translated from death to life is also endued with the grace of loue Hee that belieueth is in the light and abideth therein But no man is in the light 1. Iohn 2.9 10. who loueth not Faith and Hope be inseparable But it cannot bee but wee should loue those things which we alreadie know embrace taste and hope to bee singularly good Faith receiueth and resteth vpon the mercie of God as our soueraigne Good But it is not possible for a man truly to know and embrace the chiefest good and yet to with-hold affection from the loue of it It is faith which setting God before vs such a one as hee is wise mightie iust mercifull louing and gracious towards vs enamoreth our hearts and stirreth in vs affections correspondent to his grace neither is there any sparke of true loue which is not kindled by this meanes Wee loue God because he loueth vs first 1. Iohn 4.19 But nothing can season and affect the heart with the serious consideration and sweet taste of Gods mercie and fauour but faith only In nature wee see nothing can moue in desire to this or that till first it hath â—pprehended it louely and it cannot but moâ—e when it hath soundly tasted of it goodnesse So our affections cannot in loue moue to and vnite themselues with God till by faith we know him to be an amiable obiect for vs sinners to embrace and when wee haue soundly and truly tasted how good and gracious the Lord is we cannot but loue and affect him intirely Faith is an obsequions and affianced acknowledgement of the truth of Gods promises But hee that doth after that manner acknowledge the truth of God in Christ is both inwardly affected towards God and desirous to put forth the same in all duties of holinesse and righteousnesse Titus 2.11 12. The doctrine of grace which bringeth saluation teacheth vs to denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts and to liue godly iustly and soberly in this present world which being embraced by faith doth leauen euery facultie Popish Obiections preuented 1. Cor. 13.2 Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap. 15. Rhem. annot in 1. Cor. 13.2 and season it in such sort as the seuerall affections will readily moue at the command of faith When the Apostle seperates faith and loue saying If I had all faith so that I could remoue Mountaines and had not loue it profiteth me nothing hee speakes of that perswasion and confidence in the extraordinarie promises of God whereby the parties endued therewith weâ—e inabled to doe miracles And the word All noteth manifestly the highest degree of doing miracles That whereas some had faith to doe some miracles and not other some the Apostle sheweth that if he had such a miraculous faith that hee could doe all miracles and haue not loue it were nothing This is cleare in that the Apostle reckoneth faith miraculous amongst the gifts of the Spirit in the precedent Chapter and by the example or instance of mouing Mountaines 1 Cor. 12.9 which our Sauiour noteth as a Master miracle amongst others He saith 1 Cor. 13.2 Math. 7.20 Luke 17.6 Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap. 5. Sect. deinde If I had All knowledge not vnderstand ng iâ— simply and absolutely of all kindes of knowledge but of the gift of knowledge and so by All faith he meaneth not all kinds of faith but all faith of miracles Vniuersall propositions must bee limited according to the subiect matter vnlesse we will runne into manifold absurdities And that the faith he speaketh of was not fitly qualified to Iustification appeareth in this that it did not command but rather was subordinate to their vain-glorious humour Looke as their confidence was greater in the power and extraordinarie promises of God the more were they puffed vp boasting in themselues insulting ouer their brethren whereas if their affiance had beene well setled vpon the mercie of God in Christ and had rightly spread it selfe to the seuerall branches of holy truth it would haue inclined yea constrained them to serue one another in loue and bend their gifts to the edification of their brethren which whilest they doe not but rather turne their gifts to the seruice of their lusts and the dishonour of God it is euident they belieued not vnto righteousnesse But by what faith should these Corinthians haue come to know and rightly to value Christian loue The same by which they wrought wonders or some other If the same a So Bellarmine seemes to dispute vbisupra â— 5. Augustinus then faith is true though separated from loue If some other the Apostle in all congruitie should first haue exhorted them to embrace it otherwise he had commended the beautie of Christian loue but vnto blinde men Besides if it be some other then by that grace of faith whereby they rested vpon the extraordinarie promise and power of God they had neuer beene able to discerne betwixt good and euill or to behold the worth and dignitie of Christian loue and kindnesse though neuer so wel-rooted in their hearts To this question it is directly answered That the exercise of loue was to bee raised in these Corinthians hearts by faith for common offence and qualities the same with that whereby they wrought miracles but by the same faith rightly set deeply rooted taking better in the heart diffusing it vertue into the seuerall faculties spreading it selfe vniformely vnto the particular branches of Christian duties directing the affections vnto spirituall obiects and fixing them fastest vpon such as it adiudgeth best and most effectuall to the edifying of themselues and others In lustifying faith two things are to be considered the common nature or substance and the specificall nature plantation and soueraigntie For faith historicall and Iustifying agree in this that both the one and the other is an assent to diuine truths grounded vpon the authoritie of the reuealer Faith temporary and Iustifying agree in this that they receiue the word and rest vpon the mercies of God but in radication soueraigntie and working and so in speciall nature sauing faith differeth from other kinds The seed which fell by the high way side in stonie ground among thornes and in good soile was one and the same and in most of these grounds it tooke not alike in all kindly in the good soyle alone The common nature of faith is to receiue the Word which some receiue by bare assent of vnderstanding others by sleight and superficiall confidence which vanisheth away but the doctrine of life taketh kindly in the honest and good heart which embraceth it soundly with vnfained and wel-rooted affiance Iustifying faith is discerned from the other kinds not by this that it receiueth the promises which they doe not but it receiueth them in another manner and degree with firmer radication in the heart which is the seate of the affections that it might season them and subiect earthly desires to the affectation of heauenly things Amongst the chiefe Rulers of
not only to the righteous themselues but to their children and posterity pag. 358 359. 360 It is necessary to belieue these promises for 1. Faith in these promises doth kill couetous desires distrustfull and distracting cares p. 360. 361 2. He will neuer renounce carnall supports who makes not God the stay of his soule for outward things ibid. 3. Beliefe in God brings good successe ibid. 4. If we cleaue not to the promises of God made concerning temporall things we shall adhere to the promises of life with lesse assurance p. 361. 362 5. Faith sweetneth and sanctifieth vnto vs the vse of all outward comforts vnder our hands p. 362 The godly are allowed to liue by faith touching these promises For 1. Seâ—ing God hath giuen Christ for vs how shall he not with him also freely giue vs all things p. 362. 363 2. The Lord by couenant hath promised to furnish his people with all needfull blessings pertayning to this life p. 363 3. God is our faithfull Creatour we the worke of his hands He is our Shepheard we the flocke of his pasture He is our Father we his children p. 364. 365 4. The patient expectation of the Saints hath confirmed this that God will not bee wanting to his children in things of this life p. 365. 366 The acts of faith in respect of these promises 1. It preserueth from the vse of all vnlawfull meanes knowing that nothing can prosper which God approueth not p. 366. 367 2. Faith is painfull prouident and frugall p. 367 3. It maketh inquiry into the heart turneth from euill and seeketh the face of the Lord earnestly ibid. 4. It stirreth vp to pray without distrustfull fruitlâ—sse excessiue care c. p. 368 5. It seeth riches in God submitteth to his wisdome resteth in his loue and so maintaineth a Christian in some measure of contentation p. 368. 369 6. In prosperitie it keepeth the heart in an holy temper and disposition in humility and meeknesse tendernesse and compassion p. 369. 370 7. It prayeth as earnestly for the sanctification of prosperity and Gods blessing vpon the meanes as for the meanes themselues if they were wanting p. 370. 371 8. It makes heauenly minded in the vse and possession of a prosperous estate ibid. 9. Faith breeds godly iealousie and suspition lest the heart should be drawne away with the pleasing delights of things transitory p. 371. 372 10. It mindeth vs of our change euen when our mountaine seemeth strongest p. 372. 373 How to liue by faith in the vse of meate and drinke 1. By faith we learne out of the Word of God who hath sonne-like interest and title vnto the creatures what creatures are sanctified vnto our vse and how each man must sanctifie them by a reuerent and holy vse p. 373 2. It receiueth them not as the fruit of our fore-cast labour or desert but as gifts of Gods bounty yea as gifts of the gracious couenant p. 373. 374 3. By faith we are taught that man liueth not by bread only but by the prouidence of God and his blessing vpon his owne ordinance ibid. This perswasion takes the heart off the creature and lifteth it vp vnto the Lord in earnest and pertinent prayer pag. 374. 375 4. It teacheth to bee heauenly-minded labouring to taste Gods goodnesse and feele his gracious presence with our spirits at our sweetest feasts p. 375 5. Faith worketh the heart to sobriety and moderation watchfulnesse and feare lest it should bee ensnared and drawne away with these delights p. 375. 376 6. It lifteth vp the soule in thankesgiuing pag. 376 377 7. Faith is frugall compassionate industrious pag. 377. 378 CHAP. IX THe Lord cals for willing chearefull vniuersall vnfained constant obedience p. 378. 379 Looke what seruice the Lord doth expect and call for that hee will inable his people in couenant to performe p. 379. 380 The obedience of the faithfull is imperfect but pleasing p. 380. 381 This faith is most necessary to the leading of a Christian life scil to rest vpon God for ability to doe what hee requireth c. For 1. The word of grace teacheth vs to deny vngodlinesse c. p. 381 2. Want of belieuing the precepts is the cause why many doe still continue in the practice of diuers things inconuenient ibid. 3. Ignorance in this point is the cause why some of the better sort of people are off and on c. ibid. 4. Faith carrieth a man whither soeuer he shall see the Lord to goe before him p. 382 5. Our present faith is commensurable to our fidelitie in Gods Commandements ibid. 6. That act cannot please God which is not animated by faith p. 382. 383 7. When a Christian knowes not whether hee shall haue strength to doe what God requireth or his poore seruice shall find acceptance it must needes occasion many feares and doubts deadnesse and vnchearefulnesse pag. 383. 384 8. Confidence in God to be inabled strengthened and accepted will cut off temptations and discouragements and nourish courage resolution and forwardnesse in wel-doing p. 384 Christians are allowed to belieue that God wil inable them to walke in obedience 1. God hath promised in his couenant to teach them the way that they shall chuse p. 384. 385 2. When he sends forth his seruants vpon any businesse he doth euermore promise to aide and assist them in the execution of it p. 385 3. The seruants of God haue and doe begge grace to bring forth fruits worthy repentance and amendment of life ibid. 4. The faithfull haue bound themselues by couenant and oath to keepe the righteous iudgements of the Lord. p. 386 5. God will perfect the sauing worke which hee hath begun in any of his children ibid. The acts of faith touching obedience required 1. It makes a man wise to discerne what is lawfull good and seasonable ibid. 2. It curbes inordinate passions and ouercomes all impediments temptations difficulties and allurements to the contrary p. 387. 388 3. It purifieth the heart seasoneth euery facultie of soule qualifieth and strengtheneth naturall inclinations altereth the taste of euery appetite and so inableth to obey p. 389 4. Admirable in force and efficacie is the perswasion of faith aboue all the oratory in the world p. 389. 390 5. It disposeth and moueth the heart to absolute vniforme vnpartiall and constant obedience p. 390. 391 6. It fires the heart with vnquenchable loue which in comparison of obedience contemneth the whole world pag. 391. 392 7. Faith makes sensible of our manifold infirmities and that hath bl ssed effects 1. It causeth serious meditation vpon the Word of God that it might sinke deepe into the heart p. 392 2. It worketh the heart often to renew its resolution trusting in Gods grace ibid. 3. It stirres vp earnest and hearty prayer to bee taught vpheld and confirmed ibid. 8. It doth confirme in obedience and pricke forward therein though it be in manifold and bitter persecutions p. 392. 393. 394 Meanes how to quicken our
him euery day because hee knowes he will not disinherit him in the end and not rather say it is good sleeping in a whole skin And shall belieuers who are spiritually wise willingly prouoke God because he will not condemne them eternally The assurance which a godly man hath of his saluation is euer ioyned with a faithull and conscionable care to walke vprightly before the Lord and to decline by-paths and strayings for which end hee makes vse of euery part of the word Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus who walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Moreouer there may be feare of that which a man is infallibly assured to escape not a distrustfull feare of falling into it but a watchfull feare of shunning and shrinking all meanes leading thereunto §. 6. â— Commandements Titus 2.11 13. § 6. The word of grace which calleth vpon vs to belieue the free mercie of God in Christ to the pardon of our offences teacheth vs to denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts and to liue godly iustly soberly in this present euill world and this word of grace is the matter of faith which is wholly receiued if any part take good rooting For the precepts of sanctitie and holinesse binde the conscience to obey God as well as the promises binde to trust in God What God hath linked together faith will not seperate But God hath coupled mercie and obedience grace and holinesse Hee cannot belieue or make faithfull plea to the promises of remission and saluation who doth not make conscience of all sound doctrine that he heareth and giue free vnlimited assent to euery part of Gods Word submitting himselfe to be led by it and that because it is his Word Faith setteth the Image of God vpon the heart which is manifested in the seuerall branches of holines and righteousnes which he commandeth in his Word and it resigneth a man vnto God to liue not vnto the world not vnto the lusts of the flesh but vnto the praise of his Name which is not possible to bee done if hee cleaue not vnto the Commandements as iust equall honest and good in all things and at all times to bee obeyed Faith cannot take and leaue yeeld and with-hold assent at pleasure part and mangle diuide with times seasons and priuate respects or resigne it selfe to God with limitation to haue leaue in this or that to liue at pleasure but it is downe-right for God and willingly receiueth whatsoeuer hee saith what God approueth that is pleasing to faith though crosse to age education custome credit honour naturall desire and inclination what God condemneth that faith disalloweth though neuer so much countenanced by authoritie graced by example attended vpon with honour dignitie preferment and suting to our disposition Faith subdueth the strongest passions as well and if due and right comparison be made as much as the weakest and acknowledging the Goodnesse Mercie and absolute Soueraignetie of the Lord yeeldeth it selfe to be led by him aboue all things that can oppose themselues and will not giue place to ought that doth set against him Gen. 12.1 4. If God bid Abraham leaue all his friends his Fathers house the land of his Natiuitie to goe into a strange countrie hee is straight vpon his iourney without further questioning hee will be gone Gen. 22.2 3. no intreatie will stay him in Mesopotamia If God commâ—nd him to offer his onely Sonne in sacrifice he is eaâ—ly vp to doe it The faithfull soule giues firme and free assent vnto all things reuealed by God eagerly fixeth the affiance of heaâ—t vpon the promises and cleaueth close vnto the Commandements not only such as suite wiâ—h his disposition education age but euen those that directly crosse and oppose carnall reason carnall affections worldly pleasures and what prouocations soeuer there bee in the world vnto sinne and not then alone when it may be done without contradiction or resistance but hen specially when temptations rise humane reason failes sinfull lusts hale this way and that Satan rageth the world frownes or flatters our preferment credit honour life all lies at stake In this case faith lookes directly nto God and iudgeth it best to sticke vnto him from whom comes saluation For no good can bee equall to that which God promiseth no euill so great as what he threatens no course so safe as what he prescribes no euidence so sure as the tâ—uth of God no command so iust as what God requires the greatest gaine is to loose all for Christs sake if we be called theâ—eunto wee should stand so affected to the glorie of God as to shrinke in no triall though neuer so difficult Heb. 12.4 nor thinke it much to râ—sist vnto bloud striuing against sinne This is the constant certaine iudgâ—ment of faith which bringeth forth a setled resolution to follow the Lord at all times and in all things In particular practices the faithfull may faile 1. Sam. 27.1 Psal 116. â—1 Mat. 26.70 72 74. notwithstanding all opposition In particular practice the faithfull soule may be ignorant of some things and weake in the application of others Dauid in a passion may thinke Samuel hath deceiued him and Peter surprised with bodily feare may denie his master but the constant temper of the belieuer is much better and if by some vnexpected occasion he be vnsetled he is neuer quiet vntill his former resolution be confirmed and put in practice For hauing we ghed and pondered all things in an euen ballance hee is assuredly perswaded that no outwarâ— euill can come in comparison with Gods anger no earthly good is to bee matched with Gods fauour that transitorie delights aâ—e deare bought if a man endanger his soule to compasse them that the sufferings of this l fe are not worthy to bee compared with the glorie that shall bee reuealed and therefore it is infinitely better to cleaue vnto God though in reproaches bands imprisonment or death Heb. 11.25 then to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season § 7. And seeing faith kindly rooted doth spread it selfe to euery branch of diuine truth §. 7. The obedience of faith is vniforme intire and constant cleauing inseperably to the whole and with closest repose of heart to that which is most excellent and of greatest impoâ—tance the obedience which faith produceth and the worke which it animateth must be intire uniforme and constant Intire not in degree but in the branches of obedience Maimed obedience to some duties of the law lopping off other branches which accord not with our state humour and disposition or grossâ—ly neglecting them though no lesse commanded is an argument of an vnsound and imp rfect root whence it sprâ—ngeth The practice of some one or few Christian duties ioyned with the extreame neglect of others no lesse excellent and necessarie is no token of faith but a strong presumption that what good is done proceedeth from indulgence to corruption For
