receive Gods testimony and act faith thereupon until he knows God Paul says I know him whom I have believed 2 Tim. 1.12 and every man must know God before he will believe him many men â—o entertain some of the things that God says so the Devils believe and tremble but those perswasions rise from the convictions and not from faith in Gods Word No man will receive any thing meerly on Gods testimony until he know him and therefore will not be assured of that which he can know no other way but by faith and which carnal reason has many objections against 3. The conviction of this Truth is by the Spirit of God it is the work of Gods Spirit to satisfie the heart in this that it is safe appearing in the righteousness of Christ God does create light in the mind to discover this the outward call of the Gospel presents the object before men and the work of the Spirit is to give men eyes to see the truth of it mens natural reason makes them understand the sense of the Proposition and the Spirit of God puts a new light in them whereby they understand the truth of the Proposition their perswasion about this is the fruit of Divine Instruction This I shall shew from several Texts of Scripture John 16.7 8. The comforter will reprove the World of sin of righteousness and of judgment in this Text for the clearing of what is before us we shall take notice of three things 1. That the comforter here is the Spirit of God this is clear not only because he was a person sent to assist in and succeed the Ministry of the Apostles but also because he is called the Spirit of truth John 14.16 17. He shall give you another comforter even the Spirit of Truth 2. That the works of the Spirit here is conviction so 't is in the Margent the word signifies to convince by Argument and Reason and here is the Argument that the Spirit shall convince by ver 10. Because I go to my Father and ye see me no more so the word is used John 8.9 1 Cor. 14.24 3. That the thing that the Spirit does convince of is our safety in Christs Righteousness it is his righteousness that he speaks of for his going to the Father is the argument of it and it is the sufficiency of his righteousness to our salvation This is clear by two things First Because the Spirit is promised to confirm the Doctrine of the Apostles And then Secondly because the argument mentioned verse 10 does confirm this truth Christs Ascention to the right-hand of God shews that he has performed the work he came for and wrought righteousness John 6.45 Every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father commeth unto me the meaning of this is not that all that were godly among the Jews that had been taught of God should ackowledge Jesus of Nazareth and depend on him this is indeed a truth that upon the setting of convincting light before them they would do it so did Nathaniel Joh. 1.49 the Eunuch Act. 8.37 Cornelius and Lydia this is not the meaning for when he says every one that hath heard learned of the Father he means every one that has been taught by God the Doctrine of the New-Testament and he speaks of such teaching as did immediately draw men to Christ but the meaning is that they who have been taught the Gospel by God will believe on Christ so that this is clear from hence it is the work of God to encourage men to come to Christ and God encourages men by satisfying their hearts in the safety that is in the righteousness of Christ that perswasion that draws men to Christ is wrought by God. Rom. 8.30 And whom he called them he also justified by this Scripture it appears that it is Gods work to satisfie the heart in the safety of coming to Christ when he sayes that they are called of God he means they are inwardly called of God he intends not the outward call because he speaks of it as a proper effect of Predestination and certain fore-runner of Justification and this inward call is nothing else but the enlightning of the mind to see the truth and certainty of the outward call so that those Arguments which God sets before us in his Word to perswade us to come to Christ those he satisfies our hearts in by the inward work of his Spirit by his Spirit he sets home the precepts invitations and promises of the Gospel this inward Call is that which satisfies the heart so that it answers the call of God. Objection 1. It seems not to be work of the Spirit to convince men that they may safely appear in Christs Righteousness because after they have been convinced they doubt again and call it in question whether they may venture on the righteousness of Christ Answer We may well argue that if they have been convinced throughly by the spirit that they will never be utterly carried away with unbelief to reject this truth but we cannot conclude that they would never doubt men may call those things in question which they have learned by the spirit of God so the Prophet did 1 King. 13.17 18 19. yea men may question things that they have been taught by the saving work of the spirit God revealed it to the Disciples that Jesus was the Son of God Mat. 16.16 17. yet afterwards they questioned it Luk. 24.21 they say we verily thought it had been he that should have redeemed Israel the Psalmist no doubt had been convinced that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him and yet afterwards he had such workings of heart as these verily I have cleansed my heart in vain Psa 73.13 and it is no wonder for the blindness of the mind is but in part removed and sometimes they have not the exercise of that light which is in them the Devil is busie to throw scruples and objections into their hearts and they have several principles in themselves that lead them to doubt of those things that God has convinced them of they have a principle of unbelief carnal reason and enmity to the truth so that it is no wonder that they have doubts about it Objection 2. If men were convinced by the spirit they would have more understanding than many of them have of this way of salvation many of them understood very little of the confidency of this way of Salvation with the Law of God how the sufferings of one could answer for so many there are maeny Objections that they dont see through Answer Every one that is taught of the spirit has so much knowledg in this way of life as is a foundation for Faith he must have so much knowledg as that his Conscience may be satisfied in the truth of it t is also true that the teachings of the spirit do clarifie mens understandings they come hereby to have more clear conceptions of
