these things a may be or may not be in a conjectural uncertainty is all they arrive unto however they do not follow home the light and perswasions they have alas did souls seriously think of this that as sure as they are men or women as certainly as they eat and drink work and sleep so certainly there is a God a Christ grace pardon guilt Heaven Hell which they must very shortly feel this could not but have a strange influence upon their hearts and lives their affections and conversations oh what persons should Saints be if they lived under the through impressions and convictions of the certainty of divine revelations It were a blessed effect if all the Treatises that have of late been writ might convince this prophane and Atheistical world of the certainty of Christianity many have travelled much in this with good success several ancient writers as Clemens Polycarpus Vid. Scultit med patrum Justinus Martyr Tatianus Iraeneus Athenagoras Tertullian have proved by demonstrative arguments the truth of Christian Religion against Jews Heathens c. and Grotius Morney of late and at this day Baxter Stillingfleet c. have put their sickle into this Harvest from whom the Church hath reaped precious fruit I pretend neither to the Learning or Authority of those famous Worthies but insist only upon the Sure Mercies of the Covenant as a poor Superstructure upon those Solid Foundations it was the design of Luke the Evangelist in Writing his Gospel to the noble and excellent Theophilus that he might be assured of the certainty of those things wherein he had been instructed Luk. 1.4 such a design have I in this small piece Oh that some might stand out and say as the Disciples now we are sure that thou knowest all things by this we believe that thou comest forth from God Joh. 16.30 oh sirs stick not in an uncertain conjecture arrive at a full assurance of understanding to the acknowledging of the mysterie of God Col. 2.2 pray for the spirit of Revelation that you may both know the certainty of Gospel-mysteries and mercies and your own interest therein that you may both be strong in faith and full of comfort advance higher daily in embracing unseen things rest not in a sceptical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Philosophical dubitation but strive to arrive at an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or firm demonstration rest your souls upon Divine Testimonies as to the object of faith and commit your souls to him in believing and well-doing for evidence of your state Remember that choice word Hos 6.3 then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord his going forth is prepared as the morning and he shall come unto us as the rain as the latter and former rain unto the earth that this and all other soul-helps may accomplish this great end of your edification consolation and salvation shall be the earnest Prayer of Your Soul-friend and Servant in Christ June 3. 1670. The Contents of the Book CHAP. I. THe Context and exposition of the words 1 Several Doctrines raised one insisted on 6 CHAP. II. What are the mercies of the Covenant 9 1. The parties covenanting 11 2. The consideration paid 12 3. The conditions required which are four 14 4. The graunt that 's God himself 15 1. What God is to the soul in four things 19 2. What God graunts to it 20 CHAP. III. In what respects these mercies are sure 26 1. Infallibility 28 2. Immutability 30 CHAP. IV. What ways God takes to make them sure 33 1. Passing his word ib. 2. Putting it into writing 34 3. Calling in witnesses ib. 4. Setting to his seal 35 5. A solemn oath 36 6. Giving a pledge 37 7. Doing a great part of the work 38 8. Confirmation by miracles 40 9. Singular ways of reporting them 41 10. Marriage knot made from Hos 2.19.43 CHAP. V. How these mercies are made sure in and by Christ viz. by 47 1. His hypostatical union ib. 2. His spiritual Vnction 49 3. The Covenant of redemption 50 4. The execution of his offices 53 As Prophet Priest King 54 In his state of Humiliation 55 Exaltation 56 Resurrection ib. Ascention 57 Session ib. Intercession 59 CHAP. VI. 1Vse of Confutation 63 1. Atheists ib. 2. Papists as to 1. Merit 67 2. Assurance 70 2. Arminians as to 1. Vniversal Redemption 72 2. Final Apostasie 75 4. Socinians concerning Christs satisfaction 76 CHAP. VII 2. Vse of instruction 1. In the difference betwixt the two Covenants 79 In this see 1. Gods grace and mercy ib. 2. His infinite wisdom 82 2. The difference betwixt Covenant and Common mercys 85 1. In the Fountain 86 2. In the dimensions ib. 3. In the operations 88 4. In the duration Of both 90 3. In the difference betwixt gifts graces 93 1. In their Original 94 2. In their Nature 95 3. In their Retinue ib. 4. In their Ends and Effects 96 4. See the Truth of Christian Religion 98 CHAP. VIII 3Vse Of Examination 104 1. Whether we have accepted God as our God 106 2. Whether we have given up our selves to him 109 1. Really 110 2. Readily 112 3. Resolvedly 114 4. Vnreservedly 116 i. e. Totally Finally 3. Whether we have new-covenant dispositions which are such as these viz. 1. Saving illumination 120 2. Law writ in our hearts 122 3. One heart one way 123 4. The fear of God 125 5. Sanctification 126 6. A new Heart Spirit 128 7. A soft Heart 129 8. Spiritual Obedience 131 4. Try by the nature of these sure mercies which are 1. Transforming Mercies 133 2. Comforting Mercies 134 3. Raising Mercies 135 4. Inlarging Mercies 136 CHAP. IX 4. Vse of Conviction 1. Of Sinners 1. They are under a sure sentence of wrath 138 2. Not sure to be a moment out of Hell 142 3. Their mistake will aggravate their state 144 4. The nature of these mercies Tormenting 145 2 Conviction is of Saints 1. They indent with God 149 2. They compound about these mercies 150 3. They live not upon them 152 4. They live not up to them 155 Walking 1. Vnholily 156 2. Vnsteadily 157 3. Vncomfortably 159 4. Vnfruitfully 162 Bringing forth small and sour fruits ib. CHAP. X. 5Vse of Exhortation Look after interest in these sure mercies pressed by Motives 166 1. Nothing else can be made sure 167 2. Else common mercies are accursed 168 3. Else choicest duties are not accepted 169 4. Else you can have no solid ground of peace 171 5. These render every state safe 173 6. These mercies influence our spirits 174 7. These bring the soul to Heaven 175 Children of godly Parents exhorted to embrace Covenant-mercies by two Arguments 177 CHAP. XI 6Vse is of Direction referring to four heads 1. What is a soul to do to get interest in these mercies 1. Make a strict enquiry into your state 185 2. Work on your hearts the mysterie of merciless state 186 3. Be thankful for not content with
be the teacher he makes apt and able nimble and notable Scholars Oh Christians see and try your learning enquire who is your master 2. Another disposition like this or indeed a fruit of the former is God's writing his Law in our hearts Jer. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 10.16 he promiseth to put his Law into their inward parts and write it in their hearts so that as Talley answers to Talley Indenture to Indenture Face to Face so the heart shall eccho and answer to the Word of God and feel something within his own bosome that joynes issue with the word without so that a gracious soul can now say with Paul Rom. 7.12 16. I consent to the Law that it is good whatever I be the commandment is holy just and good a carnal heart riseth up in Rebellion against the word and secretly loaths a spiritual command and could wish it even razed out of the Bible that it might sin more freely but a gracious soul loves that word best that restrains corruption most and binds it closest in new obedience hence saith David thy word is very pure therefore thy servant loves it Psal 119.140 Praestâ—a â—i cor tuum molle tractabile custodi figuram quae te figuravit Artifex habens in semetipso humorem ne induratus amittas vestigia digitorum ejus Iraen advers Haer. lib. 4. prop. fin the stricter the Word is the better I love it I would have the Law of God restrain the exorbitancies of my heart and life it doth me good to be kept in for I have a wild and wayward heart Oh how glad am I of a word that searcheth curbeth and cutteth off my extravagant branches I willingly fall under it and bless God for it as one of the greatest mercies of my life can you say thus when there is a controversie betwixt a pinching word and a repining lust whether do you vote for which do you give your voice for and plead on the behalf of can you not take God's part and the words part against a naughty deceitful heart or do you pick quarrels with the statutes of Heaven when you should obey it Ah sirs try your selves in this and if you find that you have a counterpane of Gods Word within you a transcript of this blessed Copy in your hearts then are you within the Covenant 3. God promiseth to give his people in Covenant with him one heart and one way Jer. 32.39 this imports both an oneness of heart within it self and also an oneness of heart with other Saints before Conversion the heart was divided and distracted betwixt various objects God must have part Satan part sin part and the world another part of the heart but now the soul gives it self wholly to God as I have opened hence David prays unite my heart to fear thy name Psal 86.11 or make my heart one a real Saint is fully intirely universally given up to God but of this before likewise the Covenant of Grace makes Christians unanimous hence it is that as soon as souls have given up themselves to God they essay to joyn themselves to their fraternity Act. 9.26 and unite with the Society of sincere believers hence the primitive Saints were together with one accord Act. 2.46 cap. 4.32 yea they were of one heart and of one soul as the Curtains of the Tabernacle were coupled with loops so were Christians with love hence you hear so often mention made of fellowship in the Gospel Phil. 1.5 Eph. 2.21 and Gods Children are compared to a building fitly framed together by the cement of the Spirit yea to members of the body with relation to the head Col. 2.19 from whom i.e. Christ the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted Ephes 4.16 Well then sirs are you united and become one with the rest of the Saints though you cannot attain to a oneness in judgement in every lesser truth about Discipline c. yet are you one with them in heart and affection Yea of one judgement and way with them in main material points of doctrine and practice having one Lord Eph. 4.3 4 5. one faith one Baptism endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace cannot you say to others come let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant Jer. 50.4 5. that shall not be forgotten are not your hearts glad when you see any come in and Worship the Lord how stand your â—earts affected towards such as fear God â—re you of one heart with them can you â—heerfully walk in one way with them as â—our sweetest companions is your chief â—ontent in these truly excellent ones then â—ou are in Covenant 4. The fear of God is a gracious disposition promised to new-covenant Converts Jer. 32.40 I will saith God Job 28 28. put my fear â—n their hearts that they shall not depart from â—e this fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and 't is often put for all Religion it is a holy reverential awefulness wrought in a believers heart whereby through a serious sense of Gods glorious Majesty and tender mercy the soul is afraid â—o offend God and careful to please him as â— Child is his Father by a conscientious obedience to all Gods commands I cannot stand to open this fully but bring you to the â—est Christians doth the fear of God posâ—ess and seize upon your spirits doth it make you men of truth hating covetousness Exod. 28.21 Heb. 12.28 doth it ingage your souls to serve him with reverence and godly fear doth it make you afraid of his threatnings Prov. 3 7. Psaâ— 5.7 fearful to offend him careful to please him do you worship him in his fear Prov. 14.26 Prov. 23.17 Mat. 10 28. Phil. 2.12 Isa 66.2 Isa 50.11 doth it make you run to him as your hope and confidence are your souls in the fear of the Lord all the day long doth the fear of God cast out the slavish fear of men doth it make you work out your salvation with fear and trembling doth it make you tremble at his word and willing to obey the voice of his servants doth it keep you humble self-denying from being proud high-minded Rom. 11.20 Rev. 14.7 Act 10.35 Prov. 14.16 do you fear God and give glory to him in seeing his works in a word do you fear God and work righteousness fear God and hate wickedness is it thus with your souls lay your hand upon your heart and seriously answer these questions I know you 'l all say you have the fear of God but whether hath it these Prophecies and one word more whence springs this fear of God doth it flow not only from the apprehension of God's Majesty and strict justice but from the sence of his free-grace and goodness so God saith in Hos 3.5 they shall fear the Lord and his goodness so saith David Psal 130.4 there is mercy with thee that thou
Lord hath taken to assure thee of these mercies so that unbelief is the most unreasonable sin in the World Joh. 3.19 this is the great damning sin say not with Cain thy sins are greater than can be forgiven for thou lyest in saying so is not the mercy of an infinite God beyond the demerits of a finite creature nay further thou givest God the lye who is truth it self he saith there 's life for dead condemned sinners in his Son 1 Joh. 5.10 11. thou saist no but I have been to seek and I want life but there 's none for me yes yes soul there 's life enough for thee grace abounds and you may have this life in abundance only shut not out your selves by unbelief but come to him and he will in no wise cast you off for he is ready to forgive your iniquities and give you these sure mercies 3. In case of persecutions afflictions temptation from Satan the World or any other ways you may then improve these Covenant-mercies and find abundance of sweetness solace and satisfaction therein were it not for these the soul of a child of God would sink under his pressures how often doth David profess that he had perished in his affliction Psal 119. did not Gods word of promise support him a Covenant-word will lift up the soul from the lowest depth a Covenanted God will incourage a Saint in the greatest straits there is a Divine art in a Christians improving this â—tock to his best advantage and affliction â—s a proper season to make use thereof as suppose a man be in poverty there 's enough â—n the Covenant to make him rich if in disgrace Covenant-mercies make him honourable if sick one Covenant-mercy even pardon of sin will make him sound Isa 33. Dei hominem cultoâ—em Dei subnixum spei veritate fidei stabilitate fundatum â—gat mandi buâ—us seâ—uli in testatioâ—ibus commoveri vid. Cypr. tractaâ— cont Demetr p. 273. 〈◊〉 in Prison Covenant-mercies set him at â—iberty if hungry or thirsty why Covenant-mercies are meat and drink to him if derived of relations still Covenant-mercy makes up that loss and lets the soul see â—etter relations in Heaven Oh Christians our case can never be forlorn as long as â—u have such rich mercies of the Covenant to support and supply you let all the â—en of earth set themselves against you â—ey can but storm the out-works they can â—ver surprize your main Fort or rob you 〈◊〉 your best goods these mercies of the Covenant which are made sure to you by a Covenant of salt oh hug and embrace these mercies in such a time as this when trade decays your stock is safe in a plundering time none can pluck away your treasure and estate you have something that all the Devils in Hell and Men on Earth cannot deprive you of troubles will but knock these mercies into your breasts more firmly and feelingly then deprive you of them or render you suspicious of your interest in them for these are seasons wherein God communicates most of himself to the soul Gen. 28.13 Jacob's sad and solitary journey was attended with the choicest heart-reviving discoveries Heaven was opened and God shined upon blessed Stephen's soul through a showr of Stones Act. 7.55 Oh Christians 't is worth a World to have interest in God in the day of affliction and 't is your great work in such a day to bear up your hearts with what you have in the Covenant of grace take heed of discontented murmurings under any tryals since you have a God that can and will be all in all to your souls in the want of all comforts and over-flowing of sorrows 4. You may improve these Covenant mercies in a day of spiritual dearth in thâ— famine of the Word which is the sad desâ— judgement when Means Ordinances failâ— and the soul is in great danger of pining then 't is both safe and sweet to suck growtâ— and strength from the spring-head eveâ— from God in a Covenant-way these mercies nourish the languishing soul in a famishing season Isa 41.17 18. when the poor and needy seek water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them I the God of Israel will not forsake them I will open Rivers in high places and Fountains in the midst of the Valleys I will make the Wilderness a Pool of water and streams in the Desart and dry Land springs of Water Oh blessed are Covenanted souls they have meat to eat others know not of hidden Manna God hath ways to convey Marrow and Fatness into their souls when their ordinary provision is kept from them I Read of a man that was condemned to starve to death in Prison his Daughter getting leave to visit him once a day yet not permitted to bring food notwithstanding preserved his life a long time by the Milk which he sucked out of her Breasts Oh how doth God preserve the souls of his Children in Prisons by that good nourishment they suck from God in the breasts of the Promises he keeps them alive in famine bread shall be given them their waters shall be sure Isa 33.16 yea he makes affliction and adversity both bread and water wholesome food therefore called in Scripture Isa 30.20 the bread of adversity and water of affliction because souls are bravely nourished thereby Ordinances may for a season be removed but influences of grace are still conveyed grace is supported the soul supplyed as long as the spring remains free for a Christians access he shall be provided for though the Chanel be stopt streams cut off and outward means much obstructed therefore Christians when the word of the Lord is precious and there is little open vision make your addresses immediately to God see what he will speak to your souls own him in Covenant-relation lay your souls at his feet and tell him that you are cast in a thirsty Wilderness your graces are withering and hearts failing tell him you can scarce meet with an instrument to receive a word of council or comfort from but ask him if he cannot supply without as well as by the means tell him he sometimes stops the Conduit that he may convince us where our refreshment lyes and whither we must have recourse for fresh supplys tell him when you enjoyed the means they could not work without him and now you want them he can work without them though he hath tyed us to the means yet he hath not tyed himself to them tell him once again that the more immediate his Conveyances are the more evidential they are and the sweeter emblems of Heaven 5. In your backslidings and fears of apostacy then oh then improve these mercies of the new Covenant you fall and miscarry and lose your hold of God but God hath hold of you you dare not venture to approach to him again Jer. 3.12 13. but he calls and tells you he will
