the same effect as we before exprest it Le ts then proceed and endeavour to prove it under some distinct heads 1. That Assurance may be had 2. Prescribe some means to attain it 3. Some Rules to clear it And 4. Solve a question how to retain and preserve it 1. First Le ts shew that assurance may be obtained by every true Believer under these Arguments Arg. 1. Because God hath commanded and exhorted us to try and examine our own estate Brit Divines in Synod Dort. Page 140 2 Cor. 13.5 Phil. 2.12 whether we are in the Faith or not and therefore we may know it We are commanded to work out our Salvation with fear and trembling therefore the sense of it may be wrought out and we are urged to do it with fear and trembling to spur us unto godly care lest we should miscarry Again we are enjoyned to give diligence to make our calling and election sure and therefore we may ascertain it 2 Pet. 1.10 and make it plain and evident in the eyes of our Consciences Arg. 2. Because God hath given out many gracious promises of it to the faithful I might gloss on that place Thou shalt know that I am thy Saviour and Redeemer or a clearer in that Isai 60.16 22.17 1 Cor. 2.12 The effect of righteousness shall be quietness and assurance for ever and yet further We have received the Spirit of God that we may know the things freely given us of God. Arg. 3. Because many have enjoyed this honourable favour and high priviledg from God. 1 John 3.2 Quod potuit potest what hath been attained may again We know that when he shall appear we shall be like him and so in several other places I doubt not but many living can put seal to this truth as having lived in this mount of vision Among others who are gone to enjoyment I would call to mind Mr. Benjamin Albyn a Turkey Merchant of good repute for his holiness and whose evidences I have by me approved and signed by some grave and holy Divines Another was my much honoured Mrs. Anna Revell Mother to my beloved Wife Phaehe a very holy Matron and a discerning Christian who acquainted me I think twice with great humility and tears trickling down in a most meek broken and penitent manner which made me value the testimony more than Gold se that she had walked in the light of Gods countenance for thirty years not interrupted I mention it not so much for my happy relation as because of my certain knowledg and indeed she was one who walkt accordingly O that all her remaining Friends and Relations would lay it up as a Jewel of value for them to eye and imitate But it is not every gracious persons attainment adire corinthum to go to heaven feeding on Milk and Honey to carry this glittering Diamond in their bosom Gen. 43.11 They are Gods Josephs to whom he sends the Balm and the choice Fruits of Canaan to feed upon while they are in Egypt Yea of those who enjoy this Sun-shine this transfiguring vision in Tabor all have not equal visions nor the same persons at all times alike but are up and down higher and lower tho they never want a sweet view of the Turrets of Salem yet sometimes it is a little more cloudy but when they skilfully set the Telescope or Prospective of a lively and actuating Faith they may discern plainly the Pinacles of the Temple of Glory and like Moses on Mount Nebo become ravisht with a sight of that lovely Land that land of desire that land of the living that goodly Mountain even Lebanon Which view to speak humbly and with some desired fellowship of this joy gave wings to the soul of Moses and swift feet to his affections Deut. 3.25 when he gave a leap from that pleasant and fragrant Mountain into Glory But to leave the first part of this Chapter and proceed to the second about means and methods to attain Assurance which may be performed 1. By Argumentation 2. By observation of the Spirits influences As to Argumentation 1. First By Arguments drawn from our having and acting of Faith and the effects of it we may obtain some measure of this blessed priviledg Thus Whosoever believes in Christ such a persons sins are pardoned and therefore shall be saved But I believe and therefore I shall be saved The major Proposition is expresly the Word of God and built upon the rock of eternity The minor which is That I believe must be wrought out and proved by the first Chapter of this Treatise or any other holy Directions and then upon examination is to be found in the sense and experience of thine own soul and thence the conclusion will irrefragably and undeniably follow with unspeakable comfort and full of glory Now here a Christian may see how necessary it is to ponder diligently upon the true nature of Faith and to understand its inward essence and actings in casting the soul upon Christ and likewise the distinction of Faith from Assurance and how assurance may be clearly and firmly built upon a sound and a well-argued sense of its being and acting in the soul In the Looking-glass of Assurance the soul beholds it self clinging and cleaving to Christ while he is supporting