no nor in life it selfe for they are all transitory but intreat God to set your hearts on everlasting things on everlasting life and induring riches and pleasures for from him they flow Psal 16. ult these are an abiding inheritance and will stick close to us this is the vanity of earthly things the fulnesse of them breeds loathsomnesse and fulsomnesse and a man is duld with them they seem full of comfort till we get them and when we have them we are weary of them but grace on the contrary seems hatefull till it be got but when it is once got the more a man hath the more he desireth godly sorrow breeds repentance never to be repented of 2 Cor. 7.10 neither by God nor by them never did christian repent of his repentance or Faith or godlinesse Riches profit not in the day of wrath Prov. 11.4 therefore love not those things which cannot comfort us when we have most need Joh. 6.26 27. Labour not for the meat that perisheth so labour not for the riches or honour or pleasure that perish but labour for that profit and pleasure and honour which endures for ever We come now to the opposition that which is opposed to the transitoriness of these things the World and the lusts thereof viz. He that doth the will of God abideth for ever Doct. Such as doe the will of God are not as the World and lusts of it of a fading transitory condition but they stand in a permanent abiding Estate Q. 1 What is it to abide for ever A. 1 It implies he is not of an unsteady fleeting temper but of a constant and even frame of spirit and life not now in and now out and never of a constant frame but of an even temper as mountaines are not easily shaken or driven to and fro but remaine in their strength and place why so such as trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion that shall not be moved Psal 125.1 and he gives the reason vers 2. without any changing or removing 2 He is said to remain for ever because he doth abide in that Estate for ever there is a difference between constancy and perseverance a man may be said to goe to London though he keeps not even on but goes out and in so such a man as aimes at heaven and goes on as evenly as he can and if he goes out he gets in again such a one perseveres in his way to heaven Q. 2 What is it to doe the will of God A He that doth the will of God stands in opposition to the World and the lusts of it and by this will is not mâ—ant only the will of Gods pleasure but the will of Gods Commandement for all the Creatures doe the will of Gods good pleasure for they all doe things so far as God wills so that if a man doe his own will he sh ll not goe besides Gods will but here he means the will of Gods Commandement Not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into Heaven but be that doth the will of my Father Mat. 7.21 tâ—at is the revealed Will of God Joh. 8.51 For the ground of the point why they abide for ever 1 Because they are born of the unchangeable Will of God of his own Will begat he us Jam 4.18 and he means that Will which is not dependant on the Creature but free Rom. 9.15 There is no cause moving but the only Will of God he will have mercy because he will have mercy therefore when God bestows any mercy on the Creature because he will doe it it puts the Creature on an unexchangeable condition 2 From the vigour and strength of doing the Will of God no man doth the Will of God but the more he shall be inabled and caused to doe it the doing of Gods Will is the ground and strength of a Christian life Joh. 4.34 he means not only he did it chearfully but it was that which refreshed his soul and strengthened his body so that he felt neither hunger nor thirst but it was strength and freedome of spirit to doe his Fathers Will so that though he was thirsty yet his words to the woman did so refresh him that it was his strength and refreshment now if it be so that the more a man doth the Will of God the more strength he hath to doe it nay it conveyes not only strength to the soul but also to the body as a Tree the more fruit it brings forth upwards the deeper rooting it takes downwards so a Christian the more fruit he brings forth to God the deeper he strikes his root in Christ John 14.21 22. if it be thus I say well may he abide for ever 3 From the near union which such have with Christ that doe the Will of his Father Christ came for that end to doe his Fathers Will Joh. 6.38 therefore he that doth the Will of his Father is near to Christ he is Father and Mother and Brother and Sister Mark 3. ult because they are born of the same Father of the same Spirit and they doe the same work if therefore we doe his Will not as Servants but as Children then we are as heirs and remain in the house for ever Joh. 8.35 36. 4 From Gods readinesse ever to hear the prayers of such as doe his Will as the blind man said Joh. 8.34 If any man doe the Will of God him he hears wherein he shews that suitable to our hearing of God God hears us if we hear God in his Commandements he will heare us in our petitions if we take up Gods Word he will take up our prayers that they be not lost if we be sinners God hears not us why because we hear not him God is as ready to doe our wills as we are to doe his Mat. 7 2. with what measure we meet to him he will meet to us if we be careful to attend to his Word and industrious to doe his Will God will certainly doe our wills as we have done his Psal 139. ult he desires to be led in everlasting wayes that is the Will of God for that is only everlasting and a Christian praying to doe Gods Will as the Angels God will fulfil his will and his Will is to abide for ever and so it is Gods Will that he should abide for ever Obj. Doth not David complain I am tossed to and fro as a Grashopper Psal 109.22 Ans He speaks not there of his inward estate which was constant and even but his outward estate which was very unconstant sometimes puld from the Ordinances he hopt from one place to another from Mountains to Woods and Caves from place to place like a Grashopper but his inward frame was constant and even Obj. But was not Davids inward frame s metimes very uneven he that had sometimes shewed much kindnesse to Mephibosheth after took away his Lands he that sometimes was smitten for cutting off Sauls skirt after sticks not to
