willing in the day of his power Psal. 110. So he taketh away the enmitie that is in us Col. 2 20 21. and reconcileth us to God and to His wayes that our hearts do sweetly comply with them and we become most willing and glade to walk in them yea to run the way of his commandements through his enlarging of our hearts Psal. 119 32. 5. He likewise taketh away that desire and willingnesse which we have to lie still in our naturall condition by convinceing us of the dreadfull hazard thereof through the Spirit of conviction whereby he convinceth the world of in Iohn 16 8. and circumciseth their care to hear maketh them willing to hearken to the counsel of God 6. As for the power Dominion of Satan he breaketh that by leading captivity captive Ephes. 4 8. Psal. 68 18. and spoiling the strong Mans house for he is come to destroy the works of the devil 1 Iohn 3 8. and He spoileth principalities powers Col. 2 15. Thus as captaine of salvation he leadeth them out as a conquerour having payed the price he delivereth also by power and authoritie from the hand of this Jailour And thus we see how he answereth our case and necessitie and is a fit way for us and though this be not questioned yet little is it beleeved and considered and lesse put in practise And as for the Third particular That He alone is this way and answereth our case herein it needeth not be much spoken to since it is clear and manifest confirmed by the experience of all generations and the disappointments of fools who have been seeking other wayes Angels in heaven cannot do our businesse They cannot satisfy justice for 〈◊〉 nor have they any power over our heart to turne it as they will nay they are not acquanted with our secret thoughts that cabinet is keept closse from them and reserved as the peculiar privilege of God alone The blood of bulls and goats can not do it for the Apostle tells us that it is impossible that that should take away sin Heb. 10 4. That blood shed according to the law did cleanse ceremonially but it is only the blood of Iesus typified by that which cleanseth really so that we are sanctified through the offerring of the body of Jesâ—… Christ once for all Heb. 10 10. No paines or labour of ours can avail here The Lord will not be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousands of rivers of oil He will not take our first borne for our transgression nor the Son of our body for the sin of our soul Micah 6 7. Ordinances and meanes will not do it nor any invention of our owne No man can by any meanes redeem his brother or give to God a ransome for him for the redemption of the soul is precious ceaseth for ever Psal. 49 7. 8. He alone hath laid downe the price all our sufferings prayers teares labours pennances and the like signifie nothing here they cannot satisfie justice for one sin As to the fourth particular viz the singularity of this way Those things make it manifest and apparent 1. This is such a way as can discover it self and make it self known unto the erring traveller Christ Iesus is such a way as can say to the wandering soul This is the way walk in it Esa. 30 25. No way can do this This is comfortable 2. This way can not only discover it self to the wandering traveller but also it can bring folk into it Christ can bring souls unto himself when they are runnig on in their wandering condition He can move their heart to turne in to the right way put grace in their soul for this end beginne resolutions in them and sow the seed of faith and so stay their course which they were violently pursueing and make them look about and consider what they are doing as the former was good newes to poor blinde and witlesse creatures that were wandering and knew not whither they were going so this is good newes to poor souls that finde their heart inclineing to wander and loving to goe astray 3. This way can cause us walk in it If we be rebellious and obstinate He can command with authoritie for he is given for a leader and a commander Esa. 55 4. How sweet should this be to the soul that is weighted with a stubborn untractable and unperswadable heart that He as a King Governour Commander can with authoritie draw or drive and cause us follow and run 4. This way is Truth as well as the Way So that the soul that once entereth in here is saife for ever no wandering here The wayfareing men though fooles shall not erre in this way Esa. 35 8. He will bring the blinde by a way that they knew not and lead them in paths that they have not knowne he will make darknesse light before them and crooked things streight those things will he do unto them and not forsake them Esai 42 16. 5. This way is also Life and so can revive the fainting and weary travailer He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he Increaseth strength Yea he renowes their strength and makes them mount up with wings as eagles and run and not be weary and walk and not faint Esa. 40 29 31. and so he giveth legs to the traveller yea he carryeth the lambs in his bosome Esa. 40 11. O! who would not walk in this way what can discourage the man that walketh here what can he feare no way can quicken or refresh the weary man This way can do it yea it can quicken one that is as dead and cause him march on with fresh alacrity and vigour 6 From all these it followeth that this way is a most pleasant hartsome desireable and comfortable way The man is saife here and he may sing in the wayes of the Lord Psal. 138 5 for wisdomes wayes are wayes of pleasantnesse and all her paths are peace Prov. 3 17. He is a Way that is Food Physick cordials and all that the poor traveller standeth in need of till he come home From all which â—…re we come to particulars we shall in generall shortly point out those dutyes which natively result thence by way of use 1. O! what cause is there here for all of us to fall on wondering both that God should ever have condescended to have appointed a way how sinners and rebells that had wickedly departed from him and deserved to be cast out of his presence and favour for ever might come back againe and enjoy happinesse and felicity in the friendshipe and favour of that God that could have gote the glory of his justice in our destruction and stood in no need of us or of any thing we could do as also that he appointed such a way That Iesus Christ his only Son should to speak so lie as a bridge betwixt God and sinfull rebells and as a high-way that they might
self ends and carnal by 〈◊〉 respects lest thereby we marre all 2. It would be carryed on without partiality against all and every one of the lusts and motions of the Old man for if there be a complyance with and a spareing of any one known lust the whole work may be marred they may meet with a disappointment as to the particular lust they aâ—… desireing victory over and the lust they are harbouring though it may seem little may open a door to many stronger and so occasion sad dayes to the man ere he be aware 3. As they would bring the particular lust or lusts unto Christ as chiefe Lord justice so they would alwayes lay the axe to the root of the tree and crave justice against the maine body that yet lieth within the soul and these particular corruptions and affections that are as members of that body of sin should put them in minde of the old man for they should crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof Gal. 5 24. the body and the members these lusts are the lusts of sin or of that Head-sin which hath a law or the force and impulse of a law in the soul and therefore their maine designe would be against this root where lyeth the strength and body of the enemy and which acteth in those members this is the capitall enmity and should be mainely opposed and the following of this course would prove more succesfull than that which many a time we take out nibling at or wreastling against this or that member of the body of death is but of little advantage so long as the maine body of sin the bitter root of wickednesse the carnall minde this innate enmity is miskent and not opposed but on the contrary strick at this we strick at all 4. This would be the beleevers constant work to be crucifying the flesh with the lusts thereof to be mortifying their members wherein the members of the old man quarter and lodge Colos. 3 5. to be spiritually minded and to minde the things of the spirit Rom 8 5 6. for this carnall minde is enmity against God Rom. 8 7. and so is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be It is not only an enemy which may be reconciled but enmity in the abstract which never can be reconciled and this enmity will never be idle for it câ—…nnot till it be fully and finally destroyed the flesh is alwayes lusting against the Spirit Gal. 5. 17. for they are contrary one to the other So that though to our sense it may sometimes appear as sleeping in regaird that it doth not by some particular lust so molest and perplexe the soul as formerly it did yet it is restlesse and may be more active in another lust and so by changeing weapons upon us deceive us Here then is much spirituall wisdome and vigilancy required when they think they have gotten one lust subdued they must not think the war is at an end but after all their particular victories watch and pray that they enter not into temptation 5. This way of laying the weight of the matter on Christ should and will keep them humble and teach them not to ascribe the glory of any good that is done unto themselves but to give Him all the glory who is jealous of his glory and will not give it to another that the crowne may alone floorish on his head who is the Captane of their salvation and who by his Spirit worketâ—… all their workes in them 6. Nor would this way of carrying the matter to Christ and putting it over on Him cause the beleever become negligent in commanded dutyes reading hearing prayer c. for it is there he must exspect to meet with Christ there must he seek Him and there must he waite for Him and his Spirit to do the work desired for though He hath not limited himself to these meanes so as He cannot or will not any other way helpe yet He hath bound us to them and it is our duty to waite there where He hath commanded us â—…o waite though He should sometime â—…hink good to come another way for the manifestation of the soveraignity of hiâ—… grace 7. Yet while we are about the meanes we would guaird against a leâ—…ning to them lest in stead of getting victory over corruption we be brought more in bondage thereunto another way we must not think that our Prayers or our Hearing or Reading c. will bring downe the body of death or subdue any one corruption for that were but an yeelding to corruption and opening a back door to the carnal minde and to another deadly lust and a beating corruption with a sword of straw This is not to mortifie the deeds of the body through the Spirit but through the flesh and a fleshly weapon will never draw blood of this spirituall wickednesse or old man or of any corrupt lust or affection thereof and yet how many times doth our deceitfull heart by as us thiâ—… way Our work would be as is said to use the ordinances aâ—… meancâ—… whereby we may get the businesse laid on Christ and help from Christ to do the bâ—…sinesse We must go to the meanes with our prisoner to finde Christ there at his court and aâ—…ifes that He may take course with the Traitor 8. In all this there would be a looking to and dependance on Christ for helpe and grace because of our selves as of our selves we can not do this much we cannot complean aright of corruptions nor take them away to Christ not ask for justice against them aâ—… constableâ—… and other officers must carry malefactores to the courts of justice uâ—…on publick charges so Christ will not have us doing or attempting this mâ—…ch on our own charges for He giveth noble allowance 9. In following of this course we would not think alwayes to come speed at the first Sometimes the Lord for the encourageing of his children may give them a speedy hearing and deliver them from the tyranny of some particular lust or other that hath troubled them that for some time at least it shâ—…ll not so trouble them as it did Yet He will not do so alwayes but may think it good to keep them waiting on Him and hanging on his courts for soâ—…e considerable time that He may thereby exercise their Faith Patience 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Diligencâ—… So that it should not seem strange to us if we be not admitted aâ—… the first and get not our answer at the first cry 10. When the Lord thinketh good to delay the answer to our desires and the execution of justice on the Malefactor Traitour or to deliver us from his tyranny and trouble we would beware of thinking to capitulat with the enemy for our peace and quiet or to enter into a ceâ—…lation of armes with him that is our â—…mity against him should never abate nor should our desire after the mortification and crucifixion of this lust grow lesse
Christ the Way and the Truth and the Life OR A Short Discourse Pointing forth the way of making use of Christ for justification and especially and more particularly for Sanctification in all its parts from JOHAN XIV Vers. VI. Wherein several cases of conscience are briefly answered chiefly touching Sanctification By JOHN BROWN Preacher of the Gospel ROTTERDAM Printed by H. G. for Iohn Cairns book seller in Edinburgh and are to be sold there 1677. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO The Right Honourable and Religious Lady The Lady STRATHNAVER MADAM IEsus Christ himself being the cheife corner stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord as it ought to be the principal concearne of all who have not sitten down on this side of Iordan to satisfy their souls once created for and in their owne nature requireing in order to satifaction Spiritual immortal and incorruptible substance with husks prepared for beasts to be built in and upon this corner stone for an habitation of God through the Spirit So it ought to be the maine designe and work of such as would be approven of God as faithful labourers and co-workers with God to be following the example of him who determined not to know any thing among those he wrote unto save Iesus Christ and him crucified O! this noble heart-ravishing soul-satisfying mysterious theme Iesus Christ crucified the short compend of that uncontrovertibly great mysterie of godliness God manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles beleeved on in the world received up into glory wherein are things the Angels desire to look into or with vehement desire bend as it were their necks and bow down their heads to look and peep into as the word used 1 Pet. 1 12. importeth is a Subject for angelical heads to prie into for the most indefatigable industrious Spirits to be occupyed about The searching into and studying of this one Truth in reference to a closeing with it as our life is an infallible mark of a soul divinely enlightened and endued with spiritual and heavenly wisdom for though it be unto the jewes a stumbling block unto the Greeks foolishness yet unto them who are called it is Christ the power of God the wisdom of God because the foolishness of God is wiser then men the weakness of God is stronger then men O! what depths of the manifold wisdom of God are there in this mysterie The more it is preached known beleeved aright the more is it understood to be beyond understanding to be what it is a mysterie Did ever any Preacher or beleever get a broad look of this boundless ocean wherein infinite Wisdom Love that passeth all understanding Grace without all dimensions justice that is admirable and tremenduous and God in his glorious Properties Condescensions high and noble Designes and in all his Perfections and Vertues flow over all banks or were they ever admitted to a prospect hereof in the face of Iesus Christ were not made to cry out O the depth and height the breadth and length O the inconceivable and incomprehensible boundlesness of all infinitly transcendent perfections Did ever any with serious diligence as knowing their life lay in it study this mysterious Theme and were not in full conviction of soul made to say the more they promoved in this study and the more they descended in their diveings into this depth or soared upward in their mounting speculations in this height they found it the more an unsearchable mystery The study of other Themes which Alas many who think it below them to be happy are too much occupyed in when it hath wasted the spirits wearyed the minde worne the body and rarified the braine to the next degree unto a distraction what satisfaction can it give as to what is attained or encouragement as to future attainments And when as to both these something is had and the poor soul puft up with an aery and fancyful apprehension of having obtained some great thing but in truth a great Nothing or a Nothing pregnant with Vanity and vexation of Spirit foolish twines causing no gladness to the Father for he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow Eccles. 1 18. what peace can all yeeld to a soul reflecting on posting-away time now near the last point and looking forward to endless Eternity Oh! the thoughts of time wasted with and faire opportunities of good lost by the vehement pursueings and huntings after shadowes and vanities will torment the soul by assaulting it with pierceing convictions of madness and folly in forsaking All to overtake Nothing with dreadful and soul-terrifying discoveries of the saddest of disappointments and with the horrour of an everlastingly irrecoverable losse And what hath the laborious Spirit than reaped of all the travail of his soul when he hath lost it But on the other hand O with what calmness of minde serenity of soul and peace of conscience because of the peace of God which passeth all understanding will that poor soul look back when standing on the border of Eternity on the bygone dayes oâ—… houres it spent in sâ—…eking after praying â—…seing all appointed meanes for some saying acquantance with and interest in this only soul up making and soul satisfying Mystery and upon its yeelding up it self through the efficaâ—…ious operations of the Spirit of grace wholly without disputing unto the powerful workings of this mystery within and in becoming crucified with Christ and living throughâ—… crucified Christ's living in it by his Spirit and power and with what rejoyceing of heart and gloriou singing of soul will it look forward to Eternity and its everlasting abode in the prepared mansions remembering that there it s begun study will be everlastingly continued its capacity to understand that unsearchable mystery will be inconceivably greater and the spiritual heavenly and glorious joy which it will have in that practical reading its divinity without book of ordinances will be its life and felicity for ever And what peace joy in the holy Ghost what inward and inexpressible quiet and contentment of minde will the soul enjoy in dwelling on these thoughts when it shall have withall the inward and well grounded perswasion of its right through Jesus Christ to the full possession of that All which now it cannot conceive let be comprehend the foretastes whereof filleth it with joy unspeakable and full of glory and the hope of shortly landing there where it shall see and enjoy wonder praise and rest in this endless and restless felicitating work making it to sing while passing thorow the valley of the shadow of death O if this were beleeved O that we were not drunk to a distraction and madness with the adulterous love of vaine and aery speculations to the postponing if not utter neglecting of this maine and only upmaking work of getting real acquaintance with and a begun possession of this
mystery in our souls Christ the grand mystery formed within us living and working within us by his Spirit and working us up unto a conformity unto and an heart-closeing with God manifested in the flesh that we may finde in experience or at least in truth and reality have a true transumpte of that Gospel mystery in our souls Oh when shall we take pleasure in pursueing after this happiness that will not flee from us but is rather pursueing us when shall we receive with joy and triumph this King of glory that is courting us dayly and is seeking accesse and entry into our souls Oh why cry we not out in the hieght of the passion of spiritual longing desire O come Lord Iesus King of glory with thine owne key and open the door and enlarge dilate the chambers of the soul that thou may enter and be entertained as the King of glory with all thy glorious retinue to the ennobling of my soul satisfying of all the desires of that immortal spark Why do we not covet after this knowledge which hath a true and firme connexion with all the best and truely divine gifts O happy soul that is wasted and worne to a shadow if that could be in this study and exercise which at length will enliven and as it were bring in a new heavenly spiritual soul into the soul so that it shall look no more like a dead disspirited thing out of its native soile and element but as a free elevated and spiritualized Spirit expatiating it self fleeing abroad in the open aire of its owne element and country O happy day O happy houre that is really and effectually spent in this imployment what would souls sweeming in this ocean of all pleasures and delights care for yea with what abhorrency would they look upon the bewitehing allurements of the purest kinde of carnal delights which flow from the mindes satisfaction in feeding on the poor apprehensions groundlesly expected comprehensions of objects suited to its natural genius and capacity O! what a more hyperbolically exceeding and glorious satisfaction hath a soul in its very pursueings after when it misseth cannot reach that which is truely desireabâ—…e How doth the least glimpse through the smallest cranie of this glorious and glorifying knowledge of God in Christ apprehended by faith raise up the soul to that pitch of joy and satisfaction which the knowledge of natural things in its purest perfection shall never be able to cause and to what a surmounting measure of this joy and contentation will the experienceing feeling by spiritual sense the sweet and spiritual relish of this capivating and transcendently excellent knowledge raise the soul unto O! must not this be the very suburbs of heaven to the soul When the soul thus seeth apprehendeth God in Christ and that as its owne God through Christ for as all saving knowledge draweth out the soul unto an imbraceing closeing with the object so it bringeth in the object to the making up of the recâ—…procal union and in-being it cannot but admire with exultation and exult with admiration at that condescendence of free grace that hath made it in any measure capable of this begun glory and will furâ—…her mak it meet by this begun glory to be a 〈◊〉 of the inheritance of the Saints in light and what will a soul that hath tasted of the pure delights of this river of gospel manifestations hath seen with soul-ravâ—…shing delight in some measure the manifold wisdome of God wrapped up therein and the compleâ—…t and perfect â—…ymmetrie of all the parts of that noble contexture and also the pure designe of that contrâ—…vance to abase Man and to extoll the riches of the free grace of God that the sinner when possessed of all designed for him and effectuated in him thereby may know who alone should weare the crown and have all the glory what I say will such a soul see in another gospelâ—… calculated to the meridian of the natural crooked and corrupted temper of proud man who is soon made vaâ—…ne of nothing which in stead of bringing a sinner fallâ—…n from God through pride back againe to the enjoyment of Him through a Mediator doth but foster that innate plague and rebellion which caused and procured his first excommunication from the favour and banishment out of the paradice of God that shall attract its heart to it and move it to â—… compliance with it When the poor sinner that hath bin made to pant after a Saviour and hath bin pursued to the very ports of the city of refuge by the aveâ—…ger of blood the justice of God hath tasted and seen how good God is and felt the sweetness of free love in a crucified Christ and seen the beauty and glory of the mystery of free grace sutably answeringâ—… and overcoming the mystery of its sin and misery O what a complacency hath he therein and in the way of gospel salvation wherein free grace is seen to overflow all banks to the eternal praise of the God of all grace How saltless and unsavoury will the most cunningly devised and patch together mode of salvation be that men studying the perversion of the gospel and seeking the ruine of souls with all their skill indusery and learning are setting off with forced rhetorick and the artifice of words of mans wisdom and with the plausible advantages of a pretended sanctity and of strong grounds and motives unto diligence and painfulness to a very denying and renunceing of Christian liberty when once itis observed how it entrencheth upon and darkneth the lustre or diminisheth the glory of free grace and hath the least tendency to the setting of the crown on the creatures head in whole or in part The least perception that hereby the sinners song ascribeing blessing honour glory and power unto him that was sâ—…ain hath redeemed them to God by his blood out of every kinâ—…ed and tongue and people and nation and hath made them unto their God kings and prieâ—…ts shall be marred will be enough to render that device detestable and convince the soul that itis not the gospel of the grace of God nor that mystery of God and of Christ but rather the mystery of â—…niquity What a peculiar savouriness doth the humbled beleever finde in the doctrine of the true gospel grace and the more that he be thereby made Nothing and Christ made All that he in his highest atainments be debaised and Christ exalted that his most lovely peacoke feathers be laid the crown flourish on Christ's head that he be laid flat without one foot to stand upon and Christ the only supporter and carryer of him to glory that he be as dead without life and Christ live in him the more lovely the more beautiful the more desireable and acceptable is it unto him O what a complacency hath the graced soul in that contrivance of infinite wisdom wherein the mystery of the grace of God
