and so enabled dayly to liue by Faith in the Sonne of God Gal. 2.20 that so in him wee may grow vp to perfection And seeing wee grow to perfection by the dayly sense and striuing against corruption Therefore also by Faith wee dayly discerne our weakenesse as presenting vs still the perfect Glasse of the righteousnesse of Christ by which comparing our selues wee truely discerne how farre short wee are of that perfect Paterne And lest the sense of our fayling might quite discourage and cast vs off from well-doing therefore also are wee sustained by Faith in Christ as to be humbled for corruption so to make benefit thereby eueÌ„ to send vs vnto Christ shrowd vs vnder his perfection and so withall to receiue new strength therefrom to subdue corruption and grow in grace yea that wee may not sit downe in any measure howsoeuer exceeding others or our selues therefore doe wee looke by faith vnto Iesus our champion Heb. 12.1.2 and casting away euery thing that presseth downe we runne with ioy the race that is set before vs and finish our course with ioy A second Rule for the discerning of the manner of our growth is To compare spirituall things with spirituall things That is Whereas the Naturall man conceiues not the things of God effectually to saluation â— Cor. 2.13 Rom. 8.7 because he is wholly flesh which is enmitie against God And the regenerate man being partly composed of flesh and partly of spirit though he can iudge rightly of heauenly things because the spirit hath reuealed the same vnto him yet seeing hee is not all spirit but partly flesh therefore by the flesh may be mis-led to iudge vnwisely of the wayes of God in leading on this worke of grace therefore to preuent this Deceit The Rule is to compare spirituall things with spirituall things that is 1. Whereas the Law is Spirituall As the Gospell 1. The Spirituall meaning of the Law must be coÌ„pared with the Spirit of the Gospell the exactnesse of it ought to leade vs to the perfection of Christs obedience and this will serue to discouer the manner of our growth That we daily are more confounded in our exactest well-doing by the strictnesse of the Spirituall Law and so cast vpon the Spirit of Christ for acceptance and further growth This I take to be the right manner of our Spirituall growth to see a necessitie of Christ in all our actions both to begin and also to accept and perfect the same Phil. 2.13 2. Whereby as hauing receiued the Spirit of Christ we are now lead by that free-free-worker who is not tied to one meanes or manner of working but as it pleaseth him worketh diuersly and yet all Spiritually Therefore for the further triall of the manner of our growth we must now compare the workes of the spirit together not comparing the waies of the spirit with the waies of the flesh nor measuring the worke of the one by the tentation and oppositions of the other for so we shall be alwaies to seeke But wisely comparing the former workes in our beginnings of grace with the present operatioÌ„s in our proceedings hitherto 2 And the principall and necessary workes of the spirit with the accessary and subordinate that is such as simply concerne our being in Christ with such as tend to our well being and bettering or comforting therein 3 The secret workes of the spirit in the heart cherishing inward life to our owne sense with those that breake out to the expressing thereof to others 4 The motions of the spirit with the effects thereof the power of the spirit preuailing against particular tentations with the desertions and withdrawing thereof for the present measure of assistance and yet sustaining to beare the burthen and make aduantage thereof 5 The worke of the spirit in quickning and strengthning faith contrarie to sensâ—â—â— And the worke of the same spirit in expressing that power by seeling and assurance and lastly The passiue fruite of the spirit enabling vs to suffer for Christ with the actiue worke thereof in doing his will In a word if together with these wee can compare the purposes of the spirit with the practise thereof and the promise of the spirit with the performance of the same laying together both how farre wee are come thereto what by faith we apprehend these if wee can rightly discerne and compare together wee shall gaine great light to discerne the manner of our spirituall growth For hereby we shall discerne it to be the meere worke of the spirit in that it can bee scanned by no other but the spirit and so though we know not how to pray or how we grow and encrease in this or that grace yet seeing the spirit helpeth our infirmities euen aboue what we aske or thinke Rom 8.26 Eph. 3.21 therefore wee then most certainely grow when we are led by the spirit aboue any abilitie in our selues and yet may be to seeke of the spirit when wee haue done our best for comfort and present issue And hereby also may we wisely discerne the manner of our spiritual growth That whereas wee must compare and fit spirituall things to spiritual things as both hereby to discerne for our selues and expresse them for the information of others Therefore hereby may wee discerne the manner of our spirituall growth First that it is begun and led forward as by the spirit which only is able to effect the same and is specially destinated and appropriated to this worke as both illightning our vnderstandings to conceiue what naturally we are ignorant of and also inclining our affections to the embracing therof to which they are naturally auerse so seeing the spirit worketh by it owne meanes euen by the spirituall word as being ordained and onely effectuall hereunto Therefore if as our beginning of grace hath beene from the word so we are led forward by the power therof in our proceeding therein being able to denie all our actions from this ground to square them al to this rule and to aime them all to the maine ends thereof hereby shall we wisely discouer the manner of our growth Espâ—cially if wee can discerne the Mysterie of this word specially labouring the inward purging of the heart and for the effecting thereof tolerating some outward failings though seemingly coÌ„trary to the strict rule therof yet being subordinate to the maine end to procure and trie inward soundnesse doe therefore fall in very fitly therewith and furthers the same And in all these working so secretly that neither can wee at all times discerne the same for the present neither at all shall we be able to fadome the depth thereof no more then our own harts because both are still a mysterie By these considerations may wee comfortably discerne the manner of our spirituall growth As that First we discerne as a speciall worke of the word in conuincing our hearts of sinne and subduing and enclining the same to hunger after Christ
and rest in him though yet we finde little conformitie to him in our liues because the seed must first bee sowne inwardly in the heart there euen râ—t and die as it were to our appearaÌ„ce by reason of the strange working thereof therein confounding and casting the same out of it selfe So wee find also our proceeding in this spirituall life rather by the inward motion of the heart desirous to doe what it cannot then expressing any thorough abilitie answerable to it desire to the practise thereof Yea though it many times do the contrary yet seeing the spirit and word workes by contraries euen bringing light out of darkenesse yet we finde this contrary worke in leauing vs to some particular euils to sort with and further the maine end Euen to cause more inward abasing of the heart and quickning thereof to lay hold on Christ This is a gracious rule to discerne this manner of our growth yea though we be many times to seek of the inward bent of our harts yet as hereby wee are more humbled in our selues and so sent to liue by faith in the Sonne of God so may wee hereby also discerne the manner of our growth that somtimes it is insensible to our spirits howsoeuer discernable by the spirit which searcheth all things yea sometimes must be discerned by contraries that still we may liue by faith and not by sense And seeing the word though it worke diuersly yet most wisely to further the maine end and to auouch the freedome of the spirit therefore also by this diuersitie of working may we discerne the manner of our growth and so still liue by faith in our discerning thereof and proceeding therein For our better satisfaction in this point both to discerne more cleerely the manner of our growth as also to apprehend it more coÌ„fortably by this rule of comparing spirituall things with spirituall haue we also in readinesse these speciall Caueats and Directions 1. Caueat First that we measure not simply our estate in Christ by any present measure of grace we haue receiued That is Though the least grace in vs in truth be an euidence of our ingrafting into Christ yet seeing our measure here at the best is imperfect yea somtimes such as we know not how to discerne or rightly iudge of and so our interest in Christ as it is perfect so it is also a deepe mysterie such as our shallow knowledge cannot fadome therefore our imperfect and short mete-wand can no way fitly fadome so great a depth Onely herein is our comfort that as our acceptance in Christ makes vs