is to liue by faith p. 203. 204 What is to be done that we might liue by faith viz. 1. Aquaint our selues familiarly with the Word of God 2. Exercise faith aright in the Word p. 204. 205 Besides expresse Cmmandements and direct promises there be speciall promises and commandements by consequent which we are to note and make vse of p. 205. 206 The acts of faith about the Word 1. It doth firmely and vniuersally assent to the whole Word of God and set a due price and value vpon it p. 207 2. It ponders the word seriously and treasures it vp safe ibid. 3. It preserues and keeps in the way of the promises ibid. 4. It plyes the throne of grace with earnest and continuall supplications ibid. 5. It looketh vp directly vnto God his wisdome power mercy and faithfulnesse p. 208 6. It resteth quietly vpon God and tryumpheth before the victory p. 208 Meanes to stirre vp our selues to liue by faith scil 1. Find out thy vnbeliefe p. 208. 209. 210. c. 2. See the necessity and pretiousnesse of faith p. 213 3. Meditate on the grounds of faith p. 213. 214 4. Feeling weaknesse of faith looke on Christ p. 214 5. Pray for the Spirit of faith p. 215 CHAP. II. WHat is meant by Gods promises and the diuers kinds therof p. 216 The promise of forgiuenesse of sinnes ibid. This promise is free p. 217 Yet obtained through Christ only ibid. And receiued and possessed by faith and by it alone p. 217 218 This promise is of faith 1. That it might be of free grace ibid. 2. That it might bee stedfast and sure to all the seed ibid. 3. That only is the true manner of Iustification which shuts forth all boasting in the dignity of our workes p. 218. 219 Its necessary to seeke pardon of sinne by faith for 1. In our selues we be sinfull and cursed and remission which is of grace can be obtained by no other meanes but only by faith in Iesus Christ p. 219 2. Faith goeth directly vnto Christ that by him wee might be justified ibid. 3. Faith in the promises of mercy doth commend and maintaine the glory of Gods grace p. 220 The acts of faith touching this promise of forgiuenes be diuers 1. It generally belieueth the promise to bee true and thereby discernes that sinne is pardonable p. 220. 221 2. It stirreth vp earnest desires and longings to bee made partaker of this mercy p. 221. 222 3. It draweth vs forward to seeke mercy of God by vnfained confession and hearty supplication p. 222. 223. 224 4. It embraceth and resteth vpon the speciall and free mercy of God in Christ for pardon p. 224. 225 5. It doth certifie of pardon granted and sealed vnto vs. p. 225 How faith doth assure that our sinnes are already pardoned p. 225. 226 Three prerogatiues accompany confident assurance 1. Peace with God 2. Free accesse vnto the throne of grace 3. Ioy in the Holy Ghost vnspeakable and glorious p. 227. 228 6. By faith we continue in this blessed state in sweet peace and fellowship with God p. 228. 229 A Christian may liue by faith for many dayes or rather all the dayes of his life in sweet peace and communion with God if he will learne to maintaine and take paines to exercise his faith aright p. 230. 231. 232 To what measure of ioy a Christian may attaine p. 232. 233 Two speciall causes there be why many good Christians liue so long in feare and doubt 1. An immoderate aggrauation of their sinne and continuall thought of their vnworthinesse p. 234 These must know it is good to deny themselues but not to doubt of the mercy of the Lord. ibid. The detestation of sinne is greatly to be commended if they remember withall that there is hope in Israel concerning this p. 235 There be sins of ignorance infirmitie forgetfulnesse and sudden passion and there be foule enormous notorious sinnes which wound conscience p. 235. 236 If a man haue often fallen into notorious offences he is not to despaire ibid. A foule offence after grace receiued is not vnpardonable p. 236. 237 Many complaine they cannot belieue when indeed they thinke there is no promise of mercy made vnto them vpon which they should ground their confidence ibid. Such must know 1. that God calleth them in his word to come vnto him as if he did particularly name them 2. They must consider of the free grace of God in promising and his faithfulnesse in making good whatsoeuer he bath promised ibid. The second cause is ignorance of the way how this assurance is to be sought vpon what foundation it is to bee laid in what order they come vnto it p. 238 Two things are specially to be learned for their direction 1. That assoone as euer a man feeles sin as a burden and doth truly thirst to bee eased of it hee hath a calling to come vnto Christ p. 238 2. The barren in grace must come vnto Christ to bee supplyed of his fulnesse p. 239 Directions to the weake how to stirre vp themselues to beleeue when they feele no comfort p. 239 1. They must vnfainedly humble their soules before God in the confession of sinne with earnest prayer for pardon p. 240 2. They must rowse and stirre vp themselues to beleeue with reasons drawne from the promises and couenant of God made in Iesus Christ considerations taken out of the word and experience of his dealing with other his seruants in former times p. 241. 242 3. They must be instant with the Lord to giue them both strength of faith the sight of their belief p. 242. 243 4. They must comfort their hearts in the certainty of Gods word though for the present they feele no comfort p. 243 Thus faith is daily to be preserued and quickened ibid. CHAP. III. OF the promises of Sanctification p. 244 A Christian is allowed to beleeue these promises for 1. In the couenant of grace God hath promised to take away the heart of stone c. p. 245 2. The fountaine of grace is set open vnto the thirsty and he is inuited to come and drinke to the satisfying of his soule p. 245. 246 3. Christ by his bloud hath purchased for his people all spirituall blessings in heauenly things ibid. 4. We are taught to aske of God in Christ increase and strength of grace ibid. 5. The faithfull haue relyed vpon Christ for grace and ability to walke in his wayes ibid. 6. Mans duty is Gods free gift of grace ibid. It is necessary to belieue that God will sanctifie our nature and enable to the duties of holinesse p. 246. 247 For 1. Iustification sanctification be indiuiduall p. 247 2. Otherwise Christians shall very much stagger be off and on coldly set vpon the practice of Christianity ibid. 3. Our owne strength is too weake for the worke of holinesse ibid. 4. Setlednesse in this that God will perfect the worke of holinesse begun causeth men to goe about
will the Lord waite that he may be gracious vnto you and therefore will he be exâ—lted that he may haue mercy vpon you The Lord hath commanded vs to waite vpon him in the dayes of calamitie and sorrow Hab. 2.4 The Iust shalâ— liue by faith It is the ve y scope of this text to teach this one po nt of doctrâ—ne to the Iewes when they would be oppressed by the Babilonions viz that in greatest dâ—ngers the onely way is to stay our selues and establish our hearts by faith on Gods promises Confidence in God doth the more bind and oblige him Psal 37.40 as it were to doe vs good The Lord shall helpe the righteous and deliuer them hee shall deliuer them from the wicked and saue them because they trust in him Esay 26.3 Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace whose minde is stayed on thee because hee hath trusted in thee I will surâ—ly deliuer thee Ier. 39.18 and thou shalt not fall by the word but thy life shall bee for a prey vnto thee because thou hast put thy trust in me saith the Lord. If a friend â— lie and builde vp our faithfull promise we take our sâ—ues boâ—nâ— not to frâ—strate his exp ctation in a â—ead lift Psal 141.8 the Lord will neuer leaâ—e the soule destitute which trusts in him The faithfull haue promised themselues helpe and confidently begged aide because they trusted in the Lord Be mercifull vnto me O God Psal 57.1 be mercâ—full vnto me for my soule trusteth in thee yea in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge vntill these calamities bee ouer past Cause me to heare thy louing kindnesse in the Morning for in thee doe I trust Psal 143.8.9 cause me to know the way wherein I should walke for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Deliuer mee O Lord from mine enemies for I flie vnto thee to hide me And to hope in God and to haâ—e God for our helpe are linked together in Scripture so that his helpe is reâ—die for all them who rest vpon him in truth Happy is he that hath Psal 146.5 the God of Iacob for his helpe whose hope is in the Lord his God Acts of faith in respect of these promises The acts of faith in respect of these promises be these First It looketh vnto God and acknowledgeth his hand in all afflictions whosoeâ—er bee the instruments Shall there be euill in a Citie Esay 45.7 Amos 3.6 Iob. 1 21. and they Lord hath not done it The Lord gaue and the Lord hath taken away I know O Lord that thy iudgments are right and that thou in faithfulnesse hast afflicted mee Psal 119.75 If yee endure chastening God dealeth with you as with sonnes Heb. 12.7 for what sonn is he whom the Father chasteneth not And this is one speciall ground of humilation patience and comfort Come and let vs returne vnto the Lord Hos 6.1 for he â—ath torne and he will heale vs. My sonne despise not thou the chastening of the Lâ—rd neither be wearie of his â—rrection For whom the Lord loueth he correcteth Pro 3.11.12 euen 〈◊〉 a father the sonne in whom he delighteth Let him curse for the Lord hath bidden him It may be that the Lord will looke on mine affliction and that the Lord will requite good for his cursing this day But of these more particularly hereafter Secondly It teacheth that wee are in such distresses out of which none cane helpe vs but the strong helper of Israel Faith speaketh on this manner We haue no might against this great companie 2 Chro. 20.21 that commeth against vs neither know we what to doe but our eyes are vpon thee And great is the benefit of this instruction for it drawes the heart from carnall repose in meanes or friends it expells vexations and distracting cares and estranges from the vse of vnlawfull meanes of deliuerance whatsoeuer Pro. 21.31 Psal 33.16.17 The horse is prepared against the day of battell but safety is of the Lord. An horse is but a vaine thing to saue a man neither is any man deliuered by his great strength And the same may be said of wisedome swiftnesse wealth or the force of any meanes whatsoeuer Eccl. 9.2 Psal 127.1 Esay 30.7 and 31.3 though neuer so lawfull or likely But as for vnlawfull meanes no good successe can be hoped from them The Egyptians shall helpe in vaine and to no purpose therfore haue I cryed concerning this their strength is to sit still Thirdly It wisely directeth vs to consider that the cause of all miserie and sorrow is sinne and thereupon driues to examine our wayes humble our selues before God for mercy renew our hope in his grace and set vpon reformation of what is out of order Faith is a good Physition Hos 5.15 that seeketh to cure the disease by taking away the cause thereof when God takes tryall of vs that wee might know our selues faith maketh search into the heart 1. Cor. 11.31 Lam. 3.40 when hee iudgeth by his chastisements faith maketh vs to iudge our selues and when God striketh for sinne faith striketh at the head of sinne Let vs search and try our wayes and turne againe to the Lord. I thought on my wayes Psal 119.59 and turned my feete vnto thy testimonies When Manasses was in affliction 2. Chro. 33.12 Iob 34.31.32 hee besought the Lord his God and humbled himselfe greatly before the God of his Fathers Surely it is meete to be said vnto God I haue borne chastisement I will not offend any more That which I see not teach me if I haue done iniquitie I will doe no more Fourthly Faith meekeneth the heart willingly to submit it selfe to the good pleasure of God Psal 37.7 Psal 62.1.5 Lam. 3.16 Esay 30.15 and patiently to beare his correctioÌ„ Rest in the Lord waite patiently for him fret not thy selfe because of him who prospereth in his way Yet vnto God my soule keepe thou silence for from him is my expectation By faith the seruants of God haue beene enabled to say The word of the Lord is good Esay 39.8 Mic. 7.9 I will beare the indignation of the Lord because I haue sinned against him vntill he plead my cause 2. Sam. 15.26 and execute iudgement for mee If he say thus I haue no delight in thee behold here am I Psal 131.2 let him doe to me as seemeth good vnto him Surely I haue behaued and quieted my selfe as a child that is weaned of his Mother my soule is euen as a weaned child I was as a man that heareth not Psal 38.14.15 and in whose mouth are no reproofes For in thee O Lord doe I hope Guiltinesse of Conscience which is euer fearefull and vntamed passions make vnquietnes when the rod of God is vpon our backes both which are corrected by faith The conscience is comforted by faith resting vpon the gracious promises
condemning it freely vnfainedly begging pardon with strength of grace to withstand sinne for the time to come Whensoeuer faith commeth to receiue the seale of pardon it pleadeth guiltie humbleth for transgression and intreateth forgiuenesse of vndeserued mercie that grace might be magnified in forgiuenesse Fiftly By faith wee receiue Christ offering himselfe freely to be contracted vnto vs. Christ maketh loue as a suiter and hath giuen the Sacrament as a token of his loue and faithfulnesse faith apprehendeth the miserie of the soule without Christ the excellent dignitie honour and beautie of Christ and the happinesse of the soule which is vnited vnto him and thereupon humbly embraceth his offer oâ— loue Sâ—xtly By faith wee resigne vp our selues vnto Iâ—sus Christ and willingly yeeld soule and bodâ—e vnto him This the natuâ—e of the matrimoniall contract which passeth beâ—wixt Christ and the belieuer requireth for as Christ promiseth to be a Sauiour Head and Husband vnto the belieuer so doth hee troth-plight himselfe vnto Iesus Christ to cleaue vnto him as his only Sauiour and in all things to bee obedient vnto his will and pleasure Wherefore my brethren Rom. 7.4 yee are also become dead to the Law by the bodie of Christ that yee should be married to another euen to him who is raised from the dead that we should bring forth fruit vnto God Seuenthly Faith feedeth vpon Christ and sucketh vigour from him Iohn 6.55 His flesh is meate indeed and his bloud is drinke indeed Meate to bee eaten not with the teeth but by faith Meate indeed not in nature but in effect because it nourisheth the soule and giueth eternall life to them that eate thereof And by faith wee spiritually eate the flâ—sh of the Sonne of Man and drinke his bloud And as he that eateth wholsome food is strengthened thereby and made fit and able for the actions of this life so hee that feedeth vpon Christ spiritually and by faith is strengthened to the actions of spirituall life and made able for the exercises of pietie and holinesse Eightly Faith assureth of that spirituall contract which hath passed betwixt Christ and the Christian soule and is sealed in the Sacrament Cant. 2.16 so that he may truly say My beloued is mine and I am his As a couple who haue lawfully giuen faith to each other and confirmed the same by pledge or token in the Congregation are assured of each other so when we haue contracted our selues vnto Christ and receiued the pledge thereof we come to be assured by faith that Christ is ours and that wee haue communâ—on in all the benefits of his death and passion Thâ—s faith reasoneth God the Father hath freely promised the pardon of all sinnes in and through Iesus Christ Christ doth offer himselfe as a Redeemer to deliuer them from the power of darknesse and to bring them into perpetuall grace with his Father to wash them from their sinnes by his bloud and spirit and to preserue and nourish them vnto life eternall who will receiue and belieue in him And being so louingly called and inuited I haue receiued the mercifull promise and â—esigned my selfe vnto Iesus Christ why then should I stand in doubt I heare the word of promise I see and haue receiued the seales annexed to the Word of grace the true and faithfull testimonie of God confirmed by oath and I may not question his truth nor draw backe from mine owne promise to rest vpon and cleaue vnto him for euermore Ninthly It stirreth vp ioy and thankfulnesse with serious remembrance of the manifold benefits and blessings which in Christ Iesus are vouchsafed When men haue a lease of some good bargaine sealed they are merrie and glad much greater cause of ioy haue they who haue receiued from God who cannot lie such a pledge of his loue the seale of an euerlasting inheritance Arise O my soule and sing for ioy for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen vpon thee Thou didst sit in darknesse forlorne and miserable guiltie of sinne in bondage to the curse in feare of eternall condemnation but now God is appeased Christ hath satisfied iustice pardon is proclaimed thou hast receiued the free gracious promise and eternall blessed peace is concluded And for thy greater assurance God hath added his seale to his free grant of pardon holy bread is added and giuen to thee for a Sacrament and diuine testimonie that the body of Christ was crucified for thee blessed wine is added and giuen to thee for a certaine pledge and token that the bloud of Christ was shed for thee that righteousnesse purchased by that sacrifice is thine that eternall saluatioâ— procured by that price is thine by an irreuocable title Praise the Lord O my soule and forget not the gâ—eat â—oue of God in giuing his Sonne to die that thou mightest be deliuâ—reâ— from the feare of hell death forget not the Loue oâ— Christ in sâ—ffering death that thou mightest bâ— seâ— fâ—ee from the curse of the law and burning wrath of God deserued by sinne forget not the grace and fauour of God in calling thee to feast with him and giuing this pledge and earnest of his perpetuall loue Thou canst not forget â—hese but thou forgettâ—st thy selfe thou canst not neglect these but thou hatest thy selfe What canst thou desire more then to haue God to be thy God Christ to thy Sauiour What wouldst thou remember if thou forget the loue of Christ in suffering death for thy redemption and the earnest of his loue whereby hee doth assure that his body was crucified and his bloud shed for thee Meanes to stirre vp our selues to receiue the Lords Supper in faith Now the better to stirre vp our selues to receiue this Sacrament in faith First Wee must bewaile our vnbeliefe dulnesse earthly-mindednesse the distemper of our spirituall taste and conceite of spirituall fulnesse labouring to quicken the sense of our misery and raise the soule to an high prizing of Christ and hungring after him Emptinesse prepares to receiue meate and hunger giues it a good rellish and if wee see our miserie and nakednesse without Christ and thirst after him wee shâ—ll eate his flesh and drinke his bloud with sweete comfort and refreshing Secondly Consider how freely the Lord doth tender Christ to bee receiâ—ed in his Word and Sacrament The Lord I say faithfull in his promises plentifull in mâ—rcies who hath authoritie to giue what he promiseth offâ—reth Christ withall the benefits of his death and pâ—ssion to euery poore despised thirstie afflicted soule who doth desire and will receiue him Thirdly weigh and consider the blessed state and condition of them who bee reconciled vnto God contracted vnto Iesus Christ who are eased from their sinnes washed from their filthinesse and separated vnto glory and so quicken our soules to receiue and lay fast hold vpon these inestimable benefits offered vnto vs by name Fourthly Hauing troth-plighted our selues to Iesus Christ vnfainedly wee must awaken
