the knowledge of God 1. Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctifie you wholly But what wee are taught and commanded to begge in prayer wee are allowed to belieue that we shall obtaine it of free grace The faithfull haue relied vpon God for grace and abilitie to walke in his wayes and to finish the worke wherevnâ—o they were ordained Ph. 1.20 2. Tim. 4.18 Ph. 4.13 But all the faithfull as faithfull be partners in the same promises and priuiledges and liue by the same faith Wee are commanded to cast off the old man which is corrupt Ephes 4.21 22 23 24. with the affections and lusts and to put on the New man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse But in the couenant of Grace God giueth what he requireth Mans dutie is his free gift of grace It is necessarie to belieue God will sanctifie our nature and enable to holinesse It is necessary a Christian should belieue that God will sanctifie his nature and inable him to those duties of holinesse and righteousnesse that he requires For Iustification and Sanctification bee indiuiduall whom God doth acquit from the guilt of sinne and accept as righteous vnto life through Iesus Christ Rom. 8.1 2. 1. Cor. 1.30 them he doth sanctifie by his Spirit to walke before him in newnesse of life Christ himselfe cannot be diuided nor the participation of his benefits If by communion in his death we be deliuered from the curse and malediction of the Law by the power of his Resurrection we are raised vp to liue vnto God If Christians be not perswaded that God will mortifie their corrupt affections and build them forward in holinesse they shall very much stagger coldly set vpon the practice of Christianitie be off an on vnstayed often fainting at the difficultie of the worke dismayed at their manifold slips strong corruptions and little preuailings against them Our owne strength is too weake for the worke of holinesse as to defeat the policies of Satan to represse and vanquish the lusts of our rebellious hearts allurements of the world much more to change and cleanse our hearts which are by nature and custome in sinne so deeply polluted If wee haue not faith to belieue that God will aide assist and blesse vs in our endeuours yea and doe the whole worke for vs what courage can we haue to goe about it What successe are we like to find in it What shamefull foyles and repulses shall we sustaine But setlednesse in this that God will perfect his worke begun causeth men to goe about the practice of mortification with much readinesse chearefulnesse ease stayednesse and happie speed Hee will fight maâ—fully against his lusts and continue in the combate against them who is assured of victorie from God in the end It is a great heartning to resist euill or to doe any good dutie when we belieue God will bee with vs in the one and in the other to giue vs helpe against our enemies and to inable vs vnto the worke and that worke must needs prosper that God will forward and succeed well that hee will bring to perfâ—ction The promises of God concerning spirituall blessings are so lâ—nked together that whosoeuer belieueth not euery one aright hee cannot belieue any one stedfastly as hee ought He shall many times be in doubt of the remission of his sinnes and in feare of falling away who hath not learned to rest vpon God for the grace of sanctification no lesse then for the pardon of his offences for the certaintie of both these is like if it be well considered The acts of faith about the promises of sanctification The acts of Faith concerning these promises bee these and such like First It acquaints a man with his emptinesse of grace the strength of his inbred corruptions how deepe they haue eaten how fast they sticke how vnable he is to crucifie his inordinate affections or to repaire the decayed Image of God in him and that be is in wofull case vnlesse the Lord put to his helping hand Faith in this act doth not properly worke vpon the promise but prepares the heart thereunto And sure it is a worthy lesson for the serious thought of this matter is exceeding forcible to abase and humble him in his owne eyes and so wholly to driue him out of himselfe For hee perceiueth hee is as strongly bound by the tyrannie of sinne to perpetuall slauerie as by the guilt of sinne to the danger of condemnation Could he get pardon for sinne what would this profit so as hee lieth still vnder the power and dominion of sinne from which hee hath no abilitie to deliuer his soule If a man labour of some painfull loathsome incurable disease though in many things hee bee aduanced this will pull downe conceits of greatnesse and when a Christian comes to see how many dangerous noysome spirituall diseases he laboureth vnder he is not lightly affected with it no he abhorreth himselfe and crieth out Rom 7 24. O miserable wretch that I am who shall deliuer me from this body of death how shall I bee cured of these maladies Hereby also he is drawne in all his purposes and râ—solutions to denie himselfe and to relie vpon the power of the Lord who only remaynes victorious Hee purposeth but through the might of God which causeth earnest and heartie prayer to bee strengthened vnto and established in that which is good I will keepe thy statutes Psal 119.8 O forsake mee not vtterly I haue stucke vnto thy Testimonies O Lord put me not to shame Psal 119.32 33. I will runne the way of thy Commandements when thou shalt enlarge my heart Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes and I shall keepe it vnto the end Verse 34. Giue mee vnderstanding and I shall keepe thy Law yea I will obserue it with my whole heart Make me to goe in the path of thy Commandements for therein doe I delight Incline my heart to thy testimonies Verse 35. Psal 17.5 and not to couetousnesse Hold vp my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not Purposes thus grounded bring forth holy performances but when they are taken vp without consideration of our frailtie and we relie not vpon Christ for his grace and assistance they quickly vanish and come to nothing In the time of sicknesse danger disgrace we make faire promises to amend what is amisse and reforme things out of order but when the rod is remoued shortly all is cleane forgotten What may be the reason We stand vpon our owne feet presume to goe alone of our selues by our owne strength and then no maruell if we fall and catch many a knocke Secondly It sheweth where the strength is to bee had which we want and stirres vp to a conscionable diligent and constant vse of the meanes of grace that God hath ordained but lookes vp to him for a blessing and resteth not in the meanes Faith
righteousnesse which is of God through faith For looke as nothing in a poore man can make him rich further then it doth get riches into his possession so nothing in vs sinners can make vs righteous to life further then it doth lay hold on such a righteousnesse which can take away sinne and make vâ— righteous to the receiuing of life eternall Faiâ—h is câ—lled the faith of Christ Gal. 2.16 because Christ is he whom faith doth apprehend and receiue to righteousnesse and life according to that of the Euangelist Iohn â— 36 1. John 3.12 13 He that belieueth on the Sonne of God hath life euerlasting That is the principall obiect of faith for which embraced and receiued by faith eternall life is giuen from grace Ioh. 6 47. 17.3 But eternall life is giuen of grace for Christ embraced or rested vpon by Faith a Ro. 10.10 11. Rom. â— 9 1. Cor. 15.3 To belieue Christ dead and risen as the Apostles taught him is true beliefe but that is not barely to belieue the historie of his Death and Resurrection but the fruits and benefits thereof and that wiâ—h the affiance It is so to belieue the Death and Resurrrection of Christ as thereby to looke for forgiuenesse of sinnes which is to put our trust in the speciall mercie of God through Iesus Christ This is plaine by the words of Martha for when Christ asked her Iohn 11.26 27. Doest thou belieue this that whosoeuer belieueth on me shall not die euerlastingly She answereth yea Lord I belieue that thou art Christ that is I cannot doubt but that those that cleaue to thee shall haue life euerlasting teaching that these confessions imply an affiance and trust of all good through him The Euâ—uch his profession was Acts 8.38 I belieue that Iesus Christ is the Sonne of God but the faith of this Eunuch waâ— a particular confidence of heart whereby he embraced Christ his Sauiour and belieued on him for his particular benefit and comfort Nathanael professed of Christ Iohn 1.49 50. that hee was the King of Israel that he was the sonne of God and so much in generall the Deuilâ— belieue and know Marke 5.7 Luke 8.28 was Nathanaels faith nothing but a bare perswasion that Christ was the Sonne of God yet it was a perswasion ioyned with affiance for he rested vpon him and so belieueâ— the promise of mercie in him God hath raised vp Christ to bee a Prince and Sauiour to giue repentance to Israel Acts â— 21 Rom. 8.34 and forgiuenesse of sinnes and to belieue Christ a Prince and Sâ—uiour raised from the dead and set at the right hand of the Father doth imply trust and affiance in him for forgiuenesse of sinnes and life euerlasting through the grace of God § 2. It is obiected §. 2. that to belieue the power of God is Iustâ—fying faith for our Sauiour required no more of the blinde man Math. 9.27 28. then to belieue that hee was able to heale him And the Leper seemeth to doubt of his will Marke 1.40 Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap. 8. but waâ— well perswaded of his power But it is one thing to looke vnto Christ for bodily health or to receiue a temporall blessing another to belieue in him to Iustification For the faith which Christ requires to Iustification is such a faith as doth acquite vs from our sinnes and doth procure vs righteousnesse But many were healed by our Sauiour that for ought can be proued were not acquited from their sinnes And if these blinâ—e men had only belieued that he was able to â—ure the malady of their eies notwithstanding this their faith their soules had beene vncured their sinnes vncouered Many that were cured of their bodily infirmities were also healed of their spirituall diseases not because they belieued his power to helpe them but because they relied vpon him as their only Sauiour And the testimonie it selfe sheweth that the blinde men belieued Christ to be the Messias in times past promised of the Father and now exhibited so that they might belieue to iustification Heb. 11.33 34 35. but their beliefe of his omnipotencie did not iustifie them The writer to the Hebrewes sheweth in diuers examples that by Iustifying faith some subdued Kingdomes other some stopt the mouthes of Lions certaine quenched the force of fire others escaped the edge of the sword c. All which things though temporall were atchieued by Iustifying faith which is the hand of the people of God to receiue good by but faith iustified not as it was occupied about or looked vnto these things but as it was carried to an higher obiect The healing of corporall diseases was a seale vnto vs Isay 53.4 Math. 8.17 that Christ is our deliuerer from sinne and death as the Scriptures testifie and our Aduersaries confesse and therefore in belieuing the mercie of God towardes them in healing of their diseases they might forthwith conceiue that of his free grace hee would be pleased to forgiue their sinnes which are the true causes of all our maladies Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap. 9. It is againe obiected that in the Creed is contained the whole obiect of Iustifying faith But in it there is no mention of the speciall mercie of God In this obiection there is a two-fold mistaking for in the Creed is contained the obiect of faith which is belieued that is the summe of doctrine to be belieued to saluation is there explained But here we speake of the obiect of Iustifying faith by which we belieue The doctrine of faith is one thing the priuate act of the heart relying vpon the promises of mercie another Now when we enquire what is the obiect of Iustifying faith the question is not what is the summe of faith or of the articles to be belieued but what the faith of the heart in all these articles which it belieueth doth first and principally looke vnto rest vpon and receiue to saluation For when all Christians professe and historically belieue all the Articles of the Christian faith yet many are not iustified or saued because they belieue not as they ought whence it is euident that bâ—re assent to the Articles of Religion is not that faith which iustifie or sâ—ues but another of farre different nature is required if wee would bee pertakeâ—s of these blessings Againe verball mention of Gods speciall mercie there is not any in the Creed but really it is inâ—luded For to belieue in God is to depend vpon his mercie reaching to the pardon of our offences Ier. 31.33 Esay 25.9 33.22 To belieue in Christ is to relie vpon him as the authour of redemption reconciliation and peace with God which doth necessarily imply the speciall mercie of God And in the Creed we belieue the remission of sinnes which article cannot bee explained according to the doctrine of the Gospell without beliefe in the speciall mercie of God and confidence thereon
that my lips may sing of thy prayse all the day long Fourthly He must comfort his heart in the certaintie of Gods Word though for the present he feele no comfort Returne vnto thy rest O my soule for the Lord will deale bountifully with thee His Word is gone forth in truth waite a little while and thou shalt behold the light of his countenance The Lord deferreth to grant the comfort of forgiuenesse Why God deferreth to grant the profit of forgiuenesse that hee might confirme faith traine thee vp in obedience trie thy patience preserue his graces and doe thee good in the later end Thou art alreadie blessed because the grant of pardon is sealed and receiued the sence of deliuerance pertaineth to the execution which for a little season is deferred that it may bee perfected with greater glory to God and comfort to thy selfe Blessed bee the Lord who hath turned away his eyes from my transgressions but hath not turned away his mercy from me Reioyce in the Lord O my soule againe I say reioyce for he hath couered thine iniquities and purged away thy sinne that thou shalt not die Oh the blessednesse of that man whose iniquities are forgiuen to whom the Lord imputeth no sinne Fiftly Thus faith is daily to be preserued and quickened vnto which it is not vnprofitable to adde some thoughts concerning the blessednesse of the Man whose debts are cancelled out of Gods Booke the grace and loue of God who vouchsafeth to shew compassion herein the price that was payed to diuine Iustice that grace might iustly conferre this blessing vpon them that belieue These things may serue to quicken the heart in the consideration of this mercie CHAP. III. What it is to liue by faith touching the promises of Sanctification and how to stirre vp our selues thereunto Of the promises of sanctification THe next spirituall promises of things absolutely necessarie to saluation are concerning Sanctification or the killing of sinne and quickening vs to newnesse of life by the continued infusion of holinesse and renouation of our hearts according to Gods Image and to the enabling vs to walke in new obedience according to couenant And this is signified by the generall tearmes of subduing sauing washing cleansiâ—g and purging from sinne and iniquitie Mic 7.18 19. Who is a God like vnto thee that pardoneth iniquitie and passeth by the trangression of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for euer because hee delighteth in mercy He will turne againe he will haue compassion vpon vs hee will subdue our iniquities and thou wilt cast all their sinnes into the depths of the Sea Math. 1.21 He shall saue his p ople from their sinne which as it is true in the matter of our Iustification for the forgiuenesse of our sinne so also in the point of Sanctification for deliuering vs from the power of sinne And so are the like generall speeches to be vnderstood Iohn 1 29. 