and so in due time to apply the same Though his sin against God be pardoned yet there is a trespasse committed against men and therfore the child must die for the making vp of this breach and Dauid must haue his heart broken hereby in mourning for the childe and so making way hereby for a more hearty sorrow for his sin the cause therof And this sorrow for the child shal be in the end accompanied with rest for the departure thereof to confound the wisdome of the flesh therein so to testifie his subiection to the wil of God thereby in the particular assurance of the welfare of the child to include his owne interest in that happinesse which the child had attained And so he that had yet little sensible comfort of the pardon of his sinne yet makes conscience to adde sinne vnto sinne whereof before he was too lauish and therefore hee comforts Bathshaba as a pledge that God sanctified his former sinne and changed his adulterous estate into holy wedlocke and so the Lord giueth a blessing hereunto by sealing vp the same with the fruit of the wombe and blessing the fruite to sit vpon his loynes and the destruction of the enemies Thus doth the wise Lord mingle his comforts with his chastisements that so he might bee the better able to endure what was to follow and to answer the Lord thereby in the worke of repentance And was there not great neede that he should be preuented with such cordials that so hee might the better endure such bitter storms that fel thick afterward vpon him euen to the wasting not only of his marrow but euen of his secret parts purest quintessence that he is not only forced to cōplaine that his bones were dis-iointed his flesh putrified his skin parched but also that his soule claue vnto the dust and refused comfort his ioy was gone and bitter sorrow of spirit ouerwhelmed him on euery side And that so farre forth that he was afraid that he was cast off quite that the spirit of God was vtterly departed from him that the worke of his renued heart was vtterly abolished Psal 51.10 What stormes here also fell vpon his good name by the raylings of Shimei because he had caused the Name of God to be blasphemed 2. Sam. 16. What heauie stormes fell vpon his Estate when hee was not onely thrust out of his Kingdome but pursued for his life What trecherie of his dearest Councellors because he had reiected the councell of God As the Word doth plentifully witnesse so doth it hereby make it good vnto vs that the deare seruant of God so deepely smarted for his sweet sinne that not onely in the iudgement of others but to his owne apprehension he felt himselfe no better then a Cast-away as forsaken of men so also forsaken of God as one free among the dead and quite out of mind whose hope was perished from the Earth Thus is it apparant in Dauids case that the Saints haue not onely fallen into grieuous and desperate sinnes but haue also thereby beene plunged into such desperate extremities as that in stead of growing in grace they may seeme to haue lost all yea so to haue lost them as that they haue neuer recouered againe at least not that Measure they formerly had The like may be instanced in the case of Salomon that Iedidiah beloued of God that type of Christ as also in Samson another figure of Christ in Peter the Apostle of the Iewes Ionas and many others And yet euen out of this darkenesse ariseth this light for our comfort herein that seeing these were the deare seruants of God called effectually by the blessed spirit and sealed vp to be his not onely by the inward worke of the spirit but also by outward euidences manifest to the Church of God therefore notwithstanding their grieuous falls and faintings they were still the same in the inward purposes of God howsoeuer they differed in the outward exhibition thereof and so did secretly thriue in the generall howsoeuer they might fayle for a time in particulars And so hereupon the Conclusion may be drawne for the stablishing of all others that haue sinned accordingly that notwithstanding their desperate falls and desertions yet they were and so still are the children of God and so shall in time be recouered out of their faylings shall bring forth yet more fruit in their old age though not sensible to the world which must stumble at them yet apparant to the spirit yea also in some measure to their owne hearts For the manifestation hereof a second Conclusion is to bee added Namely That the desertions and fallings of the Saints both into sinne and tentations thereon are farre different from those of the Hypocrite and Reprobate and so such as are neyther totall nor finall but rather tend to their exceeding good and furtherance in the worke of Grace As may appeare by these foure circumstances First by the extent of God in leauing his children to these desertions Secondly by the causes of these desertions Thirdly by the measure of them and Fourthly by the issue of the same Concerning the purpose of God in exercising his children with these great abasing and desertions It is not as the world imagines because they are greater sinners then others and so howsoeuer they made glorious shewes in Religion yet now are found out in their hypocrisie and iustly confounded therein Iob 4.5 6. Neither is it as the Saints themselues doe foolishly imagine that the Lord in anger meets with them for their sinnes and so hath iustly forsaken them for then in stead of finite and moderate stripes they should feele an vnsupportable weight and be vtterly swept away therewith But the maine ground of Gods dealing with them is his free grace and singular goodnesse 1. To reforme in them former faylings 2. And so to preuent them from future and those most dangerous euils 3. To manifest his wonderfull power in sustaining them vnder the burthen 4. And to prouoke them to hunger after his euerlasting presence 5. For the more glorious triall of their precious Faith 6. And to discouer vnto them the power of their Head Christ Iesus Col. 3.3 in whom their life is hid wonderfully when it seemes not to expresse it selfe at all euen as when one is in a swoune the spirits retire to the head or heart and are safely preserued therein howsoeuer the body seemes to be deuoid of life or motion 7. Yea to enable hereby to deale more effectually and yet tenderly with others vpon experience of their own tentations and abasing 8. And so to walke more humbly and closely with their God in the rest of their Pilgrimage These I take to be some of those gracious purposes which the wise and mercifull God discouereth in these grieuous abasings of his Children All which as they proceede from his exceeding loue so they tend to his great glory and their exceeding good For as the reforming of
prepare them to Christ though others of another spirit eyther hardned in sinne or puffed vp with conceit of naturall and ciuill righteousnesse had need of more battering and abasing to make them yeeld to God And therefore the Law must haue his place in all though not in the same measure of working For as it falls out among diseased ones all that seeke to the Physician are not in a like measure distressed some onely haue some grudgings of sicknesse and yet for feare of further extremitie seeke helpe to preuent it others are fallen into some sits before they seeke helpe others are dangerously sicke before they vse the meanes So is it with Christians in their conuersion some haue onely some grudgings and yet in wisdome runne to Christ to preuent extremities others againe are forced to flye vnto him vpon sense of some pangs though not in extremitie Whereas some are put euen to the plunge of life with the extremities of despaire before they seeke vnto him So that all are not alike distressed and yet all seeke to the true meanes of comfort and so are relieued according to their seuerall necessities and occasions And thus of the third Case As for the other Cases of the insensible worke of the Spirit whereby it may seeme that wee grow not because wee discerne it not and such like these haue been sufficiently answered before Another maine