in any priviledges that come in by it ought to be grounded and built upon a free promise Gal. 3. v. 18.22.29 Hebr. 9.15 2. From Cordiall acts of faith in the application of the blood of Christ Faith is necessary to make the promise become particular to a soule Rom. 3.25 Rom. 10. v. 8 9.10 With the heart man beleeveth unto righteousnesse 1. There must be beleeving which is the acceptation of that blood from Christ in the free promise What beleeving is as it hath reference to Justification or a consenting to the free offer of it that it may be usefull to the soule in particular for such ends as it serveth to If thou haft heartily accepted of it then the promise and the blood or righteousnesse of Christ tendred therein are both undoubtedly thine The primitive act of faith doth not consist in a perswasion that Christ is mine or shed his blood for me this as Mr Burroughs saith is the creame of faith the riches of saith and a man must be interested in that bloud in order before that beliefe else it is a false faith But beleeving must consist in consenting or receiving to answer the offer And hence receiving Christ and beleeving on his name are made one Joh. 1.12 And in this respect Justification is so often ascribed to Faith in opposition to workes Rom. 3. v. 20.28 We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law Gal. 2.16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the workes of the Law but by the faith of Jesus Christ By faith i. e. by a righteousnesse which is attained in a way of Receiving not in a way of Doing It lieth out of a mans selfe is not a mans owne but by free donation on Gods part and reception on his part And hence the Apostle maketh that the grand difference between the Law and the Gospell Rom. 10. v. 5. Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law that the man which doth those things shall live by them But in opposition to that he declareth the voyce of the Gospel to be beleeve with thine heart and thou shalt be saved v. 6.9 And Fidei attribuitur salus non tanquam causae sed tanquam instrumento Neque enim fides vis illa est ut possit servare sed tota vis est illâ—us qui per fidem appreheÌ„ditur nempe Christi Fayus why is it by beleeving v. 10. For with the heart man beleeveth unto righteousnesse i. e. Faith carrieth a man out of himselfe and findeth a righteousnesse in another which availeth to justification and life And thus Faith doth justisie not as a Grace or as a worke or Quality but as a meanes or instrument Commissionated by the Lord for the reception of that blood of Christ which doth justifie And hence it is called the righteousnesse by and through faith Phil. 3.9 Rom. 10.6 It is not the act but the object of faith that Justifieth 2. There must be cordial acts of faith Rom. 10 v. 8 9 10. the heart is three times required in these three verses and an infallible Assurance of righteousnesse and salvation is given to all those that beleeve with it and without that the faith is vaine Joh. 2.23 Many beleeved and yet Christ did not owne their faith because their hearts were wanting v. 24 25. Act. 8.13 Simon Magus beleeved and yet was in the gall of bitternes still v. 23. and the defectivenes of his faith was in this his heart was not right v. 21. When it is with the heart many of the following particulars will discover 3. From its preferring that blood before all other things Phil. 3. v. 8 9. Paul reckoned Church priviledges losse birth-priviledges losse creature-injoyments losse i.e. with the neglect of the righteousness of God by faith and he placed all his gaine in gaining that and 1 Corin. 2. v. 2. I determined not to know any thing among you save Christ Jesus and him crucified i. e. I preferre the knowledge of him in his death before all other things Some men doe not rest upon any other righteousnesse nor this neither Rom. 9.30 The Gentiles followed not after righteousnesse Others may follow after righteousness yea and cry earnestly for the blood of Christ to but riches honours pleasures performances carnal company base lusts something below or besides Christ is more affected Joh 5.44 Revel 3.17 Rom. 9. v. 31 32 33. But do'st thou finde such an utter emptines in all things besides his blood and so thirst after this as nothing else can quench thy thirst wouldest thou be full of distresse under the fullest most desired injoyments without this blood can nothing else afford quiet contentment or satisfaction besides that Is that the great busines thy minde is taken up with and that thy thoughts are spent upon is the attaining interest in it that which thou makest thy scope drist and designe the end thou aimest at and point thou art centred upon in the ordinary motions of thy soule this speaketh a heartie receiving of it and so it is witnessing Object But what should raise a soules estimation of that blood so high Ans The excellent or admirable uses and ends it serveth to It is usefull 1. To Justification and salvation Rom. 5. v. 9.18 By this men are freed from condemnation delivered from the curse not onely in respect of paine but also in respect of losse It s usefulnesse towards the re-obtaining communion with God and the gracious presence of God from which they must have suffered perpetual banishment without that should make them prize this blood above all other things 2. To Reconciliation Coloss 1.20 Rom. 5.1 By this blood there is acceptation into favour with God againe whose favour is better then life and a blessed amity and concord is established between God and soules when else there would have been an eternall quarrell The Lord will become a friend againe will open his bosome reveale his secrets expresse his love to all those that obtaine interest in this blood 3. To the obtaining liberty for nigh approaches unto God Eph. 2.13 Made nigh by the blood of Christ Heb. 10.19 Having boldnesse to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus By this it may have accesse to him and may have hopes of successe in all its addresses to him and there may be sweet entercourse between them And these are advantages that come in by this blood which may render it preferred before all other things 4. From the renuntiation of whatsoever standeth in competition with the blood of Christ in those uses and ends it serveth to A man may beare up himseife with Christs shedding of his blood for sinners c. and hereupon was confident of salvation but if there be a going about to establish a mans owne righteousnesse there cannot be a submitting to the righteousnesse of Christ at the same time Rom. 10.3 the heart cannot be engaged to irreconcilable oppofites at once
Assurance 4. Be much in selfe-examination it is the proper end of this duty to helpe a soule into a right understanding about its condition 2 Cor. 13.5 And hence it is that Satan seeketh to beate off so much from this duty But exercise your selves much to it at seasonable times i. e. when the eyes of your soules are cleare in a day of desertion they are dimme and so you will be liable to mis-judge about your state and you are principally then to attend upon other duties as the enquiring into the causes of the Lords withdrawing and a coming up to his ends therein and a seeking for its returne c. but selfe-judging acts are of great use towards Assurance when the soule is not disabled for knowing its condition 5. Be much in the observation of Gods dealings with your owne soules Gods end towards the Israelites in all their temptations and miraculous preservations was that they might know that he was the Lord their God Deut. 29. v. 3 4 5 6. and it is charged upon them as a great evil that they soone forgat Gods workes Psal 106.13 Christians know not what they loose by burying their experiences they disable themselves for strengthening the weake hands and confirming the feeble knees of others and it is a great disadvantage to themselves The Apostle exhorteth to adde one grace to another as one meanes to make their calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1. v. 5 6.10 A heape of experience must needs conduce much to the clearing up the state Though you can keep but the shell the carkasse of your experiences yet have them upon record and afterward the Lord may cause