1 Iohn 2.2 1 Iohn â— 7 that Christ is the Lambe of God which takâ—th away the sinnes of the world that he was manifested to take away our sinnes that the bloud of Christ clenseth vs from all sinne Apoc. 1.5 that hee loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his owne bloud And this is that which the Lord of his free mercie promised to effect for his Church and people Esay 4.3 4. And it shall come to passe that he that is left in Zion and he that remaineth in Ierusalem shall be called holy euen euery one that is written among the liuing in Ierusalem When the Lord shall haue washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and shall haue purged the bloud of Ierusalem from the midst thereof by the Spirit of Iudgement and by the spirit of burning Now seeing we haue such promises from God it followeth necessarily that a Christian is allowed to belieue A Christian is allowed to beleeue these promises that God of his free grace in Christ will purge him from the filthy remainders of sinne and renew him more and more after his owne Image in righteousnesse and true holinesse In the couenant of grace which God made with his people hee promiseth to take away their hearts of stone Ezek. 11.19 Ier. 31.33 32.40 Ezek. 36.26 27 and to giue them hearts of flesh to put his law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts to put his feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from him and to giue them a new heart and to put his Spirit within them But what God promiseth faith receiueth It is no presumption but true obedience to assure our selues from God of whatsoeuer hee hath past his promise and entred into band and couenant freely to giue The burdened are inuited to come vnto Christ for ease and the thirstie for refreshing Is any man dried withered and burnt vp for lacke of the sap and moisture of grace the fountaine is set open vnto him hee may come and drinke to the satisfying of his soule If any man thirst Reuel 22.17 Iohn 7.37 Verse 38. let him come vnto me and drinke He that belieueth on me as the Scripture saith out of his belly shall flow riuers of liuing water Christ is the fountaine of grace and the well of life euer-flowing and euer full John 1.16 Col. 1.19 Ephes 1 23. Col. 3.10 11. Col. 2.10 of whose fulnes euery Belieuer doth receiue grace for grace who filleth all in all who is all in all in whom wee are compleate filled with all heauenly graces which serue to remoue euill or set vs in state of blessednesse There is no grace but from Christ no communion with Christ but by faith From Christ we receiue to belieue and from him belieuing we daily sucke the life of grace Christ is made vnto vs of God Wisdome and Sanctification 1. Cor. 1.30 as well as Righteousnesse and Redemption and as it is our dutie to belieue in Christ for pardon of sinne so to embrace him by faith for sanctification and to bee filled with his gifts of grace in our measure Christ by his bloud hath purchased for his people all spirituall blessings in heauenly things Apoc. 1.5 Ephes 1.3 2. Pet. 1.3 euen all thâ—ngs that pertaine to glory in the world to come and to liue godly in this present world But what Christ hath purchased that we may assuredly belieue God will bestow He will not with-hold any thing that he hath gratiously giuen to our Sauiour on our behalfe We are taught to aske of God in Iesus Christ increase and strength of grace that wee may be inabled to walke before him in new obedience Col. 1.9 10. We cease not to pray for you and to desire that yee might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdome and spirituall vnderstanding That yee might walke worthy of the Lord vnto all pleasing being fruitfull in euery good worke and increasing in
that be necessary but the act and exercise of faith is required § 5. p. 6. 7 CHAP. II. WHat Iustifying faith is § 1. p. 7 God the Father in his Sonne Iesus Christ by the holy Spirit is the authour of faith § 2 p 7. 8 Faith is a gift in a speciall manner most free and profitable ibid. How we are said to receiue the Holy Ghost by Faith ibid. How the Spirit is obtained by prayer p. 9 Faith is imperfect though a worke of the Spirit § 3. p. 9 Faith is a powerfull worke of God ibid. How God produceth faith § 4. p. 10. 11 The increase of faith is of God p. 12 Faith is the gift of God and the act of Man § 5. p. 12 Faith is wrought by the Word § 6. p. 13 Encreased by prayer and vse of the Sacraments p. 14 Why all doe not belieue that heare the Word ibid. Though faith be the gift of God men must vse the meanes to obtaine it p. 14. 15 CHAP. III. FAith presupposeth knowledge Chap. 3. § 1. p. 16 17 It captiuates our vnderstanding vnto the obedience of Christ but is not ignorant of Christ p. 17. 18 This knowledge must be distinct sound certain p. 18. 19 In what respect faith may bee called implicite or vnfolded p. 19 Faith is an assent § 2. p. 19. 20 Beliefe hath reference to some vttered word or reuelation but may be sustained by other motiues and inducements p. 20 Faith is a firme assent yet sometimes accompanied with doubtings p. 21 Faith is an absolute and vnlimited assent and yet through ignorance and infirmitie a Christian may misbelieue many things without the danger of damnation p. 22. 23 Faith is an assent in a sort euident p. 23. 24 Faith also is an assent in some sort discursiue p. 24. 25 Faith is an affiance or confidence § 3. p. 25. 26. c. Confidence as it doth embrace Christ with a certaine affiance is the forme of faith as it begetteth in vs quietnesse of conscience and confidence of libertie it is an effect of faith p. 32 Confidence is opposed both to Doubting and Distrust p. 32 Faith is an obedientiall affiance § 4. p. 32. 33. 34 Faith is opposed not only to doubting and diffidence but to wauering double-mindednesse and disobedience p. 35 Affiance must be wel-rooted § 5. p. 35. 36 It must be sound and permanent p. 36. 37 Faith is an ouer-ruling affiance p. 37. 38 Of all graces faith is the most humble p. 38 Faith is a spirituall taste § 6. p. 38. 39 Faith admits many interruptions p. 39. 40 CHAP. IIII. LOue is not the life or soule of faith § 1. p. 40. 41 c. It is faith and not charitie that giues influence to all other graces euen to charitie it selfe ibid. The goodnesse of God cannot bee the obiect of our charitie but by being first the obiect of our faith ibid. Charitie is an instrument vnto faith for mouing and stirring abroad in the performance of all duties recommended vnto vs but the inward or essentiall forme of faith it is not pag. 42. 43. In what respects charitie doth excell faith and faith charitie § 2. p. 44. 45 How faith is perfected by workes p. 46. 47 Iustifying faith cannot be without loue § 3. p. 47. 48 How the acts of charitie are said to be of faith p. 48 Faith temporarie and iustifying differ in radication soueraignetie and working p. 51 The first and radicall vnion with Christ is made by faith only the secondarie vnion is by meanes of the affections p. 54 They that worke iniquitie haue no faith to belieue assuredly that they shall be saued p. 55 The faith of Deuils comprehends the fulnesse and perfection of that which the Romanists call Catholicke or Christian faith p. 57. 58 Faith alone iustifieth but that faith which iustifieth is not alone p. 59. 60 CHAP. V. What doctrines are called matters of faith § 1. p. 60 Iustifying faith is two wayes considered § 2. p. 61 According to the twofold consideration of iustifying faith the obiect of it is two-fold p. 61 True faith respecteth the whole Word of God p. 62 As the doctrine of Creation § 3. p. 63 Prouidence ibid. Mans misery by sinne ibid. Mysteries of godlinesse p. 64 The promises concerning Sanctification and things of this life § 4. p. 64. 65. 66 Why faith doth put forth it selfe to embrace whatsoeuer the Lord promiseth p. 64 It is very necessary to belieue the promises concerning Sanctification p. 65 It is necessary to belieue the temporall promises p. 66 Faith belieueth the threatnings § 5. p. 67 Beliefe of the threatnings is necessary p. 67. 68 Faith belieueth the Commandements § 6. p. 68. 69. 70 In particular practices the faithfull may faile p. 70. 71 The obedience of faith is vniforme entire and constant § 7. p. 71. 72 The faithfull soule may find it selfe more prone to one sinne then another but if right comparison bee made faith inciteth to hate all sinne one as well as another p. 72. 73 CHAP. VI. THe speciall obiect of iustifying faith are the free promises of mercy and forgiuenesse in Iesus Christ § 1 p. 73. 74 Abraham belieuing the promise of seed did apprehend that blessed seed which from the beginning had beene promised p. 74 Remission of sinnes doth presuppose the mercy of God p. 74 Beliefe of Gods power is not the act of faith iustifying as it iustifieth but the consideration of Gods power is a prop and stay to faith against manifold temptations p. 76 Christ is euery where in Scripture made the thing◠which faith embraceth to saluation p. 77. 78. 79 Faith in Gods speciall mercy frameth his Image in the Heart § 3. p. 81. 82 CHAP. VII IVstifying faith is a particular and certaine confidence § 1. p. 82. 83 The thirstie and burdened soule is inuited to come vnto Christ and commanded to belieue p. 83. 84 Iustifying faith is opposed to despaire so as to expell it it breeds confidence and boldnesse and receiueth Christ for the conueying of his benefits particularly vnto vs p. 84. 85. Faith is certaine in the euent not euer in sence § 2 p. 85. 86 Things are to vs according as wee conceiue them which is not euer answerable to the euidence of the thing in it selfe or to the certaintie in regard of euent p. 86. 87 A Belieuer who hath a sure beliefe doth not alwayes know that he so belieueth p. 87. 88 Faith as it iustifieth is a resting vpon Christ to obtaine pardon not an assured perswasion that our sinnes bee already pardoned and forgiuen § 3. p. 88. 89. 90 Before Iustification faith seeketh and receiueth the promise of forgiuenesse after Iustification it comfortably assureth of the blessing obtained p. 91. 92 Election is manifested by faith as by its effect but wee are iustified by faith as the instrument thereof § 4 p. 92 CHAP. VIII HOw faith assureth of saluation § 1. p. 94. 95 This assurance is such as is shaken
with many doubts and difficulties § 2. p. 96 The particular certaintie of remission of sinnes is not equall in certaine and firmenesse of assent to that assurance which we haue about the common obiect of faith § 3. p. 96. 97 There be seuerall states of Belieuers but all subiect to manifold temptations § 4. 98. 99 Beliefe in Christ for remission is stronger and more necessary then particular assurance of our saluation § 5. p. 100 Not only some vncertaine hope but euen infallible assurance of saluation is to bee sought and may bee obtained § 6 p. 101. 102. c. There is a word testifying thus much that my particular person beholding the Sonne and belieuing on him shall haue eternall life p. 101. 102. 103 Such as truly belieue may know they belieue p. 103 In respect of the exact measure of grace and strength the regenerate are oft deceiued but of the truth of grace they may be assured p. 104. 105 What it is to belieue with the whole Heart § 7. p. 105 In what sence wee must continue daily to aske of God forgiuenesse of sinnes notwithstanding former assurance of pardon p. 106. 107. 108. 109. 110 How iustification is full and entire p. 110 God hath said as to Abraham so to euery one of the seed of Abraham I will be thy God p. 111 How euery faithfull man may and doth make God his in particular ibid. The Apostles and other faithfull haue beene assured of their saluation by ordinary faith p. 111. 112 The saluation of a belieuer is infallible in it selfe and in euent but not euer in his apprehension and feeling § 9 p. 113. Assurance of faith in things extraordinarily is not altogether free from assaults p. 114 The benefits that come vnto vs by temptations p. 115. 116 The Commandements are laid before belieuers not as the cause for obtaining of eternall life but as the way to walke in vnto eternall life § 10. p. 117 Vpright walking is necessary but not the cause of Iustification p. 118 The belieuer relyeth not vpon his workes though hee exercise himselfe therein with all diligence p. 119 What infirmities may stand with assurance of faith § 11 p. 120. 121 What sinnes hinder assurance § 12. p. 123 The absolute raigne of sinne will not stand with the state of grace § 13. p. 124 True assurance breeds encrease of resolution and care to please God § 14. p. 125. 126 CHAP. IX THe authority of the Church cannot bee the ground of faith § 1. p. 128. 129 Whatsoeuer credit the Church hath it receiueth the same from the Scriptures p. 139 The authority of the Pope whom they call the Church virtuall is the first ground and last resolution of the Romanists faith § 2. p. 129. 130 Faith resteth not vpon the Saints but vpon Iesus Christ § 3. p. 132. 133 The Rhemists in defence of their Saint-inuocation are driuen to say that we are to trust in the Saints departed p. 133. 134. 135 CHAP. X. THe benefits and effects of faith § 1. p. 136. 137. 138 139. 140 Faith doth not effect and performe those things by any excellency force or efficacy of it owne aboue other graces but in respect of the office whereunto it is assigned in Couenant of grace p. 140 Of all creatures Man only is capable of iustifying faith § 2. p. 140 Faith is proper vnto Man in this life in his iourney towards his perfect home and eternall habitation p. 141 All men haue not faith p. 141 The subiect of Iustifying faith is man a sinner called according to the purpose of God acknowledging his offences hungring thirsting after mercy § 2. p. 141 The seat of faith is the heart but the heart contrite humbled bewailing sinne denying it selfe and affected with desire of remission § 3. p. 142. 143 In Scripture the heart is taken for the whole soule with all its powers and operations p. 144 Faith is common to all and peculiar to them only who bee called according to the purpose of God § 4. p. 145 All haue not the like measure of faith § 5. p. 146 Faith perfect in none p. 146. 147 The faith of the weakest Christian is sufficient to saluation § 6. p. 148 The degrees of faith may be considered according to the diuers growth which God bringeth his children vnto p. 148. 148 Foure degrees of faith § 7. 149 Faith is weake foure wayes 1. Knowledge 2. Assent 3. Confidence 4. Fruits and effects p. 149. 150 Ordinarily belieuers are weake at the first p. 150 Some priuiledged aboue others p. 151 Faith weake in one respect may be strong in another p. 151 The benefits of the weakest faith if true and liuely § 8 p. 151. 152 Weake faith if sound will grow and encrease ibid. We must striue to be strong and rich in faith p. 152. 153 Faith somewhat growne § 9. p. 153 Strong faith p. 153. 154 Full assurance gotten by degrees p. 154 The benefits of full assurance p. 154. 155 The strongest faith is subiect to sundry infirmities § 10 p. 156 The strong belieuer doth sometimes shrinke when the weake stands fast p. 156 CHAP. XI MOtiues and encouragements to belieue § 1. p. 157 158 Meanes for the right planting of faith § 2. p. 159. 160 161. c. Faith once obtained is seriously to be regarded § 3. p. 164 165 Meanes whereby faith is strengthened and confirmed § 4. p. 166. 167. 168. 169 CHAP. XII VVHy Satan endeuours by all meanes to hinder as the kindly taking so the growth of faith § 1 p. 170. 171 The first Temptation is taken from our worthlesnesse § 1 p. 171 Remedie The sence of vnworthinesse must not discourage vs from beleeuing because 1. The mercy fauour promises and benefits of God are all free p. 171 2. Wee are not more desirous to belieue then God is we should so doe p. 171. 172 The second Temptation They know not whether they bee elected § 2. Remedie 1. Hold such suggestions to arise from the Spirit of errour and lend no eare to such whisperings of the old Serpent p. 172 2. If God make offer of mercy and forgiuenesse in the Ministery of the Gospel 〈…〉 â—â—nd to receiue it ibid. The third Temptation They 〈…〉 of doubtings § 3 Remedie 1. Faith may be true 〈◊〉 liuely that is weake p. 173 2. It is not the excellency and measure of faith that doth make vs righteous before God but Christ whom faith doth receiue ibid. 3. It is not faith but Christ receiued by faith that nourisheth to eternall life ibid. 4. We reade that Christ reproued some for their small faith but neuer reiected any that came vnto him in weaknesse desiring to be confirmed p. 174 The fourth Temptation They cannot keepe their faith strong and stedfast § 4 Remedie 1. There is no shadow of change with God p. 174 2. Labouring after and groaning to rest their wearied soules vpon the promises of mercy being neuer satisfied till their doubtfulnesse be remoued
