our best we yet finde not our labours answered with that successe and comfort for the present as we doe desire and expect yet may not this challenge the worke of the Spirit as if it were not effectuall in enabling vs to wel-doing and crowning the same Though we pray with conscience and are not heard in what we prayed for Though we heare and little profit by it because our hearts are not melted our affections inflamed with loue and zeale at all times we rather finde contrarily corruption increased hardnesse of heart discerned c. Though we desire to repent and labour to abase our hearts before our God yet wee cannot doe it with teares we cannot forsake such euils as we are grieued for and hate vnfainedly All these notwithstanding I say we may not therfore conclude that the Spirit hath not assisted vs or approues not of our labours Because still the Spirit is a free worker Both free to affoord vs what measure of grace it pleaseth in doing these things which though it be farre from perfection yet it is such as for the present is fittest both that God may still haue the Glorie and we may be cast vpon his power for the enabling of vs in our weakenesse and also cast meerely vpon his free-grace for the acceptance and crowning thereof And therefore if now we aske and are not answered in our particular desires for the present yet if we are supplied with what may be better for vs namely with Patience to wait on our God with Faith to rest on God though we feele no present answer for our comfort with more zeale to continue in Prayer with more watchfulnesse and earnestnesse therein Is not this the free worke of the Spirit which granteth vs what best pleaseth the same as to gaine glory vnto God in letting vs hereby see our failings and enabling vs to bring forth more fruit so thereby to lead vs a long by the Power of God farre beyond our abilitie to perfection If now the Lord dealeth more abundantly with vs then wee could thinke or desire Is not the wisedome and free mercy of our God admirable herein Are not his waies though past finding out yet free and faithfull to perfect his worke in vs Thus though we heare and finde not comfort and ioy therein but rather are more abased in the sense of our Corruption herein also appeareth the libertie of the Spirit who is not tied to recompense vs at all if we consider our deserts much lesse to answer vs in one particular as if it had no other way to worke But if in sted of yeelding vs ioy and comfort in hearing it affoord vs that which may best further our reckoning vnto the day of Christ by discouering daily corruption yet more and more and preuenting those Spirituall euils of Pride Vaine-glory Securitie c. which may be occasioned by what we desire which might rob God of his Glorie and our selues of the comfort of present wel-doing and so of power to encrease As these are the workes of the Spirit to discouer corruption to preuent these euils so are they fitter for vs in this state of our Imperfection to encrease humilitie May we not reape comfort in this that wee can still renounce our selues and be abased in our owne eies And doth not the Lord now in a wonderfull manner not only answer our generall end which is to goe forward to perfection but therein also supplies vs euen with that particular which we did desire though not for the present yet in due season though not after the same manner which we expected it yet by such a manner as may still iustifie the free working of the spirit and so thereby confirme vnto vs the faithfulnesse of our God who will perfect the worke which he hath begun in vs that he may haue the glory of all his mercies And so though we cannot mourne for our sinnes with such plentie of teares yet if by the worke of the Spirit this is discerned of vs and we are more humbled for the same though not expressed outwardly yet inwardly with groaning and bleedings of the heart doth not this euidence the free worke of the Spirit in suppressing our Repentance in that manner asâ— best pleaseth himselfe and yet in such a manner as happily though it crosse our particular desire of expressing our sorrow by teares which may sauour of the flesh and tend to the satisfaction thereof as being subiect to vaine-glorie hypocrisie c. yet it furthers our maine desire to approue the sinceritie of our hearts vnto God to be vile still in our owne eyes that God only may haue the glory to interesse thereby in the Power of God that thereby we may be lead along to perfection And therefore though we cannot forsake what particular sinnes wee are grieued for and heartily detest yet doth not this challenge the worke of the Spirit as if it were ineffectuall altogether but rather euidenceth the libertie of the Spirit who worketh in vs according to his good pleasure though not what we desire in particular yet what wee ought to desire principally namely the casting away of such maine euils as hang fast vpon vs and most hinder our growth in grace and the furnishing vs with the most necessarie graces which may further our perfection And