a 4. Humility true faith excludes boasting of our owne labors gifts or praises and makes vs able out of the sence of our owne vilenesse to acknowledge all the glory to Gods free grace and loue in Iesus Christ Rom. 3. 17. Gal. 3. 22. 5. The confession 5 Confessiō and profession of the truth Faith will make a man speake in defence of the truth I haue beleeued therefore haue I spoken saith Dauid Psalme 116 which the Apostles pleade to proue their faith also 2. Cor. 4. 13. 14. 6. The putting on of 6. Application of Christs righteousnesse righteousnesse which is not by the works of the Law done by vs. The application of and relying vpon the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ is the proper and onely worke of true faith Rom. 10. 7. It opens a spring 7. A verie spring of grace of graces in the heart of a true Christian he that is a true beleeuer is qualified with sundrie heauenly gifts which were not in him by nature which gifts do daily discouer themselues in his heart flowing from thence as if there were a spring of liuing waters in his bellie Sanctification of the spirit and faith of the truth be inseparable Ioh. 7. 38. 2. Thessalonians 2. 13. CHAP. V. The triall of a godly man by such heauenly gifts as serue him in his iourney to heauen THus of his triall in his humiliation and in his faith It followeth in the third place to trie him by his gifts which are the fruits of faith The true Christian differs from the wicked man in two sorts Two sorts of graces in a Christian of gifts Some of them are such gifts as are bestowed vpon him from aboue but serue him onely for his spirituall vse while he is on the way in his iourney to heauen and so onely in this life such as are the sacred thirst The loue to the word and meanes of his holinesse The spirit of supplication The loue of his enemies and his desire after the appearance of Iesus Christ Other gifts he hath which will accompanie him home into his heauenly country and abide vpon him for euer and are not abolished by death such as are sauing knowledge the loue of God and the loue of the godly First therefore of those heauenly gifts which will passe away and so he is qualified with fiue distinct holy gifts which cannot be found in any reprobate The first is his holy The holy thirst that is in the godly Christian tried by foure signes thirst which is a heauenly kind of appetite by which he is carried to the desire of things aboue nature such as are the merits and righteousnesse of Christ the fauour of God the presence of God the full deliuerance from all sinne the remouing of spirituall iudgements the saluation of other men and the like and this thirst is a signe the more infallible 1. Because it is constant and indelible in this life There is no part of his life but it continueth either in the sence of his affection or in the iudgement of his vnderstanding so as he accounts spirituall things to be the best things and though at some times his affections may be the lesse moued after them yet his appetite is daily renewed as it is in the hunger or thirst that is bodily 2. Because it is industrious For this holy thirst will guide him to a carefull vse of all the meanes by which good things may be attained and doth not breathe it selfe out onely with sudden and vaine wishes or flashes of desire Psal 27. 4. 1. Pet. 2. 2. Psal 63. 1. 2. Psalme 1. 2. Acts 2. 37. 3. Because it works a constant and secret meditation of heauenly things desired the heart frequently seekes after God day and night Isaiah 26. 9. Psalme 63. 1. 6. For what we desire feruently we thinke on almost continually 4. Because if the Lord quench his thirst and satisfie his desire in spirituall things the soule becomes as a watered garden and then followes in him an heauenly kind of satisfaction and contentment with singular delight in the soule and vowes and wishes of infinite and eternall thankfulnesse Psalme 63. 4. 5. Iere. 31. 25. 