fragments and superficiall beginnings of true sanctification and grace may fall quite away and lose them Heb. 6. 4 5. Such as haue beene inlightened and tasted of Christ and of the good word of God and powers of the world to come and haue beene partakers of the Holy Ghost may fall away 2. Pet. 2. 20. 22. Such as had escaped from the filthinesse of the world through the acknowledgement of the Lord and of the Sauiour may be intangled therein againe and ouercome so as that their latter end may become worse then euer their beginning was But he that hath not onely tasted but drunke a sound draught of this water of life and let it downe can neuer lose it neuer cast it vp againe 4. A man that hath not only tasted but drunk of this water of life and truly receiued the Spirit of sanctification may seeme to haue lost it somtime for he may decay for a time in the measure of grace and lose the heate and feruency of the spirit that once he had as Christ complaines of the Angell of the Church of Ephesus he had left his first loue Apoc. 2. 4. 2. He may for a time lose the comfortable feeling assurance of grace and be in his owne sense as a man vtterly void of grace This was the case of the Spouse of Christ Cant. 3. 1. 2. and 5 6. Her well-beloued was gone 3. Hee may lose for a time the power and eâ—…icacie and operation of grace and fall into as grosse sinnes as any other man Dauid and Peter may be examples of this yea the best are in great and continuall danger to fall thus if they take not great heed vnto themselues Nay it is a very hard thing for any of Gods children to keepe themselues from these decayes Therefore are those exhortations so often vsed 1. Cor. 10. 12. Wherefore let him that thinketh hee standeth take heed least hee fall Heb. 12. 15. Looking diligently least any man faile of the grace of God least any roote of bitternesse springing vp trouble you and thereby many bee defiled Phil. 2. 12 13. Wherefore my beloued as ye haue alwaies obeyed not as in my presence onely but now much more in my absence worke out your saluation with feare and trembling For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to doe of his owne good pleasure You see then how euen they that haue indeed drunke of this water of life may seeme to haue it quite dryed vp in them But yet though this seeme so it is not so indeed for in all those three cases I haue mentioned ye shall see the children of God that had drunke of this Water of life they had in themselues this Well of water they had grace in them euen then when they seemed to haue lost it There is soundnes of grace in many a one that is much decaied in zeale as is plaine in the case of that Angell of Ephesus Apoc. 2. 2 3. Notwithstanding this his delay in his first loue the Lord knew approued of his workes and commendeth him for his labour and his patience and for this that he could not beare with them that were euill and that he tryed them that said they were Apostles and were not that he had borne and had patience and for his names sake had laboured and had not fainted 2. There is much grace in many a one that haue lost for a time their feeling as is plaine in the example of the Spouse Cant. 5. 6. She grieues and neuer giues ouer seeking till she had found her beloued 3. There remaineth grace in the regenerate euen then when they haue falne most fearefully Whosoeuer is borne of God saith the Apostle 1 Ioh. 3. 9. doth not commit sin for his seede remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is borne of God the seede of God remaineth in him and therefore he cannot sinne as other men doe he cannot sin with the full consent of his will with the full sway of his soule as before he did This is euident in the example of Dauid for when he complaines as if he had quite lost the spirit Psal. 51. 11 12. Euen then he prayeth and prayeth so as he could neuer haue done if he had not had the spirit of grace in him For how can men call vpon him in whom they haue not beleeued saith the Apostle Rom. 10. 14. and Rom. 8. 26. it is the spirit it selfe that maketh intercession for vs and makes vs able to pray Hauing thus cleared the Doctrine let vs heare how it may be confirmed Let vs hearken vnto some plaine and pregnant testimones of holy Scripture to prooue this that whosoeuer hath truely receiued the Spirit of grace can neuer lose it Psal. 15. When Dauid had spoken of sundry fruits of regeneration hee concludes the Psalme thus verse 5. Hee that doth these things shall neuer be moued Psalme 19. 9. The feare of the Lord is cleane and endureth for euer Psal. 23. 6. Surely goodnesse and mercy shall follow me all the daies of my life So he that heares the Word and doth it is compared to a house that is built vpon a rocke which no raine nor flouds nor windes nor tentations how strong soeuer can ouerthrow Matth. 7. 24. 25. And Luke 8. 13. 15. Though the other hearers beleeue but for a time yet he that with an honest and good heart heares the Word shall keepe it Iohn 6. 56. Hee that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud abideth in mee In which respect sauing grace is called The good part that shall not bee taken away Luk. 10. 42. The immortall seede 1. Peter 1. 23. and was fitly resembled by that fire that came downe from heauen that neuer went out Leuit. 6. 12. The Reasons of this are principally three 1. The vnchangeablenesse of Gods loue and decree No man hath receiued the Spirit but onely such as God hath elected to saluation and loued in Christ before all worlds Rom. 8. 30. Whom hee predestinated them he called and none but them Acts 13. 48. So many as were ordained to eternall life beleeued Therefore true faith is called Titus 1. 1. The faith of Gods Elect. A man may make his election sure this way 2. Pet. 1. 10. Now such as are elected cannot possibly fall away this our Sauiour speakes of as of a thing vtterly impossible The false Christs and false Prophets shall shew so great signes and wonders that they shall deceiue if it were possible the very elect faith lie Matth. 24. 24. The loue of God in Christ is vnchangeable Ier. 31. 3. I haue loued thee with an euerlasting loue saith the Lord therefore in mercy haue I drawne thee Whom Christ loues Iohn 13. 2. he loues vnto the end And those that come to him that is which beleeue in him Iohn 6. 35. he will neuer cast away Iohn 6. 37. The gifts and calling of God saith the Apostle Rom 11. 29. that is such