gracious by some measure and fruites of his spirit with him so our conformitie hereby to his image shall owne vs vnto him howsoeuer it may bee short of the perfect paterne A 2. Caueat herein is that seeing there are diuers kindes of the graces of the spirit some originall and simply necessary to life as faith repentance c. Others consequent and furthering the comfort and beautie thereof as full assurance ioy c. Therefore wee must not measure our growing in grace by these later which are not alwayes visible nor simply necessarie but by the former But of this more fully God willing in the Cases A third Rule of discerning the manner of our Growth is according to those seuerall Callings wherein God hath placed vs that so we may bring forth Fruit in due season That is whereas euery Christian hath two callings First his Generall calling to the Faith as hee is a Member of Christ and Secondly his Particular calling for the Publike and Priuate good as hee is a Member thereof Both these as they are limitted in themselues so also are they limitted and subordinate to each other I say first they are limitted in themselues As that the Generall calling of each Christian is first limitted to the Place and Ranke hee enioyes in the Church wherein hee is eyther a publike Parson to teach others and so also is limitted to those Degrees of Prioritie and Order which God hath there placed Ephes 4.6 7 8. Rom. 12. that the Spirits of the Prophets may bee subiect to the Prophets that confusion may bee auoided and vnitie preserued As some to rule and some to teach some for Doctrine and some for Discipline some for Exhortation and some for Reliefe c. Or else hee is a Priuate person fit onely to bee taught in the publike and not to teach and yet not debarred from Teaching his Family in priuate the Feare of God 1. Cor. 11. Genes 18. And both these limitted by the seuerall gifts bestowed on them the Lord requiring no more then hee giues and limitted as also in some sort measured by the Opportunities and Successe therein And so also the Ciuill calling hath it bounds in it selfe Both according to the different Degrees and Rankes of Men the wise Lord hath disposed in the World as some to rule and some to obey As also answerable to the diuers gifts and vses of Men in the Commonwealth according to which they are restrained from intermedling with other Callings And so also according to their abilitie in such callings that none may presume aboue what is meet Yea also according to the seuerall occasion of the Weale publike which in case of necessitie may dispense with particular callings and restraine men from their priuate dealing to preuent a publike storme as the blood and spirits in some violent accident may faile the outward and inferior parts and so cause some soundings while they retire for mutuall succour to the heart and nobler parts And Thus are both these Callings limitted in themselues And so are they also limitted and subordinate to each other As first the Christian calling subordinates the Ciuill and that both in the Matter and Manner and Ends thereof As both sanctifying the Matter vnto vs that wee may lawfully imploy the same because to the impure all things are impure and so also directing and bounding in the Manner thereof euen so to vse these things as from an heauenly right so with spirituall affections and honest meanes and so also restraining vs herein to spirituall Ends euen the glorie of God 1. Cor. 10.31 and the edification of the Church the common and peculiar saluation 1. Tim. 6.19 Secondly the Generall calling subordinates in some speciall cases the Ciuill thereunto As first in case of Generall Humiliation though the Ciuill be lawfull on the six dayes yet vpon such extraordinarie occasion it must giue way and surcease to signifie the truth of our vnworthinesse as not fit to liue and so to prepare vs the better to spirituall duties So also the Ciuill calling bounds the Generall Secondly in case of inuincible necessitie for preuention of some deadly harme by Fire or Sicknesse here the Generall calling must giue way to the Ciuill because God wil haue mercie and not sacrifice Thirdly and so also in case of Charitie or for the reliefe of a Brother in sicknesse or such like
mercies Therefore necessarily must our weakenesse be dayly subdued by the power of God which otherwise would preuayle to ouerthrow the Worke or else wisely turned to the furtherance of the Worke that the glorie of both may onely redound to the Lord Both the glorie of his Power in subduing or more weakening Corruption dayly which of it selfe necessarily encreaseth and of our selues wee are no way able to subdue As also the glory of his Wisedome in weakening and subduing Corruption by such meanes and in such manner as in all likelyhood of flesh serues more to enrage and encrease the same as by Afflictions Desertions and such like Yea wonderfully turning about the sence and power of Corruption not onely to the weakening thereof but also to further vs graciously to a greater encrease of Grace From whence doe arise these comfortable conclusions to discerne the Measure of Grace and further vs therein First that seeing the Power of God is seene in weakenesse Therefore as wee may not looke for any further Measure of grace in this life then what is accompanied with much weakenesse so wee may heereby discerne that to bee a competent and thriuing measure of grace which sâ—rues most to discouer corruption tends most to the abâ—sing and subduing thereof So that the more wee feele the burthen of corruption the more wee are sure that wee grow in Grace the more wee discerne the deceitfulnesse of the heart and peruersnes of our thoughts the more light and grace wee haue receiued Yea the more wee are abased and emptied of all confidence in our owne abilitie the more wee are interessed in the power of God The more wee discerne our faylings in the best and renounce our owne righteousnesse the more wee liue by Faith in the righteousnesse of Christ and so thereby shal be more enabled to Perfection Secondly seeing the Glory of God is Perfected in Infirmitie Therefore if in all our actions wee ayme at Gods glory subbordinating our chiefest good thereunto and still denying our selues and best righteousnes that he onely may be glorified in the beginning and leading forward of the worke This is a gratious euidence of the Measure of our Growth hereby wee may reape found comfort in the greatest sense of our infirmities But of this more heretofore in that Rule that wee must liue by Faith and not by sense A seuenth Rule hereto is That seeing Affliction is a gracious Meanes and Triall of our spirituall Growth therefore hereby wee haue some light to discerne the Measure thereof especially in those Afflictions which strip vs of reioycing in the flesh Which vsually is no meane encouragement to striuing in well-doing that wee may haue prayse with men serue our present turnes 1. Such are Slanders and Reproaches for well-doing Ill requitall when wee haue done our best because happily wee haue mingled some carnall Ends therewith And 2. Disappointment of hopes for present occasion both spirituall and outward 3. No comfort in Prayer hauing the Word but rather greater sense of Corruption If now in these strange Crossings and Confusions wee can so carry our selues as though wee must be humbled herein because some cause is in our selues yet still we must and can go forward holding to the testimony of our conscience in the truth of what wee haue done and yet renouncing the verdit thereof to be iustified thereby can still in obedience to our God through the power of Christ wrastle against these confusions as that still we proue more serious and spirituall in well doing not so much to stop the mouth of the wicked as to approue the sinceritie of our hearts vnto our God and grow more familiar with him weaning our selues from popularitie and by-respects and retyring our selues into the secrets of the Almightie this is gracious euidence of our encrease in a good measure of grace of our hastning to perfection and eternall glory Assuring our selues that though in regard of corruption now more discouered and opposing we are like to meete with more affronts both from within and without Yet as these do call for a greater supply of Gods grace to subdue them so they argue a greater measure of heauenly light by discerning and striuing against them and so shall interesse vs in a greater measure of Gods power to master the same yea shall bee a meanes to prouoke vs to a more earnest stirring vp of the spirit in vs to assist vs in the conquest enable vs to a more diligent vse of our spirituall weapons to encounter the same and yeeld vs more experience of the wisedome and power of God enabling vs herein be more humbled in the sense of our owne traiterous heart dayly labouring to betray vs herein so dayly more prouoked to the denyall of our selues that we may still be found in Christ and by his power enabled to perfection And comforting our selues that as our greater measure of tryall argues a greater measure of Grace because the Lord will lay no more vpon vs than what wee shall be able to endure and will giue an issue to the tentation according to his grace and as it shall