of the Spirit is Spirit The children of God are led by the Spirit of God which leadeth from sin unto duty and acteth the soul toward God not as though we vvere meerly passive so acted as not at all active but Christ acting the soul puts spiritual holy activity into the soul he worketh in us both to wiland to do there is the willing and working of that soul which is acted by Christ by his Spirit 2. As the Sun is in the World to give light and to give heat and to cause fruitfulness so that precious things are brought forth by the Sun Deut. 33.14 and to make beauty and glory upon the Earth So Christ is in the Soule by his pirit scattering darkness bringing in spiritnal light rendering those things visibl and evident which before were hidden yea making those souls to be light in the Lord Ephes. 5.8 which which his coming to them were darkness it it self it is the Spirit of Truth Joh. 16.13 which is the Spirit of Christ that leadeth into all truth and Christ by his Spirit brings in heavenly heat and makes the heart within a man to burn in affection toward God Rom. 12.12 and the things of God burning with the Spirit therefore the spirit is likened to Fire And as the Sun in the World so the Spirit of Christ in the soule causeth fruitfulness so that every branch in this Vine Christ is a fruit bearing branch every soul in which Christ is is by the influence of his Spirit made fruitful in Grace Grace in the heart of Christians and holy actions and duties in their lives are called fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 And Christ by his Spirit in the work of Grace makes the soule beautiful and puts a glory upon it Cant. 4.1 if he be master If provident If friendly How beautiful art thou my love behold thou art fair my love behold thou art fair the Kings daughter is all glâ—rious within c. 3. As a man dwells in his house 2 Tim. 14 there commanding and ordering all things and making provision for those of his houshold and entertaining and chearing his friends and making them welcome So Christ by his Spirit dwelleth in the soul and by the Spirit he beares rule in the soul so that his Word is a law to the soul The Saints so far forth as they are spiritual are ordered in all things by Christ dwelling in them though they find with Paul that there is the flesh lusting against the spirit and often interrupting the course of their obedience and Christ dwelling in the foule provideth for the soul taketh care that it want nothing dealeth out to it the gifts of grace which â—râ— given by the spirit according to the measure of Christ and Christ dwelling in the soul gives his refreshings to the soul maketh it a feast of fat things brings it into the banquetting house or the house of Wine comforting the heart by applying the promises of the Gospel and the Grace of Christ to the soul revealing his love and speaking peace to the soule thus feasting it and filling it as with marrow and fatness These refreshings of Christians are from the Spirit of Christ dwelling in them therefore the Spirit is called the Comforter and the joy which Christ giveth into the heart is called the fruit of the Spirit 4. As a King on his Throne swayeth the Scepter of his Realme having all the people of that Realm subject to him and governed by him according to Constitutions and Lawes of that Kingdome So is Christ in all true Christians giving lawes to the conscience and governing the whole man to the obedience thereof he is there in power making them a willing people willing to obey his commands willing to subject themselves to the lawes and ordinances of his Kingdom which Earthly Kings cannot do Psal 110 3. Thy peâ—ple shall be willing in the day of thy power And Christ is in the heart as a King to subdue rebellious lusts and tame nurâ—â—y affections to cast down all strong holds that are raised up by the Devil and the flesh against him and at last to bring under every thought into subjection to himself And as a good King seeketh the good of his subjects and desireth not to impoverish but enrich them So doth Christ seek the good of that soul in which he hath erected a Throne for himself is alwaies doing good to it and enriching it with Grace here and glorie hereafter And it is by the Spirit that Christ beareth rule It is the Spirit that represseth corruption and mortifieth the deeds of the bodie It is by the Spirit that Christ enricheth the soul with Grace Knowledge Faith Love and all those precious things of Grace are the gifts of Christ which he conveyeth to them by his Spirit 5. The Spirit of Christ where he cometh in a spirit of supplication teaching men to pray and and framing their hearts to prayer He hath sent the Spirit of his Son into ur hearts Gal 4.6 whereby we cry abba father 6. Where Christ dwells by his Spirit there is the influence of the vertue of his Death and Resurrection to the mortification of sin Rom. 6.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and vivification of Grace Our Old man is crucified with him that the body of sin should be destroyed that it should be rendered inefficatious unable to work that sin may become powerless in us that we may be freed from the law of sin by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus i. e. by the lively powerful working of Christ's Spiret in us which breaketh off the yoke of bondage that lay upon our necks in the state of nature whereby sin held us wholly under subjection to it self and in Verse 17.18 the Apostle makes out this more fully that Believers are freed by Christ from the dominion of sin so that the strength of corruption is abated in them the old man is weakned and that by the Spirit of Christ the soul is made alive unto God and is freed unto righteousness set at liberty to walk in the waies of God In a word take the Evidence of Christ his being in the soule thus Christ and his Spirit are not sundered nor is the Spirir in us without the fruits of the Spirit Let no man say that he hath Christ unless he hath the Spirit of Christ If we look upon a bodie when the soule is gone out of it we cannot say this is a man no more can we say of a man without the Spirit of Christ This is a Christian That is no true member of the body which is not animated by the soul in the body no more he a member of Christ that is not quickned by the Spirit of Christ Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us 1 Jo. 4.13 by his Spirit which he hath given us Now again the Spirit is no where idle or fruitless but
Abraham's Seed throughout their Generations This Doctrine is clearly offered from the Text for if the promise made to Abraham were not intended for and belonging to Believers in after Generations then the confirmation of it to Abraham had not tended to the consolation of New-Testament Believers as here this is expressed to be the end of God's Oath to Abraham that we might have strong consolation who have fled for refuge c. this is as I said a description or paraphrase of Believers Now with respect to the Doctrine in prosecution of it First I shall hint something explicatorily Secondly I shall prove the point Thirdly I shall make some improvement of it by application By way of explication Explication I shall shew 1 What the Covenant is 2 How it is confirmed 3 Who are Believers to whom it is confirmed who are Abraham's Seed to whose consolation the confirmation of the Covenant tendeth 1 What this Covenant is It s kind The Covenant what It s substance 1 As to the kind of it It s kind it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Testament or Testamental Covenant wherein Legacies of Grace are bequeathed wherein good things are freely given by God in and through Jesus Christ unto his people It is called in Scripture the Covenant of Promise Gods Covenant of Peace the Covenant of Gods love a Covenant of Grace it is a Covenant or Promise founded in Christ the Mediator and a Testament that is put in force by the death of Christ the Testator and this Testament or Covenant is an unchangeable dispensation an everlasting Covenant It s substance 2. As to the substance of the Covenant it is diversly expressed in Scripture in the sundry branches or particular promises but we have a very full account of it in few words Genes 17. where we find that God's Promise or Covenant established with Abraham and his Seed after him in their Generations is this That he will be a God to him and to his Seed after him for ever The expression is short but very full and comprehensive there could not be any thing more put into the Covenant for nothing is excluded where God is included Here is a promise of blessings Spiritual Temporal and Eternal This short expression carries in it all the Covenant of Promise which God gave from the first man to the manifestation of Christ it is as one saith the Epitome or sum of the whole Gospel it is God's promise of pardon and peace of righteousness and life of Justification and Sanctification and Salvation of all grace and blessing here and hereafter This is the substance of the Covenant and it is substantial indeed hath substance enough in it How is this Covenant confirmed Covenant confirmed how It is confirmed by Gods Word and Oath and Seals and by the Death of Christ 1 We have God's Word his written Word to shew for it he hath given it us under his hand in many places of Scripture 2 There is God's Oath for the confirmation of the Covenant his Oath to Christ The Lord sware Heb. 7.21 and will not repent thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeek The sense or meaning of that Scripture is this God sware to Christ that his Priesthood should be for ever available and effectual for the salvation of sinners that he would justifie and bless and save sinners through him according to the Covenant of Promise accepting his Sacrifice for them and there is God's Oath to Believers Heb. 6.13 14 17. in this Chapter as in the Text so in the thirteenth and fourteenth verses 3 This Covenant is confirmed by God's Seals both external and internal external the Sacraments Circumcision is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Seal of the righteousness of Faith Rom. 4.11 which is the great promise of the Covenant of Grace and is Synecdochically put for the whole Covenant The internal Seal is the Spirit perswading and assuring our hearts of the truth of the promise and of our interest in it 4 The Covenant is confirmed by the Death of Christ He was appointed to be the Mediator of the Covenant to mediate as a Surety and he hath mediated by Bloud hath fulfilled the Law of a Redeemer and fully answered his engagement of Suretiship so that God cannot now in Justice withhold any thing that he hath promised to give nor refuse to do any thing which he hath promised to do upon Christ his dying Christ having died according to that agreement betwixt his Father and him is to be satisfied for his dying as well as by his death he hath satisfied his Father now nothing will satisfie Christ but to have the end of his death which is that they for whom he died be justified and saved Isai 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his Soul and shall be satisfied So that Christ his death makes the Covenant sure without all question to be performed 3 To whom is the Covenant confirmed Our Doctrine saith Covenant confirmed to whom to all Believers the Seed of Abraham Now who are Believers