in Heauen a better and an enduring substance who for this hope endured the crosse and despised shame Heb. 12.2 as is testified of our Sauiour himselfe By faith Moses when he was come to yeares refused to be called the sonne of Pharoahs daughter chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season Heb. 11.24 25 26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt for he had respect vnto the recompence of reward Heb. 11.35 By faith others were tortured not accepting deliuerance that they might obtaine a better resurrection The way or meanes to stirre vp faith in these promises The meanes to stirre vp faith in these promises is First to humble our selues vnfainedly in respect of our miserable and accursed estate by sinne and former carelessenesse to seeke mercie enter possession and get assured euidence of that euerlasting inheritance Woe is mee how I am fallen from that state of blessednesse wherein I was first created into a most miserable and accursed condition I haue grieuously sinned and God is highly prouoked the sentence of the Law is alreadie gone forth I am shut vp vnder wrath and if I haue my desert I can expect nothing but the terrible execution of fearefull vengâ—ance denounced Mortalitie as a worme corrupteth my bodie ignorance and lust tyrannize in my soule my condition is exposed to a thousand vanities and wearisome courses and through feare of death the vpshot of euils Heb. 2.15 I am subiect to bondage all my life In my first estate I was made far aboue all visible Creatures and by free bountie lifted vp to bee the Fauourite of the most High God but by wilfull disobedience I am fallen into Gods displeasure and lie prisonâ—r vnder the reuenging iustice of the law Nor is my wretched condition worse then my carelesnesse to be deliuered from it The bruite beasts take it as a grieuous thing to bee ensnared and taken but I haue delighted in bondâ—ge and counted it a libertie to liue a slaue to Satan and to follow things and courses pleasing corrupt nature Thou Lord of thine infinite grace hast proclaimed libertie published peace and made offer of a better state and condition in Christ then what I formerly lost in Adam But I preferred spirituall thraldome to libe tie death to life and chose rather to follow the temptations of Satan and to fulfill the lusts of the flesh then to come vnto Christ that I might be saued The men of this world are wise in their generation to accept of earthly commodities when they bee offered and not to put by the opportunitie but when the Lord hath made promise of euerlasting life if I would renounce the pleasures of sinne and foregoe the vanities of this world I haue followed vanitie and neglected mercie I haue dispised the great saluation and walked in the paths of death and condemnation O Lord it is thine owne worke of grace in me that euer I did bethinke my selfe of the danger of my course and repent to lay hold vpon the promises of life Nor hath my slouth and negligence to seeke euidence get assurance and enter possession of that glorious inheritance by growing vp in peace ioy holinesse and sanctification been lesse odâ—ous then former carelessenesse Since I haue been enlightned and tasted of the heauenly gift I haue sleighted the promises of mercy which should haue been my continuall meditation I haue neglected to get and keepe the holy spirit holy in it selfe making them holy in whom as temples it dwelleth the seale and earnest of the promised inheritance Ah what a dwarfe am I in holinesse and sanctification for these many yeares how little haue I gained My spirituall sight is exceeding dimme my passions boisterous my heart vnquiet my thoughts euill my nature corrupt I am dull to good apt to sinne feeble and of no power to withstand temptations shaken with many feares touching my saluation soone vnsetled and remoued from stedfastnesse by any contrarie opposition farthest to seeke for euidence and assurance when I stand in greatest need All this is come vpon me through mine owne foolishnesse because I haue not acquainted my selfe with the promises of grace nourished the motions of the Spirit carefully improued the gifts receiued endeauoured after perfection and laboured to bee sealed more and more with the promised Spirit What might I haue growen vnto in Christ if I had instantly desired the Spirit of Grace of him who giueth it heeded the inspirations and suggestions of it and by all conscionable meanes sought increase of grace and assurance of saluation Long ere now I might haue attained fulnesse of spirituall wisdome and vnderstanding strength of faith power of grace sweet communion and fellowship with God libertie and freedome to walke with God comfortable possession in part and good assurance of eternall life in due time to bee accomplished whereas by reason of sloth and negligence the powers of grace are so enfeebled that I can scarce breathe sigh crawle in the way to Heauen my heart is desolate I am a stranger to the comforts of godlinesse terrified with the remembrance of death readie to faint at the apprehension of trouble and danger and continually disquieted with feares and doubts touching mine owne saluation if the world with the things thereof haue not cast mee into the sleepe of securitie for a season The slothfull man is iustly condemned who had rather starue in Summer for lacke of bread then plough in winter because of the cold Wee censure him that had rather go lame and crooked as long as hee liueth then bee at a little paine to moue an aking ioynt He is worthily accounted improuident who neglecting to gather in his writings or sue out fine and recouerie will hâ—zard the losse of his whole inheritance My folly hath exceeded herein who to liue in peace and quiet with sinne haue impouerished my soule inâ—paired my stocke of grace wounded my conscience depriued my selfe of many rich priuiledges of grace which I might haue enioyed weakened my title to mine euerlasting inheritance and beene contented to creepe feebly towards the heauenly Canaan thinking it better to keepe where I was with quiet then to make my condition by still dealing with my selfe too too restlesse The sluggards shamelesse excuse hath fearefully bewitched me Better is an handfull with ease Eccles 4.6 then both hands full with trauell and vexation of Spirit The more excellent the inheritance I hope for is the more detestable is my sluggishnes and folly that I haue not earnestly sought to make it sure vnto my selfe and entred possession thereof so farre as in this life is giuen of grace Secondly We must incite and stirre vp our selues to receiue the promises of euerlasting life by consideration of the free and rich grace of God his truth and faithfulnesse the sufficiencie of Christs merits and greatnesse excellencie and worth of the benefit
distempers for a time but in this languishing fit though it bee not vnto death vntill it recouer it is vnable to embrace the promises of perseuerance and the more liuely it is to receiue those promises the more earnestly doth it desire and sweetly feed vpon the Word of grace Fiftly It putteth forth it selfe to performe all duties of holinesse and loue with life and feâ—uour It laboureth and taketh paines in wel-doing For Idlenesse corrupts naturall strength vse and exercise confirmes it Dull and sluggish actions argue feeblenes of the faculty tend vnto decay as if we do not things with that vigor we haue done it is a signe of infirmitie and of a facultie inwardly or outwardly hindred and if wee rest in such a perfunctorie course and challenge not our selues for it wee are in danger to grow worse and worse But liuelinesse and contention in doing is both an argument of good disposition and a meanes of increase The more liuely faith is the better it worketh and the more it worketh the faster it groweth Life is the daily continuall vâ—gour of a liuing substance and euery thing as it is most liuely and likely to continue the more it doth shew forth it strength in working For a time faith may fall asleepe and the actions of faith bee heartlesse dull and perfunctorie but faith now asleepe will awake anone shâ—ke vp it selfe stirre vp affections resist sloth blow vp deuotion and restlessely aspire after heauenly things And like as it is with them whose going backe helpeth them to take their rise and fetch their leape more commodiously or whose linking for a season makes them to ply their businesse the closer afterward So here faith through him that is the Authour and finisher of it after such remissenesse doth renue it endeuours and with more vigour and holy contention set vpon the workes of pietie and godlinesse stirre vp the graces of the Spirit tie vp the thoughts to heauenly things labour against winde and tide and walke before God in all wel-pleasing though not without great weaknesse Sixtly It coueteth encrease of grace and sanctification Heale me O Lord and I shall be healed saue me Ier. 17.14 Psal 41.4 and I shall be saued for thou art my praise Lord bee mercifull vnto mee heale my soule for I haue sinned against thee How are men affected in recouering bodily health somewhat better will not content or satisfie When they can sit vp but not able to walke vp downe the chamber oh that they had a little strength to stirre when they dare walke within doores oh that they could stirre abroad then that their stomacke were returned and they could walke in their accustomed strength Euery liuing thing the more it doth liue the more it coueteth perfection of life in it kinde And so is faith affected in receiuing spirituall strength from the sicknesse of sinne till it feele it selfe enlarged to walke constantly and chearfully before the Lord yea till it be perfectly recouered which cannot be so long as we carrie about vs this bodie of death By reason man excelleth the beasts by holinesse he excelleth himselfe inferiour only to the Angels in degree and made like vnto the Lord as farre as a creature may be to his Creatour Sinne is the sicknesse of the soule so much more lothsome and dangerous then distempers of the bodie as the soule is more excellent then the bodie Holinesse is the health ornament and excellencie of the soule as farre surpassing it in worth as man doth the basest creature in dignitie and honour There is no trouble shame and sorrow to sinne there is no honour and comfort to holinesse and sanctification According to the nature of holinesse so is the fruit Prou. 3.14 15. the merchandise thereof is better then the merchandise of siluer and the gaine thereof then fine gold It is more pretious then rubies and whatsoeuer can be desired without it is not to be compared vnto it The naturall man neglâ—cteth to seeke after holinesse or take paines to get it because he feeles not the sicknesse of his soule nor vnderstands the worth and fruit of grace But the true Belieuer who is grieued with his infirmities and knowes the excellencie and comfort of spirituall health cannot but desire and couet grace more and more that in due time hee might be perfectly healed Seuenthly It receiueth new supply of grace continually from Iesus Christ the fountaine of grace Iohn 1.16 Of his fulnesse haue we all receiued and grace for grace Christ is an euer-flowing fountaine of grace of whose plentie all Belieuers are abundantly pertakers and that from one degree of grace to another though not all in the same measure and degree Water in a ditch which hath no liuing spring to feed it is soone dried vp but the pond which is nourished continually with fresh springs doth not feaâ—e the drought of Summer or scorching heate of the Sunne The Temporarie who was neuer knit vnto Christ as a liuing naturall and proper member may fall away from that which he seemed to haue But the true Belieuer in whom Christ the fountaine of life dwelleth who daily receiues grace from him Ephes 3.17 Ephes 4.7 according to the measure of the gift of Christ he shall neuer vtterly be destitute He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud dwelleth in mee and I in him John 6.56 57. As the liuing Father hath sent me and I liue by the Father so he that eateth me euen he shall liue by me Eightly It assureth of perseuerance through such promises as these Ezek. 36.27 Ier. 32.40 I will make you to walke in my Commandements I will put my feare in your heart that you shall not d part Iohn 6.54 Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud hath eternall life and I will raise him vp at the last day But Faith giueth assurance of perseuerance as it doth of the pardon and forgiuenesse of sinnes and what is necessary to be knowne of that point hath beene largely handled before Now if a Christian would stirre vp his faith to belieue the promses of perseuerance Meanes to stirre vp our selues to belieue these promises of perseuerance when hee feeles his owne weaknesse and considereth the strength and malice of his Aduersaries First Let him heartily bewaile his pronenesse to sinne aptnesse to decline inabilitie to withstand any one temptation or set one step forward in the way to Heauen Woe is me poore wretch blind lame crooked sicke impotent vnstable as the running water How was I bewitched with selfe-confidence and conceit of spirituall fulnesse I haue presumed vpon my wisdome as sufficient to direct my wayes and leaned vpon my strength as able to make resistance against temptations stand vpon mine owne bottome and goe through stich with my resolutions But now I finde my wisedome is ignorance vanitie and folly my strength weaknesse I am vnable to thinke one good thought set one step forward
come yea that whole time a man hath to spend from the very act of his Baptisme to his death For as it is the seale of a free euerlasting vnchangeable couenant so is the force and vse of it perpetuall Baptisme is the true Sacrament of repentance for remission of sinnes and spirituall renouation which being once receiued remaineth a perpetuall testimonie and pledge of the euerlasting Couenant of God and continuall washing away of sinne by the bloud of Christ and the Spirit of sanctification By singular appropriation it representeth and confirmeth ouâ— engâ—affing into Christ The vse to bee made of our Baptisme is two-fold but withall it sealeth the whole Couenant of grace The vse of Baptisme is twofold First It serues to be a pledge and token of Gods fauour and that diuers wayes First In that it is a seale of our regeneration by the holy Spirit whereby a diuine qualitie is infused into vs in the roome and place of originall corruption And therefore Baptisme as the text is ordinarily expounded is called the labour of regeneration Titus 3.5 it being an vsuall thing to call the principall cause and the instrument by the same name Secondly It sealeth and confirmeth vnto vs the free pardon and forgiuenesse of our sinnes Acts 2.38 Repent and be baptized euery one of you in the Name of Iesus Christ Acts 22.16 for the remission of sinnes Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sinnes calling on the Name of the Lord. Thirdly Baptisme is a pledge of the vertue of Christs death and of our fellowship therein Rom. 6.3 Doe yee not know that all wee who haue beene baptized into Iesus Christ haue beene baptized into his death Fourthly It is also a pledge of the vertue of Christs life and of our communion with him therein The life of Christ is the life of euery belieuer who liueth in Christ and shall liue for euer with him and in him a certaine pledge whereof he hath giuen vs in this Sacrament Rom. 6.5 For if wee haue beene planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his resurrection Buried with him in Baptisme Col. 2.12 wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead Fiftly Bâ—ptisme is a pledge of our adoption in Iesus Christ By nature we are the children of wrath but by grace and adoption the sonnes of God through faith in Christ which is sealed in Baptisme wherein the name of the Father Sonne and holy Spirit is put vpon vs. When Iacob blessed the sonnes of Ioseph Ephraim and Manasses Gen. 48.16 saying Let my name be named on them hee adopted them for his sonnes to haue inheritance with them in the land of Canaan and when God putteth his name vpon vs hee signifieth and assureth that wee are his sonnes Yee are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus Gal. 3.26 27. For as many of you as haue beene baptized into Christ haue put on Christ Sixtly Baptisme is a solemne testimonie of our communion with all the liuely members of Christ Iesus It is a seale of the bond of mutuall loue and fellowship both of Christ with his members and of his members one with another 1. Cor. 12.13 For by one Spirit are wee all baptized into one bodie whether wee be Iewes or Gentiles whether wee bee bond or free Ephes 4.5 And Baptisme is one of those things whereby the vnitie of the Spirit is preserued in the bond of peace Seuenthly It is a seale and pledge to assure that God will prouide for vs in this life raise vp our bodies vnto life at the last day of Iudgement and bestow vpon vs that euerlasting Kingdome and Inheritance which hee hath prepared Marke 16.16 Titus 3.5 6 7. 1. Pet. 3.21 For in Baptisme the Lord doth promise to bee our God that hee will prouide vs of all things necessarie for soule and bodie turne all euils which doe befall in this miserable life to the furtherance of our saluation raise vp our bodies at the last day and receiue vs vnto himselfe to dwell with him for euermore In all which respects Baptisme is of great force to strengthen faith and ease the heart in distresse For when the repentant sinner feeles himselfe heauie laden with the burden of his sinnes when Satan tempts him to doubt or despaire in regard of his corruptions when his owne corruption moueth him to sinne and he is euen now in the combate the Spirit lusting against the flesh and the flesh lusting against the Spirit and when hee is deeply perplexed with feare of falling away then the consideration and remembrance of what was promised and sealed in Baptisme will serue to stay support and comfort the soule For there hee shall find that his name is written in the couenant of God that God hath promised to giue Christ to be his Redeemer to accept of Christs satisfaction for him to wash away all his sinnes as certainly as the water washeth away the filth of the bodie and hauing such a faithfull promise confirmed by seale wherefore should he be dismayed In Baptisme also God hath sealed vnto him the mortification of his sinne by the power of Christs death which is the ground of confidence that God will enable him to ouercome the rebellious lusts of his heart and crucifie the old man more and more vntill the bodie of sinne be vtterly destroyed True it is that man by nature is dead in sin but in Baptisme God of his mercie hath sealed vnto the belieuer his rising from the death of sinne to newnesse of life True it is that of our selues wee are prone to fall away from grace receiued But God of his rich grace sealeth vnto the faithfull in Baptisme a Resurrection vnto immortall life which shall grow daily but neuer decay Rom. 6.9 10. If the faithfull be afflicted and despised of men persecuted and forsaken cast out the visible Congregation and banished from the hoâ—se of God yea euen in the agonies of death the remembrance of the promises sealed in Baptisme will afford comfort For if men haue forsaken God hath receiuâ—d them If men scorne and contemne the Lord will acknowledge them Hee hath long agoe sealed them for his owne receiued them into his family vndertaken to prouide for them and adopted them as heires apparant to the Kingdome of Heauen If God had giuen them his word alone for securitie it had beene sufficient But hauing confirmed it by seale in Baptisme they haue great cause to rest assured True it is they may be cast out of the visible assembles but they can neuer be cut off from the inuisible Communion of Saints they must die but God hath sealed vnto them their rising from the graue to euerlasting life by the power and vertue of Christs Resurrection which is a comfort of all comforts able to vphold the soule
