Gospel Grounds and Evidences OF THE FAITH OF GOD's Elect SHEWING I. The Nature of true saving Faith in securing of the Spiritual Comfort of Believers in this Life is of the highest importance II. The Way wherein true Faith doth evidence it self in the Soul and Consciences of Believers unto their Supportment and Comfort under all their Conflicts with Sin in all their Tryals and Temptations III. Faith will evidence it self by a diligent constant endeavour to keep it self and all Grace in due exercise in all Ordinances of Divine Worship Private and Publick IV. A peculiar way whereby true Faith will evidence it self by bringing the Soul into a State of Repentance Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith prove your selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5 By JOHN OWEN D. D. LONDON Printed by John Astwood for William Marshal at the Bible in Newgate-street where you may be supplyed with most of Dr. Owen's Dr. Beverly's and Mr. Caryl's Works 1695. To the Reader AS Faith is the first vital Act that every true Christian puts forth and the Life which he lives is by the Faith of the Son of God so it is his next and great concern to know that he doth believe and that believing he hath Eternal Life that his Faith is the Faith of God's Elect and of the Operation of God without sâ—me distinct believing knowledge of which he cannot so comfortably assure his Heart before God concerning his Calling and Election so far as to carry him forth in all the ways of Holiness in doing and suffering the Will of God with necessary Resolution and Chearfulness the doing of which in a right manner according to the Tenor of the Gospel is no small part of spiritual Skill whereunto two things are highly requisite First That he be well acquainted with the Doctrine of Christ and knows how to distinguish the Gospel from the Law and Secondly That he be very Conversant with his own Heart that so by comparing his Faith and the Fruits thereof with the said Doctrine of Christ he may some to see that as he hath received Christ so he walks in him all his reasonings concerning himself being taken up from the Word of God so that what Judgment he passeth upon himself may be a Judgment of Faith and Answer of a good Conscience towards God for all Tryals of Faith must at last be resolved into a Judgment of Faith before which is made the Soul still labours under staggerings and uncertainties The design of this ensuing Treatise is to resolve this great Question Whether the Faith we profess unto be true or no the Resolution of which upon an Impartial Enquiry must needs be very grateful and advantageous to every one that hath but tasted that the Lord is gracious That the late Reverend Learned and Pious Dr. Owen was the Author there needs be no doubt not only because good Assurance is given by such as were entrusted with his Writings but also in that the Stile and Spirit running thro' the other of his Practical Writings is here very manifest and accordingly with them is recommended to the serious perusal of every diligent Enquirer unto the Truth of his Spiritual Estate and Condition Isaac Chauncy Evidences of the Faith of GOD's Elect. THE securing of the Spiritual Comforts of Believers in this Life is a matter of the highest Importance unto the Glory of God and their own Advantage by the Gospel For God is abundantly willing that all the Heirs of Promise should receive strong Consolation and he hath provided ways and means for the Communication of it to them and their Participiation of it is their Principal Interest in this World and is so esteemed by them But their effectual Refreshing Enjoyment of these Comforts is variously opposed by the Power of the Remainders of Sin in Conjunction with other Temptations Hence notwithstanding their Right and Title unto them by the Gospel they are oft-times actually destitute of a Gracious sense of them and consequently of that Relief which they are sâ—ited to afford in all their Duties Trials and Afflications Now the Root whereon all real Comforts do grow whence they spring and arise is true and saving Faith the Faith of Gods Elect. Wherefore they do ordinarily answer unto and hold proportion with the Evidences which any have of that Faith in themselves at least they cannot be maintained without such Evidences Wherefore that we may be a little useful unto the Establishment or Recovery of that Consolation which God is so abundantly willing that all the Heirs of Promise should enjoy I shall enquire What are the principal Acts and Operations of Faith whereby it will evidence its Truth and Sincerity in the midst of all Temptations and storms that may befall Believers in this World And I shall insist on such alone as will bear the severest Scrutiny by Scripture and Experience And THE Principal Genuine Acting of saving Faith in us inseparable from it yea essential to such acting consists in the Choosing Embracing and Approbation of Gods way of saving Sinners by the Mediation of Jesus Christ relying thereon with a renuntiation of all other ways and means pretending unto the same End of Salvation THIS is that which we are to explain and prove SAVING Faith is our Believing the Record that God hath given us of his Son 1 John 5. 10. And this is the Record that God hath given unto us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son verse 11. This is the Testimony which God gives that great and sacred Truth which he himself bears witness unto namely That he hath freely prepared Eternal Life for them that believe or provided a way of Salvation for them And what God so prepares he is said to give because of the Certainty of its Communication So Grace was promised and given to the Elect in Christ Jesus before the World began 2 Tim. 1. 9. Tit. 1. 2. And that is so to be communicated unto them in and by the Mediation of his Son Jesus Christ that it is the only way whereby God will give Eternal Life unto any which is therefore wholly in him and by him to be obtained and from him to be received Upon our Acquiescency in this Testimony on our Approbation of this way of saving Sinners or our Refusal of it our Eternal Safety or Ruin doth absolutely depend And it is reasonable that it should be so For in our receiving of this Testimony of God We set to our seal that God is true Joh. 3. 33. We ascribe unto him the Glory of his Truth and therein of all the other Holy Properties of his Nature the most Eminent Duty whereof we are capable in this World And by a Refusal of it what lieth in us we make him a Liar as in this Place v. 10. which is virtually to renounce his Being AND the Solemnity wherewith this Testimony is entred is very remarkable
