euery one that shal follow him So that this is our glory in afflictions we are fashioned by them into the similitude of Christ and wee are made like vnto him So it pleased God when hee would bring many children vnto glory to consecrate the Prince of their saluation through afflictions and to make both him that sanctifieth and them that are sanctified all one that they that suffer with him should also liue with him So we when we feele many troubles to rest vpon vs we may say now we are like vnto Christ especially when wee feele the greatest trouble the minde oppressed it maketh vs like vnto him and to say Now we supply in our flesh the remnant of the afflictions of Christ in nothing in this world as wealth honor c. can I behold the liuely Image of Christ. Affliction and trouble a minde broken with the remembrance of sinne a troubled spirit horrors of death and a conscience burdened with the wrath of God here light shines out of darknes and hope out of despaire When I thinke my selfe furthest off from the Lord them am I neerest vnto him and when I thinke my selfe fullest of confusion then the Image of Christ is most liuely within me The Lord may hide his face for a while for a moment in his anger aâ— he did from Christ but hee will returne vnto me with euerlasting mercies for the Image of his Sonne is cleere within me Wee are afflicted one euery side but not so as that wee are shut from hope wee are in pouerty but not ouercome with pouerty we are persecuted but not forsaken we are cast down but wee perish not wee are troubled in all things fightings without and terrours without but God that comforteth the abiects he will comfort vs. Vnto this he hath predestinated vs that we should bee like vnto his Son in afflictions and so be glorified with him in the day of honour CON. 80. God sendeth vs sundry chastisements especially the anguish of heart and affliction of the soule that we should be warned how to be free from the plague when it commeth EXPLA. The iudgements of God daily preached vnto vs pierce deepe into the hearts of the true beleeuers and the word that they heare it worketh mightily in them more sharpe in their eares then a two edged sword and it entreth through them euen to the diuiding asunder of the soule and of the spirit and of the ioynts and of the marrow and examines all the thoughts and the intents of the heart so that it is impossible that any part of theÌ„ should be hid but they are al open vnto iudgement and heare the voice of the Lord. Then their sinne is reuiued in the middest of their bowels their conscience hath no rest they feele death working in their hearts and hell is before them they see sin on their right hand and Satan on the left shame vnder their feete and an angry Iudge aboue them the world full of destruction without and a worm gnawing the heart within the poore sinner knoweth not what to doe to hide himselfe it is impossible and to appeare it is intollerable then hee breaketh out into loud crying O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the body of this death He giueth no rest vnto his eyes nor sleep vnto his eye-lids vntil he find that which is able to saue him from this wrath In his bed by night hee seeketh him whom his soule loueth in the streetes and open places hee enquireth after him and after many daies in which hee cannot finde him Christ sheweth himselfe at the last a perpetuall deliuerer a victorious Lion of the Tribe of Iuda in whom he hath strong saluatioÌ„ when he hath mourned because of the plague that was before him Christ will approch neere and wipe away al the tears froÌ„ his eies So said he When I heard the word of God my belly trembled my lips shooke at the voyce rottennesse entred into my bones and I trembled in my selfe that I might finde rest in the day of trouble So is it with vs all the plagues of God because they are pronounced against iniquity maketh the childe of God to feare that foreseeing the harme he might prâ—pare himselfe For though Christ hiâ— himselfe at the first the wounded spirit and troubled spirit must needes finde him out We are ful of griefe but we are chastised of the Lord because we should not be coÌ„deÌ„ned with the world we dye with Christ because we should liue with him we lament and weepe but because Christ might wipe away all teares from our eyes wee are deliuered vnto death for Iesus sake but because the life of Iesus should be manifest in our slesh We beare about vs the mortification of our Lord Iesus but because also the life of Iesus might bee manifest in our bodyes We haue anguish of spirit and vexation of minde for this cause that when destruction shall come vpon the careles world wee might lift vp our heads and behold our redemption at hand let vs then in patience poffesse our soules for for these causes wee are now afflicted that wee may receiue mercy and finde grace to helpe in time of neede and for this cause we tremble and are affraid that after many prayers wee might bee deliuered from the things which we haue feared CON. 81. That our life is in the hand of God that we shold not be pleased with it but as it pleaseth him ready to lay it downe when it pleaseth him EXPLA. This is the great commandement to loue God aboue all and this is the greatest obedience required of man to be ready to dye at the will of God Against this commandement the nature of man striueth the delights of this life rise against it we are loth to make our beds in the darke we would see the Sunne our eares would heare worldly elements our flesh indeed is grasse yet grasse hath a flowre and our frayle bodies haue vanishing fantasies agreeable vnto them from which we cannot bee pulled away So Patriarches and Prophets were afraid yea Peter and Paule loued that life which they saw in hope but they did feele the death which did fight in their members they were men as we are yet obtained at last to bee dissolued and bee with Christ. If we be weaker then they the graces of God shall bee more exalted in vs and wee shall also say at the last Let thy seruant O Lord depart in peace And â—â—ough wee feare for a little â—â—ile yet feare shall bee cast out and we shall say with a free spirit O death where is thy sting Our greatest enemy last is troden vnder our feet what else can hurt vs The Lord of life hath crushed him in pieces vnder vs. It is a blessed day that bringeth vs into this battel a blessed sicknesse that maketh vs indure this fight and most blessed end in which wee get victory This doth he
