acceptation into favour with God and now through Christ may lay claime unto whatsoever that relation can entitle to this testimony telleth us that we may have an expectation of such provisions protections portions as it becometh such a Father to give out And hence Rom. 8.17 And if Children then heires heires of God and joynt-heires with Christ CHAP. II. The Observation from the Text. The Observation I shall speake to is this Doctr That the Divine Spirit doth witnes unto those which are in Christ with their Spirit their Adoption This is the secret language of many a Son of Sion Though I be adopted yet O it is impossible that I should ever attaine assurance of it alas I cannot climbe up to heaven to see my name written there How should I dive into such a secret as that is Methinke I finde the Lord answering such a soule and so as it might for ever silence it in such reasonings The Spirit it selfe beareth witnes c. As if he had said What testimony wouldest thou desire what wouldest thou reckon a sufficient evidence of thy Son-ship who might be a witnes that thou couldest confide in If the Divine Spirit might ascertaine thee of thy Adoption Behold that is nigh thee thou needest not ascend up to heaven to setch that thence that is descended to thee for every one that beleeveth hath the witnes within himselfe 1 Joh. 5.10 The Spirit knoweth the minde of God and how his heart standeth towards thee and that is sent from the bosome of the Father into thy bosome even on purpose to bring good newes from heaven of thy Fathers love and though with men it be impossible yet with the Spirit all things are possible That is able to give infallible and convincing demonstrations of thy Adoption and this Spirit it selfe witnesseth c. In the carrying on of this I shall shew 1. What this witnessing worke of the Spirit is 2. How the Spirit doth witnes to a soule its Adoption 3. Who are capable of attaining the witnessings of the Spirit 4. How a soule may know its injoyment of them 5. By what meanes a soule may attaine them CHAP. III. Of the witnessing worke of the Spirit or what it is for the Spirit to witnesse unto a soule its Adoption Qu 1. VVHat is this witnessing worke of the Spirit Or what is it for the Spirit to witnesse unto a soule its Adoption Answ It is a worke whereby the Spirit doth that towards the clearing up unto a soule of its Adoption that a witnes doth amongst men for the decision and determination of a matter dubious and uncertaine Now the use of a witnes is to give in evidence upon knowledge how the matter in question standeth purposely to ascertaine others thereof Deut. 19.15 Matth. 18.16 The end of witnessing is expressed to be that a matter may be established or confirmed and made to stand as firme and true by that record which is given in And hence Joh. 8.17 The testimony of two men is true i. e. is to be received as a sufficient evidence and may free from doubting It was certaine in it selfe before and by the testimony it is rendred certaine unto those that questioned it And when the Spirit by some operations doth what is equivalent unto this then is witnesseth The speakings of the Spirit are in a way sutable to it selfe who is the speaker and to the soule which is spoken to and therefore by operations not by voyce And the Spirit witnesseth 1. Objectively 2. Efficiently 1. Objectively when it affordeth such speciall operations as have an aptitude to ascertaine the soule of its Adoption There are some speciall and remarkeable Concurrences of the Spirit which by a due observation might manifest adoption and carry with them the force of affirmations and assertions thereof But many overlooke these evidences and will not heare what the Spirit saith unto them A soule may remaine without a knowledge of its Son-ship after the Spirit hath thus witnessed if its record be not received So Rev. 22.18 I testifie unto every man that heareth the words and yet every man to whom he speaketh this doe not beleeve what is asserted Joh. 3.11 Wee testifie and ye receive not our witnes It is but a testimony proposed or offered and is not effectual unlesse received And if nothing further were intended in the Text yet it were a Mine with much spiritual treasure layd up in it Severall things of great importance arise from this As 1. Hence a knowledge of Adoption is attaineable it is the very end of the Spirits witnessing to assure thereof It is not to render God more assured who are his Children he knoweth who are his Nor to make Adoption certaine in it selfe that must be before it can be witnessed But its scope drift and designe is to leave us assured or perswaded of it And that it should never attaine its end in this when it is so successull in other workes how unconceivable a thing is it 2. Hence it is a duty of great concernment to receive that testimony which the Spirit offereth may not the Spirit complaine unto many Christians as Christ did Joh. 3.11 So I have testified that you were the Children of God and you have not received my witnes Doubtles it is a sinfull neglect in those that are spoken to not no yeild attention unto the voyce of the Spirit which speaketh It is urged as a choyce duty and enforced by a powerful argument 1 Joh. 5 9. If ye receive the witnes of men how much more is a divine testimony to be received which is farre greater and it is the witnes of the Spirit he intendeth ver 6.8.10 Christians reckon it a small matter to deny the appearances of Gospell grace and to call the speciall operations of the Spirit delusions of Satan O but hereby you not onely hinder your owne peace comfort and establishment which might come in at that doore but which is farre worse you grieve the Spirit of God also Eph. 4.30 I may say to such as Isai 7.13 Is it a small thing for you to weary grieve and disquiet your owne Spirits but will you grieve the Spirit of my God also It s sad enough that carnal men deny attention to the voyce of the Spirit O let not Christians make it speake in vaine also or misse of its end in speaking to them But I suppose this is not all which the Text aymeth at or intendeth Therefore 2. The Spirit witnesseth efficiently it causeth the soule to conclude of its Adoption by its speakings to it As Calling doth often expresse not onely an Inviting to a participation of Gospel grace but the soules answering those Invitations which is effectual Calling Rom. 8.28.30 2 Thes 2.14 So witnessing expresseth an effectual efficacious witnessing And that this is intended in the Text may appeare 1. From the Context the scope of the Apostle is to give a knowledge of this who are in Christ so have
bid me be of good cheere Another night I had many hard places of Scripture very spiritually declared unto me In the day againe I was troubled and had a kinde of weaknes and dread on my Spirit But one time I did willingly take a little contentment in the creature and there came a terrour that I went about to resist the Spirit and astonishment came and I resolved that I would take heed of yeelding to any such thing any more and that I would attend unto what should be given in In the Concluding of all The witnessing of Adoption by the Spirit it was brought in to me thus What thou hast seen and beheld it was the Lord and God justifying of thee thou hast seen his infinite and invincible power thy heart hath been kept up and it is made sure to thee that it was the Lord thou knowest it was he and none else it was irresistible Now it is done I have sealed thee up to the day of redemption and caused thee to set to thy seale that I am true thou knowest it was God and hast sealed to it Now goe forth into thy Calling and attend upon it keep thy minde intent upon it and see thou dest not dishonour me And I did so and found some stirrings of corruption temptation assaulting which I did not before onely feare and dread Now the hardship came that day I had as hard a day of it as ever in my life then Satan set on me with violent temptations and I was darke this ministration withdrawne I had it no more that day and my heart was sad Tempta 1. I was tempted that now my earthen vessell should be broken and I should be distracted c. and I had brought it upon my selfe and thus brought it because I had sought of God that he would reveale the Covenant of grace to me and teach me c. and in the former ministration it was given in this is that thy soule desired Some busines was to be done and I did forget and it came upon me do'st thou not see thou hast lost the use of reason had'st not better have been in a low condition But you would be taught of God And 1. I was much affrighted that day and full of feares 2. My heart was so darke that I could not reason the case with Satan for then I might have told him he was a liar for I desired understanding in the mystery of the Covenant that my heart might goe in a right way to Christ But I could not reflect but wholly attend to Satan And Satan gave me Impulsions to goe read and try to pray suggesting to me thou hast nothing to pray thou hast seen God and needest not faith c. 3. Yet I kept this all alongst that God was my Father and though I was distressed yet not in the least teares of perishing Satan could never shoote one arrow to make me thinke it was not of God And in the ministration it was given in that sin was Commanded out that it might not be mingled with his worke and no battery ever should be made against it I knew I was safe for eternity 4. Yet I considered with my selfe had it not been for me to have dyed and was ready to say with Peter Depart from me Luke 5.8 for I am a sinfull creature it was a sorrow to my soule that I had so much because I knew not how to behave my selfe under it I entreated the Lord to shew me Jesus that was fittest for a mortall creature to looke upon and presently I fell into a mighty trembling but immediately recovered my selfe thus the will of the Lord be done and was quieted againe as to that 5. The Lords day approaching some of the family wished me to goe out to heare and I desired every Ordinance but by the tediousnesse of the weather I was then prevented and being at home in this darke condition all alone I resolved to set upon duty yet had no matter but to spread my misery before the Lord. I did excuse my selfe thus Lord thou hast been a wonder-working God in my soule I entreate thee teach me and shew me Jesus in whom I have beleeved Thou hast troden the wine-presse alone and that for me thou hast freely layd downe thy life and that for me thou hast promised that those which keep the word of thy patience thou wilt keep them in the houre of temptation Lord thou knowest this is the houre of my temptation I have neither faith nor feeling As thou hast made me passive in injoying so now make me passive in beleeving And I rehersed these words three times The Lord rebuke thee the Lord rebuke thee the Lord rebuke thee 6. Christ succouring in temptation I found immediately an invincible power bearing up my heart to cast helpe upon one that is mighty Jesus Christ and so evidently and certainly that one should sooner perswade me that a man which I see and have conference with is not a man then that I did not see Christ by faith I did see my selfe taken as out of the Lyons den and my heart triumphing in Christ that from this houre I could read and pray without trouble and feed upon Christ I had another ministration in the night discovering the difference between legal sorrow and Gospel sorrow and I was put into a condition fit to beare it and my heart was melted into that Gospel sorrow but I am not able to declare particularly how it was with me here for a world Tempta 2. After this Satan did assault me very strongly with this temptation that I did Idolize the Scriptures From the first of these discoveries was taken with the Scriptures because all was conveyed by them to me I received it that the Scriptures were the word of God from what I had seen before but now I knew it from the certainty of the Spirit and its making my heart one with the Scriptures and now it was suggested that I made an Idoll of them and upon that I fell into a mighty trembling and feare for it came very suddenly In a little space I had sweet refreshments and distillations of the Spirit Helpe against temptation that came in thus Not the letter but the Spirit that wrote the Scriptures And my heart was quieted againe Tempta 3. Another came that I did Idolize the Son of God for I was afraid of God and was taken up in beleeving on Jesus I was trembling and in a sweat and a great hurry upon this And O had it not been better that I had died and I feared I should never be rid of them Answ After a little space it was given in that the Father Son and Spirit is one pure Essence and Christ being in the forme of God Phil. 2.6 thought it not robbery to be equall with God And the Word was made flesh and was with God and was God And the Son of God assuming our nature became a