Gospel that are called Christians they do not esteem it a Fable But it is proposed unto us as that which we ought practically to close withall for our selves to trust alone unto it for Life and Salvation And I shall speak briefly unto two things 1. HOW doth saving Faith approve of this way on what Accounts and unto what Ends. 2. HOW it doth evidence and manifest it self hereby unto the Comfort of Believers First IT approves of it as that which every way becomes God to find out to grant and propose So speaks the Apostle Heb. 2. 10. It became him in bringing many Sons to Glory to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through Sufferings That becomes God is worthy of him is to be owned concerning him which answers unto his infinite Wisdom Goodness Grace Holiness and Righteousness and nothing else This Faith discerns judgeth and determineth concerning this way namely that it is every way worthy of God and answers all the holy Properties of his Nature This is called the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 4. 6. THIS Discovery of the Glory of God in this way is made unto Faith alone and by it alone it is embraced The not discerning of it and thereon the want of an Acquiescency in it is that Unbelief which ruines the Souls of Men. The Reason why Men do not embrace the way of Salvation tendred in the Gospel is because they do not see nor understand how full it is of Divine Glory how it becomes God is worthy of him and answers all the Perfections of his Nature Their Minds are blinded that the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God doth not shine into them 2 Cor. 4. 4. And so they deal with this way of God as if it were Weakness and Folly HEREIN consists the Essence and Life of Faith It sees discerns and determines that the way of Salvation of Sinners by Jesus Christ proposed in the Gospel is such as becometh God and all his divine Excellencies to find out appoint and propose unto us And herein doth it properly give Glory to God which is its peculiar Work and Excellency Rom. 4. 20. Herein it rests and refresheth it self IN particular Faith herein rejoyceth in the manifestation of the infinite Wisdom of God A View of the Wisdom of God acting it self by his Power in the Works of Creation for in Wisdom he made them all is the sole Reason of Ascribing Glory unto him in all natural Worship whereby we glorifie him as God and a due Apprehension of the infinite Wisdom of God in the new Creation in the way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ is the foundation of all Spiritual Evangelical Ascription of Glory to God IT was the Design of God in a peculiar way to manifest and glorifie his Wisdom in this Work Christ crucified is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1. 24. And all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge are hid in him Col. 2. 3. All the Treasures of Divine Wisdom are laid up in Christ and laid out about him as to be manifested unto Faith in and by the Gospel He designed herein to make known his manifold Wisdom Ephes. 3. 9 10. WHEREFORE according to our Apprehension and Admiration of the Wisdom of God in the Constitution of this way of Salvation is our Faith and no otherwise Where that doth not appear unto us where our Minds are not affected with it there is no Faith at all I cannot stay here to reckon up the especial Instances of Divine Wisdom herein Somewhat I have attempted towards it in other Writings and I shall only say at present that the foundation of this whole work and way in the Incarnation of the Eternal Son of God is so glorious an Effect of infinite Wisdom as the whole blessed Creation will admire to Eternity This of it self bespeaks this way and work divine Herein the Glory of God shine in the face of Christ Jesus This is of God alone this is that which becomes him that which nothing but infinite Wisdom could extend unto Whilst Faith lives in a due Apprehension of the Wisdom of God in this and the whole Superstruction of this way on this foundation it is safe GOODNESS Love Grace and Mercy are other Properties of the Divine Nature wherein it is gloriously amiable God is Love There is none good but he Grace and Mercy are among the principal Titles which he every where assumes to himself and it was his Design to manifest them all to the utmost in this work and way of saving Sinners by Christ as is every where declared in the Scripture and all these lie open to the Eye of Faith herein It sees infinite Goodness Love and Grace in this way such as becomes God such as can reside in none but him which it therefore rests and rejoyceth in 1 Pet. 1. 8. In Adherence unto and Approbation of this way of Salvation as expressive of these Perfections of the Divine Nature doth Faith act it self continually WHERE Unbelief prevaileth the Mind hath no view of the Glory that is in this way of Salvation in that it is so becoming of God and all his holy Properties as the Apostle declares 2 Cor. 4. 4. And where it is so whatever is pretended Men cannot cordially receive it and embrace it for they know not the Reason for which it ought to be so embraced They see no Form nor Comeliness in Christ who is the Life and Center of this way no Beauty for which he should be desired Isa. 5â— 2. Hence in the first Preaching of it it was unto the Jews a Stumbling-block and unto the Greeks Foolishness For by reason of their Unbelief they could not see it to be what it is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God and so it must be esteemed or be accounted Folly YEA from the same Unbelief it is that at this day the very Notion of the Truth herein is rejected by many even all those who are called Socinians and all that adhere unto them in the Disbelief of Supernatural Mysteries They cannot see a Suitableness in this way of Salvation unto th Glory of God as no Unbeliever can and therefore those of them who do not oppose directly the Doctrine of it yet do make no use of it unto its proper End Very few of them comparatively who profess the Truth of the Gospel have an Experience of the power of it unto their own Salvation BUT here true Faith stands invincibly hereby it will evidence its Truth and Sincerity in the midst of all Temptations and the most dismal Conflicts it hath with them yea against the perplexing Power and Charge of Sin thence arising From this strong hold it will not be driven whilst the Soul can exercise Faith herein namely in steadily Choosing Embracing and Approving of Gods way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ as that wherein he