translated from death to life is also endued with the grace of loue Hee that belieueth is in the light and abideth therein But no man is in the light 1. Iohn 2.9 10. who loueth not Faith and Hope be inseparable But it cannot bee but wee should loue those things which we alreadie know embrace taste and hope to bee singularly good Faith receiueth and resteth vpon the mercie of God as our soueraigne Good But it is not possible for a man truly to know and embrace the chiefest good and yet to with-hold affection from the loue of it It is faith which setting God before vs such a one as hee is wise mightie iust mercifull louing and gracious towards vs enamoreth our hearts and stirreth in vs affections correspondent to his grace neither is there any sparke of true loue which is not kindled by this meanes Wee loue God because he loueth vs first 1. Iohn 4.19 But nothing can season and affect the heart with the serious consideration and sweet taste of Gods mercie and fauour but faith only In nature wee see nothing can moue in desire to this or that till first it hath â—pprehended it louely and it cannot but moâ—e when it hath soundly tasted of it goodnesse So our affections cannot in loue moue to and vnite themselues with God till by faith we know him to be an amiable obiect for vs sinners to embrace and when wee haue soundly and truly tasted how good and gracious the Lord is we cannot but loue and affect him intirely Faith is an obsequions and affianced acknowledgement of the truth of Gods promises But hee that doth after that manner acknowledge the truth of God in Christ is both inwardly affected towards God and desirous to put forth the same in all duties of holinesse and righteousnesse Titus 2.11 12. The doctrine of grace which bringeth saluation teacheth vs to denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts and to liue godly iustly and soberly in this present world which being embraced by faith doth leauen euery facultie Popish Obiections preuented 1. Cor. 13.2 Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap. 15. Rhem. annot in 1. Cor. 13.2 and season it in such sort as the seuerall affections will readily moue at the command of faith When the Apostle seperates faith and loue saying If I had all faith so that I could remoue Mountaines and had not loue it profiteth me nothing hee speakes of that perswasion and confidence in the extraordinarie promises of God whereby the parties endued therewith weâ—e inabled to doe miracles And the word All noteth manifestly the highest degree of doing miracles That whereas some had faith to doe some miracles and not other some the Apostle sheweth that if he had such a miraculous faith that hee could doe all miracles and haue not loue it were nothing This is cleare in that the Apostle reckoneth faith miraculous amongst the gifts of the Spirit in the precedent Chapter and by the example or instance of mouing Mountaines 1 Cor. 12.9 which our Sauiour noteth as a Master miracle amongst others He saith 1 Cor. 13.2 Math. 7.20 Luke 17.6 Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap. 5. Sect. deinde If I had All knowledge not vnderstand ng iâ— simply and absolutely of all kindes of knowledge but of the gift of knowledge and so by All faith he meaneth not all kinds of faith but all faith of miracles Vniuersall propositions must bee limited according to the subiect matter vnlesse we will runne into manifold absurdities And that the faith he speaketh of was not fitly qualified to Iustification appeareth in this that it did not command but rather was subordinate to their vain-glorious humour Looke as their confidence was greater in the power and extraordinarie promises of God the more were they puffed vp boasting in themselues insulting ouer their brethren whereas if their affiance had beene well setled vpon the mercie of God in Christ and had rightly spread it selfe to the seuerall branches of holy truth it would haue inclined yea constrained them to serue one another in loue and bend their gifts to the edification of their brethren which whilest they doe not but rather turne their gifts to the seruice of their lusts and the dishonour of God it is euident they belieued not vnto righteousnesse But by what faith should these Corinthians haue come to know and rightly to value Christian loue The same by which they wrought wonders or some other If the same a So Bellarmine seemes to dispute vbisupra â— 5. Augustinus then faith is true though separated from loue If some other the Apostle in all congruitie should first haue exhorted them to embrace it otherwise he had commended the beautie of Christian loue but vnto blinde men Besides if it be some other then by that grace of faith whereby they rested vpon the extraordinarie promise and power of God they had neuer beene able to discerne betwixt good and euill or to behold the worth and dignitie of Christian loue and kindnesse though neuer so wel-rooted in their hearts To this question it is directly answered That the exercise of loue was to bee raised in these Corinthians hearts by faith for common offence and qualities the same with that whereby they wrought miracles but by the same faith rightly set deeply rooted taking better in the heart diffusing it vertue into the seuerall faculties spreading it selfe vniformely vnto the particular branches of Christian duties directing the affections vnto spirituall obiects and fixing them fastest vpon such as it adiudgeth best and most effectuall to the edifying of themselues and others In lustifying faith two things are to be considered the common nature or substance and the specificall nature plantation and soueraigntie For faith historicall and Iustifying agree in this that both the one and the other is an assent to diuine truths grounded vpon the authoritie of the reuealer Faith temporary and Iustifying agree in this that they receiue the word and rest vpon the mercies of God but in radication soueraigntie and working and so in speciall nature sauing faith differeth from other kinds The seed which fell by the high way side in stonie ground among thornes and in good soile was one and the same and in most of these grounds it tooke not alike in all kindly in the good soyle alone The common nature of faith is to receiue the Word which some receiue by bare assent of vnderstanding others by sleight and superficiall confidence which vanisheth away but the doctrine of life taketh kindly in the honest and good heart which embraceth it soundly with vnfained and wel-rooted affiance Iustifying faith is discerned from the other kinds not by this that it receiueth the promises which they doe not but it receiueth them in another manner and degree with firmer radication in the heart which is the seate of the affections that it might season them and subiect earthly desires to the affectation of heauenly things Amongst the chiefe Rulers of
which to faith are meerely accidentall The godly and deuout affection and willing submission to the rules of faith which is in Christians being an act of charitie and not of faith differenceth not true faith in it selfe from the faith of Hypocrites but distinguisheth faith and charitie from faith only And thus our Aduersaries make the Deuill a Catholike against his will Or if they will say that true Christian faith doth alwayes actually and necessarily imply this godly affection and willing submission of vnderstanding to the rules of faith then because this cannot bee without charitie let them say as the truth is that true Christian faith cannot bee separated from loue and good workes It is impertinent to dispute whether the faith of Deuils be naturall coact and dishonest or the faith of wicked men supernaturall voluntarie and Honest as if these things distinguished the faith of vngodly men from the faith of Deuils For if the maiestie of Gods infallible truth command the assent of Deuils to that which they loue not doth not the same cause also preuaile with vngodly men who beare no affection to God or goodnesse And as for the honestie or dishonestie of the act there can no circumstance bee named why it should bee honest in wicked men and dishonest in the Deuils for it is fearefully abused in both And if it be granted that faith without workes or grace is in men the gift of God but the faith of Deuils not so this argues a difference only in the cause not in the essence nature or qualitie And though it bee his gift yet being without grace and charitie and without these of necessitie as vnfruitfull as the faith of Deuils both which our Aduersaries grant it is no more auaileable to make a Christian then the faith of Deuils is It is further obiected if faith cannot be without charitie then faith alone doth not iustifie This followeth not Bellar. de Iustis lib. 1. cap. 15. §. At si §. postremâ— for it is one thing to say faith alone doth not iustifie another that faith which iustifieth is not alone This latter wee yield vnto the first wee denie Faith alone doth iustifie that is priuatiuely considered without hope or charitie as causes concurring therewith in iustification but this faith cannot really be seperated from or negatiuely considered without hope and charitie For though it be true that the total cause of any thing being in act the effect must needs follow yet from the totall cause we cannot separate those things together with which it hath in nature it existence and beeing and without which it cannot be in act for the producing of the effect though they conâ—erre nothing thereto because that is to denie the being of it and to destroy the cause The eye alone seeth the eare alone heareth but it must be a liuing eye and hearing eare not separated from the head or broken off from the rest of the bodie Faith alone iustifies without other graces not in regard of their presence but in regard of their co-working with faith to this effect of our Iustification It is one thing to say the eye is in the head without other senses and another thing to say the eye doth see alone no other sense seeing with it Liuelihood is the qualification of that faith that iustifieth and workes at least a preparation and promptitude of heart to good workes is an effect of faith as immediate as Iustification So then faith cannot bee withot loue and yet wee apprehend not the promises of eternall life by workes but by faith alone although truly they cannot be apprehended by parties destitute of workes at least of sincere resolution to walke in obedience Nor doth faith alone apprehend the truth or deriue the benefit of diuine promises to our selues but by it alone though accompanied with all other sanctifying graces and attended with the whole traine of good workes wee expect and pray the promises may be fulfilled not for our sakes or for any righteousnesse wee haue in vs or can hope for in this Life but only for the merit of Christ by his sole mediation and intercession In briefe the faith which iustifieth is operatiue attended with good workes of all sorts accompanied with all graces of the the Spirit but we liue by it as it vnites vs to the Lord of life yea by it alone not by it and other parts of grace in as much as by it wee trust in Gods mercies offered in Christ wholly relying on them not partly on them and partly on our workes or righteousnesse CHAP. V. Of the generall obiect or matter of Faith Iustifying §. 1. What doctrines are called matters of Faith § 1. MAtter 's of faith strictly and properly those are called which pertaine to the nature and essence of faith first and by themselues as are the points of faith contained in the Gospell the ignorance whereof is damnable and the deniall hereticall But in a more large acceptation all truth reuealed by God in his holy Word is a matter of faith and to bee belieued as God hath reuealed it Hence is that rule of Diuines There are many integrall parts in the Word of God which are said to bee of the word of faith but not propeâ—ly a matter of faith For there are many historicall domesticall and particular matters set downe for example not properly for faith which wee belieue not because they pertaine to sauing faith but for that they appertaine to the Word written by the Spirit of God And not much vnlike hereunto is that distinion that some things are necessarie to bee belieued to saluation by themselues and the authoritie of the Scriptures as the substantiall points of faith and manners others for the authoritie of the Scripture only as those which are not so necessarie and some neither by themselues nor the authoritie of the Scripture as are things in themselues indifferent so long as by circumstance they bee not repugnant to faith truâ—th loue and edification § 2. Iustifying faith is considered §. 2. Iustifying faith is two wayes considered either according to it most eminent effect which is to iustifie or according to it full and adequate act For that faith which iustifieth doth imbrace the Commandements belieue the threatnings looke to all the promises of God made in Iesus Christ concerning this life or the life to come and receiue the good things promised it sustaineth in aduersities worketh by loue as an instrument conioyned with it guideth all our actions and giueth firme assent vnto euery article of faith and euery part of diuine truth but as it iustifieth it is conuersant about Christ obeying to death that we may find righteousnesse and forgiâ—enesse of sinnes to life in him or it cleaueth vnâ—o Gods mercies manifested in that eteâ—nall sacrifice alwayes breathing out life to men renouncing all trust and confidence euen in such graces as we haue receiued from God The trueth mercie fidelitie and power of God
remission of sinnes by the merits of Christ and resting vpon Chrâ—st alone for saluation assuredly he receiueth forgiuenesse â—lthough he be vexed with scruples and temptations and want the assurance and perswasion in himselfe that his sinnes bee remitted For faith is necessary to saluation but full assurance that I do belieue in that sort is not of lâ—ke necessitie And if a man may belieue vnfainedly who is not fully assured that he doth so belieue then faith may be certain in the euent when it is not certaine to the sence of the Belieuer §. 3. Faith as it iustifieth is a resting vpon Christ to obtaine pardon Zanch. de redempt lib. 1. c. 13. tit de Fiducia col 282. Musc loc com de Remiss Meisner dec 3. pag. 329. Par. in Gal. cap. 2. lect 24. Idem de Iustif l. 1. cap. 10. lect 227. Albizius exercit theol ar 2. 8. ad 3. Hom. Of faith part 1. August conf art 4. art 20. Bohemic conf art 6. § 3. But what faith is necessarie to wit on mans part to Iustification Is it an assured perswasion of our particular election or that our sins be alreadie pardoned and forgiuen No It is one thing to rest on Christ obeying to the cursed death of the Crosse that I may obtaine pardon and life euerlasting from the grace of God which is the act of true beliefe required to Iustification another to belieue that I am one of Gods particular elect people and that my sinnes are pardoned and done away which is a priuiledge of grace granted to him who belieueth is sealed by the Spirit and knoweth assuredly that he belieueth It is not an action of Christian faith preuious or fundamentall to Iustification for a man to belieue himselfe to be one of Gods elect for wee come to know our election by the effects thereof as Faith Iustification Sanctification Wee must first reade the effects of Gods loue in our hearts and see that he hath wrought in vs the sauing graces of faith loue hope feare c. and sealed vs by the spirit of promise before we can come to know his eternall decree and purpose towards vs therefore the beliefe of our particular election is an act of faith following Iustification not precedent to it No man is iustified by belieuing himselfe to be Iust nor pardoned Gallican conf art 20. Belgic confes art 23. Bolton walking with God pag. 320. Pemble plea for Grace pag. 258. 259. 260. Rolloc de Iustificat Heming Syntagm Gradus ad conuersionâ—m 49. Gal. 4.6 Rom. 8.15 16. by belieuing that he is pardoned but if his beliefe be true he must be truly Iust before hee can or ought to belieue himselfe to be Iust and actually pardoned before hee can be assured that he is pardoned This is the order of spirituall blessings conferred vpon vs in Christ Faith is the band wherby wee are vnited vnto Christ after Vnion followeth Communion with him Iustification Adoption Sanctification be the benefits and fruits of Communion Being made sonnes by faith God sends forth the Spirit of his Sonne into our hearts crying Abba Father and this Spirit beareth witnes with our spirit that we are the children of God assurance or certaine perswasion that our sinnes be pardoned followes this witnesse of the Spirit as the fruit and effect thereof In which it is most manifest that faith in Christ is before Iustification in order of nature though not in time and Iustification is precedent to the sense feeling of remission and therefore that belief which is required on our part to IustificatioÌ„ cannot be an assurance that our sins be pardoned already vnles the same thing be before after it selfe a man be pardoned before he belieue or assured that he is pardoned before it bee granted or that act of faith which cannot be but in a person alreadie iustified must go before the pardon of sin Esa 1.16 17 18 Ezek. 18. â—1 Prou. 28.13 Math. 6.14 15. Acts 16.30 31. Iohn 6.29 11.25 Acts 10.43 Acts 16.18 The promise of remission of sinnes is conditionall and becommeth not absolute vntill the condition be fulfilled either actually or in desire and preparation of minde This is the word of grace Belieue in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt bee saued when doth this conditionall proposition become absolute when we belieue What that our sinnes are pardoned No but when we belieue in Christ to obtaine pardon which is the thing promised vpon condition of beliefe Assurance that our sinnes bee pardoned is concluded in a practicall Syllogisme thus He that truly belieueth in Christ hath obtained pardon of his sinnes But I belieue Therefore my sinnes are pardoned where assurance of the pardon of sinne is a conclusion drawne from a two-fold ground the one expressed in Scripture the other euident if true by the testimonie of the renewed conscience and presupposeth that hee belieueth and is assured that he doth belieue Now if assurance of remission be concluded from this ground that he belieueth and knoweth certainly that hee belieueth then the beliefe which is required on our parts to Iustification cannot be an assurance that our sins be washed away alreadie For if we take the word belieue for a perswasion that our sinnes are done away then the Syllogisme runneth thus He that is assured of the pardon of his sinnes his sinnes are pardoned But I am assured of the pardon of my sinnes therefore my sinnes are pardoned Faith receiueth the pardon of sinne as it is profered in the word of grace and groundeth it selfe solely and immediately vpon the promise of God in Iesus Christ But the ground whereupon a sinner in himselfe guiltie should build assurance that his sinnes are pardoned without some other act of faith comming betwixt the promise that assurance there is none The Gospell offereth pardon to the thirstie and burdened if hee will receiue it assureth them of pardon who haue embraced the promise but where shall wee finde ground whereupon the guiltie person who belieueth not to remission of sinnes may bee assured that his sinnes not actually pardoned are yet pardoned and blotted out of Gods remembrance Faith taketh the pardon presented to it in the word of promise and trauailing with it bringeth forth actuall remission of sinne which vpon our faith we receiue Assurance is not before pardon nor actuall remission before faith vnlesse the effect be before the cause and the same thing be both cause and effect To beâ—ieue in Christ to saluation is to receiue him Iohn 1.12 Heluet. confess art 15. But to receiue Christ as hee is offered vnto vs in the Gospell is not to be assured that our sinnes are alreadie pardoned in and through Iesus Christ but to rest vpon him for pardon Before the act of iustification faith hath for obiect this proposition concerning the future To mee belieuing my sinnes shall bee forgiuen but after the promise is receiued and pardon obtained Par de Iustific lib. cap.
