upon it they feare the forgoing of it they regard it most of all other things 2. He must both by prayer daily and oft beg this of God and also seriously meditate on the gracious promises of God their nature truth and perpetuitie for want of this calling to minde of things many do let slip out of their minds those grounds of faith by which sometimes they have found comfort 3. Hee must helpe himselfe by ordinary and reverent hearing the glad tidings of Salvation preached unto him as also by the holy use of the Sacraments 4. He must carefully retaine a viewing of his sinnes by right examination the sight of them will keepe him from taking offence at the Crosse of Christ nay the tartnesse and bitternesse of his sinnes will make Christs death most sweet and pleasant unto him 5. Hee must labour to settle himselfe even by the experience which he himselfe hath found of God his goodnesse towards him and his working in him 6. Hee may confirme himselfe even by the examples of others who of weak have become strong and of such as hee is have become such as he desireth to bee by these meanes Gods children come to have a holy acquaintance with God and to know his will towards them the Lord disposing even their weakenesse unto their good that they may by their falls bee humbled and God by their upholding may be glorified One especiall thing is alwaies to begin the day with deepe consideration of God his gracious favour towards us which if we doe not little can bee looked for in the day but either unfavory lightnesse and so to be deceived or unprofitable care and so to bee disquieted By that which hath bin said before it is to bee observed that although true faith bee in substance one and the same yet that there are three degrees of it it is plaine 1. The first is the weakest and least measure when there is as yet no assurance in the beleever and yet inseparable fruits and infallible tokens of it 2. The second degree is when some assurance is wrought in the beleever at some time but very weake and is often to seeke and wanting and recovered againe by entring into due consideration of his estate and of the truth of God who hath promised it 3. The third is the highest degree of it though more strong and better setled in some than in other and this hath assurance accompanying it for the most part usually unlesse the beleever doe quench the Spirit in himselfe Or the Lord to shew him that hee standeth by grace doth leave him to himselfe for his owne glory and the better establishing of him afterwards It having bin shewed hitherto who are true beleevers it followeth to shew how a beleever is to behave himselfe throughout his whole conversation 1. Wherein is to bee layed down first the grounds of a godly life viz. that it is grounded on faith and proceeding from a pure heart 2. The parts of it which is to fly evill and doe good VNfained faith and a godly life are inseparable companions 1. First godlinesse cannot be without true faith Iam. 2.18 Heb. 11.6 Gen. 6.5 the fountaine being evill the rivers which runne from it cannot be good so where saith is not in the heart there can no godlinesse bee in the life by which wee see how many doe deceive themselves thinking they feare love and serve God and yet have no faith nor no constant desire of it 2. Neither can faith bee without godlinesse for as no man liveth godly which beleeveth not so no man which beleeveth can live wickedly but as he is new borne so like a new creature followeth newnesse of life and obedience although this doeth not appeare neither at the first beginning of his conversion nor in the vehemency of temptation Tit. 2 12. Neither doth faith worke a bare wandring desire to please God but it frames also the man unto it and teacheth him in some true and acceptable measure to goe about it and when it is overmatched wiâ—h fleshly corruption yet it raiseth sighings and strivings in the heart till it bee subdued So that as they are deceived which passe from a little sorrow for sin to newnesse of life as they imagine without faith the beginning and worker of all new life so they also are no lesse deluded that please themselves thinking they haue faith when their lives are not only filled with offensive actions but also with custome coÌ„monnesse in the same For he that is honoured with the title of a beleever must be knowne by the livery of an uncorrupt life and the true servants of God dare no otherwise beleeve their sinnes to be forgiven them than they walke humbly before God and man VVHen faith is said to be necessary to a godly life we must not onely understand by faith to be saved but that the godly man must labour to believe that all the promises of this life and of the life to come whether the great and principall as of the graces of the spirit or the smaller as of bodily safety and preservation from dangers so farre as they shall bee good for him doe belong unto him And besides he must beleeve that both all the commandements which teach obedience and the threatnings because they restraine the contrary are set downe for him particularly to bind his conscience thereunto Rom. 15.4 Thus hee must depend upon the whole word of God many who have hope to be saved doe not thus some sinnes they make no conscience of some promises they looke not at by meanes whereof they are not so well fenced as they might be but hold the very promise of salvation it selfe very weakely This commeth to passe partly because they are not taught these things aright partly because being taught they do not digest and work them upon their consciences This bringeth doubting and unsetlednesse even to good Christians therefore hee that beleeveth to be saved must beleeve also that hee shall be sanctified 1 Cor. 1.30 that hee shall receive grace from God to bring forth fruits of amendment of life and that he shall be inabled to cast off his old conversation and also have grace to goe through troubles and deliverance from them for assistance and blessing in God he must depend on God his Word this is the obedience of faith Rom. 1.5 which if we have as a foundato uphold and incourage us it will greatly availe for the furthering of us in a godly course by this we shall sooner wade through doubts and grow out of feare whereas otherwise wee faint and feare oft-times and be without helpe Many examples wee have in scripture of such as thus beleeved especially set downe in the 11. to the Hebrewes Heb. 11.16.38 Gal. 2.19 When men doe not thus walke in the strength of God his word it causeth tedious troubles in them and indeed the offensive lives of many and the starting aside of sundry come from this want But it
