ver 7. There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one The Trinity of Divine Persons acting distinctly in the Unity of the same Divine Nature do give this Testimony And they do so by these distinct Operations whereby they act in this way and work of God's saving Sinners by Jesus Christ which are at large declared in the Gospel And there is added hereunto a Testimony that is immediately applicatory unto the Souls of Believers of this Soveraign Testimony of the Holy Trinity and this is the witness of Grace and all sacred Ordinances There are three that bear witness on Earth the Spirit and the Water and the Blood and these three agree in one ver 8. They are not all essentially the same in one and the same Nature as are the Father Word and Holy Ghost yet they all absolutely agree in the same Testimony and they do it by that especial Efficacy which they have on the Souls of Believers to assure them of this Truth In this Record so solemnly so gloriously given and proposed Life and Death are set before us The Receiving and Embracing of this Testimony with an Approbation of the way of Salvation testified unto is that Work of Faith which secures us of Eternal Life On these Terms there is Reconciliation and Agreement made and established between God and Men without which Men must perish for ever SO our Blessed Saviour affirms This is Life eternal that we may know thee Father the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Joh. 17. 3. To know the Father as the only true God to know him as he hath sent Jesus Christ to be the only way and means of the Salvation of Sinners and to know Jesus Christ as sent by him for that end is that Grace and Duty which enstates us in a Right unto Eternal Life and initiates us in the Possession of it And this includes that Choice and Approbation of the way of God for the saving of Sinners whereof we speak BUT these things must be more distinctly opened 1. THE Great fundamental Difference in Religion is concerning the way and means whereby Sinners may be saved From Mens different Apprehensions hereof arise all other Differences about Religion And the first thing that engageth men really into any Concernment in Religion is an Enquiry in their Minds how Sinners may be saved or what they shall do themselves to be saved What shall we do What shall we do to be saved What is the way of Acceptance with God is that Enquiry which gives Men their first Initiation into Religion See Acts 2. 37. of Chap. 16. 30. Micah 6. 6 7 8. THIS Question being once raised in the Conscience an Answer must be returned unto it I will consider saith the Prophet what I shall answer when I am reproved Hab. 2. 1. And there is all the Reason in the World that Men consider well of a Good Answer hereunto without which they must perish for ever For if they cannot answer themselves here how do they hope to answer God hereafter Wherefore without a sufficient Answer always in Readiness unto this Enquiry no Man can have any Hopes of a Blessed Eternity NOW the real Answer which Men return unto themselves is according to the Influence which their Minds are under from one or other of the two Divine Covenants that of Works or that of Grace And these two Covenants taken absolutely are inconsistent and gives Answers in this Case that are directly contradictory to one another So the Apostle declares Rom. 10. 5 6 7 8 9. The one says the man that doth the Works of the Law shall live by them this is the only way whereby you may be saved The other wholly waves this Return and puts it all on Faith in Christ Jesus Hence there is great Difference and great Variety in the Answers which men return to themselves on this Enquiry for their Consciences will neither hear nor speak any thing but what complys with the Covenant whereunto they do belong These things are reconciled only in the Blood of Christ and how the Apostle declared Rom. 8. 3. The greatest part of Convinced Sinners seem to adhere to the Testimony of the Covenant of Works and so perish for ever Nothing will stand us instead in this matter nothing will save us but the Answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurection of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 3. 21. 2. THE way that God hath prepared for the saving of Sinners is a Fruit and Product of Infinite Wisdom and powerfully Essicacious unto its End As such it is to be received or it is rejected It is not enough that we admit of the Notions of it as declared unless we are sensible of Divine Wisdom and Power in it so as that it may be safely trusted unto Hereon upon the Proposal of it falls out the eternally distinguishing Difference among Men. Some look upon it and embrace it as the Power and Wisdom of God Others really reject it as a thing foolish and weak not meet to be trusted unto hereof the Apostle gives an Account at large 1 Cor. 1. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24. And this is mysterious in Religion the same Divine Truth is by the same way and means at the same time proposed unto sundry Persons all in the same Condition under the same Circumstances all equally concerned in that which is proposed therein Some of them hereon do receive it embrace it approve of it and trust unto it for Life and Salvation others despise it reject it value it not trust not unto it To the one it is the Wisdom of God and the Power of God to the other Weakness and Foolishness as it must of necessity be one or the other it is not capable of a middle State or Consideration It is not a good way unless it be the only way it is not a safe it is not the best way if there be any other for it is eternally inconsistent with any other It is the Wisdom of God or it is down-right Folly And here after all our Disputes we must resort unto eternal Soveraign Grace making a Distinction among them unto whom the Gospel is proposed and the Almighty Power of actual Grace in Curing that Unbelief which blinds the minds of Men that they can see nothing but Folly and Weakness in Gods way of the saving of Sinners And this Unbelief worketh yet in the most of them unto whom this way of God is proposed in the Gospel They receive it not as an Effect of Infinite Wisdom and as powerfully Essicacious unto its proper End Some are profligate in the Service of their Lusts and regard it not unto whom may be applied that of the Prophet Hear ve Despisers and wonder and perish Some are under the Power of Darkness and Ignorance so as that they apprehend not they understand not the Mystery of it For the Light shineth
