Luk. 1.3 4.2 Tim. 3.14 and Paul his Timothy Oh sirs get well assured of these things let your faith and perswasion have its full dimensions let it be deeply rooted and high built take not things upon trust let every truth have its full emphasis and efficacy upon your hearts and Consciences especially the main momentous Gospel-truths that you must venture your souls upon and live and dye by you had need consider what ground you stand upon and be fully perswaded in your own minds But so much for the second Use CHAP. VIII III. THe third Vse is of Examination to try us whether we have a real interest in these sure mercies of the Covenant it is one of the greatest questions that we can be asked whether we have a right title to Covenant-mercies alas we have forfeited our title to God or to any good thing from him by our breach of the Old Covenant and now we have nothing to do with God except only to endure the severe strokes of his sin-revenging justice Oh what need have we to try our selves by an impartial scrutiny For our better assistance in this great and weighty business I shall a little open what it is to enter into Covenant in general and then enquire what conditions of the new Covenant we can find in our hearts and then shew a little of the nature and effects of these Covenant-mercies where they are For the first to enter into Covenant with God is to own God as our God and to give up our selves wholly to him as his expressed in these words in Scripture I will be thy God and thou shalt be my people this this is the Marrow of the Covenant for God to be our God it is a comprehensive word it is substantia faederis as Funius calls it anima faederis as Pareus calls it eaput foederis as Musail the substance-soul and head of the Covenant the life of Religion is in this as one saith sweetly the goodness of duties lyes in Adverbs and the sweetness of the Covenant lyes in possessives Well then the contracting of this Covenant betwixt God and a soul consists chiefly in a mutual reddition or giving up themselves each to other expressed in Scripture by a Matrimonial contract when God gives up himself to the soul and accepts of him and the soul accepts of God as his God and gives up himself to him now we are not to enquire after the act of God for 't is fully expressed in the Scriptures and it is certainly supposed God accepts the sinner when the sinner accepts of God for these are relatives nor is this any change in God the change is only in the sinner who is now put into a new state and relation it is certain by the free offers of the Gospel that God doth consent and the main thing to be enquired into is whether the soul do consent or no for if it cordially do the match is made God and the soul are marryed which is a thing of the greatest importance in the whole World I shall purposely wave controversies in this business wherein this consent lyes whether it be only an assent See Mr. Baxt. Saints Rest Part 1. p. 177 178. an act of the understanding or it be a choice an act of the Will c. I conceive 't is an act of the whole soul whereby a poor troubled sinner discovering its forlorn estate by its breach of the Old Covenant and sad consequences thereof and discerning a possibility of a recovery and the way of reconciliation by a new Covenant contrived and contracted betwixt God and fallen man sealed and confirmed by the blood of a Mediator God-man doth freely cordially and constantly accept of God as his chiefest good and ultimate end and give up himself to him resolvedly unreservedly and universally to be the Lords to be and do what the Lord pleaseth to obey divine commands be at God's dispose in life and death and thus to continue even to the end of his days This is for a soul to enter into Covenant with the Lord the tryal will lye in these two things 1. Whether we have accepted of God as our God 2. Whether we have given up our selves to him to be at his dispose yea or no a little of both these 1. Whether have you taken the Lord to be yours or no. We are all naturally Idolaters and have our hearts glued to the Creature or something else besides God we are of those many that cry out who will shew us any good and trace the whole Creation to find satisfaction till we are weary and sit down despairing of obtaining what we seek for all the creatures are forced to eccho this unanimous vote happiness is not in me thus like Hagar we wander in this howling wilderness Gen. 21.15 16 17 18 19. till the Water of hope be spent in the bottle and our souls like Ishmael be ready to perish under the shrubs of guilt and wrath and then we sit down in sorrow ready to pine away in our iniquities loth to see or think of our own damnation lifting up our voice with bitter weeping and despair God hears and asks the troubled soul what it ailes and under these confusions he creates a blessed spring of hope in this desert-state opens the eyes ravisheth the heart with the glory of Gospel-grace draws Water of life out of the well of salvation and satisfieth the hungry soul with good things makes the ransomed sinner own that God that thus owns him in a time of need and to cry out as repenting Israel once O Lord our God other Lords besides thee have had dominion over us but by thee only will we make mention of thy name Isa 26.13 or as David Psal 73.25 whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee my flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever ver 26. as if the poor soul should say I have been long seeking contentment here below but I see by sad experience all things fail there 's vanity and vexation writ upon the sweetest comforts under the Moon I have laid out much labour for that which profits not I am weary with my disappointments I will return to my first Husband return unto thy rest O my soul God alone is the most yea the only suitable and satisfying rest of my wandring and bewildred soul let others go a whoring from God to creature-props 't is good for me to draw nigh to God I am undone without him I am sick of love for him woe is me what shall I do if my soul get not an interest in God I faint I dye I am damned Lord put me not off without thy self let nothing take up my heart besides thee let all the pleasures profits honours of the World go whither they will so I may have my God I can set one God against them all if God