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
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
take the stonie heart out of their flesh and will giue them an heart of flesh I will saue them out of their dwelling places Ezek. 37.23.24 whâ—rein they haue sinned and will cleanse them so shall they bee my people and I will be their God And Dauid my seruant shall be king ouer them and they shall all haue one sheepheard they shall also walke in my iudgements and obâ—erue my statutes and doe them In that day sing yee vnto her A vineyard of red wine I the Lord doe keepe it and will water it every moment lest any hurt it I will keepe it night and day Isay 27.2.3 Surely shall one say In the Lord haue I righteousnes and strength Isay 45.24 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God They shall still bring forth fruite in old age Psal 92.13.14 Rom. 6.14 they shall bee fat and flâ—urishing Sinne shall not haue dominion oueâ— you Now we are dâ—liu red fro the law that being dead wherein we were held Rom. 7.6 that we should serue in newnâ—s of Spirit and not in oldnes of the letter I can doe all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Phil. 4 13. The Christians obedience is imperfect but pleasing Pro. 12.22 Psâ—l 147.11 Psal 149.4 The obedience of the faithfull which through the power of grace they performe is weake imperfect but pleasing acceptable vnto God The Lord taketh pleasure in them that feare him in those that hope in his mercy The Lord taketh pleasure in his people he will beautifie the meeke with saluation In euery nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted of him The Lord by Moses did often times tell his people that they offering vp their sacrifices Act. 10.35 such as he commanded they should be accepted which is often repeated by the pâ—ophets Leu. 1.3.4 and 22.21 and 23.11 Thou shalt makâ— a plate of pure gold and graue vpon it like the engrauings of a sâ—gnet Holines to the Lord and it shall be vpon Aarons forehead that Aaron may beare the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel shal hallow in all their holy gifts Exod. 28.36.38 and it shall be alwayes vpon his forehead that they may bee accepted before the Lord. Esay 60.7 All the flockes of Kedar shall be gathered together the Rams of Nebaioth shall minister vnto thee they shal come vp with acceptance on mine altar The Priest shall make you burnt offerings vpon the alter and your peace offerings Ezek. 43.27 20 40 41. and I will accept you saith thâ— Lord God Then shall the offerings of Iudah and Ierusaleâ— be pleasant vnto the Lord as in the dayes of old and as in former yeares Mal. 3.4 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousnes with burnt offering and whole burnt offering Psal 51.19 Hereunto may be referred the prayer of the prophet Let the words of my mouth and the meditation oâ— my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength Psal 19.14 and my râ—deemer Accept I beseech thee the freewill offerings of my mouth O Lord and teach mee thy Iudgemâ—ntâ— Psal 119.108 Deut. 33.11 There bee many other testimonies to the same purpose I b seech you therefore brethren by the mercies of Goâ— that yee present your bodies a liuing sacrifice holy acceptable vnto God Rom. 12.1 Phil. 4.18 I am full hauing receiued of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you an odour of a sweete smell a sacrifice acceptable wel-pleasing to God But to doe good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased Yee also Heb. 13.16 1. Pet. 2.5 as liuely stones are built vp a spirituall house an holy Preisthood to offer vp spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Iesus Christ Children obey your parents in all things Col. 8.20 Heb. 11.5 for this is well pleasing Before his translation Enoch had receiued this testimonie that he pleased God And this faith is most necessarie to the leading of a Christian life Faith is necessary to the leading of a Christian life scil to adhere and sticke fast vnto the commandements rest vpon God for abilitie to do what he requireth and that he will accept what sincere and vnfained seruice though weake and imperfect is tendered vnto his Highnesse For the word of grace which commandeth to belieue the free mercie of the Lord to the pardoning of sinne Tit. 2.11.12 teacheth vs to denie vngodlinesse and worldly lust and to liue godly iustly and soberly in this present euil world Such as giue vp their names to Christ must not looke to bee lawlesse but they come to take a yoâ—ke vpon them Math. 11.28.29 Ioh. 13.34 and stand obliged to fulfill the law of Christ called the new Commaundement Want of belieuing the precepts is the cause why many doe still continue in the practise of diuers things inconuenient and suffer inordinate passions to hold them vnder Ignorance or carelesnesse in this point is the cause why some of the better sort of people are off and on now forward then backward scarce setled or stayed at any time not knowing how to set vpon the practice of repentance how to begin or to proceed therein Whereas this faith much auaileth to the furthering of the deare Children of God in a godly course the shâ—ning of euill and the practice of holinesse True faith is an obsequious confidence which carrieth a man whither soeuer he shâ—ll see the Lord to gâ—e before him Heb. 11.5.7.8.9.10 c. By faith Hâ—noch walked with God Noah builded an Arke Abraham offered vp his sâ—nne Isaac Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter Our present faith or trust in God is but commensurable to our fideliâ—ie in his Commaâ—ndements ere we can make a faithfull plea for mercie Gods will neglected must bee executed either in act if the obâ—ect be present and may be prosecuted or in sincere and constant resolution if abilities and opportunities required to execution of what we resolue vpon be altogether wanting or our endeauours vpon ineuitable occasions hindred Gal. 5.6 Faith worketh by loue which constraineth men to doe the will of God and submit themselues to his holy Commandements The strength of faith to it seuerall obiects is vniforme that assurance of forgiuenesse cannot be greater then care of obedience The very consciousnesse of any one sin wherevnto we haue beene indulgent will be of like force to withdraw our assent from Gods mercy as the delight or pleasure of that sensuall obiect was to cause vs to transgresse any part of his wil reuealed The same strength beautie had to allure vnto adulterie will that foule sinne vnrepented of haue to diuorce our soules from Christ Nor can wee faile in practice of this or other Commandement without a precedent defect of that faith which onely
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 he hath prepared p. 424. 425. 426 2. It is a seale of our dutie promised 1. It is a spurre to repentance and mortification p. 426 2. It is a prouocation vnto faith and a pledge thereof p. 426. 427 3. It is an incitement vnto new obedience a pledge thereof p. 427. 428 4. It is a pledge and pawne of loue and vnitie pag. 428 The new exercise of faith is requird in the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper ibid. The acts of faith in receiuing the Lords Supper 1. By it we discerne the Sacrament to be the holy Ordinance of God instituted for our speciall good and benefit sealing vnto vs the promises which God of his free mercy hath made in Iesus Christ p. 428. 429 2. By it wee see what the Lord doth offer vnto vs therein how excellent and pretious it is with what assurance it is freely tendered and may be receiued p. 429 3. It sharpeneth spirituall appetite and stirreth vp hungring and thirsting after Christ and his benefits ibid. 4. It earnestly contendeth for mercy confessing sin with griefe and hatred c. ibid. 5. By faith we receiue Christ offering himselfe freely to be contracted vnto vs. p. 429. 430 6. By faith we resigne vp our selues vnto Iesus Christ and willingly yeeld soule and body vnto him p. 430 7. Faith feedeth vpon Christ and sucketh vigour from him ibid. 8. Faith assureth of that spirituall contract which hath passed betwixt Christ and the Christian soule and is sealed in the Sacrament p. 430. 431 9. It stirreth vp ioy and thankefulnesse with serious remembrance of the manifold blessings which in Christ Iesus are vouchsafed p. 431. 432 Meanes to stir vp our selues to receiue the Lord Supper in faith 1. We must bewaile our vnbeliefe dulnesse earthly-mindednesse the distemper of our spirituall taste c. ibid. 2. Consider how freely the Lord doth tender Christ to be receiued in his Word and Sacrament ibid. 3. Weigh and consider the blessed state and condition of them who be reconciled vnto God c. p. 433 4. Hauing troth-plighted our selues to Iesus Christ vnfainedly we must awaken and rowse vp our soules to reioyce in him ibid. CHAP. XII THe faithfull are bound and it is behouefull for them to belieue the threatnings p. 434 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 ibid. 1. The threatnings are part of the Word of God ibid. 2. In the state of innocencie there was vse of threatnings so is there in the state of grace p. 434. 435 3. Promises and threatnings mingled fit our state and serue to keep the heart in the best temper ibid. The acts of faith in respect of the threatnings 1. It worketh humblenesse of mind and heart p. 435 2. It bringeth forth awfulnesse reuerence and feare p. 436 3. It stirreth vp continuall watchfulnesse to shunne whatsoeuer might breed danger or procure Gods displeasure p. 437 4. The threatnings mingled with faith cause sorrowfull melting or relenting of heart for sinne committed ibid. 5. When we see by faith from what miseries wee are deliuered of the free grace and mercie of God our hearts are enlarged in prayse thanksgiuing p. 437. 438 This life of faith is most excellent and comfortable for 1. By faith we are directed to seeke and follow after Christ till wee come to be assured that he dwelleth in vs as the fountaine of life and that in him we are deliuered from the guilt and punishment of all our sins p. 438 2. By this faith wee may come to sound rest and holy securitie about our saluation from time to time ibid. 3. If God lead vs into the darke by this faith we are enabled to hold him by the hand ibid. 4. Hereby the rage of sin is weakened and we haue grace to walke in newnesse of life and all the parts of it with ioy and chearefulnesse p. 439 5. By it we walke in our callings chearefully honestly painfully c. ibid. 6. This faith teacheth vs to pray at all times as our necessities require ibid. 7. If the affliction be very grieuous and of long continuance faith doth neither quaile nor cease to seeke helpe p. 439. 440 8. The life of faith shall end in ioy and comfort p. 440 9. He that hath learned to liue by faith shall also die in faith ibid. FINIS Errata PAge 3. l. 8. r. profession of faith p. 9. l. 23. more r. mere p. 22. l. 34 eased r. saued p. 44. l. 24. r. grace for p. 61. l. 1. r. distinction p. 67. l. 9. r faith receiueth p. 73. l. 26. l. 27. insert the more sincerely it worketh p. 75. l. 4 dele for p. 76. l. 30. r. confirmed p. 87. l. 36. dele themselues p. 91. l. 17. dele the p 92. l. 26. r. change p. 94. l. 3. r assured p. 96. l. 4 r. arise not l 26. r. with contrary effects p. 97 l 14. r. wauer as p. 104. l 24. r. they may be p. 116. l. 28. verde r. weede p. 118. l. 18. before thinke del I. p. 120. l. 4. liue r. lie p. 128. l. 11. r. faith yeeldeth p. 136. l. 13. r. this resting l. 36. r. possession of p. 143. l. 21. r. and receiueth p. 144 l. 18. r. seate faith p. 156. l. 5. r. liue in l. 7. r. how the Lord p. 174. l 12 r good will p. 175. l. 31. for r. or p 196. l. 31. r. walke heauily p. 201. l. 2 r. enliues it p. 221. r. But when the p 223. l 1. r. with a 1 p. 248. l. 26. 27. r. so long as p. 251. l. 5. r. deriueth p. 253. l. 9 10. r. resisteth p 292 l. 5. but r. we 296. l. 11. r. frowardnesse l. 17. r. are poore p. 302. betwixt l. 34. 35. insert after also of no strength p. 307. l. 23. we r. he p. 309. l 19. r. what might hurt him p. 313. l. 21. r. set open p. 315. l. 2 r. couering sin p. 328. l. 28 r would be 329 l. 4. vp r. vpon p. 344. dele from delight l. 6. to in l. 7. p. 345. l. 2. 3 r. persecuters p. 348. l. 9. r. such miseries p. 374. l 28 r. drinke and not be satisfied p. 393. l. 25. r. the Lord God p. 417. l. 29. r. It giueth p. 423. l. 14 r. the lauer p. 455. l. 10. r. tartnesse Errata in Margine PAge 4. de prae r. in prae p. 5. Acts 6. r. Acts 9. ibid r. preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ibid. r. particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 13. Heb. r. Hab. p. 34. Mat. r. Mal. p. 50 r. § Sanctus Augustinus p. 133. Iohn r. Jonah p. 139. r. 1. Pet. 1.5 p. 144. Iohn 24 r.
Luke 24. ibid. Psal 10. r. Psal 119.11 p. 147. 4.29 r. 4.18.19 p. 157. Mat. 3.17 r. Mal. 3.17 p. 241. Psal 52.2 r. Psal 51.1.2 p. 243. profit r. comfort p. 252. discomfort r. thraldome p. 328. Psal 60. r. Psal 68. p. 358. Prou. 14 r. Prou. 4. ibid. vers 14. r. vers 24. p. 416. Psal 102. r. Psal 105. p. 433. r. Iohn 6.56 A TREATISE OF FAITH The first Part. CHAP. I. Of the diuers acceptations of Faith IT is expedient and necessarie that all Christians should acquaint themselues with the doctrine of Faith §. 1. The necessitie of Faith because the safetie of all Christian Religion doth depend vpon the right vnderstanding of this matte and Satan with his subtleties hath euer endeauoured to obscure this doctrine by the mists of Sophismes or to weaken it some other wayes that he might rob God of his glorie and the Church of the certaintie of her saluation And if the necessitie of a thing knowne and acknowledged stirre vp to enquire into it and labour after it this also may prouoke vs to search and enquire what faith is 1. Faith is of the number of those necessary things which are necessarily required to the obtaining of others and not of those which are wrought by compulsion or by any necessary cause compelling Heb. 11.6 As if a man would see he must open his eyes and yet he is not by externall violence forced thereunto 2. No vnbelieuer can please God for how should hee who is incredulous and diuided from God please him who is most true and faithfull Ioh. 3.16 18 36 Rom. 3.28 1. Cor. 1. â—1 Saluation is in the pleasure and power of God which he dispenseth according to his owne not our will But he accepteth none as righteous to life but them that belieue 3. The qualitie of this present life and our habitation 1. Cor. 5.6 7. in which we are absent from the Lord doth euidence the necessitie of faith As a sonne that liues from the presence of his Father must belieue his letters and messengers sent vnto him 4. The qualitie of things necessary to bee knowne for the obtaining of saluation is such that they cannot bee apprehended or receiued without it As in humane things the qualitie of Arts and Sciences is such that they require vnderstanding Acts 15.9 Rom. â— 28 Ephes 1.13 14. because they cannot bee conceiued without it so in things diuine faith is requisite without which wee can neuer comprehend the mysteries of saluation 5. The gifts which God bestoweth vpon his children the graces which the Holy Ghost doth worke in their hearts doe necessarily require faith by the ordinance and determination of the Lord. §. 2. Diuers acceptations of the word faith Math. 23.23 Rom. 3.3 Gal. 5.22 Titus 2.10 § 2. The word Faith in Scripture is taken diuersly 1. It is put for truth fidelitie or faithfulnesse constancie and iustice in word and action promise or accomplishment 2. By faith sometimes true Christian knowledge and perswasion Rom. 12.3 14.1.22 or the measure thereof is to be vnderstood specially the sound knowledge of Christian libertie in Iesus Christ 3. It noteth a sure testimonie or firme demonstration of a thing to come Acts 17.31 4. It signifieth the doctrine of the Gospell and so Christ the subiect of the Scripture which preacheth saluation to bee no otherwise but by faith in Christ and this is called by Diuines Acts 6.7 13.8 Gal. 1.23 3.2.5 Gal. 3.23 24. faith which is belieued 5. It is taken for beliefe of the Gospell the habite being implyed in the act the gift in the exercise which is the faith whereby wee beleeue And this is expressed by the phrases of Belieuing God Iohn 5.46 47. Iohn 2.22 23. Luke 24.25 Acts 26.27 Belieuing on God Belieuing on Christ Belieuing the Prophets 6. Faith is put for vnfained profession ioyned with feruent desire to further Christian Religion and a godly life Rom. 1.8 Gal. 6.10 Acts 14.22 Math. 9 2. 1. Thess 1.3 § 3. Faith signifying beliefe is vsed to note 1. An ordinarie knowledge and bare assent to the historicall truth of Scripture grounded vpon the authoritie and truth of the Speaker though sometimes holpen by experiments §. 3. Sorts of Faith and other inducements and probabilities of the things and this is called faith Historicall Historicall faith that is a naked Iam. 2.19 24. Acts 26.27 imperfect dead assent without trust or confidence in the mercies of God or adherence to the Commandements Howbeit we must not imagine that faith is reputed vnsound or not saluificall because historicall rather it is oftentimes vnsufficient to saue because it is not so fully historicall as it might be but the name of historicall faith arose hence that some are said to belieue who did neuer embrace Christ as their only Sauiour withall their hearts nor confidently relie vpon the promises of mercie otherwise faith iustifying doth more certainly belieue the truth of the historie of the Gospell and so is more historicall than the faith called historicall 2. It is taken for an affiance of heart embracing the word as good Faith Miraculous which in respect of the obiect may be distinguished into Miraculous or Ordinarie For the obiect of faith is 1. Cor. 13.2 Matth. 21.21 7.22 either some speciall and singular promise for the doing of some extraordinarie effect wherein wee trust by a miraculous actiue faith Marke 9.23 Acts 14.9 Luke 17.19 or it is some speciall promise for the obtayning of some spirituall or bodily good thing after an extraordinarie manner whereon wee trust by a miraculous passiue faith as it is called or else faith doth respect the generall and common promises which are made in the word of life and made good to them that belieue whereon wee rest by faith ordinarie But faith Miraculous and Ordinary are not diuers graces but the same grace exercised about diuers obiects The grounds of faith are different Zanch. de redempt lib. 1. c. 12. de prae 1. Sect. de Fide Thes 2. and so are the effects and adiuncts that flow from thence but the grace it selfe one and the same As the Fathers belieued speciall reuelations and extraordinary promises made to them by the same ordinary faith by which wee belieue the common promises of saluation reuealed in the Word so the singular promises of God made to some Belieuers concerning the working of miracles were embraced by the same faith by which they did adhere to the generall promises of mercy or were raised vp to the doing of acts of loue For that faith which doth receiue the more excellent promises as are they concerning spirituall life and saluation can much more lay hold vpon other promises of an inferiour nature if they be made and certified vnto vs. Faith temporarie That faith which is carried to the generall promises is either a confidence vanishing vncertaine
