with Christ in his sufferings this was one thing that Paul desired to know Phil. 3. 10. and this the Children of God do know inasmuch as they suffer for his Name sake and in his cause and that the Name of God may be glorified in their sufferings and also because he supplies them with patience and constancy therein for that they do not dishonour him and hereby they come to know that blessedness is theirs Mat. 5. 12. Rejoyce and be glad for great is your reward in Heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you They are made to understand that being joâ—ned with Christ in his sufferings they shall not be separated from him in Glory 2 Tim. 2. 12. If we suffer with him we shall also reign with him Paul counts the Saints suffering a manifest token as of the amazing destruction of their persecutors so also of their future felicity in another world 2 Thes 1. 5 6. 2. The fruits of the spirit in them working in all the graces thereof in their souls and giving them their free exercise Their love to God their faith in Christ their hope of Glory their hatred of sin their delighting of themselves in holiness c. The Apostle tells us the fruits of the spirit are manifest and what they are Gal. 5 22 23. The glory of Gods Children is inward and spiritual and by the maintenance and increase of this is a Child of God to apprehend a Fathers love growing grace is a good confirmation of approaching glory 3. The testimony of the spirit of God added to and confirming of the testimony of their own spirits in witnessing to their Sonship Rom. 8. 16. By vertue of which testimony at such times as God enables them to read it they can Triumph in the hopes of glory trample upon all the scoffs and scorns and persecutions and despise all the flatteries and fair promises of the world He gives them inward consolation and enables them to call God Father in greatest straits and strengthens them to roll themselves upon him to commit their wayes to him to cast all their burdens on him and to wait with holy confidence and boasting for the manifestation of the Sons of God and in expectation of receiving an immortal and eternal Crown then at the hands of the righteous Judge they love his appearing 1. Are Believers now Gods Children It may then teach us what a dangerous thing it is for any to go about to do them any injury or wrong The ignorant world seeing the Saints of God so low and despicable to have so few friends here below to take part with them and to be so poor and disregarded among men they are hereupon ready to think they may do their pleasure against them there is no danger is like to a â—ise upon it but they abide secure though they slander revile persecute and do them all manner of imaginable wrong They have none to take in with them none to plead their Cause for them none to stand up in their defence And being thus animated with what boldness virulency and spite do they prosecute them But they grievously mistake themselves and shall in Gods time find that they have so done to their cost God will not suffer his own dear Children to be abused and see that abuse to go free and escape unpunished Whosoever they be though armed with the greatest worldly power yet they had better take a Bear by the tooth a Lyon by the Paw than meddle with the least meanest obscurest and most seeming contemptible Saint of Christ to do him any the least injury If an earthly Father see his Child abused or misused by a stranger how will his fatherly affection stir his bowels boile and put him upon it to vindicate that wrong How much more will God do so for his Children who are to him as the apple of his eye and to whose mercys the bowels of most affectionate Parents are not to to be compared God may possibly seem to wink and keep silence for the present and men may take encouragement therefrom to vent their spite and malice but he will not do so alwayes but a time shall come and that quickly when he will call them to an account for all and a dreadful account it will be when it comes God doth many times in this world testifie to his displeasure upon this very account and there are several remarkable instances in Scripture of his severity upon the malicious adversaries of his Saints enough to put a dread upon any such would they but consider of it Do Korah and his accomplices arise up against Moses and Adronâ— They shall not dy as other men but a new work shall be done the earth with her opened mouth shall swallow them up quick and they shall go down alive into the pit Doth Babylon triumph in cruelty over the People of God when it is used as a Rod in Gods hand to manifest his displeasure against them in punishing of their sin Babylon shall smart for it Isa 47. 6. c. I was wroth with my People I gave them into thy hand thou didst shew them no mercy Neither shal Edom be forgotten who in Jerusalems day of visitation cryed Raze it raze it to the ground Psal 137. 7. How are Edom and Ammon and Moab and mount Seir and the Philistians and Tyrus threatned upon this account See Ezek. chap. 25. and 26. But supposing that they should escape here and God doth not alwayes presently let fall his hand upon the Persecutours of his People yet is the time a coming when the Persecutors of the Saints shall be made to know that they persecuted Christ and shall find how hard a thing it is for them to kick against the pricks when God shal rendeâ— tribulation to the troublers of his Children 2 Thes 1. 