require this the Apostle cals a shew of Religion which is hypocrisie and so at this day among the Fryars they have a shew of Religion they take up worships which God doth dot require of which it may be said Who required those things of you the Galatians did observe dayes and months and years therefore the Apostle is afraid that he hath bestowed his labour in vain upon them Chap. 4.10 11. 3. What was the spirit of their discipline and government they did affect primacy the Apostles were no sooner removed out of the world but this spirit began to spring up yea while some of them lived John 3.9 2. That that spirit did affect and exercise tyranny casting out of the Church such Ministers as were more faithful 3 Epist John 9.10 Diotrephes would not receive John himselfe nor his brethren nor would suffer those that would that spirit hath been in the Church of Rome from that day to this A second part of their tyranny was in imposing upon them unprofitable courses unprofitable they were because they did perish in the using Col. 2.20 to 22. 3. There was a spirit of coveteousnesse in Ministers they did not savour the things of God but did relish wealth and ambition Jude 11. they follow the wayes of sin as Cain did In Cain there was first hypocrisie he offers a sacrifice and when he saw his brothers sacrifice accepted being offered in faith and his not there arose in him a spirit of wrath which ended in bloudshed such was the spirit of Popery in Queen Maries days Some walk in the wayes of Balaam the wayes of coveteousnesse putting stumbling blocks before the people and that for covetousnesse sake Thirdly some have the gainsaying spirit of Korah they gainsay the Ordinances of God like as he rose up against Mâ—ses and Aaron this spirit breathing in Antichristian teachers at this day was hatched in the Apostles time There was a spirit of Schism in the Apostles time some saying I am of Paul and I of Apollo c. 1 Cor. 1.12 and so at this time among the Papists Jude v. 19. Vse 1. See the diligence of Satan to sow tares even in the Apostles times therefore Ministers should watch diligently over their people that no such spirit be sown in their hearts Satan will creep in by dissension the affections being once distempered the judgement will soon be corrupted Wherefore Ministers and people should have a speciall care of dissension for if dissension creep in then soon will you have your worship shut up and then there will be a wofull wast of Religion 2. See the impudence of Heretiques that dare look God in the face and rise up among his many bright and glorious lights in the Apostles times but let no Christians be discouraged by this but rather the more encouraged to contend and strive for the faith of Christ 3. This should teach Schollars not to take any ancient doctrine for truth till they have examined it Though Peter was blessed for the testimony of Christ one part of the day yet he was sharply reproved the same day trust not any doctrine almost in regard of the antiquity of it for it may be Antichristianism though in the Apostles times 4. If we would be growing up in grace from day to day take we heed of the spirit of Antichrist of taking up the worship which God hath not commanded take we heed of hypocrisie a spirit of Popery a shew of devotion Come we to the Sacrament as if we would receive the power of the Lord Jesus vailed in much simplicity take we heed of the spirit of Cain Balaam and Korah gainsaying the Ordinances of God but walk we stedfastly in that Religion we have received 1 JOHN 4.4 Ye are of God little children and have overcome them because greater is he that is in you then he that is in the world AS you had before in the former Verse a sign of the spirit of teachers so in these Verses you have a sign of the spirit of hearers which is double First Sign taken from victory which good hearers have got of bad teachers a good hearer is not overcome of bad teachers but he soon findes them out and overcomes them and this is argued from a double cause First They are of an higher off-spring then corrupt teachers are Secondly From the strength and excellency of their spirits above the spirits of worldly teachers Greater is he that is in you then he that is in the world False Teachers are set forth 1 By their Originall 2 By their false Doctrine He that knoweth God heareth us there is another sign of good hearers they did hear good teachers on the contrary He that is not of God heareth us not You see here First A difference between good and bad teachers good and bad hearers good teachers and good hearers are of God on the contrary bad teachers and bad hearers are of the World Secondly Here is a combat between good and bad teachers and a victory also Good hearers doe overcome bad teachers Thirdly You have the issue of the conflict good hearers overcome Fourthly The cause of the victory is the divine descent and excellency of their Spirit greater is he that is in good hearers then in bad teachers Fifthly Here is a congratulation little children you are of God Doct. That there is in the Church of God two sorts of teachers and two sorts of hearers some of God some of the world Quest Why are good teachers and good hearers said to be of God Answ 1. They are of God because they are of a divine Originall they are born from on high from the seed of the eternall God John 8.23 I am from above saith Christ and such are those that are regenerate they are descended from God whereas those that have no higher off-spring then flesh and blood are of the world 2. They both savour and relish that doctrine Rom. 8.15 They that are of the Spirit of God savour the things of God such as hold forth the mighty power of God veiled in humane frailties they are of God 3. He that is of God hath a place in the Church of God 1 Cor. 12.28 God sets the members of Christ in the Church this is a work of God ver 18. not any member of Christ but the Lord hath set him in that place as all men in the world cannot fit one member to the body but it would be both unprofitable and burthensome except God joyn it to the body so all the men in the world cannot put one member into the spirituall body except God put it in indeed those that are of the world they have a place in the Church too but yet they are not of the Church they are superfluous humors as Christ speaks of the Pharisees Mat 15.13 As it is never well with the body till the noysome humors be purged out so the Church will never be well till those superfluous humors are cut off Vse This