gifts of God as accompany an effectuall calling are without repentance Euery good and perfect gift saith the Apostle I am 1. 17. and what he meanes by the perfect gift hee expounds verse 18. viz. the grace of regeneration is from aboue and commeth downe from the Father of lights in whom is no variablenesse neither shadâ—…w of changing Though wee be wonderfully vnconstant and changeable yet is there not so much as a shadow of changeablenesse in the Lord in this case Insomuch as we may conclude this first reason with the words of the Psalmist in Psalme 118. 2 3 4. Let Israel now say that his mercy endureth for euer Let the house of Aaron now say that his mercy endureth for euer Let them now that feare the Lord say that his mercy endureth for euer 2. The power that is in God to performe what hee hath promised 1. Peter 1. 5. Wee are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation And this reason our Sauiour giueth in Iohn 10. 28. They shall neuer perish neither shall any plucke them out of my hands verse 29. My Father which gaue them me is greater then all and no man is able to plucke them out of my Fathers hands For any strength that is in vs alas we might fall quite away euery day considering the temptations that wee are subiect to but this power of God is that that keepes vs from falling irrecouerably Psal. 37. 24. Though hee fall hee shall not bee cast off for the Lord putteth vnder his hand Wee our selues are apt enough alas to lose that grace wee haue receiued but the power of God preserueth vs and the weaker we are the more is Gods power glorified in preseruing vs. To which purpose that may bee applyed 2. Cor. 4. 7. But wee haue this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may bee of God and not of vs and 2. Cor. 12. 9. My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakenesse 3. The prayer and continuall intercession that Christ maketh for vs. For as he prayed for Peter and that was the cause why he though he fell grieuously yet he lost not all grace Luke 22. 31 32. so he hath prayed for all the faithfull Iohn 17. 20. Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall beleeue on me through their word And this is a principall part of the prayer that he made for them verse 11. Keepe them in thy name euen them whom thou hast giuen mee verse 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou keepe them from euill And this intercession is continuall Heb. 7. 28. Hee is able perfectly to saue such as come to God by him seeing he euer liueth to make intercession for them And these are the Reasons why though we fall we cannot loose quite that grace that we haue receiued The Vse that this Doctrine serueth vnto is 1. To worke in vs a loue and desire of grace and the meanes of grace In worldly things we loue certainties and perpetuities therefore though there be more vse of ready money for the present yet men rather desire land then money Behold there is no certainty nor durablenesse in any blessing but this Our Sauiour cals all the profits of this life another mans goods because we haue no certainty but they may we know not how soone be taken from vs and bestowed on another but grace he cals our owne Luke 16. 12. Therefore nothing but grace onely can be called durable riches Prou. 8. 18. Therefore our Sauiour saith Ioh. 6. 27. Labour not for the meate which perisheth but for the meate which endureth vnto euerlasting life Indeed if it were true as the Papists and some others say that grace may be lost there were the lesse cause to desire it for what inward peace or ioy could wee haue in this case without certainety but this ministers vnspeakeable comfort to the soule that when we once know we haue grace we may be sure we shall neuer loose it And as I said this should make vs in loue with grace so should it with the meanes of grace euen the ministery of the Word which is called the ministration of the spirit 2. Cor. 3. 8. We reade of the foolish Virgins when they came to their fellowes to aske some oyle they receiued this answer Matth. 25. 9. Goe yee to them that sell and buy for your selues Behold we are they that fell this oyle there is no man here so void of grace but may conceiue assured hope to obtaine it if he can submit himselfe as he ought to the meanes of grace Esay 55. 3. Heare and your soules shall liue And therefore if God shall begin now or at any time to touch and draw thine heart struggle not against this worke of his as many doe Heb. 3. 7 8. To day if ye will heare his voice harden not your hearts as in the prouocation in the day of temptation in the wildernesse Stand not our against God but yeeld thy selfe and say to him as Cant. 1. 4. Draw me and we will runne after thee 2. To exhort euery man to try the good things that are in him whether they be of nature or grace This duty we are oft exhorted to 2. Cor. 13. 5. examine your selues saith he whether ye be in the faith proue your selues especially when we are to renew our Couenant with God in the Sacrament 1. Cor. 11. 29. To perswade thee to this duty Consider 1. There may be good things in a naturall man Say not with thy selfe I haue some good things in me and therefore I haue the Spirit of God because the Scripture saith of them that are meere naturall men that of them there is not one that doth good no not one Rom. 3. 12. that we are not sufficient of our selues to thinke a good thought 2. Cor. 3. 5. And the Apostle saith of himselfe that he knew that in him that is in his flesh in his vnregeneratc part and so farre forth as he was a naturall man there dwelleth no good thing Rom. 7. 18. Deceiue not thy selfe by the mis-vnderstanding of these places For though it be true that no naturall man can doe any thing that is truely good pleasing vnto God a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit saith our Sauiour Matth. 7. 18. yet may there be in a meere naturall and carnall man such things as are naturally and in themselues good things and commanded of God I tell thee there may be good things in a naturall man who besides the corruption of nature hath also some remnants of Gods Image in him Euery man that commeth into the world hath some light in him Iohn 1. 9. Euery man is made after the similitude of God Iam. 3. 9. 2. It will yeeld thee vnspeakeable comfort if thou canst finde by due triall that thou hast indeed receiued the Spirit of God Gal. 6.