therefore howsoeuer though we heartily desire and endeuour to be rid of some infirmities which doe daily encomber vs and seeme to abase vs daily in our owne eyes and yet cannot attaine the same yet is the worke of the Spirit hereby more free and glorious both increasing hereby our desires and hatred thereof and also accepting the same as sufficient for the present And withall vsing in it singular wisedome the Remaindure of such corruptions as soueraigne Antidots to purge out and preuent the encrease of more dangerous euils of Spirituall Pride Vaine-glory Securitie 2 Cor. 12.8 9. and such like and so by the purging out of these roots of bitternesse gratiously weakens the power of such infirmities as we carrie about vs and prouokes vs to a greater watchfulnesse ouer them and to a more earnest desire to put off this body of sinne that we may be wholly rid of them Rom. 7.24 that so God may be all in all And withall Recompencing gratiously the remainder of corruption in vs with such necessarie graces of sinceritie humilitie patience and the like that so hereby we may be better enabled to subdue them and so grow vp to perfect holinesse in the feare of God that God may haue the only glorie of all his goodnesse Thus doth our wise God bring light out of darkenesse raising out of the remaindure of Corruption more sight and hatred thereof more detâ—rall of our selues more repose in God more affiance and resting in Christ more patience to beare afflictionâ— more charitie and compassion to â—akers more alienation from the World more humilitie and abasing in our owne eies more hungring after perfection and more
cheerefulnesse in all occasions Yet Rom. 15.13 14 Liuing by faith euen when we haue no feeling of comfort as drowning all sense of present comfort in regard of our earnest longing after euerlasting ioyes and apprehension therof And so 15 Can be abased of confidence in our greatest aboundance that we may abound with hope in our greatest abasings Rom. 15.13 16 Labouring stil to haue our conuersation in heauen by shining light in a crooked generation To conclude the point of the measure of grace And As there are diuers circumstances which doe require a greater measure of grace so may wee also discerne and further a greater measure hereof by our wise imployment therein 1 The first whereof is our callings which as they are of more vse either for ourseluas or others so doe they require a greater measure of grace though all exact a publicke truth thereof As the callings both of Magistrate and Ministrie is regard of their preheminence and more vse require greater gifts and greater measure of the spirit in improuing of them So that if wee find our gifts sutable Note and improued according to these callings we may conclude a greater measure of grace And seeing 2 Also the diuersitie of seasons may put vs to a greater triall and exercise of our callings As the time of prosperitie especially trieth and exerciseth our humilitie and diligence therein because we haue then best oportunitie and meanes to puffe vs vp And the time of aduersitie calls vpon to suffering for our callings and giuing account thereof and so tryeth the same and therefore both requireth our greater courage and patience therein If now then wee find our selues suited with gifts according to these diuers seasons and especially find the improuement of such gifts as serue particularly for the redeeming thereof this is an vndoubted euidence of a greater measure of Grace 3 Seeing as wee grow in Age so wee grow in Grace and yet to our seuerâ—ll Ages in grace there are appropriated diuers and seuerall gifts for the better discerning and managing of the occasions thereof As to Nouices in grace and younglings spirituall heat and vigour vsually appertaineth to experienced and old souldiours therein Wâ—sedome and Patience If now then wee find our seuerall Ages in grace expressing these seuerall gifts and so proceeding from the one to the other that the gifts concerning our old age in Christ though they doe not extinguish the other pertayning to our youth yet they doe temper and qualifie the same and so haue the predominancie ouer them This is also an apparant euidence of a greater Measure of Grace 4 Lastly seeing God requires accordingly as he giues therefore if our improuement of Grace answere the Meanes it is a plaine euidence of a greater Measure of Growth By these things wee may discerne the Measure of Grace how farre wee may and ought to labour in this life how wee may attaine what is competent for this life And so hereby wee may make triall whether wee grow in Grace and hasten to perfection If wee haue attayned to such conscience in the duties of the first Table as that wee cannot onely preferre the performance thereof aboue any duties of the second vnlesse it bee in such cases of necessitie and charitie whereby wee preserue the bond of Loue which is the fulfilling of the Law though wee exchange some particular duties of the first Table in such cases with some duties of the second as the occasion