spring from common Graces such as may be in Hypocrites Matth. 7.22 23. they wondered why they were not received because they had done many good works and Prophesied in his Name and cast out Devils c. therefore they doubted not of acceptance so from these common Gifts it often falls out that we have a good conceit of our selves that God will accept us And for carriage a man may so carry himself as if he were a good Christian 1 A man may professe Religion for worldly respects as many became Jewes Hâ—st 8.17 it may be for fear of the Lawes or Friends many love Christ for Loaves for Profit because there is fullnesse in Christ Joh. 6.16 2 Common Graces may make us professe Religion as a man that hath been enlarged at the word he is willing to come to it as those Joh. 5.35 and yet were but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 4.20 and the stony ground 3 Some are drawn on through meer compulsion of conscience and yet live in darknesse some have gifts in prayer and preaching and zeal as Jehu had and joy in the word as Herod yet because they walked in darknesse they had no Fellowship with God Vse 1 A ground of comfort to such as are afraid that they are Hypocrites and are much discouraged and think they have no fellowship with God why this may comfort them if there be some that say they hav Fellowship with God and have not so contra some may think and say they have no Fellowship with him and yet may have Vse 2 It confutes the Papists that say we teach that mens opinion is Faith and a man is justified by persuasion but we do not say that every opinion and persuasion is a good argument of justifying Faith but that kind of persuasion and opinion that is built upon Gods Testimony upon the Testimony of the Word and Spirit that is a divine justifying Faith otherwise we say many a mans persuasion is built on self-love or some Common Graces Vse 3 It may exhort such as have a good opinion of their own estate and make a profession of it it may teach all such seriously to consider whether they be well grounded for a man may be deceived in it if we say we have fellowship and yet walk in darnesse we lye a man would be loath to be cozened in a piece of gold why what are thousands of gold and silver to have all his estate and body current and strong and to have his heart unsound and counterfeit all current but his own soul what greater confusion than the cutting off a mans hopes for a man to live all his dayes in a good hope and at death to have his hopes to fail him this confounds his Spirit therefore take not all for gold that glisters Vse 4 It teacheth us not forthwith to be deluded with the opinion of others but consider whether they be not deceived that hee takes for good or they be not sound whom he takes for Hypocrites do not easily take them for our Brethren and Sisters that carry a shew the Church had never more wrong than by false Brethren that have spyed out their liberty and informed against them take not every Professor for a Brother men may say they have fellowship with God and yet walk in darknesse therefore take heed of entertaining such into thy good opinion and fellowship 1 It will dishonour God when such have been imbraced by such and such people of God and now what is become of them 2 It will bring prejudice to Gods Saints many times they are more wronged by them than any that carry it closely and at length break out 2 Cor. 11.26 so David complains Psal 55.12 13 14. it was a commendable practice of the Apostles Acts 9.26 they would not easily admit of Paul and it is commonly said if a man or woman carry a Bible or come to good duties why they begin to be esteemed but others that make not such a shew are lesse respected Doct. A life led in ignorance and uncleannesse is a certain signe of Hypocrysie to live so and professe Religion or profession of Religion joyned with a life led in ignorance and ungodlynesse is a sure signe of Hypocrisie Darknesse implyes both ignorance and ungodlinesse darknesse hath a four-fold signification sometimes it is put for Ignorance the people that satâ— in darknesse c. Mat. 4.16 2 It is put Prophanenesse and Ungodliness every sin is called darkness 2 Cor. 6.14 Ephes 5 8. 3. Sometimes it is put for horror of conscience and confusion of Spirit Isa 50.10 4. For obscurity and dishonour confusion and desolation Pro. 20.12 for as light is took four wayes so is darknesse Light is put sometimes for Knowledge sometimes for Grace sometimes for Comfort sometimes for Glory Col. 1.12 13. so contrary darknesse is sometimes put for darknesse of ignorance of ungodlinesse of discomfort and of dishonour and obscurity The two last are not here meant a man may walk in much discomfort and yet have fellowship with God Isa 50.10 Matth. 12.20 the bruised reed will he not break c. a man in such a condition walks in darknesse and yet God will not break and quench fuch 2 Many a Child of God walks in much dishonour and basenesse and yet have fellowship with God 1 Cor. 4.13 Psal 22.6 David complains he was a worm and no man a reproach and scorn of men and yet was a good man and had fellowship with God therefore it cannot be meant of these two for those that are in such a condition are ordinarily most sound and sincere whereas others having more comfort walk more loosely and carelessely but if we live in Uncleannesse or Ignorance we have no Fellowship with God Prov. 19.2 God is a God of Light omniscient and how can he have fellowship with God that hath no light in him Hos 4.6 my people perish for want of Knowledge Ignorance is a certain note of destruction Prov. 29.18 where no vision is the people perish that is where there is no means of seeing Matth. 15.14 Reas Why Ignorance cannot stand with the fellowship of God because where there is no knowledge the light of the Word is wanting the Word is a light and a lanthorn now as one in an house cannot do work without light especially a stranger he knowes not what to do so a man is a stranger within himself that hath no light and how can he order himself tell what to do if he hath no light in him He that knowes neither himself nor Christ nor the way to him how shall he be saved by him many do think their estate good but if they had light they would not think so others think their estate bad but cannot get out of this they have no light to get out of it and therefore cannot have fellowship with God 2 For Uncleannesse and Ungodlinesse that cannot stand with Fellowship with God 2 Cor. 6.14 implying an impossibility Psal 94.
