of the law Rom. 3.20 4.11 2. They must also beleeve the Gospell that is consent in their opinion judgement that there is salvation to be had and that this is a truth of God that it is possible for men to get salvation and this is wrought by the Gospell Marke 1.15 Acts 4.4 3. They must heartily be sorry for their past sinnes and unfeinedly purpose to leave them which is Repentance begun in the roote Matth 21.32 4. They must hunger and earnestly desire to be saved Matth 5.6 Isay 55.1 5. They must consult what to doe and enquire further into and after the way and the meanes of salvation with a minde to follow those directions accordingly Act. 2.37 16.30 And these three last actions are wrought by the Law and Gospell whereby they are both drawne and driven to seeke and get salvation P What be the actions of men which give them title and interest unto salvation to claime and receive it of God M. Actions that gâ—ue title to claime and receiue saluation They are beleeving or trusting in Iesus Christ Rom 10 9. Eph. 1 13. whereby weary and heavy laden sinners come to Christ for salvation Math 11 28. Iohn 6 35 and rest onely upon the merits of the righteousnes of his life and death for salvation in all the severall degrees thereof For by this faith they get and lay hold upon the Saviour himselfe even the Lord Iesus Christ and are engrasfed and united to him Rom 11 19.20 for by faith Christ is in true beleevers 2 Cor 13 5. he liues in them Gal 2 20 and dwells in them Eph. 3.17 P. What reasons may be brought from the Scripture to prooue this which you say concerning the action of beleeving in Christ M. These 1 Beleeving in Christ is the action appointed by God to be performed by man for receiving salvation because it is requyred of him as the condition to obtaine forgivenes of sinnes Act 10 43. reconciliation and peace with God Rom 5 1. 3 25. justification Act 13 29. adoption Iohn 1.12 blessednes Gal. 3 9 eternall life Iohn 3 16. ease from the burden of sinne Matth 11 28. quenching all Satans fiery darts Eph 6 16. not being confounded of our sinnes Rom. 10.11 and of pleasing God Heb. 11.6 2 Beleeving in Christ is the action requyred by God to be performed on mans part for receiving salvation because by this meanes salvation comes to him by the free grace and mercy loue favour of God Rom 4 16. Eph 2 8. 3 Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required on mans part for obtaining salvation because hereby the promise of salvation will be sure to the faithfull Rom 4.16 which by the action of obeying the Law it could not bee because hee could not performe it Acts 13.39 Rom 8.3 4. Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required to be performed by man for the getting of salvation because it makes a man renounce his own righteousnesse and to goe out of himselfe to another for it namely to Iesus Christ to be saved by his righteousnesse Matth 11.28 Ioh 6.35 Phil 3.9 Gal 2.19 P. What are the actions which Christians must performe to make their salvation sure unto themselves M. They are divers Actions that assure saluation for they concerne either 1. God or 2. our brethren or 3. our selves P. What actions concerne God M. They are such as belong either 1. to God the Father or 2. to God the Sonne or 3. to God the holy Ghost P. What actions belong to God the Father M. They are three principally 1. Fearing to offend God and caring to please him 1 Pet. 1.17 1 Cor 7.32 For unto such and for their comfort is the word of salvation sent Acts 13.26 and such may worke out their salvation that is the assuming not the procuring of it unto themselves Phil 2.12 And no marvell seeing Gods mercy is on them that feare him for ever Luke 1.50 Such know that they are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ 1 Pet 1.17 18 and such are blessed Psal 128.1 2. Loving God and setting our hearts and delight upon him for such may know that they are of the truth and shall assure their hearts before him 1 Iohn 3.18 19 And that they may have boldnesse in the day of judgement 1 Iohn 4.16 17. And no marvell seeing their love to God will assure them that they are borne of God 1 Iohn 4.7 that they dwell in God and God in them 1 Iohn 4.19 that they are knowne and acknowledged and approoved of God The first to the Corinthians the 8 chapter 3 verse that all things shall worke to their good that is to the furtherance of their sanctification and salvation Rom. 8.28 And that the crowne of life eternall and the Inheritance of the kingdome of heaven is promised to such as love God Iam 1.12 2.5 3. Christians must hope in God that is assuredly expect looke for yea patiently abide and waite for the accomplishment of all Gods promises specially that of the resurrection of the body and of eternall life for they are saved by hope Rom. 8.24 And Hope is a helmet of salvation to them 1 Thess 5.8 And an anker to the soule both sure and stedfast and which entreth into heaven whither the forerunner is for us entred even Iesus Heb 6.19 20. And no marvell seeing their hope will not deceive nor make them ashamed Rom 5.5 Because into the hearts of such as hope in God the love of God is shed abroad by the holy Ghost Rom 5.5 And they rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God Rom 5.3 P. What actions of Christians concerne Iesus Christ that will assure them of their salvation M. They are these two principally 1. They must obey him in all his Evangelicall precepts and commandements which belong to the hearing and beleeving of the Gospell preached and to the administring and receiving the Sacraments in remembrance of him Matth 28.20 Marke 1.15 Luke 10.16 Matth. 