bee best for vs therefore shall his grace bee sufficient for vs to beare the brunt that wee may not be ouercome thereof and the same grace that sustaines in the combate will enable vs to such a conquest therein as that still we may hold of Gods free grace for our humiliation and waite vpon the same for our present deliuerance and hunger after the full measure therof for our finall deliuerance out of all our troubles The last rule for the triall of the measure of our spirituall Growth and comfort therein is that Golden Rule of the blessed Apostle Namely That all things worke together for the best to those that loue God euen to those that are called according to his purpose That is Seeing the worke of our sanctification is of Gods free grace so leading forward the same that as may serue to our maine Good euen to attaine the Goale and also the maine ende euen the glory of our God And therefore though we are like to meete with many interruptions of sinne and afflictions to hinder the worke in regard of our owne inward corruption and the malice of Satan and outward occasions working their part yet seeing the Lord promised to perfect the worke hee hath begunne in vs therefore will he herein especially make good his word to supply vs with such outward meanes as may further the same namely the continuall operation of his spirit furnishing â—s with all helpes hereunto By the power whereof euen all outward and contrary meanes shall be wonderfully turned about to the best vnto vs euen to further our reckoning against the day of Christ So that if wee finde this experience in our selues that we make aduantage of troubles and sinnes to further vs hereunto wee may safely conclude that the grace of God is not in vaine in vs. That we haue attained to a glorious measure
stumble thou dost further helpe me with thy prayers to giue thee yet further light for still I professe my selfe to be growing and shall not faile God willing to giue thee further testimonie thereof as occasion and grace shall be ministred that so thou maist yet more cleerely discerne this wonderfull Mysterie Meane time I desire thy patience to beare with such faylings as either for want of exactnesse which neither my leasure will afford nor weake measure can compasse or for fayling in circumstance which I professe my selfe not curiously to stand vpon may be offered vnto thee Requiring thy wisedome to compare spirituall things together and so still crauing thy further Patience till God offer further leasure and measure of Grace and thy renued Prayers for both I commend this to thy Christian view and charitable censure and thee and thine holy endeuours in this or in any thing whatsoeuer may further thy reckoning in Christ to the gratious Protection and Blessing of our Wonderfull Councellor In whom I rest thine and the Churches seruant Th. Cooper The Contents of this Booke 1 THe entrance to the Treatise 2 That we must grow in Grace Proued 1 By the command of God 2 By the grounds of the New Birth 3 By the meanes of our Calling 4 By the Condition of the New Birth 5 By the Resemblances thereof 6 By the Metaphors expressing the same 7 By the vse and bâ—nefitâ— thereof 8 By the Prayers of the Saints 9 By the contrarie condition of the wicked 10 By the continuall malice of Satan against the New Birth 11 By the continuance of the Meanes hereto 12 By the end of Sanctification Vse To conuince the Papists of Merite and falling from Grace To confound the carnal Christian To reproue the weake Christian Instruction to grow in Grace Triall hereof Comfort herein Chap. 2. What this Spirituall Growth is 1 The description thereof 2 The explication of it 3 Iustification and vse thereof Chap. 3. Of the Causes and Meanes and Helpes of this spirituall Growth And these Either Within 1 Principall 2 Instrumentall and these Principall the Word Conscience 1 Instrumentall as sauing knowledge 1 Of the power of Corruption 2 Of the Measure of Grace attained with the vse thereof 2 Instrumentall cause Experience both 1 Of former failings and 2 Of former thriuing 3 Of the combate betweene the Flesh and the Spirit with the vses thereof 2 Causes without Direct 1 Vse of Gods ordinances The Word Sacraments Prayer publike Examples of the Saints Indirect Afflictions with the vse thereof 3 Helpes hereto are 1 Soundnesse of Iudgement why 2 Synceritie and how 3 Daily Repentance 4 Daily Thankfulnesse 5 Priuate Prayers 6 Conuersion of others 7 Watching ouer our hearts and examination thereof how this to be done 8 Daily encrease in knowledge and how 9 Contentednesse and why 10 Watching in our Christian libertie and how 11 Daily growth in Faith and how 12 Putting on the spirituall Armor daily and how 13 By Patience and 14 Continuall supplication 15 Conscience of the Sabboth 16 Constant keeping of the daily sacrifice 17 Daily preparation to Afflictions 18 Nourishing tendernesse of Conscience 19 Hauing the feare of God alwaies before our eies 20 And so to maintaine an holy iealousie ouer our selues 21 Not resting in any measure receiued 22 Daily Preparation to Death 23 Daily Resignation into the hands of God 24 Spirituall wisedome in Redeeming the time In auoyding troubles c. and how 25 Maintaining spirituall Ioy and how Chap. 4. Of the manner how we grow in Grace expressed by the Metaphors and Resemblances of the New Birth As that it is like 1 A New Creature with the sense and vse thereof â— To seede with the sense and vse thereof 3 To Light with the sense and vse thereof 4 To the Wind where of the sense application thereof 5 To a combate with the sense and vse thereof 6 To a Mysterie with the sense and vse thereof both generall and particular Chap. 5. Of diuers Rules for the better discerning and triall of the Manner of our Growth and comfort therein whereof the First is That we must liue by Faith and not by sense where 1 What this meaneth 2 Conclusions hence to encounter diuers tentations concerning the manner of our Growth and to satisfie vs herein 2 Rule herein is to compare spirituall things with spirituall things Where 1. What this meaneth 2 The Application thereof for Discerning and Comfort 3 Rule for discerning hereof is according to those seuerall callings imposed on vs with the sense and vse thereof 4 Rule is That we must bring forth fruit in due season Where 1. What is meant thereby 2 The application thereof for triall and comfort 5 Rule That God accepteth the will for the deed where 1 The sense thereof 2 The vse for the triall comfort 6 Rule That by the manner of the Mortification of the Flesh the manner also of spirituall Growth may be discerned where 1 How the Flesh is mortified 2 Grace accordingly is encreased with the vses thereof Chap. 6. Of the measure of Spirituall Growth where 1 Of the measure propounded 1 By the Law 2 By the perfect paterne 3 By the end of Holinesse 2 The triall of this Measure 1 By particular Gifts and the improuement of them 2 By Spirituall experience 3 By seuerall callings 4 Varietie of seasons 5 Encrease of Meanes 3 More particular Examination thereof 1 Generall 2 Particular as 1 By the Law 2 By the Gospell as 1 Faith 2 Repentance Chap. 7. Of certain Rules for the discerning iudging of the true scantling Measure of our Spirituall Growth 1 Rule That God requireth accâ—rding to the Meanes he vouchsafeth with the sense and vse thereof 2 That his Grace shall be sufficient for vs with the sense and vse thereof 3 That the spirit worketh freely as in the Manner so in the Measure thereof with the sense and vse thereof 4 That the power of God is seene in weakenesse with the sense and vse hereof 5 That as there are diuers measures of Glorie so also of Grace and yet in each sufficient with the sense and vse thereof 6 Rule by our enduring Afflictions with the sense and vse thereof 7 That all things shall worke together for the best with the sense and vse thereof Chap. 8. Of the Marks of Spiritual Growth and Triall thereof where 1 Of such as Generally respect our our selues as 1 Knowledge and that 1 Of the power of Corruption 2 Deceitfulnesse of the Heart 3 Satans sleights 4 The Mystrie of Christ Where of the triall of Faith 2 Sanctification 3 Of the measure of sanctification attained Or others as also 2 Of the speciall Markes Chap. 9. Cases of Conscience concerning spirituall Growth 1 Case how wee can iustifie our growing in Grace when we daily fall into many euils and decay sometimes in some speciall gifts Resolution hereof By considering 1. Gods wisedome and that 1 In bringing light out of darknesse
