acceptation into favour with God and now through Christ may lay claime unto whatsoever that relation can entitle to this testimony telleth us that we may have an expectation of such provisions protections portions as it becometh such a Father to give out And hence Rom. 8.17 And if Children then heires heires of God and joynt-heires with Christ CHAP. II. The Observation from the Text. The Observation I shall speake to is this Doctr That the Divine Spirit doth witnes unto those which are in Christ with their Spirit their Adoption This is the secret language of many a Son of Sion Though I be adopted yet O it is impossible that I should ever attaine assurance of it alas I cannot climbe up to heaven to see my name written there How should I dive into such a secret as that is Methinke I finde the Lord answering such a soule and so as it might for ever silence it in such reasonings The Spirit it selfe beareth witnes c. As if he had said What testimony wouldest thou desire what wouldest thou reckon a sufficient evidence of thy Son-ship who might be a witnes that thou couldest confide in If the Divine Spirit might ascertaine thee of thy Adoption Behold that is nigh thee thou needest not ascend up to heaven to setch that thence that is descended to thee for every one that beleeveth hath the witnes within himselfe 1 Joh. 5.10 The Spirit knoweth the minde of God and how his heart standeth towards thee and that is sent from the bosome of the Father into thy bosome even on purpose to bring good newes from heaven of thy Fathers love and though with men it be impossible yet with the Spirit all things are possible That is able to give infallible and convincing demonstrations of thy Adoption and this Spirit it selfe witnesseth c. In the carrying on of this I shall shew 1. What this witnessing worke of the Spirit is 2. How the Spirit doth witnes to a soule its Adoption 3. Who are capable of attaining the witnessings of the Spirit 4. How a soule may know its injoyment of them 5. By what meanes a soule may attaine them CHAP. III. Of the witnessing worke of the Spirit or what it is for the Spirit to witnesse unto a soule its Adoption Qu 1. VVHat is this witnessing worke of the Spirit Or what is it for the Spirit to witnesse unto a soule its Adoption Answ It is a worke whereby the Spirit doth that towards the clearing up unto a soule of its Adoption that a witnes doth amongst men for the decision and determination of a matter dubious and uncertaine Now the use of a witnes is to give in evidence upon knowledge how the matter in question standeth purposely to ascertaine others thereof Deut. 19.15 Matth. 18.16 The end of witnessing is expressed to be that a matter may be established or confirmed and made to stand as firme and true by that record which is given in And hence Joh. 8.17 The testimony of two men is true i. e. is to be received as a sufficient evidence and may free from doubting It was certaine in it selfe before and by the testimony it is rendred certaine unto those that questioned it And when the Spirit by some operations doth what is equivalent unto this then is witnesseth The speakings of the Spirit are in a way sutable to it selfe who is the speaker and to the soule which is spoken to and therefore by operations not by voyce And the Spirit witnesseth 1. Objectively 2. Efficiently 1. Objectively when it affordeth such speciall operations as have an aptitude to ascertaine the soule of its Adoption There are some speciall and remarkeable Concurrences of the Spirit which by a due observation might manifest adoption and carry with them the force of affirmations and assertions thereof But many overlooke these evidences and will not heare what the Spirit saith unto them A soule may remaine without a knowledge of its Son-ship after the Spirit hath thus witnessed if its record be not received So Rev. 22.18 I testifie unto every man that heareth the words and yet every man to whom he speaketh this doe not beleeve what is asserted Joh. 3.11 Wee testifie and ye receive not our witnes It is but a testimony proposed or offered and is not effectual unlesse received And if nothing further were intended in the Text yet it were a Mine with much spiritual treasure layd up in it Severall things of great importance arise from this As 1. Hence a knowledge of Adoption is attaineable it is the very end of the Spirits witnessing to assure thereof It is not to render God more assured who are his Children he knoweth who are his Nor to make Adoption certaine in it selfe that must be before it can be witnessed But its scope drift and designe is to leave us assured or perswaded of it And that it should never attaine its end in this when it is so successull in other workes how unconceivable a thing is it 2. Hence it is a duty of great concernment to receive that testimony which the Spirit offereth may not the Spirit complaine unto many Christians as Christ did Joh. 3.11 So I have testified that you were the Children of God and you have not received my witnes Doubtles it is a sinfull neglect in those that are spoken to not no yeild attention unto the voyce of the Spirit which speaketh It is urged as a choyce duty and enforced by a powerful argument 1 Joh. 5 9. If ye receive the witnes of men how much more is a divine testimony to be received which is farre greater and it is the witnes of the Spirit he intendeth ver 6.8.10 Christians reckon it a small matter to deny the appearances of Gospell grace and to call the speciall operations of the Spirit delusions of Satan O but hereby you not onely hinder your owne peace comfort and establishment which might come in at that doore but which is farre worse you grieve the Spirit of God also Eph. 4.30 I may say to such as Isai 7.13 Is it a small thing for you to weary grieve and disquiet your owne Spirits but will you grieve the Spirit of my God also It s sad enough that carnal men deny attention to the voyce of the Spirit O let not Christians make it speake in vaine also or misse of its end in speaking to them But I suppose this is not all which the Text aymeth at or intendeth Therefore 2. The Spirit witnesseth efficiently it causeth the soule to conclude of its Adoption by its speakings to it As Calling doth often expresse not onely an Inviting to a participation of Gospel grace but the soules answering those Invitations which is effectual Calling Rom. 8.28.30 2 Thes 2.14 So witnessing expresseth an effectual efficacious witnessing And that this is intended in the Text may appeare 1. From the Context the scope of the Apostle is to give a knowledge of this who are in Christ so have