the gracious workings of the gospel grace of God upon their hearts and so are in case as having this witness within them to give verdict against those assertions yea moe and many moe than were in several ages before yet Satan should become so bold as to vent these desperate opinions so diametrically opposite to the Grace of God declared in the Gospel and ingraven in the Hearts of many hundereds by the finger of God confirming in the most undoubted manner the truth of the gospel doctrines This would seem to say that there are such clear sun shine dayes of the Gospel and of the Son of man a coming and who can tell how soon this night shall be at an end that all these doctrines of nature shall receive a more conspicuous and shameful dash than they have received for these many ages Hithertil when Satan raised up and sent forth his qualified instruments for this desperat work God alwayes prepared carpenters to fright these horns and thus Gospel truth came forth as gold out of a furnace more clear and shineing And who can tell but there may be a dispensation of the pure grace of God in opposition to these perverting wayes of Satan yet to come that as to the measure of light and power shall excell whatever hath been siace the Apostles dayes Even so come Lord Iesus However Madam the Grace of God will be what it is to all the chosen and ransomed ones They will finde that in it which will make whatever cometh in competition therewith or would darken it contemptible in their eyes And happy they of whom in this day wherein darkness covereth the earth and grosse darkness the people it may be said the Lord hath arisen upon them and his glory hath been seen upon them for whatever others whose understanding is yet darkned and they alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their hearts imagine of the Gospel Grace and however they discerne nothing of the heavenly and spiritual glory of the Grace of God yet they being delivered or cast into the form and mould of the doctrine of the Gospel which they have obeyed from the heart through the powerful and irresistible efficacy of the mighty grace of God have seen such an allureing excellency in 〈◊〉 gracious contrivance of infinite wisdome to set forth the unparallelableness of the pure grace of God and are dayly seeing more and more of the graciousness wisdome of that heavenly invention in its adeqâ—…at sâ—…teablness to all their necessities that as they cannot but admire and commend the riches of that grace that interlineth every sentence of the gospel and the greatness of that love that hath made such a compleatly broad plaster to cover all their sores and wounds so the longer they live and the more they drink of this pure fountain of heavenly nectar and the more their necessities presse them to a taking on of new obligations because of new supplies from this ocean of grace the more they are made to admire the Wisdom Goodness of the Author and the more they are made to fall in love with to delightâ—… and lose themselves in the thoughts of this incomprehensible grace of God yea and to longe to be there where they shall be in better case to contemplate and have more wit to wonder at and better dexterity to prize a stronger head to muse upon and a more enlarged heart to praise for this boundless and endless treasure of the Grace of God with which they are enriched through Jesus Christ. Sure if we be not thus enamoured ravished with it it is because we are yet standing without or at most upon the threshold border of this Grace were we once goto within the jurisdiction of grace and had yeelded up ourselves unto the power thereof and were living and breathing in this aire O! how sweet a life might we have What a kindly â—…lement would Grace be to us As sin had reigned unto death even so grace should reigne through righteousness unto eternal life by Iesus Christ our Lord Rom. 5 21. Grace reigning within us thâ—…ough righteousness would frame fit our souls for that eternal life that is ensured to all who come once under the commanding enlivening strengthening confirming corroborating and perfecting power of Grace and seeking grace for grace and so living and walking and spending upon Grace's cost and charges O how lively and thriveing proficients might we be The more we spent of grace if it could be spent the richer should we be in grace O what an enriching trade must it be to trade with free Grace where there is no losse and all is gaine the stock and gaine and all is ensured yea more labouring in Grace's field would bring us in Isaack's blessing an hundered fold But Alas it is one thing to talk of Grace but a far other thing to trade with Grace When we are so great strangers unto the life of grace through not breathing in the aire of grace how can the name of the Lord Iesus Christ be glorifyed in us and we in Him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Iesus Christ 2 Thes. 1 12 Consider we what an affront and indignity it is unto the Lord dispenfator of Grace that we look so leane and ill favoured as if there were not enough of the fatning bread of the grace of God in our Fathers house or as if the great Steward who is full of grace and truth were unwilling to bestow it upon us or grudged us of our allowance when the fault is in ourselves we will not follow the course that Wise Grace and Gracious Wisdome hath prescribed we will not open our mouth wide that He might fill us nor goe to Him with our narrowed or closed mouthes that Grace might make way for grace and widen the mouth for receiving of more grace but lye by in our leanness and weakness and alas we love too will to be so O but grace be ill wared on us who cary so unworthily with it as we do yet it is well with the gracious soul that he is under grace's Tutory and care for Grace will care for him when he careth not much for it nor yet seeth well to his owne welfare Grace can will prevent yea must prevent afterward as well as at the first that Grace may be Grace and appear to be Grace and continue unchangeably to be Grace and so free Grace Well is it with the Beleever whom grace hath once taken by the heart and brought within the bond of the Covenant of Grace its deadest condition is not desperat when corruption prevaileth to such an hight that the man is given over for dead there being no sense no motion no warmth no breath almost to be observed yet Grace when violently constrained by that strong distemper to retire to a secret corner of the soul there to lurk and
lye quiet will yet at length through the quickening revivâ—…ing infâ—…uences of Grace promised in the Covenant granted in the Lords good time come out of its prison take the fields recover the impire of the soul and then the dry withered stocks when the God of all grace will be as the dew unto Israel shall blossome and grow as the lilie and cast forth his roots as lebanon his branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the olive tree and his smell as lebanon It is a happy thing either for Church or particular soul to be planted in Gâ—…ace's 〈◊〉 soyl they lye open to the warm beames of the sun of righteousness and though winter blasts may be sharpe and long clouds may intercept the heat and nipping frosts may cause a sad decay and all the sap may returne and lye as it were dormant in the root yet the winter will passe the raine will be over and gone and the flowers will appear on the earth the time of the singing of birds will come and the voice of the turtle will be heard in the land then shall even the wilderness and solitary place be glade and the desert shall rejoice and blossome as the rose it shall blossome abundantly and rejoyce even with joy and singing the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it the excellency of Carmel and Sharon they shall see the glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God We wonder that it is not alwayes hote summer dayes a flourishing and fruitful season with Souls and with Churches But know we the thoughts of the Lord See we to the bottom of the deep contrivances of infinite wisdom Know we the usefulness yea necessity of long winter nights stormy blasts hail raine snow and frost Consider we that our state and condition while here calleth for those vicissitudes and requireth the blowing of the north as well as of the south windes If we considered how Grace had ordered all things for our best and most for the glory and exaltation of Grace we would sit down and sing under the sadest of dispensations and living by faith and hope we would rejoyce in the confident expectation of a gracious outgate for as long as Grace predomineth and that will be untill Glory take the Empire all will run in the channel of grace and though now sense which is oft faiths unfaithful friend will be alwayes suggesting false tales of God and of His Grace unto unbeliefe and raising thereby discontents doubts feares jealousies and many distempers in the soul to its prejudice and hâ—…rt yet in end Grace shall be seen to be Grace and the faithful shall get such a full sight of this manifold Grace as ordering tempering timeing shortening or continueing of all the sad and dismal dayes and seasons that have passed over their own or their Mothers head that they shall see that Grace did order all yea every circumstance of all the various tossings changes ups downs that they did meet with And O what a satisfying sight will that be when the general assembly and Church of the first borne which are enrolled in heaven and every individual saint shall come together and take a view of all their experiences the result of which shall be Grace began Grace carryed on and Grace hath perfected all Grace was at the bottome of all and Grace crowned all What shoutings Grace Grace unto it will be there when the head stone shall be brought forth What soul satisfying complacency in admiration at all that is past will a back look â—…hereat yeeld when every one shall be made to say Grace hath done all well not a pin of all the work of Grace in and about me might have been wanted now I see that the work of God is perfect Grace was glorious Grace and wise Grace whatever I thought of it then O what a fool have I been in quarrelling at and in not being fully satisfied with all that Grace was doing with me O how little is this beleeved now In confidence Madam that your La to me no wayes known but by a savoury report shall accept of this bold address I recommend your La my very noble Lord your Husband and off spring to the word of His grace and subscribe my self Your and Their Servant in the Gospel of the Grace of God JOHN BROWN Christian Reader IF thou answer this designation and art really a partaker of the Unction which is the high import of that blessed and glorious name called upon thee thine eye must affect thy heart and â—… soul swelled with Godly sorrow must at last burst and bleed forth at a weeping eye while thou looks upon most of this licentious and loathsome generation arrived at that hâ—…ight of prodigious profanity as to glory in their shame and boast of bearing the very badge and blake marke of damnation but besides this swarme who savage it to hâ—…ll and make such hast thiâ—…her as they foame themselves into everlasting flames carrying under the shape and visage of men as Devils in disguise The face of the Church is covered with a scâ—…me of such who are so immersed in the concerns of this life and are so intense in the pursute of the pleasures gaine and honours thereof as their way doth manifestly witnesse them to be sunk into the deep oblivion of God and desperat inconsideration of their precious and immortal souls But in the 3. place besides these who are hurried into such a distraction with the cares of this life that they as natural brute beasts made to be taken and dâ—…stroyed are never at leasure to consider either the nature and necessitie of their noble souls or to converse with the notion of a Deitie Thou may perceive a company of self deceiving speculatists who make broad the phylacteries of their garments and boast of some high attainements in religion yea would have others look upon them as arrived at the very porch of heaven and advanced to a high pitch of proficiency in the wayes of God because they can discourse a little of the mysteries of salvation and without ever diveing further into the depth and true nature of Religion dream themselves into a confidence of being saints and conclude themselves Candidats for glory This is that heart-moveing object which presents itself to thy eye observation this day this is that deplorable posture wherein thou mayst perceive most men at the very point of perishing eternally who are within the pale of the visible Church some danceing themselves headlong in all hast into the lake of fire and brimstone some so much concerned in things which have no connexion with their happiness as to drop inconcernedly into the pit out of which there is no redemption and others dreaming themselvs into endlesse perdition all of them unite in a deriding at or despiseing the means used essays made in order to their recovery Now while Religion which is the beautie of the soul
and the basis of mans blessednesse advanceing him both to a conformity to God and qualifying him for the fruition of Him by the generality of those called to be saints that they may be haved is not onely upon deliberation and choice laid aside as having nothing in it to recommend and endeare it to the souls of men but hated floured fled from and forsaken as if it came on purpose to marre mens tranquillity and torment them before the time While I say it is thus some faithful Servants who make conscience to carry on His work who came to destroy the works of the Devil and went about while in the world healing all that were oppressed of him set themselves to pray preach and perswad the things concerning the Kingdome of God yea to write and warne and weep men into a compliance with their own happipinesse they endeavour solicitously to informe mens minds that they may reforme their manners and rescue them with feare who are runing upon their own ruine but alas with so little successe that they doe the work of the Lord with grief and have much sorrow of those of whom they ought to have joy and after all their beseechings obtestings requestings and cryings this is the way walke yee in it turne you turne oh why will you dye have this as the last returne to all their importunities Nay there is no hope speake no more to us of that matter do not offer to perswade us to relinquish the old road or disswade us from following our lovers for when ye have done all after these we will go we resolve to abide what we have been children of imperswasion But if his Servants in following their work closly seem to have gained a little ground upon men and almost perswaded them to be Christians Satan to the end he may make all miscarry and counter worke these workers together with God and poison poor souls by a perversion of the Gospel beyond the power of an antidot hath raised up instigat and set on work a race of proud Rationalists for they are wiser then to classe themselves amongst those poor fools those base things those nothings to whom Christ is made all things to whom Christ is made wisdome that he may be righteousnesse sanctification and redemption to them nay they must be wise men after the flesh wise above what is written a crucified Christ is really unto them foolishnesse and weaknesse though the power of God and the wisdome of God they will needs go to work another way they will needs glory in his presence and have a heaven of their own hand-wind O my soul enter not into their secrets and O sweet Jesus let thy name be to me the Lord my righteousness thou hast wone it weare it and gather not my soul with such who make mention of any other righteousness but of thine onely to bring-in another Gospel amongst men then the Gospel of the grace of God as they determine to know some other thing then Christ and him crucified so with the inticeing words of mans wisdom they bewitch men into a disobedience to the truth setting somewhat else before them then a crucified Christ And this they do that they may remove men from those who call them into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel A Christ it is true they speake of but it is not the Christ of God for all they drive at O cursed and truely Antichristian designe is that he may profite them nothing while they model all Religion according to this novel project of their magnified morality This is that which gives both life and lustre to that image they adore to the Dagon after whom they would have the world wonder and Worship That there is such a moralizeing or muddizeing if I may be for once admitted to coine a new word to give these men their due of Christianity now introduced and comeing in fashion many of the late pieces in request do evince Now that Christianity should moralize men above all things I both give and grante for he who is partaker of the divine nature and hath obtained precious faith must adde vertue to his faith But that it should be only conceived and conceited as an elevation of nature to a more cleare light in the matter of morality wherein our Lord is onely respected as an heavenly teacher and perfect paterne proposed for imitation is but a proud pleasing fansie of self conceited darkened and deluded dreamers robing God of the glory of his mercy and goodnesse our Lord Jesus Christ of the glory of his grace and merit The Spirit of the efficacy of his glorious and mighty operations and themselves and their pilgrimes who give them the hand as guids of the comfort and frute of all This is the pilgrimage we are perswaded to undertake to the holy Land this is that reasonablenesse of Christianitie which with great swelling words of vanitie is ventilat to the allureing and ensnareing of such who had almost escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust and the pollutions of the flesh through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ This is the way which they who undertake to publish to the world the true causes of the decay of pietie take to revive and introduce that pietie which they complain is wanting O impious invention not only encroaching upon the unsearchable mysterie of the Gospel but subversive of the whole method and blessed and beautiful contrivance of salvation and rendering salvation impossible to the greatest proficients in this studie and the grand patrons and practitioners in this new art the greatest opposers of that grace of God which bâ—…ingeth salvation unto all men It is true they will not plainly plead for profanitie Nay they may and do make a great noise about the practise of pietie as if they were the only patrons thereof that with lesse observation and greater facility they may beguile themselves and their followers of the reward they may possibly perswade even to a pinching of the body that they may puffe up and pamper their fleshly minde and while they overdrive men to the practise of will worship and performance of those things which have a shew of wisdome it is that they may withdraw them from holding that blessed head from which all the body by joints bands having nourishment ministred and knit together encreaseth with the encrease of God yet the grace of God that onely liveing principle of all true pietie which they dispute out of the souls of men that they may debauch them into a contempt of the Spirits working in men to will and to do takes frequent vengance on this their invention by leaving them not onely to play the Devil in disguise that they may be known by their fruits but also to lay aside that garbe of external godlinesse for the Devil nor his Domesticks cannot long weare a strait doublet that it may appeare how it is verified in them from
