and supernaturall gift of grace wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Ministerie of the Gospell in the heart of Man a sinner acknowledging and bewayling his offences whereby hee doth not only assent to the whole truth of God and is certainly perswaded that Iesus Christ is appointed of God to be the authour of saluation to them that belieue in him and his Sauiour if hee doe belieue but doth relie cast and repose his soule vpon Christ his Sauiour and by him vpon God as a louing Father in him cleauing inseperably to the Word of truth as good both simply and in comparison and feeding vpon it as the wholsome food of life § 2. God the Father §. 2. God is the authour of faith in his Sonne Iesus Christ our Mediatour by the Holy Ghost is the Authour and worker of Faith Ephes â— 8 Pâ—â—l 1.29 Acts 18.27 Iohn 6.44 Iames 1.17 As saluation so faith is the gift of God It is through grace that men belieue No man can come vnto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him Euery good thing comes from the Father of lights but faith is a gift after a speciall manner most free and profitable comming from the grace of the Donor bestowed vpon vs when we are euery way vnworthy It is such a gift as comes not from common bountie such as God made shew of in the creation but from a speciall fauour which he beareth his in Christ Iesus The Scripture is cleare and euident herein and strong reasons may be deduced thence to proue it For of our selues wee haue no power to belieue or to prepare our selues thereunto There is no such soile in our hearts whence such fruit should spring The meanes of grace and the operation of the spirit accompayning it are free and voluntarie No man can belieue vnlesse he be created and formed anew But regeneration is a free worke of Gods grace and mercie Heb. 12.2 Faith is the worke of God the Father in Iesus Christ For as the naturall head doth not only giue sense and motion to all the members now conioyned but doth send forth those bands whereby they come to bee coupled with it so Christ doth not only giue spirituall sense and motion to his members already vnited vnto him by faith but he is the spring whence this sinew of faith doth flow and issue vnto vs. The Spirit of God is the principall worker of faith and hence wee are said to receiue the Spirit of faith that is the holy Ghost in and through this gift of faith which he worketh and continueth in vs. 2. Cor. 4.13 Rom. 15.13 By faith wee receiue the Holy Ghost and faith is the worke of the Holy Ghost the action of the Holy Ghost creating faith in vs How we are said to receiue the holy Ghost by faith is before faith But the beginning of faith is the receiuing of the Holy Ghost and faith being begun the gifts of the spirit are more more increased by it Ephes 1.13 Gal. 3.14 Faith it self is a work of the spirit but an augmentation of the graces of the spirit is obtained by faith the more our faith dilateth it selfe the more plentifully doe the graces of the spirit flow into vs from Christ Iohn 1.16 Of whose fulnesse we receiue grace for grace How the Spirit is obtained by Prayer Faith doth obtaine the Holy Ghost by prayer and prayer is an act of grace and of the Spirit as faith is a worke of the Spirit Luke 11.13 Before we can lift vp our soules vnto God the holy Ghost must descend into vs and lift vs vp for we moue not but as wee are moued The Holy Ghost is giuen to the Elect before they aske but a greater measure of the Spirit is obtained by Prayer § 3. Faith is not alike in all §. 3. Faith is imperfect though a worke of the Spirit in none perfect though it be the worke of the Spirit for the Spirit worketh faith not as a naturall agent which putteth forth it power to the vttermost and alwayes produceth like effects if it be not hindred but as a voluntary agent which putteth not forth his power to the vtmost worketh according to his pleasure in whom he wil as he wil but not in all alike The Spirit worketh faith not by morall perswasion only inciting to belieue Faith is a powerfull worke of God and leauing it to our free choice whether we will assent or no but by his powerfull operation and omnipotent hand put forth for such a purpose hee produceth this gracious effect There are no seedes of faith in our nature out of which by more outward teaching we may be brought to beliefe for then should faith be naturall as all other things are which our nature can attaine to with outward helpes There is no spirituall life in vs before the infusion of grace whereby we should be able to embrace the perswasions of the spirit for then we should liue spiritually of our selues before wee are quickened by grace If the Spirit of God doe only moue and perswade to belieue then God doth not make the belieuer to differ from the vnbelieuer but the good vse of his owne free will It is of grace that man might belieue and so might he that continueth in infidelitie for hee receiued equall aide and was equally perswaded and incited by the Spirit But if the question bee why doth the one belieue and not the other it is not the Spirit here that makes the difference but the good vse of mans free-will and so that man is inabled to belieue it should bee of grace but that he doth belieue and so differ from other men this should be from himselfe The same power that raised Christ from the dead is said to raise vs vp to belieue Ephes 1.19 20. 1. Pet. 1.5 2. Pet. 1.1 2 3. If an hand or eye bee wanting to a man from his birth can any power restore them but the Almightie power of God by which the body was at first framed and fashioned By what power then is this hand of faith created which reacheth to heauen this eye which doth see the things within the vaile which concerne our peace Io. 6.37 Acts 13.48 Phil. 1.29 Matth. 11.26 This further appeareth by the cause that moueth the Lord to bestow faith vpon some which is his free eternall vnchangeable grace and loue whereby hee loued them to be made heires of saluation before the foundation of the earth was laid For so farre as God effectually willeth and intendeth to worke so farre he putteth forth his omnipotent power to accomplish But God doth intend and effectually will to draw some vnto him before other some §. 4. How God produceth Faith § 4. In producing faith first God bestoweth vpon man the gift of vnderstanding and spirituall wisdome opening and illuminating the eyes of his minde to know the promise in Christ and to
and laboureth therein he resembles his Father the Deuil whose chiefe delight is in doing mischiefe Which is further confirmed by that of our Sauiour Christ to the Iewes Iohn 8.34 Verily whosoeuer committeth sinne is the seruant of sinne and the seruant abideth not in the house for euer but the Sonne abideth foreuer If the Sonne therefore shall make you free yee shall be free indeed He that committeth sinne with delight wilfull indulgence to transgressions and vnrelenting opposition to the cleare truth he is the seruant of sinne but they that are made free by the Sonne are free from the raigne of sinne 1. Iohn 5.18 not from euery act of sinne He that is borne of God keepes himselfe that the wicked one cannot come within him to endanger him the gates of hell can haue no preuailing power oâ—er him hee sinneth not as the world doth which lieth in iniquitie but altogether free from sinne hee is not nor euer shall be so long as hee carrieth about with him this bodie of death To sinne habitually wilfully indulgently with full consent and greedinesse is not compatible with the hope and profession of a Christian This spot is not the spot of Gods children Deut. 32.5 but they haue their blemishes they sinne of infirmitie though not of wilfulnesse Sinne in it owne nature is opposite to grace but all sinnes are not altogether incompatible with grace that is they hinder not the gracefull operation of faith hope and loue The remainders of Originall corruption vnder which the regenerate must labour so long as they liue sinnes of simple ignorance and of vnauoidable infirmitie which through weaknesse the faithfull runne into euery day these doe not stop the liuely worke of faith in receiuing the promises of mercie but euen at the very instant when these haue abode in the soule faith can and doth make faithfull plea for mercie or otherwise none could plead for mercie before the throne of Grace For in many things we sinne all Iames 3.2 Sinnes of forgetfulnesse inconsideration and passion whereunto there is not aduised consent these are as moates in the eye which doe somewhat trouble the cleare sight of faith but notwithstanding them the heart principally adheareth vnto God and though now and then through infirmitie a Christian bee ouertaken with them yet may hee vpon good grounds be assured of Gods loue Anger pettishnesse impatience inordinate feare are sinnes which the godly ought and doe watch against and for which they ought and must iudge themselues but if through infirmitie they be ouer-taken to speake an hastie or vnaduised word they must not therefore cast off their confidence notwithstanding such slips they may cry in faith and be heard in their supplications If any man sinne 1. Iohn 2.1 2. to wit of infirmitie as they doe who walke in the light and addict themselues to the serious studie of holinesse wee haue an Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sinnes What answere the Lord gaue to Paul touching his temptations My grace is sufficient for thee 2. Cor. 12.7 8. that may be said of the infirmities of the Saints such sinnes as be meere and absolute infirmities God of his Grace reuealed in the couenant of grace is pleased to grant vnto them a pardon of course Such sinnes as in regâ—rd of their matter are not repugnant to the maine offices prescribed by the Commandements of God being oâ— frâ—iltie committed through vnaduisednesse or sudden passion these doe not denominate a man a Law-breaker nor so weaken the power of faith as that it should not be able to receiue the promise of forgiuenesse nor suspenâ— the actuall claime of eternall life These frailties may be â—n the godly without any notable defect of faith they debarre not the soule from cleauing vnto God Gen. 1â— 13 Abraham said of Sarah She is my sister this was an infirmitie but did not extinguish faith Sarah laughed at the promise Gen. 18.10 11. and then denied it through feare Iacob beguiled his Father saying I am thy Sonne Esau Gen. 27.19 Exod. 4.10.14 Iob 40 5. Math. 16.22 2 Chron. 35.22 2. Chron. 30.18 19. and many such like infirmities of the Saints are recorded which argue their faith to bee weake not to bee deposed from it soueraignetie The reason heâ—eof is not to be taken from the matter or outward act wherein they offended but from their heart and affection which was more inclined to good then to euill and did sticke fast vnto God euen when through weaknesse they transgressed By faith Rahab receiued the spies with peace Heb. 11.31 when through infirmitie shee offended in the meanes of their safetie The Prophet Dauid was regenerate without question and had sure hope that his prayers for mercie should be heard when he vttered this complaint of himselfe Psal 19.12 13. Who can vnderstand his errours Cleanse thou me from secret faults Kâ—epe backe thy seruant also from presumptuous sinnes let them not haue dominion ouer me then shall I be vpright and I shall be innocent from the great transgression So that a faithfull man stepping aside thâ—ough infirmity in the forenamed offeÌ„ces I say through infirmitie and not oâ— habit custome grosse carelesnesse or delight doth retaine his integritie and faith though somwhat shaken doth keep it standing and continue liuely to beg embrace pardon But he that sinneth of meere frailty doth humble himself for his daily offences labour to represse and mortifie his inbred lusts seeketh forgiuenesse by vnfained confession and heartie prayer renueth his purpose and resolution to be more circumspect and setteth vp his watch to shunne and auoid the like sins for the time to come And if he be ouertaken at vnawares he is warned by that slip to looke more heedfully to his wayes beging pardon and seeking helpe from aboue that hee may bee able to stand fast so that the slip which did seeme somwhat to loose him is an occasion of his sticking faster and closer vnto God § 12. But if a godly man fall into a foule and enormous crime wasting conscience §. 12. What sinnes hinder assurance Psa 51.10 14. 1. Reg. 11.4 for the time hee loseth some degree of newnes of Spirit cleannesse of heart comfort of the holy Ghost integritie in a sort and peace of conscience Hee plungeth himselfe into the sence of Gods wrath and displeasure and by his grieuous transgression the power of faith is so weakened that he can neither belieue the pardon of any one sinne formerly pardoned nor lay actuall claime to any priuiledge of grace formerly enioyed The fauour of God towards his children is vnchangeable the sentence of pardon granted shall neuer bee reuersed euen after some grieuous fall Psal 37.24 Ioh. 10.28.29.30 Iohn 8.35 1. â—ohn 3.9 the seeds of grace abide in them and they remaine in the state of Iustification but whilest they continue in such an estate of sinne
by liuely faith is but the very outside and dull matter of a good and acceptable worke There is no going right forward in the way to Heauen 1. Tim 1.5 if faith be not the guide The end of the Commaundement is loue out of a pure conscience and faith vnfained That which is here called the precept is not all the law Iun. animad in Bell Cont. 5. lib. 3. cap. 11. not 14. but only the precept that Paul giueth to Timothy that he should haue care to see that there were no strange doctrine admitted neither for forme nor matter neither for things directly contrarie to wholsome doctrine nor for idle questions not tending to build vp the people in the loue of God and of their Neighbour as appeareth euidently Verse 3. both by the verbe before whereof this word here is deriued and by this same word vsed afterward in this chapter Verse 18. where the signification of it is restrained vnto the present matter of exhortaion Neuerthelesse it may well be applied to confirme that euery act of sincere and vnpartiall obedience must come from a liuely well-rooted and soueraigne faith Christ is the fountaine of life and faith the meane Act. 2.15 Iohn 1.4 Psal 36.9 Heb. 5.9 Christ is the fountaine and faith the meanes of life The power and originall of life is intirely reserued to the Lord and Prince of life the Light and Life of men the Author of eternall saluation But faith is the radicall band on our part whereby wee are tied vnto Christ and liue in him The bodie hath it soule which enclines it and so hath the soule its soule whereby it liues and that is Christ the quickning spirit 1. Cor. 15.45 Take away the soule from the bodie and earth becomes earth seuer Christ and the soule what is it but a dead carrion The members die if they bee seperated from the Head liue so long as they be conioyned to it Ephes 1.22 23. 4.16 Christ is to his Church and euery liuing member of it what the naturall Head is to the naturall members And so we liue primarily and properly by Christ as by the soule and Head by faith secondarily as by the Spirits the band of soule and body or by Nerues and sinewes the ties of the Head and Members Looke as the leg or arme liues by proper sinewes vniting them to the Head so doth euery belieuer liue in Christ by a wel-rooted soueraigne particular faith whereby he receiueth Christ and is made one with him Thus saith hee himselfe Who is the truth and the life Iohn 14.6 I am the resurrection and the life he that belieueth in me Iohn 11.25 though he were dead yet shall he liue and I am the bread of life Iohn 6.35 Iohn 5.26 hee that belieueth in me shall neuer hunger and againe As the Father hath life in himselfe so hath hee giuen to the Son to haue life in himself Thus speak the holy Scriptures of him In it was life and that life was the light of men Iohn 1.4 Col. 3.4 When Christ who is your life shall appeare Our hands haue handled the word of life For the life was manifested 1. Iohn 1.2 3. and we haue scene it and beare witnesse and shew vnto you that eternall life which was with the Father and was manifested vnto vs. And this is the testimonie of those three heauenly and earthly witnesses That God hath giuen to vs eternall life and this life is in his Sonne 1. Iohn 5.11 12. Hee that hath the Sonne hath life and hee that hath not the Sonne hath not life Whatsoeuer grace we want it is to be receiued from Christ 1. Cor. 1.30 Who of God is made vnto vs wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and whatsoeuer grace is in Christ for vs it is made ours by faith And so we find in diuers passages of Scripture that he that hath faith 1. John 5.13 hath the Sonne and eternall life in him This is liuely represented vnto vs by the Parable of the Vine and the branches that as the branch receiueâ— all the sap whereby it liues and is fruitfull from the Vine Iohn 15.5 so doe we from Christ being engrafted into him Life then is from Christ as the Author Rom. 11.20 Prince and Fountaine but wee liue by faith as it incorporateth vs into Christ and receiueth him to dwell in our hearts Ephes 3.17 So that whatsoeuer wee lend to faith it redounds to the honour of Christ Impossible it is that faith should waxe proud towards her Lord or insolent ouer her fellow seruants challenging any thing of desert vnto her selfe No faith receiues all of grace as a poore beggar and altogether excludes the hatefull law of boasting Rom 3.27 Rom. 4.16 Ephes 2.8 9.10 This is the nature the place the office of faith for God haâ—h ordained that life should bee through faith thâ—t it might bee of meere and rich grace And if the end and meanes appointed of God to lead thereunto doe well consent then it cannot be that faith should lift vp her selfe against grace or in any thing seeke her owne prâ—ise and not the glory of God Among all the gifts of God there iâ— none more vsefull then faith others are profitable for some few things this is for this life and the lâ—fe to come for all parts and purposes of our liues in the vse of it manifold and rich eueâ—y manner of way But euermore it aduancâ—th the gracâ— of God and causeth man altogether to disclaime himselfe his abilitie and worth Faith seâ—ueth not only to iustifie but to make vs endure in all afflictions without making haste Hab. 2.4 Esay â—8 16 Rom. 1.5 The Iust liueth in time of his afflictions by faith Hee that belieueth maketh not haste It doth worke in vs and guide the course of our obedience Wee haue râ—ceiued grace and Apostleship to the obedience of faith not only in belieuing the promise of the Gospell but the other pâ—rt or word of command It doth also preuaile against all Enemies 1. Iohn 5.4 This is the victorie that ouer-commeth the world euen our faith But in all this it leaneth vpon the grace of God looketh to his power and trusteth vpon his faithfull promise To liue by Faith Gal. 3.2 Rom. 4.21 Heb. 11.11 What it is to liue by faith is by faith in Christ to assent and adhere vnto and pâ—ssesse the whole Word of God as our owne in all estates and conditions resting quietly vpon his gratious and faithfull promise to receiue from his good hand all needfull blessings and comforts in fittest season and in all good conscience yeelding our selues vnto his good pleasure in sincere vniuersall and constant obedience To liue by faith is not only to belieue in Christ for saluation or to belieue throughout our life that wee shall be saued in the life to come but also to rest vpon the