26. And thus much of the first gift Secondly the loue His triall by his loue to the word to the word is another signe that he is the child of God and a cleare euidence of his saluation Now because all sorts of wicked men may resort to the exercises of the word and those that haue but a temporarie faith may shew a great estimation of the word and find ioy in the hearing of it shew much zeale in things that concerne the word and may yeeld some obedience to the directions of the word also it is profitable to consider how the true Christian may proue that his affection to the word is more sincere then that affection which any wicked man can bring to the word And thus he may find that his heart is sound in his loue to the word by these marks 1. By his manner of 13. Signes to trie his affection to the word by receiuing it when he doth receiue the word as the word of God and not of men setting his heart before Gods presence and being affected as if the Lord himselfe should speake vnto him This no wicked man dares do he dares not present himselfe with the whole intendments of his heart before the Lord. For this signe the Apostle Paule acknowledged the Thessalonians to be true Christians 1. Thessal 2. 13. 2. By his Appetite to the word For there is in a godly man as true an hunger after the word as the food of his soule as there is in his stomach after the foode of his body which shewes it selfe to be the more sincere because it is constant he desires the word at all times and as his appointed foode daily as it is in the bodily appetite though after feeding the stomach may seeme to be full and satisfied yet the hunger reuiues againe euery day so it is with the heart of a child of God whereas wicked men regard the word but by fits and in a passion and then at length fall cleane away from the affection to it Psal 119. 20. Iob. 23. 12. 3. By his loue to them that loue the word 4. By his sorrow because other men keepe not the word Psal 119. 136. 5. By his vnfained estimation of the word aboue all worldly things accounting it to be an happy portion to enioy the word in the power and profit of it Psal 119. 14. 72. 111. 6. By his desire delight to exercise himselfe in it day and night that is constantly Psal 1. 2. 7. By his griefe either for the want of the meanes by which the word might be taught vnto him with power accounting such want of the meanes to be a sore famine or for want of successe in the vse of the meanes whē he doth enioy it Psa 42. 3. Am.
his knowledge are these three Knowledge the loue of God and the loue of the brethren These are perfected and not abolished by death And first in his knowledge And so he differs frō wicked men he differs from all wicked men and so in diuers things as First in the things he In the things he knowes knowes he knowes the nature of God in a right manner he knowes God in Iesus Christ he knowes the vilenesse of his owne sinnes he knowes after an effectuall manner the mysteries that concerne the saluation of his soule he knowes his owne conuersion and the forgiuenesse of his sinnes and the things that are giuen him of God Mat. 13. 13. Iohn 17. 3. Iere. 31. 34. 1. Cor. 2. 12. He knowes that Iesus Christ is in him 2. Cor. 13. 5. 2. Secondly in the 2. In the cause of his knowledge cause of his knowledge For flesh and bloud did not reueale those things vnto him he came not by them by the vse of naturall meanes but they are wrought in him by the word Spirit of God Mat. 16. 17. 1. Iohn 2. 27. and 5. 10. 1. Cor. 1. 30. Thirdly in the effects 3. In the effects of his knowledg of his knowledge for 1. It breeds in him an vnspeakable refreshing and gladnesse of heart in Gods presence Psal 36. 8. 9. 10. Philip. 1. 9. 2. It inflames him to a wonderfull loue of the word of God aboue all earthly things Psal 119. 97. 98. 3. It works in him an effectuall sauouring and tasting of the goodnesse of spirituall things Ro. 8. 5. 4. It enclines him to a constant obedience and practise of Gods will Pro. 8. 9. 17. Iohn 7. 17. Deut. 4. 6. It redresseth his wayes Psal 119. 10. 1. Ioh. 2. 3. and 3. 24. 5. It beates downe pride and conceitednes and frowardnesse and makes him humble and teachable Pro. 3. 5. 6. and 8. 13. 14. Iames 3. 17. Fourthly in the properties 4. In the properties of his knowledge of his knowledge for 1. It is infallible his knowledge hath much assurance in many things with strong confidence and resolution at some times especially when he is before God 1. Thes 1. 5. 2. It is indelible it cannot be vtterly blotted out it is fast grauen in his heart contrary doctrine or persecution cannot raze it out Iere. 31. 