may be objected Object that Paul himselfe seemed to want this for hee found no meanes to performe that which was good as he complaineth Rom. 7.18 I answer hereunto that He complaineth not that he had no promise of strength Answ or that hee had no faith in the same for he saith the contrary Phil. 4 13. but hee complaineth that for all the hope of helpe that he had yet the rebellion of his flesh did mightily strive and resist the spirit And this must every faithfull man looke for while he live NOw for the fountaine from whence a godly life doth proceed it is from the heart which therefore must bee purged and cleansed For this wee are to know that the heart of man before it be emptied is a dungeon of iniquity before it be inlightened a denne of darkenesse before it bee cleansed a puddle of filthinesse and that which Saint Iames speaketh of the tongue may much more be said of the heart that before it be tamed it is an unruly evill Now if such an heart bee the guide of our life how monstrous and loathsome must that life needs bee of necessity then the heart must be purged and changed This purging of the heart is a renewing in holinesse and righteousnesse by little and little of all true beleeuers they being first delivered and freed from the tyranny of sinne and feare of damnation for then doth sinne receive a deadly wound and the power thereof is abated and crucified which is shewed by the hatred of sinne and a delighting in goodnesse Although this change bee but weake at the first yet if it bee in truth in will and desire it is an infallible mark of Gods election and love towards him This grace is often dimmed and even choked in many because God doth strengthen and continue this gift of holinesse and sanctification as it is nourished esteemed set by and as men doe stirre it up in themselues by asking after it when they doe misse it and provoking themselves to pray for such good affections and cannot bee satisfied without them as David did Psal 43 5.103.1 Thus we ought to cherish and blow up the sparkles within us which will not ordinarily faile us especially for any long time except in time of temptation unlesse it bee through our default and folly As for the manner how this is done wee are to know it is the proper and wonderfull worke of God by the power of the holy Ghost Acts 15.9 Isa 11.2 He that hath with faith unfained an heart sanctified and purified from his naturall corruptions and wicked disposition as he is not to account it meane and little worth it being an euident worke of the Spirit so neither is hee to stand at a stay in this it being but the beginning of that worke which shall follow it But Object How doth God purge our hearts when as faith is said to doe it Acts. 15.9 1. Joh. 3.5 Answ Faith is truely said to doe it because that men not yet assured of the happines of heaven not knowing nor feeling any better delights doe seeke after those which their blinde and deceitfull hearts doe dreame of here on earth But as soone as they are assured of Gods favour through faith so soone are their hearts changed and their affections set another way so that faith may well bee said to purifie and cleanse the heart 1 Pet. 1.4 but not as the chiefe and highest cause for that is the holy Ghost but as the instrument Thus from faith and a pure heart doth arise a good conscience a sweet peace and holy security having received from God a mind to know him an heart to love him a will to please him and strength also in some measure acceptable to obey him From hence doth proceed that true repentance which is a purpose of the heart Acts 11.23 an inclination in the will Psal 119.44.57 and a continuall endeavouring in the life Acts 24.16 to cast off all evill and obey God both inwardly and outwardly according â—o the measure of knowledge in every one So that this sound purging of the â—eart is that strong foundation â—pon which only a good life comes â—o be builded For God will have â—ur whole heart not a piece of 〈◊〉 for that is neither beseeming his â—eatnesse neither fit for them to â—fer who receive so great good â—ings at his hands many indeed 〈◊〉 hardly brought to this and therefore all their faire shewes and colours doe vanish away and come to nothing for rash and hasty purposes are no sufficient foundations to beare up so great and weighty buildings as the whole course of their lives to bee wholly passed But if men at their first imbracing of the Gopsell did give their hearts wholly to the Lord then should God have more honour and themselves more abiding comfort NOw having shewed the ground and roote of a godly life viz. faith and a pure heart it remaines to speake of the parts of it which is a renouncing of all sinne and a care to walke in a new life And first of the former The party beleeving is brought to this power and grace that he is out of love with all ungodlinesse and not with some part or kinde onely but loatheth the whole course of iniquity which was his onely delight and pleasure before neither doth hee this in some good moode onely or when some shame or danger approach then to shew some mislâ—ke of it but in good advisement hee is resolved to cast off such behaviour as a loathsome and and ragged garment Hos 4.9 Eph. 4.24 Math 16.24 For want of this setled denying of our selves divers never attaine true godlinesse some never conceiving the Doctrine others forgetting and some scorning it but the most receiving it coldly and going about it preposterously Whereas the servants of God leave not sinne for a time nor by constraint for or company and feare c. but being at utter defiance with it doe abiure it for ever Nehem. 