requires But also wee can so preserue the holy Order which that Table requireth as to doe all things out of a sound knowledge of our God and heartie affiance in him ayming therein at his glory aboue all and so therein at our owne and others saluation 1. Com. And that after the prescript manner hee hath enioyned in his Word 2. Com. And that with an holy purpose and intention of the heart to sanctifie his Blessed Name 3. Com. And especially in those fit seasons which hee hath commanded and so can make conscience especially of the Sabaoth as being the Day wherein wee may trie and encrease our spirituall strength And yet so that wee neglect not to keepe euery day a spirituall Sabaoth vnto the Lord by constant performing of Priuate and Familie Duties to build vp our selues and others in knowledge and grace And In all these not so much to bee comforted in what wee haue done well as to bee humbled both for what wee haue omitted which wee should haue done as also for that euill which hath accompanied our best actions that so still wee may bee cast vpon the righteousnesse of Christ and giue our God the Glorie of all his goodnesse These are Good Euidences that we haue thriuen in grace by examining our selues in generall from the scope and duties of the first Table More particularly wee may make triall of our growing in grace by examining our selues seuerally by each particular Branch of that Table and so by the Duties therein required of vs. As by the first Commandement 1 That wee so loue our God as that our liues are not deare vnto vs in regard of his Glorie no not our Soules in comparison of aduancing his great Name Act. 20. Matth. 5. Rom. 9. and for his sake can loue our enemies 2 That wee can so feare God as to doe all things in his presence To feare to displease him because wee loue him not to feare men in comparison of him to endure any afflictions with ioy and patience Rom. 5.4 and so can trust in him though hee kill vs Iob. 13.15 3 Can so reioyce in him as that wee can reioyce in all other things for his sake and for his sake also can be humbled and abased in all other things lest they should hinder our sweet fellowship with him and steale away our hearts from him And so can abound in thanksgiuings and prayses vnto our God giuing thankes to him for all and in all things euen in our greatest crosses yea reioycing in this especially that wee can grieue for sinne not onely our owne but the sinnes of others 4 And so can be more feruent in Prayer and Supplication with Teares and Gronings of the Spirit for the Generall as well as our Particular good 5 Labouring in all things sincerely and in vprightnesse of heart Thus of the first Commandement For the second Commandement 1 That wee are more spirituall in all holy duties labouring more for the preparation of the heart then the outward action and yet doing all things out of knowledge and conscience in obedience to Gods will and not for mans sake 2 That wee bee constant and zealous in Gods matters doing all things with courage and wisedome redeeming the time from vnnecessarie Pleasurâ—s yea lawfull Recreations to imploy it in the best things 3 That wee can auoid all will-worship and lippe-labour all formalitie and temporising all vaine-glory and spirituall pride in Gods matters keeping our selues close to the Rule of the Word and hating all apparances
the bodies corruption which we cannot be rid of in this life then by any perfect conquest ouer any particular euill which we desire to be rid of To conclude this point If we shall but consider why the worke of Grace is called a Mysterie Matth. 13. Ephes 3.7 8 1 Tim. 3.16 not only because it was hidden to the former Ages in regard of the Reuelation of the foundation thereof Iesus Christ Rom. 16.27 not then exhibited in the flesh and in respect of the manner of the Reuelation to our fore-fathers euen by types and shadowes that so they might more earnestly desire the substance it selfe and might by them be led thereunto But especially In that euen now to vs that enioy the substance It is also a mysteris 1. Cor. 2.7 both in that it is hidden to those whom the God of this World hath blinded 2. Cor. 4. And also euen to whom it is reuealed yet vnto them also it is still a mysterie as not being able to discerne the hight and bredth Ephes 3.17 18. and depth and length thereof howsoeuer they may apprehend so much as for the present shall suffice These things I say if we well consider wee may hereby discerne and iudge of the manner of our growth that still it is in a mysterie As not to be discerned by the worke but by the effect thereof and yet no otherwise by the effect but that still it leaues occasion of further doubting and so of further search Our wise God reseruing hereby vnto himselfe the only glorie of leading forward the Worke by still abasing vs of all confidence therein and so sending vs daily to the fountaine of this Mysterie God manifested in the flesh that so in him wee may grow vp to perfection The summe is This Mysterie can better be discerned by the