by the heat and light of the Sun The working of the Spirit is like to the heat and influence of the Sun which reacheth all things but the witness of the Spirit is like the light of the San which shines not on all places at once the work and influence of the Spirit reacheth all Saints but the witness of the Spirit doth not shine upon all Saints at once nor upon all in the same degree Yea I am apt to believe that assurance is a very great rarity and not so much enjoyed as talked of or pretended to I have read of one Island of which it is said that the Sun shines on it more or less every day of the year it may be there are some such Island-Saints but I am inclinable to think there are not many of them because as I have somewhere hinted before in the Treatise of Babes the greater part of Gods Children have not I fear yet attained to be little Children to know and have assurance of the Fathers Love 'T is true the Fathers have but how few are they and that the conquering young men have but how few are they yea that the little Children have but how few are they There was but one John among the many Disciples However this is clear that they who are of this Classis be they few or many have attained to assurance and it may be said of them as Psal 89.15 16 17. Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound they shall walk O Lord in the light of thy countenance in thy name which is gracious Exod. 34.6 named upon them shall they rejoyce all the day and in thy righteousness the Lord our righteousness i. e. Christ Jer. 23.6 shall they be exalted for thou art the glory of their strength and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted And now this gives me occasion to consider 1 What this witness is 2. How it may be discerned from illusions of Satan or the pretensions and presumptions of our own hearts SECT 2. Shewing what this witness is in three things it is clear sure and powerful THis witness of the Spirit by which we know the Father as ours and that we are the Children of God is 1. Clear and perspicuous 't is no dark cloudy discovery of a thing but bright and illustrious this brings evidence and demonstration with it Like him who at first saw men walking as Trees but at the second touch saw all things clearly Mark 8.23 25. This is not like the Oracles of the Heathen a Trumpet which gives an uncertain and dubious sound nor like that of our own hearts which though â—t often excuse yet it often accuseth and leaves us doubtful which to take for truth no this watness is not perplexed nor tells either false or feigned dark or dubious stories He that runs may read it 't is written in so fair and legible in such Text-hand and Capital and Golden Letters 'T is that we may know 1 Cor. 2.12 Vt ecrto noscamus non fluctuante conjectura 't is not a conjecture a perhaps or it may be but as clear as the Sun in its Meridian brightness and strength This witness doth not leave the soul under disputings and fluctuations it takes off all Scepticisme the thing is past dispute 'T is not like the Spirit of the world which is ambiguous as the Oracles newly mentioned that may be interpreted pro and con for or against like Aio te Aeacida Romanos vincere posse but like the Oracles of God of a clear and certain and of an ascertaining and assuring sound For 2. As 't is clear 't is a sure Testimony 't is true and faithful and infallible what the Spirit of God saith is as true as that God is and that God is true This witness can be no otherwise for 1. The Spirit which beareth testimony is the Spirit of truth and therefore a Spirit of consolation the Comforter He cannot lie he cannot deceive 't is not only against his name but his nature which is contained in his name The Spirit of truth in opposition to the Devil the deceiving spirit and father of lyes No lye is of the truth nor of the Spirit of truth this Spirit guides into all truth and nothing but the truth he never bears witness to Hypocrites or Formalists but only to new born ones that they are the Children of God 2. As the Spirit of truth cannot deceive so he cannot be deceived for he knows the deep things of God and men what is in Gods heart to us 1 Cor. 2.10 11. and what is in our hearts towards God Rom. 8.26 27. 'T is a vanity as well or ill as Villany to lie to the Holy Ghost Acts 5.3 for he cannot be deceived nor will be mocked no nor can he be mistaken for he knows the deep things of God and of man though a mans heart be a great deep also This witness of God is true and sure if we receve the witness of men the witness of God is greater 'T was Pauls great comfort that God was his witness Rom. 1.9 1 Thes 2.4 5. he would not satisfie himself with this that he knew nothing by himself but as he was approved of God so he expected his Justification 1 Cor. 4.3 5. 2 Cor. 10.17 18. This witness is clear true and sure And therefore 3. 'T is a powerful witness for it satisfies and settles the Spirit of a man in a quiet serene peaceable and assured frame the soul is carried by it above bondage and fear 2 Tim. 1.7 't is like an oath that puts an end to strife and Controversie Heb. 6.16 and so affords strong Consolation Vers 18. The soul injoys God and it self in Halcyon-daies and in an undisturbed calm of assurance the soul retires into rest because the Lord hath dealt bountifully with it and it is upheld by his free and freeing Spirit which hath set it at liberty and fiâ—led it with Glory 2 Cor. 3.17 18. And yet further to shew the influence and power of this witness by which the Children know their Father I shall discover several other effects thereof which though I might refer to another part of this discourse viz. either that which is to shew the injoyments or that which is to shew the frames of these Children yet I shall chuse to place some of it here in a few particulars SECT 3. Shewing what the effects of this witness are and the influences they have upon the Soul and Spirit of the Children 1. THE Soul that hath received this witness is filled with a great deal of joy of which though I speak yet 't is joy unspeakable and full of glory yea though the person be in the midst of afflictions temptations and sufferings yet the Spirit of God and of glory rests upon it and dwells there 1 Thes 1.4 5 6. 1 Pet. 1.6 7 8. and Chap. 4.14 't is so great that there is want in the words that are and want of more
Word Preacht is the most usual we should wait and watch at the door of hope Prov. 8.34 and 't is a great obligation upon all Christians to discourse and walk holily and to suffer patiently as Christ did seeing God may make use of their graces to make others gracious to convince and convert men that they shall glorifie God and say God is in them of a truth 1 Cor. 14.24 25. 't is a great mercy and blessing to be instrumental to the conversion of others Dan. 12.3 Jam. 5 19 20. 3. As the occasions and means so the manner of working is various and different some he draws others he drives in Promises prevail with some and threatnings with others Bâ—anerges works on this and Barnabas on that Terrours affect some most but Love others One is broken another is melted Sâ—me he keeps long under the pangs of the new-birth and they have hard labour of it others have a more quick delivery Some pay but a little fine but a great deal of rent annually and others pay a greater fine and less rent Many such things are with him these are but some of his wares who can tell all the waies that God takes with man to turn back his soul from the pit Some he leads on by degrees others start up on a sudden and are men almost as soon as they are born as Paul was He frowns and smiles speaks thunders or a still voice dismal or joyful sounds as pleaseth him the Spirit bloweth where and how it listeth sometime the blustering North at other times a benigne South wind blows sometime there falls much rain other times but a little dew but all shall prosper It cost Paul and the Jaylor dear for the time but 't was soon over as to Matthew and others 't was but follow me and they follow immediately 4. As the means and manner so the time of conversion is various There are no certain set times as not before or after such a year but God calleth at any hour of the day at it seemeth him good some sooner and some later as he did labourers into the Vineyard Matth. 20.1 7. some are called when young others when old the Thief was called at the last gasp as 't were 't was one that none might despair and but one that none might presume 5. Conversion is more felt by some than others and the conversion of some is more visible and signal than that of other men some can tell the time and manner as well as means of their conversion but others cannot do so Zacheus Saul and the Jaylor c. could tell the whole story with all circumstances but Timothy in likelihood could not do so having been good as I may say time out of mind from the very Cradle Some know the day of conception the moment of quickening and can give account of the Babes stirring in their Womb from time to time when others take it for granted or hope it upon some general apprehensions only that they are with Child Now persons may be considered either as not having heard the Gospel as the Gentiles at first or as having been notorious sinners as Saul and the Jaylor c. and these can better tell the time and manner of their conversion but others that have lived under the Gospel many years or have had the advantage of better education and more civil lives cannot give so exact account of the change in them though it may be as true in these as the other yet 't is not so visible and discernable A little Sugar will sweeten Wine when a great deal must go to sweeten Vinegar and therefore usually well bred and good dispositioned persons are more doubtful of their conversion than others that have had so great a change made as to become clean contrary to themselves But 6. Though conversion be a mysterie and wrought thus variously yet still 't is a conversion and therefore is more or less knowable 't is a being translated from darkness to light from death to life from the power of Satan unto God c. and this cannot be done without making some considerable alteration in the persons and working such good in the very best as was not there before and though the time of conversion may not be known yet that the person is converted may be known There are some things which the most refined nature if not renewed cannot do some things which are proper to all convers and only to such as to be new creatures new-born things which nature cannot ape grace is an element above nature and nature at the highest cannot rise so high as grace at the lowest 't is not shew and appearance but reality that makes the difference Brass though gilded over is no Gold nature though reformed is not grace a Dog may vomit a Sow may be washed but they retain the nature still but grace makes a new man a new nature The Question then is by what Criteria or characters it may be known that a person is new-born I shall not Answer only by their eating of Milk of which before but I shall lay down some things which are found in all true converts and such as which the best nature with all the advantages of education never reacht unto nor can attain to which the lowest as well as the highest Christian may set their seal that have known the grace of God in truth As 1. They desire heartily and sincerely not only that God may be their God but that they may be his people and wish as heartily that they may have a child-like love to him as that he may have a Fatherly love to them They are as willing to be his to serve him as that he should be theirs to save them They take Christ Jesus not as a Physitian to make use of him in a case of necessity but as a Husband to love and live with him and not only as a Saviour but as a Prince to rule and a Prophet to teach them They implicitely take whole Christ in all his offices and not divided And who but a new-born Soul doth The natural man especially if assisted by the common principles and grace of the Gospel desires to be happy and in relation thereunto may wish God to be his God by way of priviledge but then he fails as to the other part of being equally desirous to be Gods by way of duty which every Saint doth do in its measure yea though they have not yet attained the witness and seal of the Spirit that they are the Children of God The least Saint feels the work though it if I may so speak have not yet heard the voice of the Spirit bearing witness thereunto and is thereby in a sure state though it have not the assurance of it for 't is beyond nature at highest with all its attainments to desire and endeavour to serve God as well as to be saved by him to be like him as to be lik'd of him to
words than there are to express it significantly this work cannot be worded 't is such an experience as comes not under expression All the Eluquence in the world cannot acquaint you with the sweetness of this honey so well as the taste can and doth do 'T is like the new name which no man knows but he that hath it a stranger doth not intermiddle with this joy And as none knows it but he hath hath it so he that hath it cannot make it known as he hath it 〈◊〉 single witness that of a mans own Conscience afford so much joy as the Apostle found it did 2 Cor. 1.12 what incomparable joy must that be which flows from a double witness viz. That of the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are the Children of God this is the joyful sound it 's such Musick as makes the Soul to leap and dance for joy Hos 2.14 15 16. They were Babes and under bondage in Aegypt but now they sing like the Children that had heard the joyful sound of the Silver Trumpets proclaiming love and peace in their youth they sang when God had proclaimed them his Sons and first-born and called them his Sons out of Aegypt 2. Notwithstanding this joy yet consistently enough they blush and are ingenuously ashamed in the sense of their former sinfulness which made them unworthy of such favour yea worthy to have been Children of wrath for ever The Fathers lips were no sooner off from them of the returning Prodigal but the first words he utters are Father I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy Son Luk. 15.20 21. And this confession was a great part of his gratitude and so taken by his Father for this interrupts not their feasting and rejoycing together This ingenuity is an effect of this assured reconciliation as 't is in Ezek 16.62 63. I will establish my Covenant with thee and thou shalt know that I Jehovah viz. gracious and merciful that thou maist remember thy waies Vers 61. and be ashamed c. but when this When I am pacified toward thee for or notwithstanding all that thou hast done saith the Lord. 3. By reason of this Testimony the little Children have a great deal of considence and boldness towards and with God If our hearts condemn us not we have confidence towards God 1 Joh. 3.21 but how much more when by the Spirit which he hath given us we know that he dwelleth in us and we in him Vers 24. This is the perfecting of love viz. assurance is love with us made perfect which gives us not only a boldness at the throne of Grace 1 Joh. 3.21 22. with 5.14 15. but in the day of Judgement Chap. 4.17 for there is no fear in love thus made perfect but it casteth out fear and fills with confidence and boldness familiarity and freedom 4. The little Children having received this Testimony long exceedingly to be with their Father not only to have their affections and conversations in Heaven but to be personally there Few Saints are willing to die that are but Babes and know not the Father and I fear if God should not take them to Heaven before they were willing and desirous to die I say I doubt that Heaven would be very thinly peopled as to that sort of his people But when they have got assurance that God is and Heaven shall be theirs they sing their nune demittis with the reverend good old man Simeon Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation And not only Paul 2 Cor. 1. 8. and Phil. 1.23 but all the seed that have received this Testimony Ephes 1.13 14. the first-fruits and earnest of happiness do sigh and groan and long yea and think it long till they be set free Rom. 8.23 While here they are absent from the Lord and 't is not without self-denial that they are willing to stay here but while they must be here they are hugely ambitious to be acceptable to God as 't is 2 Cor. 5.9 and to serve the Churches good as 't is Phil. 1.23 24. They are sure that though they suffer with Christ yet they shall be glorified together Rom. 8.16 17. and therefore they would as they are bid hasten his coming and Pray Come Lord Jesus come quickly And surely might they have their wishes either Christ should come to them or they would go to Christ within a very little while But yet remembring that they are not their own and that they serve not God only for their own advantage but his glory they are made willing to wait all the daies of their appointed time though it be a warfare as 't is in that Text in Job till their change come Rom. 8.23 24 25. As much as they long to be at home they would make no more hast than good-speed This much of the first thing The second follows SECT 4. Shewing how the Testimony of the Spirit may be distinguished from delusions of Satan and the presumptions of our own hearts IT may be some or other may be yet fearful and suspicious lest they should mistake and be deceived and so meet with the true miseries of false joyes 't is all one to the Devil which way any go to Hell so they go there whether through the common road and dirty high-way of prophaneness immorality and irreligion or through the Fields and pleasant walks of a Form of godliness which hath its Joys Raptures Transports and Ecstasies too for the evil spirit doth ape the good one and that he may the more facilely and undiscernably deceive he puts on the garb of an Angel of Light How therefore shall we discern whether the Testimony which we think we have be sound and good or but feigned and counterfeit I confess 't is good to watch and be circumspect because of our adversary the Devil who is seldom more our adversary than when he pretends to be our friend as he did to Eve and to Christ himself but yet they that have the Testimony of Gods Spirit are secure and safe though they that have it not cannot be so what ever presuming confidences they may entertain themselves with I shall therefore indeavour to clear this thing that none may be hardned through the deceitfulness of sin or Satan or their own hearts In relation whereunto I shall lay down three Rules to which though I purpose not to speak much yet I hope to speak much to the purpose having first premised this one thing that they cannot have the witness who have not the work of the Spirit and consequently they cannot have the witness of the Spirit who have not the witness of their own spirit or the Testimony of a good Conscience for if our hearts condemn us upon just grounds and we do not bear false witness against our selves which is the sin of many an otherwise tender-hearted Christian I say if our hearts condemn