how little good will it be to that person that lives in the Church like a noysome humor hurtful and pricking the Church troublesome to the Church and Members thereof such a one is but an evil humor and it were better it were cast out nay content not your selves in being an ornament and supportance to the Church liberal for any good use and so Ministers you must not rest in this you are but as wooden leggs and glasse eyes and you lose by it unlesse you draw juice and nourishment from the body by the spirit rejoyce not therefore in this that you cleave to the Church and they to you but rejoyce that you are of that number whose names are written in heaven rejoyce in this that by the spirit and Faith you are knit to Christ rejoyce that you do any good office to the Church not for any by-respect but naturally Vse 4 Here is a direction to all societies what society to follow even the highest society that is even of the Church the company of Saints therefore if you would aspire to the best society you must not be such as are noysome humors hurtful one to another such will break off but be knit together in love with one consent joyn together So for all Members of the Congregation be doing good one to another be knit together you are all Members of the same Church let no outward respect dis-joyn Members you would think it a wofull thing to see a convulsion of the Members one limb puld from another so let no externall respect hinder fellowship therefore contend not for your profit or ease and so fall off from one another but contend to be helpfull one to another and grow up in love Vse 5 Of consolation to such as find their hearts knit to Christ by his ordinances and one to another this is good comfort you shall never depart one from another no true Member shall ever fall off either from Christ the Church or heaven 1 Joh 1.4.8 being one of the Church and added to the Church you are such a one as is appointed to salvation they that are in Gods Tabernacle shall one day dwell in his holy hill Psal 15. and he tells you what they are they that are Members of the Church militant here shall be Members of the Church triumphant in heaven your name is entred amongst the general assembly of the first born whose names are written in heaven Doct. Such as are true Members of the Church do keep continual fellowship with the Church and do never depart from the Church If they had been of us that is of our fellowship which is with the Father they would have continued for ever with us Psal 125.1 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion which shall never be moved God gives a man true fellowship with him by trusting in him and such stand as a mountain or rock that cannot be removed an the cause of it is because God in a special manner protects them Gods protection stands as an hill about him so that none can climbe over God to come at them 1 Tim. 2.19 The foundation of God standeth sure c. the foundation some take it for election some for their faith such a man doth set to his seal that the Lord is true Q. How comes it to passe that they always thus keep communion with Christ and his members A. 1. They keep fellowship with Christ from the nature of that Covenant which Christ makes with all Believers it is opposed to a Covenant that may be broken Jer. 31.31 to 35. so that this Covenant cannot be broken where he opposeth this new Covenant to the first Covenant made with Adam which he brake but this cannot be broken for what should break it but sin but God will write his Law in their hearts c. and they shall not depart from him This Covenant is either exprest without condition or else such a condition as he will give us power to perform or else such a condition as Christ will perform for us therefore cannot be broken Obj. Is it possible that any Covenant should be without condition Is it not the nature of a Covenant to have a condition on both parts A. It sometimes requires none as Gen. 9. to 17. the Covenant God made with Noah he made a Covenant never again to destroy the whole World by a flood and yet there is no condition expressed on mans part but all the world knows that whatsoever the lives of men be be their sins never so great even as the sins of the Land yet God will keep this Covenant with them and not destroy the World by waters any more now this Covenant of Grace is likened to the Covenant he made with Noah that as that Covenant was without all conditions so the Covenant of Grace that God makes with us is absolute without condition so that he will remember us with everlasting mercy Isa 54.8 9 10. so that whosoever have made a Covenant with God to cleave to him in Christ he will never cast them off no more than he will drown the world 2 Though he do require a condition yet it 〈◊〉 such as he himself will perform so that I shall never forfeit his Covenant Jer. 32.40 God will never depart from them I but we may depart from him no God will put his fear in our hearts that we shall not depart from him so that though God requires faith and repentance and obedience yet he gives it to us or else we have Christ as a Surety that hath fulfilled all righteousnesse for us Heb. 7.22 if therefore I or my Surety pay as he hath done here no breach of Covenant can be made on our part because Christ hath fulfilled all righteousnesse so that though we be unfaithful and disobedient yet Christ hath undertook for us 2 From the Spiritual vigour and efficacy of that Grace which the Lord gives to every true member of the Church that Spirit which knits us to Christ and his Members 1 Pet. 1.23 is an immortal seed it is that spring which springs up unto everlasting life Joh. 4.14 Obj. True if we drink but we may cease drinking and so thirst A. But then it should not differ from Jacobs Well for as long as we drink of that we shall not thirst but this is opposed to that Heb. 10.39 he opposeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so that whosoever draws back from Christ had never true faith Nay this grace is exprest as overcoming all the enemies of Salvation Sathan the World and the Flesh 1 Joh. 1.4 1 Joh. 5.4 Rom. 6.14 Sin that is your corruption shall not reign in you it may be remanent but not regnant it may Tyranize over us and lead us Captive but it shall not carry us willingly but it is a captivity to us very grievous and hard and we strive to get loose from it it may 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