God beleeue of himselfe that he shall be saued And also the Apostle saith that we know that we are translated from death to life because we loue the Brethren all those things we know because our faith beleeueth all that which the word of God hath taught vs in this behalfe CON. 32. The effect of faith is to giue assurance of the present state and of perseuerance also to future glory EXPLA. As many as receiued Christ to them he gaue power to bee sonnes euen to them that beleeue in his name Now to receiue is to take in particular to a mans selfe to apply to himself to apprehend or lay hold of him with all his benefits to make particular vse of Christ so that true faith according to the measure of it assures infallibly not in general only by principall but in particular also by conclusion and application to it selfe and as of his owne good will hee hath begotten vs by the word of truth that we should bee as the first fruits of his creatures so by the same true grace of God that comfort is ministred vnto the faithfull to say Behold what loue the Father hath giuen vnto vs that we are called and are euen now the Sons of God! and we know that when he shall appeare we shall be like vnto him For thorow faith we receiue the promise of the Spirit That is Faith is the very hand into which being holden forth vnto God hee giueth the Spirit which hee had promised CON. 33. When God giueth vs this light and feeling that he is our Father there followeth necessarily a certificate that we are his children this testimony cannot be counterfeited EXPLA. Neither the spirit of man himselfe nor any other spirit can giue man that spirituall eye of the inner man whereby to looke vpon God as a Father that sincere and pure affection and inuocation wherewith the faithfull soule tendereth it selfe vnto God but onely the Spâ—rit of God himselfe which beareth witnes vnto our spirit that wee are the Sonnes of God and because we are the Sonnes of God he hath sent forth the spirit of his Sonne into our hearts crying Abba Father Now this Spirit that beareth witnesse is truth being the Spirit of Truth and therefore beeing sent for a comforter surely in comforting he telleth and testifieth nothing but the truth if then the Spirit of God beare witnesse vnto vs that we are the Sonnes of God wee know that it is true and wee are sure wee are the Sonnes of God And this witnessing properly standeth in the true spirituall inuocation and calling on the name of God whereby vpon all occasion as children to a Father make our recourse vnto him for it is not incident vnto vs to haue in our hearts conscience that familiar and louely accesse vnto the Throne of Grace but vpon coÌ„science of the spirit dwelling in vs for this spirit of praier doth witnesse vnto the elect that they are the Sons of God CON. 34. If God hath once giuen thee assured signes of his fauour hee will neuer change EXPLA. The Testament of Christ is still new yea though it were from the beginning yet it is still the same and the day passes not in which it was giuen but it endureth still with the age of man And thus it is not possible that our works should iustifie which waxe olde and are forgotten So that the righteous man of an hundred yeares old if hee leaue his righteousnesse it hath no account the saluation of the world is not thus but alwayes new If once I bee in the couenant it is an euerlasting couenant I was not taken vnder condition of time nor no time shall preuaile against mee the saluation it selfe is not changeable as Adam was in Paradise but it is made sure in the body of Christ vnited with the person of his Godhead So the wayes also in which wee are led vnto it they are iÌ„mutable our faith is not quenched our loue not extinguished our hope faileth not nor the holy Spirit can neuer be taken from vs but still they are new euen to eternall life CON. 35. We are ioynt-heires with Christ and must attaine to our inheritance that same way which he did beeing first partakers with him in suffering as we shall be afterwards in glory EXPLA. Faith expecteth all these things from God because it is giuen vnto vs for Christs sake not only to beleeue in him but also to suffer for his sake beeing strengthned with all might thorow his glorious power to all patience and long suffering with ioyfulnes To this end as the sufferings of Christ abound in them so hee causeth their consolations to abound through Christ their hope is stedfast in this behalfe because they know that as they are partakers of the sufferings so they shall be of the consolation for faith resteth vpon that which is written hee hath said I wil not fail thee nor forsake thee therefore wee may boldly say The Lord is on my side I will not feare what man can do vnto me he hath predestinated vs to be made like to the Image of his Sonne and therefore hauing receiued the spirit to reueale vnto vs this secret of predestination wee stand assured that accordingly he will accomplish in vs the Image of his Sonne that together with him wee may beare the crosse and together with him also weare the crowne and therefore shall so order all things that there shall be nothing to come that shall separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. CON. 36. The cause of life spirituall in vs is Christ not carnally nor corporally inhabiting but dwelling in the soule of man as a thing which when the minde apprehendeth it is said to inhabite or possesse the minde EXPLA. The minde containeth Christ by hearing and beleeuing the Doctrine of christianity with particular apprehension as the light of nature doth cause the mind to apprehend those truthes which are meerely rationall so that sauing truth which is farre aboue the reach of humane reason cannot otherwise then by the Spirit of the Almighty be conceiued as in these sentences The Spirit is our life or the Word is our life or Christ our life the meaning is that our life is Christ by the hearing of the Gospell apprehended â—s a Sauiour and assented vnto by the power of the holy Ghost CON. 37. The motions and operations of life are sometime so indiscernable and so secret that they seeme stone dead who notwithstanding are still aliue vnto God in Christ. EXPLA. The first intellectuall conceit and comprehension of Christ is the seede whereof wee bee borne new our first embracing of Christ is our first reuiuing from the state of death and condemnation Hee that hath the Sonne hath life and hee that hath not the Sonne hath no life therefore if hee which once had the Son may cease to haue