26.26 27. 1 Cor 11.24 25. For unto such as obey him herein Iesus Christ is become author of eternall salvation Heb 5.9 no marvell seeing they are blessed of God Luk 11.28 Revel 1.3 they are of God that is chosen beloved of him Iohn 8 4.7 and they are the sheepe of Christ to whome hee will give eternall life Iohn 10 27.28 2 They must love long for looke and waite for the second appearing or coming of Christ For such beleeve that there is layd up for them a crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous judge shall give them at that day 2 Tim. 4.8 Titus 2.13.14 Such the Lord Christ will deliver from the wrath to come 1 Thess 1.10 and to such he will appeare the second time unto salvation Hebr. 9.28 P. What actions of Christians concerne the holy Spirit that will assure them of salvation M. These Not to resist or vexe the holy Spirit Act 7
THE APPROBATION Libellum hunc à viro Anglo docto pio perlegendum curauimus eiusque iudicio probatum imprimendum duximus 25. Ianuarij 1599. Matthias ArchiepuÌ„s Mechliniensis THE SVMME OF ALL namely GODS service and Mans salvation And A Briefe of Mans dutie to God concerning both Which is seeking To serve God while hee lives And To be saved when hee dyes By WILLIAM CHIBALD Rector of S. Nic. Col. Abby in Old Fishstreete LONDON Printed for Robert Bostocke at the Signe of the Kings head in â—aules Churchyard 1630. TO MY DEARELY beloved Neighbours the Inhabitants of the Parish of S. Nic. Col. Abby in Old Fishstreet LONDON ALL divine truths and duties are therefore worthy to be knowne and practised by men because they have beene worthy to bee revealed and â—â—mmanded by God But of them all the heavenly truthes of Gods service and Mans salvation the holy duty of seeking after both are most worthy of their knowledge and practise For if those things be chiefly to be sought after that are best wo thy of our seeking If those things be best worthy of our seeking that doe most neerely concerne us And if Gods service and Mans salvation doe most neerely concerne us because the one most neerely concernes our dutie to God and the other our happinesse from God then ought Christians chiefly to seeke after Gods service and their owne salvation The rather Partly because all other Divinitie doth but serve to further Christians in seeking after these two and partly also because all other without these will never make them wise with that wisedome Psal 111. â—0 2 Tim 3 15. The beginning whereof is Gods feare and the end their owne salvation Vpon these and the like grounds my dearely beloved people and Parishioners I have endeavoured to instruct you in these two points and what I have taught you concerning them in my Sermons I have now put into a little booke with some additions to the end your eyes by reading as well as your eares by preaching may witnesse how unfeinedly I desire you should serve God Rom 10.1 and he saved The booke is but little it is the fitter to be carried in your pockets kept in your memories And it is framed in a Dialogue or familiar conference betwixt my selfe and one of you hoping to drawe you better to like of the matter therein contained by my friendlie manner of handling it Though the Dialogue and conference be betwixt but one of you and my selfe yet is it in the name and for the benefit of you all upon whom it is bestowed for a New-yeares gift by him who hath bestowed himselfe upon you these many yeares 2 Cor 12.15 who will yet hee spent upon you to Gods pleasure for the furthering of you in the service of God unto your salvation What remaines but that as I have made my labors yours by publishing them for you and dedicating them unto you so you would endeavour to make them your owne by perusing them and labouring to benefit your selves and families by reading them together by conference about them and prayer to God for his blessing upon them to your edification I have heretofore made and published other bookes besides this for your learning but how you have used and perused them to this end is better known to God your selves and Housholds than unto me If you have endeavoured to build up your selves in grace by them I shall be glad to see the fruites thereof But if you have only contented your selves with this that they were made for you given unto you and that you have them lying on your shelves or in your chests I will rejoyce to heare of your amendment in using this booke better Ios 14.15 if now you and your houshold will seeke to serve the Lord and to be saved You shall doe this the better if you will observe these Directions 1. I would have you to reade it often because the subject matter of it is of such necessary ordinary and excellent use 2. I would have you as you reade it to examine consider how you have knowne the truthes and practised the duties taught therein concerning Gods service and mans salvation that so you may see cause either to repent of your ignorance and negligence herein for time past or to grow in your knowledge and diligence concerning those points in time to come 3. I would have you to call to minde and use the severall duties that are peculiar to Gods Attributes of greatnesse or goodnesse or to Gods workes of mercy or justice as by Gods providence they shall come into your thoughts or fall out in the world and specially that before you goe to any holy Ordinance of God appointed for his publike service you would looke into this booke for the particular duties which belong unto them severally to the end you may addresse your selves to performe those Ordinances with those duties accordingly The like direction I give for the reading over my booke of the Lords Supper before you goe to the Communion And this is the greatest recompence that I will require of you for my love and it is the least requitall you can make me for my labour 2 Chron. 