serve him without fear in holines in all the rules of the first Table and righteousnesse in all duties of the second Table all the dayes of our life that all this should not be out of a spirit of bondage and slavish feare but without feare i. e. Feare of our enemies sin death wrath and so consequently out of love to him that hath delivered us that one would wonder it should ever enter into the heart of any Christian man that hath tasted the love of Christ as to think that there is no use of the Law to one in Christ and that because they are to live the life of love to Christ that therefore they are not to looke to the Law as the rule of their love expresly crosse to the letter of the Text Ioh. 14.15 If yee love me keep my Commandements which Commandements are not onely faith and love to the Saints but love to enemies and spirituall obedience unto the morall Law in a farre different manner and measure then as the Pharisees instructed the people in those dayes as you may see Matth. 5.17 T is true indeed obedience to the Law is not required of us now as it was of Adam it was required of him as a condition antecedent to life but of those that be in Christ it is required onely as a duty consequent to life or as a rule of life that seeing hee hath purchased our lives in redemption and actually given us life in vocation and sanctification we should now live unto him in all thankfull and fruitfull obedience according to his will revealed in the morall Law T is a vaine thing to imagine that our obedience is to have no other rule but the Spirit without any attendance to the Law the Spirit indeed is the efficient cause of our obedience and hence we are said to be led by the Spirit Rom. 8.14 but it is not properly the rule of our obedience but the will of God revealed in his word especially in the Law is the rule the Spirit is the wind that drives us in our obedience the Law is our compasse according to which it steares our course for us the Spirit and the Law the wind and the compasse can stand well together Psal. 143.10 Teach me to doe thy will O God there is Davids rule viz. Gods will revealed thy spirit is good there is Davids minde that enabled him to steare his course according to it the Spirit of life doth free us from the law of sin and of death but not from the holy and pure and good and righteous Law of God Rom. 8.1 2 3. The blood of Christ by the Spirit cleanseth us from dead workes to serve the living God Heb. 9.14 not to serve our owne selves or lusts or wills to doe what wee please the law indeed is not a rule of that by which we are to obey viz. of our faith yet it is the onely rule of what we are to obey we are not to performe acts of obedience now as Adam was to doe viz. by the sole power of inherent grace but we are to live by faith and act by faith for without me you can doe nothing Ioh. 15.5 we are not united to Christ our life by obedience as Adam was to God by it but by faith and therefore as all action in living things comes from union so all our acts of obedience are to come from faith from the Spirit on Christs part and from faith on our part which make our union Noah built by faith Enoch walked with God by faith Iosuah and his Souldiers fought by faith Abraham travelled dwelt in his tents lived and dyed by faith they acted according to the rule but all by the power of faith It is a weak reasoning to imagin a man is not bound to pay his debts because he is to goe unto another for the money Obedience is our debt wee owe to Christ Luk. 17.10 though wee are to goe to Christ poore and weake and feeble to enable us to pay T is true Christ hath kept the law for us and are we therefore free from it as our rule No verily Christ kept the law for satisfaction to justice and so we are not bound to keepe the Law he kept the Law also for imitation to give us a copy and an example of all holinesse and glorifying God in our obedience and thus Christs obedience is so farre from exempting us from the Law as that it ingageth us the more having both rule and example before us 1 Ioh. 2.6 He that saith he abideth in him ought to walke as he walked 1 Pet. 1.14 15 16. T is true the Law is writ in a beleevers heart and if he hath a Law within what need he say some look to the Law without when as our Saviour and David argued quite contrary Psal. 40.7 8. I come I delight to doe thy will it being written of me that I should doe it because thy Law is within my heart this argues that you are not to attend the Law unwillingly as bond-men and slaves but willingly and gladly because the Law even the Law of love is in your hearts 1 Ioh. 5.3 The place alledged by some for this liberty from the Law viz. the Law is not made for a righteous man 1 Tim. 1.9 if well considered fully dasheth this dreame in pieces for there were divers Jewish Preachers of Moses Law and they had a world of scruples and questions about it verse 4. and Paul and others were accounted of as men lesse zealous because they did not sound upon that string so much away saith Paul with those contentions questions for the end of the commandement is not scruples and questions but charity and love i. e. both to God and men out of a pure heart and faith unfained vers 5. and saith he The Law is very good when used lawfully that is for this end and out of these principles vers 8. t is not talking but doing and that out of love which is the end and scope of the Law so that note by the way you may as well abolish love as abolish the Law love being the end and scope of the Law But to proceed The Law is not made saith he for the righteous i. e. for the condemnation of the righteous i. e. of such as out of a pure heart and faith unfeined love God in the first Table love to shew all duties of respect to man in the second Table and therefore they of all other men have no cause to abolish the Law as if it was a bug-beare or a thing that could hurt them but it s made for the comdemnation of the Lawlesse Anomians as the originall word is or if you will Antinomians transgressors of the first command and disobedient transgressours of the second command for ungodly and sinners transgressours of the third command for unholy and prophane transgressours of the fourth command for murderers of fathers and mothers of the fift command for
that he came out of hâ—s Fathers bosome for thee wept for thee bled for thee powred out his life nay his soule to death for thee is now risen for thee gone to heaven for thee sits at Gods right hand and rules all the world for thee makes intercession continually for thee and at the end of the world will come againe for thee who hast loved him here that thou mightest live for ever with him then But is this our life in these evill and luke-warme times How many bee there that beleeve in Christ that they may live as they list If to drink and whore and scoffe and blaspheme if to shake a lock and follow every fond fashion if to crosse and cringe before a piece of wood if to be weary of the Word and outwardly zealous for long prayers if to seek for purity of ordinances in Churches and to maintain impurity in hearts in shops in families if to set our hearts upon Farmes and Merchandizes and so to bee covetous if to set up our owne selves and parts and gifts with a secret disdaine of Gods Ministers if to cry downe learning and set up ignorance if to set up Christ and destroy sanctification and obedience if to be a sect-master of some odde opinions if to cracke the nut of some superlunary and Monkish notions and high-flown speculations if to heare much and do little if to have a name to 〈◊〉 and yet dead at the heart if this be to liâ—e the life of love we have many that live this life the Lord Jesus wants not love if this be to love But oh woe unto you if you thus requite the Lord foolish people and unwise The Lord knowes we may complaine as Paul did Every man minds his owne things and none the things of Iesus Christ none in comparison of that huge number that thinke they are religious enough if they be baptized and say that they beleeve in Jesus Christ verily the time drawes neere wherein the Lord will come for fruits from his Vineyard and if he findes it not assuredly he will not be beholding to us for obedience he can raise his glory out of other people and there carry his Gospel to them who shall bring forth the fruits of it the Lord will shortly lay his axe unto the root of our tree and if wee will not serve the Lord in this good Land in the abundance of peace and mercy we shall serve our enemies in hunger cold and nakednesse if we will not serve him in love we must serve our enemies in feare doe not think that the Lord will bee put off with venerable names and titles shadowes and pictures what is most mens profession at this day but a meer paint which may serve to colour them while they live but will never comfort them unlesse conscience bee asleep when they come to dye Oh â—yâ—e heed of such formality I can never think enough of Davids expression Psal. 119.167 I have kept thy Commandements and I love them exceedingly should he not have said first I have loved thy Commandements and so have kept them Doubtlesse hee did so but he ran here in a holy and most heavenly circle I have kept them and loved them and loved them and kept them if we love Christ we also shall live such a life of love in our measure and his Commandements will be most deare when himselfe is most precious FINIS A TABLE OF the principall Contents A. ADoption what it is pag. 280 The manner thereof 282 B. Beleevers in a blessed condition 251 C. Conviction of sinne wrought in every Beleever 6 What that sin is which the Lord first convinceth of 9 How the Lord doth convince the soule of sinne 23 What measure and degree of conviction God workes in all his 32 Conviction of sin to be first preached 34 96 A sad thing to stand out against conviction 36 Meanes of conviction 39 Compunction immediately followes conviction 45 The Necessity thereof 48 Rules observable about compunction 49 Wherein it doth consist 65 What measure of compunction God workes in the Elect. 84 How and where the Soule should come to Christ. 177 Meanes of enabling the Soule to come to Christ. 239 In what manner we should come to him 248 E. What evill in sinne God most affects the heart withall 89 A three-fold evill of sinne 91 F. Feare of Gods displeasure necessary to conversion and wherein it consists 66 The nature of Faith 156 The efficient cause thereof 163 The subject matter of Faith 173 The Forme thereof 178 The end of Faith 198 The ground and meanes of Faith 215 How to discern Faith from presumption 169 Whether an absolute testimony of actuall favor and justification be not the first ground of Faith 227 G. Glorification what it is 313 Greatnesse of mens sinne in not comming to Christ. 246 H. Humiliation for sinne what it is 125 What need there is of it 126 What meanes the Lord useth to worke this 129 What measure of Humiliation is necessary 138 Wherein to expresse Humiliation 150 I. A Christian is not justified before faith is sought 107 Sanctification does not goe before justification 109 What true justification is 253 Who is it that justifieth and why 256 The meanes whereby the Father justifieth 257 Who are the persons the Lord doth justifie 261 L. Loosening from sinne how wrought in the soule 88 A life of Love requisite in beleevers 328 The life of Love appears in 5. things 338 The Law not to be slighted 334 P. How Christ doth save by his Power 4 Audience of Prayers a speciall priviledge 305 What are those Prayers that Christ will hear 306 Why God heareth Prayers 311 R. A double Resistance of grace in men 100 Regenerate and unregenerate how differenced 194 Reconciliation with God wherein it consists 274 S. What is it to see sinne 43 Sense of Mercy cannot turn a soule to Christ without the Sight of sinne 59 Sorrow for sinne accompanies Conversion wherein it consists 73 Separation from sin wrought in Beleevers 82 What true Sanctification is 289 The benefits thereof 294 V. Union unto Christ goes before Communion with him 101 Whether Vocation doth not goe before Iustification 102 Vocation is not all one with Sanctification 113 The nature of true Vocation 217 The necessity thereof 224 How it is a ground of Faith 225 W. The Whole soul goes to Christ in conversion 183 How to know when the Whole soule comes to Christ. 