Case there is concerning the supposition of falling into the sinne against the Holy Ghost which the Saints are often troubled withall This wee shall by Gods grace satisfie elsewhere in our next Endeuours concerning the cure of a wounded spirit There remaineth yet one speciall case to be resolued Namely That whereas some of the Saints haue walked so constantly with God as that they haue beene not onely freed from such grosse euils as others haue fallen into but also shined most gloriously in an holy and constant course of obedience to the great glory of God and good example of others seeing euery one should shine to glorifie God in most powerfull and constant obedience and the chiefe causes of the fayling of others in both these proceed from themselues by grieuing the spirit and so suspending some operations thereof What course therefore is to bee taken to preuent these fearefull falls and to keepe a constant gate of the Spirit to preserue vs from falling in a faire and constant practise of vniuersall obedience For resolution hereof know wee That as the maine courses of our broken and interrupted courses proceed from our selues so the only ground of our standing is from our gracious God who hath supplyed vs with such meanes for preseruation and constant obedience that if wee be not wanting to our selues wee may and shall certainely continue a most sweet and comfortable course of holinesse Consider wee therefore first that the way to keepe vs in a constant course of obedience and so of continuall feeling of the comforts of the spirit is First a constant attending vpon the meanes both publikely as 1. The powerfull Word preached 2. The receiuing of the Sacraments often with due preparation 3. Often exhorting and stirring vp each other to holy duties 4. Specially conscionable keeping of the Sabbath and so 5. Walking in our euill callings with all faithfulnesse and diligâ—nce and yet with contentment and retired affections weaning our soules from the loue of these earthly things by the experience of such distractions and want of satisfaction therein Thus for the Publike For Priuate Courses First for Resolution 1. Resolue wee in all things to cleaue fast vnto the Word to doe all things according to the spirituall sense and scope thereof not to attempt any thing besides or contrarie thereunto 2. Seeing the Word commandeth perfect holinesse and in Christ enableth thereunto and yet corruption remayning dayly hinders therein therefore secondly resolue wee that though wee are not nor cannot be perfect in this life yet wee must labour thereto in the vse of all meanes constantly not thinking that wee haue alreadie attained much lesse that wee may bee too holy but still labouring to goe on to perfection and dayly conuincing our imperfect righteousnesse that still wee may denye our selues in the acknowledgement of our imperfections and labour to bee accepted in the righteousnesse of Christ and dayly grow vp in him to perfâ—ction 3. Seeing by the power of Christ enabling vs we shall certainly attaine to the full and perfect measure therefore resolue wee still to follow men as they follow Christ not to sticke in the beginnings of Christ no not in any measure attained but still to follow hard after the marke for the price of our high calling in Iesus Christ Thus for Resolution Now for Endeuour and Practise let our care be dayly for constant endeuour in these things First in awaking with and to the Lord in thankefulnesse for nightly occasions and meditation thereof affecting the heart with the goodnesse of God and rowsing vp the same with renewing the Couenant 2. In seasonable renewing our Repâ—ntance for what hath passed formerly especially our bosome sinne which will now plead for continuance watching against the occasions thereof and arming our selues with Faith and resolution against the same 3. In a serious watching ouer our thoughts and first motions to euil to preuent delight therein so practise thereof 4. In feruent Prayer to God for acceptance of our persons and pardon of our sinnes and so for strength to walke before him in all constant obedience 5. In a sober attempting of our callings with feare and yet diligence and simplicitie as therein seruing God and not men 6. In a wise vse of our libertie both in diet and recreations carrying our selues therein with spirituall affections and ayming at spirituall ends 7. Entertaining in all occasions such sweete motions of the spirit which may draw vs apart to our God and humble vs in our estranging from him may put vs to the search of our estates and send vs dayly to approue our hearts vnto God and draw neerer vnto him in truth boldnes 8. Labouring still to cleere the euidences of our saluation by quickening our faith in the promises renue our experience of former comforts and stirring vp any present experiment that either in our selues or others hath happened for the present to confirme faith or humble for sinne or warne against future stormes 9. Wisely entertaining all occurrents which may put vs either vppon the admiration of Gods wonderfull power and wisedome in turning things about to his glory by confounding the policies of men and securing his Church by them or else may binde vs to more thankefulnesse and confidence in our God by our particular preseruations from many euils which others haue fallen into or supply of such secret comfort which the world cannot be partaker of 10. Not neglecting to store vp such particular sound assurances as are offered in Prayer hearing the Word Meditation Conference c. 11. And mourning seriously for the want of
being perfect and intire in him wanting nothing and all this of free guift he that hath begunne the worke leading it forward by his mightie power vnto saluation that hee may haue the onely glory thereof Philippians 2.12.13 1. Pet. 1.5 And so leading it forward that still both for the Manner and Measure thereof it is free and independent in regard of vs. 3 I make manifest the manner of the working of Christ in vs by his spirit whereby wee are enabled to grow vp in him in soundnesse to perfection Namely that by the vertue of Christ not some one or Jew faculties of the soule are enclined and renued by him but that euery part and facultie of the soule yea each member of the body receiue life and nourishment from the head as to it gratious enabling to the worke of intire obedience so to it further growing and encrease vnto perfection therein Ephes 4.16 And to the acceptance of both persons and seruice in the merite of Christ 4 I proceed to discouer the manner of this spirituall growth namely that as it is by continuall supply of the meanes both inward the blessed Spirit discouering dayly our failings and leading to the outward meanes for recouery and enabling in the vse thereof both for recouery out of fayling and supply of such graces as may further perfection As also outward the word to build vs vp in knowledg and faith and so in obedience The sacrament to minister spirituall nourishment and such like so herein also setting downe a liuely triall of our Growth by the vse of these means that it is both according to them they must be the Rule and Tuchstone therof as also Answerable to the Meanes in proportion that where more meanes there a greater measure of Growth to be expected where lesse there if our Growth be lesse we may haue some comfort that we are not altogerher barren how soeuer if this want of meanes be not from our selues in making scarcitie where there is plentie but from the diuine dispensation in chastising his people with scarcitie for the abuse of plenty here we may comfort our selues either that what is affoorded shall be sufficient because God will require no more then he giues or what is wanting in the outward means our God will supply by his Annointing to refresh vs inwardly if we haue not bin despisers of the publick and ordinary meanes 1. Ioh. 2.19 5. Lastly the finall cause and ends of this spirituall growth are propounded and auerred tending to the perfiting of the worke of grace in vs and