not-rooted called faith Temporary Mat. 13.20 21. Luke 8.13 14. or an affiance certaine wel-planted constant knowne by the name of Iustifying or sauing faith Iustifying faith so called from the principall effect For to iustifie is not the full effect of this confidence or affiance Luke 8.13 Matth. 13.23 beyond which the efficiencie of it doth not extend but because this is the principall thing wherein the force of true faith is occupied Acts 24.14 Acts 15.9 Psal 119.66 Acts 27.25 Gal. 5.6 it is so called Iustifying faith belieueth the historie purifieth the heart sticketh to the Commandements receiueth the temporall promises worketh by loue but it is called Iustifying from the principall effect as the soule is called reasonable from the power it hath to inuent iudge and discourse not that these are her only faculties In the Scriptures of the New Testament this faith is vnfolded in these and such like phrases To belieue God To belieue in or vpon God Rom. 4.3 Iohn 5.24 Acts 16.34 18.8 Iohn 14.1 Rom. 9.33 Acts 6.42 Acts 16.31 Iohn 2.11 3.16 Io. 1.12 3.33 Marke 1.15 Acts 11.1 2.41 1. Cor. 2.14 To belieue in or vpon Iesus Christ To receiue him To receiue the testimonie of God To belieue the Gospell To receiue the Word of God To belieue God signifies no more but to assent to that which the Lord speaketh but belieuing as it belongs to the vnderstanding is the roote and foundation from which confidence of the heart doth spring and flow such a beliefe in the minde is signified in this and all other phrases as is alwayes necessarily accompanied with trusting in God for that which wee belieue hee can and will bring to passe And the other of trusting to or relying vpon is implied whensoeuer wee find that ascribed to belieuing which cannot bee obtained without faith in Christ And if wee search the Scriptures wee shall find these phrases To belieue a Rom. 4.3 with Rom. 4.5 24. Rom. 10.10 11. Iohn 8.30 31. Act. 19.4 Iohn 1.12 Acts 16.34 with 31. Marke 1.15 Gen. 15.6 with Rom 4.3 God and to belieue in God to import one and the same thing A preposition b Exod. 14.31 and 19.9 Luke 24.25 Iohn 2.23 is added to belieue when nothing but assent of minde is signified and it is put without a c Iohn 9 35.38 Esay 28.16 with Rom 9.33 preposition wheÌ„ trust or confidence is implied Rom. 3.22.26 Acts 3.16 Gal. 2.16 Phil. 3.9 Acts 24.24 Col. 3.5 Gal. 2.26 Ephes 1.15 Bayne in Ephes â— 15 d The Hebrew preposition serueth oftentimes to note the accusatiue case and is vsed or omitted without any difference Deut. 7.6 7. 1. Sam 14.37 Esay 33.15 Iob 24.22 Deut. 28.66 Psal 106.12.24 Esay 43.10 The 70. translate the particle sometimes by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jerem 12.6 2. Chron. 20.30 Psal 28.32 ordinarily by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 4.6 22.4 5 25.2 37.3 Psal 11â— 8 9. 146.3 Sometimes they omit it altogether Exod. 14.31 19.9 Ps 106 12. Gen. 15 6. and sometimes they adde the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where the Hebrew hath no particle Esay 28.16 In the New Testament 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are often put interchangeably one for another Marke 1.9 2.1 Math. 2â— 1 Marke 1.15 Luke â—3 42 Rom. 5.21 Gal. 5. â—0 Phil. 3.3 1. Tim. 3.16 Ephes 6.24 And the Heathen Greekes vse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Xenophon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Moreouer wee reade sometimes the Faith of Christ and faith which is by Christ sometimes faith on Christ and sometimes faith in Christ which seuerall formes of speech note much the same thing but that as some learned men obserue the first may be conceiued as propounding Christ the simple obiect Doct. 2 of faith The second phrase Christ the obiect together with our adhering to him The third noteth Christ the obiect our adhering in him together with the word propounded as the way and meane by which wee come belieuingly to inhere in him §. 4. Not the habit but the act of faith is required § 4. But euermore when faith is required it is not the facultie whereby wee are apt and furnished to belieue but the act and exercise of that habite whereby we execute the function of belieuing which is to be vnderstood For this is that which God commandeth in the Scriptures not that our soules be adorned with the habit of faith though that be necessarie but that we belieue in him Belieue in the Lord your God Repent yee and belieue the Gospell 2. Chron. 20.20 Marke 1.1 Marke 9.23 Io. â— 12 14.1 If thou canst beleeue all things are possible to him that belieueth But as many as receiued him to them he gaue right to become the sonnes of God euen to them that belieue on his Name Yee belieue in God belieue also in me Iohn 3. â—8 Acts 8.37 He that belieueth on him is not condemned If thou belieuest with all thine heart thou mayest The Gospell is the power of God vnto saluation Rom. 1.16 1. Iohn 3.24 to euery one that belieueth This is his Commandement that yee should belieue on the Name of his Sonne Iesus Christ Ephes 1.8 We are saued by faith Acts 16.31 is all one with that Belieue on the Lord Iâ—sus Christ and thou shalt be saued We are iustified by faith Gal. 2.16 Acts 13.39 10.4 is all one with that By him all that beleeue are iustified from all things from which yee could not be iustified by the Law of Moses Whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall receiue remission of sinnes Rom. 4.3 Abraham belieued God and it was imputed to him for righteousnesse And therefore the Israelites are reprehended that they belieued not in the Lord Num. 14.11 Deut. 9.23 Psal 78.21.22 A fire was kindled against Iacob and anger also came vp against Israel Because they belieued not in God and trusted not in his saluation None but those belieuers are praised Blessed is she that belieued Luke 1.45 Iohn 20.29 Rom. 9.33 Because thou hast seene mee thou hast belieued blessed are they which haue not seene and yet haue belieued Whosoeuer belieueth on him shall not be ashamed CHAP. II. Of the Authour and worker of Faith Iustifying § 1. IVstifying faith §. 1. What Iustifying Faith is which not only belieueth God speaking in his Word but mebraceth all diuine truth as containing the chiefe good of Man as being the most perfect doth necessarily require before it faith historicall comprehend all other kinds vnder it It may be defined a liuely and obedientiall affiance or confidence wherby we rest vpon Christ for saluation receiue the promises of grace temporall and spirituall sticke to the Commandements as good both simply and in comparison and feed vpon the word with sauour and delight More largely It is a wonderfull
and supernaturall gift of grace wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Ministerie of the Gospell in the heart of Man a sinner acknowledging and bewayling his offences whereby hee doth not only assent to the whole truth of God and is certainly perswaded that Iesus Christ is appointed of God to be the authour of saluation to them that belieue in him and his Sauiour if hee doe belieue but doth relie cast and repose his soule vpon Christ his Sauiour and by him vpon God as a louing Father in him cleauing inseperably to the Word of truth as good both simply and in comparison and feeding vpon it as the wholsome food of life § 2. God the Father §. 2. God is the authour of faith in his Sonne Iesus Christ our Mediatour by the Holy Ghost is the Authour and worker of Faith Ephes â— 8 Pâ—â—l 1.29 Acts 18.27 Iohn 6.44 Iames 1.17 As saluation so faith is the gift of God It is through grace that men belieue No man can come vnto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him Euery good thing comes from the Father of lights but faith is a gift after a speciall manner most free and profitable comming from the grace of the Donor bestowed vpon vs when we are euery way vnworthy It is such a gift as comes not from common bountie such as God made shew of in the creation but from a speciall fauour which he beareth his in Christ Iesus The Scripture is cleare and euident herein and strong reasons may be deduced thence to proue it For of our selues wee haue no power to belieue or to prepare our selues thereunto There is no such soile in our hearts whence such fruit should spring The meanes of grace and the operation of the spirit accompayning it are free and voluntarie No man can belieue vnlesse he be created and formed anew But regeneration is a free worke of Gods grace and mercie Heb. 12.2 Faith is the worke of God the Father in Iesus Christ For as the naturall head doth not only giue sense and motion to all the members now conioyned but doth send forth those bands whereby they come to bee coupled with it so Christ doth not only giue spirituall sense and motion to his members already vnited vnto him by faith but he is the spring whence this sinew of faith doth flow and issue vnto vs. The Spirit of God is the principall worker of faith and hence wee are said to receiue the Spirit of faith that is the holy Ghost in and through this gift of faith which he worketh and continueth in vs. 2. Cor. 4.13 Rom. 15.13 By faith wee receiue the Holy Ghost and faith is the worke of the Holy Ghost the action of the Holy Ghost creating faith in vs How we are said to receiue the holy Ghost by faith is before faith But the beginning of faith is the receiuing of the Holy Ghost and faith being begun the gifts of the spirit are more more increased by it Ephes 1.13 Gal. 3.14 Faith it self is a work of the spirit but an augmentation of the graces of the spirit is obtained by faith the more our faith dilateth it selfe the more plentifully doe the graces of the spirit flow into vs from Christ Iohn 1.16 Of whose fulnesse we receiue grace for grace How the Spirit is obtained by Prayer Faith doth obtaine the Holy Ghost by prayer and prayer is an act of grace and of the Spirit as faith is a worke of the Spirit Luke 11.13 Before we can lift vp our soules vnto God the holy Ghost must descend into vs and lift vs vp for we moue not but as wee are moued The Holy Ghost is giuen to the Elect before they aske but a greater measure of the Spirit is obtained by Prayer § 3. Faith is not alike in all §. 3. Faith is imperfect though a worke of the Spirit in none perfect though it be the worke of the Spirit for the Spirit worketh faith not as a naturall agent which putteth forth it power to the vttermost and alwayes produceth like effects if it be not hindred but as a voluntary agent which putteth not forth his power to the vtmost worketh according to his pleasure in whom he wil as he wil but not in all alike The Spirit worketh faith not by morall perswasion only inciting to belieue Faith is a powerfull worke of God and leauing it to our free choice whether we will assent or no but by his powerfull operation and omnipotent hand put forth for such a purpose hee produceth this gracious effect There are no seedes of faith in our nature out of which by more outward teaching we may be brought to beliefe for then should faith be naturall as all other things are which our nature can attaine to with outward helpes There is no spirituall life in vs before the infusion of grace whereby we should be able to embrace the perswasions of the spirit for then we should liue spiritually of our selues before wee are quickened by grace If the Spirit of God doe only moue and perswade to belieue then God doth not make the belieuer to differ from the vnbelieuer but the good vse of his owne free will It is of grace that man might belieue and so might he that continueth in infidelitie for hee receiued equall aide and was equally perswaded and incited by the Spirit But if the question bee why doth the one belieue and not the other it is not the Spirit here that makes the difference but the good vse of mans free-will and so that man is inabled to belieue it should bee of grace but that he doth belieue and so differ from other men this should be from himselfe The same power that raised Christ from the dead is said to raise vs vp to belieue Ephes 1.19 20. 1. Pet. 1.5 2. Pet. 1.1 2 3. If an hand or eye bee wanting to a man from his birth can any power restore them but the Almightie power of God by which the body was at first framed and fashioned By what power then is this hand of faith created which reacheth to heauen this eye which doth see the things within the vaile which concerne our peace Io. 6.37 Acts 13.48 Phil. 1.29 Matth. 11.26 This further appeareth by the cause that moueth the Lord to bestow faith vpon some which is his free eternall vnchangeable grace and loue whereby hee loued them to be made heires of saluation before the foundation of the earth was laid For so farre as God effectually willeth and intendeth to worke so farre he putteth forth his omnipotent power to accomplish But God doth intend and effectually will to draw some vnto him before other some §. 4. How God produceth Faith § 4. In producing faith first God bestoweth vpon man the gift of vnderstanding and spirituall wisdome opening and illuminating the eyes of his minde to know the promise in Christ and to
iudge and esteeme those things reuealed of God to be the most vndoubted and infallible truth This vnderstanding is requisite to faith for it is impossible for a man to belieue that whereof he hath no knowledge or vnderstanding Out of question faith is a most wise gâ—ft or grace of Gods holy Spirit making those that be endued therewith wise vnto saluation which we shall easily discerne if we consider how great the subtletie of that old Serpent the Deuill is as also the deceitfulnesse of sinne both which are defeated by faith This vnderstanding is the gift of Gods grace for as reasonable vnderstanding is beyond the compasse of that knowledge which the beasts haue by kâ—nd so is this vnderstanding farre beyond the reach of all that wisedome left in corrupted nature It is a worke irresistable for it is wrought according to the purpose of the Lord 2. Cor. 4.6 2. Tim. 1.9 Dan. 11.36 and the counsell of God cannot be frustrated In illumination the minde suffereth not from any naturall power which it hath to conceiue or vnderstand spirituall things but from that state of obedience that the minde standeth in vnto Almightie God whereby it must necessarily see whatsoeuer he will enlighten it to behold and set before it There is no naturall power in an eye now blind to receiue sight but if God will enlighten it must needs see So there is no naturall power in the eye of the mind now become darknesse to receiue the light of sauing knowledge which is euery way a thing both for matter and manner supernaturall vnto it but if he open the eyes of the vnderstanding and shine into the heart it must needes vnderstand Secondly God doth infuse or powre the habit of faith into man whereby he giueth to will to come vnto Christ and to enioy him The first worke of God is signified in Scripture by opening the eyes of the vnderstanding Ephes 1.18 Acts 26.18 Lukâ— 24.45 Iohn 6.44 Esay 50.5 Acts 16.14 Ezek. 11.19 the second by Gods drawing vs both at least figuratiuely by the opening of the eare the opening of the heart the taking away the heart of stone and giuing an heart of flesh This second worke is requisite to faith for as a dead man can do no act of life vntil a liuing soule be breathed into him nor a blinde eye see vnlesse new light be giuen vnto it no more can man dead in trespasses and sinnes moue himselfe to receiue the promises of grace vntill the free and gracious disposition or habit of faith be infused whereby the will is inclined agreeably to the disposition of it to come vnto God As man cannot naturally see or perceiue the things of God no more can hee naturally will or desire them And this is apparant by the hardnesse of mans heart that cannot repent till God mollifie it 1. Cor. 2.14 Isay 65.2 3. Rom. â— 5 and by his stiffeneckednesse and stubbornnesse to resist the holy Spirit speaking in the Ministerie of the word vntill he be renewed and changed by grace This habit of faith is receiued not by any naturall disposition of will in vs to heauenly things for then man should liue spiritually of himselfe before the life of grace be put into him but the heart as it standeth in obedience to Gods Almighty power to take what stampe he shall imprint to follow him wither hee shall draw and to containe what hee powreth into it The increase of faith is of God admitteth this habite And as the beginning so the increase and progresse the consummation and perfection of faith is the gift of God the worke of the Spirit Heb. 12.2 Luke 17.5 Marke 9.24 Phil. 1.6 2. Thes 1.3 11. Of God the increase of faith is to be asked and from him it is receiued As we cannot will to belieue vnlesse God prepare the heart and giue that will no more can we will to perseuere in faith or goe forward therein vnlesse God doe minister strength and sustaine vs by his grace §. 5. Faith is the gift of God and the act of man § 5. Faith then is the gift of God and the act of man a wonderfull and supernaturall gift of God and a liuely motion of the heart renewed by grace and powerfully moued by the Spirit The power to belieue and will to vse that power is of God But the act of the will in resting vpon Christ is mans It is man that belieueth but it is God only and altogether that inableth stirreth vp putteth forward and inclineth the heart to belieue By Gods enlightening man seeth by his teaching he vnderstands and the Lord enclining his will he willeth embraceth possesseth and keepeth Christ with all blessings promised in him So that faith is the motion of mans heart wrought in him by the Spirit of God Euen as a wheele which of it selfe cannot moue yet being moued of another doth moue whose motion though but one is said to be the motion of the mouer and of the thing moued so faith is nothing but the action of God in man but considered in a diuers manner it is both the act of God and man as wrought by God in man it is the worke of the Lord as the motion of man his heart being moued of God it is the act of man For the action of man in belieuing with the heart is nothing but his knowing and acknowledging of things by Gods making him know and acknowledge them his apprehending willing chusing embracing and retayning them by Gods making him to apprehend will chuse embrace and retaine them It is true that we Belieue because we will Belieue but wee will Belieue doth note not the princip ll cause but a cause subordinate working by way of free disposition which diâ—position it receiueth from an higher cause Heb. â— 4 not from naturall strength The Iust is said to liue by his owne faith and faith is called ours or our owne not that we are the Authours cause or workers of it but because we possesse it and are the speciall subiects in which it is wrought by God And also because it concernes our selues in particular and what wee belieue wee belieue it particularly concerning our selues § 6. Not to dispute whether God doth extraordinarily worke faith in the hearts of men §. 6. Faith wrought by the Word without the externall publishing of his word will or pleasure this is sure that ordinarily the Holy Ghost doth worke by the Ministerie of the Word The Word can doe nothing without Gods Spirit and ordinarily the Spirit will doe nothing without the Word Faith is called the fruit of the lips Esay 57. â—9 the Word is both the meane whereby we belieue and the subiect matter of our beliefe A man may see without light or colour heare without eare or sound as possibly as belieue without the Word of God For when faith is an affiance or perswasion touching the good will of God towards vs in