being perfect and intire in him wanting nothing and all this of free guift he that hath begunne the worke leading it forward by his mightie power vnto saluation that hee may haue the onely glory thereof Philippians 2.12.13 1. Pet. 1.5 And so leading it forward that still both for the Manner and Measure thereof it is free and independent in regard of vs. 3 I make manifest the manner of the working of Christ in vs by his spirit whereby wee are enabled to grow vp in him in soundnesse to perfection Namely that by the vertue of Christ not some one or Jew faculties of the soule are enclined and renued by him but that euery part and facultie of the soule yea each member of the body receiue life and nourishment from the head as to it gratious enabling to the worke of intire obedience so to it further growing and encrease vnto perfection therein Ephes 4.16 And to the acceptance of both persons and seruice in the merite of Christ 4 I proceed to discouer the manner of this spirituall growth namely that as it is by continuall supply of the meanes both inward the blessed Spirit discouering dayly our failings and leading to the outward meanes for recouery and enabling in the vse thereof both for recouery out of fayling and supply of such graces as may further perfection As also outward the word to build vs vp in knowledg and faith and so in obedience The sacrament to minister spirituall nourishment and such like so herein also setting downe a liuely triall of our Growth by the vse of these means that it is both according to them they must be the Rule and Tuchstone therof as also Answerable to the Meanes in proportion that where more meanes there a greater measure of Growth to be expected where lesse there if our Growth be lesse we may haue some comfort that we are not altogerher barren how soeuer if this want of meanes be not from our selues in making scarcitie where there is plentie but from the diuine dispensation in chastising his people with scarcitie for the abuse of plenty here we may comfort our selues either that what is affoorded shall be sufficient because God will require no more then he giues or what is wanting in the outward means our God will supply by his Annointing to refresh vs inwardly if we haue not bin despisers of the publick and ordinary meanes 1. Ioh. 2.19 5. Lastly the finall cause and ends of this spirituall growth are propounded and auerred tending to the perfiting of the worke of grace in vs and so preparing of vs to the life of glory which are in respect of vs. 1. Our perseuerance 2. Our perfection hereupon 3. Our glorification 2. In respect of God 1. The accomplishment of his promises 2. That he might haue the glory of the perfecting of his worke 3. That our perfection may be wholy employed in setting forth his great name and glory THE CONTENTS of the third chapter OF the causes meanes and helps of spirituall growth 1 Causes both internall and principall 1 The power of Christ 2 The inhabitation of the spirit 2 Instrumentall generall 3 The renued heart Specially therein 1 Sound knowledge and that 1 Of the power of corruption 2 Of the measure of grace attained 2 Spirituall experience and that 1 Of the deceitfulnesse of the heart in misleading either way 2 Of the sleights of Satan 3 Of the power of God in preuenting and disappointing these or turning them to good 2 Outward meanes and causes And these instrumentall Namely 1 Constant vse of Gods ordinances As first Hearing the word preached 2 Receiuing the Sacrament 3 Prayer 4 Meditation 5 Conference Accessarie as 1 Afflictions 2 Examples of the Saints Helpes hereto are 1 Soundnesse of iudgement and wherin 2 Sinceritie and how 3 Dayly renued repentance and why 4 Propounding the example of Christ and why 5 Looking to the reward in heauen 6 Dayly thankefulnesse and how 7 Labouring dayly the conuersion of others 8 Constant watch ouer our hearts and how 9 Dayly encrease in sauing knowledge and how 10 Contentednesse in our estates 11 Sobrietie in the vse of Christian libertie 12 Dayly encrease of faith and how 13 Putting on dayly the spirituall armour 14 Patience 15 Continuall prayer 16 Conscience of the Sabaoth 17 Daily constant holinesse 18 Daily preparation to afflictions and how 19 To nourish tendernesse of conscience in all things and how 20 To haue the feare of God alwaies before vs. 21 To bee continually iealous of our selues 22 To nourish spirituall pouertie and hunger after the best graces 23 Daily preparation to our death and how 24 Daily resigning of our selues into the hands of God 25 Spirituall wisedome why and how 26 Maintaining spirituall ioy why and how CHAP. III. Of the causes of spirituall growth IT appeareth hitherto that we must grow in grace as also what spirituall growth is Now we are further to consider the causes of this growth These are 1. Internall that is within vs. And these are meritorious and effectuall of themselues Such are 1. The power of Christ dwelling in vs. 1. Col. 19. which is both the meritorious cause of our growth as whereby we obtaine grace from God to enable vs to grow as also the principall efficient cause thereof As by it vertue subduing mightily in vs the remaindures of corruption and body of sinne and supplying such graces as may further our spirituall growth as also enabling vs in the vse and improuement of them to that end especially presenting them in the perfection of his merit that aboue their worth they may be acceptable vnto God his Father and so by vertue of our vnion with him dayly leading vs forward to perfection A second effectuall cause of this growth is the holy Ghost which being giuen vnto vs by Christ dwelling in vs doth work effectually in vs to a dayly discouery and subduing of corruption by reprouing for sinne yea for righteousnes conuincing all naturall abilitie and remaindure of goodnesse in vs all conceited righteousnes in the law or any thing saue in Christ yea stil conuincing the imperfection of all inherent righteousnes attained so still interessing in Christ and so by it power encreasing grace The inward instrumentall meanes it The renued heart which being now quickned and actuated by the spirit becomes ministerially a fellow worker therewith in all such workes as may any way further our spirituall Growth 1. Cor. 3. More particularly these Graces in the heart are speciall instrumentall causes of our Growth in Grace 1 A sauing knowledge and that 1. Of our particular estates and this twofold 1. Both of the power of corruption that remaines and cleaues vnto vs also of that truth measure of grace whereto we haue attained For as the true discerning of corruption and the power and measure thereof in vs is a meanes dayly to worke in vs a denyal of our selues and renouncing all abilitie in vs as of our selues to
are grown more moderate in our affections more sober in our iudgments cōcerning indifferent things more charitable in iudging others more wise in prouiding necessary things auoiding vnnecessary troubles such like seeing all this may be the fruit of the spirit of meeknes wisdom so an euidence of our spirituall growth 4 Because we are more sensible of corruption hūbled therewith this howsoeuer with the world may seem either hypocrisie or guilt of cōscience yet indeede it is the power of grace that giues this light and it seemes to prouoke in vs a greater hatred against sinne and watchfulnesse against the same and makes vs more iealous and lowly in our best actions By these and such like may wee be prouoked to esteeme worse of our selues then indeed there is cause and so had need of spirituall experience to discerne of things that differ that so knowing the true scantling of our estates we may prouide accordingly A second experience necessarily furthering our growth in grace is concerning the manifold sleights and methods of Satan Which we shall attaine vnto 1. By dayly viewing and searching of our hearts as being the sinke wherein he wallowes and the matter whereupon he workes 2. By a serious meditation on the word whereby wee shall be enabled to discerne his deepnesse 3. By feruent prayer vnto our God to reueale these sleights vnto vs. 4. By a wise obseruation of his deepnesse and two maine pollicies either in lulling vs a sleepe or affrighting vs with false feares or rackeing true causes vpon the tenters of extremity especially If we be acquainted with the trouble of conscience for therein he vtters all his wayes 2 If we take notice of his dealings on the bed of sicknesse and summons to death for now he will bestirre himselfe on all hands as being his last opportunity 3 If we obserue such accidents as doe vsually mingle themselues with our sweetest cōforts for here we may discern him most dāgerous to poyson these sweets vnto vs. And so to this end shall be often conuersant in the cases of our brethren in whose seueral tentations we shall discerne the rather the deepnesse of Satan because now God cals vs to releeue vs and we haue a promise of good successe By these meanes wee may attaine much gratious experience Among other these especially will steed vs for our spirituall growth As that it is his maine policy 1 To seuer the end from the meanes whereby he nourish in hypocrisie formalitie prophanenesse securitie and so excludeth all hope of conuersion perswading that we may be saued though wee vse not the meanes thereto Or else he seuers the end from the meanes suggesting that though we vse the meanes neuer so effectually yet we may misse of the end seeing our meanes are no way proportionable therto Whereby he either driueth to despaire or else at least hindereth and discourageth in practice A second maine Policie is to ioyne those things which are contrary in the worke of saluation or else to disioyne those that are to be ioyned 1 To ioyne nature with grace our owne will and abilitie with the mercy of God 2 To mingle the wisdome of man with the word of God to further saluation 2 To disioine those things which must concurre and agree together as 1 The word and the