ver 7. There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one The Trinity of Divine Persons acting distinctly in the Unity of the same Divine Nature do give this Testimony And they do so by these distinct Operations whereby they act in this way and work of God's saving Sinners by Jesus Christ which are at large declared in the Gospel And there is added hereunto a Testimony that is immediately applicatory unto the Souls of Believers of this Soveraign Testimony of the Holy Trinity and this is the witness of Grace and all sacred Ordinances There are three that bear witness on Earth the Spirit and the Water and the Blood and these three agree in one ver 8. They are not all essentially the same in one and the same Nature as are the Father Word and Holy Ghost yet they all absolutely agree in the same Testimony and they do it by that especial Efficacy which they have on the Souls of Believers to assure them of this Truth In this Record so solemnly so gloriously given and proposed Life and Death are set before us The Receiving and Embracing of this Testimony with an Approbation of the way of Salvation testified unto is that Work of Faith which secures us of Eternal Life On these Terms there is Reconciliation and Agreement made and established between God and Men without which Men must perish for ever SO our Blessed Saviour affirms This is Life eternal that we may know thee Father the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Joh. 17. 3. To know the Father as the only true God to know him as he hath sent Jesus Christ to be the only way and means of the Salvation of Sinners and to know Jesus Christ as sent by him for that end is that Grace and Duty which enstates us in a Right unto Eternal Life and initiates us in the Possession of it And this includes that Choice and Approbation of the way of God for the saving of Sinners whereof we speak BUT these things must be more distinctly opened 1. THE Great fundamental Difference in Religion is concerning the way and means whereby Sinners may be saved From Mens different Apprehensions hereof arise all other Differences about Religion And the first thing that engageth men really into any Concernment in Religion is an Enquiry in their Minds how Sinners may be saved or what they shall do themselves to be saved What shall we do What shall we do to be saved What is the way of Acceptance with God is that Enquiry which gives Men their first Initiation into Religion See Acts 2. 37. of Chap. 16. 30. Micah 6. 6 7 8. THIS Question being once raised in the Conscience an Answer must be returned unto it I will consider saith the Prophet what I shall answer when I am reproved Hab. 2. 1. And there is all the Reason in the World that Men consider well of a Good Answer hereunto without which they must perish for ever For if they cannot answer themselves here how do they hope to answer God hereafter Wherefore without a sufficient Answer always in Readiness unto this Enquiry no Man can have any Hopes of a Blessed Eternity NOW the real Answer which Men return unto themselves is according to the Influence which their Minds are under from one or other of the two Divine Covenants that of Works or that of Grace And these two Covenants taken absolutely are inconsistent and gives Answers in this Case that are directly contradictory to one another So the Apostle declares Rom. 10. 5 6 7 8 9. The one says the man that doth the Works of the Law shall live by them this is the only way whereby you may be saved The other wholly waves this Return and puts it all on Faith in Christ Jesus Hence there is great Difference and great Variety in the Answers which men return to themselves on this Enquiry for their Consciences will neither hear nor speak any thing but what complys with the Covenant whereunto they do belong These things are reconciled only in the Blood of Christ and how the Apostle declared Rom. 8. 3. The greatest part of Convinced Sinners seem to adhere to the Testimony of the Covenant of Works and so perish for ever Nothing will stand us instead in this matter nothing will save us but the Answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurection of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 3. 21. 2. THE way that God hath prepared for the saving of Sinners is a Fruit and Product of Infinite Wisdom and powerfully Essicacious unto its End As such it is to be received or it is rejected It is not enough that we admit of the Notions of it as declared unless we are sensible of Divine Wisdom and Power in it so as that it may be safely trusted unto Hereon upon the Proposal of it falls out the eternally distinguishing Difference among Men. Some look upon it and embrace it as the Power and Wisdom of God Others really reject it as a thing foolish and weak not meet to be trusted unto hereof the Apostle gives an Account at large 1 Cor. 1. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24. And this is mysterious in Religion the same Divine Truth is by the same way and means at the same time proposed unto sundry Persons all in the same Condition under the same Circumstances all equally concerned in that which is proposed therein Some of them hereon do receive it embrace it approve of it and trust unto it for Life and Salvation others despise it reject it value it not trust not unto it To the one it is the Wisdom of God and the Power of God to the other Weakness and Foolishness as it must of necessity be one or the other it is not capable of a middle State or Consideration It is not a good way unless it be the only way it is not a safe it is not the best way if there be any other for it is eternally inconsistent with any other It is the Wisdom of God or it is down-right Folly And here after all our Disputes we must resort unto eternal Soveraign Grace making a Distinction among them unto whom the Gospel is proposed and the Almighty Power of actual Grace in Curing that Unbelief which blinds the minds of Men that they can see nothing but Folly and Weakness in Gods way of the saving of Sinners And this Unbelief worketh yet in the most of them unto whom this way of God is proposed in the Gospel They receive it not as an Effect of Infinite Wisdom and as powerfully Essicacious unto its proper End Some are profligate in the Service of their Lusts and regard it not unto whom may be applied that of the Prophet Hear ve Despisers and wonder and perish Some are under the Power of Darkness and Ignorance so as that they apprehend not they understand not the Mystery of it For the Light shineth