so preparing of vs to the life of glory which are in respect of vs. 1. Our perseuerance 2. Our perfection hereupon 3. Our glorification 2. In respect of God 1. The accomplishment of his promises 2. That he might haue the glory of the perfecting of his worke 3. That our perfection may be wholy employed in setting forth his great name and glory THE CONTENTS of the third chapter OF the causes meanes and helps of spirituall growth 1 Causes both internall and principall 1 The power of Christ 2 The inhabitation of the spirit 2 Instrumentall generall 3 The renued heart Specially therein 1 Sound knowledge and that 1 Of the power of corruption 2 Of the measure of grace attained 2 Spirituall experience and that 1 Of the deceitfulnesse of the heart in misleading either way 2 Of the sleights of Satan 3 Of the power of God in preuenting and disappointing these or turning them to good 2 Outward meanes and causes And these instrumentall Namely 1 Constant vse of Gods ordinances As first Hearing the word preached 2 Receiuing the Sacrament 3 Prayer 4 Meditation 5 Conference Accessarie as 1 Afflictions 2 Examples of the Saints Helpes hereto are 1 Soundnesse of iudgement and wherin 2 Sinceritie and how 3 Dayly renued repentance and why 4 Propounding the example of Christ and why 5 Looking to the reward in heauen 6 Dayly thankefulnesse and how 7 Labouring dayly the conuersion of others 8 Constant watch ouer our hearts and how 9 Dayly encrease in sauing knowledge and how 10 Contentednesse in our estates 11 Sobrietie in the vse of Christian libertie 12 Dayly encrease of faith and how 13 Putting on dayly the spirituall armour 14 Patience 15 Continuall prayer 16 Conscience of the Sabaoth 17 Daily constant holinesse 18 Daily preparation to afflictions and how 19 To nourish tendernesse of conscience in all things and how 20 To haue the feare of God alwaies before vs. 21 To bee continually iealous of our selues 22 To nourish spirituall pouertie and hunger after the best graces 23 Daily preparation to our death and how 24 Daily resigning of our selues into the hands of God 25 Spirituall wisedome why and how 26 Maintaining spirituall ioy why and how CHAP. III. Of the causes of spirituall growth IT appeareth hitherto that we must grow in grace as also what spirituall growth is Now we are further to consider the causes of this growth These are 1. Internall that is within vs. And these are meritorious and effectuall of themselues Such are 1. The power of Christ dwelling in vs. 1. Col. 19. which is both the meritorious cause of our growth as whereby we obtaine grace from God to enable vs to grow as also the principall efficient cause thereof As by it vertue subduing mightily in vs the remaindures of corruption and body of sinne and supplying such graces as may further our spirituall growth as also enabling vs in the vse and improuement of them to that end especially presenting them in the perfection of his merit that aboue their worth they may be acceptable vnto God his Father and so by vertue of our vnion with him dayly leading vs forward to perfection A second effectuall cause of this growth is the holy Ghost which being giuen vnto vs by Christ dwelling in vs doth work effectually in vs to a dayly discouery and subduing of corruption by reprouing for sinne yea for righteousnes conuincing all naturall abilitie and remaindure of goodnesse in vs all conceited righteousnes in the law or any thing saue in Christ yea stil conuincing the imperfection of all inherent righteousnes attained so still interessing in Christ and so by it power encreasing grace The inward instrumentall meanes it The renued heart which being now quickned and actuated by the spirit becomes ministerially a fellow worker therewith in all such workes as may any way further our spirituall Growth 1. Cor. 3. More particularly these Graces in the heart are speciall instrumentall causes of our Growth in Grace 1 A sauing knowledge and that 1. Of our particular estates and this twofold 1. Both of the power of corruption that remaines and cleaues vnto vs also of that truth measure of grace whereto we haue attained For as the true discerning of corruption and the power and measure thereof in vs is a meanes dayly to worke in vs a denyal of our selues and renouncing all abilitie in vs as of our selues to
respect of the truth thereof as that we haue got the better of such sinnes as we were formerly most addicted to Specially That we haue preuailed against vnbeleef the bitter fruits therof hardnesse of heart and blindnes of mind That we haue cast out that cursed leauen of hypocrisie in our conuersing with God And haue also renounced deceit and fraud in dealing with men That wee are deeply greeued with such sinnes as wee cannot shake off And striue more earnestly against them by how much we haue beene more foyled thereby That we be more wary to auoyde the occasion of sinne And more compassionate and charitable in respect of our brethrens falls And groane more earnestly after our finall deliuerance These are good endeauours of our spirituall growth these are gratious meanes to further to perfection 2 Our abilitie to practice is seene in the quickning of the new man And that First in respect of the roote of grace as that generally 1. Our hearts are more fraught with holy and heauenly thoughts Specially that our thoughts are more frequent concerning the beautie and holines the maiesty goodnesse of our blessed God and his word 2. That they are more intire without interruption vpon these blessed obiects 3. That they are more constant feruent rauishing the heart with the apprehension thereof from all earthly obiects and fixing the same more ccrtainely thereupon 4. That they are more pure and sincere separated from all respect to our selues and wholy imployed vpon those heauenly obiects 5. That they are more familiar easie and delightfull giuing the mind sound contentment therein And yet 6. Are ordered and limited with more wisedome to their speciall obiects to preuent distraction and customarinesse therein 7 And so furthered not onely by kindling the affections to what wee haue in hand that we may be quickned to practise but also by accomplishing what is desired by seasonable practise And this is a second meanes of our growth in grace and it is discerned generally in the performance of such duties as belong to our callings specially of Such as concerne our generall calling As that We performe duties to God as with more zeale and power so with more humilitie and reuerence in the denyall of our selues 2 That wee performe them in singlenesse of heart not as vnto men but vnto God And therefore 3 Are as carefull to performe them in secret as openly 4 And grow more constant and familiar therein 5 And yet discerne most of our faylings and corruptions therein More particularly 1 That we are more powerfull and frequent in meditation as being the life of all holy meanes and duties 2 And are more frequent and feruent in prayer to sanctifie our persons and actions before God Yet 3 Making more conscience of the publicke ordinances of God wherby faith may be dayly quickned and encreased 4 Adding withall a daily examinatiō of our hearts wayes And specially 5 Making conscience of the Sabaoth 6 Renuing our repentance daily for all knowne sinnes And still 7 Casting our selues vpon the free grace of God in Iesus Christ Still 8 Endeauouring to practise more then we can do And yet 9 Comforting our selues from the purpose of our hearts in our particular faylings Rom 7.19.20 Thus for our generall calling Concerning our ciuil calling obserue 1 That dependance on the prouidence of God with it 1. Pet. 5.6 2 A speciall reference of our endeauours to his holy wisdome for the issue thereof And 3 Cōtentednes in whatsoeuet it pleaseth him to dispose as being best for vs 4 Vsing diligence in the meanest Phil. 4.12 which our God hath allotted vs. 5 And wayting wth patience the successe of our labours 6 Seasoning our worldly occasions with the meditation of Gods prouidence And 7 Being faithfull in the measure