because God hath giuen his sonne to take with the nature of the elect their death Heb. 2.9.14 and thereunto their sinnes He made him to be sinne for vs that knew no sinne that wee might be made the righteousnesse of God in him 2. Cor. 5.21 God laid vpon him all the sinnes of the Elect figured in the goat that escaped by lot Leuit. 16.21.22 Ouer which Aaron confessed all the iniquities of the children of Israel and all their trespasses in all their sinnes putting them vpon the head of the goat sending him by appointment into a land not inhabited that the sinnes and curse might not reside among Gods people prophecied in Esa. 53.6 Not onely the punishment of our sinnes but our sins were made to meete vpon him whether past present or to come and the equall valew to all the wrath that they did deserue he indured 1. Tim. 2.6 He his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his body to or on the tree 1. Pet. 2.24 By his stripes or wailes we are healed all haue sinned and are depriued of the glory of God he that is Lord ouer all is rich vnto all that call vpon him Be it ten thousand talents fiue hundred or fiftie pence he for Christ that hath as the suretie made satisfaction to the full for the whole debt counts it as if he had no wrong by vs but that we are iust cleare not guilty puts away his anger loues vs freely we neede not for feare beleeuing in Christ paine and torment our soules in respect of punishment to come for any sin or blasphemie committed Verily I say vnto you all sinnes shall be forgiuen vnto the children of men and blasphemies wherewith they blaspheme Christ appointed forgiuenesse of sinnes to be preached in his name without distinction of many or few small or great Thus Gods people are incouraged to follow the Lord and to sett vpon reformation of sinners because there is hope in Israel for this 1. Sam. 12.20 3. God inuites to his feast sinners of vilest sort such as are as miserable in soule as they be in body that by high waies and hedges Church porches or any meetings to make their aduantage shew and offer to pitie faces gnawen eyes noses and members eaten with rottennesse Whosoeuer accepteth truely his inuitation comes and eats of his prouision is allowed cleansed from all his sinne cloathed with righteousnesse as a robe and adorned with graces as with Iewels Esay 61.10 Luk. 15.21 Reuel 19.7 Come receiue Christ he shall cloath you and decke you vnto admiration Who is shee Cant. 6.9 that comes out of the wildernesse to ioyne her selfe to her welbeloued Cant. 8.5 Obiection III. Redemption is not vniuersall in Gods purpose mercy is limited Rom. 9.11.14 according to his will is all the difference betweene them that are saued and them that perish Math. 11. 25.26 Christ came to doe the will of his father in giuing eternall life to them that were giuen him Iohn 6.37 Hee gaue his life for his sheepe Iohn 10.15 dyed for the children of God scattered in all the world Iohn 11.52 But hee did not pray nor speake a good word for the world to his father his sacrifice was the foundation of his intercession they must needes therfore bee of one extent How shal I know that Iesus Christ by the will of God gaue himselfe for mee that I may stay vpon him Answer First Hee prayed for all and therefore dyed for all that beleeue in him Ioh. 17.20 None come to him but whom his father drawes he drawes none but whom hee had before giuen to him Iohn 7.37 Faith is peculiar to the elect Iohn 10.26 Acts 13.48 Titus 1.1 The election obtaines it Romanes 11.7 Beleeue and you haue a cleare resolution whereby you may say he loued me and gaue himselfe for mee Secondly Suspition arising of a certaine preiudice without ground inclining a man to the worst part if it bee but towards a man is sinne for charitie thinks not euill beleeues all things 1. Cor. 13. To haue God in suspicion when he cals me to receiue his grace in Christ Iesus is much more sinfull both for iniury to God and hurt to my selfe God hath prouided against such putting of stumbling blocks to a mans selfe Esa. 56.3.5.7 Whosoeuer loues the name of God and to be his seruant is assured of acceptance and ioyfull experience thereof for person and seruice The spirit of God makes no perswasion to a man of his reprobation as he doth of his Election Neither can it be gathered from sinne of nature or Action internall or externall Where Christ is esteemed truely the spirit of grace not dispited if an Angel should pronounce your damnation you should suspect him for a lying spirit Or if you knew an Angel from heauen to say so much that you shall bee damned you are to beleeue him no further then vnder this condition if you beleeue not in Christ Iesus and repent towards God the written word in the true sense knowen is to be rested in aboue the testimonie of an Angel from heauen Galath 1.6 Thirdly You haue inducements to beleeue that thou ought not to neglect You are borne holy 1. Cor. 1.14 brought forth to God by the Church Gods wife Ezech. 