Gospel that are called Christians they do not esteem it a Fable But it is proposed unto us as that which we ought practically to close withall for our selves to trust alone unto it for Life and Salvation And I shall speak briefly unto two things 1. HOW doth saving Faith approve of this way on what Accounts and unto what Ends. 2. HOW it doth evidence and manifest it self hereby unto the Comfort of Believers First IT approves of it as that which every way becomes God to find out to grant and propose So speaks the Apostle Heb. 2. 10. It became him in bringing many Sons to Glory to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through Sufferings That becomes God is worthy of him is to be owned concerning him which answers unto his infinite Wisdom Goodness Grace Holiness and Righteousness and nothing else This Faith discerns judgeth and determineth concerning this way namely that it is every way worthy of God and answers all the holy Properties of his Nature This is called the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 4. 6. THIS Discovery of the Glory of God in this way is made unto Faith alone and by it alone it is embraced The not discerning of it and thereon the want of an Acquiescency in it is that Unbelief which ruines the Souls of Men. The Reason why Men do not embrace the way of Salvation tendred in the Gospel is because they do not see nor understand how full it is of Divine Glory how it becomes God is worthy of him and answers all the Perfections of his Nature Their Minds are blinded that the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God doth not shine into them 2 Cor. 4. 4. And so they deal with this way of God as if it were Weakness and Folly HEREIN consists the Essence and Life of Faith It sees discerns and determines that the way of Salvation of Sinners by Jesus Christ proposed in the Gospel is such as becometh God and all his divine Excellencies to find out appoint and propose unto us And herein doth it properly give Glory to God which is its peculiar Work and Excellency Rom. 4. 20. Herein it rests and refresheth it self IN particular Faith herein rejoyceth in the manifestation of the infinite Wisdom of God A View of the Wisdom of God acting it self by his Power in the Works of Creation for in Wisdom he made them all is the sole Reason of Ascribing Glory unto him in all natural Worship whereby we glorifie him as God and a due Apprehension of the infinite Wisdom of God in the new Creation in the way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ is the foundation of all Spiritual Evangelical Ascription of Glory to God IT was the Design of God in a peculiar way to manifest and glorifie his Wisdom in this Work Christ crucified is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1. 24. And all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge are hid in him Col. 2. 3. All the Treasures of Divine Wisdom are laid up in Christ and laid out about him as to be manifested unto Faith in and by the Gospel He designed herein to make known his manifold Wisdom Ephes. 3. 9 10. WHEREFORE according to our Apprehension and Admiration of the Wisdom of God in the Constitution of this way of Salvation is our Faith and no otherwise Where that doth not appear unto us where our Minds are not affected with it there is no Faith at all I cannot stay here to reckon up the especial Instances of Divine Wisdom herein Somewhat I have attempted towards it in other Writings and I shall only say at present that the foundation of this whole work and way in the Incarnation of the Eternal Son of God is so glorious an Effect of infinite Wisdom as the whole blessed Creation will admire to Eternity This of it self bespeaks this way and work divine Herein the Glory of God shine in the face of Christ Jesus This is of God alone this is that which becomes him that which nothing but infinite Wisdom could extend unto Whilst Faith lives in a due Apprehension of the Wisdom of God in this and the whole Superstruction of this way on this foundation it is safe GOODNESS Love Grace and Mercy are other Properties of the Divine Nature wherein it is gloriously amiable God is Love There is none good but he Grace and Mercy are among the principal Titles which he every where assumes to himself and it was his Design to manifest them all to the utmost in this work and way of saving Sinners by Christ as is every where declared in the Scripture and all these lie open to the Eye of Faith herein It sees infinite Goodness Love and Grace in this way such as becomes God such as can reside in none but him which it therefore rests and rejoyceth in 1 Pet. 1. 8. In Adherence unto and Approbation of this way of Salvation as expressive of these Perfections of the Divine Nature doth Faith act it self continually WHERE Unbelief prevaileth the Mind hath no view of the Glory that is in this way of Salvation in that it is so becoming of God and all his holy Properties as the Apostle declares 2 Cor. 4. 4. And where it is so whatever is pretended Men cannot cordially receive it and embrace it for they know not the Reason for which it ought to be so embraced They see no Form nor Comeliness in Christ who is the Life and Center of this way no Beauty for which he should be desired Isa. 5â— 2. Hence in the first Preaching of it it was unto the Jews a Stumbling-block and unto the Greeks Foolishness For by reason of their Unbelief they could not see it to be what it is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God and so it must be esteemed or be accounted Folly YEA from the same Unbelief it is that at this day the very Notion of the Truth herein is rejected by many even all those who are called Socinians and all that adhere unto them in the Disbelief of Supernatural Mysteries They cannot see a Suitableness in this way of Salvation unto th Glory of God as no Unbeliever can and therefore those of them who do not oppose directly the Doctrine of it yet do make no use of it unto its proper End Very few of them comparatively who profess the Truth of the Gospel have an Experience of the power of it unto their own Salvation BUT here true Faith stands invincibly hereby it will evidence its Truth and Sincerity in the midst of all Temptations and the most dismal Conflicts it hath with them yea against the perplexing Power and Charge of Sin thence arising From this strong hold it will not be driven whilst the Soul can exercise Faith herein namely in steadily Choosing Embracing and Approving of Gods way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ as that wherein he