at first by Christ and after by his Apostles Luke 1.2 There are three Graces especialy whereby Gods Word is said to continue in us for it is not enough for a Christian to have it rest in his judgement and assent the Devil himself knows and beleeves that Antichristian Doctrin is a lye and he knows the truth yet because he continues not in the truth he hath neither fellowship with the Father nor the Son nor any hope of Salvation therefore there are some more speciall Graces whereby the Word is said to continue in us as David saith I have hid thy word in my heart Psal 119.11 1 By faith 1 Thess 2.13 when ye received the Word ye received it not as the word of man but of God c. men then receive the Word aright when they beleeve it and when they think it effectuall to Salvation able to save their souls Jam. 1.21 when we receive it as the word of life when we receive it as our stock and portion then it dwels in our hearts by faith let a man receive the Word as true only and not as good it will not continue in him the Devils receive it as true but do not receive it as good but think it mischievous to them and therefore they get no good by it 2 It dwels in our Consciences by an holy awe and fear of this Word unless the Word awe us and rule in our hearts we have no fellowship with it Psal 119.161 the heart is taken for the Conscience in the Old Testament we read not of the word Conscience although his heart stood in awe of Princes as when he cut off Sauls skirt yet it was the Word that over-awed him that he would not hurt him this awe of the Word over-awes that authority we might use to evill so Job when he had it in his hand to do wrong yet the fear of God kept him from doing any wrong Job 31.13 14 15. even to the least servant or maid he had Jer. 32.40 3 Obedience keeps the Word in our lives and our lives in the Word Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes and I shall keep it to the end Psal 119.32 if a man take liberty to live sometimes by the Word sometimes beside it he will break off from fellowship Herod for a while kept an awe of John but in his life he would not exercise it therefore he shaketh off John and his word and cleaves to his lust so that the Word abides in us by faith fear and obedience Q. What is meant by continuing in the Son and in the Father A. 1. It implies communion with them a man cannot continue in them without communion with them 2 It implies perseverance in them for ever so that he that hath the Word abiding in him hath fellowship with the Son he hath Christ for his Saviour his Brother his King Priest and Prophet and he hath God for his Father an All-sufficient God blessing him with all blessings He shall persevere in this estate for ever What are the Reasons why such continue in the Son and in the Father Reas 1 From the intercession of Christ Joh. 17.20 21 22. without which we neither could have fellowship with them nor eternal life Christ himselfe hath prayed for this and doth and he was heard alwayes Joh. 11.42 therefore when he prays that all they that believe in his Word may be one with him and with the Father they shall have union with them and glory everlasting and so vers 24. Obj. You will say Christs intercession for himself was not sometime heard did not he pray that the Cup of his Passion might passe from him A. He prayed against it and yet did drink it but he prayed conditionally if it might stand with his Fathers Will therefore he had his desire because he fulfilled Gods will Hebr. 5. Secondly He prayed not so much that he might not taste of it as that he might not be over-whelmed by it and so he was supported by his eternall God-head so that he was saved in death and from death therefore Christ having prayed for our union with him and eternall glory we shall attaine it Reas 2 From the effectuall power of found heavenly Doctrin it is the power of God to Salvation it is called the arm of the Lord Joh. 12.38 it is called the glorious ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.8 2 Corinth 10.4 5. Jam. 1.21 so that this Doctrin is the Ministration the mighty power of God to conveigh to us the Spirit of God which gives us fellowship with the Father and the Son and eternal life the breath of the Word breathes the Spirit of God into us and makes us live spiritually here and gloriously hereafter Vse 1 May shew us what an hard thing it is to persevere and abide in the Doctrin of the Apostles which appears from this strong exhortation one would think that the honesty and purity of the Word should prevail with us to cleave and abide in their Doctrin but yet we see that is not enough but the Holy Ghost useth as strong motives here as any can be he knows the World might over-reach us some come and tell us if we continue in the Word we shall lose our Friends and Goods and may be our Life and why then will you be singular now seeing that the World offers so largely to with-draw us therefore he gives a farre larger offer such an offer as all the World cannot give he out-bids the World and even promises Fellowship with the Father and the Son or Eternall life therefore that we might be established against all the subtilties of the World he offers us such Promises as may eternally establish us in the truth Vse 2 Exhorts us to take hold of this Doctrin while we may have it if we preach no other Doctrin but what hath been delivered from the beginning why then if you would have fellowship with the Father and the Son and eternall glory cleave to this Word abide in it receive it with Faith and fear and expresse it in obedience Lord thou hast the words of eternall life therefore whither should we go from it Prov. 19.16 he that keeps the Commandement keeps his own soul but he that regards not his wayes whether he walk according to this rule or no he shall dye What encouragement would it be to keep a Pill if the Physician should say keep this and you keep your life cast it up and you dye why truly such is the Word of Christ keep it and you keep your life but if you despise the Commandement care not how you live you shall certainly dye this is the promise that if we receive and keep this word we shall not only keep a long life but even a life for ever and ever that is a promise God hath given you even eternall life why this is more than all the World can give this is an argument that countervails all other Arguments Vse 3 Of