and reject the holiness of God do men take Christ for their Priest and the Devil for their King if faith were in mens hearts those lusts would never rest there faith would be purging of them out such unholy persons do not adorn the Gospel but are blemishes to the societies to which they do belong the Scripture gives us an account of the humility heavenly mindedness love self-denyal of believers and if these men be believers they are of another kind then the Scripture tells us of such men do turn the grace of God into wantonness as if Christ came into the world to procure them a liherty to sin without danger as if the gospel did countenance iniquity such men are not guilty of deceiving many others if the sinfulness of their wayes be known men may easily tell what their faith is and if they were not stark blind they could not deceive themselves but if they hope for heaven in this way they will surely be mistaken God threatens them with damnation 2 Pet. 3.7 they that continue ungodly will as certainly perish as if there were no gospel indeed such men are not fit to be saved they are not fit for the company that is in heaven for the comfort that is there nor for the employment that is there 2. Such persons as are observing Gods commands only under some pangs for a time they set themselves carefully to do their duty and make conscience of their duty and reform things that are amiss and afterwards they wither away again and from one neglect fall to another they grow bold to sin and careless of duty lie in the practise of evil they had a fit of religion but have lost it such men have no faith if men had faith they would continue in the practise of Gods will unbelief makes men depart from God Heb 3.12 Faith is a preservative from Apostacy Heb. 10.39 we are not of them that draw back unto perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the soul such men as have once been zealous in religion and now don't regard it or live in any way of disobedience have no true faith faith will not preserve men from falling but it will from falling away and from a course of disobedience 3. Such persons as do not walk in Gods commands out of a gracious respect unto him though they be exceeding diligent and conscienscious yet they are not acted from spiritual considerations they do not duties from a spirit of obedience and for the glory of God and from a true sence what a glorious God this is these men have no faith for they have no true holiness they have no faith for by faith men come to have a spiritual understanding of the glorious excellency of God and if they understood that they would serve him because he is such and hence those men that are acted by a principle of morality in their religion have no faith and those men that are acted only by an enlightned conscience have no faith many men are terrified and scared into religion out of a spirit of fear they reform and do duty but this is not real holiness an enlightened conscience is not sufficient to make a man produce any one holy action though men abound in duties of religion yet it be not from a right motive they have no faith for all their duties are but hypocrisie not onely when men make it their great end to get wealth and reputation but when they make it their great end to get peace of conscience deliverance from hell and the joyes of heaven if such things as these be the great things that have an influence into mens religion God will not accept of it saith makes men serve God from a spirit of love gal 5.6 Faith which worketh by love Before I pass this way of Trial I shall answer some doubts that may arise in the hearts of the people of God. Doubt 1. I fear whether I have any true holiness because I see such actings of corruption as seems inconsistent with holiness and love to God. Answer There may be such actings of corruption in a saint as are inconsistent with the actual love of God but men are often mistaken in thinking that sinful actings are not consistent with the habitual love of God many times a man sees such workings of grace as seems to him inconsistent with such sinful inclinations as afterwards he finds in his heart so 't is here but there is no act of sin the sin against the Holy Ghost excepted but is consistent with habitual grace whatever lust is in the heart it may be drawn into act notwithstanding the being of grace that grace that does not altogether destroy the disposition cannot altogether hinder the working of it there needs more than the being of grace to hinder the workings of the vilest corruptions Jonah 4.9 Doubt 2. I fear because in those conflicts that I have sin gets the upper-hand I set my self to carry patiently and yet am carried away with impatience and I set my self against such a temptation and yet am out-bid Answer They may be overcome in a particular skirmish that may overcome in the war a godly man is many times out-bid in his conflicts with corruption that argues the weakness not the total want of grace grace is sometimes under hatches corruption comes like a storm and bears down all before it corruption does not only out-bid conscience but grace too if a man throw a bawl right forward the strength of the bias carries it aside Doubt 3. I fear because I find a spirit in my self to seek my happiness in the world and to mourn for affliction as the greatest evil Answer Every one that has any worldly love and carnal sorrow has this spirit worldly love is not a loving of the world but a loving of it more than God so carnal sorrow is not a mourning for afflictions but a mourning for them as the greatest evil he that is under the power of worldliness has this spirit reigning in him but godly men so far as they are unregenerate and acted by a worldly spirit do prefer the World above God and make the world their God the spirit of worldliness is to idolize the world but notwithstanding this you may love God above the world and mourn for sin above any affliction though there be a spirit to prize the world above God yet there may be another spirit in you to prize God above all things and where there is any degree of true love to God there is a loving of God above all the unregenerate part loves other things more than God the regenerate loves God more than all other things Doubt 4. I fear because I commit such sins soon again as I have been mourning for Answer It is true that mourning for sin does mortifie sin and leave the heart more fortified against the temptation yet the same corruption is in the heart still and sometimes that
the Lord to make him hate him there is nothing in man that can byas the will of God either way to love him or hate him but God herein acts from his meer pleasure 2. Hence it follows that this or that particular man is as capable of being loved of God as any other in the World God has manifested special love unto thousands of men and women and you are as capable an object of divine sove as any of them you are as capable as Abrahum Moses David Paul or any other it is true you are as capable of Gods hatred also as any other the meer pleasure of God does decide it who shall be the objects of his love and his hatred you have no reason to be discouraged because you can find no reason in your self of Gods love those that God did set his love upon could find no reason in themselves of Gods love though you be mean and despicable yet you are as capable to be an object of Gods love as any other I do not say that one man is under as great likelihood as another they that God brings under means are the children of godly Parents that God is striving with by his Spirit are more likely than others but one is as capable as the other for the free will of God is the only thing that does determine it and therefore you have sufficient ground of encouragement to accept the offer of salvation 3. If God have wrought a spirit of Faith and Holiness in you that is a manifestation that God has set his love upon you though you can find no reason why God should love you can't tell why God should have any respect unto you yet it is certain he does love you if you have a gracious change wrought in you though he has cast away thousands of greater natural and acquired endowments