the confession of faith vnfained is heartie and sincere ioyned with a true detestation of all sinne as that which hath and would make seperation betwixt God and him if it be not renounced by him and pardoned of God And to them that confesse their sinnes in this manner is the promise made If wee confesse our sinnes God is faithfull 1. Ioh. 1.9 and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnes Pro. 28.19 Hee that couereth his sinnes shall not prosper but who so confesseth and forsaketh them shall haue mercy Onely acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God Ier. 3.13 1. Cor. 11.31 If wee would iudge our selues we should not be iudged I said I will confesse my transgressions vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the iniquitie of my sin Psal 32.5 Which is most liuely to be seene in the parable of the prodigall before mentioned where the Father resembling God is said to haue met his lost sonne before he came at him Luk 15.20 and to haue embraced and kissed him after hee was resolued in himselfe to acknowledge and confesse his faults As faith teacheth the poore sinner to humble himselfe in vnfaâ—ned confession of his manifould offences so it stirreth anâ— encourageth him to power out his soule in eaâ—nest and heartie prayer vnto God for pardon and forgiuenesse Act. 8.22 through the mediation of Iesus Chrâ—st Thus hee is taught of God Take with you words and turne to the Lord Hos 14 2. say vnto him Take away all iniquity and receiue vs gratiously so will we render the calues of our lips Both these may be seene in the poore Publican who durst not lift vp his eyes to Heauen Luk. 18.13 but smote himselfe vpon the breast saying God bee mercifull to mee a sinner And so the Church prayeth O remember not against vs former iniquities lâ—t thy tender mercies speedily preuent vs. Ioel. 2.17 Psal 79.8 This prayer of faith is not presented before God in assurance that his sins be already pardoned but to obtaine pardon of the rich mercy of God by and through the merits of Iesus Christ And the pâ—omise is to him that prayeth vnfainedly that he shall be forgiuen 2. Chro. 7.14 If my people whâ—ch are called by Name shall humble themselues and pray and seeke my face and turne from their wicked wayes then will I heare from Heauen and will forgiue their sinne Aske and it shall be giuen you Math. 7.7 Ioel. 2.32 Rom. 10.13 seeke and yee shall finde Whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be deliuered vizt from sinne and death Fourthly Faith receiueth the promise of mercy made in Christ and embraceth or resteth vpon the speciall fâ—ee mercy of God in Chrâ—st for pardon and hereby we are iustified that is of sinners made Iust and Righteous not by infusion of holinesse but by free condonation and acceptation of grace Christ is euery where made the thing which faith embraceth to saluation and whom it lookeâ—h vnto and respecteth as it makes vs righteous in the sight of God and faith iustifyeth Ioh. 11.25.26 Act. 15.11 Rom. 10.4 Gal. 2 16. Eph. 1.15 Phil. 3.9 not by any vertue or dignitie of it owne but as it receiueth and resteth on Christ our Righteousnes our Sauiour our Redeemer from sinne and death It is the good pleasure of God reuealed in the Gospell to pardon and iustifie them from all their sinnes that belieue in Christ and faith iustifieth as it leaneth vpon him to receiue speciall mercie through him or which is all one to obtaine forgiuenesse of sinners of the meere and rich grace of God through him and this is the most formall act of faith as iustifying Fifthly It doth certifie of pardon granted and sealed vnto vs It doth obtaine receiue and assure of forgiuenesse in particular I know that my Redeemer liueth Iob. 19.25 Psal 32.5 Isay 38.17 Psal 65.3 Gal. 2.20 1. Ioh. 3.14 Thou forgauest the iniquitie of my sinne Thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy backe As for our transgressions thou shalt purge them away Christ hath loued me and giuen himselfe for me We know that we are passed froÌ„ death vnto life because we loue the brethren These are diuine conclusions of a liuely faith But this perswasion or assurance that our sinnes are already pardoned is not an act of faith iustifying as it iustifyeth but an act of faith following iustification a priuiledge granted of grace to a sinner now set in the state of grace or an act of experience in a sinner now iustified by faith Forgiuenesse of sinnes in and through Christ is offered in the Gospell to euery burdened and wearie soule that will receiue it as the ground of faith vouchsafed to euery one that belieueth but pardon of sinne is apprehended as already granted when wee come to be assured that wee doe belieue Faith in order of nature is precedent to Iustification but Iustification it selfe goeth before the sence thereof As faith obtaineth and receiueth the promise of speciall mercie it doth not finde vs Iust when we begin to belieue but maketh vs Iust by embracing the Righteousnesse of Christ as it certifyeth and assureth of fauour it doth not actiuely Iustifie but findeth the thing dâ—ne already Faith assureth of the pardon of sinne by a double act First it layeth hold vpon the generall promises made to Belieuers such as these Iohn 3.18 Acts 13.39 Iohn 3.36 He that belieueth shall be saued By faith euery one that belieueth is iustified Hee that beliâ—ueth hath euerlasting life Secondly it concludes vndoubtedly from them That hee belieuing is alreadie receiued into fauour and hath obained remission of sinnes Now betwixt these two comes the testimonies of the renewed Conscience 1. Cor. â— 11 working vpon the soule by reflexion whereby the true Belieuer is made priuie to his owne estate and assured that he doth belieue The whole is collected thus He that belieueth in Christ is alreadie Iustified or hath receiued pardon and forgiuenesse This is the voice of faith grounding it selfe vpon the expresse testimonie of God speaking in holy Scripture But I belieue This is the witnesse of the renewed conscience enlightened by the Spirit and directed by the Word whereby the Belieuer comes to know what God hath wrought in him For no man can be said to Belieue that hee doth Belieue but he belieueth the promises by faith and knoweth himselfe to bee a Belieuer by the wâ—tnesse of his Conscience renewed by the Spirit The conclusion of faith grounded vpon the former propositions the one expressed in Scripture the other euident by the witnesse of Conscience is Therefore my sinnes are forgiuen or I shall be saued The order of climbing to this assurance is the rather to bee marked that weake Christians who want the comfortable sence and feeling of this mercy might learne to seeke it in due order as the way is laid
bodie is wearie after labour and requires rest but sinne is euer stirring neuer quiet no not when occasions be wanting And that it might appeare out of measure sinfull it takes occasion by the commandement it resideth the good motions of the Spirit it disinâ—bleth to euery good worke it diffuseth it venome into euery action and leadeth captiue to the committing of sinne against knowledge and conscience The cursed earth is not so apt to bee ouer-growne with weedes bryars thornes and thistles as the soule with lusts passions distempers worldly cares and sinfull delights The law of the flesh rebelleth against the law of the minde and carrieth with violence to the workes of darknesse The Gally-slaues condition is very hard and miserable but the spirituall bond-slaue is in farre worse estate No drudgerie so base as the seruice of sinne no Tyrant so cruell as sinne which allowes no respite or time of refreshing Rom. 7.24 O miserable man that I am who shall deliuer me from this dominion of sinne this bodie of death I haue deeply defiled my selfe by transgression but haue no power to cleanse my heart O Lord I haue defaced thine Image but cannot repaire it I haue yeelded the powers of my soule to the obedience of sin and now I would cast off that subiection and breake those snares I am altogether vnsufficient for it When I would doe well euill is present with me Rom. 7.21 but I finde no meanes to perfect what I desire I cannot desire good my will is so in bondage I am not able to crawle about the doing of that which is good such is my feeblenesse but I want no strength to that which is euill I am apt and readie to goe astray I am inuironed and beset with sinne on euery side oh when shall I be set at libertie that I might doe the worke of God and runne the race of his Commandements Secondly He must looke to the grace truth and power of God who hath promised to sanctifie to the fulnesse and sufficiencie that is in Christ the fountaine of grace He who hath spoken this to mee Hold me and I will set thee free I will circumcise thy heart wash it purge it heale it of all sicknesses and infirmities he that hath spoken it is God Almightie who giueth Being to all visible creatures and that inuisible world of Spirits who calleth the things that are not as if they were who if there were no print of these things in me can worke and create them gloriously as at first he drew this excellent frame of the world out of that confused lumpe or Masse which hee made of nothing And as he is great in power so is he rich in mercie aboundant in goodnesse and truth as ready and faithfull to keepe as hee was free to make the promise His grace is vnsearchable his Word purer then siluer seuen times refined In my selfe I am full of sinne barren and destitute of grace but Christ is an ouer-flowing fountaine who hath plentifully filled all that belieue All the faithfull haue drawne of his fulnesse and yet his store is no whit diminished O my soule trust thou in the Lord and thou shalt be purged from thy filthines replenished with his grace Loe he calleth the thirstie who bee destitute of all sap and fruit of grace to come vnto him that they may be refreshed The Saints who haue beene most enriched with varietie of graces were by nature as poore and destitute as thou art What they had they receiued by faith Belieue as they did and speed with them Why criest thou out distrustfully by reason of thy barrennesse Doth the streaming fountaine denie water to the thirstie traueller No more doth Christ to the emptie parched soule that comes vnto him Thou hast no grace of thy selfe cleaue vnto him and thou shalt want none that may be for thy good He filleth the emptie and satisfieth the poore that he might be acknowledged the wel-spring of all grace and goodnesse Thirdly He must pray instantly vnto the Lord for sanctifying grace Faith obtaineth as a poore petitioner what the Lord promiseâ—h in speciall fauour nor can it belieue longer then it prayeth virtually or actually O Lord thou hast promised to powre water vpon the thirsty Esay 44.3 35.7 Ioel 2.28 and riuers vpon the dry ground I pray thee wash mee throughly from my filthinesse and water me bountifully with the dew of thy grace which may coole and allay the scorching heate of sinne Zech 13.1 Thou hast opened a fountaine to the house of Dauid and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sinne and for vncleannesse let the streames thereof flow vpon my drie and barren soule that it may be fruitfull in the workes of holinesse O put thy good Spirit into me which may be as a fountaine of liuing waters springing vnto eternall life Fourthly It is good to moue and quicken the heart quietly to rest in the promise and reioyce in hope Waite on the Lord O my soule and bee glad in him for hee hath giuen Christ to be thy Sanctification He is appointed to bee the beginner and finisher of thy holinesse and surely he will not leaue that worke imperfect whereunto he is ordained of the Father Were the progresse of that building commited to thy care and ouer-sight there might bee cause of feare but since it is laid vpon him thine onely and all-sufficient Redeemer there is no place for doubting Hold him fast and thou art safe Lord increase my faith and keepe me close vnto thee in belieuing for euermore CHAP. IIII. What it is to liue by Faith concerning the promises of euerlasting life AS if it were a light thing that God should forgiue all our sinnes Psal 103.3 4. and heale our infirmities he hath giuen promise of euerlasting life to bee conferred of his rich grace vpon them that belieue in Iesus Christ God so loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer belieueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Eternall life is promised Iohn 3.16 And Christ hath purchased life euerlasting no lesse for vs then righteousnesse Heb. 10.19 20. By the bloud of Iesus we may be hold to enter into the Holiest by the new and liuing way which he hath consecrated for vs through the vaile that is to say His flesh For this cause hee is the Mediatour of the New Testament Heb. 9.15 that by meanes of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were vnder the first Testament they which are called might receiue the promise of eternall inheritance And therefore as he is said to haue made reconciliation for iniquitie Dan. 9.24 2 Tim. 1.10 and to haue brought in euerlasting righteousnesse so also to haue abolished death and brought life and immortalitie to light And he makes promise of euerlasting life to them that heare and obey his voice Iohn 10.27 28. Marke 16.16 Acts 16.31 Iohn 6.40 20 31. 1
Iohn 2.25 My sheepe heare my voice and I know them and they follow me And I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish In the Gospell wee find eternall life promised vpon condition of faith in Christ Belieue on the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saued and what God promiseth of free grace that faith doth certainly receiue Life is promised vpon condition of faith and by faith wee are quickened entitled vnto and made pertakers of life euerlasting Iohn 3.36 Hee that belieueth on the Sonne hath euerlasting life Hee that heareth my Word and belieueth on him that sent me hath euerlasting life Iohn 5.24 and shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death to life This is the record 1 Iohn 5.11 12 13. that God hath giuâ—n to vs eternall life and this life is in his Sonne He that hath the Sonne hath life and he that not the Sonne hath not life If once we be bâ—ought to belieue in Christ life etâ—rnall is then begun in vs. This is life eternall Iohn 17.3 to know that is with the knowledge of faith thee to be the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Col. 3.4 Ephes 3.17 For Christ is our life who dwels in our hearts by faith and therefore whosoeuer belieue in him haue life through and with him And this life is not another but one in substance with that blessed and glorious estate which the Saints enioy in Heauen though different in degree Againe when first we belieue then wee are intituled to life euerlasting and so haue the accomplishment of glorie in respect of right and proprietie 1. Pet. 1.3.4 Blessed bee the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten vs againe vnto a liuely hope by the resurrection of Iesus from the dead To an inheritance incorruptible and vndefiled and that fadeth not away That being iustified by his grace wee should be made heires according to the hope of eternall life For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God Titus 3.7 by the death of his Sonne much more being reconciled wee shall be saued by his life They which receiue abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousnesse Rom. 5.10 Verse 17. shall raigne in life by one Iesus Christ To an earthly inheritance title followeth vpon the birth to the spirituall vpon our Adoption But when wee belieue in Christ wee are then made the Sonnes of God by Adoption yea sonnes accepted To as many as receiued him Ephes 1.6 John 1.12 to them gaue he priuiledge to become the Sonnes of God euen to them that belieue on his Name Behold what manner of loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that wee should bee called the Sonnes of God Beloued 1. Iohn 3.1 2. now are wee the Sonnes of God Gal. 3.26 29. and it doth not yet appeare what we shall be For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus c. And if yee be Christs then are yee Abrahams seed and heiâ—es according to the promise Gal. 4.4 5. When the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman made vnder the Law to redeeme them that are vnder the Law Verse 7. that wee might receiue the adoption of Sonnes Wherefore thou art no more a seruant but a sonne Rom 8 14. and if a sonne then an heire of God through Christ. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Verse 17. Heb. 12.23 Therefore wee must belieue it c. And if children then heires heires of God and ioynt heires with Christ And for this cause the faithfulâ— are called the Church of the first begotten whose names are writt n in Heauen Now if eternall life be promised in the Gospell purchased by Christ and in right and title belong vnto the faithfull wee may conclude it is our part and dutie to belieue in God through Iesus Christ as well for the obtaining of eternall life to be giuen of grace as the forgiuenesse of our sinnes It is very necessary to belieue it And this is is necessarie that we might with the more quietnesse of Minde beare the afflictions and worldly losses the troubles and persecutions which befall vs in this world Heb. 10.35 36. Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward for yee haue need of patience that after yee haue done the will of God yee might receiue the promise Abraham is commended in Scripture that he left his friends his natiue Countrie and all earthly hopes there whiâ—h were not small and came to dwell in a strange Land as a Pilgrime where he suffered many iniuries Heb. 11.8 9 10. anâ— was exercised with many troubles of sundry kinds all which he endured with inuincible patience by the hope and desire of eternall life and that heauenly Countrie whereunto hee was called The hope of Heauen is the firme and sure anchor of the soule to sustaine and stablish it that it bee not tossed vp and downe and ouer-whelmed with reproaches and indignities Heb. 6 19. offered with the worldly losses miseries of this life It serues also to establish our hearts against sundry worldly cares and feares affectation of earthly greatnesse and carking for earthly necessaries For why should we admire the glory of this life when most excellent glory riches and happinesse ioyned with it is prepared and giuen vs through faith in Christ Why should we doubt of earthly necessaries when God hath bequeathed vnto vs an heauenly kingdome Faith in Christ to receiue an incorruptible crowne of glory will moderate desires of earthly things that wee shall neither admire nor aspire after great things below nor basely dist ust the Lord for supply of what he knowes meete and conuenient for vs. Feare not little flocke Luk. 12.32 for it is your Fathers good pleasure to giue you the Kingdome If wee keepe Heauen in our eye and looke to the high price of our calling wee shall fight couragiously and runne with paâ—ience notwithâ—tanding all opposition What can daunt him in the wayes of godlinesse or make him slaâ—ke his pace who runnes to obtaine not a corruptible but an incorruptible crowne 1. Cor. 9.25 By faith some were tortured not accepting deliuerance Heb. 11.35 that they might obtaine a better resurrection Let vs runne with patience vnto the race that is set before vs Looking vnto Iesus Heb. 12.1.2 the Author and finisher of our faith who for the ioy that was set before him endured the crosse despising the shame and is set downe at the right hand of the throne of God The acts of faith concerning these promises be these The acts of faith concerning these promises First As an humble petitioner it receiueth and layeth hold vpon saluation it selfe promised which wee haue of Gods
