to rejoyce in this that the enemy is already conquered by the Captaine and that we share in his victory and that the very God of peace shall quickly bruise Satan under our feet Rom. 16 20. CHAP. VII How Christ is to be made use of in reference to Growing in grace I Come now to speak a little to the other part of Sanctification which concearneth the change of our nature and frame and is called Vivification or Quickening of the new man of grace which is called the New man as having all its severall members and parts as well as the old man and called New because posteriour to the other and after regeneration is upon the growing hand This duty of growing in grace as it is called 2. Pet. 3. uâ—…t is variously expressed and held forth to us in scripture for it is called an abideing and bringing forth fruit in Christ Iohn 15 5. adding to faith vertue and to vertue knowledge c. 2 Pet. 1 5 6 7. a going on to perfection Heb. 7 1. a growing up in Christ in all things Ephes. 4 15. a working out our salvation Phil. 2 12. a perfecting of holinesse 2. Cor. 7 1. a walkeing in newnesse of life Rom. 6 4. a yeelding of our selves unto God as alive from the dead and our members as instruments of righteousnesse unto God Rom. 6 13 18. a bringing forth of fruit unto God Rom. 7 4. a serving in newnesse of spirit Rom. 7 6. a being renewed in the spirit of our mindes and a putting on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes. 4 23 24. Col. 3 10. and the like some whereof do more immediatly expresse the nature of this change as to the root and some as to the fruit and effects thereof and some the progresse and advancement that is made or to be made therein And all of them point out a speciall piece of work which lieth on all that would see the face of God viz. to be holy gracious and growing in grace This then being a speciall piece of the exercise and dayly work of a Christian and it being certane as some of the places now cited do also affirme that without Christ they cannot get this work either begun oâ—… carryed on the maine difficulty and question is how they are to make use of Christ for this end For answere whereunto though by what we have said in our former discourse it may be easie to gather what is to be said here yet I shall briefly put the Reader in minde of those things as usefull here 1. The Beleever would consider what an ornament this is to the soul to have on this new mâ—…n which is created after the image of God Ephes. 4 23. what an excellency lyeth here to recover thâ—… lost glory holinesse and the image of God and what advantage the soul reapeth hereby when it is made meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the Saints in light Col. 1 12. and walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing being fruitfull in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God Col. 1 10. and strengthened with all might according to his glorious pover unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulnesse vers 11. and when the abounding of the graces of the Spirit make them that they shall neither be barren nor unfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ 2. Pet. 1 8 and to be a vessell unto honour sanctified and meet for the masters use and prepared unto every good work 2. Tim. 2 21 what glory and peace is here to be found obedient unto the many commands given to be holy What hazard is in the want of holinesse when without it we cannot see God Heb. 12 14. How unanswereable it is unto our profession who are members to such a holy Head to be un holy What profite joy and satisfaction there is iâ—… being temples of the holy ghost in walking after the spirit in bringing forth fruit unto the glory of the Father c. The consideration of these and other motives unto this study of sanctification would arme the soul with resolution and harden it against opposition 2. It would be remembered that this work though it be laid upon us as our duty and we be called thereunto of God yet it is beyond our hand and power it is true at conversion the seed of grace is cast into the soul new habites are infused a new principle of life is given the stonny heart is changed into an heart of flesh yet these principles and habits can not act in themselves or be brought into act by any thing that a beleever considered in himself and without divine helpe can do But this work of sanctification and grouâ—…h in grace must be caryed on by divine help by the Spirit of Jesus dwelling and working within and therefore it is called the sanctification of the spirit 2. Thes. 2 13. 1. Pet. 1 2. The God of peace must sanctifie us 1. Thes. 5 23. We are said to be sanctifiâ—… by God the Father Iud. 1. and by the holy ghost Rom. 15 16. See also 1. Cor. 6 11. We would remember that of our selves we can do nothing 2. Cor. 3 5. and that He must work in us both to will and to do of his owne good pleasure Phil. 2 13. Albeit no beleever will question the truth of this yet it may be it shall be found after tryal that one maine cause of their not growing in grace and making progresse in this work is their not acting as beleeving this but setting about the work as if it were a work which they themselves could master and do without speciall divine help Therefore the beleever would abide live and act in the faith of this truth 3. Therefore beleevers would not in going about this work either trust to their own strength to the habites of grace to their former experiences to their knowledge and pairts or the like nor yet would they trust to any externall meane which they are to go about because the wisdome strength and helpe which their case calleth for is not to be found in them yet they should not think of laying these meanes and dutyes aside for then should they sin against God they should prejudge themselvs of the helpe strength and supply which God useth to convey to the soul in by the use of the meanes and withall they should tempte the Lord by prescribing another way to Him than He hath thought good to take The beleever then would use the meanes and duties prescribed and that diligently seâ—…iously and constantly and yet would leane as little to them and exspect help reliefe as little from them as if he were not useing them at all as we said above And indeed this would be a right way yea the most advantagious and profitable way of going about dutyes to be diligent in the use of them because of Gods command and yet to place
with clouds and doubteth of its interest in Christ it would then put it out of doubt by fleeing to Him for refuge from the storme of God's indignation and lay hold on Him as He is offered in the gospel and thus renew its grips of Him as the offered alsufficient Mediator and frequent direct acts of faith will helpe at length to a reflex act The soul that is daylie running to Christ according to the covenant with all its necessities and laying hold on Him as only able to helpe will at length come to see that it hath beleeved on Him and is made welcome by Him and accepted through Him So that rëterated acts of faith on an offered Cautioner and Salvation will dispel at length those clouds of darknesse that trouble the soul. 7. Such souls would beware of making their bands stronger and their darkness greater by their â—…olly and unwise carriage for this cause they would beware 1. To cry out in despondency of Spirit as if there were no hope and to conclude peremptorily that they are cut off and it is in vaine to waite any longer for this course will but darken them more and multiply the clouds over their head 2. To run away from Christ through unbeleef and dispaire for that will make their case yet worse 3. To walk untenderly and not circumspectly for the moe sins appear the lesse light will be had O but souls would be tender in all their conversation at that time and guaird against the least sin or appearance of evill 4. To fret and repine against God because of that dispensation for that will but entangle the soul more and wreath the yock straiter about its neck and put it self furder out of case to be relieved and to receive light 8. Lastly such would do well not to limite the holy one of Israel but to waite with patience till his time come to speak-in light to the soul knowing that such as waite upon Him shall never be ashamed Esai 49 23. because He waiteth to be gracious and therefore blessed are they all that waite upon him Esai 30 18. Quest. But what if for all this I get no outgate but my distress and darkness rather grow upon my hand Ans. That such a thing may be I grant the Lord thinking it fit 1. To exercise their faith dependence patience hope and desire more 2. And to discover more unto them their own weakness faintings faithlesness 3. To shew his absolute power and soveraignity 4. To make his grace and mercy more conspicuous remarkeable at length and. 5. To traine them up in away of dependence on him in the dark and of leaning to him when walking in darknesse yea and in a way of beleeving when they think they have no faith at all and for other holy ends Yet the soul would not despond for there are several things that may serve to support and beare up the heart even in that case as 1. This is not their case alone Others have been in the like before and many have had the like complaints in all ages as is known to such as have been acquanted with exercised souls 2. It may yeeld peace and comfort to know that they are about duty when looking to Him and depending upon Him and waiting for his light 3. The promises made to such as waite for Him may support the soul and yeeld comfort 4. The distinct knowledge and uptaking of their condition though it be comfortable and refreshing yet itis not absolutely necessary A soul may be a saved soul though those clouds should continue to its dying day and though as long as they lived they should never get a clear discovery of their gracious state but spend their dayes in mourning complaineing and crying out of darknesse c. 5. Such a soul should think that its much that he is keeped out of hell so long and sure the thoughts of what he is and of what he doserveth may make him sober and not to think much though he reach not so high as to see his name written in the book of life 6. They would know that full assurance of hope and of faith is but rare and even such as have it do nor ordinarily keep it long So that it should not much trouble them if after all their paines they cannot win at it 7. If they win to any real ground of hope how small so ever they should think much of that for many dear to Christ live long and never know what so much is 8. It is no small matter that they are not sincking in the gulfe of inconsideration and plagued with an indifferency in these matters but are made to value Christ and an interest in Him at such a rate 9. Their going to Christ with all their wants laying all on Him and their making that their daylie exercise may keep up their hearts from fainting yea and fill their souls with joy for that is really the exercise of faith And the great and gracious promises are made to such as beleeve and not to such only as know they do beleeve I grant such as know not that they do beleeve cannot draw comfort from these promises yet it is as true that one may by reflecting on the actings of his own soul see and know that really he is going out to Christ forsaking himself casting his burden on Him waiting and depending upon Him when yet he will not say that he doth beleeve and when he seeth this working of soul toward Christ he is obliged to beleeve that he beleeveth and thereupon rejoyce in the hope of the great promises And however the very sight and knowledge of this acting and motion of soul may give them some comfort though they shall not take it for faith because it is the way of duty and it is the thing which the gospel calleth for and because they cannot show an instance of any one soul that did so and perished But the truth is the right understanding of the nature of faith would cleare many doubts and prevent many questions I come to speak a little to the last case which I shall handle which is CHAP. XVIII How we shall make use of Christ as the Truth that we may win to right and suteable thoughts of God This is a case that much troubleth the people of God They cannot get right and sutable thoughts of God which they earnestly desire to have nor know not how to win at them And certane it is He only who is the Truth and came out of the bosome of the Father can helpe here Therefore for our use making of Him for this end It would be remembered 1. That the minde of man through the fall is nothing but a masse of ignorance and blindenesse that the understanding is darkned Ephes. 4 17 18. And naturally we are in darknesse 1 Iohn 2 9 11. Yea under the power of darknesse Col. 1 13. And which is more our mindes naturally are filled with prejudice
