his delight 2. His Son not his Sheep or Oxen or Servant but his Son 3. His begotten Son not an adopted Son 4. His only begotten Son nor one Son among many but his only Son by Sarah the Free-woman by whom he had no more 5. This the Son of the Promise in whom his seed should be called and all the Nations of the earth be blessed 6. This Son sacrificed intentionally though not actually as a Burnt-Offering 7. And all this by Abraham his own Father O glorious Faith that can make such a man as Abraham so part with as to sacrifice such a treasure as Isaac Canst thou thus part with thus conquer the world as Abraham Excellently to this purpose said George Carpenter of Emering Martyr in Bavaria My wife and my children are so dearly beloved unto me that they cannot be bought from me for all the riches and possessions of the Duke of Bavaria but for the love of my Lord God I will willingly forsake them 4. Finally By resting on God alone at the only Rock and foundation of our true joy and comfort both while the world is with us and when the world shall leave us 1. While the world is with us we conquer it by Faith if we fetch our comforts from an higher richer spring then the world viz. God David in midst of his Royall enjoyments said Whom have I in heaven but thee and in earth there 's none that I desire with thee mine heart and my strength faileth but thou art the strength of my heart and portion for ever Psal. 73. 25. And elsewhere Many say Who will shew us good But Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us Thou hast put more gladness in mine heart then in the time when their Corne and New-wine increased Ps. 4. 6 7. 2. When the world shall leave us yet our joy and comforts leave us not because our God forsakes us not Thus we overcome the world when though the world be down our hearts are up As Habbakuk Although the Fig-tree shall not blossome neither fruit be in the Vines the labour of the Olive shall faile and the Fields shall yield no meat The flock shall be cut off from the Fold and there shall be no herd in the Stalls Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my salvation Hab. 3. 17 18. Thus Faith overcomes the worlds smiling and fawning II. True faith vigorously and victoriously acts against the frownes of the world The world frownes against the Regenerate in all its common tribulations or speciall persecutions either by hating reproaching spoiling imprisoning tormenting or murdering them Thus it frowned upon righteous Abel Gen. 4 8 9 10. Upon Isaac Gal. 4. 29 Upon Israel Exod. 1. c. 2. Upon Ioseph Psal. 105. 17 18. Upon Iob Job 1. Upon David Psal. 73. 14. Upon all the Prophets Acts 7. 52. Upon all the Apostles 1 Cor 4. 9. Upon all that will live godly in Christ Iesus 2 Tim. 3. 12. Yea upon Jesus Christ himself Isa. 53. Phil. 2. 7 8. Heb 12. 2 3. Yet Regenerate persons by Faith in Christ overcome the world in all its frownes and storme and this many wayes viz. 1. By encouraging them against base carnal feares Feares oft-times more annoy the Saints then feelings of distresses Faith steels the gracious heart against these servile feares and makes it exceeding magnanimous As in Moses Parents By faith Moses when he was borne was hid three moneths of his Parents because they saw he was a proper child and they not afraid of the Kings commandment Heb. 11. 23. In Moses himself By faith he viz. Moses forsook Egypt not fearing the wrath of the King far he endured as seeing him which is invisible Heb 11. 27. As also in those valiant Champions Who through faith subdued Kingdomes wrought righteousnesse obtained promises stopped the mouths of Lions quenched the violence of fire escaped the edge of the sword out of weaknesse were made strong waxed valiant in fight turned to flight the armies of the Aliens Heb. 11. 33 34. We are not only said Cyprian not afraid of the enemies of the truth but we provoke them 2. By enabling to undergo varieties of cruel trials and torments which without faith would be to flesh and blood most terrible and intolerable And others had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings yea moreover of bonds and imprisonments they were stoned they were sawen asunder were tempted were slain with the sword they wandred about in sheep-skins and goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented of whom the world was not worthy They wandred in deserts and in mountaines and in dens and caves of the earth these all having obtained a good report through faith Heb. 11. 