Whose house ye are if ye hold fast your confidence and hope of your reioycing c. 1. Cor. 1.30 31. Col. 2.6 As ye haue receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke in him And by his life vertue and strength to doe all things and not by the strength of nature and of your naturall spirit as Paul Philip. 4.13 I can doe all things by the helpe of Christ strengthning me Rom. 8.10 If Christ be in you the bodie is dead in regard of sinne but the Spirit is life in regard of righteousnesse that is the bodie lies dead from sinfull actions and motions from which a mans naturall spirit wit and pollicy cannot restraine him and his bodily members to make them lye dead but rather quicken and powerfully sway them Rom. 3.15 and 7.5 The passions of sinnes which are by the Law haue force vigour in our members to bring forth fruit vnto death and Romanes 6.12 but if Christ be in vs he deads these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the passions of sinnes or sinfull passions that they cannot worke in our bodily and earthly members For they that are Christs haue crucified the flesh with the affections and the lusts Gal. 5.24 Reason As Satan shewes his habitation in man as his house possessing as a strong man the pallace of the minde Luk. 11.21 and heart in peace by the vigour hee exerciseth in swaying their minds wils and lusts as Eph. 2.2 Iohn 8.44 2. Corinth 4.4 So Christ 2. Reason We are the children of the first Resurrection begotten of Christ risen from the dead 2. Pet. 1.3 by the greatest vertue and power of Christ quickning the dead 1. Peter 3.21 Wee are not only begotten of Christ by vertue of his Propheticall office as he is light as Hypocrites only inlightned are but we are begotten of Christ by vertue of his Priestly office as crucified for vs vnto Adoption and Iustification of life and by vertue of his Kingly office as risen from the dead to Sanctification and participation of his Diuine nature 2. Pet. 1.4 As Christ was discerned and differenced from all the sons of men to be knowne to be the Sonne of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 1.4 by his resurrection from the dead as the first begotten from the dead Col. 1.18 So are all we his yonger brethren by the same Spirit of power raising vs to a new nature and life with him Rom. 6.4 5. Col. 3.1 and 2.12 Eph. 2.6 we are discerned and differenced from all the naturall sonnes of men Vse That we may know whether we haue Christ in vs or no we must examine tempt and trie our minds hearts wils affections what vertues of Christ worke in them and sway them such as are propper to Christ and which no creature else can exercise in vs 2 Cor. 13.5 2. Cor. 4.10 As we beare in our bodies the dying of the Lord Iesus that is the greatest miseries and afflictions So the life of Iesus is manifested in our mortall flesh that is his greatest quickning comforting vertue when no creature can doe our mortall bodies any good in sicknesse or in death or other infirmities Christ is not only our light but our light of life that is in whom we haue not only light of knowledge but the same a quickning knowledge putting life into our wils and affections bodily members to practise what we know The Hypocrites light of knowledge is like the candle light which quickens nothing the Saints light of sauing Knowledge is like the Sun-light which quickens hearbs trees plants our light of naturall reason Philosophy Pollicy cannot so quicken vs and make vs so liuely and vigorous to good duties as this light of the sauing Knowledge of Christ Eph. 4.20 21 22. Let vs shew forth the vertues of Christ our light in vs Eph. 5.8 1. Pet. 2.9 A man may haue a wonderfull light of Knowledge in the lanthorne of his braine and yet his heart will and affections lye as dead as stones from desire or endeauour to embrace or practise the good hee knowes and haue no vertue from Christ to liue walke and fructifie This is for comfort to such as though they cannot feele Christ in them nor faith possessing Christ as long as Christ shewes himselfe to be within by such vertues exercised in them they may know themselues to bee in the faith and that Christ by faith is in them 2. Cor. 13.5 For as many haue Satan in them that doe not know or feele or beleeue Satan to be in them So many haue Christ c. and as many intertaine Satan in them by receiuing his lying Gospel and promises of wealth peace comfort by sinning and his temptations and perswasions to sinne So we receiue Christ when we beleeue and receiue his perswasions and temptations to good duties and suffer the words of exhortation and beleeue his promises and gladly embrace his word Therefore such as so did were baptized into Christ for seale and assurance that Christ was in them Acts 2.41 2. Iohn verse 9. See Iohn 14.23 If any man loue mee hee will keepe my words and my Father will loue him and we will come vnto him and make our abode with him Adam and Eue and Iudas receiued Satan into them when they receiued his counsels