fetched to anoint the Priests And Daniel describes Christs coming to be the proper time for anointing the most Holy Dan. 9. 24. 3. The Receptacle of this unction from Christ in whom it should abide ye have an unction 4. The effect of this unction upon them Teaching them all things viz. All things necessary to salvation If now we have this unction from Christ teaching us all things we are of the people of God Signes that we have the Unction of the Spirit from Christ teaching us all things 1. When this unction the Spirit teacheth us with a Scripturr-knowlede not with Enthusiasmes or orher by-wayes Thus he taughr David Ps. 119. 99 104. Thus Timothy 2 Tim. 3. 14 15. Hence called the Spirit of Truth because he acts upon us by and according to Scripture-Truth Iohn 14. 17. 2. The Spirits teaching is cleare and certaine in necessaries to salvation Prov. 22. 20 21. Ioh. 6. 69. 1 Cor. 2. 15. 3. The Spirits teaching is of a Growing nature The more he instructs us the more we desire to be instructed of him Prov. 1. 5. 15. 14. 18. 15. David though he knew so much yet wonderously thirsted to know more Ps. 119. 27 73 125 144. 4. The Spirits teaching meekens and humbles a mans Spirit Iam. 3. 13. Psal. 25. 9. for it manifests still more and more ignorance and sinne Eph. 5. 13. Carnall knowledge swels puffes up 1 Cor. 8. 1. 5. The Spirits teaching floats not onely in the Head but kindly soaks into the Heart and forcibly works upon the Affections Josh. 23. 14. Psal. 34. 8. stirring up the heart to trust love joy c. in spirituals Ps. 9. 10. 1 Ioh. 4. 8. 1 Pet. 1. 8. 6. The Spirits teaching is Practical Brings not only to knowing but to doing It is very effective alters and changes a man wonderfully and diverts his course from sinne to sanctitie See Ephes. 4. 20 21 22 23 c. 2 Cor. 3. 18. Iob. 28. 28. Psal. 119. 104. Prov. 15. 21. Psal. 111. 10. Iam. 3. 17. Ier. 22. 16. 7. The Spirits teaching makes men come to Christ and believe in him Joh. 6. 44 45. Make it evident thou comest to Christ believest in him thou art taught most effectually Finally The true teaching of Gods Spirit wonderfully strengthens and preserves against temptations and snares Prov. 24. 5. See Prov. 2. 10 11. compared with vers 12. 15 16. Search and consider hath this Teaching Unction thus illuminated and instructed thee doubtlesse thou art of the number of Gods Church taught of God II. The Testimony of an upright Heart or Conscience touching our reall and true love of the Brethren My little children let us not love in word neither in tongue but indeed and in truth And hereby we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before him For if our heart condemne us God is greater then our heart and knoweth all things Beloved if our heart condemne us not then have we confidence towards God 1 John 3 18 19 20 21. Here are 1. An exhortation to reall and true Brotherly love ver 18. 2. A Demonstration hereby that we are of the Truth viz. Borne of God who is Truth or Having the truth of God in us ver 19 3. The Confirmation of this Evidence By the testimony of our conscience concerning it in the sight of God and shall assure our hearts before him verse 19. This is further strengâ—…hened by arguing from the double act of a well-guided conscience viz. 1 Accusing If conscience condemne us for not loâ—…ing the brethren truly or for any other thing much more will God condemne us ver 20. 2. Excusing If Conscience cleare us we have confidence towards God viz. that we are of the Truth The Testimony of our heart and Conscience for us or against us is most Comforting or corroding How was Iudas tortured with an accusing conscience Matth. 27. 3 4 5. How was Paul in deepest tryalls supported with an excusing conscience 2 Cor. 1. 12. The Heathen could say A cleare conscience is as a wall of Brasse The Proverb saith A good conscience is a continuall feast With this Augustine comforted himselfe against Secundinus the Manichee who aspersed him saying Think thou of Augustine what thou pleasest so conscience only accuse me not in the sight of God Canst thou now in thy conscience oppeale to God about thy love of the brethren as sometimes Peter about his love of Christ Lord thou knowest all things thou art greater then my conscience thou knowest that indeed and in truth I love thy children Hereby thou mayest know that thy selfe art of the truth Signes of true brotherly love see in chap. 2. Sign VII p 168 to 173. III. Finally Perseverance with the faithfull in Christ and in the truth They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us But they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us 1 John 2. 19. He speakes of Ebion Cerinthus and such like Anti-Christian Hereticks who apostatizing from Christ and his truth departed from the Church They were once in the Church but never truly of the Church for then they would have persevered Their Apostasy therefore evidenced their Hypocrisie Whereas contrariwise Perseverance is a sure Argument of our Sincerity and that we are indeed anointed with the Spirit of truth The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you But as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie And even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him 1 John 2. 27. In which words as the Apostle testifies that they shall persevere in Christ that are truly taught by the anointing which is truth and no lie So he declares that they were never of the true number of Gods people that through heresie and schisme depart from the Communion of the Church and the Faithfull As Iude intimates These be they who separate themselves sensuall having not the Spirit Jude vers 19. False rotten Professors will thus Apostatize but true sound members will persevere in the truth with the faithful for Reasons formerly alledged Dost thou now backslide and separate through heresie or schisme from communion with the true Church of Christ How canst thou think thy selfe to be of the true number of Gods people Notably Cyprian Whosoever separated from the Church is joyned to an adultorous Church is separated from the promises of the Church Nor shall he come to the rewards of Christ that leaves the Church of Christ. He is an Alien he is profane he is an enemy He cannot have God for his Father that hath not the Church for his Mother If any could escape that was without Noah's Arke then may be escape that is without the Church And afterwards he addes Let no man think that the
good can depart from the Church Wind blowes not away the wheat nor doth the tempest subvert the well-rooted Tree vaine chaffe is blown away with the winde invalid trees are torne up with the whirlewinde These John the Apostle execrates and smites saying They went out of us c. Hence heresies have often been and are whilest a perverse minde hath not peace whilest a discording perfidiousnesse holds not Unity CHAP. IV. Evidences or Signes of being in Light not in Darknesse in Life not in Death I. ACtuall interest in and enjoyment of Iesus Christ is an Evidence we are partakers of supernaturall and eternall life This is the Record that God hath given to us eternall life and this life is in his Sonne He that hath the Sonne hath life and he that hath not the Sonne hath not life 1 John 5. 11 12. Life is the sweetnesse of enjoyments Eternall life the best of lives that creatures can possesse Of this eternall life here are laid down 1. The Primary Fountaine of it viz. God and his free grace 2. The Mediatory Receptacle or Treasury wherein God hath seated this eternall life for us viz His Son 3. The way of conveyance of this life from Christ to us viz. By having the Sonne They have Christ that believe in him Joh. 1. 12 13. They have him not that believe not in him So they that beleeve in Christ have Christ They that have Christ and actuall interest in him have eternall life from him yea and saving light in him For 1. Christ is light John 1. 4 9. light of the world John 8. 12. Christ also is light John 5. 26. and 11. 25. and 14. 6. The Prince of life Acts 3. 15. 2. Men in their naturall Christlesse condition are dark yea darknesse itselfe Acts 26. 18. Eph. 5. 8. yea dead in sinne Eph. 2. 1. Consequently from both these they that have the Sonne which is light and life must needs have light and life Now they have the Sonne that believe in him Signes of true believing in Christ see in Chap. II. Evidence II. p. 23 to 29. Evidences of having the Sonne that we may come more closely to the expression here in the Text. Having the Sonne implies 1. A true inward Covenant-right Claim or Title to him by spirituall union to him Covenant and promises tender Christ and that upon conditions Evangelicall Ioh. 3. 16. Luk. 9. 23. Faith receives Christ tendred upon his own termes Iohn 1. 12. As Saul converted for Christ denyed himselfe and all things Phil. 3. 7 8. Took up his Crosse daily 2 Cor. 11. 23 to the end and followed Christ 1 Cor. 11. 1. Now Christ being thus received Christ and the Soule are thus united Faith eates Christ and assimilates the beleever into his nature Faith unites to Christ so that he who is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit 1 Cor. 6. 17. Hast thou such a Covenant-right to Christ and spirituall union to Christ 2. Hence an happy spirituall fruition or enjoyment of him by holy Commnnion with him in his Person Offices and Benefits in himselfe and all his As Cant. 2. 16. Iohn 20. 28. 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. 2 Cor. 1. 20. Rom. 8. 32. 1 Cor. 3. 20 21. Among other blessings communicated from Christ life is one Christ lives in us by faith Gal. 2. 20. Further they that have Christ have these things in and with Christ 1. They have the Spirit of Christ 1 John 4. 13. Rom. 8. 9. 2. They are become New Creatures old things are past away all things become new 2 Cor. 5. 17. 3. They have cencified the flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5. 24. 4. They walke not afâ—…r the flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8. 1 2. 5. They are most obedient to Christ and his Commands Heb. 5. 9. How can he say that he hath Christ that he believes in Christ saith Cyprian that doth not what Christ commanded to be done or how shall he come to the reward of faith that keeps not the faith of the Command 3. Finally A sweet conformity to him in his Son-ship They that have the Son are consorme to the image of his Sonne that he may be the first-borne among many brethren Rom. 8. 29. Conformity to Christ is either 1. In his gracious image viz. in righteousnesse and true holinesse Eph. 4. 24. 2. In his glorious image viz. when we shall be like him in glory Phil. 3. 20. 1 John 3. 2 3. 3 In his afflicted image viz. when we suffer with him and for him Rom. 8. 17. Iohn 15. 18 to 22. and when we suffer for righteousnesse with Patience Meeknesse c. as he suffered 1 Pet. 2. 21. to the end Are we thus conforme indeed to the Son then we have the Son Jesus Christ and live by him II. Loving and not hating of our brother is another Sign we are in light not in darknesse in life not in death He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in darknesse even until now He that loveth his brother abideth in the light and there is no occasion of stumbling in him but he that hateth his brother is in darknesse and knoweth not whither he goeth because that darknesse hath blinded his eyes 1 John 2 9 10 11. And elsewhere We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren He that loveth not his brother abideth in death Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer And you know that no murderer hath eternall life ahiding in him 1 John 3. 14 15. In these passages the love of the brethren is made a most cleare Note of out abiding in the lighe viz. spirituall or true illumination and grace and that we have already passed from death in sinne to life supernaturall in Christ We know that we have passed c. And contrariwise the not loving or hating our brother an evident Signe that we remain still under the state and dominion of carnall sinful darkness and death Make sure of true brotherly love you are in true light and life indeed Signes of true love of the brethren See Chap. 2. Signe VII p. 168 to p. 173. and Chap. 8. throughout CHAP. V. Evidences or Signes of our true knowledg of God and of Jesus Christ The knowledge of whom is life eternall John 17. 3. I. FIrst The reall and sincere keeping of Gods Commandements evidenceth that we know God and Jesus Christ aright Hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his Commandements He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandements is a liar and the truth is not in him 1 Ioh. 43 4. This note is laid down 1. Affirmatively and 2. Negatively He that keeps his Commandements knows him yea knows that be knows him He that keeps not hiâ—… Commandements knowes him not yea he lies if be saith he knows him David concluded He had more knowledge then his enemies then the Ancients then his Teachers and all
because he kept Gods Commandements Psal. 119. 98 99 100. They that truly know God cannot choose but keep his Commandements For they know 1. The Authority of God commanding to be supream Iam. 4. 12. 2. The holinesse justnesse and goodnesse of Gods lawes commanded Rom. 7. 12. 3. The greatness of Gods rewards in keeping of them Psal. 19. 11. Deut. 28. 1 to 15. 4. The seventy of Gods wrath against the wilfull breakers of them Deut. 28. 15 to the end For clearing the Evidence consider 1. What is meant by knowledge of God 2. What by keeping his Commandements 3. Signes of this keeping Gods Commandements I. Knowledge of God and of Christ is either 1. Both true and perfect whereby God is clearly known thus none know God in this life but Christ the Sonne Matth. 11. 27. In the life to come all the Elect shall thus know God 1 Ioh. 3. 2. 2. Nor true nor perfect in reference to him that knowes but dubious uncertaine hypocriticall and common to Reprobates which is rather an opinion then a knowledge of God 1 Cor. 〈◊〉 14. 3. True but â—…mperfect whereby all regenerate persons do truly though weakly know God in this life Ier. 31. 34. Iohn 6. 45. 1 Cor. 13. 9. 12. Here understand the last sort of knowledge II. Keeping of Gods Commandements flowes originally from the true knowledge of God For we so farre act as we affect or love we so farre love as we know Hence from this threefold knowledge ariseth a threefold obedience viz. 1. Both true and perfect Only by Christ on earth by Saints and Angels in heaven Phil. 2. 8. Mat. 6 10. 2. Nor true nor perfect as the obedience of hypocrites and carnall men who if they saile not in the matter of obedience yet they still faile in the ground manner and end of obedience Rom. 8. 8. Heb. 11. 6. 3. True and sincere but imperfect by Saints on earth who for matter ground manner and end of obedience are sincere the bent and maine disposition of their hearts upright and unfeigned notwithstanding there be some graduall infirmities and imperfections As Zachariah and Elizabeth walked in all the Commandements of God blamelesse Luk. 1. 6. Here understand this third sort of keeping Gods Commandements to be a signe of true knowledge of God III. Signes of true keeping Gods Commandments whence we may know that we truly know God 1. The Law and Commandements of God are written in the heart of that person that truly keeps them Ier. 31. 33. Psal. 40. 7 8. The heart within answers to the Commandements without As a Book written answers to his minde that writes it As the impression on the wax answers to the character engraven on the Seale c. 2. The inward man viz. the sanctified minde and will and the fixed disposition of them delight in the Law and Commandements of God though that other law in the members rebell against it Rom. 7. 18 21 22 23 25. How did David delight in Gods laws Psal 119. 97. Delightfull loving cordiall obedience is the truest keeping of Gods Commandements They are farre from keeping Gods Commandements whose mindes are enmity against Gods Law Rom. 8. 7. 3. Turning from every evillway for the keeping of Gods Word Psal. 119. 101. 4. Obeying Gods Commandements Evangelically for substance and circumstance as he requires For Matter what he requires Iohn 1. 5. 14. For Ground and root of obedience 1 Tim. 1. 5. For Manner how he requires Iohn 4. 24. For end which we should aime at in all obedience 1 Cor. 10. 32. 5. Universall unlimited respect to all Gods Commandements one as well as another Psal. 119. 6. Iam. 2. 10 11. As Caleb Numb 14. 24. As Zachariah and Elizabeth kept all Luke 1. 6. 6. Constancy and Perseverance in keeping Gods Commandements Psal. 1. 2 3 and 119. 20. I have inclined my heart to do thy statutes alway unto the end Psal. 119. 112. II. Secondly Not sinning or Deniall renouncing of sinne aright evidenceth wee know God aright They that commit sinne are grossely ignorant of God Whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him 1 Joh. 3. 6. This particular of not sinning as the property of the regenerate Together with the distinctive differences betwixt the sinning of the regenerate and of unregenerate persons See fully opened Chap. 2. Evidence 3. pag. 29 to p. 60. III. Thirdly A right entertaining and hearkening to the true Apostolicall doctrine is a notable evidence of the true knowledge of God in us as the listening to false Teachers and doctrines rejecting the true is a signe of ignorance of God and of a carnall state They viz. Anti-Christian Teachers v. 3. are of the world therefore speak they of the world and the world heareth them We are of God He that knoweth God heareth us He that is not of God heareth not us Hereby know we the Spirit of truth and the spirit of errour 1 John 4. 5 6. Signes of right entertaining and hearkning to true Apostolical doctrine 1. When we entertaine their doctrine discerningly distinguishing and discriminating by help of Scriptures their sound doctrine from all unsound opinions divers and strange Doctrines of false teachers Heb. 5. 14. 1 Ioh. 4. 1. Act. 17. 11. Rev. 2. 2. 2. When discerning their doctrine we entertaine it believingly the Word being mingled contempered or united with faith in the hearers Heb. 4. 2. 3. When we entertaine it readily with all readinesse of minde Act. 17. 11. 4. When we entertaine it reverentially with awfull trembling at it as the Word of God Isa. 66. 2. 1 Thes. 2. 13. 5. When we entertaine it with a singular love affectionatenesse ond estimation Gal. 4. 13 14 15. contrary is that in 2 Thes. 2. 10 11. 6. When we entertaine it obedientially obeying from the heart that forme of doctrine unto which we are delivered Rom. 6. 17. being conformed yea transformed by the doctrine received yielding prosessed subjection to the Gospel 2 Cor. 9. 13. 7. When we so receive it as to retaine it firmly not leaking or letting it slip Heb. 2. 1. 1 Thes. 5. 20 21. IV. Finally Mutuall Reciprocall Brotherly love Evinceth that we know God aright Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is borne of God and knoweth God He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love 1 John 4. 7 8. He must needs know God that truly loves his brother the childe of God For 1. He that loves his brother is borne of God 1 Iohn 4. 7. and 3. 10 14. and he that is borne of God among other graces infused hath illumination whereby he knowes God 2. He that loves his brother truly knowes Gods image in his brother how lovely it is in him and therefore loves him 1 Iohn 5. 1. 3. He that loves his brother knows Gods Authority in his Command And this Commandement we have from him that he who loveth God love his brother also 1 Joh.
