called the house of God to giue vs to vnderstand Ephe. 2.19 that those that abide there are by good right accompted the childrē and household of God Furthermore when after wee haue protested in our Creede that wee beleeue the holie Church vniuersall we adde the communion of Saints the forgiuenes of sinnes the rising againe of the bodie and the life euerlasting is not this to assure vs that those that are the members of the Church haue a communitie in all these treasures and goods of it and consequently that they are the children of God and inheritours of euerlasting life According vnto this S. Luke also saith resolutlie Act. 2.47 that God ioyned vnto the Church those that should be saued The which is confirmed by the Prophet Ioel saying Ioel. 2.32 that there shall be saluation in Sion And S. Paule himselfe sticketh not at all 1. Thes 1.4 to call those that are the members of the Church the elect of God But yet so much the more to resolue vs let vs consider the marks of the true church touched here before The first is the pure preaching of the word of God Now Iesus Christ saith my sheepe heare my voyce and they follow me Ioh. 10.27 shewing thereby very manifestly that this is one marke to bee the child of God Ioh. 8.47 to heare the voyce of his sonne Iesus Christ As also he saith in another place 2. Cor. 5.18 Ephe. 6.15 Act. 14.3 Act. 20.32 Act. 13.26 Act 5.20 Phil. 2.15 that is of God heareth the voyce of God And indeed seeing that the preaching of the Gospell is called the ministerie of reconciliation the Gospell of peace the word of grace of saluation and of life as without doubt God by the ministerie of his word presenteth Reconciliation peace grace saluation and life So they that are the members of the Church heare and receiue the word shew therein that they are partakers of all these benefites and consequentlie the children of God The second mark of the Church consisteth in the Sacraments of Baptisme and of the Lords supper As touching Baptisme it is a seale sure warrant that the sinnes of those that receiue it are washed away by the bloud of Christ Act. 22.5 Rom. 6.4 Tit. 3.5 Gal. 3.27 that they are ingrafted and incorporate into his death and resurrection that they are regenerate that they haue put on Iesus Christ Whereof it followeth as S. Paule affirmeth Gal. 3.26 that they are the children of God The like assurance of our adoption is giuen vs in the Lords supper For if the bread and the cup 1. Cor. 10.16 which are giuen to the members of the Church are the communion of the bodie and of the bloud of Iesus Christ it followeth that in this communiō of Christ they haue the foode and life of their soules And that consequentlie as the children of GOD they shall obtaine life euerlasting according to the protestation of Christ He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud Ioh. 6.54 he hath euerlasting life The third marke of the Church of God is the inuocation of the name of God in the name of that onlie one lesus Christ Now Psal 14 4. Gen. 12.7 Act. 2.21 Act. 9.14 as all the seruice of God is oftentimes signified by this inuocation So Saint Luke noteth the faithful and children of God by this description that they call vpon the name of the Lord. As on the contrarie side Psal 14.4 it is said of the reprobate that they do not call vpon the name of God And indeede when the members of the Church ioyne together and lift vp their praiers vnto God Matth. 6.9 saying Our Father which art in heauen and so calling him father by the commandement of Christ they may well assure themselues that God doth acknowledge them for his children and that he wil make them feele the fruit of their praiers according to the promise of Christ Mat. 18.19 that whatsoeuer they shall with one consent aske of GOD it shall bee giuen them By this that is aboue said it manifestlie appeareth how euerie member of the Church may and ought to assure him selfe to be the child of God and to acknowledge all other members of the Church with him in like manner to be the children of God If any alledge that we may thus accompt such a one for the child of God who possiblie is an hypocrite and may after shewe himselfe a reprobate we answere that such discourses are contrarie to charitie so much recommended vnto vs by Saint Paule 1. Cor. 13. noting amongst other properties of charitie that she thinketh not euill or is not suspitious but that she beleeueth all things and hopeth all things Wee ought then to hold the members of the Church for the children of GOD. vntill that departing from it or discouering their hypocrisie they shewe themselues reprobates Furthermore as GOD would that al those to whō he vouchsafeth to bee father should acknowledge the Church for their mother so let vs not doubt but being borne againe and nourished in the Church our mother we may call God our father and abiding vnited to the familie of the mother let vs not doubt but that wee bee the heires of the father Thus much for the outward markes Now let vs come to the inwarde markes As to the blind and deaffe the opening of their eyes and eares is needfull clearelie to see and heare the voyce of him that speaketh Of the inward marks of our adoption So being of our owne nature both blind and deaffe as touching vnderstanding the holie spirit is hee that openeth our eyes and eares to comprehend thereuelation of our adoption and to feele in our harts the assurance of it ingendring in vs faith which is as it were the hand by which wee apprehend this great benefite whereof also the fruites and effects as well of the holie ghost dwelling in vs as of the faith that is in vs are the principall most assured markes to giue vs knowledge of our adoption A ccording wherevnto Rom. 8.16 Saint Paule saith that the Holie ghost giueth testimonie to our spirits that we are the children of God so as hauing receiued this spirit of adoption wee crie with all assurance Abba father 1. Ioh. 3.24 This is it also which S. John teacheth vs saying we know that he abideth in vs by the spirit which he hath giuen vs. 1. Ioh. 4.13 Also By this we knowe that we dwell in him and he in vs because he hath giuen of his spirit vnto vs. In like manner the Apostle S. Paule affirmeth Rom. 5.1 that by the peace and quietnes which we feele in our consciences before GOD in the free forgiuenes of our sinnes by the bloud of Iesus Christ we shewe and prooue that wee are iustified by faith and so the children of God Wherein to confirme vs he saith in another place that after wee
