the Angels desire to look into 1 Pet. 1.12 and are in continual ecstacy in the admiration of O the Love of God in sending Christ of Christ in becoming Man 1 Joh. 3.1 in taking any of the Sons of Men to be the Children of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God Rom. 11.33 There there only is something to be admired all the Glories of the World are but meer contemptible Pageantry he can trample them under his Feet with a better disdain then Diogenes trampled on Plato's bravery for he is in a sort crucified to the world Gal. 6.14.2 Cor. 4.18 And can pass by things seen with an holy scorn compared with things unseen which are Eternal This is the New Creature in the Mind 2. The New Creature is also manifest in the Conscience which though it be not a distinct Faculty but a compound of more yet it is of great use in the Soul of Man and its necessary that the Heart be sprinkled from an evil Conscience Heb. 10.22 which is done by the Blood of Christ and that the Conscience be purged from dead Works to serve the living God and this is effected by the Eternal Spirit Heb. 9.14 Now there are Four Offices of Conscience which the New Creature doth in good measure rectifie 1. As it is Index a guide a discoverer of Duty a bright Star in a dark Night an Hand in the Margin to shew us what is worth our observing a Schoolmaster to teach us a Monitor to shew our Mistakes and it must be regulated by the Word of God for Conscience is corrupted and is apt to be deceived and deceive us it is but an under-Officer and must it self be subject to God's Law hence the Christian seeks to regulate its dictates by the Word of Truth and Grace brings it to the rule What saith my Supreme Lord and Master I must follow thee no further than God's Law allows now the New Creature brings the Conscience to the Word and saith Thus far thou must go and no further the End of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure Heart and good Conscience and Faith unfeigned 1 Tim. 1.5 These are always Companions this is a good Conscience 2. Conscience is liber 't is a Book wherein are noted and writ down all a man's Actions Expressions yea his Thoughts and Imaginations so it is a wise and faithful Register to produce them as a faithful Witness for or against a man another day the Books were opened Rev. 20.12 One of those was the Book of Conscience Conscience is as a thousand Witnesses if good the Holy Ghost joyns with it my Conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost Rom. 9.1 And this is our rejoycing the testimony of our Conscience 2 Cor. 1.12 If the Person have done any thing amiss Conscience brings it to the man's remembrance as the Sin of Joseph's Brethren made them say We are verily guilty Gen 43.21 Now a faithful Witness will not lye A rectified Conscience will give in a true Testimony to promote Repentance which is therefore called a bethinking our selves 1 King 8.47 or Heb. a bringing back upon our Hearts Conscience hath a tenacious Memory and will speak true in its Excusings or Accusings Rom. 2.14 15. which is proper to Conscience as a Conscience but Grace regulates it and adds some force to it 3. As Conscience is judex a Judge to pass the Sentence upon a man as the verdict is brought in It 's true it is but a petty Judge under the Supreme Judge yet the Great God confirms its judicial Sentence 1 John 3.20 If our Hearts i.e. our Consciences condemn us God is greater than our Hearts and knoweth all things Every man may and must keep a privy Sessions within preparatory to the Great Assizes if he be but passive and is loath to hearken to this Sentence he is self-condemned and this is but praejudicium judicij a sad prognostick of his being condemned at God's Tribunal which he seeks to escape as Felix did but cannot But if he joyn issue with this Sentence and condemn himself actively and voluntarily he shall not be judged or condemned 1 Cor. 11.31 Now Grace in the Heart makes a Man do this I am the Man saith Conscience I confess both the Fact and Fault Aâ—rtthou so saith Conscience I must needs pass the Sentence upon thee according to God's righteous Law Well I yield saith the Soul I am convicted in this Court and cannot escape the Judgment of God I must flye to the City of Refuge 4. Conscience is vindex an anvenger a self-tormenter a guilty Person is one that torments or afflicts himself some do this sinfully by worldly Sorrow which causeth Death 2 Cor 7.10 The Christian must do it penitentially either for his own Sins or other mens so Lot vexed his righteous Soul with the Sodomites Sins 2 Pet. 2.7 8. The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he beat and Bastinado'd his righteous Soul The Godly Man must take the Whip of Conscience with the Hand of Grace and whip himself for his Sins or God will take it with his Hand and scourge him with it as he did David whose Heart smote him for numbring the People 2 Sam. 24.10 The Worm of Conscience gnawing at the Heart is an acute Pain and will be one of the Torments of the Wicked in Hell Mark 9.44 But the Godly Man prevents that by joyning issue with executing God's Sentence by self-excruciating trouble for Sin here this is a profitable use of Conscience by a free and voluntary seconding its severe Lashes to promote Godly Sorrow This for two parts of the New Creature that concern first the Mind secondly The Conscience Chap. X. A further tryal of the New Creature as to the Will and Affections the subjects of it and its Properties 3. ANother Subject wherein this New Creature resides is the Will and this is Cardo animae the hinge of the Soul the Master-Wheel upon which the whole Soul turns as an old Bowl receives a new Byas that turns it quite another way then what it had gone now the change of the Will is the main work of converting Grace There are Four Motions of the Will wherein the New Creature shews it self 1. In its Designs Aims Intentions The world and it self were the main drift of the VVill in a natural state all seek their own Phil. 2.21 the gratifying of the Flesh sensual Appetite and carnal Interest the universal Inquest is Who will shew us any good Psal 4.6 Oh for a good Bargain a cheap Purchase Another is for strong Drink or sweet Meats Plays or Pleasures another for Cap and Knee and Titles of Honour But the New Creature post-pones and scorns all these and designs the glorifying of God enjoyment of him let Chrst be magnified and my Soul glorified Phil. 20. And I can hate all other things God hath twisted them together and the Soul cannot part them
Work though Ministers are oft calling on you Sinners to look about you we tell you there 's a Cheat in the case Satan is busie to lay his Brats in God's Bed Counterfeit Coin is common our Warnings now will be thought of these frequent Summons will ring in your Ears our Sermons will have a Repetition in this or in another world Conscience will gall you and you cannot plead Ignorance or say non putâram I thought not of such a day How often do we tell you of the danger of dying in your old state and of that Sulphurous Lake that thousands are scolded in that once lived as securely as you now do and they are in an hopeless helpless Eternity and how can you tell but this may be the last day the last warning or overture of Grace the last knock at your Door God may say Away be gone out of my sight take him Devil I will no more be troubled with such a Miscreant But if after all this you be senceless and lie still while you are nailed in your Coffin you are dead twice dead and this Security is a confutation of that Principle that Adam and his Posterity by the Fall is not dead but sleepeth or only in a swound and languor but life is in him No no this sad Stupor or Spiritual Lethargy shews it 's not an excitation of a principle but an infusion of new Life all our shouting and rubbing and pricking will not recover Sinners we must leave them to a creating Power and to him that can raise the Dead But let me rather persuade you to look after this New-Creation-Work from the Advantage it will be to all sorts of Persons of every Age and Relation Oh! you Old Persons that are going off the Stage of the World dropping into the Grave and Eternity that have been long and not yet lived begin at last to turn over a new leaf seek a New Life that you may have Comfort and not terrour in your expiring Pangs yet there is hope God still waits to be gracious and stands knocking at your Door rise out of your Bed of sloth put back the Barr admit him with all his Graces make out for this Change against your last Change You Young People that have lately step'd into the World and slip'd thus far before you know where you are it may be young in Years old in Sin you are entring into a wicked world with wicked hearts Oh! look after this blessed Antidote that may prevent Infection be sure of a Pilot that may row you through this boisterous Sea safe to the Haven without new hearts you will make this bad World worse and be worse by it rather seek to amend it You that are entring into Callings or for changing Conditions you will be fit for nothing without this you will bring a Curse into every Relation and Vocation without this but this will make you fit for any thing and you will be attended with God's Blessing in all you set about You Married Persons I recommend this New Creature to you that you be sure to marry in the Lord then you will be Heirs together of the Grace of Life and pray praise God together have this sweet Relation perfum'd and meet in Glory You Rich Persons are Beggars without this this will make you rich and honourable the excellent in the Earth God's Jewels Favourites of Heaven And you poor that cannot get daily Bread this will make you rich in Faith Heirs of a Kingdom Oh what a Treasure is this fear of the Lord You poor Athenians that are always