and temptations and suffered themselues to bee swayed thereby So coÌ„trarily we receiue Christ If when wee giue place to wrath Eph. 4.26 27. we giue place to the Diuell counselling and exciting vs thereto then contrarily wee giue place to Christ and receiue him into our hearts when we receiue his Gospel of peace counselling and commanding vs peace and loue by reasons from the Gospel that is from his loue and peace towards vs. Euery one that harbours willingly in his heart any knowne sinne and sinfull suggestion of Satan he intertaines Satan the malicious man hath a furious Diuell the wanton a voluptuous Diuell So he that regards no sinne in his heart but casts it out Christ perswading him thereto by his Gospel and not the Law alone inforcing him by terrors He that turnes from sinne vpon such suggestions promises perswasions as Christ makes to him he receiues Christ by faith first Vse And Faith beleeuing and receiuing Christ for Prophet and only Rabbi to be his Disciple and as the only Way and Truth it goeth before Repentance which is nothing else but a walking in Christ as we first receiued him by faith shewing forth the vertues of Christ and the life of Christ to walke as he hath walked For Repentance is the life and vertue of Christ receiued as our way Truth and Life and made all our Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption and our light of life What is Repentance but liuing and walking in Christ For out of Christ euery motion is to death â—nd hell and can a man walke in Christ before hee haue Christ by faith in his heart Coloss 2.6 As yee haue receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke in him
finde strength and nourishment of confidence by it so it also giues it and makes vs bold with God and fearelesse of sinne and death as Christ incourageth Ioh. 16. vlt. Vse Therefore renouncing all other meanes of courage and confidence and seeking not to make our selues safe and bould in our selues our workes righteousnesse wealth friends let vs goe onely by Faith to Christ to giue all true confidence securitie and comfort of minde and heart by his death and blood as the onely bread of life and strength to the soule and of cordiall vertues For all carnall men feele feare and griefe and anxietie of minde and in this sense they go to the world and wealth to the Lawe and workes and seeke to secure and strengthen and free themselues from these feares and griefes and to heale themselues by wealth and trusting here to and say If I could doe and liue thus and thus and had so much wealth or performe this or that righteousnesse then my minde would be quiet and at rest and fearelesse But these things can neuer giue securitie and rest to the minde and heart but vexation Goe to Christ by Faith and hee will giue thee rest Matth. 11. verse the last Vse Therefore confidence is as well a fruit of Faith as the forme of Faith For Faith goes to Christ for increase of it selfe its life and strength of confidence It could not goe at all to Christ if it had not some strength and life of confidence but because it feeles weakenesse of feare and doubting it goes to Christ to bee incouraged and strengthened and quickned more crying Luke 17.5 Lord increase our faith and giue vs mor◠courage and strength of Faith in heart by feeding vs with thy body and blood Mar. 9.24 Lord I beleeue helpe my vnbeleefe Therefore he saith here by Faith of him that is by going to Christ by Faith and betaking our selues to him and laying hold on him wee haue a confident accesse to God with more confidence then we can haue by laying hold on and choosing any other to lead vs. Therefore eate his Body and drinke his Blood that is take and choose his Death blood for your onely meate to nourish strengthen your hearts with comfort and peace as onely cordiall to giue you courage and confidence against sinne Satan and boldnesse with God and it will doe so For as meate requires some life and strength to take eate and digest it and so it giues and increaseth more life and strength to the heart So Christ the bread of life requires some strength of Faith to receiue him and digest him and so he giues more strength and courage with God and against sinne Therefore we must goe to the Sacrament as well to increase faith as to bring Faith with vs. In going we must by Faith renounce all comfort and confidence in our selues and all creatures and goe out of them to Christ onely and imbrace him that hee may giue vs all true boldnesse and confidence towardes God that nothing may incourage vs but Christ and that hee may giue vs better courage then any other creature can giue vs. Choose and take Christ for thy onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy guide and Captaine to lead thee to God and hee will incourage thee with inuincible strength and confidence and giue thee a heart of steele but trust to any thing else and it will faile thy heart and not be a sure Rocke to it but leaue it in feare doubting anxietie Goe to