is need Psal. 16. 7. 119. 11. Luke 2. 51. 3. Sanctification of conscience This is a grace of God by which a mans conscience excuseth him for all sins after they are once pardoned in Christ and also of his upright walking in the whole course of his life 1 Tim. 1. 19. 1 Cor. 4. 4. Act. 23. 1. and 24. 16. Ps. 26. 1 2 3. 1 Joh. 3. 21. The inward peace of God doth arise from this sanctity of conscience in all godly men yea and the outward alacrity and chearfulness of countenance also Phil. 4. 7. Prov. 28. 1. Job 33. 24 25. 4. Sanctification of will by which through the renewing of the affections by the holy Spirit a man doth begin to will that which is good and to refuse evil This is such a state as that the will is partly freed from bondage and partly in bondage to sin Phil. 2. 13. Rom. 7. 18. to the 22. 5. Sanctification of affections by this in the power of the holy Spirit the affections move well and rightly 1 Thes. 5. 23. Rom. 7. 24. The chief affections are these 1. Hope by this with sighings we look and wait for the accomplishment of redemption Rom. 8. 23. This Hope when it is grown strong and lively hath its {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} that is It s full assurance even as Faith hath Heb. 6. 11. 1 Pet. 1. 3. 2. Fear of offending God because of his mercy 1 Pet. 1. 17. Psal. 130. 4. 3. A contempt or a base account of all worldly things in respect of Christ Jesus Phil. 3. 7 8. 4. A love of God in Christ which is as strong as death and as a fire that cannot be quench'd Cant. 8. 6. 5. An fervent zeal to Gods glorie Rom. 9. 3. 6. An anguish of minde for our own sins and also for the sins of others Psal. 119. 136. 2 Pet. 2. 7 8. 7. An exceeding great joy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. The sixth part of inherent holiness is sanctity of body By this in the power of the holy spirit the body is made a fit instrument for the Soul to accomplish that which is good by it Rom. 6. 19. Of Repentance and fruits thereof Repentance doth follow Faith and sanctification and yet in such as are converted it doth first manifest it self Repentance is when a sinner turneth to the Lord Act. 26. 20. Ezek. 33. 11 19. 1 Joh. 3. 3. Repentance is then true when as any one by the motion and instinct of the holy Ghost doth purpose will desire and endeavour to forsake his sins and to turn unto the Lord and to become a new man Psal. 119. 112. Act. 11. 23. The fruits of repentance is Christian conversation in which we bring forth fruits worthy amendment of life Matth. 3. 8. A Christian conversation is such a course of life as in which we do follow Christs example through the power of his spirit dwelling in us perform new obedience to God Matth. 11. 29. 1 Pet. 4. and 2. 21. and 3. 10 11. Of new obedience The parts of new obedience are these 1. The denial of our selves Matth. 16. 24. 2. The profession of Christ The denial of our selves consisteth 1. In Christian warfar 2. In the patient bearing of the Cross The parts of Christian warfar are 1. The preparation to the battel 2. The combat The preparation to the battel consisteth in the use of the compleat armour of God Eph. 6. 13. The pieces or parts of the compleat armour of God are these 1. Truth Eph. 6. 14. 2. Justice and righteousness Eph. 6. 14. 3. Evangelical obedience which is the shoeing of the feet with the shooes of the preparation of the Gospel of peace Eph 6. 15. 4. Faith Eph. 6. 16. as the shield whereby we must quench all the fiery darts of the wicked 5. The sword of the spirit which is the word of God Eph. 6. 17. 6. The Helmet of salvation Eph. 6. 17. 7. Continual and fervent prayer with watching and fasting Eph. 6. 18. 1 Pet 5. 8. The Combat is a mutual conflict of them that fight spiritually The Combatants or Warriours are the Tempter and the Christian Souldier Eph. 6. 12. The tempter is the Prince of the power of the air that is the Devil and his Angels which are spiritual wickedness in high places Their helpers are the flesh and the world The conflict of all these enemies is temptation by this they do provoke a man to commit such wickedness as is hurtfull to the salvation of his Soul 1 Pet. 2. 11. In the Souldier we must consider his resisting and his fall Resisting is an action whereby the Souldier through grace working inwardly in him doth withstand temptation 1 John 2. 14. 1 Pet. 5. 8. Eph. 6. 16. Psal. 91. 13. The Souldier must strengthen and confirm himself with these preservatives 1. When a man is tempted to sin he must not onely abstain from it but also earnestly love and follow after the contrary viz. righteousness and holiness 1 Pet. 5. 9. Eph. 4. 27. Jam. 4. 7. 2. He must never consent to Sathans words whether he speak truth Mark 1. 24. or accuse falsly Joh. 8. 44. or flatter dissemblingly Act. 16. 17. 