â—ure to all Unbelievers as the second Adam conveys certain life so the first Adam conveys certain death to his seed as he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life so â—e that believeth not shall not see life but the â—rath of God abides on him Joh. 3.36 as â—e that believeth is acquitted so he that believes not is condemned already ver 18. all is other sins are bound upon him by this â—f unblief this is the condemnation it is â—s impossible that the Devils in Hell shall be saved as that Unconverted sinners while such shall be saved for Christ saith again and again except ye be Converted Mat. 18. Joh. 3.35 except a â—an be born again he cannot see he cannot â—nter into the Kingdom of God and binds it with strong asseverations and dare any question the verity of Gods positions or combinations that pretends to believe his promise yea God hath bound him by oath â—n this case as well as in the other Heb. â— 11 it 's spoken there concerning the rebellious murmuring Israelites I sware in â—ny wrath saith God they shall not enter into my rest or if they shall enter then q. d. never trust me more nay let not me be God but what 's this to us Yes the Apostle applyes it to unbelievers in Gospel times Gap 4.1 2 3 4 5 c. hence he repeats the Oath again referring to unbelieving Gospellers that they shall never enter into the Heavenly Canaan and surely unconverted sinners are in a woful plight of whom it may be truly said that God himself cannot save them while they continue in that state for there 's no way but one of entring Heaven that 's Jesus Christ and how can they escape that neglect so great salvation Act. 4 12. Heb. 2.3 there 's no other way revealed and do we think God will forsake his ordinary Road and quit this glorious design to gratifie a Generation of wilful neglecters and rejecters of this blessed contrivance of saving sinners by interest in Jesus Christ it cannot be you must either go to Heaven this way or down to Hell by your own way 2. Their souls are not sure to be another moment out of Hell-torments poor graceless sinners cannot secure themselves upon any real Scripture-grounds that they shall enjoy that bastard peace of Conscience in which they flatter themselves another hour for ought they know their case may be like Belshazzars Dan. 5.5 while they are Drinking Carousing Ranting Revelling some dreadful Hand-writing or Testimony of Gods Indignation may break forth against them which may marr all their mirth appal their spirits trouble their thoughts loose the joynts of their Loyns and make their knees smite one against another Oh what terrour and horrour will the dreadful summons of death strike into them how will these fool-hardy Warriers against an infinite God call to the Rocks and Mountains to cover them Oh what a sudden change what a sad Catastrophe will the cold hand of death make with them what a fall will these secure and sensless sinners have from the height of worldly preferment to the depth of eternal torments stand a little â—nd look at that rich and wretched miser â—n the Gospel that had no room for his fruits and goods that sung a requiem to his soul for many years Yet alas had not one â—ight to take his ease in thou fool See Luk. 12.17 18 19 20. saith God this night shall thy soul be required â—f thee or do they require thy soul i. e. the Devils who are waiting for a commission from God to catch hold of graceless souls â—o hale them to torments as soon as they â—ave forsaken their wretched bodies so â—ome interpret it however the rich mans â—oul was suddenly snatcht from a full Table â—nd dainty Fare into eternal misery without drop of Water or hopes of mercy for â—et him tear his heart with bitter out-cryes Father Abraham have mercy on me neither â—is Father Abraham See Luk. 16.24 25 26. nor the God of Abraham shall have any mercy for him former offers of mercy are now turned into flames of fury they have wilfully forsaken their own mercy and now are wofully forsaken by the God of mercy O consider this you that are yet in your sins dancing about the pit and are ready every instant to drop into eternal woe 3. Their certain mistake will aggravate their woful state Oh what a dreadful disappointment will this be for persons that lived demurely in the World and passed for very civil neighbours yea for choice Saints yet now to be set on the left hand amongst the Goats at the great day yea persons that thought themselves they were in the ready Road to Heaven and as they are as they imagine stepping into glory to miss their footing and fall into Eternal Torments 't is a dreadful sight to see soul and hopes giving up the Ghost together Job 11.20 c. 8.14 and swept away as the Spiders Web into the fire of Hell Oh for a soul that hath all his days been building Castles in the Aire the House of his fair profession upon the sliding sand of Fancy and Imagination to have all come tottering down with one puff of death will be a dreadful sight Ministers told them of this but they would not believe