of it if your souls desire it in good earnest God accepts of it as done so for your Families if you instruct them and strive to build them up you say it is in vain no truly God will be your reward So it may be a stay to Ministers that desire by all means to convert some and yet finde no fruit of their labours yet thou shalt have thy reward with thy God for if false Prophets that go about to seduce though they seduce not yet God accounts them seducers so God accepts of thy good will and endeavour as much as if thou hadst effected it Obj. Then we may easily flatter our selves and say I desire that my soul and all mine might do well A. If a man have a willing minde to a thing it will much comfort him if he do it and grieve him if he cannot performe it thou sayest thou wouldst have thy selfe and all thine do well is it thy greatest grief that thou canst not effect this and would it be thy greatest comfort if thou couldst then God accepts thy desire but if a man have only some lazie desires if it go well well and good if not he is not much troubled there was no right desire 1 JOHN 2.27 But the annoynting which yee have received of him abideth in you c. Doct. EVery Child of God even the least and the meanest have received the Vnction of the Spirit of this we heard vers 20. But something is to be considered in the varying of the words vers 20. he said they had it here he saith they have received it of him Doct. The Children of God receive this Vnction of the Spirit from God from the Father and from Christ John 14.16 17. John 16.13 Gods sending and our receiving are relata 2 Cor. 1.21 22. Gods giving and our taking mutually agree one to another and sometimes God the Father is said to send the Spirit and sometimes God the Son it is God that sends it but Christ that hath prayed that he would send it John 14.16 17. and by his Death and Ascension hath he purchased and procured the Spirit for us Acts 2.32.33 The Reasons why we must receive this Unction from God and from Christ Reas 1. Because of our selves what we have by Nature is a spirit of errour and falshood and corruption and therefore because we have no Unction from the first Adam no spirit that heales us and softens us and chears us we have no spirit that doth annoynt us but rather besmear us and daub us with base lusts therefore if we have any Spirit of Grace it is needfull that we should receive it from the second Adam 2 We receive it from the Father because by Christ we are made Sons and therefore have need of the spirit of Sons Gal. 4.4 5 6. all of us like Christ his eldest Son Gods Spirit is the mark whereby he owns us it is the earnest penny that we have Rom. 8.14 that we might be comforted therefore called the comforter John 16.13 the earnest penny and first fruits of eternal glory an earnest penny is part of the payment of the same nature with the whole this Spirit is part of the payment which we shall then receive in abundance now in a small measure we have now little love and faith c. but he will make perfect love perfect knowledge perfect strength 3 That Christ should give it is from his death whereby he purchased it Gal. 3.13 14. and by his Ascension he shed abroad his Spirit in our hearts as when Elias was ascending into Heaven he spread abroad his Mantle upon Elisha whereby he was cloathed with a double Spirit so when Christ ascended into Heaven he spread abroad his Mantle as it were his Spirit which every Christian taking is cloathed with the Spirit of Christ with the Spirit of gladnesse and holinesse Vse 1. Shews the wonderfull love of God even to the least and meanest of his Servants that not only gives us his Son to be our Redeemer but his Spirit to be our Sanctifier so large is God in his bounty no wonder then if he give us health and peace and friends and means and maintenance for he that gives us his Son and his Spirit will he deny us lesser things so that this is not only an expression of his love but an argument of our faith and consolation he that gives us his Son and his Spirit will give us all things Luke 12.32 Fear not little flock c. and no wonder for he hath given us the earnest here Vse 2. To teach Gods Children not to be proud of any Spiritual gift that God gives us 1 Cor. 4.7 if all we have we have received what have we to boast And let us not insult over others for they may receive the Spirit of Unction as well as we as Paul did though he were a persecutor so much lesse should we despise weaker Christians than our selves what if they have received but a little measure of faith and love and patience c. why that little is so much that it seals them up to eternall happinesse they have received so much that they are invested with the garment of Christ therefore let there be no striving or contention or contempt among Brethren seeing all have received this Unction Vse 3. Have you received the Spirit then so walk in him rooted and established in him Col. 2.6 7. why have you received it but that you may pray and preach and buy and sell in this Spirit therefore let every one so walk that he may expresse that he hath received the Spirit of God Gal. 5.25 as yee have received the Spirit so walk in him put forth the life of the Spirit in every employment not your own spirit but shew forth the grace of him which hath called you out of darknesse into his marvellous light Doct. 2. The Spirit which the Children of God have received of him dwells in them for ever John 14.16 17. it is an in-dwelling and abiding Spirit 1 Cor. 3.6 6.29 Ephes 2.20 21 22. the Spirit of God builds a Tabernacle in you and dwels in you Reas 1. Now the Spirit is said to abide in us because having knit us to Jesus Christ we are become of his flesh and bone now it were both a dishonour and unseemly for Christ to have any livelesse dead member therefore that God might make us serviceable unto him he continues his Spirit to us that may inliven us 2 God that gives us this earnest penny would have it continue with us till the payment be compleat 3 The same reason that moves God to give us his Spirit moves him to continue it to us we have as much need to be like God in our whole course as at first and have as much need of assurance of Glory Phil. 1.6 the same God that begins the work will also continue it to us Vse 1. A ground of trial of our estates if we have no spirit