freedome from condemnation ver 1. And this he cleareth v. 5.9.13 14. But least they should doubt or question whither they found a mortification of sin by the Spirit or injoyed the leadings of the Spirit or not In the last place he addeth this as the highest surest and most infallible meanes to helpe a soule unto a sight of its interest in Christ ver 16. The Spirit it selfe witnesseth with our Spirit c. The other workes are of a witnessing nature but this is beyond all other helpes this maketh the other evidencing and giveth sights of freedome from condemnation and of our Sonship So that the Context favoureth this interpretation 2. From the words of the Text the Spirit is said to witnes with our Spirit It s testimony irresistibly overcometh our Spirit i.e. or Conscience it causeth them to conclude thesame thing and so there is a joynt-testimony Some times the Spirit uttereth its voyce and our Spirits hold off but our Spirits are fetched in and made use of in this way of witnessing which is intended in the Text both agree in this numericall Conclusion That we are the Children of God and so it is an efficacious witnessing I might cleare it from what followeth ver 33.38 and from other Scriptures which call the perswasion or Conclusion of the thing which is witnessed a witnessing as Luk. 4.22 All beare him witnes i.e. Concluded the same thing with approbation and allowance But I shall proceed to a description which will further discover what it is for the Spirit to witnes It is for the Spirit by some manifest What it is for the Spirit to Witnes and special acts and operations of its own to ascertaine a soule by the word or Gospell of its Adoption Or it is for the Spirit by cleare irradiations and other effectual operations with the word to worke a particular soule by direct or reflexive acts into a knowledge perswasion or Conclusion of its acceptation into favour with God CHAP. IV. Of the Witnes the Spirit and the thing witnessed and wherein the witnessing worke doth consist HEre are many things considerable as 1. Who is the Witnes The Spirit This is cleare in the Text Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it selfe The truth of a testimony hath a dependance on the fidelity of the witnes and so the Spirit who cannot lye is appointed by Office unto this worke that a soule might be infallibly assured of what is testified were it any other it might remaine under doubtings and thinke it too good newes to be true that it should have God for its Father and so be a joynt-heire with Christ in that exceeding eternall Weight of glory O but if the Spirit witnesseth this who is faithfull in all he saith this may give a full Assurance of Son ship or free it from those fears doubtings jealousies and suspitions which it hath laboured under about this question This proclaimeth the infinite condescention of the Spirit that it selfe who is very God should stoope so low as to be a witnes in our matters who are dust and ashes That the Creator should be a witnes to the creature this is a high favour indeed And hereby this testimony is differenced 1. From the Delusions of Satan hee is ready to beare false witnes to the soule purposely to lead it into mistaking Conclusions about its condition and hearkening to his voyce is extreamely dangerous 2. From the single testimony of our Spirits I doe not say that the Spirit doth witnes effectually without our Spirits but the Text plainly maketh two the Spirit with our Spirit So that if the Spirit of Adoption by some acts peculiar to it selfe be not in consociation with cur Spirits the testimony is most unsafe dangerous and deluding O take heed of trusting the single testimony of your owne treacherous Spirits in the bu synes of your soules for eternity but if the Holy-Spirits hath fetched in your Spirits and overcome them into a Conclusion of your Adoption you may safely owne it at the mouth of these two witnesses 2. What is the thing witnessed viz. the Son-ship of particular soules the Spirit doth not onely witnes the truth of some Doctrine of the Gospell it doth not onely give a perswasion that all which receive Christ or beleeve on his name have authority to become the Sons of God as Joh. 1.12 Not barely that some that beleevers but saith the Text that we even we are the children of God 3. Wherein the witnessing worke doth consist viz. In the Spirits giving manifestations and working the heart into perswasions and conclusions of Adoption 1. It doth not consist onely in affording such operations as being measured by Gospell rules doe give assertions or affirmations of Adoption but an effectual witnessing is here intended such as indeed causeth the matter to be established which is to accomplish the end of that witnessing as Matth. 18.16 The Spirit establisheth the soule in a perswasion of God's Fatherly love through Christ Rom. 8.38 I am perswaded c. and Job 19.25 I know my redeemer liveth And hence it is made one end of our receiving the Spirit 1 Coriu 2.12 that we might know the things that are given us of God 1 Joh. 3.24 Hereby wee know that he abideth in us by the Spirit 2 Corin. 5. ver 1.6 We know that we have a building of God ver 5 6. Because he hath given us the earnest of his Spirit therefore we are alwayes confident So that the Spirit witnesseth by giving a knowledge and perswasion of Adoption 2. It doth not confist in its filling the soule with consolation many if they finde comfort by a word then they thinke the Spirit hath witnessed Adoption else not whereas this witnessing worke may be injoyed in a very disconsolate condition Job 19. v. 6 7.8 c. Here was but little comfort and yet much assurance ver 25. and Matth. 27.46 There is a want of comfort Why hast thou forsaken me and yet not a want of assurance for with the same breath he challengeth propriety in God twice over My God my God Indeed this blessed newes doth often fill the heart with joy unspeakeable and full of glory but this consolation is rather consequential to the witnessing of the Spirit then that which giveth being to it It is an effect of it not an ingredient into it more then other workes of the Spirit Testification is a different worke of the Spirit from consolation CHAP. V. Of the wayes and meanes how the Spirit doth accomplish this witnessing worke in many particulars 4. IN what wayes or how the Spirit doth accomplish this witnessing worke In the Description the Spirit is said to witnesse 1. By its Operations within 2. By its Word without 1. The Spirit performeth the Office of a witnes by operations within the soule we are not to expect any apparitions of the Spirit in any visible shape to the eyes of our bodyes or any audible voyce from heaven to our outward ear 's
