Selected quad for the lemma: state_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
state_n	faith_n	grace_n	justification_n	1,459	5	9.0615	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A43586	A new creature: or, A short discourse, opening the nature, properties, and necessity of the great work of the new creation upon the souls of men Being some plain discourses on Galatians vi. 15. By O. H. an unworthy minister of the Gospel.	Heywood, Oliver, 1629-1702.	1695 (1695)	Wing H1774; ESTC R221314	109,851	208

God's prerogative and he is a free Agent 1 Pet. 1.21 to work or suspend his Grace Object But doth not Baptism now save Answ But it is when there 's the Answer of a good Conscience and it is by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Rom. 1 16.-10.14 The Gospel-preaching is the Power of God to Salvation yet all are not saved by it Faith comes by hearing Jam. 5.3 Yet all that hear do not believe For who hath believed our Report Ordinances are but Channels not Springs of Grace the Blessing upon them depends only on Soveraign Grace how many Thousands have gone to Hell with Baptismal Water on their Face Ishmael Esau and all the House of Israel that were uncircumcised in Heart Jer. 9.26 Rest not satisfied with this but see you be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Matth. 3.11 6. Quest Wherein doth this New Creature excel shining morality or the splendid common Graces of the Hypocrites Answ 1. In the Root or Principle begot by a Saving change from Nature to Grace carnal men though they have never so fair a Flower yet want the Root of the matter John 19.27 This unsoundness of Heart is the Hair in the Moralists Pen that blurs all his fair Writing as he said of a Person of such and such Vertues tamen est Romanus yet he 's a Leper as was said of Naaman the Syrian still graceless unprincipled 2. In the Universality Zechariah and Elizabeth walked in all the Commandments of the Lord Luk. 1.6 But of the Moralist and Hypocrite it may be said the Legs of the Lame are not equal they are addicted to halting and halving they are always partial seem excellent in one Grace but defective in another yea totally want what is essentially necessary to constitute a Saint The Moralist is defective in compliance with the first Table of the Law the Hypocrite with the Second but the New Creature lies square to all Commands and Duties at all times Psal 106.3 The New Creature acts for a right End God's glory and communion with him but the Moralist and Hypocrite always and in every action hath a squint Eye at himself profit pleasure honour as Jehu and the Pharisees 4. The New Creature always improves Jesus Christ both for assistance and acceptance the Moralist and Hypocrite stand upon their own Legs and think their Penny current Money with God but the gracious Soul denys himself in all his Works are wrought in God John 3.21 He is accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.6 In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory Isa 45.25 7. Qu. Wherein lies the difference betwixt this New Creature which consists in Sanctification and the state of Justification The Reason of this Query is because Papists and some others confound them Answ 1. The New Creature in Sanctification is an Inherent Work done within us A New Spirit will I put within you Ezek. 36.26 And the Kingdom of God is within you Luk. 17.21 And though at first it be immediatly infused by the Spirit yet the Christian is an Agent in promoting his Sanctification 2 Cor. 7.1.1 John 3.3 they may and must cleanse themselves But now Justification is a Work done without us by the Lord Christ with his Father by his Satisfaction of Divine Justice on the Cross and by his Intercession at God's Right Hand we have Redemption through his Blood the forgiveness of Sins Ephes 1.7 The Red Lines of Christ's Blood blot out the Black Lines of our Sins out of God's Debt-book he washeth us from our Sins in his own Blood 1 John 1.7 Rev. 1.5 He was delivered for our Offences and raised again for our Justification Rom. 4.25 No other Person or Thing is interposed no Faith it self as a Work hath not any causality in this Work its only God's free Work of Grace for Christ's sake to forgive Sins 2. The New Creature in Sanctification is not wrought in the same measure or degree in all the Saints of God some that are sincere come far short of others there are some Babes others strong men Heb. 5.13 14. It 's said of some Kings of Israel there was none like them Neh. 7.2 Hananiah feared God above many There was none like Job in the Earth Job 1.8 So there was different products of the Seed yet all in good Ground Matth. 