grace and free fauour of God that we shall haue whatsoeuer is expedient to bring vs safely thither giuen vs freely by the Lord in this life so farre as hee knoweth it good for vs. God hath made promise of all good things more then we could aske or thinke Psal 34.9 10. Rom. 8.28 that no good thing shall be wanting that whatsoeuer commeth shall bee for our good all which the Iust man possesseth by faith and is aswell satisfied when in temptations and trials he hath no meanes of helpe as if hee had all that his heart could desire To the burdened God hath promised ease Math. 11.28 Esay 55.1 Ier. 31.34 Esay 26.1 â—ro 10.28 Zech. 1.8 1. Cor. 10.13 Psal 91.2 3. 84.11 Esay â—3 28 Math 6.33 refreshing to the thirstie pardon to the penitent comfort to them that mourne perâ—ect peace to them that waite vpon the Lord assistance comfort deliuerance to them that be tempted preseruation and protection from euill with comfortable supply of all blessings temporall and spirituall so farre as shall be good all these faith embraceth possesseth feedeth vpon and so resteth contented and comforted as if all helpe that could be deuised were present and comfort inioyed The word of grace teacheth vs to denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts Titus 2.12 and to liue godly iustly and soberly in this present world from this word of command faith cannot be wholly turned aside by allurement or terrour but resteth vpon God for abilitie and sweetly inclineth the heart with delight and chearefulnesse to follow after the Lord. Thus to liue by faith is firmely to relie vpon the Word of God in all estates and conditions with full purpose to bee guided by it vntill the good things contained theâ—ein be fully accomplished This is to be seene in that honourable company of Worthies summed vp by the Apostle as patternes of faith Heb. 11.1 2 3 4. c. who in all estates and straights whatsoeuer they were brought into in all temptations wherewith they were tried and in all difficulties wherein they were exercised yet so liued by faith that nothing could dismay them much lesse to ouerthrow them By whose example we may learne so to rest vpon Gods Word and promise for all needfull helpe assistance comfort and deliuerance what danger or difficulty soeuer befall vs that we be neither dismayed with terrour nor turned aside with worldly allurements nor wearied with delayes nor faint in the combate What is to bee done that wee might liue by faith Iob 22.21 22. Psal 85.8 Now for the attaining hereof these two things are carefully to be performed First to acquaint our selues familiarly with the Word of God that we might haue it in readinesse for direction and comfort Secondly to exercise faith aright in the Word of God The Word of God is the ground of all our faith wherby we liue be directed maintained and vpheld in all our trials 2. Pet. 1.4 The promises of mercy are as so many legacies bequeathed vs by our heauenly Father and by his Sonne Iesus Christ Psal 119.105 in his last Will and Testament The Commandements are so many directions to guide in the way of blessednesse Iohn 5.39 vntill wee be full pertakers of the good things promised It is therefore most necessary and behouefull for vs to search this Will and Testament for all such legacies as may concerne vs Prou. 6.21 22. and to binde this law continually vpon the heart that it might leade keepe counsell and comfoâ—t vs as occasion requires Faith is the liâ—e of our soules the Word is the ground life guide and moderator of our faith If God shall leade vs into the darke at any time or bring vs into any straight that wee see no way of escaping or meanes of reliefe will it not be a great stay and comfort to our soule if then wee can call to minâ—e the good Word of God formerly laid vp in store whence we can raise such hope of helpe in due time as may quiet and content vs till we doe enioy in effect the good desired Psal 94.19 When the heart is perplexed with thoughts distractâ—d with feares and vnsetled with temptations is it not a great refreshing that wee can call to minde the commandements of God directing what wee must doe or leaue vndone instructing in the way of peace wherein our feet shall neuer stumble Psal 119.24 If wee would bee ready and skilfull practitioners in the great art of liuing by faith wee must exercise our selues in the Word of God and get into our hearts and memories at least the principâ—ll promises and Commandements that we may haue them in readinesse for direction and comfort vpon all occasions Col. 3.16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdome And here it is to be obserued that besides expresse Commandements and direct promises generally offered there be spâ—ciall promises and Commandements by consequent which we are to note and make vse of As whatsoeuer God promiseth to any one of his children not in any speciall or proper respect only concerning such a person and for such a time but as a common fauour belonging to all his children that wee may and ought to receiue as a promise made to vs Thus the Apostle diswading from couetousnesse applieth that promise to all the faithfull which in speciall was spoken vnto Ioshuah I will not leaue thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 Whensoeuer wee find that any of Gods people haue prayed for any good thing and haue bin heard if it were not by special prerogatiue peculiar to them we may take it as a promise to vs. I sought the Lord and he heard me and deliuered me from all my feares Psal 34.4 5 6 They looked vnto him and were lightned and their faces were not ashamed This poore man cried and the Lord heard him and saued him out of all his troublâ—s Wh t fauour God hath shewed vnto any of his children according to promise and couenant of grace the same mâ—y â—ll that be in couenant with him expâ—ct and looke for For all the faithfull haue the same God to be their God liue vnder the same couenant and haue inâ—erest in the same promises of mercy Thus Iames exhorting to patience in trouble alledgeth the example of Iob Yee haue heard of the patience of Iob James 5 11. and haue sâ—ene the end of the Lord. As for extraordinarie fauours or deliuerances granted vnto some persons by speciall priuiledge and not by verâ—ue of common couenant wee cannot promise our selues the same in particular from their example nor did the Lord vouchsafe the same to the same persons at all times but as such peculiar mercies imply a common ground or reason they are vnto vs arguments of comfort and incouragement God doth not ordinarily send his Angels to open the prison doores nor stop the mouthes of Lions nor quench the force of the fire for the preseruation
Iohn 2.25 My sheepe heare my voice and I know them and they follow me And I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish In the Gospell wee find eternall life promised vpon condition of faith in Christ Belieue on the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saued and what God promiseth of free grace that faith doth certainly receiue Life is promised vpon condition of faith and by faith wee are quickened entitled vnto and made pertakers of life euerlasting Iohn 3.36 Hee that belieueth on the Sonne hath euerlasting life Hee that heareth my Word and belieueth on him that sent me hath euerlasting life Iohn 5.24 and shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death to life This is the record 1 Iohn 5.11 12 13. that God hath giuâ—n to vs eternall life and this life is in his Sonne He that hath the Sonne hath life and he that not the Sonne hath not life If once we be bâ—ought to belieue in Christ life etâ—rnall is then begun in vs. This is life eternall Iohn 17.3 to know that is with the knowledge of faith thee to be the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Col. 3.4 Ephes 3.17 For Christ is our life who dwels in our hearts by faith and therefore whosoeuer belieue in him haue life through and with him And this life is not another but one in substance with that blessed and glorious estate which the Saints enioy in Heauen though different in degree Againe when first we belieue then wee are intituled to life euerlasting and so haue the accomplishment of glorie in respect of right and proprietie 1. Pet. 1.3.4 Blessed bee the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten vs againe vnto a liuely hope by the resurrection of Iesus from the dead To an inheritance incorruptible and vndefiled and that fadeth not away That being iustified by his grace wee should be made heires according to the hope of eternall life For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God Titus 3.7 by the death of his Sonne much more being reconciled wee shall be saued by his life They which receiue abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousnesse Rom. 5.10 Verse 17. shall raigne in life by one Iesus Christ To an earthly inheritance title followeth vpon the birth to the spirituall vpon our Adoption But when wee belieue in Christ wee are then made the Sonnes of God by Adoption yea sonnes accepted To as many as receiued him Ephes 1.6 John 1.12 to them gaue he priuiledge to become the Sonnes of God euen to them that belieue on his Name Behold what manner of loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that wee should bee called the Sonnes of God Beloued 1. Iohn 3.1 2. now are wee the Sonnes of God Gal. 3.26 29. and it doth not yet appeare what we shall be For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus c. And if yee be Christs then are yee Abrahams seed and heiâ—es according to the promise Gal. 4.4 5. When the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman made vnder the Law to redeeme them that are vnder the Law Verse 7. that wee might receiue the adoption of Sonnes Wherefore thou art no more a seruant but a sonne Rom 8 14. and if a sonne then an heire of God through Christ. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Verse 17. Heb. 12.23 Therefore wee must belieue it c. And if children then heires heires of God and ioynt heires with Christ And for this cause the faithfulâ— are called the Church of the first begotten whose names are writt n in Heauen Now if eternall life be promised in the Gospell purchased by Christ and in right and title belong vnto the faithfull wee may conclude it is our part and dutie to belieue in God through Iesus Christ as well for the obtaining of eternall life to be giuen of grace as the forgiuenesse of our sinnes It is very necessary to belieue it And this is is necessarie that we might with the more quietnesse of Minde beare the afflictions and worldly losses the troubles and persecutions which befall vs in this world Heb. 10.35 36. Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward for yee haue need of patience that after yee haue done the will of God yee might receiue the promise Abraham is commended in Scripture that he left his friends his natiue Countrie and all earthly hopes there whiâ—h were not small and came to dwell in a strange Land as a Pilgrime where he suffered many iniuries Heb. 11.8 9 10. anâ— was exercised with many troubles of sundry kinds all which he endured with inuincible patience by the hope and desire of eternall life and that heauenly Countrie whereunto hee was called The hope of Heauen is the firme and sure anchor of the soule to sustaine and stablish it that it bee not tossed vp and downe and ouer-whelmed with reproaches and indignities Heb. 6 19. offered with the worldly losses miseries of this life It serues also to establish our hearts against sundry worldly cares and feares affectation of earthly greatnesse and carking for earthly necessaries For why should we admire the glory of this life when most excellent glory riches and happinesse ioyned with it is prepared and giuen vs through faith in Christ Why should we doubt of earthly necessaries when God hath bequeathed vnto vs an heauenly kingdome Faith in Christ to receiue an incorruptible crowne of glory will moderate desires of earthly things that wee shall neither admire nor aspire after great things below nor basely dist ust the Lord for supply of what he knowes meete and conuenient for vs. Feare not little flocke Luk. 12.32 for it is your Fathers good pleasure to giue you the Kingdome If wee keepe Heauen in our eye and looke to the high price of our calling wee shall fight couragiously and runne with paâ—ience notwithâ—tanding all opposition What can daunt him in the wayes of godlinesse or make him slaâ—ke his pace who runnes to obtaine not a corruptible but an incorruptible crowne 1. Cor. 9.25 By faith some were tortured not accepting deliuerance Heb. 11.35 that they might obtaine a better resurrection Let vs runne with patience vnto the race that is set before vs Looking vnto Iesus Heb. 12.1.2 the Author and finisher of our faith who for the ioy that was set before him endured the crosse despising the shame and is set downe at the right hand of the throne of God The acts of faith concerning these promises be these The acts of faith concerning these promises First As an humble petitioner it receiueth and layeth hold vpon saluation it selfe promised which wee haue of Gods
grace as well as any benefite tending thereunto As we are iustified by faith so wee are saued by faith Eph. 2.8 not in respect of present saluation or redemption whereof here we are pertakers but in respect of glorification to come in due time to be reuealed Belieue on the Lord Iesus Act. 16.31 and thou shalt hee saued By faith wee haue accesse into this grace Rom. 5.2 wherein wee stand and reioyce in the hope of glory When the Apostle saith With the heart Man belieueth vnto righteousnesse Rom. 10.10 and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation Hâ—e doth not so distinguish these two as if faith were the cause of righteousnes confession of saluation or as if faith were sufficient to righteousnes but not to saluation for hee had often said Rom. 4 16. that wee are saued by faith that the promise is by faith But he describes the qualification of that faith which iustifyeth and saueth namely that it is a stedfast affiance that flyeth to God by heartie supplication and breaketh forth into profession of Gods name The promise is Rom. 10.11 Whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be saued and faith herein flyeth to the throne of grace with ardent supplications and layeth hold of saluation promised of grace Secondly Faith doth not begin to apprehend life and then leaue it it to works that we might attain the accoÌ„plishment by theÌ„ but it doth euer rest vpon the promise vntill we come to enioy it Heauen is an inheritance freely vouchsafed to the adopted sonnes of God whose interest vnto it commeth by belieuing not by working Rom. 6.23 The gift of God is eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord if it be a gift of meere fauour it cannot be of workes Eph. 2.8.9.10 Gal. 3.18 If the inheritance be of the Law it is no more of promise but God gaue it to Abraham by promise And that which God will doe about his children in the day of iudgement is called mercy 2. Tim. 1.18 The Lord shew mercy to Onesiphorus in that day The immediate cause of life is Gods grace as the immediate cause of death is sin Rom. 5.21 But if life be of grace it is by faith We are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation 1. Pet. 1.5 So that our faith neuer giues ouer till wee come to bee actually possessed of the immortall and vndefiled inheritance reserued for vs in Heauen Thirdly By faith we receiue the promised Spirit as the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the purchased possession Gal. 3.14 Because ye are sonnes God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts crying Ezek. 34.29 Gal. 4 6. Rom. 8.15 Abba Father The holy Ghost doth first infuse the grace of faith into our hearts whereby we belieue but belieuing and being made the sonnes of God wee receiue the Spirit more fully and manifestly dwelling in vs to sanctification and assurance of our Redemption By the benefite of the holy Ghost faith springeth in vs by which faith the abundance of the selfe-same spirit is increased and so of a greater faith is still made a greater increase of the Spirit In whom after yee belieued Ephe. 1.13 yee were sealed with the Spirit of promise He that belieueth Iohn 7.38 out of his belly shall flow riuers of liuing water And these gifts of the Spirit which we receiue by faith from Christ our Head are the beginnings of that glorious life we expect and looke for one in substance different in degrees and according to the measure of grace receiued so is the life of glory begunne in vs. Fourthly Faith in the promises of euerlasting life leadeth forward in the pathes of peace and righteousnes It mortifyeth corruption