him that hath not shall be taken away even that he hath which is so plain that to many of these pleaders for this new way and their prosâ—…lyts in the righteous judgement of God it happeneth according to the true proverb the dog is turned to his owne vomit againe and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire It cannot escape thy observation how busie Satan is this day upon the one hand to keep men under the call of the Gospel to give all diligence to make their calling and election sure idle all the day so that no perswasion can enduce them to engage seriously to fall about a working out their own salvation in feare and trembling and on the other equally diligent and industrious to divert men from trusting in the name of the Lord and staying upon their God seting them on work to go and gather fewel and kindle a fire and compasse themselves about with sparks that they may walk in the light of their own fire and in the sparks that they have kindled knowing well that they shall this way most certainly lose their toil and travel and have no other reward at his hand of all their labour but to ly down in everlasting sorrow while the stout hearted and far from righteousnesse and salvation shall get their soul for a prey and be made to rejoyce in his salvation and blesse him who hath made them meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light It is fit therefore in order to thy own establishment in the present truth and that thou mayest so work that thy labour be not in vaine but God may accept thy works often to think and seriously to consider in thy own soul what that Gospel holinesse is and what these men substitute in the place of it that thou may choice the perfect and pleasant way of Gospel holinesse and exercise thy self to that godlinesse which is profitable for all things haveing the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come I am neither the fit person for so great an undertaking nor do these limits within which I must bound my self permit me to expatiat in many notions about the nature of this excellent and precious thing true Gospel holinesse Oh if in the entry I could on my own behalfe and others sob out my Alas from the bottome of my soul because be what it will it is some other thing then men take it to be few habituat themselves to a thinking upon it in its high nature and soul enriching advantages till their hearts receive suteable impressions of it and their lives be the very transumpt of the law of God written in their heart the thing Alas is lost in a noise of words and heap of notions about it neither is it a wonder that men fal into mistakes about it since it is onely the heart possessed of it that is capable to understand perceive its true excellency But if it be asked what it is we say it may be shortly taken up as the elevation and raising up of a poor mortal unto a conformity with God As a participation of the divine nature or as the very image of God stamped on the soul impressed on the thoughts affections and expressed in the life and conversation so that the man in whom Christ is formed and in whom he dwells lives and walks hath while upon the earth a conversation in heaven not only in opposition to those many whose end is destruction whose God is their belly whose glory is in their shame who minde earthly things but also to these pretenders unto personaters of religion who have confidence in the flesh Worship God with their own Spirit which in the matters of God is flesh and not Spirit and have somewhat else to rejoyce in then in Christ Jesus and a being found in him not having their own righteousnesse True Gospel holinesse then consists in some similitude and likenesse to God and fellowship with him founded upon that likenesse there is such an impression of God his glorious attributes his infinit Power Majesty Mercy Justice Wisdom Holinesse and Grace c. As sets him up all alone in the soul without any competition and produceth those real apprehensions of him that he is alone excellent and matchlesse O how preferable doth he appeare when indeed seen to all things And how doth this light of his infinit gloriousnesse shineing into the soul darken abscure to an invisiblenesse all other excellencies even as the riseing of the sun makes all the lesser lights to disappear Alas how is God unknown in his glorious being and attribute When once the Lord enters the soul and shines into the heart it is like the riseing of the sun at midnight all these things which formerly pretended to some lovelinesse and did dazil with their lustre are eternally darkened now all natural perfections and moral vertues in their flowr and perfections are at best looked upon as aliquid nihil what things were formerly accounted gaine and godlinesse are now counted losse for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord and the soul cannot onely suffer the losse of them all without a sob but be satisfied to throw them away as dung that it may win him and be found in him Now the wonder of a Deity in his greatnesse power and grace swallowes up the soul in sweet admiration O how doth it love to lose it self in finding here what it cannot fathome And then it begins truely to see the greatnesse and evil of sin then it is looked upon without the covering of pleasure or profit and loathed as the leprosy of hell Now the man is truely like God in the knowledge of good and evil in the knowledge of that one infinit good God to the knowledge of that one almost infinit evil sin This is the first point of likenesse to him to be conformed to him in our understanding that as he knowes himself to be the onely self being and fountain good and all created things in their flour and perfection with all their real or fancied conveniencies being compared with him but as the drop of a bucket the small dust of the ballance or nothing yea lesse then nothing vanity which is nothing blown up by the force or forgery of a vainly working imagination to the consistence of an appearance so for a soul to know indeed and beleeve in the heart that there is nothing deserves the name of good besides God to have the same superlative and transcâ—…dent thoughts of that great and glorious self being God and the same diminishing and debaseing thought â—…o all things beings besides him And that as the Lord seeth no evil in the creation but sin and hates that with a perfect hatred as contrary to his holy will so for a soul to aggravat sin in its own sight to an infinitnesse of evil at least till it see it onely
short of infinitnesse in this respect that it can be swallowed up of infinit mercy But whence hath the soul all this light It owes all this and owns it self as debtor for it to him who opens the eyes of the blind it is he who commands the light to shine out of darkenesse who hath made these blessed discoveries and hath given the poor benighted soul the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ These irradiations are from the Spirits illumination it is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that hath made day light in the darkened soul the man who had the heart of a beast as to any saveing or solid knowledge of God or himself hath now got an understanding to know him that is true now is Christ become the poor mans wisdome he is now renewed in knowledge after the image of him that oreated him he might well bable of spiritual things but till now he understood nothing of the beauty excellency of God and his wayes Nay he knew not what he knew he was ignorant as a beast of the life and lustre of those things which he knew in the letter nothing seemed more despicable to him in the world then true godlinesse but now he judgeth otherwise because he hath the mind of Christ the things which in his darkenesse he did undervalue as trifles to be mocked at he now can onely minde and admire since he became a child of light now being delivered from that blindnesse and brutishnesse of Spirit which possesseth the world and possessed himself till he was transformed by the renewing of his minde who esteem basely of spiritual things and set them at nought he prizeth as alone precious the world wonders what pleasure or content can be in the service of God because they see not by tasteing how good he is to be pryeing into and poreing upon invisible things is to them visible madnesse but to the enlightened minde the things that are not seen are onely worth seeing and while they appeare not to be they onely are whereas the things that are seen appeare but to be and are not Though the surpassing sweetnesse of spiritual things should be spoke of to them who cannot savour the things of God in such a manner as the giorious light of them did surround men yet they can perceive no such thing all is to them cuningly devised fables let be spoke what will they see no forme no comelinesse no beauâ—…y in this glorious object God in Christ reconcileing sinners to himself Alas the mind is blindâ—…d the dungeon is within and till Christ open the eyes aswell as reveal his light the foul abideâ—… in its blindnefse and is buryed in midnight darkenesse but when the Spirit of God opens the mans eyes and he is translated by an act of omnipotency out of the kingdome of darkenâ—…sse into the kingdome of his dear son which is a kingdom of marvellous light O! what matchlesse beauty doth he now see in these things which appeared despicable and â—…ke rothings to him till he got the unction the eye salve which teacheth all things now he sees what none without the Spirit can see the things which God hath prepared for them that love him and are freely given them of God and these though seen at a distance reflect such rayes of beauty into his soul that he beholds and is ravished he sees and is swallowed up in wonder But then in the next place this is not a Spiritlesse inefficacious speculation about these things to know no evil but sin and separation from God and no blessednesse but in the fruition of him it is not such a knowledge of them as doth not principle motion to pursue after them This I grant is part of the image of God when the sun of righteousnesse by ariseing upon the man hath made day light in his soul and by these divine discoveries hath â—…aught him to make the true parallel betwixt things that differ and to put a just value upon them according to their intrinsick worth But this divine illumination doth not consist in a meer notion of such things in the head nor doth it subsist in enlightening the mind but in such an impression of God upon the soul as transformes and changes the heart into his likenesse by love knowledge is but one line one draught or lineament of the souls likenesse to him that alone doth not make up the image but knowledge rooted in the heart and engraven on the soul shineing shewing it self forth in a gospel adorneing conversation that makes a comely proportion when the same hand that touched the eye and turned the man from darkenesse to light and give an heart to know him that he is the Lord doth also circumcise the mans heart to love the Lord his God with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his minde and this love manifesting its livelinesse in its constraining power to live to him and for him light without heat is but wild fire but light in the mind begetting heat in the heart making it burne Godward Christward and Heavenward light in the understanding setting on fire and enflameing the affections and these shining out in a heavenly conversation makes up the lively image of God both in feature stature both in proportion and colour faith begins this image and drawes the lineaments and love bringing forth obedience finishes and gives it the lively lustre the burneings of love in obedience to God is that which illuminats the whole and maks a man look indeed like him to whose image he is predestinat to be conforme and then maks him who is ravished with the charmes of that beauty say as in a manner overcome thereby how fair is thy love my Sister my spouse How much better is thy love then wine and the smell of thine ointments then all spices But consider that as these beames which irradiat the soul are from the Spirit of Christ so that spiritual heat and warmth come out of the same airth and proceed from the same Author for our fire burnes as he blowes our lampe shines as he snuffes and furnisheth oile men therefore would not indulge themselves in this delusion to think that that which will passe for pure Religion and undefiled before God consists either in an outward blamelesse conversation or in putting on and weareing an external garbe of profession no as the top of it reacheth higher so the root of it lies deepâ—…r it is rooted in the heart this seed being sowen in an honest heart or makeing the heart honest in which it is sowen takes root downe ward and brings forth fruit upward as trees that gâ—…ow as far under ground as above so these trees of righteousnesse the planting of the Lord that he may be glorified grow as far and as fast under ground as above godlinesse growes as far downward in self emptying self denyal and self abaseing in hungring and thirsting
the world amidst a croud of snares and throng of tentations as that evil one touch them not they carry as knowing that Satan who goeth about seeking whom he may devour way â—… layes them and watches to catch all advantages against them and therefore as not ignorant of his devices they study sobriety and vigilancy left through a secure incircumspection they be circumvented and give him the advantage he seeks and so beare the marke of his blake hand yea some of these at some rare times do not onely satisfy themselves to carry as defendants but are helped to such a heroick heavenly and Christ-like resistance as to make Satan flee from them and when they through him who strengtheneth them unto the battal and will at last once for all and for eveâ—… tread Satan under their feet and make the weakest wrigling that ever gave up their names to the Captain of salvation set their feeble feet as more than conquerours upon the neck of the great red dragon and off his neck to his everlasting confusion mount up in their triumphing charriot and receive the conquerours crown have acquit themselves as the good souldiers of Jesus Christ not onely in warding off the blowes of that soul enemy but in manageing the sword of the Spirit and the sheild of faith so in the conflict as they make the enemy who stretched out the hand to strick at them take in a stump they then pursue their victory on purpose to set the crown on the Captains head through whose strength alone they gained it But Alas even amongst this select number these more serious souls and single servants of God how few do improve as they ought and might that strength and help which is their allowance and whereby they might be made strong for the labour of Religion How many of these few followers after holinesse do move slowly and promove little They cannot give over the study of holinesse their heart being engaged to God and his wayes beyond a retreat but how heartlesse and handlesse are they at their work They tugge at duty and tire themselves in the wayes of God without any seen successe or experiencing the sweet of his service their profiting doth not appeare to all which as it is their sin is also attended with shame and sorrow yea they carry so despondently in duty as if the gospel required brick without furnishing straw whereas if they took the right way they might walk without wearying even the faint and they who have no might if they knew and had learned how to lay their help upon him who is mighty where God hath laid it should finde their strength encreased to a surmounting of all difficulties and an experienceing of a sweet facility in the wayes of God so that in stead of whineing and sobing over their duty of which they are often found as an enemy and sinking under a hand â—… weakening despondency they might sing in the sweet pleasant and plain wayes of holinesse they might make his statutes their songs in the house of their pilgrimage and be able from their own experience to say it and seal it that his yoke is easy and his burden is light Now that the lesse tender in whom the root of the matter is may be perswaded and provoked to a shineing seriousnesse to the adorning of that doctrine of God the Saviour which they profess And they whose souls are not onely byassed towards the wayes of God but have some holy habitual bentness heaven wards and it is their burden that the whole of their course doth not evidence a conversation in heaven To the end I say that both may not onely be prevailed with to study more conformity to the Head whose members they are and have a conversation such as becometh the gospel indeed but may through grace acquire a blessed facility in going from strength to strength and growing strong in the Lord and in the power of his might this ensuing Treatise is put in thy hand that thy heart may be lift up in the waves of the Lord wherein the Author hath with a peculiar perspicuity and special plainness not onely set before thine eye that blessed Sun of righteousness as shineing in this gospel with a meridian brightness to the irradiating with the rayes of his glorious light the darkened soul likewise thou hast him not onely here held forth as that alone liveing fountaine and overflowing spring of all spiritual life and strength But he hath taught thee and me how to make use of him in whom dwels the fulnesse of the God head bodily in all the several steps of darkenesse or difficulty which may emerge and occurre to the fore-slowing us in our course of Christianity so as we may finde a compleatnesse and competency of strength communicat unto us That blessed high way called the way of holinesse is made so plaine herein that the way fareing man cannot erre in it because it shewes how to give the hand to God as a guâ—…d to Jesus Christ that blessed leader who brings the blind by a way that they know not and leads them in paths that they have not knowen who maks darkenesse light before them and crooked things straight And the apparently rough and rigid wayes of godliness are discovered to be so easy and sweet that the lame may leap as an hart because of life-giveing influence and the tongue of the dumb or disconsolat Christian may sing under these gracious supportings and say his wayes are indeed ways of pleasantnesses It was not the Authors designe in this peece levelled onely at this marke to teach thee how to make use of the strength and grace that is in Christ Jesus and finde the promised ease in performance of duties in handleing of which argument he hath been remarkably assisted and thou canst not read with attention but thou must beare him witness and bless the Lord on his behalfe that he hath hit the marke at which he aimed to engage in a formal debate with these audacious moralists who would boast and bogle us out of the good old way wherein if men walk they must finde rest to their souls yet if by the doctrine he hath here explained and pressed as the onely way of life they do not finde what a mortal wound he hath given their morality all the lovers of the truth will see it and it may be the Lord spareing life and continueing the same gracious and great assistance he hath had in engageing with many great adversaries to the truth at home a broad they may see somewhat from his pen which may make the lovers of our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and of the operations of his Spirit sing over these successors to Sisera who with their jumping charriots and rattleing wheels assault the truth at his feet they bowed they fell they lay down at his feet they bowed they fell where they bowed there they fell down dead so let all the enemies of thy truth
themselves of their own weakness and convinced of the insufficiency of all things vvithin them in Godly fear hide themselves under the wings of the Almighty and get in into this Strong hold resolving there to abide and there to be secured from all their Adversaries vvithin or vvithout These humble fearers may expect a saife noble outgate vvhen more strong-like more confident adventurers shall being left to themselves because trusting in themselves shamefully fall and be triumphed over by the Enemie to the griefe of the Godly and for a snare to others The best vvay then to keep the faith of Christ vvhich many are novv seeking to shake and to loose us from is to be exerciseing the faith of Christ. The serious and upright practiseing of the Gospel is the only best mean to keep thee firme in the profession of the Gospel vvhen the Gospel vvith thee is not a fevv fine notions in the braine but is heavenly and necessary Truth sunck into the heart and living and acting there it vvill keep thee and thou will owne it more firmly and steadfastly in a day of tryal Thy walking in Christ and working and living by Him living in thee will so root thee in the Gospel truth that enemies will pull in vaine when seeking to overthrow thee The Gospel of the grace of God received and entertained in thy soul in love and constant sutable improvement will fortifie thee and secure it self in thee so that vehement blasts shall but contribute to its more fixed abode and more fruteful actings in thee Live up then to the Gospel and so be sure of it and be saife in it I mean let Christ live in thee as thy all and cast all thy care and cumber on Him lay all thy difficulties before Him lean all thy weight upon Him draw all thy necessities out of Him undertake all thy duties in Him be strong in Him and in the power of His might let Him by thy Counseler Conductor Leader Teacher Captain Commander Light Life Strengh and all so shall thou stand and have cause to glory even in thy infirmities for thou shalt finde the power of Christ resting upon thee and thou shalt have cause to say Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions in distresses for Christs sake for when I am weak then am I strong Remember that great word Phil. 4 13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me It hath bin the usual and ordinary question of Beleevers How shall we make use of Christ for Sanctification To this great and important question I though the meanest and most unfit for such a work of all that God hath sent to feed his flock have adventured or endeavoured at least to give such as truely desire to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God some satisfation herein laying before them some plaine directions framed to their capacities and suited to some of their most ordinary and usual cases some whereof are more comprehensive others more particular may be looked upon as exemplary instances serving for other cases of the like nature for hardly could every particular circumstanâ—…iat case be particularly spoken to and some might judge that to be superfluous If thou in the light strength of Christ shalt really practise what is here pointed forth I may be confident to say thy labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord thou shalt attaine to another sort of holiness than that which Proud pretenders boast of shalt be far without the reach of that snare which unstable souls are too readily entangled with I meane the plausible pretension of more than ordinary sanctity which yet is but forced feigned constrained mostly external framed to cause some admiration in beholders whom they intend to make a prey of This shall be no temptation to thee who by experience findeth a more saife satisfying full free easy pleasant heartsome way of mortifying lusts growing in grace in the knowledg of Jesus Christ so perfecting holiness by runing immediatly to Christ by living in upon Him who is mad of God to us Wisdom Righteousnes Sanctification Redemption That the Lord may blesse the same to thee for this end shall â—…e and is the desire and prayer of Him who is thy servant in the work of the Gospel I. B. CHRIST The Way the Truth the Life Or A discovery of the right way of making use of Christ for Sanctification From IOHN XIV 6. Iesus sayeth unto them I am the Way the Truth the Life No man cometh unto the Father but by Me. CHAP. I. The introduction with some generall observations from the cohesion DOubtlesse it is alwayes usefull yea necessary for the children of God to know the right way of making use of Christ who is made all things to them which they need even Wisdome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1 30. But it is never more necessarie for beleevers to be cleare distinct in this matter than when Satan by all meanes is seeking to pervert the right wayes of the Lord and one way or other to lead souls away and draw them of Christ knowing that if he prevail here he hath gained his poynt and therefore he endeavoureth not only to darken it by error either more grosse or more subtile but also to darken it by mistakes and prejudices whence it cometh to passe that not only Strangers are made to wander out of the way but oftentimes many of his owne people are walking in the darknesse of ignorance and mistakes and remaine leane through want of the reall exercise of the Life of faith which would make them fat flourishing because it would make them strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and to grow up in Christ in all things The clearing up then of this truth cannot but be most seasonable now when Satan is prevailing with many whom he cannot get tempted to loosenesse and profanitie to sit downe upon some thing which is not Christ and to rest upon something within themselves distinct from him both in the matter of Iustification and Sanctification This subtile Adversary is now setting some a work to cry up by preaching speaking and printing a way to heaven which is not Christ a kinde of morality civility and outward holinesse whereupon the soul is to rest and this holinesse not wrought and effectuated through the strength of Iesus by faith sucking life and furniture from him but through our owne art and skill which in effect is nothing but an extract of refined Popery Socinianisme and Arminianisme devised and broached of purpose to draw the soul off Christ that he may stand upon his owne legs and walk by his owne power and thank himself at least in part for the crown at length Further through the great goodnesse of God the true way of a soul's justification