sins My soule is heauy vnto death yea he was astonished at his griefe at the very entry at it for his sweat was drops of blood falling from hâ—m and God sent an Angell from heauen to comfort him Was this for the death of his body His seruants that receiue of his fulnesse doe they not easily despise this death that either they desire to be with Christ or reioyce in the middest of it before the persecutor The Apostles did sing in prison Paule gloried in his tribulations which were many And did hee cry out my God my God why hast thou forsaken me Here is no comparisoÌ„ that which made him tremble wold haue crushed them that which made him sweate blood would haue made them sinke into the bottome of hel and that which made him cry would haue held both Angels and men vnder euerlasting woe But Christ was as water powred out and all his bones out of ioynt his heart like waxe molted in the middest of his bowels his strength was dried vp like a potsheard and his tongue cleaued vnto his iawes hee was brought with his sorrowes to the dust of death for hee bare our sinnes in his body he submitted himselfe to the death of them and by the wounds of his stripes we be healed For our sinnes deserued not onely a bodily but also a second death in hell fire hee suffered the torments of body and the anguish of the soule the wrath of his Father which wounded his flesh spirit vnto death would haue holden him in that condemnation for euer if he had not bene stronger then we that had deserued it but beeing the Sonne of God in whom the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelled bodily the eternall Spirit that was within him did loose the chaines of death and hell of which it was impossible that hee should bee holden and hath left his enemies the Deuill death and hell in ignominy and darknesse and hath abolished them for euer CON. 76. We are presented faultlesse before the presence of Gods glory by beeing made one with Christ. EXPLA. Of Christ onely is it true This is my well-beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased this is the Saluation wee haue by him to bee grafted in him and made partakers of his life All the faithfull before Christ were righteous in him for wee must leaue all our works in the earth where they were done and they must dye with the corruptible hands and feete with which they are wrought we must go naked and bare and offer nothing but that which is Christs yea our selues wee must present in his body for in our owne persons wee cannot possibly be accepted Euen as the Vine branch can haue no life except it abide in the body of the Vine no more we either life or righteousnesse except wee be and abide in Christ. He is our substance and being in the inheritance of glory his righteousnesse is ours his loue ours his life our life his Spirit our spirit of his fulnesse we receiue all This is a great mistery which the eye seeth not nor heart can vnderstand yet it is a reall ioyning with him faith comprehendeth it and when wee shall see that wisedome which is called vnity in one person God and man wee shall see the wisedome which hath made vs all the body of that head and members one of another In him he is well pleased I say with vs. If that couenant wherin it was once promised to Abraham to giue a land vnto the Iews and all their rebellion could not falsifie his promise in him wee haue a couenant greater and better therefore let vs trust vnto his promise which cannot change his grace nor repent him of his mercy for euer for this is a holy couenant which shall not be broken but God will make all our enemies our footstooles and will surely take vs vp into his glory and briefly the presence of God to which Christ leadeth vs is a throne of Grace for by his merits we bee brought vnto God as before a Iudge who from his tribunall Seat doth acquit vs for euer of his own grace and free mercy For whosoeuer looketh to bee iustified by any other thing the Lord can no more shew mercy vnto him then he can change the property of his Iudgement seate to make it no more the Throne of Grace CON. 77. A perfect beauty of all excellent loue appeareth in the great worke of Christs mediation for hee became man Secondly Hee was ordained to accomplish whatsoeuer was betweene God and man Thirdly This was giuen to Christ by God both by word and by oath and all was to haue compassion on vs. EXPLA. Neither Angell nor Archangell nor Principalities nor Powers can doe this worke to present flesh and blood vnto the Maiesty of God when themselues are but spirits He tooke not the Angels nature but the seede of Abraham But in his sufferings his loue is most euident in that it was so feruent and so deepely rooted that neither feare nor trembling nor any anguish of spirit could make him shake nor the force of death nor any bloody sweats could pull it out of his bowels this is the depth of the Gospell which the Angels doe desire to behold it skilleth not how many our sins are and how great in our eyes the Lord will scatter them as the clouds from the heauens and they shall not turne away his louing countenance from vs if our sinnes bee as scarlet and not ours onely but the sinnes of the whole world they rested all vpon Christ he prayeth for deliuerance and hath obtained and therefore we may say with boldnesse forgiue vs our trespasses We then which are laden but with our owne sins should lift vp our hearts in the great assurance of hope and heare with ioyfulnesse the word of promise I will be mercifull to their vnrighteousnesse and I will remember their sins and iniquities no more There is nothing comparable to his passions by whose stripes we are healed and therefore may bee fully perswaded that nothing shall separate vs from the loue of God in Christ for the Lord hath appointed to giue to all that mourne in Sion beauty for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of gladnesse for the spirit of heauinesse for hee was wounded for our transgressions and broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him his prayers are ours his supplications for vs availeable for more sins then we are able to commit This is the victory that shall ouercome the world euen our faith For his Father hath broken him with one breaking vpon another so he kindled his wrath against him and accounted him as one of his enemies hee cryed out aloud in silence he could finde no ease his face was wrinckled with weeping and the shaddow of death was vpon his eyes wheÌ„ he was the brightnesse of glory and the Sunne of Righteousnesse that