grace as well as any benefite tending thereunto As we are iustified by faith so wee are saued by faith Eph. 2.8 not in respect of present saluation or redemption whereof here we are pertakers but in respect of glorification to come in due time to be reuealed Belieue on the Lord Iesus Act. 16.31 and thou shalt hee saued By faith wee haue accesse into this grace Rom. 5.2 wherein wee stand and reioyce in the hope of glory When the Apostle saith With the heart Man belieueth vnto righteousnesse Rom. 10.10 and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation Hâ—e doth not so distinguish these two as if faith were the cause of righteousnes confession of saluation or as if faith were sufficient to righteousnes but not to saluation for hee had often said Rom. 4 16. that wee are saued by faith that the promise is by faith But he describes the qualification of that faith which iustifyeth and saueth namely that it is a stedfast affiance that flyeth to God by heartie supplication and breaketh forth into profession of Gods name The promise is Rom. 10.11 Whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be saued and faith herein flyeth to the throne of grace with ardent supplications and layeth hold of saluation promised of grace Secondly Faith doth not begin to apprehend life and then leaue it it to works that we might attain the accoÌ„plishment by theÌ„ but it doth euer rest vpon the promise vntill we come to enioy it Heauen is an inheritance freely vouchsafed to the adopted sonnes of God whose interest vnto it commeth by belieuing not by working Rom. 6.23 The gift of God is eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord if it be a gift of meere fauour it cannot be of workes Eph. 2.8.9.10 Gal. 3.18 If the inheritance be of the Law it is no more of promise but God gaue it to Abraham by promise And that which God will doe about his children in the day of iudgement is called mercy 2. Tim. 1.18 The Lord shew mercy to Onesiphorus in that day The immediate cause of life is Gods grace as the immediate cause of death is sin Rom. 5.21 But if life be of grace it is by faith We are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation 1. Pet. 1.5 So that our faith neuer giues ouer till wee come to bee actually possessed of the immortall and vndefiled inheritance reserued for vs in Heauen Thirdly By faith we receiue the promised Spirit as the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the purchased possession Gal. 3.14 Because ye are sonnes God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts crying Ezek. 34.29 Gal. 4 6. Rom. 8.15 Abba Father The holy Ghost doth first infuse the grace of faith into our hearts whereby we belieue but belieuing and being made the sonnes of God wee receiue the Spirit more fully and manifestly dwelling in vs to sanctification and assurance of our Redemption By the benefite of the holy Ghost faith springeth in vs by which faith the abundance of the selfe-same spirit is increased and so of a greater faith is still made a greater increase of the Spirit In whom after yee belieued Ephe. 1.13 yee were sealed with the Spirit of promise He that belieueth Iohn 7.38 out of his belly shall flow riuers of liuing water And these gifts of the Spirit which we receiue by faith from Christ our Head are the beginnings of that glorious life we expect and looke for one in substance different in degrees and according to the measure of grace receiued so is the life of glory begunne in vs. Fourthly Faith in the promises of euerlasting life leadeth forward in the pathes of peace and righteousnes It mortifyeth corruption studyeth holinesse Math. 6.21 raiseth the heart to things aboue and directeth the conuersation according to the pollicie of the new Ierusalem Life eternâ—ll is not giuen for workes but it is the good pleasure of God that his children should be holy and exercise themselues in all good workes Rom. 8.13 Gal. 6.8 If yee through the Spirit doe mortifie the deeds of the body yee shall liue He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reape life euerlasting Blessed are the pure in heart Math. 5 8. for they shall see God Follow peace with all men and holinesse Heb. 12.14 without which no man shall see the Lord. Charge them that be rich in this world that they bee not high minded nor trust in vncertaine riches but in the liuing God who giueth richly all things to inioy That they doe good that they be rich in good workes ready to distribute willing to communicate 1. Tim. 6.17.18.19 Laying vp in store for themselues a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternall life But yee beloued building vp your selues in your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost keepe your selues in the loue of God Iude verse 20.21 Iam. 1.12.25 Math. 35.34.35 looking for the mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ vnto eternall life Come yâ—e blessed of my Father inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world For I was hungred and yee gaue mee meate c. These and such like passages of Scripture shew not the cause why but the qualification of the persons vnto whom not how it is deserued but what doth precede the bestowing of life eternall And faith that looketh for that blessed hope and layeth hold vpon the promise of that heauenly and incorruptible inheritance lifteth vp the heart into Heauen kindleth loue inflameth with zeale encourage h against difficulties and inciteth to run the way of Gods Commandements If probable hope of great aduantage drawes on the Merchant to vndertake a long and tedious voyage by Sea notwithstanding the many casualties and perils wherewith it is beset faith in the assured promises of God concerning saluation will set a man forward in his Christian iourney hold hâ—m on in his way with courage and chearefulnesse and hearten him to the workes of godlinesse notwithstanding the temptations of Satan the allurements of the world or oppositions of the flesh to the contrarie Phil. 3.20 Our conuersation is in Heauen from whence also wee looke for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus Christ Col. 1.3.4.5 Wee giue thankes to God and since wee heard of your faith in Christ Iesus and of the loue which yee hau to all the Saints For the hope which is laid vp for you in Heauen Heb. 11.13 14.15.16 By faith Abraham Isaâ—c and Iacob confessed that they were pilgrimes and strangers on the earth and hauing oportunitie would not returne into their owne countrey because they desired a better countrey that is an heauenly Fiftly It seeketh to get our title confirmed and assured to the conscience by euidence and earnest or pawne it exerciseth it selfe vpon the
might wauer a promise is annexed Whatsoeuer yee shall aske the Father in my Name hee will giue it you But without question they haue allowance to belieue the obtaining of that which Christ hath prayed for 1. John 5.14 and the faithfull aske of God in the Name of Chrâ—st according to his will The seruants of Christ who liued by the like pretious faith with vs grounâ—ed vpon the same promises and subiect to the same temptations Rom 8.38.39 belieued their perseuerance I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shal be able to seperate froÌ„ the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Phil. 1.20 According to mine earnest expectation my hope that in nothing I shal be ashamed but that with all boldnes as alwayes so now also Christ shal be magnified in my body whether it bee by life or by death And the Lord shall deliuer me from euery euill worke and will preserue me vnto his heauenly kingdome 2. Tim. 3.18 to whom be glory for euer and euer Amen But what one belieued vpon common and ordinarie grounds that is the priuiledge of all belieuers which they are allowed to receiue It is a great glory to God that wee liue by faith on him concerning our future estate and relie vpon his grace that shall encounters wee shall bee more then Conquerours through him that loued vs. For this is to take God to bee our God not only to put our confidence in him in prosperitie and aduersitie when wee haue meanes or meanes be wanting for our soules and bodies but also to relic vpon him that he will make vs walke in his Commandements and put his feare in our hearts that wee shall not depart from him that hee will perfect his worke begun in vs finish our fai h and preserue vs vnto his euerlasting kingdome This faith doth giue vnto God the praisent all grace which he is pleased to bestow and of all workes of grace which he effecteth by vs. Hee that relieth vpon the good vse of his free-will must necessarily ascribe the praise of his perseuerance in part if not principally vnto himselfe but he that resteth vpon the Lord for establishment against all spirituall enemies and abilitie vnto euery good worke hee must necessarily ascribe the whole praise vnto the glory of Gods grace vpon which hee doth depend The acts of faith concerning perseuerance The acts of saith concerning perseuerance bee these and such like First It makes a man sensible of his owne frailtie and infirmitie how weake and feeble he is apt not only to fall but euen to fall away if he were not vpholden by the grace and power of God 2. Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues but our sufficiencie is of God Naturally we trust in our selues and are pâ—esumptuous of our strength but when by faith we goe forth of our selues vnto God for helpe we can see nothing in our selues but weaknesse and frailtie Secondly It stirres vp holy iealousie and suspition lest we should coole decay start-aside or fall backe Faith is bold and timorous confident and suspicious confident in God suspitious of our selues I was afraid saith Iob of all my workes Iob 9.28 Gatak Spirituall Watch pag. 84. knowing that if I did wickedly thou wouldst not acquite me And this suspition doth beget care to shunne occasions of sinne and watchfulnesse to preuent spirituall distempers A man iealous of his health is warie in his diet and he that hath his soule in suspition will euer be questioning with it and watching ouer it least he should offend This iealosie is euer waking apt to cast the worst that may fall out but to counsell the best that is to keepe farr from the occasions of sinne abstaine from all appearance of euill and take heede of the snare in lawfull businesses of this life And surely in this kinde considering our great frailty it is more behoouefull for a man to be somewhat too hee die and cautelous then to be a little too secure and selfe confident to be suspitious of his weaknesse that hee may be enabled by God and become strong in him then while he is fool-hardie strong in his owne conceit to run into danger and proue weak in triall Thirdly Psal 17.5 Faith instantly crieth vnto the Lord for help strength and continuall supply of grace Hold vp my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not Psal 119.8 I will keepe thy statutes O forsake me not vtterly Looke thou vpon me and be mercifull vnto me as thou vsest to doe vnto those that loue thy Name Order my steps in thy word Psal 119.32 33. Cant. 1.4 and let not any iniquitie haue dominion ouer me Draw me we will runne after thee Shew me thy wayes O Lord teach me thy pathes Lead mee in thy truth Psal 25.4 5. and teach me for thou art the God of my saluation on thee doe I waite all the day long When men be conscious to themselues of their owne wants they are wont to resort vnto others by whom their wants may be supplied The Belieuer is emptie in himselfe and sensible of his owne weaknesse desirous of supply and confident of helpe in God 2. Tim. 4.17 2. Cor. 12.9 10. 2. Cor. 4.7 who alone is able to confirme and strengthen him yea so to inable him notwithstanding his infirmitie that his power and might shall appeare in him amidst his feeblenesse his very infirmity shall make much for his glory and therefore hee will not cease day after day to repaire vnto him for continuall supply and strength of grace Fourthly Faith desireth digesteth and feedeth vpon the wholesome food of life 2. Pet. 2.2 As new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the Word that yee may grow thereby If the bodie be healthfull and in case to grow in strength there will be an appetite to wholesome food and good digestion by the stomacke euery liuing thing hath a facultie to draw nourishment vnto it selfe and the faith which neuer faileth doth not only couet but kindly digest the Word of life and sucke nourishment from it whereby it is made able and strong to euery good word and worke If the stomacke decay or the appetite be inordinate after things hurtfull and vnwholsome food or the digestion ill that meate taken in passeth away not altered by the stomacke the naturall life is in danger so the life of grace languisheth when our appetite to the word decayeth wee affect earthly things immoderately delight in a frothy windie vaine sound of words which pleaseth the eaâ—e but edifieth not the conscience or if we heare sleightly but take not paines to feed substantially vpon the Word I denie not but a liuely neuer-fading faith is subiect to these and more grieuous
faith to the chearefull practice of that duty whereunto we find our selues dull and sluggish 1. Wee must acknowledge and bewaile this dulnesse and sloth make it hatefull and shame our selues for it before the Lord. p. 394. 395 2. Call vpon our soules by many powerfull and strong perswasions to awake to the worke of God with liuelinesse p. 396. 397 3. Pray to the Lord that hee would reuiue and quicken vs. p. 397 4. Renew our resolution to walke with God trusting in his grace ibid. CHAP. X. CHristians are allowed to liue by faith in the duties of their vocation for 1. God hath commanded vs to labour in a calling 2. Prescribed the bounds of our calling 3. And promised his blessing to our honest endeuours p. 398. 399 It is necessary we should liue by faith in the duties of our vocation 1. To preuent the euils which beset vs in our ordinary callings as couetousnesse iniustice impatience and distracting care p. 399 2. That worke is not acceptable which is not done in faith p. 400 The acts of faith in respect of the duties of our calling 1. It informeth to make choise of an honest vocation for which wee are fitted and into which wee may enter by good and lawfull meanes p. 400 2. Faith instructeth not to meddle aboue our knowledge but to leane vpon the liuing God not on our skill or cunning p. 401 3. It quickeneth the most skilfull workman to striue with God in prayer that the worke he setteth about might succeed well and prosper ibid. 4. It causeth diligence care vprightnesse and faithfulnesse in all the workes actions and businesse of our calling as knowing that whilest we walke honestly therein we doe seruice to the Lord. p. 401. 402 5. It incourageth to the most difficult painfull and in the worlds esteeme disgracefull workes of our callings p. 403 6. It strengtheneth against manifold troubles disgraces oppositions and discouragements that men meete withall in their places p. 403. 404 7. It directs wisely to order the affaires of our calling and to goe about them in good manner p. 404 8. It teacheth to moderate cares confine desires of earthly things and commit our selues to God for the successe of our worke p. 404. 405 9. It supporteth with strength patiently to beare the calamities that accompany vs in our callings p. 405. 406 10. Faith restraineth distrustfull care concerning the successe of our labours but is not slacke to craue Gods blessing vpon our labours p. 406 11. If we find wished successe it makes vigilant frugall humble mercifull and thankefull p. 406. 407 12. Faith coupleth the labours of our calling with the practice of Christianitie ibid. How we should liue by faith touching the successe of that worke whereunto wee are called which wee finde to bee much aboue our strength or meanes 1. Faith causeth selfe-deniall in respect of iudgement wisdome and power p. 407 408 2. It teacheth submission to Gods direction and dependance vpon his aide helpe and assistance p. 408. 409 The props of this faith are two 1. The exact infinite wisdome of God who knoweth what meanes be fit to be vsed now and what not 2. Gods prouidence which rules in euery thing which fals out euen the least matters ibid. 3. Faith thus vnder-propped bringeth forth industrie and endeauour to obserue God in his prouidence p. 409. 410 4. Faith cannot bee silent Hee that belieueth will pray ibid. 5. It putteth life and hardinesse into vs. ibid. 6. It waiteth vpon God for good successe and triumpheth before the victory p. 410. 411 7. Faith is ready and forward to prayse God for good successe ibid. CHAP. XI THere bee many promises made in Scripture that God will blesse his owne ordinances to his peoples good p. 412. 413 These promises are firme grounds whereupon the faithfull may build this affiance that by the conscionable vse of Gods holy ordinances he shall be made wise vnto saluation c. p. 414 The serious meditation of these things is exceeding profitable to quicken and encourage vnto chearefull and constant attendance vpon God in his ordinances p. 414 It is necessary to liue by faith in the vse of Gods ordinances For 1. It auayleth not to liue vnder the Gospell if it bee not receiued in faith p. 414. 415 2. It is not sufficient to haue faith but it must be exercised to receiue that grace which the Word of God doth reach vs with the seale ibid. The acts of faith in the vse of Gods ordinances 1. It teacheth to worship the true God purely pag. p. 415. 416 2. It delighteth greatly to behold the face of God in his Sanctuary p. 416 3. It seeketh acquaintance with God and the knowledge of his will in Iesus Christ p. 417 4. It glueth the heart close to the Word receiueth possesseth the good things promised and chargeth the disposition of soule into the nature of the Word p. 417. 418 5. It quickeneth to serue God in the vse of all his ordinances with diligence chearefulnesse and best endeuour p. 418 Parents should in faith present their children to God in Baptisme p. 419 The acts of faith in this particular 1. It calleth to remembrance the free and gracious couenant which God hath made with belieuing Parents and their posterity p. 419. 420 2. By faith the belieuing Parents must giue themselues vnto God chusing him to bee their portion and resigning themselues in all things to bee guided by his Word p. 420 3. It prouokes Parents to offer their children vnto God by hearty and vnfained prayer assoone as euer they haue receiued them from him ibid. 4. It considereth what a singular prerogatiue it is to be actually admitted into Couenant with God receiued into his family and to haue his name put vpon vs. p. 420. 421 Feruent effectuall prayer doth accompany these meditations of faith ibid. 5. It stirreth vp hearty reioysing in the Lord that hee hath vouchsafed in tender compassion to looke vpon them and their posteritie and thus to honour and aduance them p. 421 6. It stirreth vp Parents to be diligent and carefull to bring vp their children in information and feare of the Lord. p. 422 By faith we should make right vse of our Baptisme all the dayes of our life p. 422. 423 The vse to be made of Baptisme is twofold 1. It serues to be a pledge and token of Gods fauour for 1. It is a seale of our Regeneration by the holy Spirit p. 423 2. It confirmeth vnto vs the free pardon and forgiuenesse of our sins ibid. 3. Baptisme is a pledge of the vertue of Christs death and of our fellowship therein ibid. 4. It is also a pledge of the vertue of Christs life and of our communion with him therein ibid. 5. Baptisme is a pledge of our adoption in Iesus Christ p. 424 6. Baptisme is a solemne testimony of our communion with all the liuely members of Christ Iesus ibid. 7. It is a seale and pledge to assure that