of God in his Oblation and Intercession 3. Of the great Multitude and Variety of precious Promises engaging the Truth Faithfulness and Power of God for the Communication of Righteousness and Salvation from those Springs by that means I say on the just Consideration of these things with all other Encouragements wherewith they are accompanied the Soul concludes by Faith that there is Salvation for it self in particular to be attained in that way 3. THE last Act of Faith in the order of Nature is the Souls Acquiescency in and trust unto this way of Salvation for its self and its own Eternal Condition with a Renuntiation of all other ways and means for that End And because Jesus Christ in his Person Mediation and Righteousness is the Life and Center of this way as he in whom alone God will glorifie his Wisdom Love Grace and Mercy as he who hath purchased procured and wrought all this Salvation for us whose Righteousness is imputed unto us for our Justification and who in the Discharge of his Office doth actually bestow it upon us he is the proper and immediate Object of Faith in this Act of Trust and Affiance This is that which is called in the Scripture believing in Christ namely the trusting unto him alone for Life and Salvation as the whole of Divine Wisdom and Grace is administred by him unto those Ends. For this we come unto him we receive him we beleive in him we trust him we abide in him with all those other ways whereby our Faith in him is expressed AND this is the second Ground or Reason whereon Faith doth close with embrace and approve of God's way of saving Sinners whereby it will evidence it self unto the Comfort of them in whom it is in the midst of all their Trials and Temptations Thirdly FAITH approves of this way as that which makes the Glory of God in the giving and the Sanction of the Law to be as eminently conspicuous as if it had been perfectly fulfilled by every one of us in our own Persons The Law was a just Representation of the Righteousness and Holiness of God and the End for which it was given was that it might be the means and Instrument of the Eternal Exaltation of his Glory in those holy Properties of his Nature Let no man imagine that God hath laid aside this Law as a thing of no more use or that he will bear a Diminution of that Glory or any part of it which he designed in the giving of it Heaven and Earth shall pass away but no Jot or Little of the Law shall do so No Believer can desire or be pleased with his own Salvation unless the Glory of God designed by the Law be secured He cannot desire that God should forgo any part of his Glory that he might be saved Yea this is that on the Account whereof he principally rejoyceth in his own Salvation namely that it is that wherein God will be absolutely universally and eternally glorified NOW in this way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ by Mercy Pardon and the Righteousness of at other of all which the Law knows nothing Faith doth see and understand how all that Glory which God designed in the giving of the Law is eternally secured and preserved entire without Eclipse or Diminution The way whereby this is done is declared in the Gospel See Rom. â— 24 25 26. Chap. 8. 2 3 4. Chap. 10. 3 4. Hereby Faith is enabled to answer all the Challenges and Charges of the Law with all its Pleas for the Vindication of divine Justice Truth and Holiness It hath that to offer which gives it the utmost Satisfaction in all its Pleas for God So is this Answer managed Rom. 8. 32 33 34. AND this is the first way whereby the Faith of Gods Elect doth evidence it self in the minds and Consciences of them that do believe in the midst of all their Contests with Sin their Trials and Temptations to their Relief and Comfort namely the closing with and Approbation of Gods way of saving Sinners by Jesus Christ on the Grounds and Reasons which have been declared The Second Evidence of the Faith of God's Elect. THE second way whereby true Faith doth evidence it self in the Souls and Consciences of Beleivers unto their Supportment and Comfort under all their Conflicts with sin in all their Trials and Temptations is by a constant Approbation of the Revelation of the Will of God in the Scripture concerning our Holiness and the Obedience unto himself which he requireth of us This Faith will never forgo whatever Trials it may undergo whatever Darkness the mind may fall into This it will abide by in all Extremities And that it may appear to be a peculiar Effect or work of saving Faith some things are to be premised and considered 1. THERE is in all men by Nature a Light enabling them to judge of the Difference that is between what is morally good and what is evil especially in things of more than ordinary Importance This Light is not attained or acquired by us we are not taught it we do not learn it It is born with us and inseparable from us It prevents Consideration and Reflection working naturally and in a sort necessarily in the first Actings of our Souls AND the discerning Power of this Light as to the Moral Nature of Mens Actions is accompanied inseparably with a Judgment that they make concerning themselves as unto what they do of the one kind or other and that with respect unto the superiour Judgment of God about the same things This the Apostle expresly ascribes unto the Gentiles who had not the Law Rom. 2. 14 15. The Gentiles which have not the Law do by Nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves which shew the Work of the Law written in their Hearts their Consciences also bearing Witness and their Thoughts the mean while accusing or excusing one another This is a most exact Description of a natural Conscience in both the Powers of it it discerns that good and evil which is commanded and forbidden in the Law and it passeth an acquiting or condemning Judgment and Sentence according to what Men have done WHEREFORE this Approbation of Duties in things moral is common unto all Men. The Light whereby it is guided may be variously improved as it was in some of the Gentiles And it may bestisled in some until it seem to be quite extinguished until they become like the Beasts that perish And where the discerning power of this Light remains yet through a continual Practice of sin and obduracy therein the judging power of it as unto all its Efficacy may be lost So the Apostle declares concerning them who are judicially hardened and given up unto sin Rom. 1. 32. These knowing the Judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of Death not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them
