then certainty were unattainable if the act were to be tryed for so long as there is any tryall there is an act of judgment passed If thou findest 1. That some works have passed upon thy heart 2. That they are such as are warranted to be witnessing the act of judgment is unquestionable From thy discerning them thou mayest conclude that thou hast the irradiations of the spirit for none but the Spirit can discover these 1 Cor. 2. v. 10 11 12. From the works discerned thou mayest conclude the presence of the spirit and thy own Adoption 4. If thou be'st in the darke or wantest clearness about the works themselves which formerly thy soule hath been under thou art ever to beware at such a time of drawing up Conclusions about thy condition many have been ready to deny the grace of Christ and have run their soules upon horrible temptations and into deep desertions and have given Satan great advantages to rush them into unbeleife by concluding upon the sight of halfe-works or without a clearness in the nature quality circumstances and ends of what they have met withall When the eyes of thy soule are dim as in a day of desertion thou art not a competent judge but oughtest to attend unto other duties that concerne thee in thy present condition and to waite for the shineings of the Spirit upon the works thou hast had experience of and if such a candle be lighted up in thy soule as enableth thee to see and by the word to discerne them to be speciall workes then thou mayest say as Rom. 9.1 My conscience beareth me witness by the Holy-ghost and then it is dangerous disclaiming or disowning the Spirit in its operations 5. It is the worke of the Spirit to discover both the sincerity and the deceitfulnesse of the heart there are seeds of hypocrifie as well as of other sins even in the best of Saints They finde matter for heart-breaking complaints of the treacherousnesse of their own hearts Grace doth not tot ally destroy the being of any one sin Peters heart deceived him when he was upon high resolves for Christ and yet a beleever But never doth a soule see more of the deceitfulnesse of its heart then upon a discovery of divine love Job 42.5 6. Isa 6.5 Ezek. 16.63 And thus he that would not be deceived shall not be left to the deceitfulnesse of his own heart Object 2. But I have found that my heart hath deceived me and I was mistaken in my passing a judgement about other matters and I had as many symptomes of my being led by the Spirit of God into those Conclusions as I have of its leading me into this and therefore I fear I am deceived in all Answ 1. Thou mightest be deceived about some Circumstance and the particular end of some dispensation and yet thy judgment might be right in the maine 2. Particular mistakes are not to be made generall rules Peter had a clear testimony of his Adoption and that from the mouth of Christ himself Mat. 16. v. 17. Blessed art thou Simon and yet this did not preserve him from a delusion of Satan that came afterward v. 22 23. The same mouth that blessed him quickly called him Satan Christs testimony was enough to give him full assurance of Divine love but yet it did not secure him against a false Confidence in a particular Case nor a dolefull fall Matth. 26. v. 35.70.72 It thy heart hath deceived thee in some particular things yet do not Conclude that thou art deluded in all 3. Yet let thy mistakes provoke thee to the greater watchfulnes against the delusions of Satan and thy own Spirit And take these as Symptomes of delusions and beware of yeelding to them 1. Whatsoever hath a naturall tendency to promote sin or unrighteousnesse is a delusion unholines cannot be from the holy Spirit and hence there is a diametrical opposition between the fruits of the Spirit and the workes of the flesh Gal. 5. v. 19 20.22 that which emboldneth or giveth any encouragement or is refreshing to corruption beware of it 2. That which ariseth from or leadeth into security is a delusion Rev. 3.17.22 They are rich and encreased in goods c. and now they conclude they want nothing but the Spirit of God told them that they wanted all things Davids security led him into a false Confidence Psal 30.6 From his present prosperity he Concluded that he should not be moved 3. That which springeth from a supposed selfe-sufficiency or in its owne nature leadeth into selfe-advancement is a Delusion Psal 30.6 David was confident he should not be moved and this was built and bottomed upon his outward accommodations and furnishments for self-defence and therefore he checketh correcteth and recalleth himself v. 7. By thy favour my mountaine standeth strong So if thou hast overcome this or that temptation and now Concludest that thou art able to encounter with any it is but the voyce of thy own Spirit and it may be a small one will surprize thee quickly And so if it tendeth to make thee aspiring Gen. 3.5 4. That which beginneth not with and endeth not in Christ is a delusion Peter engageth for Christ but not in the strength of Christ and so he fell though not totally yet shamefully from Christ The Laodiceans are neglective of Christ and take satisfaction in things below Christ and this produced false Confidences and Conclusions Rev. 3.17 18.20 Object 3. But may there not be some sin that I am ignorant of harboured in my soule that may render me deceived in passing judgement on my owne Condition May not my heart be engaged to some secret sin that I know not of and so I not be marryed unto Christ Answ Is thy heart carried out to seeke for cleansing through the blood of Christ from secret sins which thou knowest not of If so thou art not deluded but even these motions of thy heart are witnessing The best of Saints are subject to many secret sinnes Psal 19.12 Who can understand his errours cleanse thou me from secret faults The interrogation hath the force of a negation i.e. none can understand his errours i.e. all his sins and therefore he himselfe beggeth cleansing from those he knew not of Qui form aliter distincti poenitentiam agit de peccatis omnibus cognitis virtualem confusam resipiscentiam habet de ijs etiam peccatis quae non novit Dr. Ames c. c. l. 2. cap. 8. So that if thou hast such a knowledge of Gosell Mysteries as thy whole heart be drawn out after God in the way of the Mediatour Christ Jesus and be bent and set against all sinnes known upon Gospel accounts and lookest after purification from what thou art ignorant of and wouldest seek the mortification and abandoning of them if thou knewest them can'st cordially say as Psal 139. v. 23 24. Search me O God and know my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me and
a time and many gracious effects are produced by it c. but these are more fully opened else-where especially under the generall evidences Object But many have had flashes of joy in the reception of the word Luk. 8.13 yea have been raised unto a high degree of hope and even a triumphing joy who yet have been hypocrites Job 8.13 27.8 Job 20. v. 5. and others have been made partakers of the Holy-Ghost and have tasted of the heavenly gift the good word of God and the powers of the world to come and yet have been under delusions all this while Hebr. 6. v. 4 5 6. How shall I discerne that I goe beyond these Answ There are many things already hinted that will difference the testimonie of the Spirit from such slashes as these are but further 1. The witnessings of the Spirit cause glorious transsormations into the image of the word delusions or common workes of the Spirit leave without these A man may partake of the Holy-Ghost in the gifts of it as Saul did 1 Sam. 10.10 and yet no imprinting of the word in the heart Some one affection as joy may arise upon the reception of the word as Matth. 13.20 21. and yet the word have no root Mark 4.6 the heart not be changed into the nature of it but when the Spirit worketh effectually by a word then there is a counterpane of the word in the heart and hence Jerem. 31.33 Hebr. 8.10 The Lord doth promise in the new Covenant to write his word in their hearts some principles and dispositions or inclinations are wrought within that have a lively resemblance in them unto the word 2 Corin. 3.3.18 We beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Saith Mr Forbes the working of the Spirit in the wicked is like the smell of an Apothecaris Shop which one that passeth by receiveth although he never carry any of these odoriferous things with him But the witnessing of the Spirit to the Elect is by imparting the thing witnessed to the soule and making it really to possesse it So that if a man could see the soule of a true childe of God he should see engraven in it mercy peace love righteousnesse life joy and Christ himselfe All the promises of God in Christ being written therein according to the Covenant of God 2. The witnessings of the Spirit have powerfull operations in the heart towards the attainment of spirituall Gospell ends there The end any worke driveth at is a great discoverer what it is if a man be not lightly but effectually carried out after it The noise of heaven and happines is taking even with carnal hearts Many with the yong man in the Gospell Matth. 19. v. 16.22 may be inquisitive after eternall life and have desires to enjoy it and take much paines to seeke after it and be very sorrowfull at the thoughts of missing of it and these imply some tastig of the heavenly gift and the powers of the world to come Hebr. 6. v. 4 5. A man may be elevated with raptures of joy upon a supposed interest in heaven and all this may be but in a natural way like Haman he may thinke whom will the Lord honour but my selfe Esth 6. v. 6. but with the yong man he may minde earthly things more then Christ or eternal life ver 21 22. Saith Forbes as a Physitian that hath prepared a comfortable potion for the health of a beloved patient he will give to others a little of it to make them apprehend the tast of it but not so as to have any strength to make any operation in the stomacke so the Lord may let some carnal men discerne some goodnes in Christ and eternall life But these tasts doe not make them partakers of the refreshing power of these They may be wrought into a great reformation and a glorious outward profession hereby but they have not such an operation as to cause their hearts to mount up Christ-ward and place their satisfaction in him alone But the speakings of the Spirit make the soule cry out as Cant. 5.10 11. My beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest amongst ten thousand c. v. 16. He is altogether lovely A soule at such a day cannot but reckon Christ the top of its glory and it can finde no rest but in him and Communion with him and the smiles of his face all other things are nothing to these in its account Reall-tasts that the Lord is gracious cause the soule to disrelish carnal delights and imbitter those sweets to it Saith the soule should I be taken with the smiles of Creatures is not the smiling face of Christ better should I be drunke with the sweet cups of worldly delights is not the Wine in Christs Cellar better should I feed upon ashes after Christ hath led me into his banqueting house O no. Whither should I goe Thou hast the words of eternall life But I shall proceed to the other Questions CHAP. XIV Shewing how a soule may know that the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption by bloud Qu 2. HOw may a soule know that the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption by Blood Ans 1. From the New Covenant or the free promise we are not to thinke that there is an application of material blood but the Gospell discovereth that the bloud of Christ which was shed upon the Crosse was intended and is usefull for Justification Redemption c. and offereth it for such uses and ends unto particular soules The application of blood is by faith Rom. 3.25 and therefore it must be by a promise because faith ever must have a Divine word to fasten upon and Rom. 10 v. 8.10 The Apostle checketh reproveth for such carnal apprehensions as that we must clamber up to heaven for the blood of Christ No saith he the Lord reacheth it forth and maketh it nigh to us in or by the word of faith and the same word promiseth beleevers that they shall be saved v. 9. So that a Divine word is the instrument for the conveyance of the blood of Christ unto soules and for their assurance of salvation thereby This is Gods Deed of gift which they have to shew for their right and title to that blood and all advantages that come by it and their Acquittance or discharge from the debt they did owe to Justice Many are possessed with apprehensions that it is impossible to attaine assurance of interest in that blood of Christ and are filled with inward porplexities about it for want of considering the written word as the means of conveyance Whereas if the promise of it be yours the blood in the severall uses it serveth to is yours also and that ought to satisfie you for there is an inseparable connexion between blood and the Covenant Heb. 10. v. 16.19 12. v. 24. 13. v. 20. And your Conclusions of interest