interessed in the Covenant to whose consolation the confirmation of the Covenant tendeth Why they are all such as have a true justifying Faith To believers who are called the seed of Abraham are his spiritual seed ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus Gal. 3.26 â—9 and if ye be Christ's then aâ—â— ye Abraham's seed and Heirs according to the Promise Rom. 4.16 Therefâ—r it is of Faith or through the righteousness of Faith as v. 13. that it might be by Grace to the end that the Promise might be sure to all the seed not to that only which is of the Law but to that also which is of the Faith of Abraham i. e. not only to the believing circumcised Jews but also to the believing uncircumcised Gentiles Now I shall shew you what Faith is and how it is evidenced that you may understand who are Believers Abraham his seed interessed in the Promise not to mention the divers acceptions of the word Faith nor the several sorts of Faith it is a justifying Faith that we are speaking of Faith what the Faith of Gods Elect which is subjected in the understanding and in the will 1 Faith in the understanding is a right apprehension and certain knowledge of its object which is either general or special general the whole Word of God more special the promise of Grace or the Gospel-promise of Remission and Reconciliation and Justification and Salvation by Christ Jesus or Christ put to death in the flesh and quickned by the Spirit with all the benefits of his Death and Resurrection 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Faith in the heart and will is a firm assent unto and confidence and acquiessence in the promises of the Gospel called a confident perswasion and assurance What hath been hitherto spoke of Faith amounts to this short definition It
is a fiducial knowledge of the promise of Grace through Christ Jesus I shall now shew you more distinctly in two or three particulars what is carried in the notion of believing in Christ 1 It implies a knowledge and acknowledgment of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appointed by God to be the Mediator between God and Man and a clear assent to all Gospel Revelations concerning him the Saviour of sinners touching his Person and Natures and Offices and touching his Mediatory transactions â—nd touching the necessary and saâ—ing effects of his Mediation This knowledge and acknowâ—edgment are necessary and essentiâ—l unto Faith there must be Faith doctrinal and assertive as a foundation of that which is fiducial and applicative 2 To believe in Jesus Christ implieth an utter denial of any other Saviour or Saviours Mediator or Mediators of any other way by which we may come unto God 3 It is not only a knowledge and acknowledgment of and assent unto the Revelations of God concerning Christ the only Saviour but it carries in it a fiducial receiving of Christ offered to us in the Gospel promise this is formalis ratio fidei the formality of true justifying Faith lies in this there are these two things formally constitutive of such a Faith 1 An acceptation of Christ in the promise 2 The Souls innitency or recumbency on Christ received This is truly and properly to believe on Jesus Christ and they who have such a saith are true believers the seed of Abraham and heirs of the Promise There is a carnal and a spiritual seed of Abraham Carnal Professors that have not faith or true grace are the carnal seed and such as do not only profess faith and repentance but are also real believers and truly gracious are the spiritual seed Now therefore that you may not be deceived in this great matter as we are alas too apt to deceive our selves and in danger to be deluded by Satan that you may know whether you be believers and may take comfort in the Doctrine which we are now handling I shall hoâ—d forth to you a few of the properties and effects of faith Faith low evidenced which are evidential of the truth of it True faith is a purifier of the heart and of the conversation Purifying their hearts by faith Acts 15.9 Faith purifieth as from the guilt 〈◊〉 sin by receiving Christ his rightâ—ousness so from the filth anâ— power of sin by conflicting againâ—â— corruption and by degrees inâ—stering it and working it out 〈◊〉 very one that hath this hope whicâ— is a concomitant of faith 1 Joh. 3.3 and thâ— daughter of faith purifieth himself and the heart being purifieâ— the conversation will he suitableâ— Faith in the heart purifies it anâ— reforms the life he that trulâ— believes in Jesus Christ washeâ—â— his heart from wickedness and 〈◊〉 careful to keep himself from thâ— defilements of sin 2 True faith is a living livelâ— active faith that discovereth it seâ—â— by action setting the soul oâ— working according to all the discoveries of the mind of Christâ— and this it doth because it is a loving faith True believers thaâ— by faith have taken in the love oâ— Christ are carried out in love tâ— such a loving Redeemer who hath purchased them with his own precious blood and are constraineâ— in themselves to give themselves up unto him who gave himself for them love sets the soul on work to keep his Commandments 3 Faith in Jesus Christ acted on him fetcheth virtue from him to make the soul to grow in every grace and encrease in all holiness Where Christ is made righteousness to the soul by imputation of God's part and by Faith's application on the souls part there he is also sanctification by the influence of his Spirit or an emanation of grace which Faith draws from Christ to whom the soul is united 4 True faith acted on Jesus Christ carries on believers to confess Christ and to own his Institutions and to stick to him in doing their duty against all discouragement by trouble and persecution in the world Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you Luc. 22.32 as wheat is sified but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not saith Christ to Peter Peter's faith did not utterly fail though it failed very much in the High-Priestâ— Hall and fell as I may say into 〈◊〉 swoon but certainly no fears oâ— dangers could have made Peter to deny Christ had Faith been active and done its part It was Faith that made Moses to chuse reproaches and persecutions for Christ rather than the glory of Egypt Faith is our Victory whereby we overcome the World it being that which raiseth the soul above all the hopes and fears of the World See faith's working in Paul and what power it had to carry him on thorow sufferings for Christ For the which cause also I suffer those things 2 Tâ—m 1.12 nevertheless I am not ashamed for I know whom I have believed and am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day 5 True faith is a joy-creating grace The Apostle prays for the Romans Rom. 15.12 that they may be fillâ—d with all joy in believing Joy is the Daughter of faith when faith lays hold on remission of sins through the bloud of Christ the soul must needs rejoyce in the Lord its Saviour who hath delivered it from the guilt of sin and the curse of the Law Peace and Joy in some degree is an immediate fruit and effect of true faith acted on Christ Thus I have finished the explication of the point shewing what the Covenant is and how it is confirmed and to whom it is confirmed I come now to prove our Doctrine That God's Covenant of Grace is confirmed to all Believers Proof You have seen the Position clearly grounded in the Text See further proof Gal. 3.29 If ye be Christ's the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus as ver 26. if ye be believers then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise To Abraham and his seed were the promises made Gal 3.16 he saith not and to seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seed that is Christ viz. Christ complexiveâ—â— taken and in aggregation Chriâ—â— in his Mystical Body as you haâ—â— it expounded by the same Apostâ—â— 1 Cor. 12.12 So also is Christ 〈◊〉 you read the whole verse you wiâ—â— easily see that here we must understand Christ mystical the Bodâ— of Christ his Church The promises are made thâ— Covenant is confirmed to all truâ— Believers the Members of Christ Now for application of the point Applicat First I shall draw up two or three inferences for information next I shall give out some words of exhortation or counsel Thirdly I shall close up all with a use of consolation Vse 1 1 If the Covenant of Grace belong to Abraham's seed
Covenant therefore let humble souls broken-hearted sinners arise and go to God who calls them and holds forth grace to them in his Covenant There is yet a third specialty in our second general rule of direction which he that would rightly apply the Covenant must take notice of 3 This Covenant is a Covenant offered to sinners to those to whom the poyson of Adam's corrupted nature is propagated and by whom much sin hath been acted to such as are full of sin and loaden with guilt even to Publicans and Harlots to a Manasseh to a Mary Magdalen God's Covenant is held out to such if they come in by repentance and bring Faith to lay hold on it Isai 55.7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the man of iniquity his thoughts and let him return to the Lord for he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Paul tells the Corinthians 1 Cor. 6.9 that some of them were Fornicators and Idolaters and Adulterers and Covetous and Drunkards c. but they are washed and justified and sanctified Now this was Covenant grace this was the performance of the Covenant to them This is to be considered by those that have been great sinners to keep them from presumption on the one hand and from dispair on the other hand 1 The Covenant is held out to sinners not to proud self-admiring Pharisces or presumptuoâ—â— offenders but to humble self-judging Penitents to repenting sinners If we do not see our selveâ— sinners if we have not a dâ—â— humbling sight and sense of sin we cannot apply the Covenant 〈◊〉 Grace 2 The Covenant is held out to sinners even to the greatest sinners that repent therefore let noâ— any self-judging soul despair oâ— receiving the mercy and grace oâ— the Covenant 1 Jo. 1.9 If we confess oâ— sins God is just and faithful to fuâ—give our iniquities and to cleanse us from all our unrighteousness Come to me all ye that labour Mat. 11 2â— and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Thus you see what use is to be made of this consideration with respect to the application of the Covenant it is a Covenant offered to sinners therefore we must see our selves to be sinners and judge our selves for our iniquities that we may take it and having a sight of our own unworthiness and being wounded with the sense of sin we must not out our selves off from the Covenant whâ—se the Word of God doth not â—ut us off as I willsay to the impenitent secure presumptuous sinner Why medlest thou with the Covenant Hands off it belongs not to thee so I would say to any humble mourning penitent self-judging sinner Poor soul why standest thou so far off Behold the Lord calls thee and offers his grace to thee therefore draw thou near and lay hold on the Covenant of his mercy and love You have seen a second rule that is to be observed by those who desire duly to apply the Covenant Remember that it is God's Covenant of Grace offered to sinners 3 That you may not misapply the Covenant or catch at that which belongs not to