4. 21. Signes of true brotherly love See in Cap. II. p. 168 to 173. and Chap. 8. throughout CHAP. VI. Evidences or Signes of our true love to God and to Jesus Christ. I. FIrst Our true love to God flowes from Gods love to us Love breeds love as naturally as light breeds light and fire breeds fire We love him because he first loved us 1 John 4. 19. All equity saith Bernard dictates that the beloved should love the lover Had not God first loved us we should never have loved him being naturally God-haters Rom. 1. 30. and 8. 7. But when once God pleaseth to shed abroad his love in our hearts Rom. 5. 5. giving us some sense or taste of his love to us viz. of his Electing love Rom. 9. 13. Col. 3. 12 of his Redeeming love Gal. 2. 20. Rev. 1. 5. of his Regenerating love Tit. 3. 4 5 6. of his Adopting love 1 John 3. 1 2. c. How can we chuse but love him againe and love him much Luk. 7. 47. I desire to love thee said Bernard and love to desire thee O amiable Lord most worthy to be beloved And thus I runne to apprehend that wherein I am apprehended viz. That I may perfectly love thee at last who hast loved us first But how or wherein did God love us first he expresseth thus saying Whatsoover he did whatsoever he spake on earth to reproaches spittings buffetings Crosse and the grave was nothing but Gods language to us in his Son by his love provoking and stirring up our love Wouldest thou know now whether thou lovest God Search diligently whether God loves thee in Christ what application hath he made of his love to thee what true effect dost thou find of the special love of God or Christ upon thee Signes of Gods speciall love of Christs peculiar love actually applyed to us 1. Is this love of God shed abroad in thine heart by the holy Ghost that thou hast an inward cordiall experimentall taste of Gods love Rom. 5. 5. 2. Hath this love of God effectually regenerated and renewed thee by the Spirit Tit. 3. 4 5 6. 3. Hath this love of God adopted thee that thou art numbred among the Sonnes of God 1 Ioh. 3. 1 2. 4. Hath this love of God sanctifyed thee and made thee holy Col. 3. 12. 5. Hath this love of God brought thee to live the life of faith yea rather to have Christ living in thee Gal. 2. 20. 6. Doth this love of God and Christ sweetly overpower constraine and even compell thee to be chearefully serviceable to him in thy place and calling 2 Cor. 5. 13 14 15 16. II. Secondly The rejecting or casting out of base sinfull servile feare evidenceth our true love to God and Jesus Christ. There is no feare in love but perfect love casteth out feare because feare hath torment He that feareth is not made perfect in love 1 Joh. 4. 18 19. Quest. But what fear is it now which is thus inconsistent with love which love casts out Answ. Feare may be considered either 1. Objectively as it is the object feared so it denotes 1. God Psal. 76. 11. called the Feare of Isaac either because Isaac yielded feare to God or because God struck Isaac with feare when he would have blessed E sau Gen. 31. 42 53. 2. Gods Word The rule of feare Psal. 19. 9. True love casts out neither of these but keeps and cherisheth them in the soul. 2. Subjectively As feare is subjected in us Thus feare denotes 1. The naturall affection or Passion of feare Arising upon some apprehension of some evill as imminent and hardly to be avoided This feare is in it selfe neither morally good nor bad but as sanctified or mixed with diffidence c. Meer humane feare was in Christ yet without sinne Heb. 5. 7. Love casts not out this feare for that were to put off humane nature 2. Feare the sanctified affection whereby the Saints are afraid to offend God their heavenly Father for his mercy goodnesse c. through the love and reverence they beare to him for his eminency and to true piety Psal. 130. 4. and this feare springs from love 3. A sinfull servile slavish feare whereby we inordinately slavishly feare either God Rom. 8. 15. as the Samaritans for his Lyons 2 King 17. 25 32 33 34. or the creature Matth. 10. 28. This is the feare that love casts out Love hath boldnesse and confidence in it feare is full of diffidence and cowardlinesse Hath thy love to God cast out this base feare that 's love indeed Signes that Hagar is ejected that slavish feare is cast out 1. The Spirit of adoption Son-like Spirit removing base fear Rom. 8. 15. 2. The Spirit of supplication crying with filial boldness and confidence Abba Father Rom. 8. 15. Gal. 4 6. 3. The soules pacification by justifying faith This allayes tumultuous feares That diffusion of the love of God in the heart and quieting of conscience by faith are companions are twins in the same soul Rom. 5. 1 5. 4 True awfull religious feare of God swallowing up base fears of the Creature Mat. 10. 28. Isa. 8. 12 13. 5. Magnanimous courage and resolutions from love and zeale to Christ and his Cause against sharpest sufferings and persecutions Cant. 8. 6 7. Acts 20. 23 24 and 21. 13 Rev. 12. 11. Such hath beene the love of Saints and Martyrs to Christ that they have not feared to owne and confesse Christ in worst of times nor feared to go with Christ both into prisons and to death Who will flee persecution said Tertullian but he that feares who feares but he that doth not love And elsewhere He that feares to suffer cannot be his that suffered but he that feares not to suffer he is perfect in Gods love III. Thirdly Not loving the world nor the things that are in the world excessively inordinately discovers the love of God planted in our hearts Love not the world neither the things that are in the world If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him viz. neither Passively He is not beloved of the Father nor Actively He loves not the Father 1 Iohn 2. 15 16. For 1. God and the world are two such contrary Masters and each of them are so able to take up the whole man that they cannot be intensively loved both at once but the love of the one will prove the hatred of the other Matth. 6. 24. Iam. 4. 4. 2. God requires our whole love to himselfe Luke 10. 27. and he is so jealous a God that he can endure no corrivall with himself in our hearts and affections Excellently Bernard The Spirit of Christ hates the lover of the world flies from him whom he knowes to love any thing besides him He will be so loved as nothing should be loved besides him He will be perfectly loved that will be alone loved He will have
no sharer in his love that hath no equall in the reward of love He will be so loved that all things also may be loved with him and yet he will so be loved that nothing be beloved besides him The Creature should be loved for the Creator that made it The Creator in the Creature for himselfe Wouldest thou know whether thou lovest God truly Search then whether thou lovest not the world inordinately Signes of inordinate love to the world and the things of the world I. Over-desiring the world and things of the world craving asking c. when we want them Prov. 30. 15. Matth. 6. 25 31. 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. This over-eagernesse of our hearts after them when we want them discovers it selfe in 1. Discontentednesse at our present condition Heb. 13. 5. 2. Enviousnesse at others prosperity and enjoyments as in Ahab 1 King 21. 4. David tempted to this Psal. 73. 3. 3. Excessive running out of the heart and mind about them Ezek. 33. 33. Luk. 12. 17 18 29. 4. A Resolvednesse or fixed will to be rich 1 Tim 6. 9. 5. Pursuing after worldly shadows more then after the Kingdome of God and his righteousnesse Matth. 6. 33. 6. Unconscionablenesse in getting the world by bribery extortion oppression theft fraud c. Amos 8 4. 1 Thes. 4. 6. II. Over-loving and dâ—…ting upon the world and things of the world whilest we have them setting our heart on them Psal. 62. 10. evidenced by 1. Over-highly esteeming them above their worth making gods of them Col. 3. 5. Eph. 5. 5. Phil. 3. 19. 2. Relying and trusting in them Prov. 18. 11. 1 Tim. 6. 17. 3. Boasting glorying in them Psal. 49. 6. Ier. 9. 23. 4. Applanding our selves as happy men by reason of them Luke 12. 19. Psal. 17. 14. 5. Sordid detaining not being willing to part with worldly things though upon most just occasions of piety charity or necessity as in Nabal 1 Sam. 25. 10 11 the rich glutton Luke 16. 19 c. Eccles. 6. 1 2. Such a man parts with his pence as if they were so many drops of blood from his heart III. Over-grieving and vexing when we lose the things of the world As Achitophel losing his honour in discontent hangs himself 2 Sam. 17. 23. IV. Fourthly Keeping of the Commandments of God and that chearfully notably discovers our true love to God and to Jesus Christ But whoso keepeth his word in him verily is the love of God perfected 1 John 2. 5. And elsewhere This is the love of God that we keep his Commandements and his Commandements are not grievous 1 John 5. 3. To this purpose said Clement Romanus the Apostles Companion Phil. 4. 3. He that hath love in Christ will keep the Commands of Christ. And Bernard sweetly seconds him By this may be known the love of Christ if a man keep the Commands of Christ. He that hath my Commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me Who hath them in memory and keeps them in life who hath them in doing and keeps them in persevering Or who hath them in words and keeps them in manners or who hath them in hearing and keeps them in doing he it is that loveth me For many have the Lords Commandments but keep them not many have them in their book but keep them not in their breast many have them in word keep them not in work many have them in memory keep them not in life c. truly these are not of the lovers of Christ. And no wonder For 1. Christ requires our keeping of his Commandements as the singular touch-stone of our love to him exhibition of work is the probation of love John 14. 15 21. Therefore if we keep not his Commandements he will accept no love from us 2. Love is obediential the nature of true love to God carries it spontaneously to the keeping of the Commands of God Rom. 13. 8 9. 3. Love is a lively chearfull Principle what love acts is acted without grievousnesse It delights in doing any thing for the object beloved and stands not upon difficulties Gen. 29. 20. Therefore true love to God thinks no duty too much for God none enough for God 4. True love can chearfully endure for Christ much more do for Christ Cant. 8. 6 7. Acts. 20. 23 24 and 21. 13. Search now dost thou keep his Word Or are his Commandements grievous to thee Signes of true keeping Gods Word and Commandements See Cap. V. Signe I. p. Signes that his Commandements are not grievous to us I. When we have a dear and precious account of Gods Word and Commandements esteeming them more then our necessary food Job 23. 12. sweetert hen honey and the honey-combe Psal. 19. 9. and 119. 103. beyond great spoile Psal. 119. 162. Thousands of gold and silver Psal. 119. 72. and all riches Psal. 119. 14. II. When our hearts and affections are strongly set upon them Oh how love I thy law Psal. 119. 97. I opened my mouth and panted for I longed for thy Commandments Psal. 119. 131. My soul breaketh for longing to thy judgements at all times Psal. 119. 20. Rom. 7. 22. Thy Law is in my heart I delight to do thy will Psal. 40. 8. III. When it cuts and wounds our spirits that others break Gods Lawes Psal. P19s 53 136 139. IV. When we observe and keep the Word and Commandements of God 1. Willingly will voluntarinesse I will sacrifice to thee Heb. Psal. 54. 6 Psal. 110. 3. 2. Simply not disputing the Command of God As Abraham Heb. 11. 8 17 18 19. 3. Chearfully with delight Psal. 40. 8. Rom. 7. 22. 4. Speedily Psal. 119. 32. I made haste and delayed not to keep thy Commandements Psal 119. 60. 5. Constantly Psal. 119. 20. I inclined mine heart to performe thy statutes alway even unto the end Psal. 119. 112. Many begin few persevere They that thus behave themselves to Gods Word and Commandements count not his Commandements grievous but joyous V. Lastly Our true love to the Brethren the Children of God for the heavenly Fathers sake who begat them Evidenceth our true love to God Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him 1 Joh. 5. 1. Beloved if God so loved us we ought also to love one another No man hath seen God at any time If we love one another God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us 1 John 4. 11 12. If a man say I love God and hateth his brother he is a liar For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen And this Commandement have we from him that he that loveth God love his brother also 1 John 4. 20 21. Who so hath this worlds goods and seeth his brother hath need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him 1 John 3. 17. In these passages are remarkable
God God dwelleth in him and he in God John 4. 15. Doubt But how can this be devils confessed Christ to be the Son of God Mark 1. 24. Luke 4 34 41. yea hypocrites may confesse Christ Matth. 7. 22 23. yet neither hypocrites nor devils have nor can have communion with God Answ. There 's a double confessing that Jesus is the Son of God viz. 1. Dogmaticall arising meerly from the Assenting act of faith that believes the truth of Gods Record or revealed Word touching Jesus Christ that Scripture is true and that Jesus is the Sonne of God the true Messiah promised in the Scripture Thus Devils and Hypocrites may confesse Christ formally dogmatically in words Tit. 1. 16. and in opinion they know him Luke 4. 41. But this Assenting knowing or confessing of Christ may be without all Communion with God and Christ. 2. Fiducial arising not onely from the Assenting but also from the Applying act of faith Confessing Christ with confidence and trust in him for salvation thus hypocrites and devils cannot confesse him This is here meant He that fiducially thus confesseth Jesus Christ 1. He assents to the truth of all Gods Record touching Christ 1 John 5. 10 11. 2. He applies Christ to himself rests and lives upon him according to that Record John 1. 11 12. Gal. 2. 20. Peter as was formerly noted out of Augustine confessed Christ that be might embrace him the devils confessed him that he might depart from them It is one thing to confesse Christ to retaine him another to repell him Notes of true Applying faith See in Chap. 2. Sign 2. p. 25 c. 3. He confesseth Christ thus applied not only verbally in words but really in deeds also Tit. 1. 16. Matth. 7. 21. observeth his Commandements This is saith Cyprian to be a true Confessor of the Lord this is to be a Martyr of Christ to keep the solid firmnesse of his truth inviolate in all things not to be a Martyr for the Lord and endeavour to destroy the Precepts of the Lord. 4. He confesseth Christ even unto sufferings and unto death Acts 20. 23 24. 21. 13. Revel 2. 13. In this regard Cyprian applauds the courage and constancy of the Saints and Confessors of Christ in his time That among the various and exquisite torments of the secular power the body being tortured tormented and butchered yet they confessed Christ with a free though a departing spirit IV. Fourthly Not doing or practising of sin is a signe of Communion with God Whosoever abideth in him there 's Communion with God sinneth not whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him He that committeth sin is of the devill for the devil sinneth from the beginning 1 John 3. 6 8. Consider now whether thou art a Practioner in sin Signes of doing or practising of sinne as also what a vast difference there is betwixt the sinning of the regenerate and the unregenerate See in Chap. II. Sign III. p. â—…9 to 60. V. Fifthly Unfeigned lobe to God and dwelling therein discovers to us our true Communion with God And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 John 4. 