16. v. 23. Coloss 3.17 And Gospell promises are the Caskets wherein the jewell Christ Jesus is layd up The Chariots whereby a soule may ride to that King of glory in triumph The Ships wherein it may imbarke it selfe and goe full saile to him for all the mercies it stands in need of 2 Pet. 1.4 2 Corin. 1.20 And when it heartily maketh use of Christ by these then it injoyeth the leadings of the Spirit of promise 5. When Spirituall things are those which the heart is most affected and taken up with and maketh out most after Rom. 8.5 They that are after the Spirit do minde the things of the Spirit i. e. minde them as if they had nothing else to minde or they minde these farre more then any other things They can see but little excellency in duties that others may highly esteeme of if they finde not the breathings of the Spirit in them Phil. 3. v. 3. We worship God in the Spirit They worshipped God in the flesh before in a carnall way but now in the Spirit Joh. 3. v. 6. What soever is of the Spirit is Spirit i. e. is Spirituall When the Spirituality of any wayes is the great attractive and drawing inducement to affecting of and walking in them When a soule doth so savour the things of the Spirit that there is a readines of heart to close with things because spirituall and never thinketh it selfe spirituall enough c. this argueth the leadings of the Spirit And hence beleevers are described by spirituality 1 Corin. 2.15 He that is spirituall i.e. a belee ever opposed to the naturall man v. 14. 6. When it is enabled to act for spirituall and Gospell ends in Gospell duties when it would not aime at selfe-advancement or its owne name and glory as they did Math. 6. v. 1.5 But when the great things it eyeth or would eye in all actings are the mortification of corruption and the attainement of Communion with God and Christ and increase of all grace growth in faith love selfe-denyal c. And when it seeketh for outward mercies in a subordination to these and in a way of subserviency to the interest and designes of Christ And when as the ultimate end of all it seeketh the glory of God 1 Cor. 10.31 Then it injoyeth the leadings of the Spirit and thereby hath its Adoption witnessed to it And thus I having discovered particularly How a soule may know that the Spirit hath witnessed Adoption 1. By it selfe 2. By Blood 3. By Water CHAP. XXI Ten Secondary Generall Evidences which accompany the witnessings of the Spirit in every one of those wayes of witnessing NOw I shall proceed to the Secondary Generall Evidences many of which if not all will accompany the witnessings of the Spirit in every one of those wayes of witnessing By temptation they may be sometimes interrupted yet not long whil'st a testimonie remaineth Evidence 1. When a soule injoyeth the witnessings of the Spirit it hath more then ordinary manifestations of that excellency which is in the things it is assured of If such a word as this cometh in a witnessing way the blood of Christ cleanseth thee from all thy sins The Spirit raiseth more then ordinary apprehensions of the blood of Christ It heard of its vertue and excellency before but now it can say not halfe was told me It highly prized it before but its estimation thereof is hereby heightned exceedingly Now nothing is comparable with the blood of Christ in its account So Psal 32.5 when he could say thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin then he could hold in no longer but cryeth out v. 1 2. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven Surely he accounted highly of forgivenesse before O but he had not such lively apprehensions of it untill it was witnessed to him v. 5. And now he writeth them blessed that have a partnership with him in this forgiving grace Evid 2. The witnessings of the Spirit fill the soule with unexpressible admiration of that Divine love which appeareth in and about its Adoption there were many passages between God and the soule which it passed over formerly and disregarded that now are brought to its fresh remembrance and that to heighten its admiration 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love is this when they injoyed witnessings and could say we are the Sons of God when they had that hope of seeing God as he is and of being made like to him v. 2. Then their hearts were so full that they could not hold without broaching their apprehensions of this adopting love and admiration is forced to stand in the roome of expressions words are supplved with wondering Behold what manner of love Delusions may cause a man to wonder at his owne supposed freedomes from wrath and advancements to happines but Divine love is farre lesse admired then his owne advantage But where the witnessings of the Spirit are injoyed 1. A soule discerneth unexpressible love of good will in the first contrivance of its adoption it seeth that the wisdome of the creature would have been for ever non-plus'd if it had been left to that to finde out a way for its owne recovery and it admireth that God should so love the world as to send his Son his onely Son on this errand Joh. 3.16 and upon viewing that it cannot but say what manner of love is this 2. It findeth a love of compassion in his many strivings with it whil'st it was in a naturall condition this light of the Spirit helpeth it to looke a great way back and it seeth the walkings and tender-hearted workings of God towards it there how he at such and such a time allured perswaded and wooed it when it was in the midst of its rebellions against him and though it went on frowardly and in the stubbornenes of its heart yet he iterated his invitations againe and againe and O saith the soule that he should not give over and say that his Spirit should strive no more with me what manner of love is this 3. It vieweth his love of delight which is discovered in its Adoption and wondreth at that also Beleevers see infinite condescension there in regard of their owne unworthinesse and so cannot but cry out with the Apostle 1 Joh. 3.1 What manner of love is this that we who were enemies and fought against the Lord of glory We who were full of deformity and in our blood cast out to the loathing of our persons that we should be called the Sons of God O height depth length and bredth of this love If we had been made but as hired servants it had been an unspeakable priviledge but to be owned as Sons this is farre beyond it What manner of love is this Evid 3. Witnessings of the Spirit procure sorrow and selfe-correction for unkindnesses offered to the Lord the soule seeth how love wrought in the bosom of God towards it in such dealings as it put mis-interpretations upon before and had
hard thoughts of God for and then the heart worketh on this manner O I have said the Lord hath forsaken me my God hath forgotten me but now I see his thoughts were precious towards me even then I had wretchedly forgotten him but now I see that though a mother may forget her sucking childe yet he cannot forget me It cannot but expatiate in rebuking its owne heart for untoward workings against this God whose love it now feeleth it taketh Gods part against it selfe more then ever Job 42. v. 5 6. Now mine eye seeth thee wherfore I abhorre my selfe The clearest sights of God cause the greatest selfe-abhorrency Ezek. 16. v. 61. Then shalt thou remember thy wayes and be ashamed When v. 60. When I shall establish unto thee an everlasting Covenant and v. 63. When I am pacified towards thee That testimonie which blocketh up the way to selfe-detestation is very suspicious though it transporteth with joy and comfort for the Lord hath promised that a sight of pacification should be attended with Evangelicall humiliation A delusion hath a naturall tendency to the puffing up of the soule and though hypocrites may have a shaddow of humilitie at other times yet there is the least appearance of it under high attainements and a supposall of glorious revelations But Divine testimonies are of Correctine use unto a soule A Peter after a love-looke from Christ O how he figheth sobbeth melteth mourneth at the remembrance of a foregoing denyall of him A Thomas that hath risen high even unto redoubled actings of unbeliefe when he hath thus seen and felt too O he cannot but check himselfe and say My Lord and my God Joh. 20.28 Under such heart-ravishing revelations this pierceth woundeth and as it were stabbeth the soule that the Lord hath had such unsutable returnes from it after so large expressions of his love Evid 4. The witnessings of the Spirit lay powerfull engagements upon the heart towards selfe-purification though sanctification sometimes lieth so darke that a soule may not be able to make use of that as a witnes for the present yet ever in witnessing the Spirit layeth obligations upon the soule to seeke after it to its utmost for the future 1 Joh. 3.3 Not onely some men but every man that hath this hope i. e. of seing God as he is v. 2. purifieth himselfe And a little purity or holines will not satisfie A knowledge of Adoption as v. 1 2. putteth it upon pressing after the perfection of it to be pure as he i. e. as God is pure Whereas Delusions tend some way or other to unholines Satan driveth at some corrupt defignes therein Evid 5. The witnessings of the Spirit procure an expulsion of Satan out of the soule Christ evinceth his being no impostour and that he acted by the Spirit of God because he did cast out Satan Math. 12. v. 25 26.28 So if a testimonie of Adoption conduceth to the ejection of Satan out of the soule in his temptations suggestions c. this argueth it to be no delusion for if Satan should cast out Satan his kingdome were divided and could not stand v. 26. The binding of the strong man armed must be by the Spirit for none else is stronger then he When the word abideth in a soule then it overcometh the wicked one 1 Joh. 2.14 Every manifestation of Christ is for this end to destroy the workes of the Devil 1 Joh. 3.8 Delusions dimme and dazle the eyes of the soule that it cannot see into the craftie contrivances of that subtile adversary But the Spirit taketh off those vailes that were upon the heart and giveth notable discoveries of Satans close plottings crosse actings secret undermineings soule-ensnaring stratagems that it seeth into his wayes and methods more then ever 2 Corin. 3. v. 16 17 18. 12. v. 7. Yea it filleth the soule with detestation of and indignation against him in his enterprises and that because they tend to interrupt some designes of Christ and to contradict his ends Math. 3.17 with 4. v. 10. And also many temptations are overcome hereby Satan will be incensed when he seeth himselfe cast out and so floods of new temptations are to be expected Rev. 12. v. 13.15 But by the witnessings of the Spirit usually a soule obtaineth a release from those old ones that it hath grapled with and groaned yea even sunk under many a day And it speaketh the Spirit to be the author of a testimonie when it worketh this way for Satan is not cast out but entreth into the soule when delusions prevaile and Satan is expelled out of the soule when that is out of love with him and when his wayes are rendred odious and abominable to it Evid 6. Satan useth his utmost endeavours to draw and beate off the soule from and cause it to doubt of the Spirits testimonie but he seeketh to prevent a questioning of his owne I doe not make doubting an Evidence of Assurance but if thou can'st be sure that Satan tempteth thee to doubting and seeketh to divide between thee and a promise applyed that argueth thy closure with the promise not to be by his meanes And if thou be'st sure that he perswadeth thee to owne a testimonie still which thou bast received then it is very suspicious For Satan is no such friend or favourite unto the Spirit or its testimonie as to seeke the hindring its questioning thereof Neither is he such an enemie to himselfe as to beate off from hearkening unto his owne delusions when the soule is enclined to imbrace them Evid 7. The witnessings of the Spirit afford corroborations against the sharpest afflictions and sufferings a timerous fearfull Spirit that formerly thought it should never be able to hold up against smaller tryals yet after such a testimonie it is undaunted at the sight of greater The shineings of Gods face make it willing to doe or suffer any thing for God now it can venture to the utmost for him When they could claime interest in God Dan. 3.17 Our God This made them declare their resolutions for God v. 18. This will beare out against a fierie furnace Rom. 8.37 In all these things we are more then Conquerours We i. e. we that can say That nothing shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. as v. 39. We are in all these things in tribulations persecutions famine nakednes peril sword c. v. 36. Not onely after these but in them and in all these hard passages of providence by which many are provoked to doubt of Divine love yet in all these we are Conquerours i. e. whil'st we are under them they are overcome to us we are not subdued or kept under in our faith or patience by these but are kept above our tribulations and Conquerours i. e. of Satan who fighteth against us in these he backeth persecution with temptation but we overcome all and are Conquerours i. e. of Corruption that is ready to take advantage
