we are wholly beholden to him for it We cannot justifie and warrant our Repentance and Faith for sound and good but if there be any such thing 't is wrought by God himself for we are not sufficient of our selves to think one good thought in us there dwelleth no good thing If we are accepted surely 't is of grace in the beloved From their Prayers for mercy I conclude that they attribute all to mercy and say Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ as Paul did Rom. 7. 'T is saith the poor Soul 't is the Lords mercy that I am not in Hell and if ever I go to Heaven I will admire grace and mercy 2. There is this also in them that they have a great value for Christ Jesus though they cannot say that he is theirs or that they are his they think him the chiefest of ten thousand and worthy to be beloved and believed in though they have not attained him so a to lie in his bosome as John did and many others do If they had ten thousand worlds they would give it for him for as yet they are for buying and purchasing more than for believing if he would but smile upon them and kiss them with the kisses of his mouth oh how would they love him Higher Christians are rich in experiences but these are rich only in wishes desires and breathings They so long after him that they would be content to be though but as hired Servants any thing in any condition if he will but receive them yea if they may but gather the crumbs that fall under his Table though they should not have the childrens bread bestowed upon them If he would but let them know that they shall come to Canaan at last or but open a door of hope for for them they would willingly go through the Wilderness and the Valley of Achor too and lay their mouth in the dust if there may be but hope If they may not have a full meal of joy in the Holy Ghost nor rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory yet they will be thankful for some crumbs of comfort and good hope through grace 3. If these longings of theirs may not be satisfied yet this they have fixed and rooted in them that they would walk in this darkness and pain all their daies rather than go back again to their old condition of living in sin They will rather wait and beg at his doors to the death rather than dwell in the tents or the most pleasant courts of wickedness They will rather be Gods hired servants than the Devils children and live with the Swine of this world that wallow in the mire and filth of sin and iniquity as you may read in the returning Prodigal No no they will not go back to Drunkenness and uncleanness to impenitency and hardness of heart but if they must perish they will perish repenting and praying c. if they must starve be it so at Gods door they will lie and beg come of them what will they will not go any whese else for Salvation Though he kill them they will trust in him and rely upon him 4. Besides all this you will find that these Babes will confess that now and then they have some secret soul-supporting in-comes but say they We know not what to make of them nor whence they come for they quickly depart again and our fears return upon us notwithstanding Sometime a word hath come and saluted them but it passed by and went away They will tell you that they had such a bath col whisper in their Souls my grace is sufficient for thee or I have prayed that thy Faith fail not c. whence it came or whither it went they cannot tell but alas this they can tell that it vanished like an Eccho The Disciples had many a support at times yet ever and anon were carking fearing and doubting again like 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them of little Faith So these poor Souls though they have now and then a secret cordial given them yet it doth but keep them alive they are hungry weak and faint still Many such things as these are with them and they are to a grown and knowing Saint who hath gone through them very promising things concerning the future well-being of these Babes though they themselves scarce gather hope or not more from them Thus have I shewn how the Faith of Babes doth act and after what manner they some of them the lowest and weakest Babes eat this second portion of Milk Faith towards God before I shew the rest I think it necessary to say something as to this by way of Application 1. To such as are not Babes and have not Faith towards God 2. To such as are Babes and have Faith towards God 1. TO such as are not Babes and have not Faith towards God Without breach of Charity it may be feared that there are yet more than many who though they profess Faith do not believe The bleating of the Sheep and lowing of the Oxen to speak in Samuels language to Saul their living in sins doth witness against them Surely he must be very prodigal of his Faith and have a Creed very large and contradictory to that of the Apostles who can believe unsanctified persons to be Believers when the very natural operation and effect of Faith is sanctification Act. 26.18 to such therefore would I speak in Christ his own words Repent and believe the Gospel take in therefore this Milk of the