13.23 Some Christians abound in Faith Love Humility Patience Knowledge Mortification others are defective But Justification is alike to all and upon all that believe for there is no difference Rom. 3.22 The meanest weakest Believer hath as large a Store as the strongest I write unto you little Children because your Sins are forgiven you for his Name 's sake 1 John 2.12 They are as much justified as Fathers and Young Men Mary Magdalen the Penitent Thief are as much justified as Peter the reason is because they are all partakers of like precious Faith 2 Pet. 1.1 The least measure whereof attains its End of receiving Christ as the greater for it 's Christ received by Faith that justifies a weak Hand may receive a Gift as well as the stronger though not so steaddily but it s the Gift that inricheth not the strength of the Hand 3. The New Creature comes on by degrees it s not compleat as it shall be at the first instant it 's first an Embryo Christ formed in the Heart and then increaseth with the increase of God till it come to a perfect man Col. 2.19 to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4.13 The Apostle thanks God for the Thessalomans that their Faith did grow exceedingly 2 Thes 1.3 and Charity It s like the Sun that shineth more and more to the perfect day Prov. 4.18 A good Man grows stronger and stronger Job 17.9 But now Justification is compleat at first every whit as much at first ingrafting into Christ as afterwards All that believe are justified from all things Acts 13.39 No Condemnation can be laid in against them Rom. 8.1 He forgiveth all trespasses blotting out the hand-writing Col. 2.13 14. God throughly washeth away his Childrens blood Ezek. 16.9 There 's not a Spot to be seen on them no Charge can be drawn up against them Rom. 8.33 Quest Why then are Christ's Disciples bound to pray daily for Pardon Matth. 6.12 Answ 1. Because we are daily committing new Sins in many things we offend all James 3.2 We miss it in every thing Oh how many are our secret Faults Psal 19.12.2 God would have us daily lie under the sence of our former guilt the desert of Sin and the worth of pardoning Grace David was assured of Pardon by Nathan 2 Sam. 12.13 yet afterwards prays for it Psal 51.2 The prodigal Son confesseth his fault after his Father had fallen on his Neck Luk. 15.20 21.3 Pardoning Grace may be clouded in the sence and assurance of it and in this respect the Righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith Rom. 1.17 From a less

to a stronger Faith Besides 4. We may distinguish betwixt a justified State and applications of Pardon to Souls there is forgiveness with God which must be daily sued out by Faith and Prayer Psal 130.4 4. Another difference betwixt this New Creature and Justification is that the Grace of the New Creature is never perfect in this Life the holiest Saints have some Spots and defects who can say I have made my Heart clean Prov. 20.9 I am pure from my Sin Eccle. 7.20 There 's not a just man on Earth that doth good and sinneth not Mat. 3.14 John Baptist needs a New Baptism all the Disciples need their first washing John 13. A Paul complains of a Body of Death Rom. 7.14 It s in Heaven only that the Spirits of just men are made perfect Heb. 12.23 Bat Justification is perfect there 's no Spot in the justified Cant. 4.7 Fair as the Moon Cant. 6.10 as to Sanctification clear as the Sun in respect of Justification Psal 51.7 white as Snow Isa 38.17 God deals with them as if they had never offended casting their Sins behind his Back into the depth of the Sea Mich. 7.18 Remembers them no more Jer. 31.34 Object But doth not God punish his for Sin Answ Those are not properly Acts of Vindictive Justice but Fatherly Chastisements coming from God not as a Judge upon a Malefactor but as an indulgent Father to his wandring and way-ward Child It s true Afflictions are materially the Curse but formally a Blessing being like a Water running through the blessed Mineral of Covenant-Love With reference to this Pardoning Grace Dr. Ames Medul p. 139. its worth noting what D. Ames observes that there 's fourfold Pardon 1st In God's decree and purpose foreseeing it Gal. 3.8 2dly In Christ's undertakings our Sins laid on him Isa 53.6 3dly Virtually upon the Christians first Relation to God Rom. 8.1 4thly Expresly applied upon the Believers Repentance acting of Faith and sence of pardon Rom. 5.1 And I may add there 's a Day of publick proclaiming this Pardon before the whole World Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your Sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Chap. VI. An Use of Reproof and Conviction of sundry sorts A Second Use of this point is Reproof If a New Creature be available to Souls yea of such absolute necessity then what shall we say 1. Of non-pretenders to it 2. Of meer Pretenders to it 1. There are some in the World that plainly say in Words or Deeds that they are as they have been and so will continue they trouble not themselves about these new things but say I am Semper idem still the same I thank God I am no Turn-coat nor will I meddle with them that are given to change I love the old way To this Answer Take that Text with you Jeremiah 6.16 Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the Old Paths where is the good old way and walk therein Mark it not simply the Old Way except it be good for there are many old ways that are not good Cain's way is old enough so was Balaam's and Core's yet there 's a Woe unto them that walk in those ways Jude 11. The Woman of Samaria boasted of the Antiquity that their Father Jacob gave them that Well that her Ancestors did worship in that Mountain John 4 12.