than you and of greater external enjoyments than you yet you are one of those that he has chosen and has set his heart upon 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath loved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his purpose and grace given us in Christ Jesus before the World began Discouragement 4. They find things since their coming to Christ much contrary to their expectation they thought that they should have had more expressions of the love of God more quicknings of the Spirit more help against corruption more visible answers of prayer they thought that if they came to Christ they should have had little trouble or temptation but have lived a sweet easie and pleasant life but things are far otherwise things run very low in their souls they have a great deal of darkness and temptation they find very evil workings of heart and therefore they fear whether God has accepted of them or be willing to accept of them and to bestow salvation upon them did they walk in the light of the Lord and enjoy such communion with God as they expected and feel such evident fruits of the love of God as they promised themselves they should not be so backward to believe but since it is otherwise it begets a trembling and fearfulness in them it puts them to a great stand hence the calls of God take less impression on them especially because they think it is not so with others that come to Christ others do enjoy more manifest tokens of divine acceptance but they are both in inward and outward respects under tokens of divine displeasure and this is an hindrance unto their believing Job 9 16 17. If I had called and he had answered yet would I not believe that he had bearkened to my voice for he breaketh me with a tempest and multiplieth my wounds without cause For the removal of this Discouragement Consider 1. That many sad and sorrowful dispensations are consistent with the favour of God men are ready to think that if God delighted in them he could not find in his heart to exercise them in such a manner his compassion would work so towards them that they should not experience such sorrows but men greatly mistake it is true that all the wayes of God are mercy to them that fear him but yet many times his wayes are in appearance contrary unto love it is common with God to bring those that he has rejected into a prosperous condition they are under very smiling providences and on the other hand God frequently frowns upon his own children not only in external dispensations but also by inward darkness leaving them to conflict with sore temptations the love of God to his people is not an affection as love in men is but it is a design to make them happy not to bestow all those degrees of blessedness upon them that he can but it is with subserviency to a greater design even the glory of his Name and therefore he leads them to happiness in such a way as is conducible to the manifestation of the glory of his pardoning grace his holiness and soveraignty and it is frequent with God to lay very heavy afflictions upon his dearest children Psal 73.14 all the day long I have been plagued and chastened every morning and God leaves his sometimes to a great deal of inward darkness Psal 88.15 while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted men that fear the Lord may be in darkness and have no light Isai 50.10 the dispensations of God unto Job and the issue of the controversie between him and his friends stand upon record to satisfie the hearts of Gods people in all ages in this particular 2. God does sometimes withdraw from his own children the sensible quicknings of his spirit God never takes away wholly his sanctifying presence from his people God is present with them to uphold the being of grace there is a divine manutenency whereby God does preserve the life of grace at all times but the sensible quicknings of his spirit may be often withheld God may often so far withdraw that they may not perceive any special gracious operation of the spirit upon their hearts and that as at other times so in duties of worship they may be left many times under great dulness and senslesness left much to the stoniness of their own hearts without any special impressions made on them by the spirit of God there are times when God makes their hearts burn within them but there are times when they are left unto a benummed frame of spirit as if they had no spiritual senses they have great cause of joy but their hearts do not rejoyce therein great cause of sorrow but unaffected with it great cause of fear but fearless their senses are bound up and spiritual truths that they think of or hear of don't sink into them Mat. 25.5 They all slumbred and slept 3. The people of God ought not to count it a frown that they have not the immediate light of Gods countenance frequently we must have a care that we do not complain
is the way to have grace quickned and strengthned Faith in Christ is the greatest furtherance of repentance and holiness Faith discovering the grace of God in Jesus Christ melts the heart for sin and arms the heart against it and Faith in Christ is the great ordinance of the Gospel for the subduing of sin in this way God will give his Spirit to work repentance and holiness Gal. 2.20 I live by Faith in the Son of God Isa 6.56 he that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him 3. The next thing to be considered is what course Christians should take that they may live a life of Faith upon Christs Righteousness and not be discouraged Direction 1. Diligently attend the Ordinances of God unto that end the Ordinances of God have a tendency to stir up Faith as well as other graces and it is in that way that God has promised his presence and Spirit God delights to be found in ways appinted by himself God has not said that we should seek him in vain Isa 45.19 Christ will be present with us in those ways Mat. 28.20 Gods very prescribing of means is an encouragement unto us to attend upon them especially when he has annexed his promise to the same if men be remiss and slighty in attending upon Gods Ordinances they are not likely to thrive in faith or any other grace it would be no wonder if they should wither away and live in a dark discouraged condition but if christians be careful to attend Ordinances and improve them for the strengthning of their faith they are in a hopeful way to thrive no wonder if there be a blast upon the inventions of men but experience teaches the people of God to say it is good for us to draw nigh unto God Psal 73 28. God can make faith to flourish without Ordinances and so he can maintain mens bodily strength without food he can reveal himself to those that seldom wait upon him but his manner is to dole out his spiritual gifts at his own gates he can make them flourish else where if he please but he chooses to do it in his own courts Psal 92.13 14. the Psaimist might have understood the end of the wicked in another place if God had pleased but he chose to give him the understanding of it in the Sanctuary Psal 73 17. God has appointed the place where we shall meet with him and there we must wait for him if men desire to flourish in faith they must be diligently improving Ordinances that way God loves to honour his own Ordinances and help his people in a way of Obedience and give forth his presence in such a