unto him in all the Acts and Duties of spiritual Life This is that whereby the Holy Ghost is in them a Well of Water springing up into Everlasting Life Joh. 4. 14. It is the Spirit that is born of the Spirit it is the divine Nature whereof we are made partakers by the Promises It is a Principle of victorious Faith and Love with all Graces any way requisite unto Duties of Holy Obedience as to the matter or manner of their Performance enabling the Soul unto all the Acts of the Life of God with Delight Joy and Complacency THIS it is in its Nature however as unto Degrees of its Operation and Manifestation it may be very low and weak in some true Believers at least for a Season But there are none who really are so but there is in them a spiritually vital Principle of Obedience or of living unto God that is participant of the Nature of that which we have described and if it be attended unto it will evidence it self in its Power and Operations unto the Gracious Refreshment and Satisfaction of the Soul wherein it is and there are few who are so destitute of those Evidences but that they are able to say whereas I was blind now I see tho' I know not how my Eyes were opened whereas I was dead I find motions of a new Life in me in breathing after Grace in hungring and thirsting after Righteousness though I know not how I was quickned 3. IT may be considered as unto its Disposition Inclinations and Motions these are the first Actings of a vital Principle As the first Actings of Sin are called the Motions of sin working in our Members Rom. 7. 5. Such Motions and Inclinations unto Obedience do work in the minds of Believers from this principle of Holiness It produceth in them a constant invariable Disposition unto all Duties of the Life of God It is a new Nature and a Nature cannot be without suitable Inclinations and Motions And this new spiritual Disposition consists in a constant Complacency of Mind in that which is good and according to the Will of God in an Adherence by Love unto it in a Readiness and Fixedness of Mind with Respect unto particular Duties In Brief it is that which David describes in the 119th Psalm throughout and that which is siguratively foretold concerning the Efficacy of the Grace of the Gospel in Changing the Natures and Dispositions of those that are Partakers of it Isa. 11. 6 7 8. THIS every Believer may ordinarily find in himself for although this Disposition may be variously weakned opposed interrupted by in-dwelling Sin and the Power of Temptation though it may be impaired by a neglect of the stirring up and exercise of the Principle or spiritual Life in all requisite Graces on all Occasions yet it will still be working in them and will fill the mind with a constant Displacency with it self when it is not observed followed improved No Believer shall ever have Peace in his own Mind who hath not some Experience of an universal Disposition unto all Holiness and Godliness in his Mind and Soul Herein consists that Love of the Law of which it is said those in whom it is have great Peace and nothing shall offend them Psal. 119. 165. It is that wherein their Souls find much Complacency 4. IT may be considered with Respect unto all the Acts Duties and Works internal and external wherein our actual Obedience doth consist Being on the Principles mentioned made free from Sin and becoming the Servants of God Believers herein have their Fruit unto Holiness whereof the end is everlasting Life Rom. 6. 22. This I need not stay to describe Sincerity in every Duty and Universality with respect unto all Duties are the Properties of it THIS is the Will of God even your Sanctification 1 Thessal 4. 3. That Holiness without which none shall see God Heb. 12. 14. That good and acceptable and perfect Will of God which we are to approve Rom. 12. 2. OUR next Enquiry is what is that Approbation of this way of Holiness which we place as an Evidence of saving Faith And I say it is such as ariseth from Experience and is accompanied with Choice Delight and Acquiescency It is the Acting of the Soul in a delightful Adherence unto the whole Will of God It is a resolved Judgment of the Beauty and Excellency of that Holiness and Obedience which the Gospel reveals and requires and that on the Grounds which shall be immediately declared and the Nature thereof therein more fully opened THIS Approbation cannot be in any unregenerate Person who is not under the Conduct of saving Faith who is destitute of the Light of it So the Apostle assures us Rom. 8. 7. The carnal mind is Enmity against God for it is not subject unto the Law of God neither indeed can be Whatever Work it may have wrought in it or upon it yet whilst it is carnal or unrenewed it hath a radical Enmity unto the Law of God which is the frame of Heart which stands in direct Opposition unto this Approbation It may think well of this or that Duty from its Convictions and other Considerations and so attend unto their Performance but the Law it self in the universal Holiness which it requires it doth utterly dislike those in whom it is are alienated from the Life of God through the Ignorance that is in them Eph. 4. 18. This Life of God is that Holiness and Obedience which he requireth of us in their Principles and Duties And to be alienated from it is to dislike and disapprove of it and such is the frame of Mind in all unregenerate Persons HAVING thus prepared the way I return unto the Declaration and Confirmation of the Assertion namely THAT true and saving Faith in all Storms and Temptations in all Darknesses and Distresses will evidence it self unto the Comfort and Supportment of them in whom it is by a constant universal Approbation of the whole Will of God concerning our Holiness and Obedience both in general and in every particular Instance of it WE may a little Explain it 1. FAITH will not suffer the Mind on any Occasion or Temptation to entertain the least Dislike of this way of Holiness or of any thing that belongs unto it The Mind may sometimes through Temptations fall under Apprehensions that one shall be eternally ruined for want of a due Compliance with it this makes it displeased with it self but not with the Obedience required Rom. 7. 10 11 12. The Commandment which was ordained to Life I found to be unto Death but the Law is holy and the Commandment is holy and just and good However it be with me whatever becomes of me though I dye and perish yet the Law is holy just and good It dislikes nothing in the Will of God though it cannot attain unto a Compliance with it Sometimes the Conscience is under Perplexities and Rebukes for Sin sometimes the Mind is burthened