considered And that it is not beleeved is manifest for 1. How rare is it to meet with persons that are not very well pleased and satisfied with themselves and their condition They thank the Lord it was ay well with them They have no complaints They see no wants nor necessities They wonder what makes folk complaine of their condition of their evill heart or of their hazard and danger They understand not these matters 2. Do we not finde people very quiet and at rest though they remaine in the congregation of the dead Pâ—…ov 21 16. They sleep in a sound skinne because they see no hazard The thoughts of their condition never bereave them of one nights rest no challenges have they all is at peace with them for the strong man keeps the house 3. How rare is it to finde people exercised about this matter and busied with it in their thoughts either while alone or while in company with others or once seriously thinking and considering of it yea or so much as suspecting the matter 4 How rare is it to see any soul brocken in heart and humbled because of this who is walking under this as under a load whose soul is bleeding upon the consideration of this Is there any mourning for this 5 Where is that to be heard Men and brethren what shall we do to be saved How shall we enter into the right way where is that good old way that we may walk in it Few such questions and cases troubling consciences and no wonder for a deep sleep is upon them 6. How cometh it then that the pointing forth of the way is so little hearkened unto Sure were this naturall condition perceived a report of the sure and saise way would be much more welcome then it is Christ by his Messengers would not be put to cry so often in vaine This is the way turne in hither Here is enough to convince of this ignorance and in sensiblenesse but it is his Spirit which convinceth the world of sin Iohn 16. that must beare home this conviction Secondly It pointeth out to us this That the way of man is not in himself Ier. 10 23. That is That nothing he can do can or will prove a way to him to the Father for Christ is the Way as excludeing all other meanes and wayes And that man can do nothing to help himself into the way is cleare for 1. His way is is as darknesse Prov. 4 14. He knoweth no better he is satisfied therewith there he sleepeth and resteth 2. He cannot nor doth not desire to returne He hateth to be reformed 3. Yea he thinketh himself saise no man can convince him of the contrary The way he is in seemeth right to him though the end thereof be death Prov. 14 12. 16 25. 4. Every man hath his owne particular way to which he turneth Esa. 53 6. some one thing or other that he is pleased with and that he thinks will abundantly carry him through and there resteth he and what these ordinaryly are we shall hear presently 5. In this his way which yet is a false way he trusteth Hos. 10 13. he leaneth upon it little knowing that it will faill him at length and that he and his hope and confidence shall perish Is it not strange then to see men and women gaudeing about to seek their way as it is said Ier 2 36. as if they could finde it out or as if they could of themselves fall upon the way What a lamentable sight is it to see people wearying themselves with very lies Ezech. 24 12 and wearyed in the multitude of their owne counsells Esa. 47 15. But what are those false and lying wayes which men weary themselves in and all in vaine which they choose trust into and yet are not the way which will prove saâ—… and sure Answere It will not be easie to reckon them all up we shall name some that are principall and most ordinary such as 1. Good purposes and resolutions with which many deceive themselves supposeing that to be all which is required and alas all their purposes are like to Ephraims goodnesse like the early cloud and morning dew that soon evanisheth their purposes are soon brocken off and soon disappointed because made without counsell Prov. 15 22. Many foolishly rest here that they have a good minde to do better and to amend their wayes and they purpose after such a time or such a time they shall beginne a new manner of life but their purposes never come to any effect and fo at length they and their purposes both perish 2. Some convictions and inward challenges The word now and then pâ—…erceth them so far and â—…ore and sharpe dispensations from the Lord so far affecte their heart that they see it is not well with them and they are made with Saul to cry out I have sinned 1 Sam. 15 24. and they advance no further those convictions either die out againe or work no further change And poor souls they think because at such a sermon or such a Communion they had some such convictions and sharpe challenges therefore they imagine all is well with them when a Iudas may have convictions sharper than ever they had a Felix Act. 24 25. 3. Convictions followed with some sort of amendement Some may dreadfully deceive themselves with this and conclude that all is right with them and that the way they are in is saife sure because they have had convictions which have been so effectuall as to cause them amend many things and become as to many things changed men women when alas their way is but a way of darknesse still it is not Christ they have never come to him Herod hearing Iohn Baptist had his owne convictions and amendements for he did many things Mark 6 20. 4. Many rest upon their outward civility morality or negative holinesse They cannot be challenged for grosse faults and that is all the way they have to rest in alas could not a wicked Phariseâ—… say as much as they viz That he was no extortioner unjust person nor an adulterer nor such as the publicane was Luk. 18 11 How many heathens as to this shall outstripe such as professe themselves Christians and yet they lived and dyed strangers to the right way to happinesse See what that poor young man said Luk. 18 21. 5. Some may win to more then civility and attaine unto a kinde of outward holinesse and outward performance of the duties of religion such as hearing reading prayer communicating and rest there and yet perish for that is but their owne way it is not the right way Had not the foolish virgins lamps and did they not waite with the rest Matt. 25 and will not many say in that day we have eaten and drunken in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streats to whom Christ shall answer I know not whence you are depart from me all ye workers of
c. 8. A waiting with patience on Him who never said to the house of Iacob seek me in vaine Esai 45 19. still crying and looking to Him who hath commanded the ends of the earth to look to him and waiting for him who waiteth to be gracious Esai 30 18. remembering that they are all blessed that waite for him Ibid. and that there is much good prepared for them that waite for Him Esai 64 4. 8. The sinner would essay this beleeving and closeing with Christ and set about it as he can seriously heartily willingly yea and resolutely over the belly of much opposition and many discouragements looking to Him who must helpe yea and worke the whole work for God worketh in and with Man as a rationall creature The soul then would set the willingnesse it findeth on work waite for more and as the Lord is pleased to commend by his Spirit the way of grace more unto the soul and to warme the heart with love to it and a desire after it strick the yron while it is hote and looking to Him for help gripe to Christ in the covenant and so set to its seal though with a tembling hand and subscribe its name though with fear and much doubting remembring that He who worketh to will must work the deed also Phil. 2 13. and He that beginneth a good work will perfect it Phil. 1 6. 9. The soul essaying thus to beleeve in Christ's strength and to creep when it can not walk or run would hold fast what it hath attained and resolve never to recall any consent or half consent it hath given to the bargane but still look forward hold on wreastle against unbeleefe and unwillingnesse intertaine every good motion of the Spirit for this end and never admit of any thing that may quench its longings desires or exspectation Nay 10. If the sinner be come this length that with the bit willingnesse he hath he consenteth to the bargane is not satisfied with any thing in himself that draweth back or consenteth not with the little skill or strength he hath is writing downe his name and saying even so I take Him and is holding at this peremptorily resolving never to goe bake or unsay what he hath said but on the contrare is firmly purposed to adhere as he groweth in strength to grippe more firmly and adhere to Him he may conclude that the bargan is closed already and that he hath faith already for here ther is an accepting of Christ on his owne tearmes a reall consenting unto the covenant of grace though weak and not so discernable as the soul would wish The soul dar not say but it loveth the bargane and is satisfied with it and longeth for it and desireth nothing more than that it might partake thereof and enjoy Him whom it loveth hungereth for panteth after or breatheth as it is able that it may live in Him be saved through Him But Some will say If I had any evidence of God's approbation of this act of my soul any testimony of his Spirit I could then with confidence say that I had beleeved accepted of the covenant and of Christ offered therein but so long as I perceive nothing of this how can I suppose that any motion of this kinde in my soul is real faith For answere 1. We would know that our beleeving and God's sealing to our sense are two distinct acts and separable and oft separated our beleeving is one thing and God's sealing with the holy Spirit of promise to our sense is another thing and this followeth though not inseparably the other Eph. 1 13. In whom also after that yee beleeved yee were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise And so 2. We would know that Many a man may beleeve yet not know that he doth beleeve He may set to his seal that God is true in his offer of life through Iesus and accept of that offer as a truth and close with it and yet live under darknesse doubtings of his faith long many aday partly through not discerning the true nature of faith partly through the great sense and feeling of his owne corruption and unbeleefe partly through a mistake of the operations of the spirit within or the want of a clear distinct uptaking of the motions of his owne soul Partly because he findeth so much doubting and feare as if there could be no faith where there were doubting or fear contrare to Mark 9 24. Mat. 8 26. 14 31. Partly because he hath not that perswasion that others have had as if there were not various degrees of faith as there is of other graces the like Therefore 3. We would know that many may really beleeve and yet misse this sensible sealing of the Spirit which they would be at God may think it not yet seasonable to grant them that lest they forget themselves and become too proud and to traine them up more to the life of faith whereby He may be glorified and for other holy ends He may suspend the giving of this for a time 4. Yet we would know that all that beleeve have the seal within them 1. Iohn 5 10. He that beleeveth on the Son of God hath the witnesse in himself that is He hath that which really is a seal though he see it not nor perceive it not even the work of God's spirit in his soul inclining and determineing him unto the accepting of this bargan to a likeing of endeavouring after holinesse and the whole gospel clearing up what faith is is a seal confirmation of the businesse So that the matter is sealed and confirmed by the word though the soul want those sensible breathings of the Spirit sheding abroad his love in the heart and filling the soul with a full assurance by hushing all doubts and feares to the door yea though they should be a stranger unto the Spirits witnessing thus with their spirits that they are the children of God and clearning up distinctly the reall wotâ—… of grace within their soul and so saying in effect that they have in truth beleeved But enough of this seing all this and much more is abundantly held forth and explained inthat excellent usefull treatise of Mr. Guthries intituled The Christians great interest CHAP. V. How Christ is to be made use of as the VVay for Sanctification in generall HAving shown how a poor soul lying under the burden of sin wrath is to make use of Iesus Christ for righteousnesse justification and so to make use of Him goe out to Him and apply Him as He is made of God to us righteousnesse 1. Cor. 1 v. 30. and that but briefly this whole great businesse being more fully and satisfactoryly handled in thâ—…t fore mentioned great though small Treatise vix The Christians great Interest We shall now come and show how a beleever or a justified soul shall furder make use of Christ for Sanctification
5 6. that as many of us as are Baptized into Iesus Christ were Baptized into his death and that therefore we are buryed with Him by baptisme into death and are planted together in the likenesse of his death yea and that our old man is crueified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed that hence forth we should not serve sin whence beleevers are warranded commanded vers 11. to reckon themselvs to be dead indeed unto sin and therefore sin should not reigne in their mortall bodyes to fulfill the lusts thereof vers 12. This is a sure ground of hope comfort for beleevers that Christ dyed thus as a publick person and that by vertue thereof being now united to Christ by faith they are dead unto sin by law and sin cannot challenge a dominion over them as before their conversion it might have done and did for the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth but no longer wherefore beleeving brethren becomeing dead to the law by the body of Christ are marryed to another even to Him who is raised from the dead that they should bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7 1 4. 3. Hence It followeth that our old man is crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed Rom. 6 6. So that this old tyrant that oppresseth the people of God hath got his deaths wounds in the crucifixion of Christ shall never recover his former vigour activity to oppresse beare down the people of God as he did He is now virtually through the death of Iesus killed crucified being in Christ nailed to the crosse 4. His resurrection is a paune pledge of this sanctification for as He died as a publick person so He rose againe as a publick person we are buryed with Him by baptisme that likeas Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newnesse of life Rom. 6 4. and beleevers are said to be planted together with him in the likenesse of his resurrection vers 5. and they shall live with Him vers 8. and therefore they are to reckon themselvs alive unto God through Iesus Christ our Lord verse 11. we are raised up together Ephes. 2 6. 5. This sanctification is an article of the covenant of redemption betwixt the Father the Son Esa. 52 15. so shall he sprinkle many nations Cap. 53 10. He shall see his seed and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Christ then having this promised to Him must see to the accomplishment thereof and will have it granted to him seing He hath fulfilled all that was engadged to by Him having made his soul an offering for sin 6. This sanctification is promised in the covenant of grace Ier. 33. 8. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity Ezech 37 23. and I will cleanse them So Chap. 36 25. Then will I sprinkle cleane water upon you yee shall be cleane from all your filthinesse from all your idols will I cleanse you Now all the promises of the covenant of grace are confirmed to us in the Mediator for in Him all the promises are yea amen 2. Cor. 1 20. 7. He hath also purchased made sure to his owne the new nature and the heart of flesh which is also promised Ezech. 36 26. 11. 19. Ier. 32. 39. This is the new lively principle of grace the spring of sanctification which cannot be idle in the soul but must be emitting vitall acts natively Yea through Him are beleevers made partakers of the divine nature which is a growing thing young glory in the soul. 2. Pet. 2 3 4. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertaine unto life godlinesse through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory virtue whereby are given unto us exceeding great precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature c. 8. The Spirit is promised to cause us walk in his statutes Ezech. 36 27. Now all these promises are made good to us in Christ who is the cautioner of the covenant yea He hath gotten now the dispensing and giving out of the rich promises of the covenant committed unto Him so as He is the great Lord treasurer and administrator of the great glorious purchased blessings 9. There are new waterings breathings gailes of the Spirit given in Christ. Esai 27 3. He must water his garden or vinyaird every moment This is the north winde the south winde that bloweth upon the garden Cant. 4 16. He must be as the dew unto Israel Hos. 14 5. 10. Through Christ is the beleever brought into such a covenant state as giveth great ground of hope of certane victory He is not now under the law but under grace and hence inferreth the Apostle Rom. 6 14. That sin shall not have dominion over them Being now under that dispensation of grace whereby all their stock is in the Mediators hand at his disposall and not in their own hand power as under the covenant of works there is a sure ground laid down for constant supply furniture in all necessities 11. Christ hath prayed for this Iohn 17. 17. Sanctifie them through thy truth where the Lord is praying that his disciples might be more more sanctified and so fitted qualified for the work of the ministrie they were to be imployed in And what He prayed for them was not for them alone but also for all the elect proportionably who are opposed to the world for which He did not pray v. 9. 12. He standeth in relation to beleevers of a Vine or a Root in which they grow as branches so that by abiding in Him living by faith in Him and drawing sap from him they bring forth fruit in Him Iohn 15 1 2 4 5. Their stock of grace is in Him the root and He communicateâ—…h sap and life unto his branches whereby they grow floorish and bring forth fruit to the glory of God 13. Christ hath taken on Him the office of a Prophet and Teacher to instruct us in the way wherein we ought to goe for He is that great Prophet whom the Lord promised to raise up and who was to be heard and obeyed in all things Deut. â—…8 15. Act. â—… 2â—… and 7 37. He is given for a witnesse a leader Esai 55 4. and we are commanded to hear Him Mat. 17 5. Mark 10 7. 14. He hath also taken on Him the office of a King Psal. 2 6. Mat. 21 5. Esai 9 6 7. Phil. 2 8. 9 10 11. and thereby standeth engadged to lubdue all their spirituall enemies Satan corruption Psal. 110. He is given for a leader and commander Esai 55 4 and so can cause his people walk in his wayes 15. When we defile ourselves with new transgressions failings He hath provided a fountaine for us
