of that excellent sentence 1 Cor. 2. 9. 8. 3. Eye hath not seene nor eare heard neither hath entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that loue him And to like effect But if any man loue God the same is knowne of him In all which and the like many our loue of God is made a certaine proofe that we be in Gods fauour and heires of his kingdome Our loue to Christ so likewise is our loue to Christ Ioh. 14. 21. 23. as he himselfe professeth And he that loueth me shall bee loued of my Father where our loue of Christ is not the cause but the effect of Gods loue to vs as followeth a little after If any man loue me hee will keepe my words and my Father will loue him and we will come vnto him and make our abode with him In like sort our loue we beare one to another as brethren and members of the body of Christ Loue of our brethren is made an infallible marke that we belong to Christ as he said to his Disciples Iohn 13. 35. By this shall all men know that yee are my Disciples if you loue one another And for further proofe hereof we need goe no further then to the first Epistle of John in which this brotherly loue is oft set downe as a sure euidence that we are in a blessed estate 1. Iohn 2. 10. Hee that loueth his brother abideth in the light chap. 3. 14. and there is no occasion of stumbling in him Againe we know that wee are passed from death to life because we loue the Brethren And in another place 4. Vers 12. If wee loue one another God dwelleth in vs and his loue is perfected in vs. And a little before in the same chapter Vers 7. Beloued let vs loue one another for loue is of God and euery one that loueth is borne of God And againe verse 17. Herein is our loue made perfect that we haue boldnesse in the day of Iudgement Yea more our Sauiour teacheth Loue of our enemies that the loue of our enemies is a good proofe that we are the children of God as both the Euangelist Mathew and Luke report Matth. 5. 44 45. The places be knowne Luk. 6. 35. From all which wee see how any who calleth in question Vse whether hee hath true faith and be in the state of grace may by this grace of loue assure himselfe that he hath true faith and so shall bee saued Onely we must take heed wee deceaue not our selues with a vaine carnall loue Take heed of deceit as many doe which shall appeare by these two especially whether our loue come from Faith and secondly breed true obedience which if it doe it is sound and a sure warrant of sauing grace otherwise if either of these bee wanting then our loue at best is but naturall which can be no proofe of true happinesse For further manifestation hereof that our loue is sound and so our faith and safety we need no other arguments then to see what bee the fruites that grow from hence For the Scriptures in sundrie places make loue the root of all fruites of a godly life Rome 13. 10 calling it the fulfilling of the Law Col. 3. 14. and the bond of perfectnesse So that if our loue be fruitfull in holinesse to God and in righteousnesse to men it will manifestly declare that wee bee the true children of God Herein may well come in the first place 2. Feare of God the feare of God which if it come not from loue and be not tempered therewith is but a seruile feare and not that holy feare which is made such a marke of Gods children that it is vsually made a surname to them all to be such as feare God As Psal 112. 1. 115. 13. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord and greatly delighteth in his Commandements Hee will blesse them that feare the Lord both small and great And the like many That which wee are here chiefly to regard is what high commendations are giuen to this fruite of Faith the feare of God whereby he that feeles this grace may know he is truly conuerted and shall bee saued This is to bee seene in all those Scriptures where they that feare the Lord be pronounced blessed as in the last forenamed places and so Psal 128. 1. 4. meaning hee that feares the Lord is and shall be euery way blessed To the same purpose be those Scriptures which set out the greatnesse and perpetuity of Gods mercy to those that feare him Psal 103. 11. 17. and Luk. 1. 50. the places bee knowne Such is that Psal 31. 19 O how great is thy goodnesse which thou hast laid vp for them that feare thee The like Eccl. 8. 12 It would bee long to cite all of this kinde These bee some that such as feare God are accepted of him Act. 13. 26 That God will teach the man that feareth him in the way that he shall choose Psal 25. 12 347 10 and more in the same Psalme to the like effect The Angell of the Lord encampeth about them they shall not want any good thing Psal 145. 19. 147. 12. The Lord will fulfill their desire bee taketh pleasure in them Mal. 4. 2. And to end this The Sunne of righteousnesse shall rise vp to these and the reward of eternall life shall be giuen them Reu. 11. 18. If this bee not sufficient I know not what may be to perswade any man who findeth this true feare of God in his heart that he is and shall be blessed for euer It behoueth therefore all that would haue this comfort to make sure to themselues that God hath put this holy feare into their hearts and so may they rest assured of Gods loue Thus would I leaue this point but I feare some tender consciences will aske how may I know that I haue this holy feare in me whom I might send to that briefe note of difference that I gaue a little before which in my opinion is the best difference between the good feare and the bad namely the holy and childe-like feare comes from the loue of God the other at the best from selfe-loue which may goe farre yet can it neuer come neere the holy feare as not in the roote of Faith and Loue so neither in the fruit of syncere obedience which the Holy Ghost makes the fruite of the feare of God Eccles 12. 13. Feare God and keepe his Commandements He then that feeles Gods rich mercie vnto him in calling him out of his miserable estate to some hope of saluation by Christ to breed in him a loue to God for the same and that loue to make him afraid to displease and offend so gracious a Father and shall finde this feare mouing him to shun what God dislikes though neuer so pleasing to his corrupt