way that they may see his faithfulness as well as his mercy beware that you do not under any pretences grow negligent in waiting upon God some men are carried away with a sluggish spirit they cannot endure to take the pains to wait upon God constantly and solemnly they love their ease and indulge themselves in a lazy way of carrying an end their religion and some are carried away with a worldly spirit they are Martha like cumbring themselves with much buisiness involving themselves so deep in the world that they can find little leasure to wait upon God their worldly buisiness over-rules their religion if you give way to these lusts conclude upon it that you will not thrive in faith you must be content with a little faith that give way to a slighty spirit in waiting upon God you never knew an eminent believer that was not a great prizer of Ordinances in this way there is hope that Faith will increase therefore diligently attend them Particularly 1. Read the Word of God diligently it is very useful to this end to read the writings of faithful and experienced men such books are of great use for the understanding of the Scripture but there is a peculiar usefulness in the Word of God it self because that is without error and mistake it is given by inspiration from God 2 Tim. 3.16 in other mens writings you have the judgment of men and many times their judgments are according to the Word of God and cleard up from thence but in the Scripture you have the testimony of God himself there is a divine authority in the Scripture the Scripture is the sentence of God a message from God it is cloathed with divine Majesty the Word of God has a power over the conscience there is secret vertue in it to stir up Faith there is a majesty and commanding authority in the Scripture yea the Scripture is sanctified by God to work upon the hearts of men Joh. 20.31 these are written that ye might believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God there is a special advantage in it to hear God speaking in his own language 2. Frequently attend the preaching of the Word that which God makes use of especially for the begeting of Faith is very proper for the nourishing of it Rom. 10.17 Faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the Word of God this is an ordinance as well as the reading of the Word and there is a special usefulness in it several ways the life and zeal that is in the delivery is of special use and a great means to affect the heart in the preaching of the Word counsels and encouragements are directed more partiticularly unto them and that by those that God has set over them that must give an account of their souls Act. 20.28 yea the very solemnity of the Assembly does help to solemnize the heart and prepare it to receive what is spoken from the Word of God. And therefore you should be forward to take opportunities for the hearing of the Word men had need have weighty grounds before they remove to such places where they are like to live many years without the preaching of the Word on to such places that they and their families can seldom come to the Publick Assembly and you had need be careful that you do not make frivolous excuses to stay away from the House of God if the weather be difficult or if there be some small bodily indisposition many count they have a good warrant to stay at home persons that could overlook such difficulties in order to a worldly design and although there be more liberty respecting weekly opportunities especially in neighbour places yet you had need have the weight of those two things upon your heart that you don't cast contempt upon the Ordinance of God and that you don't neglect the advantages that God gives for spiritual profit Psal 122.1 I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the House of the Lord. 3. Attend the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the great design of this Ordinance is for the strengthning of Faith therein is offered to us special communion with a crucified Saviour therein is a sacramental representation made before us of the death of Christ therein is a special offer
upon the rationalness of the Doctrine and these perswasions may work some considerable effects on their hearts but those are some that have a thorow conviction of it whose hearts are truly satisfied in the truth of it This is Evident 1. Because they do believe this the Doctrine of the Gospel is believed by many Acts 15.7 That the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel and believe there be some that do receive the testimony of Christ John 3.33 and by Faith entertain the Doctrine of Salvation by his sufferings tho they be but few comparatively Isai 53.1 and therefore they are assured of it for that knowledg which we have of things by Faith in God is certain that knowledg which we have of things by our believing the testimony of man is fallible and it leaves room for doubtings but the knowledg that we have of things by our believing the testimony of God is certain and as abundantly satisfying to the heart as that which we have by the seeing of the eye or by demonstration the knowledg that we have by Faith is a knowledg at second hand but God gives us sufficient assurance that it is he that speaks and that his testimony is true therefore when men do believe they are said to be perswaded Heb. 11.13 They saw the promises afar off and were perswaded of them so they are said to know surely John 17.8 they have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me So they are said to be sure John 6 69. We believe and are sure that thou art the Christ 2. Because they believe on Christ and venture their souls upon him 1 Tim. 3.16 Believed on in the World 1 John 5.13 I have written to you that believe on the Son of God and this is the effect of their assurance that it is safe appearing in Christs righteousness if they were not convinced of that no Arguments would perswade them to venture upon Christ when men come to Christ they come under that conviction that it is safe coming unto him the Gospel works effectually in them that believe 1 Thess 2.13 every one that comes to Christ hath the witness in himself 1 Joh. 5.10 this makes them come with boldness unto Christ tho there be many others that are afraid to come if they were not afraid of the truth of the Gospel they would be afraid to come too they would not dare to cast themselves on Christ before they were convinced they withstood all Arguments that could be used with them they had their answers ready and their excuses at hand they had an unperswadable spirit somewhat to turn off all that could be said and the reason that now they venture themselves on Christ is not any self-excellency for they come to him when they are at worst when they see the plague of their own hearts but is it because they are convinced of the safety that is in Christ to them that believe Christ is precious 1 Pet. 2.7 3. Because they have comfortable and gracious hopes of glory there be many flattering hopes of blessedness that ungodly men do entertain that depend upon their vain conceits but the people of God have a gracious hope of glory and the hopes of the people of God do principally depend on the conviction of these two things 1. That there is safety in Christs righteousness and then that they have an interest in it have received it