saith the Lord. Psal. 139 7. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flie from thy presence Acts 17. 27. Doubtlesse he is not farre from euery one of vs for in him we liue and moue and haue our being 2. Because he is the Iudge of the whole World and is to iudge euery man righteously according to his workes God shall bring euery worke into iudgement saith the Holy Ghost Eccl. 12. 14. with euery secret thing whether it be good or whether it be euill For though he shall not want witnesses at that day yet it is necessary himselfe should haue perfect knowledge of all the actions of men Esa. 11. 3. He shall not reproue after the hearing of the eares Therefore Dauid Psal. 94. confuting the Atheisme of the wicked that said verse 9. The Lord shall not see vseth among other this argument to conuince them ver 10. He that chastiseth the Nations shall not be correct be that teacheth man knowledge shall not he know The vse of this Doctrine is double 1. This Doctrine if the Lord will be pleased to perswade our hearts to belieue it is most effectuall both to moue our hearts to speedy repentance for sinnes past and to restraine vs from sinne in time to come The thing that most emboldeneth to sinne is the hope of secrecy as we may see Gen. 39. 11. It is said of Iosephs Mistresse that he comming into the house when there was no body within but they two verse 12. Therefore she caught him by the garment c. True it is that there be many that are growne to that impudency that they dare speake or doe any thing whosoeuer be by They declare their sinnes as Sodome Esay 3. 9. Such a one was Absolon 2. Sam. 16. 22. Hee went in to his fathers Concubines in the sight of all Israel Such a one was the vniust Iudge Luke 18. 2. who neither feared God nor regarded man Yea that will the rather sweare and speake filthily when such are by as they know they may grieue by it as counting it a disgrace to be restrained by the presence and reuerence of any man but these are farre gone these sinne supernaturally these are in a fit of frenzie and madnesse company and mirth hath made them madd and desperate as indeed it will doe Eccles. 2. 2. For naturally and for the most part the knowledge of men will 1. Restraine them from sinning and 2. Will worke shame and trouble of mind in them when they haue sinned There are many sinnes that men would neuer commit but that they hope to keepe them secret the presence of a godly man would restraine them yea the presence of a little childe would restraine them Darkenesse and hope of secrecy is the principall encourager of men vnto most sinnes they cannot sinne securely vnlesse they may sinne in secret And in this respect amongst others all sinnes are called the workes of darkenesse Ephes. 5. 11. Therefore Iob speaking of sundry kinds of sinners saith Iob 24. 13. These are they that abhorre the light verse 15. The eye of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight and saith none eye shall see me and disguiseth his face and verse 17. If one know them they are in the terrours of death Now if the knowledge and priuitie that men haue of our sinnes bee of such force how much more would the knowledge the Lord hath of them doe it if men were fully perswaded of it For 1. A man may oft sinne so secretly that no man shall know of it but he hath the Lords eye vpon him at all times though no man seeth him God seeth him Yea hee knowes all our waies perfectly obserues them and takes notice of them so as he can neuer forget them 2. No man can possibly dislike or abhorre vs so much for any sinne as the Lord doth Iob 10. 4. Hast thou carnall eyes or dost thou see as man seeth Hab. 1. 12. Thou art of pure eyes and canst not see euill thou canst not behold wickednesse 3. The more cunning any shall vse in concealing his sin and keeping it secret the more the Lord abhorrs him for it Thus is Achans sin aggrauated Ioshua 7. 11. They haue euen taken of the accursed thing and haue also stollen and dissembled also And so is the sin of Israel 2. King 17. 9. The children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God 4 As he seeth and disliketh all our sins so he certainely will one day charge vs with them either in this life to our saluation as to this woman here by the ministery of his word as he did that poore man that was before ignorant and vnbelieuing 1. Cor. 14. 24 25. which is indeed the naturall property of the word to do it is a discerner and discouerer of the thoughts and intents of the hart as the Apostle speaketh Heb. 〈◊〉 12. or in the life to come to our confusion as he threatneth wicked men that he will doe at one time or other I will reprooue thee and set thy sins in order before thine eyes saith the Lord Psal. 51. â—…1 and Eccl. 11 9. Know thou that for all these things God will bring thee to iudgement 5. He will also bring the secretest sins of men to light one day and lay them open euen to men Pro 10. 9 He that peruerteth his way shall be knowne 1. Tim. 5. 25. They that are otherwise cannot be hid He doth oft in this life discouer Hypocrites by giuing them vp to the committing of open sins Psal. 125 5. Such as turne aside vnto their crooked wayes the Lord will leade them forth with the workers of iniquity But this shall chiefly be done in the great day of the Lord then will the Lord lighten all things that are now hid in darkenesse and make the counsailes of the hearts manifest 1. Cor. 4. 5. This is the reason our Sauiour vseth to disswade men from hypocrisie Luke 12. 1 〈◊〉 For there is nothing couered that shall not be reuealed neither hid that shall not be knowne The conclusion then of this first Vse is that we would not flatter our selues in the secrecie of our sinnes but seeke the pardon of them and pray with the Prophet Psal. 19. 12. Cleanse thou me from secret faults Seeke to haue them blotted out of the Lords Booke of remembrance that he may neuer charge vs with them And the way to obtaine that is now in the time of grace to lay them open before the Lord and to charge our selues seriously with them with penitent and humbled hearts Pro. 28. 13. He that confesseth and for saketh his sins shall finde mercy For as he to whom sinne is forgiuen shall be sure to haue his sinne couered and hidden with the Lord Psalme 32. 1. So he that by remission and repentance hath them not blotted out shall be sure to haue them laid open and brought to light and though they were