whose consciences are tormented what course to take for comfort 1 Look at Gods good providence to thee in trying thee and proving thee that he may do thee good in the latter end 2 As you have cause to take all in good part so learn to seek him carefully Again take heed of sin and be doing what good you may strive to be more fruitful in good services to God and offices of love to your brethren and certainly this unfeigned love will lead to peace Vse 5. Hence see the estrangement of wicked men from the wayes of peace Rom. 3.17 The way of peace they have not known 1 They cannot think that torment and fear should be the way of peace if they see a man in this case 2 They would put off such fears with 〈◊〉 company but if they see such a man seeking God earnestly praying and hearing the World carefully they cannot think this is the way of peace will you blesse God and dye when he is ready to swallow you up The way of peace they have not known salvation is far from them Psal 118.155 Vers 18. There is no fear in love c. We come to the fourth thing the exemption of perfect love from all fear Doct. 4. An heart possest with the love of God is dispossest of feare of evill from God He speaks of the fear of death and judgment so much love as is in our hearts so much freedome and boldnesse against the day of judgement a loving heart feares not wrath nor jugement nor hell Psal 23.4 When once I look at God as my Shepheard and love him and follow him Why then though I walke through the vale of the shadow of death I will feare none evill though I walk in neer danger of death for if the shadow follow me the body is not farre off yet I will fear no evill Psal 49 4 5. David makes open proclamation to all men to hear and hearken there is the solemnity of the audience the matter is It 's a parable and dark mystery and yet a word of wisdome and understanding Why what is this parable that all the world should take notice of Why this is it Wherefore should I be afraid when the iniquity of my heels do compasse me about that is the iniquity of my foot-steps the tripping of my steps or the iniquity of my heels that is the fears and dangers that follow him at the heels yet wherefore should I feare An heart possest with the love of God is dispossest of fear of evill from God Psal 3.6 I will not be afraid of ten thousand of people that shall compasse me about Why what makes him so confident Because the Lord is my shield and lifter up of my head vers 3. So that we see that a Christian possest of the love of God stands not in the feare of judgement or hell nay more not of his sinfull failings Psal 49.5 Reas 1. From the nature of fear and the 〈◊〉 oval of it fear is a troblesome affection in the expectation o◠〈◊〉 evill Now 〈◊〉 the removal of feare two things must be done 1 There must 〈◊〉 evill towards him 2 He must 〈…〉 this Now to him that feareth God no evill is towards such a one Psal 〈…〉 There shall no evill befal thee Now to whom is this promise made 〈…〉 Because he hath set his love upon me therefore I will deliver him I will set him on high far above all dangers and evils indeed sicknesses may befall him and 〈…〉 and imprisonments but what ever befals under the nature of evill that shall not come nigh him As no evill is towards him 〈◊〉 â—e must know this that no evill shall befal him Now a Christian that loves God he knows that no evill shall befal him Psal 56.3.9 What time I am afraid I will trust on thee When I cry unto thee thou shalt cause mine enemies to 〈◊〉 their backs this I know for God is for me So that a Christian not onely finds security from danger but knowledge of it too Nay further the childe of God is so farre from fearing any evill to come nigh him that he knows all those things that are counted evill shall turn to his advantage Rom. 8 28. So Phil â— 1â— where he tels you what wrong false Apostles did him on purpose to adde afflictions to his bonds Well saith he I know this shall turn to my salvation through your prayers upon a double ground he comforts himself against all their malignities 1 He knows the more they afflict him the more will the Church pray for him 2 That the more he is tempted the more will God supply by his Spirit Quest How do they know that no evill shall befal them Answ 1. From the love of God shed abroad in their hearts Rom. 5.1 to 6. 2 From the presence of God for him in his worst times And if God be for him who can be against him Rom. 8.31 3 From the interest he hath in the blood of Christ which hath cleansed him from all his sins so that he doth know that God will follow him as a deliverer from his sins so that the soule though burthened with many sins yet fears not Psal 44.5 4 From a knowledge he hath of all the promises as belonging to him which are a stay and support to his soul Psal 56.3 4 10 11. Psal 84.11 he knows God will be a Sun and a shield to him 5 From the knowledge that he hath from the integrity of his conscience which is as a brazen wall against all evils 2 Cor. 1.12 For our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience 6 The prayers both of his own soule and other Christians are for him so that through them he is confident no evill shall befal him Psal 56.9 Phil. 1.19 7 He is imboldned against dangers from the supportance of Gods Spirit in his worst times Phil. 1.19 Psal 5. So Psal 46. God is a present help in the time of trouble when trouble is near at hand yet God is nearer as it was sometimes with Elisha he saw the Mountain full of Chariots and Horse-men 2 King 6.17 Though there were not such a multitude constantly about him yet when an Army of the enemies come an Army of Angels come as soon It hath been an ancient opinion that every true Christian hath a particular Angel to deliver him why this is certain when dangers come there never want Angels without nor Gods Spirit within nor the prayers of his servants for us and therefore we have no cause to fear Vse 1. This is a notable ground upon which that heavenly truth is built of the perseverance of Saints and a bulwark against Apostasie if a loving heart be without fear of the day of judgement he is without fear of falling away Obj. True as long as he keeps perfect to his love but may he not fall off from his love and so from his good estate Answ The Apostle â—ith there is no