humble meek spirit Gods Spirit will not so freely converse with us Isa 57.15 4 Impediment of our peace is suspending of our peace upon our own performances because we cannot pray so enlargedly nor hear so profitably as sometimes we have done but then we deceive our selves Rom. 5.1 because then we do not look for peace and justification from grace but from the works of the Law whereas we should depend wholly on the Merits of Christ and thus by these means we grieve the Spirit and blur the seal and so dim and dull our peace and comfort Vse 2 It may confute a Popish errour who say it is presumption and dangerous to think we may have assurance of Gods favour but we se we may know it by the witnesse of the Spirit 1 JOHN 2.28 And now little Children abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his comming THe Coherence stands thus he had written to severall Ages several instructions vers 27. to Babes he had said they had received an Unction whereby they did abide in him In this twenty eighth Verse he turns his speech to all Christians in general for here it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 having promised they should â—bide in him Two Parts 1 An Exhortation to all to abide in Christ A Reason or encouragement from the comfortable benefit that shall arise from it Doct. 1. The promise of perseverance in the state of Grace doth not open a gap to carnal liberty but rather gives us cause of encouragement to abide in Christ Now he had promised they should abide in him vers 27. he doth not say therefore take your ease take no care you are safe no he saith not so but abide in Christ In other places of Scripture when the clearest promises of grace and perseverance are laid down there is exhortation to carefull obedience 1 Cor. 10.12 13. though thou canst not fall finally yet let him that standeth take heed lest he fall Phil. 2.12 13. not a carnal fear but such a fear as is opposed to carnal confidence and pride though God work both the will and the deed Paul a man most confident of his good estate so as he triumphed in his estate Rom. 8. ult Did this make him carnally secure No he is now more vigilant and carefull than before 1 Cor. 9.26 27. so we see confidence breeds not negligence but rather diligence so we read he renounced all for Christ Phil. 3.7 8 9. yet ver 12 13. the more assurance he had the more vigilant he was and now little Children even now you have a promise to abide in Christ abide in him Reas 1. For the nourishment of those Graces by these kinde of promises whereby we most cleave to Christ Faith feeds on these Promises as it is bred by them so it is nourished by them now the more Faith the more do you purifie your hearts Faith purifies the heart Acts 15.9 no Promise promises perseverance to us in our own strength but all are made in Christ and therefore make a Christian by Faith to cleave the faster to Christ 2. These Promises breed Hope in us and this Hope makes us purifie our selves as Christ is pure 1 John 3.1 2 3. A Maid that knows she shall be married such a day will it make her the lesse carefull to adorn her selfe no surely so have any hope to meet the Bridegroom at the last day as their Husband do they go and soyl and defile themselves with base lusts no they adorn and beautifie their souls the more When Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph and he had now hope to make his suit known to the King doth he now come in his poor Prison garments no he shaves himself and puts on other garments so those Maids that were to go in to King Ahasuerus they spent twelve months in purifying themselves Esther 2.12 3. These Promises encrease love in us the more beautifull God is in his Promises the more doth the love of Christ constrain us Vse 1. To confute Popish spirits that say The doctrine of perseverance breeds security to what purpose say they doe you presse people to abide in Christ when they can doe no other we see St. Johns practice here it is true if these new Promises were put into old Bottles it would breed security in us but a Christian spirit that is taught to believe in Christ he is made the more watchfull by it 1 Cor. 15. ult Vse 2. May stir up all to abide in Christ and for that end to make use of these Promises to stir you to it Psal 116.9 to 12. seeing God hath freed your souls from darknesse and ignorance and bondage why walk holily therefore in the sight of the Lord none more dissolute and carelesse then those that are uncertain of their Salvation Doct. 2. It is the duty of all Christians to abide in Christ John 15.5 Reas 1. If ye abide in me ye shall bring forth much fruit no fruit without Christ 2. If you abide in him it keeps you from sin 1 John 3.6 3. Abiding in Christ is the means to have all our petitions heard John 15.7 4. Abide in Christ and abide in eternall life verse 24 25. hujus capitis Vse 1. To reprove the Apostacy that is found sometimes in Professours though many dead branches be cut off yet the Vine is perfect but not without living branches some are Members some onely unperfect so some may adhere to Christ by the redundancy of some graces as Judas and Jehu these may be cut off and we see how woefull their case is they wither and are cut down John 15.6 and are cast into the fire Jer. 2.13 This people have committed two evills c. Jer. 18.14 It had been better they had never â—asted of Christ or known him Vse 2. Let it exhort us as we desire to be faithfull to abide in Christ Q. How may we abide in Christ A. 1. If his Word abide in us Christ abides in us 1 John 2.24 2 Chron. 25.16 2. Know that all your strength depends on Christ live therefore in his Grace 3. Be fruitfull in Christ make use of him to grow in Grace 4. If at any time you turn from him return to him speedily that so by repentance you may renew your Covenant Jer. 3.1 Doct. 3. Such as doe abide in Christ doe with boldnesse expect and without shame receive him at his coming It is plain in the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 First From the causes what makes men afraid of his coming either knowledge it shall go ill with them or not knowing it shall go well with them as the Cardinall said he had rather have his part in Paris than his part in Paradise the one he was certain of the other uncertain but now such as abide in Christ they know that it shall be well with them at that day Ps 23.3 4 5. doubtlesse mercy