spirit 2 Power and weaknesse 3 Faith and doubting 4 Perfection with imperfection as being both in one subiect and both seruing to testifie the truth of grace and further proceeding therein These and such like policies as they are the grounds of all the rest so the experience of them serues very graciously to further our spirituall growth of which more particularly in the Treatise of Delusions A third kinde of experience is of the power and wisdome of God in preuenting or turning about these tentations and sleights of Satan to our good of which also in that prepared discourse Besides these causes and furtherances to spirituall growth there are also many others in their places auaileable hereunto As 1. the conscionable vse of Gods holy ordinances the word preached to strengthen faith to discouer inward corruption 1. Pet. 2.2 and subdue the same 2 The holy participation of the sacrament of the supper as that which specially seales vp Christ vnto vs repaireth our decaies nourisheth spirituall life strengthens to perfection 3 Holy conference to quicken and supply each others wants 4 Meditation of all these to incorporate them into our substance 5 Prayer to sanctifie vs to the vse of these things and them to vs that we may benefit thereby and so commend the issue and successe vnto God Accessary hereunto are 1 Afflictions to purge out corruption to weane from the world to try our faith to make vs more compassionate to our brethren to acquaint vs with the power of God To quicken in holy duties and recouer out of decayes to encrease our Patience that it may bring forth the perfect worke so nourishing our hope of glory and thereby prouoking to a daily purging of our selues that we may be pure as he is pure 1. Ioh. 3.3 Iacob 1.2.3 Rom. 5.2.3.4 Examples of the Saints which are gone before vs which encourage vs to go forward by shaming vs in our childish and cowardly weaknesse and directing vs in the meanes whereby we may encrease Heb. 11. Iam. 5.12.13 1. Cor. 11.1 To this end also serue gratiously these helpes As 1 Soundnesse of iudgement and vnderstanding concerning the power of godlinesse Phil. 1.9 1. Tim. 1.7 As that 1 We cannot bee too holy Psa 119.82 That when we haue done our best we are but vnprofitable seruants Luk. 16.10 1. Cor. 13 2 That wee must follow after the best graces and labour to be formost in holinesse 3 That God requires of vs according to the meanes and therefore wee must abound in all righteousnesse Math. 25.28 That wee must follow men as they follow Christ 1. Cor. 11.1 4 That onely the word must be the rule and square of holinesse Isay 8.20 5 That whatsoeuer is not of faith that is out of the testimony of the conscience conuinced by the word is sin Rom. 14. A second helpe to grow in Grace is that we doe all duties in sinceritie and vprightnesse that is as vnto God and in his presence not vnto men and for their sakes 2 As from God from warrant of his word And 3 For God That is simply for his glory and 4. also through God that is by all holy meanes that so God may be all in all And that 1 As whereby we shall haue the testimony of a good conscience in what we doe and so by the vertue thereof haue boldnes with God 1. Ioh. 3.20 And so enabled by his power to goe forward in well doing 2 Hereby we shall approue the will of God and so cherish and stirre vp the spirit in vs that thereby we may be enabled to encrease in holinesse And so 3 Hereby we shall see
furnished with meanes dayly to thriue in grace and by our care on this day may be the better enabled to serue him sincerely and constantly in all other occasions 17 And though the Lord hath specially separated this day for his more publicke and entire worship yet he hath redeemed vs that we might serue him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life Luk. 2.49 Therefore that we may grow in grace make we conscience of constant holinesse dayly by dayly examining our hearts renuing our repentance encreasing our knowledge our faith by meditation in the word prayer relying on Gods blessings in our ciuill callings and watching therein against couetousnesse discontent worldly wisedome earthly mindednesse deceit and such like least our neglecting or slubbering of dayly duties greeue the spirit procure a remisnesse and formalitie therein and so in sted of hauing more that which we haue may be taken from vs at least for the present vse and comfort thereof 18 Seeing securitie is a maine hinderance to our Spirituall growth and it is the mercie of our God to exercise vs daily with some afflictions in diuers kinds to preuent the same therefore that we may daily grow in grace let vs prepare our soules daily to afflictions submitting to whatsoeuer our gratious Father shall lay vpon vs making them glasses to see our daily failing and purgations to emptie vs of them vsing them as spurres to prouoke vs daily to perfection by weaning from the loue of the world and giuing daily experience of the power of Christ in vs. 19 Whereas it much furthers our growth in grace to haue a good conscience in whatsoeuer we doe therefore labour we to maintaine tendernesse of conscience in all things as well to conuince vs of secret euils and so to preuent grosse offences as also to humble vs in wel-doing and cast vs vpon Christ as to prepare vs more conscionably to all holy duties to cary vs more vprightly and constantly through out the same and still to prouoke vs out of the sense of our daily failings to renue our strength in Christ so in him to grow vp to perfection 20 To this end also haue we alwaies the feare of God before our eies to preuent hypocrisie and securitie and 2 Cor. 7.1 21 Nourish we daily an holy feare and iealousie ouer our selues yea Pro. 28.13 when we doe our best and feele greatest comforts least Spirituall pride beget securitie and confidence in the flesh and so produce luke-warmnesse and falling into grosse euills Reuelations 3.17 22 Aboue all take we heede of contenting our selues with any measure of holinesse already attained but that we may grow in grace grow we in humilitie and daily deniall of our selues forgetting what is behinde that we may hasten to that which is before euen for the price of our high calling in Christ Iesus Phil. 3.13 23. And seeing our liues are vncertaine and our master may come in an houre we know not of therefore that we may grow in grace prepare we dayly for our death and so for indgement adding dayly to our Christian stature and abounding in the worke of the Lord that so we may be found in peace at our masters comming 1. Cor. 15.58 24 Resigne our selues dayly into the hands of our gracious father committing our selues in well doing continually vnto his faithful keeping that so he may quiet our hearts in what we haue receiued by enabling vs to a conscionable vse thereof and so furnish vs with whatsoeuer may yet further our perfection vnto the day of Christ 25 Seeing our want of spirituall wisdome is a maine hinderance to our growth in grace as casting vs oft-times into many vnnecessary troubles and so to much distraction and horror thereby and casting vs vpon many doubtfull and intricate occasions both of matters of knowledge concerning things vaine and curious as also vpon many a rash and vndiscreete practice to wound the conscience and hinder our peace and so our proceeding in grace therefore labour we to attaine the Spirituall wisedome First by cleauing fast to the Word And secondly experience of Gods former dealings Thirdly by comparing Spirituall things with Spirituall things Fourthly and looking as well to the end as the beginning thereof that so wee may still make choice of the most familiar and excellent decline doubtfull and vnnecessary occasions submit our spirits to the spirits of the wisest and so maintaine loue which is the bond of perfection Col. 3.15 26 Lastly seeing though fulnesse of ioy be expected in another life yet heere also the Saints may enioy some comfortable measure thereof Psal 4.4 5. in all occasions and the more they partake thereof the more they are encouraged in holy duties and enabled to go forward therein Therefore labour we to maintaine this Spirituall ioy First by entertaining the motions of the Spirit And secondly the occasions of wel-doing Thirdly by walking constantly with our God And fourthly comforting others Fiftly by daily repentance for sinne And sixtly renouncing our best righteousnesse Seuenthly daily cleering the euidences of our election That so we may daily grow in grace and follow after perfection And thus of the causes and helpes to grow in grace It remaineth yet to consider the manner of our growth in grace CHAP. 4. Of the manner of our Spirituall growth with diuers comfortable obseruations therein and vses thereof HItherto of the Necessitie Nature and Causes of this Spirituall growth It now followeth that we discouer the Manner thereof as beeing a part of the reuealing of this great mysterie and very necessary for the triall of the truth thereof and also to resist such tentations as doe oppose the same or hinder the increase thereof To this end it shall be necessarie to enter into the Sanctuarie of the Lord and thereinto obserue such Mysteries wherein this wonderfull Mysterie is wisely infolded to stumble carnall wisedome and yet gratiously vnfolded to satisfie the humble spirit The first Mysterie wherein this sacred Truth is infolded is the New Creature 2. Cor. 5.17 The Spirit vouchsafing to resemble our Spirituall renuing in the second Adam by our Naturall beginning in the Old 1. Both because there is very great and neere similitude betweene them and also 2. That this of Nature being familiar to each capacitie the other of grace may be better discerned thereby and yet 3. Might stumble heere in carnall wisedome either in stretching the similitude to square euery way to the establishing of Natures abilitie and helpe to grace or to confound carnall wisedome in the discerning thereof if it looke with no other spectacles then those of Nature Labour we then in the feare of God to search the secrets of this Mysterie by the power of the Spirit that so we may hereby discerne the Manner of this Spirituall growth To this end consider we first that as the New birth in regard of the better part is immediatly created a New of God and infused into the body