studyeth holinesse Math. 6.21 raiseth the heart to things aboue and directeth the conuersation according to the pollicie of the new Ierusalem Life eternâ—ll is not giuen for workes but it is the good pleasure of God that his children should be holy and exercise themselues in all good workes Rom. 8.13 Gal. 6.8 If yee through the Spirit doe mortifie the deeds of the body yee shall liue He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reape life euerlasting Blessed are the pure in heart Math. 5 8. for they shall see God Follow peace with all men and holinesse Heb. 12.14 without which no man shall see the Lord. Charge them that be rich in this world that they bee not high minded nor trust in vncertaine riches but in the liuing God who giueth richly all things to inioy That they doe good that they be rich in good workes ready to distribute willing to communicate 1. Tim. 6.17.18.19 Laying vp in store for themselues a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternall life But yee beloued building vp your selues in your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost keepe your selues in the loue of God Iude verse 20.21 Iam. 1.12.25 Math. 35.34.35 looking for the mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ vnto eternall life Come yâ—e blessed of my Father inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world For I was hungred and yee gaue mee meate c. These and such like passages of Scripture shew not the cause why but the qualification of the persons vnto whom not how it is deserued but what doth precede the bestowing of life eternall And faith that looketh for that blessed hope and layeth hold vpon the promise of that heauenly and incorruptible inheritance lifteth vp the heart into Heauen kindleth loue inflameth with zeale encourage h against difficulties and inciteth to run the way of Gods Commandements If probable hope of great aduantage drawes on the Merchant to vndertake a long and tedious voyage by Sea notwithstanding the many casualties and perils wherewith it is beset faith in the assured promises of God concerning saluation will set a man forward in his Christian iourney hold hâ—m on in his way with courage and chearefulnesse and hearten him to the workes of godlinesse notwithstanding the temptations of Satan the allurements of the world or oppositions of the flesh to the contrarie Phil. 3.20 Our conuersation is in Heauen from whence also wee looke for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus Christ Col. 1.3.4.5 Wee giue thankes to God and since wee heard of your faith in Christ Iesus and of the loue which yee hau to all the Saints For the hope which is laid vp for you in Heauen Heb. 11.13 14.15.16 By faith Abraham Isaâ—c and Iacob confessed that they were pilgrimes and strangers on the earth and hauing oportunitie would not returne into their owne countrey because they desired a better countrey that is an heauenly Fiftly It seeketh to get our title confirmed and assured to the conscience by euidence and earnest or pawne it exerciseth it selfe vpon the
that be necessary but the act and exercise of faith is required § 5. p. 6. 7 CHAP. II. WHat Iustifying faith is § 1. p. 7 God the Father in his Sonne Iesus Christ by the holy Spirit is the authour of faith § 2 p 7. 8 Faith is a gift in a speciall manner most free and profitable ibid. How we are said to receiue the Holy Ghost by Faith ibid. How the Spirit is obtained by prayer p. 9 Faith is imperfect though a worke of the Spirit § 3. p. 9 Faith is a powerfull worke of God ibid. How God produceth faith § 4. p. 10. 11 The increase of faith is of God p. 12 Faith is the gift of God and the act of Man § 5. p. 12 Faith is wrought by the Word § 6. p. 13 Encreased by prayer and vse of the Sacraments p. 14 Why all doe not belieue that heare the Word ibid. Though faith be the gift of God men must vse the meanes to obtaine it p. 14. 15 CHAP. III. FAith presupposeth knowledge Chap. 3. § 1. p. 16 17 It captiuates our vnderstanding vnto the obedience of Christ but is not ignorant of Christ p. 17. 18 This knowledge must be distinct sound certain p. 18. 19 In what respect faith may bee called implicite or vnfolded p. 19 Faith is an assent § 2. p. 19. 20 Beliefe hath reference to some vttered word or reuelation but may be sustained by other motiues and inducements p. 20 Faith is a firme assent yet sometimes accompanied with doubtings p. 21 Faith is an absolute and vnlimited assent and yet through ignorance and infirmitie a Christian may misbelieue many things without the danger of damnation p. 22. 23 Faith is an assent in a sort euident p. 23. 24 Faith also is an assent in some sort discursiue p. 24. 25 Faith is an affiance or confidence § 3. p. 25. 26. c. Confidence as it doth embrace Christ with a certaine affiance is the forme of faith as it begetteth in vs quietnesse of conscience and confidence of libertie it is an effect of faith p. 32 Confidence is opposed both to Doubting and Distrust p. 32 Faith is an obedientiall affiance § 4. p. 32. 33. 34 Faith is opposed not only to doubting and diffidence but to wauering double-mindednesse and disobedience p. 35 Affiance must be wel-rooted § 5. p. 35. 36 It must be sound and permanent p. 36. 37 Faith is an ouer-ruling affiance p. 37. 38 Of all graces faith is the most humble p. 38 Faith is a spirituall taste § 6. p. 38. 39 Faith admits many interruptions p. 39. 40 CHAP. IIII. LOue is not the life or soule of faith § 1. p. 40. 41 c. It is faith and not charitie that giues influence to all other graces euen to charitie it selfe ibid. The goodnesse of God cannot bee the obiect of our charitie but by being first the obiect of our faith ibid. Charitie is an instrument vnto faith for mouing and stirring abroad in the performance of all duties recommended vnto vs but the inward or essentiall forme of faith it is not pag. 42. 43. In what respects charitie doth excell faith and faith charitie § 2. p. 44. 45 How faith is perfected by workes p. 46. 47 Iustifying faith cannot be without loue § 3. p. 47. 48 How the acts of charitie are said to be of faith p. 48 Faith temporarie and iustifying differ in radication soueraignetie and working p. 51 The first and radicall vnion with Christ is made by faith only the secondarie vnion is by meanes of the affections p. 54 They that worke iniquitie haue no faith to belieue assuredly that they shall be saued p. 55 The faith of Deuils comprehends the fulnesse and perfection of that which the Romanists call Catholicke or Christian faith p. 57. 58 Faith alone iustifieth but that faith which iustifieth is not alone p. 59. 60 CHAP. V. What doctrines are called matters of faith § 1. p. 60 Iustifying faith is two wayes considered § 2. p. 61 According to the twofold consideration of iustifying faith the obiect of it is two-fold p. 61 True faith respecteth the whole Word of God p. 62 As the doctrine of Creation § 3. p. 63 Prouidence ibid. Mans misery by sinne ibid. Mysteries of godlinesse p. 64 The promises concerning Sanctification and things of this life § 4. p. 64. 65. 66 Why faith doth put forth it selfe to embrace whatsoeuer the Lord promiseth p. 64 It is very necessary to belieue the promises concerning Sanctification p. 65 It is necessary to belieue the temporall promises p. 66 Faith belieueth the threatnings § 5. p. 67 Beliefe of the threatnings is necessary p. 67. 68 Faith belieueth the Commandements § 6. p. 68. 69. 70 In particular practices the faithfull may faile p. 70. 71 The obedience of faith is vniforme entire and constant § 7. p. 71. 72 The faithfull soule may find it selfe more prone to one sinne then another but if right comparison bee made faith inciteth to hate all sinne one as well as another p. 72. 73 CHAP. VI. THe speciall obiect of iustifying faith are the free promises of mercy and forgiuenesse in Iesus Christ § 1 p. 73. 74 Abraham belieuing the promise of seed did apprehend that blessed seed which from the beginning had beene promised p. 74 Remission of sinnes doth presuppose the mercy of God p. 74 Beliefe of Gods power is not the act of faith iustifying as it iustifieth but the consideration of Gods power is a prop and stay to faith against manifold temptations p. 76 Christ is euery where in Scripture made the thing◠which faith embraceth to saluation p. 77. 78. 79 Faith in Gods speciall mercy frameth his Image in the Heart § 3. p. 81. 82 CHAP. VII IVstifying faith is a particular and certaine confidence § 1. p. 82. 83 The thirstie and burdened soule is inuited to come vnto Christ and commanded to belieue p. 83. 84 Iustifying faith is opposed to despaire so as to expell it it breeds confidence and boldnesse and receiueth Christ for the conueying of his benefits particularly vnto vs p. 84. 85. Faith is certaine in the euent not euer in sence § 2 p. 85. 86 Things are to vs according as wee conceiue them which is not euer answerable to the euidence of the thing in it selfe or to the certaintie in regard of euent p. 86. 87 A Belieuer who hath a sure beliefe doth not alwayes know that he so belieueth p. 87. 88 Faith as it iustifieth is a resting vpon Christ to obtaine pardon not an assured perswasion that our sinnes bee already pardoned and forgiuen § 3. p. 88. 89. 90 Before Iustification faith seeketh and receiueth the promise of forgiuenesse after Iustification it comfortably assureth of the blessing obtained p. 91. 92 Election is manifested by faith as by its effect but wee are iustified by faith as the instrument thereof § 4 p. 92 CHAP. VIII HOw faith assureth of saluation § 1. p. 94. 95 This assurance is such as is shaken
doubting the sense runneth plainly By faith wee haue so free and full accesse that wee doe not doubt but we shall obtaine what we aske § 4. Faith is a liuely obsequious affiance §. 4. Faith is an obedientiall affiance ioyned with an affection of pietie for as it makes plea for mercie so it thrusteth forward in obedience as it vniteth the heart to the promise so it glueth fast to the Commandements Psal 119.66 as Dauid saith Psal 119.66 Teach mee good iudgement and knowledge for I haue belieued thy Commandements By faith Noah moued with reuerence prepared the Arke for the sauing of his houshold Heb. 11.7 Gen. 12.1 Heb. 11.8 9. Gen 13.8 14.19 By faith Abraham left his Countrie and Kindred and forsooke all strange Religions and Idols to follow God By faith he contentedly abode in the land of Canaan as in a strange land c walking from place to place remained in tents and in euery place shewed his godly deuotion in making an Altar and calling vpon the Name of the Lord He kindly yeelded to his Nephew Lot for auoyding of contention charitably rescued him when he was taken prisoner Gen. 24.1 Gen. 1â— 23 20.27 carefully prouided a wife for his sonne Isaac feruently intreated for the Citie of Sodome and meekly prayed for him that had taken his wife He is honourably commended by God himselfe for his good instruction to his household children and posteritie Gen. 18.19 that they might walke in the wayes of the Lord But aboue all other hee approued his faith in this that vpon Gods Commandement he so readily offered vp his Sonne Isaac being after Ismaels expulsion his onely Sonne his beloued sonne and concerning whom hee had receiued the promise of life and saluation Heb. 11.17 and the establâ—shment of the Couenant Moses consent in this doctrine may be found where God pronounceth the Law of the ten Commandements teaching all duties of good workes to God and Man saying I am the Lord thy God Exod. 20.1 2. Rainol Apol. Thes Sect. 4. Zanch. de Redempt lib. 1. cap 12. de praecept he thereupon inferreth all their obedience to those Commandements For what is I am the Lord thy God but the couenant of faith to bee their God in the promise of Christ vpon this he requiring obedience in a godly life doth insinuate a Tilen Syntag. part 1. cap. 36. §. 18 19 28 29. Perkins golden Chaine cap. 20 Vrsin explic catech c. Deut. 6.12 that they which belieue God to bee their God must declare the same by obedience to his Commandements And therefore hee saith in another place Beware thou forget not the Lord thy God not keeping his Commandements which sheweth plainly that where disobedience is there is no faith for how can hee haue faith that forgetteth him in whom hee should belieue And this doth Moses ayme at when he saith Deut. 26.17 Thou hast auouched the Lord this day to be thy God and to walke in his wayes and to keepe his Statutes and his Commandements and his Iudgements and to hearken vnto his voice Whereby it appeares that vnto faith in couenanting with God this is an inseperable consequent that if wee embrace God by faith wee must and ought to follow his Commandements by our deeds and hee that doth not this latter bewrayeth that he hath not with a true heart and faith receiued the former To belieue is not only to giue credence to what the Scripture saith but to embrace what is said with an entire adherence of soule and to cleaue vnto it 2. Chron. 6.8 9 He that leaneth vpon the Lord his heart is vpright before him and he whose spirit cleaueth not stedfastly vnto the Lord is incredulous Therefore the Prophets which expound the Law Psal 78.9 in the person of God say thus A Sonne honoureth his Father and a Seruant his Master Mat. â— 6 If then I be a Father where is my honour and if I be a Master where is my feare Now we know that we are Sonnes no way but by faith Therefore this Prophet intendeth Gal. 3.26 that wee are not ioynâ—d to the Lord by faith either as his people children or seruants or that he is our God Father and Lord except our faith be vnfained and operatiue in honour and feare And another Prophet saith Psal 116.10 I belieued therefore I spake making it a most assured thing that a liuely faith will shew it selfe by outward deeds and namely profession Mercie and obedience are linked Christ is both a Lord and Sauiour and that faith which maketh a plea for mercie doth embrace the Commandements that which receiueth Christ as a Sauiour submitteth vnto him as a Soueraigne The strength of faith is equall to the promises of life and to the offices of pietie and loue or if there be any difference it is weakest to lay hold vpon the promises because they are most spirituall and furthest remoued from sence Confidence and relying vpon the mercie of God in Christ for saluation may bee lesse then care and abilitie to walke in obedience greater it cannot bee The word that in the Old Testament signifieth to seeke is by the seuentie translated Hope Isay 11.10 Rom. 15.12 which interpretation the Apostle alloweth whence it followeth that true confidence the mother of hope doth lift vp the heart to seeke the Lord in the way of his Commandements Moreouer saith is opposed not only to doubting diffidence and fainting but to wauering double-mindednesse halting disobedience stubburnnesse by reason of the necessarie connexion of those parts in both opposites Aske in faith and wauer not Jam. 1.6 A double-minded man is vnstable in all his wayes Through vnbeliefe thou art broken off Rom. 11.20 Heb. 3.12 and thou standest by faith Take heed brethren lest at any time there bee in you an euill heart and vnfaithfull to depart away from the liuing God They professe that they know God but by workes they denie him and are abhominable and disobedient or vnfaithfull Tit. 1.16 Iohn 3.36 Hee that belieueth in the Sonne hath euerlasting life but hee that belieueth or obeyeth not the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Now if incredulitie be not without diffidence disobedience true faith in God is not without confidence affection of obedience Hereunto may bee added that the manifold rebellions of Israel in the Wildernes are called vnbeliefe They belieued not in God Psal 78.22 32. and trusted not in his saluation For all this they sinned still and belieued not for his wondrous workes I will therefore put you in remembrance though yee once knew this how that the Lord hauing saued the people out of the land of Egypt Iude 5. afterward destroyed them that belieued not And beliefe in Christ inferreth the keeping of Gods Commandements whereunto the soule is inclined by faith And this is his Commandement 1. Iohn 3.23