in the Scripture that bears such strong witnesse to Christ Zech. 4.6 It s not by might or power but by my Spirit that any building of grace is built Answ There is in the Scripture 1. A Spirit of power 2. Of Perfection First Of power Luke 24.49 and it s that power that fell on them on the day of Pentecost which our Saviour intimated to them expresly John 20.21 22. so that their words remit sins and ease the conscience and bind it 1 Cor. 14.24 25. 2 Cor. 13.3 4 5. Now then the Spirit breathing in the Apostles though their outward man was base and weak yet their words were mighty and powerfull and even as Christ was most full of power when he was most debased There is a threefold power in the Scripture 1. There is a mighty power therein to convince men of their sinfull estate and of their need of Christ John 16 8 9. 2. A power to comfort the hearts of Gods servants in sence of his favour Rom. 8.15 hence the Spirit is called the Comforter John 14.15 and when the soule findes this successe it witnesseth that no writings are like them to cast down to hell and lift up to heaven again 3. There is a Spirit of power in the Scripture to cleanse us from all defilements to purifie our hearts to overcome the world to strengthen us against all temptations and discouragements This Spirit breathing in us letâ— us see that Christ came fully furnished for our redemption I can doe all things through Christ that strengthneth me Phil. 4.13 by the power of Christ I can learn to stand even in every condition of life and to walk in his fear Ezek. 36.25 26. Secondly In the Scripture there is a Spirit of perfection whereby the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished to every good work 2 Tim. 3.16 17. There is no calling but a man may finde abundant directions for it in the Scripture the Heathen Moralists have written concerning our carriages towards men but little towards God so the laws of men a man may fulfill them all and yet live an hypocrite and die a reprobate which shews their imperfection and therefore mens laws are often changed and altered if therefore a man find such a word as that when he understands it he finds sufficient directions to lead him in all his wayes and bring him to Heaven this shews the divine perfection of the Scripture that what once it delivers that is absolutely perfect and this Spirit bears witnesse to it 1. The Spirit bears witnesse to Christ as it breaths in our hearts for though the Spirit should breath never so strongly yet if we have not the evidence of it in our hearts we shall not know the truth of such a thing Now the Spirit breathing in our consciences is a Spirit of peace and purity both springing from Christ the Spirit of peace perswades our consciences of the vertue and power of Christs bloud had it not been for Christs bloud we should never have had peace but have been like Cain living in Nod in continuall agitation but Christs bloud speaks peace 2. As he came by bloud so he came by water and this is witnessed by the Spirit of Sanctification and there is in this Spirit a threefold work sutable to this water 1. A Spirit of refreshing as water refresheth the dry and thirsty soule Isa 44.3 so doth the water of the Spirit allay the heat and scorch of Gods wrath 2. As springing water washes and cleanses along as it goes so doth the Spirit of God wash us with clean water Ezek. 36.25 unlesse it be troubled with some obstructions which yet it will overgrow and run clear 3. As water hath a power to make trees fructifie about it Psal 1.3 so the water of life gives a Christian such supplying strength unto his heart that it makes him strong and fruitfull that whatsoever God or man requires he in some good measure is inabled to perform it so that a Christian soule by this Spirit breathing in him can plainly discern that Christ came by water and bloud Vse 1. May be a just refutation of Popery that places the ground-work of our faith upon the testimony of the Church ask them how they will be saved they will say by Christ ask them how came you to believe in Christ By the testimony of the Scripture But how know you the truth of the Scripture by the testimony of the Church say they But may not the Church erre Did the whole Church so dangerously erre as all to consent to the crucifying of Christ and may not they as well erre in putting on us false Scripture Are not all men subject to errours and therefore a Christian dares not build his faith upon humane testimony for their testimony can give but humane credulity but a Christian tels them be therefore believes the Scripture because the Spirit of God breaths in them by a Spirit of power and perfection and withall Gods Spirit breaths in him such peace as he knows Christ came by bloud and such purity as he knows Christ came by water Object Thus you will piâ— the Scripture upon your own private spirit Answ This is not our private spirit but the same spirit that breaths in the Scripture which witnesseth to our conscience the truth Vse 2. To teach Christians never to rest in any Scripture they read or Ministers they hear before they have examined things by the testimony of the Spirit it 's not the saying of all men that can assure you of this but it 's the Spirit of God in the Scripture and in your hearts that must testifie that Christ came by water and bloud if you doe not discern this Spirit in you all your faith is but humane credulity noâ— divine faith Vse 3. For tryal of our faith whether it be the faith of Gods elect or no. Dost thou believe that Jesus is the Son of God Yes thou wilt say But what witnesse hast thou to believe it Is it from the Scripture or because thou hast been taught so and so takest it up as a Principle Why this is no divine faith But dost thou find a Spirit within thee which convinceth thy conscience purifies thy heart Why this divine witnesse testifies that Jesus Christ came by water and bloud Vse 4. Of consolation in the testimony of the Spirit whereas the world 〈◊〉 â—est you â— is but a delusion and a fancy he not deceived This spirit 〈◊〉 truth and such a Spirit as witnesseth that true faith only trust not thy private spirit which agâ—ees not with the Spirit breathing in the Scripture and therefore both are to be joyned together the Spirit breathing in the Scripture and the Spirit breathing in our hearts 1 JOHN 5.6 the latter part Because the Spirit is truth THe Spirit which beareth witnesse to Christ is amplified by the effect witnesse bearing and by 〈◊〉 junct of truth which is the cause of his bearing witnesse he brâ—â—s witnesse
