glory and thence draw an heart-comforting and soul-strengthening conclusion thus Is He entered into glory as Head than such a poor faint hearted heart-brocken discouraged worme as I am may at length come there as a little bit of his body especially since He said that seing He liveth all his shall live also Ioh. 14 19. 6. They would remember how Christ who was alwayes heard of his Father Iohn 11 41 42. did supplicat for this as Mediator and Intercessor for his people Iohn 17 24. saying Father I will thâ—… they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am c. May not the poor faint-hearted believer that is looking to Iesus draw an heart-reviveing soul encouraging conclusion out of this say Though my prayers be shote out and when I cry for reliefe under my discouragements I get no hearing but on the contrary my discouragements grow and my heart fainteth the more yet Christ alwayes was heard and
Him till He should be pleased to come to them with salvation And who can tell how soon He may come But enough of this there is a Fourth case of deadnesse to be spoken to and that is this CHAP. XXIV How shall the soul make use of Christ as the life which is under the prevailing power of unbeleef infidelity THat we may helpe to give some clearing to a poor soul in this case we shall 1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this distemper 2. Consider what the causes hereof are 3. Shew how Christ is life to a soul in such a case and 4. Give some directions how a soul in that case should make use of Christ as the Life to the end it may be delivered therefrom And first There are many several steps to and degrees of this distemper we shall mention a few as 1. When they cannot come with confidence and draw ouâ—… of Him by faith what their souls case calleth for they cannot with joy draw waters out of the wels of salvation Esai 12 3. But keep at a distance and intertaine jealous thoughts of Him this is a degree of unbeleefe making way for more 2. When they cannot confidently assert and avow their interest in Him as the Church did Esai â—…2 2. saying Behold God is my salvation I will trust and not be afraâ—…ed for the Lord Ie hovah is my strength my song He also is become my salvation 3. when they much question if ever they have indeed laid hold on Christ and so cannot go to Him for the supply of their wants and necessities 4. When moreover they question if they be allowed of God and warranted to come to Him and lay hold upon Him yea and they think they have many arguments whereby to maintaine this their unbeleefe and justify their keeping aback from Christ. 5. Or when if they look to Him at all it is with much mixture of faithlesse fears that they shall not be the better or at least doubting whether it shall be to their advantage or not 6. This unbeleef will advance further and they may come to that not only to conclude that they have no part or portion in Him but also to conclude that their case is desperat and irremediable and so say there is no more hope they are cut off for their part as Ezech. 37 11. and so lye by as dead and forelorne 7. Yea they may come higher and vent some desperat thoughts and expressions of God to the great scandal of the godly and to the dishonour of God 8. And yet more they may come that length to question all the promises and cry out with David in his haste Psal. 116 11. that all men are liars 9. Yea they may come to this to account the whole gospel to be nothing but a heap of delusions and a cunningly devised fable or but mere notions and fancies 10. And at length come to question if there be a God that ruleth in the Earth These are dreadful degrees and steps of this horrid distemper and enough to make all flesh tremble Let us see next whence this cometh The causes hereof we may reduce to three heads First The holy Lord hath a holy hand in this and hath noble ends and designes before Him in this matter as 1. The Lord may think good to order matters thus that He may magnifie his power and grace in reseueing such as were returned to the very brinke of hell and seemed to many to be lost and irrecoverably gone 2. Thaâ—… in punishing them thus for giving way to the first motions of unbeleefe he might warne all to guaird against such an evil and not to foster and give way to groundlesse complaints nor intertaine objections moved against their condition by the devil 3. To warne all to walk circumspectly and to worke-out their salvation with fear and trembling not knowing what may befal them ere they die 4. To teach all to walk humbly not knowing what advantage Satan may get of them ere all be done and to see their dayly need of Christ to strenthen their faith and to keep their grips of Him fast 5. So the Lord may think good to dispense so with some that he may give a full proof of his wonderfully great patience and longanimity in bearing with such and that so long 6. As also to demonstrate his Soveraignity in measureing out his dispensations to his own as he seeth will most glorifie himself Next Satan hath an active hand in this for 1. He raiseth clouds and mists in the believer so that he cannot see the work of God within himself and so is made to cry out that he hath no grace and that all was but delusions and imaginations which he looked upon as grace before 2. He raiseth up in them jealousies of God and of all his wayes and puts a false glosse and construction on all which God doth to the end he may confirme them in their jealousies which they have drunk in of God 3. Having gained this ground he worketh then upon their corruption with very great advantage and thus driveth them from evil to worse and not only to question their present interest in Christ but also to quite all hope for the time to come 4. This being done he driveth the soul yet further and filleth it with prejudices against God his glorious truthes and from this he can easily bring them to call all in question 5. Yea he will represent God as an enemy to them and when this is done how easie is it with him to put them on desperat courses and cause them speak wickedly and desperatly of God 6. And when this is done he can easily darken the understanding that the poor soul shall not see the glory of the gospel and of the covenant of grace nor the lustre and beauty of holinesse yea and raise prejudices against the same because there is no hope of partaking of the benefite thereof and so bring them on to a plaine questioning of all as â—…eer delusions 7. And when he hath gotten them brought this length he hath faire advantage to make them question if there be a God and so drive them forward to Atheisme And thus deceitfully he can carry the soul from one step to another But thirdly There are many sinful causes of this within the man self as 1. Pride and haughtinesse of minde as thinking their mountain standeth so strong that it cannot be moved and this provoketh God to hide his face as Psal. 30. 2. Self confidence a concomitant of pride supposing themselves to be so well rooted that they cannot be shaken whileas it were better for them to walk in feare 3. Want of watchfulnesse over a deceitful heart and an evil heart of unbeleef that is still departing from the living God Heb. 3 12. It is good to be jealous here 4. Giving way to doubtings and questionings too readyly at first It is not good to tempt the Lord by