Gospel Grounds and Evidences OF THE FAITH OF GOD's Elect SHEWING I. The Nature of true saving Faith in securing of the Spiritual Comfort of Believers in this Life is of the highest importance II. The Way wherein true Faith doth evidence it self in the Soul and Consciences of Believers unto their Supportment and Comfort under all their Conflicts with Sin in all their Tryals and Temptations III. Faith will evidence it self by a diligent constant endeavour to keep it self and all Grace in due exercise in all Ordinances of Divine Worship Private and Publick IV. A peculiar way whereby true Faith will evidence it self by bringing the Soul into a State of Repentance Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith prove your selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5 By JOHN OWEN D. D. LONDON Printed by John Astwood for William Marshal at the Bible in Newgate-street where you may be supplyed with most of Dr. Owen's Dr. Beverly's and Mr. Caryl's Works 1695. To the Reader AS Faith is the first vital Act that every true Christian puts forth and the Life which he lives is by the Faith of the Son of God so it is his next and great concern to know that he doth believe and that believing he hath Eternal Life that his Faith is the Faith of God's Elect and of the Operation of God without sâ—me distinct believing knowledge of which he cannot so comfortably assure his Heart before God concerning his Calling and Election so far as to carry him forth in all the ways of Holiness in doing and suffering the Will of God with necessary Resolution and Chearfulness the doing of which in a right manner according to the Tenor of the Gospel is no small part of spiritual Skill whereunto two things are highly requisite First That he be well acquainted with the Doctrine of Christ and knows how to distinguish the Gospel from the Law and Secondly That he be very Conversant with his own Heart that so by comparing his Faith and the Fruits thereof with the said Doctrine of Christ he may some to see that as he hath received Christ so he walks in him all his reasonings concerning himself being taken up from the Word of God so that what Judgment he passeth upon himself may be a Judgment of Faith and Answer of a good Conscience towards God for all Tryals of Faith must at last be resolved into a Judgment of Faith before which is made the Soul still labours under staggerings and uncertainties The design of this ensuing Treatise is to resolve this great Question Whether the Faith we profess unto be true or no the Resolution of which upon an Impartial Enquiry must needs be very grateful and advantageous to every one that hath but tasted that the Lord is gracious That the late Reverend Learned and Pious Dr. Owen was the Author there needs be no doubt not only because good Assurance is given by such as were entrusted with his Writings but also in that the Stile and Spirit running thro' the other of his Practical Writings is here very manifest and accordingly with them is recommended to the serious perusal of every diligent Enquirer unto the Truth of his Spiritual Estate and Condition Isaac Chauncy Evidences of the Faith of GOD's Elect. THE securing of the Spiritual Comforts of Believers in this Life is a matter of the highest Importance unto the Glory of God and their own Advantage by the Gospel For God is abundantly willing that all the Heirs of Promise should receive strong Consolation and he hath provided ways and means for the Communication of it to them and their Participiation of it is their Principal Interest in this World and is so esteemed by them But their effectual Refreshing Enjoyment of these Comforts is variously opposed by the Power of the Remainders of Sin in Conjunction with other Temptations Hence notwithstanding their Right and Title unto them by the Gospel they are oft-times actually destitute of a Gracious sense of them and consequently of that Relief which they are sâ—ited to afford in all their Duties Trials and Afflications Now the Root whereon all real Comforts do grow whence they spring and arise is true and saving Faith the Faith of Gods Elect. Wherefore they do ordinarily answer unto and hold proportion with the Evidences which any have of that Faith in themselves at least they cannot be maintained without such Evidences Wherefore that we may be a little useful unto the Establishment or Recovery of that Consolation which God is so abundantly willing that all the Heirs of Promise should enjoy I shall enquire What are the principal Acts and Operations of Faith whereby it will evidence its Truth and Sincerity in the midst of all Temptations and storms that may befall Believers in this World And I shall insist on such alone as will bear the severest Scrutiny by Scripture and Experience And THE Principal Genuine Acting of saving Faith in us inseparable from it yea essential to such acting consists in the Choosing Embracing and Approbation of Gods way of saving Sinners by the Mediation of Jesus Christ relying thereon with a renuntiation of all other ways and means pretending unto the same End of Salvation THIS is that which we are to explain and prove SAVING Faith is our Believing the Record that God hath given us of his Son 1 John 5. 10. And this is the Record that God hath given unto us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son verse 11. This is the Testimony which God gives that great and sacred Truth which he himself bears witness unto namely That he hath freely prepared Eternal Life for them that believe or provided a way of Salvation for them And what God so prepares he is said to give because of the Certainty of its Communication So Grace was promised and given to the Elect in Christ Jesus before the World began 2 Tim. 1. 9. Tit. 1. 2. And that is so to be communicated unto them in and by the Mediation of his Son Jesus Christ that it is the only way whereby God will give Eternal Life unto any which is therefore wholly in him and by him to be obtained and from him to be received Upon our Acquiescency in this Testimony on our Approbation of this way of saving Sinners or our Refusal of it our Eternal Safety or Ruin doth absolutely depend And it is reasonable that it should be so For in our receiving of this Testimony of God We set to our seal that God is true Joh. 3. 33. We ascribe unto him the Glory of his Truth and therein of all the other Holy Properties of his Nature the most Eminent Duty whereof we are capable in this World And by a Refusal of it what lieth in us we make him a Liar as in this Place v. 10. which is virtually to renounce his Being AND the Solemnity wherewith this Testimony is entred is very remarkable
into Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not Some are blinded by Satan as he is the God of this World by filling their Minds with Prejudice and their Hearts with the Love of present things that the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God cannot shine into them Some would mix with it their own Works Ways and Duties as they belong unto the first Covenant which are eternally irreconcible unto this way of God as the Apostle teacheth Rom. 10. 3 4. Hereby doth Unbelief eternally ruin the Souls of Men they do not they cannot approve of the way of God for saving Sinners proposed in the Gospel as an Effect of Infinite Wisdom and Power which they may safely trust unto in Opposition unto all other ways and means pretending to be useful unto the same End And this will give us Light into the Nature and Actings of saving Faith which we Enquire after 3. THE whole Scripture and all Divine Institutions from the Beginning do testifie in general that this way of God for the saving Sinners is by Commutation Substitution Attonement Satisfaction and Imputation This is the Language of the first Promise and all the Sacrifices of the Law founded thereon This is the Language of the Scripture There is a way whereby Sinners may be saved a way that God hath found out and appointed Now it being the Law wherein Sinners are concerned the Rule of all things between God and them should seem to be by what they can do or suffer with Respect unto that Law No saith the Scripture it cannot be so For by the Deeds of the Law no man living shall be justified in the sight of God Psal. 142. 