is but possible in his sight Obiect 4 I answere It is as much absurdity as to set downe the end with my selfe before I consider the meane which leadeth vnto it or to appoint the end why he maketh his creature before he goe about to make Obiect 5 The second part of the fift argument is denyed that which is free in the first rise is free though it be now necessarily performed God giueth a true perseuering beleeuer life and that necessarily for he cannot deny himselfe and yet he doth it freely in regard he passed his promise freely Obiect 6 The first part is false viz. That he who cannot execute worse on the creature then annihilation cannot so dispose of it that worse will at length befall the creature then annihilation For Gods making the creature doth giue him right not onely to annihilate it but to vse it to the vtmost that lawfully may be to his glory Now to passe by a creature in regard of grace no waies due to it and to decree the glory of his iustice in the iust deserued punishment of it hath no appearance of iniustice Obiect 7 The former proposition is not true It is inough if by Gods decree of permitting sinne they may become sinfull which is the truth For God did by his decree of permission shut vp all in sinne that he might haue mercy vpon all Obiect 8 The assumption is denied The effect was alike by creation but the loue borne to some in regard of life eternall was not yeelded to othersome the euent doth tell it a loud for why on the like fall and misery of all doth he shew such riches of grace to some aboue other some Certainely because before the fall he had loued them to life Hence it is that all the grace shewed after sin is but an Epiphony of that loue which God did beare before the fall Obiect 9 To the last I deny that Gods decree of permitting sinne doth take away liberty in sinning While Gods decree did not take away his iudgement but that he did worke by counsell and thinke the thing such as hee might doe or not doe while hee sinned with this iudgement he sinned freely though neuer so necessarily If Gods decree to permit a sin doth not bring on of necessitie the being of that sin then if God permit or deliuer a sinner to sin no sin follow But this latter is most absurd for God might haue his action made frustrate and when God giueth a man paenaly vp to sinne it should be in the creatures power whether Gods iudgement should be executed on him yea or no. Thus hauing discussed this question we passe on to the last circumstance The next end of our election Vse 1 The Vse of this Doctrine is first to indeare this loue of God to vs We see in humane loues if one haue of 20. 30. of 40. yeares borne vs good will this circumstance of antiquity doth make it more respected of vs. How should we account of this loue which before all worlds the Lord did beare vs accordingly as he hath manifested the same in vs who beleeue Vse 2 This doth giue vs to consider how constant the Lords loue is As we find it in time so he did intend it towards vs from all eternity Thus he goeth on not onely within himselfe but towards vs without any alteration or shadow of change and thus he will doe for whom he once loueth vnto life he doth loue him euer as Christ speaketh We doe feele changes but looke as the Skie is variable the Sunne in it selfe being no whit changed thus the effects of God in vs varie though himselfe in his affection if I may so speake is immutable toward vs. Vse 3 Lastly We may hence gather the freedome of Gods loue choosing vs to life things which are not cannot haue vertue of causing this or that When we were not ne yet had done any thing before all worlds we were chosen by him ergo Saint Paul Rom. 9. saith God chose Iacob before he was or had done any thing that the election might be according to free purpose and Saint Paul 2 Tim. 1. saith that we are saued not by workes but according to grace giuen vs before all worlds whereas merit of works and grace giuen vs before all worlds are opposed If any say that Paul excludeth works then present when God electeth it nothing hindereth but that he might from eternity fore-see workes whereon before all worlds he came to elect This is but an old Pelagian euasion for Paul speaketh against all workes which stand not with free grace in electing Now workes meritorious fore-seene are as opposite to grace as workes meritorious really existing If I doe any thing for reward which I see will befall me it is as â—arre from being done freely as if it were done on reward before-hand receiued Againe he cannot choose on workes fore-seene because he cannot see any to come which he doth not first predestinate that they should be Now then for him to choose on fore-seene workes is to say that God first predestinateth and causeth such whom he wil choose to haue such and such works that after he may choose them which is to turne the Cart before the Horse This francke loue of his can neuer be enough extolled If a man of eminencie choose to him for wife some woman who hath neither dowrie nor friends ne yet hath beauty or breeding extraordinary the part is maruailous in our eyes But well may we wonder at this fact of God who when we were not ne yet had any thing which might commend vs did freely set his liking on vs and loue vs to life But of this more in the next Doctrine Now we come to the last point to be obserued in this Verse to what God hath chosen vs That we should be holy and spotlesse before him in loue This end is al one with that otherwhere named viz. Saluation Who hath chosen you from the beginning to Saluation through faith and sanctification that is to be entred by beliefe and the first beginning of it the sanctification of the spirit And heere three things are to be marked 1. The state of perfection which agreeth to the life whereto we are chosen that wee may be holy and without spot 2. The circumstance of person in whose presence we shal liue this life before him 3. The life it selfe which is as it were the subiect of this perfection in Loue. A little to insist in the explication of this clause because it conteineth more then is commonly marked Holinesse is put sometime for all or any sanctifying graces of Gods spirit which make vs holy 1 Thes 4.7 2 Cor. 7.1 Sometime it is put more particularly eyther to note a vertue which inclineth vs to doe in such manner as beseemeth both the presence of God and our selues who are Saints by profession or a state of purity and perfection to which we come in vertue and this life
stirre vs vp that wee may indeauour to know the properties of God and view as we may the reflection which wee haue in his word and workes of so infinite glory How dull of heart are we that wee no more seeke to haue the eyes of our mindes wiped that we may get some glympse of it We will runne after glorious sights on earth and are much affected with them to see the glory of Kings especially when their royall estates haue annexed princelike wisedome it maketh that befall men which did once happen to the Queene of Sheba There is no spirit remaining in them they are ouercome with it But how would this delight vs did we in any measure discerne it What shall be our glory in heauen our blessednesse but to enioy the continuall view of this glory this most blessed vision By meditation and contemplation to fixe the eye of our soules on this glory will transforme vs into the likenesse of it All the glory of this world is but like the shine of rotten wood which seemeth bright for the night season but is nothing as we see by day but rottennesse it selfe Wherefore let it not bewitch vs but let vs all seeke to God to take away the vaile off our hearts to the end that we may yet as in a mirrour or glasse get some sight of this most rich glory Rom. 9. This grace of his which hath beene alwaies towards vs. Obserue fourthly Wherewith he hath made vs accepted That is with which grace electing and predestinating vs that it might be glorified of vs he hath now in his time done vs fauour or made vs accepted in his Christ Doct. Obserue then what grace it is which in time doth worke all good things for vs euen the same grace which before all time did purpose them to vs Gods louing vs to life doth not beginne when now we are brought home by conuersion to beleeue on him but when we were his enemies he did so loue vs that he gaue his Sonne all to death for vs Ioh. 3. Rom. 5. And when he calleth vs in time he doth it out of that grace which was giuen to vs in Christ our head before all worlds For this cause the Scripture doth not say that God beginneth to loue vs to life when we beleeue but that he giueth vs life eternall executing that to which he had loued vs neither doth the Scripture say that in Christ now sent to worke our redemption loue in God is first conceiued but that it is manifested when that sauing grace appeared Tit. 3. when the philanthropie or loue of mankinde appeared Tit. 3.5 So God doth call vs according to grace giuen vs before worlds but now made manifest 2 Tim. 1. 1 Tim. 1. yea life and immortality are said to be brought to light as things which had beene ouershadowed by the Gospell Now looke as if the Sunne hauing her light long eclypsed should after breake out it were no new light but an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or new getting vp of the old light which for a time was eclypsed So it is with this sunne of Gods eternall grace the interposition of sinne through the vertue of iustice did for a time keepe from vs all the gracious influence of it till at length in Christ remouing that which hindred it breaketh out piercing our hearts with the beames of it and working in vs many reall effects which it could not put forth till iustice were satisfied Euen as God knew how to loue Christ his Sonne to that glorious life to which he had chosen and yet execute the cursed death on him as our surety so he could loue vs with his eternall loue vnto that life to which he had chosen vs and yet execute on vs the cursed death when we had offended Vse 1 This first serueth to excite in vs godly ioy in vs I say who see this light risen ouer vs this loue shining vpon vs in Christ which was sometime so ouercast by sinne and death that no glimpse of it might be discerned If this bodily sunne had his light but two or three daies eclypsed O how sweet and amiable would it seeme to vs when getting the victory it should shine in manner accustomed But shall it not affect that the grace of God quite hid from vs while wee were the children of wrath lay in all kinde of darkenesse that this grace so hidden should like a spring sunne returne to vs and refresh vs Vse 2 Againe we see them confuted who will not yeelde that God loueth any sinner vnto life till he doth see his faith and repentance But the loue which destinateth to bring one to life may stand with wrath executing death and why doth hee worke in sinners repentance faith sanctification which are the meanes tending vnto life if hee may not purpose the end vnto them What shall hinder him from louing them thus farre as to purpose to them that he can iustly execute Doct. Obserue Lastly in and through whom the grace of God doth bring vs to receiue fauour and grace euen in and through his beloued The Law came by Moses but grace and truth through Iesus Christ The Angels did sing at his birth glory to God peace on earth good will to men In him God was reconciling the world God did giue this testimony of him This is my beloued in whom I am well pleased For Christ hath performed such an obedience at the commandement of grace as doth yeeld such satisfaction to Iustice that grace may iustly giue vs euery good thing yea such an obedience as doth procure from grace euery good thing for vs for Grace and Iustice kisse each other in Christ Grace freely bestowing all her gifts vnto her glory and that without any wrong nay with full contentment of reuenging iustice See the first to the Coloss what is written on those words Who hath translated vs into the kingdome of his beloued Sonne In whom wee haue redemption through his bloud euen c. verse 7 Thus wee come from that gratifying mother child-bearing grace from all eternity in God himselfe to that grace which is freely giuen to vs and hath his reall effect in vs And this is handled first in regard of the Iew who had receiued it Paul with the rest belieuing Secondly in regard of the Gentiles and in particular these Ephesians The grace toward Paul with the rest of those who were first called to faith hath two maine branches First the grace of redemption or iustification Secondly the grace of glorification beginning verse 11. reaching to the 13. Now in handling this first benefit first in this verse he doth propound in the former part of the verse expound it in the latter Secondly hee doth set downe the benefit of vocation effectuall which did goe before it and make way to it verse 8. Thirdly the meanes of their vocation vers 9.10 In his propounding the benefit first wee must marke in whom wee come to haue it
