sinne raignes temptations fill the heart Actes 5.3 Satan possesseth the sinner in peace Luk. 11.21 who pampers his lust and makes the motion of it his full contentment hee will doe the desires of the deuil who leades him with an inward efficacie without any true resistance of his hee liues and walkes in sinne Coloss. 3.7 lyeth in wickednesse hee leades his life according to corrupt nature though he haue materials of righteousnes and be held back by Gods prouidence from some grosse act of sinne as Genes 20.6 I kept thee also that thou shouldest not sinne against mee therefore I suffered thee not to touch her Yet neither is their heart sound in Gods statutes nor indeede desires to bee they haue no study of pietie raigning in them When God regenerates a man he makes him willing to bee regenerate which is in time together with regeneration in order of nature the soule is healed before the desire but the desire is first known to vs wee see the effects which leade vs to the causes as the morning light before the morning Sunne yet wee know the light is from the Sunne drawing neere to be reuealed Euen wants of righteousnesse note sinne to raigne where a man feares not repents not sinne in generall with desire of an vniuersal cleannesse from sinne secret or knowne to him when sinne generally in nature action manner of producing actions with griefe to defile Gods worke is not in some measure laboured against of conscience towards God and pardon sought in Christ vnto rest in that blood of attonement it is an vncomfortable state Purging a mans selfe is a note of a vessell of honour opposed to the committing so to the raigne of sinne Raigne of it is expressed by obeying it in the lusts of it His seruants yee are to whom yee obey Rom. 6.16 17. Obedience subiects a man voluntarily yee haue obeyed from the heart you were the seruants of sinne The true beleeuer detests so the Deuils motions vpon the sudden iniection sometimes that he is without taint of sinne by them yet it is an affliction with victorie as it was with our Sauiour tempted by the Deuill to whom God sent Angels for his comfort yet our corruption considered it is a rare thing Sometimes he is drawen aside and inticed vnto consent with a contrary will sometimes deliberate sometimes sudden but he cannot bee brought vnder the raigne of sinne yet vnto actes of sinne For Christ keepes his possession the seed of God abides in them the Law is in their heart they serue it with their minde though sinne with their flesh Rom. 7.25 The spirit is willing the flesh makes weake they haue onely good of their desires Prou. 11.23 God pardons what they allow not themselues in but hate yet doe it hee rewards the good as the fruite of his owne Spirit brought foorth to him in Christ. Their will is better then their deede they please God though not themselues desiring more grace to serue him acceptablie Doe you not by a will freed sollicite the vnderstanding to discerne and with iudgement truely determining to commaund right things Seeke you not for more light of minde and holinesse of iudgement for the guiding of your way Doe you not desire rightnesse to your conscience soundnesse of heart in Gods Statutes Could you not cast away righteous men but in that name receiue them were it not for loue of righteousnesse Doe you seeke to further Gods worke by Ministers of righteousnesse because they worke the worke of the Lord and turne the disobedient to the wisedome of iust men Leaue you not the reignes corruption but are held with a bridle of righteousnesse to serue it Doeth the feare of God though sometimes driuen from its station yet dwell as controuller in your soule recouer the station represse the refractarie thoughts affections sway your heart against the naturall motion that you may keepe Gods Word make you cease from your owne workes with desire that God may worke his in you that the leading of you though you be interlaced with the flesh you giue to the holy Ghost louing that hee may haue the principalitie in you praying for the holy Ghost principally of which after in the examination of prayer Ponder you with care and delight to finde willingly and setledly to follow things of the spirit Attend you your selfe concerning spiritual being Greiue you inwardly for that which the flesh doeth outwardly or within not loosing but vsing loue to God in resisting sinfull motions it is not your working but suffering of sinne Charitie may bee in some sinnes astonished but not abolished as a souldier with a great blow on his head may lie as liuelesse yet his will to fight against the enemie remaines hee recouereth and seekes for his shield and returneth to fight with increased resolution The exercise of grace in thoughts deuisings purposes desires indeuours which proceede from the spirituall part haue promise of life and peace Rom. 8.6 They bee of regeneration which is glorification begun in which men proceede by the Spirit of the Lord from glory to glory Obiection VIII Some wicked men are at some strife with themselues before they sinne as Herod and confesse their folly and guiltinesse after sinne done sometimes with teares as Saul how shall I know I haue true freedome from the raigne of sinne they doe the sinne which they sticke at and returne to the sinne which they confesse and weepe at the notice of I doing so in some particulars