3. He must look for one temptation after another and then especially when his enemy seemeth to be at rest with him as though he had made a truce with him For Sathan is such an enemy as will never make an end of his malice 1 Pet 5. 8. The fall of the Souldier is then when he fainteth through infirmity and as being subdued by the power and violence of his enemy Gal. 6. 1. The remedy for the restoring a man thus fallen must be by instructing him in the spirit of meekness Gal. 6. 1. Here for encouragement every man may remember this for his comfort 1. That in whomsoever there is a willing heart That man shall be accepted for that grace which he hath and is manifested in the willingness of his heart not for that which he hath not 2 Cor. 8. 12. 2. He that will live godly in Christ must always remember in all these things that the power of God is made perfect through our infirmity 2 Cor. 12. 9 10. Of the assaults in this Combat 1. The Devil assaults a man about his effectual calling The temptation here is this The Devil striveth to blinde a mans minde and to harden his heart least the word of God should work in him to salvation Matth. 13. 4. to the 19. This temptation must be resisted by giving ear and endeavouring to receive the word that so through the spirit of God it may be grafted in our hearts and spring in us Luke 8. 15. Heb. 4. 2. Jam. 1. 21. Preservatives for the resisting of this temptation are these 1. Meditate on the power and use of the word Eccles. 1. 17. and 5. 1. 2. Attend diligently unto
the presence of God as did David Psal. 32. 5. 2 Sam 12. 13. Luke 15. 19. 2. By a craving earnestly to God for pardon of our sins and by perseverance in fervent prayer for the same purpose Luke 15. 21. Act. 8. 22. Rom. 8. 26. Hosea 14. 2 3. 3. An especial perswasion imprinted in the heart by the holy Ghost by which every faithfull man doth apply all the promises of the Gospel to himself Matth. 9. 2 and 15. 28. Gal. 2. 20. This perswasion is and ought to be in every one before he have any experience of Gods mercie Matth. 15. 22 27. Joh. 20. 29. Heb. 11. 1. In natural Phylosophy we do first see things true by experience and afterwards assent unto them Thus we are perswaded that water is hot because we perceive the heat by putting our hand into it But in the practise of Faith we must first stedfastly believe and then the experience and feeling of comfort will follow 2 Chr. 20. 20. It is therefore very ill done of any that they should doubt of their salvation because they do not always feel the especial motions of Gods holy spirit in themselves The lowest degree of Faith is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} that is a weak Faith or a little Faith like to a grain of Mustard-seed or to smoaking flax which cannot flame nor give out heat but onely smoak Matth. 8. 25. 26 and 7. 20. Isai. 3. 4 2. Faith may be then said to be feeble when either the first of the five motions or the last of them is weak and feeble yea though the other three motions do remain strong Rom. 14. 2. 3. Rules to know this kinde of Faith by are these 1. A serious desire to believe and endeavour to obtain Gods favour is the seed of this Faith Matth. 5. 6. Rev 21. 6. Psal. 145. 19. 2. An earnest use of means to encrease the least spark of Faith that so it may get growth by little and little Luke 17. 5 6. Faith is stirred up by earnest prayer and meditation and by making progress and going on in the ways of perfection and in the exercise of godliness The highest degree of Faith is called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or full assurance by this a man doth find in himself a certain perswasion and assurance that God doth love him will together with Christ and all his graces give him eternal life Rom. 4. 20. and 8. 38. 1 Sam. 17. 36. Ps. 23. 6. A man doth not come to high degree of Faith till after a sense and long experience of Gods love and favour 2. The second degree of the Declaration of Gods love is justification By this through the obedience of Christ true believers are accounted just in the presence of God 2 Cor. 5. 21. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Rom. 5 19. The parts of justification are 1. Remission of sins with a freeing from the guilt and punishment of them and that through the satisfaction made to God for them by Christ Collos. 1. 21 22. 1 Pet. 2. 24. 2. Imputation of Christs righteousness by this those that believe have the guilt of their sins covered and are accounted just in the sight of God Phil. 3. 8 9. Rom. 4 3 4 5 6. The obedience of Christ is called the righteousness of God and of Christ of God because it is of God Of Christ because it is out of us and in the humanity of Christ as in a subject To justification is joyned Adoption By Adoption we do receive power to be actually accounted the Sons of God by Christ Eph. 1. 