dry bones to live 6. Be often renewing acts of faith especially take all opportunities that are offered for the most eminent actings of it when Abraham by an eminent act of faith had declared his willingnes to follow Gods call in the offering up of Isaac then he obtained a double testimonie of acceptation with God Gen. 22. v 11 12. An Angel called to him out of heaven This Angel is Christ for he speaketh as God v. 12.16 And his speaking to Abraham is for a double end 1. To stay his hand v. 12.2 To manifest the acceptation of the person v. 12. Now I know thou fearest God seing thou hast not with-held thy Son thine onely Son from me And the Lord is not content with this but v. 15 16. The Angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time If Isaac had died one sight of Christ would abundantly have recompensed Abraham for his great losse but behold after this eminent act of grace he cometh againe the second time There were many things that doubtles did endeare Isaac to him he was his Son and onely Son v. 16. and a Son of promise too Heb. 11.17 and the slaying of him seemed to crosse both Gods Command that he should not kill and that promise In Isaac shall thy seed be called v. 18. and yet his faith gets above all and he hath a double appearance of Christ after it Object But the dispensations of God towards me seeme to run crosse to the promises that faith should act upon and so doe forbid my beleeving However I finde my heart so out of frame and my condition so sad that I durst not act faith on promises Answ 1. It is thy duty to beleeve on Christ whatever thy condition be if thou hast not committed the unpardonable sin thou can'st not tell but that thou mayest finde mercy If thou wantest interest in Christ it is high time for thee to seeke after it by beleeving Trouble and perplex not thy soule so much about that question whither thou hast beleeved or not but put it out of doubt by a fresh act of faith A repetition of acts of faith is very sutable to a Saint in his darkest Condition Isai 50.10 He that walketh in such darknes that be hath no light is injoyned then to trust in the Name of God If particular promises faile or be out of sight and sensible experiences faile that it be a midnight of darknesse with the soule yet there is the Name of God to run to and trust in still what his Name is see Exod. 34. v. 5 6. The Lord God mercifull gracious long-suffering abundant in goodnes and truth forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin c. When thou can'st not see that he is gracious to thee or that he hath forgiven thy sins yet put forth an act of faith upon him through Christ and in that way waite for his being gracious and for his forgiving thy sins I would not have a soule upon slighty grounds cast away all former experiences but if Egyptian darknes seemeth to cover it the best way to recover all againe is by a new act of faith Psal 56.3 What time I am afraid I will trust in thee When it is afraid of unsoundnes of heart then it ought to trust in God as well as under other feares 2. Oftentimes the Lord doth cast in matter of discouragement in a soules way to beleeving purposely to draw out acts of faith Rom. 4. v. 19 20. Abrahams body was dead and Sarahs womb dead before the Son of promise was given Math. 15.24 I came not but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel Here was a word to appearance against her So that a man may have seeming impossibilities in the way to his mercy yea a word may be cast in and that by Christ that may seeme to speake against him and yet it may be intended by Christ but for the tryall of faith not to hinder beleeving But usually in such Cases the Lord giveth clearnes about what is duty before he blocketh up the way to it yea and holdeth up the heart to it in the midst of such discouragements this woman was the more importunate the more repulses and seeming denyals she had from Christ What the word doth undoubtedly warrant to be thy duty in that condition thou art in though thou mayest seeme to have a word and never so much against ther yet thou oughtest the more eagerly to owne thy duty And beleeving is the great Command of Christ to all that heare the sound of the Gospell Mark 16. v. 15 16. Rom. 10.9 1 Joh. 3.23 Yea it is a duty at all time â—or in all conditions Psal 62.8 and know that Christ doth never contradict his owne Commands to forbid any soules beleeving and therefore nothing should beate thee off from this It is thy duty to live a life of-faith when thou wantest feeling Christ was without feeling when he cryed out Why hast thou forsaken me and yet not without a faith of Assurance for he saith my God my God So Psal 89. v. 34 35 36. The Lord engageth himselfe by Covenant and Oath that the throne of David should be astablished for ever and presently he was rushed under such dispensations as did threaten the non-accomplishment of what was promised v. 38
bid me be of good cheere Another night I had many hard places of Scripture very spiritually declared unto me In the day againe I was troubled and had a kinde of weaknes and dread on my Spirit But one time I did willingly take a little contentment in the creature and there came a terrour that I went about to resist the Spirit and astonishment came and I resolved that I would take heed of yeelding to any such thing any more and that I would attend unto what should be given in In the Concluding of all The witnessing of Adoption by the Spirit it was brought in to me thus What thou hast seen and beheld it was the Lord and God justifying of thee thou hast seen his infinite and invincible power thy heart hath been kept up and it is made sure to thee that it was the Lord thou knowest it was he and none else it was irresistible Now it is done I have sealed thee up to the day of redemption and caused thee to set to thy seale that I am true thou knowest it was God and hast sealed to it Now goe forth into thy Calling and attend upon it keep thy minde intent upon it and see thou dest not dishonour me And I did so and found some stirrings of corruption temptation assaulting which I did not before onely feare and dread Now the hardship came that day I had as hard a day of it as ever in my life then Satan set on me with violent temptations and I was darke this ministration withdrawne I had it no more that day and my heart was sad Tempta 1. I was tempted that now my earthen vessell should be broken and I should be distracted c. and I had brought it upon my selfe and thus brought it because I had sought of God that he would reveale the Covenant of grace to me and teach me c. and in the former ministration it was given in this is that thy soule desired Some busines was to be done and I did forget and it came upon me do'st thou not see thou hast lost the use of reason had'st not better have been in a low condition But you would be taught of God And 1. I was much affrighted that day and full of feares 2. My heart was so darke that I could not reason the case with Satan for then I might have told him he was a liar for I desired understanding in the mystery of the Covenant that my heart might goe in a right way to Christ But I could not reflect but wholly attend to Satan And Satan gave me Impulsions to goe read and try to pray suggesting to me thou hast nothing to pray thou hast seen God and needest not faith c. 3. Yet I kept this all alongst that God was my Father and though I was distressed yet not in the least teares of perishing Satan could never shoote one arrow to make me thinke it was not of God And in the ministration it was given in that sin was Commanded out that it might not be mingled with his worke and no battery ever should be made against it I knew I was safe for eternity 4. Yet I considered with my selfe had it not been for me to have dyed and was ready to say with Peter Depart from me Luke 5.8 for I am a sinfull creature it was a sorrow to my soule that I had so much because I knew not how to behave my selfe under it I entreated the Lord to shew me Jesus that was fittest for a mortall creature to looke upon and presently I fell into a mighty trembling but immediately recovered my selfe thus the will of the Lord be done and was quieted againe as to that 