is to liue by faith p. 203. 204 What is to be done that we might liue by faith viz. 1. Aquaint our selues familiarly with the Word of God 2. Exercise faith aright in the Word p. 204. 205 Besides expresse Cmmandements and direct promises there be speciall promises and commandements by consequent which we are to note and make vse of p. 205. 206 The acts of faith about the Word 1. It doth firmely and vniuersally assent to the whole Word of God and set a due price and value vpon it p. 207 2. It ponders the word seriously and treasures it vp safe ibid. 3. It preserues and keeps in the way of the promises ibid. 4. It plyes the throne of grace with earnest and continuall supplications ibid. 5. It looketh vp directly vnto God his wisdome power mercy and faithfulnesse p. 208 6. It resteth quietly vpon God and tryumpheth before the victory p. 208 Meanes to stirre vp our selues to liue by faith scil 1. Find out thy vnbeliefe p. 208. 209. 210. c. 2. See the necessity and pretiousnesse of faith p. 213 3. Meditate on the grounds of faith p. 213. 214 4. Feeling weaknesse of faith looke on Christ p. 214 5. Pray for the Spirit of faith p. 215 CHAP. II. WHat is meant by Gods promises and the diuers kinds therof p. 216 The promise of forgiuenesse of sinnes ibid. This promise is free p. 217 Yet obtained through Christ only ibid. And receiued and possessed by faith and by it alone p. 217 218 This promise is of faith 1. That it might be of free grace ibid. 2. That it might bee stedfast and sure to all the seed ibid. 3. That only is the true manner of Iustification which shuts forth all boasting in the dignity of our workes p. 218. 219 Its necessary to seeke pardon of sinne by faith for 1. In our selues we be sinfull and cursed and remission which is of grace can be obtained by no other meanes but only by faith in Iesus Christ p. 219 2. Faith goeth directly vnto Christ that by him wee might be justified ibid. 3. Faith in the promises of mercy doth commend and maintaine the glory of Gods grace p. 220 The acts of faith touching this promise of forgiuenes be diuers 1. It generally belieueth the promise to bee true and thereby discernes that sinne is pardonable p. 220. 221 2. It stirreth vp earnest desires and longings to bee made partaker of this mercy p. 221. 222 3. It draweth vs forward to seeke mercy of God by vnfained confession and hearty supplication p. 222. 223. 224 4. It embraceth and resteth vpon the speciall and free mercy of God in Christ for pardon p. 224. 225 5. It doth certifie of pardon granted and sealed vnto vs. p. 225 How faith doth assure that our sinnes are already pardoned p. 225. 226 Three prerogatiues accompany confident assurance 1. Peace with God 2. Free accesse vnto the throne of grace 3. Ioy in the Holy Ghost vnspeakable and glorious p. 227. 228 6. By faith we continue in this blessed state in sweet peace and fellowship with God p. 228. 229 A Christian may liue by faith for many dayes or rather all the dayes of his life in sweet peace and communion with God if he will learne to maintaine and take paines to exercise his faith aright p. 230. 231. 232 To what measure of ioy a Christian may attaine p. 232. 233 Two speciall causes there be why many good Christians liue so long in feare and doubt 1. An immoderate aggrauation of their sinne and continuall thought of their vnworthinesse p. 234 These must know it is good to deny themselues but not to doubt of the mercy of the Lord. ibid. The detestation of sinne is greatly to be commended if they remember withall that there is hope in Israel concerning this p. 235 There be sins of ignorance infirmitie forgetfulnesse and sudden passion and there be foule enormous notorious sinnes which wound conscience p. 235. 236 If a man haue often fallen into notorious offences he is not to despaire ibid. A foule offence after grace receiued is not vnpardonable p. 236. 237 Many complaine they cannot belieue when indeed they thinke there is no promise of mercy made vnto them vpon which they should ground their confidence ibid. Such must know 1. that God calleth them in his word to come vnto him as if he did particularly name them 2. They must consider of the free grace of God in promising and his faithfulnesse in making good whatsoeuer he bath promised ibid. The second cause is ignorance of the way how this assurance is to be sought vpon what foundation it is to bee laid in what order they come vnto it p. 238 Two things are specially to be learned for their direction 1. That assoone as euer a man feeles sin as a burden and doth truly thirst to bee eased of it hee hath a calling to come vnto Christ p. 238 2. The barren in grace must come vnto Christ to bee supplyed of his fulnesse p. 239 Directions to the weake how to stirre vp themselues to beleeue when they feele no comfort p. 239 1. They must vnfainedly humble their soules before God in the confession of sinne with earnest prayer for pardon p. 240 2. They must rowse and stirre vp themselues to beleeue with reasons drawne from the promises and couenant of God made in Iesus Christ considerations taken out of the word and experience of his dealing with other his seruants in former times p. 241. 242 3. They must be instant with the Lord to giue them both strength of faith the sight of their belief p. 242. 243 4. They must comfort their hearts in the certainty of Gods word though for the present they feele no comfort p. 243 Thus faith is daily to be preserued and quickened ibid. CHAP. III. OF the promises of Sanctification p. 244 A Christian is allowed to beleeue these promises for 1. In the couenant of grace God hath promised to take away the heart of stone c. p. 245 2. The fountaine of grace is set open vnto the thirsty and he is inuited to come and drinke to the satisfying of his soule p. 245. 246 3. Christ by his bloud hath purchased for his people all spirituall blessings in heauenly things ibid. 4. We are taught to aske of God in Christ increase and strength of grace ibid. 5. The faithfull haue relyed vpon Christ for grace and ability to walke in his wayes ibid. 6. Mans duty is Gods free gift of grace ibid. It is necessary to belieue that God will sanctifie our nature and enable to the duties of holinesse p. 246. 247 For 1. Iustification sanctification be indiuiduall p. 247 2. Otherwise Christians shall very much stagger be off and on coldly set vpon the practice of Christianity ibid. 3. Our owne strength is too weake for the worke of holinesse ibid. 4. Setlednesse in this that God will perfect the worke of holinesse begun causeth men to goe about
the worke of mortification with much readinesse ibid. 5. The promises of God concerning spirituall things are linked together p. 248 The acts of faith about the promises of sanctification 1. It acquaints a man with his emptinesse of grace and the strength of his inbred corruption p. 248. 249 2. It sheweth where the strength is to bee had which we want and stirres vp to a constant conscionable and diligent vse of the meanes of grace p. 249. 250 3. It inciteth to an holy improuement of what grace we haue receiued ibid. 4. It fighteth couragiously against sinne and cryeth instantly to the Lord for helpe ibid. 5. It submitteth willingly to what course the Lord is pleased to take for the crucifying of sinne ibid. 6. Faith is the band or sinew whereby wee are tyed vnto Christ the fountaine of grace p. 251. 252 7. True faith stirreth vp to thankefulnesse for the beginning of sanctification p. 252 The meanes how a Christian is to stirre vp faith to belieue that God will sanctifie him when hee seeth nothing but thraldome 1. Hee must bewayle his spirituall nakednesse thraldome and vassalage vnder sinne p. 252. 253 2. Hee must looke to the grace truth and power of God who hath promised to sanctifie to the fulnesse and sufficiency that is in Christ the fountaine of grace p. 254 3. He must pray instantly vnto the Lord for sanctifying grace p. 255 4. It is good to moue the heart quietly to rest in the promise and reioyce in hope p. 255 CHAP. IIII. CHrist hath purchased for vs life euerlasting no lesse then righteousnesse p 256 Eternall life is promised vpon condition of faith in Christ p. 256 Life eternall is begun in them that belieue p. 257 When first we belieue them are wee intituled to life euerlasting and so haue the accomplishment of glory in respect of right and propriety p. 257. 258 It is our duty to belieue in God through Iesus Christ for the obtayning of eternall life to be giuen of grace ibid. It is very necessary to belieue it 1. That we might with more quietnesse of Mind beare the afflictions troubles and persecutions which befall vs in this world p. 258 2. It serues to establish our hearts against sundry worldly cares and feares p. 259 3. If we keepe Heauen in our eye we shall fight couragiously and runne with patience notwithstanding all opposition ibid. The acts of faith concerning these promises 1. As an humble petitioner it receiueth and layeth hold vpon saluation it selfe promised p. 259. 260 2. Faith doth not begin to apprehend life and then leaue it to workes but doth euer rest vpon the promise vntill we come to enioy it p. 260 3. By faith we receiue the promised Spirit as the earnest of our inheritance p. 260. 261 4. Faith in the promises of euerlasting life leadeth forward in the paths of peace and righteousnesse p. 261. 262 5. It seeketh to get our title confirmed and assured to the conscience by euidence and earnest or pawne p. 263 6. It striueth to enter the possession of this heauenly kingdome by degrees p. 263 7. It earnestly desires and longeth after the full accomplishment of glory p. 263. 264 8. It assureth that wee are made heires of glory to which God of his grace will bring vs in his time appointed p. 264. 265 God in great mercy doth vouchsafe to his adopted sonnes many excellent royalties in this life p. 265. 266 The act of faith that arise from the priuiledges of the godly in this life 1. Faith resteth vpon the grace of God to receiue from him whatsoeuer may be good and profitable p. 266. 267 2. It petitioneth instantly for succour p. 267. 268 3. It receiueth earthly blessings as gifts of the couenant and tokens of loue p. 268 4. Faith in these the foresaid promises doth greatly enlarge the heart towards God ibid. 5. It doth inwardly quiet and cheere the heart in the midst of manifold outward discouragements p. 268. 269 The way and meanes to stirre vp faith in these promises 1. To humble our selues vnfainedly in respect of our miserable and accursed estate by sinne and former carelesnesse to seeke mercy c. p. 269. 270. 271. 272 2. We must incite and stirre vp our selues to receiue the promises of euerlasting life by consideration of the free and rich grace of God his truth and faithfulnesse the sufficiency of Christs merits and greatnesse excellency and worth of the benefit promised p. 272. 273. 274. 275. 276 3. We must pray earnestly that God would increase our faith seale vs by his Spirit lead vs in the way of peace cause vs to grow vp in holinesse make vs wise to prize and value to taste and relish the joyes of Heauen and assure our consciences of right and title to that euerlasting inheritance p. 277. 278 4. We must quicken our selues to reioyce in God wait patiently and walke chearefully before him p. 278. 279 CHAP. V. GOd hath made many promises of perseuerance p. 279 280 The loue which God beareth to his people is an euerlasting loue and the couenant which hee hath made with them effectually and shall bee kept assuredly is an euerlasting couenant p. 280. 281 The condition of the couenant is promised in the couenant it selfe p. 281. 282 All the faithfull are built vpon the rocke not vpon the rocke now and anone vpon the sand p. 282 The sheepe of Christ shall neuer perish neither shall any man plucke them out of his hand p. 282. 283 They are fenced against the treachery of their owne hearts remayning in them p. 283 The holy Spirit is sent into their hearts to dwell and remayne with them as an earnest of their inheritance vntill the redemption of the purchased possession p. 283. 284 The life which they liue by faith in Christ is an euerlasting life p. 284 Christ hath prayed for his people that their faith should not faile p. 284 We are assured from God that he will perfect the worke of grace which he hath begun ibid. By serious meditation on these promises we must settle our selues in belieuing our perseuerance which is very necessary For 1. Had it not beene a point of great weight the Lord would not haue mentioned it so often p. 285 2. We are weake and feeble to withstand our spiâ—ituall enemies potent and vigilant to assaile ibid. 3. Our weaknesse is not greater then our backwardnesse to belieue the promises of perseuerance when we stand in most need ibid. 4. Whilst Christians distrustfully question their perseuerance all present fauours seeme the lesse all other promises be held the more weakly ibid. 5. Confidence in the promises of perseuerance doth encourage and quicken in a Christian course p. 286 He that hath faith indeed will not nay he cannot take courage to goe on in sinne vpon this pretence that faith once had cannot vtterly be lost ibid. 6. Looke how much wee come short in belieuing the faithfull promises of God concerning our future
Peter and the rest of the Apostles for he made answere for them all Math. 16.16 Ioh 6 68. Belar de Iustif l. 1. chap. 8. as the question was propounded to them all was no more in words but of Christs office Thou art Christ and his nature The sonne of the liuing God But shall wee thinke the faith of the Apostles to bâ—e nothing but a bare assent of Minde to that which they professed of Christ Thâ—n shall we make the Deuill himselfe to be as good and true a belieuer as the Apostles for he professed as much O Iesus of Nazaret Mar. 1.24 Luke 4.34 I know who thou art c. Noe doubt the Apostles rested vpon Christ for saluation and belieued in him to bee that to their soules and for their vse and comfort which they belieued him to be The subiect matter of their faith in that point was that Iesus was the Christ the manner of belieuing was with the heart relying vpon him for saluation The faith of Abraham was not a bare assent giuen to the promise of God but a confidenec in the speciall mercie of God for hee rested vpon the pâ—omise not onely in regard of his posteritie but also in regard of Christ according to that which is saide In thy seede shall all nations of the earth be blessed which seede the Apostle teacheth to be Christ Gal. 3.16 and the blessing he interpreteth to bee redemption from the curse of the law and iustification by faith Gal. 3.8 Abraham then belieuing the remission of sinnes in and through Iesus Christ of necessitie it will follow that his faith was directed vnto and exercised about the speciall mercy of God in Iesus Christ How then doth the Apostle set out Abrahams full beliefe in this that he was assured that hee who had promised was able also to doe it Rom. 4.21 Bellarm. vbi supra Rhem. annot in Rom. 4.14 Sect. 10. Not because Abrahams faith did iustifie him as he did belieue the power of God but because his iustifying faith which was fixed vpon the gracious promise did sustaine it selfe by the consideration of Gods power in time of tryall betweene the promise and the execution Abraham had a promise of seed but the execution is deserrod whereupon his faith is assailed thus Abraham thy body is dead thy wife hopelesse that way which things foiled Sarah for a time Now when Abrahams faith on the promises is thus set vpon Rom. 4 2â— against these arguments of vnbeliefe faith opposeth the alsufficient power of God and sustaineth it selfe with this consideration God is able As another time when he was tempted to offer vp his sonne in sacrifice he verily belieued he should receiue him againe Heb. 11.19 because God was able to raise him vp againe Beliefe of Gods power is not the act of iustifying faith as it iustifies but the consideration of Gods power is a prop and stay to faith against manifold temptations And so wee shall finde the Almightie power of God often aledged to confirme the weake and wauering heart As for Sarahs laughing thinking it impossible to haue a childe the Lord saide to Abraham Gen. 8.14 Is any thing hard or impossible to God And againe to Moses obiecting whether all the fish in the sea should bee gathered for food for Israel in the wildernesse The Lord answered Is the Lords hand waxed short Num. 11.23 thou shalt see whether my word shall come to passe or not And to the virgin Mary desiring to bee further conformed touching the promise of God the Angell makes answer