and carrying it over the stormy Ocean to the haven of glory It is Faith that feeds the Lamp of Assurance and Assurance is the Oil which feeds the Lamp of Joy. 2. We may argue the truth of our Faith by the fruits of holiness and thence inferr and draw forth Assurance Because of the unseparable connexion there is between Faith and holiness 1 John 1.7 whoso walks in the light the blood of Christ cleanseth him from all sin that is whoever is sanctified may thence inferr that he is justified and shall be glorified So Paul argues He that 's washed and sanctified Rom. 8.30 1 Cor. 6.10 11. is also justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and shall inherit the Kingdom of God. If we study to walk to all pleasing we may then give thanks for that we are thereby made meet for the inheritance with the Saints in light Col. 1.10 12. 3. Again Grace in exercise is a most evident token of its real existence and may consequently raise Assurance If a tree flower fragrntly 't is certain it has a root If a Ship be under Sail and its Top-gallants out shews its sound estate and makes way towards its Ophir To be strong and swift in motion demonstrates a strong and healthy soul and is the way to keep it in a happy frame for exercise conduces to health and Strength Waters of great rivers by their voluble motions and tides resist putrifaction and the heavenly bodies by their continual circulations and fiery beams convey their influences to serve all the sublunary generations and accretions Little sparks by agitation conceive larger degrees of fire in the application of more
in his study upon an high hill near Padua he enjoyed the bright and warm beams while it rained all day in the vally and he himself saw the dark and heavy clouds under the hill Few be like to Moses to whom it s granted to walk on tho top of Pisgah till they dye Wherefore such as have once obtained Assurance and a lively hope of glory 1 Pet 1.3 blame them not if they are very desirous to preserve increase and imbellish it more and more For since Assurance may be lost for a season as it was in David Heman and Peter and as in the case of that wounded deserted soul that askt Mr. Dod once Was ever any soul in so dreadful a case as I Yes says that great and skilful comfortor of a wounded conscience Christ on the Cross was in as sad a case Clars Lives when he cried out of the Fathers forsaking him I think it therefore most meet to subjoyn some rules with divine help to maintain and preserve it 1. Take heed of what impairs and darkens assurance as the defect of quickning influences against that pray for the supplies of the Spirit Phil. 1.19 If it rise from a weakness of judgment read more meditate more and cry after knowledg as for hid treasure If the seriousness of your spirits be hurt by minding vanities and the rattles of pride and finery and over-valuing the trifles of this world Pray for a more noble and judicious and generous frame and judg of all wordly mens Jewels as indeed the word jocalia imports as so many whistles and hobbies for children to play with If thou hast lost thy comforts by neglect of holy walking take heed hereafter of damping thy joyes by froth and foolishness Take heed of a vain heart of vain and manifold words Prov. 10.19 and especially fiery tongues wherin Solomon says there wants not sin and of vain converse with their apish and childish tales and jests which are not convenient and tend to corrupt the mind by deceitful lusts Eph. 5.4 These things will blot thy evidences and quench the Spirit of God. Pray that God would not lead thee by his providence into tentations If thou wouldst have the Lord to know or acknowledge thee for his depart from all iniâ—uity and that will prove the foundation to be sure â— Tim. 2.19 Keep the divine commands though you find mixtures of weakness yet in an holy fear and love to the purity of the precept labour to walk in your house with a perfect heart Psal 101.2.112.1 2 Tim. 1.17 â— John 2.3 â— 13 For we may be sure that we know him and be humbly confident that he is our God in Covenant if we keep his Commandments 2. When under great darkness for every stitch we must not run to a Doctor repair to your faithful Interpreter that may reveal and open to a man his righteousness Jâ—b 33.23 some blessed soul that 's higher in acquaintance with heaven then your self as you may humbly judg some experienced christian some faithful grave and prudent friend no babler nor revealer of secrets nor scoffer at the workings of the Spirit as if enthusiasmes he is an unjudicious person and if you cannot well wrestle out the point your self but still your soul droops and drives in the mire and no light of joy comes in then open your soul to some prudent friend and give him leave nay intreat him to search out the coare and conscientiously follow his advice and it may prove a most happy day to your soul by comparing mutual experiences yet remember in matters of weight that might prove a scandal