5. The Lords day approaching some of the family wished me to goe out to heare and I desired every Ordinance but by the tediousnesse of the weather I was then prevented and being at home in this darke condition all alone I resolved to set upon duty yet had no matter but to spread my misery before the Lord. I did excuse my selfe thus Lord thou hast been a wonder-working God in my soule I entreate thee teach me and shew me Jesus in whom I have beleeved Thou hast troden the wine-presse alone and that for me thou hast freely layd downe thy life and that for me thou hast promised that those which keep the word of thy patience thou wilt keep them in the houre of temptation Lord thou knowest this is the houre of my temptation I have neither faith nor feeling As thou hast made me passive in injoying so now make me passive in beleeving And I rehersed these words three times The Lord rebuke thee the Lord rebuke thee the Lord rebuke thee 6. Christ succouring in temptation I found immediately an invincible power bearing up my heart to cast helpe upon one that is mighty Jesus Christ and so evidently and certainly that one should sooner perswade me that a man which I see and have conference with is not a man then that I did not see Christ by faith I did see my selfe taken as out of the Lyons den and my heart triumphing in Christ that from this houre I could read and pray without trouble and feed upon Christ I had another ministration in the night discovering the difference between legal sorrow and Gospel sorrow and I was put into a condition fit to beare it and my heart was melted into that Gospel sorrow but I am not able to declare particularly how it was with me here for a world Tempta 2. After this Satan did assault me very strongly with this temptation that I did Idolize the Scriptures From the first of these discoveries was taken with the Scriptures because all was conveyed by them to me I received it that the Scriptures were the word of God from what I had seen before but now I knew it from the certainty of the Spirit and its making my heart one with the Scriptures and now it was suggested that I made an Idoll of them and upon that I fell into a mighty trembling and feare for it came very suddenly In a little space I had sweet refreshments and distillations of the Spirit Helpe against temptation that came in thus Not the letter but the Spirit that wrote the Scriptures And my heart was quieted againe Tempta 3. Another came that I did Idolize the Son of God for I was afraid of God and was taken up in beleeving on Jesus I was trembling and in a sweat and a great hurry upon this And O had it not been better that I had died and I feared I should never be rid of them Answ After a little space it was given in that the Father Son and Spirit is one pure Essence and Christ being in the forme of God Phil. 2.6 thought it not robbery to be equall with God And the Word was made flesh and was with God and was God And the Son of God assuming our nature became a
because wee thinke our names are any way worthy or can backe the Truth or that we intended the Authors Commendation therby we know he needs it not where himselfe is knowne and his worke we trust will approove him faithfull with Jesus Christ Only we aime at bearing testimony to the Truth And if it may be the encouragement of some poore soules further to ponder and consult what is heere wrott Reader Consider and view it over and see if thou canst finde the booke in thy heart and thy heart in that We beleive when thou hast perused it thorough though thou misse spangles of Eloquence yet thou wilt not account thy expence of time as to be thy losse Greive not that Spirit by slighting any peice that may familiarize his voyce and language to thee Here are Questions of moment flated opened and in some measure cleered up If thou meetest with thy satisfaction give glory to the God of heaven if the blessing of the Gospell drop but from one leafe or line upon thy Spirit in thy consulting it thy paines are recompenced Now that the Spirit of the Lord may be redoubled upon the Author who hath waged in this worke and that thy profit who perusest it may be answerable to the desires and travaile of his soule shall be the prayers of us who are meanest among the Saints who yet desire to approve our selves faithfull to Christ his truths his interests and his people so we bid thee farewell Grace be with thy Spirit Amen SAM HABERGHAM EDVV. BARKER 1. day 4. Mo 1654. To the Reader Deare friend THe plentifull pouring out of the Spirit is the great priviledge which is promised unto the latter dayes and therefore it must needs be a duty of high concernment to seeke for inward acquaintance with that blessed Spirit in all those wayes it is promised in amongst which its witnessing of Adoption is none of the least According to that measure of light which the Lord hath lent me I have endeavoured the clearing up of that great mysterie in the ensuing Treatise And some of the reasons which have byassed my Spirit to appearing in it in so publique a way are these which follow 1. Because of the many encouragements which I have had hereunto from diverse friends both Ministers and others 2. Because so few have written distinctly on this Subject The more Immediate testimonie of the Spirit is very little insisted upon by any that I could ever yet see Assurance I confesse is the Subject of diverse bookes but there are many markes and signes lay'd downe by some which I feare will not hold weight in the ballance of the Sanctuary 3. Because of the many Delusions which multitudes of soules are under in these dayes who yet are pretenders to the Spirit therein Here are many things that if the Lord will may be conducible to the undeceiving of such as are taken in the snares of the Devill and to the establishing others against them 4. Beause of those great perplexities and inward distresses which my selfe and many heaven-borne soules have been in for want of light into that Question How shall I know the testimonie of the Spirit from the Delusions of Satan I have been like Noahâ— Dove have not knowne where to set the foot of my soule as to the Doctrinall part so as to be safe for eternitie I knew that faith and other graces when of the right stampe were evid ncing but how to know true faith from false and so for other graces and that my heart did not deceive me in passing judgement on my condition seing Satan transformeth himselfe into an Angel of light and counterfeiteth every grace this hath put me to a stand And now the Lord having given me much satisfaction in this search more then ever I had formerly about the Doctrinall part and delivered me from many perplexities and feares which heretofore I laboured under least I should take that for an evidence which was none I am hereby encouraged to hope that these Directions may be usefull unto others in the same wayes that they have been to me Yet the speciall Concurrences of the Spirit onely can make them effectuall to a soule for their proper end And those experiences of that more Immediate testimonie of the Spirit which thou findest in the latter end of the booke coming to my hand by an especiall providence when I had well nigh finished the Treatise and carrying with them such a harmony unto what the Lord had convinced me of before from his Word yet was almost discouraged for publishing because I had found so little thereof in my owne experience these have not onely added much Confirmation to me in the truth it selfe but also have given me much encouragement to a proceeding in the worke The Treatise by a blessing from heaven may be usefull 1. To those which are in a state of nature to take them off those sandy foundations which they have built upon for eternitie Here they may see how farre they may goe and yet be in a perishing condition still Though they may attaine unto Convictions of sin and to a kinde of beleeving on Christ and have some good motions and desires c. yet unlesse there be such a through-worke as bringeth in a heart turne from sin and to Christ they will miscarry everlastingly for all this The swaying prevailing part of the heart must be Christ-ward else their faith is vaine they are yet in their sinnes And hence we read