that we may truely say that though we our selues are bound to account the corruption that remaineth in vs an intolerable burden which we must be continually humbled for and groane vnder and striue to lessen and desire to be eased of as the Apostle did Rom. 7. 24. because our most holy and heauenly Father is grieued and offended by it and because it is euer budding and bringing forth in vs such fruits as are most bitter vnto vs and breed vs much woe yet the infinite wisedome and power and goodnesse of our God maketh this a great benefit to vs that we are not in this life perfectly regenerated but that the Lord suffers sinne to dwell in vs so long as we abide in this tabernacle If any man shall demand of me the reasons of this Doctrine the cause why the Lord should thus loue his Elect and be so partiall towards them that though he hates sinne in all and hates the Reprobate and damnes them for their sinne yet he hates not his Elect for their sinnes but loues them euen before there is any grace in them at all euen before they haue repented of their sinnes I can giue no other reason of it but his own good will and pleasure onely he hath mercy on whom he will haue mery saith the Apostle Rom. 9. 18. and Ephes. 1. 11. He worketh all things after the counsell of his owne will And in this it becommeth euery mortall man to rest without inquiry any further and to say with the holy Apostle Rom. 9. 21 22. Hath not the Potter power ouer the clay What if God will doe thus 2. The respect God hath to the Sonne of his loue to whom he gaue them before the world was He hath chosen vs in him saith the Apostle Ephes. 1. 4. before the foundation of the world and verse 6. He hath made vs accepted in his beloued Now of this Doctrine I may say as the Prophet doth in another case Esay 28. 9. To whom shall we teach this Doctrine Who is fit to heare and receiue it The Apostle speakes of some that stumble at the Word 1. Pet. 2. 8. and such there haue euer beene in the Church But there is no part of the Word no truth of God that so many doe stumble at as at this Doctrine of the infinite mercy of God vnto sinners For where shall we finde a man almost that doth not abuse this Doctrine to the incouraging of himselfe to sin and to the hardening of his heart against all checke of conscience for sin yet must this doctrine so cleerely and plentifully deliuered in the holy Scripture and tending so much to the comfort of Gods people be taught though there be neuer so many wicked men that will take hurt by it The childrens bread must not be kept from them because of the dogges that will be ready to snatch it out of our hands when we breake it to them Yet before I giue the children their bread and apply this Doctrine to them vnto whom it onely belongeth I will endeauour to driue away the dogges by shewing that the profane and impenitent sinner that turnes Gods grace into wantonnesse and encourageth himselfe to sinne by the knowledge of Gods mercy hath nothing to doe with this Doctrine nor any cause at all to take comfort in it For 1. All this that is spoken in the Word of Gods mercy belongs onely to the Elect which are therfore called Uessels of mercy not to the Reprobates which are called Vessels of wrath Rom. 9. 22. 23. If thou say I may be one of Gods Elect too I answer thou mayest indeed but till thou knowest thy selfe to be so and canst finde the markes of Election in thy selfe thou canst take no comfort in this Doctrine Therefore euery where in Scripture this mercy of God is restrained to them that feare him the Scripture euery where teacheth that none else haue cause to glory in it or trust to it Psal. 118. 4. Let them that feare the Lord now say that his mercy endureth for euer And 115. 11. Ye that feare the Lord trust in the Lord. 2. This is noted by the Holy Ghost to be a fearefull signe of reprobation and that thou shalt neuer tast of Gods mercy because thou stumblest and takest occasion of being more wicked euen from the pure and holy Word of God and from the doctrine of his mercy 1. Pet. 2. 8. 3. This God whose mercy thou so much gloryest in and the doctrine of whose mercy thou dost so much abuse and Christ Iesus through whom thou trustest to finde him so mercifull will appeare vnto thee one day so terrible as thou shalt cry to the hils and rocks to fall vpon thee to hide thee from his presence Apoc. 6. 15 16. Yea this shall increase thy horrour at that day that thou hast sinned against so mercifull a God and when thou shalt discerne that he that is so infinite in mercy toward others yea haply toward such as were more notorious sinners then thy selfe hath no mercy for thee at all Luk. 13. 28. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome of God and you your selues thrust out But to let them passe and to apply this Doctrine to such as to whom indeed it onely belongeth First it serueth for the vnspeakeable comfort of all such as can finde in themselues the assured tokens that they are the Elect of God And indeed this Doctrine is to such the foundation of all true comfort If thy sinne cannot hurt thee nothing can hurt thee neither prosperity nor aduersity life nor death the world nor the diuell For as sinne is the sting of death 1. Cor. 15. 56. So is it of euery other thing that thou hast cause to feare Now if thou be Gods Elect thou mayest be thus secure that though thy sins may make thee subiect to many a correction and scourge in this life yet shall they neuer bee able to separate thee from the loue of God or hinder thy eternall happinesse Euery man therefore that desireth to enioy this comfort must labour to make his election certaine to himselfe and that shall he doe by making his effectuall calling certaine to himselfe 2. Pet. 1. 10. And this is an argument of an effectuall calling when hee findes that through Gods grace he is able vnfainedly to repent of all his sinnes that is so to grieue for offending God by them that he can hate and forsake them For this grace of vnfained repentance is giuen to none but them that are of the Israel of God the Elect of God Acts 5. 31. And the departing from iniquity is made a certaine note of Election 2. Timothie 2. 19. So that if thou finde thy selfe able through Gods grace to repent of thy sinnes there is no cause thou shouldest feare damnation for thy sins or the losse of Gods fauour For if
a seale and an earnest-penny 2. Cor. 1. 22. And well may it secure a man because he that knowes he hath it may be sure he shall neuer lose it it 's an immortall seede 1. Pet. 1. 23. it endures for euer Psal. 19. 9. Obiect No doubt but he that hath the Spirit of God to witnesse to his conscience that he is Gods childe may indeed be certaine of it but who can be assured that he hath the Spirit of God How easie is it for a man to be deceiued in this seeing 1. The heart is so deceitfull Ier. 17 9. 2 There be many remnants of Gods Image in a naturall man that may seeme to be the fruits of the Spirit And 3. There be many common gifts of the Spirit which an Hypocrite and Reprobate may haue Answ. I answer iâ—… is true indeed and therefore the faithfull are oft called vpon to examine themselves 1. Cor. 11. 28. and proue the good things that are in them Gal. 6. 4. But yet this I say that he that hath the Spirit of God may certainely and vndoubtedly know that he hath it and as the Spirit is giuen vs to witnesse to our spirits that we are Gods children so like a good witnesse he speakes so euidently and plainely that he that hath him may know and discerne his voice and plainely vnderstand what he saith Hezechia knew he had walked before God in truth and with a perfect heart and had done that which was good in his sight Esay 38. 3. and Peter knew well that he loued Christ vnfainedly aboue all things Iohn 21. 17. and Paul could say he was assured he had a good conscience in all things Heb. 13. 18. And least any should say these were extraordinary men may all that haue the Spirit be so certaine they haue it as were these three I will therefore shew you that this is the case of all them that haue Gods Spirit not of some rare and extraordinary persons onely The Apostle speakes thus not in his owne name onely but in the name of all the faithfull 1. Iohn 5. 19. We know that we are of God that is borne of God Yea they that haue receiued the Spirit haue beene so certaine of the vprightnesse of their hearts that no opposition of men or Sathan nor any affliction could driue them from it For this we haue a notable example in Iob Iob 27. 