as well as graces within us I take bloud to be a clearer evidence then Water which is often muddy and full of imperfection and hence such an Emphasis is put upon bloud 1 Joh. 5.6 He came not hy water onely but by water and blood His saying not by water onely argueth that it is the bloud he would have especially taken notice of and that it was for the sake of bloud that this is iterated Men are apt to slight bloud as if that deserved not the name of a witnesse whereas although water is not to be neglected yet bloud is most to be minded or more then water in this witnessing worke for he striveth most to advance that witnesse not by Water onely CHAP. IX Shewing who are capable of attaining the Witnessings of the Spirit Qu 3. VVHo are capable of attaining the witnessings of the Spirit Answ 1. Onely beleevers are in a capacity to injoy such a testimonie from the Spirit for onely they are adopted Joh. 1.12 1 Joh. 3.1 Gal. 4.26 Ye are the children of God by faith There must be adoption before it can be witnessed to a soule that it is Adopted else there is a bearing false witnesse which cannot without blasphemie be charged upon the Spirit of truth who is the witnesse 1 Joh. 5.6 That some eminent beleevers may and doe attaine the witnessings of the Spirit is evident Rom. 8.16 Job 19.25 2 Tim. 1.12 And often we reade of Confidence and Assurance 2. Weake beleevers are capable of attaining the witnessings of the Spirit about their Adoption this position is questioned by some yet because the denyal of it doth directly tend to raise discouragement in their way to seeking after it because it is in vaine to attempt things impossible and seing the very knowledge of a possibility of attaining it is very comfortable and the thing it selfe much more hence I thought good to offer some reasons which for the present satisfie me that it is not a priviledge intended by Christ onely for the tallest Cedars in Christianity or those that are strong ones but also such as are weake in the faith have this Legacy bequeathed to them by the will of Christ Yet before I lay downe my grounds I shall premise some things which will make way for them Prem 1. The witnessings of the Spirit may be attaineable and yet not be attained Christians are without much of that sweete Communion which they might injoy with the Lord Christ he knocked called cryed to the Spouse Open to me my sister my love Cant. 5.2 But spiritual sloth and carnal securitie shut the doore against him and he withdrew himselfe ver 3.6 Here fellowship with Christ was not attained and yet was attaineable I doe not undertake to prove that every weake beleever doth injoy effectual witnessings though much might be said for that but I am onely to prove that they are attaineable even by babes in Christ If they choake smother and quench the motions of the Spirit that if followed up and cherished might have been witnessing and through negligence about the use of meanes or temptations c. may goe without them yet this speaketh not their incapacity for the injoyment of them 2. I shall endeavour to prove that those which are really weake not onely in gifts and naturall abilities but even in graces also yet are in a capacity to attaine the witnessings of the Spirit and therefore it is very dangerous for men to despaire of them because they are weake in their owne apprehensions seing they may mis-judge about their measure and may be strong in the grace of Christ and however reall weaknes affordeth not matter of discouragement 3. The witnessings of the Spirit may admit of degrees as its operations are at one time more potent conspicuous and manifest then at another so may the soules perswasion of its Adoption be which are raised by these The appearances of the Spirit at one time may be so glorious and its actings so powerfull as all doubtings feares or questionings about its state may be crushed suppressed and banished that if men and Angels should labour to bring under a contrary perswasion yet it durst not it could not subscribe to them Rom. 8.38 39. Yet at other times they may not be so cleare or irresistible but liable to quenchings by smaller meanes I shall not at present assert that witnessings in those high degrees are attaineable by weake beleevers these may seeme to be too strong meates for them to beare But that they are capable of freedome in some measure from their doubtings and of attaining some degree of perswasion that Christ is theirs this I am to prove The rich mans window may be wider then the poore mans and so the Sun may make his house more lightsome that the things within it may be more clearely discerned there but the poore man may really injoy the beames of the Sun and know that they come from it and may see what is in his house as well as he So the poorest Saint may know that the Spirit hath shined in his heart as well as others that are beholden to it for brighter beames then he hath been acquainted with 4. An eminent measure of grace is of great advantage towards Assurance 2 Pet. 1. v. 5 6.8.10 Therefore this affordeth no encouragement unto any to content themselves with that measure which they are come up to Nay the witnessings of the Spirit will be furtherances and provocations unto grow'th in grace if really injoyed Rom. 13. v. 11 12. But yet a high measure of grace is not so necessary to Assurance but that a weake beleever in the use of meanes may actaine it as well as other mercies that concerne him in his well-being 5. I deny not that a weake Christian at some particular times may hinder himselfe of such a mercy but this is common to him with eminent Saints for they may by nourishing some curruption weaken if not loose these witnessings of the Spirit when they have injoyed them Psal 51.8.12 These are extraordinary hindrances I am to prove an ordinary capacity Neither doe these so incapacitate as to forbid seeking after witnessings for David when upon such an occasion he had lost the joy of his salvation yet with that intermediate duty of Repentance and pleading for cleansing Psal 51. v. 2.7 he beggeth also that his joy might be restored v. 12. 6. I am not about to prove the duration of these witnessings but the capability of weake beleevers to attaine them how little while soever they last I doe not assert their having such a constant certainty of salvation as should perpetually put them beyond doubtings the multiplicity and variety of temptations which they are subject to and their weaknes and unskilfulnes to resist the tempter may occasion a speedy losse of it againe their want of experience in those wayes which tend to the strengthening and cherishing of this perswasion together with that great suspition which they have