that there is no grouth in knowledge because possibly he perceiveth it not or is not satisfied as to the measure thereof yea though possibly he perceive more ignorance than ever he did before If he grow in the knowledge of his own ignorance it is a grouth of knowledge not to be despised and in a manner what can we else know of God but that He farr transcendeth all our knowledge and that He is an incomprehensible one in all his wayes 4. Let him not think that there is no grouth in knowledge because he perceiveth not a grouth in the knowledge of such or such a particular which he desireth most for if there be a grouth in the knowledge of other particulars necessary to be known there is no reason to compleane If one grow not as he supposeth in the knowledge of God and of the mysteries of the gospel yet if he grow in the discovery of the treachery and wickednesse of his own heart he cannot say that he groweth not in knowledge 5. Let him not measure his grouth in knowledge by his grouth in the faculty of speaking and discoursing of such or such points of Religion many measure their knowledge by their tongue and think they know little because they can expresse little and so they think they attaine to no increase or grouth in knowledge because they perceive no grouth or increase in this faculty of discoursing and talking of such or such points of truth It is saifer to measure their knowledge by the impression that the truth hath on their spirits and the effects of it on all their carriage than by their ability or skill to talk and disput of it 6. Let them beware to imagine that they shall be able to search out the almighty unto perfection canst thou said Zophar Iob. 11 7 8 9. by searching find out God canst thou finde out the almighty unto perfection He is as high as heaven what canst thou do deeper then hell what canst thou know The measure thereof is longer than the earth and broader than the sea Or that they shall be able ever to win to the bottome of their own false deceitful heart which as Ieremiah sayeth Cap. 17 9. is deceitful above all things and desperatly wicked who can know it And which is God's prerogative alone to search and try vers 10. Neither let them think so long as they are here to win to an exact and perfect knowledge of the mysteries of God wherein is the manifold wisdom of God Ephes. 3 10. which very Principalities and powers in heavenly places are learning and which the Angels are poreing and looking into with desire 1. Pet. 1 12. There is no perfection in knowledge to be had here for here the best but knoweth in part and Prophecyeth in part 1 Cor. 13 4. 7. Let them not think that every one shall have the same measure of knowledge Every one hath not the like use for it or the like capacity for it There is a measure proportioned to every one They should not then complean because they have not such a measure of knowledge as they perceive in some others It may be the Lord hath some harder piece of service which calleth for more knowledge to put others to Let every one then minde his duty faithfully and conscientiously and let him not quarrel with God that he attaineth not to such a measure of knowledge as he seeth others attaine unto 8. Neither let them think that the same measure is required of all for more is required of some by reason of their office and charge in the house of God being called to teach and instruct others than of others and so more is required of such as have larger capacities and a better faculty of understanding than others who naturally are but of a narrow reach and of a shallow capacity more also is required of such as live under plaine powerfull and lively ordinances and under a more powerful and spiritual dispensation of the grace of God than of others that want such advantages So likewise more is required of old Christians than of new beginners Old men of much and long experience should know more than such as are but babes in Christ and of yesterday 9. Let their desires run out after that knowledge not which puffeth up for there is a knowledge which puffeth up 1 Cor. 8. 1. but which humbleth and driveth the soul further from it self and nearer to Christ. 10. They would carefully distinguish betwixt the gift of knowledge and the grace of knowledge That ordinarily puffeth up This humbleth That bringeth not the soul to Iesus This doth That is but a forme Rom. 2 20. and doth not retaine God Rom. 1 28. This is a real thing laying hold on God and holdeth him fast having the feare of the Lord for its principle for this fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdome Iob. 28 28. Psal. 111 10. Prov. 1 7. and 9 10. That lyeth most in the head and venteth most in discourses words yea and sometime evanisheth into vaine notions But this goeth down to the heart and lodgeth there and appeareth in the mans walk conversation as these two would be distinguished so the one should not be measured by the other 11 When they do not profite indeed let them beware of quarrelling with Christ or of blameing Him in any manner of way but let them lay the blame of their shortcoming on themselves for not making more use of Him by faith and single dependence upon Him It is true none will be so bold as in words to quarrell with or blame Him yet the heart is deceitful and tacitely may raise foment such thoughts of Him and his dispensations as can passe under no other notion than a quarrelling with Him Now these would be guairded against 12. Beware of urgeing for or expecting of immediat revelations or extraordinary manifestations for we should not tempt the Lord nor set limites to Him neither should we prescribe meanes and wayes to Him we must be satisfied with the ordinary meanes which He hath appointed and waite at wisdomes doors with our eares nailed to his posts 13. Whatever point of truth they learne or whatever measure of knowledge they get they would do well to give that back againe to Christ to keep for them against a time of need and waite on Him for grace to improve it for his glory 14. Let them beware of mindeing things too high Psal. 131 1. It is better to feare and stand in awe and to seek to lay the foundations well to get the saving knowledge of things necessary to salvation This will yeeld most peace and satisfaction CHAP. XIV How to make use of Christ as Truth for comfort when truth is oppressed and borne down THere is another difficulty wherein beleeving souls will stand in need of Christ as the Truth to helpe them and that is when his work is overturned his cause borne down truth condemned and enemies in