them that are out of the way and can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities Heb. 4 15. 5 2. Which truth as upon the one hand it should encourage all to choose him for their leader give up themselves to Him who is so tender of his followers so upon the other hand it should rebuke such as are ready to intertaine evill and hard thoughts of Him as if he were an hard Master and ill to be followed and put all from interteaning the least thought of his untendernesse and want of compassion But moreover Secondly WE see That weaknesses and corruptions breaking out in beleevers when they are honestly and ingenuously laid open before the Lord will not scarre Him away But rather engadge Him the more to helpe and succour Much of Thomas his weaknesse and corruption appeared in what he said yet the same being honestly and ingenuously laid open to Christ not out of a spirit of contradiction but out of a desire to learne Christ is so far from thrusting him away that He rather condescendeth the more out of love and tendernesse to instruct him better and to cleare the way more fully And that because 1. He knoweth our mould and fashion how fecklesse and frail we are and that if he should deal with us according to our folly we should quickly be destroyed 2. He is not as Man hasty rash Proud but gentle loving tender and full of compassion 2. It is his office and proper work to be an instructer to the ignorant and a helper of our infirmities and weaknesses a phisitian to binde up and cure our sores wounds Who would not then willingly give up themselves to such a teacher that will not thrust them to the door nor give them up to themselves alwayes when their corruptions would provoke Him thereunto And what a madnesse is this in many to stand aback from Christ because of their infirmities and to scarre at Him because of their weaknesse when the more corruption we finde the more should we run to him and it is soon enough to depart from Christ when he thrusts us away sayeth he will have no more to doe with us yea he will allow us to stay after we are as it were thrice thrust away only let us take heed that we approve not ourselves in our evils that we hide them not as unwilling to part with them that we obstinatly maintaine them not nor ourselves in them but that we lie open before him and deal with him with honesty ingenuity and plainnesse Thirdly WE see further That ignorance ingenuously acknowledged and laid open before Christ puts the soul in a faire way to get more instruction Thomas having candidely according as he thought in the simplicity of his heart professed his ignorance is in a faire way now to get instruction for this is Christs work to instruct the ignorant to open the eyes of the blinde Why then are we so foolish as to conceale our ignorance from him and to hide our case and condition from him and why doth not this commend Christ's School to us so much the more why do we not carry as ingenuous schollars really desireous to learnâ—… But. Fourthly WE may learne That our ill condition and distempers put into Christs hand will have remarkable ouâ—…gates and an advantagious issue seeing Christ taketh occasion here from Thomas his laying open his condition not without some mixture of corruption to cleare up the truth more fully and plainely than it was before for hereby 1. Christ giveth an open declaration of the glory of his power mercy goodnesse wisdome c. 2. He hath occasion to give a proof of his divine art and glorious skill of healing diseased souls and of making brocken bones stronger than ever they were 3. Thus he effectually accomplisheth his noble designes and perfecteth his work in a way tending to abase Man by discovering his infirmities and failings and to glorifie Himself in his goodnesse and love 4 Thus he triumpheth more over Satan and in a more remarkable and glorious manner destroyeth his works 5. Thus he declareth how wonderfully he can make all things work together for good to his chosen ones that love him and follow him 6 Yea thus he engadgeth souls to wonder more at his divine wisdome and power to despaire lesse in time comeing when cases would seem hard to acknowledge his great and wonderfull grace and his infinite power and wisdome that can bring death out of life and also to be more sensible of the mercy and thankfull for it O beleever what matter of joy is here how happy art thou that hath given up thy self to him Thy worst condition can turne to thy advantage He can make thy ignorance vented with a mixture of corruption turne to the increase of thy knowledge Blesse him for this and with joy and satisfaction abide thou under his tutory at his school And withall be not discouraged be thy â—…ase of ignorance and corruption what it will lay it out before him with sincerity and singlenesse of heart and then thou mayest glory in thine infirmities that the power of Christ may rest on thee 2 Cor. 12 9. for thou shalt see in due time what advantage infinite love and wisdome can bring to thy soul thereby May not this be a strong motive to induce strangers to give up themselves to him who will sweetly take occasion at their failings and short comeings to helpe them forward in the way and what excuse can they have who sit the call of the gospell and say in effect they will not goe to Christ because their case is not good And oh that beleevers were not sometimes led away with this errour of scarring at Christ because of Infirmities seen and discovered Fiftly IT is remarkeable that as the disciples did ofttimes vent much of their carnall conceptions of the kingdome of Christ as apprehending it to be some carnall outward pompous stately and upon that account desireable condition so there might be much of this carnall apprehension lurking under this acknowledgment and question of Thomas And the Lord who knew their thoughts doth here wisely draw them off those notions and 〈◊〉 them about another study To tell us That it is â—…est and most usefull and profitable for us to be much taken up in the study searâ—… of necessary and fundamentall truths and particularly of the way to the father for 1. Here is the substantiall food of the soul other notions are but vaine and oftentimes they make the case of the soul worse but the study of this is alwayes edifying 2 The right understanding of this other fundamentall truthes will not puff up but keep the soul humble and will make the soul active and diligent in duty 3 The fruite of this study is profitable and lasting 4 And the right uptaking of these truthes will discover the vanity of other sciences falsly so called and the folly of spending our time about other
things 5 The right understanding of this fundamentall will helpe us to understand other truthes the better 6 A mistake in this and such like fundamentals or the ignorance of them is more dangerous then the ignorance of or a mistake in other things Oh if this were teaching us all in humility to be much in the study of such fundamentall necessary truthes as this is and to guaird against a piece of vanity in affecting knowledge the effect of which is nothing but a puffing of uâ—… up with pride conceite Sixtly WE may here take notice of what may serve to discover Thomas his mistake and what is the ground of Christ's assertion vers 4. which Thomas doth little lesse than contradict vers 5. viz. That such as had any acquantance with Christ did according to the measure of their knowledge of him both know heaven and the way to it whence we see those truthes 1 Persons may have some reall acquantance with Christ and yet be for a time very indistinct in their notions about him and apprehensions of him They may know Christ in some measure and yet look upon themselves as great strangers to the knowledge of heaven and be oft complaineing of their ignorance of the right way to heaven 2. Where there is the least measure of true acquantance with Christ with love to him and a desire to know more of him Christ will take notice thereof though it be covered over with a heap of mistakes and accompanyed with much ignorance weaknesse and indistinctnesse He seeth not as man seeth which is good newes to some that are weak in knowledge and unable to give any good account of any knowledge they have yet one thing they can say That he who knoweth all things knoweth that they love him 3. Various are the dispensations of Gods grace unto his owne to some he giveth a greater to others a lesser measure of knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven And to one the same person more at one time than at another Various are his manifestations and outlettings of grace and love Small beginnings may come to much at length Thomas and the rest of the disciples had but little cleare and distinct apprehensions of the way of Salvation through Iesus Christ and yet ere all was done they attained to such a measure of understanding in the mysteries of God as that we are said to be built upon the foundation of the Apostles Christ Iesus being the chief cornâ—…r stone Ephes. 2 20. This should teach the best much sobriety and not to judge of all by themselves or to think that Gods way with them must be a standart or a rule whereby to judge of all the rest as if his way of dealing were one and the same with all 4 The knowledge of Christ is all know him and we know heaven and the way to it for upon this ground doth Christ make good what he had said touching their knowing whither he went the way and answereth the objection that Thomas did propose viz Because he was the way c and they being acquant with him which here is presupposed were not ignorant of the place whither he was going nor of the way leading thither The knowledge then of Iesus Christ is a true and full compend of all saveing knowledge Hence It is life eternall to know him Ioh. 17 3. They that know him know the Father Ioh. 14 9. 