Father will send in his Name the Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said to you Joh. 14.26 I hope I have in this set open a large doore of sweet comfort to every poore soule groaning under the burden of sinne I will now the Lord assisting come to point of tryall of which as briefe as I may I have hitherto endeavoured all along to discover a Christians priviledges he hath by Christ with some directions what a Christian is to doe in himselfe to get an interest in this Christ I am now come to give you some Signes or Evidences by which you may know whether as yet Christ be yours or no they shall be but few and short the Lord help me in the discovery and you in the faithfull examination of the ground upon which your building stands and there will arise abundance of sweet and full comfort to all our Soules Signe 1. The first Signe whereby a Christian may know he hath an interest in Christ is a sound and sincere love to Christ for Christ alone It 's not enough to love Christ for the Loaves so Christ hath lovers and followers too many to love Christ because you outwardly thrive and get by Christ Christ finds fault with this Joh. 6.26 It is not enough to love Christ with the Loaves with the world this also Christ cannot away with this will not doe yee cannot doe it Mat. 6.24 but Christ will be loved for himselfe he will have all your love and have you love him onely that is to love him above all more then all Christ would not have any thing here below to stand in computition with him if any thing must be parted with let it be any thing all things save Christ Goods Friends Life are all to he left for the love of Christ when they cannot stand together This is the meaning of thoâ—e two Scriptures Mat. 10.37 Luk. 14.26 Now if you solemnly and seriously aske your hearts they will tell you whether you love a naked Christ a despised Christ I say your hearts will in some measure tell you how they are disposed what longings have you after Christ what inquires doe you make after Christ what delight have yee in the Saints â—ow doe yee prize the Ordinances what soule-meetings have you with Christ what sweet communion have â—ou with Christ Object But you will say who can doe this Aâ—sw I answer every Christian may doe this nay I say further every true Christian doth doe this in a greater or lesser degree what is prayer but the soules discourse with God and Christ by the help of the holy Ghost what is the Word and preaching but a declaration of the mind of God to us Love these and love Christ neglect these and you care not for Iesus Christ Now then have these taken thy heart and ravished thy soule are these the cause of thy rejoycing and the want of these thy sorrow doest thou prize the Word of God above all the Words wealth doest thou love to follow Christ under all contempts canst thou rejoyce in Christ and account thy interest in him to be dearer to thee then all other honours and priviledges I say here are infallible signes of a sincere love to Christ when you can love any thing for Christ and all things for Christ and onely for Christ can you love Christians as they are Christs Ordinances as they are Christs doe you the more love Christians where there is the more of Christ in them do you the more love pure Ordinances as they are the more agreeable to the mind of Christ certainly unlesse you can doe this unlesse your hearts close with Christ in these I can give you no hopes that you either love Christ or have any interest in Christ This is not my owne rule but the rule of Iesus Christ this is not my word but the Word of Iesus Christ In one place Iesus Christ propounds a brotherly love to be a knowne signe of being in him By this shall all men know that yee are my Disciples if yee have love one to another Ioh. 13.35 the other place is Joh. 14.15 If yee love me keep my Commandements that is if you will make it appeared and manifest that you love me let it be knowne by your obedience in walking according to the rule I have given you to observe you see how strict Christ is and therefore it is not good for us to depart from Christ's rule from what he warrants us in I say againe for I cannot say it too often for the Lords sake take heed that you deceive not your selves in the cleering up your Evidences for Heaven your right to Christ you must not thinke because you live in the ayre of the Gospell amongst Christians and Ordinances and Bibles that this can make you Christians and intitle you to Christ no no it 's not faint prayers will bring a man to Heaven every one that saith Lord Lord shall not enter into the Kingdome of heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven Mat. 7.21 Christ requires acting doing his will as well as confession of him nay it 's not barely a civill and strict life will bring a man to Heaven The Scribes and Pharisees went farre in this and yet fell short and therefore did Christ propound this seasonable Caution Except your righteousnesse exceed the righâ—eousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees yee can in no wise enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Mat. 5.20 Nay I must goe a little further yet it s not barely your partaking of