heal your backsliding will not cause his anger to fall upon you because he is marryed to you and he hates putting away the mercies of the Covenant depend not on your mutable wills but upon everlasting love your souls are carryed to Heaven in the Chariot of the Covenant which moves upon the solid Axle-tree of free-grace which as it was not procured so is it not continued by your merits or goodness 't is true if you had carryed the matter so towards men as you have done to God you might expect an heavy sentence but these are the sure mercies of an infinite God the Covenant is made in Christ and made good by Christ the Alpha and Omega the Amen the faithful and true witness is the Surety and Mediator of this blessed Covenant Oh Christians lay your stress here there 's help laid upon one that is mighty to save he can save to the uttermost pinch he is good at this soul-saving work do not fear he that begun this good work in your hearts will perfect it you may be confident of it 1 Pet. 1.5 Rom. 14 4. Jer. 32. you shall be kept by the power of God through faith to salvation though you be very weak yet he is able to make you stand you shall not depart from him omnipotency is engaged for you act faith therefore upon the numerous and gracious promises of perseverance though you have many fightings without and fears within though you feel averseness to good and a tendency to sin wants and weaknesses burdens and breaches snares and sadness yet lift up your hearts you stand upon better terms with God than Adam in innocency or the Angels in glory who were not confirmed in their integrity but are fallen by a dreadful apostacy it were sad for poor believers if their happiness did depend upon their mutable nature or strongest resolutions or if God should revoke his mercies as often as they provoke his justice but blessed be God for Jesus Christ and the rest of the sure mercies of David triumph in this O ye Children of the promise the Covenant wherein your souls are wrapped is ordered in all things and sure Heaven it self is engaged for you the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against you none can pluck you out of his hands who is the rock of Ages in whom is everlasting strength you may confidently make bold and blessed Paul's victorious challenge who shall separate us from the Love of God Rom. 8.35 ad finem though your internal motions be often like Ezekiel's wheel 〈◊〉 16 〈◊〉 intricate confused and perplexed as a wheel in a wheel grace sweying one way and flesh another yet if you be joyned to the living Creatures and united to Christ in the bond of the Covenant you shall go streight on with constancy and uniformity till your souls arrive at glory these mercies are not for a day or week or month or year but they run parallel with the life of God and line of eternity for with everlasting mercies he will have compassion on thee Isa 54.7 8. 6. In case of desertions and Gods withdrawings from him the soul may and must improve these sure mercies of David now desertions are ordinarily distinguisht into Gods withdrawing 1. His quickning 2. His comforting presence from the soul in both these cases the soul may improve them 1. In case God suspend the gracious influences of his spirit and the heart be shut up under deadness hardness unbelief distractions and the poor Christian cannot feel those lively springings of the graces of the Covenant in his heart then let him have recourse to the promise wherein God hath engaged himself to give a soft heart a new spirit faith love repentance the spirit of prayer c. all habits of grace the lively exercise of grace assisting grace quickning enlarging moving melting manifestations are bound up in this Gospel-covenant hence it is that when David â—inds his heart dull and out of frame he runs to God and cryes out my soul cleaveth to the dust ver 107. quicken me according to thy word Psal 119.25 and he goes often over with that phrase which imports that David lay under the sense of some promise that God had made for the quickning of his heart when it was out of frame and accordingly he recounts the gracious influences of Gods spirit and professeth that he will never forget his precepts because by them he had quickned him ver 93. thus let dead hearts lay themselves at Christs feet and plead in this manner Lord my heart is exceeding dull and distracted I feel not those enlarging melting influences which thy Saints have met with but are they not main material mercies of the Covenant dost thou not promise a spirit of illumination conviction humiliation is not holiness of heart and life a main branch of it dost thou not promise therein to write thy Law in my heart to give me oneness of heart to put thy fear within me to subdue my corruptions to help my infirmities in prayer now Lord these are the mercies my soul wants and waits for fill my soul with these warming influences revive thy work of grace in my soul draw out my heart towards thee inlarge my affections to thee repair thine image draw out grace into lively exercise doth not that sweet word intend such a mercy when thou saist Ezek. 36.26 thou wilt not only give a new heart but put a new spirit within me to make my soul lively active and spiritual in duties and motions dear Lord am not I a Covenanted soul and are not these Covenant-mercies why then my God dost thou thus harden my heart from thy fear why dost thou leave me in all this deadness and distraction remember thy word unto thy servant in which thou hast caused me to hope and in which thou hast helped me to plead oh quicken my dull heart according to thy word thus improve these mercies in case of deadness 2. In case of sadness and disconsolateness and the hidings of Gods face from a troubled drooping spirit Oh then make much use of these Covenant-mercies both as they are mercies and as they are sure mercies they are as free and as firm as ever if you see nothing but wickedness and wretchedness in your selves remember mercy prevents you if you see nothing but justice and frowns in Gods face remember his faithfulness ingageth him he is faithful he cannot deny himself would he love thee so as to make thee his and will he not now love thee as his Child consider the Covenant is certain though there be a present suspension thy union to Christ is secured though actual Communion be intercepted yea real unnecessary Communion is continued though sensible manifestations be obscured for observe it the soul holds Communion with Christ by that which desertions cannot hinder salvation may be there though the joy of that salvation be gone Covenant-relation may continue without comfortable satisfaction why bast
gift of God and none can come to Christ except the Father draw him Joh. 6.44 Alas it is as impossible to believe in Christ as to keep the Moral Law from principles of corrupted nature our state had been sad and forlorn still if God had not undertaken to work the faith which he requireth Duce Dâ—o venitur ad deum 't is only the arm of omnipotency that can draw the soul to Christ Jesus is the only Author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 Eph. 1.19 there is an exceeding greatness of his power to all them that believe put forth to create an act of saving faith all they that have felt it can testifie that this is a rich mercy and this is one of the mercies of the Covenant More particularly there are four choice dispositions promised in the Covenant of Grace which are Covenant-mercies 1. Saving illumination Jer. 31.34 they shall all know me saith the Lord by nature we are blind and blockish creatures but the new Covenant brings light and sight to the ignorant erring sinner and Oh what a mercy is it to know God and Christ and sin and misery and duty and felicity to know Scripture-truths and Gospel-mysteries our own hearts and the sweetness of Grace heaven and the way thither certainly such saving knowledge is worth a world truly such light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the eye of the soul to behold the Sun of Righteousness and the beauty of Heaven what blind Bartimeus would not own it as a rich mercy to have his eyes opened and is it not a blessed thing to be translated out of Aegyptian darkness into this marvelous light Oh happy are the eyes that are annointed with the new-covenant eye-salve and behold Coelestial objects through this Divine optick of faith and become faithful guides to the feet of an holy life 2. Sound humiliation this is another Covenant-mercy Ezek. 11.19 I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them an heart of flesh a broken heart is instead of many Sacrifices an hard heart is the greatest judgement and a soft heart the greatest mercy repentance is Gods gift bound up in the Covenant of Grace our sweet and blessed Redeemer is exalted as well to be a Prince that he may give Repentance as to be a Saviour to give unto us remission of sins Oh what a mercy is the spirit of Repentance they that have this Godly sorrow shall never need to sorrow for it such a Repentance needs not to be repented of blessed are they that mourn for sin for they shall rejoyce happy such as sow in tears for they shall â—eap in joy certainly a Converted sinner looks upon a repenting heart as a rich mercy one penitent tear is an orient pearl of more worth than the whole Creation a bleeding soul is a blessed sight in the eyes of God and man it layes the Christian under the promise of the Covenant and qualifies it for remission and the sweetest consolation 3. Another Covenant-mercy with respect to the condition is heart-sanctification Ezek. 36.25 I will sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean this is the mercy that David is so importunate for create in me a clean heart no less than creation will effect it a putting off the old man and putting on the new in a sound Regeneration is a miraculous mercy Oh what would a poor soul give for dominion over some special corruptions and power to resist temptations why here it is this mercy of mortification which is also a Christians duty is infolded in this blessed Gospel-Covenant so that sin shall not have Dominion over them that are under this Covenant of Grace a Christian can do more to mortifie sin and Crucifie the flesh than another man every word of God hath a cleansing vertue now you are clean saith Christ through the word that I have spoken to you but the promises of the Covenant have a direct and immediate tendency to cleansing 2 Cor. 7.1 having these promises i. e. the fore-mentioned Covenant let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit it is only the Gospel Covenant that can make Evangelically holy and holiness is the image of God the beauty of a soul the duty of a Christian and the mercy of the Covenant 4. A spiritual conversation this is also included in the Covenant Ezek. 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my Commandments and do them Oh what a blessed thing is it to have a heart to love and fear and serve the Lord Oh what a mercy to be inabled to perform holy duties to walk with God in all wayes of well-pleasing Jer. 31.33 to have the Law of God written in the heart and transcribed in the life yea to keep Gods commands with ease alacrity and complacency not to have them grievous but pleasant to the soul and thus it is when the Christian acts from an innate principle of Grace and Holiness well this is the promised and purchased condition of the New Covenant God undertakes to put a new habit into the soul his fear which is the beginning of Wisdom and principle of obedience God gives the spirit of prayer the spirit of power love and of a sound mind 2 Tim. 1.9 he promiseth to give them one heart and one way that they may fear him for ever Jer. 32.39 Oh what rich mercies of the New Covenant are these 4. Yet the great mercies of the Covenant are behind under the next head for a Covenant contract conveyance contains the Habendum or grant reflecting advantage to the party Covenanting and that in these words I will be thy God this is repeated fifteen or sixteen times in the Scriptures this this is the mercy of the New Covenant the mercy of mercies the flower cream and quintescence of all mercies God gives himself to the soul by Covenant and what greater or better gift can he bestow if he should give us all the world and deny himself we are miserable beggars if he give himself and nothing of the world we are truly rich if we have God we have all things if we want God we want all things Deus mâ—us est omnia Ben scripsisti Thoma qâ—id pet Resp nil nisi â—ipsum Domine my God is my All saith one 't is recorded of Thomas Aquinas the great School-man that a voice from Heaven spake thus to him thou hast well written Thomas what desirest thou and that he answer thus nothing O Lord but thy self this certainly is the Language of a gracious soul Lord put me not off with any thing below or besides thy self what mortal Creature durst have presumed to beg of God such a boon if God had not graciously promised himself in the New Covenant what can the creature desire more what can it now want when it hath an infinite God all