2. Rom. 3. 20. Gal. 2. 16. Neither shall it be by their Personal Answering of the Penalty of the Law which they have broken For they cannot do so but they must perish eternally For If thou Lord shouldst mark Iniquities O Lord who shall stand Psal. 130. 3. There must therefore be there is another way of a different Nature and Kind from these for the saving of Sinners or there is no due Revelation made of the mind of God in the Scripture But that there is so and what it is is the main Design of it to declare And this is by the Substitution of a Mediator instead of the Sinners that shall be saved who shall both bear the Penalty of the Law which they had incurred and fulfill that Righteousness which they could not attain unto THIS in general is Gods way of saving Sinners whether Men like it or no For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the flesh that the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us Rom. 8. 3 4. See also Heb. 10. 5 6 7 8 9 10. He made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. HERE Unbelief hath prevailed with many in this latter Age to reject the Glory of God herein But we have vindicated the Truth against them sufficiently elsewhere 4. THERE are sundry things previously required to give us a clear View of the Glory of God in this way of saving Sinners Such are a due Consideration of the Nature of the Fall of our first Parents and of our Apostacy from God thereby I may not stay here to shew the Nature or Aggravations of them Neither can we conceive them aright much less express them I only say that unless we have due Apprehensions of the Dread and Terrour of them of the Invasion made on the Glory of God and the Confusion brought on the Creation by them we can never discern the Reason and Glory of rejecting the Way of Personal Righteousness and the establishing this way of a Mediator for the saving of Sinners A due Sense of our present infinite Distance from God and the Impossibility that there is in our selves of making any Approaches unto him is of the same Consideration so likewise is that of our utter Disability to do any thing that may answer the Law or the Holiness and Righteousness of God therein of our universal Unconformity in our Natures Hearts and their Actings unto the Nature Holiness and Will of God Unless I say we have a sense of these things in our Minds and upon our Consciences we cannot believe aright we cannot comprehend the Glory of this new way of Salvation And whereas Mankind hath had a general Notion though no distinct Apprehension of these things or of some of them many amongst them have apprehended that there is a Necessity of some kind of Satisfaction or Atonement to be made that Sinners may be freed from the Displeasure of God But when God's way of it was proposed unto them it was and is generally rejected because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God But when these things are fixed on the Soul by sharp and durable Convictions they will enlighten it with due Apprehensions of the Glory and Beauty of God's way of saving Sinners 5. THIS is the Gospel this is the Work of it namely a divine Declaration of the way of God for the saving of Sinners through the Person Mediation Blood Righteousness and Intercession of Christ. This is that which it revealeth declareth proposeth and tendreth unto Sinners there is a way for their Salvation As this is contained in the first Promise so the Truth of every word in the Scripture depends on the Supposition of it Without this there could be no more Entercourse between God and us than is between Him and Devils Again it declares that this way is not by the Law or its Works by the first Covenant or its Conditions by our own Doing or Suffering but it is a new way found out in and proceeding from Infinite Wisdom Love Grace and Goodness namely by the Incarnation of the Eternal Son of God his Susception of the Office of a Mediator doing and suffering in the Discharge of it whatever was needful for the Justification and Salvation of Sinners unto his own eternal Glory See Rom. 3. 23 24 25 26 27. Chap. 8. 3 4. 2 Cor. 5. 19 20 21. c. MOREOVER the Gospel adds that the only way of obtaining an Interest in this Blessed Contrivance of saving Sinners by the Substitution of Christ as the Surety of the Covenant and thereon the Imputation of our sins to him and of his Righteousness unto us is by Faith in him HERE comes in that Trial of Faith which we Enquire after This way of saving Sinners heing proposed offered and tendered unto us in the Gospel true and saving Faith receives it approves of it rests in it renounceth all other Hopes and Expectations reposing its whole Confidence therein FOR it is not proposed unto us meerly as a Notion of Truth to be assented to or denied in which Sense all believe the
Gospel that are called Christians they do not esteem it a Fable But it is proposed unto us as that which we ought practically to close withall for our selves to trust alone unto it for Life and Salvation And I shall speak briefly unto two things 1. HOW doth saving Faith approve of this way on what Accounts and unto what Ends. 2. HOW it doth evidence and manifest it self hereby unto the Comfort of Believers First IT approves of it as that which every way becomes God to find out to grant and propose So speaks the Apostle Heb. 2. 10. It became him in bringing many Sons to Glory to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through Sufferings That becomes God is worthy of him is to be owned concerning him which answers unto his infinite Wisdom Goodness Grace Holiness and Righteousness and nothing else This Faith discerns judgeth and determineth concerning this way namely that it is every way worthy of God and answers all the holy Properties of his Nature This is called the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 4. 6. THIS Discovery of the Glory of God in this way is made unto Faith alone and by it alone it is embraced The not discerning of it and thereon the want of an Acquiescency in it is that Unbelief which ruines the Souls of Men. The Reason why Men do not embrace the way of Salvation tendred in the Gospel is because they do not see nor understand how full it is of Divine Glory how it becomes God is worthy of him and answers all the Perfections of his Nature Their Minds are blinded that the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God doth not shine into them 2 Cor. 4. 4. And so they deal with this way of God as if it were Weakness and Folly HEREIN consists the Essence and Life of Faith It sees discerns and determines that the way of Salvation of Sinners by Jesus Christ proposed in the Gospel is such as becometh God and all his divine Excellencies to find out appoint and propose unto us And herein doth it properly give Glory to God which is its peculiar Work and Excellency Rom. 4. 20. Herein it rests and refresheth it self IN particular Faith herein rejoyceth in the manifestation of the infinite Wisdom of God A View of the Wisdom of God acting it self by his Power in the Works of Creation for in Wisdom he made them all is the sole Reason of Ascribing Glory unto him in all natural Worship whereby we glorifie him as God and a due Apprehension of the infinite Wisdom of God in the new Creation in the way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ is the foundation of all Spiritual Evangelical Ascription of Glory to God IT was the Design of God in a peculiar way to manifest and glorifie his Wisdom in this Work Christ crucified is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1. 