sincere milke of the Word that yee may grow thereby This is confirmed by the comparisons which are vsed to set forth the vse and profit of the word as it is resembled to the light raine deaw liuing water wine and milke By the titles which are giuen vnto it as it is called the word of this life the word of this saluation and by the passages of Scripture which testifie that the word is able to saue our soules And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you vp and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified For after that in the wisdome of God 1. Cor. 1.21 1. Tim. 4.16 the world by wisdome knew not God it pleased God by the foolishnesse of preaching to saue them that belieue Take heed vnto thy selfe and vnto the doctrine continue in them for in doing this thou shalt both saue thy selfe and them that heare thee Iames 1.21 Wherefore lay apart all filthinesse and superfluitie of naughtinesse and receiue with meeknesse the engrafted word which is able to saue your soules This also is manifest of the Sacraments And Sacraments which be truly called a visible word because that which is spoken in the word to the eare is in visible signes represented to our eyes and sealed to our hearts that wee may bee the more assured of them to bee ours And were purposely ordained of God to helpe our weake faith that hauing his word and seale wee might be put out of doubt that wee shall as certainly bee made partakers of Christ himselfe and all his benefits as we are of the outward signes of his couenant What the Apostle saith of Circumcision that is true of Sacraments in generall Rom. 4.11 They are seales of the righteousnesse of faith or of the couenant of grace And for the better assurance of the belieuer that receiuing the outward signe as he ought hee shall be partaker of the thing signified very oft that which properly belongs to the thing sealed is giuen to the outward signe as that Baptisme saueth 1 Pet. 3.21 Acts 22.16 Col. 2.12 Rom. 6.3 that our sinnes are washed away in Baptisme and that wee are buried with Christ by Baptisme And the like of the Lords Supper when our Lord Iesus did ordaine it he speaking of the Bread said This is my Bodie Math. 26.26 28 and of the Wine This is my Bloud of the New Testament These promises are firme grounds whereupon the faithfull soule may build this affiance that by the sincere and conscionable vse of Gods holy Ordinances the Word and Sacraments he shall be made wise vnto saluation confirmed in faith strengthened in grace refreshed with ioy and comfort and perfected vnto euerlasting happinesse And the serious meditation and remembrance of these things is exceeding profitable to quicken and encourage vnto chearefull and constant attendance vpon God in his ordinances that so wee may in due season reape the sweet fruit thereof Prou. 8.34.35 Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates waiting daily at the posts of my doores For who so findeth me findeth life and shall obtaine fauour of the Lord. Did Christians oft and earnestly breathe themselues in meditation on those great things that God offereth in the Gospell and his truth and faithfulnesse to make good whatsoeuer he hath spoken Did they set before them both the mercie of God in ordaining the Sacraments for the strengthening of their faith and his grace and faithfulnesse in bestowing vpon them freely that which hee offereth and sealeth vnto them in these outward seales Did they consider what he graciously promiseth in both and expect to be made partakers of them in the vse of those ordinances it would maruellously comfort and quicken to the diligent vse of all holy meanes ordained of God for our present comfort quickening and strengthening and for our euerlasting saluation It s necessarie to liue by faith in the vse of Gods Ordinances This faith is necessary for it auaileth not to liue vnder the Gospell and to be present at the administration of the Sacraments if they be not vsed in faith The word profiteth not Heb. 4.2 vnlesse it bee mingled with faith in them that heare it And the same may bee said of receiuing the Sacraments Faith is the eye the hand the mouth the stomacke of the soule by it wee see receiue feed vpon Christ Looke as at a feast though the Table be neuer so richly furnished yet if a man haue neither hand mouth nor stomacke he is not fed thereby so is it here Nor is it sufficient to haue faith but it must be exercised to receiue that grace which the word of God doth reach vs with the seale It is not the hauing but the new exercise of faith which maketh vs profitable hearers of the word worthy receiuers of the Sacrament Looke as a man may haue a hand and yet if when a thing is reached forth to him he doe not put it out nothing is receiued so we may haue the grace of faith and yet if when God reacheth vs the body and bloud of his Christ we doe not then awaken it to lay hold on the grace God offereth we shall goe away without receiuing it Or looke as at a feast though wee haue a mouth and there be plentifull prouision if we will not open it and take downe the sustenance before vs we shall rise emptie so though wee haue the mouth of faith yet if we doe not open it to God now offering to feed vs we shall not get a crume of grace The Acts of faith be these or the like The Acts of faith in the vse of Gods Ordinances First It teacheth to worship the true God purely to esteeme approue and exercise that worship and that alone which hee prescribeth for faith looketh to the reuealed will of God as the rule of all acceptable seruice and to the promises as the grounds of comfort and good successe It tenders vnto God what he requireth Esay 8.20 and looketh vnto God to receiue what he is pleased hath promised to giue But God will not accept that worship Deut. 12.32 Esay 29.13 Math. 15.9 Ier. 7.31 which he hath not appointed nor worke effectually by the diuices of men No pietie comfort or true deuotion is or can be stirred vp by humâ—ne traditions for as they are destitute of commandement for their rule so are they of promise that God will kindle or quicken by them any sparkle of knowledge faith inuocation thankfulnesse or other sauing motions of heart Secondly It delighteth greatly to behold the face of God â—n his sanctuarie Psal 102.4 1. Chron. 16.11 Psal 27.8 Psal 42.2 Psal 63.1.2 When thou saidest Seeke yee my face my heart said vnto thee Thy face Lord will I seeke When shall I come and appeare before God O God thou art my God early will
that my lips may sing of thy prayse all the day long Fourthly He must comfort his heart in the certaintie of Gods Word though for the present he feele no comfort Returne vnto thy rest O my soule for the Lord will deale bountifully with thee His Word is gone forth in truth waite a little while and thou shalt behold the light of his countenance The Lord deferreth to grant the comfort of forgiuenesse Why God deferreth to grant the profit of forgiuenesse that hee might confirme faith traine thee vp in obedience trie thy patience preserue his graces and doe thee good in the later end Thou art alreadie blessed because the grant of pardon is sealed and receiued the sence of deliuerance pertaineth to the execution which for a little season is deferred that it may bee perfected with greater glory to God and comfort to thy selfe Blessed bee the Lord who hath turned away his eyes from my transgressions but hath not turned away his mercy from me Reioyce in the Lord O my soule againe I say reioyce for he hath couered thine iniquities and purged away thy sinne that thou shalt not die Oh the blessednesse of that man whose iniquities are forgiuen to whom the Lord imputeth no sinne Fiftly Thus faith is daily to be preserued and quickened vnto which it is not vnprofitable to adde some thoughts concerning the blessednesse of the Man whose debts are cancelled out of Gods Booke the grace and loue of God who vouchsafeth to shew compassion herein the price that was payed to diuine Iustice that grace might iustly conferre this blessing vpon them that belieue These things may serue to quicken the heart in the consideration of this mercie CHAP. III. What it is to liue by faith touching the promises of Sanctification and how to stirre vp our selues thereunto Of the promises of sanctification THe next spirituall promises of things absolutely necessarie to saluation are concerning Sanctification or the killing of sinne and quickening vs to newnesse of life by the continued infusion of holinesse and renouation of our hearts according to Gods Image and to the enabling vs to walke in new obedience according to couenant And this is signified by the generall tearmes of subduing sauing washing cleansiâ—g and purging from sinne and iniquitie Mic 7.18 19. Who is a God like vnto thee that pardoneth iniquitie and passeth by the trangression of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for euer because hee delighteth in mercy He will turne againe he will haue compassion vpon vs hee will subdue our iniquities and thou wilt cast all their sinnes into the depths of the Sea Math. 1.21 He shall saue his p ople from their sinne which as it is true in the matter of our Iustification for the forgiuenesse of our sinne so also in the point of Sanctification for deliuering vs from the power of sinne And so are the like generall speeches to be vnderstood Iohn 1 29. 1 Iohn 2.2 1 Iohn â— 7 that Christ is the Lambe of God which takâ—th away the sinnes of the world that he was manifested to take away our sinnes that the bloud of Christ clenseth vs from all sinne Apoc. 1.5 that hee loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his owne bloud And this is that which the Lord of his free mercie promised to effect for his Church and people Esay 4.3 4. And it shall come to passe that he that is left in Zion and he that remaineth in Ierusalem shall be called holy euen euery one that is written among the liuing in Ierusalem When the Lord shall haue washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and shall haue purged the bloud of Ierusalem from the midst thereof by the Spirit of Iudgement and by the spirit of burning Now seeing we haue such promises from God it followeth necessarily that a Christian is allowed to belieue A Christian is allowed to beleeue these promises that God of his free grace in Christ will purge him from the filthy remainders of sinne and renew him more and more after his owne Image in righteousnesse and true holinesse In the couenant of grace which God made with his people hee promiseth to take away their hearts of stone Ezek. 11.19 Ier. 31.33 32.40 Ezek. 36.26 27 and to giue them hearts of flesh to put his law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts to put his feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from him and to giue them a new heart and to put his Spirit within them But what God promiseth faith receiueth It is no presumption but true obedience to assure our selues from God of whatsoeuer hee hath past his promise and entred into band and couenant freely to giue The burdened are inuited to come vnto Christ for ease and the thirstie for refreshing Is any man dried withered and burnt vp for lacke of the sap and moisture of grace the fountaine is set open vnto him hee may come and drinke to the satisfying of his soule If any man thirst Reuel 22.17 Iohn 7.37 Verse 38. let him come vnto me and drinke He that belieueth on me as the Scripture saith out of his belly shall flow riuers of liuing water Christ is the fountaine of grace and the well of life euer-flowing and euer full John 1.16 Col. 1.19 Ephes 1 23. Col. 3.10 11. Col. 2.10 of whose fulnes euery Belieuer doth receiue grace for grace who filleth all in all who is all in all in whom wee are compleate filled with all heauenly graces which serue to remoue euill or set vs in state of blessednesse There is no grace but from Christ no communion with Christ but by faith From Christ we receiue to belieue and from him belieuing we daily sucke the life of grace Christ is made vnto vs of God Wisdome and Sanctification 1. Cor. 1.30 as well as Righteousnesse and Redemption and as it is our dutie to belieue in Christ for pardon of sinne so to embrace him by faith for sanctification and to bee filled with his gifts of grace in our measure Christ by his bloud hath purchased for his people all spirituall blessings in heauenly things Apoc. 1.5 Ephes 1.3 2. Pet. 1.3 euen all thâ—ngs that pertaine to glory in the world to come and to liue godly in this present world But what Christ hath purchased that we may assuredly belieue God will bestow He will not with-hold any thing that he hath gratiously giuen to our Sauiour on our behalfe We are taught to aske of God in Iesus Christ increase and strength of grace that wee may be inabled to walke before him in new obedience Col. 1.9 10. We cease not to pray for you and to desire that yee might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdome and spirituall vnderstanding That yee might walke worthy of the Lord vnto all pleasing being fruitfull in euery good worke and increasing in
The props of this faith First The exact infinite wisdome of God who knoweth what meanes will be fit to be vsed now and what not both for his glorie and the establishing of the thing in hand who knoweth what may hinder and can either preuent or frustrate it and who can knit secondarie causes one into another and make them conspire together in an admirable harmonie which wee our selues cannot doe Secondly Gods prouidence which rules in euery thing which falls out euen the least matters Math. 10.29 Prou. 20.24 Psal 37.23 Not a Sparrow falls to the ground but by his will Mans goings are of the Lord. He disposeth of euery thing that concernes vs and our affaires The worke that wee take in hand is not our owne but the Lords Prou. 16.3 Psal 37.5 Acts 14.23 2. Sam. 10.12 and the successe of the businesse doth depend vpon his pleasure to whom it must be committed Let the Lord doe what seemeth him good And he giues issue not according to the seeming abilities of the persons or likelihood of the meanes vsed but according to the good pleasure of his owne will Thirdly Faith thus vnderpropped bringeth forth industrie and endeauour to obserue God in his prouidence Hee that is most confident to speed is most vigilant to take all opportunities most diligent to labour in the vse of all lawfull meanes For God who worketh for vs will haue vs worke with him Faith lâ—yeth hold vpon the promises of aide and prouision with one hand worketh with the other Nothing can so much encourage quicken confirme in paines taking as faith The perswasions of faith are most powerfull the motiues strong the incouragements effectuall to put life and vigour into the dull and sluggish Hee that belieueth will labour and not make haste Hee that distrusteth not his pay-master is not hastie to get the pay into his owne hand because he knowes whom he hath trusted Fourthly Faith cannot be silent as hath beene formerly obserued Hee that belieueth will pray The weaker he is in himselfe the more difficult his taske the more feruent his supplications 2. Chron 20.12 O Lord there is no strength in vs to stand against this great people that commeth against vs neither doe we know what to doe but our eyes are towards thee And if the worke sticke fast and stirre not at the first it pulleth the harder difficulties incite to earnest prâ—yer Psal 5.2 3. In the morning will I direct me vnto thee and will looke out Fiftly It putteth life and hardinesse into vs. If the worke be great and our strength small faith biddeth vs bee strong and play the men for God will be with vs for our support Iudges 5.18 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that ieoparded their liues vnto the death in the high places of the field In the most easie worke faith will not suffer to leane vpon our owne strength in greatest difficulties it will not despaire of the Lords aide â—shua 1.5 9. This is the stay of faith He wil not leaue thee nor forsake thee Euery thing is too haâ—d for vs if wee relie vpon our selues nothing too hard if we trust in the Lord and goe forth in the power of his might Sixâ—ly It waiteth vpon God for good successe and triumpheâ—h before the victorie Pâ—ou 16.3 Commit thy wayes vntâ— the Lord and thy thoughts shall be directâ—d Faith looketh to the promise and concludeth assuredly The word of the Lord shall neuer faile The zeale of the Lord of hosts will bring it to passe Seuenthly Faith is readie and forward to prayse God for good sâ—ccesse as it is willing and desirous to obey For it abaseth it selfe looketh more and more into Gods admirable kindnesse and is ashamed of vnthankfulnesse Dauid promiseth to praise God three times nay seuen times a day that he would doe it openly in the Congregation and priuately by himselfe and yet as though he had forgot himselfe and beene much behind others in this dutie he quickeneth vp himselfe vnto it Blâ—sse the Lord Psal 103.1 2. O my soule and all that is within mee blesse his holy Name The meditation of Gods Name is sweet the remembrance of his kindnesse is pleasant the faithfull cannot satisfie themselues in singing his prayses Hence it is that they stirre vp themselues and prouoke others to magnifie the Lord. Iudg. 5.9 10 11 My heart is towards the Gouernours of Israel that offered themselues willingly among the people Blesse yee the Lord. Speake yee that ride on white Asses yee that sit in Iudgement and walke by the way They that are deliuered from the noyse of the Archers in the places of drawing water there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord euen the righteous acts towards the inhabitants of his villages in Israel CHAP. XI How to liue by Faith in the vse of Gods Ordinances the Word and Saments There be many promises of Gods blessing his ordinances to his peoples good Esay 55.1 2 3. IN Scripture wee reade many promises made to such as shall conscionably hearken vnto the Word and receiue the holy Sacraments the seales of the couenant of grace that God will blesse his owne Ordinances to their edification comfort strengthening in grace and euerlasting saluation Ho euery one that thirsteth come yee to the waters and hee that hath no money Come yee buy and eate yea come buy wine and milke without money and without price Wherefore doe yee spend money for that which is not bread His Word and your labour for that which satisfieth not Hearken diligently vnto me and eate yee that which is good and let your soule delight it selfe in fatnesse Encline your eare and come vnto me heare and your soule shall liue The law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the soule Psal 19.7 8. the testimonie of the Lord is sure making wise the simple The statutes of the Lord are right reioycing the heart the Commandement of the Lord is pure inlightning the eyes A wise man will heare and will increase learning Prou. 1.5 and a man of vnderstanding shall attaine vnto wise counsels Take fast hold of instruction Prou. 4.13 let her not goe keepe her for she is thy life My sonne heare thy fathers commandement and forsake not the law of thy mother Binde them continually vpon thy heart and tie them about thy necke Prou. 6.20 21 22 23. When thou goest it shall lead thee when thou sleepest it shall keepe thee and when thou awakest it shall talke with thee For the Commandement is a lampe and the Law is light and reproofes of instruction are the way of life Iohn 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth Mich. 2.7 1. Pet. 2.2 Esay 9.2 Math. 4.15 Deut. 32.2 Zech. 14.8 Ezek. 47.9 Cant. 2.5 Esay 55.1 2. Acts 5.20 Acts 13.26 Acts 20.32 Doe not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly As new borne babes desire the