Christ onely and hee will giue the legges to goe better and strengthen thy feeble knees and make straight steps to thy feete and incourage thy heart to come more to him and to God by him but goe to any other and they will increase thy feares doubts and scruples Take heart to goe to God by Christ incourage thy heart and hee will giue thee more courage Bee strong and he shall strengthen your hearts Psal 26.14 All true Ministers and Christians boldnesse and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to preach or goe to Gods house to appeare before him to worship him is by faith in Christ and towards God as seeing him and in sinceritie approouing the heart to him as beholding him in Christ 1. Thess 2.1 2. The hypocrites boldnesse is only towards men in blindnesse and darknesse not seeing God but only men whose eyes and eares they can please and only satisfie their exspectation If Ministers could manifest Gods face and presence and God would shew himselfe in them as in the Primitiue Church only beleeuers durst ioyne themselues to the Church and to the Lord hypocrites would either abhorre or tremble or bee ashamed to appeare Act. 5.13 14. 1. Cor. 14.24 25. The best and greatest boldnesse and confidence is towards God Diuels and wicked men by sinne pride malice or by wealth learning authoritie power may be bold towards sin full men weake and impotent and base like the earth as themselues but they haue no courage or boldnesse towards God but quake and tremble at his Maiestie and especially when they are ouermatched by death or any other euill They that are bold in mans day only beholding man shall tremble in the Lords day when God shall exalt himselfe Such as put their strength and confidence in their wealth pride malice are most feareful and cowardly with God and death Let vs draw neere with a true heart in assurance of Faith Heb. 10.22 without all doubt and scruple seeing we haue such an all sufficient High Priest ouer the House of God Heb. 7.25 that can perfectly saue them that come to God by him Heb. 7.26 holy harmelesse vndefiled separate from sinners and higher then the heauens that hath all-sufficiencie of all-sauing good as King Priest and Prophet to vanquish and remooue all sinnes and deuils and to conferre all good Receiue Christ into thee by faith lay hold on him to lead thee renouncing reason sense that thou mayest be strong and confident without all feare For therefore we feare and are in doubt because we looke to our selues and to our owne strength and righteousnesse and rest thereon and goe not wholly out of our selues to Christ to rest our hearts on him and to receiue him onely into vs to comfort and incourage vs but wee receiue the World or our workes into our hearts and feede on them which will neuer strengthen our hearts This bread wants that staffe and strength and vertue to vphold our hearts against sinne Satan and so many crosses that they cannot be strong but full of feare and doubting because they are not built on Christ the Rocke and are not fedde with his body broken and blood shed which only is that bread which strengthens the heart of man to goe to God without feare and fainting For therefore was Christs soule and heart and body broken with feare fainting horrors that ours might bee bound vp and healed If we haue no boldnesse with men but
Now this Hand of God is also the Hand of Christ the second Person as made Flesh It s the Hand of Flesh especially as risen from the dead and glorified the holy Ghost is his Breath Shadow Wings Arme Hands and whatsoeuer proceedeth from him towards his Church both Ministers and people is nothing but that eternall Spirit the third Person who proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne Iohn 14.26 By which as High Priest Heb. 9. hee offered himselfe without spot to God as with his owne Hands So now much more the same Spirit proceedth from him in more abundance from his Flesh glorified For before Ioh. 7.39 the Spirit was not giuen in that abundance because that Iesus was not yet glorified But now this Flesh of Christ being glorified this eternall Spirit is all the Breath Armes Hands Strength Shadow Light and Glory of Christ He now breathes nothing but the holy Ghost and Spirit He breathed vpon his Disciples Ioh. 20.21 and said Receiue ye the holy Ghost He hath it now at command as his Breath and as naturall to him and can as easily and plentifully giue it He holds the 7. Starres his Apostles and Ministers in his right hand not of Flesh but of the holy Ghost and being risen he gaue commandements to his Apostles not by a humane breath and voice as before but more specially by the holy Ghost Acts 1.2 See Iohn 5. The time shall come and now is but shall be much more that the dead shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of God that is shall shall haue his quickning spirit 1. Cor. 15. The first Adam was made a liuing soule and all that he could communicate to his posteritie and children if he had continued in