the Seales of the Covenant doth put you into Covenant it 's not in plainer words your being baptized and receiving the Lords Supper which makes you Christians and interests you in Christ you may doe all these and yet doe nothing you may perish for all To this it is considerable which Paul writes to the Church at Galatia you may see what a stirre they kept about Circumcision Now to stint the strife and take them from their faâ—se bottomes the Apostle tels them plaine it is neither one nor the other will bring them to Heaven it 's onely the worke of faith by love For saith Paul in Iesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but faith which worketh by love Gal. 5.6 all these outward priviledges advantageth a soule nothing unlesse it can sensibly close with Christ in a full perswasion of the love of Christ to the soule in the great worke of Redemption and that it selfe have a pâ—rt therein but if the soule can thus trust Christ and hence really love Christ againe it may assuredly rest upon it it hath an inteâ—est in Christ This is the first signe of a reall love to Christ Signe 2. Secondly the soule that hath an interest in Christ will trust Christ with all the soule that hath an
God will not nay God cannot be worse then his word God will not deceive those that trust to him that depend upon him Deliverance may be deserved but it shall not faile The needy shall not alwayes be forgotten the expectation of the poore shall not perish for ever Psal. 9.18 God in his wisedom may see cause to withhold deliverance from his afflicted Saints but he doth not forget them they shall not perish under their burden God will come in with deliverance and a seasonable deliverance too he will not stay an houre too long with it It shall come in due time 1 Pet. 5.6 It shall come in a time when it shall doe them most good Amongst men one that carries the esteem of an honest man will have a great care to keep his word his promise though it may be to his losse if he promise he will make it good This is one of the marks which David describes a godly man by He that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not Psal. 15.4 And doe you thinke the great God of heaven and earth will fall short of a godly man No it was a speech of Christ Heaven and earth may pâ—sse but my wordâ— shall not passe away Mark 1â— 31 That is the very Fabrick of the world may be dashed and broken yet God will not break his word with the Saints for though all these meanes were away God of himselfe is able to make good his promise and will doe iâ— And hereupon the Apostle calls it a sure word of promise This is the second reason 3. Reas. The third reason is grounded upon the power of God in himselfe The Churches deliverance shall certainly coâ—e for God will doe it himselfe The Lord â—â—all helpe them and deliver them the very words before my text in the same vers. Indeed if the Churches deliverance did lye upon men and the like outward helpes truely there werâ— small hopes There is so much basenesse and treachery even amongst many of those who pretend themselves on the Churches side that she is in more danger by bosome friends then open enemies Holy David spake prophetically of this and he made it a grievous complaint You may see the place Psal. 55.12 13 14. But here is the Churches the Saints happinesse God hath the managing of the businesse himselfe hâ— will make good his promise and deliver his people in despight of all let secret enemies seeke to prolong let open enemies plot prepare and watch yet God will discover the one disappoynt the other and destroy them all He hath said it and he will make it good He will build up his Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile againts it Mat. 16.18 Nay I will tell you further the the Church of God shall not onely out-stand all power and persecutions of the wicked but shall over-power them and destroy them I will onely open one Scripâ—ure and I will close up the reasons It is Dan. 2.44 And in the dayes of these Kings shall the God of heaven set up a Kingdome which shall never be destroyed and the Kingdome shall not be left to other people but it shall breake in peeces and consume all these Kingdomes and it shall stand for ever These words aâ—e full and to the purpose if you mark them well In this image which here Daniel interprets to the King of Babilon He tells the King that under those foure different parts of the image was understood foure persecuting Kings or Monarchies beginning with him first as vers. 38.39 40. But when the Lord shall have accomplished his whole worke upon mount Zion Isa. 10.12 When the Church is fit for deliverance even in the dayes of these proud persecuting Kings while they are yet in their power the Lord will raise up a Kingdome of Saints which shall never be destroyed Againe a little after you have the same promise almost in the samâ— words The Kingdom and dominion and the greatnesse of the Kingdome under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdome and all dominions shall serve and obey him Dan. 7.27 Thus I hope I have now put the truth of the doctrine delivered out of dispute both by Scripture and undeniable reasons sufficiently proving That Gods people shall be the prevailing people And now by Gods help I will fall upon the Application Applic. 