will be eternally glorified because it is suited unto and answers all the Perfections of his Nature is that which every way becomes him it will have wherewith to relieve it self in all its Trials For this is Faith this is saving Faith which will not fail us that Faith which works in the Soul a gracious Perswasion of the Excellency of this way by a sight of the Glory of the Wisdom Power Grace and Love and Goodness of God in it so as to be satisfied with it as the best the only way of coming unto God with a Renunciation of all other ways and means unto that End will at all times evidence its Nature and Sincerity AND this is that which gives the Soul Rest and Satisfaction as unto its Entrance into Glory upon it Departure out of this World It is a great thing to apprehend in a due manner that a Poor Soul that hath been Guilty of many Sins leaving the Body it may be under great Pain Distress and Anguish it may be by outward Violence should be immediately admitted and received into the Glorious Presence of God with all the holy Attendants of his Throne there to enjoy Rest and Blessedness for evermore But here also Faith discerns and approves of this great of this ineffable divine Opperation as that which becomes the infinite Greatness of that Wisdom and Grace which first designed it the glorious Efficacy of the Mediation of Christ and the Excellency of the Sanctification of the Holy Spirit without any Expectation from any thing in it self as a Cause meritorious of an Admission into this Glory Neither did ever any man know what it is or desire it in a due manner who looked for any Desert of it in himself or conceived any Proportion between it and what he is or hath done in this World Hence some of those who have not this Faith have invented another State after Men are gone out of this world to make them meet for Heaven which they call Purgatory For on what Grounds a man should expect an Entrance into Glory on his Departure out of this World they understand not LET them who are exercised with Temptations and Dejections bring their Faith unto this Trial. And this is the Case in various Degrees of us all First then Examine strictly by the Word whether this be a true Description of the Nature and Acting of saving Faith Sundry things are supposed or asserted in it as 1. That the way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ is the principal Effect of Divine Wisdom Power Goodness Love and Grace 2. That the Design of the Gospel is to manifest declare and testify that so it is and so to make known the Glory of God therein 3. That saving Faith is that Act Duty and Work of the Soul whereby we receive the Record of God concerning these things do ascribe the Glory of them all unto him as discovering it in the way of Life proposed unto us 4. That hereon it proceeds unto a Renunciation of all other Ways Means Hopes Reliefs in Opposition unto this way or in Conjunction with it as unto Acceptance with God in Life and Salvation I say in the first place Examine these things strictly by the Word and if they appear to be as they are Sacred Evangelical Fundamental Truths be not moved from them be not shaken in them by any Temptation whatever AND in the next place bring your Faith to the Trial on these Principles What do you judge concerning Gods way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ as proposed in the Gospel are you satisfied in it that it is such as becomes God and answers all the glorious Attributes of his Nature Would you have any other way proposed in the room of it Can you will you commit the eternal Welfare of your Souls unto the Grace and Faithfulness of God in this way so as that you have no Desire to be saved any other way Doth the Glory of God in any measure shine forth unto you in the Face of Jesus Christ Do you find a secret Joy in your Hearts upon the Satisfaction you take in the proposal of this way unto you by the Gospel Do you in all your Fears and Temptations in all Approaches of Death renounce all other Reserves and Reliefs and betake your whole Confidence unto this way alone and the Representation of God made therein Herein lies that Faith and its Exercise which will be an Anchor unto your Souls in all their Trials AND this is the first and principal Ground or Reason whereon Faith divine and saving doth accept Embrace and Approve of the way of Gods saving Sinners by Jesus Christ namely because it is such as doth become him and every way answer unto all the holy Properties of his Nature which are manifested and glorified therein And where Faith doth approve of it on this Ground and Reason it doth evidence it self to be truly Evangelical unto the Supportment and Comfort of them in whom it is Secondly IT doth so approve of this way as that which it finds suited unto the whole Design and all the Desires of an Enlightned Soul So when our Lord Jesus Christ compares the Kingdom of God which is this way of Salvation unto a Treasure and a precious Pearl he affirms that those who found them had great Joy and the highest Satisfaction as having attained that which suited their Desires and gave Rest unto their Minds A Soul Enlightned with the Knowledge of the Truth and made sensible of its own Condition by Spiritual Conviction hath two predominant Desires and Aims whereby it is wholly regulated the one is that God may be glorified and the other that it self may be eternally saved Nor can it forgoe either of these Desires nor are they separable in any Enlightned Soul It can never cease in either of these Desires and that to the highest Degree The whole World cannot dispossess an Enlightned Mind of either of them Profligate Sinners have no Concernment in the former no nor yet those who are under Legal Convictions if they have therewithal received no Spiritual Light They would be saved but for the Glory of God therein he may look to that himself they are not concerned in it For that which they mean by Salvation is nothing but a freedom from eternal Misery this they would have whether God be or no of what is Salvation truly they have no Desire BUT the first Beam of spiritual Light and Grace enstates an indefatigable Desire of the Glory of God in the Minds and Souls of them in whom it is Without this the Soul knows not how to desire its own Salvation I may say it would not be saved in a way wherein God should not be glorified For without that whatever its state should be it would not be that which we call Salvation the Exaltation of the Glory of God belongs essentially thereunto it consists in the beholding and Enjoyment of that Glory This Desire therefore is immovably fixed in