within it selfe and whence proceedeth a motion and working that is proper to it selfe If charitie should bee the forme of faith then faith hath two different formes its proper and the forme of loue then faith should be the only pure matter of loue then should it be obedient to loue and contained of it as the matter is obedient to the forme and contained of it The Bodie is an instrument for the soule to worke by and not the soule an instrument for the bodie to worke by The forme worketh in the matter and not the matter either in or by the forme seeing the matter of euery thing is passiue only and not actiue And so it should bee betwixt faith and loue if faith were as the bodie and loue as the soule But charitie is obedient to faith faith gouerneth charitie for whatsoeuer wee loue vprightly it must be knowne by faith that wee ought to loue it and our loue must be quickened by faith to loue it vniformely and in right order Faith is the measure of loue and the measure of loue is according to the measure of faith the intention of loue according to the degrees of faith and the breadth of loue according to the extension of faith Where there is greater faith in God there is greater loue to God and as faith spreadeth it selfe so doth loue in vniforme manner § 2 §. 2. Popish obiections preuented Gal. 5.6 Faith is not wrought by charitie as the a Bellar. de Iustif l 2. cap. 4. § At ne daretur §. Distinctio Iesuite preuerteth b The Greeke word is not of the passiue but of the miâ—â—le voyce as it is in many other places of Scripture Gal. 5.6 Rom. 7.5 2. Cor. 4 12. In the Interlinear faith which is effectuall Pagnin working by loue And so Bellarm. himselfe de Iustif lib. 1. cap. 15. lib. 2. cap. 8. lib. 1. cap. 20. § Illud vero Rhem. annot in Gal. 5.6 Sect. 3. that text of Saint Paul for then it will follow that loue by which faith is wrought must needs follow that loue by which faith is wrought must needs be before faith whereas all acknowledge that faith hath the first being It is faith which first heareth and belieueth and receiueth the word of God and thereby prescribeth vnto charitie the way that it is to goe and the dutie it is to performe it inciteth to the worke it animateth the act and enlargeth the affection to the seuerall branches of loue without which what is charitie but a vild mishapen wandering affection rising or falling amisse comming short or running ouer what the partiall and maimed fruites of loue but the very carkase of a good worke Faith worketh by loue not as fire maketh hot by heate which is a formal propertie inhereÌ„t in it but as the soule doth this or that by the hand which is an externe instrument conioyned vnto it That by which a thing is constituted as by a beginning and by which it is effectuall that is the forme thereof But loue is a grace without the being of faith though conioyned vnto and faith is effectuall by loue as a primarie meane whereby it doth produce other effects not as by it beginning Christ is the fountaine of the water of life Faith in the heart is as the pipes and leads that receiue in and hold the water Loue in some part is as the câ—cke of the corduit that lets out the water to euery coÌ„mer Faith iustifyeth by receiuing the gift of righteousnes which is by the merit of Iesus Christ and goeth forth by charitie whereby as a working hand it performeth all duties commanded of God to the gloâ—y and honour of God What if loue bee the most excellent of all graces in some respects doth it thence follow 1. Cor 13.13 Bellar. vbi supra Heb. 11.6 that it is the life of faith By the same reason we may argue Whatsoeuer is not of faith is sinne is of no esteeme or account with God therefore faith is the foâ—â—e of all other graces It followeth not that because the eye is a more excellent member then the soote therefore the eye is the soule and life of the soote In what respects chari ie doth excell faith and faith charitie Noe more doth it that because charitie is a more excellent gift then faith therefore it should bee the life and soule of faith Faith and loue respectiuely haue the preferment each of other In respect of spirituall life faith is the most necessarie vpon which loue hath necessarie dependance but otherwise to loue is more then to belieue because it necessarily includes beliefe as to tast meate â—n respect of life is of more vse then to loue it though absolutely to loue meate be more then to tast it because it presupposeth tast If we respect latitude of vse charitie is more excellent then saith as which is extended euery way to God and Men and by which all the gifts of God which he bestoweth vpon vs are made profitable to other men But if we consider man priuately in himselfe and for his owne vse faith is more excellent then charitie as whereby wee are radically vnited vnto Christ and wherein standeth orginally our fellowship and communion with him Eph. 3.17 Gal. 3.14 by which Christ dwelleth in our hearts and wee receiue the promised spirit into which as a hand God putteth all the riches of his grace of our saluation by which all acts of grace are quickened wee feed vpon Christ for the strengthening and nourishment of the soule and whatsoeuer is in vs is commended vnto God If we respect length of time and continuance charitie is to be preferred before faith For faith is but for a time and when the promise of God which is the matter and subiect of it shal be fully accomplished the vse of it shall cease When faith passeth into an open knowledge and reuealed sight of the thing present it changeth both his nature and kind But loue abideth for euer and shall continue betwixt God and vs an euerlasting bond it shall be greater and more vehement but shall still retaine the same nature and substance albeit some workes which now it exerciseth shall cease The end of our faith is charitie but the foundation and director of loue is faith faith also is the victorie whereby we ouercome the world To saue a man faith is the greater in Man being saued loue is the greater Till faith haue finished our saluation loue must yeeld to faith when faith hath fully saued vs it shall haue an end for knowledge of sight takes away faith but loue shall abide for euer Absolutely loue is greater then faith but when we speake of the meanes of Iustification and attainment of that saluation whereto perfect charitie and righteousnes doth belong then faith must bee preferred as â—he greater more excellent Faith only beareth sway therein and this slender and weake charitie which we haue
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
iâ— wee giue our selues to the prosequution of some good works because we receiue and embrace the word which coÌ„mandeth them then shall we giue our selues to the performance of euery good work which the same word doth call for at ou hands If wee doe this or that good worke coÌ„manded because it is sutable to our disposition passing ouer others that bee crosse thereunto wee obey not the Lord but please our selues The Word of God doth worke effectually as it is embracâ—d and the consideration of what Christ hath done for vs will bring forâ—h in vs the same minde that was in him a minde to doe his Fathers will in euery point alike sincerely but with greater intentions feruour and chearefulnesse as the weightinesse of the dutie or opportunitie and season shall require For true faith assenteth to euery diuine truth as certaine and infallible cleaueth to euery promise and commandement alike sincerely and vnfainedly sticketh fastest to them that bee of greatest worth and necessitie or vpon speciall occasion may most tend to the glorie of God the comfort of the soule and good of our brethren and so teacheth the affections to rise and fall swell and asswage whether in admiration or detestation in embracing or loathing and to put themselues forth in practice according to the different excellencie or indignitie goodnesse or vilenes of obiects presented to them It teacheth vs absolutely and intirely to submit our wils vnto Gods will to affect whatsoeuer hee approues to hate whatsoeuer he disallowes to loue that best which his Word assureth vs to be most excellent and deare to him and to detest that most which is most odious and abominable in his sight though otherwise pleasant to our naturall disposition or not so distastfull as many other matters would be did we take care for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Indeed the faithfull soule may find it selfe more prone to one sinne then another and more dull to some good duties then other by reason of naturall inclination state of life custome or some other occasion but if right comparison be made faith inciteth to hate all sinne and to affect all duties of holinesse one as well as another A man sick of diuers diseases but one predominant may be cured of it as much as of any of the rest and yet be more troubled with the remainders of it because it had deepest root and greatest head and so euery member of corruption may be truely mortified and yet the stronger passions before though in proportionable degree tamed and brought into subiection as much as the rest may be the most troublesome which the faithfull doe ackowledge bewaile and endeuour to redresse keeping them vnder with greatest care and striuing against them with all earnestnes This fight against corruption is constantly mainâ—ained by faith and constantly it cleaueth to the word of grace as much better then all carnall or worldly allurements whereby we might be drawne aside into sinne and so it bringeth forth constant obedience to the will of God The good ground are they which with an honest and good heart hauing heard the word keepâ— it and bring forth fruite with patience Luk. 8.15 CHAP. VI. Of the Speciall obiect of Iustifying Faith § 1. FAith seeketh not life and saluation in the threatnings §. 1. The Speciall obiect of Iustifying faith prohibitions or commaundements though it worke by loue and earnestly contend against corruption but acknowledging its imperfection in working 2. Cor. 5.19 Rom. 15.25.26 Rom. 10.8 and 1 17. and renouncing all confidence in workes or in our selues it resteth vpon the promises of mercie in Iesus Christ or word of reconciliation which is called the word of faith The more firme and liuely our faith is the more sincerely it worketh the better wee discerne and vnfainedly acknowledge our imperfections and disclaime all affyance in our owne righteousnesse and the more faithfully we renounce all confidence in our workes the more earnestly wee seeke for saluation only by Christ Faith resteth vpon Christ as Mediatour or as God and Man obeying to the cursed of of the crosse that from the grace o God weâ— might obtaine pardon of sinne and be accepted as righteous vnto life For this wee are alway s â—o haue in Minde that Christ is the obiect of fai h not abstractly and nakedly considered but Christ with his benefits Christ lifted vp as the brason serpent Christ set forth as a propitiatorie sacrifice for our sinnes Christ as our redeemer from sinne and death Christ as he is set forth to the belieuer and thus to receiue Christ and belieue on him is to belieue and receiue in him ransome from sinne and death Mark 1.15 Act. 20.24 Luk. 24.47 1. Pet. 1.21 2. Cor 5.19.20 Psal 32 5. and 51.1.2 and 103.3 Dan. 9 17. Hos 14.3 and 2.19.20 Luk. 1.71 and 18.19 Act. 15.11 Christ and his Apostles testifie that this is specially to bee preâ—â—hed viz remission of sinnes in and through Iesus Christ This the faith of all the Sainâ—s through it haue respected euery part of the word hath in speciall manner respected craued embraced But that which is specially to be preached and belieued that which the faith of all the Saints hath alwayes in speciall manner respected desired craued and obtained that is the speciall obiect of Iustifying faith If at any time wee read a Gen. 15.6 that the beliefe of a temporarie promise was accounted for righteousnesse it is because it doth in belieuing the thing temporall apprehend him b Gal. 3.8.16 in whom all the promises are yea and Amen who is at least the remoued obiect of iustifying faith in euery thing it apprehendeth Thus Abraham belieuing the promise of seed did apprehend that blessed seed which had from the beginning beene promised Iohn 8.56 and saw his day Neither did he looke at the power of God but to sustaine his beliefe of a seed before promised against the temptations wherewith he w s exercised Expresse mention of the speciall mercy of God we finde not in the sermons of the Apostles but it doth euidently follow of those things which are preached by them For remission d Ps 103.3.13 and 130.3.4 Mic. 7.19 Titus 3 5. of sinnes doth presuppose the mercie of God and the speciall subiect of their preahing e Act. 2.38 and 4 1â— and 10.43 and 1â— 39. and 8.37 is remission of sinnes by and for the death and resurrection of Iesus Christ That which first pricketh and spurreth the soule to Christ that giueth vs to vnderstand what the soule principally reacheth at and receiueth in Christ But sinne and death vrge the soule for mercy and life to bee obtained pricke and spurre the soule to goe forth of it selfe and receiue Christ and rest vpon him as he is offered in the Gospell Popish obiections answered Therefore it principally layeth hold on the free promise of mercie couering sinne and deliuering from death The confession of
to apprehend and lay hold of for conueying a thing to himselfe But to b Iohn 1.12 Col. 2 6. Rom. 5.11.17 Heb. 8.15 belieue on Christ and to receiue Christ doe both import the same thing Therefore to belieue on Christ is to rest vpon him for the conueying of his benefits particularly vnto vs. Meate nourisheth not vnlesse it be eaten and digested a plaister heales not if it be not applied a potion will not worke ' if it be not receiued Christ is the true bread of life Iohn 6.35 that came downe from Heauen vpon whom we must feed by faith if we would be pertakers of his benefits and feed vpon him we cannot if we doe not particularly belieue in him for our selues The worke of redemption remaines proper to Christ but the benefit of his death is communicated to euery member of his misticall bodie for their iustification And how can wee hope to haue our sinnes forgiuen if we be not made one with him by faith and rest vpon the promise made in him for pardon That profession which Paul makes may here bee considered I know in whom I haue belieued 2. Tim. 1.12 and I am perswaded that he is able to keepe that thing wherewith I haue entrusted him or deliuered vp to his keeping where it is apparant that to belieue is to commit our selues to Christs trust or keeping or to rest our soules vpon the performance of the gracious promises which God of his rich grace in Iesus Christ hath made vnto vs. § 2. This faith is certaine §. 