And as their faith was such were their workes For it appeareth that they had oyle in their lampes and that their lampes were lighted although by long tarrying of the Bridegroome they were afterwards quenched Our Aduersaries teach that these Virgins had aspired to more then ordinary perfection in the Church and had they gotten this without good workes It is a strange perfection that can bee attained without all good deedes spirituall or corporall But they continued not they will say in their former charitie when yet they presumed strongly on the assurance of their saluation as is apparant by their confident demanding to bee let in for they said Lord Lord open vnto vs. Indeed they neuer had either true faith or loue and therefore could not continue therein For if euer they had beene pertakers of either in truth they would haue perseuered in both vnto the end and where the one is vtterly wanting the other neuer was Their earnest demaunding to be let in shewes rather their desire then their hope and yet how many hope presumptuously without true faith in Christ Faith is grounded vpon the Word of God and the thing which it belieueth is that which the Lord hath said Rom. 20.8 19. Whatsoeuer we conceiue of God besides his Word it is imagination opinion presumption but faith it is not But the Word of God denounceth destruction to the workers of iniquitie to the fruitlesse and barren fig-tree how can it then be said that they that worke iniquitie that bring forth no good fruit haue faith to belieue assuredly that they shall be saued The Apostle makes mention of some who professed that they knew God Titâ—â— 1.16 but were indeed vnbelieuers as the vulgar reads it And we know it is often threatned in the Prophets that the wicked shall cry Prou. 1.2 â— and not be heard call in feare but not in faith for they that in faith call vpon the Name of the Lord shall bee saued Rom. 10.15 But the Apostle Iames as they obiect supposeth plainly that a man may haue faith without good workes that is Iames 2.14 Bellar. vbi supra without charitie saying What shall it profit if a man say he hath faith and hath no workes Can faith saue him Wherein they take for granted what can neuer be proued that the Apostle takes woâ—kes for charitie Doe they thinke that they against whom the Apostle writes would grant that they were without the loue of God The Gnostickes were neuer so absurd But the question was whether a man that professed Iesus Christ to be the Sauiour of the world was not by this saued how lewdly soeuer he demeaned himselfe And it is apparant by the text that the Apostle speakes of an historicall dead faith a saith in profession as much differing from that whereto Paul ascribeth righteousnesse as a liue man doth from a dead or a bodie endued with life and motion from a painted or carued Image Therefore hee compares â—t to the good wordes of him that wisheth well to the poore man but doth nothing at all for him As therefore it is no true charitie which professeth good will to helpe and helpeth not so it is no true faith which is seuered from good workes To this tendeth his question What auaileth it Iam. 2.14 though a man say that hee hath faith and his other demand Iam. 2.18 Shew me thy faith The vttermost he extendeth it to by instance is a meere historicall faith Thou belieuest that there is one God Iam. 2.19 Hiâ— purpose is to shew that faith if it be truly professed hath taken roote within Jam. 2.20 from whence spring by obedience the fruits of all good workes and if it giue not forth it selfe by good workes it is a dead no true and liuing faith The men against whom hee disputes did make profession of Iustifying faith Iam. 2.20 22. but the Apostle brings the true liuely and working faâ—th of Abraham as opposite to that idle dead and breath-lesse faith professed by them and saying Was not Abraham our Father iustified by workes when he offered his Sonne Isaac vpon the Altar hee meaneth no more then if hee had thus spoken If Abraham had said as they did whose emptie faith hee disapproues I haue faith but had not proued his sayings true by his deeds or readinesse to offer vp his only Sonne when God commanded him for actually hee did not offer him hee had not beene iustified before God Why because hee had not belieued in such sort as Paul meant when hee saith Heb. 11.19 By faith Abraham offered vp Isaac when hee was tried which was the act of his faith as the text expresly noteth Yea further to shew the vanitie of them that boasted of Iustifying faith because they professed faith in God he addeth The Deuils belieue also and tremble shewing Iam. 2.19 that the Deuils goe so farre as to belieue the truth of God yea further for they tremble and therefore the faith professed in word by those boasters cannot bee the same with that which the Scripture nameth for a Iustifying faith They cannot shuffle this ouer by telling vs that Christian faith when it is naked and void of good workes Bellar. de Iust lib. 1. cap. 15 §. ad tertium W. B. against Perkins reformed Catholike Whether faith may be without charitie may well be likened vnto the Deuils faith in two points First in both of them there is a perfect knowledge of all things reuealed Secondly W.B. against Perkins reformed Catholike this knowledge shall not steed them any whit But in many things they differ but this one is principall That Christians out of a godly and deuout affection doe willingly submit their vnderstanding to the rules of faith But the Deuill against his will belieues all that God hath reuealed This is but a poore euasion for if they will heare their brethren of Rhemes Rhem. annet in Math. 15. Sect. 1 they tell them plainly that Saint Iames doubted not to call a dead faith without workes the faith not of Christians but of Deuils The Apostle then doth not liken Christian Iustifying faith to the faith of Deuils in some points only but proues the dead faith professed by some not to bee true and sauing faith indeed because the Deuils belieue in that manner The first point wherein the faith of Christians and of Deuils is said to agree comprehendeth the fulnesse and perfection of that which they call Catholike or Christian Faith which consisteth in belieuing all to bee true that God hath reuealed No more is there in Abrahams faith if we consider the act of faith and no lesse in the Deuill and the same in euery Catholike Christian according to their doctrine That which is added to shew the difference betwixt the faith of Christians and the faith of Deuils is little to the purpose For it is not taken from the nature of faith it selfe but from those things
him euery day because hee knowes he will not disinherit him in the end and not rather say it is good sleeping in a whole skin And shall belieuers who are spiritually wise willingly prouoke God because he will not condemne them eternally The assurance which a godly man hath of his saluation is euer ioyned with a faithull and conscionable care to walke vprightly before the Lord and to decline by-paths and strayings for which end hee makes vse of euery part of the word Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus who walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Moreouer there may be feare of that which a man is infallibly assured to escape not a distrustfull feare of falling into it but a watchfull feare of shunning and shrinking all meanes leading thereunto §. 6. â— Commandements Titus 2.11 13. § 6. The word of grace which calleth vpon vs to belieue the free mercie of God in Christ to the pardon of our offences teacheth vs to denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts and to liue godly iustly soberly in this present euill world and this word of grace is the matter of faith which is wholly receiued if any part take good rooting For the precepts of sanctitie and holinesse binde the conscience to obey God as well as the promises binde to trust in God What God hath linked together faith will not seperate But God hath coupled mercie and obedience grace and holinesse Hee cannot belieue or make faithfull plea to the promises of remission and saluation who doth not make conscience of all sound doctrine that he heareth and giue free vnlimited assent to euery part of Gods Word submitting himselfe to be led by it and that because it is his Word Faith setteth the Image of God vpon the heart which is manifested in the seuerall branches of holines and righteousnes which he commandeth in his Word and it resigneth a man vnto God to liue not vnto the world not vnto the lusts of the flesh but vnto the praise of his Name which is not possible to bee done if hee cleaue not vnto the Commandements as iust equall honest and good in all things and at all times to bee obeyed Faith cannot take and leaue yeeld and with-hold assent at pleasure part and mangle diuide with times seasons and priuate respects or resigne it selfe to God with limitation to haue leaue in this or that to liue at pleasure but it is downe-right for God and willingly receiueth whatsoeuer hee saith what God approueth that is pleasing to faith though crosse to age education custome credit honour naturall desire and inclination what God condemneth that faith disalloweth though neuer so much countenanced by authoritie graced by example attended vpon with honour dignitie preferment and suting to our disposition Faith subdueth the strongest passions as well and if due and right comparison be made as much as the weakest and acknowledging the Goodnesse Mercie and absolute Soueraignetie of the Lord yeeldeth it selfe to be led by him aboue all things that can oppose themselues and will not giue place to ought that doth set against him Gen. 12.1 4. If God bid Abraham leaue all his friends his Fathers house the land of his Natiuitie to goe into a strange countrie hee is straight vpon his iourney without further questioning hee will be gone Gen. 22.2 3. no intreatie will stay him in Mesopotamia If God commâ—nd him to offer his onely Sonne in sacrifice he is eaâ—ly vp to doe it The faithfull soule giues firme and free assent vnto all things reuealed by God eagerly fixeth the affiance of heaâ—t vpon the promises and cleaueth close vnto the Commandements not only such as suite wiâ—h his disposition education age but euen those that directly crosse and oppose carnall reason carnall affections worldly pleasures and what prouocations soeuer there bee in the world vnto sinne and not then alone when it may be done without contradiction or resistance but hen specially when temptations rise humane reason failes sinfull lusts hale this way and that Satan rageth the world frownes or flatters our preferment credit honour life all lies at stake In this case faith lookes directly nto God and iudgeth it best to sticke vnto him from whom comes saluation For no good can bee equall to that which God promiseth no euill so great as what he threatens no course so safe as what he prescribes no euidence so sure as the tâ—uth of God no command so iust as what God requires the greatest gaine is to loose all for Christs sake if we be called theâ—eunto wee should stand so affected to the glorie of God as to shrinke in no triall though neuer so difficult Heb. 12.4 nor thinke it much to râ—sist vnto bloud striuing against sinne This is the constant certaine iudgâ—ment of faith which bringeth forth a setled resolution to follow the Lord at all times and in all things In particular practices the faithfull may faile 1. Sam. 27.1 Psal 116. â—1 Mat. 26.70 72 74. notwithstanding all opposition In particular practice the faithfull soule may be ignorant of some things and weake in the application of others Dauid in a passion may thinke Samuel hath deceiued him and Peter surprised with bodily feare may denie his master but the constant temper of the belieuer is much better and if by some vnexpected occasion he be vnsetled he is neuer quiet vntill his former resolution be confirmed and put in practice For hauing we ghed and pondered all things in an euen ballance hee is assuredly perswaded that no outwarâ— euill can come in comparison with Gods anger no earthly good is to bee matched with Gods fauour that transitorie delights aâ—e deare bought if a man endanger his soule to compasse them that the sufferings of this l fe are not worthy to bee compared with the glorie that shall bee reuealed and therefore it is infinitely better to cleaue vnto God though in reproaches bands imprisonment or death Heb. 11.25 then to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season § 7. And seeing faith kindly rooted doth spread it selfe to euery branch of diuine truth §. 7. The obedience of faith is vniforme intire and constant cleauing inseperably to the whole and with closest repose of heart to that which is most excellent and of greatest impoâ—tance the obedience which faith produceth and the worke which it animateth must be intire uniforme and constant Intire not in degree but in the branches of obedience Maimed obedience to some duties of the law lopping off other branches which accord not with our state humour and disposition or grossâ—ly neglecting them though no lesse commanded is an argument of an vnsound and imp rfect root whence it sprâ—ngeth The practice of some one or few Christian duties ioyned with the extreame neglect of others no lesse excellent and necessarie is no token of faith but a strong presumption that what good is done proceedeth from indulgence to corruption For
excell our selues In earthly things men are willing to better their condition and shall wee bee careles in heauenly things to prouide well for our selues In faire weather the Traueller will carrie his Cloake because the season may change before his returne A strong faith is euer of vse most needfull in temptations of long continuance and grieuous to be borne and though now we liue peace we know not how soone we may be called forth to tryall what seruice we may bee put vnto or the Lord will exercise vs. § 10. But here wee must remember the strongest faith hath infirmities §. 10. The strongest faith is subiect to sundry infirmities Iob 3.3.8 Num. 20.10.11.12 1. King 19.4 vnder which it groaneth and is subiect to temptations both on the right hand and on the left euen strong temptations whereby it is shaken for a time Iobs faith was shakâ—n when he cursed the day of his birth Moses his Faith quailed at the rocke Eliah that famous belieuer who had raised the dead would bee dead in a passion Long delayes did both trie and shake the faith of Abraham Gen. 15.2 In one and the same belieuer faith is sometimes greater and stronger another time more weake and infirme Psal 3.5 with 31.22 1. Sam. 27.1 stronger in a great assault weaker in a lesse The gift of faith is without repentance and being once kindly planted in the heart there it remaineth for euer but in regard of greatnesse or meanesse it hath many alterations increasings and decreasings yea the strong belieuer doth sometimes shrinke and draw backe like a coward in small temptations and the weake doth quit himselfe valiantly in great tryals The strong must not bee carelesse as if hee should neuer doubt againe or be brought into straits The stronge belieuer doth sometimes shrinke when the weake stands fasts The weake must not bee dismayed as if they should vtterly bee ouerthrowne Both weake and strong must looke for tryals and bee carefull to preserue and grow in faith For the state of grace in this life is such as hath still reliques of sinne dwelling with it and the Deuill and the world still lay siege against the castle of our faith to batter it and preuaile much when they finde vs secure and carelesse but are preuented by diligence and watchfulnesse the Lord assisting CHAP. XI Of the right plantation of faith and meanes whereby it is confirmed § 1. THE necessarie vse and excellent fruites of faith §. 1. should incite men if they want to seeke it with all diligence and if they be pertakers of that heauenly gift to hold and keepe it to increase and growe therein Motiues and encouragements to belieue 2. Cor. 5 20. And this the rather because wee haue many encouragements to belieue God doth beseech men to bee reconciled vnto him Should not this wonderfull clemencie of God encourage vs with boldnesse and confidence to come vnto him Christ himselfe doth graciously inuite all that be poore Isay 55.1 Math. 11 28. needie wearie and heauie laden to come vnto him and the Lord maketh a generall proclamation of libertie to all distressed soules that will come and receiue it without exception of any in particular which should the rather affect if wee consider who it is that proclaimeth inuite h beseecheth namely God who is able to helpe and readie to forgiue and succour If a couetous man should offer vs any greate kindnes Deu. 7.9 wee might doubt of performance because it is contrarie to his nature but it is not so with our God his name is gratious and his nature is to be faithfull in performance and true in offer and promising In the couenant that God of his rich grace and mercie hath made with his Church and people seâ—led with Sacraments and confirmed by oath Ier 31.34 Heb. 10.16 Psal 32.10 Esay 55.7 Ezek. 18.21 and 33.11 Math. 3 17. Esâ—y 1.18 Tit. 2.14 1. Ioh. 1 7. remission of sinnes secret and open great and small of what qualitie soeuer is promised and assured to them that repent and belieue And when life and saluation is promised to them that will receiue it by faith no man is excluded from that mercie but hee that shuts forth himselfe by infidelitie Wee haue a Sauiour who came into the world to saue sinners Mar. 16.16 Ioh. 3.15.16 and 6 34.40 Act. 10.43 Math. 1.21 and 18.11 Luk. 19.10 and is able to deliuer vs out of the hands of all our enemies his redemption being both pretious and plentifull And therefore though the multitude and grieuousnesse of our sinnes should encrease our repentance yet they should not diminish our faith and diligence in seeking assurance of forgiuenesse For though our debt was neuer so great our suertie Christ Iesus hath paid it to the vtmost farthing The Lord who is best acquainted with his owne loue merc e and compassion and knoweth what is pleasing and acceptable vnto him 1. Ioh. 3.23.24 hath straightely charged and commaunded vs to belieue in him and belieuing will bestow vpon vs eternall life according to promise And can there be any fraud in Gods word or danger in yeelding obedience to his Commaundement What neede we feare to commit our soules to him 2. Tim. 1.12 who is able to keepe them and hath bound himselfe to saue them if we relie vpon him Our Faith is directed to God in and through Iesus Christ our neere kinsman who hath taken our nature and is become flesh of our flesh Though wee feared some great man yet were hee maried to our house very neare vs this circumstance would animate vs not a little the same should wee thinke of our God maried as aforesaid to our flesh Heb. 7.25 Christ our Sauiour and high Priest euer liueth to appeare in heauen before his Father and to make intercession for vs. Math. 9.6 The Father who hath committed all iudgement to the Sonne hath giuen vnto him power to remit and pardon sinne 2. Cor. 5.19 and he as our suretie hauing all our debt laid vpon him hath by one oblation of himselfe once offered purchased for vs eternall redemption and by vertue of his obedience hath receiued for vs whatsoeuer he distributeth vnto vs. By belieuing wee glorifie God both in his truth power wisedome loue grace and mercie Rom. 4.20 whom before wee dishonoured by our sinnes For the grace of God is manifested by faith in Iesus Christ Rom. 3.24.28 in the declaration and acknowledgment whereof standeth the chiefe praise and glory of the Lord as the the last end of all his workes Mercie and compassion in Man is but as the drop of a bucket in comparison of that huge Ocean of grace that is to be found in our God Math. 18.21.22 But God requires that wee should forgiue our Brother seuentie times seuen times if hee did repent after hee had trespassed against vs and wil not our God who exacteâ—h such compassion in vs