6. Their blood may for a season seem to ly still and speak nothing but now are their souls under the altar and are there crying to their God and father for revenge and he who is holy and true will not alwayes hold his peace Tremble then at the thoughts of such a thing that poor persecuted despised Saint whom you seem to trample under the feet of pride hath a Redeemer that is mighty â— Father in Heaven that will plead his cause Make the Children of God your friends and they will be ready to speak a good word to their Father for you and however you may judge of them contemptuously yet there is a blessing in their prayers But if you make them your enemies wo to you you had better bring all the world about your ears The cryes of Saints when they are under the exercise of the envy and hatred of men coming up into the ears of God and Christ for the wrongs which are done unto them are affecting cryes and will stirr up the holy jealousie of the great God and he that is under the male diction of them scorn he it as much as
our interest and trust in all other things it is that whereby we cleave unto him with full purpose of heart to be for him and for no other this is in the very nature of justifying Faith and hence we shall find it frequently exprest in the Scripture under such phrases as these are or others that are synonimical 2. This Faith is the true and proper product of the Spirit in our Regeneration that which iâ— begotten and brought forth in us is Faith all that is before it in the Soul is onlie preparatory unto it all that is concomitant with it is denominated from it all Grace in us is called Faith in Scripture because that is the principal Grace wrought in us Gods Elect are by nature dead but the Spirit quickens them Eph. 2. beginning and how doth he so why by causing them to believe for the life of Regeneration is properly a life of Faith Gal. 2. 20. I live by the Faith of the Son of God so that when by the operation of the Spirit in him a man is made to believe he is then and not till then born of God he is then also married to Christ Christ marries with none that are dead he finds them indeed spiritually dead when he comes to them but he first quickens them by his Grace causing them to believe and so to live and as such he takes them into this nearness of relation to himself and so they are together and at once born of God and espoused to Jesus Christ 3. What is the profit and advantage coming by this Relation A. The Apostle John using it as a present Argument to engage us to constancy in times of Antichristian Tyrany thereby intimates that it is a relation of infinite worth and would have us therefore to consider of it and take a large view of its worth and eminency and indeed there is so much in it as we may lose our selves in the contemplation all the good which is wrapt up in the promise is made oveâ— and becomes the propriety of the Believer in and by his Son-ship I cannot rehearse all but the choice advantages of Adoption are 〈◊〉 as these that follow 1. The Name and Title it self is a great benefit and advantage it is a dignity an honour to be called the Children of God the Apostle seems to place much weight upon the denomination it self ver 1. What manner of love that we should be called the Sons of God Jacob honoured Joseph's two eldest Sons when he willed that his name should be called upon them so doth the great God the Children of Men wâ—â—n he is pleased that his Name should come into their Title that those who were before by way of Disgrace called Adam's Sons and Children of Hell Children of Wrath Children of the Devil should rise and be henceforth called the Children of God this very Title declares these to be made noble by their new-birth who by their natural birth were ignoble It is among men accounted an high thing to be the Son of some King or Emperour 1 Sam. 18. 23. Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a Kingâ— Son in law what is it then for God to call us his Sons and Daughters and to give us leave to call him our Father as 2 Cor. 6. 18 I will be to you a Father and you shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord God Almighty and Jer. 14. 9. we are called by thy Name 2. They are taken into Gods and that not as Servants but as Children there to abide for ever Joh. 8. 35. The Servant abideth not in the House for ever but the Son abideth for ever Believers therefore are all one Houshold called the Houshold of Faith Gal 6. 10. and they are of Gods Family after another manner then wicked Men and inferiour creatures God after a more common way and by a more general providence looks after the World and all the affairs of it all creatures come under his care and for that reason the whole Creation is his great Family but these Children are under his special inspection and care 1 Pet. 5. 7. Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you In sum they being Children have him for a Father And hence 1. He will certainly provide for them and they need not to puzzle their minds or distract their thoughts about any such thing for he will consider all their wants and send them relief they shall have whatsoever they stand in need of and they shall have it as they need it Mat. 6. 