inquiring after News new Opinions new Inventions new Fashions here 's a brave and blessed piece of Novelty for you this New Creature will stand you in stead not so much to please your itching Ears as to profit your Languishing Souls Well I have done my poor Endeavour to effect this work upon your Hearts When we have said and done all we can we have done nothing at all except the Eternal Jehovah strike with the great Hammer O thou infinite Almighty God that hast made the Earth by thy Power hast established the World by thy Wisdom and stretched out the Heavens by thy discretion Jer. 10.12 Look into the Hearts of Sinners see what a Chaos of Confusion is by Sin brought upon the noble Soul go o're thy Work again mend what Sin hath marred put Light in the Understanding Power into the Will Rectitude into the Affections make Conscience do its office O that Corruption may be mortified Satan cast out a sound Principle introduced the Soul redintegrated and everlastingly saved I commend these my poor Labours into the Hands of God to use them as he sees good and to you that heard these Sermons and to others that shall take the pains to read them having delivered my Conscience in some measure of Uprightness whether the Effect answer my Pains and Aims or no And in this labour of Love I am willing to take my Leave of the World as to troubling it any further in this kind and commend you my Brethren to God and to the Word of his Grace which is able to renew your hearts and build you up and to give you an Inheritance among all them which are sanctified Acts 20.32 which is the daily Prayer of A Poor Watch-man for Your Souls O. H. May 3. 95. THE CONTENTS Chap. I. THe Text opened a Doctrine raised and handled Page 1 Chap. II. What is meant by a New Creature Doctrine raised Page 13 Chap. III. Why this is called a New Creature A Parallel betwixt the Old Creation and this New Creation Page 30 Chap. IV. Wherein the New Creature is available to Souls Page 43 Chap. V. Some Inferences by way of Question and Answer from the Premises Page 56 Chap. VI. An Use of Reproof and Conviction of sundry sorts Page 69 Chap. VII An Use of Correction for Reforming Sinners Mistakes Page 94 Chap. VIII Some Objections of Sinners answered against their Endeavours to be New Creatures Page 110 Chap. IX Instructions for the Tryal of our Spirits whether we be indeed New Creatures Page 124 Chap. X. A further Tryal of the New Creature as to the Will and Affections the Subjects of it and its Properties Page 138 Chap. XI A Tryal of the New Creature by its Effects Consequences and Proper Operations Page 152 Chap. XII Directions what Means may be used for the obtaining this New Creature Page 164 Chap. XIII Instructions how those must behave themselves that are indeed New Creatures Page 177 Chap. XIV An Answer to some Cases of Conscience Page 189 Galatians vi 15. For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but a New Creature CHAP. I. The Text opened a Doctrine raised and handled SOme Interpreters think that this Text comes not in so much as a proof of the Assertion immediately preceding of the Apostle's glorying in Christ's Cross and his being crucified to the world ver 14. As it is a
Seed Isa 66.22 else there would be a great Inconsistency New Palates will find sweetness in this new Meat and new Wine else it will be lost upon them 11. The New Creature fits Persons for Death and Heaven To these to live is Christ and to dye gain Phil. 1.21 Living and Dying these are the Lord's Rom. 14. It s this that renders Persons meet for that heavenly Inheritance Col. 1.12 No Eyes can see God but of those that are pure in Heart Mat. 5.8 These and only these are wrought for this self-same thing 2 Cor. 5.5 Heaven is not like Noah's Ark that had clean and unclean Creatures brought into it Without Holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 Frogs came into Pharoah's Court but no unclean thing can enter Heaven Rev. 21.9 A sensual Pallate cannot taste the sweetness of that Wine in our Father's Kingdom Matth. 26.29 For its New Wine and renewed Souls are capable of taking pleasure in it O happy Soul that hath got Christ in the Arms of his Faith and in his Heart by this New Nature he may lift up his Head and say with Simeon Now Lord lettest thou thy servant depart in Peace according to thy Word for mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation Luk. 2.29 30. And is not this available to Souls 12. Yea this New Creature is Heaven begun it is a considerable part of Heaven Holiness is a considerable Happiness it s the Seed and Embryo of that heavenly state Grace and Glory as they are joyned in a blessed connexion Psal 84.10 So they differ but in degree not in Specie Grace is Glory begun Glory is Grace consummated Grace is the Bud Glory is the Flower this New Creature is the Key of Paradise the inlet into Glory yea it is Salvation already 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us This blessed work of the New Creature is a quickning together with Christ and raiseth us up together and makes us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus And thus we are saved in our Representative Eph. 2.5 6 7. yea this Divine Principle is an Heaven begun not only as a Pledge but part of it The Scripture often tells us that God's Children have Eternal Life John 17.3 And this is 1. in precio in price for it is a purchased Possession Eph. 1.14.2 in promisso in promise for God hath promised Eternal Life to all that obey him Heb. 5.9.3 in semine in Seed this Water within the Believer is a Well springing up to Eternal Life John 4.14.4 in pignore in pledge and pawn this is called sometimes the Seal of the holy spirit Eph. 1.13 14. Sometimes the Earnest which is part of the thing to be enjoyed Sometimes the Witness of the Spirit which never bears its testimony to a Lye 1 John 5.10 He that believeth in thâ— Son of God hath the witness in himself for thâ— holy spirit beareth witness with our Spirits Româ— 8.16 And in these respects the New Creature is available in such a manner as no externaâ— Gospel-privileges or worldly enjoyments are to the Children of men Thus much for the third Head Chap. V. Some Inferences by way of Question aâ— Answer from the Premises FOr the Practical Improvement of this greâ— Truth I shall keep close to the Methâ— which the Holy Ghost prescribes in all Truthâ— 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by Inspiratâ— of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproâ— for Correction for Instruction in Righteousneâ— These are the Uses I shall make of this point 1. Doctrine or Information of the Judgmeâ— that our Minds may be informed in points fit 〈◊〉 be known Now there may be inquiry into Seven Poinâ— about this Doctrine of the New Creature whiâ— I shall reduce to Question and Answer 1. Quest Whether is the framing of this Nâ—â—reature in the Soul miraculous The Reason of this Question is because we have compared it to yea â—ewed a precedency above the first Creation which was a Miracle therefore it should seem that this also must be so Answ 1. Some things are Miracles yet not 〈◊〉 Creation as Stephen seeing Jesus at God's Right hand Acts 7. Or barren Sarah's conceiâ—ing Gen. 2 1. or the Sun 's going back or standing still Isa 38. For then Nature is only exâ—ended 2. Some things both a Miracle and a Creation as the Virgin Mary's conceiving and â—earing a Son yet remaining a Virgin Luke 1. â—5 Manna was both a Miracle and a Creation Exod. 16.22.3 Some things seem a Miracle as an Eclipse of the Sun seems a Miâ—acle to ignorant People but Mathematicians now the Cause 4. Some things are a Creation yet not a Miracle as the Conversion of a â—oul the subject is a rational Soul and so caâ—ble of a Principle of Grace and had once â—od's Image but it s lost and is recovered by 〈◊〉 Spiritual Creation of that which Man had â—st by his fall and folly and so 't is called 2. Quest Whether is there any Inclination in â—an towards this New Creation Or whether there 〈◊〉 any Spark of Good left in man upon his fall that â—ing improved by his Natural Faculties and diliâ—nce may grow up to a New Creature For it may â—m there is in man a Natural Conscience prompting â—n to good excusing him in doing it drawing him â—m Evil and accusing him upon the committing it 〈◊〉 Rom. 2.14 15. Answ 1. Those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Grecians call them common notices or Anâ— ticipations of Good are not in the Will but 〈◊〉 the Mind not in the Affections but Conscience nec vero cordis nomen pro sede affectuum seâ— tantum pro intellectu capitur Calv. in loc It was not ingraven in their Will to chuse it but the power of some Truths flashed in their Eyes thaâ— they could not but know them and have soâ— general liking of them so they could not bâ— know that Adultery and Stealing are naughtâ— the contrary good 2. But whether these weâ— left in man's Heart after the Fall as Relicks 〈◊〉 God's Image or introduced by God's Providence afterwards for the good of mankind aâ— to maintain Peace and Intercourse in Societiâ— is much disputed Mr. Capel of Tempt thinâ— the latter However 3. All our Protestâ— Writers affirm with the Scriptures that Maâ— Nature is universally depraved against 〈◊〉 Socinians that hold the Nature of Man is 〈◊〉 corrupted but say whatsoever Spot or Vicâ— in Man proceeds from frequent Acts of Sâ— and Custom in Sinning without the interâ— corruption of his Nature But the Scriptâ— tell us of Man's total degeneracy In me saâ— Paul i. e. in my Flesh dwells no good thing Roâ— 7.18 Our mind and conscience is defiled Tit. 1. â— There is none righteous no not one of all the race Mankind Rom. 3.9 10. And therefore neâ— a Sanctification throughout in Soul Spirit and Bâ— 1 Thes 5.23 Yea 4. There 's an utter imâ— tency in Man to renew himself Rom.