24. And all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge are hid in him Col. 2. 3. All the Treasures of Divine Wisdom are laid up in Christ and laid out about him as to be manifested unto Faith in and by the Gospel He designed herein to make known his manifold Wisdom Ephes. 3. 9 10. WHEREFORE according to our Apprehension and Admiration of the Wisdom of God in the Constitution of this way of Salvation is our Faith and no otherwise Where that doth not appear unto us where our Minds are not affected with it there is no Faith at all I cannot stay here to reckon up the especial Instances of Divine Wisdom herein Somewhat I have attempted towards it in other Writings and I shall only say at present that the foundation of this whole work and way in the Incarnation of the Eternal Son of God is so glorious an Effect of infinite Wisdom as the whole blessed Creation will admire to Eternity This of it self bespeaks this way and work divine Herein the Glory of God shine in the face of Christ Jesus This is of God alone this is that which becomes him that which nothing but infinite Wisdom could extend unto Whilst Faith lives in a due Apprehension of the Wisdom of God in this and the whole Superstruction of this way on this foundation it is safe GOODNESS Love Grace and Mercy are other Properties of the Divine Nature wherein it is gloriously amiable God is Love There is none good but he Grace and Mercy are among the principal Titles which he every where assumes to himself and it was his Design to manifest them all to the utmost in this work and way of saving Sinners by Christ as is every where declared in the Scripture and all these lie open to the Eye of Faith herein It sees infinite Goodness Love and Grace in this way such as becomes God such as can reside in none but him which it therefore rests and rejoyceth in 1 Pet. 1. 8. In Adherence unto and Approbation of this way of Salvation as expressive of these Perfections of the Divine Nature doth Faith act it self continually WHERE Unbelief prevaileth the Mind hath no view of the Glory that is in this way of Salvation in that it is so becoming of God and all his holy Properties as the Apostle declares 2 Cor. 4. 4. And where it is so whatever is pretended Men cannot cordially receive it and embrace it for they know not the Reason for which it ought to be so embraced They see no Form nor Comeliness in Christ who is the Life and Center of this way no Beauty for which he should be desired Isa. 5â— 2. Hence in the first Preaching of it it was unto the Jews a Stumbling-block and unto the Greeks Foolishness For by reason of their Unbelief they could not see it to be what it is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God and so it must be esteemed or be accounted Folly YEA from the same Unbelief it is that at this day the very Notion of the Truth herein is rejected by many even all those who are called Socinians and all that adhere unto them in the Disbelief of Supernatural Mysteries They cannot see a Suitableness in this way of Salvation unto th Glory of God as no Unbeliever can and therefore those of them who do not oppose directly the Doctrine of it yet do make no use of it unto its proper End Very few of them comparatively who profess the Truth of the Gospel have an Experience of the power of it unto their own Salvation BUT here true Faith stands invincibly hereby it will evidence its Truth and Sincerity in the midst of all Temptations and the most dismal Conflicts it hath with them yea against the perplexing Power and Charge of Sin thence arising From this strong hold it will not be driven whilst the Soul can exercise Faith herein namely in steadily Choosing Embracing and Approving of Gods way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ as that wherein he
will be eternally glorified because it is suited unto and answers all the Perfections of his Nature is that which every way becomes him it will have wherewith to relieve it self in all its Trials For this is Faith this is saving Faith which will not fail us that Faith which works in the Soul a gracious Perswasion of the Excellency of this way by a sight of the Glory of the Wisdom Power Grace and Love and Goodness of God in it so as to be satisfied with it as the best the only way of coming unto God with a Renunciation of all other ways and means unto that End will at all times evidence its Nature and Sincerity AND this is that which gives the Soul Rest and Satisfaction as unto its Entrance into Glory upon it Departure out of this World It is a great thing to apprehend in a due manner that a Poor Soul that hath been Guilty of many Sins leaving the Body it may be under great Pain Distress and Anguish it may be by outward Violence should be immediately admitted and received into the Glorious Presence of God with all the holy Attendants of his Throne there to enjoy Rest and Blessedness for evermore But here also Faith discerns and approves of this great of this ineffable divine Opperation as that which becomes the infinite Greatness of that Wisdom and Grace which first designed it the glorious Efficacy of the Mediation of Christ and the Excellency of the Sanctification of the Holy Spirit without any Expectation from any thing in it self as a Cause meritorious of an Admission into this Glory Neither did ever any man know what it is or desire it in a due manner who looked for any Desert of it in himself or conceived any Proportion between it and what he is or hath done in this World Hence some of those who have not this Faith have invented another State after Men are gone out of this world to make them meet for Heaven which they call Purgatory For on what Grounds a man should expect an Entrance into Glory on his Departure out of this World they understand not LET them who are exercised with Temptations and Dejections bring their Faith unto this Trial. And this is the Case in various Degrees of us all First then Examine strictly by the Word whether this be a true Description of the Nature and Acting of saving Faith Sundry things are supposed or asserted in it as 1. That the way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ is the principal Effect of Divine Wisdom Power Goodness Love and Grace 2. That the Design of the Gospel is to manifest declare and testify that so it is and so to make known the Glory of God therein 3. That saving Faith is that Act Duty and Work of the Soul whereby we receive the Record of God concerning these things do ascribe the Glory of them all unto him as discovering it in the way of Life proposed unto us 4. That hereon it proceeds unto a Renunciation of all other Ways Means Hopes Reliefs in Opposition unto this way or in Conjunction with it as unto Acceptance with God in Life and Salvation I say in the first place Examine these things strictly by the Word and if they appear to be as they are Sacred Evangelical Fundamental Truths be not moved from them be not shaken in them by any Temptation whatever AND in the next place bring your Faith to the Trial on these Principles What do you judge concerning Gods way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ as proposed