31 32. take no thought c. for the Heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of these things if others in a Family suffer want and be pincht with difficulties yet the Children shall certainly be taken care for as long as there is any thing to be had they are hard times indeed when Children are denied that which is needful for them Hence that Psal 34. 10. Young Lions are brought to want and suffer hunger but they that fear the Lord shall want for no good thing 2. He will protect them from all harms and injuries and that both by defending of them from their Enemies and also by righting of their wronged cause and at all times and in all cases whatsoever they may with greatest safety and without any fear leave it with him and in it he will not leave him Heb. 13. 5 6. He hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee so that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper and I will not fear It is hard for earthly Parents to deser their Children and when they see them wronged to hold their peace and neither say nor do any thing to right them it is certain God will not nay he cannot Psal 27. 10. When my Father and my Mother forsake me then the Lord will take me up Jer. 2. 2. All that devour him shall offend evil shall come upon them saith the Lord Zech. 2. 8. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye 3. He will uphold them from falling he will take them by their hand and stay their steps for them sustein them keep them from undoing themselves hence those promises 1 Pet. 1. 5. Ye are kept by the power of God Psal 91. 11 12. Gods Sons in this life are like little Children alwayes tripping and stumbling and falling and so weak that they could never get up again but for him but by reason of his hand that is upon them his everlasting Arm that is under them hence if they fall at any time through incogitancy or by stumbling at any thing that lies in their way or through that weakness that attends them or by Satans malice thrusting at them he will lift them up again 4. He will counsel and direct them they are tender and foolish in themselves they have not wisdom enough of their own to order and direct their way and are therefore easily se duced and cheated by the adversary
who is subtle and watcheth all advantages against but he is alwayes giving them his Fatherly advice warning them of their danger shewing them a way how to escape it they have the voice of his Spirit behind them telling them this is the way Isai 30. 21. they have the guidance of his most wise counsel to keep them in the right way unto glory Psal 7424. 5. He will assist and strengthen them he will lend them an helping hand to carry them through all their difficulties temptations straits that they are engaged or involved in in their Christian course and the discharge of their duty in all of them 2 Tim. 4. 17. The Lord was with me and strengthened me they have a great work to perform to serve God in their Generation but his Grace standing by them becomes their sufficiency a Fathers love draws forth his helping hand to assist his Son and carry him well through all that is before him 6. He will Correct and Chasten them for their Faults Heb. 12. 6. He chastneth every son whom He receiveth They like foolish Children may now reckon this for their damage but it is indeed none of the least of those benefits which the Children of God do enjoy God lets wicked men alone to go on in their pernicious wayes They have their wills in the world that they may be destroyed for ever But God here afflicts his Children that their souls may be saved in the day of the Lord 1 Cor. 11. 32. We are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the World 7. He will commend and encourage them when they do well see what an high commendation he gives Abraham for his love and what a precious promise he gives him upon it Gen. 22. 16 17. the poorest services which they do being done in sincerity to him if it be but a cup of cold water given to one of his Disciples in that Name shall not lose its acceptance and reward yea such is his Fathers respect that he owns and crowns the very good will and purposes as much as if they really performed them David doth but resolve to build an House to his Name and Glory and God takes it kindly and promiseth richly upon it 2 Sam. 7. these things belong unto them as they are Children in the Family and carry Consolation in the very mentioning of them 3. They receive the spirit of Adoption Rom. 8. 15. Gal. 4. 5 6. and here we are to observe that the Spirit of Adoption doth not decipher any distinct spirit but that it is one and the same spirit who doth illuminate convince humble engraft the soul into Christ c. but it deciphers to us a distinct and peculiar observation of the Spirit of God in us so that the dignity of this priviledge is to be discovered in the effects which are consequent upon it and they are such as these viz. 1. The obsignation or sealing up of Believers to the certain and infallible enjoyment of their inheritance Eph. 1. 13. 4. 