190 FINIS See the Sincere Convert Quest. Answ. Quest. Ans. Con. 1. Rom. 3. Quest. Answ. What those particular sinnes are which the Lord convinces men of in theiâ— conversioâ—â— â—on 2. â— Con. 3. Answ. Luk. 19 4â— Esay 6.9 How God gives a reall sight of sinnes Hâ—s 4.4 Psal. 51.3 Lam. 3.51 Job 33.16 17. Vse 1. Lam. 2.14 Prov. 1.23 Vse 2. Psal. 36.2 Vse 3. 1. Help 2. Help 3. Help 2 Cor. 5.10 Vse 4. 1 Sam. 25.32 33. Joh. 16.7 Levit. 19.17 Obj. Ans. 1. 2. 3. â—onah 3.5 Answ. 1. Rule 2. Rule 3. Rule 4. Rule 5. Rule 6. Rule 7. Rule 8. Rule Joh. 16.20 Hos. 6.1 2 3. Reas. 1. 2 Cor. 7.10 1 Cor. 5.2 1 Cor. 15.17 Pro. 28.13 Obj. Ans. 1. 2. Cor. 7.1 2. Reas. 2. Mat. 9.21 Jer. 2.31 Luke 14. Luke 15.17 Ram. 5.6 7 8. Col. 3.7 2 Cor. 5.14 Reas. 3. Mat. 9.13 Luk. 4.18 Luk. 15 7. Reas. 4. Quest. Answ. Acts 9.6 Acts 16. Psal. 10.5 Acts 16. Psal. 9.20 Rom. 8.15 Amos 3.8 Luk. 23.40 Judg. 2.1 Jer. 31.18 Hos. 6.1 2. Zach. 12.11 Cap. 13.1 Eccles. 7.26 Psal. 38.1 â— Prov. 18.14 Psal. 32.2 3. Psal. 40.12 Jer. 31.19 Daâ— 9.12 Jer. 3. ult Matth. 10.37 Hos. 6.1 2. Psal. 51.8 2 Chron. 53.11 12. Lam. 3.44 Psal. 39.10 11. Esay 5.8.5 Esay 58.5 Prov. 28.13 Jâ—b 33.15 16 17. Answ. Hos 6.1 Joh. 5.40 Quest. Answ. Jer. 8.11 Quest. Answ. Mat. 10.37 Acts 3.26 Quest. Answ. Luk. 15.7 Esay 33.6 Heb 7.25 Esay 56.8 Vse 1. 1. Cons. Scho. orth Spec. cap. 30 31 32. 2. Cons. 3. Cons. 4. Cons. 5. Cons. Jer. 4.3 4. Vind. grat p. 7 11 13 John 14.3 4 5. Gal. 2.20 Vse 2. Vse 3. Esa. 43.4 Vse 4 Jer. 30.15 Esay 57.16 Answ. Answ. Phil. 3.7 Gal. 2.19 Answ. Rom. 7.9 10 11. Lam 1.16 1 Cor. 11.31 Levit. 10.3 Answ. Vse 1 Vse 2. Quest. Answ. 1. 2. Vse 3. Deut. 6.19 4. Answ. Rom. 10.9 10. Rom. 8.28 Ps. 36.7 Object Answ. 1. 2. 3 Acts 10.43 1 Pet. 1.8 John 6.64.65 Heb. 4.18 19 20. Object Answ. Heb. 11.11 Esay 55.1 2. Mat. 21.28 Psal. 62.5 Psal. 81.12 13. Quest. Answ. Heb. 4.1 Object Answ. Ps. 116.7 Eph. 3.14 18. Object Answ. Ps. 25.11 31.9 Psal. 40.11 12. Hos. 6.1 2 Obj. 1. Answ. Hos. 6.2 3. Rom. 1.17 Rom 8.30 1 Pet. 2.9 2 Thes. 2.14 Joh. 20.31 1 Cor. 1.21 with 26 Joh. 5.29 2 Thess. 2.12 13. Isay 55.1 2. 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Mark 16.15 Luc. 14 17 Vse Joh. 1â— 22 Answ. 1. 2. 3. Act. 2.39 13.47 4. 5. Quest. Answ. Quest. 1 Answ. 2. Answ. 3. Answ. Esay 43.25 4. Answ. 2 Cor. 5.20 5. Answ. 6. Answ. Rom. 4.5 Esa. 4.1 2. Isa. 54.10 1 Cor. 3.22 Isa. 56.5 Mat. 6.31 32. Rom. 8.14 Tit. 3.5 2 Cor. 5.17 Rom. 2.28 2. 1 Pet. 1.14.15.16 Act. 9.31 Mic. 4.5 Deut. 18.18 19. Col. 3.3 Rev. 4.10 11. Prov. 3.17 Quest. Answ.
tumultuous complaints the deepest sorrowes run with least noyse If a man can have teares for outward losses and none for sins t is very suspitious whether he was ever truly sorrowfull for sinne Otherwise as the greatest joyes are not alway exprest in laughter so the greatest sorrowes are not alway exprest in shedding of teares what the measure of this great sorrow is we shall heare hereafter Thirdly it is a constant mourning for so it is here called a spirit of heavinesse as that woman that had a spirit of infirmity and was bowed downe many yeares Hannah constantly troubled is called a woman of a sorrowfull spirit 1 Sam. 1.12.15 As the spirit of pride and whoredome Hos. 4.12 â—is a constant frame where though the acts be sometime suspended yet the spirit remains so a spirit of mourning is such sorrow as though the acts of mourning be sometime hindred yet the spirit and spring remaines Hypocrites wil mourn under sin and misery but what is it it is the hanging down the head like a bull-rush in bad weather for a day Oh how many have pangs and gripes of sorrow and can quickly ease themselves again these mourners come to nothing in the conclusion I grant the sorrow and sadnesse of spirit may be interrupted but it returnes againe and never leaves the soule untill the Lord looke downe from heaven Lam. 3.48 49 50. The cause continues guilt and strength of sinne and therefore this effect continues Fourthly it is such a sorrow as makes way for gladnesse for so it is here said the Lord gives beauty for these ashes and hence it is no desperate hellish sorrow but usually mixt with sense of some mercy at least common and some hope not that which apprehends the object of hope particulary which is done in vocation but that the Lord may find out some way of saving it Ionah 3.9 Acts 2.37 which hope with sense of mercy waiting so long preserving from hell and death so oft c. doth not harden the heart as in reprobates but serve to break the more and to load it with greater sorrow thus the Lord works this sorrow in all his elect I know it is in a greater measure and from some other grounds after the soule is in Christ but this sorrow there is for substance mentioned for the reasons given if Christ hate you you shall mourne but never till it be too late if he love you you must mourne now how great and many are many of your sinnes how neare is your doome the Lord only knows how fearful your condemnation will be you have oft heard but yet how few of your hearts are sad and very heavie for these things sin is your pleasure not your sorrow you fly from sorrow as from a temptation of Satan who comes to trouble you and to lead you to despaire Davids eyes ran down with rivers of waters because others brake Gods law and Ieremy wisht he had a cottage in the wildernesse to mourne in and yet you doe not you cannot powre out one drop nor yet wish you had hearts to lament your owne sinnes but oh know it that when the Lord Christ comes hee will sad thy soule when hee comes to search thy old sores by the spirit of conviction he will make them smart and bleed abundantly by the spirit of compunction 3. Separation from sin is the third thing wherein compunction consists such a feare and sorrow for sin under a sinfull estate as separates the soule from sin is true compunction without which the Lord Christ cannot be had the soule is cut and wounded with sin by feare and sorrow but it is cut off by this stroake of the Spirit not from the being but from the growing power of sin from the wil to sin not from al sin in the wil which is mortified by a Spirit of holines after the soule is implanted into Christ for compunction contrition brokennesse of heart for sin call it what you will is opposite to hardnesse of heart which is in every sinner whiles Christ leaves him now in hardnesse as in a stone there is First insensiblenesse Secondly a close cleaving of all the parts together whereby it comes to passe that hard things make resistance of what is cast against them So in compunction there is nor only sensiblenesse of the evill of sin and death by feare and sorrow but such as makes a separation of that close union between sin and the soule and hence it is that the Lord abhorres all fastings humiliations prayers teares unlesse they be of this stamp and are accompanied with this effect The Lord flings the dung of their fastings and sorrowes in their faces because they did not breake the bonds of wickednesse to mourno for sin and misery and yet to be in thy sinne is the work of justice on the damned in hell and all the Devills at this day that are pincht with their black chains not loosened from them and not the work of the grace of Christ in the day of his power Hee that confesseth his sins shall have mercy that is true but remember the meaning of that confession in the next words and forsaketh he shall find mercy What is the end of the mother in laying worme-wood and gall upon her brest but that the child by tasting the bitternesse of it might be weaned and have his stomack and will turned from it what is the end of fear sorrow but by this to turn away the soule from sin This point is weighty and full of difficulty of great use and worthy of deep meditation For as the first wound and stroake of the Spirit is so it is in all other after-works of it both of faith and holinesse in the soule if this be right faith is right holinesse is right if this be imperfect or naught all is according to it afterward the greatest difficulty lies hâ—re to know what measure of separation from sin the Spirit makes here for after wee are in Christ then sinne is mortified how then is there any separation of the heart from it before it doth fully beleeve or what measure is there necessary here therefore I shall answer to the fourth and last particular viz. Fourthly what is that measure of compunction the Lord workes in all the elect So much compunction or sense of sinne is necessary as attaines the end of it now what is the end of it no other but that the soule being humbled might goe to Christ by faith to take away his sin the finis proximus or next end of compunction is humiliation that the soul may be so severed from sin as to renounce it selfe for it the finis remotus or last end is that being thus humbled it might goe unto Christ to take away sinne for beloved the condemnation of the world lies not so much in being sinfull under guilt and power of sin as in being unwilling the Lord Jesus should take it away this I say
it to them yet it sinkes againe because its foot is not stablisht upon the rock Christ but upon the weaknesse of the waters of its owne abilities and indeavours what therefore should the soule doe in this case to come to God it knowes not it cannot â—ly from him it dare not it shall not the spirit therefore by revealing how equall and just it is for the Lord never to regard or look after it more because it hath sinned and is still so sinfull makes it hereby to fall down prostrate in the dust before the Lord as worthy of nothing but shame and confusion and so kisseth the rod and turnes the other cheek unto the Lord even smiting of him acknowledging if the Lord shew mercy it will bee wonderfull if not yet the Lord is righteous and therefore hath no cause to quarrell against him for denying speciall mercy to him to whom hee doth not owe a bit of bread And now the soule is indeed humbled because it submits to be disposed of as God pleaseth thus the Church in her humiliation Lam. 3.22 having in the former part of the Chapter drunke the wormewood and the gall at last lies down and professeth it is the Lords mercy it is not consumed and verse 29. he puts his mouth to the dust if there may be any hope and verse 39. why should a living man complaine for the punishment of his sinne You think the Lord doth you wrong and neglects your good and his own glory too if he doth not give you peace and pardon grace and mercy even to the utmost of your asking and then thinke you have hence good cause to â—ret and sinke and be discouraged No no the Lord will pull down those mountaines those high thoughts and make you lye low at his feet and acknowledge that it is infinite mercy you are alive and not consumed and that there is any hope or possibility of mercy and that you are out of the nethermost pit and that if he should never pity you yet he doth you no wrong but that which is equall and just and that it is fit your sinfull froward wills should stoop to his holy righteous and good will rather then that it should stoop and be crooked according unto yours Beleeve it brethren he that judgeth not himselfe thus shall be judged of the Lord how can you have mercy that will set your selves up in Gods Soveraigne Throne to dispose of it and will not lye downe humbly under it that it may dispose of you for are you worthy of it hath the Lord any need of you have you not provoked him exceedingly was there ever any that dealt worse with him then you Oh beloved lye low here and learne of the Church Micah 7.9 I will beare the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him It was a most blessed frame of spirit in Aaron when he saw Gods hand against him in cutting off his children and Aaron held his peace so if the Lord should cast thee off or cut thee off never take pleasure in such a polluted broken vessell unfit for any use for him hold thou thy peace quarrell not be silent before him and say as they did 2 Chron. 