and iustified them hee glorified because hee called and iustified none but whom he had predestinated to glory and therefore giueth them perseuerance for the attainement of the same glory Yea and they also account all things but losse for the excellent knowledge of Christ Iesus our Lord and doe iudge them but dung that they may win Christ and bee found in him not hauing their owne righteousnesse which is by the Law CON. 21. There was neuer any meere naturall man for Christ was God also void of all sinne EXPLA. Surely if any at any time was it must be she who by speciall prerogatiue nine moneths togither entertained Christ within the closet of her slesh the hope of all the ends of the earth the honor of the world the common ioy of men but hee of whom all things had their beginnings had his beginning from her of whose body he tooke the blood which was to be shed for the world yet of her hee tooke that which for her he payed The world cannot shew a righteous man much lesse perfectly righteous but Christ is made to vs wisedome reuealing his Fathers will Iustice in offering himselfe a sacrifice for sinne SanctificatioÌ„ because he hath giuen vs his spirit Redemption because he had appointed a day to vindicat his children out of the hands of corruption into a glorious liberty CON. 22. There is a glorifying righteousnes in the world to come as there is a iustifying sanctifying righteousnesse here EXPLA. The righteousnesse wherewith we shall bee clothed in the world to come is both perfect and inherent that whereby here wee are iustified such as is the faith of Abraham is perfect but not inherent that whereby wee are sanctified the workes of Abraham is inherent but not perfect for the righteousnesse wherein we must be found if wee will bee iustified is not our owne for in Christ God findeth vs and the man altogether vnrighteous beeing found in Christ through faith God putteth away his sin by not imputing the same takes quite away the punishment due thereunto by pardoning it and accepted him in Christ Iesus as perfectly righteous as if he had fulfilled all that was commanded him in the law for God made him sinne for vs who knew no sinne that wee might bee made the righteousnesse of God in him that is such we are in the sight of God the Father as is the very Sonne of God himselfe this is all men had sinned God had suffered God had made himselfe the sonne of man and men are made the righteousnesse of God and the grace which elected vs is no grace at all if it elect vs for our workes sake CON. 23 There is no mans case so dangerous as his whom Satan had perswaded that his own righteousnesse shal present him pure blamelesse in the sight of God EXPLA. The more wee haue our fruite in holinesse the more we abound therein the more neede we haue to craue that wee may bee supported and strengthned our very vertues are snares vnto vs it is harder for Sathan to ouerthrow an humble sinner theÌ„ a proud Sainct if we could say as we cannot doe wee are guilty of nothing God sees farther into our hearts then we our selues can doe with hands we neuer offered violence yet a bloody thought doth prooue vs murtherers before him our secret cogitations are laid in the eyes of God and our best things intermingled with many defects God respects the intention of the doer which is seldome vpright our best actions are prayers but how in them are wee distracted little reuerence to the great Maiestie of God little remorse of our owne miseries little influence of his mercies doe wee feele vnwilling to beginne and glad to make an end wherefore wee must euer say Lord beare with our infirmities and pardon our offences CON. 24. Onely man can escape the iudgement of God by appealing to the seate of his sauing mercy EXPLA. God had fixed the limits of his sauing mercy within the compasse of these terms God sent not his Sonne to condemne the world but that the world thorow him might be saued and thereafter mercy is restrained to beleeuers for he that beleeues shall not be condemned hee that beleeues not is condemned already because he beleeues not in the Son of God and in another place mercy is restrained to the penitent Of Iesabel and her sectaries thus hee spake I gaue her space to repent and she repented not behold I will cast her into a bed and them that commit fornication with her into a great affliction except they repent them of their workâ—s and I will kill her children with death If thou be therefore not altogether faithlesse and impenitent there is mercy in store for thee abundantly CON. 25. Faith is the fountaine of prayer and God in keeping of our faith continueth our prayer because the stream cannot faile so long as the fountaine faileth not EXPLA. Prayer is the breath of faith which neuer ceaseth to breathe so long as it is aliue Prayers are the beames of faith if the light of faith bee not quenched it certainely sendeth forth these beames of prayer wherefore they neuer giue ouer to pray that it may bee fulfilled in them which is promised Euery one that calleth vpon the name of God shall be saued God vseth instruction of the word and Sacraments and correction of crosses and tentation to preserue both faith prayer by afflictions he fretteth off the rust and blotteth away the ashes of carnall â—ecurity Wherefore it is said Lord in affliction they visited thee they haue powred out a prayer when thy chastisement was vpon them Thus God keepeth the fire of his Spirit continually burning in our hearts opening our eares by his corrections to cause vs to ceasse from our euill enterprizes and to heale our pride and to keepe backe our soule from the pit Wherefore when wee are iudged wee are chastned of the Lord that we may not be condemned with the world CON. 26. Doubting or distracting feare cannot stand with assurance of faith but awfull and regarding feare is an vndiuided companion of true faith EXPLA. As feare is opposed to faith we heare God appointing his Ministers to call his people from it Say vnto the fearefull bee thou strong feare not behold our God commeth with vengeance and hee will come and saue you and againe Feare not for I am with thee be not afraid for I am thy God I will strengthen thee and helpâ— thee and sustaine thee with the hand of my Iustice And againe Feare not for I haue redeemed thee I haue called thee by name thou art mine And againe Feare not for thou shalt not be ashamed nor confounded in righteousnesse shalt thou bee established and be farre from feare for it shall not come neere thee this is the heritage of the Lords seruants whose righteousnesse is of me for Christs merit is our