Luk. 1.37 with God nothing is impossible As for the faith of the Centurion so much commended by our Sâ—uiour Christ Luk. 7.9 it might bee a steppe or meane by which he wâ—s raised of God to a true faith for iustification by the Messias or it may bee it was some effect of a iustifying faith but in it selfe as he did onely belieue the power of Christ to heale his seruant it did not iustifie Our Aduersaries themselues will not say that naked assent to this truth that Christ by his bare word was of power to cure his seruant absent is sufficient to iustification which yet is the substance of his confessiion If they answer that the profession of his faith is here mentioned according to the present occasion They must withall confesse it followeth not that because none other act of his faith is here expressed therefore there was nothing further in his faith vnto iustification before God Surely if hee be belieued to saluation he belieued somewhat else that made him to belieue what is here noted he belieued some what else that made him to say Luke 7.6 Lord I am not worthy that thou should'st enter vnder my roofe Christ is euery where made the thing which faith embraceth to saluation and whom it doth looke vnto and respect as it doth make vs righteous in the sight of God God so loued the world Iohn 3.16 that he gaue his onely begotten sonne that whosoeuer belieueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Iohn 11.25 I am the resurrection and the life he that belieueth in me though he were dead yet shall he liue And by him all that belieue Act. 13.39 are iustified from all things from which yee could not be iustified by the law of Moses Belieue on the Lord Iesus Christ Act. 16.31 and thou shalt be saued and thy house That they may receiue forgiuenesse of sinnes and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in mee Act. 26.18 Being iustified freely by his grace through the redemption which is in Iesus Christ whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud for the remission of sinnes that are past through the forbearance of God Rom. 3.25.26 Eph. 1.15 Act. 15.11 Iohn 1.12 Gal. 3.26 It is with vs as with malefactors the kings pardon onely receiued doth acquit them and restore them to libertie and Gods mercie in Christ couering sinne receiued by a liuely faith doth set vs free from feare of damnation It is true that iustifying faith doth giue assent to euery article of faith and cleaue to euery Commandement but it obtaineth remission of sinnes as it receiueth Gods pardon in Christ To him giue all the Prophets witnesse that through his Name Acts 10.43 whosoeuer belieueth in him shall receiue remission of sinnes Righteousnesse is eueâ—y where tied vnto faith euen to faith in Christ whom only it doth and can looke vnâ—o as it iustifieth I count all things but losse Rom. 3.22 10.4 Phil. 3.8 9. for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ Iesus my Lord for whom I haue counted all things losse and doe iudge them to bee dung that I might winne Christ And might bee found in him that is not hauing mine owne righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ the
to apprehend and lay hold of for conueying a thing to himselfe But to b Iohn 1.12 Col. 2 6. Rom. 5.11.17 Heb. 8.15 belieue on Christ and to receiue Christ doe both import the same thing Therefore to belieue on Christ is to rest vpon him for the conueying of his benefits particularly vnto vs. Meate nourisheth not vnlesse it be eaten and digested a plaister heales not if it be not applied a potion will not worke ' if it be not receiued Christ is the true bread of life Iohn 6.35 that came downe from Heauen vpon whom we must feed by faith if we would be pertakers of his benefits and feed vpon him we cannot if we doe not particularly belieue in him for our selues The worke of redemption remaines proper to Christ but the benefit of his death is communicated to euery member of his misticall bodie for their iustification And how can wee hope to haue our sinnes forgiuen if we be not made one with him by faith and rest vpon the promise made in him for pardon That profession which Paul makes may here bee considered I know in whom I haue belieued 2. Tim. 1.12 and I am perswaded that he is able to keepe that thing wherewith I haue entrusted him or deliuered vp to his keeping where it is apparant that to belieue is to commit our selues to Christs trust or keeping or to rest our soules vpon the performance of the gracious promises which God of his rich grace in Iesus Christ hath made vnto vs. § 2. This faith is certaine §. 2. Faith is certaine in the euent not euer in sence though mixed with many doubtings by reason of our weaknesse Certaine and assured in regard of the euent and thing belieued not in regard of the sense and feeling of him who belieueth Whether his heart be stedfast in faith or trembling through much vnbeliefe yet vnfainedly belieuing with a welrooted confidence though with much vnbelief he shal be sure of the thing promised For the promise is made good to him that truly receiueth it not for the stedfast manner of receiuing but for the thing receiued which is Christ Now looke as a trembling palsey hand may take the same thing which a more steddie one doth take though the manner be diuers the one taking it with shaking the other without any trembling so an heart of faith which yet shaketh and doubteth through much vnbeliefe may take Christ as well as an heart doth which is more fully perswaded and therefore shall haue the grace promised for his sake who is receiued by faith Iohn 3.15 The promise is vniuersall Whosoeuer belieueth in Christ shall not perish but haue euerlasting life it is not whosoeuer is fully assured or certainly perswaded of his saluation but whosoeuer vnfainedly belâ—eueth in Christ shall be saued Now many a poore soule may cast himselfe vpon Christ and lay hold vpon him with purpose through Gods grace neuer to leaue him as being assured without wauering in this particular that it is best both simply and in comparison to draw neere vnto God and relie vpon his grace and so in euent is sure of saluation who yet would giue a world to be assured of Gods fauour and fully perswaded that his sinnes are pardoned An house well builded vpon a rocke is as sure as the foundation euery thing hanging on a pin or pegg is as sure as the pin or pegg on which it hangeth True faith firmely groundeth it selfe vpon the faithfull promises of God and receiueth them as better then life it selfe from which it will not bee with-drawne by any carnall allurements and therefore in euent it cannot miscarrie for the ground is firme and vnchangeable The truth of God in it selfe is more certaine then any thing that can bee apprehended by the senses but it is not euermore so apprehended by vs and faith which buildeth vpon the infallible truth of God comming to him when he calleth relying vpon his grace because hee hath spoken is in euent no lesse sure then the foundation vpon which it leaneth is certain vnmoueable but in the sense of the belieuer it is not alwayes so neither are matters of faith receiued by vs with such certaintie as are other things subiect to the senses in themselues lesse certaine Things are to vs according as we conceiue them which is not euer answerable to the euidence of the thing in it selfe or to the certaintie in regard of the euent Things most sure in themselues are sometimes but dimmely discerned of vs because our eye-sight is imperfect and things lesse euident in themselues doe appeare to vs most cleare and manifest when they come within the compasse of sense or reason remayning in vs. Besides the promises of mercie in Christ being the highest and most spirituall it is the hardest point of seruice in Christian warfare firmly to belieue them and the daâ—ly weaknesses which wee espie in our selues the many and strong passions which stil warre within vs and many times preuaile doe impell the minde to distrust When a Christian calleth to mind what strength worldly allurements haue in him how often hee yeildeth vnto assaults in many pettie temptations how weake and fraile dull and negligent hee is in the duties of Christianitie and his particular calling the consciousnesse of these things will no question trouble the eye of faith Not that the comfort of a Christian is grounded vpon his strength of grace or any good worke that is or can be done by him but because his beliefe in the mercie of God cannot be greater then his strength to ouercome worldly allurements wherby hee might be withdrawne from God or care to yeeld vniforme sincere and constant obedience to all Gods Commandements Againe it is one thing to haue a thing surely another thing to know I haue it surely We seeke many things that we haue in our hands we haue many things that we thinke we haue lost so a Belieuer who hath a sure beliefe yet doth not alwayes know that he so belieueth seeketh but findeth it not nay thinketh he is altogether without faith when he hath it vnfainedly A man vnregenerate that is wholly corrupt seeth little or no corruption in himselfe yea after due serious and long examination many disorders may secretly lurke in the heart of a man sanctified which he doth not espie And is it then any maruell that a true Belieuer should be vnable sometimes at least to say that he doth belieue yea that hee should not find it though he make diligent search and inquirie into his owne heart about it Looke as children liue in the wombe and know not themselues that they doe liue so it is with many true belieuing soules who long belieue before they come to see themselues belieue and bee able by a reflexed operation of minde to say 2. Tim. 1.11 I know on whom I haue belieued A man of a contrite spirit belieuing that h s sinnes are pardonable earnestly desiring
remission of sinnes by the merits of Christ and resting vpon Chrâ—st alone for saluation assuredly he receiueth forgiuenesse â—lthough he be vexed with scruples and temptations and want the assurance and perswasion in himselfe that his sinnes bee remitted For faith is necessary to saluation but full assurance that I do belieue in that sort is not of lâ—ke necessitie And if a man may belieue vnfainedly who is not fully assured that he doth so belieue then faith may be certain in the euent when it is not certaine to the sence of the Belieuer §. 3. Faith as it iustifieth is a resting vpon Christ to obtaine pardon Zanch. de redempt lib. 1. c. 13. tit de Fiducia col 282. Musc loc com de Remiss Meisner dec 3. pag. 329. Par. in Gal. cap. 2. lect 24. Idem de Iustif l. 1. cap. 10. lect 227. Albizius exercit theol ar 2. 8. ad 3. Hom. Of faith part 1. August conf art 4. art 20. Bohemic conf art 6. § 3. But what faith is necessarie to wit on mans part to Iustification Is it an assured perswasion of our particular election or that our sins be alreadie pardoned and forgiuen No It is one thing to rest on Christ obeying to the cursed death of the Crosse that I may obtaine pardon and life euerlasting from the grace of God which is the act of true beliefe required to Iustification another to belieue that I am one of Gods particular elect people and that my sinnes are pardoned and done away which is a priuiledge of grace granted to him who belieueth is sealed by the Spirit and knoweth assuredly that he belieueth It is not an action of Christian faith preuious or fundamentall to Iustification for a man to belieue himselfe to be one of Gods elect for wee come to know our election by the effects thereof as Faith Iustification Sanctification Wee must first reade the effects of Gods loue in our hearts and see that he hath wrought in vs the sauing graces of faith loue hope feare c. and sealed vs by the spirit of promise before we can come to know his eternall decree and purpose towards vs therefore the beliefe of our particular election is an act of faith following Iustification not precedent to it No man is iustified by belieuing himselfe to be Iust nor pardoned Gallican conf art 20. Belgic confes art 23. Bolton walking with God pag. 320. Pemble plea for Grace pag. 258. 259. 260. Rolloc de Iustificat Heming Syntagm Gradus ad conuersionâ—m 49. Gal. 4.6 Rom. 8.15 16. by belieuing that he is pardoned but if his beliefe be true he must be truly Iust before hee can or ought to belieue himselfe to be Iust and actually pardoned before hee can be assured that he is pardoned This is the order of spirituall blessings conferred vpon vs in Christ Faith is the band wherby wee are vnited vnto Christ after Vnion followeth Communion with him Iustification Adoption Sanctification be the benefits and fruits of Communion Being made sonnes by faith God sends forth the Spirit of his Sonne into our hearts crying Abba Father and this Spirit beareth witnes with our spirit that we are the children of God assurance or certaine perswasion that our sinnes be pardoned followes this witnesse of the Spirit as the fruit and effect thereof In which it is most manifest that faith in Christ is before Iustification in order of nature though not in time and Iustification is precedent to the sense feeling of remission and therefore that belief which is required on our part to IustificatioÌ„ cannot be an assurance that our sins be pardoned already vnles the same thing be before after it selfe a man be pardoned before he belieue or assured that he is pardoned before it bee granted or that act of faith which cannot be but in a person alreadie iustified must go before the pardon of sin Esa 1.16 17 18 Ezek. 18. â—1 Prou. 28.13 Math. 6.14 15. Acts 16.30 31. Iohn 6.29 11.25 Acts 10.43 Acts 16.18 The promise of remission of sinnes is conditionall and becommeth not absolute vntill the condition be fulfilled either actually or in desire and preparation of minde This is the word of grace Belieue in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt bee saued when doth this conditionall proposition become absolute when we belieue What that our sinnes are pardoned No but when we belieue in Christ to obtaine pardon which is the thing promised vpon condition of beliefe Assurance that our sinnes bee pardoned is concluded in a practicall Syllogisme thus He that truly belieueth in Christ hath obtained pardon of his sinnes But I belieue Therefore my sinnes are pardoned where assurance of the pardon of sinne is a conclusion drawne from a two-fold ground the one expressed in Scripture the other euident if true by the testimonie of the renewed conscience and presupposeth that hee belieueth and is assured that he doth belieue Now if assurance of remission be concluded from this ground that he belieueth and knoweth certainly that hee belieueth then the beliefe which is required on our parts to Iustification cannot be an assurance that our sins be washed away alreadie For if we take the word belieue for a perswasion that our sinnes are done away then the Syllogisme runneth thus He that is assured of the pardon of his sinnes his sinnes are pardoned But I am assured of the pardon of my sinnes therefore my sinnes are pardoned Faith receiueth the pardon of sinne as it is profered in the word of grace and groundeth it selfe solely and immediately vpon the promise of God in Iesus Christ But the ground whereupon a sinner in himselfe guiltie should build assurance that his sinnes are pardoned without some other act of faith comming betwixt the promise that assurance there is none The Gospell offereth pardon to the thirstie and burdened if hee will receiue it assureth them of pardon who haue embraced the promise but where shall wee finde ground whereupon the guiltie person who belieueth not to remission of sinnes may bee assured that his sinnes not actually pardoned are yet pardoned and blotted out of Gods remembrance Faith taketh the pardon presented to it in the word of promise and trauailing with it bringeth forth actuall remission of sinne which vpon our faith we receiue Assurance is not before pardon nor actuall remission before faith vnlesse the effect be before the cause and the same thing be both cause and effect To beâ—ieue in Christ to saluation is to receiue him Iohn 1.12 Heluet. confess art 15. But to receiue Christ as hee is offered vnto vs in the Gospell is not to be assured that our sinnes are alreadie pardoned in and through Iesus Christ but to rest vpon him for pardon Before the act of iustification faith hath for obiect this proposition concerning the future To mee belieuing my sinnes shall bee forgiuen but after the promise is receiued and pardon obtained Par de Iustific lib. cap.