12.5 The Lord is righteous but I am vile let him doe with me what seems good in his own eyes and thus the Lord Jesus by the law doth dead the soule to the law untill it be made to submit like wax or like clay to the hand of the potter to frame it a vessell to what use he pleaseth and as the Apostle most excellently Rom. 7. diverceth it from its first husband i. e. Sin and the Law that it may be marryed unto Iesus Christ. In a word when the Lord Christ hath made the soule feele not onely its inability to help it selfe and so saith as Paul Gal. 2.20 It is not I but also it s owne unworthinesse that the Lord should help it and so cryes out with Iob Behold I am vile now at this instant t is vas capax a vessell capable though unworthy of any grace Iam. 4.6 The last Question remaines What measure of Humiliation is here necessary Look as so much conviction is necessary which begets compunction so much compunction as breeds humiliation so so much humiliation is necessary as introduceth faith or as drives the soule out of it selfe unto Christ for as the next end of conviction is compunction and that of compunction is humiliation so the next end of humiliation is faith or comming to Christ which wee shall next speak unto And hence it is that the Lord calls unto the weary and heavy laden to come unto him Mat. 11.27 So much as makes you come for rest in Christ so much is necessary and no more If any can come without being thus laden and weary in some measure let them come and drink of the water of life freely but a proud heart that will make it selfe its owne Saviour will not come to the Lord Jesus to be his Saviour he that will be his owne Physitian so long cannot send out for another Nay let me fall one degree lower if the soule cannot come to Christ as who feel not themselves unable when the Lord comes to draw and find not the Lord Jesus comming unto them to draw them and compell them in yet if the soule be so far humbled as not to resist the Lord by quarrelling with him and at him for not comming to him as unworthy of the least smile as worthy of all frownes verily the Lord will come to it and no more is requisite then this and thus much certainly is For thus the whole Scripture runs He gives grace to the humble James 4.6 I dwell with the contrite and humble Esay 57.16 The poore afflicted shall not alway be forgotten Psal. 9.12 18. When their uncircumcised hearts are humbled so as to accept of the punishment of their iniquity the Lord then remembers his Covenant Lev. 26.41 42. Conceive it thus There can be no union to Christ while there is a power of resistance and opposition against Christ. The Lord Christ must therefore in order of nature for I now speak not of order of time first removere prohibens remove this resistance before he can and that he may unite I doe not meane resistance of the frame of grace but as was said of the Lord of grace when he comes to work it Now there is a double resistance or two parts of this resistance like a knife with two edges 1. A resistance of the Lord by a secret unwillingnesse that the Lord should worke grace Now this the Lord removes in compunction and no more brokennesse for sinne or from sinne is necessary there then that 2. A resistance of the Lord by sinking discouragements and a secret quarrelling with him in case the soule imagines he will not come to work grace or manifest grace Now this the Lord takes away in humiliation and no more is
and humbled his elect and laid them downe dead at his feet they are now as unable to beleeve as they were to humble their owne soules and therefore now the Lord takes them up into his owne armes that they leane and rest on the bosome of their beloved by faith After Ioseph had spoken roughly to his brethren and thereby brought the blood of their brother to remembrance and so had humbled them then he can containe no longer but discovers himselfe to them and tells them I am Ioseph whom you wickedly sold yet feare not so doth our Saviour carry it towards his elect when he laid them low now is the very season for him to advance the glory of his grace he cannot now containe himselfe any longer but having torne and taken away that vaile of sinne and of the law from off their hearts now they see the Lord with open face even the end of that which was to be abolished 2 Cor. 3. The explication of this great work is of exceeding great difficulty nothing more stirring then faith in a true Christian because hee lives by it yet it is very little known as children in the wombe that know not that navill-string by which they principally live I shall therefore bee wary and leaving larger explications acquaint you with the nature of Faith in this brief descripâ—ion of it Faith is that gracious work of the Spirit whereby an humbled sinner receiveth Christ or whereby the whole soule cometh out of it selfe to Christ for Christ and all his benefits upon the call of Christ in his word Before I open this particularly give me leave to premise some generall considerations Faith is the complement of effectuall vocation which begins in Gods call and ends in this answer to that call the Lord prevents a poore humbled soule with his call either not knowing how or not able or not daring to come and then the soule comes and hence men called and beleeving are all one Rom. 9.24 with 33. Many a wounded sinner will be scrambling after Christ from some generall reports of him before the day and houre of Gods glorious and gracious call Now for any to receive Christ or come to Christ before he is called is presumption to refuse Christ when called is rebellion to come and receive when called is properly and formally Faith and that which the Scripture stiles the obedience of Faith Rom. 1.5 And now Christ at this instant is fully and freely given on Gods part when really and freely come unto and taken on our part This receiving of Christ or coming to Christ are for substance the same though the words be diverse the holy Ghost useth to expresse one and the same thing in variety of words that our feeblenesse might the better understand what he meaneth And hence in Scripture beleeving coming receiving Christ rolling trusting cleaving to the Lord c. set out one and the same thing and therefore it is no wonder if our Divines have different descriptions of faith in variety of words which if well considered dâ—e but set out one and the same thing and I doe conceive they doe all agree in this description I have now mentioned I know there are some who tread awry here whom I shall briefly note out and so passe on to what we intend 1. The Papists with some others of corrupt judgements at least of weak apprehensions among our selves describe Faith to be nothing else but a supernaturall assent to a divine truth because of a divine testimony Ex. gr to assent to this truth that Christ is come that he is the Sonne of God that hee was dead and is risen againe that he is the Saviour of the world c. and to confirme this they produce Mat. 16.16 1 Ioh. 4.3 It is granted that this assent is in Faith for Faith alway hath respect to some testimony for man by his fall hath lost all knowledge of divine and supernaturall truths hence God reveales them in his word hence faith sees them and assents to them because God hath spoken them to see and know things by vision is to see things in themselves intuitively and immediately but to see things by Faith is to see them by and in a testimony given of them Iohn 20.20 Blessed is he that hath not seen i. e. Christ immediately but beleeved i. e. his testimony and on him in it this assent therefore is in Faith for we must beleeve Christ before we can beleeve in him but this comprehends not the whole nature of faith I meane of that faith we are now speaking of viz. aâ— it unites us to Christ and possesseth us with Christ. For 1. This description placeth Faith onely in the understanding whereas t is also in the will as the words trusting rolling c. intimate 2. This assent is meerly generall without particular application which is ever in true faith Gal. 2.20 3. This is such a faith as the devils may have Iames 2.19 and reprobate men may have 2 Pet. 2.20 21. Heb. 10.26 There is a wilfull refusing of the known truth 4. It is the Papists ayme to vilifie faith hereby by describing it by that which is one ingredient in it but excluding that which is principall those phrases therefore of beleeving Christ to be come in the flesh 1 Iohn 4.3 and that he is the Sonne of God Mat. 16.16 as if this were the onely object of faith are not to be understood exclusively excluding other acts of faith which the Scripture in other places sets downe clearly but inclusively as supposing them to be contained herein for as we in our times describing faith by relying upon Christ for salvation do not exclude hereby our beleeving that he is the Messiah but we include it or suppose it because that is not now questioned the truth of the Gospel being so abundantly cleared so in those times they described Faith by one principall act to beleeve that he was the Sonne of God and come into the flesh because this was the maine and principall thing in question then and if the Lord had not set out faith by other acts in Scripture we should not vary from our compasse in such expressions in the Word in these dayes for their faith then is exemplary to us now but because the Word doth more fully set it out in more speciall acts hence we set it out also by them for t is evident as the Jews did beleeve in a Messiah to come so they did also beleeve and look for all good from him Iohn 4.25 He will teach us all things when he comes and therefore their faith did not confine it selfe to that historicall act that a Messiah should come or that this was the Messiah but they did expect and look for all good from him And hence the Apostle expounding this saying viz. beleeving that Christ is dead and risen againe wee shall hereby be saved If thou beleevest saith he with thine heart this truth thou shalt be
saved Now to beleeve with the heart as it doth not exclude assent so it necessarily includes the acts of the will and affections in relying upon him and comming to him And hence when Peter had made that confession Acts 16.16 Christ tells him Thou art Peter i. e. a stone resting upon the rock as some good Interpreters expound it and therefore Peters faith did not exclude these principall acts of resting on Christ cleaving to Christ but did include and suppose them 2. Some run into another extreame and make faith nothing else but a perswasion or assurance that Christ dyed for me in particular or that he is mine That which moves some thus to think is the universall redemption by the death of Christ they know no ground or bottome for faith but this Proposition Christ dyed for thee and hence make Redemption universall And hence the Arminians boast so much of their Quod unusquisque tenetur credere c. But 1. This is a false bottome for Christ hath not dyed for all because he hath not prayed for all Iohn 17. 2. T is a sandy bottome and foundation which when a Christian rests upon it shakes under him when the soule shall think though Christ hath dyed for me yet no more for me then for Iudas or thousands of reprobates now in hell Indeed after faith a Christian is bound to beleeve it as Paul did Gal 2.20 1 Cor. 15.1 2. I conceive therefore those holy men of ours who have described Faith by Assurance have not so much aymed at a description of what Faith is in it selfe as it possesseth us with Christ but of what degree and extent it may be and should be in us they describe it therefore by the most eminent act of it in full assurance and therefore consult with the Authors of this description and enquire of them Is there no doubting mixt with faith Yes say they mans doubtings sometimes are even unto a kind of despaire but then say they it should not be thus The Papists commend doubtings and deny assurance place faith in a generall assent our champions that were to wrastle with them maintained it to be a particular application and not onely a generall assent and that with a ful assurance of perswasion which being the most eminent act of faith excludes not other inferiour acts of it which as they are before it so may possesse the soule with Christ without it Although withall it is certaine that there is no true faith but it hath some assurance of which afterward Let me now come to the explication of the description given where note these five things 1. The efficient cause of Faith it is a work of the Spirit 2. The subject or matter in which it is seated viz. the soule of an humble sinner 3. The forme of it viz. the comming of the whole soule to Christ. 4. The end of it viz. for Christ and all his benefits 5. The speciall ground and means of it viz. the Call of Christ in his Word 1. The efficient cause of Faith Faith is a gracious work of the Spirit of Christ the Spirit therefore is the efficient cause or principall workman of faith the Spirit doth not beleeve but causeth us to beleeve t is not principium quod the principle which doth beleeve but principium quo the principle by which we doe the soules of all the elect especially when humbled are of all other things most unable to beleeve nay look as before compunction and humiliation Satan held the soule captive chiefly by its lusts and sinnes so now when the Lord hath burnt those cords and broken those chaines all the powers of darknesse strengthen themselves and keep the soule under mightily by unbeliefe What doe you tell me of mercy saith the soule t is mercy which I have continually resisted desperately despised why doe you perswade me to beleeve Alas I cannot t is true all that which you say is true if I could beleeve but I cannot see Christ I cannot come at Christ I seek him in the meanes but he forsakes me there and I am left of God desolate and here beloved the soule had not formerly so many excuses for its sinne as now it hath clouds of objections against beleeving the Spirit therefore takes fast hold of the soules of all the elect drawes them unto Christ and therefore it is called the spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 and that by an omnipotent and irresistable power Esay 53.1 Who hath beleeved and to whom is the arme of the Lord revealed that the soule must and shall beleeve now Compell them to come in saith the Lord of the Supper Luke 14.23 This the Arminians will not beleeve for say they the Question is not Whether we are enabled to beleeve by grace but Wheâ—her it be after this manner and by this meanes viz. modo irresistibile Consider therefore these Reasons to cleare this point 1. Whence doth our call and comming to Christ arise but from Gods immoveable and unchangeable purpose the Lord therefore must either alter his purpose or prevail with the soule to beleeve and over-power the heart thereunto 2. Is not Christ Jesus bound by office promise to his Father to bring in all his lost scattered sheep that so the Father and he may be glorified in them Iohn 10.16 Other sheep I have those I must bring home and they shall heare my voice You that complaine you cannot beleeve nay that you have no heart to beleeve the Lord must fetch you in and you shall heare the Bride-groomes voice with joy 3. Is not the act of beleeving wrought by a creating power Eph. 1.9 Eph. 2.10 Esay 57.18 19. I create the fruit of the lips peace peace to him that is near and a far off and is not a creating voice irresistible though there be nothing for it to work upon so though you have no ability heart head or strength to beleeve yet the Lord will create the fruit of the lips of Gods messengers Peace Peace 4. Doth not the Lord let in that infinite and surpassing sweetnesse of grace when he works the soule to beleeve standing in extreame need of that grace that it cannot but come and cleave to it Psal. 63.2 3. I long to see thee saith David for thy loving kindnesse is better then life is it possible for a man not to cleave to his life much more to that which is better then life the light is so cleare it cannot but see and wonder at grace the good is so sweet it cannot but tast and accept what God so freely offers and therefore the poor Canaanitish woman Mat. 15. could not be driven away though Christ bid her in a manner be gone but she made all the objections against her arguments for her as usually faith doth when under this stroake of the Spirit The violent take the Kingdome of heaven by force the Spirit puts a necessity upon them and irresistibly overpowers them and this is the cause
of it And is not this matter of great consolation to all those who feele themselves utterly unable to beleeve you think the Lord would give peace and pardon life and mercy if I could beleeve oh consider the Lord hath undertaken in the Covenant of Grace to worke in all his the condition of the Covenant as well as to convey the good of it Ier. 31.31 32 33 34. He hath done this for others by an irresistible power Heb. 12.1 2. Look up to Jesus the author and finisher of your faith he came out of his Fathers bosome not onely to give life by his death but to enable his to eat and close with him by Faith that they might never dye Iohn 6.50 so that the Lord may work it in thee it is true also he may not yet it is unspeakable comfort to consider that if the Lord had put it over unto thee to beleeve it is certaine thou shouldst never have beleeved but now the work is put into the hand of Christ that which is impossible to thee is possible nay easie with him hee can comprehend thee when thou canst not apprehend him this is exceeding sweet when thy body is sick and soule is deserted incredible things to be beleeved are propounded an impossible work to thy weaknesse urged upon paine of Gods sorest and most unappeasable wrath to consider it is not in me but in the Lords owne hand and it is his office his glory to work faith and as the Apostle speakes to shew mercy unto them that are shut up not onely under sinne but also unbeleefe Rom. 11.32 But why hath the Lord made thee feele thy inability to beleeve truly the end of our wants is not to make us sin and shift for our selves but to aske and seek for supply and the end of the continuance of those wants is that we should continue to aske and seek And dost thou thinke thou shalt seek to the Lord by his owne hand to create faith and fetch thee in and will not the Lord take his time to work it He that beleeves saith the Apostle Rom. 10.11 shall not bee ashamed why so because the Lord saith he who is over all is rich unto all that call upon him verse 12. If thou hast not a heart shut up from asking of it the Lord who hath power hath not a heart shut up towards thee from working it But withall be thankfull exceedingly all you whose hearts the Lord hath drawne and overcome he came to his owne people the Jewes and would oft have gathered them but they would not and therefore he forsook them and left their habitations desolate oh how oft would the Lord have gathered you and you would not yet the Lord hath not forsaken you but called you in whether you would or no the Lord hath taken many a man at his first word and left him at the first repulse shaken off the dust of his feet against him presently Mat. 10.14 without any more intreaties to accept of him yet though thou hast not only refused but even crucified the Sonne of God yet hee hath not been driven from thee but his bowels have been oft kindled together when he hath been ready to give thee up when thou hast been under the hedges and in the high-wayes that lead to death didst never think of him nor didst desire him yet hee hath compelled thee to come in hee hath made thee feel suâ—h an extream need of him and made himselfe so exceeding sweet that thou hast not been able to resist his love but to cry out Lord thou hast overcome me with mercy I am not able to resist any more nay which is more wonderfull when thou hast been gathered and gone from him and lost thy selfe and him also againe and it may be hast bin offended at him yet he hath gone before thee into Galilee and gathered thee up when thou hast been as water spilt upon the ground what should be the cause of this but only this the work of faith lies upon him both to begin and finish he must gather in all his lost sheep and therefore hee hath put forth an irresistible power of his Spirit upon thy heart which must carry thee captive after him I am afraid my faith hath been rather presumption a work of my owne power then faith wrought by the Spirits power how may I discerne that If you are wrapt up in Gods Covenant if any promise be actually yours it is no presumption to take possession by faith of what is your owne dost thou seriously will Christ and resolve never to give the Lord rest untill he give thee rest in him then see Rev. 22.17 Whosoever will let him take of the water of life Dost thou thirst after Christ then read Esay 55.1 〈…〉 Iohn 7.37 If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink When Christ saw their faith Mat. 9.1 2. what said he Sonne be of good cheere thy sinnes be forgiven the word signifies be confident It is no presumption to beleeve pardon of sinnes now thou art come unto me not onely for the healing of thy body but especially for pardon of sinne It is the great sin of many Saints when they doe thirst and beleeve and come to Christ and so are under the promise of grace yet they think it presumption now to believe and take possession of all those treasures that be in Christ but look that the Lord should first make them feele and then they will beleeve whereas faith should now receive and drinke in abundantly of the fulnesse of Christ shall it be accounted presumption for any man to eat his owne bread and drink his owne drink and put on his owne cloathes the promise makes Christ and all his benefits your owne therefore it is no presumption to apply them Suppose you cannot find your selfe within any promise and you see no reason to beleeve onely you have the Lords call and command to beleeve doe you now in conscience and obedience to this command or to Gods invitation and intreaty in the Gospell beleeve because thou â—â—rest not dishonour God by refusing his 〈◊〉 thou dost therefore accept oâ— it this is no presumption unlesse obedience be presumption nay the most acceptable obedience which is the obedience of Faith Iohn 6.38 For what was the ground on which those 3000 beleeved Acts 2.38 39. c. Peter said Repent that you may receive remission of sinnes now what followes they that gladly received the word were baptized Oh that word repent i. e. as Beza expounds it return to God and come in was a most sweet word to them and therefore they received it this was no presumption either for Peter to exhort them to repent or for them to take the Lord as that godly man said at his first word I know there is a subjection to the Gospell arising only from slavish fear and carnall hopes Psal. 66.3 Psal. 18.44 this may bee in presumptuous reprobates but
there is a subjection arising from the sense of the sweetnesse and exceeding goodnesse of Gods call and promise Psal. 110.2 3. As a woman that is overcome with the words of her loving suitor the man is precious and hence his words are very sweet and overcome her heart to think why should such a one as I be lookt upon by one of such a place it is no presumption now but duty to give her consent so it is here when the Lord is precious and his words oh accept me oh come to me are exceeding sweet and hereupon out of obedience gladly yeelds up it selfe to the Lord takes possession of the Lord this is no more presumption then to sanctifie a Sabbath or to pray or heare the word because the Lords commands are herein very sweet If Repentance accompanies Faith t is no presumption to beleeve Many know they sinne and hence beleeve in Christ trust to Christ and there is an end of their faith but what confession and sorrow for sinne what more love to Christ followes this faith truly none nay their faith is the cause why they have none for they think If I trust to Christ to forgive them he will doe it and there is an end of the businesse Verily this hedge faith this bramble â—aith that catches hold on Christ and pricks and scratches Christ by more impenitency more contempt of him is meere presumption which shall one day be burnt up and destroyed by the fire of Gods jealousie Fie upon that faith that serves onely to keep a man from being tormented before his time Your sins would be your sorrowes but that your faith quiets you But if faith be accompanyed with repentance mourning for sin more esteem of Gods grace in Christ so that nothing breaks thy heart more then the thoughts of Christs unchangeable love to one so vile and this love makes thee love much and love him the more as thy sin increaseth so thou desirest that thy love may increase and now the stream of thy thoughts runne how thou mayst live to him that dyed for thee This was Maries faith who sate at Christs feer weeping washing them with her teares and loving him much because much was forgiven who though shee was accounted a presumptuous woman by Simon and Christ himselfe suffered in his thoughts for suffering of her to come so neare unto him yet the Lord himselfe cleares her herein and justifies her before God and men many a poor beleever thinks if I should beleeve I should but presume and spin a spiders web of Faith out of my owne bowels and hence you shall observe this not beleeving stops up the work of repentance