unto him in all the Acts and Duties of spiritual Life This is that whereby the Holy Ghost is in them a Well of Water springing up into Everlasting Life Joh. 4. 14. It is the Spirit that is born of the Spirit it is the divine Nature whereof we are made partakers by the Promises It is a Principle of victorious Faith and Love with all Graces any way requisite unto Duties of Holy Obedience as to the matter or manner of their Performance enabling the Soul unto all the Acts of the Life of God with Delight Joy and Complacency THIS it is in its Nature however as unto Degrees of its Operation and Manifestation it may be very low and weak in some true Believers at least for a Season But there are none who really are so but there is in them a spiritually vital Principle of Obedience or of living unto God that is participant of the Nature of that which we have described and if it be attended unto it will evidence it self in its Power and Operations unto the Gracious Refreshment and Satisfaction of the Soul wherein it is and there are few who are so destitute of those Evidences but that they are able to say whereas I was blind now I see tho' I know not how my Eyes were opened whereas I was dead I find motions of a new Life in me in breathing after Grace in hungring and thirsting after Righteousness though I know not how I was quickned 3. IT may be considered as unto its Disposition Inclinations and Motions these are the first Actings of a vital Principle As the first Actings of Sin are called the Motions of sin working in our Members Rom. 7. 5. Such Motions and Inclinations unto Obedience do work in the minds of Believers from this principle of Holiness It produceth in them a constant invariable Disposition unto all Duties of the Life of God It is a new Nature and a Nature cannot be without suitable Inclinations and Motions And this new spiritual Disposition consists in a constant Complacency of Mind in that which is good and according to the Will of God in an Adherence by Love unto it in a Readiness and Fixedness of Mind with Respect unto particular Duties In Brief it is that which David describes in the 119th Psalm throughout and that which is siguratively foretold concerning the Efficacy of the Grace of the Gospel in Changing the Natures and Dispositions of those that are Partakers of it Isa. 11. 6 7 8. THIS every Believer may ordinarily find in himself for although this Disposition may be variously weakned opposed interrupted by in-dwelling Sin and the Power of Temptation though it may be impaired by a neglect of the stirring up and exercise of the Principle or spiritual Life in all requisite Graces on all Occasions yet it will still be working in them and will fill the mind with a constant Displacency with it self when it is not observed followed improved No Believer shall ever have Peace in his own Mind who hath not some Experience of an universal Disposition unto all Holiness and Godliness in his Mind and Soul Herein consists that Love of the Law of which it is said those in whom it is have great Peace and nothing shall offend them Psal. 119. 165. It is that wherein their Souls find much Complacency 4. IT may be considered with Respect unto all the Acts Duties and Works internal and external wherein our actual Obedience doth consist Being on the Principles mentioned made free from Sin and becoming the Servants of God Believers herein have their Fruit unto Holiness whereof the end is everlasting Life Rom. 6. 22. This I need not stay to describe Sincerity in every Duty and Universality with respect unto all Duties are the Properties of it THIS is the Will of God even your Sanctification 1 Thessal 4. 3. That Holiness without which none shall see God Heb. 12. 14. That good and acceptable and perfect Will of God which we are to approve Rom. 12. 2. OUR next Enquiry is what is that Approbation of this way of Holiness which we place as an Evidence of saving Faith And I say it is such as ariseth from Experience and is accompanied with Choice Delight and Acquiescency It is the Acting of the Soul in a delightful Adherence unto the whole Will of God It is a resolved Judgment of the Beauty and Excellency of that Holiness and Obedience which the Gospel reveals and requires and that on the Grounds which shall be immediately declared and the Nature thereof therein more fully opened THIS Approbation cannot be in any unregenerate Person who is not under the Conduct of saving Faith who is destitute of the Light of it So the Apostle assures us Rom. 8. 7. The carnal mind is Enmity against God for it is not subject unto the Law of God neither indeed can be Whatever Work it may have wrought in it or upon it yet whilst it is carnal or unrenewed it hath a radical Enmity unto the Law of God which is the frame of Heart which stands in direct Opposition unto this Approbation It may think well of this or that Duty from its Convictions and other Considerations and so attend unto their Performance but the Law it self in the universal Holiness which it requires it doth utterly dislike those in whom it is are alienated from the Life of God through the Ignorance that is in them Eph. 4. 18. This Life of God is that Holiness and Obedience which he requireth of us in their Principles and Duties And to be alienated from it is to dislike and disapprove of it and such is the frame of Mind in all unregenerate Persons HAVING thus prepared the way I return unto the Declaration and Confirmation of the Assertion namely THAT true and saving Faith in all Storms and Temptations in all Darknesses and Distresses will evidence it self unto the Comfort and Supportment of them in whom it is by a constant universal Approbation of the whole Will of God concerning our Holiness and Obedience both in general and in every particular Instance of it WE may a little Explain it 1. FAITH will not suffer the Mind on any Occasion or Temptation to entertain the least Dislike of this way of Holiness or of any thing that belongs unto it The Mind may sometimes through Temptations fall under Apprehensions that one shall be eternally ruined for want of a due Compliance with it this makes it displeased with it self but not with the Obedience required Rom. 7. 10 11 12. The Commandment which was ordained to Life I found to be unto Death but the Law is holy and the Commandment is holy and just and good However it be with me whatever becomes of me though I dye and perish yet the Law is holy just and good It dislikes nothing in the Will of God though it cannot attain unto a Compliance with it Sometimes the Conscience is under Perplexities and Rebukes for Sin sometimes the Mind is burthened