10.29 But in all these they trust not to their owne strength but daily considering what cause they have to doe so how infinitely they are bound to God to discharge it become firmely perswaded that God who hath made them willing will also make them able to do it Phil. 4.13 Rom. 9.31 and therfore although they see not that helpe present with their eyes yet they hope for that which they see not and therefore wait patiently for it till it can be granted them Thus both both faith and hope being nourished and strengthened in them from day to day they doe finde both will and desire strength though imperfect to accomplish to the peace of their hearts that which they set upon and attempted Indeed it is not obtained without striving but it is no iust cause of discouragement to us to take paine for so great a profit when we are sure of it before wee goe about it and if Object The faithfull doe not alwaies preuaile therein Answ As
lusts though not all in the like measure yet of the weakest they are hated and striven against when they are once seene and perceived All are not so meeke as Moses Num. 12.13 so faithfull as Abraham so continent as Ioseph Gen. 39 10. so zealous as David nor so full of love as the woman in the Gospell Luke 7.47 yet those that be behind others so it be in truth that they indeavour are not to bee discouraged for all beleevers have not their part in the same degree of mortification some receive thirty-fould some sixty some an hundred and indeed those who are most of all troubled for being behinde others doe declare plainely that they love the grace that they mourne for and hate deadly the corruption which they complaine and cry out of they indeed that suffer themselves to bee ruled and led by their lusts can no waies claime any part in a godly life for he that is so minded cannot be but carnal estranged from God and a bond man of Hell But the weake Christians that doe strive against those and decline them in their measure may stay themselves for their comfort on these three speciall graces 1. That they have a cleare knowledge of their salvation 2. That they account it as their chiefe treasure 3. That they be setled forward in some plaine and good course of life whereby they may grow in faith and the obtaining of God though with some striving But if they walke destitute of any of these three they shall bee snarâ—d much with feare and unquâ—etnesse These therefore must be earnestâ—y laboured for bâ—ing of all things most necessary to be learned of such as have attained already to the knowledge of true happinesse by Iesus Christ for as a man knoweth nothing profitable unto salvation before he believeth so after he believeth hee knoweth nothing profitably to grow on with comfort in his Christian course without these three faithfully and carefully looked unto and preserved As for the greater increase of faith knowledge strength against sinne comfort and such like fruits of the spirit sometime the Lord doth withhold them either because he seeth them in some respect not to bee good for us for the present as 2 Cor. 10.9 or else to try us whether we love them so well that we will seeke after them still or no but for the most part if we grow not it is most iustly to bee imputed to our owne fault as our owne ignorance sloth favouring of our selves in sin or if these be not the causes then it is our owne timorousnesse and unbeliefe fearing that such grace as wee desire shall not be given unto us whereas wee ought to belieue Nâ—ither need we feare lest by belieuing this we should be too bold or presumptuous for God hath promised it and commanded us to trust in him Iam. 1.6 And if wee faile not in using the meanes staying upon the Lord by faith assuredly hee will not faile nor disappoint us but wee shall have grace to guide our feet to rise when we are fallen to returne when wee are stepped out of the way and to walke in most sweet safeâ—y under Gods protection all the day long Deut. 33.12 And finally our gaines shall bee such as shall cause us to marvaile at Gods goodnesse in giving us more than we would have asked Question A Question here may bee moved how the mindes and hearts of the believers are taken up usually seeing they renounce inward lusts Answer Their thoughts are according to their divers growthes and ages which are three 1. The highest degree is old age or the experienced estate which yet is not the perfect age in Christ for that shall not befall us till the life to come but a fiâ—me constant and settled going on to that perfection 2. The second is the middle age in Christianity in which as young men in wrestling we have courage against our sinfull lusts but yet like unto them who have many foiles wee are oftentimes cooled in our courage though wee sometimes prevaile ever growing though slowly 3. The third is childhood or infancy the lowest and the last the which is principally discerned by an earnest desire of the sincere milke of the Word and namely of the promises of forgivenes of sins which although some of these deare children of God cannot with full assurance lay hold of yet this their hungring desire after it which cannot be satisfied without it with a sensible feare to offend God is a true