5. Priviledges that come unto us by Adoption are these 1. By it we are made Heirs apparent to God Rom. 8. 17. 2. Fellow Heirs with Christ yea Kings and Priests Rom. 8. 17. Revel. 1. 6. 3. By it all our afflictions yea even our wants and offences are turned to trials or fatherly chastisements inflicted upon us for our good Rom. 8. 28 36 37. Psal. 89. 32 33. 2 Cor. 12. 7. 2 Sam. 7. 14. 4. By it we have dominion over all the Creatures yet so as that in this life we have onely right to the thing but after this life we shall have right in the same 1 Cor. 3. 22 23. Heb. 2. 7 8. 5. By it we have the Angels Ministring spirits for our good Heb. 1. 14. Psal. 34. 7. The faithfull alone have the true use of Creatures 1. Because their persons are made acceptable unto God in Christ and in him they have restitution made them of the right use of Creatures which was lost in Adam so that they may use them freely and with a good conscience The third degree of the Declaration of Gods love is sanctification By it we are delivered from the Tyranny of sin and by little and little renewed in holiness righteousness 1 Joh. 3. 9. Rom. 8. 1. The parts of sanctification are first mortification By this the power of sin is abated and sin is killed in the faithfull Rom. 6. 2 3. 4. Gal. 5. 24. Mortification is wrought in us by the power of the holy Spirit abolishing sin in us and regenerating or renewing our spirits 2. Vivification By this inherent holiness is begun in us and by little and little augmented and inlarged by the power of the holy spirit For first we do receive the first fruits of the spirit and then by degrees we have a continual encrease of them Eph. 2. 21. and 4 23 24. Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 8. 23. Vivification is a benefit that springeth unto us by the resurrection of Christ and is wrought in us by the holy spirit Phil. 3. 10. It is this that createth holiness in the heart of the adopted ones of God Rom. 8. 9 11. Job 33. 24 25. Inherent holiness is distinguish'd according to the several faculties of the body and Soul of man 1 Thes. 5. 23. The parts of inherent holiness are these 1. An illumination of the minde to know and understand the will of God which illumination is both the holiness of the minde and the renewing of it Colos 1. 9. 1 Cor. 12. 8. Illumination of the minde is 1. Either spiritual understanding by which it acknowledgeth the known truth of the word of God 2. Or spiritual wisdom by which the same truth is applied to the good ordering both of particular things and of particular actions as persons place and time require The effects of spiritual understanding and of spiritual wisdom are these 1. To discern betwixt good and evil Heb. 5. 14. Phil. 1. 10. 2. To discern spirits 1 Joh. 4. 1. 1 Thes. 5. 21. Act. 17. 11. 3. To meditate upon the words and works of God Ps. 1. 1. and 119. 33. 4. To know and acknowledge a mans own inward blindness Psal. 119. 18 33. 2. A sanctification of the memory by which it is inabled to receive a good thing offered to the minde and to keep it and remember it as there
the acknowledgement of Gods calling is A tasting of heavenly gifts as of 1. Justification 2. Of sanctification 3. Of the powers and virtues of the world to come This tasting of heavenly gifts is a sense in their hearts by which they do feel and perceive the excellency of Gods benefits but they do not enjoy the same For they do not feed on these banckets nor are they nourish'd by them but they do onely taste of them Heb. 6. 4 5. 5. The fifth Degree of the acknowledgement of Gods calling is 1. An outward holiness of life for a time under this is comprehended a zeal in the profession of Religion 2. A reverence and fear towards God 3. An amendment of life in many things as it was in Herod Mark 6. 20. and in Simon Magus Acts 3. 13. 2. Degree of the execution of the decree of reprobation in those that are called by an uneffectual calling is A falling away again after calling this cometh to pass after this manner 1. The reprobate is deceived by some sin 2. His heart is hardened by the same sin 3. His heart being hardened becometh wicked and perverse 4. Upon this followeth unbelief so that he will not consent unto Gods word though he heareth it knoweth it 5. There doth immediatly upon this unbelief follow an Apostasie or a falling away from Faith in Christ Heb. 3. 12. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 19. Apostasie is sometimes a sin against the holy Ghost The sin against the holy Ghost is so called because it is done contrary to the illumination of the holy Ghost It is a set and a stubborn obstinate malice done knowingly against God and against Christ and that after illumination or enlightning by the holy Spirit Heb. 10. 