5 6. God forbid that I should iustifie you vntill I dye I will neuer take away mine innocency from my selfe I will keepe â—…y righteousnesse and will not forsake it mine heart shall not reprooue me all my daies 3. The third Reason why he that hath Faith may be so certaine of his saluation is because the hope and assurance he hath of his perseuerance to the end is grounded wholly vpon God not vpon any thing that is in himselfe 1. Pet. 〈◊〉 2. Peter saith of the faithfull that their faith and hope is in God The maine argument against the certainety of saluation is the vncertainety of perseuerance Now I haue shewed you in the proofe of the Doctrine that the faithfull may bee certaine of their perseuerance vnto the end Psal. 1â—… 8. 8. The Lord will pâ—…rfect that which concerneth me Phil. 1. 6. Being confident of this very thing that hâ—…e which hath begunne a good Worke in you will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ. Vpon what ground will you say is this certainety built Surely not vpon any thing that is in vs for we are exceeding variable and apt to fall and when we had our saluation in our owne keeping though wee were then farre stronger than now we are we lost it quickly But now our state in Christ is in this respect better than it was in Adam we cannot now lose it because it is not in our own keeping our assurance of perseuerance is grounded wholly vpon God If we looke vpon our selues we see cause of feare and doubting but if we looke vp to God we shall finde cause enough of assurance Psal. 61. 2 3. Leade me vnto the Rocke that is higher than I for thou hast beene a shelter for me and a strong Tower 2. Tim. 2. 19. The foundation of God is sure This Rocke how sure it is you shall see in three points 1. We are maruellous vnconstant and fickle in our loue to God and good things we are apt quickly to turne out of the good way Iudg. 2. 19. but God is constant and vnchangeable in his loue I haue loued thee with an euerlasting loue Ier. 31. 3. The decree and counsell of God is vnchangeable I am the Lord I change not Mal. 3. 6. From hence the faithfull man reasoneth thus By his spirit which I know he hath giuen me I am sure God elected and loued me in Christ before all worlds for he neuer bestowed iustifying faith on any but on such so many as were ordained vnto eternall life belieued and none but they Acts 13. 48. therefore true faith is called the faith of Gods Elect Tit. 1. 1. he neuer called any to the loue and obedience of his truth but such whom he did predestinate them he also called Rom. 8 30. Therefore I am sure that how vnconstant and vnchangeable how prone soeuer I am to fall yet I shall neuer fall finally for he is constant in him is no variablenesse neither shadow of changing Iames 1. 17. His decree is immutable it is not possible that any whom he hath elected should perish if it were possible they shall deceiue the very elect Matth. 24. 24. his loue that he hath borne to any in Christ is vnchangeable hauing loued his own which were in the world he loued them to the end Iohn 13. 2. For his loue was free not occasioned by any goodnesse he foresaw would be in vs but the cause of it was his owne good pleasure onely Ephes. 1. 5. At that time when he did perfectly foresee how ignorant weake vntoward vnconstant vngracious we would be yet euen then he set his loue vpon vs and what should then alter or alienate his affection from vs Therefore God speakes thus of his loue to his Elect Ieremie 31. 3. I haue loued thee with an euerlasting loue therefore in mercy haue I drawne thee Esay 54. 10. My kindnesse shall not depart from thee saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Esay 64. 5. In those is continuance and wee shall bee saued When God hath once drawne a man by his spirit to the faith and obedience of his truth he may then be sure he hath loued him with an euerlasting and vnchangeable loue Rom. 11. 29. The gifts and calling of God are without Repentance Vpon this Dauid grounded his comfort and assurance Psalme 25. 6. Remember Lord thy tender mercies and louing kindnesse for they haue beene for euer And thus he stirres vp all Gods people to doe Psalme 118. 2 3 4. Let Israel and the house of Aaron and they that feare the Lord now say
2. The tongue of the wise vseth knowledge aright To the application of the Word a speciall Wisdome is required 1. Corinth 12. 8. The Pastours gift whose worke stands principally in application is called there the word or vtterance of wisdome 2. Sinne must so be reproued as that the credit and estimation of the person that sinneth may be preserued as much as may be Priuate sinnes must not be made publike Our Sauiour therefore here when he discouers to this Woman her secret sinne doth it in secret betweene them two hee would not haue so much as any of his Disciples by This our Sauiour giues for a rule to be obserued by all that desire to win their brother Mat. 18. 15. Goe and tell him his fault betweene him and thoe alone Yet neuerthelesse this must be done by all that would win soules to God they must plainely and particularly discouer to them their sinnes Let them do it with as much wisdome as they can and with as much loue as they can so they do it This must needs be done This is made a chiefe part of the office and dutie of a Minister when the Apostle had deeply charged Timothy 2 Tim. 4. 12. to preach the word and to be instant in season and out of season he tells him how he should performe that duty to doe it well reproue saith he yea rebuke exhort c. and the contrary noted as the most proper mark of a false Prophet Lam. 2. 14. Thy Prophets haue looked out vaine and foolish things for thee they haue not discouered thine iniquity Yea this must be done 1. Particularly and plainly that the party may feele himselfe and his owne sin touched as plainly appeareth by the Prophet Nathans dealing with Dauid 2. Sam. 12. 12. Thou art the man yea 2. If they be publike and scandalous sins they must be reproued publikely 1. Tim. 5. 20. 3. It must be done effectually and zealously Cry aloud saith the Lord Esa 58. 1 2. lift vp thy voice like a trumpet Yea 4. In some cases with sharpnesse and bitternesse also Tit. 1. 13. Rebuke them sharply This sharpnesse Christ himselfe vsed sometimes Mat. 23. 33. Ye serpents ye generation of vipers how can ye escape the damnation of hell The Reason of this is the benefit that comes to Gods people by hauing their sinnes thus plainely and effectually discouered vnto them 1. Till men haue the true sense and knowledge of sinne they can neuer vnderstand rightly or clearely belieue any thing in Religion with any certainty or assurance This we haue an experiment of in this poore woman how blockish was she till Christ reuealed vnto her her sin and one chiefe reason why she was so vnable to vnderstand the Word of Christ was because she liued securely in a grieuous sin As the earth cannot receiue the seed till it be plowed vp so the heart of man cannot receiue the Word till the Lords plow haue been in it This comparison the Holy Ghost vseth Ier. 44. A kind of knowledge in Religion I grant is in many that liue securely in grieuous sinnes and neuer had their consciences touched with an effectuall knowledge and sense of sinne but you neuer knew any such that did attaine to a cleare and certaine knowledge The Lord will teach sinners saith Dauid Psal. 25. 8. that is such as know and feele themselues to be most miserable and grieuous sinners in the way and vers 9. The meeke such he means as are made meeke this way such as through pouerty of spirit and mourning for that are made meeke and humble according to that gradation our Sauiour vseth Mat. 5. 