saw I conquered yet triumphed in Christs Conquest 2. Never could I so pittie those that are tempted as then 3. Never more sensible of spirituall sins then at this time I apprehended it a great evill for a poore wretch to cherish the pride of his heart by wearing gay cloathes c. O but how was this comparable to the sin of priding ones selfe in the precious graces of the Spirit 4. Whereas before it had been a great pollicy of Satan to turn mine eye from himselfe and his actings to poore Instruments vassals of his owne now I could looke at himselfe and set my selfe in the sirength of Christ against him 5. I could with an holy contempt looke upon all the designes of Satan and of his instruments 6. I was exceedingly filled with the praises of God especially that he should take such an advantage of the Tempter and make so good a Conclusion of so unhappy a beginning 7. I was much stirred up to make an improvement of the temptation and that thus by crossing the Devils maine drift in the temptation which was to draw my soule into a greater distance from Christ now I laboured to get and keep neerer to him 8. I was fitted and prepared for some speciall service even by the temptation which was soone after to fall upon me And I have observed these things concerning Temptations further 1. I have observed that when I have had largest discoveries of the grace of God in the Gospell when I have dwelt most upon the thoughts of it and most applyed it then presently some desperate temptation hath assaulted me or sett upon me and the enemy hath made this advantage of it This cometh by your looking so much to the grace of God doe you not see what effects come of it were you not more restrained c. when you looked more to the Covenant of workes 2. I observe that the enemy striketh at faith by every temptation ex gr after some slip or fall what you a Childe of God how can it be and give such way to temptation 3. The Tempter hath in my experience appeared to be a lyar and full of malice many hundred times in his temptations 4. I have observed that Satan hath fastened the same temptation upon severall parties at one and the same time ex gr I have had a strong perswasion that such and such were offended at me and by conference it happened that they have had the same apprehensions fastened upon them concerning me and so there hath been mutuall strangenes and shuning society each with other 5. When the adversary hath a designe to tempt to such or such an evill he maketh way for it beforehand ex gr ke knoweth that when such parties meet together there will be an occasion for passions to stirre he will cast in somewhat before which shall exceedingly moove such passions as anger revenge c. 6. I have frequently found that the enemy will cast in such and such thoughts as of blasphemy against the Lord c. and then labour to perswade me that I am such a one and so maketh way for further temptation 7. I have been much stirred up to bewaile and mourne over such corrupt affections and to strive against them and to goe to the death of Christ by faith for power to subdue them to watch also and Covenant against them c. but all on a sudden they have been revived and if temptation have prevailed then they have been improved thus What overtaken againe after all this it is impossible you should be pardoned 8. I have often observed that the tempter will alwayes improve his successes if he gaine but a little ground he followeth on with renewed force with much fury assaulting with violent impulsions and taketh advantage upon yeelding as you have yeelded so farre and why not altogether Concerning Corruption 1. I have thought it was matter of praise that the Lord would discover and convince me of any Corruption within my heart and have found joy at such times as discoveries have been made thereof because the Spirits discoverie is in order to the subduing of it 2. I have observed that a soule is made sensible of his utter inability to subdue it before the Lords time is to have it subdued insomuch as if he shall mourne over it beg strive wrestle against it yet it may see as it were a reviving and it may be it may sometimes much revive before some notable wound is given to it 3. I have found that I have striven against it in my owne strength Concerning the Spirits working 1. This I have alwayes observed in discoveries from the Spirit that Scripture is most true Joh. 16.14 He shall take of mine and shew it to you and so glorifie me Looke as the Son doth put the honour upon the Father in all that he doth so the blessed Spirit of God together with his teachings leaveth such a frame of heart as it is admiring of Jesus Christ O how beautifull is he at such a time to the poore beleever 2. I have observed the soule is more looking upon it as it doth bring Comfort then as it doth glorifie Jesus Christ and that may be one reason why the sense of it is so soone gone 3. I have taken notice that a little before some notable discovery of the Spirit some violent temptation is cast in which Satan would indispose the soule by for the receiving what is a coming but it pleaseth the Lord by such meanes to put the soule into some capacity for such an in-come Concerning hindering the worke of the Spirit I have had apprehensions that I resisted the Spirit these wayes 1. By diverting those holy motions i. e. turning them out of my thoughts or turning my thoughts some other way 2. By owning them as if they were my owne 3. By poreing too much upon the difficulty that lieth in my way to the performance of that which the Spirit mooveth me to 4. By thinking the Lord beholden to me for the entertainment of them or doing the thing which the Spirit doth moove me to Concerning Desertion 1. Being once under dreadfull apprehensions by reason of withdrawings and the violent temptations which followed immediately thereupon I was forced to cry out in much bitternes of Spirit with an audible voyce Lord helpe me c. and suddenly a passage which in the publique ministry of the word I had heard a little before was brought to minde with much Comfort from the speech concerning Ephram I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himselfe whence it was observed That Christ doth sometimes when his people cannot keep pace with him but through negligence have lost fight of him as it were stand still hearing their mournfull cries and then runs and taketh them up againe and so I thought it was with me 2. After some time of desertion meeting with a sweet returne I had very high and reverend thoughts of God and was more valuing his presence then ever before
The VOICE of the SPIRIT OR An Essay towards a Discoverie of the witnessings of the Spirit by opening and answering these following weighty Queries Q. 1. What is the witnessing worke of the Spirit 2 How doth the Spirit witnesse to a soule its Adaption 3 Who are capable of attaining the witnessings of the Spirit 4. How may a soul know its injoyment of them 5. By what meanes may a soule attaine them To which is added Roses from Sharon or sweet Experiences reached out by Christ to some of his beloved ones in this Wildernes By SAMUEL PETTO Preacher of the Gospell at Sandcroft in Suffolke Isaiah 59 19. When the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a Standard against him LONDON Printed for Livewell Chapman at the Crowne in Popes-head-Alley 1654. To the Saints and people of God in and about Sandcroft Grace and peace be multiplyed Dearely beloved in the Lord. AS Jesus Christ by the appointment of the Father hath purchased Redemption brought in an everlasting righteousnes and obtained eternall Salvation for a certaine number of the race of fallen Adam so the blessed Spirit is designed by the Father and the Son not onely to make application of Christ and to bring soules into the relation of Sons and Daughters thereby but also to beare testimony of their standing in that blessed Relation To encourage unto a waiting for and to give a knowledge of the witnessings of the Spirit is the designe of this Treatise And now Deare friends I beseech you rest not satisfied without a perswasion from the Spirit of Adoption that God is your Father Give over carnall reasonings and give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Though you be under the hidings of Gods face at present Isa 8.17 yet waite for the light of his Countenance and the issues will be glorious When Josephs brethren were in their greatest distresse then Joseph maketh knowne himselfe to them Gen. 45. v. 1.3 4. So when many charges and accusations are brought in against you and many seemingly hard passages are met withall and that from Christ himselfe and your hearts are ready to sinke downe lowest your fears to rise highest yet then may your Assurance be nearest Christ your spirituall Joseph as with Reverence we may speake it will be able to refraine no longer he cannot but cry out I am Joseph your Brother And if you injoy a testimonie of Divine love at last you will not repent you of all your waiting It will be as a cluster of grapes from the Celestiall Canaan that will give you a foreknowledge how good the Land is This will sweeten your bitterest cups and your worst conditions to you this will be enough that God is your Father Your hearts are now fearefull of medling with promises and this is the language of your soules it is true here are precious promises but what is this to us we know not whither we have any right to them or not such a testimony will assure you that all the promises are yours because Christ is yours in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen Indeed when you want Assurance yet it is your duty by faith to take hold of promises sutable to your conditions but Satan hindreth oftentimes therein when you cannot see your interest in Christ Hereby also you will see your liberty for neare approachings unto God and that with a holy boldnes because he is your Father and may hope of being succesfull in all your drawings neare to him Hereby you will have freedome from or establishment against many temptations which a doubting condition exposeth you to you will not be so ready to have hard thoughts of God or murmuring discontented thoughts at his dispensations c. as you have been Hereby you will be rendred thankfull for your mercies whereas now you are apt to Call the most speciall mercies Common And that such an abundant entrance may be administred to you into the everlasting kingdom and that you may be filled with peace and joy in beleeving even joy unspeakable and full of glory shall be the prayer of him who is Sandcroft 4th Mo 20th day 1654. Yours in Gospell Engagements SAMUEL PETTO To the Christian Reader THe eternall decree of the great God about the everlasting state of soules in which they shall for ever abide after the number of our Months are determined and that this body is seized upon by the king of torrors is registred in the bookes of God and to be opened at the great day but at the present so hidden that by all that is before us as that we cannot eyther know love or hatted or what will be the sentence of the Judge of all the world upon a particular soule when he comes to speake those irreversible words Goe ye Cursed Come ye Blessed Yet he that was worthy to open the books and unto whom the Father hath committed all Judgement even Jesus our Lord be it is that hath sent for that blessed Spirit which curiously and exactly surveighs the very bottome Counsells of God to make report of and to witnesse unto soules the precious assurance of their Adoption that so such as doe beleive might have consolation and hope And now a search after the knowledge of the language of that Spirit and the whisperings thereof whereby the soule is made acquainted with the secret of God must needs be a worke worthy the utmost of our care and diligence and every beame of light tending to that end should be answerably esteemed of by us according to its issue which is so great even of eternall moment Besides multitudes there are bound up in darknes some on the one part laying claime to acquaintance with the Spirits testimonies whose walkings yet savour so ranke of the flesh as they declare them sensuall and deluded Others there are who not onely have tasted the Spirits sweetnesse but by him have been made to drinke into Christ yet through over-elated thoughts and expectancies of the Spirits witnessings much like the Jewes in their too much raised account of some pompous and extraordinary appearing of the Messias regardlesse of those pretious whispers of love which the Spirit in the promise hints to the soule makes them still froward and dissatisfied with God as not counting their prayers heard or their persons regarded because not extraordinarily visited by the Spirit The designe and aime therefore of the Author in this peice is to promote our understanding of the voyce of that Spirit And according to the Grace given him to releive and edifie the weake and doubting and undeceive such as are deluded We are perswaded hee hath dealt faithfully both with Christ and you in laying aside all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and endeavouring in the plainnesse and demonstration of that Spirit which he is heere treating of to speake home to eyther sort Upon that short view we had of this worke we have added our testimony to it not