29. It is a general or totall defection and Apostasie from God after enlightning by the holy Spirit out of meer stubborness and malice of heart Heb. 10. 29. and 6. 5 6. It is hard to know when a man committeth this sin 1. because the root of it which is malice lurketh secretly in the heart and therefore it cannot be easily discerned This sin is not found in all the reprobates because many of them die before they are enlightned by the holy Spirit of God Those that commit this sin do never repent and therefore can never receive pardon The elect cannot commit this sin therefore those who do feel in themselves a sure Testimony of their election need never dispair After Apostasie followeth pollution which is the very fulness of all iniquity and it is altogether contrary to sanctification Gen. 15 16. He doth not Apostatise nor sin against the holy Ghost that in time of persecution doth either rashly or for fear deny Christ for Peter thus for fear did deny Christ Matth. 29. 73 74 75. He that doth ignorantly persecute the Church as did Paul doth not sin this sin 1 Tim 1 13. And as did the Jews Act. 3. 17. and 2. 37. 3. The third degree of the execution of the dâ—cree of reprobation in those that are called by an uneffectual calling is Damnation by which they are delivered up to eternal punishment The execution of damnation beginneth in death and is finish'd in the last judgement Luke 16. 22 23. The execution of the decree of reprobation in those which are not called is this 1. They have by nature ignorance and vanity of minde Eph. 4. 18. 2. Hardness of heart followeth this by which they do become void of all sorrow for their sins Ephes. 4. 18. 3. There doth follow this hardness of heart a reprobate sense that is an extinguishing of the natural light of reason or of the judgment of good evil And 4. when the heart doth cease to sorrow for sin there doth follow a committing of sin with greediness Eph. 4. 19. 5. Upon this followeth pollution which is the fulness of sin And then 6. a just reward is given to all these viz. fearfull condemnation Eph. 4. 18. Rom. 1. 28. The estate and condition of reprobates when they are dead is this 1. Their bodies being dead lie in the earth 2 Their Souls are tormented in hell Luk. 16. 25 1 Pet. 3 19. 2 Pet. 2. 4. And in the last judgement their bodies and Souls being united shall be cast into the most fearfull and terrible fire of Hell Matth 25. 41. Reprobates when they die do become sensless and astonish'd like unto a stone as did Nabal 1 Sam. 25. 37 38. Or else they are overwhelmed with a terrible horrour of conscience and with a despairing of their salvation as if they were overturn'd and swallowed up as with a gulf of the Sea as Judas Matth. 27. 5. Their condemnation is this At the sound of the last Trumpet they that are alive shall be smitten with horrour and with fear and they shall be changed in a moment and those of them that are dead shall rise again and their bodies shall then be made immortal and cast into eternal torments Matth. 25. 41. Joh. 5. 29. 1 Thes. 4. 16. 17. Christ will pass this sentence of go ye cursed upon them and this being by him pronounced against them immediatly everlasting death shall follow The manner of which is this 1. They shall be separated from the glory and presence of God 2 Thes. 1 9. 2. They shall be punish'd with eternal confusion and with bitter reproaches For all their secret wickedness and sins shall be revealed 2 Thes. 1. 9. Isai. 66. 24. 3. Their fellowship shall be with the Devil and his Angels for ever Matth. 25. 41. 4. Their bodies and Souls shall be tormented with horrour and exceeding great anguish through the sense and feeling of Gods wrath which shall be poured out upon them for ever Isai 66 24. And by reason of their great tortures their punishment is called Hell fire a worm weeping and gnashing of teeth and outer darkness Rev. 21. 8. Matth 13. 42. Isai 66. 24. A Corolary or the advantage over-plus or last Conclusion IN this which hath been spoken concerning reprobation the Justice of God in punishing sin doth appear And from it ariseth Gods glory which is the end of punishment For this cause also every good Christian must in all things propound Gods glory as the end of all his actions Rom. 9. 14 15 16 17. 1 Cor. 10. 31. The Application of Predestination How to discern and judge of our own predestination Rules 1. All the elect in Gods good time are assured and sure of their election in Christ to eternal life Rom. 9. 14 16. John 15. 5 18 19. 1 Cor. 2. 12. 2 Cor. 13. 5. 2. The elect do come to the knowledge of their election by the effects of their election 1. The effects of election are the Testimony of Gods Spirit Rom. 8. 10. 2 The works of sanctification 2 Pet. 1. 5. to the 10. 3. If any doubt of this Testimony it may be known whether it doth come from the Spirit of