thy wings They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of thy house and thou shalt make them drinke of the riuer of thy pleasures For with thee is the fountaine of life in thy light shall we see light It is a pleasure to him to want other pleasures who is oft and euery day serious in the meditation of the remission of his sinnes the free grace and eternall loue of God towards him in Iesus Christ He that is euery day busied to fetch out a pardon of course for his daily infirmities and to make euen reckoning betwixt God and his Soule that nothing remaine on the score to interrupt his peace shall neither be idle nor vnprofitable neither want imployment nor comfort This course can open no gap to licentiousnesse libertie in sinne Psal 19.12 13. or carnall securitie for he is euer most studious not to runne into arrerages who is most desirous to haue his debts cancelled and blotted out Faith is of the nature of souereigne purifying waters which so wash off the corruption of the vlcer that they coole the heate and stay the spread of the infection and by degrees heale the same And of Cordials which so comfort and ease the heart as also they expell noxious humours and strengthen nature against them Iustifying faith takes kindly rooting in a cleane heart and being rooted purifieth it more and more Faith that pleads for mercie doth cleaue to the Commandements stirre vp to holinesse ouer-rule the affections delight in purity and diffuse the vertue of the word into euery facultie of the soule It may be obiected If faith certifie that our sinnes be pardoned and there be such ioy in belieuing how comes it to passe that many good Christians liue so long in feare and doubt Wence it is that many good Christians liue so long in feare and doubâ— who would bee contented to take any paines to bee setled in assurance of Gods loue The common causes of this slownesse of beliefe are many First an immoderate aggrauation of their sinne and continuall thought of their vnworthinesse Thus the case stands with many poore Christians faine they would belieue as they acknowledge but they are vnworthy they haue beene sinners These must knowe it is good they should see their owne vnworthinesse but not that they should be hindred thereby from comming to Christ it is good to denie themselues but not to doubt of the mercy of the Lord. Christ came to seeke that which was lost Math. 18.11 Esay 61.1.2 Math. 9.13 1. Pet. 3.18 Rom. 5.10 Math. 11.28 to binde vp the broken hearted and to saue sinners He died for his enemies for the vnworthy He inuiteth the burdened to come vnto him and makes sute to the poore and worthlesse that he might ease and inrich them If they were not vnworthy what neede had they of Gods mercy or how should God glorifie the riches of his mercy in pardoning their offences The feeling of their vnworthines makes them fit to receiue mercy from God who doth vâ—uchsafe it freely seeing besides their sinne which makes them vnworthy they haue a sence of it and an heart broken for it If they were not vnworthy they could noâ— belieue If their case had not beene desperate what neede was there that Christ should come from the bosome of his Father Esay 43.25 and 44.22 Hos 14.3.4 Pardon is offered freely of grace the more vile they be in themselues the fitter to receiue this vndeserued kindnesse Oh but their sinnes are grieuous and notorious scarlet crying scandalous sinnes This detestation of sinne is greatly to bee commended if they remember withall Ezra 10.2 that there is hope in Israel concerning this if they will set one eye vpon the mercy of God as they set the other vpon the vilenesse of their iniquities If their sinnes be many and great Eph. 2.4 Psal 3â— 5 Psal 51.1.2 Exod. 34.6.7 Esay 55.9 God is rich in mercy abundant in goodnesse hath a multitude of tender mercies His mercie reacheth aboue the Heauens he forgiueth iniquitie transgressioÌ„ sin rebellion All faults are easily pardonable to his infinite mercy which exceeds Mans as Heauen doth Earth which can readilier forgiue seuentie then Man seuen offences Was not Adam Manasses Paul the sinfull woman commonly called Mary Magdalene 2 Chron. 33.12.13 1. Tim. 1.13.15 Act. 2.37.38 Luk. 7. â—7 the Cretians and Iewes who imbrewed their hands in the bloud of Christ receiued of him to mercie Doth not â—e delight to forgiue much that he may binde to loue much Shall not his fauour superabound to the sence of faith where sinne hath abounded to the wounding of Conscience It matters not what the wound is so Christ be the Physitian Iohn 1.7 Esay 1.18 The bloud of Christ cleanseth vs from all sinne Nothing but the bloud of Christ can wash away the guilt of the least sin and his bloud is sufficient to purge the most polluted Conscience But they haue felt no extraordinary measure of sorrow for sinne they are rather dull and sencelesse Are they weary of sinne haue they sorrowed to selfe-deniall and to renounce their interest in whatsoeuer might seperate betwixt Christ and them To such is the word of Reconciliation sent But they haue often slipped into the same sinnes There is a difference of offences There be sinnes of ignorance infirmity forgetfulnesse and sudden passion whereunto the heart yeeldeth not aduised consent and from which the faithfull by reason of their frailtie can neuer be free in this life in some degree or other Now vnto these God of his mercy is pleased to grant a pardon of course 1. Iohn 1.8 1. Iohn 2.2 notwithstanding his seruants step oft into them through weaknesse prouided they humble themselues seeke mercy and labour the mortification of their infirmities Abraham twice denied Sarah to be his wife saying Shâ— is my Sister Of Dauid it is recorded that though hee were a man after Gods owne heart in all things except the matter of Vriah yet of frailtie hee offended many times in the same particular There bee foule enormious notorious sins which wound the conscience and stop and hinder the liuely operation of grace and these mâ—st be repented of and aduisedly left and forsâ—ken before we can belieue to the pardon and forgiuenesse of them Neuerthelesse if a man haue often fallen into these offences he is not to despaire but seriously to confesse and to forsake hiâ— sinne that he may obtaine mercy For the Lord inuiteth the obstinate and rebellious to repent and by word and oath assureth them of forgiuenesse if they will returne And if wee looke vpon examples we shall finde many such who vpon humiliation and earnest prayer haue beene receiued vnto mercy But they haue fallen grieuously since conuersion So did Dauid and Peter who yet recouered by grace and vpon repentance were forgiuen A foule offence after grace receiued is not vnpardonable The bloud of Christ which washeth away the guilt of sinnes
first and not vndertake any thing till hee see God witnessing vnto him by his Spirit that hee will be with him to blesse him which hee cannot hope for if the meanes vsed to compasse and secure any blessing or good thing be indirect and sinfull Nay to hope for blessed and good successe in any euil course is palpable and grosse Idolatry what is it but really to acknowledge the Deuill whose direction thou followest for aduantage to be the Gouernour of the world and the disposer of earthly things then which nothing is more opposite to liuely faith Faith speaketh on this wise Prou. 16.8 Better is a little wrth righteousnesse then great reuenues without right more comforâ—able in respect of inward peace the present vse of this life and continuance which maketh the Belieuer consult what is iust not what is gainfull or profitable what may be compassed by honest courses not what may be gained by fraud deceit coozenage or other carnall dealing Againe faith taketh direction of God in his Word in all businesses being assured that his counsell onely is firme and stable and that course prosperous which is consonant to his reuealed will Prou. 19.21 Psal 33.10 There are many deuices in a mans heart neuerthelesse the counsell of the Lord that shall stand The Lord bringeth the counsell of the Heathen to naught he maketh the deuices of the people of none effect The counseâ—l of the Lord standeth for euer the thoughts of his heart to all generations Carnall policies are disappointed and counsels broken but the direction of the Lord it shall prosper Secondly Faith is painfull prouident and frugall though not distrustfull pinching or niggardly It shakes off idlenesse obserues Gods prouidence takes the opportunitie husbands thriftily what he bestoweth and ordereth all affaires with discretion Hee that rests most confident vpon Gods blessing for all good things of this life will be most diligent to seeke them by lawfull means and carefull to preserue what the bountifull hand of God shall minister vnto him He that is silent expecting Gods helpe when meanes faile cannot sit still when meanes be at hand nor lauish indiscreetly when his cup runneth ouer Labour and prouidence be imposed of God wherevnto faith doth as freely submit it selfe euen when Gods blessings doe slow in abundantly as it doth heartily wish and expect supply from God in the time of need Thirdly It maketh inquiry into the heart turneth fâ—om euill and seeketh the face of God earnestly Confiâ—ence in God breeds suspition of our selues lest any sinne should habour secretly in our bosome or corruption get â—ead to hinder prosperitie specially if God blesse vs not â—câ—ording to promise the first worke of faith is to ransicke and fanne the soule narrowly to find out and remoue whatsoeuer doth offend I thought on my wayes Psal 119.59 Verse 67. and turned my feet vnto thy testimonies Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I haue kept thy word Iob 22.21 22 23. The counsell of Elephaz to Iob was good if he had rightly applied it Acquaint now thy selfe with him and be at peace thereby good shall come vnto thee Receiue I pray thee the law from his mouth and lay vp his words in thine heart If thou returne to the Almightie thou shalt bee built vp thou shalt put away iniquity farre from thy Tabernacles This sound aduice faith digesteth and with much seriousnesse doth early with the whole heart seeke the Lord exercise it selfe in the worship of God laboureth the reformation of what is amisse and composeth it selfe wholy to the prescript â—ule of his Word By faith wee know Iames 4.8.10 God will draw nigh to vs if wee draw nigh to him he will lift vs vp if we humble our selues in his sight and if God lift vs vp it shall goe well if hee be with vs we shall want nothing which may be for our good This is the way of faith which cleaueth vnto the Lord and seeketh the accomplishment of his promises as God hath promised to fulfill them Fourthly It stirreth vp to pray without distrustfull fruitlesse excessiue care It committeth the cause vnto God Iob 5.8 8.5 1. Chron. 4.10 and makes supplication to the Almightie Oh that thou wouldest blesse me indeed and inlarge my coast and that thy hand might be with me and that thou wouldest keepe me from euill that it may not grieue me If God will be with me Gen. 28.20 21. and will keepe me in this way that I goe and will giue me bread to eate and raiment to put on So that I come againe to my Fathers house in peace then shall the Lord be my God It is the exhortation of Paul Be carefull for nothing Phil. 4.6 but in euery thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiuing let your request be made knowne vnto God Now faith turneth precepts into prayers and maketh request according to the will of God What God requires that faith petitioneth for and in such manner Fiftly It seeth riches in God submitteth to his wisedome resteth in his loue and so maintaineth a Christian in some measure of contentment By faith we so embrace the Lord as that in him wee seeke and see whatsoeuer is necâ—ssary to saluation and possesse him as the portion of ouâ— lot and inheritance who will keepe backe nothing from vâ— but what is hurtfull and pernicious It leaneth vpon the euerlasting prouidence of God and promiseth present succour and supply fâ—om him as in wisedome hee knoweth best and of grace hâ—th promised Psal 16.8 Psal 73 23. I haue sâ—t the Lord alwayes before me that is I constantly leane vpon the aide of God and am fastened to his prouidence being confident that when necessitie doth vrge hee will be aâ— hand to sustaine my soule to minister vnto my necessitiâ— powerfully to assist and comfort Sixtly In prosperitie it keepes the heart in an holy temper and disposition scil in humilitie and meâ—knesse free from carnall confidence and pride and in tendernesse and compassion towards them that be in misery specially the Church if she be in heauinâ—sse For the blessings of God embracâ—d by faith set an impression vpon the soule answerâ—ble to those properties in him from whence they flow What hee giues in grace doth worke the heart to humilitie and tender commiseration Psal 62.11 Faith hath learned that power is oâ— God and that all his gifts are freely bestowed of mercie without desert Psal 86.2 but mercie receiued doth both humble and mollifie the heart The godly man hauing obtained mercie and grace from God is againe holy pious kinâ— and mercifull to others It is the commandement of God Deut. â—5 7 Thou shalt not make strong thy heart nor shut vp the bowels of compassion from thy needie brother But euermore the frame of a belieuing heart is corresponâ—ent to the will and pleasure of God for faith sets the stampe and Image of God vpon the soule Moreouer
as an euil he shall fall into but which he shall escape by the constant study and practice of holines For our assurance to escape damnation through the death of Christ Phil. 2.12 Math. 10.28 Luke 12.4.5 is no greater then our care to auoyd sin which leadeth thereunto Worke out your saluation with feare and trembling Feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soule but rather feare him which is able to destroy both soule and body in hell Thirdly It stâ—rreth vp continuall watchfulnesse to shunne whatsoeuer might bâ—eed danger or procure Gods displeasure When sleepinesse beginneth to come vpon vs faith ioggeth our elbow and telleth the Lord is at hand with a whip to awaken vs. The approach of perill apprehended will rowse vp the sluggard to looke about him Faith also teacheth so to acknowledge the anger of God as that it draweth the heart aboue all things to take heed not to prouoke him by carelesnesse and securitie Who knoweth the power of thy anger 2. Cor. 5.10 11. Psal 90.11 Euen according to thy feare so is thy wrath Fourthly The threatnings mingled with faith cause sorrowfull melting or relenting of heart for sinne committed When the King of Nineueh belieued the preaching of Ionah Ionas 3.6 7 8. that within fortie dayes that gâ—eat Citie should be destroyed hee rose from his throne put on sackcloth and proclaimed a Fast vnto the Lord. And when the Lord testified his displeasure against the Israelites by sending thunder and lightning in Wheate Haruest all the people feared greatly and said vnto Samuel 1. Sa. 12.18 19. Pray for thy seruants vnto the Lord thy God that we die not for we haue added vnto all our sinnes this euill to aske vs a King Now the threatnings belieued worke the same effect Iudges 2.3 4. that the iudgements seene When Iosiah heard what the Lord spake against Ierusalem and against the inhabitants of that place his heart was tender 2. Kin. 22.18 19 and hee humbled himselfe before the Lord. Fiftly When wee see by faith from what miseries wee are deliuered of the free grace and mercie of God our hearts are enlarged in prayse and thanksgiuing In distresse faith powreth out supplications when the calamitie is ouer-past it setteth forth the goodnesse of the Lord and singeth of his glorie When the Israelites were in safetie on the shoare looking backe vpon the danger escaped when they passed through the red Sea Exod. 15.1 2. they make a ioyfull noise to the God of their saluation their songs are answerable to their fore-conceiued feare And so when the Lord brought backe the captiuitie of Babylon Psal 126.2 their mouthes were filled with laughter and their tongues with ioy The due consideration of our deserts manifest by the threatnings contained in the Word of God doth maruellously affect the heart with desire to publish and spread abroad the louing kindnesse of the Lord when by faith in Christ wee see our selues to bee set free from the dreadfull curses of the Law and mercifully saued from the righteous iudgement of our sinnes By this which hath beene said it is manifest that this life of faith is most excellent and comfortable and by good proofe and experience wee should be able to say so if wee would be perswaded but to take a taste of the benefit and sweetnesse that it bringeth For by this faith we are directed to seeke and follow after Christ Ephes 3.17 till wee come to be assured that he dwelleth in vs as the fountaine of life and that in him we are deliuered from the gilt and punishment of all our sinnes 2. Cor. 5.19 whereas others who liue not by it wauer are oft distracted and know not where to begin the foundation of that great worke nor how to build thereon By this faith we may come to sound rest and holy securitie about our saluation from time to time enioying the comfort of it still more and more with incredible ioy whereas others euen the best are oft vnsetled and much disquieted If the Lord lead vs into the darke and exercise vs with manifold afflictions and temptations by this faith we are enabled to hold him by the hand to cast our selues vpon the promises of grace and so relying vpon his power faithfulnesse and mercy to promise safetie vnto our selues aboue likelihood and appearance yea when wee feele the contrarie The rage of sinne is weakened and wee haue strength against it though not alwayes to preuaile which were not expedient yet at least to be in combate with it which is euer a good testimonie of our safetie for hereby we proue our selues to bee liuely members of the Church Militant Also by this we are preserued against fearefull sinnes and haue grace to walke in newnesse of life and all parts of it with ioy and chearefulnesse If we liue by faith we haue deliuerance from mâ—ny sharp bitter afflictions beare those which we must go vnder more meekly patiently because it makes vs depend vpon Gods promises not stinting him to any set time maner of deliuerance or measure of afflictioÌ„ By it we walk in our callings more chearfully honestly painfully with lesse distractioÌ„ toile vexatioÌ„ but with more profit then they that flow in with wealth haue all shifts cunning slights to gaine by Psal 127.1 2. For whiles we see God euer going before vs in al our earthly dealings and actions as we should more looke to it that we find it so then to our greatest profits weightiest dealings this faith shall vphold vs in the quietest estate and most sweet peace such as all the carnall wisedome of man shall neuer find nor enioy This faith teacheth vs to pray at all times as our necessities require with feruency coÌ„fidence euen in the depth of afflictions when the graue is readie to swallow vs vp and shut her mouth vpon vs Psal 69.13 14 15 16. it enableth to look vnto the Lord with strong arguments to implore his aid O Lord God of my saluation Psal 88.1 2 3. I haue cried day and night before thee for my soule is full of troubles and my life draweth nigh vnto the graue Out of the depths haue I cried vnto thee O Lord Lord heare my voice Psal 130.1 2. My spirit within me is ouer-whelmed my heart within me is desolate I stretch forth my hands vnto thee Psal 143.3 6. my soule thirsteth for thee in a thirsty land O remember not against vs former iniquities let thy tender mercies speedily preuent vs Psal 79.8 for we are brought very low If the affliction be very grieuous and of long continuance faith doth neither quaile nor cease to seek helpe but looketh vp to the Lord expecting saluation in due time to be reuealed O God Psal 74.1 2. why hast thou cast vs off for euer Why doth thine anger smoake against the sheepe of thy pasture Remâ—mber thy Congregation which thou hast purchased of old the rod of thine inheritance Psal 69.29 Psal 68.35 Verse 22. which thou hast redeemed I am poore and sorrowfull let thy saluation O God set me vp on high for God is the strength of his people who will brâ—ng them againe from the depths of the Sea The life of faith shall 〈◊〉 in ioy comfort He that trusteth in the Lord shall r◠〈◊〉 in his holy Name I am a wonder vnto many but the 〈◊〉 my strong refuge Psal 71.7 8. Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day Our heart shall reioyce in him Psal 33.21 because we haue trusted in his holy Name Loe this is our God we haue waited for him and he will saue vs this is the Lord Esay 25.9 we haue waited for him we will be glad and reioyce in his saluation The expectation of them that hope in the Lord Psal 68.19 69.30 shall not be frustrated therefore they shall reioice in him and sound forth his praises He that hath learned to liue by faith Heb. 11.13 shall also die in faith All these died in or according to the faith If we know how to walke with God by faith as Henoch did all the daies of our life amidst the manifold temptations changes that we meet withall in this world we shal the better encounter with death when the agonies therof be vpon vs. Death is many waies terrible and the assaults of Satan at that time are vsually most strong as being his last but hee that hath taken out this lesson To liue by faith shall easily quench the fierie darts of the Deuill manfully conquer this strong enemie renew his repentance and confidence in Gods mercy vpon the sight of sin willingly resigne himselfe into the hands oâ— God This is the ordinary course Liue in faith die in faith Liue holily and die blessedly Therefore let vs leaue late repentance to them that think it but a sport to venture a soule and take that course that is sure to speed To say no more it is exceeding dangerous to put off repentance from day to day though some few haue obtained mercie at their latter end But this is sure he that liueth in faith shall die in faith and liue in glory for euermore Amen FINIS
A TREATISE OF FAITH Diuided into two Parts The first shewing the NATVRE The second The life of FAITH Both tending to direct the weake Christian how he may possesse the whole Word of God as his owne ouercome temptations better his obedience and liue comfortably in all estates BY IOHN BALL HAB. 2.4 The Iust shall liue by his faith LONDON Printed for Edward Brewster and are to be sold at the signe of the Bible at the North doore of Pauls 1631. THE PREFACE TO THE READER GLorious thinges are spoken of the grace of graces Faith in the Scriptures God setting himselfe to honour that grace that yeelds vp all the honour vnto him in Christ who indeed is the life of our life and the soule of our soule Faith only as the bond of vnion bringeth Christ and the soule together and is as an arterie that conueyes the spirit from him as the heart and as the sinnewes which conuey the spirit to mooue to all dutie from him as head whence Saint Paul maketh Christs liuing in vs and our liuing by faith all one Gal. 2.20 Now that which giueth boldnesse and libertie to faith is not only Gods assignement of this office to it in the couenant of grace to come vnto Christ and vnto him in Christ to receiue grace but likewise the gracious promises whereby the great God hath ingaged himselfe as a debtour to his poore creature for all things needfull to life and godlinesse vntill that blessed time when we shall be put into full possession of all things wee haue now only in promise when faith shall end in fruition and promises in performance Faith first lookes â—o this word of promise and in the promise to Christ in whom and for whom they are yea and Amen both made and performed And in Christ it eyeth God in whom it last resteth is its proper center and foundation otherwise how should wee weake sinfull creatures dare to haue any intercourse with God that dwelleth in that light that none can attaine vnto if hee had not come forth and discouered his good pleasure in Christ the substantiall Word and in the word inspired by the Holy Ghost for the good of those whom God meant for to make heires of saluation Now these promises whereon all our present comfort and future hope dependeth lie hid in the Scriptures as veines of gold and siluer in the bowels of the earth and had need bee laid open that Gods people may know what vpon good grounds to lay claime vnto Those therefore that search these mynes to bring to light these treasures deserue well of Gods Church We commend and not without cause the wittie industrie of those that from Springs remote bring Riuers to Cities and by Pipes from those Riuers deriue water to euery mans house for all domesticall seruices much more should we esteeme of the religious paines of men that bring these waters of life home for euery man his particular vse in all the passages and turnings of this life In which regard I doe not doubt but the paines of this godly painfull and learned man will find good entertainment of all children of the promises that hope to inherit them who hath with great paines and with good euidence of spirituall vnderstanding endeauoured to cleare most matters concerning faith and likewise discouered the varietie and vse of the promises with teaching Christians how to improue their riches in Christ heere spread before them how to vse the shield of Faith and the sword of the Spirit vpon all occasions that so they might not only be belieuing but skilfull Christians knowing how to mannage and make the best aduantage of their faith and the word of faith Which if they could doe there would another manner of power and beautie shine in their liues then doth Hee is a man that hath formerly deserued well of the Church but in a more speciall manner fitted for a Treatise of this nature as hauing beene put to it to know by experience what it is to liue by faith hauing in sight for matters of this life very little whereupon to depend Those that are driuen to exercise their faith cannot but find God faithfull as neuer failing those that trust in him they see more of God then others doe If it be obiected that others of late time haue digged in the same mine and laboured in the same field and to good purpose and successe I answer it is true the more this age is bound to God that directs the spirits of men to so vsefull so necessarie an argument seeing without faith wee haue no communion with the fountaine of life nothing in this world that can yeeld setled comfort to ground the soule vpon seeing without it the fairest carriage is but emptie and dead moralitie neither finding acceptance with God nor yeelding comfort to vs in our greatest extremities and by it God himselfe and Christ with all that he hath done suffered conquered becommeth ours and for our vse Besides none that I know haue written in our Language so largely of this argument and such is the extent and spiritualnesse of this heauenly point that many men of the greatest graces parts may with great benefit to the Church diue and digge still into this mysterie Neither let any except against the multitude of quotations of Scriptures they are brought vnder their proper head and set in their proper place and the matter it selfe is cut out into varietie of parts Store as wee vse to speake is no sore we count it a delight to take out of a full heape the more light the conuiction is the stronger what sutes not at one time will sute our spirits and occasions at another and what taketh not with one may take with another But the full and well handling of matters in this Treatise carries such satisfaction with it that it frees mee from necessitie of further discourse and mine owne present weaknesse of bodie taketh mee off Only I was willing to yeeld that testimonie to the fruitfull paines of a faithfull labourer in Gods Vineyard that I iudge it deseruedly Receiue it therefore Christian Reader with thankes to God that stirreth vp such helpers of that faith by which wee liue stand conquer and in which we must die if we looke to receiue the end of our faith the saluation of our soules Richard Sibbes A Table of the principall matters contained in this first Part. CHAP. I. HOw and in what respects faith is necessary Sect. 1 pag. 1 Diuers acceptatioÌ„s of the word faith Sect. 2. p. 2. 3 Of the diuers kinds of Faith Sect. 3. pag. 3 Why some kind of Faith is called Historicall ibid. The difference betwixt Faith Miraculous and Ordinary ibid. p. 4 Why true Faith is called Iustifying or sauing Faith ibid. In what phrases this Faith is vnfolded in the New Testament pag. 5 To belieue God and to belieue in God doe in Scripture import one and the same thing p. 5 Not the habit though