the Lord hath disposed by 8 Referring our labors to the publike good and 9. Dispensing liberally to the necessities of the Saints 10 Bearing patiently what crosses befall herein and 11 Labouring to supply them with the inward thirst These are good euidences of our growth in grace and shall also proue happy meanes to attaine perfection A second generall cause of spiritual growth is spirituall experience And that specially of these things First of the deceitfulnesse of the hear◠either bearing vs in hand that our case is better then it is or that is worse the deceit of the hearts in conceiting our estates to bee better then indeed they are may be discerned by these particulars 1 If we conceiue our selues conuerted either because 1. We haue assented to and delighted in the word and done some things answerable to the letter thereof Math. 6.20 2. We are humbled and abased with the sense of sinne which may be for feare of punishment and not in hatred of sinne or loue vnto God and may be but a flash and tast quickly salued by some carnall remedie 3. If we continue in the course of profession so long as winde and tyde serue vs as we are vpheld by prosperitie and outward meanes 4. If our carriage passe currant in the world and bee free from such grosse euils as are obuious to men howsoeuer our hearts may be corrupt and rotten And 5. If our consciences be secure and so seeme cleere from sinne and to haue obtained true peace whereas this may bee the effect either of a drowsie or seduced heart either senslesse of it estate or iudging the same by false rules as the letter of the law opinion of the world it owne ignorance or peruerse application of the word or comparison with others 6. Generally if the compasse of our practise look not higher then our selues and present respects to Gods glory and reach not further then this life to that which is inuisible And 7 If we cary our obedience currant resting in any measure thereof and stinting our selues therein as if we had done enough or doating on the beauty of the same as if it were without blemish not discerning corruption in our best actions and so denying euen our greatest perfections that still wee may be found in Christ By these we may be deceiued in the iudgement of a conuersion in iudging our estates to be better then they are So also may we be deceiued on the other side in deeming our estates to be worse then they are As that we are no better then hypocrites because our practise answers not our profession seeing hypocrisie is not so much in what we cannot do as in what we would seeme to do meane it not or do it not with the inward integrity of the heart by making shew of well doing intend the contrary 2 That we are cast-awayes because our consciences speake fearefully as in tentation and the world accounts vs no better seeing we must not iudge of our selues by tentation neither esteem what the world iudgeth of vs in this secret belonging onely vnto God 3 That we arc decaied in grace and left our true loue because wee
are grown more moderate in our affections more sober in our iudgments cōcerning indifferent things more charitable in iudging others more wise in prouiding necessary things auoiding vnnecessary troubles such like seeing all this may be the fruit of the spirit of meeknes wisdom so an euidence of our spirituall growth 4 Because we are more sensible of corruption hūbled therewith this howsoeuer with the world may seem either hypocrisie or guilt of cōscience yet indeede it is the power of grace that giues this light and it seemes to prouoke in vs a greater hatred against sinne and watchfulnesse against the same and makes vs more iealous and lowly in our best actions By these and such like may wee be prouoked to esteeme worse of our selues then indeed there is cause and so had need of spirituall experience to discerne of things that differ that so knowing the true scantling of our estates we may prouide accordingly A second experience necessarily furthering our growth in grace is concerning the manifold sleights and methods of Satan Which we shall attaine vnto 1. By dayly viewing and searching of our hearts as being the sinke wherein he wallowes and the matter whereupon he workes 2. By a serious meditation on the word whereby wee shall be enabled to discerne his deepnesse 3. By feruent prayer vnto our God to reueale these sleights vnto vs. 4. By a wise obseruation of his deepnesse and two maine pollicies either in lulling vs a sleepe or affrighting vs with false feares or rackeing true causes vpon the tenters of extremity especially If we be acquainted with the trouble of conscience for therein he vtters all his wayes 2 If we take notice of his dealings on the bed of sicknesse and summons to death for now he will bestirre himselfe on all hands as being his last opportunity 3 If we obserue such accidents as doe vsually mingle themselues with our sweetest cōforts for here we may discern him most dāgerous to poyson these sweets vnto vs. And so to this end shall be often conuersant in the cases of our brethren in whose seueral tentations we shall discerne the rather the deepnesse of Satan because now God cals vs to releeue vs and we haue a promise of good successe By these meanes wee may attaine much gratious experience Among other these especially will steed vs for our spirituall growth As that it is his maine policy 1 To seuer the end from the meanes whereby he nourish in hypocrisie formalitie prophanenesse securitie and so excludeth all hope of conuersion perswading that we may be saued though wee vse not the meanes thereto Or else he seuers the end from the meanes suggesting that though we vse the meanes neuer so effectually yet we may misse of the end seeing our meanes are no way proportionable therto Whereby he either driueth to despaire or else at least hindereth and discourageth in practice A second maine Policie is to ioyne those things which are contrary in the worke of saluation or else to disioyne those that are to be ioyned 1 To ioyne nature with grace our owne will and abilitie with the mercy of God 2 To mingle the wisdome of man with the word of God to further saluation 2 To disioine those things which must concurre and agree together as 1 The word and the spirit 2 Power and weaknesse 3 Faith and doubting 4 Perfection with imperfection as being both in one subiect and both seruing to testifie the truth of grace and further proceeding therein These and such like policies as they are the grounds of all the rest so the experience of them serues very graciously to further our spirituall growth of which more particularly in the Treatise of Delusions A third kinde of experience is of the power and wisdome of God in preuenting or turning about these tentations and sleights of Satan to our good of which also in that prepared discourse Besides these causes and furtherances to spirituall growth there are also many others in their places auaileable hereunto As 1. the conscionable vse of Gods holy ordinances the word preached to strengthen faith to discouer inward corruption 1. Pet. 2.2 and subdue the same 2 The holy participation of the sacrament of the supper as that which specially seales vp Christ vnto vs repaireth our decaies nourisheth spirituall life strengthens to perfection 3 Holy conference to quicken and supply each others wants 4 Meditation of all these to incorporate them into our substance 5 Prayer to sanctifie vs to the vse of these things and them to vs that we may benefit thereby and so commend the issue and successe vnto God Accessary hereunto are 1 Afflictions to purge out corruption to weane from the world to try our faith to make vs more compassionate to our brethren to acquaint vs with the power of God To quicken in holy duties and recouer out of decayes to encrease our Patience that it may bring forth the perfect worke so nourishing our hope of glory and thereby prouoking to a daily purging of our selues that we may be pure as he is pure 1. Ioh. 3.3 Iacob 1.2.3 Rom. 5.2.3.4 Examples of the Saints which are gone before vs