order of intention first God intendeth his owne glory then Christ then the Church then the World He who is elected and fore-knowne to be a Lambe taking away sinne a mediator redeeming from sinne and death he is elected himselfe after sinne foreseene and by consequent all in him But Christ is so foreknowne and elected Ergo. I should deny the first part of this reason for I see not why God should not choose predestinate him who should saue his chosen from sinne before he decreed or ordered that they should fall into sinne It is no ill prouidence to prepare my salue before I will let my childe out himselfe But some may say If God doe first appoint Christ to redeeme from sinne then hee must procure the being of sinne and so be the author of sinne Beside that this were nothing but to breake ones head that I may after heale it To this I say that it is good that sinne should be as Austin saith and that which is good so farre as it is good God may effectually procure it Praecipiendo mouendo non quiescendo consentiendo Hee is said to be the author of those things which he commandeth and worketh mouing the heart by habits which himselfe infuseth Ergo cannot be said to be the author of sinne If a man make a gash to prooue the excellency of some healing balme I see not why God may not prepare and giue way to the sinfull fall of his creature especially seeing hee knoweth how to mend better then his first making To the second part of the reason might be answered that Christ was not primarily and immediately chosen and predestinated a Lambe a Mediator of redemption but a Head and Prince of saluation who should saue all to the glory of Grace Now being chosen to this end hee is by force of this hee is chosen vpon sinne falling forth to be a sacrifice a Lambe taking away sinne for hee who is chosen to the end is chosen to the Meanes The second thing hence inferred is that foresight of Faith and perseuerance in it as a necessary condition before we can be elected Such who are chosen in Christ such are now fore-seene beleeuers when they are chosen for none are in Christ but such as beleeue But wee are chosen in him c. The first part of this reason is denied with the proofe of it There is a double being in any thing Virtuali continentia Actuali in existentia the one in vertue the other in actuall existing In the roote of corne there is blade eare in vertue but in haruest time the eare and blade are as it were actually hauing their existence in with the root So we are two waies in Christ First in vertue inasmuch as by force of Gods Election wee shall in time haue life and being from him Secondly when now by faith we come actually to exist in and with him who is the roote of vs. Now the first being in Christ requireth not faith but the second the first being heere to be vnderstood To the second part wee deny that this or any text saith we are chosen being now by faith in Christ for this sense maketh in Christ to belong to the obiect of relation whereas the scope of this place doth necessarily make it belong to the act of electing in this manner as for example He hath chosen vs in him viz. Iesus Christ my selfe with you Thus we might heere take occasion to discusse these two great questions 1. Whether man as now fallen be the subiect of election 2. Whether Election is of such who are in Gods foresight faithfull But I will handle the first in the next Doctrine the latter in the last conclusion or doctrine of this verse From this then that wee are beloued in Christ as our head wee may gather our happinesse O how firme is that coniunction which is begun in such a head who is God with God blessed for euer If Kings beare good will to some family if his loue begin in some chiefe one who is with him at Court as his speciall fauourite it is so much the firmer to all the rest of them Thus here how firme sure is his loue to vs whom he hath loued to life in Christ our Head and eldest brother who is his naturall Sonne from whom it is impossible that his loue should euer start and when it is sure to the head can the body be forsaken Doct. Before the foundation of the world Obserue what ancient loue the Lord hath born vs in Christ it is not of yesterday but before all worlds that his loue rested on vs electing vs to saluation such as should stand with the praise of his glory 2 Tim. 1.9 There is mention of Grace giuen vs before all worlds Ioh. 17.24 Make it manifest that thou louest them as thou louedst mee before the foundation of the world I haue loued thee with an euerlasting loue saith the Prophet Earthly men will purchase to themselues and heyres when it is but a possibility whether they shall haue heyre of their body yea or no. Againe they will shew their care of posterity while yet they are vnborne by making sure intayles But our Father of all the Fatherhood in heauen and earth doth when wee were but possible creatures before him loue vs to this end of supernaturall blessednesse for by this phrase I take not onely eternity but the degree of order in eternity is noted that for order before the being of the world was willed by him hee did shew vs this grace of choosing vs to life Heere therefore is fit place to consider of that question Whether God foreseeth man as fallen before he elect him The question I should answer negatiuely but in determining of it we wil consider 1. The arguments which affirm it 2. The reasons which deny 3. Wee will shew what we take to be the trueth in this matter answering the arguments which are here propounded to the contrary 1 First then the execution is vrged to prooue our Election after sinne Those whom God now fallen into sinne iustifieth saueth and condemneth those now being in sinne he chose to saue and decreed to condemne But God saueth and condemneth men now fallen into sinne Ergo. 2 Those who are chosen out of mercy and reprobated out of Iustice they are now foreseene in misery by sinne But our Election is out of mercy and reprobation is out of Iustice Ergo. 3 Those which are not or haue not any way being they cannot be elected or reiected But before Decree of Creation men are not Ergo. The first part is plaine that which hath no being can haue no affections that cannot be thus or thus which is not at all 4 That which maketh God first decree mans reiection to the glory of his Iustice before his being or corruption is considered that is absurd But this Doctrine of choosing and reprobating before mans fall doth so Ergo. 5 That which maketh God
foreseene then hee loueth some to saluation whom his wrath followeth to death at the same present But Gods anger to death and loue to saluation cannot take place at once Ergo. 6. If God cannot choose any in particular before some generall conception that such and such who belieue shall be chosen then he chooseth not but on faith foreseene But God cannot c. For we prooue in our vnderstandings that we doe things in particular according to generall conceptions within our minde 7. That which maketh God choose persons to life which are not eligible is not to be admitted But an absolute election without any foresight of Faith doth so 8. The Scriptures say wee are predestinated and elected according to foreknowledge Flye lusts of youth c. The reasons for the denying part are many To leaue such named before which are common to this question also 1. This electing on faith fore-seene maketh God goe out of himselfe looking to this or that in the creature vpon which his will may be determined to elect Now this is against the all-sufficiency of God for as if he should get knowledge from things as we doe it were an imperfection in his knowledge so in his will if he must be beholding to something in vs before it can be determined Besides it maketh God intrinsecally changed now in suspence touching that wherein after on some sight hee commeth to be fully determined I will choose this man if so be he will beleeue I will vpon fore-sight of my condition absolutely choose him 2. That election of persons which hath annexed to it a decree preparing faith and iustification for the persons that are elected that is of men vnbelieuing Those who being elected are predestinated to haue faith wrought in them those are considered without faith as now they are elected Rom. 8.39 These foure and fiue Verses of this Chapter 3. If God decree to elect none till he doth see them beleeuing with perseuerance then he doth decree to giue faith and perseuerance before hee doth decree to take or ordaine to life But this is absurd for God should decree to that by which as a meane he commeth to elect before he should decree to elect Let the Arminians tell vs what is Gods end in decreeing to giue this man faith and perseuerance if not that he may choose him to life If hee haue this end in decreeing to giue faith he must needes intend the election of this person before he decree to worke in him effectually faith with perseuerance Beside the Scripture saith so many as were ordained to life beleeued 4. That which maketh God choose vs when we haue chosen him and loue vs when haue loued him first is contrary to Scripture But if God choose vs when now wee haue held the faith and loue of him to the last moment he doth choose vs after we haue chosen him 5. Christ saith we heare or beleeue because we are sheepe This saith we are sheepe or elect and ordained to life because we beleeue 6. From this verse That to which any action tendeth as an effect that is after the action it selfe But this eternall election tendeth to this that wee should be pure in loue 7. That which standeth not with the freedome of Gods will yea of his meere will within himselfe that is not to be indured in election But a condition qualifying the person maketh Gods election not meerely from his will 8. Had faith sanctification workes beene the condition on which we were elected it is like Saint Paul would haue thought on them Rom. 9.11 But he findeth no such consideration in which reason might stay it selfe but exclaimeth O the depth c. Deut. 7.7 9. That which