if he should not be wise and faithful be very cautious of discovering what thou shouldst only pour out before the Lord. Psal 142.2 For if he be of a weak envious spirit and once used to speak evil of friends behind their backs use him not he 'l prove a foolish serpent and double your misery 3. Judge not thy grace always by its flowers but search out its sap and root One may be a well spread and weighty christian and yet not flower in much discourse The flowers of some trees fall off quickly and never set in to much visible fruit and some have no flowers at all as the fig and yet yields a wholsome and pleasant fruit 'T is so with some choice and serious christians you shall not hear them talk much unless you pump and draw out the spirits by questions I like them the better For the little they produce is usually much to purpose and of good weight Yea further you may if critical observe that the graces of good men may vary in fruit and have their different seasons but never alter their grain or root Grace may lie hid as the corn under ground after first Sowing yea after 't is come up may bow and hide its green head under a flight of snow And when there 's least of sense or present experience yet the root of Faith like strong winter-corn may grow more inward and downward being covered and kepâ— under by pinching North-east blasts and sharp black frosts till it recover head by an early Spring So indeed the power and strength of grace is best seen and discerned when it persists and stands its ground under a shock of tentations and adversities At length the Sun will return Northward and the sharper the past winters were they l make the new spring the pleasanter Comforts their proper nature lies in being restoratives from bitter troubles and a sweet May-morning is most delightful after a dark and thunder night 4. Take heed of denying the works of the Spirit within thee and labour to discern the gracious fruits of the Spirit as distinct from moral actions and vertues and principally observe your conflicts againâ—â— sin when followed with success Godly jealousie not to be deceived is good therefore search and try thy heart and if thou find sound footing for grace then bless God and honour the Spirit and grieve him not by froward and foolish self-accusations which savour of the spiritual pride of humility but in all meek and humble modest manner own free grace adore divine mercy and testifie to it when thou judgest by the best of thy wisdom that thou art called to give in thy testimony as the Apostle Peter requires and David performs in telling what God did for that poor mans soul as he calls himself Or as Ambrose cited by Mr. Philpot Take away the Law Tolle legem 〈◊〉 fiet certamen See Ambrose as he is cited By Mr. philpot in Fox Martyrs vol. 3. p. 542. 2 Pet. 3.15 Psal 34.6 and then we will dispute against you 5. Assurance should be earnestly prayed for and diligently wrought out by holy labour and it will come Give diligence to make it sure says Peter Surely 't is blessed working in these golden mines It proves with the diligent hand like the works of Chimical Phisitians who
of wounded Spirits and their consolation under the darkest clouds and deepest confusions while we are in this valley of Dragons which is the reason why truly gracious persons wade and dive through Sicknesses Troubles and strong anxieties when wicked and ungodly men languish and perish a thousand times over and over because the former enjoy the sweet influences of the Spirit of God in the promises of the Gospel to cool their consciences and calm their spirits into a halcyon serenity and sometimes tread upon the Asp and Dragon without any fear By these and the like meanes the Scriptures confirm and ascertain themselves like self-evident principles when the Spirit of God strikes aside the Curtains and Vailes of Ignorance and purges the Corruptions out of the minds of men Let all the world rage in Storms of contradiction and like him in Laertius affirm Snow to be black or another that there is no sense in pain or boldly assert the Sun shines not when I see it or a cordial comforts not when I feel it Job 6.4 Psal 38 2. or that a troubled conscience is but a melancholly fancy when the Terrors of the Lord drink up the spirits of men These should be sent to Anticyrae to purge with Hellebor for madness Pray what Energy or power can he in a printed paper in the reading of a Chapter wherewith Austin and Junius were converted from sin to God or what powerful charm in hearing a mean Preacher perhaps none of the Learnedest like the blessed Fishermen of Galilee to change the heart if so many proud haughty and rebellious sinners who of direful Persecutors have sometimes turned tender cherishers and protectors of the Church of God Jer. 22.29 Psal 19.11 Heb. 4.12 Ezek. 2.4.3 11 17. were it not for the fire of the Word of the Lord of Hosts that melts the Stone of the heart and the hammer of that Word that breaks the rocks of the sturdy