3 4 5. will he guide in iudgement and the meeke will he teach his way And of the rest the Apostle Paul saith that such as haue pleasure in vnholinesse and vnrighteousnesse cannot receiue the loue of the truth no nor belieue the truth but shall be apt to belieue lies and to be seduced 2. Thess. 2. 10 12. 2. Till men haue the true knowledge and sense of sinne they can neuer know Christ to the comfort and saluation of their owne soules Of this also we haue an experiment in this poore Woman of Samaria She neuer knew the gift of God nor who it was that spake vnto her she knew not Christ aright nor esteemed of him till he had discouered to her her sinne Such onely are fit to come to Christ Matth. 11. 28. Such and such onely shall be refreshed by him as are weary and heauy laden this way And indeed that no man can come to true comfort till he haue the true knowledge and sense of his sinne is euident by this that no man can find mercy with God for the pardon of his sinne till he can with a penitent and humbled heart confesse his sinne vnto God Prouerb 28. 13. He that couereth his sinnes shall not prosper but he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy And therefore Dauid vseth this as a reason to moue God to mercy Psalme 51. 3. For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sinne is euer before me Many thinke that the Ministry that plainely and powerfully rebuketh sinne serues to no other vse then to bring men to despaire and to fill them with melancholy but this is a fond conceit The true knowledge and sense of sinne is the onely way to comfort Iohn 16. 7 8. Christ saith the Spirit the Comforter which he would send should reproue and conuince the world The Spirit of God neuer comforted any till he had first reproued and conuinced them Therefore Paul reioyced greatly to heare of the Corinthians sorrow 2. Cor. 7. 7. and tels them ver 8. That he repented him not that he had made them sorrowfull and saith ver 9. That he had done them no hurt at all in reprouing them so sharply and bringing them to such heauinesse and giues this for the reason of it ver 10. Godly sorrow causeth repentance neuer to be repented of but worldly sorrow causeth death And the Apostle Iames when he had exhorted them to humiliation for sin and said Iam. 4. 9. Be afflicted and mourne and weepe let your laughter be turned to mourning and your ioy into heauinesse He preuents this obiection and tels them ver 10. if you be once thus humbled then he will lift you vp as if he should say that is the way to sound comfort according to that promise he had spoken of ver 6. God resisteth the proud and giueth grace to the humble 3. Till men haue the true knowledge and sense of sin their hearts can neuer be subdued to the obedience of God nor come to a true reuerence and feare of God This also may be seene in this poore woman till Christ told her of her sin she answered him scornfully and reiected him and obiected and reasoned against him What was it in the Ministery of Peter that wrought that wonderfull conuersion when about three thousand soules receiued the word gladly and were
Religion all the Iewes did say so For the fifth and last question It is no maruell though she hauing the opportunity of such a Prophet desire to be instructed in this question and resolued in this doubt rather then in any other For 1. Shee might well know by the bookes of Moses that there could be no attonement made betweene God and her nor remission obtained of this hainous sinne that her conscience was now touched with remorse of but by a Sacrifice all things by the law were purged with bloud of a sacrifice and without shedding of bloud there was no remission Heb. 9. 22. 2. She might well know that God would accept of no Sacrifice that was offered to him in any other place then in that one place he had chosen to put his name in Marke how oft this commandement is repeated in one Chapter Deut. 12. 5 6 11 1 17 26 27. Yea she knew that the Lord did account of all Sacrifices that were offered in any other place besides that one place that hee had chosen to put his name there no better then of willfull murder Leuit. 17. 4. Hauing thus opened the meaning of the Text let vs now come to the instruction that the Holy Ghost intendeth to teach vs in this Verse First then in that this woman is not affraid of Christ when she had found him to be a Prophet that had searched and troubled her conscience but desires further speech with him and seekes to haue her conscience healed by that very hand that had wounded it We learne That he that hath grace will not be affraid of or shunne that ministrie in which he hath felt the power of God rebuking and iudging him ransaking and troubling his conscience for sinne but of all others will desire it most See the proofe of this in all sorts of Iohn's hearers He had preached the Law Luke 3. 7. to 9. yea Luke 1. 17. in the spirit and power of Elias Yet see Luke 3. 10. 12. 14. How all sorts seeke to him and depend vpon him See this also in such as heard Peter when by his ministry they had beene pricked in their hearts with a effectuall sight and sense of their sins and of the wrath of God due to them for the same they run to him for comfort rather then to any other man and saith vnto him and the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren what shall we doe Acts 2. 37. This will better appeare by comparing it with the contrary Vngodly men cannot endure such teachers as doe with any power reprooue sinne and preach the Law as we may see in the example of Ahab who for this cause could not endure Micaiah 1. King 22. 8. And of Felix who when Pauls doctrine made his heart to tremble by putting him in minde effectually and in a powerfull manner of the chiefe sinnes he had beene most giuen vnto and of the dreadfull iudgement he must come to for them would heare him no more Act. 24. 26. But so will not they as we haue heard that haue truth of grace in them 1. The sense of sinne and trouble of conscience which Gods Spirit worketh in the Elect is euer mixed with hope of mercy and sense of Gods loue which keepes them from flying from God or dispairing in his mercy Psalme 2. 11. Euen in trembling they haue some ioy He is called the comforter euen when he rebukes vs for sinne Iohn 16. 8 9. when he makes them mourne for their sinne as for their owne childe yet he makes them supplicate and seeke to God Zach. 12. 10. You shall see this in Peter he was deepely touched with remorse for sinne Marke 14. 75. Yet was hee of all the Apostles the forwardest in seeking to Christ though Iohn did out-run him and gat to the Sepulcher before him yet went he first into the Sepulcher to see that there that might confirme him in the faith of the Resurrection of Christ Ioh. 20. 6 7. 2. The experience he hath that God worketh with such a Minister must needs cause the childe of God to reuerence and like him and to expect a blessing from him rather then from another That is said to be the cause of the reuerence which the vnbelieuer did shew to the Prophets when hee was rebuked and iudged of them 1. Corinthians 14. 25. This makes them to acknowledge them and reuerence them as able Ministers of the New Testament not of the letter onely but of the spirit and power of God 2. Cor. 3. 6. 3. He knoweth the Lords manner hath beene to heale his seruants by the very hand by which he hath wounded them The Prophet Gad was the man by whom the Lord sent such a heauy message to Dauid 1. Chron. 