36 to 40. Cyprian hath strange expressions of the Martyres victorious faith in his dayes The multitude present beheld with admiratinn the heavenly combate the combate of God the spiritual conflict the war of Christ his servants standing with a free voice incorrupt minde Divine strength armed not with secular weapons but with weapons of faith The tormonted stood stronger then the tormentors the beaten and but chered members overcame the hands that did beat and butcher them Cruel stripes oft repeated long continued could not overcome their impregnable Faith no not though their bowels were digged out and not so much the members as the wounds of the servants of God were tormented Their blood gushed out which even quenched the burning of persecution yea extinguished the flames and fire of hell with a glorious stream 3. By extenuating and asswaging the extremity of afflictions and persecutions Faith so sustaines and refreshes the inwards of the soul under distresses that they are rather seeming then real distresses shadowes rather then substances As it were poverty As it were imprisonment c. rather then poverty imprisonment indeed As in the Apostles We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despaire persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed 2 Cor. 4. 8 9. And elsewhere more emphatically As unknown and yet well known as dying and behold we live as chastened and not killed as sorrowful yet alwayes rejoycing as poor yet making many rich as having nothing and yet possessing all things 2 Cor. 6. 9 10. Whereas contrariwise through unbelief men are as rich yet really poor as in liberty and yet in greatest bondage as rejoycing and yet in midst of mirth the heart is heavy c. Unbelief turns the rod into a serpent Faith turns the serpent into a rod. 4. By perswading the hearts of the faithful that it is their great priviledge honour and happinesse to suffer for Christ and Righteousnesse sake according to those intimations of Scripture To you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake Phill. 1. 29. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousnesse sake
BELIEVERS Evidences FOR ETERNALL LIFE Collected Out of the First Epistle of JOHN which is Catholique Explained and confirmed By very many Subservient Signes or Under-Notes Grounded upon Scriptures and Illustrated by Testimonies both of Ancient Fathers and Modern Writers Whereby Persons truly Regenerate may divers wayes Discover their present State of Grace and Title unto glory By FRANCIS ROBERTS A. M. Pasâ—…or of the Church at Augustines LONDON The second Impression Brethren Give Diligence to make your Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith Prove your owne selves KNOW ye not your owne selves How that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reproâ—…ates 2 Cor. 13. 5. London Printed by T. R. and E. M. for George Calvert and are to be sold at his shop at the Sign of the Half-Moon in Pauls Church-yard neer the little North-door 1655. To the RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY Earle of KENT And to his Right Noble Consort Amabella Countess of Kenâ—… All Confluence of Blessings both for the life that now is and for that which is to come from the Father of Mercies and God of all Consolations Right Honourable OF all people in the world that 's the only happy people whose God is the LORD the Lord being that suprem good in whom alone are concentred all beatificall Perfections No people can enjoy the Lord as their God but by Covenant in Christ Iesus that only way unto the Father Covenant-Interest in Christ cannot actually be pleaded by any person but only such aâ—… are actually seized of a gracious Covenant-State thâ—… Grace of the Covenant iâ—… us being the surest Pledgâ—… of Gods entring into the Coâ—… venant of Grace with us Sâ—… that to be in a Graciouâ—… State is true happinesse Bâ—… to know our selves to be such a State is true happinesse double upon us Hereupon that I might lend some help to true believers for reading and discerning their own spirituall Evidences of their State of Grace I have been perswaded to publish this bundle of Beleevers Evidences for Eternall Life in the ensuing Treatise Whereunto I have been the more inclinable that my lines might be of use 1. To support the weak and comfort the feeble-minded who walk heavily and disconsolately in the paths of grace through want of Assurance That they hereby comming in some measure to know the things that are freely given to them of God may lift up the hands that hang downe and the feeble knees and run with enlarged hearts the way of Gods Commandements 2. To confute really the Enthusiasticall fancies the ignorant Anti-Scripturall opinions of some who cry up I know not what imaginary Raptures Revelations and other Dreames of their own as the only Characters of Election and Justification decrying as carnall all discoveries of beleevers spirituall estates by markes and Signes of Sanctification For this sweet Epistle of John the beloved Disciple is full of such markes as in this book is evident Christ hath taught us to judge of the tree by the fruits And Reason directs us to discover the Cause by the effect 3. To divert the