what difference betweene me and a foole returning to his folly Answere First in the strife before sinne the difference is in the extent of matter Secondly in the motions or principle whereout it proceedes Thirdly in the issue For matter the vnbeleeuers strife is commonly but in some more grosse euill that makes one infamous amongst men as Herods strife about breaking his oath to the losse of his credit with them that sate at table with him or to do a worke condemned by the light of his minde in putting to death an innocent man whose iustice triumphed in his conscience He liued in other sins as may appeare without strife The true beleeuer as he hath receiued commandement not to sinne hee striues to obey it and so liues in a contention against himselfe in minde will affections about the body of righteousnesse deliuered in the law labouring to dead the very roote of all sinne that his corrupt nature may bee more barren and lesse rebellion in him against God where man can take no motiue of it This is implied in that prayer Take from me the way of lying and grant me graciously thy law let no iniquitie haue dominion ouer mee let my heart bee sound in thy statutes in that promise I will runne the way of thy commandements when thou shalt inlarge my heart when it shall bee larger to receiue grace and more free and willing to obey thus are they said to seeke Gods precepts because they
a man to euery good worke the branch brings not forth but in the vine without Christ or not being in him we can doe nothing Ioh. 15.4.5 The worke cannot be better then the nature whence it proceeds an euill tree cannot bring forth good fruit The work may be materially good but euill by abuse productions of the flesh by some peruerse affection vnto ends not right in the sight of God they be dead workes not onely as they proceed from a person spiritually dead a stranger from the life of God but as they tend to the condemnation of the worker though farre more tolerable then those sinnes that are such for their matter and kinde Sixtly Vnbeleefe holds a man vnder great misery First Vnder the rigor of the law without mercie to the pardon of the least omission or defect Secondly Vnder irritation of the law the more it reueales sinne the more corrupt nature lusts and striues to doe it Rom. 7.5.8 Thirdly vnder the coaction of the law he is in bondage vnto feare of the threatnings of it and withheld from the euill which he loueth as a dogge tyed vp from biting or a foxe chained vp from prey yet retaine their disposition Fourthly Vnder the malediction of the law there is no curse but hee may feare it in his blessings in his crosses he hath euill of good and euill of euill all turnes to his hurt It shutts out thee good of most excellent meanes Heb. 4.2 makes Christ with all his vertue vnprofitable to him who by his absolute power can doe whatsoeuer hee will yet concerning his ordinate power is made impotent in a sort to great works by the vnbeleefe of men Mar. 6.5 Seuenthly Vnbeleefe increaseth a mans misery liuing vnder the Gospell it shall be required of him according to that which is cōmitted to him iudgement is to the Iew first for abusing his preferment in the offer of saluation by Christ. This is condemnation that light is come into the world and men loued darknesse rather then light Ioh. 3.19 Christ is to the ruine of many in Israel Luk. 2.34 They haue a double damnation one from the law wherein Christ found them another from the Gospell in which deliuerance was offered and they refused it they that stumble at this stone are broken and they vpon whom it falls are all ground to powder A malefactor dieth iustly by the law but if he haue offer of the kings pardon and refuse it he is twise guilty of his owne death the iudgement beginnes here in spirituall plagues Rom. 11.8.9 Ioh 12.39 and is fulfilled in hell in a more greiuous damnation then that of Sodome and Gomorrha Resolue therefore speedily to obey the Gospel consent to God commanding you to receiue his sonne promising mercy in him to euery one that beleeues on him dispute not against his faithfull and true sayings listen not to the deuill and your carnall wisedome muttering and obiecting thus Obiection I. Who am I what is my worthinesse that I should conceiue of God that he so respected me as to giue his sonne and with him so great happinesse for me I dare not beleeue it Answere First The opening of the sealed Booke the bare fore-knowledge of things to come found no man liuing or dead worthy of it but onely Christ whom then shall so great loue find worthy of it in himselfe 2. It commends the free grace of God that he was so farre from making the respect of our worthinesse to turne his minde toward vs that when we were of no strength meere enemies sinners and vngodly he prouided the merit of his sonne for vs his loue is set before the gift of his sonne Ioh. 3.16 To declare the freenesse of the benefit we bring nothing bring nothing but our needinesse emptinesse nothingnesse are onely receiuers of Christ with his blessing and of faith also whereby to receiue him It is of faith that it might be of grace Rom. 4.16 Herein hath God manifested and made certaine his loue 1 Ioh. 4.9 That I may be setled in conscience that being in my selfe vnworthy I am counted worthy I must turne away mine eyes from my selfe and behold Christ Iesus alone on whose worthinesse the fulfilling of the promises depends he that imbraceth him and the promise of mercy in him is said to be worthy as he that reiects the offer of God so gracious is said to be vnworthy Math. 22.8 First The holy seruants of God confessing their owne vnworthinesse haue yet beleeued and humbly claimed Gods promise with this reason thou hast told this goodnesse to thy seruant thou art God and thy words be true Gen. 32.9 10 11.2 Sam. 7.18.28 praying him to performe it for his owne sake Dan. 9.19 who for his owne sake puts away our iniquities Esa. 43.25 Obiection II. The presumption of a bidden guest sitting downe at the wedding feast without a wedding garment was found and fearefully punished Considering my nothingnesse and withall my great sinfulnesse I feare to meddle humility seemes to with-hold me Answere It is not presumption but humilitie to yeeld to Gods will and a meet thing to accept the gracious offer of his sonne vnto life approue and yeeld to what God pronounceth to please him giue your selfe liberty to iudge in his worke what is meet consider the correction of Peter refusing in modestie his Lords offer to wash his feet Ioh. 13.6.8.9 There is a carnall humilitie that may spoile a man of his soule Col. 2.13.23 We be fittest for Gods mercy when lothing our selues in our fowlenesse we aspire vnto his grace which hee giues to the humble 1. Pet. 5.5.6 Secondly Great things beseeme a great God we are to consider not what we are in our selues meet to receiue but what is meet for him to giue whose counsell determines to this and that man as his pleasure is who works herein for the praise of his glorious grace that makes all for himselfe Lord of all free to place his grace where he will none giues him first Rom. 11.35 Thirdly He suffers his elect to fall into great sins which he orders to his and their glory 1. In giuing them notice of them with feeling whether strange terror consternation accompanie it or they passe in the birth more easly yet they goe before many ciuill men into the kingdome of heauen Math. 21.31 disposing them therby vnto his calling vnto fellowship with Christ 2. and makes them called to doe more with impulsion of loue for much forgiuen Luk. 7.47 3. To stand as patternes of Gods abounding grace to preuent their diffidence who desire Gods mercy and grace yet distrust by the number and greatnesse of their sinnes Forthly Number or greatnesse of sinnes are not barres in all to shut out Gods mercies in Christ either for forgiuenesse or healing of nature they may be resembled by the Sea in which Gods great workes are seene which slowes to the couering not onely of sands but rocks
Cor. 1.12 it is by the prouidence of God preseruing naturall light and conscience in some aboue others and giuing to some light by his word and spirit whereby corruption is held vnder for a time that the heart cannot shew the naughtinesse that is in it and they receiue some common graces which God governes to the producing of some good works for matter but he neuer renewing the fountaines of actiō the minde will and affections the worke proues in Gods sight corrupt by the disposition of the instrument and no mixture of true goodnesse in the production as there is none in in the instrument They are as clouds without water like comely members of a bodie that want a head to giue them life God leads the beleeuers by his spirit into good workes by gouerning the gracious habites infused the godly nature into holy acts hindered and corrupted indeed by the flesh concurring with the operations of grace in the same worke that the best worke needs the sacrifice of Christ to make it accepted the corrupt mixture pardoned Yet their is some true goodnesse in it and it is properly a good worke by the production of the spirit exercising faith hope loue zeale feare of God humility and other graces Secondly True righteousnesse is a begun obedience to al the Law of God by the seed of God abiding in the beleeuer wherby hee sinnes not as the vnbeleeuer nor can sinne 1. Ioh. 3.9 As disobedience was punisht with losse of originall righteousnesse and vniuersal corruption of nature that man had all sin in seed so by faith in Christ discharged of guilt thereof God giues againe originall iustice and all vertues in seed that are common to Christians A little child shall lead him Esay 11.6 because of his new creation and disposition to keepe Gods law which God hath put in his heart False righteousnesse neuer deliuers vp a man to a full rule and conscience of seueritie of right liuing it giueth not strife thereunto it is with percialitie reseruation either for persons Math. 5.44 times Psal. 78.34.36 or things Mark 6.26 True righteousnes hath something singular false righteousnesse is euer with reigning sinne of which after Thirdly True righteousnesse is done to God in honour and obedience to please and glorifie him to adorne his doctrine to iustifie profession to prepare vnbeleeuers to confirme and prouoke beleeuers by good example in conscience of which the soule rests when carnall men traduce the beleeuer and impute his worke sometime to madnesse when it transcends their capacitie sometimes to some peruerse affection or bad counsells of heart 2. Tim. 3.10 Thou hast fully knowen my manner of liuing purpose c. 1. Cor. 4.5 2. Cor. 5.13.14 False righteousnesse