The VOICE of the SPIRIT OR An Essay towards a Discoverie of the witnessings of the Spirit by opening and answering these following weighty Queries Q. 1. What is the witnessing worke of the Spirit 2 How doth the Spirit witnesse to a soule its Adaption 3 Who are capable of attaining the witnessings of the Spirit 4. How may a soul know its injoyment of them 5. By what meanes may a soule attaine them To which is added Roses from Sharon or sweet Experiences reached out by Christ to some of his beloved ones in this Wildernes By SAMUEL PETTO Preacher of the Gospell at Sandcroft in Suffolke Isaiah 59 19. When the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a Standard against him LONDON Printed for Livewell Chapman at the Crowne in Popes-head-Alley 1654. To the Saints and people of God in and about Sandcroft Grace and peace be multiplyed Dearely beloved in the Lord. AS Jesus Christ by the appointment of the Father hath purchased Redemption brought in an everlasting righteousnes and obtained eternall Salvation for a certaine number of the race of fallen Adam so the blessed Spirit is designed by the Father and the Son not onely to make application of Christ and to bring soules into the relation of Sons and Daughters thereby but also to beare testimony of their standing in that blessed Relation To encourage unto a waiting for and to give a knowledge of the witnessings of the Spirit is the designe of this Treatise And now Deare friends I beseech you rest not satisfied without a perswasion from the Spirit of Adoption that God is your Father Give over carnall reasonings and give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Though you be under the hidings of Gods face at present Isa 8.17 yet waite for the light of his Countenance and the issues will be glorious When Josephs brethren were in their greatest distresse then Joseph maketh knowne himselfe to them Gen. 45. v. 1.3 4. So when many charges and accusations are brought in against you and many seemingly hard passages are met withall and that from Christ himselfe and your hearts are ready to sinke downe lowest your fears to rise highest yet then may your Assurance be nearest Christ your spirituall Joseph as with Reverence we may speake it will be able to refraine no longer he cannot but cry out I am Joseph your Brother And if you injoy a testimonie of Divine love at last you will not repent you of all your waiting It will be as a cluster of grapes from the Celestiall Canaan that will give you a foreknowledge how good the Land is This will sweeten your bitterest cups and your worst conditions to you this will be enough that God is your Father Your hearts are now fearefull of medling with promises and this is the language of your soules it is true here are precious promises but what is this to us we know not whither we have any right to them or not such a testimony will assure you that all the promises are yours because Christ is yours in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen Indeed when you want Assurance yet it is your duty by faith to take hold of promises sutable to your conditions but Satan hindreth oftentimes therein when you cannot see your interest in Christ Hereby also you will see your liberty for neare approachings unto God and that with a holy boldnes because he is your Father and may hope of being succesfull in all your drawings neare to him Hereby you will have freedome from or establishment against many temptations which a doubting condition exposeth you to you will not be so ready to have hard thoughts of God or murmuring discontented thoughts at his dispensations c. as you have been Hereby you will be rendred thankfull for your mercies whereas now you are apt to Call the most speciall mercies Common And that such an abundant entrance may be administred to you into the everlasting kingdom and that you may be filled with peace and joy in beleeving even joy unspeakable and full of glory shall be the prayer of him who is Sandcroft 4th Mo 20th day 1654. Yours in Gospell Engagements SAMUEL PETTO To the Christian Reader THe eternall decree of the great God about the everlasting state of soules in which they shall for ever abide after the number of our Months are determined and that this body is seized upon by the king of torrors is registred in the bookes of God and to be opened at the great day but at the present so hidden that by all that is before us as that we cannot eyther know love or hatted or what will be the sentence of the Judge of all the world upon a particular soule when he comes to speake those irreversible words Goe ye Cursed Come ye Blessed Yet he that was worthy to open the books and unto whom the Father hath committed all Judgement even Jesus our Lord be it is that hath sent for that blessed Spirit which curiously and exactly surveighs the very bottome Counsells of God to make report of and to witnesse unto soules the precious assurance of their Adoption that so such as doe beleive might have consolation and hope And now a search after the knowledge of the language of that Spirit and the whisperings thereof whereby the soule is made acquainted with the secret of God must needs be a worke worthy the utmost of our care and diligence and every beame of light tending to that end should be answerably esteemed of by us according to its issue which is so great even of eternall moment Besides multitudes there are bound up in darknes some on the one part laying claime to acquaintance with the Spirits testimonies whose walkings yet savour so ranke of the flesh as they declare them sensuall and deluded Others there are who not onely have tasted the Spirits sweetnesse but by him have been made to drinke into Christ yet through over-elated thoughts and expectancies of the Spirits witnessings much like the Jewes in their too much raised account of some pompous and extraordinary appearing of the Messias regardlesse of those pretious whispers of love which the Spirit in the promise hints to the soule makes them still froward and dissatisfied with God as not counting their prayers heard or their persons regarded because not extraordinarily visited by the Spirit The designe and aime therefore of the Author in this peice is to promote our understanding of the voyce of that Spirit And according to the Grace given him to releive and edifie the weake and doubting and undeceive such as are deluded We are perswaded hee hath dealt faithfully both with Christ and you in laying aside all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and endeavouring in the plainnesse and demonstration of that Spirit which he is heere treating of to speake home to eyther sort Upon that short view we had of this worke we have added our testimony to it not
acceptation into favour with God and now through Christ may lay claime unto whatsoever that relation can entitle to this testimony telleth us that we may have an expectation of such provisions protections portions as it becometh such a Father to give out And hence Rom. 8.17 And if Children then heires heires of God and joynt-heires with Christ CHAP. II. The Observation from the Text. The Observation I shall speake to is this Doctr That the Divine Spirit doth witnes unto those which are in Christ with their Spirit their Adoption This is the secret language of many a Son of Sion Though I be adopted yet O it is impossible that I should ever attaine assurance of it alas I cannot climbe up to heaven to see my name written there How should I dive into such a secret as that is Methinke I finde the Lord answering such a soule and so as it might for ever silence it in such reasonings The Spirit it selfe beareth witnes c. As if he had said What testimony wouldest thou desire what wouldest thou reckon a sufficient evidence of thy Son-ship who might be a witnes that thou couldest confide in If the Divine Spirit might ascertaine thee of thy Adoption Behold that is nigh thee thou needest not ascend up to heaven to setch that thence that is descended to thee for every one that beleeveth hath the witnes within himselfe 1 Joh. 5.10 The Spirit knoweth the minde of God and how his heart standeth towards thee and that is sent from the bosome of the Father into thy bosome even on purpose to bring good newes from heaven of thy Fathers love and though with men it be impossible yet with the Spirit all things are possible That is able to give infallible and convincing demonstrations of thy Adoption and this Spirit it selfe witnesseth c. In the carrying on of this I shall shew 1. What this witnessing worke of the Spirit is 2. How the Spirit doth witnes to a soule its Adoption 3. Who are capable of attaining the witnessings of the Spirit 4. How a soule may know its injoyment of them 5. By what meanes a soule may attaine them CHAP. III. Of the witnessing worke of the Spirit or what it is for the Spirit to witnesse unto a soule its Adoption Qu 1. VVHat is this witnessing worke of the Spirit Or what is it for the Spirit to witnesse unto a soule its Adoption Answ It is a worke whereby the Spirit doth that towards the clearing up unto a soule of its Adoption that a witnes doth amongst men for the decision and determination of a matter dubious and uncertaine Now the use of a witnes is to give in evidence upon knowledge how the matter in question standeth purposely to ascertaine others thereof Deut. 19.15 Matth. 18.16 The end of witnessing is expressed to be that a matter may be established or confirmed and made to stand as firme and true by that record which is given in And hence Joh. 8.17 The testimony of two men is true i. e. is to be received as a sufficient evidence and may free from doubting It was certaine in it selfe before and by the testimony it is rendred certaine unto those that questioned it And when the Spirit by some operations doth what is equivalent unto this then is witnesseth The speakings of the Spirit are in a way sutable to it selfe who is the speaker and to the soule which is spoken to and therefore by operations not by voyce And the Spirit witnesseth 1. Objectively 2. Efficiently 1. Objectively when it affordeth such speciall operations as have an aptitude to ascertaine the soule of its Adoption There are some speciall and remarkeable Concurrences of the Spirit which by a due observation might manifest adoption and carry with them the force of affirmations and assertions thereof But many overlooke these evidences and will not heare what the Spirit saith unto them A soule may remaine without a knowledge of its Son-ship after the Spirit hath thus witnessed if its record be not received So Rev. 22.18 I testifie unto every man that heareth the words and yet every man to whom he speaketh this doe not beleeve what is asserted Joh. 3.11 Wee testifie and ye receive not our witnes It is but a testimony proposed or offered and is not effectual unlesse received And if nothing further were intended in the Text yet it were a Mine with much spiritual treasure layd up in it Severall things of great importance arise from this As 1. Hence a knowledge of Adoption is attaineable it is the very end of the Spirits witnessing to assure thereof It is not to render God more assured who are his Children he knoweth who are his Nor to make Adoption certaine in it selfe that must be before it can be witnessed But its scope drift and designe is to leave us assured or perswaded of it And that it should never attaine its end in this when it is so successull in other workes how unconceivable a thing is it 2. Hence it is a duty of great concernment to receive that testimony which the Spirit offereth may not the Spirit complaine unto many Christians as Christ did Joh. 3.11 So I have testified that you were the Children of God and you have not received my witnes Doubtles it is a sinfull neglect in those that are spoken to not no yeild attention unto the voyce of the Spirit which speaketh It is urged as a choyce duty and enforced by a powerful argument 1 Joh. 5 9. If ye receive the witnes of men how much more is a divine testimony to be received which is farre greater and it is the witnes of the Spirit he intendeth ver 6.8.10 Christians reckon it a small matter to deny the appearances of Gospell grace and to call the speciall operations of the Spirit delusions of Satan O but hereby you not onely hinder your owne peace comfort and establishment which might come in at that doore but which is farre worse you grieve the Spirit of God also Eph. 4.30 I may say to such as Isai 7.13 Is it a small thing for you to weary grieve and disquiet your owne Spirits but will you grieve the Spirit of my God also It s sad enough that carnal men deny attention to the voyce of the Spirit O let not Christians make it speake in vaine also or misse of its end in speaking to them But I suppose this is not all which the Text aymeth at or intendeth Therefore 2. The Spirit witnesseth efficiently it causeth the soule to conclude of its Adoption by its speakings to it As Calling doth often expresse not onely an Inviting to a participation of Gospel grace but the soules answering those Invitations which is effectual Calling Rom. 8.28.30 2 Thes 2.14 So witnessing expresseth an effectual efficacious witnessing And that this is intended in the Text may appeare 1. From the Context the scope of the Apostle is to give a knowledge of this who are in Christ so have
freedome from condemnation ver 1. And this he cleareth v. 5.9.13 14. But least they should doubt or question whither they found a mortification of sin by the Spirit or injoyed the leadings of the Spirit or not In the last place he addeth this as the highest surest and most infallible meanes to helpe a soule unto a sight of its interest in Christ ver 16. The Spirit it selfe witnesseth with our Spirit c. The other workes are of a witnessing nature but this is beyond all other helpes this maketh the other evidencing and giveth sights of freedome from condemnation and of our Sonship So that the Context favoureth this interpretation 2. From the words of the Text the Spirit is said to witnes with our Spirit It s testimony irresistibly overcometh our Spirit i.e. or Conscience it causeth them to conclude thesame thing and so there is a joynt-testimony Some times the Spirit uttereth its voyce and our Spirits hold off but our Spirits are fetched in and made use of in this way of witnessing which is intended in the Text both agree in this numericall Conclusion That we are the Children of God and so it is an efficacious witnessing I might cleare it from what followeth ver 33.38 and from other Scriptures which call the perswasion or Conclusion of the thing which is witnessed a witnessing as Luk. 4.22 All beare him witnes i.e. Concluded the same thing with approbation and allowance But I shall proceed to a description which will further discover what it is for the Spirit to witnes It is for the Spirit by some manifest What it is for the Spirit to Witnes and special acts and operations of its own to ascertaine a soule by the word or Gospell of its Adoption Or it is for the Spirit by cleare irradiations and other effectual operations with the word to worke a particular soule by direct or reflexive acts into a knowledge perswasion or Conclusion of its acceptation into favour with God CHAP. IV. Of the Witnes the Spirit and the thing witnessed and wherein the witnessing worke doth consist HEre are many things considerable as 1. Who is the Witnes The Spirit This is cleare in the Text Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it selfe The truth of a testimony hath a dependance on the fidelity of the witnes and so the Spirit who cannot lye is appointed by Office unto this worke that a soule might be infallibly assured of what is testified were it any other it might remaine under doubtings and thinke it too good newes to be true that it should have God for its Father and so be a joynt-heire with Christ in that exceeding eternall Weight of glory O but if the Spirit witnesseth this who is faithfull in all he saith this may give a full Assurance of Son ship or free it from those fears doubtings jealousies and suspitions which it hath laboured under about this question This proclaimeth the infinite condescention of the Spirit that it selfe who is very God should stoope so low as to be a witnes in our matters who are dust and ashes That the Creator should be a witnes to the creature this is a high favour indeed And hereby this testimony is differenced 1. From the Delusions of Satan hee is ready to beare false witnes to the soule purposely to lead it into mistaking Conclusions about its condition and hearkening to his voyce is extreamely dangerous 2. From the single testimony of our Spirits I doe not say that the Spirit doth witnes effectually without our Spirits but the Text plainly maketh two the Spirit with our Spirit So that if the Spirit of Adoption by some acts peculiar to it selfe be not in consociation with cur Spirits the testimony is most unsafe dangerous and deluding O take heed of trusting the single testimony of your owne treacherous Spirits in the bu synes of your soules for eternity but if the Holy-Spirits hath fetched in your Spirits and overcome them into a Conclusion of your Adoption you may safely owne it at the mouth of these two witnesses 2. What is the thing witnessed viz. the Son-ship of particular soules the Spirit doth not onely witnes the truth of some Doctrine of the Gospell it doth not onely give a perswasion that all which receive Christ or beleeve on his name have authority to become the Sons of God as Joh. 1.12 Not barely that some that beleevers but saith the Text that we even we are the children of God 3. Wherein the witnessing worke doth consist viz. In the Spirits giving manifestations and working the heart into perswasions and conclusions of Adoption 1. It doth not consist onely in affording such operations as being measured by Gospell rules doe give assertions or affirmations of Adoption but an effectual witnessing is here intended such as indeed causeth the matter to be established which is to accomplish the end of that witnessing as Matth. 