so often of Conversion and turning to the Lord and that as a distinguishing thing of Saints from others Jam. 5.20 Math. 18.3 4. Act. 3.19 Psal 51.13 Ezek. 18.30.32 Act. 14.15 Act. 26.18.20 It is not enough that the heart is touched or wrought upon by the Word unlesse it be turned 2. To those which are in a state of grace it may be of advantage to them towards peace joy Comfort establishment and let them beware of disowning any testimonie from the Spirit whither in that Immediate way or otherwise It is an ordinary saying that wicked men would have Christ for their Saviour but not for their Lord. And I grant that none doe rightly take Christ for Salvation but also doe take him for Sanctification but if hereby they intend to make receiving of Christ as Lord the onely Evidence of interest in him I conceive they are much mistaken for Blood is made a witnes of Adoption as well as Water And I am confident there is no heartie willingness in any unrenewed soule to have Christ for a Saviour Joh. 5.40 Hebr. 2.3 Receiving Christ as a Saviour is as distinguishing as receiving him as a Lord. But there may be some kinde of willingnes to receive him either way yet if it be not an effectuall heartie willingnes it is not evidencing of which see more in the Treatise it selfe And now Reader search the Scriptures whither the things be so or not And if this poore Treatise may but be a provocation unto others
acceptation into favour with God and now through Christ may lay claime unto whatsoever that relation can entitle to this testimony telleth us that we may have an expectation of such provisions protections portions as it becometh such a Father to give out And hence Rom. 8.17 And if Children then heires heires of God and joynt-heires with Christ CHAP. II. The Observation from the Text. The Observation I shall speake to is this Doctr That the Divine Spirit doth witnes unto those which are in Christ with their Spirit their Adoption This is the secret language of many a Son of Sion Though I be adopted yet O it is impossible that I should ever attaine assurance of it alas I cannot climbe up to heaven to see my name written there How should I dive into such a secret as that is Methinke I finde the Lord answering such a soule and so as it might for ever silence it in such reasonings The Spirit it selfe beareth witnes c. As if he had said What testimony wouldest thou desire what wouldest thou reckon a sufficient evidence of thy Son-ship who might be a witnes that thou couldest confide in If the Divine Spirit might ascertaine thee of thy Adoption Behold that is nigh thee thou needest not ascend up to heaven to setch that thence that is descended to thee for every one that beleeveth hath the witnes within himselfe 1 Joh. 5.10 The Spirit knoweth the minde of God and how his heart standeth towards thee and that is sent from the bosome of the Father into thy bosome even on purpose to bring good newes from heaven of thy Fathers love and though with men it be impossible yet with the Spirit all things are possible That is able to give infallible and convincing demonstrations of thy Adoption and this Spirit it selfe witnesseth c. In the carrying on of this I shall shew 1. What this witnessing worke of the Spirit is 2. How the Spirit doth witnes to a soule its Adoption 3. Who are capable of attaining the witnessings of the Spirit 4. How a soule may know its injoyment of them 5. By what meanes a soule may attaine them CHAP. III. Of the witnessing worke of the Spirit or what it is for the Spirit to witnesse unto a soule its Adoption Qu 1. VVHat is this witnessing worke of the Spirit Or what is it for the Spirit to witnesse unto a soule its Adoption Answ It is a worke whereby the Spirit doth that towards the clearing up unto a soule of its Adoption that a witnes doth amongst men for the decision and determination of a matter dubious and uncertaine Now the use of a witnes is to give in evidence upon knowledge how the matter in question standeth purposely to ascertaine others thereof Deut. 19.15 Matth. 18.16 The end of witnessing is expressed to be that a matter may be established or confirmed and made to stand as firme and true by that record which is given in And hence Joh. 8.17 The testimony of two men is true i. e. is to be received as a sufficient evidence and may free from doubting It was certaine in it selfe before and by the testimony it is rendred certaine unto those that questioned it And when the Spirit by some operations doth what is equivalent unto this then is witnesseth The speakings of the Spirit are in a way sutable to it selfe who is the speaker and to the soule which is spoken to and therefore by operations not by voyce And the Spirit witnesseth 1. Objectively 2. Efficiently 1. Objectively when it affordeth such speciall operations as have an aptitude to ascertaine the soule of its Adoption There are some speciall and remarkeable Concurrences of the Spirit which by a due observation might manifest adoption and carry with them the force of affirmations and assertions thereof But many overlooke these evidences and will not heare what the Spirit saith unto them A soule may remaine without a knowledge of its Son-ship after the Spirit hath thus witnessed if its record be not received So Rev. 22.18 I testifie unto every man that heareth the words and yet every man to whom he speaketh this doe not beleeve what is asserted Joh. 3.11 Wee testifie and ye receive not our witnes It is but a testimony proposed or offered and is not effectual unlesse received And if nothing further were intended in the Text yet it were a Mine with much spiritual treasure layd up in it Severall things of great importance arise from this As 1. Hence a knowledge of Adoption is attaineable it is the very end of the Spirits witnessing to assure thereof It is not to render God more assured who are his Children he knoweth who are his Nor to make Adoption certaine in it selfe that must be before it can be witnessed But its scope drift and designe is to leave us assured or perswaded of it And that it should never attaine its end in this when it is so successull in other workes how unconceivable a thing is it 2. Hence it is a duty of great concernment to receive that testimony which the Spirit offereth may not the Spirit complaine unto many Christians as Christ did Joh. 3.11 So I have testified that you were the Children of God and you have not received my witnes Doubtles it is a sinfull neglect in those that are spoken to not no yeild attention unto the voyce of the Spirit which speaketh It is urged as a choyce duty and enforced by a powerful argument 1 Joh. 5 9. If ye receive the witnes of men how much more is a divine testimony to be received which is farre greater and it is the witnes of the Spirit he intendeth ver 6.8.10 Christians reckon it a small matter to deny the appearances of Gospell grace and to call the speciall operations of the Spirit delusions of Satan O but hereby you not onely hinder your owne peace comfort and establishment which might come in at that doore but which is farre worse you grieve the Spirit of God also Eph. 4.30 I may say to such as Isai 7.13 Is it a small thing for you to weary grieve and disquiet your owne Spirits but will you grieve the Spirit of my God also It s sad enough that carnal men deny attention to the voyce of the Spirit O let not Christians make it speake in vaine also or misse of its end in speaking to them But I suppose this is not all which the Text aymeth at or intendeth Therefore 2. The Spirit witnesseth efficiently it causeth the soule to conclude of its Adoption by its speakings to it As Calling doth often expresse not onely an Inviting to a participation of Gospel grace but the soules answering those Invitations which is effectual Calling Rom. 8.28.30 2 Thes 2.14 So witnessing expresseth an effectual efficacious witnessing And that this is intended in the Text may appeare 1. From the Context the scope of the Apostle is to give a knowledge of this who are in Christ so have