30.18 The good Lord direct and encourage every one of you to set your hearts to seeke God the Lord God of your fathers that is to seeke to serve God while you live on earth that when you dye you may be saved in heaven by Iesus Christ in whom I am Yours all and all yours WILLIAM CHIBALD SEEKING to serve God while we live Parishioner VVIth your leave Sir if I should not be too troublesome to you I would faine speake a word with you in private Minister You are welcome I pray you come in and sit downe good neighbour P. Sir I humbly thank you for your kindnesse and pray you to pardon my boldnesse M. You are not so bolde as welcome I pray you be covered and tell mee what is your will with me P. Sir I haue lived in your parish vnder your publike Ministery a good while and yet I remaine very ignorant therefore am I come vnto you for some private instruction M. And I am as willing to instruct you as you are to learne if you come not as many doe to aske curious questions which tend not to godly edification but contention and vaine glory P. Surely Sir if I may be beleeved my comming is to no such end but to learne such things as are most chiefly and necessarily to be learned M. Your intent is good and I am as willing to instruct you as you are to be instructed but tell mee your mind yet more plainly and fully P. I will Sir it is this by your favour The whole Bible is large it containes many bookes chapters and verses and in each of them are comprehended many divine truthes All these are worthy of my learning if I had either time or wit to
and soule to seeke God Deut 32.46 and to obey his Commandements Deut 32.46 Yeeld your selfe to the Lord 2 Chron 30.8 and subscribe unto him Isay 44.5 2. You must be rooted and grounded in the knowledge love of Gods service Deut 10.11 11.13 Isay 56.6 Eph 3.17 2 Thes 2.10 3. You must often renew your promise and purpose vowe covenant and oath of serving God Psal 119.106 39.1 17.3 61.8 Ezra 10.3 2 Chron 15.32 4. You must not be formall and ceremoniall onely in Gods service to doe it publikely in the Church onely or privately in the family onely where others may see you but secretly in your closet where none is present but God and you must serve God with the intention of your minde and affection of your heart carefully conscionably 2 Tim 3.5 Tit 1.16 Acts 23.1 26.7 5. You must be jealous and suspicious of your selfe lest there be in you a deceitfull and an vnfaithfull heart to withdraw you from Gods service Hebr 3.13 6. You must seriously consider the danger of apostacy and the benefit of perseverance in Gods service 1 Pet 2.20 21. Heb 6. 10. chapters Matth 10.22 Revel 2.10 7. You must pray to God to keepe you in his name Ioh. 17.11 Iude 24 2 Cor 12.8 9. P. I pray you good Sir now shew me the end why I must serve God M. Not to be justified and saved thereby for this is to worke for wages as a base servant and not as a good sonne nor yet out of any carnall worldly ends or respects as vaine glory and the good opinion of men or worldly profit but for a threefold end 1. In respect of God that hee may be glorified thereby whose service it is by appointment and to whom it is to bee performed Matth 5.16 1 Cor. 10.31 2. In respect of others that they may be either wonne to the same service with us or confirmed in it 1 Pet 3.5 3. In respect of our selves that wee may make good proofe of the truth of our faith and thereby make sure unto our selves the good will of God towards us and that hee meanes to save us Rom 12.1 2. P Now in the last place I pray you shew me the meanes whereby I may come to practise this service of God M That you may indeede practise Gods service which you knowe and affect you must doe these things 1. You must put away renounce and wholly leave shake off your former service of sin the world and Satan 1 SaÌ„ 7 3 else you cannot serue God Iosua 24 19 You must be purged from dead works Heb 9 14. you must dye to sinne 1 Pet. 2.24 Put off the old man Eph. 4.22.23 2 You must seeke to God for grace to enable you to serve him Heb 12.28 3. You must stirre up the grace of God in you when you have received it you must use it well 2. Tâ—m 1.6 Matth. 25.20.22 P. How may we bee moved to leave the service of sinne Satan the world M. By beleeving and laying to heart remembring and considering the sinnefulnesse and damnablenesse of that service together with the excellency of Gods service remedy whereof wee have heard before in the motives to Gods service P. How may I be moved to seek to God for grace to enable me to his service M. 1. By knowing and feeling your neede of grace and that without it you are unable to serve God Luke 17.10 2 Cor 3.5 2. By beleeving and considering the sufficiency and essicacie of grace to enable you to serve God and to abide in you and to keepe you in his service 2 Cor 12.9 I Ioh 2.27 Ioh 4.14 P. How may I be stirred up well to use the grace of God when I have received it M. By considering 1. that the grace of God is given to you for this end namely that you might serve God with it Heb. 12.28 Luk. 19.13 2. that God is worthy to be served with the grace which himselfe hath given for without him we can doe nothing that good is Revel 4. 