come yea that whole time a man hath to spend from the very act of his Baptisme to his death For as it is the seale of a free euerlasting vnchangeable couenant so is the force and vse of it perpetuall Baptisme is the true Sacrament of repentance for remission of sinnes and spirituall renouation which being once receiued remaineth a perpetuall testimonie and pledge of the euerlasting Couenant of God and continuall washing away of sinne by the bloud of Christ and the Spirit of sanctification By singular appropriation it representeth and confirmeth ouâ— engâ—affing into Christ The vse to bee made of our Baptisme is two-fold but withall it sealeth the whole Couenant of grace The vse of Baptisme is twofold First It serues to be a pledge and token of Gods fauour and that diuers wayes First In that it is a seale of our regeneration by the holy Spirit whereby a diuine qualitie is infused into vs in the roome and place of originall corruption And therefore Baptisme as the text is ordinarily expounded is called the labour of regeneration Titus 3.5 it being an vsuall thing to call the principall cause and the instrument by the same name Secondly It sealeth and confirmeth vnto vs the free pardon and forgiuenesse of our sinnes Acts 2.38 Repent and be baptized euery one of you in the Name of Iesus Christ Acts 22.16 for the remission of sinnes Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sinnes calling on the Name of the Lord. Thirdly Baptisme is a pledge of the vertue of Christs death and of our fellowship therein Rom. 6.3 Doe yee not know that all wee who haue beene baptized into Iesus Christ haue beene baptized into his death Fourthly It is also a pledge of the vertue of Christs life and of our communion with him therein The life of Christ is the life of euery belieuer who liueth in Christ and shall liue for euer with him and in him a certaine pledge whereof he hath giuen vs in this Sacrament Rom. 6.5 For if wee haue beene planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his resurrection Buried with him in Baptisme Col. 2.12 wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead Fiftly Bâ—ptisme is a pledge of our adoption in Iesus Christ By nature we are the children of wrath but by grace and adoption the sonnes of God through faith in Christ which is sealed in Baptisme wherein the name of the Father Sonne and holy Spirit is put vpon vs. When Iacob blessed the sonnes of Ioseph Ephraim and Manasses Gen. 48.16 saying Let my name be named on them hee adopted them for his sonnes to haue inheritance with them in the land of Canaan and when God putteth his name vpon vs hee signifieth and assureth that wee are his sonnes Yee are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus Gal. 3.26 27. For as many of you as haue beene baptized into Christ haue put on Christ Sixtly Baptisme is a solemne testimonie of our communion with all the liuely members of Christ Iesus It is a seale of the bond of mutuall loue and fellowship both of Christ with his members and of his members one with another 1. Cor. 12.13 For by one Spirit are wee all baptized into one bodie whether wee be Iewes or Gentiles whether wee bee bond or free Ephes 4.5 And Baptisme is one of those things whereby the vnitie of the Spirit is preserued in the bond of peace Seuenthly It is a seale and pledge to assure that God will prouide for vs in this life raise vp our bodies vnto life at the last day of Iudgement and bestow vpon vs that euerlasting Kingdome and Inheritance which hee hath prepared Marke 16.16 Titus 3.5 6 7. 1. Pet. 3.21 For in Baptisme the Lord doth promise to bee our God that hee will prouide vs of all things necessarie for soule and bodie turne all euils which doe befall in this miserable life to the furtherance of our saluation raise vp our bodies at the last day and receiue vs vnto himselfe to dwell with him for euermore In all which respects Baptisme is of great force to strengthen faith and ease the heart in distresse For when the repentant sinner feeles himselfe heauie laden with the burden of his sinnes when Satan tempts him to doubt or despaire in regard of his corruptions when his owne corruption moueth him to sinne and he is euen now in the combate the Spirit lusting against the flesh and the flesh lusting against the Spirit and when hee is deeply perplexed with feare of falling away then the consideration and remembrance of what was promised and sealed in Baptisme will serue to stay support and comfort the soule For there hee shall find that his name is written in the couenant of God that God hath promised to giue Christ to be his Redeemer to accept of Christs satisfaction for him to wash away all his sinnes as certainly as the water washeth away the filth of the bodie and hauing such a faithfull promise confirmed by seale wherefore should he be dismayed In Baptisme also God hath sealed vnto him the mortification of his sinne by the power of Christs death which is the ground of confidence that God will enable him to ouercome the rebellious lusts of his heart and crucifie the old man more and more vntill the bodie of sinne be vtterly destroyed True it is that man by nature is dead in sin but in Baptisme God of his mercie hath sealed vnto the belieuer his rising from the death of sinne to newnesse of life True it is that of our selues wee are prone to fall away from grace receiued But God of his rich grace sealeth vnto the faithfull in Baptisme a Resurrection vnto immortall life which shall grow daily but neuer decay Rom. 6.9 10. If the faithfull be afflicted and despised of men persecuted and forsaken cast out the visible Congregation and banished from the hoâ—se of God yea euen in the agonies of death the remembrance of the promises sealed in Baptisme will afford comfort For if men haue forsaken God hath receiuâ—d them If men scorne and contemne the Lord will acknowledge them Hee hath long agoe sealed them for his owne receiued them into his family vndertaken to prouide for them and adopted them as heires apparant to the Kingdome of Heauen If God had giuen them his word alone for securitie it had beene sufficient But hauing confirmed it by seale in Baptisme they haue great cause to rest assured True it is they may be cast out of the visible assembles but they can neuer be cut off from the inuisible Communion of Saints they must die but God hath sealed vnto them their rising from the graue to euerlasting life by the power and vertue of Christs Resurrection which is a comfort of all comforts able to vphold the soule
of man in the houre of death II. Vse The second vse of Baptisme it is a seale of our dutie promised and so a spurre and prouocation to repentance faith new-obedience brotherly loue and vnitie First It is a spurre to repentance and mortification for Baptisme doth seale remission of sinnes to them only that repent Marke 1.4 and by Godly sorrow come home vnto God And as we expect the blessing we must looke that we faile not in the condition If wee bee buried with Christ in Baptisme it is our dutie to mortifie the flesh wâ—th the affections and lusts that it may liue no longer to bring forth fruits vnto death For a dead man cannot liue By solemne oath wee are bound to crucifie vnruly lusts which fight against the soule and shall we falsifie so great a promise Against whom should we fight if not against Satan or what will hee bee willing to spare for the Lords sake who will not part with his sinnes Why should wee feare the strength of Satan the power of sinne the rage of persecutors the losse of earthly things or despaire because of the wrath of God iustly kindled against sinne If we turne vnto God by vnfained repentance wee haue his faithfull promise confirmed by seale that he will bee mercifull vnto our sinnes enable vs to ouercome our corruptions fortifie vs against the powers of Hell support vs vnder or deliuer vs out of all trials and gratiously prouide whatsoeuer shall be needfull for vs. Secondly It is a prouocation vnto faith and a pledge thereof We haue the promise of God v der his hand and seale that he will wash vs fâ—om our iniâ—ities receiue vâ— for his children remember our necessities bestow vpon vs the Kingdome of Heauen wee shall doe great wrong and dishonour to God if wee doubt or make question whether hee will performe promise freely made and confirmed by couenant and seale Wee are bound by commandement to belieue in Iesus Christ and to commit our selues wholly vnto him as vnto a faithfull Sauiour And we haue bound our selues by promise couenant and seale that wee will belieue and cleaue vnto him as our only Sauiour shall wee then goe backe grow remisse or giue way to doubting If doubtings arise through the sight of sinne or want of sense and feeling comfort or the world begin to creepe into the heart and diuide it from Christ let vs then remember wee haue troth-plighted our selues to Iesus Christ and by faithfull promise neuer â—o bee called backe giuen our selues wholly to rest and sticke close vnto him and therefore must admit no thought whereby we should be drawne aside or diuided â—rom him Thirdly It is an incitement vnto new obedience and a pledge thereof Rom. 6.4 We are buried with him by Baptisme into death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the Father Euen so wee also should walke in newnesse of life in which Chapter the Apostle disputeth of our actions that wee should abstaine from euill and follow those that are good Wee haue solemnely sworne to fight against the Deuill the World and the Flesh and hauing taken the presse-money of Iesus Christ it were an immortall disgrace to accept of truce with Satan Wee carrie the badge and liuerie of Iesus Christ and shall we forsake our colours and fight for the Deuill It is strange that children should leaue their parents and take part with their enemies Wee haue giuen our selues vnto God and were once dedicated vnto his seruice shall we now turne backe and offer our selues vnto Satan Honour is due vnto parents If God bee our Father wee must freely submit our selues to his will and pleasure God will strengthen vs to obey and accept of weake if sincere obedience and that shuts forth all place of excuse If wee bee engrafted into the similitude of Christs resurrection wee must expresse by our actions the power and likenesse of Christs resurrection which is done when we walke in all-pleasing before God and set our affections vpon things aboue And this as it is commanded on Gods part so it is sealed on our part in Baptisme Fourthly It is a pledge or pawne of loue and vnitie Wee must keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace for we are all baptized into one bodie We must not iarre for we are brethren Wee must not quarrell nor contend for we are members of the same bodie and haue beene sealed into the same bodie The new exercise of faith required in the worthy receiuing the Lords Supper It goeth ill with the naturall bodie when the ioynts are dissolued it is vnnaturall that the members of the bodie mysticall should bee diuided It is not the hauing faith but the new exercise of faith which maketh vs worthy receiuers of the Lords Supper The Corinthians had faith yet receiued not the grace of the Sacrament because they receiued not in faith The acts of faith in this ordinance The acts of faith in receiuing the Lords Supper are many First By it wee discerne the Sacrament to bee the holy Ordinance of God instituted for our speciall good and benefit sealing vnto vs the promises which God of his free mercie hath made vnto vs in Iesus Christ By faith wee vnderstand what promises God hath made for what cause in whom he hath made them what hee requireth and how hee hath sealed his free promises in the Sacrament And the certaine distinct cleare effectuall knowledge of this point is a matter of singular and great importance For if worldly men make good account of a sufficient mans securitie for some great summe of money in what esteeme will a Christian haue this pledge of Gods fauour when hee certainly vnderstands what it doth signifie and assure Secondly By it we see what the Lord doth offer vnto vs therein how excellent and precious it is with what assurance it is freely tendered and may be receiued The outward signes in the Sacrament are visible to the bodily eye but the inward grace signified and sealed thereby which must seriously be considered and minded of vs is not manifest but to the vnderstanding enlightened by the Spirit and seasoned by faith which only can iudge distinctly of it worth and excellencie Thirdly It sharpeneth spirituall appetite and stirreth vp hungring and thirsting after Christ and his benefits By faith we see our want by faith we taste how good the Lord is how sweet and pleasant the dainties he hath prepared which raiseth an appetite of desire and complacencie O God thou art my God early will I seeke thee Psal 63.1 my soule thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is a great and spirituall feast whereunto the faithfull are inuited and faith whetteth the spirituall appetite to long after and rellish the fatnesse and marrow which is there prouided Fourthly It earnestly contendeth for mercie confessing sinne with griefe and hatred iudging and
A TREATISE OF FAITH Diuided into two Parts The first shewing the NATVRE The second The life of FAITH Both tending to direct the weake Christian how he may possesse the whole Word of God as his owne ouercome temptations better his obedience and liue comfortably in all estates BY IOHN BALL HAB. 2.4 The Iust shall liue by his faith LONDON Printed for Edward Brewster and are to be sold at the signe of the Bible at the North doore of Pauls 1631. THE PREFACE TO THE READER GLorious thinges are spoken of the grace of graces Faith in the Scriptures God setting himselfe to honour that grace that yeelds vp all the honour vnto him in Christ who indeed is the life of our life and the soule of our soule Faith only as the bond of vnion bringeth Christ and the soule together and is as an arterie that conueyes the spirit from him as the heart and as the sinnewes which conuey the spirit to mooue to all dutie from him as head whence Saint Paul maketh Christs liuing in vs and our liuing by faith all one Gal. 2.20 Now that which giueth boldnesse and libertie to faith is not only Gods assignement of this office to it in the couenant of grace to come vnto Christ and vnto him in Christ to receiue grace but likewise the gracious promises whereby the great God hath ingaged himselfe as a debtour to his poore creature for all things needfull to life and godlinesse vntill that blessed time when we shall be put into full possession of all things wee haue now only in promise when faith shall end in fruition and promises in performance Faith first lookes â—o this word of promise and in the promise to Christ in whom and for whom they are yea and Amen both made and performed And in Christ it eyeth God in whom it last resteth is its proper center and foundation otherwise how should wee weake sinfull creatures dare to haue any intercourse with God that dwelleth in that light that none can attaine vnto if hee had not come forth and discouered his good pleasure in Christ the substantiall Word and in the word inspired by the Holy Ghost for the good of those whom God meant for to make heires of saluation Now these promises whereon all our present comfort and future hope dependeth lie hid in the Scriptures as veines of gold and siluer in the bowels of the earth and had need bee laid open that Gods people may know what vpon good grounds to lay claime vnto Those therefore that search these mynes to bring to light these treasures deserue well of Gods Church We commend and not without cause the wittie industrie of those that from Springs remote bring Riuers to Cities and by Pipes from those Riuers deriue water to euery mans house for all domesticall seruices much more should we esteeme of the religious paines of men that bring these waters of life home for euery man his particular vse in all the passages and turnings of this life In which regard I doe not doubt but the paines of this godly painfull and learned man will find good entertainment of all children of the promises that hope to inherit them who hath with great paines and with good euidence of spirituall vnderstanding endeauoured to cleare most matters concerning faith and likewise discouered the varietie and vse of the promises with teaching Christians how to improue their riches in Christ heere spread before them how to vse the shield of Faith and the sword of the Spirit vpon all occasions that so they might not only be belieuing but skilfull Christians knowing how to mannage and make the best aduantage of their faith and the word of faith Which if they could doe there would another manner of power and beautie shine in their liues then doth Hee is a man that hath formerly deserued well of the Church but in a more speciall manner fitted for a Treatise of this nature as hauing beene put to it to know by experience what it is to liue by faith hauing in sight for matters of this life very little whereupon to depend Those that are driuen to exercise their faith cannot but find God faithfull as neuer failing those that trust in him they see more of God then others doe If it be obiected that others of late time haue digged in the same mine and laboured in the same field and to good purpose and successe I answer it is true the more this age is bound to God that directs the spirits of men to so vsefull so necessarie an argument seeing without faith wee haue no communion with the fountaine of life nothing in this world that can yeeld setled comfort to ground the soule vpon seeing without it the fairest carriage is but emptie and dead moralitie neither finding acceptance with God nor yeelding comfort to vs in our greatest extremities and by it God himselfe and Christ with all that he hath done suffered conquered becommeth ours and for our vse Besides none that I know haue written in our Language so largely of this argument and such is the extent and spiritualnesse of this heauenly point that many men of the greatest graces parts may with great benefit to the Church diue and digge still into this mysterie Neither let any except against the multitude of quotations of Scriptures they are brought vnder their proper head and set in their proper place and the matter it selfe is cut out into varietie of parts Store as wee vse to speake is no sore we count it a delight to take out of a full heape the more light the conuiction is the stronger what sutes not at one time will sute our spirits and occasions at another and what taketh not with one may take with another But the full and well handling of matters in this Treatise carries such satisfaction with it that it frees mee from necessitie of further discourse and mine owne present weaknesse of bodie taketh mee off Only I was willing to yeeld that testimonie to the fruitfull paines of a faithfull labourer in Gods Vineyard that I iudge it deseruedly Receiue it therefore Christian Reader with thankes to God that stirreth vp such helpers of that faith by which wee liue stand conquer and in which we must die if we looke to receiue the end of our faith the saluation of our soules Richard Sibbes A Table of the principall matters contained in this first Part. CHAP. I. HOw and in what respects faith is necessary Sect. 1 pag. 1 Diuers acceptatioÌ„s of the word faith Sect. 2. p. 2. 3 Of the diuers kinds of Faith Sect. 3. pag. 3 Why some kind of Faith is called Historicall ibid. The difference betwixt Faith Miraculous and Ordinary ibid. p. 4 Why true Faith is called Iustifying or sauing Faith ibid. In what phrases this Faith is vnfolded in the New Testament pag. 5 To belieue God and to belieue in God doe in Scripture import one and the same thing p. 5 Not the habit though
