Yea and the elects sinnes doe euen worke for their good which are made a Triacle or preseruatiue against sinne for they neuer so fall but that his seede remaineth in them and his hand is vnder to lift them vp againe Thus the Lord is our righteousnesse Christ is to vs a Iesus a Sauiour by sauing vs immediately himselfe not by giuing vs power to saue our selues or to be our Sauiours CON. 47. The worth of Christs merits is most cleerely seene in the true acknowledgement of our vnworthinesse EXPLA. Gods light is most cleerly seene in our darknesse his power in our weakenesse his goodnesse in shewing vs mercy that are euill his righteousnesse in the confession of of our shame God hath appointed vs to be for the glory of his grace and therfore he disposeth that no flesh shal reioyce in his presence and that he onely may be exalted in that day and reioyce that we haue found mercy with the Lord who couereth our sinnes with the mantle of his righteousnes who seeth no iniquity in Iacob nor beholds transgression in Israel God seeth sinne with the eye of his knowledge but by reason of that couerture will not see it with the eye of his iudgement he seeth it with a discerning but seeth it not with a reuenging eye for the iustified man delighteth in the Law of God as touching the inner man yet hee hath still in his members the law of sinne hanging fâ—â—st on and lusting and rebelling against the Law of the spirit of life For though he hath within him an army of vicious desires yet hath hee a will and desire of righteousnesse hee hungreth and thirsteth wayting to be satisfied because according to his promise wee looke for a new heauen and a new earth wherin righteousnesse dwelleth the purpose of his life tendeth wholly to it it is grieuance to him that he failed to performe it and maketh him to cry out Wretched man that I am who shall deliuer mee from the body of death And therefore though he sinne he sinneth not maliciously purposely and with desire and delight in sinne but of ignorance and infirmity by occasion and by the creeping and stealing of sin vpon him CON. 48. By the Law of faith God pardoneth sinne EXPLA. God is a iust iudge as wel when hee iudgeth by lawes of mercy as when he iudgeth by the lawes of extremity as well in the law of faith as in the law of workes by the law of faith God forgiueth and considereth with fauour and if there bee a willing minde it is accepted according to that a man hath not according to that that hee hath not And all this hee doth as a iust Iudge because by law he doth whatsoeuer he doth but in the rigor of the Law which is the law of workes he remitteth nothing but requireth all to the vttermost farthing nothing pleafeth but what is exact and perfect and fully answerable to the rule So Paule expected that God as a iust iudge would yeeld vnto him the Crowne not by the Law of workes but by the Law of faith wherin God crowneth in mercy louing kindnesse because his crowne is a crowne of Iustice not of Pauls owne Iustice but of the Iustice of God for it is iust with God to pay that he oweth and he oweth that which hee hath promised which is mercy to the beleeuing penitent for Christs sake For all wee like sheepe haue gone astray and the Lord hath laid vpon him the iniquities of vs all for hee bore our sinnes in his body vpon the tree Thy righteousnesse couereth in mee a multitude of sins but in thee O Lord what but the treasures of piety the riches of Goodnesse CON. 49. Wee are reputed iust by the forgiuenesse of our sins and this is iustification in the sight of God EXPLA. What are wee but iust in the sight of God when there is taken from vs the imputation of all sinne To be iust is the same as not to be a sinner and in the way of faith they to whom their sinnes are not imputed are accounted not sinners and therfore are accounted iust for all the commandements of God are reputed to bee done when that which is not done is pardoned and hee who is reputed to haue done all the commandements of God is reputed iust Hee therefore to whom God pardoneth that which hee hath done is reputed iust and that which God determineth not to impute is all one is if it had neuer beene for wee are iustified through the redemption which is in Christ and redemption is by forgiueness of sinnes and the not imputing of sinne is the imputing of righteousnesse without workes now forgiuenesse of our sinnes is yeelded vnto vs by vertue of the merit and righteousnes which Christ hath wrought for vs who was giuen for vs and gaue himselfe for vs who was made vnder the Law to redeem vs and therefore is iust and righteous for vs and whatsoeuer he hath done he hath done for vs hee hath shed his blood for vs died for vs rose againe for vs and hath fulfilled all righteousnesse and obedience to his Father for vs and so very iustly is accounted ours Whatsoeuer hee hath done for vs is no lesse then if wee our selues had performed the same for our selues