bee much more readie to extend mercy vnto vs if wee sue vnto him There is no difficultie so great either in respect of sin or of the meanes c but it hath beene ouercome by euery one of the Saints which is our encouragement to seeke faith that we migâ—t be healed § 2. Now the knowledge of God and Christ supposed without which there can bee no faith §. 2. Meanes for the right planting of faith the meanes for the right planting of faith be these First serious meditation of our miserable estate by nature the multitude and hainousnes of our sinnes and how deepe staine sinne hath made in the soule The Physitian is welcome to the sicke patient the guiltie person esteemes his pardon Math. 9.12.13 Hunger causeth men to tast their meate and mercie is pleasant to him that knowes his neede of mercy Secondly learne and consider what promises be made in the Gospell and to whom Christ offeâ—eth himselfe euen to the thirstie wearie laden and burdened to them that bee stung in conscience parched with sinne that haue neither sappe nor fruite of grace To them Christ â—ffereth himselfe and becomes a â—â—â—ter that if they will come vnto him he will ease and refresh enrich and comfort them Ho euery one that thirsteth come yeâ— to the waters Let euery one that is a thirst Isay 55.1.2 â— come vnto mee and drinke Ioh. 7.37 Numb 21.9 Ioh. 3.14 Math 11.18 If any be oppressed with the weight of sinne him doth the Lord intreate and perswade to come for ease If any be confounded in conscience of his owne wretchednesse and sinne to him the Lord calleth in the Gospell Come and let thy soule delight in fatnes Men of this world labour to match with such in marriage as be rich and vertuous but Christ doth preferre loue to such as be poore that hee might make them rich filthy that hee might make them beautifull in distresse that hee might comfort them base that he might make them honourable guiltie that he might acquit them naked that he might cloath them Thirdly Ponder and weigh who it is that maketh this liberall and free promise euen God himselfe who is able and willing and faithfull to performe what he promiseth of his rich grace and vnspeakable mercie All these are cleare and manifest for the truth of them bâ—t wee haue need oft to set them before vs for our vse to encourage vs the more boldly and sincerely to relie vpon Christ To this end specially are these testimonies of Gods Power Mercie and Truth so often repeated in the Scriptures that we might haue them euer before vs to vphold vs against our doubtings and feares whereof our nature is full The things promised in the Gospell are vnlikely in reason opposite to sence and feeling too great and excellent as Satan and our distrustfull hearts will suggest to be conferred vpon such vile and filthy creatures as we be who haue so many wayes dishonoured God and haue such a load of sin lying still vpon vs For the ouercomming of which temptation wee must looke vp to him that hath made the promise his grace faithfulnesse and power and keepe them in our eye continually rowsinâ— vp our soules to belieue against sence and feeling reason and likelihood because God is faithfull and cannot denie himselfe gracious and will not cast vs off for our vnworthinesse great in might able to doe whatsoeuer he will and willing to performe with his hand whatsoeuer commeth out of his mouth Wee must say to our soules The Lord of his grace inuites thee a poore needie miserable selfe-condemned wretch to come vnto Iesus Christ and of the same grace hath promised to accept thee if thou do come to heale thy soares to forgiue thy sinnes come therefore behold he calleth thee reason may be deluded sence is deceitfull but the Word of the Lord endureth for euer Thou hast his faithfull promise for thy securitie dispute no more but draw neere with confidence Fourthly It is very needfull againe and againe to consider what excellent things are promised and so raise the heart to an high prizing and valuation of them Math. 13 44. The wise Merchant doth not buy the pearle till hee know it to be of excellent price or better then any price Great things are eagerly sought vpon probable hopes The meere possibilitie of obtaining some great and extraordinarie good is of maruellous force in swaying mens actions And if men consider serioâ—sly what rare surpassing pretious things be promised to them that come vnto Iesus Christ and rest vpon him what shall withhold them from belieuing Were we certainly perswaded that euerlasting life full laden with all the fruits of true life ioy peace and all choicest pleasures without any annoyance should bee conferred vpon them that belieue in Iesus Christ would we not hang close and sticke fast and not suffer the pleasures or profits of this transitorie life to diuide vs from him The reason why we striue so slackly to belieue and be so dull in Gods seruice and faint in trouble is because our hearts be not holden with the serious consideration of that kingdome ioy and glory which God hath prepared for them that belieue and cleaue vnto him Fiftly It is also needfull to denie our selues our desires lusts and affections to make ouer all our interest in our liues or whatsoeuer is deare vnto vs inure our hearts calmely to the heate and opposition though of dearest friends and the reproaches and reuilings of men though abiect and vile This our Sauiour layes downe as a fundamentall principle If any man will come after me Math. 16.24 let him denie himselfe and take vp his crosse and follow me Math. 10.37 38 He that loueth Father or Mother more then mee is not worthy of me and he that loueth Sonne or Daughtâ—r more then me Luke 14.25 is not worthy of me And hee that taketh not his crosse and followeth after mee is not worthy of mee The necessitie of this resolution hee more fully sets out vnto vs in two parables of a builder that must be able to count his cost and charges and meanes to defray them before hee take that worke in hand otherwise to begin to build being vnable to make an end were to lay the foundation of his disgrace in the losse of his cost and paines And a Prince who before he vndertake warre must haue sure triall of his owne abilitie and skill to discouer his enemies strength otherwise to bid him battaile were rashly to prouoke an enemie to his owne losse and danger Luke 14.33 Mat. 13.44 45. The conclusion of these inductions is this So likewise whosoeuer hee bee of you that forsaketh not all that hee hath hee cannot be my Disciple The Merchant that would purchase the pearle of price must sell all that he hath to buy it Hee must sell his sinnes which is properly all wee haue of our owne and renounce his interest in
the confession of faith vnfained is heartie and sincere ioyned with a true detestation of all sinne as that which hath and would make seperation betwixt God and him if it be not renounced by him and pardoned of God And to them that confesse their sinnes in this manner is the promise made If wee confesse our sinnes God is faithfull 1. Ioh. 1.9 and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnes Pro. 28.19 Hee that couereth his sinnes shall not prosper but who so confesseth and forsaketh them shall haue mercy Onely acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God Ier. 3.13 1. Cor. 11.31 If wee would iudge our selues we should not be iudged I said I will confesse my transgressions vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the iniquitie of my sin Psal 32.5 Which is most liuely to be seene in the parable of the prodigall before mentioned where the Father resembling God is said to haue met his lost sonne before he came at him Luk 15.20 and to haue embraced and kissed him after hee was resolued in himselfe to acknowledge and confesse his faults As faith teacheth the poore sinner to humble himselfe in vnfaâ—ned confession of his manifould offences so it stirreth anâ— encourageth him to power out his soule in eaâ—nest and heartie prayer vnto God for pardon and forgiuenesse Act. 8.22 through the mediation of Iesus Chrâ—st Thus hee is taught of God Take with you words and turne to the Lord Hos 14 2. say vnto him Take away all iniquity and receiue vs gratiously so will we render the calues of our lips Both these may be seene in the poore Publican who durst not lift vp his eyes to Heauen Luk. 18.13 but smote himselfe vpon the breast saying God bee mercifull to mee a sinner And so the Church prayeth O remember not against vs former iniquities lâ—t thy tender mercies speedily preuent vs. Ioel. 2.17 Psal 79.8 This prayer of faith is not presented before God in assurance that his sins be already pardoned but to obtaine pardon of the rich mercy of God by and through the merits of Iesus Christ And the pâ—omise is to him that prayeth vnfainedly that he shall be forgiuen 2. Chro. 7.14 If my people whâ—ch are called by Name shall humble themselues and pray and seeke my face and turne from their wicked wayes then will I heare from Heauen and will forgiue their sinne Aske and it shall be giuen you Math. 7.7 Ioel. 2.32 Rom. 10.13 seeke and yee shall finde Whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be deliuered vizt from sinne and death Fourthly Faith receiueth the promise of mercy made in Christ and embraceth or resteth vpon the speciall fâ—ee mercy of God in Chrâ—st for pardon and hereby we are iustified that is of sinners made Iust and Righteous not by infusion of holinesse but by free condonation and acceptation of grace Christ is euery where made the thing which faith embraceth to saluation and whom it lookeâ—h vnto and respecteth as it makes vs righteous in the sight of God and faith iustifyeth Ioh. 11.25.26 Act. 15.11 Rom. 10.4 Gal. 2 16. Eph. 1.15 Phil. 3.9 not by any vertue or dignitie of it owne but as it receiueth and resteth on Christ our Righteousnes our Sauiour our Redeemer from sinne and death It is the good pleasure of God reuealed in the Gospell to pardon and iustifie them from all their sinnes that belieue in Christ and faith iustifieth as it leaneth vpon him to receiue speciall mercie through him or which is all one to obtaine forgiuenesse of sinners of the meere and rich grace of God through him and this is the most formall act of faith as iustifying Fifthly It doth certifie of pardon granted and sealed vnto vs It doth obtaine receiue and assure of forgiuenesse in particular I know that my Redeemer liueth Iob. 19.25 Psal 32.5 Isay 38.17 Psal 65.3 Gal. 2.20 1. Ioh. 3.14 Thou forgauest the iniquitie of my sinne Thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy backe As for our transgressions thou shalt purge them away Christ hath loued me and giuen himselfe for me We know that we are passed froÌ„ death vnto life because we loue the brethren These are diuine conclusions of a liuely faith But this perswasion or assurance that our sinnes are already pardoned is not an act of faith iustifying as it iustifyeth but an act of faith following iustification a priuiledge granted of grace to a sinner now set in the state of grace or an act of experience in a sinner now iustified by faith Forgiuenesse of sinnes in and through Christ is offered in the Gospell to euery burdened and wearie soule that will receiue it as the ground of faith vouchsafed to euery one that belieueth but pardon of sinne is apprehended as already granted when wee come to be assured that wee doe belieue Faith in order of nature is precedent to Iustification but Iustification it selfe goeth before the sence thereof As faith obtaineth and receiueth the promise of speciall mercie it doth not finde vs Iust when we begin to belieue but maketh vs Iust by embracing the Righteousnesse of Christ as it certifyeth and assureth of fauour it doth not actiuely Iustifie but findeth the thing dâ—ne already Faith assureth of the pardon of sinne by a double act First it layeth hold vpon the generall promises made to Belieuers such as these Iohn 3.18 Acts 13.39 Iohn 3.36 He that belieueth shall be saued By faith euery one that belieueth is iustified Hee that beliâ—ueth hath euerlasting life Secondly it concludes vndoubtedly from them That hee belieuing is alreadie receiued into fauour and hath obained remission of sinnes Now betwixt these two comes the testimonies of the renewed Conscience 1. Cor. â— 11 working vpon the soule by reflexion whereby the true Belieuer is made priuie to his owne estate and assured that he doth belieue The whole is collected thus He that belieueth in Christ is alreadie Iustified or hath receiued pardon and forgiuenesse This is the voice of faith grounding it selfe vpon the expresse testimonie of God speaking in holy Scripture But I belieue This is the witnesse of the renewed conscience enlightened by the Spirit and directed by the Word whereby the Belieuer comes to know what God hath wrought in him For no man can be said to Belieue that hee doth Belieue but he belieueth the promises by faith and knoweth himselfe to bee a Belieuer by the wâ—tnesse of his Conscience renewed by the Spirit The conclusion of faith grounded vpon the former propositions the one expressed in Scripture the other euident by the witnesse of Conscience is Therefore my sinnes are forgiuen or I shall be saued The order of climbing to this assurance is the rather to bee marked that weake Christians who want the comfortable sence and feeling of this mercy might learne to seeke it in due order as the way is laid
many gratious promises whereby God doth freely passe it vpon vs Ps 119.5.6 and earnestly beggeth the powerfull effectuall inhabitation of the Spirit to stampe and imprint the Image of Christ more and more vpon the soule it peruseth it euidence againe and againe and nourisheth the motions stirreth vp the graces of the Spirit which is the earnest pennie and seâ—le of the promised inheritance If Men make an earthly purchase they wil spare no cost or labour to get it assured they will haue good euidence fine and recouerie and take what course in time may exempt it from claime and faith receiuing the promise of this purchased inâ—eritance will not rest in vncertainties or presumption but doth trauaile to haue it assuredly passed and made vpon the soule Sixtly It striueth to enter the possession of this heauenly kingdome by degrees Phil. 3.10.12.13 Men that purchase an inheritance to come in hereafter they are glad if any part fall into their hands for the present or if they can get some by parcels before the whole be possessed Fulnesse of glory is reserued to the life to come but beginnings of glory peace of conscience ioy in the holy Ghost and sanctification of the Spirit are vouchsafed here Grace is the beginning of glory and glory the perfection of grace According to the measure of grace receiued and as we grow vp in Sanctification so wee enter vpon the possession of our eternall inheritance And true liuely faith doth couet grace more and more and draw vnto it selfe from Christs fulnesse Seuenthly It earnestly desires and longeth after the full accomplishment of glory Rom. 8.13 Our selues also which haue the first fruits of the Spirit euen wee our selues groane within our selues waiting for the Adoption to wit the redemption of the Body I desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Phil. 1.23 Saluation is the end of faith Heauen the habitation or home of the faithfull For in this we grone earnestly 2. Cor. 5.2 desiring to be clothed vpon with our house which is from Heauen Naturall bodies moue to their proper place all liuing things couet perfection in their kind heauen is the proper place and condition of the faithfull life eueâ—lasting the perfection of faith therefore if faith bee liuely it longeth after the fruition of glory and full possession of the promised inheritance Eightly It assureth that wee are made heire of euerlasting life to which God of his grace will bring vs in his time appointed 1 Iohn 3.1 Behold what loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that we should be called the sons of God Beloued Verse 2. now are wee the sonnes of God and it doth not yâ—t appeare what we shall be Verse 14. We know that we haue passed from death vnto life because we loue the brethren Neither doth the manner of speaking sauour of ought but certaintie neither could it agree with the grauitie of the Apostle to speake so indefinitely so indeterminately of that whereof hee had no certaine ground no firme resolution but onely some likely guesse or coniecturall hope And grant it of Iohn the Apostles that they knew their owne Adoptâ—on and we may inferre that this knowledge is a priuiledge of all belieuers in their measure as well as theirs 2. Pet. 1.1 Rom. 8.34.35.36 37. 1. Iohn 2.2 Rom. 5.1.2.3 For the faith whereby they were assured was ordinarie the grounds of assurance common to them with all true belieuers the benefite it selfe generall not in any speciall manner appropriated What promises soeuer concerning life and happinesse were made to the Apostles the same are made to all belieuers and confirmed and sealed vnto them after the same manner For they haue all one God Eph 4.4.5.6 one Christ one Spirite they are vnder one Couenant and liue by the same faith The Adoption of Belieuers is confirmed on Gods part vnto them by his word seales oath pledge and witnesse of his Spirit with the graces thereof And what God so sufficiently confirmeth we by faith may receiue it for faith inableth vs to belieue what God reuealeth Faith giueth assurance but euery belieuer is not assured in himselfe Psal 31.22 and 77.7 Psal 42.5 and 43.3 Exod. 19.5 Psal 135.4 Cant. 7.6 Psa 16.5 Deut 32.9 Psal 83.3 Mal. 3.17 Zech. 2.8 Psal 108.6 and 127.2 Cant. 8.6 Esay 49.16 Ioh 14.23 Iâ—s 1.9 Psal 109.31 and 12.5 Psal 73.23 Psal 27.5 1. Sam 2.9 Psalm 56.8 Math. 10.30 Psal 38.9 Ier. 31.20 Deut. 33.29 1. Pet. 5.10 Phil. 4.19 Psal 62.2.6.7 and 71.5 Ioel 3.16 2. Cor. 1.3 Psal 25 12. Heb. 13.21 Exo. 29.46 Reue. 21.3 2. Chron 16.9 Psal 37 4. and 145.19 Prou. 10.24 nor is any assurance in this life so certaine that it is neuer intermixed nor disturbed with doubtings There is a state in which faith sheweâ—h it selfe rather in earnest longings and paintings after mercy then in certaine apprehension of it there is a state of infancie a state of temptation and spirituall conflict in which the soule cannot attaine this certaintie and assurance And euen in the growen and confirmed state the belieuer must not looke to walke on smoothly without any rubs or to enioy perfect assurance without doubtings and assaults The assurance of this belieuer is an assurance aiming and striuing after assurance an assurance wrestling and combating with many assaults an assurance which labours wiâ—h continuall weakenes and lookes not to come to perfection but by temptations But of this before God in great mercy doth vouchsafe to his Adopted sonnes many excellent royalties in this life They are most pretious vnto him His chiefe treasure His loue for delights his peculiar people the lot of his inheritance his chosen his hidden ones his iewels Hee that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye They are his Beloued as the signet vpon his right hand Hee dwelleth with them he followeth them whither soeuer they goe hee stands at their right hand and holds them vp by it Hee coueâ—s them vnder his pauillion hee keepes their feete hee counts their wandrings hee numbreth their heires hee obserâ—es their sighes is moued with compassion vpon their complaints hee is the shield of their helpe the sword of their excellencie and the God of all grace who will fulfill all their necessities Hee is their hope their helpe their health their rocke their refuge the Father of mercies and God of all consolation Hee will teach them in the way that they should choose and make them perfect in good workes He will establish them in euery good word and worke he will walke with them his eye is euer vpon them for good and he will giue them their hearts desiâ—e They haue the Angels of God to minister vnto them for theâ—r safeguard and protection Heb. 1.14 Psal 34 7. 1. Cor. 3.22.23 Heb. 2.7.8 1. Tim 4.2.3 they haue dominion ouer the creatures of the earth and the free vse of them both for necessitie and