you keep this in mind That God's Covenant is made only to Abraham and his seed Now Abraham's seed children of Promise included in the same Covenant with Abraham are in general all the Elect but God's Election is a secret which cannot be known à priori but only by God himself who alone knows who are his yet we may have a knowledge of it à posteriori when we find that we are called with a holy and effectual calling Now I say you must apply the Covenant as being Abraham's â—eed finding a true work of grace in your hearts the saving effects of the Covenant upon your souls whence you may conclude your Covenant relation to God and interest in his precious promises or else you do not apply the Covenant truly and honestly but unjustly laying a false claim to it 4 As we must make God in his Covenant our end so we must make Christ as Mediator our way and therefore in applying the Covenant must look to him and act Faith primarily on him by whom the grace of the Covenant is purchased for us and in and through whom it is conveyed to us we must accept of Christ for our Lord and Jesus that we may receive the Covenant of Grace and Peace and salvation through him 5 We must know that the Covenant is propounded and offered conditionally Faith and Repentance and New Obedience are the condition of Pardon and Salvation It is certain none are saved but by Covenant by a Covenant of Grace but it is by the Covenant kept therefore I must not think without any more ado to take this Covenant to my self not having any regard to the fulfilling of the condition of the Covenant in my self where there is not Faith and Repentance a true worke of grace and holiness there can be no right application of the Covenant So much now as to the first branch of the fourth General Counsel Apply the Covenant truly 2 Apply the Covenant thorowly Apply surely and thorowly see that you make sure work of it make sure to your selves your Covenant interest Seeing there is such a Covenant of Grace so precious and so necessary for us which belongs to the feed of Abraham and to them only why should we be content to live without assurance of our interest in it They who are in Covenant are for Heaven and they that are out of Covenant are for Hell Oh how desirous should we then be to be resolved and assured whether we be in Covenant or no How can we think or speak of God with comfort or without fear and trouble in our spirits while we are uncertain whether he be our God or no whether he be our friend or our enemy Let us labour therefore to be at a certainty in this point an infallible certainty of our interest in God's Covenant may be had Oh let us strive to it Now to quicken you in this case to excite you to diligence in making up to a thorow application of God's Covenant even to the full assurance of Faith I shall hint to you something of the benefit and comfort of assurance the unspeakable advantage that hence accrues to the soul Fruits of assurance 1 This assurance of Faith will sweeten to us all Providences and every condition of life 2 Cor. 4.16 17 18. while a Christian lives by Faith in a clear apprehension of the love of God who hath made an everlasting Covenant with him no outward changes can work any great change in his spirit or make much impression pression upon him assurance of God's love will make a Christian to sit down under changes quietly and comfortably with the Prophet Habakkuk rejoycing in the Lord and joying in the God of his salvation 2 Assurance of God's love will sweeten to us our enjoyments in the world be it more
through Christ upon the mercy and grace of a Covenanting God till the love and grace of God be revealed from faith to faith 3. We must take heed that we do not greive but please the spirit of God the Comforter that reporteth the love of the Father unto Souls and sealeth them up to the day of Redemption The way to assurance of Gods love is to comply with and give content to the witnessing sealing Spirit 4. If we desire that God should bestow upon us the riches of full assurance then let us be thankful for the least glimps of Light that he maketh to shine into us let us not look at any of the consolations of God as small but let us be thankful for any pledge of his favour The Lord in making out his love to the Soul deals saith one as Boaz dealt with Ruth he first gave her liberty to glean in his fields then to glean even among the sheaves then invited her to eat bread with him and to dip her morsels in the vinegar and at last he took her to be his Wife to lye in his bosome so doth God discover his love to believers first more sparingly and as at greater distance then draws nearer and reveals himself more clearly shewing himself more friendly to them and familiar with them and then at length he gives his Spirit into their bosom to assure them of his love and of their interest in all his grace Now the ready way to attain all this to have such manifestations of Gods love to us is to be truly thankful for the least appearance of Grace Then will God say to such a Soul art thou so thankful for a beam of Light I will fill thee with the fountain of Light art thou thus thankful for crumbs that fall under the board I will feast thee with marrow and fatness at my Table 5. One other great means conducing to a certainty of our interest in Gods Covenant is a serious trial of our hearts and of the state of our Souls by and according to the Word of God the Scripture tells us who are the people of God his Covenanted ones what are their qualifications and properties therefore let us see what the Scripture holds forth in this point and then let us diligently prove our selves whether we be such persons so qualified that by this means we may come to a certainty of our estate Now for direction herein to make short work of it know this that where holiness is there is the Covenant of God his love Holy Beloved Col. 3.12 all holy Souls are beloved of God prove your selves then whether there be a true work of Grace wrought in you by the spirit of God whether you are of the number of Gods holy ones Qu. How may this be known who are holy ones An. Where corruption is by Grace so far subdued that sin reigns not there is holiness when a Soul is delivered not wholly from sin that will not be in this life but from the law of sins so that sin hath not dominion over him The Apostle saith Rom. 6.12 Let not sin reign in your mortal bodies that ye should obey it in the lust thereof he doth not say ne sit let not sin be in you though we must not allow it in our selves or suffer it to be quiet but ne regnat let not sin reign in you Sin reigneth when it hath the wil 's consent the hearts delight and commands the whole man when a man is a willing servant of sin and as the Apostle saith yields his members weapons of unrighteousness unto sin is in a readiness to obey sins commands and to fulfill the lusts of the flesh Sin cannot be said to reign when a man doth unwilling service to sin bewailes and hates the evil that is in him and the evil that is done by him and wars against sin and prays against Sin and desires and endeavours to shake off the yoke of sin I say here sin cannot properly be said to reign though it exerciseth a Tyrannical power forcing a poor soul many times to do its commands and where this reign of sin is not there is holiness but where sin reigneth there is no Saintship 2. He that is universal and serious in his desires to be good and do good having respect to all Gods commands that truly desires to be filled with the knowledg of Gods will in all wisdome and spiritual understanding and to walk worthy of the Lord unto all well pleasing and to be fruitful in every good work that desires and endeavours to order his conversation aright in the fear of God and to keep his Conscience void of offence toward God and toward men to be conformed to the mind of God in internal as well as external holiness and righteousness he is a holy man though he may have many infirmities falling short of his duty and doing oft times that which is displeasing to God 3. If a man be sincerely diligent in using the means of Grace setting his heart to seek God in them aiming at the profiting and perfecting of himself by them and bewailing his unprofitableness and barrenness under them such a person is to be numbred among holy ones true desires of Grace and cadeavours to get Grace are a sign of the truth of Grace but where the means of Grace are slighted and neglected and God is not songht unto for Grace there is no Grace no work of Holiness yet wrought in the Soul for Grace is such a good thing such a precious thing and Holiness is so desirable so comfortable and delightful that he who hath any thing of it desires more and thinks that he can never have enough Well thus prove your real spiritual estate that hereby you may come to a knowledge of your relative estate This is the way to assurance of an interest in the Covenant of Gods love Thus much briefly touching the way to assurance the means by which it may be attained Marks of assurance Now for some marks or evidences of the assurance of Faith to shew you how it may be discerned from Presumption 1. The presuming heart is a proud heart that is lifted up in it self and makes no humble acknowledgment of the grace of God but the assured soul is humble in it self and admires the love of God toward it in Christ Jesus Ah Lord who am I that thou shouldst thus manifest thy self to me Oh what a mercy is this and what manner of love is this that thou shouldst thus embrace me in thine armes and take me into thy bosom and kiss me with the kisses of thy mouth O my God what rich grace is this that thou shouldst give me assurance of my interest in thee of my Union and Communion with thee of thine everlasting love toward me 2. The presuming soul resteth satisfied with that of God which he presumeth he hath but a true Believer earnestly longeth after a fuller enjoyment of God and