to a more through handling of this great point or may draw our any thing to the further distinguishing the speakings of the Spirit from Satanicall Illusions it will be a matter of rejoycing to me And if thou reapâ—st any spirituall advantage by what thou readest give the glory of all to the Lord and send up some groanes and cryes unto the Father of mercies for me that I might have a practicall experimentall acquaintance with the Witnessings of the Spirit which I have endeavoured in a Doctrinall way to cleare up to thee And that thou mayest be filled with the same Spirit shall be the prayer of him who is A poore unworthy labourer in the worke of the Gospell S. P. Courteous Reader By reason of the Authors far distance from the Presse many faults have escaped some of the chiefest are here noted out which thou art desired to take notice of ERRATA'S PAge 3. line 11. for rathen read rather p. 9. l. 18. for no r. to to yeeld attention p. 11. l. 14. for or Conscience 1. our Conscience p. 27. l. 17. for times r. things p. 30. l. 24. for Antedent r. Antecedent p. 34. l. 17. for understood r. understandeth p. 37. l. 18. for promises r. premises p. 38. for Spirituall grounds r. Scripturall grounds p. 40. l. 9. for Conjunction r. Conjunctim or in Canjunction p. 44. l. 12. for is r. was p. 54. l. 13. for curruption r. corruption p. 58. l. 16. for appleate r. appeale p. 67. l. 9. blott out of p. 104. l. 14. for himseife r. himselfe p. 113. l. 8. read thus And hence they are said p. 119. l. 20. for are r. as p. 138. l. 19. for bolines r. holines p. 140. l. 12. for Consequences r. Consequence p. 140. l. 16. for be as r. bias p. 148. l. 26. r. they that are after the Spirit p. 150. l. 5. for having r. have p. 160. l. 8. for carnall confidences are read thus a carnall Confidence is p. 160. l. 10. for are r. is p. 81. l. 8. for leane r. leave p. 166. l. 11. for cannot r. could not p. 168. l. 18. for Spirits r. Spirit p. 173. l. 25. for the r. they p. 175. on the Margin for distincti r. distinctè p. 176. l. 3. for haire r. heire p. 181. l. 30. for its r. his p. 188. l. 5. blott out it p. 191. l. 6. read thus be hinted in A BRIEF DISCOVERY of the witnessings of the Spirit to the Soules of the Saints ROM 8. VERS 16. The Spirit it selfe witnesseth with our Spirit that we are the Children of God CHAP. I. Opening the Text and shewing the meaning of the words THis Apostle Paul having made it his great designe in the foregoing Chapters to cleare up the doctrine of Justification by faith without the workes of the Law he draweth up a comfortable Conclusion Chap 8.1 That there is no condemnation to those which are in Christ And as well to prevent a presumptuous claiming of interest in Christ as to deliver from ungrounded doubtings thereof 〈◊〉 Characterizeth those which are in Christ in the following verses and the inhabitation of the Divine Spirit ver 9. with its concurrences in the mortification of sin ver 13. and as a Conductor or Leader ver 14. These are made the great discriminating differencing things which those that are in Christ are set out and distinguished from others by But because men are apt to be deceived dreame of an injoyment of leadings from the Divine Spirit when they are without them therefore he addeth this ver 16. The Spirit it selfe witnesseth c. So that the words expresse the way whereby a soule attaineth a knowledge of its union with Christ and consequently of its freedome from condemnation and it is this The Spirit it selfe witnesseth c. Where you may take notice 1. Who witnesseth The Spirit it selfe with our Spirit 2. What is witnessed that we are the children of God The Spirit i.e. not onely gifts and graces but the Spirit who is the worker or bestower of these That Spirit which hath enabled us to beleeve and doth enable us to cry Abba Father and which shall quicken our mortall bodies in the day of Christ ver 11 The Spirit i.e. who searcheth the deepe things of God who undoubtedly knoweth whither wee be adopted or not and whose testimony is infallible he being truth it selfe this Divine Spirit not by a proxie but it selfe Witnesseth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contestatur testimonium reddit und testatur i.e. co-witnesseth or rendreth a testimony or witnesseth together saith Leigh Crit. Sac. the word is composed with the Preposition together or with and so it denoteth a double or Twin-testimony 1. The Spirit of God 2. Our Spirit It beareth witness saith he together with rathen then to our Spirit Yet the word is sometimes used to expresse a single Testimony Wicked men are confident of their Adoption upon the false deceitfull and deluding testimony of their owne Spirits but the Sons of God have the Divine Spirit who cannot lye or beare false witnes to testifie Si unus esset testis dubitatio non tolleretur sed duo sunt testes itaque nullus restat dubitationi locus Spiritus noster fallere posset nos sed Spiritus Sanctus non sinit nos falli Fayus to or with their Spirits their Adoption Here are two witnesses the Spirit of Adoption and our Spirit i.e. Either 1. Our soule Luke 23.46 Into thy hands I commend my Spirit i.e. my soule Act. 7.59 And so it is contra distinguished from the body 1 Corin. 6.20 Glorifie God in your body and in your Spirit i.e. in your soule So 1 Cor. 7.34 And if you take it in this sense it holdeth out thus much That the witnessings of the Spirit are not to the outward ear but to the heart the Spirit maketh report of Divine mercy to the inner man the way of its witnessing is not externall by an audible voyce but internall by secret whisperings to the soule Not by outward expressions but by inward unspeakeable inspirations Or 2. Our Spirit i. e Our Uunderstanding Judgement and Conscience which being renewed are called also by the name of Spirit 1 Cor 2.11 What man knoweth the things of a man save the Spirit of a man c. Here our Spirit denoteth the knowing faculty And ver 15 16. He that is Spirituall judgeth all things c. Here the Judging power is given unto this Spirit of a man And in this sence I take our Spirit in the Text and that because it is the proper office or worke of our understandings judgements and Consciences to receive imbrace or refuse such testimonies as are offered Rom. 2.15 Their Conscience also bearing witnes c. 2 Cor. 1.12 The testimony of our Conscience The meaning then of the words is this That the Divine Spirit witnesseth to our understandings and judgements and with our consciences That we are the Sons of God i. e. that we have
freedome from condemnation ver 1. And this he cleareth v. 5.9.13 14. But least they should doubt or question whither they found a mortification of sin by the Spirit or injoyed the leadings of the Spirit or not In the last place he addeth this as the highest surest and most infallible meanes to helpe a soule unto a sight of its interest in Christ ver 16. The Spirit it selfe witnesseth with our Spirit c. The other workes are of a witnessing nature but this is beyond all other helpes this maketh the other evidencing and giveth sights of freedome from condemnation and of our Sonship So that the Context favoureth this interpretation 2. From the words of the Text the Spirit is said to witnes with our Spirit It s testimony irresistibly overcometh our Spirit i.e. or Conscience it causeth them to conclude thesame thing and so there is a joynt-testimony Some times the Spirit uttereth its voyce and our Spirits hold off but our Spirits are fetched in and made use of in this way of witnessing which is intended in the Text both agree in this numericall Conclusion That we are the Children of God and so it is an efficacious witnessing I might cleare it from what followeth ver 33.38 and from other Scriptures which call the perswasion or Conclusion of the thing which is witnessed a witnessing as Luk. 4.22 All beare him witnes i.e. Concluded the same thing with approbation and allowance But I shall proceed to a description which will further discover what it is for the Spirit to witnes It is for the Spirit by some manifest What it is for the Spirit to Witnes and special acts and operations of its own to ascertaine a soule by the word or Gospell of its Adoption Or it is for the Spirit by cleare irradiations and other effectual operations with the word to worke a particular soule by direct or reflexive acts into a knowledge perswasion or Conclusion of its acceptation into favour with God CHAP. IV. Of the Witnes the Spirit and the thing witnessed and wherein the witnessing worke doth consist HEre are many things considerable as 1. Who is the Witnes The Spirit This is cleare in the Text Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it selfe The truth of a testimony hath a dependance on the fidelity of the witnes and so the Spirit who cannot lye is appointed by Office unto this worke that a soule might be infallibly assured of what is testified were it any other it might remaine under doubtings and thinke it too good newes to be true that it should have God for its Father and so be a joynt-heire with Christ in that exceeding eternall Weight of glory O but if the Spirit witnesseth this who is faithfull in all he saith this may give a full Assurance of Son ship or free it from those fears doubtings jealousies and suspitions which it hath laboured under about this question This proclaimeth the infinite condescention of the Spirit that it selfe who is very God should stoope so low as to be a witnes in our matters who are dust and ashes That the Creator should be a witnes to the creature this is a high favour indeed And hereby this testimony is differenced 1. From the Delusions of Satan hee is ready to beare false witnes to the soule purposely to lead it into mistaking Conclusions about its condition and hearkening to his voyce is extreamely dangerous 2. From the single testimony of our Spirits I doe not say that the Spirit doth witnes effectually without our Spirits but the Text plainly maketh two the Spirit with our Spirit So that if the Spirit of Adoption by some acts peculiar to it selfe be not in consociation with cur Spirits the testimony is most unsafe dangerous and deluding O take heed of trusting the single testimony of your owne treacherous Spirits in the bu synes of your soules for eternity but if the Holy-Spirits hath fetched in your Spirits and overcome them into a Conclusion of your Adoption you may safely owne it at the mouth of these two witnesses 2. What is the thing witnessed viz. the Son-ship of particular soules the Spirit doth not onely witnes the truth of some Doctrine of the Gospell it doth not onely give a perswasion that all which receive Christ or beleeve on his name have authority to become the Sons of God as Joh. 1.12 Not barely that some that beleevers but saith the Text that we even we are the children of God 3. Wherein the witnessing worke doth consist viz. In the Spirits giving manifestations and working the heart into perswasions and conclusions of Adoption 1. It doth not consist onely in affording such operations as being measured by Gospell rules doe give assertions or affirmations of Adoption but an effectual witnessing is here intended such as indeed causeth the matter to be established which is to accomplish the end of that witnessing as Matth. 