mourning and love and all chearfull obedience in them and on the contrary if they did beleeve it would be with them as themselves think many times if I knew the Lord was mine and my sins pardoned oh how should I then blesse him and love him and wonder at him how would this break my heart before him c. now I say let all the world judg if that which thou thinkest would be presumption be not rebellion because it makes thee worse and stops up the Spirit of grace in thee Whereas that Faith which lets out those blessed springs of sorrow love thankfulnesse humblenesse c. what can it bee else but such a saving faith as is wrought by the Spirit because it lets in the Spirit more abundantly into a dry and desolate heart 2. The subject or matter of Faith This is the second thing in the description of Faith the soule of an humbled sinner is the subject or matter of Faith I doe not meane the matter out of which Faith is wrought for there is nothing in man out of which the Spirit begets it but that wherein Faith is seated I meane also the habit of Faith not the principle of it for that is out of man in the Lord Jesus who is therefore called our hope as wel as our strength the soule therefore is the subject of Faith called the heart Rom. 10.9 compared with Mat. 6.21 for we cannot goe or come to Christ in this life with our bodies we are here absent from the Lord 2 Cor. 5. but the soule can goe to him the heart can bee with him as the eye can see a 1000 miles off and receive the species or image of the things it sees into it so the soule inlightned by faith can see Christ a farre off it can long for choose and rest upon the Lord of life and receive the lively image of Christs glory in it 2 Cor. 3. ult If Christ were present upon earth the soule not the body onely could truly receive him Christ comes to his elect only by his Spirit and hence our spirits only are fit to receive him and close with him thousands heare Christ outwardly that inwardly are deafe to all Gods calls their spirits see not tast not feel not it is therefore the soule that is the subject of Faith and I say it is an humbled empty soule which is the subject for a full proud nbroken spirit cannot nay will not receive Christ as wee have proved and therefore Luke 14. the servant is commanded to bid the poore halt and blind and lame to come in they would not make excuses as others did they that were stung to death with fiery Serpents were the only men that the brasen Serpent was lifted up for them to look upon and so be healed Iohn 3.14 and therefore the promise doth not run If any man have wisdome let him aske it but if any man want wisdom Iames 1.5 so if any man want light life want peace pardon want Christ and his Spirit let them aske and the Lord will give away with your mony if you come to these waters to buy and take freely If any man would be wise let him be a foole saith the blessed Apostle an empty nothing a soule in a perishing helplesse hopelesse condition is the subject of faith such only feele their need of Christ are glad at the offer of Christ and therefore such only can and will receive Christ and come unto Christ by faith and truly if we had but hearts the consideration of this might be ground of great comfort confidence unto all Gods people whose soules come unto Jesus Christ for that which was in Thomas Iohn 21. is in all men naturally if we could see Christ with our eyes and feel him with our hands and embrace him as Mary did with our arms if we could heare himselfe speake we could then beleeve as they said if he will come from the Crosse so we say if he will come downe from heaven thus unto us we will then beleeve if we want this we fear we may be at last deceived because we want sense and cannot come to close with our eyes and hands the objects of our faith but oh consider this point we are made partakers of Christs life and salvation by him only yet
God yet within a little while after he gets into the Sanctuary of God and then loaths himselfe for such foolish and bruâ—ish thoughts and closeth with God againe saying Whom have I in heaven or earth but thee verse 25. All the out-runnings of the hearts of the faithfull and their disquietnesse of spirit thereby make them to returne to their rest againe and give them the more rest in the conclusion David was a Bird out of his nest for a time and therefore when he considered how the Lord had saved his eyes from teares his soule from hell returnes againe and saith Return to thy rest oh my soule Psal. 25.13 it is said his soule shall dwell at ease or as the word signifies shall lodge in goodnesse some hard work full of trouble some strong lust or sad temptation desertion affliction the Lord exerciseth the soule withall for some time and so long the soule is in heavinesse and much wearinesse of spirit as it is 1 Pet. 1.6 yet when this dayes work is done when the sin is subdued and the temptation hath humbled him then a beleevers soule shall lodge in goodnesse he shall have an easie bed and a soft pillow to rest on at night When have the faithfull sweeter naps in Christs bosome then after sorest troubles longest eclipses of Gods pleased face when doe their soules cleave closer to the Lord then when they are ready to forsake the Lord and the Lord them Certainly fire is wholly carryed upward when that which suppresseth it makes it at last break out into greater flame Peter falls from Christ yet he is Peter a stone cleaving most close unto Christ above all other the Apostles because his fall being greater his faith clave the closer to the Lord Christ for ever after it Solomons heart certainely never clave so unseparably unto the Lord as after his fall wherein he did more experimentally find and feele the emptinesse and vanity of those things wherein he did imagine before something was to be found but he that hath a double heart never enters into rest but the longer he lives the more common Christ his truth and promises grow they are but fading flowers whose beauty and sweetnesse affect him for a time but they wither before the Sun set and therefore the longer he lives the lesse savour he finds in these things and therefore takes lesse contentment therein the Lord Jesus and all his ordinances grow more flat and dry things to him and therefore though at first he might rejoyce as Iohns hearers Iohn 5 35. in these burning and shining lights yet it is but for a season at last he discovers himselfe not by a renewed returning to his rest but by a wearyish forsaking of it The Raven never returned to the Arke againe because it could live upon the floating carrion on the waters whereas the Dove finding no rest there returns againe Fourthly the end of Faith This is the fourth particular in the description of Faith The whole soule commeth to Christ For Christ and all his benefits and this is the end of Faith or of a beleevers comming unto Christ the end of faith is sometimes exprest by a generall word Life Iohn 5.40 but you must remember that hereby is meant the Lord of life first and so all the blessings of life The falsnesse and hypocrisie of Christs followers appeared in this Iohn 6.26 you seek me saith Christ for loaves that was their end as many a one in these dayes if they be in outward misery seek unto Christ for outward mercy corn in time of famine health in time of sicknesse peace upon any termes in time of warre and if they be in any inward distresse now they seek to Christ for comfort and quiet and so like many sick patients desire the Phisitian not to have him married to them but for some of his physick only to be healed by him but what saith our Saviour to these persons verse 27. Labour not for the meat that perisheth what should be the end of their labour then he tells them but for that bread that endures to everlasting life what is this bread see the 33. and 35. and 48. verses he tells them I am the bread of life seek for me therefore come for me and look as none can have life from the bread unlesse he first feed upon the bread it selfe so none can have any life or benefit from Christ that comes not first to Christ for Christ. Conceive of this thus God in Christ is the compleat object of faith under a double notion First as sufficient in being all we want unto us Secondly as efficient in communicating all to us and doing all for us In the first respect he is Elshaddai in his promisâ— in the second respect he is Iehovah Exod. 6.3 in making good his all-sufficient promise hence faith comes to him for a double end first that he would give himselfe and be all to it Secondly that he would communicate all his blessings and benefits also and so doe all for it For in the covenant of Grace the Lord doth not onely promise a new heart pardon of sinne with the rest of those spirituall benefits but also himselfe I will bee their God and they shall be my people Hâ—nce Faith comes first for that which the Lord principally promiseth viz. God himselfe and then for all the rest of those heavenly and glorious benefits and hence it is if any man come for Christ himselfe without his benefits and regard not the conveyance of them as the Familists at this day doe who abolish all inherent graces and some of them all ordinances because Christ is all to them or if any come for the benefits of Christ without Christ himselfe as many among our selves doe who never account themselves happy in him but onely by some abilities they receive from him neither of these come with a single eye nor fixe a right end in their closing with Christ you must first come for Christ himselfe and so for all his benefits For establishing your hearts in which truth consider these things 1. Consider what drives any man to Christ. Is not sense of wants one main thing now what are a christians wants when the Lord hath humbled him are they not first want of Christ and secondly of all the benefits of Christ viz. righteousnesse peace pardon grace glory Iohn 16.9 If therefore the soules of all the elect feel a want of both doth not Faith come to Christ for both Iohn 4.10 If thou knewest the gift of God i. e. the worth of him and thy want of him thou wouldest aske and hee would give thee water of life 2. What doth the Lord offer in the Gospell is it not first Christ himselfe and then all the benefits of Christ Isay 9.6 7. To us a Sonne is borne to us a Sonne is given in the receiving therefore of Christ by faith what should the soule aime at but that it may have the Sonne himselfe
and so all his benefits with him 3. Can any man have eternall life that not only hath not the benefits flowing from the Sonne but that wants the Son himselfe I am sure the Apostle expressely affirmes it 1 Iohn 5.12 He that hath the Son hath life he that hath not the Son hath not life Faith therefore must come for Christ himselfe as in marriage the woman consents first to have the man and so to have all other benefits that will necessarily follow upon this 4. The happinesse of all the Saints consists in two things First union to Christ Secondly communion with Christ. Faith therefore pitcheth first upon Christ himself that it may have sure and certaine union to him for our union is not unto any of the benefits flowing to us from Christ we are not united unto forgivenesse of sinnes nor peace of conscience nor holinesse c. but unto the person of the Son of God himselfe and then secondly commeth for the communication of all the benefits arising onely from union as Paul Phil. 3.9 10. esteems all things dung and losse first to be found in him that so he might have his righteousnesse in justification and feele the power of his death and resurrection in sanctification c. in one word Faith first buyes the pearle it self and then seeks to be inriched by it it finds the treasure of grace glory peace mercy favour reconciliation in Christ but then buyes the field it selfe that it may have the treasure also Mat. 13.44 the Lord Christs great desire is that all his might be with him to see his glory Iohn 17.24 and Faith desires first to have him and be for ever with him and so to partake of that glory the Lords great plot is first to perfect the Saints in Christ Col. 2.10 yee are compleat in him then to make them like to Christ by communicating life grace peace glory from him Col. 3.3 4. 