signe thereof The first sort are such as through long experience and much acquaintance with the practice of a godly life have obtained grace to guide themselves more constantly than others and to keepe within bounds they are much freed from this bondage and seldome so grossely holden under of corrupt lusts as others which estate though it be to be aimed at of all godly people yet it is not obtained but of such as have accustomed their minds to the heavenly course and to whom good meditations and thoughts to shunne and avoid evill are become a pleasure and are as well able to discerne the same by their understanding and judgement as to have their will in good sort at commandement to follow the good and shun the evill Now these have their mindes usually set upon some one or other of the infinite heavenly instructions which from time to time they have treasured up in their hearts whereby although they be not quickned up as they would or desire to be yet they are held from much evill they are often considering of Gods unutterable kindnesse of mans mortallity the momentary estate of all things under the Sunne the blessed estate of the Elect the endlesse woe of the damned and such like they are often beholding and meditating of God his Majesty Power Wisdome Eternity Justice Patience and long suffering and of his care over them but a great part of their daily thoughts is this how they may have a good conscience in all things pleasing God and how they may be prepared for the crosse also how they may holâ—â—ut constantly the profession of their hope unto the end with joy how they may resist all occasions of evill what lets they shall finde from without and within And lastly how they may order well their particular actions in their callings that they may make a good account at the end of the day and so at the last end Thus the first sort are exercised yet not wholly freed from evill thoughts and vaine desires for Paul was not 2 Cor. 12.9 Rom. 7.24 and God will make them see their weaknesse from time to time especially to subdue pride in them and to hold them under The second sort compared to young men are neither so experienced in Christianity as the father nor yet utterly unacquainted therwith as the new-borne babes These are especially occupied in fighting against temptations and resisting unruly lusts Ioh. 2.4 For knowing by the light of the Scriptures what corruptions
and longing after CHRIST is very earnest and fervent though in some with more timorousnesse than in other This maketh the Gospell to be glad tidings and the feete of them that bring it to be beautifull to him Fifthly with earnest humble and particular confession of his sinnes hee poureth out prayers to God for the pardon of them in Christ Sixtly he having found out this pearle prizeth it as it is worth and therefore selleth all that hee hath biddeth farewell to his sweetest delights for the attaining of it which affection is not for a moment but is written as it were with the point of a Diamond never to be rased out againe Seventhly Then he commeth to apply the Gospell to himselfe as before he did the Law and sealeth up his salvation in his heart reasoning from those gracious promises which God hath made to such as he is Thus by often and deep weighing the truth unchangeablenesse and perpetuity of the promises he commeth at length to be settled in Faith this Faith uniteth him to Christ and bringeth him to happinesse And it is wrought inwardly by the Spirit while men obey Gods Ordinance in the hearing of the Word the outward meanes of salvation Now the markes of Faith to be seene in the beleever by himselfe or others are 1. If he strive against doubting Iudg. 6.17 2. If not feeling Faith hee complaine bitterly of the want of it 3. If hee seeke fervently to be settled in beleeving 4. If he desire to search out the sinne which may possibly hinder him and endeavour to expell it The maine cause why so many doe want Faith is the Divells bewitching and blinding of men 2 Cor. 4.3 4. Wherein mans fault is that hee openeth his eares and giveth credit to Satans deceitfull suggestions For the preventing therefore of this danger the Lord hath given watch-men to warne the people of the perill The reason therefore why men doe not avoyd it is either in the Minister that hee doth not warne them aright or else in the people that they doe not receive it In the Ministers 1. If they teach not at all 2. If they teach seldome 3. If they teach but not plainely to the capacity of the hearer 4. If by Catechising they doe not teach the grounds of Faith in right and good order 5. If they be not ready by private conference to satisfie their doubts 6. If they have not a Christian care of giving good example by a holy and blamelesse life But the Ministers must consider their duty laid forth First by Titles as Watchmen Labourers Matth. 9.37 Salt and Light Mat. 5.13.14 Shepheards Ioh. 21.15 Good Scribes Matth. 13. Stewards 1 Cor. 4.1 Nurses 1 Thess 2.7 Secondly in Commandements Acts 20.28 2 Timoth. 