us God is greater than our hearts but here begins our confidence towards God if our hearts condemn us not if we love not in word or tongue but in deed and in truth hereby we do in part know that we are of the truth and shall assure or as 't is in the Margent perswade our hearts before him 1 Joh. 3.18 21. And the Apostle tells us Rom. 8.16 that the Spirit â—ears witness with our spirit as also it follows 1 Joh. 3.24 we may have ours without that but not that without our own and therefore to make up the full and compleat Testimony both witnesses both Spirits must concur and agree without contradicting or thwarting one another The three that bear witness on Earth agree in one 1 Joh. 5.8 And now to the Rules for discerning the difference between the true and the pretended or presumed witness the Spirit The Rules are these three 1. The witness is known from the Rule by which it speaks 2. By the ground on which it speaks 3. By the end to and for which it speaks I say 't is known 1. By the Rule according to which it speaks To the Law and to the Testimony for if they speak not according to this Word there is no light in them Hebr. no morning in them no not so much as the dawning of the day or the eye-lids of the morning Isa 8.20 1 Joh. 4.1 6. and Epistle 2.7 10. Gal. 1.6 9. 2 Cor. 11.1 4. The Spirit of God acts and walks by the same Rule that we are to act and walk by and that 's the Word If the Word and Spirit do not agree we must question either whether the Word be of God or whether the Spirit be of God and we are at a rueful loss if they do not both agree for if the Word say one thing and the Spirit another how shall we reconcile it but Gods Word and Gods Spirit do alwaies agree and are of one and the same mind The Spirit of God did indite and dictate the holy Scriptures and therefore it cannot say one thing there and another in thine heart that were to bear witness against it self and if its Kingdom be divided how can it stand This conclusion therefore is infallibly true that when and where-ever the Spirit of God doth bear and give its Testimony 't is alwaies according to the written Word contained in the Old and New Testament this is the foundation upon which iâ— builds both us and its Testimony Epb. 2.18 22. The Spirit of God as was hinted did indite and dictate the Scripture 2 Pet. 1.20 21. 2 Tim. 3.14 17. 1 Joh. 2.20 27. which unction refers to and is according to what they had heard from the beginning Vers 24. so that they were taught the same thing by the unction within as they were by the word called unction also without In all times the Word was the Rule of tryal Our Lord Jesus Christ himself opposed and conquered the Devil by this Sword of the Spirit the Word of God He proved himself to be the Messiah more by the Scriptures than by Miracles and tells them that if the Scriptures did not testifie of him they should not believe him and therefore bids them search the Scriptures Joh. 5.39 Our Saviour confutes the errors of the Pharisees and the Sadduces by Scripture He tells us that his Spirit shall not bring us a new Doctrine but make Application of what he had taught Joh. 14.26 The Apostles commended them of Beroea that they searcht the Scriptures to see if the Apostles spake true Act. 17.10 11. And Peter prefers it to the Bath câ—l filia vocis the voice which he heard calling it in relation to the Jews a more sure Word of Prophecie 2 Pet. 1.16 19. So then upon the whole 't is clear that what is not according to the Sacred Scriptures cannot be the witness of Gods Spirit SECT 5. A Continuation 2. THE witness of the Spirit is known from any other by the grounds on which it witnesseth of which I shall name but two 1. The Spirit finds this ground-work laid that thou art new-born though but a Babe or Infant of daies and experience this alwaies precedes the witness The Spirit doth not nor can bear witness to them that are dead i. e. that live in sins Ephes 1.1 2 3. nor to them that have but a form of Godliness or are Pharisees-hypocrites that they are the Children of God It cannot witness that to be which is not 'T is when and because ye are Sons that God sends forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father and so thereupon or therewith beareth witness to and with our spirits that we are the Children of God Gal. 4.6 with Rom. 8.15 16. The work is alwaies begun before the witness come that which is not wrought cannot be witnessed to If thou therefore be not new-born thy believing thy self to be a Child of God is a delusion not the witness of the Spirit 2. The Spirit of God bears witness that a man is the Child of God not upon the ground or account of works and self-righteousness but upon the score of mercy and grace through the redemption which is by Christ Jesus It witnesseth upon the account of mercy not of merit Though there be a work wrought and working too yet the witness attributes this to and so witnesseth to it as of grace The Sons of God are and their salvation is not of works but of grace Joh. 1.12 13. Rom. 4.1 16. and 9.15 16. and 11.5 6. Jam. 1.17 18. Tit. 3.4 5. 2 Tim. 1.9 by all which it doth appear that all is of grace and on this bottom and fondation is the witness laid and born to it 'T is called sonlship by Adoption which is meerly of grace all Adoption is so and 't is to this as such that the Spirit witnesseth as Rom. 8.15 16. Gal. 4.6 It beareth witness that we are the Children of God but still that we are so by Adoption and not by nature for so we are Children of wrath Ephes 2.3 and as to works we were Children of disobedience and enemies in our minds by wicked works Col. 1.21 And as to works wrought by us after the new birth we are not the Children of God by them for they are from our being first the Children of God and that not from our worth or will but his grace and good will to this and to nothing but this and on this account doth the Spirit bear witness And this much of the second Rule viz. the ground on which it witnesseth 3. The witness of the Spirit is known by the ends it aims at and attains by affecting them when it beareth witness what they are I have declared in part before and shall shew more hereafter and therefore content my self with but hinting a few things here The design of the Spirit is the abasing of us and the exalting of the Fathers and the Sons love the Fathers grace
flesh to free from this fear Heb. 2.14 and instead of it to bring in the Spirit of Adoption 2 Tim. 1.7 Gal. 4.4 5. and so 't is spoken of Rom. 8. to bear them up against sufferings which they were under as appears by Vers 15 18. and accordingly 't is mentioned to encourage Timothy notwithstanding others Pauls or his own suffering 2 Tim. 1.7 8. And 't is observable that since the death of Christ and the pouring out of this Spirit the Saints many of them have been as desirous to die as before under the Law they were most of them afraid or loth to die Well then in the general the Gospel state is as far advanced beyond that of the Law as liberty is beyond bondage and courage beyond fear as to them that have received not simply the Adoption but the Spirit of it SECT 2. A Continuation Position 2. THE Spirit of Adoption is an addition a superaddition to Son-ship under the Law they were servantsons but now they are Son-servants they have the Spirit of Sons saith the Apostle Now ye are no more Servants but Sons viz. you that have received the Spirit of his Son Gal. 4.6 7. They are Sons as all Babes are before they have this Spirit of Sons to cry Abba Father Indeed when God is pleased to translate a Babe into an higher Form and to place him among the little Children this Spirit of Sonship or Adoption doth begin to exert it self before it have a clear and full witness thereof but ordinarily as among the state of Babes though they be Sons yet there 's little of the Spirit of Adoption but much of bondage appears in them so that the Spirit of Sons is an addition to Sonship as Gal. 4.5 they received the filiation and Adoption and after that the Spirit Vers 6. and so by degrees they came to call Abba Father So Rom. 8.14 they are called the Sons of God and upon being Sons received the Spirit of Sons or of Adoption Vers 15. they were Sons before they could call Father which they could not do but by the Spirit of Sons or of Adoption Position 3. The witness of the Spirit of God comes upon not barely the son-ship or Adoption but the Spirit of Adoption for it bears witness with our Spirits viz. them of Adoption for our natural Spirit doth not bear witness that we are the Children of God 't is our Spirit of Adoption doth that and with and thereunto doth the Spirit of God bear witness The Babes are Sons but have not the spirit of Sons and therefore have not the witness of Gods Spirit or assurance but assoon as the Spirit of Sons begins to put it self forth then usually doth the witness of the Spirit joyn it self to it Position 4. Upon the witness of the Spirit which gives assurance that they are the Children of God which was doubtful before because they had only the single witness of their own spirit and yet that left them not without hope I say then doth such a soul cry out aloud with freedom and boldness My Father my Father Abba Father it might hope this before and faintly and brokenly indeavour to liâ—p out Father before but now it opens its mouth wide and speaks My Father 'T is observable that the Spirit of Adoption whereby we â—y Abba Father is called the Spirit of his Son Gal. 4.6 such as was in Christ who did but once My God my God alwaies pray to God with the Appellation of Father and once Abba Father Mark 14.36 and all these after he had received the witness of the Spirit that be was the only and beloved Son of God Matth. 3.17 So when we have the witness we do not only think or hope that God is our Father but with confidence and assurance a Plerophorie of Faith we draw near to God and cry Abba Father which we cannot so freely do before we have the knowledge of the Father to be ours and that we are his Children So then the Spirit of Sons and the witness of the Spirit of God therewith is not the Babes or Servants but the Childs portion and their that are above their Form viz. the Young men and Fathers and henceforth they are taken from being Servants into the glorious and noble liberty of the Children and friends of God Rom. 8.19 21. Gal. 4.7 Joh. 15.9 Position 5. To have the Spirit of Adoption and the witness of the Spirit thereunto whereby we cry Abba Father is a choice and transcendent priviledge to have the Adoption barely seems I consess to be an advance beyond their Son-ship under the Law as 't is Gal. 4.5 As if they though Sons were yet Sons of another denomination and nature viz. servants or servile sons yet to have the Spirit of Adoption is more than Adoption and to have the witness of the Spirit is more than the Spirit of Adoption for from hence is our boldness to call and cry Abba Father 'T is the height of Gospel glory to converse with to enjoy and obey God as Children do a Father Though the Sons under the Law were under bondage 't was yet a state of more freedom than other Nations and people had but this is a state of liberty glorious liberty 'T is a great advance and preferment to pass from servants to friends Joh. 15.15 to pass from Babes to Children from as carnal to spiritual I and to have not only the Spirit of Christ without which we are none of his Rom. 8.9 but to have the peculiar Spirit of his Son an Emphatical distinction â— whereby as he did we do cry Abba Father which the other that are Christs and have the Spirit of Christ cannot do without this special Spirit of his Son In relation to this priviledge I shall 1. Prove that 't is a great and glorious one 2. Shew wherein the glory excellency and sweetness of it is SECT 3. Proving this to be a glorious priviledge THat to know the Father as I have spoken of it is a great attainment and glorious priviledge will be evident by these following Considerations or considerable proofs to begin with the Old Testament 'T is Prophesied of in the Old as the glory of the New Testament The Prophecies of the time and world to come the Messiah or Gospel dispensation were glorious far beyond their present injoyments and the Prophets were more Seers in respect of what was to be than of what was so the Apostle tells us expresly 1 Pet. 1.10 12. and when the day dawns and the day-star ariseth in our hearts it supersedes the Prophecis they being then know in accomplishments so that we may say with a little alteration as Joh. 4.39 42. Many believed because of the Prophecies which testified of these things but more believed because of his own word and now they may say We believe not only because of their sayings but because we have heard and selt him our selves 1 Joh. 1.1 3. and know that this is indeed the
Spirit of his Son which beareth witness with our Spirit of Adoption Now among many other Prophecies of the glorys of the Gospel-Saints this is one that they should know God as a Father and their Father Psal 89.26 which is spoken of David and of Christ who was more a David than David was He shall cry unto me Thou art my Father Isa 63.16 't is spoken what they should say in time to come Doubtless thou art our Father So Chap. 64.8 But now O Lord thou art our Father Jer. 3.19 I said How shall I put thee among the Children and I said thou shalt call me My Father Again to know God as our Father is in the New-Testament put as a greater glory than to know him as our God for 2 Cor. 6.16 't is said I will be their God and they shall be my people but if they come out from among them and be separate and touch not the unclean thing then I will receive them and will be a Father to them and they shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord God Almighty God is the God of Angels but to which of them said he at any time Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee and again I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son The Apostles add this Title to that of God 2 Cor. 11.31 Ephes 1.3 1 Pet. 1.3 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ from whence 't is apparent that 't is fuller of sweetness that God is Our Father than if he were only our God The great if not the greatest discovery which Christ promised to make by sending the Spirit to do it was to make known the Father They had heard him speak much of the Father and of knowing the Father Joh. 14.1 7. whereupon saith Philip Shew us the Father and it sufficeth us Vers 8. from whence our Saviour takes an occasion to speak more at large of the union that was between him and the Father and that in knowing him they might know the Father also and that whoever loves him shall be loved of the Father and that the Father would send the Holy Ghost to be the Comforter under which name he had not yet been at least not so clearly and fully known and that therefore they should rejoyce because he went to the Father with many other such like sweet things in that Chapter And Chap. 16.25 The time cometh viz. when the Comforter cometh that I will shew you plainly of the Father and in Vers 26 27. places more comfort in it than in his own intercession for us which yet is one of the greatest comforts we have as may be seen in Rom. 8.34 Heb. 7.25 1 Joh. 2.1 Accordingly the good news which he sent his Disciples after his Resurrection was this that he was ascending to his God and their God and not only so but to his Father and their Father Joh. 20.17 To have the witness of the Spirit and so to know the Father is such another honour as was confer'd on Christ himself as the Spirit is the Spirit of his Son so the glory is the glory of his Son viz. such as he had Matth. 3.17 and 17.5 which voice and testimony is called a receiving honour and glory from God the Father 2 Pet. 1.17 And when the like Testimony is born by the Spirit of God to our spirits we receive honour and glory from God the Father For if it be so great an honour to be known of God how much is it to know him and to know him as our Father Gal. 4.9 1 Cor. 13.11 12. Phil. 3.12 By all these things it appears that it is a great glorious and sweet priviledge to know the Father by the witness of his Spirit SECT 4. Shews wherein the glory and sweetness of this priviledge consists THE second thing I am obliged to discover and to treat of is the glory and excellency of his priviledge that the little Children can cry Abba Father And it lies much in two things 1. That they have a great deal of freedom boldness and assurance in their addresses to God and appearings before him at the Throne of Grace and in the day of Judgement That they have at the throne of Grace is express upon the account of their Intercessor and High-Priest Heb. 4.14 16. And indeed the Spirit becomes a Spirit of Prayer an Intercessor in them as it follows Rom. 8.26 27. The Spirits knowledge is more to their advantage and comfort than their ignorance is to their detriment They go to God as to a Father as Children use to do to their Fathers but with a much more assurance Matth. 7.11 as the Prayers of Christ are heard alwaies Joh. 11.41 42. and by his Prayers he can obtain and do mighty things Matth. 26.53 because they are addrest to his Father so 't is also with these that know the Father 1 Joh. 3.21 22. and 5 14 15. God alwaies had his favorites who had his ear and heart and hand to command almost for his Sons and Daughters such were Noah Daniel and Joh Moses Jâ—shuah and Samuel Abraham Jacob c. And now these little Children the Johns that lie in his besom Joh. 13.21 26. are such as they viz. great prevailers with and obtainers from the Lord as our Saviour tells them and us Joh. 14.12 13. Joh. 15.7 and 16.23.24 all which places and promises refer to what they should ask and receive and do after he was ascended and had sent the Spirit to make known the Father to them As they have great boldness at the throne of Grace so in the day of Judgement also for perfect love a Pierophorie or full assurance hath boldness in the day of Judgement because as he is so these are in this world viz. he is declared and witnessed to be the Son and these are to be the Sons of God 1 Joh. 4.17 they shall have confidence at his coming 1 Joh. 2.28 2. The advantage of knowing the Father and being able to cry Abba Father is much in this that 't is a great relief to them in the saddest times and conditions 'T was Christs standing consolation that God was his Father and so 't is theirs It 's sufficient to now the Father who is all-sufficient and whose grace shall be sufficient for them come what will or can This is great and strong consolation 1. In case we are mis-judged and mis-interpreted thus it was to Christ himself Joh. 8.15 19. and Vers 47 55. What ever you think â— say it matters not My Father witnesseth to me and my Father honoureth me c. 'T was Paul's comfort that The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and in him our Father knew that he did not lie though they were too â—pt to think that he did 2 Cor. 11.31 'T is a small thing to be mis judged in mans day when our Father will be our Judge and judge righteously 1 Pet. 2.23 2. 'T is great