holden without perill of damnation because he discerneth it not to be of God Faith is an euident assent 3. Euident perspicuitie of truth in the obiect apprehended and certaintie of perswasion are two twinnes that liue and die together In this life it is impossible for vs fully to comprehend any one point of Christian faith yet are they plaine and perspicuous in a sort to the spirituall not to the naturall man There is a manifestation of things by reason and by reuelation and there is an euidence direct an euidence by consequence an euidence of the thing in it selfe and by the effect an euidence to the naturall man and an euidence to the spirituall man Matters of faith are manifest by reuelation but to reason vnsearchable incomprehensible seene by faith to the naturall man inuisible incredible The Diuinitie of the Scripture is in it selfe euident to the spirituall man so is it that there is a Prouidence other things are euident from this ground That all truth contained in Scripture is to bee imbraced though with opposition to all other professions and that the profession of Religion is not to be relinquished nor good successe to be despaired of for all the arguments the Deuill the World and the Flesh can oppose against them The apprehension of the ioyes of Heauen cannot be distinct and euident in this life but that God hath prouided such ioyes for his Elect as it is certaine from testimonie of Scripture so it is euident from the present peace of conscience which the faithfull enioy 1. Iohn 3 2. Beloued saith the Apostle now we are the sonnes of God and yet it doth not appeare what we shall be but we know that when he shall appeare we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is The ioyes which be prepared for the godly of which the Apostle stedfastly hoped to be pertaker are as yet vnseene but that they shall actually be accomplished is confirmed by the faithfull promise of God whereof we haue euident and full assurance The Apostle describing faith to bee the euidence of things not seene Heb. 11.1 doth it not to disparage the euidence but rather to set forth the excellencie of that heauenly grace which includes an euident knowledge and apprehension of some things present which the world sees not 4. Discoursiue Faith also is in some sort an assent discoursiue as from manifest experiences of Gods works and fauors wrought and vouchsafed according to the word of promise the Saints inferre a possibilitie or certaintie of like to ensue Thus Dauid The Lord that deliuered me out of the paw of the Lion 1. Sam. 17.37 and out of the paw of the Beare he will deliuer mee out of the hand of this Philistine Nothing is more ordinarie in the Booke of the Psalmes then for the seruants of God to draw conclusions of future protection deliuerance helpe and comfort from present or former blessings Psal 3.3 I call to remembrance my song in the night I commune with mine owne heart Psal 77.6 143.4 and my Spirit made diligent search We receiued the sentence of death in our selues because we should not trust in our selues but in God who raised the dead 2. Cor. 1.9.10 Who deliuered vs from so great a death and doth deliuer vs in whom we trust that yet hereafter he will deliuer vs. I feruently looke for and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed but that with all confidence as alwayes so now Phil. 1.20 Christ shall be magnified in my bodie whether it be by life or death I was deliuered out of the mouth of the Lion 2. Tim. 4.17 18. And the Lord will deliuer me from euery euill worke and will preserue me vnto his heauenly Kingdome § 3. Moreouer Iustifying faith is an obedientiall confidence §. 3. Faith is an affiance or confidence or affiance conioyned with affection of pietie simply and in comparison cleauing to the mercie of God in Iesus Christ as better then life and to the Commandements of God as necessary good worthy to bee stucke vnto not only whilest considered in themselues or in generall or without such encumbrances and occurrences as doe often interpose or hinder practice but euen whilest actually compared with present losse of any sensuall good thing or infliction of any temporall euill wherewith the World the Deuill or the Flesh can oppose their price That faith is an affiance or resting vpon the promises appeareth by the seuerall words vsed to expresse the nature of that faith or beliefe which the Lord requireth of his people to the end they might receiue any blessing from him or haue his protection or assistance The first word is translated Belieue 2. Chron. 20.20 Gen. 45.26 Psal 27.13 but signifieth such a beliefe as is opposed to fainting I had fainted vnlesse I had belieued to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the land of the liuing And it implyeth trust in the Word of God as sure and stable it is sometimes translated stedfast or constant Psal 78.37 Psal 78.22 and expounded by trust They belieued not in God and trusted not in his saluation The second word is opposed to feeblenesse of Mind feare and doubt and imports a 1. Chron. 5.20 to trust securely Psal 78.53 146. Pro. 28.17 25. Ps 4.8 22.9 25.2 Isay 12.3 Psal 112.7 118 8. Psal 125.1 Prou. 3.5 Psal 118.8 Psal 2.12 Psal 11.1 Psal 36.7 Ru h. 2.12 Psal 64.10 Nah. 1.7 I will trust and not be afraid Hee shall not be afraid of euill tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. They that trust in the Lord shall bee as Mount Sion which cannot be remoued but abideth for euer The third is rendred to trust but signifieth to betake himselfe to one as to his b castle or hiding place Blessed are all they that put their trust in him How excellent is thy louing kindnesse O Lord therefore the children of men put their trust vnder the shadow of thy wings The Lord recompence thy worke and a full reward be giuen thee of the Lord God of Israel vnder whose wings thou art come to trust The righteous shall be glad in the Lord and shall trust in him The Lord is good a strong hold in the day of trouble and hee knoweth them that trust in him Hence God is called our protection or hiding place to which wee may flie in trouble and finde shelter Psal 46.1 Ioel 3 16. God is our refuge and strength a very present helpe in time of trouble The fourth is to leane vpon euen as a man would stay himselfe on a staffe wherewith he is vnderpropped c 2. Chron. 16.7 8. 2. Chron. 14.11 Prou. 3.5 Isay 31.1 2 Chron. 13.18 Because thou hast relied vpon the King of Syria and not relied on the Lord thy God therefore is the Host of the King of Syria escaped out of thy hand Were not the
iâ— wee giue our selues to the prosequution of some good works because we receiue and embrace the word which coÌ„mandeth them then shall we giue our selues to the performance of euery good work which the same word doth call for at ou hands If wee doe this or that good worke coÌ„manded because it is sutable to our disposition passing ouer others that bee crosse thereunto wee obey not the Lord but please our selues The Word of God doth worke effectually as it is embracâ—d and the consideration of what Christ hath done for vs will bring forâ—h in vs the same minde that was in him a minde to doe his Fathers will in euery point alike sincerely but with greater intentions feruour and chearefulnesse as the weightinesse of the dutie or opportunitie and season shall require For true faith assenteth to euery diuine truth as certaine and infallible cleaueth to euery promise and commandement alike sincerely and vnfainedly sticketh fastest to them that bee of greatest worth and necessitie or vpon speciall occasion may most tend to the glorie of God the comfort of the soule and good of our brethren and so teacheth the affections to rise and fall swell and asswage whether in admiration or detestation in embracing or loathing and to put themselues forth in practice according to the different excellencie or indignitie goodnesse or vilenes of obiects presented to them It teacheth vs absolutely and intirely to submit our wils vnto Gods will to affect whatsoeuer hee approues to hate whatsoeuer he disallowes to loue that best which his Word assureth vs to be most excellent and deare to him and to detest that most which is most odious and abominable in his sight though otherwise pleasant to our naturall disposition or not so distastfull as many other matters would be did we take care for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Indeed the faithfull soule may find it selfe more prone to one sinne then another and more dull to some good duties then other by reason of naturall inclination state of life custome or some other occasion but if right comparison be made faith inciteth to hate all sinne and to affect all duties of holinesse one as well as another A man sick of diuers diseases but one predominant may be cured of it as much as of any of the rest and yet be more troubled with the remainders of it because it had deepest root and greatest head and so euery member of corruption may be truely mortified and yet the stronger passions before though in proportionable degree tamed and brought into subiection as much as the rest may be the most troublesome which the faithfull doe ackowledge bewaile and endeuour to redresse keeping them vnder with greatest care and striuing against them with all earnestnes This fight against corruption is constantly mainâ—ained by faith and constantly it cleaueth to the word of grace as much better then all carnall or worldly allurements whereby we might be drawne aside into sinne and so it bringeth forth constant obedience to the will of God The good ground are they which with an honest and good heart hauing heard the word keepâ— it and bring forth fruite with patience Luk. 8.15 CHAP. VI. Of the Speciall obiect of Iustifying Faith § 1. FAith seeketh not life and saluation in the threatnings §. 1. The Speciall obiect of Iustifying faith prohibitions or commaundements though it worke by loue and earnestly contend against corruption but acknowledging its imperfection in working 2. Cor. 5.19 Rom. 15.25.26 Rom. 10.8 and 1 17. and renouncing all confidence in workes or in our selues it resteth vpon the promises of mercie in Iesus Christ or word of reconciliation which is called the word of faith The more firme and liuely our faith is the more sincerely it worketh the better wee discerne and vnfainedly acknowledge our imperfections and disclaime all affyance in our owne righteousnesse and the more faithfully we renounce all confidence in our workes the more earnestly wee seeke for saluation only by Christ Faith resteth vpon Christ as Mediatour or as God and Man obeying to the cursed of of the crosse that from the grace o God weâ— might obtaine pardon of sinne and be accepted as righteous vnto life For this wee are alway s â—o haue in Minde that Christ is the obiect of fai h not abstractly and nakedly considered but Christ with his benefits Christ lifted vp as the brason serpent Christ set forth as a propitiatorie sacrifice for our sinnes Christ as our redeemer from sinne and death Christ as he is set forth to the belieuer and thus to receiue Christ and belieue on him is to belieue and receiue in him ransome from sinne and death Mark 1.15 Act. 20.24 Luk. 24.47 1. Pet. 1.21 2. Cor 5.19.20 Psal 32 5. and 51.1.2 and 103.3 Dan. 9 17. Hos 14.3 and 2.19.20 Luk. 1.71 and 18.19 Act. 15.11 Christ and his Apostles testifie that this is specially to bee preâ—â—hed viz remission of sinnes in and through Iesus Christ This the faith of all the Sainâ—s through it haue respected euery part of the word hath in speciall manner respected craued embraced But that which is specially to be preached and belieued that which the faith of all the Saints hath alwayes in speciall manner respected desired craued and obtained that is the speciall obiect of Iustifying faith If at any time wee read a Gen. 15.6 that the beliefe of a temporarie promise was accounted for righteousnesse it is because it doth in belieuing the thing temporall apprehend him b Gal. 3.8.16 in whom all the promises are yea and Amen who is at least the remoued obiect of iustifying faith in euery thing it apprehendeth Thus Abraham belieuing the promise of seed did apprehend that blessed seed which had from the beginning beene promised Iohn 8.56 and saw his day Neither did he looke at the power of God but to sustaine his beliefe of a seed before promised against the temptations wherewith he w s exercised Expresse mention of the speciall mercy of God we finde not in the sermons of the Apostles but it doth euidently follow of those things which are preached by them For remission d Ps 103.3.13 and 130.3.4 Mic. 7.19 Titus 3 5. of sinnes doth presuppose the mercie of God and the speciall subiect of their preahing e Act. 2.38 and 4 1â— and 10.43 and 1â— 39. and 8.37 is remission of sinnes by and for the death and resurrection of Iesus Christ That which first pricketh and spurreth the soule to Christ that giueth vs to vnderstand what the soule principally reacheth at and receiueth in Christ But sinne and death vrge the soule for mercy and life to bee obtained pricke and spurre the soule to goe forth of it selfe and receiue Christ and rest vpon him as he is offered in the Gospell Popish obiections answered Therefore it principally layeth hold on the free promise of mercie couering sinne and deliuering from death The confession of
The conclusion is The Word of God is the generall obiect of Iustifying f ith the speciall promises of mercie and forgiuenesse in Christ Iesus is the speciall obiect of faith as it iustifieth § 3. This beliefe in the rich mercie of God frameth the Image of God in our hearts §. 3. Faith in Gods special mercy frameth his Image in the Heart and imprinteth the vertues of Christs death vpon the soule as by application the seale doth set it stampe vpon the waxe A man cannot walke in the Sunne but he must beare it hue no more can he belieue in the grace and mercie of God to the pardon of his offences but he must beare the Image of Gods mercie vpon his soule And so faith in Christ doth incite to the vniforme studious practice of pietie towards God who of his gracious free vndeserued loue and mercie is pleased to repute Belieuers as his Sonnes by adoption and compasse them with his fauours and of mercie kindnesse long-suffering forbearance forgiuenesse towards men looking to God for it patterne whom it must and ought to follow The Belieuer cannot put on Christ as a Iustifier but he must put on the bowels of mercies kindnesse humblenesse of minde meeknesse long-suffering forbearance c. and the closer he putteth on Christ vnto righteousnesse the moâ—e quicke and operatiue bee these graces of thâ— Spirit more liuely the operations theÌ„selues that issue from theÌ„ as quickned animated by that faith CHAP. VII Iustifying faith is a particular and certaine confidence resting vpon the mercie of God in Christ for pardon and forgiuenesse not an assured perswasion that our sinnes be alreadie pardon d and forgiuen §. 1. Iustifyi g f i th is a particular and certaine confidence § 1 IVst fying faith doth not onely belieue the promise of mercie in generall as that there is foâ—giuenes for them that lay hold vpon it but it relieth vpon the promise for our owne particular and dâ—pends wholly thereupon looking after no other helpe For trust or confidence importeth the application of some good to him that trusteth and so he that casteth himselfe vpon the promises of mercie drawes neere vnto Christ throwes himselfe into his armes and graspes about him with all his might Looke how the poore Infant affrighted with the apprehension of some danger clinges close to the parent for succour and defence or a man in danger of drowning layes hold vpon some willow that growes vpon the bank and hangs thereon for safetie so doth the soule pursued by the terrours of the Law and affrighted with the vgly sight of sinne flie with speed vnto Iesus Christ as hee is held forth in the Gospell hang vpon him and to die for it will neuer loose his hold For in him it apprehends plentifull redemption and out of him it knowes no succour is to be â—ound In this sence faith applyeth the promise of grace to a mans selfe in particular that is it particularly relieth vpon the grace of God in Iesus Chrâ—st to obtaine pardon and forgiuenesse Numb 21.9 Iohn 3.14 15. Euen as they that were stung with the fierie Serpents did come and looke to the brazen Serpent belieuing to find the healing of those deadly stings that were fastened in them Thus a soule stung with sin and feare of damnation commeth by faith to Christ relying on him trusting to finde in and through him cure of those deadly euils wherewith it is wounded If a Prince should offer a generall pardon to Rebels causing it to be proclaimed that if they would lay downe armes submit themselues and flie to his mercie they should be receiued to fauour and wee should see many heereupon cast downe their weapons and sue for mercy would wee not presently know that they belieued the promise that they should bee pardoned So when Christ saith to sinners come vnto mee or belieue on mee and I will ease you what faith thinke we haue sinners who resort vnto him Is it not a beliefe that he will according to his word deliuer them from sinne and death and restore them to life eternall If there bee a particular word or that which is equiualent then there is a particular faith But there is a particular word or that which is equiualent For the thirstie and barren soule that is stung with the terrours of the Law they that labour are heauie laden Math. 11.28 Esay 55.1 2. 1. Iohn 3.24 Iohn 3.16.36 Acts 10.43 13.39 Rom. 10.9 10. are inuited to come vnto Ch ist and exhorted intreated perswaded commanded to belieue the promise is Whosoeuer belieueth in him shall not perish but haue euerlasting life which is as much as Thomas thou art burdened and doest labour thou art wearie and thirstie come thou vnto mee behold I inuite belieue thou for vnto thee doe I reach forth the promise of mercie receiue it and thou shalt â—iue Foâ— the particulars are euer in their generals How can we proue Gal. 3.10 that Iohn or Iames are by nature vnder wrath and the curse otherwise it cannot be proued then thus Cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things that are wâ—itten in the booke of the Law to doe them How can we proue that Thomas or Peter are bound to loue the Lord and to abstaine from murther fornication theft but because it is said to all men Thou shalt loue the Lord Thou shalt not steale Deut 6.5 Iohn 7.37 c. And thus it is said to all Let euery one that is a thirst come vnto me and drinke Belieue in the Lord Iesus Acts 16 31. and thou shalt be saued whence euery thirstie and burdened soule may conclude I ought to bâ—lieue God calleth and commandeth me to belieue he hath giuen me his promise and offers mercie and belieuing I shall be saued The faith of true Belieuers goeth further then the faith of Deuils can doe But thâ—y may and doe belieue or know that Christ died in generall for sinners and that they shall be saued who belieue in him If Iustifying faith haue not in it some particular confidence then it is not opposed to despaire so as to expell it For things that will not endure the one the other most haue contrarietie as fire and water if the one doe not fight and driue forth the other then may they dwell together But true faith and vtter desperation cannot stand together Iames 1.6 Math. 6.30 1â— 31 Rom. 4.20 Heb. 10 2â— but doe expell each other Moreouer true faith in Christ doth breed confidence and boldnesse according to that Let vs enter with confidence and boldnesse through faith on him True faith therefore hath in it particular confidence in the grace of God For as nothing can make hot which hâ—th not heate in it selfe â—o can nothing make confident which after some manner hath not confidence in it To a Math. 1.20 2.20 John 17.8 receiue is to take in particular to a mans selfe or
of our ransome yet it is also true that wee euery day deserue damnation and must entreate God for pardon that so wee may come to that assurance which the Lord hath enioyned vs to labour and seeke for Zech. 12.10 The Spirit that leadeth vs to Christ doth stirre vs vp with all earnestnesse and confidence to craue pardon and forgiuenesse of our sinnes These two confidence and prayer God hath ioyned together no man can or may put them asunder Our faith assureth vs not of forgiuenesse of sinnes without prayer but that God forgiueth vs when wee pray Nor is this heauenly pledge while dormant though truly dwelling in our soules immediately apt to iustifie Matters of faith be of diuers sorts Some fully acted and done alreadie and those we only belieue we doe not pray for them as the Creation of the World the Birth and Death and Resurrection of Christ and other such like Other-some are belieued as designed promised and in a sort conferred but not yet fully acted and effected to vs which we so belieue by faith as that still wee pray for them till they bee fully accomplished and effected Bellar. de Iustif lib. 3. cap. 11. Rhem. annot in Rom. 8.38 §. 8. Math. 9.2 The Papists confesse that Peter Paul and some other particular persons to whom our Sauiour said Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee were assured of the remission of their iniquities and yet they ceased not to pray Forgiue vs our trespasses Doe they not see then that prayer for pardon will stand well with assurance of remission And why doe they condemne that in vs which was well done by others §. 8. § 8. More distinctly wee continue daily to aske of God forgiuenesse of sinnes according to the direction and commaundement of our Sauiour Christ in sundry respects First because notwithstanding former assurance of pardon if we take our eye off Christ the remembrance and conscience of sinne must needs trouble and disquiet so that wee must still looke to Christ for forgiuenesse and faith lookes vnto him as a Petitioner Secondly we pray daily that wee may haue greater assurance and more comfortable feeling of Gods loue Our faith being weake giueth but weake assurance and therefore wee begge daily to bee setled and established more and more in the assurance of his fauour Thirdly we sinne euery day and therefore aske pardon daily because wee are to receiue actuall pardon from God continually both for our originall corruption which alwayes in this life abides with vs and for actuall sinnes which wee daily and hourely commit against the Maiestie of God Hee that once belieueth is thereby made a member of Christs mysticall body and so hath all his sinnes satisfied for by the death and sufferings of his Head Christ But yet it is the good pleasure of God that hee should daily bewaile his offences and craue pardon for them that he might receiue feele and be assured of the forgiuenes of his particular and daily infirmities Euen after the infusion of faith most perfect 1. Ioh. 1.8.9 Psal 32.3.4 2. Sam. 12.12.13 with Psal 51.1.2 c. faithfull repentance for sinnes committed is as absolutely necessarie to saluation as the first infusion was Fourthly God is not off and one hee plaies not fast and loose but whom once he iustifieth from sinne hee neuer remembreth sinne against them Neuerthelesse we must begge the continuance of his grace that his mercifull pardon may bee a gift without repenrance Faith is a suter to God for the accomplishment of his promises and because wee are assured of his vnchangeable loue we begge with greater affiance the continuance of his mercy prayer being nothing else but the streame or riuer of faith and an issue of the desire of that which ioyfully wee belieue 2. Sam. 7.15.27 1. Chron. 17.25 Dauid being certified that God would for euer stablish the kingdome in his house and posteritie forbeareth not to pray that it might bee so Our Sauiour Christ knew that his sheepe should neuer perish yet hee prayeth Holy Father keepe them in thy name Iohn 10.28 Iohn 17.11 Psal 16.10 Heb 5.7 Iohn 1â— 5 2. Tim 4.18 Hee prayeth also for deliuerance from death and glorification of both which he was fully assured Paul knew assuredly the Lord would deliuer him from euery euill worke yet without ceasing hee prayeth to bee deliuered from euill Assurance to speed is that which addeth great feruencie to prayer Fiftly albeit by faith in the promise of God we now rest assured of the remission of sinnes yet wee still pray forgiue vs our treaspasses that we may more fully and really possesse enioy what we belieue we already haue in Gods affection and doe in part enioy The remission of sinnes is by faith manifested to our conscience and in part we reape the comfort fruite and effect of it in this life but still we are clogged with sinne wee liue in miserie and sorrow in our selues wee are condemned wretches still wee are lyable to many temporall and spirituall chastisements and desertions for sinne and liue in a sort as exiles and banished men from the immediate and cleare vision of God Therefore being still in case as if our sinnes were not completely pardoned sinne as yet abiding in vs and subiecting vs to the displeasure of God disliking it and to his Fatherly chastisement accompanying the same we pray for forgiuenes more absolute and intire euery day in the fruite effect and comfort of it True it is How iustification is full and intire that persons iustified haue full title vnto and right in that mercy of God which as it hath alreadie deliuered them from the dominion and condemnation of sinne so it will in the end wholly free them from all remainders of sinne and those chastisements afflictions and miseries wherewith they aâ—e exercised in this life and in this respect the remission of their sinnes is full and perfect but so long as they liue in this vale of teares sinne hath it abiding in them and they are subiect to many calamities by reason of sinne from which they heartily desire and pray to be deliuered Sixtly we haue the grant of pardon sealed in our consciences and possesse it priuately in part but as yet the Iudge hath not solemnely pronounced his sentence of absolution nor set vs in full and reall possession of absolute compleate intire acquittance remission This therefore we expect and pray for which will not be till the time of refreshing come Acts 3.19 So long as we walke by faith and not by sight we still pray for the sight of that as touching which we haue now but the comfort of faith and hope which is in part and imperfect By faith we know that we are redeemed both in soule and body Rom. 8.23 yet still we sigh in our selues waiting for the adoption euen the redemption of our bodies Our aduersaries obiect againe that by praying that Christs merits may be made