to a more through handling of this great point or may draw our any thing to the further distinguishing the speakings of the Spirit from Satanicall Illusions it will be a matter of rejoycing to me And if thou reapâ—st any spirituall advantage by what thou readest give the glory of all to the Lord and send up some groanes and cryes unto the Father of mercies for me that I might have a practicall experimentall acquaintance with the Witnessings of the Spirit which I have endeavoured in a Doctrinall way to cleare up to thee And that thou mayest be filled with the same Spirit shall be the prayer of him who is A poore unworthy labourer in the worke of the Gospell S. P. Courteous Reader By reason of the Authors far distance from the Presse many faults have escaped some of the chiefest are here noted out which thou art desired to take notice of ERRATA'S PAge 3. line 11. for rathen read rather p. 9. l. 18. for no r. to to yeeld attention p. 11. l. 14. for or Conscience 1. our Conscience p. 27. l. 17. for times r. things p. 30. l. 24. for Antedent r. Antecedent p. 34. l. 17. for understood r. understandeth p. 37. l. 18. for promises r. premises p. 38. for Spirituall grounds r. Scripturall grounds p. 40. l. 9. for Conjunction r. Conjunctim or in Canjunction p. 44. l. 12. for is r. was p. 54. l. 13. for curruption r. corruption p. 58. l. 16. for appleate r. appeale p. 67. l. 9. blott out of p. 104. l. 14. for himseife r. himselfe p. 113. l. 8. read thus And hence they are said p. 119. l. 20. for are r. as p. 138. l. 19. for bolines r. holines p. 140. l. 12. for Consequences r. Consequence p. 140. l. 16. for be as r. bias p. 148. l. 26. r. they that are after the Spirit p. 150. l. 5. for having r. have p. 160. l. 8. for carnall confidences are read thus a carnall Confidence is p. 160. l. 10. for are r. is p. 81. l. 8. for leane r. leave p. 166. l. 11. for cannot r. could not p. 168. l. 18. for Spirits r. Spirit p. 173. l. 25. for the r. they p. 175. on the Margin for distincti r. distinctè p. 176. l. 3. for haire r. heire p. 181. l. 30. for its r. his p. 188. l. 5. blott out it p. 191. l. 6. read thus be hinted in A BRIEF DISCOVERY of the witnessings of the Spirit to the Soules of the Saints ROM 8. VERS 16. The Spirit it selfe witnesseth with our Spirit that we are the Children of God CHAP. I. Opening the Text and shewing the meaning of the words THis Apostle Paul having made it his great designe in the foregoing Chapters to cleare up the doctrine of Justification by faith without the workes of the Law he draweth up a comfortable Conclusion Chap 8.1 That there is no condemnation to those which are in Christ And as well to prevent a presumptuous claiming of interest in Christ as to deliver from ungrounded doubtings thereof 〈◊〉 Characterizeth those which are in Christ in the following verses and the inhabitation of the Divine Spirit ver 9. with its concurrences in the mortification of sin ver 13. and as a Conductor or Leader ver 14. These are made the great discriminating differencing things which those that are in Christ are set out and distinguished from others by But because men are apt to be deceived dreame of an injoyment of leadings from the Divine Spirit when they are without them therefore he addeth this ver 16. The Spirit it selfe witnesseth c. So that the words expresse the way whereby a soule attaineth a knowledge of its union with Christ and consequently of its freedome from condemnation and it is this The Spirit it selfe witnesseth c. Where you may take notice 1. Who witnesseth The Spirit it selfe with our Spirit 2. What is witnessed that we are the children of God The Spirit i.e. not onely gifts and graces but the Spirit who is the worker or bestower of these That Spirit which hath enabled us to beleeve and doth enable us to cry Abba Father and which shall quicken our mortall bodies in the day of Christ ver 11 The Spirit i.e. who searcheth the deepe things of God who undoubtedly knoweth whither wee be adopted or not and whose testimony is infallible he being truth it selfe this Divine Spirit not by a proxie but it selfe Witnesseth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contestatur testimonium reddit und testatur i.e. co-witnesseth or rendreth a testimony or witnesseth together saith Leigh Crit. Sac. the word is composed with the Preposition together or with and so it denoteth a double or Twin-testimony 1. The Spirit of God 2. Our Spirit It beareth witness saith he together with rathen then to our Spirit Yet the word is sometimes used to expresse a single Testimony Wicked men are confident of their Adoption upon the false deceitfull and deluding testimony of their owne Spirits but the Sons of God have the Divine Spirit who cannot lye or beare false witnes to testifie Si unus esset testis dubitatio non tolleretur sed duo sunt testes itaque nullus restat dubitationi locus Spiritus noster fallere posset nos sed Spiritus Sanctus non sinit nos falli Fayus to or with their Spirits their Adoption Here are two witnesses the Spirit of Adoption and our Spirit i.e. Either 1. Our soule Luke 23.46 Into thy hands I commend my Spirit i.e. my soule Act. 7.59 And so it is contra distinguished from the body 1 Corin. 6.20 Glorifie God in your body and in your Spirit i.e. in your soule So 1 Cor. 7.34 And if you take it in this sense it holdeth out thus much That the witnessings of the Spirit are not to the outward ear but to the heart the Spirit maketh report of Divine mercy to the inner man the way of its witnessing is not externall by an audible voyce but internall by secret whisperings to the soule Not by outward expressions but by inward unspeakeable inspirations Or 2. Our Spirit i. e Our Uunderstanding Judgement and Conscience which being renewed are called also by the name of Spirit 1 Cor 2.11 What man knoweth the things of a man save the Spirit of a man c. Here our Spirit denoteth the knowing faculty And ver 15 16. He that is Spirituall judgeth all things c. Here the Judging power is given unto this Spirit of a man And in this sence I take our Spirit in the Text and that because it is the proper office or worke of our understandings judgements and Consciences to receive imbrace or refuse such testimonies as are offered Rom. 2.15 Their Conscience also bearing witnes c. 2 Cor. 1.12 The testimony of our Conscience The meaning then of the words is this That the Divine Spirit witnesseth to our understandings and judgements and with our consciences That we are the Sons of God i. e. that we have