as a means or cause of the victory as it refers to that it imports that notwithstanding their fight yet their bow like Josephs abode in strength and that they were not weakened by the hot and sharp dispute which they had with the Devil but in this sense I shall not handle it here though I may touch it anon As it refers to this and I suppose it most properly doth it shews us by what they were strengthened to overcome for if the Word of God had not abode with them they had not been strong enough to overcome the evil one the weapon by which the Young men overcome him is the sword of the Spirit the Word of God or that by which the Young men are made so strong as to overcome the wicked one thereby is the Word of God abiding in them As their enemies are not carnal only but spiritual Ephes 6.12 so their weapons are not at all carnal but spiritual and so mighty through God 2. Cor 10.4 5. There are two Questions to be proposed and resolved in relation hereunto 1. What is meant by the Word of God 2. What by the abiding of the Word of God in them for 't is not the Word of God in their hand but in their heart and not sojourning or lodging but dwelling there Quest 1. What is meant by the Word of God In the general by the Word of God we are to understand the Mind and Will of God reveal'd and made known in the holy Scriptures which are so often called the Oracles Speeches Word or speaking of God as held forth in the Doctrines Prophecies Promises and Precepts thereof but especially as 't is written in their hearts and imprinted there according to the New Covenant This Word of God in whole and in every part is hugely useful for inlightening comsorting and strengthening that we may overcome the wicked one 't is to make the man of God perfect 2 Tim. 3.16 17. 't is the sword of the Spirit of which we may say as David of another material one there is none like it for by it Christ himself overcame the wicked one Yet more particularly this may refer 1. To Christ himself who is the original Word of God the Father by which or whom he made the World and hath spoken to the World by Word of mouth as I may speak not by piece-meal and diverse fashions or tropes and figures as of old but clearly plainly and fully Heb. 1.1 2. Now by Christ Jesus abiding and dwelling in us are we strong Phil. 4.13 or by the grace that is in him of which he is full as before and without him we can do nothing Joh. 15.5 2. It may refer to the promises of God which are so often called by the name of Word thy Word the Word of Promise which is all one with the Word of God to this Abraham's Faith did reser and wherein he was so strong Rom. 4.20 and truly the Word of Promise being in and abiding in us doth not a little contribute to our strength and victory By these we are not only made partakers of a divine nature 2 Pet. 1.4 but obliged assisted and quickened to perfect holiness 2 Cor. 7.1 notwithstanding Temptations from without or within 3. By the Word of God may here be understood The witness of the Spirit bearing witness with their spirits that they are the Children of God This testimony abiding in them as it did in Christ doth strengthen them to overcome the evil one When they were little Children they received this Testimony and being now called to the War this Word as well as Work of God abideth in them and makes them strong to the Battel So that here is Father Son and Spirit the Word of God in each respect standing by them and abiding in them to strengthen them to deliver them out of the mouth of the Lion to keep them from every evil work and to preserve them to the heavenly Kingdom to use the Apostles experiences and expressions recorded in 2 Tim. 4.17 18. Quest 2. What is meant by the abiding of Gods Word in them I Answer That it doth not only denote the in-being of the Word in either of the respects forementioned that there is such a thing there in their heart and inner man nor barely the calling in to mind and keeping it in their memory nor its lodging and sojourning with them as an Inn-mate no nor as a friend that is to depart but it notes a settled abode or dwelling in efficacious power and influence 'T is said of Timothy's Mother and Grandmother that Faith dwelt in them 2 Tim. 1.5 And when the Apostle prays that the Ephesians may be strengthened he joyns this with it that Christ may dwell in their hearts by Faith Ephes 3.16 17. And 't is said of the happy ones who are reproached for the name of Christ that the Spirit of God and of Glory doth rest upon them 1 Pet. 4.14 And our Saviour tells his Disciples that there is no great things to be done barely by being in him unless they abide in him and he in them John 15. And the great thing in the Promise of the Holy Ghost was that he should abide with them So that the sense of this expression can signifie no less than that the Word of God doth remain in them in the fulness of assurance joy and power by which they are strengthened and inabled to overcome the wicked one and what he is I am next to discover I might here have taken occasion to shew how the Word of God abiding in them doth strengthen their Faith and make them strong as also how their strength of Faith doth contribute to their atchievements and victory but I reserve that to its proper place and at present shall proceed to explain the third thing in the Text which is said of these Young men viz. that they have overcome the evil or wicked one As to this I shall have these things to treat of viz. to shew what is meant by the evil one what the dispute between the wicked one and the Young men is about that the Young men do overcome and how they do overcome the wicked one c. Of these things I shall speak in the Model and order first proposed which brings me to the fourth Chapter CHAP. IV. Shewing what or who is meant by the wicked one THE evil or the evil one this expression especially if read in the Neuter Gender 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is meant of more evils than one yea of all evil and so it may be understood in that Prayer which our Lord taught Matth. 6.13 and that Prayer which our Lord made and Prayed Joh. 17.15 and so in Rom. 12.9 1 Joh. 5.19 but here it seems to be of the Masculine Gender 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and refers to one viz. him who is eminently and principally the evil one or the wicked one whether spoken of a man or of the Devil It is used to
Christ's School Consisting of FOUR CLASSES OF CHRISTIANS I. Babes II. Little Children III. Young Men IV. Fathers WITH Their several Characteristical differences and attainments also the Doctrines proper to be taught to each of them Being the Substance of many Sermons Preach'd many Years ago in Southwark By Ralph Venning 1 Cor. 3.1 And I Brethren could not speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal as unto Babes in Christ 1 Joh. 2.13 I write unto you Fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I write unto you Young men because ye have overcome the wicked one I write unto you Little Children because ye have known the Father London Printed for John Hancock Senior and Junior at the Sign of the three Bibles in Popes-head Ally over against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill 1675. Reader THough that which I here present thee with may look like a Novelty yet I hope it will appear to be a truth of great Antiquity for though I confess I have not met with any that have treated thus distinctly of the several Ranks and Degrees of Saints yet I cannot say but I was led to the consideration thereof by persons both Antient and Modern of great name and worth who have now and then hinted that in their writings which gave me occasion to make a more full inquiry into this thing and accordingly to Preach upon it many years ago in Southwark and I bless God not without good acceptation and success as I have not a little cause to presume As to the three first States I have spoken largely but very little of the last viz. of Fathers not willing to venture beyond my line or measure only hinting in General what may be gather'd from the Scripture Concerning them what I have said I submit to the judgement of my Elders and betters who I hope will find me moderate and modest in my Assertions and that they are consonant to the analogy of Faith and agreeable to the â—enor of Scripture both truths and expressions I shall say nothing more of it for I hope it will speak for it self only my desires to God are that it may be blest to every Reader for their either Conversion or Edification Which Prayer if God please to grant 't will be matter of thanksgiving as to them so to me also who am their Servant in and for Christ Jesus Ralph Venning This following Advertisement was intended as an Epistle to the Reader before the Author 's own was found THis Treatise as it is now published was so left by the worthy Author when he went to his rest The excellency and usefulness of it will evidence it self best in the perusal thereof It hath this preheminence beyond many of the practical Discourses that have of late passed the Press that its design is singular and not managed at lest to such an enlargement by any before it The several Degrees and Estates of Christians through which they pass up to the measure and stature of the fulness of Christ are here insisted on and with great experience according to the rule of Faith explicated with perspicuity The greatest part of the Discourse is spent upon those that make up the greatest part of true Christians viz. the weak ones or Babes wherein will be found things of a comfortable concernment and conducing very much to the establishing of them and promoting their advance to a greater degree of grace till they come to the assurance of the Love of God by the witness of the Spirit which the Children enjoy What is laid down in reference to the witness of the Spirit though some may differ in their conceptions from it yet such is the boundary and cautions here annexed to this particular by the Author against delusions that no person will have a reasonable ground to make any exceptions What is performed in the handling of the temptations which attend the Young men such as have attained to a strength of grace whereby they are made conformable to Christ who was in all things tempted as we are yet without sin will be of great encouragement to many in their present warfare As to the last Estate of Christians viz. of Fathers the Author hath discoursed very little who though those that were acquainted with him might judge him to have attained to that degree of Christianty which lies in the highest experience of the mysteries of the Gospel yet he through modesty leaves that for others to supply and make up And so you have the first remains of that good man who was serviceable to Christ in his Generation The spiritual advantage of Christians is all that is aimed at in the publication thereof and accordingly is recommended to them by the Authors very good friends James Barron John Collins Christ's School Consisting of Babes Children Young-Men and Fathers I. The INTRODUCTION Where the general design and scope of the Treatise is laid down asserted cleared and applied THat there are degrees of grace and consequently that there are Believers Christians or Saints of several sizes and degrees is granted by all but how many sorts there are and whether they are to be ranked into several and distinct classes ranks orders forms or degrees as different States seems not to be so clear to some pious and learned men which yet with submission I humbly offer and hope to evince and demonstrate by the Scriptures light which is the light of the Spirit by whom they were indited That there are Lambs and Sheep John 21.15 16 17. That there are strong and weak Rom. 15.1 That there are spiritual and Babes 1 Cor. 3.1 Or perfect and Babes as 't is Hebr. 5.13 14. The Scriptures quoted do undeniably assert and experience confirms it and why there may not be more than two sorts I can see no reason to dis-believe but there seems to me a great deal of reason for the belief of it The Apostle John naming three Fathers Young men and Children and the Apostle Paul names a fourth viz. Babes for though they be as carnal yet they are in Christ 1 Cor. 3.1 but a degree below Children as I think to make apparent in the following discourses To clear the way I shall examine this Text 1 John 2.12 13 14. Which whether it denote and assert distinct Classes or kinds of Saints is yet the question But I hope to evince that these are three distinct ranks and slates of Saints not with reference to their natural years Partitur hic in sequeatibus Christianus ia Classes tres Puerorum Adolescentum Scuun quae discrimina non secundum aetatem sed secundum gradus diverso tjus prosectus qui in Coristo est intelligi dâ—bâ—t Grot. in Loc. or the time of their standing as to conversion and profession but with reference to their proper and peculiar attainments whether elder or younger for years and standing Indeed the Scripture doth not measure them by that but by this rule or else there could
men wrought in Gold some in purple and blew some had one office and employment and some another So when he erected a spiritual * 1 Pet. 2.5 house and building his Church the Body of Christ he did and continueth to do the like but far more gloriously that as then so now every one may speak of his glory or as 't is in the Margent every whit may utter glory viz. to him to whom 't is due Psal 29.9 To this the Apostle alludes when he saith Ephes 2.21 In whom i.e. in Christ Jesus the whole building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord. So Col. 2.19 From the Head viz. Christ all the Body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God And more fully Eph. 4.16 From whom the head Christ the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the Body to the edisying of it self in Love By all which we see with what curiosity and exectness of Art may I so speak God hath ordered every part in relation to the beauty and perfection of the whole Here is Beauty Harmony Communion Edisication all met together The more pieces there are in any work drawn into an union the more admirable is that work When the Queen of Sheba saw the House that Solomon had built c. there was no more spirit in her she was rapt with admiration 1 King 10.4 5. Much more is it matter of transport to see the variety and unity of the House of God! This made the first workmanship of God so glorious that he brought together and united so many Atoms of dust into the Body of a man to frame such a curious piece out of dust was worthy of a behold and wonder And 't is no less a beauty that 's drawn by God himself but a far greater in the second Creation especially as to the whole Body-mystical 1 Cor. 12.20 made up of such different Members as Fathers Young men little Children and Babes all united to so glorious an Head as Christ is and called his fulness That in Musick so many several sounds should melt into one and in Painting so many lines and colours should conspire to make one Face is admired even by Artists but alas what 's Art to Nature and what 's Nature to Grace What Bedy was ever like to the Body of Christ so fitly framed together But In 1 Cor. 12. the Apostle gives us a more particular account of Gods design herein and tells us that there is not one unnecessary member no not the most feeble 1 Cor. 12.22 And if these have such abundant honour bestowed upon them what is the honor of the comely parts that have no need Vers 23. No need what though they need not what the other parts do yet have they no need of one another Yes surely for God hath so tempered the Body and hath so set the Members That the Eye cannot say to the Hand I have no need of thee Nor the Head to the Feet Oh stange I have no need of you Vers 21. There is as much need of the Foot as the Hand of the Ear as the Eye and of the Smelling as of Seeing and Hearing Vers 15 16 17. to make the Body complear for if there were but one sort of members it were no body Vers 19. But what 's the end of all this variety and disparity 't is Vers 25 26. that there should be no schism or division in the body but that the members should have the same care one of another as if it were for themselves Heb. 13.3 as if the case were your own for so it may be and that if one member suffer all the members may suffer with it or one member be honoured all the rest may rejoy◠with it There is such a mutual assistance resulting from this united variety that 't is far better not only for the whole but for each one than if they were every one for themselves as the world is and were to be concerned for none else Wo to him that is alone without the Society and Sympathy of others but what an hapisying communion do the Babes desires the little Childrens love the Young mens strength and the Fathers wisdom I say what an happisying communion do these make in relation to one another And that these may the better contribute to each other God embodies them as 1 Cor. 12.27 it there follows What alas should the weak do were there not some stronger to bear their infirmities Rom. 15.1 What should an overtaken one do if there were not some spiritual ones to restore him and set him in joynt again with a Ladies hand yea with a spirit of meekness Gal. 6.1 And this they are obliged to do as if they were in their stead and condition considering themselves that eitheir they have been or may be tempted and therefore should bear one anothers burden Yea I may add also what would the elder sort do with all their strength and knowledge if there were not others to be strengthned and taught by them for scire tuum nihil est nisi te scire hoe sciat alter the good of knowledge and experience is not only in being pessest of it but in communicating it the design of such mens having more grace than others is not only for their own salvation less would do that but for others edification also as gists so great degrees of grace are given 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a common good As Paul was converted not meerly to save him but that he might be an example to them that should believe hereafter 1 Tim. 1. So in his tribulations and temptations he was comforted not only for his own support but for the consolation and salvation of others that he might be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith he was comforted of God 2 Cor. 1.3 6. in which exercise he was not a little conversant 2 Cor. 11.28 29. Thus then you see that this body is so compact that the communion between the members is lively sympathizing and assistant as if it were every one 's own case This indeed is the excellency of this great piece of Gods work that all the members are so joynted that if you touch one all the rest feel it and have a sense of it as the Head also hath if any of his members be abused Acts 9.4.5 There are many carved and other painted pieces that please the Eye to look upon them but have no life nor sense if you touch one part the rest are not concerned but in this body they rejoyce together and suffer together according to the good or evil any members meet withal If but a Toe be trodden on the Head feels it and cries out Saul Saul why persecutest thou me If Peter be in Prison