16. God is love what more precious He that dwells in love dwelleth in God what more gracious and God in him what more glorious Love to God is a Signe not only of Gods cohabitation with us but of his and our mutual inhabitation in one another There 's Communion Habitual dwelling in the love of God must needs be an indication of our Communion with God For 1. Our true love to God denotes a Reciprocation of mutual affections betwixt God and us For we love him because he first loved us 1 Joh. 4. 19. 2. Our true love to God implies consequently a Reciprocation of the genuine fruits and effects of love mutually God loves us and redeems calls adopts sanctifies justifies glorifies us we love God and trust in him fear him obey him c. both these import spiritual communion with God Admirably speaks Bernard of this love and this communion Love makes thee the house of the Lord and the Lord thine house Love is an happy artificer which can make such an house for its Maker This house consists not of lime and brick nor stone nor wood nor gold nor silver nor precious stone It surpasseth all gold and silver Honey is but wormwood to its sweetnesse In this house the blinde have sight the lame walke the crooked are made straight the infirme have health the dead have Resurrection and all enterers happinesse But how may we know that we truly dwell in Gods love Answ. By these ensuing Signes viz. 1. When we love God with an intensive love viz. with all that is within us Luk. 10. 27. 2. When we love God with a predominant love that supereminently overcomes our love to all other objects besides God Psal. 97. 10. Matth. 10. 37. compared with Luke 14. 26. Rev. 12. 11. 3. When we love him obedientially so as willingly to do any thing at his Command Iohn 14. 15 21 23. 1 Iohn 5. 3. 2 Cor. 5. 14. 4. When we love him invincibly so that our love cannot be quenched or conquered but we are ready to endure any thing for his glory Cant. 8. 6 7. Acts 20. 23 24. 21. 13. 5. When we love him continually in incorruption as the Original signifies Eph. 6. 24. when our love is like heart of Oak or Cedar will not worm eat rot or putrefie but constantly persevere incorruptible VI. Sixthly Walking in light and not in darknesse evidenceth our Communion with God God is light and in him is no darkness at all If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darknesse we lie and do not tâ—…e truth But if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another viz. God with us and we with God And the blood of Iesus Christ his Son cleanseth ne from all sin 1 John 1. 5 6 7. There 's 1. A darknesse of grosse ignorance and error Eph. 4. 18. 2. A darknesse of sinfulnesse or sinful misery Eph. 5. 8. Acts 26. 18. Habitually to walk on in these argues the want of Communion with God who is purest light without all darkness whatsoever In vaine for such to pretend they have Communion with God Signes of walking in light not in darknesse 1. When we are effectually translated from darkness to light This is presupposed for till a man be brought from natural state of darknesse to a supernatural state of light there can be no walking in light Acts 26. 18. Col. 1. 13. Eph. 5. 8. 2. When we cast off the works of darkness and put on the Armour of light Rom. 13. 12 to the end When we bring forth the fruit of light as some Original Greek Copies read it Eph. 5. 9. 3. When
we shun all fellowship with works of darknesse in others Eph. 5. 11. 4. When we hate not the light as evil doers but love it and come unto it that it may be manifest our deeds are wrought in God â—…ohn 3. 20 21. VII Seventhly Walking as Christ our chief Captaine Heb. 2. 10 walked is a further discovery of our fellowship with God and Christ. He that saith he abideth in him ought himselfe also so to walke even as he walked 1 John 2. 6. To walke as Christ walked is to imitate Christ to follow Christ or as Oecumenius well expresseth it so to live and behave our selves in our life as Christ did To rectifie our life according to Christs course Christs actions were either 1. Acts of divine power as his miracles turning water into wine Iohn 2. 7 c. walking on the sea Mark 6. 48 â—…9 Raising the dead Iohn 12. 1. Matthew 11. 5. Luk. 7. 21 c. 2. Acts of divine Prerogative Matth. 21. 2 c. 3 Acts Mediatory as dying for his sheep Ioh. 10. 15. Giving of the Spirit Ioh. 20. 22. Acts 2. Appointing his own officers in the Church Eph. 4. 7 10 11. 4. Moral Acts appertaining to the common nature of sanctification as Mat. 11. 29. Eph. 5. 2 3 25. Or at least bottomed upon a moral consideration and ground as in Ioh. 13. 14 15. According to these moral acts of Christ we are to follow Christ to walk as Christ walked How did Christ walk that we may know whether we walk like him 1. Christ walked most purely holily inoffensively both before God and man Heb. 4. 15. and 7. 26. Isa. 53. 9. Many took offence at Christ Mat. 15. 12. Mark 6. 3. but Christ gave them no offence Thus should we walk 1 Cor. 10. 32 33. Act. 23. 1. and 24. 16. 1 Thes. 2 10 11 12. 2. Christ walked most humbly and meekly Mat. 11. 28. Phil. 2. 5 6 7. 3. Christ walked most selfe-denyingly Though he was rich yet became poore for our sakes 2 Cor. 8. 9. If it be possible let this cup passe from me yet not as I will but as thou wilt Mar. 14. 36. 4. Christ walked most zealously Joh. 2. 15 16 17. 5. Christ walked most obedientially to his heavenly Father Rom. 5. 19. Ioh. 4. 34. Heb. 5. 8 9. He became obedient to death even the death of the Crosse Phil. 2. 8. He was so obedient ut vitam perdidit ne obedientiam perderet that he lost his life that he might not lose his obedience Our Saviour said Bernard preferred this vertue of obedience before his life choosing rather to lay down his life then not to fulfil his obedience 6. Christ walked most profitably went about doing good Act. 10. 38. 7. Walked most lovingly tenderly and compassionately towards poore sinners to winne them and save them Luk. 4. 18 19 20 21. Mat. 12. 19 20. and 11. 28 29 30. Luk. 7. 37 to the end 8. Christ walked most spiritually and heavenly He lived on earth as if he had been still in heaven Extracted heavenly contemplations and spiritual lessons from all sorts of earthly objects and occasions presented before him Iohn 4 10 c. and ver 31 32. and 6. 26 27 c. and 15. 1 c. Dost thou thus walk as Christ walked then hast thou communion with God in Christ. VIII VIII Keeping his Word and Commandements discovers our communion with God Whoso keepeth his word in him verily is the love of God perfected Hereby know we that we are in him 1 Joh. 2. 5. And this is his Commandment that we should beleeve on the Name of his Son Iesus Christ and love one another as he gave us Commandment And he that keepeth his Commandments dwelleth in him and he in him 1 Joh. 3. 23 24. Signes of true keeping his commandments See in Chap. 2. Signe 6. p. 162 to 168. and Ch. 6. Signe 4. p. 208 to 212. Signes of true believing in Jesus Christ See in Chap. 2. Signe 2. p. 23 to 29. Signes of the brethrens true love to one another See in chap. 2. Signe 7. p. 168 to 173. and chap. 8. throughout IX Lastly True brotherly love is a signe of our Communion with God For we love our brethren for God in them that begat them 1 Iohn 5. 1. we love God because he first loved us 1 Iohn 4. 19. And where there is mutual love betwixt God and us we have sweet communion with him If we love one another God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us 1 John 4. 12. Evidences of the truth of our brotherly love to one another See in Chap. 2. Signe 7. p. 168 to 173. and chap. 8. throughout CHAP. VIII Finally Evidences or Signes of the unfeigned love of the Brethren viz. the true children of God begotten of him Compare 1 Iohn 4. 20 21. with 1 Iohn 5. 1 2. I. FIrst True spirituall knowing of God Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is borne of God and knoweth God He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love 1 John 4. 7 8. Evidences of true knowledge of God See in Chap. 5. throughout p. 193 c. II. Secondly Sincere loving of God Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is is begotten of him By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God 1 John 5. 1 2. Evidences of our true love to God See in Chap. 6. throughout p. 200 c. III. Thirdly Right keeping of Gods Commandements By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep his Commandements For this is the love of God that we keep his Commandements and his Commandements are not grievous 1 John 5. 2 〈◊〉 Evidences of keeping Gods Commandments See in Chap. 2. Signe 6. p. 162 to p. 168. and Chap. 6. Signe 4. p. 208 to 212. IV. Fourthly Loving the Brethren peculiarly and especially in this notion or respect as they are begotten of God and as they are thereby the children of God Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him By this we know that we love the children of God 1 John 5. 1 2. See this further cleared p. 170 171. V. Finally When we love them not verbally and complementally but really and sincerely Opening tender bowels of Compassion to our brother in need yea if the cause require hazarding our dearest lives for the children of God Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren But whoso hath this worlds good and seeth his brother hath need and sâ—…utteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him My little children let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth And hereby we know that we are of
cheerfully 1 Ioh. 〈◊〉 5. and 5. 3. 5. Our true love to Gods children for the heavenly Fatherâ—… sake who begat them 1 Iohn 5. 1. and 4 11 12 20 21. and 3â—… 17. CHAP. VII Evidences of our Communion with God and with Iesus Christ. 1. The Holy Spirit of God and of Jesus Christ given us 1 Iohn 3. 24. and 4. 13. p. 214. 2. The true abiding of the ancient Primitive truth and doctrine of Christ in us 1 Ioh. 2. 22 23 24. p. 217. 3. True confessing that Jesus is the Sonne of God 1 Ioh. 4. 15. p. 218. 4. Not doing or practising of sin 1 Ioh. 3. 6 8. p. 221. 5. Unfeigned love to God and dwelling therein 1 Iohn 4. 16. p. 221. 6. Walking in light not in darknesse 1 Iohn 1. 5 6 7. p. 224. 7. Walking as Christ walked 1 Iohn 2. 6. p. 225. 8. Keeping his Word and Commandements 1 Ioh. 2. 5. and 3â—… 23 24. p. 227. 9. True brotherly love 1 Iohn 4. 12. p. 228. CHAP. VIII Evidences of the unfeigned love of the Brethren 1. True spiritual knowing of God 1 Iohn 4. 7 8. p. 228. 2. Sincere loving of God 1 Iohn 5. 1 2. p. 229. 3. Right keeping of Gods Commandements 1 Iohn 5. 2 3. p. 229. 4. Loving the brethren peculiarly as they are begotten 〈◊〉 God c. 1 Iohn 5. 1 2. p. 229. 5. When we love them not verbally and complementally bâ—… really and sincerely Opening tender bowels of Compassion 〈◊〉 our brother in need yea if they cause require hazzarding oâ—… dearest lives for the children of Gâ—…d 1 Iohn 3. 16 17 18 19. p. 230. BELIEVERS Evidences FOR Eternall Life Collected out of the first EPISTLE of IOHN which is Catholique IOHN is an Hebrew name and signifies The Lord hath been gracious or The grace of the Lord He was Son of Zeâ—…edee brother of Iames and called by Christ to the Apostolical office Mat. 4. â—…1 10. 2 Mar. 1. 19. Luk. 5. 10. which is â—…he highest Ecclesiastical Office under the New Testament 1 Cor. 12. 28 Ephes. 4. 11. Iohn was one of the three whom Christ took up with him to Mount Taâ—…or to behold his glorious Transfiguration Matth. 17. c. Mark 9. 2. Luke 9. 28 c. One of the two whom Christ sent to prepare his last Passeover Luke 22. 8. and that Disciple whom Iesus peculiarly loved above all the rest Iohn 13. 23. and 19. 29. and 20. 2. and 21. 7 20. who leaned on Iesus breast at supper to whom Christ by a private token discovered that Iudas should betray him Iohn 13. 23 24 25 26. and to whom alone Christ dying on the Crosse commended his owne Mother Iohn 19. 25 26 27. This IOHN this compound of love anâ—… sweetnesse wrote this Epistle Aâ—… Epistle saith Calvin altogether worth of the spirit of that Discipleâ—… who wâ—… therefore beloved of Christ above the reâ—… that he might render himself more familiâ—… to us A most sweet Epistle saith Austin most memorable in the Church of God becauâ—… love is there especially commanded An Epistle whose principal Scope and end is Tâ—… help the believers to a well-grounâ—… ed Assurance of their actual interâ—… in eternal life These things saiâ—… John have I written unto you that bâ—… lieve on the Name of the Son of God thâ—… ye may know that ye have eternal life 1 John 5. 13. To this end the holy Ghost by the Apostle hath replenished this precious Epistle with more variety and plenty of pregnant Marks Signes Characters or Evidences of Believers spiritual estate then any other Scripture of like quantity in the whole Book of God So that it is a Rich Treasury for Christian-Assurance 1 Assurance if the fault be not our owne is Attainable John 14 21. Rev. 2. 17. 1 Cor. 2. 9 to 13. 1 Iohn 2. 3 5. and 3 2 14 19 24. and 4. 13. and 5. 19. 2 Assurance hath been actually attained by divers Iob ch 19. 25 26 27. David Psal. 22. 1. and 51 8 12. Thomas John 20. 28. Paul 2 Tim. 1. 12. 2 Cor. 5. 1. Rom. 8. 37 38. Gal. 2. 20. 1 Tim. 1. 13 14. 16. The Church of Christ Cant 2. 16. and 7. 10. 3 The nature of faith and hope tend and lead on unto Assurance Col. 2. 2. Heb. 6. 11 18 19. Heb. 10. 23. 4 Hence all Christians ought to â—…ontend after Assurance 2 Cor. 13. 5. 〈◊〉 Assurance that eternal life is ours actually attained brings great glory to God Rom. 4. 20 21. is the glory of faith Rom. 4. 19 20. overcomes greatest difficulties Rom. 4. 17 18. is an approved cordiall extraordinarily strengthening believers hearts in worst times under saddest afflictions yea in the straits of death Iob 19. 25 26 27. 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. and in a word is a Paradise on earth the suburbs of Heaven and sweetest glimpse of glory Come hither therefore all ye doubting soules and drooping Christians that walk in darknesse and have no light of Assurance and comfort this blessed Epistle is an Epistle for you reade it and meditate upon it continually till you be perswaded setled stablished comforted And for your further help peruse these evidences extracted out of it and familiarly digested by him whose comfort it will be to be an Helper of your joy CHAP. I. Evidences or Signes of Gods love to us CHrists being sent to lay down his life for us that we might live by him may be a first Signe of Gods love to us Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us 1 Joh. 3. 16. In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Sonne into the world that we might live through him Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sinnes 1 Joh. 4. 9 10. Hence when actually we live through Christ we actually taste Gods free love in Christ. Gods speciall love acts towards his beloved ones chiefly three waies 1. In electing them before all time elect of God holy and beloved Col. 3. 12. which is more peculiarly ascribed to the Father 1 Pet. 1. 2. 2. In redeeming them in fulnesse of time which is more peculiarly attributed to the Son Ioh. 15. 12 13. Gal. 2. 20. Rev. 1. 5. 3. In immediate applying of Christ unto them in due time by sanctification effectuall calling c. and this is more peculiarly given to the Holy Ghost Tit. 3. 4 5. 1. Pet. 1. 2. And in every of these acts of love God comes neerer and closer unto his The Fathers love in electing is love intended and purposed this is most remote The Sonnes love in redeeming is love actually demonstrated to the world this is neerer but the Holy Ghosts love in sanctifying c. is love effectually and peculiarly applyed to individuall persons this is most neare Would we know our interest in the Fathers electing love consider