1 Iohn 3.1 2. Faith therefore first quiets it selfe in him then seeks for life from him it comes first for Christ and then for all the benefits of Christ. Oh that this truth were well considered how would it discover abundance of rotten counterfâ—it faith in the world some seeking for peace and comfort and caâ—ching at promises without seeking first to have the person of Christ himselfe in whom only all the promises are Yea and Amen Others despising the benefits of Christ especially grace holinesse and life from him because say they Christ is all in all to them Ask them Have you any grace change of heart c. tush what doe you tell them of repentance and faith and holinesse they have Christ and that is sufficient they have the substance what should they doe now with shadowes of Ordinances Ministeries or Sacraments they have all graces in Christ why should they look either for being of or evidence from any grace inherent in themselves they have a living holy head but Christs body they say is a dry Skeleton a dead carcase and they are but dry bones is it so indeed then look that God should shortly bury thee out of his sight assuredly you that want and dâ—spise the bâ—nâ—fits comming from him shall never have part nor portion in him at the great day of Account Christ is a Saviour to save men from their sins not to save men and their sins Christ is King and Priest of his Church holy and separated from sinners Heb. 7.26 and if you have any part or portion in him he hath made you Kings and Priests also to God and his Father and hath not left you in your pollution but washt you from it in his owne blood Rev. 1.5 6. The law of God is written on the heart of Christ Psal. 40.8 with Heb. 10.5 6 7. and if ever hee wraps you up in the covenant of grace he will write his law in your hearts also Heb. 8.10 Let all deluded Familists tremble at this that in advancing Christ himselfe and free grace abolish and despise those heavenly benefits which flow from him unto all the elect Let others also mourne over themselves that have with much affection been seeking after Christs benefits peace of conscience holinesse of heart and life promises to assure them of eternall glory but have not sought first to embrace and have the person of the Lord Jesus himselfe Oh come come therefore unto the Lord Jesus for Christ himselfe and for all his benefits I say for All his benefits This is that which the Apostle prayes for with bended knees for the Ephesians that they might not take in a little but comprehend the height depth length bredth of Christs love that so they might be filled with all the fulnesse of God This is that which our Saviour expresly with much vehemency calls for Iohn 7.37 Let all that thirst come unto me and drinke not sip and taste a little as Reprobates and Apostates doe Heb. 6.4 5. but drinke and drinke abundantly as it is Cant. 5.1 And observe it that upon these very termes the Lord tenders grace and mercy Rom. 5.17 the Apostle doth not say They that receive alittle but abundance of grace shall reign by righteousnesse unto eternall life Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it Psal. 81.11 12. And most certainely this is one principall difference between the faith of the Elect and Reprobates and if I mistake not the principall the elect close with Christ for that end for which the Father offers him which is that they might possesse his Sonne and all his benefits and therefore come poore and empty for all the reprobate come not for all but for so much and no more then will serve their owne turne in misery they would have Christ to deliver them but what care they for spirituall mercies in trouble of conscience or after their foule falls into filthy lusts and sins they come to Christ to forgive them and comfort them but what care they for holinesse and a new nature some sinnes they would have Christ save them from but they regard not redemption from all they cannot come to Christ that all the powers of darknesse may be perfectly subdued that their owne sinnes and selves conceits and wills may be led away captive by this mighty Conquerour that Christ in all his authority grace peace life glory might be for ever advanced in them and by them It was Austins complaint in his time of many of his hearers that Christum assequi to have Christ was pleasing to them but sequi Christum to follow Christ this was heavy To close with Christs person is sweet to many but to close with his will and to come to him that he would give them a heart to lye under it this benefit they desire not All Christ is uselesse and needlesse but something from Christ is precious to them for the Lord Iesus sake beloved take heed of this delusion if any thing hath been bought for us at a deare rate and cost much if
It may be so yet it is said After two dayes he will revive us and the third day wee shall live in his sight and we shall know him if we follow on to know him verse 6. His goings forth are prepared as the morning it may be night for a time but the Sun of righteousnesse will arise gradually and gloriously upon thy soule Truly brethren when I see the curse of God upon many christians that are now grown full of their parts gifts peace comforts abilities duties I stand adoring the riches of the Lords mercy to a little handfull of poore beleevers not only in making them empty but in keeping of them so all their dayes and therefore come to the Lord poore empty naked nothing cursed in the sense of thy want of all things for all things and then receive with gladnesse yet boldnesse and holy confidence not only pardon of some sins but of all beleeve answer not to some prayers but all Embrace in thy bosome not some few promises but all It is a great case of conscience When may a christian take a promise without presumption as spoken to him and given to him in particular and the rule is very sweet but certaine when hee takes all the Scripture and embraceth it as spoken unto him hee may then take any particular proper promise boldly my meaning is when a Christian takes hold and wrastles with God for the accomplishment of all the promises of the New Testament when he sets all the commands before him as his rule and compasse and guide to walke after when he applyes all the threatnings to drive him nearer unto Christ the end of them this no hypocrite can doe this the Saints should doe and by this may know when the Lord speaks in any particular unto them go I say again therefore unto the Lord for all and in the sense of all your emptinesse be abundantly comforted that though you doe not find supply from Christ yet you come unto the Lord Christ for it it is a certaine rule you shall not alway want that good which you come to Christ to supply nor alway be mastered with that sinne which you come to Christ with to take away only then be sure you come for all otherwise you doe not come truly come first for Christ himselfe and then as I said for all his benefits To conclude this is the direct and compendious way of living by Faith so much urged and pressed of Gods servants for to live by faith properly is to live upon the promise in the want of the thing or to apprehend the thing in the promise Heb. 11.1 now the promises are not given to the elect immediately without Christ but first Christ is given i. e. offered in the Gospell and received by Faith and then with him all things also and therefore the Scripture runs thus Isay 55.1 2 3 4. Come unto the waters and drinke and then I will make an everlasting Covenant which containes all the promises even the sure mercies of David the Apostle expressely disputes the case and saith Where there is a Testament containing Evangelicall promises there must first bee the death of the Testator Heb. 9.15 16. to whom we must first come by Faith before we can have right to any promise Heb. 7. 22.25 and 10.16 17 18.22 Being justified by Faith now we have peace with God nay we have accesse to God nay now we are sure of standing now we hope in God and glory to come Rom. 5.1 2 3 4. all followes the first How shall a Christian therefore live by Faith truly first receive Christ and come to him for the end I mention and then thou maist be sure all other things shall be given to thee As for example dost want any temporall blessing suppose it be payment of debts thy dayly bread provision for thy family a comfortable yoake-fellow c. look now through the Scripture for promises of these things and let thy faith act thus If God hath given me Christ the greatest blessing then certainly he will give me all these smaller matters as may be good for me but the Lord hath given me Christ and therfore I shall not want Psal. 23.1 The Lord is my shepherd saith David what follows I shall not want there is the like reason in all other things suppose it be in case of protection from enemies if the Lord hath given me Christ to save me from hell then he will save me from these fleshly enemies much more you shal see Isa. 7. a promise given that Syria should not prevaile against Iudah they doubted of this how doth the Lord seek to assure them you shall see verse 14. it is by promising a Virgin shall conceive and beare a Sonne and his name shall be Emmanuell this is a strange reason yet you may see the reason of it if you consider this point so Isay 9.5 6. The oppressors rod shall be broken For unto us a Sonne is borne a Sonne is given By Faith they put to flight the Armies of Alients brake downe the walls of Jericho did wonders in the world What did they chiefly look to in this their faith you shall see Heb. 11.39 40. it was by respecting the promise to come and that better thing Christ Jesus himselfe which we now see with open face and therefore he concludes Heb. 12.1 2 3. Having such a cloud of witnesses that thus lived and dyed by faith let us look unto Iesus the Authour and finisher of ours The Prophet Habbakuk Hab. 2.5 affirmes that the just shall live by Faith What faith is that consult with the place you shall see it was in the promise of deliverance from the Chaldean tyranny yet the Apostle Paul applyes it to faith in Christs righteousnes and that truly because if their faith had not respected Christ himselfe in the first place they could never have expected any deliverance by the promise of deliverance from the Caldeans but thus they might 5. The speciall ground of Faith The last thing in the description of Faith is that the soule thus comes upon the call of Christ in his word and this is the speciall ground of Faith wherefore the soule comes to Christ take a sinner humbled and broken for sin he cannot prevent the Lord by comming of himselfe unto Christ and therefore the Lord prevents him by his gracious call and invitation to come in Whom God hath predestinated them hath he called our translation from darknesse into Gods marvellous light is by being called The soule is lost in humiliation the Lord Jesus who is come to save that which is lost seeketh it out in vocation or calling Sanctification is the restoring of us to the image of God we once had in Adam as corruption is the defacing of that image Vocation is the calling of the soule unto Christ this voyce Adam never heard of he did not need any call to come to Christ and therefore was immediately sanctified as