with many doubts and difficulties § 2. p. 96 The particular certaintie of remission of sinnes is not equall in certaine and firmenesse of assent to that assurance which we haue about the common obiect of faith § 3. p. 96. 97 There be seuerall states of Belieuers but all subiect to manifold temptations § 4. 98. 99 Beliefe in Christ for remission is stronger and more necessary then particular assurance of our saluation § 5. p. 100 Not only some vncertaine hope but euen infallible assurance of saluation is to bee sought and may bee obtained § 6 p. 101. 102. c. There is a word testifying thus much that my particular person beholding the Sonne and belieuing on him shall haue eternall life p. 101. 102. 103 Such as truly belieue may know they belieue p. 103 In respect of the exact measure of grace and strength the regenerate are oft deceiued but of the truth of grace they may be assured p. 104. 105 What it is to belieue with the whole Heart § 7. p. 105 In what sence wee must continue daily to aske of God forgiuenesse of sinnes notwithstanding former assurance of pardon p. 106. 107. 108. 109. 110 How iustification is full and entire p. 110 God hath said as to Abraham so to euery one of the seed of Abraham I will be thy God p. 111 How euery faithfull man may and doth make God his in particular ibid. The Apostles and other faithfull haue beene assured of their saluation by ordinary faith p. 111. 112 The saluation of a belieuer is infallible in it selfe and in euent but not euer in his apprehension and feeling § 9 p. 113. Assurance of faith in things extraordinarily is not altogether free from assaults p. 114 The benefits that come vnto vs by temptations p. 115. 116 The Commandements are laid before belieuers not as the cause for obtaining of eternall life but as the way to walke in vnto eternall life § 10. p. 117 Vpright walking is necessary but not the cause of Iustification p. 118 The belieuer relyeth not vpon his workes though hee exercise himselfe therein with all diligence p. 119 What infirmities may stand with assurance of faith § 11 p. 120. 121 What sinnes hinder assurance § 12. p. 123 The absolute raigne of sinne will not stand with the state of grace § 13. p. 124 True assurance breeds encrease of resolution and care to please God § 14. p. 125. 126 CHAP. IX THe authority of the Church cannot bee the ground of faith § 1. p. 128. 129 Whatsoeuer credit the Church hath it receiueth the same from the Scriptures p. 139 The authority of the Pope whom they call the Church virtuall is the first ground and last resolution of the Romanists faith § 2. p. 129. 130 Faith resteth not vpon the Saints but vpon Iesus Christ § 3. p. 132. 133 The Rhemists in defence of their Saint-inuocation are driuen to say that we are to trust in the Saints departed p. 133. 134. 135 CHAP. X. THe benefits and effects of faith § 1. p. 136. 137. 138 139. 140 Faith doth not effect and performe those things by any excellency force or efficacy of it owne aboue other graces but in respect of the office whereunto it is assigned in Couenant of grace p. 140 Of all creatures Man only is capable of iustifying faith § 2. p. 140 Faith is proper vnto Man in this life in his iourney towards his perfect home and eternall habitation p. 141 All men haue not faith p. 141 The subiect of Iustifying faith is man a sinner called according to the purpose of God acknowledging his offences hungring thirsting after mercy § 2. p. 141 The seat of faith is the heart but the heart contrite humbled bewailing sinne denying it selfe and affected with desire of remission § 3. p. 142. 143 In Scripture the heart is taken for the whole soule with all its powers and operations p. 144 Faith is common to all and peculiar to them only who bee called according to the purpose of God § 4. p. 145 All haue not the like measure of faith § 5. p. 146 Faith perfect in none p. 146. 147 The faith of the weakest Christian is sufficient to saluation § 6. p. 148 The degrees of faith may be considered according to the diuers growth which God bringeth his children vnto p. 148. 148 Foure degrees of faith § 7. 149 Faith is weake foure wayes 1. Knowledge 2. Assent 3. Confidence 4. Fruits and effects p. 149. 150 Ordinarily belieuers are weake at the first p. 150 Some priuiledged aboue others p. 151 Faith weake in one respect may be strong in another p. 151 The benefits of the weakest faith if true and liuely § 8 p. 151. 152 Weake faith if sound will grow and encrease ibid. We must striue to be strong and rich in faith p. 152. 153 Faith somewhat growne § 9. p. 153 Strong faith p. 153. 154 Full assurance gotten by degrees p. 154 The benefits of full assurance p. 154. 155 The strongest faith is subiect to sundry infirmities § 10 p. 156 The strong belieuer doth sometimes shrinke when the weake stands fast p. 156 CHAP. XI MOtiues and encouragements to belieue § 1. p. 157 158 Meanes for the right planting of faith § 2. p. 159. 160 161. c. Faith once obtained is seriously to be regarded § 3. p. 164 165 Meanes whereby faith is strengthened and confirmed § 4. p. 166. 167. 168. 169 CHAP. XII VVHy Satan endeuours by all meanes to hinder as the kindly taking so the growth of faith § 1 p. 170. 171 The first Temptation is taken from our worthlesnesse § 1 p. 171 Remedie The sence of vnworthinesse must not discourage vs from beleeuing because 1. The mercy fauour promises and benefits of God are all free p. 171 2. Wee are not more desirous to belieue then God is we should so doe p. 171. 172 The second Temptation They know not whether they bee elected § 2. Remedie 1. Hold such suggestions to arise from the Spirit of errour and lend no eare to such whisperings of the old Serpent p. 172 2. If God make offer of mercy and forgiuenesse in the Ministery of the Gospel 〈…〉 â—â—nd to receiue it ibid. The third Temptation They 〈…〉 of doubtings § 3 Remedie 1. Faith may be true 〈◊〉 liuely that is weake p. 173 2. It is not the excellency and measure of faith that doth make vs righteous before God but Christ whom faith doth receiue ibid. 3. It is not faith but Christ receiued by faith that nourisheth to eternall life ibid. 4. We reade that Christ reproued some for their small faith but neuer reiected any that came vnto him in weaknesse desiring to be confirmed p. 174 The fourth Temptation They cannot keepe their faith strong and stedfast § 4 Remedie 1. There is no shadow of change with God p. 174 2. Labouring after and groaning to rest their wearied soules vpon the promises of mercy being neuer satisfied till their doubtfulnesse be remoued
is to liue by faith p. 203. 204 What is to be done that we might liue by faith viz. 1. Aquaint our selues familiarly with the Word of God 2. Exercise faith aright in the Word p. 204. 205 Besides expresse Cmmandements and direct promises there be speciall promises and commandements by consequent which we are to note and make vse of p. 205. 206 The acts of faith about the Word 1. It doth firmely and vniuersally assent to the whole Word of God and set a due price and value vpon it p. 207 2. It ponders the word seriously and treasures it vp safe ibid. 3. It preserues and keeps in the way of the promises ibid. 4. It plyes the throne of grace with earnest and continuall supplications ibid. 5. It looketh vp directly vnto God his wisdome power mercy and faithfulnesse p. 208 6. It resteth quietly vpon God and tryumpheth before the victory p. 208 Meanes to stirre vp our selues to liue by faith scil 1. Find out thy vnbeliefe p. 208. 209. 210. c. 2. See the necessity and pretiousnesse of faith p. 213 3. Meditate on the grounds of faith p. 213. 214 4. Feeling weaknesse of faith looke on Christ p. 214 5. Pray for the Spirit of faith p. 215 CHAP. II. WHat is meant by Gods promises and the diuers kinds therof p. 216 The promise of forgiuenesse of sinnes ibid. This promise is free p. 217 Yet obtained through Christ only ibid. And receiued and possessed by faith and by it alone p. 217 218 This promise is of faith 1. That it might be of free grace ibid. 2. That it might bee stedfast and sure to all the seed ibid. 3. That only is the true manner of Iustification which shuts forth all boasting in the dignity of our workes p. 218. 219 Its necessary to seeke pardon of sinne by faith for 1. In our selues we be sinfull and cursed and remission which is of grace can be obtained by no other meanes but only by faith in Iesus Christ p. 219 2. Faith goeth directly vnto Christ that by him wee might be justified ibid. 3. Faith in the promises of mercy doth commend and maintaine the glory of Gods grace p. 220 The acts of faith touching this promise of forgiuenes be diuers 1. It generally belieueth the promise to bee true and thereby discernes that sinne is pardonable p. 220. 221 2. It stirreth vp earnest desires and longings to bee made partaker of this mercy p. 221. 222 3. It draweth vs forward to seeke mercy of God by vnfained confession and hearty supplication p. 222. 223. 224 4. It embraceth and resteth vpon the speciall and free mercy of God in Christ for pardon p. 224. 225 5. It doth certifie of pardon granted and sealed vnto vs. p. 225 How faith doth assure that our sinnes are already pardoned p. 225. 226 Three prerogatiues accompany confident assurance 1. Peace with God 2. Free accesse vnto the throne of grace 3. Ioy in the Holy Ghost vnspeakable and glorious p. 227. 228 6. By faith we continue in this blessed state in sweet peace and fellowship with God p. 228. 229 A Christian may liue by faith for many dayes or rather all the dayes of his life in sweet peace and communion with God if he will learne to maintaine and take paines to exercise his faith aright p. 230. 231. 232 To what measure of ioy a Christian may attaine p. 232. 233 Two speciall causes there be why many good Christians liue so long in feare and doubt 1. An immoderate aggrauation of their sinne and continuall thought of their vnworthinesse p. 234 These must know it is good to deny themselues but not to doubt of the mercy of the Lord. ibid. The detestation of sinne is greatly to be commended if they remember withall that there is hope in Israel concerning this p. 235 There be sins of ignorance infirmitie forgetfulnesse and sudden passion and there be foule enormous notorious sinnes which wound conscience p. 235. 236 If a man haue often fallen into notorious offences he is not to despaire ibid. A foule offence after grace receiued is not vnpardonable p. 236. 237 Many complaine they cannot belieue when indeed they thinke there is no promise of mercy made vnto them vpon which they should ground their confidence ibid. Such must know 1. that God calleth them in his word to come vnto him as if he did particularly name them 2. They must consider of the free grace of God in promising and his faithfulnesse in making good whatsoeuer he bath promised ibid. The second cause is ignorance of the way how this assurance is to be sought vpon what foundation it is to bee laid in what order they come vnto it p. 238 Two things are specially to be learned for their direction 1. That assoone as euer a man feeles sin as a burden and doth truly thirst to bee eased of it hee hath a calling to come vnto Christ p. 238 2. The barren in grace must come vnto Christ to bee supplyed of his fulnesse p. 239 Directions to the weake how to stirre vp themselues to beleeue when they feele no comfort p. 239 1. They must vnfainedly humble their soules before God in the confession of sinne with earnest prayer for pardon p. 240 2. They must rowse and stirre vp themselues to beleeue with reasons drawne from the promises and couenant of God made in Iesus Christ considerations taken out of the word and experience of his dealing with other his seruants in former times p. 241. 242 3. They must be instant with the Lord to giue them both strength of faith the sight of their belief p. 242. 243 4. They must comfort their hearts in the certainty of Gods word though for the present they feele no comfort p. 243 Thus faith is daily to be preserued and quickened ibid. CHAP. III. OF the promises of Sanctification p. 244 A Christian is allowed to beleeue these promises for 1. In the couenant of grace God hath promised to take away the heart of stone c. p. 245 2. The fountaine of grace is set open vnto the thirsty and he is inuited to come and drinke to the satisfying of his soule p. 245. 246 3. Christ by his bloud hath purchased for his people all spirituall blessings in heauenly things ibid. 4. We are taught to aske of God in Christ increase and strength of grace ibid. 5. The faithfull haue relyed vpon Christ for grace and ability to walke in his wayes ibid. 6. Mans duty is Gods free gift of grace ibid. It is necessary to belieue that God will sanctifie our nature and enable to the duties of holinesse p. 246. 247 For 1. Iustification sanctification be indiuiduall p. 247 2. Otherwise Christians shall very much stagger be off and on coldly set vpon the practice of Christianity ibid. 3. Our owne strength is too weake for the worke of holinesse ibid. 4. Setlednesse in this that God will perfect the worke of holinesse begun causeth men to goe about
the worke of mortification with much readinesse ibid. 5. The promises of God concerning spirituall things are linked together p. 248 The acts of faith about the promises of sanctification 1. It acquaints a man with his emptinesse of grace and the strength of his inbred corruption p. 248. 249 2. It sheweth where the strength is to bee had which we want and stirres vp to a constant conscionable and diligent vse of the meanes of grace p. 249. 250 3. It inciteth to an holy improuement of what grace we haue receiued ibid. 4. It fighteth couragiously against sinne and cryeth instantly to the Lord for helpe ibid. 5. It submitteth willingly to what course the Lord is pleased to take for the crucifying of sinne ibid. 6. Faith is the band or sinew whereby wee are tyed vnto Christ the fountaine of grace p. 251. 252 7. True faith stirreth vp to thankefulnesse for the beginning of sanctification p. 252 The meanes how a Christian is to stirre vp faith to belieue that God will sanctifie him when hee seeth nothing but thraldome 1. Hee must bewayle his spirituall nakednesse thraldome and vassalage vnder sinne p. 252. 253 2. Hee must looke to the grace truth and power of God who hath promised to sanctifie to the fulnesse and sufficiency that is in Christ the fountaine of grace p. 254 3. He must pray instantly vnto the Lord for sanctifying grace p. 255 4. It is good to moue the heart quietly to rest in the promise and reioyce in hope p. 255 CHAP. IIII. CHrist hath purchased for vs life euerlasting no lesse then righteousnesse p 256 Eternall life is promised vpon condition of faith in Christ p. 256 Life eternall is begun in them that belieue p. 257 When first we belieue them are wee intituled to life euerlasting and so haue the accomplishment of glory in respect of right and propriety p. 257. 258 It is our duty to belieue in God through Iesus Christ for the obtayning of eternall life to be giuen of grace ibid. It is very necessary to belieue it 1. That we might with more quietnesse of Mind beare the afflictions troubles and persecutions which befall vs in this world p. 258 2. It serues to establish our hearts against sundry worldly cares and feares p. 259 3. If we keepe Heauen in our eye we shall fight couragiously and runne with patience notwithstanding all opposition ibid. The acts of faith concerning these promises 1. As an humble petitioner it receiueth and layeth hold vpon saluation it selfe promised p. 259. 260 2. Faith doth not begin to apprehend life and then leaue it to workes but doth euer rest vpon the promise vntill we come to enioy it p. 260 3. By faith we receiue the promised Spirit as the earnest of our inheritance p. 260. 261 4. Faith in the promises of euerlasting life leadeth forward in the paths of peace and righteousnesse p. 261. 262 5. It seeketh to get our title confirmed and assured to the conscience by euidence and earnest or pawne p. 263 6. It striueth to enter the possession of this heauenly kingdome by degrees p. 263 7. It earnestly desires and longeth after the full accomplishment of glory p. 263. 264 8. It assureth that wee are made heires of glory to which God of his grace will bring vs in his time appointed p. 264. 265 God in great mercy doth vouchsafe to his adopted sonnes many excellent royalties in this life p. 265. 266 The act of faith that arise from the priuiledges of the godly in this life 1. Faith resteth vpon the grace of God to receiue from him whatsoeuer may be good and profitable p. 266. 267 2. It petitioneth instantly for succour p. 267. 268 3. It receiueth earthly blessings as gifts of the couenant and tokens of loue p. 268 4. Faith in these the foresaid promises doth greatly enlarge the heart towards God ibid. 5. It doth inwardly quiet and cheere the heart in the midst of manifold outward discouragements p. 268. 269 The way and meanes to stirre vp faith in these promises 1. To humble our selues vnfainedly in respect of our miserable and accursed estate by sinne and former carelesnesse to seeke mercy c. p. 269. 270. 271. 272 2. We must incite and stirre vp our selues to receiue the promises of euerlasting life by consideration of the free and rich grace of God his truth and faithfulnesse the sufficiency of Christs merits and greatnesse excellency and worth of the benefit promised p. 272. 273. 274. 275. 276 3. We must pray earnestly that God would increase our faith seale vs by his Spirit lead vs in the way of peace cause vs to grow vp in holinesse make vs wise to prize and value to taste and relish the joyes of Heauen and assure our consciences of right and title to that euerlasting inheritance p. 277. 278 4. We must quicken our selues to reioyce in God wait patiently and walke chearefully before him p. 278. 279 CHAP. V. GOd hath made many promises of perseuerance p. 279 280 The loue which God beareth to his people is an euerlasting loue and the couenant which hee hath made with them effectually and shall bee kept assuredly is an euerlasting couenant p. 280. 281 The condition of the couenant is promised in the couenant it selfe p. 281. 282 All the faithfull are built vpon the rocke not vpon the rocke now and anone vpon the sand p. 282 The sheepe of Christ shall neuer perish neither shall any man plucke them out of his hand p. 282. 283 They are fenced against the treachery of their owne hearts remayning in them p. 283 The holy Spirit is sent into their hearts to dwell and remayne with them as an earnest of their inheritance vntill the redemption of the purchased possession p. 283. 284 The life which they liue by faith in Christ is an euerlasting life p. 284 Christ hath prayed for his people that their faith should not faile p. 284 We are assured from God that he will perfect the worke of grace which he hath begun ibid. By serious meditation on these promises we must settle our selues in belieuing our perseuerance which is very necessary For 1. Had it not beene a point of great weight the Lord would not haue mentioned it so often p. 285 2. We are weake and feeble to withstand our spiâ—ituall enemies potent and vigilant to assaile ibid. 3. Our weaknesse is not greater then our backwardnesse to belieue the promises of perseuerance when we stand in most need ibid. 4. Whilst Christians distrustfully question their perseuerance all present fauours seeme the lesse all other promises be held the more weakly ibid. 5. Confidence in the promises of perseuerance doth encourage and quicken in a Christian course p. 286 He that hath faith indeed will not nay he cannot take courage to goe on in sinne vpon this pretence that faith once had cannot vtterly be lost ibid. 6. Looke how much wee come short in belieuing the faithfull promises of God concerning our future