2. Faith is certaine in the euent not euer in sence though mixed with many doubtings by reason of our weaknesse Certaine and assured in regard of the euent and thing belieued not in regard of the sense and feeling of him who belieueth Whether his heart be stedfast in faith or trembling through much vnbeliefe yet vnfainedly belieuing with a welrooted confidence though with much vnbelief he shal be sure of the thing promised For the promise is made good to him that truly receiueth it not for the stedfast manner of receiuing but for the thing receiued which is Christ Now looke as a trembling palsey hand may take the same thing which a more steddie one doth take though the manner be diuers the one taking it with shaking the other without any trembling so an heart of faith which yet shaketh and doubteth through much vnbeliefe may take Christ as well as an heart doth which is more fully perswaded and therefore shall haue the grace promised for his sake who is receiued by faith Iohn 3.15 The promise is vniuersall Whosoeuer belieueth in Christ shall not perish but haue euerlasting life it is not whosoeuer is fully assured or certainly perswaded of his saluation but whosoeuer vnfainedly belâ—eueth in Christ shall be saued Now many a poore soule may cast himselfe vpon Christ and lay hold vpon him with purpose through Gods grace neuer to leaue him as being assured without wauering in this particular that it is best both simply and in comparison to draw neere vnto God and relie vpon his grace and so in euent is sure of saluation who yet would giue a world to be assured of Gods fauour and fully perswaded that his sinnes are pardoned An house well builded vpon a rocke is as sure as the foundation euery thing hanging on a pin or pegg is as sure as the pin or pegg on which it hangeth True faith firmely groundeth it selfe vpon the faithfull promises of God and receiueth them as better then life it selfe from which it will not bee with-drawne by any carnall allurements and therefore in euent it cannot miscarrie for the ground is firme and vnchangeable The truth of God in it selfe is more certaine then any thing that can bee apprehended by the senses but it is not euermore so apprehended by vs and faith which buildeth vpon the infallible truth of God comming to him when he calleth relying vpon his grace because hee hath spoken is in euent no lesse sure then the foundation vpon which it leaneth is certain vnmoueable but in the sense of the belieuer it is not alwayes so neither are matters of faith receiued by vs with such certaintie as are other things subiect to the senses in themselues lesse certaine Things are to vs according as we conceiue them which is not euer answerable to the euidence of the thing in it selfe or to the certaintie in regard of the euent Things most sure in themselues are sometimes but dimmely discerned of vs because our eye-sight is imperfect and things lesse euident in themselues doe appeare to vs most cleare and manifest when they come within the compasse of sense or reason remayning in vs. Besides the promises of mercie in Christ being the highest and most spirituall it is the hardest point of seruice in Christian warfare firmly to belieue them and the daâ—ly weaknesses which wee espie in our selues the many and strong passions which stil warre within vs and many times preuaile doe impell the minde to distrust When a Christian calleth to mind what strength worldly allurements haue in him how often hee yeildeth vnto assaults in many pettie temptations how weake and fraile dull and negligent hee is in the duties of Christianitie and his particular calling the consciousnesse of these things will no question trouble the eye of faith Not that the comfort of a Christian is grounded vpon his strength of grace or any good worke that is or can be done by him but because his beliefe in the mercie of God cannot be greater then his strength to ouercome worldly allurements wherby hee might be withdrawne from God or care to yeeld vniforme sincere and constant obedience to all Gods Commandements Againe it is one thing to haue a thing surely another thing to know I haue it surely We seeke many things that we haue in our hands we haue many things that we thinke we haue lost so a Belieuer who hath a sure beliefe yet doth not alwayes know that he so belieueth seeketh but findeth it not nay thinketh he is altogether without faith when he hath it vnfainedly A man vnregenerate that is wholly corrupt seeth little or no corruption in himselfe yea after due serious and long examination many disorders may secretly lurke in the heart of a man sanctified which he doth not espie And is it then any maruell that a true Belieuer should be vnable sometimes at least to say that he doth belieue yea that hee should not find it though he make diligent search and inquirie into his owne heart about it Looke as children liue in the wombe and know not themselues that they doe liue so it is with many true belieuing soules who long belieue before they come to see themselues belieue and bee able by a reflexed operation of minde to say 2. Tim. 1.11 I know on whom I haue belieued A man of a contrite spirit belieuing that h s sinnes are pardonable earnestly desiring
42.3 Math. 12 2â— There is a state wherein faith is a smoaking weeke desiring that it could belieue rather then getting vp to feele it selfe belieue discouering it selfe by earnest sighes and groanes for mercie and hanging vpon Christ though the Belieuer can scarce tell whether hee rest vpon him or no This faith is certaine in euent but the Belieuer in this state is farre from particular assurance of his saluation Againe though faith bee not troubled but doe quietly stay on Christ and taste God good in letting them find peace with him yet such is the infancie of spirituall vnderstanding in Christians specially now first conuerted that they doe not returne into themselues and iudge of that they doe and of the great consequence of that they doe Hence it is that they will tell you they find God good to them and goe on chearefully in duties for the present but they come not to behold the stabilitie of their saluation The child liues before hee knowes that he doth liue and knowes he doth liue before he knowes the cause of life or the inheritance whereunto he is borne and so it may be and is with a Belieuer Psal 31.22 77.3 8 9 10. There is a state in which faith is exercised with temptations from vnbeliefe or otherwise by which opposition the soule is kept from obtaining this certaintie being encountred with doubtfull appearances which it cannot well answere and cleare for the present There is a state wherein faith is now growne vp and hath either out-wrestled or otherwise is exempted from knowing such temptations in which condition the faithfull doe perswade themselues Phil. 1.19 20. 2 Tim 4.18 that Gods mercie and truth and power shall carrie them through vnto saluation But when now our consciences shall come to testifie through faith and experience this happy estate we are subiect by neglecting meanes laying downe our watch giuing the reines to our lusts or by secret desertions ere-while to loose for a time this comfortable perswasion the Spirit not speaking in vs by his light as heretofore and our consciences and faith so hurt and wounded that the actions of them are troubled depraued as we see the like befalleth the naturall senses and reason Wee see through Melancholie what reason comes to imagine how that some should seeke to kill vs who neuer thought vs hurt How the eye thinkes it seeth things yellow and red when they are nothing so the taste things bitter when they are sweet So the sight of faith and conscience when nothing but sinne guilt wrath angry desertion ouer-lay it it seemeth to see euery thing for the time of like colour to those things wherewith it is possessed Thus sometimes the strong faith is shaken greatly and strongly assaulted so that he that vnspeakably reioyced in the saluation of the Lord by hastie cogitations is brought to say I am cast out of the sight of thine eyes Psal 31.22 And if faith escape these rockes may not yet a more serious examination of our wayes and through fight of our nakednesse imperfections and manifold transgressions the strength of our lusts the disorder of our passions our daily failings and that great weaknesse which in trials wee shall finde in our selues may not those things I say raise feare in the heart of a sound Belieuer as not altogether without the reach of possible danger without repentance and greater constancie in performing all Christian duties then hitherto he hath made proofe of specially if the apprehension of the multitude and hainousnesse of sinnes bee quickened by afflictions or the liuely cogitations of the terrors of the day of Iudgement Neuerthelesse as a childe affrighted runneth to the Father looking for defence and helpe of him euen so in the middest of all feares temptations difficulties and distresses faith is still running vnto God still importuning him calling vpon him expostulating with him casting it selfe still vpon him depending vpon his aide and expecting of him that things become otherwise then presently they are § 5. Thus faith of adherencie is stronger then faith of §. 5. euidence Faith of adherence stronger and more necessary then faith of euidence and beliefe in Christ for remission then assurance of pardon and forgiuenesse And as faith in Christ is stronger then particular certaintie of our saluation so it is it more necessary For beliefe in Christ is absolutely necessarie to remission of sinnes in all them that bee of age and discretion but assurance comes not at first when we belieue but by little and little as God seeth it requisite according to the triall he hath appointed to make of vs. Without faith in Christ as the onely authour of saluation and sole end of faith with whom our soules seeke perfect vnion it is impossible to please God no action though in it selfe neuer so good or holy is truly acceptable vnlesse it be quickened and enliued by this faith But many poore soules that want assurance of Gods speciall fauour are tenderly beloued of him as heires of saluation their good works accepted in Iesus Christ A Christian of an humble and broken spirit denying himselfe and renouncing the World belieuing that his sinnes are pardonable and earnestly desiring remission of sinnes by the merits of Christ resting vpon Christ alone for saluation and ioyning with this desire and affiance the sincere vnpartiall practice of obedience to all Gods Commandements according to that measure of grace which hee hath receiued without question he shall receiue the inheritance of eternall glorie although he may be scrupulous in himselfe wanting this perswasion and assurance that his sinnes are pardoned And yet because God hath commanded vs to labour for the perfection of all graces we are sure this must bee intreated for and haue a promise that it shall be granted as God seeth meete both for the time and measure of it §. 6. Infallible assurance of saluation may bee obtained § 6. That not only some vncertaine hope and dimme sight of Gods fauour but euen assurance is to be sought and may be obtained is thus manifest Faith may receiue what the Word doth testifie for the Word of God is the obiect of faith But there is a word testifying thus much that my particular person beholding the Sonne and belieuing on him shall haue eternall life and be raised vp at the last day that there is no condemnation to me being in Christ Acts 10.43 1 Thes 5.10 Luke 2 10 11. Esay 9.6 1. Iohn 3.15 Iohn 6.35 1. Iohn 5.10 13 Neither could Iohn with the faithfull belieue Gods loue towards them in particular if some word did not shew it For the Papists themselues will not say that all oâ— them were priuiledged with singular reuelation Our Aduersaâ—ies reply that there is no Word of God saying Cornelius belieue thou that thou shalt bee saued and where there is no word there is no faith for these two are relatiues This cauill is easily remoued for that cannot be
of our ransome yet it is also true that wee euery day deserue damnation and must entreate God for pardon that so wee may come to that assurance which the Lord hath enioyned vs to labour and seeke for Zech. 12.10 The Spirit that leadeth vs to Christ doth stirre vs vp with all earnestnesse and confidence to craue pardon and forgiuenesse of our sinnes These two confidence and prayer God hath ioyned together no man can or may put them asunder Our faith assureth vs not of forgiuenesse of sinnes without prayer but that God forgiueth vs when wee pray Nor is this heauenly pledge while dormant though truly dwelling in our soules immediately apt to iustifie Matters of faith be of diuers sorts Some fully acted and done alreadie and those we only belieue we doe not pray for them as the Creation of the World the Birth and Death and Resurrection of Christ and other such like Other-some are belieued as designed promised and in a sort conferred but not yet fully acted and effected to vs which we so belieue by faith as that still wee pray for them till they bee fully accomplished and effected Bellar. de Iustif lib. 3. cap. 11. Rhem. annot in Rom. 8.38 §. 8. Math. 9.2 The Papists confesse that Peter Paul and some other particular persons to whom our Sauiour said Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee were assured of the remission of their iniquities and yet they ceased not to pray Forgiue vs our trespasses Doe they not see then that prayer for pardon will stand well with assurance of remission And why doe they condemne that in vs which was well done by others §. 8. § 8. More distinctly wee continue daily to aske of God forgiuenesse of sinnes according to the direction and commaundement of our Sauiour Christ in sundry respects First because notwithstanding former assurance of pardon if we take our eye off Christ the remembrance and conscience of sinne must needs trouble and disquiet so that wee must still looke to Christ for forgiuenesse and faith lookes vnto him as a Petitioner Secondly we pray daily that wee may haue greater assurance and more comfortable feeling of Gods loue Our faith being weake giueth but weake assurance and therefore wee begge daily to bee setled and established more and more in the assurance of his fauour Thirdly we sinne euery day and therefore aske pardon daily because wee are to receiue actuall pardon from God continually both for our originall corruption which alwayes in this life abides with vs and for actuall sinnes which wee daily and hourely commit against the Maiestie of God Hee that once belieueth is thereby made a member of Christs mysticall body and so hath all his sinnes satisfied for by the death and sufferings of his Head Christ But yet it is the good pleasure of God that hee should daily bewaile his offences and craue pardon for them that he might receiue feele and be assured of the forgiuenes of his particular and daily infirmities Euen after the infusion of faith most perfect 1. Ioh. 1.8.9 Psal 32.3.4 2. Sam. 12.12.13 with Psal 51.1.2 c. faithfull repentance for sinnes committed is as absolutely necessarie to saluation as the first infusion was Fourthly God is not off and one hee plaies not fast and loose but whom once he iustifieth from sinne hee neuer remembreth sinne against them Neuerthelesse we must begge the continuance of his grace that his mercifull pardon may bee a gift without repenrance Faith is a suter to God for the accomplishment of his promises and because wee are assured of his vnchangeable loue we begge with greater affiance the continuance of his mercy prayer being nothing else but the streame or riuer of faith and an issue of the desire of that which ioyfully wee belieue 2. Sam. 7.15.27 1. Chron. 17.25 Dauid being certified that God would for euer stablish the kingdome in his house and posteritie forbeareth not to pray that it might bee so Our Sauiour Christ knew that his sheepe should neuer perish yet hee prayeth Holy Father keepe them in thy name Iohn 10.28 Iohn 17.11 Psal 16.10 Heb 5.7 Iohn 1â— 5 2. Tim 4.18 Hee prayeth also for deliuerance from death and glorification of both which he was fully assured Paul knew assuredly the Lord would deliuer him from euery euill worke yet without ceasing hee prayeth to bee deliuered from euill Assurance to speed is that which addeth great feruencie to prayer Fiftly albeit by faith in the promise of God we now rest assured of the remission of sinnes yet wee still pray forgiue vs our treaspasses that we may more fully and really possesse enioy what we belieue we already haue in Gods affection and doe in part enioy The remission of sinnes is by faith manifested to our conscience and in part we reape the comfort fruite and effect of it in this life but still we are clogged with sinne wee liue in miserie and sorrow in our selues wee are condemned wretches still wee are lyable to many temporall and spirituall chastisements and desertions for sinne and liue in a sort as exiles and banished men from the immediate and cleare vision of God Therefore being still in case as if our sinnes were not completely pardoned sinne as yet abiding in vs and subiecting vs to the displeasure of God disliking it and to his Fatherly chastisement accompanying the same we pray for forgiuenes more absolute and intire euery day in the fruite effect and comfort of it True it is How iustification is full and intire that persons iustified haue full title vnto and right in that mercy of God which as it hath alreadie deliuered them from the dominion and condemnation of sinne so it will in the end wholly free them from all remainders of sinne and those chastisements afflictions and miseries wherewith they aâ—e exercised in this life and in this respect the remission of their sinnes is full and perfect but so long as they liue in this vale of teares sinne hath it abiding in them and they are subiect to many calamities by reason of sinne from which they heartily desire and pray to be deliuered Sixtly we haue the grant of pardon sealed in our consciences and possesse it priuately in part but as yet the Iudge hath not solemnely pronounced his sentence of absolution nor set vs in full and reall possession of absolute compleate intire acquittance remission This therefore we expect and pray for which will not be till the time of refreshing come Acts 3.19 So long as we walke by faith and not by sight we still pray for the sight of that as touching which we haue now but the comfort of faith and hope which is in part and imperfect By faith we know that we are redeemed both in soule and body Rom. 8.23 yet still we sigh in our selues waiting for the adoption euen the redemption of our bodies Our aduersaries obiect againe that by praying that Christs merits may be made