is the Lords way of speaking to the soules of his people and hence it is called often the Word of God And it was the Word that David hoped in for his salvations Psal 119.81 82. He had the letter of a promise before v. 28. but this would not satisfie him unlesse the Lord would speake it over againe he must have it applyed to his inner man Say â—o my soule they were internall speakings he prayed for as if he had said Lord outward salvations would be nothing to me without inward feelings of thy favour in them O say to my soule i. e. raise thou an inward perswasion in my heart of my interest in thee say I am thy salvation i. e. not onely that he which beleeveth shall be saved but let me be particularized thy salvation and not onely that thou wise deliver me out of my distresses but say I not onely will be but am thy salvation He beggeth here the witnessings of the Spirit in the Word by an effectual application of it to his soule 3. From a beleevers right and title to such words or promises Christ is his and all the promises of the new Covenant his in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 Yea promises directed to particular persons in Scripture when they are about things of generall concernement doe admit of a generall application and every beleever may lay claime to them as his that promise I will not faile thee or for sake thee is directed to Joshua Josh 1. v. 5. yet is applyed generally Heb. 13.5 And so generall promises are capable of a particular application unto every individual beleever Now if the Spirit did not apply them Christians should misse of that prosit and advantage which according to the intent of the promiser is to be reaped by them A beleever is adopted Isa 41.10 Ezek 36.25 hath God for his God hath cleane water sprinkled on him c. and the Word doth say thus much to him though in a more secret way in a language which he understood not The witnessing of the Spirit is but the uttering these things to the soule with a more audible voyce It is but like a Fathers telling his Childe of an estate which was really his own before So Christians have a propriety in such words or promises before and it is the office of the Spirit to give a knowledge unto beleevers of the things that are freely given them of God 1 Corin. 2.12 And so it will apply these as well as other words for the Gospell owneth no restriction or limitation as if some promises were to be applyed others not The whole Gospell is the voyce of the Spirit and so any word may be applyed for its proper end and therefore witnessing words as well as other 4. From the appointment of Divine promises for this very end to witnesse which must be by application from the Spirit the whole word is often called God's testimonie Psal 19.7 119. v. 2.22.24 c. Heb. 6.18 There are two Immutable things ordained on purpose to helpe us unto strong consolation and they are 1. Gods promise 2. His Oath v. 13.17 But how doe they bring in this Consolation it is by witnessing for ver 16. An Oath is said to be for confirmation and so the two Immutable things bring in this strong consolation as they serve for the ratification and confirmation to a soule of its interest in the blessings of the Gospell And they are of the same use to all the heires of promise that they were of to Abraham ver 17 18. To give them the same certainty of what they are heires to that he had And both the promise and the Oath must needs give testimonie by direct rather then reflex acts as the nature of them doe intimate By all which it appeareth that Gods promise and Oath both which are without us doe as properly conduce to the affording Assurance of our propriety in Christ and in the everlasting inheritance by him as any inherent graces or qualifications can doe Now as it was the application to Abraham of these two that made them witnessing to him Gen 22. v. 12.16 17. So there must be a superadded worke of the Divine Spirit making an application of them to particular soules as there was to Abraham else they cannot add a confirmation or bring in consolation to any heires of promise which are the ends they are intended for Argu. 3. From the number of Witnesses which the Gospel owneth 1 Joh. 5.8 There are three that beare witnesse on Earth Now if the Spirit should not give a distinct testimonie from water and bloud there were not three witnesses Indeed neither water nor bloud are sufficient alone to witnesse but the Spirit with water make but one witnesse and hence the water hath the denomination for the witnes and not the Spirit And the Spirit with bloud make but one witnesse and thence the bloud is called the witnesse and not the Spirit and therefore if the Spirit had not a distinct way of witnessing from its Concurrence with these there were but two not three witnesses And that water should be so distinct from bloud in the way of its testifying and that the Spirit should not be as distinct from them both is unconceivable and soundeth very harsh I conclude therefore that the same use which water or bloud are of The Spirit witnesseth with bloud and with water but besides the Spirit hath a distinct witnessing by way of enlarging the soule with joy in the soules apprehension of Gods Fatherly love The Spirit doth not alwayes witnesse unto us our condition by force of argument from sanctification but sometimes immediately by way of presence as the sight of a friend comforting without helpe of discourse Dr. Sibbs Saints Sealing when they witnesse the same the Spirit is of when that witnesseth And as they have something distinct from each other from whence when discerned a conclusion is drawne of interest in Christ so the Spirit hath some peculiar acts or operations of its owne distinct from both which effectually beget the same perswasion which they doe though in a more Immediate way then if it were by Inferences from such promises as they attain it by Object But by Spirit is not meant here the Holy-Ghost but our Spirits they are the third witnesse Answ It must needs be understood of the Divine Spirit 1. Because the Divine Spirit is a witnesse on earth Rom. 8.16 and so the enumeration of Witnesses on earth were not full if that were not intended 2. Because the scope of the Apostle in this Chapter is not to advance our Spirits but the Divine Spirit as the witnesse on earth 1 Joh. 5.6 It is the Spirit that beareth witnesse because the Spirit is truth and hereupon he numbreth the witnesses ver 7 8. ver 10 He that beleeveth hath the witnesse in himselfe which argueth that his designe is to assert the Holy-Spirit to be a witnes on Earth for he doth