promised Awake my soule why sleepest thou arise and lay hold vpon the promises of life which God of his great mercy in Iesus Christ doth offer vnto thee in the Gospell Be not dismayed by reason of thine vnworthinesse for the promise is of grace freely offered and freely giuen to them that be most vnworthy in their owne eyes Thou art vnworthy of the least crumme of mercy but of his rich mercie God hath made promise of highest aduancement vnto thee 2. Cor. 6.18 if thou wilt embrace it I will be a Father vnto you and ye shall be my sonnes and daughters saith the Lord Almighty He that ouercommeth shall inherit all things And I will be his God he shall be my sonne Apoc. 21.7 Rom. 9.26 And it shall be in the place where it was said vnto them ye are not my people that there they shall be called the children of the liuing God Life eternall is giuen of grace not sold for works receiued by faith not purchased by desert and the more worthlesse thou art in thy owne lowly conceit the more shal the grace of God be magnified in thine exaltation Christ hath purchased righteousnesse euerlasting life belieue in him and liue for euer The Son of God debased himselfe to become the Sonne of Man Gal 4 4 5. Phil. 2.7 8. and to be made vnder the law that he might redeeme vs that were vnder the Law that wee might receiue the Adoption of sonnes Oh the bountifulnesse and loue of God to man Titus 3 4. by so great a price to purchase so high a dignity that we shold bee called the Sonnes of God and bee pertakers with Christ of all his glorie in his Fathers kingdome O my soule why art thou so dull and sluggish Wherefore dost thou not put forth thy selfe to embrace and receiue such an inestimable benefit If the worth of things may be measured by their price well then may the Sonship of true Belieuers be valued at the highest rate Who can sufficiently admire the dignitie of this estate to be the Sonne of God which could not bee procured saue only by this infinite price the making of him become nothing by whom God in the beginning made euery thing It is esteemed a matter of great honour to be the seruant of the Prince in some speciall place of eminencie in the Common-wealth How doe men seeke and sue for such Offices how do they reioyce when their desires are accomplished But there is no comparison betwixt the seruant of a Prince and the Sonne of God the fauour of a Prince and the Fatherly loue of God the dignitie of the Court and the Ioyes of Heauen a temporall office and an eternall inheritance It is better and more honourable to be the seruant of God then the Commander of men to be an heire apparant to Heauen then the possessor of the whole World There is a great opinion and not without iust cause of the estate of our first Parents Adam and Eue whilest they were in Paradise before their fall But their estate notwithstanding all their priuiledges ornaments and fauours exceeded not the condition of seruants Had they continued in obedience to their Creator they should haue beene exempted from all miserie and confirmed in perfect blessednesse But they could neuer haue attained this dignitie To bee made the Sonnes of God by Adoption of meere rich and vndeserued loue in Christ And is it not an admirable prerogatiue to bee brought by Christ into a more excellent state then that which Adam in his innocencie and glorie had iust cause to wonder at The low degree from which we are raised doth commend this and as the gratiousnesse of him who preferreth so the excellencie of that state whereunto the Belieuer is exalted Of the seruants of sinne to be made the Sonnes of God of the vassals of Satan to bee taken to raigne with Christ in glory for euermore of children of wrath dead in trespasses to be begotten againe to the hope of an inheritance immortall vndefiled that fadeth not what an vnspeakable fauour is this O my soule arise stirre vp thy selfe stedfastly to receiue the promise of life and hold it fast for Gods promises are certaine neuer lesse but rather more in accomplishment then in tender Enter possession and get the inheritance sealed vnto thee Would not a poore Beggar if he should vnderstand of some great and goodly inheritance bequeathed vnto him in a farre countrey much reioyce therein long to goe see it and take possession of it In matters of weight men loue great earnest and good assurance for great aduantage they will endure any paines hazard many difficulties Did men know the worth and glory of the kingdome of Heauen freely offered and that without all expiration of time to be possessed here in part of them that will receiue it fully hereafter when their dayes on earth be determined would they not seeke it with all earnestnesse inquire after good euidence get sound assurance and labour the possession of it more and more Men seeke earthly things and often misse of their desires but the promise of Heauen is sure and stedfast and hee that resteth vpon the Lord shall not bee confounded Euerlasting life is freely offered but men are not left at libertie whether they will receiue and seeke it or no. John 3.36 Hee that belieueth on the Sonne hath euerlasting life and he that belieueth not the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Doe not they perish worthily who preferre the pleasures of sinne and honours of this transitorie life before life euerlasting promised of grace purchased by Christ full laden with all fruits of true life ioy peace and all choicest pleasures beyond comparison exceeding whatsoeuer can be enioyed in this world both in worth and endlesse settlednesse The labour to make Heauen sure which is full of pleasure and delight doth ease the heart of many burdensome distracting and cutting care For if thou be the childe of God Ephes 2.18 3.12 thou hast libertie to come into his presence and to make thy requests knowne vnto him with thankesgiuing Nothing that is truly euill shall betide thee The plague shall not come nigh thy Tabernacle Psal 91.10.13 Thou shalt walke vpon the Lion and Aspe and tread them vnder feet God will prouide all things necessary for soule and bodie and see that no good thing be wanting vnto thee Psal 34.10 Math. 6.33 Seeke first the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse and all these things shall be added vnto you What then should withdraw or hold me backe from belieuing the promise and seeking the possession of that inheritance It is God who hath freely pâ—omised it who can and will performe whatsoeuer hee hath spoken it is Christ who hath purchased it by the sacrifice of himselfe once for all why then should I doubt I am commanded to belieue and belieuing the possession of life is gâ—uen
deliuer my soule from the wicked one Bee thou my strength in trouble encline thine care vnto my prayer and saue mee for I flie vnto thee for succour I am ready to halt Psal 38.21 and my sorrow is continually before me Forsake mee not O Lord O my God bee not farre from mee Hide not thy face farre from mee put not thy seruant away in anger thou hast beene my helpe Psal 17.9 leaue me not neither forsake me O God of my saluation Verse 11 Teach me thy way O Lord and lead me in a plaine path because of mine enemies Shew me the path of life guide me in the wayes of peace giue thy strength vnto thy seruant and saue mee for thy mercy sake Psal 17.5 Hold vp my goings in thy paths that I be not turned aside by the malice or sleights of Satan I am fully resolued to depend vpon thy grace and keepe thy Commandements Lord haue mercy vpon me raise me vp and strengthen me vnto the end By this I know that thou fauourest me Psal 41.11 12. because mine enemy doth not triumph ouer me Vphold me in mine integritie and set me before thy face for euer And here if the distressed Christian haue wasted his Spirits with violent and continuall sorrow hee must bee admonished not to thinke that presently hee should recouer former liuelinesse and abilitie Satan will not cease to suggest that this course hee hath now set vpon is vaine and fruitlesse because he finds more dulnesse and loggishnesse then formerly But he must tell himselfe that naturall powers once weakened are not soone repaired and in such case when stirrings be lesse the worke of grace may be more sound then heretofore Liuelinesse and actiuenesse is greatest in youth but the truth of grace greater in age Therefore hee must not scrupulously question his state because he feeles himselfe more feeble and lesse actiue then in former times CHAP. VII How to liue by faith in the times of trouble and aduersitie specially when we be exercised with many and long afflictions Psal 34.19 AFflictions are not more ordinarie then burdensome and heauie to be borne Many are the troubles of the righteous and manifold the infirmities of the righteous in their troubles Sometimes they take carnall counsell sometimes they fret and murmure 1. Sam. 27.1 sometimes they faint and despaire for a fit Dauid said in his heart I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul there is nothing better for me then that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines Psal 31.22 Psal 77.3 Verse 7. Verse 8. We stand in need to bee holpen against discouragements in affliction I I said in my haste I am cut off from before thine eyes I remembred God and was troubled I complained and my spirit was ouer-whelmed Will the Lord cast off for euer and will hee be fauourable no more Is his mercie cleane gone for euer doth his promise faile for euermore which frailtie of the Saints doth lesson vs what need we haue to bee strengthened against all discouragements and hinderances which in afflictions we shall meete withall that we neither grow wearie nor be turned aside in our Christian course And the Lord our most mercifull and louing Father knowing it to be most necessarie hath for the comfort and encouragement of his children plentifully signified that he will correct them in wisdome God correcteth in great wisdome Heb. 12.9 10. loue and tender compassion to the purge and refine them and gratiously promised to aide comfort and direct and in fittest time to deliuer them out of aduersities We haue had Fathers of our flesh who corrected vs and we gaue them reuerence shall we not much rather be in subiection vnto the Father of Spirits and liue For they verily for a few dayes chastened vs after their owne pleasure but hee for our profit that we might be pertakers of his holinesse Hath he smitten him as he smote those that smote him Measure Esay 27.7 8. Or is he slaine according to the slaughter of them that are slaine by him In measure when it shooteth forth thou wilt debate with it Ier. 46.28 30.11 he stayeth his rough winde in the day of the East winde Feare thou not O Iacob my seruant saith the Lord for I am with thee for I will make a full and of all Nations whither I haue driuen thee but I will not make a full end of thee but correct thee in measure yet will I not leaue thee wholy vnpunished This is that which the Prophet so earnestly begged of God O Lord Ier. 10.24 correct me but with iudgement not in thine anger lest thou bring me to nothing Hee corrects but for awhile For a moment Psal 30.5 For his anger endureth but a moment in his fauour is life weeping may endure for a night but ioy commeth in the morning He will not alwayes chide Psal 103.9 Ier. 3.12 Psal 125.3 neither will he keepe his anger for euer The rod of the wicked shall not rest vpon the lot of the righteous lest the righteous put forth their hands vnto iniquitie For yet a very little while Esay 10.25 and the indignation shall cease and mine anger in their destruction For a small moment haue I forsaken thee Esay 54.7 8. but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with euerlasting kindnesse will I haue mercie on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Esay 57.16 For I will not contexd for euer neither will I be alwayes wroth Mich. 7.18 for the spirit should faile before me and the soules which I haue made Who is a God like vnto thee that pardoneth iniquitie and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage in loue and He retaineth not his anger for euer because he delighteth in mercie Whom the Lord loueth he correcteth euen as a Father the Sonne in whom he delighteth Prou 3 12. Heb. 12.5 6. Reuel 3.19 Tendernesse Esay 63.9 Psal 103.13 As many as I loue I rebuke and chasten In all their affliction he was afflicted and the Angell of his presence saued them in his loue and in his pitie he redeâ—med them and he bare them and carried them all the dayes of old Like as a Father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that feare him For he knoweth our frame Verse 14. hee remembreth that we are dust How shall I giue thee vp Hosea 11.8 9. Ephraim How shall I deliuer thee Israel How shall I make thee as Admah How shall I set thee as Zeboim Mine heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled together I will not execute the fiercenesse of mine anger I will not returne to destroy Ephraim for I am God and not Man the holy one in the midst of thee To proue Deut. 8.2 Thou shalt remember all the way which the
will the Lord waite that he may be gracious vnto you and therefore will he be exâ—lted that he may haue mercy vpon you The Lord hath commanded vs to waite vpon him in the dayes of calamitie and sorrow Hab. 2.4 The Iust shalâ— liue by faith It is the ve y scope of this text to teach this one po nt of doctrâ—ne to the Iewes when they would be oppressed by the Babilonions viz that in greatest dâ—ngers the onely way is to stay our selues and establish our hearts by faith on Gods promises Confidence in God doth the more bind and oblige him Psal 37.40 as it were to doe vs good The Lord shall helpe the righteous and deliuer them hee shall deliuer them from the wicked and saue them because they trust in him Esay 26.3 Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace whose minde is stayed on thee because hee hath trusted in thee I will surâ—ly deliuer thee Ier. 39.18 and thou shalt not fall by the word but thy life shall bee for a prey vnto thee because thou hast put thy trust in me saith the Lord. If a friend â— lie and builde vp our faithfull promise we take our sâ—ues boâ—nâ— not to frâ—strate his exp ctation in a â—ead lift Psal 141.8 the Lord will neuer leaâ—e the soule destitute which trusts in him The faithfull haue promised themselues helpe and confidently begged aide because they trusted in the Lord Be mercifull vnto me O God Psal 57.1 be mercâ—full vnto me for my soule trusteth in thee yea in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge vntill these calamities bee ouer past Cause me to heare thy louing kindnesse in the Morning for in thee doe I trust Psal 143.8.9 cause me to know the way wherein I should walke for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Deliuer mee O Lord from mine enemies for I flie vnto thee to hide me And to hope in God and to haâ—e God for our helpe are linked together in Scripture so that his helpe is reâ—die for all them who rest vpon him in truth Happy is he that hath Psal 146.5 the God of Iacob for his helpe whose hope is in the Lord his God Acts of faith in respect of these promises The acts of faith in respect of these promises be these First It looketh vnto God and acknowledgeth his hand in all afflictions whosoeâ—er bee the instruments Shall there be euill in a Citie Esay 45.7 Amos 3.6 Iob. 1 21. and they Lord hath not done it The Lord gaue and the Lord hath taken away I know O Lord that thy iudgments are right and that thou in faithfulnesse hast afflicted mee Psal 119.75 If yee endure chastening God dealeth with you as with sonnes Heb. 12.7 for what sonn is he whom the Father chasteneth not And this is one speciall ground of humilation patience and comfort Come and let vs returne vnto the Lord Hos 6.1 for he â—ath torne and he will heale vs. My sonne despise not thou the chastening of the Lâ—rd neither be wearie of his â—rrection For whom the Lord loueth he correcteth Pro 3.11.12 euen 〈◊〉 a father the sonne in whom he delighteth Let him curse for the Lord hath bidden him It may be that the Lord will looke on mine affliction and that the Lord will requite good for his cursing this day But of these more particularly hereafter Secondly It teacheth that wee are in such distresses out of which none cane helpe vs but the strong helper of Israel Faith speaketh on this