begun in them from day to day This is the couenant which God hath made with his people Ier. 32.40 Ezek. 36.26.27 I will put my feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from my wayes This promise is very necessarie to bee beleiued Phil. 1.6 1. Cor. 1.8 2. Tim. 1.12 for if people be not well grounded in belieuing that God will build them vp more strongely from day to day and perfect the good worke in them which hee hath begun euen to full sanctification in the feare of God they shall verie much stagger and goe backe coldly set vpon the practice of godlines be off and on now forward now backeward not knowing how to begin or to proced in the way of holinesse Beliefe that God will inable them to euery dutie he doth require and strengthen them against enemies that doe oppose is a maine post in the Christian building an exceeding furtherance vnto godlinesse without which they shall be oft shaken and dismaid These promises be of great price for if a Christian were allowed to aske of God whatsoeuer he would next vnto the pardon of his sinnes and saluation of his soule what would hee desire but to bee assured from God that he will establish him in grace and teach him the good way which he ought to goe that hee will sanctifie him in soule spirit and body and keepe him blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus vnto iudgement And when he discerneth any such promise to be made it is not hard to conceiue with what deare affection and strong adherence he doth receiue it how close hee layeth it vp in his soule and sweetly feedeth vpon it This promise is sweete and beliefe thereof stirring and operatiue for it hearteneth to the practice of mortification and new obedience with greate courage chearefulnes and stayednes it quickeneth encourageth to pray as necessities shall giue cause it preserueth from fainting and dismayednes when strength is not very great and if at any time through weaknesse and infirmitie securitie catch hold vpon vs saith in the promiseâ— that God will be our strength and helpe is that which raiseth vs againe and putteth courage into vs to fight against the aduersaries of our soule Things temporall Many gracious and free promises concerning the blessings of this life are dispersed in the Word of life which faith receiueth as true and certaine because they come from the God of Truth Gen. â—5 5 â—os 1.5 Heb. 13.5 1. Tim. 4.8 Rom. â— 2 who is faithfull sincere and constant in all his promises Godlinesse hath the promises both of this life and that which is to com He that spared not his owne Sonne but deliuered him vp for vs all how shall hee not with him also freely giue vs all things As health maintenance credit prosperous successe in our callings and lawfull dealings deliuerance out of troubles and such like This is the assurance that God hath giuen euen his faithfull promise often repeated many wayes ratified and confirmed that he will make competent prouision for his children which is to faith better then many bils of securitie from men yea then large possessions in hand for the present The worth and goodnesse of earthly blessings promised is apparent specially when they bee giuen in loue and mercie as gifts of the couenant tokens of free grace and by a supernaturall prouidence eleuated to spirituall vse in which sence they are promised and vouchsased vnto them that feare God and walke in his wayes And therefore when the belieuer is rightly informed that God hath made any such promises he putteth forth the hand of faith to lay fast hold vpon them and boxeth them vp safe as his best and only euidence for the things of this life and the sanctification of them For want of this faith many vertuous and godly men are greatly staggered and perplexed plunged into deepe vncomfortable dumps and â—edious troubles about the things of this life But when once these promises be well riuitted into and haue taken root in the heart by a liuely faith beliefe hereof bringeth forth contentment comforteth in the multitude of perplexities encourageth to diligence in our places quickeneth in aduersities and strengthens to the workes of righteousnesse as knowing that to bee the surest way for the gaining of durable riches and trusting more to the faithfull prom ses of God though aboue likelihood then to their owne carnall deuices though in shew and appearance probable § 5. As faith requireth what God promiseth §. 5. 3. The threatnings because God is faithfull the promises of great worth and goodnesse so it belieueth the threatnings denounced in the Word not barely apprehending them as true and certaine but also declining them as euill For the whole Scripture breathed from God and euery part therof is Gods Word of infallible truth deseruing absolute credit God is as well iust as mercifull faithfull and true as well in his threats as in his promises and equally to bee belieued in both so farre as by his Word he hath assured vs of both Hee that belieueth the one as hee ought belieueth both and he that belieueth not bo h giues sound credit to neither Beliefe of the threatnings is necessarie Rom 15.4 For whatsoeuer things are written whether precepts promises threatnings examples are written for our learning and as the promises of thiâ— life and the life to come are sharpe spurres to quicken vs vnto godlinesse so the threatnings are strong bridles to keepe from naughtinesse Firme assent to the certaine accomplishment of diuine threatnings â—oth beget humiliation for sinne past and vigilancie to shâ—nne sinne and escape danger it strengthens against base carnall feares and the threats of men that oppose the â—ruth and reuiueth care to serue and please God at all tâ—mes and in all things Wherefore doe the terrours of men so much affright but because sleight beliefe is giuen â—o the threatnings of the Lord The grace and mercie of God belieued breeds loue of God and consequently â—rue feare which is opposed to sencelesse stupiditie and carnall presumption though it casteth out feare which proceedeth from vnbeliefe But what need Belieuers feare the threatnings seeing there is no condemnation or cause of feare to them that belieue The Apostle saith indeed there is no condemnation to such Rom. 8.1 but wee cannot therefore conclude that there is no cause of feare to them vnlesse no other euils but final damnation need to bee feared But whilest the soule is subiect to bring vpon it Gods temporarie wrath sicknesses spirituall hellish anguish to the sense of it there is still cause enough to feaâ—e Seeing that concerning temporall threats and punishments God dealeth as sharpely Amos 3.2 2. Sam. 12 14 or rather more sharpely with his children then any other why should they not dread his Fatherly correction Would a childe that had but one sparke of wit or common reason prouoke his Father to scourge and whip
remission of sinnes by the merits of Christ and resting vpon Chrâ—st alone for saluation assuredly he receiueth forgiuenesse â—lthough he be vexed with scruples and temptations and want the assurance and perswasion in himselfe that his sinnes bee remitted For faith is necessary to saluation but full assurance that I do belieue in that sort is not of lâ—ke necessitie And if a man may belieue vnfainedly who is not fully assured that he doth so belieue then faith may be certain in the euent when it is not certaine to the sence of the Belieuer §. 3. Faith as it iustifieth is a resting vpon Christ to obtaine pardon Zanch. de redempt lib. 1. c. 13. tit de Fiducia col 282. Musc loc com de Remiss Meisner dec 3. pag. 329. Par. in Gal. cap. 2. lect 24. Idem de Iustif l. 1. cap. 10. lect 227. Albizius exercit theol ar 2. 8. ad 3. Hom. Of faith part 1. August conf art 4. art 20. Bohemic conf art 6. § 3. But what faith is necessarie to wit on mans part to Iustification Is it an assured perswasion of our particular election or that our sins be alreadie pardoned and forgiuen No It is one thing to rest on Christ obeying to the cursed death of the Crosse that I may obtaine pardon and life euerlasting from the grace of God which is the act of true beliefe required to Iustification another to belieue that I am one of Gods particular elect people and that my sinnes are pardoned and done away which is a priuiledge of grace granted to him who belieueth is sealed by the Spirit and knoweth assuredly that he belieueth It is not an action of Christian faith preuious or fundamentall to Iustification for a man to belieue himselfe to be one of Gods elect for wee come to know our election by the effects thereof as Faith Iustification Sanctification Wee must first reade the effects of Gods loue in our hearts and see that he hath wrought in vs the sauing graces of faith loue hope feare c. and sealed vs by the spirit of promise before we can come to know his eternall decree and purpose towards vs therefore the beliefe of our particular election is an act of faith following Iustification not precedent to it No man is iustified by belieuing himselfe to be Iust nor pardoned Gallican conf art 20. Belgic confes art 23. Bolton walking with God pag. 320. Pemble plea for Grace pag. 258. 259. 260. Rolloc de Iustificat Heming Syntagm Gradus ad conuersionâ—m 49. Gal. 4.6 Rom. 8.15 16. by belieuing that he is pardoned but if his beliefe be true he must be truly Iust before hee can or ought to belieue himselfe to be Iust and actually pardoned before hee can be assured that he is pardoned This is the order of spirituall blessings conferred vpon vs in Christ Faith is the band wherby wee are vnited vnto Christ after Vnion followeth Communion with him Iustification Adoption Sanctification be the benefits and fruits of Communion Being made sonnes by faith God sends forth the Spirit of his Sonne into our hearts crying Abba Father and this Spirit beareth witnes with our spirit that we are the children of God assurance or certaine perswasion that our sinnes be pardoned followes this witnesse of the Spirit as the fruit and effect thereof In which it is most manifest that faith in Christ is before Iustification in order of nature though not in time and Iustification is precedent to the sense feeling of remission and therefore that belief which is required on our part to IustificatioÌ„ cannot be an assurance that our sins be pardoned already vnles the same thing be before after it selfe a man be pardoned before he belieue or assured that he is pardoned before it bee granted or that act of faith which cannot be but in a person alreadie iustified must go before the pardon of sin Esa 1.16 17 18 Ezek. 18. â—1 Prou. 28.13 Math. 6.14 15. Acts 16.30 31. Iohn 6.29 11.25 Acts 10.43 Acts 16.18 The promise of remission of sinnes is conditionall and becommeth not absolute vntill the condition be fulfilled either actually or in desire and preparation of minde This is the word of grace Belieue in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt bee saued when doth this conditionall proposition become absolute when we belieue What that our sinnes are pardoned No but when we belieue in Christ to obtaine pardon which is the thing promised vpon condition of beliefe Assurance that our sinnes bee pardoned is concluded in a practicall Syllogisme thus He that truly belieueth in Christ hath obtained pardon of his sinnes But I belieue Therefore my sinnes are pardoned where assurance of the pardon of sinne is a conclusion drawne from a two-fold ground the one expressed in Scripture the other euident if true by the testimonie of the renewed conscience and presupposeth that hee belieueth and is assured that he doth belieue Now if assurance of remission be concluded from this ground that he belieueth and knoweth certainly that hee belieueth then the beliefe which is required on our parts to Iustification cannot be an assurance that our sins be washed away alreadie For if we take the word belieue for a perswasion that our sinnes are done away then the Syllogisme runneth thus He that is assured of the pardon of his sinnes his sinnes are pardoned But I am assured of the pardon of my sinnes therefore my sinnes are pardoned Faith receiueth the pardon of sinne as it is profered in the word of grace and groundeth it selfe solely and immediately vpon the promise of God in Iesus Christ But the ground whereupon a sinner in himselfe guiltie should build assurance that his sinnes are pardoned without some other act of faith comming betwixt the promise that assurance there is none The Gospell offereth pardon to the thirstie and burdened if hee will receiue it assureth them of pardon who haue embraced the promise but where shall wee finde ground whereupon the guiltie person who belieueth not to remission of sinnes may bee assured that his sinnes not actually pardoned are yet pardoned and blotted out of Gods remembrance Faith taketh the pardon presented to it in the word of promise and trauailing with it bringeth forth actuall remission of sinne which vpon our faith we receiue Assurance is not before pardon nor actuall remission before faith vnlesse the effect be before the cause and the same thing be both cause and effect To beâ—ieue in Christ to saluation is to receiue him Iohn 1.12 Heluet. confess art 15. But to receiue Christ as hee is offered vnto vs in the Gospell is not to be assured that our sinnes are alreadie pardoned in and through Iesus Christ but to rest vpon him for pardon Before the act of iustification faith hath for obiect this proposition concerning the future To mee belieuing my sinnes shall bee forgiuen but after the promise is receiued and pardon obtained Par de Iustific lib. cap.
and laboureth therein he resembles his Father the Deuil whose chiefe delight is in doing mischiefe Which is further confirmed by that of our Sauiour Christ to the Iewes Iohn 8.34 Verily whosoeuer committeth sinne is the seruant of sinne and the seruant abideth not in the house for euer but the Sonne abideth foreuer If the Sonne therefore shall make you free yee shall be free indeed He that committeth sinne with delight wilfull indulgence to transgressions and vnrelenting opposition to the cleare truth he is the seruant of sinne but they that are made free by the Sonne are free from the raigne of sinne 1. Iohn 5.18 not from euery act of sinne He that is borne of God keepes himselfe that the wicked one cannot come within him to endanger him the gates of hell can haue no preuailing power oâ—er him hee sinneth not as the world doth which lieth in iniquitie but altogether free from sinne hee is not nor euer shall be so long as hee carrieth about with him this bodie of death To sinne habitually wilfully indulgently with full consent and greedinesse is not compatible with the hope and profession of a Christian This spot is not the spot of Gods children Deut. 32.5 but they haue their blemishes they sinne of infirmitie though not of wilfulnesse Sinne in it owne nature is opposite to grace but all sinnes are not altogether incompatible with grace that is they hinder not the gracefull operation of faith hope and loue The remainders of Originall corruption vnder which the regenerate must labour so long as they liue sinnes of simple ignorance and of vnauoidable infirmitie which through weaknesse the faithfull runne into euery day these doe not stop the liuely worke of faith in receiuing the promises of mercie but euen at the very instant when these haue abode in the soule faith can and doth make faithfull plea for mercie or otherwise none could plead for mercie before the throne of Grace For in many things we sinne all Iames 3.2 Sinnes of forgetfulnesse inconsideration and passion whereunto there is not aduised consent these are as moates in the eye which doe somewhat trouble the cleare sight of faith but notwithstanding them the heart principally adheareth vnto God and though now and then through infirmitie a Christian bee ouertaken with them yet may hee vpon good grounds be assured of Gods loue Anger pettishnesse impatience inordinate feare are sinnes which the godly ought and doe watch against and for which they ought and must iudge themselues but if through infirmitie they be ouer-taken to speake an hastie or vnaduised word they must not therefore cast off their confidence notwithstanding such slips they may cry in faith and be heard in their supplications If any man sinne 1. Iohn 2.1 2. to wit of infirmitie as they doe who walke in the light and addict themselues to the serious studie of holinesse wee haue an Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sinnes What answere the Lord gaue to Paul touching his temptations My grace is sufficient for thee 2. Cor. 12.7 8. that may be said of the infirmities of the Saints such sinnes as be meere and absolute infirmities God of his Grace reuealed in the couenant of grace is pleased to grant vnto them a pardon of course Such sinnes as in regâ—rd of their matter are not repugnant to the maine offices prescribed by the Commandements of God being oâ— frâ—iltie committed through vnaduisednesse or sudden passion these doe not denominate a man a Law-breaker nor so weaken the power of faith as that it should not be able to receiue the promise of forgiuenesse nor suspenâ— the actuall claime of eternall life These frailties may be â—n the godly without any notable defect of faith they debarre not the soule from cleauing vnto God Gen. 1â— 13 Abraham said of Sarah She is my sister this was an infirmitie but did not extinguish faith Sarah laughed at the promise Gen. 18.10 11. and then denied it through feare Iacob beguiled his Father saying I am thy Sonne Esau Gen. 27.19 Exod. 4.10.14 Iob 40 5. Math. 16.22 2 Chron. 35.22 2. Chron. 30.18 19. and many such like infirmities of the Saints are recorded which argue their faith to bee weake not to bee deposed from it soueraignetie The reason heâ—eof is not to be taken from the matter or outward act wherein they offended but from their heart and affection which was more inclined to good then to euill and did sticke fast vnto God euen when through weaknesse they transgressed By faith Rahab receiued the spies with peace Heb. 11.31 when through infirmitie shee offended in the meanes of their safetie The Prophet Dauid was regenerate without question and had sure hope that his prayers for mercie should be heard when he vttered this complaint of himselfe Psal 19.12 13. Who can vnderstand his errours Cleanse thou me from secret faults Kâ—epe backe thy seruant also from presumptuous sinnes let them not haue dominion ouer me then shall I be vpright and I shall be innocent from the great transgression So that a faithfull man stepping aside thâ—ough infirmity in the forenamed offeÌ„ces I say through infirmitie and not oâ— habit custome grosse carelesnesse or delight doth retaine his integritie and faith though somwhat shaken doth keep it standing and continue liuely to beg embrace pardon But he that sinneth of meere frailty doth humble himself for his daily offences labour to represse and mortifie his inbred lusts seeketh forgiuenesse by vnfained confession and heartie prayer renueth his purpose and resolution to be more circumspect and setteth vp his watch to shunne and auoid the like sins for the time to come And if he be ouertaken at vnawares he is warned by that slip to looke more heedfully to his wayes beging pardon and seeking helpe from aboue that hee may bee able to stand fast so that the slip which did seeme somwhat to loose him is an occasion of his sticking faster and closer vnto God § 12. But if a godly man fall into a foule and enormous crime wasting conscience §. 12. What sinnes hinder assurance Psa 51.10 14. 1. Reg. 11.4 for the time hee loseth some degree of newnes of Spirit cleannesse of heart comfort of the holy Ghost integritie in a sort and peace of conscience Hee plungeth himselfe into the sence of Gods wrath and displeasure and by his grieuous transgression the power of faith is so weakened that he can neither belieue the pardon of any one sinne formerly pardoned nor lay actuall claime to any priuiledge of grace formerly enioyed The fauour of God towards his children is vnchangeable the sentence of pardon granted shall neuer bee reuersed euen after some grieuous fall Psal 37.24 Ioh. 10.28.29.30 Iohn 8.35 1. â—ohn 3.9 the seeds of grace abide in them and they remaine in the state of Iustification but whilest they continue in such an estate of sinne
faith there can bee no want of any thing that is good For how can hee lacke any good thing who hath God for his Father Christ his Sauiour the holy Ghost his sealer and Comforter the Angels to guard him Heauen his inheritance who hath Gods faithfull promise confirmed by oath and seale to secure him of all things needfull grace comfort and earthly blessings and is kept by the power of God vnto saluation But here it must be obserued that faith doth not effect and performe these things by any excellencie force or efficacie of it owne aboue other graces but in respect of the office wherunto it is assigned in the Couenant of grace It is a cause onely Instrumentall and that is atributed vnto it which the principall cause worketh Faith iustifies not as an act or qualitie but as it receiueth Christ faith purifieth not the heart of it selfe but as it is the instrument whereby the Spirit worketh Whatsoeuer wee are made by faith wee are made it in Christ and whatsoeuer faith makes to bee ours it is also in Christ Therefore faith maketh not God to be our God but in Christ nor vs the children of God but in Christ And whatsoeuer grace is wrought in the heart of any man it is the gift of God the worke of the holy Ghost but faith is the Instrument whereby the Spirit doth more renue and purifie our hearts § 2. Of all creatures onely Man is capable of sauing or iustifying faith §. 2. Of all creatures Man only is capable of Iustifying faith 2. Pet. â— 4 not the blessed Angels who neuer sinned nor the euill Angels who are shut vp in prison and reserued in chaines of darkenes against the day of iudgement The Saints in glory doe inioy immediate fellowship and communion with God by sight and know most perfectly and most clearely But the light of Iustifying faith which doth include and suppose imperfection pertaineth to this life in which we are in the way mouing to perfection not yet attained vnto perfect vision So that faith is proper vnto Man in this life in his iourney towards his perfect home and eternall habitation but all men are not enriched with this precious gift of mercie and rare iewell of grace All men haue not faith 2. Thes 3. â— Isay 53.1 Math. 11.25 and 13.11 Rom. 9.18 Many are not so much as outwardly called the sound of the Gospell hath not reached vnto them many that heare vnderstand not bee not affected with the truth and in some that be affected the word takes not kind rooting is not well planted Those to whom faith is giuen are described to be the elect of God the sheepe of Christ Tit. 1 1. Act. 13.48 Rom. 11.5 Ioh. 10.11.15.26 Ioh. 6.37.39 and 20.39 and 17.2.6 Math. 1.21 and 18.11 and to bee giuen of the Father vnto Christ The subiect of Iustifying faith is man a sinnner called according to the purpose of God acknowledging his offences and hungring and thiâ—sting after mercie For none but a sinner can acknowledge Christ for his Sauiour for he is the Sauiour of sinners Faith in Christ for remission of sinnes is necessarie for them onely who haue offended but euery sinner cannot belieue euery one is not fit to receiue the promise of mercy The enimies of the Gospell of Christ worldings hypocriâ—es and all in whom sinne raigneth can haue no true faith in Christ Math. 11.28 Mark 1.15 hee onely is fit to embrace mercy who knoweth that hee is lost in himselfe and vnsatiably desires to be eased of the heauie burden of his sinnes Faith is not a worke naturall but supernaturall not of nature but of grace not of the power of our free-will but of the efficacie of Gods Spirit whereby we answere to the effectuall call of God and come vnto him that we might be pertakers of life eternall 1. Iohn 5.1 Iohn 1.12.13 Ioh 6 44. The infusion of faith is necessarily precedent to the act of faith and grace to belieue is giuen before we lay hold vpon Christ And if sauing-effectuall calling bee precedent to faith the subiect of liuing faith is man sauingly called according to the purpose of Gods will We can teach no faith to saluation but according to the rule of Christ Repent and belieue the Gospell Mar. â— 15. Luk. 24.47 Act. 2.37.38 no remission of sins but according to the like rule But faith seeketh and receiueth pardon as it is profered in the word of grace Repentance is necessarie to the pardon of sinne as a condition without which it cannot bee obtained Luk. 13.3 1. Ioh. 1.9 Act. 11.18 not as a cause why it is giuen If mercie should bee vouchsafed to all indifferently the grace of God should be a boulster to Mans sinne there should bee no difference betwixt the iust and vniust the penâ—tent and obstinate Faith comes to Christ as an humble penitent petitioner suing to the throne of grace for what is promised in the Gospell and it receiueth according to the promise of mercie §. 