34. Eph. 4. 13. Prou. 4. 5. 6. 3. It is sincere for first it inclineth him to giue glorie to God and receiue all truth as well as any truth He receiues the doctrine of God though it be aboue reason and against the cōmon opinion of men or crosse his profit or desires or the like Secondly it leades him principally to vnderstand his owne way and guides him to study the things chiefly that concerne his owne reformation and saluation Pro. 14. 8. Colos 3. 16. And thus he differs from wicked men in his knowledge Secondly in his loue His loue to God tried by 9. signes to God he hath these things which no wicked man can attaine to 1. He hath a deliberate inward inflamed estimation of God aboue all things accounting his louing kindnesse better then life and the signes of his fauour his greatest ioy Psal 63. 2. 11. 2. He loues longs for the Lord Iesus Christ with certaine sincere affection Ephes 6. 24. 2. Tim. 4. 8. 3. He delights in Gods presence and shewes it by his vnfained loue to Gods house Psalme 26. 8 and by his heartie griefe for Gods absence Cant. 3. 1 and by his carefulnesse to set the Lord daily before him walking in his sight Psal 16. 8. 4. He hates sin heartily because God hates it and he dislikes sinners because they hate God accounting Gods enemies as if they were his owne enemies Psal 139. 21. 22. and 97. 10. 5. He constantly desires to be like God in holinesse being carefull to approue his affection to God by his obedience to his commandements so as it is not grieuous to him to receiue directions but serues God with all his heart being fearefull to displease God in any thing Ioh. 14. 21. 1. Io. 5. 3. Deut. 10. 12. and 11. 22 is more affected with Gods approbation then all the praise of men Rom. 2. 26. 6. He is much affected with Gods mercie the blessings bestowed vpon him which he thankfully remembers to the praise of Gods free grace Esa 63. 7. Psal 63. 2. 3. 4. 6. 8. 107. 22. Iob 36. 24. Deut. 6. 2. 7. He loues all the godly for this reason chiefly because they are like vnto God in holinesse as being begotten by him 1. Ioh. 5. 1. 8. He is as heartily vexed for any dishonor done to God as for any disgrace offered to himselfe 9. Finally he shewes it in diuers cases that befal him in his course in this life as 1. If he be put to suffer any thing for Gods sake he endures it with much ioy and patience 1. Thess 1. 6. Act. 5. Iohn 22. 15 to 19. 2. If at any time he offend God by his owne faultinesse he is heartily grieued and cast downe and doth constantly desire to forsake any sinne though neuer so pleasing or gainefull vnto him rather then he would displease God Deut. 30. 6. 3. In all streights and wants he runs to God relying vpon God as his defence rocke and refuge in all times of troubles making his moane vnto him and powring out his prayers and complaints before him Psal 18. 1. 2. Thus of his loue to God Thirdly his loue to His loue to the godly tried by ten signes the godly doth also distinguish him from all the wicked men in the world because here are diuers things to be noted in his affection to them which cannot be found in wicked men 1. As first he loues the godly aboue all other sorts of mē in the world he accounts them as the onely excellent people Psal 16. 3. 1. Ioh. 3. 14. and affects them as if they were his naturall kinred Rom. 12. 9. 10. 2. He loues them not for carnall respects but for the graces of God in them for the truths sake and because they are begotten of God 1. Ioh. 5. 1. 2. Ioh. 1. 2. 3. Ioh. 1. 3. He delights in their fellowship and societie in the Gospell as accounting them the happie companions of this life Psal 16. 3. 3. Ioh. 8. Philippians 1. 5. 4. He hath a fellow feeling of their miseries he is in some measure affectioned to weepe with them that weepe and reioyce with them that reioyce especially he is glad when their soules prosper Rom. 12. 16. 3. Ioh. 3. 5. His desire is to walk inoffensiuely as being loath any way to be an occasion of stumbling or scandall to any Christian 1 Ioh. 2. 10. 6. He can beare their infirmities take things in the best sence suffer long is not easily prouoked he hopeth all things and boasts not himselfe or enuies them nor will receiue an euill report against them 1.