Spirit and there is no condēnation to thee as is saide If thou delight as touching the inward man in the obedience of the commaundements of GOD hee accepteth thee for holie and iust receiuing this desire to obey him for an obedience acceptable vnto him He accepteth his owne worke in thee and pardoneth thee thine Continue in this holie desire fighting against the flesh and the world strengthening thy self by feruent praier to the Lord. And behold the certaine testimonies of thine adoption But thou wilt say 3. Temptation because the seeling of the fruit of our prayers is so long deferred because of the weakenesse of them I haue of long time asked of God and do daylie aske his holie Spirite the encrease of faith and grace to be obedient vnto him yet I feele no manner of fruite of my prayers If GOD loued me and accounted mee for his childe woulde hee not heare mee It is the same complaint that in old time past Dauid made saying I am wearie of crying my throat is hoarse mine eies are failed Psa 6◠4 while I wait on my God And in another place My God I crie by day Psa 22 2 and thou answerest not and by night and I haue no rest Now in saying he had no rest he sheweth that he did continue in prayer Also Iesus Christ exhorteth vs to this diligence by the example or similitude of the importunate widdow Luke 18.1 crying still vpon the wicked Iudge to do hir right and at the last obtaining by her importunacie And besides that hee waketh vs vp saying Heare what the wicked Iudge saieth Because shee troubleth mee I will doe her iustice And God which is your Father and Sauiour who is iust and loueth righteousnesse Psal 11.7 shall not hee heare the crie of his children crying vnto him night and day Verely I saie vnto you Luke 11.5 that hee will doe it and that quickely Hee that went by night to his neighbor to borow bread continuing still his request though the other alleadged many excuses yet at the length he obtained what he would Continue then in praying to GOD without discouragement This perseuerance in prayer is an euident and vehement testimonie of thy faith For that is not founde but in the children of God guided by his Spirite especially seeing thou askest the holie Ghost Luk. 11.13 whom Iesus Christ promised thee thou askest that which by his promise is due vnto thee without doubt he will giue it thee And seeing thou askest the increase of faith and grace to obey him thou askest that which he commandeth thee to haue and so that which he liketh and is pleased withall Be then assured that thou shalt be heard Beholde sayth Saint John Iohn 5.14 the confidence that wee haue with GOD that if wee aske anie thing according vnto his wil he heareth vs. And if wee know that he heareth vs whatsoeuer we aske wee knowe wee shall obtaine the requests that we haue asked His promises can not faile nor deceiue Yea bee thou certaine that before thou hast ended thy prayer hee hath heard thee as Esay saith Esa 65.24 For our God is a God that heareth prayers sayth Dauid But thou owest him this honour to submit thy selfe to his wisedome as touching the time of feeling or receiuing the fruite of thy prayers If Iesus Christ had healed the daughter of the Cananite at the first petition Mat. 15.22 her Faith had not beene so kindled in her nor so commended in the Church vnto the ende of the worlde The fruites of all trees are not ripe in one daie In some they doe ripen sooner and men waite patiently for the other which ripen in the latter season Luke 1.13 Zacharie and Elizabeth thought that they had prayed in vaine asking of GOD posteritie in their youth And when they were olde and without all hope for to obtaine it the Angell of the Lorde saide vnto Zacharie Thy prayer is heard not that prayer which hee made then for he thought not nowe to haue issue but the prayer which hee made long time before That which is more doe wee not aske of GOD manie graces the which wee knowe well that wee obtaine either in part or in hope onelie the enioying or full accompliss ment whereof is deferred either vntill death or euen vntill the day of the resurrection In the Prayer of all Prayers taught by Iesus Christ wee do aske of GOD that his name may be sanctified Matth. 6.9 his Kingdome may come his will may bee doone in Earth as it is in Heauen And when shall wee see the full accomplished effect of this prayer but in Heauen when Christ hauing gruen vp his kingdome to GOD his father wee shall loue him perfectlie and praise him euerlastinglie Furthermore he oftentimes heareth vs so as Saint Augustine saith not according vnto our will but as is most for our profite giuing vs better thinges than those that wee expresselie aske The Iewes desired the comming of the Messias and asked it of God He deferred it of long time at the last hee sent him but not such a one as al as it were and the Apostles themselues looked for Act. 4.6 to wete victorious in battaile as Dauid to deliuer them from the yoake of the Romans triumphing in riches worldlie glorie as Salomon but such a Messias as obtaining victorie against the diuell death and sinne hath established a spirituall kingdome in euerlasting life and glorie Iesus Christ feeling and apprehending the terrible gulphes of the fearful wrath of God vpon him for our sinnes Mat. 26.39 prayed with strong cries teares to God his Father that he might not enter into the deepe pit of death The Apostle to the Hebrewes saith Heb. 5 7. that he was heard and yet notwithstanding he entred and dranke the Cup of the wrath and of death which the Father had giuē him But he was heard saith the same Apostle as touching that which in making his praier he fered to wit frō being swallowed of death In like manner S. Paul praieth to God oftentimes that he 2. Cor. 12. would deliuer him from the Angell of Sathan that buffeted him but GOD much better as he himselfe confesseth gaue him to vnderstand that the power of God was made perfect in his infirmity so as he protesteth as it were enioying the frute of his praiers thogh otherwise than he thoght that from that time forth he would reioice in his infirmities woulde take delight in them forasmuch as being weake in himselfe he was strong in God So wee will demaund manie times commodities concerning this life as health goods parents friends or our country and God depriuing vs of them giueth vs spirituall graces patience faith contentment in God and other like yea and our prayer tending onely vnto the preseruation and enioying such commodities appertaining vnto this life alone GOD contrariwise depriueth vs of them to keepe them