30. when God hath once admitted a poor Soul into the number of his Children he now confirms and ratifies to him all the promises and makes them unto him surer than the foundation of the World yea so sure that neither outward Enemies nor inward Evils shall ever be able to deprive them of this Title Rom. 8. 39 39. I am perswaded that neither height nor depth c. shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ It is possible that they may not alwayes with alike clearness discern it some cloud or other interposing but it is ever with an equal certainty therein inasmuch as it is a gift of God that is without Repentance 2. The testimony which the spirit of God gives in to their state of Adoption witnessing in them that God hath numbred them to his Children and joyned them in the inheritance of all blessings with his own Son Rom. 8. 16 17. The spirit it self leaveth witness c. The effect consequent upon this testimony is assurance which assurance is in it self a piece of inchoate Glorification but the witness which the Spirit of God bears in us by vertue of which we are confirmed in this knowledge is a priviledge of Adoption and though Believers do not alwayes so distinctly hear him testifying and to be able to draw the comfort of it to their Souls yet they have alwayes this witness in them because the Spirit of God is ever with them 3. The enlivening of their Faith and thereby enabling of them to God to God as a Father and claim this Relation and upon the claim believingly to plead with him for the acceptance of their persons the audience of their Prayers the granting of their requests and supplying of all their wants Rom. 8. 15. Ye have received the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father yea the spirit of God enables them thus to act Faith in consideration of this relation not only in times of outward favour when the candle of the Lord shineth upon their Tabernacle and all things go well with them but also in the most cloudy times of darkest dispensations when God hides his face from them and carries it towards them as if he were their Enemy hence that chalenge of Faith at such an hour Isai 63. 17. Doubtless thou art our Father 4. The powerful preservation of them in a state of Grace 1 Pet. 1. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation Believers are weak in themselves and ly open to many strong temptations and if they were left to themselves those floods that assail them would easily and quickly drown them But the spirit of God is still blowing upon this spark and supplying of it with new fuel whereby he makes the faith of Believers to live and flourish in dispite of all those endeavours that are used to extinguish and ruin it 5. His constant assistance in spiritual duties enabling them to perform them acceptably and particularly in the great duty of Prayer to God Rom. 8. 26 27. We know not what we should pray for as we ought but the spirit it self maketh intercession c. they are weak to do duty and carry about in them a masse of corruption a body of Death which presseth them down evil is ever present when they would be doing of good so that without him they can do nothing and it would be a vain thing for them to set about any service to God in their own strength but he stands by them and is ready to put to his helping hand supplying them with the influences of spiritual Grace whence when they are weak in themselves they are strong in him 6. To communicate to them the discoveries of the love of God and thereby to fill them with spiritual rejoycing Rom. 5. 5. The Love of God is shed abroad into our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us he applies the precious promises to
putting Truths together is from some connexion which there is and appears to us to be between them as when I see that there is a connexion betwen the nature of Man and Reason my judgment thence compounds and concludes that Man is a reasonable creature Now these connexions are not all alike some are tyed of a slip knot or are so connected as they may easily be separated such is the Relation between all contingent causes and effects or only probable and conjectural antecedents and consequents as when we say the diligent hand maketh rich here is some rational connexion between diligence and prosperity but yet there are so many casualties in the over-ruling Providence of God that may check aud over-bear this that sometimes it falls out that we labour in the fire for very nothing sow much and bring in little and when we say it will be a fair day for the evening is red though this be an ordinary symptom yet it is no infallible presage it is oftentimes so and sometimes otherwayes Now the judgement of these things is called Opinion because it is a conclusion that is drawn from reasons which are only probable and contingent But other connexions are tyed of a fast knot they flow from the very nature of the things are therefore necessarily predicated of the subject and it cannot be without them Such are all natural Causes and effects as when we say the Sun shines Man is a reasonable Creature c. And the judgement of these things is that which we call Science or Knowledge viz. When we discover and conclude â—â— necessary effects from necessary Causes necessary causes from necessary effects now such as this is is that Knowledge which a Child of God may have of his future Glory Hence 2. I come to make it evident in particular that our after happiness may be thus known and there will need but these two things to be cleered for the proof of it viz. 1. The happiness of beleevers depends upon necessary causes And 2. That their sanctified reason is capable of searching out and discovering the truth of these causes and so concluding infallibly 1. That the happiness of beleevers depends upon necessary causes my meaning is that there is such a connexion between the Causes of Salvation and Salvation it self that they cannot fail to bring it about viz. 1. The immutable will of God purposing and resolving of it with this our Saviour encourageth his Disciples Luk. 12. 