Word that you may live and grow thereby Consider I beseech thee 1. That not believing is an Argument of thy not being yet convinced of the sinfulness of sin that thou art not yet awakened out of that dead sleep not come to thy self for then undoubtedly thou wouldst resolve with the Prodigal to arise and go by Faith towards God and confess thy sin and beg as the Publican Lord be merciful to me a sinner If thou canst sin and sleep in sin if thou canst lie contentedly in a perishing and damnable condition and not cry out for Salvation surely thou art in a most dangerous case notwithstanding thy name of Christian for what will it avail thee to have a name to live and yet be dead If thou tell me thou hast repented from dead works I can Answer thee it cannot be so while thou art dead in sins and walkest in them for they are dead in sin who live in it Ephes 2.1 2 3. But beside if that were true that thou hadst repented yet know this that righteousness is not by Repentance but by Faith so that if thou repent and do no believe though thou be not far from the Kingdom of Heaven yet thou art never the near for the one thing necessary is wanting and though thou seem too good to go to Hell yet thou art not good enough to go to Heaven 2. Consider this too that thou hast had and long had the means of Faith viz. the
after his having spoken to the Young men subjoyns this Love nor the world nor the things thereof 1 Joh. 2.14 15. But let us hear the Answer from the Word of God written not only in the Bible but in their hearts Then Jesus and the Young man Saint saith unto him Get thee hence Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve q. d. No man can serve two masters God and Mammon God and the Devil God is too good a Master to be left and the Devil too bad an one to be served Get hence vile varlet wretched caitiff thou wicked one dost think I will leave Heaven for Hell God for the Devil the Kingdom and glory of God for the Kingdoms and glory of this world which is all but vanity and vexation of Spirit Is God and Heaven and my soul no more worth than this avaunt Devil get hence for shame dost think I will fell my Soul for a paultry vanity and become a Lover of that which will make me the enemy of my God and make a God of mine enemy no no avoid Satan and get hence Now after this the Devil leaves him and runs away he cannot stand before the Word of God if he be resisted by being stedfast in the Faith he will flee and if he flee he is for the present conquered and he is put to flight and conquered by the It is written the Word of God abiding in power and efficacy in the Young men as he was by our Saviour Thus I have briefely shewn the parallel between the temptations which attended Christ and which attend the Young men after the witness of the Spirit concerning their Sonship which are defeated and put to flight by the Word of God The signs of this victory shall be shewn openly as in triumph in due time but at present I shall speak to one and only to one temptation more which assaults some of the little Children and the Young men and then proceed to prove the victory by the spoiles which shall be brought forth as signs thereof SECT 4. One Temptation more which they undergo and conquer too THere is one Argument which the Devil could not make use of against Christ who was without sin but doth often make use of against the little Children and Young men too if possible to make them call their Sonship into question 't is that they are not without sin but do in many things offend either by doing evil or omitting good or by falling short of their duty and giving God the glory due to his name Thou saith the Devil canst not be a Child of God nor know him as a Father for such do not commit sin nor can they do but read 1 Joh. 3 4-10 and 5.18 and tell me what thou canst say to these things if thou say thou sinnest not I will prove it if thou say thou hast no sin thou dost lie and sinnest in saying so and if thou sin how canst thou say that thou art born of God when the Scripture saith that he who is born of God doth not commit sin This is a two-edged Sword an Argument that cuts on both sides it seems to put these poor souls to a Dilemma but yet by the Word of God abiding in them they defeat this also To this they Answer 1. By following the example of Christ Jesus in opposing truly quoted and rightly understood Scripture to the Scripture which is falsely quoted and misapply'd which latter is as bad as the former the Devil wrests and so wrongs the Scripture and knows it though it be to his own confutation and confusion they say as our Saviour did again It is written and as the Devil knows that the seeming opposite Scriptures may be reconciled so he cannot endure that they should be reconciled he will rather be silent and answer nothing as when Christ opposed his half quotation by a whole one Thus then may the Young man Answer Satan thou knowest that Abraham Moses David c. were born of God and had the witness of his Spirit that they were his Children and yet were not without sin but sinned after their new birth or conversion and thou