-20.24 But our Lord teacheth her other Doctrines yea it was no good Plea of the Jews that they did as their Fathers in burning Incense to the Queen of Heaven though they pleaded great Success then say they We bad plenty of Victuals and saw no Evil Jer. 44.17 18. God answers them to the purpose Ver. 21.22 But let me say to you 1. That this Plea is a multiplication of the Fault if it be not a good way every Step you take in it is a new Error and brings new guilt vetustas Erroris seductio Errantis The way of the Wicked seduceth him Have you examin'd whether this be God's way or no If you be wrong the further you go the further you are from God 2. This continuing in old Customs without inquiry will harden your Hearts and make you more uncapable yea more unwilling to return Can the Ethiopian change his Skin and the Leopard his Spots then may ye also learn to do good that are accustomed to do evil Jer. 13.23 Custom in Sin takes away Conscience of Sin the more men travel the more brawny are their Feet 3. But what think you Adam went wrong and do you delight to follow him or rather should not the Old Man be crucified Rom. 6.6 You have no reason to bear big or brag of the Old Man which is corrupt according to deceitful Lusts but rather put on this new man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness Eph. 4.22 24. See a Parallel betwixt the first Adam and Second 1 Cor. 15.45 49. And then make your choice 4. You 'l never walk in Heaven's Road without a change Deceive not your selves you must be turned from your vain Conversation received by Tradition from your Fathers 1 Pet. ● 18 You will never walk in this New and Living Way without a New Heart You cannot serve God but it must be in the Newness of Spirit not in the Oldness of the Letter Rom. 7.6 You are undone if you dye as you are born you need not change your Religion for you profess the true Religion only you must see you be true to that Religion by a change of Heart and Life Except you be born again you cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3.3 Better never have been born then not be new born But more of this anon Tremble to think of appearing before God naked or in your old rotten Rags the Gibeonites might cheat Israel with their old Bottles Clouts Shoes Josh 9.4 but you cannot cousen God so An old frame is not fit for a new state old Hearts for new Heavens If you live after the Flesh you shall dye i. e. be damned Rom 8.13 but if you through the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the Body you shall live i. e. be saved There are many more that are far from being New Creatures that have a black Brand of Reprobation printed on their Foreheads and disclaim any pretences to this New Creation-Work as 1st Such as have imbibed Atheistical Principles and say with their Tongues or in their Hearts there is no God Psal 14.1 at least Deists that deny God's Providence and Divine Revelations 2dly Prophane Scoffers at true Christian Piety and the Power of Godliness 2 Pet. 3. under the Name of Puritans loading Strictness in Religion with Names of Obloquy Scorn and Derision 3dly Profoundly ignorant of Gospel-Mysteries 1 Cor. 13.34 and the Essentials of Religion the knowledge whereof is of the highest importance and necessity and yet do scorn to learn 4thly Voluptuous Epicures Drunkards Adulterers and that

far as the Soul is sanctifyed in this Life and compleated to a perfect Man in Heaven It is say Divines 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Spiritual Chain wherein all Vertues and Graces are linked concreated with Adam infused into the Christian in this New Creation whereby he hath a power to act as a Christian in this lower World in all Christian Exercises that God in his Word calls him to Four Heads I shall reduce these Tryals of the New Creature to Viz. 1. The Preparatives to it 2. The Parts of it 3. The Properties thereof 4. The Effects and Fruits of it Had I time and room these might be largely insisted upon A Touch of each 1. For the Preparatives or Antecedents that lead to the New Creature not that the Creature can prepare himself for it but the same God that makes it doth something on the Soul to usher it in as the Chaos and Darkness was before the beautiful Fabrick of the World so God works 1. Sence of Sin Wrath and the undone estate the Soul is in this is a New York for formerly the Sinner nei●her felt nor feared Evil but thought his State as good as any Bodies doubted not his own Salvation now a Spirit of bondage to fear Rom. 8.5 hath seized on him He is shut up as a Sheep for the Slaughter Gal. 3.22 23 24. The Law is a severe Schoolmaster and worketh Wrath Rom. 8.15 Now the Sinner crys Wo is me I am undone I never