their Faith of dependance arises from the conviction of the first but their hope arises from both together 't is true that their hopes do rise from the belief of other promises of glory together with a sight of the qualifications in the mselves that are mentioned in those promises thus Saints have hope from those promises that are made to those that love God that mortifie sin that love the Saints that are patient under afflictions c. yet the fundamental promise of the Gospel is that which is made to believing in Christ and the hopes of christians do principally arise from the conviction of Christs righteousness together with our interest therein 1 Pet. 1 8. Believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory Rom. 15.13 The God of hope fill you with joy and peace in believing 2. This conviction is not the fruit of mens natural reason natural reason tho advantaged with external revelation cannot satisfie the heart that it is safe to appear in the righteousness of Christ natural reason may work some conviction of this truth and discover so much of it that a man may come to look upon it very rational and probable but it cannot discover the certainty of it flesh and blood can't reveal that natural reason may make such a discovery of this truth that they may be urged in conscience to believe in Christ and condemned in conscience for not believing in him that they may think those happy that do believe in him that they judg those grosly erroneous that do decy this Doctrine but yet it will not give such a conviction as can assure the soul that it is so indeed men are apt to think that they are satisfied that there is safety in relying on the righteousness of Christ only they question whether God does call them as the case is circumstanced with them to rely upon him but they delude themselves mans reason does not discover the certainty of this truth by all the helps that the world does afford yea though they do partake of some inward common illumination the nature of man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 There is a twofold defect in natural reason that hinders men from receiving of this Truth 1. Natural reason cannot apprehend that God can find in his heart to save sinners on the account of Christs righteousness when men come to be enlightned and have a sence of the guilt of sin and wrath of God it will not enter into them that God can be free to forgive them and save them on the account of Christs blood they are strangers unto the merciful nature of God and hence are seeking to get some worthiness of their own to pacifie God with and can't conceive that God is willing to pardon them who are so unworthy except they were somwhat better they think they must have something to commend them to God they think it would be madness for them as bad as they are to venture on Christs bloud 1 Cor. 1.18 the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness they have strange and low thoughts of the mercy of God Isa 55.8 2. Natural reason will not make men believe Gods testimony natural reason will not beget saith natural men are in Scripture described to be unbelievers John 5 46. natural reason will not lay weight on the testimony of God no man will
Gospel truths but men may be taught by the spirit and yet be very unable to give a resolution of many Objections the Disciples were taught of God that Jesus was the Son of God Mat. 16.17 and yet knew not what to say to that Objections that Elias must first come Mat. 17.19 tho a Christian cannot answer many Objections about the sufficiency of Christs Righteousness yet he knows that that will satisfie his heart that it is sufficient namely that God gives this testimony to it and invites him to venture upon it 4. Consider in what way the spirit of God works this conviction and assurance and that is by a spiritual illumination of the mind the spirit of God is not wont in adult persons to reveal this Doctrine in any extraordinary way he works this conviction in such adult persons only as have the knowledg of the Doctrine by hearing and reading of the Word men must not expect to be taught that in a miraculous way which they may learn in an ordinary way neither would this be suffieient to work a through conviction and assurance of it a man may have things revealed unto him extraordinarily by God that has no Faith as Balaam neither does the Spirit assure men of this in way of testimony the Spirit of God is wont to testifie and witness some things to the soul of the Saints the Spirit it self beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God Rom. 8.16 but he does not in that way reveal unto men the truth of the Doctrine of the Gospel but he openeth our eyes to see the truth of it the Spirit gives us eyes to see and also the actual understanding of the truth of the Gospel he puts a principle of spiritual understanding into us by a work of creation ye were sometimes darkness but now are ye light in the Lord Eph. 5.8 he also assists us actually to discern the truth of this way of salvation by Christ while the soul is hearing reading and meditating of it he puts a light into him discovering it to be true and sometimes while the soul is thinking of his misery the spirit brings to remembrance some word and with that puts in a light into the soul that satisfies the heart in the truth of the Gospel and this is wrought these three wayes 1. The Spirit helps us to see the truth of this in the testimony of God in his Word 't is not any inward testimony that our Faith depends upon but the testimony of God in his Word and the inward work of the Spirit is to help us to receive the sure Word of Prophecy and depend upon that God witnesses in his Word plentifully to that that there is salvation wrought out for us by Christ that he has redeemed us purged away sins brought in everlasting righteousness and in this testimony of God we see the truth of the thing it self the Spirit satisfies the heart and clears it up to him that this is Gods testimony that it is no deceit that it is not any device or forgery of man under a pretence of Gods testimony but that this is the very Word of God the Word comes in Gods Name and has many characters of divine authority in it and the soul is satisfied that it is Gods Word 1 Thess 2.13 ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the Word of God The Spirit also satisfies the heart in the faithfulness of God naturally men have no assurance of the faithfulness of God though they profess it but the spirit convinces the soul that the Lord is a God of truth I know him whom I have believed 2 Tim 1 12. he does with Sarah judge him faithful that has promised and here though his soul be precious to him yet he can quietly venture it upon his Word 2. The Spirit helps us to see the certainty of this in a way of reasoning from other Principles which we do undoubtedly receive there is an assurance by arguing from such things as we are certain of this is called the demonstration of the spirit 1 Cor. 2.4 when once a man is principled in that foundation that the testimony of God in his Word is certain and infallible then he is assured of such principles as these that Jesus Christ who was our Surety is exalted to the right hand of God that sinners are invited to rely upon the blood of Christ that Christ has fulfilled the righteousness of the Law for us for