an hard saying as ye did when Christ himself said so Joh. 6. 53 60. and if you can hardly hear this but be offended what would you be if I should Preach of his Ascension and the executing of the other part of his Priestly office now in heaven which is yet an higher Dâ—ctrine and strong meat as 't is called in the Hebrews on this very occasion if that offend you as it did those Babes Joh. 6.60 62. how much more would this as our Saviour there intimates For this reason my Brethren I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal and to feed you with Milk the very Alphabet of Christ his Doctrine Repentance c. I am sain to Preach to you as to sinners and carnal unconverted persons the very same Doctrine that I did at first Let us in the next place see how pat and parallel to this that other Text in the fifth of the Hebrews is The Authour having told them Vers 9. That Christ Jesus being made perfect i. e. glorified was become the Authour or meritorious and procuring cause of Salvation to them that believe in and obey him called of God an High Priest after the order of Melchisedee Vers 10. Of whom saith he Vers 11. we have many things to say why do ye not say on and speak out then Why because they are hard to be uttered which doth not imply any defect or inability in the Apostle to utter them as if he wanted either knowledge or utterance but an incapacity in them to entertain them because they were dull of hearing for though as to their standing they might have been teachers yet as to their understanding they needed to learn and con over again the first principles and lay the first foundation They had need of Milk as the Corinthians had i. e. to be taught to repent and believe as if they were scarce converted but as carnal Thus both these places concur in the same subjects and attributes Before I come to speak of their attainments and characters particularly I shall briefly touch a few observations from these two Texts which will make our way the more plain and smooth As 1. There are some Christians or persons in Christ which are not men in Christ but only Babes They have the Spirit of Christ in a measure or else they could not be his Rom. 8.9 Yet though they have the Spirit they are ntâ— spiritual in any high degree Though in Christ Jesus for else they were not new-born or new creatures 2 Cor. 5.17 yet they are but Babes in Christ and as the very next degree to carnal they cry rather than speak their voice is inarticulate and not distinct 1 Cor. 13.11 They have the Image of God upon them but not perfectly stampt and visible to every eye 'T is but as I may say God manifest in the Flesh under a veil and darkly Christ is not perfectly formed in them Gal. 4.19 You may see some Prints and similitudes but the several features are not clearly discernable They are translated from death to life they are no Abortives nor are they still-born they have the beginning of life and they do but begin to live There is joy in Heaven that this Man-child is born though he be not yet grown up no nor throughly washed and cleansed from his pollution He is yet but in swadling cloaths and in a Manger if I may allude to what was said of Christ when he was a Babe As the life so the image is imperfect you can say there 's the Image of a man but who 't is like whether like its Father you can hardly tell yet this you can say 't is not the Devils or the Sinners image and God knows that 't is his Image and Christ knows it to be the Fathers Image for 't is born not of the Flesh nor of the will of man but of the Will of God They should not have the name of Babes if they had not the Fathers Image though it be not so legible to standers by as that of the spiritual man is The Babe is a Christian in the smallest Print but the spiritual man is one in Capital and Golden Letters 2. Some persons may be but Babes for a long time Heb. 5.12 Yea though they live under the best Preaching in the world as some were under Christ his own Ministery Mat. 11.25 The Disciples many of them were no better till Christ ascended and the Spirit descended The Corinthians had heard three of the best Preachers on Earth Paul Apollo and Cephas 1 Ephes 1.12 and chap. 3.4 6. yet were but Babes The Hebrews had sate under the like Ministry and yet were but Babes for many years Paul it seems had begotten or planted the Corinthians he was their Father 1 Cor. 4.14 15. Apollo was their nursing Fathers he had watered them 1 Cor. 3.6 Paul continued among them a year and an half teaching the Word of God among them as Acts 18.1 11. you have the whole story After Pauls departure Apollo came to Corinth and watered them whom Paul had planted Acts 18.27 with 19.1 yet from that time to the day of the date of this Epistle they continued Babes Philip who it seems was called by Christ Jesus in the first year of his Ministry and in the beginning of that year for he was called before the first Miracle that Christ wrought at the Wedding in Cana of Galilee which was the first he did to confirm his Ministerial effice Joh. 1.43 with 2.11 Yet this Philip who had lived with Christ all the time of his Ministry was yet when Christ was about to leave the world but a Babe for he knew not the Father as the little Children do which made Christ speak upbraidingly to him Joh. 14.9 Have I been so long time with you and yet hast thou not known me Philip He that hath seen me hath seen the Father and how saist thou then shew us the Father Alas of how many Hearers may many a Preacher say have I been so long with you and yet ye know not the Father You have not the knowledge of God be it spoken to your shame 1 Cor. 15.34 You are yet in a babish state and not grown or advanced in Faith Knowledge Love c. 3. These Babes can eat milk though nothing but milk they suckt a year and a half and were not wean'd from the breast but were Babes and Sucklings still They could eat but milk their stomachs were not able to bear though their appetite might desire strong meat When Christ Jesus was telling his Disciples the offices of the Spirit he makes a stop and tells them I have yet many things more to say unto you but you cannot bear them yet which is the character of these Babes Joh. 16.12 q. d. I could tell you what great things there are in mine and my Fathers heart and purpose concerning you but you are not in a condition to receive them till you have
Baptismes may not refer to the Baptizing of Gentiles as well as Jews and laying on of hands also refer to both a thing which the Jews could hardly bear I submit to the consideration of others As to our present purpose not to meddle with Controversies I do conceive that by these two things is noted in general how Babes do submit and give up themselves to the obedience of such institutions duties and ordinances as they are capable and convinced of And further than this I shall not handle the Doctrine of Baptismes and laying on of hands and this all agree in Babes do submit to such ordinances and duties as I say they are capable and convinced of for of all they are not nor are they required at their hands till in a capacity What ever Doctrine comes under the name of strong meat they cannot bear Our Saviour would not put meat into Babes mouths no more than men would put new Wine into old Bottles and therefore they were not put upon fasting for want whereof in part they could not cast out one kind of Devils Mat. 17.19 21. till Christs departure and the delcent of the Spirit Mat. 9.14 17. This duty of fasting how formally soever used by the Pharisees is a duty too strong for Babes to be put much upon Our Saviour had many things more to say which they could not bear till the Spirit came upon them Joh. 16.12 13. they could hardly endure the doctrine of Christs death Matth. 16.21 22. they understood it not Luke 9.44 45. nor the doctrine of his Resurrection Mark 9.9 10. nor that of his Ascension to the Father and Intercession for them Joh. 16.16 18. which are the strong meat that grown Believers feed upon as they also afterward did Rom. 8.34 they were while Babes exceeding sorry at these things Matth. 17.22 23. which yet were to turn to their greatest joy after they came to a riper understanding of his Love and design herein as Christ told them it should Joh. 16.19 28. and so strong Believers find it Rom. 8.34 39. he had some things also to tell them by way of Command as that they should go and Preach to the Gentiles Baptize and lay hands on them also which as yet they could not bear and while they were under this weakness their first Commission was but for the Cities of Judaea Yea after Christs Ascension Peter himself was not convinced but by a Vision that they might go to the Gentles and 't was a matter of great admiration to the Jewish Converts who generally were but Babes that to the Gentiles God had granted Repentance to life Acts 11.18 and as they were Babes in point of gifts for they were to do greater things after Christs Ascension than they could before Joh. 14.12 viz. such as we read of Mark 16.15 20. which was much beyond both for the persons to be Preacht to and things to be done by them in the first Commission Matth. 10.1 so were they Babes in grace also they were but of little Faith Matth. 6.30 they were very carnal in their apprehensions of Christs Kingdom as if it had been of this world they were very dull of hearing the Doctrine of his death c. as was toucht even now there was much strife and envy among them and a wrathful spirit calling for fire from Heaven they were forward to promise but not so to perform for they could not watch with him one hour c. by which it appears they were as carnal and but Babes not capable of strong meat for Doctrine or duty What they Babes are and what they are not capable of or able to bear I shall not undertake to determine only this I am sure of that they are not to be received to doubtful disputations if that be the meaning of the place Rom. 14.1 of which I think the Margent gives a better account But now what they are capable of and convinced of that they submit to and act accordingly Acts 19. There were Disciples that had not heard whether there were an Holy Ghost or no but as soon as they were convinced they submitted The Disciples were not convinced of the Messiahs Offices but in the general notion without distinct apprehensions of the manner and way of restoring the world and therefore till after his Ascension which proved theirs too they had asked nothing in his name Joh. 16.24 26. Christ indeed had declared his Fathers name The Lord gracious and taught them to Pray Our Father and tells God that they had kept his Word and believed that he came out from him as sent by him Job 17.6 8. but a more particular Faith in him and praying in his name was to be taught by the Spirit and were things they were not yet convinced of The great thing I have now to do is to shew how and after what manner these Babes attend upon Ordinances and do their duties which alas is in a very poor low way the weaknesses whereof God overlooks and accepts their will for the deed and better than that many times 1. They are more at duty than in it and use Ordinances much but make little use of them and if I may so speak are very full of duties but little dutiful very little comes of all their attendance upon and addresses unto God they are where and as they were still little earnings do they make God knows They drive a great trade at hearing and praying c. hear precept upon precept and line upon line heap duty upon duty but are very bunglers at it and unprofitable after it Like young children that make many meals eat all the day long and spoil as much as they eat they mangle and crumble what is set before them and dwindle away their time without feeding Thus it was with the Hebrew-Babes they did eat and eat yet were alwaies in need of milk they do not cannot walk in the strength of their meat as the Prophet did but are hungry again presently the Word profits them little because not mixed with Faith they have a bad digestion and as ill a concoction so that though they eat much they are lean from day to day The Disciples who heard Christ Jesus Preach so often were yet like the Hebrews dull of hearing and ever and anon were to know the meaning of this and that very plain and easie Similitude and Parable with which Christ taught them and understood not this and the other saying They were so unacquainted with praying that they must needs have a Form of Prayer or a Directory set before them Though the Jews fasted often yet to God not at all or very little they abound in performances and keep on the road and round of duties yet make no riddance not work of it there is little Faith in their believing little love in their loving little obedience in their obeying there is much of quantity but little of quality there is a great bulk of duties but little of Spirit
and fully Qui typorum ceremonialium ita particeps est ut iis indigere se putet aâ—â—es ut cibum suum amplectatur is sermonem justitie foedus Evangelicum in quo vera justitiae doctrina traditur capere non potest repuerascit enim adeoque jam redit ad infantiam eamque priore deteriorem In short he that thinks he needs the ceremonial types and makes them his meat cannot take in the Word of righteousness the Evangelical Covenant for he is a worse Babe than they were of old The Galatians also were guilty of this babishness and were not past the Spoon they were receding and going back again to the Law or at least blending and mixing it with Faith for righteousness for which Paul calls them foolish the same with Babes and unskilful as appears by the whole Epistle and the scope and design thereof takes up hereabout yea he travels again for them to bring them out from the Law to a more persect knowledge and Image of Christ Chap. 4.19 So then this is the Babes defect that he is unskilful in the Word of righteousness that and how Christ is our righteousness The Christian Jews were many of them but Jewish Christianâ— they were not easily brought to lay Moses anâ— his Law aside and the Christian Gentiles were too much but Gentile-Christians they could hardly part with their old acquaintance the Law of Nature and works Few were come to Paul's pitch to rest only in Christ Jesus to reckon all Ceremonies Priviledges Tears Prayers Humiliations and all that may be called our own righteousness to be loss and dung as to Justification yea though as touching the Law blameless and to be found in him and the righteousness that is of God by Faith in him Gal. 6.14 Phil. 3. that they may have no confidence in the flesh which is but grass and rejoyce in Christ Jesus only And therefore 't is observable that the Apostles whether they writ to Jews or Gentiles made it still their business to bring them off from every Law and Covenant to that of Faith and there to ground and build them upon the only true foundation and corner-stone Christ Jesus that he as he deserves might in all things have the preheminence and be all in all Col. 3.10 11. Gal. 6.15 16. Heb. 13.7 8. 1 Pet. 2.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.29 31. 2. Babes are also unskilful in the Word of righteousness for sanctification to know him experimentally as the root of sanctification and that they are not only to bring forth fruit but to bring it forth by and in him We have not only our first but future grace from Christ and our fruits of righteousness which are by Christ are also even then when we are filled with them acceptable to God and to the glory and praise of God by him in whom all our fresh springs are in whom is our â—it found from whose fulness we receive grace for grace and without being and abiding in him we can do nothing Phil. 1.11 1 Pet. 2.5 Hos 14.8 Psal 87.7 Joh. 1.16 and 15.5 They that will grow in grace must grow in the knowledge of Christ as the root of that grâ—th 2 Pet. 3.18 that as they have received him they may walk in him rooted and built up in him Col. 2.6 7. that he may be not only the foundation but the whole structure and the adorning may be from him As it is essential to Gospel sanctification to do all for God is our end so 't is to do all from and in the strength of Christ through which alone we are able to do all things Phil. 4.13 as the glory of God is the final so Christ is the efficent cause of all the fruits of righteousness Phil. 1.11 Indeed 't is as hard a thing to live out of our selves and fetch all from another to say as Paul It is not I that live but Christ liveth in me as 't is not to live to our selves but to another Babes act and speak as if they lived en their own stock and boast too often as if they had not received as the Corinthians did 1 Cor. 4.7 This principle of deriving all sanctification from Christ is not presently and distinctly known to all believers 't is probable that the Disciples understood it not till Christ taught it them in that Sermon John 15. and this indeed is the case of Babes for though to them Christ be made wisdom righteousness sanctification and redemption yet they are unskilful and inexpert as to the derivation of it and to have particular recourse to him for it Again 3. Babes are defective in this that though they love to hear much yet they are unable to bear much especially any thing that is beyond Milk and called meat yea strong meat and therefore 't were to hurt and not to help them to feed them with Bread and Wine such as Melchisedee presented to Abraham Gen. 14.18 Our Saviour had many things to say his heart was full but he could not give it vent then for his Disciples were not able to bear it Job 16.12 And Paul tells his Corinthian-Babes that he had fed them with Milk and not with strong meat for hitherto ye were not able to bear it nor yet are ye able 1 Cor. 3.2 Hesych 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so the Hebrew Babes were dull thick and hard of hearing the Doctrine which he calls strong meat they could digest Milk only Chap. 5.11 c. Strong meat makes Babes sick of hearing 'T is like Saul's Armour to David too heavy for him he hath not been used to it nor tryed it and therefore cannot bear it he must to his Sling or can do no feats They are not yet so strong to put on all the Armour of God they cannot weild the Sword of the Spirit nor use the Shield of Faith dextrously They are not yet wean'd from the Milk and who can teach them knowledge i. e. high and great knowledge of wisdom c. they must have line on line now and then a little Isa 28.9 11. they must have the same things over and over as little-ones when they go to School are a great while a learning their Alphabet and must be shewn again and again which is A and which is B c. a man must lisp and stammer and tone it to them in their way Many a young Student takes a great deal of pains is ever reading but is not Master of what he reads and the fault is not so much in the memory or the Will as in the understanding so 't is with these Babes they hear and read much but cannot digest and concoct it no though they remember it but strong men love to make their meals of strong meat Heb. 5.14 Again 4. Babes are defective in this that they have not attained to use or an habit as they of full age or the perfect have as much difference as there is between habit and disposition so much there is