1. Vse of Râ—prâ— First this is enough to strike terror and amazement into the hearts of those who have any hand any way to act counsell or countenance others against the cause and people of God I could heartily wish that this portion of Gods truth might be fastned upon every doore where Malignants dwell that so this seasonable instruction might worke in them a sweet remorse for their God-provoking sins or be left without â—xcuâ—e Was there ever any truth of God more plaine Doe not you see what shall be the end the doom of all their plottings and powers counsels and armies which ever were now are or yet shall be against the Saints of God What became of proud Pharaoh and his Army were they not drownt in the Sea Exod. 14. What is become of three of the foure once poweâ—full persecuting Monarchies which in their times commanded the world as was Prophesied of by Daniel second chapter Where is bloody Nebuchadnezzar which once but Ierusalem and bore mighty sway Where now is cunning Cyrus and ambitious Alexander And I pray you what is become of Romes glory What have any nay all these got by all the blood which they have drawne from the Saints of God Have they set up themselves and pull'd downe the Churches Have they yet rooted out Religion and worne out or wasted the Saints of the most high Have they yet taken away the name of a professor as hath beene aâ—tempted out of this poor spot of the world No no blessed be God the Churches enemies are destroyed in destroying and she lives by dying Oh! If we may yet beg it that the Lord would open the eyes and soften the heart of our King to consider this Alas alas little doth the King and his party know what they lose by that they call getting that which they thinke helpes them undoeth them You may thinke I speake strange paradoxes but I will cleare it to you I say victories destroy the enemie two wayes First a victory got by the enemy fills their hearts with cruelty their mouthâ— with blasphemy and fires them on to destruction That this may not seeme a fancy of my braine I will give you Scripture proofe examples from the word A victory got by the wicked fills their heartâ— with cruelty Having once dipped their hands in blood being blooded as we said by dogs they grow bold and desperate they grow hardy and expert in murder they are lesse mercifull and more cruell every battell more then other See in the King of Babylons Army when they came against
beare ver. 4. of this vveight is iniquity This is the second Instance Lastly actuall sinnes and iniquities are also called transgressioâ—s and this vvord explaines both the other sinne is sinne as done evilly vvickedly and it is ill done or vvickedly done vvhich is done beside or against the rule and command of God and this is is transgression A Christian hath a rule to vvalke by and to goe off from his rule is transgression iniquity or sinne and hence is that expression of Paul Rom. 14.23 He that dourteth is damned if he eat because he careth not of faith fâ—r whatsoever is not of fâ—ith is sinneâ— that is looke to your rule see and know a warrant for what you doe or else you will transgresse you will sinne these tranâ—gressions are soule weights soul burdens and therefore David prayed for deliverance from them in these termes deliver me from all my transgressions Psal. 39.8 Thus I desire every one to study the estate of their soules I know it is a hard matter it 's above a Preacher to make some beleeve this but let me speake home and speake the truth too for which I will give you my warrant from the Word I say to any of you you had far better never to have been borne vvithout you have the new-birth unlesse you be borne againe unlesse you be borne anew unto Christ Iesus unlesse you have this birth you can never come into Heaven and then you know where your place will be These are the words of Iesus Christ twice repeâ—tâ—d Jesus answered and said unto him verely verely I say unto thee except a man be borne againe or as the Originall affords from above he cannot see the Kingdome of God Iohn 3.3 And as though Iesus Christ did not here fully explaine it he still redoubles his affirmation in the same wordâ— and enlargeth his meaning Iâ—sus answered verely verely the deepest attestation that ever Christ tooke I say unto thee except a man be borne of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God ver. 5. Oh that the men of the world which as yet have nothing of Christ that as yet know not savingly and experimentally what Christ is nay know not whether their soules have need of Christ or no would thinke sadly of this and seriously lay to heart what shall become of them hereafter what shall become of the soule when the body is put to rot in the grave what joy can any take in Riches Honour Wife Children Fâ—ieâ—ds or any thing if they have nothing of Christ but when death seizes on the body Riches Honouâ—â— Friends all leaves them and the Devill seizeth upon their soules would not this tremble a stubborne heart is not this enough to startle a carnall man or woman out of their sleepe of security I am sure it