nor suspect their state or spend one hour in searching whether they were right or no many a time were they warned of the danger but they pleased themselves in wilful self-delusion and now they are past recovery they would not be brought to an holy despair in themselves that they might have sure footing in these sure mercies and now they shall and must despair of ever having part or portion in these sweet and certain mercies they would not be beaten from their carnal shifts and sensless Pleas and now they must and shall be for ever banisht from them and feel the bitterness of them Ministers could not deal with them but God can and it will be an heart-confounding day when the varnish shall be washed off and all rotten props shall be pluckt up that kept the soul from horrour and they shall see themselves deceived by Satan the World and their own self-flattering hearts into eternal misery 4. But once more many things in and about these sure mercies will augment their eternal misery Alas sirs here there 's no speaking to wicked men they will not abide a sober Treaty about their souls they have not leisure or patience to yield an observant Ear to Discourses about these sure mercies but a time is coming wherein they shall be forced to think of these lost mercies to their cost now they have other things to mind the world doth so fill their ears and hearts that they thrust these things from them and judge themselves unworthy of them they are just like Jeremiah's wild Asse used to the Wilderness Jer. 2.24 that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure in her occasion who can
in the way for a staff or bait but not good as a Center or end to terminate your thoughts upon Remember the worst of men may have the best of these blessings yet have them with a curse and may perish with them therefore say as David Psal 119.132 look thou upon me and be merciful unto me as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name Psal 106.4 and elsewhere he desires to be remembred with the favour of Gods people as if David should say Lord there are common mercies which fill the belly cloath the back supply outward wants but these thou givest to the bad as well as good and though these are more than I deserve yet more than these I desire these will only serve me the day and date of my temporal life and will take their leave of me at death but Lord thou hast better mercies to bestow than these even such as will stick by me in life and death mercies that concern the soul such as thou bestowest on Children and on heirs of promise Oh let me come in for my Childs part of those and put me not off with any else none besides will fit or fill my precious soul or serve my turn Josh 17.14 I must say as once the Children of Joseph said to Joshua why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit seeing I am a great people so must I say if I were a bruit Creature one lot of provender for this Carcass would serve my turn but seeing 〈◊〉 am blessed with a noble never-dying soul that hath large capacious faculties 〈◊〉 must have a double portion a single share â—s not enough something that will live â—hen this body is laid in the grave and â—ing is so fit for this immortal soul as 〈◊〉 sure mercies of David Oh that I had my share thereof more than these I cannot reasonably desire expect enjoy and less than these my soul is not content withal 4. Cast out and Cashier all sin break ofâ— thy sinful league with filthy lusts these sure mercies will not lodge in a foul breast where Christ takes up his habitation sin hath not Dominion God and sin go contrary ways mercies mount the soul upwards corruption pulls the soul downwards you must be separate and touch no unclean thing if you would be received embraced as Children and have God for your Father 2 Cor. 6.17 18. be you sure the Throne of iniquity hath no fellowship with God Psal 94.20 and God will challenge such as hate instruction and wilfully run into sin and say Psal 50.16 17 18. what hast thou to do to take my Covenant in thy mouth do not think to yoke Christ and Belial God will not be merciful to any wicked Transgressour do not think to divide mercies and faithfulness make account to enjoy mercies only in the way of truth that you may be able to say as David Psal 119 41. let thy mercies come also unto me O Lord even thy salvation according to thy word q. d. O Lord thou hast mercies to bestow and thou hast told me how and to whom thou wilt distribute these mercies it is to such as fear and love and obey thee and devote themselves to thee why here I am I have served sin and Satan too long now I abhorr the ways in which my soul hath walked I abandon works of darkness I cut off a right-hand sin and pluck out a right-eye lust and now I am in the road of mercy not as though this merited thy favour but as a condition absolutely necessary in the souls of such as obtain mercy Isa 1.16 18. Isa 55.7 according to the precepts and promises of the Word and now though I cannot challenge mercy yet I humbly plead thy promise for mercy even Covenant-mercies I have forsaken my sinful ways and wicked thoughts Psal 119.58 oh be merciful to me according to thy word oh entertain me and then â— shall not lose but change my pleasures â—he sensual pleasures of the flesh for soâ—id sacred and soul-satisfying delights in Christ and Grace thus renounce sin and you shall have what 's infinitely better but that 's not all 5. Renounce your own Righteousness and look after these sure mercies only for mercy sake the wise merchant sold all Mat. 13.46 not only his worldly enjoyments but self-conceited thoughts of his own Righteousness for this pearl of price deny your selves