Spirit that searcheth all things and so reuealeth it vnto our spirits as that somethings are reserued to it vnsearchable wisedome that cannot be expressed or fadomed by any vnderstanding of mortall man And therefore if I speake this wisedome of God in a mysterie 1. Cor. 2.7 As I acknowledge I can do it no otherwise so I do confesse my selfe herein but a grower in Grace that haue not yet attained in vnderstanding what I am short of in practice and so therein doe interesse my selfe in the power of Christ in whom we must daily grow vp together vnto perfection Only this is my comfort that as in reuealing what I know I doe therein interesse my selfe in the promise that to him that hath shall be giuen as I must needes confesse to the glorie of my God that much light hath herein beene supplied in digging this Treasure and wading further therein so also for the comfort of others that may light their candle hence they may know that if they Plow with my Hayser and make vse of this sparke their light shall be hereby much increased and experience more confirmed to discerne the manner of their spirituall growth and so to attaine to a greater measure thereof Somewhat I confesse my selfe to feele heerein which I cannot expresse and what I expresse if it be still in a mysterie Remember we that great is the mysterie of Godlinesse And labour we in prayer to our gracious God that he may daily more and more reueale his secrets to them that feare him and that out of our more mature and comfortable experience thereof in our selues we may be better able to communicate the same vnto others or at the least may comfort our selues that we haue that new Name which no man knows but he which hath it blessing our gracious Father that hath reuealed that vnto vs which he hath hidden from the wise and mightie of the world Matthew 11.24 And labouring daily to encrease in knowledge and conscience of obedience so farre as we know that we may discerne yet further into the Mysterie of Christ and so thereby of our growing in grace Who so is wise let him vnderstand these things and to whom the arme of the Lord shall reueale them for the waies of God are plaine and equal and the Iust shall walke therein but the wicked shall stumble at and fall in the same And thus of the manner of our Spirituall growth And hereof we may make these Generall and Particular vses 1. Generall 1. Vses Generall That seeing all these Mysteries discouering the manner of our spirituall growth doe plainly euidence that it cannot be discerned by sense no not by any present degree or manner thereof so that wee may rest precisely in any particular therein Doth not this teach vs to liue by faith in the discerning and iudging of these Mysteries or our selues by them And is not the mercie of God wonderfull herein that amidst so many vncertainties in leading forward the worke if sense may be the Iudge wee haue now a sure rule to guide our selues throughly both in the vse of the meanes whereby this growth is led forward as also in our triall of prefiting by them howsoeuer if we iudge by sense we may be challenged as non proficients not only not to haue gone forward but euen to decay in grace And may we not heere behold the singular vertue and power of Christ in thus leading forward his worke euen beyond and contrarie to meanes that so we may giue him the glorie of his free mercie in crowning his owne worke so wonderfully in vs Is not hereby iust matter daily offred vnto vs to the abasing of ourselues in our best knowledge of Gods fauour or our owne standing therin seeing we do but at the best heare but the sound thereof and are many times so to seeke that we know not whence it commeth nor whither it goeth Is not the mercy of God admirable herein still to preuent vs of resting in any measure we haue attained still to prouoke vs to deny our best righteousnesse that wee may be found in Christ still to hunger after the fulnesse in heauen and all this euen by faith in the Sonne of God Whereby as wee discerne the insufficiencie of our best righteousnesse as apprehending by faith the perfection of Christs obedience and so still renounce our selues and lay further hold vpon the merit of Christ So it is faith alone that prouokes a Spirituall appetite to hunger after the eternall perfection by enabling to see beyond things present into the things to come 2. Corinth 4.18 Yea by faith we are enabled to see within the vayle where-into Christ the fore-runner is entred for vs that so we also may be drawne vp to him and be for euer with him Behold the life of a Christian Gal. 2.20 euen to liue by faith in the Sonne of God behold the Progresse in this spirituall life we walke by faith 2. Cor. 5.7 and not by sense obserue the perfection and approching vnto glory wee still sight the good fight of faith 1. Tim. 6.12 and lay hold of eternall life so sure