8 19. They that see him see the Father also Iohn 14 9. He is in the Father and the Father in him Iohn 14 10 11 10 38. 17. 21. And so knowing him they know heaven for what is heaven else but the presence and glorious manifestations of the Father for when Christ speaks of his going to heaven he sayeth he was going to the Father So knowing him they knew the way both how Christ was to goe to heaven as our Cautioner Head Atturnay and how we must follow Let then a Man have never so much knowledge be acquanted with the mysteries of all artes sciences with the deepths of nature and intrigues of States and all the theorie of Religion if he be unacquanted with Iesus Christ he knoweth nothing as he ought to know And upon the other hand let a poor soul that is honest and hath some knowledge of and acquantance with him be satisfied though it cannot discourse nor dispute nor speak to cases of consciences as some others If we know him it matters not though we be ignorant of many things and thereby become lesse esteemed of by others Here is the true teste by which we may take a right â—…stimate of our owne or of others knowledge The true rule to try knowledge by is not fine notions clear and distinct expressions but heart acquantance with him in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Col. 2 3. O sad that we are not more taken up in this study which would be a compendious way for us to know all Why spend we our money for that which is not bread and our labour for that which will not profite us Why waste we our time and spirits in learning this science and that art when alas after we with much labour and toyl have attained to the youdmost pitch there we are never one white the nearer heaven and happinesse yea it were well if we were not further off Oh! if we were wise at length and could think more on this one thing necessary and could be stirred up to learâ—…e more of him and to make this the subject of all our study and labour CHAP. II Of the words themselves in generall WE come now to the words themselves wherein Christ asserts that He is â—…1 the Way 2 the Truth 3 the Life 4 That no man cometh to the Father but by him In them we learne those two things in generall first The miserie of wretched man by nature This câ—…nnot be in a fâ—…w words expressed These words will point out those particulars thereof which we will but mention 1. That he is borne an enemie to and living at a distance from God by vertue of the curse of the broâ—…ken covenant of life made with Adam 2. That he neither can nor will returne to God of himself His way is not in himself He hath need of another to be his way 3. That he is a blinde wandering creature ready to take by wayes and to wander yea he loveth to wander He goeth astray as soon as he is borne speaking lyes 4 He cannot discerne the true way but is blinded with prejudice thereat and full of mistakes he is nothing but a lump of error 5 He is dead legally and really how can he then come home How can he walk in the way though it were pointed out to him 6. He even when entred into the way is subject to so many faintings swoonings upsittings c. that except he get new quickening he must lye be the way
c. 8. A waiting with patience on Him who never said to the house of Iacob seek me in vaine Esai 45 19. still crying and looking to Him who hath commanded the ends of the earth to look to him and waiting for him who waiteth to be gracious Esai 30 18. remembering that they are all blessed that waite for him Ibid. and that there is much good prepared for them that waite for Him Esai 64 4. 8. The sinner would essay this beleeving and closeing with Christ and set about it as he can seriously heartily willingly yea and resolutely over the belly of much opposition and many discouragements looking to Him who must helpe yea and worke the whole work for God worketh in and with Man as a rationall creature The soul then would set the willingnesse it findeth on work waite for more and as the Lord is pleased to commend by his Spirit the way of grace more unto the soul and to warme the heart with love to it and a desire after it strick the yron while it is hote and looking to Him for help gripe to Christ in the covenant and so set to its seal though with a tembling hand and subscribe its name though with fear and much doubting remembring that He who worketh to will must work the deed also Phil. 2 13. and He that beginneth a good work will perfect it Phil. 1 6. 9. The soul essaying thus to beleeve in Christ's strength and to creep when it can not walk or run would hold fast what it hath attained and resolve never to recall any consent or half consent it hath given to the bargane but still look forward hold on wreastle against unbeleefe and unwillingnesse intertaine every good motion of the Spirit for this end and never admit of any thing that may quench its longings desires or exspectation Nay 10. If the sinner be come this length that with the bit willingnesse he hath he consenteth to the bargane is not satisfied with any thing in himself that draweth back or consenteth not with the little skill or strength he hath is writing downe his name and saying even so I take Him and is holding at this peremptorily resolving never to goe bake or unsay what he hath said but on the contrare is firmly purposed to adhere as he groweth in strength to grippe more firmly and adhere to Him he may conclude that the bargan is closed already and that he hath faith already for here ther is an accepting of Christ on his owne tearmes a reall consenting unto the covenant of grace though weak and not so discernable as the soul would wish The soul dar not say but it loveth the bargane and is satisfied with it and longeth for it and desireth nothing more than that it might partake thereof and enjoy Him whom it loveth hungereth for panteth after or breatheth as it is able that it may live in Him be saved through Him But Some will say If I had any evidence of God's approbation of this act of my soul any testimony of his Spirit I could then with confidence say that I had beleeved accepted of the covenant and of Christ offered therein but so long as I perceive nothing of this how can I suppose that any motion of this kinde in my soul is real faith For answere 1. We would know that our beleeving and God's sealing to our sense are two distinct acts and separable and oft separated our beleeving is one thing and God's sealing with the holy Spirit of promise to our sense is another thing and this followeth though not inseparably the other Eph. 1 13. In whom also after that yee beleeved yee were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise And so 2. We would know that Many a man may beleeve yet not know that he doth beleeve He may set to his seal that God is true in his offer of life through Iesus and accept of that offer as a truth and close with it and yet live under darknesse doubtings of his faith long many aday partly through not discerning the true nature of faith partly through the great sense and feeling of his owne corruption and unbeleefe partly through a mistake of the operations of the spirit within or the want of a clear distinct uptaking of the motions of his owne soul Partly because he findeth so much doubting and feare as if there could be no faith where there were doubting or fear contrare to Mark 9 24. Mat. 8 26. 14 31. Partly because he hath not that perswasion that others have had as if there were not various degrees of faith as there is of other graces the like Therefore 3. We would know that many may really beleeve and yet misse this sensible sealing of the Spirit which they would be at God may think it not yet seasonable to grant them that lest they forget themselves and become too proud and to traine them up more to the life of faith whereby He may be glorified and for other holy ends He may suspend the giving of this for a time 4. Yet we would know that all that beleeve have the seal within them 1. Iohn 5 10. He that beleeveth on the Son of God hath the witnesse in himself that is He hath that which really is a seal though he see it not nor perceive it not even the work of God's spirit in his soul inclining and determineing him unto the accepting of this bargan to a likeing of endeavouring after holinesse and the whole gospel clearing up what faith is is a seal confirmation of the businesse So that the matter is sealed and confirmed by the word though the soul want those sensible breathings of the Spirit sheding abroad his love in the heart and filling the soul with a full assurance by hushing all doubts and feares to the door yea though they should be a stranger unto the Spirits witnessing thus with their spirits that they are the children of God and clearning up distinctly the reall wotâ—… of grace within their soul and so saying in effect that they have in truth beleeved But enough of this seing all this and much more is abundantly held forth and explained inthat excellent usefull treatise of Mr. Guthries intituled The Christians great interest CHAP. V. How Christ is to be made use of as the VVay for Sanctification in generall HAving shown how a poor soul lying under the burden of sin wrath is to make use of Iesus Christ for righteousnesse justification and so to make use of Him goe out to Him and apply Him as He is made of God to us righteousnesse 1. Cor. 1 v. 30. and that but briefly this whole great businesse being more fully and satisfactoryly handled in thâ—…t fore mentioned great though small Treatise vix The Christians great Interest We shall now come and show how a beleever or a justified soul shall furder make use of Christ for Sanctification