18.16 The Spirit establisheth the soule in a perswasion of God's Fatherly love through Christ Rom. 8.38 I am perswaded c. and Job 19.25 I know my redeemer liveth And hence it is made one end of our receiving the Spirit 1 Coriu 2.12 that we might know the things that are given us of God 1 Joh. 3.24 Hereby wee know that he abideth in us by the Spirit 2 Corin. 5. ver 1.6 We know that we have a building of God ver 5 6. Because he hath given us the earnest of his Spirit therefore we are alwayes confident So that the Spirit witnesseth by giving a knowledge and perswasion of Adoption 2. It doth not confist in its filling the soule with consolation many if they finde comfort by a word then they thinke the Spirit hath witnessed Adoption else not whereas this witnessing worke may be injoyed in a very disconsolate condition Job 19. v. 6 7.8 c. Here was but little comfort and yet much assurance ver 25. and Matth. 27.46 There is a want of comfort Why hast thou forsaken me and yet not a want of assurance for with the same breath he challengeth propriety in God twice over My God my God Indeed this blessed newes doth often fill the heart with joy unspeakeable and full of glory but this consolation is rather consequential to the witnessing of the Spirit then that which giveth being to it It is an effect of it not an ingredient into it more then other workes of the Spirit Testification is a different worke of the Spirit from consolation CHAP. V. Of the wayes and meanes how the Spirit doth accomplish this witnessing worke in many particulars 4. IN what wayes or how the Spirit doth accomplish this witnessing worke In the Description the Spirit is said to witnesse 1. By its Operations within 2. By its Word without 1. The Spirit performeth the Office of a witnes by operations within the soule we are not to expect any apparitions of the Spirit in any visible shape to the eyes of our bodyes or any audible voyce from heaven to our outward ear 's
for the assuring us of our Adoption I finde no Rule for these The Spirit giveth a certainty of Adoption by its actings within the soule as well as if a hundred witnesses had affirmed it As 1. It maketh an effectual application of witnessing words when it testifieth by direct acts the hinting or giving in of a word is not enough as I shall shew in another place But then a word is applyed when it is powerfully set upon the heart by the Spirit and is so fixed setled and engraven there that it becometh an ingrafted word James 1.21 and worketh effectually towards its proper end 1 Thess 2.13 Coloss 1.29 And that it beareth downe all temptations objections and unbeleeving reasonings that were in the soule before against what it is called up to by the word and so is written upon the heart Jerem. 31. v. 33. It is onely the finger of the Spirit that can doe this 2 Corin. 3.3 And when there is such an application of a witnessing word as the heart is irresistibly overpowered into a pers wasion of Adoption by it then it it indeed witnessing And some of the Saints have found such a supernatural power coming alongst with a word that th ugh afflictions and temptations came yet they durst not could not but say to the Lord Doubtles thou art our Father Or as 2 Corin. 5.1 We know And at such a time the promise is as it were holden to the heart they are knitt and glued together that untill the Spirit suspendeth its operations it is as easie to make the soule leave the body as to make this perswasion of Adoption leave the soule as I shall shew more fully else where 2. The Spirit exciteth and draweth out some manifest speciall gracious acts when the way of testifying is by reflex acts the Gospel declareth and determineth saith and other graces to be infallible evidences of Adoption Now the Spirit enableth to act these Rom. 5.5 Gal. 5.22 And from these by reflex acts to draw Concsusions of Adoption I call them speciall gracious acts to difference them from those workes of the Spirit unbeleevers may have Hebr. 6. v. 4 5.6 that have not power to assert Adoption which is a speciall relation for nothing common can evidence that which is speciall And they must be manifest acts of grace for Witnesses are purposely to cleare up a matter which is dark dubious and therefore witnessing must ever be by what is more conspicuous and apparent and hence Christ referreth the Jewes to his workes and the Scriptures Joh. 5.36.39 Because they were more visible to them And I conceive there are many secret concurrences of the Spirit which though they be speciall workes yet are not intended for this but some other end and with the utmost diligence a soule can use are not capable of being improved unto witnessing being themselves so hardly discerneable Yet I dare not confine assurance unto eminent Saints I thinke few or no Christians are so weake that they are destitute of all such acts of grace as may witnesse to them Adoption as I shall prove afterward But there is a vast difference between the operations and the witnessing operations of the Spirit these must have light as well as peculiarnesse in them 3. The Spirit causeth the soule to apply it selfe unto the use of due meanes for the attaining assurance Sometimes his proceedings are graduall or by degrees the soule goeth on step by step towards it and it may be a great while before it arriveth at it As the Spirit may first Convince by the word that a Christian ought to seek after and may attaine unto more quietnes establishment then yet it selfe hath found 2 Pet. 1. ver 10. This part of the will of Christ it little minded before And then it may be the Lord removeth out of the way those impediments which formerly hindred Assurance subdueth some corruptions answereth some doubts causeth it to see the groundlesnesse of some feares it hath laboured under helpeth it to looke into Satans designes that have hindred the worke of Christ within it and to take notice of some glorious advantages in the attaining of Assurance which it thought not of before it seeth how it may glorifie God more in such a condition then it can doe under doubtings feares disquietings And thus the Spirit capacitateth the soule for such a mercy So Exod. 33. v. 9.11.14.17 Moses upon every new grant or returne of prayer taketh advantage to rise higher and higher in his requests and at last cryeth out ver 18. I beseech thee shew me thy glory And ver 19. compared with Exod. 34.6 All his goodnes passed before him So the Lord causeth a soule to seeke for some mercits and upon the Lords answering some desires it hath encouragement to goe with a holy boldnes for greater mercies and at last it is enabled to act faith in an eminent way for sights of Divine glory and in the face of Christ hath these also It obtaineth some mercies conducing to assurance at first and afterwards injoyeth that also I have mentioned this the rather 1. Because Christians thinke to have assurance all at once upon a sudden and are apt to be very much troubled if it commeth not in by the lumpe whereas the will of God is to let it in sometimes by little and little and the soule may be a long time in attaining it this is no matter of discouragement that thou hast it not presently if thou be'st in the way to it 2. Because many are very suspitious of a testimony if it be not by some violent powerfull heart-astonishing alterations whereas though sometimes it be by such invincible operations as doe not leave the soule to freedome whether it will owne them or not but overcometh the heart immediately to a reception of the testimony yet at other times the Spirit acteth in a more milde gentle and secret indiscernable way and doth more leave the soule to its choyce for owning it or not and by quenching the motions of the Spirit it may misse of that Assurance which they lead to Yet these operations when they doc effectually witnesse are so powerfull that ever they carry the heart alongst with them towards Christ When Assurance commeth in as the result of selfe-examination it may not cause such eminent alterations as a soule may expect and yet it may be good But there are sweet gracious effects that will follow reall witnessings of the Spirit which way soever they come in And that bowing of the heart to the use of meanes as selfe-examination c. is another worke of the Spirit as a witnesse 4. The Spirit affordeth Irradiations as a witnesse openeth a Case and sheweth how it standeth so the Spirit by shining forth with its bright glorious and heavenly beames into the darke dungeon-like soule doth cause it to discerne enough in the application of promises and in the exercise of graces to satisfie it about its adoption And though it
onely to have a probable opinion but a certaine knowledge that the Spirit dwelleth in them which is to know their Adoption Rom. 8. v. 9. And 1 Joh. 3.24 Hereby we know he abideth in us by the Spirit And those he writeth to are little Children v. 18. 1 Joh. 2.12 He telleth them that their sins are forgiven them which may assure us that it doth not make to the hurt of weake beleevers to know they are forgiven Arg. 4. Weake Christians ought to exercise themselves unto selfe-examination Ergo They are in a capacitie to attaine a knowledge of their state thereby 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves Prove your selves The ingemination of the exhortation argueth it to be a duty of high Concernment else he would not use so much earnestnes in exciting to it And it is their station they are to enquire about 1. Whither they be in the faith 2. Whither Christ be in them or not And that weake beleevers are not exempted from this duty is undenyable For 1. It extendeth or reacheth to unbeleevers those that have not Christ in them are to finde it out hereby they are to try whither they be in the faith or no 2. It hath no limitation unto strong beleevers let them prove it that will assert it 3. These were weake in the faith which are here twice over required to come up to it 2 Corin. 12. v. 20 21. Prone to envyings strifes backbitings whisperings swellings c. which are made the symptomes of but babes in Christ 1 Cor. 3. v. 1 2 3. Yet these are injoyned to examine 2 Cor. 13.5 There are some seasons then which all Christians even the weakest ought to take for self-examination about their union with Christ Ergo they are capable of doing it with good successe Either weake Christians must alwayes give in this verdict that they are without Christ and this is false and the Lord doth not command them to a false Conclusion Or else they must give in no verdict and then the duty is fruitlesse as to its proper end Or else they must conclude that they are in the faith And the Text calleth for one of these Conclusions Either 1. That they are in the faith Or 2. Reprobates i.e. unsound hypocrites without the Spirit Unto all which I may adde that these Romans were many of them weake in the faith Rom. 14. v. 1 2. c. And yet in the Text he excepteth and excludeth none but seemeth to conclude all under the witnessings of the Spirit By all which I cannot but apprehend Assurance to be ordinarily attaineable even by weake beleevers CHAP. XI Shewing how a soule may know whether it enjoyeth the witnessings of the Spirit or not and first the Immediate witnessings of the Spirit Qu 4. HOw may a soule know whither it injoyeth the witnessings of the Spirit or not Before I give a direct answer to this Question I shall premise that the answers to it will be usefull to such ends as these 1. To give satisfaction unto doubting soules many precious sons of Sion are full of feares about their Adoption could they but know that God were their Father they should account it a favour of great value Whereas the Spirit hath witnessed this to them but they know not its voyce or understand not that these operations which they have found doe amount to a testimonie of Divine love They question whither they be from the Spirit or not or else whither they be witnessing and intended by the Lord for that end By a due observation of what I shall here lay downe and the shinings of the Spirit on its owne workes without which nothing will be witnessing those that never had Assurance way