in God is not given to any but those that fear the Lord and walk holily So Cornelius a devout man Acts 10.2 3 one that feared God which gave much almes to the People and prayed always to him while he was praying an Angel of God appeared telling him that his Prayâ—rs and his Almes were come up in remâ—mbrance before God While Daniel was praying confessing his sins and the sins of the People Dan. 9â— and presenting his supplications before the Lord for the holy Mountain of his God in the time of prayer euen at the beginning of his supplication an Angel comes and tells him Isa 64.5 That he is greatâ—y belâ—ved Thou meetest him that Rejoyceth and worketh Righteousness those that remember thee in thy wâ—ys To him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the Salvatiâ—â— of God he shall sâ—e my Salvatioâ— with the eye of Faith and my Spirit shall witâ—â—ss to him my acceptance of him and give him assured hope 〈◊〉 eternal happinâ—ss The holy Spirit never witnesseâ—â— the love of God to any Soul out 〈◊〉 thy way of holinâ—ss therefore iâ— peace be spoken and the love 〈◊〉 God reported to ungodly persoâ— who walk loosly and carâ—lâ—sly thâ—â— is from the Dâ—vil this is the hiâ—â—â—â—â— of the old Serpent and not thâ— whispâ—ring of the good Spirit 3. The good Spirit of God alwayes witnesseth according to thâ— word of God there is always aâ— agreement betwixt those two wiâ—nesses which are both of God viâ— his word the outward witness aâ— his spirit the inward If the test mâ—ny of the Spirit should cross thâ— Testimony of the word then thâ— Spirit should contradict himself sâ— the Scriptures were indited by tâ—â— holy Spirit so that the word it sâ— is the Spirits testimony he doâ— not immediately testifie any thing contrary to that testimony which he hath given in the world where the word bindeth the Spirit doth not lose where the word condemneth the spirit doth not acquit where the Word proclaimeth war and threatneth Destruction the spirit doth not there whisper peace and promise Salvation the Spirit doth not bless any whom the Word curseth Now the Word saith Rom. 8.14 That they are the Children of God who are led by the Spirit of God that they are the children of promise who are changed by the spirit of promise and made new Creatures and that walk in the steps of the faith of Abraham and to none but these doth the spirit witness their adoption and their interest in the Covenant of Gods love That Testimony which crosseth the Testimony of the word speaking peace to a carnal unbelieveing impenitent graceless heart I say that testimony comes from the lying spirit of Hell 4. The Spirit of God is a holy Witness as formally and originally so efficiently holy he maketh a gracious and holy Soul The holy Spirit sealing peace and the love of God to the Soul doth strongly engage the Soul unto holiness and maketh it to encrease in holyness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the love of Christ constraineth us saith the Apostle Christ his love manifested to us hath power over our Souls and rules us over to the mind of Christ The Testimony of the holy Spirit maketh a Christian fearful to offend God and careful to please him and circumspect in walking before him That Testimony and speaking of peace to the Soul which makes a man bold with sin and lose in his walkinâ— that breedeth a neglect of holy duties and a despising or slighting of God his ordinances surely that testimony is from the Devil It is clear that the Spirit of God guideth those that are the Sons of God to whom he giveth this testimony that they are Sons now this Spirit leads from Sin and leadeth unto holiness and righteousness Thus you have seen which is the first witness from whose testimony true assurance is taken up and I have given you some rules for discerning between the true and false Witness whereby people may judge whether they have taken up true assurance or be possessed with a false perswasion and confidence Secondly The spirit of a Christian is another Witness that assures him of his interest in the Covenant of Gods love The spirit of a man of a Christian witnesseth with the spirit of God by reception and expression by taking in the effects of the Covenant of promise as knowledge faith and Love and all graces and thence witnessing to him his interest in the Covenant Object But is there any trusting to the Testimony of our own Spirit can that be a true witness in which we may confide Qâ—id corde humano fallacius Is not mans heart deceitful above all things Answ It not is our own carnal Spirit our own natural spirit that is the assuring witness Spiritus noster est cornostrum regeneratum Par. but our own Regenerate Spirit the new Spirit which God giveth now of this Spirit the Apostle John speaketh saying If our hearts condemn us not then have we confidence toward God Dictamen cordis regeneratiest infallibile saith Pareus Now it is Good for us to understand and note the difference between the testimonies that proceed from those two different witnesses different spirits that in this great matter we may not be deceived by our own hearts I shall therefore briefly shew you the difference between the testimony of a caâ—nal heart and the testimony of a renewed pirit 1. The carnal heart takes up its evidence confusedâ—y and groundlessly not heeding whether there be any gracious saving work of the Spirit of God upon the heart which in order of nature necessarily preceds the Testimony of that good spirit whisperings to witness the love of God to the Soul But the Regenerate new spirit takes up its evidence and gives forth its testimony within the Soul to the Conscience orderly and upon good ground observing herein the order of the spirit of God and grounding its testimony upon the work of the holy Spirit in the Soul Ye have not saith the Apostle received the Spirit of bondâ—ge again to fear Rom. 8.15 but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Fâ—ther The Spirit that brings in peace hath caused a man to see himself lost in himself so that he hath seen his bondage and miserable condition by sin before he came to apprehend his liberty by Christ and his happiness in the enjoyment of God his favour 2. The testimony of a carnal heart will be without the Word and contrary to the word justifiing where the Wâ—rd condemneth speaking peace to a formal Hypocrite or loose-liver or a carnal earthly minded worldling such a one may have a spirit that speaâ—eth good speaketh peace to him but it is a carnal lying spirit that speaks falsly but the Regenerate Spirit which is the true witness within a man gives evidence concerning a mans condition and speaks comfort by and according to the word a Regenerate Spirit will not flatter will not falsifie
the soul that is in Covenant with him 3. God hath tied himself by â—ovenant to his People to heal â—â—m and help them and to give â—â—m all needful good things and to be all in all to them I will make an everlasting Covenant with them Jer. 32.40 that I will not turn away from them to do them good yea I will rejoyce over them to do them good Now the Soul knows that God is no Covenant breaker and therefore in remembrance of this tye which God hath laid upon himself while faith is awake and active the believer hath a dependance on his God O Lord thou art my God I will trust in thee I shall not perish I shall not want there is wisdom enough and power enough and goodness enough in my God and these Attributes of his are engaged to me that I may stay my self upon them Oh Christians the acting of faith with strength and vigour upon Gods Covenant would make us to depend on him and have confidence in him even in a Sea of miseries in the deepest affliction casting our selves upon the power and mercy and faithfullness of our God when our condition seems to be desperate Is it thus and thus with me are maters brought to this pass yet I will not let go the Covenant I will not lose my hold on God I know God will deliver me one way or other even in that way which he sees to be best for me This well be one happy improvement of our interest in the Covenant by acting faith upon it 7. By this means our interest in the Covenant would be improved unto love toward God and obedience to him I put them together as for hafts sake so in regard of their necessary connection and conjunction they being insâ—perable in as much as obedience doth naturally flow from love I say the more constant and the stronger the actings of faith upon the Covenant are the more affectionâ—tly will the Soul love God and the more chearfully and constantly obey him True faith is a loving faith which carries the affection of love unto God who hath given the Covenant of his love unto us and it is a lively working faith which moves and acts the soul towards God and gives it up to him who hath not with-held himself from us but hath bestowed himself upon us A clear apprehension of an excelling good and a knowledge of my interest in it must needs draw my affection to it Relation hath ever been a ground of affection where loveliness is apprehended Now the Lord full of all glorious excellencies transcendently good is my God my Father my Husband he love's me with an abounding immense constant everlasting love oh how can I chuse but love him yea love him much while he vouchsafes to give himself full of all goodness and blessedness into my bosome and so satisfies my soul fills me with himself I cannot chuse but love a satisfying good and oh I truly desire to please him my soul is grieved for any unkindness of mine toward him or disobedience to him Gospel-grace the grace of the Covenant which appeareth bringing salvation teacheth us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts Tit. 2.12 and to live soberly and righteously and godlily in this present world This is another notable effect and fruit of acting Faith upon the Covenant of grace 8. By this means our interest in the Covenant will be improved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to that strong consolation spoken of in the sext Therefore God with whom the soul is in Covenant is called the God of all consolation 2 Cor. 13. Now they are as hath been said pure full sure comforts that are fetcht from the Covenant by the extractory vertue and power of Faith which is a rare Chymist indeed God comforteth the believer acting faith upon him shall tribulations in every pressing pinching condition This is my Comfort in affliction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 119.50 for thy word hath quickned me When the believer is damped in spirit and as it were dead in regard of spiritual operations and affections faith reviveth him drawing lift out of the word of promise from the Covenant of God Though it be thus and thus with me yet he hath made with me an everlasting Covenant The sence hereof doth not only support the soul but rejoyce it The soul is comforted against sin and Satan and death and Hell and amidst sorrows and afflictions in the world when a Christian remembreth what he hath in the Covenant and how he stands related to God and are these consolations of God small 9. Faith acted upon the Covenant leads the soul as it were to the top of an exceeding high hill or mountain and thence shews it the kingdome of heaven and the glory thereof And saith All this will God the Father give thee this is thy inheritance thy God hath given in thee in promise and will give it thee in hand for his Covenant is sure Faith acted upon the promise of God giveth the soul a lively hope of salvation verily there remaineth a rest to the people of God it is certain to them by the certainty of God's promise God's Covenant gives believers a right to it and it is certain to them as to their fruition of it by God's unchangeable decree Though it be to be enjoyed upon condition of enduring to the end of persevering in faith and new obedience yet in as much as that condition is likewise absolutely promised and Christ hath undertaken to be the worker and finisher of our faith and perfecter of our salvation this salvation is still absolutely certain upon promise Hope O my Soul saith faith hope to the end for the salvation which is to be brought to thee at the revelation of Jesus Christ Wilt thou distrust God hast thou not his promise to rest upon hath he not given thee his Covenant and Oath for thy assurance rance When the flesh hath nothing wherein it may rejoyce yet do thou O believing soul keep the rejoycing of hope firm unto the end 10. A lively acting of faith upon the Covenant will raise the Christian to heavenly mindedness to have his heart much in heaven with his God who is his portion and his treasure when faith reads the love and goodness and desirableness of God as he hath expressed himself in the lines of the Covenant and gives the soul a true account of it now the soul must needs love where it is thus loved and where there is such lovliness for this is attractive of love Now anima est ubi amat the heart the soul is where it loveth if the treasure be in Heaver there will the heart be therefore if we would have our hearts to be in Heaven let us keep them still possessed with true believing thoughts and apprehensions of the free abounding grace and love of God toward us expressed in the Covenant which he hath given us Oh if we could by faith lodge our