takes deepe with them who have lesse need to feare it the Saints of God and because I would not lay too much sadnesse upon their spirits who have more need to be lifted up then cast down I will now fall into a more pleasing subjâ—ct the other means to get assurance of Christ Doct. 2. The poore soule that would have an interest in Christ must labour to get a true knowledge of the freenesse and fulnesse of Gods promiseâ— made in Christ Here is that which will doe your bodies good and your soules good here is a comfort for every calamity a medicine for every malady and a salue for every sore I may speak plainly of the blood of Christ which Jeremiah speaks Prophetically Ier. 8.22 Is there no balme in Gilead is there no Physition there why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered that it there must needs be Balme where Balme grows in the place from whence all comes So there must needs be mercy in the fountain of mercy in the Father of mercy Why then take ye not the right way why goe ye not to God in your misery why lay ye not the Promises before God and claime your priviledges by the death and sufferings of Christ If you doe this God cannot deny you God will not deny you For your helpe herein you must be frequent in the Scriptures heare them read them they will acquaint you with the Promises and the Priviledges which shall come in to you by Christ The Bible is Gods Booke of Record and you cannot know the minde of God anywhere else the best of other Bookes doe but derive their excellency from this this is the rule to all others and therefore Jesâ—s Christ cals us to the use of this above all others Search the Scriptures for they are they which testifie of me Ioh. 5.39 Of all Books here you shall have most of Jesus Christ Object But some may say I have heard and red the Scriptures by times this thirty or forty yeeres c. yet I finde not so much in them as you now say I know not whether I have any right to Christ for all this onely I hope God will have mercy on my soule when I shall dye Answ. The Lord knowes this is the condition of abundance the most part even of those who have beene Sermon-hearers and Sacrament receivers and thinke themselves in an estate good enough Alas poore soules you are in a sad condition but I had rather informe you then lament you I will therefore endeavour a full answer to the objection I say to lay all things together and consider well every thing a part you would thinke it no wonder to see men so ignorant in the wayes and truths of God notwithstanding so much Gospell-meanes and Gospell light we doe injoy I will not mention the malice of our Non-preaching Prelates the deliverance from whom our Kingdome yet hath not had a greater cause of thankfulnesse in these late times neither will I urge the pride idlenesse and basenesse of I thinke I may say the most of the Clergie these have beene too well knowne lets to the increase of Christs Kingdome But I will give you some reasons of thiâ— your ignorance and darknesse ensuing from your owne selves First you hinder and deprive your selves of much light and many sweet comforts by neglecting the meanâ— and helpes to knowledge A man that would keepe himselfe warme will goe to the fire if you want water you goe to draw it out of the Well and goe to the Spring a childe in his wants will goe to his Father Thus you must doe or else you cannot be helped this must be the course you are to take to get spirituall knowledge Resort unto the Ministers of God acquaint your selves with experienced Christians who are able to speake out of knowledge what they have found God to their poore soules Be diligent in hearing Sermons and reading the Scriptures never any man yet who endeavoured eaâ—nestly the saving knowledge of God as it was needfull for him but he obtained it at one time or other Let nothing then but God keepe thee
interest in Christ in some measure or other is acquainted with the love care and power which abides in Jesus Christ and upon this ground saving faith is built They that know thy Name saith David wil trust to thee Psal. 9.10 that is they that know Jesus Christ to be the Sonne of God to be one with the Father Ioh. 17. know him to be God al-sufficient This is fâ—iths sure foundation and hence it was that Paul takes up his firme resolution to commit all to Christ I know saith he whom I have beleeved I have had experience of him and I am perswaded that he is able tâ— keep that which I have committed unto him 2 Tim. 1.12 This was a sweet frame in Paul here was a right faith and assuredly the Saints have the same they have the like pretious faith 2 Pet. 1.1 all the Saints now have the like faith the Apostles had for nature or matter though not the like measure of faith Every christian is willing nay desirous to give up all to the disposall of Christ they well know that Iesus Christ is a better keeper of any thing then they themselves are and therefore they are desirous to put all into his hand christians will trust Christ with estates wives children Religion bodies and soules this is the faith of christians it 's a true faith and it never fails True it is an hypocrite a meer knowing professor may goe farre as the young