and laboureth therein he resembles his Father the Deuil whose chiefe delight is in doing mischiefe Which is further confirmed by that of our Sauiour Christ to the Iewes Iohn 8.34 Verily whosoeuer committeth sinne is the seruant of sinne and the seruant abideth not in the house for euer but the Sonne abideth foreuer If the Sonne therefore shall make you free yee shall be free indeed He that committeth sinne with delight wilfull indulgence to transgressions and vnrelenting opposition to the cleare truth he is the seruant of sinne but they that are made free by the Sonne are free from the raigne of sinne 1. Iohn 5.18 not from euery act of sinne He that is borne of God keepes himselfe that the wicked one cannot come within him to endanger him the gates of hell can haue no preuailing power oâ—er him hee sinneth not as the world doth which lieth in iniquitie but altogether free from sinne hee is not nor euer shall be so long as hee carrieth about with him this bodie of death To sinne habitually wilfully indulgently with full consent and greedinesse is not compatible with the hope and profession of a Christian This spot is not the spot of Gods children Deut. 32.5 but they haue their blemishes they sinne of infirmitie though not of wilfulnesse Sinne in it owne nature is opposite to grace but all sinnes are not altogether incompatible with grace that is they hinder not the gracefull operation of faith hope and loue The remainders of Originall corruption vnder which the regenerate must labour so long as they liue sinnes of simple ignorance and of vnauoidable infirmitie which through weaknesse the faithfull runne into euery day these doe not stop the liuely worke of faith in receiuing the promises of mercie but euen at the very instant when these haue abode in the soule faith can and doth make faithfull plea for mercie or otherwise none could plead for mercie before the throne of Grace For in many things we sinne all Iames 3.2 Sinnes of forgetfulnesse inconsideration and passion whereunto there is not aduised consent these are as moates in the eye which doe somewhat trouble the cleare sight of faith but notwithstanding them the heart principally adheareth vnto God and though now and then through infirmitie a Christian bee ouertaken with them yet may hee vpon good grounds be assured of Gods loue Anger pettishnesse impatience inordinate feare are sinnes which the godly ought and doe watch against and for which they ought and must iudge themselues but if through infirmitie they be ouer-taken to speake an hastie or vnaduised word they must not therefore cast off their confidence notwithstanding such slips they may cry in faith and be heard in their supplications If any man sinne 1. Iohn 2.1 2. to wit of infirmitie as they doe who walke in the light and addict themselues to the serious studie of holinesse wee haue an Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sinnes What answere the Lord gaue to Paul touching his temptations My grace is sufficient for thee 2. Cor. 12.7 8. that may be said of the infirmities of the Saints such sinnes as be meere and absolute infirmities God of his Grace reuealed in the couenant of grace is pleased to grant vnto them a pardon of course Such sinnes as in regâ—rd of their matter are not repugnant to the maine offices prescribed by the Commandements of God being oâ— frâ—iltie committed through vnaduisednesse or sudden passion these doe not denominate a man a Law-breaker nor so weaken the power of faith as that it should not be able to receiue the promise of forgiuenesse nor suspenâ— the actuall claime of eternall life These frailties may be â—n the godly without any notable defect of faith they debarre not the soule from cleauing vnto God Gen. 1â— 13 Abraham said of Sarah She is my sister this was an infirmitie but did not extinguish faith Sarah laughed at the promise Gen. 18.10 11. and then denied it through feare Iacob beguiled his Father saying I am thy Sonne Esau Gen. 27.19 Exod. 4.10.14 Iob 40 5. Math. 16.22 2 Chron. 35.22 2. Chron. 30.18 19. and many such like infirmities of the Saints are recorded which argue their faith to bee weake not to bee deposed from it soueraignetie The reason heâ—eof is not to be taken from the matter or outward act wherein they offended but from their heart and affection which was more inclined to good then to euill and did sticke fast vnto God euen when through weaknesse they transgressed By faith Rahab receiued the spies with peace Heb. 11.31 when through infirmitie shee offended in the meanes of their safetie The Prophet Dauid was regenerate without question and had sure hope that his prayers for mercie should be heard when he vttered this complaint of himselfe Psal 19.12 13. Who can vnderstand his errours Cleanse thou me from secret faults Kâ—epe backe thy seruant also from presumptuous sinnes let them not haue dominion ouer me then shall I be vpright and I shall be innocent from the great transgression So that a faithfull man stepping aside thâ—ough infirmity in the forenamed offeÌ„ces I say through infirmitie and not oâ— habit custome grosse carelesnesse or delight doth retaine his integritie and faith though somwhat shaken doth keep it standing and continue liuely to beg embrace pardon But he that sinneth of meere frailty doth humble himself for his daily offences labour to represse and mortifie his inbred lusts seeketh forgiuenesse by vnfained confession and heartie prayer renueth his purpose and resolution to be more circumspect and setteth vp his watch to shunne and auoid the like sins for the time to come And if he be ouertaken at vnawares he is warned by that slip to looke more heedfully to his wayes beging pardon and seeking helpe from aboue that hee may bee able to stand fast so that the slip which did seeme somwhat to loose him is an occasion of his sticking faster and closer vnto God § 12. But if a godly man fall into a foule and enormous crime wasting conscience §. 12. What sinnes hinder assurance Psa 51.10 14. 1. Reg. 11.4 for the time hee loseth some degree of newnes of Spirit cleannesse of heart comfort of the holy Ghost integritie in a sort and peace of conscience Hee plungeth himselfe into the sence of Gods wrath and displeasure and by his grieuous transgression the power of faith is so weakened that he can neither belieue the pardon of any one sinne formerly pardoned nor lay actuall claime to any priuiledge of grace formerly enioyed The fauour of God towards his children is vnchangeable the sentence of pardon granted shall neuer bee reuersed euen after some grieuous fall Psal 37.24 Ioh. 10.28.29.30 Iohn 8.35 1. â—ohn 3.9 the seeds of grace abide in them and they remaine in the state of Iustification but whilest they continue in such an estate of sinne
better stature Who would bee poore that might be rich weake that might be strong who would liue in feare and care that might rest confident and secure who would walke pensiuely that might continually reioyce and triumph A weake faith will bring to saluation but a strong faith is necessarie for a Christian that he may ouercome with more ease fight more manfully endure with patience and obey with chearefulnesse The least dramme of faith is more precious then gold that perisheth better then the whole world who that knoweth the price and value of such a iewell would not desire and labour to be furnished with it and grow rich therein In earthly things a full estate pleaseth best in heauenly shall we be coÌ„tented to lâ—ue from hand to mouth scarce that when we might with better allowance enioy plentie All liuing things haue an appetite to seeke and desire nourishment for increase vnto perfect stature in their kind Herbs and plants sucke iuyce out of the earth new borne babes d sire the mother breast All true graces are still growing from a gram of Mustard seed to a great tree Math. 13.31 32 liuely faith doth couet increase from feeble state to better growth from growth to strength from strength to full assurance § 9. Faith somewhat growne is §. 9. 2. Somewhat growne when the Belieuer is better acquainted with the doctrine of saluation giueth more full absolute and vnlimited assent to the word of truth then formerly cleaueth faster to the promises of mercie in Iesus Christ is better stablished in the practice of godlinesse and hath obtained some setled boldnesse and confidence at sometimes though he be still ignorant of many priuiledges which he might enioy and of which he might be assured by the grace bountie of the Lord yea through weaknesse hee wauereth often doubteth againe and againe and becommeth like the smoking flaxe Strong faith excelleth the former in certaine knowledge firme and full assent 3. Strong liuely confidence ioyned with sincere purpose and resolution of vnpartiall and constant obedience This Belieuer is better acquainted with the promises of God temporall and spirituall to relie vpon them hee can wrestle earnestly in prayer is not discouraged if for a time his suite be denied will take no repulse is couragious in dangers sharpened by difficulties Math. 15.28 8.10 walketh on constantly in a godly course and holdeth the confident assurance of his saluation more strongly and hath it more vsually then the two former But yet he hath not learned in euery state and thing so to liue by faith but that he is often shaken and troubled with his corruptions distracted with cares and kept vnder with other incumbrances more then hee need if hee had attained to that measure of faith which in this life many haue obtained by the gift of God 4. Full assurance Coloss 2.2 Rom. 15.14 Coloss 1.23 Rom. 4.20 Psal 27.1.23.4 Iob 13.15 Ester 4.14 Full assurance is when the Belieuer hath obtained full assurance of vnderstanding in the mistery of God and of the Father and of Christ and assuredly belieueth in Christ for saluation and is certainly perswaded that all other promises spirituall and temporall do belong vnto and shall bee made good vnto him in due season though in appearance all things goe cleane contrarie and readily followeth the Lords commandement though repugnant to flesh and bloud crosse to carnall reason contrarie to earthly pleasure and contentment Gotten by degrees 2. Cor. 1.7 This degree of faith is not gotten at once nor at first ordinarily but by degrees after good time and continuance in the vse of the meanes after many experiences of Gods loue and fauour after manifold tryals and combates and the long continued practice of holines many neuer attaine vnto it in this life but it is the dutie of euery Christian to labour after good establishment and full assurance in the faith Heb. 6.11 Col. 2.11 The Benefits of full assurance As faith is more excellent so are the fruits that issue from it The stronger our faith the more firme and close is our vnion with Christ A weake belieuer is as truely knit to Christ as the strong but not so neerely and fast The increase of faith makes our Communion with Christ more sweete and comfortable then before For the more stedfastly we belieue the clearer apprehension haue we of the remission of all our sinnes the more vertue and strength draw we from Christ to kill and crucifie our corruptions the greater is our peace and ioy in the sence of Gods speciall fauour and the more constantly inioyed with an increase thereof Rom. 15.13 1. Ioh. 1. â— Rom. 5 1.2.3 Heb. 10 22. Eph. 3.12 Mat. 15.28 and 9.29 and 8.13 Fulnesse of faith breeds fulnesse of peace and ioy which passeth vnderstanding The firmer our faith the more free is our accesse with boldnesse and confidence to the throne of grace the more feruently and confidently can wee pray Abba Father the better successe doe wee finde in prayer and the more quietly doe wee waite till the vision come for it will come and will not lie Assurance of faith doth inable with more ease to ouercome the world to contemne the pleasures of sinne to possesse the soule in patience in hard and â—sore pressures to curbe vnruly passions to tread Satan vnder feete to breake through all worldly difficulties and to runne with chereafulnes the race that is set before vs. The weake belieuer creepes forward in the way to Heauen but it is with much difficultie He hath much adoe with himselfe hee is perplexed with feares frightned with troubles discouraged with want of meanes he is wearie feeble panteth maketh many a stand and slippeth now and then It is farre better with him who is setled stablished and rooted in the knowledge and loue of the truth and is assured of Gods mercie hath interest in all the promises of grace and can lay actuall claime vnto them For hee contemneth the temptations of multitudes customes examples he dispiseth the offers of profits pleasures honours esteeming it greater riches to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enioy the pleasures of sinne As for reproch trouble persecution he shrinkes not at them for his heart is fixed and trusteth in the Lord. Heb. 12 2. Act. 20.24 Psal 27.3 Act. 7.59 In dangers he is confident through meanes of deliuerance appeare not because he seeth in God who is inuisible and resteth vpon his faithfull promise that cannot deceiue His affections are seasoned his heart is in Heauen his loue to God is stronger then death life it selfe is not deare vnto him that he may finish his course with ioy If at any time hee tread awry through ouer-sight or infirmitie the stronger is his faith the sooner doth he arise againe renue his repentance and embrace the promises of mercie afresh Let vs then striue to attaine vnto the best measure of faith and to
the knowledge of God 1. Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctifie you wholly But what wee are taught and commanded to begge in prayer wee are allowed to belieue that we shall obtaine it of free grace The faithfull haue relied vpon God for grace and abilitie to walke in his wayes and to finish the worke wherevnâ—o they were ordained Ph. 1.20 2. Tim. 4.18 Ph. 4.13 But all the faithfull as faithfull be partners in the same promises and priuiledges and liue by the same faith Wee are commanded to cast off the old man which is corrupt Ephes 4.21 22 23 24. with the affections and lusts and to put on the New man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse But in the couenant of Grace God giueth what he requireth Mans dutie is his free gift of grace It is necessarie to belieue God will sanctifie our nature and enable to holinesse It is necessary a Christian should belieue that God will sanctifie his nature and inable him to those duties of holinesse and righteousnesse that he requires For Iustification and Sanctification bee indiuiduall whom God doth acquit from the guilt of sinne and accept as righteous vnto life through Iesus Christ Rom. 8.1 2. 1. Cor. 1.30 them he doth sanctifie by his Spirit to walke before him in newnesse of life Christ himselfe cannot be diuided nor the participation of his benefits If by communion in his death we be deliuered from the curse and malediction of the Law by the power of his Resurrection we are raised vp to liue vnto God If Christians be not perswaded that God will mortifie their corrupt affections and build them forward in holinesse they shall very much stagger coldly set vpon the practice of Christianitie be off an on vnstayed often fainting at the difficultie of the worke dismayed at their manifold slips strong corruptions and little preuailings against them Our owne strength is too weake for the worke of holinesse as to defeat the policies of Satan to represse and vanquish the lusts of our rebellious hearts allurements of the world much more to change and cleanse our hearts which are by nature and custome in sinne so deeply polluted If wee haue not faith to belieue that God will aide assist and blesse vs in our endeuours yea and doe the whole worke for vs what courage can we haue to goe about it What successe are we like to find in it What shamefull foyles and repulses shall we sustaine But setlednesse in this that God will perfect his worke begun causeth men to goe about the practice of mortification with much readinesse chearefulnesse ease stayednesse and happie speed Hee will fight maâ—fully against his lusts and continue in the combate against them who is assured of victorie from God in the end It is a great heartning to resist euill or to doe any good dutie when we belieue God will bee with vs in the one and in the other to giue vs helpe against our enemies and to inable vs vnto the worke and that worke must needs prosper that God will forward and succeed well that hee will bring to perfâ—ction The promises of God concerning spirituall blessings are so lâ—nked together that whosoeuer belieueth not euery one aright hee cannot belieue any one stedfastly as hee ought He shall many times be in doubt of the remission of his sinnes and in feare of falling away who hath not learned to rest vpon God for the grace of sanctification no lesse then for the pardon of his offences for the certaintie of both these is like if it be well considered The acts of faith about the promises of sanctification The acts of Faith concerning these promises bee these and such like First It acquaints a man with his emptinesse of grace the strength of his inbred corruptions how deepe they haue eaten how fast they sticke how vnable he is to crucifie his inordinate affections or to repaire the decayed Image of God in him and that be is in wofull case vnlesse the Lord put to his helping hand Faith in this act doth not properly worke vpon the promise but prepares the heart thereunto And sure it is a worthy lesson for the serious thought of this matter is exceeding forcible to abase and humble him in his owne eyes and so wholly to driue him out of himselfe For hee perceiueth hee is as strongly bound by the tyrannie of sinne to perpetuall slauerie as by the guilt of sinne to the danger of condemnation Could he get pardon for sinne what would this profit so as hee lieth still vnder the power and dominion of sinne from which hee hath no abilitie to deliuer his soule If a man labour of some painfull loathsome incurable disease though in many things hee bee aduanced this will pull downe conceits of greatnesse and when a Christian comes to see how many dangerous noysome spirituall diseases he laboureth vnder he is not lightly affected with it no he abhorreth himselfe and crieth out Rom 7 24. O miserable wretch that I am who shall deliuer me from this body of death how shall I bee cured of these maladies Hereby also he is drawne in all his purposes and râ—solutions to denie himselfe and to relie vpon the power of the Lord who only remaynes victorious Hee purposeth but through the might of God which causeth earnest and heartie prayer to bee strengthened vnto and established in that which is good I will keepe thy statutes Psal 119.8 O forsake mee not vtterly I haue stucke vnto thy Testimonies O Lord put me not to shame Psal 119.32 33. I will runne the way of thy Commandements when thou shalt enlarge my heart Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes and I shall keepe it vnto the end Verse 34. Giue mee vnderstanding and I shall keepe thy Law yea I will obserue it with my whole heart Make me to goe in the path of thy Commandements for therein doe I delight Incline my heart to thy testimonies Verse 35. Psal 17.5 and not to couetousnesse Hold vp my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not Purposes thus grounded bring forth holy performances but when they are taken vp without consideration of our frailtie and we relie not vpon Christ for his grace and assistance they quickly vanish and come to nothing In the time of sicknesse danger disgrace we make faire promises to amend what is amisse and reforme things out of order but when the rod is remoued shortly all is cleane forgotten What may be the reason We stand vpon our owne feet presume to goe alone of our selues by our owne strength and then no maruell if we fall and catch many a knocke Secondly It sheweth where the strength is to bee had which we want and stirres vp to a conscionable diligent and constant vse of the meanes of grace that God hath ordained but lookes vp to him for a blessing and resteth not in the meanes Faith