thou find in his injoyment True love findâ—… most contentment in the enjoyment of the object most beloved hence David preferringâ—… the enjoyment of Gods face before any sublunary treasure discovers his true love to God thus Many say Who will shew us good Lord list thou up the light of thy countenancâ—… upon us thou hast put gladnesse in mine heart more then in the time that their corne and their New Wine increased Psal. 4. 6 7. And yeâ—… of all enjoyments of God Christ beloved that enjoyment is sweetest that succeeds his absence and estrangement Health is alwayes sweet but double sweet after sicknesse liberty alwayes pleasant but double pleasant after imprisonment life is alwayes comfortable but to have return'd from death to life is a double life So to them that love God his presence ever delectable but his presence after his soul-afflicting absence is even ravishing Hence David wrastling out of an intricate temptation and recovering a sweet view of God cryes out Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee My flesh and mine heart faileth but God is the strength of mine heart and my portion for ever Psal. 73. 25 26. The Church enjoying Christ saith I sate down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet unto my taste Cant. 2. 3. but when after estrangement she found him whom her soul loved how is she transported I held him and would not let him go untill that I had brought him into my mothers house into the châ—…mber of her that conceived me I charge you O ye daughters of Jerusalem by the Roes and by the Hindes of the field that you stir not up nor awake my love â—…ill he please Cant. 3. 4 5. that is let him have no offence given him that I should lose him any more Canst thou truly say in thy enâ—…oyment of God of Christ O let his left hand be under my head and his right hand emâ—…race me Cant. 2. 9. Lord let not the left hand â—…f thy temporal consolation be wanting but be â—…nder my head for use but let thy spirituall right hand thy consolation about spirituals and eternals embrace me wholly for enjoyment and in the embracement of thy love in the kisses of thy sweetnesse my soul shall rest and sleep in peace O it is good for us to be here let us build three Tabernacles one for Faith one for Hope and one for Love but all for thee This is right love to God indeed 2. Intensively God is the highest object of love and challengeth the highest and most intensive acts of love God is the supream Good yea the only good none good but one that is God Matth. 19 17. therefore he should have the supream affections all the affections all of the affections and none but he Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul anâ—… with all thy strength and with all thy mindeâ—… Luke 10 27. Deut. 6. 5. Matth. 22. 37. with these foure heart soul might and minde and with all of every one of these i. e. with all that is within thee God if truly loved is to be beloved of thee Yea let God leâ—… Jesus Christ have the preheminence in thâ—… soul above all creatures let him possesse the throne of thine heart and be a diadem on thy head but let all things else sit down below at thy foot-stool Prov. 12. 1. Psal. 73. 25. and 4. 6 7. Matth. 10. 37. Luke 14. 26. no object is so amiable no delight so delectable as God to him that loves him true love can despise the world yea ten thousand worlds for him 3. Sincerely and uprightly When God is chiefly loved for himself for his own incomparable Excellency perfection beauty sweetnesse lovelinesse and love and other things are loved for him and in order to him then not so much they are loved as God is loved in them 1 Iohn 4. 19. We love him because he loved us first The Church loved Christ for himself Cant. 5. 10. to the end We may love Gods gifts but must more love God the giver else our love is mercinary not upright 4. Purely and bolily God is truly loved when purely affected we love God purely when we cordially hate that which God cannot love viz. Sin Ye that love the Lord hate evil Psal. 97. 10. Lovest thou him saith Augustine thou oughtest to hate what he hates Hence it appeares thou truly lovest what is good if thou beest found to hate what is evil 5. Obedientally When we so love God or Jesus Christ as to indeavour really to keep all his Commandements If you love me keep my Cemmandements He that hath my Commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me John 15. 21 23. That is saies Augustine He that loveth them in memory and keeps them in life who hath them in words and keeps them in works who hath them in hearing and keeps them in doing or who hath them in doing and keeps them in persevering He it is saith he that loveth me Love is to be demonstrated by works that 〈◊〉 be not an unfruitful usurpation of the name of love 6. Invincibly against all difficulties oppositions and persecutions Love is strong as death jealousie is cruel as the grave the coales thereof are coales of fire which hath a most vehement flame Many waters cannot quench love neither can the floods drown it Cant. 8. 6 7. 7. Uncessantly in incorruption True love to Christ will not waste putrefie worm-eat or decay but is uncorruptible Grace be with all them that love the Lord Iesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in incorruption Eph. 6. 24. true love is a long-lasting yea an everlasting affection Charity never faileth 1 Cor. 13. 8. CHAP. II. Evidences or Signes of our Regeneration New-birth Adoption Son-ship c. THat the world kneweth us not if we be the children of God Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God! therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not 1 John 3. 1. By World here understand that world of carnal unregenerate persons that lieth in wickknesse 1 John 5. 19. elsewhere called the children of this world in opposition to the children of light Luk. 16. 8. This world knows not the heavenly Father adopting nor his spiritual children adopted yea therefore it knowes them not because they are the children of such a Father So that the worlds not knowing us in this sense may help us to discover that God knows us and ownes us as his children To know implies first sometimes a precise act of the minde understanding discerning discovering apprehending comprehending things what they are Iohn 21. 15. 17. 1 Cor. 8. 4. In this sense the carnal world knowes not God nor Jesus Christ nor the things of God because they are spiritually discerned Jer. 10.
Indifferent as things left at liberty Rom. 14. 2 3. For matter they practise Righteousnesse who practise things Good or Indifferent But they practise unrighteousnesse who practise things Evil. Ye are of your father the Devill and the works of your father you will do Joh. 8. 44. II. Who do that which is materially righteous from a right Ground and Principle Such as are mens Principles within such are their Practices without Mat. 12. 33 34. Iehu did for matter that which God required but not from a right ground 2 King 10. 30 31. The right ground and principle from which all holy and righteous acts should flow is threefold viz. 1. A pure heart 2. A good Conscience And 3. Faith unfeigned 1 Tim. 1. 5. 1. A pure heart viz. not absolutely and compleatly purified from all sinne which in this life is impossible 1 Ioh. 1. 8. Thus Who can say he hath made his heart clean Prov. 20. 9. But comparatively and respectively purified So purified as no carnal mans heart in the world is purified 1. Purified by the blood of Christ sprinkled upon the heart by way of Iustification Zech. 13. 1. Psal. 51. 7. Act. 15. 9. 2. Purified by the Spirit of Christ his gracious habits as principles of purity being infused This is by way of Sanctification 1 Cor. 6. 11. So faith is a principle of purity Act. 15. 9. He that hath such a pure heart mingles not with sin but works it out and seperates from it as honey works out the waxe wine the lees mettal in the furnace the drosse Such regard not iniquity in their heart Psal. 66. 18. Here 's a right ground of righteous practices Hast thou such a pure heart 2. A good Conscience viz. not metaphysically or naturally good so every mans Conscience is good But spiritually and supernaturally good Conscience is supernaturally â—…ood 1. When it is by Christs blood purged from dead workes to serve the living God Heb. 9. â—…4 2. When it is habitually exercised to inoffensivenesse to God man Act. 24. 16. compared with Act 23. 1. 3. When Conscience endeavours to be compleatly universally good In al good conscience Act. 23. 1. 4. When conscience approves it selfe good even in the sight of God Act 23. 1. 1 Pet. 3 21. 5. When upon all this Conscience gives a comfortable testimony of the Hearts simplicity and godly sincerity able to support under greatest distresses and afflictions 2 Cor. 1. 8 9 10 11 12. Actest thou now from such a good Conscience 3. Faith unfeigned without hypocrisie Without faith there 's no pleasing of God Heb. 11. 6. Faith washes all our duties and acts of obedience in the blood of the Lamb and so â—…enders them acceptable to God 〈◊〉 Pet. 2. 5. Faith is then unfeigned 1. When it hath the true nature of Faith in it viz. Assenting to Gods truths revealed 1 Ioh. 5. 10 11 and Applying particularly those Truths assented to Ioh 1. 11 12 Gal. 2. 20. 〈◊〉 When it produceth effects of a living Faith viz. Good works without which fruits whatsoever faith is pretended it is but feigned faith a dead faith Jam. 2. 20 26. Hast thou such a Faith whence all thy righteous actions spring III. Who for form and manner do righteousnesse in such sort as God requires not only doing Bona good things but doing them Bene well God loves as some note to be served with Adverbs rather then with Nouns or Verbs Now Religious and righteous acts are then wel performed when they are done 1. Spiritually and heartily with heart and spirit not with body only This God requires Prov. 23. 26. Ioh. 4. 24. 1 Cor. 6. 20. This the godly perform Rom. 1. 9. Psal. 25. 1. Phil. 3. 20. The carnal meer corporal service God condemns Ezek. 33. 31 32. Mat. 15. 7 8. 2. Sincerely and uprightly as in the sight of God and approving our hearts to him Gen. 17. 1. as David Psal. 18. 22. 66. 18. Paul 2 Cor. 2. ult Peter Joh. 21. 15 16 17. 3. Obedientially because God commands the duty therefore in conscience and love to the command obedience is performed as in Noah Heb. 11. 7. Abraham Heb. 11. 8 17 c. David Psa. 40 8. 119. 143. Paul Rom. 7. 22. 4. Universally fully without reservations and exceptions Hypocrites may do many things as Iehu 2 King 10. 30 31. Herod Mar. 6. 20. But the gracious spirit hath respect to all things required as in David Ps. 119 6. Caleb Num. 14. 24. Zechary and Elizabeth Luk. 1. 6. 5. Constantly Perseverance in well-doing crowns well-doing true zeal like the fire in the sanctuary never goes out See Psal. 1. 2 3. Psal. 92. 13 14. 119 20. Hypocrisie lasts not like paint or varnish it will wash off Job 27. 10 Mat. 13. 20 21. 1 Joh. 2. 19. Dost thou practise Righteousnesse now Spiritually Sincerely Obedientially Universally Constantly IV. Finally Who practise Righteousnesse for right ends viz. Gods glory primarily 1 Cor 10. 31. Their own and others spirituall or eternall good secondarily Mat. 5. 16. 1 Pet. 4. 2 3 4. Rom. 2. 7. Low base ends spoile the highest undertakings as in Iehu 2 Kings 10. Pharisees Mat. 6. 2 5 16. K. Saul 1 Sam. 15. 30. VII True love of the Brethren may be a 7th Signe or Evidence of our Regeneration In this the children of God are manifest and the children of the Devil whosoever doth not righteousuesse is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother 1 Joh. 3. 7. Again he saith Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God 1 Joh. 4. 7. And further he addeth We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the Brethren He that loveth not his Brother abideth in death 1 Joh. 3. 14. This Evieence of Brotherly love will be more judiciously and comfortably improved if we consider 1. The generall clearnesse of it 2. What Brethren are here intended 3. Some under-notes or discoveries of this Brotherly love I. The generall clearnesse of this Evidence Experience tels us that usually the weakest and most timerous Christians who can find small or no comfort in other Evidences of their gracious state yet can discerne some glimmerings here in their love of the brethren And this one discovery hath supported many because they evidently and experimentally feel in their own hearts that they cordially love the Brethren He that loves his brother said Augustine better knowes his love wherewith he loves then his brother whom he loves II. What Brethren are here intended Answ. There are 1. Brethren by Nation Act. 7. 23 25. Rom. 9. 3. 2. Brethren by nature descended of the same naturall parents or parent Mat. 1. 2. 3. Brethren by office 2 Pet. 3. 15. 2 Cor. 1. 1. Col. 1. 1. Philem. 1. 4. Brethren by grace and supernaturall Regeneration Philem. 16. Here understand Brethren in the last sense for Brethren by grace 1. Partly inasmuch as
1. The evidencing of true brotherly love by our true love to God in many expressions 2. The Grounds why they that love God should love their brethren 1. God hath commanded both these loves 2. It 's easier to love our brother whom we have seen then God whom we have not seen therefore he cannot be truly imagined to love God that loves not his brother 3. Gods exemplary love God hath so loved us shall we not then love one another 4. Gods Image is engraven upon his chiidren therefore if we truly love the Father we cannot chuse but love the Fathers Image in his Children Hence Bernard calls the love of God and of our Brethren the two wings whereby the soule flies up to heaven Love hath two wings the right wing is the love of God the left wing is the love of our neighbour No man can fly to heaven with one wing Why because the love of God alone without the love of our neighbour or of our neighbour alone without the love of God availes not for attaining eternal happinesse Take thou both these wings the love of God and of thy neighbour that thou mayest fly freely in well-doing and come to the Countrey of the heavenly Kingdome Signes of true brotherly love See in Cap. II. Signe VII p. 168 to p. 173. and Cap. VIII throughout CHAP. VII Evidences or Signes of our Fellowship and Communion with God and with Jesus Christ. I. FIrst The Holy Spirit of God and of Iesus Christ given to us is a clear evidence of our Communion with him Hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us 1 John 3. 24. And again Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit 1 John 4. 13. His abiding in us His dwelling in us and ours in him are metaphoricall expressions denoting the sweet spiritual Communion betwixt God and us For they that abide and dwell with one another have fellowship together but they that abide and dwell in one another they have a more immediate and intimate Communion with one another And thus it is betwixt God and his people How do we know and discover this our Communion with God by his Spirit given us Answ. His Spirit given us makes us know this many wayes viz. 1. As the inward immediate efficient cause of this Divine Communion with us For 1. God dwells in us by his Spirit Eph. 2. 22. 2. Christ supplies his corporal absence from his Church by his Spirit Ioh. 14. 15 17 25 26. and 16. 7 8. 2. As an Anoynting teaching us all things 1 John 2. 27. Revealing to us the things given us of God 1 Cor. 2. 12. And illuminating us with light to receive them Sometimes the Spirit evidences our fellowship with God by such a clear bright and immediate Ray that it wonderfully assures us hereof Iohn 14. 21 22 23. 3. As a witnesse with our spirits Rom. 8. 15 16. And when the Spirit testifieth saith Chrysostome what ambiguity remaineth 4. As a Seale upon our hearts Ephes. 1. 13. 5. As the earnest first-fruits and handsel of our Adoption and endlesse Communion with God in glory Ephes. 1. 14. Rom. 8. 23. 6. Finally As the original cause and root of all these spiritual fruits which are onely found in them that have Communion with God Gal. 5. 22 23. But by what signes or evidences may we know that the Spirit of God and Christ which is one and the same Rom. 8. 9. is given to us Answ. Hereof there are many discoveries For if the Spirit of God be given us Then 1. We are or have been effectually convinced by the Spirit of our own Natural misery and of Christs Supernatural Al-sufficiency to remove it Iohn 16. 7 to 12. 