haue beleeued wee are sealed by the holie spirit of promise which is the earnest penie of our inheritance Ephe. 1.13 vntill the redemption of the possession purchased to the praise of his glorie First he sheweth there that faith is as it were the seale whereby the Holie ghost imprinteth in our hearts for our assurance that wee are the children of God Furthermore as in a thing that is bought there is somtimes giuen an earnest penie to wit some part of the monie agreed on as well for the beginning of the paimēt as by consequent for the assurance that the bargaine shall be held firme so the holie ghost who by faith ingēdreth peace and ioye in the hearts of the faithfull is the earnest penie assuring vs by this beginning of the spirituall blessings which God promiseth to his children that he holdeth vs for his possession purchased to the praise of his glorie and that at the length he will gather vs into the full inioying of the inheritāce of heauen Hereunto it is also that goodly gradatiō leadeth vs which is proposed of the same Apostle Rom. 8.28 saying Those whō God hath before knowne those hee hath also predestinate to be made like vnto the image of Iesus Christ and those whō he hath predestinate he hath also called and those whom he hath called he hath also iustified and those whō he hath iustified those he hath also glorified For all will confesse that those that are elected and predestinated to be made like vnto the image of Iesus Christ are the children of God as also they who in his eternall counsel and decree are glorified Now they who being lightened with the knowledge of the Gospell beleeue that their sinnes are washed away by the bloud of Iesus Christ through his satisfaction and so are called and iustified are elected and glorified before God as S. Paule teacheth here it followeth then that they are the children of God And this is so certaine that the Apostle opposing the will power of GOD against all impediments addeth If GOD bee on our side who shall bee against vs Rom 8.30 Bern. ser 5. in dedica templi S Bernard teacheth the selfe same thing verie aptlie saying we are certain of the power of God to saue vs but what shall we say of his will who is he that knoweth whether he bee worthie of hate or of loue who is he that hath knowne the will of the Lord or who hath bin his counseller It behoueth that herein faith helpe vs and that trueth succour vs. That that which is hid concerning vs in the heart of the father may bee reuealed vnto vs by the spirit and his spirit testifying vnto vs may perswade vs that wee are the childrē of God that he perswade it vs I say in calling and iustifying vs freelie by faith which is as it were a meane or passage from the predestination of GOD to the glorie of the life euerlasting The same thing is it which S Augustine meaneth saying Aug Hom. in Ioan. 35. Wee are come into the way of faith let vs hold it constantlie it shall leade vs from degree to degree euen vnto the chamber of the heauenlie King where all the treasures of knowledge and wisedome beeing hid wee may learne and behold the reuelation of our election From hence proceedeth yet another fruite seruing vs for a marke to assure vs more more that we are the children of God when we loue God and our neighbours for his sake whereof also followeth the hatred of euill and an earnest desite to render obedience to God For if it be so as Saint Iohn saith 1. Ioh. 4.19 that our loue to God commeth of this that he hath first loued vs The loue that we beare vnto him is a testimonie that he loueth vs. As also Iesus Christ maintaineth and sheweth that by the signes of loue Luk. 7.47 which the sinful woman gaue him God loued her greatly and had forgiuen her manie sinnes So the brightnes of the Moone is a certaine argument that the Sunne ministreth whollie to her for otherwise she hath no brightnes at all And in sommer the heate that is felt in the stones set against the Sunne is a signe that the Sunne shineth vppon them Of our owne nature and first generation we are vnprofitable to all goodnes and inclined to al euill Rom. 3.10 as Saint Paule very largelie setteth forth vnto vs writing to the Romanes If then on the contrarie wee walke in the feare God giuing our selues to his seruice and occupying our selues in all good works is not such a chaunge a testimonie of our regeneration and consequentlie of our adoption The tree is knowne by his fruit saith Iesus Christ Matt 7.17 If then wee beare the fruit of iustice holines and of charitie wee are trees planted in the garden of God by his holie spirit and so consequentlie the childen of God Charitie saith Saint Iohn 1. Ioh. 4.7 is of God and he that loueth is borne of God and knoweth God As then the heate and light of a coale is a signe that it hath fire and as the moouing and actions of the bodie are certaine signes that it liueth that the soule is within it so the testimonie of the holie ghost in our hearts the peace quietnes of our consciences before GOD feeling our selues iustified by faith this loue towards God and our neighbour this chaunge of our life and desire to walke in the feare and obedience of God are assured tokens of our adoption as also this that we are members of the Church of Christ hearing his word participating with the holie Sacraments and calling vppon God in the name of Iesus Christ are testimonies that wee are the children and houshold seruants of God and heires of eternall life How euerie member of the Church ought to applie vnto himselfe the tokens of it to assure himselfe of his adoption and saluation CAP. 3. NOw although the tokens before mentioned are certaine to assure vs that wee are the children of God yet there are two sorts of temptations which aboue all other tend to shake vs. The one proceedeth of our selues either for lacke of applying to our selues the testimonies which God giueth to the members of his Church to assure them of their saluation or through the feeling of a want as wee thinke but rather of the smalnes or weaknes of those tokens of adoption here aboue alledged The other temptation commeth vnto vs frō some other where and cōsisteth speciallie in two points To wit in the reuolt of some hauing made profession of the true religion and in the grieuous and long afflictions which are ordinarie to those that followe the doctrine of the Gospell Now as there is nothing of greater importance than the saluation of the soule so there is nothing that doth more grieuouslie afflict and trouble the tender consciences desirous of eternall life than the doubts feares not to