3. That if you will use a little measure of grace and stirre vp your selfe to serue God with it then shall your talent hereof increase Mat. 25.20.21 P. Sir I humbly thanke you for your paynes with me and patience towards me I am loth to be over-bold with you at once and to interrupt your studies too long I hope it will not bee offensiue to you if when I haue suffâ—ciently thought vpon these your instructions touching seeking to serue God which is the first thing you propounded unto me if at another time I repaire unto you in the second which is seeking to be saved M. You shall bee welcome if you come at the beginning of the weeke at which time I haue most leasure In the meane time the Lord be with you and blesse my labours for the furtherance of you the rest of my people in the service of God unto salvation by Iesus Christ Amen SEEKING to bee saved when we dye Minister VVEll met good Neighbour how have you done since you were with me last and how doth your family Parishioner The beter for you Sir I praise God and for your good â—nstructions you gaue me M. Much good may they doe you I desire that God may haue the praise of them and you the profit I hope that at least you remember what was the summe of our conference then P. I were much to blame if I should forget that being a point that so neerely concerned me and which you handled so largely By your favour it was this that I ought to seeke to serve God while I live in this world But good Sir you mentioned there another duty like unto this which I greatly desire you would instruct mee in at your convenient leisure If I should not be too tedious I would resort unto you at the beginning of the weeke for further instruction in that also M. You shall not bee troublesome but welcome I would I had in my Parish more of your minde for then should I conceive hope that they minded good things seeing they inquired after them and repaired unto mee for private information over and above my publike Ministery If you will Neighbour goe home with mee now and wee will conferre together about it But can you tell mee what that second point of Christian duty was P. Yes that I can I thanke God though my memory be bad enough It was this I take it I must seeke to be saved when I die Me thinkes it is a necessary duty and it is good reason I should practise it but I would faine have some good arguments to binde mee to the practise of it that I might not faile to doe it being so needfull M. I will satisfie your desire and the reasons that I shall propound unto you to perswade you to the practise of this duty shall be drawne into some heads for the helpe of your memory The
is Preservation which you said was the second act on of the holy Spirit which he workes to bring to passe mans salvation M. Preservation The Preseruation of the Spirit is an action of the holy Spirit whereby he upholdeth them that are regenerate that they fall not away from grace but be kept to continue therein That the regenerate are kept in the state of grace is plaine by S. Peter who saith that they are kept unto salvation 1 Pet 1.3.5 And that they doe receive the end of their faith which is the salvation of their soules verse 9. And that they are kept thereunto by the holy Spirit is as plaine by the same Apostle where he saith they are kept by the power of God 1 Pet 1.5 which is the power of the holy Ghost Rom 15.13 For they are led by the Spirit Gal 5.18 They walke in the Spirit Gal 5.16 Rom 8.14 They live in the Spirit Gal 5.25 They are sealed by the Spirit Eph 1.13 strengthened by the Spirit in the inner man Eph 3.16 And they are sanctifyed by the Spirit wholly and preserved blamelesse unto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Thess 5.23 2 Thess 2.13 And if the regenerate bee kept by the holy Spirit unto salvation then in respect of Gods keeping can they not fall from grace to misse salvatioÌ„ in the event end I know the strongest Christian is not able to stand of himselfe for even hee that standeth must take heede lest hee fall 1 Cor 10.12 And therefore hee must not be high-minded but feare Rom 11.20 I acknowledge also that there is nothing in grace it selfe as it is mans but that it might faile for it is received but in part in this life 1 Cor 13.9 And that which is but in part is imperfect and that which is imperfect may of it selfe faile Neither is there any thing in the particular grace of faith but that it might faile too for Peters faith might have failed if Christ had not prayed that it might not faile Luke 22.32 and Peters faith was the same for nature and kinde with the faith of all that are regenerate But though both these be true both of grace generally and of faith particularly yet for all this the truely regenerate do not fall from grace but are preserved therein for first touching grace in generall I say that it failes not for it is the anoynting which they receive and which abides in them 1 Iohn 2.27 and that which abides failes not for by it they are strengthened and preserved to Gods heavenly kingdome 2 Tim 4.18 Secondly touching the particular grace of faith I say that that failes not neither 1. because Christ prayed not onely for Peters faith that it might not faile but for the faith of all the Elect and Regenerate that theirs might not faile for he prayed that they might all bee kept by the Father in his Name that they may bee one in God as the Father and the Sonne are one Iohn 17.11.15.20 21 And Christ was heard and answered in all his prayers Iohn 11.42 2. The faith of the regenerate failes not in the end because they are kept by the power of God through faith 1 Pet 1.5 Now if they bee kept through faith then must they keepe the faith and be kept in it also else they cannot attaine salvation in the end for if the regenerate doe receive the salvation of their soules as the end of their faith 1 Pet 1.9 then must they by some meanes keepe their faith