of salvation for 1. There is no salvation now by the law of works that covenant being once broken â—…annot any more save The law cannot now do it in that it is weak through the flesh Rom. 8 3. 2. There is no salvation by the law of Moses without Christ hence Israel which followed after the law of righteousnesse did not attaine to the law of righteousnesse because they sought it not by faith but as it were by the works of the law Rom. 9 31 32. They went about to establish their own righteousnesse and did not submit themselves unto the righteousnesse of God Rom. 10 3. 3. There is no salvation by any thing mixed in with Christ as the Apostle fully cleareth in his Epistle to the Galatians 4. There is no salvation by any other way or medium which man can invent or fall upon whereof there are not a few as we shewed above for there is not another name given under heaven by which we can be saved but the name of Iesus Act. 4 12. No religion will save but this So that He is the true savation and He only is the true salvation and He is the sure and saife salvation such as make use of Him shall not be mistaken nor disappointed Esai 35 8. Ninthly He is the Truth In respect of his leading and guideing his people in the truth Hence He is called a Teacher come from God Iohn 3 2. and one that teacheth the way of God in truth Maâ—… 22 16. A Prophet mighty in deed and word Luk. 24 19. And in this respect He is the truth upon severall accounts 1. Of his personal teaching God spoke by Him Heb. 1 2. He revealed the Father's minde Mat. 11 27. Iohn 1 18. 2. Of his messengers sent by Him as Prophets of old Apostles and ministers of late whom he sendeth forth to make disciples Mat. 28 18. and to open the eyes of the blinde Act. 26 18. 3. Of his word which He hath left as our rule and which is a sure word of prophecy more sure than a voice from heâ—…ven 2 Pet. 1 19. 4. Of his ordinances which He hath established as meanes to guide us in the way of truth 5. Of his Spirit whereby He maketh the word cleare Iohn 14 26. This Spirit is sent to teach all truth and to lead and guide in all truth Ioh. 16 13. 1 Iohn 2 27. and sent by Him and by the Father in his name Iohn 14 26 15 16 16 14 6. Of his dispensations of providence within us without us by which likewise he instructeth in the way of truth Tenthly He is the Truth in respect of his bearing witnesse to truth and this He doth 1. By Himself who was given for a witnesse Esa. 55 4. and came to beare witnesse to the truth Iohn 3 10. 18 37. and was a faithfull witnesse Revel 1 5. 3 14. 2. By his Ministers who witnesse the trâ—…th of the gospel by publishing and proclaiming the same 3. By his Martyrs who seal the truth with their blood and so beare witnesse to it Revel 2 13. 17 6. Act. 22 20. 4. By his Spirit sealing the truth of grace in a beleever and his interest in God through Christ and his right to all the benefites of the new covenant In whom also after ye beleeved ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance Ephes. 1 13 14. Eleventhly He is the Truth in respect that He carryeth towards poor sinners in all things according to the tenor of the gospel and the offers thereof He offers himself to all freely and promiseth to put none away that come to Him and this He doth in truth for no man can say that he had a sincere and true desire to come to Jesus Christ and that He rejected him and would not look upon him He giveth encouragement to all sinners to come that will be content to quite their sins and promiseth to upbrâ—…id none that cometh and is there any that in their own experience can witnesse the contrary He offers all freely and did He ever reject any upon the want of a price in their hand Nay hath not the cause of their getting no admittence been that they thought to commend themselves to Christ by their worth and would not take all freely for the glory of his grace Let beleevers and others speak here out of their owne experience in truth and in uprightnesse and it shall be found that He was and is the Truth Twelvely He is the Truth in that in all his dispensations of the gospell and in all his works and actions in and about his own people He is true and upright all his offers all his promises all his dispensations are done in truth and uprightnesse yea all are done out of truth and uprightnesse of love true tendernesse and affection to them whatever the corruption of jealousie and misbeleefe think and say to the contrary He is the Truth And so alwayes the same unchangeable in his love whatever his dispensations seem to say And the beleever may rest assured hereof that He being the Truth Shall be to him whatever his word holdeth him forth to be and that constantly and unchangeably CAP. XII Some general uses from this usefull truth that Christ is the Truth HAving thus cleared up this truth we should come to speak of the way of beleevers making use of Him as the Truth in several cases wherein they will stand in need of Him as the Truth But ere we come to the particulars we shall first propose some general uses of this usefull point First This point of truth serveth to discover to us the wofull condition of such as are strangers to Christ the Truth and oh if it were beleeved for 1. They are not yet delivered from that dreadful plague of blindenesse errour ignorance mistakes under which all are by nature a condition that if rightly seen would cause the soul lie low in the dust 2. Whatever course they take till they come to Christ and while they remaine in that condition is a lie and a false erroneous and deceitful way for still they are turning aside to lies Psal. 40 4. and seeking after them Psal. 4 2. 3. Whatever hopes and confidence they may have that their way shall carry them thorow yet in end they will be found to inherite lies Ier. 16 19 and meet with the sadest disappointment that can be for in stead of the followshipe of God Christ angels and glorified spirits they shall take up their lodging with devils and damned souls and that because they have made no acquantance with the way of truth and the way wherein they are is but a lie and a falshood and so of necessity must deceive them 4. All their literal and speculative knowledge shall not avail them so long as they are strangers unto Him who is the Trâ—…th Their knowledge is but ignorance because it is not a knowledge of
Him who is the Truth 5. They have none to go to for help and light in the day of their darknesse confusion and perplexity for they are not reconciled unto the Truth which alone can prove steadable and comfortable in that day 6. They can do nothing to helpe themselves out of that state of darknesse and ignorance and whatever they do to helpe themselves shall but increase their darknesse and misery because there is no truth there and Truth even the Truth alone can dispell these clouds of errour mistakes ignorance c. Secondly Hence we see the happy and blessed condition of beleevers who have imbraced this Truth and gotten their souls opened to Him who is the Truth for 1. They are in part delivered from that masse of lies mistakes misapprehensions errours deceitfulnesse and ignorance under which they lay formerly and all the unregenerate do yet lye and though they be not fully delivered therefrom yet the day is comeing when that shall be and the begun work of grace and truth in them is a certane pledge thereof and at present they have ground to beleeve that that evil shall not againe have dominion over them they being now under grace and under the guidance of Truth 2. Howbeit they have many perplexing thoughts doubts and feares of their state and condition and think many a time that they shall one day or other perish by the way and all their hopes and confidence shall evaniâ—…h yet having given up themselves to Truth and to the Truth they shall not be disappointed in end The Truth shall land them saife on the other side The Truth shall prove no lie 3. They have a fast and steadable friend to go to in a day of darknesse clouds doubts when falshood and lies are like to prevail even the Truth who alone can help them in that day 4. Howbeit the knowledge they have of God and of the mysteries of the gospell be but small yet that small measure being taught by Him who is the Truth and flowing from Truth shall prove sanctifying and saving 5. They have ground to hope for more freedome from errours and deceitfull lies than others for they have chosen the way of truth and given themselves up to the leading of Truth Object But do not even such drink-in and receive and plead for errours as well as others and is it not sometime found that they even live and die in some mistakes and errours Answere I grant the Lord may suffer even some of his own to fall into and to continue for some time in errors yea and it may be all their dayes as to some errours that hereby all may learne to tremble and feare and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling 2. Some may be tryed thereby Dan. 11 35. 3. Others may break their neck thereupon 4. To punish themselves for not making that use of Truth and of the Truth that they should have done yet we would consider these few things 1. That there are many moe unregenerat persons that fall into errour 2. If his people fall into errour at any time they do not alwayes continue therein to the end God for his own glory maketh some time or other truth shine in upon their soul which discovereth that mistake and presently the grace of God in their soul maketh them to abhore the same 3 Or if some continue in it to their dieing day yet they repent of it by an implicite repentance as they do of other unknown and unseen evils that lye in their soul so that that errour doth not destroy their soul. 4 There are some grosse errours which a regenerat soul cannot readyly imbrace or if through a mistake or the power of a temptation they do imbrace them yet they cannot heartyly close with them whatever for a time through corruption and pride they may seem outwardly to do and that because the very dayly exercise of grace will discover them and so they will be found to be against their dayly experience as some opinions of the Papists Arminians and Socinians together with the abominable Quakers which a gracious soul when not carryed away with the torrent of corruption and with the tempest of a temptation cannot but observe to contradict the dayly workings of grace in their soul and the motions of their sanctified soul in prayer and other holy dutyes and so such as they cannot but finde to be false by their own experience Thirdly Here is ground of a sharpe reproof of the wicked who continue in unbeleef and I Will not beleeve nor give any credite to his promises wherewith He seeketh to allure poor souls to come to Him for life 2 Nor will they beleeve His threatnings wherewith He useth to alarme souls and to pouse them forward to their duty 3 Nor will they beleeve and receive His offers as true 4 Nor will they beleeve that He is the true Prophet Priest and king that must save souls from hell and death and therefore they will not give Him imployment in his offices All which cannot but be an high provocation for in effect it is to say that He is not the Truth nor worthy to be beleeved Let them consider this and â—…ee how they think he shall take this off their hands No man will take it well that another should either call or account Him a liar and can they think that Christ shall take it well at their hands to be accounted by them a liar What will they think to be challenged for this in the great day Now the truth is all unbeleevers as they make God a liar o horrid and abominable crime Whose haire would not stand on end to hear this 1 Iohn 5 10 11 He that beleeveth not God hath made him a liar because he beleeveth not the record that God gave of his Son and this is the record that God hath given to us eternall life and this life is in his Son So do they make the Son of God a liar in all his sayings in all his Offices and in all his works And they make the holy ghost a liar in not beleeving that truth that He hath sealed as a firme truth They make the covenant of surtyshipe betwixt the Father and the Son a mere lie and a forgery o dreadfull They make the word of truth a lie and they make all the saints liars and all the officers of Iesus Christ who declare this truth and the saints who beleeve it and test upon it liars Fourthly Hence is there ground of reproof to the godly in that 1. They do not firmely enough beleeve his sayings neither his promises nor his threatnings as appeareth too oft upon the one hand by their faintings and feares and upon the other hand by their carelesnesse and loose walk 2. They make not use of Him in all cases as they ought his offices lye by and are not improven noâ—… is He gone to as the Truth in cases requireing his helpe as the Truth that is