32. Fear not little flock it is your Fathers pleasure to give you the Kingdome The foundation of this happiness was laid in Gods Decree this is the Book of Life in which their Names were written here began that everlasting love which is the cause and fountain of all the grace afterwards revealed this is the writing that receives no blots this is the Record that admits of no alterations this is the foundation of God which stands sure having this seal the Lord knows who are his Hence we have Paul bringing down of this foreknowledge infallibly unto Glory in that chain of his Rom. 8. 29. 30. 3. The Redemption of Christ purchasing and procuring of it for them eternal Glory is one part of that purchase for which Jesus Christ laid down that great price and it was sealed up to him in the Covenant of Redemption for those whom he was to redeem and this purchase is made sure and ratified and that not only in respect of the purchase it self for which he hath payed and of which payment he hath received a full acquittance in his resurrection and is actually put in possession being ascended up into Heaven and there invested with the tenure and possess of the Crown of Glory but also in respect of the persons for whom it is bought and on whom it is to be bestowed Hence Christ speaking of the Elect declare that it was for their sakes that he did that work Joh. 17. 9. And professeth that he had lost none of those whom his Father had given to him vers 12. Hence We read of purchased possession Eph. 1. 14. And an inheritance reserved for us in the Heavens 1 Pet. 1. 3. And of Christ willing that all of them should be with him Joh. 17. 24. 3. Unalterable promises made to them Believers are said to be heirs of the promise They have great promises 2 Cor. 7. 1. Eternal felicity comes within the compass of the promise which is made to them Psal 84. 11. The Lord shall give Grace and Glory Joh. 3. 36. He that believeth hath everlasting life and this promise is firm and stable it is not a mutable thing because it is made by an immutable God and it cannot fail because uttered â—â— the mouth of God that cannot lie And from hence the Apostle argueth the necessity of our felicity in Heb. 6. 17 18. 4. Infallible Conditions such as are necessary not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or universally as Joh. 3. 36. Whosoever believeth c. But also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reciprocally as Mar. 16. 16. He that believes shall be saved he that believes not shall be damned When therefore God worketh these conditions in the souls of any when he sanctifieth the means to become unfailing helps to Faith and bring the Soul to repent and believe in Christ that foundation is laid that shall aspire to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 building unmoveable this is to be built upon the Rock Mat. 7. 24 25. This is a seed which when â—own is immortal and abiding these gifts and callings are without repentance 5. Powerful and unfailing assistance They are said to be in God's and in Christ's hand and as it is certain that they will not throw them out so it is equally certain that no other can pluck them out There are those indeed who do attempt it but in vain Joh. 10. 27 28. God's Omnipotency is the Garrison or guard to which they are committed on purpose that they may enjoy Salvation 1 Pet. 1. 5. Ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation They are given to Christ and he hath commended them to the care and keeping of his spirit and he seals them up to the day of Redemption Eph 4. 30. 2. The Believers sanctified reason is capable of searching on t and discovering the truth of these causes and so to conclude infallibly The evidence of this assertion will then be plain when we have considered 1. That there are such effects of these causes wrought in the souls of all the Children of God as are peculiar and proper to them there is that done in and for every Child of God which is wrought in and for no other in the world Proper effects are undeceiving evidences of their causes The Apostle speaks of things that accompany Salvation Heb. 6. 9. There is a faith which is the faith of Gods Elect Tit. 1. 1. There is a vocation which is linked fast unto following glory Rom. 8. 29 30. There is a