callled the Divine Nature whereof we are partakers 2 Pet. 1. 4. And he that cannot see a Representation of God in it hath not the Light of Faith and Life in him HEREON I say Faith doth approve of the Form and Principle of this Holiness as the Renovation of the Image of God in us it looks upon it as that which becomes God to bestow and require and therefore that which hath an incomparable Excellency and Desirableness in it Yea when the Soul is ready to faint under an Apprehension that it is not partaker of this holy Nature because of the Power of sin in it and Temptations on it it knows not whether it self be born of God or no as is the Case with many yet where this Faith is it will discern the Beauty and Glory of the new Creation in some measure as that which bears the Image of God and thereon doth it preserve in the Soul a Longing after it or a further Participation of it BY this Work or Act of it doth Faith discover its Sincerity which is that which we enquire after whilst it hath an Eye open to behold the Glory of God in the new Creature whilst it looks on it as that wherein there is a Representation made of the Holiness of God himself as that which becomes him to require in us and thereon approves of it as excellent end desirable it will be an Anchor unto the Soul in its greatest storms For this is a Work beyond what a meer Enlightned Conscience can arise unto That can approve or disapprove of all the Acts and Effects of Obedience and Disobedience as unto their Consequents but to discern the spiritual Nature of the New Creature as representing the Holiness of God himself and thereon constantly to approve of it is the Work alone 2. IT doth the same with respect unto the internal Acts and Effects of this New Creature or Principle of New Obedience The first thing it producoth in us is a Frame of Mind Spiritual and Heavenly they that are after the Spirit are spiritually-minded Rom. 8. 5 6. It looks on the opposite Frame namely of being Carnally minded as vile and loathsome it consisting in a Readiness and Disposition of Mind to actuate the Lusts of the Flesh but this spiritual Frame of Mind is a just Constellation of all the Graces of the Spirit influencing disposing and making ready the Soul for the Exercise of them on all Occasions and in all Duties of Obedience this is the inward Glory of the Kings Daughter which Faith sees and approves of as that which becometh God to require in us whatever is contrary hereunto as a sensual carnal worldly frame of Mind it looks on as vile and base unworthy of God or of those who design the Enjoyment of him 3. IT doth the same with respect unto all particular Duties internal and external when they are enlivened and filled up with Grace In them consists our walking worthy with God Col. 1. 10. 1 Thessal 2. 12. Such a Walk as is meet for God to accept that whereby and wherein he is glorified The contrary hereunto in the Neglect of the Duties of Holiness or the Performance of them without the due Exercise of Grace Faith looks on as unworthy of God unworthy of our high and holy Calling unworthy of our Profession and therefore doth constantly condemn and abhor ALL this as we observed before Faith will continue to do constantly under Temptations and Dissertions There are Seasons wherein the Soul may be very weak as unto the Powers Effects and Duties of this spiritual Life such the Psalmist often-times complains of in his own Case and it is evident in the Experience of most few there are who have not found at one time or another great Weakness Decays and much Deadness in their spiritual Condition And sometimes true Beleivers may be at a Loss as unto any Refreshing Experience of it in its Operations They may not be able to determine in the Contest whether Sin or Grace have the Dominion in them Yet even in all these Seasons Faith will keep up the Soul unto a constant high Approbation of this way of Holiand Obedience in its Root and Fruits in its Principle and Effects in its Nature Disposition and Duties For when they cannot see the Beauty of these things in themselves they can see it in the Promises of the Covenant in the Truth of the Gospel wherein it is declared and in the Effects of it in others AND great Advantage is to be obtained by the due Exercise of Faith herein For 1. IT will never suffer the Heart to be at Rest in any sinful way or under any such spiritual Decays as shall estrange it from the pursuit of this Holiness The Sight the Conviction of its Excellency the Approbation of it as that which in us and our measure answers the Holiness of God will keep up the Mind unto Endeavours after it will rebuke the Soul in all its Neglects of it nor will it allow any Quiet or Peace within without an Endeavour after a comfortable Assurance of it That Soul is desparately sick which hath lost an abiding sense of the Excellency of this Holiness in its Answerableness unto the Holiness and Will of God Fears and Checks of Conscience are the whole of its Security against the worst of sins and they are a Guard not to be trusted unto in the room of the Peace of God This is one great difference between Believers and those that have not Faith Fear of the Consequents of sin with an Apprehension of some Advantages which are to be obtained by a sober Life and the Profession of Religion do steer and regulate the Minds of Unbelievers in all they do towards God or for Eternity but the Minds of Believers are influenced by a View of the Glory of the Image and Likeness of God in that Holiness and all the parts of it which they are called unto This gives them Love unto it Delight and Complacency in it enabling them to look upon it as its own Reward And without these Affections none will ever abide in the ways of Obedience unto the End 2. WHERE Faith is in this Exercise it will evidence it self unto the Relief of the Soul in all its Darknesses and Temptations The Mind can never conclude that it wholly is without God and his Grace whilst it constantly approves of the Holiness required of us This is not of our selves by Nature we are ignorant of it This Life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3. 3. where we can see nothing of it hereon we are alienated from it and do dislike it alienated from the Life of God through the Ignorance that is in us Ephes. 4. 18. And most men live all their days in a Contempt of the principal Evidences and Duties of this Life of God and of the Principle of it which they look on as a Fable Wherefore the Mind may have great Satisfaction in a sight of the