them And when the soule freely chooseth this compleate salvation above all other things and freely owneth the mediation of Christ as the means to it then blood is witnessing else not Psal 4. v. 6 7. 1 Cor. 2. v. 2. 6. From its being drawne out with such strength after the blood of Christ as it hath been after other things which undoubtedly the heart hath been set upon and had freedom for An unbeleevers utmost if he did come up to it is not the utmost of his heart because he is under prevailing engagements to fin and Satan and is like one in chaines A loving interposure of the Divine Spirit is necessary to make the heart free for Christ indeed Coloss 2.12 Act. 16.14 2 Corin. 3.5 Joh. 8.36 A man may in a slighty overly way deale with the blood of Christ not from terrours of Conscience but from a presumptuous freenes making a light matter both of finning and going to that for pardon of sin and such dallyance with the blood of Christ is despising in Gods account such must expect the sorest punishments in stead of great salvations Hebr. 10.29 No beleever but can see his heart was set upon something besides Christ before his beleeving Now if the blood of Christ be as attractive as other things have been and interruptions in its pursuance after that as burdensome grievous and afflictive to it as they were there Or if the drawings of that blood be stronger and more forcible then of any or all other things that it will leave all behinde it hath placed gaine in formerly to presse after that if that hath a commanding power of estate life and all then it is accepted with the heart and it is witnessing Phil. 3. v. 8 9.14 7. From its feeling the efficaciousnesse of that blood mens hearts are said to be sprinkled from an evil conscience by the blood of Christ Hebr. 10. v. 19.22 12.24 when spiritual enemies have brought in strong charges against a soule and if it might have followed its owne inclination it would have joyned with Satan against it selfe yet it hath been caused to oppose the blood of Christ in the free promise to all and thereby it was secured against all the roarings of the Law temptations of Satan that now they are all silenced their accusations are answered and a spiritual tranquillity and peace is established there And when the Lord hath thus given quietnes then as Job 34. v. 29. not sin nor Satan nor Conscience none can create trouble And thus I have discovered when the Spirit hath witnessed by Blood CHAP. XV. Shewing how a soule may know that the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption by Water Qu 3. HOw may a soule know that the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption by Water i.e. Sanctification Answ There are two parts of Sanctification either of which are witnessing 1. The separation of the heart frâ—â— sin or a freedome from the Dominion of sin Naturally the hearts of all men stand towards and are even destinated to the service of sin Rom. 6.17 but after beleeving the heart renounceth subjection to it There is in every faculty of the soule a new principle to oppose it In respect of this beleevers are said to be dead to sin Rom. 6.2 i.e. they are become unwilling and unapt to yeeld attention unto the motions of sin and liveles in the acting of it yea it hath it deaths wound in them All they that are in Christ have crucisied the flesh Gal. 5.24 Sin is become a sufferer in their soules by the death of Christ They are said to be free from sin Rom. 6. v. 18 22. and have a Divine promise that it shall not reigne or have Dominion over them v. 12.14 And that this doth witnes adoption see Rom. 6. v. 16 17. It is made a differencing thing of their two states And v. 22. Being made free from sin and become the servants of God ye have your fruit unto holines and the end everlasting life Rom. 8 13. 2. The Separation of the heart to Christ and to God the Father by him Act. 11. v. 21. 26. v. 20. Psal 4.3 And they are said to partake of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 To be new Creatures 2 Câ—r 5.16 because such new dispositions and inclinations are put into their soules as naturally were not there and are not the products of meerly naturall principles though improved to the height There is not barely an alteration but a worke of Creation else it were not a new Creature It is not barely a mutation or change of Qualities but a renovation all things are become new not as if nature were destroyed but perfected by the infusion of new habits into all the faculties of the soule which dispose them to moove Christ-ward There is new light let into the understanding Coloss 3.10 Renewed in knowledge And hence there is a discerning of that spirituall beautie excellencie and perfection in Divine things which others see not 1 Corin. 2.14 Coloss 1.9 There is a new inclination put into the will and affections which enableth them to put forth new acts upon new objects God and Christ and this by the operation of the Spirit Joh. 3. v. 5 6. And these habitual frames are called graces and are diversified and distinguished according to the various faculties of the soule and the varietie of wayes they act in and ends they drive at When these gracious dispositions are stirred up or strengthened to act upon Christ then graces are accounted to be exercised or encreased and these are called Sanctification 1 Corin. 1. v. 2. 6. v. 11. 1 Thess 5. v. 23. 1 Pet. 1.2 2 Thess 2.13 And these appearring in and to the soule doe witnesse adoption Gal. 5. v. 22 23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace He saith such are excluded the Kingdome of God as doe the workes of the flesh v. 21. And this v. 22. is added by way of Antithesis or opposition as the particle but doth intimate and so it is purposely to expresse who are interested in that kingdome viz. such as attaine those fruits of the Spirit and such as walke in the Spirit and are led by it either of which doe witnes Justification and Adoption Rom. 8.1.14 According to the parts of Sanctification so the Question must be divided into two CHAP. XVI Of separation of the heart from sinne and Adoption witnessed thereby foure distinctions about it Qu 1. HOw may a soule know that its heart is separated from sin or that sin hath not dominion over it and so that it is Adopted Before I answer directly to the Question I shall lay downe foure distinctions which may helpe weake doubting Christians as they will discover how farre there may be sin and yet one not be under the dominion of it There is a Difference Distinct 1. Between the indwelling of sin and the reigning of sin Paul was an eminent beleever and yet sin dwelt in him Rom. 7.17
a place of but little beautie glory or felicitie if Communion with God and Christ were not to be injoyed in it Others desire Christ onely for heaven he desireth heaven chiefly for Christ Naturall men are even drunke and swallowed up in Creature delights but the interest of Christ prevaileth with a gracious heart against all other interests He may be interrupted in his motion to Christ in particular acts but he is the prime principall object his soule is moved and bent towards set and fixed upon and given up to Rom. 8.5 Phil. 3.20 Coloss 1.18 1 Pet. 2.7 Col. 3.11 Christ is all and in all Other-things are as nothing to him if Christ be not injoyed in them he is all in all injoyments all in all inlargements all in all duties all in all comforts Others apprehend that Christ it better then the gnawings of an accusing conscience better then the company of damned Spirits better then flames but they see no such beautie or excellency in Christ as should make him best or all in all here on earth They can verbally owne Christ as superlatively excellent but practitally they deny it And they know not Christ in those spirituall excellencies which advance him in the eyes of Saints Take him as cloathed with bolines and appearing against sin c. and they preferre other things that are base and low before him The following particulars will further discover when Christ is all in all 2. From his spending his highest desires and endevours after attaining Communion with God in Christ when the heart is set upon Christ or turned Christ-ward it cannot stand still without him it must be waiting for him and enquiring after him with utmost diligence Cant. 3.3 Saw ye not him whom my soule loveth Psal 130.5 6. Phil. 3.14 3. From his willingnes to part with all other things at Christs Call or for his sake Luk. 14.26.33 Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath Mark 8.35 10. v. 29. he cannot be my Disciple Matth. 