be conformable to him as to have Salvation from him to obey commands as to enjoy promises and priviledges to be holy as to be happy to have grace to glorifie God as well as to be glorified thereby to be in Jesus Christ not only that there may be no condemnation but a new creation and to be sanctified as to be justified and saved to live as well as to die the death of the righteous 2. New-born ones have the Law of God in and written in their hearts and from this as from the living principle they act and bring forth the fruits of righteousness When the Law of God is in our hearts our hearts will bâ— set to do it as 't is said Psal 40.8 I delight to do thy Will O God thy Law is in my heart and Isa â—â— 7. they are said to be the people who know righteousness the people in 〈◊〉 heart Gods Law is others may do some righteous Acts but these do it as their proper fruit springing from the root of the matter the Law of God and his truth in them and so 't is an evidence of their new-birth 1 Joh. 2. every one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a righteousness-maker as his Trade as some are called sin-makers in opposition to these 1 Joh. 3.7 10. every one that doth so do righteousness in obedience to God whose Law is in his heart is born of God Now this is said of the very Corinthian-Babes 2 Cor. 3.3 ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ written not with Ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of Stone but in the fleshly Table of the heart This cannot be said of any but new-born ones and may be said of them that arâ— but newly born even Babes in Christ From this Law written in their heart there follow and flow forth desires and endeavours after growth and such as will not permit these souls to be satisfied unless they attain it I say it begets desires after growth such as was clear'd before to be in Babes from 1 Pet. 2.2 For having tasted that the Lord is gracious and taken into their hearts what they have tasted they cannot but desire the sincere Milk of the Word of Grace to grow thereby They desire not only to live but to thrive and to be lively And though these Babes do not know or see that they grow according to their desire yet they know that they do desire to grow and that they would as be planted in the house so flourish in the Courts of the Lord and not be trees without fruit 'T is much to be fear'd that they have no grace who do not desire to grow in grace and whether they have grace enough to be saved who can be content with only so much grace as will save them Again they do not only wish and desire but do indeavour also to attain their wishes and desires viz. that they may grow and do therefore diligently and conscientiously attend upon and use all means that God hath appointed for their growth Naked velleities and idle wishes may be found in formalists and hypocrites but to be as indeavourous as desirous is congruous to and only found in the new creatures the new-born ones Balaam could profess and wish like a godly man but he instead of using answerable endeavours practised the clean contrary in formalists the end only is desirable but in true Saints the means are as desirable being not only the way to but a part of their happiness Yet once more True Converts though but Babes take not up and rest satisfied with desires and endeavours unless they attain the end of desires and endeavours or with the use of means without the end of means now it 's true these Babes attain but little and that 's the reason they are so restless and unsatisfied They have the least satisfaction of any Saints because they are much in desire and little in injoyment and therefore desire the more Others take up with desires and endeavours which these cannot do they prosecute and pursue still and say as Absolom Why am I come up from Geshur if I may not see the Kings face Hearing Praying c. is not a satisfaction to them though they do it as a duty unless they have communion with and conformity to God cekt out and carryed on thereby and all this is because the Law of God is written in their hearts 3. New-born ones are for the having their sin to be taken away and that not only by pardoning but by purging yea though their sorrows should continue If God should say to such a Soul I will take away all thy sorrows and make thee a chearful heart thou shalt have Corn and Wine and Oyl enough it would still say O Lord what 's this if I go graceless if my sins be not forgiven me take away my sins Lord though thou leave my sorrows and make me water my Couch with tears every day and walk mournfully all the daies of my life do any thing with me so my sins may be done away my heart will never be at ease till my sins be forgiven And this is not all but if God should further say to such a Soul I will forgive thy sin and remember it no more to charge it upon thee but I will leave thee under the power and bondage of it Oh Lord would this foul say though I bless thee for a pardon and that I shall by that be kept from being damned yet Lord this doth not satis fie me I have as hearty a request to make that I may be purged and that I may be taken from sin as that sin may be taken from me that I may be delivered from sins dominion as from damnation David doth not only pray Lord blot out my transgressions but Lord wash me and cleanse me throughly from my sin Psal 51.1 2. and it seems this was after the Prophet had said The Lord hath put away thy sin 2 Sam. 12 13. and who but converted ones are of this frame Others can be content with hearts ease peace and good things though they live in the love of one or other darling sin especially if they do but entertain a conceit that God will pardon them purging is not the thing that any do heartily mind but gracious Souls Beside there is this considerable and worthy of a remark as to these new-born ones that though they have no assurance of a pardon nor have any great conquests over their corruptions by reason whereof they have little satisfaction and much sorrow yet they can in their serious and sedate frames truely say that they are glad to hear and see that other Saints do God better service than they do they mourn that themselves are no better and yet rejoyce that there are any better than themselves Indeed in a fit and pang they do more than emulate even envy those happy and advanced souls and yet in cold
example for a warrant and thinks he is edified thereby when alas 't is to his loss and detriment 1 Cor. 8.9 13. 5. Acquaint the Babes with your experiences as Paul did 2 Cor. 1.6 10. and with Satans devices as he did 1 Cor. 7.5 2 Cor. 2.11 2 Cor. 11.2 Babes have but little skill to distinguish between good and evil between impressions from the good or evil spirit especially if Satan transform himself into an Angel of Light Israel of old was to tell the story to and write an History of Gods dealing with them and Amaleks against them for after Ages and to instruct the children how God had dealt with the Fathers so do you Let the little Children tell stories of the Fathers love the young men of his power and the Fathers of his wisdom in carrying on the work of Grace how God overthrew Pharaoh led them through the Wilderness sought for and provided for them from heaven till they came to the good Land But 2. 'T is time to speak to the Babes whose case we have in hand and so to conclude There are three things that I would exhort Babes unto I. To be glad that they are Babes II. To be humbled that they are but Babes III. To press after being more than Babes 1. TO be glad that they are Babes new-born and in Christ Jesus Glad alas there 's no comfort for me who am but a Babe no yes but there is that thou art a Babe though but a Babe 't is true it doth not belong to thee as carnal but as a Babe in Christ the least work of God is great consolation to the least of Saints viz. to Babes Consider whether this be nothing 1. That thou hast attained to the first Resurrection viz. from being dead and lost in sin thou art called out of Egypt and art called his Son and as such brought out of Egypt the work is begun thou art new-born and eatest Milk the Foundation is laid and is this nothing who knows to what a great Tree this little Mustard-seed of Grace may grow The Babe that lies in the Cradle may become a Father in Israel and is this nothing He that hath laid the Foundation will lay the top-stone and thou shalt cry out with shouting Grace Grace unto it God is not like the foolish Builder he hath cast up his cost and hath wherewithal to finish what he hath begun he will not be laught at and mocked as one that laid a Foundation began to build but could not finish it though thou be a knotty piece yet he will fit thee for thy place and perfect that which concerns thee for this work is not only that of his hand but of his heart and is this nothing Pray to him and believe as Psal 138.7 8. 2. Thou art not only brought out of Egypt but he hath drawn thee into the Wilderness and though thou be in the Valley of Achor yet even there is a door of hope Thou art bewildered and thy motions are full of windings and turnings now forward and then backward almost to Egypt again that thou seemest to wander rather than to walk or to go a journey true but yet thou art in thy way and God is leading thee to his holy Hill Mount Sion 'T is observable how differently the condition of Israel and so thine is exprest Psal 107.4 with 7. in the 4. Vers 't is said they wandred in the wilderness but in the 7. Vers 't is said he led them forth in the 4. Vers 't is called a solitary way but in the 7. Vers 't is called the right way in the 4. Vers they found no and despaired to find any City to dwell in yet Vers 7. that they might go to a City of habitation So 't is with thee poor soul and notwithstanding thy unbelief and murmurings yet he holds thy Soul in Life and when thou art hungry and thirsty he provides food and drink convenient for thee and thy Cloaths shall nor wear out 3. Thy being a Babe hath more of incouragement than discouragement in it Thy being a Babe in Christ is more to thy safety than thy being as carnal is to thy danger though it must be thy sorrow Babe is the name of a Saint not of a carnal man and it makes more for thee that thou art a Babe than it doth against thee that thou art as carnal Is it nothing to thy Joy that thou art born though thou be not yet cloathed with a robe nor kist with thy Fathers lips 'T was more for the Prodigal that he was alive than against him that he had been dead and came home without raggs even naked and bare 'T was more for the Disciples that the Spirit was willing than against them that the flesh was weak 'T is so with us as to our Babes their being ours doth more indear them to us than their being froward and peevish doth disingage us to them And though the elder Brother chargeth his Father as guilty of an indiscreet and partial fondness to make so much of a Prodigal yet he still owns it as meet that they should rejoyce and be glad 4. Though thou be as carnal yet on conviction of this thy carnality thou art angry with it and thy self and dost repent and abhor thy self as in dust and ashes The Corinâ—hiaâ—â— Babes were no sooner convinced of theirs but they made the Apostle glad by their sorrow seeing their sorrow wrought Repentance never to be repented of because it was to Salvation 2 Cor. 7. Yea thus it was with the Incestuous person himself 2 Cor. 2.4 7. so that the Apostle on the account of this ingenuous Repentance pronounceth them clear and him a person to be comforted Now the same consolation belongs to thee if thou do likewise and I am sure 't is in thy new nature to do it when ever thou art under the conviction of thy sin and I can safely tell thee that sin repented of as theirs was will not be laid to thy charge 5. Though thou be but a Babe yet God hath some praise from thee 't is true indeed he hath more from others but yet 't is true that he hath some from thee thou dost help to perfect his praise 'T is one of the burthens of these poor souls that they are such unprofitable servants not only as others are in that they do but their duty but alas in that they do not do their duly but fall short of it and the glory of God herein is God glorified when much fruit is brought forth but as for us say they we bring forth but little 'T is true but yet thy Mite of grace gives a measure of glory all the good-ground Hearers brought forth fruit to the glory of God though some more than others Matth. 13.8 When the Pharisees were displeased at the Hosanna's ascribed to Christ by little ones and are angry with him that he had not rebuked them as if they had taken Gods name in vain
Vers 16. with Heb. 1.5 Wherefore come cut from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you viz. into my favour embraces and bosom and I will be a Father to you and you shall be my Sons and Daughters and you shall be treated accordingly For this reason was Christ himself anointed with the oyl of gladness above his fellows Heb. 1.9 and as any of his are conformable to him in the separation which love of righteousness and hatred of iniquity makes the more are they like to be anointed with the oyl of gladness above their fellows 5. God usually gives out manifestations and assurances of love to such of his as are about to do and suffer great things for him and this he gives them as a preparation thereunto Christ Jesus had the voice from Heaven a little before he entred upon his ministry The Apostles had the Spirit sent to prepare them for doing greater things than they had done in Christs time And the reason that Paul had so early an assurance of his election and being dearly beloved of God was because he was presently to go about great undertakings and to undergo great sufferings Acts 9.15 16. so that he in a very little time in a few daies past from the Babe-state to that of a little Child and from thence into that of a Young-man Saint which few so suddenly do but on such an occasion as this Thus have I discovered some of them I cannot say all for there is no confining nor limiting of God to whom he is pleased to make himself known as a Father to call them out of the Form of Babes and to place them in the second higher Form that of Children and to give them assurance of his love that they may say unto him Thou art our Father Though I cannot say for whom of us God will do this yet according to these presidents 't is more than probable that if we be found among this number we shall in due and it may be in a little time know the Father But I must proceed to shew something more largely how he is thus made known by the witness of his Spirit CHAP. II. Continued and inlarged Shewing how they come to know the Father by the witness of the Spirit in five Sections SECT I. AT the beginning of this Chapter I began to shew how they came to know the Father or which is equivalent and all one that they are the Children of God and dearly beloved of him and that was by not barely the working of the Spirit in them but after and over and above that by the Spirit witnessing to them clearing up that work to be of God which is wrought in their own hearts and spirits Rom. 8.18 Here are two witnesses and both Spirits that out of the mouth of two knowing witnesses this thing may be establisht our spirit affirms and the Spirit of God confirms Our spirit knows what acts and workings are wrought in us and by us our spirit affirms that such Repentance Faith Love c. there is in us but whether this be wrought according to God our spirit by it self cannot tell without and until the Spirit of God bear witness to it that it is according to the Will of God Rom. 8.26 27. with 1 Cor. 2.10 11 12. of which I have given some account above in this and more in the former Treatise of Babes From whence I infer these two things 1. That this witness of the Spirit is not a thing common to all Saints for Babes have it not though they have the things which do assure yet they have not assurance because they have not the Spirit witnessing with their spirit 't is not a thing that runs parallel with saintship as having the work of the Spirit doth If we have not the Spirit of Christ we are none of his that 's true Rom. 8.9 but 't is as true that we may be his though we have not the witness of his Spirit in us for we are his before we have the witness of it and the witness doth not make us so but the Spirit finding us to be his doth witness and declare that we are his The witness doth not make us but manifest us to be and to us that we are the Children of God as the Text and thing it self is clear plain and full Rom. 8.16 That which is witnessed to must be before 't is witnessed unto I shall add but one Text more to confirm this Ephes 1.13 14. where this is evident and apparent that as they heard before they believed so they believed before they were sealed with the holy Spirit of Promise which is the earnest of our inheritance and which we had a little before we had this seal and earnest So that we were the Children of God by Faith Gal. 3.26 before we have the witness of being Children And though it be said 1 Joh. 5.10 that he who believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself as if every Believer had it yet I have two or three things to say hereunto 1. That St. John perhaps writ not to Babes but to all the higher Forms of Children Young-men and Fathers and all these indeed have the witness of the Spirit in themselves But 2. If we take in all Babes among the rest it may also be said of them that they have the thing which doth witness and the witness of their own spirits but it will not thence follow that they have the witness of the Spirit or assurance which is the thing that I am speaking to 'T is as true that the three witnesses in earth in us below agree in one as 't is that the three witnesses in Heaven are one Ver. 7 8. Yet all three do not give out their witness all at once the water and blood may and do witness before the Spirit doth Yet again 3. The witness in himself may be understood and I think most properly of that which is witnessed which is that God hath given us Eternal Life and that by and in his Son Vers 11. And accordingly he that believeth hath both the Son and Eternal Life in himself Vers 12. 'T is already begun in every Believer though every one hath not the assurance of it as is implyed in the thirteenth Verse Therefore 2. I infer that this witness of the Spirit is not barely or only the working of Grace by the Spirit in our hearts but something added thereunto and superadded thereupon beyond the gracious qualifications which are called The fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 23. Whether it be a light shining upon their graces and making them clear or whether it be the Application of some one or other promise made to such graces or whether it be some immediate eradiation and beaming forth of love from God upon the soul it matters not it may be by any or all of these waies Let me a little illustrate it