3. Faith resideth both in Minde and Will § 3. The seate of faith is the heart but the heart contrite humbled bewailing sinne denying it selfe and affected with desire of remission of sinnes As the stomake is the place in which meate is receiued but it is necessarie it bee desirous of meate So the heart is the place where remission of sinnes is receiued and felt but it must be an heart desirous of and thirsting after pardon With the heart man belieueth Rom. 10.10 Act. 8.37 2. Pet. 1.19 Act. 16.14 If the Mind and will bee two distinct faculties of the soule then iustifying faith is resident in both but principally in the will because it assenteth to diuine reuelation as true and embraceth the promises as much better then any contrarie good the world the Diuell or flesh can present to preuent our choice of what it prescribeth for our sauing health For the word of promise not onely containing truth but offering good vnto vs cannot fully be receiued with the vnderstanding but the will also must moue towards it And so faith is not onely a knowledge or assent in the Minde but a godly affection in the will which doth goe to embrace rest vpon Christ or the grace offered in Christ Therefore the nature of faith is described by words which signifie to stay and rolle our selues vpon God to lâ—ane on him as one would leane vpon a staffe and by faith we come vnto Christ and receiue him It is obiected that one and the same vertue or grace cannot be in distinct powers and faculties of the soule Bellar. de Iustif l 1. cap. 6. Haec Philosophia nor faith in distinct subiects Whereunto seuerall answers are made First that one and the same thing in diuers respects may be referred to diuers subiects as these subiects are not altogether seperated but conioyned amongst themselues So friend-ship is one morall vertue and yet in the Minde and
excell our selues In earthly things men are willing to better their condition and shall wee bee careles in heauenly things to prouide well for our selues In faire weather the Traueller will carrie his Cloake because the season may change before his returne A strong faith is euer of vse most needfull in temptations of long continuance and grieuous to be borne and though now we liue peace we know not how soone we may be called forth to tryall what seruice we may bee put vnto or the Lord will exercise vs. § 10. But here wee must remember the strongest faith hath infirmities §. 10. The strongest faith is subiect to sundry infirmities Iob 3.3.8 Num. 20.10.11.12 1. King 19.4 vnder which it groaneth and is subiect to temptations both on the right hand and on the left euen strong temptations whereby it is shaken for a time Iobs faith was shakâ—n when he cursed the day of his birth Moses his Faith quailed at the rocke Eliah that famous belieuer who had raised the dead would bee dead in a passion Long delayes did both trie and shake the faith of Abraham Gen. 15.2 In one and the same belieuer faith is sometimes greater and stronger another time more weake and infirme Psal 3.5 with 31.22 1. Sam. 27.1 stronger in a great assault weaker in a lesse The gift of faith is without repentance and being once kindly planted in the heart there it remaineth for euer but in regard of greatnesse or meanesse it hath many alterations increasings and decreasings yea the strong belieuer doth sometimes shrinke and draw backe like a coward in small temptations and the weake doth quit himselfe valiantly in great tryals The strong must not bee carelesse as if hee should neuer doubt againe or be brought into straits The stronge belieuer doth sometimes shrinke when the weake stands fasts The weake must not bee dismayed as if they should vtterly bee ouerthrowne Both weake and strong must looke for tryals and bee carefull to preserue and grow in faith For the state of grace in this life is such as hath still reliques of sinne dwelling with it and the Deuill and the world still lay siege against the castle of our faith to batter it and preuaile much when they finde vs secure and carelesse but are preuented by diligence and watchfulnesse the Lord assisting CHAP. XI Of the right plantation of faith and meanes whereby it is confirmed § 1. THE necessarie vse and excellent fruites of faith §. 1. should incite men if they want to seeke it with all diligence and if they be pertakers of that heauenly gift to hold and keepe it to increase and growe therein Motiues and encouragements to belieue 2. Cor. 5 20. And this the rather because wee haue many encouragements to belieue God doth beseech men to bee reconciled vnto him Should not this wonderfull clemencie of God encourage vs with boldnesse and confidence to come vnto him Christ himselfe doth graciously inuite all that be poore Isay 55.1 Math. 11 28. needie wearie and heauie laden to come vnto him and the Lord maketh a generall proclamation of libertie to all distressed soules that will come and receiue it without exception of any in particular which should the rather affect if wee consider who it is that proclaimeth inuite h beseecheth namely God who is able to helpe and readie to forgiue and succour If a couetous man should offer vs any greate kindnes Deu. 7.9 wee might doubt of performance because it is contrarie to his nature but it is not so with our God his name is gratious and his nature is to be faithfull in performance and true in offer and promising In the couenant that God of his rich grace and mercie hath made with his Church and people seâ—led with Sacraments and confirmed by oath Ier 31.34 Heb. 10.16 Psal 32.10 Esay 55.7 Ezek. 18.21 and 33.11 Math. 3 17. Esâ—y 1.18 Tit. 2.14 1. Ioh. 1 7. remission of sinnes secret and open great and small of what qualitie soeuer is promised and assured to them that repent and belieue And when life and saluation is promised to them that will receiue it by faith no man is excluded from that mercie but hee that shuts forth himselfe by infidelitie Wee haue a Sauiour who came into the world to saue sinners Mar. 16.16 Ioh. 3.15.16 and 6 34.40 Act. 10.43 Math. 1.21 and 18.11 Luk. 19.10 and is able to deliuer vs out of the hands of all our enemies his redemption being both pretious and plentifull And therefore though the multitude and grieuousnesse of our sinnes should encrease our repentance yet they should not diminish our faith and diligence in seeking assurance of forgiuenesse For though our debt was neuer so great our suertie Christ Iesus hath paid it to the vtmost farthing The Lord who is best acquainted with his owne loue merc e and compassion and knoweth what is pleasing and acceptable vnto him 1. Ioh. 3.23.24 hath straightely charged and commaunded vs to belieue in him and belieuing will bestow vpon vs eternall life according to promise And can there be any fraud in Gods word or danger in yeelding obedience to his Commaundement What neede we feare to commit our soules to him 2. Tim. 1.12 who is able to keepe them and hath bound himselfe to saue them if we relie vpon him Our Faith is directed to God in and through Iesus Christ our neere kinsman who hath taken our nature and is become flesh of our flesh Though wee feared some great man yet were hee maried to our house very neare vs this circumstance would animate vs not a little the same should wee thinke of our God maried as aforesaid to our flesh Heb. 7.25 Christ our Sauiour and high Priest euer liueth to appeare in heauen before his Father and to make intercession for vs. Math. 9.6 The Father who hath committed all iudgement to the Sonne hath giuen vnto him power to remit and pardon sinne 2. Cor. 5.19 and he as our suretie hauing all our debt laid vpon him hath by one oblation of himselfe once offered purchased for vs eternall redemption and by vertue of his obedience hath receiued for vs whatsoeuer he distributeth vnto vs. By belieuing wee glorifie God both in his truth power wisedome loue grace and mercie Rom. 4.20 whom before wee dishonoured by our sinnes For the grace of God is manifested by faith in Iesus Christ Rom. 3.24.28 in the declaration and acknowledgment whereof standeth the chiefe praise and glory of the Lord as the the last end of all his workes Mercie and compassion in Man is but as the drop of a bucket in comparison of that huge Ocean of grace that is to be found in our God Math. 18.21.22 But God requires that wee should forgiue our Brother seuentie times seuen times if hee did repent after hee had trespassed against vs and wil not our God who exacteâ—h such compassion in vs
grace and free fauour of God that we shall haue whatsoeuer is expedient to bring vs safely thither giuen vs freely by the Lord in this life so farre as hee knoweth it good for vs. God hath made promise of all good things more then we could aske or thinke Psal 34.9 10. Rom. 8.28 that no good thing shall be wanting that whatsoeuer commeth shall bee for our good all which the Iust man possesseth by faith and is aswell satisfied when in temptations and trials he hath no meanes of helpe as if hee had all that his heart could desire To the burdened God hath promised ease Math. 11.28 Esay 55.1 Ier. 31.34 Esay 26.1 â—ro 10.28 Zech. 1.8 1. Cor. 10.13 Psal 91.2 3. 84.11 Esay â—3 28 Math 6.33 refreshing to the thirstie pardon to the penitent comfort to them that mourne perâ—ect peace to them that waite vpon the Lord assistance comfort deliuerance to them that be tempted preseruation and protection from euill with comfortable supply of all blessings temporall and spirituall so farre as shall be good all these faith embraceth possesseth feedeth vpon and so resteth contented and comforted as if all helpe that could be deuised were present and comfort inioyed The word of grace teacheth vs to denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts Titus 2.12 and to liue godly iustly and soberly in this present world from this word of command faith cannot be wholly turned aside by allurement or terrour but resteth vpon God for abilitie and sweetly inclineth the heart with delight and chearefulnesse to follow after the Lord. Thus to liue by faith is firmely to relie vpon the Word of God in all estates and conditions with full purpose to bee guided by it vntill the good things contained theâ—ein be fully accomplished This is to be seene in that honourable company of Worthies summed vp by the Apostle as patternes of faith Heb. 11.1 2 3 4. c. who in all estates and straights whatsoeuer they were brought into in all temptations wherewith they were tried and in all difficulties wherein they were exercised yet so liued by faith that nothing could dismay them much lesse to ouerthrow them By whose example we may learne so to rest vpon Gods Word and promise for all needfull helpe assistance comfort and deliuerance what danger or difficulty soeuer befall vs that we be neither dismayed with terrour nor turned aside with worldly allurements nor wearied with delayes nor faint in the combate What is to bee done that wee might liue by faith Iob 22.21 22. Psal 85.8 Now for the attaining hereof these two things are carefully to be performed First to acquaint our selues familiarly with the Word of God that we might haue it in readinesse for direction and comfort Secondly to exercise faith aright in the Word of God The Word of God is the ground of all our faith wherby we liue be directed maintained and vpheld in all our trials 2. Pet. 1.4 The promises of mercy are as so many legacies bequeathed vs by our heauenly Father and by his Sonne Iesus Christ Psal 119.105 in his last Will and Testament The Commandements are so many directions to guide in the way of blessednesse Iohn 5.39 vntill wee be full pertakers of the good things promised It is therefore most necessary and behouefull for vs to search this Will and Testament for all such legacies as may concerne vs Prou. 6.21 22. and to binde this law continually vpon the heart that it might leade keepe counsell and comfoâ—t vs as occasion requires Faith is the liâ—e of our soules the Word is the ground life guide and moderator of our faith If God shall leade vs into the darke at any time or bring vs into any straight that wee see no way of escaping or meanes of reliefe will it not be a great stay and comfort to our soule if then wee can call to minâ—e the good Word of God formerly laid vp in store whence we can raise such hope of helpe in due time as may quiet and content vs till we doe enioy in effect the good desired Psal 94.19 When the heart is perplexed with thoughts distractâ—d with feares and vnsetled with temptations is it not a great refreshing that wee can call to minde the commandements of God directing what wee must doe or leaue vndone instructing in the way of peace wherein our feet shall neuer stumble Psal 119.24 If wee would bee ready and skilfull practitioners in the great art of liuing by faith wee must exercise our selues in the Word of God and get into our hearts and memories at least the principâ—ll promises and Commandements that we may haue them in readinesse for direction and comfort vpon all occasions Col. 3.16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdome And here it is to be obserued that besides expresse Commandements and direct promises generally offered there be spâ—ciall promises and Commandements by consequent which we are to note and make vse of As whatsoeuer God promiseth to any one of his children not in any speciall or proper respect only concerning such a person and for such a time but as a common fauour belonging to all his children that wee may and ought to receiue as a promise made to vs Thus the Apostle diswading from couetousnesse applieth that promise to all the faithfull which in speciall was spoken vnto Ioshuah I will not leaue thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 Whensoeuer wee find that any of Gods people haue prayed for any good thing and haue bin heard if it were not by special prerogatiue peculiar to them we may take it as a promise to vs. I sought the Lord and he heard me and deliuered me from all my feares Psal 34.4 5 6 They looked vnto him and were lightned and their faces were not ashamed This poore man cried and the Lord heard him and saued him out of all his troublâ—s Wh t fauour God hath shewed vnto any of his children according to promise and couenant of grace the same mâ—y â—ll that be in couenant with him expâ—ct and looke for For all the faithfull haue the same God to be their God liue vnder the same couenant and haue inâ—erest in the same promises of mercy Thus Iames exhorting to patience in trouble alledgeth the example of Iob Yee haue heard of the patience of Iob James 5 11. and haue sâ—ene the end of the Lord. As for extraordinarie fauours or deliuerances granted vnto some persons by speciall priuiledge and not by verâ—ue of common couenant wee cannot promise our selues the same in particular from their example nor did the Lord vouchsafe the same to the same persons at all times but as such peculiar mercies imply a common ground or reason they are vnto vs arguments of comfort and incouragement God doth not ordinarily send his Angels to open the prison doores nor stop the mouthes of Lions nor quench the force of the fire for the preseruation
the confession of faith vnfained is heartie and sincere ioyned with a true detestation of all sinne as that which hath and would make seperation betwixt God and him if it be not renounced by him and pardoned of God And to them that confesse their sinnes in this manner is the promise made If wee confesse our sinnes God is faithfull 1. Ioh. 1.9 and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnes Pro. 28.19 Hee that couereth his sinnes shall not prosper but who so confesseth and forsaketh them shall haue mercy Onely acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God Ier. 3.13 1. Cor. 11.31 If wee would iudge our selues we should not be iudged I said I will confesse my transgressions vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the iniquitie of my sin Psal 32.5 Which is most liuely to be seene in the parable of the prodigall before mentioned where the Father resembling God is said to haue met his lost sonne before he came at him Luk 15.20 and to haue embraced and kissed him after hee was resolued in himselfe to acknowledge and confesse his faults As faith teacheth the poore sinner to humble himselfe in vnfaâ—ned confession of his manifould offences so it stirreth anâ— encourageth him to power out his soule in eaâ—nest and heartie prayer vnto God for pardon and forgiuenesse Act. 8.22 through the mediation of Iesus Chrâ—st Thus hee is taught of God Take with you words and turne to the Lord Hos 14 2. say vnto him Take away all iniquity and receiue vs gratiously so will we render the calues of our lips Both these may be seene in the poore Publican who durst not lift vp his eyes to Heauen Luk. 18.13 but smote himselfe vpon the breast saying God bee mercifull to mee a sinner And so the Church prayeth O remember not against vs former iniquities lâ—t thy tender mercies speedily preuent vs. Ioel. 2.17 Psal 79.8 This prayer of faith is not presented before God in assurance that his sins be already pardoned but to obtaine pardon of the rich mercy of God by and through the merits of Iesus Christ And the pâ—omise is to him that prayeth vnfainedly that he shall be forgiuen 2. Chro. 7.14 If my people whâ—ch are called by Name shall humble themselues and pray and seeke my face and turne from their wicked wayes then will I heare from Heauen and will forgiue their sinne Aske and it shall be giuen you Math. 7.7 Ioel. 2.32 Rom. 10.13 seeke and yee shall finde Whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be deliuered vizt from sinne and death Fourthly Faith receiueth the promise of mercy made in Christ and embraceth or resteth vpon the speciall fâ—ee mercy of God in Chrâ—st for pardon and hereby we are iustified that is of sinners made Iust and Righteous not by infusion of holinesse but by free condonation and acceptation of grace Christ is euery where made the thing which faith embraceth to saluation and whom it lookeâ—h vnto and respecteth as it makes vs righteous in the sight of God and faith iustifyeth Ioh. 11.25.26 Act. 15.11 Rom. 10.4 Gal. 2 16. Eph. 1.15 Phil. 3.9 not by any vertue or dignitie of it owne but as it receiueth and resteth on Christ our Righteousnes our Sauiour our Redeemer from sinne and death It is the good pleasure of God reuealed in the Gospell to pardon and iustifie them from all their sinnes that belieue in Christ and faith iustifieth as it leaneth vpon him to receiue speciall mercie through him or which is all one to obtaine forgiuenesse of sinners of the meere and rich grace of God through him and this is the most formall act of faith as iustifying Fifthly It doth certifie of pardon granted and sealed vnto vs It doth obtaine receiue and assure of forgiuenesse in particular I know that my Redeemer liueth Iob. 19.25 Psal 32.5 Isay 38.17 Psal 65.3 Gal. 2.20 1. Ioh. 3.14 Thou forgauest the iniquitie of my sinne Thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy backe As for our transgressions thou shalt purge them away Christ hath loued me and giuen himselfe for me We know that we are passed froÌ„ death vnto life because we loue the brethren These are diuine conclusions of a liuely faith But this perswasion or assurance that our sinnes are already pardoned is not an act of faith iustifying as it iustifyeth but an act of faith following iustification a priuiledge granted of grace to a sinner now set in the state of grace or an act of experience in a sinner now iustified by faith Forgiuenesse of sinnes in and through Christ is offered in the Gospell to euery burdened and wearie soule that will receiue it as the ground of faith vouchsafed to euery one that belieueth but pardon of sinne is apprehended as already granted when wee come to be assured that wee doe belieue Faith in order of nature is precedent to Iustification but Iustification it selfe goeth before the sence thereof As faith obtaineth and receiueth the promise of speciall mercie it doth not finde vs Iust when we begin to belieue but maketh vs Iust by embracing the Righteousnesse of Christ as it certifyeth and assureth of fauour it doth not actiuely Iustifie but findeth the thing dâ—ne already Faith assureth of the pardon of sinne by a double act First it layeth hold vpon the generall promises made to Belieuers such as these Iohn 3.18 Acts 13.39 Iohn 3.36 He that belieueth shall be saued By faith euery one that belieueth is iustified Hee that beliâ—ueth hath euerlasting life Secondly it concludes vndoubtedly from them That hee belieuing is alreadie receiued into fauour and hath obained remission of sinnes Now betwixt these two comes the testimonies of the renewed Conscience 1. Cor. â— 11 working vpon the soule by reflexion whereby the true Belieuer is made priuie to his owne estate and assured that he doth belieue The whole is collected thus He that belieueth in Christ is alreadie Iustified or hath receiued pardon and forgiuenesse This is the voice of faith grounding it selfe vpon the expresse testimonie of God speaking in holy Scripture But I belieue This is the witnesse of the renewed conscience enlightened by the Spirit and directed by the Word whereby the Belieuer comes to know what God hath wrought in him For no man can be said to Belieue that hee doth Belieue but he belieueth the promises by faith and knoweth himselfe to bee a Belieuer by the wâ—tnesse of his Conscience renewed by the Spirit The conclusion of faith grounded vpon the former propositions the one expressed in Scripture the other euident by the witnesse of Conscience is Therefore my sinnes are forgiuen or I shall be saued The order of climbing to this assurance is the rather to bee marked that weake Christians who want the comfortable sence and feeling of this mercy might learne to seeke it in due order as the way is laid