knowest that if we say the we spoken of in the foregoing Verses who had fellowship with God if we say that we have not sinned since conversion we make him a lyar and his Word is not in us 1 Joh. 1.10 This the Devil either cannot or will not reconcile though he knows 't is reconcileable with the fore-alledged Texts and therefore they are misapplyed as to the case in hand and the persons concern'd in this dispute But 2. Say the Young men the Texts which thou hast quoted do not seem to speak of every or any sin in any degree but of a special Sin viz. hating or not loving of the Brethren which they that are born of God cannot be guilty of 1 Joh. 4.20 but thou knowest Satan and that to thy vexation that I love the Brethren and am past from Death to Life To this purpose see what 's said in the Treatise of Babes in the Chapter of their love to the Brethren Or else it may refer to the sin unto death 1 Joh. 5.16 17 18. Yet 3. If the Text may not be restrain'd to that I can say further that I do not live in sin nor make a trade of sin as thou dost I am no sin-maker as thou art I sin not as they that are of thee who workest in the Children of disobedience that they may fulfil the lusts and wills of the flesh Ephes 2.1 3. and of such thou canst not deny but the quoted Texts do speak 4. I can say yet more in a true sense as the Apostle doth Rom. 7.15 20. that 't is not I who am born of God that sin but sin that dwelleth in me though I with my flâ—sh may alas that I do serve the Law of sin yet thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord with the mind I my self do serve the Law of God Rom. 7.25 There is therefore no condemnation to me who am in Christ Jesus and walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8.8 Though I wretch that I am may be sins Captive yet not â—â—s Subject that I should obey it in the lusts thereof sin may domineer but hath no dominion over me because I am not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6.1 18. thou Satan knowest that I am none of sins Servants Beside 5. I confess my sin and have my pardon and what dost thou Satan say to this or what canst thou say against it that God should forgive my sin according to what is said in 1 Joh. 1.8 9. have I not reason to be of good cheer though by reason of thee my warfare is not accomplished yet God hath spoken to mine heart and said Son be of good cheer thy sins are forgiven thee 'T is not against thee that I have sinned
coming and seeking to be such as shall be welcom and rewarded As was the case of the woman of Canaan and the Prodigal at first 2. Babes believe this as to God that he can turn them and save them if he please and this believing his power though not his will as grown Saints do is owned and accepted with great respect When Ephraim was bemoaning himself he saies Turn thou me and I shall be turned and God presently saies Ephraim is my dear Son a pleasant child I will surely have mercy on him saith the Lord. Jer. 31.18 20. So the Prodigal believed that his Father could though he had spent all yet set him up again and that he might be a new-made-man The Babe speaks like the Leper Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean and it proved so Yet believes there is grace and bread enough in Gods house if he have but will he hath power enough to pardon the Question is not about his power but about his Will Yet throughout the Scripture this is owned and accepted We read of one poor man that came to Christ distrusting his power but Christ-puts him on believing that before he would do any thing for him and when he did that Christ did what he came for Mark 9.22 c. 3. Babes look further even to the promises of God they find many invitations and promises also and they have recourse to these but do not so much mind Christ in whom all the promises of God are yea and Amen so that they do as 't were rest upon the Ark but do not come into it whereas grown Saints see Christ Jesus as the foundation and fulness of every promise and do not take up with the Cabinet without the Jewel or with the Field without the Pearl hid in it The Promises indeed are incouraging means to Faith but are not the Rest of the soul Forgiveness of sins is not from the promise without Faith in Christ Acts 26.18 nor eternal life it self 2 Tim. 1.1 nor righteousness Phil. 3. Of this also the Babes have a general notion and so they make toward Christ not with full sails but with a side-wind as 't were and this I am now to shew how 2. The Faith of Babes acts toward Christ Jesus And that 1. As the Son of the living God to whom the Father hath given and committed all things and this is one of the things which is revealed unto Babes as is clear by comparing Mat. 16.16 17. with Mat. 11.25 27. When Peter confest Christ to be the Son of the living God our Saviour calls him blessed and tells him that not flesh and blood but his Father had revealed it to him and in the other place blesseth his Father who had hid this as other things from the wise and prudent but had revealed them unto Babes 2. Babes believe that God sent his Son into the world to save sinners