and the Sons righteousness in our eyes that we may be nothing that God and Christ may be all in all that we may admire the God of all grace glorifie his Son Jesus for ever and for ever The best admirations are those which spring from knowledge and assurance ignorance is the Mother of but saint languid piteous devotion but that which flows from knowledge is strong and vigorous and therefore doth the Spirit bear witness that our admirations devotions and adorations may be such 'T is to indear God to us that we may love him the more and serve him the better that he may be not only the dearer for his mercy but dearer than it and we may live to the praise and glory of God in righteousness and true holiness in this present world that is all the daies of our life yea and that to come too in Eternity I might add that this witness designs to wean us from this world that we may put the scorn upon the lust of the eye and flesh and pride of life and live above above the grandeur and gallantry pride and pomp pleasures and prettinesses of this world I say that we might live above where the way of life is to them that are wise so wise as to have their affections and conversations in Heaven Thus it follows upon our Text 1 Joh. 2.15 where he bespeaks the Fathers Young men and little Children Not to love the world neither the things that are in the world upon this very account that if any man love the world the love included in the knowledge of the Father is not in him he doth not know the Father So that if any conceit themselves to be Children of God and yet admire themselves grow proud wanton and worldly minded they deceive themselves for they have not the witness of nor this witness from the Spirit Gods Children are of another world while in this and they that know him to be their Father live like men of another world in this Psal 73.25 Phil. 3.20 Heb. 11.13 16. And hence there is fair way made for me to pass on to the third part of this discourse viz. to shew more at large the result of this knowing the Father or that by the witness of the Spirit they are the Children of God as to the priviledges and the injoyments of this attainment of the little Children CHAP. III. Shews the priviledges and injoyments of the little Children in knowing the Father in four Sections SECT 1. HOw upon having received the witness of the Spirit they do triumph over the Law Sin the world and present enjoyments I have declared long since in a little short Discourse in Print called the Triumph of Assurance being an Appendix to the first part of my Orthodox Paradoxes to which I refer the Reader and proceed to discover other the priviledges and enjoyments of these assured ones Which priviledges must be more than ordinary or common because to know the Father is more than common knowledge and the more excellent the knowledge the more excellent the enjoyment is whether it be in kind or but only in degree That which I shall chiefly instance in is the great priviledge dignity and honour of being able to cry Abba Father by the Spirit of Adoption received into and witnessing in our selves not barely Adoption nor only the Spirit of Adoption but by it to cry Abba Father is the great thing I shall instance in according to Rom. 8.14.15 16. compared with Gal. 4.1 7. Now whether the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father be the same thing with the witness of the Spirit whereby we know the Father i. e. that we are his Children or something precedaneous to it or something succeeding it and following thereupon is a great question in so critical and nice a thing we need be wary and cautious Yet with all humble submission I shall speak what I think to be most clear and evident in this case which I suppose to be this viz. that the Spirit of Adoption may in part and a little precede the witness of the Spirit as the dawning of the day doth the Suns rising to our view withall that more of it may come and appear together with the witness but especially and chiefely that most of all as to exercise use and comfort doth flow from the witness after the receit thereof that is the Children of God who are led by the Spirit do act most in and by the Spirit of Adoption crying Abba Father after they have received the witness of the Spirit whereby they know the Father and that they are his Children For the better clearing hereof I shall from comparing Rom. 8. with Gal. 4. lay down several gradual positions all which well considered will not a little contribute to the deciding of the question according to what I have already hinted Position 1. These Texts with several others do discover the great advantage and dignity of the Gospel state beyond that of the Law under the Law they were Sons and Heirs but under age i. e. Babes Gal. 4.1 The Heir as long as he is a Babe so the Word is and Vers 3. So we while we were Babes so the word is there also which we render Children yea they were Sons by Adoption or by grace Acts 15.11 for none have been the Sons of God any other way since the fall of Adam But under the Law they were under a Spirit of bondage more than of Adoption and differed not from servants Gal. 4.1 were under bondage Vers 3. and received not the Spirit of Adoption till the redemption by Christ was over Vers 4 5. and till they received the filiation or Son ship by Adoption thus manifested they had not the Spirit of the Son crying Abba Father Vers 6. and after this they ceased to be servants Vers 7. that is they ceased to be Sons and Heirs as Babes only which differeth nothing from a Servant Vers 1. and became Sons and Heirs of God through Christ Chap. 3. from 23. to the end The state under the Law was a Law of bondage the Law is called A yoke of bondage Gal. 5.1 and they under it were under a spirit of bondage which in the genuine and proper sense of it is a weak slavish and cowardly spirit of fear opposed to that of power love and a sound mind 2 Tim. 1.7 This spirit of bondage is usually interpreted to signifie a slavish frame of heart whereby the Jews like slaves and superstitious persons did serve God out of fear and this I shall not deny their religion at the best was called The fear of the Lord yet I shall add this unto it that they did serve God not only from fear or out of fear but that they were afraid and under bondage though they did serve God their service did not free them from fear They were afraid of suffering Death and Hell notwithstanding their Services and Sacrifices for Jesus Christ took
and Eâ—â—tasie of her love being rapt and transported with it she anointed the Lord with ointment and not only washt his fect with her tears but kist them wiâ—h her lips and wiped them with her hair Joh. 11.2 compared with Luke 7.37 47. at which though others murmured yet Christ commends both it and her for it and withal upbraids Simon for falling short â—â—gely short of her though he made him a feast 2. Their Love appears in this that no danger will fright them from him whem they love when the other Dâ—sciples fled yet John the Disciple whom Jesus loved was found and observed by Christ himself standing by the Cross Joh. 20.26 But to instance in Mary Magdalene especially Oh how is she carried beyond above and out of her self by love to Jâ—sus who loved her first the story is in John Chap. 19.25 she stood by the Cross and was not affrighted away by the Troops of Souldiers rude and unruly though they were Joh. 20.1 when others were doubling she 〈◊〉 to the Sepulchre early and as 't is remarked there while it was yet dark this did not â—right her being made hold by love though she were of the weaker and more fearful Sex and went not empty handed but carried sweet spices Mark 16 1. she 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Peter and John how ' t was Joh. 20.2 which when they had seen they returned but she staid weeping and as she wept she stoopt down and as she stoopt down she lookt Vers 11. busie love and when the Angels askt nor why she wept Alas said she do you ask me what I all as he in Judg. 18.23 24. they have taken away my dear dear Lord and I know not where they have laid him though he be as one that is not yet I cannot but love him And love at that time was so much a passion that she knew not her Lord though she saw and heard him but thought it had been the Gardener But when Jesus called her by her name oh how is she transported Rabboni ob my Lord is this so am I not in a dream Rabboni and it seems she would have embraced him but that love knows how to obey as well as to enjoy and therefore being commanded away away she goes And this brings me to a 3. Discovery of their love which is in keeping his Commandments and that without regret or grief according to 1 Joh. 5.1 3. Love is such a thing as desires not only to be beâ—oved but to be commanded it hath so great a right and inclination too as well as obligation to do good and well that it thinks it self either wrong'd or suspected if it be not put upon the most high and difficult services love never saies This is an hard saying who can bear it love never repines neither doing nor suffering is grievous to it Therefore 't is note-worthy that when our Saviour was about to tell Peter what he must do and suffer he doth in the first place make sure of his love Joh. 21.15 19. When the Father gives out commands amor addidit al as love wings the soul that it flies to obedience with speed and pleasure Love hath an ambition to please to the utmost 2 Cor. 5.9 with 14. to do something worthy of the Fathers love 1 Thes 2.11 12. therefore the Apostle having prayed that they might know the unparallel'd love of God and Christ such as passeth knowledge i. e. there was never the like known Ephes 3.18 19. he presently exhorts them to walk worthy of their vocation Ephes 4.1 SECT 2. A Continuation 2. LIttle Children are modest and humble they seek not after greatness nor great things in this world for they are weaned Psal 131.1 2. being wean'd and past the state of a Babe and suckling they are not concern'd to catch after and grasp at things waich are not suteable to their state The Disciples while but Babes were often querying who should be greatest but our Saviour called a little Child unto him and set him in the midst of them and said Verily I say unto you unless ye be converted and become as little Children ye shall 〈◊〉 enter into the Kingdom of Heaven i. e. you shall have no abundant entrance as 2 Pet. 2.11 and so the subsequent Verse expounds it Whâ—soever therefore shall humble himself as this little Child the emblem of Gods little Children 〈◊〉 the same is one of the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 1.1 4. They were converted before but they needed to be converted from this being as carnal and but Babes Conversion is continued and advanced in growth not only as to degrees in the same state but in passing from one Clâ—ssis to another as from being Babes to little Children for till we are thus converted we are not wean'd from being as carnal nor can we strengthen our Brethren as Christ spake to Peter to do 3. The little Children are full of bowels and compassion very tender-hearted God as a Father is so and in being so we are his Children Mat. 5.44 48. Eph. 5.1 Col. 3.12 And this is pure Religion before God as a Father Jam. 1.27 'T was upon this account that our Saviour committed his blessed Mother to the beloved Disciple John who of all was most like to be tender of her Joh. 19.27 Yet again they are very tender-hearted in this respect that if at any time they do any thing which grieves their Father or the Spirit by which they are sealed to the day of redemption their heart smites them and they are more angry with themselves than their Father is for they will not forgive themselves though he forgive them Though God had told David the beloved one and the weak Babes are not yet as David That his sin was forgiven yet he repents and abhors himself in dust and ashes as Joh also did Chap. 42.5 6. 4. Children are full of imitation they tread in their Fathers steps as Ascanius did in Aeneas's sequitur licet non passibus aequis they make the Father their example and to walk as they have him for an example 1 Pet. 1.14 17. Ephes 5.1 And in fine Children are very teachable the Babe is not so Teach a Child the trade of his way the Child-state is a learning state the Babes are dull of hearing 〈◊〉 5.11 2 Cor. 3.2 Joh. 16.12 Great 〈◊〉 cannot be taught to Babes Isa 28.9 〈…〉 ye Children Prov. 4.1 and câ—me near 〈◊〉 children I will teach you Psal 34.11 These are capable of strong meat for they are spiritual having received the Spirit of Adoption and the witness of that Spirit by which they bring forth all the fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 26. These few things shall suffice concerning the disposition and conversation of these little Children by which we may see what Dâ—ctrine is most proper to be Preacht unto them non omnibus omnia as belonging to their state I should now come to apply the whole but that there is one Question which
will require an Answer to it before I shew the uses of this Point The Question is Whether those that have assurance do alwaies to their dying day lie in the injoyment and powerful influences of this assurance may not this Sun be Eclipsed May not this Child of light walk in darkness after the light and sight of God as a Father May not the witness of the Spirit be suspended and withdrawn I Answer 1. Some of them may and do live in a continual injoyment of their assurance as 1 Joh. 5.18 19 20. especially if they be grown up to be Fathers after they have been Young-men conquerors for the Fathers are spoken of as persons who have without interruption known him that is from the beginning and these little Children such as are to be kept in this state may also as John did lie in the bosom to the very last but if any of them be and many of them are design'd to be young men then indeed they are tempted to call their Son-ship into question but by the word and witness abiding in them like Josephs bow in strength they overcome and conquer as Christ Jesus did which will appear in treating of the next degree or Classis viz. that of the Young-men 2. As to the influence of assurance in respect of joy rapture transport and the like I humbly conceive that it doth not abide with any in so high a degree and great a measure as when it came at first my reason is this their Spirit would fail for the vision is too strong and the light too glaring and bright to be born alwaies or long as it shined at first and may now and then at some certain seasons afterward beside if it should continue long as it seiz'd them at first and for a while they would be unfit for any of these lower offices and affairs of their particular calling wherein they are to serve the Will of God in their generations for this would so possess and take them up as the Prophets of old were during the time of their Visions that they could not attend any thing else As when wrath is upon any the Spirit would fail if God should so contend for ever as 't is in Isa 57.16 18. So indeed if God should continue the bright shine of glory alwaies as 't is when the assurance comes at first they would faint under so great a weight of Glory and beg God to forbear a little lest their spirit should fail Now as wrath due to sin is not alwaies apprehended as at the first conviction so neither may love be and yet the influence of this Sun may operate much when the Clouds interpose and accordingly the little Children during their abode in that state have a sedate peace and calm serenity possest by them for the most part and so can go on cheerfully to serve their God and Father and to accept of and be pleased with his Will in all conditions 3. They having received the witness of the Spirit this Spirit never witnesseth against them to deny or contradict the former witness it never revokes it though it should suspend it nor reverseth it though it should witness better things against them For though it never do say to such a soul Thou art a Child of wrath yet possibly in a time of desertion and darkness it may say Thou art under wrath and so set home very terrible things to the great affliction and deep humbling of the Soul And thus at length have I dispatcht not all that I might but all that I designed to speak as to the doctrinal part of this discourse about the little Childrens attainment injoyment disposition and conversation as 't is in and from knowing the Father viz. as their Father I shall now conclude it with some Application CHAP. V. The Application in two Sections SECT I. An Exhortation to Babes MY Exhortation is first to the Babes that they would be much in Prayer unto God for this attainment that he would place them among the Children and give them the Spirit of Adoption and the witness of his Spirit therewith that they may know the Father to be their Father and themselves to be the Children of God and so cry Abba Father Beg and beg again that he would fall on your neck and kiss you with the kisses of his mouth which are better than Wine yea and Corn and Oyl too Cant. 1.2 Psal 4.6 7. For your help herein I present you with a Directory not to be read by roat but as a supply of Arguments which you may breath and sigh out before the Lord though not in these very words but as the Spirit shall help you In the first place be sure to bless God for what thou hast received Do not despise the day of small things nor think any of his consolations little seeing thou art less than the least of all bless him that he hath preclaimed his name The Lord gracious and that thou hast had a taste thereof that there is such a saying faithful and worthy of acceptance that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners that thou hast taken in the milk of this Gospel the first principles of the doctrine of Christ Repentance from dead works and Faith towards God and Christ that thou are taken into the Family though thou have but little of the Childrens bread but art fed with crumbs The best way to be blest with more is to bless God for what we have To him that hath been thankful shall be given and he shall have more abundantly Yea bless him and tell him thou wilt do it for ever though he should never do more for thee than he hath done seeing he hath convinced thee of the sinfulness of sin of the excellency of a state of Grace and given thee desires to grow as thou art told hath made with thee au everlasting Covenant well ordered in all things and sure thou wilt bless him for it as for thy Salvation though thy house be not so with God as thou couldst wish it and though he make it not to grow Yet humbly tell him withal that this is not all thy desire but thou hast a request to make with this thy thanksgiving and 't is that he would place thee among the children that thou maist cry Abba Father for the taste thou hast had of his grace hath set thy soul a longing as it did the Spouse Cant. 1.1 3. after the good fruit and growth of the Land and that thou hopest seeing he did find thee when thou soughtest him not that he will make himself known to thee as a Father now thou enquirest after him Tell him that 't is a desire of his own begetting and beg him that it may not be disappointed or denied by him who hath stiled himself A God hearing Prayers which is the great incouragement that all flesh hath to come unto him Say O Lord thou hadst wont not only to bring to the birth