let us be readie to do good to the soules and bodies of our fellow creatures specially let us desire and endeavour to be instrumental for the saving of others 6. Did God give such a price for us Couns 6. Then let us remember that we are not our ovvn vve are not Satans therefore we must not live as we list must not seek to please our selves must not be ruled by Satan If God hath given such a price for us Nor be devoted to the world he is worthy to have us and we must be wholly his own therefore let us yeild our selves unto God as those that are alive from the dead as the Redeemed of the Lord and our Members as Instruments of Righteousness unto God Consider my beloved wherefore God gave his Son and to what end Christ gave himself viz. That he might Redeem us from all Iniquity Tit. 2.14 and purifie to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Christ died not only to redeem us from Hell and Condemnation but also from our vain and wicked Conversation 1 Pet. 1.18 Christ was given to Death for us not only that we should not die for sin 1 Pet. 2.24 but that we should die unto sin and live unto Righteousness We are taught in Zacheriahs Song Lu. 1.74 That for this end Christ hath delivered us from the hands of our Enemies that we might serve him in holiness and Righteousness and if we refuse to serve our Redeemer thâ—s is to deny the Lord that bought us This was an Argument which the People used to provoke one another to return to their obedience to David and to cleave to his Service 2 Sam. 19.9 even the consideration of the deliverance that they had by him and this is the Argument which Ezra useth to tye himself and the people to strict Obedience to God Seeing thou O Lord hast given us such a deliverance as this Ezra 9.13 14. should we again break thy Commandements O let us Consider what a deliverance God hath wrought for souls by the Dâ—ath of his Son and let us think what horrible ingratitude this would be if we should deny his service and serve his Enemies Well to conclude this Use and so to finish this point Do vve lay claim to Christ and pretend to an interest in his Death vvhich he suffered for the Redemption of souls then let not the Devil have any more service from us let not lusts be any longer obeyed let us not make provision for the flesh let us not serâ—e Mammon Christ died to Redeem us from these Tyrants to himself therefore let us willingly serve our Redeemer and let us glorifie God in our soules and bodies for they are Gods I Come now to speak something to that other great point which I promised to take into consideration He who hath delivered up his own Son for us h w shall he not with him freely give us all things Sâ—e the te Text upâ—ned and dvided in the beginning of this dcoâ—rse and you will be able to prevent me in raising from hence the point which I am now about to hold forth to you from the Apostle his way of arguing and manner of expression this truth naturally â—â—weâ—â— Iesus Christ is the greatest and best gift of God Doctrine 2 I shall give a brief but full account of this assertion clearing up the truth of it and then shall improve it Christ is the principal best gift because 1. He is the most comprehensive good demonstration 2. He is a conveighing gift as well as a gift conveighed 3. He is the Engaging gift of God the Father 1 Iesus Christ is the most comprehensive good carrying in him that which serve 's for a supply of all the wants of Soules Hence it is that we have such resemblances of Christ that he is compared to those things which are most useful and comfortable Iohn 6. He is bread to feed the hungry Soul and to nourish it to everlasting life Ieâ— 2 13. He is a fountain of living waters of which who so drinketh shall never thirst more but this water shall be in the soul a well of water springing up unto life eternal Ioh. 4.14 hiâ— flâ—sh is meat indeed Ioh. 6.55 ch 15. v. 1. and his bloud is drink indeed he is a vine the true vine which beareth the sweet grapes of consolation Rev. 3.17 for the comforting and glading of the souls of his people he is rayment to cover the nakedness of people and to put a comliness upon them and adorne them Rom. 13.14 put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ he is a father and a husband to every believer his Name shall be called the everlasting Father Thy maker is thy husband Now Christ is held forth to us under such notions Isay 9.9 c 54. v. 5. and by such metaphors not only to way-lay our thoughts that we should look up to Christ in all these things but to teach us that whatsoever sweetness is in the creature all that and much more is to be found in Christ Is bread usefull is water useful is wine usefull is rayment usefull is a tender father or a good husband or wife or a towardly hopefull off-spring a blessing and a comfortable enjoyment why of more use of more concernment a greater comfort than any of these yea than all these is Iesus Christ to the soules that enjoy him 2. Christ is a conveighing gift he is the Lord high-Steward as I may say of God the Father who by the appointment of God giveth to every one of the houshold his portion It is in and by Christ Iesus that God blesseth us with blessings spiritual and temporal we are elected in him adopted in him justified by faith in his bloud sanctified through him and by his spirit and saved by him and all things are bestowed upon the people of God through him whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name ye shall receive Ioh. 16.23 Now it is good for us to note the fulness and the freeness of the conveighance of mercies and blessings made to us in and through Christ It is a full conveighance the fullness that was put into the person of the mediator was all for poor souls that of his fulnes we might receive grace for grace and there is through him a conveighance of all things pertaining to life and godliness 2 There is a free conveighance of Gods bounty to us through Christ Jesus how shall he not with him freely give us all things If the first gift were free the accessories must be free also but the first gift was free whether we look to the decree or the execution what was there to move God to appoint his Son to be mediator and to send him in the fulness of time to work out the redemption of sinners surely nothing unless it were the creatures misery 3 Jesus Christ is the engaging gift of God the Father
a change â—â—ere Faith is it purifieth the â—â—rt and purgeth the conscience â—â—m dead works to serve the Liâ—â—ng God it acteth a man toward â—â—d it giveth up the Soul to Jesus â—â—rist it frameth people unto â—liness and new obedience Therefore all unholy and irreligious persons all workers of iniquitie being without Christ are without hope of happiness whatever they say Po. 14.32 But the Righteous hath hope in his Death He that by Faith hath laid hold on the Righteousness of Christ and is Sanctified by the Spirit of Christ to bring forth the fruits of righteousness in his life he hath hope through Christ Jesus that God who hath bestowed Christ upon him to Justifie anâ— Sanctifie him will together with him and through him give life Eternal Acts 28.10 1 Tim. 1.1 1 Cor 15.19 Christ is called the hope of Israel and the hope of Believers The Christians hope is in Christ If in this life only we have hope in Christ Beloved he that hath the Son hath everlasting life is saved by hope living and dying he is in certain expectation of Salvation by Christ Here is a main difference now betwâ—xt the Believer and the unbeliever between the true Christian and the worlding in this perticular And truly the condition of men and women in point of happiness is to be judged of not by what we see or what is now possessed but by what is hoped for hereafter upon good ground he is a poor man a wretched man that hath no hope in Christ As for your present outward enjoyments what an emptiness is in them and how uncertain are they these earthlie considences shall be plucked up they must perish If a man take up any serious thoughts of Eternitie what comfort can he take in his present enjoyments when he hath no hope of Heaven hereafter Now alas the Christless soule is a hopeless soule when the truth of the matter comes to be tried and therefore is a miserable soul inded But as for the Believer vvho possesseth Christ though he hath but little here of the World yet hath hope of an excceeding eternal vveight of glory hath hope of enjoying a Crown hereafter and this hope is the anchor of the soule sure and stedfast vvhich will not give vvay it entereth into that which is vvithin the Veile it is fastened on the Rock Christ Jesus so that it cannot be broken off there can be no disappointment of the Christian his hope he hath Christ that is the engaging and conveying gift of God and the rest must follow This is the great happines of 7 those that enjoy Christ such souls and such only have hope of eternal life Grant that the children of God do live here in a poor outvvard condition and are under Gods Rod in the School of affliction vvhile the ungodly flourish aboud in wealth have no changes allovv I say to vvicked men the greatest â—dds in this life Yet Believers have infinitely the advantage of them in regard of the hope that they have of another life vvhich is transcendently beyond this in the best condition of living here 2. There is a great difference between the Beleever and the Unbeleever betvveen the soul that possesseth Christ and the soule that hath not Christ in respect of present enjoyments There are many carnal men that have this worlds goods in a plentifull measure in great abundance but as long as they are without Christ if they seriously think upon it they have little reason to bless themselves they can take but little comfort in their enioyments for where Christ is not given nothing is given of God with a purpose of Grace so that the unbeliever hath reason to think that these things are given him in anger and in judgment to make him the more inexcusable to be a snare to him to fatten him against the day of slaughter to aggravate his sin and encrease his condemnation But now where God hath bestowed Christ and where the soul takes him up by faith other things coming in with him are gifts of God's will they are fruits and tokens of God his love whatsoever cometh from God together with Christ must needs come from love This is a sweet consideration indeed and surely all other enjoyments of Christians are as hath been hinted much sweetned to them and become much more valuable and profitable by their enjoyment of Christ he that hath not Christ hath nothing that is truly good to him nothing that will prove comfortable in the end but when I know that Christ is mine then I can look upon every thing that I enjoy and say This is the good gift of my God This is a gracious Dispensation this my Fathers love now