attaine it and those that have lost it may recover it againe if by reflexion they can finde that such workes have passed upon their hearts as I shall speake of 2. To difference the testimonie of the Spirit from Delusions of Satan and the single testimonie of our owne Spirit that so the voyce of the Spirit may be owned and Satanicall delusions rejected 3. To confirme and establish those that doe injoy witnessings in the perswasion of their Adoption And the better to attaine these ends I shall 1 Speake particularly unto the feverall wayes of witnessing How a soule may know that 1. The Spirit 2. Water 3. Bloud have witnessed 2. Adde some Generall discoveries or secondary evidences which will respect all those wayes of witnessing According unto the threefold way of the Spirits witnessing so must I divide the Question into three Qu 1. How may a soule know whither the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption to it in that more Immediate way or not Before I reply to this Question I shall give these pre-considerations Preconsid 1. That there must be some great and remarkeable impression and alteration made upon the heart working it into some strong perswasion of Adoption else there is not the least ground for a pretending to an Immediate testimony Those that never found any thing of this nature are not concerned in this Question for there must be something like the testimonie to make capable of tryal The Nature of an Immediate presence of the Spirit and the application of a word require that there be some great impression when ever they be injoyed Jam. 1.21 1 Thes 2.13 2 Corin 3.3 So that if a man should read over witnessing words never so often and his thoughts should run this way that God is his God and Christ and eternall life his yet if no power commeth alongst with the word to fix fasten and set it upon the heart there is not any colour for an Immediate testimonie The word must take deep rooting in the heart Matth. 13. v. 21.23 else no gracious effects at all are accomplished by it much lesse can it be witnessing But if a man hath found some great alteration made upon his Spirit that hath wrought towards a perswasion of Adoption Our enquiry is How he may know whither it be meerly a strong flashy opinion and fancy of his owne Spirit a delusion of Satan or indeed a testimonie from the Divine Spirit Precons 2. That my designe in answering this Question is not to discover who is interested in Christ and who not that will be the thing driven at when I come to speake of the Spirits witnessing by water bloud But if a man hath a testimonie of interest in Christ by some eminent impression made upon his Spirit our enquiry is whither it be from the Divine Spirit or be a Delusion I suppose that many reall beleevers may through their owne default want this Immediate testimonie of the Spirit and may be under false confidences through the Delusions of Satan i. e. Confidences taken up from such grounds as are not evidencing Revel 3.17 Psal 30.6 when by a due search they might finde infallible grounds for the same Conclusions This Question is not for the tryal of Christianitie but of some Confidences thereof
is the Lords way of speaking to the soules of his people and hence it is called often the Word of God And it was the Word that David hoped in for his salvations Psal 119.81 82. He had the letter of a promise before v. 28. but this would not satisfie him unlesse the Lord would speake it over againe he must have it applyed to his inner man Say â—o my soule they were internall speakings he prayed for as if he had said Lord outward salvations would be nothing to me without inward feelings of thy favour in them O say to my soule i. e. raise thou an inward perswasion in my heart of my interest in thee say I am thy salvation i. e. not onely that he which beleeveth shall be saved but let me be particularized thy salvation and not onely that thou wise deliver me out of my distresses but say I not onely will be but am thy salvation He beggeth here the witnessings of the Spirit in the Word by an effectual application of it to his soule 3. From a beleevers right and title to such words or promises Christ is his and all the promises of the new Covenant his in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 Yea promises directed to particular persons in Scripture when they are about things of generall concernement doe admit of a generall application and every beleever may lay claime to them as his that promise I will not faile thee or for sake thee is directed to Joshua Josh 1. v. 5. yet is applyed generally Heb. 13.5 And so generall promises are capable of a particular application unto every individual beleever Now if the Spirit did not apply them Christians should misse of that prosit and advantage which according to the intent of the promiser is to be reaped by them A beleever is adopted Isa 41.10 Ezek 36.25 hath God for his God hath cleane water sprinkled on him c. and the Word doth say thus much to him though in a more secret way in a language which he understood not The witnessing of the Spirit is but the uttering these things to the soule with a more audible voyce It is but like a Fathers telling his Childe of an estate which was really his own before So Christians have a propriety in such words or promises before and it is the office of the Spirit to give a knowledge unto beleevers of the things that are freely given them of God 1 Corin. 2.12 And so it will apply these as well as other words for the Gospell owneth no restriction or limitation as if some promises were to be applyed others not The whole Gospell is the voyce of the Spirit and so any word may be applyed for its proper end and therefore witnessing words as well as other 4. From the appointment of Divine promises for this very end to witnesse which must be by application from the Spirit the whole word is often called God's testimonie Psal 19.7 119. v. 2.22.24 c. Heb. 6.18 There are two Immutable things ordained on purpose to helpe us unto strong consolation and they are 1. Gods promise 2. His Oath v. 13.17 But how doe they bring in this Consolation it is by witnessing for ver 16. An Oath is said to be for confirmation and so the two Immutable things bring in this strong consolation as they serve for the ratification and confirmation to a soule of its interest in the blessings of the Gospell And they are of the same use to all the heires of promise that they were of to Abraham ver 17 18. To give them the same certainty of what they are heires to that he had And both the promise and the Oath must needs give testimonie by direct rather then reflex acts as the nature of them doe intimate By all which it appeareth that Gods promise and Oath both which are without us doe as properly conduce to the affording Assurance of our propriety in Christ and in the everlasting inheritance by him as any inherent graces or qualifications can doe Now as it was the application to Abraham of these two that made them witnessing to him Gen 22. v. 12.16 17. So there must be a superadded worke of the Divine Spirit making an application of them to particular soules as there was to Abraham else they cannot add a confirmation or bring in consolation to any heires of promise which are the ends they are intended for Argu. 3. From the number of Witnesses which the Gospel owneth 1 Joh. 5.8 There are three that beare witnesse on Earth Now if the Spirit should not give a distinct testimonie from water and bloud there were not three witnesses Indeed neither water nor bloud are sufficient alone to witnesse but the Spirit with water make but one witnesse and hence the water hath the denomination for the witnes and not the Spirit And the Spirit with bloud make but one witnesse and thence the bloud is called the witnesse and not the Spirit and therefore if the Spirit had not a distinct way of witnessing from its Concurrence with these there were but two not three witnesses And that water should be so distinct from bloud in the way of its testifying and that the Spirit should not be as distinct from them both is unconceivable and soundeth very harsh I conclude therefore that the same use which water or bloud are of The Spirit witnesseth with bloud and with water but besides the Spirit hath a distinct witnessing by way of enlarging the soule with joy in the soules apprehension of Gods Fatherly love The Spirit doth not alwayes witnesse unto us our condition by force of argument from sanctification but sometimes immediately by way of presence as the sight of a friend comforting without helpe of discourse Dr. Sibbs Saints Sealing when they witnesse the same the Spirit is of when that witnesseth And as they have something distinct from each other from whence when discerned a conclusion is drawne of interest in Christ so the Spirit hath some peculiar acts or operations of its owne distinct from both which effectually beget the same perswasion which they doe though in a more Immediate way then if it were by Inferences from such promises as they attain it by Object But by Spirit is not meant here the Holy-Ghost but our Spirits they are the third witnesse Answ It must needs be understood of the Divine Spirit 1. Because the Divine Spirit is a witnesse on earth Rom. 8.16 and so the enumeration of Witnesses on earth were not full if that were not intended 2. Because the scope of the Apostle in this Chapter is not to advance our Spirits but the Divine Spirit as the witnesse on earth 1 Joh. 5.6 It is the Spirit that beareth witnesse because the Spirit is truth and hereupon he numbreth the witnesses ver 7 8. ver 10 He that beleeveth hath the witnesse in himselfe which argueth that his designe is to assert the Holy-Spirit to be a witnes on Earth for he doth
over their owne hearts and those heart-amazing workings of corruption which by after reflexions upon themselves they take notice of these may quickly deprive of these witnessings againe And indeed with many eminent Saints they are not long-lasting They are but the passings by of the Lord before their soules They have a soule-ravishing view of God and Christ by the light of the Spirit but they are soon out of sight againe They must not thinke of building Tabernacles when they are upon this high mountaine beholding the glory of Christ on it A large measure of grace is of great advantage towards the continuance and preservation of these but though they last but for a little moment yet it is an unspeakable favour that they are afforded CHAP. X. Foure Arguments to prove that weake beleivers are capable of attaining these witnessings of the Spirit ANd that weake beleevers are capable of attaining these witnessings of the Spirit I shall prove these wayes Argu. 1. From the Spirits being given to all beleevers as a witnesse 1 Joh. 5.10 It is not said he that is an eminent beleever but he that beleeveth not hereafter shall have but hath the witnes within himselfe This proposition were not universally true if the weakest beleever were at any time destitute of it Neither is it said he hath the Spirit but he hath the witnes i.e. the Spirit as a witnes or for this end to be a witnes to him And how harsh doth it sound that weake beleevers should be uncapable of attaining the end of its being present with them as a witnesse without which it should neither performe its office nor answer its name Object It may performe the office of a witnes or be a witnes-bearer to all beleevers objectively by graces operations though they see or know it not as a Landmarke or sheep-mark witnesse whose the land or sheep are though not efficiently as a Landmarke or Sheep-mark is not alwayes discerned Or the thing witnessed here is onely that Christ is the Son of God 1 Joh. 5. v. 5 6.10 Not that this or that particular soule is interested in Christ Answ That witnessing to particular soules their Adoption and that efficiently i.e. so as to give them a knowledge of it is intended as well as that Christ is the Son of God may appeare these wayes 1. In this whole Epistle the manifestation of mens interest in Christ is driven at as a great end in the Apostles eye 1 Joh. 1. v. 4. These things write we unto you that your joy may be full Chap. 2. v. 3.12.20 Chap. 3. v. 1.10.19.24 Hereby we know that he abideth in us by his Spirit Chap. 4.13 Chap. 5. v. 2.4 c. 2. Water and bloud doe witnes efficiently that Christ is the Son of God 1 Joh. 5. v. 5 6.8 9 