with many doubts and difficulties § 2. p. 96 The particular certaintie of remission of sinnes is not equall in certaine and firmenesse of assent to that assurance which we haue about the common obiect of faith § 3. p. 96. 97 There be seuerall states of Belieuers but all subiect to manifold temptations § 4. 98. 99 Beliefe in Christ for remission is stronger and more necessary then particular assurance of our saluation § 5. p. 100 Not only some vncertaine hope but euen infallible assurance of saluation is to bee sought and may bee obtained § 6 p. 101. 102. c. There is a word testifying thus much that my particular person beholding the Sonne and belieuing on him shall haue eternall life p. 101. 102. 103 Such as truly belieue may know they belieue p. 103 In respect of the exact measure of grace and strength the regenerate are oft deceiued but of the truth of grace they may be assured p. 104. 105 What it is to belieue with the whole Heart § 7. p. 105 In what sence wee must continue daily to aske of God forgiuenesse of sinnes notwithstanding former assurance of pardon p. 106. 107. 108. 109. 110 How iustification is full and entire p. 110 God hath said as to Abraham so to euery one of the seed of Abraham I will be thy God p. 111 How euery faithfull man may and doth make God his in particular ibid. The Apostles and other faithfull haue beene assured of their saluation by ordinary faith p. 111. 112 The saluation of a belieuer is infallible in it selfe and in euent but not euer in his apprehension and feeling § 9 p. 113. Assurance of faith in things extraordinarily is not altogether free from assaults p. 114 The benefits that come vnto vs by temptations p. 115. 116 The Commandements are laid before belieuers not as the cause for obtaining of eternall life but as the way to walke in vnto eternall life § 10. p. 117 Vpright walking is necessary but not the cause of Iustification p. 118 The belieuer relyeth not vpon his workes though hee exercise himselfe therein with all diligence p. 119 What infirmities may stand with assurance of faith § 11 p. 120. 121 What sinnes hinder assurance § 12. p. 123 The absolute raigne of sinne will not stand with the state of grace § 13. p. 124 True assurance breeds encrease of resolution and care to please God § 14. p. 125. 126 CHAP. IX THe authority of the Church cannot bee the ground of faith § 1. p. 128. 129 Whatsoeuer credit the Church hath it receiueth the same from the Scriptures p. 139 The authority of the Pope whom they call the Church virtuall is the first ground and last resolution of the Romanists faith § 2. p. 129. 130 Faith resteth not vpon the Saints but vpon Iesus Christ § 3. p. 132. 133 The Rhemists in defence of their Saint-inuocation are driuen to say that we are to trust in the Saints departed p. 133. 134. 135 CHAP. X. THe benefits and effects of faith § 1. p. 136. 137. 138 139. 140 Faith doth not effect and performe those things by any excellency force or efficacy of it owne aboue other graces but in respect of the office whereunto it is assigned in Couenant of grace p. 140 Of all creatures Man only is capable of iustifying faith § 2. p. 140 Faith is proper vnto Man in this life in his iourney towards his perfect home and eternall habitation p. 141 All men haue not faith p. 141 The subiect of Iustifying faith is man a sinner called according to the purpose of God acknowledging his offences hungring thirsting after mercy § 2. p. 141 The seat of faith is the heart but the heart contrite humbled bewailing sinne denying it selfe and affected with desire of remission § 3. p. 142. 143 In Scripture the heart is taken for the whole soule with all its powers and operations p. 144 Faith is common to all and peculiar to them only who bee called according to the purpose of God § 4. p. 145 All haue not the like measure of faith § 5. p. 146 Faith perfect in none p. 146. 147 The faith of the weakest Christian is sufficient to saluation § 6. p. 148 The degrees of faith may be considered according to the diuers growth which God bringeth his children vnto p. 148. 148 Foure degrees of faith § 7. 149 Faith is weake foure wayes 1. Knowledge 2. Assent 3. Confidence 4. Fruits and effects p. 149. 150 Ordinarily belieuers are weake at the first p. 150 Some priuiledged aboue others p. 151 Faith weake in one respect may be strong in another p. 151 The benefits of the weakest faith if true and liuely § 8 p. 151. 152 Weake faith if sound will grow and encrease ibid. We must striue to be strong and rich in faith p. 152. 153 Faith somewhat growne § 9. p. 153 Strong faith p. 153. 154 Full assurance gotten by degrees p. 154 The benefits of full assurance p. 154. 155 The strongest faith is subiect to sundry infirmities § 10 p. 156 The strong belieuer doth sometimes shrinke when the weake stands fast p. 156 CHAP. XI MOtiues and encouragements to belieue § 1. p. 157 158 Meanes for the right planting of faith § 2. p. 159. 160 161. c. Faith once obtained is seriously to be regarded § 3. p. 164 165 Meanes whereby faith is strengthened and confirmed § 4. p. 166. 167. 168. 169 CHAP. XII VVHy Satan endeuours by all meanes to hinder as the kindly taking so the growth of faith § 1 p. 170. 171 The first Temptation is taken from our worthlesnesse § 1 p. 171 Remedie The sence of vnworthinesse must not discourage vs from beleeuing because 1. The mercy fauour promises and benefits of God are all free p. 171 2. Wee are not more desirous to belieue then God is we should so doe p. 171. 172 The second Temptation They know not whether they bee elected § 2. Remedie 1. Hold such suggestions to arise from the Spirit of errour and lend no eare to such whisperings of the old Serpent p. 172 2. If God make offer of mercy and forgiuenesse in the Ministery of the Gospel 〈…〉 â—â—nd to receiue it ibid. The third Temptation They 〈…〉 of doubtings § 3 Remedie 1. Faith may be true 〈◊〉 liuely that is weake p. 173 2. It is not the excellency and measure of faith that doth make vs righteous before God but Christ whom faith doth receiue ibid. 3. It is not faith but Christ receiued by faith that nourisheth to eternall life ibid. 4. We reade that Christ reproued some for their small faith but neuer reiected any that came vnto him in weaknesse desiring to be confirmed p. 174 The fourth Temptation They cannot keepe their faith strong and stedfast § 4 Remedie 1. There is no shadow of change with God p. 174 2. Labouring after and groaning to rest their wearied soules vpon the promises of mercy being neuer satisfied till their doubtfulnesse be remoued
be borne p. 320 Wee stand in need to bee holpen against discouragements in affliction ibid. God correcteth 1. In great wisdome p. 321 2. Measure ibid. 3. For a moment p. 321. 322 4. In loue and tendernesse ibid. And that 1. to proue 2. To purge 3. To refine 4. To confirme grace p. 322. 323 He will deliuer the righteous out of trouble p. 323 Is tender ouer them in trouble p. 323. 324 And present for their helpe p. 324. 325 It is most necessary that we learne to liue by faith in afflictions p. 326 For 1. Faith is the ground of silent and quiet expectation of saluation ibid. 2. Faith in God is the only stay and support of the heart in trouble and affliction p. 326. 327 3. Faith is the shield of the soule whereby it is defended against all the fiery darts of the Deuill ibid. 4. Faith only supplies all our wants in affliction pag. 326. 327 5. Afflictions profit not if they bee not mixed with faith in them that beare them ibid. The godly are allowed to liue by faith in afflictions For 1. Godlinesse hath the promise of this life and that which is to come p. 327 2. The godly haue had this confidence in former times whose practice is both a token of our priuiledge and patterne of our dutie p. 328 3. God is hereby much glorified that wee relie vpon him as our rocke of defence ibid. 4. The Lord commandeth vs to waite vpon him in times of trouble ibid. 5. Confidence in God doth the more binde him as it were to doe vs good p. 328. 329 The acts of faith in respect of these promises 1. It looketh vnto God and acknowledgeth his hand in all afflictions whosoeuer be the instruments p. 329. 330 2. It teacheth that wee are in such distresses out of which none can help vs but the strong helper of Israel p. 330 This drawes the heart from carnall repose in meanes or friends and expels vexations and distracting cares ibid. 3. It wisely directeth vs to consider that the cause of all misery and sorrow is sinne p. 330. 331 4. Faith meekeneth the heart willingly to submit it selfe to the good pleasure of God and patiently to beare his correction p. 331 Faith comforteth the conscience and curbeth vnbridled passions ibid. The considerations whereby faith perswadeth vnto meeknesse be many strong and irresistible As 1. The desert of sinne which is farre greater then any thing we suffer p. 332 2. The hand that layeth the rod vpon our backe viz. God our most wise iust gracious and louing Father ibid. 3. That this Cup how bitter and wringing soeuer is a medicine to cure not a poyson to destroy ministred in great loue and tender compassion to driue out corruption confirme faith preserue from falling strengthen grace weane from the world and bring neerer vnto God p. 332. 333. 334 4. After serious humiliation faith bringeth tidings that God will looke downe from Heauen in mercy and send helpe in fittest season p. 335 5. Faith doth re-minde vs of our conformity with Christ in afflictions and of his partnership with vs therein p. 335. 336 6. Faith setteth before vs the infinite recompence of reward ibid. The first act of faith It teacheth wisdome to iudge aright of all afflictions p. 335. 336. 337 6. True and vnfained confidence will not keepe silence in the eares of the Lord nor cease to importune his aide c. p. 337. 338 7. It rayseth the heart being conscious of it weakenesse to rest vpon the Lord for strength who makes vs able to doe all things through his strengthening of vs. pag. 338. 339. 340 8. By faith the godly heart is drawne to vse all meanes of helpe that God in his prouidence doth afford but resteth quietly vpon Gods promises and assurance of his presence aboue all likelihoods and appearances p. 340. 341 This manner of dependance on the promises which faith worketh is absolute without limitation of time measure of affliction or manner of deliuerance p. 341. 342 What faith turneth it selfe to meditate vpon for support in this case p. 342. 343 9. Faith belieueth one contrary in another and out of the deepest distresses gathereth assurance of sweetest deliuerances p. 343. 344 10. It reioyceth in tribulations and triumpheth before the victory p. 345 We must liue by faith in the heauiest afflictions and of longest continuance p. 345. 346 The acts of faith in this case 1. It teacheth that many and strong afflictions of long continuance are no more then necessary p. 346. 347 2. Faith in the greatest extremities suggesteth that we are vnder the hand of God who correcteth in measure and for our profit who hath determined the time and weight of our afflictions and by his blessing will turne them to our good p. 347. 348 3. Faith setteth a man about this worke that is seriously to make inquiry into his heart and wayes deeply to humble himselfe before God and feruently to intreat mercy for sinne past wisdome to make vse of present misery and fauour to be set free p. 349. 350 4. Faith raiseth the heart to expect abundance of mercie from God and through prayer and supply of the Spirit to reape profit and taste comfort answerable to the sorrowes it hath felt and endured p. 350. 351 Liuing by faith in times of tryall and visitation doth fit and pâ—epare the heart to thankefulnesse when light shall shine from on high and that so much the more as our afflictions haue beene the sharper p. 351 In affliction faith seemeth to be most weake and corruption most stirring 1. Many doubtfull thoughts ascend in Christians hearts partly because they know not that they are allowed to liue by faith in an afflicted state partly because they iudge amisse of their afflictions p. 351. 352 2. Gods physicke whilst it is driuing out corruption makes vs feele and complaine of it more then euer p. 352 3. In afflictions faith is tryed the sweetnesse of it is not so much felt ibid. 4. It is the office of faith to receiue the potion and further the kindly working of it which cannot be done vnlesse it stirre vp godly sorrow and wrestle painfully to driue out corruption p. 352. 353 Helpes to stirre vp faith in deepe afflictions when all meanes faile 1. Wee must lay open our sorrowes before the Lord and powre out our complaint before him pag. 353. 354 2. Confesse our sinnes with hatred and godly sorrow ibid. 3. Take vp our hearts for halting through vnbeliefe and call vpon them to rest in the promise of diuine aide assistance and deliuerance 354. 355 4. Importune the Lord and direct our supplications before him p. 355. 356 5. Quicken our resolution to trust in the Lord at all times euen when all refuge faileth p. 356 CHAP. VIII GOd hath made many promises of earthly blessings p. 357 In speciall the Lord promiseth length of dayes health strength wealth fauour peace joy good successe safety good Name and all these
God will prouide for vs in this life raise vp our bodies vnto life at the last day of Iudgement and bestow vpon vs that euerlasting kingdome and inheritance which he hath prepared p. 424. 425. 426 2. It is a seale of our dutie promised 1. It is a spurre to repentance and mortification p. 426 2. It is a prouocation vnto faith and a pledge thereof p. 426. 427 3. It is an incitement vnto new obedience a pledge thereof p. 427. 428 4. It is a pledge and pawne of loue and vnitie pag. 428 The new exercise of faith is requird in the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper ibid. The acts of faith in receiuing the Lords Supper 1. By it we discerne the Sacrament to be the holy Ordinance of God instituted for our speciall good and benefit sealing vnto vs the promises which God of his free mercy hath made in Iesus Christ p. 428. 429 2. By it wee see what the Lord doth offer vnto vs therein how excellent and pretious it is with what assurance it is freely tendered and may be receiued p. 429 3. It sharpeneth spirituall appetite and stirreth vp hungring and thirsting after Christ and his benefits ibid. 4. It earnestly contendeth for mercy confessing sin with griefe and hatred c. ibid. 5. By faith we receiue Christ offering himselfe freely to be contracted vnto vs. p. 429. 430 6. By faith we resigne vp our selues vnto Iesus Christ and willingly yeeld soule and body vnto him p. 430 7. Faith feedeth vpon Christ and sucketh vigour from him ibid. 8. Faith assureth of that spirituall contract which hath passed betwixt Christ and the Christian soule and is sealed in the Sacrament p. 430. 431 9. It stirreth vp ioy and thankefulnesse with serious remembrance of the manifold blessings which in Christ Iesus are vouchsafed p. 431. 432 Meanes to stir vp our selues to receiue the Lord Supper in faith 1. We must bewaile our vnbeliefe dulnesse earthly-mindednesse the distemper of our spirituall taste c. ibid. 2. Consider how freely the Lord doth tender Christ to be receiued in his Word and Sacrament ibid. 3. Weigh and consider the blessed state and condition of them who be reconciled vnto God c. p. 433 4. Hauing troth-plighted our selues to Iesus Christ vnfainedly we must awaken and rowse vp our soules to reioyce in him ibid. CHAP. XII THe faithfull are bound and it is behouefull for them to belieue the threatnings p. 434 The godly man is not slauishly to feare falling away or running into destruction but wisely to belieue the threatnings to preuent falling into sinne and so into condemnation ibid. 1. The threatnings are part of the Word of God ibid. 2. In the state of innocencie there was vse of threatnings so is there in the state of grace p. 434. 435 3. Promises and threatnings mingled fit our state and serue to keep the heart in the best temper ibid. The acts of faith in respect of the threatnings 1. It worketh humblenesse of mind and heart p. 435 2. It bringeth forth awfulnesse reuerence and feare p. 436 3. It stirreth vp continuall watchfulnesse to shunne whatsoeuer might breed danger or procure Gods displeasure p. 437 4. The threatnings mingled with faith cause sorrowfull melting or relenting of heart for sinne committed ibid. 5. When we see by faith from what miseries wee are deliuered of the free grace and mercie of God our hearts are enlarged in prayse thanksgiuing p. 437. 438 This life of faith is most excellent and comfortable for 1. By faith we are directed to seeke and follow after Christ till wee come to be assured that he dwelleth in vs as the fountaine of life and that in him we are deliuered from the guilt and punishment of all our sins p. 438 2. By this faith wee may come to sound rest and holy securitie about our saluation from time to time ibid. 3. If God lead vs into the darke by this faith we are enabled to hold him by the hand ibid. 4. Hereby the rage of sin is weakened and we haue grace to walke in newnesse of life and all the parts of it with ioy and chearefulnesse p. 439 5. By it we walke in our callings chearefully honestly painfully c. ibid. 6. This faith teacheth vs to pray at all times as our necessities require ibid. 7. If the affliction be very grieuous and of long continuance faith doth neither quaile nor cease to seeke helpe p. 439. 440 8. The life of faith shall end in ioy and comfort p. 440 9. He that hath learned to liue by faith shall also die in faith ibid. FINIS Errata PAge 3. l. 8. r. profession of faith p. 9. l. 23. more r. mere p. 22. l. 34 eased r. saued p. 44. l. 24. r. grace for p. 61. l. 1. r. distinction p. 67. l. 9. r faith receiueth p. 73. l. 26. l. 27. insert the more sincerely it worketh p. 75. l. 4 dele for p. 76. l. 30. r. confirmed p. 87. l. 36. dele themselues p. 91. l. 17. dele the p 92. l. 26. r. change p. 94. l. 3. r assured p. 96. l. 4 r. arise not l 26. r. with contrary effects p. 97 l 14. r. wauer as p. 104. l 24. r. they may be p. 116. l. 28. verde r. weede p. 118. l. 18. before thinke del I. p. 120. l. 4. liue r. lie p. 128. l. 11. r. faith yeeldeth p. 136. l. 13. r. this resting l. 36. r. possession of p. 143. l. 21. r. and receiueth p. 144 l. 18. r. seate faith p. 156. l. 5. r. liue in l. 7. r. how the Lord p. 174. l 12 r good will p. 175. l. 31. for r. or p 196. l. 31. r. walke heauily p. 201. l. 2 r. enliues it p. 221. r. But when the p 223. l 1. r. with a 1 p. 248. l. 26. 27. r. so long as p. 251. l. 5. r. deriueth p. 253. l. 9 10. r. resisteth p 292 l. 5. but r. we 296. l. 11. r. frowardnesse l. 17. r. are poore p. 302. betwixt l. 34. 35. insert after also of no strength p. 307. l. 23. we r. he p. 309. l 19. r. what might hurt him p. 313. l. 21. r. set open p. 315. l. 2 r. couering sin p. 328. l. 28 r would be 329 l. 4. vp r. vpon p. 344. dele from delight l. 6. to in l. 7. p. 345. l. 2. 3 r. persecuters p. 348. l. 9. r. such miseries p. 374. l 28 r. drinke and not be satisfied p. 393. l. 25. r. the Lord God p. 417. l. 29. r. It giueth p. 423. l. 14 r. the lauer p. 455. l. 10. r. tartnesse Errata in Margine PAge 4. de prae r. in prae p. 5. Acts 6. r. Acts 9. ibid r. preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ibid. r. particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 13. Heb. r. Hab. p. 34. Mat. r. Mal. p. 50 r. § Sanctus Augustinus p. 133. Iohn r. Jonah p. 139. r. 1. Pet. 1.5 p. 144. Iohn 24 r.