the knowledge of God 1. Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctifie you wholly But what wee are taught and commanded to begge in prayer wee are allowed to belieue that we shall obtaine it of free grace The faithfull haue relied vpon God for grace and abilitie to walke in his wayes and to finish the worke wherevnâ—o they were ordained Ph. 1.20 2. Tim. 4.18 Ph. 4.13 But all the faithfull as faithfull be partners in the same promises and priuiledges and liue by the same faith Wee are commanded to cast off the old man which is corrupt Ephes 4.21 22 23 24. with the affections and lusts and to put on the New man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse But in the couenant of Grace God giueth what he requireth Mans dutie is his free gift of grace It is necessarie to belieue God will sanctifie our nature and enable to holinesse It is necessary a Christian should belieue that God will sanctifie his nature and inable him to those duties of holinesse and righteousnesse that he requires For Iustification and Sanctification bee indiuiduall whom God doth acquit from the guilt of sinne and accept as righteous vnto life through Iesus Christ Rom. 8.1 2. 1. Cor. 1.30 them he doth sanctifie by his Spirit to walke before him in newnesse of life Christ himselfe cannot be diuided nor the participation of his benefits If by communion in his death we be deliuered from the curse and malediction of the Law by the power of his Resurrection we are raised vp to liue vnto God If Christians be not perswaded that God will mortifie their corrupt affections and build them forward in holinesse they shall very much stagger coldly set vpon the practice of Christianitie be off an on vnstayed often fainting at the difficultie of the worke dismayed at their manifold slips strong corruptions and little preuailings against them Our owne strength is too weake for the worke of holinesse as to defeat the policies of Satan to represse and vanquish the lusts of our rebellious hearts allurements of the world much more to change and cleanse our hearts which are by nature and custome in sinne so deeply polluted If wee haue not faith to belieue that God will aide assist and blesse vs in our endeuours yea and doe the whole worke for vs what courage can we haue to goe about it What successe are we like to find in it What shamefull foyles and repulses shall we sustaine But setlednesse in this that God will perfect his worke begun causeth men to goe about the practice of mortification with much readinesse chearefulnesse ease stayednesse and happie speed Hee will fight maâ—fully against his lusts and continue in the combate against them who is assured of victorie from God in the end It is a great heartning to resist euill or to doe any good dutie when we belieue God will bee with vs in the one and in the other to giue vs helpe against our enemies and to inable vs vnto the worke and that worke must needs prosper that God will forward and succeed well that hee will bring to perfâ—ction The promises of God concerning spirituall blessings are so lâ—nked together that whosoeuer belieueth not euery one aright hee cannot belieue any one stedfastly as hee ought He shall many times be in doubt of the remission of his sinnes and in feare of falling away who hath not learned to rest vpon God for the grace of sanctification no lesse then for the pardon of his offences for the certaintie of both these is like if it be well considered The acts of faith about the promises of sanctification The acts of Faith concerning these promises bee these and such like First It acquaints a man with his emptinesse of grace the strength of his inbred corruptions how deepe they haue eaten how fast they sticke how vnable he is to crucifie his inordinate affections or to repaire the decayed Image of God in him and that be is in wofull case vnlesse the Lord put to his helping hand Faith in this act doth not properly worke vpon the promise but prepares the heart thereunto And sure it is a worthy lesson for the serious thought of this matter is exceeding forcible to abase and humble him in his owne eyes and so wholly to driue him out of himselfe For hee perceiueth hee is as strongly bound by the tyrannie of sinne to perpetuall slauerie as by the guilt of sinne to the danger of condemnation Could he get pardon for sinne what would this profit so as hee lieth still vnder the power and dominion of sinne from which hee hath no abilitie to deliuer his soule If a man labour of some painfull loathsome incurable disease though in many things hee bee aduanced this will pull downe conceits of greatnesse and when a Christian comes to see how many dangerous noysome spirituall diseases he laboureth vnder he is not lightly affected with it no he abhorreth himselfe and crieth out Rom 7 24. O miserable wretch that I am who shall deliuer me from this body of death how shall I bee cured of these maladies Hereby also he is drawne in all his purposes and râ—solutions to denie himselfe and to relie vpon the power of the Lord who only remaynes victorious Hee purposeth but through the might of God which causeth earnest and heartie prayer to bee strengthened vnto and established in that which is good I will keepe thy statutes Psal 119.8 O forsake mee not vtterly I haue stucke vnto thy Testimonies O Lord put me not to shame Psal 119.32 33. I will runne the way of thy Commandements when thou shalt enlarge my heart Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes and I shall keepe it vnto the end Verse 34. Giue mee vnderstanding and I shall keepe thy Law yea I will obserue it with my whole heart Make me to goe in the path of thy Commandements for therein doe I delight Incline my heart to thy testimonies Verse 35. Psal 17.5 and not to couetousnesse Hold vp my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not Purposes thus grounded bring forth holy performances but when they are taken vp without consideration of our frailtie and we relie not vpon Christ for his grace and assistance they quickly vanish and come to nothing In the time of sicknesse danger disgrace we make faire promises to amend what is amisse and reforme things out of order but when the rod is remoued shortly all is cleane forgotten What may be the reason We stand vpon our owne feet presume to goe alone of our selues by our owne strength and then no maruell if we fall and catch many a knocke Secondly It sheweth where the strength is to bee had which we want and stirres vp to a conscionable diligent and constant vse of the meanes of grace that God hath ordained but lookes vp to him for a blessing and resteth not in the meanes Faith
many gratious promises whereby God doth freely passe it vpon vs Ps 119.5.6 and earnestly beggeth the powerfull effectuall inhabitation of the Spirit to stampe and imprint the Image of Christ more and more vpon the soule it peruseth it euidence againe and againe and nourisheth the motions stirreth vp the graces of the Spirit which is the earnest pennie and seâ—le of the promised inheritance If Men make an earthly purchase they wil spare no cost or labour to get it assured they will haue good euidence fine and recouerie and take what course in time may exempt it from claime and faith receiuing the promise of this purchased inâ—eritance will not rest in vncertainties or presumption but doth trauaile to haue it assuredly passed and made vpon the soule Sixtly It striueth to enter the possession of this heauenly kingdome by degrees Phil. 3.10.12.13 Men that purchase an inheritance to come in hereafter they are glad if any part fall into their hands for the present or if they can get some by parcels before the whole be possessed Fulnesse of glory is reserued to the life to come but beginnings of glory peace of conscience ioy in the holy Ghost and sanctification of the Spirit are vouchsafed here Grace is the beginning of glory and glory the perfection of grace According to the measure of grace receiued and as we grow vp in Sanctification so wee enter vpon the possession of our eternall inheritance And true liuely faith doth couet grace more and more and draw vnto it selfe from Christs fulnesse Seuenthly It earnestly desires and longeth after the full accomplishment of glory Rom. 8.13 Our selues also which haue the first fruits of the Spirit euen wee our selues groane within our selues waiting for the Adoption to wit the redemption of the Body I desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Phil. 1.23 Saluation is the end of faith Heauen the habitation or home of the faithfull For in this we grone earnestly 2. Cor. 5.2 desiring to be clothed vpon with our house which is from Heauen Naturall bodies moue to their proper place all liuing things couet perfection in their kind heauen is the proper place and condition of the faithfull life eueâ—lasting the perfection of faith therefore if faith bee liuely it longeth after the fruition of glory and full possession of the promised inheritance Eightly It assureth that wee are made heire of euerlasting life to which God of his grace will bring vs in his time appointed 1 Iohn 3.1 Behold what loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that we should be called the sons of God Beloued Verse 2. now are wee the sonnes of God and it doth not yâ—t appeare what we shall be Verse 14. We know that we haue passed from death vnto life because we loue the brethren Neither doth the manner of speaking sauour of ought but certaintie neither could it agree with the grauitie of the Apostle to speake so indefinitely so indeterminately of that whereof hee had no certaine ground no firme resolution but onely some likely guesse or coniecturall hope And grant it of Iohn the Apostles that they knew their owne Adoptâ—on and we may inferre that this knowledge is a priuiledge of all belieuers in their measure as well as theirs 2. Pet. 1.1 Rom. 8.34.35.36 37. 1. Iohn 2.2 Rom. 5.1.2.3 For the faith whereby they were assured was ordinarie the grounds of assurance common to them with all true belieuers the benefite it selfe generall not in any speciall manner appropriated What promises soeuer concerning life and happinesse were made to the Apostles the same are made to all belieuers and confirmed and sealed vnto them after the same manner For they haue all one God Eph 4.4.5.6 one Christ one Spirite they are vnder one Couenant and liue by the same faith The Adoption of Belieuers is confirmed on Gods part vnto them by his word seales oath pledge and witnesse of his Spirit with the graces thereof And what God so sufficiently confirmeth we by faith may receiue it for faith inableth vs to belieue what God reuealeth Faith giueth assurance but euery belieuer is not assured in himselfe Psal 31.22 and 77.7 Psal 42.5 and 43.3 Exod. 19.5 Psal 135.4 Cant. 7.6 Psa 16.5 Deut 32.9 Psal 83.3 Mal. 3.17 Zech. 2.8 Psal 108.6 and 127.2 Cant. 8.6 Esay 49.16 Ioh 14.23 Iâ—s 1.9 Psal 109.31 and 12.5 Psal 73.23 Psal 27.5 1. Sam 2.9 Psalm 56.8 Math. 10.30 Psal 38.9 Ier. 31.20 Deut. 33.29 1. Pet. 5.10 Phil. 4.19 Psal 62.2.6.7 and 71.5 Ioel 3.16 2. Cor. 1.3 Psal 25 12. Heb. 13.21 Exo. 29.46 Reue. 21.3 2. Chron 16.9 Psal 37 4. and 145.19 Prou. 10.24 nor is any assurance in this life so certaine that it is neuer intermixed nor disturbed with doubtings There is a state in which faith sheweâ—h it selfe rather in earnest longings and paintings after mercy then in certaine apprehension of it there is a state of infancie a state of temptation and spirituall conflict in which the soule cannot attaine this certaintie and assurance And euen in the growen and confirmed state the belieuer must not looke to walke on smoothly without any rubs or to enioy perfect assurance without doubtings and assaults The assurance of this belieuer is an assurance aiming and striuing after assurance an assurance wrestling and combating with many assaults an assurance which labours wiâ—h continuall weakenes and lookes not to come to perfection but by temptations But of this before God in great mercy doth vouchsafe to his Adopted sonnes many excellent royalties in this life They are most pretious vnto him His chiefe treasure His loue for delights his peculiar people the lot of his inheritance his chosen his hidden ones his iewels Hee that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye They are his Beloued as the signet vpon his right hand Hee dwelleth with them he followeth them whither soeuer they goe hee stands at their right hand and holds them vp by it Hee coueâ—s them vnder his pauillion hee keepes their feete hee counts their wandrings hee numbreth their heires hee obserâ—es their sighes is moued with compassion vpon their complaints hee is the shield of their helpe the sword of their excellencie and the God of all grace who will fulfill all their necessities Hee is their hope their helpe their health their rocke their refuge the Father of mercies and God of all consolation Hee will teach them in the way that they should choose and make them perfect in good workes He will establish them in euery good word and worke he will walke with them his eye is euer vpon them for good and he will giue them their hearts desiâ—e They haue the Angels of God to minister vnto them for theâ—r safeguard and protection Heb. 1.14 Psal 34 7. 1. Cor. 3.22.23 Heb. 2.7.8 1. Tim 4.2.3 they haue dominion ouer the creatures of the earth and the free vse of them both for necessitie and
in Heauen a better and an enduring substance who for this hope endured the crosse and despised shame Heb. 12.2 as is testified of our Sauiour himselfe By faith Moses when he was come to yeares refused to be called the sonne of Pharoahs daughter chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season Heb. 11.24 25 26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt for he had respect vnto the recompence of reward Heb. 11.35 By faith others were tortured not accepting deliuerance that they might obtaine a better resurrection The way or meanes to stirre vp faith in these promises The meanes to stirre vp faith in these promises is First to humble our selues vnfainedly in respect of our miserable and accursed estate by sinne and former carelessenesse to seeke mercie enter possession and get assured euidence of that euerlasting inheritance Woe is mee how I am fallen from that state of blessednesse wherein I was first created into a most miserable and accursed condition I haue grieuously sinned and God is highly prouoked the sentence of the Law is alreadie gone forth I am shut vp vnder wrath and if I haue my desert I can expect nothing but the terrible execution of fearefull vengâ—ance denounced Mortalitie as a worme corrupteth my bodie ignorance and lust tyrannize in my soule my condition is exposed to a thousand vanities and wearisome courses and through feare of death the vpshot of euils Heb. 2.15 I am subiect to bondage all my life In my first estate I was made far aboue all visible Creatures and by free bountie lifted vp to bee the Fauourite of the most High God but by wilfull disobedience I am fallen into Gods displeasure and lie prisonâ—r vnder the reuenging iustice of the law Nor is my wretched condition worse then my carelesnesse to be deliuered from it The bruite beasts take it as a grieuous thing to bee ensnared and taken but I haue delighted in bondâ—ge and counted it a libertie to liue a slaue to Satan and to follow things and courses pleasing corrupt nature Thou Lord of thine infinite grace hast proclaimed libertie published peace and made offer of a better state and condition in Christ then what I formerly lost in Adam But I preferred spirituall thraldome to libe tie death to life and chose rather to follow the temptations of Satan and to fulfill the lusts of the flesh then to come vnto Christ that I might be saued The men of this world are wise in their generation to accept of earthly commodities when they bee offered and not to put by the opportunitie but when the Lord hath made promise of euerlasting life if I would renounce the pleasures of sinne and foregoe the vanities of this world I haue followed vanitie and neglected mercie I haue dispised the great saluation and walked in the paths of death and condemnation O Lord it is thine owne worke of grace in me that euer I did bethinke my selfe of the danger of my course and repent to lay hold vpon the promises of life Nor hath my slouth and negligence to seeke euidence get assurance and enter possession of that glorious inheritance by growing vp in peace ioy holinesse and sanctification been lesse odâ—ous then former carelessenesse Since I haue been enlightned and tasted of the heauenly gift I haue sleighted the promises of mercy which should haue been my continuall meditation I haue neglected to get and keepe the holy spirit holy in it selfe making them holy in whom as temples it dwelleth the seale and earnest of the promised inheritance Ah what a dwarfe am I in holinesse and sanctification for these many yeares how little haue I gained My spirituall sight is exceeding dimme my passions boisterous my heart vnquiet my thoughts euill my nature corrupt I am dull to good apt to sinne feeble and of no power to withstand temptations shaken with many feares touching my saluation soone vnsetled and remoued from stedfastnesse by any contrarie opposition farthest to seeke for euidence and assurance when I stand in greatest need All this is come vpon me through mine owne foolishnesse because I haue not acquainted my selfe with the promises of grace nourished the motions of the Spirit carefully improued the gifts receiued endeauoured after perfection and laboured to bee sealed more and more with the promised Spirit What might I haue growen vnto in Christ if I had instantly desired the Spirit of Grace of him who giueth it heeded the inspirations and suggestions of it and by all conscionable meanes sought increase of grace and assurance of saluation Long ere now I might haue attained fulnesse of spirituall wisdome and vnderstanding strength of faith power of grace sweet communion and fellowship with God libertie and freedome to walke with God comfortable possession in part and good assurance of eternall life in due time to bee accomplished whereas by reason of sloth and negligence the powers of grace are so enfeebled that I can scarce breathe sigh crawle in the way to Heauen my heart is desolate I am a stranger to the comforts of godlinesse terrified with the remembrance of death readie to faint at the apprehension of trouble and danger and continually disquieted with feares and doubts touching mine owne saluation if the world with the things thereof haue not cast mee into the sleepe of securitie for a season The slothfull man is iustly condemned who had rather starue in Summer for lacke of bread then plough in winter because of the cold Wee censure him that had rather go lame and crooked as long as hee liueth then bee at a little paine to moue an aking ioynt He is worthily accounted improuident who neglecting to gather in his writings or sue out fine and recouerie will hâ—zard the losse of his whole inheritance My folly hath exceeded herein who to liue in peace and quiet with sinne haue impouerished my soule inâ—paired my stocke of grace wounded my conscience depriued my selfe of many rich priuiledges of grace which I might haue enioyed weakened my title to mine euerlasting inheritance and beene contented to creepe feebly towards the heauenly Canaan thinking it better to keepe where I was with quiet then to make my condition by still dealing with my selfe too too restlesse The sluggards shamelesse excuse hath fearefully bewitched me Better is an handfull with ease Eccles 4.6 then both hands full with trauell and vexation of Spirit The more excellent the inheritance I hope for is the more detestable is my sluggishnes and folly that I haue not earnestly sought to make it sure vnto my selfe and entred possession thereof so farre as in this life is giuen of grace Secondly We must incite and stirre vp our selues to receiue the promises of euerlasting life by consideration of the free and rich grace of God his truth and faithfulnesse the sufficiencie of Christs merits and greatnesse excellencie and worth of the benefit