is the Son of God Gal. 2.19 20. Let Christians observe when we walk in the strength of our own spirits and graces we shall grow so dry and barren that not one good fruit comes from us and this is because we suck from our owne graces and so spend on the stock and so soon draw our selves dry for want of living by faith in the Son of God but a Christian that hath the water of Sanctification let him doe all in the Name of Christ and suck life from him daily and he shall be sufficiently inabled to every duty that God requires we never found this water till we believed on Christ and this water no longer runs fresh and full then we renew our dayly dependence on him and if we did so dayly we should alwayes find it full Sea in our hearts 3 Bloud is a third witnesse on earth and that is the bloud of his sufferings that doth bear witnesse to our souls that Jesus is the Son of God And it bears witnesse to us 1. by pacifying our conscience Heb. 12.24 There is a louder cry in the bloud of Christ to pacifie our souls then in the guilt of sin to bring wrath upon us and this is so lively a testimony that a Christian knows were it not for the bloud of Christ all the things in the world would not have quieted his conscience 2 The bloud of Christ purchaseth us to become his Acts 20.28 Now when we can find our selves the purchased ones of God the peculiar people of God this bloud of purchase witnesseth that it was the Son of God that redeemed us from the world and our own corrupt hearts 3 The same bloud doth therefore bear witnesse that Jesus is the Son of God because it 's a bloud of purity sprinkled upon every Ordinance and creature every thing was purified by bloud Heb. 9.19 to 23. this bloud of Christ on every thing makes it pure To the pure all things are pure so that to such a one his calling and company his meat and drink doe not insnare him as they doe other men set further off from God but by this bloud it is and the blessing of God that we are made more fruitful and serviceable to God yea were it not for the bloud of Christ our very graces would corrupt us it 's the bloud of Christ that makes them all usefull and savory and turn to our good Doct. These three witnesses the Spirit the Water and the bloud are in one Not only in this witnesse but they are all one for one work in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is they all consent to one truth And 2. they all goe an end and conspire in one work of our Redemption so that one would be of small use without the other Vse 1. To establish our hearts in this testimony that Jesus is the Son of God and so to believe it that we may overcome the world In the mouth of two or three witnesses every truth shall stand how much more when three in heaven and three on earth testifie the truth and it 's not enough to believe this upon the authority of the State or thy Parents or upon the universal consent of all men for this is no part of divine testimony and this beliefe will never help thee to overcome the world and yet this is the testimony of the Church of Rome but these humane testimonies will beget but humane credulity Vse 2. For tryall whether you believe this truth aright or no if your faith be built upon the testimony of the Father the Word and the Spirit upon the testimony of the Spirit breathing in the Scripture and in your own conscience upon the water of Sanctification and bloud of Redemption if your faith be built on these principles it will stand Vse 3. Reproves that Popish doctrine that maintains a Christian can never attain to any certain assurance Why if a Christian have six such strong witnesses and divine as these will they not breed more then probable conjecture Six be â—est mens testimonies would breed more then probability And doe not God the Father Son and holy Ghost breed assurance in their testimonies It 's a dishonourable thing to think otherwise Vse 4. Of consolation to every one that hath found this witnesse in him it is a ground of singular comfort to them that that Jesus on whom they have believed will help them to overcome the world Vse 5. Since these three the Spirit the water and bloud doe bear witnesse to the Sonship of Christ it should teach us to keep our hearts and ears always open to these testimonies Two things hinder this testimony the noyse and tumults of worldly businesses so fill our hearts and hands that we cannot hear what the Spirit speaks Secondly the noyse of our lusts doth so fill our souls that we cannot listen to the peace Christs bloud speaks which speaks better things then our lusts therefore we should alwayes keep our hearts and ears open and free from tumults of the world or the noyse of our own lusts that so we might hear what Gods Spirit testifies to our own hearts 1 JOHN 5.9 10. If we receive the witnesse of men the witnesse of God is greater for this is the witnesse of God which he hath testified of his Son c. HAving spoken in the former verse of the manner of Christs coming and of the witnesse born to it three in Heaven and three on earth in these verses he excites us to receive the testimony of those witnesses by four arguments 1 A minori If we receive the witnesse of men how much the more ought we to receive the witnesse of God 2 From the divinity of this testimony whatsoever any of these fix witnesses speak their testimony is not from the earth but from God verse 9. 3 From the nearnesse of this testimony in the heart and conscience of every believer and therefore the rather to be credited because it is an inward testimony that we feel in our own hearts 4 From the dangerous condition that such fall into that doe not believe this truth they do no lesse then make God a lyaâ— for all these bear witnesse from God and therefore if we believe them not we make God a lyar Doct. The three witnesses in heaven and the three witnesses on earth are all of them divine and inward testimonies in the hearts of believers and therefore far more to be credited then the witnesse of all men in the world 1 That the Father Son and Spirit are divine witnesses is no question for they are the three Persons in the Trinity and yet are but one God Deut. 6 4. Therefore their testimony must needs be divine But the question is How doe these hear witnesse in our hearts to this truth he that believeth hath all these witnesses in himselfe 1 The Father as he is the Fountain of the God head so his work is a work of Almighty power and that is