God the father mooued by nothing but his free loue to mankinde lost hath made a deed of gift and grant of his Sonne Christ Iesus vnto mankinde that whosoeuer of all mankinde shall receiue this gift by a true and liuely faith hee shall not perish but haue euerlasting life which the same Apostle expresly saith 1. Ioh. 5. 11. This is the record that God hath giuen to vs eternall life and this life is in his Sonne meaning that this it is which God hath witnessed for vs to beleeue which hee that doth not makes God a lyar and shall most iustly be condemned therefore this then is the first thing in true faith to be considered that euery soule to whom God sendeth this message of the Gospell doe truely beleeue and giue credit vnto it to bee true that God hath made grant of Christ to sinners so that if he accept this grant he shall bee saued This is that faith which in schooles is called historicall because it goeth no further then to giue assent and credit to the story of that which God speaketh to be true which one may beleeue for another and therefore this cannot be true iustifying faith and this may be in those that knowe they are bidden to the wedding yet refuse to come So that though this bee necessary to true iustifying faith yet it is not sufficient therfore in iustifying faith there is required another and more speciall work namely to receiue Christ and life in him offered in the Gospell which was the second generall point to bee considered in the nature of this iustifying faith Namely that beside the assent of the mind and iudgment to the truth of the Gospell The second speciall worke of faith is to receiue Christ offered vs in the Gospell wee giue consent with our heart and will and so willingly and gladly accept Gods gift of Christ whereby indeede he is become ours and we his and so we in him be made partakers of all things pertaining to life and godlinesse 2. Pet. 1. 3. as the Apostle Peter speaketh where I would haue this specially to be marked that hee saith this is by the knowledge or acknowledging of him which I vnderstand to be by true faith whereby we know and acknowledge Christ to be ours This I the rather obserue for that I see some honestly minded herein beguiled to imagine that a man may be a true member of Christ and so be iustified before he thus actually beleeue and thereby apprehend Christ I deny not but that some weake in faith may feare that they do not beleeue and that they haue not apprehended Christ when in deede they haue apprehended him though they feele it not who may be discerned partly by their heauinesse for want of sense of faith but especially by their loue they beare to God shewed manifold waies whereof we shall here more in the triall of faith But that he who neuer apprehended Christ by beleeuing should ordinarily bee a member of Christ I cannot see sure I am the Scripture constantly speaketh otherwise as Iohn 12. As many as receiued him Gal. 3 26. to them hee gaue power to bee the sonnes of God euen to them that beleeue in his name Gal. 2. 20. And to like effect often that we are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus That wee liue by faith of the Sonne of God That Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith Eph. 3. 17. In which and the like many it is euident that faith is the Instrument whereby wee receiue Christ our righteousnes and life And this is the constant opinion of all found Diuines so farre as I know Thus then we see that the very nature of faith consisteth in the true acceptation of Christ proclaimed in the Gospell How faith is gotten Now followeth to be considered how this faith is to be obtained and increased that so we may liue by it wherein wee haue these two points to be obserued 1. First 2. point what is the ground of faith 1. 2. Secondly 2. how faithis hereon builded But before this blocke at which so many stumble is to be remooued That wee yet speake not how a man that hath faith may know it to bee so whereof more in his place but how one that indeede hath not apprehended Christ by faith may attaine vnto it So that here onely we seeke the causes which beget this faith not the effects of faith which only prooue we haue it Many not discerning this difference doe much mistake Causes and effects of faith differing and being asked what caused them to beleeue they say because they haue truely repented and changed their course of life which if it proceede not from faith is not so much as a sound proofe of faith much lesse can it bee any cause to drawe them to beleeue By which mistaking it comes to passe that such persons building their faith vpon their life which is subiect to many changes can neuer haue sound and stedfast faith but a staggering vnconstant opiniō at the best We haue neede therefore to looke for a more sure ground whereon to build our faith which must stand against so many and mighty stormes wherewith it is so vsually assaulted The onely firme ground of this sauing faith is Gods truth reuealed in his word The onely ground of faith is Gods truth Reason why as is plainely taught Rom. 10. 17. So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God And so likewise it is saide of the Ephesians 1. 13. That they by hearing the word of truth the Gospell of saluation beleeued which is as manifest to reason in that there is not any thing in heauen or in earth which can testifie to vs such good will in God to saue vs but wee must haue Gods owne word to witnesse this vnto vs and all little enough It is a matter so incredible that the holy and iust God who cannot abide any iniquity Heb. 2. 2. but will certainely giue to euery sinne his due punishment yet of his owne free mercy hath giuen and granted to poore sinners eternall life Therefore hath the Lord so often and so euidently spoken no lesse that hee might thereby mooue vs to beleeue as 1. Ioh. 5. 11. expresly affirming This is that which is testified That God hath giuen vs eternall life and this life is in his sonne For our further confirmation wherein it is saide vers 7. that this is witnessed both by three witnesses in heauen The first the father the second the word that is the sonne of God the second person in Trinity the third the holy Ghost which three be one diuine nature and testifie the same things as also by three witnesses on earth all which be in euery true beleeuer and none els The first the spirit the second the water the third the blood which agree in one witnessing the same things wherby are meant By the first
holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the purchased possession vnto the praise of his glory So then euery one that will proue that he hath truely beleeued must be able to see and shew that he is thus sealed with the holy Spirit promised to all beleeuers The Spirit is knowne by his working How the Spirit is knowne which though manifold yet in this case may well be contained vnder these two Ioy and Loue as was before said in regard whereof this grace of the Spirit is not vnfitly compared to fire which hath two properties light and heate which though they bee vnseparable so that where fire is both these must needs bee yet they are not both alike sensible for oft the heare of fire may bee felt when no light can be seene so is it with these of Ioy Loue especially in weak beleeuers who though their faith bee so couered vnder their corruptions that they cannot oft times haue such sight thereof as might breed ioy and comfort in their saluation yet their loue to God can neuer bee so quenched that they shal feele no heate in it But if they shall bee well tried what hearts they beare to God it cannot bee hid but they beare a louing affection to him approuing of all that he doth to be well done yea though hee should condemne them being grieued for offending him and very desirous to please him All which and many the like be euident proofes of their true loue to God whereby they may proue that there is in them some perswasion of Gods loue towards them which cannot bee without true faith though faith in it selfe much lesse the ioy therein cannot bee seene And this I iudge to bee the cleerest proofe which a weake beleeuer may haue that he hath any faith which I deâ—iâ—e the more may bee regarded for that in my best experience I haue euer found nothing more auailable to comfort a truely afflicted conscience that is one whose heart is oppressed with sorrow for that seeing his miserie and desiring Christ his only remedie yet cannot beleeue at least cannot see he doth beleeue To returne then to these effects of Gods Spirit whereby it is manifest who hath the Spirit of God dwelling in him Euery one must examine his own heart what sound ioy and comfort hee hath of his saluation by Christ and what true loue he beareth to God for the same which two be as the two maine Armes of the tree of Life from whence doe issue and spring all other branches of a godly life From the former that is the Ioy of Faith doth grow all comfort in God that we shall receiue from him in due time and measure all needfull blessings From loue proceedeth a carefull conscience to yeeld God all cheerefull obedience both in dutie towards God and towards our neighbour in all which whosoeuer hath no part he may thereby know that as yet he hath not receiued Gods Spirit but on the other side if any man doe finde these in him and his heart doe not beguile him hee may haue boldnesse that he is a true liuing member of Christ But for so much as this is to too common that many bee deeply deceiued on both sides some and these the fewer and better sort mistrusting themselues that these are not in truth in them and so fearing they haue not truely receiued the Spirit and therefore are none of Christs when as in deed and in truth they haue both whose case is good though they see it not and so remaine vncomfortable Others the greater and worser sort doe flatter themselues they haue these and such other fruits of the Spirit and so haue true faith in Christ and saluation when indeed they haue none of these in truth but vaine shadowes of them It is a matter exceeding needfull to set downe some plaine and infallible markes of soundnesse whereby euery one may be able to discerne of his estate whether he haue rightly receiued the grace of God or no that hereby the sound hearted though weake and full of doubts may be quieted if not comforted and the proud hypocrites and presumptuous professor may bee discouered and discomforted wherein great care is to be had that the gate bee not made too wide to let in the Libertine and loose liuer or too straight to shut out the poorest and weakest beleeuer 1. One especiall marke of a sound heart I haue obserued chiefly in young Christians and weake beleeuers is a godly iâ—alousie of being deceiued with false faith Markes of soundnesse ioy and loue which maketh them carefull to examine themselues and willing to be tried by others yea they bee earnest with God to trie them to discouer to them the falsehood or weakenesse of their hearts that both may bee reformed Whereas on the other side the vnsound heart will not be tried but as he flatters himselfe all is well so he takes it very ill to be suspected by others 2. Another note that the grace we haue receiued is true and not counterset is this that vpon search finding that we haue some sorrow for our frailties and some desires of being cleansed by Christ and some faith and hope therein with some ioy and loue of God for the same yet we haue withall such a sight of our pouertie in all of these as makes vs often mourne for our wants and to thinke so meanely of our selues that we highly esteeme the graces of God in others and for our owne parts desire and labour for nothing more then to haue all these increased in vs. These and the like bee the humble thoughts and desires of those that haue truely tasted of Gods grace But they who thinke euery little pricke to be deepe wounding or carnall and worldly sorrow to be the true godly sorrow and their vaine wishes to be feruent desires their fantasies to be faith and so for all the rest of Gods gifts bestowed vpon them doe dote vpon them and their happinesse in them and so liue merrily casting away all mourning for their manifold corruptions and be very busie in censuring of others and aduancing themselues and now being full doe take their ease and grow sloathfull in holy exercises especially in priuat these I say and such like are farre from true regeneration and might if they were not blinded see their estate more dangerous then such as neuer saw the light 3. A third marke of a true Israelite such as Nathaniel was in whom was no guile may be this that he is the same inwardly and in deed which he is outwardly and in shew as the Apostle speaketh of the Iewe and of circumcision so may we of a Christian and of Baptisme Rom. 2. 28. That it must not be outward onely and in the flesh but inward of the heart in the spirit not in the letter whose praise is not of men but of God Whereby appeareth that all such who onely make a