by their incredulitie the grace which GOD offereth them should their incredulitie make thee call in doubt the trueth of God and the testimonie of his good will towards thee If some few among these banished not trusting the pardon published by a true and faithfull Prince doo him this dishonor to compt him as a deceiuer or lier acknowledge thou that iustlie and by good right they remaine banished But thou seeing that faithfull Prince Iesus Christ hath sent to pronounce vnto thee a generall pardon and namelie hath giuen thee his letters sealed by the Sacraments commaunding thee to beleeue and promising thee that it shall bee vnto thee according to thy faith Assure thy selfe Matt. 9.29 that his will is that thou shouldest be his child and heire of euerlasting life See how euerie one should assure himselfe by the preaching of the Gospell and the vse of the Sacraments the true markes of the Church that being a member of it he is the child of God and consequentlie an inheritour of his euerlasting kingdome True it is that faith is the gift of GOD yea proceeding from the operation of the mightie power of his strength Phili. 1.29 Ephe. 1.19 as S. Paule speaketh And this is it which he maketh vs to feele in this difficultie of apprehēding by an assured faith so manie so cleare and so certaine testimonies of his good will towards vs touching our adoption It is therefore needfull that he worke farther with vs by his holie spirit which without ceasing asking of him in the name of Iesus Christ we are assured by his promise that he will giue vs and that so ioyning with the power and efficacie of his spirit the preaching of his Gospell and the vse of the Sacraments he will giue vs grace to applie vnto our selues by a true and liuelie faith the testimonies which he hath giuen vs of our adoption to our saluation and euerlasting life How although the markes of our adoption bee in vs but small and feeble yet wee ought and may assure our selues that we are the children of God CAP. 4. I See well will some say that I haue iust matter to beleeue it therefore am I the more sory that I feele not faith in my self to assure me without doubt that I am the child of GOD which thing troubleth mee greatly so as I feare least by this mine incredulitie I reiect the grace of God But vnderstand I pray thee for thy comfort that there is great difference betweene vnfaithfulnes and weaknes of faith The vnfaithfull man or infidell careth not for his saluation or The first temptation proceeding of the small feeling of our faith reiecting the saluation which is in Iesus Christ alone seeketh saluation other where Contrariwise the faithful desire saluation he knoweth that his saluation is in Iesus Christ alone he seeketh it in him and feeleth a desire to increase in assurance that he hath saluatiō in Iesus Christ though he doo not yet feele this peace ioy in the holie Ghost so manifestlie as faith bringeth it forth at the last Also it is not written he that feeleth but hee that beleeueth hath euerlasting life Iho. 3.36 Heb. 11.1 Rom. 8.23 And indeed as faith is of things that are not seene so the vnderstanding of it consisteth more in certaintie than in apprehensiō In this complaint of Dauid yea and of Christ himselfe My God my God why hast thou forsakē me Psal 22.1 Mat. 27.46 We heare the testimonie of faith by these wordes my God my God but without apprehēsion or feeling of fauour or ioy as this complaint why hast thou forsakē me sheweth Also our faith may bee so small and weake as it doth not yet bring forth fruites that may be liuelie felt of vs. But if such as feele themselues in such estate desire to haue these feelings if they aske them of God by praier This desire and praier are testimonies that the spirit of God is in them and that they haue faith alreadie For is such a desire a fruite of the flesh or of the spirit It is of the holie spirit who bringeth it forth onlie in such as he dwelleth in He dwelleth then in them In like manner is not this praier the worke of the holy ghost in thē For it is the holy ghost saith S. Paule which praieth for vs Rom. 8.25 and in vs with grones that cannot be expressed Againe none can come to God by praiers if he haue no trust in him Then these holie desires and praiers being the motions of the holie ghost in vs are testimonies of our faith although they seeme to vs small and weake As the woman that feeleth the mooning of a child in her wombe though verie weake beleeueth and assureth her selfe that she is with child and that she goeth with a liue child so if we haue these motiōs these holie affections and desires before mentioned let vs not doubt but that wee haue the holie ghost who is the author of them dwelling in vs and consequentlie that wee haue also faith And we must vnderstand that the faith of the children of God ceaseth not to bee a true faith although they feele doubts feares mistrusts For if they delight not in such infirmities Rom. 7. to nourish them but are sorrowfull and resist them with desire to feele their saluation in Iesus Christ behold a battaile in them and betweene whom Betweene the spirit and the flesh betweene faith and mistrust There is then in them faith assailed with doubts and the spirit fighting against mistrust and labouring to ouercome it These doubts mistrustings and incredulities are the fierie darts which Satan throweth against our faith the which bearing the blowes as a buckler as S. Paule saith thrusteth them back and quencheth them so as they pearce not to the heart Eph. 6.16 What deuises or assaults soeuer the diuel make against vs faith S. Augustine so he occupie not the place of the heart where faith dwelleth he is driuen backe Incredulitie then assaulteth vs without but woundeth vs not deadlie It troubleth onlie or so woundeth as the stroake is yet curable And such temptations and assaults are common to the most faithfull excellent seruants of God If wee consider the continuall course of the life of Dauid there is no mirrour of faith better to bee noted than in him And yet was not he assaulted with great feares and doubts What cōplaint maketh he in the 77. Psalm Hath the Lord forsaken for euer Psal 77.8 9 10 11 vers will he no more shewe me fauour Is his mercie cleane gone for euer Is his promise come to an ende for euermore Hath God forgotten to bee gracious Hath he shut vp his louing kindnes in displeasure And to conclude he holdeth such a course as a man desperate saying This is my death Where was then in Dauid the feeling of his faith For al this he had not lost it And indeed all these words were