out of his sight though it was good yet it did not speak the truth concerning David Thirdly There is a conscience which is neither good nor quiet such was Judas his conscience Mat. 27.3 4. Fourthly There is a conscience both good and peaceable which walks in Gods commandements and if he slip out of Gods commandements he looks at himselfe as out of the way he finds refreshments in walking in Gods ways he could not by any means part with Gods commandements he had rather part with his life and all that he hath But on the contrary if a man keep not Gods commandements he is so far from making scruple of any sin that he allows himselfe in any sin yea in all sin Vse 2. It exhorts us all to take the right way to keep Gods commandemens and to keep a good conscience Obj. What shall we get by this Answ In keeping Gods commandements is great reward You shall keep a good house at home and favour in heaven A good conscience is worth keeping it will uphold thy heart against all discouragements thou shalt meet withall in the world and thou shalt have peace with God by keeping his commandements you shall keep a good conscience which is a continuall feast The peace of a good conscience is the greatest blessing in the world nothing in the world can take it away A man may keep all other things and yet not a good conscience but without a good conscience what good will they all doe thee at the last day Wherefore above all things have a care to keep it it will be more joy to thee then all worldly contentments Psal 4.6 7. 3. This may be matter of comfort and consolation to every such soule that hath a care to keep Gods commandements for such a man keeps Gods favour in heaven and a good conscience on earth which is a continuall feast 1 JOHN 3.23 And this is his commandement that we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he gave us commandement IN this Verse he shews you what this commandement is in keeping of which we obtain the grant of our prayers This is his commandement that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and that we love one another Doct. That in stead of loving God with all our hearts the great and first commandement now is that we believe in the Name of the Lord Jesus When the holy Ghost would rank all the commandements under two heads he reduces them to these two First That in stead of loving God with all our hearts we must believe in Jesus Christ Secondly In stead of loving our neighbour as our selves that we love our Brethren as Christ commands When Christ was demanded what was the first and great commandement he answered Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and the second is like unto this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe Mat. 22.36 to 39. But the Apostle John he sums up the commandements in these two He saith not here these are the commandements but this is the commandement As if he should have said there is no more commanded of God 2 Tim. 1.13 Keep a pattern of wholsome words which is the sum of them Faith and love in Christ Jesus Q. What is meant by the Name of Jesus Christ Ans Here is not meant the letters or syllables of the Name of Jesus There is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved but by the Name of Jesus Acts 4.12 It were superstition to believe there were virtue in the letters or syllables of the name Jesus He means there is no person under heaven whereby we can be saved but onely by him who is named the Lord Jesus As it is Gen. 13.4 Abraham called on the name of the Lord that is upon the Lord Phil. 2.10 The Apostle saith At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow So Isa 45.24 there you may see what is meant by the Name Jesus and what is to bow to the Name Jesus Rom. 14.11 To bow to or worship the Name Jesus is to worship the Person of Jesus He doth therefore add Name to the Lord Jesus because we do believe in Christ by those attributes given to him it is by Christ we are saved Now if we did not consider him as a Priest a Prophet and a King he could not have saved us these offices of Christ are the name of Christ Q. What is meant by believing in his Name A. There are three acts of Faith in believing in the Name of the Lord Jesus 1. To be perswaded of his goodnesse and promises Doubting is opposed to faith Rom. 4.20 Doubting and perswasion are acts of the minde 2. Faith is an act of a mans will whereby he trusts on the name of the Lord Jesus Not to beleeve in God is not to trust on God for his salvation Psal 78.22 Credere in Christum 1 Pet. 2.6 is as it were to rowle our selves upon Christ There are two things in Gods promises 1. Truth 2. Goodnesse Vnderstanding believes the truth will accepts and closes with the goodnesse These be acts about a promise 3. There is a true faith but yet weak which doth not reach to those and yet reach to believeing in his Name and hath salvation by his Name which is when a man can abide by the Lord and will not away till he blesse him like Jacob Gen 32.26 This is the same with drawing neer to God Psal 73.28 A man draws neer to God when he is willing to forake all his lusts and can find no satisfaction in earthly things but onely in the Lord. Reas 1. It is a work of greater honour to God to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ then to love God when we know him to be our friend When a Christian doth first begin to believe in Christ he doth not take God as a friend but as an enemy now to cleave to God when he is an enemy is more then to love God when he is a friend unto us For a soul to throw it self on God when he is terrible and seems as an angry God now not to let him go till he shews us mercy is a famous thing The faith of a weak Christian becomes more famous then the love of a strong Christian The one hath had the experience of Gods love the other never felt the warmth of Gods Spirit in the heart 2. This doth magnifie the grace of God because such a soul as believes in Christ doth rely on Christ for every blessing he doth not trust on the best graces he hath received he doth not trust on his own faith but he trusts on Christ for the favour of God and he believes that for his sake every promise shall be fulfilled This great commandment gives God Christ all the honour 3. Because by faith we rest on God for all the good we stand in need of Rom. 4.16 4. From the wickednesse of