master their strongest corruptions For here the Apostle finding no where out of Christ any sufficient power to deliuer him out of this captiuitie to sinne and death by the hand of faith hee layeth holde vpon Christ assuring himselfe vpon Christs promise 2. Cor. 12 9 That his grace should be sufficient for him and that his power should be magnified in his weaknesse Therefore hee should not bee left in his enemies hands but in due time to be set at libertie more freely to serue the Lord. This is that I commend to the practise of euery true beleeuer that whensoeuer hee feeles his corruptions too hard for him that he cannot by all his endeauors get the masterie ouer them then to flye to Christ and by true faith to applye his promises for the mortifying of sinne that thereby hee may receiue power from Christ more to crucifie the olde man with his members For our better performance whereof I will a little digresse though not farre from my purpose briefly to set out the readiest and the surest way which I know to mortifie any sin which standeth in the diligent exercise of these 4 rules following First 4. rules of mortification that whereas wee bee all blind by nature that wee see not our sinnes and so full of pride and self-selfe-loue that wee thinke better of our selues then there is cause euery one who will mortifie his sinne must labour by all good meanes to finde out what bee his chiefest sinnes most displeasing â—o God These meanes be 1. A true examination of our selues in euery commandement 2. Secondly a carefull obseruation of all our wayes and as men doe trace the creatures in the time of snowe so to marke our steppes in time of temptation as our impatience when wee be prouoked and so for all other sinnes as pride and couetousnesse c. 3. Thirdly a seeking and receiuing admonition from such as spye our infirmities 4. And fourthly earnest praier to God to discouer our chiefest imperfections By all which and the like faithfully vsed wee shall finde out wherein we haue most need to be reformed that so vpon sight thereof wee may better applye all our endeauours for our recouerie The second rule is 2. rule to be weary of our sins when wee haue found out our sinne then to get our hearts to be weary of the same and willing to be cured of it which shall be if we consider the great hurt it brings vs partly in keeping good things from vs and partly in pulling downe vpon vs so many euills vpon soule and body our selues and others belonging to vs. To set out these in particulars would not be hard but it would carry mee too farre from my matter intended It shall suffice to remember in this case that all our woe comes from our sinnes as both Scripture reason and continuall experience doe shewe which if it were well weighed would make vs more weary of our sinne then of our sicknesse or other affliction and breede in vs much more feruent desires to bee cured And therefore this must bee another daily consideration both what bitter fruites our sinnes bring foorth and that from thence all the woes we meete withall doth spring The third and most principall rule is 3. rule is to get power froÌ„ Christ That for so much as such is our frailtie that when we haue got some true sight of our principall corruptions and therewithall some loathing of them with an earnest desire to be ridde of them yet wee haue no ability in our selues to mortifie them but All our sufficiency is of God and without Christ wee can doe nothing as is oft said but neuer sufficientlie regarded Therefore hereupon especially dependeth all our power to mortifie sinne that we by faith doe drawe from Christ that power and vertue which is in him to change our crabbed and sowre nature that wee may bee sweete and pleasant grapes for the Lord our God This is that especially which I ayme at to perswade all that faine would get more mastery ouer their strong corruptions and vnrulie affections namely to do as the woman in the Gospel Who hauing an issue of blood twelue yeers and had suffered many things of the Physitions Mar. 5. 25. and had spent all that she had and was nothing better but rather grew worse when she heard of Iesus came in the preasse behind him and touched his garment for she said if I may but touch him I shall be whole and straight way the fountaine of her blood was dryed vp and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague Euen so must we all who haue had many foule issues of sinne of pride hypocrisie security presumption wrathfulnesse vncleanenesse worldlinesse and the like many and haue taken great paines and beene nothing the better but rather growne worser for so must it needes be till we come to Christ doe wee what possiblie wee can such I say must come to Christ and touch him by a true faith and then shall they feele vertue to come from him to drye vp this fountaine of their corruptions Oh that this might be brought more into tryall what would be the difference betweene this and all other practises for the mortifying of the flesh which without this shall bee found insufficient if not deceiueable for where shal be found any vertue to kill sinne in our nature but in Christ in our nature Can mans reason will or resolution suffise to draw him to forsake his so pleasing and profitable sinnes as hee supposeth If this might bee in some outward actions in respect of men yet this cannot bee in the heart to please God which is onely the worke of Gods Spirit in true beleeuers How this is to be done hath beene before declared here onely I commend the vse of this liuing by faith without which as there is no true mortification of any sinne whatsoeuer so by this wee shall surely obtaine power against the oldest and strongest corruptions in our nature Whereunto if one thing be added I well see not what should be wanting to the mortification of them all at least in such measure as God will accept of and wee may haue comfort in which is the fourth rule by mee intended 4. rule of mortifying sinne namely That hauing receiued 1. a true sight of sinne 2. a willing minde to bee cured of it 3. power from Christ for the subduing of it then in the last place that with this furniture we enter the battaile and with good courage set against al the assaults of Sathan all the allurements of this world and all the euill lusts of our owne hearts Eph. 4. 27. That we giue not place to the diuell Iam. 4. 7. but resist him rather 1. Pet. 5. 9. stedfast in faith as wee oft be exhorted and that vpon promise that hee shall flie from vs which is the same whereto the Apostle exhorts and perswades by many arguments To