these things are plainly laid down in the Word of God he had the notion of these things before but now he is assured of them and being assured of them God help him to argue from them the infallible certainty of salvation by Christs righteousness John 16.10 the spirit convinces of righteousness because I go to my Father so a Christian sometimes after he is come to Christ finds by experience in that way the sanctifying and comforting presence of God with him and from hence he argues and is more established in the Doctrine of salvation by Christ 3. The Spirit helps to see the glorious excellency of God and Jesus Christ and thereby the great Objections of his heart do vanish away and fall of their own accord there are some less Objections which arise for want of distinct knowledg and from a mis-understanding of some places of Scripture which though they prove temptations yet don't wholly hinder the workings of Faith but the main Objections of the heart were that God could not find in his heart to pardon such sins as they have been guilty of and that the Law threatens them with ruine but the spirit discovers unto the soul the excellency of God in Christ the riches of Gods grace and the preciousness of the righteousness of Christ and then those Objections fall Psal 36.7 How excellent is thy loving-kindness O Lord therefore the sons of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings Joh. 17.3 This is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Consider 5. That this is a great work of Gods Spirit to convince men and assure them that it is safe appearing in the righteousness of Christ it is a matter of exceeding great difficulty to give entertainment unto this truth and hence it is that many men are never satisfied in it all their dayes they continue all their lives long under the means of grace and yet never come unto the knowledg of this truth and many others whom God has perswaded of it have been long before they were satisfied though they have been full of inward troubles and fears and thereby put upon it to be inquisitive into the way of salvation yet were long before they came to Christ their hearts were unsatisfied about their safety in so doing and after prevailing and clear conviction doubts are ever and anon arising in their hearts and this difficulty must needs be very
friends incurred the anger of men been reproached born Persecution and upon this account they count their services excellent they think it is no small matter to do what they have done and are ready to please themselves that they have merited highly hereby Luke 18.12 I fast twice in the week and give tithes of all that I possess 4. The serviceableness of their carriages They by their carriages have done great service and upon that account they do extol and magnifie them they have by their charity relieved many a godly man and by their zeal counsel bounty learning the publick good has been promoted they have been a means to promote religion in the place where they lived They have put their shoulders to the cause of God when it needed a lift they have been peace-makers they have been ready to forward any good designs they have comforted on ourners they have stirred up others to godliness there has been much good promoted by them they have had an hand in many a good work and have been instruments to promote the glory of God in their place and upon this account they think they have deserved well such services are not to be forgotten Mat. 7.22 Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name And there are two things that do considerably strenghthen this temptation 1. That others have a good and it may be an high opinion of them they take notice of that that others esteem them they pass currently for Saints where they are known they have the good word of others godly men that have a spirit of discerning do take them for Saints they have entertained them into their societies take delight in their company entreat their prayers this greatly establishes them in that apprehension that they carry themselves excellently they think they are not alone in judging so of themselves but others wise and experienced men judg so too it would shake their confidence if others thought them hypocrites but they perceive that others have no suspicion of them 2. That their carriages are far better than the carriages of many others When they compare themselves with many others they are hugely taken with themselves many others are prophane and vicious but they are not they don't lead such lewd lives as others do yea they carry it better than many Professors they are more exemplary in their conversation not carried away so with the sins of the times more strict in sanctifying the Sabbath and the like they are more forward for publick good not so passionate nor so covetous nor so haughty nor so complying as many others are Luke 18.11 I am not as other men nor as this Publican 4. A fourth temptation that proves a snare to them is that God owns them in this way since they have reformed their course and taken up the practice of religion Gods dispensations to them are otherwise than formerly And this confirms their apprehensions that God is reconciled unto them that they are taken into his favour and so that their works are taking with God and prevail for their acceptance with him they think the providence of God does witness for them that their services are of great account And there are three things in providence that they build upon 1. That God prospers them and succeeds them in their occasions they thrive in the World more than they did formerly their estates are blessed they don't meet with such crosses in providence as formerly that promise seems to be made good unto them Psal 1.3 Whatsoever he doth shall prosper God in his providence smiles upon them their cattle increase their trading succeeds and they have credit and good acceptance among men they are improved in publick service and this they attribute to the delight that God takes in their conversation they look upon this as the fruit of their goodness 2. That God has given some remarkable answers to their Prayers and that not only when they have joyned with others in prayer but when they have prayed alone in some particular case of their own they have gone before God and poured out their hearts before him and he has done the thing for them and granted the desire of their hearts and tho there be no evidence of favour meerly in Gods doing that which men ask for God hears the Ravens that cry Psal 147.9 and sometimes he grants mens desires in judgment Psal 106.15 yet these men build much on this thing inasmuch as God has gratified them in a thing that lay much upon their heart and did it also in answer to their prayer 3. That God does sometimes draw nigh to them and quicken and encourage them when they have been serving him sometimes when they have been at prayer God has greatly enlarged their hearts so in hearing of the Word and other Ordinances their heart does many times melt God assists them and don 't leave them to a dry sapless spirit in the practise of Religion but he warms their hearts and kindles gracious affections in them while others are sleeping in the House of God their hearts are greatly affected with spiritual things and they look upon this as a sign that their wayes are pleasing unto God