Israels election doth typifie is not an election on fore-sight or any worthinesse But ours is typified by it ergo 10. That which Austin retracted as comming neere Pelagianisme is not like to be orthodoxe This he did so First The latter arguments perswade me fully that God doth not elect vpon any thing fore-seene in vs He decreeth on this condition though he seeth that neither they can doe it of themselues neither is he minded to worke it in them if the first then God were not omnipotent if the latter he should decree foolishly vpon that he saw impossible if the second it is all one with an absolute will which should moue him to this action of electing of vs God cannot haue such a conditionall decree I will elect all if they will beleeue For he must either thinke they can doe this without him and then he were not an omnipotent or that he would giue them effectually to beleeue then it is all one with an absolute will as for example I will elect to life such as shall beleeue I will giue these beleefe with perseuerance and will choose them to life hauing thus beleeued this is all one with this decree we maintaine I choose these to life and decree to giue them faith and perseuerance by which they shall be brought to life they are alike vpon the matter absolute Onely the former maketh God to decree the giuing of faith that he may decree election This latter maketh God decree the giuing faith onely for obtaining saluation to which we are elected Secondly I say he that can make vs fit to any end he chooseth vs may choose vs to that end before he order his meanes to bring vs thereunto Arminius will first haue him make vs fit and then decree to choose vs to life which is to set the Cart before the Horse to predestinate meanes before the end be agreed on to set predestination before fore-knowledge and election Thirdly This proposition God hath chosen vs to life beleeuing and perseuering This is true in this sense we are chosen to life to which he wil bring vs through beleeuing But if it be referred to the action of choosing in this sense God doth choose vs when now he doth see vs beleeuing that we should haue life it is not true nor agreeing to those Scriptures God hath chosen vs to saluation through sanctification and beleefe God hath ordained vs to obtaine life through Iesus Christ These three Conclusions praemised We will answer those Arguments propounded for the contrary and so proceede For the first see that which is before answered on these words in Christ viz. That God chose vs being in Christ vertually not actually Answered 2 To the second If each part be rightly taken all may be granted and our cause nothing hurt Those persons whom God saueth and adopteth thus and thus qualified in time those he did decree when they were made such by force of his predestination to adopt and saue This conclusion is true God did decree to saue certaine persons by working in them effectually faith and perseuerance But Arminius by decree vnderstandeth the decree of election to life as it is distinguished against predestination which is the decree of meanes whereby the chosen of
for doting anthropomorphits then graue Diuines Beside that man doth many things to some particular persons for which he hath no generall rule but that he may doe as he will Ratio obligans Ratio prepondarans Ratio concommitans where there is no reason which doth obliege him and sway him to the contrary Answered 7 The second proposition of this seuenth reason is denied for as I shewed before any person is eligible to life though he were neuer so vnfit presently and immediately for the state he is in to receiue life if so be that God can by iust meanes prepare and make fit to life Answered 8 That foreknowledge Paul and Peter speake of cannot be the foreknowing of Faith and sanctification in certaine persoâ—â— for then what need is there that those who are foreknowne should be predestinated to be called iustified and sanctified and if Peters foreknowledge were a foresight of faith and holinesse what need we to be chosen to holinesse For that place in Timothy If ye flye the lusts of youth ye shall be vessels of gold and siluer Besides there is no necessity to conster that whole passage of election thogh it be so vsually taken the faith of some hath been subuerted but the ground-worke or foundation of sauing faith Grace abideth sure and God doth know them in whom it is and they may know themselues by their care to depart from iniquity But why doth not God worke this well-grounded grace in all It is fit there should some not all be precious and golden vessels hauing that precious faith to wit which cannot be subuerted and those precious graces of the sanctifying spirit How may one know that he is one of these and not a vessell of Alchimie or baser matter Whosoeuer doth purge himselfe he shall be a vessell of gold he shall haue in him that foundation of God that is that sure grounded faith and grace which shall not be subuerted But this by the way Now to proceede Doct. Now we come to the second doctrine viz. That God hath chosen vs who belieue not onely to haue this life of grace I meane of loue and holines but to haue them in perfection Thus the text saith he hath chosen vs that we should come to such a state in this life of loue wherin we shal be perfect pure without any spot in it Heere wee haue life but all is in part We know in part we loue in part wee are holy in part this state is a state of child-hood or imperfection But in the other life that which is in part shall be done away We shall know as wee are knowen we shall loue with all our hearts and strength we shall be perfectly holy without defect or spot because God hath chosen vs not onely to life but to a state of perfection in this life spirituall Looke as God hath loued plants birds beastes men not onely thus farre that they should haue a being but that they should grow vp and attaine to a perfect state in this life and being to which he hath chosen vs. Vse 1 Let vs then considering this be stirred vp to thinke of the Lords exceeding loue We see men though they are lame know painefull liues in some measure more tollerable yet they thinke life a benefit counting it a mercy to liue though for manner lesse comfortable So heere had God taken vs to haue such a life of Grace as here we leade it had beene mercy though we know sicknesse and lamenesse with it but to choose vs to come vnto such a state wherein we shall be pure without any spot or defect not onely to ordaine vs to finde life but life in abundance in Christ this is the riches of his mercy Vse 2 This serueth to strengthen our Faith in apprehending attaining our perfect redemption from the relickes of sinne and death when we find that we cannot get ground of corruption as we would what must we doe speake to God say Lord if the attaining perfect holinesse did lye vpon my hand I know there were no hope I finde these workes of the Deuill too strong for mee but thou hast chosen me euen to this that I should be without spot Lord execute thy owne pleasure more and more purge mee and sanctifie mee and in thy time possesse mee of that state to which thou hast chosen me Euen in earthly Princes their choyce is operatiue If the King choose one Chamberlain or Treasurer his choyse maketh him that to which hee is chosen Wherefore let no good soule who striueth against any imperfections be dismayed Looke as surely as thou hast receiued this perfection of thy humane nature thou I say whom God did choose not only to be born but to liue to full manhood so surely shal all of you who haue true faith and loue attaine to the perfection of this Diuine nature for God hath chosen you to be holy and without spot in it And howbeit men are heere taken away in their spirituall being as in their naturall some so soone as they are borne of God as the Theefe on the Crosse was no sooner conuerted then translated some in youth some in the aged progresse of sanctification yet shall not this hinder for he who is no sooner begotten to God then he is hence remooued euen he shall in that day wherein all of vs shall grow to a perfect man in Christ attaine this state of perfection as that naturall creature which is carried out from birth to buriall shall at last day be raised vp not in fancy which entreth as a present penalty of sinne but in the full stature which beseemeth such a nature Doct. The third thing followeth viz. that God hath taken vs of grace to this that wee shall liue in his glorious presence had hee giuen vs a perfect life without showing vs himselfe as it were face to face it had beene much fauour but to choose vs to this most neere communion with him is the height of his grace and our happinesse There is a being before God in state of grace such as now wee haue Thus Noah thus Abraham Hezekiah Zachary Elizabeth are said to haue walked before the Lord and it is no small priuiledge that wee may conuerse in his presence after any manner but all wee see of him here is but as it were the reflection of him in a glasse there is another being before him when we shall be now with him in the place of his glorious presence when we shall walke by sight when wee shall see him as hee is when wee shall follow the Lambe and see God with that blessed vision euen face to face as it were and this is it which is our chiefe blessednesse euen to be with him and see him Glorious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in whose presence is the saciety of euerlasting delights That perfection of quality and action which we shall attaine is a great blessednes as great as can be inherent in our
in the darkest places he will haue some men who shall shine as lights in the midst of a peruerse generation This God doth first in regard of himselfe that hee may display his mighty power and wisdome so much more clearely Thus in the creation to bring the creature out of nothing lights out of darkenesse did display the riches of his almighty power goodnes and wisdome In regard of the Saints that they may more clearely discerne his great grace to them who hath so separated and altered them from such with whom they formerly conuersed In regard of the wicked that by the example of these the world may be condemned in their vnbeleefe and vnrighteousnesse and all other darknesse which they chose rather then light as Noe is said to haue condemned the old world while he builded the Arke of the impenitency and carelesse vnbeleefe in which they lay without respect to Gods threatning Hebr. 11.7 Vse 1 The vse is first that we should not be discouraged if we liue amongst factious persons in wicked townes lewd families Being made by Gods grace new creatures we must rather wonder at his power wisedome grace vnto vs and no doubt but that he who hath kept his in the wickedest places will keepe vs also Secondly wee must thinke of our happinesse if wee did vse it aboue these they did dwell pell-mell heathen and Christian vnder one roofe whereas we liue with none but such for the most part as professe the Christian name Ergo in many regards our condition is farre easier Now hee commeth to explaine whom hee meaneth by Saints describing them from their Faith in Christ To the faithfull in Christ For these words are added first to point at the roote of sanctification which is Beliefe Secondly to distinguish Gods Church from the Synagogues of the Iewes who professed faith towards God but not in Christ Iesus Identicè formalitèr he doth fitly note out the Saints by their faith in Christ Iesus