to the end I know and confesse that there bee many which thinke of themselves that they have indeede the true faith and grace and so are thought by others to have it when indeede they have it not and these after a sort may be thought to fall from faith and grace because in time they discover their hollownesse for their faith workes not by love Gal 5.6 nor their love by obedience Iohn 14.15 Nor is their obedience a sincere endeavour to keepe all Gods coÌ„mandements Iam 2.10 But this can not be called truely falling from grace because they had not grace indeed and they cannot fall from that they had not but from the profession of grace and faith And therefore for all this they that have true grace doe by Gods power keepe it and persevere in it for Paul did fight a good fight he finished his course and kept the faith 2 Tim. 4.6 They doe not withdraw themselues but beleeve to the salvation of their soules Heb 10 28 therefore they beleeve to the end P. Mee thâ—nkes you prove this poynt so directly by the word that I cannot tell what to say to the contrary but there bee many learned men of a contrary mind and therefore I pray prove it unto me by some reason also M. I will and it shall be by this which shall include diverse branches If the regenerate be not preserved by God in the state of grace so as they shall certainely bee saved in the end then it is either 1 because God cannot keep them or 2 because he will not keepe them or 3 because they haue no neede of his keeping or 4 Because God thinks it best to leaue every man to himselfe to keepe himselfe and to the use and choice of his owne freewill to persevere in grace and faith or to fall from it But neither of these are true as shall appeare in the particulars Therefore the Regenerate are preserved by God in the State of grace unto the end These foure particulars on which the truth of this argument doth stand shall all be proved in order 1 That God is able to keep the regenerate in the state of grace is plaine by Paul who saith that God was able to keep that which he had committed unto him 2. Tim. 1.12 By the Apostle Iude who saith that God is able to keepe them from falling Iude v. 24. And no marvell seeing they are in his Fathers hands and in his Christ saith none is able to pluck them out of his or his Fathers hands Iohn 10.28 29 and therefore they shall never perish ibid. 2 That God is willing to keepe the truly Regenerate that haue grace indeede is as evident by Saint Paule where he saith that God shall confirme them unto the end 1 Cor. 1.4.8.9 He that had begun a good worke in them will performe it untill the day of Christ Philipp 1.6 and God is faithfull who shall stablish them and keep them from evill 2 Thess 3.3 and Paul affirmes that God would preserve him to his heavenly kingdome 2 Tim 4.18 3. That the regenerate had neede to bee kept by God in the state of grace will easily be proved if wee consider 1. that their corrupt nature and infidelity a fruit of it are not quite subdued in them as long as they live Rom 7.17 18. Heb 3.12 2. That grace is but imperfectly received in this life as hath been shewed even now 3. That Sathan seekes to winnow
faithfulnes of God in performing the promise of salvation to them to whom it belongs and is intended Rom 4.21 Heb 11.19 1 Iohn 1.9 P. Oh good Sir it may bee that salvation may in it selfe and in the event be sure to the faithfull but may they themselves be sure of it M. Yea they they may being truely faithfull at one time or other before they dye in one measure or other of assurance namely such as shall be sutable to their trialls and sufficient to comfort them in their afflictions 2 Cor 1.5 but all have not like assurance of salvation neither hath any one the like assurance alwayes nor in the same degree free from doubting P. How may it be proved M. By these two reasons 1. Because it is witnessed to their spirit by Gods Spirit who shedds Gods love abroad in their hearts Rom 5.5 that they are Gods children and consequently that they shall be saved for none are saved but onely Gods children Romans 8.16 And they may bee sure of that which Gods Spirit doth witnesse unto them because he is the Spirit of truth 1 Ioh 5.6 2. Because true beleevers in Christ are sealed with the Spirit of promise and receive an earnest of their inheritance Eph 1.13 14. Now an earnest penny it gives assurance of the bargain and a seale confirmes assures a writing to which it is put 3. Because the Apostles were assured of it for Paul was perswaded assured that nothing should separate them from the love of God in Christ Rom 8 38. Iohn knew the love of God to him 1 Ioh 4.16 5.19 Now the Apostles had not this perswasioÌ„ knowledge or assurance as they were Apostles but as they were Christians because they were not saved as Apostles but as Christians P. Oh but how can they be sure to be saved when they caÌ„not be sure to persevere to the end for they onely are saved that persevere to the end M. They that onely professe to have grace and faith in Christ but have it not indeed can never be sure to bee saved because they cannot bee sure to persevere for they cannot persevere in that which they have not But for all this they that have grace indeed and are truely regenerate may be sure to persevere 1. because God loves theÌ„ to whom hee gives saving grace 2 Cor 13.13 And whom hee loves once hee loves to the end Iohn 13.1 And therefore they persevere in grace to the end that they may be loved in the end and therefore are they loved to the end that they may persevere to the end Iohn 13.1 2 They may bee sure to persevere because the Lord hath promised that the peace of