10. Many in those dayes denyed Christ to be the Son of God and therein denyed that record which God gave of him viz. That he hath given unto us eternall life and this life is in his Son v. 11. In opposition to these Faith is described in this Chapter to be a beleeving that Christ is the Son of God Not as if assenting to that did expresse the whole nature of faith but as it includeth a cordiall receiving of Christ according to that record v. 11. And hence such are said to be borne of God v. 1. and to overcome the world by their faith ver 4 5. which argueth the whole of Justifying faith to be intended Now to establish these beleevers in these things 1. That Christ is the Son of God and therefore hath life to give v. 1.11 2. That they were borne of God v. 1. had overcome the world v. 5. and had eternall life in him v. 11 12 13. Which latter falleth with the denyal of the former no life to be had in Christ if he be not the Son of God To evidence and confirme the whole faith spoken of v. 1.5 he sendeth them to six witnes v 7 8. whereof water and bloud are two v. 6.8 As if he had said I appleale to your own experiences have you not felt vertue and efficacy in the bloud of Christ for the pacification of your accusing Consciences and hath not Christ been as water i.e. for the purification of your polluted soules These saith the Apostle are witnesses that you are borne of God and that Christ is the Son of God for none else hath power to do these things But neither water nor bloud can witnes so much as that Christ is the Son of God to any soules if themselves be inevident unseen undiscerned I must know I am Justified and sanctified in order before I can know Christ to be the Son of God thereby And the witnessing of this efficiently is intended by the Apostle For 1. It is his designe to strengthen the beleevers by these witnesses against that grand error of denying Christ to be descended from God which prevailed in those times and that cannot be accomplished by water and bloud without a discerning their testimonie 2. Water and bloud witnessed objectively before 3. It is such a witnessing as is proper to beleevers 1 Joh. 5.10 Whereas Christ is objectively witnessed to be the Son of God unto unbeleevere Joh. 3.11 Joh. 5.32 33.36 37 38. Joh. 19 v. 34 35. And if I know that I have the water i.e. Sanctification and the bloud i.e. Justification then my Adoption is witnessed efficiently to me also 3. It is expressely declared to be the end aimed at 1 Joh. 5.13 These things have I written to you that beleeve for what end That ye may know that ye have eternall life This was his scope or drift to manifest unto them their title to eternall life Ergo a witnessing to particular soules their Adoption efficiently is intended and that to all even weake beleevers 1 Joh. 5.10 Argu. 2. From the extensivenes of the promise Joh. 14.21 Christ engageth to afford manifestations of himselfe unto all that love him and the weakest beleever is a lover of Christ Psal 25.14 The secret of the Lord is with those that feare him and he will shew them his Covenant Not eminent beleevers onely but weake ones shall see his Covenant for they feare him Arg. 3. Many that were weake in the faith yet are concluded under a capacity to attaine the witnessings of the Spirit if not under an actual injoyment of them 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you i.e. Can you be ignorant of it if it be a doubting speech whither they did know or not yet it cannot but speake a possibility of their knowing it Nay such Interrogations frequently have the force of vehement Affirmations i.e. ye doe know that the Spirit dwelleth in you And yet they were weak Christians for saith the Apostle ver 1 2. I could not speake unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal as unto babes in Christ There is then a possibility even for babes in Christ not
he is united to Christ Adopted Justified c Surely a certainty of faith cannot be obtained of this because it is unwritten Answ The soule may have a certainty about this as well as other acts of faith if it be in a fit capacitie to judge of any and duely considereth all requisites unto the specificating of an act of faith and all the ingredients or concurring acts of the Spirit in applying of such a promise And the better to evince this and answer the objection I shall lay downe three things which will much conduce to cleare this Coast 1. The act of faith may be a clearer evidence of its being of the right stampe then the object a man may have a right object for his faith yet not having a right act about that object his faith can witnes nothing thus Joh. 2.23 Many beleeved in Christs Name Here was the right object of faith as you may see Joh. 1.12 and yet their faith is vaine v. 24 25. and no evidence So Joh. 8.30 31. They beleeved on Christ and yet they had not God but the Devil for their Father v. 34 39.44 So Act. 8. v. 13. Yea Jam. 2.19 The Devils beleeve that there is one God and tremble and the Apostle declareth this purposely to prove the defectivenes of faith though it may have a Scriptural object A man may put forth but a natural act about a supernatural object may have but a humane faith about Divine things 1 Cor. 2.5 There is more required unto the specificating of true faith then this that there be a crediting or assenting to what is written Now if the Nature or Quality of the act of faith be considerable and must be discerned before Son-ship can be concluded from it then seing those differencing things about the act are to be found in that faith which is drawne out in the application of witnessing words hence a man is no more liable to be deceived in this then in other acts of faith 2. The Scriptures declare such as doe rightly beleeve to be adopted and justified and determineth what faith is Joh. 1.12 Rom. 5.1 Act. 13.39 By him all that beleeve are justified And the giving such a Characteristicall note must needs be a particularizing of them as well as if the Lord should call them by name and say thou John Thomas thou art justified or Adopted If Legacies be given though their names which they are given to be not expressely mentioned in the Will yet a distinguishing Character is equivalent to a naming of them so faith is made a character of Adopted ones and so it is written and by good Consequence it may be concluded from the Word who are adopted 3. The supervenient act of the Spirit in the effectual application of a word is enough to particularize it unto the soule and then the Word it selfe is witnessing it is no where written in Scripture in expresse termes that Luther or Calvin shall be raised up at the last day yet seing the generall words about the resurrection doe include all particulars under them hence it is not improper to say it is written that they shall rise againe but though the Scripture saith it yet it was the Spirits application of those generall words that caused them to beleeve their owne resurrection It is no where written that this or that person shall beleeve or that he shall have convictions or supportments c. by this or that Sermon or that this Scripture shall be usefull to these ends to one soule and another Scripture for the same ends to another c. but there are some special operations of the Spirit necessary and hereby a generall Call is made particular and so this soule beleeveth on Christ when many that heare the same Sermon and by the written word had a Call as well as he yet beleeve not And hence many Scriptures are pressed that have a direct tendency to worke a conviction upon a man and prevaile not but as last one word is singled out and worketh mightily that way At the same word Act. 17. some mocked v. 32. others beleeved v. 34. hence many words sutable to a soules condition may be viewed and yet are not succouring and at last one culled out from rest affordeth much releife to it All which doe abundantly evidence that the operation of the Spirit is sufficient to particularize a word to a soule and that the Spirit is ordinarily afforded for such ends No soule is converted but there is such an appropriating of Gospell invitations to it And the like Concurrences of the Spirit with some words will make them witnessing which make those convincing converting supporting c. and the testimonie will be as scriptural as any of those other works which are frequently wrought by the Spirit as all grant And seing in those testifying acts by a word the Spirit operateth as efficaciously and usually in a more eminent way then at other times hence they are as visible and acts of faith here as evident as about other words All which being laid together I cannot but reckon the assurance of salvation to be a certainty of faith The Conclusion being drawne from Scripture both directly and by Consequence Though the word alone doth not witnesse yet by the Spirits application of it to the soule it doth and that must be by faith Indeed the Spirit properly could not be said to witnesse that we are the Sons of God nor hardly were a witnes at all if the testimonie were not a certainty of faith and to be received upon the credit of the revealer so as if it came from another as Satan c. it were not to be owned And hence 1 Joh. 4.16 We have knowne and beleeved the love that God hath to us And it is a hainous sin not to give credit to it and that because the Spirit is the witnes 1 Joh. 5.9 And heaven or Eternal life is absolutely promised unto all beleevers Hebr. 9.15 That by the meanes of his death they which are called might receive the promise of eternall inheritance Jam. 2.5 Joh. 3.15 That faith and hope are to act upon these as well as other words is undenyable what use else doe they serve to and how else can those that are called receive them see Gal. 3. v. 18.22.29 1 Thes 5.8 Let us put on for an helmet the hope of salvation Titus 1. v. 2. In hope of eternall life which God that cannot lie promised whither this faith and hope be raised by a present particular application of the promise or by a reflexion upon foregoing acts of faith either way they must be Divine because built and bottomed upon the promise of God who cannot lie And if the latter way that strongly proveth that the interveening of reflex acts cannot hinder assurance from being a certainty of Divine faith I might give other secondary evidences of this immediate testimonie as the soule is enabled to discerne many of its former experiences at such
a place of but little beautie glory or felicitie if Communion with God and Christ were not to be injoyed in it Others desire Christ onely for heaven he desireth heaven chiefly for Christ Naturall men are even drunke and swallowed up in Creature delights but the interest of Christ prevaileth with a gracious heart against all other interests He may be interrupted in his motion to Christ in particular acts but he is the prime principall object his soule is moved and bent towards set and fixed upon and given up to Rom. 8.5 Phil. 3.20 Coloss 1.18 1 Pet. 2.7 Col. 3.11 Christ is all and in all Other-things are as nothing to him if Christ be not injoyed in them he is all in all injoyments all in all inlargements all in all duties all in all comforts Others apprehend that Christ it better then the gnawings of an accusing conscience better then the company of damned Spirits better then flames but they see no such beautie or excellency in Christ as should make him best or all in all here on earth They can verbally owne Christ as superlatively excellent but practitally they deny it And they know not Christ in those spirituall excellencies which advance him in the eyes of Saints Take him as cloathed with bolines and appearing against sin c. and they preferre other things that are base and low before him The following particulars will further discover when Christ is all in all 2. From his spending his highest desires and endevours after attaining Communion with God in Christ when the heart is set upon Christ or turned Christ-ward it cannot stand still without him it must be waiting for him and enquiring after him with utmost diligence Cant. 3.3 Saw ye not him whom my soule loveth Psal 130.5 6. Phil. 3.14 3. From his willingnes to part with all other things at Christs Call or for his sake Luk. 14.26.33 Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath Mark 8.35 10. v. 29. he cannot be my Disciple Matth. 