let my Soul rejoyce in the God of my comforts 6. Infer 6. If Christ be such a gift of God the great all-comprehending gift then Christians should be satisfied with Christ though they possess not these outward things Christ makes up all If God hath given Christ to us he hath done enough for us though it is sure that with him he will give us all things and things needful and that which he sees to be good for us 2. If Jesus Christ be the great and principle gift of God Vse 2 Conviction then it is great folly in people to prefer any thing before Christ now surely many are they who may be convicted of folly upon this account for alass how few are they that make out after Christ People are content generally to be without him to be strangers to him some are Voluptuous some Covetuous some Ambitious Haec tria pro trino numine vul gus habere some for Pleasure some for Profit some for Honour these are the things that men look after but there is little looking after Christ he is held out to be the great gift of God the most comprehensive gift in whom there is a fullness of all good to give abundant satisfaction to the Soul that makes him its portion in him we shall find contentment which is not to be found in any thing beside him and he is such a conveying gift as brings along with him all things pertaining to life and godliness and this gift is held forth by God and offered to souls in the Ministry of the Gospel Come saith God take my Son and give your selves up to him you shall surely finde enough in him but oh how is Christ slighted as a thing of no value so that people will not be perswaded to seek an enjoyment of him Ah foolish worâ—dlings you will not be called off from your vain and sinful courses nor from the eager pursuit of the things of this world to look after â—hrist to get an interest in him Do you not in effect say rather let us enjoy the pleasures of sin rather let us have this Worlds goods we judge these things to be better then Christ Ah poor souls Why do you follow after lying vanities forsaking your own
who do in effect say as those daughters of Jerusalem What is thy belâ—ved more then other beloveds Cant. 5. 9. What a doe is here about Christ you say above all your gettings get Christs let go all and take Christ you tel us he is the great Gift he is all Why we find that there is something beside him and that which pleaseth us well that which we will hold Fast say you what you will or may we not have Christ and hold fast the World May we not have Christ and take our pleasure may we not enjoy Christ and our lusts together O friends if you will have Christ you must be resolved upon the termes to part from all for him 5. You must seek Jesus Christ in the use of those means which God hath appointed and afforded particularly in attendance upon the Ministery of the word wherein God maketh offers of Grace and holdeth forth Jesus Christ with his fulnes to you if you will receive him God will be sound of those that seek him Christ will come to those that wait for him in his own way But as for those Fanaticks and seduced soules who reckon themselues to be aboue Ordinances and those prophane ones who do wickedly despise them and stubbornely refuse to bring their spirits under them and turn their backs upon the Preaching of the Word Surely they are not in the way to find Christ 6. As you must attend upon Ordinances that you may finde Christ in them so you must heed God his offers of Christ and Christ his tenders of himself to you You must observe how Christ comes to you in the sweet motions of the Spirit knocking at the doors of your heart and importuning you to open to him Istand at the doore and knock if any man open to me I will come in to him Reve. 3.26 Christ speaketh in the Ministrie of the Gospel calling you to faith and repentance and new obedience and he knocketh at the doores of your hearts by the motions of his Spirit and this standing and knocking implies an carnest desire to be let in to be entertained Now vvhen vve repent and believe and give Christ enterance into our hearts this is to open the doore unto him Oh take heed you do not neglect the calls and knocks of Christ but open to him let the everlasting doores of your soules be lifted up that the King Glory may come in Oh how long have you kept Christ out of doore though he hath knocked hard and called aloud yet he could not hitherto obtain to have the doore opened to him you would not be perswaded to cast the World out of your hearts and to turn out lusts and take him in but still continue as vain as proud as worldly as intemperate as irreligious and every way as bad as you were O firs take heed of resisting the Spirit of giving Christ such often repulses least he be provoked to be gone and resolve not to sollicite you any further that his Spirit shall not more strive with you lest you be given up to your own counsels to perish by your own gainsayings Dear soules give Christ entertainment Oh that the power of Gospel Revelations and Gospel Counsels may come in upon your hearts 2. Seeing Christ is the principal gift of God Counsel 2. Make sure an interest in Christ let us labour to cleare up to our selves our interst in him to get assurance that we have him for many there are who are ready to say that Christ is theirs when indeed they have no part in him Quest How shall I know that I have Christ Answ In order to a solution of this or to give satisfaction herein I shall in general acquaint you with this Our having received Christ our being in Christ and Christ his being in us are notions that serve to express one and the same thing This being premised I shall propound two heads or tvvo vvaies of discoverie for answer to the question If Christ be ours then we are in Christ 1. If vve have received Christ then we are in Christ Now I find that the Spirit of God useth a threefold comparison or similitude in setting forth a Believer his being in Christ 1. A Christian is in Christ as a branch in the stock so that if we bud and blossome and grow in grace be fruitful in holiness this is an agrument that we have received Christ that vve are in him 2. A Christan is in Christ as a member in the bodie united to the head so that if there be Spiritual life in us and Spiritual sense and Spiritual motion and action this is an argument that vve have received Christ that vve are in him 3. A Christian his being in Christ is set forth by the marriage vnion so that if there be a sweet intercourse betvvene Christ and the soule if the soule receive comfort from Christ and take pleasure in his company and delight in communion with him then he hath Christ 2. If a man hath received Christ then Christ is in him Christ is in us Christ is in the Saints as the soule in the body as the Sun in the World as a man in his house as a King on his Throne Novv there are tvvo meanes or tvvo manner of waies by which Christ is thus in the Saints both expressed by the Apostle in one place viz. the Spirit and Faith The Believer's vnion with Christ Ephes 3.16 17. is not a natural mixture of Substances of Christ his substance and our substance as if there were a real entrance of the body or Soule of Christ into our body or Soule Nor is it onely a conjunction of love or an union in affection between us and Christ but it is a mistical union in vvhich Christ-and Believers become one Christ stians are knit to brist and to one-another by joynts and bonds col 2.19 The Spirit and faith are those bonds and this union is as hath been said shadovved out in Scripture by the union of the head and the members in the body of man and by the vnion of a man and a vvoman in a married estate This vnion is made on Christ his part by his Spirit on our part by Faith 1. By his Spirit 1. Christ is in us by his Spirit this is first in order in as much as the Spirit is the worker of Faith The cause is before the effect Evidenoes he eâ—f Now there are divers effects whereby Christ discovereth himself to be in the soule by his Spirit 1. As the soul in the bodie is the principle of life motion and action so is Christ in the Saints by his Spirit the principle of spiritual life putting into them and preserving in them that life which is called the life of God Ephes 4.18 and as the soul acteth the body and every member of it so are Saints acted by Jesus Christ by Spirit in them John 3 6. Rom. 8.14 That which is born
is operative and hath its fruits both in heart and life Gal. 5.22.23 The fruits of the Spirit are reckoned up by the Apostle Paul Here is the issue dost thou say that thou hast Christ if this be true then his Spirit dwells in thee if the spirit be in thee the fruits of the Spirit will appear Thus we may prove by the effects of the Spirit of Christ whether we be possest of Christ Where the aforesaid effects of the Spirit are Christ is in that soul But where there is not that life that light that warmth that fruitfulness that willing subjection to â—hrist and obedience to his commands which have bin spoken of there Christ is not by his spirit where there is nither skill nor will to pray there Christ is not where sin is in its full strength where the old man is not Crucified and sin mortified where the soul is not raised up to newness of life and quickned unto holiness there Christ is not possessed 2. I told you that Christ is in the Soul by Faith that Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith Christ is in us by Faith Ephâ—â—◠〈…〉 2 By sâ—â—â—â— 1. When by Faith we have a right and true apprehension and knowledge of Christ of his Person and Offices 2. When by faith we apply Christ and his benefits when we take down as I may say and digest the fruits of his death and Resurrection so that he becometh indeed Righteousnes and Holiness to us 3. When being Iustified and Sarctified by Faith in Christ Jesus and by the Spirit of the Lord we bring forth the fruits of the Spirit walking not after the flesh but after the Spirit Thus Christ dwells in our hearts by Faith Well you have had two General Counsels sutable and necessarie First Seek Christ aboue all your gettings labour to get him Secondly See whether you have Christ or no. Both Counsells urged Now to press both Counsels joyntly I shall hint a few considerations which should be of force with us as serving to evince this that Jesus Chrst is worth the looking after and that it is wisdome to make sure of him 1. Christ is our Reconciliation taking away all enmitie betwixt God and us and making us accepted to God There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 Ephe. 1.6 7 or in whom Christ is God hath made us accepted to himself in the Beloved in whom we have forgiveness of sins 2. Christ is to the soul that possesseth him Wisdome and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption Christ is in us to make us wise 1 Cor. 1.3 giving us the knowledg of God enabling us to understand in some good measure the misteries of Salvation he maketh us Righteous in putting his own Righteousness to us and justifying us thereby he maketh us Holy Sanctifying us by his Spirit and he will make us compleatly happie in the end delivering us from all the miseries to which we are subject in this life and translating us from death to life Eternal 3. If Christ be in us dwelling in our hearts by Faith and possessing us by his Spirit then all the promises of God are in him yea and amen to us then