9. When we cannot tell what our disease and distemper is and so cannot seek suteable remedies or help from God O what a comfort is it to know and beleeve that He is the Truth with whom we have to do and so knoweth our distemper perfectly all its causes and symptoms Truth cannot be at a stand in discerning our disease so nor can he be ignorant of the fittest and only saifest cures 10. When we know not what to ask in prayer as not knowing what is best for us it is comfort to remember that we have to do with the Truth that is perfectly acquanted with all that and knoweth what is best 11. When we know not how to answere the calumnies of adversaries It is comfortable to know that he is the Truth that will hear truth when men will not and will own and stand for the truth when enemies do what they can to darken an honest mans good cause It is comfortable to know we have the Truth to appeal to as David had Psal 7 and 17. 12. When we think on our own covenant-breaking and dealing deceitfully with God It is comfortable to remember that though we and all men be liars and deal deceitfully with Him yet He is the Truth and will keep covenant for ever He will not He cannot deny himself 2 Tim. 2 1â—… Eightly Hence we may certanely conclude that truth which is Christ's cause shall at length prevail for He is Truth yea the Truth and so abideth truth therefore must He prevail and all the mouthes of liars must be stoped So then let us remaine perswaded that truth at length shall be victorious and that the cause of Christ shall have the victory though 1. The enemies of truth and of the cause of Christ be multiplied and many there be that rise up against it 2. These enemies should prosper and that for a long time and carry on their course of errour and wickednesse with a high band 3. There should be few found to befriend truth and to own it in an evil day 4. Yea many of those that did some time owne it and plead for it should at length turne their back upon it as did Demas 5. And such as continue constant and faithful be loaded with reproaches and pressed under with sore persecution for adhereing to truth and owning constantly the good cause 6. Yea though all things in providence should seem to say that truth shall not rise againe but seem on the contrary to conspire against the same Nenthly May we not hence read what should be our way and course in a time when a spirit of error is gone abroad and many are carried off their feet therewith or when we are doubtful what to do and what side of the disput to take O then is the fit time for us to imploy Truth to live near to Him who is the Truth to waite on Him hang upon Him with singlenesse of heart Object But many even of his own people do erre and step aside Ans. That is true but yet 1. That will be no excuse to thee Nay 2. That should make thee feare and tremble more 3. And it should presse thee to lye neare to Christ and to wreastle more earnestly with Him for the spirit of light and of truth and to depend more constantly and faithfully upon Him with singlenesse of heart and to give up thy soul and wayes to Him as the God of Truth and as the Truth that thou mayest be led into all truth Tenthly This should stirre us up to goe to Him and make use of Him as the Truth in all cases wherein we may stand in need of truths hand to helpe us and for this cause we would minde those particulars 1. We would live in the constant conviction of our ignorance blindnesse hypocrisie readynesse to mistake aâ—…d erre This is clear and manifest and proved to be truth by dayly experience yet how little is it beleeved that it is so with us Do we see and beleeve the atheisme of our hearts Do we see and beleeve the hypocrisie of our hearts are we jealous of them as we ought to be Oh that it were so let this then be more minded by us 2ly Let us live in the persuasion of this that He only and nothing below Him will be able to clear our doubts dispel our clouds cleare up our mistakes send us light and manifest truth unto us Not our own study paines prayers duties learning understanding not Ministers or professours and experienced Christians and the like 3ly We should be dayly giving up ourselves to Him as the Truth in all the forementioned respects and receiving Him into our souls as such that He may dwell and abide there Then shall the truth make us free and if the Son make us free we shall be free indeed Ioh. 8 36. 4ly There would be much single dependance on Him for light instruction direction and guidance in all our exigences 5ly Withall there would be a waiting on Him with patience giving him liberty to take his own way and time and a leaving of Him thereunto 6ly We should by all meanes guaird against such things as are hinderenees and will prove obstacles to us in this matter such as 1. Praejudices against the truth for then we will undervalue light and reject all the directions and instructions of the Spirit as not agreeing with our prejudicat opinion 2 A wilfull turning away from truth as these 2. Tim. 4 4. Tit. 1 14. 3. Addictednesse to our own judgments and opinions which causeth pertinaciousnesse Pride and conceite as thinking ourselves so wise as that we need no information and this occasioneth a self confidence 4. Looking too much unto and hanging too much upon Men who are but instruments crying them up as infallible and receiving without further examination all that they say not like the Bereans Act. 17. This is a great hinderence to the receiving of truth and very prejudiciall 5. A neglecting of the use of the meanes which God hath appointed for this end 6. Or an hanging too much on them and so misplaceing them gâ—…ving them His roome 7. Leaning too much to our own understanding wit and knowledge c. 8. A refisting of the Truth 2. Tim 3 8. These and the like hinderances would be guarded against lest they marre our attaining to the knowledge of Truth 7ly There would be much of the exercise of prayer for this is the maine conduite and meane through which light is conveyed into the soul. There would also be a serious and Christian reading and hearing of the word which is Truth and the Word of Truth and the Scripture of Truth and those duties would be gone about with 1 much self denyal 2 with much singlenesse of heart 3 with much humility 4 with much willingnesse and readynesse to be instructed 5 with much seriousnesse and earnestnesse and 6 with faith and dependance on God for his blessing and breathing 8ly We would beware as of
truth should no more be mentioned are promoveing his work His wheel is the great wheel that ordereth all the lesser and subordinate wheels whatever contrary motions they may have the one to the other and all or many of them may seem to have to this great wheel So that do they what they will the work of our Lord goeth on Their opposition is setting his work forward though they intend the contrary However their faces look they row to the port He would be at This is an undoubted truth and confirmed in all ages and yet is not firmly beleeved and a truth it is which if beleeved would do much to settle our staggering souls in a stormy day 10 That at last He shall come to be glorifyed in his saints 2 Thes. 1 10 when He shall be revealed from heaven with all his mighty angels vers 7. Then shall it be seen whose shall counsel stand His or mens and whose work shall prosper His or Satans Cautions Yet let me adde a few words for caution and direction here 1. The consideration of those things mentioned should not make us slacken our diligence in prayer and other duties and when they are a right considered they will rather prove a spurre and a goad in our side to set us forward than a bridle to hold us aback 2. We would not think that Christ's work and interest is going backward alwayes when it seemeth so to us Even when He is casting downe what He hath built up and plucking up what He hath planted his work is prospering for all that is in order to the laying of a better foundation and to the carrying on of a more glorious work when He shall lay all the stones with faire colours the foundations with saphires and make the windowes of crystal c. Esai 5 4 11 12. 3. Though his work be alwayes going on and his truth prospering yet we would not think that it will alwayes prosper alike in our apprehensions many times we judge by rules of our own making and not by the rule of truth and hence it is that we mistake oftentimes We walk little by faith and too much by sense and hence we judge too much by sense and so passe a wrong judgement to his dishonour and the sadning of our own hearts 4. Nor would we think that His Truth and interest is ruined and gone because it is sore oppressed in this or that particular place of the world as if his work were not of an universal extent and in all the churches If his truth thrive and prosper in some other place of the world shall we not say that his kingdome is coming Or shall we limite all his work and interest to one small part of the world 5. We would not think the worse of his work because it is carryed on with so many stops and doth meet with so many Impediments in its way We are not acquanted with the depths of his infinite wisdome and counsel and so we see not what noble ends He hath before Him in suffering those impediments to lie in the way of his chariot We think He should ride so triumphantly all alongs that none should once dar to cast the least block in his way but we judge carnally as unacquanted with the many noble and glorious designes which He hath in ordering matters As Himself was for a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence so will he have the way of the carrying on of his work prove in his holy and spotlesse justice a stumbling stone to many that shall stumble thereat and fall and never rise any more 6. We would beware to think that Christ-hath forgotten his work because He seemeth to take no notice of our prayers which we are putting up now and then for his work He may be doing that which we are desireing in the general and yet not let us know that He is answering our prayers that for wise and holy ends to keep us humble diligent He may seem to misregaird our suites and yet be carrying on his work and granting us our desires upon the matter 7. Hence we â—…ould beware of desponding and growing heartlesse and fainte when we see few owneing truth Or standing upon Christ's side for He needeth not mans help to carry on his work though He sometimes thinketh good to condescend so far as to honour some to be instrumental in setting of it forward who yet have nothing but as He giveth let us not then think that his work cannot prosper because great ones and meane ones oppose it and such as should stand for it and owne it are few and fainting without strength courage or Zeal CHAP. XV. How to make use of Christ for stedfastness in a time when truth is oppressed and borne downe WHen enemies are prevailing and the way of truth is evil spoken of many fainte and many turne aside and do not plead for truth not stand up for the interest of Christ in their houre and power of darknesse many are overcome with base feare and either side with the workers of iniquity or are not valient for the truth But being faint-hearted turne back Now the thoughts of this may put some who desire to stand fast and to owne Him and his cause in a day of tryall to enquire how they shall make use of Christ who is the Truth so as to be inabled to stand in the day of temptation and to keep fast by Truth when it is loaded with reproaches and buryed under an hâ—…pe of obloquy For satisfaction to this question I shall shortly point out those directions which if followed may prove helpful to keep the soul from fainting misbeleeving doubting quarrelling at the Lord's dispensations and from yeelding to the temptatitions in such a day 1. The beleever would live in the conviction of his hazard through the slight of Satan the strength of the temptation the wickednesse and treachery of the heart the evil example of others and the want of sanctified courage Zeal and resolution and this will keep the soul humble and farr from boasting of its own strength which was Peter's fault 2. They would live in the faith and perswasion of this That it is Christ alone who is the Truth who can help them to stand for truth in a day of temptation and that all their former purposes vowes resolutions solemne professions and the like will prove but weak cables to hold them fast in a day of storme and that only the rock of ages must save them and their being a ley ward of Him and partaking of his warme and saife protection will do their businesse That all their stock of grace and knowledge and that confirmed with resolutions and sincere purposes will helpe but little in that day and that new influences of grace and truth from the fountaine that is full of grace and truth will only prove establishing to the soul and confirme it in the truth in that day 3. Therefore they