10. it hath this proposition concerning the present or time past To me belieuing in Christ my sinnes are forgâ—ued And thus the horned argument of the Iesuite Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap 10. Sect. ratio secunda Idem de Eccl. lib. 4. cap. 11. §. Sectary nostri whereby he would proue the speciall mercie of God not to be the obiect of faith Iustifying and our doctrine in that point to b e grosse and absurd is easily vntied For thus he reasoneth Iustifying faith goeth before Iustification But faith in the speciall mercie of God followeth Iustification For hee that belieueth the pardon of his sinnes is either iust before or not iust if iust before then faith iustifyeâ—h not if vniust then belieuing that his sinnes bee pardoned he belieueth a lie Our answere is that speciall faith hath the sundrie acts but to this purpose specially two The first heartily to desire earnestly to thirst after D. Field of the Ch lib. 3. cap. 44 Bolton of walking with God pag. 321. 322. To belieue that my sinne is now forgiuen in Christ is rather an act of experience in a Belieuer now iustified then that beliefe which is required to Iustification P. Bayn Helpe to true Happines part 2. qu. 9. humbly to intreate for acceptation and confidently to rest vpon the promise of free remission The other comfortably to assure and perswade that that is granted which was desired and receiued in promise Faith by her first act obtaineth and receiueth pardon and doth not finde vs iust when wee begin to belieue by her second act shee doth not actually iustifie but finding the thing done certifyeth and assureth vs of it So then speciall faith in her first act is before Iustification and procureth obtaineth and receiueth pardon but then shee hath not the perswasion of it as alreadie done in her second act shee presupposeth the thing done and alreadie obtained and so truely perswadeth the belieuer of it but procureth not the doing of it Before Iustification faith seeketh and receiueth the promise of forgiuenesse after Iustification it comfortably assureth of the blessing obtained in both it hath for it obiect the speciall mercie of God in Christ Faith receiueth Christ offered in the Gospell and it perswadeth and assureth of pardon in Christ receiued both these bee the acts of faith sometimes expressed a Iustifiing faith hath some acts as a cause disposing preparing and fittiâ—g vs to the receit of that gracious sauour whereby God doth iustifie vs and other as a susceptiue cause receiuing embracing and enioying the same In the former respect faith consists not in a perswasion that wee are the sons of God but in the latter Feild appendex to the fifth Booke second part in the definition of Iustifying faith but if we speake of faith as it iustifyeth it peculiarly embraceth Christ with his benefits as he is profered in the word and Sacrament For faith which is required to Iustification is not a perswasion or knowledge of things alreadie possessed but a confidâ—nce of things promised and vpon belieuing to bee obtained which in the order of causes not in time doth goe before remission of sinnes Who knoweth not that we must belieue that we might be iustified Iustified I say and not certified of Iustification by the benefite of faith The Scripture is cleare Belieue and thou shalt be saued God iustifieth the circumcision by faith and the vncircumcision through faith Doe not these and many the like passages shew that Iustification and not onely the sense and manifestation of Iustification alreadie obtained doth depend on faith § 4. It may bee said we are iustified before in Gods decree Indeed whom God doth iustifie them he decreed to iustifie from all eternitie but whereas election is manifested by faith as by its effect iustification doth depend vpon faith as its cause and wee are iustified by faith as the instrument thereof For election is an act immanent and eternall §. 3. Act. 16.31 Rom. 3.30 but iustification transient and in time inferring some change in the person iustified not physiciall but morall in respect of state §. 4. whereby it comes to passe that the person is in another condition and account then he was before In briefe the act of faith preswading of the pardon of sinne alreadie obtained by belieuing and glorying in the sense of Gods mercie must bee distinguished from that act of faith which iustifieth and is a leauing or staying vpon Christ to obtaine remission the priuiledge of grace and comfort which comes to the soule by belieuing must be distinguished from the condition of the couenant which is required on our parts before wee can obtaine pardon This is the rather to be noted Fishers answere to certaine articles because the maine cauils of the papists against our doctrine touchâ—ng particular confidence in Gods mercie and certainetie of saluation are grounded vpon this surmise that wee make that faith which is an assured and certaine perswasion of our particular election iustificâ—tion and saluation to be the sole cause to wit on Mans part of Iustification whereas Iustification it selfe must goe before the assurance of it and such persons onely can haue true assurance and certaintie of their Iust fication election and Saluation who doe vnfainedly belieue and know assuredly that they belieue as they ought And it makes much for the comfort of many faithfull people who commit their soules vnto Christ Iesus and depend vpon him and no other for saluation who yet are much perplexed as if they had no faith nor could doe ought pleasing vnto God because they want this certaine assurance of the remission of their sinnes whereas if they had learned what it is to belieue vnto Iustification and trust vnto the promise for pardon they might for the present take comfort in this that notwithstanding their feare they relie vpon Christ â—nd commit their soules vnto God as to their faithfull Redeemer and might with more ease and speed grow vp vnto the desired comfort and assurance when they should distinctly perceiue and discerne the groundâ— of faith and assurance by what steps and degrees they must clime from the one vnto the other CHAP. VIII By faith a true belieuer may bee certaine and infallibly assuredly of the remission of his sinnes and eternall saluation §. 1. How Faith assureth of saluation § 1. IT is a Principle common amongst our Aduersaries that eueâ—y conclusion issuâ—ng from one proposition reuealed expressely in Scripture another clearely and certainely knowne otherwise and by euident and good consequent added vnto it b longs to faith and is belieued by no other habit then of faith As for example All the dead shall rise Peter is dead therefore Peter shall rise The conclusion is Theologicall and belongs to faith though it be not expressely written that Peter is dead or that he shall rise againe So it is in this present matter All that belieue shâ—ll bee saued this proposition is
of our ransome yet it is also true that wee euery day deserue damnation and must entreate God for pardon that so wee may come to that assurance which the Lord hath enioyned vs to labour and seeke for Zech. 12.10 The Spirit that leadeth vs to Christ doth stirre vs vp with all earnestnesse and confidence to craue pardon and forgiuenesse of our sinnes These two confidence and prayer God hath ioyned together no man can or may put them asunder Our faith assureth vs not of forgiuenesse of sinnes without prayer but that God forgiueth vs when wee pray Nor is this heauenly pledge while dormant though truly dwelling in our soules immediately apt to iustifie Matters of faith be of diuers sorts Some fully acted and done alreadie and those we only belieue we doe not pray for them as the Creation of the World the Birth and Death and Resurrection of Christ and other such like Other-some are belieued as designed promised and in a sort conferred but not yet fully acted and effected to vs which we so belieue by faith as that still wee pray for them till they bee fully accomplished and effected Bellar. de Iustif lib. 3. cap. 11. Rhem. annot in Rom. 8.38 §. 8. Math. 9.2 The Papists confesse that Peter Paul and some other particular persons to whom our Sauiour said Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee were assured of the remission of their iniquities and yet they ceased not to pray Forgiue vs our trespasses Doe they not see then that prayer for pardon will stand well with assurance of remission And why doe they condemne that in vs which was well done by others §. 8. § 8. More distinctly wee continue daily to aske of God forgiuenesse of sinnes according to the direction and commaundement of our Sauiour Christ in sundry respects First because notwithstanding former assurance of pardon if we take our eye off Christ the remembrance and conscience of sinne must needs trouble and disquiet so that wee must still looke to Christ for forgiuenesse and faith lookes vnto him as a Petitioner Secondly we pray daily that wee may haue greater assurance and more comfortable feeling of Gods loue Our faith being weake giueth but weake assurance and therefore wee begge daily to bee setled and established more and more in the assurance of his fauour Thirdly we sinne euery day and therefore aske pardon daily because wee are to receiue actuall pardon from God continually both for our originall corruption which alwayes in this life abides with vs and for actuall sinnes which wee daily and hourely commit against the Maiestie of God Hee that once belieueth is thereby made a member of Christs mysticall body and so hath all his sinnes satisfied for by the death and sufferings of his Head Christ But yet it is the good pleasure of God that hee should daily bewaile his offences and craue pardon for them that he might receiue feele and be assured of the forgiuenes of his particular and daily infirmities Euen after the infusion of faith most perfect 1. Ioh. 1.8.9 Psal 32.3.4 2. Sam. 12.12.13 with Psal 51.1.2 c. faithfull repentance for sinnes committed is as absolutely necessarie to saluation as the first infusion was Fourthly God is not off and one hee plaies not fast and loose but whom once he iustifieth from sinne hee neuer remembreth sinne against them Neuerthelesse we must begge the continuance of his grace that his mercifull pardon may bee a gift without repenrance Faith is a suter to God for the accomplishment of his promises and because wee are assured of his vnchangeable loue we begge with greater affiance the continuance of his mercy prayer being nothing else but the streame or riuer of faith and an issue of the desire of that which ioyfully wee belieue 2. Sam. 7.15.27 1. Chron. 17.25 Dauid being certified that God would for euer stablish the kingdome in his house and posteritie forbeareth not to pray that it might bee so Our Sauiour Christ knew that his sheepe should neuer perish yet hee prayeth Holy Father keepe them in thy name Iohn 10.28 Iohn 17.11 Psal 16.10 Heb 5.7 Iohn 1â— 5 2. Tim 4.18 Hee prayeth also for deliuerance from death and glorification of both which he was fully assured Paul knew assuredly the Lord would deliuer him from euery euill worke yet without ceasing hee prayeth to bee deliuered from euill Assurance to speed is that which addeth great feruencie to prayer Fiftly albeit by faith in the promise of God we now rest assured of the remission of sinnes yet wee still pray forgiue vs our treaspasses that we may more fully and really possesse enioy what we belieue we already haue in Gods affection and doe in part enioy The remission of sinnes is by faith manifested to our conscience and in part we reape the comfort fruite and effect of it in this life but still we are clogged with sinne wee liue in miserie and sorrow in our selues wee are condemned wretches still wee are lyable to many temporall and spirituall chastisements and desertions for sinne and liue in a sort as exiles and banished men from the immediate and cleare vision of God Therefore being still in case as if our sinnes were not completely pardoned sinne as yet abiding in vs and subiecting vs to the displeasure of God disliking it and to his Fatherly chastisement accompanying the same we pray for forgiuenes more absolute and intire euery day in the fruite effect and comfort of it True it is How iustification is full and intire that persons iustified haue full title vnto and right in that mercy of God which as it hath alreadie deliuered them from the dominion and condemnation of sinne so it will in the end wholly free them from all remainders of sinne and those chastisements afflictions and miseries wherewith they aâ—e exercised in this life and in this respect the remission of their sinnes is full and perfect but so long as they liue in this vale of teares sinne hath it abiding in them and they are subiect to many calamities by reason of sinne from which they heartily desire and pray to be deliuered Sixtly we haue the grant of pardon sealed in our consciences and possesse it priuately in part but as yet the Iudge hath not solemnely pronounced his sentence of absolution nor set vs in full and reall possession of absolute compleate intire acquittance remission This therefore we expect and pray for which will not be till the time of refreshing come Acts 3.19 So long as we walke by faith and not by sight we still pray for the sight of that as touching which we haue now but the comfort of faith and hope which is in part and imperfect By faith we know that we are redeemed both in soule and body Rom. 8.23 yet still we sigh in our selues waiting for the adoption euen the redemption of our bodies Our aduersaries obiect againe that by praying that Christs merits may be made
cause them to walke in my Statutes And though a man be weake feâ—ble and imperfect yet finding and feeling the worke of sanctification begun in him hee may be assured that hee who hath wrought this beginning of life will goe forward therewith vnto the end Our Sauiour Christ said to the young man in the Gospel Phil. 1.6 Math. 19.17 If thou wilt enter into life keepe the Commandements But that young Pharisee was ignorant of the Law and his owne estate rested in externall workes of righteousnesse and when he came to Christ was destitute of the true knowledge of the Messias Iohn 17.3 without which our Aduersaries will confesse there is no eternall life and so from their owne grounds it is absurd to imagine that Christ by these words did simply intend to direct him a way for the obtaining of eternall life by his owne workes or merits We grant the Law to which our Sauiour referred that young man to bee the rule of obedience according to which people in couenant ought to walke building their workes of righteousnesse vpon faiâ—h as the foundation and obedience issuing from faith vnfained to bee the way to eternall blisse We acknowledge also that no man can be assured of remission of his sinnes who doth not walke before God in vprightnesse and integritie but this vpright vnfained obedience is imperfect the effect of that faith which iustifieth Vpright walking is necesrie but not the cause of Iustification Psal 119.1 2. 1.1 2. Psal 32.1 2. not the cause of Iustification When the Scripture pronounceth them blessed that feare God keepe his Commandements and walke in the vndefiled way doth it not describe the person whose sinnes are couered in which stands his happinesse Our Sauiour hath taught vs plainly That except our righteousnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisies wee shall in no wise enter into the Kingdome of Heauen Math. 5 20. What righteousnesse doth hee here meane Inâ—erent or the righteousnesse of workes for he presseth an vniforme obseruation of all Gods Commandements The Scribes and Pharisees did as it seeme euen then calumniate him â—s they did afterward Paul and the Papists doe vs still as a destâ—oyeâ— of the Law because he reproued their confidence in workes and sought to establish the doctrine of faith which now we teach Needfull in this respect was that caueâ—t I thinke not that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets Verse 17. Math. 5.17 I am not come to destroy but to fulfill them And in these words as our Sauiour rendreth a reason why he that breaketh any of those Commandements which the Scribes and Pharisees counted the least shall bee counted least in the kingdome of Heauen Verse 19. so he maketh passage to the exposition of the law in the verses following where hee cleares it from the corrupt glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees And it is to be noted that he saith Verse 20. not Except your righteousnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the Law and Prophets but except it exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees to wit that righteousnes which they taught and practiced who made none account of some commandements which they called the least vrged only an externall obseruation of the Law according to the letter without any respect of inward pietie and maimed and mâ—ngled the word as pleased themselues The sentence therefore must bee vnderstood of inherent righteousnesse whence the necessitie of good workes is strongly concluded The faith that iustifieth is liuely and operatiue euer conioyned with an affection of pietie and obsequious disposition as powerfull to bring forth deeds of mercie as to make firme and faithfull application of Christs righteousnesse or conceiue sure trust of Gods mercie offered in him Now what is required in faith that it may iustifie of necessitie it must goe before assurance of pardon and forgiuenesse True it is then that without inherent holinesse no man can be assured of his acquittance from sinne but if we enquire into the true cause of absolution it is the sole grace and mercie of God in Iesus Christ embraced by a true and liuely faith Doth this any thing preiudice Christian assurance that without true and sincere obedience at least without a promptitude apâ—nesse inclination and resolution to doe good workes and walke in obedience there can bee no â—ssurance No For the belieuer relieth not vpon his workes though hee exercise himselfe therein with all diligence and though hee know well that hee comes infinitely short of what God commandeth and bewaile his daily failings and sees hee hath need to renew his purpose and resolution to better his obedience and condemnes the imperfections that hee espieth more and more in himselfe yet it is not impossible to be assured of the truth and vprightnesse of his heart and sincere though imperfect desire and endeuour to walke with God which as the fruit of the Spirit and effect of faith doth euidence his reconciliation with God For hee that feareth God and walketh in his wayes in the perfect and vndefiled way is iustified from sin And he that knowes 1. Iohn 1.3 4. â—hat he walketh before God in truth and with a perfect â—â—a t may certainly conclude from this fruit of the Spiâ—it that his sinnes are pardoned § 11. I might adde §. 11. that the faithfull are sealed by the Spirit and by the same Spirit are enabled to cry Abba Father What infirmities may stand with assurance whereby they are assured of the pardon of their sâ—nnes but I will shut vp this matter briefly shewing what infirmities may stand with assurance of faith and what sinnes cannot that Christians may bee directed the better to make triall of their estate 1. Iohn 1.7 If we say we haue fellowship with him and walke in darknesse we liue and doe n t the truth and if we say that we such as Iohn then was regenerate and in the state of grace haue no sin Verse 8. we deceiue our selues and the truth is not in vs. Euen such then as walke in the light and haue fellowship with God are sinners Prou. 20.9 Ecles 7.2 1. Iohn 3.9 and not iust or perfect in themselues Who can say his heart is cleane there is no man iust who sinneth not and yet the Apostle is bold to affirme That hee that is bâ—rne of God sinneth not The iust then transgresse the Law and so are sinners but they make not a trade of sin or profession of iniquitie and so are not law-breakers or transgressours And this the Apostle plainly teacheth saying Iames 2.10 Euery one that hath this hope of being the Sonne of God doth purge himselfe as he is pure 1. Iohn 3.3 not according to the measure of his puritie or perfection but according to the truth in habit becomes like vnto him as on the contrarie he that commits sinne 1. Iohn 3.8 that is is a crafts-master of iniquitie