distempered minds of men a little if it be possible from jejune empty perverse disputes vain janglings brain-sick notions and speculations the calamity of these crazy times to exercise themselves upon that wholesome necessary practicall businesse of making their calling and Election sure We have laid out farre too much for that which is not bread for that which satisfieth not 4. And finally to rouze up my selfe and all sorts of Christians in this Kingdom in these slippery days wherein both Lives Liberties Health Friends Wealth Pleasures Honours Crowns Scepters and all sublunaries are in such extremity of extraordinary uncertainties to lay hold and make sure of eternall life that in the midst of all terrestriall Concussions and Revolutions we may have a celestiall unshaken foundation of true spirituall Peace and Consolation Your Honours noble respects and undeserved favours heretofore manifested unto me have commanded me to Dedicate and Present unto you this small Testimoniall of my unfeigned gratitude And wherein can I be more truly serviceable to your Honours then in such sincere endeavours to promote your Assurance of eternall salvation Now the God of all Grace fill your hearts with all the fruits of his Spirit unto all riches of the full assurance of understandding and faith and hope in this life And at last crown you both with ineffable glory in the life to come in the full enjoyment of himselfe who is the Heaven of heaven and Glory of glory So prayeth Augustines London Octob. 9. 1648. Your Honours humble and faithfull servant in the Lord FRAN. ROBERTS The Evidences Methodized The chiefe Scope of his Book 〈◊〉 To Proâ—…te Believers Assuâ—…nce of â—…eir true â—…te of Grace To his end herein are â—…folded I. The Saints Assurance itself in Generall viz. the 1. Nature of it Preface Pag 14 15 â—…6 2. Tryall of it Pref. p. 16. to 22. 3. Way of Attaining it Pref. p. 22. to 26. 4. Inducements to it Pref. p. 26. to 30. II. The Evidences or Signs in Particular Leading to Assurance of Eternal Life These discover I. Gods Gratuitous Love to us in Jesus Christ How he loved us first pag. 10 11 12. 200. where 1. IV Signes of Gods love to us pag. 5. â—…o 21. 2. VI Signes of Gods love Applyed to us pag. 201 202. II Our Gracious state towards God according to his love in Christ. viz in our I. Enjoyment of the Spirit of Christ himselfe The immediate Author of all Grace where 7 Signes of the Spirit given unto us pag. 216 217. II. Enjoyment of the gracious effects of the Spirit viz. I. Regeneration or New-birth at our Conversion Here 1 How the Soule is brought to Christ by 7 steps pag. 25. to 28. 〈◊〉 How the Father drawes the Soule to Christ in six particulars pag. 25 26. 3. 〈◊〉 Signes of Regeneration pag. 21. to 180. II. Sanctification our Persons by 1. Mortifying of the Old man 1. In generall Sinne where 1. How Regenerate persons Sinne not like the unregenerate in eight distinctive Characters pag. 38. to 60. 2 How Regenerate persons may possibly Sin against Grace in five degrees pag. 89 90. 3 How the Regenerate Sinne not the Sinne against the Holy Ghost pag. 60. to 127. 2 In Particular 1. Errours How farre the Regenerate overcomes them pag. 127 to 139. 2. Love of the World 15. Signes of inordinate love of the world pag. 9 10. 207 208. Many Signes of overcoming the worlds Smiles and Frownes pag. 142 to 162. 3. Slavish Feare 5 Signes that it is cast out pag. 203 204 205. 4. Bosome-Sinne pag. 52 53. 2. Vivifying of the New man Some holy habits wherof are 1 Know ledge p. 70. 71. here coÌ„sider 1. VIII Signes of the Spirits Teaching us pag. 181 182 183. 2. IIII Signes
cheerfully 1 Ioh. 〈◊〉 5. and 5. 3. 5. Our true love to Gods children for the heavenly Fatherâ—… sake who begat them 1 Iohn 5. 1. and 4 11 12 20 21. and 3â—… 17. CHAP. VII Evidences of our Communion with God and with Iesus Christ. 1. The Holy Spirit of God and of Jesus Christ given us 1 Iohn 3. 24. and 4. 13. p. 214. 2. The true abiding of the ancient Primitive truth and doctrine of Christ in us 1 Ioh. 2. 22 23 24. p. 217. 3. True confessing that Jesus is the Sonne of God 1 Ioh. 4. 15. p. 218. 4. Not doing or practising of sin 1 Ioh. 3. 6 8. p. 221. 5. Unfeigned love to God and dwelling therein 1 Iohn 4. 16. p. 221. 6. Walking in light not in darknesse 1 Iohn 1. 5 6 7. p. 224. 7. Walking as Christ walked 1 Iohn 2. 6. p. 225. 8. Keeping his Word and Commandements 1 Ioh. 2. 5. and 3â—… 23 24. p. 227. 9. True brotherly love 1 Iohn 4. 12. p. 228. CHAP. VIII Evidences of the unfeigned love of the Brethren 1. True spiritual knowing of God 1 Iohn 4. 7 8. p. 228. 2. Sincere loving of God 1 Iohn 5. 1 2. p. 229. 3. Right keeping of Gods Commandements 1 Iohn 5. 2 3. p. 229. 4. Loving the brethren peculiarly as they are begotten 〈◊〉 God c. 1 Iohn 5. 1 2. p. 229. 