discern it to be of God we shall then discern his holy displeasure enkindled by sin which will tend to humble us and drive us to Repentance Whenever therefore we see the Ax cutting and feel the Rod sâ—â—arting let us say this could not be without an hand to wield them When the wicked persecutâ— the Righteous say this is the Lord who is holy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his wayes and just in all his works 3. Learn hence that the only reason of the Churches safety is because their cause is twisted in with Gods And hence that their only security is in being and standing for God and his interest Could we look upon the people of God separate and by themselves it would readily appear what odds the wicked would have of them there are the politick states men the ripe wits and profound heads men of greatest skill and political observations theirs are the mighty men men of renown skilful in War and valiant for the battle Theirs are the walled Towns with Gates of Brass the high Towers and fortified Castles and invincible Armadoes they have the men and the mony and ammunition and what can carnal reason Judge from all this but that theirs must be the day too And if their wit and power had no other Antagonist to encounter withal but those of the Saints it would certainly be so but here lyes their security whatsoever is undertaken against the Saints of God is undertaken against God himself they that strike at the People of God strike at God in them and so they that touch them touch the Apple of his eye Zech. 2. 8. Christ interprets both kindnesses and injuries done to his as done to himself Gods own Name Honour and Glory are herein sought to be undermined and that rouseth him up kindleth his jealousie and those who but now were such odds to the People of God find God to be much more their odds And are made but as flax and stubble to a devouring fire It is well for the poor Church that God takes himself to be concerned in their cause and for the vindication of his own name and injuries done to himself puts in and takes up the Gantler against his proud enemies and tryes for mastreies with them else had that little Barge the Church of Christ long ago sunk and been swallowed up in the billows of the worlds Sea Psal 124. begin USE II. This truth may by way of Exhortation present some wholsome practical lessons for the People of God to make use of in these times There never was more plotting and counsel 〈◊〉 against God than is at this day in the Worldâ—â— And hence Never more need of Faith for the upholding of the spirits of the People of God against the thence arising Temptations and no better help than the Doctrine that is before us And the things we are hence to learn are 1. Not to be much moved when we see or hear what is contriving practicing against God in the World It is said Isa 7. 2. It was told the house of David saying Syria is confederate with Ephraim and his heart was moved and the heart of his People as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind Let it not be so with them that fear God It is now a time to pray hard and believe much but it is no time to perplex and distract our selves We may interpret those words as spoken to the Church in way of encouragement Psal 64. 10. Be still and know that I am God What are you afraid of It is against God all that is undertaken and whoever resisted him and prospered do you think that Men or Devils shall ever drive God out of the field and make a triumph upon the Lord of Hosts Be quiet let God alone he will do his own work and that to purpose Tarry a little and you shall see these Bravo's weltering in their own gore and the arrows of the Almighty drunk with their blood It shall not be long ere the field be cleared and not an enemy standing Yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more Psal 37. 10. 2. Not to be put by our profession and faithful service of God by all the menaces of the World against us Let Godly men hold on their way though the wicked be laying snares in it It is a sin and a disgrace for a Child of God to stand still or start aside though utmost perils seem to threaten him Luther being called to Worms for the defence of the truth was diswadded by some friends who advised him that there was a plot laid against his life but with an Heroical resolution he professed that though all the Tiles of their houses were Devils yet go he would Rightly regulated and well tempered zeal is very necessary in times when Religion is stricken at on all sides 'T is the Character and honour of a good Christian to hold fast his own and press forward against opposition yea by an holy Antiperistasis to gather strength and courage from that which is intended to make him faint Job 17. 9. The Righteous also shall hold on his way and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger 3. Not to be discouraged though for a while the wickeds counsels seem to take place It is the Psalmists advice Psal 37. 