is euer hungry Cant. 5.6 7 8. sensible of want and emptinesse and therefore attends vpon the Lord in the vse of all such meanes whereby he is pleased to conueigh Christ vnto vs for our spirituall filling The labourious Bee is early abroad to gather when there is an hony fall and faith is early awake to waite vpon the Lord in his ordinances when hee showres his blessings vpon his people But it knoweth to distinguish betwixt the ordinances in and by which grace is obtained and the Author and Giuer of it And thiâ— vrgeâ—h the Belieuer earnestly to beg the blessing of God vpon his owne ordinances without which they cannot auaile vs. Thirdly It inciteth to an holy improuement of what graces he hath reâ—eiued alreadie as the readie way to haue them encreased God bestoweth his gifts of grace in most plentifull measure vpon them that are most carefull to put them forth to aduantage Luke 19.26 Math. 13.12 To him that hath that is that vseth well what he hath receiued shall be giuen and hee shall haue in abundance Grace is giuen freely not deserued by workes but by the appointment of God he that would increase therein must religiously imploy what he possesseth Men increase their substance by labour and paines their learning by diligence and hee that best improueth graces receiued shall most abound therein Fourthly It fighteth couragiously against sin crieth instantly to the Lord for helpe Faith wil not yeeld to corruption be the combate neuer so hote and fierie because it apprehends victorie neither will it giue the Lord rest because it is sensible of want and wearie of sinne Create in mee a cleane heart Psal 51.10 O God and renew a right spirit within me Fiftly It submitteth willingly to what course the Lord is pleased to take for the crucifying of sinne and healing of our nature Looke as the patient yeeldeth himselfe vnto the Physician to be dieted purged or lanced for the curing of his maladies and recouery of health so doth the soule resigne it selfe by faith into the hands of God the spirituall Physician of the soule who only is able to heale all diseases to be dieted purged exercised as seemeth best vnto his heauenly wisdome only it desires that spirituall maladies may be remoued and health recouered Sixtly Faith is the band or sinew whereby we are tied vnto Christ the fountaine of grace and the pipe whereby grace is conueyed from him into the soule Acts 15.9 Looke what 〈◊〉 full treasure of all sorts of graces Christ hath stored vp in him faith draweth and driueth them out of his fulnes to the vse of each seuerall Christian euen grace for grace Iohn 1.16 Iohn 15.1 5 6. It fetcheth sap from the root Christ which maketh euery tree bring forth fruit in it kind euery Christian in his owne calling As water brought by pipes from the fountaine to the cocke doth come faster or slower as the pipes be wider or narrower open or stopped so grace doth flow from Christ into our hearts more or lesse as our faith is weaker or stronger in degree and measure Faith openeth as it were the passages of grace that it may distill more plentifully vpon vs. And thus by fetching supernaturall efficacie from the death and life of Christ it changeth the heart creates and infuseth new principles of action begetteth a plyable willingnesse vnto euery thing that is good and conueigheth both will and ability thereunto as the medicine curing the vitious stomacke and restoring it to health makes it long for wholsome meate as before for coales and ashes By the precious promises which wee haue from God when they are ours by faith 2. Pet. 1.4 we are made partakers of the diuine nature or the graces of the Holy Ghost The pâ—eposterous care and trauell of many wel-affected is to bee pittied who studie the practice of this or that vertue The true cause why men labour in vaine to practice some particular vertue neglecting this cardinall and radicall vertue as if men should water all the branches of a Tree and not the root Faine would they abound and shine in patience meeknesse zeale yet establish and root not themselues in fâ—ith that should maintaine all the rest If water come not to the cocke wee vse to open or amend the pipes or leades that conueigh it from the spring Christ is the wel-spring of grace if wee would haue our wants supplied we must labour stedfastly to belieue All defects in sanctification must admonish vs to looke to our faith Thirst driues men to the Spâ—ings of water colâ— forceth them to the fire weaknesse or want of grace should moue vs to come vnto Christ by a liuely faith Esay 55.1 Oh euery one that thirsteth come yee to the waters To giue way to doubting because the graces of Gods Spirit bee weake and feeble in vs is as if a man should refuse to eate because he is faint for want of sustenance Seuenthly True faith stirreth vp to thankfulnesse for the beginning of sanctification Rom. 7.25 I thank God through Iesus Christ our Lord. So then with the minde I my selfe serue the Law of God The least measure of sanctifying grace is in it selfe an vnspeakable benefit considering the poyson of our corrupt nature and also a pledge of future fauours to be receiued till the worke be perfected God in great wisdome powreth the graces of his Spirit vpon vs by degrees and doth not perfectly sanctifie vs at once least we should forget what great things hee doth for vs in forgiuing our daily trespasses and curing the grieuous and loathsome diseases of our polluted soules 1. Cor. 1.9 1. Thes 5.24 Rom. 11.29 Phil. 1 6. but the beginning of sanctification is an earnest of further grace to be vouchsafed till the worke bee finished to the praise of his grace which doth appeare the more in that the gifts of grace are communicated by degrees The meanes to stirre vp to belieue that God will sanctifie when we see nothing but discomfort The way or meanes whereby a Christian may stirre vp his faith to belieue that God will sanctifie him when hee seeth nothing but thraldome and sinne preuailing and feeleth nothing but deadnesse of heart is this First he must bewaile his spirituall nakednesse thraldome and vassalage vnder sinne acknowledging his inabilitie to free and deliuer him selfe Into what miserie and bondage haue I brought my selfe Thou Lord madest me holy pure and vpright But by sinne I sold my selfe vnto the seruice of sinne from which to this day I cannot get deliuerance Euery facultie of soule is deeply infected with that contagious leprosie the Mind is blinde vaine foolish the will peruerse and rebellious all the affections out of order there is nothing whole or sound within me Night and day I am pestered with sinfull motions The desires of my sinfull heart bee so strong and preuailing that I am carried head-long to that which is euill The
many gratious promises whereby God doth freely passe it vpon vs Ps 119.5.6 and earnestly beggeth the powerfull effectuall inhabitation of the Spirit to stampe and imprint the Image of Christ more and more vpon the soule it peruseth it euidence againe and againe and nourisheth the motions stirreth vp the graces of the Spirit which is the earnest pennie and seâ—le of the promised inheritance If Men make an earthly purchase they wil spare no cost or labour to get it assured they will haue good euidence fine and recouerie and take what course in time may exempt it from claime and faith receiuing the promise of this purchased inâ—eritance will not rest in vncertainties or presumption but doth trauaile to haue it assuredly passed and made vpon the soule Sixtly It striueth to enter the possession of this heauenly kingdome by degrees Phil. 3.10.12.13 Men that purchase an inheritance to come in hereafter they are glad if any part fall into their hands for the present or if they can get some by parcels before the whole be possessed Fulnesse of glory is reserued to the life to come but beginnings of glory peace of conscience ioy in the holy Ghost and sanctification of the Spirit are vouchsafed here Grace is the beginning of glory and glory the perfection of grace According to the measure of grace receiued and as we grow vp in Sanctification so wee enter vpon the possession of our eternall inheritance And true liuely faith doth couet grace more and more and draw vnto it selfe from Christs fulnesse Seuenthly It earnestly desires and longeth after the full accomplishment of glory Rom. 8.13 Our selues also which haue the first fruits of the Spirit euen wee our selues groane within our selues waiting for the Adoption to wit the redemption of the Body I desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Phil. 1.23 Saluation is the end of faith Heauen the habitation or home of the faithfull For in this we grone earnestly 2. Cor. 5.2 desiring to be clothed vpon with our house which is from Heauen Naturall bodies moue to their proper place all liuing things couet perfection in their kind heauen is the proper place and condition of the faithfull life eueâ—lasting the perfection of faith therefore if faith bee liuely it longeth after the fruition of glory and full possession of the promised inheritance Eightly It assureth that wee are made heire of euerlasting life to which God of his grace will bring vs in his time appointed 1 Iohn 3.1 Behold what loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that we should be called the sons of God Beloued Verse 2. now are wee the sonnes of God and it doth not yâ—t appeare what we shall be Verse 14. We know that we haue passed from death vnto life because we loue the brethren Neither doth the manner of speaking sauour of ought but certaintie neither could it agree with the grauitie of the Apostle to speake so indefinitely so indeterminately of that whereof hee had no certaine ground no firme resolution but onely some likely guesse or coniecturall hope And grant it of Iohn the Apostles that they knew their owne Adoptâ—on and we may inferre that this knowledge is a priuiledge of all belieuers in their measure as well as theirs 2. Pet. 1.1 Rom. 8.34.35.36 37. 1. Iohn 2.2 Rom. 5.1.2.3 For the faith whereby they were assured was ordinarie the grounds of assurance common to them with all true belieuers the benefite it selfe generall not in any speciall manner appropriated What promises soeuer concerning life and happinesse were made to the Apostles the same are made to all belieuers and confirmed and sealed vnto them after the same manner For they haue all one God Eph 4.4.5.6 one Christ one Spirite they are vnder one Couenant and liue by the same faith The Adoption of Belieuers is confirmed on Gods part vnto them by his word seales oath pledge and witnesse of his Spirit with the graces thereof And what God so sufficiently confirmeth we by faith may receiue it for faith inableth vs to belieue what God reuealeth Faith giueth assurance but euery belieuer is not assured in himselfe Psal 31.22 and 77.7 Psal 42.5 and 43.3 Exod. 19.5 Psal 135.4 Cant. 7.6 Psa 16.5 Deut 32.9 Psal 83.3 Mal. 3.17 Zech. 2.8 Psal 108.6 and 127.2 Cant. 8.6 Esay 49.16 Ioh 14.23 Iâ—s 1.9 Psal 109.31 and 12.5 Psal 73.23 Psal 27.5 1. Sam 2.9 Psalm 56.8 Math. 10.30 Psal 38.9 Ier. 31.20 Deut. 33.29 1. Pet. 5.10 Phil. 4.19 Psal 62.2.6.7 and 71.5 Ioel 3.16 2. Cor. 1.3 Psal 25 12. Heb. 13.21 Exo. 29.46 Reue. 21.3 2. Chron 16.9 Psal 37 4. and 145.19 Prou. 10.24 nor is any assurance in this life so certaine that it is neuer intermixed nor disturbed with doubtings There is a state in which faith sheweâ—h it selfe rather in earnest longings and paintings after mercy then in certaine apprehension of it there is a state of infancie a state of temptation and spirituall conflict in which the soule cannot attaine this certaintie and assurance And euen in the growen and confirmed state the belieuer must not looke to walke on smoothly without any rubs or to enioy perfect assurance without doubtings and assaults The assurance of this belieuer is an assurance aiming and striuing after assurance an assurance wrestling and combating with many assaults an assurance which labours wiâ—h continuall weakenes and lookes not to come to perfection but by temptations But of this before God in great mercy doth vouchsafe to his Adopted sonnes many excellent royalties in this life They are most pretious vnto him His chiefe treasure His loue for delights his peculiar people the lot of his inheritance his chosen his hidden ones his iewels Hee that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye They are his Beloued as the signet vpon his right hand Hee dwelleth with them he followeth them whither soeuer they goe hee stands at their right hand and holds them vp by it Hee coueâ—s them vnder his pauillion hee keepes their feete hee counts their wandrings hee numbreth their heires hee obserâ—es their sighes is moued with compassion vpon their complaints hee is the shield of their helpe the sword of their excellencie and the God of all grace who will fulfill all their necessities Hee is their hope their helpe their health their rocke their refuge the Father of mercies and God of all consolation Hee will teach them in the way that they should choose and make them perfect in good workes He will establish them in euery good word and worke he will walke with them his eye is euer vpon them for good and he will giue them their hearts desiâ—e They haue the Angels of God to minister vnto them for theâ—r safeguard and protection Heb. 1.14 Psal 34 7. 1. Cor. 3.22.23 Heb. 2.7.8 1. Tim 4.2.3 they haue dominion ouer the creatures of the earth and the free vse of them both for necessitie and
loue of Christ Shall tribulation or distresse or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword Rom. 8.35 37. Rom. 11 29. Nay in all these things we are more then conquerours through him that loued vs. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance Blessed bee the God and Father of our Lord Iâ—sus Christ who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten vs againe vnto a liuely hope by the resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead To an inheritance incorruptible 1. Pet. 1.3 4 5. and vndefiled and that fadeth not away reserued in Heauen for you Who are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation ready to be reuealed in the last time 1. Iohn 3.2 Beloued now we are the sonnes of God and it doth not yet appeare what wee shall be but we know that when he shall appeare wee shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Iude â— 24 25. Now vnto him that is able to keepe you from falling and to present you faultlesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding ioy To the onely wise God our Sauiour be glory and maiesty dominion and power now and euer Amen Doth God in these places promise to protect vs against forraine enemies not against domesticke perfidiousnesse The texts doe respect no condition as the cause of fulfilling these promises but plainly affirme that God himselfe doth promise and will giue the condition which hee requires For to what end doth he write the Law in the heart vphold with his hand and giue a good issue to the temptation but that the will prone to wickednesse should not yeeld and altogether start backe from grace receiued Whosoeuer is borne of God 1. Iohn 3.9 1. Iohn 5.18 doth not commit sinne for his seed remayneth in him and he cannot sinne because he is borne of God And if the seed abide in the faithfull as an indeleble character and pledge of their inheritance that they cannot sinne in the Apostles sence then are they fenced against the treachery of their owne hearts remayning in them Iohn 4.14 7.38 39. Whosoeuer drinketh of the water that I shall giue him shall neuer thirst but the water that I giue him shal be in him a wel of water springing vp into euerlasting life where thirst is opposed to a totall want of grace not to the earnest desire of increase in grace The thirst of totall indigencie is taken away by the participation of grace 1 Pet. 2.2 3. the thirst of complacencie or more ample fruition of grace is increased The Holy Spirit who is sent into the hearts of the Sonnes of God is not there as a guest to tarrie for a night or two but as an inhabitant to dwell and remaine for euer yea as an earnest of their inheritance Rom. 8.11 Hag. 2.5 1. Pet. 4.14 1. Iohn 2.27 John 14.16 vntill the redemption of the purchased possession I will pray the Father and he shall giue you another Comforter that he may abide with you for euer Now he which stablisheth vs with you in Christ and hath anointed vs is God who hath also sealed vs 2. Cer. 1.21.21 Eph. 1.14 and 4.30 and giuen the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts which is the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the purchased possession vnto the praise of his glory 1. Pet. 1.23 The seede whereof the faithfull are begotten is incorruptible the life which they liue by faith in Christ is an euerlasting life Iohn 5.24 Iohn 17.3 Iohn 6.47 Verely verily I say vnto you Hee that heareth my word and belieueth on him that sent mee hath euerlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death vnto life And this is the record that God hath giuen to vs eternall life 1. Iohn 5.11.12 and this life is in his Sonne He that hath the Sonne hath life and he that hath not the sonne hath not life Now the Scripture saying He that belieueth hath euerlasting life and shall not come into condemnation doth import that faith and the fruites thereof be such from which the godly through the power of God neuer fall Luk 22.32 Iohn 17.15 And for further confirmation the Scripture testifyeth that Christ hath prayed for his people that their faith should not faile that they should be kept from the euill This cannot be restrained to the Apostles Vers 20. but it is the coÌ„mon priuiledge of all the faithfull Neither pray I for these alone but for all them also which shall belieue on mee through their word And the intercession of Christ euen for this particular blessing of the not failing of faith neuer ceaseth is euer effectuall and speedeth alwayes And that nothing might bee wanting to full consolation in this point we are assured from God that he will perfect the the worke of grace which he hath begun 1. Cor. 1.8 Who shall also confirme you vnto the end that ye may be blameles in the day of our Lod Iesus Christ Being confident of this very thing Phil. 1.6 that he which hath begun a good worke in you will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ Faithfull is hee that calleth you 1. Thess 5.24 who also will doe it that is as goeth immediately before preserue your whole Spirit and soule and body blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ 2. Thess 3 3. The Lord is faithfull who shall establish you and keepe you from euill Now seeing God hath bin pleased by so many promises to assure the faithfull of their sure and stedfast estate By serious meditation on these prâ—mises wee must settle our selues in belieuing which is very necessary it is necessarie seriously to learne and thinke vpon them that they might be setled in belieuing their perseuerance Had it not beene a point of great weight and necessitie wee cannot thinke the Lord would haue mentioned it so often and confirmed it so many wayes which will soone appeare to any man that shall consider his owne frailtie and the strength and malice of his spirituall enemies how potent and vigilant they bee to assaile how weake and feeble hee is to withstand and make resistance Nor is our weaknesse greater then our backwardnesse to belieue the promises of perseuerance when wee stand in most need of them When corruptions stirre and tentations be hot fierie we find our selues ready to fâ—int then are we to seeke of a promise that might vphold against the feare of falling away or if the promise be at hand we cannot lay hold vpon it some mist or other comes betweene it the eye of our vnderstanding Many good Christians are kept vnder with this temptation They are afraid they shal neuer hold out if persecution shold come they stand in doubt lest they should fall away as many haue done who made greater shewes seemed to haue gone further then euer they did