which encourage vs to go forward by shaming vs in our childish and cowardly weaknesse and directing vs in the meanes whereby we may encrease Heb. 11. Iam. 5.12.13 1. Cor. 11.1 To this end also serue gratiously these helpes As 1 Soundnesse of iudgement and vnderstanding concerning the power of godlinesse Phil. 1.9 1. Tim. 1.7 As that 1 We cannot bee too holy Psa 119.82 That when we haue done our best we are but vnprofitable seruants Luk. 16.10 1. Cor. 13 2 That wee must follow after the best graces and labour to be formost in holinesse 3 That God requires of vs according to the meanes and therefore wee must abound in all righteousnesse Math. 25.28 That wee must follow men as they follow Christ 1. Cor. 11.1 4 That onely the word must be the rule and square of holinesse Isay 8.20 5 That whatsoeuer is not of faith that is out of the testimony of the conscience conuinced by the word is sin Rom. 14. A second helpe to grow in Grace is that we doe all duties in sinceritie and vprightnesse that is as vnto God and in his presence not vnto men and for their sakes 2 As from God from warrant of his word And 3 For God That is simply for his glory and 4. also through God that is by all holy meanes that so God may be all in all And that 1 As whereby we shall haue the testimony of a good conscience in what we doe and so by the vertue thereof haue boldnes with God 1. Ioh. 3.20 And so enabled by his power to goe forward in well doing 2 Hereby we shall approue the will of God and so cherish and stirre vp the spirit in vs that thereby we may be enabled to encrease in holinesse And so 3 Hereby we shall see
thereof Particularly if we finde that our troubles and afflictions more wearie vs from the loue of the world and serue more to the emptying of the flesh of all carnall confidence if they make vs more compassionate and charitable in iudgeing and relieuing others and prooue gracious antidotes to preuent the breaking out of corruption more effectuall purgations to eate out the core thereof if wee finde that our troubles are still warring to prepare for further trials and wise preseruatiues to keepe vs froÌ„ vnnecessaries dangers And so thereby grow more watchfull against future assaults and the occasions thereof our sinnes And yet can with more patience and cheerefulnesse beare them and so wait vpon our God with more thankefulnesse and contentment in the issues of the same quieting our selues in such issue as though it crosse our present expectation yet it may serue to our future good and affordeth if we can see by faith no small aduantage for the present These are gracious euidences that they worke together for the best vnto vs and so doe truely auouch a great measure of Grace The like may be sayd concerning our sinnes The same Rules seruing truly for both of which I spare now further to entreate because you shall heare hereof anone more fully in the Cases of Conscience particularly explaining and resoluing the same THE CONTENTS of the 9. chapter 1. Zeale of Gods glory 2. Constant delight in the Word 3. Contentation in Gods prouidence 4. Deeper sight of corruption 5. Greater tendernes of conscience 6. Mourning for the sinnes of the time 7. Retirednes from the world 8. Masterie of our affections 9. Victorie ouer speciall corruptions 10. Spirituall wisedome to discerne of things that differ 11. Answering the Lord according to the meanes CHAP. 8. Of the markes of spirituall Growth and Triall thereof FRom this that hath beene obserued concerning the manner and measure of our spirituall growth and such Rules as doe serue for the triall of both and improuement of the same to our further encrease and also for comfort therein wee may easily discerne the seuerall markes and signes thereof These are either generall both concerning our selues and others Or speciall also concerning as well others as our selues Touching the signes and markes these in respect of our selues generally are First encrease of sauing knowledge both in the power of corruption and deceitfulnesse of our hearts 2. As also in the sleights and methods of Satan working and preuailing thereupon 3. And specially in the great Mysterie of Christ enabling to preuaile against them all 4. And so of our true scantling and measure of proceeding herein All these are vndoubted fruits of sauing knowledge and to the discerning of our sauing knowledge in each of these we must trie the power thereof by these seuerall Markes As first Concerning the Power of corruption That we then truly discerne it and haue gained some good measure of the knowledge thereof First if wee are skilfull in the roote and fountaine thereof namely originall sinne 1. Both of the generall defilement thereof polluting each part of soule and body that so we may bee wholy conuinced thereby of vtter inabilitie to good and pronenes to all euill and thereby iustifie the Lords iust hatred of vs and auersenes towards vs either to do vs any good or free vs from euill as being holy and so can haue no fellowship with vs as being iust and so will not any way reliâ—ue vs. And this knowledge serueth 1 To confound vs vtterly in any good we do or can do seeing it is altogether infatuated by this pollution 2 To condemne our selues for any euill we doe because our filthy nature is the maine cause thereof it can yeeld no better fruit though there may be outward occasions thereof 3 And so wholly to submit vs to whatsoeuer chastisements wee endure for the present and prepare vs to whatsoeuer is to come because wee haue deserued infinitely more 4 So to cast vs vtterly out of our selues and relying vpon our owne abilitie eyther to do good or auoid euill 5 And so to prepare vs to hunger after the righteousnesse of Christ alone by which we shal only be relieued herein A second thing that wee must be acquainted withall concerning originall corruption is That not only as soure leauen it hath leauened and corrupted the whole masse of our owne bodies and soules and whatsoeuer we doe or can doe but also that as a filthy leprosie it spreads it selfe to the infection of all round about vs and belonging to vs euen all the creatures whatsoeuer farther off or neerer whatsoeuer is most deare and neere vnto vs. And this serueth 1 To iustifie the prouidence of God in turning the creatures appointed for our good either to plague vs with their opposition or to humble vs in their want of subiection expected supply vnto vs. 2 To confound vs in our liberty ouer the creatures because we haue vtterly lost it doe euidence our losse by our necessary abuse of them either in defect or excesse do pay for our abuse either by being depriued of them or being not satisfied with them either turning theÌ„ to our present confusion or hinderance to our present future good 3 To subiect vs wisely to what wee haue aimed them to euen whatsoeuer punishments are by them inflicted vpon vs. 4. To be carefull daily to sanctifie theÌ„ vnto vs and watch ouer our selues in the vse of them lest our corruption infect them anew not to desire them greedily lest we seeke our bane nor grieue immoderately for the losse of them seeing they are our enemies not to enuy others that enioy them nor admire them herein seeing they are no better then swords to cut their throats 5. But rather to turne our affections vpon our selues grieuing for our sins that cause this enmity and abuse desiring to be eased of sinne that these may bee no burthen vnto vs enioying our happinesse therein if it only consist in these and admiring the mercy of our God that yet wee haue any vse thereof fearing our selues most when we haue most share of them because we are like to bee beaten with more stripes at most shall find them lets vnto vs in better things And comforting our selues in the want of them that wee are eased of an heauy burthen and so may go lightlyer on our iourny may more depend vpon heauenly supply and hunger more earnestly after heauens fulnesse 6. Labouring aboue all to be found in Christ who hath slaine hatred In whom our right is restored to these by whom grace is supplyed to vse them aright contentment afforded in each measure thereof obtained and blessing thereupon as shall be best for vs. A third thing to be knowne in originall corruption is That it not onely defiles our selues and infecteth others But also thereby vtterly disinables vs to any good and corrupteth all natural and morall good that is in vs and so prouoketh vs to all euill vpon