call him Father and tell him Oh my dear Lord look upon me and see if this be not thy Sons Coat Though I am as carnal yet thine Apostle calls me not carnal but a Babe in Christ and I am told by them who think better of me than I dare do of my self that they do spie thine image in mine eye which makes me the more inclinable to say Father look upon me and see if there be not something of the spirit of a Son in mâ— Oâ— therefore send thy good Spirit the Comforter to witness with this spirit that I am thy Child dear God and Father do this for thy poor Babe Thus plead with God and who knows but he may be gracious to thee delight thy self in him and he will give thee thy hearts desire commit thy self and way to him and he will bring it to pass yea he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light and thy judgement as the noon day unto victory he will not quench the smoaking Flax nor break the bruised Reed but as he hath done to them that have thus pleaded with and submitted to him so I believe he will do for thee he will revive the heart of the humble and they shall live yea it may be thou shalt within a little time hear the joyful sound of Son be of good chear thy sirs are fargiven thee thou art a pleasâ—nt Child be it unto thee as thou wilt thou shâ—lt no more strembling at the door of hope but have an abundâ—nt entrance into the Family and be placed among the Children to eat of their bread and to drink of their Wine to injoy the fruit of righteousness which is peace and assurance for ever Amen SECT 2. An Exhortation to the little Children in several particulars THE next branch of Exhortation is to them that know the Father who by the wâ—ness of the Spirit are assured that they are the Children of God I exhort you Brethren 1. That you be not wanton through this abundance of Revelation to be proud and pussed up you must expect to be set upon by Satan as Christ was when he had received the witness of the Spirit that he was the Son of God Matth. 3.16 17 with Chap. 4.1 When Paul was advanced to Paradise and inclinable thereupon to be puffed up a messenger of Satan was sent to buffet him 2 Cor. 12.7 buffettings attend this state but especially it there be puffings up therefore beware High fortunes as the world speaks are the way to high minds but high minds and mountainous Spirits are more liable to tempests and storms from Satans wind and weather than the humble Valleys they are most like to be brought down who are listed up Indeed God is very gracious in giving the witness of his Spirit and so manifesting himself as a Father before the Tempter comes before we are to enter the field and fight with the Devil in this case about our Soâ—ship that we may be the better armed and able to defend our selves yet the Devil takes and our hearts too often give him occasion to take this opportunity to tempt us Beware and take heed that you be not lifted up by this advancement 2. Now you know the Father and his everlasting Love towards you take heed you do not neglect the Son of his Love and the righteousness which is by him God expects that you honour the Son as you do the Father Joh. 5.23 for you are not justified by the Fâ—thers Grace and Love but in conjunction with and through the redemption that is by Jesus Christ Rom. 3.24 the Father indeed chose you and he blesseth you with all spiritual blessings but still 't is in Christ Jesus Ephes 1.2 5. The everlasting Consolation is from not only the Father but the Son also who hath loved you 2 Thes 2.16 be sure therefore that you do not so eye the love of the Father as to look off from the Son who is joyntly ingaged with the Father in all the transactions of their happiness When the Bather was advanced he forgat Joseph to which that seems to be an allusion Amos 6.6 so some are apt to do by Jesus Christ though 't were by him they came to all their honour if at least come they be as they pretend 3. Grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption Ephes 4.30 If you be not kind one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another ye do not only forget God and Christ for whose sake God forgave you but you grieve the Spirit who brought you this good news for all these are connected together with Vers 30. and so is that also Vers 29. if you do not edifie one another and in your communications minister Grace to them that hear you If God should as it were call back the witness of his Spirit and leave thee to walk in darkness in what a woe-state wouldst thou be 't will in some respects be far worse with thee than 't was before when thou wert but a Babe Oh then grieve not the Spirit nor give God an occasion to put thee under a state of desertion 4. Honour your Father 't is the sin of some that they glorifie not God as God and it may be your sin not to glorifie God as a Father and as your Father Mal. 1.6 A Son honoureth his Father not only as a man or a man above him but as his Father The Father pittieth the Son that serves him and the Son should honor serve the Father that pities him Bâ— as Christ Jesus was alwaies about your Fathers business and bring forth much fruit whereby his and your Father may be glorified Fill up the conversation of Children live like Children be loving be humble be tender-hearted be teachable and imitate your Father to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect The more you abound in these things the more communion and joy will be your portion you will know the dignity and enjoyment of Assurance and what it is to call upon and live with God as a Father of which I have spoken and need not to repeat and tell you how it will carry you above cares and fears what a cordial it will be in time of suffering Death and Judgement 5. And lastly Let the Word of God dwell richly in you in all wisdom that if the Lord call you forth to fight his Battels as he doth some of your Classis to be Young men you may be strong and overcome the wicked one by the Word of God abiding in you Perhaps such laplings as you are loth to leave the Closet and go into the Field and I cannot altogether blame you yet if God call you forth to undergo tryals and be tempted remember that Loves commands them from and to Love are not grievous and therefore you need to hide the Word in the heart and to spend some time as our Saviour did in Fasting and Prayer lest and before you enter
into the Battle and not entangle your selves with the affairs of this Life that you may please him who shall chuse you to be Souldiers and endure hardship as the good Souldiers of Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 2.3 4. But of this more hereafter in handling the next rank of Saints viz. Young men and their Glory which is strength And this shall suffice to have been spoken of the Attainment injoyments dispositions and conversations of Little Children who know the Father i. e. who have assurance of the Fathers Love and live in unton and communion with him The End of the Second Classis The THIRD CLASSIS IN THE School of CHRIST Viz. YOUNG MEN. From 1 John 2.13 14. Vers 13. I write to you Young men because ye have overcome the wicked one Vers 14. I have written unto you Young men because ye are strong and the Word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the wicked one BY comparing this with several other Scriptures it hath been made apparent that there are four Sorts Ranks or Degrees of Christians whose names are given to them according to the four most usual divisions of the Ages of Man viz. Babes Little Children Young Men and Fathers The lowest though many times not the youngest for standing are Babes who eat Milk and nothing but Milk they cannot digest nor bear strong meat The second are the Little Children the first degree of them called spiritual or perfect who have attain'd to know the Father and to have the assurance and enjoyment of his Love both these states have been already treated of and I am now to speak of and to the third Classis Form or Rank viz. the Young men who are twice mentioned in these two Verses Where you may take notice 1. Of the persons spoken of Young Men. 2. That which is spoken of them and the things are three 1. That they are strong 2. That the Word of God abideth in them 3. That they have overcome the wicked one From whence we may observe 1. That Young men Saints are strong ones 2. That the Word of God abideth in them 3. That they have overcome the wicked one 4. That they overcome the wicked one by sirength 5. That their strength a great part of it is from the Word of God abiding in them I design not any long Discourse about this and therefore shall not handle these Propositions distinctly and in the method wherein they lie but give a brief Exposition of the whole Text under these following Heads 1. What is meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Young men the true notion and import of the expression as intended in the Text. 2. What their strength is Ye are strong and wherein their strength lies 3. How they come by this strength viz. by the Word of God abiding in them where 1. What is meant by the Word of God 2. By the abiding of the Word of God in them 4. What is meant by the evil one 5. What the dispute is about between the Evil one and the Young men 6. What by their having overcome the evil one 7. How the Word of God abiding in them doth strengthen them 8. How this strength or being strong conduceth to the victory 9. How great an Attainment this victory is to overcome the wicked one 10. What are the signs and tokens of this victory 11. What the issue and success of this victory iâ— And then 12. make some Application CHAP. I. What is meant by Young men I Shall not concern my self about the notation or Etymology but the sense of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that not with reference to the Age but the State and Attainment of these Young men Among very good Authors Eistorians c. the word is used in a Military sense to signifie Souldiers and so 't is also in the Sacred Writ to which use it is most properly applicable in the Text Yea 't is used not only for a Souldier at large and in common but for the flower of an Atmy the choicest Souldiers Romana juventus was the Roman Army yea the flower and glory of both their Infantry and Cavalry Juventutem legere is to list Souldiers the choicest Souldiers When the two Armies of Ish-bosheth and David under their two Generals Abner and Joab met together by the Pool of Gibeon Abner said to Joab Let the Young men now arise and play before us as if War were but a sport and pastime and the Field where they fought and fell was called Helkath Hazzurim the Field of strong men 2 Sam. 2.12 16. accordingly in a moral sense the Young men in our Text are said to be strong men yea that they had sought with and overcome the evil one the house of Saul Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the Servants of David to allude to what was the issue of the fight in the forementioned place These Young men Saints then are the Souldiers yea the Worthies of Israel and 't is as much as it St. John had said I write to you the Souldiers Warriers and Champions indeed the Babes may pâ—s inter gregarios milites for common Souldiers but these are the choice Young men the good Souldiers of Christ Jesus as Paul would have Timothy be in being strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 2.1 5. they are the Valiants of Israel As the Babe Saint is taken out of sinners and becomes a middle state between the carnal and spiritual of the first degree viz. Little Children and as little Children are taken out of Babes and are a middle state between Babes and Young men so Young men are taken out of little Children and are a middle state between them and the Fathers These Young men having known the Father and received the witness of his Spirit that they are the Children of God they are now prepar'd for the Battel to enter the lists with Satan the tempter as was the case of our Saviour who when he had received the witness of the Spirit from Heaven was led into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil God doth not take his Young men out of Babes immediately but out of little Children who are made strong by the Word and Witness of God abiding in them and the glory of these Young men is their strength Which leads me to the second thing to be treated of viz. what their strength is and wherein it lies CHAP. II. What is meant by their being Strong THE Text tells us that these Young men are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strong The great Critick Hesyâ—hius makes the word equivalent with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Calcator a treader down and with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Firmus a settled and fixed person and both these are suitable to the thing in hand for our Young man is a conqueror and hath trodden down strength viz. the Devil under foot which is the usuâ—l phrase to denote conquest victory and triumph as may be seen in
denote and set out a notorious wicked man that hath no fellow in wickedness a Devil incarnate an Antichrist as 't is in 2 Thes 2.3 9. for though the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be not there yet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an equivalent word is there Hesychius makes these words to be synonymous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all noting a most flagitious profligate and terribly wicked person as this word doth 1 Cor. 5.13 but it doth most usually refer to the Devil himself who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wicked one so eminently as none is beside him and this may be observed to be undoubtedly true by comparing these following Texts Matth. 13.19 with Luke 8.12 Ephes 6.16 1 Joh. 3.12 now this is the evil or wicked one not excluding others that these Young men have overcome by being strong and the Word of God abiding in them The Devil being the Captain-General the ring-leader the Master of misrule and mischief the rest fall with him In telling us that they have overcome the wicked one 't is implyed that there was first a fight an hot and sharp encounter between the Devil and the Young men the Devil did set upon them and tempt them shrewdly and they had not a little to do till they won the field and day of him And surely 't were not temptations in common but some singular ones that these Young men were under the Babes meet with common ones but these with special ones 1 Cor. 10.13 As Christ Jesus would not teach the Babes Doctrine which they could not bear so he would not lead them into temptations which they could not overcome but these Young men who are his Champions and Worthies they encounter Giants as Davids did they war not against flesh and blood weak enemies but against principalities and powers c. Ephes 6. It will therefore be expedient if not necessary to enquire after what the special temptations are which Young men encounter and overcome or what the thing is that the dispute is about between the Devil and the Young men Christians CHAP. V. What the dispute is about or what the temptations are which Young men do undergo and conquer IT must be remembred that these Young men are taken out from among the little Children who have received the witness of the Spirit that they are the Children of God and about this thing is the dispute between the Devil and them viz. whether they be the Children of God or not and so some understand that place which speaks in Military language as if it properly referred to the state and condition of these Young men Ephes 6.12 reading that which we render in high or heavenly places about heavenly things viz. our Title to Sonship and so to Heaven this is the thing which the Spirit witnessed to their spirits this the Devil calls in question and offers arguments against it but all these arguments do the Young men overcome by the Word of God abiding in them which strengthens their Faith to give glory to God and his Spirit as the faithful and true witness notwithstanding all the cunning insinuations of wiles and the Devil To clear this up a little more I humbly offer this to consideration That the Saints members of Christs body are all of them more or less conformable to his Image and to the several states and conditions wherein he was Now such was the condescension of our great and good Lord Jesus that he not only took flesh and blood the humane nature in common but was found in our fashion and tempted like us in all things yet still without sin he went through all our states he was once as a Babe viz. made under the Law and was in the likeness of sinful flesh and so judged as carnal withal he was under Tutors and Governours and was obedient to them Luke 2.46 51. where 't is added that he increased in wisdom as in age which argues without any disparagement that his attainments as in the flesh were gradual After a while he being Baptized and Praying hath the witness from heaven that he was the Son of God Luke 3.21 22. and then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil Matth. 4.1 and so past from the Child 's to the Young mans state So then in conformity hereunto I conceive and declare that the temptations which the Young men undergo are the same and about the same thing which Jesus Christ underwent when after the witness of the Spirit he was tempted by the Devil The Spirit first witnesseth then the Devil calls this into question and puts Christ upon the proof to which Christ answers and conquers by the Word of God abiding in him and just so it was with these Young men the phrases and things do so accord that it seems to me to be unquestionable To come up then to what I intend by steps and degrees The Saints in conformity to Christ Jesus are but Babes at first under the Law in the likeness of sinners as carnal and are in subjection to Tutors and Governours after this God is pleased to make himself known to some of them as a Father by the witness of his Spirit and so they arrive to the state of Children and then God singles out some of these to be tempted of the Devil about their Sonship and they become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Young men and brave Souldiers who are taught to draw and wield the sword of the Spirit the Word of God against the Devil as Christ also did God was pleased to take this care of and about Israel under the Law That when a man had taken a new Wise he should not go out to War neither should he be charged with any business but he should be free at home one year and cheer himself with his Wife Deut. 24.5 So by way of allusion I may say that when the Saints marry a new Wife the Fathers Love they are often priviledged for some time to lie in his bosom and to cheer themselves with his Love but then some of them are called out to war Joh. 21.18 22. and though therein they indure some hardship for a season yet they become conquerors which is a greater glory than not to fight at all as 't is in some sense to conquer death than to be immortal and in the sense and strength of his Love they go forth conquering and to conquer and so live in the triumph of their assurance as our Saviour did and become his Squires or Armor-bearers fighting under his banner of Love against the evil one if ever he return again and make new affaults upon them as he did upon Christ himself from whom he departed but for a season but then the after-temptations are of another nature viz. persecutions and sufferings as our Saviours were Upon the whole I conclude that the temptations of the wicked one which the Young men have overcome are such as Christs were