our best we yet finde not our labours answered with that successe and comfort for the present as we doe desire and expect yet may not this challenge the worke of the Spirit as if it were not effectuall in enabling vs to wel-doing and crowning the same Though we pray with conscience and are not heard in what we prayed for Though we heare and little profit by it because our hearts are not melted our affections inflamed with loue and zeale at all times we rather finde contrarily corruption increased hardnesse of heart discerned c. Though we desire to repent and labour to abase our hearts before our God yet wee cannot doe it with teares we cannot forsake such euils as we are grieued for and hate vnfainedly All these notwithstanding I say we may not therfore conclude that the Spirit hath not assisted vs or approues not of our labours Because still the Spirit is a free worker Both free to affoord vs what measure of grace it pleaseth in doing these things which though it be farre from perfection yet it is such as for the present is fittest both that God may still haue the Glorie and we may be cast vpon his power for the enabling of vs in our weakenesse and also cast meerely vpon his free-grace for the acceptance and crowning thereof And therefore if now we aske and are not answered in our particular desires for the present yet if we are supplied with what may be better for vs namely with Patience to wait on our God with Faith to rest on God though we feele no present answer for our comfort with more zeale to continue in Prayer with more watchfulnesse and earnestnesse therein Is not this the free worke of the Spirit which granteth vs what best pleaseth the same as to gaine glory vnto God in letting vs hereby see our failings and enabling vs to bring forth more fruit so thereby to lead vs a long by the Power of God farre beyond our abilitie to perfection If now the Lord dealeth more abundantly with vs then wee could thinke or desire Is not the wisedome and free mercy of our God admirable herein Are not his waies though past finding out yet free and faithfull to perfect his worke in vs Thus though we heare and finde not comfort and ioy therein but rather are more abased in the sense of our Corruption herein also appeareth the libertie of the Spirit who is not tied to recompense vs at all if we consider our deserts much lesse to answer vs in one particular as if it had no other way to worke But if in sted of yeelding vs ioy and comfort in hearing it affoord vs that which may best further our reckoning vnto the day of Christ by discouering daily corruption yet more and more and preuenting those Spirituall euils of Pride Vaine-glory Securitie c. which may be occasioned by what we desire which might rob God of his Glorie and our selues of the comfort of present wel-doing and so of power to encrease As these are the workes of the Spirit to discouer corruption to preuent these euils so are they fitter for vs in this state of our Imperfection to encrease humilitie May we not reape comfort in this that wee can still renounce our selues and be abased in our owne eies And doth not the Lord now in a wonderfull manner not only answer our generall end which is to goe forward to perfection but therein also supplies vs euen with that particular which we did desire though not for the present yet in due season though not after the same manner which we expected it yet by such a manner as may still iustifie the free working of the spirit and so thereby confirme vnto vs the faithfulnesse of our God who will perfect the worke which he hath begun in vs that he may haue the glory of all his mercies And so though we cannot mourne for our sinnes with such plentie of teares yet if by the worke of the Spirit this is discerned of vs and we are more humbled for the same though not expressed outwardly yet inwardly with groaning and bleedings of the heart doth not this euidence the free worke of the Spirit in suppressing our Repentance in that manner asâ— best pleaseth himselfe and yet in such a manner as happily though it crosse our particular desire of expressing our sorrow by teares which may sauour of the flesh and tend to the satisfaction thereof as being subiect to vaine-glorie hypocrisie c. yet it furthers our maine desire to approue the sinceritie of our hearts vnto God to be vile still in our owne eyes that God only may haue the glory to interesse thereby in the Power of God that thereby we may be lead along to perfection And therefore though we cannot forsake what particular sinnes wee are grieued for and heartily detest yet doth not this challenge the worke of the Spirit as if it were ineffectuall altogether but rather euidenceth the libertie of the Spirit who worketh in vs according to his good pleasure though not what we desire in particular yet what wee ought to desire principally namely the casting away of such maine euils as hang fast vpon vs and most hinder our growth in grace and the furnishing vs with the most necessarie graces which may further our perfection And therefore howsoeuer though we heartily desire and endeuour to be rid of some infirmities which doe daily encomber vs and seeme to abase vs daily in our owne eyes and yet cannot attaine the same yet is the worke of the Spirit hereby more free and glorious both increasing hereby our desires and hatred thereof and also accepting the same as sufficient for the present And withall vsing in it singular wisedome the Remaindure of such corruptions as soueraigne Antidots to purge out and preuent the encrease of more dangerous euils of Spirituall Pride Vaine-glory Securitie 2 Cor. 12.8 9. and such like and so by the purging out of these roots of bitternesse gratiously weakens the power of such infirmities as we carrie about vs and prouokes vs to a greater watchfulnesse ouer them and to a more earnest desire to put off this body of sinne that we may be wholly rid of them Rom. 7.24 that so God may be all in all And withall Recompencing gratiously the remainder of corruption in vs with such necessarie graces of sinceritie humilitie patience and the like that so hereby we may be better enabled to subdue them and so grow vp to perfect holinesse in the feare of God that God may haue the only glorie of all his goodnesse Thus doth our wise God bring light out of darkenesse raising out of the remaindure of Corruption more sight and hatred thereof more detâ—rall of our selues more repose in God more affiance and resting in Christ more patience to beare afflictionâ— more charitie and compassion to â—akers more alienation from the World more humilitie and abasing in our owne eies more hungring after perfection and more
hastening thereto Thus doth the spirit leade forward the manner of our growth to iustifie the freedome and so the wisedome and faithfulnesse thereof And this shall further appeare vnto vs by the second propertie of the Winde that though we heare the sound thereof yet we know not whence it comes nor whither it goeth which as it euidenceth still the free worke of the Spirit so it also discouereth gratiously the manner of our growth thereby As first In that we may heare the sound thereof though wee cannot discerne the substance of the same so is it with the Spirit we may take notice of it working both by it enabling of vs in well-doing and also by the effect thereof quieting our hearts therein by the testimonie of our conscience and scaling vp the approbation thereof by the fruit thereof assurance of our saluation and ioy in the spirit from the same yet least we should imagine the Spirit tied only to this effect or that wee deserue the same out of the worth of our well-doing and so incroach vpon the worthinesse of our head therefore we shall but heare not see fully for that remaines for another life some notice we shall haue of the truth of it working though we cannot fully discerne the Mysterie thereof And we shall but heare the sound thereof some such feeling thereof we shall haue as may assure vs that the grace of God is not in vaine though we may want of such euidences which may euince the perfection of Grace as are most fit for this state of growing our faith shall be mingled with some doubting our graces