therefore in it there is no certain knowledge 2. There is a knowledge of a thing from the natural and immediate cause of it This is an assent firm and evident and is called Science 3. There is a Moral certitude when a man knoweth the certainty of his estate for the present but is uncertain whether it will continue as a man from sense may know a present heat in his body but is uncertain whether the same will endure some learned Divines in the Roman Church grant this moral certitude of salvation 4. There is a Certitude of Divine Faith whereby we assent to supernatural truths not from any evidence intrinsecal in the thing known but from evidence of Divine authority revealing the same in the Word The certitude of knowledge in a man renewed concerning his perseverance is not opinion for that is uncertain and lyable to error It is not Science because this is from natural reason But the knowledge of perseverance is taught by Scripture and divine revelation Neither is it moral certitude only for the present but it is a certitude of divine Faith grounded on divine Authority in holy Scriptures Obj. Obj. But how can a man know with certainty of Faith that he himself believeth because it is not particularly revealed in Scripture that such a man by name believethâ— Therefore the proposition of his believing in special not being founded on divine authority the conclusion concerning his perseverance and certainty of salvation cannot be certain by a divine Faith Answ I answer 1. A conclusion may be de fide Answ 1 and should be assented to by a divine Faith if it be deduced from one proposition set down in holy Scripture and another made evident by the light of nature or sense As for example this conclusion the Father and the Son in the holy Trinity are two distinct persons is and should be assented to with a divine Faith and yet is deduced from one proposition known by the light of nature To wit that which begets is distinct from that which is begotten and from another proposition known by the light of the Word To wit but the Father begets and the Son is begotten in like manner this couclusion Jesus born of the Virgin Mary is the Messiah is to be assented to with divine Faith and yet our Lord inferreth the same from one proposition known by the light of Scripture To wit Isaiah 35. he that doth the works of the Messiah is he true Messiah But I do these works saith our Lord Math. 11.3 Now this assumption was known by sense and by seeing him do those works So I say this conclusion I shall persevere in grace unto eternal life is assented unto by divine Faith and is deduced from one proposition known by the light of Scripture To wit He that believeth shall not perish but persevere unto eternal life Ioh. 3.16 And from another known by the light of spiritual sense in the renewed man To wit But I believe 2. This spiritual sease of a Believer is not a fantasie or imagination but is soundly founded on the qualifications and marks of true saving Faith as they are holden forth in holy Scripture as 1. That true faith from sense of Gods love doth humble the heart and afflict the spirit with sorrow for sin Zach. 12.10 They shall look upon him whom they pierced and they shall mourn This look is by believing and it brings home with it a sense of love which woundeth the heart with sorrow for sin 2. True Faith purgeth and purifieth the heart Act. 15.9 Christ received by Faith to dwell in our hearts doth by the sweet smell of his oyntments and graces purge out of our hearts the sent and delight of sinful and vile lusts 3. This true saving Faith is not dead and idle but holy and operative It worketh by love Gal. 5.6 as the fire worketh by heat on the objects see before it so Faith by love to God bringeth forth works of holyness toward God and of righteousness toward our neighbour 4. Lastly it is a prevailing and overcoming Faith 1 Joh. 5.4 This is the victory that overcometh the world even our Faith and Faith resisting and overcoming temptations is a sound Faith Though a renewed man and sound Believer may be overcome by temptation at a time in his affections Yet his will is not wholly subdued and overcome for the ill he doth he willeth it not Rom. 7.19 To Iesus Christ the Author and Finisher of our Faith with the Father and holy Ghost be all praise Amen Victory over DEATH through CHRIST 1 COR. 15.56 57. The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the Law But thanks be to God who giveth us the Victory through Jesus Christ AS our perseverance in the state of grace A peaceable death flows from the fulness of Christ is a fruit of the Merit of Christ so a peaceable death in the savour of God and in the hope of glory is a refreshing stream flowing from the fulness of Jesus Christ The comfortable tast of the fruits of the Cross of Christ doth sweeten the bitterness of death as that tree did sweeten the waters of Marah Exod. 15.25 In the words two points offer themselves to our consideration 1. A twofold misery from which we are delivered In the words two points to wit the sting of death and the strength of sin 2. The procurer of our deliverance Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ As for the one part of our misery In what sense the Law is the strength of sin the curse and rigor of the Law and how we are delivered from it we spoke already in a Sermon on Act. 13.39 Only I would speak one word or to clear how the Law which forbiddeth sin and threatneth punishment to the sinner is said to be the strength of sin It is not to be understood so as if the Law did strengthen a man to or in sinning for it prohibites sin and reveals wrath from heaven against all unrighteousness and disobedience but the Law is called the strength of sin because a man unrenewed before the time the Lord by grace rectifies his will and affections doth from his own inbred corruption take occasion at hearing of the Law to enlarge his vast desires toward all the sins forbidden therein It is not so much the forbidding of sin as sin forbidden and heard of that provoketh the sinful appecite Rom. 7.7 8. Is the Law sin God forbid Nay I had not known sin but by the Law but sin taking occasion by the commandment wrought in me all manner of concup scence for without the Law sin was dead Our inordinate concupiscence when it is once awaked by hearing of sins forbidden like a sleeping Dog awaked becomes more fierce to commit sin like those whose appetite is depraved by that disease called Malacia or Pica they long most after meats forbidden for this reason Aquinas renders