we have the earnest of all the Spirit and all sealed to us by the Spirit which is given us You know the use of a Seal it is obligatorie on the one part and serveth for assurance on the other part You know the meaning of an Earnest it bindeth a promise As it is part of the price to be given or the sum promised So it is a pledge of a full performance The Spirit of Christ in us is a Seal and an Earnest serving to assure us that we shall in due time receive through Christ all that good which God hath promised for his sake to give to us 4. If Christ be in us his Grace is sufficient for us in every temptation to strengthen us and to give a good issue to make us victorious and in every evil that befalls us to support us under it and to deliver us from it and to make our Consolations to abound as our sufferings abound 5. This is a very great priveledge which the soul hath by Christ dwelling in it he woundeth and weakneth corruption and frees the soul from the do minion of sin maketh the Soul alive unto God sets it at liberty to walk with God and to run the way of his comandments gives it a freedome unto righteousness here is a freedome indeed when the soul is thus made free by Jesus Christ the Son of God If the Son make you free Joh. 8.36 then shall ye be free indeed Surely this is accounted a great priviledge indeed by those who are sensible of the grievousness of that bondage in which they were held under corruption when sin did reign and bear full sway in them by those who apprehend the sweetness and preciousness of that freedome which Jesus Christ bringeth unto soules by those who have proved the glory of this liberty into which soules are brought by Christ Jesus What a base vile wretched condition is a man in while the Devil is Lord Paramont to him when every stinking lust hath power over him and full command of him What a happiness then is it to have the Devil's yoke broken from off his neck to be freed from sin to have his spirit sweetly subjected to Jesus Christ to have his will determined to that which is good and bound over to Righteousness to have the whole man given up unto God though none knowes the misery of the one or the happiness of the other but they who have experienced both 6. Where Christ is given there is a gracious gift of other things with him God doth not deal out his gifts to all men graciously and in good will to some he giveth in displeasure and for evil to them giveth health and strength giveth children giveth gract parts and abilities giveth riches and abundance of these outward things but bestoweth none of these things in love but here is comfort for a soul that hath made sure of Christ he may look upon other matters dealt out to him by the hand of Providence as gifts of God's good will as gracious dispensations That which a child of God hath of the World though it be but little in it self yet is much with the love of God in it and upon account of his blessing with it thus that of David holds excellently and eminently true Psal 37.16 A little that the righteous man hathis better then great Reverenues of the wicked then the riches of any wicked 7. Eternal life is the gift of God bestowed in and with Jesus Christ so that he who now possesseth Christ by Faith and hath him dwelling in him by his Spirit hath assurance given him that he shall possess glory with him hereafter Now friends Is not Christ worth the looking after is not he above all things
Ezek. 16. in Right cousness and holiness of Truth In the state of nature the soule is like a wretched infant in it's blood whose navil is not cut that is unvvashed cast out in the open field to the loathing of its person But Christ maketh the Christian like the King's daughter all glorious within So that he is beautiful through the comeliness which Christ puts upon him but I say there is none of this beautie none of this glory nothing but ugliness and deformitie tilâ— Christ comes into the Soule 3. A soule without Christ is like a house that is without a Master or Governour and so there is no order in it no provision made for it there is none to refresh and comfort it where the reviving consolations of the Spirit of Christ are not 4. A soul without Christ is as a Kingdome without a King as a people without government there all things are in a confusion tending to ruine and destruction Such a heart is not framed to the obedience of Gods lawes there is none to subdue sin and repress rebellious lusts in the heart that rise up against God and fight against the soul which if not quelled by an Almighty power will destroy soul body utterly where Christ is not there is none to seek the good of the Soul efficatiously and to the soules undoubted advantage none that can enrich the soule with Grace here and bring it to Glory hereafter 5. A mans soul without Christ is in such a deplorable condition as is the bodie in which are all the principal defects of Nature like a man deprived of all his senses that can neither see nor hear nor taste nor smell nor feel if we could suppose such a one in life That such a soul is spiritually blinde I have shewed already Further it is Christ in the heart that furnisheth a man with a spiritual eare it is only the ear bored by the Spirit of Christ that can hear the voice of God Multi habent aures audiendi pauci aures obediendi Aug. that so heareth as to understand and believe and obey the Word of God others are as deafe Adders that hear not the voice of the Charmer charme he never so wisely Many reproofs many instructions many admonitions many good counsels and exhortations are dealt out to people yet they are deaf to all and so will be nothing will enter into them till Christ be with their Spirits Souls without Christ are without feeling like a man all over in a dead Palsie we speak of spiritual feeling neither Gods Word nor his works make any impression upon such a heart it is as senseless of the smitings of God in the ministry of the Word as the Anvile is of the strokes of the Hammer That is true of such a soul which Solomon speaks of the drunkard They have stricken me Pro. 23. ult and I was not sick they have beaten me and I felt it not So may such a soul say or we may say of him he hath been smitten with reproofs for his Drunkeness for his Oaths for his Coveteousness for his Sabbath-breaking for his ordinance slighting c. Oh many blows have been given him but he felt them not it appeareth so because he is never the better for these smitings he reformeth not those evils for which he hath been reproved Lastly In a word A soul without Christ savoureth not the things that are of God This term savour is in Scripture applied both to tasting and smelling to tasting so meat is said to be savoury Gen. 27. to smelling and so there is the savour of ointments and the savour of garments spoken of in the Book of Canticles Now as a man that hath not the sense of tasting cannot distinguish meats or drinks all are alike to him he perceiveth no sweetness in Sugar or Honey no tartness in Vinegar no bitterness in Gall and as a man that hath not the sense of smelling senteth neither sweet nor stinking taketh no pleasure in those things which yeild a most fragrant smell nor is offended at that which senteth most noisomely and odiously so is it in a spiritual sense with the soul that is without Christ there is no sence of tasting or smelling no perceivance or apprehension of the sweetness of Jesus Christ and of the doctrine of the Gospel of the deliciousness of the things of grace such a soul savoureth not the heavenly Manna the Word of God is not at all sweet unto his taste but unsavoury unto him nor is sin disgustful he perceiveth no bitterness in it but takes pleasure in it so putting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter 6. Till you can find that you are in Christ and Christ in you you cannot look upon your selves but as vessels of dishonour ordained unto wrath Rom. 8.1 There is nâ— condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus but to all out of Christ Christ is wisdome and righteousness and sanctification to those to whom he is made redemption it is Christ in us that is the hope of glory to us Examine your selves 2 Cor. 13. â— saith the Apostle prove your selves know you not that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates If thou hast not Christ who is that best garment which the Father of the returning Prodigal called for to put it upon his Son if thou hast not put on the Lord Jesus Christ who is that Wedding-garment spoken of in the Parable Mâ—t. 22. I say if thou hast not Christ thou wilt be speechless dumb not able to speak one word for thy self in that day when the King of Kings the great Judge of all the World shall ask thee why thou shouldst not be condemned and cast into hell for the sin in which thou was born and the sins in which thou hast lived whereas the soul that hath gotten Christ that hath taken him up by Faith and hath him dwelling in it by his Spirit hath the merits of Christ his death to plead and the righteousness of Christ to hold forth unto God Lord though in my self I am worthy of death and have deserved to die a thousand times though I have no righteousness of my own yet in as much as Christ hath died for me I must not die in as much as thy Son whom thou hast given me hath fulfilled all righteousness for me and is made of God righteousness to me I shall not be condemned but I say he that is without Christ will have nothing to say when it shall be demanded of him what he can plead for himself why he should not die for his sins and what hath the judge then to say to such a Christless wretch Oh he passeth a dreadful sentence Bind him hand and â—oot and take him away and cast him into ouâ—er darkness there shall be weeping and guashing af teeth Ah now dear souls seeing the â—nhappiness of men and women and their misery is so great in the want of Christ labour to