Then thou must cōtinue also accustome thy selfe to read heare the word of God thinking alwaies that God speaketh to thee for the saluation of thy soule praying him that he will giue thee grace by his holie spirit to profite to his glorie and thy saluation And thou shalt feele at the last that which is said to sicke men that haue lost their tast that thy appetite will come to thee by eating And that the word of God and the participating of the bread and wine in the holie supper shall be to thee more sweet Psalm 119.103 than honie to the mouth Psal 19.11 as Dauid saith Manie sicke persons hauing neither taste nor appetite eate notwithstanding and receiue noriture So though in reading and hearing the word of God and communicating at the Lords supper thou feelest not any tast or appetite yet in continuing thou shalt receiue some noriture for thy soule And if it seemeth to thee that thou forgettest by by that which thou hast read or heard practise for thy soule that which thou dooest for thy bodie because the meates digest abide not in the bodie thou returnest to eate meat again euerie day So be thou so much more diligent to heare and reade the word and to communicate at the holie supper without leesing anie one meale for thy soule when GOD offereth it thee And as the corporall meate though it passe away yet there remaineth alwaies some noriture for the bodie so shall this spiritual meate be to thy soule Yea it may be that at one sermon thou shalt heare and remember one sentence which shall serue thee as it were for a passeport a ladder or wings at thy neede to conduct thee by and by comforting strengthening thee to lift thee vp into heauen If then when thou goest to reade or heare the word of God or to communicate at the Lords supper thou praiest to God as thou oughtest daylie to do that he will giue thee his spirit that thou maiest profite and so doest continue cōstantlie in these spirituall exercises This disposition this holy affection obedience shal serue thee for sure testimonies of thine adoption thou shalt without doubt feele increase of the graces of God Finally there are some who hauing had liuely feelings of their faith with cōfort ioy in their cōsciences The fift temptation by the interruption of the graces of God walking besides in the feare of God are afterwards greatlie troubled when these graces seem to be dead in them falling into doubt mistrust of their saluation or into crimes sinnes too vnworthie the childrē of God For satan hereby indeuoureth to perswade them either that they neuer had the true faith or that God hath cast them off taking from them the gifts and graces of his holie spirit but both the one and the other conclusion is as false as the author of them is a great lier And indeede if the trees which haue flourished borne their fruite in sommer are in winter without fruite without leaues yea and without apparance of life dooth it followe therefore either that they had not life in sommer or that they are dead in the winter When men go to bed they rake vp the fire which did burne if thou marke it verie neere there is no apparance either of heate nor of brightnes dooth it followe therfore that there had been no fire or that it is then quenched or dead Contrariwise hauing been couered ouer night men kindle againe in the morning the same fire that was hid couered and the trees that seemed to be dead in the winter flourish and beare fruite a while after If thou seest a drunken man not hauing for a time the vse of reason nor anie feeling of it wilt thou say therefore that he neuer had a reasonable soule or that hauing had it it is now dead A bide a fewe houres and thou shalt be conuict of the contrarie And so of that that thou hast not presentlie the feeling or effects and fruites of faith can it followe that thou neuer hast had them or that hauing had them thou hast lost them Matt. 26.74 When S. Peter renounced Iesus Christ three times cursing himselfe was his faith quenched On the contrarie Iesus Christ hauing praied to God that his faith should not faile Luk. 22.31 and being without doubt heard faith remained in him but verie weake and sore beaten but not destroyed nor quenched Dauid hauing committed adulterie murther Psal 51. acknowledged his sinnes and offences praying to God that he would not take his holie spirit from him Then he had not lost it rather it abode in him but as a fire couered with ashes so as it is said without hauing anie feeling of it to keepe him from such a headlong fall Faith then may bee in a man without kindling and being kindled it is not out although it be not perceiued for a time Yea but wilt thou say the Apostle to the Hebrues sheweth that there be some Heb. 6 4 5 6. who hauing been lightened hauing tasted the heauenlie gift hauing been partakers of the holie ghost and tasted the good word of God and the power of the world to come fall backe and leese these graces yea without hope euer to recouer them againe What assurance then can I haue that faith abideth in me and that GOD will yet make me to feele it hereafter For as he hath shewed mercie vnto Dauid and to Saint Peter so dooth hee exercise his iust iudgemēts vpon other as vpon those of whome the Apostle spake before Wee denie not but that there bee reprobates that are greatlie lightened in the knowledge of the mysteries of saluation which the Apostle termeth here to bee partakers of the holie ghost and yet that such apprehensions tastings and feelings as he proposeth followe not thereof For reading or hearing the testimonies and representatiōs of the mercies of God toward his Church of the loue of Iesus Christ towards his elect and of the excellencie and felicitie of eternall life they conceaue these things in their vnderstanding for the greatnes of them they are after a sort moued and when they talke of them they seeme to be partakers of them But the difference that there is betweene them the children of God lieth chieflie in this that the apprehensions and feelings of the reprobat are such as a mā may haue in the reading or telling of an historie which toucheth vs nothing at all but the feelings of the children of God are as of a matter that toucheth themselues Let vs consider for example the historie of Ioseph Who is hee that reading attentiuelie how Ioseph was sold of his brethren Gen. 37. carried into Aegypt put in prison and the sorrowe that Iacob had Gen. 39. vnderstanding that he was deuoured of a wilde beast that would not bee mooued with compassion towardes Ioseph and Iacob Who is hee that reading how Ioseph