innocency had bin only a liuing soule qualified with Gods holy Image but the second Adam is made a quickning spirit which hee communicates to his members and posteritie and which proceedes from him This Spirit is Christs light by which he shines to vs Eph. 5. Awake thou that sleepest and stand vp from the dead and Christ shall shine vnto thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whatsoeuer proceeds from Christs Flesh now in heauen is nothing but Spirit He is ascended farre aboue all things Eph. 4.7 8. to fill all things with his Spirit Whereas therefore he is said to feed vs from heauen with his Bodie as Manna and to wash vs from our sinnes in his blood to guide vs with his light all this is nothing but his Spirit which being purchased by his death comes as it were through his body and blood giuen to vs as our own flesh and blood This Spirit is obtained and giuen by his death and sufferings and comes to vs by his humane flesh and nature into our flesh and nature Ioh. 6.63 Therefore his Flesh is called meate indeed and his blood drinke indeede For the flesh of it selfe profiteth nothing but because for the merit of his sufferings in his flesh and by it as by a cundit the third Person the holy Ghost proceeding naturally from the Father and the Sonne is hereby procured to flow issue and come forth to vs and into our hearts by grace Galat. 4.4 Because yee are sonnes reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts which cryeth Abba Father The Spirit doth and would euer naturally issue and proceed from God into vs as Iam. 1.17 did not our sinnes stop the currant and keepe him out of our hearts by our indisposition and vnworthinesse and vncapablenesse of receiuing him as Ioh. 14. Which the world cannot receiue because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but our sins remooued and abolished by the death sacrifice of Christ and by his flesh and body broken through it as by a conduite the spirit againe hath its issue and vent to flow into our sinfull flesh and hearts and God becomes againe that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That liuing God Iam. 1.3 that giues to all men simply without exception whatsoeuer his sinnes he and reproacheth no man that by faith comes to him but poures of his Spirit vpon all flesh Act. 2.17 This Spirit as its God the Fathers hand so it s Christs our Sauiours hand the hand of flesh which Christ reacheth from heauen to vs as to his brethren and takes vs by the hand Now that Christ is glorified in our flesh and nature that Spirit which from eternitie proceeded from the Father and the Sonne and was as their breath and hand by which they made the worlds and breathed into mans face the breath of life and made him a liuing soule the same spirit and third person doth now proceed from the Father of Christ as man and from Christ the second Person Incarnate and is now both the breath of Christ and the arme of Christ which breath of eternall spirit Christ now breathes into man dead in sinne to make him a new creature created in Christ Iesus vnto good works creating anew all the powers and faculties of soule and body as it were new hands and feete quickned with a new life for new motions towards God and seruices and workes it s the hand and arme of Christ which he now reueales and makes bare from heauen and thrusts into our hearts quickning and creating in vs new hands that is new faculties of our soules to lay hold on and fasten on spirituall good purchased by his death and offered vs by his Gospel Christ by his Priestly Office hath performed all things needfull for our saluation and prepared all sauing matter And by his Propheticall Office in the Ministery of his Word offers vs himselfe the second Person incarnate to be our Sauiour and all his sauing benefits and spirit if we will reach forth our hands that is the faculties of our soules to receiue and apprehend him but our hands lye dead in sinnes that is our minds and hearts from vnderstanding choosing willing and affecting any such Person and his Spirit and benefits offered Therefore Christ as King risen from the dead and as Lord of life reacheth forth his arme hand from heauen and creates in vs new hand◠that is new mindes and hearts Hee breathes into vs the breath of life that is his quickning spirit that quickens our dead hands to apprehend spirituall things For the naturall man by his naturall soule and spirit 1. Cor. 2. as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Therefore the Spirit creates in vs. First a right hand of Faith to know and apprehend the Person of the Son of God and to choose and take him for our Sauiour as he is reuealed and offered in the Word reiecting all other Persons Angels or Saints or any creature or our selues and our workes betaking our selues to Christ alone and to this second Person in Trinitie made flesh fastning vpon him and receiuing him as offered and commended to vs in the Gospel euen as crucified and made our King