they count that now they have communion with God and now and then they have had some special incouraging words set home upon their hearts some promises have come to them that have much revived them and this they think evidences the favour of God and the excellency of their carriages 5. The fifth temptation is that they don't know any other way to get the favour of God but by their own righteousness it is a dreadful thing unto them to go without the favour of God they have had convictions of the dreadfulness of Hell and they tremble to think of being rejected they would not for a world be cast away it is an amazing thing to them to think of dwelling with devouring fire so that they are pressed in spirit if it be possible to secure their salvation and get as strong and sure a title to heaven as they can and they don't know any other way but this by their own righteousness there is another way proposed unto them they hear often of the way of salvation by Christ but it is a meer mystery unto them they do not conceive the safety that is in this way their reason does not reach it what ever is said unto them they look upon it unlikely they are not satisfied in the justice of it or that God can find in his heart to pardon them in this way they are full of reasonings against it tho God testifie plainly unto this way of salvation yet they dare not venture it this way is hidden from them 2 Cor. 4.4 If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost hence they dare not give over seeking by their own righteousness and let go their carnal confidencies 't is with them as with a man that is falling down some steep
authority from none but Jesus Christ as Mediator does derive his authority from God but his authority is a sufficient warrant Mat. 17.5 hear him and hence Ministers may indifferently invite men in the name of God or Christ 2 Cor. 5.20 now then we are Ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God. 3. There is no necessity that at the time of the souls closing with Christ he should be reading or hearing the call of the Gospel it is by those calls but many times they do not prevail while a man is hearing of them but afterwards sometimes it is in the very time of hearing Acts 14.1 2. Acts 2.41 but it may be as well afterwards it may be in time of prayer and often is or in meditation God does it for them that wait upon him in his Ordinances but not always in the time of Ordinances thus it is with other works of the Spirit awakening of finners comforting of Saints and Sinners Mat. 21.29 be said I will not but afterwards he repented and went. 3. There is no necessity that this closure with Christ should be wrought by the letter of the Scriptures frequently it is by some particular word but it is many times otherwise sometimes the thing is urged by a Minister according to the Scripture and God makes some sentence that he speaks effectual Acts 16.31 32. so somtimes in meditation God makes men see the general cal of the Gospel though no particular place be pitched upon thus 't is sometimes afterwards with Saints 4. There is no necessity that the particular word that draws the soul to Christ should be in the form of an invitation it is many times so as by those words Mat. 11.28 Rev. 22.17 but it may be by any other Gospel expression as by those words 1 Pet. 2.24 who bore our sins in his own body upon the Cross Isai 53.6 he was wounded for our sins and bruised for our iniquities Eph. 5.2 he hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God of a sweet smelling savour it may be wrought by any Gospel precept promise declaration God by any such word may let in a light to shew the soul the truth of the Gospel Call. From this particular we may conclude the saith of two sorts of persons to be false 1. Such as ventured at first upon Christ from that encouragement that God loved them they thought that God had a love for them either from his outward providences he smiled on them in his providences and blessed them and heard their prayers or he manifested his love to them by restraining their corruptions and keeping of them from such evil practices as others are addicted unto or else from some inward comfort that God has given them God gave them some inward comfort when they were in a sad condition and from thence they conclude the love of God and so are bold to venture themselves on Jesus Christ they have had some inward joy and that they make the foundation of their Faith and so they quite prevent Gods order they get first a faith of assurance that God loves them and then they have a saith of dependance but the particular love of God is not the foundation of our faith there is no need of knowing that in order to believing the love of God is to be cleared up by effectual calling 2 Pet. 1.10 Gods love to the soul is a secret till he does believe Eph. 1.13 after ye believed ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise God may reveal the love he has to a man unto some other before the man believes as the love God had to Jacoh was revealed to Rebecca but not to the man himself Gods particular love is not the foundation of Faith but the call of the Gospel 2. Such as ventured first upon Christ upon that encouragement that they loved God they found affections to God and Christ and that made them think that God meant them in the call of the Gospel that made them think that it was not presumption for them to come to Christ that made them think that God would not reject them their first encouragement rises from themselves and then in a secondary way they take encouragement from the Gospel that adds to their encouragement but this faith is a rotten faith it has not a right foundation such a faith may make men live more comfortable here but it will deceive them Rev. 3 17. 3. In the first closure with Christ there is such a light let into the Soul of the sinner that he cannot but come to Christ when he does come there is a necessity upon him to come it is thus many times very remarkable afterwards but eminently so at first before he comes he cannot come and when he does come he cannot but come the sinner has at that time such a supernatural light let into him that he is under constraints to come to Christ all the wit in hell can't perswade him to stay away where God begins to open the eyes there may be some objecting but before God has done the light is so full that the soul is carryed captive by it Ministers are required to compel men to come in Luke 14.23 that is to use compelling arguments such as when God sets the same home will compell men the light that God puts in to the soul at that time is such that he cannot withstand it it silences all his carnal reasonings stops his mouth answers his objections so that he cannot stand out any longer John 6.45 every one that has been taught and hath learned of the Father commeth unto me This I clear up from these considerations 1. All that have this inward light and teaching doe come unto Christ 't is true there is an illumination that is not effectual to work saith Mat. 13.20 2 Pet. 2.21 that light is only the irradiation of the natural understanding but there is an inward light that is always attended with faith such men as have a thorow conviction of the gospel doe ever close with it that light that is sufficient in order to saith is always efficacious the inward call of the gospel is always answered Rom. 8.30 whom he called them he also justified all those that God draws do run after him Cant. 1.4 they that know Christ will come to him John 17.35 Psal 9.10 and this shews that they cannot but come if this inward light could be resisted some would resist it among so many thousands some would refuse to come this way would not be universally successful with men of all tempers and inclinations if it did not necessitate them some or other would be found that would refuse 2. This inward light is said to come with power upon the soul it has a perswading overcoming power with it it has power to gain the will and draw the consent of the heart the gospel where the Spirit