onely to have a probable opinion but a certaine knowledge that the Spirit dwelleth in them which is to know their Adoption Rom. 8. v. 9. And 1 Joh. 3.24 Hereby we know he abideth in us by the Spirit And those he writeth to are little Children v. 18. 1 Joh. 2.12 He telleth them that their sins are forgiven them which may assure us that it doth not make to the hurt of weake beleevers to know they are forgiven Arg. 4. Weake Christians ought to exercise themselves unto selfe-examination Ergo They are in a capacitie to attaine a knowledge of their state thereby 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves Prove your selves The ingemination of the exhortation argueth it to be a duty of high Concernment else he would not use so much earnestnes in exciting to it And it is their station they are to enquire about 1. Whither they be in the faith 2. Whither Christ be in them or not And that weake beleevers are not exempted from this duty is undenyable For 1. It extendeth or reacheth to unbeleevers those that have not Christ in them are to finde it out hereby they are to try whither they be in the faith or no 2. It hath no limitation unto strong beleevers let them prove it that will assert it 3. These were weake in the faith which are here twice over required to come up to it 2 Corin. 12. v. 20 21. Prone to envyings strifes backbitings whisperings swellings c. which are made the symptomes of but babes in Christ 1 Cor. 3. v. 1 2 3. Yet these are injoyned to examine 2 Cor. 13.5 There are some seasons then which all Christians even the weakest ought to take for self-examination about their union with Christ Ergo they are capable of doing it with good successe Either weake Christians must alwayes give in this verdict that they are without Christ and this is false and the Lord doth not command them to a false Conclusion Or else they must give in no verdict and then the duty is fruitlesse as to its proper end Or else they must conclude that they are in the faith And the Text calleth for one of these Conclusions Either 1. That they are in the faith Or 2. Reprobates i.e. unsound hypocrites without the Spirit Unto all which I may adde that these Romans were many of them weake in the faith Rom. 14. v. 1 2. c. And yet in the Text he excepteth and excludeth none but seemeth to conclude all under the witnessings of the Spirit By all which I cannot but apprehend Assurance to be ordinarily attaineable even by weake beleevers CHAP. XI Shewing how a soule may know whether it enjoyeth the witnessings of the Spirit or not and first the Immediate witnessings of the Spirit Qu 4. HOw may a soule know whither it injoyeth the witnessings of the Spirit or not Before I give a direct answer to this Question I shall premise that the answers to it will be usefull to such ends as these 1. To give satisfaction unto doubting soules many precious sons of Sion are full of feares about their Adoption could they but know that God were their Father they should account it a favour of great value Whereas the Spirit hath witnessed this to them but they know not its voyce or understand not that these operations which they have found doe amount to a testimonie of Divine love They question whither they be from the Spirit or not or else whither they be witnessing and intended by the Lord for that end By a due observation of what I shall here lay downe and the shinings of the Spirit on its owne workes without which nothing will be witnessing those that never had Assurance way attaine it and those that have lost it may recover it againe if by reflexion they can finde that such workes have passed upon their hearts as I shall speake of 2. To difference the testimonie of the Spirit from Delusions of Satan and the single testimonie of our owne Spirit that so the voyce of the Spirit may be owned and Satanicall delusions rejected 3. To confirme and establish those that doe injoy witnessings in the perswasion of their Adoption And the better to attaine these ends I shall 1 Speake particularly unto the feverall wayes of witnessing How a soule may know that 1. The Spirit 2. Water 3. Bloud have witnessed 2. Adde some Generall discoveries or secondary evidences which will respect all those wayes of witnessing According unto the threefold way of the Spirits witnessing so must I divide the Question into three Qu 1. How may a soule know whither the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption to it in that more Immediate way or not Before I reply to this Question I shall give these pre-considerations Preconsid 1. That there must be some great and remarkeable impression and alteration made upon the heart working it into some strong perswasion of Adoption else there is not the least ground for a pretending to an Immediate testimony Those that never found any thing of this nature are not concerned in this Question for there must be something like the testimonie to make capable of tryal The Nature of an Immediate presence of the Spirit and the application of a word require that there be some great impression when ever they be injoyed Jam. 1.21 1 Thes 2.13 2 Corin 3.3 So that if a man should read over witnessing words never so often and his thoughts should run this way that God is his God and Christ and eternall life his yet if no power commeth alongst with the word to fix fasten and set it upon the heart there is not any colour for an Immediate testimonie The word must take deep rooting in the heart Matth. 13. v. 21.23 else no gracious effects at all are accomplished by it much lesse can it be witnessing But if a man hath found some great alteration made upon his Spirit that hath wrought towards a perswasion of Adoption Our enquiry is How he may know whither it be meerly a strong flashy opinion and fancy of his owne Spirit a delusion of Satan or indeed a testimonie from the Divine Spirit Precons 2. That my designe in answering this Question is not to discover who is interested in Christ and who not that will be the thing driven at when I come to speake of the Spirits witnessing by water bloud But if a man hath a testimonie of interest in Christ by some eminent impression made upon his Spirit our enquiry is whither it be from the Divine Spirit or be a Delusion I suppose that many reall beleevers may through their owne default want this Immediate testimonie of the Spirit and may be under false confidences through the Delusions of Satan i. e. Confidences taken up from such grounds as are not evidencing Revel 3.17 Psal 30.6 when by a due search they might finde infallible grounds for the same Conclusions This Question is not for the tryal of Christianitie but of some Confidences thereof