own consciences sin against his Commandment 6. They prefered the Devil before God 7. They are unthankfull and drive out the holy Spirit of God from dwelling in them and thus despised that everlasting blessed Union 8. They murthered both themselves and their progeny 3. The fruits and effects of it upon it there arose a state of unbelief and by it we are all included under sin Rom. 11. 32. Of Sin Sin is threefold 1. A participation of Adam's transgression and guiltiness by being in his loyns when he offended as Heb. 7. 9. 10. It is said of Levi that he paid Tythes in Abraham because he was in the loyns of Abraham when Abraham paid Tythes 2. Original sin which ariseth out of the former transgression Original sin is a corruption engendred in our first Conception by which the faculties of Soul and body are prone and disposed to evil Psal. 51. 5. The remnant of God's image which man retained after his fall were certain Notions concerning good and evil as that there is a God and that he doth punish sin and that there is an everlasting life and the like all which serve to make men without excuse in the sight of God Rom. 1. 20. From the fall our mindes receive ignorance by it we were deprived of knowledge in the things of God by it we were made ignorant of his sincere worship and eternal life 1 Cor. 1. 14. Rom. 8. 7. By it our mindes are disabled to understand spiritual things though they be taught us Luke 24. 45. 2 Cor. 3. 5. From the fall our mindes received vanity for we think falsehood truth and truth false-hood Eph. 4. 17. By it we have gotten a natural inclination to conceive and devise onely that which is evil Genes 6. 5. Jer. 4. 22. The increase of sin in the understanding is either a reprobate sense As when God withdraws the light of Nature Joh. 12. 40. Rom. 1. 28. Or 2. The spirit of slumber as Rom. 11. 8. Or 3. Spiritual drunkenness Isai 29. 9. Or 4. Strong illusions as 2 Thess. 2 11. The remnant of Gods image in the conscience is an observing and watchfull power like the eye of a Keeper reserved in Man partly to reprove And partly to repress the unbridled course of his affections Rom. 2. 15. From Adam's fall the Conscience hath received impureness Titus 1. 15. This impurity worketh these effects 1. It causeth Man to excuse sin or cloak it as when a Man by his outward service of God doth excuse his inward impiety Mark 10. 19. And it excuseth intents not waranted by Gods word 1 Chron. 13. 19. 2. It doth accuse and terrify us for doing good and this we may see in Idolaters and Superstitious persons who are grieved when they do omit to perform Idolatrous and counterfeit Worships to their Gods Col. 2. 21. 22. Isai 29. 13. 3. Effect which it worketh is when the Conscience doth accuse and terrify for sin as Genes 50. 15. Joh. 8. 9. Impureness encreased in the Conscience is such a sensless numdness as that it can hardly accuse a man of sin Eph. 4. 19. 1 Timoth. 4. 2. This senslesness springeth from a custom in sinning 1 Sam. 25. 37. or else from some grievous horrour and terrour of the Conscience as Gen. 4. 14. The Symptomes of this disease are blasphemies Trembling of body fearfull dreams Act. 24. 26. Dan. 5. 6. The remnant of God's image which remaineth in Man's will since the fall is a free choice either in Natural Actions as to Nourish to engender to move to perceive Or in humane actions that are common to all men whither they concern manners families or Common-wealths In all these outward actions Man hath free-will either to choose or to refuse them though it be but weak as Rom. 2. 14. By Adams fall the will received impotency insomuch as it can not will nor lust after that which is indeed good and which doth please God and is acceptable to him 1 Cor. 2. 14. Rom. 5. 6. Phil. 2. 13. And it received by Adams fall an inward Rebellion whereby it doth utterly abhor that which is good and will and desire onely that which is evil The will in the first Act of conversion to God is not an agent but a patient as it doth appear by this For The affections have by Adams fall received a disorder and by reason of this disorder they do eschew good and pursue that which is evil Rom. 1. 26. 1 Kings 21. 4. The body by Adam's fall hath received a fitness to begin sin for it bringeth in all objects and occasions of sin to the Soul Genes 3. 6. And the body hath received a fitness to execute sin even so soon as the heart thinketh it Rom. 6. 13. 16. Of Actual sin 3. Actual sin ariseth from Original sin Actual sin is either inward or outward Inward Actual sin is in the Minde Will and affections The Actual sin of the minde is the evil thought assented to or the evil resolves purposes and intents thereof Examples of these Actual sins are these As When a Man thinks that there is no God Ps. 10. 