soone as he was made but wee need Vocation unto Christ before we can be sanctified by Christ we need this call to make us come to Christ to put us into Christ and therefore much more before we can receive any holinesse from Christ the ground of our coming by faith is Gods call 2 Thes. 2.13 14. chosen to salvation through sanctification the remote end of Vocation and beleefe of the truth the next end of it whereunto he hath called you there is the ground of it The explication of this call is a point full of many spirituall difficulties but of singular use and comfort to them that are faithfull and called I shall omit many things and explicate only those things which serve our purpose here in these three particulars 1. I shall shew you what this call is or the nature of it 2. The necessity of it 3. How it is a ground of coming and what kind of ground for Faith 1. The nature of this Call I shall open for your more distinct understanding in severall Propositions or Theses Our Vocation or Calling is ever by some word or voyce either outward or inward or both either ordinary or extraordinary by the ministery of men or by immediate visions and inspirations of God I speak not now of extraordinary call by dreames and visions and immediate inspirations as in Abraham and others before the Scriptures were penned and published nor of extraordinary call by the immediate voyce of Christ as in Paul and some other of the Apostles for these are ceased now Heb. 1.1 unlesse it be among people that want ordinary meanes and elect infants c. whose call must be more then by ordinary meanes because they want such means we speak now of ordinary call by the ministery of men 2. This voyce in ordinary calling home of the elect to Christ is not by the voyce of the Law for the proper end of that is to reveale sinne and death and to cast down a sinner but by the voyce of the Gospell bringing glad tidings written by the Apostles and preached to the world He hath called you by our Gospell These things are written that you might beleeve By the foolishnesse of preaching the Lord saves them that beleeve I meane preaching at the first or second rebound by lively voyce or printed Sermons at the time of hearing or in the time of deep meditation concerning things heard the Spirit indeed inwardly accompanies the voyce of the Gospell but no mans call is by the immediate voyce of the Spirit without the Gospell or the immediate testimony of the Spirit breathed out of free grace without the word Eph. 1.12 13. And therefore that a Christian should be immediately called without the Scripture and the Scripture only given to confirme Gods immediate promise as a Prince gives his letter to confirme his promise made to a man before as Valdesso would have it is both a false and dangerous assertion This voyce of the Gospell is the voyce of God in Christ or the voyce of Jesus Christ although dispensed by men who are but weak instruments for this mighty work sent set in Christs stead but the call the voice is Christs it s the Lords call Rom. 1.6 it is certaine some of the messengers of Christ called the Romans by the Gospell yet Paul saith they were called of Christ Iesus the dead heare his voyce and arise and live and when the time of calling comes they listen to it as his call and hence it is styled Heb. 3.1 because the Lord Christ from heaven speakes takes the written word into his owne lips as it were Cant. 1.1 2. and thereby piâ—rcâ—th through the eares to the heart through all the noyse of feares sorrowes objections against beleeving and makes it to be heard as his voyce the bowels of Christ now yerne toward an humbled lost sinner bleeding at his feet therefore can contain no longer but speaks and calls and makes the soule understand his voyce so that this call is not a mean businesse because the Lord Jesus himselfe now speaks whose voyce is glorious The substance of this call or the thing the Lord calls unto is to come unto him for there is a more common calling or as some tearme it a particular calling of men as some to be Masters or Servants 1 Cor. 7.24.20 21. or to office in Church or Common-wealth as Aaron Heb 5.4 and the voyce there is to attend unto their work to which they are called There is also a remote end of vocation which is to holinesse 1 Thes. 4.7 and unto glory also 2 Thess. 2.14 Phil. 3.14 but we now speak of more speciall calling the next end of which is to come unto Christ the soule hath lived many yeares without him the Lord Jesus will now have the lost prodigall to come home to come to him the soule is weary and heavy laden and the Lord Jesus could easily ease it without its comming to him but this is his will he must come to him for it Mat. 11.27 Ier. 3.7.22 I said after shee had done these things turne unto me come unto me ye backsliding children I le heale your back-slidings Jer. 4.1 If thou returnest returne unto me This voice Come unto me is one of the sweetest words that Christ can speak or man can heare full of Majesty mercy grace and peace a poor sinner thinks Will the Lord ever put up such wrongs I have offered him heale such a nature take such a viper into his bosome doe any thing for me if there be but one in the world to be forsaken is it not I the Lord therefore comes and calls Come unto mee and I will pardon all thy sins I will heale all thy back-slidings I will be angry no more Jer. 3.12.13 Though thou hast committed whoredome with many lovers yet returne unto me saith the Lord. Ier. 3.1 Though thou hast resisted my Spirit refused my grace wearied me with thine iniquities yet come unto me and this will make me amends I require nothing of thee else but to come for Gods call is out of free grace Gal. 1.6 and therefore calls for no more but only to come up and possesse the Lords fulnesse Luke 14.17 1 Cor. 1.9 This call to come is for substance all one with the offer of Christ which consists in three things 1. Commandement to receive Christ as present and ready to be given to it as when we offer any thing to another it is by commanding them to take it 1 Iohn 4.23 and this binds conscience to beleeve as you will answer for the contempt of this rich grace at the great day of account 2. Perswasion and intreaty to come and receive what we offer for in such an offer wherein the person is unwilling to receive and we are exceedingly desirous to give we then perswade so doth Christ with us 3. Promise to offer a thing without a promise of having it if we receive it is but a
other reason but because it is commanded and called to accept of it this puts an end unto all doubts all feares all discouragements and the soule answers as those Ier. 3.22 Behold we come for thou art the Lord our God As a man in great want of bread one comes and freely offers him bread to preserve his life the man takes it if you aske him Why doe you take it you are a poore fellow unworthy of it never did yet one houres work for it he answers T is true I am unworthy but yet because it is offered to me to preserve life I gladly take it the man doth not promise absolutely to me that this bread is mine and shall feed me but he tels me if I doe receive it it shall certainly be mine to feed me and this is the main ground of his receiving of it Just so it is in Faith Aske an humbled sinner Why doe you beleeve Why doe you take Christ as your owne Hath the Lord said absolutely that he is yours No saith the soule but the Lord freely offers himselfe unto me who am undone without him and saith if I doe receive him he shall be for ever mine to give life to me and therefore I thankfully accept of him this is the ground of Faith The Scripture sets out this in a lively similitude of a great Supper to which many were invited what was the ground of their comming to it Behold all things are ready if you come and eate they are not yours if you doe not come but if you come at my call and invitation then all things shall be yours And hence it is that they that came not were excluded they that came were received with welcome I know t is a question of some difficulty among some viz. Whether an absolute testimony of actuall favour and justification be not the first ground of Faith They that make Faith to be an absolute assurance of Gods favour must of necessity maintain this assertion and then these things will follow 1. That a Christian must be justified before he beleeve for the cause of Faith must goe before Faith This proposition Thou art justified reconciled is according to this assertion the cause of faith for no proposition can therefore be true because we are perswaded that it is true but it must be first true before I am perswaded of it the wall is not white because my eye sees it so but it must first be white and then I see it so Now to make actuall justification before faith is crosse to the whole current of Scripture We beleeve that we might be justified Gal. 2.16 we are not justified that we might beleeve We passe from death to life by faith Iohn 5.24 we are not in a state of life before faith When the Lord Iesus saw their faith Mat. 9.2 he then said Be of good comfort thy sinnes are forgiven thee The Word saith He that beleeveth not is condemned already Iohn 3.18 and therefore unlesse the Spirits witnesse be crosse to the Word it doth not say to one that beleeveth not that he is absolved already To be justified by faith and to be justified by Christs righteousnesse is all one in the Scriptures phrase and meaning Gal. 2.16 17. Add therefore we may as well say that we are justified before and without Christ as before and without faith And indeed this doctrine of being justified by faith and by this meanes to have remission of sinnes the Apostle Peter affirms to be the doctrine of all the Prophets Acts 10.43 To him give all the Prophets witnesse that whosoever beleeve in him shall receive remission of sinnes not that they had remission of sinnes before they did beleeve I know not any one Protestant Writer that maintaines our justification before and without faith except learned Chamier who not knowing how to avoid the blow of Bellarmines horned argument that if Faith be an assurance of our actuall justification then we are first justified before we beleeve he affirmes we are justified before faith and therefore that when the Scripture saith we are justified by faith the reason of that saith he is not because our faith doth efficere justificationem i. e. is a cause meaning instrumentall of our justification but because efficitur in justificato i. e. is wrought in a justified person but if that be the reason of the phrase we may affirme our justification to be as well by love and sanctification and holy obedience as by faith because these are wrought in a justified person also Then no mans ministry nor the doctrine delivered by the faithful Ministers of Christ froÌ„ out of the Scriptures can be any ground of faith for before faith no Minister of Christ can say to any man in particular or any men in generall that they are already justified and reconciled and therefore beleeve it but to deny that doctrine which is opened out of the Scriptures by the Ministers of Christ to be the ground of Faith is expresly crosse to the testimony of Scriptures and the end of the Ministery and of the messengers of Christ who have the keyes of office given to them that what they bind on earth is bound in heaven what they loose on earth is loosed in heaven whose sins they remit they are forgiven whose sins they retain they are retained Mat. 16.16 Ioh. 20.23 Most excellent for this purpose is the Apostles dispute Rom. 10. You need not go up to heaven nor down to hell to fetch Christ himselfe to tell you whether you shall be justified and saved ver 6 7. For the word is nigh them verse 8. that opens Christs heart unto thy heart But what word might some say is this Is it not the internall word of the Spirit onely The Apostle answers It is that word which we preach hereby you shall know whether you shall live or no but what is that word Paul preached is it not an absolute testimony that all your sins are already pardoned by Christ and therefore beleeve it No but If thou beleevest with thine heart that God raised up Christ from the dead thou shalt be saved vers 9.11 12. What can be more full yet consider tâ—at one place more Iohn 17.20 I pray for all them that shall beleeve on me through their word What is the ground or meanes of beleeving in Christ It is said here expresly Their word Is it not the word of Christ rather then the word of the Apostles and of their successors in the doctrine they delivered is it their word Truly that which thâ—y delivered was the word of Christ and that which is opened from their doctrine in the Scriptures is the word of Christ yet as they open it and apply it so t is their word and this Word is the ground by which all that Christ prayes for doe beleeve in Christ the bare Word I grant cannot perswade without the Spirit yet the Spirit will not give ground to Faith without the Word but as