a time and many gracious effects are produced by it c. but these are more fully opened else-where especially under the generall evidences Object But many have had flashes of joy in the reception of the word Luk. 8.13 yea have been raised unto a high degree of hope and even a triumphing joy who yet have been hypocrites Job 8.13 27.8 Job 20. v. 5. and others have been made partakers of the Holy-Ghost and have tasted of the heavenly gift the good word of God and the powers of the world to come and yet have been under delusions all this while Hebr. 6. v. 4 5 6. How shall I discerne that I goe beyond these Answ There are many things already hinted that will difference the testimonie of the Spirit from such slashes as these are but further 1. The witnessings of the Spirit cause glorious transsormations into the image of the word delusions or common workes of the Spirit leave without these A man may partake of the Holy-Ghost in the gifts of it as Saul did 1 Sam. 10.10 and yet no imprinting of the word in the heart Some one affection as joy may arise upon the reception of the word as Matth. 13.20 21. and yet the word have no root Mark 4.6 the heart not be changed into the nature of it but when the Spirit worketh effectually by a word then there is a counterpane of the word in the heart and hence Jerem. 31.33 Hebr. 8.10 The Lord doth promise in the new Covenant to write his word in their hearts some principles and dispositions or inclinations are wrought within that have a lively resemblance in them unto the word 2 Corin. 3.3.18 We beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Saith Mr Forbes the working of the Spirit in the wicked is like the smell of an Apothecaris Shop which one that passeth by receiveth although he never carry any of these odoriferous things with him But the witnessing of the Spirit to the Elect is by imparting the thing witnessed to the soule and making it really to possesse it So that if a man could see the soule of a true childe of God he should see engraven in it mercy peace love righteousnesse life joy and Christ himselfe All the promises of God in Christ being written therein according to the Covenant of God 2. The witnessings of the Spirit have powerfull operations in the heart towards the attainment of spirituall Gospell ends there The end any worke driveth at is a great discoverer what it is if a man be not lightly but effectually carried out after it The noise of heaven and happines is taking even with carnal hearts Many with the yong man in the Gospell Matth. 19. v. 16.22 may be inquisitive after eternall life and have desires to enjoy it and take much paines to seeke after it and be very sorrowfull at the thoughts of missing of it and these imply some tastig of the heavenly gift and the powers of the world to come Hebr. 6. v. 4 5. A man may be elevated with raptures of joy upon a supposed interest in heaven and all this may be but in a natural way like Haman he may thinke whom will the Lord honour but my selfe Esth 6. v. 6. but with the yong man he may minde earthly things more then Christ or eternal life ver 21 22. Saith Forbes as a Physitian that hath prepared a comfortable potion for the health of a beloved patient he will give to others a little of it to make them apprehend the tast of it but not so as to have any strength to make any operation in the stomacke so the Lord may let some carnal men discerne some goodnes in Christ and eternall life But these tasts doe not make them partakers of the refreshing power of these They may be wrought into a great reformation and a glorious outward profession hereby but they have not such an operation as to cause their hearts to mount up Christ-ward and place their satisfaction in him alone But the speakings of the Spirit make the soule cry out as Cant. 5.10 11. My beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest amongst ten thousand c. v. 16. He is altogether lovely A soule at such a day cannot but reckon Christ the top of its glory and it can finde no rest but in him and Communion with him and the smiles of his face all other things are nothing to these in its account Reall-tasts that the Lord is gracious cause the soule to disrelish carnal delights and imbitter those sweets to it Saith the soule should I be taken with the smiles of Creatures is not the smiling face of Christ better should I be drunke with the sweet cups of worldly delights is not the Wine in Christs Cellar better should I feed upon ashes after Christ hath led me into his banqueting house O no. Whither should I goe Thou hast the words of eternall life But I shall proceed to the other Questions CHAP. XIV Shewing how a soule may know that the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption by bloud Qu 2. HOw may a soule know that the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption by Blood Ans 1. From the New Covenant or the free promise we are not to thinke that there is an application of material blood but the Gospell discovereth that the bloud of Christ which was shed upon the Crosse was intended and is usefull for Justification Redemption c. and offereth it for such uses and ends unto particular soules The application of blood is by faith Rom. 3.25 and therefore it must be by a promise because faith ever must have a Divine word to fasten upon and Rom. 10 v. 8.10 The Apostle checketh reproveth for such carnal apprehensions as that we must clamber up to heaven for the blood of Christ No saith he the Lord reacheth it forth and maketh it nigh to us in or by the word of faith and the same word promiseth beleevers that they shall be saved v. 9. So that a Divine word is the instrument for the conveyance of the blood of Christ unto soules and for their assurance of salvation thereby This is Gods Deed of gift which they have to shew for their right and title to that blood and all advantages that come by it and their Acquittance or discharge from the debt they did owe to Justice Many are possessed with apprehensions that it is impossible to attaine assurance of interest in that blood of Christ and are filled with inward porplexities about it for want of considering the written word as the means of conveyance Whereas if the promise of it be yours the blood in the severall uses it serveth to is yours also and that ought to satisfie you for there is an inseparable connexion between blood and the Covenant Heb. 10. v. 16.19 12. v. 24. 13. v. 20. And your Conclusions of interest