Beauty and Approbation of this Holiness as that which nothing can produce but sincere and saving Faith Secondly FAITH approves of this way of Holiness and Obedience as that which gives that Rectitude and Perfection unto our Nature whereof it is capable in this World It is the only Rule and Measure of them and whatever is contrary thereunto is perverse crooked vile and base Some Men think that their Nature is capable of no other Perfection but what consists in the Satisfaction of their Lusts they know no other Blessedness nothing that is suitable to their Desires but the Swinge of Nature in the Pursuit of its corrupt Lusts and Pleasures So are they described by the Apostle Eph. 4. 19. The Business of their Lives is to make Provision for the flesh to fulfill it in the Lusts thereof They walk in the Lusts of the flesh fulfilling so far as they are able the Desires of the Flesh and of the Mind Ephes. 2. 3. They neither know nor understand what an Hell of Confusion Disorder and base Degeneracy from their Original Constitution their Minds are filled withall this Perfection is nothing but the next Disposition unto Hell and it doth manifest its own vileness unto every one who hath the least Ray of Spiritual Light SOME among the Heathen placed the Rectitude of Nature in Moral Virtues and Operations according unto them and this was the utmost that natural Light could could ever rise up unto But the Uncortainty and Weakness hereof are discovered by the Light of the Gospel IT is Faith alone that discovers what is good for us in us and unto us whilst we are in this World It is in the Renovation of the Image of God in us in the Change and Transformation of our Nature into his Likeness in acting from a gracious Principle of a Divine Life in Duties and Operations suited thereunto in the participation of the Divine Nature by the Promises that the Good the Perfection the Order the present Blessedness of our Nature do consist HEREBY are the Faculties of our Souls exalted elevated and enabled to act primigenial Powers with respect unto God and our Enjoyment of him which is our utmost End and Blessedness Hereby are our Affections placed on their proper Objects such as they were created meet for and in closing wherewith their Satisfaction Order and Rest doth consist namely God and his Goodness or God as revealed in Jesus Christ by the Gospel hereby all the Powers of our Souls are brought into a blessed Frame and Harmony in all their Operations whatever is dark perverse unquiet vise and base being cast out of them but these things must be a little more distinctly explained 1. THERE is in this Gospel-Holiness as the Spring and Principle of it a spiritual saving Light enabling the Mind and Understanding to know God in Christ and to discern spiritual things in a spiritual saving manner for herein God shines into our Hearts to give us the Knowledge of his Glory in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. Without this in some Degree whatever pretence there may be or Appearance of Holiness in any there is nothing in them of what is really so and thereon accepted with God Blind Devotion that is an Inclination of Mind unto Religious Duties destitute of this Light will put Men on a Multiplication of Duties especially such as are of their own Invention in a shew of Wisdom in Will-worship Humility and neglecting of the Body as the Apostle speaks Col. 1. 23. wherein there is nothing of Gospel-Holiness THE new man is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that created him Col. 3. 10. That this saving Light and Knowledge is the Spring and Principle of all real Evangelical Holiness and Obedience the Apostle declares in that Description which he gives us of the whole of it both in its Beginning and Progress Col. 1. 9 10 11. We desire that you may be filled with the Knowledge of his Will in all Wisdom and spiritual Understanding That you might walk worthy of the Lord in all pleasing being fruitful in every good Work and encreasing in the Knowledge of God strengthned with all might according to his glorious Power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness It is a blessed Account that is here given us of that Gospel-Holiness which we enquire after in its Nature Original Spring Progress Fruits and Effects And a serious Consideration of it as here proposed a View of it in the Light of Faith will evidence how distant and different it is from those Schemes of Moral Virtues which some would substitute in its room it hath a Glory in it which no unenlightned Mind can behold or comprehend the foundation of it is laid in the Knowledge of the Will of God in all Wisdom and Spiritual-Understanding this is that spiritual saving Light whereof we 〈◊〉 the Encrease hereof is prayed for in Believers by the Apostle Ephes. 1. 17 18. Even that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory would give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of him the Eyes of your Understanding being enlightned that you may know what is the Hope of his Calling and what is the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints which here is called encreasing in the Knowledge of God ver 10. The singular Glory of this saving Light in its Original its Causes Use and Effects is most illustriously here declared and this Light is in every true Believer and is the only immediate Spring of all Gospel-Holiness and Obedience For The new man is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that created him Col. 3. 10. THIS Light this Wisdom this spiritual Understanding thus communicated unto Believers is the Rectitude and Perfection of their Minds in this VVorld It is that which gives them Order and Peace and Power enabling them to act all their Faculties in a due manner with respect unto their Being and End It is that which gives Beauty and Glory to the inward man and which constitutes a Believer an Inhabitant of the Kingdom of Light whereby we are delivered from the Power of Darkness and translated into the Kingdom of the Son of God's Love Col. 1. 13. Or out of Darkness into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2. 9. THAT which is contrary hereunto is that Ignorance Darkness Blindness and Vanity which the Scripture declares to be in the Minds of all unregenerate Persons and they are really so where they are not cured by the glorious working of the Power and Grace of God before-mentioned NOW Faith discerneth these things as the spiritual man discerneth all things 1 Cor. 2. 15. It sees the Beauty of this heavenly Light and judgeth that it is that which giveth Order and Rectitude unto the Mind as also that which is contrary unto it is vile base horrid and to be ashamed of As for those who love Darkness more than Light because their Deeds are