2. We are washed and sanctified by the Spirit 1 Cor. 6. 11. mortifying the old man vivifying the new man in us Rom. 8. 13 11. 3. We are acted guided led by the Spirit of God Rom. 8. 14. That is to say We make him the Guide and Governour of our whole life As Oecumenius hath well interpreted in 4. We minde the things of the Spirit Rom. 8. 5. Our Thoughts Projects Contrivements Ponderings c. do habitually fix here 5. We bring forth the fruits of the Spirit The Spirit cannot be barren nor bring forth bad fruit Eph. 5. 9. Gal. 5. 22 23. 6. We combate by the Spirit against the flesh Galat. 5. 17. 7. We are strengthened for every good word and work with might in the inner man by the Spirit Eph. 3. 16. Col. 1. 10 11. And in particular by the Spirit we are notably enabled unto prayer against all our infirmities Rom. 8. 15 26 27. II. Secondly The true abiding of the ancient Primitive Truth and Doctrine of Christ in us So that we are not carried aside to unsound new-fangle opinions notably discovers our Communion with God Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remaine in you ye also shall continue in the Sonne and in the Father 1 John 2. 22 23 24. That which ye have heard viz. that Doctrine that truth that hath been preached to you From the beginning viz. from the beginning of the Doctrine of the Gospel by Christ his Prophets and Apostles We are not to heed what others have done or believed before us but what Christ hath commanded us to do and believe who is before all All novelties in Doctrine are to be censured by primitive truths and brought to the ancient standard from ehe beginning it was not so for their regulation Now the abiding of the Primitive Doctrine of Christ in us evidenceth our contiâ—…ance in Father and Son and so our Communion with them For God is truth Deut. 32. 4. Christ is truth John 14. 6. The Spirit is truth 1 John 5. 6. Yea God is absolutely the first truth cause of all truth in the world therefore he that abides in truth which was from the beginning truly and sincerely hath Communion with God 2 Iohn 9. Signes of sincere abiding in the truth 1. A Cordial love of the truth 2 Thess. 2. 10. Contrary those 2 Tim. 4. 3 4. 2. A consciencious care to do nothing against the truth but any thing for the truth 2 Cor. 13. 8. 2 John 10 11. 3. An earnest contending for the faith once delivered to the Saints Iude 3. Not for new up-start doctrines and new coyned opinions 4. A bearing witnesse to the truth both verbally and really in worst of times and against greatest of dangers As did Paul Phil. 1. 17. The Angel of Pergamus Rev. 2. 13. yea Jesus Christ himself bore witnesse to the truth to the death Iohn 18. 37. III. Thirdly True confessing that Iesus is the Son of God is an evidence that such have Communion with God Whosoever shall confesse that Iesus is the Sonne of
the truth and shall assure our hearts before him 1 John 3. 16 17 18 19. Formall verball complementall love to the brethren is vaine Iam. 2. 15 16. yea abominable hypocrisie Christ loved us really when he so loved us as to die for us and Christs real love to us instructs us to like reality in our love to one another Here are three real demonstrations of our true brotherly love mentioned 1. Communicating to the brethrens necessities 2. Laying down our lives for them 3. Approving our hearts sincerely to God in both In the first as Augustine notes we have the Inchoation In the second the Perfection In the third the Probation of our love to the brethren Examine now thine heart Doest thou with this reality love the brethren 1. Doest thou communicate to the Saints necessities they are in wants straits plunges prisons sicknesses dangers death thou hast this worlds good wherewith thou mightest relieve them are the bowels of thy compassion now shut against them or open to them If shut how dwels either the true love of God or of thy brother in thine heart what thou withholdest from or impartest to Christs members Christ takes as done to himselfe Matth. 25. 35. to the end If thou wilt not do any thing for thy brothers sake â—…et do it as Cyprian urgeth it for Christs sake give Christ earthly garments that thou mayest receive heavenly give Christ temporal meat and drink that with Abraham Isaac and Jacob thou mayest be admitted to the eternall banquet II. Art thou willing if need be to lay down thy life for thy brother He will hardly shed his blood for his brother that grudgeth to pâ—…rt with this worlds good for his brother This said Augustine is the Perfection of love and greater then this cannot be found Greater love then this hath no â—…an then that a man lay down his life for his friend said Christ Iohn 15. 13. Rom. 5. 7. and yet we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren 1 John 3. 16. Quest. But in what cases may we hazzard or lay down our lives for the brethren Resolut To comprehend all such cases is difficult Some seem obvious 1. A man may warrantably adventure his life if need require for a multitude of brethren a Church that they may be preserved from destruction or edified to salvation Exod. 32. 31 32. Rom. 9. 1 2 3. Phil. 2. 17 18. 2. A private Christian may adventure his life for preservation of Publâ—…ck Persons Church Officers Ministers of the Gospel of great and necessary use to the Church of God Thus Priscilla and Aquila for Pauls sake even laid down their necks viz. hazzarded their lives to the uttermost and thereby did great service to all the Churches of the Gentiles Rom. 16. 3 4. 3. One publick Officer may hazzard his life for another of more important concernment in the Church As Epaphroditus a Pastor of the Philippians for Paul an Apostle Phil. 2. 30. 4. One private Christian may hazzard his life for the Spiritual and eternal good of another as Augustine hath observed for defence of his innocency righteousness for encouragement and confirmation of his faith and graces c. This as Tertullian notes is not so much to hazzard life for the brethren for themselves as for the brethren for Christ. III. Finally Canst thou in all this love in giving to or dying for thy brethren approve thy heart sincerely unto God that thou doest or endurest thus for them from entire love to them and not from vaine glory or ostentation As Augustine cautions Possibly a man may give much yea give his body to death and yet want love 1 Cor. 13. but canst thou appeale to the heart-searching God and say Lord thou knowest I truly love thee and all thine for thee and therefore I do or endure this for thee or them Oh! if thus thou canst assure thy heart before him then hast thou confidence towards God 1 John 3. 18 19 20 21. An Alphabetical Table of the principall matters contained in this Book A ADamites Their errour about sinne in the Regenerate p. 34. Adoption An evidence of Gods love to us Five Signes of Adoption or Son-ship p. 7 8. Nine further Signes of adoption See Regeneration Anointing of the Spirit Eight Signes of the Spirits anointing teaching us all things p. 181 182 183. Apostaly See Fall There 's a fivefold Apostasy p. 97. The sin against the Holy Ghost is the worst Apostasy p. 97 98. and 〈◊〉 100 to 110. Apostate An hate 〈◊〉 of his own order p. 113. Assurance The Nature of it Tryall of it Way of attaining it and Inducements to it Sâ—…e Preface throughout Five motives or encouragements to it p. 3 4. Faith tends to full assurance p. 27 28. B Believing See Faith Blasphemy What it signifies properly p 79. why the impardonable sin is called blasphemy against the Holy Ghost p. 79 80. Blasphemous Temptations not the sin against the Holy Ghost Three Comforts against them p. 82 83 84. Bishop Bonners crueltie to the Martyrs p. 160. Bosome-sin Regenerate persons allow not themselves any bosome beloved sin as unregenerate do p. 52 53. Brotherly love See Love C Carpocratians Their errour about sin in the regenerate p. 34. Cathari Their errour about sin in the regenerate p. 33. Christ. Believing that Jesus is Christ See Faith Christ. Having Christ is a signe of spirituall life p. 188 c. Seven Signes that we have Christ or that Christ is ours p. 189 190 191. See Confession of Christ. Christ. Imitationâ—… Christ or walking as Christ walked a Signe of Communion with God p. 225. Christs actions of foure sorts p. 225. How Christ walked in eight particulars p. 226 227. Commandements â—…aving and keeping Christs Commandements p. 209. See Obediâ—…nce Committing of sinne See sin Commuâ—…on with God and Christ. Nine severall Evidences of it largely opened p. 214 to p. 228. 〈◊〉 of Christ. Confesting that Jesus is the Sonne of God is a Sign of our Communion wiâ—…h God p. 218 219. A twofold Confâ—…ssion p. 219. Foure Signes of true Confessing of Christ p. 219 to 221. D Darknesse twofold p. 214. See Light Dâ—…vil How he sinned from the beginning p. 29 30. How Christ destroyed the works of the Devil p. 30. Doctrine Right entertaining Apostolicall Doctrine a signe of true Knowledge p. 197. Seven Signes hereof p. 198 199. Doâ—…ng of sin what p. 46 47 48. See Sin Drawing How the Father drawes the soul to Christ in six particulars p. 25 26. E 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what it properly signifies p 106 107. Epistle What Iohn wrote the 1 Epistle of Iohn Scope of that Epâ—…stle to promote believers Assuranâ—…e p. 2 3. Eâ—…rour Regenerate persons overcome erroneous hereticall Spirits p. 127 c. How farre regenerate persons may be tainted with error in judgement how fâ—…r noâ—… and three differences betwixt the truly gracious and gracelesse in point of errors p. 129 to 139. F Faith
Believing that Jesus is Christ is a Signe we are borne of God p. 23 c. Two acts of faith in believing that Jesus is Christ Assenting Applying p. 23 24 25. Seven characters of true faith in Christ laid down gradually p. 25 to 28. Foure reasons why they that thus believe in Christ are borne of God p. 28 29. Three acts of faith p. 27. Faith tends to full assurance p. 27 28. How faith overcomes the world See World Fall Regenerate fall not totally nor finally p. 53 54 c. Foure reasons why it is impossible they should finally fall p. 55 56. Familists Their errour about sinne in the regenerate p. 33. Feare many sorts of feare p. 303. what â—…are love casts out Five Signes that slavish feare is cast out p. 204 205. Fellowship with God c. See Communion Full assurance See Assurance G God See Love of God and Knowledge Grace Not every sinning against grace received is the sinne against the Holy Ghost p. 89. How even the people of God may possibly sinne against grace in five degrees p. 89 90. Grievous Eight Signes that Gods Commandements are not grievous to us p. 210 211 212. See Obedience H Habituall Five Signes of sinning habitually The Regenerate sin not habitually p. 46 to 52. Hearing Apostolical Doctrine Seven Signes of it p. 198. 199. Heresie See Errour Holy Ghost A case of conscience touching that Sinne against the Holy Ghost and whether they that are born of God may fall into it p. 60 c. What persons are in danger of sinning against the Holy Ghost not the truly Regenerate not Pagans out of the Church p. 61 to 69. But Hypocrites in the Church p. 69 c. Six Characters of those persons that are in danger of this sin p. 70 to 77. What the sinne against the Holy Ghost is for Names p. 78 to 81. For nature here variety of opinions p. 81 82. Negatively what it is not in seven observable particulars p. 82 to 92. Affirmatively what it is p. 92 93 c. It s described and the description in all the parts of it fully proved p. 95 to 117. Six Aggravations of the sin against the Holy Ghost p. 117 to 124. Twelve Differences betwixt the sinning of the Regenerate of them that sin against the Holy Ghost p. 124 to 127. Hope of Conformity to Christ in glory Five Signes of it p. 173 174 175. Hope of glory makes us purifie our selves See â—…urifie I Ignatius His strong desire to die for Christ p. 161 162. Illumination is threefold p. 70 71. Iohn what it signifies p. 1. which Iohn wrote Iohn's first Epistle p. 1 2. See Epistle Iulian the Apostate blasphemed Christ p. 114. his Education Persecution of Christians and fearfull end p. 116 117. K Keeping Gods Commandements See Obedience Know In what sense the world knowes not the children of God p. 21 22 23. To know implyes sometimes an act of the minde alone sometimes of minde and will p. 22. Knowledge Every sin against Knowledge is not the sin against the Holy Ghost p. 85 86. Foure Signes of true knowledge of God and Jesus Christ p. 193 to 200. Threefold knowledge of God p. 194. See Doctrine L Life In what cases we may lay downe our lives for the brethren p. 232 233. Light Walking in light not in darknesse a Signe of Communion with God p. 224. Signes of walking in light c. p. 224 225. Love Gods love Foure Signes of Gods love to us p. 5 to 21. Gods love to us acts three wayes especially p. 5 6. How great Gods love in giving Christ for us p. 6 7. How or wherein God hath loved us first p. 10. Gods loving us first a mighty motive to us to love God p. 10 11 12. God loved us first p. 200. Six Signes of the actuall applying of Gods love and Christs to us p. 201 202. Our love to God Seven eminent Signes of our true love to God p. 13 to 21. Five other Signes of true love to God and Jesus Christ p. 200 to 214. Love to God casts out servile feare p. 20â—… c. See Fear Is a Signe of Communion with God p. 221 222. Makes us Gods house p. 222. Five Signes of dwelling in Gods love p. 223. Love of God and world cannot dwell intensively at the same time in the same heart p. 9 205 206. See world Love of the brethren an evidence of Regeneration p. 168 169. Three Signes of not loving them p. 170. Seven Signes of true love to them p. 170 to 173. Eight more Signes p. 228 to 233. Testimony of our heart or conscience touching this love p. 183 to 185. Brotherly love a Signe of spirituall life p. 191 192. A Signe of true knowledge of God p. 199. A Signe of true love to God p. 213. These Bernards two wings p. 213. A Sign of Communion with God 228. Manichees their errour about sinne in the regenerate p. 33. Martyrs Their admirable courage in Cyprians time p. 152 153 155. Divers speeches of Martyrs glorying in their sufferings p. 160 161. Motions Not every sinning against gracious motions is the sin against the Holy Ghost p 87 88 89. N New-birth See Regeneration O Obedience is threefold p. 195. Sâ—…x Signes of true obedience to Gods Commandements p. 195 196 197. Keeping Gods Commandements cheerfully a Signe of our true love to God p. 208 209. and why p. 210. Eight Signes that his Commandements are not gâ—…evous to us p. 210 211 212. Keeping Gods Commandements a Signe of our Communion with God p. 227. Overcoming errour See Errour Overcoming the world See World P Pelagians Their errour about sin in the Regenerate p. 33 34. Practising of sinne p. 46 47 48. See sinne Practice of righteousnesse See Righteousnesse Presumption what it implies p. 43 44. Five Signes of Presumption or sinning presumptuously p. 43 to 46. Primitive truth See Truth Purifie Hope of glory puts Saints upon selfe purifying as God is pure How p. 175 176. Six Signes of true selfâ—…-purifying by hope of glory p. 177 178 179. R Recompence of reward How faith eying the recompence of reward overcoms all the troubles of the world in five singular acts p. 158 to 162. Regeneration Nine remarkable Signes of Regeneration most largely opened p. 21 to p. 180. Regenerate persons never fall into that sin against the Holy Ghost proved by three Reasons p. 62 to 67. Reign of sin two Signes of it p. 39 40. Relapses into sin dangerous yet not desperate p. 89 90. Righteousnesse Practising righteousnesse a Signe of Regeneration p. 162. Five grounds of it p. 163 164. Four sorts of signs of true practising Righteousnesse Matter Ground Manner End p. 164 to 168. S Seed What the seed remaining in the regenerate is p. 31 32. Separation from the trâ—…e Church of Christ and Communion of Gods people how dangerous p. 98 and 185 186 187. Sin against the Holy Ghost See Holy Ghost Sinne. He that commits sinne is of the devill p.