dead it is dead indeede touching the guilt but it is not yet dead as touching corruption and infection and therfore doth infect the works of the most regenerate for none is perfect as long as he continueth in this life Indeed God hath quickened vs together with Christ and hath raised vs vp together and hath made vs sit together in the heauenly places in Christ Iesus but that is not yet really but in hope yea in our prayers there is much weaknesse and imperfections and distractions yet God respects the truth and not the measure of our faith pardoneth the same for Christs sake who is our high Priest to beare the iniquity of our offerings to make them acceptable before the Lord therfore the godly say Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for in thy sight no man liuing shal be iustified The righteous fall seuen times a day and dayly prayeth for forgiuenesse and when by frailty he doth fal God doth in mercy looke vpon him as he did vpon Peter and cause him to rise againe CON. 51. Faith created in our hearts is the onely sufficient supernaturall instrument to apprehend the free couenant of grace in Christ that is Christs righteousnesse for our iustification EXPLA. Faith is the instrument to receiue because it is the hand which wee stretch to heauen to take holde of Christ and to hold him sitting there it is the mouth whereby we eate and drinke Christ because to beleeue is to eate it is the stomack whereby we digest him for he is to be digested by faith it is the foot wherby we enter in possession of the benefits of Christ and possesse so farre as we stretch the same it is the vessell whereinto God putteth the oyle of his mercy it is by faith wee touch him and looke how much faith we bring to receiue so much we draw out of the abundant grace of God Now that whereby we are iustified is the obedience of Christ for by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous and his obedience is his righteousnesse and wee are made the righteousnesse of God in him by apprehending and receiuing the righteousnesse which is in him He is called the Lord our righteousnesse not who maketh vs righteous only but who also himselfe is our righteousnes and how should he be our righteousnes but by his righteousnes therefore in apprehending receiuing Christ by faith we apprehend and receiue the righteousnes of Christ to be our iustification before God which is that merit and obedience of Christ imputed vnto vs. The efficient and finall cause of iustification then is God in Christ Iesus for our saluation the glory of his name the Materiall is the merit obedience of Christ the Formall cause is Gods imputation apprehended and receiued by vs the instrument of this apprehension is faith alone CON. 52. Iustifying faith is euer accompanied with godlinesse and care of godly life EXPLA. As naturall birth draweth not onely guilt but also corruption so faith wherein is our new birth giueth not onely forgiuenesse of sinne to iustification but also sanctification to holinesse and newnesse of life In the iustified man faith onely is the seat and fountaine of spirituall life because as the quickning faculty and power of the liuing soule dwelleth in the heart so Christ who is our life dwelleth in our faith or in our hearts by faith But yet we consist not spiritually of faith onely but many other vertues and graces are required to make vp the perfection of a Christian man to which as to the other members frō the heart so from faith life is imparted and communicated that in them wee may bee aliue to God which are signes and tokens of a iustified man not any causes of iustification but a declaration and testimony of his being formerly iustified by the faith of Iesus Christ. So good workes follow a man being iustified but are not precedent to iustification and nothing that man can doe either by nature or grace concurreth to the act of iustification as any cause but faith alone for our hearts are purified by faith by faith we reeiue the promise of the spirit and the Law of the Spirit of Christ which is in Christ Iesus deliuered vs from the law of sinne and of death Neither is the very act of faith any part of our righteousnesse but onely the merit and obedience of Christ apprehended and receiued by faith but as the heart giueth life to the body not by the substance of it selfe which is but flesh as the rest of the body is but by the vitall and quickning power of the soule that is seated therin and as the hand feedeth the body not as beeing it selfe the food of the body but by receiuing and ministering vnto it meate wherby it is sustained euen so faith iustifieth and giueth life by receiuing Christ to bee our righteousnesse and life in him receiuing forgiuenesse of sinnes inheritance among them that are sanctified vnto eternall life CON. 53. When God promised tied the effect of his promise to the beleeuing of it not to beleeue that in beleeuing whereof wee are partakers of that which we beleeue is to make God a lyar and to frustrate that which he hath promised EXPLA. By faith onely we accept of a promise in all the benefits of God wee are the children of promise heires by promise heires of promise expecting all things by the gracious promise of God by promise to be partakers of the diuine nature the blessing by promise the spirit by promise the inheritance by promise life eternall by promise by promise a new heauen and a new earth wherein righteousnesse dwelleth all which be promises in Christ and are yea and in him amen that is for his sake first made and for his sake to bee performed also Now seeing God hath taught vs that by faith wee obtaine the promises that wee receiue the promise of the spirit by faith that the promise of blessing is giuen by the faith of Iesus Christ to them that beleeue that as we beleeue so it shall be vnto vs that whatsoeuer wee desire when wee pray if we beleeue we shall haue it it shall be accordingly vnto vs. Why should wee then not beleeue such God hath promised Christ to bee our righteousnesse and that by the faith of Iesus Christ that is by beleeuing in him to bee that vnto vs which God hath promised surely in beleeuing him to bee our righteousnesse hee is our righteousnesse and we are made the righteousnesse of God in him CON. 54. The righteousnesse and merit of Christ is spiritually and really ours within and without in spirit and body and soule to sanctifie and cleanse vs vnto God EXPLA. And this is indeede not by receiuing Christs righteousnes really into vs but by hauing righteousnesse imputed vnto vs for his sake for we