our further enabling this is a gracious euidence of the Measure of our Growth 2 Seeing the Grace of God is free and so constant as to perfect the worke hee hath begun in vs and therefore wee shall certainely in due time attaine perfection therefore if in all our endeuours and proceeding wee still relye on Gods free grace both for the acceptance of our persons that wee may bee enabled to well doing as also for the vndertaking and prosecuting of the worke meerely held of his free grace specially in the issue thereof submit wholy thereto and comfort our selues in the acceptance of our persons aboue all worth of our well doing and in the truth of Gods promises beyond al present performance of the same liuing still by faith in Iesus Christ and seeing a farre off by faith into the glory which shal be reuealed shall endeauour still to cast away euery thing that presseth downe and shake off the speciall sinne that hangeth so fast on vs that so wee may runne with ioy the race that is set before vs. This is a sure euidence of our spirituall growth hereby wee shall approue and improue dayly the measure thereof Lastly seeing whatsoeuer wee are or shall be is of Gods free bountie and superaboundant grace therefore if in whatsoeuer we are or doe we ascribe all to the meere goodnesse of God doing all our workes for vs and crowning all our workes in vs enabling vs to doe aboue what wee can desire or thinke and accepting what wee doe aboue any abilitie or worth in and of our selues Hereby wee may truely euidence the measure of our spirituall growth the more wee can depend vpon the absolute goodnesse of God and so may gratiously improue and further our hastning on to perfection A fourth rule hereunto is That As there are diuers measures of glory so there are also diuers measures of grace sutable thereunto And yet each shall haue sufficient to make vp his particular measure and this according to the free grace of God who giueth to each as it pleaseth him And this according to his vnspeakeable Wisedome to reserue the glory of his mercie intirely vnto himselfe yet so as that 1 In the diuersitie of measure each shall haue sufficient to the end they are ordained 2 Each shall hereby be more seruiceable to each other for the present common good and future maine End euen the glorie of God 3 And so each shall hereby prouoke other more effectually in their seuerall measure to their maine End the glorie of God and their owne saluation Out of which Ground arise these most comfortable Conclusions 1 That seeing the wise Lord dispenseth seuerally according to his pleasure therefore wee must bee contented with what hee hath disposed and yet not neglect the meanes whereby wee may both confirme what wee haue and also encrease it in our seuerall occasions 2 That seeing in this Diuersitie yet each shall haue sufficient therefore wee may neyther enuie the greater measure of others nor bee deiected in our owne lesse but rather with thankfulnesse blesse our God that it is more then wee deserue and in all chearefulnesse and diligence improue the same finding this as an euidence of the truth of the Measure and our good husbandry therein that we so rest in the same as still to hasten forward to the Price that is set before vs and measure our selues and others as wee follow Christ and endeuour to be partakers of his fulnesse that God may bee be all in all in vs. And hereunto serues a fift Rule That the Spirit worketh freely as in the manner so especially in the measure thereof That is Whereas the worke of Grace is the onely worke of Gods Power and Goodnesse and that onely for his glory therefore seeing nothing in vs can further or hinder him therein it must needs follow that as by his Spirit hee begins the worke in vs freely when and how hee pleaseth so also doth hee most freely lead forward the same both by what meanes manner seemes best to his diuine wisedome yea then doth most expresse this admirable libertie when by reason of greater oppositions without and tentations within his glory may bee the more preserued or impeached And this fals out in the greater measure of our Groweth Because now we shall be subiect to more inward buffettings of spirituall Pride vaine glory Hypocrisie or the like to hinder our true iudgement thereof or the further thriuing therein And now we shal be more priuie to the deceitfullnesse of our hearts and power of corruption which without his speciall grace may distract and confound vs in the same Yea we shall want greater oppositions from without by slaunders persecutions and to discourage and deiect therein And therefore herein the liberty of the spirit doth appeare more wisely and gloriously either suspending some opperations thereof which might cause those spirituall ends or leauing vs to some outward euils to purge out those that are inward and yet sustaining vs wonderfully with secret euidences to controule the deceitfulnes of the heart and satisfie vs gratiously against the chalenges thereof and to comfort vs also in the greatest sence of inward corruption Yea mightily arming vs with inward power to ouercome all outward oppositions and recompensing the same gloriously with more inward vnspeakable and glorious ioy And yet in all these