10.37 He that loveth father or mother more then me is not worthy of me 4. From the carriage of his heart under his withdrawings when these procure such heart-sicknesses as can be cured no way but by his returnings to it Cant. 5. v. 6.8 Tell him I am sick of love When the feare of hell is not upon them yet O the sighings sobbings cryings faintings of love-sicke soules for Christ's presence No quiet or satisfaction without him Like the childe that nothing can still but the breast so nothing can fill up Christs roome in the soule It reckoneth it selfe empty in the midst of fulnes without him It is resolved for ever to goe in widdow-hood if he will not owne it as his Spouse This argueth a Consent of heart to the Match and so a marriage union between Christ and the soule 5. From his injoyment of the leadings of the Spirit these are a certaine infallible evidence of Adoption to all that have them Rom. 8.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God CHAP. XX. Of the soules Enjoying the leadings of the Spirit and when Qu VVHen doth a soule enjoy the leadings of the Spirit Answ 1. When a Complyance with the will of Christ becometh naturall to the soule as there is a propensitie in light things to moove upward and in heavie things to moove downward so in the soule to moove Christ-ward Suppose there were no wrath as the Consequences of disobedience nor no reward as the effect of Gospell obedience yet the sweetnes of the wayes themselves the respect it oweth to the will of Christ would be as the heart unto an owning of Christ therein Psal 119.30.173 I have chosen the way of truth c. And v. 35. for therein I delight So Rom. 7.22 Rom. 8. v. 1 2. For the law of the Spirit of life hath made me free from the law of sin and death Carnall men in their hearts call a libertie for sin freedome but such as are indeed freed from condemnation and walke after the Spirit they call this their libertie to be free for Christ and from the law of sin and reckon obligations to sin the greatest bondage and thraldome in the world The Spirit raiseth an admirable freenes in the soule to walke in the wayes of Christ 2 Corin. 3.17 Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is libertie And hence the Spirit of Adoption is opposed unto the Spirit of bondage Rom. 8.15 A man may exercise himselfe in the externall part of all duties that a Christian is engaged to and yet be without the leadings of the Spirit He may have many carnal enforcements hereunto but unlesse there be a libertie of heart to these wayes that he would not but be imployed in them and accounteth it a high favour from the Lord that he will use him in any services for himselfe and findeth more delectation in these then in any other wayes that it becometh even meate and drinke to him to doe the Lord service and it is a matter of great complaint and lamentation that he can doe no more for the Lord that he findeth a backwardnes in himselfe or any contrary principles which seek to obstruct and hinder his following the Lord in his wayes Rom. 7.22 23. Then he injoyeth the leadings of the Spirit 2. When it hath corroborations or assistances against those impediments that would hinder it in walking in the wayes of Christ or the Spirit leadeth by remooving these Carnal men wonder that any should complaine for want of strength unto duties they can easily come up to them But it ariseth partly from Satans not molesting them in the performance of duty because they looke not beyond the externall part of it they strive not to act in a right manner or for right ends or because they are insensible of the working of corruption when yet it doth act But a gracious heart findeth that if it be not strengthened by a power beyond its owne it cannot act any grace or performe any duty in an acceptable way to the Lord and hence the Apostle prayeth Ephes 3.16 That they might be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man Israel is said to be led by the Spirit of the Lord. Isai 63. v. 11 12 13 14. And how doth he lead them it is by dividing the water before them and keeping them that they should not stumble i.e. the Lord threw up and remooved impediments out of their way and took away what might cause them to fall and this was his leading of them So if thou hast been eagerly pursued by Satan and he hath raged against thee like a Lyon spoyled of his whelpes that thou wert beset with temptations and did'st finde many and strong lustings of the flesh to hinder thy following of the Lord Christ in the wayes of his appointment And if such mountaines have been made plaines and corruption borne downe when thou hast found thy heart
against us under tryals and tribulations but we have gotten ground of our corruptions our pride discontent not onely after distresses but in them and so we are more then Conquerours i. e. we have come off not onely without losse but with much gaine Conquerours win the field but they loose much in winning of it many valiant men fall in the battell O but Christians gaine in their graces and gaine in their strength and gaine in their comforts as their sufferings abound so their consolations abound also and so they are more then Conquerours Object But may not a delusion so engage a man to it selfe as he may suffer much before he will disown it may not a man look death in the face with a carnall confidence Answ Suppose it yet it is not the engagednes of the heart to Christ by sights of his love or the endearance of his will name and glory to it or the tasting sweetnes in Communion with Christ c. that beare up against sufferings but a soule under the witnessings of the Spirit is raised above his troubles and afflictions upon such accounts Rom. 8.35.39 Phil. 3.8 For whom I have suffered the losse of all things Carnal confidences are not at first built and bottomed upon Christ and are at present sed and supported by securitie disregard stupidity stout-heartednes will desire to be accounted immoveable and unwillingnes to owne the shame of former hypocrifie and such carnall props beare it up and engage to adhere unto it under sufferings which are enough to evidence it to be a delusion Evid 8. The witnessings of the Spirit beget a perswasion in the soule of the Lords affording it sutable provision for it at all times and in all conditions before it went drooping under feares that it should want protecting grace under dangers and supporting grace under sufferings and persevering grace under tryals it feared that it should not hold out to the end and was mistrusting God in every condition but when the Spirit hath witnessed adoption then it is delivered from all these feares it can say with him Psal 23.1 I shall not want when it can say the Lord is my Shepheard This engageth strongly against mistrust fulnesse which formerly it gave much way to and striketh a deeper sence into the soule of its unbeleife then it had that it cannot but recall it self it said before I shall want when it could not say I do want It s mistrust run before its necessity But now it unsayeth it and chicketh it selfe for it yea it runneth as far forward in its saith as before it did in its unbeleife It doth not onely say I do not want in the present time but I shall not want for the future Though I should be afflicted tempted persecuted c. yet I shall not want Paul could argue himselfe into a confidence of sufficient provision when he saw that nothing should seperate from Christ Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his Son how shall he not with him give us all things i.e. all things needfull in all conditions not all things in the world but enough of all things grace enough and peace enough strength enough wealth enough c. this is his collection from that premise and how shall he not c it is an interogation that imports that seing he spared not Christ the greater it is out of question he will not be sparing in other blessings which are farre lesser Evid 9. The witnessings of the Spirit make the soule exceedingly vigilant against whatever might occasion an interruption in its communion with Christ the most glorious revelations are followed oftentimes with the most horrid and violent temptations as 2 Cor. 12.8 9. Matth. 