18.16 The Spirit establisheth the soule in a perswasion of God's Fatherly love through Christ Rom. 8.38 I am perswaded c. and Job 19.25 I know my redeemer liveth And hence it is made one end of our receiving the Spirit 1 Coriu 2.12 that we might know the things that are given us of God 1 Joh. 3.24 Hereby wee know that he abideth in us by the Spirit 2 Corin. 5. ver 1.6 We know that we have a building of God ver 5 6. Because he hath given us the earnest of his Spirit therefore we are alwayes confident So that the Spirit witnesseth by giving a knowledge and perswasion of Adoption 2. It doth not confist in its filling the soule with consolation many if they finde comfort by a word then they thinke the Spirit hath witnessed Adoption else not whereas this witnessing worke may be injoyed in a very disconsolate condition Job 19. v. 6 7.8 c. Here was but little comfort and yet much assurance ver 25. and Matth. 27.46 There is a want of comfort Why hast thou forsaken me and yet not a want of assurance for with the same breath he challengeth propriety in God twice over My God my God Indeed this blessed newes doth often fill the heart with joy unspeakeable and full of glory but this consolation is rather consequential to the witnessing of the Spirit then that which giveth being to it It is an effect of it not an ingredient into it more then other workes of the Spirit Testification is a different worke of the Spirit from consolation CHAP. V. Of the wayes and meanes how the Spirit doth accomplish this witnessing worke in many particulars 4. IN what wayes or how the Spirit doth accomplish this witnessing worke In the Description the Spirit is said to witnesse 1. By its Operations within 2. By its Word without 1. The Spirit performeth the Office of a witnes by operations within the soule we are not to expect any apparitions of the Spirit in any visible shape to the eyes of our bodyes or any audible voyce from heaven to our outward ear 's
seemed to be under a midnight of spiritual darknesse before yet when the Spirit hath shined upon its owne workes in the soule and put new life into former experiences then it can conclude that the Sun of righteousnesse is arisen upon or in the heart who was hidden or unseene till then in a great measure And hence the Apostle prayeth Eph. 1. v. 17 18 19. That they might have the Spirit of revelation And for what end v. 18. That ye may know what is the hope of his calling i. e. that you may know upon what certain grounds Vt sciatis qualis quam certa sit spes qua nos sperare jussit Dominus atque ita ne ulla subeat animos vestros mentes vestras dubitatio de rebus non dum praestitis Zanch. and foundatioÌ„s your hopes are built and so may be freed from doubtings about the things hoped for And how is this attained The eyes of your understanding being enlightened v. 18. It is by the Spirits clearing and brightning of the understanding and enduing that with supernaturall light to know those things which naturally it could not know the Spirit raiseth heighneth and strengthneth the soules apprehensions of Divine things by darting in spiritual light and thus it attaineth a revelation knowledge and perswasion of Calling So Psal 36.9 Not in the light of our own understandings but in thy light i. e. in Divine light we shall see light If thy Spirit giveth us the light of knowledge then we shall be able to see what cometh from the Father of lights or hath a Divine stamp or impresse upon it and to put a difference between light and darknes we shall see light And often the Prophet beggeth for irradiations Psal 31.16 67. 1. 80.3.7.19 119. v. 135. Cause thy face to shine And hence 2 Corin. 4. v. 4.6 The light of the Gospell is said to shine in our hearts to give us a knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ By these irâ—â—diations a soule is enabled to see the minde of Christ in the Gospel and to compare its condition with and rightly to judge thereof by that perfect rule of righteousnesse 2. The Spirit witnesseth as by operations within so also by a written word without this doth contribute much to assurance The Word declareth 1. That such a Testimonie is attaineable and that the Spirit is the Witnes Rom. 8.16 1 Joh. 5. v. 8.10 2. What those workes of the Spirit are which doe evidence Adoption as faith Joh. 1.12 it giveth descriptions of faith and other graces and openeth the nature properties and effects of these or discovereth what operations a witnessing worke hath upon the hearts of those that are reall injoyers of it whereby a man may discerne whither those workes he hath found be of the right stamp reall and not counterfeit speciall and not common 3. What the wayes and meanes are whereby these workes may become witnessing 4. What application of a word doth make it witnessing Yet not the word alone but that in Conjunction with the Irradiations and other operations of the Spirit doth witnesse Adoption If the Spirit witnesseth by a reflexion upon acts of faith the word affordeth this proposition towards it He that beleeveth shall be saved Mark 16.16 The second proposition is But I beleeve Now towards this the Word telleth us what Faith is and the Spirit worketh and acteth faith in us and by its Irradiations helpeth us to see it in our selves and to say but I beleeve and then the Conclusion followeth from the Word Therefore I shall be saved And thus I have discovered what this witnessing worke of the Spirit is CHAP. VI. Of the Spirits Witnessing to the soule its Adoption and that first immediately by it selfe proved by foure Arguments Qu. 2. HOw doth the Spirit Witnesse to a soule its Adoption Ans 1. More Immediately by it selfe 2. By Water 3. By Bloud 1 Joh. 5 8. Ans 1. The Spirit witnesseth more Immediately by it selfe I say by it selfe not in opposition to the written word but to distinguish this way of witnessing from those by water and bloud 1 Joh. 5.8 It is the Concurrence of the Spirit with these that maketh them witnessing to us efficiently but besides the Spirit hath a more Immediate Testimonie of its owne which it affordeth to some beleevers whereby they are filled with satisfaction about their Adoption Sometimes when they are gasping after Communion with Christ the Spirit giveth them such sweet unexpressible heart-enamouring soule-ravishing manifestations of it selfe and of Divine love as effectually overcometh them into an undoubted perswasion thereof Ordinarily the Spirit maketh use of the written word in this way of witnessing he maketh the word without a voyce within by the effectual application of it unto a particular soule Or if it be not by an expresse word yet it is by some Scriptural consideration or in or presently after waiting upon the Lord in wayes of his owne appointment by the Word as prayer it may be for the very mercy of Assurance c. and so it is not properly an Immediate Revelation because in the use of meanes It may seeme very improper to call it Immediate and yet assert it to be by the Word But the expression may be borne withall 1. Because the Spirit hath such an eminent stroke here and doth more eminently manifest its owne presence in this then in the other wayes of witnessing Here it witnesseth not in a Discursive way by deducing Conclusions from premises but the Spirit â—â—â—â—â—eth the soule and thereby worketh it into the perswasion by a Direct act without any necessary reflexion upon workes formerly wrought within It effectually causeth the soule to beleeve its Adoption 2. Because the Scriptures are called the Word of the Lord and are the very breath of the Spirit 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Divine breathing or inspiration Men are said Immediately to speake unto one another when they use words to each other face to face Now the Scriptures are but the voyce of the Spirit 3. Because I use the word Immediate to distinguish this from the other wayes of witnessing Now that besides the Spirits witnessing by Water i. e. Sanctification and by Blood i. e. Justification there is such a distinct way of witnessing it may appeare upon these grounds Arg. 1. From the Apostles ascribing it to the Spirit himselfe Rom. 8.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is proper to say that a man doth that which his substitute or servant doth by his appointment Not the Spirit but the Spirit himselfe the Graces of the Spirit are witnesses as every effect is a witnes of its Cause but the Spirit himselfe doth it saith the Text. Symonds deserted soule Case and Cure pag. 453. a Lord doth many times by his Steward but if it be said that such a man himselfe hath performed any worke that argueth his doing it in his owne
person and not by another So if it were onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Spirit witnesseth then it might be by a proxie gifts and graces but seing it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Spirit himselfe this argueth it to be a peculiar worke of the Spirit requiring its own more Immediate presence Faith which is a grace may receive the testimonie but the Spirit giveth it and not graces in his stead else it should not be himselfe properly but graces for him As Water i. e. Sanctification is called a witnesse 1 Joh. 5.8 when graces testisie although it is the Spirit that causeth them to doe it yet the graces have the denomination for the witnes So here the Spirit himselfe is the witnes rather then graces though graces may be used about this as the Spirit is about the other And hence after the Apostle had told them of the usefulnesse of mortification and Conduct v. 13 14. for the clearing up of Justification and Adoption yet he foreseing that they might question their injoyment of these as well as their Justification therfore he addeth this as the highest meanes for knowledge which may hold when all others fayle The Spirit himselfe Argu. 2. From the aptitude of many written words or promises by application to witnesse I account it very unsafe to draw up such Conclusions from a Scripture cast in as it hath no naturall tendency to enforce neither in its scope or sence directly nor by consequence neither in the letter of it nor by application This mistake too many labour under in these dayes When they be dubious about what is their duty if a word cometh into their minds although it tendeth not to resolve the doubt looketh not the least that way yet that word is made a rule for action and the decider of the Controversie Whereas if it be applyed by the Spirit it is intended for some other use or end and not for the determination of a matter which is no wayes concerned in that Scripture For the Spirit doth not speake barely in letters syllables or words of Scripture but as these expresse things which are agreeable to the minde of Christ A man may be prophane and yet use the words of Scripture and Satan often commeth with an It is written Matth. 4.6 But there are many Scriptures of a witnessing nature which cannot be denyed this use Here are two things to be confirmed 1. That there is an aptitude in some Scriptures to witnesse 2. That the Spirit doth make application of these and that for such ends 1. That there is an aptitude in some Scriptures to witnesse or that they misse onely application from the Divine Spirit to make them witnessing to a particular soule I shall give a few instances amongst many for the clearing this truth Isai 41.10 Feare not for I am with thee I am thy God Isai 43. v. 25. I even I am be that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine owne sake I will not remember thy sinnes Matth. 