16.20.21 You are a child of the kingdome Math. 8.12 yours is the adoption Rom. 9.4 at least externally as belonging to you The couenant is propounded Sacraments ministred not onely as notes of profession but as testimonies of Gods good will in Christ. Men hauing written their couenants sett their seales to them and deliuered them they that deale with them vse to rest as secured conceiuing they deale with wise honest and able men God hath written his couenant set his seale to it and by a minister authorized by him set you as it were in possession If you reiect it not not onely spirituall things but the application of them is represented in the Sacraments you are sprinkled with Sacramentall water you haue giuen to you and receiue Sacramentall bread and wine which by Gods appointment haue Sacramentall vnion with and relation vnto the spirituall thing represented It is such an obligation to faith and consecration of a mans selfe to God that if a man excite not his faith and yeeld himselfe he shall account to God aboue others that neuer had these testimonies Ezech. 20.37 I will cause you to passe vnder the rod and bring you into the bond of the couenant Obiection IIII. God will not cleare the guilty nor acquite the wicked he ioynes perishing vnto impenitency how shall I beleeue his promise of mercy to my pardon that cannot cleare my conversion to my conscience None can enter into the kingdome of heauen but borne of the spirit liuing after the flesh I shall die I am commanded to let no man deceiue me with vaine words to secure me from such danger Answere These two questions are distinct must not be confounded what
manner of persons they be that God admitts into heauen And what manner of person may receiue Christ vnto iustification of life The answere to the first is that God receiueth none into heauen but such as he hath made meete thereunto by iustification and sanctification in Christ Iesus Col. 1.12 2 Thes. 1.11 The Apostle praies for the Thessalonians that God would make them meete for or worthy of his calling of the high things in heauen vnto which hee called them by the Gospell not that there is inherent dignitie in any man but by imputation of the worthinesse of Christ which is euer accompanied with sanctification or Godly nature The inheritance is vndefiled 1. Pet. 1.4 no vnrighteous person nothing that is vncleane shall enter into it Reu. 21. 27. Whosoeuer remaines in the full power of sin working iniquitie though he blesse himselfe in his heart transforme God in his thoughts deceiue himselfe in his imagination he shall finde that God will not be mercifull to him Deut. 29.19 but set his sinnes in order before him Psal. 50.21 His religion is in vain Iam. 1.26 Without holinesse no man shall see God Heb. 12.14 The answere to the latter question is whosoeuer finds his owne guiltinesse and death euery burdened sinner hearing Christ propounded and the couenant of grace in him may come receiue him with the promise of mercy though when he heares the Gospell preached he be in a cleane contrary way to righteousnesse Rom. 4.5 He that worketh not but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith shall be counted for righteousnesse Faith possesseth the sinner of Christ and his righteousnesse which God of his grace imputes to him which is then as truely his own as if he had wrought it himselfe and so is not putatiuely iust as some blaspheming say but truely and perfectly iust and in that iustice worthy of heauen Christs passions are his actions Christs workes his merits by the vnion which by faith he hath with Christ. God cleares not the guiltie against order of iustice his sin is translated frō him to Christ in whom God finds him and Christs righteousnes to him receiuing in Christ full satisfactiō he holds him no longer guiltie but is iust in the forgiuenesse of sins and the sentence of righteousnesse pronounced vpon him he receiueth right vnto life Christ and the couenant in him is offered to vnregenerate men who inabled by Gods spirit to performe the condition of the couenant which is to beleeue in Christ the promises conteined in the couenant are surely his as a true heire of them Galath 3.29 If ye be Christs then Abrahams seed and heires by promise Regeneration is not the condition of the couenant but a promise conteined in it which is receiued by faith in Christ in whom the beleeuer is a new creature the workmanshippe of God created vnto good workes A man must not stay to beleeue till he finde regeneration and repentance towards God the worke of it but