then enjoy God mercy is flighted when you dream of merit the poor Jews that sought to establish their own righteousness would not submit to the Righteousness of God Rom. 10.3 they had something of their own to lean to they â—corned Gods way of saving sinners they would not be beholding to Gods mercy and so went without the poor Publican was justified but the proud Pharisee condemned come as craving Beggars not as rich Purchasers say as David save me for thy mercies sake Psal 6.4 q. d. Lord I am a weak worthless wicked Creature if thou mark iniquity who can stand I am not worthy of one crumb of kindness most worthy of thy fiercest displeasure if thou condemn me thou art righteous if thou save me thou art infinitely gracious Lord when thy wrath is ready to wax hot and justice lifts up thy hand to strike the fatal blow then reflect upon thy working bowels of tender mercy and stop thy hand from a righteous executing of thy justly deserved sentence of condemnation Remember thy tender mercies and thy loving-kindnesses for they have been ever of old Remember not the sins of my youth nor my transgressions according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness sake O Lord thus that good man pleads with God Psal 25.6 7. and thus do thou come empty handed buy wine and milk without money and without price mercy were not mercy if it were bought at valuable rates but as that 's not possible so that soul that comes to purchase shall be dealt without for all the good things of the Gospel are of free and undeserved gift 6. Close with Jesus Christ the root and spring of these Covenant-mercies I told you in the doctrinal part these mercies are made sure in and by Christ to all the heirs of promise would you then enjoy the benefit of these mercies accept of Jesus Christ by a sound and lively faith you can expect no mercy but through a Mediator grace and truth comes by Jesus Christ Joh. 1.16 all mercy is laid up in Christ as the great Store-house and is to be fetcht out by faith those souls are under a dangerous and soul-damning mistake that imagine God to be any other ways merciful than in Christ it 's even horrible saith Luther to think of God out of Christ this is the only Gospel-way of obtaining mercy Eph. 13.6 God blesseth us with these spiritual blessings in Christ and we are accepted in the beloved Well then how have poor souls interest in Christ this
thou forsaken me saith Christ and David his Type yet my God still Psal 51.8 Christians you are not to trust to present feelings David doth not say make me to feel but hear joy and gladness saith one because sense and feeling is of no worth of it self except first we hear it in a promise that 's a fancy that 's felt and not heard from God and we are to build upon a word of promise even when we want the feeling of comfort and 't is not safealtoger the to lean upon former experiences only though these are good secondary helps yet our primary and Principal foundation is God in a Promise as our God in Covenant let a dark and troubled spirit read study and practise that choice instruction Isa 50.10 trust in the name of the Lord there 's enough in Gods name to answer allâ—d ubts read it Exod. 34.5 6 mercy there answers to our misery grace to our undeserving long-suffering to our continued apostacy goodness answers our vileness truth and faithfulness answers to our Covenant-breach and falshood God keeps Covenant though we break it yea God keeps Covenant with us though we are apt to think he breaks it David thought Gods mercy was clean gone and that his Promise failed for evermore but he is convinced at last that that apprehension was his infirmity Psal 77.8 9 10. therefore let a clouded soul in its blackest desertions lift up his eyes and heart to these sure mercies and ponder thus 't is true my soul is dark and God withdraws it is a night of great affliction but was it never day with thee O my soul hath not the blessed day-star of grace risen in thy heart hath not God united thee to Jesus Christ did he never give thee the earnest of his Spirit didst thou never feel the stirrings of its graces or the stealing of its comforts reflect upon thy former state or rather study the freeness and the fulness of Gospel-grace what though I be without any sensible feelings of Gods grace or shinings of his face is not my life sometimes hid with Christ in God even from mine own eyes as well as from others may not the Sun be under a Cloud shall I say my Father doth not love me because he doth not always dandle me upon his knee and evidence his love to me in sweet embraces I am resolved to cleave unto him though he kill me and to believe in him though I cannot see him I will venture my weary soul upon his free-grace in Christ the Covenant is firm its mercies are sure there 's hope in the God of Israel it may be he will cast a propitious aspect on a weary â—oul however I am resolved to lye at his â—eet and act affiance and dependance on his â—mmutable promise whether he ever shine upon my soul or no this will bring a good issue 7. The last case wherein a Christian is to improve these sure mercies of David is in the hour and power of death when that grim Serjeant looks upon us with its ghastly face and arrests us with its cold hand then mercy will stand us in stead and sure mercies will be our sweetest Cordial these mercies pluck out the sting of death perfume the grave make way for the gracious soul to take its flight to glory so that death is now become the Christians friend and servant rest and interest conquest and Crown the Apostle doth therefore reckon up death as one part of the Saints Inventory 1 Cor. 3.21 22. all things are yours whether