21. 10. 15. And he was also the man by whom the Lord gaue him comfort verse 18. Esay was the man by whom the Lord sent such a message to Ezechia as made him weepe soare Esay 38. 3. and Esay was the man by whom God gaue him comfort Esay 38. 4. to 8. 1. This Doctrine serues for a Touch-stone whereby euery one may try whether he haue any grace or be still a carnall man dead in his sinnes For by the iudgement thou hast to discerne of true preaching and of the Minister which is most to be affected thou mayest know thine owne state If grace be in thy heart thou wilt affect that ministry the most not that delighteth or tickleth the eare no nor that which onely brings thee to knowledge but that wherein thou feelest the spirit and power of God working vpon thy heart rebuking thee for sinne wounding thy conscience and giuing thee no rest till it haue reformed thy heart This Paul speakes of his owne Ministry 1. Cor. 2. 4. My preaching saith he stood not in the inticing speech of mans wisedome but in plaine euidence of the Spirit and of power and makes this a note of an able and sufficient Minister 2. Cor. 3. 6. And of the Corinthians he saith that they were carnall men because they affected such a Ministry as had fine words but no power in it 1. Cor. 3. 4. For though he nameth himselfe and Apollos there he doth it but figuratiuely as he saith 1. Cor. 4. 6. But the men they affected were not Paul nor Apollos but their owne vaine-glorious teachers whom he describeth I will come and know not the speech of these men that are puffed vp but the power For the Kingdome of God is not in word but in power saith hee 1. Cor. 4. 19 20. Then the hearer that hath grace when he comes to a Sermon comes not to heare man but God not to heare what a man can say or to iudge what gifts the Preacher hath but to heare what the Spirit speaketh to the Church Apoc. 2. 7. He comes with that mind that Dauid did Psalme 85. 8. I will heare what God the Lord will speake 2. This Doctrine serues for reproofe and to discouer the
that his mercy endureth for euer 2. We are weake and vnable to resist the least tentation much lesse those mighty enemies that we haue to encounter with and therefore Christ bids vs Mat. 26. 41. Watch and pray that yee enter not into temptation We might for any strength that is in vs fall quite away from God euery day But the Lord our God is strong and of power sufficient to keepe that that is committed vnto him 2. Tim. 1. 12. I suffer and am not ashamed for I know in whom I haue beleeued and I am perswaded that hee is able to keepe that that I haue committed vnto him vntill that day Wee are kept saith Peter 1. Pet. 1. 5. by the power of God through Faith vnto Saluation This reason our Sauiour giues for the perseuerance of the faithfull Iohn 10. 28 29. They shall neuer perish neither shall any plucke them out of mine hand my Father which gaue them mee is greater than all and none is able to plucke them out of my Fathers hand This is that that keepes the Faithfull from falling irrecouerably Psal. 37. 24. Though he fall hee shall not be cast off for the Lord putteth vnder his hand 3. We do enough euery day to deserue that God should take his holy spirit from vs and cast vs off for euer But though we deserue no better Christ hath deserued that God should continue his grace and fauour towards vs vnto the end and this is that that is sealed and confirmed to vs in the Lords Supper yea he continually pleades this merit of his for vs before his Father and makes intercession for vs. The cause why Peter though he fell fearefully yet could not fall totally nor finally was that Prayer that Christ made for him Luke 22. 31 32. Now looke what prayer Christ made for Peter he made for all the faithfull as is plaine Iohn 17. 20. neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall beleeue on me through their word And this is a chiefe part of that prayer he makes for them verse 11. Holy Father keepe them in thy Name euen them that thou hast giuen me and verse 15. I pray not that thou wouldst take them out of the world but that thou keepe them from that euill one And that prayer was but the summe of that intercession that he makes for vs continually at the right hand of his Father Heb. 7. 25. He is able perfectly to saue such as come to God by him seeing hee euer liueth to make intercession for them And therefore to conclude seeing the Faithfull haue such a rocke to build their assurance vpon what maruell is it though they be so fully assured and vndoubtedly perswaded of their saluation Lecture the seuentie fiue December 11. 1610. IOHN IIII. XLII IT followeth now that we proceede to the Vse that is to be made of the former Doctrine for it is certainely a Doctrine of great vse And in teaching you the vse of this Doctrine I might first apply it to the confutation of the Papists who directly contradict this Doctrine which hath beene so clearely and euidently confirmed vnto you by the holy Scriptures But that I hold not to be so needefull or profitable in this place specially because in confuting the errour of the Papists in this point I should but repeate what I haue already taught in the confirmation of the Doctrine I will therefore make but three Vses of this Doctrine whereof the first shall be for Exhortation the second for Reproofe the third for Comfort First if a man may in this life grow so certainely and vndoubtedly assured of Gods fauour and of his eternall saluation we are all to bee exhorted by all meanes to seeke for this certainetie 1. Many thinke they haue faith that yet are not nor euer were certaine of their saluation haue no assurance from God what hee meanes to doe with them what shall become of them after this life but goe blundring on in an vncertaine opinion or wauering hope of Gods fauour and rest in that neuer seeking for any certainety 2. Some that are possessed with the spirit of bondage and often vexed with terrible doubts and feares about this matter yet will neuer set their hearts to seeke for this certainety 3. Some that haue felt in themselues this comfortable assurance and now through their folly haue lost it yet seeke not to recouer it as if it were a matter of no worth Well we are I say to be exhorted to vse all good meanes to be deliuered from the spirit of bondage and not to rest in an vncertaine opinion or wauering hope but to seeke to haue this assurance if we haue lost it labour to recouer it if we haue it take heed we lose it not Cause not the light of his countenance to fall as Iob speakes of himselfe in another case Iob 29. 24. Heb. 10. 35. Cast not away your confidence This is the exhortation of the Apostle 2. Pet. 1. 10. Giue diligence to make your calling and election sure for if yee do these things yee shall neuer be moued As if he should say This certainety may be attained vnto if ye be diligent If we hold any land or lease we will spare no paines nor cost to make it as sure as we can specially if we haue euer an aduersary that contends with vs about it how much more doth it stand vs vpon to make this certaine This is a matter we can neuer make too sure Paul prayeth for all the faithfull Col. 2. 2. That their hearts may be comforted in all riches of the full assurance of vnderstanding And Verse 7. That they may bee rooted and built in Christ and stablished in the Faith abounding therein with thankesgiuing And for the Ephesians he prayeth Ephes. 3. 17 18 19. That being rooted and grounded in the assurance of Gods loue they might be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the loue of Christ which passeth all knowledge that they might bee filled with all fulnesse of God Mee thinkes I should not neede to vse reasons to perswade and moue you to seeke for this assurance yet because we haue all so great neede to be stirred vpto this duty I will giue you a few First it would free the heart from all slauish feare that vexeth and disquieteth it and worke a maruellous quietnesse and holy security in it Psalme 46. 1 2 3. God is our hope and strength therefore will we not feare though the earth be moued though the mountaines fall into the midst of the sea c. Rom. 8. 31. If God be on our side who can be against vs And without this we can haue no true quietnesse of minde specially in the time of extreme danger Secondly it would make our hearts maruellously comfortable and chearefull in euery estate 1. Pet. 1. 8. You beleeue and reioyce with ioy vnspeakeable In prosperity it would