to wash in a fountaine opened to the house of David to the Inhabitants of Ierusalem for sin for uncleannesse Zâ—…ch 13 1. and this fountaine is his blood which cleanseth from all sin Heb. 9 14. 1. Iohn 1 7 Revel 1 5. 16. He is set before us as a copie patternâ—… that we should walk even as He walked 1. Ioh. 2 6. He left us an example that we should follow his stepps 1. Pet. 2 21. But we would beware to separate this consideration from the preceeding aâ—… Antichristian Socinians do who will have Christ only to be a copie 17. He hath overcome Satan our arch-enemie and hath destroyed his works 1. Iohn 3 8. He came to destroy the works of the devill And in particular his works of wickednesse in the soul Thus He is a conquerour the Captaâ—…e of our Salvation 18. As He hath purchased So hath He appointed ordinences for the laying of the foundation and carrying on of this work of sanctificationâ—… both Word 〈◊〉 are appointed for this end The Word to convert and to confirme Iohn 17 17. sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth said Christ. The word is given as the rule and also through the meanes thereof is life and strength conveyed to the soul to perfect holinesse in the fear of God 1. Pet. 2 2. And the Sacraments are given to strengthen confirme the soul in the wayes of God 19. As He hath laid downe strong encouragements to his followers to hold on in the way of holinesse many great precious promises by which they might be partakers of the divine nature 2. Pet. 1 4. and by which they are encouraged to cleanse themselves from all filthinesse of the flesh spirit 2. Cor. 7 1. and many motives to hold on continue So hath He rolled difficultyes out of the way whether they be within us or without us and thereby made the way easie and pleasant to such as walk in it so as they may now run in the way of his commandements walk not weary run not be faint Nay 20 we would remember for our encouragment and confidence that in carrying on of this work lyeth the satisfaction of soul the pleasure of the Lord that must prosper in His hand thus He seeth his seed hath of the travail of his soul and is satisfied These particulars rightly considered will discover unto us what a noble ground for sanctification is in Christ laid downe for beleevers which they may and must by faith grippe to that they may grow in grace and grow up in Christ and perfecte holinesse and what a wonderfull contriveance of grace this is wherein all things are made so sure for beleevers Christ becomeing all things to them and paveing a royall sure way for them sure for them and glorious to himself As to the second particular that is How beleevers are to carry in this matter or how they are to make use of Christ and of those grounds of sauctification in Christ which we have mentioned First There are some things which they would bewar of and guaird against as 1. They would bewar of an heartlesse despondency giving way to discouragements and hearkning to the language of unbeleefe or to the suggestions of Satan whereby he will labour to perswade them of the impossibility of getting the work of sanctification throughed or any progresse made therein to purpose Satan a deceitfull heart can soon muster up many difficultyes alledge that there are many Lyons many insuperable difficultyes in the way to discourage them from ventureing forward and if Satan prevail here he hath gained a great point Therefore the beleever would keep up his head in hope and beware of multiplying discouragements to himself or of concludeing the matter impossible for then shall he neither have heart nor hand for the work but sit downe wring his hands as overcome with discouragement despondency of Spirit 2. They would beware of wilfull rejecting their owne mercyes and forbearing to make use of the grounds of hope of strength and progresse in the matter of sanctification which Christ hath allowed them to make use of There is such an evill even amongst Gods children that they scarre at that which Christ out of great love hath provided for them and dar not with confidence make use of nor apply to themselves the great and comfortable promises to the end they might be encouraged they will not take their allowance as thinking themselves unworthy and that it should be presumption in them to challenge a right to such great things and they think it commendable humility in them to stand aback and so wilfully refuse the advantages and helps that make so much for their grouth in grace 3. They would beware of a carelesse neglect of the meanes appointed for advanceing in holinesse for though the meanes do not worke the effect yet it is by the meanes that God hath chosen to worke the work of sanctification Here that is to be seen that the hand of the diligent maketh rich and the field of the slothfull is soon grown over with thorns and nettles so that poverty cometh as one that travelleth and want as an armed man Prov. 24 30 31 34. It is a sinfull tempting of God to think to be sanctified another way than God hath in his deep wisdom condescended upon 4. Yet they would beware of laying too much weight on the meanes ordinances as if they could effectuat the businesse Though the Lord hath thought good to work in and by the meanes yet He himself must do the work Meanes are but meanes and not the principal cause nor can they work but as the principal agent is pleased to make use of them and to work by them when we leane to the meanes and to instruments we prejudge our selves by disobligeing God and provoking Him to leave us that we may wrestle with the ordinances alone and finde no advantage Therefore the soul would guaird against this 5. Albeit the meanes can do nothing unlesse He breath yet we would beware not only of neglecting them as we said afore but also of a slighting way of performing of them without that earnestnesse and diligence that is required Cursed is he who doth the work of the Lord negligently Ier. 48 10. Here then is the speciall art of Christianity apparent to be as diligent earnest and serious in the use of the means as if they could effectuate the matter we were seeking and yet to be as much abstracted from them in our hopes and exspectation and to be as much leaning on the Lord alone and depending on Him for the blessing as if we were useing no meanes at all 6. They would beware of slighting and neglecting the motions of the Spirit for thereby they may lose the best opportunity They should be alwayes on the wing ready to imbrace the least motion and they should stand alwayes ready waiting
the body of death The objecter would consider that having subjected his consent to Christ he is delivered really from that naturall state of bondage under sin as a lawfull Lord how be it the 〈◊〉 now wanting a tittle is making 〈◊〉 vâ—…sions to trouble the peace and quiet of the soul. Fourthly It may be said But what can then in the meane time keep up the heart of a poor soul from siâ—…king Answer Severall things if rightly considered might helpe to support the soul in this â—…ase as 1. That they are helped to wreastle against this body of death in all the members of it so soon as they discover themselves were it their right eye and right hand 2. That those lusts gaine not ground upon them or if they do seem to gaine ground yet they attaine not to a full dominion not 〈◊〉 their consent 3. That God is faithfull and therefore the promised victory shall be had in due time and Satans head shall certanely be bruised 4. That the wreastling soul is about his duty carrying as a good souldier of Jesus Christ fighting the battels of the Lord and waiting on Him in faith and hope But further Fiftly some may say If I were keeped from yeelding my wrestling and standing would yeeld me some comfort but when lust so stirreth as that it conceiveth and bringeth forth sin Iames 1 15. what can support or comfort me then Answer 1. Corruption can not stirre in us but therein we sinne for the very first rise the motus primo-primi as they are called are sinfull being contrare to the holy law of God and the very inbeeing of that Old man is our sin for it is sinfull and rebellious against God yea it is very enmity rebellion it self when Satan cometh with a temptation from without he findeth alwayes much in us to intertaine the temptation So that the very stirring of corruption which is occasioned by the temptation from without is ouâ—… guilt 2. It is true it is our duty â—…o set against the first riseings and motions of corruption when it first enticeth before it hath conceived of brought forth sin and it will argue grace in life and in action to be able to hinder the motions of lust so farr that it shall not conceive and bring forth sin Yet we may not say that there is no grace in the soul or no measure of Mortification attained where lust sometimes not only enticeth but conceiveth and bringeth forth sin The sad experience of many of God's worthies registrated in the word cleareth this abundantly We must not say Such an one is fallen Therefore he is dead Paul reasoneth otherwayes Rom. 7. 3. Yet even then when lust conceiveth and bringeth forth sin this may comfort and bear up the heart of a poor beleever 1. That though corruption prevail so farr as to bear down all opposition run downe all that standeth in its way yet it getteth not the full consent of the soul there is still a party for God in the soul that opposeth so farr as to protest against it or at least to dissent from it and not to will that which yet is done and positively to will that which cannot be gotten effectuated 2. And farther this may bear up the poor soul that there is a party within which though for a time dureing the violent overruning of corruption can do little more than sigh groan in a corner yet is waiting longing for an opportunity when it may appear more for God and against that wicked usurper 3. So also this may comfort the pooâ—… soul that as it perceiveth corruption stirring and the old man moving one member oâ—… other it runeth away to the king and when it is not able to apprehend the Treator take him captive to the court of justice doth there discover the Taitour and tell the king that there is such or such a traitouâ—… acting such and such rebellion against Him and his lawes and compleâ—… and sâ—…k help to take the rebell prisoner and bring him bound hand and foot to the King that He may give out sentence against him that is when he can do no more against that rageing enemie maketh his complaint to the Lord lyeth before Him â—…ghing groaning for help strength to withstand and oppose more this enemy Lastly some may yet Object say if it were not worse with me than it is with others I could then be satisfied but I see some mightily prevailing over corruption and I am still at under and can get no victory and can I choose but be sad at this I Answere 1. Dost thou know for a certanâ—…ty that those persons whose condition thou judgest happy are altogether free of the inward stirrings of those lusts that thou art brought under by Or dost thou know for a certainty that they are not under the power of some other corruption as thou thinkest thy self under the power of that corruption whereof thou compleanest What knowest thou then but they may be as much complaining on other accounts as thou dost on that 2. But be it so as thou supposeth that thereis a difference betwixt thy condition and the condition of others knowest thou not that all the members of the body are not alike great and strong as not being equally to be imployed in works requireing strength Are there not some young strong men in Christs family some that are but babeâ—… May not a Captane send some of his souldiers to one post where they shall possibly not see the enemy all the day long and some others to another post where they shall have no rest all the day And why I pray may not God dispose of his souldiers as He will He knoweth what He is doing It is not saife that every one of the souldiers know what are the designes of the Commander or Generall noâ—… is it alwayes fit for us to know or to enquire what may be the designes of God with us and what He may be about to do He may intend to imploy one in greater works than another and so exercise them otherwayes for that warfare and work It may suffice that the prevailing of others may encourage thee to hope that at last thy strong corruptions shall also fall by the hand of the same grace of God 3. If thy sadnesse â—…avoure not of envy fâ—…etting thou should blesse Him that hereby thou art put to the exercise of spirituall sorrow 4. It is well of this bring thee to blesse God for the successe of others because hereby his grace is glorified 1 Cor. 12 26. Therefore 5. Let this satisfie us that He is the Lord who doth what He will in heaven and in earth and may dispose of us as He will and make of us what He will for his owne glory And that we are to minde our duty and be faithfull at our post standing and fighting in the strength of the Lord resolving never to comply with the enemy and
our looking long and waiting and asking and labouring and yet seeing no sensible advantage Such and such a beleever sayeth the soul made great progresse in a short time but I come no speed for as long as I have been at this school O! we should beware of limiteing the holy one of Israel Let us be at duty and commit the event to Him 9. It is not a fit time to take the measure of our graces as to their sensible grouth and fruitfulnesse when devils are broken loose upon us temptations are multiplyed corruptions make a great noise and we are meeting with an horrible tempest shaking us on all hands for it will be strong grace that will much appear then It will be a strong faith that will say though He kill me yet will I trust in Him At such a time it will be much if the man keep the ground he hath gained though he make no progress It will be much for a tree to stand and not be blowne out of the ground in the time of a strong and vehement storme of winde though it keep not its flourishes yeeld not fruit The trees which in a cold winter day bear neither leafs nor fruit must not be said to go back nor not to grow because when the spring cometh againe they may revive and be as fruitfull as ever 10. We would not alway measure our graces by what appeareth outwardly for there may be some accidental occurrence that may hinder that and yet grace be at work within doors which few or none can observe The Believer may be in a sweet and gracious frame blushing before the Lord yâ—…a melting in love or taken up with spirituall meditations wondering when as to some externall duties it can finde no present disposition through some accidentall impediment or other so that to some who judge most by out ward appearance no such thing as the active working of grace in life can appeare 11. We would think it no small measure or degree of holinesse to be with singlenessâ—… of heart pursueing it even though it should seem to flee from us to be earnestly panting after it and hungering and thirsting for it Nehemiah thought this no small thing when he said Neh. 1. last O Lord I beseech thee let now thine eare be attentive to the prayer of thy servants who desire to feare thy name 12. Whatever measure of holinesse the beleeveâ—… win to he would take speciall heed that he place no part of his confidence of his being accepted and justified before God in it as if that could come in as any part of the price to satisfy justice but when he hath done all let him call and account himself an unprofitable servant Though beleevers will not be so grosse as to speak thus yet sure their justifying of their holding aback from God because they finde not such a measure of grace and holinesse as they would have looketh too much this way and sayeth that they leane too much hereunto in the matter of the acceptance of their persons before God Now this would be specially guairded against lest their labour be in vaine Objections answered An Objection or two must here also be removed and first some may say That though they have been labouring and striveing and working now for some long time yet they can perceive no advancementâ—… they are as far short as ever Answer 1. Hath it not been found that some have compleaned without cause Have not some complained of their fruitlesnesse and want of grouth that other good Christians would have thought themselves very happy if they had but advanced half so farre as they saw them to have done 2. But be it so as it is alleiged what if the fault be their owne what if the cause of this be that they attempt things in their owne strength leaning to their own understanding or habites of grace or meanes c. and that they do not go about duties with that single dependence on Christ that is requisite nor do they suck life strength and sap from Him by faith through the promises nor give themselvs up to Him by faith that He may worke in them both to will and to do Should not this be seen mourned for and helped 3 If all this shortcoming and disappointment cause them lye in the dust and humble themselves more and more before the Lord the grace of humility is growing and that is no small advantage to be growing downward 4. Withall they would do well to hold on in duty looking to Christ for help and rolling all difficulties on Him give themselves away to Him as their Head and Lord and so continue their life of faith or their consenting to let Christ live in them by faith or work in them by his Spirit what is welpleasing in his sight and waite for the blessing and fruit in God's own time Next it will be Objected Though we might wait thus yet how unedifying are we unto others when there appeareth no fruit of the spirit of grace 〈◊〉 Answer A Christian behaviour and deportment under the sence of fruitlesnesse expressing an holy submission of soul unto God as Soveraigne much humility of minde before Him justifying of God and taking guilt to themselves with a firme resolution to waite on patiently in the use of meanes appointed cannot but be edifying to Christian soules such exercises being really the works and fruit of the Spirit of grace working within But thirdly Some may say How are then the promises of the covenant made good Answere 1. The same measure of sanctification and holinesse is not promised to all 2. No great measure is promised to any absolutly So much indeed is secured to all beleevers as shall carry them to heaven as without which they cannot see God but much as to the degrees depends on our performing through faith the conditions requisite to wit on condition of our abideing in the vine of our acting faith on Him c. and when these the like conditions are not faithfully performed by us what can we exspect So the Lord hath appointed a way wherein He will be found and will have us to waite for strength and influence from Him and if we neglect those meanes which He hath appointed how can we exspect the good which He hath promised in the use of these means 3. The Lord hath his owne time of making good all his promises and we must not limite Him to a day 4. Hereby the Lord may be trying and exerciseing thy Faith Patience Hope Dependence Submission Diligence c. and if these be in thee and abound they shall make that thou shall neither be barren noâ—… unfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. Pet. 1 11. But lastly it will be enquired what can support the beleeving soul in this case Answere 1. The consideration and saith of the covenant of Redemption wherein both the Fathers engadgment to the Son and the Sons engadgment to the Father secureth
what benefites pardons favours and other things they need from all which they have strong ground of comfort and of hope yea and assurance of pardon would acquiesce in this way and having laid those particular sins under the burden whereof they now groan on Christ the mediator dying on the crosse to make satisfaction and ariseing to make application of what was purchased and having put them in his hand who is a faithfull High priest and a noble Intercessour would remember that Christ is a Prince exalted to give Repentance and Remission of sins and so exspect the sentence even from Him as a Prince now exalted and as having obtained that of the Father even a power to forgive sins justice being now sufficiently satisfied through his death yea as having all power in heaven and in earth as being Lord both of the dead and of the living Sure a right thought of this would much quiet the soul in hope of obtaining pardon through Him seing now the pardon is in his owne hand to give out who loved them so dearly that he gave himself to the death for them and shed his heart blood to satisfie justice for their transgressions Since he who hath procured their pardon at so dear a rate and is their atturnay to agent their businesse at the throne of grace hath now obtained the prayed-for looked-for pardon and hath it in his ownehand they will not question but He will give it and so absolve them from their guilt 12. The beleever having taken this course with his dayly provocations and laid them all on Him would acquiâ—…sce in this way and not seek after another that he may obtaine pardon Here he would rest committing the matter by faith in prayer to Christ leaving his guilt and sins on Him expect the pardon yea conclude that they are already pardoned and that for these sins he shall never be brought unto condemnation whatever Satan and a misbeleeving heart may say or suggest afterward Thus should a beleever make use of Christ for the taking away of the Guilt of his dayly transgressions and for further clearing of it I shall adde a few cautions Cautions 1. However the beleever is to be much moved at affâ—…cted with his sins and provocations which he committeth after God hath visited his soul with salvation and brought him into a covenant with himself yet he must not suppose that his sins after justification do marre his state as if thereby he were brought into a Non-justified state or to a Non reconciled state It is true such sins especially if grosse whether in themselves or by reason of circumstances will darken a mans state and put him to search and try his condition over againe But yet we dar not say that they make any alteration in the state of a beleever for once in a justified state alwayes in a justified state It is true likewise that as to those sins which now he hath committed he cannot be said to be acquited or justified till this pardon be got out by faith and repentance as is said yet his State remaineth fixed and unchanged so that though God should seem to deal with such in his dispensations as with enemies yet really his affections change not he never accounteth them real enemies nay love lieth at the bottom of all his sharp st dispenâ—…ations If they for sake his law and walk not in his judgements if they break his statutes and keep not his commandements he will visite their transgression with the rod and their iniquitâ—… with stripes neverthelesse his loving kindnesse will he not utterly take from them nor suffer his faithfulnesse to â—…ail his covenant will he not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of his lips Psal. 89 30 31 32 33 34. And againe though after-transgressions may waken challenges for former sins which have been pardoned and blotted out and give occasion to Satan to raise a storme in the soul and put all in confusion yet really sins once pardoned cannot become againe unpardoned sins The Lord doth not revoke his sentence nor alter the thing that is gone out of his mouth It is true likewise that a beleever by committing of grosse sins may come to misse the effects of God's favour and good will and the intimations of his love and kindnesse and so be made to cry with David Psal. 51 8. make me to heare joy and gladnesse and vers 12. restore unto me the joy of thy salvation c. Yet that really holdeth true that whom he loveth he loveth to the end and He is a God that changeth not and his gifts are without repentance Yea though grieving of the Spirit may bring souls under sharp throwes and pangs of the Spirit of bondage and the terrors of God and His sharpe arrowes the poyson where of may drink up their spirits and so be far from the actuall witnessings of the Spirit of Adoption yet the Spirte will never be againe really a Spirit of bondage unto fear nor deny his his owne work in the soul or the souls real right to or possession of that fundamentall privilege of Adoption or say that the soul is no more a Son noâ—… within the covenant 2. The course before mentioned is to be taken with all sins though 1. They be never so haiâ—…ous and grosse 2. Though they be accompanyed with never such aggravating and crying aggravations 3. Though they be sins frequently fallen into and. 4. Though they be sins many and heaped together Davids transgression was a hainous sin and had hainous aggravations yea there was an heap and a complication of sins together in that one yet he followed this course We finde none of those kinde of sins excepted in the new covenant and where the law doth not distinguish we ought not to distinguish where God's law doth not expressely exclude us we should not exclude our selves Christs death is able enough to take away all sin If through it a beleeveâ—… be justified from all his transgressions committed before conversion why may not also a beleever be through vertue of it justified from his grosse and multiplied sins committed after conversion The blood of Christ cleanseth from all sinâ—… Christ hath taught his followers to pray forgive us our sins as we forgive them that sinne against us and he hath told us also that we must forgive our brother seventy times seven times Mat. 18 22. We would not be discouraged then from taking this course because our sins are such and such nay rather we would look on this as an argument to presse us more unto this way because the greater our sins be the greater need have we of pardon and to say with David Ps. 25 11. Pardon mine iniquity for it is great 3. We would not think that upon our taking of this course we shall be instantly freed from challenges because of those sins for pardoning whereof we take this course nor should we think that because challenges remaine