in the Gospel are you satisfied in it that it is such as becomes God and answers all the glorious Attributes of his Nature Would you have any other way proposed in the room of it Can you will you commit the eternal Welfare of your Souls unto the Grace and Faithfulness of God in this way so as that you have no Desire to be saved any other way Doth the Glory of God in any measure shine forth unto you in the Face of Jesus Christ Do you find a secret Joy in your Hearts upon the Satisfaction you take in the proposal of this way unto you by the Gospel Do you in all your Fears and Temptations in all Approaches of Death renounce all other Reserves and Reliefs and betake your whole Confidence unto this way alone and the Representation of God made therein Herein lies that Faith and its Exercise which will be an Anchor unto your Souls in all their Trials AND this is the first and principal Ground or Reason whereon Faith divine and saving doth accept Embrace and Approve of the way of Gods saving Sinners by Jesus Christ namely because it is such as doth become him and every way answer unto all the holy Properties of his Nature which are manifested and glorified therein And where Faith doth approve of it on this Ground and Reason it doth evidence it self to be truly Evangelical unto the Supportment and Comfort of them in whom it is Secondly IT doth so approve of this way as that which it finds suited unto the whole Design and all the Desires of an Enlightned Soul So when our Lord Jesus Christ compares the Kingdom of God which is this way of Salvation unto a Treasure and a precious Pearl he affirms that those who found them had great Joy and the highest Satisfaction as having attained that which suited their Desires and gave Rest unto their Minds A Soul Enlightned with the Knowledge of the Truth and made sensible of its own Condition by Spiritual Conviction hath two predominant Desires and Aims whereby it is wholly regulated the one is that God may be glorified and the other that it self may be eternally saved Nor can it forgoe either of these Desires nor are they separable in any Enlightned Soul It can never cease in either of these Desires and that to the highest Degree The whole World cannot dispossess an Enlightned Mind of either of them Profligate Sinners have no Concernment in the former no nor yet those who are under Legal Convictions if they have therewithal received no Spiritual Light They would be saved but for the Glory of God therein he may look to that himself they are not concerned in it For that which they mean by Salvation is nothing but a freedom from eternal Misery this they would have whether God be or no of what is Salvation truly they have no Desire BUT the first Beam of spiritual Light and Grace enstates an indefatigable Desire of the Glory of God in the Minds and Souls of them in whom it is Without this the Soul knows not how to desire its own Salvation I may say it would not be saved in a way wherein God should not be glorified For without that whatever its state should be it would not be that which we call Salvation the Exaltation of the Glory of God belongs essentially thereunto it consists in the beholding and Enjoyment of that Glory This Desire therefore is immovably fixed in
the Mind and Soul of every enlightned Person he can admit of no Proposal of Eternal Things that is inconsistent with it BUT moreover in every such Person there is a Ruling Desire of his own Salvation It is natural unto him as a Creature made for Eternity it is inseparable from him as he is a convinced Sinner And the clearer the Light of any one is in the Nature of this Salvation the more is this Desire heightned and confirmed in him HERE then lieth the Enquiry namely How these two prevalent Desires may be reconciled and satisfied in the same Mind For as we are Sinners there seems to be an Inconsistency between them The Glory of God in his Justice and Holiness requires that Sinners should dye and perish eternally so speaks the Law this is the Language of Conscience and the Voice of all our Fears Wherefore for a Sinner to desire in the first place that God may be glorified is to desire that himself may be damned WHICH of these Desires shall the Sinner cleave unto unto whether of them shall it give the Preheminence shall he cast off all Hopes and Desires of his own Salvation and be content to perish for ever This he cannot do God doth not require it of him he hath given him the contrary in Charge whilst he is in this World Shall he then desire that God may part with and lose his Glory so as that one way or other he may be saved Bring himself unto an Unconcernment what becomes of it This can be no mere in an Enlightned Mind than it can cease to desire its own Salvation But how to reconcile these things in himself a Sinner finds not HERE therefore the Glory of this way represents it self unto the Faith of every Believer It not only brings these Desires into a perfect Consistency and Harmony but maketh them to encrease and promote one another The Desire of Gods Glory encreaseth the Desire of our own Salvation and the Desire of our own Salvation enlargeth and inflameth the Desire of glorifying God therein and thereby These things are brought into a perfect Consistency and mutual Subserviency in the Blood of Christ Rom. 3. 24 25 26. For this way is that which God hath found out in infinite Wisdom to glorify himself in the Salvation of Sinners There is not any thing wherein the Glory of God doth or may consist but in this way is reconciled unto and consistent with the Salvation of the chiefest of Sinners There is no Property of his Nature but is gloriously exalted in and by it An Answer is given in it unto all the Objections of the Law against the Consistency of the Glory of God and the Salvation of Sinners It pleads his Truth in his Threatnings in the Sanction of the Law with the Curse annexed it pleads his Righteousness Holiness and Severity all engaged to destroy Sinners it pleads the Instance of God's dealing with the Angels that sinned and calls in the Witness of Conscience to testifie the Truth of all its Allegations But there is a full and satisfactory Answer given unto this whole Plea of the Law in this way of Salvation God declares in it and by it how he hath provided for the satisfaction of all these things and the Exaltation of his Glory in them as we shall see immediately HERE true Faith will fix it self in all its Distresses Whatever saith the Soul be my State and Condition whatever be my Fears and Perplexities whatever Oppositions I meet withall yet I see in Jesus Christ in the Glass of the Gospel that there is no Inconsistency between the Glory of God and my Salvation that otherwise insuperable Difficulty laid by the Law in the way of my Life and Comfort is utterly removed Whilst Faith keeps this Hold in the Soul with a constant Approbation of this way of Salvation by Christ as that which gives a Consistency unto both its governing Desires that it shall not need forgoe either of them so as to be contented to be damned than God may be glorified as some have spoken or to desire Salvation without a due Regard unto the Glory of God it will be an Anchor to stay the Soul in all its Storms and Distresses Some Benefit which will certainly ensue hereon we may briefly mention 1. THE Soul will be hereby preserved from ruining Despair in all the Distresses