receiue the righteousnes of God euen as wee receiue himselfe who so becommeth ours as that we abide in him and hee in vs wee are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones we are really and truely by the power of his Spirit one with him and he with vs yet he is not personally and bodily brought vnto vs faith seeketh Christ and findeth him and holdeth him in the Virgins wombe in the manger in the garden vpon the crosse in the graue in his Resurrection and ascension to heauen and in his now sitting at the right hand of God making intercession for vs. Euery where faith embraceth him and in euery of these seeth him to bee ours as hauing vndertaken and atchieued al these things for our sakes CON. 55. For a speciall aptnesse in faith hath God appointed it to be the instrument for applying vnto vs the whole benefit of Christ. EXPLA. The will and ordinance of God doth not without cause appoint one cōdition when as well it might appoint another neither appointed any thing to bee done which is not more fitly to be done that way that he appointed then any other way But beside this our iustification is by faith that it may be by grace for faith is the fittest meanes to set forth the grace of God Secondly that the promise might be sure to all the seede for no otherwise can we rest assured of the promise of God but as it is of Grace who in our workes can finde nothing to assure our selues Thirdly faith is specially appointed to exclude boasting that no man should glory in his own doings but that God should haue the glory of mans saluation CON. 56. That man cannot haue fellowship with Christ by iustification who by sanctification also hath no fellowship with him EXPLA. Doe not thinke that hee that hath such a faith as whereby being iustified hee hath to reioyce with God can together therewith haue vnrighteousnes for if he that beleeueth that Iesus is Christ is borne of God and he that is borne of God sinneth not and if he doe sinne that is giue himselfe to sin it is certaine that he beleeueth not certaine it is that hee that truely beleeueth doth work the work of faith and righteousnesse and all goodnesse The root of all is faith by which alone we are iustified and so the barre of sinne is taken away that before diuided betwixt God vs that so the sanctifying Spirit of God may haue accesse vnto vs to work in vs the good work of God so to prepare vs to that inheritance to the hope whereof hee hath called vs. The theefe in his short time being vpon the crosse had with his faith many good workes the feare of God hope repentance confession of sins loue towards God and his neighbour in reprehending his fellowes blasphemies and defending of Christs innocency The good workes of the godly are glorious and acceptable in Gods sight for Christs sake being done in his name and offered vpon the Altar of faith in him the imperfection thereof is accidentall taketh not away the nature of a good worke but maketh it an vnperfect good worke which imperfection notwithstanding were sufficient to make the worke to be reiected if in rigour and extremity God shuld weigh the same which hee doth not but mercifully pardoneth it for Christs sake CON. 57. The righteousnesse wherby we are to be iustified before God admitteth no encrease as sanctification doth EXPLA. It admitteth no encrease because it must bee perfect and the righteousnesse of Christ is alwayes vniforme and alike if any thing bee taken from it it is not perfect and if it be not perfect it cannot iustifie before God but to the first grace of sanctification and all the succeeding increase thereof is of grace for God to the thankfull receiuing and vsing of his gifts doth adde greater measure thereof for to him that hath shall bee giuen yet that which is added is grace for grace and the rendring of one gift for another gift God giuing occasion himselfe by one gift of the bestowing of another as he giueth faith and to faith that which we beleeue as he giueth vs to pray and so praier giueth that for which wee pray so in all the rest hee giueth grace and giueth to vse wel the grace he hath giuen and to the wel vsing thereof hee giueth also further measure increase of grace that both in the gift in the increase al praise glory may redound to him The meanes in vs whereby this increase is wrought is faith which as it first receiueth the spirit so receiueth also the increase of it whilest by the growth thereof we grow more into Christ and thereby more more partakers of his life By imputation of the merits and obedience of Christ a man is a righteous the first day of his conuersion as hee is in the end of his life howsoeuer as touching sanctification and inherent righteousnesse he grow much and therein be renued from day to day in putting off the old man and putting on the new and stil cleansing from all defilement of the flesh and of the spirit finish his sanctification in the feare of God for euery one that beareth fruit in me my Father purgeth that hee may bring forth more fruit We must then grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ not as though I had already attained or were already perfect but one thing I doe I forget that which is behinde and endeuour my selfe to that which is before and follow hard toward the marke the price of redemption in the shedding of the blood of Christ one and alike to all and euery faithfull man but yet it is not alike apprehended by euery one There is perfect righteousnesse required of vs and the same is yeelded vnto vs in Christ there may be a difference in vs but Christ cannot be diuided neither is there in him any difference from himself where hee goeth hee goeth whole and therfore what he is to the strōg the same he is to the faint and feeble soule there is greater and lesse assurance but the matter whereof each doth take assurance is the whole mercy of God in Christ. CON. 58. When we teach Christ alone wee exclude not our faith vnto iustification or Christ excluding our owne works vnto sanctification for charity is inseparably with faith in the man that is iustified EXPLA. Faith is the onely hand which putteth on Christ vnto iustification and Christ the only garment which being so put on couereth the shame of our defiled natures hideth the imperfections of our workes preserueth vs blamelesse in the sight of God before whom otherwise the weakenesse of our faith were cause sufficient to make vs culpable yea to shut vs out from the Kingdome of heauen whither nothing that is not absolute can enter so Christ without any associate finished all the parts of redemption