to beleeue and for an example to set before them Gods dealing with the Ephesians of whom the Apostle saith Eph. 2. 3. That when they were dead in trespasses and sinnes which is as bad as may bee yet hee heapes more of their wofull condition verse 2. 11. 12. yet these were quickned in Christ so likewise the Colossians Col. 1. 21. being before their conuersion strangers and enemies because their mindes were set on euill workes were reconciled to God c. And to say the truth so is it with all that bee conuerted as Paul testifieth of himselfe and all other beleeuers before their effectuall calling that they had their conuersation in times past in the lusts of their flesh in fulfilling the will of the flesh of the minde and were by nature the children of wrath as well as others All which if a poore sinner shall consider that others in as bad a state as he and many farre worse were receiued to mercy and that God doth in mercy as freely offer it to him as them and is as faithfull as euer to performe what he saith this doubtlesse will in time moue him to expect like mercy at Gods hands if hee shall with patience waite the Lords leisure and neuer giue ouer earnest supplication to God to draw him and daily meditation on Gods mercy Thus will I leaue this point hauing said more then I purposed Peace only I desire to be considered that vnder this reconciliation I containe that peace which Christ makes betweene God and vs whereof Rom. 5. 1. Eph. 2. 17. and elsewhere oft that it may bee referred to this head Now we come to the second fruite of our Iustification which is Adoption Adoption whereby I vnderstand that high fauour of God whereby hee maketh those who be iustified by Christ and so reconciled his owne children and heires of all his blessings If Dauid thought it no small preferment to bee sonne in Law to King Saul 1 Sam. 18. 23. what may bee thought of this And therefore the Apostle Iohn calleth all to an admiration of that vnspeakeable loue of God in calling vs to be the sonnes of God 1 Ioh. 3. 1. Wherein we haue to consider not only the excellencie of this estate but the certainetie of it without which we could haue no comfort by it This certaintie appeares as in this that God hath called all true beleeuers to be his sonnes so further in the next verse where he saith Dearely beloued now are we the sonnes of God though as he saith is appeares not what wee shall bee To this purpose well serueth that gracious promise which the Apostle citeth out of the Prophet Hosea And it shall be in the place where it was said vnto them Rom. 9. 26. yee are not my people that there they shall bee called the children of the liuing God So likewise when the Lord promiseth to such as shall separate themselues from the wicked And I will bee a Father vnto you 2 Cor. 6. 18. and yee shall be my sonnes and daughters saith the Lord Almightie Reu. 21. 7. Againe Hee that ouercommeth shall inherit all things And I will be his God and hee shall be my sonne these promises must be the cause of our faith and our faith the cause of our obedience as hath beene said And therefore it is said Yee are all the sonnes of God by faith in Christ Iesus Gal. 3. 26. And yet much more to our present purpose is that excellent Scripture Gal. 4. 4 5 6 7. which containes much for the strengthening of our faith in this whole point of the assurance of our saluation therfore I rehearse it all But when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman and made vnder the Law that hee might redeeme them which were vnder the Law that we might receiue the adoption of sonnes And because ye are sonnes God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts which cryeth Abba Father Wherein to passe ouer all the rest this is euident that a maine end why God sent his Sonne to redeeme vs miserable sinners who are by nature vnder the curse of the Law was this that wee might by this redemption by Christ bee made Gods children and as the Apostle saith Rom. 8. 17. If children then also heires euen the heires of God and coheires with Christ as it followeth in the former Scripture Gal. 4. 7. Wherefore thou art no more a seruant but a sonne now if thou bee a son thou art also an heire of God through Christ If this be so as the deuill himselfe cannot denie who can sufficiently admire and magnifie the bountifulnesse and loue of God to man Vse by so great a price to purchase so high a dignitie Tit. 3. 4. as the Apostle John calls it that wee should be the sonnes of God Ioh. 1. 12. and partakers with Christ of all his glory in his Fathers kingdome But me thinkes I heare some one say It is true this is a most blessed estate if a man might bee assured it were his owne but seeing the Scripture oft witnesseth that they be but few who attaine this fauour Obiection how may I who am so vnworthy so full of sinne and voide of grace euer hope to bee a partaker hereof This beeing so great an obiection and so common whereby many be kept from beleeuing it is meete to be well answered It hath two partes first that so fewe come to bee Gods children to which I answer first the fault hereof is not in God who as oft hath beene said hath so largly proclaimed life in the Gospel to euery sinner Again if there were an almes of great value cast among many which a few onely could enioy what scrambling is there who could get it A memorable story of late yeares I will relate to be a witnes against all such wicked seruants Mat. 25. 26 and slothfull as our Sauiour calls them who hearing that a few shall bee saued will let others striue for it and be content to goe without it themselues which is indeede and so the Lord will count it a flatte despising of his mercy offered vnto them A rich woman gaue at her death a dole of sixe pence to the poore that came to Leaden Hall in London for which there was such striuing that many were troden to death how shall these rise in iudgement against our dainty idle ambitious couetous and voluptuous worldlings who euery one in their kinde striue extreamely for their desires but take no paines to be saued But to leaue these and to come to the second part of the obiection which concerns a better sort and farre neerer saluation who be kepr backe by their vnworthinesse whom as I much pitty for their vncomfortablenesse so can I no lesse blame for their ignorance that after so long preaching of the Gospell wherein all the mercies of God be