ours in particular we greatly abase them As though the prophet Dauid did abase God in making him his in particular saying Psalm 18.1.2 The Lord is my rock and my fortresse my God and my strength my sheild the horne of my saluation and my refuge The Lord is my sheepeheard Psalm 23.1 I shall not want which agreeth sweetely with the voyce of the faithfull He is our God and hee will saue vs Isay 25.9 Isay 33.22 Iob 34.36 Hee is our Lord not onely by right of soueraignetie but of loue and affection and he will saue vs. As though Elihu did abase God in calling him My Father or Thomas did did abase our Sauiour Christ in calling him Iohn 20.28 My Lord and my God or Paul when he glorieth and triumpheth in Christ after this manner Gal. 2.20 Phil. 1.3 who loued me and gaue himselfe for mee viz in a speciall and peculiar manner and not onely as hee loued Esau Iudas and other reprobates Wee doe no iniurie to God to make him ours in particular because hee hath said Ier. 31.32.33 and 32.38 and 30.22 as to Abraham so to euery one of the seede of Abraham I will be thy God Wee doe no iniurie because we doe not thereby make him our peculiar but leaue him the same to others that hee is to vs as euery man enioyeth the light of the Sunne to his owne vse without the impeachment thereof to the vse of any other man A third reason to confirme that a Christian belieuer may be assured of the pardon of his sinnes is this What the Apostles and other faithfull men were assured of by ordinarie faith that may all the faithfull bee assured of in like manner Heb. 2.11 2. Pet. 1.1 Rom. 8.38 1 Cor. 7.40 2. Tim. 4.8 1. Iohn 3.14 and 5.13 1. Cor. 4.4 Rhem. annot in Loc. Rom 8.35 Gal. ◠20 Phil. 1.19.20 2. Tim. 4.8 Rhem. annot in Rom. 8 31. For all the faithfull are Brethren and haue the like pretious faith and promises But the Apostles and other faithfull haue beene assured of there saluation by ordinarie faith Paul pronounceth the same certaintie of other mens saluation that hee doth of his owne and vpon grounds which are common to all the faithfull and Saints of God The Rhemists obiect that Paul durst not assure himselfe that hee was iustified saying I know nothing by my selfe yet am I not thereby iustified Did Paul speake this as doubting of his iustification by faith in Christ Of his particular assurance hee giues plentifull testimonie other where and our Aduersaries teach that hee was assured by reuelation The place makes strongly against Iustification by workes but against certaintie of saluation it makes nothing vnlesse wee shall make the Apostle contrarie to himselfe and our Aduersaries will say that a man may bee certaine by reuelation and yet altogether vncertaine The drift of the place is to shew that wee should not vainely bee lifted vp with the applause of men because they know vs not yea wee know not our selues throughly for God is greater then our consciences and doth espie many secret defaults in vs which we vpon diligent search cannot finde out in our owne hearts But did the Apostle protesting the innocencie of his conscience intend to intimate his doubtfulnesse of Minde touching his owne saluation In no sort 1. Ioh. 3.19.21 2. Cor. 1.12 for if our conscience accuse vs not then haue wee boldnesse This is our reioycing before God euen the testimonie of our conscience Nay this text of Scripture well weighed is sufficient to dash the vaine cauils of the papists For Paul was assured of his saluation and of the vprightnes of his heart and conscience though hee was ignorant of many secret infirmities which the most High did espie in him and of that measure of grace which hee had receiued What followeth hereupon Euen these two things which directly ouerthrowe the doctrine of our Aduersaries viz That hee who hath receiued grace from God may know the truth though not the measure of his faith and repentance And Ignorance of the exact multitude and greatnes of our offences is no barre or hinderance to the certaintie of saluation Who knowes the multitude of his sinnes Psal 1.19.12 Bellar. de Iustif lib. 3. cap. 5. Not one In this life a man can neuer sufficiently vnderstand the greatnes and multitude of his offences yet may hee bee assured of the remission of sinnes knowne and secret Because not the perfect knowledge of sinne is the cause of certaintie but the perfect mercie of God and the perfect merite of Christ to which wee must looke by faith § 9. If the end of the Scripture be that we should belieue 1. Iohn 5.10 11 12 13. Iohn 20.31 3.16 and belieuing should know that wee haue eternall life then euery Belieuer that knoweth himselfe to bee a Belieuer may be certaine of his saluation But the former is an vndoubted truth It is here obiected Whatsoeuer we belieue by faith is as infallible as the Word of God which assureth vs of it If then the common sort of the faithfull doe not belieue their saluation to be as infallible as Gods owne Word they are not by faith assured of it The answere is that the saluation of a Belieuer is as infallible in it selfe and in euent as is the Word of God which assureth him of it but alwayes it is not so in his apprehension and feeling The principles of faith are euer alike certaine but not apprehended of all with the same degree of certaintie For there are diuers degrees of faith little faith great faith full assurance of faith Math. 8.26 Math. 15.28 Rom. 4.21 euen as a weake eye and a strong eye And as a weake eye seeth but weakly and imperfectly and a strong eye seeth strongly and more fully discerneth the thing seene so a little faith belieueth faintly though truely greater faith belieueth more stedfastly full assurance of faith belieueth vnder hope euen against hope Rom. 4 18. The Disciples of Christ said vnto him We belieue and know that thou art Christ the Sonne of the liuing God Iohn 6.69 which in it selfe was infallibly true and yet they did not so infallibly apprehend it but that this faith was soone shaken and because they did not infallibly belieue it our Sauiour tels them that therefore hee forewarned them of his Death and Resurrection that when it was come to passe they might belieue Iohn 14.29 It was faith that made Peter vpon Christs words to step into the Sea to goe vnto him vpon the waters Math. 14.28 belieuing that he should be safe but yet hee belieued it not infallibly for when he began to sinke hee cried out for feare Master saue me Verse 30 31. Luke 24.21 The Disciples belieued in our Sauiour as the onely promised Messias and Redeemer of Israel but when they saw he was put to death they beganne to stagger at
they can make no actuall claime to the promises of eternâ—ll life The seeds of grace abiding in them they still retaine their right and title to eternall life to be giuen of free and vndeserued grace but they are suspended from actuall claime vntill they rise againe by true repentance and then they recouer not a new right or title but a new claime by vertue of the old title For it is the perpetuall ordinance oâ— God that if his children str ke out of the way by sinne they m st rise againe and renue their faith and repentance before they can haue any sound or true hope of saluation There can be no Christian assurance which doth not fully consent and accord with these and such like passages of holâ— S ripture Psal 66.18 Ezek. 18.4 If I regard iniquitie in my heart the Lord will not heare me The soule that sinneth shall die Know yee not that the vnrighteous shall not inherite the kingdome of God Be not deceiued neither fornicatours 1. Cor. 6.9 Eph. 5.5 Col. 3.5.6 Reu. 21.8 nor idolat rs nor adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselues with mankinde Nor theeues nor couetous nor drunkaâ—ds nor reuilers nor extortioners shall inherite the kingdome of God If therefore a godly man as Dauid tu nâ— asi e into sinne of this kinde hee can haue no assurance of mercie till this iniquitie bee broken off by vnfained repentance For faith cannot receiue what the word of grace doth not promise Isay 1.16 Pro. 28.13 1. Ioh. 1.6.7 But pardon of sinne is promised to them onely that confesse and forsake their iniquitie that forsake all sinne in habit delight and indulgence grosse sinne vtterly and vpon good aduice § 13. The raigne and absolute dominion a Rom. 6.12.13.14 of sin doth vtterly exclude grace and hee that is so guiltie §. 13. The absolute raigne of sinne will not stand with the state of grace hath nothing in him that can cry or call for pardon or forgiuenes In whom sinne hath this dominion he as yet is vnder b Ioh 3.36 Deut. 9 24 Mat. 7.23 Num. 15.30 the curse of the law and the wrath of God abideth on him for the presence of grace infused is a necessary qualificato the pardon of sinne and where sinne doth beare such sway as to shut forth whatsoeuer in vs should intreate mercie it doth him vp vnder wrath Were it possible for a man regenerate which shall neuer befall them that are called â—ccording to the purpose of God after grace receiued to sinne wilfully with full consent delight and contentment to the vtter extinguishing of the Spirit of grace or finally to abuse any extraordinary measure of inherent grace by indulgence to knowne sinnes secret or open he should fall from the state of Iustification and be called to a strict account as well for all his former sinnes as this abuse of his talent § 14. Assurance of saluation if true §. 14. True assurance breeds resolution and care to please God 1 Ioh. 3.22 is euer ioyned with a religious and conscionable desire to walke before God in all well-pleasing and to doe the things that are acceptable in his sight and assured standing in grace depends vpon a like certaintie of not continuing indulgence to knowne offences or grosse negligence in repenting or bewayling secret sins Where this priuiledge is possessed the heart is most tender and sensible of sinne most watchfull to shunne and auoide whatsoeuer is displeasing vnto his Highnesse greiued with holy indignation for former loosenes and vntowardlines Luk 7.47 1. Ioh. 4.19 Cant. 5.8 and 8.7 1. Pet. 1.8 Psal 103.1.2.3 1. Cor. 14.1 Col 3.1.2 Phil. 3.9 there flourisheth vnfained loue to God for his mercie and to the brethren for the Lords sake sound humilitie and free submission to the Lords will and commaunde in euery thing sincere and continuall thankefulnesse to God for all his gifts both in prosperitie and trouble health and sickenesse holy couteousnes after spirituall things ioyned with sound delight in the word of God and base account of all things in comparison of Christ holy and reuerent admimiration to see his state thus changed from so low a depth of miserie to so great an height of glory Psal 4.6.7 and 63.3 1. Pet. 1.8 Act. 8.39 Rom. 5.4 Ier. 9.23 sweete contentment ioy vnspeakeable with continuall care and constant resolution to better his obedience and mercifull zealous desire both by edifying speech and godly example to draw on and build vp others in faith and godlinesse How can it be conceiued that a man should be assured of the pardon and forgiuenesse of many and great offences committed by him but it will worke a greater loathing and detestation of sinne vnfained abasement for former wickednesse continuall watchfullnesse to keepe himselfe pure ardent loue with inward ioy that cannot be expressed How can a man be perswaded that greater happinesse is giuen him of God then all the world is worth that more sinnes are pardoned him then he hath haires on his head the least whereof is sufficient to plung him into the nethermost Hell but hee must needs loue the Lord who hath gratiously looked vpon him in his distresse reioyce with ioy vnspeakeable and glorious and keepe continuall watch against the baites and allurements of sinne that hee loose not his comfort nor dishonour God who hath done so great things for him The Malefactour is glad of his Princes pardon specially of his Highnesse fauour whereby he is aduanced into great honour and dignitie When the Iewes heard of the proclamation of King Cyrus by which they were set free from their long and tedious captiuitie they were rapt with ioy and wondring Psa 126.1.2 that they were like to men that thinke they rather dreame then indeede possesse the thing that their soules longed after how much more will certaine assurance that we are set free from the perpetuall bondage of sinne and restored to the euerlasting freedome of righteousnesse and life make vs wonder at the infinite wisedome and vnspeakeable goodnesse of our Heauenly Father The Saints considering the goodnesse of God towards Man in his creation breke forth into holy admiration Psal 8.4.5 Ioh. 7.17 Psal 144.3 Lord what is man that thou art so mindfull of him The Prophet calling to Minde long after what God had done for his soule in deliuering him from the terrour of death and power of the graue cannot passe it ouer without feruent thankes and praise Psal 116.12 What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefites towards me And when Peter came to himselfe and saw indeede that he was deliuered from the tyrannie of Herod from the deepe dungeon and bitter death prepared for him he entred into a religious and thankefull admiration of the great power and mercie of the Lord Act. 12.11 saying Now I know for a truth that the Lord hath sent his Angell and hath deliuered mee from the
orderly as they are set downe in Scripture we find them to be these By faith wee are engrafted into Christ and made one with him Rom. â—1 17 Iohn 15.1 Ephes 5.30 flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone lâ—uely members of that bodie whereof he is the head and by Christ wee are vnited vnto God In Scripture to bee in Christ and to be in Faith are put indifferently By faith wee are married vnto Christ Rom. 8.10 2. Cor. 13.3 5. Hos 2.18 20. Acts 10 43. Rom. 3.25 28. Acts 13 3â— Rom. 9.32 â— 17 5.1 Acts 15.9 Col. 2.12 Gal. 3.7.9 Iohn 1â— 36 Gal. 3.20 Iohn â— 1â— Heb. 11.6 Iohn 7.38 39 Ephâ—s 1.13 17. Gal. 3.14 Iohn 15.3 5. Iohn 1.16 15.6 and haue communion with him in his Death and Resurrection hee and all his benefits are truly and verily made ours his name is put vpon vs wee are iustified from the guilt and punishment of sinne wee are clothed with his righteousnesse wee are sanctified against the power of sinne hauing our nature healed and our hearts purified we draw vertue from him to die to sinne and liue to righteousnesse By faith wee are admitted into the Family of Abraham become the children of l ght are adopâ—ed to be the Sonnes of God are made acceptable â—nto him as heires of life vnto whom hee willeth eternall blessednesse and doe receiue the promise of the Spirit By faith we abide in Christ and haue perpetuall communion with him It is the loadstone that lookes euer to Christ as that doth towards the North and as that drawes iron vnto it so doth faith ioyne our hearts to Christ perpetually By faith wee receiue of Christs fulnesse haue profession of him doe liue in him and are so refreshed by him that we shall neuer wither or feele scarcitie Gal. 2.20 Iohn 4.14 Water in a ditch may bee dried vp so cannot the pond which is fed with continuall springs Eph. 3.17 Eph. 3.12 Heb. 10.22 and 4.14 Tit. 1.15 1. Pet. 1.5 1. Ioh. 5.4 By faith Christ dwelleth and ruleth in our hearts wee haue accesse to the throne of grace the temporall gifts of God are sanctified vnto vs all spirituall blessings are continued and augmented in vs and we are kept to the saluation to be reuealed Faith ouercommeth the world the manifold ill examples of the multitude which like a raging streame beares downe all before it and the alluring sweete baites of the deceitfull inchanting world which are most strong and dangerous euen whatsoeuer within vs or without vs would draw from the law of God Eph. 6.16 Pet. â— 8 Math. 8.13 1. Ioh. 5.14 Gen. 32.26 Heb. 4.2 Rom. 1.16 Mark 16.16 Rom. 5.5 and 10.11 1. Pet. 2.6 Psal 25.3 and 22.5.6 Ioh. â— 68.69 Gal. 5 6. Luke 7.47 1. Pet. 1.8 Rom. 8.26 Gal. 4.6 Rom 8.15 Gal. 6.14 Eph. 5.11 Heb. 11.8.23 it quencheth the fierie darts of the Diuell putteth Satan to flight and kepeth vs safe from the mightie aduersarie of our soules and saluation Faith obtaineth of God what we aske agreeable to his will preuaileth with him maketh the ordinances of God sweete and comfortable receiueth what is profered in the word and Sacraments and maketh that we shall neuer be ashamed nor confounded Faith encreaseth knowledge enflameth the heart with loue stronger then death hotter then coales of Iuniper which cannot be quenched with much water stirreth vp earnest sighes and groanes enlargeth the heart in thankefulnes and holy admiration bloweth quickeneth zeale renounceth Satan and all his workes crucifieth the flesh with the affections and lusts contemneth the world scorneth the base and transitorie pleasures or profits whereby it doth allure to with-draw from God and dispiseth the frownes threats and vtmost wrongs that it can doe in respect of the loue of God and Christ Iesus or hazarding his part in the eternall happinesse It armeth with patience and inuincible constancie breedeth peace of conscience and ioy vnspeakeable Rom. 5.1 1. Pet. 1.7 2. Cor 1 9. Phil. 1.25 maketh valiant in the combate striuing against sinne couragious in difficulties confident in desperate dangers is accompanied with holy securitie concerning the grace Rom 14.7 1. Pet. 1.8 Iohn 8.56 2 Tim. 1.12 Heb. 11.34.35 2. Chro 14.11 and 20.12 1. Iohn 3.21 Luk 7.50 Eph. 2.8 Rom. 8.28 Gal. 5.5 Heb. 6.12 Heb. 11.1 Iohn 8.56 Heb. 11.11.17 â—9 Psal 27.1.2.13 Esay 28.16 protection and loue of God ioyned with a certaine expectation of eternall saluation and assurance that all things shall worke together for best It seasoneth prosperitie receiueth earthly blessings as pledges of Gods speciall and Fatherly loue and lifteh them vp to spirituall vse it sweetens afflictions supporteth vnder them teacheth to profit by them beareth them meekly expecteth deliuerance and triumpheth before the victorie It seeth things inuisible assureth aboue likelihood sence or reason allayeth perplexing thoughts and feares and breaketh off temptations It stayeth vpon the word of promise and is confident of things to reason incredible in nature impossible ro sence direct contrarie because God hath said them It preserueth from ill meanes laboureth conscionably in the duties of our callings yet without couetousnesse or distracting care swalloweth the painfulnesse of honest labour and obtaineth many temporall blessings and deliuerances Dan. 6. â—3 Ier. 39.18 Rom. 11.20 Rom. 10.10 2. Cor. 4.13 1. Tim. 3.13 Rom. 1.12 Psal 16.3 Luk. 22.32.33 Iam. 5.15 Heb. 10.38.39 and 11 4.6.7.8.33.34 Colos 2.7 2. Thess 2.13 Rom. 11.20 and 5.1.2 Psalm 1.3 Isay 40.30.31 Phil. 4.11 1. Pet. 15. Eph. 2.8 Rom. 4.13.14 yea and spirituall priuiledges for our selues for our prosterie and for others Faith preserueth from falling raiseth vs againe being fallen maketh couragious and hardie in the profession of the Gospell euen to the losse of goods libertie and death it selfe it sweeteneth the communion of Saints linketh the heart in loue to them that feare God laboureth the conuersion of them that goe astray and the building forward of them that be called and the comfort of them that be distressed in soule or body maketh profitably to those that be without worketh righteousnes obtaineth a good report wholy resigneth it selfe to the will of God And to conclude by faith we are certified of our election are made wise vnto saluation doe stand in grace are assured of prosperous successe in what wee goe about doe learne how to want and how to abound and possesse all things whâ—n for the present we haue nothing in hand are enriched with many spirituall graces are kept to our Heauenly inheritance and shall bâ—e glorified in the life to come These be the sound comfortable enduring fruits of faith in which respect who can but say that faith is an excellent grace a rich iewell a pearle of price the Christian mans treasure Faith is a principall thing the merchandise thereof is better then siluer and the fruites thereof then fine gold Without faith there is no plentie to man on earth with