bowels of tender love gifts proceed from the hand of God as an act of munificence upon his sons glorious ascention and compleat inauguration and 't is one thing to eat meat at the Kings table and another thing to gather the fruits of Royal Grace upon some solemn day as that was of Davids 2 Sam. 6.19 Saints only have the Covenant-graces hypocrites may have a large share in these gifts nay a larger portion then some Saints themselves Saul Balaam Caiaphas may have the gift of Prophecy Judas he may Preach Praestat credere quam miracula edere but Thomas and the elect only can believe and it 's a greater work saith Luther to believe than to work miracles that 's the first 2. They differ in their nature and manner of operation Covenant-grace stamps on the elect-soul the image of our Heavenly Father it is the divine nature God's most curious workmanship the idea and pourtraicture the representation and exemplar of God blessed for ever grace is Gods picture if I may so speak drawn to the life 't is a forming of Christ in the soul now gifts are no such thing the devil himself hath great gifts yet hath razed out the image of God gifts are but the works of Gods power and wisdom such as the Sun and Starrs yea even the flies and atomes they are in a sort dead and we may call them Gods lumber some have noted that gifts are only the effects 1 Cor. 12.3 Gal. 5.22 but graces are called the fruits of the spirit the one is the husk of a common profession at least the shell of some rare endowments but the other is the kernel of sincerity and fruit of a Gospel-conversion 3. They differ in their train and retinue as to gifts none have all either of all sorts or any great eminency in all hence 't is said 1 Cor. 12.8 9 to one is given the word of wisdom to another knowledge c. Moses had a gift of Government not of Eloquence Paul had a gift of Planting Apollos of Watering some of the Apostles were sons of Thunder others of consolation some Ministers are fitter for opening Scriptures clearing Controversies others are more for exhortation and conviction of the Conscience some think that Pastors and Teachers differ with respect to their different gifts But these Covenant-graces and mercies are linked together they dance their round in the believing soul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hand in hand as the word signifies 2 Pet. 1.5 one grace strengthens another as stones do in an arch yea all graces are radically in faith for some have said that every grace is but faith exercised however all graces are infused at once into the soul though some got the leading as to exercise the new man is perfect with a perfection of parts though not of degrees as it is with a new-born Child 4. Gifts and Grace differ in their several designs ends and effects gifts offices priviledges are but for others advantage and edification they are given to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 When Christ ascended he gave gifts to men for what end the Apostle tells us for the perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ Ephes 4.8 12 But now the end of Grace is the souls spiritual advantage that by them Christ might take possession of the heart that the soul may have some life and principle of opposition to beloved corruptions and thereby be better helped to perform religious duties walk with God improve priviledges and be made meet for Heaven these and such like are the ends of the Graces of the Covenants a man may have rare gifts yet have a base heart singular endowments and yet not be helped thereby to mortifie one lust perform one duty spiritually get one step nearer God but Covenant-grace is profitable for these great ends and uses gifts and Grace may be said to differ as the Sun and Moon the Moon casts a light indeed but no heat but the Sun casts its quickning rays into this lower World and quickens many things and maketh all things verdant and fruitful so doth Covenant-mercy bring forth many precious things and divine graces have a lively influence whereby a man shall both save himself and those that hear him 1 Tim. 4.16 but a man may have gifts like an Angel and be never the nearer to Heaven he may direct others in the way to Heaven and yet not walk a step therein See fully in Rom. 2.17 to 24. 1 Cor. 9 27. teach others what he hath not learned himself Preach to others and be a cast-away it 's one thing to have the form of knowledge another to have the power of grace it is one thing to have Angelical gifts and another thing to have Evangelical graces all gifted persons are not gracious persons never was any man saved by his gifts and rarely have they been instruments to save others that have only gifts I dare not say that 't is impossible that a graceless yet gifted Minister should be a mean of Conversion for God is not to be limited but 't is not ordinary as common experience testifies The fourth Inference is if Covenant-mercies be thus sure then it lets us see the truth of our Religion if the mercies thereof be thus sure as I have demonstrated then let us be established in our perswasions of the verity certainty and infallibility of Christianity if these be sure mercies who can doubt of the reality thereof every thing in the Gospel is made sure you may venture your souls upon it since God hath confirmed these things as a sacred Oracle from Heaven Divino praecepto intonante obediendum est non disputandum Aug. who dare dispute them the God of truth cannot lye nor deny himself he is so good that he cannot deceive and so wise that he cannot be deceived there is in him neither imprudence in promising nor impotency in performing Heaven and Earth may pass away but not one iota of his word shall fail You are to believe these things without haesitation and give your full assent to them as the mysterie of Godliness is great so 't is without Controversie Grotius observes that our Christian Religion doth transcend all the Religions in the World in three things 1. In the certainty of Maxims 2. In the spirituality of its Precepts 3. In the transcendency of its rewards We have the un-erring testimony of Heaven for what we believe which is surer than any Logical Conclusions Philosophical Speculations yea or Mathematical Demonstrations and I may add than their Old Testament Dreams and Visions so the Apostle seems to extoll Gods speaking to us by his Son above the diverse manners of his speaking to the Fathers Heb. 1.1 2. Nay the Apostle Peter asserts that we have in the Scriptures a more sure word of Prophesie Aut haec admittenda religio non tantum ob factorum testimonia de quibus jam egimus
Luk. 1.3 4.2 Tim. 3.14 and Paul his Timothy Oh sirs get well assured of these things let your faith and perswasion have its full dimensions let it be deeply rooted and high built take not things upon trust let every truth have its full emphasis and efficacy upon your hearts and Consciences especially the main momentous Gospel-truths that you must venture your souls upon and live and dye by you had need consider what ground you stand upon and be fully perswaded in your own minds But so much for the second Use CHAP. VIII III. THe third Vse is of Examination to try us whether we have a real interest in these sure mercies of the Covenant it is one of the greatest questions that we can be asked whether we have a right title to Covenant-mercies alas we have forfeited our title to God or to any good thing from him by our breach of the Old Covenant and now we have nothing to do with God except only to endure the severe strokes of his sin-revenging justice Oh what need have we to try our selves by an impartial scrutiny For our better assistance in this great and weighty business I shall a little open what it is to enter into Covenant in general and then enquire what conditions of the new Covenant we can find in our hearts and then shew a little of the nature and effects of these Covenant-mercies where they are For the first to enter into Covenant with God is to own God as our God and to give up our selves wholly to him as his expressed in these words in Scripture I will be thy God and thou shalt be my people this this is the Marrow of the Covenant for God to be our God it is a comprehensive word it is substantia faederis as Funius calls it anima faederis as Pareus calls it eaput foederis as Musail the substance-soul and head of the Covenant the life of Religion is in this as one saith sweetly the goodness of duties lyes in Adverbs and the sweetness of the Covenant lyes in possessives Well then the contracting of this Covenant betwixt God and a soul consists chiefly in a mutual reddition or giving up themselves each to other expressed in Scripture by a Matrimonial contract when God gives up himself to the soul and accepts of him and the soul accepts of God as his God and gives up himself to him now we are not to enquire after the act of God for 't is fully expressed in the Scriptures and it is certainly supposed God accepts the sinner when the sinner accepts of God for these are relatives nor is this any change in God the change is only in the sinner who is now put into a new state and relation it is certain by the free offers of the Gospel that God doth consent and the main thing to be enquired into is whether the soul do consent or no for if it cordially do the match is made God and the soul are marryed which is a thing of the greatest importance in the whole World I shall purposely wave controversies in this business wherein this consent lyes whether it be only an assent See Mr. Baxt. Saints