after his having spoken to the Young men subjoyns this Love nor the world nor the things thereof 1 Joh. 2.14 15. But let us hear the Answer from the Word of God written not only in the Bible but in their hearts Then Jesus and the Young man Saint saith unto him Get thee hence Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve q. d. No man can serve two masters God and Mammon God and the Devil God is too good a Master to be left and the Devil too bad an one to be served Get hence vile varlet wretched caitiff thou wicked one dost think I will leave Heaven for Hell God for the Devil the Kingdom and glory of God for the Kingdoms and glory of this world which is all but vanity and vexation of Spirit Is God and Heaven and my soul no more worth than this avaunt Devil get hence for shame dost think I will fell my Soul for a paultry vanity and become a Lover of that which will make me the enemy of my God and make a God of mine enemy no no avoid Satan and get hence Now after this the Devil leaves him and runs away he cannot stand before the Word of God if he be resisted by being stedfast in the Faith he will flee and if he flee he is for the present conquered and he is put to flight and conquered by the It is written the Word of God abiding in power and efficacy in the Young men as he was by our Saviour Thus I have briefely shewn the parallel between the temptations which attended Christ and which attend the Young men after the witness of the Spirit concerning their Sonship which are defeated and put to flight by the Word of God The signs of this victory shall be shewn openly as in triumph in due time but at present I shall speak to one and only to one temptation more which assaults some of the little Children and the Young men and then proceed to prove the victory by the spoiles which shall be brought forth as signs thereof SECT 4. One Temptation more which they undergo and conquer too THere is one Argument which the Devil could not make use of against Christ who was without sin but doth often make use of against the little Children and Young men too if possible to make them call their Sonship into question 't is that they are not without sin but do in many things offend either by doing evil or omitting good or by falling short of their duty and giving God the glory due to his name Thou saith the Devil canst not be a Child of God nor know him as a Father for such do not commit sin nor can they do but read 1 Joh. 3 4-10 and 5.18 and tell me what thou canst say to these things if thou say thou sinnest not I will prove it if thou say thou hast no sin thou dost lie and sinnest in saying so and if thou sin how canst thou say that thou art born of God when the Scripture saith that he who is born of God doth not commit sin This is a two-edged Sword an Argument that cuts on both sides it seems to put these poor souls to a Dilemma but yet by the Word of God abiding in them they defeat this also To this they Answer 1. By following the example of Christ Jesus in opposing truly quoted and rightly understood Scripture to the Scripture which is falsely quoted and misapply'd which latter is as bad as the former the Devil wrests and so wrongs the Scripture and knows it though it be to his own confutation and confusion they say as our Saviour did again It is written and as the Devil knows that the seeming opposite Scriptures may be reconciled so he cannot endure that they should be reconciled he will rather be silent and answer nothing as when Christ opposed his half quotation by a whole one Thus then may the Young man Answer Satan thou knowest that Abraham Moses David c. were born of God and had the witness of his Spirit that they were his Children and yet were not without sin but sinned after their new birth or conversion and thou knowest that if we say the we spoken of in the foregoing Verses who had fellowship with God if we say that we have not sinned since conversion we make him a lyar and his Word is not in us 1 Joh. 1.10 This the Devil either cannot or will not reconcile though he knows 't is reconcileable with the fore-alledged Texts and therefore they are misapplyed as to the case in hand and the persons concern'd in this dispute But 2. Say the Young men the Texts which thou hast quoted do not seem to speak of every or any sin in any degree but of a special Sin viz. hating or not loving of the Brethren which they that are born of God cannot be guilty of 1 Joh. 4.20 but thou knowest Satan and that to thy vexation that I love the Brethren and am past from Death to Life To this purpose see what 's said in the Treatise of Babes in the Chapter of their love to the Brethren Or else it may refer to the sin unto death 1 Joh. 5.16 17 18. Yet 3. If the Text may not be restrain'd to that I can say further that I do not live in sin nor make a trade of sin as thou dost I am no sin-maker as thou art I sin not as they that are of thee who workest in the Children of disobedience that they may fulfil the lusts and wills of the flesh Ephes 2.1 3. and of such thou canst not deny but the quoted Texts do speak 4. I can say yet more in a true sense as the Apostle doth Rom. 7.15 20. that 't is not I who am born of God that sin but sin that dwelleth in me though I with my flâ—sh may alas that I do serve the Law of sin yet thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord with the mind I my self do serve the Law of God Rom. 7.25 There is therefore no condemnation to me who am in Christ Jesus and walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8.8 Though I wretch that I am may be sins Captive yet not â—â—s Subject that I should obey it in the lusts thereof sin may domineer but hath no dominion over me because I am not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6.1 18. thou Satan knowest that I am none of sins Servants Beside 5. I confess my sin and have my pardon and what dost thou Satan say to this or what canst thou say against it that God should forgive my sin according to what is said in 1 Joh. 1.8 9. have I not reason to be of good cheer though by reason of thee my warfare is not accomplished yet God hath spoken to mine heart and said Son be of good cheer thy sins are forgiven thee 'T is not against thee that I have sinned
it set forth the greatness of the Victory I now proceed to shew the signs and tokens of this Victory and so make way for the young mens triumph CHAP. X. The tokens and signs of the Victory PErhaps some will be apt to say That this is but a Romantick story a kind of Knight-Errantry 't is but for talk and discourse where are the erected Pillars and the trophies of honour that should witness the Victory where is Goliahs sword and head where are the spoiles and the booty the signs of their victory But hear ye despisers and wonder for we have not brought to you a fiction or a cunningly devised fable but words of truth and power as shall be yet further evinced And seeing we have formerly paralleled the Temptations which Christ did and these Young men also did undergo and conquer after the witness of the Spirit received we shall now parallel the signs and tokens of their respective victories When our Saviour was tempted and the Devils thrust put by and his argument defeated he wholly waves the assuming of it and shifts his ground as not able to stand upon it nor to it which is one sign of his being so far conquer'd He attempts the second time another way but with no better success and therefore sounds a parle and comes to treat which is another sign that his Forces fail'd him when he can do no good no evil this way neither he doth not only retreat but run away asham'd as one that flees in Battel as 't is said of them a Sam. 19.3 so that the field was left to Christ Jesus and thereupon the Angels came and ministred to him i.e. did him homage as to a great conqueror singing and celebrating his praise as we have cause to believe After this our Saviour went in the power of the Spirit into Galilee like a conqueror that had won the day and night go where he would as 't is remarked concerning him Luke 4.14 15. Though the Devil attempted to invalidate the witness of the Spirit yet he went in the power of the Spirit and that Testimony ever after it being not at all weakened by the encounter but went up and down teaching his Gospel and giving forth his Laws yea delivering Captives c. as it follows Vers 18. See Luk. 11.22 But it seems the Devil departed but for a season for he came again Joh. 14.30 't is true but pray observe that he never attempted with the former weapons again never disputed Christs Son-ship again but falls to down-right persecution without â—inding any thing in Christ whereof to accuse or wherefore to condemn him as the Devils own Judge even Pilate himself declares in open Court once again But here also Christ was too hard for him for though the Devil bruised his heel yet Christ brake the Devils head according to the first Promise Gen. 3.15 by dying he did destroy him that had the power of death viz. the Devil Heb. 2.14 and accordingly keeps the Keys to this day Rev. 1.18 so that the Devil was hugely out in his Politicks and was never so much defeated as now since he was a Devil for when Christ was Crucified he spoil'd principalities and powers triumphing over them Col. 2.14 15. So that now the Saints need not fear either Law Death or Devil Heb. 2.14 15.1 Cor. 15.55 57. Yet further our Saviour not only rose from the dead and so was declared to be the Son of God with a non obstante notwithstanding the Devils guard kept the Sepulchre but he ascended on high and rid in triumph through the Devils principality the Air of which he is Prince and as the Devil could not hinder him from ascending to the Father so nor his gifts from descending on men another token of his victory and triumph then then 't was that he led Captivity Captive Ephes 4.8 9. I might now draw resembling tokens of the Victory of our Young men the Armor-bearers of Christ who slay after him but I shall not stay to shew these parallels which may easily be observed by the Reader I will produce only â— me as evidences of their Victory They stand firm and fixed and lose no ground nor strength for ye are strong saith the Text and the Word of God abideth in you after this war and in the power of the Spirit and his Word of witness they as our Saviour did go about their work and imployment finishing that as he did which the Father hath given them to do and so glorifie him on earth The very Angels become ministring Spirits to them Heb. 1. ult They have their journals to shew how and where they conquer'd his broken weapons and defeated arguments they carry away as spoiles and come out of the Battel inrich'd with experiences which with their Prayers to God for them they distribute as so many gifts unto their Brethren as Paul did 2 Cor. 1.4 6. and these are no small signs of their hitherto victory no to mention the Devils flight As to what may be hereafter the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sufferings which attend them from the envy of a defeated Devil these also they overcome by not loving their lives but being faithful to the death Rev. 12.11 and 2.10 none of these things move them Acts 20.23 24. for in as well as after these things they are more than conquerors Rom. 8.36 37. They are of so great and noble Souls and spirits that they accept not deliverance but expect and shall obtain a better Resurrection Heb. 11.35 And this perseverance to the end is often called overcoming in the Epistles to the Seven Churches I now go on to shew the conclusion of the whole matter viz. the issue and success of the Victory as to their after frames and Conversations CHAP. XI The result of the Victory as to their frames and Conversations BEsides what flows from their having the witness of the Spirit which is the same with that of the little Children of which before there is a further influence from this victory which almost doubles their joy love and obedience it being another witness as it were or a confirmation of the former an assured assurance 1. It fills them with joy and rejoycing in the Lord that of him they make their boast and to him they give the glory all the day long They rejoyce not only as the Disciples did that the Devils are subject to them but that their names are written in the Book of Life Luke 10.17 They triumph in the praises of God and say Thanks be to God who hath given us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ When they erect an Altar the name and Motto is Jehova nissi the Lord my Banner and the Lord my strength 't was he that taught me to fight and gave me the victory Not to us not to us but to thy name be all the glory They set up their Eben-Ezer saying Hitherto the Lord hath helped us They rejoyce in the Salvation of
received the Spirit and grown up to another higher state than yet you are in Babes cannot bear the Mathematical and Metaphysical demonstrations they cannot understand them but they are for similitudes illustrations and Parables and so Christ taught them Mark 4.33 To tell them that there is joy in Heaven at the conversion of a sinner will not down with them unless it be taught by the Parable of a lost and afterward found Sheep c. Babes are for living by sense more than by Faith The Hebrews understood but little of the Priest-hood of Christ and his Office which is the strong meat no though the Apostle illustrated it by their own shadowy Priest-hood which they had under the Law So the Apostle Peter speaking of the state of renovation the new Heavens and the new Earth of which his beloved brother Paul had also written in his Epistles of which not Epistles for there is a change of the gender and 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and refers to the these things of which or among which things some are hard to be understood by whom viz. by the unlearned and unstable and therefore he presseth them not only to stedfastness but growth in grace without which they will not attain to know the things hard to be understood Prov. 14.6 2 Pet. 3.13 17. But they cannot eat strong meat yet they can eat milk though but milk yet milk which implies that they were not only alive but had some a very little strength and took in some nourishment and had some experience of the working of grace in them though 't were weak and faint Saith the Apostle I have fed you with milk which notes that he did not only give it them but that though they did not thrive much yet it kept life and Soul together as we use to say it kept them alive in their present state which was low and weak What this milk is I am to shew anon 4. These Babes are owned for Brethren as well as the spiritual ones by the Apostle though they had not the right yet they had the left-hand of fellowship And I Brethren saith he though you be but weak yet you and I are Brethren the spiritual Paul and as carnal Corinthian Babes were Brethren yea not only Paul but Christ himself the first born among the many Brethren is not ashamed to call the Babes as well as others Brethren Heb. 2.11 which takes in all the Children Vers 13.14 For Christ took the whole seed of Abraham Vers 16. And if any are Christs as these Babes are for they are in him saith our Text then are they Abrahams seed and heirs according to promise Gal. 3.29 The whole brother-hood have fellowship one with another as all the members of the body have from head to foot This then is the summ of all that we have said that these Babes have truth of Grace the root of the matter is in them God hath put truth in their inward parts and written the truth of Repentance Faith and Love in their hearts They are true born and not Bastards as the distinction is Heb. 12. 'T is true also that their grace is weak 't is grace and but grace in a low degree beside also 't is mix'd with much corruption strong corruptions are arguments of weak grace they are as carnal of all Saints the Babe-Saint hath the least grace and the most corruption And which is to be noted of all the rest also these Babes have not their denomination nor are so called meerly from their being but newly born but from their continuance in such a state No state is measured by one or two acts but from the tenor frame and course of their hearts and lives for such a time and duration We call no man a dunce or a bad Scholar from one daies dulness or for one miscarriage in an exercise but when he is constantly dull and blockish as the Hebrews were who were Babes for a long time 'T is the habit that gives the denomination to this and every Classis or Form And now I â—â—all proceed to shew the attainment of these Babes which in both Texts is exprest by Their Feeding on Milk Where what is meant by Milk and how they Feed on this Milk is discovered 1. More generally 2. More Particularly MIlk we see is the Food of Babes and therefore 't is necessary that we come to know what this Milk is for the better discovery of their state and attainment In the general all the Word of God the Gospel is called Milk 1 Pet. 2.2 As new-born Babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby This Milk is for growth the word is not only for begetting as chap. 1.23 and 25. but 't is for nourishing and bringing up also even to a perfect stature Ephes 4.11 16. 'T is observable that Peter doth not speak meerly of the Word written in the Bible but of the Word Preach'd chap. 1.25 But then this Word Preach'd must be sincere milk of the Word not mixt and corrupted with and by the devices inventions glosses and comments of Jews or Gentiles this the Apostle Paul disclaims and declaims against 2 Cor. 2.17 We are not as many who corrupt or deal deceitfully with the Word of God but as of sincerity but as of God in the sight of God speak we in Christ which he also hath again chap 4.2 We have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty or shame not walking in craftiness nor handling the Word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending our selves to every mans conscience in the sight of God We are no hucksters like them mentioned 2 Pet. 2.1 3. As this word must not be mixed with and corrupted by false Doctrine and base ends so this milk must not be made luscious and fulsome with the Sugar and Honey of mens wisdom and eloquence for this doth the Apostle no less disown and disallow as may be seen 1 Cor. 2.4 My speech and my Preaching was not with inticing words of mans wisdom I was not as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal I did not use feigned and made words to shew wit and learning I came not with that wisdom which lies in words with witticisms chap. 1.17 but in demonstration of the Spirit and power So then 't is not a sound of words but sound and sincere doctrine or Milk of the Word by which we grow and thrive But more particularly as to our Subject milk is used to denote weak nourishment and is opposed to strong meat and thus Milk notes the first principles of the Oracles of God the Alphabet of Christian Religion of this the Babes have their mouth and belly full but are weak and paâ—y things notwithstanding That Milk therefore in these Texts is put for the principles the first Elements of the Doctrine of Christ or as 't is in the Margent the word of the beginning of Christ Heb. 5.12 with 6.1 The very foundation