Vse 1 Be thankful for victory over death Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ How should we bless our God for sending his wel-beloved son into the world to deliver us from all our enemies and from this awful enemy death that assaileth us in our lowest condition The damosels of Jerusalem praised David who had slain his ten thousands how then is Davids Lord and ours to be praised who hath overcome innumerable thousands at death in the behalf of his elect and redeemed ones As Sampson killed many at his death so the Captain of our salvation in his lowest condition subdued our enemies in their greatest strength for the weakness of God is stronger then men 1 Cor. 1.25 Then was our Lord strongest in the might of his power when he appeared weakest in his outward condition by his cross he triumphed by the shame he endured he overcame that perpetual shame and confusion we had deserved by his pains he saved us from eternal pains and by his death he was the death and plague of our death how then should we love this Lord who hath delivered our souls from the sting and curse of death our eyes from perpetual tears and our feet from falling into that bottomless gulph out of which there is no returning Amongst the Heathen in whose hearts were engraven by the finger of nature some dim lines of the law of gratitude If any man in time of battel had rescued and saved a Roman Citizen he was adorned with a new oaken crown or garland and highly praised how then should we for whom and before whom Christ was and is crucified praise him who rescueth us from the power of death and prevents us with mercy that we are not sent from death into hell The people of Israel did sing the high praises of the Lord for dividing the red sea for bringing them through it and for his mighty power and mercy in bringing them through Jordan to their promised rest how then should we praise our Lord who in his infinite power unsearchable wisdom and rich mercy hath made a way for us through the deep of his sufferings into that heavenly rest as at the Priests entering the river Jordan Iosh 4. it divided and gave way to the people of God to pass over so our great high Priest by going down to death hath made a way for us through it unto eternal life therefore from a deep sense of that which our Lord hath done already for us and in hope of that happiness before us hid with Christ in God Let us bear a part in that new song Rev. 5.13 Blessing glory honor and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever It serveth for admonition Vse 2 Submit to the disposals of God in sickness death seeing our Lord Jesus Christ by his death sanctifieth our death and all our bodily indispositions by making them work for our good and this also is a part of his victory it is our duty in weakness and sickness to submit unto the wise gracious dispensation of God for doing whereof I propose these ensuing motives 1. Motives 1. Because in the sickness of the children of God his wisdom is made manifest ordering the sickness of their bodies for the healing of their souls Rom 8.28 All things work together for good to them that love him their sickness is Gods medicine and hath an operation on their souls for their good what ever be the end of it if the child of God recover his sickness bringeth forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness Heb. 12.11 that is to say a near and closer conformity to the will of God the supreme Law of all righteousness which righteousness and endeavour of conformity to the will of God bringeth forth peace of conscience as a sweet and pleasant fruit But if the sickness be unto death it bringeth forth the incorruptible fruits of eternal life Therefore in time of sickness submit wholly to his most wise and holy will Our Lord said to Peter Joh. 13. What I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know so in the time of thy sickness wherein the Lord purgeth thy soul thou knowest not what thy Lord is doing but afterward thou shalt know Though the manner of his operation be a great mysterie and secret yet the work brought forth in thy soul and conversation shall be manifest Though sickness be like a medicine sharp and bitter in the operation yet it proveth very profitable in the souls health that followeth upon it shall we take bitter potions upon the word of a man a skilful Physitian for the healing of our bodies and shall we not accept sickness as a Medicine out of the hands of our wise God and loving Father for healing our souls he is faithful and hath promised that our afflictions though grievous for the present shall bring forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness Heb. 12.11 If we endure trials we shall receive the Crown of life Iam. 1.12 Some in Gods preventing mercy have been drawn to God by their sickness as that Palsie-man Mar. 2. and that haemorish woman The great Physitian at one time healed both their souls and their bodies according to that of Isa 48.10 I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction he refines his own children as Gold maketh them vessels of honour and setteth his Image and superscription upon them in the legible characters of true holiness and righteousness 2. Because he maketh his loving kindness and indulgency manifest to his own children in time of their sickness do they not under long and lingering diseases now and then feel some sparks of his love warming and cherishing their hearts and his sensible strength in the inward man upholding them under the burthen of a sick body These glances of his countenance and favour are as cordials to keep their hearts from fainting Thus did the Lord visit his servant David Psa 31.7 Thou hast considered my trouble thou hast visited my soul in adversities and Paul 2 Cor. 1.4 He comforteth us in all our tribulation 3. Submit to his will in sickness and consider with thy self the Lords preventing mercy in preserving thee at such a time from many sins whereinto thou mightest have fallen if thou hadst enioyed health and liberty to go up and down a world full of snares Therefore if thou be yong and under weakness and a daily decay of bodily strength adore the deep wisdom and rich love of thy Lord who keepeth thee in durance as a prisoner of hope A father that keepeth within doors his distempered and distracted child without liberty to go abroad doth it not as an act of rigor and unkindness but out of much wisdom and love fearing he should abuse his liberty and throw himself away into dangers so thy heavenly father by sickness puts a restraint upon thee not out of hatred but out of much love It is