first beleeue that he may receiue in Christ the promise of the spirit vnto his new creation or conuersion to God which declares it selfe in outward workes Christ is sent to blesse men in turning them from their iniquities Act. 3.26 Him God hath lifted vp with his right hand to bee a prince and Sauiour to giue repentance to Israel Act. 5.31 We are not to looke first to find repentance in our selues and then come to Christ to obtaine forgiuenesse but seeke both in him As the woman beleeued first that shee should be healed touching the hemme of Christs garment and vpon the touch felt in her selfe that she was healed so we feeling our loathsome disease of sinne are to beleeue that we shall in Christ be healed comming to him who healed all manner of diseases in them that sought to him after to seeke experience of his vertue in our soules Childrē of the promise are such as are borne by faith of the promise as Isaac was when Sara was vnlikely to beare children as if shee had been dead Heb. 11.11.12 Gal. 4.28 Offer violence to your vnbeleeuing nature resolue and bind your soule by vow promise to God as Dauid doth to keepe his commandements whereof this is not the least to beleeue in the name of his Son and hold to your promise think of the rebuke you will not come to mee that you might haue life vnlesse you see signes and wonders you will not beleeue how it is that you haue no faith Thinke of the praise of faith in such as without any experience vpon the hearing of the Gospel when before they were great sinners staying merely vpon the word of promise whith by faith was neere vnto them euen in their heart and mouth Thus much of the second vse 3 Vse Seeing there is such danger in not beleeuing when God promiseth it requires our examination whether since wee heard the Gospell preached to vs wee haue truely beleeued Iames and Iohn disprooue some in their profession of faith by the want of vertue with it to testifie of it When men doe beleeue in Christ indeede he makes them free and God that knoweth their hearts giueth testimony in fact of his accepting for iust by their faith in giuing them the Holy Ghost The Apostle Paul cals to examination of faith by experience of Christ in vs. 2. Cor. 13.5 Obiection I. This seemes not to bee by ordinary way attained infallible knowledge that I doe sincerely beleeue in Christ seeing there is a kinde of faith which alters men so as they escape the filthinesse of the world yet it saues them not How may I know the right kind Answer First The exhortation had beene vaine if they which beleeue could come to no certainety of faith in themselues 2. Their profession ouer-bold that from sense professed that they did beleeue and their comfort to bee suspected that reioyced that they did beleeue Secondly It is true there bee diuerse kindes of faith historicall which hath some degrees temporary faith may be counted a higher degree of the historicall and iustifying faith they differ in subiects efficacie and parts of nature The historicall and temporarie faith may bee in reprobates as it was in Iudas and Alexander the coppersmith and such as hauing beene illuminated and tasted the word of God fall totally and for euer away Iustifying or faith properly so called is onely in the elect the seate of that is onely the minde that assents to the truth and goodnes of the word This is in the heart receiuing Christ with his blessing staying vpon him with affiance of heart for our whole felicitie The temporarie faith receiues neither what should bee receiued nor as it should nor is effectuall in giuing out as the sauing doth by diuine vertue Faith which is onely historicall receiueth not Christ vnto vnion and communion what it receiueth is neuer with an honest heart it purifieth not the affections Faith properly so called
vnbeleefe is destroyed he that was carelesse of or auerse from faith now wills loues desires labours to beleeue the grace giuen hath disposed him to follow after it according to the commandement Follow after faith 1. Tim. 6.11 The will is Gods worke Phil. 2.13 Vertues in will and act are the same in kinde differing onely in degree as in vice lusting after a woman in heart vnlawfully is adultery in him that lusts though it come not into act coueting an other mans goods inordinately is theft though he bee hindred from taking them Thirdly Lusting contrary to the flesh argueth the presence and working of Gods spirit Gal. 5.17 in that the will of the flesh is not fulfilled but hindered Desire of holy graces is an act of spirituall life act argues facultie and facultie being Fourthly Christ graciously receiues tenderly cherisheth the little ones Zach. 13.7 giuing charge against contempt and therby offence of them Math. 18.5.10 incouraging men to receiue them as counting that in so doing he is receiued when it is done in his name hee calls on men to beare with the weak to comfort the feeble minded 1. Thes. 5.14 he promiseth to binde vp the broken and to strengthen the weake Ezech. 