And thus by the imputation of Christs righteousnesse our sinnes are couered pardoned and forgiuen and we are reputed iust by the righteousnesse of Christ because in the righteousnes of Christ is the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and thereby no accusation is liable against vs either as hauing done that which we ought not to haue done or done that which we ought not to doe for who shal lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect And as Adam did beare the person of all mankinde and wee all were that one man and therefore what hee did was as done by all and euery one So did Christ beare the person of all the Elect and faithfull and was accounted as them all in one not one that made the forfeiture and another the satisfaction because one Christ is both the head and the body and therefore what hee did is likewise as done by all and euery one of vs. CON. 50. In the Elect with sanctification there is still a remainder of originall corruption EXPLA. Iustification in the sight of God by the imputation of Christs merits is alwayes accompanied with the sanctificatioÌ„ of the holy Ghost whereby the inward quality of the man though not wholly yet in part is altered and changed and is thenceforth further to bee renued from day to day In part I say because together with their sanctification there is still remnants of originall corruption by the touch staine whereof the holinesse newnesse that is wrought in vs is defiled for although originall corruption hath receiued a deadly wound yet it is not wholly
hath he likewise said Their transgressions will I also punish with a rod it cannot stand with any reason that wee should set the measure of our punishments and prescribe to God how great or how long our sufferings shold be we are blind and altogether ignorant what is best for vs wee sue for many things very vnaduisedly and vnwisely against our selues thinking we aske fish when indeed we craue a serpent when we thinke wee aske that is good and yet God seemeth slow to grant it he denyes not but defers our petitions to the end we may learne to desire great things greatly CON. 68. We must learn to strengthen our faith by experience which heretofore wee haue had of Gods great goodnesse towards vs. EXPLA. By those things you haue knowne performed learne to hope for those things that are promised if thou knowest that thou hast receiued much thou maist bee sure to receiue more for to him that hath shall bee more giuen When thou meditatest what thou wouldst haue then search what thou hast had at Gods haÌ„ds make this reckoning that the benefits thou hast had and hee bestoweth vpon thee are bils obligatory and sufficient sureties that hee will bestow further his present mercy is still a warrant of his future loue because whom he loueth he loueth to the end CON. 69. The frailty of our nature the subtilty of Satan the force of our deceiueable imaginations are such as doe threaten euery moment the subuersion of our faith yet it is not hazarded by them EXPLA. If wee could reckon vp as many euident cleare vndoubted signes of Gods reconciled loue towards vs as there are yeeres yea dayes yea houres past ouer our heads all these set together haue not such force to confirme our faith as the losse and sometimes the only feare of losing a little transitory goods credit honor or fauour of men a smal calamity or a matter of nothing can breâ—d a conceit and such a conceit as cannot easily be remoued as that we are cleane cast out of Gods Booke that hee regardeth vs not that hee looketh vpon others but passeth by vs like a stranger to whom we are not knowne When we thinke looking vpon others and comparing them with our selues Their tables are furnished day by day earth ashes is our bread they sing to the Lute their children dance before them our hearts are heauy in our bodyes as lead our sighes are many our teares doe wash our beds wherein wee lye the Sunne shineth faire vpon their foreheads we are hanging like bottles iâ— the smoake cast into cornâ—rs like sheards of a broken pot c This is our great weaknesse and policy of Satan which maketh vs measure God and good things according to our corruptions when there is no such thing CON. 70. The faithfull must vse ordinary meanes for the strengthning and kindling of his faith EXPLA. Simon Simon sathan hath desired to winow thee as wheat here is our painfull tentation but I haue prayed for thee that thy faith faile not this is our safety no mans condition so sure as ours The prayer of Christ is more then sufficient both to strengthen vs be we neuer so weake and to ouerthrow all aduersarie power bee it neuer so strong and potent Yet his prayeâ— must not exclude our laborâ— their thoughts are vaine who thinke that their watching can preserue the City which God himselfe is not willing to keepe and are not theirs as vaine who think that God will keep the City for which they themselues are not careful