condemning it freely vnfainedly begging pardon with strength of grace to withstand sinne for the time to come Whensoeuer faith commeth to receiue the seale of pardon it pleadeth guiltie humbleth for transgression and intreateth forgiuenesse of vndeserued mercie that grace might be magnified in forgiuenesse Fiftly By faith wee receiue Christ offering himselfe freely to be contracted vnto vs. Christ maketh loue as a suiter and hath giuen the Sacrament as a token of his loue and faithfulnesse faith apprehendeth the miserie of the soule without Christ the excellent dignitie honour and beautie of Christ and the happinesse of the soule which is vnited vnto him and thereupon humbly embraceth his offer oâ— loue Sâ—xtly By faith wee resigne vp our selues vnto Iâ—sus Christ and willingly yeeld soule and bodâ—e vnto him This the natuâ—e of the matrimoniall contract which passeth beâ—wixt Christ and the belieuer requireth for as Christ promiseth to be a Sauiour Head and Husband vnto the belieuer so doth hee troth-plight himselfe vnto Iesus Christ to cleaue vnto him as his only Sauiour and in all things to bee obedient vnto his will and pleasure Wherefore my brethren Rom. 7.4 yee are also become dead to the Law by the bodie of Christ that yee should be married to another euen to him who is raised from the dead that we should bring forth fruit vnto God Seuenthly Faith feedeth vpon Christ and sucketh vigour from him Iohn 6.55 His flesh is meate indeed and his bloud is drinke indeed Meate to bee eaten not with the teeth but by faith Meate indeed not in nature but in effect because it nourisheth the soule and giueth eternall life to them that eate thereof And by faith wee spiritually eate the flâ—sh of the Sonne of Man and drinke his bloud And as he that eateth wholsome food is strengthened thereby and made fit and able for the actions of this life so hee that feedeth vpon Christ spiritually and by faith is strengthened to the actions of spirituall life and made able for the exercises of pietie and holinesse Eightly Faith assureth of that spirituall contract which hath passed betwixt Christ and the Christian soule and is sealed in the Sacrament Cant. 2.16 so that he may truly say My beloued is mine and I am his As a couple who haue lawfully giuen faith to each other and confirmed the same by pledge or token in the Congregation are assured of each other so when we haue contracted our selues vnto Christ and receiued the pledge thereof we come to be assured by faith that Christ is ours and that wee haue communâ—on in all the benefits of his death and passion Thâ—s faith reasoneth God the Father hath freely promised the pardon of all sinnes in and through Iesus Christ Christ doth offer himselfe as a Redeemer to deliuer them from the power of darknesse and to bring them into perpetuall grace with his Father to wash them from their sinnes by his bloud and spirit and to preserue and nourish them vnto life eternall who will receiue and belieue in him And being so louingly called and inuited I haue receiued the mercifull promise and â—esigned my selfe vnto Iesus Christ why then should I stand in doubt I heare the word of promise I see and haue receiued the seales annexed to the Word of grace the true and faithfull testimonie of God confirmed by oath and I may not question his truth nor draw backe from mine owne promise to rest vpon and cleaue vnto him for euermore Ninthly It stirreth vp ioy and thankfulnesse with serious remembrance of the manifold benefits and blessings which in Christ Iesus are vouchsafed When men haue a lease of some good bargaine sealed they are merrie and glad much greater cause of ioy haue they who haue receiued from God who cannot lie such a pledge of his loue the seale of an euerlasting inheritance Arise O my soule and sing for ioy for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen vpon thee Thou didst sit in darknesse forlorne and miserable guiltie of sinne in bondage to the curse in feare of eternall condemnation but now God is appeased Christ hath satisfied iustice pardon is proclaimed thou hast receiued the free gracious promise and eternall blessed peace is concluded And for thy greater assurance God hath added his seale to his free grant of pardon holy bread is added and giuen to thee for a Sacrament and diuine testimonie that the body of Christ was crucified for thee blessed wine is added and giuen to thee for a certaine pledge and token that the bloud of Christ was shed for thee that righteousnesse purchased by that sacrifice is thine that eternall saluatioâ— procured by that price is thine by an irreuocable title Praise the Lord O my soule and forget not the gâ—eat â—oue of God in giuing his Sonne to die that thou mightest be deliuâ—reâ— from the feare of hell death forget not the Loue oâ— Christ in sâ—ffering death that thou mightest bâ— seâ— fâ—ee from the curse of the law and burning wrath of God deserued by sinne forget not the grace and fauour of God in calling thee to feast with him and giuing this pledge and earnest of his perpetuall loue Thou canst not forget â—hese but thou forgettâ—st thy selfe thou canst not neglect these but thou hatest thy selfe What canst thou desire more then to haue God to be thy God Christ to thy Sauiour What wouldst thou remember if thou forget the loue of Christ in suffering death for thy redemption and the earnest of his loue whereby hee doth assure that his body was crucified and his bloud shed for thee Meanes to stirre vp our selues to receiue the Lords Supper in faith Now the better to stirre vp our selues to receiue this Sacrament in faith First Wee must bewaile our vnbeliefe dulnesse earthly-mindednesse the distemper of our spirituall taste and conceite of spirituall fulnesse labouring to quicken the sense of our misery and raise the soule to an high prizing of Christ and hungring after him Emptinesse prepares to receiue meate and hunger giues it a good rellish and if wee see our miserie and nakednesse without Christ and thirst after him wee shâ—ll eate his flesh and drinke his bloud with sweete comfort and refreshing Secondly Consider how freely the Lord doth tender Christ to bee receiâ—ed in his Word and Sacrament The Lord I say faithfull in his promises plentifull in mâ—rcies who hath authoritie to giue what he promiseth offâ—reth Christ withall the benefits of his death and pâ—ssion to euery poore despised thirstie afflicted soule who doth desire and will receiue him Thirdly weigh and consider the blessed state and condition of them who bee reconciled vnto God contracted vnto Iesus Christ who are eased from their sinnes washed from their filthinesse and separated vnto glory and so quicken our soules to receiue and lay fast hold vpon these inestimable benefits offered vnto vs by name Fourthly Hauing troth-plighted our selues to Iesus Christ vnfainedly wee must awaken