in part which may bee increased by a daily addition to the graces and comforts of the Adopted why should I be negligent to seeke it confirmed and sealed Euerlasting life is the only true life full of ioy peace and contentation a durable treasure which can neuer fade a crowne that neuer withereth and shall base things take vp the heart when God calleth to seeke a most glorious and euerlasting inheritance Oh the inestimable loue and fauour of God who makes offer of an Adoption and immortall Inheritance to the most contemptible wretches that liue vpon the face of the earth The man that toiles hard all day long for a small piece of siluer or lies at the rich mans gate waiting for an Almes the scraps that come from his Table he is inuited to come vnto Christ that hee might obtaine a kingdome an eternall kingdome that hath none end an inheritance abundantly glorious surpassing the glory worth of all earthly treasures inheritances laid together much more then all earthly treasures doe exceed the worth of one pin What an heart-break is it to a man when he finds that by some default he hath forfeited some earthly matters which he might haue held had he bin warie but what griefe and confusion will this cause when he shall see that through folly sloth carelessenesse matchlesse crueltie vnthankfulnesse he hath lost an euerlasting inheritance of glory which he might haue obtained Meere possibility of coÌ„passing some great extraordinary good is of more weight in swaying mens actions inciting endeuours then certaintie of accomplishing pettie desires But certainty coÌ„modity do here concurre in one There is no good to the possession of eternall life no successe certaine but this that he who vnfainedly belieueth in Christ shal inherit the crown of glory It is good for me to draw nigh vnto God and put my trust in his mercy to lay fast hold vpoÌ„ the promises of life protectioÌ„ to get the spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father and fly vnto his grace in Christ to get my title made sure and strengthned vnto my conscience and while time serueth earnestly to seeke the kingdome of God Thirdly Wee must pray earnestly that God would increase our faith seale vs by his Spirit lead vs in the way of peace cause vs to grow vp in holinesse make vs wise to prize and value to tast and relish the ioyes of Heauen and assure our consciences of right and title to that euerlasting inheritance For it is God that sealeth vs and makes vs to read the sealing that promiseth Heauen and affecteth the heart with the goodnesse and worth of the thing promised that by the pledges of his fauour and the earnest of his Spirit doth sufficiently testifie our Adoption and cause vs certainely to apprehend what he doth testifie and assure As the beginnâ—ng so the progresse comfort and assurance of life is from him and instantly is to be begged of him Faith receiueth the promise of life and giues assurance of what is receiued as it prayeth Who am I O Lord that thou shouldst make such ample and free promises vnto thy poore seruant concerning his euerlasting happinesse Of thy free mercy and according to thine owne heart hast thou spoken all these great things to make thy seruant know them And now O Lord God establish I beseech thee the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy seruant gratiously accept me for thy childe by the earnest of thy Spirit and pledges of thy fauour seale vnto me the promised inheritance and make me assuredly to know what great things thou hast done and what those hopes be which are reserued for me in Heauen My sight is dimme not proportioned and fitted to so high an obiect my affections carnall that I cannot set my selfe to purpose about this contemplation the Deuill labours nothing more then to keepe me hood-winked this way O Lord I beseech thee inable mee to know this good and blessed hope the matter of mine inheritence abundantly glorious that my heart may bee still in Heauen and by thy Spirit lead mee into all truth and holinesse 1. Thess 2.12 2. Thess 1.12.14 that in due time I may possesse the Kingdome of glory whereunto I am called Col. 1.5 Of thy free grace thou hast called me by the Gospell to this blessed hope which is laid vp for me in Heauen therefore is thy seruant bold to entreate the sence of thy loue the knowledge of this Hope the increase of grace and assurace of thy mercie for euermore Fourthly Wee must quicken our selues to reioyce in God waite patiently and walke chearefully before him Oh the incomprehensible loue and fauour of the Lord. Was it euer found that any man of rancke or place did adopt the blind lame deafe dumbe or otherwise deformed to be heire to succeed him in his inheritance My soule reioyce thou in the Lord and blesse his holy Name for he hath looked vpon my base estate and visited me with mercy from on high Of a stranger and forreiner I am made a free denizon of the new Ierusalem of the bondslaue of Satan the friend of Christ of the childe of wrath and damnation the sonne of God and heire of saluation My Name is registred in Heauen an eternall weight of glorie is reserued which the most righteous God hath promised and in fittest season will giue vnto me Why should I doate on earthly braueries who haue an eternall life that hath most excellent glory honour riches and happinesse aboue all the heart can comprehend ioyned with it prepared and giuen through faith in Christ It were notable basenes if an heire of sumptious and stately pallaces should couet the poore cotages of beggars that stand by the high way side Psal 16.5.6 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup thou maintainest my lot The lines are fallen vnto me in pleasant places yea I haue a goodly heritage My studie and care should be to know my heauenly hopes better and more fully that I might weane my selfe the more willingly from all earthly vanities Heauen is my home my hope mine inheritance and where should my heart be but where my treasure is where my thoughts but where my hope is In this life I receiue only the first fruites of the Spirit the earnest of the inheritance but I will waite patiently for the full possession thereof and walke charefully in the way that leadeth thereunto In earthly things men are contented to waite for a good lease in reuersion and to lay out their money for that which shall not come to their hands till some liues be expired and should not I waite for the accomplishment of glory there being but one life betwixt it and mee and that is mine owne CHAP. V. What it is liue by faith touching the promises of of perseuerance and how to stirre vp our selues therevnto GOd of his infinite mercy hath made further promises the necessitie of
his seruants so requiring God hath made many promises of perseuerance that his mercie shall neuer depart from them that hee will confirme and strengthen them to the end notwithstanding their owne weaknesse and the malice of their spirituall enemies and that nothing shall seperate them from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus Gen. 3.15 This is implied in the first promise which God made It shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heele where Satan is stinted to the heele of the true Christian seed In many passages of Scripture the same is most clearely and manifestly expressed Psal 1.3 Psal 92.13 14. He shall be like a tree planted by the riuers of water that bringeth forth his fruite in his season his leafe also shall not wither and whatsoeuer he doth shall prosper The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his way Though he fall Psal 37.23.24 hee shall not be vtterly cast downe for the Lord vpholdeth him with his hand For this God is our God for euer and euer Psal 48.14 Psal 73.24 Verse 26. he will be our guide euen vnto death Thou shalt guide me with thy councell and afterward receiue me to glory My flesh and heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer The mercie of the Lord is from euerlasting to euerlasting vpon them that feare him Psal 103.17 A good man sheweth fauour and lendeth Psal 112.5.6 hee will guide his affaires with discretion Surely he shall not be moued for euer Psal 125.1.2 the righteous shall be in euâ—rlasting remembrance They that trust in the Lord shall bee as mount Zion Esay 42.3 which cannot be remoued but abideth for euer A bruised reede shall he not breake and the smoaking staxe shall hee not quench Esay 46.4 And euen to your old age I am he and euen to the hoare haires will I carrie you Esay 54.10 I haue made and I will beare euen I will carrie and will deliuer you For the mountaines shall depart and the hils be remoued but my kindnesse shall not depart from thee neither shall the couenant of my peace be remoued Esay 59.21 saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee As for mee this is my couenant with them saith the Lord My Spirit that is vpon thee and my words which I haue put in thy mouth Rom. 9.8 Gal. 4.28 shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seede that is such as be effectually called according to the purpose of God Hereunto may be added those passages which testifie that the loue which God beareth to his people is an euerlasting loue and the couenant which he hath made with them effectually and shall be kept assuredly is an euerlasting couenant Ier. 31.3 The Lord hath appeared of old vnto me saying yea I haue loued thee with an euerlasting loue therefore with louing kindnesse haue I drawne thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with euerlasting kindnesse will I haue mercy on thee Esay 54.8.9 saith the Lord thy Redeemer For this is as the waters of Noah vnto mee for as I haue sworne that the waters of Noah should no more goe ouer the earth so haue I sworne that I would not be wroth with thee nor rebuke thee Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will make a new Couenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Iudah Ier. 31.31.32.33 Heb. 8.8.9 and 10 16.17 Not according to the Couenant that I made with their Fathers in the day that I tooke them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Aegypt which my couenant they brake although I was an husband vnto them But this shall bee the couenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those dayes saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts And they shall be my people and I will be their God And I will giue them one heart Ier. 32.38.39.40 and one way that they may feare me for euer Heb. 13.20 for the good of them and of their children after them And I will make an euerlasting couenant with them that I will not turne away from them to doe them good but I will put my feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from mee Heb. 8.10 In which couenant or Testament God freely promiseth to giue what hee requireth of his people and to effect in them what he calleth for at their hands If the benefits giuen be compared amongst themselues one is as it were a coÌ„dition to another but they be all effects in respect of the grace and free fauour of God certainely conferring them vpon whom he will Righteousnes and life are promised vpon condition of faith but the condition of the couenant is promised in the couenant it selfe A new heart also will I giue you and a new spirit will I put within you Ezek 36.26 27 and I will take away the stonie heart out of your flesh And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes and yee shall keepe my iudgements Hos 2.19.20 and doe them And I will betroth thee vnto me for euer yea I will betroth thee vnto me in righteousnesse and in iudgement and in louing kindnesse and in mercies I will euen betroth thee vnto me in faithfulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. The externall betrothing by outward couenant so as God betrothes himselfe to all professing the true faith Rom. 9.24 25. 1. Pet. 2.8 9 10 Math. 7.24 25. may be broken for though God offer them mercie if they will belieue yet hee giues not faith to them but the internall by effectuall disposition of which the Prophet speaketh in this place is indissoluble Whosoeuer heareth these sayings of mine doth them I wil liken him vnto a wise man which built his house vpoÌ„ a rock And the raine descended and the flouds came and the winds blew and beat vpon that house and it fell not for it was founded vpon a rocke But all the faithfull are built vpon the rocke not vpon the rocke now and anone vpon the sand Math. 16.18 but once built vpon the rocke they remaine vnmoueable Thou art Peter and vpon this rocke I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not preuaile against it assaile it they may preuaile against it they shall not Iohn 10.27 28 29. Ezek. 34.15 16. My sheepe heare my voice and I know them and they follow me And I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hand My Father which gaue them me is greater then all and no man is able to plucke them out of my Fathers hand Who shall seperate vs from the
And whilst they distrustfully question their perseuerance all present fauours seeme lesse then otherwise they would all other promises be held the more weakly Satan takes aduantage to fill their hearts with manifold discomforts God I denie not doth order these temptations to the best will do his children good by them for hereby they are driuen to distrust themselues run vnto God relie vpon him in all their necessities neuerthelesse the many perplexities wherein they are entangled for want of faith in the promises of perseuerance doth sufficiently conuince how necessary it is wee should labour to haue our hearts established in this confidence that the Lord will neuer leaue vs nor forsake vs. Confidence in the promises of perseuerance doth encourage and quicken in a Christian course stablish in wel-doing and hearten against the greatest difficulties Preuention of an obiection Or old it hath beene obiected against the doctrine of assurance of not falling away that it doth set open a doore to all licentiousnesse for if men cannot fall from their estate of happinesse why should they feare to commit all kind of wickednesse But he that hath faith in-deed will not nay hee cannot take courage to goe on in sinne vpon this pretence that faith once had cannot vtterly bee lost The belieuer knowes himselfe bound to the obedience of the Gospell though he be freed from the damnation of the law and certaine it is that faith which knits to Christ doth leade vs forth in all holinesse Psal 130 4. Mercie couering sinne doth beget reuerence the more assurance of saluation in a mans soule the more feare and trembling in a mans course Hee who is best assured hath most power of Gods Spirit and the stronger the Spirit of God is within the more holinesse and fruits of grace without Paul was assured that nothing should seperate him from the loue of God in Christ 1. Cor 9.27 2. Tim. 4.7 8. Peter was assured that his faith should not faile did this make them the more carelesse Nay rather the more carefull to runne their race the more couragious to fight out their combate 1. Iohn 4.19 The load-stone of loue is loue Loue in the superiour doth draw loue from the inferiour is it then possible for vs to apprehend such vnspeakable loue of God in choosing vs to such an excellent happy vnchangeable condition and not bee affected to loue the Lord againe Of necessitie the faith which continueth must be liuely nor can it imbrace the promises of perseuerance but whilest it is liuely The more operatiue faith is the greater our assurance of future standing if faith be dormant or languish for a time for that time wee are to seeke of this comfort nor can it be recouered till faith recouer and put forth it selfe valiantly in combating against Satan subduing corruption and working righteousnesse Looke how much we come short in belieuing the faithfull promises of God concerning our future protection from all hurtfull euils the greatest whereof is falling away so much are wee lacking to sound peace and stable tranquillitie of Minde and Conscience The better we haue learned to liue by faith in Christ as the Authour and finisher of our faith and raiser of vs vp at the last day the greater and more stedfast is our comfort The men of this world be not satisfied with the possession of their purchased inheritance but they seeke to strengthen and assure their title against future claimes before they can be quiet When a Christian is acquainted with the promises of pardon and forgiuenesse belieueth in Christ for saluation and is reconciled vnto God When his conscience is purged that there remaineth no more terrible remembrance of sinnes past his lusts subdued and vanquished his heart quieted from all perturbations and all inward disturbance which was in man against himselfe done away and when these things are knowne vnto the Conscience yet one thing is wanting to sound and full peace that is holy securitie for time to come against all enemies both inward and outward that they shall not hunt vs much lesse preuaile against vs. For if what we possesse may vtterly be lost or what we hope and expect be meerely vncertaine and coniecturall built vpon the good vse of our free-will and not vpon the free and vnchangeable grace of God what rest or quiet in respect of his future estate can any man finde in himselfe But let the heart be established in this that God will carrie him forward from grace to grace till hee haue brought him to his euerlasting Kingdome that his faith shall neuer faile the graces of the Spirit shall neuer wither and decay Satan with all his malice the world with the manifold allurements thereof shall neuer preuaile against him this freeth from much heart-griefe perplexitie distrustfull sorrow and vnprofitable trouble when he feeles his owne weaknesse thinkes of Satan and the worlds power heares of the falls of some who haue gone farre in the profession of godlinesse and casts with himselfe what persecutions may be raised against him for the truth and Gospell This also refresheth the heart with sweet and heauenly comfort in the midst of those many trials and incumbrances which we doe and must make account to meet with all and this our heauenly Father knew to bee no more then necessarie for our chearefull walking before him For the which cause I also suffer these things 2. Tim. 1.12 neuerthelesse I am not ashamed for I know whom I haue beliued and I am perswaded that he is able to keepe that which I haue committed vnto him against that day The Godly are allowed to belieue their perseuerance And seeing God hath promised to perfect the worke of grace begun and bound himselfe by couenant to confirme strengthen and stablish his children vnto the end and in the end to giue them eternall life such as find any true and liuely worke of grace wrought in them are allowed from God to belieue that they shall neuer perish nor quite be broken off from Christ nor those liuing waters cleane be dried vp but notwithstanding their owne infirmities and the sore temptations wherewith they are oppressed they shall be preserued vpheld and kept vnto saluation For what God hath confirmed by promise and couenant vnto his children vndertaken to effect by his Almightie power and ratified by earnest and pawne that they are allowed to belieue and expect from him of his vnchangeable grace and loue This is the golden and indissoluble chaine which the Apostle speakes of Rom. 8.30 Whom he did predestinate them also he called and whom he called them he also iustified and whom he iustified them he also glorified Luke 22.32 Math. 6.13 so that effectuall vocation is a pledge and token of glorification to ensue Christ hath prayed for his people that their faith might not faile the faithfull pray instantly Iohn 16.23 Lead vs not into temptation and that no man