can quicken and strengthen his heart with courage comfort and confidence inuincible and therefore chooseth no other foode but this and layes foorth his money Isa 55.2 and labour chiefely for this Iohn 6.27 being perswaded that all nourishing comforting and strengthning vertue to the heart is in Christes death blood and sufferings and that all other bread is but ashes Isa 44.20 and that a seduced heart deceiueth men that they cannot deliuer their soules from feeding on these vanities If wee beleeue that all comfort and confidence is in Christ crucified and goe to him for it we shall find him indeed that bread of life that will giue life comfort strength courage as he promiseth by his word and Sacraments In which Faith and sense of his feares deadnesse Dauid so often repaires to God praying Quicken mee O Lord Psal 119. according to thy promise Let vs likewise goe to Christ and say Lord Iesus thou hast promised that if wee come to thee thou wilt giue vs life if wearied with our pride infidelitie feares and doubtings wee lament the same and come to thee thou wilt ease and refresh vs with strength in our soules and not breake the bruised reed Lord Iesus renouncing all other meanes of easing resting and refreshing my soule and heart and of giuing mee comfort and confidence and to free me from my feares and cares sinfull troubles of minde I come onely to thee the Shepheard of my soule See Hos 14.3 who callest mee vnto thee as Matth. 11.28 and Psal When I am afraid I will trust in thee Therefore Lord ease and refresh my minde with confident rest and repose in thee from all feare doubting anxietie Thou hast promised to giue to the thirstie soule that faints with feare griefe and trouble of minde like the parched ground that gapes the water of life Lord Iesus thou wast weary and thirstie in body and soule askedst drinke both Spirituall See Heb. 4 15. 2.17 18. and bodily whereby thou perfitly knowest what it is to haue a wearie faint and thirstie soule full of feare griefe doubting and didst promise the water of life which I beleeue thou onely hast to giue and wilt giue and therefore I come to thee I know and beleeue that thou promisest no more then thou canst performe and that thy Spirit and righteousnesse can doe it and therefore I renounce all other meanes of refreshing and come to thee as thou callest mee crying in the last Ioh 7.37 and great day of the Feast promising to make a better Feast then that was or all the Feastes of the yeere euen a continuall Feast to all that are thirstie and come to thee to drinke to refresh and satisfie their hearts desires in thee onely as our Passeouer sacrificed for vs. 1. Cor. 5.7 8. Obiect But my feares and griefes and despaires are so great that I feele no faith at all but all faith and hope is swallowed vp Answere It is so to sense but not so indeed as with Ieremie Lament 3. My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord. Secondly it s not a wilfull willing and obstinate despaire reiecting all counsell and meanes of confidence as in Ahaz Isa 7.12 but a desperation lamented and striuen against with subiection to any counsell and meanes for the cure desiring and prizing Faith aboue all things and therefore is not damnable Thirdly especially if thou canst thus doe which is my counsell to thee to labour to doe that is to goe to Christ though quaking and trembling and full of feare flie not from Christ to any creature for refuge and confidence 1 Sam. 12.20 for that is to goe after vaine things that cannot profit Though by feares and doubts wee sinne and offend Christ yet flie not from Christ the only medicine of sinne cure of doubts infidelitie especially he calling commanding thee to come vnto him Therefore obey his cōmandement hope aboue hope and beleeue aboue thy faith that his grace mercy wil pardon and heale thy infidelitie say I will not vtterly feare despaire but in despight of my feares distrustfull heart and Satans temptations I will goe to him because he commands me If I cannot goe by faith yet I will goe by obedience because he commands mee to come to him and not suffer my feares to keepe mee backe I will resolutely cast my selfe on him if I cannot doe it faithfully yet with a wilfull resolution to obey his cōmandement though I cannot doe it with heart and affection delight as I would and should doe it Euen despairing of all hope from him of any good yet wilfully and resolutely cast thy selfe on him saying if hee will let mee perish so let it bee I will goe to him though without all hope and commend my selfe to him and if I perish I perish Obiect Oh but I can doe nothing but feare Answere Yet goe and cast thy feare and infidelitie and all thy sinnes on him who hath satisfied for them all and must heale them all chiding thy selfe for thy feares and doubts Why art thou so cast downe my soule Psal 42. and disquieted within me waite on God Christ and in despight of despaire with a contrary desperate resolution aboue all reason sense or hope say as Ionas