Rest Part 1. p. 177 178. an act of the understanding or it be a choice an act of the Will c. I conceive 't is an act of the whole soul whereby a poor troubled sinner discovering its forlorn estate by its breach of the Old Covenant and sad consequences thereof and discerning a possibility of a recovery and the way of reconciliation by a new Covenant contrived and contracted betwixt God and fallen man sealed and confirmed by the blood of a Mediator God-man doth freely cordially and constantly accept of God as his chiefest good and ultimate end and give up himself to him resolvedly unreservedly and universally to be the Lords to be and do what the Lord pleaseth to obey divine commands be at God's dispose in life and death and thus to continue even to the end of his days This is for a soul to enter into Covenant with the Lord the tryal will lye in these two things 1. Whether we have accepted of God as our God 2. Whether we have given up our selves to him to be at his dispose yea or no a little of both these 1. Whether have you taken the Lord to be yours or no. We are all naturally Idolaters and have our hearts glued to the Creature or something else besides God we are of those many that cry out who will shew us any good and trace the whole Creation to find satisfaction till we are weary and sit down despairing of obtaining what we seek for all the creatures are forced to eccho this unanimous vote happiness is not in me thus like Hagar we wander in this howling wilderness Gen. 21.15 16 17 18 19. till the Water of hope be spent in the bottle and our souls like Ishmael be ready to perish under the shrubs of guilt and wrath and then we sit down in sorrow ready to pine away in our iniquities loth to see or think of our own damnation lifting up our voice with bitter weeping and despair God hears and asks the troubled soul what it ailes and under these confusions he creates a blessed spring of hope in this desert-state opens the eyes ravisheth the heart with the glory of Gospel-grace draws Water of life out of the well of salvation and satisfieth the hungry soul with good things makes the ransomed sinner own that God that thus owns him in a time of need and to cry out as repenting Israel once O Lord our God other Lords besides thee have had dominion over us but by thee only will we make mention of thy name Isa 26.13 or as David Psal 73.25 whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee my flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever ver 26. as if the poor soul should say I have been long seeking contentment here below but I see by sad experience all things fail there 's vanity and vexation writ upon the sweetest comforts under the Moon I have laid out much labour for that which profits not I am weary with my disappointments I will return to my first Husband return unto thy rest O my soul God alone is the most yea the only suitable and satisfying rest of my wandring and bewildred soul let others go a whoring from God to creature-props 't is good for me to draw nigh to God I am undone without him I am sick of love for him woe is me what shall I do if my soul get not an interest in God I faint I dye I am damned Lord put me not off without thy self let nothing take up my heart besides thee let all the pleasures profits honours of the World go whither they will so I may have my God I can set one God against them all if God
be the portion of mine inheritance I can say truly the lines are fallen to me in pleasant places Psal 16.5 6. I have a goodly heritage I can bid defiance to all the world to make me miserable when all the World looks black about me and all my comforts forsake me when seeming friends scorn me and real enemies pursue me with cruel hatred I can then incourage my self in the Lord my God Yea rejoyce in the Lord yea when the whole Creation cracks about my ears and the Earth trembles the Heavens are rolled together as a scroll I know that my Redeemer lives and I shall live with him in bliss and blessedness for ever these or the like are the musings of the Covenanted soul and though it cannot say the Lord is his yet he can say through grace that it is the desire of his soul to have the Lord for his God he looks upon that as the happiest estate that a Creature is capable of and if God should say this House or Land or Goods or this Kingdom or this world is thine except he say withall I am thine the soul goes away disconsolate and looks on all those as nothing worth Christians try your selves hath it been thus with you or hath it not what settled prevailing account hath the God of Heaven in your hearts do you look upon all the bravery and delights of the World but as straw and dirt under your feet in comparison of your God do your hearts pant after the living God do your souls desire him in the night can you boast of your God and challenge all the world and say there 's none like unto our God can you depend upon him and cast all your care on him do you in all things give him the preheminence are your hearts endeared to and inamoured with this glorious gracious God 2. But I proceed whether have you given up your selves to him 1 Cor. 6.19 for if you be the Lords you are not your own you have wholly resigned up your selves to him you have given him the Keys of your hearts and delivered him possession of your souls as the only rightful owner thereof just as the Wife gives up her all to her husband 1 Cor. 7.4 so that she hath not power of her own body but her Husband so doth the soul surrender it self unto its spiritual Husband so that now it hath nothing to dispose of without its husbands leave house land money estates relations name time gifts of mind members of body faculties of soul life it self and all things he is hath doth are at Gods dispose and he lays them all at his Husbands feet and dare not dispose of one penny in his purse or minute of his time or cast of his eye or thought of his heart by his good will without his Husbands leave hence you shall hear a Covenanted soul inquiring after sin and duty and making Conscience of complyance with the Lords will and pleasure the Scripture calls this a giving our selves to the Lord 2 Cor. 8.5 yea there are several outward symbols to evidence it Isa 44.5 one shall say I am the Lords and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob and another shall subscribe with his hand to the Lord and sirname himself by the name of Israel Profession Subscription Denomination nay though it be to endure the scorn of a reproachful nick-name any thing would he do so he might be ranked amongst real Saints and be indeed the Lords And there are four properties of the souls self-delivery to God A Covenanting soul gives up it self to God these four ways viz. 1. Really 2. Readily 3. Resolvedly 4. Unreservedly 1. Really Truly Sincerely without the ordinary counterfeiting and complementing that is in the World 't is as easie as it is common for men to Court others with that empty Ceremony Your servant Sir when they never think as they speak this by the way is to be ranked at least among idle words of which I fear many have a sad account to give let professours learn better manners and language than to conform herein to the world well but a Saints giving up himself to the Lord is not complemental but real here holy David you shall find him in good earnest Psal 116.16 O Lord truly I am thy servant I am thy servant and the Son of thine hand-maid thou hast loosed my bonds Here 's 1. An Asseveration truly 2. An affirmation I am thine 3. A duplication I am and I am thy servant 4. A confirmation by two Arguments 1. He was his servant by his birth being born in his house for if a Woman was servant in an house all the Children she bore there were servants to the master of that house hence saith David the son of thy hand-maid 2. David was God's by Redemption thou hast loosed my bonds for such as delivered any from captivity had them to be their servants for ever thus every gracious soul really professeth himself to be the Lords See Exod. 21.4 5 6. he is God's bought and bored Servant he doth as the servant of old plainly say I love my master I will not go out and so is brought to the door-post and hath his ear bored through with an Aule he receives an ear-mark being board by the blessed spirit of God and so made willing and obedient to the Lord's calls this ingageth him to be much in desiring to know the Lord's will with a resolution to do it he stops not his ear hides not his eyes from his Master's commands but prays as David Psal 119.125 I am thy servant give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies a good soul would not be ignorant of any part of its work because he is a real servant and makes Conscience of upright obedience Ah sirs what say your hearts to this are you in good earnest do you indeed speak as you think and will you do accordingly it's no jesting trifling matter Israel gave God good words so that God saith they have well spoken when they promised to be the Lords and to obey him but God adds O that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me c. Deut. 5.28 29. Alas persons may say fair in a flush of affection but enquire you into the frame of your spirits and actions whether you be real 2. This self-delivery to God is ready free willing and chearful not with grumbling and by compulsion when persons do it because they cannot help it when they see they must dye and can serve the Devil no longer or under the rod only they will be for a fit and start religious but it is full fore against their wills for they would rather choose to be slaves to lust but they are taken off by violence or constraint or else they lye under such terrours and convictions that for present they are over-awed and dare not but profess to be the Lords it is strangers that yield feigned