working most freely both concerning the time and measure and meanes as pleaseth him That he may haue the only glory of all his workes and flesh may bee confounded in all confidence therein Of which more Particularly in the Cases hereafter From whence arise these most comfortable Rules for the Triall of the measure of our Growth and proceeding therein As first that seeing the Spirit worketh freely euen from the Beginning to the end of the worke therefore we must discerne the Measure of our Growth by the Free working of the Spirit both affording what measure of ability it pleaseth him in weldoing as also giuing such successe thereto as may still euidence it absolute libertie and reserue the glorie intirely vnto God that so wee may neyther bee puffed vp with good successe to hinder further proceeding nor confounded in the contrary to challenge the truth of the worke 2 That in our greatest measure wee still depend vpon the libertie of the Spirit affording comfort therein and abilitie to improue the same aright and so still to goe forward and also wisely tempering our best endeuours with many interruptions and disappointments that so the flesh may be abased and all carnall glory confounded But of this before in the opening of that Resemblance A sixt Rule hereto is That the Power of God is seene in our weakenesse and his glorie perfited in our infirmities That is Seeing our estate in Grace is imperfect at the best by reason of inward Corruption still accompanying the same and also of outward Tentations hindering thereof and all this that God onely may haue the glorie of all his
prepare them to Christ though others of another spirit eyther hardned in sinne or puffed vp with conceit of naturall and ciuill righteousnesse had need of more battering and abasing to make them yeeld to God And therefore the Law must haue his place in all though not in the same measure of working For as it falls out among diseased ones all that seeke to the Physician are not in a like measure distressed some onely haue some grudgings of sicknesse and yet for feare of further extremitie seeke helpe to preuent it others are fallen into some sits before they seeke helpe others are dangerously sicke before they vse the meanes So is it with Christians in their conuersion some haue onely some grudgings and yet in wisdome runne to Christ to preuent extremities others againe are forced to flye vnto him vpon sense of some pangs though not in extremitie Whereas some are put euen to the plunge of life with the extremities of despaire before they seeke vnto him So that all are not alike distressed and yet all seeke to the true meanes of comfort and so are relieued according to their seuerall necessities and occasions And thus of the third Case As for the other Cases of the insensible worke of the Spirit whereby it may seeme that wee grow not because wee discerne it not and such like these haue been sufficiently answered before Another maine Case there is concerning the supposition of falling into the sinne against the Holy Ghost which the Saints are often troubled withall This wee shall by Gods grace satisfie elsewhere in our next Endeuours concerning the cure of a wounded spirit There remaineth yet one speciall case to be resolued Namely That whereas some of the Saints haue walked so constantly with God as that they haue beene not onely freed from such grosse euils as others haue fallen into but also shined most gloriously in an holy and constant course of obedience to the great glory of God and good example of others seeing euery one should shine to glorifie God in most powerfull and constant obedience and the chiefe causes of the fayling of others in both these proceed from themselues by grieuing the spirit and so suspending some operations thereof What course therefore is to bee taken to preuent these fearefull falls and to keepe a constant gate of the Spirit to preserue vs from falling in a faire and constant practise of vniuersall obedience For resolution hereof know wee That as the maine courses of our broken and interrupted courses proceed from our selues so the only ground of our standing is from our gracious God who hath supplyed vs with such meanes for preseruation and constant obedience that if wee be not wanting to our selues wee may and shall certainely continue a most sweet and comfortable course of holinesse Consider wee therefore first that the way to keepe vs in a constant course of obedience and so of continuall feeling of the comforts of the spirit is First a constant attending vpon the meanes both publikely as 1. The powerfull Word preached 2. The receiuing of the Sacraments often with due preparation 3. Often exhorting and stirring vp each other to holy duties 4. Specially conscionable keeping of the Sabbath and so 5. Walking in our euill callings with all faithfulnesse and diligâ—nce and yet with contentment and retired affections weaning our soules from the loue of these earthly things by the experience of such distractions and want of satisfaction therein Thus