and Ceremonies wherein it consists For Men having lost the Exercise of Faith in the Ordinances of Worship that are of Divine Institution they found the whole of it to be useless and burthensome unto them For without this constant Exercise of Faith there is no Life in it nor Satisfaction to be obtained by it they must therefore have something in it or accompanying of it which may entertain their Minds and engage their Affections unto it If this had not been done it would have been utterly deserted by the most Hereon were invented Forms of Prayer in great Diversity with continual Diversions and Avocations of the Mind from what is proposed Because it cannot abide in the pursuit of any thing spiritual without the Exercise of Faith This gives it some Entertainment by the meer Performance and makes it think there is something where indeed is nothing hereunto are added outward Ceremonies of Vestments Postures and Gestures of Veneration unto the same end there is no other Design in them all but to entertain the Mind and Affections with some Complacency and Satisfaction in outward Worship upon the loss or want of that Exercise of Faith which is the Life and Soul of it in Believers And as any Persons do decay herein they shall find themselves insensibly sinking down into the use of these lifeless Forms or that Exercise of their natural Faculties and Memory which is not one Jot better Yea by this means some from an Eminency in Spiritual Gifts and the performance of Duties by vertue of them have sunk into an Ave-Mary or a Credo as the best of their Devotion 2. THIS hath caused many to turn aside to fall off from and forsake the solemn Ordinances of Divine Worship and to betake themselves unto vain Imaginations for Relief in Trembling Enthusiastical Singing and seigned Raptures from hence have so many forsaked their own Mercies to follow after lying Vanities they kept for a while unto the Observance of the divine Institutions of Worship but not having Faith to exercise in them by which alone they are Life and Power they became useless and burthensome unto them they could find neither Sweetness Satisfaction nor Benefit in them It is not possible that so many in our days if ever they had tasted of the old Wine should so go after new if ever they had Experience of that Savour Power and Life which is in the Ordinances of Divine Worship when acted and enlivened by the Exercise of Faith should forsake them for that which is nothing They went out from us but they were not of us for had they been of us they would have continued with us Had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory This therefore is the true Reason why so many in our days after they have for a season abode under and in the Observation of the Gospel-Ordinances of Worship have fallen off from them namely not having Faith to exercise in them nor endeavouring after it they did really find no Life in them nor Benefit by them SOME on the same Ground fall into Prophaneness pretending to take up with a natural Religion without any instituted Worship at all Of this sort of Persons we have multitudes in the days wherein we live having nothing of the Light of Faith they can see no Form or Comeliness in Christ nor any thing that belongs unto him by these means are Souls every day precipitated into ruine HEREIN therefore I say true Faith will evidence it self in all Darknesses and Distress whatsoever It will always endeavour to keep it self and all other Graces in a due and constant Exercise in all Duties of Worship private and publick it may soemtimes be weakened in its Actings and Operations it may be under Decays it may be as a Sleep and that not only as unto particular Duties and Seasons but as unto the inward habitual frame of the Mind but where it is true and genuine it will shake it self out of this dust cast off the sin that doth so easily beset us and stir up it self with all Might and Contention unto its Duty And there is no more dangerous State for a Soul than when it is sinking down into Formality and neglect of the Exercise of Faith in a multitude of Duties then is it assuredly ready to dye if it be not dead already IF we are Wise therefore we will watch and take care that we lose not this Evidence of Faith it will stand us in stead when it may be all other things seem to be against us some have been relieved by the Remembrance of this Exercise of Faith when they have been at the door of Desperation such or such a Season they had Experience of the work of Faith in Prayer hath been their Relief an Experience hereof is a Jewel which it may be of no great use whilst it lies by you locked up in a Cabinet but which you will know the worth of if ever you come to need Bread for your Lives IT is therefore worth while to enquire what we ought to do or what means we ought to use that we may keep up Faith unto its due Exercise in all the parts of Divine Worship so as that it may give us a comforting Evidence of it self in times of Temptation and Darkness And unto this End the ensuing Directions may be of use 1. LABOUR to have your Hearts always affected with a due Sense of the infinite Perfections of the Divine Nature in all our Approaches unto him especially of his Sovereign Power Holiness Immensity and Omnipresence and this will produce in us also a Sense of infinite Distance from him As this is necessary from the Nature of the things themselves so the Scripture gives us such Descriptions of God as are suited to ingenerate this frame in us this is that which Joshuae aimed to bring the People unto when he designed to engage them in the Service of God in a due manner Josh. 24. 19 20 21 22. That which the Apostle requireth in us Heb. 12. 28 29. And unto the same End glorious Descriptions and Appearances of God are multiplied in Scripture If we fail herein if we do not on all Occasions fill our Minds with reverential Thoughts of God his Greatness and his Holiness Faith hath no foundation to stand upon in its Exercise in the Duties of Worship This is the only inlet into the due Exercise of Grace where it is wanting all holy Thoughts and Affections are shut out of our minds and where it is present it is impossible but that there will be some gracious working of Heart in all our Duties if we are empty hereof in our Entrance of Duties we shall be sure to be filled with other things which will be cloggs and hindrances unto us But Reverential Thoughts of God in our Approaches unto him will cast out all superfluity of Naughtiness and dissipate all carnal formal frames which will vitiate all our Duties Keep your Hearts therefore