manner We haue no might against this great companie 2 Chro. 20.21 that commeth against vs neither know we what to doe but our eyes are vpon thee And great is the benefit of this instruction for it drawes the heart from carnall repose in meanes or friends it expells vexations and distracting cares and estranges from the vse of vnlawfull meanes of deliuerance whatsoeuer Pro. 21.31 Psal 33.16.17 The horse is prepared against the day of battell but safety is of the Lord. An horse is but a vaine thing to saue a man neither is any man deliuered by his great strength And the same may be said of wisedome swiftnesse wealth or the force of any meanes whatsoeuer Eccl. 9.2 Psal 127.1 Esay 30.7 and 31.3 though neuer so lawfull or likely But as for vnlawfull meanes no good successe can be hoped from them The Egyptians shall helpe in vaine and to no purpose therfore haue I cryed concerning this their strength is to sit still Thirdly It wisely directeth vs to consider that the cause of all miserie and sorrow is sinne and thereupon driues to examine our wayes humble our selues before God for mercy renew our hope in his grace and set vpon reformation of what is out of order Faith is a good Physition Hos 5.15 that seeketh to cure the disease by taking away the cause thereof when God takes tryall of vs that wee might know our selues faith maketh search into the heart 1. Cor. 11.31 Lam. 3.40 when hee iudgeth by his chastisements faith maketh vs to iudge our selues and when God striketh for sinne faith striketh at the head of sinne Let vs search and try our wayes and turne againe to the Lord. I thought on my wayes Psal 119.59 and turned my feete vnto thy testimonies When Manasses was in affliction 2. Chro. 33.12 Iob 34.31.32 hee besought the Lord his God and humbled himselfe greatly before the God of his Fathers Surely it is meete to be said vnto God I haue borne chastisement I will not offend any more That which I see not teach me if I haue done iniquitie I will doe no more Fourthly Faith meekeneth the heart willingly to submit it selfe to the good pleasure of God Psal 37.7 Psal 62.1.5 Lam. 3.16 Esay 30.15 and patiently to beare his correctioÌ„ Rest in the Lord waite patiently for him fret not thy selfe because of him who prospereth in his way Yet vnto God my soule keepe thou silence for from him is my expectation By faith the seruants of God haue beene enabled to say The word of the Lord is good Esay 39.8 Mic. 7.9 I will beare the indignation of the Lord because I haue sinned against him vntill he plead my cause 2. Sam. 15.26 and execute iudgement for mee If he say thus I haue no delight in thee behold here am I Psal 131.2 let him doe to me as seemeth good vnto him Surely I haue behaued and quieted my selfe as a child that is weaned of his Mother my soule is euen as a weaned child I was as a man that heareth not Psal 38.14.15 and in whose mouth are no reproofes For in thee O Lord doe I hope Guiltinesse of Conscience which is euer fearefull and vntamed passions make vnquietnes when the rod of God is vpon our backes both which are corrected by faith The conscience is comforted by faith resting vpon the gracious promises
profit and in due time vouchsafe freedome and deliuerance The true belieuer desires the benefit and fruit of restraint and correction no lesse then the comfort of freedome and libertie He couets that the spirituall sicknesse may be remoued when the bitter potion is taken away A wise patient will neither refuse to swallow bitter pils when it may be for health nor disorder himselfe to make worke for the Physician hee will take Physicke to recouer strength and lay it aside when the troublesome maladie is expelled A belieuing patient had rather bee held in a continuall course of Physicke then that the matter of spirituall sicknesse should gather and ingender diseases in the soule Deliuerance with inward soundnesse is the thing which he longeth after and beggeth of God Thus faith will not suffer impotently to fret repine or murmure nor yet to grow secure as though it were no great matter how things went forward or backward it doth both calme the heart and kindle desires Nor doth faith incite barely to cry vnto God in distresse but in all conditions establisheth the heart vpon his aide that it lookes not after other meanes of deliuerance Iob 27.9 10. Psal 5.3 Mich. 7.7 then hee affords The vpright man will delight himselfe in the Almighty when trouble commeth vpon him he will call vpon God at all times and looke vnto him for helpe 7. Act. Seuenthly It raiseth the heart being conscious of it weaknesse to rest vpon the Lord for strength who makes vs able to doe all things through his strengthening of vs Phil. 4.13 Col. 1 11. Ephes 3.17 who strengtheneth his in the inner man to long-suffering with ioyfulnesse who hath said such as looke to mee shall renew their strength Esay 40.31 they shall mount vp with wings as Eagles they shall runne and not be weary they shall walke and not faint yea Psal 94.22 it fixeth and estâ—blisheth the heart vpon Christ the rocke strong and impregnable whence followeth courage steadines to vndergo them Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace saith the Prophet whose minde or thought is stayed on thee Esay 26.3 2. Chron. 16.6 7 8. Psal 112.7 because he trusteth in thee The righteous shall not be afraid of euill tydings his heart is fixed or established and trusteth in the Lord. Thus faith setteth the Lord alwayes in it sight and fortifieth the heart in confidence of his might Psal 16.8 I haue set the Lord alwayes before mee Psal 73.23 because hee is at my râ—ght hand I shall not be moued that is I haue ouercome all temptations my hope being fastened vpon the Lord for hee hath powerfully assisted and comforted mee Our strength is to claspe to Christ and hold to him as the person in whom is all our strength The hil-rats are a weake creature hauing neither strength of limbes nor other meanes of nature to defend themselues Prou. 30.20 but making their houses in the rockes or stonie places and flying thither in time of danger they saue themselues and prouide safely for their young-ones Wee of our selues are feeble and weake easily ouerturned with the least temptation but working our selues by faith into that rocke Iesus Christ against whom the powers of Hell cannot preuaile wee become couragious vnmoueable inuincible It matters not what weight be laid vpon the foundation so it be sure and stedfast if Christ be our supporter as by faith he is made ours nothing can ouerwhelme vs. In quietnesse and confidence is our strength Againe Esay 30.15 by faith wâ—e receiue the Spirit of fortitude and courage whereby we are made able to endure the burthen of afflictions and become valiant in combates Esay 11.2 For the spirit of wisdome and ounsell of vnderstanding and strength was powred into Christ to the end we might boldly goe vnto him to a ke those things we stand in need of and receiue them by faith according to our measure Ephes 4.15 16. As the heâ—d communicates strength to the bodie so Christ powres out the vertue of his heauenly vnction vpon the whole bodie of his Church When the Apostles had receiued this spirit of strength they make a play of all their sufferings and labours euen as in bodily things wee see men that haue strength and courage as these porters and such they will make a sport to beare such burthens as a weake creature would tremble to lift at For as bladders swimme aloft all waters whilest they are filled with winde so doe wee aboue all afflictions Deut. 20.3 Iosh 7.5 Esay 7.4 2. Chron. 33.7 Prou 28.1 Psal 125.1 Esay 12 â— Iosh 10 25. Deut. 31.6 1. Chron. 28.20 2. Chron. 32.7 Psal 27.14 whilest this Spirit is with vs to support vs in them Feare doubting feeblenesse fainting nice-tendernesse or melting of heart proceed from infidelitie and distrust Hardinesse courage valour inuincible durance are the fruits of faith staying it selfe vpon the Lord and seeking vnto him Be strong be of good courage feare not nor be dismayed for the Lord will be with thee he will not faile thee nor forsake thee Distrust many times wrings from vs such voyces as these were it any thing but this I could hope to beare it Whereas did we in conscience of our impotencie seek to Christ to make vs able and fasten our selues vpon him by a liuely faith wee should finde strength enough through his might whereby to beare that comfortably which wee thinke most intollerable Faith driues a man out of himselfe as not able to beare the least crosse as he ought and through the power of God it enableth to beare that best how troublesome soeuer with which God is pleased to trie vs. 8. Act. Eightly By faith the godly heart is drawne to vse all lawfull meanes of helpe that God in his prouidence doth afford Mich. 7.7 Hab. 2.1 Psal 5.3 Psal 109.31 Psal 22.24 Psal 56.9 Heb. 11.2 7. but resteth quietly vpon Gods promises and assurance of his presence aboue all likelihoods and appearances God shall stand saith the Psalmist at the right hand of the poore to saue him from those that condemne his soule When I crie vnto thee then shall mine en mies turne backe this I know for God is for me Moses left Egypt and feared not the wrath of the King because he saw him that was inuisible The reason hereof is faith coupleth the meanes and the end but looketh to the promiser his grace faithfulnesse and power who is able to doe aboue all that we can comprehend and not to the probabilitie of the thing promised Ephes 3.20 Rom. 4.11.11 Abraham against hope belieued in hope that hee might become the Father of many Nations being fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to performe Heb. 11.11 By faith Satah receiued strength to beare a Sonne when she was past age What manner of dependance on the promises faith worketh because she iudged him faithfull who had promised
This dependance on the promises which faith worketh is absolute without limitation of time measure of affliction or manner of deliuerance All these it referreth to the good pleasure of Gods will Esay 28.16 and reposeth it selfe securely vpon his faithfull word and prouidence He that belieueth will not make haste Feare rides post to out-runne danger and folly turnes ouer with speed our mourning part before God delighting to be in the house of laughter but faith which leaneth vpon the promises of truth makes no haste without good speed Dan. 9.2 Daniel waited seuentie yeares for deliuerance out of captiuitie in Babylon and then finding the time of redemption to be at hand hee prayed to God for the same As for the measure of affliction or meanes of deliuerance Iob 13.15 the voice of faith may be heard in Iob and Abraham The one promised he would trust in God though he should kill him The other being commanded to sacrifice his onely Sonne Isaac Heb. 11.19 the sonne of the promise belieued that some other way he should receiue him from the dead This effect faith bringeth forth when all meanes faile yea against all oppositions in shew neuer so strong and irresistible Esay 63.5 For the meanes of themselues be of no worth and validitie and God is the same one and vnchangeable whosoeuer oppose themselues against his determinations most readie to succour when all meanes faile God is our refuge and strength Psal 46.1 2 3. a very present helpe in trouble Therefore will wee not feare though the earth be remoued and though the mountaines be cast into the midst of the Sea Psal 49.5 Psal 56.4 Though the waters thereof roare and bee troubled though the mountaines shake with the swelling thereof Wherefore should I feare in the dayes of Euill when the iniquity of my heeles that is the wickednesse my feet carried mee to shall compasse me about Ezra 8.21 For the hand of our God is vpon all them for good that seeke him but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him The Lord is my light and my saluation Psal 27.1 2 3. Psal 3 6. Psal 54.4 5. whom shall I feare The Lord is the strength of life of whom shall I be afraid Though an host should encampe against me my heart shall not feare Behold God is my helper Psal 118.7 Psal 46.5 7. the Lord is with them that vphold my soule He shall reward euill vnto mine enemies cut them off in thy truth But for support in this case faith turneth it selfe to meditate on Gods truth which neuer faileth his might which cannot be resisted his wisdome which euer effecteth his owne workes by meanes best approued Psal 116.5 7. in his counsell in the fittest season and his tender compassions whereby hee is ready to succour them that are brought low Psal 22.4 Againe it looketh to the manner of Gods dealing and to the vsuall course which he hath held with his seruants in all ages past Ex. 3.8 5.6 which is to grant deliuerance when the afflictions of his seruants be increased and send helpe when to sense and reason it is furthest off Ezek. 18.4 For euery soule is the Lords as the soule of the father so also the soule of the sonne and what fauour he hath shewed vnto any one he will vouchsafe to euery one that seeketh him diligently if it may bee for their good It is also confirmed by the experience of Gods dealing with vs in former times of distresse and danger Psal 22.9 Thou art he that tooke me out of the wombe thou didst make me hope when I was vpon my mothers breasts I was cast vpon thee from the wombe Psal 71.17 2. Tim 4.18 thou art my God from my mothers belly O God thou hast taught me from my youth hitherunto haue I declared thy wōdrous works For former mercies are as bils obligatorie vnder his hand to assure of future good things as they shall be needfull That which God hath once done for vs in sustaining quickning quieting our spirits with peace which passeth vnderstanding keeping our hearts that hee will doe euery day vnto vs if wee inforce our selues towards him Moreouer a good heart will not cease to accuse checke and condemne it selfe for the Infidelitie distrust and weaknesse of faith that it espieth to incite stirre vp and call vpon it selfe more confidently to waite and trust in the Lord and in bitternesse of heart to seeke and sue vnto him for more strength from aboue Psal 42.5 11. Why art thou cast downe O my soule why art thou disquieted within me Hope in God for I shall yet prayse him for the helpe of his countenance O God my soule is cast downe within me Ninthly Faith belieueth one contrarie in another 9. Act. and out of deepest distresses gathereth assurance of sweetest deliuerances For the Lord shall iudge his people Deut. 32.36 2. Kings 14.26 Psal 9.9 10. and repent himselfe for his seruants when he seeth that their power is gone and there is none shut vp or left The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in times or due time of trouble Mans extremitie is Gods opportunitie Deepest miserie is the fittest season for deliuerance Men often like to Swallowes will be with vs in Summer but leaue vs in winter The Deuill when hee hath drawne his into the bryars will giue them leaue to looke for themselues But God hath euer stood neerest to his when their exigences haue beene greatest The experience of miserie calamitie is made the sure ground of such ioyful hopes as the Lord hath promised Psal 20.1 Exod. 14 22. Dan. 6.22 The greater sorrowes the people of God suffered the more vndoubted experience they had of diuine truth contained in Mosaicall threatnings the more vndoubted the experience of their truth vpon consciousnesse of their owne transgressions the greater motiues they had vpon heartie and sincere repentance to apprehend the stabilitie of his sweetest promises for their good No depression of this people but serued as a countersway to hasten intend or inlarge the measure of their wonted exaltation so long as they rightly weighed all their actions and proceedings in Moses ballances and compared their permanent sorrow for sin past with their wonted delight in their permanent sorrow for sinne past with their wonted delight in transient pleasures Ier. 30.13 14. This that the Lord had stricken Iacob with the wound of an enemie and with a sharpe chastisement for the multitude of his iniquities is propounded as an argument of consolation for because the Lord had killed they must belieue he would make aliue againe The present wounds inflicted contrarie to the rules of politique defence were the best pledges of their future health beyond all hope of State-Surgeons And when Ieremy more admired then distrusted Gods mercies in tendring the purchase of his Kinsmans field to