4. and 14. 1. Or That there is neither providence nor presence of God in this World Ps. 10. 11. An immagination of safeguard from peril and yet there is a course of sinning Ps. 10. 6. Rev. 18. 7. Better esteem of a Mans self then ought to be and worse esteem of others than ought to be Rev. 18. 7. Luke 18. 11. When a Man thinketh that the Gospel of God's Kingdom is meer foolishness 1 Cor. 2. 14. And when a Man thinketh uncharitablely and malitiously of such as serve God sincerly Matth. 12. 24. When a Man putteth the day of death far off Isai 28 15. When a Man thinketh to run on in sin and yet that he can eschew the pains of Hell Isai 28. 15. When also a Man thinketh that though he hold on his sins yet that God will defer both his perticular judgement and the last judgement Luke 12. 19. 45. When as God doth open our eys we do see these evil thoughts rebelliously rising in our mindes even as sparckles out of a Chimney yet in this will carnal Men pretend a good meaning These are the examples of the Actual sins of the minde The Actual sins of bothwill and affections are all wicked motions inclinations and desires Gal. 5. 17. Of outward Actual sin Outward Actual sins are all those in the committing of which the Members of the body do joyn with the faculties of the Soul to act them Such sins as these are infinite Psal. 40. 12. Outward Actual sins are either sins of Omission or of Commission both which are either in Word or Deed The degrees of the sin of Commission are these Jam. 1. 14. 15. 1. Temptation when as the Devil offereth to the minde that which is evil to allure a man to sin John 13. 2. Act. 5. 3. 1
of Christ's death Rom. 6. 3 6 7. 2. Continuance in the water which signifieth to us the burial of our sins and a continual encrease of mortification in us by the power of Christs death and burial Rom. 6. 4. 3. A coming out of the water which signifieth unto us our regeneration or spiritual vivification or a newness of life or quickning in holiness and justice which we do obtain by the power of Christs resurrection Rom. 6. 4 5. The once administring of Baptism is a sign of the washing away of all sins both past present and to come 1 Pet. 3. 21. And this may be a good encouragement to all those that through infirmity fall into sin The Lord's supper is a Sacrament by which in the signs of bread and wine is signified the nourishment of our Souls through Christ by the holy spirit 1 Cor. 11. 23. to the 25. The receiving of the bread and wine signifieth the receiving of Christ Joh. 1. 12. The eating of the bread and drinking of the wine signifieth the applying of Christ to our selves by Faith that so we may finde our Communion with him dayly increased and perceive our Union with him 1 Cor. 10. 16. The whole Scope and intention of the Lord's supper as it was instituted by our Lord was for no other end but to be a remembrance of him 1 Cor. 11. 24. Luke 22. 19. Men must not because of infirmities abstain from the Lord's supper but they must use it to confirm them and to strengthen them So much for the outward means whereby the decree of Gods election is executed The degrees of the execution are two 1. The love of God whereby he doth freely love us in Christ Jesus who in our selves are corrupt 1 Joh. 4. 19. Rom. 5. 8 10. 2. The Declaration of God's love God doth declare his love either in a secret way by his holy spirit as to infants 1 Cor. 12. 13. Luke 1. 35. to the 80. Jer. 1. 5. Or to men of ripe years and that more manifestly as Rom. 8. 30. 1 Cor. 1. 30. As first By an effectual calling in which God separateth a man from the World and doth entertain him into his own family Eph. 2. 17 19. And for this cause it is that the World do hate the faithfull Joh. 15. 19. In this calling God doth give us to Christ Eph. 5. 21. 33. Joh 17. 2 6 7. and 10. 29. Isai 9 6. Rom. 8. 32. And hence ariseth the admirable Union betwixt Christ and his Members which is the engraffing of a man into him Joh. 15. 1 2. and 17. 20 21. Eph. 2. 20 21 22. and 5. 30. This Union or Communion Conjunction or engraffing is wrought by the operation of the spirit which is an infinite essence and therefore sufficiently able to conjoyn those things which of themselves are far distant even as the Soul of a man joyneth all his Members together and doth cause them all to grow and move and live together Eph 2 22. 2 Pet. 1. 4. Phil. 2. 1. By this Union it is that we are said to be Crucified with Christ to die with him to be buried with him and to be quickned raised and placed in heaven with him Rom. 6. 4 6. Eph. 2. 