to watch The husband man must not burne his plough nor the Merchant forsake his trade because God hath promised I will not forsake thee and the faithfull Christian must attend hearing reading praying that he fall not into temptation The meaning of Christ in these words Father keepe them in thy name is not that wee should bee carelesse to keepe our selues and so happy is he whose faith hath made him the child of God nothing shall change his heart ouerthrow his faith alter his affection towards God or the affection of God to him Who can make a separation betweene him and God Hee knoweth in whom hee hath beleeued and who hath shed his blood for him Labour then to keepe the assurance of thy faith vnto the end and by labour through the gracious mediation of Christ keepe it CON. 71. Wee neede not feare sin for Christ hath abolished it for euer EXPLA. This is true and euerlasting verity hath folded it vp for howsoeuer wee feare and tremble yet before the Lord with whom our life is hid there is not perill but peace not feare but righteousnesse without end let our sinnes be neuer so great neither wee nor our sins can change the new Testament that God is mercifull to our sinnes and will remember our iniquities no more Therefore this care is past that our sins be many the more they are the greater is his mercy who hath forgiuen them And this is the token which God hath giuen vs that wee are his because wee are grieued with our sinnes for Christ ouercame sinne with sufferings which belong vnto it and this is the badge of our redemption to be made like him in afflictions we haue sinne and abhorre it we haue sense and feeling of Gods anger against it and hell gapeth vpon our soules because of it all is well this is a blessed state this was the Image of Christ when hee ouercame sinne a mark of my redemption in my owne flesh that I should not faint for as the Sunne maketh day and the night darkenesse so this affliction for sin is the badge and cognisance of our certaine forgiuenesse And now see the good of God which turneth all things to the best to those that loue him through feare of sinne the Deuill fighteth against vs without feare of sinne wee could neuer haue boldnesse through anguish of heart the Deuill would ouerwhelme vs with sorrow without anguish of heart wee could neuer haue ioy In feeling Gods anger the Deuill would make vs to despaire without feeling his threatning and trembling before him wee could neuer haue strength of faith that his mercies are for euer In all suffrings I am like to Christ they are marks of my adoption that I am his child for if wee bee without chastisements then are we bastards and not sonnes and what chastisements be these He saith If wee bee planted with him in the similitude of his death then shall wee bee also partakers of his Resurrection Then as thou needest not care for sinne for it is abolished so needst thou not care for hell for the nearer wee feele it the further wee are from it Let them feare sin that feele it not and let them bee afraid of condemnation that know not what it is our eies haue bene kept waking and we haue feene our sins our hearts haue fainted before the anger of the Lord and wee haue
whereby wee are iustified cannot faile EXPLA. The seed of God that is the first grace which God powreth into the hearts of them that are incorporated into Christ because it is an aduersary vnto sinne we do therefore thinke we sin not but otherwise by a distrustfull and doubtful apprehension of that which stedfastly we ought to beleeue we are amazed yet they that are borne of God do neuer so sin as it doth extinguish quite grace Our faith when it is strongest is but weake yet euen then when it is at the weakest is so strong that vtterly it neuer faileth it neuer perisheth altogether no not in them who thinke it extinguished in themselues howbeit through extremity of griefe many times in iudgement the Elect are so confounded that they finde not themselues in theÌ„selues for that which dwelleth in their hearts they seeke it abideth worketh in them yet still they aske where still they lament as for a thing that is past finding they mourne as Raâ—hel and refuse to be comforted as if that were not which indeede is and as if that which is not were as if they did not beleeue when they doe and as if they did despaire quite when they do not For truely where faith maketh any doubt there the sense is neuer satisfied CON. 64. God will haue them that still walke in light to feele now and then what it is to sit in the shaddow of death EXPLA. A grieued spirit is no argument of a faithlesse mind men iudging by comparison either with other men or themselues at some other time being more strong they thinke imperfection to be a plaine depriuation weakenesse to bee vtter want of faith and therefore in heauinesse of spirit suppose they lack faith because they finde not the ioy delight which indeede doth accompany faith The