7. Fret not thy self because of him who prospereth in his way because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass When you hear how Gods cause is the present suffering cause and seems to go down the wind so many Churches of Protestants dissipated in Hungary so many thousands abjuring their Religion in France So much bloodshed in one place so much power of the adversary in another be not now dis-spirited The Seas roar and the waves thereof make a tumultuous noise mountains come rolling down into the midst of the Seas still there is a River to make glad the City of God God sits upon the water-floods God sits King for ever 〈◊〉 Glory is concerned in all this and he will not give it away God is not asleep though you are ready to think him so He hath holy ends why he suffers all this and will make a discovery of them seasonably The pit is all this while digging for them the sword is whetting the arrows are preparing for the Persecutours the Scene shall be turned and a tragical end waits upon them For though hand joyn in hand yet shall not the wicked go unpunished 4. Wait with patience and holy confidence under the outmost extremities till God's time comes to blast all the counsels of his adversaries and utterly dissolve hells conclave Though God be not come as yet visibly yet believe that hâ— will come seasonably and there are these two things that may fortifie your confidence in this belief viz. 1. That all their Counsels as yet have not prevailed and the reason only is taken from God's Power and Providence It is said that Rome and Hell have carried on a plot ever since the Reformation in England to blow up the Protestant interest there and this is a ground of comfort that although God hath not as yet for holy ends wholly scattered it yet he hath wonderfully disappointed it That Vessel the Church hath had many a blustring storm raised against it but it is not as yet foundred at all but weathers it out against Tempests and this is certain that he who hath delivered can deliver and will deliver 2. That God's counsel stands Diametrically opposite to the counsel of wicked men i. e. as to the order and design they are carrying one They consult his dishonour and his Churches disturbance He is mean while consulting his own Glory and his Peoples safety Let God then alone to dash theirs and establish his own hear what he saith for this Isa 14. 24 25 26 27. The Lord of hosts hath sworn saying Surely as I have thought so it shall come to pass and as I have purposed so shall it stand c This is the purpose that is purposed uopn the whole Earth c The Lord of hosts hath purposed and who shall disanul itâ— Men say it shall be thus but God saith it shall be so whose word shall stand theirs or his When you read bloody decrees the product of humane consultations then read the book of God oppose to them the gracious decrees of Heaven It was Luther's consolation to the Elector of Saxony in a time of great danger Let your Highness know saith he and nothing doubt but that this business is otherwise concluded of in Heaven than it is at Norinberge Where the Emperour and States were met in Counsel God knows what his own thoughts are towards his People even thoughts of peace whatever the thoughts of men may be Jer 29. 10. Wait then the wickeds day is a coming in due time their foot shall slide The Web which they have been for a long while in weaving God will unravel in a moment He will shortly muster up his Forces and draw out his Armies into the Field and call together the Fowls of Heaven to his great Supper which he shall provide for them where he will give them to eat of the flesh of Kings and the flesh of Captains and the flesh of mighty Men c. Rev. 19. 17. 18. This is the work which he hath undertaken to do and will certainly accomplish it throughly who hath written on his Vesture and on his Thigh KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS And since the case stands thus what is there then remaining more for us to do but to be the Lord's Remembrancers Not ceasing day nor night to be earnestly and importunately putting him in mind of his Covenant his Name and Glory and in Faith pray to him in the behalf of his poor despised and abused Church which is as a Lilly among the Thornes that he would remember and not forget or grow unmindful of the Congregation which he hath purchased of old and arise to save those that are as sheep prepared to the slaughter and appointed to dy And when we have thus done and in a way of so doing there is nothing more but to sit still and wait to see the Salvation of the Lord. FINIS
knowledge of God in Christ which is Eternai life Joh. 17. 3. There is a sealing of the spirit which confirmes everlasting happiness to us Eph. 4. 30. There is an earnest now given by which God confirmes the title of the Inheritance to the Souls of his People Eph. 1. 14. 2. That these effects are discernable and legible and that not only by special revelation but also in a rational way of arguing and inferring If this were not a truth then all such Scripture-precepts as put us upon this duty of self-examination in respect of our spiritual estate were in vain and meerly superâ—luous It is true the law puts us upon duties impossible to fallen man and this course God useth with us to make us know our need of Christ But the Gospel puts Believers upon nothing but what may be done Now this is made the Believers duty in divers Gospel-respects 2 Pet. 1. 10. 2 Cor. 13. 5. 1. Cor. 11. 28. Nay why should the Gospel propound Rules of tryal to us if there were no discovery to be made by the application of them Of what use is a Touch-stone to us if by applying of it we could not be able to make discovery what Mettle is genuine and what is deceitful 3. That every Child of God is furnished fâ—â— this discovery He hath an habitual power in him and sufficient help afforded unto him for the discerning these effects For 1. The effects themselves are manifestly distinguishable from the common Graces of Moral Men and the counterfeit graces of hypocrites though they may have some resemblance yet there are differencing notes 1 Joh. 3. 