lost it and retained when they have goâ—… possession of it IV. Inducements unto Assurance I. Non-Assurance of Gods favour in Christ and of our true state of grace in him is a maâ—… nifold misery and prejudice to the dear childreâ—… of God For 1. This is a bad Signe 1. Sometimes of the defectïvenesse anâ—… weaknesse of grace in such that they are buâ—… babes not grown men in Christ because theiâ—… spirituall senses are not as yet exercised so faâ—… as to discerne the things of God in themâ—… selves and that they want very much oâ—… the Anointing of the Spirit to reveale untâ—… them the things of the Spirit Now Chriâ—… stians should strive to get out of their infaâ—… cy and imbecillity of grace not still remainâ—… ing children and babes in faith and knowâ—… ledge but labouring to become men in Christ growing up unto perfection 2. Sometimes of the strength and prevaiâ—… ing of corruption and temptation when Dâ—… vid had relapsed he lost the joy of Gods salvâ—… tion Great fals aftonish and amaze botâ—… corporall and spirituall senses And it mucâ—… concernes all Christians to wrastle againâ—… entangling temptations and recover theâ—… selves out of Relapses 3. Sometimes of spirituall desertions that the Lord hath in some measure forsaken the soule and withdrawn himselfe as in the case of David Heman Asaph and the Church her selfe Now spirituall desertions are such overwhelming afflictions to the soule that hath once truly tasted of the sweetnesse of Christs presence that the gracious heart is wholly restlesse till it be again re-embraced in the dearest armes of love and favour 2. This is one great cause of Christians dejectednesse and uncomfortablenesse that though they are in a state of grace yet they cannot discerne themselves to be in such a gracious State To be in the true State of grace is the happiest ground of comfort but till there be some apprehension and knowledge of that our State oft-times we have small sense of comfort As Hagar when her bottle of water was spent and her childe ready to die she sate down full of perplexity and yet there was a Well in the place the Well did not comfort her though close by her till the Lord opened her eyes to see it How pensive and sad were the two Disciples going towards Emmaus about Christs death though Christ risen from the dead was in their company and talked with them whilest their eyes were holden that they should not know him How did Mary Magdalene stand weeping by Christs Sepulchre supposing that his dead body was thence stollen away though Christ revived and risen stood close by her and why Christ was present but she did not know him So if we be close by the Well of grace if Christ be present with us yea in us if yet we know it not we are still in our discomforts our teares and sorrows are still flowing David was told by the Prophet The Lord hath put away thy sinne but because David had not the sense and apprehension hereof he wanted the joy of Gods salvation and groaned still under his broken bones a good while after II. God hath often charged his people to contend after the security and assurance of their Spirituall State Give diligence to make your calling and election sure Examine your selves whether you be in the faith c. Let us draw neere with a true heart in full assurance of faith We desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end III. It is Possible that such as are in a state of grace may if the fault be not their own come to know and be assured they are in such a state For 1. Many Scriptures intimate this 2. The Nature of saving Knowledge Faith and Hope tend to this 3. Many Gracious persons have sometimes attained to this though at other times not without their doubtings and infirmities As Iob David Hezekiah Thomas Peter Paul the Church her selfe Finally Assurance of our gracious state is richly worth all earnest endeavours after it They that once attaine to it as hereafter is manifested finde a Jewell of great price and no stranger shall intermeddle with their joy The Summary Contents of the severall Chapters in this Book CHAP. I. Evidences of Gods love to us 1. CHrists being sent to die for us that we might live by him 1 Joh. 3. 16. and 4. 9 10. page 5. 2. Adoption 1 Ioh. 3. 1. p. 7. 3. Our not loving the world c. inordinately 1 Ioh 3. 15 16 17. p. 8. 4. Our true love to God 1 Ioh. 4. 19. p. 10. CHAP. II. Evidences of our Regeneration Adoption Sonship 1. That the world knoweth us not 1 Ioh. 3. 1. p. 21. 2. True believing that Jesus is the Christ 1 John 5. 1. p. 23. 3. Not committing or practising of sinne 1 Iohn 3. 8 9. p. 29. 4. Overcoming erroneous hereticall spirits and their seducements 1 Iohn 4 1 4. p. 127. 5. Overcoming the world by faith 1 Iohn 5. 4 5. p. 142. 6. Doing or practising of righteousnesse 1 Iohn 2. 29. and 3. 10. p. 162. 7. True love of the Brethren 1 Iohn 3. 10. and 4. 7. and 3. 14. p. 168. 8. Hope and assured apprehension in some measure that we shall be conforme â—…o God and Christ in his glorious appearing 2 Iohn 3. 2. p. 173. 9. In hope of glory purifying our selves as he is pure 1 Iohn 3 2 3. p. 173. CHAP. III. Evidences that we are of the truth and of the number of Gods people 1. Having an Unction from the Holy One teaching us all â—…hings 1 Iohn 2. 19 20 27. p. 180. 2. The Testimony of our heart touching our true love of the â—…rethren 1 Iohn 3. 18 19 20 21. p. 183. 3. Perseverance with the faithfull in Christ and in the truth 〈◊〉 Ioh. 2. 19. CHAP. IV. V. Evidences of being in light not in darknesse in life not in death 1 Actuall interest in and enjoyment of Jesus Christ 1 Iohn 〈◊〉 11 12. p. 188. 2. Loving and not hating of our brother 1 Ioh. 2. 9 10 11. and 〈◊〉 14 15. p. 191. CHAP. V. Evidences of our true knowledge of God and of Iesus Christ. 1. Real and sincere keeping of Gods Commandements 1 Iohn 〈◊〉 3 4. p. 193. 2. Not sinning 1 Ioh. 3. 6. p. 197. 3. A right entertaining and hearkening to the true Apostolical â—…octrine 1 Ioh. 4. 5 6. p. 197. 4. Brotherly love 1 Ioh. 4. 7 8. p. 199. CHAP. VI. Evidences of our true love to God and to Iesus Christ. 1. When our love to God flows from Gods love to us 1 Iohn 〈◊〉 19. p. 200. 2. Casting out of base servile fear 1 Iohn 4. 18 19. p. 202. 3. Not loving the world c. excessively 1 Ioh. 2. 15. 16. p. â—…05 4. Keeping Gods Commandements and that
the â—…ore I am athirst and cannot be satisfied with â—…t nor I nor any one perfectly loving Christ. This love the more it is eaten the more it augâ—…ents hunger the more it 's drunken the more â—…t incites thirst it so inebriates that minde wherein it dwells that it seeks or loves nothing â—…or possibly can love besides him who so loved â—…he world that he gave his only begotten Sonne â—…hat whosoever believes and loves him might â—…ot die but live with him And in a more speâ—…iall manner God the Son's love first prevented us in his giving himselfe for us When Christ stood by Lazarus his grave and wept for him the Jewes said Behold how he loved him Iohn 11. 35 36. much more may we say when Christ did more then weep for us when he bled for us when he dyed for us Behold and admire how he loved us Iohn 10. 11. and 15. 12 13. Rom. 5. 8. Eph. 5. 25. Gal. 2. 20. Rev. 1. 5. Can we possibly look upon this love of Christ and not be wholly overcome with it over-powered with it ravisht with it and irresistibly constrained with it tâ—… love Christ againe 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Let 〈◊〉 say with Bernard in his holy rapture oâ—… affections to Christ Behold how he loved uâ—… he chose to die for us lest we should be doomeâ—… to death eternall he rose from the dead that hâ—… might render us partakers of his resurrectiâ—…on he ascended into heaven that he might advance us into celestiall places and he sits at thâ—… right hand of the Father seating and crowning gladding and placing there such as he hath redeemed with his own blood such as he hath joyned to himselfe with the cement of love aâ—… the same right hand of the Father with himselfe Therefore let us love adore and affect thiâ—… Christ without measure beyond measure without bonds beyond limits daily continually with all the heart with all the mind witâ—… all our power with all our graces Thus we shall love him that first loved us Now then dost thou truly love God with all thy heart and soul or if that be too high and hard a question at least dost thou truly desire to love him and love to desire him Doubtlesse this is an evidence that God loves thee For nothing but his infinite â—…ame of love to thee kindles this spark of â—…ve in thee Quest. But by what signes may I know â—…at I truly love God and Iesus Christ or â—…t least truly desire to love him Answ. Thou mayest know that thou truâ—…y lovest him or desirest to love him if thou â—…ovest him or desirest to love him 1. Atractively 2. Intensively 3. Sincerely â—…4 Purely 5. Obedientially 6. Invincibly â—…7 Uncessantly 1. Attractively and unitingly when God â—…nd Jesus Christ are so indeared to the â—…eart that the soule restlessely groanes â—…nd pants after the enjoyment of them As in David As the Hinde panteth after â—…he water brooks so panteth my soule after â—…hee O God my soule thirsteth for God for the â—…iving God Psal. 42. 1. 2. As in Moses I beseech thee shew me thy glory Exod. 31 18. As in the Church Make haste my beloved and â—…e thou like to a Roe or to a young Hart upon the mountaines of Spices Cant. 8. 14. Christ saith Surely I come quickly The Church echoes Amen even so come Lord Iesus Rev. 22. 20. There is a principle of motion in bodies naturall as in earth that makes it descend to â—…its center in fire that makes it ascend to its proper resting place and if impediments interpose not they cannot rest till they be united to them thus that soule that truâ—… loves God hath an inward supernaturâ—… principle drawing it after God Nor can acquiesce or center it selfe any where but 〈◊〉 God the most amiable God having scatteâ—… ed some sparks of his love in our hearts aâ—… lures us after him as fire drawes fire oâ—… as the loadstone snatcheth the iron unto 〈◊〉 selfe by its attractive magnetick propertâ—… Doth Gods love and lovelinesse so snatcâ—… and steale away thine heart after God thâ—… thou longest to enjoy God to have union tâ—… him and Communion with him that 's truâ—… love love is a cementing soddering magnetick grace If thine be such then 1. Whaâ—… griefe hast thou in his absence 2. What de sire of his presence 3. What delight in his enjoyment A true uniting love discovers iâ—… selfe in all these 1. What griefe is the absence of God and Christ to thy soule Daviâ—… laments when God did hide his face Psaâ—… 22. 1 c. Psal. 13. 1 c. It was as a sword iâ—… his bones when the enemy said Where iâ—… thy God Psal. 42. 10. But God had ever broken his bones to shivers when he had taken the joy of his salvation from him Psal. 51. 8 12. And the Church is heart sick sick oâ—… love when Christ had but a little withdrawâ—… himselfe from her Cant. 5. 6 8. Where is thy paine thy sicknesse thy grief thy tears in Gods withdrawings Love is impatient oâ—… divorce or distance Thou lovest him but 〈◊〉 little if for his love thou dost not daily sigh â—…nd weep for his absence is wont to be a flood of â—…ears to the loving spouse when she seeks him â—…ut finds him not calls but he answers not noâ—…hing pleaseth her but weeping 2. What deâ—…ires and groanes hast thou after the presence of God and Iesus Christ My soule thirsteth for â—…ee my flesh longeth for thee My soule â—…olloweth hard after thee Psal. 63. 1 8. Here was Davids love I have suffered the losse of all things and do count them but dung that I may winne Christ Phil. 3. 8. Here was Pauls love Let him kisse me with the kisses of his mouth Cant. 1. 2. Draw me we shall run after â—…hee verse 4. Turne my beloved and be thou like a Roe or young Hart upon the mountaines of Bether Cant. 2. 17 Here is the Churches love But where is thy love where is thy desires of the enjoyment of God and Jesus Christ dost thou strive like the diseased woman to draw near to Christ that by a salutiferous touch of the hem of his garment thou may'st as it were steale spirituall soundnesse to thy miserable soule or like Thomas that man of desires desirest thou to see and touch Christ and not only so but to approach to the sacrâ—… wounds of his side that doore of the Ark which was made in the side that thou mayeâ—… thrust in not only thy finger or thy whole hand but that thy whole self also mayest enter inâ—… the very heart of Iesus into that holy of holies into that Arke of the Testament into the golden pot the soule of our humanity whereiâ—… is the Manna of the Divinity I mean dosâ—… thou long for most intimate enjoyment oâ—… and Communion with Jesus Christ both God and man this is love indeed 3. Finally what delight and contentment dost