would eye Christ in his Offices particularly as the great Prophet who can teach as never man taught so teach as to make the soul receive the doctrine and to hold it fast to receive it in love and lay it up in the heart as a rich and enriching treasure 4. They would eye him in his relations unto his people as their Head Husband Brother Leader Commander Captaine c. for those give ground of approaching unto Him with confidence in the day of darknesse and mists for light and direction and for strength and courage in the day of temptation and give ground of hope of helpe in that day of tryal and difficulty 5. They would eye and act faith upon the promises of assistance and through bearing in the day of calamity such as those Esa. 43 2. when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thow walkest through the fire thou shall noâ—… be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee And Esai 41 13. for I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand saying unto thee feare not I will helpe thee and particularly they would eye the promises oâ—… light in the daâ—… of darknesse See Esai 58 8 10. 60 20. 2 Sam. â—…2 29. 6. They would look on Christ as an exalted conquerour now risen and glorified as a victorious captaine that hath fought and overcome that they as his followers may be made partakers of his victory and conquest and so reape the fruit of his resurrection and ascension in their establishment in the truth when it is borne down and questioned yea and condemned by men He abode stedfast and unmoveable in the midst of all the stormes that blew in his face and as He came to bear witnesse to the truth so did He faithfully and zealously avow truth even to the death and in death got the victory of the Arch liar and deceiver Now the beleever would eye this for the strengthening of his faith and hope of victory also through Him and therefore would waite patiently for his help and not make haste for they who beleeve make not haste Esa. 28 16. knowing that He is true and faithful and will not disappoint his followers that trust in Him And moreover it would be of advantage to them in this case to eye that gracious and comfortable word Iohn 14 19 because I live you shall live also and so by faith conclude that seing Christ now liveth as a conquerour over darknesse untruth reproaches calumnies and opposition of liars yea of the father of lies they through Him shall also live and ride out that storme and this will give much courage to the soul to endure temptation and to waite in patience for an outgate 7. They would study much and suck at the grand promise of his coming againe and of finally dispelling all clouds and of fully clearing up his glorious truths that are now covered over with obloquie and buryed under reproaches and this will encourage the soul to stand to truth in the midst of all opposition beleeving that at length truth how much soever opposed now shall be victorious 8. They should be single in their dependence on Him for strength and throwbearing in that day of tryal not leaning to their own understanding but acknowledging Him in all their wayes Prov. 3 6. and when they see no hope of outgate in the world nor appearance of the clearing up of the day they would comfort themselvs and encourage themselves in the Lord as David did in a great straite 1 Sam 30 6. 9. Upon the forementioned grounds they would cast all the care of their throughbearing on Him who careth for them 1 Pet. 5 7. rolling all their difficulties on Him consulting only with Him his Word and not with flesh and blood and so they would commit their wayes to Him who disposeth of all things as He seeth good forbearing to limite the holy one of Israel or to quarrel with Him for any thing he doth and patiently wait for his out-gate and delivery 10. It were good in this time of tryal to be remembring the worth of truth and intertaining high thoughts of the smallest piece of truth that is questioned for his sake who is the Truth that a sight of the glorious worth thereof may make them account the lesse of all they can lose in the defence and maintenance thereof 11. So were it good at this time when truthes come to be questioned to be lying neare to the Truth for light and to be keeping fast what He by his Spirit cleareth up to be truth though the light should not be so full as to dispel all objections This were to depend upon Him for light with singlenesse of heart and in godly simplicity and sincerity to follow his direction and torch though it should not shine so bright as they would wish Cautions A few words of caution will be usefull here also as 1. The beleever though taking this course would not think to be altogether free of fear of stepping aside in lesse or in more God may think good to let much of this abide to the end he may be keeped watchfull tender and diligent for fear maketh the soul circumspect and watchfull and this is a good preservative from defection 2. Nor would the beleever think that hereby he shall be keeped altogether free of fainting The heart now and then through fear and misbeleef may fall into a fit of fainting and think all is gone and yet He may carry poor souls thorow and make his strength perfect in their weaknesse 2 Cor. 12 9. That when they are supported and carryed through the temptation they may sing praise to Him and not ascribe any thing to themselves remembring how often they were fâ—…inting and almost giving over the cause as desperate and hopelesse 3. They would not think it strange if in the time of their wreastling with difficultyes the Lord hide his face from them and give them not that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Him in prayer that sometimes they have met with for the Lord may see it fit to put them to this point of tryall among the rest to see if the love of his glory and truth will keep them standing when they want the encouragements that might be expected in that way and if pure conscience to the command and authority of God will keep from siding with an evil way when the soul is destitute of all sensible encouragement both from within and from without 4. In all this businesse beleevers would carry singly with an eye to God's glory and would not be acted with self-ends or drawn by carnal and selfy motives They would not desire stability and through bearing to be seen of men or to gaine applause and the praise of Men lest God be provoked to leave them to themselves and they at length come off with discredit as Peter did Therefore they would strive against these carnal
appointed us to waite for Him And if He think good to come another way more immediat Let Him alwayes be welcome but let not us limite Him nor prescribe wayes to Him but follow his directions 2. When any thing is borne-in upon their Spirit as a truth to be received or as an errour to be rejected more immediately they would beware of admitting of every such thing without tryal and examination for we are expressely forbidden to beleeve every Spirit and commanded to try them whether they are of God or not 1 Iohn 4 1. The Lord will not take it ill that even his own immediat motions and revelations be tryed and examined by the word because the word is given us for this end to be our teste and standart of truth The way of immediat revelation is not the ordinary way now of God's manifesting his minde to his people He hath now chosen another way and given us a more sure word of prophecie than was even a voice from heaven as Peter sayeth 2 Pet. 1 18 19. It is commended in the Bereans Act. 17 11. who upon this account were more noble then those of Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of minde searched the scriptures dayly whether those things were so Even Pauls words though he was an authorized infallible Apostle of Christ's are here put to the touch stone of the word Many false Prophets may go out and deceive many and speak great swelling words of vanity 1 Iohn 4 1. 2 Pet. 2 18. and the devil can transchange himself into an angel of light 2 Cor. 11 14. And though an Angel out of heaven should preach any other thing than what is in the written word we ought not to receive his doctrine but to reject it and to account him accursed Gal. 1 8. So that the written word must be much studied by us and by it must we try all motions all doctrines all inspirations all revelations and all manifestations 3. Much more would they beware of thinking that the dictats of their conscience obligeth them so as that alwayes they must of necessity follow the same Conscience being God's deputy in the soul is to be followed no further than it speaketh for God and according to truth An erring conscience though it binde so far as that he who doth contrary to the dictats thereof sinneth against God in that knowing no other than that the dictats of conscience are right and consonant to the minde of God yet dar counteract the same and thus formally rebel against Gods authoritie yet it doth not oblige us to beleeve and to do what it asserteth to be truth and duty It will not then be enough for them to say my conscience and the light within me speaketh so and instructeth me so for that light may be darknesse and errour and a delusion and so no rule for them to walk by To the law and to the testimony and if their conscience minde or light within them speak not according to this word it is because there is no ligâ—…t in them Esai 8 20. I grant as I said they can not without sin counter act the dictats even of an eâ—…ing 〈◊〉 because they know not better but that these dictats are according to truth and thus an erring conscience is a most dangerous thing and bringeth people under a very sad dilemma that whether they follow it or not they sin and there is no other remedie here but to lay by the eâ—…ing conscience and get a conscience rightly informed by the word puting it in Christ's hand to