that may befall it Despair is nothing but a prevalent Apprehension of mind that the Glory of God and a mans Salvation are inconsistent that God cannot be Just True Holy or Righteous if he in whom that Apprehension is may be saved Such a Person doth conclude that his Salvation is impossible because one way or other it is inconsistent with the Glory of God for nothing else can render it impossible Hence ariseth in the Mind an utter Dislike of God with revengeful Thoughts against him for being what he is This cuts off all Endeavours of Reconciliation yea begets an Abhorrency of all the means of it as those which are weak foolish and insufficient Such are Christ and his Cross unto Men under such Apprehensions they judge them unable to reconcile the Glory of God and their Salvation Then is a Soul in an open Entrance into Hell From this cursed Frame and Ruin the Soul is safely preserved by Faiths maintaining in the Mind and Heart a due Perswasion of the Consistency and Harmony that is between the Glory of God and its own Salvation Whilst this Perswasion is prevalent in it although it cannot attain any Comfortable Assurance of an especial Interest in it yet it cannot but Love Honour Value and Cleave unto this way adoring the Wisdom and Grace of God in it which is an Act an Evidence of saving Faith See Psal. 130. 3 4. Yea 2. IT will preserve the Soul from heartless Dispondencies Many in their Temptations Darknesses Fears Surprizals by Sin although they fall into ruining Desperation yet they fall under such desponding Fears and various Discouragements us keep them off from a vigorous Endeavour after a Recovery And hereon for want of the due Exercise of Grace they grow weaker and darker every day and are in danger to pine away in their sins But where Faith keeps the Soul constant unto the Approbation of Gods way of saving Sinners as that wherein the Glory of God and its own Salvation are not only fully reconciled but made inseparable it will stir up all Graces unto a due Exercise and the diligent Performance of all Duties whereby it may obtain a Refreshing Sense of a personal Interest in it 3. IT will keep the Heart full of Kindness towards God whence Love and gracious Hope will spring It is impossible but that a Soul overwhelmed with a sense of Sin and thereon â—illed with Self-Condemnation but if it hath a View of the Consistency of the Glory of God with its Deliverance and Salvation through a free Contrivance of infinite Wisdom and Grace it must have such Kindness for
him such gracious Thoughts of him as will beget and kindle in it both Love and Hope as Mic. 7. 18 20. Psal. 85. 8. 1 Tim. 1. 15. 4. A Steady Continuance in the Approbation of Gods way of Salvation on the Reason mentioned will lead the Mind into that Exercise of Faith which both declares its Nature and is the Spring of all the saving Benefits which we receive by it Now this is such a Spiritual Light into and Discovery of the Revelation and Declaration made in the Gospel of the Wisdom Love Grace and Mercy of God in Christ Jesus and the way of the Communication of the Effect of them unto Sinners by him as that the Soul finds them suited unto and able for the pardon of its own sins its Righteousness and Salvation so as that it placeth its whole Trust and Confidence for these Ends therein THIS being the very Life of Faith that Act and Exercise of it whereby we are justified and saved and whereby it evidenceth its truth and sincerity against all Temptations I shall insist a little on the Explanation of the Description of it now given And there are three things in it or required unto it 1. A Spiritual Light into and Discovery of the Revelation and Declaration made in the Gospel of the Wisdom Love Grace and Mercy of God in Christ Jesus It is not a meer Assent unto the Truth of the Revelation or the Authority of the Revealer this indeed is supposed and included in it but it adds thereunto a spiritual Discerning Perception and Understanding of the things themselves revealed and declared without which a bare Assent unto the Truth of the Revelation is of no Advantage This is called the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. The Encrease whereof in all Believers the Apostle doth earnestly pray for Eph. 1 16 17 18 19 20. So we discern spiritual Things in a spiritual manner and hence ariseth the full Assurance of Understanding to the Acknowledgement of the Mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ Col. 2. 2. Or a spiritual Sense of the Power Glory and Beauty of the Things contained in this Mystery So to know Christ as to know the Power of his Resurrection and the Fellowship of his Sufferings Phil. 3. 10. FAITH affects the mind with an ineffable Sense Taste Experience and Acknowledgment of the Greatness the Glory the Power the Beauty of the Things revealed and proposed in this way of Salvation The Soul in it is enabled to see and understand that all the things belonging unto it are such as become God his Wisdom Goodness and Love as was before declared And a spiritual Light enabling hereunto is of the Essence of saving Faith unless this be in us we do not we cannot give Glory to God in any Assent unto the Truth And Faith is that Grace which God hath prepared sitted and suited to give unto him the Glory that is his Due in the Work of our Redemption and Salvation 2. UPON this spiritual Light into this Revelation of God and his Glory in this way of saving Sinners the Mind by Faith finds and sees that all things in it are suited unto its own Justification and Salvation in particular and that the Power of God is in them to make them effectual unto that End This is that Act and Work of Faith whereon the whole blessed Event doth depend it will not avail a man to see all sorts of Viands and Provisions if they be no way suited unto his Appetite nor meet for his Nourishment Nor will it be unto a Man's spiritual Advantage to take a View of the Excellency of the Gospel unless he find them suited unto his Condition And this is the hardest Task and Work that Faith hath to go through with FAITH is not an especial Assurance of a Man 's own Justification and Salvation by Christ that it will produce but not until another step or two in its Progress be over but Faith is a satisfactory Perswasion that the way of God proposed in the Gospel is fitted suited and able to save the Soul in particular that doth believe not only that it is a blessed way to save Sinners in general but that it is such a way to save him in particular So is this matter stated by the Apostle 1 Tim. 1. 15. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all Acceptation or Approbation that Christ Jesus came into the World to save sinners whereof I am chief His Faith doth nor abide here nor confine it self unto this that Christ Jesus came into the World to save sinners that this is the holy and blessed way of God for the Salvation of Sinners in general but he puts in for his own particular Interest in that way it is God's way fitted and suited and able to save me who am the chiefest of Sinners AND this as was said is the greatest and the most difficult Work of Faith For we suppose concerning the Person who is to believe 1. THAT he is really and effectually convinced of the Sin of Nature of our Apostasie from God therein the Loss of his Image and the direful Effects that ensue thereon 2. That he hath due Apprehensions of the Holiness and Severity of God of the Sanction and Curse of the Law with a right understanding of the Nature of Sin and its Demerit 3. That he have a full Conviction of his own actual sins with all their Aggravations from their Greatness their Number and all sorts of Circumstances 4. That he hath a Sense of the Guilt of secret or unknown sins which have been multiplied by that continual proneness unto sin which he finds working in him 5. That he seriously consider what it is to appear before the Judgment Seat of God to receive a Sentence for Eternity with all other things of the like nature inseparable from him as a Sinner WHEN it is really thus with any man he shall find it the hardest in the World and clogged with the most Difficulties for him to believe that the way of Salvation proposed unto him is suited fitted and every way able to save him in particular to apprehend it such as none of his Objections can rise up against or stand before But this is that in the second place that the Faith of God's Elect will do It will enable the Soul to discern and satisfie it self that there is in this way of God every thing that is needful unto its own Salvation And this it will do on a spiritual Understanding and due Consideration of 1. The Infiniteness of that Wisdom Love Grace and Mercy which is the Original of Soveraign Cause of the whole way with the ample Declaration and Confirmation made of them in the Gospel 2. Of the unspeakable glorious way and means for the procuring and communicating unto us of all the Effects of that Wisdom Grace and Mercy namely the Incarnation and Mediation of the Son
of God in his Oblation and Intercession 3. Of the great Multitude and Variety of precious Promises engaging the Truth Faithfulness and Power of God for the Communication of Righteousness and Salvation from those Springs by that means I say on the just Consideration of these things with all other Encouragements wherewith they are accompanied the Soul concludes by Faith that there is Salvation for it self in particular to be attained in that way 3. THE last Act of Faith in the order of Nature is the Souls Acquiescency in and trust unto this way of Salvation for its self and its own Eternal Condition with a Renuntiation of all other ways and means for that End And because Jesus Christ in his Person Mediation and Righteousness is the Life and Center of this way as he in whom alone God will glorifie his Wisdom Love Grace and Mercy as he who hath purchased procured and wrought all this Salvation for us whose Righteousness is imputed unto us for our Justification and who in the Discharge of his Office doth actually bestow it upon us he is the proper and immediate Object of Faith in this Act of Trust and Affiance This is that which is called in the Scripture believing in Christ namely the trusting unto him alone for Life and Salvation as the whole of Divine Wisdom and Grace is administred by him unto those Ends. For this we come unto him we receive him we beleive in him we trust him we abide in him with all those other ways whereby our Faith in him is expressed AND this is the second Ground or Reason whereon Faith doth close with embrace and approve of God's way of saving Sinners whereby it will evidence it self unto the Comfort of them in whom it is in the midst of all their Trials and Temptations Thirdly FAITH approves of this way as that which makes the Glory of God in the giving and the Sanction of the Law to be as eminently conspicuous as if it had been perfectly fulfilled by every one of us in our own Persons The Law was a just Representation of the Righteousness and Holiness of God and the End for which it was given was that it might be the means and Instrument of the Eternal Exaltation of his Glory in those holy Properties of his Nature Let no man imagine that God hath laid aside this Law as a thing of no more use or that he will bear a Diminution of that Glory or any part of it which he designed in the giving of it Heaven and Earth shall pass away but no Jot or Little of the Law shall do so No Believer can desire or be pleased with his own Salvation unless the Glory of God designed by the Law be secured He cannot desire that God should forgo any part of his Glory that he might be saved Yea this is that on the Account whereof he principally rejoyceth in his own Salvation namely that it is that wherein God will be absolutely universally and eternally glorified NOW in this way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ by Mercy Pardon and the Righteousness of at other of all which the Law knows nothing Faith doth see and understand how all that Glory which God designed in the giving of the Law is eternally secured and preserved entire without Eclipse or Diminution The way whereby this is done is declared in the Gospel See Rom. â— 24 25 26. Chap. 8. 2 3 4. Chap. 10. 3 4. Hereby Faith is enabled to answer all the Challenges and Charges of the Law with all its Pleas for the Vindication of divine Justice Truth and Holiness It hath that to offer which gives it the utmost Satisfaction in all its Pleas for God So is this Answer managed Rom. 8. 32 33 34. AND this is the first way whereby the Faith of Gods Elect doth evidence it self in the minds and Consciences of them that do believe in the midst of all their Contests with Sin their Trials and Temptations to their Relief and Comfort namely the closing with and Approbation of Gods way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ on the Grounds and Reasons which have been declared The Second Evidence of the Faith of God's Elect. THE second way whereby true Faith doth evidence it self in the Souls and Consciences of Beleivers unto their Supportment and Comfort under all their Conflicts with sin in all their Trials and Temptations is by a constant Approbation of the Revelation of the Will of God in the Scripture concerning our Holiness and the Obedience unto himself which he requireth of us This Faith will never forgo whatever Trials it may undergo whatever Darkness the mind may fall into This it will abide by in all Extremities And that it may appear to be a peculiar Effect or work of saving Faith some things are to be premised and considered 1. THERE is in all men by Nature a Light enabling them to judge of the Difference that is between what is morally good and what is evil especially in things of more than ordinary Importance This Light is not attained or acquired by us we are not taught it we do not learn it It is born with us and inseparable from us It prevents Consideration and Reflection working naturally and in a sort necessarily in the first Actings of our Souls AND the discerning Power of this Light as to the Moral Nature of Mens Actions is accompanied inseparably with a Judgment that they make concerning themselves as unto what they do of the one kind or other and that with respect unto the superiour Judgment of God about the same things This the Apostle expresly ascribes unto the Gentiles who had not the Law Rom. 2. 14 15. The Gentiles which have not the Law do by Nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves which shew the Work of the Law written in their Hearts their Consciences also bearing Witness and their Thoughts the mean while accusing or excusing one another This is a most exact Description of a natural Conscience in both the Powers of it it discerns that good and evil which is commanded and forbidden in the Law and it passeth an acquiting or condemning Judgment and Sentence according to what Men have done WHEREFORE this Approbation of Duties in things moral is common unto all Men. The Light whereby it is guided may be variously improved as it was in some of the Gentiles And it may bestisled in some until it seem to be quite extinguished until they become like the Beasts that perish And where the discerning power of this Light remains yet through a continual Practice of sin and obduracy therein the judging power of it as unto all its Efficacy may be lost So the Apostle declares concerning them who are judicially hardened and given up unto sin Rom. 1. 32. These knowing the Judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of Death not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them