God shall keepe their hearts and mindes in Iesus Christ Phil 4.7 3 They may be sure to persevere because the Spirit of God so assists them that by the motion and efficacy thereof they that are truely indeed borne of God and begotten of him and not Sacramentally onely they doe keepe themselves and that wicked one toucheth them not 1 Iohn 5.18 For they building up themselves in their most holy faith and praying in the holy Ghost for continuall assistance they keepe themselves in the loue of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ unto eternall life Iude v 20.21 4 They may bee sure to persevere in grace if the Annoynting which they have received abide in them and if his seede remaine in them and this hath God promised to the truly regenerate 1 Iohn 2.27 3.9 For though in respect of some things in themselves whereof you have heard in the point of Preservation by the Spirit and as of themselves they could not persevere nor be sure to persevere but fall away yet in other respects they doe as hath beene shewed P. Sir I am much beholden to you for your great paines in the teaching me the second point of seeking to be saved and â—n all the branches thereof I pray you now in the last place shew me the last point which is seeking to get salvation M. You must get salvation Seeking to get saluation by performing some actions which God requires on your part to be performed for the attaining thereof P. Me thinks it seemes strange to mee how man can get and attaine salvation by any action of his which he doth himselfe M. When I speake of some actions of men whereby they attaine unto salvation I would have you to consider two things 1. That I doe not meane that man doth these actions by any absolute activity or efficiency that is in and of himselfe or the power and dominion hee hath over his owne will for he doth them by Gods will and by his effectuall grace disposing and enabling him thereunto who workes in him to will and to doe of his owne good pleasure Phil 2.13 But I meane that these actions are done by their own understanding and will for they are not ignorant of what they doe nor are they compelled to the doing of them Mans supernaturall and godly actions are Gods as hee moves him thereunto by his grace and procures him actually to consent to the motion of grace but they are mans owne actions as hee is the next and immediate doer of them and as they proceede from him as a vitall and reasonable creature And therefore it is said that the just shall live by faith Hab 2.4 And therefore the actions of beleeving are applyed to men in all the three persons I beleeve Acts 8.37 Thou beleevest Rom 10.9 Hee beleeves Marke 16.16 2. When I say man gets and attaines unto salvation by some actions of his owne I doe not meane that there is any merit or worth in these his actions to procure or deserve salvation in the least measure or degree as they come from man But that God hath appointed such actions of men to bee conditions to bee performed on their part to make their persons capable of salvation and that these actions have this efficacy to this end not as they be done by them but as they are appointed by God for them and as he enables them to doe them according to his appointment P. Sir I am fully satisfied But I pray you what bee those actions of men appointed by God as conditions on their part to bee performed for the attaining of salvation M. They bee of three kindes whereof the first prepare them to get it the second give them title and interest to claime it and receive it and the third give them assurance of it P. What be the actions that prepare them to get salvation M. They are these First they must know and acknowledg their sinne and misery they must beleeve and feele the guilt and punishment of their sins Acts 2.37 For this will make them to feele their neede of salvation and their unability to save themselves Mat 9.13 and that they neede to repent and cry God mercy Luke 15.9 And this is wrought by the preaching
51. Isai 63.10 not to quench or grieve it 1 Thess 5.19 Eph. 4.30 but to be led thereby and to walke after the direction and guidance thereof for such are sealed to the day of Redemption Eph 4.30 They are Gods children Rom. 8.14 and unto such there is no condemnation for they are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1 and in them the righteousnes of the Law is fulfilled Rom. 8.4 namely sincerely in Gods favorable acceptation P. What actions that concerne our neighbour must Christians doe to assure them of salvation M. Loving him which is manifested chiefely in giving Heb. 13 16. and 9 10. and forgiving Eph 4.32 is exercised toward all men but specially toward the houshold of faith and all sincere Christians Gal. 6 10. For these loving affections and actions accompany salvation Heb 6 9. and they which are exercised therein with diligence unto the end doe attaine the full assurance of hope Heb 6.11 Hereby Christians that love in deed and in truth doe know that they are translated from death to life 1 Iohn 3.14 and that they are of the truth and shall assure their heartes before God 1 Ioh. 3.19 and unto such God wil one day say Come yee blessed of my Father receive the kingdome prepared from the beginning of the world because when I was hungry yee fed mee when I was naked yee clothed me and when I was sicke and in prison ye visited me in my members Math. 25.34.35.36 P. What actions bee they that concerne our selves the doing whereof will assure us of salvation M. They are these Nyne chiefely P. Which is the first M. Daily repenting of our daily sinnes with purpose and practise of amendment and crying God mercy in Christ For such godly sorrow for sinne causing amendment is unto salvation 2 Cor. 7 10. Such departing from iniquitie is a seale unto them that the Lord knoweth they are his belong unto him 2 Tim 2 19 and such purging of themselves from sinne is an assurance unto them that they are vessels of honour 2. 