God's prerogative and he is a free Agent 1 Pet. 1.21 to work or suspend his Grace Object But doth not Baptism now save Answ But it is when there 's the Answer of a good Conscience and it is by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Rom. 1 16.-10.14 The Gospel-preaching is the Power of God to Salvation yet all are not saved by it Faith comes by hearing Jam. 5.3 Yet all that hear do not believe For who hath believed our Report Ordinances are but Channels not Springs of Grace the Blessing upon them depends only on Soveraign Grace how many Thousands have gone to Hell with Baptismal Water on their Face Ishmael Esau and all the House of Israel that were uncircumcised in Heart Jer. 9.26 Rest not satisfied with this but see you be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Matth. 3.11 6. Quest Wherein doth this New Creature excel shining morality or the splendid common Graces of the Hypocrites Answ 1. In the Root or Principle begot by a Saving change from Nature to Grace carnal men though they have never so fair a Flower yet want the Root of the matter John 19.27 This unsoundness of Heart is the Hair in the Moralists Pen that blurs all his fair Writing as he said of a Person of such and such Vertues tamen est Romanus yet he 's a Leper as was said of Naaman the Syrian still graceless unprincipled 2. In the Universality Zechariah and Elizabeth walked in all the Commandments of the Lord Luk. 1.6 But of the Moralist and Hypocrite it may be said the Legs of the Lame are not equal they are addicted to halting and halving they are always partial seem excellent in one Grace but defective in another yea totally want what is essentially necessary to constitute a Saint The Moralist is defective in compliance with the first Table of the Law the Hypocrite with the Second but the New Creature lies square to all Commands and Duties at all times Psal 106.3 The New Creature acts for a right End God's glory and communion with him but the Moralist and Hypocrite always and in every action hath a squint Eye at himself profit pleasure honour as Jehu and the Pharisees 4. The New Creature always improves Jesus Christ both for assistance and acceptance the Moralist and Hypocrite stand upon their own Legs and think their Penny current Money with God but the gracious Soul denys himself in all his Works are wrought in God John 3.21 He is accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.6 In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory Isa 45.25 7. Qu. Wherein lies the difference betwixt this New Creature which consists in Sanctification and the state of Justification The Reason of this Query is because Papists and some others confound them Answ 1. The New Creature in Sanctification is an Inherent Work done within us A New Spirit will I put within you Ezek. 36.26 And the Kingdom of God is within you Luk. 17.21 And though at first it be immediatly infused by the Spirit yet the Christian is an Agent in promoting his Sanctification 2 Cor. 7.1.1 John 3.3 they may and must cleanse themselves But now Justification is a Work done without us by the Lord Christ with his Father by his Satisfaction of Divine Justice on the Cross and by his Intercession at God's Right Hand we have Redemption through his Blood the forgiveness of Sins Ephes 1.7 The Red Lines of Christ's Blood blot out the Black Lines of our Sins out of God's Debt-book he washeth us from our Sins in his own Blood 1 John 1.7 Rev. 1.5 He was delivered for our Offences and raised again for our Justification Rom. 4.25 No other Person or Thing is interposed no Faith it self as a Work hath not any causality in this Work its only God's free Work of Grace for Christ's sake to forgive Sins 2. The New Creature in Sanctification is not wrought in the same measure or degree in all the Saints of God some that are sincere come far short of others there are some Babes others strong men Heb. 5.13 14. It 's said of some Kings of Israel there was none like them Neh. 7.2 Hananiah feared God above many There was none like Job in the Earth Job 1.8 So there was different products of the Seed yet all in good Ground Matth. 13.23 Some Christians abound in Faith Love Humility Patience Knowledge Mortification others are defective But Justification is alike to all and upon all that believe for there is no difference Rom. 3.22 The meanest weakest Believer hath as large a Store as the strongest I write unto you little Children because your Sins are forgiven you for his Name 's sake 1 John 2.12 They are as much justified as Fathers and Young Men Mary Magdalen the Penitent Thief are as much justified as Peter the reason is because they are all partakers of like precious Faith 2 Pet. 1.1 The least measure whereof attains its End of receiving Christ as the greater for it 's Christ received by Faith that justifies a weak Hand may receive a Gift as well as the stronger though not so steaddily but it s the Gift that inricheth not the strength of the Hand 3. The New Creature comes on by degrees it s not compleat as it shall be at the first instant it 's first an Embryo Christ formed in the Heart and then increaseth with the increase of God till it come to a perfect man Col. 2.19 to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4.13 The Apostle thanks God for the Thessalomans that their Faith did grow exceedingly 2 Thes 1.3 and Charity It s like the Sun that shineth more and more to the perfect day Prov. 4.18 A good Man grows stronger and stronger Job 17.9 But now Justification is compleat at first every whit as much at first ingrafting into Christ as afterwards All that believe are justified from all things Acts 13.39 No Condemnation can be laid in against them Rom. 8.1 He forgiveth all trespasses blotting out the hand-writing Col. 2.13 14. God throughly washeth away his Childrens blood Ezek. 16.9 There 's not a Spot to be seen on them no Charge can be drawn up against them Rom. 8.33 Quest Why then are Christ's Disciples bound to pray daily for Pardon Matth. 6.12 Answ 1. Because we are daily committing new Sins in many things we offend all James 3.2 We miss it in every thing Oh how many are our secret Faults Psal 19.12.2 God would have us daily lie under the sence of our former guilt the desert of Sin and the worth of pardoning Grace David was assured of Pardon by Nathan 2 Sam. 12.13 yet afterwards prays for it Psal 51.2 The prodigal Son confesseth his fault after his Father had fallen on his Neck Luk. 15.20 21.3 Pardoning Grace may be clouded in the sence and assurance of it and in this respect the Righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith Rom. 1.17 From a less
to a stronger Faith Besides 4. We may distinguish betwixt a justified State and applications of Pardon to Souls there is forgiveness with God which must be daily sued out by Faith and Prayer Psal 130.4 4. Another difference betwixt this New Creature and Justification is that the Grace of the New Creature is never perfect in this Life the holiest Saints have some Spots and defects who can say I have made my Heart clean Prov. 20.9 I am pure from my Sin Eccle. 7.20 There 's not a just man on Earth that doth good and sinneth not Mat. 3.14 John Baptist needs a New Baptism all the Disciples need their first washing John 13. A Paul complains of a Body of Death Rom. 7.14 It s in Heaven only that the Spirits of just men are made perfect Heb. 12.23 Bat Justification is perfect there 's no Spot in the justified Cant. 4.7 Fair as the Moon Cant. 6.10 as to Sanctification clear as the Sun in respect of Justification Psal 51.7 white as Snow Isa 38.17 God deals with them as if they had never offended casting their Sins behind his Back into the depth of the Sea Mich. 7.18 Remembers them no more Jer. 31.34 Object But doth not God punish his for Sin Answ Those are not properly Acts of Vindictive Justice but Fatherly Chastisements coming from God not as a Judge upon a Malefactor but as an indulgent Father to his wandring and way-ward Child It s true Afflictions are materially the Curse but formally a Blessing being like a Water running through the blessed Mineral of Covenant-Love With reference to this Pardoning Grace Dr. Ames Medul p. 139. its worth noting what D. Ames observes that there 's fourfold Pardon 1st In God's decree and purpose foreseeing it Gal. 3.8 2dly In Christ's undertakings our Sins laid on him Isa 53.6 3dly Virtually upon the Christians first Relation to God Rom. 8.1 4thly Expresly applied upon the Believers Repentance acting of Faith and sence of pardon Rom. 5.1 And I may add there 's a Day of publick proclaiming this Pardon before the whole World Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your Sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Chap. VI. An Use of Reproof and Conviction of sundry sorts A Second Use of this point is Reproof If a New Creature be available to Souls yea of such absolute necessity then what shall we say 1. Of non-pretenders to it 2. Of meer Pretenders to it 1. There are some in the World that plainly say in Words or Deeds that they are as they have been and so will continue they trouble not themselves about these new things but say I am Semper idem still the same I thank God I am no Turn-coat nor will I meddle with them that are given to change I love the old way To this Answer Take that Text with you Jeremiah 6.16 Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the Old Paths where is the good old way and walk therein Mark it not simply the Old Way except it be good for there are many old ways that are not good Cain's way is old enough so was Balaam's and Core's yet there 's a Woe unto them that walk in those ways Jude 11. The Woman of Samaria boasted of the Antiquity that their Father Jacob gave them that Well that her Ancestors did worship in that Mountain John 4 12.