for the Publike For Priuate Courses First for Resolution 1. Resolue wee in all things to cleaue fast vnto the Word to doe all things according to the spirituall sense and scope thereof not to attempt any thing besides or contrarie thereunto 2. Seeing the Word commandeth perfect holinesse and in Christ enableth thereunto and yet corruption remayning dayly hinders therein therefore secondly resolue wee that though wee are not nor cannot be perfect in this life yet wee must labour thereto in the vse of all meanes constantly not thinking that wee haue alreadie attained much lesse that wee may bee too holy but still labouring to goe on to perfection and dayly conuincing our imperfect righteousnesse that still wee may denye our selues in the acknowledgement of our imperfections and labour to bee accepted in the righteousnesse of Christ and dayly grow vp in him to perfâ—ction 3. Seeing by the power of Christ enabling vs we shall certainly attaine to the full and perfect measure therefore resolue wee still to follow men as they follow Christ not to sticke in the beginnings of Christ no not in any measure attained but still to follow hard after the marke for the price of our high calling in Iesus Christ Thus for Resolution Now for Endeuour and Practise let our care be dayly for constant endeuour in these things First in awaking with and to the Lord in thankefulnesse for nightly occasions and meditation thereof affecting the heart with the goodnesse of God and rowsing vp the same with renewing the Couenant 2. In seasonable renewing our Repâ—ntance for what hath passed formerly especially our bosome sinne which will now plead for continuance watching against the occasions thereof and arming our selues with Faith and resolution against the same 3. In a serious watching ouer our thoughts and first motions to euil to preuent delight therein so practise thereof 4. In feruent Prayer to God for acceptance of our persons and pardon of our sinnes and so for strength to walke before him in all constant obedience 5. In a sober attempting of our callings with feare and yet diligence and simplicitie as therein seruing God and not men 6. In a wise vse of our libertie both in diet and recreations carrying our selues therein with spirituall affections and ayming at spirituall ends 7. Entertaining in all occasions such sweete motions of the spirit which may draw vs apart to our God and humble vs in our estranging from him may put vs to the search of our estates and send vs dayly to approue our hearts vnto God and draw neerer vnto him in truth boldnes 8. Labouring still to cleere the euidences of our saluation by quickening our faith in the promises renue our experience of former comforts and stirring vp any present experiment that either in our selues or others hath happened for the present to confirme faith or humble for sinne or warne against future stormes 9. Wisely entertaining all occurrents which may put vs either vppon the admiration of Gods wonderfull power and wisedome in turning things about to his glory by confounding the policies of men and securing his Church by them or else may binde vs to more thankefulnesse and confidence in our God by our particular preseruations from many euils which others haue fallen into or supply of such secret comfort which the world cannot be partaker of 10. Not neglecting to store vp such particular sound assurances as are offered in Prayer hearing the Word Meditation Conference c. 11. And mourning seriously for the want of
hastening thereto Thus doth the spirit leade forward the manner of our growth to iustifie the freedome and so the wisedome and faithfulnesse thereof And this shall further appeare vnto vs by the second propertie of the Winde that though we heare the sound thereof yet we know not whence it comes nor whither it goeth which as it euidenceth still the free worke of the Spirit so it also discouereth gratiously the manner of our growth thereby As first In that we may heare the sound thereof though wee cannot discerne the substance of the same so is it with the Spirit we may take notice of it working both by it enabling of vs in well-doing and also by the effect thereof quieting our hearts therein by the testimonie of our conscience and scaling vp the approbation thereof by the fruit thereof assurance of our saluation and ioy in the spirit from the same yet least we should imagine the Spirit tied only to this effect or that wee deserue the same out of the worth of our well-doing and so incroach vpon the worthinesse of our head therefore we shall but heare not see fully for that remaines for another life some notice we shall haue of the truth of it working though we cannot fully discerne the Mysterie thereof And we shall but heare the sound thereof some such feeling thereof we shall haue as may assure vs that the grace of God is not in vaine though we may want of such euidences which may euince the perfection of Grace as are most fit for this state of growing our faith shall be mingled with some doubting our graces