maist be feared Oh this is kindly when the sense of Gods love awes the soul to obedience and works upon it tenderness of Conscience that it can say I dare not grieve so good a God or offend so loving a Father who never did me hurt who is always doing me good shall I render evil for good God forbid this is Child-like and ingenuous and doth demonstrate a Covenant-relation 5. Sanctification is another Covenant-promise Ezek. 36.25 then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness and from all your Idolâ— will I cleanse you this is a sweet disposition what can you say to it not that the soul in this life can be free from the remainders of corruption for what is man that â—e should be clean but the power Job 15.14 strength and Dominion of sin is crushed in a Covenanted soul so that it may be truly said of the Regenerate that he hath a clean heart Psal 24.4 Joh. 13.10 and clean hands and Christ saith his Disciples were clean all except Judas Well then â—hath the good Word of God made you holy Joh. 15.3 and cleansed your hearts do you desire to make clean the inside of the Cup as well as out-side I mean do you cleanse your selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit resolving to perfect holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Job 17.9 are you growing stronger and stronger he that â—hath clean hands doth renew his strength are you washed from your idols i. e. the sin to which you are most addicted Psal 18.23 and keep your selves from your own iniquity can you say you hate every false way can you cut off a right-hand sin pluck out a right-eye sin though never so dear and useful pleasant and profitable do you resist and conquer in some measure your master-lusts so that you can say through grace Rom. 6.14 sin hath not Dominion over you though you feel to your cost it hath possession in you can you say you are prepared for duties and ordinances 2 Chron. 30.19 Act. 15.9 Psal 119.9 though you be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary doth faith in God's promises purifie your hearts do you cleanse your ways by observing Scripture-precepts Psal 51.10 do you pray hard for a clean heart as well as clear state Oh sirs try your selves in these things unless you be sanctified you are not justified many are undone through self-deceit in this case Solomon saith there is a generation that are pure in their own eyes yet is not cleansed from their filthiness Prov. 30.12 take heed of this and labour to evidence your justification by your sanctification 6. Another gracious effect of the New Covenant is A new heart and a new spirit Ezek. 36.26 this is an holy disposition an habit of grace the image of God the Divine nature strangely changing altering metamorphosing the soul casting it into a new mold and turning the stream and current of the souls motions and affections into another channel to a complyance with God's will and a tendency towards Heaven and the things of Heaven this is a wonderful act and fruit of God's free-grace and sanctifying spirit and oh what a change doth it produce in the heart and life not only a mental change to have the mind adorned with some general truths in a notional way so that whereas before a man was an ignorant Sot now he is grown a knowing person and learned discourser or disputant nor yet is it only a moral change whereby a man formerly a notorious offender is grown an exact Civilian nor yet a formal change by which a careless neglecter is become a constant performer of religious duties which is good so far yet no more than an hypocrite may do Simon Magus believes Herod doth many things Ahab fasts Judas can Pray and Preach But the new creature goes beyond them all for 't is a Cordial Spiritual Evangelical change of the whole man to what is good so that now the soul hath new motions actions conversation a new rule a new principle a new end new affections new loves and delights a new light and life new heat and strength new companions and acquiescence new griefs fears burdens back hopes hatred desires and expectations old things are past away and behold all things are become new so that it may well be called a new Creation 2 Cor. 5.17 Christians try your selves in this what work of God hath passed upon your souls have you a new heart are you made holy as God is holy doth this new heart hate and expel sin doth it close with real Saints as Saints doth it breathe after Grace in the souls of relations neighbours doth it make you sensible of the smilings and hidings of God's face doth it raise your hearts to heavenly objects and delights doth Grace in some measure gâ—â—w thrive increase and come on in your souls do you Worship God in a spiritual manner and long for Communion with him here and in Heaven 7. A soft heart is promised in the new Covenant Ezek. 36.26 I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you an heart of flesh i. e. a soft broken and tender heart a flexible plyant and melting disposition not so much the eyes pouring floods of tears for that may proceed from a natural constitution but a soul grieved for sin as offence against God which lyes in the sinners account and estimation looking upon it as the greatest evil and worse than the worst affliction and if it were to do again he would rather be torn to pieces than willingly commit such a sin he would give all the World if in his power that it were undone again and therefore is it that the Scripture rather expresseth it by mourning than by weeping for weeping is rather a passionate act of the outward senses and irascible faculties though 't is desirable to give vent to inward sorrow by outward tears but mourning is an heart-contrition and hearty compunction for sin as dishonouring God grieving his Spirit Crucifying his Son and violating his holy and righteous Law well then have you soft and tender hearts i. e. can you lay to heart your sins as the greatest evils that ever befell you can you justifie God if he should condemn you can you condemn your selves as worthy to be damned in Hell for ever do you loath your selves for all your abominations can you wish you had been upon the rack when you committed such sins are you weary and heavy laden with the intolerable burden of the guilt of sin and what would you give or leave to have it taken off is your heart sensible of the absolute need you have of Jesus Christ are you soft and plyable to Gods holy will attentive to Divine motions retentive of Divine impressions doth the least hint of God's mind find in you an observant spirit when God saith seek
unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Isa 55.7 they are mercies fear not being made welcome they are sure mercies fear not disappointment thou hast a tender of mercies that 's mercy yea such a mercy as the fallen Angels never had or ever shall have and if thou refuse thou dost not only neglect a great salvation but the Devils shall rise up in judgement against thee it 's a wonder of mercies that thou art not past hopes of mercies thou hast run a wild course yet there 's hope if now thou come upon the call of mercy all the condition God requires is acceptance of Christ and Grace it sticks at your wills and if you wilfully reject mercy what must save you if you will be damned who can hinder you you must thank your selves for ever the God of mercy stands waiting at your door the Prince of peace purchased mercy at a dear rate the spirit of grace knocks and put in his blessed finger at the hole of the door will not yet your bowels move towards him he beseecheth you to be reconciled that might with a word command you into Hell and will you have no bowels of mercy towards your own souls Ministers Intreat 2 Cor. 5.20 Rom. 12.1 Travel Study Weep and earnestly beseech you for mercies sake to come in and yet will you stand out and must I after all this pains leave you short of mercy these sure and sweet mercies God forbid however remember you were warned CHAP. XI VI. THE sixth Use is of Instruction and Direction to sinners and Saints wherein I shall as paper-room permits â—ay before you four sorts of Directions 1. What is a poor soul to do that he may obtain interest in these mercies 2. How a doubting soul may be assured of these Covenant-mercies 3. In what cases may a Christian improve Covenant-mercies 4. How a good soul that hath interest in these mercies is to behave himself For the first which concerns graceless â—uls poor unregenerate Creatures if any â—ch enquire what they must do that they may have a part and portion in these sure â—ercies of David I shall briefly propound â—ese seven Directions 1. Make a strict enquiry into your state â—â—ligently examine what title you have to â—e Mercies of the Covenant practise this â—eat and much neglected duty of self-tryal whether you have closed with the Covenant whether Christ be in you 2 Cor. 13.5 or you be 〈◊〉 Christ whether faith be in you or you 〈◊〉 in the faith self-knowledge is a good â—gree towards saving grace Authology is â—e first step to Theology a man cannot will not look after mercy till he know his own misery they that conceit themselves to be something deceive themselves therefore let every man prove his own work Gal. 6.3 4. Oh how many thousands with aâ— vain hope do descend into everlasting burnings how many presume they have as good a title to mercy as any and fall short of it mistakes in this point are dangerous and damning therefore soul try thy title be 〈◊〉 a point concerning thy state some aâ— Children of wrath and have not obtained mercy yea all are such by nature that Grace that changeth our title changeth our spirits therefore deal faithfully with your own hearts ask them whether they bâ— renewed changed soundly converted ask your selves whether you be new Creatures be not put off with silence or a slight answer remember life and death depends on the resolution of this important question you must be tryed another day you cannoâ— evade Gods impartial search only consider there 's no returning back to mend the matter as you are found then at the gret day so must you abide for ever but here 〈◊〉 you find a flaw in your title you may have it well repaired and this is the first step to mending what 's amiss therefore gâ— a distinct knowledge of your state 2. Work on your hearts the misery of souls being destitute of these sure mercies yea if upon serious examination you 〈◊〉 that your souls have no interest therein oâ— consider what a dreadful doleful state your souls are in you are indeed Lo-ruhamahs bond-slaves of Satan enemies to God destitute of Christ and have nothing to do with the good things of the Gospel take your state from the blessed Apostle or rather from the infallible dictates of the Holy Ghost Ephes â—2 12 without Christ whatever confident claim you may lay to him however you may boast of him Aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel i. e. no members of the true Church though you may presumptuously call and account your selves the only Sons of the Church you have nothing to do with the spiritual priviledges and sweet Communion of Saints you are strangers from the Covenants of Promise i. e. you are not in this new Covenant but under that of works and have not right to any one promise and so to no Gospel-mercy and therefore without hope yea without God in the World 't is