1 5. And by this Union as we all are said to sin in Adam so we may be all said in Christ to fulfill the whole Law of God Of the Members of Christ The Members of Christ are either Members outwardly and before men which are onely out of charity so called as externally professing the Faith Or Members in the sight of God Which are 1. Either decreed so to be as being elect from all eternity though not yet born or not yet called Joh. 10. 16. Or 2. Actually so already and these are first either actual living Members as being engraffed through Faith by the holy Spirit into Christ and therefore grow in the power of holiness Or 2. Actual dying Members or decaying Members that is such as have not the feeling of the power of the quickning spirit in them though they be truly engraffed into Christ of this sort are all those that are yet dead in their sins till such time as they be again quickned and regenerated God doth execute effectual calling by these means 1. By the preaching of the word and by hearing of it Ezek. 16. 6. Isai 55. 1. Joh. 1. 12. By the Law God doth shew a man his sin and the punishment thereof Rom. 7. 7. By the Gospel God doth shew salvation through Christ to such as do believe And whilest the word is preaching God doth inwardly enlighten the eys of the minde and open the heart and the ears that the word heard may be truely understood 1 Joh. 2. 27. Act. 16. 14. Psal. 40. 6. Joh. 6. 44. Isai 54. 6. 2. By mollifying the heart and making it fit to receive his saving grace into it when he offereth it Ezek. 11. 19. The hammers by which a stony heart is bruised and broken are these 1. The knowledge of the Law of God 2. The knowledge of sin Original and Actual and of the punishment due unto them 3. Compunction or a pricking of heart that is a sense or feeling of the wrath of God for sin Act. 2. 37. 4. An holy desperation of our own power in the obtaining of life Luke 15. 17 18 19. Mark 15. 24. Thirdly effectual calling is executed By Faith receiving Christ and by the operation of the holy spirit in applying him Joh 1. 12. 6. 35. Rom. 6. 38. 1 Cor. 2 12. Zach. 12. 10. Rom. 8. 16. Eph. 1. 13. 2 Cor. 1. 22. In the work of Faith there are five motions of the heart linked 1. Knowledge of the Gospel by the illumination of Gods spirit Isai 53. 11. Joh. 17. 3. To this knowledge in those that are truely humbled is joyned a serious meditation of the promises in the Gospel Which Meditation is stirred up by a sensible feeling of their own beggery And after this knowledge there doth arise a general Faith in all such as are enlightned whereby they subscribe to the truth of the Gospel Heb. 4. 2. 1 Tim. 1. 19. and 2. 4. Which knowledge so soon as it is full and perfect it is called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} that is the full assurance of understanding Col. 2. 2. Rom. 14. 14. Luk. 1. 1. 1 Thes. 1. 5. 2. Hope of pardon by which a sinner believeth that his sins are pardonable though he doth not yet feel them certainly pardoned Luke 15. 18. 3. Hungring and thirsting after grace which is offered to us in Christ Jesus Joh. 6. 35. and 7. 37. Revel. 21. 6. Matth. 5. 6. 4. An approching with boldness to the Throne of Grace that so we flying from the terrour of the Law may take hold on Christ and finde favour with God Heb. 4. 16. This approching of the Throne of Grace is done 1. by an humble confession of our sins in
10. 10. Psal. 22. 22. Christian Apology or profession of Christ in word is when with fear and meekness we are always ready to confess the truth of Christian Religion as often as need requireth and that in the presence of unbelievers that the name of God may be glorified 1 Pet. 3. 15 16. Act. 7. 1. to the end We are not bound to make this confession of our faith before unbelievers that are past all hope of repentance For holy things must not be given unto Dogs Matt. 7. 6. Profession of Christ in time of danger indeed is called Martyrdom Martyrdom is an undergoing of the punishment of death for the profession of Christ in the Doctrine of Faith and for Justice and for the salvation of the brethren For Justice John Baptist was beheaded of Herod Mark 6. 18. 27. 28. Christ laid down his life for us so ought we if need require for the brethren 1 John 3. 16. For maintaining the Doctrine of Faith Stephen was stoned Act. 7. 59. And yet this doth nothing let Christians the using of all holy security for the safety of their own lives For as Christ hath shewed in the Gospel It is lawfull for Christians in times of persecution if they finde themselves not sufficiently resolved and strengthened by the holy Spirit to stand to fly from place to place for the security of their lives Matt. 10. 23. Joh. 10. 39. This Christ did and advised his Disciples to do the like Upon such occasions as these Paul fled to Tarsus Act. 9. 30. And upon like occasions Eliah fled for his life from Jezabel 1 Kings 19. 