it which speaks in the heart of every believer John 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which sent me draw him as none come to Christ except the Father draw him so he draws none but by the same power whereby he sent Christ and that was by his Soveraign authority if God should draw us onely by the cords of men we should break through all as the Israelites did Hos 11.4 But when God shakes our hearts by an Almighty power and lets us see the danger of our estate and after enlightens us to see the wayes of salvation then he draws a man on to Christ take a naturall man all the world cannot perswade him of his dangerous estate but he is perswaded of his good nature and good heart towards God Secondly If he be convinced of it all the world cannot perswade him that any promise belongs to him and therefore here God must put forth an Almighty power of a Spirit of adoption whereby he is brought on to believe the promises before he had onely an humane credulity now he believes it from a testimony within himselfe John 6.45 2 The Son of God bears witnesse in our hearts of this truth by speaking freedome and liberty to our souls from the guilt of sin John 8.36 If the Son shall make you free then shall you be free indeed that whereas before we were bound to our sins and lusts and wayes Christ comes and sets us free from all so that now we serve not our selves or men but the Lord Christ by this a Christian knows that surely Christ is the Son of God that hath made me a son of God my selfe 3 The Spirit bears witnesse to our hearts of this truth by convincing our hearts of it John 16.9 Secondly By working a Spirit of faith and a spirit of joy in believing John 14.16 17. Hence he is called the Comforter Thirdly By giving us a spirit to make us overcome the temptations of the world and the lusts of our own hearts 2 Tim. 1.7 1 John 4.4 and this testimony is divine 1 Because it is the revelation and will of God himselfe 2 Because it is above all humane power thus to draw us and convince us and strengthen and comfort us against all temptations For the three witnesses on earth they likewise bear witnesse to this truth in our hearts 1 The Spirit that is the Spirit breathing in the Word hath such a mighty power to enlighten and quicken and strengthen a soul that whatsoever the Spirit speaks in the Scripture the same it witnesseth in our souls 1 Cor. 14.24 25. 2 Water bears witnesse in our hearts to this truth that is the water of Sanctification doth so cleanse and cool and refresh the conscience of a man and make him so fruitful in his Christian course that it 's plainly a divine testimony it passeth all the power of the creature thus to pacifie and quiet the conscience it is only the Spirit of God that is able thus to pacifie a guilty soul thus to cleanse an impure heart and to make these dry barren stocks as we are fruitful this is a divine work of Gods Spirit 3 The bloud of Christ witnesseth this truth to our hearts by being sprinkled on our consciences and so speaking peace to us this is a divine work 2 The same bloud purifies every Ordinance and creature there would be no vertue in any Ordinance nothing would doe us good but for the bloud of Christ sanctifying it to our use now this testimony is of greater force then the testimony of all the sons of men together There be three things needful in a testimony 1 That it be certain 2 Evident 3 Powerfull and Effectuall 1 This divine testimony is more certain then all the testimonies of the world because God is greater in knowledge and so knows more then men can 2 Because he is greater in truth men may erre but God cannot lye Tit. 1.2 3. Rom. 4.2 2 This testimony is more evident to make a thing evident is required 1 Objectum perspicuum 2 Organum bene affectum 3 Medium apte dispositum Now God doth make this truth evident by the concurrence of all these 1 He lets us plainly see the danger of sin and the vertue and worth of Christs bloud God reveals his Son to our hearts John 3.12 Gal. 1.46 so what the Gospel speaks of his Son the same is plainly revealed and so he makes the object perspicuous 2 He opens the eyes of men to discern it to long after it to tast of his vertue and power Acts 26.18 1 Pet. 2.3 1 Cor. 2.14 15. A natural man sees nothing of this work 3 He clears the Medium that is the Word and Sacraments Prayer Christian Communion so that whereas before we lookt at them but as beggerly rudiments of little power or worth after God hath once enlightned us we see the power and vertue of God therein so plainly as if we had been touched by the Sun beams 3 This divine testimony is far more powerfull then any humane testimony Heb. 4.12 13. 2 Cor. 10.4 5. The Ordinances of God are mighty and effectual through God so to change and renew our hearts that no humane power is able to reach them Vse 1. To refute two doctrines of the Romish Church 1 That the last ground-work of faith is resolved on the testimony of the Church Ask them if they believe Jesus to be the Son of God they say yes ask them why Because the Scripture say so ask rhem But why doe you believe the Scripture From the testimony of the Church say they so that their best faith is but humane credulity But ask a true Protestant why he believes Jesus to be the Son of God he tels you because the Scripture say so ask him why he believes the Scripture he saith not because the Church believes so but he believes it from a testimony within himselfe What say they you trust a private spirit of your own nay his private spirit is common with him to all believers ever since the world was and that spirit is no other then the Spirit of God that breatheth in all his children Besides he hath other witnesses in his heart the Spirit the water and the bloud and this is a divine testimony greater then the witnesse of all the world so that here is a double errour of theirs 1 In grounding their faith upon the Churches testimony 2 In blaspheming the Spirit of God for a private spirit Fundamental errours That Doctrine that lifts the Church from Christ and builds it on the testimony of the Fathers and the Schools that doctrine overthrows the foundation for other foundation can no man lay then what is laid already even Jesus Christ 2 It refutes another uncomfortable doctrine of the Romish Church that teach that a man cannot by divine faith have assurance of his estate in grace and salvation for say they all divine faith is generall thus he that repents