Paul or Apollo or Cephâ—s or the World or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours this is the fullest longest surest title here 's a sufficient enumeration nothing can be wanting either in the mercies ensured or manner of ensuring or the duration it 's to all Eternity and it 's the best and clearest Tenure in capite in the head Christ and 't is both by Purchase and by Conquest nothing is wanting to make these mercies sure for ever for death which dissolves all other bonds of relation doth more firmly and closely joyn God and the gracious soul 't is as a Porter to let them into their Fathers house a divine Limbeck to purifie and prepare them for glory and that voice which calls to the believer saying come up hither in this life souls are but espoused to Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 after death they are presented to him and the marriage is consummated 2 Cor. 5.6 8. ver 1 2. Phil. 1.21 here we are absent from our husband while present in the body but 't is more desirable to be absent from the body and present with the Lord and this is done by a dissolving of the earthly house of this Tabernacle so that hereby death becomes a gain and brings believers to their proper home and why should we be afraid of a stingless Serpent or helpful servant that doth us the greatest kindness why are believers afraid to dye why do they not rather say with that good man egredere anima egredere go forth my soul go forth and meet thy dearly beloved But we need go no further to prove either the immortality of the soul or the commodities of death than the subject we are upon even these sure mercies of David for they continue to David even when he is laid in the grave therefore our Saviour proves the Resurrection from the Covenant with Abraham Numb 18.19 Mat. 32.31 Isaac and Jacob because it is a perpetual Covenant a Covenant of Salt and thus runs the argument God is the God of the living and not of the dead therefore these Patriarchs are living and have an existence because he hath made a Covenant with them otherwise if these arise not then must the Covenant of necessity cease but the Covenant endures for ever therefore those with whom he makes the Covenant must live for ever since God calls himself their God Exod. 3.6 even after they are laid in their graves therefore let Christians rest in hope when they are laying down their heads in the grave for the Scripture saith the righteous have hope in their death the Covenant abides firm still the mercies thereof dye not when the body dyes the Heathens themselves saw this Socrates saith the Swan was Dedicated to Apollo because she sung sweetly before her death and the Romans when their great men dyed and when their bodies were burnt to ashes they caused an Eagle to fly and mount on high to signifie that the soul was immortal and shall not the Children of Promise sing chearfully when their souls are ready to mount up to eternal mansions I confess I am really ashamed when I read Cicero Cicero Tusc Quest lib. 1. De contemnâ—adâ morte Maximum argumentum est naturam ipfam de immo talite animorum tacitam judicare quod omnibus curae sâ—nt maxime quidem quae post mortem futura sâ—nt Serit arbores
out of your hearts hands this consideration is of singular use in a losing time men may take away our estates liberties priviledges but they cannot take away our mercies they may degrade us and remove us from our functions and offices but cannot dissettle our souls from relation to Christ or state of grace or blessed influences of grace Fox Mart. Vol. 1. p. â—20 When Popish Bishops took from John Husse the Chalice saying Oh cursed Judas we take away from thee this Chalice of thy salvation he answered but I trust unto God the Father omnipotent and my Lord Jesus Christ for whose sake I suffer these things that he will not take away the Chalice of his redemption but have a stedfast and firm hope that this day I shall drink thereof in his Kingdom Yea men may take away the members of the body but not the graces and comforts of the soul Notable is the story of Agatha the primitive Martyr Quintiliano dixisse ferunt ex cujus jussu praecisae sunt ipsi mammillae annâ—n te pudet Tyrone membrum illud in me amputare quod in matre suxisti verum age saevi quantum poteris duae tamen supersunt mammillae quas nequis attingere fidei una spei altera hae mihi vel in mediis tormentis solamen tutamen suppeditant earum alimento sustinendi virtus in me reparatur Dr. Arrows Tact. sac p. 195. who when Quintilian had commanded her breasts to be cut off art thou not ashamed O Tyrant said she to cut off that member in me which thou suckedst in thy mother but â—o to rage as much as thou canst yet two breasts are left which thou canst â—ot touch the one of faith the other of â—ope these supply me with comfort and safety in the midst of torments and abundant strength is repaired in me by the nourishment I have by them to endure Alas it were a sad state of an immortal soul to have nothing but what supplys corporal wants how soon will worm or moth or fire or thieves or tyrants make a prey of visible riches the good things of Saints are invisible happy are you whose mercies are divine you need not fear plundring or spoiling of your best goods these are the true riches Omnia â—â—m aliis communia habent tanquam ciâ—s omnia patiuntur tanquam pâ—egriai omnis pâ—regrina regio patris est eorâ—m omnis patria est peregrina Just Mart. eâ—â—d Diâ—g vid. plura though you be poor in this world yet if you beâ— rich in faith you are heirs of a Kingdom you live as strangers and Pilgrims for your estates lyeâ— in another Countrey and indeed a Christian is a Paradox in this