but representations of feare and dispaire assailing the faith that was in him and fighting against it As hee sheweth in other places verie plainly saying My soule why art thou cast downe Psal 42.12 Psal 43.5 why art thou so heauie within me Put thy trust in God for I will yet giue him thanks for as much as he is my manifest deliuerance as it were before my face and my God If these testimonies of faith before mentioned seeme small how small and dark was the faith of the Apostles before the resurrection of Iesus Christ They beleeue that Christ is the sonne of God Mat 16.16 Iohn 6.69 Mat. 17.23 Luke 9.45 Luk 24.11 Act. 1.6 the sauiour of the world but yet they vnderstand not that he must die and rise againe wherein notwithstāding lieth the principall rest of our faith Yea and after his resurrection they acknowledge him for a King imagined rather a carnall than a spirituall kingdome If their faith was darke in their vnderstanding it was also small in their hearts when they were offended at Christ and all forsooke him Peter himselfe renounced him Mat. 26 31 Mar. 14.27 Mar. 14.50 Mat. 26.70 Mar. 14.68 And yet we cannot say that they were without faith though it were then verie weake and small And also when the ship being couered with flouds they cried to Iesus Christ Luk. 22.32 Matt. 8.25 saying saue vs we perish he calleth them not infidels but men of little faith fearefull shewing that they had some faith in them though verie small and assailed with feare wherein notwithstanding hauing recourse vnto him they were heard and deliuered out of daunger For he came not to breake the brused reede nor to quench the smoaking flax As Esay foretold Esa 42 3. Matt. 12.18 shewing therby that there are some of the children of God weake as a brused reede and hauing as little strength of faith as in steed of flaming it smoaketh onlie This smalnes and beginning of faith is verie aptlie noted by S. Paule saying Rom. 1.17 that the righteousnes of GOD is reuealed by the Gospell from faith to faith He sheweth that there are degrees in faith and that it happeneth to vs in the reuealing of the righteousnes of GOD by which we are iustified as when we see one so farre off as with much a do wee know him but the neerer we approach the more cleerelie we discerne him Manie of the children of God are like to that blind man whose eyes Christ opened Mar. 8.29 but so at the beginning as he sawe men like trees forthwith he recouered his sight but yet troubled at the beginning but afterward cleared To bee short he who in the person of his Apostles hath taught vs to pray vnto God to increase our faith sheweth that he hath children in whom it is weake Luk. 17.5 and hath neede of increase Also the chiefe wisedome of the most perfect is to profite And to this purpose wee must remember that in all spirituall graces there is nothing but beginnings and imperfections in the most perfect and most highlie exalted in this life But that the perfection to the which notwithstanding wee must alwaies tend and the accomplishment shall be in heauen To conclude there are two effects or fruits of faith to wete the rest peace of the conscience before God and sanctification which consisteth in the mortification of the workes of the flesh and newnes of life Now as the rest and peace of conscience proceeding frō faith is a testimonie that it is in vs so is also sanctification and the desire to walke in the feare and obedience of God And indeed faith is the fountaine of good workes If then one of these fruites be languishing the other sufficeth to assure vs that wee haue faith As it is knowne that there is true and naturall fire by the flame the heate which are two effects and operations of fire but if the flame shall become weake the heate shall suffice to assure vs that it is naturall and not a painted fire In like manner if this fruit of thy faith be weake to feele peace and rest in thy conscience and yet thou feelest the other effect of faith to wete a desire to the workes of the spirit loue towards God and desire to walke in his obedience This fruit of thy faith is to thee a sure testimonie that it is in thee though but smal and weake But thou wilt say what comfort or assurance of saluation can a faith so weak and little giue me I answere It can assure thee of thine adoption For so thou haue but one spark of true faith thou art the child of God Faith is of such a force Mat. 17.20 that following the promise of God one onelie graine of it though neuer so little laieth hold on Iesus Christ to saluation Againe it is properlie Iesus Christ which saueth vs not our faith sauing in so much as it is the instrument and as it were the hand by which wee take hold on Iesus Christ Now faith how little soeuer it bee taketh hold on Christ and receiueth him not by halfes but all whole as an infant taketh and holdeth with his little hand a whole apple though he doth it not so stronglie or surelie as a man By the apple of our eye though merueilous little we see verie great mountaines and the verie bodie of the Sunne much greater than the whole earth so our faith though verie little taketh and receiueth all whole Iesus Christ the sunne of righteousnes He who being in a darke tower seeth not the light of the Sunne but by a verie little hole may notwithstanding assure himselfe that the Sunne shineth vppon the tower as well as he that seeth it by an open windowe knoweth that it shineth vpon his house Euen so although we are hindered by the cloudes of mistrust that we cannot see the Sunne of righteousnes to shine vpon our soules in his brightnes yet so that wee see but a little beame wee know that the sunne of life shineth vppon vs which assureth vs that we are the children of God Also whosoeuer in this life shall haue the least faith among all the elect shall yet inioye Iesus Christ all whole and not a little or halfe saluation but the full accomplished saluation of eternall life For whosoeuer beleeueth in Iesus Christ saith Saint Iohn shall not perish Iho. 3.16 but haue life euerlasting Now as this ought greatlie to comfort vs in the weakenes of our faith so ought it to bee a sharpe spurre to inforce vs to growe in faith that feeling so much the more clearelie and liuelie the peace and ioye of our consciences by the assurance that we are the children of God wee may the more stronglie resist all temptations and glorifie our God There are others who call their faith and adoption in doubt 2. Temptation throgh the smalnes of our sanctification Ia. 2.17.20 saying That