be fully manifested in the day of the glorious resurrection of our bodies Object Object But is not the punishment of sin as well as the fault taken away in our Justification by the blood of Jesus how comes it to pass that the children of God notwithstanding the forgiveness of their sins are yet punished by temporal death Answ I answer Answer Death is not inflicted on Believers in wrath that death temporal is formally and properly a punishment when it is inflicted by God as a Judge in his wrath and when it is a door and passage to the second death and to a perpetual separation from the face of God But the death of the godly is not inflicted by God in wrath for these reasons 1. Because in the remission of their sins and reconciliation with God in their justification all wrath is taken away God forgiveth and forgetteth their sins Isa 43.25 I blot out thy transgressions for my own names sake and will not remember thy sins But where wrath remaineth sin is not forgotten 2. That which is sent and turned by God into a blessing is not inflicted in wrath but death is turned into a blessing to the children of God Rev. 14.13 it is a passage unto their eternal rest in their countrey that is above It is as a speedy passage by sea to a traveller returning home to his Fathers house 3. That which which is precious in the eyes of the Lord is not inflicted in wrath for precious things are testimonies of love and not evidences of wrath but the death of the Saints is precious in the eyes of God Psal 116.15 Next I answer death to the godly is not a door of fear and condemnation but of hope and salvation Rom 8.1 There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus There may be in a great Princes house a common door and gate at which Malefactors do enter and go down into the dark dungeon at which also the children may enter and go up to the rooms above that are full of light The door is one and the same but the use of it is far diverse in the respect to the one and the other So dissolution at death is common both to the godly and wicked but the relation that death hath to them is diverse to the one it is a passage for glory and to the other for eternal pain from whence it appeareth that the punishment standeth not so much in the dissolution of the person which is common both to the godly and wicked As in that ordination of the first death to be a passage unto eternal death which in Gods purpose is ordained and in justice executed on the wicked It is true death wil be bitter in the pains of it even to the godly but this bitterness of death is not properly a punishment to the godly as a bitter potion given out of the hand of a loving father to his weak child is not given as a punishment but as a medicine that though it be painful for a time yet he may have stronger health in time to come So after the bitterness of death is passed the children of God get confirmed health and salvation in the kingdom of heaven Object Object But hath not Christ by dying once fully satisfied for us how is it then that Believers are not freed from that debt of death for the which their surety hath given satisfaction Answ I answer true it is Our Lord died Answ Believers dy not to satisfie divine justice that by his death he might satisfie divine justice fully but to this end we dy not that we may satisfie divine justice for a finite creature cannot satisfie infinite justice yea the wicked in hell do not by their sufferings fully satisfie they will be ever in satisfying but never able to make out the satisfaction The end of the death of the Godly is not as was the end of Christs death to satisfie the justice of God as a Judge but to subject themselves to his fatherly pleasure and wisdom that by death they may be purged from the dross of inbred corruption and thus enter into the glory and Joy of their father for corruption cannot inherit incorruption did not our Lord fulfill all righteousness for us in his active obedience and yet we stand obliged to the mandatory power of the Law as we have endeavoured to prove elsewhere in Serm. 4. on Ezek 36 6.27 though we be not bound to obey the Law for the same end our Lord obeyed it to wit for our justification yet we are bound thereto for this end that by our obedience we may testifie our thankfulness to the Lord our creator and redeemer likewise in our Lords passive obedience his end was to satisfie for our guiltiness and obligation to punishment but a special end in all our sufferings is that we may be conformable to the Lord our head Rom 8.29 not by satisfying with him but by our patient submission to the will of our heavenly father like as our Lord in all things submitted to the will of his father Object Object But many of the dear children of God are not freed from the fear of death as David and Ezechias had their own fears in a large measure Psal 116. Isa 38. How then say ye that Christ hath delivered us from the fear of death Answ Answ Believers have a natural fear of death I answer it is no wonder the godly have a natural fear because they have as all creatures a natural desire of self-preservation and this natural fear being concreated with man in the state of integrity was not sinful But sometime this natural fear exceeds in the godly when faith and hope is weak This excess of natural fear is in them a sinful infirmity not to be defended by any but to be pitied by others and mourned for by themselves and prayed against by all weakness of faith at such times makes their fears great and strong when the children of God have deep apprehensions of death and but weak apprehensions of Iesus Christ and of eternal life by him then is their eye fixed on the bitter potion which breeds astonishment until the time they gather their thoughts and by faith and hope look to that eternal health which will follow upon this bitter potion Our Lord said to Peter Mat. 14 Why art thou so fearful O thou of little faith little faith makes much fear but a vigorous faith into Gods special presence though it do not altogether expel yet will it moderate and regulate our natural fear of death Psal 23.4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff comfort me They are as children in their loving Fathers hand and fear not to pass through that dark trance to their eternal Mansions of light and glory This doctrine serves to rouse raise our hearts unto the duty of Thankfulness