with some mixture of Corruption that as we may discerne the truth thereof so we may also discerne the imperfection of the same that so we may daily hasten to perfection by daily denying of our selues and labouring to be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse And therefore Howsoeuer we haue not the perfect sight and feeling of our growing in Grace neither enioy sensible comfort in the same at all times alike yet is this so farre from challenging the truth of Gods grace in vs as that rather it doth euidence vndoubtedly the power thereof seeing in regard of the combate betweene the flesh and the Spirit there must necessarily fall out such differences of the working of the Spirit and also of our apprehension therof Wheras if it were alwaies in one key and temper it is a plaine argument that there is no such combate and so no true conuersion Only here let it suffice vs that our God knowes what is best for vs and will worke as it pleaseth him that his grace may still be free And if euer we had any true feeling of the worke It is an euidence that we shall haue it againe or else that which shall be better for vs knowing that here we liue by Faith and not by sight 2. Cor. 5.7 and that the power of God must be perfected in our weakenesse 2. Cor. 12.8 Remembring now what is added in the third place as a liuely euidence of the working of the Spirit that we know not whence it came nor whether it goes Therein giuing vs to vnderstand that though we shall know so much of the working of the Spirit as shall be sufficient for the present yet is it still a free worker we may be to seeke if we will walke by sense of any worke that is past as if that all our former measure were but in hypocrisie and wee may be to seeke of what shall follow after if we tie God to any particular way subiect to our apprehension and do not see a farre off by faith resting vpon the promises of our God aboue our worthinesse yea aboue our capacitie thereof because we must still grow in knowledge and so grow in grace yea though we doe liue by faith both in discerning whereunto we are come and whither we may goe in generall yet seeing we know but in part 1. Cor. 13.9 and so at the best so farre can beleeue as that still we must desire the Lord to helpe our vnbeleefe Math. 8. therefore neither can wee discerne all the particular waies of God whereby he hath led vs hitherto neither shall we be able to follow God in all his waies whereby he wonderfully bringeth light out of darknesse and by his secret power sustains enables vs in our growth aboue all that we can thinke or desire that he may haue the only glorie of all his mercies Ephes 3.20.21 Thus doth this Metaphor of the winde euidence the manner of our growing in grace that euen aboue our apprehension yea contrarie to sense and ordinarie courses as the ship many times sailes by side and contrarie windes toward the Port and is faine sometimes to forgoe her Burthen yea her Anchor to that so she may escape the storme and ride safely to the hauen so are we led along in this worke of Grace To this end consider we further that our New birth and growth in grace is coÌ„pared to a combate expressing therein as the manner of it growth which is by a continuall bickering and contâ—ntion betweene the Spirit and the Flesh so thereby also giuing vs some direction how to discerne the manner thereof euen by a continuall fight and wrastling within vs whence arise these conclusions That as the spirit preuailes two waies either by strengthening vs to ouercome the present tentation or else by leauing vs to the particular tentation for the present thereby either to arme vs better against the same hereafter that so wee may after a foyle attaine a more glorious victorie or though it leaue vs to be foyled by the particular tentation yet it doth by that foyle preuent and ouercome that which might be more dangerous Therefore 1. that we then grow in grace when we make aduantage of our foiles to preuent after falling or are recompenced in our foiles with more humilitie and Repentance to be prepared to further trials 2. That whatsoeuer dutie we performe if there be not both a strugling before hand by the flesh to hinder the act thereof and a combate after by the spirit to purge the same of hypocrisie formalitie c. we haue little comfort either of the truth thereof or of our growth therein 3. That the discerning of the manner of our growth is rather by the issue and successe of the combate then by the present wrastling Because for the present through violence of tentation and heat of affections striuing there against our Faith being now exercised is so intentiue in the encounter that it hath enough to doe to keepe it owne therein and therefore no maruell if as it need not so it cannot discerne for the present sensible growth therein 4. Seeing our greatest valour in this life is rather to discerne more deeply our corruption and to be humbled for the same therefore we shall best discerne the manner of our growth rather by a more liuely sense and hatred of