5. When we love them not verbally and complementally bâ—… really and sincerely Opening tender bowels of Compassion 〈◊〉 our brother in need yea if they cause require hazzarding oâ—… dearest lives for the children of Gâ—…d 1 Iohn 3. 16 17 18 19. p. 230. BELIEVERS Evidences FOR Eternall Life Collected out of the first EPISTLE of IOHN which is Catholique IOHN is an Hebrew name and signifies The Lord hath been gracious or The grace of the Lord He was Son of Zeâ—…edee brother of Iames and called by Christ to the Apostolical office Mat. 4. â—…1 10. 2 Mar. 1. 19. Luk. 5. 10. which is â—…he highest Ecclesiastical Office under the New Testament 1 Cor. 12. 28 Ephes. 4. 11. Iohn was one of the three whom Christ took up with him to Mount Taâ—…or to behold his glorious Transfiguration Matth. 17. c. Mark 9. 2. Luke 9. 28 c. One of the two whom Christ sent to prepare his last Passeover Luke 22. 8. and that Disciple whom Iesus peculiarly loved above all the rest Iohn 13. 23. and 19. 29. and 20. 2. and 21. 7 20. who leaned on Iesus breast at supper to whom Christ by a private token discovered that Iudas should betray him Iohn 13. 23 24 25 26. and to whom alone Christ dying on the Crosse commended his owne Mother Iohn 19. 25 26 27. This IOHN this compound of love anâ—… sweetnesse wrote this Epistle Aâ—… Epistle saith Calvin altogether worth of the spirit of that Discipleâ—… who wâ—… therefore beloved of Christ above the reâ—… that he might render himself more familiâ—… to us A most sweet Epistle saith Austin most memorable in the Church of God becauâ—… love is there especially commanded An Epistle whose principal Scope and end is Tâ—… help the believers to a well-grounâ—… ed Assurance of their actual interâ—… in eternal life These things saiâ—… John have I written unto you that bâ—… lieve on the Name of the Son of God thâ—… ye may know that ye have eternal life 1 John 5. 13. To this end the holy Ghost by the Apostle hath replenished this precious Epistle with more variety and plenty of pregnant Marks Signes Characters or Evidences of Believers spiritual estate then any other Scripture of like quantity in the whole Book of God So that it is a Rich Treasury for Christian-Assurance 1 Assurance if the fault be not our owne is Attainable John 14 21. Rev. 2. 17. 1 Cor. 2. 9 to 13. 1 Iohn 2. 3 5. and 3 2 14 19 24. and 4. 13. and 5. 19. 2 Assurance hath been actually attained by divers Iob ch 19. 25 26 27. David Psal. 22. 1. and 51 8 12. Thomas John 20. 28. Paul 2 Tim. 1. 12. 2 Cor. 5. 1. Rom. 8. 37 38. Gal. 2. 20. 1 Tim. 1. 13 14. 16. The Church of Christ Cant 2. 16. and 7. 10. 3 The nature of faith and hope tend and lead on unto Assurance Col. 2. 2. Heb. 6. 11 18 19. Heb. 10. 23. 4 Hence all Christians ought to â—…ontend after Assurance 2 Cor. 13. 5. 〈◊〉 Assurance that eternal life is ours actually attained brings great glory to God Rom. 4. 20 21. is the glory of faith Rom. 4. 19 20. overcomes greatest difficulties Rom. 4. 17 18. is an approved cordiall extraordinarily strengthening believers hearts in worst times under saddest afflictions yea in the straits of death Iob 19. 25 26 27. 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. and in a word is a Paradise on earth the suburbs of Heaven and sweetest glimpse of glory Come hither therefore all ye doubting soules and drooping Christians that walk in darknesse and have no light of Assurance and comfort this blessed Epistle is an Epistle for you reade it and meditate upon it continually till you be perswaded setled stablished comforted And for your further help peruse these evidences extracted out of it and familiarly digested by him whose comfort it will be to be an Helper of your joy CHAP. I. Evidences or Signes of Gods love to us CHrists being sent to lay down his life for us that we might live by him may be a first Signe of Gods love to us Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us 1 Joh. 3. 16. In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Sonne into the world that we might live through him Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sinnes 1 Joh. 4. 9 10. Hence when actually we live through Christ we actually taste Gods free love in Christ. Gods speciall love acts towards his beloved ones chiefly three waies 1. In electing them before all time elect of God holy and beloved Col. 3. 12. which is more peculiarly ascribed to the Father 1 Pet. 1. 2. 2. In redeeming them in fulnesse of time which is more peculiarly attributed to the Son Ioh. 15. 12 13. Gal. 2. 20. Rev. 1. 5. 3. In immediate applying of Christ unto them in due time by sanctification effectuall calling c. and this is more peculiarly given to the Holy Ghost Tit. 3. 4 5. 1. Pet. 1. 2. And in every of these acts of love God comes neerer and closer unto his The Fathers love in electing is love intended and purposed this is most remote The Sonnes love in redeeming is love actually demonstrated to the world this is neerer but the Holy Ghosts love in sanctifying c. is love effectually and peculiarly applyed to individuall persons this is most neare Would we know our interest in the Fathers electing love consider