Zanzummims all to powder insomuch that bitter scoffers have been changed into witty Tertullians and turned their Satyrs into Panegyricks Some morese Philosophers have proved quick and acute disputants in the primitive times to defend the Christian Religion What can that be imagined to be that works so strange effects upon whole Nations from the East to the Western-Indies whitened the Black-Moores civilized the hearts of Scythians more ferine ragged and bruitish than the Rocks and Hyrcanian Tygers that gâ—ve them suck and beautified the barbariously painted Britains far beyond the Oratory of the Gaules It could be no other power than the awful dread of the Divine Majesly and the melting sweetness of his mercy concomitant with his heavenly Word Wherefore such are justly to be suspected for strangers to the work of grace like Nicodemus at first tho a great Doctor in Israel yet a great dunce in the excellenc point of the New-Birth Or like that Doctor at Oxford sometime since that searcht his Dictionary for the word Regeneration and could not tell what to make of it because he found it not there I say we may greatly fear that they never felt this mighty power of the Spirit of God to change their hearts Rom. 1.16 that dare talk so proudly and irreverently against the self-evidencing power of the holy Scriptures on the consciences of men when the Majesty of God shines ten thousand times brighrer in the Meridian of that Book than the Sun without clouds at noon-day in the Zenith of Africa I shall intreat my ingenuous and pious Readers kind leave to descend into the bowels of two arguments to give evidence to the truth of the Holy Scriptures and so conclude this present chapter Which are drawn from the Oracles and Miracles mentioned in this sacred Book The fulfilling of the one and performing of the other to the consternation and amazement of such as had the happiness to be spectators of either are in some part attested and confirmed by Heathens themselves and cleared off by several Writers of unquestionable authority confessing the matters of fact which were accomplisht in the successions of several ages with great exactness and punctuality SECT I. Of Scripture Oracles FOr this purpose it must be laid down for a standing rule that the certain and determinate foreknowledge and prediction of future events long before they come to pass is an undeniable evidence of infinite Wisdom and Power and compatible to no created being Hence the Lord challenges this glory to his own name that former things foretold by him did issue in the time predicted Yea further Isai 42.9 to lift up the people into the mount of observation tells them He would declare new things before they should spring forth of the Womb of Providence Nay Isa 43 9 10 calls to the Heathen to bring out their Witnesses if they had any to justifie their Idols as to the verity of their predictions and then appeals to the Jews as his own Witnesses that they might know believe and understand that he was God and before him there was no God formed nor shall be after him Which argument is amplified and prosecuted in the forty fixth and forty eighth chapters asserting the Divinity of his Essence and the verity of his declarations and prophecies Citations might multiply in which the silver Trumpets of the holy Prophets sound harmoniously in the ears of all Nations 1 Pet. 1.25 proclaiming this mark and character of his eternal Deity and that his words endure for ever and are filled up to the brim with veracity and run over the banks of all ages in chrystalline streams of accomplishments while in the mean time their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Delphian and Dodâ—nean Oracles have filled the Heathen World with crooked serpentine lies and cheats Mat. 5 16. Whereas the very Ordinances of heaven shall sooner be involved into their ancient dismal Chaos then any of these blessed sayings shall in the least tittle be dissolved or made void I shall now enter upon some of the famous Oracles of Scripture which have bin so plainly verified before the eyes of many Nations that several Philosophers and Historians of the Gentiles have confessed this truth and born witness to their eventual fulfillings and doubtless honoured and embraced those Divine Parchments with great veneration when many of them travelled into Syria and had the great happiness by the leave of some Rulers of Synagogues prece pretio using gifts and intreaties to behold and read those heavenly prophecies and 't is more than likely that many notions among the ancient Platonists are corruptions of and Compositions with the matter of those profound Writings But before further procedure I must premise that for want of my Library at hand since my sad recess from my most desired services I am forced to make the best use I can of my memory and therefore cannot make my Citations so perfect and exact as I else would and partly from the defect of Historians in barbarous ages we