know he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us In the second place we come to speak of the means whereby we may discern that God dwels in us and that is by the Spirit which he bath given us Doct. That the Spirit of God bestowed on us is an evident signe of Jesus Christ dwelling in u. He doth not say we believe though this be a great word for faith is the evidence of things not seen but he saith we know it now scire is rem per causam cognoscere What is that Spirit that being bestowed on us is an evidence of Christs dwelling in us Did not the Spirit of the Lord come upon Saul and he prophesied 1 Sam. 10. Yet it is not said that Christ abode in him for ch 16. verse 14. it is said that the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evill Spirit from the Lord troubled him Answ There be sundry degrees of Gods Spirit which may be given to a man and yet be no evidence of Gods dwelling in him or he in God 1. There is a Spirit of illumination whereby a man may prophesie as Saul did But a man may have this Spirit of God and yet fall away so as to sin against the holy Ghost Heb. 6.4 5 6. 2. A Spirit of administration of Church or Common-wealth 1 Sam. 11.6 3. A Spirit of power to do many wonders Matth. 7.22 23. And yet Christ acknowledgeth that he never knew them they did never abide in Christ nor he in them 4. There is a Spirit of renewall of many affections which may befall any man 1. A Spirit of Zeal as in Jehu Come and see my zeal for the Lord 2 Kings 10.15 16. and yet he took no heed to walk in the Law of the Lord verse 31 32. 2. Of Joy in Herod Mark 6.20 3. Humility in Ahab 1 King 21.29 4. Fear in Felix Act. 24.25 What is then the Spirit whereby we know that we keep Gods commandements and have fellowship with him Answ It is the Spirit of life which is in Jesus which frees us from the law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 This is the Spirit of adoption vers 15. of grace and supplication Zac. 12.10 What doth this differ from the former for they were the Spirit of God Answ It exceeds in this Because the former Spirits of God did rest only upon the outwards of a man as his Tongue Memory Affection but this bids defiance unto all the enemies of his salvation the Heart and Will which are the Castle wherein Christ abides are given up to Christ Pro. 23.26 God requires the heart if we give the heart to God we give all Prov. 4.23 Life springs not from good affections nor good actions but from the heart Q. What doth this Spirit more in my heart then did the other How shall I know that the holy Ghost hath gotten possession of my heart Answ If the Spirit of God hath taken possession of your hearts it lifts up your hearts for to prize the Lord Jesus above all other things in the world it makes thee willing to do and suffer Gods will with patience it will cause you to resigne your selves and your desires to the Lord Jesus now all your affections and whole heart is for the Lord. If Paul now sin he doth that which he would not Rom. 7.16 17. Having given us this Spirit we dwell in Christ and he in us 1 John 4.13 Because by this Spirit we keep his commandements If we keep his commandements it shall go well with us and with our children after us for ever Deut. 5.29 Reas From the free covenant of grace by which he hath promised everlasting fellowship to those that keep his commandements Jer. 32 40. Isa 55.2 3. Obj. This may make us believe but not to know as we believe Vnity in Trinity and Trinity in Vnity but we cannot know it But you say here We do not only believe but know Answ There is a difference between faith and knowledge For a man may believe a thing is true because he doth not doubt of the authority of it but yet we do not know all truths that are spoken though we believe them for stnowledge is of a certain conclusion we know this to be so partly by faith partly by sense and reason for though faith believe things before we know them it being the evidence of things not seen and so a man may believe that God is gracious before we know it yet when faith hath laid hold on the promises it sets reason on work This Spirit of God works in us an evidence of our abode in Christ for 1. this Spirit of God works peace of conscience Phil. 4.7 which passeth all understanding though it doth not always abide yet it keeps garrison always it bears witnesse to a man that Christ is in him and he in Christ 2. It works a change in all Christians it changeth them from the power of Satan to the power of God Gal. 5.19 20 21. And though the peace of conscience and consolation of the Spirit abide not always yet the Spirit of regeneration and sanctification doth always abide and doth change the whole man 2 Cor. 5.17 Before a carnal and fleshly Spirit but now the Spirit of glory and grace rests upon us which makes us relish Christian communion and Christian society This Spirit doth alwayes abide and so we know that Christ abides Rom. 8.9 Obj. I may think there is a through change but yet it may be it 's only of the outward man Answ Consider how it changeth thy heart Is thy heart with God and wholly for God Dost thou long for peace with God Wouldst thou not forgoe it if thou hadst it for all the world Is the Word of God more precious to thee then thine appointed food No profit pleasure or preferment shall hinder thee from following of Christ When a man hath horrour of conscience he would give his life for peace but then a man doth not affect God so much as his own peace Thus Cain Gen. 4. When Saul had a spirit full of trouble then David must play a fit of musick When wicked mens hearts are at rest then they never regard God but then they close with the world and sensuall lusts But when the Sun of righteousnesse doth arise in a mans heart he will scatter abroad all those distempers of spirit that hang about him and frame his heart to an holy care of keeping Gods commandements Vse 1. To reprove a Popish opinion that no man can know whether Christ abide in him or no. But why doth St. John then say Hereby we know and he speaks to old men young men and babes to try themselves These men condemn the whole generation of the just Such a woman as cannot tell her child who is his Father is a strumpet and so is the Church of Rome 2. It reproves others that think it impossible Some think it not worth the knowing others think it