34.16 to gather the lambes with his arme to carry them in his bosome with tender regard of their weaknesse he giueth vnto him that fainteth and vnto him that hath no strength he increaseth power Esa. 40.29 hee quencheth not the smoaking flaxe the bruised reed shall he not break but of weake and small beginnings shall he bring forward his kingdome victoriously Math. 12.20 How did he respect the shaken Disciples the two going Emmaus to whom hee ioyned himselfe not without reproofe of their slownesse of heart to beleeue yet to confirme their faith by opening the Scriptures vnto them Luk. 24.32 and the eleuen together reproching them for their vnbeleefe yet shewing his hands and his side to the gladnesse of their hearts Mar. 16.14 Ioh. 20.20 He crownes a gracious will where power want Prou. 10.24 Esa. 1.19 2 Cor. 8.12 Fiftly Though it bee giuen to some to know Gods loue to them with such sweete contentment as passeth pleasures of nature Psal. 4.7 and 63.5 Cant. 1.3 Yet it is not so with them at all times Some that haue gloried in good walking in the light of his countenance made their songs of him after haue oppressed with sorrow their soules sore troubled fainting within them Ion. 2.7 their heart failing them at the thought of the multitude of their sinnes Psal. 40.12 troubled in thought of God refusing comfort in great temptation to despaire vttering words sauouring of it as if they forgat their seperation from them that perish Esa. 6.5.7 Psal. 31.22 Lam. 3.18 yet get victory at length Obiection IIII. Beleeuers purged by the blood of Christ are without conscience of sinnes Heb. 10.2 know they are not guilty and are at rest in soule I am sensible of guiltinesse with painefull feare how dwelleth then the faith in God in me Answere First Faith is but in iourney yet and hath different degrees we reade or heare of weak strong little and great as it increaseth it giues vs to know that wee haue no guiltie conscience Secondly God doth not ease the beleeuers of al their paine and feare at once Dauid heard Nathan pronounce his absolution from his sinne in the name of God 2. Sam. 12.13 yet had not present freedome from conscience of sinne as appeares Psal. 51.7 Maries loue testified her faith forgiuenes of sins yet was she afflicted in conscience as appeares by her teares Christs absolution spoken to her face thy sinnes be forgiuen thee bidding her goe in peace Luk. 7.48.50 God accepts voluntary contrition for sinne as it is offensiue to him it is founded in loue which argues faith begun Psal. 34.18 Psal. 51.17 Esa. 57.15 They must wait for the Lord that hideth his face and looke for him Thirdly it pleaseth God to quiet mens hearts by euidence of sanctification somtimes when they want sense of faith and iustification by it 1. Ioh. 3.19 As the naturall spirit comes not to any member but in connection to the head so the spirit of sanctification is giuen to none but in their vnion to Christ. By that spirit we know he is in vs and we in him 1 Ioh. 3.24 it is Gods seale and earnest to assure his promise something aboue a pledge in common vse because the pledge is restored when the promise is fullfilled an earnest is not restored but is made full according to the promise Obiection V. There is a righteousnesse not allowed in heauen which had loue from Christ Mark 10.21 and something called sanctification which is no signe of true faith because men fall away from it to greater sinfulnesse then euer they had before and their latter end is worse then their beginning how may I then know that sanctification that infallibly testifieth of true faith Ans. 1. True holinesse is an effect of vnion with Christ Heb. 2.11 the vertue of his death and resurrection Rom. 6.4 Phil. 3.10 Col. 2.11.12 proceeds from election Eph. 1.4 and is an euidence to assure it vnto vs 2. Thes. 2.13.2 Pet. 1.10 a beginning of glorification which is brought forward vnto perfection of glory Rom. 8.30 2. Cor. 3.18 Therefore that from which men fall and that morality which Christs example teacheth vs to loue as a worke of Gods good prouidence to the preseruatiō of society cannot be true sanctification though sometime in a large sense so called for some materialls or because they seemed so to themselues deceiued in their imagination Prou. 30.12 Gal. 6.3 They haue some kinde of dispositions towards grace but it is not brought forward to sanctification they onely seeme to haue The world cannot receiue the spirit Ioh. 14.17 An honest heart whereby fruit is brought forth with patience is the note of