and laboureth therein he resembles his Father the Deuil whose chiefe delight is in doing mischiefe Which is further confirmed by that of our Sauiour Christ to the Iewes Iohn 8.34 Verily whosoeuer committeth sinne is the seruant of sinne and the seruant abideth not in the house for euer but the Sonne abideth foreuer If the Sonne therefore shall make you free yee shall be free indeed He that committeth sinne with delight wilfull indulgence to transgressions and vnrelenting opposition to the cleare truth he is the seruant of sinne but they that are made free by the Sonne are free from the raigne of sinne 1. Iohn 5.18 not from euery act of sinne He that is borne of God keepes himselfe that the wicked one cannot come within him to endanger him the gates of hell can haue no preuailing power oâ—er him hee sinneth not as the world doth which lieth in iniquitie but altogether free from sinne hee is not nor euer shall be so long as hee carrieth about with him this bodie of death To sinne habitually wilfully indulgently with full consent and greedinesse is not compatible with the hope and profession of a Christian This spot is not the spot of Gods children Deut. 32.5 but they haue their blemishes they sinne of infirmitie though not of wilfulnesse Sinne in it owne nature is opposite to grace but all sinnes are not altogether incompatible with grace that is they hinder not the gracefull operation of faith hope and loue The remainders of Originall corruption vnder which the regenerate must labour so long as they liue sinnes of simple ignorance and of vnauoidable infirmitie which through weaknesse the faithfull runne into euery day these doe not stop the liuely worke of faith in receiuing the promises of mercie but euen at the very instant when these haue abode in the soule faith can and doth make faithfull plea for mercie or otherwise none could plead for mercie before the throne of Grace For in many things we sinne all Iames 3.2 Sinnes of forgetfulnesse inconsideration and passion whereunto there is not aduised consent these are as moates in the eye which doe somewhat trouble the cleare sight of faith but notwithstanding them the heart principally adheareth vnto God and though now and then through infirmitie a Christian bee ouertaken with them yet may hee vpon good grounds be assured of Gods loue Anger pettishnesse impatience inordinate feare are sinnes which the godly ought and doe watch against and for which they ought and must iudge themselues but if through infirmitie they be ouer-taken to speake an hastie or vnaduised word they must not therefore cast off their confidence notwithstanding such slips they may cry in faith and be heard in their supplications If any man sinne 1. Iohn 2.1 2. to wit of infirmitie as they doe who walke in the light and addict themselues to the serious studie of holinesse wee haue an Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sinnes What answere the Lord gaue to Paul touching his temptations My grace is sufficient for thee 2. Cor. 12.7 8. that may be said of the infirmities of the Saints such sinnes as be meere and absolute infirmities God of his Grace reuealed in the couenant of grace is pleased to grant vnto them a pardon of course Such sinnes as in regâ—rd of their matter are not repugnant to the maine offices prescribed by the Commandements of God being oâ— frâ—iltie committed through vnaduisednesse or sudden passion these doe not denominate a man a Law-breaker nor so weaken the power of faith as that it should not be able to receiue the promise of forgiuenesse nor suspenâ— the actuall claime of eternall life These frailties may be â—n the godly without any notable defect of faith they debarre not the soule from cleauing vnto God Gen. 1â— 13 Abraham said of Sarah She is my sister this was an infirmitie but did not extinguish faith Sarah laughed at the promise Gen. 18.10 11. and then denied it through feare Iacob beguiled his Father saying I am thy Sonne Esau Gen. 27.19 Exod. 4.10.14 Iob 40 5. Math. 16.22 2 Chron. 35.22 2. Chron. 30.18 19. and many such like infirmities of the Saints are recorded which argue their faith to bee weake not to bee deposed from it soueraignetie The reason heâ—eof is not to be taken from the matter or outward act wherein they offended but from their heart and affection which was more inclined to good then to euill and did sticke fast vnto God euen when through weaknesse they transgressed By faith Rahab receiued the spies with peace Heb. 11.31 when through infirmitie shee offended in the meanes of their safetie The Prophet Dauid was regenerate without question and had sure hope that his prayers for mercie should be heard when he vttered this complaint of himselfe Psal 19.12 13. Who can vnderstand his errours Cleanse thou me from secret faults Kâ—epe backe thy seruant also from presumptuous sinnes let them not haue dominion ouer me then shall I be vpright and I shall be innocent from the great transgression So that a faithfull man stepping aside thâ—ough infirmity in the forenamed offeÌ„ces I say through infirmitie and not oâ— habit custome grosse carelesnesse or delight doth retaine his integritie and faith though somwhat shaken doth keep it standing and continue liuely to beg embrace pardon But he that sinneth of meere frailty doth humble himself for his daily offences labour to represse and mortifie his inbred lusts seeketh forgiuenesse by vnfained confession and heartie prayer renueth his purpose and resolution to be more circumspect and setteth vp his watch to shunne and auoid the like sins for the time to come And if he be ouertaken at vnawares he is warned by that slip to looke more heedfully to his wayes beging pardon and seeking helpe from aboue that hee may bee able to stand fast so that the slip which did seeme somwhat to loose him is an occasion of his sticking faster and closer vnto God § 12. But if a godly man fall into a foule and enormous crime wasting conscience §. 12. What sinnes hinder assurance Psa 51.10 14. 1. Reg. 11.4 for the time hee loseth some degree of newnes of Spirit cleannesse of heart comfort of the holy Ghost integritie in a sort and peace of conscience Hee plungeth himselfe into the sence of Gods wrath and displeasure and by his grieuous transgression the power of faith is so weakened that he can neither belieue the pardon of any one sinne formerly pardoned nor lay actuall claime to any priuiledge of grace formerly enioyed The fauour of God towards his children is vnchangeable the sentence of pardon granted shall neuer bee reuersed euen after some grieuous fall Psal 37.24 Ioh. 10.28.29.30 Iohn 8.35 1. â—ohn 3.9 the seeds of grace abide in them and they remaine in the state of Iustification but whilest they continue in such an estate of sinne
they can make no actuall claime to the promises of eternâ—ll life The seeds of grace abiding in them they still retaine their right and title to eternall life to be giuen of free and vndeserued grace but they are suspended from actuall claime vntill they rise againe by true repentance and then they recouer not a new right or title but a new claime by vertue of the old title For it is the perpetuall ordinance oâ— God that if his children str ke out of the way by sinne they m st rise againe and renue their faith and repentance before they can haue any sound or true hope of saluation There can be no Christian assurance which doth not fully consent and accord with these and such like passages of holâ— S ripture Psal 66.18 Ezek. 18.4 If I regard iniquitie in my heart the Lord will not heare me The soule that sinneth shall die Know yee not that the vnrighteous shall not inherite the kingdome of God Be not deceiued neither fornicatours 1. Cor. 6.9 Eph. 5.5 Col. 3.5.6 Reu. 21.8 nor idolat rs nor adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselues with mankinde Nor theeues nor couetous nor drunkaâ—ds nor reuilers nor extortioners shall inherite the kingdome of God If therefore a godly man as Dauid tu nâ— asi e into sinne of this kinde hee can haue no assurance of mercie till this iniquitie bee broken off by vnfained repentance For faith cannot receiue what the word of grace doth not promise Isay 1.16 Pro. 28.13 1. Ioh. 1.6.7 But pardon of sinne is promised to them onely that confesse and forsake their iniquitie that forsake all sinne in habit delight and indulgence grosse sinne vtterly and vpon good aduice § 13. The raigne and absolute dominion a Rom. 6.12.13.14 of sin doth vtterly exclude grace and hee that is so guiltie §. 13. The absolute raigne of sinne will not stand with the state of grace hath nothing in him that can cry or call for pardon or forgiuenes In whom sinne hath this dominion he as yet is vnder b Ioh 3.36 Deut. 9 24 Mat. 7.23 Num. 15.30 the curse of the law and the wrath of God abideth on him for the presence of grace infused is a necessary qualificato the pardon of sinne and where sinne doth beare such sway as to shut forth whatsoeuer in vs should intreate mercie it doth him vp vnder wrath Were it possible for a man regenerate which shall neuer befall them that are called â—ccording to the purpose of God after grace receiued to sinne wilfully with full consent delight and contentment to the vtter extinguishing of the Spirit of grace or finally to abuse any extraordinary measure of inherent grace by indulgence to knowne sinnes secret or open he should fall from the state of Iustification and be called to a strict account as well for all his former sinnes as this abuse of his talent § 14. Assurance of saluation if true §. 14. True assurance breeds resolution and care to please God 1 Ioh. 3.22 is euer ioyned with a religious and conscionable desire to walke before God in all well-pleasing and to doe the things that are acceptable in his sight and assured standing in grace depends vpon a like certaintie of not continuing indulgence to knowne offences or grosse negligence in repenting or bewayling secret sins Where this priuiledge is possessed the heart is most tender and sensible of sinne most watchfull to shunne and auoide whatsoeuer is displeasing vnto his Highnesse greiued with holy indignation for former loosenes and vntowardlines Luk 7.47 1. Ioh. 4.19 Cant. 5.8 and 8.7 1. Pet. 1.8 Psal 103.1.2.3 1. Cor. 14.1 Col 3.1.2 Phil. 3.9 there flourisheth vnfained loue to God for his mercie and to the brethren for the Lords sake sound humilitie and free submission to the Lords will and commaunde in euery thing sincere and continuall thankefulnesse to God for all his gifts both in prosperitie and trouble health and sickenesse holy couteousnes after spirituall things ioyned with sound delight in the word of God and base account of all things in comparison of Christ holy and reuerent admimiration to see his state thus changed from so low a depth of miserie to so great an height of glory Psal 4.6.7 and 63.3 1. Pet. 1.8 Act. 8.39 Rom. 5.4 Ier. 9.23 sweete contentment ioy vnspeakeable with continuall care and constant resolution to better his obedience and mercifull zealous desire both by edifying speech and godly example to draw on and build vp others in faith and godlinesse How can it be conceiued that a man should be assured of the pardon and forgiuenesse of many and great offences committed by him but it will worke a greater loathing and detestation of sinne vnfained abasement for former wickednesse continuall watchfullnesse to keepe himselfe pure ardent loue with inward ioy that cannot be expressed How can a man be perswaded that greater happinesse is giuen him of God then all the world is worth that more sinnes are pardoned him then he hath haires on his head the least whereof is sufficient to plung him into the nethermost Hell but hee must needs loue the Lord who hath gratiously looked vpon him in his distresse reioyce with ioy vnspeakeable and glorious and keepe continuall watch against the baites and allurements of sinne that hee loose not his comfort nor dishonour God who hath done so great things for him The Malefactour is glad of his Princes pardon specially of his Highnesse fauour whereby he is aduanced into great honour and dignitie When the Iewes heard of the proclamation of King Cyrus by which they were set free from their long and tedious captiuitie they were rapt with ioy and wondring Psa 126.1.2 that they were like to men that thinke they rather dreame then indeede possesse the thing that their soules longed after how much more will certaine assurance that we are set free from the perpetuall bondage of sinne and restored to the euerlasting freedome of righteousnesse and life make vs wonder at the infinite wisedome and vnspeakeable goodnesse of our Heauenly Father The Saints considering the goodnesse of God towards Man in his creation breke forth into holy admiration Psal 8.4.5 Ioh. 7.17 Psal 144.3 Lord what is man that thou art so mindfull of him The Prophet calling to Minde long after what God had done for his soule in deliuering him from the terrour of death and power of the graue cannot passe it ouer without feruent thankes and praise Psal 116.12 What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefites towards me And when Peter came to himselfe and saw indeede that he was deliuered from the tyrannie of Herod from the deepe dungeon and bitter death prepared for him he entred into a religious and thankefull admiration of the great power and mercie of the Lord Act. 12.11 saying Now I know for a truth that the Lord hath sent his Angell and hath deliuered mee from the
labour to see the necessitie and preciousnesse of faith 2. See the necessitie and pretiousnesse of Faith and these seene will make a man hold hard ere he part with it A man that hath a great charge his whole state about him will as soone lose his life as part with his treasure Of what excellencie and vse is this grâ—ce of faith which subdueth passions ouercommeth allurements maketh things impossible to the flesh easie and delightsome inableth to stand fast when we are buffeted by Satan lifteth vp the head amidst all the surges of temptation remayneth victorious in all combats raiseth vs vp when we are laid along and our weapons beaten on our Heads knitteth the heart fast to the heauenly Commandements quickeneth in deadnesse and holdeth the Lord fast when he leadeth vs into the darke Who would not preferre the custodie and increase of such a grace before life it selfe Nay what is our life without it If faith liue in vs we liue blessedly whatsoeuer misery compasse vs about if faith decay we die if it die we perish Thirdly We mâ—st consider whom we trust and meditate on the grounds of faith to wit the grace 3. Meditate on the grounds of Faith power goodnes truth vnchangeablenes of God for this will strengthen beliefe Wee must consider the promises of God that we may see what his good will and pleasure is what a Fatherly care of our welfare hee hath and not only how able but how willing also he is to helpe and succour vâ— what promises he hath made and how faithfull hee is in performaâ—ce for his owne names sake and of free vndeserued loue The Mother of vnbeliefe is ignorance of God his faithfulnesse mercie and power Psal 9.10 Those that know thee will trust in thee This confirmed Paul Abraham Sarah in the faith 2. Tim. 1.12 Heb. 11.11 Rom. 4.21 I know whom I haue beliâ—ued and that hee is able to keepe that I haue committed vnto him vntill that day Hee is faithfull who hath promised and able also to performe The free promises of the Lord are all certaine his Commandements right and good the recompence of reward inestimably to bee valued aboue thousands of gold and siluer Trust therefore in the Lord O my soule and follow hard after him Thou hast his free promise who neuer failed who hath promised more then possibly thou couldst aske or thinke who hath done more for thee then euer he promised who is good and bountifull to the wicked and vngodly thou doest his worke who is able and assuredly will beare thee out there is a Crowne of glory proposed vnto thee aboue all conceit of merit sticke fast vnto his Word and suffer nothing to diuide thee from it Rest vpon his promises though hee seeme to kill thee cleaue vnto his stâ—tutes though the flesh lust the World allure the Deuill tempt by flatteries or threatnings to the contrarie 4. Feeling weaknesse of faith looke on on Christ Fourthly When wee feele our faith weake we must looke vp to Christ the beginner and finisher of faith in vs. A fainting bodie will taste some thing that is cordiall and restoratiue and a fainting soule must baite it selfe with looking to Iesus who is our cordiall and restoratiue 5. Pray for the spirit of faith Fiftly Faith is a grace that is giuen from aboue and commeth downe from the Father of lights vnto whom wee must fly by feruent prayer humbly begging that he would by his Spirit both reueale vnto vs what be those pretious promises which he hath made vnto his people and giue vs wisdome rightly to iudge of them and firmely to receiue them in euery estate and aboue all to moue our hearts so to belieue them that wee may assure our selues of all needfull helpe in due time seeing God alsufficient and faithfull hath promised it and waite vpon him in the way of his Commaundements Mercifull Father it is my sincere desire and vnfained resolution to draw nigh vnto thee and put my trust in thy mercies for euermore But of my selfe I haue no abilitie to stand in faith or to follow hard after thy Commaundements I am full of doubtings when I can see no meanes to put me in hope of helpe and ready to sinke downe in despaire vpon euery small occasion I am readie to stagger and slip aside Take pittie vpon me O Lord for thy mercie sake for I fly vnto thee for helpe Thou hast commanded mee to belieue hold mee by thy right hand that I shrinke not reueale thy promises vnto my vnderstanding giue mee a sound iudgement establish me in the faith more and more vnite my heart close vnto thee that all the darts of the Deuill may fall off not be able to wound my conscience Thou hast giuen me to see my weakenesse in faith and to bewaile it to see the necessitie and excellent vse of faith and to desire it giue me also stedfastly to belieue according to the riches of thy grace that I may glorifie thy name CHAP. II. What it is to liue by faith in particular touching the promises of pardon and forgiuenesse and how to stirre vp our selues thereunto THE vse of faith which is as large as the word of God must be distinguished according to the arts and seuerall branches of it promises What the promisâ—s bee and the kinds thereof Commaundemets threatnings By promises vnderstand all those declarations of Gods will wherein hâ—e signifies in the Gospell what good he will freely bestow And these be either Spirituall or Temporall concerning this life or the life to come of things simply necessarie to saluation or of things good in themselues but not alwayes good for vs all which are receiued possessed and inioyed by faith according as they be promised of God either with or without limitation Amongst spirituall promises absolutely necessarie without which there can be no saluation the first and chiefe is concerning pardon or forgiuenesse of sinnes and Iustification The promise of forgiuenes of sinnes God of his rich grace and mercie in Iesus Christ doth make offer of free and full forgiuenesse of all sinnes to euery burdened thirstie and peniâ—ent soule Isay 55.7 Deut. 30.1.2 1. Reg. 8.35 Let the wicked forsake his way and the vnrighteous man his thoughts and let him returne vnto the Lord and he will haue mercy vpon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Ier. 3.12 Returne thou backe-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall vpon you for I am mercifull saith the Lord and I will not keepe mine anger for euer I will clense them from all their iniquitie wherby they haue sinned against me and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they haue sinned and whereby they haue transsgresed against me Ier. 33.8 and 1.34 The promise is free This promise is made of free and vndeserued mercie not for any merit that is or possibly could bee in vs.