distempers for a time but in this languishing fit though it bee not vnto death vntill it recouer it is vnable to embrace the promises of perseuerance and the more liuely it is to receiue those promises the more earnestly doth it desire and sweetly feed vpon the Word of grace Fiftly It putteth forth it selfe to performe all duties of holinesse and loue with life and feâ—uour It laboureth and taketh paines in wel-doing For Idlenesse corrupts naturall strength vse and exercise confirmes it Dull and sluggish actions argue feeblenes of the faculty tend vnto decay as if we do not things with that vigor we haue done it is a signe of infirmitie and of a facultie inwardly or outwardly hindred and if wee rest in such a perfunctorie course and challenge not our selues for it wee are in danger to grow worse and worse But liuelinesse and contention in doing is both an argument of good disposition and a meanes of increase The more liuely faith is the better it worketh and the more it worketh the faster it groweth Life is the daily continuall vâ—gour of a liuing substance and euery thing as it is most liuely and likely to continue the more it doth shew forth it strength in working For a time faith may fall asleepe and the actions of faith bee heartlesse dull and perfunctorie but faith now asleepe will awake anone shâ—ke vp it selfe stirre vp affections resist sloth blow vp deuotion and restlessely aspire after heauenly things And like as it is with them whose going backe helpeth them to take their rise and fetch their leape more commodiously or whose linking for a season makes them to ply their businesse the closer afterward So here faith through him that is the Authour and finisher of it after such remissenesse doth renue it endeuours and with more vigour and holy contention set vpon the workes of pietie and godlinesse stirre vp the graces of the Spirit tie vp the thoughts to heauenly things labour against winde and tide and walke before God in all wel-pleasing though not without great weaknesse Sixtly It coueteth encrease of grace and sanctification Heale me O Lord and I shall be healed saue me Ier. 17.14 Psal 41.4 and I shall be saued for thou art my praise Lord bee mercifull vnto mee heale my soule for I haue sinned against thee How are men affected in recouering bodily health somewhat better will not content or satisfie When they can sit vp but not able to walke vp downe the chamber oh that they had a little strength to stirre when they dare walke within doores oh that they could stirre abroad then that their stomacke were returned and they could walke in their accustomed strength Euery liuing thing the more it doth liue the more it coueteth perfection of life in it kinde And so is faith affected in receiuing spirituall strength from the sicknesse of sinne till it feele it selfe enlarged to walke constantly and chearfully before the Lord yea till it be perfectly recouered which cannot be so long as we carrie about vs this bodie of death By reason man excelleth the beasts by holinesse he excelleth himselfe inferiour only to the Angels in degree and made like vnto the Lord as farre as a creature may be to his Creatour Sinne is the sicknesse of the soule so much more lothsome and dangerous then distempers of the bodie as the soule is more excellent then the bodie Holinesse is the health ornament and excellencie of the soule as farre surpassing it in worth as man doth the basest creature in dignitie and honour There is no trouble shame and sorrow to sinne there is no honour and comfort to holinesse and sanctification According to the nature of holinesse so is the fruit Prou. 3.14 15. the merchandise thereof is better then the merchandise of siluer and the gaine thereof then fine gold It is more pretious then rubies and whatsoeuer can be desired without it is not to be compared vnto it The naturall man neglâ—cteth to seeke after holinesse or take paines to get it because he feeles not the sicknesse of his soule nor vnderstands the worth and fruit of grace But the true Belieuer who is grieued with his infirmities and knowes the excellencie and comfort of spirituall health cannot but desire and couet grace more and more that in due time hee might be perfectly healed Seuenthly It receiueth new supply of grace continually from Iesus Christ the fountaine of grace Iohn 1.16 Of his fulnesse haue we all receiued and grace for grace Christ is an euer-flowing fountaine of grace of whose plentie all Belieuers are abundantly pertakers and that from one degree of grace to another though not all in the same measure and degree Water in a ditch which hath no liuing spring to feed it is soone dried vp but the pond which is nourished continually with fresh springs doth not feaâ—e the drought of Summer or scorching heate of the Sunne The Temporarie who was neuer knit vnto Christ as a liuing naturall and proper member may fall away from that which he seemed to haue But the true Belieuer in whom Christ the fountaine of life dwelleth who daily receiues grace from him Ephes 3.17 Ephes 4.7 according to the measure of the gift of Christ he shall neuer vtterly be destitute He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud dwelleth in mee and I in him John 6.56 57. As the liuing Father hath sent me and I liue by the Father so he that eateth me euen he shall liue by me Eightly It assureth of perseuerance through such promises as these Ezek. 36.27 Ier. 32.40 I will make you to walke in my Commandements I will put my feare in your heart that you shall not d part Iohn 6.54 Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud hath eternall life and I will raise him vp at the last day But Faith giueth assurance of perseuerance as it doth of the pardon and forgiuenesse of sinnes and what is necessary to be knowne of that point hath beene largely handled before Now if a Christian would stirre vp his faith to belieue the promses of perseuerance Meanes to stirre vp our selues to belieue these promises of perseuerance when hee feeles his owne weaknesse and considereth the strength and malice of his Aduersaries First Let him heartily bewaile his pronenesse to sinne aptnesse to decline inabilitie to withstand any one temptation or set one step forward in the way to Heauen Woe is me poore wretch blind lame crooked sicke impotent vnstable as the running water How was I bewitched with selfe-confidence and conceit of spirituall fulnesse I haue presumed vpon my wisdome as sufficient to direct my wayes and leaned vpon my strength as able to make resistance against temptations stand vpon mine owne bottome and goe through stich with my resolutions But now I finde my wisedome is ignorance vanitie and folly my strength weaknesse I am vnable to thinke one good thought set one step forward
was not mixed with faith in them that heard it where the doctrine of saluation is compared to wine which profiteth not vnlesse it be drunken that is receiued by faith and to belieue is spiritually to drinke the cup of saluation My soule thirsteth for thee saith Dauid Because thy louing kindnesse is better then life my lips shall prayse thee Psal 63.1 3 5. My soule shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse c. To belieue in Christ Iohn 6 35 50 51 53 54. is to eate the flesh of the Sonne of man and to drinke his bloud Temporarie faith tasteth the word as men doe meate which they spit out againe receiueth it as a raw stomacke doth meate which it vomiteth vp and cannot hold Heb. 6.5 but it neuer feedeth kindly vpon the seuerall parts of the Word of life nor standeth affected towards it as a good stomacke doth to wholsome nourishment which is euident in that the weeds of earthly-mindednesse pride pleasure are not stocked vp by the rootes and where these abide the soule is not rightly tempered to apprehend the worth and qualitie or feed vpon the iuyce of heauenly mysteries But where true and liuely faith hath residence the soule is tempered to symbolize with diuine goodnes and standeth affected to the seuerall branches of the word as a good appetite doth to wholsome food of diuers qualities Faith admits many interruptions This is the nature of Iustifying faith but it admits many interruptions in acts or