that therefore there is no pardon had or that this is not the way to pardon for as we shall shew afterward pardon is one thing and intimation of pardon is another thing we may be pardoned and yet suppose that we are not pardoned challenges will abide till the conscience be sprinkled and till the Prince of peace command peace to the conscience and put the accuser to silence who when he can do no more will marre the peace of a beleever as long as he can and stoppe the current of his comforts which made David pray that God would restore to him the joy of his salvation Psal. 51. 4. Nor would we think that upon our taking of this course for the pardon of our sins we shall never thereafter meet with a challenge upon the account of these sins It is true when sins are pardoned they are fully pardoned in God's court and that obligation to condemnation is taken away and the pardoned person is looked upon as no sinner that is as no person liable to condemnation because of these sins for being pardoned he becometh just before God yet we darre not say but conscience afterward being alarmed with new transgressions may mistake as people suddenly put into a fright are ready to do nor dar we say that God will not permit Satan to upbraid us with those sins which have been blotted out long ago as he suffered Shimâ—…i who was but an instrument of Satan to cast up to David his blood guiltinesse which had been pardoned long before The Lord may think good to suffer this that his people may be keeped humble and made more tender and watchfull in all their wayes 5. Beleevers would not mis improve or abuse this great condescendency of free grace take the greater liberty to sin because there is such a sure saifâ—… and pleasant way of getting those sins blotted out and forgiven Shall we sin because we are not under grace but under the law That be far from us sayeth 〈◊〉 Apostle Rom. 6 15. This were indeed to turne the grace of God into lasciviousnesse And it may be a question if such as have really repented gotten their sins pardoned will be so ready to make this use of it sure sense of pardon will work some other effect as we see Ezech. 16 62 63. 6. The beleever in going about this work of nailing his sins to the crosse of Christ and of improving Christ's Death Resurrection and constant intercession for the obtaining of pardon would not think of going alone or of doing this in his own strength for of himself he can do nothing He must look to Christ for grace to help in this time of need and must got about this duty with dependence on Him waiting for the influences of Light Counsell Strength and Grace from Him to repent and beleeve for He is a Prince exalted to give repentance first and last and He is the author and finisher of faith so that without Him we can do nothing 7. Let the beleever beware of concluding that he hath got no pardon because he hath met with no sensible intimation thereof by the flowing in of peace and joy in his soul. Pardon is one mercy and intimation of it to the soul is another distinct mercy and separable from it shall we therefore say we have not gotten the first because we have not gotten both The Lord for wise reasons can pardon poor sinners and not give any intimation thereof to wit that they may watch more against sin afterward and not be so bold as they have been and that they may finde more in experience what â—… bitter thing it is to sin against God and learne withall to depend on Him for lesse and more and to carry more humbly for it may be God seeth that if they saw their sins pardoned they would forget themselves and rush into new sins againe 8. The beleever must not think it strange if he finde more trouble after greater sins and a greater difficulty to lay hold on Christ for pardon of those then for pardon of others for as God hath been more dishonoured by these so is his anger more kindled upon that account and it is sureable for the glory of God's justice that our sorrow for such hainous sins be proportionably greater and this will likewise increase the difficulty and ordinarly the effects of God's fatherly displeasure make deeper wounds in the soul after such sins and these are not so easily healed all which will call for 〈◊〉 and proportionably greater godly sorrow and repentance and acts of faith because faith will meet with more opposition and discouragment there and therefore must be the more strong to go thorow these impediments and to lay hold on his crosse Yet though this should make all watchfull and to guaird against grosse and crying sins it should not drive any to dispaire nor to say with that dispairing wretch their sin is greater than it can be forgiven the ocean of mercy can drown and swallow up great as well as lesser sinnes Christ is an alsufficient Mediator for the greatest sins as well as for the least O for thy names sake pardon mine iniquitie for it is great will come in season to a soul ready to sink with the weight of this milstone â—…ied about its neck 9. as the greater sins should not make us dispaire of taking this course for remission so nor should the smalnâ—…sse of sin make us to neglect this way for the least sin cannot be pardoned but through Jesus Christ for the law of God is violated thereby justice provoked Gods authority vilipended c. and therefore cannot be now pardoned by reason of the threatnings annexed to the transgression of the law without a ransome death is the wages of all sin lesser and greater and the curse is due to all sinners greater and smaller Therefore the beleever would not suffer one sin seen and discovered to lie unpardoned but on the first discovery thereof take it away to Christ and nail it to his crosse 10. The beleever would not conclude that his sins are not pardoned because possibly temporal strokes inflicted because of them are not removed for though Davids sin was pardoned yet because of that sin of his a temporall stroke attended him and his family to his dying day for not only did God cut off the childe 2 Sam. 15 14. but told him that the sword should never depairt from his house and that He would raise up evil against him â—…ut of his own house and give his wives to one that should lie with them in the sight of the sun vers 10 11. So we read that the Lord took vengeance on their inventions whose sins he had pardoned Psal. 99 8. God may see this fit and expedient for his own glory and for humbling of them and causing them feare the more to sin against him Yea not only may temporal calamities be inflicted because of sin pardoned or continued after sin
and filthinesse taken away that we may be holy As to the first For the purging away of the filth of our dayly failings and transgressions Christ hath done those things 1. He hath died that He might procure this benefite and advantage to us and thus he hath washed us meritoriously in his blood which he shed upon the crosse Thus he loved us and washed us from our sins in his owne blood Revel 1 5. and this is from all sins as well such as are committed after as such as are committed before conversion Thus He by himself purged our sins Heb. 1 3. viz by offering up of himself as an expiatory sacrifice to make an atonement and so procure this liberty So also it is said Ephes. 5 25 26 27. that Christ gave himself for his Church that He might sanctify and cleanse it that He might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy without blemish So Tit. 2 14. He gave himself for us that he might purify to himself a peculiar people Zealous of good works Here then is the foundation and ground of all our cleanseing and purification Christ's death procuring it 2. As He hath procured so he sendeth the Spirit to effectuate this and to worke this washing and sanctification in us Hence it is said 1 Cor. 6 11. that we are sanctified and washed in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of our God We are said to be saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy ghost which he shed upon us abundantly through Iesus Christ our Saviour Tit. 3 5 6. The sending then or shedding of the holy and sanctifying Spirit upon us whereby we are sanctified and consequently purified and purged from our filth is a fruit of Christ's death and mediation being purchased thereby and is an effect of his resurrection and glorification and intercession in glory 3. He hath made a fountaine of his blood for this end that we may go to it daylie and wash and be cleane thus his blood cleanseth from all sin 1 Ioh. 1 7 9. This is the fountaine opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sin and for uncleannesse Zech. 13 1. 4. He hath purchased and provided the externall meanes whereby this cleansing and sanctification is brought about viz the preaching of the gospell which He himself preached and thereby sanctified Iohn 15 3. Now are yee clean through the word that I have spoken unto you Ephes. 5 26. the Church is sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the word 5. So hath He procured and worketh in the soul those graces that promove and cary on this work of sanctification and purifying such as faith which purifyeth the heart Act. 15 9. whereof he is the author and finisher Heb. 12. and hope which whosoever hath purifyeth himself even as He is pure 1 Iohn 3 3. 6. He hath confirmed and ratified all the promises of the covenant which are ample and large touching this cleansing and washing Ier. 35 8. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity whereby they have sinned against me Ezech. 36 25. Then will I sprinkle cleane water upon you and yee shall be cleane from all your filthinesse So Ezech. 37 23. and I will cleanse them And all the other promises of the covenant apprehended by faith have no small influence on our cleanseing 2 Cor. 7 1. having there oâ—…e these promises let us cleanse our selves c. all which promises are yea and amen in Christ 2 Cor. 1 20. Thus Christ hath made all sure for the cleanseing and washing of his people conforme to that article of the covenant of Redemption So shall he sprinckle many nations Esai 52 15. Secondly As to the way of our usemaking of Christ for the purging away of our filth and daylie pollutions Beleevers would take this course 1. They would remember and live in the conviction of the exceeding abominablnesse and filthinesse of sin which is compared to the vomite of a dog and to the mire wherein the sow walloweth 2 Pet. 2 22. to filthy rags Esai 64 6. to a menstruous cloath Esai 30 22 and the like that this may move them to seek with greater care and diligence to have that filth washen away 2. They would remember also how abominable sin maketh them in the eyes of an holy God who cannot behold iniquity being a God of purer eyes than to behold it Habak 1 13. nor can He look on it And how therefore no unclean thing can enter in into the new Jerusalem nor any thing that defileth And this will make them so much the more to abhore it and to seek to be washen from it 3. They would look by faith upon the blood of Christ that is shed for this end to wash filthy souls into and run to it as a fountaine opened for this end that they might come to it and wash be cleane 4. For their encouragement they would grip by faith to the promises of the new covenant which are large and full 5. And remember the end of Christ's death viz to purchase to himself a holy people Zealous of good works to present them to Himself holy and without spot and wrinkle or any such thing and this will be a further encouragement 6. They would put the work by faith in his hand who hath best skill to wash a foule soul and to purge away all their spots and by faith pray for and exspect the Spirit to sanctifie and cleanse them from all their filthinesse that is they would make known and spread forth their abominations before the Lord and eyeing Christ as the only great Highpriest whose blood is a fountaine to wash in would lay the work on Him and by faith put Him to wash away that filth and to purifie their souls by his Spirit pardoning their bygone iniquities renewing them in the spirit of their mindes by grace that they may walk before him in fear Thus they would roll the work on Him and leave it there Cautions Directions 1. The beleever would in all this work be keeped in the exercise of those graces following 1. Of Humility seeing what a vile filthy wreatch he is that stands in need of washing and purging dayly because of his daylie pollutions and transgressions 2. Of Love considering with what a loving God he hath to do that hath provided so liberally 〈◊〉 things for him and particularly hath provided a fountaine and such a fountaine whereto he noâ—… only may but is commanded to resort dayly 3. Of Thankfulnesse remembering how great this mercy is how unworthy he is on whom it is bestowed and who He is that doth grant it 4. Of Fear least God's goodnesse be abused and He provoked who is so gracious to us 5. Of Sincerity and godly ingenuity avoiding all hypocrisie and formality knowing that we have to do with Him who
will not be mocked 6. Of holy Hatred loathing and abhorrence of sin which maketh us so filthy and odious in the eyes of the Lord. 2. This course would be followed for the purging away of the least sins for till they be purged away we remaine in our filth and cannot exspect God's favourable countenance nor his warme imbracements nor the hearty intimations of his love and kindnesse And a small inconsiderable like spot may grow greater and provoke God to let the accuser of the brethren Satan who alwayes waits for his opportunity losse upon us and a conscience wakened may make much of a little defilement to keep the soul from approaching to God 3. This course would be followed with every sin quickly without delay for the longer those spots continue it will be the more difficult to get them taken away the soul will after some time become the lesse troubled about them and possibly forget them and so they will remaine and this may occasion at last a sad distance and provoke God to hide his face which will cause more bitternesse and sorrow It were good then to keep up a Spirit of tendernesse and feare 4. Let this be our Dayly work and exercise for we are daylie contracting new filth yesterdayes cleansing will not save us from new filth to day nor will our runing to the fountaine to day serve to take away new spots tomorrow new spots call for new washing so that this must be our very life and exercise to be dayly and continually runing to the fountaine with our foule souls and giving Christ the great purger much to do 5. We must not think to be perfectly Washen so long as we are here for we will be contracting new filth dayly our feet will still be to wash Iohn 13 10. We will not be without spote or wrinckle till we come home to that place wherein entereth nothing that defileth 6. Let the beleevers recourse in this matter be wholly to Iesus Christ and his blood and lay no weight on their sorrow repentance or teares or on any outward meane which they are commanded to use yet would they not lay aside these meanes but goe through them to the fountaine to Jesus there and there only to be cleansed 7. They would not be discouraged or dispaire when their spots appear great and not like the spots of his children for Christ's blood can purge from all sin and wash away all their filth of how deep so ever a dye it be Christ's blood is so deep an ocean that a mountain will be sunck out of sight in it as wel as a small peeble stone 8. Though Christ's blood be strong enough to purge from all sin even the greatest yet they would know that scandalous spots or a deep staine may cost them more frequent runing to the fountaine through humiliation godly sorrow prayer and supplication David's scandalous blot cost him more trouble and paines before he got it purged away than many others as we see Psal. 51. 9. When all this is done we must think of having on another righteousnesse as our cloathing and covering in the day of our appearance before our judge even the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ which only is perfect and able to save us from the wrath of God Let us be never so washen in the matter of sanctification and cleansed from our spots we cannot for all that be accounted righteous before God nor will that satisfie justice or take away the guilt so much as of one transgression before God Christ's righteousnesse will be ouâ—… upper-garment for all eternitie Ut his is the fine linning wherewith his bride is busked in heaven 10. At every time we run to the fountaine with our dayly contracted filth we would not forget to carry alongs with us the mother corruption which is the sinck and puddle of all filthinesse I meane our naturall corrupted rottennesse and pollution from whence flow all our other actuall pollutions We would do well to carry mother and daughter both together to the fountaine David prayeth to be washen and purged as well from his originall filthinesse wherein he was conceived and borne as from his bloudguiltinesse Psal. 51 5 7. 11. Let not this occasion our carelesnesse in watching against sin for that would be to turne his grace into wantonness but rather let it sharpen our diligence in watching against all occasions of sin lest we againe defile our soul. 12. Not only must we have our bodyes or our outward conversation washen but our soul within the frame of our heart our understanding will affections and conscience sprinkled with that blood The blood of Christ who through the eternall Spirit offered himself without spot â—…o God must purge our consciences from dead works to serve the living God Heb. 9 14. And we must have our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience Heb. 10 22. Finally If the beleever feare that he shall not be able to remember all these particular duties let him remember this to wit To put a â—…oule soul defiled with originall and actuall pollutions in Christ's hand dayly and leave it with him to wash by his blood and Spirit And yet remember to lay the weight of his acceptance before God upon the imputed righteousnesse of Iesus Christ and not upon his own cleannesse when thus sanctified and washen which is but imperfect Questions or objections answered But alas some may Object and say That their very faith which must carry the rest of their filth to the fountaine of Christ's blood is defiled How then can they expect to be made clean An. The blood of Iesus Christ is sufficiently able to wash all our filth away and the filth of faith as well as of other actions Therefore when faith as a hand is carrying the filth of the soul away to Christ to be washen in his blood let the foule hand go with the foule hand full give Christ faith and all to wash 2. But what shall I do when notwithstanding of all this my conscience shall still accuse me of uncleannesse and cry out against me as filthy and abominable Ans. Take it away also to the blood of Iesus that there it may be purged Heb. 9 14. and here alone will we get our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience Heb. 10 22. The conscience must be steeped to speak so in the blood of Iesus and so it shall be cleane and taking our filthy hearts to this cleansing fountaine to be washen we will get them delivered and sprinkled from an evil conscience that it shall no more have ground of accusation against us when we have it to say that we have put our filthy souls in the hands of the great cleanser Jesus Christ and brought all our pollutions to his blood what can conscience say to us The Lord it is true may suffer our consciences still to bark upon us and cast up our filthinesse to us that we may be the more humbled and be put to lye