by it so upon it will build the souls of all the elect who are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ being the chief corner-stone Eph. 2.20 How can they beleeve without a Preacher Rom. 10.14 3. Then when wicked men and reprobates are commanded to beleeve as they are commanded Iohn 3.19 Luk. 14.17 Iohn 6.38 Heb. 4.2 they are commanded to beleeve a lye viz. that their sinnes are pardoned and they actually justified for if this testimony be the ground of faith then when they are commanded to beleeve they are commanded to be perswaded of this testimony But the sinnes of wicked men especially Reprobates are not nor never shall be forgiven and therefore this cannot be the ground of Faith 4. Then the Spirit of adoption which witnesseth that God is our Father and that we are his sonnes reconciled to him goes before faith but the Apostle expresly denyes this Ye are the children of God by faith Gal. 3.26 And because ye are sonnes he hath sent unto you the spirit of sonnes crying Abba Father Gal. 4.6 5. If such a testimony should be the first ground of faith then no man should beleeve but he that hath such a testimony antecedent to his faith but this is crosse to the Scripture Esay 50.10 He that sits in darknesse and sees no light let him stay himselfe upon his God When Ionah is cast out of Gods sight to his owne feeling yet he is bound to look againe unto the Temple 6. This absolute testimony is either the testimony of the Word or of the Spirit Not of the Word as is proved If of the Spirit then let it be considered whether that can be the testimony of the Spirit which is not according to the Word nay contâ—ary to the Word for the Word to say none are justified before faith for the Spirit to testifie some are justified before faith If it be said that the Spirit doth not witnesse these to any man before and without faith but yet it is without respect unto or shewing a man his faith for those that exclude Sanctification from being any evidence they meane Faith as well as any other renewed work of holines and so exclude that also then I say the testimony of the Spirit which of it selfe is exceeding cleare is an obscure and dark testimony because it cleares up the praedicate of this Proposition thou beleever art justified it witnesseth to a man thou art justified but cleares not up the subject of it viz. thou beleever it makes a man beleeve a testimony without understanding the full meaning of it for the Spirit testifying to any man thou art justified his meaning is thou beleever art justified and I doe beseech the God and Father of all lights that his poore people may be led into the truth in this particular for want of establishment here you little think how many delusions you may fall into about your spirituall condition I remember that when Satan came to overthrow the Faith of Christ in his second temptation Mat. 4.6 he brought a promise out of the Scriptures to him because he saw hee held close to them verse 4. and by this promise sought to lead him into temptation how so observe the text and see if it was not by hiding part of the meaning of the promise from him and in speciall that very condition required in the person to whom the promise is made for he tells him that if he cast himselfe downe headlong the Lord hath not only said it but writ it He shall give his Angells charge over him to keep him from dashing his foot against a stone whereas if you consult with the place whence it is cited viz. Psalme 91.11 The condition is set downe in all thy wayes which hee purposely hides from our Saviour as much as in him lay Oh take heed therefore of receiving any testimony from Word or Spirit without the meaning of it without knowing the person thus and thus qualified to whom it belongs otherwise Satan will hurry you headlong to a world of delusions and you shall find the word of God appointed to direct you through your mis-application of it the word of Satan to deceive and damne you doe not think that this is building faith upon works but to beleeve that they that believe in Christ are justified reconciled and saved is building faith upon Gods promise yea and his free promise too for saith the Apostle It is of faith that it might be of grace Rom. 4.16 It is believing to have the end by the meanes not the end without the mean of Faith It is true we may see Gods favour and love to us in the cause as well as in the effects of sanctification but what is that cause the meritorious cause is Christs righteousnesse and the instrumentall cause of applying this is our Faith so that as we are justified by faith so seeing this we may say assuredly with Paul Being justified by faith wee have peace with God Rom. 5.1 It is true we cannot see our justification by saith nor the work of Faith without the shining of the Spirit into our hearts but the question is not whether the Spirit helps us to see our justified estate but by what meanes by what Proposition in the word wee come to see it which we say is not by any such absolute testimony thou art justified already and therefore believe but if thou believe and come to Christ here is then pardon of sinne peace with God yea all the blessings of Christ ready for thee which God intends to give and never to take away if thou thankfully receive what God freely offers and as it were layes downe at thy feet The call of Christ therefore is the ground by which wee first believe and that you may be confirmed farther herein doe but consider the glory and excellency of this ground It is a constant ground of faith for if you come to Christ because you have assurance or because you feel such and such graces and heavenly impressions of Gods Spirit in you you may then many a day and yeare keep at a distance from Christ and live without Christ for the feeling of graces and assurance of favour are not constant but this call is alway sounding in thine yeares oh come not only because thou feelest holinesse in thee but come because poore hungry empty naked lost blind cursed forsaken full of sin there is not one moment of the day of grace but the Lord beseecheth thee to receive his grace 2 Cor. 6.1 2 3. this is an open door to Christ at all times an open harbour to put in at in all storms a heart-breaking word oh thou tossed with tempests and not comforted come unto me and thou shalt find rest to thy soule Many aske how should I come to Christ seeing that I have no promise belonging to me what have dogges to doe with childrens bread be it so yet Gods call command beseechings to come in
think the Lord pardons your sinnes because you have been lesse sinners then others or if you think the Lord will not pardon your sinnes because you are greater sinners then any else you sin exceedingly against the riches of Gods grace in this point What is the meane by which the Father doth thus justifie T is for the satisfaction or by the price of the redemption of Christ Rom. 3.25 Rom. 5.10 Eph. 1.7 for Mercy would but Justice could not forgive without satisfaction for the wrong done Hence Christ satisfies that Grace and mercy might have their full scope of forgiving So that neither works before conversion which are but glistering sins Rom. 1.18 nor works of grace in us after conversion can be causes of our Justification for Abraham when he was justified and sanctified yet had not whereof to boast but beleeved in him that justified the ungodly Rom. 4.5 And the Apostle Paul saith expresly We that believe have beleeved that we might be justified Gal. 2.16 t is therefore the price of Christs redemption which doth procure our justification But understand this aright for this price is not applyed to each particular man as the common price redeeming all for then every Beleever should be accounted a saviour and redeemer of all but as the price of those soules in particular to whom it is specially intended and particularly applyed Christs righteousnesse is sufficient to justifie all to whom it is imputed but it is no further imputed then to the attaining the end of imputation viz. to justifie and save me in particular not to make me a head of the Church or a common Saviour it argues a man weakly principled that denies the necessity of Christs satisfaction to our Justification because forsooth every Beleever should then be a Redeemer By Satisfaction I understand the whole obedience of Christ unto the very death which is both active and passive by which we are justified Heb. 10.10 Phil. 2.8 that righteousnesse of Christ wrought in his satisfaction is imputed which satisfies the Law and divine Justice Gal. 4.1 2 3 4. which is both active and passive the very reason why the Law requires perfect obedience of us which we cannot possibly bring before God is that wee might seek for it in Christ that fulfilled all righteousnesse and therefore he is called the end of the Law for righteousnesse Rom. 10.3 4. And it is strange that any should deny Justification by Christs active obedience upon this ground viz. because that by the works of the Law which satisfy the Law shall no sinner be justified and yet withall say that we are justified by that which satisfies the Law This righteousnesse of Christ is not that of the God-head for then what need was there for Christ to doe or suffer but that which was wrought in the Man-hood And hence it is finite in it selfe though infinite in value in that it was the righteousnesse of such a person This righteousnesse of God-man may be considered two wayes First absolutely in it selfe Secondly respectively as done for us 1. Christs absolute righteousnesse is not imputed to us viz. as he is Mediatour Head of the Church having the Spirit without measure which is next to infinite c. for though these things are applyed for our good yet they are not imputed as our righteousnesse and therefore the objection vanisheth which saith we cannot be justified by Christs righteousnesse because it is of such infinite perfection 2. The respective or dispensative righteousnesse which some call justitia fidejussoria is that whereby Christ is just for us in fulfilling the Law in bearing Gods Image we once had and have now lost by sin and thus we are truly said to be as righteous as Christ by imputation because hee kept the Law for us and here observe that the question is not whether all that Christ did and had is imputed to us as our righteousnesse but whether all that he did pro nobis for us as a surety in fulfilling the Law be not for substance our righteousnesse and therefore to think that we are not justifyed by Christs righteousnesse because then we are justifyed by his working of miracles preaching of Sermons which women are not regularly capable of is but to cast blocks before the blind so that though Christ doth not bestow his personall wisdome and justice upon another yet what hinders but that that which Christ doth by his wisdome and righteousnesse for another the same should stand good for him for whom it is done for thus it is in sundry cases among men Christs essentiall righteousnesse infinite wisdome fulnesse of spirit without measure c. is not imputed to us yet these have conspired together to doe that for us and suffer that for us by which we come to bee accounted righteous before God hee shall be called the Lord our righteousnesse Ier. 23.6 This righteousnesse therefore imputed to us justifies us Rom. 5.18 we are said to be made the righteousnesse of God in him not the righteousnesse of God whereby he is just but whereby we are just opposed to the righteousnesse of man which is called our owne righteousnesse Rom. 10.3 Rom. 1.17 Not righteousnesse from him as the Papists dreame but righteousnesse in him nor remission by Christ only but righteousnesse in Christ this imputed justifies as sin imputed condemnes Who are the persons the Lord doth justifie They are beleevers we are justifyed by faith Rom. 5. or for Christs righteousnesse apprehended by faith Phil. 3.9 it is by faith not as a work of grace but as by an instrument appointed of God for this end Christ did not dye that our sins should be actually and immediately pardoned but mediately by Faith Iohn 3.16 Iohn 17.20 and the Lord in wisdome hath appointed this as the only means of applying righteousnes because this above all other graces cast down all the righteousnesse of man in point of justification and so all cause of boasting and advanceth grace and mercy only Rom. 3.27 Rom. 4.16 Rom. 4.5 Rom. 9.30 31 32. the faithfull account themselves ungodly in the businesse of justification and thence it is said that Abraham though a godly man in himselfe yet beleeved in him that justifies the ungodly he only is righteous whom God pronounceth and saith is righteous Now Faith above all other graces beleeves the word and a Beleever saith I beleeve I am righteous before God not because I feele it so in my selfe but because God saith I am so in his Son so that you are not justified before you beleeve nor then only when you have performed many holy duties but at the first instant of your closing with Christ you are then to see it and by Faith to admire Gods rich grace for it What is the extent of this sentencâ— The description saith that Christs satisfaction thus applyed the Father doth two things 1. He absolves them from all guilt and condemnation of sin so that in this sense