any storme wee shall bee sure to escape shipwracke and so in the end arriue at our desired port of euerlasting saluation Thus haue I now shewed as briefly and plainely as I could how euery one who is troubled with vnbeleefe about the cercainety of his saluation namely whether such as he so void of all grace and so full of all sinne may be bold to beleeue and thereby be assured to be saued by Christ and to this end that his sinne is quite forgiuen and hee accepted as righteous in Gods sight so reconciled to God and adopted to be Gods child that hee may reioyce in hope of the glory of God how such an one I say may get and dayly increase this assurance of faith that there is no condemnation to him belonging but that he hath euerlasting life and is passed from death to life then which what can be more welcome and comfortable to a troubled conscience I well see not And therefore as oft before I exhort all that feele this weaknes of faith concerning their saluation aboue all to obserue these and such other Scriptures whereof there bee many wherein Christ and saluation be offered to poore sinners Obserue Scriptures concerning Christ that they who haue as good right to them as any may not for any thing they see in themselues put these promises from them as not made to them But rather in admiration of Gods wonderfull goodnesse mercy and compassion vpon such vnworthy wretches to giue glory to God in beleeuing and accepting this mercy so freely offered which they must doe before they shall see such a true change of heart life in them as they earnestly desire for want wherof they thinke they ought not to beleeue which is to such if not the onely yet the chiefest lette and hinderance from faith whereas on the other side when it shal please Gods spirit by these his free promises to drawe them to beleeue and though weakely yet truely to stay themselues vpon Gods great mercy so reuealed to them then assuredly shall they see and feele this change in their hearts that they know not what to say or thinke of Gods mercy in pardoning such as they feele themselues to be This cannot but breede an vnfained loue in them to God with an earnest desire and true purpose to glorifie him which be the chiefe parts of a holy life and surest proofes of sauing faith which can no more want these then a true fire can be without heate though too many carnal Gospellers think otherwise and so miserably perish Hauing thus seene how wee are by Gods promises to get and increase our assurance by faith that we be Gods children Now it followes that wee consider what be the markes of God children Assurance by the fruits of faith whereby we may be further assured thereof Among which markes seeing faith it selfe is the first and surest proofe that we be Gods children and to this end many pretious promises bee made to such as doe already beleeue as the former promises were made to beget and increase faith It is meete that wee take some view of these not for the strengthening of our faith but that by our faith bee it small or great we may haue a sensible assurance of our saluation To which purpose may this serue that we who beleeue in Christ are so oft said to bee blessed as our Sauiour said to Thomas Blessed are they who haue not seene Ioh. 20. 29. and yet haue beleeued Mat. 13. 16. 16 17. and againe to his Disciples Blessed are your eyes for they see c and likewise to Peter Blessed art thou Simon Bar Iona for flesh and blood hath not reuealed it vnto thee but my father which is in heauen and the like many to the same end also it is said That he who beleeueth shall be saued Mr. k. 16. 16 That the Gospell is the power of God vnto saluation to euery one that beleeueth Rom. 1. 16. 10. 9. Againe If thou confesse with thy mouth the Lord Iesus and shalt beleeue in thy heart that God raised him from the dead thou shalt besaued and againe Whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ Ioh. 3. 15. 16 shall not perish but haue euerlasting life yea hath euerlasting life 5. 24. Ioh. ◠47. and is passed from death to life Againe 12. 46. 11. 26. I am come a light into the world that whosoeuer beleeueth in me shall not abide in darkenes and though he were dead yet shall hee liue and shall neuer dye The same also is intended in these Scriptures in which forgiuenesse of sinnes righteousnesse and iustification are promised to beleeuers Act. 10. 45. Rom. 10. 4. Act. 13. 30. Rom. 4. 5. 5. 1. Gal. 3. 26. So likewise it is saide Ioh. 1. 12. Wee are made the children of God by faith and as many as receiued him to them hee gaue power to be the sonnes of God euen to them that beleeue in his name Lastly to heape vp no more of this kinde to this end is that Christ shall come to bee glorified in his Saints 1. Thes 〈◊〉 10. and be made maruellous in all them that beleeue c. In all these and many the like promiises made to such as doe truely beleeue in Christ may euidently appeare that if any doe know and can prooue themselues to bee in the faith 2 Cor. 13. 5. as the Apostle speaketh by this he may be infallibly assured of his saluation Wherein seeing the greatest part of professours of Christian Religion bee deceiued saying they haue faith when in truth they haue none it highly behooues such as looke for better comfort aboue all to beware their hearts doe not beguile them herein 2. Pet. 1. 10. and to bestowe all study to make their calling and election sure that they may know that Christ dwels in them otherwise they cannot bee approued neither by themselues nor any others to bee in the state of grace Thus much for faith it selfe whereby we may certenly know that we be Gods children heires of saluation and cannot perish We are now further to see some speciall fruits of our faith which be the effects of Gods Spirit in al true beleeuers be so many marks whereby they doe know themselues and be knowne to others that they be Gods sheep so be further euidences and assurances that they be Gods children and shall be saued In which respect Assurance by the fruites of faith this gift of Gods Spirit to beleeuers is called a seale Ephesians 1. 13. Where the Apostle setting out the conuersation of the Ephesians 1. by the gift of the spirit layes downe both these euidences first of their faith secondly of this gift of the spirit saying In whō ye also haue obtained inheritance after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospell of your saluation wherein also after yee beleeued yee were sealed with the Spirit of promise which is the earnest