4.2 For their better incouragements they must consider First the honour vouchsafed to them to be God his Ambassadours Secondly the comfort of this labour Thirdly the good that they may doe Fourthly the great reward prepared for them Dan. 12.3 The lets that are in the People are First if they esteeme lightly of the Gospel preferring other things before it Luke 24. Secondly if they imagine it an impossible thing to get assurance of salvation in this life Thirdly if they think it though not impossible yet not any way necessary Fourthly if they thinke it both possible and necessary but too hard to come by Fifthly if they be carelesse and ignorant Sixthly if for feare of losing other pleasures they forbeare to seeke after this Seventhly if they presume of their Faith living still in their sins Eighthly if there were never thorow brokennesse of heart prepared to receive the Gospell Ninthly if for feare of not continuing they will not begin Tenthly if they doe worke it upon themselves but doe deale slightly with it Eleventhly if they content themselves with sudden flashes that soone are out and doe not seeke to be settled A naked and bare desire of salvation now and then stirred up in a man is not to beleeve First true desire cannot be satisfied without it and therfore giveth not over till it obtaine it Secondly it maketh high account of it as of a precious Faith and valuing of it according to the worthinesse of it He seeketh willingly and readily He settleth his heart upon the promises of God Hee meditates on Gods Commandements that hee should beleeve by these meanes hee commeth to be settled Which done hee must beware of all occasions that may unsettle him Againe espcially that he doth not give too much place to fleshly reasons and carnall doubtings nor hearken to evill suggestions BEcause the children of God after they have believed are often drawne from their hold and caused to suspected themselves and so fall into much feare and doubting that they are none of the Lords they must therefore learne to strengthen themselves thus 1. They must know that in God there is no shadow of change and therefore that it is their weaknesse to entertaine such thoughts Psalm 77.13 For hee ought not to cast away his confidence Heb. 10.35 2. Hee may perswade himselfe that hee labouring after and groning to rest his wearied heart on the promises of God shall never be wholly forsaken though sometimes destitute of feeling Now if any aske Why doth God suffer his children to fall into such feares Quest It is for this Lest by a sudden absolute change Answ they should become secure or presumptuous 3. They must know that the roote of our comfort is not in the strength of our Christian life but in the free grace of God in Christ and therefore the weaknesse therein ought not to bring us into doubting of our salvation It may be weake but it shall never be extinguished for he that is new borne can never die 4. They must call to mind that they be yet but children subject to many diseases and some of those such as may take away sense of life which must move us not to dispair but to seek w th al diligence for the cure of them wheras if any object Quest Many of the faithfull are brought to that passe that being perswaded that they are reprobates are neere unto desperation they have a sense of God his wrath and are in great anguish of conscience how shall they stay themselves in this estate I answer them Answ 1. They may be assured of this that they are not without hope of mercy because they have not sinned against the holy Ghost for they have not maliciously set themselves against the truth of God they have not wilfully persecuted it against their conscience but doe love the same and desire to be partakers of it 2. They must learne to know from whom this delusion commeth even from Satan who laboureth either to wring their hope from them or else to weary their lives with heavinesse and discomfort This he attempteth First by spirituall suggestion he being a spirit and helped also with the long experience which he hath had of this trade and therefore
fit he being also full of malice and of unsearchable subtilty with exceeding strength and therefore ready thus to trouble us Thus he inticeth us to sins not onely which by nature wee love but even to those which wee have no inclination unto and when he hath thus fastened upon many a man then he laboureth to dimme his knowledge and understanding that hee may lay no hold on any truth that may comfort him or make benefit of any promise Secondly by outward objects and occasions forcibly perswading to sinne Now because these things proceed rather from Sathan than from themselves there is no cause why they should be discouraged Thirdly they must call to mind that God calleth and encourageth us to trust and believe in him and therefore it must needs displease him that they are removed from their faith to give place to the spirit of error Object And how if they feele not the sweet taste of Gods grace 1. Answ Yet they must not measure themselves by that they presently feele when the soule hath lost her feeling but by the time past when they were free from temptation 2. The fruits of their faith are often evident to the eye of others when themselves cannot see them 3. They must bee acquainted with the waies of God who often doth hide himself for a season that they may with more earnest desire seeke for his wonted grace and with more joyfulnesse of heart praise him when they have obtained it againe And if this hinder them because Object They cannot live as Gods children doe or as he requireth they are to bee encouraged herewith that Answ They are plants which take not theâ—r full perfection at once but by little and little with daily watering and dressing and that Patience and constancie with a resolute minde to beare Gods triall will bring a good end in all temptations THat every Christian may see his estate to bee good it shall be profitable to consider how farre an unbeleever may goe and so whether hee hath gone further 1. An unbeliever may bee terrified with his sinnes his conscience terrified by the spirit of bondage Matth. 