for whosoeuer is faithful is a Saint and whosoeuer is a Saint is faithfull though to be a Saint and to be faithfull are not properly and formally both one Doct. 7 Obserue then that he calleth those Saints whom here he describeth to be faithful ones in Christ that is faithfull â—nes who are through faith vnited with Christ so â—â—at hee dwelleth in them and they in him Terminum non obiectum for in Christ noteth rather the effect of their faith then the obiect Obserue then who are the true Saints viz. all who by faith are in Christ Iesus Fides non formalitèr sed effectiuè sanctificat Christum siquidem apprehendit per quem formalitèr iustificamur sanctificamur effectiuè Saints and faithfull ones are caried as indifferent with the Apostle Col. 1.2 and elsewhere For though the formall effect of faith be not to sanctifie whence we are denominated Saints but to iustifie whence we are called righteous through forgiuenesse of sinne and adoption vnto life yet faith effectually produceth our sanctification whereupon wee haue the name of Saints Three things goe to this 1. The purifying of the heart 2. The profession outward of holinesse 3. Holy conuersation Now Acts 15.9 by faith our hearts are purified for as a counter-poyson comming in the poyson that is weaker is expelled and as the Sun rising the darkenesse of the night is expelled and vanisheth so Christ the sunne of righteousnesse by faith arising in our hearts the ignorance and lusts of ignorance are despersed flie before him Secondly faith begetteth profession of holines Hauing the same spirit of faith wee cannot but speake saith the Apostle and beleeuing with the heart confessing with the mouth goe together Thirdly holy conuersation springeth from faith If you haue learned Christ as the trueth is in him you haue so learned him as to put off the olde man and to put on the new Faith worketh by loue euen as a tree hath both his leafe and fruit And as if a tree should be changed from one kinde to another the leaues and fruit should likewise be changed as if a Peare tree should be made an Apple tree it would haue leaues and fruits agreeing to the change made in it so man by faith hauing his hart purified made a tree of righteousnesse hee hath his leaues and fruit leaues of profession fruit of action So againe man as a new tree set into and growing out of Christ beareth a new fruit hee conuerseth in holinesse and newnesse of life Thus you see how those that are faithful are also Saints because by faith their heart is purified their profession and conuersation are sanctified wherefore such beleeuers who are mockers of Saints who will not be accounted Saint-holy such who are not changed into new creatures walking in newnesse of life they may well feare that their beleefe is not true such as doth vnite them with Christ for whosoeuer is a true beleeuer is a Saint whosoeuer is by faith in Christ is a new creature We would be loath to take a slip or be deceiued with false commodities in a twelue pound matter Let vs be here no lesse diligent that wee take not an vngrounded fruitlesse presumption for a true faith which resteth on Gods word made knowne and is effectuall to the sanctifying of the beleeuer Vse 2 Secondly Hence wee see the vanity of the Papists in transferring and appropriating this name of Saints to those whom the Pope hath put in his Kalendar and to whom hee hath adiudged Diuine honors holidaies inuocation candles Churches c. these Saints were not heard of in Saint Pauls time A man may be in hell who hath all such things performed about him Saints are Triumphant or Militant Triumphant such who now walke by sight enioying the presence of God Angels Spirits of the righteous departed who haue now rested from al the labors of their militant condition Militant who walke by faith in holy profession and conuersation holding Christ their head by whose power apprehended by faith they are kept to saluation Vse 3 This may strengthen vs against temptations from our imperfections the Lord doth reckon of vs and hold vs as Saints he that by faith hath put on the Sunne of righteousnesse is more cleare and bright then if hee were arrayed with the beames of the Sunne Againe though we haue sinnes too many yet the better part giueth the name Corne fields we see haue many weedes yet we call them Corne-fields not fields of weedes so heere yea Grace though it seeme little ouer that sinne sheweth to be yet it will in time ouercome it as Carloe is much higher then the Barly yet the Barly getteth vp and killeth it The spirit that is in vs from Christ is stronger then the spirit of the world VERSE 2 Now the salutation followeth which standeth of an Apostolicall blessing which hee euer giueth the Churches In it two things are to be considered First the things wished Secondly the persons from whom
not let our Peace while wee know that all things shall worke to our good that we shall be more then conquerers that God will not leaue vs nor forsake vs. Fourthly and lastly our Peace considered as abouesaid doth flow from the gift of the spirit which teacheth vs in some manner to know these things which are next aboue named we haue not receiued the spirit of the world but the spirit of God which teacheth vs to know the things bestowed vpon vs Nihil noÌ„ precognitum afficit voluntatem for nothing can worke vpon the affections as to make vs feare ioy further then it is knowne and wee see that a condemned prisoner though that his pardon be sealed yet is no lesse subiect to feare then before till the matter commeth to his eare and hee be infallibly certified of it Thus much for the grounds which are in some measure wheresoeuer true Peace is in any degree The more full Peace commeth from a further worke of Gods grace in vs which represseth or vanquisheth for a time all perturbations which spirituall wickednesses vnbeleefe vnholinesse in generall want of godly contentation defects in our conditions might occasion For looke as vnto bright cleere light more is required then that the Sunne should be present inlightening the ayre to wit that it should be in that strength present as to waste and disperse all darkesome clouds so heere to this full peace it is necessary that all perturbations should be more fully remooued Thus much for the opening this benefit Vse 1 Now the vse of this is first to stirre vs vp to seek after the true Peace Peace is a sweet thing so sweet that many a man doth so loue it that he will suffer much wrong rather then to giue any way to disquiet What were all the riches of this kingdome what were al the contentments of our priuate state vnto vs if we wanted this Peace If we could not eat our meate but with danger of hauing our throats cut before we should rise were the case thus would we not flie from our natiue Countries and seeke vs habitations where wee might liue peaceably That which a wound is in the flesh that which a sicke distemper is in our body that is disquiet and trouble in the minde Wherfore let vs flye by faith to the Prince of Peace Christ Iesus Vse 2 2 Wee must stirre vp our selues to be thankfull for this so excellent a benefit Should God suffer the Deuill to trouble vs with the guilt of sinne should he let the power of it rage vsurp so in vs as to inforce vs to cry ô miserable that we are should the Lord suffer the Diuell to haue such power as to tempt vs with blasphemous suggestions with prouocations to selfe-murder should hee let such discontented frets dwell in our mindes which did wast our liuers and make vs pine away with the anguish of them euen in this it were our duties to be thankefull how much more when we walke all the day long with inward tranquillity Wouâ—â— not any thinke himselfe faulty that should not thanke God for this temporall peace of our Kingdome that we heare not the drumme the trumpet the clattering of armour but that thou hast part in this peace which maketh thee free from feare of death hell the world all wickednesses which maketh thee sleepe secure wheresoeuer the winde lye for none can blow but to bring thee in profit if thou knowest this peace how much more art thou bound to break forth into the praise of thy most mercifull God Doct. 5 Obserue further from this he first nameth Grace then Peace as springing from the former Obserue hence that all true Peace is that which is bred in vs from the knowledge of Gods loue towards vs. Would we know true Peace if we finde that Gods loue doth cause in vs this Grace heere spoken of we may be sure our peace is sound To open this you must know that Gods grace or loue doth proue it selfe in common to all or more specially to some and may be called a common or a speciall Grace Now the Peace which is grounded vpon conceit of a common goodnes of God towards vs is not sound Peace for euen the beasts enioy common fauour from their Creator God saueth man and beast hee openeth his hand and filleth them his mercy is ouer all his workes this more common or vniuersall mercy as I may call it But here ariseth a necessary question viz. How I may discerne Gods speciall grace from this more common Ans First this speciall grace springeth from another fountaine common Grace commeth hence God is a faithfull Creator patient and kind toward the vnkindest vessels of wrath Hence it is that he doth them good that his goodnes may not want a witnesse in their owne conscience Acts 14.17 but this speciall Grace commeth from hence that hee is reconciled to vs in his Sonne Grace truth through Christ Iesus he hath made vs beloued in his well-beloued Iohn 1. Ephes 1.7 Secondly hence commeth a difference in the benefits for that common fauour giueth benefits to the preseruation of this naturall life but this loue in Christ giueth supernaturall benefits of repentance faith hope inward change of heart and affections Hence followeth a third difference for common Grace is acknowledged sometimes while the benefits of this life are afforded men but they neyther feele nor confesse Grace when these are bereaued but this spirituall Grace which commeth from Christ and standeth chiefly in supernaturall gifts this is felt often most abundantly in afflictions Rom. 5. Afflictions breed patience patience experience experience hope the loue of God being shed into the heart for as the darknesse of the night hindereth not the bright-shine of the starre no more doth the darkenesse of afflictions obscure the bright-shine of this Grace toward vs. Yea wee shall finde this in experience if before our troubles we doe not ouertly skinne our soares sparing our selues in our sinnes partly by not prouoking our selues to due repentance partly by not seeking to get the roots of rebellion throughly mortified partly by not endeuouring to weane our selues from all inordinate earthly delight in the creature for our superficiall sleighting in matter of repentance our boysterous proud impatience not well subdued our vnweanednes to some thing or other these 3. doe make an Ecclipse of the light of Gods countenance when now we are afflicted This by the way A fourth difference in these graces may be taken from the effect of them in the hart for the grace a carnall naturall man feeleth neuer maketh his heart flie vp from all earthly things and reioyce in God whom he seeth fauourable but euen as a harlot her loue is more to rings bracelets or gold sent her then it is to the senders so the world an adulteresse her affections are altogether on the creatures and good benefits giuen them nothing in comparison vpon God himselfe But the true