9.2 Son be of good cheare thy sins be for given thee neither is this meant as to the present disease onely for Christ intended to give others a knowledge hereby of his power to forgive sins as v. 6. So Ezek. 36.25 I will sprinkle cleane water upon you ver 26. A new heart will I give you ver 27. I will put my Spirit within you ver 28. I will be your God Surely the Lord would not speake in such a particular way to men thy God and thy sins if he intended not their particular Assurance by the application of such words of the things spoken and that eyther of these have an aptitude to witnesse Adoption is undenyable What can satisfie a soule if this will not for the Lord to say I am thy God Is 41.10 If the Spirit doth but speake this over againe to our Spirit it is enough And to cleare it further 1. There are many assuring promises of speciall mercies which are consequential to Adoption Now these must needs have an aptitude by application to give Assurance of our interest in that which it a necessary Antedent as Isai 41.10 I will strengthen thee I will uphold thee 2 Cor. 12.9 My grace is sufficient for thee Heb. 13.5 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee 2. There are many Scriptures that directly tend to remove the grounds of a soules doubting of its Adoption as if it questioneth its interest in Christ because it is exercised with such heavy afflictions these Scriptures tend to remove that doubt Heb. 12.6 Whom the Lord loveth be chasteneth Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke and chasten If the variety or violence of temptations which it hath mett withal be the ground of its doubting it may finde releife from Heb. 2.18 Hebr. 4.15 Christ was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin he was free from sinne yet was not free from temptation and so Christians may not look for exemption from temptation who abound with sin Yea it is expressely said we are tempted If the feeling strong workings of corruption puts the soule upon questioning its condition that may minister helpe that Paul an eminent Saint groaned under the same burden Rom. 7.15 yea he cryeth out with bitter lamentation ver 24. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death And thus many Scriptures have an aptitude to witnesse for it is their proper effect when applyed by the Spirit to remove such doubtings of Divine love as arise from such Causes which oftentimes are the onely obstacles in the way to Assurance 2. That the Spirit doth make application of such Scriptures unto particular soules and that for such Ends may appeare 1. From their aptitude to Witnesse that word Isui 41.10 I am thy God bringeth in God as speaking to a particular soule and telling it of its interest in himselfe it hath a witnessing voyce in the very letter of it and so carrieth evidence with it that this is its proper designe And that the Spirit doth apply words for the proper ends they so clearely point at is undeniable especially when the thing pointed at is undoubtedly a worke of the Divine Spirit as witnessing is 2. From a parity of reason the Spirit applyeth other words for those ends which they aptly serve to None will deny but that it may and doth reprove declineing Christians for leaving their first love by such a word as that Revel 2. v. 3.4.11 Or threaten lukewarme soules by Revel 3.16 Or convince carnally confident soules of the sadnes of their condition by Revel 3. v 17.22 And by the same reason it should apply the aforementioned Scriptures in a witnessing way unto doubting soules and hence when David was besieged and surrounded on every side with troubles and the Lord seemed to keepe silence he even putteth words into the mouth of God Psal 35.3 say thou i. e. by thy Spirit in some word or promise for this
is the Lords way of speaking to the soules of his people and hence it is called often the Word of God And it was the Word that David hoped in for his salvations Psal 119.81 82. He had the letter of a promise before v. 28. but this would not satisfie him unlesse the Lord would speake it over againe he must have it applyed to his inner man Say â—o my soule they were internall speakings he prayed for as if he had said Lord outward salvations would be nothing to me without inward feelings of thy favour in them O say to my soule i. e. raise thou an inward perswasion in my heart of my interest in thee say I am thy salvation i. e. not onely that he which beleeveth shall be saved but let me be particularized thy salvation and not onely that thou wise deliver me out of my distresses but say I not onely will be but am thy salvation He beggeth here the witnessings of the Spirit in the Word by an effectual application of it to his soule 3. From a beleevers right and title to such words or promises Christ is his and all the promises of the new Covenant his in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 Yea promises directed to particular persons in Scripture when they are about things of generall concernement doe admit of a generall application and every beleever may lay claime to them as his that promise I will not faile thee or for sake thee is directed to Joshua Josh 1. v. 5. yet is applyed generally Heb. 13.5 And so generall promises are capable of a particular application unto every individual beleever Now if the Spirit did not apply them Christians should misse of that prosit and advantage which according to the intent of the promiser is to be reaped by them A beleever is adopted Isa 41.10 Ezek 36.25 hath God for his God hath cleane water sprinkled on him c. and the Word doth say thus much to him though in a more secret way in a language which he understood not The witnessing of the Spirit is but the uttering these things to the soule with a more audible voyce It is but like a Fathers telling his Childe of an estate which was really his own before So Christians have a propriety in such words or promises before and it is the office of the Spirit to give a knowledge unto beleevers of the things that are freely given them of God 1 Corin. 2.12 And so it will apply these as well as other words for the Gospell owneth no restriction or limitation as if some promises were to be applyed others not The whole Gospell is the voyce of the Spirit and so any word may be applyed for its proper end and therefore witnessing words as well as other 4. From the appointment of Divine promises for this very end to witnesse which must be by application from the Spirit the whole word is often called God's testimonie Psal 19.7 119. v. 2.22.24 c. Heb. 6.18 There are two Immutable things ordained on purpose to helpe us unto strong consolation and they are 1. Gods promise 2. His Oath v. 13.17 But how doe they bring in this Consolation it is by witnessing for ver 16. An Oath is said to be for confirmation and so the two Immutable things bring in this strong consolation as they serve for the ratification and confirmation to a soule of its interest in the blessings of the Gospell And they are of the same use to all the heires of promise that they were of to Abraham ver 17 18. To give them the same certainty of what they are heires to that he had And both the promise and the Oath must needs give testimonie by direct rather then reflex acts as the nature of them doe intimate By all which it appeareth that Gods promise and Oath both which are without us doe as properly conduce to the affording Assurance of our propriety in Christ and in the everlasting inheritance by him as any inherent graces or qualifications can doe Now as it was the application to Abraham of these two that made them witnessing to him Gen 22. v. 12.16 17. So there must be a superadded worke of the Divine Spirit making an application of them to particular soules as there was to Abraham else they cannot add a confirmation or bring in consolation to any heires of promise which are the ends they are intended for Argu. 3. From the number of Witnesses which the Gospel owneth 1 Joh. 5.8 There are three that beare witnesse on Earth Now if the Spirit should not give a distinct testimonie from water and bloud there were not three witnesses Indeed neither water nor bloud are sufficient alone to witnesse but the Spirit with water make but one witnesse and hence the water hath the denomination for the witnes and not the Spirit And the Spirit with bloud make but one witnesse and thence the bloud is called the witnesse and not the Spirit and therefore if the Spirit had not a distinct way of witnessing from its Concurrence with these there were but two not three witnesses And that water should be so distinct from bloud in the way of its testifying and that the Spirit should not be as distinct from them both is unconceivable and soundeth very harsh I conclude therefore that the same use which water or bloud are of The Spirit witnesseth with bloud and with water but besides the Spirit hath a distinct witnessing by way of enlarging the soule with joy in the soules apprehension of Gods Fatherly love The Spirit doth not alwayes witnesse unto us our condition by force of argument from sanctification but sometimes immediately by way of presence as the sight of a friend comforting without helpe of discourse Dr. Sibbs Saints Sealing when they witnesse the same the Spirit is of when that witnesseth And as they have something distinct from each other from whence when discerned a conclusion is drawne of interest in Christ so the Spirit hath some peculiar acts or operations of its owne distinct from both which effectually beget the same perswasion which they doe though in a more Immediate way then if it were by Inferences from such promises as they attain it by Object But by Spirit is not meant here the Holy-Ghost but our Spirits they are the third witnesse Answ It must needs be understood of the Divine Spirit 1. Because the Divine Spirit is a witnesse on earth Rom. 8.16 and so the enumeration of Witnesses on earth were not full if that were not intended 2. Because the scope of the Apostle in this Chapter is not to advance our Spirits but the Divine Spirit as the witnesse on earth 1 Joh. 5.6 It is the Spirit that beareth witnesse because the Spirit is truth and hereupon he numbreth the witnesses ver 7 8. ver 10 He that beleeveth hath the witnesse in himselfe which argueth that his designe is to assert the Holy-Spirit to be a witnes on Earth for he doth
not say he hath the witnes in heaven but within himselfe i. e. on Earth 3. Because if our Spirits were intended they must be our sanctified and renewed Spirits and these belong to and are included in the witnes of water which denoteth sanctification and so unlesse by Spirit be meant the Holy-Ghost there will yet be but two not three witnesses on Earth for our Spirits and water make but one Arg. 4. From the experience of the Saints I could name many that have had their Adoption ascertained to them by the Spirits applying a written word Although experience alone is not argument enough to prove yet with the former spirituall grounds it may confirme the thing to us But of this more in the second part I have insisted more largely upon the proose of this because some stumble at it and suppose that Assurance is attaineable onely by reflexion upon marks and signes or Qualifications within I shall answer a doubt or two further before I leave this point Object 1. Have not some poore soules languished in doubtings almost all their dayes in expectation of such a kinde of witnes and and doe not others dangerously erre by taking the strong conceit of their owne phantasie for the witnes of the Spirit Answ 1. I grant that the Spirit doth witnes by faith and other graces and any one of these testimonies may keepe him that hath it from languishing 2. Possibly a limiting or tying up the Spirit unto one way of witnessing may be the occasion of the soule distresse though asking asigne was lawfull in it selfe yet when the Pharisees desired it in a carnal way and limited Christ to this way when they had Miracles and the Scriptures to testifie of him besides this occasioned a denyal of their desires Matth. 12. v. 38 39. Let Christians beware of prescribing the Lord and tying him up to one way that they have met with him in when other meanes are Instituted for the same end besides that 3. Many that make inherent Qualifications the onely evidences yet take their owne phantasies for these Though distracted men say that all the houses and lands they travaile by are theirs yet men in their right mindes may know what is their owne so as I once heard a servant of Christ say though bedlam professors may say that Christ and eternal life are theirs when onely their owne phantasies tell them so yet it no way followeth thence that such a testimonie of the Spirit is not to be expected Object 2. But the three witnesses 1 Joh. 5.8 doe testifie Conjunction together not severally or one alone and so the Spirit may witnes with water and bloud or may put forth some distinct acts about these and not have a distinct way of witnessing Answ 1. If sanctification be discerned I aske whether it will not be granted that this witnesse is sufficient if so then they may witnesse severally and it is not necessary that the three be alwayes together in witnessing And why may not the Spirit also be alone in witnessing who is the highest witnesse 2. This was answered before Water and bloud are different in their wayes of witnessing and therefore also the Spirit different from them both because a third and chiefe witnes Yet I deny not but that Graces may witnesse at the same time when this more Immediate testimonie is afforded That light which is darted in may discover graces and former experiences yet the Immediate presence of the Spirit so gloriously accomplisheth the worke that the soule doth not or not primarily Conclude from these graces for the present yet afterwards when the Spirit hath suspended its operations then the remembrance of these may confirme and evidence that it was really the Spirit which did bow it into that perswasion and may difference it to others from all delusions And it is necessary to understand that these belong unto the other wayes of witnessing least the want of a distinct knowledge of one from the other should hinder a reception or owning of reall testimonies when water or bloud lie dark And this is the first way of the Spirits witnessing CHAP. VII Of the Spirits witnessing by water Ans 2. THe Spirit witnesseth by Water 1 Joh. 5.8 There are three that beare witnes on Earth the Spirit and the Water i. e. Sanctification And that this is intended by water is evident For it is something 1. Derived from Christ ver 6. He came by Water 2. That hath an aptitude to witnes v. 8. 