25. 1 Cor. 2. 8 11. Nor knowes it the children of God and what priviledges comforts and happinesse belongs unto them and that even in this life in the state of grace 1 Cor. 2. 9. 2. Sometimes an act also of the will or a joynt act of the minde and will regarding favourably respecting loving affecting approving things known Psal. 101. 4. Thus God is said to knowâ—… the way of the righteous Psal. 1. 6. Christ knowâ—… his sheep Job 10. 27. and so not to love noâ—… to approve is not to know Acts 7. 18. Matth. 7. 23. and 25. 12. In this sense the carnâ—… world knowes not God nor Christ i. e. lovâ—… them not cares not for them but ratheâ—… hates them Exod. 5. 2. Ier. 5. 4. And thâ—… also the world knowes not the children of God i. e. loves them not cares not for them but hates them persecutes them c. because such Iohn 15. 18 19. 1 Iohn 3. 12. So that the more the world hates us for Gods sake Christs sake as Christians the more encouragement we may have that we are not of the world but chosen out of the world into Gods family 1 Pet 4. 16 17. True believing that Iesus is the Christ evidenceth that we are borne of God Whosoever believeth that Iesus is the Christ is born of God 1 John 5. 1. For clearing this evidence of Regeneration Consider these two Questions 1. What is meant here by believing that Iesus is the Christ 2. Whence it may be evinced that whosoever does truly thus believe is borne of God Quest. 1. What is it to believe that Iesus is the Christ Answ. Faith or believing as it relates to Christ hath especially two primary and most remarkable acts viz Assenting and Applying 1. The Assenting act of faith is that whereby faith assents to Gods whole Scripture-Record touching Jesus Christ as true 1 Iohn 5. 10 11. viz. That this Jesus which is revealed so fully to us in the New Testament both in his Person and Offices is no other then the Christ the true Messiah or anointed of God that was fore-promised fore-prophesied of and prefigured under all periods of the Old Testament from the fall of the first Adam to the fulnesse of time for the incarnation of the second Adam to be the only Mediatour betwixt God and man and Saviour of the world This some call Dogmaticall faith some Historical faith because it barely and precisely entertaines the Doctrine and History of Scripture as Truth without any particular appropriation of any thing of Christ to them that so believe Now this bare naked assenting act of faith cannot be a character of Regeneration nor the faith here intended For 1. Hypocrites may assent to the truth of the Record which God hath given touching Christ. For we read often of the faith of such as Luk. 8. 13. Acts 8 13. which believing of theirs was at least an Assent for Assent to truth revealed is the least and lowest act of faith 2. Devils may assent to this truth Dogmatically That Iesus is the Christ yea they have assented to it and known it to be so See Mar. 1. 24. Luke 4. 34 41. Yet nor Hypocrites nor devils are regenerate 2. The Applying act of faith is that whereby faith having assented to the truth of all Gods Record touching Christ proceeds to apply and appropriate all particularly to a mans self as did Paul Who loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2. 20. and Thomas My Lord and my God John 20. 28. This appropriating act of faith is sometimes called believing on the Son of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. into the Son of God 1John 5. 10. believing on his Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. into his Name 1 John 5. 13. John 1. 12. coming to him John 6. 35. receiving him John 1. 11 12. having the Son 1 John 5. 12. tasting him 1 Pet. 2. 3. eating him eating his flesh and drinking his blood John 6. 53 54 56 57. compared with ver 47. all which expressions denote faith's appropriating of Christ unto the particular individual believing soul as his Christ Priest Prophet and King as his Jesus his Saviour c. from whom he expects and looks for Redemption Righteousnesse Pardon Holinesse Adoption Peace Comfort Grace Glory and every thing that is promised or is to be expected from the Messiah as Calvin well observes To believe that Iesus is Christ is to hope for all those things from him which were promised of the Messiah This is true justifying faith Rom. 5. 1. now this is the faith here meant this is the true believing that Jesus is the Christ. Discoveries or Characters of this true faith are many Take these seven which gradually depend one upon another viz. 1. The habit of this faith is infused into the soul by God in Regeneration Eph. 2. 8. Iohn 1. 12 13. 2. This habit infused is brought into act by the Fathers drawing the soul to Christ. Iohn 6. 44. This drawing is effected 1. By discovering the necessity of Christ to salvation Acts 4. 11 12. 2. By displaying the sufficiency and alluring Excellency of Christ for salvation Heb. 7. 25. Cant. 5. 10. to the end 3. By manifesting the possibility of obtaining Christ and salvation by him 1 Tim. 1. 16. 4. By propounding the willingnesse and readinesse of God and Christ to entertain poor sinners Matth. 11. 28 29. Iohn 7. 37. Isaiah 55. 1. Iohn 6. 37. Luke 15. 20. to the end 5. By disclosing the invaluable happinesse in gaining Christ 1 Iohn 5. 12. Iohn 3. 16 18 36. And 6. By stirring up ardent strong desires in the heart after Christ that the soul is restlessely thirsting till he be obtained Isa. 55. 1. Iohn 7. 37. 3. Faith thus infused and acted is perswaded to accept Christ upon his own termes viz. self-denyal bearing the Crosse and following Christ and actually accepts him Luk. 9. 23. Iohn 1. 12. 4. Faith having received Christ tastes such sweetnesse and pleasantnesse in him that Christ is most precious to the soule 1 Peter 2. 3 7. and all things in the world are but losse and dung unto him Phil. 3. 8. Oh how is the soul filled with joy and peace in believing Rom. 15. 13. and 5. 1. and so it sits down under Christs shadow with great delight and his fruit is sweet unto its taste Cant. 2. 3. 5. Faith having thus taken and tasted Christ notably enlivens and quickens the soule that not so much the Believer lives as Christ by faith lives in the Believer Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 1. 17. Hab. 2. 4. Christ principally knows wills loves prayes and in a word performes all spiritual motions in him Oh that 's a sweet life indeed whereof Christ is both Authour to give it and Pilot to guide it 6. Faith having enlivened the soul by Christ it notably puts forth it self in vital operations from Christ. For true living faith is a working and fruit-bearing faith as Iames
will not yield though oft admonished though self condemned Tit. 3. 10. As Augustine noted in his time * An hereticall spirit is an incurable spirit So may we observe in all ages and specially in this of our own touching carnal men becoming hereticall how impenitently stubbornly hopelâ—…sly do they persist in their Errours and Heresies how few if any reclaimed This is a wicked disposition Did â—…ey fear God saith * Augustine they would â—…y To erre is humane but through animosity to persist in Errour is diabolicall It were best â—…f we never erred It were next that that we â—…mended our Errour 4. Though carnal men yea perhaps Devils themselves may contrary to some errours hold and confesse some truths yet they neither oppose errours nor hold and confesse truth as those do that are the childeren of God And therefore this hinders not but that the overcoming of erroneous hereticall spirits is a signe or evidence of such as are born of God For 1. Carnal men oppose not Errour embrace not truth from any supernatural illumination or spirit of discerning but meerly from carnal light Natural or Acquired For all that is in and from carnal men is as themselves meerly carnal they are in the flesh Rom. 8. 8. they are nothing but flesh That which is born of the flesh is flesh Joh. 3. 6. They are very darknesse Eph. 5. 8. Hence therefore the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. But the children of God oppose Errour and Heresie and embrace the contrary Truths from principles supernaturall viz. from the Spirit of God revealing the things of God unto them 1. Cor. 2. 10 11 12 13 15 16. and enabling them to understand them so revealed 1 Joh. 2. 27. 2. Carnal men hold not confesse not the truth from sincere love to it for the carnall mind is enmity against God Rom. 8. 7. and where the mind it selfe is enmity against God can there be in the heart any sincere love to Gods truth Of carnall Heathens it 's said they liked not to retain God in their knowledge Rom. 1. 28. and of carnal Gospellers it 's said Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved for this cause God shall send them strong delusion 2 Thess. 2. 10 11. But the children of God sincerely embrace and professe the truth in love they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Truthingâ—… it in love Eph. 4. 15. yea they so love the truth that they have not loved their liberties and lives that they might defend and maintain it Rev. 2. 13. This difference Augustine notably observed Behold ye have heard in the Gospel what Peter said Thou art Christ the Son of the living God Mat. 16. 16. Read and â—…e shall find the Devils said We know thee â—…ho thou art the Son of God Mar. 1. 24. But Peter is commended the Devils curbed 〈◊〉 same voice divers deeds Where are these 〈◊〉 confessions differenced Love is commended Feare is condemned for the Devils said â—…t this out of love Thou art the Son of God they said it in fear not in love And the same Author elsewhere saith This said Peter this the Devils also the same words but not the same minde But whence was it because Peter spoke this with love for the faith of a Christian is with love But the Devils faith is without love How without love Peter said this that he might embrace Christ the Devils said it that Christ might depart from them c. 3. Carnal men though they confesse Goâ—… truth in words yet they deny it in deeâ—…s 〈◊〉 contrary to the Lord and his truth â—…it 〈◊〉 15 16. But the children of God not only believe the truth 2 Thes. 2. 13. and professe or confesse the truth But they also act for the truth 2 Cor. 13. 8. and walk in the truth 2 Joh. 4. 3 Joh. 3 4. V. Overcoming the world by faith may be a 5 â—h Signe or Evidence of Regeneration Whatsoever is borne of God overcometh the world and This the victory that overcometh the world even our faith Who is he that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Iesus is the Son of God 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. Here we have Two adversaries The victory The means of victory 1. Two adversaries the Regenerate them that are borne of God â—…n one part who are chiefly Defensive as the whole armour of God is chiefly Defensive Eph. 6. 14 to 19. And the world on the other part which is principally Offensive Joh. 15. 18 19 20 And what is this world 1 Partly the men of the world who have their portion in this present life Psal. 17. 14. These lie in wickednesse 1 Joh. 5. 19. these hate the Saints because they are not of the world but chosen out of the world by Christ Joh. 19. 19. Understand then wicked worldlings with all their persecutions of the righteous 2 Partly 〈◊〉 worlds lusts the lust of the flesh the lust 〈◊〉 the eyes and the pride of life 1 Joh. 2. 16. The lust of the flesh i. e. not only carnal corruptions but all the pleasures delights and câ—…ntentments that the flesh or body desires The lust of the eyes i. e. not only libidinous lustfull looks but also all that vanity of the eye about the vain pomp beauty honours glory riches and glittering splend or of the world And pride of life i. e. All that ambition ostentation bragging self-admiring contempt of others caâ—…nal confidence arising from confluence of worldly enjoyments These now are the two adversaries viz. the Regenerate and the World the world with all its wicked and their oppositions with all its lusts their ensnaring insinuations 2. The victory not on the worlds side but on the Regenerates side Whatsoever is born of God overcâ—…meth the world 3. The meanes of this victory Faith in Christ the Son of God All this is wonderfull in our eyes 1. What inequality in the Adversaries The whole world with all its vassals with all its furies and persecutions with all its lusts with all its snares of honours riches pleasures c. and all this against the Regenerate Alas how few how contemptible how feeble are they I A little flock Luk. 12. 32. Worme Iacob Isa. 41. 14. 2. What imbecillity of the means of the Saints safety against the world Faith Faith a self-emptying grace a poor beggerly hand only rich or strong in receiving from another and perhaps a weak palsie trembling hand But the battell is not to the strong Remember David and Goliah how weak and naked David how strong how harnessed was Goliah 3 What succesfull prevalencie notwithstanding of the Regenerate against the world Not only their deliverance from but defence against the world Not only defence against but victory over the world Not only victory but universall victory Whatsoever
his delight 2. His Son not his Sheep or Oxen or Servant but his Son 3. His begotten Son not an adopted Son 4. His only begotten Son nor one Son among many but his only Son by Sarah the Free-woman by whom he had no more 5. This the Son of the Promise in whom his seed should be called and all the Nations of the earth be blessed 6. This Son sacrificed intentionally though not actually as a Burnt-Offering 7. And all this by Abraham his own Father O glorious Faith that can make such a man as Abraham so part with as to sacrifice such a treasure as Isaac Canst thou thus part with thus conquer the world as Abraham Excellently to this purpose said George Carpenter of Emering Martyr in Bavaria My wife and my children are so dearly beloved unto me that they cannot be bought from me for all the riches and possessions of the Duke of Bavaria but for the love of my Lord God I will willingly forsake them 4. Finally By resting on God alone at the only Rock and foundation of our true joy and comfort both while the world is with us and when the world shall leave us 1. While the world is with us we conquer it by Faith if we fetch our comforts from an higher richer spring then the world viz. God David in midst of his Royall enjoyments said Whom have I in heaven but thee and in earth there 's none that I desire with thee mine heart and my strength faileth but thou art the strength of my heart and portion for ever Psal. 73. 25. And elsewhere Many say Who will shew us good But Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us Thou hast put more gladness in mine heart then in the time when their Corne and New-wine increased Ps. 4. 6 7. 2. When the world shall leave us yet our joy and comforts leave us not because our God forsakes us not Thus we overcome the world when though the world be down our hearts are up As Habbakuk Although the Fig-tree shall not blossome neither fruit be in the Vines the labour of the Olive shall faile and the Fields shall yield no meat The flock shall be cut off from the Fold and there shall be no herd in the Stalls Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my salvation Hab. 3. 17 18. Thus Faith overcomes the worlds smiling and fawning II. True faith vigorously and victoriously acts against the frownes of the world The world frownes against the Regenerate in all its common tribulations or speciall persecutions either by hating reproaching spoiling imprisoning tormenting or murdering them Thus it frowned upon righteous Abel Gen. 4 8 9 10. Upon Isaac Gal. 4. 29 Upon Israel Exod. 1. c. 2. Upon Ioseph Psal. 105. 17 18. Upon Iob Job 1. Upon David Psal. 73. 14. Upon all the Prophets Acts 7. 52. Upon all the Apostles 1 Cor 4. 9. Upon all that will live godly in Christ Iesus 2 Tim. 3. 12. Yea upon Jesus Christ himself Isa. 53. Phil. 2. 7 8. Heb 12. 2 3. Yet Regenerate persons by Faith in Christ overcome the world in all its frownes and storme and this many wayes viz. 1. By encouraging them against base carnal feares Feares oft-times more annoy the Saints then feelings of distresses Faith steels the gracious heart against these servile feares and makes it exceeding magnanimous As in Moses Parents By faith Moses when he was borne was hid three moneths of his Parents because they saw he was a proper child and they not afraid of the Kings commandment Heb. 11. 23. In Moses himself By faith he viz. Moses forsook Egypt not fearing the wrath of the King far he endured as seeing him which is invisible Heb 11. 27. As also in those valiant Champions Who through faith subdued Kingdomes wrought righteousnesse obtained promises stopped the mouths of Lions quenched the violence of fire escaped the edge of the sword out of weaknesse were made strong waxed valiant in fight turned to flight the armies of the Aliens Heb. 11. 