remission of sinnes by the merits of Christ and resting vpon Chrâ—st alone for saluation assuredly he receiueth forgiuenesse â—lthough he be vexed with scruples and temptations and want the assurance and perswasion in himselfe that his sinnes bee remitted For faith is necessary to saluation but full assurance that I do belieue in that sort is not of lâ—ke necessitie And if a man may belieue vnfainedly who is not fully assured that he doth so belieue then faith may be certain in the euent when it is not certaine to the sence of the Belieuer §. 3. Faith as it iustifieth is a resting vpon Christ to obtaine pardon Zanch. de redempt lib. 1. c. 13. tit de Fiducia col 282. Musc loc com de Remiss Meisner dec 3. pag. 329. Par. in Gal. cap. 2. lect 24. Idem de Iustif l. 1. cap. 10. lect 227. Albizius exercit theol ar 2. 8. ad 3. Hom. Of faith part 1. August conf art 4. art 20. Bohemic conf art 6. § 3. But what faith is necessarie to wit on mans part to Iustification Is it an assured perswasion of our particular election or that our sins be alreadie pardoned and forgiuen No It is one thing to rest on Christ obeying to the cursed death of the Crosse that I may obtaine pardon and life euerlasting from the grace of God which is the act of true beliefe required to Iustification another to belieue that I am one of Gods particular elect people and that my sinnes are pardoned and done away which is a priuiledge of grace granted to him who belieueth is sealed by the Spirit and knoweth assuredly that he belieueth It is not an action of Christian faith preuious or fundamentall to Iustification for a man to belieue himselfe to be one of Gods elect for wee come to know our election by the effects thereof as Faith Iustification Sanctification Wee must first reade the effects of Gods loue in our hearts and see that he hath wrought in vs the sauing graces of faith loue hope feare c. and sealed vs by the spirit of promise before we can come to know his eternall decree and purpose towards vs therefore the beliefe of our particular election is an act of faith following Iustification not precedent to it No man is iustified by belieuing himselfe to be Iust nor pardoned Gallican conf art 20. Belgic confes art 23. Bolton walking with God pag. 320. Pemble plea for Grace pag. 258. 259. 260. Rolloc de Iustificat Heming Syntagm Gradus ad conuersionâ—m 49. Gal. 4.6 Rom. 8.15 16. by belieuing that he is pardoned but if his beliefe be true he must be truly Iust before hee can or ought to belieue himselfe to be Iust and actually pardoned before hee can be assured that he is pardoned This is the order of spirituall blessings conferred vpon vs in Christ Faith is the band wherby wee are vnited vnto Christ after Vnion followeth Communion with him Iustification Adoption Sanctification be the benefits and fruits of Communion Being made sonnes by faith God sends forth the Spirit of his Sonne into our hearts crying Abba Father and this Spirit beareth witnes with our spirit that we are the children of God assurance or certaine perswasion that our sinnes be pardoned followes this witnesse of the Spirit as the fruit and effect thereof In which it is most manifest that faith in Christ is before Iustification in order of nature though not in time and Iustification is precedent to the sense feeling of remission and therefore that belief which is required on our part to IustificatioÌ„ cannot be an assurance that our sins be pardoned already vnles the same thing be before after it selfe a man be pardoned before he belieue or assured that he is pardoned before it bee granted or that act of faith which cannot be but in a person alreadie iustified must go before the pardon of sin Esa 1.16 17 18 Ezek. 18. â—1 Prou. 28.13 Math. 6.14 15. Acts 16.30 31. Iohn 6.29 11.25 Acts 10.43 Acts 16.18 The promise of remission of sinnes is conditionall and becommeth not absolute vntill the condition be fulfilled either actually or in desire and preparation of minde This is the word of grace Belieue in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt bee saued when doth this conditionall proposition become absolute when we belieue What that our sinnes are pardoned No but when we belieue in Christ to obtaine pardon which is the thing promised vpon condition of beliefe Assurance that our sinnes bee pardoned is concluded in a practicall Syllogisme thus He that truly belieueth in Christ hath obtained pardon of his sinnes But I belieue Therefore my sinnes are pardoned where assurance of the pardon of sinne is a conclusion drawne from a two-fold ground the one expressed in Scripture the other euident if true by the testimonie of the renewed conscience and presupposeth that hee belieueth and is assured that he doth belieue Now if assurance of remission be concluded from this ground that he belieueth and knoweth certainly that hee belieueth then the beliefe which is required on our parts to Iustification cannot be an assurance that our sins be washed away alreadie For if we take the word belieue for a perswasion that our sinnes are done away then the Syllogisme runneth thus He that is assured of the pardon of his sinnes his sinnes are pardoned But I am assured of the pardon of my sinnes therefore my sinnes are pardoned Faith receiueth the pardon of sinne as it is profered in the word of grace and groundeth it selfe solely and immediately vpon the promise of God in Iesus Christ But the ground whereupon a sinner in himselfe guiltie should build assurance that his sinnes are pardoned without some other act of faith comming betwixt the promise that assurance there is none The Gospell offereth pardon to the thirstie and burdened if hee will receiue it assureth them of pardon who haue embraced the promise but where shall wee finde ground whereupon the guiltie person who belieueth not to remission of sinnes may bee assured that his sinnes not actually pardoned are yet pardoned and blotted out of Gods remembrance Faith taketh the pardon presented to it in the word of promise and trauailing with it bringeth forth actuall remission of sinne which vpon our faith we receiue Assurance is not before pardon nor actuall remission before faith vnlesse the effect be before the cause and the same thing be both cause and effect To beâ—ieue in Christ to saluation is to receiue him Iohn 1.12 Heluet. confess art 15. But to receiue Christ as hee is offered vnto vs in the Gospell is not to be assured that our sinnes are alreadie pardoned in and through Iesus Christ but to rest vpon him for pardon Before the act of iustification faith hath for obiect this proposition concerning the future To mee belieuing my sinnes shall bee forgiuen but after the promise is receiued and pardon obtained Par de Iustific lib. cap.
10. it hath this proposition concerning the present or time past To me belieuing in Christ my sinnes are forgâ—ued And thus the horned argument of the Iesuite Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap 10. Sect. ratio secunda Idem de Eccl. lib. 4. cap. 11. §. Sectary nostri whereby he would proue the speciall mercie of God not to be the obiect of faith Iustifying and our doctrine in that point to b e grosse and absurd is easily vntied For thus he reasoneth Iustifying faith goeth before Iustification But faith in the speciall mercie of God followeth Iustification For hee that belieueth the pardon of his sinnes is either iust before or not iust if iust before then faith iustifyeâ—h not if vniust then belieuing that his sinnes bee pardoned he belieueth a lie Our answere is that speciall faith hath the sundrie acts but to this purpose specially two The first heartily to desire earnestly to thirst after D. Field of the Ch lib. 3. cap. 44 Bolton of walking with God pag. 321. 322. To belieue that my sinne is now forgiuen in Christ is rather an act of experience in a Belieuer now iustified then that beliefe which is required to Iustification P. Bayn Helpe to true Happines part 2. qu. 9. humbly to intreate for acceptation and confidently to rest vpon the promise of free remission The other comfortably to assure and perswade that that is granted which was desired and receiued in promise Faith by her first act obtaineth and receiueth pardon and doth not finde vs iust when wee begin to belieue by her second act shee doth not actually iustifie but finding the thing done certifyeth and assureth vs of it So then speciall faith in her first act is before Iustification and procureth obtaineth and receiueth pardon but then shee hath not the perswasion of it as alreadie done in her second act shee presupposeth the thing done and alreadie obtained and so truely perswadeth the belieuer of it but procureth not the doing of it Before Iustification faith seeketh and receiueth the promise of forgiuenesse after Iustification it comfortably assureth of the blessing obtained in both it hath for it obiect the speciall mercie of God in Christ Faith receiueth Christ offered in the Gospell and it perswadeth and assureth of pardon in Christ receiued both these bee the acts of faith sometimes expressed a Iustifiing faith hath some acts as a cause disposing preparing and fittiâ—g vs to the receit of that gracious sauour whereby God doth iustifie vs and other as a susceptiue cause receiuing embracing and enioying the same In the former respect faith consists not in a perswasion that wee are the sons of God but in the latter Feild appendex to the fifth Booke second part in the definition of Iustifying faith but if we speake of faith as it iustifyeth it peculiarly embraceth Christ with his benefits as he is profered in the word and Sacrament For faith which is required to Iustification is not a perswasion or knowledge of things alreadie possessed but a confidâ—nce of things promised and vpon belieuing to bee obtained which in the order of causes not in time doth goe before remission of sinnes Who knoweth not that we must belieue that we might be iustified Iustified I say and not certified of Iustification by the benefite of faith The Scripture is cleare Belieue and thou shalt be saued God iustifieth the circumcision by faith and the vncircumcision through faith Doe not these and many the like passages shew that Iustification and not onely the sense and manifestation of Iustification alreadie obtained doth depend on faith § 4. It may bee said we are iustified before in Gods decree Indeed whom God doth iustifie them he decreed to iustifie from all eternitie but whereas election is manifested by faith as by its effect iustification doth depend vpon faith as its cause and wee are iustified by faith as the instrument thereof For election is an act immanent and eternall §. 3. Act. 16.31 Rom. 3.30 but iustification transient and in time inferring some change in the person iustified not physiciall but morall in respect of state §. 4. whereby it comes to passe that the person is in another condition and account then he was before In briefe the act of faith preswading of the pardon of sinne alreadie obtained by belieuing and glorying in the sense of Gods mercie must bee distinguished from that act of faith which iustifieth and is a leauing or staying vpon Christ to obtaine remission the priuiledge of grace and comfort which comes to the soule by belieuing must be distinguished from the condition of the couenant which is required on our parts before wee can obtaine pardon This is the rather to be noted Fishers answere to certaine articles because the maine cauils of the papists against our doctrine touchâ—ng particular confidence in Gods mercie and certainetie of saluation are grounded vpon this surmise that wee make that faith which is an assured and certaine perswasion of our particular election iustificâ—tion and saluation to be the sole cause to wit on Mans part of Iustification whereas Iustification it selfe must goe before the assurance of it and such persons onely can haue true assurance and certaintie of their Iust fication election and Saluation who doe vnfainedly belieue and know assuredly that they belieue as they ought And it makes much for the comfort of many faithfull people who commit their soules vnto Christ Iesus and depend vpon him and no other for saluation who yet are much perplexed as if they had no faith nor could doe ought pleasing vnto God because they want this certaine assurance of the remission of their sinnes whereas if they had learned what it is to belieue vnto Iustification and trust vnto the promise for pardon they might for the present take comfort in this that notwithstanding their feare they relie vpon Christ â—nd commit their soules vnto God as to their faithfull Redeemer and might with more ease and speed grow vp vnto the desired comfort and assurance when they should distinctly perceiue and discerne the groundâ— of faith and assurance by what steps and degrees they must clime from the one vnto the other CHAP. VIII By faith a true belieuer may bee certaine and infallibly assuredly of the remission of his sinnes and eternall saluation §. 1. How Faith assureth of saluation § 1. IT is a Principle common amongst our Aduersaries that eueâ—y conclusion issuâ—ng from one proposition reuealed expressely in Scripture another clearely and certainely knowne otherwise and by euident and good consequent added vnto it b longs to faith and is belieued by no other habit then of faith As for example All the dead shall rise Peter is dead therefore Peter shall rise The conclusion is Theologicall and belongs to faith though it be not expressely written that Peter is dead or that he shall rise againe So it is in this present matter All that belieue shâ—ll bee saued this proposition is
42.3 Math. 12 2â— There is a state wherein faith is a smoaking weeke desiring that it could belieue rather then getting vp to feele it selfe belieue discouering it selfe by earnest sighes and groanes for mercie and hanging vpon Christ though the Belieuer can scarce tell whether hee rest vpon him or no This faith is certaine in euent but the Belieuer in this state is farre from particular assurance of his saluation Againe though faith bee not troubled but doe quietly stay on Christ and taste God good in letting them find peace with him yet such is the infancie of spirituall vnderstanding in Christians specially now first conuerted that they doe not returne into themselues and iudge of that they doe and of the great consequence of that they doe Hence it is that they will tell you they find God good to them and goe on chearefully in duties for the present but they come not to behold the stabilitie of their saluation The child liues before hee knowes that he doth liue and knowes he doth liue before he knowes the cause of life or the inheritance whereunto he is borne and so it may be and is with a Belieuer Psal 31.22 77.3 8 9 10. There is a state in which faith is exercised with temptations from vnbeliefe or otherwise by which opposition the soule is kept from obtaining this certaintie being encountred with doubtfull appearances which it cannot well answere and cleare for the present There is a state wherein faith is now growne vp and hath either out-wrestled or otherwise is exempted from knowing such temptations in which condition the faithfull doe perswade themselues Phil. 1.19 20. 2 Tim 4.18 that Gods mercie and truth and power shall carrie them through vnto saluation But when now our consciences shall come to testifie through faith and experience this happy estate we are subiect by neglecting meanes laying downe our watch giuing the reines to our lusts or by secret desertions ere-while to loose for a time this comfortable perswasion the Spirit not speaking in vs by his light as heretofore and our consciences and faith so hurt and wounded that the actions of them are troubled depraued as we see the like befalleth the naturall senses and reason Wee see through Melancholie what reason comes to imagine how that some should seeke to kill vs who neuer thought vs hurt How the eye thinkes it seeth things yellow and red when they are nothing so the taste things bitter when they are sweet So the sight of faith and conscience when nothing but sinne guilt wrath angry desertion ouer-lay it it seemeth to see euery thing for the time of like colour to those things wherewith it is possessed Thus sometimes the strong faith is shaken greatly and strongly assaulted so that he that vnspeakably reioyced in the saluation of the Lord by hastie cogitations is brought to say I am cast out of the sight of thine eyes Psal 31.22 And if faith escape these rockes may not yet a more serious examination of our wayes and through fight of our nakednesse imperfections and manifold transgressions the strength of our lusts the disorder of our passions our daily failings and that great weaknesse which in trials wee shall finde in our selues may not those things I say raise feare in the heart of a sound Belieuer as not altogether without the reach of possible danger without repentance and greater constancie in performing all Christian duties then hitherto he hath made proofe of specially if the apprehension of the multitude and hainousnesse of sinnes bee quickened by afflictions or the liuely cogitations of the terrors of the day of Iudgement Neuerthelesse as a childe affrighted runneth to the Father looking for defence and helpe of him euen so in the middest of all feares temptations difficulties and distresses faith is still running vnto God still importuning him calling vpon him expostulating with him casting it selfe still vpon him depending vpon his aide and expecting of him that things become otherwise then presently they are § 5. Thus faith of adherencie is stronger then faith of §. 5. euidence Faith of adherence stronger and more necessary then faith of euidence and beliefe in Christ for remission then assurance of pardon and forgiuenesse And as faith in Christ is stronger then particular certaintie of our saluation so it is it more necessary For beliefe in Christ is absolutely necessarie to remission of sinnes in all them that bee of age and discretion but assurance comes not at first when we belieue but by little and little as God seeth it requisite according to the triall he hath appointed to make of vs. Without faith in Christ as the onely authour of saluation and sole end of faith with whom our soules seeke perfect vnion it is impossible to please God no action though in it selfe neuer so good or holy is truly acceptable vnlesse it be quickened and enliued by this faith But many poore soules that want assurance of Gods speciall fauour are tenderly beloued of him as heires of saluation their good works accepted in Iesus Christ A Christian of an humble and broken spirit denying himselfe and renouncing the World belieuing that his sinnes are pardonable and earnestly desiring remission of sinnes by the merits of Christ resting vpon Christ alone for saluation and ioyning with this desire and affiance the sincere vnpartiall practice of obedience to all Gods Commandements according to that measure of grace which hee hath receiued without question he shall receiue the inheritance of eternall glorie although he may be scrupulous in himselfe wanting this perswasion and assurance that his sinnes are pardoned And yet because God hath commanded vs to labour for the perfection of all graces we are sure this must bee intreated for and haue a promise that it shall be granted as God seeth meete both for the time and measure of it §. 6. Infallible assurance of saluation may bee obtained § 6. That not only some vncertaine hope and dimme sight of Gods fauour but euen assurance is to be sought and may be obtained is thus manifest Faith may receiue what the Word doth testifie for the Word of God is the obiect of faith But there is a word testifying thus much that my particular person beholding the Sonne and belieuing on him shall haue eternall life and be raised vp at the last day that there is no condemnation to me being in Christ Acts 10.43 1 Thes 5.10 Luke 2 10 11. Esay 9.6 1. Iohn 3.15 Iohn 6.35 1. Iohn 5.10 13 Neither could Iohn with the faithfull belieue Gods loue towards them in particular if some word did not shew it For the Papists themselues will not say that all oâ— them were priuiledged with singular reuelation Our Aduersaâ—ies reply that there is no Word of God saying Cornelius belieue thou that thou shalt bee saued and where there is no word there is no faith for these two are relatiues This cauill is easily remoued for that cannot be