and believes shall be saved but I repent and believe this say they the Scripture no where saith But say we besides the testimony of the Scripture there is a threefold witnesse in heaven and three on earth all witnessing this truth now their testimony is divine and therefore my faith is divine and they all witnesse to this truth that Jesus is the Son of God and that I believing on him shall be saved Obj. All these are but suavis quidam motus cannot produce a divine faith Answ Can the testimony of men produce an humane certainty and cannot three divine witnesses in heaven and three on earth produce more then an humane probabilty If not how doth the text say their testimony is greater then the testimony of men Object How comes it to passe then that this witnesse is so low sometimes that we can hardly discern it Answ We so grieve the Spirit of God sometimes that he delights not to reveal himselfe to us but this is our own fault that we so black this evidence that we cannot read it but if we maintain and cherish it it will be a strong testimony to our souls Vse 2. For tryal of our faith wouldst thou know whether thy faith be true or not If it be it will convey a double trinity of witnesses into thy heart witnessing that Jesus is the Son of God and that he came by water and bloud If you should resolve most mens faith into its principle you should find most mens faith built upon antiquity and authority and universall consent of all men Why if these be the best grounds of thy saith the Divel hath better grounds of faith then so but if thou find this truth confirmed to thee by the testimony of Gods Spirit within thee this faith will hold tryall Vse 3. Of consolation to all them that find this witnesse in themselves Why they have grounds of full assurance of their good estates seeing they have such divine and certain witnesse of it both in heaven and earth 1 JOHN 5.10 11 12. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witnesse in himself he that believeth not God hath made him a lyar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son c. HAving shewed vers 6 7 8. three witnesses in heaven and three on earth that bear witnesse to the Sonship of Christ vers 9 10. he stirs us up to believe this witnesse 1 A minori If we believe the witnesse of men the witnesse of God is greater 2 From the Divinity of all those witnesses in our hearts and consciences 3 From the nearnesse of this testimony 4 From the danger that follows the not believing this testimony we thereby make God a lyar and he gives a reason of it because he believes not the record that God hath of his Son and he shews what that record is this is the record that God hath given us of his Son even eternal life From the change of the phrase in this 10 vers believing on the Son of God and believing God observe Doct. True faith that believeth God believeth also on the Son of God There is a double phrase used 1 Credere Deo 2 Credere in filium Dei Credere Deo is to believe that there is a God 2 That every testimony God gives us is true Act. 27.25 I believe God that it shall be so as he hath said but to believe on God or on the Son of God is a phrase peculiar only to Scripture not found in any humane Writers Now to believe that there is a God and that his Word is true are acts of the understanding but to believe on God is not only an act of my understanding but of my will whereby I trust on him and rowl my selfe upon him it 's exprest by laying a stone upon a foundation 1 Pet. 2.5 6. Christ lyes as the corner stone of his Church every living stone lyes upon him depends upon him and that is to believe on God to lift up our souls and lye on the foundation John 14.1 Let not your hearts be troubled ye believe on God believe also on me so much belief so much lesse fear and so much fear so much lesse faith Jam. 2.19 The Devils believe and tremble but he that believes on the Son of God feare not this believing on him is a resting on him for many may have faith and not rest on Christ Isa 30.15 In quietnesse and confidence shall be your rest there is no such rowling our selves upon Christ so that as living stones we lye still and quiet upon Christ the corner stone so that you cannot lift off a Christian from his foundation except you overthrow the building and this is when a Chrstian is so established in faith that all mists of doubtings are removed and Gods favour clearely seen and then the soul sits down in calmnesse and quiet Psal 3.5 6. and this hand of faith the children of God are wont to put forth in dangerous times Psal 91.12 He that abideth in the secret place of the most High c. Two things are in God which are the secret place of the Almighty and both exprest in the Name of the Lord. Which implyes 1 his attributes of mercy goodnesse and patience and the like 2 His truth Psal 138.4 Thou hast exalted thy word about thy Name the Word of God doth more comfort and command then any attribute without the Word so that the Name of God is the secret place of God in danger A Christian runs to the attributes and promises of God 2. But if this were all it would exclude from faith all those whose faith is not grown to this quietnesse and rest for many a day is it before we come to such quietnesse and rest but full of doubts and agitations are we as if you commit such a sum of money to be paid at London into a faithfull able mans hand I never doubt of his care or faithfulnesse if I doubt of either my heart is never at rest till I hear how matters goe no Christian ordâ—narily doubts of Gods power and ability but he doubts whether God be willing to put forth his power for my salvation or no hence a poor soule hath many thoughts and cares what will become of his soul yet there is some kinde of saving faith in him that believes his ability and this faith makes him in some measure to lean on Christ as Mark 1.40 the poor Leper came to Jesus and said If thou wilt thou canst make me clean he believed his power yet something doubts of his will yet he comes to him that he might be willing 3. There is a weaker faith then this that is a Christian comes sometimes to doubt even of the power of God that he is not able to shew him mercy and so doubts of it as thus because God hath said That they that have sinned against the holy Ghost shall never be forgiven and they are afraid they