be better formed and informed that so it may do its office better This then would be especially guairded against for if once they lay downe this for a principle that whatever their conscience and minde or in ward light as some call it dictat must be followed there is no delusion how false how abominable so ever it be but they may be at length in hazard to be drawn away with and so the rule that they will walk be be nothing in effect but the Spirit of lies and of delusion and the motions and dictates of him who is the Father of lies that is the Devil 4. Such as pretend so much to walk by conscience would take hâ—…ed that they take not that for the dictate of conscience which really is but the dictat of their own humors inclinations preoccupyed mindes and byassed wills When conscience speaketh it groundeth on the authority of God whether truely or falsely and proposeth such a thing to be done or to be refrained from meerly because God commandeth that and forbiddeth this though sometimes it mistaketh but though the dâ—…ctats of mens humors inclinations preoccupyed judgements and wills may pretend God's authority for what they say yet really some carnal respect selfish end and the like lyeth at the bottom and is the chiefe spring of that motion and also the dictats of humor and byassed willes are usually more violent and fierce then the dictats of conscience for wanting the authority of God to back their assertions and prescriptions they must make up that with an addition of a preternatural force and strength Hence such as are purely led by conscience are pliable humble and ready to heare and receive information whereas others are headstrong and pertinacious unwilling to receive instruction or to heare any thing contrary to their mindes lest their conscience receiving more light speak with a higher voyce against their inclinations and former wayes and so create more trouble to them whileas now they enjoy more quiet within so long as the cry of their selfwill byassed judgment is so loud that they can not well hear the still and low voyce of conscience 5. They would labour for much self denyal and sincerity and to be free from the snares and power of selfish ends as credite a name and applause or what of that kinde that may be like the fear of man that bringeth a snare Prov. 29 2. 5. for that will be like a gift that blindeth the eyes of the wise Exod. 23 8. love to carry on a party or a designe to be seen and accounted some body to maintaine their credite and reputation lest they be accounted changelings and the like will prove very dangerous in this case for these may forcibly carry the soul away to imbrace one errour after another and one errour to strengthen and confirme another that it is hard to know where or when they shall stand and these by-respects may so forcibly drive the soul forward that he shall neither heare the voice of conscience within nor any instruction from without 6. They would study the word of truth without prejudice and any sinfull preingadgment lest they be made thereby to wiredraw and wrest the word to their own destruction as some of whom Peter speaketh 2 Pet. 3 16. It is a dangerous thing to study the word with a prejudicat opinion and to bow or wiredraw
the word and make it speak what we would have it speak for the confirmation of out opinions and sentiments for that is but to mock God and his law and to say Let his law speak what it will I will maintaine this opinion and so make the word speak as we would have it or else lay it by This is to walk by some other rule than the word and to make the word serve our lusts and confirme our errours than which a greater indignitie can not be done to the Spirit of truth speaking in the word 7. In reading and studying of the word there would be much single dependance on the Spirit for light waiting for clearnesse from Him whom Christ hath promised to lead us into all truth An earnest wreastling with Him for his assistance enlightening the minde with divine light to understand the truth and inclineing the soul to a ready imbraceing and receiveing of the truth declared in the word 8. Though one place of scripture be enough to confirme any point of truth and ground sufficient for us to beleeve what is there said there being nothing in scripture but what is truth yet in such a time of abounding errours and when many are going abroad speaking perverse things to lead the simple away it were spiritual wisdome to be compareing scripture with scripture and not to be lightly imbracing whatever may seem probable and fairely deduceable from some one passage or other of scripture but to be comparing that with other passages and see what concord there is for this is certane what ever point contradicteth other clear and manifest testimonies of scripture cannot be true how ever a cunning sophister may make it seem very probably to flow out of such or such a passage of scripture The testimony of the Spirit is uniforme and free from all contradictions and therefore we must see if such an assertion that some would draw from such a passage agree with other plaine passage and if not be sure that that is not the meaning of the place When the devil did wreste and abuse that passage of truth Psal. 91 11. He shall give his angels charge concearning thee c. and from thence would inferre that Christ might cast himself down Mat. 4 6. Christ shew that this inference was bad because it did not agree with other divine testimonies particularly not with that Deut. 6 16. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God And thereby he teacheth us to take this course in times of temptation and so compare spirituall things with spirituall as Paul speaketh 1. Cor. 2 13. Especially they would beware of expounding clear Scriptures by such as are more dark and mysterious See 2. Pet. 3 16. it is alwayes saifer to explaine darker passages by such as are more clear 9. Let them guaird against an humore of newfanglednesse nauseating old and solide truthes and seeking after something new having eares itching after new doctrines yea or new modes and dresses of old truthes for this is provocking to God and proveth dangerous for such turne away their eares from the truth and are turned into fables as Paul telleth us 2. Tim. 4 3. 4. for the time will come sayeth he when they will not endure sound doctrine but after their owne lusts shall they heape to themselves teachers having itching ears and they shall turne away their eares from the truth and shall be turned unto fables This favoureth of a spirit of levity and inconstancy which is dangerous 10. They would labour to have no prejudice at the truth but receive it in love and the love of it lest for that cause God give them up to strong delusions to beleeve lies and to be led away with the deceiveablnesse of unrighteousnesse as we see 2. Thes. 2 10 11 12. and with all deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse in them that perish because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved and for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should beleev a lie that they all might be damned who beleeved not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse 11. So would they beware of stifling the truth of making it a prisoner detaineing it in unrighteousnesse like those spoken of Rom. 1 18. for which cause God gave them up to uncleannesse and to vile affections and they became vaine in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened yea professing themselves to be wise they became fools vers 21 22 24 26. They should let truth have free liberty and power in the soul and should yeeld up themselves to be ruled and guided by it and not thorture with it lay chaines upon it or fetter it and keep it as a prisoner that can do nothing 2. For this cause they would hold fast the truth which they have learned and have been taught by the Spirit out of the word When Paul would guaâ—…rd and fortifie Timothy against seducers that creept into houses leading captive silly women c. among other directions he giveth him this 2. Tim. 3 14 15 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast bin assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise to Salvation c. So he would have the Colossians walking in Christ rooted and build up in Him stablished in the faith as they had been taught Col. 2. 6 7. 13. Especially they would be holding the ground-work fast saith in Christ It were good in such a time of erring from the way of truth to be griping Christ faster and cleaving to Him by faith and living by faith in Him This is to hold the foundation fast and then let the tempest of errour blow as it will they will ride at a sure anchor and be sâ—…ife because fixed upon the rock of ages and further living neare Christ in such a dangerous day would be a noble preservative from the infections of error The soul that is dwelling in Christ and griping to Him dayly by faith and acting love on Him dwelleth in light and will discover errour sooner than another because living under the rayes of the sun of righteousnesse which discovereth errour 14. They would labour to learne the truth as it is in Iesus and the truthes which they have heard of Him and have been taught by Him as the truth is in Him will abide when other truthes that have been learnt but of men and heard of men and as it was in the preaching of men and in books shall soon evanish in a day of trial This is to learne Christ as the Apostle speaketh Ephes. 4 20 21. But yee have not so learned Christ if so be that ye have heard Him and have been taught by Him as the truth is in Iesus When we learne the truth as it is in Iesus it bringeth us alwayes in to Him and hath a tendency to fixe our hearts on Him and