and experience prooue then no meruaile that so few attaine to this excellent grace of reioycing when faith it selfe is so weake if not wanting I do wish therefore all such to thinke with themselues what the Lord should intend in making so many promises of this one thing but to make vs see these two things first that there can be no holding out in a Christian course without this ioy secondly that by reason of the many euills that befall vs in this life it is very hard and so very rare to get much more to keepe this ioy that by both these they may be stirred vp to labour to enioy this ioy of the Holy Ghost wherby they may finde what is the excellencie of this estate aboue all the estates in the whole world besides and be so far from enuying the wicked in their greatest prosperity as rather to pitty them for that like fooles and children they forgoe such treasure for very toyes and bables Now the way to attaine this ioye is besides earnest praier vnto God for it to bee much in meditation as vpon the manie and most iust causes God hath giuen to all beleeuers to reioice so also vpon these excellent promises wherein God hath bound himselfe to worke this grace in them by his holie Spirit for if we well weigh them all we shall see that the Lords meaning is not onelie to giue them matter of reioicing but whereas it too oft falles out that they who should reioice and haue good good cause so to doe bee so held downe with the burthen of corruption or affliction that they cannot lift vp their hands with ioy but waste their daies in sorrow This is also Gods worke to open their eies to see and to mooue their hearts and drawe them by his Spirit to be affected with his fauours that they with the Prophet Dauid may finde more ioy in the light of Gods countenance then the wicked haue in all their prosperity And thus much for this point how a true beleeuer may attaine this blessed estate of liuing ioyfullie what euer doth befall him which how much it is to be desired all may see though they bee fewe who take the right way to get it The next grace of the heart which God requireth of all those Of the loue of God whom he hath adopted in Christ to bee his children Deut. 6. 5. is that they should loue him with all their heart with all their soule with all their might which that wee ought to doe is not denyed of any except Atheists people without God but of those that yeeld it ought to be there bee in generall two sorts one that deceiue themselues in thinking they doe well loue God when as indeede they doe not truely and heartily loue him but onely say they loue him or if they doe it is but very slightlie and carnallie because all goes well with them Some say they loue God and doe not who are to bee conuinced by their loose liues and little conscience to keepe Gods commaundements that they doe not as they say truely loue God And these especiallie are to bee vrged by the many commandements of God to loue him sincerely and feruently and to bee mooued hereto by these weighty arguments which are so plentifully vsed in the holy scripture to perswade vs vnfeinedlie to loue God There is another sort who looking into their liues and there finding so many infirmities and failings in all duties to God and man Others feare they doe not loue yet doe doe thence conclude they haue not the loue of God in them and thereby be much kept downe both from that comfort and confidence they might haue in their holy profession These be the persons with whom I chieflie deale who haue neede to be hartened first by this that the sight of their want of loue to God Comforts to such as grieue for want of loue breeding in them heartie griefe for the same is an euident token there is some true loue in them else would they not be so disquieted for want of this loue of God And secondly this must comfort them that hee who hath giuen them to will and desire this grace Phil. 2. 13. 1. 6. will also giue them ability to doe and hee that hath begun the good worke will also perfect it for so is his promise yea he hath said at least to all and euery such And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart Deut. 306. and the heart of thy seed to loue the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soule that thou maiest liue which one promise if there be no more is al-sufficient to perswade those that will beleeue God on his word that God who knowes how polluted our hearts be and vnable to loue him so throughly as we ought will cleanse our hearts and so sanctifie them that wee shall bee able by his grace so to loue him as hee will approoue It is onely vnbeliefe which keepes from that holy boldnesse which made Paul to say I can doe al things through Christ who strengtheneth me Phil. 4. 13. Although I doe not reade any other so expresse promise that God will make vs to loue him yet seeing the manifestation of Gods loue to vs doth as certainlie breed loue in vs to him again as the kindling of a fire wil bring foorth heate therefore all the many testimonies which God giues of his loue to vs must be so many perswasions that wee shall loue him Therefore it is said We loue him Vse because he first loued vs. Let vs therefore get as many arguments of Gods loue to vs and doubt we not but it will kindle in vs some like loue to him againe Likewise all the rich rewards which throughout the Scripture bee promised to those that loue God are so manie incouragements to this duty and so much for this The next is the feare of God God promiseth to make vs feare him whereby speciallie I vnderstand that holy affection whereby wee bee made so to stand in awe of God as to bee very vnwilling to displease him and on the other side to be as ready to please him both in eschewing euill and doing good How excellent a grace this is of what singular vse in our whole life how oft and earnestly it is commanded how practised by Gods worthy seruants and how wanting in many professours and weake in others it is all these though worthy good consideration yet seeing they would carry me too farre from my purpose I passe them by and will bend my speech to such as knowing all these â—eele and complaine of the want of this grace and desire it and labour for it by often prayer and other holy meanes yet through weaknesse of faith cannot attaine to such a measure of this feare as might keepe them in such awe that they durst not either doe that which God forbids or leaue vndone that which he commands