3. That witnesseth in Earth v. 8. i. e. to or in us 4. That is distinguished from bloud ver 6.8 Now Sanctification is the priviledge injoyed or derived from Christ which the Scripture setteth out by Water in way of distinction from bloud and therefore that must needs be intended here This worke of Sanctification was typified under the Law by washing Exod. 19.10 Hebr. 9.10 because water hath a cleansing propertie and so the Communication of grace by the Spirit is expressed by powring out Zech. 12.10 And we read of the washing of regeneratio Tit. 3.5 and are exhorted to cleanse our selves 2 Cor. 7.1 Which are Metaphors taken from water and are used to set out sanctification But most clearely Eph. 5.26 That he might sanctifie and cleanse it i. e. his Church with the washing of water which fully evidenceth that sanctification is set forth by water and I know nothing else that those requisites aforementioned will agree to besides that And that the Spirit doth witnes unto soules their interest in Christ by sanctification is evident 1. Because it is expressely called a Witnes 1 Joh. 5.8 and there could not be three if that were not one 2. Because it is reckoned up amongst the peculiar priviledges and speciall favours which the Saints receive from Christ 1 Cor. 1.30 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified Where it differenceth their state of Conversion to Christ from their state of nature wherein they were without Christ And it is attributed to the Spirit which is therefore frequently called the holy Spirit because it worketh holiness in the hearts of men 3. Because there is a necessary Connexion between sanctification and salvation 2 Thes 2.13 1 Pet. 1.2 Act. 20.32 26.18 An inheritance among them that are sanctified And what ever hath salvation coupled with it being discovered must needs have a witnessing force in it Yet alwayes remember 1. That Water i. e. Sanctification cannot witnes Adoption without the Irradiations of the Spirit when a Christian hath had some sweet lively experience of God some sensible injoyment of him and a feeling of the Spirits operations exciting quickening and acting its owne graces yet by and by when this light from the Spirit is wanting it is ready to throw away all againe and say O I thought I had seen God in such a way and heard his voyce and felt his love but now I feare I was mistaken and yet afterwards when the Spirit
as well as graces within us I take bloud to be a clearer evidence then Water which is often muddy and full of imperfection and hence such an Emphasis is put upon bloud 1 Joh. 5.6 He came not hy water onely but by water and blood His saying not by water onely argueth that it is the bloud he would have especially taken notice of and that it was for the sake of bloud that this is iterated Men are apt to slight bloud as if that deserved not the name of a witnesse whereas although water is not to be neglected yet bloud is most to be minded or more then water in this witnessing worke for he striveth most to advance that witnesse not by Water onely CHAP. IX Shewing who are capable of attaining the Witnessings of the Spirit Qu 3. VVHo are capable of attaining the witnessings of the Spirit Answ 1. Onely beleevers are in a capacity to injoy such a testimonie from the Spirit for onely they are adopted Joh. 1.12 1 Joh. 3.1 Gal. 4.26 Ye are the children of God by faith There must be adoption before it can be witnessed to a soule that it is Adopted else there is a bearing false witnesse which cannot without blasphemie be charged upon the Spirit of truth who is the witnesse 1 Joh. 5.6 That some eminent beleevers may and doe attaine the witnessings of the Spirit is evident Rom. 8.16 Job 19.25 2 Tim. 1.12 And often we reade of Confidence and Assurance 2. Weake beleevers are capable of attaining the witnessings of the Spirit about their Adoption this position is questioned by some yet because the denyal of it doth directly tend to raise discouragement in their way to seeking after it because it is in vaine to attempt things impossible and seing the very knowledge of a possibility of attaining it is very comfortable and the thing it selfe much more hence I thought good to offer some reasons which for the present satisfie me that it is not a priviledge intended by Christ onely for the tallest Cedars in Christianity or those that are strong ones but also such as are weake in the faith have this Legacy bequeathed to them by the will of Christ Yet before I lay downe my grounds I shall premise some things which will make way for them Prem 1. The witnessings of the Spirit may be attaineable and yet not be attained Christians are without much of that sweete Communion which they might injoy with the Lord Christ he knocked called cryed to the Spouse Open to me my sister my love Cant. 5.2 But spiritual sloth and carnal securitie shut the doore against him and he withdrew himselfe ver 3.6 Here fellowship with Christ was not attained and yet was attaineable I doe not undertake to prove that every weake beleever doth injoy effectual witnessings though much might be said for that but I am onely to prove that they are attaineable even by babes in Christ If they choake smother and quench the motions of the Spirit that if followed up and cherished might have been witnessing and through negligence about the use of meanes or temptations c. may goe without them yet this speaketh not their incapacity for the injoyment of them 2. I shall endeavour to prove that those which are really weake not onely in gifts and naturall abilities but even in graces also yet are in a capacity to attaine the witnessings of the Spirit and therefore it is very dangerous for men to despaire of them because they are weake in their owne apprehensions seing they may mis-judge about their measure and may be strong in the grace of Christ and however reall weaknes affordeth not matter of discouragement 3. The witnessings of the Spirit may admit of degrees as its operations are at one time more potent conspicuous and manifest then at another so may the soules perswasion of its Adoption be which are raised by these The appearances of the Spirit at one time may be so glorious and its actings so powerfull as all doubtings feares or questionings about its state may be crushed suppressed and banished that if men and Angels should labour to bring under a contrary perswasion yet it durst not it could not subscribe to them Rom. 8.38 39. Yet at other times they may not be so cleare or irresistible but liable to quenchings by smaller meanes I shall not at present assert that witnessings in those high degrees are attaineable by weake beleevers these may seeme to be too strong meates for them to beare But that they are capable of freedome in some measure from their doubtings and of attaining some degree of perswasion that Christ is theirs this I am to prove The rich mans window may be wider then the poore mans and so the Sun may make his house more lightsome that the things within it may be more clearely discerned there but the poore man may really injoy the beames of the Sun and know that they come from it and may see what is in his house as well as he So the poorest Saint may know that the Spirit hath shined in his heart as well as others that are beholden to it for brighter beames then he hath been acquainted with 4. An eminent measure of grace is of great advantage towards Assurance 2 Pet. 1. v. 5 6.8.10 Therefore this affordeth no encouragement unto any to content themselves with that measure which they are come up to Nay the witnessings of the Spirit will be furtherances and provocations unto grow'th in grace if really injoyed Rom. 13. v. 11 12. But yet a high measure of grace is not so necessary to Assurance but that a weake beleever in the use of meanes may actaine it as well as other mercies that concerne him in his well-being 5. I deny not that a weake Christian at some particular times may hinder himselfe of such a mercy but this is common to him with eminent Saints for they may by nourishing some curruption weaken if not loose these witnessings of the Spirit when they have injoyed them Psal 51.8.12 These are extraordinary hindrances I am to prove an ordinary capacity Neither doe these so incapacitate as to forbid seeking after witnessings for David when upon such an occasion he had lost the joy of his salvation yet with that intermediate duty of Repentance and pleading for cleansing Psal 51. v. 2.7 he beggeth also that his joy might be restored v. 12. 6. I am not about to prove the duration of these witnessings but the capability of weake beleevers to attaine them how little while soever they last I doe not assert their having such a constant certainty of salvation as should perpetually put them beyond doubtings the multiplicity and variety of temptations which they are subject to and their weaknes and unskilfulnes to resist the tempter may occasion a speedy losse of it againe their want of experience in those wayes which tend to the strengthening and cherishing of this perswasion together with that great suspition which they have
onely to have a probable opinion but a certaine knowledge that the Spirit dwelleth in them which is to know their Adoption Rom. 8. v. 9. And 1 Joh. 3.24 Hereby we know he abideth in us by the Spirit And those he writeth to are little Children v. 18. 1 Joh. 2.12 He telleth them that their sins are forgiven them which may assure us that it doth not make to the hurt of weake beleevers to know they are forgiven Arg. 4. Weake Christians ought to exercise themselves unto selfe-examination Ergo They are in a capacitie to attaine a knowledge of their state thereby 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves Prove your selves The ingemination of the exhortation argueth it to be a duty of high Concernment else he would not use so much earnestnes in exciting to it And it is their station they are to enquire about 1. Whither they be in the faith 2. Whither Christ be in them or not And that weake beleevers are not exempted from this duty is undenyable For 1. It extendeth or reacheth to unbeleevers those that have not Christ in them are to finde it out hereby they are to try whither they be in the faith or no 2. It hath no limitation unto strong beleevers let them prove it that will assert it 3. These were weake in the faith which are here twice over required to come up to it 2 Corin. 12. v. 20 21. Prone to envyings strifes backbitings whisperings swellings c. which are made the symptomes of but babes in Christ 1 Cor. 3. v. 1 2 3. Yet these are injoyned to examine 2 Cor. 13.5 There are some seasons then which all Christians even the weakest ought to take for self-examination about their union with Christ Ergo they are capable of doing it with good successe Either weake Christians must alwayes give in this verdict that they are without Christ and this is false and the Lord doth not command them to a false Conclusion Or else they must give in no verdict and then the duty is fruitlesse as to its proper end Or else they must conclude that they are in the faith And the Text calleth for one of these Conclusions Either 1. That they are in the faith Or 2. Reprobates i.e. unsound hypocrites without the Spirit Unto all which I may adde that these Romans were many of them weake in the faith Rom. 14. v. 1 2. c. And yet in the Text he excepteth and excludeth none but seemeth to conclude all under the witnessings of the Spirit By all which I cannot but apprehend Assurance to be ordinarily attaineable even by weake beleevers CHAP. XI Shewing how a soule may know whether it enjoyeth the witnessings of the Spirit or not and first the Immediate witnessings of the Spirit Qu 4. HOw may a soule know whither it injoyeth the witnessings of the Spirit or not Before I give a direct answer to this Question I shall premise that the answers to it will be usefull to such ends as these 1. To give satisfaction unto doubting soules many precious sons of Sion are full of feares about their Adoption could they but know that God were their Father they should account it a favour of great value Whereas the Spirit hath witnessed this to them but they know not its voyce or understand not that these operations which they have found doe amount to a testimonie of Divine love They question whither they be from the Spirit or not or else whither they be witnessing and intended by the Lord for that end By a due observation of what I shall here lay downe and the shinings of the Spirit on its owne workes without which nothing will be witnessing those that never had Assurance way attaine it and those that have lost it may recover it againe if by reflexion they can finde that such workes have passed upon their hearts as I shall speake of 2. To difference the testimonie of the Spirit from Delusions of Satan and the single testimonie of our owne Spirit that so the voyce of the Spirit may be owned and Satanicall delusions rejected 3. To confirme and establish those that doe injoy witnessings in the perswasion of their Adoption And the better to attaine these ends I shall 1 Speake particularly unto the feverall wayes of witnessing How a soule may know that 1. The Spirit 2. Water 3. Bloud have witnessed 2. Adde some Generall discoveries or secondary evidences which will respect all those wayes of witnessing According unto the threefold way of the Spirits witnessing so must I divide the Question into three Qu 1. How may a soule know whither the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption to it in that more Immediate way or not Before I reply to this Question I shall give these pre-considerations Preconsid 1. That there must be some great and remarkeable impression and alteration made upon the heart working it into some strong perswasion of Adoption else there is not the least ground for a pretending to an Immediate testimony Those that never found any thing of this nature are not concerned in this Question for there must be something like the testimonie to make capable of tryal The Nature of an Immediate presence of the Spirit and the application of a word require that there be some great impression when ever they be injoyed Jam. 1.21 1 Thes 2.13 2 Corin 3.3 So that if a man should read over witnessing words never so often and his thoughts should run this way that God is his God and Christ and eternall life his yet if no power commeth alongst with the word to fix fasten and set it upon the heart there is not any colour for an Immediate testimonie The word must take deep rooting in the heart Matth. 13. v. 21.23 else no gracious effects at all are accomplished by it much lesse can it be witnessing But if a man hath found some great alteration made upon his Spirit that hath wrought towards a perswasion of Adoption Our enquiry is How he may know whither it be meerly a strong flashy opinion and fancy of his owne Spirit a delusion of Satan or indeed a testimonie from the Divine Spirit Precons 2. That my designe in answering this Question is not to discover who is interested in Christ and who not that will be the thing driven at when I come to speake of the Spirits witnessing by water bloud But if a man hath a testimonie of interest in Christ by some eminent impression made upon his Spirit our enquiry is whither it be from the Divine Spirit or be a Delusion I suppose that many reall beleevers may through their owne default want this Immediate testimonie of the Spirit and may be under false confidences through the Delusions of Satan i. e. Confidences taken up from such grounds as are not evidencing Revel 3.17 Psal 30.6 when by a due search they might finde infallible grounds for the same Conclusions This Question is not for the tryal of Christianitie but of some Confidences thereof