it is not so with them herein As their Grounds are deceitfull so their way is slippery they sow vnto the flesh and of the flesh reape corruption As they resolue without God so without him their resolution is presumption and their best deliberation no better then deceit either they sacrifice to their owne nets as if their courage were at their owne command and so it iustly failes them when they haue most need thereof to continue or else their purposes are barren and filled onely with wind not grounded on the true meanes but puffed vp with the blast of vaine glory and selfe-desert And so they vnder-rate what they ayme at by not considering what it will cost them And so they are vnfurnished of such meanes as may compasse the same And therfore either neglect their opportunitie til the doore be shut or hold the winde in their fist as if they could call backe the Diall of Ahaz ten degrees or cause the Sunne to stand still and wait their leasure till they haue buried their father and satisfied their owne lusts And therfore though they faile in the successe it is no more act if they doe preuaile it will little auaile them because they bring foorth fruite vnto the murtherer not vnto God This is the difference in respect of resolution The like may be obserued concerning their different endeauours 1. For though it bee common to both to attempt what they resolue on yet in their endeauour there is great oddes whether wee consider the ground or meanes the manner measure or successe thereof For as the elect agree in the same grounds both of their desires resolution endeauour namely Gods holy command to binde them that they may not thinke it indifferent his gratious promise to quicken encourage them in the attempt successe therof so for the wicked they vtterly reiect neglect these grounds as if they tooke away their liberty and so abated of their courage in stead of these offer sacrifice to God with the straÌ„ge fire of their owne good meaning or selfe conceit and carnal wisdome so kindle their resolutions at this vnholy fire and blow life to their endeauours by these bellowes of death 2. As the saints lay a sure foundatioÌ„ of their holy endeauours so they build them wisely by faire likely meanes 1. Such as are readiest at hand as being offred by Gods prouidence which they may not question or trauerse 2. And yet such as are warrantable from the word though otherwise lesse likely in our eyes 3. Such as our calling allowes whose compasse we may not exceed 4. Such as are safest not going betweene the barke and tree or by the riuer brinke when we may keepe the mid-way 5. Such as are fairest and of best report least wee turne our libertie as an occasion to the flesh And lastly Such as may most humble vs and confound carnall confidence that God onely may haue the glory But with the wicked the meanes are otherwise If they be ready at hand they are base and ordinarie not fit for his high spirit not able to trie his valour therefore he must haue them farre off that they may cost him deerely and so loose the bird in hand while he followes the other in the bush either he will be sure in the choyce of what means he likes that if he preuaile he may haue the glory thereof or if his endeauour succeeds not in the meanes he is tyed vnto hee hath now sufficient to lay the blame vpon the meanes yea vpon God that limited him thereto this is warrant good enough vnto him to take his owne way because he can speed no worse nay because he sees that many speed better thereby And therefore as he thinkes he hath good cause to challenge Gods wisedom in prescribing and confining him to such meanes as sort no better so dare he not trust God any longer therein but will follow the wayes of his owne warie heart either fastning vpon what is not agreeable to his calling vpon presumption of his libertie in Christ that all is his or venturing vpon most dangerous and vnlikely meanes either to trie conclusions or his owne refined pate or vpon those which haue the worst and bitterest sauour as agreeing best with his distempered palate Thus is the difference in regard of the meanes in the endeauour and such like also may be obserued in the manner of the execution cach hauing his different manner according to thâ—â—r seuerall ground and meanes The elect according to the certaintie of their ground and fitnesse of meanes labouring 1. Diligently and chearefully from such assureâ— grounds 2. Yea seasonably and wisely in takeing their fittest occasions and yet not doâ—â—ng on the meanes 3 Still putting forward constantly according to the power of the meanes and yet waiting patiently the successe thereof by committing themselues and their endeauours to the blessing of God But with the reprobate it is farre otherwise if he be bound he champes the bitt and either must bee spurred forward by some pricke of his owne wisedome or else he dragges behinde or casts his rider If hee be loose hee quickly runnes himselfe out of breath and out-runnes his opportunitie not tarrying Gods leasure and so tires in the mid way whether hee bee bound or loose he is quickly weary of his worke because he cannot stay for the blessing but will haue it in hand before hee haue done his worke This is the difference in regard of the manner of the endeauour the like may bee noted concerning the measure thereof which in the elect hath no measure in respect of his obedience to God though he reape to himselfe no measure of benefit thereby But in the reprobate is measured by it successe therein to himselfe if well he will trie againe that so it may be better if ill he giues ouer least it may be worse his affection in no measure being truely set thereupon and his appetite quickly surfetting vpon the successe thereof with pride or securitie whereby either hee casts vp his morsels to the disgrace of his profession so finds leannesse in his soule though he haue bin gorged with quailes or surfets therein to his greater confusion for the abuse of the meanes Thus is the difference in regard of the Measure But the maine difference is in the successe For as the Lord promiseth to fulfil the desires of them that feare him and fill the hungry with good things and yet send the rich emptie away so doe the Saints herein gratiously find the word made good vnto them Either they obtaine what they desire if needfull for them or they are recompenced with what may bee more seasonable for the present as to trie their faith and patience so to purge out their drosse that they may be fitted for what they desire and to encrease their longing after the fulnes of heauen This is certaine if they speede as they desire they reioyce in God and