him we shew respect to God and this man hath Christ for his onely Saviour This was Jehosaphats practice 2 Chron. 20.12 Being in a great fear of a mighty hoste that came against him he set himselfe to seek God and prayed O Lord we know not what to do but our eyes are towards thee This having our eyes towards Christ in evill times argues that we have Christ for our Saviour Psal 121.1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help And he means the Hils of Zion and Moriah where the Temple and Ordinances were My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth Jonah went away from God when he should have gon to Nineveh he sent him to Nineveh but he fled to Tarshish and therefore because he would not have God for his Prince to rule him he would not be his Saviour but sent out a mighty tempest against him and the most unruly creature of the Sea to swallow him up and then Jonah out of hopes prayes out of the Whales belly If I am utterly cast out of his sight yet I will look again towards his holy Temple Jonah 2.4 His heart had respect to it though he could not tell which way it stood and in that he had respect to Christ a d therefore the Lord sent him a glorious deliverance If you have Christ for your Saviour your eyes will be towards him in every distresse 2 He that hath Christ for his Saviour not onely looks for salvation by him from all his distresses but from all his sins likewise Psal 130.7 8. He shall redeem Israel from all his sins and therefore his name is called Jesus Mat. 1.21 Hos 14.2 They said unto God Take away all our iniquities receive us graciously They desire God not only to take them away that is to pardon them but to heal them for so God understands them vers 4. I will heal your back-slidings We think it a common thing for men to desire Christ to be their Saviour but how sew are there that desire to be redeemed from all their sinfull wayes How many are there whom Christ would lovingly gather but they will not be gathered Mat. 23.37 And if God speake so of his Church wonder not if he say so of Babylon He would have healed her but she would not be healed Jer. 51.9 God look't that his people living amongst them 70 years they should be brought on but none were or very few therefore God bids his people Come out from amongst them Jer. 24.25 God complains of the evill lives of his people that they were like wild asses snuffing up the wind at their pleasure and when he call'd to them Withhold thy foot from being unshod they said desperately No strangers have I followed and after them will I goe How doe such men look for Christ to be their Saviour when they will not be delivered from their sins when Christ comes to cast out their sins they are ready to cry as the man possest with the Devills Art thou come to torment us before our time Pulling away their sins from them is a grievous torment to their souls do but take away their hopes of some gainful sin and they are inraged Acts 16.19 2 If we have Christ for our Saviour we must have him for our Prince Act. 5.31 that is we must resigne up our selves and submit our selves to him Isa 9.6 Vnto us a Son is born to us a child is given And why how shall I know whether the Son be given me Why the government is upon his shoulders Two wayes we are said to have Christ for our Governour 1 When we resigne up our selves in obedience to him when we have not a thought within us but is brought into subjection to the Lord Christ 2 Cor. 10.4 5. Prov. 12.5 The thoughts of the righteous are right thoughts coming from a right ground guided by a right rule tending to a right end Obj. But whose heart is so right that every thought is subdued to the will of Christ Who is there but have many vain thoughts lodge in them Jerem. 4.14 Answ He that hath Christ for his Prince will not have a vain thought lodge in him indeed evill thoughts may rush in upon him as sturdy beggers into an house and they would be Masters and have every one tend upon them but a Christian he suffers them not to lodge there he rests not till they be thrown out of dores they finde no welcome in his heart Indeed a Christian man may have many evill thoughts within him but yet here is the difference between him and the carnall man a wicked man that hath not Christ he hath not one good thought in him the frame and inclination of his heart is wholly evill Gen. 6.5 Or if good thoughts or motions be cast in to stir him up to repentance why they suffer them not to lodge there but they bid them come another time whereas a good man if a good thought come it 's most welcome to him he entertains it and cherisheth it even as a Messenger sent from his Prince 2 If an evill thought come into a natural mans heart it 's connatural to him it finds lodging and welcome there Eph. 4.18 19. But a godly man if an evill thought come he looks at it as an enemy and traitor he calls to all the family to all the faculties of the soul to help against it and if he be not strong enough he calls to all his Christian friends but especially he calls to his Prince to deliver him even as a good Subject that hath a Traitor got into his house that plots treason against the King and spoyls his goods and he is not able to get rid of him be secretly sends to his Prince for ayd This course David took Psal 139.23 Search me O Lord and try me He would have God to make privy search and find out the frame of his heart unlike to them Isa 29.15 And then v. 24. See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting And if he would have God to be ruler over his thoughts then much more of his words and actions Now there are some men whose hearts are like the high-way ground let evill thoughts come and goe at their pleasures they will not be subject to Christ As for this man we will not have him rule over us Luke 19.14 What say they Thoughts are free and our tongues are our own who shall controll us Whereas a Christian would have God rule all his thoughts and words nay a carnall heart is so wonderfully desperate that they will not onely not be servants to God but they will make God servant to them Isa 43.24 Thou hast made me to serve with thy sins and wearyed me with thy iniquities They make God to serve a wearisome service that as a cart is pressed under the sheaves so is God under them they load Gods patience with one sin