with some mixture of Corruption that as we may discerne the truth thereof so we may also discerne the imperfection of the same that so we may daily hasten to perfection by daily denying of our selues and labouring to be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse And therefore Howsoeuer we haue not the perfect sight and feeling of our growing in Grace neither enioy sensible comfort in the same at all times alike yet is this so farre from challenging the truth of Gods grace in vs as that rather it doth euidence vndoubtedly the power thereof seeing in regard of the combate betweene the flesh and the Spirit there must necessarily fall out such differences of the working of the Spirit and also of our apprehension therof Wheras if it were alwaies in one key and temper it is a plaine argument that there is no such combate and so no true conuersion Only here let it suffice vs that our God knowes what is best for vs and will worke as it pleaseth him that his grace may still be free And if euer we had any true feeling of the worke It is an euidence that we shall haue it againe or else that which shall be better for vs knowing that here we liue by Faith and not by sight 2. Cor. 5.7 and that the power of God must be perfected in our weakenesse 2. Cor. 12.8 Remembring now what is added in the third place as a liuely euidence of the working of the Spirit that we know not whence it came nor whether it goes Therein giuing vs to vnderstand that though we shall know so much of the working of the Spirit as shall be sufficient for the present yet is it still a free worker we may be to seeke if we will walke by sense of any worke that is past as if that all our former measure were but in hypocrisie and wee may be to seeke of what shall follow after if we tie God to any particular way subiect to our apprehension and do not see a farre off by faith resting vpon the promises of our God aboue our worthinesse yea aboue our capacitie thereof because we must still grow in knowledge and so grow in grace yea though we doe liue by faith both in discerning whereunto we are come and whither we may goe in generall yet seeing we know but in part 1. Cor. 13.9 and so at the best so farre can beleeue as that still we must desire the Lord to helpe our vnbeleefe Math. 8. therefore neither can wee discerne all the particular waies of God whereby he hath led vs hitherto neither shall we be able to follow God in all his waies whereby he wonderfully bringeth light out of darknesse and by his secret power sustains enables vs in our growth aboue all that we can thinke or desire that he may haue the only glorie of all his mercies Ephes 3.20.21 Thus doth this Metaphor of the winde euidence the manner of our growing in grace that euen aboue our apprehension yea contrarie to sense and ordinarie courses as the ship many times sailes by side and contrarie windes toward the Port and is faine sometimes to forgoe her Burthen yea her Anchor to that so she may escape the storme and ride safely to the hauen so are we led along in this worke of Grace To this end consider we further that our New birth and growth in grace is coÌ„pared to a combate expressing therein as the manner of it growth which is by a continuall bickering and contâ—ntion betweene the Spirit and the Flesh so thereby also giuing vs some direction how to discerne the manner thereof euen by a continuall fight and wrastling within vs whence arise these conclusions That as the spirit preuailes two waies either by strengthening vs to ouercome the present tentation or else by leauing vs to the particular tentation for the present thereby either to arme vs better against the same hereafter that so wee may after a foyle attaine a more glorious victorie or though it leaue vs to be foyled by the particular tentation yet it doth by that foyle preuent and ouercome that which might be more dangerous Therefore 1. that we then grow in grace when we make aduantage of our foiles to preuent after falling or are recompenced in our foiles with more humilitie and Repentance to be prepared to further trials 2. That whatsoeuer dutie we performe if there be not both a strugling before hand by the flesh to hinder the act thereof and a combate after by the spirit to purge the same of hypocrisie formalitie c. we haue little comfort either of the truth thereof or of our growth therein 3. That the discerning of the manner of our growth is rather by the issue and successe of the combate then by the present wrastling Because for the present through violence of tentation and heat of affections striuing there against our Faith being now exercised is so intentiue in the encounter that it hath enough to doe to keepe it owne therein and therefore no maruell if as it need not so it cannot discerne for the present sensible growth therein 4. Seeing our greatest valour in this life is rather to discerne more deeply our corruption and to be humbled for the same therefore we shall best discerne the manner of our growth rather by a more liuely sense and hatred of
the daily pardon of sinne 3. To aduance his power in sustaining vs in our infirmities 4. To glorifie his wisdome in turning them about to our good 5. To manifest his iustice in chastizing corruption 6. And so reserue the glory of all these vnto him selfe by conuincing our vnworthinesse in and by them all Secondly in this state of imperfection the Lord respecteth his children wonderfully As 1. Hereby confirming our saluation vnto vs graciously by the daily experience of his mercy in the pardon of sinne and giuing vs victorie ouer the same 2. And so in this hope prouoking vs daily by experience of our sailings to a greater watchfulnesse ouer sinne and wisedome to preuent or subdue the same And so 3. By this meanes keeping from Apostasie and desperate euils which the wicfall into 4. And so prouoking out of the sense of our slips and backsliding to make more hast to our iournies end 5. Yea encreasing hereby our groanes and sighes after our dissolution that we may be rid of sinne Rom. 7.24 6. Comforting vs in the experience of tentations and infirmities that still as we haue neede so we haue interest in Christ 7. And so sending vs daily out of our selues in the deniall of our best righteousnesse to labour the acceptance of our persons in the merit of Christ And so 8. Being refreshed in him to hasten on to perfection 9. Making vs thereby more compassionate of our brethren that so by gayning and conuerting others we may profit our selues And so 10. Weaning vs from the loue of the World and such baites of sinne as arise from thence 11. And so humbling daily vnder the mightie hand of God in enduring patiently whatsoeuer chastisements he laies vpon vs that so corruption being purged out wee may be refined daily and prepared to glorie 12. Hereby we are daily acquainted with the deepnesse of Satan and so haue more comfortable experience of the power and wisedome of God in subduing his malice and turning it about to our good 13. And may also haue comfortable experience of the Spirit in leading through all oppositions and making vs more then conquerors 14. That we may discerne the singular mercy of our God in making vs as it were fellow-fellow-workers with him in so glorious a worke of our saluation These and such like benefites redound vnto vs by this condition of infirmitie and imperfect sanctification which in a continuall state of perfection wee should neuer haue compassed Besides that this state is not conuenient for strangers and Pilgrimes such as know not what wee shall bee 1. Ioh. 3.1.2 and yet by Faith are trauailing homeward And this aboue all other is the ground of our imperfect estate that wee may not rest therein as if wee had attained but still liue by Faith in the Sonne of God and so still by faith see a farre off into the life to come that so the excellencie and power of Faith may be aduanced in leading forward the worke and the Scriptures may be fulfilled that the iust must liue by Faith And surely as herein the Lord enuies our owne good principally so also doth he aime at the condition of others with whom we cannot but be conuersant in this militant estate Surely the wisedome of God is admirable in this dispensation of weaknesse and imperfection whether we respect generally the whole mixture of good and bad or else consider them seuerally If we regard them together Doth not the conscience of our wants necessarily binde vs to communion as hauing neede of others helpe hauing matter daily to exercise our loue to others and so preuents singularitie and separation the very bane of true comfort and so proues a gracious meanes to preserue vnitie euen by this difference in supplying each others wants and thereby to maintaine loue which is the bond of perfection Is not the Church the communion of Saints and is not our different and seuerall wants the meanes of maintaining the fellowship And is not this the meanes to prepare vs to the heauenly Communion Rom. 12. 1. Cor. 12. 