10. In this the Children of God are manifest and the Children of the Devil 2. Every Child of God hath a conscience whereby he is able to reflect upon himself to take a Survey of his own actions to see what is in him and to compare it by the rule and to judge of it accordingly Hence We shall find Paul making an appeal to the Testimony of his own Conscience 2 Cor. 1 12. 3. The Spirit of God dwels in the understanding and conscience of every Believer to illâ— minate it and to give it a judgement and diâ—cerning of spiritual things 1 Cor. 2. 10 14. anâ— this is a common priviledge of all Believers theâ— have all of them the indwelling spirit to helâ— them in their work 4. The Spirit of Adoption is also a witneâ— in a Child of God to confirm and ratifie thâ— the testimony which his Conscience gives iâ—â—â—ncerning the premises whence there are twâ—â—â—bstantial witnesses to the same truth Hence He is said to bear witness with our spirits Rom. 8 16. 4. By the discovery of these present effects hâ— is infallibly assured that he shall inherit Glorâ— hereafter A state of Grace and of Glory havâ— but their gradual differences Grace is Glory begun Glory is Grace finished or perfected Grace is the seed whereof glory is the genuinâ— Fruit Grace if it dy not will bring forth glory undoubtedly but it cannot dy being an immortal seed and abiding True grace is a spring that never ceaseth flowing till it reach eternaâ— Life Joh. 4. 14. Paul counts it a good argument and that the inferrence will hold that iâ— God hath begun he will also perfect the good work Phil. 1. 6. God cannot call back his grace for it is without repentance Rom. 11. 29. Heb. 13. 5. The Believer cannot renounce nor reject it for God will not suffer him to depart away from him Ezek. 36. 27. The Devil and all his instruments cannot rob him of it because they cannot pluck him out of Chist's hand Joh. 10. 29. And when we have â—aid all these things together Judge now whither this doth not amount to that which may truly and properly be called knowledge viz a Judgement of certainty about our everlasting felicity USE I. Here we see one Reason why many of the Children of God bear all the changes of the life with so much quietness and tranquillity it lyes here because they have grounded expectations of future glory The Men of the World wonder at them yea scoff and flout and take them for mad Men to feed their fancyes and hopes with unseen things and therefore in their opinion the greatest uncerteintyes Truly if the hopes of the Children of God were grounded in opinion and depended upon meer contingencyes I cannot see how their life should not be the most perplexed sorrowful and miserable of all men for if after they have left all for Christ it were yet a thing dubitable whether they should ever see and enjoy him in glory they have indeed nothing left them to lean the weight of their confidence upon But this is their felicity in the midst of all turns that still their main interest in eternity is secured And this indeed is the very thing which declares them to be the only happy Men All other Men live by meer opinion these only are the men of knowledge Other men know not certeinly what it is that they labour for nor what shall be the event of all their pains and cares but these men know that their labour is not in vain and that there will be a good end of all their troubles and pains As to the things of this life and with respect to subordinate ends the Children of God labour under equal uncerteintyes with other men Eccl. 9. begin All things fall out alike to all And vers 11. Time and chance happeneth to them all They are not sure to prosper in their Estates to enjoy health and long life and ease in this World But as to their last end and the concurrent tendency of all means to it here they have good security and this makes them patient in tribulation quiet under sorest afflictions Thus we find Paul argues himself into patience and chearfulness 2 Cor. 4. 17 18 5. 1. If Storms nay Hurrycanes arise in their Voyage yet they are not amazed for they know who is Pilot and where they shall certeinâ—y Arrive if they lose all they have in this World yea and life it self yet because they cannot lose glory they are not filled with consternation For though they cannot tell what that glory shal be yet they know that it shall be glory and such as God himself shal give that God who doth all things like himself and they are satisfied that this shall be enough to fill you with everlasting joyes USE II. We hence learn how vain are all the attempts of the enemyes of God's Children wherein they seek to make them miserabe or to discourage them in the service of God It is true if their felicity were grounded in contingency the Saints enemies might have some probable hopes to undermine and blow them up but those that fight against the truth shall not be able to prevail That Rock on which the happiness of the Sons of God is built lyes too deep for all the endeavours of their enemyes to undermine That truth that no