cause them to walke in my Statutes And though a man be weake feâ—ble and imperfect yet finding and feeling the worke of sanctification begun in him hee may be assured that hee who hath wrought this beginning of life will goe forward therewith vnto the end Our Sauiour Christ said to the young man in the Gospel Phil. 1.6 Math. 19.17 If thou wilt enter into life keepe the Commandements But that young Pharisee was ignorant of the Law and his owne estate rested in externall workes of righteousnesse and when he came to Christ was destitute of the true knowledge of the Messias Iohn 17.3 without which our Aduersaries will confesse there is no eternall life and so from their owne grounds it is absurd to imagine that Christ by these words did simply intend to direct him a way for the obtaining of eternall life by his owne workes or merits We grant the Law to which our Sauiour referred that young man to bee the rule of obedience according to which people in couenant ought to walke building their workes of righteousnesse vpon faiâ—h as the foundation and obedience issuing from faith vnfained to bee the way to eternall blisse We acknowledge also that no man can be assured of remission of his sinnes who doth not walke before God in vprightnesse and integritie but this vpright vnfained obedience is imperfect the effect of that faith which iustifieth Vpright walking is necesrie but not the cause of Iustification Psal 119.1 2. 1.1 2. Psal 32.1 2. not the cause of Iustification When the Scripture pronounceth them blessed that feare God keepe his Commandements and walke in the vndefiled way doth it not describe the person whose sinnes are couered in which stands his happinesse Our Sauiour hath taught vs plainly That except our righteousnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisies wee shall in no wise enter into the Kingdome of Heauen Math. 5 20. What righteousnesse doth hee here meane Inâ—erent or the righteousnesse of workes for he presseth an vniforme obseruation of all Gods Commandements The Scribes and Pharisees did as it seeme euen then calumniate him â—s they did afterward Paul and the Papists doe vs still as a destâ—oyeâ— of the Law because he reproued their confidence in workes and sought to establish the doctrine of faith which now we teach Needfull in this respect was that caueâ—t I thinke not that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets Verse 17. Math. 5.17 I am not come to destroy but to fulfill them And in these words as our Sauiour rendreth a reason why he that breaketh any of those Commandements which the Scribes and Pharisees counted the least shall bee counted least in the kingdome of Heauen Verse 19. so he maketh passage to the exposition of the law in the verses following where hee cleares it from the corrupt glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees And it is to be noted that he saith Verse 20. not Except your righteousnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the Law and Prophets but except it exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees to wit that righteousnes which they taught and practiced who made none account of some commandements which they called the least vrged only an externall obseruation of the Law according to the letter without any respect of inward pietie and maimed and mâ—ngled the word as pleased themselues The sentence therefore must bee vnderstood of inherent righteousnesse whence the necessitie of good workes is strongly concluded The faith that iustifieth is liuely and operatiue euer conioyned with an affection of pietie and obsequious disposition as powerfull to bring forth deeds of mercie as to make firme and faithfull application of Christs righteousnesse or conceiue sure trust of Gods mercie offered in him Now what is required in faith that it may iustifie of necessitie it must goe before assurance of pardon and forgiuenesse True it is then that without inherent holinesse no man can be assured of his acquittance from sinne but if we enquire into the true cause of absolution it is the sole grace and mercie of God in Iesus Christ embraced by a true and liuely faith Doth this any thing preiudice Christian assurance that without true and sincere obedience at least without a promptitude apâ—nesse inclination and resolution to doe good workes and walke in obedience there can bee no â—ssurance No For the belieuer relieth not vpon his workes though hee exercise himselfe therein with all diligence and though hee know well that hee comes infinitely short of what God commandeth and bewaile his daily failings and sees hee hath need to renew his purpose and resolution to better his obedience and condemnes the imperfections that hee espieth more and more in himselfe yet it is not impossible to be assured of the truth and vprightnesse of his heart and sincere though imperfect desire and endeuour to walke with God which as the fruit of the Spirit and effect of faith doth euidence his reconciliation with God For hee that feareth God and walketh in his wayes in the perfect and vndefiled way is iustified from sin And he that knowes 1. Iohn 1.3 4. â—hat he walketh before God in truth and with a perfect â—â—a t may certainly conclude from this fruit of the Spiâ—it that his sinnes are pardoned § 11. I might adde §. 11. that the faithfull are sealed by the Spirit and by the same Spirit are enabled to cry Abba Father What infirmities may stand with assurance whereby they are assured of the pardon of their sâ—nnes but I will shut vp this matter briefly shewing what infirmities may stand with assurance of faith and what sinnes cannot that Christians may bee directed the better to make triall of their estate 1. Iohn 1.7 If we say we haue fellowship with him and walke in darknesse we liue and doe n t the truth and if we say that we such as Iohn then was regenerate and in the state of grace haue no sin Verse 8. we deceiue our selues and the truth is not in vs. Euen such then as walke in the light and haue fellowship with God are sinners Prou. 20.9 Ecles 7.2 1. Iohn 3.9 and not iust or perfect in themselues Who can say his heart is cleane there is no man iust who sinneth not and yet the Apostle is bold to affirme That hee that is bâ—rne of God sinneth not The iust then transgresse the Law and so are sinners but they make not a trade of sin or profession of iniquitie and so are not law-breakers or transgressours And this the Apostle plainly teacheth saying Iames 2.10 Euery one that hath this hope of being the Sonne of God doth purge himselfe as he is pure 1. Iohn 3.3 not according to the measure of his puritie or perfection but according to the truth in habit becomes like vnto him as on the contrarie he that commits sinne 1. Iohn 3.8 that is is a crafts-master of iniquitie
hand of Herod How much more ought and will that man who is assured of Gods fauour and loue towards him for euer admire the mightie power vnspeakeable goodnes and rich mercie of God who hath deliuered him from the pit of Hell from the power of Satan from the curse of the law and from the waiting for of all the wicked Deuils and damned Spirits and hath translated him into the kingdome of his deare Sonne And if hee daily consider his vnworthines and and renued sinnes hee shall see more cause to wonder euery day then at the first if comparison may be made in such a case and to renue his repentance care watch and resolution to better his obedience For is it not to be wondred at that God pardoneth the sinnes of his children daily and continueth his mercie towards them and the sence of his loue euen vnto the end Who can thinke vpon his slippes and infirmities which breake from him euery day for which the wrath of God is iusty prouoked against him and withall remmeber how God is pleased to spare him to grant him accesse into his presence and to afford vnto him the sence of his loue but he must needs be astonished at the enioyment of so great and incomprehensible so large and long-enduring kindnesse his heart must bee enflamed with loue and enlarged in praises still more and more his affections raised to striue against sinne and set vpon the workes of holinesse and righteousnes wherevnto they are designed euery day more and more Assurance of sauation then doth not beget securitie but quickeneth to more sincere setled and constant obedience nor it is possible that a Christian should hold his assurance longer then he doth follow cherish and feed this heauenly affection in himselfe CHAP. IX Faith is grounded vpon the word of God not vpon the authoritie of the Church and resteth vpon God in Christ not vpon the Saints militant or triumphant §. 1. § 1. TThe Schoolemen diuide the obiect of faith into the materiall obiect and into the formall The materiall are the Articles or things belieued The formall is the foundation and last maine principle whereupon faith relieth or that whereinto the assent which yeeldeth vnto the matter belieued is resolued In which sence the obiect of faith is all one with the foundation or ground work of it But howsoeuer we vnderstand it whether for the maine reason last resolution of assent or for that whereupon our confidence leaneth relyeth resteth the authoritie of the Church cannot be the ground nor the Saints tryumphant the obiect of faith diuine The Authoritie of the Church cannot be the ground of faith 1. Thess 2.13 2. Tim. 3.16 We belieue that God hath his Church but we neither belieue in the Saints militant nor triumphant The ground or foundation of faith must bee some thing which is purely and simply diuine admixt with no errour yea subiect to no errour the indubitate word and reuelation of Christ the diuine and prime veritie reuealed by inspiration But the word of God alone is purely and simply diuine admixt with no errour the Church is subiect to errour neither hath it any truth immediately or by diuine inspiration Rom. 11.20 but by second meanes the authoritie of the Church is a thing create distinct from the first veritie The immortall seed whereby wee are regenerate and made faithfull is the onely formall principle or ground of faith The word of God alone is that immortall seed Therefore the word of God alone 1. Pet. 1.13 is the onely formall principle of faith And euen as in Husbandrie although diuers instruments and meanes bee requisite and necessary to wit plowing sowing c. yet the seed is the beginning and sole immediate cause of the graine spinging vp euen so in the spiritual plantation of faith in which our soules are liuing fields the immortall seed which the Apostles first preached and afterwards committed to writing produceth faith as the sole principle immediate motiue and formall obiect of faith as the ministerie authoritie and calling of the Church produce the same as the adiuvant and instrumentall cause or as the meanes of applying the word and seales thereof but not as the first principle Whatsoeuer credit the Church hath it receiueth the same from the Scriptures as is acknowledged by some of our principall Aduersaries and confirmed by the Apostle who saith Ephes 2.20 We are built vpon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles The present faith of Christians is of the same kind with the faith of the Prophets and Apostles But the faith of these holy men was sounded vpon immediate diuine reuelation and not vpon the authoritie of the Church § 2. Herein the Romanists faith differs from the faith of ancient Christians for the Saints who liued of olde grounded their faith vpon the pure and faithfull Word of God § 2. The Papists make the Popes authoritie the only ground of Faith as vpon a sure foundation but the authoritie of the Pope whom they call the Church virtuall is the first ground and last resolution of the Romanists faith Indefinitely or indeterminately they teach whatsoeuer God hath spoken is most true in that sence wherein hee meâ—nt it But if we descend to any determinate speeches written or vnwritten either acknowledged or supposed for God Word the present Romish Church doth take vpon her absolutely to iudge of all and euery part of them If wee speake of that Canon of Scripture which wee haue the sence or interpretation of any text any article of faith concluded out of it the onely cause they doe or can belieue them infallibly is the Popes infallibilitie that commends them The Churches or Popes proposall is not only a condition requisite but the remonstratiue root the immediate cause and reason of their belieuing diuine reuelations And if it bee a reason why they belieue them and sway the minde to embrace the truth then it is the proper efficient cause of beliefe According to their doctrine the orthodoxall answere to this Interrogation Why doe you belieue the doctrine of the Trinitie to be a diuine Reuelation is because the Church proposeth it to me for such But he that admits this answere for sound and Catholike and yet den es the Churches proposall to bee the true and proper cause of his beliefe in the former point hath smothered the light of nature by admitting too artificiall subtiltie into his braines Whatsoeuer it be Cause Condition Circumstance or effect that truly satisfieth this demand Why doe you belieue this or that it is a true proper cause of our beliefe though not of the thing belieued We must here obserue that there is a twofold resolution One of the things or matters belieued or knowne into theâ—r first parts or elements Another of our beliefe or perswasions concerning them into their first causes or motiues In the one the most generall or remotest cause In the other the most immediate
faith there can bee no want of any thing that is good For how can hee lacke any good thing who hath God for his Father Christ his Sauiour the holy Ghost his sealer and Comforter the Angels to guard him Heauen his inheritance who hath Gods faithfull promise confirmed by oath and seale to secure him of all things needfull grace comfort and earthly blessings and is kept by the power of God vnto saluation But here it must be obserued that faith doth not effect and performe these things by any excellencie force or efficacie of it owne aboue other graces but in respect of the office wherunto it is assigned in the Couenant of grace It is a cause onely Instrumentall and that is atributed vnto it which the principall cause worketh Faith iustifies not as an act or qualitie but as it receiueth Christ faith purifieth not the heart of it selfe but as it is the instrument whereby the Spirit worketh Whatsoeuer wee are made by faith wee are made it in Christ and whatsoeuer faith makes to bee ours it is also in Christ Therefore faith maketh not God to be our God but in Christ nor vs the children of God but in Christ And whatsoeuer grace is wrought in the heart of any man it is the gift of God the worke of the holy Ghost but faith is the Instrument whereby the Spirit doth more renue and purifie our hearts § 2. Of all creatures onely Man is capable of sauing or iustifying faith §. 2. Of all creatures Man only is capable of Iustifying faith 2. Pet. â— 4 not the blessed Angels who neuer sinned nor the euill Angels who are shut vp in prison and reserued in chaines of darkenes against the day of iudgement The Saints in glory doe inioy immediate fellowship and communion with God by sight and know most perfectly and most clearely But the light of Iustifying faith which doth include and suppose imperfection pertaineth to this life in which we are in the way mouing to perfection not yet attained vnto perfect vision So that faith is proper vnto Man in this life in his iourney towards his perfect home and eternall habitation but all men are not enriched with this precious gift of mercie and rare iewell of grace All men haue not faith 2. Thes 3. â— Isay 53.1 Math. 11.25 and 13.11 Rom. 9.18 Many are not so much as outwardly called the sound of the Gospell hath not reached vnto them many that heare vnderstand not bee not affected with the truth and in some that be affected the word takes not kind rooting is not well planted Those to whom faith is giuen are described to be the elect of God the sheepe of Christ Tit. 1 1. Act. 13.48 Rom. 11.5 Ioh. 10.11.15.26 Ioh. 6.37.39 and 20.39 and 17.2.6 Math. 1.21 and 18.11 and to bee giuen of the Father vnto Christ The subiect of Iustifying faith is man a sinnner called according to the purpose of God acknowledging his offences and hungring and thiâ—sting after mercie For none but a sinner can acknowledge Christ for his Sauiour for he is the Sauiour of sinners Faith in Christ for remission of sinnes is necessarie for them onely who haue offended but euery sinner cannot belieue euery one is not fit to receiue the promise of mercy The enimies of the Gospell of Christ worldings hypocriâ—es and all in whom sinne raigneth can haue no true faith in Christ Math. 11.28 Mark 1.15 hee onely is fit to embrace mercy who knoweth that hee is lost in himselfe and vnsatiably desires to be eased of the heauie burden of his sinnes Faith is not a worke naturall but supernaturall not of nature but of grace not of the power of our free-will but of the efficacie of Gods Spirit whereby we answere to the effectuall call of God and come vnto him that we might be pertakers of life eternall 1. Iohn 5.1 Iohn 1.12.13 Ioh 6 44. The infusion of faith is necessarily precedent to the act of faith and grace to belieue is giuen before we lay hold vpon Christ And if sauing-effectuall calling bee precedent to faith the subiect of liuing faith is man sauingly called according to the purpose of Gods will We can teach no faith to saluation but according to the rule of Christ Repent and belieue the Gospell Mar. â— 15. Luk. 24.47 Act. 2.37.38 no remission of sins but according to the like rule But faith seeketh and receiueth pardon as it is profered in the word of grace Repentance is necessarie to the pardon of sinne as a condition without which it cannot bee obtained Luk. 13.3 1. Ioh. 1.9 Act. 11.18 not as a cause why it is giuen If mercie should bee vouchsafed to all indifferently the grace of God should be a boulster to Mans sinne there should bee no difference betwixt the iust and vniust the penâ—tent and obstinate Faith comes to Christ as an humble penitent petitioner suing to the throne of grace for what is promised in the Gospell and it receiueth according to the promise of mercie §. 3. Faith resideth both in Minde and Will § 3. The seate of faith is the heart but the heart contrite humbled bewailing sinne denying it selfe and affected with desire of remission of sinnes As the stomake is the place in which meate is receiued but it is necessarie it bee desirous of meate So the heart is the place where remission of sinnes is receiued and felt but it must be an heart desirous of and thirsting after pardon With the heart man belieueth Rom. 10.10 Act. 8.37 2. Pet. 1.19 Act. 16.14 If the Mind and will bee two distinct faculties of the soule then iustifying faith is resident in both but principally in the will because it assenteth to diuine reuelation as true and embraceth the promises as much better then any contrarie good the world the Diuell or flesh can present to preuent our choice of what it prescribeth for our sauing health For the word of promise not onely containing truth but offering good vnto vs cannot fully be receiued with the vnderstanding but the will also must moue towards it And so faith is not onely a knowledge or assent in the Minde but a godly affection in the will which doth goe to embrace rest vpon Christ or the grace offered in Christ Therefore the nature of faith is described by words which signifie to stay and rolle our selues vpon God to lâ—ane on him as one would leane vpon a staffe and by faith we come vnto Christ and receiue him It is obiected that one and the same vertue or grace cannot be in distinct powers and faculties of the soule Bellar. de Iustif l 1. cap. 6. Haec Philosophia nor faith in distinct subiects Whereunto seuerall answers are made First that one and the same thing in diuers respects may be referred to diuers subiects as these subiects are not altogether seperated but conioyned amongst themselues So friend-ship is one morall vertue and yet in the Minde and