10.37 He that loveth father or mother more then me is not worthy of me 4. From the carriage of his heart under his withdrawings when these procure such heart-sicknesses as can be cured no way but by his returnings to it Cant. 5. v. 6.8 Tell him I am sick of love When the feare of hell is not upon them yet O the sighings sobbings cryings faintings of love-sicke soules for Christ's presence No quiet or satisfaction without him Like the childe that nothing can still but the breast so nothing can fill up Christs roome in the soule It reckoneth it selfe empty in the midst of fulnes without him It is resolved for ever to goe in widdow-hood if he will not owne it as his Spouse This argueth a Consent of heart to the Match and so a marriage union between Christ and the soule 5. From his injoyment of the leadings of the Spirit these are a certaine infallible evidence of Adoption to all that have them Rom. 8.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God CHAP. XX. Of the soules Enjoying the leadings of the Spirit and when Qu VVHen doth a soule enjoy the leadings of the Spirit Answ 1. When a Complyance with the will of Christ becometh naturall to the soule as there is a propensitie in light things to moove upward and in heavie things to moove downward so in the soule to moove Christ-ward Suppose there were no wrath as the Consequences of disobedience nor no reward as the effect of Gospell obedience yet the sweetnes of the wayes themselves the respect it oweth to the will of Christ would be as the heart unto an owning of Christ therein Psal 119.30.173 I have chosen the way of truth c. And v. 35. for therein I delight So Rom. 7.22 Rom. 8. v. 1 2. For the law of the Spirit of life hath made me free from the law of sin and death Carnall men in their hearts call a libertie for sin freedome but such as are indeed freed from condemnation and walke after the Spirit they call this their libertie to be free for Christ and from the law of sin and reckon obligations to sin the greatest bondage and thraldome in the world The Spirit raiseth an admirable freenes in the soule to walke in the wayes of Christ 2 Corin. 3.17 Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is libertie And hence the Spirit of Adoption is opposed unto the Spirit of bondage Rom. 8.15 A man may exercise himselfe in the externall part of all duties that a Christian is engaged to and yet be without the leadings of the Spirit He may have many carnal enforcements hereunto but unlesse there be a libertie of heart to these wayes that he would not but be imployed in them and accounteth it a high favour from the Lord that he will use him in any services for himselfe and findeth more delectation in these then in any other wayes that it becometh even meate and drinke to him to doe the Lord service and it is a matter of great complaint and lamentation that he can doe no more for the Lord that he findeth a backwardnes in himselfe or any contrary principles which seek to obstruct and hinder his following the Lord in his wayes Rom. 7.22 23. Then he injoyeth the leadings of the Spirit 2. When it hath corroborations or assistances against those impediments that would hinder it in walking in the wayes of Christ or the Spirit leadeth by remooving these Carnal men wonder that any should complaine for want of strength unto duties they can easily come up to them But it ariseth partly from Satans not molesting them in the performance of duty because they looke not beyond the externall part of it they strive not to act in a right manner or for right ends or because they are insensible of the working of corruption when yet it doth act But a gracious heart findeth that if it be not strengthened by a power beyond its owne it cannot act any grace or performe any duty in an acceptable way to the Lord and hence the Apostle prayeth Ephes 3.16 That they might be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man Israel is said to be led by the Spirit of the Lord. Isai 63. v. 11 12 13 14. And how doth he lead them it is by dividing the water before them and keeping them that they should not stumble i.e. the Lord threw up and remooved impediments out of their way and took away what might cause them to fall and this was his leading of them So if thou hast been eagerly pursued by Satan and he hath raged against thee like a Lyon spoyled of his whelpes that thou wert beset with temptations and did'st finde many and strong lustings of the flesh to hinder thy following of the Lord Christ in the wayes of his appointment And if such mountaines have been made plaines and corruption borne downe when thou hast found thy heart
against us under tryals and tribulations but we have gotten ground of our corruptions our pride discontent not onely after distresses but in them and so we are more then Conquerours i. e. we have come off not onely without losse but with much gaine Conquerours win the field but they loose much in winning of it many valiant men fall in the battell O but Christians gaine in their graces and gaine in their strength and gaine in their comforts as their sufferings abound so their consolations abound also and so they are more then Conquerours Object But may not a delusion so engage a man to it selfe as he may suffer much before he will disown it may not a man look death in the face with a carnall confidence Answ Suppose it yet it is not the engagednes of the heart to Christ by sights of his love or the endearance of his will name and glory to it or the tasting sweetnes in Communion with Christ c. that beare up against sufferings but a soule under the witnessings of the Spirit is raised above his troubles and afflictions upon such accounts Rom. 8.35.39 Phil. 3.8 For whom I have suffered the losse of all things Carnal confidences are not at first built and bottomed upon Christ and are at present sed and supported by securitie disregard stupidity stout-heartednes will desire to be accounted immoveable and unwillingnes to owne the shame of former hypocrifie and such carnall props beare it up and engage to adhere unto it under sufferings which are enough to evidence it to be a delusion Evid 8. The witnessings of the Spirit beget a perswasion in the soule of the Lords affording it sutable provision for it at all times and in all conditions before it went drooping under feares that it should want protecting grace under dangers and supporting grace under sufferings and persevering grace under tryals it feared that it should not hold out to the end and was mistrusting God in every condition but when the Spirit hath witnessed adoption then it is delivered from all these feares it can say with him Psal 23.1 I shall not want when it can say the Lord is my Shepheard This engageth strongly against mistrust fulnesse which formerly it gave much way to and striketh a deeper sence into the soule of its unbeleife then it had that it cannot but recall it self it said before I shall want when it could not say I do want It s mistrust run before its necessity But now it unsayeth it and chicketh it selfe for it yea it runneth as far forward in its saith as before it did in its unbeleife It doth not onely say I do not want in the present time but I shall not want for the future Though I should be afflicted tempted persecuted c. yet I shall not want Paul could argue himselfe into a confidence of sufficient provision when he saw that nothing should seperate from Christ Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his Son how shall he not with him give us all things i.e. all things needfull in all conditions not all things in the world but enough of all things grace enough and peace enough strength enough wealth enough c. this is his collection from that premise and how shall he not c it is an interogation that imports that seing he spared not Christ the greater it is out of question he will not be sparing in other blessings which are farre lesser Evid 9. The witnessings of the Spirit make the soule exceedingly vigilant against whatever might occasion an interruption in its communion with Christ the most glorious revelations are followed oftentimes with the most horrid and violent temptations as 2 Cor. 12.8 9. Matth. 3. v. 16 17. The Spirit descended and a full testimony is given v. 17. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased And the next newes is Mat. 4.1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit to be tempted Question not a testimony barely because you finde varietie of new temptations after it unless it disposeth you to yeeld and consent to them and occasion their prevailing over you These you are to look for and expect after such a time But if the Spirit be the witnes it will make you watchful against these Gant 8.4 I charge ye stirre not up nor awake my love untill he please She was very fearfull of whatsoever might displease him And when was it v. 3. when shes injoyed left-hand supportments and right-hand imbracings from Christ Soules are double watchfull against whatsoever might interrupt their Communion with Christ after a full fruition of it Evid 10. The witnessings of the Spirit draw out earnest expectations of full communion with Christ the soul is so ravished with what it doth injoy that it is even swallowed up with desires after full injoyments of it One that formerly was under bondage through the feare of death now knoweth not almost how to be content to live any longer but is forced into that holy complaint 2 Cor. 5.7 I live by faith and not by sight A life of faith is a glorious life and yet at such a day it cannot but bemoane it selfe for its want of sight it groaneth earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon and this is the matter of its lamentation that it is absent from the Lord v. 2.6 Christ is present with the Saints by faith in this life but their Communion here admits of many interruptions There are recesses as well as accesses They are subject to withdrawings and seeming distances and nothing but immediate Communion will afford them a fulnesse of contentment and therefore with a holy impatiency they desire to be dissolved that they may be with Christ which is best of all And thus I have finished these Secondary Evidences which may be usefull 1. For Direction to such as injoy the testimony of the Spirit here they may see what improvement they are to make thereof 2. For confirmation unto those that have injoyed a testimonie which hath been followed up these ways let them beware of questioning it And the want of these or many of them as the issue of such a perswasion especially if the confidence remaineth still it a dangerous symptome of a Satanicall delusion CHAP. XXII Foure Objections answered BEfore I leave this question I shall answer foure Objections Obj. 1. May a soule say I have had some feeble hopes that I have enjoyed the witnessings of the Spirit in some of those wayes aforementioned but seeing Satan counterfeiteth the choice workes of the Spirit and the Prophet saith The heart of man is deceitfull above all things who can know it Jer. 17.9 How should I know that I have passed a right judgement on my owne condition and am not mistaken Answ The Spirit by the word doth give an infallible assurance unto soules that its testimony is true It is ascertained unto souls 1. By the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.10.12 Rom. 8.16 1 Joh. 5.9 10. 2. By the Word that is the