inexpressible yea inconceivable misery that a graceless soul is in it is ready every moment to drop into Hell must be shut out of Heaven God is angry with him every moment Satan hath him in a string leads him whither he list and if he dye this moment he is gone for ever Oh work on your hearts such sad thoughts as these awake Conscience rouze up affections then cry out with the Publican striking on your breast God be merciful to me a sinner Wo is me Luk. 18.13 wretched Creature that I am what shall I do I am undone the guilt of sin is upon me mercy is far from me I have despised free-grace and now I may fear mercy is turned into sury long forbearance will end in just vengeance Oh is there any hope for a forlorn wretch have not I worn out my day of grace is there any hope for me surely a little mercy will not serve my turn I am a great sinner yea the chiefest of sinners there must be a larger dole of mercy to me than others Oh what shall I do men and brethren what must I do to be saved thus sirs bemoan your state it 's not a saying all are sinners and God is merciful that will serve the turn but you must be sin-sick then you 'l desire a Physitian else you 'l slight and scorn both Christ and Covenant Mat. 9.12 13. and all the mercies thereof 3. Be thankful for but be not content with common mercies they are good in their kind and for their use and ends but these are not suitable to or sufficient for the soul a Christian should be content with any thing in the World yet content with nothing in the World the worst of the World doth please a Child of God with God the best of it cannot should not please him without God you must look on these things as good
is only by faith which is the souls accepting of him upon his own terms Joh. 1.12 here I must not digress into the large field of that useful subject of saving faith but must refer you to the large discourses upon this radical fundamental grace and I beseech you be not mistaken in this here lyes the hinge and vitals of Religion even in an entire affectionate voluntary and universal accepting of Jesus Christ as our King Priest Prophet to be ruled guided saved by him in his own way Oh sirs if you do not this you do nothing if you believe you shall be saved Mark 16.16 but if you believe not you shall be damned that 's plain English and truly my friends all men have not faith this faith of Gods Elect this precious faith Oh therefore look after it long for it come with a broken heart to a bleeding Christ come weary and heavy laden and lay your load on the Son of God come with a troubled humbled heart wounded with a sense of sin and look up to this brazen Serpent for help and healing reach out thy trembling hand and get hold of the skirt of his garment or rather with old Simeon embrace Jesus Christ in the arms of thy faith and then thou hast these mercies of the Covenant 7. Enter into a solemn Covenant with the Lord no way to be interested in the mercies of the Covenant but by entring into the Covenant this this is the work I would perswade your souls unto this indeed is the life of Religion which is so called a relegando from binding because it binds as it were God and man together and joyns their interests in this blessed bond of the Covenant 2 Cor. 8.5 Isa 44 5. 2 Chron. 30.8 O therefore set your selves to enter a solemn engagement give up your selves to the Lord openly profess that you are the Lords or else subscribe with your hand and yield up your selves to the Lord to whom of right you do belong and take God as your God Josh 24.24 25. say the Lord our God will we serve and his voice will we obey as the people of Israel once and thus do you make a Covenant this day lift up your hand to the most high God as once Jacob did who made a vow saying if God will be with me and keep me in this way that I go then shall the Lord be my God Gen. 28.20 21. now consider friends hath not God done as much or more for you as Jacob here desires and why should you not take God for your God say thus I have heard of the Lords goodness nay I have felt and drunk a large share of Gods kindness and compassion he hath done that for me that none else could and hath undertaken to do yet much more and therefore God forbid that I should cleave to any other God all my days as I will be wholly the Lords so I will have only the Lord and as he is the God so he shall be my God this is that which the Scripture calls avouching the Lord to be our God and if we avouch him to be our God he will avouch us to be his people Deut. 26.17 18. which imports the mutual conditions of this blessed Covenant even a reciprocal embracing and accepting each other the Saints take God to be theirs by the saving Grace of faith and God entertains them by a gracious act of favour love and condescention only be sure you remember that the Articles of Agreement are of Gods own framing and the soul must come up wholly unto his terms else no bargain God will not abate any thing of his appointed conditions it must be sincere faith though it be but weak which empties the soul of sin and self and turns wholly to God and doth resign up it self universally voluntarily and perpetually to be the Lords and in the same manner takes God to be his and looks upon this as his mercy as well as his duty his highest preferment as well as his greatest employment and sweetest enjoyment Oh thinks a good soul that I could be more the Lords than I am I am too much mine own Hos 3.3 but I will enter into the strictest Matrimonial bond to be only for God and not for another then he would be for me and oh that I could take the Lord wholly for mine and only as mine and joyn no other Lovers with him I need none but him he is all sufficient and my exceeding sweet and great reward and upon this condition God takes you and you shall have advantage by him and the Gospel-Covenant and all the mercies of it and if you be not willing to forsake all for him Mat. 10.37 Luk. 14.28 29. you are not worthy of him but I shall spend no more time about this because so many have writ of a souls Covenanting with God See Mr. Baxter's Saints Rest par 1. p. 176. to 182 alibi passim Mr. Guthrie Mr. Allen Mr. Vincent have prescribed directions and a form of words for a solemn Covenanting with God See also Reflect 8. in the close of this Treatise p. Thus much for the first Classe or rank of Directions CHAP. XII 2. HOW a poor doubting soul may assure to it self these Covenant-mercies many good souls may have an interest in these yet not be assured of their interest which yet is of great consequence and concernment though not to the being yet to the well-being of a Christian therefore we are commanded to give diligence to make our calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 Vit. Aâ—et in loâ— not in respect of God say Interpreters with whom all things are firm and undoubted but in respect of others say some that those with whom we live may see the Tree is good because the fruits are good but I rather take it that we must labour to clear these up to our own souls that we may have some real well-grounded assurance thereof in our hearts and both these are mercies included in the Gospel-covenant only take notice that calling is before election and there we must begin and so ascend from the work of Grace in our hearts to the workings of Grace in Gods heart for our love is a reflection of his love to us Grace is a fruit of Election this then is a weighty case of Conscience suppose a gracious soul be dark and doubtful about his state and is full of questionings and disputings whether these sure mercies of the Covenant do belong to him what must such a soul do that it may be assured of its interest therein See this point handled solidly in a Treat called A Believers duty towards the Spirit c. â—on Ephes 4 30. Read 6. Direct pag. 158. to 183. See Baxt. 32 Directions and that indeed they are sure to him Now for answering this Question I shall propound these Directions 1. Study the Precepts Promises and Presidents in the Scriptures be diligent
in reading the Word of God Oh of what use would this be there you may find what God commands how Saints have obeyed by what means they have cleared up their integrity and interest in Christ here you may find what are the conditions of the Covenant and upon what terms the mercies thereof may be enjoyed and what are the infallible Characters of such as have received benefit thereby here you may find Christ the main and choicest mercy of the Covenant yea for this end was the Scripture written that we might have comfort in God and by consequence also assurance of our interest in him Rom. 15.4 for this cause did both Christ speak Joh. 15.11.1 Joh. 1.4 and John write Divine truths that are upon record that his joy might be in us yea that our joy might be full an express Text you have in 1 Joh. 5.13 these things have I written unto you that believe in the name of the Son of God that ye may know ye have eternal life the more you study the Scriptures the more clearly you may read your names in the Book of Life your hearts if sincere will eccho to the word you read because the Law of God is written in your hearts therefore read and study this blessed Book these words are Charters of your heavenly inheritance food for your hungry appetites glasses in which you may discern the face of your souls Oh Christians neglect not the Scriptures look up for a right understanding and due application of every passage therein and then comfort your selves and one another with these words 1 Thes 4. ult 2. Attend upon a quickning Ministry here the terms of the Gospel are propounded the mercies of the Covenant are displayed true believers discovered and characterized here you may meet with a Barnabas as well as with a Boanerges yea it may be the hand that wounded may heal you God usually makes the fruit of the lips to be peace Isa 57.19 and many times sends some choice Interpreter to declare unto a man his righteousness and clear up his integrity Job 33.23 and therefore is it that God directs all such as walk in darkness to obey the voice of his servants Isa 50 10. or rather gives this as their character that they do so Isa 40.1 2.2 Cor. 1.4 and God gives Ministers a charge to comfort his people and lays up comforts in their Breasts to this end that they may comfort such as are cast down Oh the reviving words you may hear in the Ministry of the Word here you may hear doubts resolved cases of Conscience propounded answered and hearts opened anatomized here the spirit of God is often conveyed which seals up the believing soul to the day of redemption Isa 59.21 Gal. 3.2 3. Mat. 28. â—0 the presence of God accompanies his institution so that what the Minister declares in the name and by the Authority of Christ Isa 44 26. Mat. 18.18 according to the word he will ratifie back and confirm it in Heaven and how many drooping heirs of promise hath God erected satisfied encouraged about their title to Covenant-mercies by this Ordinance Oh the advantage that many have got thereby therefore wait on God in this Ordinance Oh look not upon it as weak and beggarly Elements as some ignorantly and blasphemously call all Ordinances make them not a matter of Ceremony and Formality but prepare for them and use them conscientiously and you shall see the sweet effect thereof 3. Improve the seals of the Covenant both Baptism and the Lords Supper Rom 4.11 Circumcision is called the seal of the righteousness of faith because that sweet Evangelical priviledge or marrow of the Gospel-covenant is signified sealed and exhibited in that Ordinance Oh Christians understand and improve that sweet Ordinance of Baptism it would be a spring of sweetness and satisfaction to your doubting fainting spirits 1 Cor. 10.16 c. 11.24 and then for the Lords Supper herein Christs Body and Blood are particularly applyed to us to become our own yea verily and really though not corporally but spiritually exhibited to every worthy receiver and hence resulteth spiritual joy solace and satisfaction as in the Passeover in Hezekiahs days 2 Chron. 