as Justin Martyr observes of the ancient Christians that they inhabit their own Countrey but as strangers theâ— have all things common with others aâ— Citizens yet suffer all things as Pilgrims every strange Region is their Countrey and every Countrey a strange Region a Christians politicks are seemingly contradictory and truly mysterious they make a common table yet not polluted they are in the flesh but live not after the flesh they live on earth but have their conversation in Heaven they obey Laws established yet by their way of living go beyond laws they love all and are persecuted by all they are not known yet condemned they are killed yet made alive they are poor yet inrich many they want all things yet abound in all things they are disgraced yet thereby honoured c. Thus he proceeds shewing the state of Christians which is the same now oh what a mysterie yet felicity it is to be a Saint all things are yours though nothing were yours a Saint by Covenant hath right to all and shall have actual possession of what is for his good the Saints rule the earth themselves being trampled on by all they pass through the world as Conquerours and carry the spoils along with them as Trophies to death and when death is swallowed up in victory these blessed Champions arise triumphant in glory Oh Christians study your state know your priviledges be always triumphing in Christ live at the rate of these mercies make no reckoning of the world but as a foot-stool to raise you higher God-wards or as a stepping-stone to pass forward through this dirty world Heaven-wards thereby bless God for the least outward mercy but be not put off with the greatest a little with God is enough all things without God are nothing suppose you be below the higher part of the dust of the earth in riches power and glory yet you are above them in grace true riches and favour with the God of Heaven therein he makes amends as the Jews have a Fable that the Waters Terrestrial in the beginning took it ill they must be divided from the Coelestial by the Firmament he pacifies them by promising a Sacred use of them below in the Tabernacle of the Covenant so although you are set below others in other things yet in this you have preheminence above them that you are interested in and imployed about these Covenant-mercies this is abundant compensation be not discouraged whatever you suffer here 't is not Hell whatever you lose for God Heaven will make amends faithful is he that hath promised who also will do it God is yet able to pay his debts as able and willing as to the first man that ever sued for performance of a promise never any went away grumbling or charging God as some men are too justly accused that he minds not what he saith when David through weakness of faith began to stagger and expostulate saying doth his promise fail for evermore he quickly checks himself with that reflection And I said this is my infirmity Psal 77.8 10. It were a blessed thing which Luther wisheth for that our faith were as certain and firm as the thing it self believed Optarim fidâ—â—tam certaâ— firmam â—sse quâ—m â—es ipsa verwn peccatum in carâ—e râ—sistit spâ—rituiâ—ut non possitam firmiter credere Luth. but alas sin in the flesh doth resist the spirit so as we cannot so firmly believe as he complains the way to stability is acting of faith believe and ye shall be established as long as we consult with reason we shall still be fluctuating persons expedient for establishment after many temptations of doubt concerning a main article of faith was an hearty humiliation and captivating his understanding to the obedience of faith which brought such clear light of truth and certitude into his soul that there remained no reliques at all of dubitation we may all cry out with the Disciples Lord increase our faith alas the want of faith is the root of all actual sins and insensibleness yea the want of a through perswasion of the reality of divine things undoth the world most men do but read the Gospel as a fine fiction or a well-composed Romance but work not their hearts to credit
the Author was known anâ— a seal is the mark whereby genuine things aâ— discerned from counterfeit all these are thâ— uses of the spirits sealing to confirm oâ—â— hearts in the truth of God in his promiseâ— against all the temptations of Satan thâ— blessed sealing is more prevalent for our coâ—firmation than all philosophical reasons oâ— demonstrations 5. Another way to beget assurance amoâ—â— men is a solemn Oath and we know an Oaâ— for confirmation is to them an end of all strisâ— Heb. 6.16 and thus God willing more abuâ—dantly to shew unto the heirs of promise thâ— immutability of his Council confirmed it bâ— an Oath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Invâ—tat praemio salutem jurans etiam vivo dicens câ—pit credi sibi O beatos nos queâ— causa deus jurat O misâ—rrimos sinec juranti domino credimus Tertâ— de poen or interposed himself by an Oathâ— it is very observable to consider the form 〈◊〉 the Oath God swears by himself who 〈◊〉 the living and true God he could swear by â—o greater and it is observed that two things make a thing more credible 1. the qualiâ—y of the person speaking 2. The manner of the speech Now the form of the Oath â—n Gen. 22.16 is exceeding emphatical to Abraham partly because of the asseveration surely Gen. 22.16 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Est particula caâ—salis coaditionalis partly because of the duplication in blessing I will bless thee if I speak â—t it shall be done moreover the form of the expression in Genesis is strange for it is thus Quid tibi prodest si Deus se juramâ—nto oâ—stâ—ingâ—t si tu haec quasi communâ—m audiâ—ns fabulam transeas Jurare diâ—itâ—r deus ut tu audiens paveas intreâ—iscas metu consternatus inquiras quid illud tantum est pro â—o deus jurare dicitur Orâ—g Homil. 