Apostle saith your care beginneth to spring againe belike they had their winter whom a new spring reuiued It is true the Lord hath promised that Hell gates shall neuer preuaile vtterly to ouerthrow the faith of his chosen or any other grace radically accompanying saluation but to preserue continuall sensible exercise of any grace he hath no where promised The graces of God doe ebbe and slow in his seruants and that by the wise disposition of God lest if we had attained facilitie in all things wee should thinke that our owne which is meerely his worke Who amongst the faithfull doth alwayes heare with equall attention reuerence chearefulnesse c. or pray with like earnestnesse of desire feeling of wants assurance to be heard or submission to Gods will or doe any thing at all times so as at some The Lord many times withdrawes the vse of some particular grace that some other may in greater measure shew forth it selfe in vs. Ioy and reioycing in his mercie hee withholds that he might bring to the practice of humiliation § 9. What if a Christian cannot finde no not after search and examination any liuely sence or feeling of faith §. 9. 9. They cannot find any liuely sence of of faith nay he cannot discerne any faith at all in himselfe Hereby the Lord may correct our vnthankfulnesse for mercies formerly receiued Remedy or that presumptuous licence we took to our selues in sinning or in questioning with our selues of his graces All which things wee are heartily to confesse and bewaile But for the comfort of the distressed hee is to know that sometimes graces may lie hid yea and worke in respect of our acknowledgment insensibly Wee may not conclude there is no truth of grace in vs because we cannot perceiue and feele it The seed of faith cannot be lost after it is once planted in an honest and good heart by the holy Spirit but the sight thereof may bee hid from our knowledge and the liuely functions thereof intermitted The child liues in the mothers wombe though it know not so much Life remaines in a man fallen into a dead swound wherein he is depriued for a time of vnderstanding reason memorie sence motion and all apparant vitall functions The tree liues in winter though nipped with frosts and weather-beaten with tempests dead in appearance Coales raked close vnder the ashes that they giue neither heat nor light doe yâ—t retaine both though they shew not forth themselues There is a generation pure in their owne eyes who are not purged from their iniquities Prou. 30.12 the most holy are not priuie to all their secret sins nor throughly acquainted with the deceitfulnesse of their owne hearts And the graces of the Spirit may lie hid in the hearts of the regenerate Psâ—l 19.12 and worke insensibly to their feeling and discerning as well as corruption lurke secretly and worke priuily in the soule both of regenerate and vnregenerate An argument drawne from his sence and feeling may haue some colour in the conceit of a distressed minde but in truth it is a deceitfull reasoning to conclude That they haue no faith because they haue no sence or feeling thereof in their apprehension In the agonie of conscience none are more vnfit to iudge of our estate then wee of our owne Though at other times we be sicke of selfe-loue and too partiall in our owne case yet in this state towards our selues wee are most vncharitable and being out of loue with our selues wee are apt to derogate from the worke of Gods Spirit in vs. In time of temptation the godly doe erre many wayes in examination of themselues It is most certaine also that in the examination and triall of our estates we commit no small errours in the time of temptation the minde being clouded with the mists of Satans suggestions and the heart so distempered with feare that we cannot discerne the graces of God in vs nor acknowledge boldly what in a sort we see Suggestions we take to be sinnes of consent and purpose failing in the purposed measure of seruing God or in some particular we distinguish not from falling from our generall purpose to cleaue vnto God in the performance of all duties of holinesse and righteousnesse we put not difference betwixt absolute falling from purpose and failing in execution of purpose in some particular Common infirmities wee iudge presumptuous sinnes or such blemishes as cannot bee in the Saints of God passions we esteeme as deliberate purposed resolutions and motions to distrust which are euidences of weaknesse are supposed pregnant tokens of totall infidelitie Certaintie of adherence is not distinguished from certaintie of euidence if we find not assurance of pardon we conclude there is no faith though possibly at the present wee resolue to roll our selues vpon the faithfull promise of God and powre out our soules for mercie The Lord diuersly giues euidence of his Spirits presence in vs. Sometimes a childe of God perceiues little difference in practice betwixt himselfe and very aliens yet let him view his affections he may see grace there sometimes againe more may be seene in practice then in the affection When the heart is ouer-whelmed with feare and doubt a man cannot finde loue ioy or delight in the Word of God but then his frequenting the house of God his priuate reading and conference are testimonies that his will is bent to the Law of God But these things are not obserued in the times of distresse and bitter anguish whence it followeth that God may euidence his presence with vs by the Spirit of grace when by reason of our frailtie we cannot discerne it Furthermore if a man can discerne no sparke of grace If a man can discerne no spark of grace in himselfe for the present he is not to despaire nor feele any good thing in himselfe he is not to despaire But as the sence and feeling of his present state ought to humble him vnder Gods hand and moue him to enter into a serious examination of himselfe and to vnfained repentance for his sinnes so must hee take comfort vnto himselfe and prop vp his weake declining faith by calling to minde former times Psal 77.3 9 10 11. and wherein the Lord hath caused his mercifull and gracious countenance to shine vpon him and wherein hee hath glorified God by an holy life and conuersation For if euer he hath discerned the graces of Gods Spirit by the fruits of sanctification they are not vtterly taken away though for a time they bee buried from his sight that hee cannot find them The seed is not dead that lyeth all winter vnder the clods and appeareth not by fruit aboue ground If hee bee not able to gather comfort from former experience but be readie to question that also yet must hee not giue way to vncomfortable and deading sorrow because the thirstie soule who neither feeleth inward sap Esay 55.1 2. Math. 11.28 nor findeth outward
fruit of grace is called to come vnto Christ the fountaine of liuing waters that in him and by him he might be eased refreshed made fruitfull This gratious inuitation the poore soule must lay hold vpon and say within himselfe I will draw neere vnto the God of my saluation and trust in him for I haue his firme and stable promise that I shall be watered with grace and refreshed with comfort If I be hungrie hee hath plentie of prouision if barren drie and withered with him there is abundance of grace that I may be enriched § 10. The Deuill who goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom hee may deuoure will not spare to suggest to the contrite and humbled soule that God cannot or will not forgiue his transgressions which haue beene most hainous for qualitie many for number §. 10. 1. Pet. 5.8 10. Their sins be many in number and hainous for qualitie and in which hee hath long liued and continued And it may be the Lord would hereby correct our former conceits in the dayes of our vanitie Remedie that of all things pardon of sinnes is most easily obtained that it was but a sleight and small thing to sinne against God that wee might well enough take our fill of sinne for the time and turne to the Lo d in old age and sicknesse But withall this thought must be held to arise from Satan and shunned as repugnant to the truth of God The hainousnesse or number of our sins make vs not vncapable of mercie For the promise of pardon is made to repentant sinners without limitation to any time person qualitie or number of offences And for the remedie and remouall of this temptation first wee should humble our selues before God for our light esteeme of sinne and procrastination or delayes 2. Cor. 1.3 Esay 55.7 Iames 5.7 Ier. 3.1 2.3.13 14. 11. They feele the heauie burden of Gods wrath And then consider the endlesnes of Gods mercies in Christ the price which was paid for our redemption the sweet promises propounded in the Word the stablenesse and perpetuitie of the Couenant and the examples of great sinners receiued to mercie And what if a man sensibly feele the heauie burthen of Gods wrath and plainely discerne his frowning and angry countenance Though sence of Gods loue faile faith may continue strong Remedie Iob 13.15 Heb. 11.1 Faith may bee strong when wee haue no sence or feeling of mercie For faith is not grounded vpon sence and feeling but vpon Gods gracious promises immutable goodnesse and infallible truth Yea when sence and feeling cease then faith which is the euidence of things not seene beginneth it chiefe worke and the most excellent faith sheweth it selfe most clearely when we haue no sence or feeling or when we feele the plaine contrarie Faith looketh to the promise mercie power and truth of God and to the manner of his working and seeing his mercie is incomprehensible his power infinite his manner of working by contraries his truth firme and immoueable therefore in the greatest terrours it belieueth peace when God sheweth himselfe an enemie it apprehendeth him louing and mercifull and out of the deepest humiliation aboue sence or reason gathereth the sweetest consolation If euer we haue tasted of Gods loue and mercie liuely faith concludeth that wee are still in his loue and fauour Iames 1.17 Iohn 13 1 2. whatsoeuer we apprehend in our present sence and feeling for whom hee loueth to the end hee loueth them Yea faith goeth before experience or sence of mercie and waiteth for saluation in Christ in the depth of miserie grounding it selfe meerely vpon the Word of truth which cannot lie Wee belieue to taste the goodnesse of the Lord not because we haue felt alreadie how kind the Lord is though we may make vse of feelings past to sustaine vs in present agonies Experience and sence is a stay or prop for our better ease not the ground vpon which our faith leaneth and though it be shaken faith continueth firme If therefore at any time our sence and feeling tell vs one thing namely that God hath cast vs off foreuer and will neuer looke graciously vpon vs and the Word of God assure vs of another to wit that God doth loue vs and will neuer forsake vs vtterly wee are not to giue credit to our owne feeling but to Gods Word For our sence is oft deceiuing specially in matters of godlinesse but the Word of the Lord is sincere and abideth for euer In bodily diseases of some kinde wee trust more to the iudgement of a skilfull Physicion then to our owne conceits and shall we not thinke that God knowes our spirituall estate better then we our selues What can we belieue in matters of religion if we belieue not more then we can discerne by sence or reason The being of a thing and the sensible discerning of the thing to bee are diuers Howsoeuer at sometimes they concurre yet oftentimes they are seuered and disioyned Because the Sunne appeareth not to vs at Mid-night shall wee conclude that it neuer hath or will shine to vs againe Shall a childe imagine his Father neuer did or will truly loue him hereafter because for the present hee doth not admit him into his presence or afford him a fauourable and louely countenance No lesse absurd but more iniurious is it to our heauenly Father to coniecture that no grace or fauour is to bee sound with God seeing now the beames of his loue and mercie are hidden from vs. The dearest seruants of God who haue beene indued with most eminent graces and highly aduanced into speciall fauour with him haue yet in their owne sence apprehended wrath and indignation◠Psal 22.1 2. 38.3 4. 77.7 88.14 Ier. 20.14 15. instead of loue and fauour displeasure instead of comfort and trouble instead of peace Did God tenderly respect them when he seemed to teare them in pieces and to breake their bones like a roaring Lion and shall wee iudge of his affection by our present feeling § 11. But what if we haue long vsed the means of grace and can finde no comfort In this case §. 11. 12. They haue long vsed the meanes of grace and can finde no comfort Cant. 5.2.3 wee must repent of the former neglect to accept of grace offered and pray to God to forgiue and pardon it Wee must also examine our hearts with all care and diligence to finde out the sins which haply doe hinder comfort and bewailing the same stirre vp our selues to receiue the promises Remedy For oft times the entertaining of some bosome sinne which wee are loath to part withall is that which m kes the breach in our conscience And sometimes we walke without comfort not so much because God withholds it as that wee put it from vs The godly sometimes walke without comfort because they put it from themselues either not knowing that we are called to belieue or not
labour to see the necessitie and preciousnesse of faith 2. See the necessitie and pretiousnesse of Faith and these seene will make a man hold hard ere he part with it A man that hath a great charge his whole state about him will as soone lose his life as part with his treasure Of what excellencie and vse is this grâ—ce of faith which subdueth passions ouercommeth allurements maketh things impossible to the flesh easie and delightsome inableth to stand fast when we are buffeted by Satan lifteth vp the head amidst all the surges of temptation remayneth victorious in all combats raiseth vs vp when we are laid along and our weapons beaten on our Heads knitteth the heart fast to the heauenly Commandements quickeneth in deadnesse and holdeth the Lord fast when he leadeth vs into the darke Who would not preferre the custodie and increase of such a grace before life it selfe Nay what is our life without it If faith liue in vs we liue blessedly whatsoeuer misery compasse vs about if faith decay we die if it die we perish Thirdly We mâ—st consider whom we trust and meditate on the grounds of faith to wit the grace 3. Meditate on the grounds of Faith power goodnes truth vnchangeablenes of God for this will strengthen beliefe Wee must consider the promises of God that we may see what his good will and pleasure is what a Fatherly care of our welfare hee hath and not only how able but how willing also he is to helpe and succour vâ— what promises he hath made and how faithfull hee is in performaâ—ce for his owne names sake and of free vndeserued loue The Mother of vnbeliefe is ignorance of God his faithfulnesse mercie and power Psal 9.10 Those that know thee will trust in thee This confirmed Paul Abraham Sarah in the faith 2. Tim. 1.12 Heb. 11.11 Rom. 4.21 I know whom I haue beliâ—ued and that hee is able to keepe that I haue committed vnto him vntill that day Hee is faithfull who hath promised and able also to performe The free promises of the Lord are all certaine his Commandements right and good the recompence of reward inestimably to bee valued aboue thousands of gold and siluer Trust therefore in the Lord O my soule and follow hard after him Thou hast his free promise who neuer failed who hath promised more then possibly thou couldst aske or thinke who hath done more for thee then euer he promised who is good and bountifull to the wicked and vngodly thou doest his worke who is able and assuredly will beare thee out there is a Crowne of glory proposed vnto thee aboue all conceit of merit sticke fast vnto his Word and suffer nothing to diuide thee from it Rest vpon his promises though hee seeme to kill thee cleaue vnto his stâ—tutes though the flesh lust the World allure the Deuill tempt by flatteries or threatnings to the contrarie 4. Feeling weaknesse of faith looke on on Christ Fourthly When wee feele our faith weake we must looke vp to Christ the beginner and finisher of faith in vs. A fainting bodie will taste some thing that is cordiall and restoratiue and a fainting soule must baite it selfe with looking to Iesus who is our cordiall and restoratiue 5. Pray for the spirit of faith Fiftly Faith is a grace that is giuen from aboue and commeth downe from the Father of lights vnto whom wee must fly by feruent prayer humbly begging that he would by his Spirit both reueale vnto vs what be those pretious promises which he hath made vnto his people and giue vs wisdome rightly to iudge of them and firmely to receiue them in euery estate and aboue all to moue our hearts so to belieue them that wee may assure our selues of all needfull helpe in due time seeing God alsufficient and faithfull hath promised it and waite vpon him in the way of his Commaundements Mercifull Father it is my sincere desire and vnfained resolution to draw nigh vnto thee and put my trust in thy mercies for euermore But of my selfe I haue no abilitie to stand in faith or to follow hard after thy Commaundements I am full of doubtings when I can see no meanes to put me in hope of helpe and ready to sinke downe in despaire vpon euery small occasion I am readie to stagger and slip aside Take pittie vpon me O Lord for thy mercie sake for I fly vnto thee for helpe Thou hast commanded mee to belieue hold mee by thy right hand that I shrinke not reueale thy promises vnto my vnderstanding giue mee a sound iudgement establish me in the faith more and more vnite my heart close vnto thee that all the darts of the Deuill may fall off not be able to wound my conscience Thou hast giuen me to see my weakenesse in faith and to bewaile it to see the necessitie and excellent vse of faith and to desire it giue me also stedfastly to belieue according to the riches of thy grace that I may glorifie thy name CHAP. II. What it is to liue by faith in particular touching the promises of pardon and forgiuenesse and how to stirre vp our selues thereunto THE vse of faith which is as large as the word of God must be distinguished according to the arts and seuerall branches of it promises What the promisâ—s bee and the kinds thereof Commaundemets threatnings By promises vnderstand all those declarations of Gods will wherein hâ—e signifies in the Gospell what good he will freely bestow And these be either Spirituall or Temporall concerning this life or the life to come of things simply necessarie to saluation or of things good in themselues but not alwayes good for vs all which are receiued possessed and inioyed by faith according as they be promised of God either with or without limitation Amongst spirituall promises absolutely necessarie without which there can be no saluation the first and chiefe is concerning pardon or forgiuenesse of sinnes and Iustification The promise of forgiuenes of sinnes God of his rich grace and mercie in Iesus Christ doth make offer of free and full forgiuenesse of all sinnes to euery burdened thirstie and peniâ—ent soule Isay 55.7 Deut. 30.1.2 1. Reg. 8.35 Let the wicked forsake his way and the vnrighteous man his thoughts and let him returne vnto the Lord and he will haue mercy vpon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Ier. 3.12 Returne thou backe-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall vpon you for I am mercifull saith the Lord and I will not keepe mine anger for euer I will clense them from all their iniquitie wherby they haue sinned against me and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they haue sinned and whereby they haue transsgresed against me Ier. 33.8 and 1.34 The promise is free This promise is made of free and vndeserued mercie not for any merit that is or possibly could bee in vs.