30.21 26. they kept the feast with gladness and there was joy in Jerusalem But be sure you examine your selves prepare your hearts excite your Graces understand the Covenant apply these blessed mysteries to your own souls open your hearts by Meditation that the King of glory may come in stir up your souls to draw near to God and he will draw near to you Gal. 3.1 you 'l see Christ Crucified before you you 'l enjoy a blessed feast of fat things that will nourish and comfort your pining souls here you 'l feel pleasant Apples and sweet flagons of the Wine of his special love to stay you up and support your hearts in the day of your affliction and sad desertion and if you cannot enjoy that refreshing Ordinance yet reflect upon your former enjoyments and meditate upon your Crucified Redeemer and represent his bruised body and effused blood to your selves and in due time you 'l cry out with Thomas my Lord and my God 4. Ply the Throne of Grace in Prayer say as David Psal 35.3 O Lord say unto my soul I am thy salvation Isa 56.7 God hath promised to make his people joyful in the house or duty of Prayer Saints have found by experience the sweet and satisfying fruit of a serious wrestling with God thus David Psal 31.16 make thy face to shine upon thy servant and ver 21. he breaks out in thankfulness for an answer Blessed be the Lord for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong City Yea Christ himself commands us to ask that we may receive that our joy may be full Joh. 16.24 and is not a clear evidence of our interest in the Covenant and the mercies of it worth asking therefore plead with God tell him thou preferrest Covenant-mercies above worldly enjoyments and that thou wouldst rather have these mercies made sure to thee than to have a lease of thy life for his loving-kindness is better than life Psal 63.3 tell him the joy of the Lord is thy strength and how much it will tend to thy furtherance in his service if he will lift up the light of his Countenance on thy soul tell him he hath granted comfortable assurance to many souls and thou needest it as well as they thou art an humble suitor at the Gates of mercy and art resolved not to let him go except he bless thee yet once again tell him it is no more then he hath promised in his word and Christ hath purchased by his blood and therefore it is no arrogancy for thee to crave or expect and when thou hast been pleading conclude with that poor man Mark 9 24. Mat. 9.29 Lord I believe help thou my unbelief and he will say according
to thy faith be it unto thee 5. Walk close with God as that is one of the mercies of the Covenant so 't is an evidence of our interest in the Covenant and 't is a notable means of obtaining and maintaining assurance Psal 50.23 to him â—hat ordereth his conversation aright will I â—hew the salvation of God close-walkers have many choice discoveries Psal 119.165 Oh the peace â—hat such have as keep Gods commandments Oh the sweet refreshment which results from a lively obedience the work of righteousness is peace the effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance for ever Isa 32.17 Psal 25 14. Mat. 4.2 Joh. 14.15 16. v. 21. if you keep constantly in the â—ear of God he will discover to you the secrets of his Covenant he will cause the Sun of righteousness to arise upon you if you keep his Commandments you shall have a comforter and he will manifest himself to you But if you grow careless and remiss in your walking and step aside to any gross sin no wonder if you have little assurance of these Covenant-mercies for these do separate betwixt you and your God you and comfort this obscured Davids interest in God and his unsuitable Acts cost him many a tear and sad thoughts of heart which made him cry out of broken bones and bitterly groan out his sad complaints for the want of the joy of Gods salvation yea for one act of sloth and security the Church lost the sweet sense of divine love Cant. 5.26 Oh take heed of sin it is like a filthy vapour rising out of the soul that causeth a mist and a thick mist between God and us as will keep the light of his countenance from shining upon us it begets jealousies suspicioâ— and uncomfortable fears in the soul whether God be ours or no and therefore take heed of sin and walk humbly witâ— God 6. Be much in self-observation somâ— have an interest in the Covenant but know it not for want of self-discovery therefore it were a good work to consider boâ— your hearts and ways indeed the heart 〈◊〉 deceitful but you should take the candle 〈◊〉 the Word in the hand of Conscience anâ— deal impartially with your hearts seek into the obscure corners thereof and it 's possible in some nook or other you 'l find a Covenant-mercy canst thou not say as Peter iâ— sincerity Joh 21 17. Isa 38.3 thou knowest that I love thee oâ— with Hezekiah that you have walkt before God in uprighteness dost thou not find iâ— thy heart a care to please God fear to offenâ— him desire to enjoy him hatred of sin love tâ— the saints poverty of spirit despising thâ— World and low thoughts of thy best duty well now a sound search and clear discovery of the frame of your spirits will be 〈◊〉 notable way to assure to your selves youâ— interest in these Covenant-mercies and sâ— proving your selves Gal. 6.4 Prov. 14.14 your rejoycing and satisfaction shall be from your selves if thou canst but find one saving Grace in thy heart in truth thou maist gather some evidence thence and Gods Children have taken comfort in their sincere love to the Brethren when they have have scarce discerned any other grace and so have assured their hearts before God that they were of â—he truth see 1 John 3.18 19. there 's neâ—er a good work done if it be right for principle rule and end but it will help us â—o a discovery of our state that our work â—s wrought in God Joh. 3.21 therefore â—et's be willing to come to the light and try our hearts and acts so may we attain assurance of our interest 7. Reflect upon and recollect your former experiences this was Davids usual method â—o assure his heart of the truth of Grace Psal 77.6 Psal 143.5 6. Job 23.11 12. and his interest in God Psal 77.10 I will remember the years of the right hand of the most high days of old his songs in the night this course took Job and many other saints and the Apostle bids the believing Hebrews call to remembrance the former days in which after they were illuminated they endured a great fight of afflictions Heb. 10.32 and this was in order to the recovery of Gods smiles and the sence of his love you 'l say what am I better for remembring what goodness was in me in time past which I am now fallen from and have lost I answer much every way chiefly because these mercies of the Covenant are sure mercies and though they may be obscured yet never abolished where God loves once he loves to the end Joh. 13.1 Job 19.28 1 Pet. 1.23 the bud and blossom of comfort may be nipt but the root of the matter and incorruptible seed remains in the heart a man in a swoun hath life though possibly 't is not discernable to himself or others grace may be hid yet alive as the sap returns into the root in Winter want of comfortable sense and feeling is not a loss of Grace in this case search your records and see if you cannot find some manifestations of God to your souls in former times I have heard of a godly Woman who was wont to write down how God dealt with her heart and time place manner of her communion with God a time of destruction came the comforts and counsels of Ministers friends were in vain 〈◊〉 a good man gets her Book shews it under her own hand which she could noâ— deny clears the immutable love of God plyes her with it drives the nail home and thereby she recovered her assurance thus may you therefore recollect experiences 8. Strengthen every grace the greateâ— any thing is the more is is discernable little Grace is not so soon discovered aâ— much Grace a greater measure of thâ— Graces of the spirit carryes a beauty and lustre along with it and hath a self-evidencing testimony of the souls sincerity Christians do you add to your faith vertue knowledge temperance patience Godliness brotherly-kindness charity foâ— if these things be in you and abound yoâ— shall both be fruitful and they will help you to clear up your calling and election 2 Pet. 1 5-10 these resemble the soul to God and the more God-like a Chrstian grows the more clear will he be in point of state Saints of the greatest magnitude are usually more free from doubtings whiles sincere yet weak believers are much pestered with jealousies and misgivings the more you get of these sure mercies into your hearts the more sure you are of your interest in them the faster hold you have of God the surer you 'l be you have indeed hold of him every step towards Zion will add new strength stability and satisfaction to the holy Pilgrim encrease Repentance and you increase assurance of the remission of sins increase faith and that brings on assurance of faith strengthen hope and you settle your Anchor grow in love to God and his way courage and zeal