-20.24 But our Lord teacheth her other Doctrines yea it was no good Plea of the Jews that they did as their Fathers in burning Incense to the Queen of Heaven though they pleaded great Success then say they We bad plenty of Victuals and saw no Evil Jer. 44.17 18. God answers them to the purpose Ver. 21.22 But let me say to you 1. That this Plea is a multiplication of the Fault if it be not a good way every Step you take in it is a new Error and brings new guilt vetustas Erroris seductio Errantis The way of the Wicked seduceth him Have you examin'd whether this be God's way or no If you be wrong the further you go the further you are from God 2. This continuing in old Customs without inquiry will harden your Hearts and make you more uncapable yea more unwilling to return Can the Ethiopian change his Skin and the Leopard his Spots then may ye also learn to do good that are accustomed to do evil Jer. 13.23 Custom in Sin takes away Conscience of Sin the more men travel the more brawny are their Feet 3. But what think you Adam went wrong and do you delight to follow him or rather should not the Old Man be crucified Rom. 6.6 You have no reason to bear big or brag of the Old Man which is corrupt according to deceitful Lusts but rather put on this new man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness Eph. 4.22 24. See a Parallel betwixt the first Adam and Second 1 Cor. 15.45 49. And then make your choice 4. You 'l never walk in Heaven's Road without a change Deceive not your selves you must be turned from your vain Conversation received by Tradition from your Fathers 1 Pet. â— 18 You will never walk in this New and Living Way without a New Heart You cannot serve God but it must be in the Newness of Spirit not in the Oldness of the Letter Rom. 7.6 You are undone if you dye as you are born you need not change your Religion for you profess the true Religion only you must see you be true to that Religion by a change of Heart and Life Except you be born again you cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3.3 Better never have been born then not be new born But more of this anon Tremble to think of appearing before God naked or in your old rotten Rags the Gibeonites might cheat Israel with their old Bottles Clouts Shoes Josh 9.4 but you cannot cousen God so An old frame is not fit for a new state old Hearts for new Heavens If you live after the Flesh you shall dye i. e. be damned Rom 8.13 but if you through the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the Body you shall live i. e. be saved There are many more that are far from being New Creatures that have a black Brand of Reprobation printed on their Foreheads and disclaim any pretences to this New Creation-Work as 1st Such as have imbibed Atheistical Principles and say with their Tongues or in their Hearts there is no God Psal 14.1 at least Deists that deny God's Providence and Divine Revelations 2dly Prophane Scoffers at true Christian Piety and the Power of Godliness 2 Pet. 3. under the Name of Puritans loading Strictness in Religion with Names of Obloquy Scorn and Derision 3dly Profoundly ignorant of Gospel-Mysteries 1 Cor. 13.34 and the Essentials of Religion the knowledge whereof is of the highest importance and necessity and yet do scorn to learn 4thly Voluptuous Epicures Drunkards Adulterers and that
this Pearl of Pirce some are content with a Christ to pardon and save them but like him not as a King to rule them and mortifie their Lusts look to it there 's more sorts of Faith then saving the Apostle supposeth a man to have all Faith 1 Cor. 13.2 Yet not that which worketh by Love 1 Tim. 1.5 Feigned Faith is one thing Unfeigned is another 8th Plea But I confess all my Sins from the bottom of my Heart repent of them and am heartily sorry I have done amiss Answ So have many Hypocrites Reprobates so did Pharaoh Exod. 9.27 I have sinned this time the Lord is righteous and I and my People are wicked 1 Sam. 24.16 17-26 21 Twice did Saul confess his Folly yea lift up his Voice and wept and ingenuoussy said I have sinned So did Ahab humble himself King 21.27 And you find Judas repenting himself yea restoring and saying I have sinned in betraying Innocent Blood Matth. 27 34. Oh see yours be not a worldly Sorrow 2 Cor. 7.10 9th Plea But I take up strong Resolutions of better and new Obedience and do actually reform is not this the New Creature Answ No the New Creature always produceth Reformation but Reformation may be without the New Creature Herod feared John Baptist and when he heard him he did many things and heard him gladly Mark 6.20 Partial Reformation is no sound Evidence of Regeneration the unclean Spirit of scandalous sinning may go out of the Devil's Slave for a Season Matth. 12 43-45 Men may escape gross Pollutions yet be intangled in the Devil's Fetters 2 Pet. 20.23 10th Plea I do not only Reform but also Conform to the Will of God in keeping all his Commands this surely shews Grace Answ Yes if done from a right Principle according to rule for a right end with Faith in Jesus Christ but deceive not your selves outward Compliance doth not always testifie a New Creature the Young Gentleman in Matth. 19.20 said concerning the Commandments All these things have I kept from my Youth up what lack I yet Alas poor man he lacked the main Paul before Conversion saith of himself touching the Righteousness of the law blameless Phil. 3.6 11th Plea But I do not only Reform Conform but I Perform many good Duties I Read Pray Fast am serious in God's Worship Answ It 's well so far all do not so but remember those Hypocrites in Isa 58.2 That sought God daily delighted to know his ways yea the Pharisees made long Prayers Matth. 23.14 Yea they fasted and that twice a Week Luke 18.11,12 They were famous for Religious Exercises yet gross Hypocrites 12th Plea Those were only for Externals in Religion but I am for Internals also that God may have my Heart Answ Very well but it 's one thing to be sound in the Doctrinals another to be sincere in Practicals Experimentals it 's one thing to say it another thing to feel it and do it The Scribe in Mark 12.32 33. subscribed to the Truth of this great Doctrine of Loving the Lord with all the Heart Understanding Soul and Strength and repeats it yet was not of but only not far from the Kingdom of God vers 34. Yea you may take delight in approaching to God yet be bad Esay 38.2 13th Plea But I am upright in what I do I know nothing to my self but Integrity Conscience doth not accuse me to be an Hypocrite Answ It may be so because Conscience may be asleep and saith nothing or nothing to the purpose being blinded with Ignorance or besotted with self-conceit and want of self-searching But know there may be a moral Integrity in particular Acts when there is not a Gospel-integrity in point of State as in Heathen Abimelech see God's attestation to it Gen. 20.5 6. 14th Plea I have a Love to God Jesus Christ and follow him out of my dear and tender respects to him Answ It 's well if so but is it not self-love that engageth you to follow him as those John 6.26 Ye seek me not because ye saw the Miracles but because ye did eat of the Loaves and were filled Aug. complained 1200 Years ago vix diligitur Jesus propter Jesum Jesus is scarcely loved for Jesus sake he pays well for his Entertainment in the World's Coyn Let Christ and Carnal Interest part and then you 'l see what is the Master you 'l follow then a discovery will be made 15th Plea Well but I have suffered much for Christ his Cause and a Good Conscience a tryal hath been made of my Integrity Answ You have not yet resisted unto Blood striving against Sin Heb. 12.4 Yea the Apostle seems to suppose a Man may give his Body to be burnt and yet not have Charity 1 Cor. 13.3 And it may be as possible some may suffer in an humor for a good Cause as others pertinaciously in a bad the Thorny Ground Hearers past the brunt of Persecution Matth. 