To teach them to walk more circumspectly afterward and to guaird more watchfully against Satans temptations and to imploy Christ more as their Strength Light and Guide 5. To cause them see their great obligation to Jesus Christ for delivering them from that state of wrath wherein they were by nature as well as others and would have lyen-in to all eternity had not He redeemed them 6. To exercise their Faith Patience and Hope to see if in hope they will beleeve against hope and lay hold on the strength of the Lord that they may make peace with him Esai 27 5. 7. To give a fresh proof of his wonderful Mercy Grace Love and Compassion upholding the soul in the meane time at length pardoning them and speaking peace to their souls through the blood of Jesus But as to the third particular We may look on Christ as the Life to the soul in this case upon those accounts 1. He hath satisfied justice and so hath borne the pure wrath of God due for their sinnes He hath troden the winepresse alone Esai 63 3. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our sins Esai 53 5 10. And therefore they drink not of this cup which would make them drunk and to stagger and fall and never rise againe 2. Yea He hath procured that mercy and love shall accompany all those sharpe dispensations and that they shall flow from mercy yea and that they shall be as a covenanted blessing promised in he covenant Psal. 89 30 31 32 33. 3. And sometimes He is pleased to let them see this clear difference betwixt the strokes they lye under and the judgments of pure wrath which attend the wicked and this supporteth the soul for then he seeth that those dispensations how sharpe so ever they be shall work together for good to him and come from the hand of a gracious and loving Father reconciled in the blood of Christ. 4. He is a Prince exalted to give repentance and remission of sins to Israel Act. 5 31. Yea He hath procured such a clause in the covenant which is wel ordered in all things and sure that upon their renewing of faith and repentance their after sin shall be pardoned and besides the promises of faith and repentance in the covenant His being â—… Prince exalted to give both giveth assurance oâ—… their receiving of both 5. He cleareth to them their interest in the Covenant and their right to the promises of the Covenant and through their closeing with Christ bâ—… faith He raiseth up their heart in hope causeâ—… them to exspect an outgate even remission of theâ—… sins and turning a way of the displeasure in due timâ—… through Him and this is a great part of their life 6. Being the author and finisher of faith 〈◊〉 â—… Prince to give repentance He by His Spirit worketh up the soul to a renewing of its grips oâ—… Himself by faith and to a â—…uning to the death and blood of Christ for pardon and washing and worketh godly sorrow in the heart whereupon followeth Pardon according to the gospel constitution though the beleever as yet perceiveth it not And sin being pardoned before God conforme to the tenor of the covenant of grace the man is a living man whatever feares of death he may be keeped under for a time 7. He helpeth also the soul to a justifying of God and to a holy submissive frame of Spirit under that dispensation so that they are willing to beare the indignation of the Lord because they have sinned against Him Micah 7 9. and to waite for an outgate in God's own time and to kisse the rod and accept of the punishment of their sin 8. When He seeth it fit for his own glory and their advantage He speaketh peace at length to the soul and sayeth Son or daughter be of good cheer thy sinnes are forgiven thee And then is the soul restored to life As to the fourth particular The soul that is wreastling with an angry God for sin and would make use of Christ as the life would do those things 1. He would look to Christ as standing under God's curse in our room and as satisfying justice for all the elect and for all their sinnes 2. He would eye the covenant wherein new pardon is promised upon the renewing of faith and repentance 3. He would eye Christ as the great Lord dispensator of both Faith and Repentance and hing on Him for both and thus beleeve that he may beleeve and repent or lay his soul open to Him that He may work in him both Repentance and Faith 4. He would flee to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than the blood of Abel that he may be washen and sprinkled with hysope as David did Psal. 51 7. 5. He would eye Christ as a prince to pardon and give remission of sins and as exalted for this end and would fix his eye upon Him as now exalted in glory for this end 6. He would close with Christ of new as his only alsufficient mediator and having done this and repented of his sins whereby God hath been provoked he would conclude through faith that a pardon is past in the court of heaven conforme to the tenor of the gospel and waite on Christ until the intimation come As for the cautions which I promised to speak to in the last place take those few 1. Do not conclude there is no pardon because there is no intimation thereof made to thy soul as yet According to the dispensation of grace condescended upon in the gospel pardon is had immediatly upon a souls beleeving and repenting But the intimation sense and feeling of pardon is a distinct thing and may for several ends be long â—…eeped-up from the soul Sure they go not alwayes together 2. Do not conclude there is no pardon because the rode that was inflicted for sin is not as yet taken off God pardoned Davids sin and did intimate the same to Him by Nathan and yet the sword did not depart from his house till he died God can forgive and yet take vengeance on their in venâ—…ions Psal. 99 8. 3. Do not upon this ground question God's Faithfulnesse or conclude that God's covenant doth not stand fast He is the same and the covenant abideth fast and firme but the change is in thee 4. Do not think that because thou hast once received Christ that therefore without any new act of faith on Him or of repentance towards God thou should immediatly be pardoned of thy sinnes as soon as they are committed for the gospel methode must be followed and it should satisfie us CHAP. XXVIII No man cometh to the Father but by me THis being added for furder confirmation of what was formerly said will pointe out unto us several necessary truthes as First That it is most necessary to be sound and cleare in this fundamental point of coming to God only in and through Christ for 1. It is the whole
marrow of the gospel 2. It is the â—…inge of all our salvation Christ is the chiefe cornerstone Esa. 28 16. 1 Pet. 1 5 6. and 3. The only ground of all our solide and true peace and comfort 4. An errour or a mistake here is most dangerous hazarding if not ruineing all 5. Satan endeavours mainely against this raiseth up heresies errours and false opinions and prompteth some to vent perplexing doubts and objections all to darken this cardinal point So doth he muster up all his temptations for this end at length to keep poor souls from acquantance with this way and from making use of it or entering into it 6. Our corrupt hearts are most averse from it and will close with any way how troublesome how expensive and costly so ever it may seem to be rather than with this 7. There are a multitude of false wayes as we did shew above All which cleare up this necessity and should teach us to be very diligent to win to acquantance with it and to make sure that we are in it and to hold it fast and to keep it pure in our practise without mixing any thing with it or corrupting of it Secondly That it is no small difficulty to get this truth beleeved and practised that through Christ alone we come to the Father Therefore is the same thing asserted and inculcated againe upon the matter for 1. Nature will not teach this way it is far above nature 2. Yea our natural inclination is much against it opposing it and fighting against it 3. This way is altogether contrary to that high esteem which naturally all of us have of ourselves 4. And is opposite to that pride of heart which naturally we are subject to 5. Yea there is nothing in us by natur that will willingly comply with this way but on the contrary all is opposite thereunto 6. And therefore it is the Christians first lesson to deny himself The consideration of which should humble us and make us very jealous of our own hearts and inclinations and of all those courses which they are inclineable to and bent upon And it should put us to try if ever we have overcome this difficulty and have now all our hopes and comforts founded on Him and on nothing else and are up or down in our peace and joy according as we win in to Him or are shut out from Him and in all our approaches to God upon whatsoever account are leaning to Him and resting on Him alone exspecting accesse acceptance and a hearing only in Him and are quieted under all our feares and temptations with this that Christ is our way to the Father Thirdly That even beleevers have need to have this truth inculcated often for 1. Satan is busie pulling them off this ground by all the wiles and temptations he can 2. Their own corruption within and the evil heart of unbeleefe is alwayes opposeing this way and drawing them off it 3. Through the slight of Satan and the power of corruption they are oftimes declineing from this pure gospel way 4. The experience of beleevers can tell that when they aâ—…e at their best it is a great work and exercise to them to keep their heart right in this matter 5. Is it not too oft seen that they are under the spiritual plague of formality which stealeth them off their feet here 6. And is it not found oftentimes that they are too too ready to leane to some thing beside Christ How ought all to be convinced of this and humbled under the sense of it And see also how necessary it is to be oft preaching on this subject and to be oft thinking upon and studying this fundamental truth Fourthly It should be a strong motive and incitement to us to make use of Christ as the way to the Father That no man cometh to the Father but by Him for this may be looked upon as an argument enforceing their usemaking of Him as the way Fiftly It discovereth the ground of that truth that there are but few that are saved for none cometh to the Father but by Him few in respect of the whole world once heare of Him and of such as hear of Him few have the true way of imploying and applying him as the way to the Father cleared up unto them and againe of such as have the truth as it is in Jesus preached unto them O how few go to Him and make use of Him according to the truth and beleeve and practise the truth Sixtly That in and through Christ alone we must come 1. To the Knowledge of the Father for no man knoweth the Father but the son and He alone who came out of the bosome of the Father revealeth Him 2. To the Favour and Friendship of the Father for He alone is our peaâ—…e and in Him alone is the Father well pleased 4. To the Kingdome of the Father here for He only is the door Iohn 10. and by his Spirit are we effectually called 4. To the Kingdome of the Father above for He alone hath opened that door and is entered into the holiest of all as our forerunner and is gone to prepare a place for us 5. Through Him alone must we addresse ourselves to the Father in our supplications Iohn 16 23. Revel 8 3. in our thanksgivings Rom. 1 8 Col. 3 17. and praise Heb. 13 15. Ephes. 3 21. 6. Through Him alone have we accesse and an open door to the Father Ephes. 2 18. 3 21. Heb. 4 16. I shall only speak to one case here viz. CHAP. XXIX How should we make use of Christ in going to the Father in prayer and other pieces of worship IN short for answering of this question I shall lay down those particulars 1. There would be a lively sense of the infinite distance that is betwixt the great God and us finite creaturs and yet more betwixt the holy God and us sinful wreatches 2. There would be an eyeing of Christ as the great peacemaker through his death and merites having satisfied justice and reconciled sinners unto God that so we may look on God now no more as an enemie but as reconciled in Jesus 3. There would be sometimes at least a more formal and explicite actual closeing with Christ as ours when we are going about such duties and alwayes an implicite and virtual imbraceing of Him as our mediator or an habitual hanging upon Him and leaning to Him as our mediator and Peacemaker 4. There would be an eyeing of Him as our great Highpriest now living for ever to make intercession for us and to keep the door of heaven open to us upon which account the Apostle presseth the Hebreewes to come boldly to the throne of grace Heb. 4 14 16. See also Heb. 7 24 25. 5. There would be a griping to Him even in reference to that particular act of worship and a laying hold upon Him to speak so as our Master usher to bring us by the hand in to