comfort herein and so waiting on our God for the issue in his time labouring more intention and intirenesse when wee come before him 12. Being wise to recouer with all speed out of any slip and sleight failing 13. Watching ouer our speech with all feare and reuerence speaking alwayes as in Gods presence as vnto God with all vprightnesse and faithfulnesse 14. Being carefull of our societie that we make choyse thereof and seeke to better the same or be bettered by them that wee may not returne to them if they will not returne to vs. 15. Meditating by our experience of the vanitie of earthly things and yet not neglecting such speciall worke of God which may confirme our faith and raise vs to the hope of more durable riches 16. Entertaining wisely all occasions to doe good by all holy meanes especially to the house-hold of Faith 17. And labouring to haue a fellow feeling of the troubles of others iudgeing wisely of the cause studying carefully the issue thereof And preparing by their afflictions for our owne and by our owne carrying our selues more tenderly towards them 18. Aboue all striuing to encrease and maintaine the assurance of Gods fauour by prayer meditation spirituall experience dayly cleering of the heart of all carnall ioyes 19. And so endeauouring to make all euen betwixt God and the soule by examination and iudging of the heart and renuing the couenant 20. And so lying downe in this assurance as to bee prepared for the graue and iudgement of this looke more in the Dayly Sacrifice in the last Chapter concerning our lying down with God in the account of the day Thus if we walke dayly wee shall be sure to be kept from all fretting euils in a comfortable stay with God and ioy of his spirit Auoyding carefully herein specially those sinnes that doe robbe God of his glory as Hypocrisie spirituall Pride vaine Glory which are the causes that wee are giuen vp to grosse euils And still keeping our selues in the feare of God and dayly labouring to cleere the euidences of our saluation Striuing to haue more familiaritie and entire fellowship with the Lord that we may bee more and more knit vnto him and kept by him in peace Aboue all learning still to liue by faith and not by sense and so preparing against the comming of Christ Iesus And thus of this fourth Case The Conclusion of the Treatise with promise of further light Thus hast thou beloued in Christ some further fruite of Gods patience and mercy towards me his vnworthy and vnprofitable seruant concerning this wonderfull Mystery of spirituall Growth My humble request is that thou wouldst seriously consider of the strange distractions and confusions of the time wherein hee that refraines himselfe makes himselfe a prey And then I hope as thou hast great cause to blesse God for any light that shineth in so great darkenes so thou wilt patiently beare with whatsoeuer obscurities and defects may appeare in these meditations and so further mee with thy prayers vnto the throne of Grace that these fogges being dispelled and darke clouds passed ouer we may see more cleerely into the great mystery of Christ and so therein of our spirituall Growth in him Promising thee shortly some further light to direct thee herein as God shall minister leysure and abilitie And so I commend thee to the power of Gods Grace whereby thou maist be kept from falling away with this present euill world and so preserued blamelesse in the midst of a froward generation to shine as a light in a darke place and to continue constant and immoueable in the worke of the Lord watching for the conuersion of the Iewes and vtter downfall of Antichrist and so maist be prepared as a Bride vnto the Bridegroome euen to the glorious appearance of our Lord Iesus And euen so come Lord Iesus come quickely In whom I rest The poore brother ready in all things to further thy reckoning Th. Cooper FINIS
the failing of our best actions and so be cast off from any confidence in our selues lest spirituall pride and security ouer take vs and so we shall discerne still a necessity of proceeding 4 And so by this sense of our failings we shall be daily cast vpon the power of Christ by whom we shall obtaine acceptance of our persons Phil. 3.10 and so of our imperfect seruice and so enabled by his righteousnesse to goe on to perfection Phil. 3.13 5 Seeing our best actions are subiect to much mixture of our corruption and so sufficient to make them our persons to be reiected of God so to prouoke him to leaue vs to our owne councels either to hypocrisie as to rest in the outside or forme thereof and so to iustifie the same and boast therein and so to rob God of his glory and so to be giuen vp to prophanenesse and grosse euils as to punish our pride so to confound our hypocrisie prouoke to sincerity therefore here is speciall vse of this sincerity as to seuer the truth of well doing frō the corruption therof so to appeale vnto God in the truth of our hearts and iudging our selues for our corruption and failing that we may not be iudged of the Lord. 3 Seeing loue couereth a multitude of sinnes Therefore A third helpe to grow in Grace is That all our workes be done in loue Ephes 1.15 That is as out of loue vnto God aboue all which is true sinceritie so out of loue to each other 1. so respecting our priuate that we ayme also at the common good 2. bearing with one anothers infirmities though not to bolster them therein yet to preuent despaire and win them with meeknesse 3. yeelding many times with our priuate lest we should offend them in outward matters 1. Cor. 8.14.15 4. Esteeming others better then our selues Rom. 12.10 and honouring the weaker by seruing them in all tendernesse and brotherly care 5. straining our selues in our pouerty to releeue their necessity Heb. 6.10 2 Cor. 8.11 1. Cor. 13.6 6. and hoping stil the best of them in their greatest failings 7. and so raising them vp with the spirit of meeknesse 8. easily receiuing not ought against them 9. or if we know any thing interpreting it to the best 10. and couering their infirmities with compassion and mercy 11. Not enuying their greater measure and so discouraging of them by reproches And 12 Nor yet despising their lesse measure in comparison of ours 13 But reioycing in their proceeding and imitating them therein 14 And beleeuing what wee see not either by sense or faith what is or is likely 15 Yea suffering with them in their distresses either spirituall or outward Rom. 12.12.13 Ephes 18. by mourning for them mourning with aduising how to recouer helping them by all holy meanes therein as praier c. 16 Louing still their persons though we hate their sinnes 17 Yea when they do vs wrong forgiuing of them seeking to ouercome euill with good Rom. 12.16 by feeding them c. 18 Yet doing there most good where we are tyed by the lest bond Gal. 6.10 19 And all this for the good of their soules 1. Pet. 1.22 20 And that accordingly as wee haue receiued the guift withall chearefulnes a large heart 2. Cor. 9.11.12 And this is a speciall meanes to grow in grace 1 Because euery member as it receiueth life and growth from Christ so from him each is knit and so ioyned together as that it so receiueth life from him that it communicateth it ioyntly to each other as being one in him and one in another so that one member cannot thriue without another and the helping of one is the helping of another Euen as the soule of man so animateth euery part in it place and order as hereby each part is seruiceable to another so furthereth the encrease of the whole hereby so is it in the body of Christ which being animated by his spirit therby knit together fitly and compacted by that which euery ioynt supplyeth according to the effectuall working in the measure of euery part maketh encrease of the body to the edifying of it selfe in loue Ephes 4.16 Col. 2.19 So that no knitting together no holding of the head Col. 2.19 No growing vp seuerally because no growing together And the reason hereof is the wisedome of God in communicating his graces diuersly not to euery member all nor to any the measure of any at the first That so hereby there might be an encrease of loue in communicating this varietie of gifts and so by this communication of their diuers gifts to each other there might be a supply to each of what is wanting thereby as an encrease of the whole body so an encrease also of euery seuerall member thereof so that as without this mutuall supply each particular member cannot grow at all so neither shall any bee perfected without the other seeing there is a generall Resurrection to perfect the whole Hebrewes 11.36.37 4 Seeing wee are subiect to much distraction both in what we should do and how to doe it as also to much selfe loue in ouer prizing our estates beginning in grace therefore that we may grow herein It is necessary that we still propound vnto our selues the most perfect paterne euen looking vnto Iesus the author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 That so hauing that patterne alwayes in our eye to preuent distraction and also to humble vs in the sense of any present