2 Tim 2.21 and vessels of honour are vessells of mercy prepared unto glory Rom 9.23 P. Which is the second M. Giving and consecrating our selves to the service of God with an upright heart 1 Chron 28.9 For such prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God Rom 12.1 that is they understand thereby that it is Gods will and purpose to save them and no marvell seeing Gods servants have the fruit of their service in holinesse here and the end eternall life hereafter Rom 6.19.22 P. Which is the third M. Mortifying the old man that is subduing and weakening the power of our corrupt nature by the word prayer and fasting and by denying to our selves the occasions and opportunities of sinne specially of those sinnes to which wee are most inclined by nature or custome Col 3.5 For such shall live in heaven Rom 8.13 such may with rejoycing looke for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of that great God and of our Saviour Iesus Christ Tit 2.12.13 And no marvell seeing such are Christs and members of him Gal 5.24 P. Which is the fourth M. Strengthening the new man or the inner man by the word prayer and Sacraments 2 Cor 4.16 1 Pet 2.2 And thereby growing in the number measure of their Christian vertues and graces for thereby they shall make their calling and election sure and an entrance shall bee ministred unto them abundantly into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ 2 Pet 5. to 12. And such shall bee able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height of the love of God toward them in Iesus Christ Eph 3.16.18 Yea God will establish their hearts unblameable in holinesse before God even the Father at the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ with all Saints 2 Thess 3.12 13. P. Which is the fifth M. Moderating our desires to the pleasures profits and honours of this world 1 Cor 7.29 30 31 and setting our affections upon holy and heavenly things Col 3.1 For such have their conversation in heaven and that their end is salvation Phil 3.19 20 Yea it is a signe that such as be thus sober 1 Thess 5.5.8 and are not besotted and drunke with the things of this life they have not their portion in this life as the wicked have Psal 17.14 but that God hath appointed them to obtaine salvation by our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Thess 5.8 9. P. Which is the sixth M. Professing Christianity the Gospell and godlinesse before men zealously and sincerely discreetly devoutly Rom 14.11 For Christ will confesse and acknowledge such before the Angels of God Luke 12.8 such lay hold on eternall life 1 Tim 6.12 Yea such confesse unto salvation and shall bee saved Rom 10.9 10. P. Which is the seventh M. Getting and keeping a good conscience being in all things desirous and endeavorous to please God Hebr 13.18 Acts 23.1 For such may draw neere unto God with full assurance of faith Hebr 10.22 such have hope toward God of a ioyfull resurrection to eternall life Acts 24.15 16 and may have considence toward God and assure their hearts before him 1 Iohn 3.19 21. P. Which is the eighth M. Striving and endeavoring to persevere in right beleeving well doing and patient suffering 1 Cor 15.1 Gal 5.1 Hebr 4. 10.22 For such shall be saved Matth 10.22 shall have the crowne of life Rev 2.11 When Christ shall appeare they shall have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his comming 1 Iohn 2.28 And they may assure themselves that there is laid up for them a crowne of righteousnes which the righteous Iudge will give unto them at that day 2 Tim 4.8 P. Which is the last action whereby Christians may assure themselves of salvation M. The proving and trying approving and warranting of our Christian vertues and graces 2 Cor. 13.5 For by the proofe of them namely works of faith labour of loue and patience of hope by these effectes S. Paule knew that the Thessalonians were elected of God and that consequently they should be saved 1 Thes 1.3 and what he knew of thē by this meanes they might also know of themselves by the same P. How may wee try and prove our graces so as to approve of them for good M. On this manner 1 Our faith or beleefe of the Gospell is good when in our judgement we do not joyne the workes of the Law with faith in Christ for salvation but stand fast in this beleefe Gal 5.2 1 Cor 15.1 2. Acts 15.5 to 24. 2. Our repentance is good when wee are sorry for sinne not onely as it is dangerous to our soules but as it offends God by breaking his Law Psal 51.4 and when being rooted in the heart it shewes it selfe in the actions of the life by leaving former sinne and amending our lives 1 Sam 7.3 Matth 3.8 Acts 26.18 3. Our