8.13 but they must not for some imperfections cast downe themselues halfe desperately as though God regarded them not or they should wither and vtterly decay For as the drie and thirstie ground or spunge sucketh vp much water so the humble spirit drinkes vp much grace and shall be replenished abundantly with the waters of comfort And if their portion of grace be the smallest of all others they must striue to grow forward but without discouragement For of small beginnings come great proceedings of one little sparke a mightie flame of a small Acorne a mightie Oake of a graine of Mustard-seed a great tree and a little leauen seasoneth the whole lumpe All feares and doubts which arise in their hearts must driue them to send vp earnest prayers to God daily and oft for this grace of faith to bee more firmely rooted in them which they must doe willingly anâ— gladly that they may feele their doubting and feare to vanish as fast as they perceiue their hold in the promises of God to waxe stronger § 14. Satan beares many in hand that their manifold crosses and troubles in the world §. 14. 15. They are many wayes crossed and afflicted and their want of outward blessings is an argument of Gods displeasure towards them This was the fierie dart which he by the mouthes of Eliphas Bildad and Tzâ—phar yea of his owne wife did shoote at Iob against all which if hee had not held out the shield of faith he had beene pierced through and through And we see by daily experience that when a godly Man is crossed in his wife children goods reputation these outward afflictons are often great occasions of deadly sorrowes and grieuous temptations touching the assurance of his owne saluation The remedy is To thinke seriously and to acquaint our selues familiarlie with the properties of God the truth Remedie vnchangeablenesse and nature of his promises Outward crosses are no arguing of Gods displeasure Iob. 5.17 Pro. â— 12 Iam. 1.12 Heb. 12.7.8.9.10 11.12 and the manner of his dealing with others of his seruants in his wonderfull prouidence For thereby we shall learne that God doth loue tenderly when he doth correct seuerely and remaineth vnchangeable when our outward condition doth varie and alter yea that all his Chastisements are but purgatiue medicines to preuent or cure some spirituall disease which hee seeth wee are inclined vnto Should God neuer minister physicke till we see it needfull desire to take it or bee willing of it alas wee should perish in our corruptions and die for want of helpe in due time It is good to humble our selues when god correcteth but to doubt of his loue when he dealeth louingly with vs is a great weaknesse Also we should call to minde that God allowes yea requires that men in affliction should liue by faith both for a sanctified vse in them and a good issue out of them in due season And so afflictions or earthly encumbrances would bee no meanes to weaken our faith but to increase it rather § 15. Some godly persons by the subtle and cruell malice of the Deuill are brought to this bondage §. 15. 16. They are strongly possessed with feare that God hath vtterly cast them off that they are perswaded that they are vtter reprobates and haue no remedy against their desperation And this temptation enough of it selfe to shake and terrifie the afflicted is made farre more grieuous when Melancholie possesseth the partie for that raiseth excesse of distrust and feare and causeth the partie to perswade himselfe of miserie where there is no cause In this weakenes Satan assailes such poore seruants of God by spirituall suggestion tempting them to such sinnes as be very strange and such as they abhorre the very least conceit of them and when by such temptations they are brought low in the anguish and bitternes of their soules the Deuill laboureth especially to dimme their knowledge and iudgement that they may haue no sure hold of any point of doctrine which may soundly comfort them that so he may as a roaring Lyon deuoure them speedily And when hee hath couered their hearts with darkenes and brought them into a dreadfull feare of Gods wrath hee holdeth them at this vantage that euery thing which is before them is made matter to encrease their distressed estate For the stay and comfort of such distressed soules How Christians in this distresse and anguish are to be comforted they are to be perswaded that they bee not vnder the wrath of God neither is his anger kindled against them for all the feare that oppresseth them when their estate is in their owne feeling at the worst because they haue not sinned against the holy Ghost nor malitiously set themselues against the truth and Gospell of God nor persecuted it wilfully against knowledge and conscience which one sinne onely is able to shut them out from all hope of saluation And here they must beware they make no more sinnes of that kinde then God himselfe hath pronounced to be of that sort for in these matters that concerne Gods Religion euen the perfection of our wisdome is but folly much more our sicke braines and melancholicke vnderstanding is to be remoued farre from handling such holy things And seeing their consciences doe beare them witnesse how much these temptations are repugnant to their desires and liking how gladly they would be freed and deliuered from them how grieuous and burdensome they are vnto them and chiefly raised by Satan who abuseth their simplicitie therefore there is no cause why they should bee so discouraged or out of heart no more then one that hath had a fearefull dreame when he awaketh Moreouer they are with all earnestnesse to be put in minde yet with the spirit of meeknesse and compassion and to consider how much it doth displease God that they are remoued from their faith and haue giuen place to conceits and spirits of errour contrarie to the most cleare and comfortable promises made them that thirst repent feare and loue the Lord tremble at his word are broken-hearted c. Rom. 8.28 Iames 1.12 Esay 66.2 And therefore they should gather more godly boldnesse and confidence in God on the one side and more courage and strength against Satan on the other side For if God call and incourage vs to trust and relie vpon him and we standing in need thereof would most gladly embrace his promises made in Christ Iesus who is hee that should hinder vs The Scripture speaking of the malice of Satan in tempting and assailing Christians biddeth them Bee strong and of good courage Ephes 6.10 12. 1. Pet. 5.8 9. resist strong in the faith Sathan tempteth them to ouerthrow their faith and by giuing place to feares and doubts they aduantage the enemie against their soules but let them take occasion by the temptation to draw nigh vnto God and rowse vp themselues more confidently to rest and waite vpon the Lord so shall they please
grace as well as any benefite tending thereunto As we are iustified by faith so wee are saued by faith Eph. 2.8 not in respect of present saluation or redemption whereof here we are pertakers but in respect of glorification to come in due time to be reuealed Belieue on the Lord Iesus Act. 16.31 and thou shalt hee saued By faith wee haue accesse into this grace Rom. 5.2 wherein wee stand and reioyce in the hope of glory When the Apostle saith With the heart Man belieueth vnto righteousnesse Rom. 10.10 and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation Hâ—e doth not so distinguish these two as if faith were the cause of righteousnes confession of saluation or as if faith were sufficient to righteousnes but not to saluation for hee had often said Rom. 4 16. that wee are saued by faith that the promise is by faith But he describes the qualification of that faith which iustifyeth and saueth namely that it is a stedfast affiance that flyeth to God by heartie supplication and breaketh forth into profession of Gods name The promise is Rom. 10.11 Whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be saued and faith herein flyeth to the throne of grace with ardent supplications and layeth hold of saluation promised of grace Secondly Faith doth not begin to apprehend life and then leaue it it to works that we might attain the accoÌ„plishment by theÌ„ but it doth euer rest vpon the promise vntill we come to enioy it Heauen is an inheritance freely vouchsafed to the adopted sonnes of God whose interest vnto it commeth by belieuing not by working Rom. 6.23 The gift of God is eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord if it be a gift of meere fauour it cannot be of workes Eph. 2.8.9.10 Gal. 3.18 If the inheritance be of the Law it is no more of promise but God gaue it to Abraham by promise And that which God will doe about his children in the day of iudgement is called mercy 2. Tim. 1.18 The Lord shew mercy to Onesiphorus in that day The immediate cause of life is Gods grace as the immediate cause of death is sin Rom. 5.21 But if life be of grace it is by faith We are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation 1. Pet. 1.5 So that our faith neuer giues ouer till wee come to bee actually possessed of the immortall and vndefiled inheritance reserued for vs in Heauen Thirdly By faith we receiue the promised Spirit as the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the purchased possession Gal. 3.14 Because ye are sonnes God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts crying Ezek. 34.29 Gal. 4 6. Rom. 8.15 Abba Father The holy Ghost doth first infuse the grace of faith into our hearts whereby we belieue but belieuing and being made the sonnes of God wee receiue the Spirit more fully and manifestly dwelling in vs to sanctification and assurance of our Redemption By the benefite of the holy Ghost faith springeth in vs by which faith the abundance of the selfe-same spirit is increased and so of a greater faith is still made a greater increase of the Spirit In whom after yee belieued Ephe. 1.13 yee were sealed with the Spirit of promise He that belieueth Iohn 7.38 out of his belly shall flow riuers of liuing water And these gifts of the Spirit which we receiue by faith from Christ our Head are the beginnings of that glorious life we expect and looke for one in substance different in degrees and according to the measure of grace receiued so is the life of glory begunne in vs. Fourthly Faith in the promises of euerlasting life leadeth forward in the pathes of peace and righteousnes It mortifyeth corruption studyeth holinesse Math. 6.21 raiseth the heart to things aboue and directeth the conuersation according to the pollicie of the new Ierusalem Life eternâ—ll is not giuen for workes but it is the good pleasure of God that his children should be holy and exercise themselues in all good workes Rom. 8.13 Gal. 6.8 If yee through the Spirit doe mortifie the deeds of the body yee shall liue He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reape life euerlasting Blessed are the pure in heart Math. 5 8. for they shall see God Follow peace with all men and holinesse Heb. 12.14 without which no man shall see the Lord. Charge them that be rich in this world that they bee not high minded nor trust in vncertaine riches but in the liuing God who giueth richly all things to inioy That they doe good that they be rich in good workes ready to distribute willing to communicate 1. Tim. 6.17.18.19 Laying vp in store for themselues a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternall life But yee beloued building vp your selues in your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost keepe your selues in the loue of God Iude verse 20.21 Iam. 1.12.25 Math. 35.34.35 looking for the mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ vnto eternall life Come yâ—e blessed of my Father inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world For I was hungred and yee gaue mee meate c. These and such like passages of Scripture shew not the cause why but the qualification of the persons vnto whom not how it is deserued but what doth precede the bestowing of life eternall And faith that looketh for that blessed hope and layeth hold vpon the promise of that heauenly and incorruptible inheritance lifteth vp the heart into Heauen kindleth loue inflameth with zeale encourage h against difficulties and inciteth to run the way of Gods Commandements If probable hope of great aduantage drawes on the Merchant to vndertake a long and tedious voyage by Sea notwithstanding the many casualties and perils wherewith it is beset faith in the assured promises of God concerning saluation will set a man forward in his Christian iourney hold hâ—m on in his way with courage and chearefulnesse and hearten him to the workes of godlinesse notwithstanding the temptations of Satan the allurements of the world or oppositions of the flesh to the contrarie Phil. 3.20 Our conuersation is in Heauen from whence also wee looke for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus Christ Col. 1.3.4.5 Wee giue thankes to God and since wee heard of your faith in Christ Iesus and of the loue which yee hau to all the Saints For the hope which is laid vp for you in Heauen Heb. 11.13 14.15.16 By faith Abraham Isaâ—c and Iacob confessed that they were pilgrimes and strangers on the earth and hauing oportunitie would not returne into their owne countrey because they desired a better countrey that is an heauenly Fiftly It seeketh to get our title confirmed and assured to the conscience by euidence and earnest or pawne it exerciseth it selfe vpon the
delight This is a true saying The charter anciently giuen by that great Lord of all at our first conuersion touching the vse of his creatures was forfeited into the hands of the Doner by Adams fall But it is restored and renewed by Christ to them who aâ—e honoured with the Adoption The heires of heauen are the right inheritors of the earth The Sonnes of God by Adoption are Brethren and Coheires with Christ whom the Father hath appointed heire of all things Rom. 8.17 and hence ariseth vnto them the holy vse of â—he creatures Heb. 1.2 and ministerie of the Angells Are chastisements needfull or behooffull for them Iere. 46.28 Esay 54.8 Heb. 12.10 11. Ier. 24.5 Esay 27.9 Psal 89.31.32 1. Pet 4.14 Rom. 8.28 Acts of Faith that arise from the priuiledges of the godly He will correct them in measure for a moment fâ—r good to take away sinne but his louing kindnesse he will not take from them nor suffer his faithfulnesse to faile Are they loaded with reproaches for righteousnesse sake The Spirit of glorie and of God shall rest vpon them In a word whatsoeuer may happen All things shall worke together for the best vnto them And seeing God hath prepared and promised such excellent priuiledges vnto his children in this life hence it is that faith resteth vpon his grace to receiue from him whatsoeuer may be good and profitable for them O how great is the goodnesse which thou hast laid vp for them that feare thee Psal 31.19 which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sonnes of men Verse 20. Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man thou shalt keepe them secretly in a pauilion Psal 36.7 from the strife of tongues How excellent is thy louing kindnesse O Lord therefore the children of men put their trust vnder the shadow of thy wings verse 8. They shall bee abundantly satisfied with the fulnesse of thy house and thou shalt make them drinke of the riuer of thy pleasures The Lord is my shepheard Psal 23.1 I shall not want He shall leade his flocke like a shepheard he shall gather the lambes with his arme Esay 40 11. and cary them in this bosome and shall gently lead those that are with young What can they want Psal 146.5 6 7 8 9. Leuit. 26.12 2. Cor. 6.16 Prou. 10.24 Esay 49.15 16. Deut. 14.2 who haue god to be their Father to prouide for them and protect them to blesse them and dwell with them to succour them and supply them with all needfull blessings spirituall and bodily in fittest season whose eare is open to their desires whose compassions exceed the tendernes of a mother to her sucking babe who hath chosen them to be his owne proper good which he loueth and keepeth in store for himselfe and for speciall vse Thou Israel art my seruant Iacob whom I haue chosen the seed of Abraham my friend Esay 41 8 9. Thou whom I haue taken from the ends of the earth and called thee from the chiefe men thereof and said vnto thee Thou art my seruant I haue chosen thâ—e and not cast thee away Feare thou not for I am with thee Verse 10. bee not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will vphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse Verse 17. When the poore and needie seeke water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will heare them I the Lord of Israel will not forsake them Verse 18. I will open riuers in the high places and fountaines in the midst of the valleyâ—s I will make the wildernesse a poole of water and the dry land springs of water Secondly It petitioneth instantly for succour For it seeth in God whatsoeuer it needeth or desireth and will neuer cease to seeke reliefe The more confident it is to obtaine the more importunate it will bee in suing Oile put to the fire causeth the flame to ascend and the promises of helpe and succour receiued by faith put life and vigour into the petitions of faith Heare O Lord Psal 27.7 8. Verse 9. when I cry with my voice haue mercy also vpon mee and answere me Hide not thy face farre from me put not thy seruant away in anger thou hast beene my helpe leaue me not neither forsake me O God of my saluation Vnto thee wiâ—l I cry Psal 28.1 2. O Lord my rocke be not silent to me lest if thou be silent to me I become like them that goe downe into the pit Heare the voice of my supplications when I cry vnto thee when I lift vp my hands towards thy holy Oracle With-hold not thou thy tender mercies from me O Lord Psal 40.11 let thy louing kindnesse and thy truth continually preserue me Thirdly It receiueth earthly blessings as gifts of the couenant and part of his childes portion God vouchsafeth outward things to wicked men of common bountie but to his children the blessings of this life bee tokens of his loue and speciall good-will and so receiued and embraced by faith For substance the gift is one both to the Iust and vniust but in respect of the cause possession and vse there is great difference which is discerned by faith though it cannot be seene with the eye Hosea 2.20 21 22. I will euen betroth thee vnto me in faithfulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. And it shall come to passe in that day I will heare saith the Lord I will heare the Heauens and they shall heare the Earth and the Earth shall heare the Corne and the Wine and the Oile and they shall heare Iezreel Fourthly Faith in these and the foresaid promises doth greatly enlarge the heart towards God and stirreth vp to a serious and earnest studie of holinesse If a Christian be much in the meditation of Gods singular goodnesse towards him euery manner of way aboue all that he could possibly aske or thinke it will euen constraine him to yeeld vp himselfe wholy vnto God in all manner of godly conuersation Psal 26.2 3. Examine me O Lord and proue me try my reines and my heart For thy louing kindnesse is before mine eyes and I haue walked in thy truth Fiftly It doth inwardly quiet and cheere the heart in the midst of manifold outward discouragements troubles and persecutions in the world Hope of glorie in due time to be reuealed and of continuall supply of all good th ngs from God in the meane space to bee freely giuen will stâ—blish the heart with strong consolation and cause in outward pâ—ofession of Ioy to the glory of God the encouragement of other faithfull people and the amazement of the wicked Heb. 10.34 This is to bee seene in the liues and deaths of Gods faithfull seruants who tooke ioyfully the spoiling of their goods knowing in themselues that they had
promised Awake my soule why sleepest thou arise and lay hold vpon the promises of life which God of his great mercy in Iesus Christ doth offer vnto thee in the Gospell Be not dismayed by reason of thine vnworthinesse for the promise is of grace freely offered and freely giuen to them that be most vnworthy in their owne eyes Thou art vnworthy of the least crumme of mercy but of his rich mercie God hath made promise of highest aduancement vnto thee 2. Cor. 6.18 if thou wilt embrace it I will be a Father vnto you and ye shall be my sonnes and daughters saith the Lord Almighty He that ouercommeth shall inherit all things And I will be his God he shall be my sonne Apoc. 21.7 Rom. 9.26 And it shall be in the place where it was said vnto them ye are not my people that there they shall be called the children of the liuing God Life eternall is giuen of grace not sold for works receiued by faith not purchased by desert and the more worthlesse thou art in thy owne lowly conceit the more shal the grace of God be magnified in thine exaltation Christ hath purchased righteousnesse euerlasting life belieue in him and liue for euer The Son of God debased himselfe to become the Sonne of Man Gal 4 4 5. Phil. 2.7 8. and to be made vnder the law that he might redeeme vs that were vnder the Law that wee might receiue the Adoption of sonnes Oh the bountifulnesse and loue of God to man Titus 3 4. by so great a price to purchase so high a dignity that we shold bee called the Sonnes of God and bee pertakers with Christ of all his glorie in his Fathers kingdome O my soule why art thou so dull and sluggish Wherefore dost thou not put forth thy selfe to embrace and receiue such an inestimable benefit If the worth of things may be measured by their price well then may the Sonship of true Belieuers be valued at the highest rate Who can sufficiently admire the dignitie of this estate to be the Sonne of God which could not bee procured saue only by this infinite price the making of him become nothing by whom God in the beginning made euery thing It is esteemed a matter of great honour to be the seruant of the Prince in some speciall place of eminencie in the Common-wealth How doe men seeke and sue for such Offices how do they reioyce when their desires are accomplished But there is no comparison betwixt the seruant of a Prince and the Sonne of God the fauour of a Prince and the Fatherly loue of God the dignitie of the Court and the Ioyes of Heauen a temporall office and an eternall inheritance It is better and more honourable to be the seruant of God then the Commander of men to be an heire apparant to Heauen then the possessor of the whole World There is a great opinion and not without iust cause of the estate of our first Parents Adam and Eue whilest they were in Paradise before their fall But their estate notwithstanding all their priuiledges ornaments and fauours exceeded not the condition of seruants Had they continued in obedience to their Creator they should haue beene exempted from all miserie and confirmed in perfect blessednesse But they could neuer haue attained this dignitie To bee made the Sonnes of God by Adoption of meere rich and vndeserued loue in Christ And is it not an admirable prerogatiue to bee brought by Christ into a more excellent state then that which Adam in his innocencie and glorie had iust cause to wonder at The low degree from which we are raised doth commend this and as the gratiousnesse of him who preferreth so the excellencie of that state whereunto the Belieuer is exalted Of the seruants of sinne to be made the Sonnes of God of the vassals of Satan to bee taken to raigne with Christ in glory for euermore of children of wrath dead in trespasses to be begotten againe to the hope of an inheritance immortall vndefiled that fadeth not what an vnspeakable fauour is this O my soule arise stirre vp thy selfe stedfastly to receiue the promise of life and hold it fast for Gods promises are certaine neuer lesse but rather more in accomplishment then in tender Enter possession and get the inheritance sealed vnto thee Would not a poore Beggar if he should vnderstand of some great and goodly inheritance bequeathed vnto him in a farre countrey much reioyce therein long to goe see it and take possession of it In matters of weight men loue great earnest and good assurance for great aduantage they will endure any paines hazard many difficulties Did men know the worth and glory of the kingdome of Heauen freely offered and that without all expiration of time to be possessed here in part of them that will receiue it fully hereafter when their dayes on earth be determined would they not seeke it with all earnestnesse inquire after good euidence get sound assurance and labour the possession of it more and more Men seeke earthly things and often misse of their desires but the promise of Heauen is sure and stedfast and hee that resteth vpon the Lord shall not bee confounded Euerlasting life is freely offered but men are not left at libertie whether they will receiue and seeke it or no. John 3.36 Hee that belieueth on the Sonne hath euerlasting life and he that belieueth not the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Doe not they perish worthily who preferre the pleasures of sinne and honours of this transitorie life before life euerlasting promised of grace purchased by Christ full laden with all fruits of true life ioy peace and all choicest pleasures beyond comparison exceeding whatsoeuer can be enioyed in this world both in worth and endlesse settlednesse The labour to make Heauen sure which is full of pleasure and delight doth ease the heart of many burdensome distracting and cutting care For if thou be the childe of God Ephes 2.18 3.12 thou hast libertie to come into his presence and to make thy requests knowne vnto him with thankesgiuing Nothing that is truly euill shall betide thee The plague shall not come nigh thy Tabernacle Psal 91.10.13 Thou shalt walke vpon the Lion and Aspe and tread them vnder feet God will prouide all things necessary for soule and bodie and see that no good thing be wanting vnto thee Psal 34.10 Math. 6.33 Seeke first the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse and all these things shall be added vnto you What then should withdraw or hold me backe from belieuing the promise and seeking the possession of that inheritance It is God who hath freely pâ—omised it who can and will performe whatsoeuer hee hath spoken it is Christ who hath purchased it by the sacrifice of himselfe once for all why then should I doubt I am commanded to belieue and belieuing the possession of life is gâ—uen