2. Consider we them seuerally Are they such as belong to God How doth the conscience of our wants prouoke vs to tender their case Are they yet without how doth this inflame vs to bring them in that they may be one with vs Are they within and yet behind vs how doth this enable vs cut of our owne experience to hold them vp and put them forward how doth their ensample further vs if they be before vs to attaine vnto them Are they fallen how doth this warne vs to stand the faster how doth this moue vs out of our experience to raise them vp with all meeknes Gal. 6.1 How doth this exercise our wisedome in not adding affliction to affliction by condemning them how doth it prouoke our thankfulnesse that yet we stand how doth it nourish feare that wee may fall Againe are they such as doe not belong to God yet how doth the conscience of our failings preuent peremptorie iudging of them but to leaue them to the Lord How do our infirmities proue means to stumble and harden them in their sinnes Yet how doe our graces shining euen in infirmitie make them inexcusable and iustly condemne them especially in that they fare the better for vs the worse wee fare by them enioying what they haue for our sakes and yet enuying vs the crumbes that fall from their table how doe our infirmities prouoke them to hasten vs to heauen by doing their worst how do we by doing our best hasten them to destruction Yet how doth our weake measure of grace bridle them sometimes in their wickednesse how doe they flatter themselues in their counterfet holinesse seeing in outward things they seeme to equall and goe beyond vs how doe our infirmities become an occasion to excuse them in their prophane wickednesse seeing wee are in semblance as bad as they These are some of the effects which arise from our Imperfect state in regard of the wicked If wee shall consider the consequents of this state of weakenesse that in regard hereof wee are strangers in the world and trauellers to our countrie which is aboue doth not this imperfect condition fitly sort hereunto doth it not graciously further vs both in the one and other Concerning our former condition that we are strangers in the world hath not our wise God so disposed that generally though we are adopted into the Church yet wee shall haue our abode sometime in Mesech and conuerse in the world as part of our dowrie and ioynture recouered for vs by Christ and yet so vse it as if wee vsed it not that wee might approue our repose in and pursuit of a better inheritance by laying vp a good foundation hereby against the life to come And can wee do this vnlesse wee bee strangers in the world not onely strangers in affection not to set our hearts thereon but also strangers in action to as vsing it but for our Inne to
befalls vs for well-doing as hauing hereby the true Reputation with God and good men howsoeuer the wicked doe blaspheme 1. Pet. 4.14 Thus of the ninth Commandement Lastly concerning the tenth Commandement ayming at the highest perfection and meeting with the deepest cousenage and deceit of our hearts yea casting downe our highest Imaginations and vtterly abasing the pride and confidence of the Flesh This also will further mainely the triall of our spirituall Growth 1 As meeting not onely with the Masse of corruption as being infectious to others Iam. 1.14 as our selues 2 But also with the very first thoughts and sudden corrupt passions of the heart as beeing actuall transgressions of the Righteous Law Rom. 7.9 3 And whatsoeuer suggestions of Satan beeing neuer so little dallyed with or entertayned in the heart 4 Much more if the heart delight and bee tickled therewith as foolish wishes dreames c. But also inioyning both a sincere heart to our neighbour 1. Tim. 1.5 as also holy thoughts and motions of the Spirit in our selues 1. Thess 5.23 Ephes 4.23 And still commanding vs to striue against all Lusts and euill Motions Rom. 7.22 2. Cor. 12.7 8 9. And so approuing sinceritie in the Inward man and thereby graciously furthering perfection Thus may wee trie and further increase in grace by the strict Rule of the Law Lastly because the Gospell both commands and enables to perfection therefore specially by the Law thereof wee may trie and further the Measure of our Growth Now the Law of the Gospell is two-fold First Faith 1. Ioh. 3.23 And Secondly Repentance Matth. 3.14 So that as wee beleeue so wee encrease in Grace Rom. 15.13 As wee encrease in the power of repentance so wee encrease in the practice of well-doing But of these more fully afterward in the Rules Thus wee haue discerned what Measure of Grace wee may attayne vnto in this life that so wee may bee emptied in our selues to giue the Lord the onely Glorie of his Mercies and dayly hold of our Head Christ Iesus and not of our selues and so bee still striuing and hastening forward to perfection Which that wee may the rather doe consider wee in the next place some speciall Rules and Directions for our further Triall and Comfort herein THE CONTENTS OF THE SEVENTH CHAPTER 1. That God requires of vs according to the Meanes hee giueth 2. That the Grace of God shall be sufficient for vs. 3. That there are diuers Measures of Grace and yet each hath that which is sufficient 4. That the power of God is seene in our weakenesse 5. That the Spirit is a free worker in the Measure of our Growth 6. That our enduring of Afflictions much serueth hereto 7. That Gods power must bee seene in our weakenesse 8. That according to our callings so our Measure of Grace must bee tried CHAP. 7. Of certaine Rules for the discerning and iudging the true scantling and Measure of our Growth THe first Rule for the Triall of the Measure of our Growth is That God requires of vs according to the Meanes he vouchsafeth for our spirituall Growth That is To him that hath receiued much much shall bee required at his hands Luk. 12.47 To him that hath lesse God will require no more Matth. 25.27 28 c. The ground hereof is three-fold 1 The Difference of the gifts of God in themselues As first that some are generall to all both Elect and Reprobate as those which concerne the managing of their Personall and Publike Occasions for this life as all Ciuill and Morall Gifts of Skill and Knowledge concerning personable Disposition and common Trades Vocations and Sciences And so such Gifts of Wisedome Diligence c. for the better execution of eyther Secondly some are speciall concer-cerning onely the Elect and these also are either generall to All as simply necessarie to saluation such as Faith Loue Repentance c. or they are speciall respecting their seuerall Callings and limitted occasions therein which are neyther simply required in all as Gifts of Tongues Prophecying c. at least not in all in the like measure and at all times as Assurance of Faith Ioy in the Holy Ghost suffering constantly for the Truth Gift of Miracles c. 2 The different Dispensation of the Gifts of God to seuerall persons diuersly according to their Callings and Occasions as sutable thereunto Rom. 12.6 7 8. Ephes 4.6 7 8. As first not giuing all sorts of Gifts vnto any but vnto some one Gift some another as their Calling and vse is and yet none shall be destitute of any necessarie Grace to Saluation Secondly nor giuing alike measure of the particular Gift vnto All at any time but vnto some more and some lesse according to their seuerall Callings and Imployment in the Church and Common-wealth Thirdly no not giuing to any at the first the full measure of his proper no not of his common Gift but to each in due season according to their capacitie for them and vse of them in their seuerall Callings and Turnes to aduance Gods power in their weakenesse A third ground herein is the seuerall administration of these gifts which being diuers first both according to the diuers measure and occasions thereof secondly as also to the different assistance of God for the present therein thirdly or difference of opposition against the same From all these arise many comfortable Rules for the Triall of the Measure of our Growth As first Though the first kind of Gifts are common to all sorts yet seeing also they are bestowed vpon the Elect 1. King 5.6 therefore hereby also may wee discerne the Measure of our spirituall Growth 1. That as wee receiue these common gifts by our right in Christ so wee dayly improue and renew our right in Christ by the holy vse of them sanctifying them vnto our selues by the Word and Prayer as warranting thereto and enabling therein and sanctifying vs vnto them by renewing our Repentance and Couenant with our God in the Bloud of Christ that so iustifying hereby our right in them wee may both first improue them faithfully in the right manner and true ends thereof secondly wait patiently vpon our God in the issues of the same and thirdly reape comfort and benefit by whatsoeuer successe that if it speed not according to our endeuour wee may yet haue comfort in the truth of our labor and much more comfort that these are not the maine and so it may be good for vs to be disappointed in these that wee may make sure of better euidences and bee more faithfull in the best gifts And if our successe bee answerable to our endeuour herein also wee may haue comfort of the speciall blessing in the common that if it goe well with vs in these inferiour much more then in the principall as laying vp a good foundation by them against the day of Christ 1. Tim. 6.19 Thus by the improuing men of these common and inferiour gifts and different successe thereof