of loue which here is begun in vs thus when Christ saith Blessed are the poore in heart hee doth not so much note any singular vertue as a state to which some heere come aboue othersome in vertue and thus I thinke it is taken heere both because these words doe signifie a state of Christian perfection and because here is Loue expressed as the subiect the life in which wee shall attaine this perfection For that second circumstance those words before him doe note sometime this presence of God which wee haue heere in state of Grace by sight Luke 1. But heere it doth directly signifie that presence which wee shall haue of God when now we are brought to state of perfection when we shall walk by sight and see him as he is Lastly when hee saith in Loue hee noteth that supernaturall life in which wee shall be brought to this perfection as if hee should haue spoken more largely Who hath chosen vs as who should haue that supernaturall being and life of Loue yea that wee should grow to such a state in it that we should be pure or holy without the least spot and that in his glorious presence whom we shall then see as he is Three things then heere offer themselues to obseruation Obs 1 1. That God hath of Grace chosen vs to that supernaturall life of loue which is to be perfected in the heauens Obs 2 2. That he hath not onely of grace chosen vs to this life but to the perfection of it Obs 3 3. That hee hath of grace taken vs to haue this perfection of life to his owne glorious presence To handle them briefly in order 1. First for the former S. Peter saith the faithfull was chosen of God to the sanctification of the spirit that is in effect to be made partakers of a Diuine nature and when we are said chosen to saluation or glory This is chiefly perfection of Loue which doth make the soule glorious euen as whitenesse maketh the wall white thus God hath loued vs that wee should not onely haue such a life of God giuen vs in the first Adam as was due to our nature and created together with it but such a life as is both for kinde and degree aboue all that nature created did know the root whereof is that second Adam Christ Iesus Looke as all of vs who haue this naturall life and being which now as men and women all of vs haue we were loued of God so farre as to receiue it in Adam and be brought to it through him and looke as all that shall be borne to the end of the world and be in time men and women were loued of God and chosen as it were that they should in their times haue the nature of man so heere wee who now haue this life of God liue and all that euer shall haue the holy life which the spirit of God worketh in the hearts of beleeuers wee and they were from eternity chosen that in time wee should haue it deriued and propagated through Christ Now this is to be marked that beeing chosen to haue this holy loue the Diuine nature wee are chosen to faith also for looke as all who are loued to the receiuing of this naturall and bodily being and life are together chosen to this that they shall be borne of Adam and haue a naturall natiuity from him so all who are chosen to haue the being of holinesse and loue are together taken to this that they shall haue a supernaturall natiuity from Christ that is they shall be brought to beleeue He that beleeueth is borne of God 1 Iohn 5.1 Vse 1 Let vs then first recount his wonderfull loue to vs whom his spirit hath in any measure sanctified and made vs to partake in that Diuine nature which commeth from Christ wee deeme it his fauour and worthily that hee hath made vs Men and Women not Toades or Creatures of such vile being but how much more are wee bound to him that hee hath made vs Christian men and not left vs to such a state in which men shall come to worse passe then if they had neuer beene Because God doth not rayse all who are dead nor giue all sight who are blinde therefore wee thinke them to haue found great fauour whom God did choose to this that he would restore their sight though they were borne blinde and raise them to life though they were dead But what loue hath he shewed vs in chusing vs whom hee would make light when now we were darknesse make to liue when now we had beene dead in sinnes trespasses for this wee haue to thanke his gracious pleasure For as his will is the chiefe cause why one is poore another rich one in excellent state another in vile condition so heere why one is left in that miserable estate into which sinne hath brought vs others deliuered from it Vse 2 Secondly wee see heere how they take this Doctrine who thinke it maketh men licentious and giueth them leaue to liue as they list for all that are chosen of God are chosen of him to this that they should be holy in loue and therefore such as resolue to goe on in vnrighteousnesse they may feare least the sentence be thundered out against them Depart from me ye workers of iniquity I neuer knew you Nay there is no more effectuall argument perswading Christians to sanctification then this of our election Now as the Elect of God put on meekenesse Colos 3. If wee heare that we are chosen to any place or condition on earth which is beneficiall this that wee are chosen to it maketh vs ready and stirreth vs vp to get possessed of it Vse 3 Thirdly we see here that God doth not choose because of faith and holinesse and perseuerance foreseene seeing hee chooseth vs to these things these things follow by force of his election and therefore cannot be the cause of that which is before them for euery cause must needs be before that it causeth Now heere is fit place to consider of that question Quest Whether God in foresight of beleefe and perseuerance in faith and holinesse doe choose vs to saluation I will discusse the question after the former manner in which I will propose diuers Articles First then the Arguments affirming which I haue obserued are these 1. They who are chosen in Christ are chosen on Faith foreseene But all the Elect are chosen in Christ Ergo. 2. Such whom God doth adopt and saue such he decreed to adopt and saue He adopteth and saueth beleeuers c. 3. On what condition God offereth life vpon that condition foreseene hee chooseth to life But he offereth life vpon belieuing 4. If God choose not all on condition they will belieue then some are bound to belieue a lye for they are bound to beleeue that God will saue them But we are not bound to belieue a lye c. 5. If God chose some to saluation before faith and perseuerance
God shall infallably be brought to life Now the first part of the reason thus limited is false Such whom God saueth such he doth foresee them in his Decree of electing them to saluation for this taketh away all predestination of meanes seruing to bring the Elect to life and presupposeth falsly that God cannot choose any to life whom he doth not finde or foresee as actually fitted then when he doth choose them whereas he may choose though neuer so vnfit for the end if hauing chosen vs he can make vs fit for our vnfitnesse for the present to the end doth not make vs vnfit for Gods election as for example I may choose a pen to write which neuer so faulty for the present and vnfit to write with while I know I can mend it and make it fit for this purpose I answere thirdly Euen of the decree of Election this is true if rightly taken viz. Such whom God saueth in time such he elected to saluation such now when he was in electing them this is false Such he elected to wit becomming such through his election this is true The first presupposeth in Gods fore-knowledge an antecedency of faith before the act of electing The latter a concomitancie of faith in the person chosen to saluation and that by force of Gods electing For election doth choose men as well to meanes as to the end and these decrees though diuersly named and in our conceits different yet they are one thing in God Answered 3 To the third I answere That the first part is false for it presupposeth that whatsoeuer is a cause or an antecedent to life must be an antecedent going before election to life It is not necessary that all which is required to life should be required to election vnto life Say I haue twenty pounds a yeere which I may giue to any I shall choose and that my will is none shall haue my Land but he shall pay forty shillings a yeere to the vse of certaine poore whom I shall designe hauing many good friends I choose one amongst them all who shall haue my Land paying to such poore I name forty shillings a yeere In this example his paying forty shillings yeerely is a condition on which he hath the Land not any condition mouing me to choose him before others to haue my Land So God chooseth such to saluation vpon condition they beleeue this condition belongeth not to the action of God choosing but to the terminus to life to which wee are chosen Would they proue that God doth choose to life on faith they should reason thus Vpon what condition God offereth life vpon that he chooseth But on condition of our faith he offereth to choose vs with this eternall election Ergo. But we see the second part of this reason would be euidently false for in what Gospell is it written beleeue and thou shalt be elected Lastly I answere that we cannot gather the decree of God within himselfe by promise or threatning for then wee might truely gather that God had decreed the eternall death of all man-kinde but on sinning in the forbidden tree he did threaten ergo he did decree Arminius distinction of peremptory decree and not peremptory would not helpe any thing indeede this presupposeth that the signifying will of God may not any whit differ from his secret will which he keepeth within himselfe which is a most palpable false-hood Answered 4 Such who are bound to beleeue their saluation when the decree of God is not that they should be saued such are bound to beleeue a lye I deny the consequence for the truth of my faith dependeth not on a conformity with Gods secret will within himselfe but with that which he hath reuealed vnto me While I beleeue according to that he reuealeth I cannot beleeue a lye though the thing I beleeue agree not with that which God within himselfe hath purposed To illustrate the answere Abraham did verily beleeue that he was to offer vp his Sonne without any exception for he did sustaine his faith in thinking that God could raise him from the dead not thinking God would repeale his command yet Abraham beleeued not a lye because he beleeued according to that which was reuealed vnto him But then you will say God may bid vs beleeue this or that as if it were his will when hee knoweth it not to be his will within himselfe Doubtlesse he may to proue vs as he did Abraham whether wee will addresse our selues conscionably to obey him or carelesly out of wilfulnesse disobey his commandements As the goodnesse of the creature is not in doing what God within his secret will hath appointed so the truth of the creature standeth not alwaies in beleeuing what hee within himselfe hath determined To the second part I answere that God doth not binde any directly and immediately to beleeue saluation but in a certaine order in which they cannot but beleeue them truely for hee bindeth men first to beleeue on Christ vnto saluation and then being now in Christ to beleeue that he loued them gaue himselfe for them did elect them will saue them and none can truely beleeue on Christ to saluation but infallibly beleeueth all these other Answered 5 I deny that Gods loue to life and wrath executing death may not stand together to loue so as actually by his influence to execute life cannot stand with wrath executing death to kill and quicken actually God cannot at once but to loue to life so as to choose some persons to be brought to life through certaine meanes this standeth well with wrath to death for the present and God would neuer haue giuen nor called Christ to suffer death for vs now in sinne and death had he not thus loued vs. Looke as God may bodily inflict death on him whom he so farre loueth that he meaneth to giue him life by raising him from the dead by his almighty power so is it here He may yeelde him dead to his iustice whom he so loueth to life that hee will by meanes predestinated bring them from death to life Answered 6 The consequence of the first proposition is denied If he must haue some generall before hee choose particular persons Then he hath thus I will choose these if they beleeue it is inough that we conceiue some such generall as this I will choose whom I will choose We deny the assumption with the reason of it Let them tell we when God raised Lazarus or chose Lazarus whom he would raise from the dead such a blinde man whom he would restore to light such a piece of earth which he would make into the body of Adam what generall rules he did these by rules which presuppose that things or persons thus and thus qualified should be thus and thus vsed The reason is denyed For to measure God by our scantling is foolish to imagine as it were created generall verities in his vnderstanding like as it is in our selues is fitter