SPIRITVALL ENCREASE OR Conclusions for pacifying the perplexed Conscience of the weake Christian. To him that hath shall be giuen LONDON Printed by NICHOLAS OKES for William Lee and are to be sold at his shop in Fleete streete at the signe of the golden Buck neare Seriants Inne 1621. ⧠TO THE GODLY AND euer-honored Lady Anna Lady Caluart wife to the right Hon Sir George Caluart Knight one of his Maiesties principall Secretaries and of the most honorable priuy Councell MADAME AS Piety and Righteousnes are two noble vertues of the Regenerat part of the soul so Humility and Loue are the neuer-perishing fruit of such euer-blessed trees The eminency of these in your Honor hath encouraged mee but alas what am I to entreat your Honor to shelter this vnpolished Treatise vnder the shaddow of your Honors Patrocinie In it your Honor may finde selected medicines out of Scripture and the godly and learned of our time for the restoring of the Christian his weak conscience not embellished with deceitfull cauillations of humane wisedome but arayed with the Euidency Nakednesse and Simplicity of truth In it your Honor may finde I say the wauering faith confirmed not with cordialls of foolish empiriacks but with the al-curing Balme of Gilead froÌ„ Gods Sion which dignifieth all mens actions here crowneth them in Christ hereafter Thus Madame wishing eternall continuance of your Honors good and happy beginnings euer seconded with the fauour of God in Christ I commit your Honor to him who is able to doe aboue all we aske or thinke Your Honors remembrancer at the Throne of Grace B. R. The Contents of this Booke A ASsurance of the perpetuity of faith fol. 13. Con. 9. fol. 21. Con. 13. fol. 33. Con. 18. fol. 38. Con. 20. fol. 66. Con. 32. The true vse of afflictions fol. 72. Con. 35. C Christ dwelleth in vs by faith fo 30. Con. 17 fo 75. Con. 36. Christ's obedience is ours fol 99. Con. 46. To knowe the sufferings of Christ is our greatest consolation fol. 184. Con. 75. Confession of sinne a ready way to saluation fol. 179. Con. 73. The benefits of Gods chastisements fol. 196. D Doubtfulnesse accompanies our saluation fol. 4. Con. 3. fol. 55. Con. 27. The benefit of desertion fol. 7. Con. 5. Degrees of faith fol. 23. Con. 14. Man must not depend on himselfe fol. 89. Con. 41. Doubting accompanies faith fol. 147. Con. 62. E Great difference of errors fol. 83. Con. 39. Experience of God is goodnesse strength and faith fol. 163. Con. 68. F The Christian is faithfull in weakenesse fol. 2. Con. 2. fol. 58. Con. 28. How faith and feare be in a Christian. fol. 51. Con. 26. The foundation of faith is Christ. fol. 59. Con. 29. Difference of faith fol. 62. Con. 30. Faith sufficient to apprehend righteousnesse in Christ. fol. 115. Con. 51. Death not to bee feared fol. 198. G God not changeable fol. 70. Con. 34. God will not forsake vs. fol. 79. Con 38. God offereth assurance of his fauour in the first entrance to his seruice fol. 91. con 42. The Elect are Gods free gift to Christ. fol. 182. con 74. H Hunger for Christ is a possession of him fol. 1. con 1. A heart to hear the gift of God fol 11. Con. 8. Hope and patience beareth the crosse fol. 97. Con. 45. L Faith the fountaine of our loue to God fol. 16. Con. 11. They liue to God who appeare in themselues to be dead fol. 76 con 37. By the Law of faith God pardoneth sin fol. 105. con 48. God will haue them that walke in light to feele what it is to sit in darkenesse fol. 151. Con. 64. Excellent loue appeared in Christs sufferings fol. 192. Con. 77. M Gods mercy fol. 47. Con. 24. Markes of our election fol. 64. con 31. fol. 68. con 33. Christs merits most seene in our vnworthinesse fol. 102. con 47. Ordinary meanes must bee vsed for the strengthning of faith fol. 167. con 70. O There is a remainder of original corruption while we are here fol. 112. con 50. Our faith hath priuie operations secret to vs. fol. 154. con 65. Preaching increaseth faith fol. 9. con 7. Particular apprehension fol. 15. con 10. Faith assures prayer fol. 26. con 15 fol. 49 con 25. Particular application requisite to saluation fol. 95. con â—4 R One righteousnesse here another in the world to come fol. 43. con 22. Remission of sinne is iustification before God fol. 108. con 49. S Saluation hangeth not vppon any sufficiency in vs. fol. 17. con 12. fol. 28. con 16. con 23. The holy Spirit is giuen to the Elect. fol. 36. con 19. fo 60. con 29. No man voyd of sinne fol. 41. con 21. Sanctification and iustification euer goe together fol. 1â—8 con 52. The Serpent laboureth to peruert the simplicity of faith fol. 156. con â—6 We neede not feare sinne for Christ hath abolished it fol. 169. con 71. T Trouble shal be rather matter of ioy then of displeasure fol. 174. con 72. V Weake assurance argueth weakenesse of faith fol. 8. co 6. Vnbeleefe is naturall to vs. fol. 6. con 4. Saluation not of our works fol. 86. con 40. fol. 92. con 43. By our vnion with Christ we are faultlesse before God fol. 188. con 76. Conclusions for pacifying the perplexed Conscience of the weake Christian. CONCLVSION 1. Hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and faith is a sure possession of some measure of them EXPLANATION IF man bee grieued for his vnbeliefe and wish striue that it may bee otherwise he hath the roote of faith in him from whence commeth this but from a secret loue and liking which hee had of those things that are beleeued no man can loue things which in his owne opinion are not and if they thinke those things to be which they shew that they loue when they desire to beleeue them then must it needs be that by desiring to beleeue they proue themselues true beleeuers for without faith no man thinketh that things beleeued are This Argument all the subtilty of infemall powers will neuer be able to dissolue CONCLVSION 2. Man may remain faithfull in weakenesse though weake in faith EXPLANATION Such is our weake and weaning nature that wee haue no sooner receiued grace but wee are ready to fall from it for many and grieuous downe-falls haue beleeuers yet still continue inuincible though we finde in our selues a most willing heart to cleaue inseparably to God euen so farre as to think vnfainedly with Peter Lord I am ready to goe with thee into prison and death yet how soone and how easily vpon how small occasions are wee changed if wee bee but a while let alone and left vnto our selues for the higher wee flow the nereer we are to an ebbe if men be respected as meere men according to the wonted course of their alterable inclination without the heauenly support of the Spirit