that diuers haue accounted the manner of setting the signes downe somewhat obscure in diuers parts of the booke I will now by Gods assistance for the helping of the weakest Christians in this Treatise endeuour to expresse my selfe in this doctrine of the triall of a true Christians estate in a more plaine and easie course of examination and leaue both the former treatise and his new Catalogue vnto the blessing of God and the free choice of the godly reader of vse which he findeth most agreeable to his owne taste being both such as are warranted founded vpon the infallible euidence of Gods vnchangeable truth In this proiect then I consider of the triall of The signes referred to sixe heads a true Christian sixe wayes First in his humiliation Secondly in his faith Thirdly in the gifts of his mind with which he is qualified Fourthly in the workes of his obedience Fiftly in the entertainment he hath from God Sixtly in the manner of his receiuing of the Sacraments In all which he differs from all the wicked men in the world so as neuer any wicked man could find these things in his condition which are true of the weakest Christian in each of these signes And that the true Christian may not doubt of his estate hauing found these signes The infallibilitie of the signes in himselfe let him consider the proofes annexed to each signe that nothing may be wanting to his aboundant consolation I will tell him how I found out those signes and by what grounds I proceeded There are three sorts 3. Wayes to find out the signes of a godly man in Scripture of places in Scripture as I cōceiue which do point out the grounds of infallible assurance in those that can attaine vnto them as first such places as expresly do affirme that such and such things are signes As for example 1. Iohn 3. 14. Hereby we know that we are translated from death to life because we loue the brethren Here the holy Ghost shews vs expresly that the loue of the brethren is a signe by which a Christian may know that he is translated from death to life so the Apostle Paul giues signes to know whether their sorrow were after God or no. 2. Cor. 7. 11. So doth the Prophet Dauid Psal 15. giue diuers signes by which the man that shal dwell in Gods holy hill may be knowne So the Apostle Iames tels vs how we may know the wisedome from aboue by reckning the fruites and effects of it Iam. 3. 17. So doth the Apostle Paul tell vs how we may know whether we haue the Spirit of Christ in vs or no Rom. 8. 9. 15. c. Gal. 5. 22. 4. 6. 7. Secondly I find out signes by marking what graces in man the promises of God are made vnto for thus I reason Whatsoeuer gifts of God in man brings him within the compasse of Gods promises of eternall mercie that gift must be an infallible signe of saluation But such are such and such gifts as the instances in diuers Scriptures shew And therefore the man that can find those gifts in himselfe shall be certainly saued As for example The kingdome of heauen is promised to such as are poore in spirit Math. 5. 4. From thence then I gather that pouertie of spirit is an infallible signe The like I may say of the loue of the word and of vprightnesse of heart and of the loue of God and the loue of the appearing of Christ c. Thirdly I find out other signes by obseruing what godly men in Scripture haue said for themselues when they haue pleaded their owne euidence for their interest in Gods loue or their hope of a better life For look how godly men in Scripture haue proued that they were not hypocrites euen so may any Christiā proue that he is not an hypocrite neither As for example Iob being charged to be an hypocrite and lying vnder the heauy hand of God pleades his cause and proues that he was not an hypocrite by his constancie in Gods wayes and by his constant estimation of Gods word and desire after it as after his appointed food Iob 23. 10. 11. 