a true beleeuer resembled by the ground Secondly True righteousnesse in life is such proofe of a man borne of God and indeede righteous as we are to rest in 1 Ioh. 2.29 3.7 It differs from ciuill righteousnesse and seeming sanctification diuersly though they haue much of the matter in them 1. in cause extent and end 1. The next and immediate cause of a good worke is inherent righteousnesse infused from Christ of whose fulnesse we all receiue grace for grace it is not onely done in grace but by grace 1 Cor. 15.10 By the grace of God I am that I am and his grace which is in mee was not in vaine but I laboured c. not I but the grace of God which is with me called liuing and walking in the spirit They be actions of a supernaturall life begun which wee haue in Christ by faith Gal. 2.20 That righteousnes which is not allowed in heauen is produced by the flesh of fleshly wisedome which the Apostle opposes to the grace of God in guidance of conuersation 2.
SOME HELPES TO FAITH Shewing the Necessitie grounds kinds degrees signes of it Clearing diuerse doubts answering obiections made by the Soule in temptation By IOHN WILSON Preacher of Gods word in Gilford PHILIP 1.25.26 For your furtherance and ioy of faith that you may more abundantly reioyce in Iesus Christ. LONDON Printed by I. L. for Robert Mylbourne and are to be sold at his Shop at the great South doore of Pauls 1625. TO THE TRVELY NOBLE LADY THE LADY LETTICE Countesse of Leicester Mercie and Grace in this life Saluation with eternall glory in the World to come Good Madam VNthankfulnesse is a great defiler of conscience both as it is a great sinne against iustice and as it prouokes wrath whereby such persons are deliuered vp to vile affections And though thankefulnesse cannot stay in the instrument but goeth by it to the author yet it is due to such by whose hands God conueyes his benefits It hath pleased that blessed God to stirre vp your Ladiship for my good first in calling mee to be a Minister to your Honourable familie how weake soeuer yet not without some fruit by his blessing whose power is seene in weakenesse where how I was cared for my conscience doth witnesse secondly in your opportunity preferring publike good so were your words giuing me a free and comfortable entrance into this charge wherein I now labour according to my measure And from that time I haue beene followed with kindnesse from that house but that specially refresheth mee to remember that for the worke of my Ministerie your Honour willed mee to count you as my mother I am bold thus in particular to propound you for Gods Honour as an example especially to Patrons And finding my selfe so much bound I haue long thought how besides my prayers I might by some paper testimonie shew my selfe thankefull to your Ladiship and resolued at last to write these notes faire and send them for the helpe of your faith and comfort in witnesse of the continuing of my true care for your soules good Hereunto I was the rather inclined for that I vnderstood some to haue found helpe through the mercie of God to the quieting of their conscience by the reading of them when they were in shorter notes of a Sermon In the meane time diuerse friendes called vpon mee for some thing to the Presse from which the knowledge of mine owne wants hath hitherto kept me yet debating it thus If the matter be profitable first it is not likely to bee hurt that way but more vsefull then by writing secondly more fit to some for reading and to conuey bookes to friends more commodious then Copies in writing Here I stucke at this that good books for this helpe bee not scant but then I thought againe that acquaintance being a helpe to make them knowne all come not to one hand thiâ—dly my desire to leaue testimonie of my faith on whom I hold and how fourthly that God hath glory of diuersitie of gifts which manifest the spirit giuen to profit withall fiftly that my selfe owe to them that haue so aduentured themselues It yelded not without feare I confesse yet commending it to God for his blessing and to the loue of my deare friends to further it it is now out of my hands Good Madam vse it among other helpes I once left a little thing with you to helpe you in examination of your title to Heauen this may a little further that as being I thinke fuller to that purpose Calling made sure is a great comfort and aduantage for a Christian many giue testimonie to you you haue giuen good example in your constant respect of Gods ordinances glorifie God more with the fruites of your faith and loue call for the inspirations of the spirit to be carried earnestly after him hee purchased a people to be iealous of good workes looke into the felicitie of Gods chosen dayly bee still making it sure in your owne