3 4. Thus much for the profession of Christ which concerneth Christ himself The profession of Christ which concerneth his Members is either 1. Edification or 2. Alms. Edification is every particular duty of us towards our brethren which may further them in their growing up in Christ and Unite them more surely to him Rom. 14. 19. To edification belong these things 1. To give good example Matt. 5. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 12. 2. To exhort Heb. 3. 13. Rom. 1. 12. 3. To comfort 1 Thes. 5. 14. and 4. 18. Jam. 5. 16 20. 4. To admonish Rom. 15. 14. 1 Thes. 5. 14. They do observe a holy manner of admonishing who do ever admonish in the spirit of meekness and so as if they themselves were guilty of the like infirmities and of such faults as they do certainly know by them whom they admonish out of Gods word Gal 6. 1. Matt. 7. 5. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Matt. 18. 15. Rom. 15. 14. Levit. 19. 17. Alms or relief is that whereby the rich out of their abundance ought freely largely and with open hands to supply the wants of the poor and that to the utmost of their ability and sometimes beyond it 2 Cor 8. 3. Acts 2. 44 45. In the days of the Apostles all those that were converted to the Faith by the powerfull operation of the holy Spirit esteemed no worldly thing they had their own but held all their worldly store Treasures and inheritances in common yea they sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men as every one had need So much for Edification Alms. The fourth degree of the Declaration of Gods love is Glorification Rom. 8. 30. Glorification is the perfect transforming of the Saints into the image of the Son of God Phil. 3. 21. 1 Cor. 15. 14 49. Psal. 17. 15. Glorification is begun in this life and exceedingly enlarged at the day of death and will be fully and throughly perfected at the general resurrection in the last day death of the faithfull is a sleep in Christ In this sleep the Soul is for a time severed from the body 1 Cor. 15 17. Act. 7. 60. The body lieth in the earth and seeth corruption and at length is raised to greater glory than at first it had 1 Cor. 15. 36. The Soul is severed from it that being fully sanctified it may immediatly upon its departure from the body be transported to Heaven Luke 13. 42. â—3 Rev. 14. 13. Remedies against death or the fear of it are these 1. If we consider that it is nothing else but a freeing of the faithfull from the Tyranny of the world flesh and Devil and a placing of them safe under the shadow of the wings of Christ 2. If we consider that death and the grave are sanctified to us through the death of Christ 3. If we do consider that Christ is gain unto us as well in death as in life Phil. 1. 21. 4. If we consider that the pains of death are nothing to the comforts after death 5. That we shall see God in the brightness of his glory and Majesty and be received into the company of glorified Spirits in Heaven 6. That our Souls shall be clad with glorie instead of our bodies 2 Cor. 11. 5. 7. That we are by it free from all the power of the Serpent and of the sting of death 1 Cor. 15. 55. Heb. 2. 15. 8. If we do not so much think of our death as exactly and diligently consider our life For he that liveth well cannot die ill and he that liveth ill doth seldom die well 9. That the Angels of God are ready to carry our Souls into Heaven so soon as they do depart from our bodies And our Souls being by them brought into Heaven shall there magnify the name of God And shall there wait for and pray for the consummation of the Kingdom of glorie and for the full and perfect felicity of body Soul Rev. 5. 8 9. and 14. 2 3. and 6. 10. The estate of the Elect at the last judgement The manner of the last day is this 1. Immediatly before the coming of Christ the powers of heaven shall be shaken the Sun and Moon shall be darkened the Stars shall fall from Heaven Matth. 24. 29 30. Then the elect and faithfull seing this shall lift up their heads and rejoyce But at this sight the Reprobate shall fear and tremble Luke 21. 26 28. 2 Tim. 4. 8. 2. The Heavens being on fire shall suddenly pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat and the earth and the works therein shall be burned up 2 Pet. 3. 12 13. At the same time when all these things shall come to pass the sound of the last Trumpet shall be heard sounded by the Arch-Angel Matt. 44 31. 1 Thes. 4. 16. Then shall Christ the Lord come suddenly in the Clouds with power and glory and great train of Angels Matt. 24. 30. 1 Thes. 4. 17. 3. At the sound of this Trumpet all the dead shall rise And those that are found alive shall be changed in the twinckling of an eye which change shall be in stead of death 1 Cor. 15. 51 52 53. Then shall all the bodies of the elect and faithfull be glorified and made glorious like the body of Christ Then their bodies shall