will not suffer that roaring Lion aboue measure to discharge vpon them This faith assures of 1. Cor. 10.13 and perswades quietly to waite for Ninthly If Satan renew his assaults faith stands prepared through the power of God to make resistance afresh When Paul was buffeted by the messenger of Satan he besought the Lord often in that thing 2. Cor. 12.8 Thus when wee are led into darknesse without light wee leane vpon God and cry vnto him for saluation If a childe haue his Father by the hand though he be in the darke or otherwise see what hurt might him approach and make often at him yet he is not afraid and so it is with vs whilest by the eye of faith wee see that inuisible one at out right hand to support and saue vs. Neither are wee scarred at this that Satan doth shift his temptations and returne againe after hee had left vs for a season But hauing experience of Gods gratious dealing and tender compassion we flie vnto him and shrowd our selues vnder the shade of the Almightie If wee haue in some fits found case by this or that meanes we know if wee come into like case how to helpe our selues it is wee say but doing such a thing or taking such a matter thus hauing once found in distresse and temptation strength and deliuerance by recourse to our God in Christ we know what to doe when such like state returneth on vs. Satan will not cease to assaile though hee bee ouercome nor the Belieuer faint though he be set vpon againe and againe but hauing once returned with victory through the power of God hee will abide in the secret place of the most High for euer Why the godly sometimes want the sight of Gods graces Tenthly The faithfull are the Lords vessels which he vseth to scoure by temptations True it is that in the time of triall the graces of the Spirit doe not so much appeare to the notice of the belieuing heart but by the ouer-ruling prouidence of God they serue for the increase of grace as the truth teacheth faith belieueth and experience can testifie Thus faith ministreth comfort in the most bitter agonies if it bee rightly vsed and stirred vp But what if the child of God be brought so low that he can discerne no sparke of faith no fruit of grace no marke of Gods loue in himselfe It is not to be doubted but the seruants of Christ through their weaknes are oft brought by extremity of temptation into wofull desolation which yet the Lord doth wisely order for the glory of his Name and the good of his deiected seruants And as in other things so in this that they cannot discerne any fruit of the Spirit wherewith through the mercy of God they are comfortably replenished For the blustering Tempests which the enemy raiseth against them cause such disturbance in the soule and fill the heart with such confusion feare and terrour that for the present they are altogether vnable to iudge of their owne estate For when the Mind is ouer-clouded with the mists of Temptation as the eye with the rising of dust and the heart tossed too and fro with vnquietnesse as the waues of the Sea when the winds are boisterous conscience by recoiling vpon the soule cannot conceiue or giue right notice of it true state and temper Troubled water will not giue backe the reflection of the countenance nor an afflicted Spirit the true disposition of the inner man When the poore Christian makes search into himselfe the temptation first puts forth it selfe wherewith the heart is daunted and thereupon concludeth that no grace doth lodge or abide in him because at first sight it doth not appeare Vnto these may be added that good men are sometimes pertishly disposed to cast away all they haue as nothing because they haue not what they desire or imagine others to enioy herein resembling little children who for want of some small trifle that they desire or some of their fellowes haue throw away many things much more pretious But not to inquire further into the causes of this mistaking The Remedie of this the remedy is First hee must know that as in sicke persons we see it commeth to passe they thinke there is no hope of life when the Physician and standers by see certaine and vndoubted tokens of health So it is oftentimes in these spirituall sicknesses Secondly It is the wisdome of a Christian in this case to obserue the marke that Satan driues at which is to hide from his sight the graces of the Spirit that he might bring him to despaire This being the Deuils aime hee must stirre vp himselfe to belieue and roll his soule vpon Christ for saluation For when he can see no grace in his soule he cannot but see himselfe to be miserable and so called to come vnto Christ the fountaine of liuing waters that by him hee might be replenished in him hee might find refreshing Againe taking courage to belieue hee disappoints Satan who intendeth not so much to draw him into security as to force him to cast away all hope of mercie Oh but a Christian is to examine and try himselfe whether hee be inriched with the graces of the Spirit or no True it is that the examination of our hearts is a necessary duty but to be done in due order so as we be stirred vnto not driuen froÌ„ the practice of other duties no lesse needfull But when the soule is distempered with the assaults of Satan and vnable to iudge of it owne state it is vnseasonable to make search into our hearts and preposterous is to giue place to doubtings because wee cannot find what wee desire Wee haue a commandement to belieue as well as to proue our selues both which must bee coupled together otherwise neither can be done as they ought and it is a plaine case that he who finds himselfe to be poore and naked is called to come vnto Christ that hee might receiue of his fulnesse bee inriched with his plentie If thou canst not find in thy selfe what thou seekest after come vnto Iesus Christ and belieue in him that thou mayest receiue what thou seekest and is to bee found in him Thirdly The distressed soule must learne that the grace of God worketh not alwayes alike in his children When we walke in the fields in winter we see not only no good fruit but not so much as a leafe on the trees in some also the very trunke or stocke appeareth to be dead yet is the sâ—p hidden in the root which in due time will shew that the tree was neuer dead When fire is raked vp there appeareth oftentimes a sort of cold dead ashes when there are vndeâ—neâ—th certaine sparkes of which you may afterward make a fire Yea many times the fruits of grace may shine in the conuersation to the eyes of others when the powers and stirrings of grace inwardly being hindred with temptations cannot be felt Fourthly The
Heb. 10.35.36 Heb. 6.12 Reu. 13.10 For faith is the ground of silent and quiet expectation of saluation When Christians are persecuted for the name of Christ all men see they haue great neede of patience that after they haue suffered for a time they might enioy the promise which now they hold by faith as it weâ—e by reuersion not in actuall possession But without confidence there can be no patience Faith in God is the only stay and support of the heart in trouble and affliction Psal 27.13 I had fainted vnlesse I had belieued to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the land of the liuing Remember thy word vnto seruant vpon which thou hast caused me to hope This is my comfort in my affiction Psal 119.49.50 for thy word hath quickened me In daily and lighter tryals a man of milde and patient temper may hold vp the Head but when one deepe calleth vnto another and the waues flow ouer our head when nature yeeldeth and the heart fainteth then to stand fast and bee of good courage that only can faith doe which is grounded vpon the rich mercie of God and relyeth vpon his Almightie power Faith is the Palme that sinkes not vnder the waightiest of burdens the Camomile that spreades the more it is trodden the oile that euer ouerswimmes the the greatest quantitie of water you can power vpon it In the most boisterous tempests it lifteth vp the chinne that we shall not drowne Heb. 11.35 36. and when a man is halfe dead it quickens and puts life into him By faith the Saints haue endured cruell mockings scourgings bonds imprisonments Eph. 6.16 tortures and death and in all these were more then conquerours Faith is the sheild of the soule whereby it is defended against all the fierie darts of the Deuill When we are afflicted we shall be tempted to impatience despaire doubting of Gods loue and the vse of wicked means to helpe our selues out of trouble Psal 3.2 and 31 11. and 35.15.36 Iob 30.1 The world will follow vs with scornes and traunts as if God had forsaken vs and would not arise for our helpe Our owne corrupt hearts will be readie to start aside repine faint question the Lords truth and mercy 1. Thess 3.5 and Satan will not be wanting to his opportunitie with all his might malice and subtiltie to seduce discourage or terrifie When our Sauiour was an hungred in the wildernesse Math. 4.3 the tempter came vnto him and saide If thou be the Sonne of God command that these stones be made bread Now seeing the burden of afflictions is made more heauie by temptations accompanying wee had neede to be well vnderpropped with a liuely faith that we might withstand and repell the force of the Enemie Faith onely supplieth all our wants in affliction Hee that possesseth all earthly things in greatest prosperitie and hath not faith hath nothing in deed much lesse the man that liueth in miserie but hee that liues by saith wants nothing that is good when miseries beset him on euery side For the present riches of a Christian are the gracious and faithfull promises of God which faith possesseth not looking to what we haue in hand but what the Lord hath laid vp in store and expecteth to receiue from God in fittest season more assuredly then if hee had it in his owne power to vse The Men of this world trust their friends with their stocke or monie and make account it iâ— as readie at hand as if they had it in their owne possession and sure it is the true belieue hath iust and good cause to trust God rather then himselfe and to relie vpon his word for whatsoeuer hee hath commited vnto him Fâ—iâ—h in time of danger doth as it were fence and compasse vs with the promises of God but without faith we are naked and lie open to the malice of our Aduersaries Behold his soule which is lifted vp Hab. 2.4 is not vpright in him but the iust shall liue by his faith The vniust man puffes vp himselfe and buildes towers of defence to himselfe bâ—t the iust man belieueth and that shall be to him in stead of all castles towers bulwarkes in the world For it brings vs vnder the wing presence Psa 18.2 Deut. 32.30 Psal 31.3 and 71.3 and protection of God it makes him our refuge and safeguard high rocke and tower of defence Afflictions profit not if they be not mixed with faith in them that beare them Bodily physicke procureth not health if naturall heate be lacking in the patient which might cause the potion to worke to the expelling of the sicke humour faith in respect of afflictions the physicke of the soule is that naturall heate wherby they are made to worke kindly to the purging of sin and the encrease of grace and comfort where it is altogether wanting their can be no kindly worke The righteous are allowed to liue by faith in the times of euill when calamities of all sorts compasse them about The Godly are allowed to liue by faith in afflictions 1. Tim. 4.8 Rom. 8.28 for godlinesse hath the promise of this life and that which is to come and the godly are to belieue both according to the word of the Lord. God hath promised that all things shall worke together for good to them that loue God 1. Cor. 10.13 Act 27.25 and that he will not suffer vs to be tempted aboue that wee are able and it is our dutie to belieue God that it shall be eâ—en as he hath tolde vs. The godly haue had this confidence in formers times whose practice is both a token of our priuiledge and a patterne of our dutie What time I am afraid I will trust in thee Psal 56.3 Psal 31.5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of truth yea though I walke through the valley of the shaddow of death I will Psal 23 4. feare no euill for thou art with me thy rod and thy staffe they comfort me Come and let vs returne vnto the Lord Hos 6.1.2 for he hath torne and he will heale vs hee hath smitten and he will binde vs vp After two dayes will hee reuiue vs in the third day hee will raise vs vp and wee shall liue in his sight God is hereby much glorified that wee relie vpon him as our rocke of defence al-sufficient Sauiour and trustiest friend in time of distresse It is one of the Lords most royall titles Psal 60.5 Psal â— 9 Psal 10.14 to bee the Father of the Fatherlesse and a iudge of the widowes a refuge for the oppressed and the helper of the poore Thou hast beene a strength to the poore Esay 25.4 a strength to the needie in his distresse a refuge from the storme a shadow from the heate when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storme against the wall Esay 30.18 And therefore
can firmely vnite vs vnto Christ whereby likewisâ— were it firme it selfe wee should assent vnto euery precept of God as much better then any incompatible good That act cannot please God which is not animated by faith for it is but the naked carkese of a good worke without life or soule if that be wanting It is faith which impelleth to worke righteousnesse and putteth life and vigour into the worke wrought so that the best workes of the regenerate bee dull and liuelesse if faith be dormant and put not forth it selfe for a time And when a Christian knowes not whether he shall haue strength to doe what God requireth nor whether God hath giuen him any promise that his burden shall be made light and that Christ will beare the greatest part of it for him it must needs bee very tedious and troublesome it will occasion many feares and doubts deadnesse and vnchearefulnesse This killeth the heart of right good Christians when they are ignorant or not throughly informed that God will make them able and fit for so great a worke as the leading of a godly life But if they haue this faith as a foundation to vphold them they shall sooner wade through their doubts and grow out of their feares as knowing that God will be euer with them for their assistance Who doth not know that when some certaintie of saluation is obtained yet for all that in asmuch as it is but weake they haue many heart-griefes for this that they see they haue a wearisome pilgrimage to goe thorow and little knowledge and perswasion of any great guiding of them through all the feares and difficulties of it A Christian that hath this confidence that God will strengthen him to euery good worke he shall goe about it with heart and cherefulnesse he shall be encouraged to pray as his necessitie shall giue cause he shall be kept from fainting and dismaidnes when his strength is not very great and rise vp againe when he is fallen But if he be not wel grounded in belieuing that God will build him vp more strongly from day to day perfect the good worke in him which is begunne hee shall very much stagger and goe backe If a chiefe and maine post in a building be wanting will not the whole house be soone shâ—ken so if a Christian who must reforme his life goe about it not resting vpon the grace of God in Christ to be made able hee may be sure he shall want a maine hâ—lpe hereto euen that which may shake all that is set vp Sundry true-hearted Christians very Conscionable in their conuersation be yet much discouraged by reason of the infirmities of their best duties and haue little comfort in any thing they doe because they question what accepâ—ance their poore seruice hath with God And though they desire to please him willing in all things to liue honestly Heb. 13.18 yet still looking vpon their frailties they hardly admit any comfort because they come so farre short of what is required Whereas if they were well instructed and assured of this that although by reason of their corâ—uption dwelling in them they can neuer offer vp any sacrifice to God without blemish and spot for which God might reiect all which they offer vnto him yet offering thâ—m vp in the Name of Christ they shall be accepted and rewarded this would put life and courage into them and make them performe all holy duties with more chearefulnesse and constancie to the glory of God the comfort of their soules and the good encouragement of others Confidence in God to be accepted what tedious disputes would it remoue What temptations would it cut off What discouragements would it trample vnder feet What strength vigour resolution and forwardnesse in wel-doing would it nourish and conserue The sharpest spurre to incite vnto and encourage to goe forward in the workes of holinesse is affiance of fauourable acceptation Christians are allowed to belieue that God will enable to obedience Ier. 32.39 40. Euery Christian is allowed to belieue that God will strengthen him by his grace to walke in obedience and make him able through the hearing of the Scriptuâ—es to cast off his old conuersation For God hath promised in Couenant that he will teach them the way that they shall chuse guide them with his eye and put his feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from his Commandements The Spirit of grace is promised and giuen to all true and vnfained Belieuers to lead them into all truth anâ— holinesse As many as be the children of God Rom. 8.14 they are led by the Spirit of God and the law of the Spirit of life in Iesus Christ Verse 2. hath freed them from the law of sinne anâ— death The Lord when he sendeth forth his seruants vpon any message or businesse doth euermore promise to be with them to aide and assist them in the execution of it Thus the Lord promised to Moses Goe Exod. 4.12 Math. 28.19 20 and I will be witâ— thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say Thus our Sauiour to his Disciples Loe I am with you alwayes euen to the end of the world 1. Chron. 28.20 Ier. 1.7 8. Iosh 1.9 And thus Dauid encouraged his Sonne Salomon Bee strong and of good courage and doe it feare not nor be dismayed for the Lord God euen my God will be with thee hee will not faile thee nor forsake thee vntill thou hast finished all the worke for the seruice of the house of the Lord. And the same promise belongeth to them that yeeld obedience to his Commandements for the worke is his and he will not faile nor forsake them that set their hearts and soules to seeke him and doe the thing that is good in his fight Whatsoeuer the Saints haue and may begge in prayer according to the will and pleasure of God they are allowed to belieue that they shall obtaine it and bee answered in their requests with fauourable acceptation so farre as shall be for their good and the glorie of God But the seruants of God haue and doe begge grace to bring forth fruits worthy repentance and amendement of life Psal 119.32 33 I will runne the race of thy Commandements when thou shalt inlarge mine heart Teach me the way of thy statutes O Lord and I shall keepe it vnto the end Make me to goe in the paths of thy Commandements Verse 35. for therein doe I delight Teach me thy way O Lord Psal 86.11 I will walke in thy truth vnite my heart to feare thy Name Lead mee in thy truth and teach mee Psal 25.5 Psal 17.5 for thou art the God of my saluation on theâ— doe I waite all the day Hold vp my goings in thy paths that my footstâ—ps slip not Psal 27.11 Teach â—e thy way O Lord and lead me in a plaine path because of mine enemies The faithfull haue bound themselues by couenant oath