motions of the heart and laboure for spirituality singlenesse of heart and truth in the inward parts which the Lord desireth Psal. 51 6. CHAP. XVI How to make use of Christ as the Truth when error prevaileth and the spirit of error carryeth many away THere is a time when the Spirit of error 〈◊〉 going abâ—…oad and truth is questioned an many are led away with delusions for Satan can change himself into an angel of light and make many great and faire like pretensions to holinesse and under that pretext ushere-in untruthes and gaine the consent of many unto them so that in such a time of temptation many are stollen off their feet and made to depart from the right wayes of God and to imbrace error and delusions in stead of truth Now the question is how a poor beleever shall make use of Christ who is the Truth for keeping him stedfast in the truth in such a day of tryal and from imbracing the way of error how plausible soever it may appeare for satisfaction to this we shall propose those few things 1. In such a time when a Spirit of error is let loose and rageth and carrieth severall away it were good for all who would be keeped streight honest to be walking in feare It is not good to despise such a sâ—…ye and subtile enemy especially in the houre and power of darknesse Then all are called to be on their guaird and to stand upon their watch toure and to be jealous of their corrupt hearts that are ready enough of their own accord to drink-in errour and to receive the temptation at any time and much more then 2. They would not think that their knowledge and ability to dispute for truth will keep them stedfast if there be not more for if the temptation grow they may come to reasone and dispute themselves out of all their former knowledge and skill The father of lies is a cuning sophister and knoweth how to shake their grounds and cast all loose 3. They would renew their covenant grips of Christ and make sure that maine businesse viz. their peace and union with God in Christ and their accepting of Christ for their Head and Husband They would labour to have the fundation sure and to be united unto the chief corner stone that so blow the storme as it will they may ride saifely and that hereby they may have accesse to Christ with boldnesse in their difficulty and may with confidence seek light from Him in the houre of darknesse 4. To the end they may be keeped more watchfull and circumspect they would remember that it is a dishonourable thing to Christ for them to step aside in the least matter of truth the denying of the least point of truth is a consequentiall denying of him who is the Truth and to lose a foot in the matters of truth is very dangerous for who can tell when they who once slip a foot shall recover it againe And who can tell how many and how dreadful errors they may drink in who have once opened the door to a small errour Therefore they would beware of tampering in this matter and to admit any errour upon the account that it is a small and inconsiderable one there may be an unseen concatenation betwixt one errour and another and betwixt a small one and a greater one so as if the little one be admitted and received the greater shall follow and it may be feared that if they once dally with errour and make a gape in their consciences that God give them up to judiciall blindenesse that ere all be done they shall imbrace that opinion which sometime they seemed to hate as death 5. They would eye the promises suteing that case viz. the promises of Gods Guideing the blindely a way which 〈◊〉 know not of making darknesse light before them and crooked tâ—…ings streigâ—…s Esâ—… 42 16. and of guideing continâ—…ally Esa. 8 〈◊〉 see also Esa. 49 10. and 57 18. and they would act faith on these and the like promises as now made sure through Jesus 6. Particularly they would fix their eye upon that principal promise of the Spirit of truth to guide into all truth Iohn 16 13. 7. With singlenesse of heart they would depend on Christ and waite for light from Him and beware of prejudice at the truth with singlenesse of heart they would lye open to his instructions and to the influences of his light and direction and receive in the beames of his divine light and thus go about duties viz. Prayer Conference Preaching Reading c. with an eye fixâ—…d on him and with a soul open to Him free of all sinful preingadgment and love to errour 8. With singlâ—…nesse of heart they would give up their souls to Christ as the Truth that He would write the truth in their souls and frame their souls unto the truth and unto that truth which is most questioned and by which they are most in hazard to be drawn away and urge and 〈◊〉 Him by prayer and supplication to do the duty of an Head an Husband guide and Commander c. unto them and that He would be a 〈◊〉 unto them in that day of darkness and not suffer them to dishonour Him or prove scandalous to others by departing from the truth and imbracing of errour A serious single-hearted dealing with Him upon the grounds of the covenant promises and his relations and engadgments might prove steadable in this case if accompanyed with a lying open to the influences of truth and to the light of information which He is pleased to send by the Spirit of truth Cautions and Directions For further clearing of this matter we shall hinte at some cautions and further directions useful here such as 1. They would beware of thinking that God should come to them with light and instruction in an extraordinary manner and reveal the truth of the question controverted somewhat immediatly for this were a manifest tempting and limitâ—…ing of the holy one of Israel We must be satisfied with the meanes of instruction which he hath provided and run to the Law and to the Testimony We have the Scriptures which are able to make the man of God perfect and throughly fournished unto all good works 2. Tim. 3 16 17. and to make wiâ—…e unto Salvation vers 15. There must we seek light and there must we waite for the breathing of his Spirit with life and coming with light to cleare up truth to us for they are the Scriptures of truth Dan. 10 21. and the law of the Lord which is perfect converting the soul and the commandement of the Lord that is pure enlightening the eyes c. Psâ—…l â—…9 7 8. We have the Ministery which God hath also appointed for this end to make known to us his minde there must we waite for him and his light Thus must we waite at the posts of wisdomes doors and waite for the king of light in his own way wherein He hath
we get a noble prospect of that glorious object So that all such as would make use of Christ for this end that they might come to have right and suteable thoughts and apprehensions of God must be well acquanted with the whole draught and frame of the gospel and so acquanted therewith as to see Christ the substance ground and all of it and to see Him in every part of it 7. Whatever we know or learne of God by his works of Creation or Providence in the world or about ourselves we would bring it in here that it may receive a new tiucture and a deeper impression That is done when we finde and learne something of Christ there and are brought nearer Christ thereby and made thereby to discover something more of the glory of God in the face of Christ or are made to understand better something of the revelation that is made of God in the gospel or moved thereby to improve it better 8. In all this matter we must not go without our guide lest we wander in this wildernesse and it prove a labyrinth to us We must take Christ with us all alongs He must teach us to understand his own face and to read the glorious characters of that excellent glory which is to be seen in his face He must be our interpreter and teach us how to read this book and how to understand what is written therein He must give the discerning eye and the understanding heart even the Spirit of wisdome and understanding to take up the mysteries of God 9. And for this cause we would by faith lay hold upon the promises of the Spirit whereby we may be made spiritual and have our understandings enlightened more and more to understand the mysterious characters of divine Majesty and Glory 10. In all this exercise we would walk with fear carry with us impressions of the dreadful Majesty and Glory of God that we may tremble and feare and stand in awe and read what we read of this glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ this glorious bible with reverence and godly fear And thus may we be helped to win to right and suteable thoughts of God yet with all we would for Cautions Consider a few things further as 1. That we must not think to search out the Almighty unto perfection Iob. 11 7. 2. Nor must we think to get any one point of God known understood perfectly corruption will mix-in itself do our best and our short comeings will not easily be reckoned up 3. We must beware of carnalâ—… curiosity and of unlawful diveing-in in this depth least we drowne 4. We would not dreame of a state here wherein we will not need Christ for this end Yea I suppose in glory He will be of use to us as to the seeing of God for even there as he is to day so â—…hall he for ever abide God and man in two distinct natures and one person and that cannot be for â—…ought and as God will be still God invisible â—…nsearchable so we though glorified will remaine â—…ite creatures and therefore will stand in need of Christ that in his glorious face we may see the invisible He must be our lumen gloriae 5. We should think it no small matter to have the impression of this sight upon our hearts that we cannot see Him and that we in this state of sin cannot get right and sutable apprehensions of Him I say the impression of this on our spirits that is such a sight of an impossibility to get Him seen aright as will keep the heart in awe cause us walk before Him in feare and reverence and to humble ourselves in the dust to tremble when ever we make mention of his name or beginne to meditate on Him knowing how great an one He is and how dangerous it is to think amisse of Him how difficult to get a right thought of him CHAP. XIX And the Life How Christ is the Life THis as the former being spoken indefinitly may be universally taken as relating both to such as are yet in the State of nature and to such as are in the state of grace and so may be considered in reference to both ground three points of truth both in reference to the one and in reference to the other To wit 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his helpe as being the Life 2. That no other way but by Him can we get that supply of life which we stand in need of for He only is the Life excluding all other 3. That this help is to be had in Him fully and compleetly for not only is He able to quicken but He is called the Life So that the help which he giveth is full excellent and compleet Looking upon the words in reference to such as are in Nature they point out those three truthes to us First That all of us by nature are dead standing in need of quickening and of life for this is presupposed while He is said to be the Life and that both legally and reallâ—… legally being under the sentence of death for Adams transgression Rom. 5 15. and for that original corruption of heart we have and Really the sentence of the law being in part executed that both as to the body as to the soul. As to the body It is now subject to death and all the sorerunners thereof such as weaknesse paines sicknesse feares torment trouble wearynesse yea and in hazard of hell fire and the torments of the second death for ever As to the soul it also is many wayes dead both first in away that is purely penal and next in a way that is also sinful and both wayes as to what is present and as to what is future for as to that which is penal and present It is 1 separated from God and his favour Gen. 3 8 10 24. 2 is under his curse and wrath whence it cometh to passe that by nature we are children of wrath Ephes. 2 2 5. Servants of Satan 2 Tim. 2 26. The consequence of which is sad and heavy for hence it is that we cannot please God do what we will till we be brought out of that state our ordinary civil actions even plowing the ground is sin Prov. 21 4. Yea out Religious actions whether natural or instituted are abomination even our sacrifices Prov. 15 8. 31 27. prayers Prov. 2â—… 9. Ps. 10 7. Yea and all our thoughts purposeâ—… Prov. 15 26 and likewise all our wayes Prov. 15 9. As to what is penal and future it is obnoxious to that everlasting excommunication from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2 Thes. 1 8 9. and to the torments of hell for ever Mark. 9 44 46 48 Luk. 16 As to what is not only penal but also sinful the soul here is under the stroke of darknesse in the understanding perversenesse and
hear 10. This life is eminently and transcendently in Him and exclusively of all others Itis in Him and in Him alone and itis in Him in a most excellent manner So that He is the Life in the abstract not only a living head and an enlivening head but Life it self the Life the Resurrection and the Life CHAP. XX. Some general uses BEfore we come to speak of some particular cases of deadnesse wherein beleevers are to make use of Christ as the Life we shall first propose some useful consequences and deductions from what hath been spoken of this life and. First The faith of those things which have been mentioned would be of great use and advantage to beleevers and therefore they should study to have the faith of this truth fixed on their hearts and a deep impression thereof on their spirits to the end that 1. Be their case and condition what it will they might be keeped from dispaire and despondency of spiâ—…it from giving over their case as hopless and from looking upon themselves as irremediably gone The faith of Christs being Life and the Life would keep up the soul in hope and cause it say how dead so ever my case be yet Life can help me and He who is the resurrection and the Life can recover me 2. Yea be their case and condition what it wil they would have here some ground of encouragement to goe to Him with their dead soul and to look to Him for helpe seing He is the Life as mediator to the end He might enliven and quicken his dead fainting swooning members and to recover them from their deadness 3. They might be freed from many scruples and objections that scar and discourage them This one truth beleeved would cleare up the way so as that such things as would have been impediments and objections before shall evanish and be rolled out of the way now such as are the objections taken from their own worthlesness their long continuance in that dead condition and the like 4. They might hereby likewise be freed from that dreadful plagâ—…e and evil of jealousie whereby the soul is oft keeped aback from comeing to Christ for they feare He will not make them welcome they doubt of his love and tendernesse and questione his pity and compassion yea their jealousie maketh them to doubt of his faithfulnesse So that the faith of this truth would cure this jealousie and deliver the soul therefrom and open a way for the soul to come forward with boldnesse and confidence 5. They might also be hereby helped to waite with patience and to be still and quiet under the Lord 's various dispensations so as they would not frete nor repine against him knowing that He would prove himself to be Life even the Life in his own good time so that the soul would paitiently waite at his door till He were pleased to look out and with his look convey life in to their dead soul. 6. They might be preserved hereby from looking out to or expecting any help from any other arth knowing that He alone is the Life and so that help can no where else be had The faith of this truth would guaird from many sinistrous wayes which the soul in a time of straite is ready to run to for reliefe for hereby would it see that neither instruments nor meanes nor outward administrations nor any thing of that kinde can quicken their dead soul and that He and He alone must breathe in life into them as at first so now againe Secondly May we not see and observe here great matter of admiration at the goodnesse and rich bounty of God towards his people who hath found out and condescended upon such a sure saife and satisfying way whereby he becometh all things to his â—…ple which they stand in need of and that notwithstanding 1. That we are most unworthy of any such dispensation of grace at his hands 2. That we too oft are too desirous of other guests in our hearts beside Him O How much corruption sin and death lodge we within our souls and how more desirous are we oftimes of death than of life 3 That we little improve the noble advantages for life which we have granted unto us yea many a time we abuse them and this He did foresee and yet notwithstanding would condescend thus unto us 4. That we do little expresse our thankfulnesse for such mercies But not for our sakes hath He done this but for his owne names sake for noble and holy ends hath He resolved upon this course as 1. That He might be all and in all Col. 3 11. and they nothing That He alone might fill all in all Ephes. 1. ult and they be empty nothing without Him 2. That He might weare the glory of all for of Him and through Him and to Him are all things Rom. 11. last and that no man might share therein 3. That Man might be His everlasting debtor and cast downe in testimony thereof his crowne at His feet who sitteth on the throne as those did Revel 4 10. and might câ—…y out with these same elders vers 11. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory honour and power c. and with those Chap. 5 12. worthy is the lamb that was staine to receive power and riches and wisdome and strength honour and glory and blessing 4. That mans mouth might be stopped forever and all boasting excluded for man is a proud creature and ready to boast of that which is nothing and vanity Now God hath chosen this noble way of the covenant of grace that man might boast no more Where is boasting then It is excluded By what law by the law of works no but by the law of faith sayeth the Apostle Rom. 3 vers 24. 5. That all might be sure to the poor chosen beleever The Lord will not have the stock of life any longer to be in mans own hand for even Adam in the state of innocency could not use it well but made shipewrack thereof and turned a bankerupt much more would man now do so in this state of sin in which he lyeth at present therefore Hath God out of love and tendernesse to his chosen ones put all their stock in the hand of Christ who is better able to manage it to God's glory and mans advantage being faithful in all things and a trusty servant having the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelling in Him bodyly Therefore sayeth the Apostle Rom. 4 16. It is of faith that it might be by grace to the end the promises might be sure to all the seed 6. That beleevers might have strong consolation notwithstanding of all the opposition of enemies without and within when they see that now their life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3 3. and that their life is in their Head they will not feare so much devils and men without nor their own dead and corrupt hearts within Thirdly How inexcuseable must all such be
releife the quickening recovering from death of such as are given to Him that they may be finally raised up at the last day He must presente all his members lively in that day 4. He would by faith wrape himself up in the promises and lie before this Sun of righteousness till the heat of his beames thaw his frozen heart and bring warmth into his cold and dead soul and thus renew his grips of Him accepting of Him as the Life and as his Life Christ himself tells us Iohn 6 40. That this is the Fathers will that hath sent Him that every one which seeth the Son and beleeveth on Him might have everlasting life and He will raise him up at the last day Faith closeing with Him as it was the meane of life at first so will it be the mean of recovery out of a dead distemper afterward 5. He would mourne for such sins and provocations as he discovereth in himself to have caused and brought on this distemper Repentance and godly sorrow for such evils as have sinned Christ and life away is a way to bring life back againe 6. He would be sure to harboure no known sin in his soul but to set himself against every known evil as an enemie to the life and recovery which he is seeking 7. He must waite on Christ his Life in the appointed meanes for that is the will of the Lord that He should be waited upon there and sought for there There is little hopes of recovery for such as lay aside the ordinances Though the ordinances without him cannot revive or quicken a poor soul yet if He hath condescended so far as to come with life to his people in and through the ordinances and hath appointed us to waite for Him there we must be willing to accept of all his condescensions of love and seek him and waite for Him there where He hath said He will be found 8. In going about those ordinances of life He would beware of putting them in Christ's room that is He would beware of thinking that ordinances will do his business as some ignorantly do who think that by praying so often a day and reading so much and hearing so much they shall recover their lost lively frame when alas all the ordinances without Him signifie nothing They without Him are cold and lifeless and can never bring heat or warmth to a cold soul. It is He in the ordinances whom they are to seek and from whom alone life is to be expected and none else 9. Though life lyeth not in the ordinances as separated from Christ and life is to be expected from Him alone yet he would beware of going about the ordinances in a careless superficial and indifferent manner for this will argue little desire after life and will bring-on more deadness The ordinances than should be gone about seriously diligently and with great carefulness yea with such earnestness as if life were to be had in them and yet with such a single and pure dependence on Christ for life as if we were not about the ordinances at all This is the right way of going about ordinances 10. He must in all this waite with patience without freting or quarrelling with Him for his delaying to come He must waite with much humility It becometh not him who hath through his folly sinned life away to quarrel now with God because he restoreth him not againe to life at the first asking He may be glade if at length after long seeking waiting and much diligence He come and restore to him the joy of his salvation and if he be not made to lie as a bedrid all his dayes for a monument of folly in sinning away his life strength and legs as he did 11. He must beware of giving way to any thing that may increase or continue this deadnesse such as untendernesse in his walk unwatchfulnesse negligence and carelesnesse and especially he must beware to provock God by sinning against light 12. He would also beware of limiteing the Lord to any set measure of life and strength for it becometh not beggers to be carvers far lesse such beggers as through folly have sinned away a good portion It was not fit for the prodigal to seek â—… new patrimony after he had dilapidated the former it might suffice him to be made as a servant 13. He would use well any small measure of life he getteth for God and his glory getteth he but one talent he should use it that he may gaine thereby use we say limbs and have limbs use strength and have it This will be the way to get more 14. He would be taking on the vowes of the Lord and that in the Lord to walk more watchfully in time comeing charging all within and without not to stirre or provoke the Lord to depart further or to scarre Him from coming to the soul. As to the last particular If it be enquired 1. What can that soul do that is not sensible of this deadnesse and weaknesse Ans. Though there be not any reall sense or feeling of this condition yet there may be a suspicion that all is not right and if this be the soul must look out to Christ for the life of sense and for a sight of the provocations that have brought on that condition He that is the Life must recover the very beginnings of life and when the soul winneth to any real apprehension and sense of this deadnesse it must follow the course formerly prescribed for a recovery 2. But it will be asked How a soul can act faith in such a case And if it cannot act faith how can it come to Christ and make use of Him Answere It is true while the soul is in that case it cannot act a strong and a lively faith yet it can act a weak and a sickly faith and a weak and sickly faith can lay hold upon an enlivening Christ and so bring in more strength and life to the soul. If the soul be so weak as that it cannot grippe yet it can look to Him that can quicken the dead and hath helped many a poor soul before out of a dead condition Or if it cannot do so much as look yet it may give an half-look and lie before Him who waiteth to be gracious and sustaine it self if it can get no more with a may be He shall come 3. But further it will be asked what the soul can do when after all this it findeth no helpe or supply but deadnesse remaining yea and it may be growing Ans. The soul in that case must lye at his door waiting for his salvation and resolving if no better may be to die at his door and leave no approven mean or commanded duty unessayed that it may recover its former vigour activity and strength And while the beleever is waiting thus he is at his duty and this may yeeld him peace and he may besure that he shall never be ashamed Ps. 25 3.