operations The Minde is sometimes darkened with mists arising from our naturall corruptions sometimes our passions stirre violently that we cannot doe as wee would nor continue our adherence vnto the Word of life as better for the time being then the prosecution of some sensuall good that for the present doth moue our affections and is stolne into them Naturall taste is distempered with sicke humours that abound in the bodie so is the spirituall with temptations from without and spirituall diseases from within Thus it is with the best oftentimes in this life whilest the minde is clouded with earthly thoughts and the heart assailed with carnall lusts which through weaknesse or neglect of watchfulnesse creepe vpon and disturbe them for a time but in their right temper and good plight they are much better they taste and feed vpon the Word of truth and the fauour of God is sweeter to them then all the delights of the sonnes of men We conclude then that Iustifying faith is a firme absolute vnlimited assent and wel-rooted al-seasoning soueraigne affiance whereby we rest vpon Christ for saluation embrace the mercies of God as better then life and feed vpon the Word with sweet refreshing and delight CHAP. IIII. Loue is not the soule of faith yet Iustifying Faith cannot be without Loue. § 1. FRom that which hath beene spoken of the nature of faith § 1. Loue is not the soule of Faith these two things doe plainly follow First That loue is not the life and soule of faith Secondly That Iustifying faith cannot be without loue As light and heate in the Sunne be inseparable so is faith and loue being knit together in a sure band by the Holy Ghost but loue cannot be the forme or soule of faith Liuelihood is the qualification Loue the companion Workes the fruites or effects of that faith that iustifieth but faith receiueth not it vertue life or efficacie from Charitie or any other vertue but from the Spirit of whom it is breathed into vs from whom also it receiueth that it may giue force to all other vertues and good works whereby they are vertues and good workes It is faith and not Charitie that giues influence to all other graces euen to Charitie it selfe as faith increaseth so other graces increase as faith decreaseth so other graces decrease the l fe of faith is our life the strength of faith is our strength if our faith be weâ—ke there is nothing else whereby wee can bee strong It is the essentiall forme or act of faith to accept of the promises of mercie Heb. 11.33 Gal. 3.14 22. Math. 8.13 Rom. 4.16 Rom. 3.27 whereby wee obtaine them also God hauing appointed that as a condition that the promise might be sure to all the seed to exclude boasting and to set forth his free grace and fauour But Charitie cannot serue for that vse because I cannot presume of that that is anothers vpon any conscience of my loue towards him but vpon confidence only of his loue towards me Be it that all things are common amongst friends before we can build the cupon we must haue it resolued vnto vs that God takes vs for his friends which can bee no otherwise but by faith only Faith must first receiue embrace Rom. 3.25 and hold the merit of the bloud of Christ before there can be any assurance of friendship betwixt God and vs. And although being now in friendship with Christ our loue may giue vs encouragement and comfort to make vse to our selues of that that is his yet it is not by our loue that wee take it to make vse thereof For the act of loue is done only by issue and passage from him that loueth to the thing that is loued as from vs to Christ and therefore it must be somewhat else whereby we receiue from Christ to vs. How should the goodnesse of God bee the obiect of our charitie but by being first the obiect of our faith For therefore fore doe we loue the goodnesse of God or loue God for his goodnesse towards vs because first wee belieue the same neither can we so loue but by belieuing For charitie consisting simply in affection apprehends nothing in God of it selfe but receiueth all from faith The forme is the beginning of actions and that that giueth influence and life to another thing must needes haue a prioritie to that that receiueth it But charitie is not the beginning of the actions of faith specially of the act of belieuing the act of loue hath no prioritie to beliefe but followes after it and is quickened by it For by faith we embrace the Word and receiue Christ when as charitie compelleth vs to loue him whom we know embrace and hold by faith Wee first taâ—â—â— our meate and then loue it faith is the spirituall taste of the soule which feedeth vpon the sweet and tender mercies of the Lord before the heart bee enflamed with loue Faith and loue are different gifts and graces and some effects are attributed to faith which agree not to charitie as faith is said to iustifie to purifie the heart to ouercome the world to receiue the promises Charitie may be called an accidentall forme of faith that is it is an instrument vnto it for mouing and stirring abroad in the performance of all duties recommended vnto vs both to God and Man but the life and soule of faith it is not or the inward and essentiall forme whereby it hath life and being
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
with all benefits past and to come which it pleaseth God to bestow vpon his people in Iesus Christ are the matter about which faith is exercised but as it iustifieth Christ is the full and adequate obiect of beliefe as our reasonable soule doth see in the eye heare in the eare digest in the stomake but doth not reason as it doth these things but onely as it conceiueth and discourseth within vs. The Obiect of Iustifying faith two-folde 1. Generall So that according to the twofold consideration of iustifying faith the obiect of it is twofold Generall and Speciall 1. The Generall obiect is the whole truth of God reuealed vnto vs in his word containing all Histories Doctrines Commaunds Threatnings promises of what kinde soeuer True faith respecteth the whole word of God True faith respects all this and onely this Only this because diuine reuelations only be of certaine and infallible truth which cannot deceiue and whereunto men can safely giue vnlimitted and absolute credite All this because euery parte of diuine inspired truth is worthy of all Beliefe and reuerence and so there is nothing contained in Scriptures threatning promise precept admonition exhortation prophesie or historie which falls not in some degree or other within the compasse of sauing Faith God who cannot lie hath propounded to men for truth and to be belieued whatsoeuer is deliuered in Scriptures and so it is a matter of faith but so farre forth only as it is intended to be held for true by the holy Ghost the Authour of the Scripture There is no doubt to be made but whatsoeuer is registred in the Historicall Bookes of holy Scripture by way of report is to bee taken for true in respect of storie that wee may not doubt whether those things were done or said which are there reported to be done or said But in these bookes wee haue some worthy speeches of godly men and some leud and blasphemous words of profane and wretched men The former are to be acknowledged to bee for the truth of God euery way the later must be acknowledged to be truely reported As for example it is true that Iacob vttered those prophesies of the twelue Patriarks his sonnes Gen. 44.1.2 and it is also true that those prophesies of his were the very truth of God It is as true that Rabshaketh deliuered those blasphemous threatnings against the Lord and his people 1. Reg. 18.30 and 19.5.6 but it is not true that those words came from God as Iacobs did so Iacobs were to bee taken as euery way true truely related and the truth of God Rabshakeths onely as truely reported from his mouth but in themselues blasphemous § 3. Thus faith yeeldeth firme and absolute assent to all diuine historie §. 