man did Mat. 19. but they cannot trust Iesus Christ with all they may stand the calm and make a goodly shew but in the storme when troubles sufferings and losses come in with profession of Christ they are lost too they are gone they want foundation they have not faith to trust Christ under difficulties Mat. 7.26 27. they know not that the Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge a hiding-place a defence in times of trouble as David did or else they would put their trust in God Ps. 9.9 10. now then bring your hearts to the rule try them whether they will be willing to close with Iesus Christ and trust him with all and for all if you have a faith that can thus see acknowledge and trust Christ with all it 's good it 's firme it is a faith given by God wrought by the holy Ghost it 's more then flesh and blood can doe thus to trust Iesus Christ And therefore I will conclude upon this faith as Iesus Christ did of the same faith in Peter This a firme faith and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Mat. 16.16 17 18. This a second sign of a christians reall interest in Christ Signe 3. The third Signe of a Christians interest in Christ is a ready obedience to all the commands of Christ when I give you obedience for a signe of being in Christ I meane a filiall and not a servile obedience an obedience that is free full universall not compelled or in part Iesus Christ loves not half Christians nor almost christians Iesus Christ will be all Master or no Master I am perswaded your selves think this a truth and no matter of dispute The soule that hath truly given up it selfe to Iesus Christ that trusts him with all expects all from him to make it happy will be counselled and commanded by the will and word of Iesuâ— Ghrist Obedience is a full discovery a notable marâ— to make known what Master you serve whose commands you obey and works you doe his you are if you obey Christ his you are if you obey the Devill his you are I know this truth is very hardly received many will live like devils and yet would be called christians and be partakers of the Saints priviledges That therefore you may the better judge of your inward estate conâ—â—dâ—r your outward walking who hath the command of your lives and actions what rule goe you by that will not deceive you this was Pauls direction to the Romans and it shall now be mine po you Know you not that is it 's a thing you ought to remember that to whom yee yeeld your selves servaâ—t to obey his servants yee are to whom you obey whether of sinne unto death or obedience unto righteousnesse Rom. 6.16 Objest But you may say how shall I know by my actions when I obey the divell and when I obey Iesus Christ Ans. This is the easiest thing that may be if you deale faithfully with your own soules there is no truth in all the Bible more clearly set down then this for the children of the divell Iesus Christ saith ye are of your father the divell and the lusts of your father ye will doe Ioh. 8.44 On the other side the sheepe the servants of Iesus Christ thâ—y harken for his commands and obey his will the sheepe follow him for they know his voyce Ioh. 10.4 Object But how shall I know which are the works of the divell and which are the commands of Iesus Christ Ans. This also is as plain as can be and they are distinguished all along the Scriptures but I will give you one place for all and that will clear both to the ful Paul writing to the Galathians satisfies the point to the full onely he differs in tearmes from the other places alledged before these works are distinguished and the one call'd the works of the divell the other the commandments of Christ and here Paul cals the one the workâ— of the flesh the other the fruits of the spirit and here is little difference if they be considered now if you would know how these may be discerned the Apostle first tels you they are manifest and then reckons up many particulars the Apostle begins with the works of the flesh or the divell call them whether you please and also shews the reward of them then he describes many qualifications in christians and gives the reason of their sweet frame I will give you both these apart becauâ—e the knowledge of them may dâ—e you much good and the Lord blesse it to you First the Apostle discovers and names many particular works of the divell now saitâ— he the works of the flesh are manifest any body may know them which are these adultery fornication uncleaâ—nesse lasciviousnesse idolatry witchcraft hatred varâ—ance emulations wrath strife seditions heresies envyâ—ngs murders drunkennesse revilings c. the Apostle names these and concludes with such like that is these and such as these are will keepe a soule out of heaven they have no inheritance there and then you know what will follow his words are these â—hey which do such things shall not inherit the kingdome of God Gal. 5.19.20 21. Thus you see what the works of the divell are and how he payes them their wage â— will next fall upon the qualifications of the Saints as they are helped and guided by the Spirit the holy Ghost and therfore called the fruit of the spirit In the Saints the servants of God you finde nothing but sweetnesse