conscience the end of this life puts Gods people in possession of endlesse life The highest in the earth haue but terme of life in their present things how great so euer and dying out of Christ are without end miserable Blessed are they that so trust in Christ as to haue the Lord for their God that is to bee knowen in experience by the spirit of Christ destroying the dominion of sinne and lading vs so as that in the course of our life we are with God though foyled for our humbling in many temptations The God of life preserue your life of his good pleasure for the good of many that praising God for you may by their prayers further your grace heere with the exercise of it the Lord bee with you your Honourable sister with hers all that belong to you and guide your hearts into the loue of God and to looke for his Sonne the blessed hope from heauen Your Honors in all dutie and humble obseruance Iohn Wilson SOME HELPS TO FAITH Shewing the necessitie grounds kinds degrees signes of it clearing diuerse doubts answering obiections made by the soule in temptation Luke 1.20 Because thou beleeuest not my words c. THE holy Euangelist set to deliuer the storie of Christ from his beginning concerning his humanitie puts first a narration of his forerunner how he did rise as he that would speake of the day light beginnes at the day starre wherein hee mentioneth the promise of his miraculous conception and the ioy of his father and other friends 2. the doubting of the promise by Zacharie with the reason of it age making it impossible by course of nature Which is aggrauated by the minister Gabriel and by the matter promised glad tidings 2. threatened with punishment of dumbnesse as a penall signe set out by the time till the fulfilling of the promise the cause not beleeuing the words of such a messenger as he knew was sent of God For Zacharies doubt appeares not to be about the qualitie of the Angel whether he were true or false If he had onely doubted whence the reuelation came it would not haue beene so blamed for Gideon did so and desired a signe whereby he might know it was an Angel of God that speake to him Iudg. 6.17.21 But looking to the order of nature so as he considered not the power of God as Abraham did in a like case hee gaue not such glory to God a to rest on his word and power Obseruation I. From his punishment for this cause that hee beleeued not the word of God sent by his messenger we may gather how prouoking a sinne it is not to beleeue God promising His fault was but in one part of Gods word admiting some doubt about thee fulfilling of the promise 1. It was a particular act of vnbeleefe no habite 2. not full but of infirmitie among many faithfull services yet because he staggered at the promise knowing that God had spoken he shall speake no words of his owne till God haue fulfilled his Sara
ouercame her doubt Heb 11.11 by faith she receiued power to cōceiue seed and was deliuered of a child when shee was past age because shee iudged him faithful who had promised yet laughed at the message of the Angel and is reproued for it Gen. 18.12 Our Sauiour doth reproach the two Disciples honestly testifiing of him for follie and slownesse of heart to beleeue all that the Prophets haue spoken Luk. 24.25 he vpbraides the eleuen with their vnbeliefe because they beleeued not them which had seene him after his resurrection Mar. 16.14 Moses and Aarons faithfull seruants of God were iudged to death temporall for not sanctifying the Lord by beleeuing his promise of bringing water out of the rocke and to lose the honour of bringing Gods people into the Land of promise When a doubt creeps into a mans minde whether that which God hath spoken shall come so to passe it is iniurious and greiuous to him much more when with full vnbeliefe his promise is reiected Psal. 106.24.25.26 2. King 7.2 Reasons SIns are more greiuous as they haue God for their obiect more immediately hating of God despaire vnbeliefe the mother sinne it dishonours God aboue many sinnes of morality 1. In questioning his truth 2. In limiting his power 3. In disgracing his promise and messengers Esa. 7.13 Is it a small thing for you to grieue men that you will grieue my God also Secondly it is of prauity of nature mans faithlesse disposition whereunto being indulgent he beares with himselfe in it too much where God offers to fence him not onely with promise but sometimes with signe God saith of his sonnes and daughters that they are children in whom is no faith Deut. 32.20 Christ to his fearefull Disciples how is it that yee haue no faith Mar. 4.40 Vse 1. We ought therefore to feare with hatred all vnbeleefe all kinds and degrees of it and to sway our hearts against their natural disposition we ought to beleeue God speaking