27.3 2. He may bee pensive after sin committed 1 King 21.7 3. He may finde joy and delight in the Gospell and in the exercises of Religion Mat. 13.20 4. Hee may have a taste of the life to come with Balaam 5. He may reverence the Ministers and obey them in many things as Herod did and yet never be sealed up to eternall life Many that have made great and glorious shewes and seemed to have beene very forward have after either in prosperity waxed wanton or in afflictions wearie nay many which have shined as lights for a season have fallen away even before trouble came Many have had great griefe of minde and so seeme unto themselves to have repented but yet have deceived themselves because they never furnish themselves with true faith a pure heart a good conscience change of their life through the love of God their hearts are not upright nor they will not deale plainely with the Lord. But if wee would not lose all our labour wee must goe further than any unrepentant person can goe wee must never cease till we have more humility sincerity and truth of heart and certaine markes and testimonies of our Salvation They will heare the Gospell diligently but we must lay our estate with it and receive the print of it upon our hearts and lives and be cast into the molde of it and so finde it the power of Salvation They will refraine from themselves and drive out of their families many sinnes But we must willingly be reformed in what part of our life soever we can bee justly challenged and not blemish our profession in any thing ALthough the love of God Christ the worke of the Spirit applying them and faith apprehending them bee the chiefe cause of our conversion yet because they are not so easily felt of us as they are sure and infallible grounds in themselves of Salvation therefore it is necessary to adde some other effects or rather properties of true faith that do accompanie the love of God and of Christ Jesus in us and are the workes or fruits of the Holy-Ghost by the Gospell which may more clearely bee perceived and discerned than faith it selfe and will clearely testifie that where these bee there shall that be found also The first inseparable companion of Faith is joy and comfort glorious and unspeakeable Act. 8.8.39 But it will be said that Object Some true believers are even sad and sorrowfull Answ Indeed they mourne and groane for a while after that which may make them merry for ever and in this mourning they are blessed Math. 5.4 and their estate farre to be preferred before the laughter of the ungodly which is but madnes 1. The childe of God being converted cannot but admire this change of estate and even be astonished at the love and mercie of God What should move him to bestow such happinesse upon so unworthy a creature Ioh. 14.22 Psal 116.8.139.34 2. This holy and reverent admiration must not bee onely at our first conversion but ought every day to be renued in the Lord who doth every day pardon our sinnes Psal 118.8 and doth also uphold us in our confidence and integrity 3. The true believer feeling the love of God to bee shed abroad in his heart hath also within him unfained love kindled towards God Psalm 116.1 Luke 7.47 Which love of God must shadow the love of all other things whatsoever 4 Hee cannot but have his heart inlarged unto thankfulnesse and praise God even in afflictions themselves Psal 116.12 5. There is begotten a holy and earnest desire to have more communion with God even to enjoy his blessed presence and to see his glory 2. Corinthians 5.1 6. The former grace maketh him to forsake this World to become a stranger and a pilgrime heere and so to have no more to doe in this World than hee needs must Not that he leave the necessarie duties or forsake his calling but that hee is not so tied to these things but that he could willingly leave them and so being ready to die is made fit to live 7. Hee cannot but lament and be ashamed of his former unkindnesse to God and is ready to be revenged on himselfe for it 8. It cannot bee but knowing out of what miserie hee hath escaped and unto what happinesse he hath attained he pittie others that are as he was and wish and labour to make them as he is One means whereof is edifying conference Pro. 10.21 IF any man hath tasted of that happinesse which commeth by a true faith and doth therfore desire to keepe the same and feareth the loosing of it hee must for his confirmation 1. Nourish within himselfe daily that high estimation and account making of his grace he must think it his chiefest happinesse and most precious treasure which they that doe have their heart ever
continuall dogging of them to doe evill it should teach them to trust better in their armour and lesse to themselves Where we suspect that corruptions grow if wee goe not about to pull them out and plucke them up they will be too deeply fastned in a short time Though man pray and meditate and keepe a better course in his life than some doe yet if hee doe it but sleightly that the flesh prevaileth much in hindering the well-performing of it all will soone come to nought it may be perceived in the sway it beareth in other parts of the life and then let it be speedily amended It is good so to taste our selves with duties one or other at all times and in all places that so doing wee may cut off occasions of much sinne Let no sinne be sleightly passed over or omitted for when it commeth to remembrance in trouble it will be an heavie burden and pinch us to the heart THe third private helpe is the armour of a Christian concerning which foure points are fit to be knowne 1. First what it is and which be the chiefe parts of it It is that spirituall furniture of the gifts and graces of the holy Ghost by which God doth deliver his from all adversary power and bring them to the obedience of his will 2 Cor. 10.4 the parts are set downe Ephes 6.14 1 Whereof the first is sinceâ—ity which is the generall grace whereby a Christian is made simple and without fraud or hypocrisie bearing sway in him both towards God and his neighbour Psal 32 2. Matth. 