Spirit and so the Apostle asketh that they might have a distinct knowledge hereof which argueth that the Spirit discovereth that there is an improvement of its owne power and so evidenceth its owne presence in some of its actings especially in giving a knowledge of the hope of calling as v. 18. And the Spirit convinceth hereof by the exceeding greatnes of the power which is put forth 1. It overcometh the heart into an acceptation of the promise the soule seeth its owne utter insufficiency in it selfe to make such an application of a promise as now it hath felt and an utter aversnes and reall backwardnes thereunto though there had been abilitie It was ready with Sarah to laugh at the newes of the promise or to say with those 2 King 7.2 If the Lord should make windowes in heaven it could not be accomplished to me and yet it was not able to withstand the power that did draw it that way 2. It overcometh Satan the Spirit discovereth how Satan raised his utmost opposition against the closure with the promise and many temptations are brought to fresh remembrance whereby he sought to keep it at the greatest distance from it yea it seeth the same power that draweth to the promise laid out to the utmost against Satan therein And from hence saith the Spirit it could not be thy selfe or Satan for both run crosse to it and therefore it must needs be the Divine Spirit that hath done this 3. The Spirit convinceth it of Christs faithfulnes herein Psal 89. v. 1 2.5.8 I will make knowne thy faithfulnes to all generations v. 8. Who is a strong Lord like unto thee or to thy faithfulnes round about thee So a soule after such a testimonie is exceedingly taken up with the faithfuines of the Lord that it speaketh to God after this manner Thou didst formerly enable me to a dependance on thy selfe in this promise and when my heart flagged fainted failled and gave over all hopes of it yet now hast thou accomplished it and throwne the mercy into my lap and discovered thy faithfulnes when I was unfaithful 4. The Spirit convinceth it of Divine goodnes in the application of the promise Psal 31. v. 19. O how great is thy goodnes his soule is even swallowed up with admiration at the extensivenes of it O how great v. 21. Blessed be the Lord that hath shewed me marvellous kindnes-What maketh him so much wonder at Divine goodnes v. 22. I said in my hast I am cut off Neverthelesse thou heardest So the Spirit causeth a soule to see how full of distrust that hath been how ready to say that it was neglected of God and how neverthelesse the Lord dealt thus and thus graciously with it and it cannot but cry out O how great is thy goodnes it is even wrapped up as into the third heaven and so taken up with redeeming love in the application of some promise as for the time nothing can put it upon a denyal of the working of this love towards it And thus I have shewne what is the primary evidence By all that hath been said it may seeme that this Question How a soule may know this Testimonie is needlesse for such as are actually under it seing the very worke of the Spirit is to give a knowledge of Adoption But in regard 1. Afterward the Spirit may suspend its operations and then the soule may question it 2. Some have strong Conceits and Opinions that they injoy this more Immediate testimonie of the Spirit when they are meerly under delusions and this first answer though it holdeth out the primary evidence of it unto those that really injoy it yet it may seeme not to reach so farre as to discover who have it not 3. Immediate testimonies have admitted of signes for their Confirmation to us Luk. 1. v. 18 19 20. Matth. 3. v. 16 17. Act. 2. v. 2 3 4. Hence though I suppose such signes are ceased yet it not being inconsistent with the nature of an Immediate testimonie to assert some inferiour evidences of it and seing the Spirit doth accomplish some spiritual works in the soules of Saints in and by its witnessing acts which may supply the place of those extraordinary signes therefore I shall speake further CHAP. XIII Of what doth Secondarily Evidence the truth of Immediate Testimony Ans 2. THe Secondary Evidence of the more Immediate Testimonie is Faith there are some eminent acts of faith drawne out by it but Delusions of Satan or the single testimonie of our Spirit leane without these 1. Faith is exercised upon Christ in that witnessing word which is applyed that look how it is to act upon any other word in the same way and manner it doth upon this The Spirit applyeth the promise but faith receiveth it Heb. 10. v. 22. In full assurance of faith if a soule hath attained full assurance faith hath a hand in it or it is brought in by beleeving and therefore faith is called the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 There are varietie of examples in that Chapter of faith's acting upon various occasions Now if such acts be drawne out upon witnessing words as carry a correspondency with them unto those in Ahel Abraham Moses c. upon other or such words then they are Conclusive or witnessing And a reflexion upon those acts of faith must needs be very usefull and conducible towards the discovering a testimonie to be from the Spirit A reviewing of an Evidence is enough to decide the Controversie 2. Faith is exercised upon Christ in other promises besides that which is witnessing whil'st the soule was full of feares and questionings about its interest in adopting love it acted faith very little in comparison of what now it doth Whatsoever the witnessing word giveth it assurance of faith now liveth upon Christ in the promise for it Heb. 10.38 The just shall live by faith Psal 25.2 O my God I trust in thee Psal 63. v. 1.8 When a soule hath a sight of propriety in God this putteth it upon redoubled actings of saith If it can say my God it cannot but say I trust in thee Delusions set not faith upon the wing for the mercies that it supposeth it selfe to have interest in Nay they doe hinder the actings of it Revel 3.17 18.20 She neglected making out to Christ for all yea shut the doore of her soule against him that Christ stands without knocking and cannot have admittance so long as the voyce of her owne Spirit was attended to Object 1. But when is a word or promise received by faith and so when doth faith evidence a testimonie to be no Delusion Ans 1. When the heart is commanded into a perswasion of Adoption by the witnessing word as an act of obedience to the Lord not barely when there is a giving in of a word as I shall shew in another place but when the Spirit overaweth the soule with the Majestie that cometh alongst therewith to yeild subjection to
it Psal 42.8 The Lord will command his loving kindnes he not onely offereth it to the soule and leaves it to freedome whither it will own it or not but he exerciseth his Soveraignty and useth a Commanding voyce that his loving kindnesses must visit it and that in a sensible way for he addeth his Song shall be with me Psal 111. v. 9. He hath sent redemption to his people he hath Commanded his Covenant as when he cometh with a word of Conviction he commandeth stout-hearted ones to a submission so he commandeth his Covenant i.e. his promises unto his people by causing them to owne him therein Psal 133.3 He commanded blessing Thus the Spirit commandeth assurance into the Saints by promises and commandeth faith to owne his loving kindnesses and so not barely a perswasion that this promise or that mercy is mine doth make the act of faith evidencing but that Divine authoritie that attended the word to the heart and caused it to give credit thereunto out of respect and reverence to the Lord the Speaker Not every one that hath a perswasion that Christ is his doth injoy the witnessings of the Spirit for Baalim said My God Numb 22.18 and yet had not interest in God as his God and they Matth. 7.22 shall be consident of their interest in Christ and yet shall be found without it Satan doth raise such false confidences in many prophane wretches and backeth them with some Scriptures as that God willeth not the death of a sinner and Christ came to save sinners c. and their owne Spirits conclude that they are the sinners he came to save But unlesse such words have commanded the heart into such a perswasion out of respect to the Lord they are not evidencing 2. When those undoubtedly sinfull objections that swarmed in the soule before are suppressed by the reception of the word unbeliefe is the great sin yet soules are more unapt to be sensible of and affected with that then with other sins But if the Spirit hath acted faith upon Christ in any promise then it is pained and afflicted with the remembrance of its former mistrustfulnes and riseth up in opposition against it as Psal 42. v. 5.8 Why art thou cast downe O my soule why art thou disquieted within me hope in God Before it gave way to and fed the carnal reasonings of its owne Spirit against the free promise of God but now it calls off its heart from these and calleth it up to trusting in God Faith is called an Evidence Heb. 11.1 it is a Logical terme importing a Conviction by way of dispute As reason doth by premises draw up certain Conclusions about matters within its Sphaere so faith doth something answerable though the things it is conversant about be out of the reach of sense and reason that doth in able the soule by scriptural principles and grounds to dispute downe cavils and carnal reasonings against the free promise and thus it is an Evidence Delusions doe stupifie men that they seeke not for a satisfactory deliverance from objections but the Spirit like the Sun causeth such mists of darknes to flee away and putteth enough into the mouth to answer Satan in all 3. When its reception of the word or promise causeth selfe-abasement Matth. 15.27 The woman was so deeply sensible of her unworthines that she acknowledgeth her selfe to be a dog and then presently Christ owneth her faith v. 28. O woman great is thy faith Great faith causeth great selfe-abasement When all matter of discouragement that is throwne in the soules way to its mercy tendeth to the making it sensible of its owne nothingnes and yet causeth it to lay faster hold of the promise and when the stronger its assurance of the mercy be the greater selfe-annihilation and the lesse selfe-confidence then faith is acting and Christ taketh notice of and setteth a Character of respect upon such acts of faith But that which causeth selfe-advancement is the voyce of thy owne Spirit or a delusion of Satan Mark 14.31 Peter was carried out with vehemency of affection and resolution for Christ he declared his preferring Christ before his owne life and yet this was but the voyce of his owne Spirit because it did spring from selfe-confidence which is opposite unto faith 4. When the heart is carryed out Christ-ward by the reception of any promise beleeving is often called a coming to Christ as Joh. 6. v. 35.37 And on the other side soule departures from God are resolved into unbeleife Heb. 3.12 when there is not onely a perswasion wrought by the promise that Christ is mine c. but the whole heart runneth out after Christ upon the application of it If it taketh the promise as from his hand Eph. 3.6 and owneth him in the purchase of the mercies it is assured of builds its confidence upon him for the communication of them and is layd under strong obligations engagements to Christ for them it cryeth out What shall I render to him Psal 116.12 accounting nothing too deare for him and maketh improvement of them by and for Christ then the word is from Christ So Rom. 8. v. 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ i.e. from that love wherewith we love Christ and thence he addeth Shall tribulations or distresse or persecution or famine c. i. e. None of these hardships shall breake off our love to him v. 36. As it is written for thy sake we are killed all the day long And when was their love to Christ so strong v. 33.38 39. It was when their perswasion was as strong of the love of God in Christ to them And now they oppose Christ without them against all charges v. 33. and not the perswasion within themselves yet that perswasion was usefull that way not abstractively from Christ but as it was a furtherance to their heartie owning of him Faith maketh use of such a generall as that Christ dyed against all charges that are brought in against a particular soule You may have such strong confidences of your interest in the love of God in Christ as no arguments a man can use can beate you off from these and yet you may be deluded if your hearts be not answerably drawne out after Christ to the strength of your confidences But if they be built and botromed upon him and his free favour in the free promises as Psal 30.7 And if your affection to Christ rise as high and be as strong as your perswasion of his love then you have injoyed the witnessings of the Spirit And thus there are many things in that faith which receiveth witnessing words besides the perswasion of the thing witnessed which may difference a testimony of the Spirit in this more Immediate way from a delusion of Satan or our owne Spirits Object 2. But may I not be very liable to be deceived about such acts of faith seing no Scripture either expressely or by Consequence saith of any particular man that