thought I had been in this miserable state I see I am a condemned Malefactor at the dreadful Bar of a Sin-revenging Judge my Mouth is stopt I have not a Word to say for my self why Sentence should not be executed upon me Wo is me I am likely to perish for ever 2. A discovery of his helpless state he himself cannot help or deliver himself the whole World cannot it s not within the power of Men or Angels to bring any Relief to his forlorn perishing Soul I am saith the poor Sinner helpless fatherless Hos 14.13 Succourless I am without strength in me dwells no good thing Rom. 5.6 7 18. I could provoke God but I cannot please him Heaven is shut against me and I have no Key to open it Hell gapes for me and I know not how to escape it I hang over Flames I lie in Chains and all the World cannot break them Silver and Gold will not redeem me 1 Pet. 1.18 Great men are vanity good men have no Oyl to spare Matth. 25.9 It I sate upon a Prince's Throne I could not purchase or command a Pardon The redemption of the Soul is precious it ceaseth for ever Psal 49.7 My case grows worse and worse 3. A serious Enquiry after a Remedy when the poor Sinner is thus puzzled and non-plust and knows not which way to turn himself then he begins to ask new Questions not as he was wont Who will shew me any good Psal 4.6 of worldly advantage no but his Tune is turned now he cries Men and Brethren what shall I do Acts 23.16 30. Oh Sirs What shall I do to be saved Oh you Ministers Christian Friends did you ever know any case like mine Is it possible that ever I should find Mercy Is not the Day of Grace past I fear I have committed the Sin against the Holy Ghost Wo is me what Course shall I take I see nothing but bare Walls at home Is there Relief to be found for a poor pining Soul Tell me O tell me what Door I must knock at and how I must knock that I may speed 4. Sad thoughts of heart upon discovery of the Remedy Oh saith the poor Sinner you tell me God is a merciful God forgiving iniquity transgression and sin Exod. 34.6 7. But I spy one Red Letter in his Name that will by no means clear the Guilty Now I am guilty and I have read that the Arms of Justice and Mercy are of equal length both infinite how must Justice be satisfied I am sure not by me in my own Person Well the Gospel tells the Sinner that the Wards of the Lock are changed this Chancery will relieve the condemned Sinner Christ in our room hath suffered and satisfied Justice for us Isa 54.5.1 Pet. 2.24 Yea faith the Soul but how shall I have Interest therein It s answered By Faith Alas saith the Sinner I am but where I was I can no more believe then I can keep the whole Law Oh this unbelieving Heart kills me binds me over to Wrath still I would believe but I cannot my Faith is but Unbelief Mark 9.24 I thought believing was the easiest thing in the World now the Spirit hath convinced me I neither do nor can believe without an Almighty Power John 16.8 Eph. 1.19 I would give all the World that I could believe 5. Obstructions are at last removed a stubborn Will by Grace is made willing in the Day of God's Power Psal 110.3 Now Prejudices are removed though a Nathaniel say Can there any good come out of Nazareth John 1.46 49. Yet if he come and see he will believe This was the Woman of Samaria's case John 49.19 Alas faith the Soul I have been foolish and ready to pick Quarrels at God's way of justifying and saving poor Sinners and said of the Gospel-Dispensation how can these things be But I am at last satisfied that a Revelation from God is not only authentick but most rational but yet I have within me strange Imaginations and high things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God Well God comes with his Spiritual Weapons and pulls down these strong holds dismounts the Sinner's carnal Confidence and levels these high Mountains of Opposition leads captivity captive 2 Cor. 10.45 And now the Sinner is content that God should take his own method in justifying and saving a Sinner by the Merits of Christ without the least respect to any worthiness in him and there 's much ado to bring the proud Heart to this to forego his own Righteousness 6. Restlesness of Spirit in its present state the Sinner is now heavy laden Matth. 11.28 must have rest somewhere but can enjoy no rest in a sinful state There 's no Peace faith my God to the Wicked Isa 57.21 This is not a state to be rested in faith the trembling Soul I am got off all bottoms I see my old unregenerate state hopeless and deplorable yet I fear I am not centred and anchored on Christ the Rock of Ages Wo is me I am fluctuating on the Waves betwixt Hope and Despair I fear the issue sometimes I spy the Day-break but Clouds and Darkness overwhelm me again however I am not content with these poor Husks of the World in my Christless state in a far Country I will arise and go to my Father Luke 15.17 In this tumultuous Sea I find no bottom for the Sole of my Foot I must make to Ship or Shore none but Christ none but Christ let me have him though with