3. 1. The historicall part as the doctrine of the as containing a certaine and sure relation of those things whereof they intreate and to whatsoeuer came from God as euery way true and to bee receiued nor doth it barely assent to the thing spoken as true but moueth and stirreth affections according as the nature of the thing belieued should and ought to worke Through faith wee vnderstand that the worlds were framed by the word of God not barely giuing credit to Moses relation touching the creation of the world but looking vnto the wisedome goodnesse and power of God whereby the heart is moued to feare reuerence and submission That faith Creation Heb. 11.3 which is deepely fastened in the heart and beholdeth the true God the creatour and Gouernour of all things as his power bountie and vnderstanding shineth in his workes that saith inciteth to humilitie reuerence loue and worship of God Through faith wee vnderstand that God hath protected and preserued and blessed his people from time to time Prouidence afflicted them when they went astray deliuered them out of the hands of their persecutors when they humbled themselues and sought vnto him inclined the hearts of their enemies to shew them fauour confounded those that rose vp against them and mercifully performed all his promises in the fittest season and where this firme beliefe is planted it begetteth a constant and well-aduised resolution to draw neere to God and cleaue to him in all conditions prosperitie and and aduersitie sickenes and health freedome and trouble when religion is fauoured and when it is persecuted because saluation is of the Lord Psal 73 24 27. he will guide his people by counsell and afterward receiue them to glorie but they that are farre from God shall perish they that goe a whoring from him shall be destroyed Mans miserie by sinne What the Scripture teacheth of the miserie of all men by sinne the vanitie of Minde and corruption of nature that faith receiueth and thence followeth selfe-deniall and renunciation of all trust in worldly meanes The H gh and profound mysteries of godlinesse Misteries of godlinesse which the naturall man perceiueth not accounteth foolishenes faith imbraceth with admiration ioy delight and affection answereable to the nature of the doctrine into which we are deliuerd Beliefe of Gods power wisedome grace loue and mercie manifested in Iesus Christ doth frame the image of God or Christ in our mindes and proposeth it as a viâ—ible patterne for our imitation in all our workes thoughts and resolutions and stirreth vp to workes of pietie iustice mercie long suffering and the like § 4. Besides â—he promise of forgiuenesse of sinnes in and through the bloud of Christ §. 4. 2 The promises concerning there be many other pretious and rich promises spirituall and temporall concerning this and the life to come all which as proceeding from the same fountaine of truth faith doth rest vpon and imbrace and that so much the faster as the promises be more excellent There is a mutuall relation betwixt God promising any good blessing in Christ and the fai hfull soule putting forth it selfe to imbrace grace offeâ—ed For faith hath not only eyes by which it doth see the good promised but hands wherewith it doth lay hold vpon the good things bestowed and the more excellent the good which is reached vnto vs in the word of promise is the closer doth faith sticke vnto it the stronger doth it hold it Men are credulous in thingâ— that may concerne them in their name goods or life and the more weightie the matter the more earnest they be in seeking resolution and the stronger hope or feare it begetteth in them 2. Cor. 1.20 All the promises of God be yea and Amen sure in themselues certaine to the belieuer and therefore hee cannot but receiue them with closer and stronger repose and adherence the more he doth apprehend their goodnesse and worth Amongst the greate and more principall promises those are to bee reckoned Sanctification which God hath made concerning our Sanctification by his holy Spirit that hee will inable them that belieue to bring forth fruits of amendment and perfect the good worke
§ 3. If Satan be driuen from this hold hee sollicites to feare because many doubts and motions of distrust arise in the heart §. 3. 3. They are full of doubtings Psal 2â— 1.2 and 77.10.11 as if there could bee no faith where there are so many doubts And it cannot be denied but motions to distrust argue faith to bee weake which is a want that many of Gods people doe bewaile in themselues and for which they doe well-nigh despaire in themselues Remedie Faith may bee true that is weake Ioh. 4 39 41.52 Math. 20.20.18 Luk. 9.45 Mar. 9.32 Luk 24.11 Iohn 13.38 and 14.5 Act. 1.6 Notwithstanding let not any bee out of heart for the small and scantie measure of his faith if he huae true faith wel-rooted For faith may bee true and liuely that is but weake and small For difference in degrees doth not varie the nature of wel-rooted affiance And God requireth the truth of faith but it is not necessarie that it bee perfect in degree If a Prince should proferre a pardon to a malefactor vpon this condition onely that hee receiue it would hee question his Soueraignes bountie and grace because he put forth a palsey-shaking hand To doubt of Gods mercy because our faith is feeble is rather to relie vpon our faith then vpon the Lord. It is not the excellencie and great measure of faith that doth make vs righteous before God but Christ whom faith doth receiue and apprehend which a weake faith can doe as well as the strongest They that did looke on the brasen serpent but with one eye yea but with halfe an eye were as well and fully cured of the deadly stings of the fierie serpents as those which beheld it with both As a small and weake hand is able to receiue an almes as well as a stronger and greater so our faith though feeble doth receiue Christ as truely and effectually for the saluation of the belieuer as the greatest and most strong In the manner of receiuing there is some difference for the more firme our confidence the gâ—eater is our comfort but in the truth none at all Againe it is not faith but Christ receiued by faith that nourisheth to life eternall Meate reached to the mouth by a trembling hand sustaineth the body no lesse then if it were applied by an arme of strength the goodnes of the nourishment receiuing no change or alteration from the externall instrument of application so here Christ is the same to them that receiue him truly though it be done in one with more in another with lesse strength of affiance We read in Scripture that Christ reproued some for their small faith that they might stirre vp themselues more confidently to relie vpon him but wee haue not heard Math. 12.20 Esay 42.3 Mark 9.24 that he euer reiected any that came to him in weakenes desi ing to be confirmed The least grainâ— of faith if true is acceptable vnto the Lord Hee will not quench the smoaking flaxe His dislike of our weaknes is an argument of his loue care for our good who would haue vs to be setled in the assurance of his fauour and not to wauer in vncertainties to our great discomfort The strait charge he hath laid vpon vs to belieue the seuere threatnings annexed to that his CoÌ„mandement if we obey it not is a manifest euidence of his bountie will good towards vs who is pleased thus to binde vs vnto himselfe to confirme vnto vs his loue so vndoubtedly to assure vs of his mercie that it is to him a matter of vnkindnes if we shall once make doubt or scruple of it Doth any man mistrust the affection of his friend because hee hath oft charged him not to be strange to make bold with him in any matter of importaÌ„ce need hath rebuked him because he stands aloofe as though he shold not be welcome § 4. Some are dismaid for that they cannot keep their faith for any continuance strong and stedfast §. 