to keep the righteous iudgements of the Lord. Psal 119.106 Nehem. 10.29 2. Kings 23.3 Psal 119.8 Verse 36. I haue sworne and I wilâ— pâ—rforme it that I will keep thy righteous iudgements But they came not to this couenant oath as trusting in their own strength but in assurance of diuine assistance as the Prophet prayeth I will keâ—pe thy statutâ—s O forsake mee not vtterly Incline my heart vnto thy testimonies and not to couetousnesse Order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquitie haue dominion ouer me Verse 133. Verse 135. Make thy face to shine vpon thy seruant and teach me thy statutes God will perfect the sauing worke which he hath begunne in any of his children for the gifts that flow from his eternall and free grace are without repentance God who calleth vs according to his purpose is faithfull who will also confirme vs vnâ—o the end 1. Cor. 1.8 9. Phil. â— 6 1 Thes 5.24 Gal 2.20 Phil. 4 13. that we may be blamelesse in the day of the Lord Iesus Châ—ist Paul saith he liued by faith in the Sonne of God by whom he was strengthened with abilitie to performe whatsoeuer was required of him Notwithstanding all the hope of helpe that hee had yet hee complaineth of the rebellion of his flesh Rom. 7.19 which did mâ—ghtily resist the Spirit in him But still he was confident in the promise of God that he should be deliuered from euery euil work 2. Tim. 4.18 preserued vnto the heauenly kingdome Now in all this Paul had no peculiar prerogatiue aboue other Christians but what he expected from God they mâ—y all hope fâ—r Acts of faith touching obedience requiquirâ—d The acts of faiâ—h touching that obedience which we owe vnto God in Christ are these or the like First Iâ— makâ—s a man wise to discerne what is lawfull good and seasonable both in respect of the worke the meanes and circumstances of it Dauid saith hee was wiser then his Enemies Psal 119.97 9 99. then his Teachers then the Ancient he â—â—nderâ— the cause thereof from the work of his faith Psal 119.24 for thy testimonies are euer with me they are my meditation the men of my counsel with whom I adâ—ise Secondly It câ—rbes and bridles inordinate passions and ouercomes â—ll impediments temptations difficulties and allurements to the contrarie 1. Iohn 5.4 This is the victorie whereby we ouercome the world euen our faith For faith beâ—ng wel-rooted possessing the heart and hauing its force vnited by close reposall therein commanâ—s euery delight affection or pleasure of our soules and breakes the violence of euery inclination contrarie to such motion as it suggests seeing no hopes can be equall to the reward which it proposeth to the constant and resolute no feares comparâ—ble to the terrors which it represents to the neglâ—gent or slothfull followers of such courses as it presâ—râ—bes What Phil. 3.8 that faith sets an inestimable price vpon the pearle of the Gospell accounting all other things as drosse anâ— dung in comparison which causeth a free and aduised renouncing of all interest in the world the flesh Math. 13.44 â—nd all their appurtenances for assurance of it with as great willingnesse as good husbands forsâ—ke base tenements and hard-rented leases to compasse some goodly royalty and large possessions offered them more then halfe for nothing Againe faith fighteth against temptations and intiâ—ements vnto sinne by the power of Christ which cannot be vanquished Satan and the world are too strong for vs standing in our owne might but by the grace of God leâ—ning vpon his power wee remaine inuincible The strength of nature is corrupt feeble and defiled through sinne and therefore the truth which it taketh hold off it hath not effectually But faith hath ioyned with it the inspiration of God and the power of the holy Ghost and therefore it taketh hold of the truth effâ—ctually Wherefore this difference is not in the truth it â—elfe but in the meane and instrument whereby wee embrace it Hereof it commeth thâ—t by fâ—ith we are changâ—d but in the other case we remaine the selfe-same that wee were before A cleare testimonie of this wee h ue in thâ— Gospell Chrâ—st set forth to the young-man what he should doe to obtâ—ine saluation but when hee heard hee was not pâ—rswadâ—d to obey but went away sorrowfuâ—l Math. 19.22 Contrariwise Matthew Math. 9.9 so soone as he was called embraced the same with so great faith that hâ—e left his money and Customer-ship and stâ—aight-way followed Christ Luke 19.8 And Zacheus when hee had heard of the Lord that hee would turne in vnto him hee not only receiued him into his house with a glad heart but also offered immediately to distribute halfe his goods to the poore and to restore foure-fold if he had defrauded any man Indeed pâ—ssions are not so bridled nor corruptions so killed that they doe not stirre and resist the worke of faith But the force and power of them is so farre subdued that they shall not raigne or hale vs ordinarily to that which is euill Whatsoeuer inordinâ—tenesse faith can espie it doth presently condemne before the throne of grace and endeauour the killing of it by the power and efficacie of Christs death which it doth happily effâ—ct in measure and by degrees Hast thou then beene long kept vnder of some violent passion strong corruption or customarie vice against which thou hast resolued and resolued but not preuailed or gotten victorie Get thee to Christ and by faith thou shalt draw vertue from him to cure thy infirmities Die to thy selfe renounce the broken reed of thine owne free-will which hath so often deceiued thee and put all thy trust in the grace of Christ and it will crucifie the old man and giue him his deaths wound Bee weake in thy selfe and strong in the Lord and through faith thou shalt be more then conquerour Digge vp the fallow ground of thy heart that the word of the Kingdome may take deeper root in it raise thy soule to an holy admiration of the promises of life stirre vp thy selfe to cleaue and adhere firmely to the grace of God as faith increaseth the power of corruption will languish and decrease Admirable is the efficacie of faith well planted in the heart it casteth downe strong holds and brings euery imagination into sâ—biection Thirdly It inableth to obey for it purifieth the heart seasoneth euery facultie of soule reasonable and sensuall qualifieth and stâ—engtheneth our naturall inclinations to good and altereth the taste of euery appetite 2. Pet. 1.4 Ephes 3.17 1. Iohn 4.4 By faith wee are partakers of the diuine nature by faith Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith we receiue the Spirit of promise who is greater then he that is in the world No maruell then if that bee sweet and delightfull to the belieuing heart which is tedious and irkesome to the vnregenerate How came Dauid
come yea that whole time a man hath to spend from the very act of his Baptisme to his death For as it is the seale of a free euerlasting vnchangeable couenant so is the force and vse of it perpetuall Baptisme is the true Sacrament of repentance for remission of sinnes and spirituall renouation which being once receiued remaineth a perpetuall testimonie and pledge of the euerlasting Couenant of God and continuall washing away of sinne by the bloud of Christ and the Spirit of sanctification By singular appropriation it representeth and confirmeth ouâ— engâ—affing into Christ The vse to bee made of our Baptisme is two-fold but withall it sealeth the whole Couenant of grace The vse of Baptisme is twofold First It serues to be a pledge and token of Gods fauour and that diuers wayes First In that it is a seale of our regeneration by the holy Spirit whereby a diuine qualitie is infused into vs in the roome and place of originall corruption And therefore Baptisme as the text is ordinarily expounded is called the labour of regeneration Titus 3.5 it being an vsuall thing to call the principall cause and the instrument by the same name Secondly It sealeth and confirmeth vnto vs the free pardon and forgiuenesse of our sinnes Acts 2.38 Repent and be baptized euery one of you in the Name of Iesus Christ Acts 22.16 for the remission of sinnes Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sinnes calling on the Name of the Lord. Thirdly Baptisme is a pledge of the vertue of Christs death and of our fellowship therein Rom. 6.3 Doe yee not know that all wee who haue beene baptized into Iesus Christ haue beene baptized into his death Fourthly It is also a pledge of the vertue of Christs life and of our communion with him therein The life of Christ is the life of euery belieuer who liueth in Christ and shall liue for euer with him and in him a certaine pledge whereof he hath giuen vs in this Sacrament Rom. 6.5 For if wee haue beene planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his resurrection Buried with him in Baptisme Col. 2.12 wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead Fiftly Bâ—ptisme is a pledge of our adoption in Iesus Christ By nature we are the children of wrath but by grace and adoption the sonnes of God through faith in Christ which is sealed in Baptisme wherein the name of the Father Sonne and holy Spirit is put vpon vs. When Iacob blessed the sonnes of Ioseph Ephraim and Manasses Gen. 48.16 saying Let my name be named on them hee adopted them for his sonnes to haue inheritance with them in the land of Canaan and when God putteth his name vpon vs hee signifieth and assureth that wee are his sonnes Yee are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus Gal. 3.26 27. For as many of you as haue beene baptized into Christ haue put on Christ Sixtly Baptisme is a solemne testimonie of our communion with all the liuely members of Christ Iesus It is a seale of the bond of mutuall loue and fellowship both of Christ with his members and of his members one with another 1. Cor. 12.13 For by one Spirit are wee all baptized into one bodie whether wee be Iewes or Gentiles whether wee bee bond or free Ephes 4.5 And Baptisme is one of those things whereby the vnitie of the Spirit is preserued in the bond of peace Seuenthly It is a seale and pledge to assure that God will prouide for vs in this life raise vp our bodies vnto life at the last day of Iudgement and bestow vpon vs that euerlasting Kingdome and Inheritance which hee hath prepared Marke 16.16 Titus 3.5 6 7. 1. Pet. 3.21 For in Baptisme the Lord doth promise to bee our God that hee will prouide vs of all things necessarie for soule and bodie turne all euils which doe befall in this miserable life to the furtherance of our saluation raise vp our bodies at the last day and receiue vs vnto himselfe to dwell with him for euermore In all which respects Baptisme is of great force to strengthen faith and ease the heart in distresse For when the repentant sinner feeles himselfe heauie laden with the burden of his sinnes when Satan tempts him to doubt or despaire in regard of his corruptions when his owne corruption moueth him to sinne and he is euen now in the combate the Spirit lusting against the flesh and the flesh lusting against the Spirit and when hee is deeply perplexed with feare of falling away then the consideration and remembrance of what was promised and sealed in Baptisme will serue to stay support and comfort the soule For there hee shall find that his name is written in the couenant of God that God hath promised to giue Christ to be his Redeemer to accept of Christs satisfaction for him to wash away all his sinnes as certainly as the water washeth away the filth of the bodie and hauing such a faithfull promise confirmed by seale wherefore should he be dismayed In Baptisme also God hath sealed vnto him the mortification of his sinne by the power of Christs death which is the ground of confidence that God will enable him to ouercome the rebellious lusts of his heart and crucifie the old man more and more vntill the bodie of sinne be vtterly destroyed True it is that man by nature is dead in sin but in Baptisme God of his mercie hath sealed vnto the belieuer his rising from the death of sinne to newnesse of life True it is that of our selues wee are prone to fall away from grace receiued But God of his rich grace sealeth vnto the faithfull in Baptisme a Resurrection vnto immortall life which shall grow daily but neuer decay Rom. 6.9 10. If the faithfull be afflicted and despised of men persecuted and forsaken cast out the visible Congregation and banished from the hoâ—se of God yea euen in the agonies of death the remembrance of the promises sealed in Baptisme will afford comfort For if men haue forsaken God hath receiuâ—d them If men scorne and contemne the Lord will acknowledge them Hee hath long agoe sealed them for his owne receiued them into his family vndertaken to prouide for them and adopted them as heires apparant to the Kingdome of Heauen If God had giuen them his word alone for securitie it had beene sufficient But hauing confirmed it by seale in Baptisme they haue great cause to rest assured True it is they may be cast out of the visible assembles but they can neuer be cut off from the inuisible Communion of Saints they must die but God hath sealed vnto them their rising from the graue to euerlasting life by the power and vertue of Christs Resurrection which is a comfort of all comforts able to vphold the soule
of man in the houre of death II. Vse The second vse of Baptisme it is a seale of our dutie promised and so a spurre and prouocation to repentance faith new-obedience brotherly loue and vnitie First It is a spurre to repentance and mortification for Baptisme doth seale remission of sinnes to them only that repent Marke 1.4 and by Godly sorrow come home vnto God And as we expect the blessing we must looke that we faile not in the condition If wee bee buried with Christ in Baptisme it is our dutie to mortifie the flesh wâ—th the affections and lusts that it may liue no longer to bring forth fruits vnto death For a dead man cannot liue By solemne oath wee are bound to crucifie vnruly lusts which fight against the soule and shall we falsifie so great a promise Against whom should we fight if not against Satan or what will hee bee willing to spare for the Lords sake who will not part with his sinnes Why should wee feare the strength of Satan the power of sinne the rage of persecutors the losse of earthly things or despaire because of the wrath of God iustly kindled against sinne If we turne vnto God by vnfained repentance wee haue his faithfull promise confirmed by seale that he will bee mercifull vnto our sinnes enable vs to ouercome our corruptions fortifie vs against the powers of Hell support vs vnder or deliuer vs out of all trials and gratiously prouide whatsoeuer shall be needfull for vs. Secondly It is a prouocation vnto faith and a pledge thereof We haue the promise of God v der his hand and seale that he will wash vs fâ—om our iniâ—ities receiue vâ— for his children remember our necessities bestow vpon vs the Kingdome of Heauen wee shall doe great wrong and dishonour to God if wee doubt or make question whether hee will performe promise freely made and confirmed by couenant and seale Wee are bound by commandement to belieue in Iesus Christ and to commit our selues wholly vnto him as vnto a faithfull Sauiour And we haue bound our selues by promise couenant and seale that wee will belieue and cleaue vnto him as our only Sauiour shall wee then goe backe grow remisse or giue way to doubting If doubtings arise through the sight of sinne or want of sense and feeling comfort or the world begin to creepe into the heart and diuide it from Christ let vs then remember wee haue troth-plighted our selues to Iesus Christ and by faithfull promise neuer â—o bee called backe giuen our selues wholly to rest and sticke close vnto him and therefore must admit no thought whereby we should be drawne aside or diuided â—rom him Thirdly It is an incitement vnto new obedience and a pledge thereof Rom. 6.4 We are buried with him by Baptisme into death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the Father Euen so wee also should walke in newnesse of life in which Chapter the Apostle disputeth of our actions that wee should abstaine from euill and follow those that are good Wee haue solemnely sworne to fight against the Deuill the World and the Flesh and hauing taken the presse-money of Iesus Christ it were an immortall disgrace to accept of truce with Satan Wee carrie the badge and liuerie of Iesus Christ and shall we forsake our colours and fight for the Deuill It is strange that children should leaue their parents and take part with their enemies Wee haue giuen our selues vnto God and were once dedicated vnto his seruice shall we now turne backe and offer our selues vnto Satan Honour is due vnto parents If God bee our Father wee must freely submit our selues to his will and pleasure God will strengthen vs to obey and accept of weake if sincere obedience and that shuts forth all place of excuse If wee bee engrafted into the similitude of Christs resurrection wee must expresse by our actions the power and likenesse of Christs resurrection which is done when we walke in all-pleasing before God and set our affections vpon things aboue And this as it is commanded on Gods part so it is sealed on our part in Baptisme Fourthly It is a pledge or pawne of loue and vnitie Wee must keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace for we are all baptized into one bodie We must not iarre for we are brethren Wee must not quarrell nor contend for we are members of the same bodie and haue beene sealed into the same bodie The new exercise of faith required in the worthy receiuing the Lords Supper It goeth ill with the naturall bodie when the ioynts are dissolued it is vnnaturall that the members of the bodie mysticall should bee diuided It is not the hauing faith but the new exercise of faith which maketh vs worthy receiuers of the Lords Supper The Corinthians had faith yet receiued not the grace of the Sacrament because they receiued not in faith The acts of faith in this ordinance The acts of faith in receiuing the Lords Supper are many First By it wee discerne the Sacrament to bee the holy Ordinance of God instituted for our speciall good and benefit sealing vnto vs the promises which God of his free mercie hath made vnto vs in Iesus Christ By faith wee vnderstand what promises God hath made for what cause in whom he hath made them what hee requireth and how hee hath sealed his free promises in the Sacrament And the certaine distinct cleare effectuall knowledge of this point is a matter of singular and great importance For if worldly men make good account of a sufficient mans securitie for some great summe of money in what esteeme will a Christian haue this pledge of Gods fauour when hee certainly vnderstands what it doth signifie and assure Secondly By it we see what the Lord doth offer vnto vs therein how excellent and precious it is with what assurance it is freely tendered and may be receiued The outward signes in the Sacrament are visible to the bodily eye but the inward grace signified and sealed thereby which must seriously be considered and minded of vs is not manifest but to the vnderstanding enlightened by the Spirit and seasoned by faith which only can iudge distinctly of it worth and excellencie Thirdly It sharpeneth spirituall appetite and stirreth vp hungring and thirsting after Christ and his benefits By faith we see our want by faith we taste how good the Lord is how sweet and pleasant the dainties he hath prepared which raiseth an appetite of desire and complacencie O God thou art my God early will I seeke thee Psal 63.1 my soule thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is a great and spirituall feast whereunto the faithfull are inuited and faith whetteth the spirituall appetite to long after and rellish the fatnesse and marrow which is there prouided Fourthly It earnestly contendeth for mercie confessing sinne with griefe and hatred iudging and