3. v. 16 17. The Spirit descended and a full testimony is given v. 17. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased And the next newes is Mat. 4.1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit to be tempted Question not a testimony barely because you finde varietie of new temptations after it unless it disposeth you to yeeld and consent to them and occasion their prevailing over you These you are to look for and expect after such a time But if the Spirit be the witnes it will make you watchful against these Gant 8.4 I charge ye stirre not up nor awake my love untill he please She was very fearfull of whatsoever might displease him And when was it v. 3. when shes injoyed left-hand supportments and right-hand imbracings from Christ Soules are double watchfull against whatsoever might interrupt their Communion with Christ after a full fruition of it Evid 10. The witnessings of the Spirit draw out earnest expectations of full communion with Christ the soul is so ravished with what it doth injoy that it is even swallowed up with desires after full injoyments of it One that formerly was under bondage through the feare of death now knoweth not almost how to be content to live any longer but is forced into that holy complaint 2 Cor. 5.7 I live by faith and not by sight A life of faith is a glorious life and yet at such a day it cannot but bemoane it selfe for its want of sight it groaneth earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon and this is the matter of its lamentation that it is absent from the Lord v. 2.6 Christ is present with the Saints by faith in this life but their Communion here admits of many interruptions There are recesses as well as accesses They are subject to withdrawings and seeming distances and nothing but immediate Communion will afford them a fulnesse of contentment and therefore with a holy impatiency they desire to be dissolved that they may be with Christ which is best of all And thus I have finished these Secondary Evidences which may be usefull 1. For Direction to such as injoy the testimony of the Spirit here they may see what improvement they are to make thereof 2. For confirmation unto those that have injoyed a testimonie which hath been followed up these ways let them beware of questioning it And the want of these or many of them as the issue of such a perswasion especially if the confidence remaineth still it a dangerous symptome of a Satanicall delusion CHAP. XXII Foure Objections answered BEfore I leave this question I shall answer foure Objections Obj. 1. May a soule say I have had some feeble hopes that I have enjoyed the witnessings of the Spirit in some of those wayes aforementioned but seeing Satan counterfeiteth the choice workes of the Spirit and the Prophet saith The heart of man is deceitfull above all things who can know it Jer. 17.9 How should I know that I have passed a right judgement on my owne condition and am not mistaken Answ The Spirit by the word doth give an infallible assurance unto soules that its testimony is true It is ascertained unto souls 1. By the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.10.12 Rom. 8.16 1 Joh. 5.9 10. 2. By the Word that is the
touch-stone or rule for tryall see Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them 1 Cor. 14.37 If any man thinketh himselfe a Prophet or spirituall let him acknowledg that the things I write unto you are the Commandments of the Lord. Act. 17.11 Though the Spirit doth give evidence to it selfe especially in the more immediate way of witnessing and acteth so irresistibly as the soule whil'st that work continueth cannot be otherwise perswaded yet all the improvements of this immediate testimonie are to be tryed by the written Word of God i. e. both that faith which receiveth it and those effects that follow it or those operations it hath in and upon the soule and the ends it aimeth at If these be not according to the Gospel account it a delusion though the perswasion be very strong Isa 8.20 Gal. 1. v. 7 8. 6. v. 16. It is dangerous with Zacharias from an unbeleeving suspition upon non Scripturall grounds to doubt yet it is a duty with Mary for information to enquire How shall I know Luk. 1.18 19 20.34 35 38. Though your confidences continue yet you are to weigh them afterward in the ballance of the Sanctuary But that I may clearly resolve the doubt I shall proceed by these steps 1. A power of judgement and discerning or a certaine knowledge whither any and what workes have passed upon the heart is attaineable and ordinarily granted unto soules This may appear 1. From the Lords requiring selfe-examination 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whither you be in the faith prove your selves Now what is that but to looke into the heart and take a surveigh of that purposely to gaine a knowledg what the state is This duty cannot be performed with fruit or advantage if there were not a possibility to be ascertained by enquiring what the soule hath mett withall and so the end of it would be lost so 1 Cor. 11.31 The knowledge of the heart is necessarily required to make water or blood effectually witnessing for without that there is no ground for an act of judgement to passe upon 2. From clear Scriptures 1 Cor. 2. v. 12.15 The Spirituall man judgeth all things Ezek 16. v. 61. 1 Cor. 14.25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest 3. From Experience Christians that at some times through temptation are ready to deny such dispensations of God towards them yet at other times can make large narrations of many passages they have met withall They can declare how and in what manner the Word hath wrought within them and yet such soules under miserable questionings of their interest in Christ still It is out of doubt with them and they are beyond questioning whither they have been under such workings or no but here they sticke they know not wither these be witnessings or not Beware therefore of harbouring any imagination that either the deceitfulnesse of thy own heart or the counterfeit workings of Satan should render it impossible for thee to attaine a knowledge of thy owne heart or of what workes have passed upon that This conceit raised by Satan keepeth many a soule on this side Assurance a great while 2. The works that have passed upon thy heart being discerned thou mayest examine and measure them by the written word whither they be speciall or common if thou be'st ready to doubt and question whither these be sufficient to testifie adoption or not by renewed recourses to the Word thou mayest finde what they are whether they be such as that calleth graces or not c. It is said of the Chymicks that they will so counterfeit gold that no touch-stone can discover it Satan hath a great deale of Chymistry he hath many things like graces as faith hope humility c. which are not those graces and therefore it behoveth the most confident soules often to try their grounds and here is a touchstone the written word that will never faile this will discover his most glistring counterfeit coyne 3. A knowledge or reall discerning that those speciall workes have passed upon the heart is enough to render infallibly assured of the Spirits witnessing or may give a certainty that a right judgement is passed upon the condition You may undoubtedly know that it is the Spirit which witnesseth if you can clearly see know or finde that those workes are wrought in your hearts which are warranted in the written word to be witnessing for the Spirit onely can create them there and hence they are called fruits of the spirit Gal. 5.22 This is a great perplexing thing to many a Saint could it but see that the Spirit were the author of a work that it hath been under then it could conclude of its Adoption from it whereas there are common workes of the Spirit which a Saul a Judas a reprobate may have and therefore barely the proceeding from the Spirit is not enough But it is necessary to know that the work thou hast experience of is a testimony as well as that the Spirit is the agent There are many workes of the Spirit which cannot be