13.20 22. falling on the Stony Ground but were naught And the Apostle Paul supposeth the Galatians to have suffered many things in vain Gal. 3.4 Many things make up a Christian sufferer Men may bear the Cross and not follow Christ 16th Plea But I give liberally to the Poor of my Substance am much in the exercise of Charity to persons in necessity Answ The Apostle supposeth still that a Man may bestow all his Goods to feed the Poor yet not have Charity 1 Cor. 13.3 You 'l say this is a strange Paradox what is Charity but a free distribution But the Apostle distinguisheth betwixt an Hand-Charity and a Heart-Charity the poor Widow with half a Farthing and a free Heart gave more then all the other rich mens large distributions Matth. 6.1 2. Mark 12.41 44. Some give for Ostentation others of Necessity yea out of Covetousness you give nothing unless you give your selves first to God 2 Cor. 9.5 7.2 Cor. 8.5 17th Plea I am forward for Reformation in my place appear against Prophaneness Sabbath-breaking and am of a publick Spirit Answ It 's well done but see you mistake not how oft did the Jews find fault with our Lord for healing on the Sabbath day and his Disciciples for plucking Ears of Corn. Mark 12.1 2. Take heed blind Zeal transport you not but suppose it be against Sin see whether Self bear not sway as it did Jehu who was partial in his Reformation 2 King 10.28 29. At least temporary as Joash who was very zealous for Reforming whilst his good Uncle Jehoida lived 2 Chron. 24 2-18 18th Plea I thank God I have good Gifts in Discourse in Prayer and can edifie others that are apt to admire me Answ Gifts are one thing Grace another all gifted men are not gracious men who more eminent than Judas the traytor yet an Apostle and some will say in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesyed in thy Name Mat. 7.22 23. To whom he 'll say I never knew you depart from me The Devil hath finer Gifts then any of
hid with Christ in God Acts 3.3 You know not what they do in Corners much less do you know their Consciences take heed of rash judgment you know neither their best nor their worst there 's a Vail upon the face of their Souls there is an hidden man of the heart which is invisible to the Eyes of Spectators and if these gracious Souls should open their Experiences to you you would judge them Paradoxes Riddles or meer Enthusiasms Wisdom is too high for a Fool learned Nicodemus hath odd and aukard Conceptions of the New Birth John 3.4 The natural man knoweth not the things of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.14 If you had new Eyes you would be fitter to judge of things that differ Suspend your Censures call not them Hypocrites whom God will own for Children a blind man is not fit to judge of distinct Colours 2. It s true all are Sinners yet there 's a vast difference of Sinners 1 John 3 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth not work sin he makes not sinning his trade his business is to walk in the Ways of God and if he be overtaken with a fault Gal. 6.1 he discovers it mourns for it riseth out of his Falls by Repentance he hates Sin more becomes more watchful and jealous of himself prays desires strength from Christ to crucifie the Flesh and Sin hath not dominion over him Gal. 5.24 Rom. 6.14 but he makes progress in Mortification and ordinarily this Child of God doth not fall into any gross and scandalous Sin or if at any time God do's suffer him to fall foully in Judgment to a wicked World yet it costs him dear it may be broken Bones as it did David and God can heal his Backslidings and make him more humble after however there 's a vast difference betwixt a Sheep stepping into the Mire and a Swine wallowing in the Mire Some are and some are not the Spots of God's Children Deut. 32.6 You have more need to judge your selves then censure others to be Hypocrites Hear what Reverend Mr. Hildersham saith in this case What some say of Professors these Gadders after Sermons Hild. on Psal 51. pag. 642 these holy Brethren that stand so much upon Sincerity can abide nothing that savours of Popery these precise Fools must be Singular forsooth dare not Swear they are no better than Hypocrites He Answers tho' these things be found in some Hypocrites yet they are no Signs to know an Hypocrite by nor are they Hypocrites that do thus thou that scornest a Man for this bewrayest the Prophaneness of thy own Heart and openest thy Mouth against Heaven Psal 73.9 6th Obj. You told us this Work is Creation-Work Can a Man create himself Sure it s not in the power of a dead man to make himself alive So you said Sinners are dead this is the Work of Omnipotency God must do all Alas what can Man do of himself Answ 1. You are not naturally dead tho' spiritually dead yet you are alive God hath given you rational Souls Faculties capable of knowing loving and enjoying God you are not senseless Stocks or Stones nor meer Brutes there is in you a remote aptitude if not a present promptness to receive Grace you have the noble Faculty of a self-reflecting Conscience that is the Candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the Belly Prov. 20.27 It can discover moral Good and Evil yea it can excuse or accuse in what you do good or amiss Rom. 2.14 15. You might be much better if you minded this Light within you the Light of Natural Conscience How can you expect more till you improve what you have Nature can do little towards Grace yet Moral Principles cherished and improved may be some Fence against vicious Inclinations and prevent a Custom in sinful Practices however its dangerous to imprison the common Notices of a Deity Rom. 1.18 or Moral Duty this is the Road to obliterate them this shuts the Door against Grace and opens the Sluce of Vice nourish what 's good in thee who can tell what it may come to at last 2. God commands the use of Means and though he hath not bound himself yet he hath bound every man to his utmost power to be tending towards God Divines say That tho' no Exercise of Common Grace can merit Special Grace yet God is not wanting in his further Grace to those that have made a due improvement of Common Grace and done what in them lay towards their own Salvation Your business is to work out your own Salvation Phil. 2.12 For 't is God that worketh in you the will and the deed It is an Old Saying of St. Augustin He that made thee without thee will not save thee without thee God loves to second man's endeavours he is never wanting to the diligent lex jubet gratia juvat the Precept commands the Gospel-Promise will assist God hath not lost his right to command though we have no Might to obey his Authority must sway with us though we have not ability to do his requirement praecipit Deus quod ipse praestat he bids us up and be doing and he will take us by the Hand and help us Try Man in so necessary a Work as thy Soul 's eternal Happiness thou hast lost much labour in other cases thou mayst not lose it in this there 's a May-be in it and that 's warrant enough for such a Venture Be laborious and thou mayst be gracious 7th Obj. But I may as well sit still as rise up to fall I shall never hold out I see so many Temptations of a cunning Devil oppositions of a furious World and strong Corruptions of a treacherous Heart that I do foresee I shall not be able to stand I had better not begin at all then begin in the Spirit and end in the Flesh and so sink my apostate Soul deeper Answ 1. Art thou in good earnest that makest this Objection or dost thou Complement with God and make it an Excuse and Evasion If the latter and this be but to save thee a labour of being serious in Religion thy case is lamentable thou hast yet but sleight thoughts of God thy Soul or of Heaven that makest such frivolous Excuses to incur a certain Damnation But if thou be in good earnest it will put thee upon the search of thy Heart whether thou be sincere that thou mayst persevere that thou mayst not build upon a Sandy Foundation and if indeed thou art jealous of thy self and afraid of Apostacy this very Fear is the best Fence against falling away I will saith God put my fear in their hearts Jer. 32.40 and they shall not depart from me Blessed is he that feareth always Prov. 28.14 This Godly Fear will make you avoid Sin and all its occasions improve Talents time and means of Grace put you upon all methods to grow in Grace and gain Assurance A caution is necessary to