their encouragement doth not onely acquaint them with the necessitie of the fight the iustnesse of their cause the weight of the busines Apo. 2.11.26.27 Apo 3.21 Iam. 1.12 Promises of victory Gen. 3.13 the honour of the combate the reward of victorie if they ouercome that he himselfe doth behold and approue the valiant but also by his faithfull promâ—se doth assure them of strength and victorie This is signified in the first promise It shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heele which properly being vnderstood of Christ by communication of grace doth belong to all the faithfull Simon Simon behold Satan hath desired to haue you that hee might sift you as wheate But I haue prayed for thee Luk. 22.31.32 that thy faith faile not Wherefore take vnto you the whole armor of God Eph. 6.15 that yee may bee able to withstand in the euill day and hauing done all to stand Resist the Deuill Iam. 4 7. and he will slee from you He that is begotten of God keepeth himselfe and that wicked one toucheth him not 1. Ioh. 5.18 Math. 16.18 The gates of hell shall not preuaile against it For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers Rom. 8.38.39 nor things present nor things to come Nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to seperate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Satan was the strong man armed who possessed all in peace Luk 11.21 but our Sauiour hath ouercome him taken from him all his armour Col. 2.15 and diuided his spoiles Hauing spoiled principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing ouer them vpon the Crosse and so through death hath destroyed him that had the power of death Heb. 2.14.15 that is the Deuill that he might deliuer all them which for feare of death were all their life subiect to bondage Ephes 4.8 Wherefore he saith when he ascended vp on high he led captiuitie captiue The godly are allowed to beleiue the promises of victory Rom. 16.20 In this state of temptation the seruants of God are allowed to liue by faith For the God of peace hath promised to tread Satan vnder our feete shortly opportunely When Satan may seeme to preuaile and get the victorie God will speedily bruise and crush him vnder the feete of the faithfull least hee should hurt or ouerthrow their saluation The craft of Satan is great to deceiue but God will teach wisedome and prouidence to discerne and disappoint his stratagens 2. Cor. 12.7.8.9 Rom. 6.14 The power of Satan is great to molest but if wee fight manfully against him not trusting in our owne strength but in the liuing Lord we shall obtaine a ioyfull victorie We must not be slouthfull nor selfe-confident but valiant in the Lord and the successe is certaine through his blessed aide Through God wee shall doe valiantly Psal 60.12 for he it is that shall tread downe our enimies This is the commandement of God 1. Ioh. 3.23 that wee belieue in the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ Nothing is so glorious to God nothing so profitable to vs. Iohn 3.33 It doth giue God as it were a testimoniall of his truth power mercie and goodnesse And for our selues Iam. 2.5 Esay 30.15 it is our treasure strength and victory God hath chosen the poore of this world rich in faith In quietnesse and in confidence shall be your strength Wee haue a charge to resist the Deuill strong in the faith 1. Pet. 5.9 The more fiercely we be assailed the more confidently should we betake our selues vnto the Lord for helpe who is our strong castle and rocke of defence In peace if men let their armour hang by and rust yet it is time to buckle it about them when the enimie is at the gates and beginneth to batter the walls The Lord permits Satan to buffet vs that wee might be moued to seeke and take vnto vs the armour of a Christian more especially to put on the shield of faith To doubt feare because we are exercised in spirituall combats is as if a soldier should lay aside his harnesse because he is called forth to battell with his enimies The Apostle speaking of our spirituall conflict with the malitious enimies of our soules chargeth vs not only to belieue but aboue all things to labour after faith Aboue all things taking the shield of faith Eph. 6 16. which manner of exhorting doth shew vs both what care we must haue of it and what approbation we haue from God to belieue For if wee bid a seruant buy many things but aboue all such a thing by his charge he might easily gather what he should bee carefull in and what allowance he had to doe it So when wee are counselled aboue all things to get faith it is not hard to vnderstand that we must be chiefely carefull about it that God is well pleased we should so be Faith is one of the first things that is formed in a Christian wherewith God furnisheth him when he prepareth and calleth him forth to the encounter so that to question whether we should belieue is to question whether we should dedicate our selues to the seruice of God denie our lusts or fight against the Deuill That which is fabulously spoken of the Giants is truely spoken of vs wee are no sooner borne then wee haue our swords girded to vs our shields on our armes The Lord stands betwixt his children and all dangers that are intended against them by their malitious enimies He is euer at their right hand to saue their soules from death And if God stand forth for their helpe they cannot better prouide for their one ease and safetie then if they confidently hope in the Lord and repose their soules vpon his might It is necessary a ChristiaÌ„ should liue by faith in this condition Deut. 20.3 It is necessarie that a Christian should liue by faith in that condition For all spirituall souldiers must put one courage and resolution not to feare the assaults of mightie enimies nor bee dismaied at any difficulties Let not your hearts feare tremble not because of your enimies quite your selues like men 1. Cor. 16.13 be strong But true valour cannot be had without faith in Christ Stand fast in the faith bee strong The Deuill is like a serpentine Crocodile whose propertie is if one follow it flieth away if one flie it pursueth him Resist Satan and he will flie be afraid and he will follow Cowardise doth encourage the aduersary courage daunts him But courage issueth from sound onfidence in the Lord Psal 31 2. 71 3. and 61.2.3 Deut. 32.4 Psal 27. â—4 and 31.24 Deut. 31.6.7.8 who is the rocke and shield of them that flie vnto him Waite one the Lord be of good courage and he shall strengthen thy heart Be strong and of a
to keep the righteous iudgements of the Lord. Psal 119.106 Nehem. 10.29 2. Kings 23.3 Psal 119.8 Verse 36. I haue sworne and I wilâ— pâ—rforme it that I will keep thy righteous iudgements But they came not to this couenant oath as trusting in their own strength but in assurance of diuine assistance as the Prophet prayeth I will keâ—pe thy statutâ—s O forsake mee not vtterly Incline my heart vnto thy testimonies and not to couetousnesse Order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquitie haue dominion ouer me Verse 133. Verse 135. Make thy face to shine vpon thy seruant and teach me thy statutes God will perfect the sauing worke which he hath begunne in any of his children for the gifts that flow from his eternall and free grace are without repentance God who calleth vs according to his purpose is faithfull who will also confirme vs vnâ—o the end 1. Cor. 1.8 9. Phil. â— 6 1 Thes 5.24 Gal 2.20 Phil. 4 13. that we may be blamelesse in the day of the Lord Iesus Châ—ist Paul saith he liued by faith in the Sonne of God by whom he was strengthened with abilitie to performe whatsoeuer was required of him Notwithstanding all the hope of helpe that hee had yet hee complaineth of the rebellion of his flesh Rom. 7.19 which did mâ—ghtily resist the Spirit in him But still he was confident in the promise of God that he should be deliuered from euery euil work 2. Tim. 4.18 preserued vnto the heauenly kingdome Now in all this Paul had no peculiar prerogatiue aboue other Christians but what he expected from God they mâ—y all hope fâ—r Acts of faith touching obedience requiquirâ—d The acts of faiâ—h touching that obedience which we owe vnto God in Christ are these or the like First Iâ— makâ—s a man wise to discerne what is lawfull good and seasonable both in respect of the worke the meanes and circumstances of it Dauid saith hee was wiser then his Enemies Psal 119.97 9 99. then his Teachers then the Ancient he â—â—nderâ— the cause thereof from the work of his faith Psal 119.24 for thy testimonies are euer with me they are my meditation the men of my counsel with whom I adâ—ise Secondly It câ—rbes and bridles inordinate passions and ouercomes â—ll impediments temptations difficulties and allurements to the contrarie 1. Iohn 5.4 This is the victorie whereby we ouercome the world euen our faith For faith beâ—ng wel-rooted possessing the heart and hauing its force vnited by close reposall therein commanâ—s euery delight affection or pleasure of our soules and breakes the violence of euery inclination contrarie to such motion as it suggests seeing no hopes can be equall to the reward which it proposeth to the constant and resolute no feares comparâ—ble to the terrors which it represents to the neglâ—gent or slothfull followers of such courses as it presâ—râ—bes What Phil. 3.8 that faith sets an inestimable price vpon the pearle of the Gospell accounting all other things as drosse anâ— dung in comparison which causeth a free and aduised renouncing of all interest in the world the flesh Math. 13.44 â—nd all their appurtenances for assurance of it with as great willingnesse as good husbands forsâ—ke base tenements and hard-rented leases to compasse some goodly royalty and large possessions offered them more then halfe for nothing Againe faith fighteth against temptations and intiâ—ements vnto sinne by the power of Christ which cannot be vanquished Satan and the world are too strong for vs standing in our owne might but by the grace of God leâ—ning vpon his power wee remaine inuincible The strength of nature is corrupt feeble and defiled through sinne and therefore the truth which it taketh hold off it hath not effectually But faith hath ioyned with it the inspiration of God and the power of the holy Ghost and therefore it taketh hold of the truth effâ—ctually Wherefore this difference is not in the truth it â—elfe but in the meane and instrument whereby wee embrace it Hereof it commeth thâ—t by fâ—ith we are changâ—d but in the other case we remaine the selfe-same that wee were before A cleare testimonie of this wee h ue in thâ— Gospell Chrâ—st set forth to the young-man what he should doe to obtâ—ine saluation but when hee heard hee was not pâ—rswadâ—d to obey but went away sorrowfuâ—l Math. 19.22 Contrariwise Matthew Math. 9.9 so soone as he was called embraced the same with so great faith that hâ—e left his money and Customer-ship and stâ—aight-way followed Christ Luke 19.8 And Zacheus when hee had heard of the Lord that hee would turne in vnto him hee not only receiued him into his house with a glad heart but also offered immediately to distribute halfe his goods to the poore and to restore foure-fold if he had defrauded any man Indeed pâ—ssions are not so bridled nor corruptions so killed that they doe not stirre and resist the worke of faith But the force and power of them is so farre subdued that they shall not raigne or hale vs ordinarily to that which is euill Whatsoeuer inordinâ—tenesse faith can espie it doth presently condemne before the throne of grace and endeauour the killing of it by the power and efficacie of Christs death which it doth happily effâ—ct in measure and by degrees Hast thou then beene long kept vnder of some violent passion strong corruption or customarie vice against which thou hast resolued and resolued but not preuailed or gotten victorie Get thee to Christ and by faith thou shalt draw vertue from him to cure thy infirmities Die to thy selfe renounce the broken reed of thine owne free-will which hath so often deceiued thee and put all thy trust in the grace of Christ and it will crucifie the old man and giue him his deaths wound Bee weake in thy selfe and strong in the Lord and through faith thou shalt be more then conquerour Digge vp the fallow ground of thy heart that the word of the Kingdome may take deeper root in it raise thy soule to an holy admiration of the promises of life stirre vp thy selfe to cleaue and adhere firmely to the grace of God as faith increaseth the power of corruption will languish and decrease Admirable is the efficacie of faith well planted in the heart it casteth downe strong holds and brings euery imagination into sâ—biection Thirdly It inableth to obey for it purifieth the heart seasoneth euery facultie of soule reasonable and sensuall qualifieth and stâ—engtheneth our naturall inclinations to good and altereth the taste of euery appetite 2. Pet. 1.4 Ephes 3.17 1. Iohn 4.4 By faith wee are partakers of the diuine nature by faith Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith we receiue the Spirit of promise who is greater then he that is in the world No maruell then if that bee sweet and delightfull to the belieuing heart which is tedious and irkesome to the vnregenerate How came Dauid
of man in the houre of death II. Vse The second vse of Baptisme it is a seale of our dutie promised and so a spurre and prouocation to repentance faith new-obedience brotherly loue and vnitie First It is a spurre to repentance and mortification for Baptisme doth seale remission of sinnes to them only that repent Marke 1.4 and by Godly sorrow come home vnto God And as we expect the blessing we must looke that we faile not in the condition If wee bee buried with Christ in Baptisme it is our dutie to mortifie the flesh wâ—th the affections and lusts that it may liue no longer to bring forth fruits vnto death For a dead man cannot liue By solemne oath wee are bound to crucifie vnruly lusts which fight against the soule and shall we falsifie so great a promise Against whom should we fight if not against Satan or what will hee bee willing to spare for the Lords sake who will not part with his sinnes Why should wee feare the strength of Satan the power of sinne the rage of persecutors the losse of earthly things or despaire because of the wrath of God iustly kindled against sinne If we turne vnto God by vnfained repentance wee haue his faithfull promise confirmed by seale that he will bee mercifull vnto our sinnes enable vs to ouercome our corruptions fortifie vs against the powers of Hell support vs vnder or deliuer vs out of all trials and gratiously prouide whatsoeuer shall be needfull for vs. Secondly It is a prouocation vnto faith and a pledge thereof We haue the promise of God v der his hand and seale that he will wash vs fâ—om our iniâ—ities receiue vâ— for his children remember our necessities bestow vpon vs the Kingdome of Heauen wee shall doe great wrong and dishonour to God if wee doubt or make question whether hee will performe promise freely made and confirmed by couenant and seale Wee are bound by commandement to belieue in Iesus Christ and to commit our selues wholly vnto him as vnto a faithfull Sauiour And we haue bound our selues by promise couenant and seale that wee will belieue and cleaue vnto him as our only Sauiour shall wee then goe backe grow remisse or giue way to doubting If doubtings arise through the sight of sinne or want of sense and feeling comfort or the world begin to creepe into the heart and diuide it from Christ let vs then remember wee haue troth-plighted our selues to Iesus Christ and by faithfull promise neuer â—o bee called backe giuen our selues wholly to rest and sticke close vnto him and therefore must admit no thought whereby we should be drawne aside or diuided â—rom him Thirdly It is an incitement vnto new obedience and a pledge thereof Rom. 6.4 We are buried with him by Baptisme into death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the Father Euen so wee also should walke in newnesse of life in which Chapter the Apostle disputeth of our actions that wee should abstaine from euill and follow those that are good Wee haue solemnely sworne to fight against the Deuill the World and the Flesh and hauing taken the presse-money of Iesus Christ it were an immortall disgrace to accept of truce with Satan Wee carrie the badge and liuerie of Iesus Christ and shall we forsake our colours and fight for the Deuill It is strange that children should leaue their parents and take part with their enemies Wee haue giuen our selues vnto God and were once dedicated vnto his seruice shall we now turne backe and offer our selues vnto Satan Honour is due vnto parents If God bee our Father wee must freely submit our selues to his will and pleasure God will strengthen vs to obey and accept of weake if sincere obedience and that shuts forth all place of excuse If wee bee engrafted into the similitude of Christs resurrection wee must expresse by our actions the power and likenesse of Christs resurrection which is done when we walke in all-pleasing before God and set our affections vpon things aboue And this as it is commanded on Gods part so it is sealed on our part in Baptisme Fourthly It is a pledge or pawne of loue and vnitie Wee must keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace for we are all baptized into one bodie We must not iarre for we are brethren Wee must not quarrell nor contend for we are members of the same bodie and haue beene sealed into the same bodie The new exercise of faith required in the worthy receiuing the Lords Supper It goeth ill with the naturall bodie when the ioynts are dissolued it is vnnaturall that the members of the bodie mysticall should bee diuided It is not the hauing faith but the new exercise of faith which maketh vs worthy receiuers of the Lords Supper The Corinthians had faith yet receiued not the grace of the Sacrament because they receiued not in faith The acts of faith in this ordinance The acts of faith in receiuing the Lords Supper are many First By it wee discerne the Sacrament to bee the holy Ordinance of God instituted for our speciall good and benefit sealing vnto vs the promises which God of his free mercie hath made vnto vs in Iesus Christ By faith wee vnderstand what promises God hath made for what cause in whom he hath made them what hee requireth and how hee hath sealed his free promises in the Sacrament And the certaine distinct cleare effectuall knowledge of this point is a matter of singular and great importance For if worldly men make good account of a sufficient mans securitie for some great summe of money in what esteeme will a Christian haue this pledge of Gods fauour when hee certainly vnderstands what it doth signifie and assure Secondly By it we see what the Lord doth offer vnto vs therein how excellent and precious it is with what assurance it is freely tendered and may be receiued The outward signes in the Sacrament are visible to the bodily eye but the inward grace signified and sealed thereby which must seriously be considered and minded of vs is not manifest but to the vnderstanding enlightened by the Spirit and seasoned by faith which only can iudge distinctly of it worth and excellencie Thirdly It sharpeneth spirituall appetite and stirreth vp hungring and thirsting after Christ and his benefits By faith we see our want by faith we taste how good the Lord is how sweet and pleasant the dainties he hath prepared which raiseth an appetite of desire and complacencie O God thou art my God early will I seeke thee Psal 63.1 my soule thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is a great and spirituall feast whereunto the faithfull are inuited and faith whetteth the spirituall appetite to long after and rellish the fatnesse and marrow which is there prouided Fourthly It earnestly contendeth for mercie confessing sinne with griefe and hatred iudging and