had an example before in the Galileans Verse 45. So that is to be vnderstood Iohn 2. 23. Many belieued in his Name when they saw the miracles which he did viz. they had receiued some preparations vnto Faith they began to conceiue reuerently of his Doctrine and were willing to heare him and this was all as appeares Verse 24. But Iesus did not commit himselfe to them because he knew them all So the good life that they haue seene Gods seruants to lead hath beene a meanes to draw many a one to the Faith The Apostle vseth this as a reason to perswade Christians to an honest life That the Gentiles by their good works which they should behold might haue cause to glorifie God in the day of their visitation 1 Pet. 2. 12. That they that obeyed not the Word might without the word be wonne by the conuersation of their wiues 1 Pet. 3. 1. So the corrections of God which they haue seene and felt vpon themselues haue been the meane to open many a mans eare and to make him willing to heare Iob 33. 16. So the wonderfull deliuerances that men haue seene God giue to his Church and ouerthrowes to the aduersaries thereof haue wonne many a man to the liking of Religion Hest. 8. 17. Many of the people of the land became Iewes As I nothing doubt but the wonderfull deliuerance God gaue vs from the Powder-Treason hath drawn many a one from Popery to the loue of the Gospell 3 It is certaine also that the Faith of the best Christians may be much confirmed by the workes of God which they see So the Faith of Gods children was greatly confirmed by the miracles of Christ and of his Apostles Iohn 2. 11. This beginning of miracles did Iesus and shewed forth his glory and his Disciples belieued in him So are the faithfull greatly confirmed by Gods corrections on themselues when they are soundly humbled thereby Iob 42. 5. I haue heard of thee by the hearing of the eare but noâ—…ine eye seeth thee So by the sensible experiments they haue had of Gods mercy in themselues they are greatly confirmed in the Faith of Gods promises 2 Corinth 1. 10. Who hath deliuered vs from so great a death and doth deliuer vs in whom we trust that yet hereafter he will deliuer vs yea the beholding of Gods iudgements on wicked men and his mercies towards his faithfull seruants hath greatly confirmed their Faith in the Word of God when they can say As we haue heard so haue we seene Psalme 48. 8. and 58. 10. The righteous shall reioyce when they see the vengeance and why so Verse 11. And men shall say Verily there is a reward for the righteous doubtlesse there is a God that iudgeth the earth And in this respect men ought carefully to marke and obserue the workes of God how God makes good his Word by his workes A principall point this is of Christian wisdome and piety and great good might euery man receiue by it Psal. 107. 43. Who is wise that he may obserue these things for they shall vnderstand the louing kindnesse of the Lord. Yea say a man be neuer so diligent in the reading and hearing of Gods Word yet if he do not likewise obserue the works of God he is guilty of a great sinne Psal. 28. 5. They regard not the works of the Lord nor the operation of his hands therefore breake them downe and build them not vp 4 It is not simply vnlawfull or a signe of infidelity for a man euen to desire these sensible helps to confirme his Faith Hezekiah was a true Belieuer yet desired a signe 2 Kings 20. 8. Gedeon was a true Belieuer yet he asked a signe of God Iudges 6. 17. And when God had giuen him one he asked another Verse 38 And when God had giuen him that he asked yet another Verse 39. and God was neuer a whit offended with him When a man that doth in any measure truly belieue and giue credit to the Word shall desire that God would sensibly confirme to him the truth of his promises by deliuering him from any affliction he is in by blessing him in his body in his estate in his children especially by giuing him the inward feeling of his fauour he doth no more than he may well do Psal. 86. 17. Shew a token of thy goodnesse towards me that they which hate me may be ashamed because thou O Lord hast helped me and comforted me And Psal. 90. 16. Let thy works be seene towards thy seruants and thy glory vpon their children Now though all this be so as you haue heard in all these foure points yet remaines the Doctrine firme That true faith is not grounded vpon any thing we see vpon sense and experience but onely vpon the Word of God Whatsoeuer the faithfull man belieues he belieues it because God hath said it in his Word This the Apostle makes the ground of Abrahams faith Rom 4. 18. He belieued that he should be the Father of many Nations according to that that was spoken vnto him This was the ground of the Apostles faith not all the miracles they had seene Iohn 〈◊〉 22. They belieued the Scriptures and the Word which Iesus had said This was the ground of the Ephesians faith Ephes. 1. 1â—… 2 Insomuch as though there be sundry truths in Gods Word as I shewed you which the Lord doth vse to giue vs sensible proofes and demonstrations of in the world yet he that hath true faith belieues those very things not so much for any thing that he seeth as for that he knoweth God in his Word hath said so So that he is able to say I belieue that Goods vniustly gotten will certainly come to nought that Whore-mongers and Adulterers God will iudge that God will smite through the loynes of them that rise against Leui and of them that hate him and that not so much because I see this confirmed in such and such examples indeed I belieue it the more for this but not so much for this as because God in his Word hath said it Rom. 10. 17. Faith comes not by sight but by hearing 2 Cor. 5. 7. We walk by faith and not by sight He that walks by sight walks not by faith 3 The true belieuer giues credit to the Word though he see nothing to confirme it The bare Word of God is of sufficient credit with him and he belieues as verily those truths which his sense nor reason can discerne any proofe of such as are all the Articles of our Faith onely for the Words sake as he doth those truths that are most confirmed vnto his sense or reason Heb. 11. 1. It is the euidence of things not seene Ioh. 20. 29. Thomas because thou hast seene me thou belieuest blessed are they that haue not seene and haue belieued 1 Pet. 1. 8. Whom ye haue not seene and yet ye loue him in whom now though you see him not yet do you belieue and reioyce with