into a new creature As that learned Master Perkins hath observed Thus of the first Argument 2. Ab impossibili from the impossibility of his so sinning that is born of God and that from the state and nature of his regeneration and he cannot sinne because he is borne of God whereby he intimates that a sinful course and a state of grace are wholly incompatible and inconsistent with one another Here the Apostle riseth higher in his expression clearly pronouncing that the hearts of the godly are so efficaciously governed by his Spirit that with an inflexible affection they follow the conduct of the Spirit The Apostle doth not only teach that the regenerate are able not to sin 〈◊〉 but that the motion of the Spirit is so effectuall that it necessarily retaines them in the constanâ—… obedience of righteousnesse As Calv. observes not unsuitable to this of Iohn is the tenor of the Covenant of grace I will put my feare in their hearts and they shall not depart from me Jer. 32. 40. Thus much for the distribution and explication of this cotext wherein not sinning is made a note of regeneration Now because this is a grand evidence of being born of God that all such sin not nor can sin because this hath much difficulty in it as seeming to crosse not onely the experience of all regenerate persons who feel they sin frequently to the griefe of their soules but also divers Scriptures Psa. 19. 12 13. Rom. 7. 15 23 24. Iam. 3. 〈◊〉 1 Ioh. 1. 8 9 10. Therefore this is the prinâ—…ipall thing here to be opened and cleered convincingly to the Conscience viz. How or in what sense He that is borne of â—…od doth not commit sin nor can sin For more clear Resolution herein consiâ—…er this thing Negatively and Affirmatively Negatively when the Apostle saith He that born of God doth not commit sin nor can sin â—…ereby cannot be meant as some have hence â—…agined that the regenerate have no sin all inherent in them nor committed by â—…em but are perfectly holy even in this â—…e As of old the Manicheâ—…s and Cathariâ—…ought â—…ought they could not so much as sin in â—…ought The Pelagians and Familists iâ—…gined themselves so free from sinne that they needed not to pray forgive us our trespasses The Adamites deemed themselvâ—…s as pure as Adam and Eve before their faâ—… And the Carpocratians dreamed that they were as free from sinne as Christ himselâ—…e Yea even in these our dayes some have held That he that believeth that Christ hath taâ—… away his sin is as clean without sin as Christ himselfe That It is as possible for Christ himselfe to sinne as for a child of God to sinne That If a man by the Spirit know himseâ—… to be in the state of grace though he be drâ—… or commit murther God sees no sin in him That as well our workes as persons are perfectly holy and good That a Saint 〈◊〉 this life without any addition hereafter is perfectly just perfectly holy compleatly glorious 〈◊〉 this life and is not capable of any addition 〈◊〉 ter death in the least degree but onely of maâ—… festation Against these fond and false imagination observe 1. That the holy Scripture expressely tesâ—… fies the contrary viz. That the most holy aâ—… regenerate persons in this life have in theâ—… Sin Originall and hence â—…oo often fall iâ—… sin actâ—…all Who can underistand his error Psal. 19. 12. Who can sâ—…y I have made 〈◊〉 beare clean I am pure from my sin Pro. 〈◊〉 9. There iâ—… no man 〈◊〉 sinneth not 1 Kâ—… 8. 46. 2. Chron. 6. 36. In many things sin all Iames 〈◊〉 2. There is not a just man on earth that doth good and sinneth not Ecclesâ—…y 20. If we say that we have no sin viz. originally we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us If we say we have not sinned viz. actually we make him a liar and his word is not in us 1 Iohn 1. 8 10. 2. The universall experience of the best of God Saints in all ages evidences that none of them all have been without sinne in this life Not Abraham Gen. 12. 13 19. 20. 2 5. Not Isaac Gen. 26. 7 9. Not Iacob Gen. 27. 19 20 24. Not Moses and Aaron Psal. 106. 33. Deut. 32. 50 51. Exod 32. 2 21. Not David Psal. 51. 1 to 10. 38. 3 4. Not Peter Matth. 26. 33 34 35 70 to the end Gal. 2. 11 12 13 Not Paul himselfe Rom. 7. 18 20 23 24 25. 3. The nature of grace and sanctification in this life is at perfectest but imperfect and growing on to perfection 1 Cor. 13. 9 10. Phil. 3. 12 13. consequently mortification is imperfect Some Canaanites are still in the land though the Kings are distroyed There is a remnant of flesh as well as a principle of spirit Gal. 5. 17. The Church is not actually purged but in purging from all defilements and at last there shall be no spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing Eph. 5. 