there of better hopes well instructed in the principles of religion diligent frequenters of Gods Ordinances and carefull to beautifie their profession with an holy conuersation who did neuer distinctly and in good earnest consider of this matter when yet they must needs acknowledge that it cannot be well done as it ought if it be not done in faith The acts of faith in this particular be these The acts of faith in this particular and such like First It calleth to remembrance the free and gratious couenant which God hath made with the belieuing parents and their posteritie I am thy God Gen. 17.7.9 Act. 2.39 and the God of thy seed For the promise is made vnto you and to your children and to al that are a farre off euen as many as the Lord our God shal call which couenant as it is made with the parents and their seed so doth the faith of the parent apprehend the promise of the couenâ—nt for himselfe and for his seed And this is the ground of that tender which a Christian mâ—kes of his Child vnto holy Baptisme For by naturall generation the Children of belieuing parents are defiled with sinne and so vnder wrath but the are holy by couenant and free acceptation the belieuing parent embracing the mercifull promise of God for himselâ—e and for his posteritie Infants are not borne Christians by naturall birth but made Christians by vertue of the couenant God promising to accept them vpon offer made vnto him by the parents Secondly By faith the belieuing parents must giue themselues vnto God chusing him to bee their portion and resigning themselues in all things to be guided by his word in all estates and conditions Hee that would giue his childe vnto God must giue himselfe first Is it probable that Father can truly desire and long after the preferment of his childe in the Kingdome of grace here and of glory heâ—eafter who will not enter himselfe nor submit his will to the commandement of grace The promise is made to the faithfull and that faith only which drawes a man to yeeld vp soule and body as a liuing sacrifice vnto God pleasing and acceptable vnto his Maiestie doth quicken a parent truly sincerely freely and as he ought to make tender of his childe vnto God Thirdly It prouoketh parents to offer their children vnto God by heartie and vnfained prayer assoone as euer they haue receiued them from him Gods promise to accept our children calleth for prayer and supplication on our part that he would be pleased to make good his mercifull and free promise Thus Dauid reasoneth Thou O Lord 2. Sam. 7.27 of hosts God of Israel hast reuealed to thy seruant saying I will build thee an house therefore hath thy seruant found in his heart to pray this prayer vnto thee And so should euery Father O Lord thou hast couenanted to bee my God and the God of my posteritie therefore am I bold to intreat thy fatherly acceptance of my poore Infant Fourthly It considereth what a singular prerogatiue it is to be actually admitted into couenant with God receiued into his family and to haue his name put vpon vs to be partaker of the seale of regeneration remission of sinnes adoption and euerlasting inheritance solemnely to be made free of the societie of Saints and weare the Lords badge and liuerie And what an high and incomprehensible mercie it is that God hath promised and doth vouchsafe these great and inestimable blessings not only to himselfe a miserable and wretched sinner but also to his posteritie who by naturall generation are enemies to his Highnesse dead in trespasses and in bondage vnto the curse of the law With these or the like meditations of faith belieuing parents must present their children vnto Baptisme that they might receiue the seale of regeration remission of sinnes and spirituall libertie that the Name of God might bee set vpon them and their names registred amongst the free Denisons of the heauenly Ierusalem And feruent effectuall prayer doth accompany this admission that God would bee pleased to accept the partie baptized for his childe by grace and adoption release him of his sins and make him partaker of his euerlasting kingdome Faith belieueth what God promiseth as hee promiseth it and beggeth feruently what hee giueth freely Fiftly It stirreth vp heartie reioycing in the Lord that hee hath vouchsafed in tender compassion to looke vpon them and their posteritie and thus to honour and aduance them for the truest Nobilitie is to bee made a Christian and to liue in fauour with God A worldly Father would much reioyce if his childe should bee preferred to some chiefe Office in the Princes Court assoone as it was borne A Christian Father hath much greater cause of ioy that he is admitted not as a seruant but as a sonne and heire into the Court of the great King of Heauen and Earth If parents can compasse but a Lease of some Farme for â—hemselues and theirs they are glad and shall they not reioyce that God hath by couenant and seale passed the grant of the Kingdome of Heauen to them and theirs Sixtly It stirreth vp parents to be diligent and carefull to bring vp their children in information and feare of the Lord being instant with God to blesse their endeauours for the good of their children and the glorie of his name For thus faith perswadeth Thy childe is not thine but the Lords thou hast dedicated him vnto the seruice of his Maiestâ—e and he fâ—om whom thou receiuedst him at first hath committed him to thy charge to bee trained vp in his feare It is a great honour to bee trusted with such a châ—rge and it is a fearefull sinne to neglect so great a trust Wilt thou consecrate thy childe to God this day and leaue him to the Deuill for euer after Wilt thou teach him a trade that hee might liue as a Man and not teach him the way of godlinesse that he might liue as a Christian Didst thou not vndertake for his education in the true Religion and wilt thou neglect the peâ—formance of that solemne oath Mar. 10.25 16. Christ commanded the children of Christian parents to be brought vnto him and wilt thou present them vntaught and ignorant of the Christian faith The same conscience which moued parents to offer their children to Baptisme will quicken them to endeauour their education in the true faith and seruice of God By faith wee should make right vse of our Baptisme Baptisme is a seale of the couenant betwixt God vs of Gods promise to vs that he will be our God and of our promise to him that we will be his people repent of our sins belieue in Christ walk before him in sincere obedience For signification force vse fruit it continueth not for a moment of time but for the whole course of a mans life It doth respect not only the time past and present but that which is to
come yea that whole time a man hath to spend from the very act of his Baptisme to his death For as it is the seale of a free euerlasting vnchangeable couenant so is the force and vse of it perpetuall Baptisme is the true Sacrament of repentance for remission of sinnes and spirituall renouation which being once receiued remaineth a perpetuall testimonie and pledge of the euerlasting Couenant of God and continuall washing away of sinne by the bloud of Christ and the Spirit of sanctification By singular appropriation it representeth and confirmeth ouâ— engâ—affing into Christ The vse to bee made of our Baptisme is two-fold but withall it sealeth the whole Couenant of grace The vse of Baptisme is twofold First It serues to be a pledge and token of Gods fauour and that diuers wayes First In that it is a seale of our regeneration by the holy Spirit whereby a diuine qualitie is infused into vs in the roome and place of originall corruption And therefore Baptisme as the text is ordinarily expounded is called the labour of regeneration Titus 3.5 it being an vsuall thing to call the principall cause and the instrument by the same name Secondly It sealeth and confirmeth vnto vs the free pardon and forgiuenesse of our sinnes Acts 2.38 Repent and be baptized euery one of you in the Name of Iesus Christ Acts 22.16 for the remission of sinnes Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sinnes calling on the Name of the Lord. Thirdly Baptisme is a pledge of the vertue of Christs death and of our fellowship therein Rom. 6.3 Doe yee not know that all wee who haue beene baptized into Iesus Christ haue beene baptized into his death Fourthly It is also a pledge of the vertue of Christs life and of our communion with him therein The life of Christ is the life of euery belieuer who liueth in Christ and shall liue for euer with him and in him a certaine pledge whereof he hath giuen vs in this Sacrament Rom. 6.5 For if wee haue beene planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his resurrection Buried with him in Baptisme Col. 2.12 wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead Fiftly Bâ—ptisme is a pledge of our adoption in Iesus Christ By nature we are the children of wrath but by grace and adoption the sonnes of God through faith in Christ which is sealed in Baptisme wherein the name of the Father Sonne and holy Spirit is put vpon vs. When Iacob blessed the sonnes of Ioseph Ephraim and Manasses Gen. 48.16 saying Let my name be named on them hee adopted them for his sonnes to haue inheritance with them in the land of Canaan and when God putteth his name vpon vs hee signifieth and assureth that wee are his sonnes Yee are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus Gal. 3.26 27. For as many of you as haue beene baptized into Christ haue put on Christ Sixtly Baptisme is a solemne testimonie of our communion with all the liuely members of Christ Iesus It is a seale of the bond of mutuall loue and fellowship both of Christ with his members and of his members one with another 1. Cor. 12.13 For by one Spirit are wee all baptized into one bodie whether wee be Iewes or Gentiles whether wee bee bond or free Ephes 4.5 And Baptisme is one of those things whereby the vnitie of the Spirit is preserued in the bond of peace Seuenthly It is a seale and pledge to assure that God will prouide for vs in this life raise vp our bodies vnto life at the last day of Iudgement and bestow vpon vs that euerlasting Kingdome and Inheritance which hee hath prepared Marke 16.16 Titus 3.5 6 7. 1. Pet. 3.21 For in Baptisme the Lord doth promise to bee our God that hee will prouide vs of all things necessarie for soule and bodie turne all euils which doe befall in this miserable life to the furtherance of our saluation raise vp our bodies at the last day and receiue vs vnto himselfe to dwell with him for euermore In all which respects Baptisme is of great force to strengthen faith and ease the heart in distresse For when the repentant sinner feeles himselfe heauie laden with the burden of his sinnes when Satan tempts him to doubt or despaire in regard of his corruptions when his owne corruption moueth him to sinne and he is euen now in the combate the Spirit lusting against the flesh and the flesh lusting against the Spirit and when hee is deeply perplexed with feare of falling away then the consideration and remembrance of what was promised and sealed in Baptisme will serue to stay support and comfort the soule For there hee shall find that his name is written in the couenant of God that God hath promised to giue Christ to be his Redeemer to accept of Christs satisfaction for him to wash away all his sinnes as certainly as the water washeth away the filth of the bodie and hauing such a faithfull promise confirmed by seale wherefore should he be dismayed In Baptisme also God hath sealed vnto him the mortification of his sinne by the power of Christs death which is the ground of confidence that God will enable him to ouercome the rebellious lusts of his heart and crucifie the old man more and more vntill the bodie of sinne be vtterly destroyed True it is that man by nature is dead in sin but in Baptisme God of his mercie hath sealed vnto the belieuer his rising from the death of sinne to newnesse of life True it is that of our selues wee are prone to fall away from grace receiued But God of his rich grace sealeth vnto the faithfull in Baptisme a Resurrection vnto immortall life which shall grow daily but neuer decay Rom. 6.9 10. If the faithfull be afflicted and despised of men persecuted and forsaken cast out the visible Congregation and banished from the hoâ—se of God yea euen in the agonies of death the remembrance of the promises sealed in Baptisme will afford comfort For if men haue forsaken God hath receiuâ—d them If men scorne and contemne the Lord will acknowledge them Hee hath long agoe sealed them for his owne receiued them into his family vndertaken to prouide for them and adopted them as heires apparant to the Kingdome of Heauen If God had giuen them his word alone for securitie it had beene sufficient But hauing confirmed it by seale in Baptisme they haue great cause to rest assured True it is they may be cast out of the visible assembles but they can neuer be cut off from the inuisible Communion of Saints they must die but God hath sealed vnto them their rising from the graue to euerlasting life by the power and vertue of Christs Resurrection which is a comfort of all comforts able to vphold the soule
and rowse vp our selues to reioyce in him What can I desire more God the Father hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne to be my Sauiouâ— and I haue receiued and am betrothed vnto him a firme peace is concluded an euerlasting inherâ—tance is assured vnto mee I haue a good legacie bequeathed vnto me in the promises whereunto I sticke sealed vnto me in the SacrameÌ„t which I may produce as an euidence to stop the mouth of Satan if he shall contend and seeke to robbe mee of my priuiledges bestowed of grace If I bee hunger-starued in my selfe the bodie of Christ is true meate nourishing me to life eternall If thirstie and destitute of the sappe of grace the bloud of Christ is true drinke nourishing mee to life eternall Iohn 6.65 and eating his flesh and drinking his bloud he dwelleth in me and I in him Thus we must quicken our hearts to reioyce in beliefe of the promises made and sealed waiting vpon God till he be pleased to giue the sence and comfort of it CHAP. XII The faithfull are bound and it is behouefull for them to belieue the threatnings GOd is aswell iust as mercifull faithfull and true as well in his threats as in his promises and therefore equally to be belieued in both so farre as in his word he hath assured vs of both He who is certaine of his saluation knoweth assuredly he should be damned if he should goe on in sinne without repentance and shall tast of much bitternesse if he grow indulgent to his corruptions It is as sure that God will condemne the wicked and impenitent as that hee will saue the righteous and repentant 1. Cor. 9.27 If Paul beate not downe his body and bring it into subiection he shall bee as drosse and refuse If the righteous forsake his righteousnesse and commit wickednesse Ezek. 18.24.26 or be a worker of iniquity all his former righteousnesse shall be forgotten The godly man is not slauishly to feare falling away or running into destruction but wisely to belieue the threatnings to preuent falling into sinne and so into condemnation The subiect who feareth the punishment of the law and keepeth himselfe innocent taketh a wise couâ—se for his owne securitie Euery part of Scripture is Gods word of certaine and and vndoubted truth which cannot be gaine-said written for the benefit and profit of them who shall be heires of saluation But the threatnings are part of the word of God Rom. 15.4 Whatsoeuer things were written afore-time euen as well examples of iudgement inflicted vpon transgressours and threatenings denounced against them that shall offend as promises of mercie to allure vnto obedience were written for our learning and instructon 1. Cor. 10.6 In the state of innocencie there was vse of threatenings so is there in the state of grace As a meanes to keep our first parents from sinne Gen. 2.17 Iob 31.21.23 the Lord denounced death against them if they should eate of the forbidden fruite Iob professeth he durst not lift vp his hand against the Fatherlesse for destruction from God was a terrour vnto him So Dauid My flesh trembleth for feare of thee Psal 119.120 and I am affraid of thy Iudgements The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked Pro. 21.12 but God ouerthroweth the wicked for their wickednesse And sure it is expedient for vs that threatenings should be mingled with the promises of grace for so prone are we to flatter fauour our selues milder doctrine would grow colde vnles these spurrs were added The tarxtnesse of the threatening makes vs best tast the sweetnesse of promise Sowre and sweet make the best sauce promises and threatenings mingled fit our state and serue to keepe the heart in the best temper Wee grow ouerbold with God if the threatning doe not awe are soone deiected if the promise doe not support The Lord knoweth both necessarie to keepe vs in awe and therefore beginneth with promises to the intent we might follow him the more willingly but to driue forward when wee stoppe or grow remisse he addeth threatenings Heb. 12.28.29 Wherfore we receiuing a kingdome which cannot be moued let vs haue grace whereby we may serue God acceptably with reuerence and godly feare For our God is a consuming fire The acts of faith in respect of the threatenings be these The acts of faith in respect of the Threatnings First It worketh humblenesse of mind and heart for what the law threateneth the faithfull will freely acknowledge that they deserue and so arraigne themselues as guiltie of all miserie and death before the throne of grace whereby the pride and stubbornesse of nature is much abated Say wee not of him who hath beene once impleaded before the tribunall of an earthly Iudge as guiltie of felonie or treason he hath no reason to be stout What then will the arraignement of the soule worke when a man shal be drawne to acknowledge before God that he hath deserued to be cast into hell for his manifold offences and transgressions against God Secondly It bringeth forth awefulnesse reuerence and feare Psal 52.6 Act. 5.5 Psal 119.120 Ion. 1.16 1. Chron. 13.12 Hab. 3.16 The righteous also shall see and feare As the Childe quaketh when he heareth that his Father is angry with or doth correct a seruant so the heâ—rt and body of the faithfull tremble as oft as they consider the seueritie of Gods wrath against the wicked and vngâ—dly When I heard my belly trembled my lips quiuâ—red at the voyce rottennesse entred into my bones and I trembled in my selfe that I might rest in the day of trouble That is when the fame of thy diuine punishment and iudgement came to mine eaâ—es which thou hast decreed to inflict vpon thy people “ Pro. 29 27.30 Psal 40.8 my belly that is my heart and bowels moueâ— for griefe and feare Thus Noah hearing of Gods iust wrath against the sinfull world and of his purpose to ouerthrow all liuing flesh by water Heb. 11.7 was moued with great feare and reuerence at this strange dreadfull mightie work of God and from the view of this his great iust iudgement his faith made him arise to a more earnest consideration of the glorious Maiesty of the Almâ—ghty And this is the effect of iudgement executed by men according to the direction of Gods word And all Israel shall heare and feare Deut. 13.11 and 17.13 and 19 26. Ier. 10.7 and shall doe no more any such wickednesse True faith then worketh an holy feare and reuerent awe of God in respect of his iudgements Who would not feare thee O King of nations for to thee doth it appertaine Psal 76.7 Thou euen thou art to bee feared and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry The godly mans assurance of Gods fauour will stand well with reuerence of his Maiestie and feare of temporall afflictions spirituall desertions and the torments of hell not