parlying too much and too readyly with Satan Eva's practice might be a warning sufficient to us 5. Not living in the sight of their wants and of their dayly necessity of Christ nor acting faith upon Him dayly for the supplying of their wants and when faith is not used it may contract rust and be weakned and come at length not to be discerâ—…ed 6. Intertaining of jealous thoughts of God and harkening too readyly to any thing that foster and increase or confirme these 7. Not delighting themselves in and with pleasure dwelling on the thoughts of Christ of his offices of the gospel and promises so that these come at length to lose their beauty and glory in the soul and have not the lustre that once they had and this doth open a door to much mischiefe 8. In a word not walking with God according to the gospel provoketh the Lord to give them up to themselves for a time We come now to the Third particular which is to show How Chist is life to the poor soul in this case And for the clearing of this consider 1. That Christ is the author and finisher of faith Heb 12 2. and so as He did rebuke unbeleef at the first he can rebuke it againe 2. That He is the great Prophet clearing up the gospel and every thing that is necessary for us to know bringing life and immortality to light by the gospel 2 Tim. 1 11. and so manifesting the lustre and beauty of the gospel 3. He bringeth the promises home to the soul in their reality excellency and truth being the faithful witness and the Amen Revel 3 14. and the confirmer of the promises so that they are all yea and Amen in him 2 Cor. 1 20. And this serveth to establish the soul in the faith and to shoot-out thoughts of unbeleefe 4. So doth He by his Spirit dispel the mists clouds which Satan through unbeleef had raised in the soul. 5. And thereby also rebuketh those mistakes of God and prejudices at Him and his wayes which Satan hath wrought there through corruption 6. He discovereth himself to be a ready help in time of trouble the hope and anchor of salvation Heb. 6 19 and a Priest living for ever to make intercession for poor sinners Heb. 7 25. 7. And hereby he cleareth up to the poor soul a possibility of helpe and reliefe and thus rebuketh dispaire or preventeth it 8. He manifesteth himself to be the maâ—…ow and substance of the gospel and this maketh every line thereof pleasant and beautiful to the soul and so freeth them from the prejudices that they had at it 2. So in manifesting himself in the gospel he revealeth the Father that the soul cometh to the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4 6. and this saveth the soul from atheisme 10. When the soul cannot grippe Him nor look to Him yet He can look to the soul and by his look quicken and revive the soul and warme the heart with love to Him and at length move and incline it sweetly to open to Him And thus grippe and hold fast a lost sheep yea and bring it home againe But what should a soul do in such a case To this which is the Fourth particular to be spoken to I answere 1. They would strive against those evils formerly mentioned which procured or occasioned this distemper a stop should be put to these malignant humors 2. They would be careful to lay againe the foundation of solide knowledge of God and of his glorious truthes revealed in the gospel and labour for the faith of God's truth and veracity for till this be nothing can be right in the soul. 3. They would be throughly convinced of the treacherie deceitfulnesse and wickednesse of their hearts that they may see it is not worthie to be trusted and that they may be jealous of it and not hearken so readyly to it as they have done especially seing Satan can prompt it to speak for his advantage 4. They would remember also that it is divine helpe that can recover them and cause them grippe to the promises and lay hold on them of new againe as well as at the first and that of themselves they can do nothing 5. In useing of the meanes for the recovery of life they would eye Christ and because this eyeing of Christ is faith and their disease lyeth most there they would do as the Israelits did who were stung in the eye with the serpents they looked to the brazen serpent with the wounded and stung eye so would they do with a sickly and almost dead faith grip Him and with an eye almost put out and made blinde look to Him knowing how ready He is to help and what a tender heart He hath 6. And to confirme them in this resolution they would take a new vieu of all the notable encouragements to beleeve wherewith the whole gospel aboundeth 7. And withal fix on Him as the only author and finisher of faith 8. And in a word They would cast a wonderderfully unbeleeving and atheistical soul on Him who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working and is wonderful in mercy and grace and in all his wayes And thus may He at length in his own time and in the way that will most glorify Himself raise up that poor soul out of the grave of infidelity wherein it was stincking and so provâ—… Himself to be indeed the resurrection and the life to the praise of the glory of his grace We come now to speak to another case which is CHAP. XXV How Christ is to be made use of as the life by one that is so dead and senselesse as he cannot know what to judge of himself or his own case except that it is naught WE spoke something to this very case upon the matter when we spoke of Christ as the Truth Yet we shall speak alittle to it here but shall not enlarge particulars formerly mentioned and therefore we shall speak alittle to those five particulars and so 1. Shew what this distemper is 2. Shew whence it proceedeth and how the soul cometh to fall into it 3. Shew how Christ as the life bringeth about a recovery out of it 4. Shew how the soul is to be exercised that it may obtaine a recovery and 5. Answere some Questions or Objections As to the first Beleevers many times may be so dead as not only not to see and know that they have an interest in Christ and to be uncertaine what to judge of themselvs but also be so carried away with prejudices and mistakes as that they will judge no otherwayes of themselves than that their case is naught yea and not only will'deny or mis-call the good that God hath wrought in them by his Spirit but also reason themselves to be out of the state of grace and a stranger to faith and to the workings of the Spirit and hereupon will come to call
Lord 's hideing of his face whereby the soulâ—… case will appeare 2. Shew the reasons of this dispensation 3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case and 4. Point out the souls duty or how he is to make use of Christ for a recovery As to the first we may take notice of those particulars 1. They complaine of God's hideing of himself and forsakeing them Psal. 22 1. my God my God why hast thou forsaken me and Psal. 13 3. how long wilt thou forsake me c. 2. They cry out for a blaink of his face and get iâ—… not for He hath withdrawn himself Psâ—… 〈◊〉 1. How long wilt thou hide thy face from me Heman Psal. 88. cryed out night and day but yet God's face was hid vers 1 9 14. The spouse seeketh long Cant. 5. See Ps. 22 1 2. 3. They are looking for an outgate but get none And hope deferred maketh their heart sick Prov. 13 12. 4. They are in the dark and cannot tell why the Lord dispenseth so toward them why said Heman Psal. 88 14 castest thou off my soul why â—…idest thou thy face from me They cannot understand wherefore it is So Iob cryed out Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me Iob 10 2. 5. They may also be walking in the meane while without light or counsel so as they shall not 〈◊〉 what to do How long shall I take counsel in my soul Psal. 13 2. 6. Moreover they may have their heart filled with sorrow as we see Psal. 13 2. having sorrow in my heart said David He also sayeth Ps. 38. that his sorrow was continually before him vers 17. and Psal. 116 3. I found trouble and sorrow 7. They may be so as that the sweet experiences of others may yeeld them no supply of comfort at present Psal. 22 4 5 6. Our Fathers trusted in the said David and thou didest deliver them They cryed unto thee and were delivered they trusted in thee and were not confounded But that gave him no present ease or comfort for immediatly he addeth vers 6. But I am a worm and no man a reproach of men c. 8. Yea all their own former experiences may yeeld them little solace as we see in the same place Psal. 22 9 10. compared with vers 14 15. Thou art He sayes he vers 9 that took me out of the womb c. and yet he complaines vers 14. that he was poured out like water and his bones out of joynt that his heart was melted in the midst of his bowels c. 9. They may be brought neare to a giving over all in despondency and be brought in their sense to the very dust of death Psal 22 16. If it be enquired why the Lord dispenseth so with his own people We answere and this is the Second particular That he doth it for holy and wise reasons whereof we may name a few as 1. To punish their carelesnesse and negligence as we see he did with the Spouse Cant. â—… 2. To chastise them for their ill improving of his favour and kindenessâ—… when they had 〈◊〉 as the same passage evidenceth 3. To check them for their security and carnal confidence as He did David Psal. 30 6 7. when he said his mountaine stood strong and he should never be moved then did the Lord hide his face and he was troubled 4. To try if their obedience to his commands be pure and consciencious and not in a sort mercenary because of his lifting up upon them the light of his countenance and to see if conscience to a command driveth them to duty when they are in the dark and have no encouragement 5. To put the graces of the Spirit to tryal and to exercise as their Faith Patience Hope Love c. Psal. 13 5 6. 22 24. 6. To awaken them from their security and to set them to a more diligent following of duty as we see in the Spouse Cant. 5. 7. To sharpen their desire and hunger after Him as that same instance cleareth Even in such a case as this Christ is life to the soul which is the Third particular 1. By taking away the sinful causes of such a distance having laid down his life and shed his blood for the remission of their sins so that such a dispensation is not flowing from pure wrath but is rather an act of mercy and love 2. By advocating the poor â—…ans cause in heaven where he His makeing Intercession for His own and thereby obtaining a delivery from that condition in God's own time even the shining againe of his countenance upon them 3. By keeping life in as to habitual grace and by breathing thereupon so that it becometh lively and operative even in such a winter day 4. By supporting the soul under that dispensation and keeping it from fainting through the secret influences of grace which He conveyeth into the soul as He did to the poor woman of Canaan Math. 15. 5. By seting the soul a work to use such meanes as God hath appointed for a recovery as to cry to plead to longe to waite c. Their heart shall live that seek Him 6. By teaching the soul to submit to and acquiesce in what God doth acknowledging his Righteousnesse Greatnesse and Soveraignity and this quietnesse of heart is its life 7. By keeping the heart fast to the covenant of grace So that whatever come they will never quite that bargan but they will trust in Him though He should kill them and they will adhere to the covenant of grace though they should be dragged through hell 8. At length when He seeth it fit and convenient He quickeneth by drawing-by the vaile and filling the soul with joy in the light of God's countenance and causing it to sing as having the heart lifted up in the wayes of the Lord. As to the last particular concearning the duty of a soul in such a case we say 1. He would humble himself under this dispensation knowing that it is the great God with whom he hath to do and that there is no contending with Him and that all flesh should stoop before Him 2. He would justify God in all that He doth and say with David Psal. 22 3. But thou art holy O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel 3. He would look upon himself as unworthy of the least favour of that kinde I am a worme said David Psal. 22 6. and no man 4. He would search-out his provocations and run away to the fountain the blood of Christ that these may be purged away and his conscience sprinkled from dead works and his soul washen in the fountain opened to the house of David for sin and for uncleannesse 5. He must also imploy Christ to discover to him more and more of his guiltinesse whereby he had grieved the Spirit of God and as sins are discovered to him he would repent of them and run away with them to the blood that cleanseth from all
sin This was Elihu's advice to Iob Cap. 34 vers 31 32. Surely it is meet to be said unto God I have borne chastisement I will not offend That which I see not teach thou me is I have done iniquity I will do no more 6. He would grip to Christ in the Covenant and â—…est there with joy and satisfaction he would hold that fast that he may ride out the storme in a darke night Though he make not mine house to grow said David 2 Sam. 23 vers 5. Yet this was all his salvation and all his desire that He had made with him an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure The Spouse took this course when he could not get a sight of Him whom her soul loved Cant. 6 vers 3. and asserted her interest in Him I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine 7. He would be intertaining high and loving thoughts of God commending Him highly let His dispensations be what they will So did the Spouse Cant. 5 vers 10 16. 8. He would earnestly seek after Him The Spouse did so Cant. 5 vers 6. the discouragement she met with at the hands of the watch men did not put her off her pursuite Vers. 7. but she continued yea was sick of love Vers. 8. and here looks had a prevailing power with him as we see Cant. 6 vers 5. where the Bridgroom uttered that most astonishing word Turn away thine eyes from me for they have overcome me 9. This new manifestation which he is seeking for must be expected in and through Jesus who is the true Tabernacle and he who was represented by the Mercy seat He is the only trysting place in Him alone will the Father be seen 10 He would also look to Him for strength and support in the meane time and for grace that he may be keeped from fainting and may be helped to waite til he come who knoweth the fittest season wherein to appeare But it will be said what if after all this we get no outgate but He hideth his face still from us I answere Such would know that life is one thing and comfort is another thing Grace is one thing and warme blainks of Gods face is another The one is necessary to the very being of a Christian the other not but only necessary to his comfortable being and therefore they should be content if God give them grace though they â—…isse comfort for a time 2. They would lairne to commit that matter to Christ who knoweth how to give that which is good and what is best for them 3. They would be hanging on Him for strength for duty and in his strength seting about every commanded duty and be exercising Faith Love Patience Hope Desire c. 4. Let the well ordered covenant be all their salvation and all their desire and though they should not get a comfortable blaink of God's face so long as they were here yet holding fast this covenant they should at length be saved souls and what would they have more and when they get this what will they misse CHAP. XXVII How shall one make use of Christ as the Life when wreastling with an angry God because of sin THat we may give some satisfaction to this question we shall 1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case or what useth to concurre in this distemper 2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus with his people 3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case 4. Shew the beleevers duty for a recovery and 5. Adde a word or two of caution As to the first There may be those parts of or 〈◊〉 in this distemper 1. God presenting their sins unto their vieu so as they shall cry out our sin is ever before us Psal. 51 3. and say as it is Psal. 90 8. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee our secret sins in the light of thy countenance and so cause them see the Lord contending for sin as the Church did Esai 59 we roare all like bears and mourn sore like doves we look for judgment but there is none for salvation but it is far off from us for our transgressions are multiplied before thee and our sins testifie against us for our transgressions are with us and as for our iniquities we know them c. 2. Yea God may bring upon them the iniquities of their youth as Iob speaketh Cap. 13 26. and so bring upon them or suffer conscience to charge them with their old sins formerly repented of and pardoned And this is more terrible David is made to remember his original sin Psal. 51. 3. And as Iob speaketh Cap. 15 17. God may seem to be sealing up all their sins in a bag that none of them may be lost or fall by without being taken notice of and as it were be gathering them together in a heape 4. He may pursue sore with signes of wrath displeasure because of those sinnes as we see in David Psal. 4. 38. 51. and in several others of his people chastened of the Lord because of their trangressions whereof there are many instances in scripture 5. Yea and that for a considerable time together and cause them cry out with David Psal. 4 3. but thou O Lord how long 6. And that not only with outward but also with inward plagues And strokes as David's case cleareth in the forecited Psalmes 7. Yea and not only themselves but even their posterity as Davids childe was smiten with death and the posterity of Manasses who found mercy himself 2 Chron. 33 13. was caryed into captivity for his sin 2 Kings 23 26 27. 8. Further the Lord may deprive them of all their former joy and comfort which made David cry out Psal. 51 12. restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and grant me thy free Spirit 9. And which is yet more terrible write their sin upon their judgment as when He caused the sword and whoredom follow Davids house 10. And finally He may cause them feare utter offcasting as Psal. 51 11. cast me not away said he from thy presence And this the Lord thinketh good to do that we may speak a word to the second particular for those and the like reasons 1. To discover to them and to all the world how Just Holy and Righteous a God He is that cannot approve of or beare with sin even in his own children 2. To make all fear and tremble before this great and holy God who is terrible in his judgements even when they come from a Fathers hand that is not pursueing in pure anger and wrath but chastening in love Sure all must think that his dispensations with the wicked will be much more fearful and horrible seing they are not yet reconciled unto Him through the blood of â—…esus 3. To presse Believers more earnestly in to Christ that they may get a new extract of their pardon and their souls washen in the blood of Iesus 4.
To teach them to walk more circumspectly afterward and to guaird more watchfully against Satans temptations and to imploy Christ more as their Strength Light and Guide 5. To cause them see their great obligation to Jesus Christ for delivering them from that state of wrath wherein they were by nature as well as others and would have lyen-in to all eternity had not He redeemed them 6. To exercise their Faith Patience and Hope to see if in hope they will beleeve against hope and lay hold on the strength of the Lord that they may make peace with him Esai 27 5. 7. To give a fresh proof of his wonderful Mercy Grace Love and Compassion upholding the soul in the meane time at length pardoning them and speaking peace to their souls through the blood of Jesus But as to the third particular We may look on Christ as the Life to the soul in this case upon those accounts 1. He hath satisfied justice and so hath borne the pure wrath of God due for their sinnes He hath troden the winepresse alone Esai 63 3. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our sins Esai 53 5 10. And therefore they drink not of this cup which would make them drunk and to stagger and fall and never rise againe 2. Yea He hath procured that mercy and love shall accompany all those sharpe dispensations and that they shall flow from mercy yea and that they shall be as a covenanted blessing promised in he covenant Psal. 89 30 31 32 33. 3. And sometimes He is pleased to let them see this clear difference betwixt the strokes they lye under and the judgments of pure wrath which attend the wicked and this supporteth the soul for then he seeth that those dispensations how sharpe so ever they be shall work together for good to him and come from the hand of a gracious and loving Father reconciled in the blood of Christ. 4. He is a Prince exalted to give repentance and remission of sins to Israel Act. 5 31. Yea He hath procured such a clause in the covenant which is wel ordered in all things and sure that upon their renewing of faith and repentance their after sin shall be pardoned and besides the promises of faith and repentance in the covenant His being â—… Prince exalted to give both giveth assurance oâ—… their receiving of both 5. He cleareth to them their interest in the Covenant and their right to the promises of the Covenant and through their closeing with Christ bâ—… faith He raiseth up their heart in hope causeâ—… them to exspect an outgate even remission of theâ—… sins and turning a way of the displeasure in due timâ—… through Him and this is a great part of their life 6. Being the author and finisher of faith 〈◊〉 â—… Prince to give repentance He by His Spirit worketh up the soul to a renewing of its grips oâ—… Himself by faith and to a â—…uning to the death and blood of Christ for pardon and washing and worketh godly sorrow in the heart whereupon followeth Pardon according to the gospel constitution though the beleever as yet perceiveth it not And sin being pardoned before God conforme to the tenor of the covenant of grace the man is a living man whatever feares of death he may be keeped under for a time 7. He helpeth also the soul to a justifying of God and to a holy submissive frame of Spirit under that dispensation so that they are willing to beare the indignation of the Lord because they have sinned against Him Micah 7 9. and to waite for an outgate in God's own time and to kisse the rod and accept of the punishment of their sin 8. When He seeth it fit for his own glory and their advantage He speaketh peace at length to the soul and sayeth Son or daughter be of good cheer thy sinnes are forgiven thee And then is the soul restored to life As to the fourth particular The soul that is wreastling with an angry God for sin and would make use of Christ as the life would do those things 1. He would look to Christ as standing under God's curse in our room and as satisfying justice for all the elect and for all their sinnes 2. He would eye the covenant wherein new pardon is promised upon the renewing of faith and repentance 3. He would eye Christ as the great Lord dispensator of both Faith and Repentance and hing on Him for both and thus beleeve that he may beleeve and repent or lay his soul open to Him that He may work in him both Repentance and Faith 4. He would flee to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than the blood of Abel that he may be washen and sprinkled with hysope as David did Psal. 51 7. 5. He would eye Christ as a prince to pardon and give remission of sins and as exalted for this end and would fix his eye upon Him as now exalted in glory for this end 6. He would close with Christ of new as his only alsufficient mediator and having done this and repented of his sins whereby God hath been provoked he would conclude through faith that a pardon is past in the court of heaven conforme to the tenor of the gospel and waite on Christ until the intimation come As for the cautions which I promised to speak to in the last place take those few 1. Do not conclude there is no pardon because there is no intimation thereof made to thy soul as yet According to the dispensation of grace condescended upon in the gospel pardon is had immediatly upon a souls beleeving and repenting But the intimation sense and feeling of pardon is a distinct thing and may for several ends be long â—…eeped-up from the soul Sure they go not alwayes together 2. Do not conclude there is no pardon because the rode that was inflicted for sin is not as yet taken off God pardoned Davids sin and did intimate the same to Him by Nathan and yet the sword did not depart from his house till he died God can forgive and yet take vengeance on their in venâ—…ions Psal. 99 8. 3. Do not upon this ground question God's Faithfulnesse or conclude that God's covenant doth not stand fast He is the same and the covenant abideth fast and firme but the change is in thee 4. Do not think that because thou hast once received Christ that therefore without any new act of faith on Him or of repentance towards God thou should immediatly be pardoned of thy sinnes as soon as they are committed for the gospel methode must be followed and it should satisfie us CHAP. XXVIII No man cometh to the Father but by me THis being added for furder confirmation of what was formerly said will pointe out unto us several necessary truthes as First That it is most necessary to be sound and cleare in this fundamental point of coming to God only in and through Christ for 1. It is the whole