Ionas 2. yet will I looke towardes thy holy Temple though to all reason and sense I am vtterly cast out from thy presence for euer I will not yet giue ouer prayer I will yet fight the good fight of Faith I will cast my selfe on him As there is in some wicked men a desperate wilfulnesse of rushing into euill against all meanes of restraint both of promises threats mercies and blessings from God and examples prouocations from men and a desperate will in men to aduenture vpon desperate meanes as if they were mad vpon no ground of reason or hope but only their owne foolish credulitie beleeuing their owne conceit and following the hardnesse of their owne hearts and desperate wils so much will they attribute and sacrifice such honour to the Godhead of their conceit and will That honour doe thou giue to Christ by a desperate resolution of a holy will converted to God aboue all hope and against all feares of apparent euils and discouragements to all reason vpon a credence of Gods word and promise against all arguments of despaire cast thy selfe vpon Christ because hee bids thee As Peter at Christs commandement goes vpon the waters and at his commandement casts forth his net to make a draught against all doubts and arguments of despaire Such authority giues Faith to Christs commaundement and word and such is the obedience of Faith Obey not therefore thy owne feares and doubts to beleeue follow them but obey Christs commandement to beleeue against all reason and sense feares doubts and despaires This is the obedience of Faith simple and absolute without any reason why but onely because Christ commands
For its Christs commandement that whatsoeuer our sinnes and vnworthinesse our feares doubtings and infidelitie be and how great so euer our misery be that yet we should beleeue that hee will pardon and heale all Nay because our misery by sins and punishments of God on soule and body are great and desperate passing all created power to cure or helpe them therefore to beleeue and to goe to him ordained of God a Physitian to heale all that are desperately sicke and diseased and past all hope in reason and sense Yet there is hope in Christ and hee commaunds vs to beleeue it and vpon his commandement to goe to him to ease vs of the burden of our sinnes and miseries when they lie so heauy vpon vs and so fastned on vs as we conceiue no possibilitie of remoouing them nor of any ease and refreshing from any creature promising that he will giue vs rest Obey the commandement which commaunds thee to beleeue against all vnbeleefe and aboue all beleefe and to hope aboue hope that is in infinite doubtings to beleeue and in all despaires to hope and when all reasons grounds meanes and hopes are wanting yet to beleeue only because God commands thee so to doe Though nature reason sense and thy owne heart faithlesse feares all creatures forbid thee so to doe Lam. 3. saying That thy strength and hope is perished from the Lord yet obey and beleeue none of these but Gods commandement commanding thee to beleeue his promise against them all and so to honour him as God aboue them all in power mercy trueth and faithfulnesse Though they say thy case is desperate God saith it is not they say Thy daughter is dead Mar. 5.35 why troublest thou thy maister with prayers and suites any further now all hope is past But Christ saith Feare not onely beleeue and fight against all that perswade thee to the contrary euen Satan flesh reason nature and all the World For this commandement of beleeuing is contrary to all creatures All other commandements of the Morall Lawe of naturall equitie and Iustice are seconded and sealed by the testimony of all creatures to bee iust faithfull and true and they perswade to the obedience of them onely this commandement of beleeuing is contrary to all creatures Heauen and Earth are against it and bid vs despaire for there is no hope This therefore is the greatest obedience and the cheifest worke most pleasing to God and most honouring him as God aboue all creatures and against them all and therefore God will honour and saue such a soule against all creatures He that beleeueth in me though he were dead yet shall he liue Iohn 11.25 Of all sinnes and sinfull passions it s the hardest to resist infidelitie feares doubts and of all combats against sinne to fight the good fight of Faith Because nature giues some strength and aide to resist other sinnes and naturall reason but onely God and his word to resist infidelity Nature and all creatures forbid this beliefe that a dead man should liue and rise againe When we feele sinne and dead workes which surely bring death in reason sense and conscience course of nature when wee feele a dead heart and see nothing but dead bones as Ezek. 37.3 that these dead bones should liue againe all creatures forbid vs to beleeue it yet Christ commands vs to beleeue that he is the Resurrection and the life to quicken the dead and to trust in his voyce that the dead shall heare it and