5.8 Pro. 30.6 2 The sâ—cond is righteousnesse which is that gift of the Spirit whereby our hearts are bent to all manner of goodnesse and righteous dealing approving of it as most excellent desiring fervently and delighting in it and that because it is good and dâ—sliking and hating of all naughtinesse and evill Pro. 28.1 Psal 1.7 3 The third is the shooes of peace which is that having received the Gospell and found the sweetnesse of it wee are now thereby as they who are ready to take a journey shod and prepared ready to deny our selves and to take up our crosse and follow Christ through this our pilgrimage Rom. 5.1 Luk. 22.33.57 Phil. 4 7. Ioh. 16.33 4 The fourth is the shield of faith which is to build our perwasion on God his faithfull promises that Christ Iesus is ours and that God hath given him to us to obtaine forgivenesse of our sins and salvation by him yea and all other good things also meete for this present life Colos 1.33 5 The fifth his hope which is a joyfull longing and stedfast desire and looking for the performing and accomplishing of all those mercies temporall and eternall which God hath promised and wee by faith are assured of Luk. 2.30 Pet. 1.13 6 The sixth is the sword of the Spirit which is to be well instructed in the sound and living knowledge of the Scriptures and to digest the same and also season our understanding within us in such wise that wee may know the will of God and have the same in remembrance in the things which most concerne us as we can â—hat thereby wee may at all times and in all cases be readily led by it Psal 119.105 Where it is to be remembred that hee which hath most knowledge if hee be not guided by that he understandeth hee knoweth nothing as hee ought 1 Cor. 3.18 Prov. 3.6 Ioh. 13.17 THe second generall point is the necessitie of this armour viz. that wee should cloath and furnish our soules with every part of it which is so great that the right Christian life cannot stand without it for to venture upon the manifold tribulations of this life without the shooes of preparation is as much as to goe barefoot among thornes or to runne naked upon the pikes To be destitute of this shield of faith is the undoubted way either to despaire utterly or else in deadly presumption and security to drowne our selves in perdition To leave off the brest-plate of righteousnesse is to expose himselfe into the danger of every temptation for hee that doth not from time to time afresh indent with his heart against all unrighteousnesse he may look to be carried into those unlawfull actions which shall bring disgace to himselfe and his holy profession also 1 Cor. 6.4.5 Hee that hath not the sword of Gods Spirit so that hee be able to say in temptations it is written to the contrary shall never be able to cut in sunder those bonds of sinne wherewith hee shall be compassed He that hath not all these girded to him with sincerity and truth shall but deceive himselfe and others also Hee that hath not true hope of salvation to keepe life in his soule how can hee be void of fainting irkesomnesse heavinesse distraction dumpishnesse and sundry such discouragements Or how can he have any cheerefulâ—esse in his life or contentednesse that hath not this hope of passing his afflicting daies under the wings of God his protection So that wee may well affirme without this compleate armour of God that the Christian life cannot be continued THe third point is how this Armour should be put on For the answer whereof wee are to know that it is not wholly wanting in any true Christian for every true believer at his first conversion is made partaker though in weake measure of all things appertaining to life and godlinesse 1 Pet. 1.4 What then meaneth the Apostle when he biddeth us put on this armour His meaning is that wee should not have it as men in the time of peace have their bodily armour hanging by them unfit fâ—r use but as souldiers have theirs in battell we must be sure that in all places and upon all occasions we have it with us so farre as wee are able we must lie downe and rise up with it because our battell lasteth all our life long and our enemies be deadly and all our strength is by our armour Now to put on and also to keepe on and to have the feeling of every part of this armour faith against distrust hope against fainting uprightnesse against hypocrisie knowledge against the deceitfulnesse of sin righteousnesse against all kinde of iniquity and the preparation of the Gospell of peace against crosses to have I say this armour in a readinesse we must use continuall watching hearty prayer and frequent meditation about them Matth. 26.4 Here is to be observed that the sword of the Spirit hath two branches viz. that knowledge which wee get out of the letter of the Scripture onely and so have it but by rule and the knowledge which wee learne by proofe and triall for the bettering of us for as in all trades and sciences there is great difference betwixt the experimentall knowledge of them and bare or naked skill of them so is there great distance betwixt one that hath onely attained so much knowledge as will enable him to give account of his faith
to his all-sufficienâ— power will succour and deliver them which if they once believe as God requireth we should then shall they see themselves mightily staid and upholden until they bee set at great liberty and that it was the divell who before held them in feare and bondage Ob. We dare not believe that God will give us such grace except first wee could overcome our speciall corruptions Aâ—sw Wee have no strength of our owne to any such worke but wee must obtaine it by faith which is also commanded us Ioh. 3.23 and till we doe so we shâ—ll be holden from our right by the craft of Satan AS for the second viz. that the faithfull are taught and enabled of God to â—void great falls and reprochfull evils that is plain Pro. 19.23 Ps 119.10 11. Aâ—d the exâ—mâ—les of Enoch Abraâ—am Moses Ioshua Samuel and Daniel Job with others who for the time of their neer acquaintance with God committed not any such