9. super Gen. 22. if I bless thee thou shalt be blessed or because I bless thee or if I do not bless thee which is the form of an Oath Heb. â—4 3 as if he should say then let me not be true just yea let me not be God God pawns his faithfulness upon it and may he not then be believed but for what end is this it is to confirm his promises and assure the hearts of all the heirs of promise that he intends to do and will accomplish what he hath spoken that they might have strong consolation and that he might take away all doubts and haesitation and all this he doth for the heirs of promise he would not have done thus for others but he doth this and much more to satisfie his doubting Children 6. Yet further men use to give a pawn a pledge to assure others of their real purpose to make good the bargain and this is part of the payment this also doth our gracious God 2 Cor. 1.22 Cap 5.5 Ephes 1.14 his spirit is the earnest of our inheritance untill the redemption of the purchased possession an earnest is used in purchasing Land in hiring of Servants and in contracting Marriage and when ever the Lord puts his Holy Spirit into the heart it s as a pledge of all the mercies of the Covenant and of our eternal inheritance and though some men may be unfaithful so far as rather to lose their earnest than make good their bargain yet we may be assured God will not do so for it is as impossible that any saving grace of the Spirit should be cast into hell as it is for any sin to enter into Heaven God will not lose his pledge but fetch the soul to Heaven when he hath fetcht the heart to himself Grace is the Prologue and Praeludium to Glory the first Resurrection leads the van to the second a gracious change prepares for a glorious change Rom. 8.11 if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you the spirit confirms the promises and we need not fear any danger of retractation not but that the promises are firm enough but he would establish our hearts in the faith thereof and acquiescence therein lest any question it 7. Another way whereby men testifie their cordial resolution to make good promises is by doing a great part of the work which gives real evidence they will do the rest he that promiseth to give another a thousand pounds Should a King promise to erect some Colledge and give liberal maintenance to Students in it we are certain by an humane faith that he will do such a thing thâ—ugh it be not begun but if the foundations be in laying we see its execution in part and are assured it will be finished Baâ—us on Eâ—h c. 1. v. 17. p. 144. and hath already given him nine hundred may he not rationally trust him for the rest or suppose there were but one pound or a penny behind there is great reason to conside in him for what is wanting why truly the Lord hath performed the greatest part of the promises of the Covenant the great promise of the Covenant was that the seed of the Woman should break the Serpents head that the Son of God should be incarnate be in mans stead in life and death to satisfie justice fulfil the Law and by his death bring in everlasting rightcousness and he hath already done it now saith the Apostle Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son See Rom. 4.8 9 10. Qui misit unigenâ—tum immisit spiritum pâ—omisit vultum quid tandem tibi negaturus ost Bern. but delivered him up for us all how shall be not with him also freely give us all things God is before-hand with us yea if we be indeed heirs of promise he hath made good good another grand branch of the New Covenant in giving the conditions of the Covenant faith repentance and new obedience so that the main business is already done the writings are made sealed signed and delivered there wants nothing but actual possession nay there is a Seisin and delivery of part of the inheritance and dare we not trust God for the remainder certainly we have good reason so to do the contrary is unreasonable 8. God hath gone another step which is to work many Miracles for the confirmation of these sure mercies this is a degree further than man can reach to make any thing sure hence saith our sweet Saviour Joh. 5.36 I have greater witness than that of John for the works which the Father hath given me to finish the same works that I do bear witness of me that the father hath sent me this Text shews the true and proper end and efficacy of Christs miracles Igâ—tur non sâ—â—â— muta sâ—d voâ—ahssira ideo non simpliciter intuenda sed intelligâ—nter audienda Marl. in loc they are not dumb shews but have a voice and cry aloud for
sin exceedingly against God and our own souls in neglecting those means of assurance 2. You cannot evidence your truth of grace or title to Covenant-mercies unless you use Gods appointed means to obtain assurance it 's an ill sign of a graceless heart to nourish doubtings and distrusts and then to come in with such pleas as these true faith is accompanied with doubtings he that doubts not doth not believe a doubting faith is a good faith let me have doubts and fears I dare not be too confident lest I presume But I must tell thee soul a doubting faith is but a weak faith and a Christian ought to be strong in faith Rom. 4.20 and make a progress to a full degree and proficiency in grace and endeavour to arrive to a plerophory and full assurance for this is the nature of grace to be pressing after perfection Rom. 1.17 and go from faith to faith even from a faith of adherence to a faith of evidence and