4. 4. They cannot keepe their faith strong and stedfast but they feele it wauering inconstant flitting so that they fall into great sorrow feare and doubtings For their comfort they must know that there is no shadow of change with God Remedy Iames 1.17 Psal 77.10.11 Rom. 11.29 and that it is their weaknesse so to thinke Men are variable in their affections whom they dote vpon this day they detest to morrow But such lightnesse and vanitie is farre from our God His loue mercie and gifts of grace are all vnchangeable Also they must be perswaded that labouring after and groaning to rest their wearied soules vpon the promises of mercy being neuer satisfied till their doubtfullnesse be remoued will bring a good end Want of feeling argueth not want of faith so that they shall neither miscarrie nor be fo saken of the Lord in the lowest depth of their distresse And though for a time they feele not that they haue faith or life they may truely be aliue vnto God as it is euident by sunâ—rie testimonâ—es and properties of the new birth which may bee diâ—cerned in them who doe most complaine of their estates A man suddenly striken to the ground and amazed with some violent blow wanteth not life altogether though hee perceiue it not Breathing and mouing are infallible tokens of life in the body which by many likelihoods appeareth to bee deâ—d so painting breathing after the consolations of the Lord and the l ght of his countenance be vndoubted signes of the new birth though they bee not easily discerned especially in the houre of temptation by them in whom they are Wherefore the weake in faith must be wise in heart and not measure themselues by their present faintings and infirmities but wait vpon God and vse the meanes which hee hath prescribed in his word As child en first learne to goe by a stoole or forme sicke folke recouer their tast or strength by little and little plants shoote not vp suddenly and at once but by degrees corne suffers many a sharpe storme before it come to râ—penes so faith hath it beginning growth and confirmation calmes and stormes to ripen it If it be demaunded why doth God deale thus with his children and suffer them to fall into such depth of doubting sorrow and feare The answer is that in regard of the belieuer himselfe this doubting is a weakenesse Why the faithfull are subiect to such doubts and want of feeling which must be with-stood and ouercome For the attaining whereto the occasion of this doubting in him who hath once belieued must bee searched out and so remoued which ordinarily is our owne infirmitie neglect of dutie and sleightnes in the manner of performing the same or some particular sin fo pronesse to sinne and nourishing the same or long lying therein whereupon the tender conscience feareth that his former comfort was but deceitfull and vaine and so doubteth of his good
mentioned and answered before Now if any poore and weake Christian desire to know as he desires nothing more how he should stirre vp himselfe to belieue the promise of forgiuenes when he wants the comfort of it yea when to his owne sence he feeles the contrarie First he must vnfainedly humble his soule before God in the confession of sin with earnest prayer for pardon For he that acknowledgeth his sins shall be receiued into fauour Ier 3.13 O Lord I haue sinned and thou art iustly displeased I haue cast off thy law and thy wrath is kindled against me My heart trembleth at the apprehension of thy sore dispeasure and I am afraid of thy iudgements All this is come vpon me by reason of my foolishnesse Psal 38.5 my smart and sorrow is bred in mine owne bosome I haue no rest in my bones because of my sinne Psal 38 3. But deare Father I looke vnto thee for mercy in Iesus Christ I beseech thee take away the transgression of thy seruant 2. Sam. 24 10. It is thy propertie to shew mercy it is thy free promise to pardon the iniquities transgressions and sinnes of thy people that turne vnto thee and pray for thy Names sake be fauorable to mine iniquities and remember my sin no more cast them behind thy backe Exod. 34.6.7 1. Reg 8.33.34 Isa 43.25 and 44.22 Isal 38.17 Mic. 7.18 Psal 52.2 doe them away as a mist and burie them in perpetuall obliuion I haue gone astray like a lost sheepe but now my desire is to returne home vnto thee With my whole heart I desire thy fauour O suffer mee not to perish vnder the burden of my sinne Remember not to my reuoltings from thy Commandements but according to the multitude of thy tender compassions remember me for thy goodnesse sake O Loâ—d Truth it is I am not worthy to be called thy sonne or to be pertaker of the least crumme of thy mercy But thou art a most louing and compassionate Father who dealest not according to the iniquities of thy children that trespasse against thee Num. 14.19 Psal 103.10 nor rewardest them according to their deserts who retainest not thine anger for euer because mercy pleaseth thee If thou wilt be mercifull to my sin then shall thy glory appeare my heart shall bee enflamed with thy loue I shall walke in thy feare and my tongue shall sing of thy goodnesse Secondly He must rowse and stirre vp himselfe to belieue with reasons drawne from the promises and couenant of God made in Iesus Christ considerations taken out of the Word and experience of his dealing with other his seruants in former times Psal 4â— Why art thou cast downe O my soule why art thou disquieted within mee Trust in God and cast thy burthen vpon him for hee will ease thee Math. 11.28 Esay 55.1 2. Mic. 7.19 Psal 65.3 Psal 85.2 Esay 1.18 2 Cor. 5.19 20. 1 John 3.23 Thou hast his promise confirmed by oath and couenant that hee will cast thy sinnes into the bottome of the Sea purge away thy transgressions foâ—giue thine iniquities couer all thine infirmities and neuer remember them any more Behold hee perswadeth intreateth beseecheth commandeth thee to belieue why art thou afraid It is the will of God that thou shouldst rest on his mercy hee cannot bee offended for that which himselfe commandeth nor denie that which he hath promised Rom. 5.20 Eph. 5.2 1.7 If sinne abound mercie shall abound much more His burning wrath is pacified in Iesus Christ who hath giuen himselfe an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweete smelling sauour that grace might glorifie herselfe in the pardoning of thy offences Hast thou nothing to bring before him but sinne and impietie that hee abhorreth Hee looketh vpon thee in his deare Sonne Iesus Christ Rom. 3.25 Hosea 14.3 whom hee hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud and loueth freely Doest thou require testimonies of his vndeserued kindnesse God so loued the world Iohn 3.16 that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer belieueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Esay 