hainous trespasses as were common staines and blots in the lives of others By this so excellent and invaluable a priviledge the doing of good becommeth meat and drinke unto the faithfull so that they can serve God even in a good and ioyfull heart in all things Deut. 12.18 28.47 minde heavenly things without that tediousnesse which is seene in others performe earthly businesses with heavenly minds and alwaies rejoyce before the Lord. Not that they have no rebellion in them for they fiâ—d a strife alway are in part led captive oâ— it that they might not triumph before the victory partly that feeling their owne weaknesse they may more wholly depend on God and pâ—rtly that their future victory mâ—y appeare more glorious but all this while though many wounds be received the Christian is never so vanquished but that recovering againe by the power of God hee goeth on with stedfast jâ—y A Further Liberty is that if the godly doe by any occasion fall from their setled course into any offence whereby their consciences are wounded and accuse themselves they may returne againe unto God with certaine assurance of being received of him Iohn 2.2 Without this priviledge there were but small encouragements for any Christian because of our often falls Therefore the Lord doth not onely permit us to doe thus but calleth and waiteth for it yea he is highly offâ—nded if wee doe not Ier. 8.4 and for the effecting of it hath given charge to the Pastours as Eze. 34.3 and to others Gal. 6.1 how great a priviledg this is â—hey know full well who have experience of an afflicted conscience to whom no tidings can be more gladsome than this if it be rightly applyed It draweth from such many thanks and praises and so bringeth much honour to God But this must be warily and wisely received that wee neither take occasion hence to imbolden our selves to sinne or content our selves with sleight repentance for Gods mercies must be instantly sought for and then his favour may not be doubted of as appeareth by that example Eze. 10.1 So that here two extremes are to be avoided viz. that neither we presume upon sleight and hollow repentance nor languish in desperate and unfruitfull sorrow but in sound humiliatioâ— hope stedfastly for pardon and say to our soules as David doth Psal 43.5 The same that is spoken of actuall sinnes must also be understood of dulnesse idlenesse unprofitable barrennesse of the heart and such other corruptions which are wont to quench the worke of God his Spirit and to be the seed of many cursed evills The Lords will is that from hence we should expect in faith as well strength to weaken them as mercy to forgive them THe very helpes themselves which God hath given to us to further our salvation are great priviledges so to be accounted As that by Prayer we may have accesse unto God to breake our minde lay open our griefe and that with confidence and that by watchfulnesse wee may escape those dangerous snares of Sâ—tan wherein so many are intangled and that wee may in the end of every day make up our accounts with joy and keepe all streight For unto these and such like hâ—lpes God hath promised a blessiâ—g and we must by faith looke constantly for the same for there is no fruite of the best helpâ—s if wee use them not in faith Iam 1.6 These are great priviledges and howsoever of many through earthlinesse sloth and way-wardnesse of their hearts they be not so esteemed and therefore either not used or else formally or sleightly yet wee should account the more of them as being so glorious that the dim eyes of prophane persons cannot behold them and praise God the more who maketh them so sweet and gainfull unto us which unto so many are very gall and wormewood ANother great priviledge is â—hat the Lord teacheth his how to carry themselves and keepe their integrity in all estates of life As first in peace and prosperity when a man hath riches Honoâ—r health friends delights and pleasures c. This is a slippery estate in which no man of himselfe can stand and therefore is an occasion of falling to most men but God teacheth his to stand in this slippery way For first when he causeth the Doctâ—ine of coÌ„tentation sobriety and the contempt of this world to be taught unto them then hee draweth their hearts inwardly to attend unto it believe it love and practise it Besides this God causeth them oft to set before their eyes the daily changes of all things under the Sunne and by the oft and deepe consideration of these things as they observe them their lusts are appalled and the pride of life is greatly abated in them Psal 102.22 So that by these means the Lord so frameth his that they desire no more nor no longer than their heavenly Father seeth expedient to use these outward things as if they used them not and yet so to use them as that they may be helps to themselves and others in the way of godlinesse All which is not so to be understood as if every believer had this grace but that God hath bequeathed and doth offer this to all though onely they have it which doe esteeme of it and seeke for it in faith at Gods hands SO likewise in regard of afflâ—ctions the prerogative of God his children is great first he holdeth many tribulationâ— from them which otherwise by their sinnes they doe plucke upon themselves Psal 32.10 11. which must needes be so because afflictions spring from sinne and therefore where sin is greater or lesser the afflictions will be proportionable The truth of it viz. that they may be freed from many troubles is plaine because so many doe fill themselves with inward troubles of minde and conscience by giving place to their unbridled affections which breede many perturbations and by taking license to themselves in things which are not seemely They bring also many outward troubles upon themselves by their sins as shame poverty