he is united to Christ Adopted Justified c Surely a certainty of faith cannot be obtained of this because it is unwritten Answ The soule may have a certainty about this as well as other acts of faith if it be in a fit capacitie to judge of any and duely considereth all requisites unto the specificating of an act of faith and all the ingredients or concurring acts of the Spirit in applying of such a promise And the better to evince this and answer the objection I shall lay downe three things which will much conduce to cleare this Coast 1. The act of faith may be a clearer evidence of its being of the right stampe then the object a man may have a right object for his faith yet not having a right act about that object his faith can witnes nothing thus Joh. 2.23 Many beleeved in Christs Name Here was the right object of faith as you may see Joh. 1.12 and yet their faith is vaine v. 24 25. and no evidence So Joh. 8.30 31. They beleeved on Christ and yet they had not God but the Devil for their Father v. 34 39.44 So Act. 8. v. 13. Yea Jam. 2.19 The Devils beleeve that there is one God and tremble and the Apostle declareth this purposely to prove the defectivenes of faith though it may have a Scriptural object A man may put forth but a natural act about a supernatural object may have but a humane faith about Divine things 1 Cor. 2.5 There is more required unto the specificating of true faith then this that there be a crediting or assenting to what is written Now if the Nature or Quality of the act of faith be considerable and must be discerned before Son-ship can be concluded from it then seing those differencing things about the act are to be found in that faith which is drawne out in the application of witnessing words hence a man is no more liable to be deceived in this then in other acts of faith 2. The Scriptures declare such as doe rightly beleeve to be adopted and justified and determineth what faith is Joh. 1.12 Rom. 5.1 Act. 13.39 By him all that beleeve are justified And the giving such a Characteristicall note must needs be a particularizing of them as well as if the Lord should call them by name and say thou John Thomas thou art justified or Adopted If Legacies be given though their names which they are given to be not expressely mentioned in the Will yet a distinguishing Character is equivalent to a naming of them so faith is made a character of Adopted ones and so it is written and by good Consequence it may be concluded from the Word who are adopted 3. The supervenient act of the Spirit in the effectual application of a word is enough to particularize it unto the soule and then the Word it selfe is witnessing it is no where written in Scripture in expresse termes that Luther or Calvin shall be raised up at the last day yet seing the generall words about the resurrection doe include all particulars under them hence it is not improper to say it is written that they shall rise againe but though the Scripture saith it yet it was the Spirits application of those generall words that caused them to beleeve their owne resurrection It is no where written that this or that person shall beleeve or that he shall have convictions or supportments c. by this or that Sermon or that this Scripture shall be usefull to these ends to one soule and another Scripture for the same ends to another c. but there are some special operations of the Spirit necessary and hereby a generall Call is made particular and so this soule beleeveth on Christ when many that heare the same Sermon and by the written word had a Call as well as he yet beleeve not And hence many Scriptures are pressed that have a direct tendency to worke a conviction upon a man and prevaile not but as last one word is singled out and worketh mightily that way At the same word Act. 17. some mocked v. 32. others beleeved v. 34. hence many words sutable to a soules condition may be viewed and yet are not succouring and at last one culled out from rest affordeth much releife to it All which doe abundantly evidence that the operation of the Spirit is sufficient to particularize a word to a soule and that the Spirit is ordinarily afforded for such ends No soule is converted but there is such an appropriating of Gospell invitations to it And the like Concurrences of the Spirit with some words will make them witnessing which make those convincing converting supporting c. and the testimonie will be as scriptural as any of those other works which are frequently wrought by the Spirit as all grant And seing in those testifying acts by a word the Spirit operateth as efficaciously and usually in a more eminent way then at other times hence they are as visible and acts of faith here as evident as about other words All which being laid together I cannot but reckon the assurance of salvation to be a certainty of faith The Conclusion being drawne from Scripture both directly and by Consequence Though the word alone doth not witnesse yet by the Spirits application of it to the soule it doth and that must be by faith Indeed the Spirit properly could not be said to witnesse that we are the Sons of God nor hardly were a witnes at all if the testimonie were not a certainty of faith and to be received upon the credit of the revealer so as if it came from another as Satan c. it were not to be owned And hence 1 Joh. 4.16 We have knowne and beleeved the love that God hath to us And it is a hainous sin not to give credit to it and that because the Spirit is the witnes 1 Joh. 5.9 And heaven or Eternal life is absolutely promised unto all beleevers Hebr. 9.15 That by the meanes of his death they which are called might receive the promise of eternall inheritance Jam. 2.5 Joh. 3.15 That faith and hope are to act upon these as well as other words is undenyable what use else doe they serve to and how else can those that are called receive them see Gal. 3. v. 18.22.29 1 Thes 5.8 Let us put on for an helmet the hope of salvation Titus 1. v. 2. In hope of eternall life which God that cannot lie promised whither this faith and hope be raised by a present particular application of the promise or by a reflexion upon foregoing acts of faith either way they must be Divine because built and bottomed upon the promise of God who cannot lie And if the latter way that strongly proveth that the interveening of reflex acts cannot hinder assurance from being a certainty of Divine faith I might give other secondary evidences of this immediate testimonie as the soule is enabled to discerne many of its former experiences at such
against us under tryals and tribulations but we have gotten ground of our corruptions our pride discontent not onely after distresses but in them and so we are more then Conquerours i. e. we have come off not onely without losse but with much gaine Conquerours win the field but they loose much in winning of it many valiant men fall in the battell O but Christians gaine in their graces and gaine in their strength and gaine in their comforts as their sufferings abound so their consolations abound also and so they are more then Conquerours Object But may not a delusion so engage a man to it selfe as he may suffer much before he will disown it may not a man look death in the face with a carnall confidence Answ Suppose it yet it is not the engagednes of the heart to Christ by sights of his love or the endearance of his will name and glory to it or the tasting sweetnes in Communion with Christ c. that beare up against sufferings but a soule under the witnessings of the Spirit is raised above his troubles and afflictions upon such accounts Rom. 8.35.39 Phil. 3.8 For whom I have suffered the losse of all things Carnal confidences are not at first built and bottomed upon Christ and are at present sed and supported by securitie disregard stupidity stout-heartednes will desire to be accounted immoveable and unwillingnes to owne the shame of former hypocrifie and such carnall props beare it up and engage to adhere unto it under sufferings which are enough to evidence it to be a delusion Evid 8. The witnessings of the Spirit beget a perswasion in the soule of the Lords affording it sutable provision for it at all times and in all conditions before it went drooping under feares that it should want protecting grace under dangers and supporting grace under sufferings and persevering grace under tryals it feared that it should not hold out to the end and was mistrusting God in every condition but when the Spirit hath witnessed adoption then it is delivered from all these feares it can say with him Psal 23.1 I shall not want when it can say the Lord is my Shepheard This engageth strongly against mistrust fulnesse which formerly it gave much way to and striketh a deeper sence into the soule of its unbeleife then it had that it cannot but recall it self it said before I shall want when it could not say I do want It s mistrust run before its necessity But now it unsayeth it and chicketh it selfe for it yea it runneth as far forward in its saith as before it did in its unbeleife It doth not onely say I do not want in the present time but I shall not want for the future Though I should be afflicted tempted persecuted c. yet I shall not want Paul could argue himselfe into a confidence of sufficient provision when he saw that nothing should seperate from Christ Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his Son how shall he not with him give us all things i.e. all things needfull in all conditions not all things in the world but enough of all things grace enough and peace enough strength enough wealth enough c. this is his collection from that premise and how shall he not c it is an interogation that imports that seing he spared not Christ the greater it is out of question he will not be sparing in other blessings which are farre lesser Evid 9. The witnessings of the Spirit make the soule exceedingly vigilant against whatever might occasion an interruption in its communion with Christ the most glorious revelations are followed oftentimes with the most horrid and violent temptations as 2 Cor. 12.8 9. Matth. 3. v. 16 17. The Spirit descended and a full testimony is given v. 17. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased And the next newes is Mat. 4.1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit to be tempted Question not a testimony barely because you finde varietie of new temptations after it unless it disposeth you to yeeld and consent to them and occasion their prevailing over you These you are to look for and expect after such a time But if the Spirit be the witnes it will make you watchful against these Gant 8.4 I charge ye stirre not up nor awake my love untill he please She was very fearfull of whatsoever might displease him And when was it v. 3. when shes injoyed left-hand supportments and right-hand imbracings from Christ Soules are double watchfull against whatsoever might interrupt their Communion with Christ after a full fruition of it Evid 10. The witnessings of the Spirit draw out earnest expectations of full communion with Christ the soul is so ravished with what it doth injoy that it is even swallowed up with desires after full injoyments of it One that formerly was under bondage through the feare of death now knoweth not almost how to be content to live any longer but is forced into that holy complaint 2 Cor. 5.7 I live by faith and not by sight A life of faith is a glorious life and yet at such a day it cannot but bemoane it selfe for its want of sight it groaneth earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon and this is the matter of its lamentation that it is absent from the Lord v. 2.6 Christ is present with the Saints by faith in this life but their Communion here admits of many interruptions There are recesses as well as accesses They are subject to withdrawings and seeming distances and nothing but immediate Communion will afford them a fulnesse of contentment and therefore with a holy impatiency they desire to be dissolved that they may be with Christ which is best of all And thus I have finished these Secondary Evidences which may be usefull 1. For Direction to such as injoy the testimony of the Spirit here they may see what improvement they are to make thereof 2. For confirmation unto those that have injoyed a testimonie which hath been followed up these ways let them beware of questioning it And the want of these or many of them as the issue of such a perswasion especially if the confidence remaineth still it a dangerous symptome of a Satanicall delusion CHAP. XXII Foure Objections answered BEfore I leave this question I shall answer foure Objections Obj. 1. May a soule say I have had some feeble hopes that I have enjoyed the witnessings of the Spirit in some of those wayes aforementioned but seeing Satan counterfeiteth the choice workes of the Spirit and the Prophet saith The heart of man is deceitfull above all things who can know it Jer. 17.9 How should I know that I have passed a right judgement on my owne condition and am not mistaken Answ The Spirit by the word doth give an infallible assurance unto soules that its testimony is true It is ascertained unto souls 1. By the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.10.12 Rom. 8.16 1 Joh. 5.9 10. 2. By the Word that is the