26 27. Onely the man Christ Jesus in this world was without sin Heb. 4. 15. Isa. 53. 9. Heb. 7. 26. 2 Cor. 5. 21. 4. Compleat purity from sin and perfection of holinesse is a glory though to be desired on earth yet reserved for heaven Rom. 6. 7. Eph. 5. 27. Heb. 12. 23. Rev. 21. 27. 5. Unto all which might be added the plentifull suffrage of Ancient Writers take the sense of two or three for all Lactantius Firmianus saith None can be without sin so long as he is burdened with the clothing of flesh Hierom saith If the outward man do what it would not and acts what it hates it shewes that the Command is good and that he acts not what is evill but sinne dwelling in his flesh i. e. the vices of the body and desires of pleasune * Augustine saith Search every one though most righteous in this life though he be worthy of the title of a just man yet is he not without sin And a little after Whatsoever is sin is formerly blotted out of us in baptisme but because all iniquity is blotted out doth no infirmity remaine if none remaine we shouid live here without sinne but who dare say this but a proud man but one unworthy of the mercy of the pardoner but he that will deceive him selfe and in whom the truth is not And in his book of the City of God he saith The words of such a master and our Lord are vigilantly to be considered for he saith not If you forgive men their sins your Father will allso forgive you what sins soever but he saith your sins For he taught adaily prayer and spake to disciples justified What is therefore your sins but the sins without which even you are not who are justified and sanctified Blessed Cyprian also that valiant Confessor and glorious Martyr of Jesus Christ writing upon that Petition of the Lords prayer And forgiveius our
because he kept Gods Commandements Psal. 119. 98 99 100. They that truly know God cannot choose but keep his Commandements For they know 1. The Authority of God commanding to be supream Iam. 4. 12. 2. The holinesse justnesse and goodnesse of Gods lawes commanded Rom. 7. 12. 3. The greatness of Gods rewards in keeping of them Psal. 19. 11. Deut. 28. 1 to 15. 4. The seventy of Gods wrath against the wilfull breakers of them Deut. 28. 15 to the end For clearing the Evidence consider 1. What is meant by knowledge of God 2. What by keeping his Commandements 3. Signes of this keeping Gods Commandements I. Knowledge of God and of Christ is either 1. Both true and perfect whereby God is clearly known thus none know God in this life but Christ the Sonne Matth. 11. 27. In the life to come all the Elect shall thus know God 1 Ioh. 3. 2. 2. Nor true nor perfect in reference to him that knowes but dubious uncertaine hypocriticall and common to Reprobates which is rather an opinion then a knowledge of God 1 Cor. 〈◊〉 14. 3. True but â—…mperfect whereby all regenerate persons do truly though weakly know God in this life Ier. 31. 34. Iohn 6. 45. 1 Cor. 13. 9. 12. Here understand the last sort of knowledge II. Keeping of Gods Commandements flowes originally from the true knowledge of God For we so farre act as we affect or love we so farre love as we know Hence from this threefold knowledge ariseth a threefold obedience viz. 1. Both true and perfect Only by Christ on earth by Saints and Angels in heaven Phil. 2. 8. Mat. 6 10. 2. Nor true nor perfect as the obedience of hypocrites and carnall men who if they saile not in the matter of obedience yet they still faile in the ground manner and end of obedience Rom. 8. 8. Heb. 11. 6. 3. True and sincere but imperfect by Saints on earth who for matter ground manner and end of obedience are sincere the bent and maine disposition of their hearts upright and unfeigned notwithstanding there be some graduall infirmities and imperfections As Zachariah and Elizabeth walked in all the Commandements of God blamelesse Luk. 1. 6. Here understand this third sort of keeping Gods Commandements to be a signe of true knowledge of God III. Signes of true keeping Gods Commandments whence we may know that we truly know God 1. The Law and Commandements of God are written in the heart of that person that truly keeps them Ier. 31. 33. Psal. 40. 7 8. The heart within answers to the Commandements without As a Book written answers to his minde that writes it As the impression on the wax answers to the character engraven on the Seale c. 2. The inward man viz. the sanctified minde and will and the fixed disposition of them delight in the Law and Commandements of God though that other law in the members rebell against it Rom. 7. 18 21 22 23 25. How did David delight in Gods laws Psal 119. 97. Delightfull loving cordiall obedience is the truest keeping of Gods Commandements They are farre from keeping Gods Commandements whose mindes are enmity against Gods Law Rom. 8. 