the best see Heb. 3.12 13-4 1 But be sure yours be a Godly Jealousie arising from a Sence of the Evil of Sin and your own weakness and not a meer Consciousness of your Hypocrital Hearts 2. If once this New Creature be truly framed in thy Heart it will be permanent and abiding not but that it is a Creature and so loseable of it self but by vertue of God's Covenant and Promise so it is an incorruptible seed a well of living waters springing up to everlasting life 1 Pet. 1.23 John 4.14 If once this Work be savingly wrought though it be but a Spark an Infant an Embryo of Grace the God of Heaven is concerned to look to his own Creature you shall be kept by the power of God through Faith to Salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 None shall pluck you out of the Father's Hands John 10.28 Nothing can separate The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against you Mat. 16.6 Rom. 8.37 Fear not you have the Father's Care the Son's Prayer the Holy Ghost's abiding in you for ever Phil. 1.6 John 1.7.1 John 2.27 Hypocrites will be Apostates a rotten Core will spread to the Skin it s very rare to see an Hypocrite undiscovered till Death though the Foolish Virgins held out long yet it appeared at last they had no Oyl in their Vessels They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us 1 John 2.19 Take thou care of thy Sincerity and God will take care of thy Perseverance God will not renounce his own Image Christ will not forsake his own Members If thy state and standing were in thine own Hands thou wouldst as surely lose thy Integrity as Adam his Innocency but we are kept by the power of God through Faith to Salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 There 's one thing I fear more than all the rest and that is a lazy sloathful luskish Spirit that will not take any Pains in God's Work nor in the concerns of the Soul but think Grace must drop into their gaping Mouths this Sloath hath killed thousands of Sinners Oh it will cost him trouble care pains and this he cannot brook And do Men think to grow Rich without labouring careful Endeavours and travelling to Markets And can they think to go to Heaven or get Grace without taking Pains It s true it s not meerly Pains that will do it but Sloath will lose it and without Pains-taking nothing that 's excellent will be obtained for Difficilia quae pulchra The more choice things are the hardlier are they come by I am sure Christians of Old laboured hard that they might be accepted of God 2 Cor. 5.9 And the Apostle tells the Hebrews that God doth not forget their work and labour of Love and urgeth them to shew the same diligence and not be sloathful but followers of them who through Faith and Patience inherit the Promises Heb. 6.10 11 12. Let the slothful Person ask himself these Questions 1. Whether the Pains of Hell be not more intolerable than the Pains God calls for from him to escape it Or 2. Whether Heaven will not requite all his Pains to obtain it Or 3. Whether he take not more pains to scrape together a little Dirt of Wealth or a necessary supply of Wants Or 4. Whether thousands take not more pains to get to Hell then God requireth of him to travel to Heaven And let the wretched Sluggard know that by that time he hath been an Hour in those intolerable Torments he would be glad to be turned into the World again though upon the hardest terms of Obedience Mortification and acting all things within the verge of an humane Capacity would he not gladly accept the Conditions in order to Eternal Life But alas Men are made up so much of Sense and understand so little of Invisible Realities that they chuse rather to be damned Eternally than to endeavour to live Holily therefore mens destruction is of themselves Hos 13.9 They will not come to Christ that they may have life John 5.40 That 's a true Maxim nemo nolens bonus aut beatus est It is God's Ordination that men's own estimation choice and endeavours shall be the necessary preparative to their Fruition and hence it is that the slothful Servant was a wicked Servant and fared and sped according to his Sloth Matth. 25.26 Chap. IX Instructions for the Trial of our Spirits whether we be indeed New Creatures THe Fourth and Last use of this point is that which the Apostle calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Instruction in Righteousness and this I shall rank under these Fou◠Heads First Give a particular account of the Nature Parts and Properties of the two Creatures for helping our Spirits in the tryal of our States Secondly Give Some directions what those must do to obtain it that feel or fear they yet have it not Thirdly How such must act live or behave themselves as do find upon Scripture-grounds and good experience that this is savingly wrought within them Fourthly I shall Answer some Queries or Cases of Conscience for satisfaction of such Souls as are doubtful of their Sincerity or would be further informed in some Points about this New Creature All these I must briefly dispatch 1. It is of very great Concernment for every Rational Soul to know and be at some certainty whether he be a New Creature I might here refer the Reader to the Description of it in the beginning 1. I called it a Supernatural Grace as to the general Nature of it 2. For its particular Property or Nature I call'd it a Gospel-Grace in its specifial quality 3. As to its subject it is in the Soul of a Sinner 4. The Instrumental Cause of it is the Word of God 5. The Efficient Cause is the Holy Ghost 6. The proper immediate Effect is a great change 7. The Compleatness of this change in point of state Constitution Relation 8. The Pattern is the divine Image or Likeness 9. The Rule of it which is the Word of God 10. The End 't is the Glory of God and the Soul's Happinness in its communion with God You see then this New Creature is a very extensive and comprehensive thing it contains the whole Encuclopaedia as I may say or compass of Experimental and Practical Religion It is a Relation not one quality nor yet one single habit neither one Star nor yet a Constellation of Graces but a Relation or Rectitude and orderly Correspondence of the Faculties straining forth from the infusion of all those Habits and Qualities into Man Dr. Arrows Tract Sacr. pag. 138. as a Learned Man observes wherein the Appetite is subject to the Will the Will to Reason the rectifyed Reason to God and the Conversation corresponding to this inward Principle not compleatly or perfectly in point of degree as it was in Adam's Soul in the state of Innocency but by Integrity of the parts so
the world even our Faith yea we are more than conquerors through him that loved us Rom. 8.37 And 't is often said To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life Rev. 2.7 Mark it it s not said to him that hath overcome but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to him that is overcoming Dost thou keep thy ground fight still though sometimes thou art foiled Yet dost thou not gain ground by thy falls mourn for Sin and grow more watchful As long as thou art in the Field against Sin Sin is not on the Throne in thy Heart And if sin have not dominion over you you are not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6.14 This Victory may be to acceptation with God though not with satisfaction to thy self Chap. XI A trial of the New Creature by its Effects Consequences and proper Operations 4. THe last way of discovering the truth of the New Creature in the Soul is by its proper Fruits and Effects as the Tree is known by its Fruits and the quality of the Spring by its Streams that issue from it I can but name these 1. The New Creature produceth a New Tongue New Speech New Expressions the Soul that was wont to speak the Language of Ashdod now speaks the Language of Canaan his Tongue was wont to Swear Lye Curse rail at Religion or vain Jangling idle Tales impertinent Stories or at best but of Weather Trading News now he changeth his Note The mouth of the Righteous speaketh Wisdom and his tongue talketh of Judgment Psal 37.30 31. Why so the law of his God is in his heart Out of the abundance of the Heart his Mouth speaks Matth. 