54.8 Ezek. 16 60. He hath entred into a free and euerlasting couenant with thee and waited long for thy conuersion when thou wentest astray and will he not much more haue mercie vpon thee now thou prayest Why art thou dismayed at the sight of thy great vnworthinesse Miserie is the obiect of mercy Acts 9.11 the greater thy distresse the more glorious will bee the grace of God in thy deliuerance The baâ—er thou art in thine owne sight the fitter to belieue for faith excludes all conceite of worth and receiueth pardon as a meere gift of grace Sinfull men whose compassions are not as the drop of a bucket to the huge Ocean if compared with the infinite Sea of mercie which is in our God must forgiue their Brethren till seuentie times seuen times Luke 17.34 if they sinne against them and repent Our God who requires so much of vs who haue nothing but what he giueth will hee not deale tenderly with the poore soule which hath sinned and repenteth God hath done more for vs then for shame we could desire before we asked any thing at his hand yea when wee sought to excuse our disobedience and charge the fault vpon his Highnesse what will he not doe when we accuse our selues and pray for mercie My soule nothing can hurt thee but vnbeliefe Thou art wounded by sinne Belieue in Christ and by his bloud thou art healed God is angry Belieue and thou art reconciled All variance ceaseth when thou art knit vnto Christ Wherefore shake off dâ—strust hearken no longer to the assaults of Satan but roll thy selfe vpon the Lord and sticke fast vnto his mercie If thou want the sence of his loue thou hast his promise that hee will be good vnto thee cleaue vnto it aboue all thou canst feele see or comprehend O my God I will trust in thee though thou shouldest kill me I will belieue thy fauour when thou frownest vpon me and expect comfort when I lie groaning vnder the heauie weight of thy displeasure Thou causest man for a time to possesse the sinnes which thou hast pardoned and I will belieue the pardon of my sins when thou seâ—mest to set them in order before my face Thirdly Hee must bee instant with the Lord to giue him both strength of faith and the sight of his beliefe that he may know he doth belieue vnfainedly Giue me Gratious Father to belieue as thou commanded mee to relie vpon thee Thou stretchest forth thy hand in loue and offerest rich treasures of goodnesse to them that lay hold vpon them create in mee the hand of faith that I may effectually receiue what in mercy thou reachest forth The knowledge of faith is of thee as is the gift it selfe giue me the Spirit of reuelation that I may discerne truly what thou hast giuen me
is euer hungry Cant. 5.6 7 8. sensible of want and emptinesse and therefore attends vpon the Lord in the vse of all such meanes whereby he is pleased to conueigh Christ vnto vs for our spirituall filling The labourious Bee is early abroad to gather when there is an hony fall and faith is early awake to waite vpon the Lord in his ordinances when hee showres his blessings vpon his people But it knoweth to distinguish betwixt the ordinances in and by which grace is obtained and the Author and Giuer of it And thiâ— vrgeâ—h the Belieuer earnestly to beg the blessing of God vpon his owne ordinances without which they cannot auaile vs. Thirdly It inciteth to an holy improuement of what graces he hath reâ—eiued alreadie as the readie way to haue them encreased God bestoweth his gifts of grace in most plentifull measure vpon them that are most carefull to put them forth to aduantage Luke 19.26 Math. 13.12 To him that hath that is that vseth well what he hath receiued shall be giuen and hee shall haue in abundance Grace is giuen freely not deserued by workes but by the appointment of God he that would increase therein must religiously imploy what he possesseth Men increase their substance by labour and paines their learning by diligence and hee that best improueth graces receiued shall most abound therein Fourthly It fighteth couragiously against sin crieth instantly to the Lord for helpe Faith wil not yeeld to corruption be the combate neuer so hote and fierie because it apprehends victorie neither will it giue the Lord rest because it is sensible of want and wearie of sinne Create in mee a cleane heart Psal 51.10 O God and renew a right spirit within me Fiftly It submitteth willingly to what course the Lord is pleased to take for the crucifying of sinne and healing of our nature Looke as the patient yeeldeth himselfe vnto the Physician to be dieted purged or lanced for the curing of his maladies and recouery of health so doth the soule resigne it selfe by faith into the hands of God the spirituall Physician of the soule who only is able to heale all diseases to be dieted purged exercised as seemeth best vnto his heauenly wisdome only it desires that spirituall maladies may be remoued and health recouered Sixtly Faith is the band or sinew whereby we are tied vnto Christ the fountaine of grace and the pipe whereby grace is conueyed from him into the soule Acts 15.9 Looke what 〈◊〉 full treasure of all sorts of graces Christ hath stored vp in him faith draweth and driueth them out of his fulnes to the vse of each seuerall Christian euen grace for grace Iohn 1.16 Iohn 15.1 5 6. It fetcheth sap from the root Christ which maketh euery tree bring forth fruit in it kind euery Christian in his owne calling As water brought by pipes from the fountaine to the cocke doth come faster or slower as the pipes be wider or narrower open or stopped so grace doth flow from Christ into our hearts more or lesse as our faith is weaker or stronger in degree and measure Faith openeth as it were the passages of grace that it may distill more plentifully vpon vs. And thus by fetching supernaturall efficacie from the death and life of Christ it changeth the heart creates and infuseth new principles of action begetteth a plyable willingnesse vnto euery thing that is good and conueigheth both will and ability thereunto as the medicine curing the vitious stomacke and restoring it to health makes it long for wholsome meate as before for coales and ashes By the precious promises which wee haue from God when they are ours by faith 2. Pet. 1.4 we are made partakers of the diuine nature or the graces of the Holy Ghost The pâ—eposterous care and trauell of many wel-affected is to bee pittied who studie the practice of this or that vertue The true cause why men labour in vaine to practice some particular vertue neglecting this cardinall and radicall vertue as if men should water all the branches of a Tree and not the root Faine would they abound and shine in patience meeknesse zeale yet establish and root not themselues in fâ—ith that should maintaine all the rest If water come not to the cocke wee vse to open or amend the pipes or leades that conueigh it from the spring Christ is the wel-spring of grace if wee would haue our wants supplied we must labour stedfastly to belieue All defects in sanctification must admonish vs to looke to our faith Thirst driues men to the Spâ—ings of water colâ— forceth them to the fire weaknesse or want of grace should moue vs to come vnto Christ by a liuely faith Esay 55.1 Oh euery one that thirsteth come yee to the waters To giue way to doubting because the graces of Gods Spirit bee weake and feeble in vs is as if a man should refuse to eate because he is faint for want of sustenance Seuenthly True faith stirreth vp to thankfulnesse for the beginning of sanctification Rom. 7.25 I thank God through