12. More of this kind thou maist find in the proofes of particular signes Now whereas some signes are generall and thou mightst doubt of the exposition namely how that signe is infallible in such such sences For thy establishment herein thou mayst obserue that I expoūd the signe as it is expounded in other seuerall Scriptures As for example The loue of the brethren is a generall signe Now how shall I know that I haue the right loue of the brethren This I explane by flying to diuers other Scriptures wherein the particular explications of this signe are pleaded CHAP. III. The triall of a Christian by the signes of true humiliation THe first way then by which a Christian may trie himselfe is to examine himselfe about his humiliation for sinne whether it be right or no. For vnder this head is comprehended the explication of the doctrine of pouertie of spirit and godly sorrow and so in generall of repentance for sinnes Now the true Christian in this matter of humiliation shews himselfe to haue attained 26. Signes of true humiliation that which no reprobate could euer attaine and that in diuers particulars as First he hath a true 1. He sees his sinnes sight and sence of his sins He discernes his sinfulnesse of life both past and present and is affected and pained vnder the burthen of his daily wants and corruptions and sees his miserie in respect of his sinnes Ierem 3. 12. Math. 11. 29. Math. 5. 4. Secondly he trembles 2. He feares Gods displeasure at Gods word and feares his displeasure while it yet hangs in the threatnings Esa 66. 1. 2. Thirdly he renounceth 3. He trusts not vpon the merit of his own workes his owne merits and disclaimeth all opinion of true happinesse in himselfe or in any thing vnder the Sunne as being fully perswaded that he cannot be saued by any works of his owne or be happie in enioying any worldly things and therefore is fully resolued to seeke for the chiefe good in Gods fauour in Iesus Christ onely Fourthly he mournes 4. He mournes heartily and secretly for his sins and so he doth 1. For all sorts of sins For all sorts of sinne for secret sinnes as well as knowne sinnes for lesser sinnes as well as greater for the present euils of his nature and life as well as sinnes past yea for the sins he hath loued or haue bene gainfull and pleasing to him Yea he grieues for the euill that cleaues to his best workes as well as for euill workes Esa 6. 5. Rom. 7. Esa 1. 16. Math. 5. 6. 2. For sinne as it is sin For sinne as it is sin and not as it doth or might bring him shame or punishments in this life or in hell 3. He is as much troubled
8. 12. 8. By the extent of his loue to all the words of God euen the Law that with threatening shewes him his sin and searcheth out his most secret corruptions being most affected with that ministery that doth most sharply rebuke sin 9. By his resolution to labour as hard for the food of his soule as men do or he would do for the food of his bodie Ioh. 6. 27. Amos 8. 12. 10. By the constant sweet taste he finds in it especially when it is powerfully preached Psal 19. 10. 2. Cor. 2. 15. 11. By the end he propounds vnto himselfe in the vse of the word which is that he might not sinne and that his wayes might be made pleasing to God hiding the word in his heart to this purpose Psal 119. 11. 12. By his willingnes and resolution to denie his owne reason and affections his credite his carnall friends his profits or his pleasures in any thing when God should so require it of him and vpon any occasion to shew his heartie respect of the Gospell Mar. 10. 2. 9. 1. Cor. 1. 18. 13. By the effects of it as 1. When for the loue he beares to the word he will separate himselfe from the wicked that might any way withdraw his heart or endanger his disobedience Psal 119. 115. 2. When he accounts the word to be his chiefe comfort in affliction finds it to be the maine stay and solace of his heart Psal 119. 23. 24. 50. 51. 54. 143. 3. When it works in him effectually the redresse of his wayes and freedome from the dominion of sin Ioh. 8. 33. Psal 119. 45. 9. 59. 1. Thes 2. 13. 4. When it works in him certaine and sensible assurance of heart before God This assurāce is an infallible signe of the right vse of the word 1. Thess 1. 5. And thus of the second gift The third gift is the His triall by his gift of prayer spirit of prayer or supplication as the Prophet Zacharie cals it Zach. 12. 10 and this gift he hath aboue all wicked men which he shewes many 13. Rules of triall wayes as 1. He askes according to Gods will 1. Ioh. 5. 14. 2. He prays with perswasion that God will heare him He beleeueth in some measure that he shall haue what he prays for He prayes in faith Mark 11. 