as it s not wrought in God so it is not done to him but bends back vpon a mans selfe Zach. 7.5.6 either to auoid punishment and get reward it is seruile and mercenarie or to get praise to be counted an honest man fit to liue in a societie To doe all in the name of Christ Col. 3.17 that God in all things may be glorified 1. Cor. 10.31 in ministring as of the abilitie that God ministereth is of grace It is the true loue of God that carrieth the heart in intention to God To a good worke is required power loue and a sound minde which Christians receiue in measure Loue is counted the fulfilling of the law it produceth and directs the workes of the beleeuer to God in Christ to whom he liues as the Lord of his life and death Rom. 14.8 Men vnconuerted are turned so away from God that they cannot spiritually loue him It may be as the God of nature and author of benefits which they seeke to haue and receiue they loue him for their aduantage but not as he is in himselfe soueraignely good nor as they beleeue his loue to them in Christ. They may doe something not onely for temporall blessings as Saul and Iehu but with relation to eternall life as the young ruler that was so rich Math. 19.16 but liue not to magnifie Christ in their bodies which is peculiar to grace Phi. 1.20 Obiection VI. Some that fall away seeme to be changed by the Gospell not onely outwardly but inwardly how can I be then infallible certaine of the truth of my righteousnesse Answere There change is the gift of some common graces which Christ as Lord bestowes vpon them but he neuer giues life to them as members of his body whereof he is head They are made partakers of the holy Ghost in some inferior working but are not made new creatures nor receiue grace accompanying saluation as appeares by the opposition of these two Their works proceede not from one and the same principle internall the true beleeuers proceede from the new creature faith working by loue from the life of the spirit which the other haue not Consider a little the difference of the worke of God in the fountaines of action First the minde of a temporizer is not holy though it be inlightened to know and acknowledg the truth It is peculiar to beleeuers to be renewed in minde after the image of God Col. 3.12 They that beleeue not haue mindes and consciences still defiled and not healed with the vnction from him that is holy Which may appeare 1. in that his knowledge of truth is not rooted in him in time of temptation hee goeth away and his light vanisheth so as that a greater darknesse commeth vpon him If the light that is in thee be darknesse how great is that darkenesse They goe backe after Satan the prince of darknes For degree the deuill was said to be cast out but repossesseth them againe so it is worse with them then before Secondly There minde not being sanctified they soone are puft vp in their minde vnto vaine reasoning which beget a false opinion which hauing striuen for they hardly forsake They sometime fancy a lie which seemes wisedome to them to follow though they send to inquire of God as seeming to offer their minds to his direction to know what is best to doe Ier. 42.3.5.20 Surely ye dissembled you were fully minded to go into Egypt whatsoeuer the Lord should say They haue an inclination to vnrighteousnes and meeting with deceiuers are easily carried away and that by the iust iudgement of God whose the deceiuer and deceiued be Iob. 12.16 and makes the punishment of the master as the punishment of the Scholar Mal. 2.12 Thirdly In that their knowledge is ineffectuall they know not as they ought to know 1. Cor. 8.2 Not for their owne vse which yet is required Iob. 5.27 Not what first and principally what more earnestly to follow It leaues them ignorant of themselues so as they think themselues to be some thing when they are nothing are puft vp Masterly censorious not onely towards fraile man but sometimes towards God himselfe as Mal. 3. verse 14. Their light shineth not effectually into their conscience
sinne and their works dead their Will is not free then to any spirituall work death depriues not onely of action but facultie They are said to serue sinne if their will be in a full bondage they are not free all that are not freed by Christ remaine in spirituall bondage to sinne they must be in him whom he freeth and that is by a true faith they are gouerned by the prouidence to some workes that are good for their matter but in them they are intrinsecally guilty they haue no will to obey honour the Lord therein they proceed not from an inward frame of goodnesse and conformitie of heart to Gods law their will is worse then their deed they receiue the Gospell but not with an honest heart purely for it selfe but with corrupt respect They forbeare some sins but not for loue of God and that they haue chosen Gods law whereof sin is a violation their will is not turned against it out of any inherent holines contrary to it but as contemned by light of the minde as reprochfull for one that professeth true religion or some way daungerous as appeares by their partialitie in the law Iam. 2.4 The true beleeuer is by the spirit of Ghrist in part truely and for euer freed in his will from the spirituall bondage and seruitude of corruption and his libertie is brought forward by degrees The change is by a supernaturall worke as