I Isay 43.25 and 44.22 euen I am hee that blotteth out thy transgrssions for mine owne sake and wiâ—l not remember thy sinnes I will loue them freely for mine anger is turned away from him Hos 14.4 Who is a God like vnto thee that pardoneth iniquitie and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage Mic. 7.18 hee retaineth not his anger for euer because he delighteth in mercy Heb. 8.12 Ier 31.34 Deut. 21.8 I will be mercifull to their vnrighteousnes and thâ—ir sinnes and their iniquities will I remember no more Bee mercifull O Lord vnto thy people Israel whom thou hast redeemed Numb 14.28 Yet obtained through Christ only Ioh. 1.29 But when we heare of grace we must remember Christ in and through whom God is gratious vnto vs. Christ is the lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world and this great benefit of forgiuenes of siâ—ne is plentifully proclaimed vnto vs miserable sinners in nâ— through him Thus it is written Luk. 24.46.47 and thus it behoued Christ to suffer and to rise againe from the dead the third day and that repentance and Remission of sinnes should be preached among all nations beginniâ—g at Ierusalem Bee it knowen vnto you thâ—refore Act. 13.38 Men and bretheren that through this Man meaning Christ is preached vnto you the forgiuenes of sinnes Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ 2. Cor. 5.10 as though God did beseech you by vs we pray you in Christ steed be yee reconciled to God Hereunto agreeth that inuitation of our Sauiour Come vnto mee all yee that labour and are heauen laden and I will giue you rest This promise of grace is receiued possessed and enioyed by faith alone Math. 11.28 And receiued and possessed by faith but by an operatiue and liuely faith To him giue all the prophets witnesse that through his Name Act. 10.43 Act. 13.39 whosoeuer belieueth in him shall receiue remission of sinnes And by him all that belieue are iustified from all things from which yee could not bee iustified by the Law of Moses Though faith bee accompanied with other graces yet Man liueth by it alone And by it alone Rom. 1.17 Gal 2.16 and 3.11.24 not by it and other parts of grace as ioynt supporters in as much as by it alone he trusts in Gods mercy offered in Christ wholly relying on it not partly on mercy partly on righteousnes inherent We are iustified freely by his grace Rom. 3.24.25.26 though the redemption that is in Iesus Christ whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousnes for the remission of sinnes that are past The Scripture foreseeing that God would iustifie the Heathen through faith Gal. 3.8 Gen. 12.3 Gen. 15.6 Rom. 4.16 preached before the Gospell vnto Abraham saying In thee shall all nations be blessed And thus the Lord hath ordained for diuers reasons First this promise is of faith that it might be of free grace which cannot stand with the dignity of workes If it bee by grace then is it no more of workes otherwise grace is no more grace Rom. 11.6 But if it be of workes then is it no more grace otherwise worke is no more worke Faith answeres the promise and receiues the pardon of grace as a poore begger vtterly denying all worthinesse in the subiect whereas other graces had they beene assigned to this office would haue challenged something to themselues Secondly it is of faith that it might be stedfast and sure to all the seed why so because the promise is of grace Faith and grace doe sweetly consent mutually vphold each other Faith leaneth vpon grace alone and grace or mercy is promised freely that we might belieue and vouchsafed to him that doth belieue and accept it Without faith therefore the promise doth fall And if the promise of remission of sinnes did depend vpon any worthinesse in vs to receiue it wee should not onely wauer and bee vncertaine but euen vtterly despaire of euer speeding Thirdly that only is the true manner of Iustification which shuts forth all boasting in the dignitie of our workes Ier. 9.23 But faith excludes all boasting in our selues and teacheth vs to glory in the Lord our righteousnesse Where is boasting then it is excluded By what Law Rom. 3.27.28 Of works Nay but by the Law of faith Therefore we conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the deeds of the Law For if Abraham were iustified by workes Rom. 4 1.3 Eph. 2.8.9.10 1. Cor. 1.30 31. he hath whereof to glory but not before God For what saith the Scripture Abraham belieued God and it was counted vnto him for righteousnes As God inuites vs to receiue the promise of pardon offered in the Gospell It s necessary to seeke pardon of sinne by faith so it is necessarie that wee embrace it by a liuely faith For in our selues we be sinfull and cursed no way able to make any satisfaction wher by we might be deliuered and remission which is of grace can be obtained by no other meanes but onely by faith n Iesus Christ To him that worketh not Rom. 4.5.6.7 Psal 32.1 but belieueth on him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith is counted for righteousnesse euen as Dauid also describeth the blessednesse of the Man vnto whom God imputeth righteousnes without workes Saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen and whose sinnes are couered Gal. 1.16 and 3.22 Blessed is the Man to whom the Lord will not impute sinne Faith goeth directly vnto Christ that by him wee might be Iustified and embraceth the promises of God concerning Iustification which is the maner by which alone God hath ordained to iustifie vs. No man can be heire according to the hope of eternall life vnlesse he be iustified from sinne by the free grace of God Isay 59.2 for sins not blotted out by the free pardon of grace seperate betwixt God and vs and hide his face from vs. Tit. 3.5.7 Not by workes of righteousnesse which wee haue done but according to his mercy hee saued vs c. That being iustified by his grace wee should be made heires according to the hope of eternall glory But no pardon is obtained vnlesse the promise of pardon be receiued by faith Faith in the promises of mercie that wee might be acquitted from sinne and accepted as Iust and righteous doth commend and maintaine the glory of Gods grace intyre and in this respect also it is the more necessary As a penitent malefactor if hee were to pleade his cause before the Prince himselfe would not stand vpon termes of innocencie or present integritie because he had his pardon vnder seale seeing that was giuen him to pleade for mercie not for iustice so the faithfull soule relyeth vpon the free mercie of God and promise of pardon proclaimed indefinitely to all burdened and penitent sinners
the confession of faith vnfained is heartie and sincere ioyned with a true detestation of all sinne as that which hath and would make seperation betwixt God and him if it be not renounced by him and pardoned of God And to them that confesse their sinnes in this manner is the promise made If wee confesse our sinnes God is faithfull 1. Ioh. 1.9 and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnes Pro. 28.19 Hee that couereth his sinnes shall not prosper but who so confesseth and forsaketh them shall haue mercy Onely acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God Ier. 3.13 1. Cor. 11.31 If wee would iudge our selues we should not be iudged I said I will confesse my transgressions vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the iniquitie of my sin Psal 32.5 Which is most liuely to be seene in the parable of the prodigall before mentioned where the Father resembling God is said to haue met his lost sonne before he came at him Luk 15.20 and to haue embraced and kissed him after hee was resolued in himselfe to acknowledge and confesse his faults As faith teacheth the poore sinner to humble himselfe in vnfaâ—ned confession of his manifould offences so it stirreth anâ— encourageth him to power out his soule in eaâ—nest and heartie prayer vnto God for pardon and forgiuenesse Act. 8.22 through the mediation of Iesus Chrâ—st Thus hee is taught of God Take with you words and turne to the Lord Hos 14 2. say vnto him Take away all iniquity and receiue vs gratiously so will we render the calues of our lips Both these may be seene in the poore Publican who durst not lift vp his eyes to Heauen Luk. 18.13 but smote himselfe vpon the breast saying God bee mercifull to mee a sinner And so the Church prayeth O remember not against vs former iniquities lâ—t thy tender mercies speedily preuent vs. Ioel. 2.17 Psal 79.8 This prayer of faith is not presented before God in assurance that his sins be already pardoned but to obtaine pardon of the rich mercy of God by and through the merits of Iesus Christ And the pâ—omise is to him that prayeth vnfainedly that he shall be forgiuen 2. Chro. 7.14 If my people whâ—ch are called by Name shall humble themselues and pray and seeke my face and turne from their wicked wayes then will I heare from Heauen and will forgiue their sinne Aske and it shall be giuen you Math. 7.7 Ioel. 2.32 Rom. 10.13 seeke and yee shall finde Whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be deliuered vizt from sinne and death Fourthly Faith receiueth the promise of mercy made in Christ and embraceth or resteth vpon the speciall fâ—ee mercy of God in Chrâ—st for pardon and hereby we are iustified that is of sinners made Iust and Righteous not by infusion of holinesse but by free condonation and acceptation of grace Christ is euery where made the thing which faith embraceth to saluation and whom it lookeâ—h vnto and respecteth as it makes vs righteous in the sight of God and faith iustifyeth Ioh. 11.25.26 Act. 15.11 Rom. 10.4 Gal. 2 16. Eph. 1.15 Phil. 3.9 not by any vertue or dignitie of it owne but as it receiueth and resteth on Christ our Righteousnes our Sauiour our Redeemer from sinne and death It is the good pleasure of God reuealed in the Gospell to pardon and iustifie them from all their sinnes that belieue in Christ and faith iustifieth as it leaneth vpon him to receiue speciall mercie through him or which is all one to obtaine forgiuenesse of sinners of the meere and rich grace of God through him and this is the most formall act of faith as iustifying Fifthly It doth certifie of pardon granted and sealed vnto vs It doth obtaine receiue and assure of forgiuenesse in particular I know that my Redeemer liueth Iob. 19.25 Psal 32.5 Isay 38.17 Psal 65.3 Gal. 2.20 1. Ioh. 3.14 Thou forgauest the iniquitie of my sinne Thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy backe As for our transgressions thou shalt purge them away Christ hath loued me and giuen himselfe for me We know that we are passed froÌ„ death vnto life because we loue the brethren These are diuine conclusions of a liuely faith But this perswasion or assurance that our sinnes are already pardoned is not an act of faith iustifying as it iustifyeth but an act of faith following iustification a priuiledge granted of grace to a sinner now set in the state of grace or an act of experience in a sinner now iustified by faith Forgiuenesse of sinnes in and through Christ is offered in the Gospell to euery burdened and wearie soule that will receiue it as the ground of faith vouchsafed to euery one that belieueth but pardon of sinne is apprehended as already granted when wee come to be assured that wee doe belieue Faith in order of nature is precedent to Iustification but Iustification it selfe goeth before the sence thereof As faith obtaineth and receiueth the promise of speciall mercie it doth not finde vs Iust when we begin to belieue but maketh vs Iust by embracing the Righteousnesse of Christ as it certifyeth and assureth of fauour it doth not actiuely Iustifie but findeth the thing dâ—ne already Faith assureth of the pardon of sinne by a double act First it layeth hold vpon the generall promises made to Belieuers such as these Iohn 3.18 Acts 13.39 Iohn 3.36 He that belieueth shall be saued By faith euery one that belieueth is iustified Hee that beliâ—ueth hath euerlasting life Secondly it concludes vndoubtedly from them That hee belieuing is alreadie receiued into fauour and hath obained remission of sinnes Now betwixt these two comes the testimonies of the renewed Conscience 1. Cor. â— 11 working vpon the soule by reflexion whereby the true Belieuer is made priuie to his owne estate and assured that he doth belieue The whole is collected thus He that belieueth in Christ is alreadie Iustified or hath receiued pardon and forgiuenesse This is the voice of faith grounding it selfe vpon the expresse testimonie of God speaking in holy Scripture But I belieue This is the witnesse of the renewed conscience enlightened by the Spirit and directed by the Word whereby the Belieuer comes to know what God hath wrought in him For no man can be said to Belieue that hee doth Belieue but he belieueth the promises by faith and knoweth himselfe to bee a Belieuer by the wâ—tnesse of his Conscience renewed by the Spirit The conclusion of faith grounded vpon the former propositions the one expressed in Scripture the other euident by the witnesse of Conscience is Therefore my sinnes are forgiuen or I shall be saued The order of climbing to this assurance is the rather to bee marked that weake Christians who want the comfortable sence and feeling of this mercy might learne to seeke it in due order as the way is laid
before conuersion is sufficient to purge the conscience from sins after conuersion likewise We are commaunded to repent of taught to pray for the pardon of sinnes without exception It is of free mercy that former sinnes are couered and by the same mercy of God this trangression may be pardoâ—ed The mercy of God is euerlasting his couenant vnchangeable though we be vnfaithfull yet he cannot forget himselfe He delighteth to shew mercy and reioyceth in the soule that hath sinned but now lamenteth saying I haue sinned and it did not profit me The commaundement of god inioyning vs to forgiue our brother not seuen times but seuentie times seuen times if he repent is an expression of his readinesse to shew mercy to them who do oft and grevously offend if they returne by vnfained repentance and sue for mercy Oh then take heede that to other great and many sinnes infidelitie be not added Doubting begets deadnesse whereas lookâ—ng vp vnto the promises of mercy will both ease and soften the heart But they cannot belieue Indeeâ—e they thinke there is no promise of mercy made to them vpon which they should ground their confidence Therefore they must know that God calleth them in his word to come vnto him as if he did particularly name them and promiseth to receiue them vnto mercy and then they must consider of the frâ—e grace of God in promising and his faithfulnesse in making good whatsoeuer he hath promised that neither want of feeling nor conceit of vnworthinesse dis-hearten them from drawing nigh vnto him They must thinke seriously with themselues I neede mercy and the Lord hath promised it I thirst after it and the Lord will grant vnto mee my desire according to his promise I am vtterly vndone if I obtaine not helpe and helpe is not to bee found but in the Lord Iesus who louingly inuiteth me to come vnto him that I may be refreshed Seeing therefore I long for mercy the Lord makes offer of it in his dearely beloued Sonne I will goe vnto him and humble my soule before the throne of his grace I will entreate mercy and rolle my soule vpon the promise of saluation All my helpe is to looke off my selfe an obiect of confusion and looke vpon Christ an obiect of consolation therefore I cleaue vnto him as mine onely Sauiour and trust in him though he should kill me It doth not please God that I should stand alooffe and straine courtesie now he encourageth mee to come with confidence or giue way to doubtings now I haue his promise who neuer failed any that trusted in him who hath done more for me then euer he promised therfore I will goe vnto him in the mediation of Iesus Christ and importune his grace if I perish I will perish in his bosome to die for it nothing shall s perate me from his mercy A second cause of this slownesse may be ignorance of the way how this assurance is to be sought vpon what foundation it is to be laid in what ordeâ— they come vnto it Sometimes they mis-conceiue the promises as if they were offered only to Belieuers and not laid as the foundations of faith and thereupon falsely conclude that no promise is made vnto them because they cannot finde that they doe belieue Sometimes they mistake the nature of faith taking it to be a perswasion or assurance that their sinnes are pardoned and so conclude that they haue no faith because