a supernaturall habit of belieuing Wee ergo are said beleeuing to receiue the spirit because then wee receiue it more fully and manifestly dwelling in vs to our sanctification and assurance touching our redemption Vse 1 Wherefore let vs labour by faith to be one with Christ let vs eate as it were and drinke him by beliefe on him then shall wee feele the quickning spirit comming out of him yea let vs striue for a further measure of faith for the wider the mouth or necke of a vessell is the more it receiueth the faster it filleth so heere the more our faith dilateth it selfe the more abundantly doth this spirit flow into vs from Christ Vse 2 We see the idoll faith which many rest on for it bringeth them not to be partakers of a holy spirit nay their faith is accompanied with a spirit of sensuality fleshly prophanesse filthinesse couetousnesse euen such a spirit as is fit to come from a groundlesse and fruitlesse presumption Thus hauing considered the benefit in generall wee will sift it more particularly for hee doth not barely say in whom when ye also had belieued ye receiued the spirit but ye were sealed with the holy spirit fore-promised Two things are to be marked 1. The sealing which doth figuratiuely signifie a singular confirmation giuen to faithfull ones touching their redemption The seale the holy spirit that is both the person of the spirit dwelling with vs and the graces of the spirit inherent in vs which is here said a spirit of promise because God had fore-promised to put his spirit into our hearts that his word and spirit should neuer leaue the faithfull seed that he would poure out the spirit on all flesh which solemne promises make me thinke that this phrase is in this sense rather to be constred as Gal. 3.4 Wee are said by faith to receiue the promise of the spirit that is the spirit of promise or that had beene promised as here it is vttered Doct. 4 First obserue that the faithfull are as it were by seale confirmed touching their saluation and full redemption for this is to be supplied from the 4 Chap. 30. ver Who confirmeth vs who hath annointed vs yea who hath sealed vs 2 Cor. 1. As God did seale his Christ as the person in whom hee would be glorious by working our redemption so he doth seale vs who are belieuers for persons who shall haue redemption by him Euen as persons contracting doe mutually seale and deliuer each of them their deedes in seuerall so betweene God and the belieuer the belieuer doth by faith set to his seale as it were that God is true in that which he promiseth Iohn 3.33 and God he doth seale vnto the beleeuer that he shall be infallibly brought to the saluation hee hath belieued for to seale vp belieuers to redemption or to seale redemption to belieuers are heere equiualent Looke what a seale set on any thing doth it agreeth well to belieuers For first a seale maketh sometimes things sealed secret Thus the graces of the spirit make belieuers vnknowne to the world who haue not receiued the same spirit with them yea such as none can ordinarily know their happinesse beside themselues My loue is like a fountaine sealed for this cause the World knoweth you not because it knoweth not the Father 1 Iohn 3.2 Secondly a seale doth distinguish thus the belieuers are a peculiar to God are set apart as the first fruits of the creature are taken out of the world Thirdly A seale doth make things authenticall Thus measures cloathes deedes any thing by the seale comming is confirmed and warranted in the kinde of it Thus belieuers they haue that giuen them which doth fully assure their saluation alwaies yea which doth not onely make it sure in it selfe but sometime put it out of all doubt with them that they can say they know whom they haue belieued and that hee is able to keepe their saluation they haue trusted him with to that day Looke as Kings when they take any to great offices or to haue hold lands matter of inheritance heere or there they giue their seale that they may the more secure it vnto them so doth God to vs when now hee taketh vs belieuing to that heauenly inheritance But it may be obiected by many belieuing hearts wee finde no assurance but much doubting euer and anone though wee hope wee haue and doe truely belieue Answ It is one thing to haue this or that surely by deed and seale confirmed another thing to know that we haue a thing so sealed As men in earthly things may haue sure euidence for this or that and yet not alwaies know the certainty of their hold and so doubt causlesly thus it is in belieuers they haue their redemption euer surely sealed but not knowing the certainty hereof in themselues they are yer-while subiect to doubtings Vse 1 The Vse is that seeing God hath thus sealed to vs our saluation we shold Ergo labor to be fully perswaded touching this his grace toward vs. Though true beleeuers are not alwaies sure of their saluation in their sense and iudgement yet they should euer striue to this For as men would be trusted confidently in that they promise and seale so God much more would haue vs be secure touching that which he hath promised written sworne outwardly and inwardly sealed Vse 2 Let vs all striue to get our selues sealed to redemption seeing God doth seale those whom hee will deliuer in that great day If we be not in this number we shall not escape damnation Euen as in the ninth of Ezechiel and Reuelation 7. those were kept from the iudgement spirituall in the one place corporall in another whom God had sealed and marked thereto so is it here c. Doct. 5 The last point followeth viz. That the holy spirit and the graces of the spirit are the seale assuring our redemption the seale sealing vs to redemption For assurance of outward things wee haue onely the seale sealed on waxe or otherwise wee neede not the Signet sealing but wee are confirmed touching saluation both by the spirit of God who is as it were the seale sealing and by the graces of the spirit which is as it were the seale sealed and printed vpon vs yea these two both of them are together as a seale while it standeth vpon the matter which it now sealeth Looke as the Kings of England graue on their broad Seale their owne image so print as it were their owne picture in this or that which they seale So our God by his holy spirit essentially like himselfe he doth print vpon our soules his owne image vpon vs I say whom he sealeth to redemption Now that both Gods spirit and this image of God in vs doe as it were seale vs vp to saluation is plaine For first of the person of the spirit it is spoken Rom. 8. that it beareth witnesse to our spirits that we are Gods children and heires with
my iudgement briefly concerning it viz. Whether wee may in ordinary course be infallibly perswaded touching our saluation The truth is Christians may come to it That which is sufficient y confirmed on Gods part to Christians and that whose confirmation may be sufficiently receiued on Christians part concerning that they may infallibly be assured but God hath sufficiently confirmed it as is plaine by his Word seales oath pledge c. and what God offereth or confirmeth so we by faith may receiue it for faith doth inable vs suffi iently to belieue that God reuealeth to vs Now his wil to saue vs by all the former is particularly reuealed as wee shall show further hereafter That which maketh vs vnable to haue sound ioy hearty thankefulnesse courage to proceed in a godly course that is contrary to the truth But to take away this certaine perswasion of our inheritance doth this How can I ioy in a thing which I know not whether I shall haue it or no I meane with sound and full reioycing How can I be thankefull for that which I know not whether euer I shall get it or no How can a man haue heart to proceed while he cannot know whether he is in a course right or wrong and cannot tell whether all hee doth will come to any thing yea or no To explane the truth more fully I wil open these foure points 1. What this certainety is 2. On what grounds it riseth 3. In what state the faithfull attaine it 4. That the sence of it may alter euen in those who haue attained it 1. This certainty is no other thing then the testimony of a renewed conscience which doth witnesse through the spirit that wee are in state of grace and that we shall be brought by God to life euerlasting I call it a testimony of the conscience for the conscience doth not onely show vs what we are to doe what state we should seeke to get into but it doth witnes giue iudgement about that we haue done and the state we stand in be it good or euill The conscience accuseth of sinne and witnesseth to a man that hee is in the state of damnation it doth witnesse to a man that hee is in state subiect to Gods temporary displeasure and so likewise that a man is in such state as that God will shew him fauour for the present and bring him to see his promised saluation That it is a testimony of our spirit that is our conscience renewed it is plaine Rom. 8.16 That our spirit doth witnesse it through the spirit witnessing our state vnto it is plaine in that place also The spirit of God doth witnesse with our spirit and Rom 9.2 My conscience beareth me record through the spirit for the conscience doth but speake it as an eccho that it testifieth to vs both our present estate of Grace and our inheritance with Christ it is euident there also Nay when the conscience through the ministry of the Law doth testifie to a man his state in sinne and vnder the curse it is through the spirit of bondage that it doth so testifie this being the office of Gods spirit to teach vs to know the things bestowed on vs 1 Cor. 2.12 to worke in vs not faith onely but spirituall discerning of those things which are wrought in vs and looke toward vs belieuing The conscience doth testifie this partly through faith belieuing it partly through discerning the faith loue obedience which are by Gods spirit brought forth in vs 1 Iohn 4. â—6 Wee haue knowne and beleeued