Iesus Christ our Lord. So then with the minde I my selfe serue the Law of God The least measure of sanctifying grace is in it selfe an vnspeakable benefit considering the poyson of our corrupt nature and also a pledge of future fauours to be receiued till the worke be perfected God in great wisdome powreth the graces of his Spirit vpon vs by degrees and doth not perfectly sanctifie vs at once least we should forget what great things hee doth for vs in forgiuing our daily trespasses and curing the grieuous and loathsome diseases of our polluted soules 1. Cor. 1.9 1. Thes 5.24 Rom. 11.29 Phil. 1 6. but the beginning of sanctification is an earnest of further grace to be vouchsafed till the worke bee finished to the praise of his grace which doth appeare the more in that the gifts of grace are communicated by degrees The meanes to stirre vp to belieue that God will sanctifie when we see nothing but discomfort The way or meanes whereby a Christian may stirre vp his faith to belieue that God will sanctifie him when hee seeth nothing but thraldome and sinne preuailing and feeleth nothing but deadnesse of heart is this First he must bewaile his spirituall nakednesse thraldome and vassalage vnder sinne acknowledging his inabilitie to free and deliuer him selfe Into what miserie and bondage haue I brought my selfe Thou Lord madest me holy pure and vpright But by sinne I sold my selfe vnto the seruice of sinne from which to this day I cannot get deliuerance Euery facultie of soule is deeply infected with that contagious leprosie the Mind is blinde vaine foolish the will peruerse and rebellious all the affections out of order there is nothing whole or sound within me Night and day I am pestered with sinfull motions The desires of my sinfull heart bee so strong and preuailing that I am carried head-long to that which is euill The
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
might wauer a promise is annexed Whatsoeuer yee shall aske the Father in my Name hee will giue it you But without question they haue allowance to belieue the obtaining of that which Christ hath prayed for 1. John 5.14 and the faithfull aske of God in the Name of Chrâ—st according to his will The seruants of Christ who liued by the like pretious faith with vs grounâ—ed vpon the same promises and subiect to the same temptations Rom 8.38.39 belieued their perseuerance I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shal be able to seperate froÌ„ the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Phil. 1.20 According to mine earnest expectation my hope that in nothing I shal be ashamed but that with all boldnes as alwayes so now also Christ shal be magnified in my body whether it bee by life or by death And the Lord shall deliuer me from euery euill worke and will preserue me vnto his heauenly kingdome 2. Tim. 3.18 to whom be glory for euer and euer Amen But what one belieued vpon common and ordinarie grounds that is the priuiledge of all belieuers which they are allowed to receiue It is a great glory to God that wee liue by faith on him concerning our future estate and relie vpon his grace that shall encounters wee shall bee more then Conquerours through him that loued vs. For this is to take God to bee our God not only to put our confidence in him in prosperitie and aduersitie when wee haue meanes or meanes be wanting for our soules and bodies but also to relic vpon him that he will make vs walke in his Commandements and put his feare in our hearts that wee shall not depart from him that hee will perfect his worke begun in vs finish our fai h and preserue vs vnto his euerlasting kingdome This faith doth giue vnto God the praisent all grace which he is pleased to bestow and of all workes of grace which he effecteth by vs. Hee that relieth vpon the good vse of his free-will must necessarily ascribe the praise of his perseuerance in part if not principally vnto himselfe but he that resteth vpon the Lord for establishment against all spirituall enemies and abilitie vnto euery good worke hee must necessarily ascribe the whole praise vnto the glory of Gods grace vpon which hee doth depend The acts of faith concerning perseuerance The acts of saith concerning perseuerance bee these and such like First It makes a man sensible of his owne frailtie and infirmitie how weake and feeble he is apt not only to fall but euen to fall away if he were not vpholden by the grace and power of God 2. Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues but our sufficiencie is of God Naturally we trust in our selues and are pâ—esumptuous of our strength but when by faith we goe forth of our selues vnto God for helpe we can see nothing in our selues but weaknesse and frailtie Secondly It stirres vp holy iealousie and suspition lest we should coole decay start-aside or fall backe Faith is bold and timorous confident and suspicious confident in God suspitious of our selues I was afraid saith Iob of all my workes Iob 9.28 Gatak Spirituall Watch pag. 84. knowing that if I did wickedly thou wouldst not acquite me And this suspition doth beget care to shunne occasions of sinne and watchfulnesse to preuent spirituall distempers A man iealous of his health is warie in his diet and he that hath his soule in suspition will euer be questioning with it and watching ouer it least he should offend This iealosie is euer waking apt to cast the worst that may fall out but to counsell the best that is to keepe farr from the occasions of sinne abstaine from all appearance of euill and take heede of the snare in lawfull businesses of this life And surely in this kinde considering our great frailty it is more behoouefull for a man to be somewhat too hee die and cautelous then to be a little too secure and selfe confident to be suspitious of his weaknesse that hee may be enabled by God and become strong in him then while he is fool-hardie strong in his owne conceit to run into danger and proue weak in triall Thirdly Psal 17.5 Faith instantly crieth vnto the Lord for help strength and continuall supply of grace Hold vp my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not Psal 119.8 I will keepe thy statutes O forsake me not vtterly Looke thou vpon me and be mercifull vnto me as thou vsest to doe vnto those that loue thy Name Order my steps in thy word Psal 119.32 33. Cant. 1.4 and let not any iniquitie haue dominion ouer me Draw me we will runne after thee Shew me thy wayes O Lord teach me thy pathes Lead mee in thy truth Psal 25.4 5. and teach me for thou art the God of my saluation on thee doe I waite all the day long When men be conscious to themselues of their owne wants they are wont to resort vnto others by whom their wants may be supplied The Belieuer is emptie in himselfe and sensible of his owne weaknesse desirous of supply and confident of helpe in God 2. Tim. 4.17 2. Cor. 12.9 10. 2. Cor. 4.7 who alone is able to confirme and strengthen him yea so to inable him notwithstanding his infirmitie that his power and might shall appeare in him amidst his feeblenesse his very infirmity shall make much for his glory and therefore hee will not cease day after day to repaire vnto him for continuall supply and strength of grace Fourthly Faith desireth digesteth and feedeth vpon the wholesome food of life 2. Pet. 2.2 As new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the Word that yee may grow thereby If the bodie be healthfull and in case to grow in strength there will be an appetite to wholesome food and good digestion by the stomacke euery liuing thing hath a facultie to draw nourishment vnto it selfe and the faith which neuer faileth doth not only couet but kindly digest the Word of life and sucke nourishment from it whereby it is made able and strong to euery good word and worke If the stomacke decay or the appetite be inordinate after things hurtfull and vnwholsome food or the digestion ill that meate taken in passeth away not altered by the stomacke the naturall life is in danger so the life of grace languisheth when our appetite to the word decayeth wee affect earthly things immoderately delight in a frothy windie vaine sound of words which pleaseth the eaâ—e but edifieth not the conscience or if we heare sleightly but take not paines to feed substantially vpon the Word I denie not but a liuely neuer-fading faith is subiect to these and more grieuous