lead me in the way everlasting then the defectiveness of thy knowledge is such as is common to thee with the choycest Saints and be assured that no secret sin hath dominion over thee but thou art an haire of the everlasting kingdome for Joh. 17.3 This is life eternall to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Object 4. I have found a great impression made upon my Spirit by a word or promise but upon a serious search I cannot Conclude whither it be from Satan or a testimony of the divine Spirit What am I to do in such a Case Answ 1. Observe what duty thy present condition calleth for and walk up to that that impression may be but a forerunner of the mercy which is a coming Hab. 2. v. 3. The vision is for an appointed time thou must waite for it and at last it will come and will not tarry Thou mayest be as succesfull in pressing forward towards what is before as in pondering upon what is past or present Christ did often speake in parables and the interpretation came afterward Christ warmed the hearts of his Disciples in his talking with them and expounding the Scriptures to them but yet they knew not that it was his voyce untill they came up to some other duties Luk. 24. v. 29 30 31 32. 2. Conclude not either way upon slighty grounds if it were the voyce of the Spirit and thou callest it the voyce of Satan thou offerest a great unkindnes to the Spirit if it were from Satan and thou callest it the voyce of the Spirit thou deceivest thy owne soule Better to leave it dubious then to Conclude either way unsafely Yet having sufficient grounds neglect not the Conclusion 3. Be carefull to make some improvement of it for Christ and against Satan Say thus with thy selfe this dispensation hath a great stampe upon it whither it be by the finger of the Spirit or not I cannot tell I will see if it may not be of advantage towards the exercise of some Gospell graces as faith patience humility If thou can'st not tell but Christ may have said to thee I am thine be sure thou makest use of this towards selfe-resignation let thy heart answer this voyce and eccho back againe Lord I am thine Zech. 13.9 And here Satan will loose ground though it should be he that spake to thee If Christians did sooner breake off those distracting perplexing thoughts about that Question Whither those workes they have felt proceeded from Satan or the Spirit of Christ when it lieth darke and did seeke to finde out his name that spake unto them by pursuing gracious resolutions not to let him goe untill they had obtained a blessing O how might they be freed from a great many of those tossings feares faintings unsettlements which they labour under If they did improve such dispensations to the contradicting the ends of Satan Gen. 32. v. 26 27.30 they might at last see God as it were face to face and so the issues would be glorious CHAP. XXIII Of the meanes to the attaining strengthening and preserving the witnessings of the Spirit Qu 5. BY what meanes may the Witnessings of the Spirit be attained strengthened and preserved in a soule Answ 1. Waite for the Spirit the Lord is free and ready to afford it unto those he hath owned as his Children Luk. 11. v. 13. How much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that aske him Here is the great reason that so many Christians are so much without Assurance because they looke so little to the Spirit for it Neither promises nor graces without the irradiations of the Spirit can be effectually witnessing 1 Cor. 2. v. 10.12 A true Dyall hath an aptitude to give the houre of the day but unles the Sun shineth you can know nothing by it so it may be day-light with your soules and you may have precious graces that have an aptitude to witnes Adoption but they cannot doe it without the shineings of the Spirit upon its owne workes in your soules It is reported that the Sabine Stone is of a darke duskish colour till it be sprinkled with oil Plin. part 2. p. 588. and then it will burne of a light fire so graces and experiences are of a duskish colour till the oil of the Spirit be powred on them and then they will burne forth with brightnes so as to witnes unto soules their Adoption And therefore this Direction must run through all those that follow 2. Maintaine a firme perswasion that it is your duty to seeke after the witnessings of the Spirit Some account it their duty to live in a doubting and questioning Condition and are apt to thinke they should sin if they should seeke for Assurance others breath out sad complaints for their being without it and yet looke not upon the seeking after it under the notion of duty Whereas they ought to be very studious about that as well as other duties 2 Pet. 1.10 Give diligence to make your calling and election sure It is not barely a permission but an injunction and so it will be an act of disobedience and your great sin to neglect the pressing after Assurance 3. Beware of those things that tend to keep off from Assurance 1. Beware of supposing it impossible to attaine it many labour under discouragement from hence and thereupon seeke but little after it That it is attaineable see Isai 45. v. 24. 63. v. 16. 2 Cor. 5. v. 1.6 2. Beware of limiting the Lord to your time some would faine injoy it but they tie up the Lord to this duty and that time and will not wait his ley sure for it 3. Beware of grieving the Spirit Ephes 4.30 If you have any motions from the Spirit O cherish improve follow up these for if the Spirit suspendeth its operations you will be at a losse indeed for Assurance 4. Beware of yeelding to carnall and unbeleeving reasonings many dispute themselves into unbeliefe but he Psal 42.5 reasoneth his own heart out of it Why art thou cast downe O my soule 5. Beware of nourishing any sin Heb. 10. v. 22. Let us draw neer with a true heart in full Assurance of faith but how shall we doe that having our hearts sprinkled from an evill Conscience What is an evill Conscience but one justly accusing for or charging with sin and there is no way to be delivered from that evil Conscience but by a heartie application of the blood of Christ for remission and putification that is the blood of sprinkling 1 Pet. 1.2 Many set poreing upon and complaining of some corruptions and that because of these they are without Assurance but if you would have full Assurance then seeke to be sprinkled from them by the blood of Christ 6. Beware of spirituall sloath and carnal securitie Heb. 6.11 Shew the same diligence to the full Assurance of hope 2 Pet. 1.10 Negligence is a great enemy to