callled the Divine Nature whereof we are partakers 2 Pet. 1. 4. And he that cannot see a Representation of God in it hath not the Light of Faith and Life in him HEREON I say Faith doth approve of the Form and Principle of this Holiness as the Renovation of the Image of God in us it looks upon it as that which becomes God to bestow and require and therefore that which hath an incomparable Excellency and Desirableness in it Yea when the Soul is ready to faint under an Apprehension that it is not partaker of this holy Nature because of the Power of sin in it and Temptations on it it knows not whether it self be born of God or no as is the Case with many yet where this Faith is it will discern the Beauty and Glory of the new Creation in some measure as that which bears the Image of God and thereon doth it preserve in the Soul a Longing after it or a further Participation of it BY this Work or Act of it doth Faith discover its Sincerity which is that which we enquire after whilst it hath an Eye open to behold the Glory of God in the new Creature whilst it looks on it as that wherein there is a Representation made of the Holiness of God himself as that which becomes him to require in us and thereon approves of it as excellent end desirable it will be an Anchor unto the Soul in its greatest storms For this is a Work beyond what a meer Enlightned Conscience can arise unto That can approve or disapprove of all the Acts and Effects of Obedience and Disobedience as unto their Consequents but to discern the spiritual Nature of the New Creature as representing the Holiness of God himself and thereon constantly to approve of it is the Work alone 2. IT doth the same with respect unto the internal Acts and Effects of this New Creature or Principle of New Obedience The first thing it producoth in us is a Frame of Mind Spiritual and Heavenly they that are after the Spirit are spiritually-minded Rom. 8. 5 6. It looks on the opposite Frame namely of being Carnally minded as vile and loathsome it consisting in a Readiness and Disposition of Mind to actuate the Lusts of the Flesh but this spiritual Frame of Mind is a just Constellation of all the Graces of the Spirit influencing disposing and making ready the Soul for the Exercise of them on all Occasions and in all Duties of Obedience this is the inward Glory of the Kings Daughter which Faith sees and approves of as that which becometh God to require in us whatever is contrary hereunto as a sensual carnal worldly frame of Mind it looks on as vile and base unworthy of God or of those who design the Enjoyment of him 3. IT doth the same with respect unto all particular Duties internal and external when they are enlivened and filled up with Grace In them consists our walking worthy with God Col. 1. 10. 1 Thessal 2. 12. Such a Walk as is meet for God to accept that whereby and wherein he is glorified The contrary hereunto in the Neglect of the Duties of Holiness or the Performance of them without the due Exercise of Grace Faith looks on as unworthy of God unworthy of our high and holy Calling unworthy of our Profession and therefore doth constantly condemn and abhor ALL this as we observed before Faith will continue to do constantly under Temptations and Dissertions There are Seasons wherein the Soul may be very weak as unto the Powers Effects and Duties of this spiritual Life such the Psalmist often-times complains of in his own Case and it is evident in the Experience of most few there are who have not found at one time or another great Weakness Decays and much Deadness in their spiritual Condition And sometimes true Beleivers may be at a Loss as unto any Refreshing Experience of it in its Operations They may not be able to determine in the Contest whether Sin or Grace have the Dominion in them Yet even in all these Seasons Faith will keep up the Soul unto a constant high Approbation of this way of Holiand Obedience in its Root and Fruits in its Principle and Effects in its Nature Disposition and Duties For when they cannot see the Beauty of these things in themselves they can see it in the Promises of the Covenant in the Truth of the Gospel wherein it is declared and in the Effects of it in others AND great Advantage is to be obtained by the due Exercise of Faith herein For 1. IT will never suffer the Heart to be at Rest in any sinful way or under any such spiritual Decays as shall estrange it from the pursuit of this Holiness The Sight the Conviction of its Excellency the Approbation of it as that which in us and our measure answers the Holiness of God will keep up the Mind unto Endeavours after it will rebuke the Soul in all its Neglects of it nor will it allow any Quiet or Peace within without an Endeavour after a comfortable Assurance of it That Soul is desparately sick which hath lost an abiding sense of the Excellency of this Holiness in its Answerableness unto the Holiness and Will of God Fears and Checks of Conscience are the whole of its Security against the worst of sins and they are a Guard not to be trusted unto in the room of the Peace of God This is one great difference between Believers and those that have not Faith Fear of the Consequents of sin with an Apprehension of some Advantages which are to be obtained by a sober Life and the Profession of Religion do steer and regulate the Minds of Unbelievers in all they do towards God or for Eternity but the Minds of Believers are influenced by a View of the Glory of the Image and Likeness of God in that Holiness and all the parts of it which they are called unto This gives them Love unto it Delight and Complacency in it enabling them to look upon it as its own Reward And without these Affections none will ever abide in the ways of Obedience unto the End 2. WHERE Faith is in this Exercise it will evidence it self unto the Relief of the Soul in all its Darknesses and Temptations The Mind can never conclude that it wholly is without God and his Grace whilst it constantly approves of the Holiness required of us This is not of our selves by Nature we are ignorant of it This Life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3. 3. where we can see nothing of it hereon we are alienated from it and do dislike it alienated from the Life of God through the Ignorance that is in us Ephes. 4. 18. And most men live all their days in a Contempt of the principal Evidences and Duties of this Life of God and of the Principle of it which they look on as a Fable Wherefore the Mind may have great Satisfaction in a sight of the