grace as well as any benefite tending thereunto As we are iustified by faith so wee are saued by faith Eph. 2.8 not in respect of present saluation or redemption whereof here we are pertakers but in respect of glorification to come in due time to be reuealed Belieue on the Lord Iesus Act. 16.31 and thou shalt hee saued By faith wee haue accesse into this grace Rom. 5.2 wherein wee stand and reioyce in the hope of glory When the Apostle saith With the heart Man belieueth vnto righteousnesse Rom. 10.10 and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation Hâ—e doth not so distinguish these two as if faith were the cause of righteousnes confession of saluation or as if faith were sufficient to righteousnes but not to saluation for hee had often said Rom. 4 16. that wee are saued by faith that the promise is by faith But he describes the qualification of that faith which iustifyeth and saueth namely that it is a stedfast affiance that flyeth to God by heartie supplication and breaketh forth into profession of Gods name The promise is Rom. 10.11 Whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be saued and faith herein flyeth to the throne of grace with ardent supplications and layeth hold of saluation promised of grace Secondly Faith doth not begin to apprehend life and then leaue it it to works that we might attain the accoÌ„plishment by theÌ„ but it doth euer rest vpon the promise vntill we come to enioy it Heauen is an inheritance freely vouchsafed to the adopted sonnes of God whose interest vnto it commeth by belieuing not by working Rom. 6.23 The gift of God is eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord if it be a gift of meere fauour it cannot be of workes Eph. 2.8.9.10 Gal. 3.18 If the inheritance be of the Law it is no more of promise but God gaue it to Abraham by promise And that which God will doe about his children in the day of iudgement is called mercy 2. Tim. 1.18 The Lord shew mercy to Onesiphorus in that day The immediate cause of life is Gods grace as the immediate cause of death is sin Rom. 5.21 But if life be of grace it is by faith We are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation 1. Pet. 1.5 So that our faith neuer giues ouer till wee come to bee actually possessed of the immortall and vndefiled inheritance reserued for vs in Heauen Thirdly By faith we receiue the promised Spirit as the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the purchased possession Gal. 3.14 Because ye are sonnes God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts crying Ezek. 34.29 Gal. 4 6. Rom. 8.15 Abba Father The holy Ghost doth first infuse the grace of faith into our hearts whereby we belieue but belieuing and being made the sonnes of God wee receiue the Spirit more fully and manifestly dwelling in vs to sanctification and assurance of our Redemption By the benefite of the holy Ghost faith springeth in vs by which faith the abundance of the selfe-same spirit is increased and so of a greater faith is still made a greater increase of the Spirit In whom after yee belieued Ephe. 1.13 yee were sealed with the Spirit of promise He that belieueth Iohn 7.38 out of his belly shall flow riuers of liuing water And these gifts of the Spirit which we receiue by faith from Christ our Head are the beginnings of that glorious life we expect and looke for one in substance different in degrees and according to the measure of grace receiued so is the life of glory begunne in vs. Fourthly Faith in the promises of euerlasting life leadeth forward in the pathes of peace and righteousnes It mortifyeth corruption studyeth holinesse Math. 6.21 raiseth the heart to things aboue and directeth the conuersation according to the pollicie of the new Ierusalem Life eternâ—ll is not giuen for workes but it is the good pleasure of God that his children should be holy and exercise themselues in all good workes Rom. 8.13 Gal. 6.8 If yee through the Spirit doe mortifie the deeds of the body yee shall liue He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reape life euerlasting Blessed are the pure in heart Math. 5 8. for they shall see God Follow peace with all men and holinesse Heb. 12.14 without which no man shall see the Lord. Charge them that be rich in this world that they bee not high minded nor trust in vncertaine riches but in the liuing God who giueth richly all things to inioy That they doe good that they be rich in good workes ready to distribute willing to communicate 1. Tim. 6.17.18.19 Laying vp in store for themselues a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternall life But yee beloued building vp your selues in your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost keepe your selues in the loue of God Iude verse 20.21 Iam. 1.12.25 Math. 35.34.35 looking for the mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ vnto eternall life Come yâ—e blessed of my Father inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world For I was hungred and yee gaue mee meate c. These and such like passages of Scripture shew not the cause why but the qualification of the persons vnto whom not how it is deserued but what doth precede the bestowing of life eternall And faith that looketh for that blessed hope and layeth hold vpon the promise of that heauenly and incorruptible inheritance lifteth vp the heart into Heauen kindleth loue inflameth with zeale encourage h against difficulties and inciteth to run the way of Gods Commandements If probable hope of great aduantage drawes on the Merchant to vndertake a long and tedious voyage by Sea notwithstanding the many casualties and perils wherewith it is beset faith in the assured promises of God concerning saluation will set a man forward in his Christian iourney hold hâ—m on in his way with courage and chearefulnesse and hearten him to the workes of godlinesse notwithstanding the temptations of Satan the allurements of the world or oppositions of the flesh to the contrarie Phil. 3.20 Our conuersation is in Heauen from whence also wee looke for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus Christ Col. 1.3.4.5 Wee giue thankes to God and since wee heard of your faith in Christ Iesus and of the loue which yee hau to all the Saints For the hope which is laid vp for you in Heauen Heb. 11.13 14.15.16 By faith Abraham Isaâ—c and Iacob confessed that they were pilgrimes and strangers on the earth and hauing oportunitie would not returne into their owne countrey because they desired a better countrey that is an heauenly Fiftly It seeketh to get our title confirmed and assured to the conscience by euidence and earnest or pawne it exerciseth it selfe vpon the
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
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
will not suffer that roaring Lion aboue measure to discharge vpon them This faith assures of 1. Cor. 10.13 and perswades quietly to waite for Ninthly If Satan renew his assaults faith stands prepared through the power of God to make resistance afresh When Paul was buffeted by the messenger of Satan he besought the Lord often in that thing 2. Cor. 12.8 Thus when wee are led into darknesse without light wee leane vpon God and cry vnto him for saluation If a childe haue his Father by the hand though he be in the darke or otherwise see what hurt might him approach and make often at him yet he is not afraid and so it is with vs whilest by the eye of faith wee see that inuisible one at out right hand to support and saue vs. Neither are wee scarred at this that Satan doth shift his temptations and returne againe after hee had left vs for a season But hauing experience of Gods gratious dealing and tender compassion we flie vnto him and shrowd our selues vnder the shade of the Almightie If wee haue in some fits found case by this or that meanes we know if wee come into like case how to helpe our selues it is wee say but doing such a thing or taking such a matter thus hauing once found in distresse and temptation strength and deliuerance by recourse to our God in Christ we know what to doe when such like state returneth on vs. Satan will not cease to assaile though hee bee ouercome nor the Belieuer faint though he be set vpon againe and againe but hauing once returned with victory through the power of God hee will abide in the secret place of the most High for euer Why the godly sometimes want the sight of Gods graces Tenthly The faithfull are the Lords vessels which he vseth to scoure by temptations True it is that in the time of triall the graces of the Spirit doe not so much appeare to the notice of the belieuing heart but by the ouer-ruling prouidence of God they serue for the increase of grace as the truth teacheth faith belieueth and experience can testifie Thus faith ministreth comfort in the most bitter agonies if it bee rightly vsed and stirred vp But what if the child of God be brought so low that he can discerne no sparke of faith no fruit of grace no marke of Gods loue in himselfe It is not to be doubted but the seruants of Christ through their weaknes are oft brought by extremity of temptation into wofull desolation which yet the Lord doth wisely order for the glory of his Name and the good of his deiected seruants And as in other things so in this that they cannot discerne any fruit of the Spirit wherewith through the mercy of God they are comfortably replenished For the blustering Tempests which the enemy raiseth against them cause such disturbance in the soule and fill the heart with such confusion feare and terrour that for the present they are altogether vnable to iudge of their owne estate For when the Mind is ouer-clouded with the mists of Temptation as the eye with the rising of dust and the heart tossed too and fro with vnquietnesse as the waues of the Sea when the winds are boisterous conscience by recoiling vpon the soule cannot conceiue or giue right notice of it true state and temper Troubled water will not giue backe the reflection of the countenance nor an afflicted Spirit the true disposition of the inner man When the poore Christian makes search into himselfe the temptation first puts forth it selfe wherewith the heart is daunted and thereupon concludeth that no grace doth lodge or abide in him because at first sight it doth not appeare Vnto these may be added that good men are sometimes pertishly disposed to cast away all they haue as nothing because they haue not what they desire or imagine others to enioy herein resembling little children who for want of some small trifle that they desire or some of their fellowes haue throw away many things much more pretious But not to inquire further into the causes of this mistaking The Remedie of this the remedy is First hee must know that as in sicke persons we see it commeth to passe they thinke there is no hope of life when the Physician and standers by see certaine and vndoubted tokens of health So it is oftentimes in these spirituall sicknesses Secondly It is the wisdome of a Christian in this case to obserue the marke that Satan driues at which is to hide from his sight the graces of the Spirit that he might bring him to despaire This being the Deuils aime hee must stirre vp himselfe to belieue and roll his soule vpon Christ for saluation For when he can see no grace in his soule he cannot but see himselfe to be miserable and so called to come vnto Christ the fountaine of liuing waters that by him hee might be replenished in him hee might find refreshing Againe taking courage to belieue hee disappoints Satan who intendeth not so much to draw him into security as to force him to cast away all hope of mercie Oh but a Christian is to examine and try himselfe whether hee be inriched with the graces of the Spirit or no True it is that the examination of our hearts is a necessary duty but to be done in due order so as we be stirred vnto not driuen froÌ„ the practice of other duties no lesse needfull But when the soule is distempered with the assaults of Satan and vnable to iudge of it owne state it is vnseasonable to make search into our hearts and preposterous is to giue place to doubtings because wee cannot find what wee desire Wee haue a commandement to belieue as well as to proue our selues both which must bee coupled together otherwise neither can be done as they ought and it is a plaine case that he who finds himselfe to be poore and naked is called to come vnto Christ that hee might receiue of his fulnesse bee inriched with his plentie If thou canst not find in thy selfe what thou seekest after come vnto Iesus Christ and belieue in him that thou mayest receiue what thou seekest and is to bee found in him Thirdly The distressed soule must learne that the grace of God worketh not alwayes alike in his children When we walke in the fields in winter we see not only no good fruit but not so much as a leafe on the trees in some also the very trunke or stocke appeareth to be dead yet is the sâ—p hidden in the root which in due time will shew that the tree was neuer dead When fire is raked vp there appeareth oftentimes a sort of cold dead ashes when there are vndeâ—neâ—th certaine sparkes of which you may afterward make a fire Yea many times the fruits of grace may shine in the conuersation to the eyes of others when the powers and stirrings of grace inwardly being hindred with temptations cannot be felt Fourthly The
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
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
by liuely faith is but the very outside and dull matter of a good and acceptable worke There is no going right forward in the way to Heauen 1. Tim 1.5 if faith be not the guide The end of the Commaundement is loue out of a pure conscience and faith vnfained That which is here called the precept is not all the law Iun. animad in Bell Cont. 5. lib. 3. cap. 11. not 14. but only the precept that Paul giueth to Timothy that he should haue care to see that there were no strange doctrine admitted neither for forme nor matter neither for things directly contrarie to wholsome doctrine nor for idle questions not tending to build vp the people in the loue of God and of their Neighbour as appeareth euidently Verse 3. both by the verbe before whereof this word here is deriued and by this same word vsed afterward in this chapter Verse 18. where the signification of it is restrained vnto the present matter of exhortaion Neuerthelesse it may well be applied to confirme that euery act of sincere and vnpartiall obedience must come from a liuely well-rooted and soueraigne faith Christ is the fountaine of life and faith the meane Act. 2.15 Iohn 1.4 Psal 36.9 Heb. 5.9 Christ is the fountaine and faith the meanes of life The power and originall of life is intirely reserued to the Lord and Prince of life the Light and Life of men the Author of eternall saluation But faith is the radicall band on our part whereby wee are tied vnto Christ and liue in him The bodie hath it soule which enclines it and so hath the soule its soule whereby it liues and that is Christ the quickning spirit 1. Cor. 15.45 Take away the soule from the bodie and earth becomes earth seuer Christ and the soule what is it but a dead carrion The members die if they bee seperated from the Head liue so long as they be conioyned to it Ephes 1.22 23. 4.16 Christ is to his Church and euery liuing member of it what the naturall Head is to the naturall members And so we liue primarily and properly by Christ as by the soule and Head by faith secondarily as by the Spirits the band of soule and body or by Nerues and sinewes the ties of the Head and Members Looke as the leg or arme liues by proper sinewes vniting them to the Head so doth euery belieuer liue in Christ by a wel-rooted soueraigne particular faith whereby he receiueth Christ and is made one with him Thus saith hee himselfe Who is the truth and the life Iohn 14.6 I am the resurrection and the life he that belieueth in me Iohn 11.25 though he were dead yet shall he liue and I am the bread of life Iohn 6.35 Iohn 5.26 hee that belieueth in me shall neuer hunger and againe As the Father hath life in himselfe so hath hee giuen to the Son to haue life in himself Thus speak the holy Scriptures of him In it was life and that life was the light of men Iohn 1.4 Col. 3.4 When Christ who is your life shall appeare Our hands haue handled the word of life For the life was manifested 1. Iohn 1.2 3. and we haue scene it and beare witnesse and shew vnto you that eternall life which was with the Father and was manifested vnto vs. And this is the testimonie of those three heauenly and earthly witnesses That God hath giuen to vs eternall life and this life is in his Sonne 1. Iohn 5.11 12. Hee that hath the Sonne hath life and hee that hath not the Sonne hath not life Whatsoeuer grace we want it is to be receiued from Christ 1. Cor. 1.30 Who of God is made vnto vs wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and whatsoeuer grace is in Christ for vs it is made ours by faith And so we find in diuers passages of Scripture that he that hath faith 1. John 5.13 hath the Sonne and eternall life in him This is liuely represented vnto vs by the Parable of the Vine and the branches that as the branch receiueâ— all the sap whereby it liues and is fruitfull from the Vine Iohn 15.5 so doe we from Christ being engrafted into him Life then is from Christ as the Author Rom. 11.20 Prince and Fountaine but wee liue by faith as it incorporateth vs into Christ and receiueth him to dwell in our hearts Ephes 3.17 So that whatsoeuer wee lend to faith it redounds to the honour of Christ Impossible it is that faith should waxe proud towards her Lord or insolent ouer her fellow seruants challenging any thing of desert vnto her selfe No faith receiues all of grace as a poore beggar and altogether excludes the hatefull law of boasting Rom 3.27 Rom. 4.16 Ephes 2.8 9.10 This is the nature the place the office of faith for God haâ—h ordained that life should bee through faith thâ—t it might bee of meere and rich grace And if the end and meanes appointed of God to lead thereunto doe well consent then it cannot be that faith should lift vp her selfe against grace or in any thing seeke her owne prâ—ise and not the glory of God Among all the gifts of God there iâ— none more vsefull then faith others are profitable for some few things this is for this life and the lâ—fe to come for all parts and purposes of our liues in the vse of it manifold and rich eueâ—y manner of way But euermore it aduancâ—th the gracâ— of God and causeth man altogether to disclaime himselfe his abilitie and worth Faith seâ—ueth not only to iustifie but to make vs endure in all afflictions without making haste Hab. 2.4 Esay â—8 16 Rom. 1.5 The Iust liueth in time of his afflictions by faith Hee that belieueth maketh not haste It doth worke in vs and guide the course of our obedience Wee haue râ—ceiued grace and Apostleship to the obedience of faith not only in belieuing the promise of the Gospell but the other pâ—rt or word of command It doth also preuaile against all Enemies 1. Iohn 5.4 This is the victorie that ouer-commeth the world euen our faith But in all this it leaneth vpon the grace of God looketh to his power and trusteth vpon his faithfull promise To liue by Faith Gal. 3.2 Rom. 4.21 Heb. 11.11 What it is to liue by faith is by faith in Christ to assent and adhere vnto and pâ—ssesse the whole Word of God as our owne in all estates and conditions resting quietly vpon his gratious and faithfull promise to receiue from his good hand all needfull blessings and comforts in fittest season and in all good conscience yeelding our selues vnto his good pleasure in sincere vniuersall and constant obedience To liue by faith is not only to belieue in Christ for saluation or to belieue throughout our life that wee shall be saued in the life to come but also to rest vpon the
Iohn 2.25 My sheepe heare my voice and I know them and they follow me And I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish In the Gospell wee find eternall life promised vpon condition of faith in Christ Belieue on the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saued and what God promiseth of free grace that faith doth certainly receiue Life is promised vpon condition of faith and by faith wee are quickened entitled vnto and made pertakers of life euerlasting Iohn 3.36 Hee that belieueth on the Sonne hath euerlasting life Hee that heareth my Word and belieueth on him that sent me hath euerlasting life Iohn 5.24 and shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death to life This is the record 1 Iohn 5.11 12 13. that God hath giuâ—n to vs eternall life and this life is in his Sonne He that hath the Sonne hath life and he that not the Sonne hath not life If once we be bâ—ought to belieue in Christ life etâ—rnall is then begun in vs. This is life eternall Iohn 17.3 to know that is with the knowledge of faith thee to be the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Col. 3.4 Ephes 3.17 For Christ is our life who dwels in our hearts by faith and therefore whosoeuer belieue in him haue life through and with him And this life is not another but one in substance with that blessed and glorious estate which the Saints enioy in Heauen though different in degree Againe when first we belieue then wee are intituled to life euerlasting and so haue the accomplishment of glorie in respect of right and proprietie 1. Pet. 1.3.4 Blessed bee the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten vs againe vnto a liuely hope by the resurrection of Iesus from the dead To an inheritance incorruptible and vndefiled and that fadeth not away That being iustified by his grace wee should be made heires according to the hope of eternall life For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God Titus 3.7 by the death of his Sonne much more being reconciled wee shall be saued by his life They which receiue abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousnesse Rom. 5.10 Verse 17. shall raigne in life by one Iesus Christ To an earthly inheritance title followeth vpon the birth to the spirituall vpon our Adoption But when wee belieue in Christ wee are then made the Sonnes of God by Adoption yea sonnes accepted To as many as receiued him Ephes 1.6 John 1.12 to them gaue he priuiledge to become the Sonnes of God euen to them that belieue on his Name Behold what manner of loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that wee should bee called the Sonnes of God Beloued 1. Iohn 3.1 2. now are wee the Sonnes of God Gal. 3.26 29. and it doth not yet appeare what we shall be For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus c. And if yee be Christs then are yee Abrahams seed and heiâ—es according to the promise Gal. 4.4 5. When the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman made vnder the Law to redeeme them that are vnder the Law Verse 7. that wee might receiue the adoption of Sonnes Wherefore thou art no more a seruant but a sonne Rom 8 14. and if a sonne then an heire of God through Christ. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Verse 17. Heb. 12.23 Therefore wee must belieue it c. And if children then heires heires of God and ioynt heires with Christ And for this cause the faithfulâ— are called the Church of the first begotten whose names are writt n in Heauen Now if eternall life be promised in the Gospell purchased by Christ and in right and title belong vnto the faithfull wee may conclude it is our part and dutie to belieue in God through Iesus Christ as well for the obtaining of eternall life to be giuen of grace as the forgiuenesse of our sinnes It is very necessary to belieue it And this is is necessarie that we might with the more quietnesse of Minde beare the afflictions and worldly losses the troubles and persecutions which befall vs in this world Heb. 10.35 36. Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward for yee haue need of patience that after yee haue done the will of God yee might receiue the promise Abraham is commended in Scripture that he left his friends his natiue Countrie and all earthly hopes there whiâ—h were not small and came to dwell in a strange Land as a Pilgrime where he suffered many iniuries Heb. 11.8 9 10. anâ— was exercised with many troubles of sundry kinds all which he endured with inuincible patience by the hope and desire of eternall life and that heauenly Countrie whereunto hee was called The hope of Heauen is the firme and sure anchor of the soule to sustaine and stablish it that it bee not tossed vp and downe and ouer-whelmed with reproaches and indignities Heb. 6 19. offered with the worldly losses miseries of this life It serues also to establish our hearts against sundry worldly cares and feares affectation of earthly greatnesse and carking for earthly necessaries For why should we admire the glory of this life when most excellent glory riches and happinesse ioyned with it is prepared and giuen vs through faith in Christ Why should we doubt of earthly necessaries when God hath bequeathed vnto vs an heauenly kingdome Faith in Christ to receiue an incorruptible crowne of glory will moderate desires of earthly things that wee shall neither admire nor aspire after great things below nor basely dist ust the Lord for supply of what he knowes meete and conuenient for vs. Feare not little flocke Luk. 12.32 for it is your Fathers good pleasure to giue you the Kingdome If wee keepe Heauen in our eye and looke to the high price of our calling wee shall fight couragiously and runne with paâ—ience notwithâ—tanding all opposition What can daunt him in the wayes of godlinesse or make him slaâ—ke his pace who runnes to obtaine not a corruptible but an incorruptible crowne 1. Cor. 9.25 By faith some were tortured not accepting deliuerance Heb. 11.35 that they might obtaine a better resurrection Let vs runne with patience vnto the race that is set before vs Looking vnto Iesus Heb. 12.1.2 the Author and finisher of our faith who for the ioy that was set before him endured the crosse despising the shame and is set downe at the right hand of the throne of God The acts of faith concerning these promises be these The acts of faith concerning these promises First As an humble petitioner it receiueth and layeth hold vpon saluation it selfe promised which wee haue of Gods