they want assurance when in the order of nature faith is precedent to actuall remission And many times Christians are herein deceiued that they feare to receiue and apply the promises of grace till they can finde in themselues such a measure of sanctification as is scarce if at all attaineable in this life These and such like blockes must bee remoued by good information acquainting themselues out of the word of God what faith is the order in which wee must climbe vp to assurance how the promises are to be receiued and what is the true vse of sanctification But two things are specially to be learned for their direction First that assoone as euer a man feeles sinne as a burden Isa 55.1 Ioh. 7 37. Numb 21.9 and doth truely earnestly feruently thirst to be eased of it he hath a calling to come vnto Christ to aske obtaine and receiue mercy He that was bitten with the fierie serpent was appointed to looke vp to the brasen Serpent that he might recouer Oh then delay no longer bee not held backe with vaine obiections and causelesse scruples Math. 11.28 1. Ioh. 3.24 Behold he calls thee to come why shouldest thou feare in respect of thy vilenes Faith is obedience and obedience is more acceptable then courtesie and complement The sooner thou commest the better welcome It is rudenesse and not good manners not to doe as thou art bidden to doe yea and so earnestly perswaded intreated and charged to do To doe the worke of God is to belieue in him whom he hath sealed and sent to be thy Sauiour Ioh. 6.29 And shâ—lt thou not tenne times more honour and please him in trusting vpon his mercies and sealing to his truth then in fearing his iustice and dreading his power Secondly hee that finds himselfe plunged into the gulfe of miserie by sinne and destitute of the sappe and fruite of grace is inuited to come vnto Christ that hee may receiue from him the grace of sanctification as well as remission Oh euery one that thirsteth Reu. 22.17 Isay 55.1.2 Ioh. 7.37.38 come yee to the waters Hee that belieueth out of his bellie shall flow riuers of water of life The barren in grace must come vnto Christ to be supplied of his fulnesse Gal. 3.14 By faith wee receiue the promised Spirit He that walloweth in sinne is not fitted to belieue for iustifying faith can neuer take sound rooting in the heart which is not resolued to forgoe the practice and hast cast off the loue of all sinne but when a man is wearie of sinne and finds emptinesse of grace as hee is commaunded to pray for mercy and the gifts of grace so is he to belieue in Christ for the obtaining of both Wherefore study striue endeuour to belieue and lay hold on the Rocke as in danger of drowning a man will doe on the tree or post that comes next to hand When thou hast in thy conceite most cause to despaire labour against it When thou hast no reason in thy apprehension to belieue belieue with all thy power when the fauour of God is lost to thy feeling it may be present to thy faith which discerneth what is promised though to sence it haue no being And for thine encouragement set before thine eies Christs freedome to all suiters in the time of his flesh repelling none who truely desiâ—ed the price of his bloud There be other causes of this weakenesse Directions to the weake to stirre vp themselues to bee when they feele no comfort which haue beene
distempers for a time but in this languishing fit though it bee not vnto death vntill it recouer it is vnable to embrace the promises of perseuerance and the more liuely it is to receiue those promises the more earnestly doth it desire and sweetly feed vpon the Word of grace Fiftly It putteth forth it selfe to performe all duties of holinesse and loue with life and feâ—uour It laboureth and taketh paines in wel-doing For Idlenesse corrupts naturall strength vse and exercise confirmes it Dull and sluggish actions argue feeblenes of the faculty tend vnto decay as if we do not things with that vigor we haue done it is a signe of infirmitie and of a facultie inwardly or outwardly hindred and if wee rest in such a perfunctorie course and challenge not our selues for it wee are in danger to grow worse and worse But liuelinesse and contention in doing is both an argument of good disposition and a meanes of increase The more liuely faith is the better it worketh and the more it worketh the faster it groweth Life is the daily continuall vâ—gour of a liuing substance and euery thing as it is most liuely and likely to continue the more it doth shew forth it strength in working For a time faith may fall asleepe and the actions of faith bee heartlesse dull and perfunctorie but faith now asleepe will awake anone shâ—ke vp it selfe stirre vp affections resist sloth blow vp deuotion and restlessely aspire after heauenly things And like as it is with them whose going backe helpeth them to take their rise and fetch their leape more commodiously or whose linking for a season makes them to ply their businesse the closer afterward So here faith through him that is the Authour and finisher of it after such remissenesse doth renue it endeuours and with more vigour and holy contention set vpon the workes of pietie and godlinesse stirre vp the graces of the Spirit tie vp the thoughts to heauenly things labour against winde and tide and walke before God in all wel-pleasing though not without great weaknesse Sixtly It coueteth encrease of grace and sanctification Heale me O Lord and I shall be healed saue me Ier. 17.14 Psal 41.4 and I shall be saued for thou art my praise Lord bee mercifull vnto mee heale my soule for I haue sinned against thee How are men affected in recouering bodily health somewhat better will not content or satisfie When they can sit vp but not able to walke vp downe the chamber oh that they had a little strength to stirre when they dare walke within doores oh that they could stirre abroad then that their stomacke were returned and they could walke in their accustomed strength Euery liuing thing the more it doth liue the more it coueteth perfection of life in it kinde And so is faith affected in receiuing spirituall strength from the sicknesse of sinne till it feele it selfe enlarged to walke constantly and chearfully before the Lord yea till it be perfectly recouered which cannot be so long as we carrie about vs this bodie of death By reason man excelleth the beasts by holinesse he excelleth himselfe inferiour only to the Angels in degree and made like vnto the Lord as farre as a creature may be to his Creatour Sinne is the sicknesse of the soule so much more lothsome and dangerous then distempers of the bodie as the soule is more excellent then the bodie Holinesse is the health ornament and excellencie of the soule as farre surpassing it in worth as man doth the basest creature in dignitie and honour There is no trouble shame and sorrow to sinne there is no honour and comfort to holinesse and sanctification According to the nature of holinesse so is the fruit Prou. 3.14 15. the merchandise thereof is better then the merchandise of siluer and the gaine thereof then fine gold It is more pretious then rubies and whatsoeuer can be desired without it is not to be compared vnto it The naturall man neglâ—cteth to seeke after holinesse or take paines to get it because he feeles not the sicknesse of his soule nor vnderstands the worth and fruit of grace But the true Belieuer who is grieued with his infirmities and knowes the excellencie and comfort of spirituall health cannot but desire and couet grace more and more that in due time hee might be perfectly healed Seuenthly It receiueth new supply of grace continually from Iesus Christ the fountaine of grace Iohn 1.16 Of his fulnesse haue we all receiued and grace for grace Christ is an euer-flowing fountaine of grace of whose plentie all Belieuers are abundantly pertakers and that from one degree of grace to another though not all in the same measure and degree Water in a ditch which hath no liuing spring to feed it is soone dried vp but the pond which is nourished continually with fresh springs doth not feaâ—e the drought of Summer or scorching heate of the Sunne The Temporarie who was neuer knit vnto Christ as a liuing naturall and proper member may fall away from that which he seemed to haue But the true Belieuer in whom Christ the fountaine of life dwelleth who daily receiues grace from him Ephes 3.17 Ephes 4.7 according to the measure of the gift of Christ he shall neuer vtterly be destitute He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud dwelleth in mee and I in him John 6.56 57. As the liuing Father hath sent me and I liue by the Father so he that eateth me euen he shall liue by me Eightly It assureth of perseuerance through such promises as these Ezek. 36.27 Ier. 32.40 I will make you to walke in my Commandements I will put my feare in your heart that you shall not d part Iohn 6.54 Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud hath eternall life and I will raise him vp at the last day But Faith giueth assurance of perseuerance as it doth of the pardon and forgiuenesse of sinnes and what is necessary to be knowne of that point hath beene largely handled before Now if a Christian would stirre vp his faith to belieue the promses of perseuerance Meanes to stirre vp our selues to belieue these promises of perseuerance when hee feeles his owne weaknesse and considereth the strength and malice of his Aduersaries First Let him heartily bewaile his pronenesse to sinne aptnesse to decline inabilitie to withstand any one temptation or set one step forward in the way to Heauen Woe is me poore wretch blind lame crooked sicke impotent vnstable as the running water How was I bewitched with selfe-confidence and conceit of spirituall fulnesse I haue presumed vpon my wisdome as sufficient to direct my wayes and leaned vpon my strength as able to make resistance against temptations stand vpon mine owne bottome and goe through stich with my resolutions But now I finde my wisedome is ignorance vanitie and folly my strength weaknesse I am vnable to thinke one good thought set one step forward
come yea that whole time a man hath to spend from the very act of his Baptisme to his death For as it is the seale of a free euerlasting vnchangeable couenant so is the force and vse of it perpetuall Baptisme is the true Sacrament of repentance for remission of sinnes and spirituall renouation which being once receiued remaineth a perpetuall testimonie and pledge of the euerlasting Couenant of God and continuall washing away of sinne by the bloud of Christ and the Spirit of sanctification By singular appropriation it representeth and confirmeth ouâ— engâ—affing into Christ The vse to bee made of our Baptisme is two-fold but withall it sealeth the whole Couenant of grace The vse of Baptisme is twofold First It serues to be a pledge and token of Gods fauour and that diuers wayes First In that it is a seale of our regeneration by the holy Spirit whereby a diuine qualitie is infused into vs in the roome and place of originall corruption And therefore Baptisme as the text is ordinarily expounded is called the labour of regeneration Titus 3.5 it being an vsuall thing to call the principall cause and the instrument by the same name Secondly It sealeth and confirmeth vnto vs the free pardon and forgiuenesse of our sinnes Acts 2.38 Repent and be baptized euery one of you in the Name of Iesus Christ Acts 22.16 for the remission of sinnes Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sinnes calling on the Name of the Lord. Thirdly Baptisme is a pledge of the vertue of Christs death and of our fellowship therein Rom. 6.3 Doe yee not know that all wee who haue beene baptized into Iesus Christ haue beene baptized into his death Fourthly It is also a pledge of the vertue of Christs life and of our communion with him therein The life of Christ is the life of euery belieuer who liueth in Christ and shall liue for euer with him and in him a certaine pledge whereof he hath giuen vs in this Sacrament Rom. 6.5 For if wee haue beene planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his resurrection Buried with him in Baptisme Col. 2.12 wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead Fiftly Bâ—ptisme is a pledge of our adoption in Iesus Christ By nature we are the children of wrath but by grace and adoption the sonnes of God through faith in Christ which is sealed in Baptisme wherein the name of the Father Sonne and holy Spirit is put vpon vs. When Iacob blessed the sonnes of Ioseph Ephraim and Manasses Gen. 48.16 saying Let my name be named on them hee adopted them for his sonnes to haue inheritance with them in the land of Canaan and when God putteth his name vpon vs hee signifieth and assureth that wee are his sonnes Yee are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus Gal. 3.26 27. For as many of you as haue beene baptized into Christ haue put on Christ Sixtly Baptisme is a solemne testimonie of our communion with all the liuely members of Christ Iesus It is a seale of the bond of mutuall loue and fellowship both of Christ with his members and of his members one with another 1. Cor. 12.13 For by one Spirit are wee all baptized into one bodie whether wee be Iewes or Gentiles whether wee bee bond or free Ephes 4.5 And Baptisme is one of those things whereby the vnitie of the Spirit is preserued in the bond of peace Seuenthly It is a seale and pledge to assure that God will prouide for vs in this life raise vp our bodies vnto life at the last day of Iudgement and bestow vpon vs that euerlasting Kingdome and Inheritance which hee hath prepared Marke 16.16 Titus 3.5 6 7. 1. Pet. 3.21 For in Baptisme the Lord doth promise to bee our God that hee will prouide vs of all things necessarie for soule and bodie turne all euils which doe befall in this miserable life to the furtherance of our saluation raise vp our bodies at the last day and receiue vs vnto himselfe to dwell with him for euermore In all which respects Baptisme is of great force to strengthen faith and ease the heart in distresse For when the repentant sinner feeles himselfe heauie laden with the burden of his sinnes when Satan tempts him to doubt or despaire in regard of his corruptions when his owne corruption moueth him to sinne and he is euen now in the combate the Spirit lusting against the flesh and the flesh lusting against the Spirit and when hee is deeply perplexed with feare of falling away then the consideration and remembrance of what was promised and sealed in Baptisme will serue to stay support and comfort the soule For there hee shall find that his name is written in the couenant of God that God hath promised to giue Christ to be his Redeemer to accept of Christs satisfaction for him to wash away all his sinnes as certainly as the water washeth away the filth of the bodie and hauing such a faithfull promise confirmed by seale wherefore should he be dismayed In Baptisme also God hath sealed vnto him the mortification of his sinne by the power of Christs death which is the ground of confidence that God will enable him to ouercome the rebellious lusts of his heart and crucifie the old man more and more vntill the bodie of sinne be vtterly destroyed True it is that man by nature is dead in sin but in Baptisme God of his mercie hath sealed vnto the belieuer his rising from the death of sinne to newnesse of life True it is that of our selues wee are prone to fall away from grace receiued But God of his rich grace sealeth vnto the faithfull in Baptisme a Resurrection vnto immortall life which shall grow daily but neuer decay Rom. 6.9 10. If the faithfull be afflicted and despised of men persecuted and forsaken cast out the visible Congregation and banished from the hoâ—se of God yea euen in the agonies of death the remembrance of the promises sealed in Baptisme will afford comfort For if men haue forsaken God hath receiuâ—d them If men scorne and contemne the Lord will acknowledge them Hee hath long agoe sealed them for his owne receiued them into his family vndertaken to prouide for them and adopted them as heires apparant to the Kingdome of Heauen If God had giuen them his word alone for securitie it had beene sufficient But hauing confirmed it by seale in Baptisme they haue great cause to rest assured True it is they may be cast out of the visible assembles but they can neuer be cut off from the inuisible Communion of Saints they must die but God hath sealed vnto them their rising from the graue to euerlasting life by the power and vertue of Christs Resurrection which is a comfort of all comforts able to vphold the soule