to vs whatsoeuer how often soeuer in what manner soeuer he do speake to vs and be violent against the hindering disposition so breaking into heauen The deuil flies not from vs by dallying but by resisting him Iam. 4.7 Faith makes supernaturall things possible Math. 17.20 It obtaines wonderfull things Heb. 11.11.33.34 It sanctifieth God in a mans heart Esa. 8.13 and giues him glory before men Rom. 4.20 Out-looking improbabilities impossibilities in nature resting on his truth and power When God hath spoken let vs reioyce in his word saying I haue the word of God whereof I glory the word of God I say whereof I will glory Dauid assures himselfe to the ouercomming of sorrowes and quickening him with spirituall ioy that it shall be as God hath said Psal. 60.6 God hath spoken in his holinesse I will reioyce I shall diuide Shechem and measure the valley of Succhoth Gilead is mine c. when the Lord hath said I will not leaue thee nor forsake thee we may boldly say the Lord is my helper I will not feare Heb. 13.5.6 God will doe that which he hath spoken to me of Genes 28.15 Thus Paul did giue hope to them in the Ship with him in great extremity Bee of good courage for I beleeue God that it shall bee euen so as he hath spoken to me and they were all of good cheere At length wee shall say to Gods praise As wee haue heard so haue wee seene in the Citie of our God Psal 48.8 Let vs lay vp the promises in our hearts set them still before vs digest them in a holy hope and feede our selues with them bee they generall or particular to this or that state and condition absolute or with exception of the crosse wee shall beleeuing perceiue in sensible effect that God hath not said in vaine Seeke yee mee None shall bee ashamed that waite for him either wee shall haue the very thing which wee doe desire or the good of the want of it Vse 2. Seeing one act of distrust in a particular promise is so offensiue to God how grieuous is it to forsake the generall promise of mercy in Christ Iesus made to euery one that beleeues on him Heb. 4.1 Let vs feare it is full of sinne and danger First It is a manifest disobedience Rom. 10.16 21. against the first and great commaundement of the Law which though it doe not directly command faith in Christ nor reueale the righteousnesse whereby wee are saued Rom. 3.21 yet bindes vs to hearken to God in all that hee commands vs to whomsoeuer Christ is preached the commandement to beleeue in him is giuen Mar. 1.15 Ioh. 6.29 They that reuolt after profession of faith are saide to turne away from the holy commandement giuen to them 2. Pet. 2.21 Secondly Vnbeliefe is a kinde of blasphemy it makes God a lyar which agrees not with his nature it is impossible to him Heb. 6.18 Tit. 1.2 His witnesse is greater then the witnesse of man Hee that honours a man with cap and knee yet counts him a vaine lying fellow doth more dishonour him thereby then with all the outward signes he honours him so hee that beleeues not God testifying of his Sonne that whosoeuer receiues him hath life what respect soeuer hee giue him in other things dishonours more then hee honours him making the credite of his testimonies suspected as hee that beleeueth hath sealed that God is true Thirdly Vnbeliefe hath in it an odious vnthankfulnes in refusing Christ with his grace so freely offered to euery creature Mark 16.15 Christ louingly cals euery one that is athirst to come to him with gracious promise that they shall not come in vaine Ioh. 7.37 38. beseeching men by his seruants in his stead to be reconciled to God and not to receiue the grace of God in vaine Hee waits that hee may haue place in mens hearts promising sweete and refreshing familiarity to any that heares his voyce and opens vnto him Reuel 3.20 He puts none away that come to him Iohn 6.37 God expostulates with men why they will die seeing life is so freely offered them Eze. 18.31 lamenting their folly and losse in refusing him Therefore whether it bee of sottish negligence or of obstinate rebellion it is inexcusable vnthankfulnesse to reiect him Fourthly Vnbeliefe holds a man in the power of sinne in an vniuersall pollution of nature the seate of it is an euill heart Heb. 3.12 a heart full of euill affections so it robbes God of that inward worship which faith purifying the heart sets vp and maintaines it is ioyned with loue a pure heart and a good conscience 1. Tim. 1.5 No true inward worship can be performed without faith as may appeare by considering all the parts of it I. Confidence in God whereby wee rowle our selues vpon him for all needfull good and to bee helpt and defended against all hurtfull euill so as not to bee afraide at any euill tydings to laugh at destruction when
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