feruent desire of this benefite what ought wee to feele in our selues who are yet so ignorant so weake so corrupt in the middest of so manie dangers Say then from the heart with the same Dauid Psal 26.8 O Lord I loue the habitation of thy house the place where thine honour dwelleth And that good God and almightie father who hath care to nourish our bodies yea and prouideth for the nourishment of the little birds will without doubt heare your desire and wil prouide for the nourishment of your soules Moreouer accomplishing his promise made by Esay Esay 44. of powring out of waters vpon the drie ground hee will make you to growe as the grasse and as the willowes by the riuer sides for the ioye and comfort wherof one shall say I am the Lords another shall call himselfe by the name of Iacob an other shall subscribe with his hande I am the Lords and shall call himselfe by the name of Israel 5. To walk in the feare of God But vnderstād farther that the Gospel wherof ye make profession is a doctrine not to flie about in the vnderstāding but to take seate in the hart not in the tongue to talk onlie but in the life and holie works Then be ye doers of the word not onlie hearers deceauing your selues God hath adopted you for his children Iam. 1.22 but on this condition that the image of Christ may shine in you God hath chosen and called you to be his Temples and to dwell in you by his holie spirit 1. Cor. 6.19 1. Cor. 3.16 Remember yee that the temple of God is holie and that it is not lawfull to defile it nor to put holie things to prophane vses God hath created you for his glorie and Christ hath redeemed you that ye might be his Remember then that you must bee consecrated and dedicated vnto God neither to thinke say nor doo anie thing but to his glorie Ye are dead to sinne Rom. 6. but liuing to GOD by Iesus Christ Applie not then your members to bee instruments of of iniquitie to sinne but applie you vnto God as being of dead made aliue and your members to be instrumēts of righteousnesse to God Rom. 6.18 Yee are made free from sinne by Christ but it is to bee seruants to righteousnes Remember that which S. Paul saith that if ye liue according to the flesh ye shal dy Rom. 8.13 but if by the spirit ye mortefie the deeds of the flesh ye shal liue they that are of christ Gal. 5.24 haue crucified the flesh with the concupiscēces of it If ye liue in the spirit walke also in the spirite Gal. 5.25 As out of fire proceedeth inseperablie heate and brightnes in like manner if ye haue receiued Christ for iustification ye must haue him also for sanctification If yee haue hope to see Christ as hee is 1. Cor. 1.30 1. Iho. 3.2 3 Heb. 12.14 purifie your selues as he is pure following peace with al men and holinesse without which none shall see God Remember what the faithful soule saith I haue washed my feete Can. 5.3 how shall I file them againe The band betweene GOD and vs is holinesse inasmuch as it appertaineth to his glorie that hee which is holie haue no acquaintance with iniquitie and vncleannes 1. Pet. 1.15 2. Cor. 6 Be ye then holie for I am holie saith the Lord. What participation is there saith Saint Paule of righteousnesse with vnrighteousnes what fellowship hath light with darkenesse what agreement hath Christ with Belial or what part hath the beleeuing with the infidel or what agreement hath the Temple of GOD with Idolls For yee are the Temple of the liuing God wherefore depart from amongst them and separate your selues sayth the Lorde and touch not anie vncleane thing The ende of our regeneration is that there may appeare in our life an holy melodie and consent betweene the righteousnesse of GOD and our obedience Yee haue vnderstoode here before that the desire of the heart to consecrate your selues to God is a marke of your election and adoption But see yee that this desire may shew it selfe by the workes of godlines and charitie If you make profession that ye know Christ Ephe. 4.20 know ye according to the doctrine of S. Paul that yee haue not knowne him as ye ought if ye mortifie not the olde man Col. 2.13 and put on the newe walking in righteousnesse and true holinesse God hath drawne you out of the power of darkenesse and hath transported you into the kingdom of his beloued Sonne Walke ye then as the children of light Renounce this cursed boudage of Sathan Shew that ye are faithfull and not traytours to Iesus Christ Be ye without reproch and single harted The children I say Phil. 2.15 of God vnreproueable in the midst of this crooked and peruerse nation Among whom ye shine as lightes in the worlde which beare before you the worde of life Tit. 2.11 Shew your selues to feele the wholsome grace of God which teacheth you to renounce all infidelitie and worldlie lusts to liue soberly iustly and godly Thinke in your selues that the friendship of the world is enmity to God And that ye cannot be friendes to the world Iam. 4.4 but that yee must needes be enemies to God Eph. 5.11 Haue no fellowship with the vnfruitful works of darknes but rather reproue them so as your holy conuersation may serue for a reproofe and checke to such as walk disorderly Iob. 28.28 Remember what God said to man The feare of the Lord is true wisdom Esay 33.6 to depart from euil is vnderstanding Let the fauour of God be our treasure walke as it were before him Gen. 17.1 as he cōmanded Abraham Think that ye are not your own to liue for your selues according to your owne wisdome pleasure but that ye appertaine vnto God that ye might liue vnto him and according to his wisdome and will reuealed vnto vs in his word That man hath much profited who knowing that he is not his owne hath taken away from himselfe and his owne reason all lordship dominion to resigne it to God to suffer himselfe quietlie to be guided according to his pleasure There is no vice more common more pernicious or more hard to cure than the loue of our selues and therefore there is no lesson more necessary than it which Iesus Christ taught his apostles That to be of the nūber of his disciples Mat. 16.14 we must renounce our selues Renouncing then your selues hate ye that which is euill and cleaue vnto that which is good inclined by brotherly charity to loue one another Procure things that are good Col. 3.12 not onely before God but also before men If it be possible so much as in you lieth haue peace with al men Be yee as the elect of God holy and beloued clad with the bowells of compassiō