lead me in the way everlasting then the defectiveness of thy knowledge is such as is common to thee with the choycest Saints and be assured that no secret sin hath dominion over thee but thou art an haire of the everlasting kingdome for Joh. 17.3 This is life eternall to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Object 4. I have found a great impression made upon my Spirit by a word or promise but upon a serious search I cannot Conclude whither it be from Satan or a testimony of the divine Spirit What am I to do in such a Case Answ 1. Observe what duty thy present condition calleth for and walk up to that that impression may be but a forerunner of the mercy which is a coming Hab. 2. v. 3. The vision is for an appointed time thou must waite for it and at last it will come and will not tarry Thou mayest be as succesfull in pressing forward towards what is before as in pondering upon what is past or present Christ did often speake in parables and the interpretation came afterward Christ warmed the hearts of his Disciples in his talking with them and expounding the Scriptures to them but yet they knew not that it was his voyce untill they came up to some other duties Luk. 24. v. 29 30 31 32. 2. Conclude not either way upon slighty grounds if it were the voyce of the Spirit and thou callest it the voyce of Satan thou offerest a great unkindnes to the Spirit if it were from Satan and thou callest it the voyce of the Spirit thou deceivest thy owne soule Better to leave it dubious then to Conclude either way unsafely Yet having sufficient grounds neglect not the Conclusion 3. Be carefull to make some improvement of it for Christ and against Satan Say thus with thy selfe this dispensation hath a great stampe upon it whither it be by the finger of the Spirit or not I cannot tell I will see if it may not be of advantage towards the exercise of some Gospell graces as faith patience humility If thou can'st not tell but Christ may have said to thee I am thine be sure thou makest use of this towards selfe-resignation let thy heart answer this voyce and eccho back againe Lord I am thine Zech. 13.9 And here Satan will loose ground though it should be he that spake to thee If Christians did sooner breake off those distracting perplexing thoughts about that Question Whither those workes they have felt proceeded from Satan or the Spirit of Christ when it lieth darke and did seeke to finde out his name that spake unto them by pursuing gracious resolutions not to let him goe untill they had obtained a blessing O how might they be freed from a great many of those tossings feares faintings unsettlements which they labour under If they did improve such dispensations to the contradicting the ends of Satan Gen. 32. v. 26 27.30 they might at last see God as it were face to face and so the issues would be glorious CHAP. XXIII Of the meanes to the attaining strengthening and preserving the witnessings of the Spirit Qu 5. BY what meanes may the Witnessings of the Spirit be attained strengthened and preserved in a soule Answ 1. Waite for the Spirit the Lord is free and ready to afford it unto those he hath owned as his Children Luk. 11. v. 13. How much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that aske him Here is the great reason that so many Christians are so much without Assurance because they looke so little to the Spirit for it Neither promises nor graces without the irradiations of the Spirit can be effectually witnessing 1 Cor. 2. v. 10.12 A true Dyall hath an aptitude to give the houre of the day but unles the Sun shineth you can know nothing by it so it may be day-light with your soules and you may have precious graces that have an aptitude to witnes Adoption but they cannot doe it without the shineings of the Spirit upon its owne workes in your soules It is reported that the Sabine Stone is of a darke duskish colour till it be sprinkled with oil Plin. part 2. p. 588. and then it will burne of a light fire so graces and experiences are of a duskish colour till the oil of the Spirit be powred on them and then they will burne forth with brightnes so as to witnes unto soules their Adoption And therefore this Direction must run through all those that follow 2. Maintaine a firme perswasion that it is your duty to seeke after the witnessings of the Spirit Some account it their duty to live in a doubting and questioning Condition and are apt to thinke they should sin if they should seeke for Assurance others breath out sad complaints for their being without it and yet looke not upon the seeking after it under the notion of duty Whereas they ought to be very studious about that as well as other duties 2 Pet. 1.10 Give diligence to make your calling and election sure It is not barely a permission but an injunction and so it will be an act of disobedience and your great sin to neglect the pressing after Assurance 3. Beware of those things that tend to keep off from Assurance 1. Beware of supposing it impossible to attaine it many labour under discouragement from hence and thereupon seeke but little after it That it is attaineable see Isai 45. v. 24. 63. v. 16. 2 Cor. 5. v. 1.6 2. Beware of limiting the Lord to your time some would faine injoy it but they tie up the Lord to this duty and that time and will not wait his ley sure for it 3. Beware of grieving the Spirit Ephes 4.30 If you have any motions from the Spirit O cherish improve follow up these for if the Spirit suspendeth its operations you will be at a losse indeed for Assurance 4. Beware of yeelding to carnall and unbeleeving reasonings many dispute themselves into unbeliefe but he Psal 42.5 reasoneth his own heart out of it Why art thou cast downe O my soule 5. Beware of nourishing any sin Heb. 10. v. 22. Let us draw neer with a true heart in full Assurance of faith but how shall we doe that having our hearts sprinkled from an evill Conscience What is an evill Conscience but one justly accusing for or charging with sin and there is no way to be delivered from that evil Conscience but by a heartie application of the blood of Christ for remission and putification that is the blood of sprinkling 1 Pet. 1.2 Many set poreing upon and complaining of some corruptions and that because of these they are without Assurance but if you would have full Assurance then seeke to be sprinkled from them by the blood of Christ 6. Beware of spirituall sloath and carnal securitie Heb. 6.11 Shew the same diligence to the full Assurance of hope 2 Pet. 1.10 Negligence is a great enemy to
3. At another time being againe brought to the enjoyment of God after long shutting up that of David came to minde I was as a weaned Childe I was weaned from all things from repute amongst men from outward Comforts c. and stayed much upon the Lord. I apprehended it was the Lords end in Desertion to make way for establishment and to render unblameable before God and our Father at the coming of the Lord Jesus with all his Saints FINIS THE CONTENTS THe words opened and the point raised from page 1. to p. 7. Qu 1. What is the Witnessing worke of the Spirit Ans It is a worke whereby the Spirit by some manifest and speciall acts and operations of its owne doth raise a perswasion in a soule by the Word or Gospell of its Adoption opened in many particulars from p. 7. to p. 25. Qu 2. How doth the Spirit witnes to a soule its Adoption Ans 1. The Spirit witnesseth more immediately by it selfe p. 25. That the Spirit hath such a distinct way of witnessing from Water and Blood is proved 1. From the Apostles ascribing it to the Spirit himselfe p. 27. 2. From the aptitude of many written words or promises by application to witnesse p. 28. 3. From the number of witnesses which the Gospell owneth p. 36. 4. From the experience of the Saints p. 38. Ans 2. The Spirit witnesseth by Water i. e. Sanctification p. 41. Proved diverse wayes Qu Whither a soule can injoy any other testimonie when Sanctification lieth darke p. 45. Ans 3 The Spirit witnesseth by Blood i. e. the blood of Christ as usefull to Justification p. 47. Qu. 3. Who are capable of attaining the witnessings of the Spirit p. 50. Ans Weake beleevers are capable of attaining them Severall things are premised and then it is proved 1. From the Spirits being given to all beleevers as a witnes p. 56. 2. From the extensivenesse of the promise p. 59. 3. From cleare Scriptures p. 60. 4. From the Lords requiring of them selfe-examination p. 61. Qu. 4. How may a soule know whither it injoyeth the witnessings of the Spirit or not p. 63. Qu. 1. How may a soule know whither the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption to it in that more immediate way p. 64. Ans 1. The Spirit it selfe doth primarily evidence the proceeding of its owne witnessing acts from it selfe p. 67. Proved by diverse arguments Ans 2. The Secondary Evidence of the more immediate testimonie is faith p. 81. Object When is a word received by faith or when doth faith evidence a testimonie to be no Delusion p. 82. Answered in foure particulars to p. 88. Proved that Assurance is a Certainty of Divine faith from p. 88. to p. 94. How the testimonie of the Spirit is differenced from those flashes of joy c. that unbeleevers may have under the word from p. 94. to p. 98. Qu 2. How may a soule know that the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption by blood Ans 1. From the New Covenant or free promise p. 98. 2. From cordial acts of faith p. 99. 3. From its preferring that blood before all other things p. 102. 4. From the renuntiation of what soever standeth in competition with the blood of Christ in the uses it serveth to p. 104. 5. From its freenes in choosing and accepting of the blood of Christ p. 107. 6. From the strength of drawings that way p. 110. 7. From its feeling the efficaciousnesse of that blood p. 111. Qu. 3. How may a soule know that the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption by Water i. e. Sanctification p. 112. This Question is divided into two Qu 1. How may a soule know that its heart is separated from sin or that sin hath not dominion over it p. 115. Foure distinctions are premised There is a difference 1. Between the indwelling of sin and the reigning of sin ibid. 2. Between the Soveraignty of sin and the Tyranny of sin seaven differences are layd downe ibid. 3. Between an habituall frame of heart towards sin and an occasionall falling into sinne p. 117. 4. Between infirmities and grosser enormities p. 118. What sins are to be reckoned of infirmitie Answ Sin hath not dominion over a soule when it chooseth freedome from or consenteth with all its heart upon Evangelicall accounts to part with sin p. 121. 1. When the choice is free without coaction ibid. 2. When it is universall without limitation p. 123. 3. When the choice is absolute without condition p. 124. 4. When there is a Conflict between the flesh and the Spirit p. 125. 5. When there is a mortification of sin p. 127. 6. When there is irreconciliable opposion against sin ibid. 7. When it is upon spirituall and Evangelicall accounts p. 128. Opened in six particulars to p. 132. 8. When sin is in subjection p. 132. Qu Whither it be possible to retaine Assurance after falling into sinne Answered in five particulars from p. 134. to p. 137. Qu How may one know that his heart is separated to God and Christ Ans 1. From his esteeming of God and Christ above all other things p. 137. 2. From his spending his highest desires and endeavours after attaining Communion with God in Christ p. 138. 3. From his willingnes to part with all other things at Christs Call or for his sake p. 139. 4. From the carriage of his heart under his withdrawings ibid. 5. From his enjoyment of the leadings of the Spirit ibid. Qu When doth a soule injoy the leadings of the Spirit Answered in six particulars from p. 140. to p. 150. Ten Secondary Generall Evidences that a testimonie of Adoption is from the Spirit from p. 150. to p. 164. Foure Objections Object 1. Seing Satan counterfeiteth the workes of the Spirit and the heart is so deceitfull how should I know that I have passed a right judgment on my condition Answered from p. 164. to p. 172. Object 2. But my heart hath deceived me in other matters and therefore I feare I am deceived in all Answered from p. 172. to p. 174. where are layd downe foure Symptomes of delusions Object 3. But may there not be some sin I am ignorant of harboured in my soule that may render me deceived in passing judgement on my owne condition Answered from p. 174 to 176. Object 4. But I have found a great impression by a word and I cannot tell whither it be from the Spirit or Satan what am I to doe in this Case Answered from p. 176. to 178. Qu. 5. By what meanes may the witnessings of the Spirit be attained strengthened and preserved Ans 1. Wait for the Spirit p. 178. 2. Maintaine a perswasion that it is thy duty to seeke after them p. 179. 3. Beware of those things that tend to keepe off from Assurance p. 180. 4. Be much in selfe-examination p. 181. 5. Be much in the observation of Gods dealings with your owne soules p. 182. 6. Be often renewing acts of faith ibid. 7. In all importunities with God for Assurance make use of arguments drawne from God himselfe p. 186. 8. Seeâ—e for much inward acquaintance with the written word p. 187. Severall rules about making use of Scriptures and about the hintings and givings in of words from p. 188. to p. 195. 9. Hold fost the doctrine of perseverance p. 195. FINIS