Lords Supper so when you meet with any temptations to beat you off from this way of believing when you have been contracting any special guilt when you go before God in solemn prayer and besides what is to be done on such occasions as these it is a duty to have the heart working and carried out in this way at other times and it will be so where the heart is in a believing frame men then will love to be thinking upon the precious righteoousness of Christ and putting forth acts of dependance thereupon God requires you to be much in the exercise of Faith 1 Joh. 5.13 those things have I written to you that believe on the Name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may believe on the Name of the Son of God. This ought to be upon a double account 1. This is an honour due to God and Jesus Christ it becomes us to be putting honour upon them by reniewing those acts of Faith when a man is drawing his encouragement from the righteousness of Christ and the free grace of God prizing Christs Righteousness satisfied with that rejoycing in it rolling himself upon it he is putting honour thereupon and it is no more than it does deserve it becomes us to be giving this glory unto God and Jesus Christ when the acts of Faith are much intermitted and when there are any actings of unbelief we do deny them their due honour but the exercise of Faith is a practical acknowledgment of their glory and this is one part of that way of holiness wherein the people of God are walking unto salvation the first act of Faith in Christ is the fulfilling of the Covenant other acts of Faith are a part of our attending that way of holiness which is the way of life 2. This is the way of our comfort we need to be from time to time renewing the acts of Faith that we may live a comfortable life this is a way to have a stable and well grounded comfort for in this way of salvation God has given us everlasting consolation and good hope 2 Thess 2.16 the actings of unbelief fill the soul with trouble that saint must needs live a sorrowful life that is much carried away with an unbelieving heart such a life is attended with many terrors and fears unbelief is the sinking of the heart the prevailings of a spirit of discouragement bring a man into a most perplexed condition and he that lives in a way of carnal confidence will live a life of trouble though at times his joy may be great yet there will often be such discoveries of his heart and convictions of his danger as will fill his soul with fear and trembling the only way to live a sweet and comfortable life is to live by Faith upon Christ the actings of Faith give rest unto the heart there will be some measure of comfort wherever Faith is in exercise though a man be in the dark about his condition yet the very actings of Faith will support his heart Faith discovers a resting place for the soul in the exercise of Faith the soul is receiving of encouragement therefore Faith is often expressed in Scripture by joy Phil. 3.3 Hab. 3.18 indeed there is a sweetness and pleasingness in the exercises of every grace because they are suitable to that new nature that God has put into his Saints but there is a special sweetness in the exercise of Faith because the nature of it is to entertain a well grounded comfort and encouragement the very actings of Faith have a great deal of comfort in them and the reflection of the soul upon those acts of Faith has a great deal of comfort in them Faith it self is comfortable and the sight of Faith is comfortable Faith comforts as it entertains the glad tidings of the Gospel as it discovers a door of hope the light of Faith comforts as it discovers a sure evidence of Salvation In prosecuting of this VSE we shall consider three things 1. That Saints are apt to be discouraged from believing on the righteousness of Christ for acceptance 2. What their discouragements are together with proposals for the removing of them 3. What course saints should take that they may live by Faith on Christs righteousness and not be discouraged 1. Consider Saints are apt to be discouraged from believing on the righteousness of Christ for acceptance there are two sorts of discouragements that Christians have with respect unto their acceptance one sort is when they are discouraged as if they were not accepted as if they were not saints and in a state of salvation their present state is dark unto them and this arises either from Gods dispensations towards them or their carriages towards God God layes afflictions upon them exercises them with inward temptations don't give assurance of his love don't answer their prayers don't quicken their hearts in his Ordinances and they are carried away with corruption don't feel the working of love in their hearts have not such spiritual hearts as others of the people of God and so they are ready to sink as if their present state were not a state of peace with God the other sort of discouragement is when they are afraid to come unto Christ for acceptance they are called upon to believe but are discouraged from that duty it don't enter into them that God is free to accept of them through Christ they dare not believe and these two sorts of discouragements are generally Companions and go together though not alwayes usually when Christians are discouraged as to their present state they are also more backward to believe than at other times and their hearts are frighted because of the greatness and number of their sins and when they are in an unbelieving frame they are many times discouraged as if they were not Saints and can't discern those signs that they can see plain enough at another time this latter sort of discouragement whereby Saints are discouraged from believing in Christ is that we are now discoursing of and this discouraged frame is one of those frames that are contrary to a believing frame there are two other frames in Christians that are contrary to believing in Christ one is a slighty careless and regardless frame of spirit respecting acceptance with God and eternal salvation mens hearts are sometimes so deeply engaged in the world that they are little concerned about the state of their souls they have not the weight of it on their hearts to make sure a part in Christ sometimes Christians are under the prevailings of a sensless Spirit they have not sense nor solemnity enough upon their hearts to put forth an act of Faith the other is a self-righteous frame whereby Christians are apt to be drawing of their encouragements for their acceptance with God from their own righteousness but besides these there is a discouraged frame of spirit whereby Saints are afraid to believe