measure that so still wee may deny our selues and labour to bee found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse that so in him we may be enabled to further growth 5 And seeing at the beginning of our calling wee are for the most part carnall more flesh then spirit and so apt to abuse our holy liberty as an occasion to the flesh very prone to look into things present and to affect our wages here before we haue done our worke Therefore a good helpe to spirituall growth is not to pore on things present but to looke forward vnto things to come Heb. 11.26 euen to that great recompence of reward which is set before to follow hard after the marke for the price of our high calling in Christ that so now considering how short our scantling of holinesse is to that marke though happily these earthly things may bee short thereof we may wisely in the apprehension thereof cast away euery thing that presseth down euen all by-respects to these base things and so run with ioy the race that is set before vs leuelling all our actions at that soueraigne end and in that hope dayly labouring to be pure as God is pure that so we may be made meet for that glorious inheritance with the Saints in light 6 Seeing euery good and perfect guift proceedeth from the father of lights in whom there is no variablenesse nor shadow of change Iacob 1.12 Therefore howsoeuer wee haue
dayly cause of repentance for the imperfectioÌ„ of our well doing yet seeing without the helpe of our God we are able to doe nothing and it is by the grace of God that wee are what are we can do nothing at all Therfore let vs adioyne dayly to our repentance thankefulnesse vnto our God for what we haue receiued that so thereby giuing him the glory of what wee haue already we may receiue more grace to proceed in well doing And let the spirit of supplication bee dayly ioyned with our prayses vnto God that hee which hath begunne the worke may perfect it in vs. Philippians 1.6 being in nothing carefull for what we want let our requests bee made knowne to God for what we want by prayer and supplication with thankesgiuing Phil. 4.6 that so asking we may receiue that our ioy may bee full Iohn 16.24 5 Seeing without others wee shall not be perfected Heb. 11.40 As the euidence of our conuersioÌ„ is to strengthen the brethren so that we may be confirmed and strengthened in grace let vs also labour to conuert and strengthen others Luke 22.32 Psal 51.13 6 Whereas the deceitfulnesse of the heart is a maine occasion to flatter vs in the iudgement of our estates either that we are not growne so farre as we imagine or that we haue attained more then in truth is cause therfore that we may grow in grace keepe we a continuall and narrow watch ouer our hearts 1 By dayly laying them open vnto God and submitting them to the search of his spirit Psal 26.1 2 By a dayly triall and abasing them by the word 3 By a more priuate and inward practise of secret duties of Prayer meditation and calling to minde former occasions 4 By a more carefull ordering and suppressing of our inward thoughts And quickning the good that they may grow to practise 7 Seeing wee cannot grow in grace vnlesse we grow in knowledge therefore labour we to encrease dayly in all sauing knowledge by meditation in the word and workes of God 2. Pet. 3.18 and make wee conscience to practise faithfully what we know Math. 25. that so to him which hath may be giuen he that is faithfull in a little may be entrusted with more 8 Being wise to avoyd all curiositie of vaine speculations and contentious questionsâ— lest while we are entangled with these we are carryed through pride of conquest to contentions and strife and so neglect what concernes vs necessarily 2. Tim. 2.23 1. Tim. 4.5.6 9 Seeing the loue of the world is a maine hinderance to our spirituall growth either because if we want what we desire we are pestred with distracting cares for the obtaining thereof or if we haue it we are much more subiect to be ensnared with too much doâ—ting and confidence therein therefore labour we for contentednesse in our estates and cast we our care vpon God who careth for vs weane we our hearts from the loue of the world by discerning the frailty and vncertainty the deceitfulnesse of all earthly things by setting our affections on things aboue and submitting to afflictions hereunto that so casting away whatsoeuer presseth vs downe wee may runne with ioy the race that is set before vs. Hebrewes 12.1 10 And seeing besides our failings in what we should do or haue done we are also subiect dayly to many euils which we should not do whereof some may be open besides many secret therefore make wee dayly our peace with God by repentance that so we may stil walk in the light of his countenance and thereby be encouraged and strengthned to grow to perfection 11 Especially seeing the saints are most ouertaken concerning the iudgement and vse of their Christian libertie and so ensnared with many abuses either by committing what is vnlawfull vnder pretence of that libertie or exceeding in the vse of what is lawfull and so hindering themselues in better things and thereby greeue the spirit and grow to dis-use thereof or carelesnesse therein therefore labour we especially First to iudge wisely of our Christian libertie how farre it extends and wherein it is conuersant And so to moderate the vse thereof by such holy Bounds wherein it is confined of both which at large in the Daily Sacrifice extant and the Treatise of the Redemption of time which God willing expect shortly 12 Seeing Faith as it is the beginning of Inherent grace by purifying the heart Acts 15.9 so it is also the meanes of our encrease therein by renuing our estate daily in Christ Therfore that we may grow in Grace we must labour to grow in Faith And that by daily encrease of knowledge in the Mysterie of Christ attained by constant hearing of the Word and conscionable receiuing of the Sacrament by looking backe into former experience of Gods mercies and so gathering from the Truth of God euidences of proceeding Especially by looking forward within the vaile into those pretious Promises that are there laid vp for vs Hebrewes 6.19 2. Cor. 7.1 That so we may in that hope daily purge our selues more and more 2. Pet. 3.22 1. Iohn 3.3 and so profit and hasten to holinesse in the feare of God looking for the appearance of Christ 13 And seeing we shall be sure to be encountred with many enemies that either by inward or outward tentations either on the right hand or on the left will labour to hinder our Spirituall growth therefore put wee on daily the whole Armour of God Ephes 6.11 12 c. That so we may resist in the euill day of which also at large in the Daily Sacrifice together with the parts and vse thereof 14 Seeing it is Patience that brings forth the perfect worke 1. Iam. 3. therfore that wee may grow in Grace wee haue neede of Patience both to encounter and beare such oppositions as hinder our growth and also to sustain vs by experience of former goodnesse in the sense of our wants to cast vs vpon the sufficiency of our God who will supply all our necessities to vphold vs in the present want of what recompence we expect and yet seeme to be disappointed of that so when wee haue done the will of God we may receiue the reward in due season Hebrewes 10.36 Galathians 6. If through impaciency wee faint not 15 Aboue all pray we continually 1. Thes 5.17 with all prayer and supplication of the spirit and watching thereunto with all perseuerance Ephe. 6 18. That our God may supply what is wanting to our faith and so to all necessary graces that we may not be destitute of any grace which for the present may be fit and interessed in whatsoeuer may further our reckoning vnto the day of Christ 16. Seeing the Lord hath set apart vnto vs the Sabaoth as wherein we are more plentifully furnished with meanes of growth and so haue oportunitie to trie and encrease our spirituall strength therefore make wee conscience especially to sanctifie this day glorious to the Lord that so we may bee