12.34 What say you Sirs do you speak as becometh Saints not Filthiness foolish Talking or Jesting Eph. 5.3 4. Is your Speech always with Grace seasoned with Salt Col. 4.6 Not corrupt Communication but that which is good to the use of edifying Eph. 4.29 31. Do you exhort and provoke one another to Love and good Works Heb. 10.24 25. Do you speak reverently of God his Word and Works Do you with one Mind and one Mouth glorifie God Rom. 15.6 Edifie Saints and convince Gainsayers Ribauldry Barbarology and Railing are far from a Godly man's Mouth rather giving of Thanks asking and answering serious Questions with his Tongue which is his glory 2. New Works Not only New Expressions but New Actions The New Creature ingageth Men to a New Course of Life to cast off the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light to walk honestly as in the day Rom. 13.12 13 14. What a change doth it make in mens Employments their Backs are now where their Faces were and their Faces where their Backs were This Grace of God teacheth them to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously godly yea to be zealous of good works Tit. 2.11 12 14. They are wont to work hard for the world now they work out their Salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 They used to follow Sports and Stage-playes now they find other employments Reading Praying Meditating examining their Consciences mortifying Lusts they find something else to do now then to spend their time in Idleness and inventing Pastimes to pass away their time they have many Graces to exercise Duties to perform personal and relative they have no time to be Idle but must fill up their time with profitable Employment to God's glory and their own good account Oh how busie is a Child of God striving to enter in at the strait gate Luk. 13.24 taking the kingdom of heaven by violence Matth. 11.12 And giving diligence to make their calling and election sure 1 Pet. 1.10 and that their Master may not find them idle but that they may be found of him in Peace 3. A New Rule suitable to the New Creature alas in time past the poor Sinner walked according to the course of this World Eph. 2.2 1 Pet. 1.18 The old Traditions and Customs of men were wont to be the carnal man's Canon he followed the multitude by conformity to the world but now the rule of the new creature is the Star he Stears his Course by Rom. 12.2 Gal. 6.16 Bring me a warrant from the Word in a plain Text or a direct unstrained Consequence to bottom my obedience upon or you say nothing God's will is my rule of obedience that only binds Conscience and the New Creature lies square to every Command The authority of God sways it because there 's something in the Soul that suits and lies square to every precept if he cannot keep any yet he hath respect to all God's Commandments Psal 119.6 He is as it were four-square lies square to every thing God makes his duty but an Hypocrite is like a round Globe toucheth in some Corner omits all but what his Interest or Fancy calls him to in that juncture yea if he should keep all yet offend in one point he is guilty of all James 2.10 A true Christian is of a Catholick Spirit an Universalist like Zechariah and Elizabeth that walked in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless Luke 1.6 These were indeed righteous if there be Circumcision of Heart there will be circumspection in Life See then you walk circumspectly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 5.15 according to command and to the height of every Command baulk none abate nothing of what God makes Duty 4. A new End design Alas Self is the End and great Idol of a carnal Heart till Grace rectifie and regulate it All seek their own Phil. 2.21 Matth. 6.2 self-ease pleasure self-profit self-honour or applause the Water will rise no higher then the Spring New Grace changeth the Biass of the Soul as a Ship sailing Westward there comes a strong Gale of Wind and carries it directly into the East Self-seeking is so natural that till Grace alter the constitution of the Soul the sinner will never be beaten off self-denyal is the first and last Lesson our Lord teacheth his Disciples Matth. 16.24 This is the first Step and highest Round in Jacob's Ladder hath thy soul so far learned it as to makes God's glory communion with him the chief aim of thy Duties Studies Endeavours canst thou soul throw thy self in the Dust that God may be on the Throne disappear that God may only be seen as John Baptist said He must increase but I must decrease John 3.30 If any good be done it s not I but the grace of God with me 1 Cor. 15.10 Let him alone have the glory let the Crown be set no where but on Christ's Head Psal 151. Cant. 3.11 It becomes him best I will cast down my Crown before the Throne and say Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power Rev. 4.10 11. As all the Lines tend to the center so shall all my Actions tend only to thy glory Let God in all things be glorified though I be vilified 1 Pet.
their Directions about Conversion which is co-incident with this to whom I refer the Reader Yet this must not be understood as though it were in any man's power to change his own Heart no more than he can create himself or put life into a dead Carcase but it becomes Men 1. Not to hinder or obstruct the strivings of the Spirit that may work this Grace 2. To improve their natural Faculties to the utmost in order to the attaining of this End I shall but briefly lay before you what a natural man can do by the help of common Providence and what he must do as he will answer the contrary another day to that God that hath given him a Command and rational Faculties capable of compliance 1. Own and improve natural Principles such there are that are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 innate notions common to man as man endowed with Reason as That there is a God that this God must needs be an excellent Being the ultimate End of all things the chiefest Good that all things depend upon him and must be reduced to him that this God must be worshipped that his Will is the Rule of man's Obedience that there is moral good and evil that there will be a retribution in this or in another world Natural Conscience even of Heathens discovers something of these grand Principles for so saith the blessed Apostle Rom. 2.14 15. That though the Gentiles have not the written Law before their Eyes yet they have a transcript thereof in their Hearts which declares to them some Good and Evil and Conscience accordingly excuseth them if they do well and accuseth them if they do evil Rom. 1.18 24. The imprisoning of these Truths in Unrighteousness produced a judicial hardening and giving them up to Uncleanness and rendred them to be without excuse and can we think that Men now disclaiming and obliterating these notices of Religion will fare better Surely no So on the contrary the way to obtain more is to improve what we have I say not that God is bound to give special Grace to such as improve common but an instance can hardly be produced to the contrary and this is God's method in vouchsafing his Grace to engage Souls to cherish and excite moral Principles by diligent endeavours which God usually seconds with his blessing yea this course doth naturally tend to weaken vicious Inclinations Set your selves about this work and you little know what it may come to at the last Oh that unconverted Sinners had but the Integrity of King Abimelech to act according to that Light they have Gen. 20.6 and restraining Grace God affords them which the Lord ca◠Integrity which yet is but moral yet is good so far as it goes and a mean of more 2. Be jealous lest you be mistaken in this point lest you mistake the Nature of this New Creature or lest your own Hearts deceive you for they are deceitful and desperately wicked Jer. 17.9 And Satan will be in danger to cast in a Brat of his own in the room of this New Creature Counterfeit Grace may look like Saving Grace Reformation looks like Regeneration how often is a Bristol Stone taken for a Pearl◠painted Grapes once cheated living Birds yo◠must first get a Scriptural definition of thi◠New Creature To the Law and to the Testimony◠Isa 8.20 Judge your selves by that word tha◠must judge you at the last Day Rom. 2.16 Be afraid of Self-deceit Blessed is he that feareth always you live in the midst of Cheats a deceitful Heart deceivable Lusts a deceitful World and a cunning Devil all set against you and we are apt to believe that to be true we would have to be so but put the case to thy self What if I be mistaken I read of some that think themselves something when they are nothing Gal. 6.3 Others put a false Syllogism upon themselves deceiving their own selves James 1.22 What if this be my case VVhat if I be in a golden Dream imagining I am bound for Heaven when I am descending into the Pit what if I be found without the Oyl of Grace in the Vessel of my Heart a foolish Virgin amongst the wise Mat. 25.1 10. What if I prove the only Guest at the Gospel-feast without a VVedding-Garment Matth. 