7. 3. Turning from every evillway for the keeping of Gods Word Psal. 119. 101. 4. Obeying Gods Commandements Evangelically for substance and circumstance as he requires For Matter what he requires Iohn 1. 5. 14. For Ground and root of obedience 1 Tim. 1. 5. For Manner how he requires Iohn 4. 24. For end which we should aime at in all obedience 1 Cor. 10. 32. 5. Universall unlimited respect to all Gods Commandements one as well as another Psal. 119. 6. Iam. 2. 10 11. As Caleb Numb 14. 24. As Zachariah and Elizabeth kept all Luke 1. 6. 6. Constancy and Perseverance in keeping Gods Commandements Psal. 1. 2 3 and 119. 20. I have inclined my heart to do thy statutes alway unto the end Psal. 119. 112. II. Secondly Not sinning or Deniall renouncing of sinne aright evidenceth wee know God aright They that commit sinne are grossely ignorant of God Whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him 1 Joh. 3. 6. This particular of not sinning as the property of the regenerate Together with the distinctive differences betwixt the sinning of the regenerate and of unregenerate persons See fully opened Chap. 2. Evidence 3. pag. 29 to p. 60. III. Thirdly A right entertaining and hearkening to the true Apostolicall doctrine is a notable evidence of the true knowledge of God in us as the listening to false Teachers and doctrines rejecting the true is a signe of ignorance of God and of a carnall state They viz. Anti-Christian Teachers v. 3. are of the world therefore speak they of the world and the world heareth them We are of God He that knoweth God heareth us He that is not of God heareth not us Hereby know we the Spirit of truth and the spirit of errour 1 John 4. 5 6. Signes of right entertaining and hearkning to true Apostolical doctrine 1. When we entertaine their doctrine discerningly distinguishing and discriminating by help of Scriptures their sound doctrine from all unsound opinions divers and strange Doctrines of false teachers Heb. 5. 14. 1 Ioh. 4. 1. Act. 17. 11. Rev. 2. 2. 2. When discerning their doctrine we entertaine it believingly the Word being mingled contempered or united with faith in the hearers Heb. 4. 2. 3. When we entertaine it readily with all readinesse of minde Act. 17. 11. 4. When we entertaine it reverentially with awfull trembling at it as the Word of God Isa. 66. 2. 1 Thes. 2. 13. 5. When we entertaine it with a singular love affectionatenesse ond estimation Gal. 4. 13 14 15. contrary is that in 2 Thes. 2. 10 11. 6. When we entertaine it obedientially obeying from the heart that forme of doctrine unto which we are delivered Rom. 6. 17. being conformed yea transformed by the doctrine received yielding prosessed subjection to the Gospel 2 Cor. 9. 13. 7. When we so receive it as to retaine it firmly not leaking or letting it slip Heb. 2. 1. 1 Thes. 5. 20 21. IV. Finally Mutuall Reciprocall Brotherly love Evinceth that we know God aright Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is borne of God and knoweth God He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love 1 John 4. 7 8. He must needs know God that truly loves his brother the childe of God For 1. He that loves his brother is borne of God 1 Iohn 4. 7. and 3. 10 14. and he that is borne of God among other graces infused hath illumination whereby he knowes God 2. He that loves his brother truly knowes Gods image in his brother how lovely it is in him and therefore loves him 1 Iohn 5. 1. 3. He that loves his brother knows Gods Authority in his Command And this Commandement we have from him that he who loveth God love his brother also 1 Joh.
we shun all fellowship with works of darknesse in others Eph. 5. 11. 4. When we hate not the light as evil doers but love it and come unto it that it may be manifest our deeds are wrought in God â—…ohn 3. 20 21. VII Seventhly Walking as Christ our chief Captaine Heb. 2. 10 walked is a further discovery of our fellowship with God and Christ. He that saith he abideth in him ought himselfe also so to walke even as he walked 1 John 2. 6. To walke as Christ walked is to imitate Christ to follow Christ or as Oecumenius well expresseth it so to live and behave our selves in our life as Christ did To rectifie our life according to Christs course Christs actions were either 1. Acts of divine power as his miracles turning water into wine Iohn 2. 7 c. walking on the sea Mark 6. 48 â—…9 Raising the dead Iohn 12. 1. Matthew 11. 5. Luk. 7. 21 c. 2. Acts of divine Prerogative Matth. 21. 2 c. 3 Acts Mediatory as dying for his sheep Ioh. 10. 15. Giving of the Spirit Ioh. 20. 22. Acts 2. Appointing his own officers in the Church Eph. 4. 7 10 11. 4. Moral Acts appertaining to the common nature of sanctification as Mat. 11. 29. Eph. 5. 2 3 25. Or at least bottomed upon a moral consideration and ground as in Ioh. 13. 