callled the Divine Nature whereof we are partakers 2 Pet. 1. 4. And he that cannot see a Representation of God in it hath not the Light of Faith and Life in him HEREON I say Faith doth approve of the Form and Principle of this Holiness as the Renovation of the Image of God in us it looks upon it as that which becomes God to bestow and require and therefore that which hath an incomparable Excellency and Desirableness in it Yea when the Soul is ready to faint under an Apprehension that it is not partaker of this holy Nature because of the Power of sin in it and Temptations on it it knows not whether it self be born of God or no as is the Case with many yet where this Faith is it will discern the Beauty and Glory of the new Creation in some measure as that which bears the Image of God and thereon doth it preserve in the Soul a Longing after it or a further Participation of it BY this Work or Act of it doth Faith discover its Sincerity which is that which we enquire after whilst it hath an Eye open to behold the Glory of God in the new Creature whilst it looks on it as that wherein there is a Representation made of the Holiness of God himself as that which becomes him to require in us and thereon approves of it as excellent end desirable it will be an Anchor unto the Soul in its greatest storms For this is a Work beyond what a meer Enlightned Conscience can arise unto That can approve or disapprove of all the Acts and Effects of Obedience and Disobedience as unto their Consequents but to discern the spiritual Nature of the New Creature as representing the Holiness of God himself and thereon constantly to approve of it is the Work alone 2. IT doth the same with respect unto the internal Acts and Effects of this New Creature or Principle of New Obedience The first thing it producoth in us is a Frame of Mind Spiritual and Heavenly they that are after the Spirit are spiritually-minded Rom. 8. 5 6. It looks on the opposite Frame namely of being Carnally minded as vile and loathsome it consisting in a Readiness and Disposition of Mind to actuate the Lusts of the Flesh but this spiritual Frame of Mind is a just Constellation of all the Graces of the Spirit influencing disposing and making ready the Soul for the Exercise of them on all Occasions and in all Duties of Obedience this is the inward Glory of the Kings Daughter which Faith sees and approves of as that which becometh God to require in us whatever is contrary hereunto as a sensual carnal worldly frame of Mind it looks on as vile and base unworthy of God or of those who design the Enjoyment of him 3. IT doth the same with respect unto all particular Duties internal and external when they are enlivened and filled up with Grace In them consists our walking worthy with God Col. 1. 10. 1 Thessal 2. 12. Such a Walk as is meet for God to accept that whereby and wherein he is glorified The contrary hereunto in the Neglect of the Duties of Holiness or the Performance of them without the due Exercise of Grace Faith looks on as unworthy of God unworthy of our high and holy Calling unworthy of our Profession and therefore doth constantly condemn and abhor ALL this as we observed before Faith will continue to do constantly under Temptations and Dissertions There are Seasons wherein the Soul may be very weak as unto the Powers Effects and Duties of this spiritual Life such the Psalmist often-times complains of in his own Case and it is evident in the Experience of most few there are who have not found at one time or another great Weakness Decays and much Deadness in their spiritual Condition And sometimes true Beleivers may be at a Loss as unto any Refreshing Experience of it in its Operations They may not be able to determine in the Contest whether Sin or Grace have the Dominion in them Yet even in all these Seasons Faith will keep up the Soul unto a constant high Approbation of this way of Holiand Obedience in its Root and Fruits in its Principle and Effects in its Nature Disposition and Duties For when they cannot see the Beauty of these things in themselves they can see it in the Promises of the Covenant in the Truth of the Gospel wherein it is declared and in the Effects of it in others AND great Advantage is to be obtained by the due Exercise of Faith herein For 1. IT will never suffer the Heart to be at Rest in any sinful way or under any such spiritual Decays as shall estrange it from the pursuit of this Holiness The Sight the Conviction of its Excellency the Approbation of it as that which in us and our measure answers the Holiness of God will keep up the Mind unto Endeavours after it will rebuke the Soul in all its Neglects of it nor will it allow any Quiet or Peace within without an Endeavour after a comfortable Assurance of it That Soul is desparately sick which hath lost an abiding sense of the Excellency of this Holiness in its Answerableness unto the Holiness and Will of God Fears and Checks of Conscience are the whole of its Security against the worst of sins and they are a Guard not to be trusted unto in the room of the Peace of God This is one great difference between Believers and those that have not Faith Fear of the Consequents of sin with an Apprehension of some Advantages which are to be obtained by a sober Life and the Profession of Religion do steer and regulate the Minds of Unbelievers in all they do towards God or for Eternity but the Minds of Believers are influenced by a View of the Glory of the Image and Likeness of God in that Holiness and all the parts of it which they are called unto This gives them Love unto it Delight and Complacency in it enabling them to look upon it as its own Reward And without these Affections none will ever abide in the ways of Obedience unto the End 2. WHERE Faith is in this Exercise it will evidence it self unto the Relief of the Soul in all its Darknesses and Temptations The Mind can never conclude that it wholly is without God and his Grace whilst it constantly approves of the Holiness required of us This is not of our selves by Nature we are ignorant of it This Life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3. 3. where we can see nothing of it hereon we are alienated from it and do dislike it alienated from the Life of God through the Ignorance that is in us Ephes. 4. 18. And most men live all their days in a Contempt of the principal Evidences and Duties of this Life of God and of the Principle of it which they look on as a Fable Wherefore the Mind may have great Satisfaction in a sight of the