the loue the Father beareth vs. I know whom I haue trusted and that hee is able to keepe my saluation committed to him vnto that day 2. Tim. 1.9 Faith may receiue what the Word doth testifie but there is a word testifying thus much that my particular person beholding the Sonne and belieuing on him shall haue eternall life and be raised vp at the last day Ioh 6. â—0 that there is no condemnation to me being in Christ that he who hath begun his good worke is faithfull is constant and will finish it also that Christ is made of God not onely an author but a finisher of my faith not only a iustifier of me but a perfect redeemer that I being iustified and called shall also be glorified Neyther could Iohn with the faithfull belieue Gods loue toward them in particular if some word did not show it Neyther will the Papists say that all of them were priuiledged with singular reuelation For though no word expresly say thou Thomas belieuing shalt be saued yet that word which saith euery one belieuing shall be raised vp that word saith I beleeuing shall be raised vp Otherwise wee might aske what word saith thou Thomas shall not kill steale c. if the generall did not sufficiently containe euery particular person But it will be said How doe you know that you truly belieue To which I answer comming to that second ground by a gift of distinction or vnderstanding wee know these things wrought in vs by God and by discerning these things wee are assured touching that full saluation promised to vs. First that wee may know them then that these knowne doe further assure vs Paul did know on whom hee had belieued How could we say euery one we belieue if we might not know it Can we speak that truly wherof we can haue no certainty Thirdly when I see one or trust to any promising me this or that I know I see him and trust to him rest on him for that he hath promised Shall I by faith see Christ the Sonne and rest on him and yet know no such thing Wee may know wee haue some kinde of faith but not that wee haue the true liuely faith Ans S. Paul bids vs to try and proue our selues whether wee haue not that faith by which Christ dwelleth in our hearts which is the faith of such as are accepted with God 2 Cor. 13.5.6 Now to bid mee make search and examination for that which cannot be found out were ridiculous Our loue to God and our brethren by which we know our selues translated from death to life wee may know also St. Iohn maketh it a signe of our being translated Ergo it may be knowne Signes manifesting other things must themselues be more manifest Secondly hee that may know hee hath true faith may know a priori that hee hath loue also for loue is in true faith as the fruit in the root from which it springeth We loue God when now wee haue found that hee loueth vs first Now by faith we perceiue God to beare vs loue be reconciled for God doth offer his loue to mee belieuing Againe if I loue men I know my loue to them yea and in what degree I beare them loue Shal I loue God to the denying of my earthly profit yea my life often and not be able to know that I loue him Were this true when Christ asked Peter Louest thou
me he should haue answered Lord thou knowest wee cannot tell truely whether wee loue thee Againe St. Iohn saith By this wee know that we loue him if wee keepe his commandements If any say we know that we haue a naturall loue but wee are not sure that wee haue this Christian loue Againe many Christians thinke they haue true loue yea Peter himselfe was deceiued in his loue Ans The loue of a meere natural man to God is as like Christian loue as an apple is like an oyster and therefore we passe by it Christians are eyther enlightened onely and not sanctified or sanctified also with their enlightning The former may thinke themselues to haue loue not hauing it but because a man dreaming or running vpon some mistake may be deceiued shall this preiudice but that a man waking may iudge truly of this or that which is before him A man that hath no charity thinketh himselfe to haue it therefore one that hath it may not iudge infallibly that he hath it Now for those that haue it as Peter they may be deceiued not in iudging simply of the thing but of the measure of that which is circumstantiall in their spirituall life not in that which is substantiall Peter was not deceiued in thinking that hee had faith and loue but in presuming aboue his measure Thirdly wee may know our workes which are fruites growing from the tree of grace in our harts S. Iohn maketh them signes which doe euidently declare loue ergo they are manifest Hee who knoweth when he doth sinne swerue from obeying God hee may know how farre hee obeyeth God they who doe spiritually obey God eyther they know it or their consciences are not priuy to that they doe cannot beare witnesse and iudge of that they doe but this is false Pauls conscience did testifie to him that hee did walke in simplicity according to the Grace of God True it is that for the outside the works of vnsanctified men are like to the workes of the sanctified but they are without the life and spirit which is in the worke of a true beleeuer to which he is no lesse priuy then to the externall worke which commeth from him To conclude they who haue the testimony of a good conscience may know that they obey God sincerely But Christians may haue the testimony of good consciences Beside that the spirit doth teach our consciences to beare witnesse of the griefe and ioy we haue and so by consequent of all wee doe according to good Now the conscience as through faith so discerning these things doth testifie to vs from these our saluation which he hath promised and God will not forget to finish what hee beginneth Should a King promise to erect some Colledge and giue liberall maintenance to Students in it wee are certaine by a humane faith that hee will doe such a thing though it be not begun but when now the foundations were in laying then we should not onely belieue his purpose but in part know it by that we saw executed and by that we saw in execution wee would assure our selues the thing should be finished But heere it will be obiected that though knowing these things wee might come to see our selues in present state of grace yet we cannot be sure of our saluation vnlesse wee could know that our faith loue and obedience should perseuere to the end To this I answer that the Scripture could not say that he that belieueth hath an euerlasting life that there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ did it not take our faith and the fruites of it to be such from which wee should neuer fall through the power of God and this the conscience commeth to know by faith in God conceiued through such promises as these I will make you walke in my commandements I will put my feare in you that you shall not depart I haue begun my worke and I will perfect it in you I am author and finisher of thy faith it is my will thou shouldest haue eternall life and be raised vp at the last day Now though the conscience doth testifie this our present being in fauour and our future saluation yet it doth not this in euery state of a belieuer For first there is a state in which faith is a smoaking weeke desiring that it could belieue rather then getting vp to feele it selfe belieue Againe though faith be not troubled but doth quietly stay on Christ and taste God good in letting them finde peace with him yet such is the infancy of spirituall vnderstanding in Christians now first conuerted that they doe not returne into themselues and iudge of that they doe and of the great consequence which followeth from that which they doe Hence it is that they will tell you they finde God good to them and goe on cheerefully in duties for the present but they come not to behold the stability of their saluation for time to come There is a state in which faith is exercised with temptation from vnbeliefe or otherwise by which opposition the soule is kept from attaining this certainty being encountred with doubtful appearances which it cannot wel answer cleare for the present There is a state wherein faith is now grown vp either hath out-wrestled or otherwise is exempted from knowing such temptation and the faithfull in this state doe perswade themselues that Gods mercy and truth and power shall carry them through vnto saluation Looke in 1 Pet. 5. v. 11. The God of Grace who hath through Christ called you vnto eternall glory when you haue a little suffered he perfect you stablish you strengthen you ground you sure Lastly when now our consciences are come to testifie through faith and experience this happy estate we are subiect by neglecting meanes by falling into some more grieuous sinne by secret desertions ere-while to lose for a time this comfortable perswasion the spirit not speaking in vs by his light as heretofore and our consciences and faith so hurt and wounded that the actions of them are troubled depraued as we see the like befall the naturall reason and senses Wee see through melancholy what reason commeth to imagine how the eye thinkes it sees things yellow and redde when they are nothing so the taste things bitter when they are sweet so the sight of faith and conscience when nothing but sinne guilt wrath angry desertion ouer-lay it it seemeth to see euery thing for the time of like colour to those things wherewith it is possessed These things I thought good to set downe that we might conceiue the nature of this point more fully One thing is to be answered which seemeth to me of greatest moment namely that this doctrine doth leaue no place for feare but breedeth presumption but this is vtterly denied for the grace and mercy of God belieued breedeth loue of God and consequently true feare which is opposed to senselesse stupidity and carnall presumption though it casteth out feare