14 15. According to these moral acts of Christ we are to follow Christ to walk as Christ walked How did Christ walk that we may know whether we walk like him 1. Christ walked most purely holily inoffensively both before God and man Heb. 4. 15. and 7. 26. Isa. 53. 9. Many took offence at Christ Mat. 15. 12. Mark 6. 3. but Christ gave them no offence Thus should we walk 1 Cor. 10. 32 33. Act. 23. 1. and 24. 16. 1 Thes. 2 10 11 12. 2. Christ walked most humbly and meekly Mat. 11. 28. Phil. 2. 5 6 7. 3. Christ walked most selfe-denyingly Though he was rich yet became poore for our sakes 2 Cor. 8. 9. If it be possible let this cup passe from me yet not as I will but as thou wilt Mar. 14. 36. 4. Christ walked most zealously Joh. 2. 15 16 17. 5. Christ walked most obedientially to his heavenly Father Rom. 5. 19. Ioh. 4. 34. Heb. 5. 8 9. He became obedient to death even the death of the Crosse Phil. 2. 8. He was so obedient ut vitam perdidit ne obedientiam perderet that he lost his life that he might not lose his obedience Our Saviour said Bernard preferred this vertue of obedience before his life choosing rather to lay down his life then not to fulfil his obedience 6. Christ walked most profitably went about doing good Act. 10. 38. 7. Walked most lovingly tenderly and compassionately towards poore sinners to winne them and save them Luk. 4. 18 19 20 21. Mat. 12. 19 20. and 11. 28 29 30. Luk. 7. 37 to the end 8. Christ walked most spiritually and heavenly He lived on earth as if he had been still in heaven Extracted heavenly contemplations and spiritual lessons from all sorts of earthly objects and occasions presented before him Iohn 4 10 c. and ver 31 32. and 6. 26 27 c. and 15. 1 c. Dost thou thus walk as Christ walked then hast thou communion with God in Christ. VIII VIII Keeping his Word and Commandements discovers our communion with God Whoso keepeth his word in him verily is the love of God perfected Hereby know we that we are in him 1 Joh. 2. 5. And this is his Commandment that we should beleeve on the Name of his Son Iesus Christ and love one another as he gave us Commandment And he that keepeth his Commandments dwelleth in him and he in him 1 Joh. 3. 23 24. Signes of true keeping his commandments See in Chap. 2. Signe 6. p. 162 to 168. and Ch. 6. Signe 4. p. 208 to 212. Signes of true believing in Jesus Christ See in Chap. 2. Signe 2. p. 23 to 29. Signes of the brethrens true love to one another See in chap. 2. Signe 7. p. 168 to 173. and chap. 8. throughout IX Lastly True brotherly love is a signe of our Communion with God For we love our brethren for God in them that begat them 1 Iohn 5. 1. we love God because he first loved us 1 Iohn 4. 19. And where there is mutual love betwixt God and us we have sweet communion with him If we love one another God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us 1 John 4. 12. Evidences of the truth of our brotherly love to one another See in Chap. 2. Signe 7. p. 168 to 173. and chap. 8. throughout CHAP. VIII Finally Evidences or Signes of the unfeigned love of the Brethren viz. the true children of God begotten of him Compare 1 Iohn 4. 20 21. with 1 Iohn 5. 1 2. I. FIrst True spirituall knowing of God Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is borne of God and knoweth God He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love 1 John 4. 7 8. Evidences of true knowledge of God See in Chap. 5. throughout p. 193 c. II. Secondly Sincere loving of God Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is is begotten of him By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God 1 John 5. 1 2. Evidences of our true love to God See in Chap. 6. throughout p. 200 c. III. Thirdly Right keeping of Gods Commandements By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep his Commandements For this is the love of God that we keep his Commandements and his Commandements are not grievous 1 John 5. 2 〈◊〉 Evidences of keeping Gods Commandments See in Chap. 2. Signe 6. p. 162 to p. 168. and Chap. 6. Signe 4. p. 208 to 212. IV. Fourthly Loving the Brethren peculiarly and especially in this notion or respect as they are begotten of God and as they are thereby the children of God Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him By this we know that we love the children of God 1 John 5. 1 2. See this further cleared p. 170 171. V. Finally When we love them not verbally and complementally but really and sincerely Opening tender bowels of Compassion to our brother in need yea if the cause require hazarding our dearest lives for the children of God Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren But whoso hath this worlds good and seeth his brother hath need and sâ—…utteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him My little children let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth And hereby we know that we are of