and 't is a degree of Faith that Jesus Christ accepts and commends Joh. 17.8 Christ tells his Father of it by way of commendation that his Disciples as yet but Babes had believed that he had sent him viz. to be the Messiah to restore and redeem Israel which though some of them understod for a while but carnally yet they had it seems now a better notion of it and in Joh. 16.27 he tells them that his Father loved them because they loved him and believed that he came out from God viz. to repair the world And though they have not yet such distinct notions of the Priest-hood of Christ of his becoming sin for them that they might be made the righteousness of God in him both which are by imputation yet this general Faith carries them towards Christ Jesus this assent leads them to an addressing Faith as appears in these following discoveries of it 1. This Faith which they have as to both God and Christ puts it self forth in purposes and resolutions to go to God though it be but on a probability or possibility such as that of the Lepers 2 Kings 7. uncertain hope is preferred before certain danger and death No sooner did the Prodigal believe that in his Fathers house there was bread enough but on this very account though he knew not how he should speed he would venture to go rather than perish with hunger and this was first in a purpose I will arise go c. Well saith the soul I see this if I live in my sins I must die sin and death keep company but there is mercy with the Lord he can forgive me if it so please him and 't is a faithful saying and northy to be received that Jesus Christ came into the world to â— save sinners and though I cannot say God will be merciful to me yet I will arise and go I will adventure and see what he will do with my poor Soul And truely God takes this kindly as 't was said of David about building the Temple that 't was in his heart to arise and go these first motions are very acceptable to God 2. The Faith of Babes toward God and Christ puts it self forth in Prayers this Babe not only breaths but cries as 't is said of Paul Behold be prayeth Acts 9.11 This Faith goes with a petition in its mouth as the Prodigal did I will not only arise and go but I will say too I will confess my sin beg pardon and withal a place in the house though but that of a Servant So the poor Publican yet afar off as the Prodigal was Lord be merciful to me a sinner and this much upon the general account of mercy for hitherto saith Christ of his Babes ye have askt little or nothing in my name and he went home justified Luke 18. So that God pickt out Faith there for by Faith not by Prayer or Repentance are we justified This Faith puts purposes into Prayers and Prayers into practice for the Prodigal arose and came and was welcom 3. Therefore this Faith puts it self in obedience and in submitting to ordinances as Baptism c. as soon as any were new-born I speak de adultis did believe in Christ they were initiated by Baptism into the mysteries of Christian Religion and submission to this was as to men a proof of their Faith and that this was the constant course appears not only by instances but the Apostles conjoyning the doctrine of Faith with that of Baptisms c. Thus by degrees doth the Faith of Babes creep and go towards God and Christ But there are yet some more inward things which these souls some of them for they are not acted all alike do find in themselves though they can hardly express them distinctly or tell what to make of them As 1. If there be for they some of them are full of its and doubtings fearing that thee is no work or that they are but Hypocrites but say they if there be any true work in us and wrought by us 't is of God
fruit Joh. 15.8 'T is being filled with fruits of righteousness which brings full glory to God Phil. 1.11 And Abraham being strong in Faith gave glory to God Rom. 4.20 If therefore you would glorifie God to purpose grow in Grace 4. While you are but Babes you are of little use to others 't is true the least member is of some use 1 Cor. 12. but 't is of least use A Candle may give some light but none in comparison of what the Sun gives Now we should be as John was not only burning but shining lights and our light should so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorifie our Father which is in Heaven Matth. 5.16 But 2. I proceed to give you some Directions by way of help and assistance to promote and advance grace to growth If and as ever you would grow in grace be exhorted 1. To be humble and lowly in mind Humihty promotes us 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to ascend downward Humility and a low esteem of our selves is the ready way to grow high The Trees spread most upward that have the deepest roots Before Honour is Humility 't is Hoours Usher Prov. 15.33 He that is lifed up is like to fall Prov. 18.12 so Heb. 2.4 with Hâ—b 10.38 But the same God who takes no pleasure in but resisteth the proud is greatly in love with and will assist teach and give grace to the humble Some Babes alas are apt to be pussed up though without cause 1 Cor. 4.8 but pride hinders growth 2. Be thankful for what 's received ingrateful and unthankful persons never or seldom thrive Rom. 1.21 Because when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were thankful they became vain in their imaginations and their foolish bearts were darkened professing themselves to be wise they became fools But he that blesseth God for what he hath is like to be blest with more as Luke 19.16 26. To every one that hath thankfully acknowledged his Receipts and Improvements shall be given more but from him that hath not even that which he hath or as Luke 8.18 that which he thinks he hath or seems to have shall be taken â—â—om him 3. 