33 34. We are not only said Cyprian not afraid of the enemies of the truth but we provoke them 2. By enabling to undergo varieties of cruel trials and torments which without faith would be to flesh and blood most terrible and intolerable And others had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings yea moreover of bonds and imprisonments they were stoned they were sawen asunder were tempted were slain with the sword they wandred about in sheep-skins and goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented of whom the world was not worthy They wandred in deserts and in mountaines and in dens and caves of the earth these all having obtained a good report through faith Heb. 11. 36 to 40. Cyprian hath strange expressions of the Martyres victorious faith in his dayes The multitude present beheld with admiratinn the heavenly combate the combate of God the spiritual conflict the war of Christ his servants standing with a free voice incorrupt minde Divine strength armed not with secular weapons but with weapons of faith The tormonted stood stronger then the tormentors the beaten and but chered members overcame the hands that did beat and butcher them Cruel stripes oft repeated long continued could not overcome their impregnable Faith no not though their bowels were digged out and not so much the members as the wounds of the servants of God were tormented Their blood gushed out which even quenched the burning of persecution yea extinguished the flames and fire of hell with a glorious stream 3. By extenuating and asswaging the extremity of afflictions and persecutions Faith so sustaines and refreshes the inwards of the soul under distresses that they are rather seeming then real distresses shadowes rather then substances As it were poverty As it were imprisonment c. rather then poverty imprisonment indeed As in the Apostles We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despaire persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed 2 Cor. 4. 8 9. And elsewhere more emphatically As unknown and yet well known as dying and behold we live as chastened and not killed as sorrowful yet alwayes rejoycing as poor yet making many rich as having nothing and yet possessing all things 2 Cor. 6. 9 10. Whereas contrariwise through unbelief men are as rich yet really poor as in liberty and yet in greatest bondage as rejoycing and yet in midst of mirth the heart is heavy c. Unbelief turns the rod into a serpent Faith turns the serpent into a rod. 4. By perswading the hearts of the faithful that it is their great priviledge honour and happinesse to suffer for Christ and Righteousnesse sake according to those intimations of Scripture To you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake Phill. 1. 29. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousnesse sake
the same Apostle speaking of this love of these hrethren elsewhere cals them the children of God 1 Joh. 5. 2. And Begotten of him 1 Joh. 5. 1. 2. Partly because love to any other Brethren by Nation Nature Office c. which are relations common to persons unregenerate with the Regenerate may be incident to carnal persons and hypocrites and so can be no distinctive character betwixt them that are borne of God and them that are not III. Some under-notes or Discoveries of true brotherly love or love of the children of God begotten of him We may discover whether we love the Brethren Negatively and Affirmatively as in the former places the Apostle speaks of it both wayes Negatively We love not the Brethren the children of God 1. Whilest we continue the seed of the serpent and are of the world for there is naturall enmity betwixt the seed of the serpent and of the woman Gen. 3. 15. betwixt them that are of the world and them that are chosen out of the world Ioh. 15. 19. 2. Whilest we retain our carnal minde and heart which is enmity against God his lawes and wayes Rom. 8. 7. and cannot chuse but from this antipathie hate righteousnesse and supernaturall goodnesse in the Brethren 1 Ioh. 3. 12. 3. Whilest we manifest any fruits of hatred against the Brethren by reproaching them spoiling them in their goods imprisoning them tormenting them murdering them or any way persecuting them Gal. 4. 29. or consenting thereunto Act. 8. 1. 26. 10. Affirmativel We truly love the Brethren the true children of God 1. When we love them as such The brethren for their spirituall brotherhood 1 Pet. 〈◊〉 17. The Godly for Godlinesse sake for God 〈◊〉 them Christians for Christianity for Christ in them The Saints for their 〈◊〉 for their Sanctity of person and Conâ—…rsation The spirituall children begotten for their heavenly Fathers sake begetting them 1 Ioh. 5. 1 2. When Grace is the principal loadstone of our affection when for this we love them more then for Beauty sweetnesse of disposition Birth Breeding learning Wit Parts Gifts Wealth Honour or any carnall worldly Accomplishment whatsoever then we love the Brethren as right 2. Hence When we love and delight inthem above all sorts of people on earth as the most excellent people David saith Thou art my Lord my goodnesse extendeth not to shee but to the Saints that are in the Earth and to the Excellent in whom is all my delight Psal. 16. 2 3. Christ himselfe preferred them that heard the Word of God and kept it as such before his naturall brethren according to the flesh yea before his own mother that bare him and gave him suck as such Mat. 12. 47 48 49 50. Mark 3. 32 33 34 35. Luk. 8. 20 21. 11. 27 28. And the Saints have more intimate endearing continuing Relations to one another in Christ then to all neerest naturall allies whatsoever and are wont accordingly to esteem them Paul loved Onesimas converted as his Son Philem. v. 10. as himself ver 17. yea as his own bowels ver 12. 3. Hence When we love all such as we apprehend to be the children of God For he that loves one child of God as a child of God consequently loves every child of God whether noble or ignoble rich or poor bond or free male or female c. For the same God the same Christ the same Grace is as truly amiable in one as in another See Col. 1. 4. Philem. 5. They that only can love rich Saints in gay clothes with goldrings c. but despise the poor Saints are partiall in their love and have the faith of God with respect of persons Jam. 2. 2 3 4. they love not the person for his graces but rather graces for the person 4. Hence When we love them most that are most gracius other things being alike For where Grace allures the affection the more Grace the stronger motive and allurement Jesus loved all his Disciples Ioh. 13. 1. but Iohn eminently gracious he loved peculiarly above all the rest Ioh 21. 20. yea as grace grows in the same person true love towards him will grow proportionably 5. When we love the Brethren sincerely unfeignedâ—…y really not only in word tongue but indeed and truth 1 Pet. 1. 22. 1 Iob. 3. 16 17. being ready to expresse all amiable respects and acts of love towards them Act. 4. 32. 6. When we peculiarly love their Society â—…ing most intimate contenting delight in â—…r communion above all other Sociâ—…y is hardly dissembled The heart lovingâ—…lights â—…lights must in fellowship with the compaâ—…on beloved I am said David acomâ—…ion of all them that feare thee c. Psal. 19. 63. In them is all my delight Psal. 16. 3. 101. 6. Regenerate persons have no â—…ontenting fellowship with the ungodly Psal. 1. 1 2. 26. 4 5 101. 7. 119. 115. 7. Finally we love the brethren aright â—…hen we love them constantly Christ loves â—…hem to the end Joh. 13. 2. So should they â—…ove one another to the end The ground of their love still continues viz. Gods command Their Spirituall Relation Their true Grace So should their love still continue VIII Hope and assured apprehension in some measure that we shall be conform to God and to Christ in his glorious appearing may be an eighth signe of Regeneration Beloved now are we the Sons of God but it doth not yet appeare what we shall be But we know that when he shall appeare we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 Joh. 3. 2. Here are 1. The gracious Relation of the Regenerate unto God for present Now they are Sonnes 〈◊〉 God 2. The glorious perfections reserveâ—… for them for future For Particular not yeâ—… appearing to us exactly compleatly Foâ—… Generall It shall be a blessed conformity to him in that full trans-forming Beatifiâ—… call vision of him at his appearance which Vision as Augustine hath noted excellâ—… all earthly beauty of Gold Silver Woods Fields Sea Ayre Sunne Moone Starres or Angels surpassing all because all things havâ—… their beauty from it 3. The precognition or knowledge which the Regenerate have of this even in this life We know Knowledge implies some measure of certainty oâ—… assurance hereof in Gods children in thiâ—… life As there are degrees of Faith 2 Thes. 1. 3. So of assurance the highest is fulâ—… assurance Col. 2. 2. Heb. 6. 11. 10. 22. All the Regenerate arrive not at full assurance who yet attaine certainty All reach the certainty of the object beleeved viz. That the glory promised shall certainly be performed iâ—… sure All reach the certainty or assurance of the Subject believing in some sort viz. Some full assurance Many Assurance of sense and Evidence But All reach Assurance of adherence whereby they certainly cleave to and test upon the promises and the happinesse â—…romised this is so of the essence of Faith â—…hat Faith cannot
29 30. He that 's borne of God sinneth not and why p. 29 31 32. In what sense the Regenerate sinne not viz. Not that they are without sinne proved by five Arguments p. 33 to 38. But that They sin not as unâ—…egenerate men sin p. 38. where the difference betwixt the sinning of the regenerate and unregenerate is laid down in Eight remarkable particulars p. 38 to p. 60. viz. The regenerate sin 1. Not against Gospel-remedy p. 38 39. 2. Not as under the reigne of sinne where two Signes of sinne reigning p. 39 40. 3. Not with a full will p. 41 42. 4. Not Presumptuously where five Signes of sinning presumptuously p. 43 to 46. 5. Not habitually Five Signes of sinning habitually p. 46 to 52. 6. Not with allowance of any Bosome-sin p. 52 53. 7. Not totally and finally and why p. 53 to 57. 8. Not only as carnall men do nothing but sinne p. 57 to 60. Not practising of sinne a Signe of Communion with God p. 221. Sonship to God See Regeneration Spirit Eight Signes of the Spirits teaching us p. 183 184. The Spirit given us an evâ—…dence of our Communion with God and Christ p. 214. The Spirit evidences this Communion six wayes p. 215 216. Seven Signes of the Spirit given us p. 216 217. T Taste Hypocrites do but taste the heavenly gift p. 72 73. but taste the good Word of God p 74 75. but taste the powers of the world to come p. 75 76. Teaching of the spirit Eight Signes of the spirits teaching p. 182 183. Tread What to tread under foot the Sonne of God p. 114. Truth Not every errour against truth is the sinne against the Holy Ghost p. 86 87. Three differences betwixt the regenerate and carnall mens embracing truth p. 139 to 142. Three evidences that we are of the truth p. 180 to 188. True abiding in the primitive truth an evidence of our Communion with God p. 217. Four Signes of abiding in the truth p. 218. V Unregenerate Persons unregenerate can do nothing but sinne Reasons of it p. 57 to 60. W Walking as Christ walked See Christ. Walking in light See Light Wilfully what to sin wilfully p. 106 107. Wings Love to God and our Neighbour two wings whereby we fly to heaven p. 213. World knowes not Gods children See Know World Love of the world why inconsistent with the love of God p. 8 9 205 206. Three Signes of inordinate love of the world p. 9 10. Twelve more Signes hereof p. 207 208. World Overcoming the world by faith a Signe of Regeneration p. 142 to 144. How faith overcomes the smiles of the world which are more dangerous by four notable acts p. 145 to 151. How faith overcomes the frownes of the world by nine most excellent acts p. 151 to 162. 1 Tim. 1. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 FINIS a Ps. 144. 15. b Mat. 19. 16 17. c Gen. 17. 1 Mat. 5. 48. d Joh 14. 6. e Jer. 31. 3. 4. f 1 Thos 5. 14 g Ps. 22. 1. and Pâ—… 77. and Ps. 88. h 1 Cor. 2. 12. i Heb. 12. 12. k Ps. 119. 32. l In ipsa epistola satis dulci omnibus quibus sanum est palatum cordis ubi sapiat panis Dei satis memorabili in sancta Ecclesia Dei maxime charitas commendatur Aug. Praefat in 1. Epist. Ioan. m Joh. 13. 23. and 19. 26. and 20. 2. and 21. 7 20. n Mat. 7. 16 17 18. o 1 Tim. 6. 5. p 1 Tim. 1. 6. q 2 Pet. 1. 10. r Isa. 55. 2 s 1 Tim. 6. 12 19. t 1 Pet. 5. 10. u Gal. 5. 22 23. x Col. 2. 2. y Heb. 10. 22. z Heb. 6. 11 18 19. a Psal. 1. 2 c. 144. 15 b Eph. 5. 8. c Luk. 15. 32. d 1 Pet. 2. 10. e Eph. 4. 24 Col. 3. 10. f 2 Pet. 1. 4. g Eph 4. 18 h 2 Cor. 6. 18. i Heb. 2. 11 k 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. 2 Cor. 6. 6 l Rom. 8. 29 30. m John 12. 26. n John 15. 14 15 o 1 John 3. 1 2. Eph. 2. 19 p Rom. 8. 17. Gal. 4. 7 q Psal. 34. 9 10 r Rom. 8. 1 s Rom. 8. 35 c. t Rom. 8. 28 u 1 Tim. 4. 8. 2 â—…et 1. 3. 2 Cor. 1. 20 x 1 Cor. 3. 22 23. Rom. 8. 32 y Psal. 144 15. z Prov. 24 13 a Pro. 23. 5 b Isa. 23. 9 c August Praef. in 1. Ep. Ioan. d Deut. 32 4 Joh. 17. 3 I. e Rom. 4 21. 2. Tim. 1. 12. 2 Cor. 1. 20. II. f Rom. 8. 38. g Eph. 3. 11 h Joh. 14. 21 22 23 i 1 John 3. 2 14 19 24. 1 Joh 5. 13 19. 2. 3 5. k Hâ—…b 4. 16 Eph. 312. l Rom. 4 19 20 21. m Col. 2. 2. n Heb. 6. 11. 18 19. o Heb. 10. 2â—… p Joâ—… 1. 12 q Act. 11. 23 r Job 13. 15 s 2 Cor. 5 17 t 1 Joh. 1. 7. u Rom. 8. 1 x 1 John 3. 14 y Menti nostrae fides nostra conspicua est Aug. Ep. 112. c. 3. Eamfidem tenet certissimâ scientiâ cla matque conscientia z Qui fidei suae sensum in corde habet hic scit Christum Jesum in se esse Ambros. in Ep. 2. ad Corinth cap. 13. ver 5. a Rom. 4. 17 18 19 20 b Hos. 8. 1 2 3 c Prov. 14. 16 d Lâ—…k 18. 11 12 e Rev. 3 17 f Rom. 8. 15 16. compared with Matth. 11. 28. Isa. 61. 1 2. g Eph. 〈◊〉 13. h 1 Cor. 2. 12 i Rom. 7. 9 Rev. 3. 17 k Hos. 12. 7 8 l Matth. 7. 22 23. Luke 18. 9 to 13 Mat. 19. 20. Phil. 3 m Heb. 6. 4 5 n Maâ—… 9. 2 5 6. Luk. 5. 20 23 o Luke 7. 47 48 p Luke 23. 42 43 q Joh. 1. 12 r Acts 15. 9. Rom. 5. 1. Gal. 5 6 s 2 Tim. 1. 12 t Rom. 8. 16. 1 Joh. 3. 19 20 21. 2 Cor. 1. 12. u Prov. 20 27. x 1 Cor. 2. 10 11 12. y 1 Joh. 3. 24. and 4. 13. 1 Cor. 2. 12 a Eph. 1. 13 b Eph. 1. 14 Rom. 8. 23 c Rom. 8. 16 d 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 11 12 14. e 1 John 2. 27. f 1 John 3. 2 3. g See page 175 to 179. h Deut. 29. 18 19. i 1 Pet. 2. 2 3. k Psal. 50. 16 17. l Cant. 2. 6 7 16 17 compared with Cant. 3. 1 to 6. and 5. 2 10 c. 6. 4. m Psa. 51. 8 12. n â—…osh 1. 15. o â—…osh 24. 15. p 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. q Ps. 118. 28. r Job 21. 14 15 s Job 19. 25 c. t 2 Cor. 1. 12 u Rom. 5. 1 2 3 4 5 x Eph. 2. 12 y 2 Cor. 13. 5 z 1 Thes. 5 a Eph. 4. 30 b 1 Cor. 2. 10 11 12 c. c Rom. 8. 16 Eph. 1. 13 14. with 1 Joh. 3. 24 and 4. 13. d Col. 2. 2 e Heb. 10. 22 f Heb. 6. 11 18 19 g Act. 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 24. 16