true faith cannot be without good works Now I feele my selfe so miserable a sinner that it maketh me to doubt of mine adoption Indeed this is a thing greatlie to be lamented that we render no better obedience vnto God that there is in vs no greater zeale of his glorie nor more feruent charitie towards our neighbours and to be short no better amendement of life But if thou hast begun to hate flee sinne if thou feelest that thou art displeased at thy infirmities and corruptions If hauing offended God thou feele a sorrowe and griefe for it if thou desire to abstaine if thou auoidest the occasions if thou trauailest to doo thine indeuour if thou praiest to God to giue thee grace All these holie affections proceeding from no other than from the Holie ghost ought to be vnto thee so manie pledges and testimonies that he is in thee Rom. 8.5 As also Saint Paule teacheth vs saying that as those that delight in the workes of the flesh are of the flesh So on the other side those that delight in the workes of the spirit are of the spirit These holie desires then to the workes of the spirit are testimonies of the spirit dwelling in thee So as being thus led by the spirit of God thou art the child of God saith Saint Paul Rom. 3.14 Rom. 3.10 And indeed seeing the children of Adam are naturallie inclined to all vices and corruptions it is a marke of regeneration so of being the child of God when contrarie to nature we are displeased with our infirmities and fighting against them wee desire and indeuour to fashion our selues according to the will of our GOD. Mat. 22.37 God hath commaunded vs to loue him with all our heart with all our vnderstanding and with al our soule Now as we cannot know God in this life but in part and darklie so we can not loue him but in part 1. Cor. 13.9.12 Aug. ad Bonif lib. 3. ca. 7. yea verie little The perfection is reserued for heauen as also S. Augustine saith All the faithfull ought earnestlie to aspire to this that they may once appeare before God pure and without spot But for as much as the best and most perfect estate that we can attaine vnto in this present life is no other thing than to profite from day to day then shall we come to this marke when after putting off this sinfull flesh wee shall cleaue fullie to our God Therefore also as the same author saith when men speake of the perfection of the children of God in this life to this perfection is required the acknowledging of their imperfection It is as well in trueth as in humilitie that the Saincts acknowledge how imperfect they are God deferreth the accomplishment of our holines and charitie vntill the life to come to the end that this pride which taketh force through the increase of vertue should not ouerthrowe vs but that walking in humilitie God might accomplish his mercie in pardoning vs 2. Cor. 12.9 his power in sustaining vs and his truth in sauing vs. And in deede there is nothing more weake saith S. Augustine than the proude nor more strong than the humble For as the proude trusting in himselfe who is nothing but vanitie hath God his aduersarie who resisteth the proude 1. Pet. 5.5 Iam. 4.6 so the humble mistrusting himselfe hath God for his strength and saluation God indeede in his lawe requireth a perfect obedience But that which he looketh for of vs his children in this life consisteth more in the desire to obey than in the obedience it selfe Rom. 8.5 According whereunto hee saieth by his Prophet Malachi I will spare them Mal. 3 17. as a father dooth his owne sonne that serueth him If a child take paine to write well or to do as he should do anie other seruice that his father hath commaunded him although there be great want both in the writing and in the other seruice yet in bearing with him hee praiseth him and saieth that hee hath written well hee had doone his duetie Godlines the loue towardes God and the obedience that we owe vnto him is often signified by the feare of God the which also Dauid calleth the beginning of Wisedome Psa 111.10 And those that haue this feare of God are acknowledged called the children of God Then if thou feel such loue reuerēce toward God that thou feare to offend him thou art the child of God Psa 112.1 But then thou fearest to offend God when thou shunnest the occasions and inticements to sinne and when hauing offended thorough ignorāce ouersight or other infirmitie thou feelest sorrow and displeasure to raise thee vp againe being resolued to sin no more and praying to God that he will cōduct thee by his holy spirit that thou maist walke constantly according to his worde 1. Iohn 3.9 S. Ihon saith that the children of God sinne not not that they offend not God euery day or that they commit not sometimes most greeuous offences as Dauid and Saint Peter 2. Sam. 11 Mat. 26.74 And as dailie experience dooth too much conuict euerie one of vs. But he saith that they sinne not because they loue God and are afraideto offend him and doe not willingly giue themselues to doo euill but haue sinne in such detestation that they feele in themselues that conflict which Saint Paule setteth foorth vnto vs in his owne person Rom. 7 in as much as they woulde doo the good which they cannot doo and doo vnwillingly the euil which displeaseth them whereof it followeth as the Apostle concludeth that if they doo that which they would not doo it is no more they which do it but sinne which dwelleth in them which on the one side ought to giue thē occasion to mourne and to crie wyth the Apostle Alas wretch that I am who snall deliuer mee from the bodie of this death But on the other side they ought to feele the comforte which hee addeth saying I thanke my God through Iesu Christ And wherefore Rom. 8.1 Because there is no condemnation to those who thus fighting against the flesh walke after the spirit and consequently are in Iesus Christ For therest when thou feelest a doubt of thine adoption through the want of rendering to God such obedience as thou oughtst knowe that Satan is at hand with thee falsifying the gospel in persuading thee that thou shouldest bee saued by thy workes or willing to make thee blaspheme Iesus Christ in making thee beleeue that thou mayest and oughtest to be at the least in some part a Sauiour of thy selfe and so a companion of Iesus Christ Answere to this temptatiō that thou arte a poore sinner 1. Tim. 1.15 Matt. 9.13 Rom. 8.5 Rom. 8.1 Rom. 7.22 but that Christ came to saue sinners and that there is saluation in none but in hym Furthermore if thou feel a desire to the works of the Spirit thou art of the