14. Iam. 1. 6. 7. Psal 6. 9. 1. Ioh. 3. 19. 22. 3. He prayes in the name of Christ and is affected with the sence of his owne vilenesse and relies vpon the merits and mediation of Iesus Christ Ioh. 14. 13. Psal 86. 1. 2. 143. 4. 4. He will pray at all times Iob 27. 9. Psalme 106. 2. 5. He is feruent in prayer his heart prayeth he hath the affections of prayer Iam. 5. 16. Psal 6. 8. 6. Prayer makes him exceeding weary of the world it giues him such a taste of his owne sinfulnesse and of Gods goodnesse and of the glorie of heauen that he is vehemently carried with desire to be absent from the bodie that he might be present with the Lord Psal 39. 12. 7. When he knowes not how to pray as he ought the Spirit prepares his heart excites in him holy desires supplies him sometimes with words sometimes with affections and somtimes worketh inward vnexpressable groanes which yet it presents to God as effectuall prayers Ro. 8. 26. 27. 8. He findes an holy rest and quietnesse in his conscience and heart with spirituall boldnesse and confidence of trust in God if he heare him graciously and answer him in mercie Psal 3. 4. 5. 6. 116. 1. 7. 91. 15. 17. Ierem. 33. 3. 9. He loues the Lord exceedingly for hearing his prayer and desires to keepe himselfe in the loue of God Psal 116. 1. Iude 20. 10. His prayers proceed from a heart that loues no sin but desires to depart from iniquitie and to do that which is pleasing in Gods sight 2. Tim. 2. 19. 1. Ioh. 3. 22. 11. He loues prayer in others 2. Tim. 1. 22. 12. He striues against deadnesse of spirit and distractions as an heauy burthen Psal 86. 3. 4. 13. He makes prayer his chiefe refuge and he will pray though prayer be in neuer so much disgrace Psal 69. 10. 13. 142. 2. 5. And thus of the third gift The fourth gift is the loue of his enemies Any His loue to his enemies tried Christiā may loue such as loue him but to loue his enemies is onely to be found in the true Christian which he proues by these tokens of the sinceritie of his loue 1. He can pray heartily for them yea in some cases he can mourne humble his soule before God for them in their distresses Psal 35. 13. 14. 2. He desires their conuersion so vnfainedly that he is sure if they were cōuerted he could reioyce in them as heartily as in those he now much delights in 3. He can likewise forgiue them their particular trespasses against him being more grieued for their sins against God thē for the wrongs they do him Mat. 6. 14. 4. He can freely acknowledge their iust praises 5. He can not onely patiently endure their reuilings but can forbeare when he could be reuenged by bringing shame or misery vpon them 1. Pet. 3. 9. Rom. 12. 14. 1. Sam. 24. 18. 19 yea he doth as he hath occasion striue to ouercome their euil with goodnesse being willing to helpe them or releeue them in their miserie and do them any good for the soule or body The last gift which is found in the true Christian His triall by the loue to the appearing of Christ while he is in the way in this life is His loue of the appearing of Christ which he shewes 1. By the longing after the time of Christs coming whether by death or iudgement 2. By his gladnesse at the promises or signes of his particular or generall coming 3. By his often meditations of that day and his hearty prayers for the hastening of it Reu. 22. 10. 4. By his daily care to dispatch all those godly duties which he desires to do before his death and accordingly by his willing disposing of his estate and endeuors to set his house in order And this desire of Christs coming is apparently the more sincere in him 1. Because it ariseth out of his loue to God and his hatred of his owne sins and his wearines vnder the obseruation of other mens sins 2. Because this desire is accompanied with the care of the meanes by which he may be prepared for saluation 3. Because he is thus affected euen in his prosperitie when he thriues in the world and is not in any notable distresse Hitherto of his triall in such gifts as he is endowed withall in this life onely his triall in the gifts that will abide in him for euer follow CHAP. VI. His triall in respect of such heauenly gifts as will not be abolished by death THe gifts that will abide in him for euer The trial of