and rowse vp our selues to reioyce in him What can I desire more God the Father hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne to be my Sauiouâ— and I haue receiued and am betrothed vnto him a firme peace is concluded an euerlasting inherâ—tance is assured vnto mee I haue a good legacie bequeathed vnto me in the promises whereunto I sticke sealed vnto me in the SacrameÌ„t which I may produce as an euidence to stop the mouth of Satan if he shall contend and seeke to robbe mee of my priuiledges bestowed of grace If I bee hunger-starued in my selfe the bodie of Christ is true meate nourishing me to life eternall If thirstie and destitute of the sappe of grace the bloud of Christ is true drinke nourishing mee to life eternall Iohn 6.65 and eating his flesh and drinking his bloud he dwelleth in me and I in him Thus we must quicken our hearts to reioyce in beliefe of the promises made and sealed waiting vpon God till he be pleased to giue the sence and comfort of it CHAP. XII The faithfull are bound and it is behouefull for them to belieue the threatnings GOd is aswell iust as mercifull faithfull and true as well in his threats as in his promises and therefore equally to be belieued in both so farre as in his word he hath assured vs of both He who is certaine of his saluation knoweth assuredly he should be damned if he should goe on in sinne without repentance and shall tast of much bitternesse if he grow indulgent to his corruptions It is as sure that God will condemne the wicked and impenitent as that hee will saue the righteous and repentant 1. Cor. 9.27 If Paul beate not downe his body and bring it into subiection he shall bee as drosse and refuse If the righteous forsake his righteousnesse and commit wickednesse Ezek. 18.24.26 or be a worker of iniquity all his former righteousnesse shall be forgotten The godly man is not slauishly to feare falling away or running into destruction but wisely to belieue the threatnings to preuent falling into sinne and so into condemnation The subiect who feareth the punishment of the law and keepeth himselfe innocent taketh a wise couâ—se for his owne securitie Euery part of Scripture is Gods word of certaine and and vndoubted truth which cannot be gaine-said written for the benefit and profit of them who shall be heires of saluation But the threatnings are part of the word of God Rom. 15.4 Whatsoeuer things were written afore-time euen as well examples of iudgement inflicted vpon transgressours and threatenings denounced against them that shall offend as promises of mercie to allure vnto obedience were written for our learning and instructon 1. Cor. 10.6 In the state of innocencie there was vse of threatenings so is there in the state of grace As a meanes to keep our first parents from sinne Gen. 2.17 Iob 31.21.23 the Lord denounced death against them if they should eate of the forbidden fruite Iob professeth he durst not lift vp his hand against the Fatherlesse for destruction from God was a terrour vnto him So Dauid My flesh trembleth for feare of thee Psal 119.120 and I am affraid of thy Iudgements The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked Pro. 21.12 but God ouerthroweth the wicked for their wickednesse And sure it is expedient for vs that threatenings should be mingled with the promises of grace for so prone are we to flatter fauour our selues milder doctrine would grow colde vnles these spurrs were added The tarxtnesse of the threatening makes vs best tast the sweetnesse of promise Sowre and sweet make the best sauce promises and threatenings mingled fit our state and serue to keepe the heart in the best temper Wee grow ouerbold with God if the threatning doe not awe are soone deiected if the promise doe not support The Lord knoweth both necessarie to keepe vs in awe and therefore beginneth with promises to the intent we might follow him the more willingly but to driue forward when wee stoppe or grow remisse he addeth threatenings Heb. 12.28.29 Wherfore we receiuing a kingdome which cannot be moued let vs haue grace whereby we may serue God acceptably with reuerence and godly feare For our God is a consuming fire The acts of faith in respect of the threatenings be these The acts of faith in respect of the Threatnings First It worketh humblenesse of mind and heart for what the law threateneth the faithfull will freely acknowledge that they deserue and so arraigne themselues as guiltie of all miserie and death before the throne of grace whereby the pride and stubbornesse of nature is much abated Say wee not of him who hath beene once impleaded before the tribunall of an earthly Iudge as guiltie of felonie or treason he hath no reason to be stout What then will the arraignement of the soule worke when a man shal be drawne to acknowledge before God that he hath deserued to be cast into hell for his manifold offences and transgressions against God Secondly It bringeth forth awefulnesse reuerence and feare Psal 52.6 Act. 5.5 Psal 119.120 Ion. 1.16 1. Chron. 13.12 Hab. 3.16 The righteous also shall see and feare As the Childe quaketh when he heareth that his Father is angry with or doth correct a seruant so the heâ—rt and body of the faithfull tremble as oft as they consider the seueritie of Gods wrath against the wicked and vngâ—dly When I heard my belly trembled my lips quiuâ—red at the voyce rottennesse entred into my bones and I trembled in my selfe that I might rest in the day of trouble That is when the fame of thy diuine punishment and iudgement came to mine eaâ—es which thou hast decreed to inflict vpon thy people “ Pro. 29 27.30 Psal 40.8 my belly that is my heart and bowels moueâ— for griefe and feare Thus Noah hearing of Gods iust wrath against the sinfull world and of his purpose to ouerthrow all liuing flesh by water Heb. 11.7 was moued with great feare and reuerence at this strange dreadfull mightie work of God and from the view of this his great iust iudgement his faith made him arise to a more earnest consideration of the glorious Maiesty of the Almâ—ghty And this is the effect of iudgement executed by men according to the direction of Gods word And all Israel shall heare and feare Deut. 13.11 and 17.13 and 19 26. Ier. 10.7 and shall doe no more any such wickednesse True faith then worketh an holy feare and reuerent awe of God in respect of his iudgements Who would not feare thee O King of nations for to thee doth it appertaine Psal 76.7 Thou euen thou art to bee feared and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry The godly mans assurance of Gods fauour will stand well with reuerence of his Maiestie and feare of temporall afflictions spirituall desertions and the torments of hell not