liue whatsoeuer the death be in heart or conscience and whatsoeuer soule-murdering despaires and feares destroy the life peace and comfort of our soules and consciences yet if we will hearken to Christs voyce and obey his commandement to beleeue his promise of life comfort peace willing desiring and indeauouring to beleeue hee will quicken in vs the life of Faith and fill vs with ioy and peace in beleeuing and make vs to abound in hope Rom. 15.13 through the power of the holy Ghost Fulfilling the good pleasure of his goodnesse 2. Thes 2.11 and the worke of Faith with power in vs. Faith hath God for its obiect in two respects First of his Person and Diuine authoritie which it beleeues simply and onely because God saith so and commands him to beleeue his bare Word This is that speciall honour which Faith giues to God aboue all creatures that though all creatures should command vs the contrary vpon neuer such reasons arguments and probabilities yet wee will beleeue God vpon his bare Word and commanding vs so to beleeue because he is God ought so to be obeyed and beleeued though wee can see no reason for it For if he be Iehouah hee will giue Beeing to his Word and hath Wisedome Power and will to doe whatsoeuer hee saith else hee were not God Therefore because the Gospel a mysterie and hid wisedome aboue the capacitie of men and Angels is preached by Gods soueraigne commandment Rom. 16.26 and wee are commanded to heare and beleeue it therefore we wil so doe onely because God commands Rom. 10.16 17. Faith therefore comes by hearing and hearing by the word and commandement of God which commands preaching and hearing as the meanes to beget Faith Now all wicked men and vnbeleeuers doe not onely not beleeue when the Word is offered but by a rebellion of will they refuse to beleeue Psal 50. and cast the word behinde their backes and the commaundement to beleeue and will not submit themselues to the meanes of beleeuing in obedience to God because God commands them But if they heare it s when they list themselues whom they please and in such maner and measure as likes themselues as learned eloquent preaching and for such ends as they thinke fit and not in simple obedience to God as his commaundement and ordinance to get Faith and by Faith all sauing good in Christ but in obedience to their owne reason and lusts Such men their infidelitie is not in them an infirmitie but an obstinate rebellion as of enemies to God and despisers of his commandement and of Faith The Saints doubt and feare but against their wils highly prizing faith and earnestly desiring it they submit themselues to the commandement of beleeuing which they obey as well as they can at least in consent and earnest desire to obey and beleeue subiecting themselues gladly to all counsell and meanes of getting Faith as Rom. 7.16 I consent to the Law that it is good So they consent to this Lawe of Faith as singularly good and delight in it Rom. 7.22 concerning the inner man If this bee true Obedience to the Law Morall thus farre to obey though we cannot fulfill the commandement then also is this rather true obedience to the Law of Faith to be willing and desiring and to labour to beleeue vpon Gods commandement lamenting our vnbeleefe and striuing against it when we cannot beleeue as wee would Especially the commandement
of Christs spirit as the Iewes pierced through and crucified through ignorance fleshly Christ as I may say in the dayes of his flesh when he was in abasement to whom Christ promiseth pardon vpon repentance Matth. 12. If any man speake a word against the Sonne of man that is as onely knowing him as a Man and ignorant of his God-head and Spirit it may bee forgiuen him But if any man blaspheame the Holy ghost and God-head of Christ shining and sparkling in him it shall neuer bee forgiuen him Some now maliciously crucifie Spirituall Christ risen from the dead and shining into their hearts and soules by his Spirit and comming to apply his Crosse and Death to crucifie their flesh and lusts by his Spirit and Spirituall hands they now not as in the dayes of his flesh but in the eternitie of his Spirit and Glory would crucifie againe and abolish for euer They that are thus affected towards the spirit are said to be so affected to Christ because the Spirit is Christs hand and because it reueales presents and offers Christs person merits righteousnesse and the sauing vertue of his Crosse to crucifie all our lusts for this spirit takes of Christ and shewes it vnto vs Ioh. 16.9 10. it comes with its hands full of Christ So that as I loue Christ and take him by the hand when I gladly imbrace his Spirit and suffer my selfe to bee led by it and its spirituall motions so contrarily they hate Christ and crucifie him and pierce through his hands that hate his Spirit and destroy his spirituall motions suggested to their hearts For as some of the Iewes through ignorance of Christs God-head crucified Christ onely as a poore man the Carpenters sonne