if a stone which a hundred times forced vpward falls downe againe should haue a new inclination put into it the change were aboue nature But now the inclination is naturall so in this worke of God in taking away the stonie heart and giuing the will a new inclination the diuine power hauing made this alteration by infusion of grace and holinesse into it the action of it in willing to belieue to be iustified to be healed in nature of the sinfulnesse perceiued to be quickened vnto good workes to doe them more spiritually is naturall and free by reason of the godly nature Search your selfe according to this difference in minde conscience and will and be a true witnesse of the worke of God in you Obiection VII I find such corruption in my minde conscience and Will especially that I feare I am vnder the dominion of sinne not onely hauing damnable matter in me from which Gods children be not free but damning for sinne reignes vnto death Answere First If you desire healing of your nature grone in desire to grace perceiue your fowlenesse vnto a lothing of your selfe feare not sinne hath not dominion ouer you True grace and sense of sinne may be together in a true beleeuer who by new light perceiueth what is sinne by renewed selfe-loue more impartially iudge themselues and their doings by spirituall life feel that which they that are blind dead in whom self loue is fully corrupted neither see nor feel Prou. 30.2.3 Rom. 7.24 That wee see abhorre confesse lament as our exceeding miserie sinne dwelling working in vs hindering the good wee would corrupting our best workes carrying vs to hated euill That we earnestly desire deliuerance frō this bondage That we may do Gods will in earth as it is done in heauen No measure that is ioyned with imperfection satisfieth vs but we contend further that we indeuour our selues to get more grace and the exercise of it apply our hearts to fulfill Gods statutes bid battell to all vices purge our selues imbrace crosses as meanes of mortification and profit in holinesse loue a wise reprouer beare malicious reproofes and that we rest not in aliuelesse conformity in the externall action to Gods law it is of the grace of God giuen vs in Christ Iesus Rom. 7.14.15.24 Phil. 3.13.14 1 Chro. 28.7.9 Hos. 6.3 Psal. 119.101 1 Ioh. 3.3 Heb 12.7.10.11 Prou. 25.12 2 Sam. 26.10.12 Psal. 119.93 For sinnes past 1. That we voluntarily remember them to afflict our selues taking greife and shame for offending of God 2. That we willingly beare the punishment of them loathing our selues for our deeds that were not good hold our selues wholly damnable open not our mouth in defence or extenuation but confesse our selues vile to Gods glory with indignation at our follie and brutishnesse 3. that by rememberance of our seruice of such hatefull and now hated sinnes wee keepe our selues from our iniquitie and prouoke our selues to the study of innocencie that we are carried to labour in Gods worke with greater impulsion of loue considering Christs loue dying for vs Gods loue giuing him for vs and forgiuing so great debt 4. that we are humble modest in opinion and speech of our selues whatsoeuer graces we haue receiued that considering our change by the grace of God we bee humane compassionate toward sinners louing to make them iust waiting for their repentance deuouring indignities from them in hope and desire that they which are such as we were may be such as we are by the grace of God louingly and gladly receiuing them repenting is of grace Esay 54.6.7 Ezech. 16.63 Leu. 26.42 2 Sam. 15.26 Mich. 7.9 Iob. 42.6 Psal. 73.22 Psal. 18.23 1. Pet. 4.2.3 1 Cor. 15.9.10 2. Cor. 5.14 Eph. 3.8 2 Tim. 2.24.25 Tit. 3.3 It is a token that is pacified is moued in his bowels towards vs as his deare children Ier. 31.20 will meete vs with tokens of peace and loue Luk. 15.20.23 and defend vs as now deliuered from our sinnes not being that wee were being that we were not Luk. 7.44 and iustifie the ioy of good men in our returning from death to life Luk. 15.31 Secondly Where sinne reigns the man is but flesh merely carnall Gen. 6.3 Ioh. 3.6 distitute of the spirit Iud. v. 19. in the full power of sinne Rom. 7.5 wholly replenished with it as it were buried in it If the Spirit of Christ be in you it freeth you from the law and force of sinne and the hurt of death You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit for the Spirit of Christ dwelleth in you Rom. 8.2 9. Though you haue and shew forth much more corruption in affection and manners then many other christians doe yet the new man liueth in you as a babe 1 Cor. 3.1 infirme and feeble to keepe the olde man vnder and to bring forth the actions of a christian And because of the seede of God in you though in comparison of stronger christians you may bee counted carnall yet compared with meere carnall men you are spirituall you are not wholly carried by the desires of the flesh as they but contrary lusts striue in you to destroy one another Galath 5. verse 5.17 The perfectest Christian in this life compared with the spiritualnesse of Gods Law may well pronounce himselfe carnall Neither nature nor action is fully conformable to it but though there bee much in him contrary to the Law yet the roote of the matter is in him Iob 19.28 You should say why doe wee persecute him seeing the roote of the matter is in him Where