faith or beleefe in Christ is good wheÌ„ it works in us by love to God and our neighbour Gal 5.6 and is shewed by good workes Tit 3.8 Iam 2.18 and when it stirres us up to sincere obedience to Gods commandements Hebr 11.8 4. Our feare of God is right when we feare him as much for his mercy as for his justice Psal 130.2 and feare more to sinne against him than to be punished by him Psal 4.4 Gen 39.9 5. Our love of God is good when it stirres us up to keepe his Commandements Iohn 14.15.23 when wee love him for those excellent perfections of wisedome and goodnesse that are in him as well as for the benefits that come from him and when it stirres us up to hate evill and sinne Psal 97.9 10. 6. Our hope in God namely for the resurrection to eternall life and for Christs second comming is right when being grounded on the Scriptures Rom 15.4 wee comfort our selves in our afflictions with it 1 Thess 4.13.18 when wee patiently waite Gods leisure for the obtaining of things promised 1 Thess 1.3 Rom 8.23 and when it purifies our hearts 1 Iohn 3.3 and makes us deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live righteously and godlily and soberly in this present world Titus 2.12 13. P. Good Sir I humbly acknowledge my selfe beholden to you for your care over me and paines with mee I hope I shall never forget it but endeavour to shew my selfe thankefull The Lord requite your labour of love to me in private by a greater blessing upon your ministery in publike and by prolonging your life health and strength for Gods glorie and the good of his Church in Iesus Christ. The Lord bee with you Sir and with your studies FINIS A PRAYER FOR GRACE TO Seeke to serve God and bee saved MOst glorious Lord God and heavenly Father Reu 4 11 who art worthy of all honour and service Iam 4 12 and who art able to save and destroy Luk 17 10 Thy unprofitable servant unworthy of salvation Acts 13 46 doth desire to humble himselfe before thee freely acknowledging that howsoever I am convinced in my judgement that nothing in this world doth so neerely concerne me to looke unto as thy service and mine owne salvation yet my heart tells and smites me that I have minded nothing lesse then these and that I have with much greedinesse sought after health and wealth worldly pleasures and treasures which only belong to the body this present life as if they only were worth my seeking and were more able to afford me true content than thy service and my salvation Thou hast brought me into the world and made me a member of thy Christian Church chiefly for to get grace into my heart that I might serve thee and live in thy feare and also to get peace into my conscience that I might dye in thy favour and be eternally saved 2 Cor 6 2 for now is the accepted time now is the day of salvation But I have neglected the prerogative of thy service Rom 9 2 Hebr 2 4 and so great salvation and have spent my precious time and thoughts in the pursuite of carthly things which I should have counted but as losse and dung Phil 3 8 in comparison of winning Christ and with him salvation as if I had beene borne to no other end but to serve the world sinne and Satan and to make provision fâ—r the flesh Rom 13 14 to fulfill the lusts thereof O Lord God when I call to minde and consider my vanity and folly yea ungracious wickednesse in trampling under my feete such precious pearles as are thy service Hebr 10 29 and my salvation I am confounded in my selfe wondcring at thy patiencc that couldst so long endure such an ungratefull wretch to live in thy Church yea I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee because this mine iniquity is increased over my head Ezra 9 6 and my wickednesse is growne up unto heaven crying for vengeance upon such contempt of thy grace Iohn 3 19 it being condemnation to love darknesse more than light earth more than heaven and the world more than thee or mine owne soule But thy mercy O Lord God is over all thy workes Psal 145 9 138 8. and endures for ever It is as great as thy Majesty and thy goodnesse is as much as thy greatnesse and the blood of Iesus Christ is able to wash mee so cleane from my sinnes Reuel 1 5 that I shall be holy Eph 5 27 and without blemish before thee therefore there is hope in Israel concerning this thing Ezra 10 2 And therefore upon the bended knees of my heavy laden soule I most humbly cry thee mercy most mercifull Father for this and all other my sinnes originall and actuall committed against the Law and the Gospell and with all the powers of my soule most earnestly beseech thee for the Lords sake Dan 9 17 Isay 53 11 Acts 3 14. Mat 3 17 thy righteous servant the holy One and the just in whom thou art well pleased to forgive me to be reconciled unto me and to shed thy love into my heart by thy holy Spirit Rom 5 5 which may beare witnesse to my Spirit c. 8 16. that I am thy Childe beloved in thy holy Childe Iesus Acts 4 27 Let thy mercy move thee to looke upon his righteousnesse to justify me when thy justice would make thee looke upon my sinnes to condemne me Accept of him for my surety Hebr. 7.22 and of the price of his blood for my ransome 1 Pet 1 23 Thou hast said O blessed God that whosoever comes Mat 11 28 unto thy Sonne Iesus Christ Ioh 6 35. and beleeves in him with an heavie laden soule wearie of their former wickednesse thou wilt ease and forgive them 1 Iohn 1 9 Oh be just and faithfull to make good this promise unto me to ease and to save me I desire to honour thy infinite mercy and thy Sonnes unvaluable merits by seeking to them onely and trusting in them alone for salvation O be thou pleased also to magnifie them upon me for I have as much need of them as any 1 Tim 1 â—5 being the chiefe of sinners and the saving vertues of them shall be magnified in the cure of my soule as well as of any other It hath pleased thee heavenly Father to give unto me in some measure a sight and sense of my sins particularly of my neglect and contempt of thy service and my salvation Oh be pleased I beseech thee yet more and more to discover unto me the folly and foulnesse of this and all my sinnes that my heart may be so broken with godly remorse and sorrow for them that I may leave them and live no longer in them but cleave unto thee to serve thee in new obedience for what will it profit