denominated testimonies of Adoption Now for the Spirit to bear witnesse plainly importeth these two things 1. The giving of a testimony 2. That the Spirit is the giver of it If thou best wrought into a perswasion of Adoption by the application of a word there is a testimony and if thou can'st finde that the Spirit hath raised this that is sufficient And if blood be so applyed as it is warranted to be a witnes and so for Water then the knowledge that they come from the Spirit with that is evidencing When works are of such a nature as they doe witness adoption it was my scope and drift to discover in the foregoing Questions In those I have endeavoured to difference the speciall workes of the Spirit from those counterfeit works whereby Satan and mens own treachourous hearts do prevaile to the deceiving of them As the Spirit doth evidence its owne presence in the immediate way of witnessing so the speciall nature and Qualitie of the workes themselves may ascertaine thee that they come from the Spirit in the testimony of Water and Blood If thou can'st descry those operations within thy selfe they may assure thee that the Spirit is their Author and that thy heart hath not deceived thee in thy Conclusions about thy Adoption and hence 1 Joh. 5.10 He that beleiveth hath the witnesse within himselfe Some might enquire How shall we know that the Spirit and none else is the Witnes to us the Apostle answereth He that beleiveth beleeving doth evidence the inhabitation of the Spirit If the grounds of thy judgement be certaine then the act of thy judgement must needs be infallible that is true or false according to the truth or falsenesse of the grounds The act cannot be tryed without another act of judgement so there would be no end and
things proceeded from the Divine Spirit and were not Delusions of Satan Answ 1. I know it was of God by the evidence the Spirit did give of it selfe in its owne testimonie 2. By Gods faithfulnesse in his promise 3. There was then given me a review of my former experiences of the Lords workings in reference unto Conversion and of passages since and I had a certainty of all those workes that they were true and from the Spirit 4. My weaknes in naturall parts and incapacitie of my selfe for such things doth make it conspicuous that all this is from the Lord. 5. By the Effects which this worke hath produced upon me I am since looking for participations and fruitions of Christ and seeking for Sanctification and transformations and this is my busines and I finde corruption is not prevalent as before but so soone as I goe to the Lord Christ for transformations I have them Experiences of J. M. Concerning beleeving 1. BEing in a great streight not knowing which way to get out it pleased God to cast my eye upon a promise which was sutable to my present streight yet did I not finde such lively strength in it as to deliver me but I was enabled to lay my condition and the promise together downe at the feet of the Lord and found much quietnes of Spirit thereupon 2. Being once troubled about the difficulty of beleeving I had such a hint as this that I should view the promise i. e. looke againe and againe and venture upon it it may be I shall not speed in obtaining that which the promise holdeth out to me yet however I will as duty injoyneth me it being the great Commandement to beleeve put it to the tryall and stay upon it abide and continue to roule and repose the whole weight of all my wants upon the promise and I saw plainly that though I did so yet I did miscarry As 1. I looked at the matter of the promise more then upon the promiser ex gr I looked at comfort and deliverance that should come in by the promise more then at Christ himselfe 2. I did come desirous to obtaine what the promise held out yet was not thankfull for what I had already received as in this promise I will take away the stony heart and give you an heart of flesh I came to the promise as one that had nothing at all of it and it pleased the Lord to suffer such a frame of heart upon me as I apprehended my heart was altogether stony hereby shewing me my evill for I should have blessed God for any measure of softnes of heart which he had bestowed on me 3. I came to the promise in my owne strength I had this apprehension as God hath given the promise so the Spirit of promise also to apply it and going to it I should as a poore empty nothing creature look in the strength of the Spirit to apply it I have found that whil'st I have been beleeving a quiet waiting Gods time for the performance of promises and not making such hast as the unquietnes and over-eager hastines of my Spirit hath put me upon at other times 3. I have had such a sight of God as to make the creature and all its power rage actings c. to be as nothing 4. I have been for a time as bold as a Lion and have not met with such failings of heart as at other times 5. Hearing a Christian in private utter these words faith worketh by love I had a very sweet apprehension that our faith eying the sweet love of the Father and the deare tender love of the Son did gather strength thence and worke effectually by the strength of that love 6. Being brought to a great stand by reason of the actings of some corruptions in me and almost beaten off from beleeving that was brought to minde with comfort and encouragement to the worke of faith Joseph went and asked the body of Christ boldly so I should venture by beleeving on a crucified Christ 7. At another time being exceedingly low by reason of some corruptions breaking forth I came into the society of some godly people and hearing one in prayer mention this concerning Christs Intercession If there were one moment wherein the people of God were not presented to the Father in the blood of Christ it were very sad with them I found faith recovering a little hence as one that hath received a wound doth begin to recover out of the swouning fitt it cast him into 8. Soone after my faith being as it were a bleeding and languishing it was thus revived my thoughts are not your thoughts nor my wayes your wayes I had an extraordinary light into that Scripture at that time which did set me a breathing after the Lord. 9. Being once through extraordinary buffetings of Satan brought to such extremity that I fell into such kinde of thoughts as these were it not better for me to give over and never minde any thing of God more is it a duty for me to beleeve should I not be in great peace if I did at once cast off all This came to relieve me If need be ye are in heavines for a moment Now you have sorrow but I will see you againe and ye shall rejoyce and your joy shall no man take from you Thus was my faith a little revived againe The very next day I was more sadly set upon then ever and then this consideration Abraham beleeved God upon the greatdst disadvantages and so gave glory to God so ought I now and hereby a way was made for my escape Concerning Temptation I being sadly tempted and finding Satan buffeting me violently partly upbraiding me for former sins and partly putting me on to sin I was in great perplexity insomuch that I was constrained to cry out by reason of the bitternes of my soule and also to call in the helpe of a Christian friend to pray with me he was much affected with my condition himselfe having been under such temptations I would have beleeved but could not I would have put away thoughts of temptation but could not the temptation grew stronger and stronger my heart was broken by reason of sorrow yet for a time marvellously kept up to strive I saw I could not hold out and was ready to yeeld and give over the combat But I found the Lord coming in for my helpe in a needfull time when I was without strength I apprehended the power of Christ very sensibly set against the power of the Devill and he began to give ground I had sustained many hundred charges concerning the odious nature of my sinne and the sad curse denounced against the same After a little retreate of the enemy I began to take a little boldnes but never with more trembling and despairing in my selfe or more cleaving to Christ as a Conquerour I could then truely say my rejoycing is in another and I have no confidence in the flesh And 1. I