evil it knows them to be strangers unto Christ and his Gospel 2. Again there is required unto this Holiness a Principle of Spiritual Life and Love unto God This guides acts and rules in the Soul in all its Obedience and it gives the Soul its proper order in all its Operations That which is contrary hereunto is Death and Enmity against God Faith judgeth between these two Principles and their Operations the former in all its Actings it approves of as lovely beautiful desirable as that which is the Rectitude and Perfection of the Will and the other it looks on as deformed froward and perverse 3. THE like may be said of its Nature and Operations in the Affections as also of all those Duties of Obedience which proceed from it as it is described in the place before-mentioned IT remaineth only that we shew by what Acts Ways and Means Faith doth evidence this its Approbation of Gospel-Holiness as that which is lovely and desirable in it self and which gives all that Rectitude and Perfection unto our Minds which they are capable of in this World And it doth so 1. BY that Self-displacency and Abasement which it works in the Mind on all Instances and Occasions where it comes short of this Holiness This is the chief Principle and Cause of that holy Shame which befalls Believers on every Sin and Miscarriage wherein they come short of what is required in it Rom. 6. 21. The things whereof ye are now ashamed Now when by the Light of Faith you see how vile it is and unworthy of you what a Debasement of your Souls there is in it you are ashamed of it It is true the principal Cause of this holy Shame is a sense of the Unsuitableness that is in sin unto the Holiness of God and the horrible Ingratitude and Disingenuity that there is in sinning against him But it is greatly promoted by this Consideration that it is a thing unworthy of us and that wherein our Natures are exceedingly debased So it it said of provoking Sinners that they debase themselves even unto Hell Isa. 57. 9. or make themselves as vile as Hell it self by ways unworthy the Nature of men And this is one Ground of all those severe Self-reflections which accompany godly Sorrow for sin 2 Cor. 7. 11. AND hereby doth Faith evidence it self and its own Sincerity whilst a man is ashamed of and abased in himself for every sin for every thing of sin wherein it comes short of the Holiness required of us as that which is base and unworthy of our Nature in its present Constitution and Renovation though it be that which no Eye sees but God's and his own he hath that in him which will grow on no Root but sincere Believing Wherefore whatever may be the disquieting Conflicts of sin in and against our Souls whatever Decays we may fall into which be the two Principles of Darkness and Fears in Believers whilst this inward holy Shame and Self-abasement on the Account of the Vileness of sin is preserved Faith leaves not it self without an Evidence in us 2. IT doth the same by a spiritual Satisfaction which it gives the Soul in every Experience of the transforming Power of this Holiness rendring it more and more like unto God There is a secret Joy and spiritual Refreshment rising in the Soul from a sense of its Renovation unto the Image of God and all the Actings and Encreases of the Life of God in it augment this Joy herein consists its gradual Return unto its primitive Order and Rectitude with a blessed Addition of supernatual Light and Grace by Christ Jesus It finds it self herein coming home to God from its old Apostacy in the way of approaching to Eternal Rest and Blessedness And there is no Satisfaction like unto that which it receives therein THIS is the second way wherein Faith will abide firm and constant and doth evidence it self in the Soul of every Believer however low and mean its Attainments be in this spiritual Life and the Fruits of it though it be overwhelmed with Darkness and a sense of the Guilt of sin though it be surprized and perplexed with the Deceit and Violence thereof yet Faith will continue here firm and unshaken It sees that Glory and Excellency in the Holiness and Obedience that God requireth of us as it is a Representation of his own glorious Excellencies the Renovation of his Image and the Perfection of our Natures thereby as it constantly approves of it even in the deepest Trials which the Soul can be exercised withall and whilst this Anchor holds firm and stable we are safe The Third Evidence of the Faith of God's Elect. THirdly FAITH will evidence it self by a diligent constant Endeavour to keep it self and all Grace in due Exercise in all Ordinances of Divine Worship private and publick THIS is the Touch-stone of Faith and spiritual Obedience the most intimate and difficult part of this Exercise Where this is not there is no Life in the Soul There are two things whereby Men do or may deceive themselves herein 1. Abounding in the outward Performance of Duties or a Multiplication of them hereby Hypocrites have in all Ages deceived themselves Isa. 58. 2 3. And it was the Covering that the Church of Rome provided for their Apostacy from the Gospel An Endless Multiplication of Religious Duties was that which they trusted to and boasted in and we may find those daily that pretend a Conscience as unto the constant Observation of outward Duties and yet will abstain from no sin that comes in the way of their Lusts. And Men may and do oft-times abide constant in them especially in their Families and in publick yea multiply them beyond the ordinary Measure hoping to countenance themselves in other Lusts and Neglects thereby 2. Assistance of Gifts in the Performance of them but as this may be where where there is not one Dram of Grace saving Grace so when rested in it is a most powerful Engine to keep the Soul in Formality to ruin all Beginning of Grace and to bring an incurable hardness in the whole Soul WHEREVER Faith is in sincerity it will constantly labour endeavour and strive to fill up all Duties of Divine Worship with the living real heart-acting of Grace and where it doth not so where this is not attained it will never suffer the Soul to take any Rest or Satisfaction in such Duties but will cast them away as a defiled Garment He that can pass through such Duties without a sensible Endeavour for the real Exercise of Grace in them and without Self-abasement on the performance of them will hardly find any other clear Evidence of saving Faith in himself THERE are three Evils that have followed the Ignorance or Neglect or Weariness of this Exercise of Faith which have proved the Ruin of multitudes 1. THIS hath been the Occasion and Original of all false Worship in the World with the Invention of those Superstitious Rites