Apostle Paule prayed The God of hope fill you with all ioy in beleeuing which is not an vnseparable companion therewith for the light would neuer bee so acceptable were it not for vsuall entercourse of darkenesse too much hony doth turne to gall and too much ioy euen spiritually would make vs turne wantons Happier a great deal is that mans case whose soule by inward desolation is humbled then hee whose heart through abundance of spirituall delight is lifted vp and exalted aboue measure better it is sometimes to cry my God my God why hast hast thou forsaken mee then to say with the Pharisey I thanke God it is not with mee as it is with other men God will haue them that should walke in light to feele sometimes what it is to sit in darkenesse yea God sendeth variety of disturbances that the minde should not gnaw nor waste it self away that wee should too much with Iob and Ieremy grieue and lament Thus hee driueth away griefe often with ioy that wee should not bee steeped and dissolued in sorrow CON 65. Our faith here may haue hath her priuie operations secret to vs yet known to him by whom they are EXPLA. Men do fasten their minds vpoÌ„ the distrustfull suggestions of the flesh whereof finding great abundance in theÌ„selues they gather thereby vnbeleefe hath full dominion and plenary possession of theÌ„ not marking the things of the spirit and of the flesh because they be buried and ouerwhelmed with the contrary when notwithstanding the Apostle doth acknowledge the spirit groanes and that God heareth when we doe not A man deceiued by a too hard opinion of his faith will scarce bee comforted yea it doth augment his griefe and will say I haue sifted all the corners of my heart and I see what there is in me neuer seeke to perswade mee against my knowledge reason not with flesh blood dispute neuer with Satan neuer doe yeeld much lesse giue ouer beleeue the word and giue place to prayer and exhortation and thou shalt finde light in thy greatest darkenesse The comfort of the spirit may for a season be intermitted but neuer the spirit of comfort shall leaue thee CON. 66. Besides our corrupt nature the serpent laboureth continually to peruert the simplicity of faith which is in Christ. EXPLA. I am iealous ouer you saith the Apostle with a godly iealousie for I haue prepared you to a husband a pure virgin vnto Christ but I feare lest as the serpent beguiled Euah through his subtilty so your mindes should bee corrupted from the simplicity which is in Christ. This simplicity of faith taketh the naked promise of God his bare word and on that it resteth which simplicity the Diuell ceasseth not to ouerthrow corrupting the minde with many imaginations of repugnancy contrariety between the word of God and his promises therein and those things which sense or experience or some other fore-coÌ„ceiued opinion and perswasion had imprinted The word of promise vnto his people is I will not leaue thee nor forsake thee vpon this the simplicity of faith resteth and it is not afraid of famine But marke how the subtilty of Satan doth corrupt the mindes of that rebellious generation whose spirits were not faithfull vnto God they beheld the desolate state of the desert in which they were and by the wisedome of their sense concluded the wisedome of God to be but folly Can God prepare a table in the desert Againe the word of the promise vnto Sarah was Thou shalt beare a sonne faith is simple and doubted not of it but Satan to corrupt this simplicity of faith entised the minde of the woman with an argument drawne from common experience to the contrary An olde woman Sarah will shee bee acquainted with forgotten passions of youth So the word of the promise of God by Moses and the Prophets made the Sauiour of the world so apparent vnto Philip that this simplicity could conceiue no other Messiah then Iesus of Nazareth the Sonne of Ioseph but to stay Nathaniel to come and see and should also beleeue and so be saued the subtilty of Satan casted a mist before his eyes put in his head against this the common conceiued opinion of all men against Nazareth Is it possible that a good thing should come from thence Thus he bereaueth men for the time of all perceiuance of that which should releeue them and be their comfort yea it taketh all remembrance from them euen of things wherewith they are most familiarly acquainted The Israelites might know that hee that led them thorow the Red Sea was able to feede them in the wildernes Sarah was not to learne that with God all things were possible Therefore diligently marke the conceit of repugnancy beleeue not those things which are obiect to the eies but that which faith vpon promise of God doth looke for CON. 67. The promises of Grace protection fauor which God in his law makes vnto his people doe not grant any such immunity as can free exempt them from all chastisements EXPLA. God hath said I will continue my mercy for euer towards them so