5 If God hath given us his Son Counsel 5. Give jour selves up to Christ and all things with him if Christ â—ath given himself for us and beâ—owed himself upon us then let â—s give up our selves wholly to â—im in all that we are and all â—hat we can do let us be his truly â—his is but just and alas What is my all to his We are infinitely advantaged by this gift which God hath given us Christ is in life and death advantage but we cannot in any thing be profitable unto God Can a man be profitable to God Job 22.2 Yet if we give our poore all unto God if we give our selves to him devoting our selves to his service though all this be nothing in comparison of God's gift to us Yet he is graciously pleased to account it something and taketh pleasure in the willing offering of his servants Thus it must be beloved and thus it will be with the Christian that hath Christ upon the receipt of this gift from God there is a giving up of the soul unto God Faith that takes Christ or rather Christ who is taken by Faith caries the believer unto God in all dutie Faith or the Spirit of Christ perswades the soul to make the Word of God its Rule and so to give it self up to God in all obedience Faith worketh by love Cant. 2.16 My beloved â—s mine and I am his saith the spouse of Christ when we do by faith truly apply Christ and all his grace â—o our selves we shall by holiness of life give our selves to Christ deâ—iring and endeavouring to do his will Couns 6. Let Christ be your support 6. If we have received Jesus Christ â—et us then to the honour of Christ make shew of our riches let it appear that we are possest of him let â—s not be so cast down by crosses or losses of any kind in the world as if we had no other or better portion to trust to or take comfort in but let us still rejoyce in Christ Jesus and amidst all the changes of this life and in all conditions let us walk chearfully in the way of our duty having a propriety in and possession of such riches and treasure as this which God hath given us let Christ be to us a support and comfort in sickness peace in trouble liberty in imprisonment riches in poverty enlargment in straits life in death Let him be to us a heaven upon earth certainly the believer may have and ought to have sweet peace and tranquillity in his soul in all conditions arising from his enjoyment of Christ I come now to the last Use of the Point with which I shall presently finish my work Vse 4 Consolatâ—on 4. Is Christ the great gift of God a gift above all gifts this is a ground of much comfort to Christians to true believers that by faith close with Jesus Christ A believer that hath Christ hath all in him and carries still his happiness â—ith him a happiness that cannot be lost the true Christian stands fast forever in his happy union with Christ so that here is the Christian his happiness above all others in the world that he alone is sure never to loose his happiness Now the happiness of a Christian in the enjoyment of Christ might be much amplified and held forth in many particulars I shall hint something for the comfort of Believers 1. As many as receive Christ have by him and with him this priviledge he makes them the Sons of God As many as received him Joh. 1.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—them gave he power rather priâ—iledge or prerogative to become â—he Sons of God The soul that takâ—th Jesus Christ receiveth sonship with him and surely many and great are the priviledges of God's Children in this world and in the world to come 2. They that have received Christ are by Christ interessed in â—he gracious providence of God which ordereth all things for their good 3. All things are theirs by Gods ordination and promise in respect of the use and end for which they â—re all things in kind not in the â—ndividuals This is held out by â—he Apostle in a notable enumeraâ—ion of particulars 1 Cor. 3.21 All things are â—urs whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the world or life or death â—r things present or things to come All Officers and Ordinances in the Church all creatures in the world â—ll conditions and all events all are for the good of believers are in this respect given them with Christ all things are yours 4. The having of Christ is a firm ground of consolation in all troubles and distresses Is the conscience troubled and distressed through the sense of sin and guilt 1 Jo. 2.2 Rom. 3 25. 1 Jo. 1.7 why Christ is the propitiation for the sins of believers him hath God set forth to be a propitiation for sin through faith in his bloud It is the bloud of Christ that cleanseth from all sin Now Christian this Christ is thine by whom thy sins are taken away through whom God is reconciled to thee by whose bloud thou art cleansed from thy sin Doth Satan come to winnow the soul by temptations and vex it with accusations telling the Christian that he is thus and thus sinful and guilty and that the Law which he hath transgressed threatens death and damnation to him what saith Paul for the believer his comfort in this case Rom. 8.33.34 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect it is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Who shall lay any thing to thy charge if Christ clear thee who or what shall condemn thee seeing Christ who is given to thee hath died for thee for thy sins and risen again for thy justification in as much as thou hast by faith laid hold on Christ who died and rose from the dead and sitteth at the right hand of God making intercession for thee And further this Christ is with thee in thee to strengthen thee in temptations that thy faith fail not and that thou be not overcome of the evil one Heb 2.18 he was therefore temptâ—d himself that he might succour them that are tempted Doth the consideration of thine own weakness discourage thee because thou hast not strength and abilities to do that good and perform those duties which thou â—houldst and wouldst do why now consider that Christ is thne for all sauing purposes for all soul advantages he will be thy strength and shew his power in thy weakness his spirit is with thee in thee to help thine infirmities Do outward troubles annoy thee art thou in an afflicted condition why Christ whom the Father hath given to thee gave himself for thee that he might deliver thee from this present evil world he is a covert
or less that we have of these things if it be but a little Oyl in the Cruse and a hand-full of meal in the Barrel assurance of a Covenant interest in God will make it enough to us and render it good for want of this poor hearts are full of fears and cares and discontents even in the midst of abundance of outward things which they possess but this I say will sweeten our enjoyments to us for being assured of God we know that what we have comes from love and is a pledge of greater love and is that which our God sees to be good for us and is blessed to us 3 This assurance will give the foul boldness to come unto God and make it familiar with him and much sweeten and heighten Communion This will fill us with comfort in our approaches to the Throne of Grace when we can confidently call God Father Am I in great straights or do I lye under some sore afflictions is this or that wanting to me what a comfort is it now that I have a God to go to a God in Covenant with me that can succour and deliver me that can supply my wants and is able to do for me exceeding abundantly above all that I can ask or think 4 Assurance of a Covenant interest in God will take off the fear of Death a true believer that applies the covenant with assurance of Faith doth not put the day of Death far from him as being loath to see it and even affraid to think of it no but he desires to be dissolved and to be with Christ he knows that Death is Vltimus morborum medicus that which cures all diseases cures the Pride and Covetousness and Hardness and Frowardness and Unbelief and sluggishness of the heart cures the body of the Dropsie Scurvie Gout Stone c. frees it from all diseases pains and griefs he knows that Death will let him into a clear full and everlasting enjoyment of God and therefore he is glad when his glass is run whereas the awakned Soul that hath no upprehension of an interest in God cannot but be troubled at the thoughts of Death and even affrighted at the grimm countenance of that King of Terrours As one of the Kings of England once in his straights cryed out A Kingdom for a Horse a Kingdom for a Horse So will an awakned Soul cry out when Death presents it self Oh a Kingdom a World ten thousand Worlds if I had them for assurance of an interest in the Covenant of Grace but Oh how comfortable and delightfully may an assured Soul think of Death which is a passage to his everlasting rest and happiness in the nearest sweetest fullest enjoyment of his God and Saviour for evermore 5. The thoughts of the Judgment to come will be sweet to those that have a known interest in the Covenant of Gods his love for the Judge is their friend their brother their head their husband and the day of Judgment Acts 3.19 Eph. 4.30 shall be to them the time of refreshing the day of their Redemption of their full Deliverance from all misery and corruption the day of their publick absolution and perfect justification and the time of the manifestation of Gods love to them in the fullest measure 6. He that is certain of his interest in Gods Covenant is certain of his interest in Salvation and so the thoughts of Heaven must needs be delightful to him while he is certain that it is the blessed rest prepared for him the place of his everlasting abode in happiness yea this assurance gives the Soul a present possession of Heaven brings Heaven down as I may say into the bosom of a believer while he is upon Earth Faith is the sâ—bstance Heb. 11.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the subsistance of things hoped for it gives a real existance or being to that which is held forth in the promise an assured Soul hath Heaven within it Thus you see the benefit of assurance some special advantages and comforts that thence accrue to the Soul which should be a great inducement to put us upon care and pains to get it doth it not bring a sufficient reward with it Doth not the profit and comfort that comes by it far exceed the greatest profit in the World and the greatest comfort that Earth affords Therefore though the Covenant may be savingly applyed by Faith where assurance is not yet let us strive to assurance that we may live and die comfortably in assurance of God his everlasting love towards us in Christ Jesus Now I shall shew you how assurance may be attained and how it may be discerned from presumption Way to assurance 1. Concerning the way and means to attain assurance We must be much in exercising and acting all Grace must be diligent in trading with our stock of Grace that we may attain to the riches of assurance Col. 2.2 as the Apostle calls it The diligent hand maketh rich That we may have comfort and assurance we must beware of negligence and sluggishness and laziness in duty and of remisseness in the exercise and actings of Grace True is that which a reverend Doctor now with God hath told us in a Treatise of his That it is the lazie Christian commonly that wants assurance and that the way of painful dutie is the way of fullest comfort Sloth and idleness stops the fountain of comfort causeth Christ to with-hold his comforts Parents are not wont to smile but frown upon their Children when they are negligent and careless of their duty and neglective of their observance toward them All the honour that God hath from us is from the exercise and actings of Grace and the more we strive to honour God the more will he comfort us with the manifestations of himself and the revelations of his love in our hearts Active Christians shall have most of Gods love and of the manifestation of his Grace to them He that hath my Commandements Joh. 14.21 and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be beloved of my Father and I will love him and manifest my self tâ— him Again sloath and negligence causeth want of peace and comfort for this reason because Grace is not sensible apparent and evident to the Soul but in the exercise and actings of it as the fire that is in the flint is not discernable till you smite and force it out In acting Faith upon Jesus Christ and the promises of God and in acting love toward God and Christ you will know that you have the grace of Faith and Love will know that ye believe and that ye love God and so will know that God loveth you for we love God because he loved us first and our believing is a fruit of the promise of Grace 2. We must be much in the application of the Covenant with a faith of adherence and innitency cleaving to the promises and casting our selves by Faith