22.12 13. and be struck speechless Oh what an astonishing disappointment will it be hath none proved such why may not I Some have gone off the Stage with a Lye in their Right hand Isa 44 20-50.11 and have lain down in Sorrow notwithstanding the Sparks of their own kindling O what need have I to fear lest a promise being left of entring into Rest I should really come short of it Heb. 4.1 3. Deal faithfully with your own Souls in self-examination Flatter not your selves but examine not only your Actions but the Internals of your Souls how your Principles are stated you may do it for God hath given you a Self-reflecting Faculty The Spirit of a man is the Candle of the Lord Prov. 20.27 that searcheth the inward parts of the Belly You must do it you are commanded to commune with your own heart to examine your selves Psal 4.4.2 Cor. 13.5 Gal. 6.4 Psal 77.6 prove your work God's Servants have made diligent search and will you continue Strangers to your own Hearts will you be so unkind Neighbours as never to ask your Hearts how they do or will you be put off with afrivolous or delatory Answer Oh Sirs come to a point drive your selves to this Dilemma I am either a New Creature or not a Child of God or of the Devil I am bound either for Heaven or Hell I had not need to hang in suspence about this weighty case I will now put this doubt out of doubt I cannot rest satisfied with uncertainties in so weighty a concern God forbid I should weigh it light or be mistaken I must not take Preparatives for parts of the New Creature the Porch for the House I will try and try again and prove my marks by Scripture-rule and appeal to God for the Sincerity of my Heart Examine me O Lord and prove me and try my Reins and my Heart Psal 26 2. I must be a new Man or no man in Christ I will not be put off with morality or uncertainty irresolvedness breeds disquietness I am determined to make something of it 4. Attend diligently on the most powerful Ministry not such a dull formal heartless Preaching as will rock you asleep in Security or sow Pillows to your Arm-holes Ezek. 13.17 22. Preaching placentia promising Life in a sinful State crying peace peace when God proclaims war against you thousands are undone by Flatteries Oh wait on a rouzing convincing Ministry which is the power of God to Salvation Rom. 1.16 The Seed the proper method of working divine Grace Gal. 4.19 where Christ is formed in Sinners Souls the Glass in which you may behold the Face of your Hearts James 1.25 By which you may be
low but aim high conclude you have not attained to Perfection Phil. 3.13 15. Rom. 12. but still be designing it be not high-minded yet mind highest things aspire to be better then others yet esteem others better than you Phil. 2.3 4. 9. Do all you must not all you may Eph. 5.15.1 Cor. 10.23 walk to the height of a Command not to the utmost of lawful liberty go not near the Pit's brink stand fast in your Christian liberty Gal. 5.1 13. but do not always use it 10. Be best when others are worst be as Noah in the Old World Gen. 6.9 19. Lot in Sodom Timothy in Ephesus Joshua among the Israelites be hottest in coldest Weather brightest in the darkest Night Savour of Heaven in Hell Neh. 5 20-5.15 Phil. 2.15 11. Be Rational when most Spiritual do nothing at hap-hazard or with a blind Zeal let all Services be reasonable Rom. 12.1 Ezek. 18. God's Will is our Rule and his ways are equal the highest Reason in Man is to comply with God's pleasure 12. Naturalize Religion and Spiritualize the World let Godliness be as second nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Phil. 2.20 Let common Objects Occurrences be well improved to good Ends and Purposes Mercies Afflictions Spiritual Chymists turn all to Gold Rom. 8.28 13. Be dead living and lively in thoughts of Death Col. 3.3 Gal. 6.14 A Child of God is a Paradox dead to the World crucified yet the most active and vigorous Person in the World you must have the best Death and best Life then fear not Death 14. Suit Grace to every case in confessing Sin mourn in begging Mercy working Desires in Thanksgiving Joyfulness yet rejoyce with trembling 1 Cor. 15.30 55. Heb. 2.14 Psal 38.18 Matth. 5.4 Psal 2.11 Phil. 1.2 Psal 26.12 in Prosperity have Humility in Adversity Contentment your Foot must still stand in an even place 15. Let your life be a Comment on your Faith let your believing and living be harmonious let Doctrine of Faith Grace of Faith Life of Faith sweetly correspond Doctrine according to Godliness Godliness according to Truth James 2.18 1 Tim. 1.5 Tit. 1.1 Rom. 2.18 23 24. Jer. 32.19 Let not Head and Hands be contradictory 16. Eye God that eyes you in all you do think the King of Heaven sees thee the Omnipresent God is in the room with thee the Omniscient God knows thy Heart approve thy Heart to God let thine Eyes be ever on him towards him Psal 35.15.26 3. 17. Eccho to divine Calls when God hath a Mouth to speak have an Ear Tongue say Here I am Word or Rod a call to Duty from Sin what 's the meaning of this Oh that I could attain God's end and not resist or quench the holy Spirit 1 Sam. 3. Psal 27.8 Mich. 6.9 1 Thes 5.19 18. Observe and make up daily decays keep up your Watch that you sin not Matth. 26.41.1 John 2.2 But if you sin lie not in it but rise mourn act Faith on Christ your great Advocate let not an ill matter go on quickly recover your first Love Rev. 2.4 5. 19. Give no Offence carelesly and take no Offence causlesly let there be no occasion of stumbling in you 1 John 2.10 Matth. 7.1 Judge not uncharitably take all that 's said and done by the right handle make no sinister Constructions 1 Cor. 10.32 20. When you have done all Luke 17.10 Phil. 3.7 8. Say all this is as nothing at all to appease God's Wrath or satisfie Justice in an absolute Sense and to do what 's required in a comparative sense without Christ I can do nothing John 15.5 Thus I have briefly touch'd the Rules of this New Creature which I leave to the Reader 's further Consideration and Practice Chap. XIV An ANSWER to some Cases of Conscience 4. THe last Head which I propounded in this Use of Instruction is Answering some Cases of Conscience that Godly Souls are apt to make in this case wherein I must be very brief 1st Case Whether is it possible that a Man can be a New Creature and not know it since it is so remarkable a change Answ I have hinted at this before but observe it you must distinguish betwixt a reflexive sense of a change in Heart and Life and a due apprehension of this change morally considered as Saving many a Soul can truly say something hath been done but I know not whether the thing which may be entituled A New Creature I am much in the dark about it I cannot but say I have had Convictions and something like Conversion though not Consolation I am kept still in innitency upon a Promise though I cannot say I have assurance of my Interest in the Covenant Precious Mr. Paul Bains could say Sustentation I have but Suavities Spiritual I do not experience So you may have the Root though not the Flower VVater of Sanctification though not the Oyl of Gladness wait on God and in due time you may have this cleared up to you If you follow on to know the Lord his going forth is prepared as the Morning Hos 6.3 Grace and Peace shall not be long parted Light is sown for the Righteous and Joy for the upright in Heart Psal 97.11 It 's not lost but laid up and hid in the Furrows of the Believer's Bosom 2d Case Whether is it possible that he that 's a New Creature should have a self-accusing self-condemning Conscience Answ You must distinguish of Consciences condemning a man's self 1. Passively when our Hearts censure us and we stifle them such a one indeed is self-condemned 2. If we be Active in condemning our selves it 's a good Sign and a great Duty as we shewed before but the meaning of this Query refers to the State of the Man whether the Conscience of a New Creature may censure the real Christian and tell him he is an Hypocrite To which I Answer If Conscience act according to the Rule of the VVord it must be regarded as God's Officer speaking by his authority but if it speak not in God's Name and by his order we may appeal to the Higher Court of the Holy Scriptures and it 's certain that Conscience may be corrupted and it is often used by Satan to deceive good Men as well as bad and they shall at last have their action against Satan for false Imprisonment and disturbing their Peace Your best course therefore is to have recourse to the VVord for Conscience is but an under Officer and must be accountable for its Verdict Remember it 's one thing to have Hypocrisie in thy Heart another thing to be an Hypocrite the best will find much Guilt within them which Conscience rebukes them for and they bewail it but they are not therefore Hypocrites 3d. Case Whether may God carry it strangely as if he were an Enemy to a New Creature that should seem to be his darling Answ Thou art a Stranger to Scripture and the Experiences of all God's Children if thou think God must always be dandling this