his saluation and looketh vnto Christ the Authour and finisher of our faith who hath receiued â—ommandemâ—nt of the Father that hee should not only â—all vs and bring vâ— into the state of grace but also raise vs vp at the last day who is that great God and Sauiour who will keepe his from euery euill worke vnto his heaâ—enly kingdome Th s matter may bee exemplified in some particular How to liue by faith in the vse of meate and drinke scil how wee are to liue by faith in the vse of meate and drinke First By faith we leaâ—ne out of the Word of God who haue sonne-like interest â—nd title vnto the creatures what creatures are sanctified vnto our vse and how each man must sâ—nctifie them vnto himselfe by a reuerent and holy vse As that the person must be in couenant 1. Tim. 4.5 Titus â— 16 2. Thess 3.12 resting vpon Christ for saluation and giuing himselfe vnto the studie and sincere vnpartiall practice of holinesse the food must bee lawfully gotten prouided with wise respect of our place and mâ—anes without distracting care or exquisite curiositie nicenesse receiued with thanksgiuing as from Gods hanâ— and vsed as in his sight and presence for such ends and purposes as he hath appointed Secondly It receiueth them not as the fruit of our forecast labour or desert but as gifts of Gods bountie yea Psal 104.21 145.15 Psal 23.5 Hosea 2 18 19. Ezek. 37.24 25 as gifts of the gratious couenant proceeding froÌ„ the free loue of God For in the couenant of grace God promiseth not only to write his Law in our hâ—arts and to forgiue our sinnes but also to conferre temporall blessings as they shall be seruiceable to vs in our iourney towâ—rds Heauen Men that make a great purchase desire to haue some part in present possession and our gratious God making pâ—omise of eternâ—ll happinesse doth giue earthly blessings in hand as pertaining to that heauenly possession which wee shall enioy hereafter Now as God giues temporall thiâ—gs to his people in couenâ—nt so doth faith receiue them as â—okens of speciall good-will and fauour in Iesus Christ Heb. 1.2 2.8 in and thâ—ough whom of free grace sonne-like right and tiâ—le to the creatures is restoâ—ed which by sinne and disobâ—dience was forfeited And these considerations strike the heart with reuerence inflame it with loue and raise an holy regard and care not to abuse this grant of mercie breeds an acknowleâ—gement of our vnworthinesse of any mercie Gen. 32.10 admiratâ—on of Gods prouision and contentation with the least blessing of God Thirdly By faith we are taught that man liueth not by bread only Deut 8.3 Math. 4.4 but by the prouidence of God and his blessing vpon his own ordinance It is not the nature of the thing it selfe simply to nourish if Gods blessing bee not vpon it Psal 104.15 it can afford no refreshing Bread strengthens wine comforts the heart by his ordinance and application of them to that vse but the blessing is not in the creature it comes from aboue Bread nourisheth when it is Gods hand or meanes to confer strength and vigour but if he plucke away his hand it is but a deafe nut Thou maist eate and not bee filled Hosea 4.10 Hag. 1.5 6. Mich. 6.14 15. Psal 106.15 drinke bee and not satisfied Thus it is noted of the Israelites The Lord fed them with Manna but sent leannesse into their soules This perswasion sinking deepe into the belieuing heart taketh it off the creature and lifteth it vnto the Lord in earnest and pertinent prayer that hee would of his grace vouchsafe vnto vs 1. Tim. 4.4 as leaue to vse his creatures so his blessing vpon them that the food wee receiue may doe vs good we feeling the nourishing vertue thereof and that with ioy and cheerefulnesse The prayer of faith for Gods blessing vpon the creatures when they are set before vs should be no lesse earnest then for the mercies themselues if wanting For there is no more possibilitie in meate of it selfe to nourish without Gods blessing then it is for man to liue without meate Fourthly It teacheth to be heauenly-minded labouring to taste Gods goodnesse and feele his gratious presence with our spirits at our sweetest feasts Beza annot maior in 1. Tim. 4.5 Hosea 2.9 And this is the best sawce to all meates which giueth them the daintiest rellish When we sit downe to meate we come to a liuely Sermon of Gods bountie and loue for the bread wee feed vpon is not ours but the Lords all the prouision are gifts of his mercie in Iesus Christ Caluin in Psal 8 Verse 8. Moller ibid. And the more sensible the creatures are the more pleasant and delightsome to our palate the more should we be affected with the sense of Gods loue and fauour Fiftly Faith worketh the heart to sobrietie and moderation watchfulnesse and feare lest it should be ensnared and drawne away with these delights To sobrietie in affecting and in vsing earthly things To sobrietie in thought that wee suffer not the mind to be taken vp with cogitations what we shall eate next how we may gratifie the palate Sobrietie in desire that wee long not after daintie meate for such longing effeminates the minde engenders and feeds passion and makes way to hardnesse of heart Sobrietie in receiuing them for the strengthening of nature and not to the dulling of our Spirits For faith raiâ—â—th the heart to more spirituall delights and guardeth the appetite that it range not immoderately after sensuall things The word of grace teacheth to liue soberly Titus 2.11 and faith receiuing this word worketh sobrietie in earthly things refreshing the soule with spirituall sweetnesses and watching against intemperate cherishings that they winne not ground As a man that hath tooke in the taste of the best creatures cannot forth-with feed on that which is coarse â—ant 1.2 Psal 119.72 â—0â— Psal 36.9 Ier 31 14. Psal 63.3 6. meane no way to be compar d so a Christian who by faith hath tasted the loue of God which is beâ—ter then wine the comforts of the word which are sweeter then honey to the mouth hee cannot affect as sometimes before he did those sensuall delights which carnall men who know no better follow with greedâ—nesse If earthly delights creepe vpâ—n vs it is because the exercise of faith is neglected which must conscionably be renewed againe Moreouer a Christian belieuer comes to his Table with an holy Iealousie remembring that a snare is laid for him in euery creature Satan is a cunning fowler who hath his baits laid secretly to catch vs where we least suspect The Snake lurketh in the fairest grasse and the most dangerous grins are set in our lawfull liberties And through neglect to keepe vp our watch these oft take when others misse More perish through the abuse of things lawfull then by the practice of what is simply vnlawfull
can firmely vnite vs vnto Christ whereby likewisâ— were it firme it selfe wee should assent vnto euery precept of God as much better then any incompatible good That act cannot please God which is not animated by faith for it is but the naked carkese of a good worke without life or soule if that be wanting It is faith which impelleth to worke righteousnesse and putteth life and vigour into the worke wrought so that the best workes of the regenerate bee dull and liuelesse if faith be dormant and put not forth it selfe for a time And when a Christian knowes not whether he shall haue strength to doe what God requireth nor whether God hath giuen him any promise that his burden shall be made light and that Christ will beare the greatest part of it for him it must needs bee very tedious and troublesome it will occasion many feares and doubts deadnesse and vnchearefulnesse This killeth the heart of right good Christians when they are ignorant or not throughly informed that God will make them able and fit for so great a worke as the leading of a godly life But if they haue this faith as a foundation to vphold them they shall sooner wade through their doubts and grow out of their feares as knowing that God will be euer with them for their assistance Who doth not know that when some certaintie of saluation is obtained yet for all that in asmuch as it is but weake they haue many heart-griefes for this that they see they haue a wearisome pilgrimage to goe thorow and little knowledge and perswasion of any great guiding of them through all the feares and difficulties of it A Christian that hath this confidence that God will strengthen him to euery good worke he shall goe about it with heart and cherefulnesse he shall be encouraged to pray as his necessitie shall giue cause he shall be kept from fainting and dismaidnes when his strength is not very great and rise vp againe when he is fallen But if he be not wel grounded in belieuing that God will build him vp more strongly from day to day perfect the good worke in him which is begunne hee shall very much stagger and goe backe If a chiefe and maine post in a building be wanting will not the whole house be soone shâ—ken so if a Christian who must reforme his life goe about it not resting vpon the grace of God in Christ to be made able hee may be sure he shall want a maine hâ—lpe hereto euen that which may shake all that is set vp Sundry true-hearted Christians very Conscionable in their conuersation be yet much discouraged by reason of the infirmities of their best duties and haue little comfort in any thing they doe because they question what accepâ—ance their poore seruice hath with God And though they desire to please him willing in all things to liue honestly Heb. 13.18 yet still looking vpon their frailties they hardly admit any comfort because they come so farre short of what is required Whereas if they were well instructed and assured of this that although by reason of their corâ—uption dwelling in them they can neuer offer vp any sacrifice to God without blemish and spot for which God might reiect all which they offer vnto him yet offering thâ—m vp in the Name of Christ they shall be accepted and rewarded this would put life and courage into them and make them performe all holy duties with more chearefulnesse and constancie to the glory of God the comfort of their soules and the good encouragement of others Confidence in God to be accepted what tedious disputes would it remoue What temptations would it cut off What discouragements would it trample vnder feet What strength vigour resolution and forwardnesse in wel-doing would it nourish and conserue The sharpest spurre to incite vnto and encourage to goe forward in the workes of holinesse is affiance of fauourable acceptation Christians are allowed to belieue that God will enable to obedience Ier. 32.39 40. Euery Christian is allowed to belieue that God will strengthen him by his grace to walke in obedience and make him able through the hearing of the Scriptuâ—es to cast off his old conuersation For God hath promised in Couenant that he will teach them the way that they shall chuse guide them with his eye and put his feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from his Commandements The Spirit of grace is promised and giuen to all true and vnfained Belieuers to lead them into all truth anâ— holinesse As many as be the children of God Rom. 8.14 they are led by the Spirit of God and the law of the Spirit of life in Iesus Christ Verse 2. hath freed them from the law of sinne anâ— death The Lord when he sendeth forth his seruants vpon any message or businesse doth euermore promise to be with them to aide and assist them in the execution of it Thus the Lord promised to Moses Goe Exod. 4.12 Math. 28.19 20 and I will be witâ— thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say Thus our Sauiour to his Disciples Loe I am with you alwayes euen to the end of the world 1. Chron. 28.20 Ier. 1.7 8. Iosh 1.9 And thus Dauid encouraged his Sonne Salomon Bee strong and of good courage and doe it feare not nor be dismayed for the Lord God euen my God will be with thee hee will not faile thee nor forsake thee vntill thou hast finished all the worke for the seruice of the house of the Lord. And the same promise belongeth to them that yeeld obedience to his Commandements for the worke is his and he will not faile nor forsake them that set their hearts and soules to seeke him and doe the thing that is good in his fight Whatsoeuer the Saints haue and may begge in prayer according to the will and pleasure of God they are allowed to belieue that they shall obtaine it and bee answered in their requests with fauourable acceptation so farre as shall be for their good and the glorie of God But the seruants of God haue and doe begge grace to bring forth fruits worthy repentance and amendement of life Psal 119.32 33 I will runne the race of thy Commandements when thou shalt inlarge mine heart Teach me the way of thy statutes O Lord and I shall keepe it vnto the end Make me to goe in the paths of thy Commandements Verse 35. for therein doe I delight Teach me thy way O Lord Psal 86.11 I will walke in thy truth vnite my heart to feare thy Name Lead mee in thy truth and teach mee Psal 25.5 Psal 17.5 for thou art the God of my saluation on theâ— doe I waite all the day Hold vp my goings in thy paths that my footstâ—ps slip not Psal 27.11 Teach â—e thy way O Lord and lead me in a plaine path because of mine enemies The faithfull haue bound themselues by couenant oath
and rowse vp our selues to reioyce in him What can I desire more God the Father hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne to be my Sauiouâ— and I haue receiued and am betrothed vnto him a firme peace is concluded an euerlasting inherâ—tance is assured vnto mee I haue a good legacie bequeathed vnto me in the promises whereunto I sticke sealed vnto me in the SacrameÌ„t which I may produce as an euidence to stop the mouth of Satan if he shall contend and seeke to robbe mee of my priuiledges bestowed of grace If I bee hunger-starued in my selfe the bodie of Christ is true meate nourishing me to life eternall If thirstie and destitute of the sappe of grace the bloud of Christ is true drinke nourishing mee to life eternall Iohn 6.65 and eating his flesh and drinking his bloud he dwelleth in me and I in him Thus we must quicken our hearts to reioyce in beliefe of the promises made and sealed waiting vpon God till he be pleased to giue the sence and comfort of it CHAP. XII The faithfull are bound and it is behouefull for them to belieue the threatnings GOd is aswell iust as mercifull faithfull and true as well in his threats as in his promises and therefore equally to be belieued in both so farre as in his word he hath assured vs of both He who is certaine of his saluation knoweth assuredly he should be damned if he should goe on in sinne without repentance and shall tast of much bitternesse if he grow indulgent to his corruptions It is as sure that God will condemne the wicked and impenitent as that hee will saue the righteous and repentant 1. Cor. 9.27 If Paul beate not downe his body and bring it into subiection he shall bee as drosse and refuse If the righteous forsake his righteousnesse and commit wickednesse Ezek. 18.24.26 or be a worker of iniquity all his former righteousnesse shall be forgotten The godly man is not slauishly to feare falling away or running into destruction but wisely to belieue the threatnings to preuent falling into sinne and so into condemnation The subiect who feareth the punishment of the law and keepeth himselfe innocent taketh a wise couâ—se for his owne securitie Euery part of Scripture is Gods word of certaine and and vndoubted truth which cannot be gaine-said written for the benefit and profit of them who shall be heires of saluation But the threatnings are part of the word of God Rom. 15.4 Whatsoeuer things were written afore-time euen as well examples of iudgement inflicted vpon transgressours and threatenings denounced against them that shall offend as promises of mercie to allure vnto obedience were written for our learning and instructon 1. Cor. 10.6 In the state of innocencie there was vse of threatenings so is there in the state of grace As a meanes to keep our first parents from sinne Gen. 2.17 Iob 31.21.23 the Lord denounced death against them if they should eate of the forbidden fruite Iob professeth he durst not lift vp his hand against the Fatherlesse for destruction from God was a terrour vnto him So Dauid My flesh trembleth for feare of thee Psal 119.120 and I am affraid of thy Iudgements The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked Pro. 21.12 but God ouerthroweth the wicked for their wickednesse And sure it is expedient for vs that threatenings should be mingled with the promises of grace for so prone are we to flatter fauour our selues milder doctrine would grow colde vnles these spurrs were added The tarxtnesse of the threatening makes vs best tast the sweetnesse of promise Sowre and sweet make the best sauce promises and threatenings mingled fit our state and serue to keepe the heart in the best temper Wee grow ouerbold with God if the threatning doe not awe are soone deiected if the promise doe not support The Lord knoweth both necessarie to keepe vs in awe and therefore beginneth with promises to the intent we might follow him the more willingly but to driue forward when wee stoppe or grow remisse he addeth threatenings Heb. 12.28.29 Wherfore we receiuing a kingdome which cannot be moued let vs haue grace whereby we may serue God acceptably with reuerence and godly feare For our God is a consuming fire The acts of faith in respect of the threatenings be these The acts of faith in respect of the Threatnings First It worketh humblenesse of mind and heart for what the law threateneth the faithfull will freely acknowledge that they deserue and so arraigne themselues as guiltie of all miserie and death before the throne of grace whereby the pride and stubbornesse of nature is much abated Say wee not of him who hath beene once impleaded before the tribunall of an earthly Iudge as guiltie of felonie or treason he hath no reason to be stout What then will the arraignement of the soule worke when a man shal be drawne to acknowledge before God that he hath deserued to be cast into hell for his manifold offences and transgressions against God Secondly It bringeth forth awefulnesse reuerence and feare Psal 52.6 Act. 5.5 Psal 119.120 Ion. 1.16 1. Chron. 13.12 Hab. 3.16 The righteous also shall see and feare As the Childe quaketh when he heareth that his Father is angry with or doth correct a seruant so the heâ—rt and body of the faithfull tremble as oft as they consider the seueritie of Gods wrath against the wicked and vngâ—dly When I heard my belly trembled my lips quiuâ—red at the voyce rottennesse entred into my bones and I trembled in my selfe that I might rest in the day of trouble That is when the fame of thy diuine punishment and iudgement came to mine eaâ—es which thou hast decreed to inflict vpon thy people “ Pro. 29 27.30 Psal 40.8 my belly that is my heart and bowels moueâ— for griefe and feare Thus Noah hearing of Gods iust wrath against the sinfull world and of his purpose to ouerthrow all liuing flesh by water Heb. 11.7 was moued with great feare and reuerence at this strange dreadfull mightie work of God and from the view of this his great iust iudgement his faith made him arise to a more earnest consideration of the glorious Maiesty of the Almâ—ghty And this is the effect of iudgement executed by men according to the direction of Gods word And all Israel shall heare and feare Deut. 13.11 and 17.13 and 19 26. Ier. 10.7 and shall doe no more any such wickednesse True faith then worketh an holy feare and reuerent awe of God in respect of his iudgements Who would not feare thee O King of nations for to thee doth it appertaine Psal 76.7 Thou euen thou art to bee feared and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry The godly mans assurance of Gods fauour will stand well with reuerence of his Maiestie and feare of temporall afflictions spirituall desertions and the torments of hell not