and Ceremonies wherein it consists For Men having lost the Exercise of Faith in the Ordinances of Worship that are of Divine Institution they found the whole of it to be useless and burthensome unto them For without this constant Exercise of Faith there is no Life in it nor Satisfaction to be obtained by it they must therefore have something in it or accompanying of it which may entertain their Minds and engage their Affections unto it If this had not been done it would have been utterly deserted by the most Hereon were invented Forms of Prayer in great Diversity with continual Diversions and Avocations of the Mind from what is proposed Because it cannot abide in the pursuit of any thing spiritual without the Exercise of Faith This gives it some Entertainment by the meer Performance and makes it think there is something where indeed is nothing hereunto are added outward Ceremonies of Vestments Postures and Gestures of Veneration unto the same end there is no other Design in them all but to entertain the Mind and Affections with some Complacency and Satisfaction in outward Worship upon the loss or want of that Exercise of Faith which is the Life and Soul of it in Believers And as any Persons do decay herein they shall find themselves insensibly sinking down into the use of these lifeless Forms or that Exercise of their natural Faculties and Memory which is not one Jot better Yea by this means some from an Eminency in Spiritual Gifts and the performance of Duties by vertue of them have sunk into an Ave-Mary or a Credo as the best of their Devotion 2. THIS hath caused many to turn aside to fall off from and forsake the solemn Ordinances of Divine Worship and to betake themselves unto vain Imaginations for Relief in Trembling Enthusiastical Singing and seigned Raptures from hence have so many forsaked their own Mercies to follow after lying Vanities they kept for a while unto the Observance of the divine Institutions of Worship but not having Faith to exercise in them by which alone they are Life and Power they became useless and burthensome unto them they could find neither Sweetness Satisfaction nor Benefit in them It is not possible that so many in our days if ever they had tasted of the old Wine should so go after new if ever they had Experience of that Savour Power and Life which is in the Ordinances of Divine Worship when acted and enlivened by the Exercise of Faith should forsake them for that which is nothing They went out from us but they were not of us for had they been of us they would have continued with us Had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory This therefore is the true Reason why so many in our days after they have for a season abode under and in the Observation of the Gospel-Ordinances of Worship have fallen off from them namely not having Faith to exercise in them nor endeavouring after it they did really find no Life in them nor Benefit by them SOME on the same Ground fall into Prophaneness pretending to take up with a natural Religion without any instituted Worship at all Of this sort of Persons we have multitudes in the days wherein we live having nothing of the Light of Faith they can see no Form or Comeliness in Christ nor any thing that belongs unto him by these means are Souls every day precipitated into ruine HEREIN therefore I say true Faith will evidence it self in all Darknesses and Distress whatsoever It will always endeavour to keep it self and all other Graces in a due and constant Exercise in all Duties of Worship private and publick it may soemtimes be weakened in its Actings and Operations it may be under Decays it may be as a Sleep and that not only as unto particular Duties and Seasons but as unto the inward habitual frame of the Mind but where it is true and genuine it will shake it self out of this dust cast off the sin that doth so easily beset us and stir up it self with all Might and Contention unto its Duty And there is no more dangerous State for a Soul than when it is sinking down into Formality and neglect of the Exercise of Faith in a multitude of Duties then is it assuredly ready to dye if it be not dead already IF we are Wise therefore we will watch and take care that we lose not this Evidence of Faith it will stand us in stead when it may be all other things seem to be against us some have been relieved by the Remembrance of this Exercise of Faith when they have been at the door of Desperation such or such a Season they had Experience of the work of Faith in Prayer hath been their Relief an Experience hereof is a Jewel which it may be of no great use whilst it lies by you locked up in a Cabinet but which you will know the worth of if ever you come to need Bread for your Lives IT is therefore worth while to enquire what we ought to do or what means we ought to use that we may keep up Faith unto its due Exercise in all the parts of Divine Worship so as that it may give us a comforting Evidence of it self in times of Temptation and Darkness And unto this End the ensuing Directions may be of use 1. LABOUR to have your Hearts always affected with a due Sense of the infinite Perfections of the Divine Nature in all our Approaches unto him especially of his Sovereign Power Holiness Immensity and Omnipresence and this will produce in us also a Sense of infinite Distance from him As this is necessary from the Nature of the things themselves so the Scripture gives us such Descriptions of God as are suited to ingenerate this frame in us this is that which Joshuae aimed to bring the People unto when he designed to engage them in the Service of God in a due manner Josh. 24. 19 20 21 22. That which the Apostle requireth in us Heb. 12. 28 29. And unto the same End glorious Descriptions and Appearances of God are multiplied in Scripture If we fail herein if we do not on all Occasions fill our Minds with reverential Thoughts of God his Greatness and his Holiness Faith hath no foundation to stand upon in its Exercise in the Duties of Worship This is the only inlet into the due Exercise of Grace where it is wanting all holy Thoughts and Affections are shut out of our minds and where it is present it is impossible but that there will be some gracious working of Heart in all our Duties if we are empty hereof in our Entrance of Duties we shall be sure to be filled with other things which will be cloggs and hindrances unto us But Reverential Thoughts of God in our Approaches unto him will cast out all superfluity of Naughtiness and dissipate all carnal formal frames which will vitiate all our Duties Keep your Hearts therefore
into Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not Some are blinded by Satan as he is the God of this World by filling their Minds with Prejudice and their Hearts with the Love of present things that the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God cannot shine into them Some would mix with it their own Works Ways and Duties as they belong unto the first Covenant which are eternally irreconcible unto this way of God as the Apostle teacheth Rom. 10. 3 4. Hereby doth Unbelief eternally ruin the Souls of Men they do not they cannot approve of the way of God for saving Sinners proposed in the Gospel as an Effect of Infinite Wisdom and Power which they may safely trust unto in Opposition unto all other ways and means pretending to be useful unto the same End And this will give us Light into the Nature and Actings of saving Faith which we Enquire after 3. THE whole Scripture and all Divine Institutions from the Beginning do testifie in general that this way of God for the saving Sinners is by Commutation Substitution Attonement Satisfaction and Imputation This is the Language of the first Promise and all the Sacrifices of the Law founded thereon This is the Language of the Scripture There is a way whereby Sinners may be saved a way that God hath found out and appointed Now it being the Law wherein Sinners are concerned the Rule of all things between God and them should seem to be by what they can do or suffer with Respect unto that Law No saith the Scripture it cannot be so For by the Deeds of the Law no man living shall be justified in the sight of God Psal. 142. 2. Rom. 3. 20. Gal. 2. 16. Neither shall it be by their Personal Answering of the Penalty of the Law which they have broken For they cannot do so but they must perish eternally For If thou Lord shouldst mark Iniquities O Lord who shall stand Psal. 130. 3. There must therefore be there is another way of a different Nature and Kind from these for the saving of Sinners or there is no due Revelation made of the mind of God in the Scripture But that there is so and what it is is the main Design of it to declare And this is by the Substitution of a Mediator instead of the Sinners that shall be saved who shall both bear the Penalty of the Law which they had incurred and fulfill that Righteousness which they could not attain unto THIS in general is Gods way of saving Sinners whether Men like it or no For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the flesh that the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us Rom. 8. 3 4. See also Heb. 10. 5 6 7 8 9 10. He made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. HERE Unbelief hath prevailed with many in this latter Age to reject the Glory of God herein But we have vindicated the Truth against them sufficiently elsewhere 4. THERE are sundry things previously required to give us a clear View of the Glory of God in this way of saving Sinners Such are a due Consideration of the Nature of the Fall of our first Parents and of our Apostacy from God thereby I may not stay here to shew the Nature or Aggravations of them Neither can we conceive them aright much less express them I only say that unless we have due Apprehensions of the Dread and Terrour of them of the Invasion made on the Glory of God and the Confusion brought on the Creation by them we can never discern the Reason and Glory of rejecting the Way of Personal Righteousness and the establishing this way of a Mediator for the saving of Sinners A due Sense of our present infinite Distance from God and the Impossibility that there is in our selves of making any Approaches unto him is of the same Consideration so likewise is that of our utter Disability to do any thing that may answer the Law or the Holiness and Righteousness of God therein of our universal Unconformity in our Natures Hearts and their Actings unto the Nature Holiness and Will of God Unless I say we have a sense of these things in our Minds and upon our Consciences we cannot believe aright we cannot comprehend the Glory of this new way of Salvation And whereas Mankind hath had a general Notion though no distinct Apprehension of these things or of some of them many amongst them have apprehended that there is a Necessity of some kind of Satisfaction or Atonement to be made that Sinners may be freed from the Displeasure of God But when God's way of it was proposed unto them it was and is generally rejected because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God But when these things are fixed on the Soul by sharp and durable Convictions they will enlighten it with due Apprehensions of the Glory and Beauty of God's way of saving Sinners 5. THIS is the Gospel this is the Work of it namely a divine Declaration of the way of God for the saving of Sinners through the Person Mediation Blood Righteousness and Intercession of Christ. This is that which it revealeth declareth proposeth and tendreth unto Sinners there is a way for their Salvation As this is contained in the first Promise so the Truth of every word in the Scripture depends on the Supposition of it Without this there could be no more Entercourse between God and us than is between Him and Devils Again it declares that this way is not by the Law or its Works by the first Covenant or its Conditions by our own Doing or Suffering but it is a new way found out in and proceeding from Infinite Wisdom Love Grace and Goodness namely by the Incarnation of the Eternal Son of God his Susception of the Office of a Mediator doing and suffering in the Discharge of it whatever was needful for the Justification and Salvation of Sinners unto his own eternal Glory See Rom. 3. 23 24 25 26 27. Chap. 8. 3 4. 2 Cor. 5. 19 20 21. c. MOREOVER the Gospel adds that the only way of obtaining an Interest in this Blessed Contrivance of saving Sinners by the Substitution of Christ as the Surety of the Covenant and thereon the Imputation of our sins to him and of his Righteousness unto us is by Faith in him HERE comes in that Trial of Faith which we Enquire after This way of saving Sinners heing proposed offered and tendered unto us in the Gospel true and saving Faith receives it approves of it rests in it renounceth all other Hopes and Expectations reposing its whole Confidence therein FOR it is not proposed unto us meerly as a Notion of Truth to be assented to or denied in which Sense all believe the