question is a sacrilegious violation of his Testament 6 That he might keep in us everlasting nourishment to feed on in our hearts John 6.56 So that his blood may be his wine to chear us that by the comfort of his blood and mediation applyed to our souls we might have wherewith to sustain our selves in the worst times This is meat indeed and drink indeed no nourishment our souls can feed on but this our souls cannot feed on pleasures and profits spirits must feed upon spiritual things Those are beggerly naked souls that have nothing but lands and riches to feed on the souls food is holy spirituall things and if the ordinances yeeld you any good or comfort whence comes this but only from the blood of Christ that hath besprinkled all these ordinances and made them effectuall Heb. 9.19 It 's the blood of sprinkling that makes every ordinance effectuall to us 7 He came by blood to us that so he might open a way to us into the most holy place Vse 1. Teacheth us that a poor Christian that believes in Christ may thereby overcome the world because he believes on such a one as came both by water and blood by the water of sanctification to purifie and cleanse us and by the blood of his redemption whereby he hath procured for us pardon and happinesse therefore whosoever believes on Christ is so sprinkled with the blood of Christ that he is redeemed from the world to become the servant of God he hath all the promises of God which make him overcome all the promises of the world and encourageth him against all difficulties and so assureth him of heavenly glory so that he looks at the world as a thing little to be regarded Vse 2. To stir up all those that desire to get victory over the world to labour to get faith in Christ Jesus who is so abundantly furnished with helps and means for our redemption fit to sanctifie us by the water of sanctification fit to sprinkle us with the blood of redemption whereas if we do not believe on Christ we shall be continually slaves to the world Hence it is that worldlings take such content and comfort in the things of this life and are so discouraged at the losse of them a plain signe they want faith to overcome the world Vse 3. Of tryall what portion we have in Christ Why what feedest thou on If thou hast a part in Christ thou hast a Spirit of God within thee to comfort thee thou findest the ordinances sprinkled with the bloud of Christ to feed on thou canst say to the flattering world I have better meat and better comforts to feed on then the world can yeeld Psal 4.6 It 's poor nourishment for spirits to feed on the husks of this world but a Christian findes the blood of Christ the only food of his soul and the world to be his Servant and not his Master But if we have no higher matters to feed on then the profits and contents of the world the Spirit of God and grace we relish not why then truly Christians we are not 4 If thou wouldst use the priviledges which come by Christ why this is the way Believe on the Lord Jesus and then he is come for thee by water and blood Distrust therefore thy owne righteousnesse rest upon Christ live in such places where Christ is dispensed in his ordinances that so being brought on to believe thou mayst finde Christ to thy salvation 5 Of consolation to such as renounce the world and esteem Christ to be better worth then all the world why thy hope is not frustrate thou believest on such a one as came by water and blood so that though thou be unclean and thy works defiled yet he came by water to purge and cleanse thee Exod. 28.37 38. And what though thy heart be full of many sinful lusts yet thou trustest on one that can by blood make attonement for thee to procure his Spirit and when thou dyest to give thee an open entrance into the most holy place 1 JOHN 5.6 This is he that came by water and bloud even Jesus Christ not by water onely but by water and bloud and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse because the Spirit is truth IN these verses as we heard Christ is set out 1. By the manner of his coming he came by water and bloud 2. By the witnesse born to him which are First in generall the Spirit v. 6. Secondly more particularly the witnesses are distinguished into two parts three in heaven and three on earth v. 7 8. It is the Spirit that beareth witnesse here Christs coming is confirmed by the witnesse of the Spirit and that Spirit amplyfied by the certainty that Spirit is truth By the Spirit is meant the Spirit of God breathing in the Word and in the conscience of Gods people both are here included For 1. the Spirit breathing in the Scripture is one of the chiefest testimonies that is born to Christ John 5.39 and therefore this witnesse may not be omitted 2. By the Spirit is meant the Spirit as it breaths in the consciences of Gods people for though the Spirit be strong in the Scripture yet how shall I be ascertained of that truth of the Scripture but by the consent of the same Spirit in my heart It s the Spirit in our hearts that witnesseth to the truth in the Scripture John 3.33 and therefore it s called a Seal 2 Cor. 1.20 All the promises in Christ are yea and amen how appears that by the Spirit breathing in our hearts Quest What is that the Spirit witnesseth Some understand it thus The Spirit bears witnesse that the Spirit is truth if there were no other testimony of the Spirit but the Spirit it selfe it would shew it selfe as the Sun shews its selfe But first the Apostle hath not occasion to speak of the witnesse it bears to its own truth but the scope of his speech is to speak of the witnesse that is born to this truth that Jesus Christ came by water and bloud and therefore the witnesse here spoken of is of the Sonship of Christ and of his powerfull coming and to this the Spirit bears witnesse and that Spirit is truth Doct. The Spirit of God breathing in the Scripture and in the conscience of Gods people bears witnesse to our souls that Jesus Christ came to save us by the water of Sanctification and the bloud of Redemption The Spirit breathing in the Scripture John 5.39 It s not the saying of the Prophets nor Apostles that bears such authentick testimony we look at the testimony of them as of Isaiah and Paul Christ speaks of them I receive not the testimony of men John 1.33 Therefore some that have read them have lookd at them as fables 1 Cor. 2.6 7. What is it then that captivates the world to the beliefe of this testimony but the testimony of the Spirit breathing in them What is that Spirit that breaths