two things be remembred First that when the words of knowledge doe together by connotation imply affection much more doe the words of beleefe and Ergo where I finde to beleeue that Christ is the Sonne of God I must conceiue this beleefe to containe confidence in the Sonne Secondly to remember that when faith of any temporary promise is said to be accounted for righteousnesse it is because it doth in beleeuing the thing temporall apprehend him in whom all the promises are yea and Amen who is at least the remoued obiect of a iustifying faith in euery thing it apprehendeth Thus Abraham beleeuing the promise of seede of Isaac did apprehend that blessed seede which had from the beginning beene promised and saw his day which the Apostle doth testifie Gal. 3. Neither did he looke at the power of God but to sustaine his beleefe of a seede before promised against the temptations wherewith God did exercise him that we haue a particular word and in effect to beleeue on Christ vnto forgiuenesse of our sinnes I haue shewed aboue Vse Wherefore let vs rest on Christ alone as our rocke flye to him as our true sanctuary This Papists come to in death renouncing any confidence in their fooleries this themselues giue testimony vnto that it is the surest and he is not wise who will not take the safest way for his soules saluation Doct. 3 The third Doctrine is that faith and loue are neuer disioyned but goe each in hand one with the other From what time we beleeue men will doe any great good things for vs we feele a loue arise toward them so from what time by faith wee apprehend loue in God toward vs through Christ we feele loue reflecting from vs toward him according to that we loue him because we haue knowne and beleeued his loue to vs First faith must bring the holy fire of Gods loue into our frozen hearts or they will neuer be warmed with feruent loue to God againe The sinfull soule doth see Gods loue forgiuing it many sinnes then it loueth much againe In nature we see nothing can moue in desire to this or that till first it hath apprehended it louely So our affections cannot in loue and desire moue to and vnite themselues with God till by faith wee doe discerne him as reconciled to vs so becomming an amiable obiect for vs sinners to imbrace till that faith discerneth this nothing but wrath like a consuming fire abideth ouer vs. Hence it is that Saint Paul 1 Tim. maketh loue to flow from faith vnfained and Gal. 5. he saith that faith worketh by loue not as fire maketh hot by heate which is a formall property inherent in it but as the soule doth this or that by the hand which is an externe instrument conioyned vnto it for loue is not any essentiall cause which doth giue being to faith but it is a grace without the being of faith though ioyned vnto by which as an instrument faith worketh Vse 1 The Vse of this Doctrine is to show how vniustly they slander vs as teaching a faith alone without other graces when we hold according to the Scipture that there can be no true faith without loue nor loue without true faith for the first is but a dead carkase this latter is but blinde deuotion neither is pleasing to God Indeede we teach that faith iustifieth vs alone without other graces not in regard of their presence but in regard of their co-working with faith to this effect of our iustification It is one thing to say the eye is in the head without other senses and another thing to say the eye doth see alone no other sense seeing with it Vse 2 This must make vs trie the truth of our faith for if our hearts haue not been kindled with loue to God they neuer truely beleeued his loue in Christ We may easilier carry coales in our bosome without burning then by faith apprehend truely this loue of our God without finding our hearts burne in loue to him answerably Vse 3 We see that loue is an effect following faith euen loue to God himselfe They make the tree to beare the roote who will haue loue giue being to faith but this is but a consequent of Lombards errour who did hold loue to be no other thing then the holy Ghost himselfe Doct. 4 Obserue lastly who are the persons on whom the loue of true beleeuers is set viz. the Saints yea all Saints True Christian loue next to God and our owne soules maketh vs affect those who are sanctified who expresse the vertues in their life of our heauenly Father by whom we are called from darkenesse to light Hence it is that the Saints the houshold of faith the brethren are commended as persons whom we must affect and doe good to before all other Thus our God loueth Psalme 147.10 not the strength of horse nor legs of man but those that feare him are his delight Thus Christ loued Who is my father and mother c. hee that heareth and obeyeth Thus Paul and Dauid loued We loue none according to the flesh all my delight is in the Saints in them who excell in vertue Euery creature loueth and liketh to be with those who are vnited with it in communication of the same nature So sanctified Christians cannot but loue and like to be most with them who haue receiued the like diuine nature in which themselues are partaker yea it loueth all Saints not such who haue other parts pleasing and contentfull but it loueth euery one in whom it can see the image of God shining for it cannot be but that loue which truely loueth one person as he is holy shou d loue euery one so far forth as he is holy yea though we are to esteeme and inwardly affect men as we see them holy we are not bound to shew them the outward effects of our loue answerably The neerer persons are tyed to vs in naturall and ciuill bonds the more must our prouidence be for them and loue shewed them in outward things vnlesse their foolish lewdnesse dispriuiledge them this way for then the prouerbe taketh place A wise seruant may be preferred before a foolish childe Vse 1 This then doth reproue many who indeede hate and would show it were it pollicie those who endeauour to liue holily traduce the name of Saints nickname them as Puritans such who cannot be themselues but when they are in company with Swearers Gamsters good fellowes such who will seeme to relish some odde persons who are indeede truely holy but others in whom holinesse is apparant they cannot endure it is to be feared they loue those whom they doe not because they see holinesse but for some by respects which within themselues they haue conceiued Some who are all for a sound iust dealing well natured man though he be neuer such a stranger from matter of religion Yea I would many of the Lords children through selfe-loue did not loue too well
death being such contraries as haue no third thing betweene them which doth partake in them both the one may be changed into the other without any thing preparatory All things which God doth prepare to the receiuing of Grace and comming to him they make not of themselues any thing to the introducing of Grace further then God intendeth this effect by them Feare of hell conscience of sinne neuer such afflictions morall parts and all gifts which may be without sanctifying Grace and true beliefe many haue all these who yet neuer turne vnfeignedly to God When the sicknesse is now growne greater in quantity this absolutely taken maketh the patient further of health But the Physitian may intend this because he doth see his medicine will the better worke on it and educe it when it is growne to such ripenesse If a man fall out of a dead Palsie into a light Phrensie phrensie of it selfe is no paration to health but to the physitian who can worke on him more fitly in this taking then in the other it may be a preparatiue to health Thus to be like an aguish man on his good dayes or like to some madde men in the time of their intermissions is in it selfe as farre from state of health as otherwise but yet the Physitian may vse such a state as a way to health choosing rather to deale with him in this taking then in the fitte Thus it is not the height of sinne it is not feare of hell though contrary to the Apoplexie of deep security it is not a morall course which commeth not from true sanctification that of themselues can make neerer the state of grace but only in regard of God who doth intend to turne them hereunto Thus if God stirre vp a man to liue according to the light of nature virtuously it may be in regard of Gods intention a preparing him to receiue further Grace of effectuall vocation but all a man can doe from naturall strength of it selfe profiteth nothing Fourthly that where effectuall raising vp the hart to faith beginneth there Gods preparatiue workes take an end for as that which prepares the ground for seed now ceaseth when the seed is to be sowne so all these things which as they are preparations doe nothing but fit the soyle of the heart for Gods effectuall calling to be giuen they haue their end when this immortall seed commeth to be sowne in vs beside that a man is no sooner called then hee receiueth a spirit of faith by which hee is as by a new heauenly forme in some manner quickned Fiftly The Papists doctrine is heere very defectiue and false in part Defectiue for they speake nothing of preparatory courses by which God doth bring vs to come vnto him by faith but of such like operations by which God prepareth vs and we prepare our selues to be iustified Now we prepare our selues to iustification when the spirit doth without any habit of Grace lift vs vp to supernaturall acts of beliefe hope in God loue sorrow for sinne and feare of hell in which many things are erroneous as first that they make vs lifted vp to acts of this nature without habits which is to make a blinde man see without giuing his eye new sight to make vs bring good fruits while yet we are not made good trees to make vs be iustified by our faith come into grace by our faith stand in grace by another The schoole not vnderstanding the doctrine of preparation consider of it philosophically as a thing betweene Nature and Grace Now betweene the things we worke out of naturall strength and those we do meritoriously from Grace now infused into vs and inherent in vs they deuise a third kinde of workes which neyther come from any power of ours meerely nor yet from any supernaturall Grace inherent in vs and these are workes done by eternall ayde of the spirit whereas all the Scripture make that faith which is required to iustification to be the same with that which worketh by loue to be a faith fully formed comming from a spirit of faith that is an habituall guilt wrought by the spirit to be a faith belieuing on God which the best pillars of popish learning confesse to be an act of formed faith Beside they erre when they make feare of hell a thing immediately disposing to iustification when the work of this is to mooue vs to seeke out of our selues after some word of faith and this is cast forth proportionably as faith and loue enters It may prepare to our conuersion not to our iustification immediately Againe when they make loue actuall to goe before iustification whereas loue doth follow For we loue because we haue found loue first now no loue is felt from God till remission of sin and acceptance to life in some measure are felt perceiued should God lift vs vp to loue him before his iustification he should by making vs loue him prepare vs to be loued of him Shee loueth much because much is forgiuen her In a word setting aside the act of a true faith comming from an inward gift of the spirit inclining the heart to belieue there is no other thing preparing to iustification immediately where this is there together in time iustification is receiued there the spirit of loue and hope are not wanting Hee who belieueth is passed from death to life Neuerthelesse wee doe long after not feele our selues iustified nor perceiue Grace to dwell in vs so fully and manifestly as wee desire Hence it is that sometimes wee are in feare sometime belieue hope sometime we are in repentant sorrow and by these wee are led both to the manifest perceiuing of that which is wrought in vs and to the more full measure of Peace and Grace which we much desire The second question then In what order Gods power doth bring vs to belieue is thus answered That most commonly hee doth in some kinde change vs and make vs more fit that so his word may be reuealed in vs which accompanied with his mighty power doth bring forth that supernaturall habit of faith by which he doth incline vs to moue vnto him Now for the third thing Whether this help doth leaue the will at liberty actually to resist it yea or no the answere is it doth not That which the omnipotency of God is put forth to worke in the creature that the creature cannot resist But God putteth forth his omnipotency and by the effectuall working of it he may bring vs to beleeue The first part is not denied The second is here plainly set downe viz. That God doth bring vs to beliefe by the effectuall working of no lesse power then that which raised Christ from the dead That which maketh Gods aide and Grace put vnder the power of man and not mans will to be vnder it that is a Pelagian heresie But to say that notwithstanding Gods helping Grace man may resist is to put Grace in mans power not to put