under this Charge in all your Accesses unto God and it will constantly open a door unto that Exercise of Faith which we enquire after HEREON and herewith we shall be affected with a sense of our infinite Distance from him which is another means to stir up Faith unto its due Exercise in Reverence and Godly Fear So Abraham was affected Gen. 18. 27. which the wise man directs us unto Eccles. 5. 2. CARNAL Boldness in the want of these things ruins the Souls of Men rendring all their Duties of Worship unacceptable unto God and unprofitable unto themselves AFFECT your Hearts with a due sense of Unsuitableness of our best Duties unto his Holiness and Majesty and of his infinite Condescension in the Acceptance of them Suppose there is in any of our Duties the best and the most lively Exercise of Grace that we can attain unto the most Fervency in Prayer with the most diligent Attendance of our minds the most Humility and contrite Trembling in hearing the Word the most devout Affection of our Minds in other parts of Worship alas what is all this to God how little doth it answer his infinite Holiness See Job 4. 18 19. Chap. 15. 15 16. Our Goodness extends not unto him Psal. 16. There are no measures there is no proportion between the Holiness of God and our best Duties There is Iniquity in our holy things they have need of Mercy and Pardon of Cleansing and Justification by the Blood of Christ no less than our Persons And an infinite Condescension it is in God to take any notice of us or them Yea it is that which we must live in all holy Admiration of all our days NOW if it be thus with our best Duties in our best Frames what an Outrage of Sloth and Negligence is it if we bring the Carcass of Duties unto God for want of stirring up Faith unto its due Exercise in them how great is this folly how unspeakable is the Guilt of this Negligence Let us therefore keep a sense hereof upon our Hearts that we may always stir up our selves unto our best in Duties of Religious Worship For 3. A Negligence herein or the want of stirring up Faith unto a due Exercise in all Duties of worship is the highest affront we can put upon God arguing a great Regardlesness of him whilst it is so with us we have not we cannot have a due Sense of any of the divine Perfections of the divine Nature we turn God what lies in us into an Idol supposing that he may be put off with the out side and appearance of things This the Apostle cautioneth us against Heb. 4. 12 13. and which God detests Isa. 29. 13. And he pronounceth him a Deceiver and Cursed who offereth unto him the lame and blind while he hath a Male in the flock Mal. 1. 14. Yet thus is it with us in some degree whenever we are negligent in stirring up Faith into its proper Exercise in holy Duties That alone renders them the Male of the flock without it they are lame and blind a corrupt thing IT is a sad thing for Men to lose their Duties to be at charge and trouble in the Multiplication of them and Attendance unto them to no purpose Oh how much more sad is it when they are all Provocations of the Eyes of God's Glory when they tend to encrease the Formality and Hardness of their Hearts towards the ruine of their Souls STAND in awe therefore and sin not commune with your own Hearts cease not until on all Occasions you bring them into that Exercise of Faith wherein you may glorifie God as God and not deal with him as an Idol 4. UNTO the same End keep your Souls always deeply affected with a sense of the things about which you are to treat with God in all the Duties of his Worship They are referred unto two Heads 1. Those which concern his Glory 2. Those which concern our own Souls Without a constant due Sense of those things on our Hearts Faith will not act it self aright in any of our Duties Without this intimate Concern and deep Sense we know not whether we need Faith in our Prayers or have an Exercise of it Formality will drown all The best of our Prayers is but an Expression unto God of what Sense we have of those things if we have none we Pray not at all whatever we say or do but when these things dwell in our Minds when we think on them continually when our Hearts cleave unto them Faith will be at Work in all our Approaches to God Can you not Pray charge your Hearts with these things and you will learn so to do 5. WATCH diligently against those things which ye find by Experience are apt to obstruct your fervency in Duties Such are Indispositions through the flesh or weariness of the flesh distracting foolish Imaginations the Occasions of Life revolving in our Minds and the like If such Impediments as these be not removed if they be not watched against they will influence the mind and suffocate the Exercise of Faith therein 6. ABOVE all the principal Rule herein is that we would always carefully remember the Concernment of Christ in these Duties with Respect unto his Office He is the high Priest over the House of God through him and under his Conduct are we always to draw nigh to God and his Work it is to present the Prayers and Supplications of the Church to God Now we have no way to come unto Christ for his Assistance in the discharge of his Office on our Behalf but by Faith and in all our Duties of holy Worship we make a Profession of our doing so of our coming unto God by him as our high Priest if we endeavour not therein to have Faith in Exercise how do we mock or make a shew to him of doing that which indeed we endeavour not to do There can be no greater Contempt of Christ in his Office nor greater Undervaluation of his Love But a due Consideration hereof namely of the Concernment of Christ in all our Duties with respect unto the Office which he dischargeth for us in Heaven is that which directly leads Faith into its proper Exercise For through him and that in discharge of his Office we believe in God And when the Mind is exercised with due Thoughts of him if there be any thing of true saving Faith in the Heart it will act it self unto a blessed Experience THESE things may be of use to stir us up and guide us unto that Exercise of Faith in all holy Duties an Experience whereof abiding in the Soul will evidence the Truth of it unto our Supportment and Comfort in all Temptations and Distresses SOME it may be will say that their Gift in Prayer is mean and weak that they cannot express themselves with Earnestness and Fervency and so know not whether there be any Faith in Exercise in their Prayers or no. I answer there is nothing