worke of grace in vs will never giue it over till he hath fully finished it Heb. 12. 2. for as he is the author of our faith so is he the finisher of it Ioh. 10. 29. And he is stronger then all so that none shall be able to plucke vs out of his hand Be then of good cheare thou poore soule who findest some worke of grace begun in thee yet feeling thine owne infirmities and oft oppressed with many and sore tentations and beholding or hearing of the fals of many great professours art much shaken and filled with feares of falling away for assure thy selfe 1 Pet. 1. 23. that being borne againe not of corruptible seeâ— but of incorruptible by the word of God which liueth and abideth for ever it is not possible thou shouldst perish or ever loose that faith and grace which is begun in thee neither canst thou sin vnto death as I vnderstand the Apostle 1 Iohn 5. 16. seeing this immortall seed remaineth in thee And this I will adde for the comfort of all such as be troubled with these feares that they shall never hold out to the end and thereby be stirred vp to be more diligent in the vse of the meanes ordained for their growth in grace and perseverance therein that I never did know or heare of any such to fall away but vsually they who finally fall away are such as be secure and presume of Gods mercy that they shall stand when others fall and take this withall that then we be strongest when we be weakest that is when feeling our own weaknes and distrusting our selues we run to God and relie vpon him in all our necessities which is that I haue laboured to effect in all this treatise The summe whereof I will in few words set downe as for the helpe of memory so for the quickning of our spirits more to labour for this happie life by faith which both in life and death will be our chiefe comfort For so much as the liues and deaths of the most professours of Christian Religion doe shew that few attaine either that comfort of salvation or conscience of holy conversation which God hath prepared for true beleevers My maine scope hath bin to redresse this sore evill and to this end I haue shewed that this blessednesse is enjoyed onely by living by faith and what saving faith is how it s gotten and how we may know that we haue it both by the causes and effects ioyned together not seperated Wherein seeing many be deceived on either side some presuming others mistrusting there be plaine markes of soundnesse set downe whereby every one may try himselfe In the next place we are taught how to liue by faith herein what it is to liue by faith and how this is obtained which is by due application of Gods promises whereto is required serious meditation and prayer wherin seeing few be so fervent as in this case ought to be the singular gaine hereof is largely layd downe both for consolation and for reformation of our liues and herein foure rules which be of excellent vse The second part of this treatise is a direction how to apply to our particular necessities Gods promises which being of divers sorts absolute or conditionall simply necessary or with limitation generall or speciall are all accordingly to be considered All of these being so exceeding many to bring them to some easie order for our better vse of them all they be drawne to six heads to which all may be well referred The first whereof concernes the assurance of our salvation by Christ herein first such generall promises as containe all the benefits by Christ In the next place is more specially shewed how we may be more assured by faith of our iustification in both the parts thereof 1. the forgiuenesse of sinne 2. the imputation of righteousnesse And likewise of the fruits of these which be 1. our Reconciliation 2. our Adoption 3. hope of glory For further proofe that we be Gods children we haue assurance by sense when we see the spirit of God working in vs such graces as cannot be in truth in any but such as shall be saved Among which 1. Faith it selfe is chiefe 2. The gift of the spirit 3. Sincere obedience 4. Promises made to many particular graces as to the loue of God and of our neighbour to the feare of God And so to all other fruits of faith which be markes of salvation And because many weake yet true beleevers haue no feeling of their faith and thereby be sore discouraged there be foure markes of true faith where it cannot be seene Sundry other promises of Gods favour to strengthen our faith The second generall head of these promises for the strengthning of our faith concerneth the mortification of our corrupt nature wâ—erein our faith being so weake we haue manifold incouragements to assure vs of a full and finall victory The generall promises that God will cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnes may suffice for all particulars The third generall head of promises is to assure vs of all needfull grace to lead a godly life herein 1. how to obtaine this grace 2. to assure vs our weake obedience shall be accepted In what speciall duties in every Commandement we be most failing Generall promises that we shall want no saving grace with the right vse of these For our further helpe God hath made many promises of particular graces 1. that he will teach vs. 2. that he will set our hearts in frame 3. that he will giue vs faith trust hope ioy which few attaine to for want of faith to loue and feare him with the right vse of all Whereas we fayle much in all holy exercises God promiseth he will both assist vs and accept vs in them as in prayer few prayers made in faith This is to be referred to all spirituall Sacrifices Whereas there is much vnfruitfulnesse in the exercises of the Word and Sacramants even in such as haue true grace through want of faith the remedy is to apply Gods promises which be many especially when they goe to these duties The Sacraments be much more abused the remedie is to consider Gods faithfulnesse in the seales The fourth head concerneth afflictions whereby many be discouraged no helpe but by faith Foure grounds of comfort 1. All afflictions come from God and that to all of his children 2. In what manner God afflicteth his most wisely most lovingly his wisedome is in the meetnes of the correction and in the just measure and continuance thereof Gods loving tender dealing with his is plentifully set out vnto vs for our comfort 3. the excellent ends and fruits of afflictions generall is blessednesse 3. speciall benefits by afflictions 1. they be trialls of our strength and weaknesse many iudge amisse and be misiâ—dged by others 2. benefit by afflictions is we be purged from our corruptions 3. by these Gods graces in vs be quickned specially faith and patience All