assurance yea let such know this that slight means of assurance you live in a constant neglect of a known duty in disobedience to a flat command Heb. 6.11 and we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end q. d. if your faith and hope be of the right stamp as it may seem to be it will be working off all doubtings anxious thoughts and distrusting fears and move to a further degree of confidence and assurance else you may suspect the truth of it 3. You cannot assure your selves of creature enjoyments a day to an end nor yet of immunity from crosses and if you have not assurance of these sure mercies what have you to bear up your hearts in an evil day we little know what shaking times may come that may pluck from you whatever you account dear and if you have not something above oh the sad confusions that will seize upon you but assurance of an interest in the God of Heaven and the good things of the Covenant will be a guard to free your hearts from those numerous Armies of tormenting fears that will beset you this will be a cordial to drive away sick and swooning qualmes from your troubled spirits assurance of Gods love will fortifie your hearts against the fierce assaults of men and devils Psal 27.1 the Lord is my light and salvation whom shall I fear Exod. 12.23 Ezek. 9.6 destroying Angels shall not come near any persons that are sprinkled with Christs blood and have the mourners mark a day of danger horrour confusion may overtake us in the Nation in which we may be stript naked of all our enjoyments surely then assurance of our interest in the best riches in the World will stand us in stead and when all things else fail these will abide with us But 4. Consider the great advantages of assurance I can but name them 1. It will assure us that we shall want nothing that 's good for us if he have given us Christ then will he give us all good things Rom. 8.32 2. It gives a sweet relish to every comfort of life delight in Gods great goodness Neh. 9.25.3 It will sweeten the bitterest cup of affliction Mat. 9.2 4. It gives boldness to the Throne of Grace Heb. 10.22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. with a liberty to say what we list if according to his will and he will hear us 5. Assurance helps the soul to despise the World he that knows he is cloathed with the Sun can trample the Moon under his feet 1 Pet. 4.14 16. see Heb. 10.34.6 It strengthens against the censures and reproaches of men no matter what men say when God acquits Rom. 8.33 34. our Conscience tells us we are not the men we are represented to be 7. It sweetens the reading of the Word and receiving of the Sacraments these promises seals blood of the Covenant are mine precepts threatnings all things his 1 Cor. 3.21 22.8 It enlargeth the soul in praise and thanksgiving hence those Hallelujahs in Heaven the more assurance the more thankfulness Psal 103.1 2 3. 9. It commendeth Religion to others makes Gods ways lovely Oh taste and see come and I will shew you what he what he hath done for my soul ingageth many Psal 142.7.10 It helpeth on repentance makes Godly sorrow more kindly Evangelical a love-look from Christ melts Peters heart this Sun dissolves frozen souls Ezek. 16.63.11 It engageth a soul against sin appearances of God are cords of love which are strongest to an ingenuous spirit Rom. 6.1 2.12 Assurance animates our performances and obedience is any thing too much to do for God yea my God deserves all I am have his command 's are not grievous 1 Joh. 3.5.13 It deadens the heart to needless disputes and Controversies it settles the heart in the truth and fortifies it against the subtilties of seducing spirits for Gods Law is in their hearts Heb. 13.9.14 It representeth the glory of Heaven is some blessed embleme of a souls bathing it self in these Rivers of pleasure that are at Gods right hand divine embraces a corner of Heaven a Pisgah-sight of Canaan 15. It sweeteneth the King of terrours and plucks out the sting of death so that a gracious soul assured of Gods love can triumph with Paul over this conquered enemy 1 Cor. 15.55 and indeed none but an assured Christian can look death in the face without horrour and amazement ruffling gallants may be prodigal of their lives who are far from any capacity of obtaining assurance but those are liker Bruits than men that are guided by sence not by reason and consider not that their souls are immortal and that they are entring into Eternity at death but these have drowned themselves in sensuality and consider not what they do but 't is only the Christian that's upon good grounds assured of his good estate that can in cold blood adventure upon death yea be willing to dye yea desire to be dissolved and be with Christ I have but hinted at these things because 't is an ordinary subject wherein many have done worthily to promote endeavours to obtain assurance Sirs what say you to these things is not assurance of interest in Covenant-mercies worth labouring for can you let these things lye without clearing your title doth not the new creature breathe after it doth not a rational soul desire it do not all wicked men catch after a certainty and frame to themselves some kind of certainty do not worldlings take care to secure their Lands Goods Estates shall they require Bonds Seals Oaths Sureties and yet account all this too little and shall we account any thing too much to secure these sweet mercies whithout which we are undone for ever Oh let nothing hinder your endeavours this way let no objections make you delay or be discouraged let not Satan deter you or the Worlds conceits make you slight it as unattainable nor a slothful unbelieving heart