CON. 3. The assurance of our saluation is many times accompanied with feares doubts which doe perplex the soule of the most righteous EXPLA. The true worke of Faith is to assure vs of Gods loue and to enioy that comfort without let to cherish the same and resist the contrary but the weaknesse of our faith and strength of corruption is such that we doe not alwayes attaine these but as in the practice of good actions we sometime reioyce and finding great infirmity in sinning wee mourne for them such change by turnes are in the most regenerate so in faith wherein we receiue a Testimony of Gods loue there is a change because we apprehend not this assurance immediatly as a principle but by collection or conclusiō so the alteration is in apprehēding of the premises wherupon the cōclusiō arose for Gods promises and effects of grace appeare not alwayes the same yea sometimes contrarie CON. 4. The seedes of vnbeliefe are naturally sowne in vs which euer casteth vp obiections EXPLA. Our heart by nature is full of mire dirt which trouble the springs of the water of life and therefore the dayes of faith are like the dayes of the yeere some faire some foule some times in hell as it were sometimes mounted to heauen some times triumphing sometimes striuing euer counting what it hath felt striuing to the same again euer in feares running vnto God expecting better seeing a glimpse of light in darknesse of hope in despaire of comfort in distresse of life in death of heauen in hell and if they lose the sight hereof yet recouered it soone againe CON. 5. Often God leaues vs to our selues that wee may take the faster hold when we returne againe EXPLA. The taste of loue is the sweeter and the ioy the larger when we come to it out of the flouds of tentations For afflictions brings forth patience and patience experiēce and experience hope while by this meanes the loue of God is spred abroad in our hearts by the holy Spirit which is giuen vs the more trees on the tops of hils are blasted the deeper roote they take CON. 6. True faith euer giueth assurance which is the greater by how much our faith is the greater and weakenesse of our assurance argueth the weakenesse of faith EXPLA. Euen in the true faith there is degrees for there is variety of gifts which how little soeuer it be yet is able to saue vs that thou mayst learne what it is whereunto thou art to striue reioycing in that thou hast atttained to already and to pray for that which is behinde that God would increase thy faith feeling of imperfections is the common frailety of all Gods children and faith that it may bee strong must haue time to grow and haply seemeth weake to thee when it is strong to God For the ioy of the faithfull is as a garden enclosed CON. 7. As faith is by hearing so it is ordinarily increased by preaching whereunto the weake beleeuer must attend EXPLA. Preachers are Proclamators which teach euery beleeuer their interrest in the matters of saluation which apprehend the promises vpon conscience of their owne repentance and faith for where the seede shall grow there it shall bring forth the fruite of faith and it shall bring forth eternall life for this assurance is giuen by the mouth of the Minister by the word of Christ which the faith of the hearer apprehendeth the man warmeth the bed the bed warmeth him euery man hath not accesse to the priuy seale but by the imprint there of in waxe he knoweth it to be the priuy Seale CON. 8. It is the Lord that giueth a heart to heare the voyce of Christ deliuered by the minister out of the Gospell EXPLA. My owne heart could neuer minister comfort vnto mee which is deceitfull aboue all things and is rather cast downe with acknowledgement of misery and therefore wee must dicerne betwixt the true assurance of the heart from carnall presumption floating fancies swimming in the head for true assurance is accompanied with the Spirit of grace and prayer by which the heart is conformed to the voyce of God with ioyfull acceptance and affectionate desire of that which is vttered thereby which is the fruite of the spirit of adoption which beareth witnesse vnto our spirit that wee are the sonnes of God and beareth record that God hath giuen vs eternall life for he is God that doth neitherly nor change whose foundation is sure for hee knoweth them that are his CON. 9. Thou mayst be assured of the perpetuity of thy faith for God will not forsake the worke which hee hath begunne EXPLA. The reason is because that he who beleeues in Christ shall neuer be confounded and his sheepe shall neuer perish but he will giue them eternall life and although the godly oft times fall yet God is faithfull in his promise to them I will put my feare in their hearts and they shall not depart frō me resting in this that they not onely apprehend Christ but much more that they are apprehended of Christ and not that they know God onely but that they are knowne of him for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance so that whether they liue or die they are the Lords for nothing can separate them from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus and therefore doe they boldly say thy louing kindnesse and mercy shall follow mee all the dayes of my life and I shall dwell in the house of God for euer CON. 10 Faith taketh hold of the particular apprehension as to beleeue that God is my God my life peace strength deliuerance and my saluation EXPLA. We must not beleeue only that he is these things in himselfe but that hee is indeed the same to vs for because God is ours whatsoeuer is his is ours for vs and for our vse his mercy his power his prouidence to watch ouer vs both in life and death for by couenant hee bound himselfe to the heires of promise I will bee their God and they shall be my people and againe Loe this is our God and wee haue wayted for him and hee will heare vs we will reioyce and be ioyfull in his saluation for that Christ hath already done for thee is a greater matter then that he promised so thou beleeue not onely that thy sin may forgiuen thee by his mercy which is a beginning or foundation of Christ but also that thy sinnes are forgiuen thee CON. 11. Faith is the fountaine of our loue towards God for while wee beleeue he is so mercifull vnto vs it swalloweth vp our affections and draweth our loue to him EXPLA. The loue arising of faith so much felt in vs assureth vs that wee are beloued of God who loued vs first and therefore place we the confidence of our saluation in him onely to whom wee are vnited and