'T is no little help to growth to be united one to another in oneness of mind and affection they are not like to come to much excellency that are divided in Jaceb and scattered in Israel for where there are divisions there is least contribution of help and mutual assistance When the Apostle exhorts the Corinthian Babes to be perfect he subjoynes this as conducing thereunto he of one mind live in peace 2 Cor. 13.11 for Love is the bond of perfectness Col. 3.12 13 14. and the blessing of the God of love and peace will be with such as the Apostle tells them 2 Cor. 13.11 and his blessing maketh rich Prov. 10.22 4. Attend conscientiously and with eager desires on the word of grace that you may grow thereby use Ordinances to make use of them for your perfection to which end they are as much designed as to bringing in Ephes 4.11 Pastors and Teachers are for the perfecting of the Saints for the edifying of the Body of Christ and every member thereof till we all come to a perfect man Desire therefore the sincere Milk of the Word that you may grew thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 5. Get better acquaintance with Christ Jesus The Apostle knew Christ Jesus in a good measure and yet that he might perfectly win him and perfection by him and attain to the mark and the prize he breaths and presseth after more even the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus Phil. 3.8 14. Babes in Christ know not the Father and are unskilful in the Word of righteousness now the Father cannot be known but by the Son nor grace grow but through the distinct and excellent knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord 2 Pet. 3.18 As ever therefore you would grow in Grace and attain assurance of the Fathers love look after the distinct and excellent knowledge of Christ which consists mostly in being â—ound in him i.e. his righteousness in knowing the power of his Resurrection though it be by the fellowship of his suffering and by being made conformable to his Death by desanding that we may ascend as he did Phil. 3.9 10. Ephes 4.9 10. 6. Would ye grow make use of the Promises then which are given not only that we might escape the pollutions which are in the world by lust and so be made partakers of a divine nature 2 Pet. 1.4 but that we might cleanse our silves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit to perfect holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 and might add grace to grace to abound and be fruitful as it follows in 2 Pet. 1.5 8. The Covenant refers to our being and birth but the promises to our well-being and growth if therefore Davids house do not grow he hath recourse to the Covenant 2 Sam. 23.5 but that it may grow he hath recourse to the Promises 2 Sam. 7.25 29. As ever therefore you would enjoy what 's promised and contain'd in the Promise be careful to do that to which the Promise is made as for instance Would ye that God be a Father and not only a God to you and you be to him not only a people but Sons and Daughters then be ye seâ—arate and touch not the unclean thing 2 Cor. 6.17 18. and mark it these Promises viz. of being a Father c. are of most use to the perfecting of us for so it follows 2 Cor. 7.1 having these Promises the Emphasis is in these let us cleanse our selves c. that so we may injoy what 's prâ—mised viz. God as a Father c. A little to inform you about making us of and improving promises I shall to prevent a mistake inlarge further on this head Some persons do think that the chief if not only way of improving promises is by believing as they call it than which I think there is scarce a greater mistake that is in this sense when they read or hear a promise as that God will be a Father that all things shall work together for good c. they think there is to more required but to believe that God will make this good and do as he hath promised there is no question but he will for he is faithful that hath promised and cannot lye but beloved let me tell you lest you deceive your selves that 't is not so much Faith as obedience and practice which is necessary to the enjoyment of these promises if you practise the duty to which the promise is made God will make it good whether you believe it or no 2 Tim. 2.11 13. but if you believe it a thousand times over and do not do the duty God is under no obligation to make good the promise If you love not God how can you expect that all things should work together for good to