that had proudly vsurped a Kingdome ouer them and against Caesar and therefore put him to death as a Traitor and as onely crucifying his fleshly hands Yet some others and especially the Scribes and Pharisees that knew him by the light of the Holy Ghost that hee was God and by the finger of God had cast out deuils as Christ knowing their hearts professeth they did They crucified him not as the Sonne of man nor onely his fleshly hands as hee was the Carpenters sonne but his Spirituall hands as he was the Sonne of God hating his spirit and power in the Ministery of his Word and Miracles and Doctrine and Disciples for which sake they chiefely crucified him that if they could possibly they might abolish for euer his Name Doctrine Religion Profession Spirit and Church which now began to bee gathered Hee was crucified of these not as the Sonne of Ioseph but as the Anointed and Holy One of God anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power doing what they could to crucifie the Holy ghost to pierce through the hands and feete of the Spirit They trode vnder feet not the sonne of man but the Sonne of God and made a mocke of him Hebr. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in confidence Christ leading and taking vs by the hand and we laying hold on his flesh crucified for vs wee goe confidently If wee lay hold on any creature else and bee led guided by any Saint or Angel wee goe with feare and doubting with perplexitie and anxietie when conscience of sinne accuseth vs and are neuer secure that wee shall bee saued To bee bould and confident with God at any time but especially in the conscience of sinne is a marueilous courage Before whose face and presence the Angels are abashed the mountaines melt whose Maiestie and presence is so glorious fearefull and terrible that no creature can abide his presence when hee is angry The most Holy Angels without spot of sinne in nature and conscience yet couer their faces as abashed at his presence though doing his will in obeying the voyce of his mouth How much more must sinfull man dust and ashes melt and bee confounded with shame and horrour at the presence of so Holy a God yet Faith in Christ makes confident and bold Iacob had strength and courage preuailed with God Moses indured as seeing him that is inuisible by this Faith in Christ who at Horeb in the giuing of the Law where the sight was so terrible hee confessed I feare and quake Rom. 5.11 Wee not onely glory in afflictions saith Paul which some stout hearted carnall men haue done by pride ambition or strength of nature who vpon the sight of God haue trembled like Belteshar but wee also glory in God see 1. Iohn 4.17 3.21 Abrahams boldnesse was with God to parle with him though hee was but dust and ashes Wee see how hard a thing it is to be bold in the presence of a King a mortall man especially if he be angry His wrath is like the roaring of a Lyon How much more to bee bold in the presence of God the King of Kings when hee is angry who cutteth off the spirit of Princes who is terrible to the Kings of the earth that they feare in their Priuie-chambers Psa 14.4 Psal 76.5 Sinne weakens and breakes the heart and soule of man by breeding doubts feares griefes tremblings and horrours So the Deuils and Adam by their fall brake themselues into shiuers of feares and tremblings And as the Deuill trembles so our corrupt nature and guilty conscience like his is to doe as the Deuill doeth for wee are broken and infected like him by sinne Rom. 5. when wee were yet of no strength Christ died for vs that is when wee were broken and infected with the guilt of all sinnes Therefore the Lawe first breakes vs and kils vs with the sight and guilt of sinne before Christ cures vs and binds vs vp and this is the cure of the heart and soule by Faith in Christs blood and breaking for vs his terrours horrours griefes and paines in soule and body that we are strengthened with confidence Ephe. 3.16 by his spirit in the inner-man 2. Tim. 1.7 and haue not the spirit of feare but of power and loue and of a sound minde Rom. 8.15 Isa 61.1 not the spirit of bondage to feare againe but of adoption to cry confidently Abba Father This is to bind vp the broken hearted Therefore is Christ called the Rocke of the soule Mat. 16.18 Vpon this Rocke will I build my Church because hee giues the heart and soule built on it by Faith strength of courage nd confidence Therefore the fearefull and vnbeleeuing are cast out with dogs Reuel 21. Christ is the Redeemer of the soule chiefely and therefore from feares doubts and griefes chiefely and from the spirit of bondage to feare againe The chiefest vertue of bread is to incourage and strengthen the heart So Christ crucified his body broken and fed on by faith its vertue is to incourage and strengthen the heart with confidence towards God If therefore wee feele feare fainting doubting goe the more to the Sacrament of Christes body which as it requires some courage and hope that we shall